GA-1 Darkness Beneath the Light

Yucatan... doesn't Lateran food bug you at least, like, a little...?

Tastes here definitely lean on the sugary side, compared to Kjerag.

Don't you like sweet, though, Rus?

That doesn't mean I can take everything sweet!

*Sigh* I'm starting to miss Kjerag now.

It's that bitch Ratatos's fault, all blah blah 'grab every opportunity to reestablish our clan's status'... and she didn’t even come herself, throwing me under the sleigh out here.

It's a show of the Matriarch's trust in you. After that incident put us on the brink, it was your joint efforts with her that ensured the Browntails held on.

And you got tossed off to the side. You just love living behind the scenes, don't you?

Personally speaking, getting to see you shine is more than enough satisfaction for me, Rus.

Ooh, when did you learn to talk so smooth?

That aside, Madame, this conference may turn out more fruitful than we expected.

We didn't think so many countries would be here. It seems we might've underestimated Laterano's influence.

Yeah, that does sound about right... but don't you change the subject!

(Leithanian) Ugh, do you not have eyes?!

(Leithanian) You bumped into me, I think.

Your Leithanian is an embarrassment. What corner of the hinterland did you scurry out of?

I come from Kjerag, and it's certainly not the 'hinterland.'

Kjerag?

What kind of place is Kjerag?

Lady Sharon, Kjerag is the nation of the Snow Realm in the buffer zone between Victoria, Columbia, and Kazimierz.

There's a country in those mountains? Hah, the very definition of hinterland!

You think an envoy of a trifling glacial state has the standing to be flippant with me, a duchess?

Madame, first, I have to stress again, Kjerag isn't some 'hinterland' like you keep saying. You can probably thank your own narrow mind that you've never heard of my country.

Second, you're the one who bumped into me. You owe me an apology.

You dare!

Lady Sharon, we're in the Basilica...

Lady Sharon, permit I remind you, you currently stand in Laterano, and not your Leithanian domain.

And who are you?

A Lateran Legatus.

What are you trying to tell me, Legatus? This is the Basilica? What, do you intend to declare that as the host, Laterano sides with this provincial creature?

Laterano sides with order. Therefore, Lady Sharon, you should apologize to Madame Sciurus.

You know my name?

You'd expect me to know the names of all the diplomatic envoys, wouldn't you?

Oh? Then you must be well aware of who I am.

Of course, Duchess Francis of Leithanien.

But permit I remind you again, this is Laterano, Duchess.

In Laterano, you are asked to honor the Commandments and orderly abide the rule of law. No matter what privileges you enjoy in Leithanien, they do not exist nor apply in Laterano.

This is how Laterano treats its guests?

If you're willing to be a 'guest of Laterano,' Laterano will wholeheartedly treat you in kind.

—Oren, when did you start standing for Laterano, huh?

As a Lateran Legatus, do I not have the right?

Not in the Basilica.

Lady Sharon, please quell your anger.

Hmph. Don't you think it's a little late to be pacifying me, cardinal?

Your Grace, I beg your understanding. The Legatus who contradicted you will be given an appropriate punishment. And rest assured of the Lateran Curia's goodwill during your stay in the guesthouse.

Madame Sciurus, I beg your pardon as well. This fault for this minor misunderstanding lies with our shortcomings. If you would be willing to magnanimously accept my apologies, I hope to invite you in a short while to the side rooms for a talk.

Hah, Laterans. My, my.

Alessoe, Mattina, please look after these three most important guests in my stead.

Oren, come with me.

Here comes the punishment. Alright, alright...

Yes, the deceased in Pagus Stevonus did not leave behind a will nor any prior registration of one. I'll return to the Notarial Hall in a bit and submit for double-checking.

Currently? I'm at Pagus Stevonus Central Hospital... No, no, I'm alright, I just found a girl injured in a fall, I'm taking her to be examined right now...

No, I wasn't in a traffic accident...

No, the parents aren't with her. She's still unconscious, and for the time being we can't confirm her family circumstances. Once she wakes up, I'll bring her back to her guardians.

Right, and if she doesn't wake up soon, I might need to use Notarial Hall privileges to...

...Pardon? I can consider this one of my practical assignments...? Alright, I'll fill in all the documents after it's over.

Ah... sorry for that, I'm finished.

It's alright! The doc's physical checkup is done. No wounds anywhere, nothing on her head, so it probably wasn't a knock on the brain.

