act29side

It has been three days since I started working with Micha. Both of our investigations have stalled. Today, out of nowhere, I heard from him that he found the room where one of the concert victims had resided. I immediately made my way there.

Micha had arrived before me, and he ran into remnants of the Witch King, who were infiltrating the room to look for something. After a confrontation, the remnants managed to escape. Fortunately, Micha was unhurt.

Do you remember what happened? ...Sorry, I'm getting ahead of myself. You should rest first.

I appreciate the concern, but I'm not the sort of person who would be so easily frightened just by running into some remnants. Here's what happened. I pushed the door open, and a group of them rummaging through the boxes and shelves all looked at me before flinging all kinds of Arts and evil melodies at me...

Anyway, after the confrontation, they all got away.

He made light of the events that transpired and completely omitted his own actions. His descriptions are not enough for me to go on.

Uh... Is that all? Did you find out anything else, like what they were looking for? Or, would you be able to elaborate more on what happened?

I searched the entire room after they left. Aside from daily necessities, I found only a broken piano and a few leafs of sheet music that you can buy just about anywhere. There's nothing special here. Even if there were, they must've taken it away.

...Given your skills, couldn't you have investigated that for yourself?

Evidently, he isn't very willing to discuss what he did at the time. <color=#d41f1f>The room shows no signs of an intense battle.</color>

To be frank, in order to investigate, I must first understand the emotions of my target and the intentions behind their actions. From the looks of it, there wasn't much of a fight here, and your tuba appears to be in fair shape...

Alright, alright. I understand. I'll tell you... When I came in, uh... two of the remnants inside the house spotted me, and they both had weapons.

I... I'm more used to dealing with Arts than blades. That's why I went with the most reliable strategy, and immediately left and pretended to call for the Gendarmerie. By the time I came back, they were all gone.

Is that detailed enough to satisfy you?

At the time of the incident, to <color=#d41f1f>gather information,</color> the target arrived in the room, and <color=#d41f1f>chose to temporarily withdraw</color> when he encountered the Witch King's remnants.

The music of the heart sounds, resonating with the heartstrings of the subject and bringing back memories.

The melody shows that the moment you pushed the door open, the remnants were not searching aimlessly. They were... checking the piano!

My bad, I missed that. Judging from its condition, it wasn't torn apart recklessly. It was disassembled with a goal in mind... And here it is. There's a small hole in here. This shape... Do you still have the Arts device you mentioned...? So it really is the key.

Remnants... Hochberg... Sturmland... Murder! Grimmacht was telling the truth...

In a secret compartment of the piano, we found a music sheet and a cipher used to decode the notes. This is the secret message they were trying to transmit. The decoded information left me startled. When I heard the envoy mention the Kaiserin's name, I immediately turned around, only for him to be nowhere to be seen.

Micha and I uncovered the message within the noise, but the truth before us was far more terrifying than I previously imagined: the Witch King's remains had conspired to assassinate the Kurfürst of Sturmland. The Hochbergs' informant wanted to send this information back, only to be caught in a premeditated attack. Das Kaiserinnensfest is occurring soon. Leithanien must avoid this crisis at all costs. I decided to make my way to the Gesatzspalast and submit all the information I have gathered.

I presented all the information I had to the Gesatzswächter. He stood solemnly like a statue. I couldn't imagine the look on his face under that golden helmet.

That is all the information we currently have. If there is anything else you need, I will do my best to work with you. My apologies, but given the urgency, Sturmland is already at risk, and the Kaiserin definitely won't just sit by and watch... I'm hoping you will climb the Twin Spires as soon as possible.

Thank you kindly for your investigation. We have already sent troops to Sturmland. It is our responsibility to stop the remnants' conspiracy at all costs. However, I cannot divulge any further information.

His tone did not change in any way, as though he had been expecting this for a long time. However, just as I was preparing to leave, <color=#d41f1f>a minor detail in his wording suddenly seized me.</color>

You thanked me for <i>my</i> investigation, but not once did I mention this was an investigation I personally carried out on my own. How did you learn what I was doing? Or did you...

Your hunch is correct. We were the ones who commissioned your investigation.

Das Kaiserinnensfest is approaching. An investigation by the Gesatzswächter in broad daylight would only cause panic among the citizenry. As such, we needed someone capable to help us investigate in the shadows to pr—to verify the whole story. You did a commendable job.

The infiltrating spy, the quiet Lessing, the envoy who had cooperated 'out of kindness,' even the Gesatzswächter. All these scenes flash across my mind. Suddenly, I realized that perhaps they'd all known of the situation since long ago, <color=#d41f1f>but why did almost none of them try to stop it?</color>

I would like to know... Do the Kaiserinnen know of this?

As a Gesatzswächter, may I take your words to mean that... you doubt Leithanien's will?

