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A standoff.

It was meant to be a sudden assault. The casters of Kreis Heldenschwert would disguise themselves as musicians and infiltrated the Witch King's Spire, while the armies from Erdenherre and Sturmland would stay hidden outside through their enchantments.

No one dared underestimate the Witch King's power, but the battle was nonetheless harder than anyone could have imagined.

The army outside the Spire was discovered by the Einwald Imperial Guard. The first wave of casters all died at its base, while the second wave was swallowed by the endless staircase.

The only ones who made it to the throne were the Twins. Grimmacht, and her sister, Ewigegnade.

Black and red had always been the Urtica colors, but from the entrance to its deepest innards, the Spire was almost completely void of black tiles.

House Urtica's secret chamber lies underground, and it's very close to Sonata Spire, so we can make our way down through it. Herr Fremont has already left, and we must catch up.

Nein.

Is something the matter?

Go no further.

The Witch King's Imperial Guard is here. You will die.

The Imperial Guard? What do you mean?

The folks from Heldenschwert never expected you people to win. They simply wanted the Sturmland armies to keep the Imperial Guard at bay while the Twins climbed the spire.

In their plans, all of you were meant to die. The Witch King, the Twins, everyone.

Tell your father and Ernst that the Hochbergs should not be buried here, not in this spire.

Herr Reiner, my father is dead.

I'm the reason that you're the only survivor.

I'm the one... who took away your freedom...

Please, look at me. I'm Viviana.

Did you perhaps... mistake me for my father?

Leave now. Leave Ludwigs-Universität.

Grimmacht's envoy has passed on the Kaiserin's order. As an Empresses' Voice, you have more than enough grounds to terminate your mission.

And to prevent the Voices from going out of sync, Ewigegnade won't punish you for it either.

Do you hear the commotion around us?

It sounds familiar.

This is practically a battlefield. My duties prevent me from escorting you out, but I can at least use my melody to forge a path through the chaos for you.

...Nein.

I will never forget how quiet and peaceful it was when we entered the campus. The young students' faces still had hope for what was to come.

I can't let them become sacrifices to this conflict.

While I'm nowhere near as strong as you or Herr Fremont, I'd like to help as many of those weaker than me as I can.

Herkunftshorn's secret lies ahead.

Ewigegnade said that when Das Kaiserinnensfest comes to an end, you'll have another chance to choose.

But once you've gazed upon the country's darkest, most hidden secret, all your other choices will immediately evaporate.

I expected as much.

But while I long for freedom, I can't very well turn my back on people suffering right in front of me.

Ironic, isn't it?

...You're just like your father.

Ja, I know.

I've... always known the kind of man he was.

What's going on? Why are there so many people underground?

They charged inside! It's not just Sonata Spire, either; The Scholars' Spire next door, too! There are students everywhere!

Stop them all! Don't let them block the stairs, or we can't chase—

Who did that?

No idea, there's too much going on! I can't make anything out!

W-Witch King's remnants!

Listen.

Listen to the extreme chaos, as well as to the only melody that can be found within it.

That is Herkunftshorn's sigh.

The final sound our king left upon this land.

The supreme spire, whose dark shadow on the ground causes all to shudder.

Those who do not wish to be engulfed in darkness paddle their arms and climb the staircases leading up.

The pitch black will hangs over the throne in silence, awaiting inquiries from other souls.

Those who hide behind the curtains regret the demise of love.

Those who lead the charge in others' stead ponder the meaning of heroism.

Those who wade through the sea of their fallen comrades' blood lament the price of their sacrifice.

All of them now gather at the far ends of this spiral staircase, to witness the birth of this melody.

Its name—

—<i>Der Tod des Hexenkönigs</i>.

It's the Witch King's army! They're charging toward me!

Casters pouring in through Catastrophes! Originium piercing entire cities!

Help, I don't want to die... But... I might as well. Please, burn me to ashes! I don't want to be crumpled into a living ball of flesh!

Urk... Nngh!

How could you set yourself ablaze, you idiot!

Nein, everyone here has gone mad!

This sound... Th-The pipe organ! Are the Witch King's remnants performing? All of us are under the influence of their... illusions...

Who's there on the podium?

All this blood, all these... corpses? But who is it lying in the blood...?

Grimmacht... Ewigegnade!

Hahaha, it's you! The wicked Twins!

The rumors were true, weren't they? Your souls were cooked up by Sarkaz Arts, and your blood molded from the ambitions of traitors!

You killed Leithanien's true king, and took over her throne—

You two were born to destroy this country!

You're wrong!

Grimmacht may be cruel, but she's not evil!

And who are you? Another Empresses' Voice? A puppet carrying out the Twins' will?

Nein, she wouldn't let me become one.

But I'm alive because of Grimmacht. I want to help her. I want to—

Anyone who accepts a monster's reward becomes a monster themselves. Look at all this! Look at how far Leithanien has fallen because of you people!

This spire... This school...

Did you keep Ludwigs-Universität around only to impersonate us true Leithanians? To pretend you still had the decency to respect tradition?

I've had enough. I'm sick of the Empresses' Voice showing up at our lectures. I'm sick of the salons incapable of anything other but empty praise!

Our history, our knowledge, and our arts are all long dead. Murdered!

So we may as well die together.

I... I'll kill all of you...!

Ugh—!

What are these Arts? Why can't I block them?

No... Is that a fist? I...

Michael's eyes suddenly widen.

More and more people rush toward Sonata Spire by the minute, joining the fray as the music continues. Many of them set down their wands, choosing instead of use their fists, legs, and teeth.

Is this still the Leithanien he knows?

All the rhetorical tricks and combat tactics he learned... even Originium Arts have lost their effectiveness.

Aside from cowering under his shield, there is nothing he can do. Right now, he is no different from the young boy he was when he had just left his hometown and arrived in Zwillingstürme.

Please, I beg you... Ewigegnade, I'll do anything... Please spare me...

No... Don't hurt me...

Grimmacht... Grimmacht...

Please stand.

Who...?

Raise your shield, and face it to your left.

...Okay.

Help me hold this person up.