act30side

Um... Haha, look how nice the weather is today. Perfect day to be holding a banquet, wouldn't you say?

Why don't you two go–

Given the Saintess's high praise, there are naturally many things I am afraid of.

I won't prattle on with the details, but take the ceremony for Kjeragandr's statue the day after tomorrow. For such an important occasion, all of Karlan Trade must come together as one, without a single misstep.

That being the case, I would recommend you be thorough and circumspect as well, Sir Enciodes.

The completion of Kjeragandr's statue is of utmost importance to Kjerag. Not to mention, we are in the presence of our Victorian guests who are eager to 'congratulate' us. There is no such thing as too much caution.

It is as you say.

The Saintess is well-versed in all things divine, and the multitude of preparations made for the ceremony are impeccable and well thought-out. In all respects, a true blessing upon Kjerag.

As for all other affairs, please rest assured that Karlan Trade will take care of the Vine-Bead Court's concerns.

Now, then. It's certainly reassuring to see the two of you so young and promising!

As a reminder, we're not only here to celebrate, but also to discuss a collaboration––

Seeing as how you're eloquent as ever, you seem to have no shortage of confidence.

You've been quite busy making a name for yourself, Sir Enciodes. Though I rarely go down the mountain, news of Karlan Trade's exploits are regularly reaching my ears.

But, please do not forget this, Sir Enciodes. For thousands of years, Kjerag has relied on hard work and pragmatism from generation to generation to develop our homeland into what it is today, not utilitarianism and reckless adventurism.

The Silverashes will never forget Kjeragandr's admonition of Her people.

However, the Saintess must also understand that along with the people of Kjerag's hard work and pragmatism is an indomitable adventuring spirit, and a desire to ascend the highest summits.

Perhaps a little bit of this spirit is also what we need when it comes to dealing with external developments.

I only hope that your enthusiasm does not lead you headfirst into danger.

Haha, the young truly are so full of energy. But, the Saintess is correct. Sometimes, stability is, in fact, necessary.

I invited the two of you here because I wanted to––

I am truly touched by the Saintess's concern.

Please rest assured that I will handle this matter, and not betray your expectations.

All things in Kjerag must inevitably answer to Kjeragandr's will.

Without sufficient faith, is it not true that I would struggle to take even a single step?

...You're just as awful as you ever were!

Ditto.

Gah, you two! If you have a disagreement, talk it through like adults! Don't go and ruin the peace!

Let's move on and discuss our cooperation––

Sir Enciodes, your brain is as hard and stubborn as the purest Originium ice crystal.

The Saintess remains unmoving and... speaks bluntly for the first time in a long while.

I can't hold a candle to you in that regard.

But it seems that even after all these years, our great Sir Enciodes still has not learned to retain his capital.

To what does the Great Saintess refer?

Have your old habits not flared up again? Taking on every bit of risk with no regard for the consequences?

The greater the risk, the greater the reward.

I hope you won't regret your choices later on down the road.

Nobody's going to sneak money under your pillow today!

Indeed, that won't be happening again.

No longer will I be woken by the jingling of coins, or have to buy candies and snacks on margin and pay back thrice the amount.

I never asked you to pay me back!

Please, you two––

Just one moment please, Your Lordship.

*sigh*... Fine, I suppose I'll drink to myself for now...

Holy Saintess, Sir Enciodes, I have no intention of involving myself in your private affairs.

But, if the Saintess has her own thoughts about Kjerag's present situation...

Then, reciprocating the Duke's offer may be the perfect option for you.

What do you mean?

Holy Saintess, might I tell you what I've found most impressive about Kjerag?

Please do.

I recall the time I paid a medical call to a herdsman, Leones was his name. A young beast in his herd had gotten lost while grazing.

I offered to help him search for it, but he declined and told me not to worry.

He had me wait until sundown, and left to have supper.

And so I waited.

After finishing the treatment, I set up a cooking pot over the grass with him. We lit the pot, and he found a good piece of cheese. You should've heard the sizzling sound it made when he threw it in.

I was sitting to the side on a short bench, still thinking about the young beast, when I heard a high-pitched cry in the distance.

This might be something you see all the time in Kjerag.

But for me, when I saw that young beast returning to the pasture at sunset; the way it found its way back to its mothers side, the two nuzzling against each other––

What I felt at that moment... was something I don't know how to describe.

Old Leones told me that burdenbeasts recognize the scent of their kin, especially foals, which are particularly sensitive to their mother's scent.

Even if they get lost, they'll always find their way back by following their mother's scent.

That blood bond reminds me of the way the people of Kjerag view their land.

It reminds me... of the way Sir Enciodes gave up Victoria in all her glory to return to Kjerag.

I see Your Lordship speaks very highly of Sir Enciodes. It is true that he has made many achievements thus far––

But if you are comparing him to a young burdenbeast returning to his homeland thanks to his ties with his 'mother' by the name of Kjerag, I find that joke quite droll.

It is indeed thanks to Sir Enciodes's longing for his homeland that House Caster decided to fund Karlan Trade.

Moreover, the Duke believed that since Sir Enciodes greatly treasured the Kjerag blood flowing in his veins, he likewise would not come to despise the other half of his blood–

The Caster bloodline.

Holy Saintess, as I have previously stated, I am not here to stoke conflict.

But, at the inception of Karlan Trade, it was Caster who extended a helping hand to Sir Enciodes.

And now that Sir Enciodes has proven his worth, the Duke believes that it is time to collect a bit of interest.

It appears that a few pieces of candy will no longer be sufficient, Sir Enciodes.

It's not so complicated, really. What the Duke wants is simply a show of sincerity.

Her Grace wishes to see this goodwill from Sir Enciodes, from Karlan Trade, and ultimately, from Kjerag itself.

A show of sincerity towards the Duke of Caster, and towards Victoria.

So long as this sincerity exists, then our future cooperation will only become more intimate.

And if we fail to express such sincerity?

Harold puts down his tableware, then walks over to the window and opens it.

The cold wind laced with snow and ice instantly pours into the room. Even the burning stove is helpless to resist the chill.

He quickly closes the window once more.

Haha, my apologies.

The Saintess's question was so incisive, I found myself wanting a breath of fresh air.

After staying in this warm room for so long, I had forgotten how cold it was outside, you see.

That being the case, Your Lordship could have simply entertained Sir Enciodes at this banquet. Why is my presence necessary?

Well, you see, I've been eating and drinking remarkably well here. During my morning constitutional, my blood pressure had gone down even as my blood sugar was up a tad.

I wouldn't mind staying here for another year or so.

But you see, I find the Duke's incessant nagging quite bothersome.

Nowadays, Karlan Trade has become a pillar of Kjerag, and the kinship between the Great Saintess and Sir Enciodes runs deep.

I simply wanted to provide an opportunity for the two of you to sit down and talk things over.

I would like you to help me convince Sir Enciodes.

I appreciate Your Lordship's candor.

However, everything that has a beginning must also have an end.

It is true that Kjerag owes much of its current standing to Karlan Trade; but if I, as the Saintess, were to say that I know nothing of this, it would simply be avoiding responsibility.

If you accept that I am the leader of this nation, then it must follow that I am also responsible for its current condition.

I cannot come up here and confidently proclaim that the ways of the past were wrong.

Sir Enciodes always boasts about how he was the one who chose Kjerag's current path.

However, to this day, everything in Kjerag is the result of decisions that we have collectively made as a people, of which I am but one member.

Sir Enciodes himself has no right to rebuke Kjerag, as she is today.

And the same is true for me.

...I see now.

It seems I really ought to try more of Kjerag's food while I still have the appetite.