act29side

Protection... of the Empresses?

Ja. That's what Werner wanted for you.

Viviana von Hochberg—

In the name of your family, you are to serve as an Empresses' Voice.

Central Leithanien, Kreis Einwald, in a town on the outskirts of Zwillingstürme, not far from the city gate

*huff*... *pant*... I need sleep. Verdammt! Why am I on duty again?

Those spry young wretches, always clocking out early. What excuse did they have today, a new movie? Some underground live show?

The moment the month rolls over, I'll see that I get a word in with the Baron, to speed up my transfer to Zwillingstürme...

Hey, you there!

What are you doing, loitering here this late?

<i>I am taking my regular walk.</i>

To my knowledge, there have been no new decrees forbidding law-abiding citizens like myself from rambling the wilds past midnight.

...Well, you're not wrong.

Just another bored youth going for a walk. Why was I getting so nervous?

...Am I free to go now? I appreciate your concern.

Go on, be on your— Wait.

Why do I get the feeling... I've seen you somewhere before?

You could be mistaken. After all, you did just tell me that strolling nighttime youths are as common as anything.

Where are you from? By your accent, I'm guessing the Urtica Grafschaft?

I was born there... in the countryside.

Countryside? What kind of country bumpkin talks like that? Stop being ridiculous.

No... Now that you mention it, I've never heard <i>any</i> commoner pronounce things the way you do. Say, you wouldn't happen to be the runaway son of some small-time noble, would you?

Let me check your ID.

If you're fantasizing about gaining the favor of some aristocrat for returning me, then you will be sorely disappointed.

...Has anyone ever told you that the way you talk could seriously piss people off?

ID. Now.

Pardon, pardon, I've got my boy's passport right here. Do peruse.

And who are you?

Come on, you don't remember me? I live in the city. That second-hand bookshop guy.

Speaking of which, the books aren't quite flying off the shelves, and lately I've been thinking, what about a cafe instead? You must be awfully tired this late on patrol, no? Here, here, try my coffee. My own brew.

...*sip*.

*choke*... Mein Gott, the taste... I'd forget about that cafe if I were you, for your own sake.

Haha, as long as it wakes you up. So are you done with the passport?

...Ebenholz. That's your full name?

Ja.

His parents just <i>love</i> the piano. The keys, especially—it was between Ebenholz or Elfenbein.

Well, whatever, be on your way. You think they pay me enough to question a kid's legal name? And yes, give me all the disgusting swill you've got left, I'll need it.

If you'd known you'd be back so soon, would you have not burned your passport?

I regret nothing.

If you must know, I naturally assumed that whenever you people wanted me back, you'd simply print a second one. Or as many as you need.

...So why <i>did</i> you come back?

For the hundreds of thousands of residents of the Urtica Grafschaft. Over a hundred retainers in the spire alone. I'm not so far gone in my selfishness that I'd sacrifice them all for my so-called freedom.

Which means you can stop it with the jokes, my dear spy. Or did Their Majesties send you to try me again? See if maybe I'll pour my heart out and wait on them hand and foot?

With Das Kaiserinnensfest approaching, Zwillingstürme has been restless lately.

Heh... And of course I still have that thing in my head.

I know better than any of you that the performance of this ludicrously grating piece is far from over.

Listen to me, meine Herr. My mission ends here.

Once you head into Zwillingstürme, someone else will pick you up.

Maybe you've already realized this, but you had two correspondence. One ordering you to come to the capital, and the other granting you your official 'death.' But it wasn't the same Majesty that wrote both.

Compared to the first's benevolence, the other...

Ebenholz doesn't even let Biegler finish before walking off.

Just before disappearing around the corner for good, the young man waves ta-ta to him.

So you knew.

Former Graf Urtica, are you hoping for... a true death this time?

*huff*... I'm getting sentimental now, in all this miserable gray weather.

May you...

No, never mind.

If people like us still have a shred of luck to spare—

—Then let's pray we never have to meet again.

...The rising of the Urticas' secret chamber destroyed the original plate of Ludwigs-Universität. Coupled with the influence of Herkunftshorn's Arts, the school can no longer function normally.

For now, the Empresses' Voice have taken over the cleanup operation from the Gendarmerie. Unaffected students and faculty have been relocated to neighboring Ostendorfhof.

The cleanup will take about a week. Thereafter, they will be able to return to campus...

No need. Ludwigs-Universität's library will be relocated to Neuleopoldshof and fall under the purview of the Reichsmuseum. The other campuses and faculties will be merged into the Reichskunstakademie in Bachshof.

The Gesatzswächter will be in charge of disposing of all of the remaining plates belonging to Urtica.

But then Ludwigs-Universität will—

Ludwigs-Universität will become history.

Your Majesty...

Are you surprised?

When I received the summon, I thought—

You thought I would be Lieselotte.

My apologies.

You did well. Lieselotte thinks very highly of you.

Danke schön, Your Majesty. If you hadn't graced us with your presence yesterday...

It's behind us, no need to speak of it again.

Your Majesty... there is one other thing.

Oh?

Arturia... the wanted Sankta, I bumped into her, and she mentioned my father.

I would like to know if she had something to do with his death. If you would permit me...

We've been over this, Hochberg.

The case of the Witch King's remains stealing a copy of the Güldenesgesatz has been closed.

Brandt.

Your Majesty, you are here as well.

Have you come to see Cora?

She is currently rehearsing the Güldenesgesatz. The delay caused by the Witch King's remains has us all worried about tomorrow's performance.

Rest assured, the Movement is flawless at all times.

Cora said the same. How long have you gone without a break? Why not take a vacation after the Celebration?

You could go back to Sturmland together. Not as a Reichsorchester tuner and Gesatzswächter, but as Cora and Brandt.

This is a reward, not a punishment. For mopping up the Witch King's remains. You and Viviana have done fine work, and I've taken notice.

Just remember that... opportunity does not last forever. Some things must be said before it's too late.

Thank you, Your Majesty, for the reminder.

And another thing, I'll need at least twenty Gesatzswächter for tomorrow's Celebration.

What?

Does Grimmacht know about this...?

Every year, Das Kaiserinnensfest begins with Reichsorchester's performance of the Güldenesgesatz, and ends with my duet with Hildegard.

I wonder.... This year, will the people still appreciate our performance?

...I have no doubt, Your Majesty.

Could I ask you a question, Brandt?

By all means.

Assume your most prized possession has a crack in it. Would you... turn a blind eye to it? Pretend you didn't notice?

You're going to leave Zwillingstürme?