Till the Lights Shine Bright

'Out of safety considerations, the connector must be... the most suitable replacement material...'

The expected amount of materials needed... Could it be...?

No, these are early notes. She would have crossed them out if there were a mistake.

How big could this Eye of Iberia be?

When lit, its light would be seen from every single window in Gran Faro...

Now that's got to be a myth.

Luminosity testing... Well, the diagrams are very clear. Should only be a matter of following them.

But the town doesn't seem to have the materials needed for the prototype...

......!

One second! Coming!

It's very late. What brings you to the—

—A Messenger?! What the...

Take it easy. You can lean on my shoulder.

Just sit down by the door. I have some clean gauze.

Close the door...

A-Alright.

...Clean cut. Took the belt with it.

I should be able to treat it.

But it'll be a few days before you can move again.

Phew...

That was close.

Yes, sir, it's good that you came quickly. There isn't much I could have done if the wound got infected.

You're not going to ask how I got hurt?

Or is everyone in this town like this?

I-I just thought stopping the bleeding was more urgent...

I don't really know how to answer that question, though. I don't know how things are anywhere else.

Very few people come to Gran Faro. And those who leave don't come back.

I guess that's the kind of place this is... Close to the sea, and close to the Inquisition.

Exactly... even Messengers like you don't stay for long.

...Sorry, I forgot to ask your name. Messengers come and go in a hurry; they don't often stop at the chapel.

I'm... ahem. Do you know Gran Faro well?

I guess? I grew up here.

But as for the things that happened here a long time ago... about the plaza, the statue there, and the sea... I only know them through my uncle's stories.

That's plenty.

Sorry to ask this of you after you've already done so much for me... but there's something I need help with.

This package is for Gran Faro, but it doesn't say who exactly the recipient is or where they live, only 'the door with a white flower on it.'

White flower? That doesn't ring a bell...

I'm afraid I'm not in any shape to go on a search around town for a few days.

But I won't sleep easy until this package makes it to the recipient.

Alright, leave it to me.

Whoa, it's heavy...

I'll go once the sun rises.

I'll get you a couple more blankets. They're old, but they'll keep you warm.

Thank you.

...Be careful.

Young folks this days are so careless! At this rate, they'll draw the Inquisition here, ruining the peace that we've had for the last twenty years!

Always telling me to calm down and be reasonable... since when has the Inquisition been reasonable?!

The rest of the soup is yours, lad. A bit too salty for my tastes... Anyway, be careful. Don't draw attention to yourself.

Alright, Uncle Thiago. I'll take it easy with the salt next time.

...Did something happen in town?

It's nothing, just people nosing about in Gran Faro again.

Two snooping priests from the Inquisition. Heaven only knows what scent they're after.

But whatever it is, Gran Faro doesn't have it. Can't they tell? There's nothing left here.

......

...Anything happen at the chapel? Are you still reading your parents' notes?

Yeah... they're pretty interesting. The whole day went by before I knew it.

Don't let anyone see you reading them. They're in Ægirian, aren't they?

I know, Uncle Thiago. I'll be careful.

...*sigh*.

I only left them there because I thought the most dangerous place to hide them would be the last place they'd look. I didn't want those Inquisition thugs taking everything from Gran Faro.

I never even considered whether anyone would read them.

But I suppose it's worth it, if it helps you pass the time.

I'm really grateful that you preserved them.

By the way, there was a visitor at the chapel—

Thiago! Are you there? There's something we need to deal with before the Inquisition sets its eyes on our town!

(Whisper) Jordi!

A-Alright! I'll stay in my room and lock the door...

Apparently, those priests were chasing a Messenger, not one of us.

The problem is, they suspect him of carrying messages for the Ægir.

...Don't give me that look, Thiago. We've got nothing against the Ægir; it's them, not us.

Anyway, we went to the chapel. The Messenger got hurt in a scuffle with the priests and took refuge there.

...The chapel?

Don't worry, we waited for Jordi to leave before we brought them there. No one said a word about him.

We all like the kid. We're not about to drag him into this mess.

Anyway, the Messenger gave up his luggage for the priests to search through. They didn't find anything suspicious, though.

Probably another misunderstanding.

Ha, a misunderstanding!

...Alright, I get what's going on.

Let's keep our heads low for a few days. Don't even bring it up.

Once this blows over, it'll be as though nothing ever happened. The Inquisition won't bother us again.

Alright, I'll let the others know.

......

A suspicious package sent by an Ægir...

...I'll go look myself.

The townsfolk are all good people. I don't think they'd do anything so bad that they should be taken away.

Uncle Thiago told me many Ægir used to live here. Maybe someone sent this to a friend, not knowing they had moved away.

I... I'll find out who the recipient is!

So, nothing on the east side of the plaza.

I'll save the rest for tomorrow morning... Uncle said those priests start patrolling at 7 am. I should get home quickly.

Hopefully they'll be leaving soon... It's been three days, after all.

A door with a white flower on it... but most of the houses here are painted white anyway. A white flower wouldn't go well with them.

Wait, did I see something white by the door of that one?

Oh, I guess I was mistaken...

It's not a flower, but... a book?

Weird... no one has lived here for a long time, but the book is new.

Let's see... I'll try knocking.

...Sounds like there's no one here.

Still no answer. Guess I must have been overthinking this.

I'll go up this street. You take the other side. Kick the door in if something doesn't look right.

This is the only part of town that we haven't searched.

