act46side

Enya cannot comprehend what she is hearing. Her memory begins to blur, and she feels a sort of link being torn apart.

'Kjarr.'

A familiar voice, belonging to a friend, a miracle, or... a hallucination?

She can't believe it. She must not. Fear and loneliness comes over her, and it is all she could do to keep her arms from trembling.

Say something, Enya...

I... I can understand Elena's position.

However, I recall a section of the <i>Kjeragandr...</i>

'Her heart is the heart of Karlan, deep within the mountains. From the beating of Her heart grew the flesh and bones of Kjerag.'

This is the description of the origins of Kjerag, as the scriptures record.

We used to assume that the Heart of Karlan was Lake Silberneherze, which was why we built Kjeragandr's statue there.

In my studies these past several days, however, I found that the ancient tomes considered the freezing of the Heart of Karlan to be an unusual phenomenon. But Lake Silberneherze freezes every year...

Sounds like a figure of speech...

Don't interrupt the Saintess while she's thinking!

Maybe the Heart of Karlan actually refers to something else...

The Great Elder guided me to the 'Radsorn', but it is in fact the 'Heart of Karlan' that holds the answer...

You mentioned the central area of this 'special vein'?

Yes! I built a model based on the shape of Kjerag's mountains, and I calculated that the extraterrestrial object likely fell on...

this location.

Isn't this.... the Kjerag-Kazimierz mines?

Mines? Yes! Now it all makes sense!

There's no time to waste! We need to go—

One moment, foreigner! We didn't say anything about letting you around Kjerag on your own, not to mention all the disrespect you've shown to Kjeragandr—

It's alright, Joanna.

We don't force our faith onto others. Besides, we need to find the truth behind this Catastrophe... we'll let her travel with us.

Elena...

Hm?

While Enya and Joanna were talking, Elena put the books back on the shelf, and now sits on the window sill, waving at the other two.

Actually, there's usually no one at the main entrance to the Hall of Writings.

Cold moonlight pours through the dark clouds upon the decorations in Ratatos's room.

Sciurus thought she would be afraid to see Ratatos's things, but she feels so tired that she does not even have the strength for sorrow.

She knows full well that she simply imitated Ratatos in dealing with the other clans, a few days ago.

But the more she tries, the more Ratatos's shadow lingers.

Sciurus looks outside. It seems snow is once again falling on Browntail land.

'Look, Sciurus. Do this to the snowball, and it'll go even further when you throw it. Try it.'

'I don't need you to teach me...'

'I don't want to become you.'

'I hate you. I hate everything you make me do.'

The echoes of memory are like the deafening roar of a mountain collapsing. She feels a lump in her chest.

The dust-covered contracts and letters in the box bear witness to the development of Clan Browntail over the years.

Sciurus examines the marks left behind by Ratatos on the family's business documents, and finds, at the bottom of each page, where the name of the Browntail matriarch should be—

'Sciurus'

'Remember, Sciurus.'

'I'm your older sister, and I'll become the leader of Clan Browntail. So you need to listen to me.'

'Prove that you can do better, if you're not happy about that.'

'When that time comes...'

'I hope you'll carry the future of Clan Browntail on your shoulders.'

Sciurus anxiously flips through the pages.

But each and every document has her name on it.

Until she reaches the bottom of the pile, that little box from her memory—

The secret that belongs to the two of them.

'This holds all the things that I want to give you, but don't want the adults to see.'

'Don't tell anyone. It's a secret.'

'A secret between the two of us, you and me.'

This is...

A communicator?

Sciurus gazes at the device in her hand, the dim light illuminating her hesitation.

The final audio log...

I got Karlan Trade's intel about the suspicious woman. I've been watching her all morning, and I think she's planning to make a run for it.

This voice... it's Monch?

Good. Keep a close eye on her. Don't let her get away, or pass the documents to anyone else.

Yes, ma'am... Karlan Trade says we need to be careful and not draw attention.

Take her alive, if possible. There are a lot of questions we need to ask her.

I'll tell Enciodes to send help from Karlan Trade.

Understood. I'll do my best.

Be careful, and don't leave loose ends.

Finally, there is an unanswered call from Karlan Trade.

Call time... yesterday?

...Karlan Trade?

How much longer?

Patience please, Mr. Bellingham.

As you know, the Duke has been very busy lately, having to receive several guests each day.

You should remember, sir, the last time I came here...

*sigh*——

So, I'd like to ask... How has she been lately?

Fairly pleasant for the most part. After all, the negotiations with the Kazimierzians have been nearing completion over the past few days.

As soon as he finishes speaking, a dejected gentleman strides past the Trilby Asher.

The Trilby Asher recognizes him as Derek, head of the press office. Perhaps due to the recent wave of bad publicity, he wipes the sweat off his brow with trembling hands.

...I suspect today is not one such day.

Is that Bellingham outside? Let him in first. Don't keep him waiting.

The butler nods, and the Trilby Asher hesitates for a moment before stepping into the room.

Seated in the middle is the Duke of Caster, with a young noble standing at her side.

...I have another question. What kind of person is this Kazimierzian representative you met?

He is a merchant, Your Grace.

Hmm, Kazimierz...

Tell him that should he agree to my terms, I am willing to lift some of the embargos on industrial equipment.

For them, there are many ways to obtain cheap minerals, and Kjerag is hardly irreplaceable.

I will let him know that only Victoria can satisfy his technological and equipment needs, especially when it comes to Originium—

No.

You are a member of House Caster. These minutiae are best left for servants to convey, whereas we should always leave ourselves room to maneuver.

The Kazimierzians know little about the resources we command, so why not let them exercise their imagination? Do you understand?

No worries. I guarantee that he will side with us.

'Forever honor your commitments.' If you cannot, don't make them in the first place.

That is true of the Kazimierzian representative, and even moreso for me.

You may leave.

Yes... My apologies, Your Grace.

Once again, you have to see me disciplining these good-for-nothing whelps.

Belli.

I thank Your Grace for the trust you have placed in me.

Let's not waste time on small talk. I trust you saw the gentleman who left earlier, yes?

If I'm not mistaken, that was a certain Derek, the man in charge of news and public opinion.