Part 133: What part of this is work-related, exactly?

-Royal Capital of Grancel-





Thank you so much for helping us out here!
Aww, c'mon! Don't be so stuffy!
Indeed. It was part of the duty we share as bracers.
As far as I'm concerned, we were just paying you back for the save in that lab.
If anything comes up, we'll be glad to help again!
Hmmhmm! We'll be counting on it.
Where were you planning on going after this?
We're heading to Bose through the Krone Pass. We intend to patrol the pass to help ensure something like this doesn't happen again.
A good idea.
Um...Please be careful!
Haha! You too.
As long as this mess keeps up, all we can do is pound the ground and try to keep people safe.
Darn straight.
Yeah...Hey, Estelle?
Hmm?
I kinda noticed something when we were fighting together...The way you used to hesitate when you attacked? It's, like, totally gone. You're SO more at ease now!
I know that's sorta out of the blue, but it kinda blew me away how much better you've gotten!
Ah, h-hey. C'mon, knock off the flattery.
Besides, it's not like you aren't loads better too, Anelace.
Well, yeah, I've been up to my ears in fights lately.
I don't just mean that, though. It's like...you've gotten stronger somewhere deep inside. I gotta think it's because you found that path you were looking for in your journey to find Joshua.
You've really become strong.
Anelace...
Heehee, just means I better step up my game as your rival, huh?
If I get the chance, let's fight together again, okay?
Next time, it'll be my turn to surprise YOU!
Haha...Yeah! Bring it on!


Whoa cool your horses there you pushy narrator box

-Town Where The Lights Went Out-



Patrick: Those maniacs were using orbal guns, right? How could they use guns with orbments not working? Hmm, it's a mystery...



Mr. Effort: I'm busy for my part getting ready to start classes again. Hm, let's both do our best.



Reina: Everyone...You have my sincerest thanks for saving milady. As a representative of the household, allow me to offer you our heartfelt thanks.
I accept cash and artifacts.
No, we don't need thanks, really...
Yes, we were just fulfilling our duties.
Felicity: Hmmhmm, bracers are always so humble. Still, I'm quite indebted to you. Thanks to you solving this case the gap between us has been filled in, as well.
Ah...So, then, that means...You two've made up?
Felicity: Yes, for now, at least.
Reina: It seems she at least understands my position. However...I do not believe she is satisfied.
Felicity: Oh, but of course. How could I possibly be satisfied having people arranging my wedding without any input from me?
Reina: As I said, please stop focusing on such small details. Felicity, you need to possess a broader view of things...
Felicity: Th-This is my future, you know! What about that is small?!
N-Now, now...Calm down, you two.
(Can you really call this 'making up'?)
(Hmmm, it's hard to say.)
(Well, I guess it's true they've returned to how they usually are.)
Reina: Milady needs to be possessed of a broader view...Those born into noble families are fated to bear the weight of their name.
...
Reina: Oh, is there something you require?
Y-Yeah, so, I'm just asking for work-related reasons, but...
(Um, so...how did the arranged marriage meeting go in the end?)
(Wait just a sec...What part of this is work-related, exactly? You just want to know.)
(H-Hey, what's the problem? It's a LITTLE related to work. Sort of.)
Reina: (Well, I don't really mind...It was a great success, of course.)
(Whaaaat?! It succeeded?!)
(So, that means...Felicity, she's...)
Reina: (These things have an order to them, so it did not jump immediately to an engagement. Ultimately, it simply means both of them find the other acceptable.)
(I-I see...)
(*phew* This might be someone else's situation, but I kinda freaked out there for a sec.)
(The heck? Why are YOU all bothered by it?)
(Ah, n-no real reason...It's just, she's the same age as me, so...y'know.)
Reina: (For now, we will have them deepen their connection through writing letters and such. So, their engagement will still be some time in the future.)
Felicity: A-Anyway...You really saved me today. It seems the kingdom is in danger, but we're dedicated to protecting our school life.



Monika: Alice is over there getting her lamp ready. She said she doesn't like the design much, but you wouldn't know it by looking at her. I'm amazed she can bounce back so quickly. I can't imagine another person being as easygoing as she is.
Your name was spelled 'Monika' in the Bracer Notebook details for the rescue mission, and then 'Monica' when Estelle and company found your group in the classroom, and now it's 'Monika' again. MAKE UP YOUR MIND MONICKA



Alice: It's a shame I couldn't find any cute lamp shades...I'll just have to make a dreamy, strawberry-colored one instead! Teehee! I should ask Kaden for help with that later.



