LE-2 Appassionata, ou Pathétique

Huff...

It didn't go so well with Mr. Czerny, but everyone else in the Afterglow has been nice and easy to talk with.

I've visited ten or so houses by now, and picked up a few blood samples. Not bad results.

It's almost night now...

Junge Frau, I've seen you busy all day long, running to and fro. I bet you're hungry, aren't you?

How about trying some Afterglow specialties?

Specialties?

Take a look at this. Pan-fried sauerkraut! The aroma, the color!

(A pickled food sautéed in oil. The very opposite of healthy.)

What, scared I'm overcharging you? Here, this one's yours, free of charge!

Don't be shy, now, you've been all over the streets checking up on us. This is to thank you.

(Oh, I can't turn down hospitality...)

Thank you very much, then.

Don't mention it!

What's wrong? You've only taken one bite. I told you, it's on the house.

I'm not quite hungry—I'll carry on eating later.

Actually, have you ever considered adjusting your recipe slightly?

In what way?

You see, this serving is approximately that of an adult's, but the salt and fat content are at least three and five times the recommended intake respectively. It's more harmful than anything.

Junge Frau, I've been making this for decades. There's no one buying it who doesn't like it.

If I suddenly changed my recipe, my regulars would have my head!

I'm suggesting it with their health in mind.

Everyone spending their money here, myself included, is an Infected. A diet so high in salt and fat can only have even worse repercussions on Infected than on the healthy...

I'll just ask you this one thing—does my food taste good or not?

It's extremely delicious.

Then that settles it!

But I still think—

Alright, alright. I know you can't appreciate my craft, I get it. My heart goes out to you.

Haha...

Oh, by the way, I'd like to ask a few questions. Can I?

Seeing as business isn't exactly booming right now, ask away.

Well, why don't you tell me how business has been lately?

Up to my ears! More and more people out to eat the past few days, probably thanks to the warm weather.

Are you familiar with everyone who comes to eat?

I am. Every patron of mine's from the Afterglow. I know basically all of them.

Are they all Infected?

They are.

Have there been any who hadn't shown themselves for a while, but came to buy from you again these past few days?

That's right. Quite a few too, if I think about it.

Could I ask you to tell me which of your customers that applies to? Where do they all live?

Thank you!

No problem!

Finally... how have you been feeling recently?

You mean the Oripathy? Fairly regular, nothing one way or the other. But with business good lately, I've been really on top of keeping my stocks up.

I'm guessing you're not too obsessed with music?

Heh, I've never been much of an artist. Don't have as much drive as them. If I can keep my family fed, I'm happy.

That's all my questioning, then.

Thank you for humoring me! I hope business thrives for you!

Thank you, thank you.

But you've still only taken one bite, Junge Frau. Won't you have a little more?

Well—didn't I just—

I'm joking.

You doctors put health first, I understand that! But naturally, taste's a priority for us chefs, and doctors by and large, well, they give us some understanding back. What do you say?

Erm... I can understand, but I still can't approve.

Just understanding's a good start. We can put our differences aside. Next time you want a bite, remember, come by!

Mmhm, mmhm.

She has me wondering, though. Seemed on the verge of tears after she took one bite...

*sigh* Such a nice young girl. Makes you wonder why she had to be a Sarkaz.

Chefkoch, one thing of sauerkraut, please.

Coming up—oh, it's you.

Two portions of minced meat and a slight char on your sauerkraut, yeah?

Thank you!

That girl just now looked a little strange. You seen her before?

She's been all around the streets lately. If I didn't before, I have now. What, are you going to invite her to yours for a cup?

Forget it.

You've seen how she's so busy. Probably on some serious business, no chance to have a coffee.

Cases with abnormal improvement are distributed over an even wider area than I guessed...

I'm sorry!

That's alright, I should be the one apologizing. I was so preoccupied, admiring this magnificent building, I got in the way of your motif.

...Motif?

Goodbye.

Good—— bye...

(She's in a hurry...)

(Though I suppose it's about time to head back. There's no residents in the square...)

Hey, fräulein!

