Bianca: Crepuscule I
>Yeah, it's been nearly a week now.
We'll have to try a forced awakening if you fail as well.
...And take care of yourself... Don't throw your life away before you can rescue her.
<color=#ffffffff><size=50>The snow... there... is too heavy...</size></color>
<color=#ffffffff><size=50>Have to find her... bring her back... bring her back to...</size></color>
<color=#ffffffff><size=50>...Your side.</size></color>
...January sure lives up to its reputation with this damn blizzard. Davis, what's the situation up ahead?
You are so cold.
Whew... I see... a light! We're almost there—there's a church up ahead!
Hah... I just hope whatever has been chasing us is as lost as we are.
Your body hurts so much.
How's the commandant?
...Still losing blood. The commandant might not... last much longer.
All that meets your eye is endless night. A kerosene lamp sways with the jolting vehicle, casting a dim yellow light that is immediately swallowed by the swirling snow.
The howling wind hits your body, stealing away what little warmth remains.
Commandant's awake!
When you wake up, the young man jogging by the wagon anxiously climbs inside.
By the Holy Maiden's grace, hang in there!
He uses his frail body to block the wind, pulling off his coat and wrapping it tightly around you.
What is Commandant saying?
It's a name, but I can't make it out—
It's okay, Commandant, we're almost there. Once we reach the church, the Holy Maiden will surely take us in!
Are we stopping at the church? We have no time to waste! Those things might still be chasing us!
If they were that powerful, they would have wiped us out in that last battle.
We are still alive only because we worked together... How is pushing through this blizzard any different from abandoning our wounded brothers?
We'll stop at the church up ahead and wait for them to recover a bit before we continue.
...You're right. Hyah!
Horse hooves kick up swirling snow as excruciating pain claws its way up, dragging your consciousness into darkness.
So... you're hoping the church can temporarily shelter your troops?
Yes... Miss Bonnie, I believe, with the church's...
I refuse.
Uh... But we can help if the church runs into any problems!
Don't play dumb! This blizzard's been going on for almost a month. Surely you know that, right?
You force open your tired eyelids. You can just make out a few figures that are currently in a heated argument.
The town's supplies have been cut off completely. The children barely have enough to eat! Where would we find extra food to feed a bunch of soldiers?
You...!
Hearing Bonnie's biting response, the squad captain quietly grips his sword, but Davis stops him.
Sister Bonnie, but the Holy Maiden said... they're the ones protecting us...
Rosie, listen, their knives can protect us, but they can hurt us just as easily.
The church doesn't have much food left. These are desperate times... We have to turn them away. God will forgive us.
After quietly speaking to the child beside her, she lifts her head and says with a mocking tone.
Before you arrived, three other groups had already tried to talk their way in here with all sorts of reasons.
I suppose your camp has run out of food, too, and that's why you came running to the church to beg for help?
Just as you try to sit up and explain, gentle hands touch you from behind and press you back down.
You're hurt. Please don't move for now.
Your gaze drifts upward and meets a pair of pure and divine eyes.
...Do you know me?
Surprisingly, she doesn't remember you at all.
However, your face... seems familiar, Commandant. Have we met somewhere before?
She moves her gaze away and focuses on applying ointment to your wounds.
...It hurts, doesn't it?
The church hasn't decided whether they will take you in, but your injuries are the most severe. The soldiers asked me if I could tend to you first.
I wanted to carry you over to the fireplace, but you have multiple fractures. It's too risky to move you right now.
Instead of the ice-cold, blade-like wind and snow, gentle warmth surrounds you. You suddenly realize you're resting in her arms.
This is all I can do to ease your pain...
After applying the last of the medicine, she gently touches your cheek with her hand.
So, can you tell me what happened?
Davis might know, but that young man is still pleading with the nun to let all of you stay.
Miss Bonnie, we were suddenly attacked east of here just two hours ago... by monsters that appeared during the plague.
To intercept them, the other three squads were completely wiped out. Only our commandant managed to lead us out.
Besides the dozen or so critically wounded soldiers, our commandant is also severely injured.
We have nowhere else to go in this weather. For the Holy Maiden's sake, please take us in, even if it's just for one night.
...No.
...
We can let you stay for one night, sure, but what if you ask to stay again tomorrow?
Sister Bonnie, please let them stay... I... I...
No one wants to see this happen, my child, but letting them stay means you won't have enough to eat.
Many children are already sick... I don't want to lose any one of you.
I swear—I'll even swear to the Holy Maiden herself. Just one night, please...
No means no!
Bonnie.
Bianca calls out softly, but in a firm tone.
Holy Maiden...
Bonnie's agitated expression and stiff posture soften at the sound of Bianca's voice.
Monsters from the east... I've heard of them from the devotees.
If these soldiers were injured while fighting to protect us, then we should help them.
Bianca's gaze sweeps over the dying soldiers, the raging blizzard, and finally settles on you in her arms.
So... please let them...
Just as she's about to speak, a child tugs at her hem.
Sister Bianca... when can we pray again?
Well... Venice, do you have anything you'd like to say to God?
I don't have much to say. Just... my sister hasn't eaten anything for an entire day. She's lying in bed and is too weak to move.
Sister Bianca, I want to pray one more time so my sister will have something to eat, and then she'll get better, right?
...
Prayer won't help, Venice. We don't have enough food... so each person can only eat every other day. No matter how much we pray, we won't get more food.
We no longer have the ability to care for others.
Bianca closes her eyes in pain and falls silent.
After a while, she slowly reaches for the sword at her waist.
Holy Maiden, are you going to draw the Sacred Sword for complete strangers?!
It is an elegant yet fierce silver longsword... When the eyes focus on it, shadows appear across the retina...
We're all trapped by the blizzard, many of the soldiers are severely wounded, and the children are getting sick from hunger...
...With the Sacred Sword's power, we could find enough food, the troops could stay, and the children wouldn't go hungry.
What about its curse?! Father Snow warned us before he left, "Do not draw the Sacred Sword unless absolutely necessary!"
You blink again, but the shadows only seem to coil around the Sacred Sword's blade, emanating a subtle sense of discord…
But... Bonnie... I believe no one should be abandoned...
...Protect her. Keep her away from anything that might cause her pain.
Her hand moves slowly to draw the Sacred Sword from its sheath—
...Commandant?
What do you want? Your wounds will tear open.
She presses her hand gently against your chest to stop you from sitting up.
If there's anything you'd like to say to them, I can relay it for you, okay?
...
I see.
Her hand, which was blocking your chest, moves to gently support your back.
But... we left in such a hurry after the battle. That's our last bit of food.
You're severely injured. You'll need food to regain your energy while you recover...
...
Bonnie casts a suspicious look.
(Great... in that case...)
Sister Bonnie... can we please let the soldiers stay...
Sister Bonnie... My little sister finally won't have to go hungry anymore. If God saved my little sister, will God save these kind soldiers, too?
Yeah...
Holy Maiden, please make your decision.
...While the blizzard is raging, the church will temporarily shelter everyone.
May God bless the wounded soldiers with a smooth recovery and the church with plentiful food...
And thank you as well, Commandant. Now, please get some rest...
Wait, something's not right with your breathing and heart rate...
Thump!
Commandant!!!
Your consciousness sinks into a soft darkness.
