LE-4 Surprise

(Yawn)

Coming, I'll be right there...

Hibiscus?

Good morning... You're up early today. It's barely light out––

Where's Ebenholz?

Hm? He's still asleep.

Your eyes are all bloodshot... Did you stay up all night?

––Wake him too. Hurry.

False recovery?

I have no idea what you're trying to say.

Do you really not understand me, or are you just––

Fine, I'll explain it one more time.

The reason I came to the Afterglow was to investigate why the Infected people here were suddenly getting better.

But according to our visits over the last few days, the Infected here in the Afterglow are not getting better, but exhibiting something called a 'false recovery.'

In other words, the patient's condition appears to be getting better, but in reality is taking a turn for the worse.

Why would they appear to be improving then if they're getting worse?

Let me explain it another way.

Generally speaking, whenever the body is injured, the best outcome is for it to 'return to its original state.'

If it is unable to return to its original state, the body will mobilize its non-damaged parts to cover for the functions lost through the injury, a process we call 'compensation.'

Right now, most of the Infected in the Afterglow have activated their body's compensation functions, causing them to appear to be in very good shape.

But inside them, where the eye cannot see, the severity of their Oripathy is rapidly getting worse.

At the current rate, a certain cohort is about to enter the decompensation stage.

Decompensation?

Once the extent of the damage exceeds the body's maximum ability to compensate, the fragile equilibrium is broken and the patient quickly lapses into the acute exacerbation stage of Oripathy, where their condition deteriorates sharply and becomes life-threatening.

Actually, there are already people starting to enter the acute stage.

How...?

I get the gist of what you're talking about, but what does this have to do with––

Wait, are you saying that Kreide is at risk too?

No...

That isn't the problem. Based on an analysis of our findings so... You and Kreide seem to be the primary factors behind this occurrence.

Kreide and I caused all of this?!

That's complete nonsense!

After analyzing your activities and movements, I've confirmed that you... or maybe something you're carrying, is strongly correlated with the incidence of false recovery.

For example, the worker in the laundromat beside your residence said the day before that she 'felt especially good.' Her condition worsened dramatically last night, and she was nearly taken to hospice care.

I urge the two of you to cooperate with me. If you have any leads, please let me know right away! This is for the safety of everyone in the Afterglow!

......

You can't think of anything at all?

Nothing's coming to mind.

Can the two of you come down to the office with me and let me check something real quick, just in case?

Judging by the markers, one of you is a completely healthy man, and the other is in the stable phase of Oripathy...

How could this be...?

Hibiscus, this time, it's the owner of a music shop behind Afterglow Hall!

––How's the situation?

Thankfully, he signed an agreement with the hospital in the Cliffy Patio, and has already been picked up.

Another case of false recovery?

That's right. Just yesterday afternoon, he reported 'no discomfort whatsoever.'

I'll go follow up, just to make sure the hospital doesn't find a way to renege on the agreement.

Those two...

I'll handle it.

Then I'll be off!

I have to ask again, is there anything you can think of?

Every moment is the difference between life and death, so please!

......

How about this. Ebenholz, why don't you come with me first? Let's have a chat about this.

Kreide, would you mind waiting a bit inside?

Why'd you drag me out here by myself?

I apologize in advance if this comes off the wrong way, but...

I want you and Kreide to keep some distance from each other. The sooner, the better.

Why are you telling me this, and not him?

Do you suspect that I purposely caused this so-called 'false recovery?'

No.

If only it were that simple, I'd be able to hand you straight to the Vyseheim authorities and that'd solve the root of the issue.

But the incidents of false recovery started before you arrived, and Andante was the one who noticed. Otherwise, I wouldn't have come to the Afterglow, or even to Vyseheim.

Then why did you say that––

Before I came? What about Kreide?

The phenomenon of false recovery... began right after he arrived in Vyseheim.

After he arrived in Vyseheim...? How could that be?!

It was at roughly the same time Kreide arrived in the Afterglow. The indicators from a portion of the Infected here began to gradually improve.

But his effect on the Infected was so miniscule at the time that nobody else noticed except the thorough and careful Andante.

After the two of you met at the registration, Kreide's influence suddenly strengthened.

