Keep it down, Sciurus. You're interrupting my train of thought.
Sciurus
What's to think about? Enciodes has to hand his land over this time.
Ratatos
Yucatan, your opinion?
Yucatan
...I agree with Rus, but Sir Enciodes won't just lie down and take it.
Ratatos
At least you think before you talk. Unlike your wife here.
Sciurus
Oh, who exactly is this about?!
Ratatos
You, of course, my beautiful little sister.
Ratatos
If only it wasn't for Arctosz and his idiot face firing off at anything to do with Karlan. I didn't want to fall out with Enciodes this soon, that's for sure.
Ratatos
People like Enciodes are a handful. Even if he croaks, he'll be sure to put us on the brink too at least. Not to mention...
Ratatos
Something tells me he won't accept his sorry lot, and it's telling me loud.
Sciurus
Hmph. In my view...
Ratatos
I said keep it down, Sciurus. If you really have something to say, you can go outside, and then tell the mountains about it.
Ratatos
Of course, I won't let you back indoors.
Sciurus
Tch. Fine, I'll just shut up then.
Sciurus
(Murmured) So happy to talk to yourself.
Ratatos
......
Devotee
Sir Arctosz arrives.
At the summit of Karlan in winter, the frigid winds never rest, but the look in Arctosz's eyes, and the sound of his great axe as it drags along the ground in bursts, come to fool people—it's as if the winds are his to bring.
Ratatos
Look who's here, Arctosz, my fine friend.
Arctosz
Enciodes?
Ratatos
Who am I to answer that?
Ratatos
I thought you would've bumped into each other outside and settled everything there, and that way I wouldn't need to be tormented in here, and I could go home happy.
Arctosz
How surprising that something can even torment you, Ratatos.
Ratatos
Of course. I've got torment to the nines.
Ratatos
Such as, more and more people in my territory wanting to work for a living at Enciodes's instead.
Ratatos
Or, Gulo, the most able officer you have, not showing up today. Why?
Arctosz
He caught a cold.
Ratatos
Kjerag's sturdiest soldier catching a cold. That's no good omen.
Ratatos
Looks like we'll need that man under Enciodes to give him some treatment. Gnosis, that one.
Arctosz
He'll get better on his own.
Ratatos
Fine, fine. No good deed of mine goes unpunished.
Ratatos
Seeing as you're here, it looks like we're just missing Enciodes now.
???
The three o'clock chime has not yet sounded.
Enciodes
I see I've kept the two of you waiting.
Devotee
S-Sir Enciodes and the Great Elder arrive!
Ratatos
Hm?
Ratatos
Tch, there's a mystery. Why are the two of them together...?
Ratatos
Enciodes, don't tell me you went praying to the Saintess before coming to this meeting?
Enciodes
Far from it. I met the Great Elder along the way, and had a few words with him.
I presume all three are aware of the purpose of this Council.
Great Elder
On Mr. Arctosz and Ms. Ratatos's proposal, last meeting, that the Silverashes would cede governing authority over the valleys and mining regions, for the Paleroches and Browntails to then administrate.
Great Elder
In addition, the Silverashes' withdrawal from the parliament of the Tri-Clan Council.
Enciodes
Gnosis Edelweiss has been expelled from his post by myself. I believe both of you know this already.
Arctosz
What good does knowing that do? Gnosis is your aide. How could his actions not have been according to your instruction?
Arctosz
If you think pinning the blame on him will let you escape punishment, then think again!
Enciodes
Arctosz, why come to such an arbitrary conclusion?
Arctosz
Enciodes, there's much I can tolerate from you. You can open your factories in your territory, do your business, recruit your foreigners.
Arctosz
That is your territory. Whatever ghoulish form you twist it into, it's not my concern.
Arctosz
But never should you have led your railroad to Karlan, bringing the copper stench onto holy earth. And your mining up to Karlan's foot, extracting resources in secret, is beyond the pale.
