Part 34: Those darn dirty, calculating...

This decision goes to Kloe.



-Factory City of Zeiss-



Should you require a genius' help, you need but say the word.



Lesse, so we need to set up instruments in the tunnel, on the north plains, and in front of Leiston Fortress. Is there any order we should tackle that in?
I shall leave that to your judgment. I will, however, contact Leiston ahead of you. If we explain our circumstances, I cannot imagine they will take issue with our gathering data in front of their gate.
Good idea.
Time to move out, then. Tita, keep up.
Okaaay!

Here's our pint-size, tow-headed munitions expert, Tiny Tita.



Tita specializes in engineering, fire support, and hugs. Most of her stats compare well to Estelle's at level 40, especially her STR, but that HP situation is just woeful. She'll definitely have to stay in the back. Her weapon is well-suited for it, at least: a grenade launcher with a small AoE on every attack. Aside from the obvious benefit, this helps Tita gain CP a bit more quickly and make good use of ailment-on-hit quartz. Tita's crafts:

Smoke Cannon: Ranged AoE with Blind.
Vital Cannon: Ranged AoE heal.



She's not as good with arts as Estelle. One orbment slot locked to Space would be fine, but two out of four kind of hurts.

This part of the chapter brings in a bunch of new side-jobs as well.









You can only swap equipment and quartz on the four active party members, which kind of...really sucks. You have to get in the habit of stripping anyone you're about to bench. Here's the setup I settled on for this run:







Tita starts with an Eagle Eye quartz, which provides the same monster-detection benefits as Heaven's Eye but with worse elements and no enemy info. Into the junk drawer it goes.



My main change this time was swapping Kloe's fire quartz for earth to give her Titanic Roar.



-Looking Up at the Sky-

The very first Armored Rabbit you run across on the Tratt Plains can spawn with a Shining Pom.





Unlike the cookies, Perilous Meatballs attack everything in a narrow line.







Speaking of which, it looks like my Surprise Cookies are starting to get stale. I'll have to use them all before too long. Just remember: cookies are a sometimes food.











That's more like it. Now let's roll out to Elmo Village.










-A Cat Relaxing in the Sun-



Lucky: Here we go!



Horrace: Ohh! What a grand feat of leaping! Ho ho. How amusing.
Not bad for an amateur, but he forgot the AAATATATATATATA. That step is crucial.



Hi, Mrs. Mao!
Long time no see, Mrs. Mao.
Why, hello, Estelle! It HAS been a while. You're looking more and more grown up every time I see you. Hmmhmm.
Haha, you think so?
Well, always good to see you again. How about staying for a relaxing night?
We'd love to, but didn't you put in a request for a job?
A job? Oh, that thing I contacted the guild about, eh?
That's the one. Something about a peeping tom creeping about?
Yes, that's right. If you've got a minute, I'd like you to investigate immediately. Do you guys have time right now?
Yeah, no problem.
Let's get right to it.
Apparently, someone's been peeping on my guests! It's a recent thing, but I've heard tell from a number of my female guests in particular. I won't stand for it, so I contacted the guild.
Ugh, peeping toms. Totally gross. When I find him, I'm gonna rearrange his face with my staff.
What kind of specifics have you gotten from your guests? Did any of them see the criminal?
No, no, nothing that clear. They've been reporting things like the feeling that someone's watching them or strange sounds.
But nothing concrete, right? Could it just be a misunderstanding?
Mmmm, I thought so too, at first. But like I said before, I keep getting those same reports again and again. At this point, I can't just toss it aside sayin' it's a coincidence.
That's certainly true, but...it's kind of a problem. It's not even clear that this is a case, really. There's no way we can investigate properly with any specifics.
If it ain't clear, then we just gotta put it to the test. Not like we could make an arrest unless we caught them in the act, anyway.
Test? Put what to the test, exactly?
That should be obvious. We're gonna take a bath.
You want us to be bait to lure out the criminal?!
I-I don't really mind, I guess, but...I feel like for a certain portion of us, this might be a SLIGHT problem.
...
I'm not gonna force anyone.
However, I'd appreciate the help. The more bait we have, the more effective, I'm sure.
Oh, don't mind me.
I'd like to help in any way I can.
I'm your support, so I'd hate to not be of assistance just when I'm needed.
Sorry, and thanks.
Still not sure if we've got enough bait, but I guess this'll have to work.
Yeah, well, excuse me for not being sexy enough.
Heehee!
Awww, gimme a break. Even Tita's laughing at me!
N-No, I wasn't laughing at you!
I was just...kinda happy. It's been a while since the two of us took a bath together.
Sounds sweet enough, sure...But, um, you do know this is a totally exploitative bait plan, right?
Anyway, would you mind lending us your outdoor bath, ma'am?
Yeah, use it as you like. I'll reserve it entirely for you for a bit, so you four go warm yourselves up.
Thanks, Mrs. Mao.
*phew* I guess we're really doing this.
Yep, sure are. Have a good time.
Hey, wait a sec. A good time? You're not coming to the bath?
The hell are you on? Why do I have to go into the bath?
The better question is, why wouldn't you? You've come this far, and yet you're not gonna bathe? Well, I won't stand for it!
Yeah! You're the one who came up with the plan in the first place.
...Wait, are you seriously embarrassed?
Sh-Shut up, I'm not embarrassed. Work comes first, and I ain't exactly what we need for this job.
Ahhh, what nonsense!
You've got nothing to worry about if you're a man, so man up and get your butt in the bath! To come to a hot springs and not take a bath? Pfft. I've never heard anything more ridiculous.
...What she said?
Geez, that's enough! I get it. I get it. I'll go in, okay?
Just don't forget that this is a job, you guys.
Yep, no problem on that point. Right, Tita?
Y-Yeah, no problem.
...Ah, oh, no! Mrs. Mao, could you lend me a towel set?
Oh, did you forget yours, Tita?
Yeah, I didn't think I'd be taking a bath.
Oh, and some shampoo, too, please.
(W-Wow. She doesn't mess around, does she?)
(Not a care in the world...)





