Operation story: WD-3

Operation

Story

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Characters
Heidi Kal'tsit Count Vincent Merry Noblewoman Pretentious Man Tipsy Businessman Courteous Nobleman Finely-Dressed Merchant
Backgrounds
1 2 3

Before operation

“

Thirteen years ago, in the County of Toron, Victoria, Count Vincent is in front of his manor welcoming his guests to a dinner party. The young Heidi wants to slip in unnoticed, but is caught red-handed by the Count.

”

13 Years Ago 8:09 P.M. \ Heavy snow Victoria Border Autonomous Region, County of Toron, Vincent Manor
<Background 1>
Count Vincent	What a splendid blizzard eve! Ladies and gentlemen, welcome, welcome, please come in. Allow the servants to brush the snow off your tops, and thaw yourselves by the brazier.
Finely-Dressed Merchant	A good evening to you, Count. Truly a magnificent soirée, this is.
Count Vincent	Welcome, welcome, Lady Diana. To meet you on the eve of the New Year is my honor entirely.
Finely-Dressed Merchant	Nonsense. Now take a look, Count. I've a present for you, all the way from Kazimierz.
Count Vincent	What a beautiful pendant! My greatest thanks, Lady Diana, and send my well-wishes to your husband. Now, hurry along inside, we can't have the snow burying your gorgeous looks.
Finely-Dressed Merchant	Hah! You speak as fine a line as ever.
Count Vincent	Oh-ho, look who's here! If it isn't our "Baron of Rye!"
Courteous Nobleman	I could never shoulder a title as hefty as Baron, but here I am anyway, the pure nerve!
Count Vincent	See what you're saying! We all respect you from the bottom of our hearts. Who spurns the man who feeds his people well, now? Ha ha ha!
Courteous Nobleman	Ah, you're quite right. Once harvest comes next year, I'd be honored if you visit my humble home. The tallest windmills in Toron, the scent of flour everywhere. A stay sure to enchant you, if I do say so myself.
Count Vincent	Quite good! This blizzard shall pass, and next year will come trotting in right behind it with fine, fine harvests.
Courteous Nobleman	My gratitude for your kind words.
Count Vincent	Head in and warm yourself up, now. We're serving the spiced bread you so love tonight–of course, baked with most exquisite, fragrant flour, all sourced from your farms.
Courteous Nobleman	How about you? Won't you come in? It's almost time... Let your good servants welcome the remaining guests.
Count Vincent	Perhaps you speak sense, but no matter. I like to greet my invitees personally. They're all the most adorable people, whether noble or merchant, cleric or soldier. Toron is a fine, fine place, isn't it?
Courteous Nobleman	Why, you character, you...
Count Vincent	Now, let me see, we still have the Mister and Misses Arizona, that admirable lighthouse operator, and... hm? E-hem. I'd heard from my most venerable fellow student, that gifted orator Thomson, that he had recently taken ill, and I couldn't brook the thought of him facing a blizzard for a banquet. Hence my specifically sending for a Messenger, to send him my well-wishes– And yet, imagine my surprise to see–what seems to be a sneaky darling of a Messenger right here! Here-here!
???	Eek!
Count Vincent	Ah-ha, Mistress Heidi, how long since we last met?
Heidi	Uncle Vincent, don't ruffle up my hair! I had to spend so long making it!
Count Vincent	Fine, fine. Ah, little Heidi, you've grown so much. What a dashing lady you are now. However! Your father never sent word you'd be arriving today. Be candid with your uncle now, have you come on the sly? And I say, you're still quite young. If your father saw your dress tonight, you'd be in for the nag, wouldn't you?
Heidi	Uncle! I'd hate him nagging at me. That's why I slipped off in the first place! I heard you called out a gallery of VIPs and bright minds tonight, and I couldn't help my curiosity. Not to mention, my papa always wants me to broaden my scope, get out beyond the classroom, and isn't this the finest opportunity!
