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Are you bothering Andoain again, children?

They just want to play a little longer. It's all fine. Giselle, Romya, go make your preparations at the Hall of Enlightenment. We can start the game once I get there, okay?

Don't you ever say no to the children?

I guess that's why they trust you and look up to you...

Just a few weeks ago, they were terrified of these unfamiliar halls. It was a struggle just to give them a change of clothes.

Now, they feel at home... all thanks to you.

I didn't do anything, except stay with them.

You're very much like the Matriarch, down to your humility. Just having you with them makes all the difference.

Was it not your companionship that helped the mother you and the Matriarch brought back through the worst?

I remember the first thing the surgeon did after leaving the operating room was to check if he still had his halo.

He could not understand how the mother managed to survive with her baby, after her abdomen was impaled by a spear.

It was a miracle.

We'll call it a miracle once she's successfully given birth. Meanwhile, I will continue to care for her as best as I can.

I'm... beginning to understand why the Matriarch holds you in such high regard. It is reassuring to know that you are in charge of the most important duty of the Nativity, the delivery of the child.

The Shrine of Nurtury will be ready for full operation if the Nativity goes well. Every child born on Terra henceforth shall have the protection and blessing of the Holy City.

That will be the true miracle.

I hope so... I do hope so.

I must not keep you any longer. Giselle and Romya are still waiting for you!

Via Jovita, Pagus Stevonus

It's quiet...

A procession of halos stretches from one end of the street to the other. No one stops, and there is no commotion.

Someone may step out of the procession to enter a passing confessional, or pick up an ice cream cone from a dessert cart, before continuing on their soundless parade.

Silence and order. This is how things have always been in Laterano, the Holy City.

I'm in position.

Identifying suspicious personnel. No unusual activity at this time.

A figure flashes by a corner in the distance. The wind blows her hood open briefly, revealing a streak of bright red.

Have you checked all the intersections?

Yes, Your Eminence. We didn't find any suspicious individuals.

We also interviewed potential witnesses nearby, but at this time we have no concrete leads.

Mushrooms might spring up on a wet pillar by themselves, but bombs don't, do they?

Huh... how could they?

With the exception of public officers of the Curia and the Shrine of Nurtury, anyone who is in possession of explosives is subject to surveillance by the Notarial Hall.

It's been years since an unplanned gunshot last rang out in Laterano, never mind an explosion.

Lemuen bends down and retrieves a bomb fragment from the damaged pillar.

It's pretty sophisticated. If a bomb like this was filled with standard explosives, the blast would have damaged far more than just one pillar.

Do you mean it was homemade? But why? A practical joke?

The Lateran Arms Control List was compiled by the Curia's extremely experienced explosives experts. Pretty much anything that could possibly cause a good-sized explosion is on there.

It would take considerable effort to assemble a bomb like this using materials not on the list. No one would do this for a whimsical practical joke.

Besides, today is no ordinary occasion. The second Summit of Nations is underway.

Lemuen recalls the streak of red. She feels a bit of unease, and even more perplexity.

Get me the files on recent movements around Via Jovita... correction, all of Pagus Stevonus.

What is it?

Files that are clearly relevant to the case at hand should have been retrieved the moment we received our orders.

There you are!

(Pats chest) *pant*... *pant*...

Forgive me, Cardinal Lemuen. Here are the files you requested.

My name is Amos, I'm an investigator with the Seventh Tribunal. I will be serving as your aide and conclavist.

You're late, Amos.

Patrizion said you'd be here approximately ten minutes after I arrived at the scene. Here we are, thirty minutes later.

I'm so sorry, I was preparing refreshments for the welcome ceremony. I didn't think it would be so urgent...

(Shhh—)

I assume you've heard about me, if the Seventh Tribunal appointed you as my aide.

L-Lemuen the Silent...

I tolerate no excuses.

Want some ice cream, Federico? This one's on me.

I am not in the habit of enjoying dessert in the middle of a mission.

Besides, I already partook before leaving the Notarial Hall.

So it was <i>you</i> who took the last cup from the lounge...

How about you tell me why you rushed out of the Notarial Hall in such a hurry? Reward for me solving that case, so to speak.

You've been standing at this intersection for ten minutes, but there's nothing here.

I am under no obligation to share my private affairs with colleagues.

You said you were in the middle of a mission...

What's that sound...?

Oh—you were waiting for a confessional!

You've certainly accumulated your fair share of 'sins' as the executor with the highest rate of complaints at the Notarial Hall, but it's still a huge surprise to see you proactively seeking confession.

Here.

What?

I expensed the cost of a City of Gold Blind Box on that field mission to Sargon, which resulted in my reimbursements being twice as much as what was actually spent on mission costs...

I went out my door with shame weighing on my heart... and spotted a confessional driving by... Anyway, long story short, I got myself an annual pass. You can borrow it.

Arrival announcement.

Automated Confessional ELCARO-001 is arriving at this station. Please line up to enjoy confessional services.

'May all who are lost find salvation.'

The confessional enters their view, and Federico reaches out.

Hahahahahaha!

Even a robot knows you don't have any emotional needs, Federico.

Virtually every Lateran comes into contact with confessionals in the course of their everyday lives. In a way, these machines hold more diverse and comprehensive data than that stored in the Notarial Hall.

They form natural archives, revealing abnormalities.

...I have arrived at certain conclusions.

Hm... one second, Federico. You don't have to share your conclusions, but could you at least explain what you're looking for?

Self-reflection is part of the daily studies of the faithful. As an extension of the Church, there are almost as many confessionals in the Holy City as there are dessert carts.

These mobile public facilities roam the streets and alleys of Laterano, ensuring that citizens' emotional relief is always immediately available.

In the tiny, private space, among the holy sculptures, guns, and pleasant music, a penitent may spill their guts to the electronic confessor.

Sins could range from the shame of consuming too much sugar, to the crime of betraying one's kin or bringing harm to one's people.

After rejecting Federico, the automated confessional ELCARO-001 stops in an alley, opening its door to allow a mysterious guest to enter.

'You're late, Exusiai.'

You were the one who told me to be careful.

I made sure I didn't have a tail on my butt, and you didn't give that stone-faced guy a chance to fiddle with anything.

'He may have observed something abnormal about me.'

Let's pray he doesn't catch you and tear you apart, piece-by-piece.

What is it?

'You changed your clothes.'

Of course I did. A Penguin Logistics uniform is way too conspicuous for Laterano.

I designed this outfit myself. I've only worn it once, at my graduation!

And it's YOU we should be talking about. Do you know how weird it is to hear your voice come out of a confessional's speakers?

'Back on topic. The experiment failed?'

I hate to admit it... but yes.

It took so much effort to find the replacement materials—the market, the bakery, the playground, the school's secret shop... I went through every single source I could think of.

And it didn't even blast the pillar in two! Any material that's even halfway decent is restricted, and no one could give an answer when I asked why.

It's not because of this 'Summit of Nations', right?

If anyone in Laterano thought the beautiful sight and sound of an explosion would be any threat to the Summit of Nations, then it's not me with the problem, it's Laterano!