act18side

Listen, everything's gone back to normal now.

Seems like whatever happened before was just some shock value for the show.

I assume she wanted to demonstrate the difficulty of controlling the Voice of Mundane, for the purpose of increasing her own value.

Ah, you're right. Maybe she's not half bad after all.

Not only did she prepare such an interesting technique for us, she even treated us to an elegant piece of music.

The juxtaposition of light and shadow is vividly reflected in the trio of flute, cello, and piano.

Finally, the piece approaches its coda with an ensemble of cello and piano.

Listeners strain their ears, expecting to hear the whispers of the cold night, the embrace of darkness, the call of the abyss.

But they are greeted only with a long, drawn-out sigh from the void.

After what seems like an eternity, applause finally breaks out across the audience that gradually swells with enthusiasm.

But before the applause can sweep across the venue, it crashes against the dissonance of horrified screams.

It's over... Kreide, you've done it!

No, there's... still something I have to do...

Kreide, what's happening to you... your body?!

Ebenholz, let's go outside.

Herr Czerny, please take Hibiscus and evacuate the audience. Have them get as far away from here as they can.

You—

Kreide, your body...

I'm sorry, Herr Czerny. Fräulein Hibiscus.

There's so much I want to say to you, but... It seems like now isn't the time.

Take me there, Ebenholz, while I can still control myself.

The melody in my head... is getting louder and louder...

The two melodies are... tugging, inside my head...

Hurry, Ebenholz. Take me outside.

The concert hall is amplifying both melodies at once. I can't hold on for much longer...

I know!

Ebenholz, you...

I'll take care of Kreide.

But––

I said, I'll take care of Kreide!

Hibiscus, go with Herr Czerny and evacuate the crowd!

Upon witnessing the metamorphosis taking place on stage, the people in the auditorium begin to flee.

Panicked screams follow one after another, and Hibiscus and Czerny's shouts can be heard among them. However, to Ebenholz's ears, everything is blurring into white noise. His eyes fixate only on the plaza outside the concert hall.

You were planning to do this the entire time, weren't you?

Perish the thought...

I just... did it on a hunch.

A hunch?! When I said you were being unusually easygoing today, it was all because of a hunch?!

No, no... I truly am glad that I got to perform with you and Herr Czerny.

This is the happiest I've been my entire life.

Then why'd you go and pull a stunt like this?!

There are still so many happy things waiting for you––

But if I didn't, then either you or Herr Czerny would've done it, right?

So that means it somehow falls upon you?!

You've never had a single good day your entire life, whereas I'm the one who's had enough of living since a long time ago. It should've been me!

Sorry, Ebenholz.

Why are you apologizing... What do you have to be sorry for?!

The way I look now... must be truly hideous, right?

I've torn up the clothes you had made for me, haven't I? Those nice, expensive clothes...

Don't worry about that! I'll buy as many suits as you want!

I'm sorry––

You...

You liar...

I'm furious with you now, Kreide.

I'm really, really mad!

Kreide is too weak to lift his head, but he can hear Ebenholz's sobbing.

What's going on? What the hell just happened?

No idea... But Herr Czerny said the concert's on hold, and that Hibiscus girl was desperately urging us to evacuate.

It'll be fine though. Nothing's going to happen to us.

But the sky suddenly went dark... Do you think some disaster might actually be coming?

Think about what that prophecy said... Fades Finale's Ensemble...

Don't worry, it'll be fine. That prophecy also called Hibiscus a 'Fiend.'

It's starting to rain?

See, there's nothing to be scared of. It's just a bit of rain.

We're here.

Feel any better?

I don't think so...

I only... managed to forcibly suppress that sensation.

What do I need to do now? Hurry and tell me––

I want to... ask you a few questions.

Go ahead! Ask me anything you want!

Ebenholz, do you think... that your fate is tragic?

Is my fate... tragic?

I used to think so.

But after I met you, I realized that the past me was just crying bloody murder over nothing.

That's not your fault.

They shackled you, stole your freedom, blindfolded your eyes, and plugged your ears... That's not your fault.

Then, do you think my fate is tragic?

The first time I heard your life story, it really did come as a huge shock to me.

But I've gradually learned that your life isn't tragic. In fact, it seems very... fulfilling.

Haha, that's great to hear.

*cough*, ourgh...

Kreide, you...

I can't hold it back any longer. But, let me finish, Ebenholz.

The Voice of Mundane's completed melody swirls around in my head, and the Witch King's residual power howls from within me. Cruel thoughts are tearing at my chest, forcing me to bow down to fate.

They're forcing me to say that our stories were painful, our reunion was misfortune, and that our fates are tragic.

But!

But, Ebenholz!

I will rebuke them!

Do you understand, Ebenholz?

I won't deny that the Voice of Mundane has caused us untold suffering.

I won't deny that your life as a Graf, filled with humiliation and scorn, was a misfortune.

I won't deny that my experiences living an unstable life of wandering have been tragic.

But I will deny... I will always deny... the suggestion that my life is defined by those words.

My grandpa carried a burden like me around for over ten years. During those years, I lived in abject poverty, denied a relationship with anyone but Grandpa.

But as long as I give kindness to others, I can feel their kindness in return.

I even met a teacher who was willing to teach me how to play the cello.

Most importantly – after more than ten years, I met you again.

Ebenholz, don't ever forget. We are both subjects of that cruel, inhumane experiment. And we survived.

When we feel like cursing our own fates, we cannot afford to forget that!

We met each other again, became friends again, and delivered a perfect performance on stage together!