Liberi Reader

Less people than before, even here...

...Hmm?

Miss! Sorry to bother you, can I ask you a few quick questions?

About?

Right now, Karlan Trade—

I'd rather not have to hear that name.

Sir Enciodes needs to come out and go over why he signed those agreements already.

'Resources for development', what rubbish. All we got for our resources was a Catastrophe. How's he going to explain that, huh?

...

...Excuse me, sir!

Ah, you're one of those reporters from Victoria?

Kjerag's not been the kindest place, lately. Even us locals prefer holing up at home. You best take care.

It's times like these where I can't be afraid, otherwise I'm not fit to hold this camera.

...But thanks for the heads-up, anyhow. What I'd like to know is, how do you see Enciodes right now, in your honest opinion?

Hmm... Sorry, Miss, I think he's cheated Kjerag, but Victoria's worth doubting too.

I've seen how big the changes here have been these past few years. If you said Enciodes hasn't had any difficulty making those changes, then I'd say you're wrong.

If only the Great Elder of the Court could come out and say a few words, it'd all be fine—

Eek—!

Get out of Kjerag, Victorian scum!

Enciodes, the Vine-Bead Court, us, we've all got nothing to do with you!

Still got the stones to take pictures?! Get the faen off our land already!

Are you Victorian, miss?

Ah... Hello there.

Do... you hate Victoria?

Nope, I don't.

But my pappa told me to throw these all away. He said we wouldn't have any Victorian charity in our house.

Then...

But Kjeragandr taught us to love our neighbors, and repay kindness with kindness.

So, I wanted to give it back to you.

Get her in the car. Don't let anyone see.

Sorry for bothering you with yet another visit, Mr. Silverash.

Perhaps you would rather be seeing some other pretty face during all this hubbub...

There is no need to be so humble.

Kjerag is indebted to you for your care, and I had hoped for the chance to express my gratitude.

Hardly, hardly... It seems my long-awaited return has left me awash with churning emotion once more.

I would like nothing more than to be the bearer of good news every time I come over, before throwing my old bones into the mountains for some peace and quiet.

But life is a fickle thing, and it demands we improvise, does it not?

I do believe you are here to give me some bad news, Lord Viscount, but not in the name of Caster.

Hmph, I'd rather not get mixed up with that old lady's affairs again.

Though based on what went on the last time I was here... It's her who doesn't want to get mixed up with me.

With all that said, My Lord...

Ah, yes, on to business, I know you're a busy man.

I am here to bid you farewell, Mr. Silverash.

If the recent shift in public opinion against Victoria has troubled you, then I can—

No, no, no, nothing of the sort...

...I had hoped against hope that old Caster was also reaching the age where she spoke from the heart.

That tends to bring a bit of sweetness to the tongue, no? But as you can see, things have come to this.

Though I may seem a dotard these days, I still find myself compelled to ask you one thing...

Is there truly no other way?

You know her plans involve more than just a few mines, My Lord.

From the moment she laid hands on Ensia, this negotiation has become wholly unacceptable to me.

So how do you plan to handle her? Are you really prepared to cross swords with her?

You know better than I that if we do not keep the idea of 'crossing swords' on the table, then Kjerag may as well already be in her pocket.

Of course I do...

*sigh* What to say, what to say...

Knowing how the old lady is, she will never let your little tiff go now that it's reached this stage.

I truly am worried for you, Sir Enciodes. Whatever shall you do next?

What is there to do but to seize the opportunity?

Since you have mentioned her, you are also an old acquaintance of Her Grace, are you not?

Me?

Hardly know her.

A few years back, we'd chat about family matters, and she'd always grumble to me about how none of the young Casters were worth a damn.

The less useful they turn out to be, the more hasty she gets in doing things. Who would have guessed that she was known as a complete enigma in her youth...

I had a brief encounter with Her Grace a decade or so ago. Her grandeur strikes me even now.

Hah, no need to butter her up to me.

I am fully aware that her high-and-mighty noble posturing is something she can never change.

No matter how many schemes are brewing behind the scenes, one must always keep one's face haughty and dignified.

Well, that's that. I'm sure your people have more urgent things to trouble you with. I should be heading off right about now.

This talk of ours has been productive, My Lord.

I hope I will have a more suitable opportunity in the future to invite you to Kjerag.

Haha, couldn't ask for better!

Ah, yes...

(Quietly) When you next see Her Grace, by no means tell her I've been calling her 'old' behind her back.

...I would never, Lord Viscount.

Atta boy.

I too, am really looking forward to the chance to visit Kjerag again.

Yes, nobody saw us.

It was no trouble, Matriarch. Your request is my—

I'll bring her over right away.

Hey, wakey-wakey!

...I...This is... I was at—

Half a day's sleep not enough for you? Get up, our Matriarch has things she wants to ask you.

What...?

Who... brought me here...?

Hmph. How long will it take you to learn a gentle touch?

I-I'm sorry.

Matriarch.

Hey, you awake yet?

No thrashing about, unless you feel like the ropes around your wrists aren't chafing enough.

...

Ah, Ratatos!

...Matriarch Ratatos. I thought you were—

Not a single burn on me. Real surprising, isn't it?

When you get the chance, tell your colleagues that when dealing with the Browntails, best check the room for tricks.

My... colleagues?

Be honest now, my little spy. What were you hoping to capture on that camera of yours, all those days you were sneaking about?

Wait, what... No, you misunderstand me, Madam! How could I be a spy?!

*sigh*...

That's what all the other spies we got said too.

We wouldn't care much about you if you take pictures of local traditions or even patrolling guards.

But you didn't hesitate before taking a bunch of pictures of the Vine-Bead Court. You even went to a few mountains, clicking that shutter of yours.

Don't think I don't know anything.

...

Matriarch Ratatos, whether you believe me or not, I really am nothing more than a regular reporter.

If I was a spy, why would I be walking around with all this evidence on me?

With all this chaos going on right now, I could have easily given it all to my colleagues at the TV station.

That's what you need to explain.

Fact of the matter is, you were carrying a great deal of suspicious material, and had a very strange itinerary. How do I know you weren't trying to flee?

Because I'm trying to protect that material!

The Duke of Caster wants control over public opinion. The news office sent people to join the camera crew, and they've been sneaking into my room to edit my pictures.

If I didn't try to get away, most of them would be confiscated, maybe even used to misrepresent things here.

Everything they do is to whitewash Victoria trying to strong-arm its way into Kjerag!

...

If you think these pictures will be of any use to Kjerag, you can have them all.

I just want you to release them, to let more people know what's going on here...

It doesn't need Victoria's 'support', but real, actual help!

...

That might be tricky.

Is Enciodes able to take a call right now?

He has more pressing matters to handle, so he sent me as support.

After my lovely funeral, I handed the spies we captured over to him. According to our agreement, he was supposed to send backup.

And in the end, he only sent one woman, even if she is the Black Knight.

Not sure if I should call him generous or stingy here...

...

So, what's his plan for dealing with Caster?

We're still gathering information on our enemy. I was also sent here to help with your interrogations.

The most critical thing to find out now, is if this reporter has taken any photos of 'things in the mountains'.

Ah, yes, our little friend here...

I can untie your restraints, but first, you need to promise me...

You'll answer all my questions. That sound alright to you?