Part 43: 'Ouroboros, please attack us.'

-Royal Capital of Grancel-



On her last trip to the Liberl Kingdom's seat of power, Estelle reported for duty and then hopped an airliner to Ruan.





The visit before that was more eventful, but it ended on kind of a sour note.



Guess we better check in with the guild branch first, huh?
Yeah, let's go hear from Elnan what's what.
I did notice that a certain white ship isn't in port today. The 'Arseille,' I believe it was?
Huh?



That's the royal family's personal cruiser, right? It might be out on a mission or something.



It's being fitted with the new engine Professor Russell and his colleagues have been working on.
Oh, yeah! Gustav said he'd be flying out to Leiston on the factory's airship!
Oh, I see!
So that awesome ship is being made even MORE awesome? I seriously can't wait to see that!
They're just changing the engine, so I doubt the exterior will change much...
But it'll totally be the world's fastest airship! That's for sure! ♪



I've read the reports from Ruan and Zeiss. Good work, truly. You've done well in opposing the society thus far.
I doubt the guys we've fought would agree...Both that masked man and the guy with sunglasses didn't really seem to take it, or us, seriously.
Even knowing that the society is moving is valuable, Estelle. Don't disparage yourself. Your successes should make the Royal Army trust us even further.
So, speakin' of which, what does the army want with us? Somethin' society-related?
Yes, about that...
It seems they don't want to discuss it over the phone. An army official will be coming by soon to explain the situation in person.
Something that cannot be discussed by phone, they say?
What they mean is that they do not wish to risk any unwelcome ears listening in on the call.
Wait, you can do that?!
Oh, yes. It's quite possible. Telephones are convenient, but with the right equipment, intercepting a conversation signal is not very difficult.
We use a scrambling device between branches to prevent interception of guild business. Unfortunately...
The, uh, 'scrambling' doesn't work with the army for some reason?
Yes. The army uses a different system. All calls between us are thus completely open.
Well, that's ducky.
Why can't the army just share a mixer-scrambler thingamajigger with us?
We ARE working together, but we're still an international citizen's group and they're a national defense force. As much as your father trusts us, Estelle, I don't think they can give us something so sensitive so easily.
Hang on, Elnan.
It still sounds like you've got some idea of what this is all about. Otherwise, you wouldn't've bothered calling us outta Zeiss.
Ah! Am I being that transparent?
I can only hazard a guess, really, but I believe it's very likely this has to do with the signing of the non-aggression pact.
The non-aggression pact?
I remember hearing something about that...What exactly is going on with that, anyway?
It is a treaty affecting Liberl, Erebonia, and Calvard, proposed by Grandmother. In short, it says all countries involved will attempt at all times to solve international disputes without resorting to force.
Whoa! So, like, it'll end war?!
Well...no. There's no true enforcement mechanism beyond simply being known as a treaty-breaker, so enforcing it like that would be difficult...
It should still be something of a deterrent, though, and it will hopefully promote more friendly relations between ourselves and others.
Okay, I get it.
Queen Alicia does it again! She's got a good eye for this kind of thing.
It'd be neat if that made the countries nicer to each other!
The pact is being signed in a large ceremony at the Erbe Royal Villa next weekend. Dignitaries from all three nations will be attending, and the media is paying close attention.
...Which is to say, they may as well have painted a sign on the roof of the Villa saying, 'Ouroboros, please attack us.'
Oh...Yeah, that could get really ugly...
Hm. Got our work cut out for us, then.
Guess we just wait here for the army official for now?
Correct. We do have some time before he's scheduled to arrive, so feel free to--

*RINGRINGRINGRING*

Oh, pardon me a moment.



Yes...Yes...
...
I see...Yes. That certainly is a problem.
Just a moment, please...
Is that the army on the phone?
No, it's a member of the Erbe Royal Villa staff. They seem to have a lost child from one of the tourists in their care. Unfortunately, they can't seem to actually locate her parents...
That's awful!
Do they want us to help?
Just so, Your Highness. They've asked for our aid in locating the child's parents or guardians. There's still some time before our guest from the army is due to arrive. Would you mind taking care of this?
Sure! We'd be glad to. You're in, right, Agate?
Can't say no to a kid in need. Let's head out.
Thank you.
Hello? Yes, we have a team of bracers we can dispatch immediately.
And your name, sir?...Yes...Understood. Well, then, our bracers will be over as soon as they are able. *click*



Once you arrive at the villa, inquire with him.
All right, then!
Wait a sec. 'Raymond'...Why does that ring a bell?
Wasn't he that one butler we found? You know, when we saved Kloe during the coup. He was hiding under a counter.
Right, Nial's friend!
Ah, good! If you know him, that should make things even easier.
Well, then. Good luck.

