act26side

And that's your entire reason for saying she was lying? Don't you think that's a weird conclusion?

I think having the same skill under my belt helps. Besides, look at the situation here. It's easy to guess how you'd act, and I'd also guess Federico's guessed.

There's no winning with you.

Plan A should've been dragging him off for drinks, after all.

Followed by him carting you back to the Lateran?

This monastery's guests have more swagger than you think. Can't say Federico would care to wrangle me once it's all going down.

Sounds like trouble really is brewing here.

So, Oren, what are you and Serpilia planning exactly?

Once you hear me out, are you gonna help me?

Thaaat... remains to be seen.

I'd have to hear the answer first to decide.

Federico, I've got bad news.

Uh... wait, is there anyone with you?

Richele is not here.

Who cares about him!

I mean... is that Fortuna kid with you?

No. Richele escorted her to her accommodations.

If you have discovered anything, please inform me. I require confirmation of the aggrieved citizen's condition.

Fine. Then I'll give it to you straight—we were too late.

Confirmed deceased?

Confirmed. It was a fatal gunshot wound. Barring a true miracle, she's not coming back to life.

Oh, and the guy with me called Clément. He said he was going to pick some flowers, and I didn't care. I let him go.

He was out of his mind when he left...

Flowers?

Per the intel. The abbey's specialty. Not many left right now, I gather, and that's not important.

The whole was an accident, Federico. The girl wasn't lying. Accidental discharge. It might not... be all that severe...

His Holiness will judge.

Sure... I mean, even Mostima flies with him. I'm sure Our Holiness will forgive with wide arms just like always.

I'll contact Richele in a bit—I'm sure he misses being free range. It'll be me watching the girl. I won't let her run off.

As for how Lemuen and Oren are doing...

Has Oren Argiolas made contact with you?

Am I under suspicion here?

By my judgment, yes.

Oren's movements were not placed under any restrictions. Failure to contact the Lateran is conduct of his own subjective.

The Sarkaz are involved in these affairs. I conjecture Oren would not immediately leave. If he wanted all leeway for operation, it would require finding a collaborator.

And so you suspect me... But what about Richele? No thoughts about him?

Richele does not have as ample time to act alone as you do. His level of suspicion ranks below yours.

Hahaha. You're a smart cookie, Federico.

Here's my comment: no comment. All guesses here are yours. I haven't said a thing.

Good? Good. I'll be in touch.

Oh, yeah, is the Abbot there?

Yes.

Uh... are you going to relay the news to him?

That is unnecessary.

He has heard it.

...Delfina...

I must see for myself. I need to... see the child...

Your Excellency may act freely.

However, Serpilia would not misjudge. I do not recommend spending additional time on reconfirming.

I am tentatively assuming Oren Argiolas is still aboard, and has some sort of scheme.

I must now ascertain in detail all movements he made prior to his disappearance staying at this monastery, as well as all recent absences and returns of monastery personnel. I ask you comply.

Reverend Executor, what <i>is</i> necessity to you? What line do you draw between the necessary and unnecessary?

Can you truly not hear your kin lamenting? Does emotion truly mean nothing in your mind?

I will not deny that.

And should that be, you are no worthy harbinger of Paradise.

And should you represent Laterano...

Laterano is no worthy shepherd of my faith.

Please answer my questions, Your Excellency: Has Oren acted abnormally in any way within the monastery? Have any other people lodged recently at the monastery?

My words are wasted on you.

Do as you will, Reverend Executor.

Finished...

Trust him to use up every last page of a notebook this thick.

Lemuen heaves a sigh, and closes the antique plain colored notebook shut.

Her fingers trace over the nicks and scrapes that decorate the cover, each one hiding a story of its own.

If back then...

Oh, what am I thinking?

Right, now then... Hm, it's time I got to work myself.

With Serpilia's group already here, I can't keep on dawdling.

Hm?

Is someone outside? If you're looking for me, you can come right in.

Well, well, that's not a guest I'd expect.

Sorry, visitor, but you came at a bad time—I don't have any tea to offer you.

We don't usually greet our visitors at gunpoint, save for special occasions.

Pardon me if you're dissatisfied with your treatment in any way.

(Indecipherable howling)

(Not reacting at all to what I say. Is communication completely out the window?)

(Not many human features left to show. Is it all hidden under those scales?)

(...I remember Iberian files mentioning this sort of mutation before...)

You couldn't be...

Oofff...

Nope, the wheelchair's not going to cut it.

(Strange. Something's not right.)

(Is its target... not me?)

(Where is it aiming? What is it trying to—)

Too close...!

(Forget it, I'll have to worry about that later!)

Nuh-uh, just because I'm physically handicapped doesn't mean you can pick on me, visitor!

(Angry howling)

Stop right there—!

Nope—I can't just let you slip away!

When the elderly chat, the topic inevitably turns to Laterano

They call it bright, abundant, safe for all, disturbed by none.

They say it's true paradise on Terra.

The truth is, they all know the monastery's been adrift for decades, and only a dwindling few remain who've actually seen Laterano before. Perhaps two or three, or maybe just it's Bishop Stefano now.

They bring up Laterano, but the object of their nostalgia is a dream they're long overdue to wake from.

A dream where the sun shines and the flowers are underfoot forever.

Just as the monastery used to be, all those years ago.

They're about to wither.

They bloomed earlier than last year. I could guess they'd wither sooner too. I just didn't think it'd be this soon...

The few you picked were in wonderful blossom. They're not about to wilt yet.