Temporary Stop

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So... it's all a misunderstanding?

No secrets, no assassinations, no VIP on the train, no nothing?

If there's any VIP that got me on this train, it was you.

Viscount Harold Craigavon, the renowned burdenbeast veterinarian who has become a household name amongst the pastoralists.

Ahem.

I'm honored.

I beg your pardon, Madam Degenbrecher.

It was hard not to make certain inferences from the blood on your gloves.

Blood?

Should I explain?

I guess I could tell you, if you really want to know.

I do. Please.

Lily's birthing wasn't easy.

It was premature. She bled a lot, and I had my hands full.

What?!

Premature...? She bled?

That's no laughing matter. How is my girl?

I performed first aid, but she needs a professional follow-up.

Leones says he trusts you the most, Craigavon.

It's up to you now.

I'll be there in two shakes of a beast's tail!

......

You look disappointed. Were you expecting something else?

Fine enough by me. I could live up to those expectations.

There's no need for that.

So, what's the misunderstanding?

Ah, well... Lake Silberneherze is a nice place, isn't it?

Particularly on a sunny, clear day like this, when even the air smells particularly fresh...

Do Victorians always talk about the weather when they're trying to change the subject?

I must have heard this a few thousand times by now.

Forgive me. We learn from a young age to use Victoria's awful weather as a conversation starter.

Kindly refrain from besmirching the good name of Victoria, My Lord.

Hey—

Why are you guys still standing around chatting?

Is our little misunderstanding all cleared up now?

Of course, of course.

Nothing would have happened, if not for some alarmists amongst us.

......

Whatever, as long as it's all cleared up now.

Running up and down a train was fun, but I've had enough of eating dust under a table.

I went ahead and had a look. A tour guide gave me two maps!

Lake Silberneherze is just down the street from here.

Should we go now?

Well... dreadfully sorry, Rosalind, but I'm afraid I won't be able to keep my promise.

There's a lady who needs me at her side, right now.

Lily is a burdenbeast, right? Not some Victorian noble codeword?

Perish the thought!

Fine, fine. Go see to your 'Lily'. I can take care of myself here.

Rosalind...

Wh-What's that look on your face?

You're such a kind, thoughtful girl!

Come, let's exchange contact information.

You must find me, should you ever need anything. I am ever at your service.

And I'll keep an eye out for your father... handsome Kjerag fellow, you said?

Thanks for that, dedushka.

Alright, you guys get back to your chat, I'm gonna get going.

Such a lovely young lady, so strong and cheerful even after losing her mother...

...A handsome Kjerag fellow?

Oh, you heard?

Rosalind came to Kjerag to find her long-lost father.

It's a touching story. I hope her efforts bear fruit.

Her father...?

Is that what she said?

Well, now that our misunderstanding has been resolved...

Madam Degenbrecher, I'm a huge fan of your work. Could I perhaps beg your autogr—

No time.

I'm leaving. Take care of Lily.

Wait, Madam Degenbrecher!

Ach—

She's gone.

The Black Knight does not seem to take much pride in glories past.

Small wonder, considering the manner in which she was exiled from Kazimierz...

Oh, I'm sorry, I forgot you were still here.

I didn't want to inadvertently offend the Black Knight.

Glad to know you're so self-aware.

It was my mistake. I should have been more careful with my words.

But do you really believe Madam Degenbrecher's reasoning?

......

The Black Knight has ever been Silverash's loyal lieutenant, from the moment she left Kazimierz and followed him to Kjerag.

She has been in the mountains lately, training a new unit of troops for Karlan Trade.

We also have reports of unusual goods moving in and out of Kjerag, involving materials of a sensitive nature.

Your point...?

All conjecture at this time.

But you have your suspicions too, don't you? That's why you kept the young Rosalind's contact.

Looks like your time in Victoria has instilled in you a pathological mistrust of others. What a shame.

That is my profession, after all.

I will report today's events to the Duke, exactly as they happened.

Wait...!

Allow me to remind you once more, My Lord.

You have a duty you are obligated to carry out. Do not fail Her Grace.

This is not a sightseeing trip.

Have you given Karlan Trade's proposal some thought, Mr. Taylor?

I understand Matterhorn has taken you to see our mines and factories. Are you satisfied with what you've seen from Kjerag and Karlan Trade?

I have no complaints about your company, Mr. Silverash.

But you're a businessman too. I'm sure you understand.

I would have few reasons to harbor any doubts, if it was Karlan Trade I was dealing with.

But if I'm to deal with the government of Kjerag, which we know little about... I do feel that more due diligence is in order when it comes to a project of this size.

Of course.

I saw Victorian soldiers on the streets a few days ago.

There's no conflict brewing between Kjerag and Victoria... is there?

I assure you that no harm will come to you in Kjerag.

Take your time, Mr. Taylor. Kjerag won't disappoint you.

Excellent! I look forward to a fruitful partnership, Mr. Silverash.

You will continue to serve as Mr. Taylor's guide tomorrow, Matterhorn.

Attend to any need he has, within reason.

Yes, sir.

But... are we really going to work with him?

You don't think he'd be a good partner?

It's not my place to judge.

However, he has found various excuses to put off signing the contract while here in Kjerag, and went back on his word more than once on profit sharing. I fear...

Indeed, he is a shrewd merchant.

