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We have no objections to your appearance, Madame Consul. I only regret that it has taken us so long to begin this conversation.

Despite your so-called 'Waterway' project being more than half-complete and close at hand, we Iberians find ourselves in complete ignorance of it.

To make amends, we'd like to invite your envoys to visit our city. Ægir respects the efforts Iberia has made when you were caught up in the Seaborn crisis.

'Caught up in.' Do you mean to say that everything Iberia has faced was merely the aftermath of <i>your</i> crisis?

I do.

Let's not be tied down by formalities, Sir.

We recognize the power of language. Your name itself, Carmen I Iberia, is a symbol. A symbol of courage and valor.

This is why we came to you. We hope that by reaching an accord with Iberia and the other terrestrial nations, we will be able to create a Waterway that links directly to land.

We will clear the stretch of sea between Ægir's home territories and the land, so as to facilitate our forces coming ashore.

...I hope I need not remind you what sending an army to another nation's border implies on land.

Given the enormity of the oncoming threat, we will exhaust every means at our disposal to resist it.

I am more than willing to come explain to you in person if necessary, but it would be easier for you to understand the situation if you were to join us in the depths.

The fleets of our Legions VIII and X are patrolling and suppressing the Seaborn in these waters. They will soon escort you to our city of Milliarium.

This drone formation will continue to notify you of any nearby combat or environmental changes until you have safely arrived at the city.

There may be an unprecedented disaster brewing beneath the waves.

Sir Inquisitor, I worry that though the earth is vast, it is but an isolated island.

The lights of the drone matrix cut out, putting a stop to their sudden communication.

The sea breeze continues to blow as the old man slowly lowers his lantern.

'A Waterway that links directly to land.' She's eloquent, but...

Arrogant. No doubt.

A haughty adult wielding a weapon, loathe to use finesse when dealing with an unarmed child.

Irene, inform our cooperation partners of this most recent communication.

Kal'tsit has already agreed to serve as Iberia's envoy. The Abyssal Hunters should also have made their decision by now, considering they've always had reservations about the Waterway program.

Right away!

I'll also keep the other Inquisitors in Gran Faro abreast of the situation.

I've made a recording of your entire conversation with Ægir, Maestro. Please, take a look.

A-As for whether you approve of me going...

I recall you submitted your application a week ago.

Yes. Since the Ægir fleet is on their way now, I was wondering if...

Never hesitate when you've already made up your mind. It only makes you less persuasive.

When I was younger, Uncle Thiago was always worrying about me. He'd tell me: 'Jordi, you should leave Gran Faro. Leave Iberia.'

But he never told me <i>where</i> to go.

Ægir was always my homeland under the sea, but I had no way of approaching it. I'd never heard the voice of Ægir, or seen its cities.

But now, it's so, so close.

The Inquisition has approved your application, Jordi Fontanarossa. You will serve as an envoy of Iberia, and accompany Irene and Kal'tsit to the Ægir city.

Thank you, Maestro.

Don't thank me. This isn't a reward. Your work since joining the Inquisition has not been particularly good.

I chose Irene because she has already readied herself, even going as far as to renounce her long-standing faith.

And I chose you because you are still bewildered and frustrated. Your weakness will consume you.

Joining the Inquisition was a test. Returning to your homeland is another.

I... I understand.

(Agitated whinny)

This is the deepest part of the trench.

They hollowed out its sides to make their nest. That's why we never noticed it before, despite circling this place several times.

(Wary whinny)

Yes. I smell it too.

This scent... After destroying the ocean's native ecosystem, the Seaborn have created a new one that serves only them.

A comprehensive Seaborn ecosystem, where once it only existed in an oceanic abyss.

Return, Rocinante. I will carry on alone.

(Swaying its neck in annoyance)

The entire continental shelf has changed. I must know who churned these waves.

Tell the Knight to continue the hunt.

We will not be parted for long.

Ulpianus swims into the nest.

He chooses not to use stealth. Luminescent vegetative Seaborn light up every corner of the nest. There is nowhere to hide in the first place.

Atop sets of spiraling blades, minute and curiously-shaped organisms sleep, or perhaps drift along.

The rocks of the seafloor cannot be seen. The fine tendrils of the nethersea brand slowly sway in the current, catching fragments of organic matter. They weave together into thick mats, drowning out any sound Ulpianius makes.

He can sense the changes in his own body. His consciousness extends and his body relaxes, as though every cell in his body is trying to respond to something.

He is clearly an invader, but the entire lair blooms in response to him.

Ul... Ul-pian... Guh... Ul-pianus. Kin.

Ulpianus is nearly able to see through the approaching Seaborn's translucent body. He waits for it to spit out its clumsy words about preying or being preyed on by him, but nothing comes.

The Seaborn thinks about his thoughts.

Finally. You have traveled far.

Here. Sufficient nutrients. Shed your cumbersome flesh.

Return. Grow. Migrate.

Hmph.

For you, I was born, Ul-pianus. Only for you.

I untangle your. Doubt. I guide you. Return to the embrace of we many.

Why did you migrate? Where will you go?

You still waver, Ul-pianus.

You must know we many, kin. You must know.

The genesezoic will soon awaken. The genesezoic must return. A new Cycle. Develop the ocean. Leave the ocean.

The genesezoic will awaken? Leave the ocean?

We many. See. A new path ahead. We hurry—

...What connection is there between you and the affairs of the city?

Señor... Ulpianus?

You?

Phew... So it is you, okay.

We met once, at Gran Faro, actually it was you who approached me... Though I never learned your name until after I got here.

Please, you're not supposed to be here, it's—

Control center for the beacon tower.

That man on the floor... did you do that?

It's the most fitting end for one who fell.

What did he do?

None of your business, young one. Leave this place, for your own safety.

The nest beacons have all been activated. The sabotaged weapons are warming up. How else can I warn the Hunters...?

Is Laurentina's group in danger?

Did this man do it? Is that why you...?

You won't tell me. You don't trust me... Well, I don't trust you either, honestly. You never introduce yourself, and seeing all this, it's really only right to suspect you.

But they're your friends. You're a Hunter, too. I think I know a little about your tales together.

He did his dirty work on them before they left.

They're still caught in the Seaborn tide for now. I'm not entirely certain what's going to happen, but the danger is definite.

If they went to plant the beacon and are still in the nest, maybe we could send their beacon a signal from this tower, to warn them.

I was helping out here earlier. I know roughly how the basic controls work.

...Then do it.

O-Okay.

Well?

It's much more complex in practice, but I can say this tower seems to operate on a very similar framework to a lighthouse's control system.

As far as I'm aware, Breogan passed through this city and aided the tower reconstruction effort.

The technician mentioned that the tower will automatically navigate the weapons once every beacon is active, and all other controls will be locked out by the program.