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<p=1>Knights of the Tower Watchtower Backyard</><p=2>December 22nd, 1098, 5:32 P.M.</>

I thought you'd have gotten everyone to help fix up the guts of this tower by now.

And I thought you'd be getting ready for the Speaker's speech, Vina. I'd rather not meddle with the designers while they work anyway.

They know how to build a museum better than I do, and I'm looking forward to what little surprises the 'Knights of the Tower Museum' they're making has in store for me.

But carving a monument commemorating the Knights? That's something I've got to do myself.

Here, have a look. How is it?

Never took you for a sculptor.

Master Mitchell taught me how when I was really young. Though he'd always get so drunk he'd forget to teach me his special techniques.

Come on over and I'll introduce you. This is Master Finn, the last Captain of the Watch, and the elder knight I was closest to.

This is Old Ferguson, the one who taught me to drink. This is Master Bailey, who did her best to teach me how to do makeup.

And here's Master Mitchell—not my carving, though. He made it himself after a night at the pub.

This is Carl, the crybaby. This is Martin. Every week he'd sneak off before getting sent back by his family. This is Karen...

And then there's... There's...

Vina gently hugs Dagda, comforting her.

Thanks, Vina, but I'm fine.

It's just that every time I come back here, those fading memories of mine become a lot clearer.

You carved your own name too. 'Isabelle Montague'...

The Knights of the Tower never left. We're still here. Master Finn would be glad to hear it.

You know, Parliament could retain the institution of the Knights, even if you—

Our duty is already over, no?

Victoria has no need for a monarch, so naturally she has no need for the Knights. Let the past be remembered in a museum. That's the best ending we could ask for.

Since there's no more need to light up the tower for the palace's sake, my own duty's done as well.

These days, Londinium is no longer home to Isabelle, the Knight of the Tower. There's just Dagda now. Dagda of the Glasgow Gang.

But Vina, if you still have need of the Knights, I won't hesitate. Just say the word.

Oh, don't tease me, Dagda. You heard those rumors too?

We've been looking into who's been spreading them. But it seems there's a lot of people who believe, even wholeheartedly support the idea that—

'Vina Victoria will be crowned King.'

<p=1>Saint-Marsol's College</><p=2>December 22nd, 1098, 5:37 P.M.</>

Eliseo! Eliseo! Please wait!

Oh, Jenna. More questions you'd like to ask me?

Miss Molly wants to invite you to stay and watch us rehearse our new play—

Also, Eliseo, could you help me prove something?

What is it?

Jamie and I had a wager. That even if my gran and I moved to Columbia, we wouldn't be much better off than we are now.

His dad said that in Columbia, kids like us wouldn't get to go to school, and there wouldn't be any teachers who'd want to teach us how to do plays...

Jamie said everything you told us in class was a lie.

Jenna, you should be up on stage for the rehearsal. Don't be bothering Eliseo now.

Ah! M—Miss Molly!

I was just inviting him to stay and watch...

Allow me. Jamie's waiting for you on stage. He's about to cry any moment now.

Without you, he can't say any of his lines. Go on.

Oh, he's so annoying... Alright, I'll go...

You've got to stay and watch, Eliseo!

*sigh* Do forgive the children, Eliseo. They tend to just speak their mind.

I must admit, I'm not too familiar with Columbia, and I'm not entirely sure how Infected children would be treated—

They'd be treated very well!

...So long as their guardians can afford health insurance.

I see.

The children are very fond of you, and I'm grateful that you took the time to explain how they should take care of themselves after infection. It's important for them to know.

Thank you, truly.

I have to give the same lectures to kids back home pretty often, so it's no trouble at all. Honestly, I'd like to thank you for letting me teach them.

I thought since Parliament's on bad terms with Pure Heart Medical, the schools wouldn't let me near the children.

Parliament's never forbidden us from reaching out to you though? On the contrary, they tend to approve of this sort of thing as long as we're quiet about it, up to a certain degree.

Not just you, either. We've also invited Rhodes Island's doctors over to give the children checkups and lessons.

Parliament knows that children will need assistance.

But there's only so much that checkups and lessons can do for them. What they need is medicine and treatment.

I know. But all we can do now is stay by their side and make sure they are not overcome by fear.

At least at this school, they can still live like how they used to... Like regular people.

I really admire you, Molly.

Back home, if a young Infected is as energetic as these kids here, it usually means their family is pretty well-off.

But here... I hear some kids had nowhere to go, so you gave them shelter at the school. You've got them putting on plays, ones that bring hope to the people here.

That's amazing.

You flatter me, Eliseo.

I am merely following in the footsteps of those teachers who can no longer return to school... Especially the lady I respect the most.

Do you mean Lady Golding? I heard Heidi mention her before.

Yes. The play we are rehearsing today was the last she ever wrote in this classroom.

It's a lovely little tale. Two young children go on many adventures to find a fowlbeast that can chase away any illness, which saves their sickly friend.

Lady Heidi once asked me if Lady Golding ever called it a 'meaningless consolation' when she was writing it...

But why?

Is it alright if I stay and watch them rehearse, Molly?

For the sake of the children, and so I can show how much I respect you, and your lady.

I have a feeling that maybe here, in Londinium, there's still a lot I can do to help.

...For Lady Golding.

...For Lady Golding.

Are all the MPs present?

They are.

How much longer until the city-wide broadcast?

Two minutes.

<i>It was an evening close to New Year's.</i>

<i>After several long years living in fear, most folk could finally feel at ease and enjoy dinner with their families, listening to the Speaker of Parliament's broadcast together. They even started calling it the 'Dinnertime Declaration' in jest.</i>

<i>Pity that dinner didn't taste so good.</i>

Testing, testing, *cough*—

Shall I begin?

Go ahead.

This is Vina Victoria. As Speaker of Londinium's Parliament, I now address all the city's residents who took part in resistance during the war, and who yet live.

Two months ago, we walked out from the midst of tragedy.

You lot shut up! Can't you tell the Speaker's started her speech already?

On behalf of Parliament, allow me to convey our respect to those heroes who contributed to the war effort.

Every citizen, every soldier of the ducal alliance, every fighter of the Exemplars.

The city will remember each and every one of your deeds, and honor all those who are no longer with us.

The pub falls silent as everyone lifts their cups.

To you, my brothers... and to me.

Now, Londinium has begun her long road to recovery. Order will be reestablished, and those lives once so familiar to us will return.

But that's not all. In regards to the Exemplars, those glorious fighters of extraordinary circumstance, Parliament has decided to reserve this unit designation forevermore, so that we may commemorate both the past and the present of these troops.

I can hear the children singing, and the retired soldiers singing alongside them. Seems like they're in a good mood.

The song they're singing is from the end of the play.

The sickly child finally recovers, and together, they find happiness.

I... expected those homeless soldiers to care a lot more about the Speaker's speech.

Of course they care, but they are of firm belief that the Speaker will not abandon them.

After all the suffering endured, happiness will surely come, Eliseo. Do you believe so?