act29side

...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?

Arturia is under control. I will return to Laterano and report to His Holiness the Pope. We will subsequently seek formal legal cooperation from Leithanien.

Alright. But I should remind you... tomorrow is Das Kaiserinnensfest.

Zwillingstürme will be very lively. Young people from other regions, even other countries, will all join in the merrymaking.

Correct, I had noticed an increase in foot traffic.

And so, I want to ask... Herr Executor, won't you stay just one more day?

Please explain why I'd do that.

Um... Arturia has been apprehended, the copy of the Güldenesgesatz has been recovered, and the Witch King's remains have been more or less wiped out. It seems like everything's all taken care of, but I can't shake this uneasy feeling.

Grimmacht says I have a unique sense for danger... I mean, of course, it might just be my imagination.

For matters pertaining to internal Leithanian affairs, I suggest you confer with your empress.

She's been too busy to see me today.

So that's why you have time to escort me out of the city? I had assumed this was an official duty.

A duty? No, it's not my duty to monitor you.

And, err, having come all the way to Zwillingstürme, wouldn't you like to stay a bit longer? Make some new friends? See the sights?

Friends and sights...

Are you looking at... that coffee shop?

I could try the drink Loris recommended before I leave.

H-Herr Sankta!

You are Yulia's brother, Jan. Do you work at this coffee shop?

Ja, I need to save money so I can study abroad when I'm ready. I thought I'd never see you again.

I've heard that the executors of the Lateran Notarial Hall carry out the wills of Lateran citizens, is that right?

An acceptable summary.

And you also... solve cases?

So long as it is part of a binding document, I will do everything in my power to carry it out.

Wunderbar! Loris left me a key before he died. He said there were clues about my sister's case in his house.

But I'm not a detective after all, and wasn't sure who to give the key to.

This is the residence of Loris Bordin.

This is a home in Zwillingstürme! You've barely known Bordin for an afternoon and he left you his entire house?!

What he left me are clues to a case.

Look—The wall, the table, the drawers, everywhere.

These are all clues regarding Yulia Schüler, the girl who disappeared over ten years ago.

And... a letter.

Loris claimed to have accepted defeat. But actually, he never gave up on the case.

I almost forgot that you're a case-solving machine. Even if they made you a Graf and granted you the tallest spire in Zwillingstürmeshof, you'd hardly blink, would you?

A false premise, that is. There is no precedent for a Lateran saint being conferred a title by another country.

And what do you have to do with Lateran sainthood...? Are you suggesting that you, Herr Executor, bear the title of Saint?

Yes.

Like the Founders and the Popes?

I am unclear on what you mean by 'like' in this context, but nominally yes.

...I may need to reevaluate our need to monitor you, Herr Saint.

You are an 'executor' to an empress. I had assumed you had some familiarity with my background.

I thought I did too.

Do not worry. Whether or not I hold the title of saint is not particularly relevant to my work in Leithanien.

My executorial duty is to capture Arturia, as well as executing the wills of Lateran citizens.

As the Arturia case is on temporary hold, fulfilling the will of Loris Bordin is my next objective.

Was that... hesitation? I've never seen you hesitate before!

I still have questions about the Arturia case.

What questions?

I need to think.

Federico looks at the piano to the side of the room.

Like most Leithanians, Loris had musical instruments in his home. However, judging from the many files and folders on its bench, he did not play the piano often.

Simply tap the black and white keys in a certain rhythm and a melody will be created. People have taken such immediate feedback for granted, yet there are still many questions that, once sprouted, are pushed away, unanswered.

The piece you just played... is it the one from yesterday at Ludwigs-Universität?

<i>Der Tod des Hexenkönigs.</i>

Arturia interpreted the emotions of Loris Bordin and Brandt Reiner, as well as the others who witnessed the Witch King's demise. She turned their strongest feelings into notes, creating this piece.

I want to know what she discovered in those emotions.

The notes may be the same, but the feelings are so different.

Herr Executor, are you and Arturia really related by blood? If misplaying an instrument were a crime, you might well be arrested as soon as you step out the door.

I did not play a single note wrong.

But there was no emotion whatsoever! You can't grasp music by memorizing its rules. You have to... um... picture the emotion it conveys.