But... Even though I've been practicing for this day, I'm still not that confident...
Nervous Musician
Then there's that prophecy too, saying something about an ensemble... What if it's me...?
Expectant Audience Member
C'mon, you've got this! What's there to be scared of? All those who were afflicted last night have already been treated, so I'm sure we'll be fine today!
Nitpicking Critic
This is actually the first time I've had to sit with so many Infected. Hopefully this concert is worth my while.
Nitpicking Critic
Is Herr Czerny here yet?
Pretentious Noble
According to the organizer, he was also affected by last night's Originium slug incident, but he did not cancel his scheduled appearance today.
Nitpicking Critic
Oh? That's good.
Mannered Infected
Damen und Herren, please take your seats. Herr Czerny will be here shortly.
Nitpicking Critic
You speak the truth, yes? You'd better not wait until after we're inside the hall to close the doors and announce that he can't make it––
Mannered Infected
I assure you that would never happen. Herr Czerny is only experiencing a mild seasonal malaise, and will arrive at Afterglow Hall soon.
That sly bastard... I knew the files couldn't have just up and disappeared.
Biegler
I can deal with him later. The files aren't that big of a deal anyway, not when compared to the actual research on the Voice of Mundane.
Biegler
––Is he going to the concert hall?
Biegler
Forget it... He can knock himself out.
Gertrude
By the looks of things, espionage is difficult work.
Biegler
Hmph. You should probably be worrying about yourself rather than about me, Gräfin Strollo.
Biegler
Harboring the Witch King's remains in your own demesne and propping up research on the Voice of Mundane are serious crimes.
Gertrude
By the way, my good spy, how did my father and brother die, according to your records?
Biegler
Let's stay on topic.
Gertrude
They are closely related to this topic.
Biegler
......
Biegler
Fifteen years ago, your father provided cover for research on the Voice of Mundane. After we found out, he was about to spill the beans on the men behind him, but was silenced.
Biegler
Had you known, it would be reasonable to assume you'd act on the knowledge.
Gertrude
You think I'm trying to cover this up?
Biegler
......
Gertrude
My views towards my father have also changed over time.
Gertrude
As a child, I felt like my father was the most terrifying person in the world. His will was absolute, and nobody could change his mind.
Gertrude
I liked running and jumping about, so my father would lock me up in my room. I liked to talk during mealtime, so my father would take away my dinner and make me talk to the wall for an hour.
Gertrude
Later, as I got older, my awe towards my father continued to grow unabated. I personally saw the way the lesser nobles kissed his feet, and the disdain with which he regarded them.
Gertrude
Even the Witch King's envoys had no choice but to speak softly when they approached the Strollo Spire, a far cry from their overbearing airs while on the ground.
Gertrude
That was the Lord of House Strollo, our Lehnsherr. A Kurfürst, and once the most revered of all houses.
I often found it ridiculous that my father was stupid enough to embrace the Witch King's rule.
Gertrude
He was so staggeringly stupid that he didn't even bother concealing his opinions.
Gertrude
Under his leadership, the Strollo family quickly lost the support of the Kurfürsten.
Gertrude
Our house also lost control over two nomadic cities and was forced to retreat to Vyseheim, near the homeland of the Witch King, Urtica.
Gertrude
Did Graf Strollo, who lorded over Vyseheim, foolishly believe that he didn't belong there?
Biegler
So your father, discontent with the status quo, began to commune with the remnants of the Witch King.
Gertrude
Hah, that's what I thought at the time, but you aren't as naive as I was back then, my dear spy.
Gertrude
Your agents should know far better than I. Old Strollo was messing around with the Witch King's remains since the very beginning, wasn't he?
Gertrude
Oh, right. You still haven't answered my question. By your accounts, how did my brother die?
Biegler
Food poisoning. That is the official report, and our conclusion.
Gertrude
Food poisoning? Hah.
Gertrude
Alright then. Tell me this. Just how much do you know about my father?
Gertrude
In exchange, I can tell you how my brother really died.
Biegler
We don't actually use the term 'Witch King's remains', because it's too vague.
Biegler
Some of the bastards who invoke the Witch King do so because they worship his power, while others covet the political capital he gained during his reign.
Biegler
Your father was undoubtedly the latter.
