Part 45: Tita and Renne together...Why does that combination send a chill of doom down my spine?

-Secret Green Passage-



We shouldn't put Renne in harm's way, but we can still teach her about important bracer skills like looting.





-Looking Up at the Sky-





Oh, my, Phillip!
How have you been?



Have you been to the villa recently?
We have, actually.
You were, um...'busy' in the capital, I take it.
Yes, I was making some purchases on the orders of His Highness the Duke.
...Did you, perchance, encounter His Highness while you were at the villa?
We 'encountered' him, all right.
We wanted to be nice and say hello. It's been some time since the, um, unpleasantness.
From your expressions, I take it he said something thoughtless to you once again. As his retainer, you have my utmost apologies.
Oh, you don't need to apologize for him, Phillip.
I have to admit, I was a little worried when I'd heard he was placed under house arrest. He seems to be taking it well, however.
It is kind of you to say so. Now, I fear I must be off. If you'll pardon me, Your Highness.



He's been taking care of Dunan since Dunan was young, right?
He's been Dunan's retainer for the past twenty years, from what Grandmother tells me. I believe he was a member of the Royal Guard before then.
Wait, really? Phillip?!
Wow, guess you really can't judge by looks.
...Huh.
You really shouldn't underestimate him. Even I can tell he's not just any old guy.
Huh? What do you mean, Renne?
Oh, um, you know! Like how he can walk with his eyes closed. I sure couldn't do that!
I think they're just narrowed, Renne, not closed...
I mean, you noticed how he opens his eyes when surprised, right?
Really? I didn't!
I wanna see, I wanna see! Maybe I can get a good look if I surprise him next time!



-Royal Capital of Grancel-



We need to talk to Elnan about Renne.
There's that, but our army contact should be showing up soon. You didn't forget about that, right?
Oh, uh...
For cryin' out...
Huh? What's wrong? You said you're gonna show me to this 'guild' place, right?
Heh, well, m'lady, please lend me your hand. I, Olivier Lenheim, shall have the honor of escorting you.
No, thank you. I'd rather Miss Estelle to show me.
My disappointments are ceaseless!
Haha! Sorry, Olivier, no luck.
C'mon, Renne. I'll show you the Bracer Guild!
Yay!



Oh!





Well, hey there, Colonel Cid!
Thought the old man might send you, Cid. You're back from Leiston Fortress, I see.
That's right. I just arrived here a little while ago on one of the patrol ships. I apologize for the wait.
No, it's okay. We actually had a little job of our own to take care of.
Hmm...? Speaking of which, would that young lady be...?
Oh, right. Yeah, she is. Some stuff went down, so we had to bring her along.
Hey, Renne? We've got some things we need to talk about with the army man. Can you go wait on the second floor?
Oh...Is this work stuff?
Yeah, I'm sorry.
Oh...I guess I don't mind. You're just like Papa. It's always work, work, work. I don't really like that very much...
Aw...
Um...Renne, right? Do you want to talk for a little while?
I wanna get to know you!
With you?
Well, okay, I guess we could.
Heehee, okay!
We'll be on the second floor, Estelle.



Hmm...Well, your report on the situation can wait for now. Let's hear out Colonel Cid first.
Sure.
Lay it on us, Cid.
Thank you. I'm in a hurry myself.
So, this is an official request from the Royal Army. There's a series of incidents we'd like you to investigate.
Incidents? Why does the way you say that make me shiver a bit?
You're aware of the non-aggression pact, yes? I'm afraid threatening letters have been delivered to all parties involved in the signing.
Someone's threatening the treaty?!
That's...That's not good at all. What did the letters say, exactly?
Please, have a look.



