Liberi Reader

Hah...

Didn't expect I'd fall headfirst into them.

The trees... they were here all along.

Two trees growing into each other, this has to be them.

......

...Okay, that should do it.

Now that mom's business is done, I'll...

Gah!

Nope, can't climb back up.

The snow's too thick, and the hill's too steep to make it back up with my bare hands.

There's only this cliff here left to try...

W-Wait, Rosalind!

*cough*, *cough* *cough*!

Get away from there, it's dangerous!

Okay, okay, I'm getting away! You stay put too!

You can't move your legs, right? Just take a rest and don't push yourself.

Just a scratch. Not like I'd ever let you fall.

Those Victorian bastards actually dragged you into their plans... I won't let them get away with it!

So that guy's really a Victorian spy?

He, well... he didn't actually do anything to me.

It'll be too late when he does!

I'd have beat him so badly he wouldn't dare to set foot on Paleroche land ever again, if only we didn't have such bad luck!

Before you came out of nowhere, I was about to tie the bastard up and teach him a lesson!

Whatever, let's just drop it.

Back there, you...

Ugh, I hate it when people take their sweet time beating around the bush, so I'll just ask!

So, why did you move to protect me when we fell?

And that Victorian guy, what was he talking about? Something to do with who somebody is?

......

Rosalind.

I know you might find what I'm about to say hard to accept, but...

Tatyana and I—

Your mother and I met on the summit of this mountain.

You... and mamochka... you mean, you're...

That's right.

Rosalind, you're my daughter.

A most unusual guest.

What business has you hurrying over here today, Ratatos?

You must know exactly what it is, Enciodes.

Are you sure we can fool that Victorian Trilby Asher with our bait?

The smarter a man is, the more confident he is in his own judgement, correct?

That's for sure.

But Enciodes, here's a warning for you too. Don't underestimate people.

That Victorian spy seems to be pretty misled. He's chasing Arctosz's daughter all right, but I don't think things are gonna keep going that smoothly.

What if he doesn't go according to your plans? How are you gonna handle that?

You must have some sort of backup plan?

Arctosz's daughter deciding to return to Kjerag now is indeed outside the scope of our plans.

Of course, I couldn't possibly think such an improvised plan would suffice to solve our problem.

It sounds like you have something up your sleeve.

Let me see... why haven't I seen Gnosis today?

And the bodyguard always at your side. I heard from my sister and brother-in-law she hasn't been helping you train your Tschäggättä recently.

You get your information fast, Ratatos.

Gnosis and Degenbrecher naturally have their own jobs to do, and if you're here to see them today, I'm afraid you'll have to leave disappointed.

I'm not looking for them.

Although... ah, yes. I had a piece of 'good news' for Gnosis, if he was here.

Oh...?

Nothing major, you'll know all about it tomorrow.

He's said this before, but I'll personally remind you, Enciodes. You'd better be certain of the things happening below Kjeragandr's statue...

It's not just about one Clan Silverash. You'd do well to remember that us Browntails also have a stake in it!

It's etched into my mind.

Whether it be the tri-clans or the Vine-Bead Court led by the Saintess...

Ratatos, you should hold a little more confidence.

Whether it be in you, me, Gnosis, or even Degenbrecher.

All that we do here is for Kjerag's future.

That is my firm belief.

......

Run enough laps yet?

Yes.

Also, I must retrieve my words from earlier, Madam Degenbrecher.

What's come into your clever little mind now?

The Black Knight indeed does not lie.

A brazen misunderstanding on my part.

I thought young Larina was the key to the plans unfolding in Kjerag...

Were it not for that, I wouldn't have the slightest intention of establishing contact, and yet so many clues have appeared...

Madam, you did not come to block me from approaching Arctosz or Rosalind.

You're here to deepen the misunderstanding, yes?

Done talking?

Smart people always talk so much. I don't get why. I can't be bothered.

Now, pick up your weapon.

