act29side

So you're... the Lateran Saint.

I am here to recover the fugitive Arturia.

Your sister has done many things in Leithanien.

Former Reichsorchester Tuner Cora Löwenstein and the remnants of the Witch King—

...Cora? No, I'm not talking about that.

The Ludwigs-Universität case concluded long ago. Das Kaiserinnensfest did go through some incidents, but the final performance was satisfactory.

I'm sure you've seen the whole thing, Herr Saint. I hope Leithanien's might and magnificence will leave a deep impression on you, even after you leave.

Am I to take your statement as such: 'Leithanien is prepared to refuse any procedural communication with Laterano over Arturia and her criminal offences'?

Are you questioning my decision?

Federico hears the sound of swords and floor colliding.

He lifts his head and looks at the Empress of Leithanien.

Ewigegnade stands in the sunset's afterglow, her long skirt infused with a warm gold. But behind her lies a long hallway comprised of shadows.

He counts dozens of Gesatzswächter standing at attention in silence, their swords resounding.

Federico Giallo. Don't move just yet.

Hm?

And what is this? An Arts device... A Lateran made drone?

I'm just a little machine.

On some occasions, you can also treat me as a Messenger.

And to whom do you belong?

I belong to... Laterano.

There is someone who wishes to speak with you, Empress of Leithanien.

Long time no see, Ewigegnade.

...Your Holiness.

Your Majesty, Arturia Giallo has been taken away.

Yes, I saw.

If you wish to keep her here, then we shall not let them leave so easily, even if Yvangelista XI himself were to show up in person.

Of course you wouldn't.

However, that aging Pope has brought us a message.

He said that... 'Disaster' is imminent. And when the time comes, Laterano won't be the only nation affected. He hopes for Leithanien and Laterano to cooperate and overcome this crisis together.

His usual rhetoric then.

Herkunftshorn said something similar.

Within the chaos, right before the illusory throne he had created for himself.

He said, 'hope is already lost, and eternity is no more'.

And then, after that, I saw them with my own eyes... The enemy hibernating within the chaos.

At one point, they came infinitesimally close to our Leithanien.

...Give us the order, and we will bring the Sankta back for you.

No, not just her. We will do anything, no matter the cost... Whatever it takes to find a way to re-enter that chaotic space and bring Grimmacht back.

Hildegard...

In the final moment before the Genesis Horn completely disintegrated, I raised my shield, protecting the twin spires and everyone beneath... but not her.

...What?!

Brandt, watch this sunset with me.

I asked her if she wanted to know why.

If she wanted to ask why I let everything be, even though I knew it would turn out as it did.

Or to ask me why... I turned my back on her at the very last moment.

But she didn't.

She didn't even hesitate to do what she normally does, turning to face the enemy head on.

As we passed each other, her final words were to wish that...

...I could have this sunset, as I wanted.

Grimmacht... is a great ruler.

We will never forget her sacrifice, and continue the fight for Leithanien's future.

So you've made your decision too.

...Yes, Your Majesty.

Very good, Brandt.

Herkunftshorn built a spire in that impossible chaos, naming it after the tower that has long since crumbled in reality.

He declared that it would stand eternal.

Therefore, I can achieve the same. No, I can surpass it, even.

I will keep this sunset for all eternity.

It will bathe Leithanien, and everything that will belong to Leithanien, in Eternal Grace.

That's the last of it. It's not like you'll be able to stuff the spire down your pocket if you keep staring at it, you know!

...But is that truly impossible?

Professor!

Alright, alright, don't glare at me like that. I'll return the statue I got from the Beschwörung classroom's entrance, if it comes down to it.

You put that thing in my cube-thing?!

What? It's valuable, you know. I spilled Feranmut blood all over it a century ago!

Let's... get a move on. The rest of us are going, even if you aren't.

Ermengarde, are we really...

There's no way a Lich can become a Leithanian. Shouldn't you know that better than anyone else, having been here the longest?

The Sarkaz have always wandered this land, and us Liches have always been the nomads of our people.

We walk the land collecting and guarding knowledge. We protect our tradition from war and strife, so we leave the moment the place we're at isn't stable anymore.

And Leithanien's about to undergo some radical changes. Grimmacht stayed behind in the chaos, so there's no one left to hold Ewigegnade back.

Heh... Herkunftshorn, you damn codger. You ought to die a thousand more deaths for the mess you've left us. Feel like coming back to life again and wipe your own behind?

An impossible feat even if you were to say yes. And if such an opportunity did exist, we should leave it to the more sprightly youngsters anyway.

Do you mean there's a chance for Grimmacht to... Have you come up with a way to enter Kargereich?

Easy now, it won't happen so soon.

But Herkunftshorn was right. The time of annihilation is nigh.

Where will us Liches find our place when the entire land is beset by calamity?

And that's why we shouldn't bother ourselves with all that trouble. Our nomad days shall come to an end.

Alright, then where to next?

Where else?

Tell your new friends at Kazdel that the Lich King’s Court... No, not the court—tell them that the keepers of the Temple of Knowledge are preparing to return home.

The special correspondence with Ewigegnade is over. I shared Laterano's caution and, once again, offered my hopes of advancing together with Leithanien.

When the time comes, we will further analyze the incident in Zwillingstürme according to the information brought back by Federico Giallo.

It was clearly more than just a revolt instigated by the remnants of the Witch King.

Perhaps what happened there was a harbinger of the Disaster, much like the warning Laterano received.

Ewigegnade, the only Empress of Leithanien with a voice now... The way she spoke was appropriate enough, and her attitude sufficiently ambiguous. I could even imagine her expressions.

...All within my expectations.

The Lateran Declaration didn't really receive any practical response after the Summit of Nations. From the furthest coastlines to the centrum, the Disaster remains a secret in many countries.

Faith unites Laterano, while division has always been an everlasting blight upon this great land. But if we wait until the Disaster connects all nations into one...

It will be too late.

We already have a vague outline of what we're facing, but are we still unable to deduce its source?

Analysis complete. Threat level at maximum.

Disaster unknown. Path simulation failed.

Laterano... synchronized outbreak.

Laterano will accelerate the development of yet more emergency response mechanisms.

...I need to reconfirm the list of suitable personnel.

That settles the formalities of the handover.

In accordance with the bilateral agreement between Laterano and Leithanien, the Empresses' Voice and I will ensure that Arturia Giallo returns to Leithanien when necessary.

The aforementioned agreement has been confirmed.

Phew... that's it.

I guess this is goodbye for real.