Stampede

It's that bad?

I'm not going on a picnic...

Bring it anyway. You might get hungry.

Don't worry, I also got you some good stuff.

This box contains soporific incense pills. Just in case.

Make sure you stand upwind when you use it, or you'll put yourself to sleep.

Kyría Athopoulou... I thought we had already made the arrangements?

Kassandra has obtained the schedule of the jailer shifts.

The Astynomos' Office has a duplicate key for the jail door and shackles, and I made my own duplicate—

It was careless of Lydia to leave them on the table.

There hasn't been a prison breakout in ages, so security isn't particularly strict. I'll find the right time, go in, get them out. Shouldn't run into any issues.

There's no need to be overly nervous.

......

I know... it's what happens afterwards that I'm thinking about.

You're worried you can't distract Lydia? Or are you worried about your future?

While I'm the one who's actually carrying out the prison break, Lydia is likely to find out about your participation.

It may obstruct your company's efforts to develop your Athenian office...

Xanthos and Lykeion are my patients, even though one of them isn't the most cooperative.

When I made the decision to become a doctor, I also made the decision that I will not leave any patient behind.

There are some things that have to be done, no matter the price.

It's Lydia whom I'm really worried about... I need to talk to her.

Don't worry about me. But you...

Don't worry about me.

There's nothing left for me here. The only reason I didn't quit was that I was waiting for Lydia to fire me so that I could collect my severance—

Not getting it is my only regret.

I'm more excited than anxious about leaving this nomadic city for broader horizons.

I heard you were once forced to leave Athenius, Kyría Athopoulou. Perhaps you understand the feeling.

...Yes, I do.

Your situation now is much like mine back then.

Just as it got better for me.

We need to find a way to get out of here.

We can't just sit here and wait.

Yes, we need to get Lena to look at you. Your health—

My health is not important.

The relic exchange ceremony takes place this afternoon.

If the Sargonians are allowed to take the engineering notes from the Three Poleis, they will be able to dictate how the history is told.

This must be stopped.

Hold it, Xanthos.

You have Oripathy. Many on the Sargonian border contracted the disease in the conflict, just like you.

...Yes.

Many lost their homes, their livelihoods. But you found your footing after coming to Athenius.

You've got a new life. Why do you want to get involved in such things?

Maybe it's because I have Oripathy.

I don't have much time left. I must spend what little I have on things that are more meaningful.

Then you're just another Minoan bound by the heroic dream.

I don't think about those things. Oripathy saps the heroic spirit. I have not had the heroic dream ever since I left my homeland.

Is that so?

Who could have imagined...?

Ithakos found a good friend out on the borderlands.

......

The guards change shifts in fifteen minutes. That's your opportunity to get out.

Go out the door and turn left, then take the second right turn, and go right every time you see a crossroads after that. You shouldn't see any guards if you get out within five minutes.

You'll eventually find yourselves in the kitchen, which should be empty at this hour. You can get out from there.

......

Oh, right, the shackles. Come over, I'll unlock them.

Why...?

Why don't I leave? Well, my situation is a little different—not everyone in this prison is scheduled for the death sentence. Some need to be locked up until the day they die, like me.

And why should I leave, when I don't have to worry about room and board? What difference is there anywhere on Terra?

Or did you want to ask why I made these preparations? Came in useful right now, didn't it?

There.

...Thank you.

You're welcome.

I don't know what you're planning when you get out, but I doubt there'll be a place for you in this city anymore. I don't suppose we'll meet again.

Ithakos died for his heroic dream. Divine revelation had shown his future. None of us could stop it.

But you're not the same. You haven't received your divine revelation yet. Perhaps... in the distant future...

Until then... live well.

All this stone, these incomplete statues, and those scaffolds—why are they still here?

I knew your people are lazy, but I didn't expect you to be so shockingly inefficient.

And where is that Astynomos of yours?! She's the one who should be receiving me here!

We've already discussed the ceremony with Titi.

A space has been cleared for the ceremony, the speakers and spotlights have been set up, and signs have been placed around the audience seats.

We've completed all the necessary preparations. The things that you noted are not.

Medjehtiqedti? She's nowhere to be seen.

I'm in charge of the Sargonian mission now, and it's MY needs you must attend to.

And I think that your preparations are entirely inadequate for a ceremony as important as the exchange of relics between Sargon and Minos.

As you said, it is an important ceremony, and we will do everything in our power in the remaining time to make the venue as perfect as possible.

However, I must also put a question to you—

What is the condition of the relic that you are handing over, which is of paramount importance to Minoans and the First Temple—the harp of Kereseira?

I heard that it suffered a serious fall a few days ago at the dock, and that your delegation intends to repair it. Are the repairs complete?

And I'm curious—while I don't know how your padishah and Lydia came to such an agreement, does the agreement include an appraisal as well?

You're overstepping, Pallas.

We have an accord with the Astynomos. This will be a massive occasion. She informs me that priests from Lachedamon and Corinia will be in attendance as well.

