OS-9 Cold Steel

Say, mister, mind if I cross the road?

I need to head home to get the fire going. It's about dinnertime, and my wife's waiting for me...

This area's off-limits. You either take a detour, or you wait.

But... I'm just trying to get to the other side of the road.

If safety's your issue, go ahead and search me. I've just got food on me, nothing else.

Are you with the Vine-Bead Court?

No, I'm just a smith.

Then take a detour or wait.

I've crossed this road for decades now...

Don't cause trouble for them, mister, nothing good'll come of it!

Just listen to them and get out of there already!

I will not be repeating myself a third time.

...

Kjeragandr above... I wish to hear of your wroth...

Invaders! How dare you! Get out, you hear me?! GET OUT!

'Victorians' this, 'Victorians' that... It's the word I hate hearing most these days.

...Didn't think there'd still be anyone brave enough to kidnap one at a time like this.

Don't you get it? It's obviously just some worthless excuse. Now that the Victorians are here, Kjerag is about to change...

Vollpfosten! You're all just sitting back to watch while going on with your pessimistic talk! You're more spineless than a starving burdenbeast! I'm going to show them the real Kjerag!

If you're going to make a ruckus, do it somewhere further away! Don't drag me into this!

Right, right, go to Karlan Trade. They've got guards, don't they?

You're all a bunch of cowards...

Cowards? I get it, you've got guts, and you don't mind getting your hands dirty, but do you have a family?

If this is the outcome of the negotiations, if the three clans, the Vine-Bead Court, Karlan Trade... if none of them are going to do anything, what can we do?

Kjeragandr above... Forgive me for my fear, my cowardice...

Your Grace, our fleet has encircled the passes into Kjerag's mountains.

The vanguard force in Kjerag has also surrounded the Vine-Bead Court. Kjerag's own warriors are powerless to resist us.

The whereabouts of Kjerag's Saintess are currently unknown, but we shall ensure that the moment she appears, we will locate her.

The situation is still under control... so forgive me for speaking bluntly.

There is no need for Your Grace to attend the battle in person.

Do not be hasty, Phillipa.

Choose your words wisely. If I may correct you, Kjerag is not our enemy, but a valuable partner in cooperation.

But Karlan Trade still has not given an official response to our invitation to negotiate.

Haha... I can imagine.

Enciodes is a prideful man. One assumes that having to process this failure must be of inconceivable difficulty for him.

You must have heard some of the tales about him, Phillipa. By all calculations, he is your kin as well.

If he really is the talented genius the rumors paint him as, then why did he abandon the chance to stand by your side, deciding to bury himself in the mountains instead? I simply don't understand.

Like I said, he really is the prideful sort.

I shall give him a little more time... Six hours should do it.

If the government of Kjerag continues to refuse to accept our agreement, then things can only end in a rather regretful manner.

Understood.

There is still one trifling matter I am unsure is worth Your Grace's consideration.

The matriarch of Clan Browntail, who by all rights should be dead. We have discovered further traces of activity from her.

She is currently hidden within the Vine-Bead Court, under the protection of the Black Knight.

Hmm... Enciodes would not go to great lengths to hide someone unimportant at a time like this.

It is not worth mentioning... but I am not fond of variables.

Find her, and find what she is hiding.

As you command, Your Grace.

Understood. I shall carry out this assignment to a limited extent, then await further instructions.

All hands take note. Team 1, guard the front. Team 2, head to the north gate to lock it down. Teams 3 and 4, find high vantage points to watch the Court.

Be on guard. If you allow even a single soul out, you shall have to answer to Her Grace in person.

I have not received any orders to allow Victorians in, sir.

I understand. We shall wait here for a reply.

The chairman has informed me not to accept any invitations. If you—

No matter, I am happy to wait here patiently, just like how every child of Kjerag waits for bitter winter to pass.

Speaking of, how do you people prepare for winter? I am rather curious.

I fear you may not have the opportunity to learn for yourself.

I am not here representing myself. My own experiences are not important, Mr. Edelweiss.

I believe these terrible conditions call for giving everyone an equal chance to express themselves, don't you agree?

...Why are you here?

Rest easy, Chairman Edelweiss of Karlan Trade.

I have come here for one very simple task: to invite Mr. Silverash to the negotiating table on behalf of Her Grace.

A simple, peaceful conversation, all for protecting the bond between our two nations.

You have brazenly sent an army to surround Kjerag, aimed your cannons at civilians, and dispatched your troops to blockade our markets.

Are these actions meant to be part of this 'peaceful conversation'?

Mr. Edelweiss...

Her Grace simply wishes to let the true master of Kjerag know that a speeding warship cares not where the people atop its deck run. For most, their best choice is to hold the handrail tight.

