LE-7 Verklärte Nacht

He's not here?

Mein Herr stepped out a while ago.

He left?

He's off to the hospital just outside the Afterglow, to talk treatment for the Infected who got poisoned.

What's this, Mein Herr? The hospital––

I managed to twist the arms of the largest two and got them to sign contracts, but as for the rest... there's no hope.

But Rhodes Island signed an agreement with those hospitals!

Oh, I didn't notice you were here as well.

There's no point. Rhodes Island's contracts are limited to symptoms caused by Oripathy itself. They have ample grounds to not treat Infected patients who've fallen ill from poisoning.

But, Mein Herr, you got those two hospitals. That should be enough, right?

Hmph. Enough? Of course it's enough! I put every copyright I hold down as collateral, of course the consortium behind them thinks that's enough!

Don't tell me you– You transferred all your copyrights over to that consortium?!

I did. Not just the existing copyrights. I even sold the distribution rights for tomorrow's concert to them.

Now, I can start from scratch... *cough*, *cough*.

*cough*... *cough*!

Mein Herr?!

You're awake?

Urgh... Mhm...

Mr. Czerny, you didn't take any precautionary measures when you went out, did you?

You're talking about the fumes from those Originium slugs? I didn't waste a single second getting those contracts signed. That's all that mattered to me when I left.

Promise me you'll never be that reckless ever again.

'Ever again?' Are you saying, I still have time left to live?

That's why I'm here.

Heh. You never want to see a doctor until your body gives out on you.

Thank you, Hibiscus.

I'm just doing my job.

That reminds me, why haven't you said anything, Ebenholz? Are you thinking of throwing in the towel now that the Afterglow is too dangerous?

I'll tell you straight– now that we've come this far, the concert MUST go on. Don't even think about running.

Don't even think about running, huh...

I...

(Whispers) Do you think he'd accept it now?

(Whispers) Give it a moment...

Seems like you're not here to tell me you're quitting the concert?

No, I'm not here to tell you I'm quitting the concert.

Ebenholz, you repeat what others say when you get nervous. I've noticed it from the very beginning.

If you have something to say, just spit it out. You think there's anything I wouldn't be able to accept in the state I'm in now?

*cough* –– *cough* *cough* *cough*!!

Mr. Czerny, here, water!

*cough*, *cough* *cough*... Damn–– damn that Gertrude!

And you! How could you possibly go along with a plan like that? Curse me for thinking you had some creative talent, and this is what you use it for? Some evil plot?

It wasn't my intention––

How could it not be? Haven't you answered to that crazy woman from the very beginning?

Czerny, I still remember what you said. Even deeply-rooted hatred can still be pure music as long as it is expressed with the right technique.

I did say that, but what comes next? What are you trying to express?

To be honest, I'm already starting to find my old way of thinking quite laughable.

But what I wish to pursue... is nothing more than freedom.

––Freedom. A longing for freedom, is it?

That's right.

You've got a long way to go before you can express that using music!

This has long been a deeply-rooted experience for me. Otherwise, I would not have come to you.

Hmph.

Come now.

Where are we going?

Where else? The concert hall.

Gertrude managed to keep me out of the lounge with her little tricks last time, but we're going to get to the bottom of this.

But, your health...

Instead of sitting here popping blood vessels over him and that woman, I might as well go see what they're up to.

Ebenholz, did Gertrude ever tell you if she did anything to the lounge?

She didn't say anything.

She doesn't have to say anything.

You can already tell?

Her fingerprints are all over this place...

See that speaker right there? It shows obvious signs of having been dismantled. The same goes for the record player over there. She didn't even bother to tighten the screws–– Tsk, even the screwdriver's been left out in the open.

Just the kind of handiwork I'd expect from a noble. Hilarious.

Hibiscus, bring that record player over. Let's see what else has been tampered with besides the tonearm.

......

See for yourself.

Did she just install an amplifier? That's only going to cause interference between the circuits...

