Hand in hand with Lucia, you walk across the white sand as sea foam laps at your feet.
With the sea of stars blanketing the heavens above, you pass by the revelers dancing along the shore.
Under the watchful glow of the moonlight, you delve into the lush forest and weave through abundant green foliage until you come upon a pile of weathered ruins.
Rows of weathered marble columns stand on level ground, behind which rises a magnificent, imposing temple.
Moonlight spills onto the crystalline vitrum windows, creating a shimmering reflection that resembles the lingering radiance of a once ancient, prosperous civilization.
Standing among the towering stone columns, you both become fascinated with your surroundings. Before you know it, you find the two of you in the middle of playing hide-and-seek...
8, 7, 6, 5...
4, 3, 2, 1—go!
Ready or not, here I come, Commandant!
Lucia opens her eyes to find dark clouds shrouding the moonlight on the horizon. Silence pervades everything within her sight.
Starting from the weathered main entrance of the temple, she scans the ruins under the night sky, searching for any sign of you.
Uhmmm...
Lucia slowly walks up to one of the marble columns.
Would Commandant be hiding... here?
She leans out to look behind the column but sees nothing.
...What's this?
There is a heart on one of the stone bricks. In the center of the heart are two lines of ancient text that appear to be names left by lovers from long ago.
Down the column, there are still more hearts. People from different eras have all left their names alongside their partners' on this stone column.
Moss has crept over their names, bearing witness to the passing millennia of Catania.
As Lucia bends down to examine the hearts, a deep rumble of thunder rumbles across the heavens.
And with it, Lucia hears rustling coming from behind.
...?
Recognizing the footsteps, she lets her guard down for a split second...
And that's when the world around her falls completely dark.
Commandant...
Recognizing the warmth of those hands on her cheeks, Lucia gently holds your wrists.
Where are we going?
In complete darkness, Lucia follows your guidance as she steps forward.
A moment later, a rich, sweet fragrance fills the air when the footsteps behind her stop.
When Lucia opens her eyes, she's greeted by a sea of swaying cornflowers.
...
Surrounded by the vibrant, thriving sea of flowers, Lucia breaks into a blossoming smile.
When she looks this way at you, she sees that you, too, are looking at her with a smile.
Didn't expect to find a view like this in the middle of the ruins.
She bends down to gently touch the deep blue petals.
Like blue fairies blooming in the wilderness, they ripple in gentle waves at Lucia's touch.
BOOM—
Before you even finish what you have to say, you hear a long howl coming from the sky.
And with it, torrential rain pours down like a merciless waterfall.
As raindrops the size of beans crash down upon the sea of flowers, Lucia immediately grabs your hand and points toward the temple in the distance.
Commandant, quick, let's get inside before the rain picks up!
Fortunately, the two of you have reached the temple before your formal attire gets completely soaked.
The rusty hinges let out a deep, somber groan as a magnificent, kaleidoscopic cathedral reveals itself behind the door.
Moonlight filters through the vitrum stained-glass windows, cascading down from the towering dome and streaming along countless majestic stone pillars.
Plaster flowers, religious paintings, statues of angels, and colorful floor designs... This sacred space gradually comes alive with vibrant hues painted by nature's splendor.
Bathed in the magnificent radiance of colored light, you and Lucia sit side by side on the spiral staircase.
From the outside, I thought this was just some old temple.
Didn't realize it was turned into a medieval church.
Hey, Commandant, look over there.
Lucia points to the dome, where the resplendent stained glass window gleams.
Prismatic panels of glass shine vividly. At the bottom, a knight draws his sword as he faces his enemies.
Up above the knight, a young woman in a wedding dress stands on a high wall as she tosses her veil down to cover the knight's head.
And at the very top of the image, white doves carrying olive branches in their beaks surround the Virgin Mary, with the Roman numeral "XII" gleaming brightly on her chest.
Pretty sure that painting shows Lucia and her lover's wedding.
She was the princess of Napoli. He was an invincible warrior who came from humble beginnings.
They loved each other, but couldn't be together because of who they were.
The echoes of legend reverberate through the cathedral. Over thousands of years, this stained glass must have seen countless travelers and received just as many praises.
Then one day, an envoy from a rival nation came—arrogant, cruel, and bold enough to insult Lucia in public. Napoli was furious.
