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<p=1>The Sineselde, Parliamentary Chamber</><p=2>December 15th, 1098, 4:02 P.M.</>

I brought the Defense Forces files that were requested.

Madam Speaker, since the establishment of the patrols, we have received no fewer than two hundred requests for assistance involving Millscar and her followers.

There is concrete evidence of their violation of Parliament's newly-enacted laws.

What are we waiting for? They're getting in the way of honest people doing honest work! Give the order! Put their heads on pikes outside the Sineselde!

Feist and Rockrock have already reported the situation to me.

I want the rebuilding to progress smoothly as much as you do, but that's not how Parliament works.

Go ahead, Viscount Elsa.

Millscar's behavior is certainly questionable, but their medicine has at least provided consolation to those suffering from the current shortage, if nothing else—

Balderdash!

They're exacting payment in lives!

Sit <i>DOWN,</i> Lord Alan! You are in Parliament!

They are using underground facilities, relics from the war, to evade our pursuit, Viscount Elsa.

They've been decentralizing their operations, of course, but there is also evidence indicating that someone associated with Parliament is helping them.

I believe we need an explanation for that, don't we?

Are the Londinium Defense Forces requesting our assistance with the investigation, Lieutenant Skamandros?

We are, of course, eager to help the citizens face the Millscar threat. I could contact Her Grace the Duke of Caster to arrange for personnel to be deployed to Londinium—

It is much reassuring to hear that Her Grace the Duke of Caster has, at long last, deigned to generously offer her valuable assistance to Parliament, Viscount Elsa. I am very curious to know if other dukes will do the same.

Baron Hector, Viscount Gideon, Dr. Herman, and Academician Erwin... may I trust you to pass on the message to the other dukes should you, by chance, have the opportunity to communicate with them?

Startled, the members whose names are called, who have been keeping a low profile in the room, are left with little choice but to smile and bow to Vina.

There is no affirmation or denial, but the argument in the chamber has evaporated, as though it never existed to begin with.

A special provisional court will be convened of the Members of Parliament to deal with the Millscar issue. Millscar will, of course, be granted the opportunity to present her defense.

There is whispering amongst the seats, but no objections.

Will she show up for the trial, though?

If she does not appear, she will forfeit her right to a defense, and the court shall pass judgment in a fair and just manner.

Horn, kindly instruct patrols to take Millscar into custody and bring her to the Parliamentary Chamber.

Prior to Parliament's recess today...

She has two hours. I will wait for her here.

You should wait in the office, get some rest. You don't look so well.

I'll let you know if she comes—

I said, I'll wait here!

Right then.

Sorry. I'm just—

I know.

I don't understand. There are so many things that are much more urgent—Infected in need of treatment, shortage of supplies, rebuilding the city, restoring order...

My desk is constantly covered in important matters that require my attention.

But they would rather spend an entire day bickering over something that they don't even disagree about—

*sigh*...

I'm not doing a good enough job.

I remember that I promised you she would not get away, if you give my people and the Defense Forces free rein to search for her.

We're short-handed. Trying to solve the problem this way means ignoring other, more urgent problems in the city—

Then why do you think you're not doing a good enough job?

Don't try to carry a nomadic city on your back. That's what the tracks underneath it are for.

You don't have to become the perfect leader that they talk about, for whom solving every single problem is taken for granted.

Besides... from Millscar to the protests to the medicine shortage, the shadow of the dukes loom large over all these recent affairs.

There is no doubt that Caster is behind the Millscar matter, but something has to give. Millscar has gone too far.

Catching her is no easy task, though. Indra and Dagda say she has associated with a strange Vampire.

Delphine... if she doesn't show—

Do you want her to, Vina?

<p=1>Millscar Hideout</><p=2>December 15th, 1098, 5:17 P.M.</>

Wh-Why are you blindfolding me? I've paid my husband's bill!

Yes, ma'am, you're an honest woman.