Biegler
And behind this second group is an extensive, sprawling net. Your father was just one small branch of it.
Biegler
Also I hope you don't forget, Gräfin Strollo, that this is an interrogation, not a negotiation.
Biegler
The only reason I'm answering any of your questions is because we were unable to determine your brother's cause of death.
My good spy, come here and behold the great hero of the Afterglow, our illustrious composer, Herr Czerny.
Gertrude
I don't know how long you've been hiding in Vyseheim, but even you must be quite familiar with him.
Biegler
It's really something, a city like this, run by a house like yours, could produce such an outstanding musician.
Gertrude
You seem to have a high regard for Herr Czerny. It makes sense. Who could dislike a pure-spirited musician?
Gertrude
Even I've always liked him.
Gertrude
Oh, but don't get the wrong idea, it's not that kind of like. And even if it was, it'd never work out between us.
Gertrude
Surely you've heard about the story about him and his old friend.
Biegler
I'm quite thankful that a woman named Gertrude is nowhere to be found in that story.
Gertrude
Hah, give me a break.
Gertrude
You should already know. The one who brought his music and his story to the world was me.
Gertrude
Without me, he would've died in a ditch somewhere long ago.
Biegler
So you used the 'Infected maestro born in an Infected ghetto' trope as a gimmick and had him dance like a jester for the nobles who deigned to descend here?!
Gertrude
It seems this city is nearer and dearer to your heart than I imagined, my good spy.
Gertrude
To be honest, my original plan was hardly this compassionate. For the sake of reviving the House of Strollo, what is the dignity of a single musician?
Gertrude
However––
Gertrude
As a Leithanian noble, music was a compulsory part of my upbringing.
Gertrude
I must admit that even I have been awestruck by his music.
Gertrude
Listen, the performance has already begun.
Gertrude
The difference between these performances and his is like heaven and earth.
Biegler
......
Biegler
You've been avoiding the question for some time now.
Biegler
What are you trying to accomplish?
Gertrude
Oh my, would you look at that. I just can't shut my mouth when it comes to Czerny.
Gertrude
Everyone around me thinks I hate him, and everyone around him knows that he hates me. This unfortunate misunderstanding has robbed me of a conversation partner.
Gertrude
But let's not talk about me anymore... Back to my brother.
Gertrude
Ugh, that topic really isn't as interesting as Czerny though.
Gertrude
But it's only natural for his death to remain a mystery to you.
I think we've pretty much been in sync with each other.
Kreide
Even though he composed this piece for the two of us, it clearly has his style all over it. I don't think it's inferior to 'Morgen und Abend' in any way.
Kreide
And he only spent a single night on this... What an incredible man.
Ebenholz
Composing is the release of a long build-up. I think he simply found the right opportunity for it.
Kreide
......
Ebenholz
What are you staring at?
Kreide
I had no idea you knew how to give a compliment.
Ebenholz
It's not as if I've ever downplayed his musical accomplishments.
Kreide
Haha.
Ebenholz
My only hope is that he will make it to the concert.
Kreide
He'll be here.
Kreide
Composing a piece of music is only the first step. Only through turning the score into actual music can the piece truly be completed.
Kreide
News has already gotten out that he'll be changing the finale. He's not going to give up now.
Ebenholz
I hope so.
Kreide
Oh right, Ebenholz. Do you think this suit looks good on me? I've never worn anything this expensive before, so I don't know if I might've messed something up.
Ebenholz
It... looks very good.
Kreide
Thank goodness.
Kreide
Oh, there's one other thing.
Ebenholz
Why are you so unusually chatty today?
Kreide
Is that to say I have a normal level of chatty under normal circumstances?
Ebenholz
Yes... something like that.
Kreide
Just deal with it then. Who knows, this might be the last time we ever play together.
Ebenholz
Why would you think that?
Kreide
Why wouldn't I?
Kreide
After this is over, you'll return to being Graf Urtica, and I... will continue to wander.
Kreide
Even though our meeting was somewhat engineered by the Gräfin, it was still just a coincidence at first, wasn't it?
Ebenholz
But––
Kreide
But we're friends now. I know that's what you were going to say.
Ebenholz
Right.
Kreide
Sometimes, even friends have to go their separate ways.