Profound understanding can come over the passage of eons, or it can come in the blink of an eye... It all depends on the 'commands' you have received, sir.

Get to the point, Victorian. You shouldn't need me to teach you how to say what you're here to say.

I would much rather call it 'sending a request', Mr. Edelweiss. A request from Victoria is a rather rare sight these days.

We cordially invite Mr. Silverash to a spirited discussion with Her Grace about the future of Kjerag.

We shall ensure the meeting goes smoothly. Her Grace has also commanded that none be harmed.

Then we too have our own request: Victoria is to immediately cease this military invasion.

I regret to inform you that such a thing hinges on the results of Mr. Silverash and Her Grace's talks. I am unqualified to make such a promise in Her Grace's stead.

Right now, my only hope is that there shall be a place warm enough for me to spend the winter... A fleeting hope that it shall be Kjerag.

...

All I did was bury him.

He only had time to carve himself a marker before he died.

So the bones we saw along the way are all...

The bones of humans.

Only human beings would use value and meaning to paralyze themselves... To climb Karlan, to walk to Her side, to witness Her existence, they are willing to give their lives.

Elder, did you hear—

I didn't hear anything.

Please proceed, Saintess.

You need to try harder, we can't keep up with Enya if I have to keep pulling you—

Hah... Hah... We're only... two steps behind... No need to stand so close...

...Oh, right.

Just now... they were talking to something... right?

Hmm... I think I saw it too.

But there's nothing here except snow and rocks... Whatever, doesn't matter.

...You took it upon yourself to enter a gamble you are fated to lose.

Saintess.

This is...

Indeed.

The depths of the mountains... The location of the Heart of Karlan.

I did as you asked, Enya! I dragged her all the way here!

(Quietly) We're here, don't just stand there.

Huh...?

...Wait, this, no, it can't be!

You are not the first who wished to find Her, and neither was I.

My greatest wish during my youth was to witness Her true form, to prostrate myself before Her. And so, I checked every book in the Hall of Writings, read every line of every poem, all to find proof of Her existence.

Many before me have left behind records and analyses. One mentioned this place, the only cave atop Mount Karlan.

I followed the endless, rugged mountain trails before finally finding myself here.

The records say that the clerics of the Court once sought refuge in the depths of Karlan.

Just so.

Perhaps you still recall the story of the Saintess who roused Kjeragandr.

According to legend, when Kjeragandr sent divine punishment, the Vine-Bead Court chose a hundred girls in succession to ascend the mountain and pray. The last of the girls was the one who quelled Her fury.

But in truth, that final girl was the daughter of a clan leader, which incited the great clans to ally and lay siege to the Court.

During the massacre, the surviving clerics fled here, after which came the so-called 'miracle'. Peace returned to Kjerag.

And how would you explain this 'miracle'?

Look at Kjerag as it is now, and the answer shall be clear. Who has ever heard of a war that came to an end for no reason?

If even the murder of a girl can transform into a sublime 'miracle', so too can political compromise become the stuff of legend.

Murder... So that is how you see the actions of the Court of old.

Indeed. To use murder to seek comfort, to allow ignorance to spur on the heart. This is the bloody debt the Court has borne in the name of 'Kjeragandr'.

With no god to promise us eternity, our every step is on thin ice, with no room for inattention.

I have brought you here to learn the truth behind Kjeragandr, Saintess.

And now... I shall wait for you, no matter how long you struggle to process it.

Enya! Come over here, quick!

This pile of rocks at the deepest part of the cave doesn't seem natural. It's more like a door that someone built.

...The clerics of old made this place into a sanctuary. Finding things here is hardly strange.

In other words... Behind this 'door' is most likely the hiding place of the ancient clerics, and a place where countless secrets of Kjerag are hidden...

What is more likely is that behind that door, you will find absolutely nothing.

Then let us bear witness, Elder Adso.

...

I... can feel it.

According to my readings, Enya, behind this super-thin rock wall, there seems to be a giant cavern.

But there's no other way in... I can blow this door open, if we have to.

Wait, this is holy ground—

Do it.

Wha—Enya?!

O Kjeragandr above...

Pardon the intrusion, it's all in the name of truth!

I am in position.

As Her Grace's latest instructions state, Ratatos's feigned death must have a reason. She is most likely carrying important information on her person, and is to be captured alive.

...

This is the front, the courtyard is empty. Prepare for direct contact.

Do not attract attention. End it quick.

The only thing to watch out for is the Black Knight, who is most likely still here.

But where is she?

Not good!

Ah!

I heard... more fighting outside. What in the blazes is going on?

Quiet down!

The trickiest enemies for us to handle are outside right now. Degenbrecher's risking her life to protect us.

The only thing you can do right now is sit down, shut up and not be discovered.

