act26side

It's me, Gerald.

Are you busy?

There's something you should know...

Wow, that old man is intimidating, isn't he?

This mission has gotten seriously complicated.

Sarkaz, a fallen angel, and a mad abbot... give me a break.

And I'm here with Federico, of all people... is that a good thing or not?

Just in case...

Oren, it's me.

Are you gonna do it? You've got the guys there, right?

I suggest you look into this Bishop Stefano. Something's not right with him. It could be dangerous.

A hunch?

Maybe... I have a bad feeling about this abbey. Well, I guess that's not the right way to put it... it's bad because things aren't that bad.

You've been here longer than I have. Don't you feel it?

How could there be a place where everyone works so hard, yet feels no hope at all?

That's such a sad thing.

So, I told Raimund about Delfina and Fortuna, not knowing that he didn't know.

He got very worked up. I'm concerned.

Gerald...? Are you okay?

I'm fine. Don't worry.

It's not your fault. I just didn't have the chance to tell him.

Where's Raimund?

He ran out after asking me about Fortuna. He said he was going to get her back.

They have Laterans guarding Fortuna. Are you sure about this?

The Sankta won't allow it.

Raimund was born here. Things are different out there. He doesn't understand our relationship with the Sankta.

I remember, you've said that relations between the Sankta and Sarkaz are...

Bad.

It might not have been so bad if we were all just civilians...

Won't Raimund be in danger?!

I'll find him. Thanks for telling me.

There isn't much I can do...

I'm beginning to think you were right, Gerald. You should leave this place.

Go now. It's the right choice. Don't... don't wait until tomorrow!

That's the plan.

You seem anxious, Clément... did something else happen?

I'm fine. I'm just... today has been quite a day. It's a little too much.

Go, Gerald. You were right. You shouldn't stay here.

Something's off about you, Clément. Calm down. You—

Boss! We have a problem!

What is it?

We went the opposite way from the scout team, as you had ordered, and we saw troops approaching the abbey!

Troops?

Laterans! Sankta and Pontifica Cohors!

I fought them many times. I'd know 'em from a mile away!

They're going to surround us!

They never intended to let us go!

Gerald draws his fingers back with a start.

A moment later, he realizes that it's because his fingertips are too cold, so cold that the leather sheath seems to be burning.

Clément.

I'm here. What do we do...?

Don't worry.

I've been running for too long. This is just putting things back the way they should be... all will be settled.

Tell us what to do, boss.

We're prepared to fight.

Thank you for spending all these years with me, all of you.

Don't talk like that.

What are you doing, Gerald? What are you doing?!

P-Put down that knife! Calm down!

I'm perfectly calm, Clément..

The Sarkaz exhales, clutches the dagger, and pulls it out from its sheath.

It burns.

For an instant there, he had difficulty holding onto his old friend.

My mind has not been so clear in a decade.

If only blood can end it all, then there's only one thing left to do.

Don't worry. The blood of Sarkaz is not shed lightly.

Raimund... wait, Raimund!

What are you doing?!

Taking you away from here.

I know what's going on. I won't let them take you!

No need to be scared. Come with me. We'll help you—

N-No! I'm not scared!

Raimund! Let me go... you don't get it!

Sorry... was I hurting you?

I'm okay.

I-I decided to go with them to Laterano, Raimund.

What?

What are you saying? Did they threaten you? You'll die if you go there!

I deserve to!

Let me go, Raimund. No one threatened me. I killed Fina. I can't run away from this!

Delfina...? That was an accident...

No! I don't want to hear that anymore, especially from you!

An accident... an accident! Of course I wouldn't point a gun at Fina on purpose. It was a tragic accident... but she's dead! Dead!

She'll never open her eyes again. She'll never speak to us again!

Fortuna, calm down... you'll hurt yourself!

I want to calm down... I don't want to be crying like this!

But why doesn't anyone blame me? Why does everyone call it an accident? As though that means Fina's death didn't matter?!

I killed Fina! What difference does it make that it was an accident?!

Breathe. Don't hold it in.

Huff... hah...

Huff...

Feeling better?

I'm sorry, Raimund. I shouldn't be like this, but I don't know what to do...

I only know that I can't go. I can't run away and pretend nothing happened. I can't accept that it was an accident.

This is my sin...

No more talking.

Don't worry about me, Raimund. It might not be that bad.

Serpilia, that Lateran emissary who came today, she was kind to me. I wasn't mistreated.

Maybe they'll lock me up when we get to Laterano.

I have horns now... I don't know if I'm Sankta anymore. It doesn't really matter if I'm not...