But the girl does have a small fever. Odds are she was ill. She'll still need a few more tests before we're sure what caused her to pass out, but it won't be anything too bad.

Doc's set her up in Ward 2127. You can wait there for the examination results.

Is she your sister? Are you on duty? Why are you bringing your little sister on an executor shift? I barely ever see executors here in Stevonus!

She's not my sister.

So why did you bring her here? Is she your target? Oh, Heavens, are executors really that ruthless? You'd execute a little girl like that? What did she do?

I only came across her in the street. She's not my target. She just lives in the vicinity, in all likelihood.

Really? She must be new around here, then.

This is the only hospital in Stevonus, so all the kids come here for checkups when they're sick... you should see the sight of the consulting room at Pediatrics whenever the seasons change. It's exhausting!

Lucky I'm on shift at Recovery next week. Have you heard of our Recovery department? It's famous!

The wheelchair rapid-fire competition last year there, oh, heavens me, I've never seen guns blaze that fast before, I still suspect that must've been a Gun-Knight... a little bit young for it, though.

What's that look for? Didn't I tell you Recovery was famous? We have multiple people from the Basilica all recuperating here!

Did you just say... the girl I brought here was newly moved into Stevonus?

I've never seen her before, that's why. If she's not your sister, then a kid that small can't have come scampering from another pagus, can she?

Well, obviously, there's the possibility I've just never seen her by pure chance. But I can tell a girl like her falls ill day in and day out... I've seen too many of them!

Where was I? Consulting in Pediatrics? Listen, last week...

Here you are gossiping with the family again, Elisa. The doctor wants you at the test center to pick up the results.

On it—

......

You're sure you fetched the right report?

Yyyes. Is there a problem?

I've never seen a blood analysis this strange before.

Once it's photocopied, send the original to the head doctor's office, along with this note from me.

I need to pay a visit to Recovery.

Hmph, that attendant's headed for the head doctor's office. So what now, Patia?

Allocate two to hold the report-deliverer back. Don't go big. Just hold things off, win a little time, and we're fine.

What about that doctor?

It looks like he's gone for Recovery. But not the end Cecelia's in.

Hm? That works. This way, the executor'll still be in the dark for now.

Everyone else, with me. We'll draw the executor away, and get Cecelia out before the hospital's people reach her.

Remember, move quick, but don't be rough with Cecelia.

She's our companion.

Don't make her hate us.

Unnh... nnh....

Mamma...

You're awake!

Who... Where am I...?

You're in the hospital, Miss. You fainted in the street, and I took you here since I couldn't find your parents.

Hospital... is this a hospital?

No... you—you're wearing a uniform, Mamma said...

......

Has your mama been telling you things?

(Come to think of it, when I first saw her, wasn't she hiding from me...?)

It's alright, Miss, I can take you to find your mama. I'm a good guy.

You can help me find Mamma? Ma—Mamma got taken away by people in gowns!

(This might just be a kidnapping case! Is that why she was all alone there?)

Okay, little Miss, stay calm. I'm a Notarial Hall executor. I'll help you find your mama. How did she get taken away?

You're a Notarial Hall...

That's right, I'm from the Notarial Hall. My name's Ezell. Look, here's my name tag.

......

Will you really help me find Mamma?

Of course. What's your name?

...I'm Cecelia.

...Nngh...

Huh?! What's wrong with... your halo...?

(What is this about...? Even in the most downcast moods, Sankta halos don't dim like this.)

(Unless...)

(But a child this small wouldn't even have a patron firearm yet. What could explain this...?)

...Nnnh...

(No. Beyond that...)

Cecelia, how do you feel? Is your halo...?

Sometimes... it goes like this... Mamma says I'm ill... it'll be fine soon...

......

Cecelia, are you...

Are you this girl's relative?

Functionally.

Come with me. She's got somewhat special circumstances, and the doctor said he needs to talk with you in private.

......

There was a strong gust of wind just now. I'll close the window, in case she'd catch a cold.

Hm? Of course.

Alright. Cecelia, just get some rest, I'll be right back.

Don't worry, Cecelia. We'll keep you company.

......

The rooftop.

You said Cecelia's circumstances were special. Special how?

Well... we can't be exactly sure yet. We'll need to wait for the diagnosis. The doctor will be here shortly. Just hold on, and we'll see what he has to say.