Count Vincent	And you swear you're not here to see the boys, hoping for a chance meeting? You know, your father's told me, you've been absorbed in all those tawdry romance novels lately, and it's been worrying him so.
Heidi	How–How–How could I? I'm not such a naive girl now, ah ha ha, ha ha.
Count Vincent	Your father worded it very well. Romanticism is all and well, but writing aiming to be consumed, pulling wool over the truths of life, so as to curry favor with readers and wring the last drop of worth from its material; there's nothing of value in it. In that regard, all of Toron ought to be learning from your father.
Heidi	Ahem, Uncle, let's drop the subject now. I feel embarrassed hearing this... And honestly, my papa. Telling people off left and right when he was young, and in the end he made himself a businessman, made himself a huge fortune... The old guard in the association constantly joke about him. It drives me mad.
Count Vincent	Some things up Life's sleeve you just can't refuse. Oh, well, imagine Thomson did it for you two ladies. Back when he was younger, he'd find any chance to grumble about his unrecognized talent to me. How's his health been lately?
Heidi	Just his chronic pains. Once winter's gone, he'll be live and well as ever.
Count Vincent	So you availed yourself while your parents couldn't watch you, made off with your mother's clothes, and came to join the festivities?
Heidi	Right–ah, no, I came on educational purposes, just as my father guided me.
Count Vincent	Heidi...
Heidi	Heh heh. How about you just never saw me?
Count Vincent	You've been quite too headstrong this time. Look at this awful snow today. Just suppose something had happened to you on the way, how would I ever explain to your father?
Heidi	Ha, ha ha... well! Uncle, you see, it's so late now anyway. I can't just find a car and head back now, can I?
Count Vincent	Oh, dear, child. Quick, in. Don't you freeze now.
Heidi	Hooray! You're the best, Uncle! Er... but who are you still waiting for? Is there still some guest noble enough to wait like a snowman at the door?
Count Vincent	Quite. An outstanding Laterano cleric. Last year, your aunt caught some illness unawares, had a fever that wouldn't abate, and it's thanks to that cleric that it vanished. We struck up concord afterwards, and I paid frequent visits. This cleric's not just fine with medicine, but has original views on all walks of life. Truly a mind-opener.
Heidi	Huh... Well, if you vouch for them like this, they must be really incredible, right?
Count Vincent	But of course. If a person of those talents could swear loyalty to the Vincent family, it'd bring a deal of vigor to building the local land. I even had every intent to invite that cleric along as a friend on my journey to Londinium, and your aunt would've appreciated the diversion, but would you know our rotten luck? Out on business. So today, mark my words, I'll be introducing this insightful scholar to one and all.
Heidi	Uncle... is that Laterano cleric–a gentleman by any chance? A refined, mannerly Sankta, maybe? On the older side, or?
Count Vincent	There it is, you little scamp! Swearing your pure intentions, even!
Heidi	Just asking!
Count Vincent	Don't get too excited. She's a meritorious woman. And she isn't a Sankta. Very rare to see, but all suggests she's a Feline cleric. I truly do appreciate people like her.
Heidi	Ahem...!
Heidi	U–Uncle, I didn't hear any of that, and I won't breathe a word to Auntie, you can cross my heart.
Count Vincent	And what silly ideas have you gotten! I really ought to make Thomson give you a proper word or three!
[Kal'tsit, wearing a formal dress, shows up before Count Vincent and Heidi.]
Kal'tsit	My apologies, Sir Vincent. Might I have arrived late?
Heidi	––––

After operation

“

At the dinner party, the nobles chatter cheerfully. Heidi, unable to join in the conversation, takes every opportunity to talk with Kal'tsit, and creates a chance to be alone with her–in fact, this young child has a special assignment.