I... I heard the broadcast say that I'm a hostage abducted by Kjerag? Why...

Heh... Your fellow Victorians got their weapons out and started up their tanks. They're not letting anything out of this place.

So are they here to rescue you, or are they here to keep people in the know locked up in here so they can get their other plans done? The answer is obvious.

You mean they're using my rescue as an excuse to invade Kjerag...?

It's what you said... and it seems reality agrees with you.

...

...How did it all come to this?

If you've got a way to get the information out, you can ask your fellow countrymen that question.

When I came to this place, I thought I could help the oppressed people. With my camera and my words, I would be able to let more people know about the true Kjerag.

I believed all that I did had meaning...

...Should I be thanking you for your kindness or something?

Alright, alright, I'll treat you as an actual kind-hearted lady then.

So don't play dumb with me now. Why do you think what you've seen is the 'true Kjerag'?

And who do you think is doing the oppressing here?

...

Such power... No wonder the reports on Kjerag emphasized the Black Knight's presence.

I knew you people would try to sneak in.

You... Hmph, to tell you the truth, I can't tell which of you is which underneath those masks.

That colleague of yours who came to Kjerag before, surely he told you this land is not one you can trample as you please?

Indeed. Your fame is known to us.

We made sure to make ample preparations.

So you intend to win through numbers.

None of us could hope to claim victory over you. It is only a mission, nothing more.

Your clothes may mark you as elites.

But here's something you wouldn't know without feeling some pain—

If you wish to pass, it will only be as a corpse.

Come.

It's rare that I have the chance to go all-out.

...I suppose I should consider you all willing to die.

Hah—

Not bad! Again!

...I never thought it would be like this.

Should I not have come to Kjerag, Madame Ratatos?

That's a question you need to answer yourself, along with your country.

On the Kjerag side of things, I might have also considered using one as pure-hearted as you, so I can't really blame Victoria for doing it.

...So what exactly does the information I have mean to Victoria, and to Kjerag?

They're just making a fuss out of you to make it look like the facts are already settled. Don't take it too seriously.

We're hostages, nothing more.

I feel like this is all rather absurd.

Well, that's one way to sum it up. If your camera still works, this would make some excellent material for you.

If... I walked out that door, the rest of you would be fine, right?

If you did, they'd point their swords at you and confiscate all your material. You yourself might even disappear without a trace, with nobody else knowing what had happened to you.

With things having come to a head... You're the one who's meant to understand them the most, not me.

So are we supposed to sit here and do nothing?

I don't think the Victorians want to lose you, Miss Hostage.

Just calm down, wait, and then...

I don't care what your plan is, Enciodes, it's time to put it into action.

Reporting in!

We've built some temporary fortifications, just like you ordered, Sir Arctosz.

The enemy fleet hasn't fired yet. Instead, they're marching towards a place three clicks from us. How should we respond?

Our explosives reserves?

We've moved over all we could. We'll be risking our lives, but at the very least, we can delay the Victorian advance for a while.

Good.

Go get the troops in formation! Meanwhile, I'll have a chat with these Victorians!

Who's your commander? Tell him to come out for a chat!

My commanding officer does not wish to come to blows with you, Arctosz Paleroche.

That all depends on why you've come to Kjerag. Don't tell me you're all just lost in the woods.

Her Grace has already made everything clear in her open letter. We must defend Victoria's interests while helping Kjerag stabilize following the Catastrophe.

All we ask is for the mastermind behind Kjerag's troubles, Enciodes Silverash, to receive the trial he deserves, which I believe is in line with Clan Paleroche's thinking.

The only thing I'm thinking is this: if you take even one more step forward, you'll pay the full price for it.

The only way you'll be going any further into Kjerag is over my dead body!

Back already? What're the commander's orders?

No changes. We keep guarding this final checkpoint. Once all their people are in, they'll definitely find Kjerag's arsenal.

They've been searching for ages now, but they still haven't found anything?

Yep. Even if Kjerag can't make any big moves like they said, I'm not willing to bet that that Enciodes guy doesn't have something up his sleeve.

Maybe—Hmm? Another transport truck.

Well, this one's all yours, buddy. I'm all tired out from checking all those beans last truck.

Fine.

Sorry, mister, but as per Her Grace's orders, all vehicles passing this point are to be searched.

Unload your cargo—

We've cleared the road again, sir, just like the plan said.

Update Sir Gnosis on the situation.

Get those supplies transported. We can't keep him waiting.

Pah...

*cough*...

You are at your limit, Black Knight.

In truth, you can still choose to lay down your arms and surrender.

You're all mouth.

Lock up your silver tongues and come at me if you're brave enough.

Even you must bleed.

Would you not regret dying here, Knight?

...Hmph.

