Smoothing Things Over

My dad, you know. Yesterday at the Tri-Clan Council, they announced the Saintess would lead the three, right?

Now Dad's all fired up.

Oh... Uncle Zoer was always against Sir Enciodes's open door policy...

Right? We all moved here from up north back then so my brother and I could get work.

And here, Dad pretty much got used to it, over the years.

And now they announce the resignation yesterday, and he's over the moons.

At dinner last night, he was going on and on, mad at Sir Enciodes for everything he'd done these years, and I was fed up hearing it. I even had an argument with him.

But you can't change his mind in the end. We might end up moving straight back to the Paleroches' territory.

So what about your brother's job?

Who knows? Once the resignation's through, it's up in the air if Turicum can still do business like before.

I heard the Paleroches say. See, in the first place, it was the Saintess last Council who wanted Sir Enciodes handing the valleys and mines over.

If she's going to govern Kjerag, Sir Enciodes probably isn't getting any favors.

That's true.

It's a good thing too, though.

You might've missed it, being outside so long, but the three clans got along fine at first. It's just lately, they've fallen out more and more with each other.

A lot of people were scared, after last Council, we'd get into a full-blown war.

Yeah, it's amazing how Sir Enciodes yielded on this. And he's putting power with the Saintess.

Yeah. Just, it should've happened long ago, if you ask me. I don't hate his open door policy, seeing as our family made a good living from it too.

But sometimes it really does feel like the old people say, how Kjerag's not like Kjerag anymore.

Him deciding to give way now and make less of a fuss, everyone approves of that.

It's just old grumps like your big brother against it.

My brother...

I'm back.

Oh, you silly kid. Told you to relax once you got home, but you just had to work.

(Softly) You and your ore-pathy thing. You might not feel bad about your health, but we still hurt over it.

It's alright, Sis. A bit of work like this won't get in the way.

Um, where's Bro?

He said he was heading to the factory just now, and went out all in a hurry. Said he wouldn't be back today, either.

The factory?

Is that the Captain?

Captain, is something up?

Vacation's over, Aurora.

The Doctor got nabbed at the station by the Paleroche family yesterday.

Huh?!

Doctor went with them, voluntarily. You should get what I mean. Likely some sort of plan ticking under that hood.

I took a rough look at the map. Takes some time from the station to the Paleroches'.

The Doctor should've gotten there by now, and we ought to be on our way.

I'm using the pretext to head to yours now to check the situation, then I'll come out and converge with you.

Got it.

I guess I'll go rendezvous with the Captain, then.

I see. So you're the one from Rhodes Island.

Correct.

You're very unique, but I don't know why it is you're so unique.

Hm?

It was no more than a word of advice.

You see? Aren't you under the watch of a group of strangers, unfree to even stroll outside?

Before I answer your question, tell me first. For what reason did you come to Kjerag?

So in other words, you're Enciodes's friend?

Mending the three Silverashes' relations?

You speak some hefty words.

Then your luck is tragic, being drawn into a mess like this without rhyme or reason.

Yet it's beyond me, believing someone who can be so carefree in these circumstances is truly here on a tourist's plan.

I'm very curious—how outsiders like you regard this land of Kjerag.

Peaceful... yes, it's been peaceful here for over a thousand years by now.

And peace of mind signifies stagnation.

Kjerag's people are too used to this status quo, to the point they don't care what happens outside, nor have any interest in it.

It should be a good thing by all rights, but lately, I've felt... *sigh*...

In the end, their belief in Kjeragandr is the root of what condenses the people in this land together.

But at times, I've felt the people are somewhat too dependent on belief.

Can you sympathize? You tell every worry you have to the divine, hoping they'll come to help solve things, and so you turn—

Though, so clearly, you should use your own willpower to change circumstances, you just take divine will as an excuse to stagnate.

Though, so clearly, you till by your own hands to gain your harvest, you still thank the divine for their generosity after the fact.

Though, so clearly, making the choices, putting in the effort, should be for each person's own...

You're very forthcoming.

But most people like you, outsiders... in modern terms, 'foreigners,' hold such a view.