I've already reported Cecelia's situation to the Notarial Hall. My colleagues are fast on their way.

What?!

Tell me who you are.

I'm an attendant, right? What are you talking about? The doctor will be here momentarily.

Would a normal hospital attendant get nervous hearing the words 'Notarial Hall?'

So you suckered me... I only needed to keep you here for a short while anyway. If I were you, I wouldn't be giving myself trouble.

Patia said to be more gentle with Cecelia... but not with you.

'Patia,' was it?

You'd do well to forget that one.

Come on out. Let's give our Notarial Hall man some break time.

So you're able to move around without your wheelchair now?

Yes, I've been rehabilitating pretty well.

Last year, they had a wheelchair rapid-firing contest, which I won... and then the doctors banned me from competing again.

We'd have to look for a Gun-Knight to beat your firing skills, I think.

Aww, that's nice to hear.

I'd be even happier if SOMEONE learned how to say a few nice words to the sick, like my darling Fiammetta here.

Mostima, are you just going to stand there pretending you're the curtains?

You know I'm not the type, Lemuen.

What type? This is your first time back in two or three years. My memory's not that good.

Fine. Lemuen fires better than anyone I know. Her skills are incredible.

Mm-hm, that's more like it.

Is El doing alright in Lungmen?

I saw her recently. She's doing great.

You'd better worry about yourself before her.

And I'll copy those words right back at you.

How long are you going to stay this time?

Dunno, really. But it'll be at least until the conference's over, Wednesday after next, I think?

Tuesday after.

Oh, Tuesday. Otherwise, it's up to how that old weirdo feels. Who knows if he'll send me on some weird and wacky assignment again.

Did you just call His Holiness...?

He's not gonna mind, Fiammetta.

If you want to stay for a bit longer, I could help you there.

That so.

Did you figure it out already?

Figure what out? What are you two talking about?

Did you really not realize, Fiammetta?

Who we've been handing our reports to for the last half year?

Was it that obvious?

Wh-What...? Wait, Lemuen... you got a job at the Lateran Curia? While you're still in rehab...?

Don't worry, it's just some secretary work.

How long will you stick with it?

I'm not sure yet.

Will you return to the Guard?

Little chance of that now.

Your marksmanship, overlooked just like that... it's a mind-boggling waste.

You judge me so highly, Fiammetta, even though I messed it all up.

......

That wasn't your fault.

And it wasn't yours either.

Don't stretch yourself too thin.

The day will come when I settle the matter with him.

Oh, well. Mostima...

Can I rub your horns?

No.

Spoilsport.

Lemuen...

Something's on my mind, Lemuen.

Does this hospital have all that many volunteers?

Hm? I suppose.

Come in.

Seniora Lemuen, I want you to look at this...

Oh, you have visitors?

It's alright, they're old war buddies of mine.

War buddies... you don't mean—!

That's right.

In that case, maybe all three of you could take a look at these test results...

Oren, do you know what you're doing?

Maybe you'll be kind enough to tell me?

She's not going to think of your methods as just 'personal conduct.'

She'll be thinking we're going out of our way to exhibit 'the Lateran stance.'

Slip up for a moment and this becomes a diplomatic incident.

Isn't that exactly what you want?

Conflict leads to issues, issues require resolution, resolution needs a channel.

Laterano's providing a whole new way to resolve issues.

And we provide this method under two prerequisites—what we say has to carry enough weight, and what we say has to be 'appropriate'.

Right, Laterano needs to have an 'appropriate stance.' If all we brought to the table was an ordinary roll of the dice, who'd need Laterano?

—Wouldn't you say, Your Holiness?

Do you agree with him, Vel?

He's pretending to be smart.

The reason Laterano stands upon this land, and the reason the Legati can cross all borders, is that Laterano possesses faith.

No, it's because of Laterano itself that the Legati are given passage, Your Eminence.

We all know clear as day that the true Lateran faith can't reach beyond the Sankta. I'm sorry, but it might let you down if you count on it to get things done.

Oren, if you seek death, you can apply through the proper channels.

Truthfully, I've never understood how you two manage to fight so much.

When I set out on my way back from Victoria to Laterano, Duke Gododdin asked me a question, and I believe it's not one I'm equipped to answer.

He asked: 'Does anywhere in Laterano suffice to draw me there?'

......

Your Holiness, when we're sat at the playing table, will the cards in our hand be enough?

