act27side

Phew. Looks like I'm getting pretty good at picking out gifts.

I'm sure they'll really enjoy this one too.

Huh?

Snowsant, we're getting out of the car. If someone sends us a gift, of course we have to return the favor.

See that truck stopped at the red light? Soon, the tracker's going to be following it all around Siesta.

We still have a good chunk of morning to enjoy the sunshine in Siesta before they realize something's wrong.

Huh? How can you be so calm even though we're being tailed?

Do we need to completely change our appearance? Get a head-to-toe makeover? Stick to large crowds?

I don't think we should let any of these minor inconveniences get in the way of our vacation. After all, it's not every day we come to Siesta, and enjoying our trip takes top priority.

Umm... Actually, when I was studying in Columbia, I always wanted to see Siesta but never had the time or money.

I heard that when Siesta relocated, they used a special method to bring the volcano along with them, but that sounds kind of crazy...

Is the engineering technology here so advanced that they can build their own artificial mini-volcanoes?

I assume 'bringing the volcano with them' is just a poetic expression.

See? Look over there.

//怎样运镜呢

In the midst of the low-rise buildings, taller buildings of various heights vaguely form the shape of a volcano.

People driving along the roads somewhat resemble climbers at the foot of the mountain gazing up at the summit.

There really is a volcano in the middle of the city...

//怎样运镜呢

Skyscrapers stand high in the steam from hot springs all over the city... It feels just like a real volcano!

It goes without saying that you can't just pick up a volcano. But when New Siesta was being built, the buildings in the city center were designed to resemble a volcano. You can say it's a way of paying homage to the past.

No matter where you go, people always get hung up on this kind of stuff.

The city's past carries on in its new home, in another form...

Let me see... The place where I'm supposed to meet that city hall guy should be right over here. Give me a minute.

Umm, will someone be coming to pick us up? We're not going to have to walk there ourselves? I even bought two extra buns and ate them this morning to make sure I would have the energy.

(Phew... Finally managed to finish unloading the delivery. I might be able to make it in time for my afternoon shift at the post office.)

(After that, I should still have time to pick up the two passengers in front of the city. Then, I need to remember to fix up the lights in Rachel's grocery store tonight. Hopefully, that'll be enough to pay off my bills in cash this time.)

(I don't have much time left... Need to hurry up...)

Hmm?

Well, you sure seem to be in a hurry...

Miss Swire, what are you looking at–

Oh, sorry, sorry! I wasn't watching where I was going! You're not hurt, are you?

Owwie... Oh, I... I think I'm fine...

Oh right, that's the guy!

Umm...?

Huh?

That's our driver from city hall!

I beg your pardon? If you're joking around, please don't. I have a ton of work to do and don't have time for that.

(*whispers*) Not a word.

(Hands over a wad of cash)

Err...

Oh, uhh... Yes, I am...

See? I told you someone would be coming to get us.

(*whispers*) Umm... I think this is a delivery truck for transporting goods...

(*whispers*) When I was in Dossoles last time, I was riding around in a heavy boat, on land. Just go with the flow!

No, screw that! I need to get to my next job, so please...

(Hands over another wad of cash)

This is your deposit. I've booked your afternoon as well as your vehicle. Now, I'll have you take us around.

By all means, welcome aboard!

After several failed attempts to ignite the truck, the man slaps its dashboard vigorously and fiddles with the blinking buttons.

(*whispers*) Miss Swire... Miss Swire! This vehicle seems to have been modified aftermarket and is well beyond its normal service life...

I really don't know if we can trust this guy!

What are you talking about?! I'm no worse at souping up cars than any repair shop, and I do it at a fraction of the cost!

By the way... My name's Enis.

Alright, Enis. Now, it's time for you to prove your skills. Hurry up and start the truck.

The old pickup truck resembles an aged burdenbeast, its original color faded beyond recognition. After a few heavy gasps, its engine finally sputters to life, carrying the three young people into the distance.

Hello? I'm here.

No sign of her... The big investor from Lungmen...

Yes... I know, she's a very important guest. I'll keep waiting...

I hate my job...

Adele, did you know that the delicate little lines on these rocks contains traces of the earth's respiration across tens of thousands of years?

The continent is not rigid or unchanging. She moves, thinks, and even has emotions, at all times. Beneath her tough skin, she also has a burning-hot heart.

We barely know anything about ourselves, and even less about the very land that has nurtured us.

But, we do have ways of interpreting the language of the earth. To know our land, to communicate with her.

As long you listen carefully, she will reveal to you the wisdom hidden away from human eyes, as well as the secrets about ourselves.

What do you think? Isn't that a magical, wonderful thing?

Adele, don't you want to get to know her better?

A protective suit used for volcanic expeditions is quietly displayed in the exhibition hall, every crease clearly visible beneath the light. It is adorned by cracks and scorch marks, an observable testimony to its past.

It appears rather old, its outline roughly tracing the figure of its owner. It is a figure very familiar to the girl.

How many times had she rushed home to gently knock on the door late in the night, without having time to change out of her sooty clothes?

'Adele, I'm home.'

I still remember that time when me, Katia, and Magna climbed the red volcano.

It should've been safe, but a piece of the lava flowing across the ground suddenly splashed out, burning through Magna's sleeve and almost leaving a permanent scar on her arm.

We were all terribly frightened. Katia was up-in-arms after that, committed to improving the quality of the volcano expedition team's protective gear, but Magna happily treated the whole thing as a story of her good luck and went around telling the others.

She was always so optimistic, stopping at nothing to achieve the goals that she set. She was so brave it was almost scary.

But, she'd always make it happen, and it lulled us into thinking that luck would always be on her side.

Up until that accident...

Adele doesn't speak. She extends her hand carefully. The moment her fingertips make contact with the display case's glass, she quickly pulls her hand back as if she had been burned.

The clothes that were supposed to represent her memories are now hanging in the exhibition hall, a thick and heavy layer of transparent glass separating them from the hands that wish to touch them.

Adele...

Long time no see.

Yes, it's been a while, Professor Keller.

I never knew they left anything like this behind...

After the Mount Unna accident, I found this suit in the warehouse of my research lab at Wilhelm University in Leithanien.

I was going to send it to you along with the rest of their belongings, but a bit of selfishness kicked in... I wanted to preserve something in their memory.

I should've consulted you beforehand... If you don't want it here, you're more than welcome to take it with you.

You were my parents' best friend. You worked together for so many years, this suit is part of your shared memories.

It makes sense to leave this here, as an exhibit...

Those who have left us aren't coming back. Preserving their memory so that others may learn of what they accomplished might be the last thing we can do for them.

Adele looks over at the older scholar beside her, showing no emotion on her dainty features. As if the topic of their conversation was something far, far away from her.

The life story of the suit's owner is written on a plaque in the corner of the exhibit glass. The solemn, cold words recount a tale all too familiar, and the numbers written front-and-center seem almost surreal.

Katia Naumann (1051-1095)

Magna Naumann (1053-1095)

The light overhead blazes, making it somewhat hot. Just like how the heat of lava passes through a protective insulation layer and transfers into the skin.

The reflection off the glass pierces her eyes, and she feels a spell of dizziness.

Adele?

I... I'm fine.

I haven't heard from you since Mutti and Vati passed away... Are you no longer involved in volcano research?

Magna and Katia and I spent more than a decade on those volcanoes. But, I'm not as strong as them. I have no choice but to stop.

This museum is probably the last thing I can do in the name of volcanic research.