Shadows of London: 3-9 Return to the Opera House

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Caroline confronts Irad the Elder directly. The time for passivity is over.

Info

Style: Rewards: 3,000 , 600 , 3 , 1 , 1 , Blueprint: Coronation Chair

Coronation Chair

Dialogue Choices

He seems so calm, as if he will not hesitate to agree if I do.

• Would you do it?
  • Vincent goodwill up
• There's something else I need you to do
  • Story continues

Transcript

Expand for script.

• Vincent doesn't show up during the day. Perhaps he's waiting until we can be alone, and doesn't want to get into another conflict with Roger again.
• As night falls, I sit alone on the balcony, waiting for him.
• Vincent Savile: What do you think you're doing, Caroline?

• Vincent Savile: Do you think that the Elder is only sending ghouls to scare you?

• His voice is icy cold, brimming with immense anger.
• But I'm not surprised.
• You: Can we have a proper conversation, Vincent?

• You: I've as good as issued him a challenge, and now I need to prepare for what comes next. I need your help.

• He emerges from the darkness, his lips tightly pursed. Vincent glances down at me coldly, waiting for my next words.
• You: I have to defeat the Elder. Whether it's to protect myself, rescue Jesse, or avenge my mother...

• You: I have to eliminate him. It's the only way to solve this problem.

• Vincent Savile: You're wrong. This isn't a solution. You're courting disaster.

• Vincent Savile: You don't know what the Elder's like. You don't know how powerful he is, nor how he treats his enemies.

• Vincent Savile: He sees you as a potential vessel. He's only being cautious because he doesn't want any harm to come to your body.

• Vincent Savile: He won't be gentle if you do anything that would threaten him.

• You: My mother rebelled against him before.

• Vincent Savile: ...

• You: Hawke too. And you.

• His face immediately darkens. After a few minutes, he slowly speaks, as if he is trying hard to suppress his emotions.
• Vincent Savile: Yes, and he's still standing, Caroline.

• Vincent Savile: We failed, and we paid the price for it. I don't want you to pay the price as well.

• Vincent Savile: That is not the ending that I, or your parents, want to see. You can choose a safer path.

• You: What safer path is there? Am I to leave London then?

• You: This path is a dead end too, Vincent.

• You: He knows my location. And I still don't know how he discovered this information.

• You: If I were to go to Canterville Manor right now, I'd definitely disappear on my way back. You'll see my obituary in the newspaper then.

• Vincent Savile: Don't joke about something like that!

• He immediately raises his voice to stop me.
• His sudden outburst rings in the quiet night, and we both fall silent.
• I start to speak again after making sure that we haven't woken anyone up.
• You: I've made up my mind.

• You: I'm going to do this, Vincent, whether you'll help me or not.

• You: If you want to prevent me from getting hurt, helping me will be more effective than stopping me.

• Vincent Savile: ...

• He stands there stiffly for a moment before he finally sits down, cementing my first step to victory.
• Vincent Savile: What are you planning?

• You: Vincent, the person most familiar with the Elder's power in this city is you. So tell me, what is his greatest advantage?

• Vincent Savile: That no one knows where he is.

• He gives his answer without any hesitation.
• You: Indeed. No one can find him unless he reveals himself.

• He tilts his head slightly, as if he understands, but still waits for me to say it out loud.
• You: The first step to subduing an enemy is to deprive them of their advantage.

• You: Since the Elder wants to take my body as a vessel, then I should make sure he himself, and not his subordinates, comes to meet me.

• Vincent Savile: I see. He'll show up if he thinks you have nowhere to run.

• Vincent Savile: So you dismissed your servants and plan to travel alone... all to make the Elder reveal himself to you?

• You: Indeed.

• Vincent Savile: It won't work, Caroline. He's always been cautious... even more so after being betrayed.

• Vincent Savile: And if he really wanted to attack you, you wouldn't have the time to react to his speed.

• You: He wouldn't do so if my mother appeared before him.

• Vincent Savile: !

• You: He spent so much effort trying to capture her after she left, but she still managed to escape.

• You: You said it before, the Elder was once human. If we consider that he has human emotions, we can predict his actions easily.

• Vincent scrutinizes me with an indescribable expression for a few seconds, then hesitantly averts his gaze.
• Vincent Savile: But Caroline... you don't resemble your mother that greatly.

• You: I know. Roger's mentioned it.

• Vincent Savile: So you should understand that such visual tricks will only distract him momentarily. He'll become even angrier once he realizes what's happened.

