HE-5 God in His Temple

What do you mean?

You're accusing me?

That's not what I meant...

What about you? Are you going to accuse me too?

......

Come now, Raimund, no one's making any accusations...

I didn't start any fires.

Then why are you here at this hour?

You don't pray with us. You don't come to the sacrarium. You... you people don't have any faith!

We may not have faith. But that doesn't mean we have anything to do with the fire.

I had some personal business that took me past this place. Believe me or don't.

What sort of business?

Nothing to do with you.

Hey...!

Enough. Is there some rule against us being here? You just want to accuse us of starting the fire, don't you?

We shouldn't have helped them fight the fire. We should have let the place burn to the ground.

What did you say?!

Fires have happened before, at this time of year. It could just be a coincidence.

What a coincidence it would be! You there, didn't you say someone started the fire? Come here...

Yes, I believe this was an intentional act.

And you think I did it?

No, I don't.

You're lying.

I have no reason to lie.

The fire spread quickly. It can be inferred that the arsonist was near the sacrarium.

And Raimund was—

Do not jump to conclusions. What I meant was that anyone who was near the scene is a suspect.

That includes all of you, and myself.

Wh-What are you talking about?

You think we started the fire? We're Sankta. Why would we burn our own sacrarium?

Race is not proof of innocence. I would not hesitate to destroy the sacrarium, if I thought it necessary.

......

I did not find any evidence implicating this Sarkaz.

Hmph, at least you're talking sense.

Senior Federico is right... we can't accuse anybody without evidence.

You're gonna just let this go?! It's the sacrarium! And all those flowers that you so painstakingly grew...

Please, that's enough!

I don't want to suspect any of us.

Clément...

The arguing must stop.

The possibility of the Sankta burning their own sacrarium cannot be eliminated. I will continue to investigate until I discover the true culprit.

Hey, wing-man, about what just happened...

Yes?

You're the one who started all that, alright? You're the one who first said that someone started the fire!

And you don't fully trust me, do you?

Yes.

Can you give me a little more than that?

Ahem. Anyway, what I mean is...

...Don't expect me to thank you.

I don't.

(He doesn't know how to say gratias, Sara.)

(Poor thing...)

(We can teach him! It's not hard.)

(But I'm a little scared of him...)

Who are you saying doesn't know how to say gratias?!

Hey, wing-man! Where did these kids come from? I've never seen them before!

Eek!

You don't know them?

......

Should I?

Very good. I want to ask you about the Sarkaz population here, and about these two children.

What? You...

I'll answer your questions.

Gerald! The fire...

I saw it all. You did well, Raimund.

And... we meet again, Reverend Executor.

I don't understand.

You were standing there for a long time. I thought you didn't intend to show your face.

Guess there's no hiding from you.

Why did you change your mind?

I believed you did not want to see me again.

Peace makes one timid.

Would you like to pay a visit to our place, Executor?

We don't have much, but there's a place to sit down, and you can see with your own eyes how the Sarkaz live here.

As for your questions... I'll do my best to answer them.

Phew...

I haven't been so active in a long time. I've never been good at pursuit.

However...

I've got you!

(Bizarre cry)

Quiet. This is a residential area. You'll bother the others.

(Growls)

Eat... hungry...

Oh, you can talk? This will be much easier if we can communicate.

(Strange roar)

I guess it's not that simple.

I'm sorry, but you'll have to stay put. It's dangerous.

I'll contact the Iberian Inquisition. I'm sure they know more about you than I would. If you're really sapient, maybe you can talk to their priests...

Whoa!

Who's that?!

Stop right there!

I must ask you to stay.

Well, there have been a lot of unwelcome visitors today.

Can I ask you to stop bothering me? I will be very, very angry if someone gets hurt because we wasted too much time here.

I'm afraid I cannot give way.

I must ask you not to stop that pitiful soul.

Hm?

What is it?

A noise. Source unclear.

You don't have a lot of people.

More than you think. Some went out and haven't returned.

It's getting late. Go back and have some rest.

Are you sure we're leaving tomorrow? Some people haven't come back yet.

We follow the plan as it is. We set out tomorrow morning.

Alright.

Senior Federico.

What is it?

I'm sleepy...

I'm sleepy, and hungry too!

Are you gonna take us home?

I want to go home... I want Mamma...