Yup, outdoor baths are the best.
Yes, the wind feels wonderful.
Kloe, have you been to this bath before?
No, this is my first time in an outdoor bath.
When I came here publicly before, I just used the indoors area.
Ah, gotcha. So you have been here before.
Still, this beats the indoor bath hands down. Looking up at the blue sky like this is really nice.
Heehee, that's right, last time we went was at night.
It's nice to get in during the day too, though. Since the air's a bit chilly, the hot water feels woooonderful.
Haha. Sounds like you're a real bath connoisseur. Just what I'd expect from a local. So which do you prefer, Tita? A daytime bath or night?
Hm, I like both...
Ah, but season-wise, I like it best when it's snowing!
S-Snow?! That's, like, in the middle of winter. Wouldn't you freeze your butt off outside?
Oh, it's fine in the bath.
The snow's falling all around, but you're all snugly warm...I kinda like that feeling.
How lovely. A bath in the snow...
Yeah, that does sound pretty good. I'd love to do that once.
Hey, don't get too caught up in talking. Especially you, Estelle. Remember our main job.
Y-Yeah, I get that, Agate, but...
Why did you leave your bandana on...? Honestly, the way you look is kinda stand-offish.
Ahaha...
Whether I stand off or stand in, it's got nothin' to do with you. I don't do anything without this on.
Well, I guess everyone's free to do as they want, but...
You don't wash your face with that on, right?
Gah! Use common sense, will you! Of course I take it off then!
*phew* Thank goodness.
Heehee...Y-Yeah. He does take it off.
A-Are you two idiots?! What the hell do you think I am?
Hmmm, I dunno, Agate. It seems really plausible for you. You seem like the type to do any crazy thing you set your mind to.
Uh, you know, that and this are...
Huh? Why're you so quiet all of a sudden?
Hmph...
Looks like they're here.
Ah...!
Oh...
Th-The peeping tom's here?!
(Estelle, you see that brush to the north? Check it out SUBTLY so they don't notice.)
(G-Got it.)



(Yeah, most likely that's our 'peeping tom.')



(Even if we wanted to try to catch him, we can't lay a finger on him from here.)
(Yeah, someone needs to get out first and go around.)
(Looks like that's our only choice. All right, Estelle and I will go behind him. Princess, you two draw the enemy's attention.)
(Yes, understood.)
(Y-Yes!)
(Well, then, let's...)
(...Wait, wh-what?!)
(What is it?!)
(Look! They're gonna run!)

-Pinch!!-











G-Got it!!





Let's teach 'em a lesson.

-Obstructive Existence-



The creepiest of creepy sheep.

You can't hit them at all while they're charging like this, so just toss out some buffs.



When the pink sheep's turn rolls around, they'll finish charging.

















The Big Sheep resists Seal, but can still be AT-Delayed.



Sheep pun.



-Looking Up at the Sky-



Yes, I believe this settles things.
I never thought they'd combine into one super creepy sheep...
I doubt they'll come back now that we've bloodied their noses, but just to be sure...



Now GET OUTTA HERE!