”

<Background 1>
[Vincent welcomes Kal'tsit to his manor.]
Count Vincent	Ah, Cleric Kal'tsit, you're finally here. Er, your mode of dress...
Kal'tsit	I was deeply honored by your invitation, but with sudden matters to attend to, the monastery could not prepare suitable evening attire for me. They found only this outfit buried in the storeroom. I hope you shan't mind.
Count Vincent	Oh, quite naturally, I shan't. I'd go so far as to say your attire is utterly... utterly, formidably gallant. Heidi, you don't just stand there. Here, this is Cleric Kal'tsit. Give her a greeting, and then hurry inside quickly.
Heidi	––––
Count Vincent	Heidi?
Kal'tsit	Miss Heidi, it's good to meet you.
Heidi	Ah–er–uh, th–um, I'm Heidi–
Kal'tsit	I know it already. An adorable name.
Heidi	–So you're–Cleric Kal'tsit, is that right? I often hear my uncle mention you.
Kal'tsit	The pleasure is mine.
Heidi	––
Count Vincent	Cleric Kal'tsit, I imagine you know of Mr. Thomson too? Quite, this is Heidi Thomson before you, that strange fellow's daughter.
Kal'tsit	I see. Your father is a person worthy of respect.
Count Vincent	Right, then, do come in, Cleric.
Kal'tsit	Thank you again for your generosity, Sir Vincent.
<Background 2>
Merry Noblewoman	Oh, did you know the Count went to Londinium? Have you ever been in that city before?
Tipsy Businessman	Don't remind me! I once had everything packed up ready, and then! A Catastrophe Messenger came trotting along to say: the road ahead's blocked, you all go back. I was beside myself returning home. Immediately had a great bout of illness.
Merry Noblewoman	Oh, my, how dearly wretched.
Pretentious Man	Is that auspicious poet coming today? I've a few works I wrote in private, and I'd hoped he could do the honor of appraising them.
Tipsy Businessman	Perish the thought! Have you forgotten just how many manuscripts from "thinkers" Thomson's torn up in front of the Count?
Merry Noblewoman	Oh, I remember. Thomson's ruthless. He even said himself, "The clash of ideas ought to be a ruthless thing." Truly frightening, he is.
Tipsy Businessman	It's not a be-all nor end-all to show off.
Merry Noblewoman	My, my, but the charm's all in young men like that, isn't it? Mettle to test, romantic and free.
Pretentious Man	Of course I admit, I once admired Thomson for those qualities. But in front of the Count, Thomson still can't shake off his own deliberate arrogance.
Tipsy Businessman	Deliberate? Thomson?
Pretentious Man	Isn't it obvious? He regards our esteemed Count, after all. Forget just nobility and status; in these last years, the Count's governed his land with perfect order. It's plain for all of us to see.
Tipsy Businessman	Hoh! Toron's not his land in name, mind, it's for all of us to manage, but I'll admit the Count deserves his reputation for leading! I do have to respect the man!
Pretentious Man	And lest we forget, he's had multiple invitations to the gatherings at Londinium. Don't you think our little place–allow me to admit our border situation–deserves some sense of pride?
Tipsy Businessman	Hah, nobles.
Merry Noblewoman	My, let's not make the topic so stiff. We're all people of Victoria, aren't we?
Pretentious Man	Ha! People! Ever since that outrageous hanging, we can barely claim to know whose people we are!
Tipsy Businessman	Simmer down. We all regret Our Majesty's departure, but we can still drink a few toasts here today, you see?
Merry Noblewoman	In other words, today's a happy day. Don't bring up anything so frightful–look, here comes the Count.
[Count Vincent walks to the gossiping nobles' side.]
Count Vincent	I overheard your conversation. Very intriguing, Richard. I'd much like to take a look at your writings.
Pretentious Man	Oh, poppycock. Good Count, in comparison to you, my little effort pales like a man under a skyscraper.
Merry Noblewoman	That's right, Vincent, hurry and tell us of your trip to Londinium, let us all hear it. Who did you meet? Any Grand Dukes of living legend?
