act30side

We don't look the part to you?

Nope.

Uh, you look more like you came looking for trouble.

Ah, haha. Us? Perish the thought!

I'm so enamored of Kjerag's scenery and culture. I'm even contemplating spending my retirement here!

Yes, right, so long as there are no major issues, we shall remain nothing but tourists, naturally...

And what if—

—How about you, Rosalind?

You speak the Kjerag tongue fairly well for a tourist. Is this your first time here?

Somebody's changing the subject hard and fast!

Hah.

Whatever. I didn't get to this part, did I?

You could call me half Kjerag, even if I don't really feel like one at all. I grew up in Ursus with my mamochka.

Oh, so your mother is Ursine?

Yep, but she told me I was born in Kjerag, and my papa is from here...

I don't remember much about anything that happened when I was a kid. I guess you could call this a vacation.

Hmm, I see.

By the way, I've been meaning to ask since we met...

What is that box you are holding, Rosalind?

Oh, this...?

Forgive me. If that intrudes upon your privacy in any way, you need not answer.

It's okay. It's not really a secret or anything. I'm just figuring out how to explain it...

It's something that... my mamochka left to me.

My...

Please accept my condolences.

I am sorry to raise such a painful topic, Rosalind.

Truly sorry.

Hmph, what's so painful about this?

I'm here to fulfill Mamochka's wishes.

Madam Degenbrecher, I...

Everything is okay now.

I've taken care of everything that needs taking care of.

Thank you so much, Madam.

If it wasn't for you, who knows what would have happened to me? Thank Kjeragandr I'm still alive.

This is all that I can do.

Sorry. It's not... a pretty sight.

*sigh*. There wasn't any other way...

Ma'am, you have blood all over you. Maybe you should clean up first?

Later.

Time is of the essence. Even though I may have solved the problem for now, I can't guarantee this will be the end of it.

The most important thing is to find the one we're looking for.

But, ma'am, we got news that they're already leaving the station.

Asking the railway to stop the train would only cause a panic.

Stop the train?

There's no need for that.

What else can we do?

Look down.

Wait...

The train is about to pass right under us!

Yes.

Wait, m-ma'am?!

Her figure as she descends upon the train seems both lighter than snow and heavier than stone.

Right then.

Where might they be?

In my memories, I see a vast field of snow.

I remember when I was little, I sat on a wooden bed. The fireplace crackled, while a snowstorm blew outside.

The sound of the wind whispered into my ears. There was a large hand stroking my head, and there was someone putting me to bed.

And I drifted off to sleep in that warm, calming sensation.

I used to think that was Ursus.

But Mamochka told me: Nyet, Rosalind, that wasn't Ursus.

That was Kjerag wind.

That was Kjerag snow.

That... was where I was born.

So... It wasn't until you entered secondary school that you learned you were born in Kjerag?

That's right. Mamochka never told me before. I thought she was kidding at first!

I don't remember much of my childhood. All I can picture is snow everywhere... And there's snow everywhere in Ursus, too!

How was I supposed to know?

Hm, now that you mention it, they are alike in that way.

However, from what I remember, Ursus is colder than Kjerag.

Hm... That is true. Ursus's colder.

Have you been?

Hah, many years ago.

I didn't have much chance to sightsee, though. What a shame!

Then I'll be your guide the next time you visit.

Forget the rest of Ursus, Deity Grypherburg is a sight in itself.

Very well, then. Seems I may have to get myself a couple of coats to keep me warm.

But until I have the opportunity to visit Ursus and take you up on the offer, let me be your guide instead.

I'll start by telling you about this train's destination—the newly built statue of Kjeragandr.

It is built atop the island in the middle of Lake Silberneherze. Very conspicuous. You'll see it as soon as you step outside the station.

Of course, for you, the statue is not the point of your trip...

You came to Kjerag for something more important than sightseeing.

Yeah, sure did.

I need to take a good look at the Kjeragandr statue for my mamochka, though. It's... It's something she stressed before she left us.

Then, I'll head up the mountain next to Lake Silberneherze.

I need to take the box to the peak.

What's inside?

No idea. She never told me.

She just said I had to dump what's inside on the mountain, and that she'd be satisfied if I did.

Coming to your foreign homeland all by yourself only to fulfill your mother's wishes...

What a kind, faithful daughter! It moves my very soul!

Eh, that's really too much.

What are your plans after that?

After I take this up the mountain? I'm not too sure. I might travel around.

I might... look for my papa.

Is your father still in Kjerag?

Perhaps I could offer my assistance in searching for him?

For real? But I don't even know his name, and I don't remember what he looks like.

But Mamochka told me he was very handsome.

Aha, a handsome fellow.

Yeah! I guess he used to be a famous, handsome guy. Like, pretty popular, too.