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Hah. If only she thought so, too.

Magister Avitus. May I sit here?

Of course, Cassia. Be careful, though; recovery from embryo separation surgery takes time.

This is Jordi, a guest from Iberia.

Thank you. And hello.

Oh, er, hello.

There are more participants than I expected.

Even when the Institute of Facility Management held a tribunal to discuss modifications to the city's unit framework, only two departments were involved.

The tribunal system exists to solve problems, after all. The only reason to involve more departments is when the problem is too complex for one.

But the Sophontheatrum is already half-full. Is the return of the Abyssal Hunters really such a big deal?

It's a project that took two centuries of debate before implementation. Its philosophy shook the very foundations of Ægir, and its every progress tucks the string of Ægir's future.

Besides, the Waterway Program is reaching its most critical juncture. Even the smallest thing out of the ordinary is worthy of attention.

Simply reading a report is not nearly enough to come to an informed decision. Consul Clementia needs the counsel of experts in multiple fields.

I'm sure that many have come of their own accord, though. The return of three Hunters is bound to cause unease at such a sensitive time.

I'm not really here for the tribunal, but I heard you might make an appearance, so...

And who might you be?

Oh, sorry.

I'm Lucilla. I had the honor of meeting your parents once.

Rulers and ink... Are you an architect working on the dome system here?

I-I transferred out of that last year, but I'm still with the Institute of Facility Management. Now I maintain the city unit framework and measure ocean currents.

'Envy not the sun, for we have given ourselves the eternal stars and the infinite sea.'

When I was little, the foster parents at the Institute of Incubation took us to hold a performance here.

We created a matrix of tiny optical machines, representing neural activity with changes to the brightness of the dots.

We'd rehearsed thoroughly, but the Sophontheatrum malfunctioned on the day of the performance, and the whole place went dark. Except for those little machines.

But a couple in the audience worked their magic, and ribbons of light fell from the dome, as if arms reaching out to invite our little machines to dance.

It was so beautiful that the blackout almost felt intentional...

Ha, I can picture the smug look on their faces. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if they really had something to do with it.

When the Institute of Development Planning did its career assessment, I applied for the dome system without a second thought. It was only then that I learned they were famous dome designers.

...That was the only time I saw them.

So they were at the right time and place to inspire you.

But you said you transferred out of dome work. Why, when you've already formed such a special bond with our big, transparent friend above?

I...

Lucilla! The tribunal is about to start. You want to sit here?

Sorry, my colleague is calling out to me. Anyway, welcome home, Laurentina, and I wish you the best of luck.

Pretty much everyone's here...

Hey, where you going, Doctor?

The Hunters draw too much attention.;I'll just be watching from the stands.

Kal'tsit's words really got to you, haven't they?

As you're all well aware, Milliarium has successfully made contact with Iberia. As such, the Waterway Program now enters its most critical phase.

A thread of light leaves the massive coral-shaped terminal to surround her, forming a giant ethereal ring in the air that dances to the consul's words.

More threads weave together to form cities and tides, Hunters and Seaborn, transmuting words to images and giving substance to sound.

The crowd quiets down.

And at this crucial juncture, we also welcome home our surviving Abyssal Hunters: Gladiia, Skadi, and Laurentina.

The results of their physical examinations and Gladiia's mission report have been uploaded to the Sophontheatrum's terminal and are available for your perusal. I'm sure many of you have already done so.

Concerning the irregular circumstances therein...

I now call upon Consul Gladiia—leader of Ægir's Honor Exercitus, and Chief Designer of Warfare of the Abyssal Hunters—to answer your questions.

You navigate through several rows of Ægir and sit in one of the back rows. With plenty of room around you, you have a clear view of everything happening in the Sophontheatrum.

The tribunal has already begun. The speakers do not raise their voices, yet every word is clear in the massive ring-like structure. Gladiia steps forward, drawing everyone's gaze.

Suddenly, you hear footsteps so soft they are almost inaudible, like a shadow from the somber dome touching the floor.

Not a sound.

Or I'll crush your throat.