Um?

(What a strong smell of alcohol...)

Yeah, you, devil!

......

And you are...?

You just left my house! You don't remember?

So, you're a relative of Mr. Schneider's? You didn't seem to be at home when I made my visit just now.

I'm his son! You sucked my father's blood!

Hibiscus! Hibiscus!

Andante, not a moment too late. This man here's extremely worked up, and I don't know what he's trying to convey...

Andante? Andante from Rhodes Island! Go tell your boss right now, to send this devil back home, never let her back in the Afterglow!

That... Just calm down for now. Tell me what she did. It helps me write my report afterward.

(Whisper) I was wondering why you were taking so long to return... head back to the branch office for now!

(Whisper) I'll observe a little longer. Something's not right here. Maybe what he says can help us out somehow.

She sucked my father's blood! Devil! Bloodsucker! You know what that means?

Er, Mr. Schneider, you may have heard legends about Vampires, but I'm just an ordinary Sarkaz. Fresh blood has no attractive force on me...

Who said anything about Vampires?

Hey, buddy. What do you say? What's she doing... collecting blood from Infected?

Me?

Yeah, you! G—Go on!

I... I'm busy right now, excuse me...

Gah, some people got no spine...

Bro, you—you tell me!

Well... I'm not too sure of the details, but I have heard about Casters using Infected blood to do their Arts.

And the Spire Casters secretly abducting Infected lately. They're doing about the same thing...

That's what I want to hear! This devil's been collecting our blood from all over! That shit's exactly what she's doing!

Collecting the blood of Infected for Arts... Based on what I know, nothing apart from the, um, quote-unquote 'Witch King's remains'...

?!

You'd... utter the Majesty's name just like that... You really are... all tied up.

That's it, she has to be! It's what the prophecy said! This devil's going to use Infected blood to blast us all with Arts!

Prophecy? You mean the one His Majesty issued...

Right! That one! We can't let that prophecy come true!

Did you say prophecy?

I heard there was a prophecy recently, but it was all vague... what did it say, exactly?

I'm just as curious. You're trying to drive me off based on some prophecy, but I don't even know anything about it. How do you expect me to go, just like that?

We can't just talk about it out loud. Who can guarantee he didn't leave behind some kind of Arts? Maybe our each and every move is all...

Eek!

Th-Th-Th... Then tell us quietly. What exactly did the prophecy say?

Tch.

(Whisper) Andante, have you heard similar rumors recently?

(Whisper) It rings a faint bell, to be honest, but I never paid any attention to it...

(Whisper) Not to mention His Majesty died long ago. And even if he were alive and well, he'd have no reason to leave any prophecies specifically in the Afterglow.

(Whisper) People just keep coming...

Girlie, I think you should take a hike. There's everything to fear here...

Get out of the Afterglow!

Please, everyone, don't just trust an unfounded rumor like this!

Rumor?! You have the gall to call a prophecy a 'rumor,' you...

Sir, one moment you saying me and the Wi... those remains are 'all tied up,' the next you're suggesting I'm disrespecting him. What exactly are you trying to get at with all these contradictions? What are you inciting?

The way your sort behave, common sense never applies.

Besides, who knows what a devil like you is up to, coming here to the Afterglow and using your 'investigation' as a cover to steal our blood.

Even if you *mean* no harm, we can't just ignore the prophecy and let you stay here! Isn't that right, everyone?

Yeah! That's right!

I'm not sure why you all seem so scared of a fictional calamity taking place here. It's probably 'His Majesty's' name hanging over you?

But there's something that scares me more.

I'm scared I won't be able to find an explanation for this incident.

If I cower now, then maybe I'd be losing a golden chance to save lives; maybe, I'd leave you all to be endangered just because of my own cowardice.

You can look at me like a cruel caster using Infected blood for Arts, you can treat me like some 'devil' spreading disaster... I don't mind any of it.

I just want to save lives. Beyond that, I'm not asking the Afterglow for anything else.

No more lies! If you don't go, you're here to destroy the Afterglow!

......

