act26side

No one... no one can truly find redemption...

Is this a sort of choice? Is this some kind of happy ending?

The executor stands there, and moves no further forward.

Beyond the touch of anything or anyone, all his tribulations gradually fade away.

The weary gardener finally closes his eyes.

Still the lingering sound echoes, still I can feel it... A shake from the strings to my fingertips in the final moment, a last note so sharp it could tear skin.

Yet at the outset, that melody was calm as a babbling brook.

Someone otherwise so ordinary used his own life to prove one thing—that there is no such thing as a Savior. His unyielding mind triumphed over his own changing flesh.

Such beautiful music... This is the spirit of Mankind, tenacious and free, of a timbre those lamentable sea creatures could never know.

This song will bring his story to all.

They will understand his feelings, exalt his determination, and sing praise of his courage.

Clément Dubois will be remembered forevermore.

—Wouldn't you say so, Federico?

I was expecting you'd stay there a while longer. After all, you seemed to care greatly about the man who died... You even thought his affairs were higher priority than capturing me.

Federico, have you learned compassion? Or are you still as you were, unable to discern the emotions others feel, estranged from the crowd?

Fugitive Arturia, your Originium Arts have once again induced the death of another. I cannot ignore the greatest threat within my firing range.

Per the laws of Laterano, your sentence will be extended again.

It was his will to seek death. Even had I not performed, he would still take this path.

Time after time, I simply shed light on the scars across these poor people's hearts, and what do bystanders do but turn and look away?

Are you stung by his experiences, just as others are?

Federico, you still can't make sense of uncontrollable urges even now, can you? Just as the abbot persists along his path of thorns...

...Just as I cannot help but want to perform the emotions of others.

I certainly cannot make sense of them.

Whether I do or not, it has no impact on my implementation of the law.

But I proceeded to the sacrarium so that Clément would earn his rightful treatment.

He was not worthy of death.

—Oh?

You wanted to save a man who intended to destroy himself.

Haven't you realized? That's not a notion logic would fit at all.

Clément said that once a flaw, imperfection, or wound manifests in something seemingly perfect, it is broken beyond repair.

...I will test the accuracy of this statement.

You <i>have</i> become just a little more amusing, Federico... but only that little bit. Perhaps, come next we meet, that's when I'll be able to play your mind.

Sadly, it's time I wrap this trip up.

Excuse me, might you be Frau Arturia?

I've been waiting for you.

My apologies—we were the ones who extended an invitation to you as our guest, and yet I was late to arrive. Finding this place was an ordeal.

Erm, have I perhaps come at a bad time?

Federico!

Man oh man, I look at this scene and my brain is a pretzel.

Federico, how did it happen that you faced off with Arturia?

Good morning, Herren of Lateran.

Good... morning, gnädige Frau.

(Federico, her coat of arms is from one of the Kurfürsten, the Principes Electores!)

You can't make a direct move against Arturia right now. Laterano-Leithanien ties would be at risk...

...I refuse your suggestion.

Are you done talking it over?

Actually. How about, Federico, I give you one chance?

If you want to point your gun at me, then this is where you want to aim...

The black-haired woman clasps the executor's tense gunhand in her own.

She presses the muzzle against her own forehead.

Just pull the trigger, and your bullet will pierce my skull. And from then on, I would never bother you again... Federico, do you want to do that?

Why don't you give it a try?

I am required to arrest fugitives. If the situation does not necessitate, then shooting to kill is generally not advised.

But your argument is extremely rational.

What are you—?! Listen to me, this could be an INTERNATIONAL INCIDENT!

Hold on, Oren, I don't think things are that serious...

No, she will be fine. You do not understand this woman.

Heheh. I'm only playing a little game.

Frau Arturia, is this some kind of applied Arts?

Even so, what you just did was far too dangerous.

Thank you for your concern. I'll be cautious next time, should there be one.

Federico, think of this as a clue from me to you.

Have you ever felt like there's a performance that never ends, but you just can't hear it?

That until its grandest, most wonderful passages, everyone is deaf to it?

Well, then. The music is over, and it's time I went on my way again.

Herrschaften of Laterano, auf Wiedersehen.

If you'll excuse us.

You're actually just gonna stand there and let them go?

I thought it'd take at least Richele and me at the same time to hold you back.

You are extremely noisy.

What? Hey, Federico, where're you going?

He's headed for the area by the clock tower. If I remember right, that's where... the abbey's cemetery is?

Alright, no more gawking, all's well that ends well. Plus, we've still got things to do...

Senior Federico?

Seniora Arturia...?

They're gone...

It's okay, let's go look somewhere else!

Eep! Why's there a man lying down here?

Shh, he's asleep. We shouldn't wake him up...

Oh!

I know who this man is. He grows really pretty flowers! Same kind as Mamma always brings home to put in the vase!

Mmm...

What are you doing, Sara? You know Mamma gave us that?

But—he might catch a cold sleeping here...

Mamma said good kids learn to be app... precive.

You mean appreciative.

Okay, we'll let him borrow it for a bit then!

Mmm. Once he wakes up, I hope he'll keep growing heaps and heaps of pretty flowers.

Yeah, I'm sure of it!

They say Laterano is Paradise.

A land of freedom, happiness and order, one of the few left in this chaotic world.

Have you ever known doubt, my child?

How was our city built, how did it grow, and how did it prosper?

Why is there only one Laterano? Why is it called the eternal paradise?

If the fires of war burn once more, and peace falls into ruin before our eyes—

Will the world continue to tolerate Paradise?

Danger.

Repeat.

Danger.

...Danger level... Analyzing...