Meaningless drivel when said to someone—

Who holds their own life cheap.

What're you so afraid of?

Who's there?!

They aren't Court guards. Someone our intelligence didn't account for is intervening. We can't continue the mission.

Abort mission, retreat with the wounded.

Made it right on time...

Victoria's elite hooligans won't be sorted that easily. We need to find somewhere safe.

Wake up. This is no time for a nap.

*cough* You're...

Sharp?

Take it easy with the talking, you're wounded.

Did the Doctor send you?

SilverAsh has been in contact with the Doctor the whole time. After hearing about the Catastrophe in Kjerag, the Doctor figured you'd run into trouble.

While we do have our hands pretty full at the moment, the Doctor did promise that if you ever found yourselves in a pinch, we wouldn't just stand back and watch.

I've already called Rhodes Island for reinforcements, they should be here any minute now.

...

What about Enciodes?

No need to worry. I believe SilverAsh has managed to take the reins of this situation.

Just hang in there, Degenbrecher. You're through the hardest part now.

...Are we able to maintain our current output?

Yes sir, ammunition stocks will be as expected. But, Chairman Edelweiss...

I can't help but doubt things. If what we're facing is the Duke of Caster's fleet, then even if we raised our efficiency tenfold, we still wouldn't be able to compete with them.

No need to worry. Just follow the plan.

We'll handle the rest.

...

I've worked for Karlan Trade for eleven years now, Chairman. I know what it's brought to Kjerag.

I believe in the both of you.

...

It seems you're ready now.

I suppose you don't need me for any further reminders, Master of Clan Silverash.

Since this is to be a negotiation, I thought I would change into something more formal.

Caster's army has laid siege to Kjerag, while her advance forces have control over several of our streets, forcing the civilians back into their homes.

Arctosz has brought his men to confront the Victorians, but they are a frail force in comparison.

The Duke's envoy came by Karlan Trade, asking me to pass you an 'invitation' to the negotiating table.

She is waiting for you, Enciodes.

It sounds like the situation is still within our expectations.

Look at you, admiring this lonely battleship... Does it not seem too weak as it is now?

...

Lately, I have found myself often thinking about a day from many years ago. The day my parents received an invitation from Clan Browntail.

My father told me that the reason why the Browntails and the Paleroches did not support us was because they had not seen what he had seen.

'If someone can take a step forward, even if it is only a single step...'

Even if it is the infamous Luca Browntail.

They knew of the worst-case scenario, but they did not hesitate.

Now I am at the age at which they passed away. Looking back, it seems that some things haven't changed.

But at least now I know why they did not hesitate.

...

In the wake of their passing, I followed my clan as we left Kjerag to head to Victoria.

It was a rough start. I was learning almost out of habit as I got used to the disdainful looks of my Victorian classmates.

The only thing that kept me going was the knowledge that one day, I would return to Kjerag.

But in the end, you went to Victoria too.

I fear I shall never forget the look on your face when I first greeted you at school.

...I was simply surprised by the way you greeted me, asking me if I still remembered our childhood promise like some sort of naive fool.

'Do you still want to make Kjerag big enough for the both of us?'

But it was also what convinced me that everything you said, the future you envisioned, was no mere fantasy.

Thus, I hitched my rope to Karlan Trade, which leads me to today.

Today is far from enough, Gnosis.

I am about to meet with the house, the most ruthless of creditors...

...No matter if I am there to see it or not, I will give Kjerag a tomorrow.

...

Finally, I want you to know that it's not just us supporting you. Many other people of Kjerag do too.

Karlan Trade's years of toil were not for nothing.

...

If you were to ask me what I had wished to hear at this very moment...

You always were able to get people to tell you exactly that.

Do you have an example?

Like when you told Degenbrecher you would treat her as nothing more than a pawn, and that when her contract expired, it was up to her if she stayed in Kjerag.

But you already knew her answer.

...

Perhaps why I wish to hear such words is precisely because I am not so sure you would give me such answers.

Hah, are you afraid?

When I declared I would make Kjerag into a grand stage big enough for us more than twenty years ago, I had signed away all rights to be afraid.

You have experienced it for yourself. I am sure you have not forgotten.

...But at times, I too need a few words of encouragement.

So, have Degenbrecher and I managed to provide you with them?

...Without a doubt.

I am truly glad... to have you both.

...

Perhaps, in the Kjerag to come, we will no longer need to make these usurious deals, or rely on the Vine-Bead Court to have faith.

Perhaps, you two will have the better of me in—

Enough with the self-flattery, Enciodes.

Go and see the Kjerag of your dreams for yourself.

If you are a coward who dares not face his own dream, then so be it. Degenbrecher and I have our own things to do.

Like right now. I should go.

...

As you wish.