Arknights story · Retracing Our Steps
OS-8 Proclamation
Thanks to the shift in public opinion done at the Duke of Caster's instigation, Enciodes is forced to take a passive stance in Kjerag. A Victorian reporter is suddenly attacked and abducted while interviewing the people. When she awakens, she sees Ratatos, very much not dead.
2 scenes, 290 lines
1. Before Operation
144 linesThe empty silence leaves one feeling colder than ever. The reporter's heavy bag slows her down, her footsteps upon the snow clear for all to hear.
Less people than before, even here...
...Hmm?
Miss! Sorry to bother you, can I ask you a few quick questions?
About?
Right now, Karlan Trade—
I'd rather not have to hear that name.
Sir Enciodes needs to come out and go over why he signed those agreements already.
'Resources for development', what rubbish. All we got for our resources was a Catastrophe. How's he going to explain that, huh?
...
By the time the reporter finishes digesting the lady's angry words, she has already long-since left with a swish of her cloak.
...Excuse me, sir!
Ah, you're one of those reporters from Victoria?
Kjerag's not been the kindest place, lately. Even us locals prefer holing up at home. You best take care.
It's times like these where I can't be afraid, otherwise I'm not fit to hold this camera.
...But thanks for the heads-up, anyhow. What I'd like to know is, how do you see Enciodes right now, in your honest opinion?
Hmm... Sorry, Miss, I think he's cheated Kjerag, but Victoria's worth doubting too.
I've seen how big the changes here have been these past few years. If you said Enciodes hasn't had any difficulty making those changes, then I'd say you're wrong.
If only the Great Elder of the Court could come out and say a few words, it'd all be fine—
A stone flies right past the tip of the reporter's nose all of a sudden, smashing the store window behind her.
Eek—!
Get out of Kjerag, Victorian scum!
Enciodes, the Vine-Bead Court, us, we've all got nothing to do with you!
Still got the stones to take pictures?! Get the faen off our land already!
Nothing has left her with complicated feelings more than this moment.
She has seen the ordinary people of Kjerag slowly become more mistrustful, more on-edge.
Yet she has also seen once-trusted members of the camera crew sneak into her room to inspect her drafts and camera, over and over.
As the man picks up yet another stone, she bows goodbye to her interviewee, and runs away from the scene...
It seems her only choice is to escape... but escape to where?
Are you Victorian, miss?
Ah... Hello there.
Do... you hate Victoria?
Nope, I don't.
A dirty little hand reaches out to her, with a piece of stale Victorian bread sitting in the palm.
But my pappa told me to throw these all away. He said we wouldn't have any Victorian charity in our house.
Then...
But Kjeragandr taught us to love our neighbors, and repay kindness with kindness.
So, I wanted to give it back to you.
As she watches the child hurry away, the reporter feels as if the dry bread in her hand is choking her throat. Her eyelids tremble, and she clenches her teeth...
Get her in the car. Don't let anyone see.
That is the last thing she remembers hearing before she loses consciousness.
Sorry for bothering you with yet another visit, Mr. Silverash.
Perhaps you would rather be seeing some other pretty face during all this hubbub...
There is no need to be so humble.
Kjerag is indebted to you for your care, and I had hoped for the chance to express my gratitude.
Hardly, hardly... It seems my long-awaited return has left me awash with churning emotion once more.
I would like nothing more than to be the bearer of good news every time I come over, before throwing my old bones into the mountains for some peace and quiet.
But life is a fickle thing, and it demands we improvise, does it not?
I do believe you are here to give me some bad news, Lord Viscount, but not in the name of Caster.
Hmph, I'd rather not get mixed up with that old lady's affairs again.
Though based on what went on the last time I was here... It's her who doesn't want to get mixed up with me.
With all that said, My Lord...
Ah, yes, on to business, I know you're a busy man.
I am here to bid you farewell, Mr. Silverash.
If the recent shift in public opinion against Victoria has troubled you, then I can—
No, no, no, nothing of the sort...
...I had hoped against hope that old Caster was also reaching the age where she spoke from the heart.
That tends to bring a bit of sweetness to the tongue, no? But as you can see, things have come to this.
Though I may seem a dotard these days, I still find myself compelled to ask you one thing...
Is there truly no other way?
You know her plans involve more than just a few mines, My Lord.
From the moment she laid hands on Ensia, this negotiation has become wholly unacceptable to me.
So how do you plan to handle her? Are you really prepared to cross swords with her?
