Event synopsis: Lingering Echoes
| Event | Rerun | Synopsis | Medals | BGM | OST | Gallery |
| “ | Leithanien, land of spires, home to wisdom and music. The shadows of days past are gone, and the light of dawn fills the streets. Afterglow Hall, Vyseheim. Strings stretched to the breaking point are about to play their last notes. Keys of black and white are trapped by the stave lines of destiny. A forgotten melody begins to grow in obsession. The sounds of joy drift in the glow, as no one notices that the sun has begun to set. | ” |
Das Abschiedskonzert[edit]
Following rumors surrounding the abnormal "recovery" of local Infected, Hibiscus travels to the Leithanien city of Vyseheim to investigate the 'Serendipitous Infected Prognosis Phenomenon'. After being welcomed by the locals and operator Andante of the branch office, she learns that the Afterglow District is preparing for a musical concert to celebrate the farewell performance of its beloved musician and pianist, William Fichte Czerny. Elsewhere, a white-haired Caprinae named Kreide reassures his grandpa about applying to the concert and promises to return quickly.
Meanwhile, the young Graf Urtica, invited by the city's Lehnsfrau, Gertrude Strollo (Czerny’s sponsor), also intends to participate in this concert. He soon encounters Kreide, who is distressed by the long queue, and uses his status to allow them both to proceed. During Kreide’s audition, he is disheartened to learn that the concert offers no material reward but plays the cello nonetheless. Midway through his performance, the young noble joins in with his flute. Their performance astonishes those present. The noble introduces himself with the name "Ebenholz," and Kreide agrees to perform an ensemble with Ebenholz after he promises payment. Despite their differing social statuses, Ebenholz being a noble and Kreide a peasant, both are eager to perform at the concert with Czerny and are scheduled to play ‘Morgen und Abend’, one of the musician’s signature works. Hibiscus and Andante, who have been observing these events, offer to help by examining Kreide’s grandpa. He declines further treatment at other hospitals and warns Kreide about Ebenholz’s generosity. However, he relents after Kreide agrees with Hibiscus's insistence that the elderly man be treated at the branch office.
Kreide is reprimanded when he arrives late to meet Ebenholz for the selections because he was searching for his grandpa. The noble is cynical about Rhodes Island and Hibiscus, but Kreide expresses his belief in them and thanks Ebenholz for his concern. Before they can discuss the score, they are called in. Czerny disapproves of their performance, eliminating Ebenholz. The noble is offended, but Kreide insists that they must perform together, leading Czerny to dismiss them both. Outside, Kreide calms an irritated Ebenholz, suggesting that apologizing to Czerny would be best. They part ways, and Ebenholz is afflicted by headaches and an ominous voice.
Later, Gertrude apologizes to Ebenholz for Czerny’s temper and informs him that they have been designated as backups for ‘Morgen und Abend’. Gertrude reveals her ulterior motives for inviting Ebenholz, which do not surprise him. She explains her plan to rid Ebenholz of the Voice of Mundane, the same affliction that torments him. The plan is straightforward: he and Kreide, who also possesses a Voice of Mundane, will perform at Czerny’s concert, triggering a ‘Resonanz’ with the Afterglow Hall’s unique history as a building constructed under the Witch King’s supervision. This will transfer Ebenholz's Voice of Mundane to Kreide. Gertrude will manage Kreide and the remaining details; Graf Urtica will disappear, be declared dead, and then return from the grave when she requires him. After Ebenholz departs, Gertrude converses with an unseen voice, who instructs her to monitor Kreide and Rhodes Island. Czerny informs them that the main performers have been replaced by them and gives them one day to rehearse before performing for him, providing Kreide with a cello. Hibiscus arrives, expressing her concern about Czerny’s condition, as he is also one of the district's "recoverees." Czerny is evasive, but Hibiscus gains insight into his medical condition from Ursula, his distant relative and long-time caretaker. Ebenholz requests to practice and stay over at Kreide’s home but is appalled by its poor condition and Kreide’s living circumstances. The two practice anyway. Gertrude modifies a prophecy of the Witch King, intending to incite unrest and drive out Hibiscus. Hibiscus continues her investigation and encounters an odd Sankta. A drunken local harasses her, and a suspicious man incites a crowd to mob her. Kreide intervenes to protect her, but his cello is damaged by someone’s Arts. The sound of Ebenholz’s flute and his Arts disperses the crowd. After she leaves, they speculate on the prophecy, and Ebenholz suspects Gertrude's involvement. The two explain the damage to Kreide’s cello to Czerny.