Kreide
Maybe this time, we won't see each other for a long, long time.
Kreide
But do you remember what I said? We can always give gifts to remember each other by.
Ebenholz
I'll give you one of my dice then.
Kreide
Aren't those your weapons? Do they still work if you're missing one?
Ebenholz
To be honest, I'm not entirely sure.
Kreide
Let's not worry about it then. I think a coin with a hole drilled through it works best, just like I said before.
Ebenholz
What about you then? What are you going to give me?
Kreide
I'm still thinking.
Ebenholz
Take your time. As long as things go well today, that's something we'll have plenty of.
Your once exalted father falls from grace, funding some shady research in secret. He tries to blow hot and cold, his plans are exposed, and he ultimately meets an untimely end.
Gertrude
Afterwards, your brother is groomed by 'them', terrified into obedience.
Gertrude
But he is too incompetent, he can't do a single thing right. He slips up once and almost exposes the ones pulling his strings.
Gertrude
Instead of watching him suffer in torment at the hands of those who always despised him, isn't it better to use him as a stepping stone so you can succeed him?
Biegler
Who are 'they'? Who are the ones pulling his strings?
Gertrude
Oh, I would like to know that more than anyone, far more than you would.
Gertrude
If you had that information, I would sit down and strike a deal with you here and now.
Gertrude
I might even go down into the streets myself to yell about how I have information on the Witch King's remains.
Gertrude
Tainted witness. If I recall, this saying has grown quite popular in Columbia?
Biegler
I've met no shortage of idiots who thought they could play ball with us, Gräfin Strollo.
Ebenholz, don't forget whose decision this whole thing was.
Ebenholz
......
Ebenholz
If that's what you want, then I will give my all.
Ebenholz
The two of us have already mastered the piece you wrote. If you, the composer, can't perform on par due to health problems, then that's entirely on you.
Czerny
Well spoken. The melody is already etched into my head. All you two have to do is follow me.
Ebenholz
You talk a big game.
Kreide
Alright. Now that Mr. Czerny is here, let's hurry up and get ready to go onstage!
Kreide
Whether for our own sake or for our audience, we've all got to put our best foot forward.
Ebenholz
Kreide, is it just me, or do you seem... unusually excited today?
Kreide
Do I?
Kreide
That might be because...
Kreide
For the first time, I'm experiencing what it means to be alive.
Ebenholz
I don't get you at all.
Mannered Infected
Herr Czerny, you're up.
Ebenholz
Oh right, there's one other thing, Herr Czerny.
Ebenholz
What is this piece called? You still haven't given it a name.
After just a few short measures, the entire audience, from the auditorium to the balcony, sits up straight in their seats, those who previously wore expressions of expectation and suspicion alike.
No whispers, no coughs, not even the sound of clothes rubbing together.
Not a single soul wishes to disturb this fleeting, unadulterated beauty.
Small beads of sweat begin to emerge on Czerny's forehead.
But this does not indicate any problems with the trio, outside of their music. It's just that the power he is required to guide and control is too precise.
Czerny, I just knew you wouldn't disappoint me. You will find a way to help them.
Gertrude
Listen, this new piece... How could the audience possibly comprehend that this opening came straight from the Witch King?
Gertrude
Of course they cannot comprehend, because this piece already belongs to you.
Gertrude
......?
Gertrude
Ah, this melody... It all makes sense now.
Gertrude
You intend to rip the Voice of Mundane out of both of them. Bold.
Gertrude
However, what will you do after that? Are you going to become the new vessel?
In Biegler's eyes, Gertrude has gone completely insane.
She mumbles to herself in the direction of the concert hall, as if conversing with a dear friend.
Gertrude
My dear spy, would you like to hear my performance?
Gertrude seems to be addressing Biegler, but is also muttering to herself at the same time. As she speaks, she walks toward the harp sitting in the corner of the room.
Biegler
My patience is running out, Gräfin Strollo.
Gertrude
I bought this house for a reason.
Gertrude
It sits outside the Afterglow, but you can still hear the music coming from the concert hall clearly. A wonderful location, isn't it?
Gertrude
I love listening to the music that passes through here.
Gertrude
This way, he doesn't have to see me, and I don't have to see him.
