Conjoined Lives

No...

I told Yucatan not to come with me.

I wanted to talk to you, one-on-one.

...

Alright. But only for a little bit. Then you go back to bed.

*sigh* Acting like a little girl, when you're supposed to be a mom already.

I heard Arctosz shouting in the drawing room today.

No, it's not that...

I heard what you were arguing about, and I know many bad things have been happening lately...

Please, Rata... if you do know something, tell me.

By Kjeragandr...

You shouldn't be worrying about these things right now, Sciurus.

You'll have plenty to worry about once you take my job.

But there's been trouble after trouble. Even I, shut up in my room, can tell that things are getting worse...

I see unhappy faces outside the window every day, not to mention we haven't heard anything back from Monch.

I have people searching for her... I'm sure she's fine. Hey, don't forget that she's one of the finest Browntail warriors!

I know...

It's you I'm really worried about, Rata.

...

I've never helped very much, but there was a time when I could at least stand by your side and give you my support...

But now, you're facing all this on your own... I wish you would talk to me more.

There's no need to carry everything on your shoulders. Yucatan and I have your back, no matter what.

You think too much, my silly little sister. Are you really in such a hurry to take over for me?

That's not what I—

I promise you, Sciurus.

I'll protect you, and Yucatan, and all of Clan Browntail.

If it's the last thing I do.

Kjeragandr be my witness.

...

Still don't believe me? But you've got to believe Kjeragandr, right?

There's no need to go that far...

Alright... then promise me you're going to bed now.

Tomorrow will be a better day.

You honor me with your invitation, Madam Browntail.

I take it your thinking has changed, then?

...Cut the crap.

Assassinating the members of Clan Silverash and Clan Paleroche, driving a rift between the three clans... is this how you intend to coerce me into working with you?

I thought Victorian politicians were smarter than that.

I'm not sure how such a notion could have occurred to you, Madam Browntail.

Assassinating the leadership of another country on their own soil... it would be tantamount to a declaration of war... if it could be proven.

Are you sure you want to accuse Victoria of such crimes?

So this is why you people seem so smug about yourselves.

I'm not sure I understand your meaning.

But since you've deigned to meet with me today, I am very happy to listen—is there anything I can help you with?

Go on, act smug. Your crude little plot worked, huh? The relationship between the Paleroches and Browntails has broken down completely, and I've become the most suspicious one here.

As for Enciodes... he just spun his tale about all three clans wanting stability to hoodwink that fool Arctosz.

He knows full well that, in the present state of Kjerag, should the leader of any of the clans meet an 'accident', it would take little effort to demoralize the already-disheartened people.

If he learns of our meeting, he will not hesitate to join forces with the Paleroches to attack me, even if he knows full well I wouldn't promise you anything.

After all, what Kjerag needs right now is a culprit, one to place all the blame on.

In that event, it's entirely possible that Clan Browntail will be wiped off the map.

...I don't have much time left.

My sympathies, madam. I am in full agreement with your assessment of the situation.

Do you intend to turn things around, then?

...

Let's get straight to the point.

First, I want an absolute guarantee that you will prioritize the safety of Clan Browntail and the people of my domain, no matter what happens.

Of course. We have long sympathized with the ordinary folk who have become marginalized by Clan Silverash. It is one of our major goals for peaceful cooperation with Kjerag.

Ugh... say whatever you want.

Second, all the trade policies currently in place will remain so when Clan Browntail takes over from Karlan Trade, and Victoria must not withdraw any assistance currently offered to Kjerag.

Otherwise, we reserve the right to terminate our cooperation with immediate effect—not something you want to happen.

You need not worry, madam. We are more than eager to cooperate with Kjerag, and would never dream of undermining this partnership.

There will be much room for further cooperation, once you become the sole representative of your nation.

Good...

Taking over Karlan Trade isn't something that can be accomplished overnight. We need time to prepare... and the first order of business is to deal with Arctosz.

I know that man, and he will come looking for trouble if he finds out Clan Browntail has been working with Victoria.

Most regrettable...