If we're dealing with a lost child, I'll take Kloe and Tita. Zane's appearance might be a little scary, and Olivier's behavior might be a little baffling.













Grancel is divided into four blocks. The Bracer Guild office resides on the south block, along with the local arms-&-guards, orbal factory, a restaurant, and the city's main gates.



Cready: Lately, I see a lot of foreigners in the store...




Chaeli: We have all kinds of weapons. Please, take a look.



Everyone gets an extreme makeover this time, although Zane already had a Heavy Cestus weapon.



Gaspard: Why not have some popcorn while you're taking a break?




Nonna: We might've had a coup d'etat not too long ago, but it's all back to normal now.

To the north sits a ritzy hotel, Grancel Castle, and a house you can barge into.



Helmuth: Apparently she's been going to the lake pretty often while I've been away at work. And, man...The gap between our abilities is only just going to keep getting bigger.



Norche: I'd been using the same rod since I started fishing, so I thought it was about time for an upgrade. Now, then, what to do with my old rod...My husband only uses new, top-class rods, you see. So I had to keep up! You...You fish, don't you?
Huh? Well, some...
(H-How did she know?)
Norche: Well, then, allow me to offer you this.

Wow! Th-Thank you.
Norche: Hmmhmm, make sure to catch plenty of fish with it! My husband was so busy with fishing and work, he didn't pay me a moment's notice. That's why I decided to take my husband down a peg by beating him at his own hobby. For the crime of having ignored his family...I intend to make him pay dearly.
Oh gracious sakes would you look at the time, so sorry to be running for my life

Grancel's east block holds the landing port, the History Museum, the Grand Arena, foreign embassies, and a department store.



Edel: Our store is ever striving to take down the Bose Market!



Lily: The Edel Department Store has everything from souvenirs to daily goods.



A new city means new news.



Terell: A person who's apparently the duke's butler comes and shops here at the store from time to time. But for some reason he always just buys donuts and comics.
Don't judge me. I mean him.



Sorbet: Though, if Lady Klaudia ate my ice cream, I'd be happy to hear that...
(...Kloe, have you had the ice cream here?)
(...*ahem* Actually, it was Grandmother's suggestion. I was really happy to get to try it.)
Miss, you're good to go. You can, in fact, proudly say you're purveyor to the royal family.
Sorbet: Huh?

In the west block you have the Liberl News offices, Grancel Cathedral, another cafe, and the harbor.



Tourist: Haha, how very like us.
Other Tourist: Calling yourself a maiden? How very like you.



Baral: You're the bracer lady who's a friend of Nial's, right? Welcome to Baral Coffee House, known for its coffee and rice curry!


General Morgan has a mansion for his whole family on the upper west side as well.



Rianne: Did you come to play?
The general's granddaughter had an Intelligence Division gun to her head the last time Estelle saw her. Looks like she's none the worse.



Private Datten: It was closed off during the coup d'etat on orders of Colonel Richard. If you've got the time, it might be worth going and taking a look.





Grancel: You'll come for the warehouses, but you'll stay for the utility vehicles.



Phelio: Hey!! You're the people who beat me at the casino in Ruan!
Ah...
Ahahaha...Nice to see you too, I guess?
Phelio: *siiigh* Listen, please. After that, I tried making up for the money I'd lost with all kindsa gambles, but...that match with you was where my luck turned. When I realized everything I'd won had disappeared, well...
R-Really? That's kinda sad.
That's gamblin' for ya.
Phelio: Yeah, if only I'd figured it out sooner. I guess it's true of anything, but you should always know when to quit. I didn't, and I made things hard for my wife because of that. I'm gonna do all I can to make it up to her.



Sightseer: I'd really love to confess my love to my girlfriend in a place like this.



Worker: Heh, go ahead. Look around as much as you'd like.
First I want to hear you say 'orbal boat' ten times fast.






-Secret Green Passage-







If you mess with the little Sharkodiles, they'll tell their big brother on you.













-Obstructive Existence-



Cronociders. They're big and tough. That's pretty much it.



Spiral Edge works, but most ailments do not.







Their headbutts have huge knockback and a chance to Faint.

















And from here, the Royal Villa is just a few steps away.