She already had the stylus removed. This thing's basically just an amplifier now.

Same with the speaker. The input circuit was completely removed and replaced with an amplifier... What is she trying to do putting so many amplifiers in the lounge?

She never mentioned it.

Then let's give it a try. Go up on stage and play something. That'll be the fastest way to get our answer.

Doesn't seem like anything unusual is happening?

I can't hear anything out of the ordinary either.

Go over and tell Ebenholz to apply a little bit of Arts... Only the simplest kind to disperse drowsiness, maintained strictly at the lowest level.

!!

*cough*, *cough* *cough*, *cough*––

Czerny!

*cough*, *cough*...

Don't worry about me... I just, got some palpitations, that's all...

Ebenholz, stand over here, and try using the same Arts as before. Remember to mind the volume.

An echo?

It's a sound coming from outside.

But isn't it the sound of Ebenholz's flute?

......

Gertrude converted this lounge, no, the entire Afterglow Hall, into a massive amplifier – an Arts amplification device.

The amplifier stays off as long as it doesn't detect any musical Arts.

But as soon as someone casts musical Arts, the amplification device activates... and exponentially amplifies the Arts as the music spreads through Afterglow Hall.

The leakages and Resonanz of the Voice of Mundane... are no exception.

?!

(Stares vacantly)

In other words, Originium activation will spike in all areas that are affected, meaning that everyone in Vyseheim, virtually without exception, will be infected...

And those who already have Oripathy are even less likely to be spared. After they die, their bodies will rapidly disintegrate, releasing a large amount of active Originium microparticles...

The surrounding area will be permanently poisoned, and Vyseheim will be completely cut off from the outside world––

Very sorry to interrupt your little chat, but I'm here to offer a suggestion.

Why cast Arts of wakefulness across all of Vyseheim on such a beautiful night? I often suffer from insomnia.

My apologies, but we're dealing with something very important right now...

Gertrude?!

Good evening, Czerny.

And this must be Operator Hibiscus from Rhodes Island, yes? 'tis a pleasure to meet you.

As for the young man in shock over there, why not come visit my home for something to drink? Perhaps have a nice night's rest, and return energized tomorrow?

Ger... Gertrude... To think you'd actually––

I'd actually what? Don't tell me you're going to say that I'd actually deceive you and make you murder half the city?

That can't be right.

What you're actually mad about is how I had you running in circles, and nearly got you killed without you even noticing. Right?

Show us your pride as a noble, Graf Urtica. Come on, say something.

......

Ebenholz, she's trying to provoke you.

There's only one thing I need to know from you right now: Why did you come here?

I came because you woke me up, why else?

I'll take that as, you heard the musical Arts rippling outwards and realized your plans had been discovered.

That's correct.

Ahh, what a pity. With just one more day, I would've enjoyed a complete success.

Don't you think you should be thinking about how to escape? Do you seriously think your plan will proceed as normal if you manage to take us out here?

Ebenholz won't help you anymore, and regardless of what you were planning for the duet, it's not going to happen now!

Really? That's not how I see it.

As long as Ebenholz and Kreide are here, my plan has not failed.

As long as I eliminate you, I can continue negotiating with Graf Urtica. He is quite familiar with the art of the noble dealings, and changing his mind is hardly an impossibility.

Most importantly, I don't think you lot can actually beat me.

If the three of you were equal in power to Graf Urtica, then I certainly would have to watch my step. But you three, aha... Pardon my rudeness.

Don't waste your breath.

Graf Urtica, why don't we both take a step back? What do you say?

Take a step back?

I dismantle these giant amplifiers, and you continue working with me. That way, only Kreide has to die. Not a bad deal considering he only has a few days to live anyway, right?

In your dreams.

That truly is a shame. Due to unfortunate circumstances, you were forced to choose the path most ill-suited for you.

If that is your heart's desire, then so be it. What a shame––

Shut up...

