The way to the Foundation is choked with demonstrations.
Protestor I: Recognize Bohemia Now!
Protestor II: We demand representation from the Empire and from the Foundation! A tripartite empire! Long live Archduke Ferdinand!
Protestor I: Bohemians deserve equal recognition and rights!
There's no way forward except through the gathering crowd.
The converging demonstrators roil as a mass like a pot ready to boil.
Protestor III: Give it up! The Empire must not change!
Protestor IV: F***ing ungrateful Bohemians!
Semmelweis: It seems like there is no way through all these protests.
Semmelweis rubs her temples, and lets out an exasperated sigh.
The Foundation may not be the primary target of the protest, but they have already tightly sealed its entrance to avoid potential violence.
That was Karl's decision; she knows that instinctively.
Given the situation, it's doubtful they'd let her in. Even if she could find a way through.
Semmelweis: ... Karl is not a bad person—but no, he won't budge on this.
Normally, Semmelweis has no trouble with bureaucrats and their reservations. But, standing here looking at the results of their inaction, she mouths a few choice words.
Protestor III: Szarból, where are the guards? Where have all the guards gone?! Come on, round up these backwards yokels and send them back!
Protestor I: Brothers and sisters, did you hear what he just said?!
Protestor I: These Austrians are always so arrogant and dismissive of us!
Protestor II: That is why we must establish our own kingdom, a kingdom of the Bohemians!
Protestor III: Do you hear that?! The Empire should arrest and execute these traitors!
Protestor IV: Let's show them! Let's put the inferiors in their place!
The protestors quickly come to blows, engaging in a heated and bloody "exchange of ideas."
This scene calls to mind the image of two ant colonies fighting. Neither beautiful nor orderly; their actions driven solely by instinctive adrenaline.
Semmelweis: sigh Nothing interesting.
Semmelweis: There'll be no getting any information from the Foundation today. I'll have to find Lorelei another way.
Ignoring the chaos around her, she prepares to fall back to the hotel and make a new plan.
This fighting, wars of identity and nation, it's a small blip in history. Soon to be dust in the "Storm."
Semmelweis: Either way, I can't let myself be caught up in all this.
Semmelweis skirts the battle lines forming between the protestors, aiming for a narrow alley off of the main road.
It wouldn't be her first choice, but navigating the way back would be at best time-consuming, and at worst—dangerous.
Semmelweis: ... ?
A figure emerges from the group of Arcanist protestors.
Their face is hidden. But it seems that they intend to leave the scene via the same alley she is heading towards.
The figure seems to notice this as well.
???: You're from the Foundation ...? What bad luck! I don't have time for this right now!
The woman takes a few hurried steps forward and hurries into the alley ahead of Semmelweis.
Pausing a moment to think, Semmelweis pursues her into the alley.
The bright green of her dress stands out in the dreary alleyway. If she had been attempting to evade Semmelweis, she made a poor showing of it.
Kakania: I admit it, I'm not very good at hiding.
Kakania: But I can explain! I wasn't involved in this protest. You have to believe me!
Kakania: I can show you my Arcane Skill permit ... Shoot, where did I put it?
The woman in green reaches into her clothes but freezes in place.
Semmelweis: And you are ...?
Semmelweis glares at her, recalling any information she can about the green chatterbox before her.
Semmelweis: You are Kakania, yes? A known member of "The Circle?"
Kakania: You know me?
Semmelweis: Of course. Miss Kakania, I think you misunderstood.
Semmelweis: I'm from the Foundation, but any relation you have to the protests here is none of my concern.
Kakania: Oh! Good, good ... But I think I left my Arcane Skill permit at home. If you don't mind, I can take you to get it if you need to—
Semmelweis: —Nor am I here to check your Arcane Skill permit.
In a flash of movement, Kakania abruptly pulls aside a nearby curtain, revealing a mirror.
A brilliant white light flashes from it, that envelops Semmelweis completely.
Semmelweis attempts to react, but is too slow to escape the light.
Kakania: Apologies, miss.
Kakania: Under normal circumstances, I wouldn't do this, but I really have no time to spare explaining myself.
