act29side

Mad... Heh. I suppose a lot of our family get called that.

Madness goes hand-in-hand with greatness. This has always been the way of House Urtica. Even the Witch King was a benevolent ruler of unsurpassed talent, before he succumbed to his madness.

'Succumbing to madness' has far more frightening connotations when it happens to a tyrant rather than a commoner.

If that's another Urtica tradition, then I'll have to find somewhere to bleed out before it happens to me.

From the moment I laid eyes on you, I saw the bravery in you. But your life is precious, and self-destruction has never been the only path open to you.

Franz... May I call you Franz?

You know the name I threw away?

You won't ever be alone again. Let me help you.

...Gerhard Hoffmann.

Of all my students, he's the one who knows best what the Güldenesgesatz really is.

If only he were here. Then I wouldn't need to waste my energy explaining all this.

How did you know our purpose here?

Purpose?

The Witch King's remains killed my father, as well as two more who participated in the coup twenty-three years ago.

We suspect that their next target is Herr Hoffmann.

Hoh, you came at just the right time, then. Just fifteen minutes ago... Wait, what did you just say?

Gerhard is involved with the Witch King's remains? The same 'remains' that experimented on Herkunftshorn's great-grandson simply to blow up a dime-a-dozen music hall?

...I suppose so. They may not be the exact same group, but they're working under a similar banner.

But how do you know so much about even the finest details of the Vyseheim Incident?

This energy fluctuation... It's a sign that Arts were cast to maintain structural integrity here.

The same kind of Arts used by Einwald's caster army.

Don't mistake <i>my</i> Arts for their child's play.

Forget the Einwald of today, even when Herkunftshorn was still around, <i>I</i> was the one who taught all his lackeys their spatial Arts!

Stand back, Droste.

Why are you reaching for your blade? Stay away from my instruments. It's been centuries since this spire was last repaired, and it can't withstand being knocked around.

...Herr Fremont.

Is the experiment you were just conducting related to the Voice of Mundane?

Quick, upstairs!

I heard from a student just now. The Sankta we're looking for is hiding there!

A pipe organ.

The entire spire is designed in the shape of an enormous pipe organ. It matches the distinguishing characteristics of the background sounds in the cello piece we heard earlier.

There's a very high chance that the wanted criminal Arturia is hiding here.

Will you keep going up?

Originium Arts that use sculptures to synchronize voices. The very same kind I heard at the site of the attack at Karl Schmidt Street.

So you started working with the 'Witch King's remains' after all, Arturia.

If I told you... I never cared who they were, and had no interest in Leithanien's political turmoil, would you believe me?

The resentment of individuals has never been a motive for your crimes, and I see power struggles and profit as even less likely candidates.

Oh, Federico. You really do know me better than anyone. Everyone else's minds are tainted with thoughts, while you... boring as you are, you and I are alike.

All these years, I've walked amidst chaos simply to find an even stronger soul.

This journey was no different. I simply accepted the invitation of a few Leithanian acquaintances. That's the only reason for my visit.

Even without my assurances, you should already know in your heart that, no matter what becomes of Leithanien tomorrow, it will have no immediate effect on Laterano.

Perhaps.

Then, can I ask of you the same thing the Lupo boy did? That you ignore what you see here?

You're upstairs.

Hm. You guessed right. I suppose I could give you a reward and let you see me.

How about this? Once my wish comes true, I will be waiting for you at the city gates on the day I leave Zwillingstürme.

When the time comes, if you still want me to go back to Laterano with you, I promise you I'll think about it.

An arrest is not a request. You do not have the right to 'think about it.'

My lovely baby brother, you really... don't know when to give up.

Target spotted!

It's the Sankta who was at the scene of Captain Bordin's murder! Everyone, surround Sonata Spire immediately!

The suspect didn't stop! He ran upstairs!

After him!

One floor after another. Leithanien's spires are always so, so tall.

There are more and more pursuers by the second. Shoes of various ages step on the stairs, each producing a different sound.

The pipes that form the spire's walls are vibrating even more powerfully now. The sound of the organ and the footsteps blend together to form a unique piece, with the squads meandering up the spiral staircase as the performers.

At the front, Federico maintains a steady pace through the entire process. Even his heartrate remains unchanged.

His eyes do not see any of the pursuing soldiers. All he can see is the target before him. A decade has passed, but as though only a day has gone by, nothing has changed.

The last floor.

By leaping past the few dozen steps before him, he will reach his target.

D-Don't move!

You Sankta... Don't tell me you can actually fly! Just how fast can you run?!

Good thing the students told me about another shortcut up here... I'm beat!

I don't care how amazing you are. If you take another step, I'm taking you down!

So what will you do? Will you declare war on the Leithanian Gendarmerie?

They, too, are enforcers of law, much like your countless coworkers at the Notarial Hall. However, unlike you, they hesitate before plunging themselves into battle. They feel fear.

When you charge ahead in pursuit of your target with no regard for anything else, do you lay eyes on these ordinary men and women for even a moment?

What's that sound? Is somebody talking to you?

Are they your buddy? You have friends here, don't you? Did you lure us into an ambush?!

She is not my friend.

But I am a fellow Sankta.

We both have the same halos above our heads and the same wings on our backs. We're even related by blood.

How will you persuade them that you came all this way not to aid me, but to arrest me?

The misunderstandings of others have never been a reason to waver.

My teammates will be here soon. You won't get away!

Surrender.

Approach those who misunderstand you and end this pointless pursuit. Clearly explain your position and motives to them.

And then, accept the fact that you have failed once again.

You're right in front of me. I have unearthed evidence of your Arts.

Drop all your weapons! Back away from the talking sculpture!

I ask that you please calm down.

I am not your enemy.

That's what all smooth-talking criminals say! I trust nothing but my eyes and my Arts Unit!

You'll pay for what you did to Captain Bordin, Sankta!

I was not responsible for Loris Bordin's death.

They're already under the thumb of their most irrational emotions.

Your music is affecting everyone in the area.

Is this really my doing...? Perhaps this is what they've always wanted, deep down?

I told you long ago. Much like our society, most people's minds are filled with chaos.

You ignore this fact. The only thing on your mind is to sidestep the chaos and find the most efficient shortcut to resolving the issue at hand.

Poor Federico. Have you still not noticed why you've never managed to catch me, even though you've pursued me all these years?

How is a man who's sealed off his own perceptions—unwilling to touch the chaos—supposed to reach chaos itself?

That doesn't concern me.

And you are not chaos itself.

You are a criminal, and your actions beget chaos. Which is why you must be stopped.

Like right now—

I have you now, Arturia.

Federico raises his gun.

The bullet pierces the speaking sculpture opposite him and continues in a straight path until it shatters the wall.

The black-haired Sankta is standing on a balcony not far away. With her back facing the setting sun and a bow in her hand, she smiles faintly.