A palace of memory, its structure more elaborate than a Leithanian instrument, its contents more incoherent than revenant rambling. Supporting this palace is perhaps as simple as enjoying a spoonful of soup—well, I'd say it is woven of thread rather than built of brick…

It's strange to perform a Deep Dive into Theresa's memory. It has lived within me since my beginning, but when I search these memories… I feel like a mere reader. It's very strange… I won't show you these Deep Dive records, Doctor.

Defending one's land turns a clothesmaker into a hero, and a hero into a King of Sarkaz... yes, this is where it all began: Theresis thumped on the door, and Theresa set down her scissors. Only when the door opened that evening, did she realize the heavy rain outside.

Only when the Goliath rushed out of the city gates that day and beheaded a Gaulish officer did we finally breathe easy. He brought back a Gaulish coat, but only handed me a piece of candy from its pocket, asking that I give it to a wounded soldier… But I couldn't do it, and I couldn't bring myself to tell him why.

We took the only opportunity we had. Kal'tsit did not originally plan to kill Yliš, she merely wanted to strip the black crown from the Sarkaz, but the 'Feeble King' still had a plan to thwart hers, and thus the war dragged on… until Theresis brandished his blade.

When Kal'tsit was born anew from the 'cocoon', I hesitated for a moment. But the look in her eyes was familiar. After wearing the black crown, I would occasionally see my… I thought, perhaps we didn't have to become enemies. I'm glad I considered the notion.

Bertha wasn't young anymore then, and my mentor didn't think she'd return. She smiled as she said it didn't matter if she died in Kazdel, for her sharp-tongued disciple had no way out. We laughed over many jokes together, but this is the only one I dislike…

I've kept this secret for so long… When the guards changed shifts, my mentor's cloth got caught on the horn of a Caprinae, causing him to trip and fall. I didn't laugh. Really. Well… Until I told Amiya about it. She'd find out eventually, after all.

Theresis was never the type to smile. I'd poke his forehead so many times, but he never wavered. Though… on our day of victory, when we thought it was all over, when we could finally go home, I saw a smile on his face. The very next moment, that tiny crown hovered between us.

One time, I stayed awake for sixty hours straight, and Laqeramaline sang a lullaby to compel me to sleep… that was the first time I heard a Banshee sing something that wasn't an elegy, even if I only got to hear a verse and a half before I drifted off…

These Deep Dive records belong only to me. They are distant to you, and that includes the you from 'before'. This is a story from two centuries ago, the past of a Theresa from Terra. Yet, if one were to imagine a travel companion…

Close-combat fights on the battlefield are a rare sight, despite having walked corridors built by war. Of course, she had no desire to engrave those onto her memories.

If this is simply a journey through memory, it should be a delightful one… the hardest, strongest, and brightest threads are always tied to hope, trust, and love. I understand her wish. Of course I do.

These precious, pleasant memories… the more I see, the more I feel a sort of emotion. I think it's called 'grief'. I'm grieving for… her.

I know. We can't rest just yet.

Well then, be sure to follow my commands.

News of reinforcements? How's the Goliath doing on his end?

We have no other choice but to go against them. It's fine, we'll find our chance.

Is this the Patriarch's transfer order? Understood.

The vampires are on their way? Very well, I'll hold the line here.

Capture the high ground ahead. We need the Gargoyles to repair the fort.

No more retreating. I'll stay here while you… contact Bertha.

Theresis, kill them. Intruders have no right to brandish their blades here.

Laqeramaline, I will silence them. Outsiders will no longer disturb your songs with their music.

You… are the ones who do not belong.

What did you expect to extract from Kazdel?

After that, the flags of the coalition army retreated like a deluge, revealing the ravaged Kazdel to the sun. Just how many died in that flood? But we knew that day, nothing could have sunk our city.

Someone must have considered what comes after victory. But, as Theresa set down her scissors, she did not yet realize who would take the crown.

Total victory does not exist. Trading space for time, retreating to drag on the assault, bleeding dry the western front to gain an inch in the east… Even Theresa began to calculate everything before her as battlefield resources, until… No, total victory does not exist, for every life has worth.

As long as we still live, there's a chance.

If I stray too far, I'll… hm, I won't. I already know this whole place, after all.

I'm not sleeping. So you won't be able to wake me up.

Actually, I remember the touch of your hands, but you've forgotten mine, haven't you?

Arknights.

The longer one lives, the shorter a year feels. The past grows, while the present shrinks—that's how it is. But truth be told, we're all easily deceived. Today will be the best year ever—will you trust me on this?

Done with your break and ready to press on…? Doctor, if you were here, that's what I'd say to you. If you were still here.

Actually, you could've had all that makes up the universe. Heat, light, gravity, space, and the very order of existence. Would you hate me, if we didn't return to our original end? Even so… please accept my gift, whether you possess everything, or nothing at all.

When I look back on these memories, I realize just how tiny the seeds of those dreams are. Are you the same? Rhodes Island will head towards the future we all hope for, and this time, I will be there with you. Always.