Myself at the time: I was filled with <color=#d41f1f>anger</color> at their indifference, and also <color=#d41f1f>sadness</color> as my efforts could have been for nothing. <color=#d41f1f>But what is it that I truly wanted...</color>

The music of the heart sounds, resonating with the heartstrings of the subject and bringing back memories.

No, I would never doubt you. I merely... want a concrete response. By thwarting the remnants' conspiracy, there will be no more innocent lives lost, and we will still be able to... welcome Leithanien's 'rebirth' all the same, won't we?

The Güldenesgesatz on high act in accordance with the Kaiserinnen's will, and we serve Leithanien. Therefore... yes, Das Kaiserinnensfest will be absolutely safe. At the time of the performance on the Twin Spires, the masses will all bask in Leithanien's glory.

I left the palace. This concludes my investigation.

How bizarre! It was just an ordinary day, and I was walking down the sunny streets of Bachshof with my head held high when a stranger appeared from nowhere and blocked my way. He barraged me with words I did not understand, yet he knew my Arts well. He had a request for me.

His whole body was vibrating with a difficult-to-explain yet somewhat familiar rhythm, almost as if my brain had been stuffed with ice cubes then vigorously shaken about. I swear I've encountered this rhythm somewhere before.

In other words, you want my help in recreating a scene from the past... A scene from three hundred years ago?

Ain't nothing surprising about that. Can you remember the kinds of beers they sold in the downstairs coffee shop last year?

Tch, look at what those two dolls have twisted Leithanien into in just a few years. The music's so damn old it's growin' mold. My spire's pretty great 'n all, but it's been turned into a memorial hall–– Free admission for everyone under a meter n' and a half? Ain't half bad, maybe worth a laugh... Anyhow, what's wrong with having fuzzy memories 'bout stuff that happened three centuries ago?

He speaks as if all of this is but a matter of fact, which only makes me more and more confused.

...Then, why don't you start by telling me what you do remember from that time, so I can try to help you.

Oh yeah, almost forgot. It's not that big of a deal. One night, I was up in my spire playing with that collection of musical Arts you guys have there, when I might've accidentally triggered somethin' special. There was a flash, and some notes suddenly started falling from the light, printed onto a blank sheet of paper in a musical notation I ain't never seen before.

But I only got to play it once that night, and couldn't remember the melody again after. A damn shame. Didn't have all the fancy toys back then, like the recorders we have now.

I give my arm a good hard pinch, and the pain proved that I was still in reality. However, his account is simply too bizarre. I can only bite the bullet and continue with the questioning.

I want you to recall as much as you can. What did you feel as you played this piece?

Feel? Hell nah, that's way too superficial a way to describe it. It was an comprehensively soul-shattering experience!

That piece had a temper, I tell you. Unlike anything else that's ever popped up beneath this sky... Playing it was like hoppin' aboard a huge ship, putting the thrusters on full blast, and charging full speed ahead.

When the curtains rise, the wild wolf howls, let yo soul bask in the song o' praise. Reeds sway in the firelight, deafening sounds erupt from the lonely city. Cross through the flames, 'cuz I'm comin' over the clouds. Take me to the stars!

You fallin' fast, it ain't Eden but it's still a garden. Fallin' up into the clouds, sweet dreams shattered by cannons blazin' loud. Yo~ the whole land shakes for me, every sea n' every nation! ...Where the hell's our destination? That shit don't matter, better let those thoughts scatter.

That night: The interviewee played a mysterious piece of music and went on a strange trip: <color=#d41f1f>boarded a giant ship, went on a journey across the land, experienced wonderful things... and headed towards the future</color>.

The music of the heart sounds, resonating with the heartstrings of the subject and bringing back memories.

Just as the melody shows... This feeling, this rhythm... Huh? Herr Emperor?! How strange, how come I couldn't recognize you a moment ago...

Aha, that's it! I knew it. Knew I could trust you. When I struck the final note that night, a gust of wind suddenly blew across the terrace and swept the music sheet away. Went right over the railing, and disappeared into the night.

And now, three hundred years later, I've finally found it. Time to take my victory lap. That damn sheep's gonna so jealous it's going to smash its horn to bits!

Oh, you're still here? Lemme give ya this ticket. What're so you worried about? 'Course I'm not holding a concert now. Just treat it as a keepsake. Ain't nothing good gonna be happening here anytime soon, so I'mma leave shaking up Forest Park for later. Best of luck to ya'll.

Herr Emperor waddled away, but I was still enraptured by the melody. In the scene the melody revealed to me, I saw a future, an endpoint... The destination that the ones who've been journeying for their ideals will ultimately reach.

Frau Lena claimed to be an ordinary citizen who happened to be near a disrupted concert in Neuleopoldshof. She was taken in for questioning by the Gendarmerie, but seemed strangely reluctant to describe what she saw.

