act49side

I waited in the north for nearly FOUR HUNDRED YEARS, and <i>this</i> is all the progress Baizao's Tianshi Bureau made on Originium research?! Tianshis today are utterly incompetent!

Who's the head Tianshi these days? Tell him to get his ass over here!

After observing the unusual meteorological phenomenon created by Londinium's Shard four years ago, the Tianshi Bureaus realized the urgency of the issue of Originium.

Since then, the Tianshis have labored night and day at their research, not daring to rest for even a second.

But I fear there is no nation upon this land who can achieve the rate of progress you have asked for.

All I asked for was this one simple thing. I would have preferred it if you told me those youngsters were thinking up of ways to slack off. That way, their hearts might not have been into doing the right thing, but at least their brains would still work.

Ursus, Kazdel... No matter where you look, there's misfortune caused by Originium.

I had hoped Number Two would be able to solve this problem once and for all... But I'm afraid time's up. There'll be people knocking on the door soon enough.

Forget it! I'll move into the Bureau tomorrow. I want to see just how today's young Tianshis are putting their smarts to use—

Wait, forget tomorrow, I'll move in this afternoon!

That you are willing to see this through personally is a good thing, Elder.

But before you move in... In regards to the question of Originium, we have a guest from afar whom you should meet with.

Oh?

I am honored to meet with you, Grand Tutor of Great Yan.

I represent Rhodes Island, and would like to express my thanks to Yan for the information they have shared. I believe in these pressing times, candid collaboration between all parties is of utmost necessity.

Rhodes Island will uphold the spirit of cooperation during our follow-up research, and keep in close contact with Yan.

First, allow me to elaborate on Rhodes Island's position regarding the Originium question...

You haven't left yet. Good.

Still planning on taking me into custody rather than letting me go, Lord Zuo?

No. The Old Tianshi has already vouched for you.

Settling this turmoil the way you did, Mo Yi... was of great merit.

...It feels strange, hearing you be so polite.

But if you're not here to arrest me, then why <i>are</i> you here?

To return this to you.

Zuo Le carefully pulls a wooden lock out of his pocket.

Things were hectic, so I forgot to return this keepsake from your mother to you. My apologies.

Oh, this thing.

Mo Yi looks at Zuo Le, her lips aquiver...

...As she pulls out two identical locks from her pocket.

(Stifled laughter) I've still got plenty of these. You can keep that one.

You—!

But I didn't lie to you. It really was my mother who taught me how to make them.

You're about to ask me where I'm from, aren't you? I can see it on your face.

If you do not wish to say, I shall not offend you by pressing the matter.

I simply hope that in the future, you will not... toy with others again.

Hah. Still playing the preacher as ever.

I've got a question of my own. What's next for the Sui Regulator?

Honestly... It's a complete mess right now.

When the chaos ended, the Supervisor admitted responsibility and resigned.

That proxy killed Sui, and after merging with that piece of Originium, he fell into something resembling slumber. An unprecedented feat. The Feranmutologists are studying it with all haste.

Sounds like a headache.

Well, not that it matters. With you around, there's no need to worry about the Sui Regulator making any big mistakes.

I am... not as confident as you are.

As my master—the one you call the 'Old Carpenter'—once said, it is because of the differences between 'you' and 'me' that all disputes arise. No matter if they are between man and beast, or man and man.

Which is why he called for 'love between all things, for all things are brothers and sisters'.

Those twelve did everything they could, and nearly died for it, just to claw back a way for them to live. If you keep looking at them with the difference between man and beast in mind, that would be pretty cruel.

I trust you on this matter.

...<i>Duoxie</i>.

Alright, chat time's over. I should get going.

Going... where?

Wherever I feel like after a big event's over.

Returning to my search for the Feranmuts, trying to find any trace of that proxy, or maybe... giving that rabble waving the banner of the Shanhaizhong a talking-to. Not sure yet.

Until we meet again, then.

The girl waves her hand, and in an instant, she disappears amidst the sand-laden wind.

Yet another journey with an unknown end.

It is not aimless wandering, though. It is simply a search for the uncertain, greater than a hunt for a drop in the ocean.

He has walked so far... and for so long.

We will take the last of Ya's vitality, and bring it to the lands beyond Yan.

The thousand-year grudge between Great Yan and the Feranmuts is now over. I pray that this land will never see such bitter conflict again.

As for your hopeful search to find Wang, Shuo, we will not be of much use, though we would dearly love to help.

We may have been companions with him along the same road, but we were acquaintances at best, and we knew little of his schemes.

...I understand.

All I humbly ask for is to please inform me if you hear news of him.

If we do, we shall tell you posthaste, Grandmaster.

But what you seek, I fear may be eternally out of reach, just as man cannot touch the face of Heaven...

This game of his... He considered himself, friend and foe, and all the changes of the changes on the board and off, perusing the effects of myriad actions... Such arduous feats will inevitably result in the opposite effect.

If what you seek is a means to free Wang from that tomb, then you seek in vain.

But if what you seek is a stone in reserve, or some idle scholarly digression... Heaven and earth are wide, and full of many mysteries.

<i>Duoxie</i>, sirs.

There may have been a moment where the land under his feet was his board. There should be some trace of him somewhere upon it.

But what is being sought is nothing more than a single black stone.

When he walked the paths of possibility alone, seeing a way out for everyone, seeking a solution, did he ever feel this... helpless?

That endless, far too endless journey... long enough to make a being like him sense the passing of fleeting time.

Man cannot touch the face of Heaven.

Any news?

Still nothing.

But I believe some trace of him must exist somewhere outside the Tomb.

Alas... If he truly did not wish to see us, would all your efforts be of any use?

Perhaps, after Jie's fading, he could not forgive Yan... or himself.

Is it this new Yan he does not wish to see, or is it someone else?

Maybe... he does not wish to draw us into his next game.

Next game? His plots are all ended. What would his next game even bring—

What can it bring indeed?

An even more hopeless matter...

He may have accomplished the replacement, but he was unable to make muddy waters run clear.

But he will not give up... He will certainly be searching too. For the traces she left behind on this land, for a glimmer of hope.

You were always the one who understood him best.

So, still determined to look for him?

I am.

And once you find him?

I will let him know that the next time he needs help, he will not be alone.

The long-lived man stops to rest his feet, turning his head to gaze off into the distance out of habit.

Yet another year passed. The snows are beginning to melt, turning the Chidao into a mud-covered bog. By the road, the withered trees sway, a sprinkling of new buds visible.

What's happening there?

It is an ordinary village, with an ordinary weiqi stall, though one surrounded by a bustling audience. Whether they watch because of a bitter battle or because of high stakes, he is unsure.

It's over. Look at the points. How much money is he going to lose over this game?

Rightfully so, might I add. Imagine learning how to gamble with weiqi at such a young age instead of studying properly.

Look, you can't blame the kid.

If it wasn't for his deadbeat gambler of a dad losing the entire family fortune at the board... Not to mention his sick little sister...

If you're going to blame him, blame his lack of skill... Then again, the rich guy he's facing is a disgusting bastard.