Arctosz
What do you take the ground of Karlan for—what do you take the land of Kjeragandr for?
Arctosz
You even plotted against any inspection teams so that they wouldn't investigate your factories. My subordinates are still bedbound for it.
Arctosz
Is that what you want to say? That these are all the doing of that accursed Edelweiss, and nothing to do with you?!
Enciodes
Gnosis was once my most trusted partner, and I mistakenly gave him too much power.
Enciodes
For that, I am deeply regretful.
Enciodes
What of you, Ratatos? Is there really no leeway to reverse course between us?
Ratatos
*sigh* I really would love to help you, Enciodes.
Ratatos
After all, six whole years ago, it was me who paved your way back into this hall. Of course it hurts, pushing you out again by my own hands.
Ratatos
But in the end, when it's about all of Kjerag, I just can't defend you.
Enciodes
Though I believe the Browntails have benefited, greatly, from business in Turicum.
Ratatos
Am I denying that? It's not just money in our pockets, we can reap the rewards with our subjects too. Who wouldn't be a fan? Only sticks-in-the-mud like Arctosz.
Ratatos
But even though people talk behind my back thanks to it, crying witch about me, I still have a bottom line, Enciodes.
Ratatos
I don't know what you read or learned in those four years you studied outside, that drives you to abuse our trust to this point.
Ratatos
I was wrong about you six years ago, Enciodes. I'll pay for that in time—but you're going to pay first.
Enciodes
Ceding the valleys and mines under our jurisdiction, as well as the Silverashes' seat at the Tri-Clan Council. These are your demands. Is it not an excessively high price?
Enciodes
Karlan Trade has already stricken its then-director in these affairs, Gnosis, off its register. The company's growth policy has recently mildened too, that much is plain to see.
Ratatos
Too late, Enciodes.
Ratatos
If this price wasn't high, how would you ever remember it?
Arctosz
If you wanted to seek forgiveness, you never would've done any of this in the first place.
Arctosz
But since you have done it already, then today, here and now, you must pay something for it.
Arctosz
Are you handing over governance of the valleys and mines, or are you not? Are you seceding from the Tri-Clan Council, or are you not?
Enciodes
......
Enciodes
All I have done up to now was for the development of Kjerag.
Enciodes
That it would worsen our relations with the Paleroches and Browntails to this present extent, was never my wish.
Enciodes
And from the exchanges I've just had with the two of you, I see this worsening is already unavertable, and unredeemable.
Enciodes
I somewhat foresaw it, but to arrive at this moment in reality, at this time of grievance and ultimatum in this hall, still fills me with sorrow.
Enciodes
But I truly cannot bear to see a fissure arise in the three clans that govern Kjerag together.
Enciodes
Dissent in the three clans signifies dissent in Kjerag. It signifies, that Kjeragandr's people, are soon to lose their collective homeland.
Arctosz
Enciodes, if you truly thought so, if you truly ever thought so for even one moment...
Arctosz
You would have sent yourself packing from Kjerag, back to your Victoria, and been a worry less on Kjerag herself!
Enciodes
Arctosz. I, Enciodes Silverash, am the head of the Silverashes.
Enciodes
This means I must bear my responsibility for the future of Kjerag, and fulfil what is obliged of me.
Enciodes
I don't know what makes you feel I should have stayed in Victoria. Is it because those days of only two clans in parliament made you feel so much more powerful?
Enciodes
Not to mention, my reforms in the years I've led the Silverashes are a done reality...
Enciodes
The people of my territory haven't just gained from the way of life I've brought, they've continued to advance such lives by their own accord.
Enciodes
Even if I leave, the machines will still work, and the trains on the tracks will still set into motion.
Enciodes
Or do you truly believe that if I hand off the valleys and mines today, and cease operation of those factories and railroads...
Enciodes
That the people working there, the people benefiting from what it produces, will accede?
Ratatos
That's your problem to solve, Enciodes.
