Liberi Reader

The snow's getting heavier.

C'mon, take a swig.

Pah. I still regret giving that Sami flagon over to that girl.

Forget it. You'd be in serious trouble if the border guards found it.

Besides, do you really believe that a few words inscribed on his drum and flagon are enough to keep someone safe?

In this land of ice and snow, the only thing that can protect us is vodka.

—Well, now it's just vodka, anyway.

That's not what I meant.

It's just that... the night before the incident, we were all still sitting together and chatting.

Yeah, I remember, the two of you had little sisters who are about the same age.

And he never got a chance to make up with her.

So just think of it as me feeling sorry for him.

*sigh* I know what it's like. People who've been fighting for so long have so much blood on their hands that they can never go home.

But in the end, even after telling us all those stories about his family squabbles, he never told us who they were fighting.

They gave their lives to save us, but we never even found out what happened.

I should've kept his flagon. Honestly, I don't know how else to honor the memory of these mysterious Sami, other than with something I can touch.

...Hah, maybe I'm just being too sentimental over a bunch of Sami savages.

...Do you still remember what they said when we were chatting that night? That the Sami don't believe that death is the end.

Like, say you think it's a completely windless night, but something still gets blown over. They'd call that the souls of the dead passing by.

Not stupid, if you ask me.

Which? Me, or the Sami superstition?

Both.

Alright. Time to call the others and get ready to do some business.

The next tribe shouldn't be too far from here. I saw someone in the snow.

Sami bestowed upon us snow and ice to cleanse us anew. Sami bestowed upon us mud and soil to inherit blessings.

We wish not to leave, yet nevertheless travel down the streams of departure.

May our loved ones return home, like drops of water returning to the river.

May disaster be kept far away, in the lands you cannot protect.

......

Even if you aren't a member of our tribe, you should still show some basic respect for our ceremonies.

Put down your weapon, hunter with the black bow. Lower your head.

......

(*whispers*) Look at that hunter over there...

You've seen people like her in the northern icefield, right? Do you think she'll darken our fates–

...'The more people speak of doom, the clearer it casts its shadow.'

So I will not speak of it.

Someone else will. Eikthyrnir will. But we are absolutely not among those who have the power to speak freely in this land.

This is your final warning, hunter.

Or else we will be forced to take up arms.

W-Wait, hold on! She's just standing guard!

Typhon, can't you explain? I'm sure they'll understand!

...Shh.

I feel it moving.

Out of the way, now.

Everyone, leave this place!

We're almost there.

Phew... Finally, some good news.

Didn't think I'd be the one to end up seasick... Err, that is what this is, right?

But Gitano, didn't you say you've been away from the tribe ever since they moved? Then how do you know where the burial site is?

Look at the wooden fencing over there. It's a warning.

Oh...

In the wetlands, the waters where a tribe buries their dead are usually off-limits.

The fencing serves not only to warn those who are awake, but more importantly, to remind those who are sleeping.

Because everyone meets their departed friends and relatives in their dreams. If they aren't careful, it's very easy to wander into these places.

I see, I see, fascinating! I'll have to note this one down too.

(Takes notes) 'Be careful when dreaming.'

Hrmm...

(*whispers*) Does that mean I'll get in trouble again if I want to do some research on these waters?

Hm. What do you have in mind?

It's this here, a beacon. I want to set it up underwater so I can collect some data.

Hmm... You said before that this thing can track a location?

Yup.

Okay. Give it to me.

Gitano, can we stop right before that fencing? I'm also getting the sense that something isn't quite right.

Go ahead.

...Don't worry. I already foresaw your safety before we left at dusk.

Huh? Did I ever ask you to read my fortune?

All I remember is eating way too much for lunch and ending up in a food coma right up until we boarded the ship...

*sigh*... Nobody forced you to eat all that in one go.

There were narcoleptic mushrooms in the soup. We often add a few when people are feeling anxious or uneasy.

Ehehe... It sure was tasty.

Anyway, thanks Gitano!

But it's true that we never asked her for anything...

Not that it matters.

So how do we set up this beacon?

Just toss it into the water, and it'll handle the rest automatically.

Toss it? With how much force?

No, no force! Just, let go of it and have it sink on its own...

Phew...

Welp, the beacon's up and running, and the signal looks solid.

It has an effective range of about three thousand meters, so we can keep moving– Err, rowing the boat forward.

Alright. Now, how am I supposed to make sense of this... gibberish?

I'd also like to keep track of the beacon.

Oh, that's real easy. Way simpler to understand than all this Sami stuff!