Despite their melodies still not synchronizing well, Kreide convinces Czerny to accept Ebenholz. At Czerny’s suggestion of acquiring a new cello, Ebenholz offers to cover the costs. Meanwhile, a suspicious person spreads word of the Witch King’s prophecy in the Afterglow district.
Ebenholz takes Kreide to the best music store in Vyseheim. Although Kreide is initially refused entry due to his commoner status and inappropriate attire, Ebenholz fiercely argues on his behalf. He also orders a suit for Kreide for their performance. Kreide is overjoyed and grateful, and his humming sounds familiar to Ebenholz. Kreide mentions his old cello, a gift from his teacher, and expresses his desire to bring its bow as a keepsake. He also muses about keeping a coin from Ebenholz as a memento. Though initially reluctant, Ebenholz is persuaded join him in visiting Czerny’s house to try out the newly bought cello. Ebenholz’s actions alter Czerny’s attitude towards him. Hibiscus’s investigation encounters difficulties when she is harassed by a local, but a coffee shop owner named Biegler intervenes to defend her. Gertrude continues her scheme and the suspicious instigator, Lachmann, was following her plan.
Ebenholz continues practicing under Czerny’s guidance. Although he and Czerny clash at times, they develop an understanding. Along with Kreide, they go to search for Ursula, whom they find cooking with Hibiscus at the branch office. They all share dinner, though Hibiscus’s healthy cooking seems to leave a strong impression on everyone else. While inspecting the Afterglow Hall, Czerny encounters Gertrude, and their complicated history becomes evident.
Songs of the Past[edit]
Prophecies and Curses[edit]
Early in the morning, Hibiscus urgently seeks out Kreide and Ebenholz. She discloses that the anomalous recovery is actually a ‘false positive’ and that the "recoverees" are deteriorating. Kreide and Ebenholz are identified as the primary factors behind this phenomenon. Ebenholz is unwilling to divulge information about the Voice of Mundane, and Hibiscus informs him privately that Kreide’s influence has been causing the deterioration, significantly worsening since their meeting. Ebenholz requests time to address the situation. He confronts Gertrude, who reveals that Kreide’s Voice of Mundane is damaged. Unlike Ebenholz’s, it is constantly active, affecting the Infected around him with Arts and causing the false recovery. ‘Resonanz’ further amplifies this effect. Upon learning this, Ebenholz withdraws from Gertrude’s plan and quickly departs. As he is about to jump off the nomadic city to run away, Gertrude appears. She discloses her original plan: Kreide would have been killed, and his body used to fake Graf Urtica’s death. She argues that Kreide would have died soon anyway due to his strengthened Voice of Mundane and tries to persuade Ebenholz to continue with the plan.
It is revealed that Graf Urtica is the last surviving descendant of the Witch King, the most infamous caster in Terra's history. As a young boy, he was forcibly implanted with a powerful musical Arts, the accursed "Voice of Terra," believed to contain the Witch King's consciousness following his death, in an attempt to "resurrect" him by his Remnants. Following their purge by the Empresses' Voices, the young boy was granted the position of Urtica’s ruler, as normally inherited in his family. Those around him restricted his freedom and continually instilled in him allegiance to the Twin Empresses. His subjects plotted to manipulate him into becoming a puppet ruler, even ordered to forbid him from having heirs, and sought to engineer his downfall. Ebenholz, who had fainted after his discussion with Gertrude, returns to Kreide’s home. He suffers from headaches and the influence of the Voice of Mundane, but these are subdued by Kreide’s cello playing.
