act30side

Sir, it's me.

Come in.

What is it?

Viscount Harold tasked me with delivering this letter to you.

The Viscount?

It seems like he really was quite aware of you shadowing him to his barracks on my orders.

The blame is mine for getting found out. Will this affect anything, Sir?

It will not. You may continue.

How did he find you?

Yes, Sir!

That afternoon...

It is currently five in the afternoon. Now recording today's situation.

Things today are not much different from past recordings.

The infected barracks' soldiers regularly perform drills in the mountains nearby.

Well, I say drills, but it's mostly them trying to stave off boredom.

The uninfected soldiers, on the other hand, have more freedom of movement.

Thanks to this, they get up to all sorts of things. It's a bit of a pain to—Scratch that. Based on previous investigations, most of them simply drink and get rowdy at the taverns at the foot of the mountain.

There are still four people keeping watch at the camp. Three are playing cards, while one is sleeping.

After the one who was sleeping woke up, one of the other three left. He seemed to be quite happy as he was walking away.

If it's to visit the Turiels, I'd say he's taken a fancy to their daughter.

These Victorians have been here for nearly a month.

Even though I volunteered myself to scout in the first place, the more I watch them the more I wonder if there is even any point in monitoring them.

They really do look like they're just here for sightseeing.

Ah, right.

It looked like Viscount Harold had returned to camp and started playing cards with the soldiers, but he is now nowhere to be seen...

You know, a kindhearted old man like me would call it a pity that you're out here alone on a mountain, Mr. Weiss.

Which is why I brought along a drink for you.

No need to worry, old chap.

Watching us every day must be a right chore.

I get it, though. After all, there's a bunch of foreign troops stationed here. I'd be worried too. And so your Sir Enciodes can't help but have a little disdain for us Victorians.

Go on, take a sip already. It'll warm you up.

Sorry, I'm not great with alcohol.

Is that so? What a pity. I didn't have much taste for booze either, when I was younger. Felt like I could do just about anything sober.

Ah, but now I finally understand why drink enchants people so.

Please tell me, Lord Viscount. What exactly will you do, now that you've found me?

I was simply hoping you could assist me in a small matter, Mr. Weiss.

Be a sport and pass this letter along to Enciodes, if you would.

Alright. I'll do that.

Eh? Not going to ask why?

You've already found me out. I couldn't quite hide myself from your keen eyes.

And pointing it out to me so bluntly speaks volumes about your attitude on the matter.

I'll inform my master about that, alongside this letter.

Forgive me, Sir. If only I had trained my scouting a bit more...

There is naught to forgive. No matter what they say, in the end they are still Victorian soldiers.

There is an objective gap between our capabilities and theirs.

It is enough that you perform your work at your own pace.

Understood.

Moreover, it is as you said. That he wished to use you to convey this to me is telling about his attitude.

You have observed their barracks for nearly a month now.

Tell me what you think of them, Weiss.

Yes, Sir.

Before the Victorian Army even set foot inside Turicum, we had already prepared extensively, just in case.

But we never actually used any of our contingencies.

They rushed in, as if tomorrow they would occupy all of Kjerag.

But as we braced for impact, we ended up in this situation. They mostly stay at the foot of the mountain, with minimal activity.

That viscount...

He deliberately set up camp far from any major towns or cities, so as to minimize disturbances to the locals.

Their barracks are split up into camps for the Infected and uninfected. They've even put up a notice to inform visitors.

According to some intelligence I dug up, He has even ordered his men to help the locals with their daily tasks.

How should I put this...?

He truly respects his men, and he also respects us Kjerags.

And so I think he's worthy of our respect too.

Otherwise, you wouldn't have asked Matterhorn to pass them medicine and supplies.

Weiss stops speaking, his report complete, but Enciodes does not respond.

The rhythmic sound of Enciodes's index finger slowly tapping at the armrest of his chair clearly echoes throughout the room, like water slowly but firmly dripping from the eaves.

This letter. What do you make of it?

Ultimately, they have infringed on our borders in the name of Victoria. And now, they have used me as the means to pass you this letter.

I believe this was intended as both a rap across the knuckles and a warning.

Could it be... that after all this, they can't actually contain themselves?

You've always been fond of taking the negative tack, Weiss.

Apologies, sir.

No, this is one of your strengths.

You are correct. He deliberately sought you out, so as to reveal his strength.

But at the same time, it is unlikely he would not know that you are my attendant.

A man of his position could approach me directly and to inform me of the contents of this letter.

But he used you to pass it to me instead.

Do you feel like that is etiquette befitting a noble?

And... it's a very humble gesture.

He is a strange man.

He represents the will of a Victorian Duke, but that does not mean—

That every chess piece is a willing puppet.

Sir, what exactly is the letter regarding?

Enciodes does not reply, merely placing the piece of paper within the envelope atop the table and sliding it towards Weiss.

It's... an invitation?

An invitation for me, alongside our Saintess, to take part in a dinner party he's arranged.

You and Lady Enya...

Surely he doesn't...? No, it couldn't be. If he really did sense something amiss, he wouldn't go about it in such a friendly manner.

Find Matterhorn, and ask him to take one of the finest bottles from our distillery's storehouse.

Ah. On second thought, Weiss.

Sir...?

No need to go to the distillery. Come with me to the Silverash wine cellar. I will fetch the drink personally.

You mean, the old manor's cellar?

There may be wine there, but...

You need only do as I ask.

He has already revealed his sincerity to us. And so, it is my turn to do the same.

What in Kjeragandr's name is going on...?

I'm telling you, we Ursus can drink way more than this any day!

Come visit sometime! It'll be my treat!

Hahaha! Very well! It's a deal!

Drink! Come, drink more!