act29side

We... We've really let you down, Captain. Encountering such a setback just when you're just about to—

It's fine, Pym. Go find Graf Josef and tell him what's going on with the art gallery.

Incidentally... I haven't heard the sound of gunfire in a long, long time.

I've never been qualified to wield one, even back in my Laterano days. But I can assure you that the wands we use in the Gendarmerie hit just as hard and true.

So, before my men return, you'd best put away your firearm... and your other weapons.

And then, explain—

What business brings a Sankta like you to Zwillingstürme?

Loris Bordin.

Oh? You recognize me.

Former Lateran citizen. Twenty-eight years ago, you came to Leithanien from Laterano and joined the Gendarmerie.

Twenty-three years ago, the Twin Empresses conferred you the title of Vizegraf, and afterwards you became the commander of the Gendarmerie, a position you still occupy to this day.

...Hah. I was counting on you to introduce <i>yourself</i> first.

I require your assistance in bringing an important fugitive back to Laterano.

Fugitive?

Her name is Arturia.

...Now I remember.

You're that... executor from the Curia's Fifth Tribunal, the Notarial Hall's Fe... Fe... I'm sorry, the list of titles on your sign-offs is always so long, I can't recall your actual name.

Federico Giallo.

Our dealings are considered international affairs, so according to protocol, signatures are to be as meticulous as possible.

Ha... haha... The dozen or so letters you sent to me are still—

Twenty-seven letters.

Did you read them properly? Did you even open them at all?

*ahem!* How could I... Anyway, you wrote all those letters over the past few years, and even personally came to Lethanien, just to hunt down this fugitive, yes?

She has been active in Leithanien for many years now. I have reason to believe she is related to numerous unusual cases occurring here, including many of the cases you're currently working on.

First it was His late Majesty, and now a fugitive from Laterano... When it rains, it pours, I suppose.

Do you require a briefing on the suspect and her situation from the very beginning? Alternatively, you may read any of the letters I sent you.

Ah...

Reverend Executor, if I could have just a moment.

...Baron Lukas. Please go ahead.

Those... violent thugs disturbing the peace on the streets are back?

Alright, I got it. I'll send men over right away.

Uh... Of course, absolutely. I'll be there in person. Please rest assured that the Gendarmerie will keep you safe and maintain Leithanien's untarnished glory.

...As you can see, I'm a very busy man.

I disagree. The social status of the informant should not be a criteria in determining the priority of your tasks.

Look, we're not in Laterano. Speaking of which, you're not allowed to freely fire your gun—or any other weapons—to intimidate the residents here.

No, more than that. You'd best stay in my sight while you're operating in Zwillingstürme.

I'm not aware of any such procedure.

You mean the rules? Rules are set by people.

I'd like to raise an objection.

Then I'll have to arrest you at the first opportunity, Herr Federico.

As someone who's fired multiple shots near a noble's private art gallery, many would see you as the biggest threat to Zwillingstürme's order.

District of Bodenshof, Karl Schmidt Street.

Frieda Seemann, the deceased at the exhibition, resided here for many years.

Right. 'Marigold Alley,' a place beloved by both painters and poets.

Baron Lukas moved here two years ago. He claims he wanted to be closer to an 'increasingly rare artistic milieu,' but of course the real reason might be that the homes here are far cheaper than the ones on Innere Stadt.

I find it very likely that my target has been here before.

Don't be rash. Remember our agreement? Arturia Giallo is a beloved and highly esteemed musician here in Leithanien.

You're currently 'assisting' the Gendarmerie with an unrelated case, under the premise that whatever you find has nothing to do with me or my men.

I have discovered the alleged gang of violent thugs reported to be disturbing the peace.

Immediately executing—

Stay put!

I suggest we immediately initiate arrest procedures.

It's just a bunch of kids who don't want to attend classes.

Get moving, all of you. No loitering.

So you were here too. The instrument sculptures were built under the Kaiserinnen's orders, and vandalism will not be tolerated. You're also bothering everyone in the neighborhood with the sound of chiseling.

Still not stopping your Arts?

What the hell are you carving?!

Can't you see? I'm just transforming the street back into its proper form.

Twisted horns like those aren't allowed in Zwillingstürme... No, they're forbidden across all of Leithanien.

Step aside. We have to destroy them before the Empresses' Voices find out.

Destroy? What makes you think you're brave enough to destroy a symbol of Herkunftshorn?

Herkunft— where did you learn that name?

Plenty of people already know. He'll be back soon, after all.

He was dethroned before you even learned to speak. You have no idea what those horns signify. Back then, he'd erect a sculpture like that on the streets whenever he killed a dissident!

...Someone's already dead, aren't they?

The painter who lived down the street. She was the first.

Run away with your tail between your legs, meine Herr. Whatever courage you once had is ancient history.

'The first soldier to set foot in the Witch King's Spire'—do you really think you're still that same hero?

Don't think I'll let you off just because you hit a nerve, schlingel...

He's gone.

Hmph, let him run.

Why did you not arrest him immediately?

Is there a point in rushing to fill up our prisons?

May I assume that your reluctance to arrest the boy was due to your personal feelings?

...I'm almost regretting my decision to bring you along, Reverend Executor.

Agreed. Freedom of movement would allow me to lock down the target as soon as possible.

No, I meant I should have detained you in our office instead.

Why's there another one still here? Hey, junge. Make any more noise and I'll really bring you in.

...The twisted horn sculptures. Are you not going to clean them up?

Right, I still have these troublesome things to deal with. I really don't get what youngsters have in their heads these days.

They're nostalgic for an era they never got to experience in person. But there's nothing wrong with that. All Leithanians are entitled to feel disappointed with how things are today.

For example... the coachmen casters who lost their jobs to Victorian automobiles, or the owners of the community theaters that closed down thanks to Wrankwood's film industry. Or their children, of course.

When people see no way out, the only way they can imagine a future is by looking back at the past.

Hah. Did you hear all that from some adult at home?

As if. I guarantee you she'd never say anything like that.

All she knows is how to eliminate any threat to Leithanien at its source.

The sculpture... shattered? And so easily...

He is clearly no ordinary student. I would recommend stopping him for questioning.

Hm. Nothing ordinary about him, that's for sure. But all the more reason to keep our mouths shut.

...And now it's actually raining, hah.

Want a drink? Coffee, or maybe beer? If we're drinking at this place, I recommend the former.

I do not make a habit of consuming fluids that will affect my central nervous system while on a mission.

Alright, beer for me then.

You are also—

On a mission, ja. Why else would I be drinking at this hour?

The child from earlier said that you were 'the first soldier to set foot in the Witch King's Spire.'

He's not wrong. What, want me to sign a napkin for you?

I would rather you sign the cooperation agreement I sent you.

Reverend Executor, how old were you twenty-three years ago? The news coverage on the coup can't have been bigger than the ads for some new dessert shop, can they?

'The Lateran who became the captain of Zwillingstürme's Gendarmerie.' That's how the headline went.