act18side

That's what I want to hear! This devil's been collecting our blood from all over! That shit's exactly what she's doing!

Collecting the blood of Infected for Arts... Based on what I know, nothing apart from the, um, quote-unquote 'Witch King's remains'...

Hibiscus's mindless utterance stuns not just the two Infected into silence, but the entire crowd about them who gathered to see what the fuss was about.

You'd... utter the Majesty's name just like that... You really are... all tied up.

That's it, she has to be! It's what the prophecy said! This devil's going to use Infected blood to blast us all with Arts!

Prophecy? You mean the one His Majesty issued...

Right! That one! We can't let that prophecy come true!

Did you say prophecy?

I heard there was a prophecy recently, but it was all vague... what did it say, exactly?

I'm just as curious. You're trying to drive me off based on some prophecy, but I don't even know anything about it. How do you expect me to go, just like that?

We can't just talk about it out loud. Who can guarantee he didn't leave behind some kind of Arts? Maybe our each and every move is all...

Eek!

Th-Th-Th... Then tell us quietly. What exactly did the prophecy say?

Tch.

(Whisper) Andante, have you heard similar rumors recently?

(Whisper) It rings a faint bell, to be honest, but I never paid any attention to it...

(Whisper) Not to mention His Majesty died long ago. And even if he were alive and well, he'd have no reason to leave any prophecies specifically in the Afterglow.

(Whisper) People just keep coming...

Girlie, I think you should take a hike. There's everything to fear here...

Get out of the Afterglow!

Please, everyone, don't just trust an unfounded rumor like this!

Rumor?! You have the gall to call a prophecy a 'rumor,' you...

Sir, one moment you saying me and the Wi... those remains are 'all tied up,' the next you're suggesting I'm disrespecting him. What exactly are you trying to get at with all these contradictions? What are you inciting?

The way your sort behave, common sense never applies.

Besides, who knows what a devil like you is up to, coming here to the Afterglow and using your 'investigation' as a cover to steal our blood.

Even if you *mean* no harm, we can't just ignore the prophecy and let you stay here! Isn't that right, everyone?

Yeah! That's right!

I'm not sure why you all seem so scared of a fictional calamity taking place here. It's probably 'His Majesty's' name hanging over you?

But there's something that scares me more.

I'm scared I won't be able to find an explanation for this incident.

If I cower now, then maybe I'd be losing a golden chance to save lives; maybe, I'd leave you all to be endangered just because of my own cowardice.

You can look at me like a cruel caster using Infected blood for Arts, you can treat me like some 'devil' spreading disaster... I don't mind any of it.

I just want to save lives. Beyond that, I'm not asking the Afterglow for anything else.

No more lies! If you don't go, you're here to destroy the Afterglow!

Everybody, I don't intend to start a conflict with you here.

If you truly want me out of sight, I can return to the Rhodes Island branch office for a time, and you can all cool down in the meanwhile. Would that be okay?

Pssh, now you're talking reason—

No!

Where do you think the Rhodes office is? It's here in the Afterglow too!

Or do you think Rhodes Island has some special privilege, huh? That you can just take it out of the Afterglow's hands?

We won't let that happen!

Everyone with me! Drive this devil away!

Some come charging in, some stay motionless where they are, and some choose to turn their backs on Hibiscus, leaving this site of trouble.

No matter the choice they've made, Hibiscus simply stands there, not choosing to fight, nor choosing to flee.