Based on the reports Andante submitted to the Rhodes Island landship, the situation would've taken at least half a year to deteriorate to its current state with just Kreide alone.

After you arrived, in just a few days' time... We have the current situation on our hands.

......

I need you to explain to me what exactly is going on here.

If you don't have an explanation, I'll need you to put things on hold before the situation spins out of control.

So, I hope you'll leave the Afterglow, and Vyseheim, as quickly as possible.

What about the concert?

The concert? That's what matters to you?

If the false recovery is caused by some sort of Arts, then your ensemble would amplify that, if anything––

Wait... Could it be, that's your...

Stop.

I'll be frank. I hate nothing more than being unfairly accused.

This isn't a problem that can be resolved by respecting your feelings!

I know!

So, give me some time.

How long do you need?

If things go smoothly, just a few hours. If not...

...I don't know. But I promise I'll be back.

Alright, I'll trust you this once.

I... I don't agree to this.

......?

Ebenholz worked so hard to perform in the concert, and finally managed to win over Herr Czerny... It'd be a travesty if he just walked away at this point!

You're missing the bigger picture! We're talking about peoples' lives here!

But—

Ebenholz?

Ebenholz, where are you going?

Ebenholz!

You look like you're all out of breath. Did you run the entire way here?

I'd urge you not to seek me out in this manner. The risk of being exposed is––

Exposed?

Things are starting to go pear-shaped, and that's what you're worried about?

I want to ask you something. Does the Resonanz from your so-called Voice of Mundane have any effect on other people?

The Resonanz? No.

As long as it is not deliberately directed, the Voice of Mundane's Resonanz should not affect others in any way.

Then why did Hibiscus see me and Kreide as the source of the false recoveries?

Hibiscus?

A Rhodes Island operator dispatched to Vyseheim.

So Rhodes Island has termed this phenomenon 'false recovery?' A clear and concise description, as you would expect of such professionals.

You... knew about it after all.

If you're talking about the anomalies that have been happening to the Infected in the Afterglow recently, then yes, I do know.

What exactly is going on?

Stated simply, the Voice of Mundane within Kreide is damaged.

Damaged???

When you cast Arts, the Voice of Mundane inside you will activate, therefore assisting you. Correct?

Yes, I do hear a faint, shrill melody as I'm casting Arts. How can something like that be damaged?

Kreide's Voice of Mundane has always been in an active state, unlike how you are able to turn yours off.

In other words, he's been unconsciously casting Arts all around him, with no ability to control it.

If you ask him, he'd probably tell you that he's always been able to hear some sort of vague melody in his head.

You can understand this phenomenon as 'leakage.'

This 'false recovery' is a product of the Voice of Mundane's leakage – indiscriminately increasing the activity of Originium in the surroundings, using the power of Originium to 'heal' the nearby Infected...

However, the source of healing energy is taken directly from the Originium within the body of each Infected.

Using the Infected themselves as Arts devices, using the Originium inside their bodies to enhance their compensatory functions... This is the 'false recovery' caused by Kreide's Voice of Mundane.

Kreide has been in this state for a long, long time, continuously affecting the Infected around him.

If this has been going on for so long, someone should've figured it out by now!

The credit for that goes to you, Herr Ebenholz.

Me?!

Resonanz.

Resonanz amplifies the leakage of Kreide's Voice of Mundane, which is causing an explosion in the recent cases of false recovery?

That's the situation, yes.

Alright, I see exactly what's going on now.

I hereby withdraw from your plan.

Freedom is at your fingertips, and you're going to give it up just like that?

I'm not crazy enough to buy my freedom with the lives of an entire swath of Infected.

You've been shaken by that woman from Rhodes Island.

This false recovery is indeed not a good thing, but your concert with Kreide is just a few days away.

After a few days, your Voice of Mundane will be removed, and then you'll leave Vyseheim. Nobody will even notice that we're short of a few Infected.

This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. If you walk away now, Graf Urtica's shadow will follow you your entire life.

Is that what you really want?

No, but I won't do that either.

Goodbye, Dame Gertrude.

Where are you going?

None of your business.

Your footsteps sound rather unsteady. Are you getting a headache?

I already told you...

It's none of your business!

