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*cough* *cough* I pray!

I pray that the sick people in Faber Central Hospital get better!

I pray that Papà, Mamma, and my sister will always be safe, healthy, and happy!

I pray that the Lord will always be with us!

I pray that the spiritual light will always shine on Laterano!

'I thought the experiment was over, Lemuel.'

'Didn't you hear? The investigators came to school today to tell us our results. They even brought fruit tarts!'

'The two patient groups at Faber Central Hospital were discharged today... basically, their recovery had nothing to do with our praying the past two months.'

'The investigators told us not to be sad. It was all a social experiment by the Sixth Tribunal.'

If prayer doesn't help—

Why do we pray?

Another report from Nuova Volsinii.

Over the past six months, they have established trade with seventeen nomadic cities, like a direswine that never rests.

In the process, they have sown new seeds across all Siracusa.

It sounds like you approve of Nuova Volsinii's interactions with other cities, but do not intend to endorse their promotion of the New Urban Management Act.

You were the one who told me the youth need to be tested further, after you returned from Carnevale.

I suppose I recall something to that effect.

News from Terni. Unusual movement in Lupukarn.

The Golden Empress has been actively issuing edicts, while her counterpart has not been seen in public for a long time... our neighbor seems eager to change. Desperate, even.

Not just Leithanien. There are more than enough new sprouts upon this land. The matters of the famiglie should not occupy any more of Siracusa's time.

Mm-hm.

You seem ready to fall asleep.

It's almost time for my siesta.

Do you like this fabric?

I can have a suit made for you. I have just the tailor in mind.

Hah. I appreciate the offer, but there's no need.

Still prefer your cassock?

I am a priest, Sicilia.

But there is no church in this city. It's been almost seventy years since you left Laterano, hasn't it?

Sixty-eight. The Sankta sense of self is as persistent as our sweet tooth.

But you've never thought about going back. You have no need to. The walls are still white, the people still happy. Nothing ever changes in Paradise.

Otherwise, you wouldn't have come with me to Siracusa.

I'm not so sure...

Oh?

My hand's been trembling every time I grip my patron firearm. Maybe my old house in the Holy City has sprung a leak.

We're relics of a bygone age, Sicilia. You know how old people have hunches about certain things.

*Yawn*—

You should take a nap on the sofa.

Maybe we can find another setting to talk, once the down payment for this fabric has been made.

Sorry, sorry.

Zzz...

Father? You didn't just fall asleep on your feet, did you? Father! Are you alright?!

Urryyyyy—

What? Is that all?

Tila. Is the boss alright?

Why do you ask?

These are all documents that he reviewed. The only thing Legal changed was the formatting. He shouldn't need to spend so much time with them, should he?

I think Mr. Cliff is looking at that letter.

The letter from the frontier? What was the name on it again? Woodrow?

But there were only four words in it. 'Am well. Take care.' That's it.

I've heard a couple things about Davistown...

What are you getting at?

This ship will be approaching Max D.C. in twelve hours' time. How long have we been planning our entry into the capital market?

There're still a lot of problems to solve. Look at the people behind me. All our top ranks are waiting for the boss's orders!

But at a time like this, he's all tied up with his... his—I don't even know what to call him!

Mr. Cliff went to meet a certain Mr. Jackson before we set out.

Th-The Vice President?

Do you mean to say the boss has gotten the official nod to our cooperation with the companies in DC—

Don't get too excited.

No employee of Blacksteel Worldwide should doubt 'Clip' Cliff. Anything you don't think of, he will; anything you can't figure out, he will.

He was the one who put this team together, and he was the one who spread firearms beyond the walls of Laterano.

He was the one who expanded our business across the frontier, and beyond Columbia.

Mr. Cliff is a great leader, and a remarkable Sankta.

I agree completely, but... have you seen the look on his face? What could those four words have done to him?

Ladies and gentlemen—

What? Did the power go out?

Did some stupid merc knock something over? Or did Engineering cross the wrong wires?

Good news!

The wildfire's finally extinguished.

The bad news is that half the hillside has been burned away—

Woody? Are you okay? Are you hurt?

*cough* *cough* I'm fine... it's nothing.

He just came back from the woods to the west, where the worst of the fires were. He braved the flames to clear a control line.

He might have forgotten his age...

Can't let the fire take it all, not when things are finally looking up in these parts—I'm fine, I really am...