Enciodes
No, Ratatos. Maybe you have incredible trust in my problem-solving ability, but at base, this is not a problem I alone must face.
Enciodes
You wouldn't suggest that the Browntails' subjects have never profited any from these years Karlan Trade has done business?
Enciodes
How many people have the Originium stoves kept going through the coldest winters, procured from Columbia by Karlan Trade? There are no Catastrophes in our mountains, but the ice and snow still claim lives.
Enciodes
What is so disgraceful about the herders' prods, or the fertilizer that comes from Victoria?
Ratatos
You brought about this situation today—including your constant embellishment of yourself—and now you're using that same situation to menace us, shamelessly.
Ratatos
Get it out. Say this is all your accomplishment. Say you're powerless to give those of Kjerag self-sufficiency, and that you're not afraid to have them mocking you. You, head of the Silverashes.
Enciodes
Wrong, Ratatos.
Enciodes
To menace is the bluff of one who lacks confidence, while I—am only recounting the truth.
Enciodes
You deem Karlan Trade as a menace to Kjerag. That, in itself, is a mockery beyond the heavens.
Ratatos
Keh...
Ratatos
You've got some gall by the sound of it, Enciodes. I remember. You've been good at talking this sort of talk ever since you were young.
Arctosz
Don't waste your breath, Enciodes.
Arctosz
Today, you will...
Enciodes
Would I not hand it over today, General Gulo would have directly 'assumed' control of the valleys, having been stationed close by long ago.
Arctosz
You...
Enciodes
Don't be so quick to resort to force, Arctosz.
Enciodes
I can make commitments and decisions, accordingly, to your proposals.
Enciodes
Conflict has been far from my intent up to now. As the head, I will not put up with any losses either.
Enciodes
But if it's for putting this grievous state of affairs in check, for the alliance of the three clans of the snow mountains, then in the capacity of Kjeragandr's people, the Silverashes can make concessions.
Enciodes
—I am fully able to offer the valleys and mines, with both hands.
Ratatos
You're serious?
Arctosz
You can say a fine line! Enciodes, there's no one here who'll be taken in by your drivel!
Enciodes
Hence why I say, Arctosz, don't rush.
Enciodes
Impetuousness will be your weakness, guardian axe of Kjeragandr, most pious soldier of Kjerag.
Enciodes
I can accept these conditions you two have devised. But it will not be handed to the Paleroches, nor the Browntails.
Arctosz
Then to whom do you give it? What, Kjeragandr?!
Enciodes
Completely correct, Arctosz, most faithful of the people of Kjeragandr.
Enciodes
Every inch of territory of the Silverashes, and of you all too, is fundamentally accorded to us by Kjeragandr's trust. We merely supervise it in Kjeragandr's place.
Ratatos
...Hold on, you can't be...
Enciodes
It is as you imagine, Ratatos.
Enciodes
I've decided I will hear your demands, and give the Silverashes' valleys and mines in whole to the Vine-Bead Court, for the Saintess to handle its factories and pits.
Arctosz
What?!
Enciodes
So as to avert conflict between the three clans, Kjerag ought to have a leader who can hold the faith of both the three clans, and the Snow Realm's citizens, at once.
Enciodes
Though we've managed, I believe that having the vicar of Kjeragandr take control of Kjerag once again, as in times past, is a fair and reasonable thing.
Enciodes
I imagine that peacefully settling this issue, peacefully partitioning the Silverashes' assets, and peacefully avoiding a direct clash of the three families, is what we hope for by all rights.
Enciodes
Ratatos, Arctosz—I can give up my valley and mines on this one condition. What do you think?
That Gnosis cur has the nerve to show his face here. I spit on him.
Gnosis
......
Talkative Noblewoman
Good word, he's turned this way!
Scathing Nobleman
Pah. See the look in his eyes. Heaven knows why Mr. Enciodes ever gave him such great responsibility, when his parents clearly plotted...
