level_act46side_st04

Saintess...

The clerics who followed the sinner Adso in betraying the Vine-Bead Court have all pled guilty. They are currently being kept in another one of our estates, awaiting your judgment.

How do you intend to... punish them, Great Saintess...?

The great hall is deserted. The seats lie bare, even though they are full most days.

Only a single young cleric sits before her, awaiting her word with bowed head.

I have heard of what happened during the unrest.

They were led astray by Adso, and did much wrong.

But I believe their hearts were always focused on defending Kjerag.

Them stepping forward to confront the intruders is atonement enough. There is no moral nor logical reason to sentence them to heavy punishment.

Have them go about the lands of the Three Clans. It is their duty to help the people complete this winter's farmwork. They are also to examine themselves, and ask how the scriptures they recite every day can be put into practice.

Once spring comes, they may return to the Court.

Yes, Your Holiness...

Is there anything else?

Great Saintess... If I may be so bold as to ask you for guidance...

During your Pilgrimage, did you hear Kjeragandr's will?

Why do you ask?

Have you forgotten that we should not demand She show Herself?

The cleric lowers his head even further, hesitantly speaking further.

The people believe that when the Victorians invaded, She worked another miracle and scared them into retreating.

I don't know why, but... I feel like it was more of a... wave goodbye...

I think, maybe around the time that Catastrophe happened, Kjeragandr had already left us.

If you wish to punish me for my impiety, Saintess... I will also...

Matthew... You are Matthew, correct?

Can you tell me why you decided to join the Court?

When I was younger, my parents had five children to feed, and our fields were not up for the task. They decided to send me, the youngest, to the Court.

They would save on having to feed one more mouth, and I would be fed by the Court as well...

I studied hard, of course! I have been carefully reciting the <i>Kjeragandr</i> these past few years, studying all Her teachings.

But I have seen Kjerag change a lot since then.

There are too many things I have never heard of, things that not even the <i>Kjeragandr</i> can explain.

I had thought that, as long as we had enough to eat and a roof over our heads to keep out the wind and snow, we would live out our days in happiness.

But why is it now, when we have those things, that we become even more lost...

Saintess, could it be that the people of Kjerag have strayed too far from the road She has shown us?

Which led Kjeragandr to... leave us...

When has Kjeragandr ever shown Her people one specific road to follow?

When the first peoples came to these mountains, using their picks to split the frozen ground and their axes to hew trees for homes, they could never have imagined...

That today, the people of this land have fixed their gazes beyond the stars.

But equally, Kjeragandr has never promised us a land of purity, eternally free from disaster.

We will face ever greater dangers, seeking our way through all kinds of trials.

Until one day, we arrive before Her, and we ask Her our questions about ourselves...

But Your Holiness, Kjeragandr is our greatest sage, our teacher, our leader... Does She truly have no commands for Her people?

It is not a command, per se...

But consider for a moment. The most important wisdom Kjeragandr gave us has already been written in our scripture long ago, has it not?

Remember the path you walked, and let not yourself forget;

Fear the blizzard that has yet to come, and let not yourself be arrogant;

Clutch your bows and arrows, pickaxes and hoes tight, and let not yourself be careless;

Love your brothers and sisters, love your neighbors and friends, and love the rocks and hills, the grass and trees, as you would love your own siblings.

Heed these words, and no calamity shall prevail over you, and your home and hearth will be safe forever more.

Still busy, Elena?

Director Silence?

I heard you're still handling the observation data from before. Hope I'm not disturbing you.

I'm recalculating my models using the data I got on Mount Karlan.

If all goes well, we should be able to get the precise location of where that extraterrestrial object fell on Kjerag. It beats running across the mountains looking for it.

This is a major discovery, and it's all thanks to your courage and determination. You've done well, Elena.

You don't need to praise me for doing my job, Director, it's kinda embarrassing...

Oh, right, heard anything new about Carolin?

(Shakes head)

We still haven't managed to find her, but our investigation over the last few days found a lot of definitive proof that she was in Kjerag as a spy.

I'm sorry, but we have to admit... those accusations against her were true.

I remember the time I worked with her. Her face whenever she talked about the sky... I don't think you can fake that sort of passion.

I don't understand why she would...

'Ideals' and 'future' are beautiful words, weightless and romantic, without form or substance.

