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Now, this dream of theirs has become reality. We are home now. We have reached the end of the road.

Hah, 'reached the end of the road'.

Seems this Speaker lady really is set on disbanding them. What an idiot, pulling apart your army of mates—

Then what do <i>you</i> propose she should do with such a motley crew?

Keep chasing those Sarkaz for the kill? Or set their sights on the dukes?

Uh...

We've got better things to worry about than the Exemplars.

Such as replenishing our strength as quickly as we can. Focus on that instead.

Many former Exemplars have joined the Defense Force's ranks, continuing to protect our homeland.

As for those who no longer wish to bear arms, they have the right to enjoy peace alongside their families.

Parliament promises each and every one of our Exemplar comrades a place to settle down. It may take a long time for this to come to fruition, but the door to the Speaker's office is forever open to my friends—

I'm afraid it'll take a few years to see this through. You've got a long road ahead of you, Vina.

Coming along for dinner, Catherine? There's a fair few old retired blokes who've reported back to the factory.

They'll be real happy to see you!

Sure you're not just angling for my stash of smokes? I worked real hard to collect them.

Hehe.

Fine, fine, I'll come along. Oh, right. While you're at it, tell everyone to bring a few friends along.

Once Parliament helps us restart more factories, the hands we have now won't be enough.

And I, Vina Victoria, do promise to every one of this city's residents, that in this coming future without a king—

The broadcast abruptly comes to an end. As it does so, Dagda hears an uproar suddenly echo through the skies above the city.

Why the cut-off? What's... What's going on at Parliament?

Madam Speaker, Madam Delphine, while I was fixing up the broadcast system, I noticed this old component.

It's ancient scrap, should've been replaced when His Majesty Alistair was on the throne.

Who would've thought an unremarkable thing like this could still hold up until now! My mentor never told me anything about this!

So it's all just an accident?

Why was there suddenly something on your maintenance checklist that wasn't there before?

Iؙ—I just followed what the system synced up to me—

Ladies and gentlemen, may I sit in on this round of parliamentary discussion?

Earl of March.

Eleanor. My name's not hard to remember, Vina.

You seem rather surprised to see me here. What, did no one tell you?

It seems your informants have been lax of late, Lady Delphine.

Londinium has no need for... 'informants' to host a guest, my Lady. The city welcomes every Victorian who loves this land.

Lovely to hear.

Then I suppose you won't mind if I invite a few dukes to revisit an old haunt for a little reunion.

Judging by the time, they should be arriving any moment now. Considering their sensitive position, the dukes are hesitant to drop in on any specific person's home, so I was forced to borrow one of your places.

I hope Parliament will understand. You're also welcome to join in, Vina. And you too of course, Delphine.

I know you are about to leave for Windermere. There are a few old friends who hope you could take their condolences for your mother along with you.

Eleanor doffs her hat, greeting Delphine with a smile.

She then immediately walks to Vina's side and lowers her voice.

I loved your speech, a very sensible decision. Yet...

Far, far too impatient. There are some things you are free to say to us, but not to the common public.

This is for their own good, and yours too.

So you were the one who cut our signal.

We'll be assembling at the Royal Academy of Sciences, Vina. It won't take too long, so don't be late.

By the by, sometimes, there's no need for you to think you haven't done enough. The changes this city has seen are far beyond what I imagined.

<p=1>Royal Victorian Academy of Sciences Reception Room</><p=2>December 22nd, 1098, 7:32 P.M.</>

I assumed Your Grace would have less of an appetite.

I've always been a practical lad, Eleanor.

We all know the situation in Londinium. This light wine and bread is already enough to show us the Speaker's good faith.

The Duke of Wellington is absent, yet again.

*sigh* It seems the alliance between yourself and His Grace is not as reliable as we imagined.

We all know we're here for more than just pleasantries, Your Grace. Old Wellington would never have come in the first place.