You'll regret this for the rest of your life.

I said, shut up!!

The time for talk is over. It seems we can only settle this with a fight.

If I win, the self-appointed guardians of the Afterglow will have to behave themselves and keep their mouths shut so I can continue negotiating with Graf Urtica.

If you win, then there's nothing more to say. A win is a win.

Take your wand out, Graf Urtica. Or do you plan to have those two Infected fight for you?

Like I said, your provocations won't get you anywhere.

Hibiscus, stay out of this. Today, I swear I'll––

Think carefully about where we are, and what's all around us!

Unless you're able to do this without any musical Arts, you'll drive all the inhabitants of Vyseheim insane before the disease ever comes!

Tsk tsk. You're a quick thinker, Fräulein Hibiscus.

Since you caught on so quickly, I suppose there's no other choice but to take it outside.

Let me get this out there first. Rid yourself of the notion that escape counts as victory. While I personally dislike roughing up innocent bystanders, I can't say the same for my underlings.

You must not have a whole lot of confidence in yourself, based on how many you brought with you.

I'm so glad to hear your sharp wit once more. I'm almost moved to tears.

Are you feeling better now, Graf Urtica?

Of course, Dame Strollo.

Let's head outside and fight to our hearts' content.

There must be nobody for you to spar with back in Urtica. Should be lonely, right?

If I did, I wouldn't be playing with an old bag like you.

After all, you've never even challenged your own brother for his title. You have to wait for him to die before you can move up. I'm guessing you've never bested him in a fight before.

Very good, very good. I'm starting to hate you more and more.

The feeling is mutual.

Down!

In your dreams!

Fancy that, you can still struggle...

I'm not holding this one back, Dame Strollo!

You—read me?!

Who knew you could bite off more than you could chew?

Unripe. You're just relying on the Voice of Mundane... Your control of Arts is still in its infancy—

Hrragh!!

Huff, *pant*, *pant*...

D—Did that get her...?

Heh, I never thought you'd be one to best me, Graf Urtica.

So you admit defeat?

Hmph. A loss is a loss. What, does not admitting it make it my victory instead?

You... Why are you unperturbed?

Because... how exactly can you lay a finger on me?

I'm the Lehnsfrau of this city. It's night, you broke into a concert hall I administrate, and you attempted to tear down legitimate renovations ratified by my own person.

You even injured me as I did my best to stop you—

Graf Urtica, Rhodes Islander, and you, Czerny. You should be the worried ones, isn't that right?

As despicable as ever, Gertrude.

Despicable? Is that how you treat your patron, your back of over a decade?

Czerny, I allowed you to use this concert hall.

You're no more than a mere Infected. Your position? I gave you that too.

Your cherished Afterglow could only limp its way to the present day on MY benevolence.

Don't forget that.

How dare—!

All of you, kindly leave.

......

I wouldn't be so sure.

Graf Urtica—this title carries with it disgrace, all throughout Leithanien.

But it also means that wherever I go, the Empresses' informants are sure to be.

And what if they are? I told you, you're only making vain attempts to destroy my music hall.

Even if Their Majesties' agents were to show themselves, they would arrest you by all rights, not me.

Biegler! Biegler!

You have to have witnessed this all now, right?

Do you still intend to fold your arms and watch?!

I saw the grand Graf Urtica fall to breaking and entering a concert hall, in the dead of night, with a gang. Aside from that, I saw nothing.

Did you not hear her plot?!

Do you mean Gräfin Strollo's plot, or the Graf Urtica's plot jointly schemed with her?

Why you...

I did in fact hear.

However, even if I recorded your entire dialogue just now, that doesn't prove a thing.

Evidence, Graf. Everything needs carefully selected evidence. What proves Gräfin Strollo intended to act against the Empresses?

Proof. You come to me at this moment and raise the matter of proof...

Right. The Voice of Mundane!

We discovered there was research into the Voice of Mundane in the sewers!

