level_act26side_01_beg

It was autumn at the time, and I was trekking through the barren wastes with a few Iberians who were fleeing their homeland.

Just when we thought we were going to meet our ends there, the abbey appeared in front of us. It seemed like some sort of miracle, an act of divine intervention that couldn't be real.

The venerable abbot, Bishop Torregrossa, took in those people who had nowhere to go. He was a respectable elder, most pious and devout in his ways.

Under his management, this monastery, cut off from the rest of the land by the wilderness, became its own fantastical domain of sorts.

Here, people whose lives would normally never intertwine lived in harmony, depending on one another. They lived in material poverty but not spiritual poverty, making no distinction between class, all putting their best feet forward to live life.

I knew it, this handwriting...

When I made my request, the Abbot replied to me after an extended silence, saying that while he would not refuse aid to those in need, there was not much he could do, because of my distance.

Maybe because I wasn't expecting much in the first place, I didn't feel too bad about being turned down. If anything, he seemed be more guilty and chagrined about turning down my unreasonable request than the person who made it in the first place.

I am deeply gratified that there exists such a paradise for good people, but at the same time, I could not help but raise this one question:

Can this miracle, like a seed that refuses to adapt to the soil it is grown in, truly persist on this land?

Maybe I've been here a bit too long.

It's about time I set out again, to Laterano.

'People whose lives would normally never intertwine', 'making no distinction between class'...

Yes, when I first saw the scene, I also doubted my eyes, a bit.

If I was speaking just for myself, I'd really hope this peace, rare as it is, could last forever.

Come in.

Are you busy, Seniora Lemuen?

Remember that pattern you were talking about earlier? Some of the others tried embroidering it onto a quilt with me. How do you think it turned out?

Let's see... Mm, hmm. Excellent craftsmanship. It wouldn't surprise me to find it on display in a store.

You're exaggerating.

Now that it's getting colder, the blankets you have with you might not be enough to keep you warm, so everyone pitched in some fabric.

I appreciate the concern.

But if you give it to me, the others might not have enough? You should think about them first.

I know how I look, but I'm actually plenty tough. I don't get sick easily.

Haha, don't worry about us. As long as everyone chips in, it's not a big deal.

But, I must say, I'm not sure 'tough' is what comes to mind when I look at you. What's Laterano thinking these days, sending you so far away?

Well, um, about that...

It's a question I'd like to ask my superiors.

Why don't we go back?

Because Raimund and the others can't go with us! Isn't that reason enough?

You want to leave them behind? Well, I don't!

(Stupid Fina, do you really think I'm that cold-blooded? Of course I'm not going to leave behind the people I grew up with.)

(But, we can just stay stuck like this forever either. Tempers have really been high lately...)

(Is there no better solution?)

*sigh*...

What's wrong? What are you sighing for this time?

That's odd... Why are you here by yourself? Delfina's not with you?

Raimund!

What's that supposed to mean? It's not like Delfina and I are stuck together!

You might as well be. You're close enough, just one step from sharing a bed.

We do sleep together sometimes though... Hey wait, that's not the point!

When'd you get back anyway? I heard you went hunting with Senior Gerald. Any luck? Didn't get hurt, did you?

Make sure you let us know if you ever do get hurt. Don't be like Senior Gerald, who just toughs it out by himself.

I'm fine. I don't need you worrying over me for no reason.

For no reason? Who's the one who said nothing until his wounds got inflamed? And who's the one who went down into the mines without permission and barely made it back?

You–

I know, I know, let's just say it was my fault, okay?

Huh? 'Let's just say'?

...It was my fault.

Fortuna.

Yes?

Actually, I came back because I wanted to ask you... and Delfina. And of course, the others as well.

I wanted to ask... if you wanted to come with us...?

The young man stopped speaking halfway through.

He suddenly falls silent.

Raimund?

Never mind, it's no big deal.

I need to leave for a bit, and might not be back until late.

Fortuna, can you come to the roof of the sacrarium before dinner?

Bring Delfina with you too... There's something I need to tell you two.

Let me take a look. What's going on here?

They even built a road by the monastery? It stretches all the way to the edge of the city... Is it really so cramped inside? I personally think it's plenty spacious.

Are there so many people here? It must be tough feeding a crowd that big... especially out in the barrens.

See for yourself.

