level_act27side_st03

Some ecologists have categorized all the fowlbeasts on this great land into two categories—'Wayfowls' and 'Homefowls'.

The former will, owing to climatic and ecological shifts, constantly relocate as they look for the most suitable habitat for survival; while the latter once settled in their habitat, will stay for good, and stop at nothing to protect their homes.

This biological theory was later borrowed by historians to suggest that 'all conflict between the races on this continent stems from the differing views between those who can only live in one place and those who drift nomadically.'

Afterwards came yet another supplementary addition to this viewpoint.

There were originally no Homefowls on this great land, but as the fowlbeasts gradually gathered in places, built their homes together, and created a collective memory, the Homefowls came to be.

I won't miss it this time. According to the route on this map, Siesta is just right over this peak.

Siesta, is right here...

She looks all around her, but only snow fills her vision.

Where... where am I?!

Yo. Been a while.

Oh? What brings the Emperor here to Siesta, without an Obsidian Festival to draw him? And your shirt, it seems something burned a hole through it...?

I'ma ax you to change the topic here.

I collected a good amount of material in the last few days, and should be able to quickly put out an album after I return to Columbia.

Ain't a lotta musicians I look forward to, Byrd, but you one of 'em.

I can't help but recall the first Obsidian Festival I attended, when I was chatting with Barbara about the future of Siesta she saw.

If one day, when this city leaves the volcano and obsidian, leaves the charming scenery and coastline, just what will remain of it?

She said that music is a kind of carrier, but the most important carriers are actually the people living here.

As long as there are people willing to sing in joy or even sorrow, as long as they're willing to enjoy the sunset afterglow for a moment when evening comes, Siesta will remain the same.

Young people can't get all hung up on nostalgia. Makes the music stale.

That's a little too harsh, Emperor.

Even in our fleeting lifetimes, you can feel lost if you don't occasionally look back at the path you've traveled.

You have to look back from time to time, to see if you've left anything precious behind on the road.

So now that all the past's done been buried under that volcano, how's about an Obsidian Festival 2.0? Just so happens I got me some investment plans.

If we want to revive it, should we come up with a new name too?

Volcano Festival? That seems a bit too obvious... Oh, right. I did see an adorable creature on this trip. How does 'Marshmallow Festival' sound?

Dayum, Byrd. Your taste in ain't one thousandth as good as your music.

The volcano observation data is all here, Professor Keller.

We've collected some really valuable information, and I'll go back after sorting these out.

Thank you for all your work...

You really are already a scholar in your own right. Katia and Magna would be proud.

This protective gear is also... compared to the one in the display, it really is...

The scholar's voice trails off, and she stares at the familiar coat for a long, long time.

I want to scale more volcanoes in my mother's gear. It'll keep me safe. I want to thank you too for your guidance during this time, I've really learned a lot.

By the way, where's Kahn?

He's gone back to Leithanien early for work.

Professor Keller, I want to apologize to you on Kahn's behalf. He must have misunderstood something...

...Don't mention it.

Adele... have you never suspected me of anything?

Adele lightly shakes her head.

I don't know...

I know very little about that period of time, and it seems like everyone was deliberately hiding it from me.

But I saw my parents' notes, and that photo too...

I just can't believe that someone who has been them on so many volcanoes, and through so many dangers, would ever do something to betray them...

There's something I want to show you.

These papers are probably what Kahn was trying to find.

Aside from the copy stored in the Leithanian archives, the only other that exists is with me.

These are discarded documents, so it's nothing confidential, but I was only hoping no one would ever come looking for them again...

The scholar retrieves a cardboard box from the bookcase, the personal effects of two other scholars within the small container.

The aged document case has words like 'Highly Confidential' written on it, with an 'Obsolete' stamped on top.

'Projekt Regenschauer'.

Is this... Vati's military research project...?

Katia and Magna both wished to stay pure scholars their whole lives, and indeed they strived to fulfil this ideal.

But reality means it can be hard to stay pure...

After the coup in Leithanien more than two decades ago, they were always getting caught up in disputes between the nobles. So they had to make some compromises in order to continue their research work.

Katia handed over some of his research results to the army in exchange for a relatively peaceful academic environment, while I helped him with some of the follow-up liaison work.

But they pinned their hopes on you.

They hoped to keep these impure disputes out of your life, so that you could study whatever you wanted without any distractions.

That is also my wish, as well...