What?

Heh.

Seems you're not off the ball after all, Graf Urtica.

What research? I know nothing about this.

Feigning stupidity at this point's passé, Gräfin Strollo.

You may not be directly linked to the notes and plans in that sewer laboratory, but we have our ways.

With our leads there, it'll be a walk in the park to find your other little bases.

You are presently suspected of launching research into the Voice of Mundane forbidden under Their Majesties' decree. I want you to come with me.

......

Wait, because she was researching the Voice and nothing else?!

Let me reiterate to you again, Graf Urtica, and the rest of you.

As long as you have no clear evidence, proof your 'foul product' is going to blow up like you say it does—

Every accusation you throw at her turns into slander, nothing else.

Let me take a look at those Voice of Mundane research files! I can give you exhaustive evidence!

Very sorry, but that's classified Leithanian information. I can't hand it over to a foreign organization.

You're just wishing it out of existence!

There's a lot in these lands that doesn't go the way you want it, Fräulein.

But...!

Let it go, Hibiscus.

He's made his point very clear. Our discoveries aren't enough to convict Gräfin Strollo.

And he only showed himself because he found other evidence to do so.

I should even be thanking you for deigning to show up in the wake of my hissy fit. Isn't that right, Biegler, my dear spy?

I'll be honest, if I had to compare you and Gräfin Strollo as nobles, I'd say you win out in my books, Graf Urtica.

And you, Herr Czerny.

Hm?

We have Gräfin Strollo contained now. Even if whatever your friends are worried about is real, either way, the concert's safe.

Of course, I still recommend you cancel it. Safest for settling this.

I thought the concert tomorrow had already been forbidden.

Whether you hold it remains up to you.

Okay, Gräfin Strollo, I believe your loyalty to the Empresses. I'd just like to take you for... breakfast. You wouldn't refuse my invitation, would you?

Hah. Breakfast in these early hours? Very well.

Graf Urtica, you will regret betraying me.

I'll regret many a thing, but that is the one matter I never will.

Well, we've just let them go.

Gertrude...

You still had a word waiting for her?

If profanity counts for a word.

Kreide still hasn't woken.

Leave him with me, I'll set off straight away and bring him to the Rhodes Island landship.

You're taking him away?

I am. He'll only get the proper treatment at Rhodes Island.

I won't allow it.

Why?

Even if you can pacify his condition, what will you do about the Voice of Mundane?

I don't doubt your medical prowess, but is that something you can truly solve?

I can't promise.

But we've got no other choice now.

Don't tell me you still hope Gertrude'll help you get rid of it through ensemble?

I can only hope.

You're—

How long will it take from Vyseheim to your landship, I ask you?

......

You won't say. Because you know Kreide isn't likely to make it there.

But even if what Gertrude says is true, are you really going to sacrifice yourself to do this?

As long as I can do it, why shouldn't I?

Fine.

Even if I help you to the best of my ability, we know too little about the Voice of Mundane, and what we do know was all told to us by the Countess. We're sifting through fact and fiction...

Looks like I made it.

Sir, you...

If you need more info about the Voice of Mundane, I have this project plan right here.

...?!

Sir, did you...?

You pulled the same thing as Biegler...

I did.

You probably imagined, but Kreide's a fin who slipped through the program's net back in the day.

How could the Empresses let such a wildcard wander freely, you know?

But you've been roaming together for more than a decade!

And that's why no one ever suspected it.

But didn't Biegler say it was classified—

Which is why I filched it from where he kept it.

If I can save Kreide, then the hell does it matter if anyone's shown this damned plan?! And it's a long-overdue damning if you ask me!

*cough* *cough*, *cough* *cough*.

C—Calm down, you're still very weak...

Let me see the plan papers, Hibiscus. You take this old fellow somewhere to rest.

I will.

Sir... does Kreide—does he know?

I never told him, but he's very smart. I'm sure he has a vague guess.

This is too cruel to him.