Have gone all day without food?

Yeah...

Mamma never eats. She says she's not hungry.

But we haven't eaten today. My tummy hurts.

It's so weird.

It's not weird. Food is one of the body's basic needs, and being deprived of it leads to discomfort and pain.

Mmm...

That's so complicated!

Is it normal to feel pain if you don't eat?

Has Mamma been hurting when she doesn't eat?

If what you say is true, yes, your mother has been suffering physical torment.

Enough, Reverend Executor!

This is a fact.

...*sob*

Waaaaaahhh...

Uwaaaahh!

Sometimes, the truth is better left unsaid.

......

*sniffles*...

Is Mamma hurting now?

......

I cannot confirm your mother's current status.

I am here as an executor of the Notarial Hall to investigate the truth of what is happening here at the monastery, and to maintain its peace and order.

The disappearance of an inhabitant is within the scope of my mission.

Do you mean...?

You'll help us find Mamma?

Yes, I will find your mother.

Really?

Yay!

I never would've thought...

Will you leave these children in my care for now, Reverend Executor?

I cannot make the decision for them.

You're right.

Will you go with this young man over here, children?

Me?

But I have to... well, I guess I can do it, now that the sacrarium's all burned up.

(It's the one even scarier than Senior Federico.)

(Yeah, he's so scary...)

You two...

That will do, Raimund.

He'll take you kids to supper, then it's off to bed, okay?

But I want to stay with Senior Federico...

Sara, Federico's busy! We need to be good.

O-Okay, we'll go with the scary guy...

Hahaha!

Boss!

A-Ahem.

Can you get the kids something to eat, then put them to bed?

I can... but where do I take them?

Hyman's house.

Hyman's? I guess there's nobody there right now... but what if Hyman comes back tonight?

It'll be fine.

Alright, then.

See you tomorrow, Senior Federico!

I hope we find Mamma tomorrow...

I will come for you in the morning.

Yay! Good night, Senior Federico.

Senior Federico, Senior Federico...

Yes?

I-I can't reach you!

Come down a little lower!

What?

Hehe...

G-Good night!

......

Hmph.

Quite the lady's man, aren't you?

Kids these days... what's so great about that guy?

Hey, wait up, you two! Don't run!

......

...Good night.

I thought this was going to be an easy trip, almost like a vacation, welcoming some brethren back to Laterano. It didn't sound hard at all, did it?

Well, I guess I did have to deal with Oren.

But that wasn't too much of a problem. It's not like you can't talk to him.

Certainly, your skills with a gun can solve many problems.

Not quite enough to deal with you, though.

You flatter me.

I'm not flattering you... should I call you Father?

You came to protect that... curious visitor of ours, didn't you? I suppose you're from Iberia?

I am.

You wear a cleric's robe, but you feel completely different to believers of the Lateran faith.

You're sharp.

Honest, aren't you?

I won't beat around the bush, then. I don't normally like to be so direct, but...

Not one more step forward. Leave, now.

You are not fit to set foot in Paradise.

I'm afraid I can't comply.

I am needed here, for a little longer.

(Tough customer.)

(An unusual sword. The style is Iberian...)

Your attacks are even sharper than your words.

I still harbor hope for mutual understanding, but I concede that you're acting appropriately, given your position.

I'm curious, though... how do you define Paradise?

A place where everyone lives in peace and happiness.

Preferably with less unwelcome visitors.

Would you call this place Paradise, then?

You're enjoying this chit-chat, aren't you?

A group of people have found peace away from the world for sixty years. What do you call this, if not Paradise?

Even if their lives are endless cold, hunger and suffering?

They may be wanting for material comforts... but it's far from endless.

Ah, yes. Laterano will bring salvation. The hard days will soon come to an end.

At the price of abandoning some.

...This isn't anyone's fault.

Please, don't get me wrong. I'm not accusing anyone.

But I've been thinking: What is the difference between us? Is it physical, or something else?

From the individual's very birth, all that makes us who we are causes our thinking to go in divergent ways and reach divergent conclusions...

Is there really such a thing as mutual understanding within this?

Are you really going to ask this to a Sankta?

You could try it yourself in your next life, if you happen to become a Sankta.

...*cough*!

(This has taken too long. Can't let that thing attack the residents.)

(I need to take care of this quickly...)