How do you believe we should treat with Duke of Wellington, Vina?

If it has naught to do with Londinium, it has naught to do with me.

Oh, really?

Would he really care what you all think? He's always been one to seize the initiative.

All I know is that since the battle for the walls ended two months ago, the engines of the <i>Gastrell</i> and the other frigates have not rested for even a moment.

Wellington has been waiting for you to bite, and I'm afraid to say that he's very disappointed in you all.

Quite right.

But what you see is merely one side of the matter, Delphine Windermere.

In Old Wellington's eyes, it is still far <i>far</i> too early to decide what sort of relationship will exist between Tara and Victoria.

In these two months, we have had a... tacit understanding. So long as nobody moves to break the silence, then silence we shall enjoy.

But really, it's Her Grace over here whose emissaries are always sneaking into Wellington's demesne. She's much better qualified than I to speak on the matter, no?

Once I return, I will be investigating who has been going against my orders.

After you return to Windermere, young Delphine, I would happily welcome some tired guests at the Lynncardine winery, whenever you like—

Could we dispense with the banalities already?

Londinium may welcome all Victorians, but we have no time to waste chatting with each and every one of them. There are still many issues affecting our citizens that need urgent handling, all more important than the people sitting here.

I am, of course, well aware that your sudden visit to Londinium is also thanks to an... ahem, tacit understanding.

I know that Wellington's only an excuse. Parliament will not interfere in this matter. So if what you're going to discuss next doesn't involve Parliament, then I don't need to waste my time here—

That's where you're wrong, Vina. The Duke of Wellington's choice really does have something to do with you. Or to be more precise, it's to do with the late king. Your late father.

Twenty-six years ago, Old Wellington never cast a vote in the matter of how to handle your father. He simply watched in silence as King Alistair was led from the throne to the gallows...

Thereafter, he was disappointed. Disappointed in Victoria. Disappointed in the dukes. Disappointed in your father.

From that moment on, the tug of Tara's undercurrent has never ceased.

Duke Windermere never mentioned any of this to me—

Your mother didn't care. No one regretted executing the King. Sorry, Vina, you know I don't mean anything untoward.

Just because Old Wellington himself will never come to Londinium doesn't mean that he has no interest in the city, or in you.

For the time being, we still do not know his true intentions. But just because the throne has sat idle for many years does not mean Victoria needs no king.

Vina does not understand where Eleanor is going with this. She already made clear her refusal long ago.

The kingship, the crown. They were never what she needed—

Bloody hell, Vina, patrol's just come by your office to tell you—

The crown's been stolen from the throne room!

Pardon?

It seems our meeting must be postponed, Speaker Victoria. There are side matters that require your attention.

If you need help, Vina, you know where to find me.

Chances are we'll be troubling you a little longer, Madam Speaker.

You sodding—

<i>I don't like the throne room in the Palace of Westhaleg. It's so empty and bleak.</i>

<i>That lonely throne just sitting there—I can't imagine what it'd be like if Vina actually sat on it.</i>

<i>One woman, on that cold, lifeless chair, staring at the barren steps...</i>

<i>Knowing Vina, she wouldn't last a minute there—I'd bet on it.</i>

<p=1>Throne Room, Palace of Westhaleg</><p=2>December 23, 1098, 3:26 A.M.</>

Did you find the crown? Where is it?

We didn't find it, per se. Someone delivered it to the Speaker's office. We can't determine the precise time it was lost, but we're fairly certain it happened after your speech started.

Vina already placed the crown on that empty throne... so what's the point of stealing it? Was it an order from the dukes?

I don't think so.

The dukes are never of one mind—they each have their own agenda. However, for the crown to go missing at the same time they're visiting Londinium? That's far too much of a coincidence.

But, according to what you've told us, isn't that crown just an old, rusted hunk of iron now?

....Umm, not exactly, Morgan.

To many people, the crown is extraordinarily important, no matter its current state.