I hope that when people talk of the Naumanns many years later, they will only remember them as pure academics and great scientists, and that their only child can explore the depths of knowledge without any worries.

Vati and Mutti... were their deaths, really an accident...?

During that Mount Unna observation, an envoy from Leithanien paid us another visit, just as we were preparing to scale the volcano.

I was hoping they could complete their work without any inference, so I offered to help them shrug off the military. I didn't expect that mishap...

Adele, I dare not ask for your forgiveness...

Professor Keller, why do you think this is your fault?

I won't question my parents' belief in scientific research because of this, and I certainly wouldn't question you either, Professor Keller.

All of you tried your best for an ideal, so isn't it just too unfair to take on any more blame...?

I think that's how Vati and Mutti would feel too.

I will always remember the summer when Katia and Magna came to Siesta. Meeting them was the luckiest thing to ever happen to me.

That day, a pair of strange foreign tourists walked into the coffee shop, sat at the table next to mine, and changed my life.

I got to see a wider, a more beautiful world beyond what you read in the books. I had the best time of my life.

From Siesta to Leithanien, and many more places besides, many more volcanoes, and many more adventures.

I wish I could accompany them on another journey.

Professor Keller, can I give you a hug?

The scholar takes the girl into her arms, gently resting her forehead against hers.

Professor Keller, can I stay here for a while, just by myself?

Of course.

The girl flips through the old documents one after another, and finds a handwritten letter at the bottom of the pile.

<i>'...The above information comes from two scientists who are incomparably devoted to science.</i>

<i>'They spent and gave their whole lives to scientific research, in hopes of using knowledge to protect humanity, seeking a safer and better home.</i>

<i>'I hope this will be taken in earnest, and this research is used for the right cause.'</i>

Professor Keller's name... is actually...

In the corner of the letter is a beautiful signature.

<i>'Adele Keller'</i>

Liv!

Lay back, and don’t move.

How's Liv—

Calm down, she's gone home. That little one was scared out of her wits, but suffered no real injuries—you're the one that needs worrying.

Good... that's good to hear...

The young man drops back into his bed in relief.

Just how... many days was I out for?

Three whole days.

Your mom and even your siblings came to visit you everyday. Do you know just how worried they were?

Spare me your lecture just this once, Dr. Ceylon.

I was also... saving someone, right...? I'm so ready to lecture that little sister of mine...

Hmph, still trying to hide it? Do you think a doctor wouldn't be able to tell?

You've got some nerve to actually study Arts in secret. Do you know just how high your Blood Originium-Crystal Density was, when you were wheeled in here?

Is this...?

Is this treatment... expensive?

Heh, even if you were to get a job at Rhodes Island, I estimate it'd cost you a couple of paychecks.

Haha... I guess I really have no choice now...

But speaking of which, I'm currently preparing to establish a treatment center for Infected people here in Siesta. I'm just starting up, so I'll need plenty of helping hands.

Would you like to consider staying to help me out?

Dr. Ceylon, thanks for the offer, but I already made a deal with my family... I won't be staying in Siesta for a while.

If it's possible, I'd rather take a look at the landship you mentioned that goes to many places.

Even if they aren't by my side, family will always be family. I can try to live for myself, and do what I really want to do. I also want to see the sights that my dad has seen.

Being an explorer sure sounds like a pretty cool job.

What's that sound?

Oh, it must be Swire's construction crew. She really moves fast. The ink on the contract probably hasn't even dried yet.

White Volcano...

Dr. Ceylon! I have to head back first, I'll pay my bills later!

Done with work?

Mhm, that was the last patient. Phew... I've been so busy working on the treatment center these last few days that I haven't had the time to hear about what you've been up to...

Just some missions for Rhodes Island is all. I went to a few more countries, and got to know more Operators too.

When this vacation is over, I might go on some longer missions, or be stationed somewhere for a while.

Hm, I do want to come with you, but I really can't leave right now. Besides, you wouldn't want me to, right?

Yes, it would be meaningless otherwise.

How about I take you around here for the next few days then?

Sure. Siesta has become even prettier than the last time I was here.

I'm sure you'll see an even better Siesta on your next visit.

I believe in you, Milady.

Autumn has yet to fully arrive, the sunlight is still warm, but the weather seems to suddenly cool down considerably. There seems to be more people playing in the streets, and a few surprising queues leaking out of some shops.

(Please, please don't tear it down, not yet!)

(At the very least, let me have one last look...)

