Part 15: I do believe we are in some amount of peril, my good Mr. Crosner.

-Royal Capital of Grancel-



Estelle...you'd just gotten back, too. I'm sorry we couldn't spend more time together.
Me too...
It sounds like Aina and Rolent really need some help too, though. Be sure to say hi to everyone for me!
You got it. Estelle...I'm sure you're fine, but...Don't fret yourself to loose ends, all right?
Schera...
My tarot tells me that the bond between you and Joshua has not been severed...yet.
So...don't worry. Believe in your connection to him. Follow it and your trail will be clear. I know it.
Yeah...Thanks, Schera. I feel a lot braver now.
I...
Come on now, don't make that face.
You're a full bracer, remember? Be proud of yourself.
...Right, I am.
Heehee! So...Estelle. Guess this is goodbye for now, then.
Anelace...Thanks for going with me on my training. Schera asked you to come along with me, right?
Erm...
Ack! I've been found out like a pie-thief in the night!
Schera said having someone who didn't know Joshua too well around would help you sort out your feelings. So yeah, she asked me.
Haha...I thought so.
What th--Don't tell her EVERYTHING!
Hey, what's wrong with being up-front at this point, right?
But...the real truth is, it wasn't just that. I did want to train myself, too. And I really do think I learned a lot by training with you, Estelle.
So I've gotta say it, too: thank YOU.
Anelace...
And, and, um...(Okay, deep breaths...) I know you might think I'm weird for saying this, but...
Huh?
I, um, like to think we're already friends, but...well...I'd like it if you and me, Estelle, if we became something...more.



WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA?!
Wha...? Are you saying what I think you're saying?!
No! Don't try to stop me, Schera! I'm serious! I'm absolutely sure about this!
'Serious'...? Oh...Oh, my...
(Really? Right here? In public? You have GOT to be freaking kiddin' me...)
I, well, I know I'm a couple years older than you, Estelle...But we've totally spent about the same amount of time in the guild.
And you know what? Age doesn't matter when it comes to something like this! So...what do you think?
U-Um! Well! Um...!
I mean, um, I'm really happy, and I think my heart is racing out of my chest, but this is kind of surprising, to say the least! Besides, there's, um, Joshua, and there's kind of some issues on a couple fronts, or more than a couple...or rather, I don't, uh...
Joshua? What does he have to do with this? And what problems would there be on 'a couple fronts' if we became rivals?
... ... ...Rivals?
Yeah, yeah! We're about the same age, about equal in skill level...I thought it'd help us both try to reach even higher, but...
You...don't actually like the idea, do you...
A-hahahaha...haaaaaa...That's what you meant...Ooookay...
*sigh* As unpredictable as always, I see. Not quite the punch line I was expecting...
Punch line?
Haha...Well, if that's what you meant...
All right, then!
I, Estelle Bright, hereby recognize you as my rival, Anelace Elfead! Consider the gauntlet THROWN! In your face, even!
Sweet!
All right, step one: a race to see which of us can reach Agate and Schera's level first! ♪
Bring it, sword-brain! I'll leave you eating my bracer-point dust!
Oh, boy...I do believe we are in some amount of peril, my good Mr. Crosner.
Heh, seriously. Nothin' scarier than a couple kids charging straight ahead.

*BING BONG*

That's us, I'm afraid.



We'll contact you through the guild should we find anything. Keep in touch with us as well.
Will do.
See you, Anelace, Schera! Stay safe!
Yeah! Good luck, Estelle!







Should we finish our check-in and wait for the next Ruan-bound flight?
Yeah, the ship bound for Ruan oughtta get here soon enough. Sure you don't want to do some shopping or something, though? Been a month.
Hmmm. I wouldn't mind hitting the department store, but...Are you sure you wouldn't mind, Agate?
Ah, I'm easy, really. Guys just charge into things without any planning, you see. Girls're the ones who actually bother preparing and whatnot. I say choose what you think is important.
Haha...Okay.
Well...to be honest, I can get what I need in Ruan.
Let's just get our tickets.
Works for me. Tickets should be sold in the lobby of the airship company building.
Let's go!





And I thought there were LIMITS to how unpleasant a single person could be.



Tell me, why does the Republic even care about the engine deal? I did not think Liberl's internal politics were your plaything.
It's a matter of national--no, international--security, of course. It's only been a decade since Erebonia attempted to annex this innocent little country.
It is absolutely unacceptable for a half-barbaric nation like yours to lay their hands on such cutting-edge technology. The Republic is a long-standing friend of Liberl! We won't stand back and allow something that will threaten its citizens.
Long-standing friend?! Some friends you are! You didn't send them so much as a soldier in the war! You're just pretending to be allies when it suits you, while standing back and doing nothing when it doesn't!
What did you just--



We do not wish to bother the other customers.
But, Mueller! We...
Ambassador Cochrane, may I ask that you back down as well? This is a...debate...that could be handled just as well through the embassies.
...Very well. I can't say I like hearing that from a member of the Imperial military.
Still, far better than hearing it from that pompous--and glutinous--member of the 'nobility,' I suppose.
WHAT DID YOU J--
Well, gentlemen, if you'll pardon me.



