Did you come all the way out to the boonies to dig up something good for me?
Gnosis
For death and destruction, naturally.
Ratatos
Keep running your mouth. Though, as long as I'm on the giving side of death and destruction, I'm alright.
Gnosis
Almost here. Do you still remember anything about this place, Ratatos?
Ratatos
...If memory serves me right, this road leading out of Kjerag has long been abandoned since the wind and snow took down the bridge.
Ratatos
Blizzards are frequent, and even reinforced bridges are hard to secure. The people have all but given up on redeveloping the roads here.
Gnosis
How many hands do you have at the Turicum pass?
Ratatos
Enough to let me know who and what Enciodes deals with every day.
Gnosis
Then, do you know how much military equipment and personnel have passed into Kjerag under your nose lately?
Ratatos
......
Ratatos
Are you saying that Enciodes bypassed Turicum and opened a railway out in a place like this?
Ratatos
...That's ludicrous.
Gnosis
Look, it's coming.
Ratatos
But that road leads straight down into a canyon...
Gnosis
Not anymore.
Ratatos
......
Ratatos
.........
Ratatos
Impossible!
Gnosis
Tools were used to enclose the bridges, tracks, and load-bearing structures into the cliffs on both sides.
Gnosis
To avoid prying eyes and ears, the structure extends from the mountain to form a bridge only when a train is about to pass...
Gnosis
Such a simple idea, yet incredibly intricate to implement. A pity that I didn't come up with it.
The fresh snow on the ground shudders imperceptibly, and a faint sound gradually grows stronger.
The bridge's bearings spring to life with sparks of light, just as the light of civilization shines into Kjerag.
The head of the train gallops over the bridge, segment after segment following behind it. Flames begin to dance, as if awakened by the weight of the train.
The youth turns to face the crowd and snaps his fingers.
The name of the squad was something like 'Tschäggättä.' There weren't many present, but seem to have all been taken alive by Ratatos.
Sharp
The other two 'Tschäggättä' in charge of the freight train survived, but were also locked up.
Sharp
That's the extent of what I saw. I'm confident I wasn't seen.
Sharp
Enciodes certainly would not see this as a simple natural disaster either.
Ensia
Doctor, over here!
Sharp
To avoid drawing the Silverash clan's suspicions, I will back out for now and await the Doctor's further instructions.
Cliffheart!
Ensia
Heeey, I'm glad to see you're still kickin', Doctor! Sheesh, they told me I wouldn't be able to see you because you'd be tied up with official business or something.
Ensia
I was real worried that you'd be stuck with the Paleroches until the ceremony was over.
......
Ensia
Doctor, how come you're not talking? Are you okay?
Ensia
Don't tell me the Paleroches did something to you!
Long time no see.
Ensia
It hasn't even been that long...
Ensia
I guess so much stuff has happened since you were invited here that it really does seem like a long time has passed.
Ensia
Oh, but I heard that you're getting along well with Mr. Arctosz?
Ensia
Eh... Not sure why that would surprise me though. After all, you're really popular around Rhodes Island.
Ensia
Oh right, is there anything I can help you with, Doctor? I feel bad that it's been one thing after another since you came here, so I was thinking I could maybe run some errands for you.
Can you help me protect Mr. Enciodes?
Ensia
Huh? But with Degenbrecher there, why would my brother need me mucking things up?
Ensia
But if that's what you want, I'll keep an eye on him.
Can you say hello to the Saintess for me?
Ensia
My sister's been awfully busy lately. Even I haven't had a chance to see her.
Ensia
But if you really need me to, I can climb up the mountain and pay a secret visit.
Ensia
Ugh, I just wanted to help you out, but I just made you worry even more about me...
Hmm, can you tell me some Kjerag folk tales then? Like, about the Tschäggättä?
Ensia
Woah, where'd you hear that word?
Ensia
Well... It's actually an old legend that goes way back.
Ensia
Thousands of years ago, when Kjeragandr was protecting Her people from the wind and snow, a group of mountain savages rejected Her blessings. Among them––
We've confirmed that several segments of track suffered similar damage. The losses have been tabulated, and repairing them will take some time.
Silverash Clan Warrior
But more critically, of the points of access between Kjerag and the outside world, several of the routes that were completely under our control have been cut off.
Enciodes
In other words, outside forces will no longer be able to enter Kjerag without great effort.
Silverash Clan Warrior
But we still have a relative abundance of various supplies and materials in our reserves, enough to hold out while the tracks are being repaired...
Enciodes
That's not the important part.
Silverash Clan Warrior
Additionally, we've confirmed that Gnosis and Ratatos have been in contact and have been lingering around our borders.
Enciodes
Of course.
Enciodes
And what of the Doctor?
Silverash Clan Warrior
The Paleroche clan is no longer keeping a close watch on the Doctor. The guards are so discreet that we're unable to track them.
Enciodes
Very well. You may go now.
Silverash Clan Warrior
Yessir.
Degenbrecher
Well done.
Enciodes
I must admit, this came as a bit of a surprise, but Gnosis indeed has the capacity to pull off something like this.
Degenbrecher
Your idea of trust is rather twisted.
Enciodes
He bore the burdens of Karlan Trade for so many years, so it's only natural that he would have the ability to exceed my expectations in certain areas.
Enciodes
This is not trust, but rather a base requirement. A requirement that the Silverash clan has of its associates.
Enciodes
I always thought I would have the right to shoulder Kjeragandr's burden only when I was prepared to shoulder all of Kjerag.
Enciodes
It has been too long since the Tri-Clan Council and the Vine-Bead Court left this burden.
Degenbrecher
Don't tell me that's why you and the Saintess have to shoulder all of Kjerag.
