act26side

(Raimund's acting all shifty...)

(What is it he can't tell me right now? Something that has to wait until after dark?)

(I don't get it, but whatever. He can do his own thing.)

(It's already so late, I'm only now bringing the food over... Seniora Lemuen must be starving by now. And, these portions are tiny.)

(Be patient, stomach! Stop growling already! Didn't you eat just a minute ago?!)

(*sigh*...)

(I really hope I can feast one day, just eat all I want without worry.)

Wh-Who's there?

I know you're here! Who are you?

Who's hiding over there?

Even if you keep quiet, I, I already saw you! You aren't from the abbey!

Come out! If, if you don't, I'm gonna call the others over– ...I mean, I'm gonna pull the trigger!

Alright, alright. I'm coming out.

Hah, guess I messed up...

You sure have sharp eyes. Was it the light from my wings? I knew it, it's way too easy to pick out a Sankta, what with everyone having different wings and halos.

Good grief. And here I was thinking I wouldn't need to be all that sneaky.

I've never seen you before. Who are you?

Okay, Seniora. Let's put the gun down first. That isn't something a nice girl should be pointing at her own kind.

You're a Sankta too. You can feel I don't have anything against you.

I am, uhh... I guess you can call me a justicebringer this time? Yeah, something like that, since I'm here to save people and all.

Fine, if you don't want to talk, I'm going to call for help–

Woah woah, settle down there.

Mmmmph!!

(Let go of me!)

Sure, but you'd better not scream.

*gasp*... *gasp*...

Sorry, didn't do a good job controlling my strength there. Are you alright?

*cough*... *cough, cough*... Who exactly are you, and what are you after?!

It's nothing I can't tell you. I'm looking for someone.

Another Sankta, just like me. Pink hair, probably still in a wheelchair. She's got a kind and gentle look to her, but her personality is actually anything but...

(Is she talking about Lemuen?!)

Hmm? That look on your face tells me... you know who I'm talking about? My lucky day.

The food you just brought over– who's it for? I've got a feeling you're taking it to Lemuen, right?

(Ack?!)

(How did she know??)

Haha, looks like I'm right on the money again? You really need to work on your poker face!

So, would you mind telling me how Seniora Lemuen has been doing?

You'd prefer not to say, huh? Or are you not allowed to? You're hesitating, and a bit scared...

S-Stop it! Stop making things up!

Am I making things up? I guess you'd know.

You seem to have a lot on your mind, which feels a little odd. How could a cloistered place like this have so much trouble?

Where is all that coming from? Are you getting into fights because there aren't many of your own kind here?

That's none of your business.

Isn't it? Are you saying that because the patron firearm you're holding hasn't been maintained in a while, because it's rusting?

I don't mind helping you out with that. I'm pretty good at gun repair, so why don't we do a little trade? You just tell me where Lemuen is. That's all.

Why not tell me? I bet you already have an idea of who I am, right? You look pretty smart to me.

Did Laterano send you too, like Seniora Lemuen?

I was.

That's enough small talk now. I'm a bit short on time.

You're really not gonna tell me where Lemuen is?

*sigh*... Well, if that's how it is, that's how it is.

Say...

Let me take care of delivering that food for you.

*gasp*...!

That's that, then. Vale.

Last one. That should wrap things up.

These people are... bandits? They sure know how to make a ruckus.

Federico, how are things on your end? I heard a whole bunch of commotion over there. You didn't blow up any buildings, did you?

I did not.

Great. Well done, I'm just wrapping up over here as well.

Thank you so much. You two are incredible...

That should teach the robbers to behave themselves for a while.

It sounds like this isn't the first time you've been attacked, is it?

How often does this sort of thing come up?

If you came from Laterano, you must know how difficult it is to travel these roads.

If we didn't have a ride, it wouldn't have been able to get here so easily.

Nobody wants to hang around a place like this, except the truly desperate.

As you saw, there's nothing out here in these barrenlands except this monastery. Once those thugs set their sights on us, do you expect them to give up?

He's right. Now that it's almost winter, they'll be coming more often.

That reminds me, didn't Benny hurt his leg last time? How's he doing?

He's still got a bit of a limp. Only option is to tough it out.

Uh, by the way, who are these two...?

We're, uhh, I suppose you can call us emissaries from Laterano?

Ah, guests from Laterano... How are you called?

Executor Federico of the Laterano Notarial Hall.

Executor Richele. We have another colleague with us, but she's already one step ahead.

Senior Federico, Senior Richele.

You don't seemed surprised.

Sure. We knew it was only a matter of time before Laterano sent another. The only question is what kind of guest we would be getting.

I thought...

The tall, thin, and frail middle-aged man subconsciously glances at the guns in the hands of the two Lateran visitors.

I thought the next time they sent someone it would be to hand down charges...

Charges? What crimes have you committed?

Under the Notarial Hall's purview, most criminals see a reduced sentence upon surrendering themselves and obtaining the forgiveness of the wronged.

S-Surrender? Sentence?

Huh? What are you talking about?!

Hold on, Federico! We don't have a handle on the situation yet, let's not worry about that until we find Lemuen and Oren.

Sorry. We'd like to talk to the man in charge here. Do you think you could arrange that for us?

Ah, yes! Give me a second, I'll go...

No need.

Thank you for your assistance. I would be the man you're looking for.

Sorry, I was one step too late.

Your Excellency! And, Gerald...

Brother Gerald!

Would you be the Most Reverend Abbot of this monastery? And this, uhh, Senior Gerald, is he also a community leader?

No.

He is not.

Haha. True enough. I am no such important person.

I realize you must have many questions.

Please, come. Let us find a more suitable place to talk.