act30side

You're right...

It's not worth it to live in pain for a man like me.

It's all for the better...

Good, you get it.

I didn't know who my papa was, and now I do. But that's all there is to it.

I don't need recognition from your family. Paleroche business is none of my business.

I'm the daughter of Tatyana Yevgenyevna Larina.

I'm Rosalind Tatyanovna Larina, codename Leto. Remember that.

It was Tatyana who named you. Rosalind Tatyanovna Larina... rolls more smoothly off the tongue than Paleroche.

Leto... not bad, not bad. A nice codename.

At least you have taste.

Oh yeah.

This is for you.

A... bank account?

Child support for all these years. The amount is in the back. I rounded it down for you.

Please make the transfer at your earliest convenience.

Ch-Child support?

I said it yesterday, didn't I?

Living expenses, tuition, medical bills, emotional damages for a deadbeat dad... it's all there.

Gotta go.

W-Wait, Rosalind!

The... the currency conversion might take some time. I-I'll find someone to take care of it as soon as possible!

Rosalind!

Please, can I see Tatyana one more time? Just once...

In your dreams!

Is this your will too, Kjeragandr?

The matters of the world are beyond a mere mortal's ability to predict...

Master?

Why are you standing all the way up front? There's nothing to see in particular...

Just passing by.

You said you just became a grandfather the last time you came to pray, Lucas?

Yes!

My son's daughter. Good thing she looks like her mother.

That foreign woman my son insisted on marrying. From what's-the-name... Siracusa! Fierce woman, that.

Well, at least the kid of mine got a taker.

Were you against the marriage?

What's the point, if the young ones are in love?

I might have said a word or two in my younger days.

But now? Just let them be.

You said you wanted a warding stone for your granddaughter, didn't you?

Hoping that some of Kjeragandr and the Saintess's blessings would rub off, you know.

You can have this.

Th-This mark... it's a stone blessed by the Saintess herself?

Th-That's too precious for someone like me, Master!

Take it. Consider it a welcome gift for your granddaughter as she comes into this world.

I'll pray to Kjeragandr that the children of Kjerag can grow up without illness, pain, or sorrow.

By Kjeragandr.

By Kjeragandr.

Phew...

The Black Knight is definitely more than just a name. To think she wasn't even trying to kill...

A little too much for old bones like mine.

Sir, your injuries...

Just a scratch.

Don't want to miss the Saintess's banquet, after all.

It's not every day that I get to be called 'sir' by you, though.

I think I just lost my appetite, for some reason.

My condolences concerning your appetite, My Lord.

I will report the facts of your performance in Kjerag and the changes in the situation to the Duke.

Suit yourself.

I'm confident that I did nothing to displease Her Grace.

What about you, Trilby Asher?

The waters of Londinium you could muddle, but Kjerag gives you little room to maneuver.

No need to worry about me, My Lord.

I have complete the mission assigned to me by Her Grace.

Oh?

Kjerag is not worth devoting too much time and effort to, but there are elements that require the Duke's attention.

You mean...

We thought it was Karlan Trade, or Kjerag's geographical advantages as a natural fortress and commerce hub...

Seems like Her Grace is truly grounded... or visionary?

Are you here to visit the true form of Kjeragandr?

Of course.

Her Grace wants to know whether Kjeragandr truly exists in Kjerag.

In times of crisis, will Kjeragandr really help Her people?

Interesting.

And your conclusion?

I do not recommend that the Duke confront Kjerag militarily at this time.

Seeing the Kazimierzian corporations that publicly entered into partnership with Karlan Trade, I also ran into a Columbian scientist on the way here...

Force is not the smart plan.

Winning is easy, making money is hard. We're not Ursine. It's not worth it.

It's not every day that we agree with each other.

Did you hit your head or something?

Like you, I'm a pacifist.

Eww...

Just talk like you normally do. Please.

If it saves some time and effort.

My Lord.

Yes?

Are you familiar with this little trinket?

A burdenbeast blind box, they're all the rage right now.

Why would you buy this?

Well, that's not important. Open it up and let's see what's inside.

I've got a full set, but I'm missing the limited-edition secret version.

No one knows what the box holds until it's opened.

The mystery is what makes it alluring. Perhaps I shouldn't open it.

Well, are you going to open it or not?

I'll have it, if you're not going to open it.

I'll open it.

Hm? What's this?

What did you find? Let me see... mother of mercy!

This is...