• Vincent Savile: He won't have any pity or sympathy for you.

• You: I don't need his pity or sympathy. Just a momentary lapse is enough.

• You: I am not just Lavinia's daughter. I'm also the daughter of Cyril Rayes, who took her away from him.

• You: This alone is enough to fuel his hatred and anger. And besides...

• Vincent Savile: What is it?

• You: My father was the one who killed my mother.

• Vincent Savile: !

• You: I saw it happen, but my fear buried the memory.

• Vincent Savile: ...Caroline...

• You: It's okay. I understand why my father did what he did. He did it out of love and respect for my mother, and I don't hate him.

• You: But the Elder won't think the same.

• You: My father has passed away, and the Elder can't seek revenge on him anymore. But there's still me.

• I take a deep breath, trying my best to suppress my fear with a calm tone.
• You: A cat would rather toy with its prey until it's exhausted before it swallows it whole.

• Vincent Savile: What, so you plan to take advantage of such complex emotions? Aren't you afraid that he'll lose control and kill you?

• You: He's not going to find another perfect vessel like me so easily.

• You: As someone who has lived for hundreds of years, he must realize how precious I am.

• You: I believe he will go to great lengths to torment my soul as a form of revenge, but he will ensure that my body remains unharmed.

• Vincent's fingers tremble when he hears the word "revenge," almost wanting to grab my hand, but ultimately clenches his fist quietly.
• Vincent Savile: Caroline, I must remind you: The Elder is no easy target.

• Vincent Savile: He's ruled the London clan for two centuries, and his intellect and the terrors he's inflicted are far beyond what you can even imagine.

• Vincent Savile: You may be able to predict how he'll react, or manipulate his emotions easily.

• Vincent Savile: But his power is staggering. I'm not sure if targeting his emotions will do anything to dampen that.

• Vincent Savile: Even if you provoke him to lose his composure, it would still be very easy for him to subdue you.

• Vincent Savile: I hope that witnessing what happened to your parents hasn't given you the impression that killing a vampire is an easy task.

• If this statement wasn't spoken by Vincent, I would have perceived it as an insult.
• But he's just stating the facts. Facts that I am well aware of.
• You: You're right. But everything I've just said was just the groundwork.

• You: I will carry a weapon with me for self-defense, but the Elder will certainly see it coming.

• You: I cannot be the killer. Someone else must be entrusted with this deed.

• Vincent gazes at me as if asking if I'll entrust him with this task.
• He seems so calm, as if he will not hesitate to agree if I do.

Would you do it?

• You: If I asked you to, would you say yes?

• Vincent Savile: It's the only way to solve this problem. That's what you said ten minutes ago.

• You: Even if it means risking your life?

• Vincent Savile: If you want to prevent me from getting hurt, helping me will be more effective than stopping me. That's what you said nine minutes ago.

• I can't help but purse my lips, trying not to burst into laughter.

There's something else I need you to do

• You: No, I can't let you do it.

• He furrows his brow slightly, looking at me curiously.
• You: As I mentioned earlier, the Elder will go to great lengths to torment my soul.

• You: And if our guess is correct, he already has an ace up his sleeve...

• Vincent Savile: ...Jesse Lindvall.

• I nod silently. Vincent has a complicated look on his face as he reminds me quietly.
• Vincent Savile: If Jesse really is in his hands, I don't think the Elder would be merciful enough to not put him under a blood bond.

• Vincent Savile: Caroline, I want you to be prepared for the worst.

• Vincent Savile: Jesse may not have full control over his body.

• You: I know.

• Vincent is hinting that even if I meet Jesse, I can't trust him completely because his words and actions may not be his own.
• You: I want you to keep Jesse safe, Vincent.

• You: No matter what happens, even if I may be in danger, please prioritize Jesse's safety.

• Vincent Savile: That is completely unreasonable. I cannot just stand by and watch you—

• You: Please, Vincent.

• Vincent Savile: ...

• You: At least I still have some means to protect myself. Jesse, though... he needs protection the most.

• He remains silent, refusing to answer. But I know that he has accepted my plea.

• You: Thank you, Vincent.

• You: But you're not the right person for the task. You're greatly disadvantaged against the Elder; you share a blood bond, and he knows you well.

• Vincent Savile: So you're thinking of asking someone who doesn't have a blood bond and whom the Elder doesn't know exists?

• From his harsh tone, it seems like Vincent has already realized who this person is.
• You: Out of all the people we know, he's the most suited for the job, isn't he?

• Vincent Savile: He is. But would he agree?