She begins to play as she speaks.
Biegler
Gräfin Strollo, the Arts Units in this building have already been disassembled.
Biegler
And even if they weren't, don't think your Arts will work on me. Men easily swayed by music don't make good spies.
Gertrude
I only want to play the harp, my good spy.
Gertrude
Czerny hates me. He hates me for not treating music with purity. He hates me for using it as a tool.
Gertrude
I once sought to defend myself and explain it away, but I later came to realize, I might actually be exactly the woman he says I am.
Gertrude
Even if he carved my heart out, I would never able to treat music with purity.
Gertrude
Tell me, how could one who has committed fratricide; a woman who, for over ten years, has been hell-bent on exacting revenge on those puppetmasters, possibly achieve anything close to purity?
As much as Biegler doesn't want to admit it, Gertrude's performance is excellent, not at all paling in comparison to the echoes drifting in from beyond the window.
Without a doubt, this is the level that all outstanding Leithanian nobles should aspire to.
But, the words that come out of Gertrude's mouth make him shudder.
Biegler
Wait, revenge?!
Gertrude
You're a clever man. You should've guessed that my tragic failure last night was not the result of impetuousness.
Gertrude
But you don't know what I'm hiding. You believe I've exhausted my plans, which is the only reason you're here chatting with me.
Gertrude
The truth is, I do want to buy time, but some words have been festering in my head for far too long, which is why I can't help but ramble on.
Gertrude
I do hope you pardon my rudeness.
Gertrude
Furthermore, I must apologize that you'll be dying here with me.
It truly is an eye-opening piece of music – or, so it was at the beginning.
Just as the title implies, the music weaves a shattered illusion from the very beginning, making one's heart sink to the bottom of a valley as if dark clouds are blotting out the sun.
However, the tune changes almost immediately, the sonorous cello uplifting the flute's clarity with the piano behind them both to break through the layers of gloom, singing a paean to the joy of glimpsing the light of day.
O, Light!
This is the singular thought in everyone's head.
They immediately understand the 'Licht' in 'Licht und Schatten.'
They begin to look forward to the 'Schatten.'
However, a feeling of unease begins to set in to some members of the audience.
Because they see the expressions of suffering creeping across the faces of the three performers.
As if something is gnawing away at them from within.
An exemplary musician, devoting his life to fighting the power left behind by the Witch King.
???
Just as he is about to pull this doomed battle back to a stalemate, he loses not to the Witch King, or to himself, but to the obsessions of an old acquaintance.
Pretentious Noble
Hey, what are you going on about?
???
Do you hear the harp's voice?
Pretentious Noble
Huh? A harp? Why would there be a harp? Isn't this supposed to be a trio?
???
Philistine.
???
Listen to the sound coming from that small building in the distance.
???
The shrill laughter erupting from the depths of despair is equally beautiful.
???
As for you, my former student...
???
While I was teaching you to speak using the violin, I heard the motif of your fate... What a cruel melody it was.
???
But I never expected that you could develop it into such a brilliant opus.
???
I salute all of you, people I may or may not know.
???
I shall listen. For that is the only way I know to pay my respects.
I was the one who restarted the Voice of Mundane program, my good spy.
Biegler
You alone?
Gertrude
First, the Voice of Mundane is exceedingly rare. And after that ordeal, you ultimately took control of two of them.
Gertrude
Second, past research has proven that an individual who isn't blood-related to the Witch King cannot possibly withstand this type of experimentation.
Gertrude
In other words, even after you people tore apart that plan, it was not completely abandoned, merely shelved.
Gertrude
In the end, the Voice of Mundane program originates from the worship of the Witch King, but how many are there who, from the depths of their hearts, can truly worship fear itself?
Gertrude
They only wanted a weapon to overthrow the Twin Empresses, just as the Twin Empresses overthrew the Witch King.
Gertrude
As for me, after I realized that my brother's incompetence would bring ruin to our entire house, I had no choice but to act.
Gertrude
Nevertheless, I still never found a way to show my value to those shadowy worshipers.
Gertrude
Music, Arts, money, authority, even my body... Nothing worked.
Gertrude
Finally, I found these dust-covered plans in a pile of my father's old writings.
Gertrude
The reboot of the program brought a fresh breath of opportunity for me. They began to think that I might amount to something.
