act29side

I am here to execute my mission and nothing more. I have no need to listen to a sinner's sophistry.

*sigh* We're family, and haven't seen each other for so long. Can't you at least hold a proper conversation, Federico? Who's to say I won't die tomorrow?

You intentionally put yourself in danger. It would not be entirely surprising if you did.

I wouldn't find it surprising either.

We're all bound to die. When we do, our bodies give nutrients back to the land and become a part of new life. This is the meaning of our flesh. It's the circle of life.

But what about the meaning of our wills? When our consciousness fades, they will return to chaos.

So what separates the living from the dead, one person from another, and us from the sunset and the breeze?

It's our emotions, Federico.

If there is meaning to our lives outside of our bodies, if there truly is something that can resist the destined chaos...

Then it is only this very moment, all that I feel, and the melody transmuted from those feelings.

That's why, as long as I still breathe, I can't stop playing.

I am required to apprehend wanted criminals, but if necessary, I can also pull the trigger.

Oh, I don't doubt that.

It'll happen one day, and there's no doubt that it will be Federico Giallo who kills Arturia Giallo. But do you think that daylight can kill the dark night, order can kill chaos, and reason can kill emotion?

Layering metaphors cannot cover up the essential truth.

You are a criminal, and I am an executor. I pursue you in order to fulfill the contract that is my duty.

You believe uncertainty to be a kind of emotion. That's why you're always seeking answers through rational analysis. But it's not your rationality that's led you to me again and again. It's your confusion.

You saw and heard it yourself. Today, countless lives were lost in chaos.

If only you'd followed my advice and given up on me, instead lending your aid to that envoy of the Empress... With your skills, and how sharp you are, you could've easily found the one hiding in the shadows, manipulating the chaos.

But again and again, you choose to prioritize looking for me.

You are where my duty lies. I will not regret my decision.

I know you won't.

But look. Now you've caught me.

So... satisfy my curiosity, Federico. Do you feel no satisfaction, right this very moment?

Seize her.

So you people came too.

Recover the Güldenesgesatz as well.

Arturia is <i>my</i> target.

Herr Federico Giallo, Executor of the Lateran Curia's Fifth Tribunal.

It's extremely likely that the Sankta before you has committed what amounts to the highest offense in Leithanien. She must come with us for our investigation.

I thought the Gendarmerie was in charge of the upcoming inquest.

It's the Kaiserin's orders to take Arturia.

Does that mean that you cannot guarantee Arturia will be dealt with according to the law?

As I said, these are the Kaiserin's orders.

I have sent a total of twenty-seven explanatory letters, in addition to repeating my mission objective to the now-deceased officer-in-charge, Loris Bordin.

In that case—

Frau Jonas.

Would it be possible for Herr Executor to participate in Arturia's interrogation?

That's not part of my orders. To Leithanien, Arturia is a most dangerous criminal. No one is to be allowed anywhere near her without Her Majesty's explicit permission.

Then I—

That includes you.

What?

Let's go.

Will we meet again, Federico, before my consciousness fades away?

Jonas... They call her the cruelest executor in Grimmacht's Spire.

How did she get here so fast? Did Grimmacht... I'll talk to her. I...

Herr Executor... Don't you want to chase after them?

If Leithanien can ensure that Arturia will never commit a crime again, my highest priority mission objective will be considered complete.

However, as she said, I feel no satisfaction in this.

It has become much quieter outside the spire, yet the black flames continue to burn.

Viviana has forgotten which floor of the spire she is on. The spiral stairs all look the same.

Her candlelight flickers a few times before finally going out.

Frau... Droste?

Pym? Why are you still here?

Ha... Haha... I'm in pretty bad shape. At least this way I won't be a bother to the kids.

You were burned by the black flames. Half your body is...

It's fine.

I'm glad I got to see you again. By seeing you, I can at least confirm that I haven't turned into some kind of monster that walks even in death.

The disaster's been averted, right?

The Empresses' Voice, the Gesatzswächter... they're all here, right? Are the Witch King's remains all dead, and the students safe?

I suppose so.

Hm. It's strange. I saw the captain just now.

Herr Loris Bordin...?

He said I did pretty well, and did the Gendarmerie proud. Once the ceremony's over, my mother will get the Kaiserin's black-gold medal.

But that's only for those who've fallen...

It's hopeless for me, right?

I don't want to lie to you.

Meine Dame, when I see you looking at me like that... It doesn't hurt so much anymore.

Your candlelight... is so warm.

When I first got to Zwillingstürme, I nearly gave up. I couldn't keep up with how exhausting the training was, day after day. Only when I saw that tiny light you held in the arena, lighting up every one of my... my...

He did not deserve to fall into eternal slumber on these spiral stairs.

If he could have just a little more light, a little more warmth.

Viviana knows that she is not a lighthouse, but she is capable of that much.

Auf Wiedersehen, Pym.

May this candlelight accompany you as you drift into eternal slumber.

Grimmacht's envoy said she's just up ahead.

Step aside, Cora. Let me take care of the rubble here first.

Let me do it. You've already...

Wait. These footsteps...

Viviana!

Frau Löwenstein... Herr Reiner...

...Good.

Meine Herr?

Let him get some rest. Raising the curtain by force took its toll on his body.

But... he's still standing.

He'd never let himself collapse in front of so many.

Brandt's really worn himself out, all these years.

Before the battle, he saw me as my father.

That's always weighed heavily on his mind.

Twenty-three years ago, House Hochberg suffered great losses at the Witch King's Spire, and because of his position as a Gesatzswächter, Brandt wasn't able to come to their aid in time.

Because of that, Ernst, his closest friend and the heir to the Hochbergs, perished in battle... That's also why your father Werner had to succeed him as Kurfürst.

The remorse he felt toward Ernst and Werner has been eating away at his soul all this time. And today, when forced to choose between destroying Sonata Spire and saving you, he chose you.

I never imagined...

I knew he'd make that choice.

I'd have done the same.

I was so scared back there... I'm prepared to make any sacrifice, if necessary. But you... Not you.

I'm glad we didn't lose you.

...I'm one of the lucky ones. On my way here, I came across many who've passed away.

I did my best, but I wasn't able to rescue everyone.

The casters will figure out how to eliminate the black flames. The victims will be taken care of.