Argyle: Still, keep on your toes. The case may have been solved, but the real work starts now. None of the lights have worked ever since orbal devices went on the fritz. Until this thing gets sorted out, we'll be engulfed in darkness in the truest sense. Heeheehee...I couldn't be happier. I'm most at peace when wrapped in a veil of darkness. Heeheehee...Truly, there is no greater comfort than night's sweet embrace.



Mickey: Seriously, thanks. You really came through for us this time.
No, no. It's thanks to you that the guild got word about it all.
She's right, you know. We might not have been so lucky if not for the reinforcements.
Mickey: H-Hey, cut it out! I was only there by pure coincidence. I ain't got half the courage of that old guy.
How is the janitor, by the way?
Mickey: He's not too bad. He's been really tired, though, so he's still sound asleep.
*phew* That's good to hear.
Mickey: Yeah, I'm super relieved. You can leave him to me.
I see...
Thanks. We'll leave it to you.
Mickey: Well, if you get the chance, come by the school again. You guys're welcome any time.
Yeah, I promise.
We'll see you, then.
Mickey: I'm gonna stay by his side for a little while longer. I ran off on my own before, that much is true...I gotta at least take care of the guy now, or I won't feel right.



Ms. Millia: Right now, he's just tired and sleeping soundly. He'll be awake soon enough.
Janitor Parkes: Mmmhh...Zzzzzz...



Dennis: Time to study like crazy and get ahead of the competition. I don't care about helping out with school stuff on campus. That kind of prep work should be on the faculty, not students.
Kid, the Orbal Shutdown Phenomenon might have disabled Liberl's toilets, but that doesn't mean you're now exempt from swirlies. It means any swirly debt you accrue is going to be collected at a later date, with interest.



Roy: Once everything was settled and I calmed down, I got real hungry. Haha. Guess it really doesn't take much for people to put the past behind them, huh? The second I let myself relax, I was STARVING.



Deborah: You're hungry, right? Make sure you eat! No good comes from an empty stomach. Even without orbal devices, I can still cook a mean lunch. I'm a housewife! An orbal blackout's got nothing on me.



Rhody: I've always thought that way about bracers, but seriously! They never fail to impress. Estelle, Joshua, you two should be proud of yourselves. I don't know what the future has in store for me, but I hope it's something as great as what you guys are doing.



Taylor: *sigh* I wonder when things'll be back to normal. I hope the Music Club starts back up soon.



Hey, hey! Things going okay?
Sorry to keep you waiting.
Yeah. I'm sure you've got a lot on your plate, too.
Nah. We were just waiting, for the most part.
This stuff is cake for members of the student council.
Now's the real hard part, though.
Yeah, you're right.
You'll be starting a new term under these conditions.
Oh, I guess you will, huh?
Will things be okay here?
...For now.
We're trying to think up what we can do as the student council.
After all, it's our academy. We want to do as much as we can ourselves.
For your sake, and for Kloe's, too. She's already doing the best she can over at the capital.
I see...
Once everything's settled, come by the academy again. We'll get Kloe and have a party in the cafeteria, yeah?
In that case, we should get those costumes from the school play and make it a costume party!
After all, we'll have both knights AND our fair princess in attendance. Heh.
Haha, yeah! That sounds like it could be really fun.
For some of us, maybe...
Besides, I...
(Joshua...?)
Say, Hans...? I...
Hm? What is it?
I see! I knew it. You can't forget those profound, passionate nights spent gazing longingly at one another, can you?
I guess it's time for me to face the facts and accept your confession of love. Which is no trouble at all, I assure you.
Please, Hans...
I'm trying to be serious here.
If you want to talk about the past, I'll be glad to hear you out any time.
Of course, I doubt anything you'd say would change things between us.
Meaning...?
Basically, we're friends.
You've come back and you're here, standing in front of me. That's what matters, right?
Yeah...You're right.
(Man, oh, man...Men are so clumsy.)
(Haha...Still, it's kinda nice.)
Things aren't exactly easy at the school right now, but we'll pull through.
Heh heh heh...I can't wait for the costume party. You're not getting out of this one, Joshua!
(Wait, was she serious?)
Wearing dresses is your inescapable doom, Joshua. You must know that by now.
Once it's all cleared up, let's go have some fun at the cafeteria.
Okay, you two be careful.



