act26side

You won't win.

I have to.

As long as I draw breath, I'll find you, and challenge you.

Don't you dare underestimate me.

I refuse your challenge.

H-How dare you?!

I'm challenging you to an honorable—

Gerald was a mere hunter. There is no legacy to inherit in this knife.

What do you mean?

Exactly what I said.

If you want a knife that inherited the name of a Sarkaz mercenary, I have never been in possession of one. You're wasting your time challenging me.

If you want the knife of Gerald the Hunter, then yes, I am currently in possession of it.

Why you...

Do you want it?

...Burdenbeast dung.

This was Gerald's treasure. He wouldn't never let me take it just like that.

You keep it safe.

You just wait... I'll lead my people to find a new path, just like Gerald did.

I'll come back for it when I've earned it.

Very well.

I will keep it safe, until then.

Raimund...

Stop gawking. I think he can take it.

What about you? You said you couldn't hold a gun anymore. Are you... praying with it?

Yes...

I have a feeling it will answer me again.

Can I still use it, Serpilia?

Why not? It may be a little old, but you can trust my handiwork.

I used to study antique guns, you know.

Lately, though, I'm finding new things a little more interesting.

Do new things scare you at all?

There's no point being scared. One wants to learn more, in spite of the fear.

Besides...

Somebody once told me that techniques exist to be used.

I didn't understand at the time. But now...

Now?

I understand a little. I'm a craftsman, and I'm responsible for the weapons I craft.

Well, set that aside for a bit. What about you?

Are you ready to leave with the Sarkaz?

H-How did you know what I was going to say?!

No empathy needed to guess your thoughts.

It's not such a big deal when you put it that way, is it?

You wouldn't come looking for me at this hour with that solemn look on your face, if you were planning to come back to Laterano.

...Sorry.

I promised to come quietly and accept the punishment I deserved... but now I'm trying to run away.

S-So...

So, will I let you go?

Take a guess.

Er...

Your whole deal here is kind of a headache. You'll have to wear a hood all the time, if you live in Laterano.

I-I see, I guess that won't work...

Not that it'll be much better anywhere else.

You'll need to hide your horns, your appearance, and your gun.

And I'll still be your warden. You'll have to keep in touch with me, no matter where you go, as long as you live.

You won't cause me any trouble, will you?

—Er, um.

Wait, you're letting me go? W-Won't you get into trouble for that?

Worst case scenario, I quit my job at the Curia.

That was a joke.

It's true that I'll have some reports to write when I get back. I'll think about whether to get started on a resignation letter after that.

Anyway, you owe me more than a pizzelle now.

Th-Thank you... thank you so much.

Are we... still kin?

Does it matter? You're not getting off the hook, kin or not.

I want those pizzella next time I see you.

The convoy is almost here. The abbey can start moving once it's refueled.

Well, this was a tricky case, even though the location wasn't that far from Laterano. I think I should borrow a bed at the abbey, get some rest.

I didn't see you do anything particularly tiring, Richele.

Weren't you pretending that you didn't know anything?

Or should I thank you for not being lazy enough to dump all the evidence linked to the Church of the Deep into the sewers?

Don't be so uptight, Oren.

I'm sure Federico remembers the Sarkaz mercenary's dossier better than I do. And you and Lemuen are definitely more familiar with Church of the Deep cases than I am.

Plus, don't you think we're starting to get along a little bit, after you gave up empathy?

Why are you bringing that up?

No reason. Just, sometimes it's better to know less about a guy, like how you have to close one eye when you shoot.

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...