act29side

Did anyone at all step outside?

Nein, not one of us set foot outside the parlor spire this evening.

We still haven't identified who among us is to blame, so we've locked all the servants in the basement cells for now. Shall I show you the way?

No need. I've already met with them.

Did you question the assassin?

Having been under the effects of psychological Arts, she has no recollection of her whereabouts.

We should try torturing her. Otherwise, it's near-impossible to determine if she's lying.

Well then. Are <i>you</i> lying?

Me? Nein, meine Herr, how could I? I've been loyal to the Hochberg family for over a decade! Everything I have I owe to Kurfürst Werner!

Then... would you swear that upon the Güldenesgesatz?

Güldenesgesatz... The Golden Movement...

H-How would I dare deceive a Gesatzswächter!

You left the spire after what happened in there.

You have the smell of rainwater on you. The hem of your clothes has brushed against the moss in the cracks of the steps outside.

Ten years is nothing. You don't yet know House Hochberg's spire well enough, just as you didn't know Kurfürst Werner well enough.

The Kurfürst... He summoned you here...

The Kurfürst picked up on your disloyalty. You began stirring into action once he fell ill.

I only regret that Frau Löwenstein and I were ultimately one step behind.

Send notice to the Concertmaster that the Gesatzswächter's found that—

Earrgh—!

It is futile to resist the melody's fetters. Much like your wisdom, your Arts are ugly and brittle.

Where did you send that thing?

Gakhakha—ggh!

Answer me, remnant.

Z... Zwillingstü...

Is your 'Concertmaster' the one who used psychological Arts to influence the attendant? Are they also in Zwillingstürme?

The Concert... master...

No, my head... MY HEAD!

The Golden Melody now resounds in the deepest parts of your soul.

Any intent to disobey, and your mind will collapse beneath its weight.

Gesatzswächter...

With such absolute power, why must you serve as a thrall to the Twin Puppets?!

It is not <i>my</i> melody that restrains you, nor the decree of the Kaiserinnen.

What you are failing to resist is the will of Leithanien herself.

The will of... Leithanien?

Hah... hahah! Since when did the present-day Leithanien... have even a fraction of the will she should?

The Genesis Horn... The might of the great Herkunftshorn will come to enshroud this land anew!

GKHAAAAAAAAGHH!

The feeble sound that death plays. A caster that can seize such cries over such a long distance is no ordinary remnant.

...The Concertmaster.

Frau, the ride for Zwillingstürme is here. Are we leaving right now?

Yes. Let's go.

The friend who invited me here has just taken the curtain call. I've played every piece I needed to.

There's no reason to linger here any longer.

Somehow, without realizing... I'd been staying here all this time...

Martha, my dear Martha... Oh, it's like I'm dreaming. How long would I have to wait to hear such a remarkable performance again?

I've told you people, you are not to disturb me whenever I'm attending a con—

What? Wait, what did you say?

I'll be back posthaste. Get my ride ready. I need to see a few friends.

And one more thing—I want the wood carving I bought in Kreis Lupukarn, as well as the Victorian porcelain I keep in the study. Bring them both.

<i>Why such haste? Was the Kurfürst not alive and well this morning?</i>

The days to come will be arduous once more. Oh, Arturia... Only your music and your beauty can deliver me from this nightmare.

The sheer effort I went to just to arrive at her interim abode, only to find she'd already...

Please continue.

C-Continue? Who are you? And what's that you're holding? A wand or a—

You mentioned an intent to visit Arturia. I assume you have some relation to her.

I am currently searching for her. Therefore, I require any and all pertinent leads.

You're looking for Frau Giallo too? Are you some fanatic follower of hers?

Follower? That is a highly inaccurate description.

Per the tenets of the law, and on special assignment by the Curia, I must apprehend the fugitive and repatriate her to Laterano.

F-Fugitive? Frau Giallo is a guest of the Kurfürst, and no matter the rumors from outside... No, I find <i>you</i> far more suspicious!

Herr Erich! Are you still well?

They put the alley under lockdown out there; Gendarmerie all over. I hear even a Gesatzswächter went over to the Kurfürst's parlor spire.

Danke, I'm well enough. I was just about to visit a few Grafen and see what word I could pick off the grapevine. *sigh* How uncanny can one night get? Damn my indolent chauffeur—where is he?!

At least one small stroke of fortune is that Frau Giallo has already safely departed for Zwillingstürme.

Wait, where did that eerie Sankta get off to?

...The fugitive Arturia is no longer here.

Executor Federico, continuing pursuit of target.

Destination: Zwillingstürme, capital of Leithanien.

It's time we got going too, Viviana.

They'll announce that the Kurfürst passed from illness. It's understandable. A white lie to keep the domain in order.

I won't be able to attend the funeral, will I?

I'm so sorry. You never even got to see him one last time after you rushed back from Kazimierz and everything. And now you can't even go to...

...Mourn him.

I'm not even sure I have the right to anyway.

I scarcely remember how he looked. In all these years, all the word 'father' meant to me was just the letters he sent to Kazimierz.

And yet I can't help but think that even the letters themselves might well have been written by a retainer in his stead.

Your father never once forgot about you.

Mm... So everyone tells me, including himself.

And I'm willing to believe it.

But as I read that last letter, I still hesitated. I didn't know if I should... No, if I <i>wanted</i> to come back.

You have a tender heart, Viviana. I can't imagine you'd ever decline a dying man's last wish.

Or perhaps... it was the spire I wanted to see one last time.

Just to see if it still towered over the clouds, like I remembered.

You can't go back there. At least, not for now.

For your own safety, we shouldn't remain in Sturmland for long.

Were the ones who took his life and the casters who came for me last night... sent by the same people?

Not necessarily. With Werner gone, anyone that knows who you are has reason enough to make a move against you.

You're your father's sole descendant. In times this turbulent, neither his enemies, nor his former vassals, nor anyone else potentially in line to succeed him will just leave you be.

Then what about you? Why are <i>you</i> protecting me?

Think, and you might still recall, child. Thirteen years ago, upon your mother's passing, I was the one who took you to the Grand Knight Territory.

Then you're... the Imperial Orchestra of Leithanien's...

Instrument tuner. Quite a convenient role.

The Reichsorchester's visit symbolized the friendly ties between Leithanien and Kazimierz. No one would think to question a child with an instrument among them.

So you've saved my life... more than once.

It was your father who wanted to, more than anyone.

Some months ago, Werner realized his days were waning, and he worried that after he left us, you'd be dragged down as a sacrifice in the power struggle.

Your role in this is <i>unique.</i> Whether you chose to return to Leithanien or stay in Kazimierz, the waves would have reached you regardless.

He had no choice but to turn to me and Brandt. He hoped that as old friends of his, we could bring you safely to Zwillingstürme.

There, you'll be under the protection of the Kaiserinnen.