Someone's coming.

Hmm? Oh, someone just walked out. Should be one of the residents?

Where'd Hyman run off to...?

Oh? Salvus sis, hottie with a hidden face.

––! Who's there?!

Halos... You're Sankta.

I don't care who you people are, or what you're after, but you're not coming any closer!

Let's not jump right to drawing swords and crossbows. We only just met. Why don't we all take a deep breath and talk things through?

Good afternoon, Senior. The three of us here are from Laterano, without any ill intent. No need to be so tense... I'd be pleased as punch if you'd lower your weapon.

What brings some Laterans all the way out to these remote mountains?

Um, we were sent by His Holiness in search of two compatriots.

You're wasting your time, Richele.

It is clear to me that he knows exactly who we are and why we have come. He has hostile intent.

You clearly have strong animosity towards Laterano, judging from the displeasure on your face. From where does your hostility come?

...I have no idea what you're talking about.

You've been standing by the entrance to the side alley this whole time.

You're deliberately trying to block our view. You don't want our attention there.

So, what is in there?

Who do you think you are–

Alright, Federico, there's no need to provoke the other side! Though, I'm sure that wasn't your intention.

You haven't forgotten the mission His Holiness gave us, right? Low key, low key. We can't afford to make a mess of things again.

I wasn't trying to provoke anyone.

Hah, you Laterans are always like this. Showing up out of nowhere, making a mess out of everything.

Given the information we have, your situation wasn't looking good to begin with.

...I dare you to say that again.

Wanna fight? C'mon, I'll show you.

The air is awfully tense over there...

Federico has a way of drawing attention. And that makes light work of burglary.

But, that hooded guy over there... Ugh, something's not right here.

Forget it, I'll figure out the math later.

First, I need to find our target.

Haha, let me guess where you might be, Lemuen.

Looks like no shortage of guests today.

Hello, Senior Gerald.

I thought I'd get to see Stefano here.

His Excellency still has a lot of business to attend to. He just left.

He can't have gotten very far, so given your athleticism, I'm sure you could catch up to him.

Thanks.

I haven't heard you hitting the strings today.

If you enjoy the sound of my music, I don't mind playing something for you right now.

I'll pass.

I'm very grateful... for the joy you've been able to bring some of our people.

But not everyone finds comfort in your music. At least, I don't.

I can't imagine why a musician like you chooses to remain here... But I do hope you won't bring disaster upon us.

You think too highly of me.

As far as I know, disasters have always been buried in the soil, from whence they take root, sprout, blossom, and bear fruit.

If such a seed exists in this garden, it will break through the soil sooner or later.

And I... am simply a passerby, watching it all unfold.

We have no seeds that ought not sprout.

Before long, everything will return to normal. There will be no accidents, let alone disasters.

All I ask, young lady, is that you don't do anything unnecessary.

Are you giving advice?

No.

I'm giving you a warning.

Such roundabout, insensitive words. Though, I suppose the fact that you haven't done anything means you're holding back, right?

I suppose that's to be expected, given the circumstances.

...Hmm?

Oh my.

Pretty...

Ma'am...

Indeed, no shortage of guests today.

Please come in, my unexpected little visitors.

My name is Arturia. Would you mind telling me yours?

Okay, okay. Stop talking like that, Federico.

I didn't say anything wrong.

Just stay quiet for now, alright?

And you, young man, let's not do anything rash. We really are just looking for one of our missing colleagues, and uh, whoever you might be, we mean you no harm.

Hmph. You sure can talk.

That bruiser of yours means me no harm?

Ahem, well, you have my word. Either way... could you please let us through? If you could tell the man in charge we're here, that would be ideal.

Serpilia... Huh? Where did Serpilia go?

She's already inside.

Huh? When she–?!

Just now.

Gah! I can't let you Laterans run roughshod!

Aren't you here to see the abbot? Come with me!

Haha... Great, does that mean you're letting us in?

A warning, first: no running off like that woman–

Oh no! Hurry, s-someone!

Clément? What's wrong? What happened?!

Thank goodness, Raimund! Let the others know–

A raid?

Yeah, that's right! Err, Raimund, who are these two?

Don't worry about them! What's going on?!

Oh, r-right... It's terrible!

I was repairing the windows just now, when I saw something moving in the distance–

The band of robbers from before! They're back!