ebnhlz

While other children frolicked beneath the sunlight, he and Kreide learned to remain calm in the face of death.

After struggling to survive through a crazed experiment, one of them became a caged fowlbeast. The other ended up worse-off than an Originium slug in the sewers.

He sought freedom amidst fear, but Kreide was powerless to seek anything beyond food and clothing.

After many years, they finally reunited here.

They decided to work together to put on a concert.

Shouldn't their misfortune have ended here?

After the conclusion of the story, he was supposed to return to his post as a puppet graf, and Kreide was supposed to earn enough money and renown to treat his grandfather.

They were supposed to learn that nobody is ever alone.

But then, they stood upon that stage.

They were ready to give everything for each other.

Generally speaking, such a story should have ended with two earning a new lease on life after making it through all that suffering.

Or, even if fate was meant to torment them, they at least should have perished together, right?

But fate wanted Kreide to die for him. Fate wanted Kreide to die at the hands of the person he intended to give his life for.

Fate wanted Kreide to die, and fate wanted Kreide's death to be meaningless.

Czerny has to leave the Afterglow to seek treatment.

He continues to survive, but will soon go to the capital to face his judgment.

The people of the Afterglow are being strangled, not even permitted to sing a lamentation for their deceased loved ones.

Don't forget what Kreide said to you.

You can't forget what he asked of you.

Kreide's words––

Have I... forgotten them?

Live on, Ebenholz, and walk through the long night.

Fight injustice, and treat others with generosity and charity.

Only by doing so will I live on in your memory.

I'll ask you, how did your day go, Ebenholz?

And you'll tell me proudly that you had a good and productive day.

You'll tell me about the challenges you face while doing good, and complain about how fate is a miser.

And it will be okay, because I'll be listening.

It's alright to complain a little, when you've worked so hard.

Only by doing so will you rise above pain and suffering, and find peace in your heart.

Remember that we've fought together against cruel fate and won.

When you think of me, laugh. Don't cry.

So, don't...

Don't go, don't go––

Wait!!

Enough!

Huh? You're crying?

Looks like you finally understand the situation you're in.

Ebenholz pulls back a drawer within the room, revealing a solitary cello bow. It is a memento left by Kreide's previous teacher.

Ebenholz carefully wraps up the bow, and takes it with him.

Good sir, do you remember when you first arrived at the scene of the incident? You confiscated my cello. Where is it?

We're holding on to it, it is an important piece of evidence––

Then how come I remember you taking it into Afterglow Hall, dawdling around for a good long while, then coming out empty-handed?

Nonsense. You––

Get back here! The sun's about to go down! Where do you think you're going?!

The Infected is still there, but he has stopped trying to approach Afterglow Hall.

He stands in the plaza in despair, as if about to be blown away by the wind.

He doesn't even notice Ebenholz's arrival.

How dare you cross the cordon?! The situation has changed! This is the Empresses' Voice we're talking about now––

You talk too much for a 'tail.'

You dare draw your wand on me?!

Unfortunately, I don't know any silencing Arts. I'll admit, I'm not as skilled as you in this regard.

But, I can get you to stay put for a while.

Oh, the plainclothes guard is here too?

Good, now nobody will get in the way.

Tell me, Herr Tail, you wouldn't have happened to hide the cello in Afterglow Hall, would you?

Entry to that area is strictly prohibited. If you think you can get away with––

Unfortunately, there's a cello behind the entrance to Afterglow Hall, quite similar to the one I gave to Kreide.

Hidden in plain view, Herr Tail. I must say, you're quite smart.

Put that cello down right now!

Please forgive me.

I don't know what you did with the bow, but... I happen to have a spare.

Alright. This 'die Melodie für Morgen' is for you out there––

Err, no, it's for each and every one of you.

(*whispers*) And you too... Kreide.

(*whispers*) I'm not waiting for tomorrow. I'll be complaining to you, just for tonight.

(*whispers*) I'm going to complain so much you'll grow sick of my annoying voice.

Is this... 'die Melodie für Morgen'?!

You're committing a crime, Graf Urtica! Do you want to bring even more ruin upon Vyseheim with your Originium Arts?!

On the contrary, Herr Tail. This is just an ordinary piece of music with no Arts involved.

I will continue to play. I will play the songs of the Infected that you don't want to hear, one by one.

If you don't want to listen, just plug your own ears. Why hold down somebody else's strings?

Is that... Graf Urtica? He's performing?!

Graf... Err, Ebenholz!

Ebenholz, thank you! Thank you for your music!

You're amazing, Ebenholz! We're listening; we're all going to keep listening! I'll accompany you––

Wait, you over there, put your instrument down!

Me?

Now that the Stadtrat has explicitly banned non-approved music, I'd recommend you refrain from joining me.

But...

This today is just something I decided to do on my own. There's no need to get yourself involved, so just sit back and listen, alright?

Ebenholz?!

The one who brought music back to the Afterglow... was you?!

On behalf of the entire Afterglow, thank you... But please, stop that right now! Your situation is already dire!

I appreciate the concern, but I'm not going to stop.

This is my performance, and I'm not letting you steal my spotlight!

Calm down and think this through, Ebenholz!

You misunderstand me, Hibiscus.

Didn't you remind me not to forget Kreide's words? It's thanks to you that I finally remembered.

Fate is cruel and unjust, but I was so stricken by grief that I forgot to fight back.

But now, I've remembered.

If there are those seeking to silence the people, then I shall give them a voice.

If it becomes a crime to pay homage, then I shall offer up a bouquet of fresh flowers.

And if anyone tries to lock me up in a so-called noble spire, then I'll blow the damned thing to smithereens!

You... You've gone too far this time!

Ah, perfect timing, Herr Tail. Please remember to include this in your report!

Unless your verdict is to get rid of me altogether, I'm done with this place!

And, most importantly, I hereby renounce my noble status!

Nobility is a shame that I can no longer tolerate for even a single day!

You've gone mad! This is unprecedented! You––