act18side

I warn you... don't think I'll hesitate to blow my own head off, if you dare imitate him one more time.

(Sighs)

My foolish bloodline.

Ebenholz no longer hears the voice.

He walks toward the lounge in Afterglow Hall, Kreide's body growing heavier in his arms with each step.

We're here.

I'll seal the room. Lie down on the sofa.

It's soft. It'll feel nice.

Sofa, soft...

You've never slept on one at home...

Looks like I've been infected.

Arts that once took so much effort now feel so simple. Maybe getting infected isn't so bad after all.

That should do it. I'll seal the door from the outside.

Anything else?

A token... yes, a token.

I'll take the cello.

Look at me, taking back something I bought for you.

Ebenholz's lips tremble.

He stands wordless for a moment before laying his flute at Kreide's side.

You said you wanted a coin with a hole, but the only thing I have left is this flute...

I'm sorry.

So sorry...

'The Sky is blue and fine, The Breeze lilts by in Song; The River murmurs clear, My Heart is filled with Hope. The Mist parts overnight, The Earth welcomes Dawn's Light; Praise be Leithanien, Where free Men find their Home.' —Lied des klaren Himmels (1078)

(According to the map, I shouldn't be far from the Rhodes Island branch office now.)

(Got held up a bit coming into Vyseheim, but if I just hurry up, I can hopefully make it there before I'm late...)

Hold it right there!

Er... me?

Yes indeed, you, beautiful Dame! You're an unfamiliar face. Could this be your first time here in the Afterglow?

Yes, I'm a Rhodes Island Operator, here to look into the Serendipitous Infected Prognosis Phenomenon—

Leave behind your work and duties for now. I cordially invite you here to perform with me in song!

Perform?

But I bought this concert flute as a staff. I couldn't play you a single song...

No matter! If you can just make it sing, I have faith I can spin your notes into a song to offer to you, Dame. Let's commemorate this fine day!

I have an appointment with someone, and I'm almost late as is.

Don't worry, don't worry. Anyone would let a little delay go, with weather so fine.

Come, this won't take long!

I... I just play some random notes then?

Please!

(Alright, alright, I can make it sound...)

Do... fa... la.. so... fa... mi...

Wonderful, a motif full with hope!

Emma, I'll play. What if you and our visitor dance a tune together?

Together?

Come, beautiful Fräulein, let us skip!

But I really don't have the time, and I'm not much of a danc—

No worries, we all dance poorly at times. No one will laugh at you.

Very well, I'll play this in three...

One-two-three, one-two-three... ready—go!

I'm sorry, I trod on you so many...

That's fine, I'm delighted to dance with you! Thank you for joining us!

Goodbye! Have a beautiful day!

Welcome to the Afterglow!

Thank you, thanks.

Good morning, Hibiscus~

You're... Andante? From the branch?

That's right! Welcome to Vyseheim's Afterglow!

Thank you. This is awkward, you coming out here just to greet me.

I didn't come just to greet you.

Eh?

Word came that before you left for the Afterglow, you were piling pressure on yourself, staying up all hours of every night. You were reading papers right up until you left the landship.

So today, your job is entirely to relax!

I'm actually fine.

No, can't have that! Strings snap when you stretch them that thin!

Besides, you came just at the right time. Herr Czerny's farewell concert is in a week, and it just so happens today's application day.

Apparently, he's performing at the plaza in front of Afterglow Hall! It'll be over if we're a moment too late!

But the mission...

If this chance goes, it's gone! We can talk missions tomorrow! Let's run!

We're here!

Afterglow Hall. They say it's this very concert hall the Afterglow gets its name from.

Is... this even a building, or is it a giant instrument...?

Enough, the Hall's not going anywhere, we'll have time to admire it later. Our focus today is Herr Czerny.

I think... I read about Mister, Herr Czerny beforehand. He was born in the Afterglow?

He was. He's still the one and only musician ever to both be Infected and renowned in Leithanien. He's even held minor tours around the country—

I see him, there he is!

The musician stands on the steps outside the hall, a colossal instrument his height upright beside him.

No one stands in the five-meter semicircle around him.

Outside that semicircle, the crowds teem.

Blow me down! Half of the Afterglow's here, at least.

Half?!

Herr Czerny used to constantly perform outdoors here, but he's been ill for half a year, and it's his first time back. You don't know how excited everyone is—

(Whisper) It's starting.

With the sound of a piano, the plaza quickly falls to a hush.

Practically everyone stops talking.

Even the peddler hawking incessantly until now lowers his voice.

The song is short.

The moment Czerny's performance ends, a mountainous applause erupts.

It gradually abates. While Czerny prepares to play the next song, someone neatly dressed squeezes through the crowd, and arrives at his side.

Herr Czerny, Dame Gertrude sends her regards.

Oh. You, I see.

She asks me to remind you that be it an applicational affair or the concert day itself, you haven't been booked for an outdoor performance.

And what does it matter?

Other places may have their schedules, but you are hard-pressed to stop me performing for all in the Afterglow.

Your health isn't the fairest. You'd best not tire yourself too much...

I know my health best. If I didn't feel better today, I wouldn't be here.

Go tell Gertrude: mind her own business. Don't come all persnickety at me.

Very well.

What was his problem? Why did no one say anything?

He's a retainer of Dame Gertrude Strollo.

Gertrude Strollo... Countess Strollo, the ruler... the Lehnsfrau of Vyseheim?

The very same.