Arknights story · Retracing Our Steps
OS-ST-1 Landslide
On an ordinary day, Kjerag is struck by a Catastrophe for the first time in history.
1 scenes, 233 lines
1. Interlude
233 lines...I believe you're wrong, sir.
Victoria may be the strongest nation on Terra, for now, but there is no guarantee that such prosperity will last forever.
We are all familiar enough with the history of Victoria's four golden decades, nourished by the legacy of Gaul.
Times have changed, however. When Victoria's productivity advantages eroded, and her ambition to expand went unsated, the cracks of internal strife began to emerge beneath the surface.
The last king attempted to mediate between the factories and the merchants, but failed to propose a new path out of the dilemma.
His end was inevitable. The same was demonstrated by the coup in Leithanien not long after.
Who emerged as the victor of the bloody struggle? No... it has been more than a decade since they hanged the Lord of Lions, but the repercussions of the coup linger to this day.
The Wheat of Brighton... the River Mersey Incident... have the dukes been able to set aside their conflicts for even a moment this past decade?
Everyone believes they will emerge the better for the struggle. Not one believes they're digging Victoria's grave together.
If we do not see change soon, an intensifying civil war will be what defines Victoria in this new era.
...
I heard that a most eloquent young man stole the show today.
One would be forgiven for mistaking you for today's headliner.
I meant no offence, Your Grace, Duke of Caster.
I had hoped to make the acquaintance of more people of wisdom at your manor, but I confess I find myself disappointed.
Do you consider yourself worthy of a position as a duke's advisor, or even the Speaker of Parliament, then?
Anyone can point out the ills that plague this nation. Curing it, however, calls for the proper means... a stroke of luck, even.
It seems that I am hardly the one who should be worrying about these things, though. What do you think?
Heh...
I remember your mother... you have inherited none of her humility or courtesy, but all of her boldness and irreverence.
...Enciodes.
You would hardly have found time for a distant relative from a distant land, if I had not caught your attention this way.
It was a rather inflammatory speech, but far from being enough to lay a foundation.
Many young lads have visited this house intending to make their names amongst the guests, so as to enjoy the adoration of others in high society.
How do I know you are not one of them?
I have little interest in becoming a guest of honor at the banquets of Victorian nobility. I simply bring a modest proposal.
The resources of Kjerag and the industry of Caster complement each other perfectly. There is potential for equal cooperation.
I am building Kjerag's first transnational trading company, and I would like to extend an invitation.
...Equal?
Equal.
In thirty years, the name Kjerag will lie on the lips of all the nations of Terra.
We have nothing to lose, and everything to gain, from cooperation between our two lands.
I commend your courage.
But I doubt you have the means to make such a promise, child.
You will assent.
As a consummate and visionary politician, you are well aware of the dilemma that Victoria faces... or should I say, the duchy of Caster faces.
You would not lightly dismiss any measure that could improve the situation, however slim the chance.
The fact that I stand before you now is proof enough that I'm worth investing in.
Be thankful you are young enough that I can forgive your impudence.
Answer me, then, young visionary, with your wit and guile.
How does a country that has yet to adopt the Originium circuit plan on becoming a name on the lips of all the nations of Terra?
Your doubts are well-founded. Industry and technology are certainly important, but for a nation, there are other things that are even more important.
To be frank, the particular nature of Victorian politics may have clouded your eyes to the potential of a united nation.
I believe—
And She stood upon the highest peak, pointed to the lake in the distance, and spoke:
'Remember the path you walked, and let not yourself forget;
Fear the blizzard that has yet to come, and let not yourself be arrogant;
Clutch your bows and arrows, pickaxes and hoes tight, and let not yourself be careless;
Love your brothers and sisters; love your neighbors and friends, and love the rocks and hills, the grass and trees, as you would love your own siblings.
Heed these words, and no calamity shall befall you, and your home and hearth will be safe forever more.'
...
Saintess, it's almost time...
Have the doctors not found a way?
For years, the finest doctors of Kjerag and Victoria tried everything they could think of to purge the poison from the Great Elder.
In the end, it is not illness that takes him, but time.
I see...
May I see him?
Of course...
Please... deliver him in Kjeragandr's name.
Enya gently pushes the door open.
