act30side

They say that Lake Silberneherze is most beautiful during winter.

Winter seals the lake in a case of ice, and from afar it looks for all the world like a great gemstone, revealing a most breathtaking beauty in the brilliant sunlight.

But if you were to observe from up close, perhaps you would be able to appreciate its beauty even further.

There is no gem so flawless, yet so adamant; beneath the ice, its waters yet flow.

Since when did you decide to take up poetry?

According to the directives of the Vine-Bead Court, we will follow behind the Saintess, walking from the ice to below the feet of the statue of Kjeragandr.

This is hardly what I would call a short stroll, and all sorts of mishaps can befall us while we walk.

Gnosis, are you worried that the ice beneath your feet might shatter?

How very unlike you.

You know that's not what I'm talking about.

Many of the guests of ours who are here to 'attend' will be watching us with keen eyes.

Your plans for defensive maneuvers still lack accurate information, Enciodes. We are not in what I would call a favorable position.

Allowing that Trilby Asher to approach the statue of Kjeragandr yesterday was my mistake.

If we have need of it, I can go and settle things with him right now.

If our quarry has already sensed aught amiss, then acting now would already be too late.

This terrible habit of yours of neglecting the bigger picture when you take action... Forget it, you and Enciodes are pretty much the same. I'm not asking either of you to change your ways.

All I ask is that next time, please go to the trouble of restraining yourselves, just for a little bit. You'll save me from having to wrack my brain to find ways to clean up your messes.

Duly noted, Gnosis. What do you think, Enciodes?

I have not the strength to casually cut apart a giant statue tens of meters high.

Indeed.

You merely invited that Doctor over, who then proceeded to nearly ruin our plans is all.

...*sigh*

I have no desire to listen to the two of you jibe and snipe at each other with your nonsense.

Now, about the Tschäggättä responsible for keeping order...

They will be posted to the island ahead of time.

As for who is in charge of the reception for the Victorians, there are several merchants who will take care of the matter.

Gnosis, you are far too tense.

We have already completed all the preparations we can do. All we can do now is wait.

And wait we shall.

Spring is just around the corner.

I still remember when the Saintess descended from atop Mount Karlan three years ago.

That day, Kjeragandr sent us Her blessings, and even that Enciodes couldn't help but kneel... I do not know if we will ever see such miracles again these days.

Seems like seeing the sights of today has hooked up your old memories, my friend.

But Arctosz, don't you think you've been wallowing in those memories too often these past few years?

Rather than putting your efforts into sarcasm, Ratatos, you should care more about today's ceremony.

I've felt that something was off ever since I woke up this morning... Don't you think Kjeragandr's statue looks a little bit different compared to yesterday?

You Browntails were in charge of managing construction, so you'd better think up a real good explanation for the Saintess!

Heh, no need to worry about that...

Hey, Arctosz, why's your face look like that?

Did that Trilby Asher rough you up or something?

Well, it's like you said! No need to worry about that!

(Gah...)

(The girl's real feisty, just like Tatyana. Just like me.)

(Not bad.)

Patriarch, Matriarch, everyone is present.

Good. Let the people below know that they can head to their designated positions and wait for now.

The Saintess will arrive soon. If anyone dares to tarnish the Browntail name at this critical moment, I won't be showing any mercy!

Understood, Matriarch.

Wait a moment, Yucatan.

Why's it just you? Where's your wife?

It's almost time already, why's she not here?

Rus told me this morning that she had a few things to do...

She wants to prepare a pleasant surprise for you, Matriarch.

I'm not sure if I should look forward to a pleasant surprise from her.

What could possibly be more important than today's ceremony? Can't she pick a better time to give me a headache?!

I... I'll send her a message right away.

Don't worry, Matriarch. Rus is very clear on what she should be prioritizing.

I should have figured that you'd be on your wife's side.

Alright, alright. She's no longer a girl. Guess I'll just have to wait and see what this 'pleasant surprise' of hers is.

Anyway, if she's off doing things, why didn't she bring you along?

Rus already has someone helping her out...

Everyone, the time has come.

The Saintess arrives.

Please, lend me your ears.

It has been three years since the Vine-Bead Court has recognized those foreigners who wish to devote themselves to Kjeragandr.

Kjerag today is capable of incredible growth and development, but that growth rests on the shoulders of the good folk here today, alongside the toil and devotion of all Kjerag's people.

I believe that you all have seen the change that has come to Kjerag these past few years with your own eyes.

Kjeragandr has given Her people, Her children, a challenge, and we have already given Her our answer.

Yet these past three years are merely the beginning.

In the coming days, we will meet with more complex situations than ever before, and Kjerag will see its fair share of trials and tribulations.

However, I hope that we all believe that Kjeragandr will not abandon this land of Kjerag, and neither will She abandon the lives of those who live upon it, for She so loves Her people.

This great statue of Kjeragandr will be the main symbol of Kjerag to the outside world.

At the same time, it will become a vessel for all the love that Her faithful show to Her.

Hereafter, one need not climb Mount Karlan to make one's devotions to Her. You need but face towards Her during your prayers.

It is my wish that the faith you have in Her is not constrained by the trappings of ceremony.

I believe that true faith has taken root in the hearts of all of Kjerag's people.

Now, I ask of you to walk with me, walk with me under the gaze of Kjeragandr towards the foot of Her holy statue, where we will pray for Her to bestow Her blessings upon Kjerag!

By Kjeragandr.

By Kjeragandr.

By Kjeragandr!

The many voices by the lake that cry out Kjeragandr's name blend and merge together.

The Saintess stands at the head of the crowd, and takes the first step onto the ice.

The frozen Lake Silberneherze shines like a flawless gem when looked upon from afar.

But only once you stand atop it will you see that this 'gem' is covered in chips and cracks.

The ice is covered in cracks wending and weaving across the surface, the endlessly churning waters beneath the ice surging about together. Under the dawn light, it is as if the soul of the lake itself was wandering about in an eternal cycle.

In the eyes of the people of Kjerag, such a sight was so beautiful as to be breathtaking.

Kjeragandr's Saintess steps across the cracks that seemed like they were carved by the biting winds, as if walking past a millennium's worth of Kjerag's bitterly cold hardships, as if walking past its endless winter days.

Because now, spring was just around the corner.

How the hell are they not here yet?!

Are you kidding me?!

The communicator doesn't work. Didn't they say they'd be getting to Kjerag last night, so they'd definitely catch the train today?!

Huff... hah...

Calm down, Sciurus... Calm down.

Phew...

(Okay... I've calmed down. The Saintess needs to walk across the ice to the island, so the ceremony won't be starting quite so soon. I've still got time.)

(Think about the look on Ratatos's face when this is all over...)

Aha, hahaha!

*cough* *cough* Ahem.

(I've definitely got the time right, and punctuality is par for the course on that side.)

(A little lateness is one thing. We won't be too late now, I'm sure.)