Gertrude
But what they didn't know is I've already had enough.
Gertrude
I don't want to be at their beck and call anymore.
Gertrude
So, I set this plan into motion. Not for the sake of overthrowing anyone, unfortunately.
Gertrude
I just want them to get a taste of what it's like to suffer.
Gertrude
I sucked up to them and invited them to come appreciate the fruits of my research.
Gertrude
If you go take a walk around the concert hall now, you might find proof of some things you've long suspected.
Biegler
Everything from the human experimentation facility in the sewers to the dossier on the Voice of Mundane program... Did you deliberately allow me and Ebenholz to find them?
Gertrude
Those were only meant for the eyes of you spies. I never expected Graf Urtica to go looking for you people.
Biegler
And you tipped your hand to keep them from discovering what you had really done to the concert hall.
Gertrude
Of course. The amplifiers are nothing more than a small distraction.
Gertrude
With those amplifiers, all of the Afterglow would have been made to suffer.
Gertrude
With the amplifiers dismantled, the Afterglow is indeed spared, but the same cannot be said for those inside the concert hall.
Gertrude
The remodeling of the concert hall began after my research into the Voice of Mundane had progressed to its next phase.
Gertrude
Czerny is trying to use his own composition to draw the Voice of Mundane out of the boys––
Gertrude
But what I'm trying to do is much simpler. The moment they try to pull out the Voice, they will realize that nothing is in their control.
Gertrude
I have tampered with the melody and Resonanz of the Voice of Mundane. Anyone who tries to become the new vessel, regardless of who it might be, will have to endure turmoil and chaos a hundred times greater.
Gertrude
The Voice, unable to find a suitable vessel, will collapse into an all-consuming void within the concert hall built by the Witch King himself, swallowing everyone within.
Gertrude
Of course, I am a part of this performance, and I equally have no hope of escape.
Gertrude
As for you, my unfortunate spy, if you don't take this chance to escape, then you can only bemoan your ill fortune.
Gertrude
My, what a fierce look you have in your eyes. I know what you want to do.
Gertrude
But my apologies. I can no longer extricate myself from this song.
Gertrude
Killing me would be no different from killing the three men on that stage. All it'll do is bring about those deaths a little faster.
The moment he begins to reel in the Voice of Mundane, he feels a single strand of abnormality. But in that solitary moment, it is already too late.
The concert hall begins to absorb and reflect their performance like a massive Arts Unit.
Resonanz. True resonance.
He immediately realizes that Gertrude's alterations were far greater than just some simple amplifiers.
The concert hall itself has become a weapon.
Czerny
Why did you do this, Gertrude...?
Kreide
Herr Czerny, if we continue on like this...
Czerny
Don't stop!
Czerny
The Voice of Mundane has already destabilized due to the interference of the concert hall.
Czerny
If we stop now, not only will both of you, but everyone in the venue will die along with you when Voice rampages out of control after losing its vessels!
Ebenholz
(But––)
They all know that this piece begins with Ebenholz's Voice of Mundane and ends with Kreide's.
Even if they don't stop, Kreide's Voice will be pulled from his body by the piece's conclusion, and the inevitable will still transpire.
How were you so sure that they'd use the concert hall today?
Gertrude
My good spy, you're mistaken about one thing.
Gertrude
I can't say for sure what is about to unfold.
Gertrude
What I can say for sure is – as long as they're still in that concert hall trying to save Kreide, then I've won.
Gertrude
Kreide's disease is my final bargaining chip. If they can somehow resolve that, then I've lost.
Gertrude
This is the situation.
Biegler
What... the hell is this? This plan... can hardly even be called a plan!
Gertrude
That's because my plan was a failure from the very beginning!
Gertrude
You think I'm sitting here chatting with you because I have an elaborate backup plan? How's would that make any sense?
Gertrude
If not for Czerny's unwillingness to cooperate with me, if not for the fact that even the insignificant little Graf Urtica insists on rebelling against his trifling, worthless fate, why would I even bet on this method?
Gertrude
Czerny will never realize how fortunate he is. That he was born with enough talent to be recognized, that I was willing to provide him a stage.
