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Protector
- Anita
That should take care of it, I think? We should have enough for me, Grandma, and Bench...
- Anita
Oh, and the singer too. She will come back, right? We can't let her go hungry.
- Anita
We still have... some. We can put the rest in the box.
- Anita
Uh, Uncle Fireplace, you wanted some? O-Okay, I can give you some first.
- Anita
Whoa, I think that's seaweed on your arm! Let me have it! I'll make the... uh... seaweed alcohol that the singer taught me to make!
- Anita
Huh? Where did Bench go? I only took my eyes off for a moment.
- Young Inhabitant
(Makes children noises)
A red-clad figure appears before him.
- Young Inhabitant
Ah... Songs... Ahhh...
- Skadi
Stop grabbing...
- Skadi
This is yours.
- Young Inhabitant
Whaa...
- Skadi
Stop chewing it... It's not something you can eat.
- Young Inhabitant
Woodframe... Woodframe...
- Skadi
Don't call her...
- Skadi
Yeah, give her my harp, will you?
- Skadi
Tell her... No, I guess you can't talk.
- Skadi
This isn't a goodbye.
- Skadi
I'll go ask a question. Then, I'll tell her myself.
Skadi looks at the chapel overlooking the town. She knows how to get to her destination.
- Inquisitor Irene
High Inquisitor, are we planting explosives at the hill right now?
- High Inquisitor
That is correct.
- Inquisitor Irene
On another note, I saw someone entering the chapel.
- Inquisitor Irene
She looks very much like that... outsider we met before.
- High Inquisitor
......
- Inquisitor Irene
So, High Inquisitor, who is she?
- High Inquisitor
An Ægir.
- Inquisitor Irene
I heard she fought the Sea Terrors.
- Inquisitor Irene
I'm surprised there are others who not only know about these monsters... but specialize in fighting them as well...
- Inquisitor Irene
If we blow up the chapel... Will she be affected?
- High Inquisitor
If we don't strike the evil at its root, even destroying this place won't accomplish anything.
- Inquisitor Irene
Is that so? So we still have to find out who caused this phenomenon... And you don't know who it is yourself, High Inquisitor?
- High Inquisitor
You may not ask anything that has nothing to do with the mission.
- Inquisitor Irene
Understood...
- Inquisitor Irene
Also, while I'm aware you don't mind, I have to say this nonetheless... The load-bearing structure of this block probably won't withstand the intensity of the explosion.
- Inquisitor Irene
The southern half of the city may crumble any moment, and the inhabitants here still don't know anything about this.
- High Inquisitor
Proceed.
- Inquisitor Irene
Uh...
- Inquisitor Irene
......
- Inquisitor Irene
I want to evacuate the inhabitants.
- Inquisitor Irene
I mean, to you, they may seem peculiar and problematic...
- Inquisitor Irene
...and also things that need to be cleansed.
- High Inquisitor
Inquisitor!
- Inquisitor Irene
Uhh...!
- High Inquisitor
Tell me! What is your responsibility?!
- Inquisitor Irene
Yes!
- Inquisitor Irene
'For Iberia's prosperity, for Iberia's defense, and for Iberia's orderliness and integrity, I shall raise my sword and my light!'
- High Inquisitor
In that case, you must lay down your judgment for these men!
- Inquisitor Irene
You want me to... lay down judgment? To sentence them to death?
- Inquisitor Irene
High Inquisitor, when was the last time you listened to a song? Your records have all gone bad, haven't they? Your player has been gathering dust for a long time too.
- Inquisitor Irene
I heard that song. I heard the song the Ægir was singing for these people.
- Inquisitor Irene
That's the kind of song that Iberia should have had.
- Inquisitor Irene
Before we kill them, I want to know the truth. Just like you were trying to find who is behind this.
- Inquisitor Irene
Perhaps they will still mutate, but when that time comes, I will cleanse them myself, but I would like to evacuate them right now.
- Inquisitor Irene
High Inquisitor, if I have your permission, I will evacuate everyone right away!
- High Inquisitor
Is that your decision?
- Inquisitor Irene
I don't know!
- High Inquisitor
Irene, you are not just laying down decisions for those you see in front of you. Your decisions affect much more!
- High Inquisitor
By sentencing the monsters to live, you also sentence the citizens to die!
- Inquisitor Irene
I understand! I've already made decisions like this one countless of times!
- High Inquisitor
Your judgment can mitigate disasters or portend ill omens! You may kill hundreds merely to save one!
- Inquisitor Irene
I understand that, Sir!
- Inquisitor Irene
What's at stake behind this deal, the clashes between morals and scriptures... I understand it all!
- High Inquisitor
That isn't what I'm asking you.
- Inquisitor Irene
......
- High Inquisitor
What I'm asking you, Irene, is if you can truly bear this responsibility.
- High Inquisitor
If you bring them great pain, then you too must bear this pain as well, and it will be far graver than the sins you inflict on others combined.
- High Inquisitor
Do you have the courage? Will your beliefs remain steadfast when your heart is tormented? If you fail, are you certain you can stay unflinching when you witness the outcome of your decision?
- Inquisitor Irene
I can take it... and I won't waver.
- Inquisitor Irene
That's what I've been doing all along ever since I joined the Inquisition. I can do it. If what I do proves to be wrong, then let me receive the proper punishment. This is something I must do.
- Inquisitor Irene
High Inquisitor! I—
- High Inquisitor
Very well.
- Inquisitor Irene
Hm...?
- High Inquisitor
This will do. Do your duty, Inquisitor.
- Inquisitor Irene
—Yes, High Inquisitor! I will evacuate the local inhabitants right away!
- Inquisitor Irene
Also... The explosives left in the cabinet should be enough to level the whole of Sal Viento.
- High Inquisitor
That's right.
- Inquisitor Irene
So...
- High Inquisitor
If it comes to it, I will override your judgment.
- Inquisitor Irene
Right...
- Inquisitor Irene
I'll get going now.
Irene dashes off like the wind.
The High Inquisitor stands tall, unmoving, just like the reefs next to the sea.
It is only when the Inquisitors have doubts in their hearts that they have the chance to seek out the answer. However, for a young woman who has experienced little of the world's ugly side or its mirages...
She needs to be hammered and tempered. She needs to fail, to crumble.
She must first suffer. She must first abandon her unrealistic aspirations before she can truly be indomitable.
......
Wait.
- High Inquisitor
Who is it?
- ???
Hello, High Inquisitor.
- Bishop
Oh, look who's here?
- Bishop
Welcome, wandering singer.
