act27side

The signal from the volcano's monitoring station cut off two hours ago, and the data we got in the end was really strange.

Why didn't she inform anyone?

She said the situation was critical, and she had to inspect it herself.

Did she go alone?

No, the intern from Leithanien went with her, I think.

We made it to the safety zone, right...?

This place is over a hundred kilometers from the volcano. I'm sure we'll be fine...

I mean, that's what city hall said...

But... don't you feel the ground shaking?

Enis! Have you seen Liv?!

Is she not home...?

She wasn't there when I got back. You mean she didn't go look for you?

Shit...

Huh? Everybody's gone... Did everyone go have fun somewhere else?

Are you the only one here...? Did you get left behind by your friends, too?

The transport is parked at the foot of the mountain. The once familiar mountain range now sports a completely different appearance.

The flora on the mountain has withered long ago, and the rugged rockscapes now look taller than ever.

With the sun gradually setting, a dark shadow is draped over the two researchers' minds.

So this is Mount Siesta...

Adele, be careful.

This is as far as the transport will take us. We have to walk the rest of the way.

Monitoring Station No. 1 is halfway up the volcano. We still have a long walk ahead of us.

I'm fine. My energy can keep up still.

Hmm...

The scholar lowers her head. her heart is rending with a sharp, piercing pain.

Just who is the terrified one?

The volcano is right in front of her, but she cannot bring herself to take a single step forward.

Professor Keller. Are you okay?

Would you like to take my hand?

Streams colored dark red can be seen slowly climbing their way through the mountain rocks like the blood veins in one's body, all while the enormous thing breathes strenuously.

From the earth's core to this cliff, they flowed through the ages, enduring an intense heat and utter silence.

This path seems to not be nearly as long as Adele had imagined. With the strength she has, she can still climb onto this mountain.

But this path also seems to be much longer than she had imagined. It's long enough for her memories to be rinsed countless of times at the bottom of her heart.

This is where we set up the monitoring station.

This equipment... Has someone been here?

But there are no other footprints on the mountain...

The Originium energy response hasn't changed, but the temperature measurement instruments logged a high response...

She takes a look around and can make out only the dark mountain gravel and molten rocks in the shadows.

How strange...

The event has most likely ended. Let's tune the instruments and head back.

Kahn, what are you doing here?

(Out of breath)

I heard... you two... climbed the volcano...

Why...?

Adele was worried because the monitoring station's indices were fluctuating, so we came here to inspect.

It was probably caused by accident. We're preparing to evacuate to a safe observation point.

The volcanic activity is definitely starting to pick up. The eruption might happen sooner than expected...

Yeah, we need to go.

Stay right there, Keller.

Kahn?

The man, still out of breath, is trembling. He pulls out a file from his chest, and the moment Keller sees its cover, her expression changes immediately.

September 1095, on Mount Unna, why did you suddenly leave the survey team...?

And in November that year, you didn't attend the Naumanns' funeral, but someone said they saw you at a symposium with the military at Wilhelm University.

On top of that, not even Adele has seen Katia Naumann's research data. What is it doing in a letter between you and the Leithanian military?!

Keller, answer me!

Professor Keller...?

Adele, I told you that I'd share everything with you when this observation is done...

Kahn, it's dangerous here. We should—

Keller... Look where we're standing. The Naumanns were here, on this very volcano.

Are you still going to lie, even here?!

Hmm... I'm not really one to interfere with human affairs.

But this isn't the place for a row...