Marcus: Good day. I would like to check the date of a novel.
Marcus: Yes, it is The Man Without Qualities, by Robert Musil.
Marcus: ...
Marcus: Oh. I see, I see ...
Hofmann: What did they say?
Marcus: Just as I remembered it ...
Marcus: The novel was completed in 1930, the word "Kakania" was also created by Robert Musil.
Marcus: Kakania should not be a nickname for anyone in 1914.
Hofmann: It doesn't belong to this era.
Hofmann: She could be with Manus Vindictae, or, at least is associated with their people.
Marcus: What's more ... When we were at the Secession Building, I "read" that painting, The Salvation.
Marcus: It seemed ... out of place compared to the other paintings. Theophil may have applied a new technique on The Salvation, a more daring kind, audacious, even.
Marcus: But these are only subtleties ... I can't be too certain. I was interrupted by that strangely speaking gentleman, so I didn't get everything.
Marcus: Another thing, its content reminds me of the symbol of "The Circle."
Marcus rummages through the bookcase, finding the pamphlet tucked within the thick register.
Marcus: This twisting circle resembles the circles in The Salvation.
Marcus: Heinrich called them magical circles, one next to another. They must be more than just circles, I think ...
Marcus: Was he demonstrating the madness of passion? But the lines are clean. Perhaps the purity of eternity? No, the circles are too twisted for that ...
Marcus: Or, was he just representing a primitive state of being ...?
Hofmann: I don't understand any of it.
Hofmann: So, this must be art.
Marcus: Hahaha, ma'am. You're funny sometimes.
Hofmann: ...? I wasn't joking.
Marcus: ...?
Hofmann: Based on what we know, we can't be sure if this group of young arcanists and the Manus are connected. But we all know that the latter is eager to win over the cynical, revolutionary youth.
Hofmann: You did well, Marcus.
Hofmann: The important figures of "The Circle"—Isolde, Heinrich, and even the late Theophil—we have made contact with them all.
Hofmann: Only this Kakania ... What does the intel say about her?
Marcus: Kakania, also known as Ms. Klara, inherited her arcane skills from her family. She's able to reflect people's thoughts in a mirror. She was once a medical student, but dropped out halfway through.
Marcus: These days, she shows up at various social events as a psychiatrist, which the Foundation tries to prohibit because she doesn't have a license.
Marcus: And she is also ... an activist.
Hofmann: An activist?
Marcus: According to Mr. Heinrich, she is meeting with a doctor named Schwartz today.
Hofmann: Schwartz ... The family doctor Karl mentioned.
Hofmann: Let's try our luck there.
Notary: Now then, Ms. Klara, Mr. Schwartz.
Notary: Only three weapons are allowed in the duel—the army knife, the sword, and the pistol.
Kakania: I will leave the choice to Dr. Schwartz, for he has more experience in these duels than I do. It's an honor to fight you, and I look forward to ending your winning streak.
Dr. Schwartz: Not so much an honorable thing for me.
Marcus: Excuse me ... Please ...
Hofmann extends her hand, mercilessly cleaving a path through the crowd.
Hofmann: Pardon me. What is happening?
Passerby I: A duel, ma'am!
Passerby I: Just as Dr. Schwartz was demonstrating his therapy, Ms. Klara barged right in! They were arguing, and this is how they decided to end it.
Passerby I: To ensure fairness of the duel, the combat must happen within 48 hours of the challenge ... But I've never seen one take place on the spot.
Passerby II: Well, I hope they know what they're doing. I don't want to get caught as collateral damage.
Marcus: That green dress ... So she is Kakania! What do we do? If she gets injured, our mission will ...
Hofmann: Don't worry about people in their time. It is their life to live.
Hofmann: Never intervene if you don't know the exact consequences of your actions. The course of history is more important than our investigation.
Hofmann: This is investigator Greta Hofmann.
Hofmann: What ...? Hold on.
