act26side

Work.

Um, ok, that much is obvious... what did you find? Something to do with the Sarkaz?

Yes.

I heard last night's fire was started by angry Sarkaz. Is that true?

No.

What's this? Rehearsing your stand-up comedy routine?

Enough jokes.

Jokes?

Oren and Serpilia will be here soon.

Well, by the sound of it, you knew Oren hid on purpose from the get-go?

Obviously.

That's just his luck, isn't it? He just can't seem to get away from you, whether at the Summit of Nations or now.

I allowed Oren to act of his own accord, because the complicated situation at the Sanctilaminium Ambrosii called for a Plan B.

But maybe he needs a reminder...

So, what's going on? I was told to come immediately and bring Oren.

Ah, there you are, Oren. Finally decided to show your face?

It's been a while, Lemuen.

Can't you be a little nicer to me? We're partners on this mission, after all.

It's because we're partners that you're still able to talk.

Whatever your plan was, the situation here doesn't call for that kind of aggression. It's time to stop, Oren.

Couldn't you two pretend you didn't see anything, like that guy over there?

Oh, er, I would prefer if you didn't drag me into this...

I will deal with Richele when we return to the Notarial Hall.

Gratias, Oren.

As for you, Oren.

If you truly believe there is a need for you to operate independently, you may try to persuade me.

Well, since there's no one else here, I'll cut straight to the chase.

Did you really think I wouldn't notice that you were trying to let those two kids go?

A fallen Sankta and a Sarkaz. Even a blind man would notice.

...Hmph.

You...

I've been patient for far too long.

Are you criticizing my methods?

Not at all, not at all.

But I have my own methods. We've wasted too much time here. It's we need to consider how to can get this done quickly, with no loose ends.

And so you decided to deploy a special forces unit?

You make it sound so easy. You know full well that deploying troops and giving the order are two different things.

Do you know how hard it was to come up with a justification that even His Holiness could not rebuke?

Now, I have one.

That Sarkaz boy—Raimund? Arson of a sacrarium is a serious offense, that's before I mention that he's Sarkaz. We're perfectly justified in seizing him and taking the investigation into our hands.

He was not the one who set fire to the sacrarium. Your justification is baseless.

I have no need of your intervention until I uncover the truth.

The truth? Ha. Is the truth really important?

What is more rational and logical than taking control and securing order?

Did you not consider it, Federico? Is the truth really so important to you?

Did you not consider the possibility of the locals resisting, Oren?

I didn't think you'd say something so silly, Lemuen. If the Sarkaz want to resist...

So much the better.

Who's there?!

The sound of knocking echoes through the hall.

The door creaks open, and the unusually bright rays of the moon pour in through the gap.

There is a figure standing in the moonlight.

Senior Federico...

Clément?

I finally found you, Senior Federico.

I was asked to bring you this...

By whom? What is—

The rest of the sentence vanishes into the night.

The tall and thin figure approaches, his back to the moonlight, his head bowed.

It is as if all the light in the room had converged upon him, but the overly bright light also casts a dark, suffocating shadow.

Now, Federico sees what Clément is holding.

What he said he was asked to bring to Federico.

A dagger.

Old, but no less sharp for it, once hidden in the belt of a certain someone.

Next to the dagger...

There is a package wrapped in cloth that has been dyed a deep shade of red, from which some sort of liquid continues to drip.

What is it?

It is...

The sinner, Holst Tyfindale, offers his head freely.

The sinner had admitted responsibility for all the crimes, all the evils committed hitherto.

He has now paid his price. All that remains is a band of insignificant vagrants.

Will the reverend emissaries of Laterano show grace and mercy?

Senior Federico... I bring you Gerald's last words.

He begs you take the head of the fugitive Holst and his weapon...

In exchange, spare Fortuna and Raimund...

Spare the other Sarkaz.