Look – over here we have the most basic data: relative coordinates of the beacon's location, water depth, flow speed...

But I'm sure you can figure all that out on your own just from experience.

Mhm.

In other words, it's continuously moving around underwater.

It's probably just oscillating back and forth due to undulations in the water flow. These devices have extremely precise positioning.

Specimen sampling comes next.

My drones are a bit noisy when I put them to work, so I prefer to use this compact beacon to do the preliminary water quality sampling and analysis first.

While it's made for scientific investigation, its analysis is based mostly on the water's potability. But in areas not many people visit, even this simple analysis can sometimes produce anomalous results.

Take a look–

—Hmm?

...The signal disappeared.

......

......

Think it might've gotten swallowed up by a huge scalecis?

Though, we did take that sort of thing into consideration when we designed the beacon. No ordinary wild beast should be able to damage its outer covering...

Gitano.

Alright, got it.

I'll handle the ship for you.

Wait a sec, are you going to do another divination?

Yeah.

But... how many times have you used your Originium Arts, between yesterday and today?

Not enough to worry about.

Just think of it as me double-checking my work.

......

(Tugs on Magallan's hand)

Leave her alone.

Aww... Fine.

The first time I met Gitano was when I was visiting Iffy at the Rhodes Island Medical Department.

At the time, she was in a coma in a hospital bed, and was carted in by the other field operators. They all said her Arts take a heavy toll on her body...

Even more reason to leave her alone then.

She sensed something, which is why she's trying to read your fortune before you leave.

And I agree with her.

I've felt a lingering shadow here this whole time.

I don't know exactly what she's trying to double-check, but there's no point in trying to avoid an omen of calamity.

I just hope she finds whatever is giving her these strange premonitions.

—Watch out!

Gitano!

...Phew.

I'm fine.

I'm not the same self-defeating, self-destructive person I was years ago. This is just... me trying my best.

Well, as long as you're okay! Let me help you up.

...However, try as I might, I couldn't find anything.

What did you see in your divination?

Fate. The fates of the deceased.

But my divination has little in common with Sami's prophecies – it's merely a special kind of Arts. It cannot touch those who have passed.

Their fates are pitch-black. Nothing more.

Is that the same for everyone?

...No, there's one who hasn't responded to me.

He remains silent.

......

That is no fault of the diviner's.

We need to hurry and make our way to the front of the fleet.

If I'm forced to draw my bow, the boat's going to rock a whole lot, and you two will need to keep it steady.

W-Wait, back up! What's going on?

The marsh is trying to drag us under.

None are safe, living or dead.

—What?

We don't know a thing! We really don't, so spare us, please!

The only one who does is that Liberi who went to Čappat alone. He's the one you're looking for!

Those Sami died to save us! But we didn't know what else to do for them, except take their remains back to their hometown!

No, that's not what I'm asking...

When you took the bodies away, someone was bleeding black blood. Did you witness this yourself?

Yes, I saw it with my own eyes.

I...

How could I make such a terrible mistake?!

The ship! The ship of the dead... What are you doing?!

Using the waves to keep it from sinking any further.

You–

Turn the boat around, now.

This funeral can no longer continue. I will protect you from the rear.

......

Let's go.

You... Are you sympathizing with the outsider too?

Maybe she's right. Or maybe she's finally lost her mind to the black bow. Either way, she poses just as much danger.

Warriors, protect the fleet from front to back. Stay vigilant.

Don't panic.

Trust that Sami will protect our inner peace. Trust that calamity will never take it from us.

The same goes for you two, Magallan and Gitano.

Hurry up.

Wait, Typhon... I'd like an explanation. I need an answer.

Is it the same as what I saw?

Mhm.

Too many soldiers from the north are buried here. Their contamination has accumulated, day by day, until it all melded together.

And this time, the disaster might've taken some of the dead–

—I understand.

...My Arts are supporting the ship of the dead, preventing it from sinking. But that doesn't solve the issue.

So don't look back.

But—

Anything we can do to help?

M-My drone has a combat module! If there's going to be fighting, I can help out!

No.

Don't look back. That's all.

Stay behind them, and keep rowing the ship. I'll handle the rest.

Whooooaaaa! The boat's rocking like crazy!

Wh-What just happened? Did something fall into the water?

—Whoa, it got cold all of a sudden!

...Thank goodness, I made it in time.

Thanks, Simone.

Did you hear my footsteps?

Wherever you go, the snow follows. The wind told me this.

Also, you said you'd attend the funeral.

Haha, you guys... really do trust me.

Naturally. I have a good eye, both for the weather and for people.

Simone's here?! We're saved!