Ebenholz finally remembers why Kreide’s humming sounds so familiar. As a young child, he and other descendants of the Witch King were gathered by the Echoes of Herkunftshorn, who sought to use the Witch King’s melodies and his bloodline to revive his powers. The song Kreide hums was one a girl liked to sing, and Kreide had learned and enjoyed humming it. Gradually, the other descendants were lost to experiments, until only Ebenholz and Kreide remained. Kreide volunteered, and although he survived, he was taken away, and Ebenholz never saw him again. Ebenholz was successfully implanted with the Voice of Mundane and subjected to all kinds of lessons. Eventually, the Empresses' Voices discovered and intervened, and he was struck in the head, resulting in his memory loss.
Das Letzte Sinfonie[edit]
Hibiscus attempts to persuade Czerny to cancel the duet performance, but Czerny is resistant. He argues that he cannot alter the concert based solely on Hibiscus’s concerns, as she lacks proof that the duet will harm the audience. Meanwhile, Ebenholz’s recovered memories strengthen his resolve to find a way for both he and Kreide to survive. Overhearing a suspicious conversation, he follows Lachmann into the sewers. Biegler, who had also been following them, appears and reveals himself to be a spy for the Twin Empresses. Lachmann escapes. Despite his distrust of Ebenholz, Biegler agrees to investigate the sewers with him. Unsuccessful in convincing Czerny, Hibiscus speaks with Ursula, who tells her of the history of the Afterglow district, Czerny’s career as a musician, and the origins of ‘Morgen und Abend’, a piece inspired by his feelings regarding the death of a close friend and rival, the daughter of his piano teacher. With Gertrude’s support, Czerny’s popularity became undeniable and helped the Afterglow locals cultivate their musical talents. However, Gertrude and Czerny later clashed over their ideals and became estranged. Kreide’s grandpa goes missing, and Biegler and Ebenholz encounter a swarm of noxious Originium Slugs in the sewers, heading to the surface as part of Lachmann’s plan to make the prophecy come true. The two discover a laboratory hidden in the sewers and retrieve documents concerning the Voice of Mundane. Above ground, Kreide lures the Slugs away from the Infected residents with his cello, although many have already fallen ill.
Ebenholz finds Kreide, who confesses that he would rather die than continue harming others. Ebenholz tells him about the Voice of Mundane and their shared past. The two attempt to synchronize their respective Voices of Mundane and repel the swarm of Originium Slugs. They share their bitter past experiences: Ebenholz’s as a figurehead noble, and Kreide’s as an Infected. Kreide collapses.
At the branch office, Kreide's condition is stabilized, and Hibiscus agrees to help them. Kreide’s grandpa arrives and directs them to investigate the Afterglow Hall’s lounge. Czerny returns after great difficulty in obtaining treatment for the victims of the poisoning, having sold his copyrights to secure immediate care for the victims. Ebenholz, Hibiscus, and Czerny head to the hall’s lounge. They are horrified to discover that the entire Afterglow Hall has been converted into an Arts amplification device. The 'Resonanz' and the Voice of Mundane will affect all of Vyseheim, killing the Infected and turning the rest into Infected. Gertrude appears and mocks Ebenholz. They duel outside the hall, and Ebenholz easily defeats her in an intense Arts battle. Although she tries to leverage her position as Lehnsfrau, Ebenholz turns her over to Biegler for the Empresses' judgment. Their discovery of her plan is insufficient to convict her, but Gertrude is arrested for researching the Voice of Mundane, a forbidden act as decreed by the Twin Empresses. The matter of Kreide’s condition remains unresolved. Kreide’s grandpa provides them with Biegler’s documents regarding the Voice of Mundane, revealing that he is also a spy of the Twin Empresses assigned to protect Kreide, determined to saving him. Czerny studies the documents, while Kreide’s grandpa recounts the origins of his infection to Hibiscus, explaining that he was intended to be one of the many human sacrifices under the Witch King’s reign. Saved by the Twin Empresses’ overthrow of the Witch King, he swore to dedicate his life to their cause. Having developed genuine affection for Kreide, he had planned to introduce him to Biegler and set him up as an agent.