Gertrude
All he had to do was be a little nicer to me, and I would've elevated his music to the loftiest heights, perhaps even before Their Majesties.
Gertrude
But he refused to do even that!
Gertrude
And that Graf Urtica. He deemed himself a vase sitting on display in his demesne, as if a bit of ridicule and insult is the greatest humiliation one can suffer in life.
Gertrude
But look at me. I've endured the manipulation of the puppetmasters of this city for fifteen years. Fifteen long years!
Gertrude
If I can't produce results, I will be silenced. By what right are they allowed to live while I am not?
Gertrude
I don't care about the Witch King. I don't care about the Twin Empresses. I've only ever wanted to survive!
Gertrude
From the beginning, all I wanted was to live on...
After coming to Vyseheim, Ebenholz settled on a few more things he wanted to do.
He wanted to spend a bit more time walking around the Afterglow, taking in the sights of the vibrant district.
He wanted to perform on a few more instruments, for the first time experiencing the charm of music.
He wanted to apologize to Czerny, to tell him how much strength his music had brought him. He wanted Czerny to become his formal music teacher, should he be willing.
He wanted to spend more time with Kreide.
He didn't know what he wanted to do with that time. Maybe chat, maybe argue, maybe even fight? He didn't know what he wanted to do with the time, but he wanted a little more of it.
But had he never come to this city, had he never accepted Gertrude's invitation, none of this would have ever happened.
It is his shallowness that has caused things to deteriorate to this extent.
Ebenholz
......
He knows how to break free from this dead end, and he is determined to do it.
Frankly, had Czerny not devised a new plan, he might've even wanted to carry out Gertrude's plan.
But hypothetically, if the past him had wanted to do this, it would've only been to lessen the weight of sin within his heart.
Now, however, he will say that it is not for atonement.
He shoots a glance at Czerny and at Kreide.
One, an eminent maestro. The other, his dear, new friend.
He thinks to himself, they deserve to live much more than he does.
What he does not realize is that the moment he opened himself up completely to the music, he was no longer able to hide his emotions.
(Even if I can only buy you a little bit of time...)
Kreide
......
Should you ask Kreide whether he wants to break free of his old life...
His answer would surely be – 'Yes.'
His grandpa told him that his body was extremely special, something he gradually discovered himself.
The people around him would start to suffer, and those he treated with kindness would leave him in the end – so he started to distance himself from them.
But, he doesn't find it a terrible existence.
The first thing he learned during his long life of vagrancy was that cursing fate doesn't make life any better.
He can only find the meaning of his life from the few things he can do in the moment.
Kreide
......
And now, he realizes that it is his cue.
No life is worth more than any other, but he has made friends and received camaraderie. He feels fulfilled.
The sunlight shines warmly outside. It is a good day to die.
Upon witnessing the metamorphosis taking place on stage, the people in the auditorium begin to flee.
Panicked screams follow one after another, and Hibiscus and Czerny's shouts can be heard among them. However, to Ebenholz's ears, everything is blurring into white noise. His eyes fixate only on the plaza outside the concert hall.
Ebenholz
You were planning to do this the entire time, weren't you?
Kreide
Perish the thought...
Kreide
I just... did it on a hunch.
Ebenholz
A hunch?! When I said you were being unusually easygoing today, it was all because of a hunch?!
Kreide
No, no... I truly am glad that I got to perform with you and Herr Czerny.
Kreide
This is the happiest I've been my entire life.
Ebenholz
Then why'd you go and pull a stunt like this?!
Ebenholz
There are still so many happy things waiting for you––
Kreide
But if I didn't, then either you or Herr Czerny would've done it, right?
Ebenholz
So that means it somehow falls upon you?!
Ebenholz
You've never had a single good day your entire life, whereas I'm the one who's had enough of living since a long time ago. It should've been me!
Kreide
Sorry, Ebenholz.
Ebenholz
Why are you apologizing... What do you have to be sorry for?!
Kreide
The way I look now... must be truly hideous, right?
Kreide
I've torn up the clothes you had made for me, haven't I? Those nice, expensive clothes...
Ebenholz
Don't worry about that! I'll buy as many suits as you want!
Kreide
I'm sorry––
Ebenholz
You...
Ebenholz
You liar...
Ebenholz
I'm furious with you now, Kreide.