Angry, her lover challenged the envoy to a duel and nearly killed him. That broke the law, and the Emperor sentenced him to death.
Lucia wouldn't let it happen. She put on her wedding dress, walked onto the execution ground, and tossed her veil to him. Said she was his bride, right there, in front of everyone.
She gazes up at the stained glass. In the gentle moonlight, Lucia's veil emanates a radiant glow.
And when the bells rang twelve, tradition gave her the right to one wish from the Emperor. She asked her father to pardon the man she loved.
So he was spared. And right there, on the execution ground, the people threw a celebration—for Lucia's wedding.
That's what I think, at least. Did you notice, Commandant? This church has six arches—
Twelve columns total. And each one's carved with an angel.
When you look around the magnificent space, you see that it's just as Lucia said—six majestic archways support the entire soaring structure of the building.
Even the old plaza outside still has twelve standing stones.
Catania seems to have a deep reverence for this "twelve-hour" symbol.
Maybe... Lucia's story shaped this place?
When I first heard the story, I felt the same way you do now.
It's a legend, sure, but sometimes what it means is more important than whether it's true. Maybe that's why it's carved into this place.
In the gentle patter of the rain, Lucia's stories gradually overlap in your mind.
The colorful lights brighten up Lucia's face. As your eyes meet, she seems deep in thought.
You mean... how she saved him by turning the execution into a wedding?
Yeah. And the way you answered back then—
...
Lucia listens quietly.
Whether or not to pull the lever—the dilemma they're discussing here is reminiscent of the trolley problem.
There is no getting out of a paradoxical whirlpool like this once one gets caught in its depths where only endless debate awaits.
But regardless of the choice made, it remains merely a thought experiment, with no impact on their present reality.
When one considers which life to save, that's when the premise has been quietly accepted: that lives can be ranked in terms of value, and that some are worth more than others.
People have pulled the lever again and again and fallen into introspection and debate, all the while overlooking the true culprit behind the dilemma—
Are you talking about... the demon that bargained with Lucia?
...
Lucia falls silent for a moment, then nods.
I think I get what you're trying to say, Commandant.
It's not about choosing A or B. It's about seeing who forced the choice in the first place.
Hearing what you said, she breaks into a gentle smile.
Writers and poets have spent centuries trying to put their own spin on Lucia's story, trying to end it differently.
But of all the versions I've heard... this one's my favorite.
Thank you, Commandant.
After the discussion, the two of you just sit in the chapel and chat about just any sort of thing.
Some are distant memories from the past, while others are vibrant daydreams racing toward the future.
Immersed in the tranquil atmosphere, you find yourself feeling drowsier by the second as Lucia's voice slowly grows distant.
You feel nice and cozy as you slowly descend upon a bed of warm, sacred feathers...
Eventually, gentle whispers are all that you can hear...
...Commandant?
At this point, you have already closed your eyes and are quietly leaning against the stone wall.
...
Lucia moves closer quietly and leans against your shoulder.
...Good night, Commandant.
With nothing but the rain petals scattering about, the world is all but completely silent.
Gradually, even the stars drift into peaceful dreams...
...
And, in the haze...
Lucia finds herself on some distant afternoon.
Look at these pretty dresses!
On the way home that day, Luna grabbed Lucia by the hand all of a sudden.
Whoa, they sparkle!
In the brightly lit display window was a pure white formal dress.
The only thought that crossed Lucia's mind then was...
What a beautiful dress.
This is what princesses wear in fairy tales, no?
There's even more inside!
Luna! Don't run off like that—
Luna pulled Lucia along and pushed open the door into the store.
Whoa—
And with it, they're greeted by a dazzling world of pure white.
The place looks like a castle from a dream. Here, formal dresses just like the one they'd just seen from the outside were displayed everywhere.
Welcome—oh! Hello there, little ones!
Hi, miss! These clothes are sooo pretty!
Heehee! I want Mom and Dad to buy me one too!
Looking around, Lucia finds herself drawn to one of the display windows.
She slowly approaches the display window. When she reaches it, she sees her own reflection in the pristine glass of the display window.
The dress looks breathtakingly beautiful under the lights, with its veil adorned with pink-white peach blossoms.
These are called wedding dresses. Girls wear them when they get married!
Wedding dress...?
It rings a bell—their mother just told them a story about dresses the night before.