This is why commoners with no history or tradition are--
My lord...
...Hrmph, yes, yes.
I shall return to the embassy. I trust I can leave the other matter in your hands?
As you will, my lord.



Hm...? Ah...Estelle, yes?
It's been some time--since your, ah, 'help' during the festival, I believe.
Haha! I'm glad you remember.
That was one heck of an argument just now, though. Who were those two, and why were they going at each other like a cat and dog?
The man was the ambassador of the Erebonian Empire to Liberl, Lord Davil Crainagh. The woman would be the ambassador from the Republic of Calvard, Elsa Cochrane. They head up their respective embassies here in the capital.
Oh, I see.
Awful damn childish for a couple of ambassadors. Can those two really do their jobs?
Agate...
I wish I could disagree, honestly.
To say that the Empire and the Republic have always been on 'bad' terms would be an understatement at the best of times. And on top of that, those two are like oil and water on a personal level.
Well...No, the fact that they break into an argument every time they meet shows how similar they are, in some ways.
In the deepest vaults of each embassy, classified at the very highest levels: two diaries, their pages filled with nothing but heart doodles, variations on the phrase 'Lady Elsa Crainagh,' and just once, 'Mr. Davil Cochrane.'
Haha...I guess I can see that.
Though, maybe it's 'cause I walked into the middle of the conversation, but I couldn't understand, like, half of that. Something about engine provision and Liberl's internal politics...?
...
Er, sorry, I guess I shouldn't ask.
No, I don't mind. It's not really a secret, anyway.
The engine in question is actually the latest from your own Central Factory. Once the design is finalized, sample units are to be provided by your airship company to the Empire and the Republic both. But...We...er, bumped into Ambassador Cochrane when we came by to finalize the details of the deal.
Oh, I get it.
Why the big argument about an engine, though?
An orbalship's engine is what determines what a ship can really do. Since you can install 'em in military ships, you usually don't just hand 'em out like candy.
Now I get it...
It'd be a real mess if that engine let the Imperial Army get all powered up...
Er, well, I mean!
Estelle has been back for a matter of hours, and she's already sparking international incidents again.
Not at all. It's true.
Normally, sharing such advanced technology with other countries so freely would be unthinkable, but this is a part of your queen's plan. Rather than monopolizing a technological edge, she wishes to provide it to other countries to promote multinational peace. At least, that's her plan as I understand it.
I see...She did mention something like that a while ago, now that I think about it.
Hmm, it's pretty incredible that the queen is willing to try something like that. Like it's not just an ideal, you know? It's something that could really change how people negotiate...
Yes, you have reason to be proud of your queen, I'd say.
...My apologies, but this conversation has gone on longer than I'd intended. You're here for air tickets, yes? I'll pardon myself here.
Oh, yeah.
Say, Mueller. About Olivier...Has he gone back to Erebonia already?
What, you've not heard?
I haven't really had a chance to see him since the queen's birthday celebrations, actually. I felt kinda bad about that.
Oh, don't worry. That halfwit is continuing to while away his days here in Liberl. He said he was going to visit Elmo's springs, if I remember right.
Ah, okay then.
Haha...Yeah, that sounds like Olivier, all right.
Should he ever bother returning to the embassy like a responsible citizen, unlikely as that is, I'll let him know you were asking after him. I'll make sure he at least contacts you before he returns to the Empire.
Thanks, Mueller.
Hardly. I should thank you for keeping that lunatic company. Now, if you'll excuse me.



Who is he?
Mueller's the resident military officer for the Erebonian embassy, I think. I've only ever met him a few times myself.
Hrm...Well built and he made sure to not leave himself open at any point in our 'chat.' A well-trained dog of the military...and hiding some sharp fangs, to boot.
There you go again...
He...does seem like he's really strong, though.
Tch. I don't trust any Imperials, and that includes Blondie. It seems like he talked to Cassius about something...But who knows what his plan is, what with staying so long.
I guess that's a good point.
Although...Olivier may be weird, but I can't think of him as a bad guy...Even Mueller doesn't seem all that...malevolent, I guess?
Tch. Yeah, whatever.
Let's get over to the counter and get our tickets.



Sasha: Will you be using our national flights? Or our international flights?
Er, two tickets bound for Ruan, please.
Sasha: Understood...Oh, pardon me. You are with the Bracer Guild, yes? Are you Estelle and Agate?
Y-Yes?
Sasha: I have already received payment from Elnan with the capital branch. Here are your tickets.

I see, so Elnan did...
Nice, Elnan. He's always ahead.
Sasha: Well then, please hand your tickets to the receptionist immediately outside the building. You can check in for your flight there.

You can also pick up a new issue of the Liberl News here.





Finella: If you are, you will need to check in and present your tickets.
Once we check in, we should stick around and wait for the ship. Sure you got everything you need?



Finella: Very well. Please sign these papers, then.
Ah, sure.
...*scritch scratch*


Finella: Thank you, everything is in order. Please wait in the harbor area for the next airship arrival.
Okay!
Right, then. Let's find a good bench and wait for the next ship.