level_act26side_03_beg

The sensation is hard to describe.

There's a strange itch on her forehead. The halo atop her crown flickers with no rhyme or reason.

Her view begins, gradually, to dim.

Yes, Fortuna can see the wrinkled abbot's incredulous gaze, and hear the noise of the onlooking crowd.

But she attempts to feel the old man's mind, as she may have done every time before, and yet his emotions no longer drift their way into her soul, not even a hint or trace—

She cannot sense the other Sankta.

She is no longer one amongst them.

Fallen...?

What's the meaning of this...? What's happening to Fortuna? Is—Is she sick?

I'll explain on the way back. First, we handle the pressing matters here—

Avus Stefano!

Save Fina! I'm begging you, save her, hurry!

Child, do not panic. Tell me clearly... what is it that happened?

Fina—Fina was bleeding everywhere, and I couldn't stop it... I couldn't find anyone to help...

It was—It was just a dumb fight—Fina wanted my patron firearm—I should have just given it to her—why didn't I give it to her?

It's all my fault...!

Fear not, fear not, child. There is naught to fear.

As informed by present circumstances, I would consider this a case of accidental injury with no subjective intent to harm.

Silence! Executor!

You would accuse this child... of aggrieving her own kin?!

How can your finger know to lay such blame—?!

It is the most rational assumption.

Rejection by the Commandments is not insurmountable. Unintentional discharges are particularly common.

The sheer drivel!

No... he's right... it was me, I pulled the trigger!

Fortuna! No, you...

Avus Stefano, it was my fault! I'll take it however they punish me!

But Fina's still... She's been hurt! Please, you have to save her!

Fine, fine, I'll see to it now—

I'll go.

I'm good with first aid. Give me a location.

Just—Just go to my room...

I can show you the way!

If you would, Clément.

Less talk, more action. Move.

This way! Follow me!

Here, right here!

The door's wide open...

Oh, the blood...

Delfina!

Quiet down! You want everyone to hear about this?!

Move, let me work!

No. She's in bad shape. Bleeding's too profuse.

And her wound is...

What do we do now?

Flowers... right! I remember His Excellency saying the sacrarium's flowers could be used for healing! Yes, right, they have to be...

Wait while I pick some!

Don't bother.

Let me go! If I—If I leave right now, we might still make it—

There's no point! Even if we stop the bleeding, we're out of time!

What? How can there be no point...?

Because there isn't one.

She was shot point blank. Severe loss of blood. I can't detect breathing.

I've <i>tried</i> first aid. Nothing. I couldn't get a pulse.

No breath... and no pulse...

It's very likely she was taken instantly.

The girl is dead.

I've locked the entrance. No one was around, fortunately. We can't have many eyewitnesses.

How are we handling this?

We wait for Serpilia to conclude treatment.

Halo discoloration is characteristic of a fallen angel. She is falling rapidly.

With consideration for stability within the monastery, this is my suggestion: cancel the sermon and lock down all news of this.

I have a proposal.

In order to avert unnecessary conflict, I and my colleagues will take over patrol duty for the following interim.

All inhabitants should return to their rooms as soon as possible, and await final verdict tomorrow.

This will ensure to the maximum extent that there are no further accidents.

Reverend Executor, this abbey is <i>not</i> under Lateran jurisdiction until it arrives at its final destination!

I am aware.

We can address any problems within the monastery on our own. We wouldn't hassle our Lateran visitors.

As you so rightly indicated, Reverend Executor, this was simply an accident. Given we still don't know Delfina's condition, this could all be a false alarm...

Accident or not, she has fallen.

It is mandatory that issues of fallen angels are assessed and addressed personally by His Holiness and the Sacred College of Cardinals.

So you want to take her back to Laterano. Not that I've once seen a two-horned Sankta in Laterano, not ever!

Tell me, Reverend Executor, how can her being 'addressed' inspire trust in me?

Well... Federico, I'm just mentioning this, but didn't His Holiness tell you to keep an eye on how often you contradict people?

What? I am not manifesting any contradiction.

Err, okay. I mean... um, your approach could be a little more conciliatory...

I do not understand your meaning.

But thank you for the suggestion.

You... *sigh* I'll take it.

I think... we're not going to get anywhere arguing about it here. Seeing as we can't leave for now anyway, we might want to find a place for, um, Seniora Fortuna here to catch her breath for a while.

Once we have the situation under control, and everyone's calmed down somewhat, we'll still have plenty of time to discuss how exactly we resolve this.

And, Most Reverend Abbot, you don't have to be so wary of Laterano. Similar cases have happened before. As long as we're sure the Commandments weren't violated with malice, the punishment should be light, at most.

Right, Federico?

Correct. But you did not have the authority to divulge that information, Richele.

Look, special circumstances.

Just, the both of you, consider it?

I have no objection.

I worry...

...Avus Stefano, don't...

It was my fault... Whatever the punishment is, I'll accept it...

Fortuna!

I'll go with you, Senior...

Then we're decided.

I'll find Seniora Fortuna somewhere to rest. You two stay here for the moment and calm down.

This room looks good enough. Err... very spacious to boot.

Don't worry too much. Your case is a relatively special one, and I imagine His Holiness will get personally involved. As long as there wasn't intent to harm, it shouldn't end up too severe.