Cruel.

Heh.

Fräulein, do you know how I became an Infected?

No.

Surely you've heard how in the age before the Empresses' rule, Leithanien had explored classical Originium Arts to heights hardly surpassable.

Yes.

So do you know the price Leithanien paid, to reach those heights?

Countless human sacrifices, among which were huge numbers of Infected.

Yes. Infected.

During that period, some Kurfürsten were even handing over Infected to a regular quota, and they treated this as a custom.

But Infected are people too. It's not like they'd let their lives be thrown away.

So, can you guess what happened in the end?

You don't mean...?!

It looks like you have.

Just slash your arm with Originium, and now you qualify as an Infected too.

That's how mine came about.

Melody... it's melody. The Voices of the Mundane are the melodies the Witch King left behind!

I can't believe this...

No, this is the only way it makes sense!

He wasn't just Leithanien's mightiest Caster. The Witch King was also Leithanien's most feared musician.

His mastery of music was at the epitome. Some even said his insight into music was of the same grade as his Originium Arts research.

But rhythm, tonality, texture... he threw those raw elements that make up the beauty of music to the hounds. Every piece of his left in this world is filled with murder and devastation.

His opuses have long been forbidden pieces in Leithanien. If the Voice of Mundane is a string of melodies left by the Witch King—

Then the Voice is without a doubt a remnant opus of his, and you are its very extents.

We are not his opus!

You shouldn't deceive yourself. Moreover, if this is the case...

You have a solution?

I need you to perform the ensemble that repelled those Originium slugs again.

When you did that, you grasped the Voices inside yourselves, didn't you?

Ensemble? Right now?

Do you comprehend the situation we're in here?

I do, and I know it better than you do!

But—!

Let's hear Herr Czerny out, Ebenholz.

Kreide, are you alright? Did you come here alone?

Andante brought me over.

But you can't double the Voice of Mundane's melody again like you did before. It did something wrong to you last time...

I don't want to leave any regrets.

Alright... Herr Czerny, what did you think of?

If the Voice can be said to be a string of melodies, then whether those remnants who used you for their experiment, or Gertrude...

Their aim has to be to conduct the Originium Arts contained within that melody, or should I say, the melody that flows within this Originium Arts.

Which is to say, their exploration of the Voice is entirely to unearth the supposed secrets within.

In plain words, they're trying to make the Voice more 'clear,' more 'beautiful.'

Thus, there is one thing I can very definitively tell you—

There is no method that can 'transfer' the Voice anywhere in these plans.

I'm not surprised anymore.

But that's not because doing so would be too difficult. Precisely the opposite. It's because, in their eyes, it would be a waste of what they have.

Because every melody the Witch King left behind is different. Each comes from its own period, and contains its own completely separate emotions and ideas.

What sense can there be in putting two entirely different songs together?

Just as when you performed together, the further you pursue it, the more disastrous the effects become.

Even the Originium slugs fled because they felt your performance to be far too ear-bleeding.

I presume they've done similar transfer experiments before, and realized how bad the results were... then.

They did.

However, even if two pieces are diametrically opposed, a sufficient lead-in can still be enough to accomplish the transition.

Therefore, I want you to perform my Morgen und Abend.

Upon which, I want you to dig your own selves out from within the piece, just as you did that evening.

I have to feel the melody the Voice of Mundane left within you, and then, I will write you a new song.

Wait. No matter what, you need something to hold the Voice so you can transfer it.

And the experiment results said all attempts to implant two Voices in one person failed.

I'll be the vessel, is that what you mean?

Don't trust that little determination you have to be enough for self-sacrifice, boy.

I will try with all my might, through performance, to drag the Voices from the both of you.

If I cannot, I will personally serve as this receptacle, if I am able to.

Why would you go so far for us?

......

If I remember correctly, my Morgen und Abend was your turning point in learning flute.

And so what?

