Part 49: I don't suppose you'd be up for swapping some stories, would you?
-Steel Floor Blocking The Way-
Mmm, 'Bingo' indeed...Looks like we found their trail.
So they're using the Ravennue mine, hm? Just what I'd expect of Richard's men. This is an excellent hiding place.
This is where those Sky Bandits kept that ship they hijacked, right?
That's right. Estelle and I fought the bandits in a large, exposed central hollow area somewhat further ahead.
A nice, big open space, huh? I bet our guys are in the same spot.
So what do you think? Go in for the heroic charge now, or...?
Well, we've no time to contact the army...But no heroics right away, Anelace. First we need to sneak in and see just how large a force they have. Come on.
Right behind you!
But I don't see any trace of...anyone.
Yeah, we totally tracked them here. So where'd all those Intelligence weirdos go? Did they...notice us? I didn't think we... Well, let's have a look around anyway, hmm?
Do you see anything, Schera?
I'm drawing a blank.
They were here...but it's impossible to tell if they're just out, or if they abandoned this base. I don't even see any clue as to where they might have gone.
Um, about that, I didn't find any mention of where they were going...but I did find this over in that tent!
Really? Mind if I take a look?
Hmmmm. These are blueprints of some sort. Looks like it's for something named the 'Orgueille'...Unless I'm totally illiterate, these are plans for a vehicle of some sort. Oooo, 'Orgueille.' That sounds cool! What is it, some kind of airship? Well, I'm not exactly an engineer, but I don't think so...Those look like-- Hm?
What's wrong? There's a note in between the pages. 'I've sent out the invitations. I've got the table and chairs ready. Everything's ready for the tea party. Now all I need is to bake some crumpets and wait for the guests to arrive!'
Awww! A tea party! That's really cute.
It's like something out of a storybook.'The Teatime Putsch, with Special Agent Princess and the Teddy Bear Sleeper Cell.'
Yes...which must mean it's a cipher of some sort. What do they mean by 'tea party,' I wonder...
No way...How'd they sneak up on us?! Hmm-hmm. That was a fair bit of sneaking, friends. I take it that's another trick our good friend Lorence taught you?
(I know. Something here isn't right.) (All right. We'll feint to one side, break one corner of the triangle, and clean up the rest. Can you do it?)I have no idea what any of that means so I'm just going to smack them all at random.
(Just say when!)
All right! GO! GO!
Right!-Recapture-
-Steel Floor Blocking The Way-
That was...We may have defeated them, but something is terribly wrong here. Do you think they were on drugs or something? I remember hearing they used something like that to control some thugs in...Ruan, I think? Yes, that was one of the cases Estelle solved. But this wasn't like she described. This was like...trying to whip a tree...Boy's Voice: Ha-HA! What great fun! You two aren't half bad, are you? What a treat.
-The Enforcers-
Campanella's...supposed to be standing there, by the supply tent. Except he's invisible. What a japester.
I am but one hand of the Society of Ouroboros. O-Ouro... Finally decided to step out of the shadows, have we? What exactly are you plotting here, boy? Where have the former Intelligence men gone? Answer me!
Haha, I'm sorry. I'm afraid I'm little more than an observer this time. You're asking the wrong person if you want details about the plan. In fact, I barely know them myself. An 'observer'? Anyway, if you want to attend that tea party, you'd better hurry. I'm not quite sure where it's being held, but it isn't here.
Or shall we share some coffee instead, and enjoy the dawn together? ...
Um, kid? You look pretty young. Are you really part of the society? I don't mean to be insulting, but you might want to get away from them. They're bad people. You're very kind, miss. But you know...it's okay to laugh at a fool. That's what he's there for.
But worrying about the Fool? Now that's quite rude. Huh...*snap*
How...? But they were unconscious! Ah, you bracers really are naive. If you really want to defeat someone...you have to break them into pieces. Like...so.*snap*
You...You...That's...How could you...? Haha! Did I surprise you? It's so easy to break even a well-made toy, isn't it?
Farewell! Hopefully I can give you an encore someday.
-In My Heart-
Sch-Sch-Schera...Um...I... I know, honey... At least it was...a quick death. I hope they didn't feel anything. We still can't simply leave them like this, though. It'd be barbaric...even more so than what just happened.
Anelace...try to find some sheets, all right? I'll handle the rest. R-Right...! ...Wha...?
Um, Schera? I think this arm is...fake. But that...-Silence-
I can hardly believe it, but these are--Man's Voice: --archaisms. Orbal machines capable of independent action.
Father Kevin! What are you doing here?
She remembers me! There's hope for my love life yet!
Ah, but since the little lady over there doesn't know me...I'm Kevin Graham of the Septian Church.
Anyway, you're Scherazard Harvey, if I remember right, and with you is Anelace Elfead, yeah? I don't suppose you'd be up for swapping some stories, would you?-Creeping Crisis-
...
-Under the Moonlight-
...You three were impressive, too. We defeated them in a single sweep thanks to your combo attack.
C-Cut it out...Flattery'll get you nowhere.
This is, like, the tenth group, isn't it? How many more do we need to hunt down?!
Hmm. This should be enough. The Royal Army should move soon, so it would probably be best for us to disappear.
Right, then!
Still, what in the name of hell is the society trying to do?
Why use these...dolls dressed up as Richard's goons?
That's the real question, though. Where the hell are the rest of the Intelligence men? They've probably gone to the 'tea party' in that note. The dolls are likely to distract the army from that and make them think Richard's men are still active here.
Makes sense, I guess.
Wish we knew what the hell the 'tea party' was. Well, we don't have that much of a reason to help, but...
Sure you don't wanna crash that 'tea party,' lad? ... The bracers should be investigating that camp by now. We can leave it to the army and the guild. Yeah, we left 'em the note and plans. That'll be more than enough. And we're taking care of all these freakin' puppet things while the guild's busy.
We can just leave the rest to that airhead and her group, right? ...
E-Erm, sorry.
Didn't mean to pick at an old wound or anything... ...No. You didn't. They have nothing to do with me anymore. Once the 'tea party' begins, the army will be focused on that. We can move once that happens.
Right, then!
Time to get busy.