act18side

An echo?

It's a sound coming from outside.

But isn't it the sound of Ebenholz's flute?

Czerny opens his mouth, but no voice comes out.

The answer already seems clear to him.

However, the expression Hibiscus sees on his face is not one of excitement or anger, but of terror.

Pure terror.

Gertrude converted this lounge, no, the entire Afterglow Hall, into a massive amplifier – an Arts amplification device.

The amplifier stays off as long as it doesn't detect any musical Arts.

But as soon as someone casts musical Arts, the amplification device activates... and exponentially amplifies the Arts as the music spreads through Afterglow Hall.

The leakages and Resonanz of the Voice of Mundane... are no exception.

(Stares vacantly)

In other words, Originium activation will spike in all areas that are affected, meaning that everyone in Vyseheim, virtually without exception, will be infected...

And those who already have Oripathy are even less likely to be spared. After they die, their bodies will rapidly disintegrate, releasing a large amount of active Originium microparticles...

The surrounding area will be permanently poisoned, and Vyseheim will be completely cut off from the outside world––

Very sorry to interrupt your little chat, but I'm here to offer a suggestion.

Why cast Arts of wakefulness across all of Vyseheim on such a beautiful night? I often suffer from insomnia.

My apologies, but we're dealing with something very important right now...

Gertrude?!

Good evening, Czerny.

And this must be Operator Hibiscus from Rhodes Island, yes? 'tis a pleasure to meet you.

As for the young man in shock over there, why not come visit my home for something to drink? Perhaps have a nice night's rest, and return energized tomorrow?

Ger... Gertrude... To think you'd actually––

I'd actually what? Don't tell me you're going to say that I'd actually deceive you and make you murder half the city?

That can't be right.

What you're actually mad about is how I had you running in circles, and nearly got you killed without you even noticing. Right?

Show us your pride as a noble, Graf Urtica. Come on, say something.

Ebenholz, she's trying to provoke you.

There's only one thing I need to know from you right now: Why did you come here?

I came because you woke me up, why else?

I'll take that as, you heard the musical Arts rippling outwards and realized your plans had been discovered.

That's correct.

Ahh, what a pity. With just one more day, I would've enjoyed a complete success.

Don't you think you should be thinking about how to escape? Do you seriously think your plan will proceed as normal if you manage to take us out here?

Ebenholz won't help you anymore, and regardless of what you were planning for the duet, it's not going to happen now!

Really? That's not how I see it.

As long as Ebenholz and Kreide are here, my plan has not failed.

As long as I eliminate you, I can continue negotiating with Graf Urtica. He is quite familiar with the art of the noble dealings, and changing his mind is hardly an impossibility.

Most importantly, I don't think you lot can actually beat me.

If the three of you were equal in power to Graf Urtica, then I certainly would have to watch my step. But you three, aha... Pardon my rudeness.

Don't waste your breath.

Graf Urtica, why don't we both take a step back? What do you say?

Take a step back?

I dismantle these giant amplifiers, and you continue working with me. That way, only Kreide has to die. Not a bad deal considering he only has a few days to live anyway, right?

In your dreams.

That truly is a shame. Due to unfortunate circumstances, you were forced to choose the path most ill-suited for you.

If that is your heart's desire, then so be it. What a shame––

Shut up...

You'll regret this for the rest of your life.

I said, shut up!!

The time for talk is over. It seems we can only settle this with a fight.

If I win, the self-appointed guardians of the Afterglow will have to behave themselves and keep their mouths shut so I can continue negotiating with Graf Urtica.

If you win, then there's nothing more to say. A win is a win.

Take your wand out, Graf Urtica. Or do you plan to have those two Infected fight for you?

Like I said, your provocations won't get you anywhere.

Hibiscus, stay out of this. Today, I swear I'll––

Think carefully about where we are, and what's all around us!

Unless you're able to do this without any musical Arts, you'll drive all the inhabitants of Vyseheim insane before the disease ever comes!

Tsk tsk. You're a quick thinker, Fräulein Hibiscus.

Since you caught on so quickly, I suppose there's no other choice but to take it outside.

Let me get this out there first. Rid yourself of the notion that escape counts as victory. While I personally dislike roughing up innocent bystanders, I can't say the same for my underlings.

You must not have a whole lot of confidence in yourself, based on how many you brought with you.

I'm so glad to hear your sharp wit once more. I'm almost moved to tears.

Are you feeling better now, Graf Urtica?

Of course, Dame Strollo.

Let's head outside and fight to our hearts' content.

There must be nobody for you to spar with back in Urtica. Should be lonely, right?

If I did, I wouldn't be playing with an old bag like you.

After all, you've never even challenged your own brother for his title. You have to wait for him to die before you can move up. I'm guessing you've never bested him in a fight before.

Very good, very good. I'm starting to hate you more and more.

The feeling is mutual.

Down!

In your dreams!

Fancy that, you can still struggle...

I'm not holding this one back, Dame Strollo!

You—read me?!

Who knew you could bite off more than you could chew?

Unripe. You're just relying on the Voice of Mundane... Your control of Arts is still in its infancy—

Hrragh!!

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

D—Did that get her...?

Heh, I never thought you'd be one to best me, Graf Urtica.

So you admit defeat?

Hmph. A loss is a loss. What, does not admitting it make it my victory instead?

You... Why are you unperturbed?

Because... how exactly can you lay a finger on me?

I'm the Lehnsfrau of this city. It's night, you broke into a concert hall I administrate, and you attempted to tear down legitimate renovations ratified by my own person.

You even injured me as I did my best to stop you—

Graf Urtica, Rhodes Islander, and you, Czerny. You should be the worried ones, isn't that right?

As despicable as ever, Gertrude.

Despicable? Is that how you treat your patron, your back of over a decade?

Czerny, I allowed you to use this concert hall.

You're no more than a mere Infected. Your position? I gave you that too.

Your cherished Afterglow could only limp its way to the present day on MY benevolence.

Don't forget that.

How dare—!

All of you, kindly leave.

I wouldn't be so sure.

Graf Urtica—this title carries with it disgrace, all throughout Leithanien.

But it also means that wherever I go, the Empresses' informants are sure to be.