Talkative Noblewoman
Tut-tut-tut, shush it, now! You'll anger Kjeragandr if you speak of these things atop Karlan!
Talkative Noblewoman
Though you have to admit, his happy days are at an end. Mr. Enciodes obviously couldn't tolerate his conduct one second longer.
Scathing Nobleman
Really? Did Mr. Enciodes finally pull him from his post?
Talkative Noblewoman
Yes! Didn't you know? At the Council last month, he removed him from his office on the spot...
Scathing Nobleman
He's already out, then? That's wonderful! His number was long up!
Gnosis
......
Monch
Sir Gnosis.
Gnosis
I've warned that we should not converse on these occasions.
Monch
Yes, my apologies.
Monch
Only... I received an urgent message. The train carrying Rhodes Island's delegation is almost at Karlan's foot already.
Monch
You had some interest in this company. Do you want to go and meet them?
Gnosis
The Snow Realm has reached a major juncture. If they're external forces that have been drawn in, then I'll naturally meet them when the time comes. No need to go out of my way.
Gnosis
Besides... I'm merely an employee on probation now. What position do I have as pretext to meet them?
Monch
...Sir...
Monch
It really was disappointing to see how Enciodes acted, ejecting you as a figurehead just to appease the other two clans.
Gnosis
Appease? Enciodes's thoughts are by no means as simple as that.
Gnosis
I've heard Rhodes Island really did succeed in slowing the exacerbation of Ensia's Oripathy?
Monch
Yes...
Gnosis
Hm. Then they do, in fact, have the resources to win the Silverashes' favor.
Gnosis
But the attention of Enciodes is both a blessing and curse. No easy judgments yet.
Monch
You mean...
Gnosis
There is no extraneous meaning to what I said.
Gnosis
Anyhow, presumably those in the company must have applauded and cheered, the same way those two dilettantes did just now, hearing I was gone.
Monch
None of them understand your worth, Sir Gnosis.
Gnosis
Using the word 'worth' to describe a person implies that person can be weighed.
Monch
Sir...
Gnosis
By now, Enciodes should have proposed his idea for the Saintess to lead the Tri-Clan Council.
Gnosis
The meeting hall, at this moment, should be utter chaos.
Gnosis
Enciodes, in the end, this is the step you took after all.
Monch
You're the one who understands Enciodes the most. Only you can stand in the way of his ambitions.
Does Enciodes seriously mean for the Saintess to become Kjerag's queen?
Impossible! This is Enciodes we're talking about!
But he seemed serious about those ideas he spouted just now...
No matter how you put it, think how incredible it'd be if Kjerag could unite under the Saintess's leadership! Kjeragandr's land really should return to Kjeragandr!
The whispers amongst the bystanders come together, and momentarily, the roar of the wind outside the window is covered by the voices.
Ratatos
...Enciodes, do you have any idea what you're saying?
Enciodes
I'm clear as could be.
Enciodes
Let us lay everything out in the open.
Enciodes
I originally held that, so long as results were had and the Silverashes' sincerity was clear to you all, you would discard your prejudices, and hand in hand with me, lead Kjerag forward.
Enciodes
If the three clans could act together, then regardless of any difference in earnings—
Enciodes
A country's stance upon foreign trade versus a company's stance upon foreign trade are completely divorced concepts, and the results obtained will be a world apart.
Enciodes
Maybe my pace was too fast, and led you to believe instead I was planning to submissively hand Kjerag to outsiders?
Arctosz
As if you weren't? Enciodes, Karlan IS NOT your theater to act in! Kjeragandr will punish you for every lie you've spewed!
Enciodes
In that case, that Karlan still permits me to stand here is my greatest proof.
Enciodes
Leave it at that. I know full well I can't change your thinking, but I don't plan to alter Karlan Trade policy because of your shortsightedness either.
Enciodes
Karlan Trade values Kjerag's mines and factories, but they aren't the totality of the company. Letting them bring the company into stasis is far less worth it to me.