Fauna: They've totally forgotten the tremendous events that just happened here. Truly, the young are very resilient.



Purity: Here. It's not much, but it's the least thanks I can offer.


Alright, finally! Now we can safely read Vol. 13 and Vol. 14 too, without getting hopelessly lost in the plot.

Purity: Someday, I'd like to turn this case into a novel. Of course, that's once we go back to normal life, if we do...
Kaden: Thanks for what you guys did. I'm so glad things were settled safely. Now's where things get hard, but I'm sure we can handle it if we all work together.



Ms. Wiola: Of course, that's no surprise. You WERE my students!
You took very good care of us during our stay at the academy. I still remember your classes very well even now. Even Estelle was motivated for once.
Uh...
...Ah, y-yeah! I was! I totally was!
(You...can't remember anything, can you?)
(N-No! I just blanked, that's all. D-Don't bring up such an old topic out of nowhere, okay?)
Ms. Wiola: Oh, what are you whispering about? Let your teacher hear, too.
Ahaha...N-Nothing.
(Oh, boy...)
Mr. Ratio: The janitor's condition has stabilized. I'm really glad it was nothing serious. Perhaps I'll go visit him later.



Thanks to you, we were able to rescue all our precious students. As a representative of the academy, allow me to offer my most sincere thanks.
I'm just relieved we were able to sort everything out without things going from bad to worse. I never dreamed the academy might get attacked...
Yes...We may have been a bit naive in our judgments.
There really isn't anywhere safe in the current situation.
This society you're after...They seem to be the unknown masterminds behind this case. If not for you bracers, we would have been unable to overcome this danger. I hope you will continue your efforts to restore order as soon as possible. For the sake of Kloe, too, who strives alone in the capital...
Yeah!
We'll do whatever we can.



Richelle: Um, thank you so much for saving us.
No, we're just glad you're safe.
Quite the disaster, huh?
Richelle: Seriously. Still, to think that Kloe is actually Princess Klaudia! I think that surprises me more than the whole hostage thing. We've been in the same club together for AGES! How did I not notice? *siiigh* I guess I really am an airhead...



Logic: Nice work with that case. I can hardly even find words to thank you.
No, no, you're welcome.
So, how about it? Feeling a bit better?
Logic: Ha...haha, o-of course...Calm and controlled is my motto.
I...see.
_{You sure seemed pretty scared...}
Logic: Ghkt...
(Estelle, don't poke the sensitive bits more than you need to.)
(...Oops. Duly noted.)
Logic: A-Anyway, I'm glad everyone is safe. Okay, i-i-if you'll excuse me...Wh-When it all went down I was just, uh, simply overly protective. I-I swear, I wasn't scared!



Thelma: This is, after all, our first experience with a life without orbments. I'm sure it won't be easy, but we're all just going to have to suck it up and get used to it.



Gerome: Maybe it's because I was so nervous, but my shoulder's all tight.
Nikita: Well, that's no big deal in the long run, don't you think? The two of us ended up safe, and that's what matters.
Gerome: True, but even so...But I wish we could have helped with the plan. If we'd attacked all at once, we probably could have gotten at least one...
Nikita: ...
Gerome: ...Huh? Nikita...What...?
Nikita: You IDIOT! What the heck is that mouth of yours spewing?!
Gerome: Wh-Whoa...?!
Nikita: A janitor got SHOT, you know! If you know how dangerous things are, why would you even bring up something like that?!
Gerome: W-Well, yeah, I know. Still...H-Hey, Nikita. Why are you so angry?
Nikita: Don't ask ME! Why don't you think about it yourself?! Why are boys SO STUPID? No thought at all to how much they make other people worry...*mutter* *mutter*
Gerome: H-Hey...Did I say something wrong?



Royal Army Soldier Colon: With our airships unusable, deployment takes time. We'll handle the guard work from here.
Royal Army Soldier Nobbs: Good work! You can leave further guarding to me!





Guess I should have expected it, but you took care of it all no problem.
Ahaha, you're welcome. We couldn't have done it without your quick response, though, Jean!
She's right. It was thanks to Carna and the others that we were able to break in, essentially.
Haha. That's my job, after all. Anyway, I'm just relieved things turned out all right.
Of course, with the orbal blackout still a thing, we can hardly relax.
The society might also still do something. We need to stay vigilant as we proceed.
Definitely...
Well, take care of yourselves, okay?
Oh, and right, right...About the case at the academy, I went ahead and put together the paperwork for it. If you want to collect your reward, you'll need to formally report in.
Ah, yeah. Thanks, Jean!
Well then, if you'll pardon us...