That's good to hear. I was worried.

Say, Woody, do you want to look at this?

That's thick. Some kind of important document?

It's from Blacksteel.

You're not gonna open it, Woody?

No, I don't think I want to.

What if it's a whole stack of gold certificates? Would go a long way to filling the gap the fires left behind.

Well then, YOU open it.

Gladly.

Well, Mr. Cliff sure can write a letter. It's so long the end is touching the ground.

What's the matter, Woody?

I... suddenly have a headache.

Is it the letter, or your wounds?

Were you waiting long?

Mister Ezell!

Happy Birthday, Cecelia!

This cake...

I, er, made it out of sweet potato.

I couldn't find cream or confetti sugar, so I sprinkled some dried vegetables on top of it. I tried to find the ones that had better colors...

Sorry, I did my best... 'slaves' don't have access to the nicest things. Galena helped out.

It's lovely!

Make a wish, Cecelia... well, I can guess what you'll wish for. Don't worry, I've been asking around. We'll find your father.

Yeah!

But my wish today is—I want to blow out the candles with you.

Huh?

You've been helping me ever since I lost my mama, even quitting your job at the Notarial Hall and coming with me all the way to Kazdel.

You've been by my side for so long.

I know you're in a lot of danger here, where my papa was born. It was you who taught me not to give up hope.

That's why I want you to do this with me, the last thing at my birthday party.

Cecelia...

Okay.

Ezell feels the warmth of Cecelia's hand in his own.

He sees the birthday cake made from sweet potatoes, and the girl with eyes full of excitement, and the big smile on her face. Before the flickering candlelight, both of them bow their heads and begin to pray.

May the order of Laterano shine upon us♪

Show us the path of life♪

That we may ever live in joy♪

East of the east of La Unidad♪

Laterano, holy city of white♪

Is that you, Aurela?

Such noise.

We're due for hymns in ten minutes. The children are practicing.

I'm talking about you, Nueda.

...Is it done?

Buried in the backyard. You can breathe easy now.

Shouldn't you wash the blood first? The children could come at any time.

What, are you afraid they might see me? Afraid they might hear their beloved Sister Nueda talk of killing people with that terrifying piece of metal?

Don't talk like that. We wouldn't be here if not for you... because you took up the gun, I am able to teach them hymns, and tuck them into bed.

Hmph...

Was it Singas soldiers, or True Bolívarians guerrillas this time?

Does it make a difference? A bunch of stinking <i>parásitos</i> who only know how to take from others.

Never imagined there were shitholes like this when I lived in Laterano.

I know... these sorts of things don't happen where you come from... in Laterano.

Your weapon, your dress, your habits... you still carry yourself as a Lateran.

A Lateran? Pah.

Honestly, I still don't know why you follow the Lateran faith.

I grew up in Bolívar, with no one to rely on. All I've ever known are these <i>parásitos.</i>

I wanted to believe there was more to the land than ruined houses and barren fields, more than just war, death, and taxes. I wanted to believe there was a place full of food, flowers, and hope...

And you wanted those chicos to believe it too.

One person's faith is no faith at all. We all need to look out for each other, like you and I do...

I wouldn't say we're looking out for one another.

Shh... Aurela, you have protected this place as the holy light protects Laterano. You've let me imagine a Paradise bathed in holy light... even if I've never been there.

Which is for the better.

If you really do believe in a Paradise bathed in holy light, it's definitely not Laterano you're looking for. Look elsewhere.

We're about to abandon this abbey, after all.

Time to go in, Sister.

The children are waiting for you to lead the last verse.

Aurela...

Yes?

Why did you leave Laterano?

Because I sinned, that's why... idiota.

Nueda pushes the chapel door open.

East of the east of La Unidad♪

Laterano, holy city of white♪

There, the earth hides no bombs♪

There, the fields share wheat most bright♪

Abode of our Lord, font of parental love♪

He hears our prayers, He grants our wishes♪

All shall bask in His love♪

Even the legless, even the armless♪

...This might be our last Vespers.

For years, we've tried to keep a low profile in this lawless land, to avoid the attention of the Singas nobles and the thugs who call themselves guerrillas.

But they followed the trail of some escaped convicts, and found our abbey. They're now looking at our farms and burdenbeasts.

Aurela has scouted the area. Tonight, she will lead us through a nearby canyon, and we will leave this place.