But the people who are the vectors of those concepts... They are still weighed down by the gravity of reality.

I hope that one day, you'll have the chance to ask her yourself.

Ah, I almost forgot. I read your report.

Core nation academics could never get past the theoretical stage when discussing Feranmuts, since they never found any real proof of them.

Most people write those creatures off as mystical mumbo-jumbo.

But now, you managed to find actual Feranmut biosignatures in Kjerag. These incredibly rare observation data might even lead to a massive breakthrough.

It will be a significant step forward for you to be the one to publish this discovery.

Thanks, Director.

But... I don't really have plans to publish it at the moment.

Oh? Is there something else you're worried about?

I... Oh, forget it!

Leaving aside the fact that this was a complete coincidence and I only stumbled across this stuff with the help of two friends, I haven't discovered anything amazing at all!

Besides, our current understanding of Feranmuts can barely even be considered superficial. I can't imagine publishing this would bring about anything except even more of a headache for Kjerag...

If a thirst for knowledge is a scientist's greatest friend, then a thirst for quick results is their greatest enemy.

Eagerness for success, eagerness for leaving behind your name in the books, even eagerness for an answer, something to prove you're on the right track.

But I won't rush things this time.

I'm not in a hurry to prove myself to anyone. If I'm wrong, then I'm wrong.

The people of the past made lots of mistakes as they explored Terra. Why do I need to try and be a 'wise woman' who hasn't made any?

I've still got plenty of time. Before I head off, I need to recognize that I don't know a thing about Terra.

An impressive outlook... I respect your choice.

Oh, shucks, I'm not impressive at all...

Honestly, I just want more time to make sure this survey is the best it can be. This way, I won't make a fool of myself publishing a half-baked paper—

Oh! The calculations are done... Got it!

We'll find it at...

Is he still not back yet?

I thought you still had some recuperating to do before you could get out of bed.

No need to worry about me. You don't know a thing about a warrior's mettle.

It seems he had his way in the end.

The two of them look around. The vast office feels more spacious than ever, much of its former decor having just been moved out. Their conversation echoes slightly in the empty space.

Hardly the first time.

I was curious to see how he planned to clean up this mess he left behind.

But it seems the plan was to just dump it all on you.

It sounds like you have your complaints about him as well.

Would you believe me if I said I am fighting on your behalf?

I never actually expected him to return.

It's the same story every time. He always has his ways of getting everyone to do what he wants... Whether they're his enemies, or friends and family.

Never caring what others think, always making his own schemes, giving tasks nobody wants to do to the people around him...

...Then shouldering the hardest part himself.

You're the last one still putting in a good word for him.

In moments like these, I can only understand Enya and Ensia's urge to slam his head against the ground.

Alright, enough grumbling now.

Moving on then. There's only one set of shoulders the heavy responsibility of handling Karlan Trade can fall on now. Do your best... Chairman Edelweiss.

I wish you the very best in your new position.

I thank you for your kindness.

But I am currently considering creating a special position for the Black Knight.

Director of Public Relations, perhaps, or maybe a brand ambassador, things like that. Just know that it won't be light work.

Alright. Defeat me, and I'll take the job. Right here, right now.

...I forfeit.

Nothing you can do about it, then.

Take care now, Chairman Gnosis.

Wait, Degenbrecher.

...Are you going to leave?

I know not everything happening right now is as he promised.

'Making Kjerag big enough for the both of us'. That's what he said.

While the stage he set for us is hardly small, what he asks us to do is not as we first intended.

So if you're feeling weary of all this—

Time flies. I've been working for him for a while now, now that I think about it.

Enjoying myself? Hardly. Feeling weary? I would not go that far.

But there was one thing off about your little speech.

The ones standing in this room are not Enciodes's subordinates or attendants, and are certainly not cubs that need his care.

We were never waiting for him to create something for us, nor were we expecting something in return from him.

We each walk our own roads, roads that just happened to go the same way for a while.

So if there is anything you really can't get done without me, come find me.

Hah...

But there is one thing I will not compromise on.

No promotion ceremonies.

So, we finally get the chance to meet.

Mr. Silverash.

I am truly honored to receive you in person. I hope your trip to the Snow Realm has been smooth so far.

Smoother than silk, aside from my secretary banning me from skiing. That one's a mighty shame.

First of all, I'd like to thank you.