So it's likely you heard of how I came to write it. That Gertrude woman had to turn it into a blasted 'selling point' for me, though I never wanted for anyone else to know.

You lost your dearest, closest friend, and you wrote the piece in your grief.

'Grief.'

That description was far off the mark.

You should be using the term 'indignation.'

That was the first time I came to find that life would not unfold how I imagined it, and the first time I knew what music meant to me—

My rebellion against a fixed fate.

Turning ordinary civilians into Infected... That's too cruel...

I have no idea how many times I cursed the Witch King in those days, but perhaps someone heard my tirades.

However, before they could send me to the laboratories, Their Majesties had overthrown the Witch King. I was saved.

And that's why I swore to dedicate the rest of my life to Their Majesties' cause.

And so you became a spy?

Correct.

I can't tell you what I did when I was an agent, and you don't need to know.

All you need to know is that I was the agent who found the Witch King's Remains that had been researching the Voice of Mundane.

By the time we found them, they had already experimented on Kreide and failed. It's why his body is the way it is now.

You didn't plan to save him, right?

How'd you know?

From what I know, when the Twin Empresses ascended to the throne, they issued an edict that forbade all Witch King era research, and the Voice of Mundane research obviously fell into that category.

But if the Voice of Mundane is really that amazing, I can't imagine that not a single person has turned his attention to it in the twenty years since the Witch King was overthrown.

What's more... 'The Witch King left his mark within.' 'The Witch King weaved his power into the melody.' The Witch King himself is the core of these ideas.

Deep down, their pursuit of the Voice of Mundane might actually be nothing more than worshipping the Witch King himself.

And given the way that Mr. Biegler does things, I'd say a spy's principles lie with serving the Twin Empresses.

In other words, to spies like you, the Voice of Mundane doesn't further the Twin Empresses' interests in any way.

Junge Frau, until I saw how reckless you were, I took you for a fool.

And now, it seems you just didn't know how to put your wits to use.

Uhh.

You're goddamned right. Here, I brought the research plan along. There's no point in hiding any of this anymore.

The Voice of Mundane is unique. It's undoubtedly the Witch King's lingering echoes in the world, and there is definitely some power hidden within.

But the Witch King's fervent followers truly believed that the Witch King left behind his avatar within it.

The power the Voice of Mundane holds is too unique. It will never see widespread use.

At the very least, the current court casters see research on the Voice of Mundane as a futile and pointless pursuit.

And that's why the handling of Ebenholz and Kreide became a problem.

Was Ebenholz chosen because he was considered safer?

Yes, we had to announce the plan's failure, and Ebenholz was naturally the best choice as there was nothing wrong with his body.

On the contrary, as there were already problems with Kreide's body... he had no choice... Death awaited him.

But he finally got away from the Witch King's Remains! And yet he had to die... That's too cruel!

Perhaps, in your eyes, our methods are inhumane.

But once you've witnessed countless tragedies, especially ones caused by those who are not inhumane, you'll come to realize that—

You can't let your feelings get in the way of everything.

You probably think Biegler is a pretty heartless man, don't you.

Yeah, I do think so.

But what you don't know is he's lived in the Afterglow and spent time with its residents day after day for more than a dozen years. His feelings for this place is no less genuine than anyone else.

There's no one who wants to skin Gertrude alive more than him, but he can't.

Do you think you're the angriest person to ever talk to him?

......

Mr. Biegler... he...

Besides, Kreide's condition endangers those around him, too. He has no way to get too close to anyone, and his past destined him to never live the life of a normal man.

He truly didn't have a choice.

But you let your feelings get in the way with him. You offered him a choice other than death.

Is that really a choice? He had to wander the world with an old man who's half dead. He learned how to play the cello, and yet he rarely had a chance to even touch one.

He can't make friends. He can't even get too close with anyone. Can you really call that a proper life?

But he lived.

Perhaps.

Having seen how he trembled back then, I can still feel a sharp pain in my arms, even now.