We might go north into the plains, or south into the jungles. It will be a long trip, but we've been blessed with a good harvest. We will have enough food...

Sister—

Don't worry, Hugo.

Trust Aurela. Trust me. Trust yourself and those around you. And trust 'Laterano'...

Keep your voice steady. You remember the last verse, don't you?

East of the east of La Unidad♪

Laterano, holy city of white♪

The guns there shoot fireworks♪

The targets are all apples♪

Through the chapel windows, Nueda watches the sunset. The halos of the Sanktas in the procession continue to illuminate the room, and the choir sings.

She has sung these hymns countless times. It is said that they were first written down by the saints, on their long and difficult journeys, and passed down through the centuries, translated and arranged by Bolívarian scholars.

'Laterano' will protect them through briar and bramble, through the long, cold night.

What the...?!

Perhaps the sun left too soon and forgot to leave some light. The halos and wings of the Sanktas in the choir suddenly shatter, and their light is extinguished.

Nueda is stunned.

Her esoteric knowledge is vast, thanks to the legacy of the K'uk'ulkan, but not a single word or symbol explains the scene before her eyes.

She is so stunned that she forgets to stop singing, murmuring the hymns by sheer instinct. Trembling voices echo through the chapel—

Abode of our Lord, font of parental love♪

He punishes evil and drives out injustice♪

All shall bask in His love♪

Whether they have scars or stones♪

When we pray sincere, He gives us bread♪

When we seek salvation, He sets us free♪

<i>Merda!</i>

Agenir, your halo—

Diamine!

Wh-What's going on?

Calm down. We figured out what's going on. Somebody forgot to set the right parameters when testing a gun at the firing range. Accidentally overloaded the power grid.

Engineering's on it and the power should come back any minute now... although, something doesn't feel quite right.

It's pitch black. Of course something doesn't feel right—

That's it! Where's Mr. Cliff's halo? It should be shining like a lamp—

Mr. Cliff?!

Woody?! I'll get a doctor!

Woody... no...

Mister Ezell... your halo... your wings... what...?

I'm fallen...?

Why...?

W-Was it my fault?

Ugh—Laterano...

Seniora Lemuen!

Saw you from across the street, but you didn't answer when I called your name...

Oh, I'm sorry. I was about to—

Oh, I forgot! It's your first day!

Let's see. 'Your Eminence, Cardinal Lemuen', is that right?

It is giving me goosebumps.

Hey, from submitting the application to becoming a cardinal's aide to finally getting the job, all it took was two years, right?

Isn't that a new record for the Seventh Tribunal?

It took much longer than breaking the wheelchair speed-shooting record.

Huh?

Just a joke.

Well, we all look up to you.

There are two hundred households up and down three streets waiting for you to deliver the cystymilk for their morning fruit tart and post-meal desserts...

Meanwhile, how often is a cardinal's presence really needed for diplomatic and national security business in Laterano?

Who's to say which one of us is more important to the city?

Fair point. Guess I should get to work!

I'll leave your cystymilk at the door. Two servings, as usual?

Yes.

Where's Seniora Lemuel working, anyway? One day I hear it's a logistics company in Lungmen, the next day I hear it's security for that pharma company called Rhodes Island...

I miss her. It's been a long time since I last saw her.

Who knows? Maybe she'll just show up tomorrow. And she wouldn't be happy if the fridge were empty.

You got that right.

Hm, isn't this a bit of a detour if you're headed to the Seventh Tribunal?

Just visiting a friend I haven't seen in a long time.

I see... have a nice day, Cardinal Lemuen.

Have an uneventful day. May the Law be with you and me.

Have a nice day.

Lemuen greets a few familiar faces on the way, then makes a turn at a corner, onto an utterly unremarkable street.

The clouds cast their shadows on the pristine paths. A breeze brings the sweet aroma in the air along with it. Soon, the surroundings grow quiet, as Lemuen approaches her destination.

Her life has undoubtedly changed. But her steps are light. She gladly welcomes these changes.

Lemuen has always been that way.

The Laterans have always been that way.

'Have an uneventful day. May the Law be with you and me.'

Lemuen utters those words.

At the end of the street is a massive building that nearly touches the clouds. The streamlined structure seems decidedly out of place amongst the low profile of church buildings around it.

It is no exaggeration to say that it virtually appeared out of nowhere, yet it also seems like it has always been there.

It welcomes Lemuen's arrival with open arms.