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By Kjeragandr.

By Kjeragandr.

I'm very sorry, but I've gathered you here today not for the study of scriptures, but for more mundane concerns.

A Kazimierz trade representative has requested a meeting with the Saintess of Karlan. May I have your thoughts?

Preposterous! How can an outsider be allowed to meet the Saintess on a whim?

Moreover, Karlan will not tolerate outsiders treading upon her land.

True. If we welcomed secular matters into the Vine-Bead Court, I fear it would unnecessarily disturb the peace of all present.

But as Kjerag's administrator, declining their request would inevitably harm our diplomatic efforts.

It was always Enciodes's role to discuss business with outsiders. This is the wish of a mere businessman. Moreover, wanting to chat with the Saintess is inappropriate in itself.

I'm afraid you're wrong. The General Chamber of Commerce's sway in Kazimierz cannot be belittled.

On top of which, I'm worried they will leverage their developed economy and enormous capital to pressure us into submitting to unfavorable contract terms.

A GCC representative being sent to Kjerag signifies their desire to partner with us on multiple fronts.

More importantly, this requested audience shows obvious intent far beyond the commercial.

A contract with Karlan Trade was only the beginning.

Enciodes is only leader of the Silverashes, after all. The weight of his promises and guarantees could never rival mine.

If you should personally meet an outsider, Saintess... such action alone would be weighty enough.

My view exactly.

So you have resolved to bring an outsider into the Vine-Bead Court?

No. Karlan is still Karlan, and the Vine-Bead Court is sacred ground within Kjerag. I would not wish to displease Kjeragandr.

Thus, I will descend the mountain to receive Kazimierz's representative.

That's...

Descending merely to bend to an outsider's rudeness—this is beyond improper.

Even our own devout citizens are hard-pressed to glimpse the Saintess. Why should this faithless outsider be allowed to meet her so casually?

Hm. I agree that he should be made to realize what an honor such a meeting is, so I will require that he attend with the worshippers at the upcoming ceremonies to pay respects to Kjeragandr.

As for Kjerag's people... Perhaps they will not understand their Saintess' decision this time, but eventually they will come to accept this shift.

As our connection with the outside world grows more intimate by the day, I can only presume more such political figures will seek meetings here. And I must assume responsibility in kind.

Furthermore, I invite all Elders to weigh this matter too. No doubt you're all aware of the potential consequences of indulging Enciodes in his business.

In exchange for industrial technology, Karlan Trade has signed many an unfavorable contract for Kjerag, this much is certain.

I am not criticizing him; he was powerless to do anything else. However, my hope is that circumstances will gradually become more advantageous for us over time.

Surely Kjeragandr, who protects our people, would wish for this too.

Enciodes, Enciodes... If not for him, Kjerag wouldn't be so... *sigh*.

Now, now. Most people don't spend their lives looking out over snowy mountains.

We're all old fuddy-duddies by now. What's the harm in letting the youngsters live more comfortable lives?

However, Saintess, I'm afraid you have a difficult road ahead of you.

That's fine by me. Between the care of my maids and the protection of the Silverashes' soldiers, I have little to worry about.

And you have no need to fret over the ordeals of the conference table... Kjeragandr will bless Her people.

Whew—this place is freezing.

I can’t remember the last time I went somewhere I could see my breath.

Man, I just wanted to see some snow. If I knew this place was so freaking chilly, I wouldn't have applied for Kjerag fieldwork.

Eh, at least I'm just here to meet someone, and HR said I can call it off if they don't show up by 4 PM.

Applying for a post and then missing the appointment? Who does this guy think he is?

Might as well check the file... 'Pramanix'. Derived from 'first snow'. Chilly name, too. Those clothes look pretty snug though.

Ah, whatever, I'll go ask if they sell any heat patches around here.

Hey, sir, do you stock any heat patches?

Yes, yes, coming—heat what now? I didn't quite catch that.

You must be a tourist from afar. You want some nice warm tea, I'm guessing?