In the story, the protagonist stood on the high wall of the execution ground and threw down her veil to save her beloved.
For some reason, Lucia felt a gentle warmth inside hearing the story.
Would I be able to do the same... if it were me?
Getting married... like Mom and Dad? Or like the princess and knight in the stories?
That's right. A wedding dress stands for love and the promise of a life together.
And for many girls, it's something you only wear once in your whole life.
Once... in a whole life...
Having heard what the shop attendant said, Lucia raises another question about weddings.
To wear one for real, you've gotta find the right person first.
What kind of person is... the "right" one?
Hearing the question, the shop attendant breaks into a gentle smile.
Everyone gives off their own color—some dim, some bright, some dazzling.
And sometimes, someone walks into your life, shining like a rainbow.
Once you see someone like that, you'll know.
...
Through the thin glass window, Lucia imagines herself wearing a wedding dress.
Love, couples, marriage... Lucia found these words somewhat distant.
But...
<i>Will that happen to me, too, someday?</i>
<i>Someday, will I get to wear one of these too?</i>
<i>Someday—</i>
<i>Will I meet someone who shines like that, too?</i>
<i>Until I find you, I'll keep all the things I want to say to you in my heart.</i>
<i>I wonder what future-you is doing right now.</i>
<i>Wherever you are, I hope you're happy.</i>
<i>I'll spend every day from now on searching for your light.</i>
<i>And when I finally pass through your world, please reach out to me.</i>
<i>My name is Lucia.</i>
<i>We'll see each other again, in the future.</i>
As dawn breaks, Catania embraces the golden light of daybreak.
After a night of rain, the lush forest is shrouded in a misty haze, shimmering brilliantly in the morning light.
Did you check the ruins?
Checked every corner. No sign.
Take more people with you. Search near the canals again.
Roger that.
Wait.
Among the cornflowers, two pairs of footprints are faintly visible.
Following the damp, blurry footprints on the ground, Frank pushes open the doors of the St. Lucia Chapel.
At the far end of the chapel up the stairs, he sees two people nestle together in deep slumber.
...
Lady Dawne, we found your godchild.
They're safe. Yes, ma'am, I'll bring them back now.
On the journey back, Frank doesn't bombard the two of you with questions. Instead, he does as instructed by Lady Dawne with the efficiency of a cold robot.
After arriving at the mansion, you return to bed and quickly drift back into slumber at Lucia's persistent insistence.
Having made sure that you've fallen asleep, Lucia tiptoes out of the room and gently closes the door behind her.
Has the commandant fallen asleep?
To her surprise, Olivia stands outside the door with her arms crossed.
...Okay.
What about you?
My frame is newer-gen. It doesn't need sleep to recharge.
Rest is a mercy from the Lord. Everyone needs time to sit with their soul, even Constructs.
Thank you for your concern, Lady Dawne.
She nods, the look on her face as cold as ever.
Next time you go out, check the forecast. Bring an umbrella.
Sorry. We moved without clearance...
It's alright. I understand.
Olivia's reaction surprises Lucia—she doesn't question why the two of them suddenly left last night.
We were just...
Where else would you go? Volcano, chapel, old ruins... I used to haunt all those places when I was younger.
She lets out a chuckle.
When you were younger?
Follow me.
Lady Dawne pats the coat on Lucia's shoulders and walks toward the stairs.
Where are we going?
Go and learn what a Catanian bride needs to know.
Following Lady Dawne, Lucia enters the family's spacious, bright kitchen.
The early morning sunlight casts a pleasant warmth, making the kitchen's diverse array of cookware gleam.
Here, cut this eggplant. Long strips.
Got it. Strips it is.
On the stove, Catanian specialty ingredients are piled high. Olivia skillfully wields her knife, crafting what will eventually become a table's worth of culinary gems.
Next to her, Lucia diligently helps with breakfast preparation.
Thanks to her daily "culinary training" back in Babylonia, Lucia is no stranger when it comes to these simple procedures.
Do you usually cook for yourself, Lady Dawne?
What, do I look like the pampered princess type?
No, I'm just...
As Olivia turns to plate the food, Lucia catches a glimpse of the mechanical structure on the back of her neck.
...?
It's unmistakable—it has to be a rear-mounted Inver-Device.
You're a Construct.
