act46side

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.

Enya never thought this road could be so smooth, so friendly.

As if she were taking a relaxing walk home, or preparing to go meet a dear friend whom she had not seen in a long while.

Almost there...

The gray-yellow sky is covered in thick clouds, streaked with faint lightning. The chill winds have picked up.

She finally reaches the summit.

Enya kneels, shuts her eyes, and begins to pray.

If... you can still hear my voice.

If you are still the merciful Kjeragandr who loves all men who live here...

My beloved Kjeragandr, this is the last time... I ask that you hear my prayer.

I have asked countless times what made Kjerag Kjerag, what made us the way we are.

Your existence might not be the answer to this question, but it is still a... small miracle, one to rejoice in.

I want to believe that the things you left upon this land are blessings, not shackles.

Throughout the centuries, you have accompanied our civilization as it grew, as a loving and wise teacher.

And centuries from now, the people of this land will have the power to move mountains and touch the sky, yet they shall still praise your name.

We will remember your kindness. We will thank you for your companionship. We will leave the cradle of your protection.

I ask that you allow me to be your vicar, so that I may protect Kjerag one last time.

This is my... final prayer...

Light shines from her palm. A gentle force calms the raging wind, stilling even the flow of time itself across this ancient land.

The Catastrophe clouds begin to scatter. The dread disaster about to strike the land has been subdued by some awesome might.

The clouds part, showering the devout woman in a kindly radiance.

The wind stops.

A Catastrophe alert?!

That's some good timing. We only just installed this warning device, and it's already coming in handy!

We need to inform the government to evacuate people right away... Oh no, the danger level—

The alert... stopped all of a sudden?

But how...? This steep drop in Originium energy fluctuations... Are the monitors broken, or...?

By Kjeragandr...

The old man hobbles along the rugged trail, walking towards the depths of the mountains. It is where he has consigned himself to.

He stops by the side of a cliff.

Why do you wish to jump?

All my life... I have lived a lie.

I should have been Her servant... but I deceived Her. Deceived myself.

It was my arrogance, my impiety, that led me down this undignified and evil road.

I cannot... forgive myself. All I can do is end this sinful life.

But if this is how you go, all the snows can do is bury your body. They can't cover up your mistakes.

No confession comes too late. You need only repent in your heart, and you will be reborn.

You know, I can't quite recall... Kjeragandr, is that what She said?

As Kjerag's most knowledgeable elder, there is still much you can do, right?

You...

The sky suddenly clears, the fierce sunlight dazzling the old man's eyes.

He sees the rays of light tear through the clouds. His chest, too, seems to burn.

Is this... a miracle...?

Just this once, Enya... From now on, everything really is in your hands.

Sorry. When the time is right, I'll come see you.

This is your final warning. This operation is not targeted at Kjerag's civilians. Please leave immediately!

If you refuse to cooperate, we cannot guarantee your safety.

The officer raises his blade high as he gives the civilians a stern warning, but none of them budge.

Soon, more and more people begin to gather.

Clerics, craftsmen, herdsmen, merchants... They stand across from the soldiers by their own accord, forming a silent wall.

One person squeezes out from the crowd. She raises her hands, walking between the two groups.

Several operators dressed in Rhodes Island uniforms follow behind her.

I'm... the 'hostage' you said you were going to rescue.

The people of Kjerag never abducted me. In fact, it was Victorian agents who trapped me in there, trying to destroy the evidence I have of Victorian operations in Kjerag. They even harmed the people trying to protect me.

All the evidence, that evidence you want so badly, is hidden somewhere you cannot touch. If you make any further moves, it will be immediately released to the public.

If you still want to silence me, then do as you will.

But these crimes you have committed on sovereign Kjerag land, under the banner of 'nobility'... You will never be able to cover them up.

We're not any sort of superior civilization. We're just better at cheating and swindling.

Just stop it already... This farce.

You...

The gloomy sky suddenly clears. As one, everyone lifts their heads.

The clouds covering the heavens disperse, replaced by a rainbow spanning the horizon.

And so, all cruelty and fear are wiped from the hearts of men.

The sunlight dazzles the eyes, as if it were advice, or perhaps deterrent.