thorns

Was that my fault?

People like you may be a minority among the Iberians.

Mr. Thorns?!

When did you...?

From 'fiddling around with that Ægir again.'

Here, this is from Martín's Tavern.

Ah, thank you...

Wait a second! I'm so sorry about just now.

They aren't bad people. Please don't take it personally.

They're just concerned... We don't see a lot of outsiders here.

What's the matter?

My head hurts.

I don't like being apologized to over and over again.

S-Sorry!

The Ægir who has returned to his homeland in a manner he never expected sighs.

The past is buried deep in his heart. He can overlook a lot of things, but there is something different about this place and the people who live here.

That is why he stands here now, as an Ægir.

Because he has the ability to do so. Following his heart, he came back to the place that he never thought he would come back to.

There's nothing to apologize for.

But...

Have you finished calibrating the... what was it, 'Automatic Perpetual Sugar Sprayer'?

It fell quite a bit short of 'perpetual' in the last test.

Ah, yes! I was just about to tell you. I think I'm about to make some real progress in efficiency and endurance!

It's all thanks to that manuscript from Weedy you brought.

Thank her yourself if you have the chance.

I will!

Along with the concoction that you prepared, everyone will be so surprised tomorrow!

Mm.

Oh, by the way, I want to make some improvements to what I brewed up.

...Have you ever seen the 'Midday Flame'?

M-Mr. Thorns!

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

A-Are you okay?

I'm fine.

Just got the ratios wrong.

Things don't look fine to me...

Look, your hair got burnt!

Hm? Oh...

Just shave it off.

What are you doing with the knife? Wait! Don't cut it like that—!

For heaven's sake, at least let me do it for you!

Alright then.

Er, haha, it's nothing...

Alright, that should do it.

Thanks.

You should keep your distance, to be safe.

Are your experiments always so dangerous?

They invited you here, but then put you out in the middle of nowhere, without proper facilities...

It's fine, this is a good place.

I have all the basics here. Anything more complex probably needs an application anyway.

Application?

To the Inquisition.

Years ago, they arrested a lot of people, confiscating everything that the Islanders brought. Technology that has been lost to modern-day Iberia may still be found within the Inquisition.

And now it's time to put it to use.

There are no Ægir left in this town.

There used to be some, years ago. I heard that when my parents were young, everyone was treated the same way, whether they were Liberi or Ægir.

Until the Penal Battalion arrived.

...Yes, until they arrived.

Many people were taken, mostly Ægir, but also people of other races who were close to them.

The rest of the Ægir left one by one. People say they left of their own accord, but...

But you don't agree.

I... I don't know. I wasn't there.

You seem to know a lot about these things.

Thorns knew a lot about these things.

The fate of the Ægir in this country was sealed the moment Iberia realized the threat from the ocean, when the Inquisition began using force to deal with its tentacles stretching out from the sea.

They had breathing room in some places; in others, they were not so lucky.

This town happened to be one of the 'others.'

The fear of suppression has always hung over Iberia. Whether they left of their own accord or were forced to leave doesn't matter in the end.

A worse fate awaited those who stayed than those who went into the barrenlands, or returned to the ocean.

...Did you leave because of that too?

Yes.

So... why did you come back now?

Even I can see that life out there is good.

A strange question.

Do I need a reason?

...What?

Have you decided where you want to go?

Anywhere.

Maybe outside, away from this country.

Your eyes are calm, my child.

You're the only one who didn't try to persuade me to leave together.

You won't leave.

...You're not innocent.

Ha, perhaps.

Go, child. Your will has always been strong. Follow it.

Never stop thinking. We have the right to follow our thoughts, no matter where they lead us.

I'll remember that.

Farewell, teacher.

Don't overthink it.

Iberia provided an opportunity, and the other Ægir and I accepted its offer. There was something in it for both of us.

I see.

...I knew a fool who believed that Iberia would change.

But I don't care how it changes; I just want to do what I want to do.

You always seem so calm.

The Ægir who left, the ones who should have been our brethren...

Will they come back someday?

Maybe, if you wish it.

Aren't you doing all this in preparation for that day?

What are you doing, Felipe?!

Why have you blocked the roads? What's with these strange machines?