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How long do you plan on sitting there?

He already knows of this place. He will turn up sooner or later.

And what will you do once he turns up?

Kill him.

Murdering a foreign dignitary is a serious crime, you know.

We shall see.

Why do you go so far for Kjerag's sake, when you're not from Kjerag yourself?

Is it still considered 'for Kjerag's sake' if it's Enciodes's ambition?

Who can deny that up till now, despite him having his own lofty goals, that there is a part of them that is 'for Kjerag's sake'?

That sort of praise is probably what he would least like to hear.

You still haven't answered my question, you know.

When Enciodes once mentioned to me that perhaps Kjeragandr truly existed, I thought to myself that maybe one day, I could fight those so-called 'gods' with my own two hands.

Now I see that was simply wishful thinking.

And why is that?

Enciodes had already dropped that particular plan, for one.

If he had stuck to it, do you think that you could face down a goddess who just might really exist?

Perhaps?

Here, I can only find that sort of excitement during avalanches. If I ever had the opportunity, I would definitely give it a try.

Do you think you will win?

No. I have stood against the avalanche, but I have never once triumphed.

I understand. You are simply in it for the challenge.

And you consider the matters that are happening in this land to be suitable for that purpose.

It's hardly as lofty as you think. This is just who I have grown to be, nothing more.

Very well said.

You may head back now, Degenbrecher.

You will not find your battlefield here.

If that is what the Saintess wills, then forgive me for being unable to comply.

I will decide my own battlefield.

And what if I said that is what Kjeragandr wills?

I will then wonder, why are you the one conveying Kjeragandr's will?

I am the Saintess's maid, after all.

So what you are saying is that the will of the Saintess is the will of Kjeragandr?

Rather, that Kjeragandr supports the Great Saintess's opinion on the matter.

At least, that is my guess.

Hmph.

The Black Knight is no fool. Rather than searching all over for me, she will instead be watching over here.

She knows that I will return, and return I must.

*sigh* If only I could return home alive.

If I had only guessed that this place would be the center of my worries—

No, how could I have guessed? How could anyone have thought that Enciodes had the brass courage to use an entire nation's faith as a pretense for his own schemes?

He truly is someone that the Duke was wise to invest in.

And that Saintess. Is she really not aware of a single matter going on behind the scenes?

And Degenbrecher?

She couldn't possibly be quite so single-minded as to have missed the forest for the tree.

This is... a rock?

Why have you come, traveler from afar?

I am but a man of steadfast faith, here to admire Her visage.

She tires, and wishes to rest for today.

Come back tomorrow.

I had heard that Kjeragandr welcomes believers from afar. Do you mean to say that this is no longer the case?

The pious need not prove themselves, while the insincere need not waste their words.

You are not to take a step further today, says She.

And if I insist?

Wha—

The Trilby Asher looks all about him. The main path by Lake Silberneherze is bustling with activity most days, and today is no exception, which is why it causes no small amount of turned heads when he suddenly appears out of nowhere.

Suddenly, he smacked himself in the face hard.

Hey, when did that guy pop up there?

Look, he's slapping himself for some reason.

Think he's some kinda lunatic?

Haha.

The Trilby Asher takes no note of the people around him, simply turning his body in the direction of the statue of Kjeragandr. In imitation of those devout followers, he performs a quick gesture of prayer.

Kjeragandr's blessings be upon you.

This was the first time he had done such an act since stepping into this land.

After doing so, he turns to leave without a moment's hesitation.

He had not yet noticed that, from not too far away, there was a pair of eyes watching his every move.

Degenbrecher isn't a very talkative woman, so she probably won't tell Enya about this, would she?

I don't think I went too far either, did I?

*sigh* I've said this before, but staying a spectator is harder than it looks.

She sighs once more then turns, looking every bit like a woman grumbling about the troublesome requests of her younger sister, before blending into the throng of people like she was never there.

Stop right there.

Ah, hello, captain.

Who're you?

Well, it's like this, see. There's going to be a banquet held by Lake Silberneherze tonight, right?

I'm here to deliver the wine.

Wine?

I had heard the news about that earlier.

Come with me, I'll need to verify this.

Alright, sure.

Stand over here. Don't move. Pat him down.

Alright.

Boys, I'm just trying to drop off some drinks. Do we really need to do this whole song and dance?

These are special circumstances. I appreciate your cooperation.

If you really are who you are, we will offer our deepest apologies later.

Ah, I'm afraid that you two won't have the chance to do that.

Wha—

The vintner presses down on a device hanging at his waist, and the security cameras in the room began to rotate wildly as if possessed.

Guh...

There's an ene—

Nice try.

Ghaah—

After the two Tschäggättä fall over, the vintner swiftly begins to operate the terminal.

As he meddles with the terminal, the cameras in the corners of the room briefly halt, before returning to their normal activity.

From my earlier investigations, I knew that Kjerag managed to get a previous-gen OS, but it's got two fatal flaws.

I recommend you upgrade to the latest generation when you can.

Naturally, if Kjerag were to become a part of Victoria, we would provide one free of charge.

The vintner breathes a sigh of relief, but then immediately doubles over.

Hfff— Looks like my wounds are about to reopen.

The destructive power of the Black Knight is no joke.

But she can hardly be everywhere all at once.

As for Kjeragandr...