excu

Federico... Federico! You're walking too fast! Please, wait up!

What's the matter, Trainee Roberto?

C'mon, why are you acting so cold? Didn't we both report in to the Notarial Hall on the same day? We're practically destined to become best buds, aren't we?

I promised Ranieri that I'd visit his sweets shop after work to have some pudding. You should come too!

That is an agreement between you and Trainee Ranieri. There's no need to involve me.

Also, please remove your hand from my shoulder. Excessive physical contact interferes with the efficiency of my work.

What work...? Oh, are you talking about the investigation we just did of the Pagus Stevonus Central Hospital?

That would be the only item on our list of outstanding tasks.

But didn't the doctor say that everyone involved in the accident came down with some disease?

Something went wrong with the patients' collective empathy... While that's tragic, we're executors, not medics, and there's not a whole lot we can do.

I've already reviewed the hospital records. Diseases related to the loss of collective empathy are extremely rare, with only seven recorded cases. Whereas in the past three days, we've received fifteen patients with the exact same symptoms across the various districts.

Statistical anomalies like this cannot be ignored.

So you suspect they're not actually sick? Then, what do you think is causing all this? Ha, you don't think there's some weirdo out there purposefully stuffing their heads full of emotions that don't belong to them, do you?

It is certainly one possibility.

...I was just kidding.

I would need to do more research before making any further conjectures.

Alright then. Sounds like you won't be enjoying yourself with us. I can get a few muffins for you though – what flavor do you... Hey, would it kill you to stop walking so fast?!

...And that is the general outline of the case.

As you are a famous neurosurgeon, I am here to ask for your professional opinion.

Is there any way to artificially interfere with the collective empathy between Sankta?

Interfering with our collective empathy... *cough*, *cough*! Fede, what you speak of is utterly impossible. Our empathy is a miracle unique to our race. Who could possibly hope to pry it wide open?

...Impossible?

Understood. Thank you for sharing your professional input.

As always, I brought some food, and will leave it in the fridge.

...The fridge is full. I'll dump out some of the expired food before I leave.

I know how busy you are with work. You don't have to keep visiting me all the time.

The curtains are drawn open.

The curtains? *cough*, *cough* That was me. I went out a bit, earlier in the day. Why?

Avuncle, I don't have classes right now, and can stay for up to a week.

I was planning on clearing up some of the clutter in the living room today. I learned some Arts for quickly crushing hard objects that should prove useful in a large cleanup.

Out of consideration for the possible noise, I'd advise you to stay inside. I'll relocate any of your valuables, so...

...It's gone.

What's gone?

The cello. Arturia always kept it by the window. Now, the curtains are drawn open and the cello is gone.

Did she leave?

...I let her go.

I sent her to Leithanien. She's had so many teachers anyway, and they've all praised her 'gift.'

Hah. 'Gift'! The damn thing ruined your aunt, the woman I loved!

You still can't accept her.

How could I? Whenever I see her, whenever I hear her music... I'm reminded of the pain of losing a loved one.

Mm. The pain you feel has even started to affect your physical health.

Fede, you have no idea how much I envy you. Do you not miss the people who've passed on? Like your aunt, or your parents?

I remember every detail of the time I spent with them.

But do you ever go crazy thinking about how much you miss them? Do you ever feel regret for not spending your time with them more meaningfully?

Mater taught me that if I always make the best possible choice in the moment, then there is nothing to regret.

...Which is why I envy you. Because her music won't affect you.

Ha. It goes beyond that though, child. I envy you and your lack of empathy. I envy you for not becoming addicted to emotions, let alone regret.

Based on what I see, you've already started to regret your latest decision.

You know full well that Leithanien's synthesis of musical and Arts talent will only serve to further strengthen Arturia's Arts.

During the funeral, she made everyone who heard her music recall my aunt, and in the process revealed their hidden emotions.

Fortunately, everyone's lives returned to normal after the performance. Aside from some embarrassing memories, her music did not cause any lasting harm.

But that may not be the case next time. When she returns to Laterano, her special 'gift' may cause even greater turmoil.

Even greater turmoil.

For example, some low-probability events that would otherwise never happen.

Federico looks to the window. Indeed, there is no longer a cello casting its shadow beside it.

But Federico's memory never errs. For the last four years, Marcello had never opened the curtains, no matter how bright the sun was outside.

To be more precise, he found it unbearable to even approach the place where the cello once rested.

When I told you about the case, I did not mention that it was an 'empathetic expansion' incident.

Hmm...

You don't have to answer the questions I am about to ask, but know that I will also interpret your silence as an answer.

Avuncle Marcello, has Arturia been here recently?

Seniora, the test results have all come back. Your nerves are a bit overstimulated right now, but otherwise, there's nothing particularly wrong with your body.

But you're still not willing to talk?

Those two... Err, no, that one young executor came by again.

He keeps asking to see you, but he's... a bit too blunt. The doctor is worried that his brusque manner will disrupt your mental state again, just when we've finally gotten your mood to stabilize.

Uhh, what's this... a slip of paper? He slipped a note under the door with a name written on it.

'Arturia.' What's that supposed to mean?

...*gasp*!

Wh-Why are you so agitated all of a sudden?! Should I call the doctor?

No... I'd like to meet with him.

Hello.

...I can't feel you.

If you mean that your empathy did not alert you to my presence, then that is not due to any empathetic imbalance on your part, but rather a problem with me.

Did you cut yourself off from our collective empathy, or do you suffer from some deficiency?

The professionals lean towards it being physiological.

Poor child.

You'll never know... what you are lacking.

I appreciate your concern, but I've come to the conclusion that I am perfectly capable of performing my duties.

Moving on, I'd like to ask you a direct question – have you met with Arturia Giallo recently?

...I have.

I saw her. No, more than that... I heard her. I heard her performing.

I can infer that she was performing at the church where you worked. Everyone who attended service that day heard her play.

I was conducting a sermon that day.

Did you know Arturia beforehand?

...No. That was my first time meeting her.

She sat in the corner of the front row, listened to the entire sermon, then asked me a question.

Please state the question in question.

She asked me...

You just asked us to close our eyes and feel the emotions of our fellow countrymen sitting beside us.

So I did.

I felt... bathed in peace and joy, just like every moment I spend in Laterano City.

But Seniora, I can't help but wonder, what of that day five years ago?

When those refugees, displaced by war, came to our doorsteps after crossing the wilderness, only to be ignored by you. Did you feel the pain in their hearts?

What... are you talking about?

It seems that your memories have faded with time. Allow me to help you recall.

Among them were children and the elderly. Feline and Liberi. And also... several Sankta who'd been born elsewhere.

They journeyed here under the guidance of a kind-hearted individual, believing that someone in Laterano would help them.

But the hopes of those poor souls were shattered. It didn't take long for most of them to perish in the sands.

...And you wish to take revenge on me on their behalf, child?

Because of my fear of Oripathy, because of my inability to empathize with their suffering.... You've come here to expose me, to shame me?