act29side

Phew—! You scared me...

Vivian, what are you hiding under the covers for... are you writing a letter?

Shh—Tante Cora's about to come. She'll be angry if she sees me awake this late.

Who are you writing to?

Vati.

I pestered Tante Cora for two weeks before she finally agreed to sneak me out to a poetry recital at Ludwigs-Universität, and I want to tell Vati all about it.

I was going write it tomorrow, but I'm afraid it'll be too late by the time we get back...

Not that I have any way to send them. I'll just store them somewhere safe, along with all my knight novels.

But why?

Since I decided not to eat candy anymore, I have to put away those childish fantasies too.

But didn't you always want to be like those knights? With their shining swordspears sparkling like the sun? Didn't you want to visit that radiant, glowing country?

They're too far. It's all just too far away.

Mutti's not here anymore, and Vati, he's by himself. I'm... on my own too. I don't want to be too far from him.

I asked Tante Cora how long it'd take for us to get back to Sturmland from Zwillingstürme. The fastest route would be only two days, so if Vati needs me, I can always—

But your Vati doesn't even know you stayed behind.

He'd definitely be mad if he did.

But I don't regret my choice. I begged Tante Cora to help me stay here in Leithanien, instead of following her to the Grand Knight Territory like he told me to.

Even if I have to hide. Even if he can never know.

Tante's helped us so much. My Mutti said she's super strong, super brave, and super gentle...

But even so, I'm sure she needs people by her side too.

She's always been by herself. I can't do much, but I can at least hold her hand.

Mhm. I know exactly what you mean.

Viviana.

I can't say you've made a bad choice. You're giving up on more things, but at the very least you'll have fewer regrets.

It's Tante Cora... I think someone's stopped her to talk.

I'll go take a look.

You should get to bed.

A rare event. Has the Twin Empresses' favorite actually come here of her own accord, to meet with us 'dregs'?

Finally made up your mind?

All because of the Hochberg girl?

Viviana is too sensible for her own good.

She takes after both Lucinda and Werner. If I had a daughter myself, I can only hope she'd be as tough and kindhearted as her.

That day in the car, she suddenly begged me to let her stay. And I thought, maybe things would work out better this way.

Better for Werner, and... better for me.

With her around, I can feel myself gradually calming down this time.

When I pass by Karl Schmidt Street, sometimes I feel like I can see the marigolds again, blooming all over the street. As if the flowering season will never end.

But her current situation says it all.

As grand a Kurfürst as he may have been, he was incapable of saving his own beloved daughter.

Leithanian's illness still constrains all those who have sacrificed everything for the country's so-called rebirth. Its terminal rot has lived and strived, barring the citizens from their freedom.

Still, I'm elated to hear that her presence here has helped you come to a decision, Concertmaster.

No! Cora, I didn't come here to—

This shouldn't be happening!

Everything before her eyes dissipates. Once again, Viviana finds herself on the spiral staircase.

She had thought that an earlier solace would prevent the inevitable, so that tragedies wouldn't have to fall upon the lamentable woman behind the door.

Or, at the very least, that she could say her goodbyes before it was too late.

Countless doors simultaneously open up before her. They line up in succession, meandering towards an unclear horizon.

She recalls every Viviana who was behind each of the doors. She sees every candle and its firelight through each of the frames.

Her parents—or perhaps she herself—make a different choice each time. Life after life, possibility after possibility.

If Mutti and Vati didn't have to hide their love for each other... If everyone had accepted us, then maybe they'd all have blessed my birth instead.

Could we have been happy forever?

If Vati could manage to rid himself of all his identities and duties, and live a simple, ordinary life with Mutti...

Could we have gotten a much better ending?

If you'd contacted McKee sooner, and used the K.G.C.C.'s resources to return to Sturmland even just a day earlier...

Could you have at least seen him one last time?

If people could see you as someone ordinary, looked at you without scrutiny, mockery, or pity...

If you'd found a more perfect image, or just the right words... If you'd written of the brilliant marigolds and gentle silhouettes before you...

If you could just... be accompanied by books in peace...

Would it have been less painful?

You deserve a better life than this, Viviana.

If there really is one.

But why? Why does every last one...

...leave me so disappointed?

Viviana hears the sound of something moving. Doors collapse, distant but clear, like snow losing its grip on a mountain top. The beginning of an avalanche.

Is there such a thing as a second chance?

She walks towards the nearest door. A new one, just like every other she has walked into.

Will there be a better choice behind this door? A more satisfying resolution? Fewer regrets?

With that in mind, she has already opened the door.

The Genesis... This 'Zwillingstürme' space is extremely unstable, Yulia Schüler. Your premonition was correct.

I understand that you won't leave...

So please stick to the resonance pipes as much as possible to keep yourself safe.

What about you, Herr Executor?

I must find Arturia. The sooner, the better.

Frau Giallo should have already met the person she wanted to.

She is a dangerous individual, and should come back with me to Laterano.

But if she truly seeks the Witch King, then she could be in danger right now.

Federico turns around and looks into the distance.

Ever since Yulia activated the retrofitted resonance pipes, the scenery around them has gradually cleared up, both near and far.

And with that, Arturia's destination is no longer in question.

At the far edge of his sight stands a gigantic black tower, interwoven with scarlet and surrounded by a cluster of spires he's never seen before.

Herr Executor, before we go our separate ways, can you tell me how Jan is doing these days?

He has encountered some common growing pains.

Loris Bordin left him a sum of money, but judging by his own wishes, he may very well leave Leithanien and make a living in another country.

That's fine too.

That boy's head has always been swimming with ideas.

Seniora Schüler, you appear to have more questions for me.

The Caprinae woman quickens her footsteps just slightly as Federico continues at his usual pace, giving her a slight lead.

Loris, is he...

...already dead?

I never said—

Herr Executor, you're clearly the type to dive headfirst into your work without a second thought.

But you seem particularly concerned with my affairs. You wouldn't willingly put your mission on hold like this for no reason.

I've heard from Loris how Laterano's Notarial Hall works, and—

His will.

Prior to Das Kaiserinnensfest, Loris Bordin died in the sewers near Bodenshof's Forest Park, while trying to prevent the Witch King's remains from inciting a revolt.

His final message before death was a phone call in which he expressed his hope that someone else would take over the Yulia Schüler case.

For fifteen years, he resented the city of Zwillingstürme, loathed his work at the Gendarmerie, and treated everything apart from his final battle with indifference.

His sole preoccupation was your case. And as a former citizen of Laterano, his final request can be considered his last will and testament.

That said, the case has now been solved, and it is no longer possible to investigate any further... But I did find a letter addressed to you in his residence.

I read it only once, but I have it memorized. I can recite it to you if necessary.

However, the contents are full of rather emotional expressions.