The Witch King... The Witch King.

I, Kreide, those who got infected inadvertently, and those who were forcefully infected...

The wounds that the Witch King left on Leithanien have yet to heal, but now there are those who thirst for his return, and there are even nobles who are sheltering his remnants and facilitating their research.

Oh, how I dread...

I dread I won't live to see the day they all meet justice.

*Cough*, *cough* *cough*...

You will live.

No need to comfort me, Junge Frau.

I've lived with him for all these years. It's a miracle that I'm still alive today.

He is like a real grandson to me.

I brought him here because I was actually thinking of introducing him to Biegler and setting him up with a job as an agent.

That way, I would at least get to die knowing he's in good hands.

But now... It doesn't really to me so much anymore.

I always thought... it was my fate to give my life to Their Majesties as an agent, but it seems... that's not really all there is, heh...

Sir...

?!

Go, let this old grandpa sit here a little longer. Go help them.

If you don't feel well, be sure to call my name!

......

Ebenholz, I may have asked you to show your purist form in music, but now—

I want you to think back to your life the past two dozen-or-so years. Let your resentfulness pour out.

Music is a portraiture of your life. It's the steps you take, the eyes you peer into the world with!

Don't let your emotions cloud you, but don't betray your emotions either! Explore, vent, and drag your melody out from the deepest parts of your soul!

......!

I... I found it...

Right, that's it! That's exactly what I want!

That's the melody that was carved into your brain... It's the melody of destruction, and it is a ravaging one.

......

And you, Kreide, I need the opposite from you. I need you to constrain yourself.

You are too unreserved. You encompass everything that you've experienced. Do you know that your kindness is your greatest weakness?

Are you reconciling? Why are you reconciling? Why should you reconcile? Who has the right to ask you to reconcile?

Everyone thinks you deserve better. The idea has crossed your mind too, hasn't it?!

I...

......

You still aren't willing to change the way you think, huh?

Fine. Fine.

This is enough.

I can feel your melody too—

A void. A void that swallows everything whole.

Hngh...

Urgh...

Bear with it!

Keep playing. Do not fret. If you feel something's wrong with your body, stop immediately.

But If you do feel something's off, and you're not the one to blame——

Then leave it to me.

Gah!

Hey, are you alright?!

Herr Czerny!

I heard something just now! What happened?

A trifle, nothing more.

Now I see it. It's not that no one has ever attempted to do what I did. It's just that people who tried are all dead.

Ha, haha...

Hahahahahaha!

You're laughing?!

Mr. Czerny, You're bleeding out of your mouth... Let me wipe that for you.

How did you two feel just now?

When we drew out the Voice of Mundane, it felt very much like I was getting torn apart.

But after you joined in, it did feel like a lot of the pressure faded.

At the very least, this proves that my idea is workable.

But you're already...

I coughed up some blood, that's all. I know my own body better than anyone.

Let's continue.

You will die.

I've lived this long because Gertrude still thinks I have value, and so she paid for my medication and kept me alive for a few years longer than most other Infected.

But if I can't finish this piece today, I might as well be dead.

If you don't want me to die a meaningless death, pick up your flute.

......

Kreide, your performance is too weak.

But...

Don't worry about me. You don't have that right!

This is about your survival, not mine. Do not ever think it is a virtue to sacrifice yourself!

Your sacrifice is also a burden!

Scream, vent, and fight for the reward that should've been yours!

I... understand.

Right now, I am my own opponent.

*cough*, ourgh.

Mr. Czerny, you're coughing up blood again!

......

(He's not listening to me at all...)

......

Let's go get some rest, Ebenholz.

But––

We don't need to be here anymore.

What we need to do is rest up and wait for Herr Czerny to finish his new piece.

Hibiscus, take care of him.

At the very least, I won't let him collapse before me. Now go.

*cough* *cough*, *cough*, *cough*...

It's... com... plete...

That's such a relief! You're—