Enciodes
If we let an eye for an eye go any further, then in the long run, we'll have spent excessive energy on uniting our views, and it'll have given outside threats a chance to hijack.
Enciodes
Like you, this is in no way what I want.
Enciodes
Therefore—
Enciodes
I ultimately resolve to hand over all executive power to the Saintess.
Enciodes
It will be for the Saintess to determine. I can accept this arrangement, and I believe all present can too.
Arctosz
A heap of nonsense!
Arctosz
Who would believe words like these from someone trampling on the faith of Kjeragandr?!
Enciodes
Trampling?
Enciodes
I know that's how you see it. Many harbor prejudice towards the change Karlan Trade has brought.
Enciodes
But labor is the very foundation on which Kjerag was stood.
Enciodes
Forget not that should they still have work at noon, the Browntails' people pass on kneeling in prayer to Karlan.
Enciodes
And if things are busy, they certainly do not take the monthly visit to Karlan to hear the teachings.
Ratatos
Ha. Enciodes, pulling some hamfisted strawman like this isn't one bit persuasive.
Ratatos
What next? Are you going to say that everything you've done to Karlan is by Kjeragandr's counsel?
Enciodes
'Kjeragandr,' Page 1, Line 1.
Enciodes
'Her tears are the ice eternally unmelting, Her back the unbreaking mountain, Her breath the cold wind of winter, Her smile the warm light of spring.'
Enciodes
'When She awakes, shall the mountains summon Her, and the sky cast down lustrous spectra.'
Enciodes
No one has ever said that the Holy Mount can truly stand for Her.
Enciodes
Mt. Karlan's uniqueness is owed to the Vine-Bead Court being situated on it.
Enciodes
If you denounce me for harm of the Vine-Bead Court's interests, I will readily concede that. Besides, I have brought my full good faith.
Enciodes
And in addition, 'those who toil will hold power, and those who idle will suffer.'
Enciodes
I have never gone against Her teachings.
Arctosz
Utter, utter tripe!
Arctosz
The Vine-Bead Court is Kjeragandr's representative upon this land, and the Saintess of the Vine-Bead Court Her Terran speaker! How do you think you can change this with a mere few utterances?!
Arctosz
Great Elder, will the Vine-Bead Court suffer these wild lies?!
Great Elder
Naturally, I have to protest what Mr. Enciodes says.
Great Elder
However, day in and day out, the scholars wage countless disputes over interpretations of Her words. The Vine-Bead Court is not a place of outlawed dissent, by any means.
Enciodes
Who is right, and who is wrong? Far be it from you or me to have the final say, Arctosz.
Enciodes
Page 3, Line 5.
Enciodes
'In the beginning, Kjerag had but one untamed settlement, so until She lifted Her head from amidst the mountains.'
This time, following Enciodes's start, some nobles present notably begin to recite alongside him.
'She became as human, and lived in survival with the untamed. Yet they feared Her might, and honored Her as Divine.'
'More came to gather at Her side, and so was Kjerag born, and She, its first ruler.'
'Under Her guidance, did Kjerag flourish and thrive in bountifulness.'
Arctosz
......
Enciodes
Arctosz, tell me. What does Page 321, Line 1 say?
Arctosz
'...After She held the kingdom for three centuries, there came one sudden day when She passed the ruler's title to Her helper, and vanished amidst the blizzard.'
Ratatos
'Henceforth, Kjerag was given unto the people's hands.'
Enciodes
Everyone, we are all of Kjerag, and all Her people.
Enciodes
It is exactly as I said before—
Enciodes
If there is someone able to determine how we should proceed, then it is not I, nor you, nor Ratatos.
Enciodes
This someone must be Her speaker, the Saintess.
Enciodes
That we do not trust each other won't matter.
Enciodes
The Saintess will determine for us, and show us towards the future.
Enciodes
Or do you mean to admit, somehow, that you don't trust the Saintess to make the fairest ruling, that you don't trust Her speaker upon the land?
