act37side

Boss, Parliament hanged that devil, but we managed to snag the stuff he left for us.

These goods...

Send them out.

But boss... That's way too risky right now. Parliament's been trying to sniff us out 24/7.

Then hide them for a spell. They've paid their due, so we'll get them delivered. No need to worry about anything else.

Nobody knows about this batch anyway, maybe we can just—

The mercenary gestures at his neck, but a sharp pain accompanied by a chill suddenly prickles at his chin.

B-Boss, I had to say it, even if you kill me! That's the best way to handle things!

Didn't those devils kill a whole bunch of our people?!

If you really cared, you'd be on the Exemplars' list of decommissioned soldiers, not here.

But there's nothing wrong with caution, I suppose. With the new Speaker so concerned about the city's safety, we're an inevitable target alongside the Sarkaz.

Hmph. Those devils brought it upon themselves, though.

Two months ago, they decided not to withdraw alongside the rest of their kin. Now that things are heading south for them and they finally wish to flee, it's natural they have to pay extra.

Don't worry. If this goes well, more and more business opportunities will be coming our way.

You're back. How'd it go? Did you manage to get any?

Sanatorium's as full as a tin of fins. Everyone's trying to get their suppressant as soon as they can, not to mention what just happened to Madam Major...

Sorry, Diane. Not even Exemplars get special treatment.

Rhodes Island's been working around the clock to provide as many suppressants as they can, but there's just too many new Infected—

I... I understand.

Hmm... Well, it's not like we've got no way of getting any. I've heard from some war buddies that there's private channels...

Illegal ones?

Hey, as long as you live to see another day—

There's other means of buying medicine? Huh. My boss never told me we'd have competitors.

Hmph. Sure you didn't hear me wrong, mister?

Ah, sorry, my trip from Columbia must have tired me out too much. Hello, I'm Eliseo. Here, my business card.

Colum...bia? Pure Heart Medical?

That's right, I rushed over to Victoria to find... to find...

Err, one second, let me check my list...

Ever since I arrived in Londinium, nearly everything's been different to how the preliminary briefing described it.

Found it. Londinium's interim health secretary... Madam Major. Could you tell me how to get to the Office of Provisional Supply Procurement?

Rest assured, I'm here representing Pure Heart Medical to discuss medical cooperation. The situation here will get better soon.

Did I... say something wrong?

Didn't you hear the news? Madam Major has... passed away. Just this morning.

Sorry.

Sorry, I lost my cool for a second. No matter how hard we must strive, Pure Heart Medical's sincerity and dedication will not change.

But right now, could you please take me to her office?

♪May the vast lands they keep owre kynge.

♪His people, and alle his well-wyllynge,

♪And give them grace wythoute endyng!

♪Then may we call and savely syng,

♪Victoria, yeve thankes for owre hom!

<p=1>Throne Room, Palace of Westhaleg</><p=2>October 8th, 1098, 9:45 P.M.</>

You've been humming that song ever since we stepped into the throne room.;Do you like it?

'Like' is too strong a word. It's just left an impression on me.

My foster parents would hum it by my bedside whenever I couldn't sleep.

I thought it was a lullaby. It's only long after they've passed on that I realized whom I was to them, who was their 'kynge'.

The song became a stranger from that day forth, but the tune has remained familiar. I would never forget it.

Do you still remember him? The...

The King? I'm not familiar with him. As for the man who is my closest blood relative...

I won't lie, Doctor, I tried to piece together an image of my father in my memory.

But when I saw him again with my own eyes, there was nothing familiar about him.

He was a king, and I'm just a gangster from the streets. We have nothing in common, save for the name Victoria.

There are more important things for me to think about.

You heard the dukes talking. They're ready to abandon Londinium... my home, to whatever fate.

This wasn't what I expected when Dr. Kal'tsit got you out of Chernobog and got me to plan a return to Victoria.

But I've come too far to let it go.

Responsibility is a curious thing.;I can't let go of the Rhodes Islanders, either.;We're the same.

The dukes know you can't let go of the people who need you. They're counting on it.

And we're counting on them being obsessed with maintaining their own power.

As long as their pride still needs the name 'Victoria', the city will have time to recover.

It's a deal where the outcome is predetermined, and both sides of the table know that.

It's the people who have had my back through all this that keeps me going.

We're home. The war is over. It's time to listen to their voices.

Vina...

What is it, Doctor?

Perhaps the day will come when Rhodes Island doesn't approve of the choices you make.;Perhaps the day will come when you don't approve of the choices Rhodes Island makes.

...I know.

Many of us find it hard to accept that you assisted Wiš'adel with the evacuation of the remaining Sarkaz.

But this war can go on no longer. I... We've lost enough people.

And we've heard Sarkaz warning, loud and clear.

The ducal fleets held their positions during the retreat because they all got the news—

Massive Catastrophe clouds forming over the capitals of most of the Core countries almost simultaneously.

Talk about straightforward. They strolled back to Kazdel in broad daylight.

You and Dr. Kal'tsit know what they could do with that piece of Originium.

They won't abuse it, unless their back is to the wall.

For self-defense only? Maybe they think that way, for now.

But there is no such thing as a guarantee when one is in possession of power far greater than one can control.

I've seen many gangs rise rapidly with the backing of the nobility, only to fall apart from the inside just as quickly.

That's why Amiya is going back to Kazdel with them.;Amiya will keep the Originium under our oversight.

But you're not in a position to determine Sarkaz's destiny either. Both sides have been inflicted wounds that will not heal so easily.

The young Sarkaz regent has gotten his wish. The Sarkaz are once again united by concrete hatred, and obtained an Originium shard that belongs to them...

Hatred always ends the same way. Where will you be when that time comes?

A golden lion walks out from behind the darkened throne and crouches by its side.

Gawain. It is like he was always here, like the reliefs around him, bearing witness to the Empire's rise and fall, all in the blink of an eye.

And now, his dark eyes have witnessed you.

Teacher?!

...;This is the first time you've shown yourself before me.

No need to fear. I am neither a monster nor an illusion.

I show myself now because I must.

Vina has chosen a path that she had not even considered, until now. She must grow, and you are in a position to help her.

Rhodes Island is already assisting her work in Londinium.

That is not what I mean. I have no intention to interfere in Victoria's destiny, whatever it may be.

But you have led her towards a confrontation with the destiny of Terra itself, on which hope is hard to come by.

I promised one who is long gone to walk with her until the very last, but now, even my own being is no longer a certainty—

We will try not to drag others into it.

I know Vina. When the day comes, she will stand with Rhodes Island, and you will need her. But where will you stand when that day comes?

There is no need to answer. She will witness on my behalf.

You are neither her follower, nor mentor, nor foe.

You already realize that the ties you share are one-of-a-kind.

Perhaps we can afford to wait for a chance at a fresh start. But Vina cannot.