• 1062
• Guard
  You all! Leave already!

• 1063
• Resident
  We can't leave until we give Master Alvise this petition!

• 1064
• Merchant
  The Turkish pirates are tearing us apart, but the nobles won't do anything! The young Aide Orseolo is our only hope...

• 1065
• Resident
  Master Alvise!

• 1066
• Minister's Secretary
  Master Orseolo, please...

• 1067
• Alvise
  Ha! Dogs of the stubborn old men, it's too late for your miserable pleas.
  Tell your masters that if they want to tear this nation apart, they will have to kill me first!

• 1068
• Minister's Secretary
  !!

• 1069
• Merchant
  ...
  Wow...
  and off he goes.

• 1070
• Resident
  What are you doing? He came out but you couldn't give him the petition.

• 1071
• Merchant
  I didn't expect him to be so angry!

• 1072
• What do you want to do?

• 1073
• Offer to deliver the message

• 1074
• Lead to the Orseolo mansion

• 1075
• Leave him be

• 1076
• Resident
  ...
  I guess we have to come back again tomorrow morning...

• 1077
• Resident
  ...
  Huh? Who are you?

• 1078
• Resident
  I see, you're an acquaintance of Master Alvise.
  In that case, here.
  Take this petition to him for us.

• 1079
• Received the townsfolk's petition!

• 1080
• Resident
  What...? Who are you?

• 1081
• Resident
  I see, you're an acquaintance of Master Alvise.

• 1082
• Merchant
  But he seemed so angry.
  If we townsfolk march into his mansion while he's like that...

• 1083
• Resident
  ...
  
  I guess he'll just yell at us and chase us away...
  
  Here, can you deliver this petition to him for us?

• 1084
• Merchant
  I'm sorry for the trouble.
  Thank you.

• 1085
• Alvise
  ...Player, what do you want?

• 1086
• What do you want to do?

• 1087
• Give the townsfolk's petition

• 1088
• Ask what happened at the mansion

• 1089
• Reply that it's nothing

• 1090
• Alvise
  I am a busy man myself.
  If you have no business, then please leave me be.

• 1091
• Alvise
  Ah, you saw me come out of the mansion?
  Yes...
  a reminder that I am still much too immature.
  I am ashamed to have shown you such an embarrassing facet of myself.
  ...
  By the way, what is that document you have in your hand?

• 1092
• You gave the townsfolk's petition!

• 1093
• Alvise
  ...
  
  Please defeat the Turkish pirates on behalf of the worthless government...
  
  If only I could...

• 1094
• Voice
  ...
  Oh, hello Player! I'm glad to see you.

• 1095
• Alvise
  Vittoria...

• 1096
• Vittoria
  Brother, how was the council today?
  The plan to work with Faisal was accepted, was it not...?

• 1097
• Alvise
  If it was, I would not be home so early.

• 1098
• Vittoria
  ...
  
  That's impossible! Even the Doge had shown his approval!

• 1099
• Alvise
  Yes, I had the Doge's approval from quite a while ago.
  However, the council members have added an impossible condition to it, as usual.

• 1100
• What question do you want to ask?

• 1101
• An impossible condition?

• 1102
• Don't ask anything

• 1103
• Vittoria
  Brother, what is this impossible condition?

• 1104
• Alvise
  The Decemviri was nearing its decision to work with Faisal.

• 1105
• Alvise
  Very well, then our country will now conclude our mutual cooperation with the Bedouin.
  We will pay them roughly 30 million ducats a year for their support in creating a canal in Suez.
  This agreement will be sure to help us achieve victory in the fight against Turkey!

• 1106
• Doge of Venice
  ...Very well.
  If there are no objections to Orseolo's plan, I hereby declare the measure...

• 1107
• Voice
  ...Your Excellency, a moment.

• 1108
• Alvise
  Gradenigo...

• 1109
• Gradenigo
  It is true that Orseolo's suggestion is attractive, and would bring much benefit to our country.
  However, there is one flaw that we cannot overlook.
  That is the country that resides behind us: France!