The dying man's chest barely moves as he lies on the bed. He seems to hear the sound and cocks his ear with great effort before opening his mouth meekly.
Enya... is that you?
Great Elder...
How are you feeling? Would you like some water?
No...
Listen to me, Enya...
What is your wish?
This day... has been too long in coming...
Do you think that? This day has been too long in coming...
Of course not...
You taught me many things.
You have done well...
But I was a poor teacher... a poor elder...
I was not even... a pious child of Kjeragandr.
Great Elder?
I haven't heard Kjeragandr's voice... for many years...
I prayed day and night... recited the scriptures over and over... but She never answered my call.
I was lost... I was afraid...
But I had to keep going...
I thought... if Kjeragandr's will was to protect Her people... it was not against Her will to act in such a way...
I wanted to strengthen the Vine-Bead Court's authority... I wanted the hearts of Kjerag to be united and firm...
But I erred... in many ways...
'One can lie to a man, but no one can deceive Kjeragandr.'
She sees all that we do.
She knows all our errors, and our repentance.
I know... I believed...
But a long time passed... and I thought that I had not been punished by Kjeragandr...
And so... I stopped believing.
Until last night... Kjeragandr came to me in a dream.
She did not reproach me... She simply walked in front of me, leading me to the lake whose surface was like a mirror...
And She said, 'All the rivers shall converge upon this place...'
And then I knew, my time was up...
I want to repent... I must repent... but it's too late for me...
...
Enya...
Tell me... honestly...
Do you still... hear Kjeragandr's voice?
Her followers must listen carefully to Her teachings at all times.
The noise of the land may deafen our ears to Her voice, and the wind and snow blind our eyes to Her teachings.
But remember always that She is good, and those who forsake Her walk on the wrong path.
It is harder to be good than evil, to forgive than to hate, to be humble than to be proud.
Those who tread this path must know it is a treacherous one, but those who stray from it shall find it even harder to return.
...
Stop making all that noise, Yucatan.
Since when are you as restless as Sciurus?
I'm sorry, Matriarch... but I just can't help myself at a time like this...
There's nothing I can do for her but pray.
Always so uneasy, you and Sciurus.
She is my younger sister, and the future Browntail Matriarch. A little thing like this should be no trouble at all.
That idiot's in excellent health. You remember how she sneaked out to climb Mount Jungfrau when she was eight, and ended up breaking her leg when she fell?
They thought she'd never walk again. In two months, she was running and jumping around like nothing ever happened.
No one gave it a second thought... are we really sure there were no lingering effects?
No, no, of course there wouldn't be...
It was so long ago, and the doctors say she's healthy as a burdenbeast...
But can those Victorian doctors really be trusted? I'll have their heads if anything happens to my stupid sister...
Gopferdammi... it's been four hours! Why haven't they come out yet?
Matriarch, report from Captain Monch—
Shut up! Don't bother me, whatever it is!
Understood...
L-Let's take a deep breath, Matriarch...
Kjeragandr will protect Rus...
She's the gentlest woman I've ever met... who would Kjeragandr watch over, if not her?
*sigh*...
You're right... you're right...
Kjeragandr...
O Kjeragandr... hear my prayer...
I am hardly the most pious of Kjeragandr's people, but now I muster all my piety, in the hopes that Kjeragandr will grant this one favor.
If Clan Browntail must be punished for our past transgressions, then let all that punishment fall upon me.
I will accept your anger, your wrath.
But please... spare my foolish sister...
—!
By Kjeragandr...
Dear travelers, please note that train KT392 departing from Lake Silberneherze bound for Brig Pass will be delayed by one hour due to inclement weather.
Kjerag Rail sincerely apologizes for the inconvenience.
Please speak to a staff member at the information desk if you require assistance...
...
Are Victorian trains ever NOT late? Looks like they've rubbed off on Kjerag Rail.
It's just a little wait. Frankly, I'd rather stay here for a while longer than deal with those investors back home.
At least they have good cystymilk here for free... *burp*.
But inclement weather, they say? Doesn't look like it's snowing...
...
What's the hurry? The trains aren't running.
Sorry... excuse me...
Wait a minute...
I've seen this trick before! You're a pickpocket, aren't you?
