act39side

That's enough, Pascuala.

He knows what needs to be done.

*sigh*...

Stop sighing your heart out.

Today's the day. Aren't you anxious?

What's the use of worrying? Just think about what life would be like if that compass really paid off.

Aye... but what if he fails?

Man, they're really packed around the room. Not even a grain of salt could slip through.

I have a bad feeling about this...

C'mon, don't jinx us like that.

Still...

He's refused any help these last few days, holing himself up in his lab...

He wouldn't let us participate, not even today. Said the experiments require precise control, said that he didn't want to be disturbed.

But if I know anything about him, and I definitely do... he's doing this because he doesn't want to drag anyone else into it.

What do you mean?

Maybe he's preparing to fail.

But the repairs aren't done yet, are they?

That's just how Thorns is. He always expects the worst, and braces himself for it.

What was that?!

The layers of Arts energy field on the transmutation table collapse in an instant. The metallic substance that had gleamed with a shiny glow a moment ago is now a pile of charred mud.

Isidro pulled the probe back just in time to avoid damaging it, but the compass parts he had assembled now lie in pieces.

Isidro runs his fingers through the black mud, trying to figure out the reason for the failure.

But the mud holds no answers. All the clever ideas, the well-laid plans that he had put into it are nowhere to be found.

We're out of time...

Why did I think I could replicate it in such a short time?

I should have known better... master said it took even the most skilled alchemists decades to create Corazonix...

The rusted Corazonix lies still in his pocket, as though mocking his incompetence.

What happened?

She needed no answer. Broken parts litter the ground. The young man sits with his head hanging.

I'm sorry, Juana. I failed.

It's alright, Isidro. This was my own choice.

I'll face the consequences.

It's too risky.

You heard the news. The kid failed. The compass is destroyed.

All the more reason you shouldn't go.

The Inquisition's demands were the compass and blueprints for a salt ship. How're you supposed to parley when we got neither?

Nobody said anything about delivering them personally.

We just need to tell them where to pick them up themselves.

You look like someone who can be reasoned with.

If you mean the mate I sent to parley was too vulgar for you, no need to mince words.

No, what I mean is that you must understand that trust is the basis for all cooperation.

I wouldn't have come myself if I wasn't trustworthy.

And yet you've come empty-handed, asking me to go into the Salt Flat myself to retrieve the bargaining chips you're promising?

How am I to know you're not leading me into an ambush, with a hundred bandits armed to the teeth waiting for me?

Or maybe, I'm offering you more than just the compass and blueprints, but also the location of the pirate base and crewmen who already know how to sail a salt ship?

No, Javier! This was supposed to give us a safe future, not make us their slaves!

Still better than following Juana to a watery death without the compass.

Besides, if you can understand, they can too. They'll cooperate when the Inquisition shows up.

...What about Juana?

If I'm putting more chips on the table, then I need more in return.

Spare Juana.

...You will personally lead the way.

Negotiations are not over yet, Señor Alguacil.

Is that my concern?

...What are you thinking?

He clearly isn't here in good faith. This so-called base of theirs is most certainly a trap.

Let me say this again: We have neither the manpower nor the resources for another major campaign.

My men are in good shape. As for yours... I will ensure they are ready.

I do not doubt your ability, but even if you do defeat the bandits, we cannot afford any more casualties.

We will lack the manpower to build a ship, even if we acquire the blueprints. Aarón will remain trapped in the Salt Flat.

Your negotiations, your deals, none of this is my concern. I have gleaned the location of my enemies, and now I will act.

The ships the bandits have used in their sin shall be put to the torch, along with their blueprints.

As for the sinners... I will exterminate them.

Under whose authority?! The clerics you command grew up in Aarón. We've gone through countless hardships together.

Yet you fail to understand them... Nay, you have betrayed them.

So why do you assume they will listen to you?

(Whisper) I can't believe she'd let us leave... I thought for sure we'd be tied up and handed over to the Inquisition.

(Whisper) Shh...

I know no amount of apologies will make up for your loss.

I suppose this is the end, Isidro.

You needn't worry. I don't blame you. It's not your fault. I accepted the consequences when I made my choice.

I know it was you who bore the brunt of your crew's wrath for us, and I know it was you who saved Pascuala's life.

...Maybe you could come with us.

You would certainly be in grave danger if you stay, señora.

Go. Weren't you discussing how you'd escape earlier? Here's your chance.

I'm the leader of the fleet. I won't abandon my crew. This was my oath to Cruz, and one which I will never turn my back on.

Señora Juana... there's something I need to return to you.

You can keep the clothes and the sword. Consider it payment for your troubles.

No, not that.

What else is there?

The young man reaches into his pocket, but suddenly stops. He lets out a slow breath...

And takes out the object.

The compass? No...

I... I don't understand. If it's undamaged, then what is that debris in the lab?

If you haven't been repairing the compass, then what have you been doing?!

Answer me!

The destroyed compass was a replica. I never touched the original.

Whew...

What?! How come no one ever told me? When'd you make the switch?

I never told anyone.

I don't understand. Why?

The Corazonix in the compass was far more complex than I expected. If I'm unable to replicate it perfectly, that means I haven't understood its true nature.

In which case, attempting to manipulate the actual Corazonix could only lead to failure.

But I couldn't afford to fail. Your hopes, the future of the fleet, the fates of Elysium and Pascuala... all of that was on my shoulders.

So if I was doomed to fail, I thought I should at least limit the damage.

That's why I tried to replicate the Corazonix. If I proved incapable of understanding it, at least you could keep the original and find a better alchemist.

I left some of the materials you gave me behind for the fleet as well.

I...

I'm sorry. I tried.

Isidro... is this your idea of giving it your all?