• 1110
• Alvise
  ...!

• 1111
• Gradenigo
  They have forged an agreement with the sultan for decades not to invade each other.
  If they were to team up with Turkey, there is an undeniable possibility that our country would be caught defenceless on both sides.

• 1112
• Doge of Venice
  Hmm...
  That's true...

• 1113
• Alvise
  What are you saying!?
  France and Turkey's alliance is nothing but an ancient relic!
  The possibility of a flank attack is...

• 1114
• Gradenigo
  ...Do you have proof that there is no possibility whatsoever of that happening?

• 1115
• Alvise
  ......

• 1116
• Gradenigo
  Master Orseolo...
  Please get a statement from the Queen Mother of France stating that they will never, ever attack us.
  If you can do that, then I can relax and cast a vote for your measure.

• 1117
• Vittoria
  But brother, if you could meet this Queen Mother...

• 1118
• Alvise
  That would be impossible.

• 1119
• How will you respond?

• 1120
• Why can't you see the Queen Mother?

• 1121
• Don't say anything

• 1122
• Vittoria
  ...Why not? The Queen Mother is like a mother to all of France, right?

• 1123
• Alvise
  That's right.
  And she was born to the house of Medicis in Florence, who were once the sworn enemies of Venice.
  As someone who saw the fall of the Medicis firsthand, and holds a grudge against us for it, there is no way she will let an ambassador from our country get near her.
  It's a problem even her diplomats worry about.

• 1124
• Alvise
  The Queen Mother was born to the house of Medicis in Florence, who were once the sworn enemies of Venice.
  As someone who saw the fall of the Medicis firsthand, and holds a grudge against us for it, there is no way she will let an ambassador from our country get near her.
  It's a problem even her diplomats worry about.

• 1125
• Alvise
  As long as the Queen Mother holds all the cards, there's no way this will work.
  Curse you, Gradenigo.
  You saw this happening and moved to work against it.

• 1126
• Voice
  ...
  Then I shall provide that opportunity.

• 1127
• Alvise
  Julien! You...

• 1128
• Alvise
  Is this man still lingering around Vittoria?

• 1129
• Vittoria
  Cross the bridge...? What do you mean?

• 1130
• Julien
  Ha ha...
  Do you remember what I'm called here in Paris?

• 1131
• Alvise
  Hmph.
  I believe my report said it was the Court Favourite.

• 1132
• Julien
  That's right.
  I have worked for nobles who were allowed to enter the palace freely.
  Among them are female officers who have served the Queen Mother since her days in Florence.

• 1133
• Vittoria
  If you ask them for help...!

• 1134
• Julien
  Yes, yes I have.

• 1135
• Alvise
  Hmph.
  We still don't know enough about you to trust you...

• 1136
• Vittoria
  Brother! The fate of our nation is at stake.
  This is no time for such trivialities.

• 1137
• Alvise
  But you know that this man has a suspicious history.
  And it's because the fate of Venice is riding on this that we can't ask for his help lightly!

• 1138
• Julien
  I am impressed by the Aide to the Doge and his trained aversion to danger.
  How about this.
  Master Alvise, you will carry a weapon for your own protection.
  I shall travel empty-handed.

• 1139
• Alvise
  I still decline!

• 1140
• Vittoria
  ...
  Fine.
  In that case, I shall be the emissary.
  Emaretta, prepare for departure.

• 1141
• Alvise
  Wha...
  Do you know how much diplomatic relations like these can affect a country's fate!?

• 1142
• Vittoria
  Yes, I think I do.
  Which is exactly why I can't sit back and do nothing!

• 1143
• Alvise
  ...
  
  Fine, fine.
  If you would go so far.
  I will rely on this man, but just this time.
  ...However, I have one condition.

• 1144
• Julien
  I see.
  And what's that?

• 1145
• Alvise
  I will travel on a separate ship.
  Who knows when he would reach for my life if we travelled together.

• 1146
• Julien
  As you wish, sir.

