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You were gone for a whole day...

I was investigating a few things with the Sea Patrol. I also went on a trip into the ocean. I didn't enjoy it very much, so don't ask.

Alright then.

What about you? What have you been up to?

I...

It's not unusual to feel some discomfort. Cheer up, Jordi, this is your homeland.

(Chuckles wryly)

Judging by your expression, you've already studied Breogan's data?

The young Ægir somehow nods his head while also shaking it.

I'm not 100% sure, but there seems to be no real relation between me and that great naval architect.

What does that matter?

Uncle Thiago hoped I'd leave Gran Faro, leave Iberia, but he never told me where to go...

I'm Ægir, so Ægir is where I should be.

But people need some sort of concrete connection, even just a name or some notes, to truly trace their family history.

Avitus said that even though the Seaborn crisis has been raging for over two hundred years, Ægir still has a hundred or more cities comparable in size to Milliarium.

If I'm not Breogan's descendant, then which city did my grandparents live in before they became Islanders? Or was it one of the ones that's gone now?

What kind of work did they do? How did they live? In the end, who were they?

Sorry, you don't need to hear all this. You've just arrived here yourself, but you're already assisting the Sea Patrol with their investigation. While I'm just...

You've got nerves of steel.

I'm just an Iberian who can't do a thing here.

Dr. Kal'tsit is in charge of negotiations with the leader of this city, and the Hunters have dived right back into their familiar battle. While my lantern and handcannon aren't especially helpful right now.

Ægir will permit a Liberi to look around its warships and ports, but will not allow her to join the Legions and help fight against the Seaborn. I can't understand that sort of war.

Down here in the depths, all I can do is investigate any abnormal activity within the city. In case it could jeopardize the cooperation between Iberia and Ægir.

Why are you telling me all this?

My hometown was destroyed in a Catastrophe, Jordi. I don't have many memories of it.

The scripture I carry is the only connection with it I have left. It saved my life, and in doing became my guide, my faith.

But when I saw the Inquisition's dungeons, climbed aboard the Stultifera Navis, witnessed my mentor's sacrifice... Only then did I understand what faith was. Accepted its weaknesses. Found its meaning.

You mean...

I don't have nerves of steel, Jordi. I get lost and confused, too.

It's just that, more often than not, that confusion becomes a specific issue you have to resolve. One after another, as quickly as you can.

Arresting the cultists. Taking back the lighthouse invaded by the tides. Finding a lost warship out at sea. Aiding an ally in investigating a missing data scientist.

The 'connection' you're looking for can be anything, whether it's a hometown or faith. Keep looking. You'll find it. It may not be quick or easy, but you'll find it.

Can I really do it?

Can you not?

You helped Iberia relight its final lighthouse, and saved three Abyssal Hunters. Didn't Laurentina tell you that that's enough to get a commendation from the consul herself?

Whether it's as an Ægir or an Inquisition clerk, there are a lot of things you can do.

Praefecta!

You're back to the city. But... From the look on your face, I take it the investigation didn't go so well, did it?

Lucilla?

Forgive me, I need to report on my progress to Consul Clementia. I'm not at liberty to divulge any details.

A-Actually, I was looking for you.

There's something I should've remembered back when you were explaining the situation to us. Nothing major, honestly, and it might not even help.

But I felt like I had to tell you!

...Go on.

You're the last researcher left.

I'm really, really sorry; can you give me one more hour?

<i>Caulerpa archaeosphaeridium</i>, <i>Hypnea fenestralis</i>, <i>Halymenia fimbriatus</i>, <i>Palmaria purpureus</i>, <i>Sargassum pennata</i>... There's not too many left. I'll finish cataloging them real quick!

No need to rush, Tullia. I'm just here for a routine inspection.

You know who I am?

Mhm. We were in the same batch before the transfer assessment by the Institute of Development Planning. You might not remember me, though.

Are you preparing to transport these seaweeds?

Th-This doesn't violate any protocols, does it?!

Calm down. This building's handover procedures are already complete. If you leave the samples and cultivation equipment behind, you'll end up having to pack them away in bulk.

Thanks for the warning.

But with all these seaweeds, how could you possibly take them all away at once?

Now that it's close to land, Milliarium will be undergoing targeted reformation. The city won't have the space or the resources to breed seaweeds.

Yeah, I know.

I'll take as much as I can. I'll think of something, some way that won't inconvenience anyone.

But the base by the volcano is already...

That was once Ægir's biggest endangered plants reserve. I saw it get swallowed up by the Seaborn.

These primitive seaweeds are some of the simplest, yet most tenacious lifeforms in the entire ocean.

Whether in bright shallow seas, the dark abyss, the flat sea floor, or cracks in the cliffs, they stretch out as best they can.

And they're as old as the ocean itself, pretty much this planet's living fossils.

I'm no legionnaire, and I can't go fight the Seaborn. These remaining seaweeds won't help us solve the Seaborn problem, either.

But I can't just let them wither away in here.

...You really love your work, huh Tullia?

Um, don't you?

Ah, my Little Handy sent over a loading module. Sorry, but I can't stay and chat.

Do you need any help?

No thanks, I'm fine.

When did that happen?

The day before the Institute of Ecological Art relocated.

I don't know what happened to her after that, and I don't know if she thinks Milliarium <i>abandoned</i> the volcanic power station and the plants reserve...

But I can't imagine her doing anything bad because of it... because she's never abandoned anything herself.

Tullia's residence had quite a few hydroponic tanks, but they'd been empty for a while...

What you just told me might actually be significant, Lucilla.

But if I may be so bold, why do you care so much about her affairs?

From what I've heard, you could hardly be considered friends.

She...

She has something I don't.

Okay, I've said what I had to say. I'll be getting back to work now, Praefecta.

There's just been more and more happening lately. The maintenance required for the city unit framework has multiplied several-fold, and I'm running out of ink as it is.

Little Handy.

Praefecta Secunda.

Obtain data on the city of Milliarium from the Institute of Facility Management, right away. Retrieve all locations suitable for enclosed hydroponics.

Also, contact Irene.

Tullia may have left other clues within the city. Ask her to meet me as soon as possible.