Hmm, looks like everything's quieting down. Does that mean our predicament is resolved?

...Not yet.

No, no, no...

Who– What are they? What are those things?

*sigh*... I told you not to look back.

They are shadows left behind by contaminated corpses.

No! Don't come any closer... Those warriors buried beneath the water... Aren't they supposed to be sealed under the ice? Shouldn't they be... resting in peace?

The marsh... Why hasn't it calmed down yet?

I, I... AAAAAHH!

Close your eyes.

Magallan, hold her hand.

Give her a touch of reality. Just like, uh... just like you always do.

Then, steer the ship away.

Oh... Um, okay!

Gitano... Do you feel any better now?

She's calming down.

Just like that, Gitano. Listen to me.

It's normal to feel fear. But if you continue like this, you will be transformed too.

We can seal the bodies, but we cannot seal the shadows that seep from them.

So don't blame yourself, and don't force yourself to see things through to the end.

Your brother isn't at fault for this disaster, and you certainly aren't either.

The disaster simply found us. Or perhaps, we found it.

Which is why it awakened.

Their ships can't move very quickly. How much time do we have, Simone?

Traces of contamination are still all around us. I have no way to tell.

Right, so this is why Sami warned the Frost Maple tribe that they had to move away.

I can already feel their presence becoming more and more clear.

Sounds are vanishing, colors are disappearing, and bodies are melting.

But don't worry, it won't affect my aim.

...I've always meant to ask. Are you not afraid?

Afraid? Of what?

—This way!

Good! That's it, Simone! Direct your Arts where my arrows fly!

I've pinned down one corner of the shadows. The black blood is oozing out slower.

My next arrow will be marked with fluorescent fletchings for you.

(Chants softly)

Nightmare that terrorizes innocent children... Begone!

Ah... You really don't show any fear at all.

Are you not afraid of the demons?

You're not afraid that you'll fail, only to regret it forevermore?

—Don't go any further, Simone! It's too dangerous!

I know.

Only I am at fault. And the responsibility is mine.

...Huh?

—Aaaaahh!

Those are... Treescar warriors.

Eikthyrnir has come.

Thank you... You saved our lives.

We didn't expect warriors of the north to come so far south, especially not so close to the Columbians.

Eikthyrnir came here to rescue the Sami who had moved south. He just happened to arrive sooner because he received a request for help.

...I thought that rumor was false.

Unfortunately, all the rumors about him are true.

Only a few tribes lack Snowpriests, so you may recall that it has been more than a decade since anyone in our tribe has been touched by Sami's calling.

When I first returned to my tribe from the north, it was precisely because we were unable to actively predict Catastrophes or anticipate the disaster. Facing crises from every direction, we had no choice but to retain more soldiers.

Now, even survival is difficult for us. Continuing to head south, perhaps even leaving Sami lands, is but a desperate measure.

Eikthyrnir, it is not for a lack of love for this land that we leave, but rather a matter of necessity.

You harbor resentment in your heart.

How could I ever resent the very Sami that has given us everything?

You cannot change my mind.

We cannot back down.

You have already experienced the demons' depredations of nature. Living and dead alike are seized all the same.

Fate has thrust them upon the Sami, and we must face them and endure.

...You said the same, during the snowstorm back then.

'Do not retreat. Do not move. We will stop the snowstorm and block the disaster north of the Fjal Vetrtonn.'

After the November hunt, the snowstorm did indeed stop. The line of black snow never crossed the other side of the mountain.

......

Then you understand why there is no need for any Samijod to flee. You merely speak for your tribe, as well as all those who are anxious because they cannot receive Sami's revelation.

But what we advocate for is sweeping away that layer of fog completely.

No, Eikthyrnir. What you're doing flies in the face of everything we've experienced in Sami, passed down from generation to generation.

We all know why only the most elite warriors travel to the northern lands.

When we become aware of the demons' traces, we become conduits for them. We fear, and as such our weak hearts become their seedbeds.

The more who are aware of this evil, the harder the next battle becomes.

Nobody is above fear, but anyone can conquer it.

That takes thousands of battles!

Indeed, it takes thousands of battles.

The mountains will once again become an indomitable line of defense, just as they were many years ago, before fear penetrated the hearts of the Sami.

We will never leave, and the Sami will never die out. No matter how many generations we must stand guard, it will be the disaster itself that dies first.

Woohoo, I got a pic.

Of Eikthyrnir? What makes him photo-worthy?

He's the most authoritative warrior of the north, in the hearts of the Sami.

That'll be very important to know on future research expeditions!

