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Hurry it up! You in the back, keep up!

Our intel indicates that the target should be around here. Search carefully, and leave no stone unturned!

After that woman left the room, an unknown amount of time passed, to the point that time itself seemed alien to Monch.

Only the stinging pain of the ropes tightly binding her reminds her that she has not yet lost consciousness.

Finally, a hopeful sound comes from beyond the door, and Monch musters what might she has left to shout out.

I'm... over here...

I'm—

But try as she might, her parched throat can hardly produce a sound.

She laboriously crawls towards the door.

It opens.

Monch!

Madam... Why are you here...?

We've been searching for you ever since the Catastrophe hit! That damned Silverash, pretentious bastard. Thought they actually had some useful intel... but in the end, I still ended up having to do all the legwork myself to find you!

How're you doing? You hurt anywhere?

Wait, your leg—

I'm... fine...

Madam, listen to me...

The researcher I'm tracking... She's from Victoria, but more important... she's got ties, to Columbia...

What they're really after is...

Monch! MONCH!

Along the narrow mountain path, the convoy slowly plods onward.

After the incident's sudden outbreak, no shortage of people left their cars to observe the conflict's epicenter.

Turn off the engine. Get out.

What do you think you're doing? Who the hell are you people?

I... I'm an industrial investigator dispatched from Victoria! This is illegal obstruction of official business!

You've damaged our property, endangered Victorian lives, and almost even caused an accident! Mark my words, the Vine-Bead Court will hear of this!

Never should've come to this bloody shithole...

...Are you done?

Did you get all the pictures?

Yessir!

This is no time for you to try to twist the narrative, Victorian. Just cooperate.

Open up the rear compartment.

I...

Unwilling to cooperate? Fine by me. You're more than welcome to conserve your energy to fend for yourselves before the court–if you're cold, I can offer you a blanket.

Matterhorn waves his hand, and the guard pries open the rear compartment without a word.

Seated upright upon a haystack there is an old cleric.

He brushes the dust off his body and walks out.

It is an emotionless affair, hardly amounting to courage.

The old cleric gazes upon the blinding brightness before him, and recollects the scenes from before.

Some ten minutes ago...

Why'd the truck stop?

Have we arrived?

Carolin lowers her voice.

...Did something happen?

Stay calm, young lady.

...Did they find us?

I didn't expect to find you here, Cleric of the Vine-Bead Court.

Let's continue this conversation elsewhere. This place is less than ideal.

You are as hasty as always, young master of Clan Edelweiss.

Honorable friends of Clan Silverash, I apologize for disturbing your work during this inclement weather.

I am more than glad to go along with your arrangements.

Looks like the one we're after isn't here.

I do believe this is where we part ways, young lady from Victoria.

Are you getting off?

No, I'll stay here. Just keep walking forward, and don't look back.

The entrance isn't far off. Silverash's people will surely notice this truck. Get out of here before they find you.

By Kjeragandr... trust me.

The old cleric helps Carolin up.

I'll do as you said.

But, you'll also be exposed.

That, too, is Kjeragandr's will. What I cannot change, I shall therefore accept.

I ask only for Her forgiveness.

I can't say I understand what your beliefs truly are—but maybe some day, I will.

I respect your beliefs, so I will also try to find a way to live in peace. Best of luck to you, sir.

Carolin gets out of the truck and runs without stopping, in a direction leading far, far from Kjerag.

Shedding her stained cleric's robes, she shivers from the cold.

Alone she walks through the vast, pale mountainscape.

Until in the distance, a dark tunnel entrance beckons to her.

Through the telescope's lens, Gnosis sees the mysterious scientist step into the shadows.

Arrest these two and have them sent straight to the Vine-Bead Court.

I've brought one.

I'm afraid I cannot grant your wish, Great Elder.

Upon hearing that long-awaited voice, Enciodes stands up and walks past the old man who remains frozen like a wooden sculpture.

Gnosis executed the plan. The Tschäggättä deployed immediately on his signal.

Before the presence of these wraiths, the clerics could do nothing but stumble back into their abodes, their tender faces affixed in fear.

I, I'm one of the Vine-Bead Court's clerics! You can't treat me like this—

Shut up and stop resisting!

...Master Frey is here too! Please, help me!

The one just brought in was the once-arrogant envoy of the Vine-Bead Court. His gaze sweeps over the shouting cleric, and he shakes his head.

Father Frey, I believe I can now explain your actions.

Victoria's agents conspired with the Vine-Bead Court's clerics to smuggle spies out of the country through the mine railway, but were caught red-handed thanks to Karlan Trade.

And before that, you were assisting the Victorians with scouring the mining site. Premeditated ill-intent.

And lest you forget, you protected the suspect following Ratatos's funeral.

You will formally be put on trial for these crimes.

By Kjeragandr... Forgive him, for he knows not of what he speaks––

It is a fact that spies have infiltrated the Vine-Bead Court. I urge you to not resist. Cooperation with our investigation is the only path to leniency.

Take Elder Great Adso, Father Frey, and the other elders of the Vine-Bead Court away for questioning. The other clerics are to remain there, awaiting their summons.

Yessir!

Now then, Great Elder Adso––

Silverash, do you think you've won?

'Those who live by the blade will find their arrogance short-lived.'

I wonder, just how long will your arbitrary reign of terror last?

Without making any unnecessary movements, Adso gives a slight nod to the crowd, then slowly walks to the door.

Great Elder! What should we do?!

...Survive.

The rest is already written in the scriptures. I have nothing else to say.

You are Her servants, and whatever happens, you must act according to your conscience.

Take him away.

By Kjeragandr, may the guilty receive their fair trial.

This is an abandoned mining shaft—the torches and tunnel lights don't work anymore. Bend down carefully, and watch your head...