You know better than I that if we do not keep the idea of 'crossing swords' on the table, then Kjerag may as well already be in her pocket.
Of course I do...
*sigh* What to say, what to say...
Knowing how the old lady is, she will never let your little tiff go now that it's reached this stage.
I truly am worried for you, Sir Enciodes. Whatever shall you do next?
What is there to do but to seize the opportunity?
Since you have mentioned her, you are also an old acquaintance of Her Grace, are you not?
Me?
Hardly know her.
A few years back, we'd chat about family matters, and she'd always grumble to me about how none of the young Casters were worth a damn.
The less useful they turn out to be, the more hasty she gets in doing things. Who would have guessed that she was known as a complete enigma in her youth...
I had a brief encounter with Her Grace a decade or so ago. Her grandeur strikes me even now.
Hah, no need to butter her up to me.
I am fully aware that her high-and-mighty noble posturing is something she can never change.
No matter how many schemes are brewing behind the scenes, one must always keep one's face haughty and dignified.
Well, that's that. I'm sure your people have more urgent things to trouble you with. I should be heading off right about now.
This talk of ours has been productive, My Lord.
I hope I will have a more suitable opportunity in the future to invite you to Kjerag.
Haha, couldn't ask for better!
Ah, yes...
(Quietly) When you next see Her Grace, by no means tell her I've been calling her 'old' behind her back.
...I would never, Lord Viscount.
...
Yes, nobody saw us.
It was no trouble, Matriarch. Your request is my—
I'll bring her over right away.
...
Hey, wakey-wakey!
...I...This is... I was at—
Half a day's sleep not enough for you? Get up, our Matriarch has things she wants to ask you.
What...?
Who... brought me here...?
Hmph. How long will it take you to learn a gentle touch?
I-I'm sorry.
Matriarch.
Hey, you awake yet?
No thrashing about, unless you feel like the ropes around your wrists aren't chafing enough.
...
Ah, Ratatos!
...Matriarch Ratatos. I thought you were—
Not a single burn on me. Real surprising, isn't it?
When you get the chance, tell your colleagues that when dealing with the Browntails, best check the room for tricks.
My... colleagues?
Be honest now, my little spy. What were you hoping to capture on that camera of yours, all those days you were sneaking about?
Wait, what... No, you misunderstand me, Madam! How could I be a spy?!
*sigh*...
That's what all the other spies we got said too.
The guards rifle through the reporter's back and throw its contents onto the floor: the photos she has taken and developed the past few days.
We wouldn't care much about you if you take pictures of local traditions or even patrolling guards.
But you didn't hesitate before taking a bunch of pictures of the Vine-Bead Court. You even went to a few mountains, clicking that shutter of yours.
Don't think I don't know anything.
...
Matriarch Ratatos, whether you believe me or not, I really am nothing more than a regular reporter.
If I was a spy, why would I be walking around with all this evidence on me?
With all this chaos going on right now, I could have easily given it all to my colleagues at the TV station.
That's what you need to explain.
Fact of the matter is, you were carrying a great deal of suspicious material, and had a very strange itinerary. How do I know you weren't trying to flee?
Because I'm trying to protect that material!
The Duke of Caster wants control over public opinion. The news office sent people to join the camera crew, and they've been sneaking into my room to edit my pictures.
If I didn't try to get away, most of them would be confiscated, maybe even used to misrepresent things here.
Everything they do is to whitewash Victoria trying to strong-arm its way into Kjerag!
...
If you think these pictures will be of any use to Kjerag, you can have them all.
I just want you to release them, to let more people know what's going on here...
It doesn't need Victoria's 'support', but real, actual help!
...
That might be tricky.
Is Enciodes able to take a call right now?
He has more pressing matters to handle, so he sent me as support.
After my lovely funeral, I handed the spies we captured over to him. According to our agreement, he was supposed to send backup.
And in the end, he only sent one woman, even if she is the Black Knight.
Not sure if I should call him generous or stingy here...
...
So, what's his plan for dealing with Caster?
We're still gathering information on our enemy. I was also sent here to help with your interrogations.
The most critical thing to find out now, is if this reporter has taken any photos of 'things in the mountains'.
Ah, yes, our little friend here...
I can untie your restraints, but first, you need to promise me...
You'll answer all my questions. That sound alright to you?
2. After Operation
146 linesAn empty office.
Gnosis is unused to the sight. He walks to his desk. Under his mug, filled with steaming-hot fresh coffee, is a document with Enciodes's signature.
...It is signed.
You know how risky this is.