When I was talking with our scientists, they all gave rave reviews when it came to Karlan Trade providing them a safe working environment in Kjerag.

Whether it's making sure the observation station was supplied during the Catastrophe or protecting the scientists during the unrest, Kjerag has shown the responsibility a modern civilization should have.

Rhine Lab's preliminary work in Kjerag is going smoothly, and you and your team deserve some recognition.

We were merely doing our jobs.

I hope this will make you believe just how much our cooperation with Columbia means to us.

Kjerag has made our preparations. We will do all we can so that when the next Terra-shaking wave strikes, we can seize the opportunity.

'Future'. It's a word that really captivates people.

From a certain point of view, Columbia and Kjerag are both 'young' nations.

I believe there are times that youth isn't such a bad thing.

Because it's the young who have the courage and energy to embrace the future one step ahead of the others.

Oh, right, on my way to Kjerag, I heard about a little incident that really surprised me.

I hear your Kjerag had a little 'friction' with Victoria's Duke of Caster a few days ago.

So I wanted to ask: do you think Victoria is a credible threat to Kjerag, and to the safety of Rhine Lab?

Please believe me when I say that Columbia is willing and able to work alongside Kjerag to preserve the international order among the core nations.

If you're interested—

I thank you for your kindness, Mr. Vice-President.

Victoria is our neighbor, and they have always kept a close watch on Kjerag's development. On this one point, they are the same as Columbia.

Oh, I hope that's not meant to be criticism.

Haha. Since competition and friction are unavoidable, Kjerag has no intention of complicating such matters.

What I hope for more is to be able to have an open and sincere dialog between us.

This ancient land of Kjerag still has many mysteries that urgently need resolving. We must keep in mind that this is the very reason we are seeking cooperation.

History and religion, ancient mysteries full of charm...

One of the rumors I heard said the Duke called the retreat because she saw Kjerag's protector god, Kjeragandr, work a 'miracle' at a pivotal moment.

The Duke of Caster is a shrewd politician. A mere miracle would not sway her, I'm afraid.

It is simply that she realized if she wanted to achieve her political goals in Kjerag, she would have to pay a much higher price than she anticipated. This is why she abandoned the idea of making us her foe.

A brilliant gambit, I must say... But in the eyes of others, this is also a signal.

Within the landscape of the core nations, a new state has risen—and Kjerag stands ready for the next round of competition, which will be crueler than ever.

Do you think this is what you intended?

Rather than saying this is any one person's desire, I would rather say it is the inevitable outcome.

Terra cannot give Kjerag the time we need to develop, and since competition and conflict are unavoidable, showing our neighbors our determination is not necessarily bad.

It will let them know that Kjerag will not give up the chase simply because we have lagged behind a moment, nor will we lose heart in defending our interests because of a lack of military power.

Through competition, advance development. Amidst conflict, seek peace. This is Kjerag's choice.

You sure are something, Mr. Silverash. You're like a seasoned statesman when it comes to all sorts of things.

Might be a bit bold, but would you mind one last question?

You've resigned your position as Chairman of Karlan Trade, and you've maintained the legitimacy of the Vine-Bead Court in Kjerag. What would you say your role in the country is?

A determined, proactive reformer, or a powerful warlord, or maybe the true power behind Kjerag, hidden in the shadows?

I am afraid this is not a question I can answer for you, Mr. Vice-President.

When people in the distant future discuss this period of history, see if they still remember the Silverash name.

I hope they will see the name as one of the countless stones forming the foundation of Kjerag's ascent into the coming era.

The manse is deserted.

All is arranged as it was, yet shines as if new. Standing here once more brings only the sense of a lifetime having passed by.

Master? You've returned.

I have.

Are my sisters not here?

*sigh* The young mistresses were unaware you would be returning today. If I had known, I would have asked them to stay. How long has it been since you last had a meal together—

No need to trouble yourself. There will always be time later.

I think I shall take a little break today. It has been a long while since my last.

Then I am afraid I shall have to trouble you with another matter. As it so happens, you have just received a telephone call.

Is it a telephone? Or one of those 'long-distance information transfer'... One of those new-fangled Columbian toys. Would you be receiving it now?

Connect me.

Ah, yes, I thought it might be you.

All is well here, thanks to your aid with the prior matter. It was of highest importance to Kjerag.

A victory? I don't believe we should call it that.