Ebenholz
I'm really, really mad!
Kreide is too weak to lift his head, but he can hear Ebenholz's sobbing.
I only... managed to forcibly suppress that sensation.
Ebenholz
What do I need to do now? Hurry and tell me––
Kreide
I want to... ask you a few questions.
Ebenholz
Go ahead! Ask me anything you want!
Kreide
Ebenholz, do you think... that your fate is tragic?
Ebenholz
Is my fate... tragic?
Ebenholz
I used to think so.
Ebenholz
But after I met you, I realized that the past me was just crying bloody murder over nothing.
Kreide
That's not your fault.
Kreide
They shackled you, stole your freedom, blindfolded your eyes, and plugged your ears... That's not your fault.
Kreide
Then, do you think my fate is tragic?
Ebenholz
The first time I heard your life story, it really did come as a huge shock to me.
Ebenholz
But I've gradually learned that your life isn't tragic. In fact, it seems very... fulfilling.
Kreide
Haha, that's great to hear.
Kreide
*cough*, ourgh...
Ebenholz
Kreide, you...
Kreide
I can't hold it back any longer. But, let me finish, Ebenholz.
Kreide
The Voice of Mundane's completed melody swirls around in my head, and the Witch King's residual power howls from within me. Cruel thoughts are tearing at my chest, forcing me to bow down to fate.
Kreide
They're forcing me to say that our stories were painful, our reunion was misfortune, and that our fates are tragic.
Kreide
But!
Kreide
But, Ebenholz!
Kreide
I will rebuke them!
Kreide
Do you understand, Ebenholz?
Kreide
I won't deny that the Voice of Mundane has caused us untold suffering.
Kreide
I won't deny that your life as a Graf, filled with humiliation and scorn, was a misfortune.
Kreide
I won't deny that my experiences living an unstable life of wandering have been tragic.
Kreide
But I will deny... I will always deny... the suggestion that my life is defined by those words.
Kreide
My grandpa carried a burden like me around for over ten years. During those years, I lived in abject poverty, denied a relationship with anyone but Grandpa.
Kreide
But as long as I give kindness to others, I can feel their kindness in return.
Kreide
I even met a teacher who was willing to teach me how to play the cello.
Kreide
Most importantly – after more than ten years, I met you again.
Kreide
Ebenholz, don't ever forget. We are both subjects of that cruel, inhumane experiment. And we survived.
Kreide
When we feel like cursing our own fates, we cannot afford to forget that!
Kreide
We met each other again, became friends again, and delivered a perfect performance on stage together!
Kreide
Are we not lucky?
Kreide
We've already been blessed... Actually, is there anyone out there luckier than us? No, and there never will be!
Ebenholz
I understand. I get it.
Kreide
No, you still don't get it!
Kreide's voice is already laced with a deep rumbling. The growl of a monster.
But to Ebenholz, even those words are gentle, like words of advice from an older brother to his younger sibling before a long trip.
Kreide
If you really get it, then please don't weep for me. Ebenholz, my dearest brother.
Kreide
We were supposed to die together here, to bury everyone in the entire concert hall along with us.
Kreide
But we fought it!
Kreide
To others, this resistance might seem insignificant. But it was a chance for us to give everything for each other.
Kreide
This was a sacrifice that both of us were willing to make. It just happened to be me who did it in the end, that's all!
Kreide
What a wonderful opportunity. To give everything for each other, asking nothing in return!
Kreide
We walk the path of rebellion against fate, just like Herr Czerny did when he poured his life into composing this piece for us––
Kreide
So, stand up and hold your head high, Ebenholz.
Kreide
There's still one last thing for you to do, and that is––
Kreide
To use everything you have to defeat me. To keep me from destroying everything here. Do you understand?
Ebenholz
...I do.
Kreide
I really... like that look in your eyes.
Kreide unsteadily shambles to the center of the plaza.
With each step he takes, Originium crystals erupt from his body, his flesh and blood beginning to churn.
A strange melody lingers over the plaza.
The crystals rapidly envelop Kreide's body, transforming into armor, transforming into instruments.
In a heartbeat, the being once known as Kreide is swallowed up, and in his place stands a monstrosity.
Anyone who sees this monster has three words flash into his mind––
