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Thank you. I truly appreciate your kindness, Hibiscus, but––

After your situation settles down, you should come with us to Rhodes Island too.

Me? Go to Rhodes Island?

Don't forget, you're Infected now. You'll need treatment, just like me and Mr. Czerny.

Rhodes Island is a landship. It won't stay in one place for too long, and it doesn't stay on a fixed track. It will cross through many countries, and may even sail to the end of the earth.

Plus, Rhodes Island is huge and has a lot of people onboard.

Remember my sister, Lava? She hates the health food I make just as much, so I'm sure the two of you will have a lot of common ground.

So... When this is all over, Ebenholz, come to Rhodes Island.

...If I can.

C'mon, cheer up. Don't start moping already.

Remember what Kreide said to you.

Even with how hoarse his voice was––

You can't forget what he asked of you.

No, I didn't forget... How could I ever forget?!

Then... Try your best to honor his wishes, okay?

Kreide unsteadily shambles to the center of the plaza.

With each step he takes, Originium crystals erupt from his body, his flesh and blood beginning to churn.

A strange melody lingers over the plaza.

The crystals rapidly envelop Kreide's body, transforming into armor, transforming into instruments.

In a heartbeat, the being once known as Kreide is swallowed up, and in his place stands...

(Breathes raggedly)

I... passed out again?

Hibiscus? Hibiscus!

Czerny? Ursula? Where are you?

You're awake, Graf Urtica?

Where's Hibiscus? And Czerny?

That commoner and his servant have been taken away, along with the Sarkaz woman.

But this is Czerny's house!!

Nay, it is 'a house that shelters them from the wind and rain, by the grace of Their Majesties.'

This is for everyone's good. If you had continued your discussion, there's no guarantee that they'd be able to leave Vyseheim tomorrow morning.

You despicable–

Was there something else you wanted to say?

Nothing I'd say to you.

Actually, we came to an agreement earlier. I nearly forgot.

Why isn't the Stadtrat allowing music in the Afterglow?

It's an edict they decided to issue, nothing more.

I didn't think they'd fly off the handle and pass something like that. Besides, the Afterglow has always paid taxes to Vyseheim. Why would they cut their own revenue like that?

Naturally, to prevent someone from imitating that crime.

If that was true, you wouldn't have snorted in satisfaction earlier when Czerny gave this same excuse.

You'd only feel that way if you knew he had bought into your lies.

Tch.

Let me guess... The Empresses' Voice, right?

I'd watch myself, if I were you.

Seems like I'm right on the mark.

Then, I'm assuming some Kurfürsten, like Lehnsfrau Gertrude––

You... You presumptuous little––!

You're not the best at keeping secrets either, my good sir.

By the looks of things, he's put a lot of pressure on you. Tell me, what does he think of all this?

Did you come up with this despicable plan because you wanted to exterminate the Infected of the Afterglow without causing a fuss and catching the attention of the Empresses' forces?

Show some restraint! And, I have no idea!

That's true. Each regional Stadtrat only acts in accordance with what they're told. How would they possibly be able to see through the Kurfürsten's plans?

Are you done yet?

I am.

Then allow me to say something.

Please return to your residence in the Cliffy Patio immediately.

You tried to break into a restricted area, take advantage of a commoner to sow confusion, and discuss confidential information with unauthorized individuals. None of these things will reflect well in your record.

I can't imagine you're doing this with my best interest in mind.

Let me guess... Could it be that if your report doesn't look good, it also reflects negatively upon you?

Don't pretend like you didn't hear me. I know everything in your bag of tricks by now.

Back in Urtica, whenever I got into trouble, I was always most afraid of my own 'agents' and 'attendants.'

So tell me, how do you people want me to spend the rest of my life? What's the bottom line? Be honest with me, it'll make things easier for both of us.

(Sighs)

Just go home. That's the only thing I ask of you.

But you said I'm free to go where I please until sunset. Your own words.

Those may be the rules.

But, those who truly understand the push and pull of these matters will do as I say. They follow the arrangements I lay out for them, and prove that they truly have remorse...

And yet you, and that repulsive, unrepentant air you put on like a delusional commoner – nay, like a beast that refuses to be tamed...

Get a grip already, Graf Urtica.

Listen to me and return to your residence. I'll try to put in a few good words for you in my report.

And if I don't?

Will your report curse me up and down? Will it reveal the terrible job you've been doing?

(Clicks tongue in anger)

They say you're related by blood to the one whose name we dare not speak, and it's clear to me now that the same madness runs in your veins.

So you're finally starting to be honest about me.

Don't get too uppity, boy.

You think I'm afraid of you? You're nothing more than a puppet - what could you possibly know about the art of recording?

I have a hundred ways to absolve you of responsibility while still keeping you in chains, understand? If you've gotten it through that thick skull of yours, return to your cell!

Sorry, but the sun isn't down yet. I'm free to go wherever I want.

So keep following me, my cowardly friend. Not that you dare to throw your weight around with an audience.

Ebenholz breaks into a sprint in a narrow alley.

He isn't even thinking about trying to shake off his pursuer.

If he manages to lose him, a new 'tail' will grow back in no time.

If he manages to shake them all, he still has nowhere to go...

Nowhere to go?

Before he knows it, his feet bring him to that place.

Looking at the familiar door and the unfamiliar barricades surrounding it, Ebenholz hesitates.

His 'tail' pants heavily, glaring at him viciously from not too far away. Ebenholz crosses the line of barricades and pushes open the door to the house.

Seeing him disappear through the door, the 'tail' follows him, gasping for breath.

Everything is the same as it was before that performance.

The cups, the dishes, the kettle.

The dirty stovetop, worn furniture, a crude bed, and... a shakedown mat.

Ebenholz suddenly wants to know what it feels like to sleep on it, so he lies down.

Pain. It hurts all over.

The hard ground seems to reject him, putting pressure on every bone in his back.

Just a few seconds makes him feel as if his spine is ready to snap.

The 'tail' glares at him contemptuously as if looking down at a beast, and he returns the same amount of malice.

He's right, anyway. He probably will end up back in chains.

But he's not particularly scared.

He isn't even that curious anymore.

If he were to be honest, he probably has already accepted the vicissitudes of fate.