Our patient set-up and long-term build-up are receiving the outcome they deserve, nothing more.

Save your suspense over victory or defeat for the next time we meet across the board.

Surface temperature, 17.8 degrees, stable.

Radioactivity index, 97.5, stable.

All indices within safe limits. Target is stable. Proceed with sampling.

By Kjeragandr... This really is something that fell from outer space. Didn't think we'd get to see it for ourselves.

By Kjeragandr indeed... Our Kjerag's been changing a little too fast, I feel like.

Hello? Elena, can you hear me?

How're you doing in there? Hunky-dory?

Ah... I don't... feel too great, honestly. This new model of power armor... Still not too used to it.

Everything's gone dark in here, I think I might have hit a power switch or something by accident... Wait, it's you, Director Muelsyse! You're blocking the camera!

Oopsies sorries!

Look, there's no need to be so nervous, most of the armor's functions are automated. Just imagine you're wearing a nice, thick hazmat suit.

Also, Nasti promised me this model has a hundred-percent reliable emergency eject function. It'll shoot you out to safety the moment it smells trouble.

It'll <i>shoot</i> me out?! What if I go too high or something—

No, this <i>really</i> isn't the time to worry about that.

Seriously, relax a little. This is your career's big moment, y'know, you should be enjoying it.

Alrighty then, all ready?

I've gotten this far...

Alright! Let's do this!

Deep within the mountains hides a clearing rarely set foot in by man.

The mysterious object that fell from the heavens lies in the center of the clearing. Surrounding it are countless probes and sensors, like some ancient altar.

Elena slowly moves the power armor forwards.

She can sense countless eyes boring holes into her even through the cockpit. Everyone awaits this historic first contact.

The irregular indigo object is right in front of her. Elena takes a few deep breaths, then slowly stretches out her hands.

The robotic arms make contact with it.

There is no explosion, or flash of light, or unexpected activity. It is like an ordinary handshake.

As gentle as a snowflake falling to the ground.

We've got the preliminary analysis of the sample, Chief Urbica.

What's it say?!

The results are really surprising...

We have no idea what seventy percent of its composition is. It's not any sort of material known to man.

But it seems like its structure has been severely damaged.

As for the remaining thirty percent, we're sure that...

There is fundamentally no difference between its main component and the somatic cells of Terra's Elves.

Did you say... Elves?

But why... would Elves come from outer space...?

It might be completely unimaginable, but based on what we've seen from the sample, the conclusion is clear.

If we're sure that this part of it is just like an Elf... then wouldn't the damage to its structure mean that it ran into some sort of danger before it fell...?

So this is the 'meteorite' you were looking for?

En—Saintess, what are you doing here?

Shh! Not too loud...

I snuck out of the Court. I could hardly miss the chance to see our guest from beyond the sky up close.

It seems... rather more dangerous than I imagined?

Unknown objects always have a certain amount of danger.

Its fall onto Kjerag, was it pure coincidence, or some sort of unexpected factor? Or to put it in another way, what sort of causal relationship does it have with Kjeragandr's dormancy...?

Right now, we don't even know where to start with our research.

The life of a scientist is bitter work indeed.

Oh? What is this screen for...?

That's a sonographic imager.

Based on our observations, this unknown object is constantly sending out a type of infrasonic wave.

It's very regular, always repeating across the same frequency band.

How curious... If it weren't for your explanation, I would have thought it was some kind of writing.

Writing...?

The shape of this frequency closely resembles ancient Kjerag symbols that were used to transmit information.

It's very simple, with an extremely limited vocabulary. It's mostly carved on rocks or trees, to inform your friends of the prey's location, or the movements of a fierce beast, that sort of information.

Hmm... The similarities are striking, now that I think more about it.

Enya! Can you read this language? Could you translate it?

Only somewhat. If you want to decipher it, I'll have to go back to the Hall of Writings to find <i>Memory and Symbols</i>—

I've got it here!

Huh?

When I snuck into the Vine-Bead Court, I scanned all the books they let you borrow the whole way through with my terminal, just in case... Aha, here!

I didn't think you would...

I'm begging you, Enya, please!

Alright... I'll give it a try.

Enya takes the terminal from Elena, and with some guidance, she finds the relevant text.

She looks at the diagrams in the ancient tome, writing out her translation in the snow with her finger.

<color=#000000>Destruction... has arrived</color>