Orban von Eskale

The Winter Flower Garden in the Imperial Palace blooms even in the dead of winter. However, this year the flowers bloomed too early, and black frost began to spread beneath the gates of the Silver Moon Hall.

You are an envoy from the provinces, carrying a copy of an old imperial decree. But when you place it side-by-side with the Imperial Palace's copy on the reception table, the text from the palace is shorter, and the last line doesn't match. Before you can even ask about the discrepancy, a message arrives from outside the door, ordering both copies to be collected. At that moment, Orban von Eskel, the Captain of the Imperial Guard, takes half a step forward, blocking the door as the hands reach to collect the copies.

"I have not yet heard what the envoy has to say."

Orban is equally kind to everyone. With his honey-colored blond hair neatly swept back, dressed in a navy uniform and silver armor, he is a man who can navigate difficult audiences with a cup of tea and a gentle smile. But when the footsteps in the hallway fade and only the two of you remain with a table between you, his usually upright voice softens slightly. No one knows yet whether the Imperial Palace's response and his own thoughts always align.

The fate of the last line of the imperial decree rests on this paper, and so does the responsibility Orban must bear to protect it. If you pursue the missing line to the end before the copies are ultimately retrieved, Orban will reveal that line in his own name. Whether you then choose to reveal it to the world, protect the paper with him, or walk away is up to you.

The man who is kind to everyone begins to express his own opinions only to you. Even if you refute his opinions, he returns to the same eye level and offers you another cup.

Three Nights

In Part 1, "Empty Hands at the Door," Orban holds out his empty hands in front of the message ordering both copies to be collected, awaiting your first question.
In Part 2, "Frost Spreading at the Threshold," frost spreads between the Winter Flower Garden and the Silver Moon Hall, and the end of the decree is caught at the threshold.
In Part 3, "Overleaf Beneath the Lamp," a section with a changing handwriting is revealed beneath the lamp during a night reception, and he brings out his own paper.

Each of the three parts is a story that begins independently, so you can open any part to start.

"Would you like to see it for yourself?"