Fina's...

Is Fina, um... the wounded Sankta citizen?

We still can't be sure of her condition, but my colleague should be treating her now. Let's think positive—things may not be that bad.

My horns...

Hm?

I wonder why I'm growing...

Horns like a Sarkaz's...?

Well, that, I'm not too sure myself... In any case, someone will tell you once we're in Laterano.

For now, just rest up here.

...Okay.

I'll be outside the door. If you need anything, just knock for me.

*sigh*... Who knows how Federico's going to handle this.

You know what? I <i>am</i> a pretty sensitive guy, if I'm being honest. I always get this cold sweat when someone's creeping around behind me.

The fun's over. Come out, Oren.

Just one question—how'd you see me?

I was just bluffing, actually. I didn't think you <i>would</i> come out.

You're not expecting me to believe that, are you?

Why not? I'm good either way.

Whatever, Richele, you little cheat.

Don't say that. I'm more honest than Serpilia, at least.

She's one of yours, isn't she? She was lying.

No... not outright, I guess. She just declined to say everything.

Where is this coming from?

We were asking her about her relation to you. All she effectively said was 'I couldn't care less about him' without revealing anything else.

She was dodging Federico's questions.

And that's your entire reason for saying she was lying? Don't you think that's a weird conclusion?

I think having the same skill under my belt helps. Besides, look at the situation here. It's easy to guess how you'd act, and I'd also guess Federico's guessed.

There's no winning with you.

Plan A should've been dragging him off for drinks, after all.

Followed by him carting you back to the Lateran?

This monastery's guests have more swagger than you think. Can't say Federico would care to wrangle me once it's all going down.

Sounds like trouble really is brewing here.

So, Oren, what are you and Serpilia planning exactly?

Once you hear me out, are you gonna help me?

Thaaat... remains to be seen.

I'd have to hear the answer first to decide.

Federico, I've got bad news.

Uh... wait, is there anyone with you?

Richele is not here.

Who cares about him!

I mean... is that Fortuna kid with you?

No. Richele escorted her to her accommodations.

If you have discovered anything, please inform me. I require confirmation of the aggrieved citizen's condition.

Fine. Then I'll give it to you straight—we were too late.

Confirmed deceased?

Confirmed. It was a fatal gunshot wound. Barring a true miracle, she's not coming back to life.

Oh, and the guy with me called Clément. He said he was going to pick some flowers, and I didn't care. I let him go.

He was out of his mind when he left...

Flowers?

Per the intel. The abbey's specialty. Not many left right now, I gather, and that's not important.

The whole was an accident, Federico. The girl wasn't lying. Accidental discharge. It might not... be all that severe...

His Holiness will judge.

Sure... I mean, even Mostima flies with him. I'm sure Our Holiness will forgive with wide arms just like always.

I'll contact Richele in a bit—I'm sure he misses being free range. It'll be me watching the girl. I won't let her run off.

As for how Lemuen and Oren are doing...

Has Oren Argiolas made contact with you?

Am I under suspicion here?

By my judgment, yes.

Oren's movements were not placed under any restrictions. Failure to contact the Lateran is conduct of his own subjective.

The Sarkaz are involved in these affairs. I conjecture Oren would not immediately leave. If he wanted all leeway for operation, it would require finding a collaborator.

And so you suspect me... But what about Richele? No thoughts about him?

Richele does not have as ample time to act alone as you do. His level of suspicion ranks below yours.

Hahaha. You're a smart cookie, Federico.

Here's my comment: no comment. All guesses here are yours. I haven't said a thing.

Good? Good. I'll be in touch.

Oh, yeah, is the Abbot there?

Yes.

Uh... are you going to relay the news to him?

That is unnecessary.

He has heard it.

...Delfina...

I must see for myself. I need to... see the child...

Your Excellency may act freely.

However, Serpilia would not misjudge. I do not recommend spending additional time on reconfirming.

I am tentatively assuming Oren Argiolas is still aboard, and has some sort of scheme.

I must now ascertain in detail all movements he made prior to his disappearance staying at this monastery, as well as all recent absences and returns of monastery personnel. I ask you comply.

Reverend Executor, what <i>is</i> necessity to you? What line do you draw between the necessary and unnecessary?

Can you truly not hear your kin lamenting? Does emotion truly mean nothing in your mind?

I will not deny that.

And should that be, you are no worthy harbinger of Paradise.

And should you represent Laterano...

Laterano is no worthy shepherd of my faith.

Please answer my questions, Your Excellency: Has Oren acted abnormally in any way within the monastery? Have any other people lodged recently at the monastery?

My words are wasted on you.

Do as you will, Reverend Executor.

Finished...

Trust him to use up every last page of a notebook this thick.

Lemuen heaves a sigh, and closes the antique plain colored notebook shut.

Her fingers trace over the nicks and scrapes that decorate the cover, each one hiding a story of its own.

If back then...

Oh, what am I thinking?

Right, now then... Hm, it's time I got to work myself.

With Serpilia's group already here, I can't keep on dawdling.

Hm?

Is someone outside? If you're looking for me, you can come right in.

Well, well, that's not a guest I'd expect.

Sorry, visitor, but you came at a bad time—I don't have any tea to offer you.