What in the...?
Yeah, that's a threat, all right.
Is this the whole thing?
Yes, that's the entire thing. As you may have noticed, there is no name or any other indication of a sender. Normally, I'd simply dismiss it as a prank. However...
...However, something about the situation makes you believe it's more than a bad joke, yes?
Yes. It's the volume of letters sent, you see.
The first arrived at Leiston Fortress. Copies were then sent to the airship company, Grancel Cathedral, Hotel Roenbaum, and the Liberl News Service.
THEN copies arrived at both the Erebonian and Calvard embassies, the Erbe Royal Villa, and even Grancel Cathedral itself. Nine letters in total.
Who'd send that many letters?!
Yeah...That'd be a lot of work for a prank in poor taste. I can see why the army would start to get concerned.
I don't get it, though. The airship company? The Liberl News? The friggin' hotel and a church? They don't seem to have anything to do with the signing.
They are not totally unrelated, to be honest.
The airship company shall be sending out charter vessels to ferry the Imperial and Republican officials here. They will, of course, be staying at the Roenbaum.
Furthermore, the church--or, specifically, Archbishop Currant of the cathedral--has been asked to be an observer at the signing. And the Liberl News has been preparing a special report on the pact and signing for weeks.
So they ARE all connected, somehow. So do we have any idea who's behind it?
That could be a difficult question to answer. This is an international matter...meaning anyone from Liberl, Calvard, or Erebonia could be responsible.
Yes. The war hawks in either the Empire OR the Republic, for starters...It could even be someone from another country entirely who isn't happy to see all three countries working together.
Of course, there are plenty of suspects in Liberl as well.
And we can't forget the obvious answer: the society.
So what exactly do you want us to investigate here, Cid?
Right, then. The mission. We would like for you to investigate all the locations that have received the letters, and see if anyone has any further leads. Minus Leiston and Erbe, that is. We'll handle those. The other seven locations are yours.
So, the airship company, Grancel Cathedral, Hotel Roenbaum, the Liberl News...
...the Erebonian embassy, the Calvardian embassy, and Grancel Castle...That will involve a bit of walking.
Heh...More to the point, uniformed soldiers asking around would attract a great deal of unwanted attention. Now that you lack an Intelligence Division, it makes sense to ask the guild to help investigate such matters.
As embarrassing as the situation is, you're exactly right. Without a functional Intelligence Division, we're very limited in what we can do. However, the new general plan from the top brass is to have the guild help us with as many tasks as possible. This is simply one case of that.
Oh, really. Thanks a heap, Dad.
Yeah, that's about what I'd expect from the old man.
Haha! I must admit, it was my request to ask for you, however. I've been placed in charge of the defense of the capital region until the signing ceremony. I would like as much information as I can possibly obtain in order to prepare a proper defense. Can I ask you to take this job?
Oh, well...I DO want to help...But we're really kinda hip-deep in another case at this point.
That girl, right. Let us hear your report on that situation now.

I see...Yes, an abandoned child is a problem you cannot simply ignore. Why would anyone do such a thing...?
It's kind of freaking me out, too. I actually met her parents once, briefly. They seemed like this really thoughtful, loving couple. They adore Renne, from what I saw. I have to think something really, really serious happened to them to make them leave her...
Hm, possibly. They may have gotten entangled in something and wanted to keep their child out of it.
I do see an opportunity to kill two birds with one stone, however.
Huh?
Renne and her parents are foreigners, remember? You'll need to inquire at the hotel and the embassies regardless.
Hey, I think I know where you're going with this...
And it just so happens they got threatened. We'd want to check with the airship company, too, come to think.
I'll put out a general alert to all army posts to watch for her parents, as well. Should they pass through any of the checkpoints, we should know.
Thanks, Colonel!
Sounds like you can take the job after all.
Colonel, you may leave the investigation itself to us. I presume you'll want the final report in paper and in person, however?
Yes. We'd prefer to avoid telephones to avoid any risk of interception. You'll be able to find me at the Erbe Royal Villa beginning today, actually. I'm sorry for the extra trouble, but could I ask that you bring the final report there in person?
Sure! We'll see you at the villa once we know what's up.
I wish you luck, then.




Tita, Renne, sorry to leave you two behind.
Oh, it's okay!
We're going out shopping!
Er, what?
S-Sorry, Estelle. Renne really wants to visit the department store.
Why, that's not how I remember things, Tita.
As I recall, you were the one who said she wanted to look at all the stuffed animals.
Awww, Renne...!
Haha...Well, um...I know you're bored, Renne, but since I'm not sure when we'll find out something about your parents, I'd like for you to wait here.
...
...
Oh, c'mon, that's not fair. DOUBLE doe-eye stares?
Ah, it'll be cool. Tita's with her, so they should be fine if they're just out shopping and stuff.
...I guess so.
Okay, Tita, Renne? We'll be back by this evening, so you need to be back by then, too, okay? And the capital's a really big place, so don't get lost!
We will, and we won't! ♪
Renne, let's go!
After you.
See you, everyone. ♪



Yeah, it's really easy to become friends at that age. Man, youth. I feel all old now!
Althooough...Tita and Renne together...Why does that combination send a chill of doom down my spine?
Oh? I think they'll be fine.
Tita's kind of easy to push around, though. I get the feeling Renne might try to drag her into all kinds of stuff...
That...might be a good point...
Oh, yeah, Elnan. Did you get the names of that kid's parents?
It took a little insistent asking, but she eventually gave them.
Her father is a trader from Crossbell. Harold and Sophia Hayworth are their names.
Trader from Crossbell...Harold and Sophia Hayworth...
Okay, got it written down.
I got it, too. All right. Let's get this investigation started.
So, remember: Estelle's group will visit the embassies, Grancel Castle, and the Liberl News. Zane, Olivier, we will be counting on your aid at the embassies.
Fear not. My brilliant smile can open any door.
We'll make sure you see the ambassadors.
Your Highness, your help would be invaluable at Grancel Castle. Please introduce Estelle to whoever can best help our investigation.
Of course.
As for the Liberl News, I believe you yourself have an 'in' for that, Estelle.
Yeah! I can bug Nial about it. He kinda owes me at this point.
And that leaves the cathedral, the airship company, and the Roenbaum. Agate, good luck with those.
No prob. Shouldn't take too long.
So, let's go!



