act26side

What is it?

Hyman hasn't come back either... I looked around for her, but she's nowhere to be found.

Is Raimund still gone as well?

Yes.

Got it. Leave this to me.

Okay.

But if Hyman never shows up, should we... wait?

Tomorrow morning at the latest. If anyone's still not back after Matins, you and Raimund will set off with rest as planned.

But...

I'll stay behind. Dead or alive, I'll find Hyman.

I swear, I'd never abandon a single one of you.

That's all we're worried about.

*mumble*, you always take too much on yourself.

Let's not bring up that name again.

You call me boss. I have a duty to find you a way out.

And I see you walking down a dead end.

Hahaha. I know what I'm doing.

Forget all that, no need to look so sad. Go on, get everything good and ready.

Shift change.

Wargh...!

There's a fright... hi there, Serpilia.

Who else would you expect? Does Federico ever bother with this sort of work?

How's the girl in there...? Doing bad?

Bad in a way. She hasn't said a word. Seems she's in shock.

I eyed over the scene. Aren't you the least bit curious about what actually happened?

I... can more or less guess.

You and I both know how powerful a gun is. With that much blood loss... anyone would be doomed, wouldn't they?

Your face says I'm on the mark.

Did you tell her?

What? Oh, as in, that she might already be dead? Of course not.

She's unsettled right now. Telling her the truth could just as well cause more problems.

So what <i>is</i> your plan? Lie to her and say nothing's wrong, muddle through, figure out the rest later, I bet?

You make it sound so bad... but still, that's basically it.

Serpilia, something seems a little fishy with your emotions. What happened?

None of your business. I'm doing great.

If you say so, then. No problems in Serpilia-land.

Okay. I'll leave her to you.

Hmph. Every undependable bastard's on parade today.

(An accident caused by an unintentional discharge...)

(Ha. And so what?)

(If I hadn't helped her...)

What? Make it quick.

Wait, what do you mean Sarkaz in the outer vicinity? Are they still trying to break your blockade?

Just a few? Scouting the road?

Fine, got it. What about Oren?

No, you can leave Oren to me. I'll contact him.

Listen, here's what you guys do next...

...Seriously... what a good runner!

*huff*...

Or maybe I just lost it...

(Back in the old days, I would've put them away clean in a fraction of the time.)

(Times like these... I can't help but feel a little mad.)

There you are...!

Guess it's not the time to brood just yet.

(The sound of strings is growing clear. I am steadily approaching the source.)

(But the Arts are diminishing in strength. Are they giving up casting, or... hm?)

Who is it?

Senior Federico? What are you doing here...?

I was not referring to you.

Er, excuse me...?

Are you lost? If you don't mind, I can—

Stop talking.

Mmff?! Mrmmffff!!

What... What <i>was</i> that? That monster...

I do not know.

It's fled downstairs! Not good... Gerald's group live down there!

Stay still.

Someone is here.

I heard gunfire this way, so I came to test my luck.

Cardinal Aide Lemuen, Serpilia's report stated that you would not be operating in the field.

Don't blame her. If I'm honest, I didn't think I would be either.

But then came a slight twist...

We'll catch up later. Are you on your own, Federico? Is nobody else operating with you?

I am on my own.

Then let's keep it short. I'm on the trail of a surprise... visitor.

I won't keep you too long...

So here, be good and tell me.

Which way did my 'visitor' happen to go?