act26side

Ahaha. Cut him some slack, won't you?

Booooo...

Alright then, back to business. I know His Holiness wouldn't send you here alone, which means...

I need you to report your mission, as well as who's with you.

Switched to your business voice, huh? Alright then, Cardinal Aide Lemuen.

This mission was commissioned directly by His Holiness and is led by Federico, executor of the Notarial Hall. The other functionary is Richele Colombo, another executor who volunteered to come.

Our first objective is to locate you and Oren, and the second is to investigate this monastery.

Oh right, Federico also has another mission to maintain order. Unfortunately, I think His Holiness picked the wrong guy for the job this time.

And that concludes my report.

Mmhmm... I see. So, His Holiness actually sent that Federico, huh...

Okay. I get the gist of things. Gratias, Ria.

Again with the nicknames... C'mon, you should know better.

So, what are you going to do next? On the surface, it looks like your movements are being restricted, but in fact, it's you who doesn't want to leave, right?

If you wanted to leave, nobody here could stop you.

My legs aren't fully healed yet.

Like that makes a difference.

You trust me too much, Ria, though I suppose that's fine... Alright. It's true that I decided to stay behind.

If Federico is trying to arrest the bishop here on charges of false imprisonment, I'd appreciate it if you could clear up the situation for me.

Also, sorry... But I don't plan on leaving just yet.

Mind if I ask why?

The reason... Hmm. Let's just say that diplomacy isn't something that can be settled with guns and bullets alone.

When it comes to a shootout, the odds are always in my favor. But if I have to sit down for a negotiation, I need to tread carefully or I might end up persuaded by the other party.

It just so happens that I get along quite well with the residents here, so I want to see who ends up changing their mind first.

Oh? When you put it that way, it sounds like you plan on compromising.

Back in school, you watched me for an entire year just to make sure I showed up to class!

Heehee. I thought it'd be a shame if you couldn't get your diploma for attendance reasons.

As for the problem we have here... I still have a friendly attitude at least, right?

I knew Oren would report the situation here, which is why I chose to stay behind. I've had a bad feeling about it, and I don't want to provoke the bishop any further...

With all the information I have on the monastery now, if there ever arises another opportunity to sit down at the negotiation table, I may be able to get him to relax a little and accept my proposal.

*sigh*. I thought you'd say as much.

I'm glad you understand.

That's not what I said.

But that's what you're thinking.

I kinda hate empathy sometimes.

Now now, don't talk like that. How much do you know about the situation here?

Enough.

Nothing special about it other than the group of Sarkaz.

Did you know they sent a total of three Messengers?

...Lia.

What?

I had the impression that you've never liked field missions. What made you sign up for this one?

Maybe that I wanted to see you?

Liar, liar~

Anyway, I'll find the others and explain your situation first.

But to be entirely honest, I don't think what you're doing here is going to accomplish anything.

...It's worth a shot.

*sigh*, you're getting scarier and scarier, Lemuen.

Not like it matters, though...

Finally mustered the means to reach out to me?

Here I thought you'd abandon the mission after seeing Lemuen.

Who knows, might not work out.

No joke, please. Spare me.

You brought it up.

Alright, I don't have time to chat either. Let's talk business.

Phew... Dealing with guys like him really wears you down...

What a pain in the ass, this mission. Never would've taken it, if I knew.

Huh? Who's there?!

Woah, didn't think you'd actually follow me, girly.

I, I can't have you running around the monastery by yourself! I need to keep an eye on you to make sure you don't do anything bad!

And, uh...

There's also a favor I'd like to ask of you... and of course I'll pay you back for it!

Um, let's see...

Flour, eggs...

And, uh... Where's the leftover sugar from last time...?

Ugh, I've been trying so hard to scrounge up leftover ingredients from dinner ever day, so why is there still so little?

I need enough for Serpilia, Avus Stefano, Fina, and Raimund... And also, Patruus Gerald, Patruus Clément, Seniora Caroline, and...

There's not going to be enough though.

Tuna?

I'm coming in, okay? There's something I have to tell you... What are you doing in here?

Oh, Fina! I was just about to go look for you!

Do you still remember when I helped Amita Nina with farm work for a month? Where did I put that bit of white sugar I got in return?

How long ago was that? Where are you going now?

What do you need sugar for? And, where'd you get all those cooking ingredients?

Wait, Tuna... Don't tell me you're still trying to bake sweets, at a time like this...?

Um, Fina, what's wrong? Are you... mad at me?

I wasn't trying to hide food from you! I just wanted to prepare a surprise for everyone. Fina, don't be mad at me, okay? I promise you'll be the first to have some after I'm done!

Tuna, you... Forget it, just put those things down. Now's not the time to be doing stuff like this!

Huh? But...

But what?

But, I promised someone I'd make a herb pizzella as a gift...

...A gift?

Yeah! She helped fix up my patron firearm, so I have to thank her!

It's like a miracle, Fina! Once this gun got fixed, I felt something different about it just holding it in my hands! It's like... like I knew how to use it from birth!

Look! It's even prettier now, and the two of us will be able to use it together from now on!

You know what, Tuna...?

I actually never cared that much about my own firearm. Or for Avus Stefano's sermons.

I don't even care that I've never seen Laterano.

Huh?

Fina, what are you talking about?

Can I even really be called a Sankta?

Maybe I can.

But, I care about you, and Raimund, and Avus Stefano and Patruus Gerald. And Patruus Clément, Amita Nina, Caroline...

I care about everyone here. This is my only home, and they are my only family.

What are you talking about, Fina? Of course I care about everyone else, just like you–

No, it's not the same!

If you were just like me...

If you knew how hard Raimund and the others have it, then you wouldn't be in the mood to make your joke of a pizzella at a time like this! You wouldn't be so naïve!

I kinda feel like you changed after those people from Laterano showed up.

Huh? Of course I haven't...

Tuna, that gun of yours... Was Lemuen the Lateran who fixed it up for you?