Unbound

This is the border town of Siloam in the Empire! I didn't expect smuggling to be so easy..

Taking the kids to experience exotic cultures should be quite nice... Not sure how safe it is here though.

Aye! Tall one with the horns!

M... Me?

Yes. You look like someone from Bifrost, am I right?

Indeed... But I live in Eastrise at the moment.

Hmph, did you smuggle yourself in?

May I ask who you are...?

Hehe, I am the judge of the Empire's Inquisition! I tell you, you have been arrested for smuggling into the country!

You dare to resist arrest... Your crime is to be upgraded!

Ah... That's really embarrassing.

(Since no one recognizes me now, I might as well hurry home...)

I mean, aren't you nervous at all?

I've been found, so there's no point in being nervous, right...? And you, aren't you about to arrest me?

(If I were to be temporarily detained, I suppose my worries about traveling would be over...)

How...Put some thoughts into your words! How do someone like you even manage to get by...?

Shouldn't ordinary people plead for themselves? Do you understand what it means to drive a bargain? Know what bribery is?

As long as you offer me something, I might consider letting you go...

Dear, I've got nothing...

...Just a little maybe? The court is a terrifying place! Don't risk your life for a bit of money!

The last time I came to the Empire, it seemed that the Priests weren't so short of money..

Zineda, we have reached an agreement with Augustine's Church, where we will share our Scarlet Pendant technology with them in exchange for an alliance to jointly confront Nebu.

There's no time to lose. You might have to come with me to the Augustine Empire.

Mahiru, I must warn you, Case technology will undoubtedly become a potent military asset.

Sharing such technology with others carries a potential threat to our security.

But if we don't take action, the Augustine Empire might be completely wiped out by Nebu.

We all know what's gonna happen if a region is conquered by Nebu.

Are there any other choices? Like letting them be part of the Joint Council...?

The Western Church and the nobles might not agree with this proposal.

Many in the council might oppose you on this...

It's hard to convince others indeed... As the inventor of the technology, you are more qualified to judge my actions.

I totally agree with you on this. I'll get everything ready, materials and equipment, all that. Once you settle on a date, we'll be good to go.

Zineda! No need to alter your plans for me alright?

I'm not altering any of my plans for you. Mahiru, I... I've been unable to sleep night after night.

This guilt I feel as a survivor, it's for those who are no longer here.

I understand. Their sacrifices won't go unnoticed.

Let's save humanity and carry on the legacy of those who have passed away!

So, you're not a judge, right?

I, I am a genuine Chief Justice! Look, this is the Equipment that proves my profession, which was personally bestowed upon me by the Pope himself!

Really? With such a high position, how do you not have a single subordinate around you...

I'm conducting this undercover investigation myself!

Forget it, after all, I'm just a person of unknown identity...

Damn, the scam totally failed!

Inquisitor, it seems that you are very willing to help. Could you please tell me, what places in the Empire are worth visiting with family?

Really... Do you know that valuable travel intel comes with a toll fee?

Speaking of traveling, at this time, of course, it's all about attending the Golden Ball hosted by the Victoria family!

Every year at this time, the Victoria family hosts a grand Golden Ball.

Can an outsider like me attend?

You can try your luck just like me~ Ever since I was wanted by the Church, I've been using this method to scrape by.

Oh, right...

Moreover, even if you don't attend the ball, you can still see the meteor shower on the mountain where the Gold Castle is located, right?

Meteor... Are you referring to the Aquarius meteor shower?

You knew about that too?

Many years ago, someone brought me along..

Welcome! May I ask if you are an invited guest?

(Let's stick to the plan and sneak in for a quick peek...)

Actually, I have a friend who's coming and has asked me to be their dance partner.

Could I see the guest list for the ball? I want to make sure I haven't made a mistake...

(Pick any name from Bifrost or Eastrise and just roll with it...)

(Wait, Awakener? He seems to be a friend of Sui? Why is he on the ball invitation list?)

Ahem, , I'm actually a friend of Awakener from Teslovik. He invited me here.

You are a friend of the Awakener! I will arrange a room for you right away.

The Awakener is our most esteemed guest. Just wait here, and everything will be settled.

(Awakener is really quite useful! Unexpected...)

Before entering the castle, please go through our security check...

I didn't expect the security here to be so tight.

I'm sorry, please bear with me...

All settled then, the holiday matter is resolved!

I'll wait right here, for the children... and for the legendary Awakener to honor us with his presence!

It's been many years since I last attended a dance party...

Dr. Zineda,

Mahiru! How did you manage to squeeze in time for the research institute today?

Hold on, the chair is covered with files... Let me tidy up...

No need~ I have plans later

To celebrate the defeat of Nebu, the Empire plans to hold a grand ball. Zineda, are you interested in attending?

A dance party? Forget it, I'm even too lazy to walk, let alone go to a dance party...

What I'm getting at is, with you pulling those long hours in the lab, it's hard to tell which will give out first: your mind or your body.

Come with me to the dance! Loosen up!

Oh dear, I really don't want to go...

I'm personally inviting you to the dance. It'd be pretty rude to turn me down, don't you think?

Eh? Are you planning to dance with me?

Yes, of course, I'm going to participate in the opening dance... Actually, I've never danced to the music of the Empire, would you accompany me?

Well... I suppose I'll go then.

Hehehe, I knew you would agree.

Before the ball, I'm going to make you look absolutely stunning~

I didn't expect to be back here... I still remember what it was like during last year's dance.

Awakener, my lord!

Miss Nyla! Great to see you again...

Welcome back, Lord Awakener!

As expected of the Awakener, you are well known even in a foreign country...

Look how gorgeous this place is...

The Golden Castle will be the home of the Awakener in the Augustine Empire. Friends of the Awakener are welcome too!

Wow...

As the person with the most sign-ons in the squad, it's quite normal to have a few more homes, haha...

By the way, Awakener, one of your friends arrived here a few days ago...

My friend? May I ask who it is.....

Oh my, isn't this my beloved Awakener~

No, I'm sorry, do I know you...?

What? You don't recognize me anymore?

(What should I do, I can't remember at all! It would be too offensive to say I don't know her in front of so many people!)

You are... Aren't you..

We haven't seen each other for such a long time... Come with me to the room, I've brought you a gift!

Alright... See you all later!

I went straight into the room with the pretty lady I hadn't seen for a long time... I never thought the Squad Leader would have such a side.

It shouldn't be that kind of relationship, should it... Awakener.

Are you the Awakener?

Yes, may I ask you..

Where are Sui and Nanook? Why didn't they come with you?

So, you are Dr. Dyatlov?

Yes.

I've heard so much about you, Doctor. You're much younger than I imagined.

This is the result of long-term self-experimentation...

Doctor, I have many questions I would like to consult with you.

At this very moment, I don't really feel like answering this kind of question.

I clearly came here to have a vacation with my family..

Sui and Nanook didn't want to attend the uninvited ball, so they went directly to the mountain outside the castle. It seemed that they were preparing to watch the meteor shower..

Since Miss Audrey had invited me, I decided to drop by for a visit.

Compared to that, wouldn't I be extremely shameless..

Forget it, it seems that I've been deeply influenced by that woman.

No way... Since we're already here, how about joining me for the ball?

Huh? You're quite brave... I am the elder of your friend, you know!

But Doctor Qinaida is clearly both young and beautiful~