-A Cat Relaxing in the Sun-



So the peeping toms turned out to be monsters.
We can't be absolutely sure, but it's very likely. We taught 'em a hard lesson, though, so I don't think they'll bother you again.
One or two of those guys, I understand.
But don't you think it's a little weird that so many were coming?
Mmmm, it's very odd, indeed. This is the first time we've had such a thing. Something must have happened.
Maybe it has something to do with the earthquakes?
Earthquakes?
Um, well, I mean, sometimes monsters go a bit wild because of earthquakes. Maybe their habitat got messed up after a bad quake, or something like that.
I see...That's certainly believable.
Believable as it is, there's not much we can do about a natural disaster. If they show up again, I'll just have to give the guild a ring.
Yeah, go for it!
I'm always up for a chance to relax in your bath again.
Well, if we were gonna come for a soak, I'd rather do it off the clock.
Ahaha, you guys are welcome in the baths any time, on the job or no. I owe you for today. If anything comes up, you'll be the first I call.
Yeah, later.
Bye, Mrs. Mao!



Recia: All our customers are so old that it's hard to get excited about work. It'd be nice if we had some real customers again like Lord Olivier. *siiiiigh*



Addy: I wonder if the rumors about the peeping tom were actually just the monsters...Really, what troublemakers.
We really can't be sure. I've heard that some kind of pervert in a white coat has been seen around these parts.

You definitely don't want to miss the Maple Leaf Inn while you're in the Zeiss region. We didn't actually get a chance to finish that bath. The bathhouse is a free rest point that tops off everyone's CP instead of EP.



Go ahead and poach from Mrs. Mao's scenic koi pond while you're here, too. I'm sure no one will mind.



If you leave Elmo and cross the plains west by northwest, you can find these nasty twizzly things.



-Obstructive Existence-



The Ya-Kah can steal HP, or just heal themselves.





You have four S-Breaks.



Prepare to meet your doom!
Come on, everyone!
YAAAAAAAA











*phew* That was scary!

Then go back to Elmo and get another 200 CP for everybody.

I love Elmo.



-Looking Up at the Sky-









The Stone Circle is still spooky as ever, I see.
I read about these pillars once. Apparently, they're believed to predate even ancient Zemuria.
Zemurians...The ancient people who lived on orbal energy and then vanished...
The Tetracyclic Towers and the Sealed Area beneath Grancel Castle are both Zemurian, right?
Yeah, apparently. It's true this thing isn't remotely like those.
Grandpa told me once that there's a really strong septium vein running beneath this area. He thought this place might've been important to a religion a really long time ago.
Which means it's a good place for examining the flow of a septium vein. I get it. Where should we put the measuring instrument, though?
Hmmmmm, lesse...









Direction...is good!
Estelle! It'll work great right here! Should we set it up?

Make sure you get back to Elmo first. No playing with your toys until bath time is done.



Okay, I'll start setting it up. Gimme juuuust a minute...



Whoa, so this is what it looks like when it's all together? Wow!
What's, um...this dish-like thing?
Oh, that's a kind of antenna for broadcasting orbal-waves called a parabolic antenna! It puts out really powerful orbal waves that can cover really long distances...It can even broadcast from inside a place like the Kaldia Tunnel!
Um, Tita? I'd heard that orbal waves weaken as they pass through obstacles. Can this dish really transmit through the Kaldia Tunnel?
Oh, um, according to Grandpa, the antenna can direct orbal waves. So even if you're in a cave, you can reflect it down the tunnel and bounce it off the walls until it reaches the exit!
I see! My goodness...
Professor Russell really is as much of a genius as he's ever been.
I guess I'm too much of a country girl to appreciate how incredible it is...
This thing'll transmit earthquake info back to us, though, right?
Um, not yet. I haven't started it up yet. Just need to flip the switch...

-Silence-



Waaah!
What th-!

-Pinch!!-



Son of a...They're after the quartz in the device! Only one thing to do! SHRED 'EM!

-Obstructive Existence-







These sheep are actually tough enough to withstand an S-Craft, but they don't seem to do anything new.











-Looking Up at the Sky-



Those were definitely the nastiest Creepy Sheep-like thingies I've EVER fought. Those darn dirty, calculating...
Probably one of the new monsters Elnan was on about.
That was scary...
Tita, did they hurt you? Just let me know if you get even a scratch. I'll be happy to treat you.
Ahaha! I'm okay! You all protected me!
More importantly, I need to flip the switch!

*bip*

Yay! ♪ Now it works!
Good work, Tita!
Isn't it just going to get attacked by crazed sheep-things again once we leave, though?
Oh, it'll be okay! Once it's on, it actually repels monsters like the street lamps!
Oh, okay. No worries, then!
All right, let's get the rest of them set up like this.
Right!