Olivia remains perfectly calm faced with the pointed question.
Relax. I retired a good while ago.
She takes the eggplant Lucia has sliced and drops it into the sizzling rapeseed oil along with the seasonings.
Turned in my weapons ages ago... So, how was the party last night?
She casually changes the subject.
Lucia lets her guard down, having recalled the details of the mission and sensing no hostility from Olivia.
...The commandant and I danced together. Watched the fireworks, too.
Then I'm guessing you saw the statue of Saint Lucia?
We did. I even told the commandant her story.
Oh? And what did your commandant think?
Commandant said stories are just stories. No need to get lost in fiction.
Lucia's real enemy isn't the choices she's forced to make—it's the one who created them. The demon behind it all.
Olivia falls silent for a moment, though her hands continue to stir-fry the dish with dexterity.
And what about you? What do you think?
I... agree.
Olivia lifts the lid of the pot and transfers the golden-fried eggplant strips onto a silicone paper plate. A rich, crispy fragrance immediately fills the air.
After a brief silence, Olivia opens her mouth again ready to speak.
...A long time ago, I knew a girl like that.
She was born into one of the Thirteen Families. Her father was very powerful.
She was raised to take over the family business. Trained in combat, poisons, finance... you name it.
But over time, she realized that none of it was really her choice.
She keeps her head down. As she goes through the ingredients, the emblazoned ring she's wearing catches the dim light and flickers with her every movement.
So she ran. Secretly joined the army. Cut ties with her past and ended up in Babylonia.
Of course, that meant she had to fulfill her duties as a soldier.
War is cruel, but at least there, she could pick her own weapon.
...And she met someone. A commandant worth following.
A cold glint flashes across her eyes for a split second.
They fought side by side, fell in love, and started dreaming of a future. They believed anything was survivable as long as they were together.
But one day, mid-mission, the comms went dark. The convoy was ambushed—
Her family's old enemies had finally tracked her down.
They strapped explosives to her and her commandant, and locked them in a room filled with the Punishing Virus.
There was no exit. The only way out was for one of them to blow themselves up to clear a path out for the other.
...
The Corrupted were shrieking around them. There was no time to find another way. She considered sacrificing herself to give her commandant a chance to survive, but maybe out of fear, she hesitated.
And in that heartbeat of hesitation, the commandant shoved her aside, ran to the wall, and triggered the charge. No goodbye.
She recounts the story emotionlessly, as if telling it for the first time, yet also the thousandth time.
Did she make it out?
For a long time, everyone thought she died. Her father, blinded by grief, struck out at his enemies—until he was killed in a so-called "ordinary" car crash.
But one day, she came back. Alive. She took over her father's empire and hunted down everyone who was there that day.
With no enemies left, and no family either, she became hollow. That memory still haunts her—it's a wound she'll carry forever.
If she hadn't hesitated, maybe her commandant would've lived. Maybe her commandant could've saved even more people in this broken world.
...
Olivia plates the pasta and serves it to Lucia.
To Catanians, every party night could be the last. They dance like there's no tomorrow and feast like it's their final supper.
Because we believe life is short. Any day might be your last. And when it ends, there should be no hesitation, no regrets.
You can treat Lucia's dilemma like some thought experiment, but to her, it was real.
When judgment comes, no one's going to pause and let you think up a third way out.
So find your answer now. Don't run from it, and don't give yourself a reason to look back in pain.
Olivia gazes into Lucia's eyes, the look she wears matching her words—stern yet resolute.
...
Faced with the legendary riddle, the commandant and Lady Dawne come up with completely different answers.
The two voices tangle in her head. Lucia has a hard time deciding whom to believe.
Lost in thought, Lucia carries one delicious dish after another to the dining table.
...Commandant?
Only then does she notice the person standing by the door to the dining room.
We made you breakfast.
A diverse array of exotic dishes is arranged on the table. Lucia quietly pushes the most appetizing ones toward you.
Father in Heaven, thank You for this meal. Forgive us for forgetting those still praying for their next one.
In Your name, bless this couple's love. May it be strong and true. Guide them as they retrieve the sacred wine You ordained—
After her simple prayer, Olivia looks at the two of you, a gentle smile forming on her face.
After you eat, Frank will drive you into town. The wine for your ceremony is waiting at the theatre.
For now, just enjoy the food.