No need to be anxious. I don't really plan on doing anything.

I'm here because my kin need help.

You sound sincere, but I'm not in a position to trust you.

*cough* *cough*...

*sigh*

You're as stubborn as a former student of mine. It can be a virtue, but it can also be trouble.

I'm curious about a student who could cause you trouble.

One of the best I've ever had. We never saw each other again, after he left Iberia.

......

I didn't want to do this... I'm so getting in trouble for it.

Negotiations failed.

Can't say I regret it.

You can stand?

Not yet, really.

Rehabilitation is going to get longer, and I'm going to get scolded.

*hiss*

I trust you won't push yourself too hard.

You're not in good physical shape, nor are you used to this kind of battle—

Oh!

Thanks for the compliment. That was aimed for your mouth.

The people tune out the sermon, when it gets too long.

Especially if they're already fuming after a long and not very good day.

I think I can justify my response based on the provocation.

I'm tired. Let's do this quick.

I'll say it again—

—Get out of my way, Father.

You may not set foot in Paradise.

Hungry... so hungry...

Eat...

......

Eat...

Hungry... eat, eat...

......

Oh... oh...

Who's there?!

......

Come, now, there's no need for violence.

I've been looking for you, Most Reverend Abbot.

Food is in short supply these days. I hope you don't mind.

Not that minding would do any good. At least it fills the stomach, even if the taste is nothing to write home about.

I don't need to eat right now.

Eat. Don't let it go to waste.

......

Gerald, leader of Sarkaz. You knew the two Liberi children.

Are you always so direct?

Don't call me a leader. I've seen the true King of Sarkaz. A humble hunter is not worthy of the title.

Why do you call yourself a hunter?

Because that's what I am. I hunt to feed myself and others.

I think you have an idea of what's going on here, even though you just arrived today.

Not the full picture.

You lead the group of Sarkaz that lives here. You were latecomers, but at one point you got along well with each other.

Yes. At one point.

Now, conflict has arisen, and it is likely to escalate, given the circumstances.

Yeah, which is why we're leaving.

Normally, you would have the advantage in conflict with the other inhabitants.

There are few able combatants amongst them, which is one of the reasons they took you in.

But Laterano's intervention has taken away your martial advantage. Leaving is the logical choice.

You're good with those logical conclusions.

But I learned a long time ago—

Our lives are not logical—and I get reminders about that all the time.

We didn't choose to leave because we couldn't live anymore.

Before I came here, I never thought we would have a life like this.

There were dangers, there was conflict, but we were accepted, we built our own homes, worked for our daily bread...

That all might seem normal to you, but it was beyond our wildest dreams.

What is the true reason you chose to leave?

It's simple.

We see the writing on the wall, just like you do. The rift can no longer be repaired. All that's left is to watch things get worse.

Today it's just an argument, an accusation, but what about tomorrow?

Violent confrontation between the natives and the Sarkaz is likely.

Today's fire was a warning.

Leave now, and we remain friends to be missed.

But if we allow ourselves to be burdened by attachment and fail to make a decision...

We will become the Sarkaz that the rest of the world knows—a band of vagabonds who bring conflict with them wherever they go, who are not welcome anywhere, who have no place to call home, and no place to go.

That's just prejudice.

To us, it's a fact.

The Sankta have Laterano.

But where do the Sarkaz belong to?

......

It's time.

It may take a while for the little ones to get used to life without a roof over their heads, but it'll happen.

As for those two children...

You knew them.

...I know a little about where they came from.

The people at the abbey and Raimund don't.

Very few do.

I guess they're wanderers who came from the outside. Their family could be dead, or they could have abandoned their children.

Stefano has taken in other wanderers before, but this place could hardly accommodate any more inhabitants these days.

But someone secretly took the children in.

You know who it was.

Few secrets can truly be kept forever, especially now, when every single grain counts.

Hyman took them in. She set aside a part of her own rations each day, and stole from the hunted game a few times. I covered it up for her when I discovered it.

Even then, life isn't easy for them.

Where is she now?

That's what I'm wondering. She should have come back with game today, but I haven't heard from her.

She's missing. We don't know where she is.

Whatever happened, I hope she doesn't do anything stupid.

Missing? No, this isn't right.

What do you mean?