Kakania: Isolde's art exhibit is about to begin.
Kakania: Don't worry, I didn't use my full strength. You'll only be unconscious for half an hour, tops ...
Semmelweis: ...
Kakania: Well, that should do it.
Kakania snaps her fingers and the white light in the alley fades.
Kakania: ...!
As the light disperses. Semmelweis stands in place, entirely unaffected.
Semmelweis: I believe that did not go as you planned.
Semmelweis: Is your Arcane Skill just a matter of conjuring light? That's rather simple, wouldn't you agree?
Kakania: My Arcane Skill ... failed?
Kakania: It is just a little trick, but it should have been enough to get a glimpse into her mind—
But that trick depends on the person reflecting in the mirror.
Which she now realizes is empty, exactly where the woman before her should be.
Kakania: You ... you have no reflection at all!
Semmelweis: ...
Semmelweis also realizes this strange phenomenon.
Though in fact, Kakania's words are not entirely accurate.
There is a hazy reflection of a figure within. Though it could be easily mistaken for fog on the glass.
Semmelweis: That is most surprising ... Could it be an effect of the disease?
Kakania: How can this be?
Kakania: If only the timing were right, I would definitely give you a thorough examination.
Kakania: But, I have to make this quick.
Kakania's expression turns serious again, and the mirror emits another blast of dazzling light.
Kakania: Sorry!
This time the light takes some effect, Semmelweis is blinded for a moment from the bright flash.
Though it took all of Kakania's effort, the scene in the mirror at last begins to change.
Kakania: A burning attic, gray marble buildings, a melting sky ... what is all this?
Semmelweis: ...!
As Semmelweis opens her eyes, she notes the obvious; her surroundings have changed.
It is a hallucination, undoubtedly.
Naturally, she has plenty of experience with hallucinations. There is nothing special about this one—or at least, there shouldn't be.
Doctor: We meet again, Semmelweis.
Semmelweis: Indeed.
Semmelweis: With all due respect, I don't have time for idle chattering, Doctor.
Doctor: Really? You seem a bit nervous of me. But you needn't be so wary.
Doctor: I am you.
Bella: You may call me Bella. That's your real name, after all, not the codename the Foundation gave you.
Semmelweis: ...
Semmelweis: Whoever you are, I have a poor opinion of things that try to interfere with my mind.
Bella: Ah, so you think I'm a result of the Beyond Disease? Just another hallucination, a nightmare tugging at your strings.
Bella: But you've read the reports. So you know what this really is; you know that Miss Klara's Arcane Skill lets you glimpse your inner self.
Bella: You are not a fool, my dear. Do you still want to deny the truth right before your eyes?
Semmelweis: ...
Bella: It is an extraordinary ability, wouldn't you agree?
Bella: And for one so accustomed to deceiving everyone, even yourself. It proves dangerously effective.
Semmelweis is silent for a moment.
Semmelweis: I admit it, I have never seen anything like this before.
Bella: See, you've come so close. Now you must face your truth.
Bella: So, don't try to pull that "Foundation" nonsense on me again. You and I know very well that it's nothing more than a disguise to you.
Bella: If you are so loyal to the Foundation, tell me why you did not tell them what you know about Lorelei?
Semmelweis: ... The Foundation is simply the best way for me to handle things right now.
Bella: Loyalty with reservations is not true loyalty.
Bella: It's mutual exploitation.
Bella: Let's be honest with ourselves, shall we? You don't trust the Foundation, Semmelweis.
Bella: Everything you have done has been for yourself.
Bella: Joining the Foundation was just a chance to be closer to the arcanum.
Bella: You became a Field Agent all in the hope that you'd find a cure.
Semmelweis: ...
Semmelweis: What of it?
Semmelweis: Since the start, the Foundation has offered me the best way for me to accomplish my goals.
Semmelweis: That's never been in dispute.
Bella: I'm just happy to hear you finally say what you truly believe.
Bella: You aren't so noble. You're just another person running from death, trying to change your fate.
Bella: It's in your nature.