This is unprecedented publicity for you and your temple. You should focus your full efforts on the preparations.

You do not need to worry about anything else.

You're right. I look forward to the event in the afternoon.

That Sargonian sure has his nose in the air, doesn't he? I'm surprised you didn't punch him.

Or are your plans in motion, and you're just watching the clown make a fool of himself?

Clown? Are you talking about yourself?

You've been in Athenius a little too long, Corinian.

The apples that the Athenian orchards are exporting to Corinia have already been packaged into boxes. Why are you still here?

I'm a priest of Corinia. It's my job to attend certain important occasions, in addition to business dealings. I'm here at your Astynomos' invitation.

Besides, to a Corinian, a transaction that has already been settled belongs in the past. The important thing is to seek opportunity for the future.

Is that why you keep sniffing around like a musbeast in a ditch? What favors did Lydia promise you?

Is there anything you won't sell for the right price? Your dignity, your conscience, even your soul?

Everything is for sale. If you can afford it.

......​

Rather than pay so much attention to me, I suggest you spend it on the people who are not here.

You mean the Astynomos? It's true that she and her Grammateús should be here, but neither are.

Perhaps they've been sidetracked by private matters.

It's someone else whom I'm talking about. As the Sargonian said, the Astynomos has invited priests from the other poleis.

The guest from Corinia is standing in front of you. But where is the priestess from Lachedamon?

......​

Think about it. A Lachedamonian, stubborn, obstinate, serious barbarian, for whom violence is the only answer to any problem.

As far as I know, this particular Lachedamonian was born in Athenius, but she was taken to Lachedamon from a young age, for reasons unknown, and grew up in a temple there.

She wears certain elements of Athenius, perhaps as a kind of memento, but she was brought up with an orthodox Lachedamonian temple education.

The three-time reigning champion of the Lachedamon Pankration, and the youngest priest in the city's history, having graduated top of her class.

I'm curious... how would such a remarkable figure react, if she saw an unexpected scene of chaos?

This is the real reason why I stayed.

......

Good timing. Take over for me for a moment. We need someone here who can be in charge.

I'd better find Titi. I coaxed a little bit of information out of the Sargonian deputy. Apparently, her plan to steal the harp was unsuccessful. I'm worried for her.

If she failed, I'll spill the beans at the ceremony... we have to discuss how to proceed after that.

The problem is that I don't know where she is. She wasn't at the hotel...

She's at the burdenbeast ranch on the outskirts.

Ranch? Why?

Go and find her. Maybe you'll witness a miracle, and find that all those things you were worrying about are not a problem anymore.

......

Don't forget what I said to you last night.

I think someone's coming, master.

Did we take a wrong turn?

I don't think so.

Just one person, I think.

We've come too far to give up now.

Go hide in that corner. When they pass, knock them out and throw them into an empty cell.

Okay.

Cover their mouth and don't let them make a sound.

Hm... how should I talk to him when I see him?

Mmph—mm—ouch—who are you—ugh—huh?

What are you doing here?

Phew, finally got out. Let's hide here for now.

Thank you.

Don't mention it! Just glad to get you safely out of there.

The next part is the hard part... I have to take you to the ancient route. Kassandra has your documents and luggage waiting there.

We'll need to be careful and avoid drawing attention to ourselves. Let's hope it takes a while for the jailers to notice...

Kassandra...

She was very worried about you. Did you want to say goodbye to her before leaving? I can understand.

Movement over there.

The jailers found out so quickly?!

I don't think so... sounds like the crying of a beast.

Burdenbeast!

What are burdenbeasts doing in the city?!

Moo—!

The burdenbeasts are coming straight at us!

Master!

Titi said the harp that the Sargonians brought was fake.

......

You're not surprised?

I'll talk to her about it later. It's you whom I'm looking for.

You've been relying on her to handle the First Temple's matters for you these past few days.

I thought we already talked about this. Who's in charge is not important.

But she can't replace a priest.

Only the priests have full knowledge of the heroes that a temple venerates, the ceremony to invite them, and the ceremonial plays.

Only a priest can gather the spirit of the heroes during a performance.

You're the only one who can do it for Kereseira's First Temple. No one can do it in your stead, not even me.

......

Stop running, Pallas.

I know. I wasn't going to run from my responsibility, the day I made the decision to return to Minos.

She does worry, doesn't she? I should buy her a round of drinks after everything's done.

What did she discuss with Titi last night, anyway? I forgot to ask...

And what's this 'miracle' that she was talking about?

I finally understand the meaning of the idiom, 'suffering is the price of wisdom.'

I didn't feel that way when I was a priest, but now I fully understand how irritating their habit of speaking in riddles is.

What exactly is Titi doing at the burdenbeast ranch, anyway?

Pallas! Look out!

Where Kassandra said Titi was at?

The burdenbeast at the rear of the stampede... there's something on its horn—

Is that... a harp?! Could it be... Kereseira's...?

Is this the 'miracle' that Kassandra was talking about?