Part 97: The evening was just as lovely back then, too...

-A Cat Relaxing in the Sun-



Sophina: Allow me to show you to your rooms.
Yes, please do.



Sophina: This is the room we have set aside for the ladies...



Wow!
This is lovely! It feels peaceful, too.
This is the room we used the last time we stayed here, right? We ended up having to sneak into the bandit base and didn't really get to enjoy it much.
Sophina: Haha, yes. I hope you can spend a bit more time in it this time.
Heh, I did at least get to spend one night in a comfortable bed that time.
The way I remember it, Schera drank you under the table and laid you out like a sack of garbage.
Hmm-hmm! This time I'll be able to drink to my heart's content.



Sophina: This is the room we had set aside for the gentlemen, but...I'm sorry, there must have been some confusion about your party size. You may use the room next door for the men, as well.
Ah, right, I kind of jumped on this train at the last second. You guys pick rooms and I'll roll with it!
Hmm, how about it? I have no preference.
I don't care much either way.
Heh...Well, then! I shall share a room with Agate.
...Wait a second. What's with the sudden desire to bunk with me?
Ha-ha-ha! Is it not obvious, Agate?
A Raven with clipped wings, mended by a tender-hearted young girl...I would be a failure of a bard if I did not hear EVERY detail of that encounter! And also...
Huuuh?
Wha--?!
Agate, TRY not to murder him, okay?
Althoooough, I'm sorta curious as to how that went down myself...
B-But, we just talked is all!
That doesn't make us any less interested in hearing about it--maybe more so, in fact.
Perhaps we should hear the whole story before calling it a night, hmmmm?
Awwww...
Come now, you two...
Don't tease Tita so much. I feel bad for her.
Heh...Regardless! I would ask Zane and Kevin to share the other room.
I have no problem with that.
Hey, I'm not one to stand in the way of a good time, so sure!
Sophina: Allow me to show you to your room.



-Under the Moonlight-





Yowwww. Sounds like things got, uh, kinda crazy. So there really was an ancient dragon nestin' in Liberl?
And it warned about the Aureole before flying off, huh...?
Yeah. Makes my head spin just thinking about everything that happened.
What I really don't get is why Ragnard couldn't tell us anything about the Aureole, either.
Actually, there is a line in the Testaments this reminds me of.
'And the Goddess, having bequeathed the Treasures, sent forth the Holy Beasts to observe the path the children of Men would take.'
A 'Holy Beast'...That certainly does seem like Ragnard.
The more pertinent point, I feel, is the command to 'observe.'
They may simply watch over us, and were commanded to not interfere.
Hmph. Load of help that is.
Well, one way or another, I sure think this makes it look like the Aureole exists! Think we can even start to piece things together, thanks to what I've found in my pokin' around.
Right, you were investigating the towers. Did you find anything out?
A little bit, yeah.
I think you guys are familiar with those weird machines at the top of each tower, right? Didja know they're currently glowing?
Yeah, I remember seeing that one was all lit up. I don't, uh, quite get what that has to do with the Aureole, though.
Well, Captain Schwarz mentioned something to me. Something weird happened in that room where you fought Alan Richard just before that mechanical monster showed up, right?
Oh, yeah...
If I remember right, after the Gospel was used, all the lights in the ruins went out...And then there was this voice out of nowhere giving a warning, and the pillars all sunk into the floor.
Right...The warning was about the 'first barrier' being 'no longer operative' and the 'Device Towers' being enabled, as I recall.
Yeah, that's what I've heard.
So on a hunch, I double-checked the timing with some witnesses...
Those four towers started lighting up and stuff at the same time the Gospel was used.
You're kidding!
S-So the 'Device Towers' the warning mentioned are...
The four towers of Liberl and the machines at their peaks.
I don't got any other explanation, at least.
Hm, so to sum up, then.
The ruins beneath Grancel Castle are what produces this 'first barrier.' However, when Colonel Richard used the Gospel, this 'barrier' was eliminated.
And, in its place, the 'Device Towers' were activated.
Presumably to produce a second 'barrier' of some sort.
A 'second' barrier? But why would you...
If you're gonna protect somethin', you always want to make sure you have a backup.
Doesn't answer the question of what kinda barrier it is, or what the hell is it a barrier for, though.
About that.
I'm startin' to think it's something to hide the location of the Aureole.
That's right! The Aureole wasn't in the castle's ruins. But it's still supposed to be somewhere in Liberl, right?
Exactly.
And if we assume the society's goal is to obtain the Aureole...
Then I think we can say their 'experiments' are part of a plan to further that goal.
They need to do all that just to...?
The experiments, the Gospels, and the Aureole...Heh, it seems they are more tightly interwoven than we first believed.
And the one sitting at the loom would be this man called the 'professor.'
Yeah, it's all him.
The same guy who put the Gospel on Ragnard's head and made him attack Bose. And the one...who...
...
Estelle?
Uh, what's up, Estelle? You got awfully quiet all of a sudden.
Yeah...About this 'professor.' I think he's the one who made Joshua leave in the first place.
Wha...
Wait a moment...You mean he's the one who orchestrated the events that brought Joshua into your home? And then made him leave the way he did?
I think so...
And I bet he's the one who manipulated Colonel Richard and Kurt's memories.
You're kidding!
Hmm. We do not have an explanation for Kurt's memories, it is true. Why do you think this?
Well...you see...

