The Golden Bough (before battle)
... So how are there two Golden Boughs here? I mean, it's a rich family manor, but it's not like they're a corporation or a Syndicate.
Mm... One was acquired by Linton, who spent nearly all of his fortune on it, and...
I wonder how he got his hands on the second one?
It is possible that there may have been an involvement of a third party that helped Linton and Catherine.
With what information we gathered from this Aseah... all evidence seems to point to Director Hermann of N Corp. being our 'third party'.
Right... hiring former Ring researchers of all people? That's not something you see every day.
So you have all been traveling with Heathcliff, collecting the Golden Boughs... Yes?
... Yes.
Then you must have had to fight so many people in your journey.
Hm. I suppose every day's been like a battlefield. We've all seen more than enough of our share of battles.
Can't say I disagree with that comparison. Except we have tasted nothing but victory so far.
I see.
So... why are you looking for the Golden Boughs?
Boredom.
Well... maybe it'll lead us to loads of money?
Aha! Because that! Is an act of justice!
It's all just a part of our contracts. I don't know what they're planning to do with the Golden Boughs, though.
So none of you even know why you are collecting the Golden Boughs.
... Aren't you scared, Heathcliff?
Doing everything the company asks you to do, without asking a single question...
Do you ever worry about... what comes next...?
Nelly. I've always had a singular goal.
We all do. Because Clockhead keeps reminding us of our individual goals.
So... no. I've never been afraid.
I could hear the faint sound of horse hooves echoing from above us.
And now, I have but one goal.
We have to go after that git. We can't let him take Catherine to the rooftops where the Golden Bough is.
But...
Isn't it too late now...? We are slow, yet he is swift.
... Vergilius bought us this opportunity.
He must have had to sacrifice something of his to get here. He made that decision for our sake.
I will not waste this chance.
This is the only way to the rooftops, right?
Yes.
Agh... that bastard keeps sending those dregs after us...
What we need...
... isn't the strength to defeat them.
What we need is a little time.
<…….>
<Faust. I'm asking this out of pure curiosity, but...>
Do ask.
<There's gotta be a good reason my head is, of all things, in the shape of...>
<... a clock, right?>
It can be said that its shape was not determined randomly and without intent.
As every shape is followed by concepts and symbols adherent to the laws of causality.
<And the Golden Bough has powers that I am yet to be aware of.>
You are not asking a question. You are asking for a confirmation.
If that is the case...
Simply do as you will, as one seeks the stars in the night sky.
If I can... I mean, my clock or the Golden Bough... or whichever it is... can turn back time...
... then what's there to say that I can't accelerate it or shorten it?
Besides, I...
... I did not want my Heathcliff to be tied down to his past like the Heathcliff from the other world was.
<…!>
Woah...! Do you feel that?
We're... faster. Fast enough to outrun our enemies.
This is not temporal acceleration, to be precise. It would be more accurate to say we are in a temporal deceleration field that slows everything except us within a certain radius.
Whatever it is, we'll catch up to him in no time!
Oi, Clockhead. ... Is this your doing?
<I... think so.>
The Sinners could've complained that 'this would've been very helpful a while ago!'... but I had nothing to say to them.
Even I didn't know that I had access to such power. I just began to feel the possibility out of nowhere.
Everyone I've gone through in my life...
Either ignored me, scorned me, or I simply lost the plot before we even had the chance to build anything. It was always a mess.
But you, Clockhead...
What is wrong with you...? Why do you still hold any hope for me?
You needn't go this far for my sake. The company won't give two shites about any of this. The other Sinners won't, either. So why are you... why are you trying so hard?
I don't deserve any of it. I ain't worth -
<Because...>
…….
Heathcliff, focus! He's getting away!
Bollocks...
Let's crack on for now.