Kjerag has no choice but to work with shrewd merchants at present, while these same shrewd merchants have their pick of options.

My job is to make Kjerag their only choice.

Sir...

Go and check on Degenbrecher's recruits.

Have them escort Mr. Taylor.

Yes, sir.

Enciodes?

Yes.

Look at that, you're using a communicator. I thought you didn't like these long-range methods.

I just don't like to be contacted.

There's something you should know, Enciodes.

I ran into a girl from Rhodes Island on the train to Lake Silberneherze.

Did you enter into a new partnership with them?

Kjerag snow cheese, burdenbeast accessories, Saintess portraits!

All Kjerag specialties, get them here!

Burdenbeast blind boxes! Limited edition! While supplies last!

It's so lively here.

What are they selling?

Portraits of the Saintess? That's not what Pramanix looks like...

Now, now, girly, the Saintess personally approved this portrait! It's the real deal!

Right, whatever you say.

I'll have some snow cheese, then. Is that the most popular treat?

I might've had some when I was little.

You're a local?

You could say that.

Should've said so. Don't buy the snow cheese.

Huh?

That's for tourists. We don't buy that stuff.

This shaved cheese is much cheaper and tastes pretty much the same.

Wait, aren't you just ripping off tourists then?

Hey, don't put it like that!

Look at the packaging on this snow cheese. See how nice it is? That's what the tourists want. Something nice and classy-looking.

All I'm doing is making a few francs off the packaging. It's not like I'm selling inferior stuff. The cheese itself is first-rate!

I guess you have a point.

I'll have the shaved cheese, then. Can I ask you something else, too?

Is there a man in Kjerag that everyone agrees is the handsomest?

The handsomest man, huh?

Well... I'm a Paleroche, but I'm not gonna lie.

Sir Enciodes has got to be the handsomest fellow in Kjerag.

Enciodes... Wait, SilverAsh?!

Yeah, the patriarch of Clan Silverash.

No, no way... it can't be...

How about another guy? Anybody else?

Er, well... um...

Never mind, just a random thought. Forget I asked.

How about something else...? That mountain by the shore of Lake Silberneherze?

Does it have a name or something?

Oh, that's Mount Fugen!

It's famous for its romantic atmosphere. Lots of young couples go there.

Young couples...?

They say any couple that watches the sunrise there will stay together forever. What's that old saying again? 'Kjerag's love is like the unmelting ice.' Humbug, if you ask me.

But lots of tourists go there. They hang the golden lock of love or something... oh, now that I think of it.

Sir Arctosz likes to go there to hunt, and he's none too happy about all the tourists who get in his way.

Hm...

Alright. Here's the money for the cheese.

Thank you. Come again!

So this is the Lake Silberneherze that Mamochka always talked about...

And that's Mount Fugen.

Not a bad view, but Ursus has icy lakes just like it.

Oh, the ice goes pretty deep.

Is that the statue of Kjeragandr? Can't see the face.

Wow, it's big alright. Wonder how much stone they used to build it.

Stone?

Our Kjeragandr statue wouldn't settle for stone!

Huh?

Gotta hand it to you: You've got good taste. This is the best spot to admire Kjeragandr's statue.

Er... who might you be?

Kjeragandr's statue isn't made from any old stone. We used the finest materials to express our love for Her!

The finest, huh?

Like, what?

Like I said, the finest—

—Ow!

What? Did you bite your tongue!

It's a secret, of course! Can't just go around blabbering to tourists.

I can't tell you the details, but anyway... just know that it's really amazing!

You almost let it slip.

Just almost.

Fine, fine, you didn't say anything.

Well, enjoy the view. I gotta get going.

Oh, hey, wait up!

What is it this time?

Kjeragandr's statue's getting officially unveiled right here the day after tomorrow, in the morning.

If you're still in Kjerag, you won't wanna miss it!

Now you're just talking to yourself.

Who knows what's gonna happen in two days? Makes no difference looking at it today.

Of course it makes a difference!

The Saintess is officiating the ceremony herself! You might even get to see Kjeragandr in spirit!

You... say, what's your name?

Rosalind.

Full name.

Alright, Rosalind, I'll make this official!

I, Sciurus Browntail, formally invite Rosalind Tatyanovna Larina to attend the unveiling ceremony for Kjeragandr's statue that takes place in two day's time!

Then you'll know that this Kjeragandr is special. There's no other like Her.

You sure are confident.

Well, I guess I'll look forward to it.

Wait, I haven't given you the invitation letter yet!

Why are you in such a hurry, anyway?

Sciurus, younger sister of the Browntail Matriarch. Frequently visits other countries on behalf of Kjerag, in recent years.

Did she arrange for Rosalind to be here?

I should find a way to eavesdrop...

Sir, you've been standing in front of my stall holding that newspaper of yours for five minutes.

I need you to buy something, or move out of the way.

Oh, pardon me. One burdenbeast milk tea au lait, please.

......

Alright, I guess that takes care of that bitch Ratatos's job.

Makes no sense... why do I have to keep an eye on a some kid? Even talk to her, no less?

Gotta say, though, the girl looks slightly familiar...

Rus?

Are you sure you don't need my help?

Yucatan!

Leave it to me. I got this.

Let's go. I want Ratatos to tell me what the deal is with that Rosalind girl!