Stop right there! Let me make sure you didn't steal anything...
—!
The woman breaks free of the hand grabbing her shoulder and runs in the direction of the crowd, vanishing into a sea of people.
Huh! Hey! Somebody, help! Thief!
Did you lose something, ma'am?
My purse, jewelry, terminal... huh? Everything seems to be here?
But that one...
Probably some unfortunate sod trying to get on without a ticket.
I told you, this is pious Kjerag, not postwar Londinium. No one's after your purse.
By Kjeragandr...
Does trying to ride without a ticket get you hunted down by warriors, in Kjerag?
Found you.
Madam Carolin of Rhine Lab.
...!
I know who you are, and what you've done. Come quietly, unless you want everyone under the sun to know.
The Vine-Bead Court will grant you a fair and impartial trial. First, give me what you're holding.
The woman silently clutches the folder in her arms and thinks for a moment before crying out without warning.
Run!
Run! There's a bomb in the station!
—!
The crowded station quickly descends into chaos at the woman's cry.
The creator of the chaos once again disappears into the crowd.
Damn...
Rus... so glad you're alright...
How are they... the children?
Perfectly fine. Your sister's taking care of them.
Rest now, and don't worry about a thing.
*sigh*...
Yucatan... there were a few times there I thought I was going to see Kjeragandr...
Every little bad thing that I ever did came flashing back before my eyes... even that time when I climbed that tree to steal fowlbeast eggs when I was eight...
What would Kjeragandr punish me for...?
She already punished you, remember? That time you spent two months in bed.
Don't worry about it, Rus... we've made it through so much. Now we've got another reason to keep going.
We have to see Oak and Berry grow up.
Kjeragandr won't separate us...
Yucatan... is it snowing outside?
It's a little cold...
I'll add some firewood and get you another blanket.
Sleep well, Rus.
The winter will pass... and we can go see the flowers by the lake when spring comes. All of us, together.
Sciurus closes her eyes and falls asleep quietly.
It should be a moment of happiness...
But Yucatan feels a rock in his heart.
He looks outside. The clouds are thick and heavy, but the snow refuses to fall. This kind of weather is rarely seen in Kjerag.
Maybe we're in for a cold winter this year, Yucatan thinks.
When the winter passes...
'She is omnipresent, She cannot be sought.'
We need not question Her existence. She is there when we choose to follow Her.
...Do you remember this from the scriptures?
No... this is not how it should be...
If She is omnipresent and cannot be sought, then who hears Her will, and who—*cough* *cough*!!
You should rest, Great Elder. Don't let yourself suffer.
I see it, Enya...
I see unprecedented calamity descending upon Mount Karlan...
I see Originium bringing ruin to the land...
I see... I see Her abandoning Kjerag!
...!
Caught up in a bout of excitement, the old man stares outside the window, his face warped and twisted, seemingly seething in anger, or engulfed by a terror that defies description.
He raises his withered arms, trying to grasp something, only for them to fall back down meekly.
Finally, he quiets down, as though he has expended the last sliver of strength he had...
Great Elder...
Enya...
Say a prayer for me...
The final chapter... of the Kjeragandr...
'...And all the rivers shall converge upon this place at the end of it all;
And you shall walk the path forward alone,
And the path you shall walk lies beneath your feet.'
She sighs as She speaks the words.
She turns around, and disappears in the wind and snow from whence she came.
...
You have no hope of escape. The people of Kjerag know the wind and snow better than any outsider. Your Arts are not effective here.
We don't want to damage our relationship with Rhine Lab. Otherwise, I would keep you here by any means necessary to retrieve the military secrets that you stole.
...
...I'm not carrying your military secrets.
I have no reason to believe you.
You don't understand.
Don't understand what?
You don't understand what these data mean...
How long do you think your 'god' will protect you?
You can't talk your way out of this—
Wait...
What's with the clouds...?
Run—
The avalanche struck in an instant.
A loud crack moved the mountains that had remained dormant for many years. Snow poured down the slopes, mixed with rocks and black crystals, and all creation was obscured by gray and white.
The mountains trembled, the echoes lingered in the valley.
Few could comprehend what had just happened—
It was the first Catastrophe in history to strike this place.