• 1147
• Alvise
  So, Player, this time I would like to ask you to deliver us to France on your ship.
  This is an important mission with the fate of our nation at stake.
  We promise a large reward from official sources.

• 1148
• How will you respond?

• 1149
• Okay, I see.

• 1150
• Why do you need your own ship?

• 1151
• No.

• 1152
• Alvise
  True, I could use a government ship.
  However, who knows what kind of Council influence those ships are under?
  On the other hand, you have the trust of Vittoria.

• 1153
• How will you respond?

• 1154
• Okay, I see.

• 1155
• Speak for yourself

• 1156
• Alvise
  I see...
  then we must look elsewhere.

• 1157
• Alvise
  Thank you.

• 1158
• Vittoria
  I'm so sorry you have to get caught up in my brother's indulgences, Player.

• 1159
• Julien
  Alright everyone, let us head to Marseilles.

• 1160
• Alvise
  Hmph.
  Do what you like.

• 1161
• Vittoria
  Player, please.
  Can you send my brother to France?

• 1162
• Julien
  Sheesh...
  Master Alvise really doesn't like me, does he.

• 1163
• Alvise
  Player, I would like to travel on your ship to France.
  It is an official mission from our government, so we promise a high reward.

• 1164
• Vittoria
  I'm so sorry about this, Player.
  Thank you for helping Alvise.

• 1165
• Julien
  In that case, my ship will trail behind Player's.

• 1166
• Alvise
  Hah.
  Player, leave him behind.

• 1167
• Alvise
  Ah, we have arrived already.
  Thank you, Player. Here is your payment, as promised.

• 1168
• Alvise
  What is that commotion?

• 1169
• Alvise
  ...Who are these people!?

• 1170
• Young Girl
  Eee! It's really Julien!

• 1171
• Large Woman
  Julien? You don't mean...the Court Favourite who got rid of De Broglie for us!?

• 1172
• Young Girl
  He's just as handsome as I heard.
  Look over here, Julien!

• 1173
• Alvise
  Wha...what's going on?

• 1174
• Julien
  It seems that rumours of me have spread while I was gone...
  Anyway, the Aides to the Queen Mother will meet us at the mansion to the right.
  Follow me.

• 1175
• Julien
  Miss, would a woman of such beauty as yours be kind enough to let us through?

• 1176
• Large Woman
  Tee hee...
  Oh, you flatter me...

• 1177
• Alvise
  (I'm never letting him get near Vittoria again...)

• 1178
• Julien
  Please, take a seat here.
  I will invite the ladies.
  Please be forewarned, though.
  Player and you are making a plea to them.
  Please do not forget that, and please do not cross them, under any circumstance.

• 1179
• Alvise
  What's with that cheeky laugh...

• 1180
• Noble Woman
  Are these the gentlemen who would like to see us?

• 1181
• Noble Woman
  Well...
  You must be Master Alvise?
  He seems as strong as Julien, but in a different manner.

• 1182
• Noble Woman
  My...
  This sailor here is quite the looker too.

• 1183
• Noble Woman
  Come on, Master Alvise, look over at me...
  My husband is off in Paris, and I could really use some company...

• 1184
• Noble Woman
  Hey, that's no fair! Just a while ago you and Julien were...!

• 1185
• Alvise
  ...Ahem! Ladies, I beg your attention.
  We have come here to your fine country to meet with the Queen Mother...

• 1186
• Noble Woman
  Tee hee...
  We can talk about stodgy old things like that later...
  After we've had our fun...
  Right?

• 1187
• Alvise
  (Wha...what's with these women?)

• 1188
• Noble Woman
  Julien!

• 1189
• Julien
  Ha ha...
  It looks like you're all having a grand time.
  Tonight, I am proud to announce that we have prepared a feast for you lovely ladies containing some of the finest dishes and drinks in the world.

• 1190
• Noble Woman
  Well, isn't that wonderful...

• 1191
• Julien
  Now, enjoy your time until tomorrow morning.

• 1192
• Alvise
  (T-tomorrow morning...!?)