Let me see how sharp Victoria's claws are.

No, no, no.

I surrender.

Is there a need for us to fight? This is a complete misunderstanding.

You were right, I should head down the mountain for lunch.

......

However...

This is only a little guess of mine, Madam Degenbrecher.

To the best of my knowledge, Enciodes is not one to act without purpose.

If Madam Larina is truly uninvolved, I believe he wouldn't use her as bait.

She is certainly not suspicious. So, could it be the Paleroche clan behind her?

Could it be... there's something amiss with the Paleroche spirits, or rather, the transport route they arranged for the alcohol?

Madam Larina's appearance was an unexpected affair.

And it is precisely because of that, you worry that once I meet her, I might just stumble upon Clan Paleroche in the course of my investigation and discover something I shouldn't have.

This is why you've performed an entire show for me.

The Paleroches are in charge of transporting various resources for Kjerag.

And all transport railways in the country converge on the same spot, Lake Silberneherze. To elaborate, what's important is... the island in the middle of the lake underneath the Kjeragandr statue.

Perhaps there are some secrets hidden there.

Would an intelligence officer divulge his own answers?

No.

Everyone has their own strengths. For example, you'd be stronger than most of Victoria. However—

You cannot control the subtle expressions you're not even aware you're making.

......

I believe my guess is correct.

The burdenbeast observation car is about to depart for Lake Silberneherze.

Our professionally trained burdenbeasts can bring you to every scenic spot and all the best views!

Travelers who want to enjoy spectacular vistas to on the way to the lake, don't miss this chance!

I need to head over to Lake Silberneherze. Give me your fastest burdenbeast.

You'll have to pay extra for that, sir.

Name your price. I'm currently being hunted by a sinister woman, so do me a favor, friend.

If someone asks where I went, just tell them you don't know. Alright?

I've seen something like this before, on those discs my daughter sent me.

(Whistle)

That's the one. Fastest girl I got, Takme.

And don't worry, sir. My lips are sealed.

Many thanks.

Pfft. Foreigners are so funny. I'll have to tell my girl about this when she comes back.

Have you seen a foreigner dressed in a black coat?

It's really happening! Sorry, I didn't—

Eh? Madam Degenbrecher?

You know me?

Don't you remember, when my Takme got stuck in a quagmire while transporting goods last year? You happened to be passing by and pulled her out!

Oh, right. That happened.

So, you didn't see anyone, right? Then—

Wait.

Hm?

That bastard actually called you sinister, and I even let him borrow Takme!

I'm going to teach him a lesson for sure!

Takme! Stop, that's a bad guy!

Phew. A burdenbeast's adaptability is not to be underestimated, but the crucial trait is its robust endurance.

Perhaps it could serve as a strategic resource—

Eh?

Madam Degenbrecher, Takme's over here!

Thanks.

Gah—Have I been caught?

Bloody—

Grr—

Give up already. I'll be watching whatever it is you're up to today.

Even if my only desire is to see the local sights?

I know Kjerag pretty well.

I can't be doing this.

*sigh*

I'm definitely learning how to ice-skate today.

You've been saying that for a month already, and summer's already on its way.

You'll have to wait for a long, long time for the lake to freeze over.

And that's why I'll definitely get it down today!

Okay, okay, okay.

Sorry, I need to borrow these for a bit.

Hey, my skates!

Here's some money for a new pair.

Oh, um—

I thought you knew how to skate, man.

He's obviously new, so unstable.

Stable? Oh, I see.

Gah, sod it.

Move.

Eh?

Whoaaaaa! Someone's flying in from up high!

Stability, balance, right, yes, I've got it!

Wow, I got it down!

How delightful. I'll definitely promote this sport after I return home!

Of course, I have to survive the day first.

H-H-He, he actually learned how to skate!

I've never seen someone get it down that quickly...

Hmph. Is there a spare pair around?

Ah, why don't I, lend you mine?

Thanks.

Do you...

I do.

So fast!