Although... he doesn't seem like the most easygoing guy. But you never know, maybe someone will come along who really wants to partner with him?

Besides, what he just said to the other Sami should be recorded.

What the silent mountain warriors know about the icefield, as well as how they combat the disaster, are all valuable data!

And what was that word they used for the disaster? And... Andsko...

'Andskotarnir.' It means 'enemy.'

Hmm... I feel like I've heard it before somewhere. Let me write it down for now.

So basically, for the Sami, only the disasters from the icefield are considered enemies?

*sigh*... If only we just could listen in, I wouldn't have to go through all this trouble of sending in a drone up close.

Luckily, you taught me some tricks about camouflaging yourself so you don't alert your prey–

—Whoops. It got shot down.

But it should still be salvageable! Once we get to Čappat, I can probably find a colleague from Rhine Lab to fix it.

...Consider yourself lucky then.

Hehe.

By the way, you're clearly fighting against the same thing, but they treat you like an outsider just because of your weapon?

Mm. Black bow aside, it's probably because of Arges.

A lot of people see her as a madwoman, as they're quite familiar with the Cyclopes who live in seclusion in the Fjal Vetrtonn.

They believe that, as a Cyclops, she should never have walked out of that cave. Should never have made contact with so many people.

(In Sami) One who foresees fate will easily twist the fates of others.

(In Sami) One who... foresees fate... Ack.

In their eyes, I am someone who's had her fate twisted. Like... branches that have been artificially grafted together.

Trees like that will not grow properly.

But you seem perfectly fine to me!

Mhm. I think so too.

Oh, Simone.

Please, let me check if you two are okay.

This birdbrain over here seems fine enough. She just won't stop bouncing around.

Ehh?

Do you disagree? You act as if nothing happened.

Well, I guess that's true.

Oh right, Simone.

What is it?

I didn't have time to answer your question earlier. I'll do it now.

—I am scared.

...Hmm.

But when I'm on the hunt, I have other things to think about.

Where to aim. The speed of the wind. Deducing where my prey will be. When my head is full of these thoughts, I have no time to be scared.

I know that I must overcome, again and again. My resolve will never be shaken.

But just now, when the ice shattered, if I'd been the one to fall through, then that too would be fate's plan.

So are you able to calmly confront the torments of fate... because Arges shared her visions with you?

No, she's never spoken of them.

Haha, that makes me feel better then. The tragic prophecies of a Cyclops should not befall a child like you.

Where's Gitano?

She left by herself.

I don't know where she plans to go, but she said she'll send word to Rhodes Island once she's made up her mind.

...How unfortunate. There was something I wanted to tell her earlier.

But she should already understand by now.

Oh right! Even though I don't know exactly what's going on, I need to thank you all for resolving the crisis! Gitano too!

Wait, what did she do?

She was already exhausted by her Arts. And given the terror caused by the disaster, she wouldn't have been able to do anything rash.

Oh, she sent a request for help to the nearby tribes yesterday.

Just earlier, she told me something in secret... that she felt a vague sense of worry and guilt, so she wanted to ask for help.

—Hello there, Mister Snowpriest! Thank you and the other Treescar warriors for helping us today!

You're all lifesavers!

......

Child of the Santalla tree, daughter born of the biting cold.

Please do not call me that.

You went after the Ursus.

...So you can see everything.

How did it go?

......

You once hesitated because you longed for the shade beneath the ancient branches, and failed to become a Snowpriest.

If you still wish to live as the old tree's steward, then I have no further questions for you.

My time is limited because of Oripathy.

That is no reason for you to lose sight of your goals.

You understand this well, daughter of the Santalla Tree.

You understand the futility of revenge better than anyone else. It is precisely because of that futility that it becomes a never-ending task, one that requires a constant search for new lives to fulfill it.

I... am just an outcast. Hardly worthy of your attention.

No one has forgotten the young shaman who was born to command the wind and snow.

Then I'm sure you're quite disappointed now that you've met her in person.

Hatred and stone alike took root within this body. She was robbed of an eye, and naturally became blind.

No.

She is a warrior, just as in the legends of the past.

......

'Bjoda,' 'Andarsár.'

The will of the All-Father has warned us. All that you see serves as a warning.

The mountains raised by Sami are not enough to protect us from the disaster. Our sole enemy encroaches on our land.

Even so, will you continue to wander the icefield, aimlessly seeking vengeance?

......

Sorry... I need to go to Čappat with my companions.

Nobody's left.

One more snowstorm, and these fragile houses will disappear.

I only had time to see the ruined end. Is this fate showing mercy, or cruelty?

Brother, I now know what you saw when you turned back.

......