Part 50: Well, that explains everything and leaves us with no questions. No, siree.

-Royal Castle-









Thank you very much. You investigated this quite well.
I guess...I'm still kind of miffed we couldn't find out who sent the letters, to be honest.
This is more than enough information for an initial investigation. I doubted we'd uncover the party responsible for the threats at this stage, anyway. If anything, this gave me exactly what I needed: information to consider what we might need to defend against.
Good to hear. So what's been happening with you army guys since then?
We finished our initial deployment yesterday. We will be using the villa as a patrol headquarters until the signing ceremony is concluded.
So that's why there were so many soldiers out and about. And I'm guessing that's why there were, like, no monsters on the road over here.
We conducted an extensive monster hunting sweep this morning. We'll be performing them periodically until the ceremony ends.
Too bad you can't do that more often...
Haha...Well, you have something of a point.
Speaking of civilian concerns. About that girl's parents, the ones you mentioned yesterday...I haven't heard any reports that they've gone through any of the regional gate posts.
Nuts. Nothing to do but wait, I guess.
I will let the guild know the instant we hear anything. For the moment, you've done fine work with this investigation. I'll have your payment wired to the guild a.s.a.p.
Thanks, Colonel Cid!
But, uh...what should we do now? You want us to help out with the patrols in the capital once we get back?
Well, if you plan on staying in Grancel, I wouldn't turn away the help.
I do know you're very busy with other matters, however. I won't insist on you staying.
Hmmmm...
Well, we still have Renne's situation to deal with, so we'll talk to Elnan about it all when we get back.
Sounds like a plan.
Man's Voice: Sir! Excuse me, sir!



Warrant Officer Belc: Er...
Don't worry, these people can be trusted.
Warrant Officer Belc: Very well, sir. We've received a phone transmission from headquarters at Leiston, sir. Remnants of the Intelligence Division have been sighted in the Bose region!
What?!
No way!
Details, man. Explain.
Warrant Officer Belc: They were first sighted by some bracers. I'm afraid we don't have all the details on their confrontation yet. However, General Bright has ordered all army stations to stand by at level 2 alert!
I see...Thank you, Mr. Belc.
I suspect...we're going to be busy fairly soon.
Yeah, no kidding.
Estelle. Back to the guild, on the double.
Right!
Colonel Cid, good luck with your patrols and stuff!
Stay safe, friends.
The fugitive Intelligence Division now reveal themselves...The problem is determining whether or not this case is related to the signing ceremony...
One way or another, I need more information than just this.
Warrant Officer Belc: Even if the site was Bose, there might be requests for reinforcements. We need to be alert...





That was kind of quick, wasn't it?
Didn't I tell you? We just needed to turn in a report. You could've just waited at the guildhouse.
Aww, that's mean! I just wanna stay with you, Estelle. Titaaaa, say something to her!
M-Me?
Well, I do wanna stay with Estelle all the time, but...She has work to do, so I don't want to be selfish.
Hmph! Fine, then!
In that case, I'll just have to run off with Estelle myself. You don't get to play, Tita.
Awww! Renne, you're so mean!
Hahaha...C'mon, you two, don't fight. Tita, you're the older girl here, so let it slide, okay?
But, but...You two seem really close all of a sudden!
I'm...not annoying, am I...?
Ohh, c'mon, sweetie, like I could ever stop loving you!



Weeell, Tita? You keep making that saaad, looonely face, and I'm just gonna have to hug you alllll up.
Aaaaah! Stop, Estelle!
Heeey! Tita, pity hugs are cheating!
For the love of...I'm not gonna even try to keep up with this anymore.
If you kids are done, how about we get back to the guildhouse?
Oh, yeah, we should.
Huh? Did something happen?
Yeah...Some of the old Intelligence goons showed up in Bose.
That's awful!
Yeah, but we're still a bit fuzzy on the details. Elnan can hopefully tell us more.
We really need to hurry back, then!
Arrgh! This isn't fair, you guys! I don't know what you're talking about at all!
Ah-haha, sorry, Renne.
Basically, some serious stuff has come up, so we need to get back to the guildhouse.
Oh! Well, that was easy.
Too bad. It'd be fun to play hide and seek with all these soldiers.
We could use the whole forest as a hiding place! That'd be fun, right?
Ummm...That might be...fun, yeah?
Let's not do that and say we did.
Okay! You guys ready to go?





