act18side

If not for Grandpa, I might've also died in that cellar.

Died–– They actually kill the Infected?

They didn't need to, nor did they dare.

All they had to do was wait for them to starve, crystallize, and explode...

Hasn't there been a long-standing law to treat the Infected with dignity?

I never knew about a decree like that until I first set foot in a nomadic city.

I—

I, I'm...

I'm so sorry...

I don't know what to say.

You have nothing to apologize for. You were also deceived by the Gräfin...

No, what I mean is, if I had been a little braver back then... If I, if I had spoken up back then, maybe you wouldn't have had to––

I'm sorry...

Really, you don't have anything to apologize for.

Just as you said, the Voice of Mundane was made by man. The blame falls on those who sought to use the Voice of Mundane, not on you.

I protected you in the manner I could...

Just like you're trying to protect me now.

You're right.

Thank you, Kreide.

Come, let's find Hibiscus and Herr Czerny... They'll know what to do, I'm sure of it.

And then, we'll have that Voice of Mundane removed from you. You can thank me properly after that.

Let's go––

Kreide?!

Kreide's condition is more or less stable. The reason he passed out most likely has to do with the poison.

We've rescued a number of poisoning patients whose signs and symptoms largely match with Kreide's.

But on the subject of Kreide's future... the Countess probably didn't lie. Overall, his condition is on the edge of critical.

So, you'll help us, won't you?

I... want to trust the two of you, I really do.

But I need proof.

Even if it's circumstantial evidence, I need some objective facts to show that the Voice of Mundane isn't baseless speculation, but a part of an imminent plot––

Sir?!

Where've you been? We've been looking all over for you!

Lies? Speculation?

Can you be a hundred percent sure that what you say is true?

What you said to Kreide... Do you know that he almost died along with those Originium slugs because of your words?!

Ebenholz, is that true...?

(Nods slightly)

Had Ebenholz not found him first, you would've never seen him again!

I'm telling you, the Voice of Mundane is real. That I swear on my life!

What do you mean?

I don't have time to explain it to you right now. I have work to do.

But, I need to...

You're among the most stubborn folk I've ever met.

Go to the lounge of the concert hall, and you'll understand everything.

Right, the concert hall!

Gertrude said she did something to Afterglow Hall to make it match with the Arts during the duet!

Alright, let's go right away–

There's also Czerny. Make sure you bring him as well, in case neither of you can convince the other.

I have to go now.

Sir, you...

Ebenholz and Hibiscus trade glances.

They are both suspicious, but they are also running out of time.