act26side

Your attacks are even sharper than your words.

I still harbor hope for mutual understanding, but I concede that you're acting appropriately, given your position.

I'm curious, though... how do you define Paradise?

A place where everyone lives in peace and happiness.

Preferably with less unwelcome visitors.

Would you call this place Paradise, then?

You're enjoying this chit-chat, aren't you?

A group of people have found peace away from the world for sixty years. What do you call this, if not Paradise?

Even if their lives are endless cold, hunger and suffering?

They may be wanting for material comforts... but it's far from endless.

Ah, yes. Laterano will bring salvation. The hard days will soon come to an end.

At the price of abandoning some.

...This isn't anyone's fault.

Please, don't get me wrong. I'm not accusing anyone.

But I've been thinking: What is the difference between us? Is it physical, or something else?

From the individual's very birth, all that makes us who we are causes our thinking to go in divergent ways and reach divergent conclusions...

Is there really such a thing as mutual understanding within this?

Are you really going to ask this to a Sankta?

You could try it yourself in your next life, if you happen to become a Sankta.

...*cough*!

(This has taken too long. Can't let that thing attack the residents.)

(I need to take care of this quickly...)

No need to be anxious. I don't really plan on doing anything.

I'm here because my kin need help.

You sound sincere, but I'm not in a position to trust you.

*cough* *cough*...

*sigh*

You're as stubborn as a former student of mine. It can be a virtue, but it can also be trouble.

I'm curious about a student who could cause you trouble.

One of the best I've ever had. We never saw each other again, after he left Iberia.

I didn't want to do this... I'm <i>so</i> getting in trouble for it.

Negotiations failed.

Can't say I regret it.

Lemuen movement is as light as her voice.

She pushes away the movement-aiding device beneath her. The lamp that hung on the handle sways in the night wind, falls, then shatters.

Light leaks out haphazardly, splashing on the silhouette slowly standing up in front.

The dark veil of night is lifted.

You can stand?

Not yet, really.

Rehabilitation is going to get longer, and I'm going to get scolded.

*hiss*

I trust you won't push yourself too hard.

You're not in good physical shape, nor are you used to this kind of battle—

Oh!

Thanks for the compliment. That was aimed for your mouth.

The people tune out the sermon, when it gets too long.

Especially if they're already fuming after a long and not very good day.

I think I can justify my response based on the provocation.

The cardinal aide narrows her eyes. The facade of meekness that built up from years of being bedridden falls apart in the sound of her gun being loaded.

Lemuen's light laugh has no warmth in it.

I'm tired. Let's do this quick.

I'll say it again—

—Get out of my way, Father.

You may not set foot in Paradise.

Hungry... so hungry...

Eat...

The thin door plank is pushed open from the outside.

The children are still sleeping.

The cold wind pours into the tiny, battered house through the gap. The unknown threat sneaks in soundlessly, and slowly approaches...

Eat...

Hungry... eat, eat...

Oh... oh...