Minerals and land are inseparable. We shall bypass the Vine-Bead Court and sign cooperative mining agreements with foreign nations ourselves.
This will cause a lot of headaches for us in the future.
If we do not pay them their pound of flesh now to close the gap, they shall simply demand much more from us later.
This is the lowest price we are able to bear.
Your calculations are rather optimistic, Enciodes.
And you have always been less optimistic than I am, no matter the topic.
Which means most times, you have been able to walk further than me.
...
If it wasn't for that optimism of yours, I would not have the confidence to take a single step in the darkness.
Heh.
It has been a long while since I heard such praise from you.
Go, see our plans through, Gnosis.
...
Everyone from middle management and above is here. We can start the camera at any time.
Begin recording.
Yes, sir. What is today's announcement about?
I have gathered you all here today to announce a major change in personnel.
As of today, Enciodes Silverash will no longer serve as Chairman and CEO of Karlan Trade.
Enciodes admits all responsibility for the recent occupational incidents and has resigned. The Board of Directors has already ratified his request.
At the same time, the Board has decided that I, Gnosis Edelweiss, shall take over all of Enciodes's duties.
Now, allow me to make the first proclamation of Karlan Trade's new era as a representative of the Board, to all our colleagues, and to the people of Kjerag.
...
Karlan Trade shall be ceasing all collaboration with Victoria.
As for the many past agreements that Enciodes insisted on signing, they shall all be temporarily paused until the Board has decided on further courses of action.
At this extraordinary time, I ask all our colleagues to work hard at their posts, to keep the development of Kjerag at the forefront of their minds, and to sweep away the lingering problems of the past.
...
Kjerag needs us.
Wake up, we're here for our shift.
...Sure took your time.
First time we've been here, had to find the place.
This lot been much trouble?
Most of them aren't talking much. Just mind the lead geezer.
Which one's he?
Isn't the Vine-Bead Court all geezers?
Everyone bursts out in laughter before heading off, leaving just the two guards to take their shift.
...You should ease it up a bit. How could you disrespect the elders like that? You're from Kjerag too, right?
Still sticking up for him? It was this bunch of Schiisdräck who got us into this mess—
Shut it, you got a death wish?
The two guards look towards Elder Adso as he sits within his cell. He is focused on the thick tome in his hands, playing with a corner of the page as he thinks.
All's good.
What're you so afraid of? They've been talking big for centuries now, but it's not like the Court's managed to flip Kjerag upside-down, have they?
They're the vicars of Kjeragandr. Even if you don't respect the elders, you should still respect Her.
What's the Court done that a guy like me needs to respect them?
When my mom was sick, the clerics picked some grass for her to eat. Made me pray to the grass, saying that it would bring Kjeragandr's protection.
In the end, we brought her to one of Karlan Trade's doctors. He told me, if we had kept going with the clerics' 'treatment plan', she wouldn't have lasted another day.
I'd say the real vicar is Sir Enciodes!
...'The scholar known as Jürgen was an ardent follower of Her, and did much good. Out of resentment, evil men accused him of stealing courtly coin, and he was to be put to death a few days hence.'
'Jürgen's limbs were bound tight, and at night, he heard the clattering of soldiers' swords. He knew his death was near, and in his heart, he was anguished.'
This is...
Guess I found which geezer to look out for.
The guard raises his baton as he approaches Adso's cell, striking the bars over and over. Adso does not stop his recitation as he looks at the guard calmly.
Hey, greybeard, shut your mouth while you're in that cell.
Think about how you're going to explain all your sins to Kjeragandr when you meet Her.
...
'Jürgen looked up but saw no light. In his futility, he knelt upon the straw lining his cell, in supplication to Her.'
'O Righteous Kjeragandr, have I not done good in Your name? Have I not sought truth in Your name?'
'Do good men die in Your kingdom while the unjust gain salvation?'
'Why do the lawmakers only hear absurd falsities? Why do the people I saved stand in unspeaking silence?'
...
Schiisdräck! Have you no shame, you traitor?!
I'm going to teach you a lesson—
The guard puts his baton away before taking out his key to open the cell door, though it keeps missing the keyhole as his right hand trembles in rage.
...'O Kjeragandr! Though my body be trapped in gaol, my soul still seeks Your mercy.'
'Whilst my eyes can still see, and my ears can still hear, stretch out Your righteous hands to me!'
I swear, today is going to be the last day you can even open a copy of the Kjeragandr!
...
Wh-What have I done...
I hurt another guard...
You have done well, my child.
