Sonetto: The headquarters has issued a notice. The Critical Point of the "Storm" is in Vienna.
The chief assistant puts down Ms. Radio and turns around with a somber expression.
Sonetto: This type of Storm Syndrome involves a bodily transformation into oil paintings, primarily affecting the face but sometimes spreading to the torso. It is often accompanied by delirium and an intense obsession with war.
Sonetto: Like the "Storm" of 1929, it was accelerated by social upheavals resulting from the constant tensions Manus Vindictae created between nations.
Vertin: This era ...
The color of the sky has changed.
The Storm Syndrome has finally reached this island.
No one on the team's caught it yet, but that could soon change.
Regulus: This is absurd!
With a bag filled with alchemy materials over her shoulders, the young pirate remains spirited despite a week in underground captivity.
Regulus: We went through all that trouble, sweated our guts out, and finally got to a place where the "Storm" can be kept out. But now you're telling me that immunity is going to disappear like a fart in the wind?
Regulus: I was planning to stay here for a while. There might be alchemic materials and pieces of books the Abraxases left behind from their meals.
Regulus: Ugh! Now that is frustrating, mate!
Sonetto: sigh Such is the nature of arcanum?
Vertin: The immunity hasn't "disappeared." It's just waning. For now, only the beach has lost the effect. We're still safe around the Hall of Apeiron.
Lilya: But there's no guarantee that we'll be safe here forever, right?
Lilya: Hah. Reminds me of Zeno's survival test.
Vertin: Sonetto and I talked about this. We think the island is protected by a large-scale arcane ritual.
Vertin: The sudden decay of the island's "Storm" immunity might be the result of its changes, though I'm unsure of the specifics.
Regulus: Those people are doing something about it, right? That leader with the rock star hair—shouldn't he be taking action by now?
Vertin: 6 has gathered all integers after the assembly. They're going to perform a mass cleansing ceremony.
Vertin: 37 also mentioned a test. I think they have more than one way to deal with the changes.
APPLe: To the best of this APPLe's knowledge, secluded pure-blood arcanist groups often have rituals that they keep to themselves.
APPLe: These islanders impart Truth based on intellect and rationality, yet their doctrines are highly religious. Perhaps their arcane skills are passed down in a religious manner.
Lilya: Oh, very mysterious, very arcane. I hope they're not all huddled together doing math at a time like this.
Lilya: And I'm more worried about us, Captain.
Lilya changes her tone, unusually serious.
Lilya: Arcana asked for more time for both sides to withdraw, didn't she?
Vertin: Yes. 6 gave us two hours to leave. That is to say ...
Vertin: We must set out when the "Storm" countdown reaches 20:00.
Lilya: And before that, the stone bangle on your wrist still works, right?
Vertin: Yes. I can feel it.
Vertin: It would scald me whenever I thought about going to war with them.
Lilya: Hah. I see.
Lilya: So we only have two hours for the plan.
Regulus: Plan? What plan?
Regulus: Aren't we sneaking away from all this?
Sonetto: Sorry, Regulus, your, uhm, "accommodation" was a long way from ours, so we haven't given you the latest updates.
Sonetto: To put it simply ...
37: Where are you going?
Sonetto: Uhm!
The sudden appearance of the girl startles the crowd.
37 stands there with a curious look on her face.
Sonetto: Ahh, 37, we ...
Vertin: We are discussing how to leave this place, 37.
Regulus: Precisely! I was just about to say, your chief wants us gone in a jiffy, but we don't even have a piece of wood to sail with!
Regulus: Vertin is sizing us up to see if we can fit in her suitcase. She's going to swim across the Aegean Sea using her tiny arms! Right, Vertin?
Regulus squints and eagerly pokes her elbow in.
Vertin: Right.
37: Hmm. Sounds like a lot of fun!
37: Then you must leave from the north side of the beach, jump off the cliff there, and head south. The cliff is on the tangent line of the Hall of Apeiron, which is a good sign for your journey!
She nods confidently, fully convinced of her own conclusion.
37: I will show you where to jump. But you'll have to wait till Vertin and I return.
Vertin: Me? Where are we going?
37: What kind of question is that?
37: The only place worth going.
She extends her hand with a light and happy tone.
37: You're the one and only 0. We'll go see Apeiron together!
Marta: Aren't you going to look for 37?
Marta: You took such good care of her while she was in a coma.
In the darkness, the figure trembles ever so slightly.
She tries to steady herself.
Sophia: I don't know.
Sophia: I don't know what I should do, Madam Marta.