Enis? Aren't you supposed to be in a hospital bed—

Did they already tear down the White—

Enis spots the brand new signage at the shop entrance before he finishes speaking.

In addition to replacing the damaged light bulb, Harley has also added a little doodle herself—three marshmallowy sheep, one big and two small.

Who said renovation meant a tear down? They're going to build a new water park here.

A water park?! Then, what about the logistics center?

I heard that city hall redid their plans, and since Siesta still needs to retain some of our tourist attractions, this street is one of them.

Pelipper wrapped up and sold several of his shops to a foreign group, saying an investor felt that the previous events had a pretty good reception, so there's money to be made in building a waterpark here.

So our little shop might be able to stay open for a while longer.

We went all through that, and in the end...

Mom, whose car is that...?

Oh, someone who came to the shop a few days ago, that rich girl? She parked it here.

A brand new pickup truck in pure white is parked in front of the shop, with a small note pressed under the wiper.

'Helping a friend with some minor troubles.'

That lady sure loves to act cool...

...Thanks a bunch.

'Hello, Mr. Adams Schwire. As always, I first wish you good health.'

'......then I've won this time.'

*feeble gasp*

Do you want me to switch off the television, or call your doctor?

My unseemly granddaughter.

She's finally done a...

Huff...

How many years has it been, seeing a face like that on you? I should have called Lin over too.

Don't get cocky... Sooner or later, you too will...

Beware the youth... Wei Yenwu.

Time... is on their side.

They will always, one day, stand up to us.

I can't wait... to see... when Hui-chieh... sends one... to you...

Neither can I.

Ha... haha...

Hahahaha...

Hahahahaha!

Ahahaagh—

Hey, sick old tiger? Lo bing fu?

Hey. HEY!

Get the doctor!

<i>Dear Mutti and Vati:</i>

<i>I hope the both of you are doing well.</i>

<i>I'm doing fine myself, I came to Siesta, and had an unforgettable summer.</i>

<i>It's very different from the ones you two have seen, but it's still a very interesting city.</i>

<i>I climbed up Mount Siesta too. I successfully completed the observation, and obtained some really valuable research data.</i>

<i>I met one of your old friends here. No, I should say I met two of them.</i>

<i>They told me many stories, about the coffee shop encounter, that one time with the sulfuric acid pool, the stories that happened in the laboratories, and all kinds of things I never knew about you both, things that happened when both of you were younger.</i>

<i>And the other 'person' told me that 'The past isn't truly over. They're always by your side, in one way or another.'</i>

<i>I have even more reason to believe it now, after going through a magical experience.</i>

<i>Maybe some parts were made-up, but I'm willing to, and hope to believe in them, just like the bedtime stories I used to hear.</i>

<i>Vati and Mutti, I have to admit that I've never been as strong as I thought.</i>

<i>I was afraid I wouldn't be able to hear anything ever again, that the sights in front of me would turn blurry, and it wouldn't be volcanoes or research that eventually took my life, but the pain and suffering of Oripathy.</i>

<i>If I can, I hope to visit all the volcanoes you two visited, and answer every question posed in your research notes.</i>

<i>I want to take a chance, and try going on a boat ride in a sulfuric acid lake, pretending to be a tiny stone burning in the lava.</i>

<i>Fear is not the opposite of courage, just as death is not the opposite of life. I'm passionate about researching volcanoes, just as I am with my life.</i>

<i>Or maybe I should come up with a much merrier way of going about this. But is it too late for me to understand all of this now?</i>

<i>Actually, I have no idea where to send this letter, I just wanted to let the two of you know...</i>

<i>I'm doing fine here.</i>

<i>......</i>

Want to mail something, Miss Adele? Leave it to me, and I can send it when I'm delivering the mail.

Where is this headed?

Um...

Actually, never mind. I think I'd like to mail it myself.

Mr. Enis, this flower is—

Ah. I dug it out from the hillside when I was looking for obsidian back then. I wanted to give it to Liv as a present, but the petal colors seem to have changed since I came down from the volcano.

Oh! Did you get it on Mount Siesta?

Yeah, at the back of the volcano.

<i>......</i>

<i>By the way, the thing you originally came to Siesta for? I found that too.</i>

(What a beautiful volcano.)

(A volcano is most beautiful when it erupts, even if it only lasts for a short moment.)

(How long will we have to wait for its next eruption?)

(That doesn't matter, we can stay here for a while longer.)

(We have plenty of time.)