Count Vincent	In due time, everyone, in due time. The night has just begun. Don't forget, today is a day of festival celebration. Allow me to introduce to you all two special guests of ours. Cleric Kal'tsit, do come.
[Kal'tsit walks to Count Vincent's side.]
Kal'tsit	Good evening, honorable guests. Allow me to give my most sincere respects to you all.
Merry Noblewoman	What, now! By your appearance... my, you're a lady? Oh, what a mighty shame...
Tipsy Businessman	I think it's not much of a shame at all. Cleric Kal'tsit, good evening.
Pretentious Man	Oh–oh–Cleric Kal'tsit, I believe I remember the Count speaking of you. I hear you treated his wife, and so garnered his good favor?
Kal'tsit	With regards to the Count's wife, that was no light affair.
Merry Noblewoman	Do tell us about where you're from. Laterano clerics who aren't Sankta are so rare. My, let alone ones so... charming as you.
Tipsy Businessman	Beautiful miss, where do you come from? And where will you go?
Merry Noblewoman	Aren't I the one asking? Don't you interrupt.
Pretentious Man	The Count gives word that you're a pillar of talent. Do you have any inclination for philosophy or the arts? Any unique insights, perhaps?
Kal'tsit	You flatter me. It was only chance I aided the Count's wife. I have the distinction of his recognition, that's all.
Pretentious Man	Oh–if you're familiar with the Count, surely you know Sir Thomson too, then?
Kal'tsit	Of course. Sir Thomson is a rarity of a scholar in Toron. I often hear the Count talk of him.
Pretentious Man	Then things couldn't align better. Servant! Please fetch the wine I brought. I wish to have a proper causerie with the Count and the Cleric!
Merry Noblewoman	Don't you dominate our soirée, you egomaniac. Can't we all just chat about something fun? For example, that fashion walk at Londinium...
Tipsy Businessman	Fine by me. Everyone, just let me rest my legs for a while here. I'll be soaking in the knowledge.
Merry Noblewoman	Now, aren't you a lazy one. Your estate would be doubled by now if not for that!
Tipsy Businessman	Three wineries still isn't enough? Oh, right, you mentioned you had another guest. I don't know if–
[Heidi joins with Kal'tsit and Count Vincent.]
Heidi	Good evening, Misters and Misses.
Tipsy Businessman	Heidi! What are you doing here!
Pretentious Man	Little Heidi, you're very prettily dressed today... that bastard Thomson. I fear for all my life, it's children alone where I'll never compare to him.
Count Vincent	Now, now. Heidi isn't even of drinking age. None of you hand her a wine glass. Servants, if you could pour her a cream soda.
Heidi	Don't always treat me like a child, Uncle Vincent.
Count Vincent	But drinking laws are drinking laws. Your father specifically warned me. After all, you're at that age...
Heidi	(Pout...)
Count Vincent	Alright, alright. Strike the cream soda and replace it with ginger ale.
Heidi	I don't need you to coddle me like this!
Tipsy Businessman	Ha ha, little Heidi's eager to grow up.
Merry Noblewoman	It's sad. No father wants to see his daughter grow up this quickly. I was like that at her age too. Only wanted to buy some jewelry, and my father gave me a tongue-lashing for it.
Heidi	Even if you won't let me drink, at least, can I join the dinner party? Let's see... I'll sit right here!
Kal'tsit	It would be my honor, Miss Heidi. Allow me to hold your hat for you.
Heidi	Ah... no–no need, I'll be fine with it on...
Count Vincent	Good, then. Heidi, don't forget that you came here tonight in secret. In a while, you be good and sleep for the night upstairs.
Heidi	Mnngh...
Pretentious Man	You dress very much like your mother, girl.
Merry Noblewoman	But right now–
Heidi	Mnnngh...!! Cleric Kal'tsit, do you think I'm still a child too?
Kal'tsit	To you, I see no reason why it should matter. Let me pour your glass for you. Here's your ginger ale.
Heidi	–––– Th... thank you...
Count Vincent	Is it to your liking?
Heidi	It's actually quite a nice drink.