The decision is yours, Madam Browntail. How should we... persuade Arctosz?

...

I will contact him again... for one final meeting.

Oh?

There is an old Browntail manor at the foot of the mountains in the southwest, an area that is virtually uninhabited.

I will send Arctosz a message, telling him to meet me there tomorrow, where I will explain the truth.

The time of the meeting is set at 7pm... fifteen hours from now.

I hope Victoria will demonstrate its good faith.

Of course. You will not be disappointed.

We look forward to your 'persuasion' of Clan Paleroche.

Rift Cloudbeast...

I'm just... clearing my head. You don't have to come out and be cold with me together.

Thanks...

I... I don't know how to face the Saintess...

She's the vicar of Kjeragandr. I should love and honor her, but—

How could those things happen... Why must my family be punished...?

They started training at such a young age...

There is a name on the stock... does it belong to her siblings?

I guess this is what they all think you look like.

It's not right, is it? Doesn't look like Kjeragandr at all.

The face needs to be a little thinner, and the body...

Will you heed the plea of your humble handmaiden, Saintess?

Enya, pleeease—

See? It looks better when the face is rounder.

...

...

...Saintess.

No need for formalities. It's just us two.

I would prefer it if you could call me 'Enya'.

As you wish.

There were a lot of Kjeragandr sculptures in the backyard. Did you and your family make them yourselves?

(Nods in silence)

They look a little different. Is it because people interpret the image of Kjeragandr depicted in the old books differently?

...

My dad made the ones that looked like Her. I made the ones that don't...

Pfft—

I'm sorry! I just wanted to ask... why did you make all those sculptures?

My family is a branch of Clan Paleroche that went into the mountains on Kjeragandr's orders. We've been hunters ever since.

We believe all that lives in the mountains share Kjeragandr's soul, and we are all part of the eternal cycle of life within Her.

In gratitude for the blessings of Kjeragandr, every member of our family must learn to sculpt the image of Kjeragandr once we are old enough to hunt alone.

We also make leather jackets, bone sculptures and accessories with Her mark.

'Hear, blessed hunter.'

'Are the whispers of the wind and the grass not Her hymns? Are the creatures that walk and fly not She embodied?'

'The cycle of life and death is the cycle of water and ice; there is neither beginning nor end.'

'Speak of Kjeragandr's wisdom and love, and listen.'

'Rely not on signs and omens, but seek upon snow-covered peaks'... and then... and then—

'And become one with Her.'

Yes... this part feels different from the other parts of Kjeragandr. I always get stuck here.

The details of the scriptures are not what matters the most. What's important is to be constantly mindful that Kjeragandr watches and listens to our words and deeds.

You may not remember the complicated verses, but you're living, hunting, and sculpting in accordance with Her teachings.

Even as the Saintess... I may never have truly understood the meaning of this passage, if I hadn't met you.

You're one of the most pious faithful I've ever met. Kjeragandr will protect your family.

...

Really?

Yes. I'm Her... chosen Saintess, after all. She will appear when we need her most, no matter what hardship we face.

...

*sob*—

Joanna? What's the matter? Can you tell me?

I, I—

When I first learned to hunt, I was bitten by an Infected beast... and I got Oripathy...

Dad hunted every day and made those sculptures after coming back from the hunt, so that he could sell them in town to buy medicine for me... and he did it for years...

A few days ago, dad's friend told me... he was at the station... the day the Catastrophe happened...

If I didn't—

*sob*... *sob*...

Joanna...

Why, Kjeragandr...?

Someone's coming. I'll get the door.

Young lady...

How do I get to the nearest town?

Are you lost? Do you see those lights? Follow the trail down the mountain, and follow the lights whenever you come to a crossroads—

It's getting dark... and my eyesight is poor...

You could spend the night here, and head down once the sun rises.

No, no, I shouldn't trouble you. I'll find the path down the mountain...

What is it?

Just an old man who got lost.

You're quite far from town. Do people pass by here often?

No. My family are the only ones who live here. We don't see many passersby. In fact, you were the first...

...

—Look out!