Hofmann: I'll be right back.
Marcus: Where are you going?
Hofmann: The Field Agent Squad needs to speak to me. This won't take long.
Hofmann: I will leave this to you. Remember what I said, Marcus.
Marcus: Yes, madam.
Hofmann turns toward the Baroque wooden door made of mahogany, before her figure disappears amidst the crowd.
Only her still-unfledged assistant remains.
Marcus: Leaving this to me, to me, to me ...
Marcus recites it to herself as a mantra, attempting to slow her racing heart.
Marcus: Breathe, Marcus! There's nothing to be nervous about. You can't be an assistant forever. There will come a day when you're all on your own.
Marcus: Just like at the Secession Building, I only have to watch her. If I end up talking to Ms. Kakania, I'll just pretend to be an ordinary employee of the Foundation ... Easy!
Marcus: You used to do well on your own, when you were reading in the lighthouse and the forest ...
Marcus: Mm, Dr. Schwartz ... Three times he has been involved in duels, and three times he has won—impressive! This time, he's still going for the pistol.
Marcus: But ... Ms. Kakania does not have an assistant. And she has only one witness in this duel. This is not right. Why did she agree to this?
Marcus: She's being reckless. Even an arcanist should have at least one assistant in a duel.
Marcus: Dr. Schwartz's assistant brought them a pair of pistols ... FN Model 1910. Hmm, is that a right weapon for a duel?
Marcus: It's too crowded here. I can't see ...
Marcus: Hmm?
Marcus: No, the pistol given to Ms. Kakania ... something's wrong with it.
Marcus: The bullets ... Her life is in danger if the duel begins!
Marcus: But Madam Hofmann warned me about the consequences of intervention ...
Marcus: What if, what if, I just go and talk to her as an employee of the Foundation branch, like I did at the Secession Building?
Marcus: So far, Heinrich has been difficult to communicate with, while Mr. Karl doesn't want us to get in touch with Ms. Isolde.
Marcus: Ms. Kakania is the only person who is both a friend of Theophil and associated with "The Circle." But I have to be careful with this name.
Marcus: If she is indeed one of the Manus Vindictae, I will be jeopardizing this mission by going near her ... But wait! She doesn't know that I'm from the headquarters, so she probably will talk to me.
Marcus: But how do I know she doesn't know my identity? What if Mr. Karl is not to be trusted? And what if Mr. Karl and she are in this together? Their names both start with a "K" ...
Marcus: ...
Marcus: What am I thinking?
Marcus patting her cheeks with an unaware gusto, drawing side glances from the others present.
Marcus: Stop, stop! I'm not on the Flannan Isles anymore. I can't waste my day on endless thoughts!
Marcus: Remember what Madam Hofmann said, think of the immediate mission. I have to prevent Kakania from getting killed in the duel. She has the clues about Theophil that I need ...
Marcus: Never intervene if you don't know the exact consequences of your actions ...
A long, deep breath.
Marcus: I have assessed the risks, madam.
Marcus: I will not stand by and watch this happen ... even if I don't know the consequences!
Dr. Schwartz: I need to make this clear to you. Not only have you hindered Ms. Dittarsdorf from getting the treatment she needs, but you have repeatedly defamed me.
Kakania: Oh, I can only admit that you're right if you have to call a different academic perspective slander.
Dr. Schwartz: "A different academic perspective" ... ?! Do you really think Freud and his petty tricks are "academic"?
Dr. Schwartz: One could hardly find a worse insult to science than this!
Kakania: Is that so? Do you really mean that? Rumor has it that you taught the military the method of hypnosis for a price. Do you wish to clear things up here?
Dr. Schwartz: ...
Kakania: Hah, your silence is a resounding "yes." Tell me, why did you please the ministers with these "petty tricks," but not with your "most advanced" electrotherapy you've been touting?
Kakania: Do you harbor negative feelings towards Mr. Freud because of his open rejection of hypnosis?
