When the Way Out Burns

...Maybe you could come with us.

You would certainly be in grave danger if you stay, señora.

Go. Weren't you discussing how you'd escape earlier? Here's your chance.

...

I'm the leader of the fleet. I won't abandon my crew. This was my oath to Cruz, and one which I will never turn my back on.

Señora Juana... there's something I need to return to you.

You can keep the clothes and the sword. Consider it payment for your troubles.

No, not that.

What else is there?

The compass? No...

I... I don't understand. If it's undamaged, then what is that debris in the lab?

If you haven't been repairing the compass, then what have you been doing?!

...

Answer me!

The destroyed compass was a replica. I never touched the original.

Whew...

What?! How come no one ever told me? When'd you make the switch?

I never told anyone.

I don't understand. Why?

The Corazonix in the compass was far more complex than I expected. If I'm unable to replicate it perfectly, that means I haven't understood its true nature.

In which case, attempting to manipulate the actual Corazonix could only lead to failure.

But I couldn't afford to fail. Your hopes, the future of the fleet, the fates of Elysium and Pascuala... all of that was on my shoulders.

So if I was doomed to fail, I thought I should at least limit the damage.

That's why I tried to replicate the Corazonix. If I proved incapable of understanding it, at least you could keep the original and find a better alchemist.

I left some of the materials you gave me behind for the fleet as well.

I...

I'm sorry. I tried.

Isidro... is this your idea of giving it your all?

The chance of failure was at least 87%... This was the safest way I could think of.

Are you that afraid of failure? Even if the chance of success were one in ten thousand, I would have wagered everything on it.

That's not experimentation. That's gambling.

Hah... Have you ever considered that the odds of getting a second chance might be even lower?

Tell me, is life a gamble, or an experiment?

...

Weedy's on her way to pick me up. Are you coming with us?

...My journey is not yet over.

I will continue.

What about you, Pascuala?

I...

Come with me. I can find a way to get you out of here, at least...

Alright... Take care, Isidro.

Take care.

You too. Both of you.

Señor Silver.

You're willing to stay. Good, very good...

Have you forgotten? I've got a bad leg. Can't go.

...No, I haven't. You were injured during the second raid, correct?

See, you have forgotten. It happened on the day of the execution. You treated the wound yourself, but it ended up infected anyway.

...

If... hypothetically... if I were a better doctor and fixed your leg then, would you have come with us now?

Of course.

...I see.

...

...

What were the two of you discussing? It is time.

Señor Anastasio...

Yes?

It is an honor working with you.

Where were you, señora?

...Saw the kids off.

I did what you told me to.

...Take the crew and Nene. Lie low in the Salt Flat for a few days.

I can't leave you here by yourself.

This is an order, Teach.

*yawn*

Shouldn't have had those extra swigs of saltfin garum...

Ugh—!

The guards have been eliminated. Inform the Alguacil that the intel is good.

Prepare to advance.

You work fast, Javier.

...You're alone.

As you can see.

You shouldn't have been left unguarded...

Go on. Kill me, and the fleet is yours.

...

Juana is in our custody. Keep an eye on her, but don't let her get hurt.

...What a joke.

How did you find this place...? Which finshit sold us out?!

Even now you think of vengeance? Meet your end, villain!

Gah—!

What of the compass? Have you learned anything?

Nothing, Señor Alguacil. It's all rank-and-file thugs who can hardly string two sentences together.

We won't find anything unless we go deeper into their base.

Do not stop without my direct command. Everything here must be cleansed with fire.

There is no reason to allow such tools of sin to continue to exist.

Sir!

That's...

No...

How could it...

I...

Don't bother searching. You won't find it.

The sailors told me that the kid screwed up. The compass was wrecked. It'd be of no use even if you found it.

Do not think to presume whether it is of use to me or not, bandit.

Yeah, yeah, perdón.

I have safeguarded the compass for nearly a decade, and slain all who reached for it...

Even if it has become dust, I must see this dust with my own eyes.

Where is your leader?

We had a deal. Juana will be spared.

And how does your agreement with Silver concern me?

Surely the woman fled with the compass, yes? This tale of alchemical failure a ruse?

A lie... to protect a woman, for the sake of your own desires? You, too, ought to be cleansed—

I'm not lying. Juana doesn't have the compass. Whatever's left of it is of no use to her.

It's the alchemist and his lab you should be looking for.

And where might that be?

Second tent in the back row. There's a secret door leading to the lab.

...More lies.

Do not make me cut you down where you stand.

...

On the ground! Don't move a muscle!

I-Is it true? We'll all get pardoned if you find the compass?

Are we gonna get a lighter punishment if we don't resist?

...

Fools.

Okay...