act29side

You're... holding the draft to her final work.

'Regret.'

The strongest emotion and desire that the painter had ever felt in her life.

She spent her last days painting it over and over again.

Through the strokes of her brush, she wanted to see the divine in her heart.

You're saying those haphazard strokes were intentional?

Ja. It looks messy because she painted on the same sheet over and over again.

The scene of the Witch King's death is still in the draft.

Put the painting on the ground, Viviana.

Okay.

Brandt, try to 'play' it.

Tell me when to stop.

It's vibrating, like a musical instrument.

...Ja.

There are minute differences in each layer of paint.

I can't see, but my Arts allow me to 'hear' the frequency of each layer.

Almost there... just remove the layer of paint above, and we'll find...

The very first version.

Do you see it?

It's blurry, but I can tell that it's the interior of a spire. It's... imposing.

The Witch King's Spire. I imagine that even Frieda could only paint a small part of it.

Can you identify the figures in the painting?

There is no Witch King. The throne is empty. The battle seems to be over.

The painter herself, Frieda Seemann, is behind the curtain.

There is a Liberi soldier charging in from the hallway... Loris Bordin?

And... um...

Who is this Caprinae holding an Arts unit and cleaning up?

Gerhard Hoffmann.

One of the most talented casters in all of Einwald, formerly in service to House Urtica.

He became a teacher after the Witch King's death.

We were late.

These lunatics don't care how many innocents they kill.

*cough*... *cough*.

You're injured. I can treat your wounds.

Danke.

Where is Baron Lukas? Is he upstairs?

The Baron... didn't make it.

He'd been talking about moving for a while. We wouldn't have gotten caught up in all this if we hadn't put the plans on hold just because of that Sankta cellist playing in the area!

What did their performance sound like?

Do you want to hear it? The Baron had me record it. I wonder if the gramophone's still alright...

Huh, you actually found a clue.

Loris Bordin found it.

Is it Arturia?

Yes.

I may not be able to recognize a live performance or not, but I would never mistake her playing.

Aren't we in trouble then?!

No need to fear. There are no Arts in the recording, and she isn't nearby. Someone broadcasted her performance on this street a few minutes ago.

And her Arts worked over such a large area?

She must have accomplices. It would only be possible through a combination of Leithanian Arts and her own.

You can tell all that just from listening to this?

This section here. It's not the sound of a cello. It's a pipe organ, and one of uncommon size.

A huge pipe organ...

It's an unusual instrument. Where might you find one in Zwillingstürme?

...Ludwigs-Universität.

A school?

Ja. It used to be the spire of learning for House Urtica.

His head hurts.

He has not felt such pain since he escaped Vyseheim.

When was the last time it hurt so much that he wanted to scream, to vomit, to cry?

It was...

He could remember. He just didn't want to.

...Say something.

Gloat, why don't you? You're on the cusp of victory, after I've kept you trapped in my head for so long.

When I die... I sure hope I get a proper death.

Unlike you, who's been dead long enough to crumble to dust, only to be pieced back together and brought back to life.

What is he babbling about?

You haven't started the ritual yet, have you?

Not yet, Professor.

He looks like he's in pain. Can he really take it?

He's from Herkunftshorn's bloodline. If he can't take even this much, then Ewigegnade must have intentionally raised him to be useless.

He's suffered much for his age.

If he's unable to bear it, interrupting the performance of the Voice of Mundane could cause the Genesis Horn to go out of control and affect all of Ludwig.

I'm here. The spire will hold.

But you swore an oath to Her Majesty that you would not reveal the true extent of your powers. She'd have to answer to the nobles if the students learned of your identity.

Ludwigs-Universität may be shut down, which would affect your relocation plans.

And Ermi will give you an earful when she gets back to Leithanien.

...Bah. Keeping this boy alive is harder than summoning the Genesis Horn.

Where is Lessing?

He's standing watch outside.

He said he'll ensure that no one can enter before the ritual is complete.

Pah, nothing more than keeping his mind from being torn to pieces. Where is the device I made for those nutjobs in Bolívar?

Are you alright?

Hah...

It's okay. They've left the room.

You're...

We met not too long ago.

Forest... Park...

Ja. I wanted to warn you, but Lessing was there. I couldn't take you away with him watching.

Lessing...

He's not evil by nature, but he can be stubborn.

I used to be like him too. But all it takes to change is courage.

...Ja.

Can you move? Try to grab my hand.

What are you doing, Gerhard?!

I'm sorry, Professor.

I can't let you use Herkunftshorn's bloodline like this. He's a living, breathing soul, one with a bright future.

Spatial defense Arts— <i>I</i> taught you those!

You also taught me that even the most powerful Arts cannot erase regret.

I've caused a lot of harm with the Arts you taught me.

But when I'm alone at night, I often ask myself: how many souls would have continued to shine brightly, had I not done what I did?