Part 3: Even five years ago, when I took him in, I knew we would someday reach this moment.
-Royal Castle-
Aaaaahhhhh, that felt good. I haven't slept like that since...
Wha...?
Oh, right. We stayed in the castle last night. Joshua and I were out enjoying the celebrations, then...we had some ice cream on the way home...Then we all went to the dinner party...And then...-Silence-
...N-N-N-No...
This is...This is Joshua's room. But I was staying in the same room as Schera. Was...Was all that a dream?Estelle notices something in her pocket:
Joshua's prized harmonica.
...
JOSHUAAAAAA!!!
Really, warn me the next time you aren't going to come back for the evening. I was getting a bit worried! Althoooough, it looks to me like you and Joshua managed to talk about QUITE a bi-- Schera! Where's Joshua?!
What? Where's...? I'm looking for Joshua! Schera, have you seen him?! This is important! I...haven't seen him yet this morning, no...But weren't you tired yesterday and stayed over in his room? He wasn't there when you woke up? Wh-Wha...?! I-I...What? Who did you hear that from? Um, from Cassius, but why does that-- From Dad?! O-Okay! Where's Dad, then?!
Well, last I saw, he was heading up toward the Garden Terrace, but now wh--
The Garden Terrace! Okaythanksbye!
What on earth has gotten into her...?Schera was raised in a traveling circus. Among other things, she got used to telling fortunes. When in doubt, read some cards.
There are only two places to go on the castle roof, and I still get lost. Every time.
D-Dad...
I know. Joshua...is gone.-Town Where The Lights Went Out-
Wh...What...? How do you know about that?!
After getting back from the meeting last night, I found you asleep in one of our beds. He left a note on the nightstand, as well. Between the two...I have a fairly good idea of what must have happened. Then, then...! What the heck are you just standing around here for?! We need to find Joshua fast befo-- Stop, Estelle. Wha...? If he has truly gone to ground, even I have little hope of actually finding him. His skills are almost superhuman. When we fought five years ago, I was nearly killed...by an eleven-year-old. ...Okay. I only asked this once before, a long time ago, but...Who...Who IS Joshua, exactly? Why did you bring him into our home?
... The Society of Ouroboros. Your answer begins there, with an organization few even know exists. They are an organization that seeks to manipulate the world from the shadows, led by a leader called the 'Grandmaster.' Joshua was in their employ as an assassin when I first met him. I brought him home because it was his only chance to live free of them. Ouroboros... Even the Bracer Guild knows very little about them, and only top bracers even learn of their existence. Given that the response of the public to the idea of Ouroboros' existence would be either panic or skepticism, we don't acknowledge them publicly. But...they exist. There is no question of that. And they've had plans in motion for years. The recent coup is just one example of their machinations. Wait! You mean...Lieutenant Lorence!? He was-- Yes. We have absolutely no doubt he was another senior agent from the society. Of course, we doubt he was acting as a lone wolf. He must have had support to accomplish what he did. Support like Joshua, for example. Wait. What...? What the heck do you mean?! He stated as much in his note. Over the past five years, Joshua has been passing guild secrets to Ouroboros. He claims that he was under the influence of some sort of mental control and didn't even realize what he was doing himself. No. No...
No, he wouldn't... Ouroboros' cunning is matched only by their malevolence. Stay away from them, Estelle. They're far too dangerous. ...
O-Okay...I don't quite get all of this, but I just want to make sure...make sure I'm hearing this right. You're saying we should abandon Joshua. Well... Dad! ANSWER the question! I always knew this day would come. Even five years ago, when I took him in, I knew we would someday reach this moment. He swore something to me, that first day he actually accepted he could be part of our home. What did he...? The moment he became a burden or a threat to us...The moment the society contacted him or pursued him in any fashion...He would disappear from our lives. 'Like a shadow dispelled by the sun,' he told me once. What...? What's...that supposed to-- Estelle...I understand how you feel. He was part of our family. It isn't easy to just...say goodbye so suddenly. But there are some lines which a man can't bring himself to cross. Ever. So, please, try to understand what Jo-- You knew. Hmm? You knew that Joshua might leave us someday and you never said anything to me or did anything about it...You knew...and you didn't... ... I'm...sorry, Este--
I HATE YOU!
Schera. I'm sorry you had to see that.
No, it's... Why do I get the feeling you're biting back a lecture?
I stumbled into your life from a disaster of my own. You saved me, just as you did Joshua. I understand what both you and Joshua must be thinking. Indeed...
If I may make a single comment, though. From a woman's perspective?
Of course. At this point, you and Joshua are, essentially, the two most wretchedly miserable sons of dogs I have EVER had the displeasure of knowing.
No... Just...No way...Joshua wouldn't...wouldn't run away...Patrol Guard: Whoa, you okay, miss? What're you doing out without an umbrella?
Home...? Home... Yeah...Yeah, you're right. I should head home. Joshua must've headed home. He...probably went right back home...Patrol Guard: Huh?
Thanks, Mr. Guard! I'll head home right away!
Patrol Guard: Swear I've seen her somewhere before...Wait, isn't that the girl who helped stop the coup?!
