Vira suggests that Katalina returned to the empire by choice. Gran and the crew refuse to give up searching for her until they can talk to Katalina themselves. Vira offers to show them something that will shed light on Katalina's decision.
Vira
So Katalina's gone, you say...
Rackam
Yeah. And since you're friendly with the empire, we thought you might know what's going on.
Vira
Albion does provide the empire with quite a bit of manpower. I suppose you could say we have a strong relationship...
Vira
But as far as Katalina's disappearance, I'm afraid I have nothing to help you...
Io
No way! Are we supposed to pretend like nothing happened and let it go?
Vira
Look at it this way! Is it really so strange for Katalina to run off with imperial soldiers?
Vira
That is to say, she was once an imperial soldier too...
Vira
From my perspective as the Lord of Albion, it'd be in her best interest to return to the empire.
Lyria
But surely she would have told us...
Lyria
We just want to hear from her in her own words about why she'd leave.
Lyria
That's why we'd like to ask Katalina ourselves!
Vira
Even if you find the answer to be less than pleasing?
Lyria
Yes!
Vira
Very well. If you insist on knowing, then perhaps I can help clear things up.
Vira
There's something I'd like to show you. Please follow me.
Vira
Take caution though. It wouldn't do for you to fall prey to the monsters along the way!
Vira tells the crew that the empire wants Luminiera, Albion's primal beast which requires sacrificing a knight to summon it. With the empire threatening to use Adversa against the island, Vira says Katalina volunteered herself to become the sacrifice in exchange for the safety of Gran and the crew.
Vira
Since ancient times, Albion has been home to a special primal beast by the name of Luminiera.
Vira
But invoking Luminiera requires a true knight... Or rather, the sacrifice of one.
Lyria
The sacrifice of a true knight?
Vira
The empire craves more power, so of course they took an interest in Luminiera. They requested our help in calling it forth.
Vira
I turned them down since we had no knights who were willing to volunteer their sacrifice...
Rosetta
So the empire went and found a willing volunteer themselves.
Vira
Indeed... The empire made an offer to Katalina: her sacrifice for your safety.
Vira
They explained the terms of the deal to me and requested my cooperation.
Vira
I refused, of course... Until the general brought out his new weapon.
Eugen
He's gone and done it now...
Eugen
We should've smashed that thing to pieces back in Auguste when we had the chance...
Gran and the crew gaze up at the imperial battleship floating lazily in the sky above them.
On the battleship is the Adversa weapon, the fruit of the empire's research on Auguste.
Vira
It has the power to destroy an entire island. And as it's my duty to protect the people of Albion, my hands were tied...
Lyria
So... Katalina's doing this for us?
Lyria
That's why she left. Without saying a word...
Rackam
I think I get where she's coming from... But talk about a show off!
Monster
Groooar!
Rackam
Monsters, eh? Sounds like a perfect opportunity to relieve a little stress!