Long-Lost Harmony

 Go to where Lycaon is

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Today's the day we set with Lycaon. Let's go meet up.

Hugo: Faking my own death... Hope it's all worth the theatrics in the end.

Hugo: It was just to keep Hartman off my back, but maybe I went a little overboard... The Manager must be pretty shaken up — I should apologize at some point...

Hugo: Hmm... Guess I'll also bring Lycaon along. He's my partner in crime, after all.

(Approach Lycaon)

Lycaon: ...You're late.

Hugo: So strict. Spare me a moment to catch my breath, will you?

The Trick of Mockingbird

The following is recorded in the Video Archive

 "The Trick of Mockingbird"

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Video Summary: Just a few little tricks of mutual understanding and perfect teamwork.

Story Description: Lycaon and Hugo used a secret signal to fake Hugo's death and fooled everyone. Despite Lycaon's skepticism about Hugo's backup plan, the two continue to cooperate with remarkable coordination.

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Lycaon: You're taking longer to rest than I expected.

Hugo: Lycaon, you think too highly of my physical capabilities.

Hugo: Well, thank you for your cooperation. I must say, if nothing else, at least your acting skills have improved~

Lycaon: ...

Hugo: Hm? Why do you look so... angry?

Hugo: You should be happy. We pulled that off together with flawless teamwork and managed to fool everyone.

Lycaon: "Drop your foolish facade"...

Hugo: I'm glad you still remember the code we set all those years ago, and thank you for ensuring your sleight of hand didn't deteriorate—

Hugo: Oh right, I should also thank the blood bag hidden in my clothes and our other props.

Hugo: Do you remember when we last used this trick? It was probably ages ago.

Lycaon: ...Sometimes, I really don't understand you.

Lycaon: Have you never thought about what the consequences would be if I didn't understand your code, if I decided against helping you, or if I just couldn't control my strength properly...?

Hugo: You'd understand it.

Hugo: Of course, if things really did go awry, I had alternative plans—

Hugo: You wouldn't be so arrogant as to think I'd bet everything on you, would you?

Lycaon: ...You're insane.

Hugo: Thanks for the compliment~^{[Note 1]}

Self-Sacrifice

The following is recorded in the Video Archive

 "Self-Sacrifice"

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Video Summary: For... justice?

Story Description: Hugo stages his death to divert attention, laying down the work for his revenge against the Ravenlock family and investigation on the Exaltists. Lycaon helps hide him in the port warehouse, where Hugo binds himself to initiate his final plan, using himself as bait to end the conflict.

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Lycaon: So what exactly is the purpose behind all this? Surely, after going to such great lengths to erase your own existence, you don't just plan to hide here and reminisce about the past with me.

Lycaon: Don't try to brush this off. I've already helped you enact your plan... Tell me the truth.

Hugo: Don't get your tail in a twist. I have more plans that require your assistance, so, naturally, I would not hide anything from you. Simply put——

Hugo: As things stand, whether as Hugo Vlad or as Mockingbird... I am doomed to die.

Lycaon: Seems you've made quite a few enemies.

Hugo: As a member of the Ravenlock family, I negotiated with Edmund and managed to obtain resources from TOPS for my future plans. I also confirmed what attitude they held towards your master — the Mayflower family.

Hugo: Meanwhile, I used my identity in Mockingbird to strike a deal with Hartman and gather information on their collaboration with the remnants of the Exaltists. That's where I got my intel on what Bringer left.

Hugo: Oh, by the way, the crime declaration letter that your dear mayor received, that was also sent by yours truly.

Hugo: He's probably figured that out by now right? Though I'm not sure if he told you~

Lycaon: ...The mayor learned about the Sacrifice attacks through his own means, but lacked an opportunity to take action — that warning letter was precisely what he needed.

Hugo: You aren't hopeless yet. How delightful.

Hugo: In short, I'm more well-informed than your lot because I get around, dealing with all these different important figures.

Hugo: But of course, it comes at a cost. It's only fair.

Hugo: After all, you can't hide the smoke from a wildfire. Rather than trying to carefully tame it and risk setting yourself alight, it's better to let it burn free.

Lycaon: When I helped you put on your little act, "killing" you in front of everyone, you left the Sacrifice Core to Hartman... That was intentional, too, then?

Hugo: Oh yes, and it worked like a charm, didn't it? Now, no one cares for me anymore and all eyes are on Hartman. A perfect situation for keeping the Ravenlock family in check while dealing a cutting blow to the Exaltists behind them.

Hugo: Another crucial point is... Vivian and Phaethon. I must sever any ties they have with me or Mockingbird.