Where should we start?
Don't think it matters too much. If you want to go to the Calvardian embassy, you've got a free pass with me around. I can introduce you to Elsa whenever.
I, of course, can get us into the Erebonian embassy. They should be glad to escort us if I introduce myself at the gate.
And, of course, I rather doubt it'll be very hard for me to get us into Grancel Castle. It might be wise to simply go straight there and speak with Grandmother.
I kinda doubt the Liberl News will give us any trouble either, so...Eh, let's just pick a direction and go!

I pick: back to the guild.



A new job has come in, and on a pretty tight schedule too.



Jimmy: Apparently they're looking into whether or not it's something the museum can hold onto, so I'm having a wander while they check it out.



Better yet, how can WE help you? We're with the Bracer Guild, sir.
Museum Director: Oh, excellent! I was hoping someone would come soon. Let's waste no time getting down to business.
Yeah, sure.
So what was stolen?
Museum Director: About that...Do you notice anything off here?
Off...? This is the airship gallery, right? Hey, now that you mention it, something seems to be missing...
You're right, Estelle. There was a portrait of the Arseille on this wall, as I recall.
Now that you mention it, I DO remember something like that being here.
How could I forget? I saw the portrait myself while touring the capital.
Guess we know why you called us now. The portrait of the Arseille was stolen, wasn't it?
Museum Director: Precisely that. It was there this morning, but around noon or so, I'd noticed that it was gone. This card was on the wall in its place.



*sigh* Him. Again.
Haha...
Our rivalry burns brighter still.
Yeah, sounds like Phantom Thief Bleublanc, all right.
You guys told me about him, but I thought you were exaggerating.
Museum Director: You already know who the criminal is? Now that's what I call reassuring! I have every confidence that you'll crack this case.
We won't let you down! We'll be back before you know it.

The Morgan residence isn't too far from the Liberl News.



Heya, Chief. It's been a while.
Editor-In-Chief: What do you need today, hm? Business with Nial?
Yeah, got some questions on some guild business. Is he back from Ruan yet?
Editor-In-Chief: Yeah, he's back, but...I think he stepped outside to do some coverage.
Ah, figures. He always does seem pretty busy.
Editor-In-Chief: Well, that's our job after all. Don't know where he is, but I heard he'll be back by the evening.
Okay, got it. Thanks.
It seems we should start somewhere else.
Yes, this can probably be the last place we visit.



Katrina: Perhaps it's Cassius' influence...as shocking as that would be!



Dalia: Maybe it's my imagination, but he seems to smile more than I'm accustomed to seeing.



Rianne: I wish I coulda played with her.



In that case, is this the 'onlooker of time'?
I'd say it's likely.
We'll need to check inside.







As we thought.
Dalia: My...!
Katrina: To think something like that was in this house!
Well, this guy isn't the type to harm people who aren't involved in his weird plans, so don't worry.
Best to close up tight at night just in case there's any more mischief, though.
Dalia: Y-Yes, of course.
Katrina: Yes, we'll be careful.
All right, shall we continue?
Katrina: To think someone like that could sneak into our house...Anyway, I'm just glad Rianne is safe.
Rianne: Hey, hey. What kind of person is a 'phantom thief'? I really wanna meet one one day.
Dalia: I'll make sure everything's closed up tightly at night! Not that I'd ever let someone suspicious into this mansion again...
'Again?'



Dick: One way or another, it doesn't sound very yummy.
Troy: I'd rather it was something tasty, not medicine.
Raleigh: I'm a little embarrassed, you guys.



This white falcon symbol seems suspect to me.
This bird IS the symbol of Liberl, so it would stand out.
Let's have a look.




All right, we got it.
But what does the 'blue knight' mean? Is he talking about the Royal Guard?
They do certainly wear blue uniforms...
Mmm, I think not. It says 'the foreign manse,' so I don't think the Royal Guard makes sense.
More than anything else it wouldn't be beautiful, so we should try something else.
Is that right...
(Well, it is coming from someone similar, so I guess maybe I should listen to the warning here...)

If we're looking for some foreign mans, we should start at one of the embassies. We have some other business around the east side, too, so we'll continue this next time.