act46side

Why exactly do you think I would agree to your revisions? You've lost your mind.

I have faith that you will agree.

...What in the...?

This is the bargaining chip I have brought with me today.

I am terribly sorry. We are of the belief that using military force to dictate a bilateral agreement is hardly reasonable.

But this may be the only form of negotiation you are willing to accept.

What was that?!

Who's firing at us?!

It's that battleship! Dammit, there's only the one, how can it have that much firepower?!

No, that's not it!

It looked like the cannonfire came from the mountains!

Keep them coming!

Keep those hands moving, don't give the Victorians a chance to breathe!

You there, big guy. Can't you load these shells any faster?

On it, ma'am!

You shouldn't be moving about so much, Rus. You need to mind your health—

Shut it!

Enciodes stashed some lovely little things up here in the mountains, and I finally have a golden opportunity to play with these new toys!

On my order! Aim at Caster's flagship, then fire!

Let them get a taste of Kjeragandr's protection!

Madam Sciurus, the mission Sir Enciodes entrusted us with was <i>intimidating</i> Caster's fleet. Please keep in mind that he is still aboard the <i>Gloriana.</i>

If you do not follow the plan, I shall be forced to stop you.

I know, I know... Sheesh, can't even take a joke.

These are the secrets my sister and Enciodes had been keeping quiet about this whole time.

You really are something, Weiss. The Victorians were scouring the mountains for Enciodes's arsenal, but they never would've expected it was right in front of their eyes, in our logistics vehicles.

I can't believe she'd hide this even from <i>me</i>... Ratatos, the next time I see you, I'm going to—

This was the most... crucial mission Sir Enciodes gave me.

These weapons... Their scale, their very existence, is Kjerag's greatest secret. Even now.

We still need to keep quiet about them. Our biggest trump card is that the Victorians have no idea how much military power we have.

We need to keep Caster's judgment off-balance.

Nobody can really say what would happen if her fleet really did take one step forward, after all...

I am well aware of the situation right now. You don't need to explain it to me bit by bit.

Ratatos... This time, make sure you take care of yourself...

(Whispers) Your Grace, we still have no way of confirming the artillery's whereabouts.

We have informed all ships to enter defense mode—

No need for your report. All you need to know is that, at this very moment, there are enough large-scale cannons in Mount Karlan to shred the entirety of your fleet.

All your ships are within range.

...You think two shells is enough for me to believe you have the power to annihilate my fleet?

D5, east, two hundred meters.

The moment Enciodes speaks, a precision shell lands by the eastern flank of the <i>Gloriana</i>. The blast wave lifts up the hems of the pair's clothes.

It seems there is no need for further proof.

Surely this weaponry is not the product of your own research?

Which of them has been helping you, Gododdin? Normandy?

Is that really such an important question right now?

You may cut off Kjerag's connections to our allies, but we have our ways of finding new ones.

Such painstaking effort just for your opening...

Merely tactics we were forced to use.

With such limited time, Kjerag's military development had no choice but to pursue another specialization.

Even if we were given another ten years, I fear Kjerag would still be unable to muster up a fleet that could stand against yours.

But it seems your formidable vessels have made you forget that the battlefield is not only a clash between warships.

Kjerag only means to defend ourselves, and we have no intention of robbing other nations of their coin. So compared to high-speed battleships, we went for a more suitable option.

Our mountains form a natural barrier. When lined with artillery, they serve as a natural shield, an aegis you have no hope of breaking.

But when all is said and done, if you had not prematurely treated these 'negotiations' as a surrender, you would not have fallen into such passivity.

Hmph...

Then... You are determined to open hostilities with me today.

Hardly, hardly.

Just as how your fleet did not come here with intent to wage war with Kjerag, my goal today is simply to facilitate a discussion.

I too have prepared an agreement for you. It contains various clauses on things such as tariffs between Victoria and Kjerag and our joint mining projects. You may look over it now.

Once you have signed it, Kjerag will be happy to escort you back safely to Victoria.

You think you can threaten me like this, child?

Too radical a stance at the negotiating table will only serve to betray your lack of confidence.

If I call your bluff and order my ships forward, then things will get ugly.

It would be an incredible shame.

I had considered this possibility before I came to these talks.

It's just that, if people far in the future were to discuss how the Duke of Caster and some insignificant nobody died fighting each other in the snow, why, that would certainly bring shame to the Caster name, perhaps even all Victoria.

But in Kjerag? If I am gone, there are countless others who will do what I would have done. They will continue developing Kjerag until she has become a nation none can sneer at.

I know that accepting such an unfair agreement must also be a difficult choice for you.

I can give you half an hour—but know this. For every minute you hesitate, all energy prices mentioned in the agreement will increase, just a little. A condition Victoria cannot refuse.

This is the price you must pay for trampling across our land.

Ah!

There's... There's just... so much blood...

Degenbrecher!

She needs emergency treatment. You got any more bandages here?

I... I'll go find some!

Degenbrecher... How did you get so hurt?

She held off seventeen Trilby Ashers by herself. She's something, alright.

The enemy's retreated for now, so my team will take over guarding this place from her.

But there's still so many Victorian soldiers out there... What will you...?

I'll keep going until my mission is complete.

You...

More people are going to get hurt...

Is something going on outside again?

Let me reconfirm: orders are to... carry out a frontal assault on the Vine-Bead Court?

Assault the Vine-Bead Court and rescue the abducted Victorian citizen.

...And capture Ratatos, who might be carrying key military secrets of Kjerag.

...Acknowledged.

All hands, load live ammunition.

We storm the Court.

You...

Before you is holy ground. None may enter as they please.

Please leave.

If you don't wish to be harmed, then let us through. That is an order.

Are you... refusing?

You have obeyed your orders in coming here. So too, do we obey Kjeragandr's commands as we do the same.

Let us follow our hearts, and do what we must do.

Enya has changed into her most solemn of clothes, treading once more onto the road that tested the Saintesses.

She thinks of the countless Saintesses of a millennium ago who walked this rocky path. Her every step echoes with theirs across the ages.

What wishes did they carry with them when they met with the Kjeragandr of their hearts? Did any of them question the existence of their god, and did any of them receive Her favor?

As for her... How did she climb this mountain the first time around?

It was such a long time ago. The emotions she felt have become hazy. Her memories of the time have begun to deform.