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Team Alpha, drop the supplies in the east-side clearing.

Set up medical tents in conjunction with the Paleroche reinforcements and be ready to receive wounded.

Right!

Team Bravo, take your shovels and wineskins and look for survivors in the ruins of the train station. Be thorough and keep your ears open for any cries.

Alright! Team, grab your gear and follow me—

Try not to make too much noise. We could still be looking at a second avalanche. A team is on its way to investigate the mountains.

Trust our people, and trust in Kjeragandr's protection.

By Kjeragandr.

...By Kjeragandr.

By Kjeragandr.

Time's a-wasting. Get moving.

Yes, sir!

Before the voices disperse on the cold wind, the servants of Clan Silverash are already on the move, spreading out on the snow in every direction.

They are not the only ones here. The white tide has torn a gash in the peace.

Over here! This one's alive!

Hang in there! You're a son of Kjerag, you can take it!

M-My leg...

I can't move my leg... my leg is... argh!

Don't move! Somebody in the back, report!

We dug a hole, but his leg is pinned under a steel girder. If we can't get it out of the way, we'll need a surgeon to... no, I'll try to dig it open a little bit more!

Grr—okay! Good news, the girder's already broken! All we need to do is lift it up!

All we need is a little elbow grease! Over here, all hands on deck!

Hold tight, one, two, three...

—Hrragh!!

Argh... it hurts...

We got a gap! Pull him out now!

I got him. Take it easy, lift him up and put him on the tarp. Careful not to pull the wound open...

Slowly, carefully—

Got it! Stretcher!

Out of the way! Stretcher coming through!

Suppressed, restrained cries. Rescues. Stretchers. Survivors.

The rescuers run back and forth on the white snow, their faces red with exertion, hot sweat dripping on the snow.

Take over for me here, Gulo. Save every soul you can.

Right!

But where are you going, sir?

Sir Arctosz... is rescue work in the south already done?

No, not yet.

Gulo's overseeing it. I came to find you.

We're handling things here, no need to worry. The Browntails' help has already arrived, they brought blankets and food.

Madame Ratatos wanted to come personally, but she seems to be otherwise engaged.

...I figured as much.

We know what's going on. Nobody blames her.

<i>Schiisdräck!</i> The timing of this bloody disaster!

It came out of the blue. There were no warning signs, no chance to prepare.

Yes! That's why I came to you.

You know the rules. This avalanche happened on Paleroche land, and we're responsible for the mountains here.

We've been watching the thickness of the snowpack. I've seen the records myself. Everything was normal!

That's why I came to ask. Don't you have people at that <i>research institute</i> of yours whose job is to check on the mountains? What are they saying?

Research institute... you mean Rhine Lab?

Yeah! They spend all day on the mountains carrying all that newfangled gear. You're not telling me they didn't find anything, are you?

They have their own projects to deal with, and they don't necessarily focus all their attention on the mountains.

Besides, we came as soon as we heard about the avalanche. We haven't had a chance to find out what they know.

Sir Enciodes sent Degenbrecher up the mountains with a team. They should be back soon.

Hm...

This is sending chills up my spine. What in blazes is this avalanche...?

The wind wails, carrying snowflakes with it. The man turns around and stares at the mountain. He may be a mountain among men, but he is little more than a pebble before the silent mountains.

Is that...?

A group is moving quickly down the snowy mountain path, heading for the two men.

Sir Matterhorn!

We must let Sir Enciodes know at once! W-We found—

The investigator's expression is deathly pale, his fur boots wet and gray with dirty snow.

In the wind, his rapid and ragged breathing sounds almost like wailing.

If there are no further questions about the framework agreement, let us now move on to the detailed terms of the agreement.

First, concerning taxation of the joint Kjerag-Kazimierz mining endeavor—

(Whisper) Sir, Madam Degenbrecher is outside. She has something to report.

...Right now?

(Whisper) Yes. She says it's extremely urgent...

What's this urgent matter?

We found this on the mountain where the avalanche occurred.

Degenbrecher opens her gloved hand, and a small, black shard of Originium lies quietly in her palm.

On a mountain in Kjerag?

If the mountain by the train station counts as Kjerag.

Both Gnosis and Rhodes Island's have examined it. It's almost certain that...

Degenbrecher looks around her, making sure there are no eavesdroppers, and drops her voice.

This avalanche was a Catastrophe.

How many know?

The investigation team is our people, so we can keep them quiet, but a number of those at the foot of the mountain have been infected.

It won't be a secret for long.

Instruct Matterhorn to set up a blockade and not allow civilians to approach. I want checkpoints on the mountains as well.

Contact Rhodes Island and request secrecy in the housing and treatment of patients. Tell them to contact Karlan Trade if they need any help.

And tell Ratatos and Arctosz to meet me at the train station in one hour. Whatever it takes.

Understood. Anything else?

...Take a squad and go to Vine-Bead Court immediately.

And tell Gnosis to take a team to protect the Rhine Lab observation station.

Understood.

Enciodes checks his clothes and goes back into the conference room.

I apologize for the delay. Let us continue.

First, concerning taxation of the joint Kjerag-Kazimierz mining endeavor...

Preposterous... preposterous!

There has never been such a prophecy in any of the scriptures. Why would Kjeragandr punish us with a Catastrophe? It's preposterous!

But it happened! She has left us because She is angry with us!

How do we explain this Catastrophe, if not by Kjeragandr's anger?

Look at the crowd surrounding the Vine-Bead Court now. They are pious believers in Kjeragandr, gentle children of Kjerag.

Are we to tell them that the families and friends they lost, all their suffering, happened for no reason at all?

The people are troubled. Their faith is shaken... but it is at times like this that our own faith must be stronger than ever.

How do we know this isn't a trial from Kjeragandr to reinforce our faith?

Kjeragandr has not abandoned Kjerag... why would She punish Kjerag for no reason?

Perhaps it happened because we've acted against Kjeragandr's will—

The young cleric takes one look at the Saintess in the middle of the hall, then lowers his head without a word.

You may speak your mind.