• Before I can answer, he suddenly turns away and mutters to himself.
• Vincent Savile: Of course he would.

• Vincent stands up without waiting for my answer, and looks down at me.
• Vincent Savile: So, it's settled then. When will your plan begin?

• I also stand up and cast my gaze towards the tranquil night.
• You: ...tonight.

• It's almost eleven o'clock.
• Considering the distance between my house and the Ruby Opera House, now's the perfect time to depart.
• I enter my bedroom and, without Alice, I struggle to put on my outfit.
• I do my hair up in a voluminous updo, topping it with a gorgeous hat... mimicking Desdemona's look in that painting.
• The satin blue roses shimmer eerily in the cold light.
• And I hide the silver dagger in my cloak.

• You: Good evening, Mr. Johnson. I apologize for disturbing you so late at night.

• George Johnson: There's no need for such formalities, Miss Rayes.

• George Johnson: I received your calling card earlier, but there was no need for such a gesture.

• George Johnson: You are welcome to visit us anytime you'd like.

• You: In truth, Aunt Petit reprimanded me for coming over so late the last time without sending a calling card.

• You: I'm just making sure I don't incur her wrath again.

• George Johnson: I see. Please have a seat, Miss Rayes.

• Mr. Johnson still appears somewhat uneasy. He looks at my get-up, blinking in confusion.
• I remain vigilant and sit down on the chair as gracefully as possible.
• George Johnson: So, are you here today to talk about the charity performance?

• You: Yes, Miss Barnet and I recently organized a successful charity fundraiser. You may have heard about it.

• George Johnson: Yes, I read about it in the newspaper. I truly admire you, Miss Rayes.

• You: The funds raised have all been used to support the Eastern District, but it's clearly not enough.

• You: We hope to strike while the iron's hot and use your opera house to hold a charity performance to raise funds for the Eastern District.

• You: And of course, we'll cover the cost of renting the venue.

• Mr. Johnson smiles sheepishly.
• George Johnson: I appreciate your attentiveness, Miss Rayes. If I could, I'd like to help the Eastern District out as well...

• George Johnson: But as you know, I'm the only one left in the theater. There are no actors and stagehands left.

• George Johnson: Which play are you planning to perform? Is it the comedy, "Much Ado About Nothing"?

• George Johnson: As You Like It is also very popular. I must advise against "The Merchant of Venice"; it's not quite suitable for a charity performance--

• You: No, Mr. Johnson, I have already decided on the play.

• You: I plan to perform "Othello".

• Mr. Johnson looks up in astonishment.
• I seem to hear some rustling outside the theater, but it could just be my imagination.
• George Johnson: Othello? For charity?

• You: Just think of it as a publicity stunt. After all, why wouldn't the famed Ruby Opera House known for its Shakespearean plays perform the classic "Othello"?

• You: We have you, an experienced impresario to lead this play.

• You: With popular stage designs and props, as well as...

• I intentionally lift my head, imitating the innocent expression on the painting, and keep smiling.
• You: The daughter of the mysterious Desdemona who once took the stage by storm... taking on the very same role her mother played thirteen years later.

• While considering what might provoke the Elder the most, I think it's safe to say that the name Desdemona is the biggest trigger of them all.
• But as I involuntarily tense up, preparing for his wrath, nothing happens.
• George Johnson: Miss Rayes?

• You: (Will words alone really make him lose his composure?)

• I relax my grip on the dagger under my cloak, realizing that my palms have grown sweaty.
• George Johnson: So you want to play the role of Desdemona?

• You: Yes. And just imagine the posters, "From Mystery to Legacy".

• You: My outfit today looks just like hers, doesn't it?

• George Johnson: Indeed it does.

• I raise my voice deliberately, loudly discussing the details of the charity performance with Mr. Johnson.
• Time ticks away, second after second. When the clock strikes twelve, I find that I'm all out of words.
• I bid farewell to Mr. Johnson, my heart filled with both disappointment and relief, and open the carriage door.

• ???: Good evening, Miss Caroline Rayes.

• A middle-aged man dressed in a pastor's attire, with a holy sash tied around his waist, is sitting calmly in my carriage, gazing at me solemnly.
• My heart starts to beat wildly.
• George Johnson: Miss Rayes, who is this...?

• I hold my breath as I turn calmly to Mr. Johnson, who came to see me off.
• You: An acquaintance of mine. Goodbye, Mr. Johnson.

• You: I'll be back to discuss the charity performance again.

• I close the door with hands that are slightly trembling, and then quickly take a seat across from the pastor.