act18side

The Blood hides Plague within, slow beckons Death to creep all Ways.

Pestilence from Shadow wanton spouts, spews Ruin in Prelude.

Fades Finale's Ensemble; Woe departs with Sun's last Rays.

Ensemble? Woe?

Right.

To be honest, I'm still curious what the last verse means.

Everything else is already fairly clear.

The first verse refers to Hibiscus's arrival in the Afterglow, and the second refers to the phenomenon of false recovery...

You even know about that?

What do you think a spy's job is?

Now, the third verse is also clear. All that remains is the last one.

It's open.

Now, that's something...

A laboratory?!

Ah, it's you. Thank you for organizing––

Herr Czerny, the situation outside has gone to hell in a handbasket!

Swarms of noxious Originium slugs started coming up from the sewers, and a lot of people have already been poisoned. It's total chaos out in the streets now!

They're saying this is part of the prophecy, and panic is spreading through the Afterglow!

How did this all happen?

We can't do much about people panicking right now, but how about those who were poisoned?

They're not looking too good... Especially those whose Oripathy started getting better recently. They're having even more violent reactions.

We've already contacted the hospital, but the medical staff on the line didn't seem very motivated when they heard that we're in the Afterglow...

Not motivated?!

I'll go negotiate with the hospital then.

It's too dangerous outside, you'd better just call!

If they didn't care when you made the call, it won't make a difference if I'm the one on the line. This is something I'll have to take care of in person.

But tomorrow's the day of the concert, and if you get poisoned...

If these inexplicable events result in deaths, do you think people will be in any mood to enjoy the music, even if the concert continues as planned?

I don't want things to reach that point, nor do I want to pretend as if nothing is happening. I'd rather not play a single note than lie to myself!

Why are there so many slugs?!

It reeks! What is this stench...?

I'll help you, let's get out of here!

Looks like... the prophecy is coming true...

Damn pests, stay away!

Krause, Krause! Get up–– *cough*, *cough*...

Help us! Someone, anyone!

Is someone playing the cello...? All the slugs are going in the direction of the music?

Thank you!

Krause, stand up. Here, hold on to my shoulder...

Hold on tight. Let's go, now!

(Whispers) You're welcome.

With Kreide at the epicenter, the tones of the cello spread out across the narrow streets and alleys of the Afterglow.

Wherever the cello's notes travel, the Originium slugs turn around one after another.

Those who had been surrounded think the crisis is over, that the poison-exhaling insects will soon retreat to the dark sewers under the guidance of the cello's tune.

But they are wrong.

Both where they can and cannot see, Originium slugs make their way towards Kreide.

Huff, *pant*, *pant*...

Finally... made it...

Now what... Do I just blow all these slugs up with Arts?

––Something's not right here.

Now what is it, my good spy?

The Originium slugs are all congregating in one place––

A cello...?!

Kreide, what are you doing? Stop that right now–– *cough*, *cough* *cough*!

No yelling. It won't do any good and will only mess up your lungs.

Help me get through!

I told you, stop shouting.

He won't stop playing just because you're shouting, and I won't stand aside just because you aren't.

Then, let's combine forces and clear a path to Kreide!

I don't think so. I'll head in the opposite direction.

Are you going back to your coffee shop?

Yes. We worked together to create an opening. Now, we will part ways.

I'm sure you can't wait to head back to your shop and study those torn documents you retrieved from the lab, right?

I'm so glad the research notes about the Voice of Mundane are so much more interesting than the lives of the Infected.

Kreide's situation is your own damned fault, so you can solve it yourself.

Also, if I find out that even a single word in those notes and plans was written by you, just you wait.

I'll be waiting, sure enough.

That's the end of our chat.

We're going, on the count of three!

*pant*... *pant*...

Kreide, I'm coming! Stop playing the cello!

Are you trying to get yourself killed?!

That...

That is something I've considered.

I'll draw all the slugs over with the sound of my cello, and then... burn myself to ashes, along with them.

But now that you're here... I probably won't have a chance to do that anymore.

Kreide, why...?

Ever since I was little, I knew there was something wrong with me.

The Infected who spent a lot of time around me... their sickness kept getting worse and worse.

My grandpa and I were chased out of our home for it. We started wandering between villages.

I always thought, it wasn't all Infected people. That as long as they didn't spend too much time around me, they'd be fine.

But my grandpa's condition finally started to deteriorate, and that shattered my first illusion.

After that, Hibiscus told us about the phenomenon of 'false recovery.' I've already caused such serious damage in the short time since I came to the Afterglow.

If me living brings calamity to others, then I would rather die.

It's not your fault!

How is it not my fault?

––Do you know about the Voice of Mundane?

Now that you mention it, I... think I'm finally starting to remember.

About the Voice of Mundane, those who died in the experiment, the Witch King's remains... and you.

I remember it all now.

That's why none of this is your fault!

The Witch King and his remains are to blame, as well as Gertrude – but you're innocent!

Hmm...

Thank you for reminding me that this isn't something I was born with. It was the foul product of an experiment.

I couldn't remember either until I heard the sound of your cello, so I should be thanking you.

But...

'But' what?

The situation has already spiraled out of control. I can't even mitigate the harm I cause anymore.

Besides, if the Gräfin's words are true, then my days are numbered. I might as well do something here...

No!