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Just to make it clear, though, I took Lemuen's instructions about confirming whether the abbey had anything to do with the Church of the Deep seriously.

At the end of the day, I suppose we can all sleep better at night.

You're lucky... or should I say, we're lucky.

The monastery gets the supplies it needs to return to Laterano. The disruption to the inhabitants was minimal.

The fallen girl has gone with the Sarkaz. Laterano will be able to find her, and the Sarkaz, if need be.

Laterano's image has not been materially affected.

Things don't turn out so well every day.

I prayed for a smooth trip to Laterano, safe from bandit attacks.

We should be fine once we get to Laterano.

I hope so! The emissaries from Laterano don't look like they've ever been hungry, and their clothes are brand new. I envy them.

How do they plant their crops? Or do they give everyone a gun to hunt with?

Who knows? I can't imagine. I can't imagine what I would do with my time, if I didn't have to spend all my time fixing houses and making tools.

I'm trembling, and I can't tell whether it's from excitement or fear.

Let's pray. Our faith will protect us.

Well, we did our best, didn't we?

As for whether things will turn out well in the end...

Do you know where Mamma went?

A child? I thought everyone was gathered up here.

Mamma's not here... but she came back last night!

Yeah, Mamma brought us a gift last night. We lent it to a sleeping man...

Sleeping?

He was sleeping really deep! He must have been having a nice dream.

An abbey built upon a mobile plate, moving again after being stranded for a decade, almost becoming one with the land...

An impressive sight, the convergence of destruction and rebirth.

Yes...

You seem troubled. Do tell, if you feel unwell.

Your transformation is yet incomplete. The path ahead will be laborious.

I'm fine.

They...

Will the Laterans treat those children well?

I believe so. The sitting pope is known for moderation and benevolence. They will likely be taken in by foster parents and grow up in Laterano.

Traveling with the fallen angel, and with the eyes of Sankta from the Curia on them, it is unlikely that your kin will face any retribution.

I'm glad to hear that...

Only one thing, Bishop Aulus.

They're not my kin anymore.

If that is what you think, then that is what it will be.

The stranded Paradise is no more. It is time for us to set out.

Once again, we welcome you, Hyman.

What are your plans?

Sinners cannot be choosers.

You may have had the intention to cause harm, but at the end of the day, you didn't do any real damage.

Personally, I see no problem, but Velliv might be a little stricter where Iberia is concerned...

Ah, it doesn't seem like you're very happy with that answer.

I apologize for the discourtesy I showed, Reverend Nuncio.

I sense your sincerity. I accept your apology.

But I also sense that it's not what you really want to say.

It's not an easy thing, judging oneself...

It is the truth that I fell to despair, and knelt before the malice in my heart.

What is more deserving of punishment: Harm caused out of benevolence, or malice not put into action?

To me, it's the former.

An idea could be fleeting, or it could take root silently, biding its time.

How could you know that this is simply the result of a single moment of weakness?

What would this place be like, if I chose another path?

I can't say that I've purged the caprices from my mind... I can't even say that I still believe in our laws...

But you still feel it, don't you?

Yes, I do...

Every waking moment, I prayed that the people would be given their due, prayed that this little corner of Paradise would not slip through my fingers.

But I've waited for so long...

Too long. So long that I began to doubt that the very existence of faith was simply a self-imposed conceit.

How does it feel?

Despair, fear, sorrow... what else? The feeling of...

Incredulity.

How do we doubt something that exists in one's own mind?

It means you've begun to doubt yourself... with terrible consequences, if one is unable to dispel the doubt.

If even faith could be false, then how much of Stefano is real?

I wanted to understand. I tried to understand. But I overestimated myself.

We could never truly understand another. 'Understanding' remains precious, fleeting, even with the incredible power of empathy.

But having experienced so much, I have began to think that there are many emotions that can be communicated from one to another, and understood by most, even without the empathy.

At least, I can say that I have began to understand the thoughts of a certain individual, not because I sensed something, but because I have experienced it myself...

I offer this to you, Bishop Stefano.

It's...

The notebook of a cleric who spent some time here. I thought you might find it... interesting.

Perhaps, just like you, he had many questions, and many troubles.

You asked me about my plans.

I plan to return to Laterano. But not with the others.

You mean you want to travel from here to Laterano by yourself?

At your age...?

Please don't stop me. I must know. I must... rediscover my faith.

If there comes a day when I atone for my sins, if there is truly such a thing as miracles, perhaps I will find my Laterano then.

In that case...

I wish you the best of luck.

I hope you find your answer, Father Stefano.

We will meet again in Paradise.

The old man says no more.

Age has taken its toll on him, as have the ordeals of last night. The lines of age fill every gap on his face.

Before Lemuen's eyes, Stefano Torregrossa walks out the door, his back slightly hunched.

Executor Federico, reporting in.

As previously reported, the two nuncios are confirmed alive and well. They are expected to return to their posts in Laterano soon.

Plans are in place for Sanctilaminium Ambrosii to resume movement, setting a course for Laterano's outskirts. It is expected to arrive at its destination before Spring next year.

A request for supplies has been made to the Curia to ensure reliable mobility, and to meet the everyday needs of the inhabitants.

Forty-one of the one hundred fifty-three inhabitants of the monastery will depart the abbey. Serpilia will track and report on their subsequent movements.

The Sarkaz you mentioned?

I must admit my surprise, even though I had a hunch...

Whether it was the state of the abbey, the movements of the Church of the Deep, or Arturia...

You've done well, Federico.

I failed to meet your expectations.

Our intervention destabilized the situation at the abbey.

There were... three casualties.

You have doubts, my child.

...Yes.