act46side

So, a violent coup is the best path forward?

Yes.

Because our Victorian friend sits in a position that cannot be reached except through violence.

Hahahaha! What you say is true, Sir Enciodes.

The unarmed Vine-Bead Court, driven to despair by the descendants of Victorians and their acolytes, helpless to defend themselves even when thieves cry thief in front of them.

Behavior determines identity better than blood.

It is a fact that since the attack on Ensia, people from the Vine-Bead Court have been falling over themselves to back Victoria.

If you are so confident you know what I'm waiting for—

The cleric and the Victorian spy caught red-handed together. Be it for the general public or the three clans, the rest speaks for itself.

I know no more about the conduct of these clerics than you do.

Even if the Duke of Caster were to come here herself, she would only tell you that I firmly rejected her offer.

That is nothing more than an excuse. A failure to control your subordinates means you are equally responsible for them, and the same applies to Karlan Trade.

...What you suggest is that the clergy of the Vine-Bead Court indulge in pleasure and collude with foreigners, while I remain oblivious and allow them to sell out Kjerag?

You and Victoria share many of the same delusions; in reality, the Vine-Bead Court has only ever wanted to use this as a pretext to expel Victoria and their true ally—

Enciodes Silverash.

However, the reality is that they ended up aligning with Victoria in practice—

All the clergy who've associated with Victoria have sworn an oath of death after you are expelled.

Their bones will nourish Kjerag's future, and they will leave no regrets behind.

So, what you propose is that Kjerag should purge itself, down to those who hunt Victorian spies to this day, those who the Duke of Caster considers enemies...

And THAT is the only way to defeat Victoria?

There is nobody around. A sudden gust of wind suddenly howls through the unfamiliar courtyard.

Carolin continues to stir around her piping-hot cup of savory milk tea, the spoon continuing to clink against the cup.

She shudders in anticipation, either due to the drink or her impending evacuation.

She stares at the swirling tea and strokes the cup, completely ignorant to the fact that the cup is engraved with Kjerag's mountain ridges.

Her thoughts are interrupted by a knock on the door.

Who is it?

...Stay back!

Sorry to keep you waiting, young lady of Victoria.

It's you...

Please pardon my intrusion, but due to the situation changing, you will be transferred to a new destination ahead of schedule.

What?

...What happened?

I only know the gist of the Vine-Bead Court's decision.

A 'gist' isn't good enough. We need to have a concrete plan of action, or else...

I will take full responsibility for the operation until you have safely left Kjerag's borders.

All you need to do is follow the instructions. As for how to leave and who will help you—

Don't overly concern yourself about such things.

Kjeragandr witnesses all, and She shall walk with us.

Stop trying to fool me with your vague and nondescript dogma...

By Kjeragandr.

In other words, I've become your responsibility now, right?

I am but a follower of Her will.

Fine. You have your beliefs, and I have mine.

But since we'll be working together, let me remind you that if this operation fails, your side will also be exposed.

That's right.

Does that not worry you at all?

The cleric simply smiles gently and takes a garment out from his bag.

No, young lady.

All I need is faith.

You can also place your faith in us. As long as we are of one heart, we can overcome our fear.

Cleric of the Vine-Bead Court.

I don't think we need to discuss this any further.

Instead, let's focus on something useful, like when we leave.

My apologies, young lady. This is a cleric's robe that I sewed myself. Please put it on for now.

This journey will take you past many people and countless eyes. If you encounter someone who comes up to you seeking prayer or answers, do not try to please them. Stay silent, and avoid them.

I will walk with you, no matter what dangers we may face.

Color me curious. Why do people pray to your god for protection even after a Catastrophe?

Just in case.

Believe me, young lady. You know too little about Kjerag.

Now, please pack your belongings. I will wait for you outside.

The door opens, and a dry, cold wind rushes in, lashing at the cleric's neck and face.

An old dagger slips from his bag, and he nonchalantly bends down to pick it up.

He knows exactly what this amulet, forged for him by his father who has returned to Kjeragandr, will ultimately be used for.

By Kjeragandr.

May this devout body be blessed, and may it spread Your holy will.

They brought excellent seeds to Kjerag as well as machinery... The Vine-Bead Court has never denied these contributions.

To be frank, I have never seen anyone so complicated in my already-withering life...

Hero.

This does nothing to dispel my doubts.

Compared to these acts, the Vine-Bead Court seems only to recognize friend and foe based on where they come from.

Then, allow me to ask you a question first, Sir Enciodes.

In your heart of hearts, what exactly is Kjerag?

...I have already answered this through my actions.

Victorian-style buildings. Victorian-style weapons. Victorian-mandated laws.

Is this your answer?

Unless we choose to seclude ourselves deeper within the mountains, shunning both external disturbances and any further advancement.

Otherwise, you might even be able to see things from Laterano or Leithanien one day.

Until one day, the people of Kjerag believe in nothing but Originium and money, unless faith itself can be sold.

Once the shell of Kjeragandr is ripped open, the people shall no longer hold any reverence for eternity. They will only chase after their own values and desires.

They will hate the strong because in this new 'theater', the more one abandons his morality, the stronger he becomes.

They will hate the weak because the weak will come to occupy the crevices of pity and charity.

Nihilism will become the most popular ideology; the people's hearts will become empty and detached, and they will take pride in this emptiness.

Your ideals are slaughtering the people of Kjerag, turning Victoria's present into our future.

...The Kjeragandr that the Vine-Bead Court worships is far more fragile than the one I worship.

If all it takes to overthrow our sacred beliefs are a few foreign tools, then how has Mount Karlan stood to this day?

How could it be that foreign tools can cover our mountains and rivers, yet foreign ideas can never be touched?

If this is what you believe, then you must also admit that what can conquer the body can also conquer the soul.

Born into a dark and hopeless era, you must race faster than the clouds to avoid being swallowed by darkness.

Faith should not drive people to become accustomed to the darkness, but rather unwaveringly affirm the yearning for light.

Yet, the more pious one is, the more destitute he becomes. In due time, he will see piety as a noose, and begin to hate the history of faith itself.

Which is why those who adhered to the teachings of Kjeragandr were ridiculed as pedantic and ignorant.

Without turning on the tap, there is no clean drinking water. Without applying chemical fertilizers, there is no fertile farmland.

You leveled the mountains and forests to build your factories, then sent the displaced back to the ruins of their homes to either sell their labor or die.

The lives you've improved for some, are fed by the happiness you've stolen from others.

O eloquent grandmaster, I ask you—how should we deal with the 'stragglers' left in your wake?

...You are right. It is a heavy responsibility that I must accept.

However, the Vine-Bead Court only fantasizes about incremental change while continuing to regard doing nothing as a virtue.

Such people have no right to judge me.

I have never sought to block Kjerag's progress. My only responsibility is to pull the reins on self-important tourists before things spiral out of control.

You're moving too quickly, Sir Enciodes.