Dr. Schwartz: ... What does any of this have to do with you?
Kakania: Many things, Mr. Schwartz. Your behavior has greatly undermined the interests of arcanists, who are your own people.
Kakania: Not to mention that hypnosis is a violation of a patient's free will!
Kakania: And I have reason to believe that this duel is entirely personal. I must make it clear that your wife's appointment with me has nothing to do with the rumors of your ... lackluster performance in the bedroom.
Kakania: I'm not the real enemy, Mr. Schwartz. The gossipmongers and the tabloid writers are!
Dr. Schwartz: You, you ...
Notary: Are both duelists ready?
Dr. Schwartz: Perfectly ready.
Kakania: I'm ready too—
Marcus: No! She's not!
Kakania & Dr. Schwartz: ...?
Marcus: Ms. Kakania needs another minute!
Their collective gaze causes her voice to tremble slightly.
Marcus: Err, ahh, the crowd ... shoot me, I want to go home ... Why oh why did you apply for this mission, Marcus ...
Despite her mental turmoil, she extends her hand, attempting to ascend with some dignity intact, or at least without resorting to crawling.
Marcus: I-I am Ms. Kakania's assistant. I'm here to ...
Kakania: ...
Kakania: Sorry to interrupt, miss. But the last time I checked, I couldn't possibly afford a St. Pavlov Foundation member to be my aide.
Marcus: Ah! Darn it, I forgot about my badge ...
Kakania retracts her pistol, twirling it around her finger.
Kakania: So the Foundation is trying to intervene. Don't worry, Ms. Foundation staff! Look around, we're doing it the human way—no arcane skills involved!
Kakania: The head of the Foundation branch should not be your role model. Mind you, you're giving up a part of your integrity for taking his Krones! A terrible deal indeed.
Marcus: I ...
Kakania: Besides, we're using human guns! We don't need the Foundation's license to use these. I'm not doing anything against the Foundation's rules, am I?
The Browning pistol spins once more in a perfect circle.
Kakania: If it's urgent, can we wait until after the duel? Please stand back, the bullets can't tell the difference between friend and enemy.
Marcus: I, I ...
Marcus is again interrupted by the rapid-fire speech of the other party.
Marcus: ... Please don't use that gun! The bullets in it are dangerous!
Kakania: ... What?
Marcus: The bullets are wrong! The gun will burst if you pull the trigger! Sir, I demand that the gun be checked ...
Kakania grips the half-turned gun tightly, before deftly removing the magazine.
Kakania: ...!
Kakania: The size of these bullets ...
A cold bead of sweat drips down her spine.
Kakania: I need an explanation, Mr. Schwartz. I thought you had at least the integrity of a gentleman.
Kakania: The bullets in my gun are wrong. If I pull the trigger, as Ms. Foundation here said, the barrel will burst.
Passerby II: A bursted barrel? I remember now. That Anton boy lost the duel to Schwartz for the same reason! Did Schwartz do something to his gun, too? And was the guard in on it too?
Notary: ...!
Dr. Schwartz: D**n! ... This is defamation! I have never ... !
Vienna Guard: Freeze! Who is dueling here?!
Passerby I: Ahhh! The guards are here!
Passerby III: Hey, don't step on my dress!
Marcus: Not good! Madam Hofmann has not come back yet. Madam Hofmann ...!
The young assistant is engulfed within the chaotic crowd.
Kakania: Hey, miss! The helpful Ms. Foundation employee!
Marcus: Ms. Kakania?
The green-clad pistoleer extends her hand.
Kakania: Don't stand there ... Come here!
Kakania grabs the shy assistant's hand, pulling her into a fierce embrace without a second word.
Marcus: Aahh!
Kakania leaps, alighting herself onto the window frame with the lightness of a bird.
Kakania: Okay, this is a quiet road ... We're going to jump, Ms. Foundation. Three, two, one ... Here we go!
