Quoted By:
You pick up the scroll and continue to wave it over the flickering flame of the candle to reveal more writing.
"Give me a few moments to think it over and read this secret letter. I suppose you can't read Japanese."
"I can read it."
You did not expect that. You look at the Spy in askance, and he answers wearily.
"The Anarchists keep on bringing in books and essays from Kyoto. I expended Mana to gain the ability to read Japanese to try to keep up to date with their beliefs. Hell's bells, I am happy to be working my Trade on a different target."
Kyoto? Oh right, the Japanese Communist Party is strong there. So you can use Mana to gain abilities like reading a foreign language; that's an interesting tidbit. You finish revealing the last characters of the letter and begin to read.
'From Augustus to my comrades,
It seems I cannot journey to that misty shore with everyone. Instead, I shall journey to that unknown country from which no traveler returns. There are multiple conspiracies in Roma against me; I cannot fulfill my Geas in time.
Good luck and Godspeed.
Remember me when you get home, guys. Pellinore, tell my mother I love her. I miss her so much.'
You read the letter twice in silence. Lady Kizaemon butts her head against you as a distraction as you try to absorb the realization you are reading a doomed missive of a fellow Lost Child. The letter passes hands to the Spy, who reads it over too.
He takes out a wooden tablet and notes down the names on the letter. He then looks at your sombre face and begins speaking.
"Just because this Augustus wrote out they think they are going to die and fail to fulfill their Geas does not mean they actually failed. This scroll was prepared a while ago; the invisible ink has been on it since then. Also, it was not delivered. Either because it was not necessary to do so, prevented from being sent, or just got misplaced. Try not assuming the worst, as hard as it may be. I'll go bother the Bard later and see if he gets gifted some True words about these two names. Pellinore, hm, actually that name sounds familiar."
Familiar? Yes, that name is familiar. Well, not to you, but definitely to King Lot. You feel a cold rage bubbling within; it's origin is not you but rather the old man.