The people outside long since developed plenty to grant them idleness, or in other words, labor-saving technology.

They're accustomed to a convenient life, while most Kjerag folk have never heard of such things.

Maybe the people of Kjerag really can forge diligence and courage out of a harder life, can learn of belief and virtue in an environment far from all the pleasures.

But I also don't feel it should continue for eternity.

The people of Kjerag broke ground on a haven between these snowy mounts, but can they preserve their homeland's solidity and stability forever on tradition alone?

The way you see it, should Kjerag change?

Ah, so you think so too?

Anyone with a sharp eye could tell, honestly, that the transformation Enciodes brought can't be stopped.

Who can so easily decline their own life becoming a little less heavy, a little more convenient?

And here I thought you'd say, everything backwards here should be changed.

I've heard countless people say things like yours already.

And those people, by and large, are those born and raised in Kjerag.

How cautious.

But I don't mind the cautious at all.

It's just a shame. You probably have little time left to learn how this present country manifests.

I...

I have a friend.

This friend has been thinking, all this time, about how to finally change Kjerag for the better.

However, she's thought for a long time, and can't come up with an answer.

She's gradually realized that everyone thinks different to her, and their mindsets, no matter who they are, all disturb her.

She wants to do something, but every time she wants to, there's always someone advising against her.

And now, she finds, she's become slowly unable to stop what those people wish to do.

And it's in this moment you've arrived.

Omen? Perhaps any port in a storm is a more fitting description.

An invitee of Enciodes, come from outer lands. The spectrum and scent of you give me an otherly feeling, peculiar and novel—

Tell me, stranger, what does your arrival portend?

Come on, I only got her last letter not long ago. Seriously, it's like she hasn't written in forever. She's on my case like this every time.

Thank you, Kjarr. You're always the one handing me my sister's letters.

It's alright. The Great Saintess can't descend at will, so I go out and about in her place, and bring back outside news to her. It's as she desires, too.

Sorry, though, I've got no room to write a letter back for now. I'm about to get ready for something else.

Based on the bag next to you... you're going to head outdoors?

Yep.

Where are you going? To climb Jungfrau?

Come on, I forgot until you mentioned it! I still haven't conquered Jungfrau!

But where I'm going is to the valleys this time.

The valleys? Aren't they about to be handed over to the Vine-Bead Court? And there're so many factories there, too. What are you going to do?

The Doctor's gonna head there, which means I have someone to see. Oh, Kjarr, you have no idea who I'm talking about, do you?

Ah, I do believe I've heard tell. The guest taken away by the Paleroches?

Mm-hm. My guest in the first place, concern for the Doctor's safety is really weighing on me.

You're such a good girl.

But take care. I hear things haven't been too calm there lately.

Mm-hm.

Lady Ensia, we can depart now.

Worry not. All responsibility will lie with me on this departure.

You're a huge help, Uncle.

It's rare you ask me to help you with things. How would I ever refuse this?

Kjarr, I might be gone for a little long while. If you can, go back and tell my sister I'll reply to her after I'm done.

It's quite alright, I can wait.

Aurora, I need info to make judgment calls, especially your views as a local. Tell me how you see the Doctor's current situation.

Gnosis was likely in a very sensitive position, given he was formerly in charge of the mines and valleys.

Sir Enciodes putting the Doctor in that same position now is bound to draw Arctosz's attention.

Tell me in detail about why the mines and valleys are such a sensitive area.

Hmm... it'd be more convenient if we had a map on hand.

Kjerag's topography isn't too complicated, and it's not very finely partitioned either.

Usually, us locals just call each area the mines, valleys, woodlands, lakes, mountains, creeks, and plains.

The creeks and plains, and most of the lakes, are the Paleroches' in the north.

The Browntails in the west are mainly the woodlands, and the minority of the lakes.

The Silverashes are mainly the mountains, valleys and mines. They have so little of the lakes, you can essentially ignore it.

And the valleys and mines... actually, they represent nearly half of the Silverashes' territory already.

Between them, the mines have always been incredibly important land to the Silverashes, because practically all the ore used in Kjerag comes from there.

While the valleys were only developed in recent years.