In an attempt to create a vessel for their "Voices," Czerny decides to compose a new piece that could contain their "Voices" and sacrifice himself to activate it during the concert. He tells the others that ‘Morgen und Abend’ was written in indignation against fate rather than grief. Facing the looming shadow of the Witch King, Czerny reflects on his life and uses all his strength to complete the score. He succeeds but collapses soon after.
Auf Wiedersehen[edit]
While under Biegler's supervision, Gertrude speaks of her father and brother: the former sought to regain his political power during the Witch King’s reign, and the latter died of food poisoning. She confesses that she killed her brother for his incompetence. Hibiscus helps Czerny to the Afterglow Hall while Ebenholz and Kreide prepare for the performance. There, Czerny reveals the name of the piece, ‘Licht und Schatten’, and the trio begins their performance on stage. Gertrude joins in with her harp, discussing her relationship with Czerny, his disdain for her treatment of music without purity, and reveals her motives. In truth, Gertrude had revived the Voice of Mundane project for revenge. Even without the amplifiers, the concert hall was modified to interfere with the performance, dooming everyone inside. The performance begins to deteriorate and among the crowd are the Echoes of Herkunftshorn and Kreide’s former teacher. Having understood the situation, the Sankta salutes them all to pay her respects.
During the performance, Ebenholz's and Kreide's "Voices" are extracted but begin to destabilize due to the concert hall and Gertrude’s interference. Gertrude rants about Ebenholz and Czerny and how she had only ever wanted to survive, cursing them to suffer. Ebenholz intends to sacrifice himself, but Czerny is defiant. While the attendees are being evacuated, the evacuation is disrupted by the Echoes of Herkunftshorn and Hibiscus resists them. Kreide reflects on his life and resolves to manage the situation, deciding to take their "Voices" into himself. The performance concludes, but Kreide begins to transform and asks Ebenholz to take him outside and for the crowd to be evacuated.
As Kreide’s condition worsens, his body transforms into a monstrous being, and his mind is gradually corrupted by the Witch King's consciousness. Before succumbing, Kreide declares that despite their suffering, their lives were fortunate, having fought against their fate, and commands Ebenholz to end his life. Enraged, Gertrude attempts to continue her plans, but Biegler stabs her. With her dying breath, she curses Biegler, Ebenholz, the Afterglow, Leithanien, and the Witch King, which Biegler dismisses as pathetic.
The monster is defeated, but Kreide is dying. He leaves his last words to Ebenholz, who disregards his own condition, and takes Kreide’s body to the lounge to seal the room. Distraught, he realizes that his Voice of Mundane still lingers in his mind. Ebenholz leaves his flute with Kreide’s body. A servant reports the incident to one of the Empresses, Lieselotte. The Afterglow district recovers from the incident, bearing its marks, and Andante is to be transferred elsewhere. Kreide’s grandpa confronts Biegler regarding his role in luring Kreide to Vyseheim and they talk of the two young men. On the R.I. landship, Lava scolds Hibiscus for her recklessness, while Czerny intends to remain at the landship. Graf Urtica is declared dead by Leithanien officials, and Ebenholz is permitted to stay there under a new identity. He receives a letter, along with the passport for his new identity and the death certificates of Kreide and Graf Urtica. He burns all of them and plays the song Kreide was fond of with the cello on the ship’s deck.
