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In truth, I was just trying to show you off.

There's no need to feel guilty about it.

It gave my life meaning.

After all, I was a wild child who popped suddenly into the family. My presence was unwelcome to many.

How can you be sure I did not use your name for my own designs in the process?

If you did, you hid it well.

Heh. How very you.

Besides—

At first, I did not enjoy running around the hills and mountains.

With time, however, as I walked the forests and the mountain trails—

As I climbed the snowy peaks—

As I breathed the air atop the peaks, and watched the spectacle of the mountains in the distance against the blue sky—

I felt happy.

I began to enjoy it.

Captain, Mast—SilverAsh. You're here.

Report.

We have good news and bad news.

Start with the good news.

This is the last location we're scheduled to visit on this survey trip. We've successfully plotted the Terra Nullius between Kjerag and our neighboring countries.

We have also located all the independent villages in Terra Nullius.

The experts have already plotted the most efficient and cost-effective route for transportation, assuming that the villages could be persuaded to act as hubs and depots.

And the bad news?

The bad news is... although plans for the route are essentially in place, and costs as well as time required are largely within acceptable boundaries...

Not all villages have accepted our proposal.

That's also to be expected. Which ones are they?

Take a look.

These few villages, especially this one.

They are not friendly to outsiders. The village headman, at least, seems reasonable, but opposition from the others puts him in an awkward position.

Wait, this village...

Pack it up.

Abandoning the plan?

No.

I'm going back to Turicum.

The key to persuading those villagers lies there.

Just to make sure I understand this correctly, Mr. Weiss... you need to persuade the villagers in order to establish a logistics route.

That's why you want me to write a letter to my father.

The villagers hold your father in high-esteem, after all.

Of course, we're not going to force you, if you're not willing.

I've already told you the potential risks, and the benefits.

Of course I'm willing!

If not for your recommendation, I would never have come to Kjerag, and I wouldn't have found this job.

Besides, it would be a dream come true if you really managed to establish such a route around Kjerag!

I'll get to it at once!

Wait.

Yes?

It's been a while since you've been home, hasn't it? If there's anything you want to send back to your family, I'll deliver it for you.

I-I couldn't trouble you with that.

It's no trouble. These villages on the frontier rarely get supplies from Kjerag.

Besides, it would improve the chances of swaying your father.

If you put it that way, I guess it would be rude to refuse.

You know the staff at Turicum Station well.

It's the main hub for all mail and cargo that goes through Kjerag.

I like it.

Is that why you chose to study logistics at Rhodes Island?

Yes.

I enjoy running through the mountains.

I enjoy seeing the expressions on faces when messages, letters, and packages are delivered.

Be it your face, or any others.

Be it expressions of joy, pain, or sorrow.

Maybe it all began with a childhood whim of yours—

But I began to enjoy the feeling.

The feeling of linking people together.

Besides...

At first, I didn't understand why you wouldn't give me and Matterhorn specific duties at Karlan Trade.

With time, however, I began to understand—

You wanted us to decide our own futures.

I never thought of myself as your master.

That's why I never thought about determining your fates for you.

But you never tell people what you think.

On this trip, I kept pondering why you wanted to tag along.

It didn't seem like something worth your time and effort, whether you meant to urge me to stay, or urge me to go.

Now, I'm beginning to understand.

Tell me more.

Now is not the time, not yet.

Perhaps you've forgotten—

But we've been to this village that we're about to visit before, more than a decade ago.

Yes?

Here's the letter, Mr. Weiss!

And this is the stuff to send to my folks.

It might be a little too much. If you don't think it works—

It's fine. Give them to this man here.

Wait, isn't that Sir Enciodes—

No, he's a member of the Kjerag Expedition, of which I am the captain.

...I see. I remember it now.

I'll take it.

H-Here you go, sir.

Ugh... it's heavy.

Who are you?

Have you forgotten me, Sage Edwards?

I am Weiss, captain of the Kjerag Expedition. This one here is Matterhorn, a warrior under my charge.

Ah, yes, I remember you.

Come and greet the sage, Matterhorn.

It's been a while, sir.

Very good, very good.

At first I thought you were hillmen coming from who-knows-where. Little could I imagine that you were heralds of Kjerag.

How is that son of mine, Chris, doing in Kjerag?

We came to deliver Chris's letter, sir.

Along with the gifts he prepared for his family.

So many things? My goodness. He shouldn't have.

(Softly) Whew—