Merry Noblewoman	Oh, my, there is no alcohol in ginger ale, is there? What's gotten your face red?
Count Vincent	The girl's wary of strangers. It's nothing new. Come, friends! Seeing as we're all present, let us officially begin!
<Background fades out and in>
Heidi	......
Pretentious Man	You're most correct! The height of Leithanien's arts capture all hearts alike, but those Leithaniens are far too pompous about themselves! What affords them to look down on us!
Merry Noblewoman	Leithanien, oh, Leithanien. They've had too much misfortune... I haven't stopped hearing Witch King stories since I was a baby. Who knows if the Twin Empresses will have managed to sort out that king by the time I visit the place!
Tipsy Businessman	Who would visit knowing the terror of the Witch King...
Kal'tsit	Unlike the monarchs who ascended young, the Witch King became emperor at nearly fifty years of age, and then governed Leithanien for many more.
Pretentious Man	Undoubtedly, the Witch King is the greatest Caster in all our lands. He turned himself into a freak of nature!
Merry Noblewoman	He's just like those horrible stories depicted him. His horns all bent into strange shapes, emitting this strange energy...
Tipsy Businessman	Oh! I've never seen the Witch King shown in a newspaper before–*belch*–Sorry there, this wine's just too fine. But I have seen photos of the Twin Empresses, come to think of it. One gleaming gold, one dark as night.
Heidi	............
Kal'tsit	Leithanien is in flux. Presumably, the Witch King rarely leaves his tower. From start to finish, he's gazed dispassionately at Leithanien, and even when he grants an audience, it's as he casts a grand shadow from atop his tower. Yet the last time he touched the ground, he was morphed beyond recognition. His wretchedness, his two horns cut off by the Twin Empresses apiece, drew true sighs of lament.
Pretentious Man	The full picture of that coup d'etat is still unclear to us, but to my knowledge, even our most heroically adored Wanderer would never match the Witch King's true strength.
Kal'tsit	This being why when the Empresses' Voice arrived at Victoria escorted by the knights, the Grand Dukes were all still willing to suspend their quarrels, and treat each other with respect.
Pretentious Man	Pardon? It sounds as though–you've been to Londinium before?
Kal'tsit	I arrived from there. It was a local Sankta's enlightening me that led me on this path.
Count Vincent	Ha-ha, Kal'tsit, didn't I say? These are all wonderful friends of mine. See just how popular you are.
Tipsy Businessman	Truth is, I have a girl about the same age as you. She only knows how to splash my hard-earned money away all the damned day... How nice it'd be if she could learn from you.
Merry Noblewoman	Getting to know you tonight has been a truly wonderful time. Can I ask if you're still single, dear Kal'tsit?
Heidi	Cleric Kal'tsit!
Count Vincent	Oh, Heidi, don't cut in so randomly. You should be heading upstairs to turn in about now.
Kal'tsit	Allow her to speak, Count. In this day and age, children are always much more mature than we imagine.
Count Vincent	Hm.
Heidi	Cleric Kal'tsit... have–can I ask if you've been to Ursus before?
Pretentious Man	Oh, that nation rife with rebellion and violence.
Kal'tsit	When I was studying abroad, I spent some time at Deity Grypherburg. Are you interested in Ursus?
Heidi	Yes! Papa once gave me a few books to read, by an Ursus author...
Pretentious Man	Ursus only ever produces two kinds of arts: raucous sensationalism, or true eternal greats.
Merry Noblewoman	If Thomson liked it, chances are it was the latter, wasn't it?
Pretentious Man	Hmph. You lot really do trust him.
Heidi	Papa really put him in high esteem. He even wanted to go to Deity Grypherburg himself to visit him, but business always meant he had to put it off, and this year with his old injuries flaring up again, he wasn't able to go.
Kal'tsit	Your father was injured?
Heidi	That's right. He broke his knee, and then put off surgery for too long, so it's not fully treated.