Our divine duty is not limited to the three clans, the Saintess, or the Vine-Bead Court.
All children of Kjerag must be ready to carry out Her will at any time.
Just like you did.
I remember... 'Jürgen the Confessor'.
When I was young, I was lost in the snowy mountains. Just as I was about to black out, a cleric saved me.
When we were on his burdenbeast, he took off his coat and wrapped it tight around me, telling me the story of Jürgen, and how Kjeragandr will save all the innocents...
Where are the other clerics imprisoned, my child?
Nearby.
Find an opportunity to free them. Let them escape, then save yourself.
Conflict brews atop the mountains. The Vine-Bead Court shall rebuild everything upon the ruins.
Allow me to tell you the end of the tale of Jürgen the Confessor.
Halt!
Don't force my hand, Great Elder. We are armed, and we will not allow anyone to leave!
...I will walk by you.
If you insist on using bows and crossbows to run counter to Her will, then aim at your own hearts. Try it.
You...
The guards who rushed over look at their comrades with raised eyebrows as they form two lines. Many of them have chosen to stow their weapons, opening up a narrow passage.
Adso lowers his head as he walks through the guards, leaving behind faint footprints in the snow.
...
'As the words left Jürgen's mouth, the entire gaol began to sway, as wind and snow entered through the cracks.'
'The walls around the imprisoned devotee were as rotten trees, shattering into dust as his body was enveloped in blinding light.'
'The soldiers were thrown to the ground, their weapons shattered, but they themselves were unharmed. They prostrated themselves at Jürgen's feet, weeping as they confessed their sins.'
'Jürgen the Confessor then walked the lands of the three clans, preaching this miracle the rest of his life.'
'And thus, Kjeragandr stretches out Her hand to those who call for Her, to enact Her justice.'
She has slowly lost all sensation in her joints as her shoes sink into the soft snow, step after step after step, yet her legs do not stop moving, even as she gulps lungfuls of frigid air.
Hah.... hah....
...Who's... Hah...
There is the vague shape of people in the distance. They draw close to her, but the lights flashing before her eyes make her unable to recognize them.
You...
We have been ordered to receive you, Madam Carolin.
Though there should be others with you here.
...
They got taken by the locals.
Then, are there any issues with the intelligence?
You can tell Her Grace that the power hiding behind Kjerag has disappeared.
I've observed and recorded the fall of some extraterrestrial object to the surface. The ensuing Catastrophe is further proof of my conclusion.
Whether it's the energy field theory or the Feranmut hypothesis, it explains the changes that happened to Kjerag.
Take this folder, all my research into several hypotheses about Kjerag is in it. You can—
What the—?!
I am terribly sorry, Madam.
Did you really believe you could hide your personal communications with the Maylander Foundation from us?
Her Grace has asked us to bring back only the data.
I believe she is very interested in the fact that Kjerag has lost its protection.
You—
...
Extraterrestrial objects, Feranmut legends...
There are still so many marvelous things we don't know the truth about across this great land.
But all you care about is deception, robbery and murder. Everything else is worthless to you.
If I didn't need you to escape from Kjerag...
I would never work with people like you!
I shall pass on your complaint to Her Grace, verbatim.
Goodbye, Madam. Thank you for your patriotic 'service'.
She sighs deeply, unsure of whom she is actually feeling sorry for.
A smoke grenade?
Enemy attack! Look for cover!
The night is enveloped in smoke and gunfire, leaving the snowfield in utter chaos.
At least, until a black off-roader courses out of the smoke. In its wake are the Victorian agents, futilely shooting at the vehicle as it drives into the distance.
Sorry to put you through that, Carolin.
Had to take our time so the Victorians wouldn't spot us.
Got all your stuff?
...
She lowers her head, pulling out a marked file on the extraterrestrial object from the various documents before handing it to the agent sitting in the front seat.
...So, when can I start my research?
No need to be so hasty, Miss. My boss wants to have a chat with you first. He's really interested in hearing what you're studying.
I think you'll be working with us for a long, long time.
Carolin nods her head, before she suddenly realizes something.
She never had the chance to actually hand over Victoria's 'Kjerag report'.
She rolls down the car window, heedless of the cold wind blowing in. She takes out the papers she so painstakingly wrote in Kjerag, one after the other, and throws them out the window with nary a moment's hesitation.
The paper is all the more white under the black night, like fresh snow falling upon the wilds.
They spin through the air, buoyed by cold wind and political maelstrom both.
Here's your things back, Victoria.