That really happened?
Is this another thing you've been trying to shoulder all by yourself or somethin'?
Um, not exactly, but...
Sorry, I guess it's kind of late to bring it up now.
I don't think there can be any doubt at this point, though. It's safe to say that this person must be the one responsible for all our trouble.
Hm. He is clearly a man of twisted morals.
Yes...We'll need to be careful.
...
Awww. Sorry, Tita. I didn't mean to bring up all this serious junk when we came out here to relax.
Oh, no, no, it's okay, Estelle!
It's just, I was wondering why someone would do things like this...Make everyone so unhappy, make Joshua suffer...I just...don't get it.
Aww, Tita, don't worry about trying to understand a weirdo like that, okay?
You just need to worry about being Tita! Right, Agate?
Why the hell do you keep dragging me into these conversations?!
Hahaha!
Hmm-hmm. Ah, we needed that, I think.
...
Mm? Kevin?
Oh, nothin'.
So howsabout we call that enough information swappin' for one day? It'd be a crime to let all this wonderful food go to waste!
Can't say no to that!
Yes, let us leave debate aside for now. Instead let us navigate the forests of meat through the rivers of liquor! Merriment awaits!
RIVERS of liquor, Lenheim?
That was...an unfortunate metaphor. Oh, please, Schera, do not make me swim!


-Welcome to Le Locle-



























Ahhhh, that was so much fun. ♥
Heehee...It was, it was! ♪
Haha. It feels like we've been refreshed, body and soul.
Yes...It's been a while since I've had this much fun without drinking.
Schera. Minors in the room. Influences. Et cetera. And weren't you slamming back some kind of fruit liqueur like a fiend while we were fishing?
Oh, honey, please. Something that light doesn't count.
Right, Princess, Tita?
Ummmm...
Haha...I think I will invoke, ah, royal prerogative to refrain from commenting.
On a tangent from that, though. Estelle, you're really very good at fishing.
Heheh, you think so?
Yeah, you are! You pulled them up one after another!
It's been her hobby since she was little.
Speaking of...Kevin made quite a showing for himself, too.
I noticed that. He really seems to like fishing. He definitely knows how to handle a rod and whatnot, that's for sure.
If he got a bit better, he might even make a good rival for me. ♪
For the love of...Not everything has to be a competition, Estelle...
Heehee!
Still, though...It's a lovely evening.
Ah...





Estelle? What is it?
Ah, nothing.



I think I...need to go enjoy that lovely evening for a bit. I'll be back for dinner!
I understand.
Don't be gone too late or I'll eat your portion, too.
Haha! Yeah, I know, I know.
See you guys later!



Schera, um...
Don't worry, Tita. I'd like you to leave her alone for a little while, if that's okay.
This is about Joshua, isn't it?
Ah!
Hmhm...A good guess.



The evening was just as lovely back then, too...

-A Cat Relaxing in the Sun-



You've got plenty of time until dinner. Go have a walk and enjoy the fresh air.
I'm certain that the sun's reflection on Valleria Lake must be quite breathtaking. I think I may go view it myself from the terrace.
I think I want a little more tea. I'll see you after dinner, Estelle!