Sophia: She's going back to the cave for the test, where I can't help her.
She looks down, trying her best to press her shaking hands together.
Sophia: All I can do is pray for her, for I have no adequate knowledge or power to assist her.
Sophia: As ever.
Marta: Perhaps you needn't worry so much.
Marta: 37 is the one favored by Truth. She will be fine.
Sophia: I know. It's just ...
Sophia lets out a long, helpless sigh and buries her face deep in her palms.
Sophia: She is also of mortal flesh. She could get hurt, bleed, or die.
She avoids looking at the beach, seeing it as a battlefield where she lacks the skills to engage.
Sophia: You haven't been with us for long, Madam Marta. Apeiron and Its test might be new to you.
Sophia: Here on this island, we spent years theorizing, proving, and constructing models based on our mortal comprehension, defining the boundaries of what man is capable of understanding.
Sophia: But when it comes to the "essence" and "Forms," we are unable to make any definitive statements. So we humbly approach the temple and inquire about the correctness of our beliefs.
Sophia: And our answer is delivered as a "yes" or "no," reverberating in the form of echoes.
Marta: Is that the "submission of proof" 6 mentioned before?
The Corrector nods, knowing her friend has a natural talent for this.
Sophia: Validating one's essence and soul with a number and verifying the authenticity of one's claims are simple feats for us.
Sophia: But Apeiron's test is different.
Sophia: "Those who succeed will obtain the transcendental Truth."
Sophia: "Those who fail will pay a terrible price."
Marta: ...!
Sophia: Everything has its limits and boundaries.
Sophia: Those who overstep their bounds will only court their own misfortune.
Sophia: We must respect and be wary of our limits, so our souls will be adequate for our bodies, and all things be refrained from excess.
Sophia: The "boundless," "limitless," and "infinity" are not of our realm to tread. They belong only to ancient beings that we cannot utter. We can only stand in awe, offering our admiration, humility, and reverence.
Sophia: Now 37 is going to knock on Its door and ask to be indulged with the transcendental Truth. But, if she fails, if she can't bear the weight of the boundless infinity ...
She can't go on.
Sophia: I wish I knew a better way, or could even do it in her place.
Sophia: But only she can do it. It has to be her, 37.
37: I'm sure this is the perfect solution to finally put an end to all our problems!
37: If I pass the test, Apeiron will grant me the answer to one question. It can be any question I don't have an answer to, even about the "essence" and "everything."
37: At least that's what Mama told me.
37 nods with confidence.
37: I just have to choose the right question to ask, and we will be rid of all the troubles. Whether it be the "Emanation," the turmoil of the phenomenal world, or the dangers threatening the island, all will be gone!
37: I have 6's blessing. He agrees with me. So, Vertin ...
Regulus: Ah-uh, not so fast! You can't just steal away our helmswoman like that!
Regulus: This "thing," it's too good to be without any risks, don't you think? What if Vertin doesn't make it back? Huh? Who's going to swim us across the sea then?
37: Hmm? It could be risky, but not for Vertin, only for me. 0 multiplied by any number will still be 0.
37: And we have validated that proof!
Regulus: Well, that's not good enough for this Pirate! Besides, Vertin doesn't seem like a 0 to me.
Vertin: It's okay, Regulus. I think I'll be safe there.
Vertin: But 37, isn't this a sacred test for your people? I have never taken the oath. I'm not one of you.
37: That does not matter, Vertin.
She gently shakes her head in determination.
37: But you must know that once we enter the temple, we cannot turn back. The path to the Truth is a one-way road.
37: Our last visit was interrupted, remember? You didn't get to ask your question, and I didn't get my answer.
37: And now, I don't need to ask my question anymore.
She bites her lip, holding her own arms tight.
37: You and your friends were right, Vertin. The discord in the phenomenal world does have an effect on essence and Forms. No one can argue against this when facing the "Emanation."
37: But there's more I'd like to know, and I believe you feel the same.
37: I will tell 6 that you're coming with me. I will tell everyone and persuade them, because this is the right thing to do.
Vertin: ...
Sonetto: Go, Timekeeper. While you're out, Lilya and I will ready us for evacuation.
Lilya: We will liaise with the Foundation from here.
Vertin: Thank you both. I'm ready.
Vertin: Before we go, 37, I have a question.
37: Hmm?
A golden opportunity has arisen.
This could be a chance to level the playing field against Manus Vindictae.
Vertin: You just said that Apeiron will grant an answer to whoever passes the test.
Vertin: Will It answer my question?
Vertin: If I asked for a way to become immune to the "Storm"?
