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However, for many of Kjerag's villagers, your thoughts and words can hurt them, even if they are without malice.

I'm sorry... I was too rash...

That's not your fault, nor is it the fault of Kjerag's people. If anything is at fault... perhaps it is simply your differences.

Any sort of communication between people... is about these differences.

Even partners who work together in the lab, sharing the same ideas and goals, can still have disagreements.

Which is why... communication and understanding between people is so precious.

Enya folds her cloak and puts it aside, point to a snowflake on it that has not yet melted.

Oh, look at that.

...A snowflake?

The people of Kjerag sometimes use snowflakes that have not melted upon stepping indoors as a form of divination. These unbroken, branch-like snowflakes are a sign that our journey will be smooth.

According to folklore, the snow is a messenger protected by Kjeragandr, carrying important truths and omens.

It can predict the harvest, the hunt, the craftsman's hammer-fall, and even quarrels between friends and lovers.

Some may say that this iconic, tree-like hexagonal snowflake with well-defined branches is a sign of good fortune. But, others just as easily see within it a broken connection, an omen of disaster.

And so... regardless of what happens in the end, the fortune-teller always has something to say.

Worst-case scenario, they always say, 'the diviner you met was just bad; the movement of the stars had already revealed the truth long ago,' and use that to defend their authority.

You also seem quite knowledgeable about divination, Elena.

You could say I've had some run-ins with them... due to family circumstances.

In any case, most divination has nothing to do with revealing the truth. It's just... a form of self-delusion and sophistry.

A place where no people wish to go, has no roads leading to it.

If a problem does not exist, there will be no solution created to resolve it.

Fate is a fickle thing, just as your science should acknowledge that there are many things on this land that cannot be controlled or predicted.

On this great land, we are but tiny people trying to grasp a glimmer of the prophetic and the true.

Is this so different from the origins of 'scientific' discovery? Knowledge is what makes people feel safe and allows them to face an unreasonably uncertain future.

In a sense, coincidence, probability, and fate are all the same concept. Fate falls on many, just as this snowflake has fallen on my cloak.

I get it. Even placebos can be an efficacious type of medicine.

But... I've also seen many things in modern Kjerag.

In the past, I always tried to see such strong beliefs as a kind of cultural phenomenon; a ritual, a projection, a form of comfort-seeking...

But... what exactly are they to you people?

She asks the question in a soft, subdued voice. The wind outside the window has already subsided significantly.

Kjerag's Saintess looks up at the statue of Kjeragandr on the altar. Beneath a slab of stone engraved with messy markings, several brightly-colored figurines sit side-by-side.

They were exhibition goods produced around the time of the Lake Silberneherze ceremony. By the looks of things, someone brought them to this village temple as an offering to the reclusive Kjeragandr.

The clerics of the Vine-Bead Court often describe faith as walking into the darkness without a lamp, or leaping fearlessly into a silent ravine.

Everyone always seems to yearn for Her. Ascetics, devout believers, faithful followers of the Commandments—countless people endure innumerable hardships just to reach Her side.

But... for me...

She tries hard to recall, but the memories in her mind are now but struggling fragments, jumping around like frames from a movie, shrouded in a dark haze.

A strong emotion surges once more within Enya's heart.

Trouble—!

Joanna suddenly rushes in with a gasp, firewood in her arms, her cheeks flushed from running.

I just... I just saw, coming down the mountain... Lots of Victorian cars, heading for the mine!

Victorians? That mine is a joint operation with Kazimierz. What are they trying to do there...?

Have they already picked up our trail?

Don't panic just yet. Regardless of what business they have with the mine, we have to hurry.

Let's pack up our things and set out immediately. We need to be even more careful and discreet on the road ahead.

Just a second, please. I need to pack up my instrument first, and it...

Wait, how could this...?

What are you dawdling around for? Hurry and pack it up! Here, I'll help you...

What... is this?

This... 'Moderate Catastrophe Risk' written here... does it mean what I think it means?

Catastrophe...

Could there be another Catastrophe brewing...?

You know, it's real hard getting an audience with you these days.

...Enciodes.

I am truly sorry I was unable to attend the Matriarch's funeral.

Madam Sciurus, I am deeply saddened by what has befallen the Browntail clan. Please let me know if there is anything Clan Silverash can do to help.

Thanks, Enciodes.

But that's not what I came here to discuss.

Your visit this time, Madam Sciurus, must be to give me a chance to earn your trust.

Hmph... My sister once told me that you're least trustworthy when you lower your head like this.

I wonder about your opinion of me, then.

You don't have to beat around the bush. I don't like it.

My sister used to scold me for being impulsive, and for not always thinking things through before I speak or act.

I wanted to prove to her that I didn't need to hide under her wing, that I could do something for Clan Browntail.

But now, as new matriarch of the clan, there is no one left for me to prove anything to.

I understand how you feel. I... also have two younger sisters.

And you think they're both smarter than me, huh? Both Ensia, and the Saintess...

You think too little of yourself, Madam Sciurus.

However, I do think they share your persistence and determination.

Is Ensia okay? I heard... she was in an accident.

Thank you for your concern. She is safe and sound, and has already returned home.

You always keep that calm and composed demeanor.

What I want to know is... these attacks on Kjerag, including what happened to my sister... Did you know about them ahead of time?

So this is the real reason you decided to visit me today.

Enciodes, my sister had been helping you this entire time, isn't that right?

I wasn't totally in the dark about it, but it wasn't until her passing that I learned...

Your plans—for Victoria, Rhine Lab, and what Monch has been investigating... There's too much I don't know anything about.

Don't try to deny it. Don't lie to me, Enciodes. You have to know the truth behind her murder.

If you truly believe I had a hand in the Matriarch's death—

No... That's not what I mean.

I don't know what Ratatos was plotting with you, but I know for sure... that whatever it was, it was to protect Kjerag.

So... I will follow in her footsteps... Whatever Clan Browntail's affairs may be, I will take responsibility for them.

Which is why... I need you to tell me exactly what happened to her—

My apologies, Sir Enciodes, but they were determined to break in no matter what—

To what do I owe the honor, for you all to barge into my home like this?

Sir Enciodes, why did Karlan Trade transfer all its shares in the Kjerag-Kazimierz joint mining operation to Victoria without authorization?

Where did this news come from?

It is an observable fact—the mines have completely been taken over by the Victorians.

Great Elder Adso believes that such actions by Karlan Trade constitute illegal collusion with a foreign power, and as such, the Vine-Bead Court has no choice but to exercise its authority to intervene.

We require that you report to the Vine-Bead Court immediately to explain yourself.

If I understand this correctly, the Vine-Bead Court means to formally interrogate Clan Silverash?

The people of Kjerag are uneasy enough as it is. The last thing we want is to see this conflict escalate further.

However, Sir Enciodes, as the head of the clan, if you still believe you bear responsibility for Kjerag, please go to the Vine-Bead Court with us to discuss the next steps.

Very well. I have no reason to refuse.

However, if I am to explain the situation, I will need some time to prepare the relevant documents. Please allow me that.

Furthermore, I still have some things to discuss with Madam Sciurus, so I would like to ask for your patience.

Of course, Sir Enciodes.

Madam Sciurus, thank you for taking the time to look after Ensia. I would like to formally invite you to be a guest of Clan Silverash.

I would also like to thank you for your concern in person, while Ensia is present as well.

Wha...?

It would have been more courteous to have sent the invitation to you in a formal capacity.

But given the hasty nature of this matter, the best I can do is to throw something together by hand. I do hope you'll forgive me.