"Old gentleman, has the situation improved at all?"
New Eridu, Eldon District. Zane walked down the street beside an elderly man. Warm sunlight fell across the snow-covered neighborhood, making it shine even brighter.
"It's much better now..."
The old man walked with a slight stoop, one hand leaning on a wooden staff, the other tucked behind his back. Faint traces of weariness lingered in his expression, but a soft smile rested there.
Yet for some reason, the smile felt unreal.
A smile reflects one's heart, one's attitude toward people and the world. It should mean something. But for the old man, it carried little weight—if not for that faint glimmer of relief, even the last trace of sincerity would have vanished.
"The pace of improvement in that district has been quick. Everyone's been resettled properly, the unsafe buildings are already being demolished, and the municipal government worked through the night to handle the urgent issues. For now, the crisis has been resolved, and the rest will just be follow-up..."
"They never acted this swiftly before. If only they could keep it up."
In a place where poverty gathered, without the help of the young man beside him, they might never have paid attention at all.
Hearing this, Zane shook his head slightly.
"It's only because the elections are coming up. And after what happened at that banquet, the people have been stirred into action. They can't afford to slack off now."
"But whether they act out of duty or fear—doing something is better than doing nothing."
The old man nodded as they walked.
"Yes. Action is better than inaction."
Their steps were unhurried, their conversation light. Though neither spoke much, the atmosphere between them was easy.
After a while, they reached a small plaza and sat down on a bench. From there, the wide river that cut through New Eridu was visible.
Sunlight scattered into shards across the flowing water, gleaming gold like dragon scales flowing downstream. In the distance, a cargo ship split the golden surface as it slowly sailed toward its destination.
"Young man, you didn't come today just to check on things, did you? I can see there's something on your mind."
The old man broke from idle chatter, looking at Zane with a faint smile. Seeing Zane pause, he added gently,
"Go on, say it. It's nothing."
"I'm already one foot in the grave. What's left to cling to? What's there for you to hesitate over..."
He shook his head slightly, a touch of helplessness in his expression. Truly, being able to see those people secure a decent future was already enough for him.
Aside from one matter buried deep in his heart, there was nothing else left to care about.
Whether the young man beside him helped out of goodwill or some other reason, in the end, he had helped.
"You're quite the free spirit, old sir."
Zane smiled faintly. The first time they met, it had been in a run-down little house. Yet living in such humble conditions hadn't dampened the old man's spirit. He had even paid off those penalty fees on his own.
For someone like him, there was no need for pretense.
"Tell me, old gentleman... would you like to say a few words to the ones you've been longing for?"
"I can make it happen."
Zane's words made the old man pause in surprise, clearly not expecting such an offer.
"The ones I long for?"
"At my age, what longing could I still have..."
"I mean the Ballet Tower, old sir. You know what I'm talking about—you must have realized it long ago."
Zane's gaze stayed on him as he spoke softly.
"Augilia and Augetta."
At the mention of those names, silence fell between them. The noise of the plaza carried on, but for the two of them, it faded into nothing.
"Augilia and Augetta..."
A breeze passed through. The old man lifted his head slightly, repeating the names.
The sunlight across the plaza remained unchanged.
...
"Zane, where were you today? After you left the Ballet Tower, I didn't see you anywhere..."
Inside the video store, Belle was straightening tapes left scattered by customers. When she saw Zane return, she asked curiously.
"Nothing much. Just went to meet someone. What, trying to pry into my private life?"
Zane chuckled, teasing.
"Pfft, as if! I was just showing some concern, so a certain someone doesn't end up all lonely and neglected, bawling in the store, 'Waaah... waaah...'"
Belle stood on tiptoe, sliding a tape back onto the shelf, then rolled her eyes at him.
Her words made Zane's smile freeze. His expression darkened, and he sighed.
"Where did you even pick that up..."
Thinking of the twins, he let go of the urge to "teach Belle a lesson" and instead asked,
"So, when are you going back into the Hollows? If it'll take too long, I'll head to the tower myself first."
Belle blinked in surprise, not realizing how narrowly she had gotten away.
"Huh? Why so impatient? Though... Rain's situation is urgent, I'll admit. Once Victoria Housekeeping is ready, we'll set out again."
"It won't take long."
Zane nodded, though his mind kept turning.
What exactly was the deal with the twins? How much sentience did they have? Were they childlike, like Nineveh—or could they retain their consciousness from before? And what effect did he have on such peculiar Ethereals...?
There were still too many unanswered questions.
And beyond that, his feelings toward the Twin Marionettes were complicated.
Today's visit to the old gentleman had been because he felt the twins deserved a better ending. They were meant to have nothing more than that "final recording."
This way, he might also resolve his own doubts.
"Zane, what are you spacing out for?"
"Can't you see I can't reach it? My brother put it too high—come help me!"
Nearby, Belle hopped up twice, trying and failing to put spare tapes back on the shelf. She quickly called Zane for help.
Her voice snapped him from his thoughts. He looked over, then shook his head with a helpless smile.
"How come you and your brother are such different heights? You're siblings, and your ages aren't that far apart..."
Belle moved aside to let him take over, holding a box of tapes while grumbling,
"How should I know? Maybe because he ate too much as a kid. You wouldn't believe it, Zane—back then, he ate like a pig..."