You have paid the bill of Mickey Robinson. The boss sends her condolences. Your husband made many contributions to the city.

C-Can I go now?

Of course. Once you've paid your other debt, that is.

Two contracts. One, signed by your husband, the one you just paid. Another, signed by you on behalf of your husband.

But he's gone!

He's gone, but the medicine isn't. Here, do take it. Now, let's talk about your bill...

We accept credit, of course—

We don't.

Oh, boss. Er... Since when we don't—

Just now. Take her to 'get some rest'.

Alright. And then?

Send her to the Sineselde. The honorable MPs are waiting for me, aren't they?

<p=1>The Sineselde, Parliamentary Chamber</><p=2>December 15th, 1098, 5:58 P.M.</>

Out of the way! Let the doctors work!

We've identified the victim, Vina. One Mrs. Lawrence, of Norport.

Are the injures life-threatening?

No, the vital organs were unharmed. She's just lost a lot of blood. Millscar's people did it.

But rumors are beginning to spread, and that's not a good thing.

Her husband, Mickey Robinson, recently passed away from acute Oripathy after being unable to get proper treatment.

He was one of the Exemplars who came home with us.

This is her answer.

Escort Mrs. Lawrence to the Defense Forces medical camp, Delphine.

What about you?

...Two more minutes.

I will keep the word of the provisional court... and my own.

At Delphine's behest, several MPs carefully carry the unconscious woman out of the Parliamentary Chamber. The carpet on the floor, which has only recently been replaced, is soaked in her blood.

It was the Sarkaz who had bled here two months ago.

There is order on the floor again.

One more minute. There is no one, except two black feathers that seem to be staring at Vina.

They fell from the unconscious woman. As the group carrying her walked past, they were swept up into the air, only to slowly drift down.

That is the place where she should have stood.

The clock strikes six.

It is time. Esteemed members of Parliament, as Millscar has forfeited her right to a defense—

In accordance with the law, I, Vina Victoria, Speaker of the Parliament of Londinium, pronounce—

A special warrant is hereby issued for the arrest of Millscar, dead or alive. Defense Forces patrols are to apprehend Millscar personnel by any means necessary.

Effective... immediately.

Also, issue a city-wide announcement that Parliament will accelerate the enactment of the City Safety Act.

On behalf of Parliament, I vow to the citizens of Londinium that the curfew will be fully lifted within a month, when the reorganization of the police forces is complete.

The provisional court will complete the necessary personnel movement and additions within two months, at which point it will be renamed the Londinium City Court.

The court will continue to process backloaded cases concerning public safety following the conclusion of the war.

Parliament and I will ensure that everyone is treated in a fair and just manner—

Regardless of any privileges that one may have enjoyed, for whatever reason—

All shall stand equal before the law.

What kind of leader do you want to be, Vina?

I... I don't know, Doctor.

But I should at least know what is right and what is wrong, no?

Sometimes, right and wrong depend entirely on where you stand.

Then what should I do?

Accept those who despise you, for they keep you vigilant.;Stay true to what you believe in, to help you triumph over solitude.

I learned that from a friend who recently left us.

Bagpipe reporting in. Sweep complete in T-11 and T-32. No sign of Millscar.

How's things over there?

No sign of Millscar in C-11 and C-20, ma'am.

What about L-10? No reports yet?

Reynold? Is there a situation?

I-I'm here!

Th-There's nobody here in L-10—

His gaze alternates between the purple blade before him and Millscar, imploring for mercy.

(Nods)

I-I'm coming back now.

Did you find anything useful?

N-No! Nothing at all!

The purple blade is lowered. He slowly backs off.

Alright. Meet up at the rendezvous point.

B-Be there in a minute.

Leave the communicator.

O-Okay.

He keeps his eyes on Millscar in the shadows. Once he is sure that she is not going to kill him, he drops the communicator, and flees for his life.

<p=1>Cavendish Street, Londinium</><p=2>December 15th, 1098, 9:58 P.M.</>

So quiet...