(Unfamiliar voice, unfamiliar accent... must be those priests.)

(I have to hide!)

(I might run into them if I head back this way.)

(It would be a headache for Uncle Thiago if they find me...)

(The footsteps are getting closer.)

Good morning. Visitors here are few and far between, much less one so accomplished at such a young age.

(The door opened? And I've heard that voice before...)

My accomplishments pale in comparison to those who've already reached the rank of Inquisitor at my age.

You seem to share our faith more than most of the residents here, rather than simply blindly fearing the judgment of the Inquisition.

I've gained a smattering of knowledge from the works I've read. At the very least I know what the Inquisition is up against.

If what you fear is really in this town, I suggest you look over that way.

You have a lead?

No, I've never seen anything out of the ordinary. That's why I chose to live here, in this quiet town, where I can focus on my work.

However, the sea is that way.

You mean it could only be outside of town... I see. Of course, that is more than ordinary priests like us can handle.

......

Good morning, Jordi from the chapel.

Er, good morning.

Just a question... is this package for you?

Why yes, it is. Thank you.

Phew, glad to know.

I'll be going, then.

Don't you want to know what's inside?

Huh? Oh, no, of course I'm not suspecting you.

You're more knowledgeable than anyone in Gran Faro. Uncle Thiago said you've given him a lot of good ideas.

It's okay. You can come in. It can't hurt to set your mind at ease, can it?

I had this abandoned house patched up to hold all the documents I don't have space for at home.

And... perhaps someone would come here, someday, to read the stories of Gran Faro, Iberia, and beyond.

The package you delivered was more books.

It's in Ægirian. Can you read it?

Er... barely, I guess.

...So it really was sent by an Ægir.

Feel free to peruse it, if you like. Since you can read it.

This one is about plays... some sort of stage setup...

Designs for a theater... they look amazing.

Are you studying drama, Ms. Amaia?

Of course not. I'm but a humble translator.

A friend of mine found these lying around at home. Some Ægir must have written them from memory after the disaster.

Disaster?

Ah, never mind.

Anyway, she sent them to me, hoping I could translate them into Iberian.

It's hard to preserve the writings of the Ægir in this land-bound country, after all.

Ah, yes, it could cause misunderstandings if they were seen by priests who don't know Ægirian.

...You sounded sad. Is it because of what happened to the Ægir?

Perhaps... but it's more than just them.

Well, I've gotten used to this life... I'm fine with it.

I know I can't exactly speak for all Ægir, though.

Do others also live like this, in other places?

What it's like in other places... Well, Jordi, would you like to help me with the translation, seeing how you're the only Ægir here?

It would certainly save me from having to flip through that old dictionary so much.

Huh? I-I'm not sure I can handle something so difficult...

It's okay. You can just help out anytime you feel like it.

You can also look through any books here that catch your eye, of course.

Words may deceive at times, but it's undeniable that they break through barriers and unlock new possibilities.

Including things regarding the world outside that you're so curious about.

Now, where did my teapot go? Have a seat, Jordi. Stay a while, and you may find something that interests you here.

I...

Sorry, I have to get back to the chapel. Someone needs to care for that injured Messenger.

Thank you for the offer... but I need to do my job as a nurse first.

That young man... does he not understand?

Has he not dreamed of having wings, gazing at the boundless ocean from above, at the waves melting back into the water?

Jordi? Where did you go?

You said you would be back before 7. I told you to stay put. Those priests are probably leaving today.

S-Sorry, Uncle.

I was going to tend to the Messenger, then stay inside.

Those young folks already saw to the Messenger. They want you to stay home without worrying about him.

Alright, I'll thank them next time... I'll stay put here today.

I'll be right here, okay? I'll close the door and read under the lamp.

That lamp... it works?

I just followed what it said in the notes. I don't know if it's actually fixed, but it's giving out light now.

......

...Keep reading, lad.

I'll be going.

Oh, Mr. Messenger. You're awake.

Those priests have left Gran Faro. No need to worry now.

And I delivered the package. Don't worry, I saw what was in it, and it was nothing bad. It's all a misunderstanding.

...Rald.

Huh?

My name is Rald.

Sorry. Being a Messenger tends to bring its share of trouble, and I didn't want any more of it than necessary.

...I'm Jordi. And I understand.

Anyway, your wounds are healing well. You should be able to move around normally in a couple of days.

Thank you.

Do you like this place, Jordi?

I... I don't know. Why do you ask?

This place is too close to the Inquisition, and maybe has had too much history with it. It's filled with danger, and forced to remain in this gloomy state.

Especially for an Ægir.

I don't want to spend one more day here than I have to. Have you never thought about leaving, and seeing what's out there?

You could come with me, if you don't know where to go.

The northern wilds may seem dangerous, but I know a relatively safe way.

I also know a few cities that are more tolerant of the Ægir.

Ægir like you have a chance to dream, and realize those dreams.

Dreams...

Do people out there know the sea better?

Do they talk about the great lighthouse, about the legend of the Eye of Iberia?

Don't be silly, Jordi. The people don't really talk about the sea. As for the great lighthouse, that's a nursery tale that the people of Gran Faro tell their children.

...I see.

Thank you for the offer, Rald.

But I can't go, not until I've seen the sea and the lighthouse.

Gran Faro has failed. The dream of Iberia's Golden Age ended decades ago.

Don't say that.

It's not just a dream for Iberia. It's also a dream for the Ægir... ...For one Ægir.