act30side

We can only hope.

Our people are en route to the station to stand by. They'll send us word immediately once they intercept.

May it be that our guest arrives on time.

What of the merchants that just contacted you?

They won't be too daring for now.

Gnosis, pass word onto the Saintess for me—

You can save that step!

I'm right here. If you have something to say, say it to me in person, Sir Enciodes.

Saintess.

The Silverashes are disgraced to have allowed such a spiral of events on ceremony grounds. Once the ceremony is over, I will personally take myself to the Vine-Bead Court to apologize to you, Saintess.

But for now, I fear the ceremony will need to be postponed for another while.

As it should. Your message is loud and clear, Sir Enciodes.

If there is anything I can do, I ask you continue to come to me directly.

And not exploit that my own conscience might force me to see you first.

Saintess, praise thy benevolence.

But you and the Court devotees must be prudent right now. After you resume this ceremony yourself, Saintess, that will suffice to appease the people.

Degenbrecher's strength needs no introduction. A promise from her is exceedingly rare, and in the event she makes one, it's never broken.

I think we should give her our full confidence.

Is your confidence that Degenbrecher can fight one against a thousand, or that she has the disregard to die valiantly, in perfect service to your schemes?

Degenbrecher is ahead confronting the Victorians, and I know her mentality. She holds that, her own reputation aside, the slate with Kjerag can still be wiped clean should anything go wrong.

She... wait, did she tell you this herself?

She defends Kjerag's dignity as one of Her plain, ordinary citizens.

Saintess, do you believe that I bluntly ordered her? Provoked her?

Even I might say she's changed some. Thus I've trusted her this once—I've gambled on her.

Had I not, you might have watched that affable Viscount lose his life to a few 'panicked tourists'.

We gamble for a best case scenario.

'Gamble'.

I have always considered the success or failure of anything to hinge on one's own grasp, and not entreaties to gods.

Nothing goes unaccounted for. I put all the chips down. I see it through, win or lose. I've never complained about it.

But...

Sir Enciodes.

Unclasp your hands. You've bruised yourself.

I ask you pray for Degenbrecher, Great Saintess.

Weiss!

Wake up, Weiss!

Nngh...

Matterhorn...?

Where... I...?

—! Shit! The Victorians are changing it up! Their goal can't be that simple!

We have to contact the Master!

Gk—*hiss*—

Stay still, Weiss!

If they even managed to subdue and lock up both you and me, then our squad's people can't have escaped either. I've tried, but brute strength alone isn't going to free us.

It's light outside... It looks like it's day already.

Where are the Victorians?

All gone.

Unfortunately... they've probably swarmed the ceremonial grounds.

Matterhorn, help me out here.

What do you need?

I hide a razor in my shoe's upper.

If you can just take it out, Matterhorn... and toss me it!

Don't be insane!

What are you using that razor for? In your position? Do you not value your hands?!

I have to try.

The Master gave me this mission, and I couldn't complete it.

And if that's forced him into a passive situation, then I...

In any case, even if I'm too late, and he doesn't need it, I'm still going to redeem what isn't lost! I have to make up for my disappointment!

I suppose you're right.

Matterhorn heaves his body around, laying his fingers over the curve of Weiss's boot.

But what follows betrays Weiss's hopes. He doesn't toss the razor over, but instead pinches the paper-thin tool of murder between his fingers, and with great effort, strains and slashes at the rope over Weiss's wrists.

In its tenuous grip, the blade slips down between his fingers, and cuts into their pulp. Vivid red blood trickles down his wrist.

Matterhorn!

Your hand!

It'll be fine. It's just a scratch.

You were going to do the same thing, weren't you?

You do have a point, Weiss. The Master's expecting us. We can't leave him waiting too long.

Just give me one moment, and I can get this rope cut!

Matterhorn...

Umm...

Who's there?!

I'm not your enemy.

Sorry, you two were having a moment, weren't you?

Monch?

Didn't you leave Kjerag?

About that... well, I'll explain in full later.

Madam Sciurus sent me out to scout. That's how I found you all tied up in this Victorian camp.

Where are the others?

I already set them free.

Anyway, both of you, get going. The Victorians kicked off battle at Lake Silberneherze.

We need to be there as soon as we can.

Damn it! She can't hold for long!

As if I can sit here and look on!

You get back here, Arctosz!

Do you seriously think you have the monopoly on righteous anger, Arctosz? We <i>wish</i> we could step in! If your eyes are shot, then try using your brain!

You acting will <i>definitively</i> ruin things!

Stooping behind others so I can feel sorry for myself runs counter to the Paleroche clan's blood!

I can't bear to see this!

Bear to see it, you baby!

Someone here is having a harder time watching than you, I guarantee.

Ten years that Degenbrecher's lived in Kjerag, hasn't she? Just to be some sacrificial pawn here?

If today Enciodes can't settle all this, then no amount of achievement, no spoil for Kjerag, could ever convince me to lend him an ear again.

I'm far from the grand actor the rest of you would be! I cannot be as calm as any of you are!

And it's too little, too late for that.

All you and I can do now is believe in her.

I won't be arranging treatment for your wounded hands, then. Remember to hide it with gloves when the time comes.

Also, I imagine the Tschäggättä's report aligns with your gut.

We can't count on Degenbrecher lasting much longer.

She's no longer evading.

She's acting how she used to in her Kazimierz competition days.

Only, afterwards...