There's one other reward for saving the academy.



Carna mentioned that her tommy gun was on loan from a friend who's a big weapons weeb. Take Tita to meet her at Joan Arms & Guards.



Eva: I heard you guys solved the case at the academy.
Yeah, somehow. We couldn't have done it without Carna and the rest helping us out, though.
Eva: Hmmhmm, I'm glad to hear my collection helped out a bit.
Your collection...?
That's right, the gun Carna was using...
Eva: Yes, handling gunpowder firearms is quite difficult. Though, with Carna's skills, I figured she wouldn't have any problem. But, what surprised me was the girl who was shooting alongside her. Is that...Are you Tita?
Huh...?
Yeah, that's right, but...
What do you need with Tita?
Eva: Well, actually I have a bit of business with her. How to put this...If you don't mind, could I have a little bit of your time?
Um, um...What did you want to talk about?
Eva: Yes, about that...First, would you mind showing me your gunpowder cannon?
O-Okay...


Eva: ...I thought so, yes. Hmmhmm, I knew it.
Huh...?
Eva: Tita, do you know what model this is?
Ah, yes, it's what's called the CZ Series. It's one of the first models in that line. Grandpa said it's really rare. There's only a few in the world or something.
Eva: Yes, that's right. Do you know anything else about it?
Um, um...I don't know that much about weapons myself, but...
Apparently there was a problem with the initial model's basic structure, so it wasn't able to live up to design specifications. As a result, while the firepower was upgradable, the attack range wasn't adjustable. The next generation models were improved though, apparently.
(I-I'd say she knows plenty...)
(Yeah, seriously.)
Eva: I see. Well, if you know that much, then this is simple. So, Tita...Have you heard about the F Parts produced by the Reinford Company?
Yeah! They're the 'Final' parts to compliment the CZ Series' weak points, right? But I heard they only work with relatively new models.
Eva: Actually, there are F Parts for that initial model. Would you believe me if I said it?
Wh...Is that true?
Eva: Yes, it is indeed. There's little demand for them so there's not many around, but they certainly exist. Now, here's the real point.
Wh...
Eva: As it happens, by total coincidence a set of those parts is in this very store.
R-Really?!
Eva: Really. I'd like you to have these F Parts.
B-But that's...Are you sure?!
Eva: Hmmhmm, of course. I owe you all for saving my little sister at the academy. Besides, it'd be a real waste to just let them rust.
B-But it doesn't feel right just taking something for free...
Well, hey.
Why don't you just accept them? If it still bothers you, you can pay her back some other way.
Agate...
...
...Um, so are you sure?
Eva: Hmmhmm, of course. That's why I mentioned it. Do you know how to install the parts?
Yeah, probably.
Um, if you don't mind, could I borrow some space? I'll put them on right away.
Eva: Hmmhmm, that's fine.

*VERN* *FRAZZ*


Eva: Hmmhmm, well done. Perfectly upgraded. This should make it QUITE a bit different now.
Yes, I'll be sure to try it right away.
Thank you so very much!
Eva: Not at all. Thank YOU for safely managing things at the academy. My little sister Nikita attends school there. I'm thankful from the depths of my heart.



Down at the bottom, you'll see that Cannon Impulse F is described as a 'Line.' That freaked me out at first, because I assumed it would be a narrow line like Draguna Edge, Flicker, and the like.



It's not.



It's also just as strong as Satellite Beam now. Tita is the only character who gets two equally good S-Crafts, rather than always having one that's clearly superior. Satellite Beam's wide circle is probably easier to use in most circumstances, but if you love the minigun--and who doesn't?!--you can keep it perfectly viable in the late game.

And that's pretty much it for the side stuff. All that's left on the agenda is answering Queen Alicia's summons down in Grancel. I'll just do a little more gambling first.





Wow! Dragon Skin Jumpsuits are made with real maple sugar!



While I'm at it, I'll use up all the fishing bait I have left.











I'll stock up on snacks, too.









What the...? That's the sound of an airship engine!
W-Wait a second!
The only airships that can fly now are...!
There...!

-Ancient Makes-







Damn. They're heading straight for the capital!
Son of a bitch! We need to chase them! NOW!