Liberi Reader

So... It wasn't until you entered secondary school that you learned you were born in Kjerag?

That's right. Mamochka never told me before. I thought she was kidding at first!

I don't remember much of my childhood. All I can picture is snow everywhere... And there's snow everywhere in Ursus, too!

How was I supposed to know?

Hm, now that you mention it, they are alike in that way.

However, from what I remember, Ursus is colder than Kjerag.

Hm... That is true. Ursus's colder.

Have you been?

Hah, many years ago.

I didn't have much chance to sightsee, though. What a shame!

Then I'll be your guide the next time you visit.

Forget the rest of Ursus, Deity Grypherburg is a sight in itself.

Very well, then. Seems I may have to get myself a couple of coats to keep me warm.

But until I have the opportunity to visit Ursus and take you up on the offer, let me be your guide instead.

I'll start by telling you about this train's destination—the newly built statue of Kjeragandr.

It is built atop the island in the middle of Lake Silberneherze. Very conspicuous. You'll see it as soon as you step outside the station.

Of course, for you, the statue is not the point of your trip...

You came to Kjerag for something more important than sightseeing.

Yeah, sure did.

I need to take a good look at the Kjeragandr statue for my mamochka, though. It's... It's something she stressed before she left us.

Then, I'll head up the mountain next to Lake Silberneherze.

I need to take the box to the peak.

What's inside?

No idea. She never told me.

She just said I had to dump what's inside on the mountain, and that she'd be satisfied if I did.

Coming to your foreign homeland all by yourself only to fulfill your mother's wishes...

What a kind, faithful daughter! It moves my very soul!

Eh, that's really too much.

What are your plans after that?

After I take this up the mountain? I'm not too sure. I might travel around.

......

I might... look for my papa.

Is your father still in Kjerag?

Perhaps I could offer my assistance in searching for him?

For real? But I don't even know his name, and I don't remember what he looks like.

But Mamochka told me he was very handsome.

Aha, a handsome fellow.

Yeah! I guess he used to be a famous, handsome guy. Like, pretty popular, too.

Oh, right, and she told me my eyes look just like his.

A famous, handsome man from Kjerag? Hm...

Do you know anybody like that?

Hmm...

To have a daughter your age, he could only have done the deed while studying in Victoria... Hm...

No. No, no, no. That would be far too outrageous...

Ursus in those days... Could it be...?

Could it be what?

Uh, hah, I must give this some more thought.

I really hope we'll be able to find him.

You're hoping for a touching father-daughter reunion?

Ugh.

Not exactly.

All I want is to see what this bastard who's been gone for over a decade even looks like.

Welcome aboard the new Saintess Express. Our train has reached cruising speed. You may appreciate the finest natural sights that Kjerag has to offer through the windows on both sides of the train.

During our journey, we have a variety of local Kjerag delicacies available for purchase!

From all our favorite treats like yogurt snacks to the ever popular burdenbeast blind boxes, and even Karlan Trade's limited edition mountain ice waters, everything we have on offer is produced locally, handpicked by the Saintess herself, and guaranteed to be of the finest quality!

Please feel free to browse our selections...

Excuse me. I have a question.

Ah, what can I get you today, good sir?

I'm not buying anything.

These delicacies are not to your fancy? How about this limited edition mountain ice water?

This is the Tri-Clan's official drinking water, and it's the Saintess's personal favorite. We don't have many in stock today. A rare opportunity. It can be yours right now for just four francs!

Holy Saintess... four francs? I could buy out a restaurant for that price!

It's a little pricey, but just look at the packaging. This clean, pure sensation. It's a perfect fit for your splendid appearance!

...I'll pass.

I'll... take a blind box. Thank you.

Thank you very much!

How long until the next station?

This train is a nonstop limited express. The next stop will be the terminus, Lake Silberneherze.

We are about two hours from our destination!

If you would like to stop somewhere during our journey to better take in the sights along the way, we also offer regular trains that stop at every station on the route!

Okay, thank you.

You are very welcome.

(......)

(Blind box? Are these trinkets really so popular?)

(It's just a meaningless ornament, no matter how I look at it.)

(Still two hours to go. That's more than enough time.)

(Next... Hm?)