It's pretty cold here, no? Some tourists say they could freeze to death, others say it's nothing special.

I'll pour you some tea while you take a look around.

Uh, okay...

Whew, this place sure does have everything. Never seen any of it before either.

Here, get some tea in you for now. This is what keeps us going when we cross the snowfields here.

Oh, sure. Thanks.

So where are you from?

Um, Rhodes Island...?

Rings a bell... but I can't put a face to the name, as it were. Tourists are always coming and going, you know.

(The person in that portrait strikes me as kinda familiar though...)

Who ever knew the outside world was so gosh darn huge? I've a mind to see it myself, once I save up enough cash.

(Let me take that photo out again.)

First time in Kjerag? Or repeat visitor? We do sell souvenirs...

Sorry, but can I ask a weird question? Do a lot of people in Kjerag look like the one in this picture?

What in the...? This is our Saintess, you know. We'd be in trouble if there were any lookalikes running around.

*cough*, *cough* *cough* *cough*...

Times were, the Saintess only had a few portraits, each hung in front of a clan's home. Their subjects would go in person to pray to it.

If I'm honest, no one ever knew whether the portraits looked anything like the Saintess. Commoners like us'd only get to see her once a year at most, at the Ceremony.

And that's from across a sea of people in the square. One glimpse a mile away.

The chance to hear the Saintess' bell, to receive Kjeragandr's blessings, that was enough for us.

But times change. Tourists started coming in, and Sir Enciodes learned an awful lot of outsiders were curious about the Saintess, so he called on everyone to make all these portraits, embroideries, and statues.

Of course, he'd make sure the portraits were accurate too. After all, he gets to meet the Saintess herself all the time.

I mean, she's his own little sister, so of course he knows her well, yeah?

Ha, I never knew...

So, hypothetically speaking, what would happen if the Saintess left Kjerag?

Huh? How would she? She hardly ever even comes down from Karlan.

And when she does, it's because something big's happened.

Hey, boy, you'd never believe me if I told you Kjerag is blessed by Kjeragandr, would you? None of you tourists do.

Er, I'd say I'm closer to agnostic...?

Now listen here. My business is only around thanks to Kjeragandr's miracles, brought about by the Saintess.

I had barely opened my shop last year when they started fighting.

'They' being...?

*Sigh* The three clans, wouldn't you know it. Strife and turmoil.

They didn't just fight either, the worst part was when they blew up the railroad. No railroad, no tourists, no freight.

I'd put all the savings I'd scraped together into this, and now my business was frozen over. What's a man to do?

So I prayed day after day, begging Kjeragandr to show me a way.

And sure as sure, my prayers came true. The Saintess descended, Kjeragandr created a miracle, and nobody dared try anything else.

Ah, by Kjeragandr...

So, just—I'm just curious here, what's the Saintess like in person? Is she, uh, easy to get along with?

Haha, listen to yourself.

The Saintess is the recipient of Kjeragandr, so she'd have to be the forgiving sort.

If I weren't so sure that Kjeragandr Herself is a forgiving god, how would I find it in me to even answer such an offensive question?

Haha, yeah, sorry about that...

Thanks, sir. I'll take one of your cloaks.

Er, just a normal one, please. It doesn't need the Saintess embroidered on it... Normal, thanks.

It's been such a pleasure meeting with you, but I'm sorry, I'm afraid I must cut this short.

The Saintess' daily meditation is soon, and I cannot neglect it.

No, no, I'm the one who should be sorry for disturbing your routine. Please, do as you always do.

To be honest, I wasn't actually expecting to get to meet the Karlan Saintess on this visit.

I'm more than happy to show myself, given Kazimierz's interest in mutually beneficial exchange with Kjerag.

And I'd imagine that for the Kazimierz General Chamber of Commerce, successfully reaching Kjerag's Saintess is itself a form of provocation.

Meaning...?

Before too long, the Adeptus Sprawiedliwi Kazimierz will attempt to contact Kjerag as well.

...You're quite familiar with us.