An entranced crowd of silhouettes murmur in an incomprehensible language, yet all of the shadows seem fixated on the ornate stage before them. Ruby red curtains draw open upon a lavish golden stage, equally inhuman silhouettes begin performing what appears to be some semblance of an opera. The crowd goes silent as the “play” commences. In a balcony seat, overlooking the entire thing, stands Maestro Velare Ambrosi, a calm expression on his face. The door behind him opens, though he does not turn to face his guest as she enters.

Niko: Ehm… (she clears her throat) So, gramps… I don’t wanna interrupt the night at the opera, but eh… What exactly is our plan here? Cause your buddy’s bastard son — err, literally and figuratively — is basically stalking me, and I’m not up for another friggin’ sword fight.

Velare: (he doesn’t turn to face her) Ah, it’s far from complete. This opera, I mean. There’s something… missing, I think.

Niko: … a bucket of popcorn?

Velare: Concessions are not out of the question, I suppose. But that is not what I mean. These shades, these placeholders… they are not what I need. (He finally turns to face her.) People, Diva. The citizens of Mitakihara, safe within my hall. …There is one other thing missing, Diva, from your current dilemma. Can you fathom a guess as to what that might be?

Niko: A mentor who actually gives helpful advice?

Velare: What chance have you, if Yui could not make me a helpful mentor?

Niko: Right, you get off on this. (with a sigh, she plops down into the seat next to Velare’s) Maybe you’re better than I am at controlling this place at this point. I’m not enough of a freak.

Velare: Nonsense, Diva. You’re plenty qualified. More to the point, I cannot control this realm, even if I had the Masque. As for what you were missing, I refer to critical thinking. You refer to our foe as “Nebbia’s bastard son.” Niko Segawa… do you make a habit of taking the word of your enemy at face value?

Niko: … But he’s got the Masque, doesn’t he? Like, can you prove the troubadour never slept with another woman?

Velare: He has a Masque. Not the Masque. Only you have the original article. As to how two of the artifact can exist simultaneously, I will admit, I do not yet know how it is possible. Did he make a claim to the identity of his mother, however? That is more align with my point of interest to this man’s claim.

Niko: He said… He said his mother was Kae.

Velare: …Katherine Agnes Esposito… a woman of whom I know frighteningly little, before she and the Muse crossed the event horizon. Ah, this makes a world more sense now. (Velare’s eyes close for a moment, before a sigh escapes his lips. He pushes his glasses up the bridge of his nose, and both his expression and tone become more serious.) Diva, before I elaborate, indulge me. To how much of the Conductors’ history are you privy? How much did Nebbia impart upon you?

Niko: … I’m pretty sure I forgot most of it. Sounded too much like one of those complicated anime for nerds. N-No offense.

Velare: None taken. Well, I’ll keep it brief. During our inane battles with the Arashi Family, Nebbia Piccolo was my right hand man. He seldom left my sight from the moment he returned to my side. Even before Cecilia made her wish, the young man was almost like a lost puppy. If one were to call me a knight— and before you say anything, I recommend heavily against doing so— one would call Nebbia my squire. Even when he wasn’t nearby, I had the Oracle’s sight. Now, how old is our enemy, do you think? I doubt heavily he told so directly.

Niko: The attitude of a twelve-year old and the vocabulary of an eighty-year old, so… something in between these two?

Velare: How astute. Yes, he is somewhere between twelve and eighty. But perhaps we might narrow that down a step?

Niko: I dunno! I don’t really pay attention to… guys. I mean he sounds around my age?

Velare: Around as much, yes. Late teenage years, perhaps early twenties with the genetics of an Italian to keep his youth longer than most. Quite possibly, he lives well enough to be of good health, anyway. But assuming the higher end of things. He would have to have been born no more than a few years before the Conductors were formed. And while it is true that Nebbia returned to my side on the onset of our conflict with the Arashi Family, Melania and Katherine arrived later still. Nebbia’s romantic doting upon his wife was, as René and I often joked, nauseatingly sweet. Melania was nowhere near as warm, but they were perfectly content with one another. As a Puella, Melania could not have children of her own, but Nebbia took that more as a sign of relief, than something to lament. … To summarize, Nebbia Piccolo’s defining character trait is his loyalty. To me, and to his wife. The implication that this Worldeater made, is that Nebbia had an affair and child with Melania’s sister. I can tell you as much as that is impossible. Even without the Oracle’s sight.

Niko: W-Wait, does that mean Shinju can’t have kids either? I-I mean, not that we would, like, but… y’know… maybe?

Velare: No, Diva. You would probably need to be the surrogate in this case. But more to the point, Nebbia Piccolo cannot, logically, be Worldeater’s father, assuming that Katherine really is the boy’s mother. A claim which I believe completely, by the way. He can wield his proxy Masque with enough precision and efficacy that there is no doubt to his blood ties to the woman whose barrier we now inhabit.

Niko: O-Oh… I guess that makes sense… I mean, I’m not related to the Troubadour either, but maybe he, like, considered me family? Just like how this dude considers the Troubadour family? Which is why he can use the Masque? Even though it’s… fake?

Velare: The specifics behind artifact inheritance is an ever swelling mystery. Transference directly, as Nebbia did to you, seems to work just fine. Blood ties, or otherwise important bonds, such as a lover, seem to be most effective. But his Artifact must have come from somewhere… that is my mystery to solve, I think.

Niko: So… What is my mystery to solve, then? Not that I need to solve any mysteries or anything. I’m perfectly fine without mysteries.

Velare: Well, you know now that something is amiss with his backstory. The question is, is he lying? Or is he being lied to? You now have a measure of leverage, Diva. Use that leverage. That is what I would see you do, next time you meet your enemy.

Niko: Y-You’re assuming that I’m like, smart.

Velare: You don’t need to be. You just need to use the weapon I just gave you. Question the logic of his story, he will crumble on his own. Ah… he might kill you again, though. He seems an unstable sort.

Niko: (she sighs) I’m used to getting booted out of this place at this point…

Velare: Be thankful that expulsion from this realm is all you suffer. I am not so fortunate.

Niko: Well, I’ll deal with it. It’s kind of my job. You’re pretty much the only one left here I can actually protect, so…

Velare: And Yui’s mother. Do not forget. That, combined with what Worldeater is doing to those he has captured that yet live on the other side. They are not completely safe either, you know. Besides, there is also what to do with this realm after the Balancers are defeated.

Niko: O-One thing at a time, please!

Velare: Then be about it, I suppose, hm? The thing immediately before you. The Worldeater.

Niko: Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah! (she gets up from her seat, sighing)