I prefer the underground. At least the sound there doesn't make me feel—

Aha.

Parliament has yet to lift the post-war curfew. They are trying to protect the people... from people like her.

The communicator that she just obtained continues to supply the latest news about the patrols.

Millscar strolls past the shops by the roadside. She hears the faint sound of radio from one of them, and stops before the dimly-lit storefront.

What do you think about Madam Speaker's announcement that the curfew will be lifted in stages as law and order are restored, Hans?

Considering the current pace at which the police and courts are being reorganized? A joke, if you ask me. Who's arresting whom, and who's judging whom?

You don't trust Parliament? Many citizens sleep sounder in their beds, knowing that Parliament has been hard at work rooting out the remaining devils over the past two months.

Today's sweep of underground insurgents has been particularly effective, eliminating another long-term threat to public safety.

In the span of three hours, we have received thousands of messages from citizens expressing their gratitude to Parliament, in particular to our honorable—dare I say, majestic, even—Madam Speaker.

I do not deny that she has been a decisive leader, up till now. How long do you think she can keep it up, though?

I bet you ten pounds that in three months, you wouldn't be able to tell her from those fat, filthy, lying nobles—

Hmph.

A lavish car stops next to her. The door opens. There is only the driver... and a set of familiar clothing.

She recognizes the emblem of House Cumberland.

You're alive. Her Grace the Duke is willing to recognize your value.

She is giving you a chance to come back.

Tell her that Cumberland has died.

And one who has already died once is not afraid to die again.

The door closes, and the car leaves, disappearing at the end of the street.

Bloody hell... looks like it's not just you who want to kill me, Vina.

You'd better hurry...

She walks silently in the shadows by the side of the street, disappearing into the night.

At least there will be more people who believe that you can give them that most precious, most valuable of things right now—safety.

I hope you like my final gift to you, Alexandrina...

After this, we're even.

<i>Morale was high before our attack on the Nachzehrer position at the Palace of Westhaleg. Couldn't say the same about the people in the city though.</i>

<i>They had lived for so long under Sarkaz rule that they could hardly even conceive of resistance. Dagda and I found it difficult to persuade able-bodied citizens to join us...</i>

<i>Until Vina showed up.</i>

<i>She was wearing an outfit I never thought I would see her in... an outfit for a king. She never said who gave it to her, but we could all guess the answer.</i>

<i>Allerdale.</i>

<i>I was dumbfounded. I looked at Dagda, and saw her fighting to contain her trembling.</i>

<i>I saw the frenzied crowd rush through streets and alleys, scrambling over one another to join us.</i>

<i>They carried Vina, further and further away from me.</i>

<i>'Her Royal Highness Alexandrina has returned! She'll lead her people to drive out the Sarkaz and take back our home!</i>

<p=1>Cavendish Street, Londinium</><p=2>September 30th, 1098, 9:22 P.M.</>

I thought you would reject my proposal.

The important thing is to win this final battle. Everything else is secondary.

The scion of Cumberland yet lives?

I hope so. She deserves a second chance, no matter what.

What about you? Do you understand the significance of donning this garment?

I do. But I always had a choice, didn't I?

Vina walks through the crowd, escorted by Delphine. Everyone bows to her in reverence.

This is hard to take, though...

Hm...?

She thought she saw a certain figure in the crowd, drowned out by the onrushing soldiers and citizens.

What is it?

...Nothing. Let's get the troops in order. It's time to put an end to this.

'You and your friends will win, Vina. The present I left you, the garb that always belonged to you, is merely icing on the cake of your final victory.'

'There is no place for me by your side when victory comes. This is the choice that I made.'

'But the end of this absurd war is simply the beginning of your story. Can you remain the ever-victorious legend when that time comes?'

'Victoria is not easily changed by anyone, not even you.'

'But perhaps, I would truly have believed—'

'Goodbye, Vina... Goodbye.'