Everybody, I don't intend to start a conflict with you here.

If you truly want me out of sight, I can return to the Rhodes Island branch office for a time, and you can all cool down in the meanwhile. Would that be okay?

Pssh, now you're talking reason—

No!

Where do you think the Rhodes office is? It's here in the Afterglow too!

Or do you think Rhodes Island has some special privilege, huh? That you can just take it out of the Afterglow's hands?

We won't let that happen!

Everyone with me! Drive this devil away!

Don't make me repeat myself – outta my way!

What are you people trying to do?! She's here to help you, so why are you doing this?!

This has nothing to do with you, Andante! If you're gonna protect this devil, then get her outta the Afterglow!

What—— What's going on here?

Kreide? Hibiscus is in there... They're mobbing her!

Move, out of the way! Let me inside!!

Huh? What hole did you crawl out of?

Oh, I remember now. You're the kid who drifted into the Afterglow not too long ago, right? Be a nice lad and go back to taking care of your opa, and don't stick your nose where it doesn't belong!

Hibiscus only came here to help all of you! Why are you treating her like this?

People like you will never understand. We're protecting our homes from the devils, so get lost!

Hibiscus isn't like that!

All I know is that Hibiscus is here to treat Oripathy, and she's whole-heartedly devoted to it. Can't you all see that?

Treat Oripathy? Whose Oripathy is she here to treat?

Kreide, you don't need to get involved with this! This is Vyseheim after all, they wouldn't dare––

Wouldn't dare what?!

The cello?!

Are you out of your mind?!

If you've got a problem, come at me! What are you flinging Arts at him for? What's any of this got to do with him?!

I... I wasn't trying to––

Why the hell do we have to answer to you? Get outta here, or we're gonna put a hole in your body just like we did with this cello here!

Someone's playing the flute?

Who wants a piece of us next, huh? Show yourself!

......

My... My heart won't stop pounding...

Scheiße, why'd he have to show up here...?

Hey, where are all you people going? Why are you...?

Did you not hear that sound?

Wait... Could it be? Don't tell me it's––

P-Please have mercy on me, I–– I just had a bit too much to drink. I absolutely meant you no disrespect...

––What in the world am I doing?!

The crowd...

They were gone?

Kreide, are you alright? You're not hurt, are you?

I'm fine, but my cello...

Oh no... The body's been damaged so badly. Can it be fixed?

I don't know...

Thanks for coming to my aid.

Don't mention it.

It's a pleasure to meet you–– Or perhaps, 'meet' wouldn't be the right word. However, I haven't had a chance to say hello until now.

To be honest, you were in quite a bit of danger back there. Even though the Afterglow is technically part of Vyseheim, your average patrolman has no desire to come around here.

If they really decided to attack you, there's a good chance nobody would've come to help you for a while.

Then I must thank you again. And to whom do I owe the pleasure?

Just call me Ebenholz.

Then, Ebenholz, have you heard of the prophecy they were talking about?

Not even once. Just caught wind of it from the crowd here.

In other words, this prophecy hasn't reached the Cliffy Patio at all...

The Cliffy Patio?

That's where all the nobles in Vyseheim live, right?

Don't lump me in with the lot of them.

Huh? But aren't you Vyseheim's...?

I'm actually not a native of Vyseheim.

Besides, it's discourteous to casually speculate about a noble's identity.

......

Then did you come all the way into the Afterglow to perform in Mr. Czerny's concert? Are you also an Infected?

Sorry, but I don't have Oripathy.

But I heard from someone that only Infected are performing––

That's enough chit-chat for now.

Are you in a hurry?

Of course I am.

Kreide and I were going to Herr Czerny's house to have him assess our practice today, but then all this broke out.

Sorry for wasting your time.

I'll be heading back to the office now.

......

Alright, don't start moping on me. Let's head to Mr. Czerny's first. I'm sure he'll find you a new instrument, seeing as how he's so fond of you.

Hey...

Come, I was only joking around.

Don't worry about it.

But that sure is strange. I haven't heard about 'His Majesty's Prophecy' or anything of the sort.

