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You have a duty you are obligated to carry out. Do not fail Her Grace.

This is not a sightseeing trip.

Have you given Karlan Trade's proposal some thought, Mr. Taylor?

I understand Matterhorn has taken you to see our mines and factories. Are you satisfied with what you've seen from Kjerag and Karlan Trade?

I have no complaints about your company, Mr. Silverash.

But you're a businessman too. I'm sure you understand.

I would have few reasons to harbor any doubts, if it was Karlan Trade I was dealing with.

But if I'm to deal with the government of Kjerag, which we know little about... I do feel that more due diligence is in order when it comes to a project of this size.

Of course.

I saw Victorian soldiers on the streets a few days ago.

There's no conflict brewing between Kjerag and Victoria... is there?

I assure you that no harm will come to you in Kjerag.

Take your time, Mr. Taylor. Kjerag won't disappoint you.

Excellent! I look forward to a fruitful partnership, Mr. Silverash.

You will continue to serve as Mr. Taylor's guide tomorrow, Matterhorn.

Attend to any need he has, within reason.

Yes, sir.

But... are we really going to work with him?

You don't think he'd be a good partner?

It's not my place to judge.

However, he has found various excuses to put off signing the contract while here in Kjerag, and went back on his word more than once on profit sharing. I fear...

Indeed, he is a shrewd merchant.

Kjerag has no choice but to work with shrewd merchants at present, while these same shrewd merchants have their pick of options.

My job is to make Kjerag their only choice.

Sir...

Go and check on Degenbrecher's recruits.

Have them escort Mr. Taylor.

Yes, sir.

Enciodes?

Yes.

Look at that, you're using a communicator. I thought you didn't like these long-range methods.

I just don't like to be contacted.

There's something you should know, Enciodes.

I ran into a girl from Rhodes Island on the train to Lake Silberneherze.

Did you enter into a new partnership with them?

Kjerag snow cheese, burdenbeast accessories, Saintess portraits!

All Kjerag specialties, get them here!

Burdenbeast blind boxes! Limited edition! While supplies last!

It's so lively here.

What are they selling?

Portraits of the Saintess? That's not what Pramanix looks like...

Now, now, girly, the Saintess personally approved this portrait! It's the real deal!

Right, whatever you say.

I'll have some snow cheese, then. Is that the most popular treat?

I might've had some when I was little.

You're a local?

You could say that.

Should've said so. Don't buy the snow cheese.

Huh?

That's for tourists. We don't buy that stuff.

This shaved cheese is much cheaper and tastes pretty much the same.

Wait, aren't you just ripping off tourists then?

Hey, don't put it like that!

Look at the packaging on this snow cheese. See how nice it is? That's what the tourists want. Something nice and classy-looking.

All I'm doing is making a few francs off the packaging. It's not like I'm selling inferior stuff. The cheese itself is first-rate!

I guess you have a point.

I'll have the shaved cheese, then. Can I ask you something else, too?

Is there a man in Kjerag that everyone agrees is the handsomest?

The handsomest man, huh?

Well... I'm a Paleroche, but I'm not gonna lie.

Sir Enciodes has got to be the handsomest fellow in Kjerag.

Enciodes... Wait, SilverAsh?!

Yeah, the patriarch of Clan Silverash.

No, no way... it can't be...

How about another guy? Anybody else?

Er, well... um...

Never mind, just a random thought. Forget I asked.

How about something else...? That mountain by the shore of Lake Silberneherze?

Does it have a name or something?

Oh, that's Mount Fugen!

It's famous for its romantic atmosphere. Lots of young couples go there.

Young couples...?

They say any couple that watches the sunrise there will stay together forever. What's that old saying again? 'Kjerag's love is like the unmelting ice.' Humbug, if you ask me.

But lots of tourists go there. They hang the golden lock of love or something... oh, now that I think of it.

Sir Arctosz likes to go there to hunt, and he's none too happy about all the tourists who get in his way.

Hm...

Alright. Here's the money for the cheese.

Thank you. Come again!

So this is the Lake Silberneherze that Mamochka always talked about...

And that's Mount Fugen.

Not a bad view, but Ursus has icy lakes just like it.

Oh, the ice goes pretty deep.

Is that the statue of Kjeragandr? Can't see the face.

Wow, it's big alright. Wonder how much stone they used to build it.

Stone?

Our Kjeragandr statue wouldn't settle for stone!

Huh?

Gotta hand it to you: You've got good taste. This is the best spot to admire Kjeragandr's statue.

Er... who might you be?

I'm—

A-Ahem! That's not important. What's important is what you just said!

Kjeragandr's statue isn't made from any old stone. We used the finest materials to express our love for Her!

The finest, huh?

Like, what?

Like I said, the finest—

—Ow!

What? Did you bite your tongue!

It's a secret, of course! Can't just go around blabbering to tourists.

I can't tell you the details, but anyway... just know that it's really amazing!

You almost let it slip.