Sophina: We still have a little time before dinner. Please, feel free to have a look around! Isn't the setting sun on the surface of the lake pretty? It's the perfect time to just go enjoy yourself outside for a bit!



Lenard: I'm looking forward to dinner tonight!



Already feeling 'tead' out?
Not really. Schera's still relaxing in her room. I just wanted to get outside for a bit.
...All right. Well, try and get back before dark!
If you're gonna go enjoy the sights, now's the time.
Yo, Estelle. You walkin' around AGAIN? You're like a perpetual motion machine, you know that?
Heehee, I guess so, yeah. What are you doing, Agate?
Just takin' in the breeze, enjoying this as much as I can...Winding down, basically. That is why we came out here, after all.
Heck yeah it is! You gotta relax sometime. It won't hurt to take one day off of work.
Heh, darn right. Anyway, see ya. It ain't too bad to just kick back and enjoy the breeze every now an' again. Anyway, I'll be here until dinner.
Going fishing again?
Haha, well, don't get so absorbed that you forget about dinner!
Ah, good day, Estelle. The finest liquor, the finest food...Indeed, it is the picture of refinement! If I had a lovely lady pouring my drinks, then I would have no complaints at all...But, oh, that can be saved for AFTER dinner!






Ahhhhh, what a pretty sunset. It's just like that time...







The sky, the sunset, the water...It's all just like before. Everyone's having fun, but...It's not really the same at all, is it?
*siiigh* I'm hopeless, aren't I? I'd made up my mind to chase after him at my own pace, but...Mom AND Joshua must be laughing at me.
That's right. I did play it once, during the dream. I wonder if I can do it again?



-The Whereabouts of Light-







*clap clap clap clap clap*





Kevin?

-A Cat Relaxing in the Sun-



Gotta admit, I didn't think it would be you!
So I guess you do have hobbies other than sneakers and fishing, huh?
Ahaha...Harmonica playing's kind of out of character for me, huh?
Nah, not hardly. It suits you.
Gotta be honest, I think you're better at fishing, but...
Haha! You can just come out and tell me I'm bad. Even I don't think I'm really good at this.
Eh...You made a couple technical mistakes, sure.
But what matters in music is the heart. And that little performance of yours carried your heart. Trust me.
Oh...thanks.
...
Mind if I get a little closer?
Oh, uh, sure, go ahead.



...Got a question I'd like to ask you.
Estelle, what're you gonna say when you meet this boyfriend of yours?
Huh?
From what I've gathered, he left under what we might call, ah, 'circumstances.' Heavy ones. Even if you finally catch up to him...Have you thought about what you're going to SAY to him after all this?
...
I'd convinced myself I was going to drag him back even if I had to pull him by the hair. But...I don't think I can really do something that forceful...or crazy.
To be completely honest, I don't know if what I have to say will even reach Joshua.
And even knowin' all that, you're still set on finding him?
Yeah.
I've thought a lot about Joshua's situation, and my own failings. No matter how hard I try, though, the words to deal with it all don't come to me when I just sit around.
So...I'll just let the words come when I finally meet him.
After all, my feelings aren't mine alone, right? They're something that grew between Joshua and I when we were together.
So...I think I'll only really be able to find those words once I see him again.
Once we meet, our hearts will do the talking.
...
That's why I refuse to worry about that until we find him.
Heheh. I mean, sometimes I get a little sentimental, sure, but...Let's just call that 'lady's privilege.'
*siiiiigh* Oh, man. That didn't go according to the steps at all.
What?
STEP ONE! Estelle is all sentimental and down.
STEP TWO! Estelle worries over a comment from me.
STEP THREE! I follow up nicely.
STEP FOUR! Estelle starts feeling better, and her opinion of me rises sharply because of it. See: profit!
That was the brilliant plan I was AIMING for, but, uh...
Somehow you skipped steps two and three. And thus, four, I think.
Ahaha! Sorry, sorry.
You're still a good priest, Kevin. You do pay attention to people with worries like me.
Well, it's true, that's part of a priest's job...I gotta admit I was paying attention to you for reasons that're more personal, Estelle.
Huh? What're you--
Hold that thought.
What? Now I'm...*sigh* What is it?
Not sure. It looks like a boat's approaching. And I think someone's inside it.
What?!

-Silence-