act42side

Over here, Doctor.

Squeeze in a bit, so this dessert cart's in front.

Finally, a chance to catch my breath.

Thanks for going through all that.;Whose dessert cart is this?

You must be here for the ceremony, seniora!

W-Would you like to try my ice cream?

Before Mon3tr can even refuse, the little girl gleefully shoves a cup of ice cream into her hands.

I-It's not a flavor you can get anywhere else in Laterano—

(I can take her out. Nobody would notice.)

As Mon3tr gives you this paranoid suggestion, she plops a spoonful of ice cream into her mouth without thinking about it.

Wow. That's really good...

*ahem* Could you tell me your name, kid?

It's got my answer for me, confessor.

Dadadeedeeda, I'm called Idida.

You named yourself after the dessert cart's music?

Don't be silly! I customized it to sound like my name!

Did you know those Guards, Idida—;Aren't you scared of this lady, Idida—

Wow! I've never heard a confessional speak like that before!

It's the latest model.

(Sighs);Looks like she buys that explanation.

Were you helping cover for us just now, Idida?

Yep... Because all of Laterano needs to change!

That's what you think too, right?!

W-Was I just imagining things? You're the first person to say my sugar-free carbonated-water-flavored ice cream was tasty, seniora!

(Well, that explains why it's so refreshing.)

Mamma and Tata were right, this is a rocky road I walk... But I've finally found a little bit of success!

Mind... explaining a bit more?

'Desserts connect every Lateran'—but if you eat too much sugar, not only are you gonna get bad teeth, even your halo will start getting cavities!

Tata's a dentist. Every time he says that, people think he's just trying to get more business for his clinic.

But right now, my halo, err, kinda feels like the rotten tooth I just lost. It's making me feel... not so good...

I believe it's the Lord giving me a revelation!

So I'm gonna practice what I preach! I'll change Laterano's eating habits, and rebuild our connections with the power of sugar-free ice cream!

That's a grand dream you got there, Idida.;Would you support this young citizen's vision, madam?

Mind if we take a walk together? I'd like to hear more about this... connection between halos and tooth decay.

O-Okay!

(We should be able to avoid the guys chasing us with this kid around. You need to get in touch with Exusiai ASAP, Doctor.)

I'm trying.

Hey there, Leader!

Sounds like you were able to loosen that comms control thingy, since we're having a long-distance call and all.

It's not entirely a good thing, Exusiai.

This means everything in the dream is collapsing faster.;This means the calamity in reality is getting worse.

Ugh. Yeah, I figured as much.

These guys have nearly all the non-Sankta holed up in the Shrine of Nurtury. They want to put on an even bigger Nativity.

First time around, an arborbeast got a halo. This time, they want to give <i>everyone</i> halos...

I dunno how they're gonna do it, but this kind of change is a bit too quick and crazy.

The way you explained it, Leader, whatever happens in this dream will eventually become reality?

Ugh. Yeah, I figured as much.

The way you explained it, Leader, this big, ugly building really is poking up out of Laterano's streets, and it's spewing out haloed monsters to chase people around?

Sounds like reality's a lot scarier than the dream...

What you said is what I saw, Exusiai.

But some people are starting to awaken.;Variables in reality are making the dream skip some steps.

Man, this is WAY too complicated for me. Just tell me: what's the worst thing that might happen?

Laterano might stop existing entirely.

Whew, yeah, that's a REALLY big deal!

Well, no matter the situation, I can still find the jerk behind all this and free everyone from 'fake Laterano', right?

We're limited to keeping you clear-headed and free to move around.;The restrictions Mon3tr and I are under haven't been lifted yet.;Mon3tr and I are still looking into other leads.

Got it! Leave Laterano's troubles to a Lateran like me!

Oops, gotta keep my voice down. The <i>grand</i> Nativity's about to start, and it wasn't easy finding a chance to sneak in, heheh.

Mon3tr and I will keep tearing up the streets.;Mon3tr and I will keep eyes off of you.

Say, how <i>did</i> the two of us meet again?

One of Sora's releases? Texas's birthday party? That time Penguin Logistics crashed into the Lungmen office while cracking down on the Bloodhammer gang?

Oh, or was it that time I was planning on stealing a few sick old racing beasts when I ran into you on your way to buy their freedom?

We definitely met in Lungmen, at least.;I don't think it was any of those.

Must've been... what, five years ago now?

Well, here's to yet another beautiful partnership, Leader.

Likewise, Exusiai.;Stay safe, Exusiai.

Everyone is in position, Reverend Patrizion.

Next, we will coordinate with the shrine patrol to clear the surrounding streets, lock down the intersections, and ensure nobody is wandering about.

Gratias.

Every gun-knight gathered together, our ammunition allocations and fire restrictions fully lifted... There's never been so big an event in the history of our order, has there?

The Nativity is of great significance to Laterano.

The black snow on the ice of Sami, the hole in the sky above Leithanien, even the raging tides that dash against the coast, are all in alignment with the true calamity that has been prophesied.

Imagine how terrifying such a disaster would be.

When that time comes, two-hundred-odd gun-knights taking to the field would be like a child throwing stones into the sea.

I fear our holy city, which has stood tall for millennia, will fade away.

The Pontifica Cohors and the Notarial Hall are still pursuing Lemuel and her co-conspirators.

There is something else you must know... The nurturer who was guiding Mostima and Fiammetta was just attacked.

Would you like to go and check the scene, Reverend?

...No.

My post... is here.

The time has come.

All our Liberi brethren, please go to the Hall of Enlightenment.

The time has come.

Over here, please. Once the other races have been bestowed their halos, the Matriarch shall mend the broken halos and wings of the fallen angels, so that we may all regain empathy with our people.

It has begun, Matriarch.

I thank you all. You have forsaken nearly all rest since the establishment of this shrine.

There have been many mishaps since the last Nativity. We must advance our plans. This shrine's mission must be seen to completion as quickly as possible.

To this day, we have walked the same path, Matriarch. This is something we realized long ago.

Oh, yes, there was one other thing on my mind. Today's ceremony is all about bestowing halos on the non-Sankta rather than a birth, so why are we still using the name 'Nativity'?

Is there a better term for it?

The nurturers lead the peoples of various races into the Hall of Enlightenment, converging toward its center. The grand procession is like a herd of migratory beasts, yet none speak a word.

There is only the rhythmic tinkling of countless comfort bells.

As if in response, the Matriarch lifts her head toward the crowd.

Henceforth, all who are sheltered by the holy city shall share one destiny, entwined into a singular whole. Can this be called anything but the rebirth of Laterano?

The crack of shattering glass cuts through the calming chimes of the comfort bells.

A bullet from a sniper rifle. Its source is unknown, but it flies straight for the Matriarch's sightless eyes—

Blinding sunlight seeps in.

That strange couple at the door...

Looks like they're deciding where to go to dinner using a roulette wheel. Interesting idea, isn't it?

Mhm. So they're the ones...