In an instant, the attention of every noble there focuses onto Arctosz.
Arctosz
You...! Enciodes, how dare you!
Ratatos
......
Ratatos
Enciodes, if you're hoping this level of provocation will rouse any reaction in us, then that's far too disappointing of you.
Enciodes
......
Ratatos
The Saintess was born a Silverash, that we all know.
Ratatos
But her character is equivalently common knowledge.
Ratatos
She is still Kjerag's Saintess. From the moment she received the glory and duty of Kjeragandr, the people of Kjerag have been witness to her every word and action.
Ratatos
Her conduct has been impartial, ever since she took up the title. As things stand, how can we be skeptical of her simply for her common birth?
Arctosz
......
Ratatos
It's like you just said. Kjeragandr was broad of heart, and resolved to give Kjerag's future to Her people.
Ratatos
But you. You, Enciodes, choosing only now after all this time to bring up Kjeragandr, expounding on Her virtue and benevolence. Is that not out of some ulterior motive, really?
Ratatos
You are the one disrespecting the Saintess, Enciodes, coming in with sophistry to coerce and take advantage of her people!
Enciodes
That's a grave accusation, Ratatos, far graver than your criticisms of Karlan Trade.
Enciodes
It seems our continuing this discussion further will only add to the maelstrom of conjecture. Given so, we may as well ask the Saintess to come here, and we'll set things straight in front of her.
Arctosz
Hmph, no objections. With all three clans gathered here, I expect there won't be any room for your tricks.
Enciodes
Well, then. In the interest of fairness, may we trouble the Great Elder in our humble request of the Saintess?
Great Elder
So be it. I'll go and ask her. Exercise patience, please.
What's so strange about that? The snow never stops falling on this mountain.
Enya
Something's different.
Enya
......
Enya
...So, Enciodes proposes the three families hand their power to me, for me to decide Kjerag's future?
Kjarr
Indeed.
Kjarr
What do you think of it, Enya?
Enya
I...
Kjarr
Well met, Great Elder.
Great Elder
Enya. Here you are.
Great Elder
I imagine you've probably heard about the assembly's affairs.
Enya
If you mean the transferral of power, yes, I already know.
Enya
There's been progress, then, if you've come for me now?
Great Elder
Keen ever since you were little, young one.
Great Elder
It's reached the point where the clans' views clash like fire and water.
Great Elder
Before this Council convened, Silverash gave me a hint or two... that under the current situation, the plan he'd suggest may well deescalate.
Enya
......
Enya
It seems you don't approve of my actions last Council after all, Great Elder.
Great Elder
Enya, oh, Enya.
Great Elder
Come... child, look outside. Could you know the years it took, for the frost and snow to finally cover these mountains?
Great Elder
And could you know, how many years had to pass, for us to have this pure and holy summit where we stand?
Enya
...I understand.
Enya
But—'Her tears are the ice eternally unmelting, Her back the unbreaking mountain, Her breath the cold wind of winter, Her smile the warm light of spring.'
Enya
If everything was Kjeragandr's gift, then why must Kjeragandr's people still fear the blizzard?
Great Elder
......
Great Elder
...In that respect, you and him do seem alike... yet different, too...
Enya
Um, pardon me...?
Great Elder
Nothing, just an old man thinking aloud.
Great Elder
What you say is correct, Saintess.
Great Elder
You've spent all your time atop this summit, and the mountains have bowed to Kjeragandr's speaker in turn. To think so is quite right.
Great Elder
However, in snow this great, built up over so many years, how many of Kjeragandr's people would be buried, should it ever collapse?
Enya
......
Great Elder
To me, Kjerag's peace of mind has always come first and foremost.
Great Elder
I trust, Saintess, that you are the same.
Great Elder
Hum... it's about time.
Great Elder
The three are still in the hall awaiting you. You cannot appear too soon, but I wouldn't advise you be too late either. Now is the perfect time.