Your Holiness, Mostima wishes to speak with you.

She states that what she must report cannot be heard by any other.

Then we'll step outta your hair.

You may go.

Put her through.

Understood.

Time sure does fly, Your Holiness.

A good while, my child. Is Lemuen well?

No hiding anything from you.

We've seen something interesting here at this hospital.

Go on.

I saw the results of a physical checkup, and some of the signs look verrrry familiar.

Say no more before you return to the Basilica, Mostima.

Understood. Fiammetta'll go find the person these results belong to.

I know the hospital Lemuen's recovering at is in... Pagus Stevonus.

Stevonus.

Something that'd make Mostima use a dedicated line...

......

Oh, quit messing with me.

Cecelia, do you feel alright?

My head really hurt before... It's a bit better now.

In that case, I'll carry you out.

Out...? Who are you?

We're your companions, Cecelia. There's someone waiting for you.

Mamma?

I'm afraid it's not her.

Your mother won't come back, Cecelia.

Why?

I'm sorry, I can't explain it to you.

But someone can. I'll take you to see him.

I'm sorry, Miss, but I want to find Mamma first.

I'm really not good with kids. Sorry, Cecelia, whether you want to or not, I have to bring you away. You aren't safe here.

Cecelia!

Grr, too quick...

Who are you? What are you doing with Cecelia?

Not for you to know, Sankta.

Cecelia was a companion of ours from the start. You're the one stealing her away.

In that case, please tell me her parents' family name, her home address, identity number, and your blood or legal relationship to her.

Ugh, Notarial Hall brainrot.

If you have proper grounds to leave with Cecelia, you can tell me, and I'll take it into account in my decision.

If you were a Liberi, I'd consider it. But Sankta like you... no chance.

You bear the Lateran symbol. You're a Liberi of Laterano yourself. Why hate the Sankta?

Lemme tell you something, you Notarial Hall scumbag.

The thing I hate second most in my life is when people like you—selfishly assume—it has to be a law of nature that every Liberi who lives in Laterano gets along great with Sankta!

If you don't plan on elucidating your grounds, I won't let you take Cecelia.

Not your call.

I'll hold him off. You take Cecelia.

Right.

Sorry, Cecelia. Just bear with it.

...I don't want to.

What's happening?! What was that explosion? And the smoke?!

The window...! It must've been when...

There was a strong gust of wind just now. I'll close the window, in case she'd catch a cold.

Goddamned executor!

I'll give you a word of advice! If you truly care about Cecelia, then don't give her up to the Notarial Hall or the Lateran Curia! Or else, you'll regret it!

......

Cecelia, hold on tight.

Right...

Are you alright?

Yes.

Good. We need to break free of them, then.

Is he going to listen...?

Of course he won't. Sankta are a bunch of happy-go-lucky idiots, but the ones at the Notarial Hall don't even get the 'happy-go-lucky' part.

Whether he listens or not, we need to ensure Cecelia is... in our hands before we can proceed.

Then we need to notify the others ASAP.

Already done.

Huh?

While I was talking to him just now.

Ooh—you wanted to hold him up so you could send word out...

He can't outrun us.

Why was the door to this ward open?

Wh... Is that you, Patia?

......

Was there an eight-year-old Sankta girl staying in this ward?

No.

I heard an explosion on the way here. Did you have something to do with that?

What's so weird about explosions in Laterano?

Are you really the Patia I know?

Fiammetta. The girl you're looking for's already out of hospital.

(She's definitely not here...)

Why are you here?

What, you get to show up in Stevonus Central Hospital, but I don't?

Are the Guard looking for this girl too? Where'd you get this information?

I left the Pontifica Cohors long ago. Weren't you off being a Legatus's bodyguard? What, now you're back in Laterano again looking for some Sankta girl?

Don't you just love being surrounded by Sankta?

Liberi like you are all...

Patia. What's happened to you since I left?

Don't ask that like you actually care.

Enough. You don't need to talk to me like that.

If the girl's not here, I don't need to waste any more time with you either.

Forget what happened to me. You should be wondering just what you're doing, Fiammetta... Miss Veteran.

Tsk-tsk, Patia. Here I thought you loved your precious Fiammetta. Here you are with her again of all the things, and this is how cruel you treat her?

What's it to you? And what about the Notarial Hall kid? What's your plan?

Don't get so gruff, Patia. I might have an even better solution.

But I'll need another small favor from you.