The woman sitting opposite me looked down at her hands, clenched tightly on her lap.

Could you describe what you saw at the time of the incident?

Like I told you, I was listening intently to the performance when the strange melody began.

I don't know where it came from, or who was playing it... is this how you do your investigating? By interrogating honest citizens?

She wore an angry look on her face, but was <color=#d41f1f>avoiding my gaze</color>. There have been multiple reports of thefts at concerts as of late.

No need to be nervous. How about we talk about something else? Let's see... the concert was a performance of the fantasy 'Erdenherrenwinter.' How did you become interested in it?

What kind of question is that? I love music, especially fantasies. Erdenherrenwinter is one of my favorites, and I've heard it many times. What reason do I need?

That was the premiere performance of Erdenherrenwinter. <color=#d41f1f>She could not have heard it before</color>.

You may recall that the concert was only open by invitation due to the timing. Do you have the invitation with you?

Er, invitation... yes, I do...

Wait, I thought it was here... where did it go... Sorry, maybe...

At the time of the incident, the subject was likely at the concert to <color=#d41f1f>look for things to steal</color>. <color=#d41f1f>She was afraid that her false identity would be exposed.</color>

The music of the heart sounds, resonating with the heartstrings of the subject and bringing back memories.

Outdoor concerts never require invitations. As the melody revealed, you snuck into the concert with ulterior motives. Do you recall it now?

You're right... I took stuff without permission at the concert... but I wasn't trying to keep anything for myself!

I'm trying to return them... I just wanted to find my daughter, who was taken away from me twenty years ago... I wouldn't recognize her, but she... she'll have the amulet on her. I must find...

I told the Gendarmerie of Frau Lena's true identity, but also vouched for her future. No useful information was garnered from her, and this line of investigation was closed.

Herr Lindner is the owner of a cafe, which was closed due to suspicions of hosting gatherings of twisted horn worshippers. He surrendered himself to the Gendarmerie, claiming to be the one who caused the noise.

He cussed at the Gendarmerie, almost striking their noses with his finger. Care must be taken to avoid further provoking him.

Herr Lindner, perhaps we can sit down and talk about this. Why did you choose to express your dissatisfaction by disrupting the performance?

Dissatisfaction? No, you're wrong.

Why would I be dissatisfied with our honorable Gendarmerie, and our majestic Kaiserinnen? But there were so many people at that performance, so many more than my cafe! I'm sure there were a lot of gatherings that you didn't want to see.

He swung his fists around with a proud look on his face. True, this was a fitting reason for him. Apparently, his son was a fervent worshipper of the twisted horns, <color=#d41f1f>and had been part of a plot to disrupt performances</color>.

When was the last concert you attended?

The Columbian rock concert last Friday in Bachshof! I gave them some accompaniment with my horn and drums! Haha!

In fact, the concert was changed at the last minute to a performance to commemorate the famous architect, Bach. This was not reported in the news. Last Friday, <color=#d41f1f>there was a loud argument in the cafe</color>, which ended with his son storming out of the cafe after smashing a Columbian-made player.

There was a time when your business was in a slump, until you started playing rock music and Wrankwood movies in the cafe... correct?

I don't know anything... I don't know who did it. Maybe a customer...

That stuff is not music! We've written so much beautiful music, music that's accompanied us our entire lives! But now...

Stop asking questions! I said I did it! What more do you want?

The subject was not at the scene at the time of the incident. <color=#d41f1f>He was fuming over his son's actions.</color>. Recreate his emotions with the proper music of the heart. <color=#d41f1f>Perhaps worldly desires are more suitable, given his worries about his livelihood</color>.

The music of the heart sounds, resonating with the heartstrings of the subject and bringing back memories.

The melody reveals that you were in the cafe all day. You believe that your son was responsible for the noise and wanted to take the fall for him.

My son... he used to be such a perfect boy... he loved watching me play the violin, and he got into the spires with top grades...

He saw business drop, all the young people going to rock parties at other establishments... he didn't mean to do it, he must have... he just lost his cool, that's all... please, believe me...

The Gendarmerie sent Herr Lindner back to his cafe. No useful information was garnered from him, and this line of investigation was closed.

Frau Laudehr seemed to be an ordinary citizen. Informants reveal that she often showed up at performances, but stayed on the lawn away from the audience. She was present when the noise occurred. Perhaps she witnessed something, or perhaps...

She stood on the lawn with her hands on her hips, not bothering to hide her annoyance.

Sorry to bother you, Frau Laudehr. Did you notice anything unusual at the time of the incident?

No, no! It's always the same. Nothing unusual ever happens.

I can't believe he drew so many people with his level of playing. If you ask me, it's a good thing that the noise drove the crowd away. They should spend their time listening to Wagner instead...