Count Vincent	I warned him. Ah, no idea what happened last year. He came scrabbling back with wounds all over, and all he'd say was he ran into a robber and dropped off a cliff. Wasn't interested in saying much else.
Kal'tsit	Do you want to go to Ursus? Miss Heidi?
Count Vincent	Now that won't do! The death of the last Emperor and the rebellions had a profound effect on the country. Should you want to study there, you'd do well to wait a few years first.
Heidi	I'm just talking about it... What impression do you have of the country?
Kal'tsit	I'll tell you a story. It's the story of how Ursus's Sixth Army were annihilated, without a trace, by a bottle of vodka.
Pretentious Man	Well, this rumor doesn't sound plausible at all.
Kal'tsit	When any event is boiled down to its cause, its conclusion tends to sound unexpected. We're all used to the process, aren't we?
Pretentious Man	That does make sense.
Kal'tsit	It began with a ruffian from the Army "collecting rent" in one of their garrison regions, and without realizing, he menaced a noble. That act fermented the whole way through. The Sixth Army then were always considered utterly corrupt, the old nobles' power rooted too deep, while the Fifth Army were unconditionally obedient to the young Emperor and the brand new State Council. We have no way to know for sure who fired the first shot, but as for the outcome, the Fifth Army ultimately seized the chance to revolt, and in between two cities' paths, started a direct firefight with the Sixth Army.
Count Vincent	The prologue to "The Great Rebellion" comes in many editions. I've definitely heard a few things of the Sixth Army's varied deeds.
Merry Noblewoman	They fought just like that?
Kal'tsit	If it were that simple, then it wouldn't have been dubbed "The Great Rebellion." Being a border guard outfit, the Fourth Army, with a domain of authority and influence decidedly not in the hinterlands, suddenly switched sides to support the State Council, and proactively declared no relationship to the "traitors" in the Sixth Army. After the execution of a few prepared scapegoats, the old nobility had only the Sixth and Eighth Armies left in hand. Come winter the following year, the nobility backing the Eighth Army pulled that same trick, capitulating alike to the Emperor. And so, the bitter fate of the Sixth Army who had staked it all on one throw, we can well imagine. And the cause of all of this–very simple, one we all know. Simply a drunk ruffian, taking the vodka bottle he had in hand to attack a young noble.
Count Vincent	A marvelous story, Cleric Kal'tsit, and might I even confirm, this tale is little removed from the reality at all.
Kal'tsit	Heidi, I would not tell you that "this is how Ursus is." Every civilization in this world deserves you seeing it for yourself. They should be appreciated, and have to be reflected upon.
Heidi	......
Kal'tsit	In that Ursus you admire, what have you seen? Perhaps the farms and public houses, perhaps the grand heroes, perhaps the highs and lows of life in Deity Grypherburg's opera house. But what I've seen is the Great Rebellion's aftermath, an age on the verge of collapse.
Heidi	Might Victoria have such an age of its own someday?
Kal'tsit	I will not guarantee it either way, Miss Heidi.
Count Vincent	How could it! Here, you little child. Are you afraid now, because of Cleric Kal'tsit's smidgen story of Ursus? I've no intent to insult the Ursus people, but the Empire of Ursus is unarguably a savage, unreasonable nation.
Heidi	But right now, isn't Londinium just as–
Count Vincent	–Don't even say it. Though it pains us all that it happened, did Victoria waver for even a moment?
Tipsy Businessman	Alright, alright, Count, seeing as the topic's come around, I think it's high time you told us about that trip to Londinium, yes? That's what we're most interested in.
Pretentious Man	What high nobility did you meet?