• 1193
• Vigour is recovered!

• 1194
• Alvise
  Player...
  Please don't talk in my ear.
  It makes me dizzy...

• 1195
• Julien
  Ha ha...
  It looks like you had a lot of fun, Player.

• 1196
• Julien
  ...
  What happened? Master Alvise?

• 1197
• Alvise
  Ugh...
  Just the smell of perfume and face powder in this mansion is giving me nausea and a headache...
  ...Julien, I have endured a single night...
  You had better ensure that we get our audience with the Queen Mother now...

• 1198
• Alvise
  Oh, and the both of you: don't you dare breath a word to Vittoria about what happened here last night...

• 1199
• Julien
  Ha ha...
  You'd never guess he was one of the brightest minds of the Decemviri.

• 1200
• Julien
  ...?

• 1201
• Noble Woman
  Julien, a gentleman asked me to relay this letter to you.

• 1202
• Julien
  Oh ho.
  Thank you, my good man.
  ...

• 1203
• Noble Woman
  Hey, so...
  When can I see you again? Preferably just the two of us...

• 1204
• Julien
  Ha ha...
  There is no greater honour I could ask for than to hear those words from a lady as beautiful as you.

• 1205
• Noble Woman
  Tee hee...
  You flatterer.
  Okay then, it's a date.

• 1206
• Julien
  ...This is...!

• 1207
• What question do you want to ask?

• 1208
• Who is it from?

• 1209
• What does it say?

• 1210
• Julien
  ...
  It is nothing, just a letter from an old friend.
  He has been missing for several years now, so I am surprised.
  That is all.
  Well...
  I must take my leave.
  Player, thank you for your help today.
  The Queen Mother should be visiting this town soon.
  I will meet you again then.

• 23077
• Tired of seeing the government do nothing in regards to dealing with the Turkish pirates, the citizens of Venice gave a petition to Player to give to Alvise in order to force him to take action.

• 23078
• Receiving the petition, Alvise had a pained look on his face.
  As a plan to oppose Turkey, there was a proposal within the parliament to join forces with the Bedouin, but it was at a standstill due to interference from the Council.
  As a condition for approving the plan, the Council required that they sign a mutual non-aggression pact with France, who had ambitions of dominating the Italian peninsula.

• 23079
• However, the Queen Mother who controlled France thought of Venice as a deep-rooted enemy.
  Consequently, there was little possibility that they would consent to the agreement.
  Vittoria was hurt by seeing her brother in such dire circumstances.
  Then, Julien came and said that he would serve as a mediator with the Queen Mother.

• 23080
• In actuality, he knew the noble ladies who were near the Queen Mother from the time he spent in the Paris Court.
  Alvise was suspicious of Julien's history, and refused to take him along with them.
  Vittoria persuaded him to change his mind and also asked Player to come along as well.
  She wanted to make sure that Julien did not do anything suspicious.

• 23081
• And so, Alvise, Julien and Player set out to Marseilles in order to meet with the noble ladies.

• 23082
• Arriving in Marseilles, the group headed to the mansion where the noble ladies were waiting.

• 23083
• Alvise gave a mysterious look to Julien, who smiled and said, "please do not cross them, under any circumstance."

• 23084
• Just then, the noble ladies came into the room.
  They refused to listen to Alvise's request for them to speak with the Queen Mother and instead tried to seduce the group, to which Alvise could only wince from their frankness.
  Julien announced an all night feast to the group.
  Alvise was at a loss for words in the face of the delighted noble ladies.

• 23085
• The night came to an end and the party was over.
  Alvise appeared completely drained of energy and left the mansion on uneasy legs as he asked Julien to speak to the Queen Mother.
  Julien smiled wryly as Alvise walked away, then one of the noble ladies from the previous evening returned.
  She brought out a letter that she received from a man that was passing by.

• 23086
• Julien said that it was simply a foolish letter from one of his friends.
  He commented that, "The Queen Mother should be visiting this town soon," and apparently in a hurry, got up and left.