Originally, they were extremely poor land to work, and there weren't more than a few hamlets. People always considered it an area with no use.

But after Sir Enciodes founded Karlan Trade, he chose that land to use for siting factories.

The majority of Karlan Trade's manufacturing is built there, and it's extremely close to Mount Karlan, too.

On top of that, I exchanged some info with Kjerag merchants before we left—but everyone who comes outside to do business is related to Karlan Trade in some way.

A month ago, with the Great Saintess's backing, the Browntails and Paleroches requested and organized a team to investigate health and safety issues at the factories.

But the team met a surprise attack secretly ordered by Gnosis, who wouldn't play along at all. I don't know how that info came out, but everyone believes Gnosis was involved in it.

That led to the Paleroches' head, Arctosz, getting inspiration from the Vine-Bead Court to send troops to station in the valleys, and it's because of the consequences of Gnosis's extreme actions that he was finally removed.

At the meeting, the Doctor mentioned Enciodes's reason for making the invitation.

We do help construct Oripathy-related facilities for Karlan Trade, but he never mentioned having the Doctor manage anything in his place before.

Which is to say, the Doctor's actively climbed onto the scales of this conspiracy. Very Doctor-like to do.

That seems likely, but Karlan Trade and Rhodes Island have a perfectly fine relationship, and the Doctor would probably only accept because of that relationship.

For now, I can't imagine the reason why Sir Enciodes would want to set up the Doctor...

What do we do now? Contact Dr. Kal'tsit?

The landship's headed for Victoria. We'd need the use of a local large-scale comms station, because our handheld equipment's got no way to get in touch.

(Breathes a long sigh)

Captain...?

I surveyed for a stretch. Guard force at the Doctor's present placement is low-strength.

The Paleroche residence should have about two hundred in guards, training and arms not up to outside army standard. We can break through on a surprise raid.

I've checked surrounding terrain too. Alternate plan is we infiltrate, but that needs setting up explosives in multiple locations beforehand.

Going in and pulling out both need manufactured explosions to draw attention. There're some points in the wall structure that'll let...

Wait! Captain!

Hm?

I feel like... things aren't going to get to that point.

No matter what happens, we need to ensure the Doctor's safety. That's our first priority.

...I agree with that, but...

If we bring force against the house of Paleroche in the run-up to the Grand Ceremony, then I'm worried Rhodes Island will end up an enemy of Mount Karlan.

What will the Kjerag operators at Rhodes Island do?

I need to consider the worst-case scenario, and the least honorable way of solving things. The present outlook is pessimistic, and if I have to make a choice, you know I'll only choose the Doctor.

We all hope things won't go that far, but you know as well as I that it doesn't depend on us, and I have a responsibility to the Doctor and Rhodes Island.

I just can't shake the sense that... Sir Enciodes probably has his own plans.

The Doctor chose to play them at their own game, so some kind of clue must've been there long ago, and the Doctor's already prepped to deal with it...

I've never doubted the Doctor's abilities for a moment. I believe.

But I need to make my own preparations beforehand. The Doctor put me on standby, so there's a place for us in the plan.

We need to get in touch with the Doctor first.

Aurora.

Hm?

You respect Enciodes a lot.

Yes... Without him, I would've never been able to leave Kjerag, and come into contact with the outside world.

Understandable.

But for the moment, I want you to forget that. Starting now, you treat him as a hypothetical enemy. Can you do that?

If you feel like you can't, you can head back right now. I won't blame you.

But at the same time, I'm an employee of Rhodes Island too.

Remember what you've just said.

Understood.

But... do we have to watch out for Cliffheart and the rest too?

I trust Cliffheart, but have no confidence in Ensia Silverash.

For now. We figure how to meet up with the Doctor.

You're the Doctor's subordinates?

...(Slash)

Wow, that's a rare way to use a sword here.

Who are you?

Well, there's no need to be this ferocious to an ordinary girl you've just met.

Pinning this position, and cracking a joke in this context? Does that make you an ordinary girl?

Put the blade down first! Your Rhodes Island Doctor sent me.

I was asked to bring you a message.