(She's insane! Absolutely insane! That's an entire district of people we're talking about!)

(Besides, does she really think she can come away clean from an incident of this scale?)

(If I went along with her plan, I'd be the first one to take the fall!)

(Even though I'm losing this opportunity, there's nothing to feel bad about. I'll have other opportunities... I can afford to wait!)

(I made it... to Vyseheim's customs office...)

A coward on the run...

I don't need you telling me what to do!

Even if I die in Urtica, I don't want to become a murderer like you!

You fear... You are afraid!

If you are ensnared by fear... then never in your life shall you taste freedom!

Shut up!

Naive idiot...

Call me whatever you want...

Do you think that woman can get you out of here so easily?

?!

(Good, it doesn't look like there's anyone here...)

(I just need to be extra-careful and make sure nobody sees me...)

......

(Just a little farther, and I'll be in the uninhabited plate on the edge of the city...)

(Takes a deep breath)

Were you seriously planning to jump off the edge of a nomadic city?

?!

While that is technically the quickest way out of Vyseheim, I would advise against it.

Don't force my hand, Gertrude.

I have no intention of doing that.

Then leave me alone, and get out of my sight.

Where do you plan to go?

Vyseheim will continue to move until the concert comes to an end. You have nowhere to go.

Even if you risk life and limb to force your way out, only the barren wastelands await you.

I'd rather...

...step into the uncharted wastelands than...

You'd rather die in the wastes than spend another second in Vyseheim?

Correct.

I understand how you feel, but can you calm down first and let me finish?

What more do I need to hear from you?

Do you really want me to reveal everything to you right here, my dear Graf Urtica?

Graf Urtica...

You don't need to emphasize my title. I know what you're trying to say.

First of all, I promise that under the current conditions, our plan can still proceed smoothly.

It's not 'our' plan, it's yours.

If your semantic games allow you to sleep better at night, then so be it.

Kreide's Voice of Mundane is damaged, and Rhodes Island has also discovered its side effect.

Can a damaged Voice of Mundane cancel out another one? Even if it could, would Rhodes Island turn a blind eye?

Indeed, Kreide's Voice of Mundane can still join in Resonanz.

As for Rhodes Island... Where do you think we are?

This is Vyseheim. My domain.

That little Fräulein Hibiscus is also an Infected. Even letting her step into Leithanien is only to keep up appearances with Rhodes Island. She can go nowhere but Vyseheim.

In any case, she only knows that there's something going on with you and Kreide, but doesn't know how it's happening. She has no evidence.

......

I understand, you don't have the heart to bring harm upon the Infected who have nothing to do with this.

The way I see it, this compassion is extraneous. But if you truly wish to act upon it, it is even more important that you carry out the plan.

Carry out the plan, and let all those Infected people die?

I'll tell you the rest of the plan then.

You and Kreide will duet, and you will remove your own Voice of Mundane.

Afterwards, I'll create some commotion in the concert hall, and take advantage of the chaos to kill Kreide and disguise his body as yours––

What did you say?!

As he has become the biggest scourge of the Afterglow, it is impossible for him to live on.

Impossible for what? Don't be ridiculous! The biggest scourge of the Afterglow is none other than YOU!

As I said before, all the scourges of the Afterglow come from Kreide's corrupted Voice of Mundane.

Resonanz exacerbates the leakage of the Voice of Mundane, in an irreversible process.

Even if you were to plummet off the edge of this nomadic city, Kreide's Voice of Mundane would not return to the relatively harmless state it was in a week ago.

More importantly, the Voice of Mundane isn't just harming the people around Kreide, it's also hurting him.

He is the biggest victim of the Resonanz between you two.

He may seem perfectly healthy right now, but don't be fooled. That is just another example of false recovery.

Kreide's body may have adapted to the Voice of Mundane in the past, but with the recent surge of leakage, this delicate balance is about to be thrown upside down.

An optimistic estimate is that his good days will come to an end within two weeks. After that, he will experience the intense suffering that occurs in the acute phase following the false recovery phase.

The happiest ending for both him and the Afterglow, would be for him to die following the concert.

For you, for me, for the Afterglow, and for him. It would be a good thing.

I would obtain a trump card I could pull out at any time. The Afterglow would obtain peace, Kreide would obtain his rest.