Hugo: Although I feel bad for Phaethon about what happened... but it had to be done.

Hugo: That's the only way they would be safe, allowing the plan to continue.

Lycaon: ...I noticed that you never turned your blade toward Master Proxy.

Lycaon: So, those words you said back then were also...

Hugo: "I will bloody my hands. I will carry the weight of my sins. I will become the abyss."

Hugo: Obviously, it was all an act — my acting has always been impeccable, as you know.

Lycaon: Hugo... you're taking such a tremendous risk... Why?

Hugo: Would you believe me if I said it's for... justice?

Hugo: But unfortunately, it's not. I want revenge on the Ravenlock family, and I will make sure that despicable excuse for a human being, Hartman, suffers a slow, torturous end...

Hugo: Of course, I also promised Vivian that I would help her investigate the whole thing with the Exaltists. That's all.

Hugo: ...

Lycaon: You don't look too good. Is it your wounds?

Hugo: No, this is the first problem I plan to resolve—

Hugo: Lycaon, do you have a place that is sufficiently discreet, quiet, and can take a lot of damage?

Lycaon leads Hugo to a small warehouse in Port Elpis... Hugo looks quite pleased with the place. After scanning the area for a moment, he sits down on a chair, pulls out some rope... and ties himself up?

All or Nothing

The following is recorded in the Video Archive

 "The Trick of Mockingbird"

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Video Summary: "Smile and await my victory."

Story Description: To resist the effects of Hartman's mind-controlling drug, Hugo locks himself in a warehouse. Lycaon stands witness to his old friend's inner struggle.

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Lycaon: ...What exactly are you doing?

Hugo: Don't look at me like that. If I didn't have to do this, I wouldn't.

Hugo: Hartman recently obtained a bizarre substance, most likely from those crazy Exaltists.

Hugo: After use, it allows control of the victim's mind, to some extent.

Lycaon: ...You were dosed with it?

Hugo: To be more precise, Lycaon, I deliberately allowed Hartman to put this drug in my cup — to facilitate our previous collaboration.

Hugo tells Lycaon of what happened back in the Private Suite when he was negotiating with Hartman
The only reason Hartman agreed to work with him was because of this — because he had drugged that red liquid...

After that, every time Hugo and Hartman met up, the latter would always add a small dose of that drug into Hugo's cup and then ask questions, attempting to glean information...

Hugo: After finding out about it, I quickly found someone to help analyze its composition.

Hugo: The good news is he gave me a very low dosage, perhaps because he was afraid I might notice.

Hugo: There's a different medication that can delay its onset, preventing me from actually being under his control. I simply need to put on a show in front of my dear uncle.

Hugo: The bad news is that currently there is no antidote.

Hugo: When I delay those effects, however, they will accumulate and erupt when my body reaches its limit. It may even break my mind.

Hugo: And that's exactly what's happening now. I need to endure those accumulated consequences.

Hugo: So, I will lock myself in this room for however long that takes.

Hugo: I've tied my limbs to prevent me from smashing this place, or accidentally hurting myself.

Hugo: Anyway, after you leave, do not open this door no matter what you hear.

Lycaon: ...I recommend seeking professional medical assistance.

Hugo: This is advice I received from a doctor. Or are you saying you don't believe I can make it?

Lycaon: ...

Hugo: So, Lycaon, come find me here at the scheduled time—

Hugo: All you need to do is smile and await my victory.

Lycaon: What if I want to stop you?

Hugo: You know you won't succeed — you never have and never will.

Hugo: Well, time is short. Let's begin.

Lycaon: ...I understand.

Lycaon: Don't die, you stupid bastard...

After who knows how long...
After enduring seemingly endless pain, Hugo finally awakens.
The ropes that bound him had come undone, though he didn't know when that had happened. Hugo checked himself over. Thankfully, he hadn't injured himself that badly while he was going crazy.

After some time, Hugo straightens out his attire and tidies himself up, then opens the warehouse door.

 Find Lycaon

Hugo: ...Is this... because the side effects haven't worn off yet?

Hugo: Lycaon's late? I'm surprised...

Hugo: Or... is something wrong with time itself?

Hugo: Looks like someone's over there... Might as well go ask.

(Approach the lady)

???: It's all your fault...

???: Why were you born with those eyes!?

Hugo: ...

???: If it weren't for you... I wouldn't be in this mess!

???: I had made it... I endured for so long... all those years of planning...

???: I was so close! He already agreed...

???: You! Go and beg him to reconsider for me, okay? Tell him you'll do anything! Tell him to take me back...

???: No, he won't want to see you now... You can't go and see him!

Hugo: ...Mother.