(Could it have been Gertrude?)

I think I've heard something along those lines before... But only very vaguely, and there never was any mention of Sarkaz.

Well, whatever. The concert is the only thing that matters.

What a quaint group of people though. If they really care so much, they should head to the door of the Empresses' Voice and start hollering 'His Majesty, His Majesty.' Now that would be a fun show.

But, let's set that aside for now and head to Mr. Czerny's place.

But, my cello...

I already told you, Mr. Czerny will get a new one for you.

Besides, it's not your fault. Even if Mr. Czerny wanted you to pay him back for that cello, you've still got me.

Right.

The cello is broken?

What, did the two of you decide to jump into a fight?!

No, that's not what happened–

Then what happened, Kreide?

......

Ebenholz and I ran into Hibiscus while we were on our way here.

Hibiscus?

She was surrounded, attacked by a group of people, calling her a devil and saying that she'd bring disaster to the Afterglow.

What nonsense.

I was trying to defend her, and... the cello got blasted by somebody's Arts.

Casting Arts out in the open streets? What's going on in peoples' heads these days?

And so you managed to beat them back?

No, Ebenholz dispersed them with his Arts, and helped get me and Hibiscus out.

He helped you?

Yes.

Alright, I have a clear picture now.

This poor cello... Alas, it was the only decent one I had.

I'm sorry...

Don't apologize, you didn't do anything wrong. If anything, I should be the one apologizing to you on behalf of the Afterglow for those idiots.

In any case, just put the cello over here. I'll go look around and see if there's anything suitable for you to use.

All that's left is this mass-produced one.

You'll have to make do with it. Now let's hear how much you've progressed in your practice.

Begin!

......

Herr Czerny... What'd you think of that?

......

I won't say there was no improvement.

And considering how the two of you have only been practicing for a day, I shouldn't expect too much.

But it doesn't seem that any of the problems from before have been fixed.

None of the problems from before have been fixed? How could that be––

......

You're reacting a lot faster now, Ebenholz, but you're still getting carried away in your own passages as if you're trying to show off. In the end, you still need Kreide to accommodate you.

You're not even familiar with the music yet, so what are you trying to show off for?

......

And then there are those ornaments. You managed to hit them all, but it's making your breathing completely uneven. What's the point of that?

Kreide, on the other hand, is more solid in comparison. His main problem is insufficient mastery, something that can be solved with more practice.

But at the end of the day, 'Morgen und Abend' is a duet. It is impossible for one person to constantly be accommodating the other.

In all honesty, I would prefer to strike 'Morgen und Abend.'

Herr Czerny...

What is it?

How about this, can we try again with you accompanying Ebenholz on piano?

Are you sure that's a good idea?

I won't be playing around him like you do. Don't blame me if he makes an utter fool of himself.

It'll be fine.

......

(Whispers) Chipper up. I know you can settle this in one go.

(Nods)

Are you ready?

(Takes a deep breath)

Let's go.

––How's that!

Herr Czerny...

Your braggadocio hasn't changed at all. What do you take your flute for? A tool to help you show off?

......

However...

I had no intention of matching your rhythm at all, but you more or less managed to stay steady throughout your part.

It's clear to me now that while Kreide IS accommodating you, he's covering for your bad habits rather than for a lack of skill.

While there's still ample room for improvement, you've at least met my minimum threshold.

So that means...

You pass.

Fantastic!

(Lets out a long sigh)

I won't pull my punches though. I've already had to lower my standards to rock bottom today.

I may ask you to show me your progress at any time. If you're still playing at this level before the concert, I will not let you step onto that stage. Am I clear?

Rest assured!

Additionally, Kreide, you're playing on a mass-produced instrument right now, and it is only for emergency use. I would still recommend you find something else.

But the one you gave me is...

Don't worry, I'll cover you.

Oh?

Let's go shopping tomorrow morning. I'll get you the very best.

What is it?

So I was telling you about His Majesty, right? His Majesty's prophecy!

No foolin'? Tell me more about it while we walk. I'd like to hear it again, in detail...