And you... you would obtain your freedom.

Graf Urtica, rightful heir to Leithanien...

The last of the Witch King's bloodline.

Poor child.

No courtesy or greetings are needed. Just listen to me.

Even though you were born into a distant branch far from the Witch King, you are indeed the last of his bloodline.

Out of pity, I will not trouble you.

Beyond that, you shall also inherit the fiefs passed down from generation to generation in your family.

You will become the Lehnsherr of Urtica.

You will learn to take responsibility for your own subjects.

You are about to take a completely different path from that of your disgraceful kin––

I await you.

Your Illustrious Highness, you should know to mind your words and actions, and to not leave the Spire without good reason.

I must remind you, everything that you are has been bestowed upon you by Their Majesties.

Your Illustrious Highness, aren't you forgetting something?

You ought to praise Their Majesties before you eat.

Your Illustrious Highness, we will be learning a new piece today.

This song expresses the gratitude of the nobles towards Their Majesties. Please keep that in your heart.

Your Illustrious Highness, your mastery over Originium Arts is simply transcendent!

Hm, you want something more elaborate? Haha, you need not wear yourself out.

Your Illustrious Highness, I shall be frank from the onset. You are the true heir to Leithanien.

I've been laying in wait in your spire for a number of years now. I'm sure you recognize me.

You don't have to say anything. Just listen to me. You don't have to agree with me or repudiate me.

I know that you're scared, that you don't want to lose even this life you have now. But you should at least know how those people see you, and what they want you to do.

I'm sure you know that the attendants the tyrants have forced upon you are setting up the banquet below. I will take you there, and let you see the truth.

Now that's the good stuff!

I had no idea you had such exquisite wine down in the cellar.

You flatter me.

Urtica's countryside lacks just about everything, but there are indeed a number of master winemakers here.

Then we've got to make sure to drink our fill before the little runt grows up. Can't be leaving any for him!

Haha, that simply won't do.

The boy has been under house arrest for a number of years, but I'm looking for the right time to teach him how to drink. I'll have to fill him until he's a hopeless alcoholic.

Oh, so you still had that trick up your sleeves.

Once the runt has been completely soaked with wine, it'll be a load off Their Majesties'––

Shh!

Yes, yes, right. Screw me, mate! Guess I'll have to repent with another glass!

But remember, these words don't leave the wine table.

We can't allow the boy to have heirs. That's the order from on high, with my life on the line.

If it's that big of a deal, why don't you find an apothecary...

That won't work, it'd leave a paper trail. Only by letting him usher his own downfall will my task be considered complete.

Ambitious! Truly ambitious! Come, let us drink to that!

If I can get rid of the boy without getting my hands dirty, then Urtica will be mine.

I'll drink to that! Prost!

Prost!

Haha, hahahahaha....

Did you hear that, boy?

This is the peaceful, easygoing life you wanted!

Herr Ebenholz, Herr Ebenholz?

......

You fell over on the spot. I almost had you sent to the hospital.

Feeling a little better?

I...

I'm perfectly fine.

About the plan...

I don't want to hear it right now.

I'm going.

As I said, you can leave at any time.

Don't come pestering me again.

Well, you'll have to forgive me for being bad at following orders.

......

Welcome back–– Your complexion looks terrible. What's wrong, did you get sick?

I'm fine.

You sure don't look fine to me. Go rest in bed and I'll boil some water for you.

There's no need.

Relax. I used to take care of Grandpa when he first got sick. Just lie down and let me handle the rest.

If you don't get any better, I'm going to tell Hibiscus.

I'll be right back!

Depraved maggots.

?!

They would destroy your exalted bloodline...

Shut up...

Argh!

Self-deprecating trash!

......

......

You're awake!

I...

Just stay put for now. Hibiscus just came over and drew blood when she saw the state you were in. She said there's nothing wrong with your body, but you might be over-stressed and worn out.

(Over-stressed... Hah...)

I heard someone playing the cello just now... Was that you?

Yes.

Where... did you learn that melody?

Hmm, maybe someone hummed it to me when I was little?

I don't exactly remember.

When you were little...

When you were little––

!!!

You–– You're that––

I'm what?