act18side

We are more or less friends. I have him worked out to an extent.

He's a famed artist, after all, come rain or shine, and Infected too. His temper flared up. Please, excuse him.

Hmph.

I do have my influence over this concert. You and Kreide can practice; I'll do Czerny's work.

I'd rather redo the selections than have you exercise your sway, to be honest. This morning was merely an aberration in performance.

Of course, of course.

Still, you needn't let this perturb you so badly.

Tea? We have a citrus-flavored black tea today. They say it does good things for headaches.

Thank you very much.

How is it?

Fragrant. I appreciate the hospitality.

Well, then, moving on. Listen closely, please.

As you'd anticipated, my inviting you to Vyseheim, for a concert in the Infected settlement, does come with ulterior motives.

You don't seem too bowled over.

I'm used to being exploited by now.

It would've surprised me more if you had no other motive.

In that case, I'll be straightforward.

I have a plan that's been a long time ready.

If you act according to this plan, I have great certainty I can free you from the 'Voice of the Mundane.'

—What did you say?!

The Voice of the Mundane, Herr Ebenholz. The root of your many misfortunes, one of the legal grounds on which you possess Grafschaft of Urtica, the—

I don't need you to explain what the Voice of the Mundane is. The thing has been inside my head all this time, tormenting me when it sees fit.

What I need you to expound on is the details of this plan.

It's very simple. Just perform at Herr Czerny's concert as an ensemble with your fresh acquaintance Herr Kreide, and that will suffice.

Out of sheerest kindness, I'll treat this as a poor joke, Dame Gertrude.

This is in no way a joke.

Just like you, Kreide harbors the Voice of the Mundane within him.

Him? The Voice of the Mundane?

The Twin Empresses made it explicit that I was the only one left who carried it!

That merely shows there are things even they don't know. To boot, it isn't even that rare.

Two Voices of the Mundane need only come close enough in space in order for 'Resonanz' to occur, and this sonority will amplify both your Arts as it occurs. That is the basis of my plan.

Beyond amplifying your Arts, Resonanz is its own kind of powerful energy, and *this* energy will be massively intensified when you two perform in ensemble.

It just needs the appropriate induction, and I'll be able to make use of this energy to transfer your Voice of the Mundane into him.

Then what will happen to Kreide?

Fear not. I'll handle that as deemed fit.

I still don't understand, though. Why does it have to be Czerny's concert?

I'll duet with Kreide at his home, you come induce this resonance, and you transfer my Voice of the Mundane into him. Won't that work?

The induction of Resonanz is a delicate art. Alone without the Afterglow Hall, I wouldn't be able to do it.

The Afterglow Hall?

Didn't you know? Construction of the Afterglow Hall was completed under the Witch King's supervision.

I never heard.

Being a building he ordered in the twilight of his reign, the materials and architecture employed in the Hall share many resemblances to his Spire.

It wasn't meant as the concert hall it is, synonymous with the Infected district. It was meant as a fortress of Arts, a nightmare to terrify His Majesty's enemies.

I've overstepped my bounds in doing so, but I do require the Afterglow Hall aid me in conducting the Resonanz's energy, so we can ultimately eliminate the Voice of Mundane that dwells in your body.

Do you have any other questions about the detail of this plan?

After it's done, I will handle Kreide and any other remaining trifles. You need only hide for a suitable length of time.

Once it all blows over, you can escape your unbearable nobility once and for all, and become a free civilian.

Of course, if you aren't alright accepting such ready freedom, I won't force you, and I certainly won't make an enemy of you on the grounds that you know my plan.

Whether you wish to remain in Vyseheim until the concert concludes, or return immediately to Urtica, I will not stop you.

You won't stop me...

You're the first to want to rid me of the Voice of Mundane, rather than exploit it.

Just what are you hoping to gain from me?

A powerful assistance.

A what?

I'm just a puppet Graf. I can't even manage my own fiefs personally.

After your supposed plan succeeds, I'll be no more than an unidentified civilian. What powerful assistance?

Fiefs, armies, even Originium Arts... none of that is important.

What's important is the Graf Urtica gone missing, even declared dead.

Think of it. How will the Leithanian public opinion respond when at the right juncture, the Graf Urtica returns from the grave?

To 'return from the grave.' That's the greatest aid you could ever lend me.

I understand.

Please... allow me some time alone, Dame Gertrude.

I'd be glad to.

If you wish to travel anywhere, don't hesitate to tell the servants outside.

Farewell.

Farewell. May your decision be the one that suits your interests.

Hello.

Listen. You must watch whatever happens between Kreide and Rhodes Island closely.

You may disrupt Rhodes Island's movements when necessary, but remember never to alert them at any cost. Direct military conflict is forbidden.

Understood.

Allow me to report to you on Graf Urtica's circumstances...

You can save it. We know.

This is your plan. If you feel the need to expound on minor matters like this, we'll simply send someone to put you back on track.

Apologies, I was not considerate.

Ebenholz will be easy enough, but Kreide and Rhodes Island...

I'd forgot. I have what I need, ready and waiting.