......

A fowlbeast?

(Pecks fiercely)

What...?!

(Fly everywhere)

(Attack all over)

Gkh—Gkhhh!

Eh, my fowlbeasts! How did they get out?

Where? I'll help you catch them!

I'll help, too!

Mom, I want to catch fowlbeasts!

(...Not good.)

Hey, mister! Where are you going?

......

Why don't you help?

Catching fowlbeasts is so much fun!

............

(Phew.)

(To think mere fowlbeasts and a toddler could be so fierce together.)

(Seems Kjerag isn't to be underestimated.)

(But this does give me a legitimate excuse to check the train cars.)

Good afternoon, sirs, have any of you seen any runaway fowlbeasts?

No? Thank you. Sorry for disturbing you.

(Nothing out of the ordinary here.)

(Nothing strange in the car up ahead, either. Only the last few cabins left.)

(Looks like this will be another futile journey.)

Excuse me, have you...?

...If I find him, I'll make him pay for that decade!

Look at this. Before I came here, I had Natalya and Anna—they're my friends, you see. I asked them to help me math all this out.

Living expenses, education, medical—oh, and this 'emotional absenteeism' fee that Natalya came up with. It's all here.

Doesn't matter how good-looking he is! It's not like that ever fed me!

Hahahahaha, emotional absenteeism. Not bad. Very good. I approve!

Hm? A guest? Please...

...come in...

......

......

...Have you seen any escaped fowlbeasts?

Fowlbeasts? Oh, I saw one earlier...

Ah, right, of course! We did see one!

Come, come, come, good sir. Let us head outside and discuss that fowlbeast in the greatest detail!

Huh? What detail is there to a—

What the heck? Why are they acting so funny?

......

Hm... Victorians. I hope everything's okay...

Alright, kind sir, shall we discuss the fowlbeast?

I'm very curious what kind of fowlbeast would require a Trilby Asher coming to me in person.

I did not expect to find you on this train, Lord Viscount.

Oh, please. I could say the very same. Minus the viscount bit.

Why is it that I've never noticed that the Trilby Ashers had such an interest in sightseeing? Or is it that your early retirement has finally been approved?

......

Seems not.

No need for the interrogation, My Lord.

I'm merely doing a routine investigation on certain rumors that I've heard.

Now, I can't say I buy that.

You and I both help lift the weight off Her Grace. We should have more trust in one another.

What about you, My Lord? What is your purpose here? And the young lady with you... Is she Ursine?

She looks a little familiar.

Trilby Asher...

I must say. If that was an attempt to make a move on the lady, it was rather behind the times.

...No.

That is not my intention at all, but thank you for the reminder.

As for me. I am, of course, sightseeing.

Are you?

Mind your words now. We should have more trust in one another!

The Kjeragandr statue ceremony is in two days. I received an invitation, and I thought I ought to do a little sightseeing before the unveiling.

I bought two small Saintess sculptures that I am bringing with me on the day. Pretty well-made, if you ask me.

Anyway, enough chit-chat. I see no... 'fowlbeasts' here.

You should get back to work, Trilby Asher.

You too, My Lord.

I hope you haven't forgotten why we're here.

(This is the last one. Nothing out of the ordinary.)

(Except Viscount Craigavon and the girl with him...)

(That one traveling with the Viscount... Who exactly is she? It seems I must look into this once I get back.)

(But first, I should finish checking this last cabin—)

Pardon—

......

Phew...

No, that's impossible.

The intel says she is training new recruits in the mountains. She can't be here.

She shouldn't be...

(—?!)

(It really is her...?! The Black Knight who works for the Silverashes...?)

(There are bloodstains on her hands. Who forced her hand?)

(...This is bad.)

(But this also means the intel's not wrong. There's trouble on this route.)

......

No, before I consider that...

Who are the intelligence officers in charge of watching Degenbrecher...?

Ah, there we are.

For them to miss such an important piece of information... They can expect to see a court-martial.

Intelligence officers, you say?

Don't blame them. There aren't many who can keep up with me.

Thank you for speaking up for them.

It's the truth.

Now, tell me what you're doing here.

Surely you must have already come up with an excuse or two?

Trilby Asher?