Count Vincent	I'd be honored to tell. Truth is, on the way, the Duke of Normandy personally invited me to a shindig, together at his flagship...
Pretentious Man	What! And you managed to keep from telling us all the way to today...!
Merry Noblewoman	My, it was the Duke of Normandy himself... He always did detest Leithaniens. Did he and the envoys of the Empresses' Voice have a scuffle?
Count Vincent	No, but by his retainer's words, the good Duke never once made eye contact with those gorgeous envoys that evening.
Pretentious Man	Ah-ha, now that's the proper manner of a "Duke." Ursus's theatrical Grand Dukes might number more in hundreds than tens–alright, maybe not that many, but they are quite unchecked, and if I might add, somewhat incompetent too.
Count Vincent	That's a form of arrogance, but I must say, everyone who's experienced the Londinium manner for themselves would echo the sentiment. I trust the Duke of Normandy need only rely on his own power to make those Leithanien greed-blinded extremists know their place for a few dozen years. Let alone the fact we've certainly more than a single Duke...
Heidi	......
Count Vincent	Tuckered out, Heidi?
Heidi	Hm? No... I'm still thinking about what Cleric Kal'tsit said. Could I talk with her alone for a bit?
Pretentious Man	Oh, if we're to talk Londinium without Kal'tsit, it would certainly be much duller.
Kal'tsit	You flatter me.
Count Vincent	Now, no rush. I see the Baron of Rye is calling at me, so I'll need to chit-chat with him now. I assure you, I'll be back shortly to tell the full tale.
[Count Vincent leaves.]
<Background fades out and in>
Kal'tsit	Does this all bore you? Miss Heidi?
Heidi	Huh? Ah... no, it doesn't, I'm alright. ...... Fine... erm, it's just, I thought we'd talk more about poetry, or the wheat harvest, but it turns out not...
Kal'tsit	Sick of foreign politics?
Heidi	Um, ha ha...
Kal'tsit	It's what tonight's dinner party was meant for.
Heidi	I can see, you also consider it somewhat boring, don't you? You understand more than anyone, and you can't stand all those people in a giggling gaggle around Uncle Vincent, correct?
Kal'tsit	You seem to have some misunderstanding about me...
Heidi	Ha ha, we only met tonight, didn't we? You're right, Cleric Kal'tsit.
Kal'tsit	You can call me just Kal'tsit.
Heidi	Then, Kal'tsit... could you walk with me? In a while longer, Uncle Vincent will have me sent off into the loft. I certainly don't want to go to bed this early. The snow seems to have gotten heavier. Would you mind that...?
Kal'tsit	–I wouldn't. Allow me to accompany you.
<Background 3>
[The blizzard grows as Kal'tsit and Heidi arrives at the manor's backyard, much to the latter's delight.]
Heidi	What a snowstorm!
Kal'tsit	The biggest one in recent years.
Heidi	I like the snow, Kal'tsit, and I like my home too.
Kal'tsit	I know.
Heidi	Phew... how cold. Everyone's all huddling inside by the fireplace.
Kal'tsit	Mm.
Heidi	...... It's just us two now, Kal'tsit... hee-hee, Kal'tsit. –It's so difficult to be alone with you.
Kal'tsit	You're yet young... Heidi. Your father shouldn't have let you get involved so easily.
Heidi	But that's what I wanted, Kal'tsit. I wished to do something or other, instead of hiding in the warm house, gazing out, just as a child would. When winter truly comes, would a single oak of Victoria's be spared from the blizzard? Then that being the case, we should prepare early.
Kal'tsit	You resemble your father greatly.
Heidi	–Is that a compliment?
Kal'tsit	Let's say it is.
Heidi	Hee-hee... ah, nobody should find us here, so... Now I can hand these letters to you.
Kal'tsit	... Your father's intelligence operatives are never late. They're the best Messengers, workers, and aspirants in all of Victoria–except this time. Has something happened?
The young Heidi makes not an innocent step more. She is right. Before upheaval arrives, the young must always be the soonest to prepare.
Heidi	–There are two letters, Dame Kal'tsit. One from all of Victoria, and another from "Kazdel."