Hyman would not allow the children to go out, in order to keep their existence a secret. Erendel and Estara's appearance at the sacrarium was not an accident.

Someone brought them outside.

Where is Hyman's home? I want to see it for myself.

(Incomprehensible whisper))

Hungry... eat...

Mm...

(Rolls over)

Eat, eat...

Cold...

Cold...

Zzz... zzz...

Mamma...

Oh... hungry... eat, eat... cold...

......

Cover... cover...

Cold... cover...

Eren... Sara...

What have you done, Your Excellency?

It is improper to eavesdrop on a confession, Reverend Executor.

Oh, don't get me wrong, I wasn't listening to your confession.

Of course, you also know that's not what I'm talking about. Nor am I asking who you sent to ring the bell, how you plan meals for the monastery...

I'm asking about the smell coming from the sacrarium up there.

You can tell by the smell...? Is the Griffin Arsenal still in business?

As far as I know, it still supplies practice equipment for various educational institutions.

Including firebombs.

...Only the Holy City endures.

I feel your pain. If only Federico learned subtlety and discretion, right?

Still, it's just a corner of a building. It's far from over. Everyone can return to Laterano safely. What do you think?

You're talking to the wrong man.

I taught everyone how to dismantle the abbey's old weapons and make use of them. Fuel is short, while the winter is long.

But if you think I instigated the fire... I won't argue.

Come now, don't talk like that. Why don't we sit down and have a chat? Find a solution that we can all accept?

Chat? Solution? Ha.

Is there a solution that doesn't involve turning my back on a human being? I already explained my convictions. Would you truly accept a compromise?

A group of refugees sought sanctuary at the monastery seven years ago during a great drought. I closed the doors to them.

They stumbled, almost crawling, back to the wastes. It wasn't the first time I saw a sight like that.

But I swore before the Lord that it would be the last.

Am I wrong in my convictions, Executor?

No, of course you're right. I understand your pain.

There are limits to Laterano's power.

The laws are imperfect.

You...

I think, and therefore, I doubt.

For all its imperfections, though, Laterano is good enough for me. I don't want to see her peace and harmony to be threatened by anyone or anything.

I'm sure you can understand that.

......

It would be easier for me to persuade my colleagues if we reach an agreement here, and if you refrain from causing any complications.

My mission would be easier if none of you lifted a finger.

Just because not everyone can go back to Laterano, doesn't mean that no one should.

Laterano is to you as this place is to me.

There is no need for any further talk between us.

I ask you to leave me to my confession.

Raimund? It's getting late. You should get some rest.

...Clément.

I just had something to do.

I'm really sorry about today...

Don't think too much about it. We're leaving anyway.

...Right.

When is that...?

Depends on Gerald. We'll be leaving tomorrow morning, no matter what.

Probably after Matins.

Matins...

Oh! Do you know where Fortuna and Delfina are?

I was going to... well, I was looking for them.

Did... Gerald not tell you?

What? What are you talking about?

......

Delfina... she's gone.

......

Good... bye...

Was that a word of farewell? Or am I mistaken?

—!

You possess basic language skills. It seems my previous assessment was incorrect.

You... are...

Sank... ta.

Indicating a certain level of sapience and cognitive thinking.

Communication appears possible, despite deviation of physical form.

......

Unknown level of contagion. Unclear if movement patterns change over time. Unknown level of danger.

Notarial Hall regulations permit elimination of potential threats of unknown danger level in order to safeguard the rights of the citizenry.

......

No sign of resistance. No apparent will to survive.

I'll try to make this quick and painless.

Wait!

Executor, no!

......

Ge..rald...

Hyman... I had half a mind to start praying like Stefano, praying that the monster the Executor was talking about wasn't you.

......

It was the logical hypothesis. It has now been confirmed.

Move aside, Gerald.

No.

You're interfering with official business.

I know. You can point your gun at me, pull the trigger, bump off a Sarkaz criminal. You won't get any complaints from me.

But I can't let you kill Hyman.

...Explain.

I can't give you a 'correct' or 'proper' explanation.

All I can say is—

Look behind Hyman. There are two children sleeping beyond that door.

Children...

My, children...

......

They have no idea what happened. They're full of hope that you will find their mother.

They trust you.

Don't do it, Executor.

Don't do it, unless you've reached a conclusion that you're satisfied with.