Do you deliberately besmirch ME, Dunan von Auslese, rightful heir to the throne?!
Royal Army Officer: N-No, Your Highness, not at all! In fact, this morning we put a plan into motion to slay any monsters along the road to Grancel. You will be completely safe with the allotted escort, milord.
THAT IS NOT THE POINT! An honor guard of a mere three men is wholly unacceptable for a man of MY stature and importance! I demand at least a full squadron! Ten men! Go!
Royal Army Officer: But, sir...
Your Highness...please do not demand so much of them. Her Royal Highness has finally given leave for us to return. Please, Your Highness, we should consider ourselves lucky to have received such grace itself...
Silence, Phillip! This 'punishment' was the height of injustice to begin with! Given the outrageous grievances levied against me, I SHOULD demand nothing less than the whole Royal Guard to meet me!
Wellllllll. We may not be the whole Royal Guard...But we could go with you, if you'd like.



Miss Estelle...
*sigh* Haven't changed a bit, have you, Duke, ol' buddy?
It's not very dukely to railroad everyone with your selfishness. Very YOU, but not very dukely.
How DARE you call me 'buddy,' you...you impertinent NOBODY! Why are you even HERE?! The villa was to be closed off to the common rabble!
Yeah, y'see, we had actual WORK to do here. So, goin' for a walk, ol' buddy?
Hm! More than a mere stroll, girl. Prepare to be shocked!
Alicia has come to her senses and released me from the unjust punishment which bound me here!
The 'unjust punishment'?
Wait, they're actually lettin' you outta house arrest?
Indeed. Word arrived from Her Royal Highness this morning. She instructed us to depart from the villa and return to Grancel Castle.
Oh, brother. The queen's way, way too nice.
Huuuh. Well, good for you, I guess.
Well, try and keep a clear head so you don't get played a second time, okay?
What...?
And, y'know, don't you think you should examine your lifestyle a bit? You're kind of a slacker, buddy. Maybe you could start with a bit of exercise?



What is it? I say something weird?
...No. It is exactly as you say, Miss Estelle.
If His Highness only had a better hold on his life, he would not have been so easily manipulated by Colonel Richard...Allow me to echo your suggestion...
Baaaah! Enough of your lectures!
Enough of this! I shall not remain here a second longer among such riffraff! We depart for the capital!
Royal Army Officer: Uh, sir?
Huh? Weren't you just going on about not having enough men?
NO! COME, LET'S GO, MEN!



I'm not sure how to express my gratitude...
Haha! Uh, don't worry about it.
But...I dunno, I think you really need to drop the hammer a bit more, Phillip. I think he's the way he is because nobody's ever really even scolded him, y'know?
Ah...Yes...
I don't really think he's THAT rotten, deep...DEEP down, so I think he can still change. Don't you think he just needs a hand?
Miss Estelle...your words ring so true...
Philliiiiiiip! Why are you dawdling with peasants?! If you keep loitering, we'll depart without you!
Er, yes, Your Highness, I shall be but a moment.
If you will excuse me...



Haha...Man...You really are something.
Bwuh?
Haha! Estelle, you're incredible.
Um, Estelle, I kind of noticed when we first met...You're kind of, um...too nice, aren't you?
Too nice? Huh?
If you don't get it, don't sweat it. Let's get back to the capital, huh?



-Royal Capital of Grancel-



Hey, welcome back.
Welcome back!



Yep! No problem.
We just received the mission fee from the army a moment ago. Here, let me give you the reward.

Haha! Yay for Colonel Cid! He does some fast work.
Anyway, more importantly...I'd heard some of the old Intelligence guys were seen near Bose?
Ah, so the villa was contacted as well. I thought that might be the case. We were just talking about that, as it so happens.
Sounded like some guild members found them?
Yes...It was Scherazard and Anelace.
Wha...?!
They discovered a base the Intelligence Division fugitives had been using in the abandoned mine near Ravennue. Unfortunately, the base itself had already been abandoned as well by the time they found it.
That's where we fought those bandits!
Tch...Why didn't we think to look there? You said their base was abandoned. Any idea where they went after that?
Actually, former Intelligence special forces men have been seen all over the Bose region. The border garrison is currently investigating the situation.
Oh, man...Should we pack it up and head over to Bose to help?
No. There's a chance this is simply a distraction. Until we get a request for help from the Bose branch directly, I would prefer not to act rashly. There's another reason for caution, as well. It seems the society has a hand in this.
What?!
Aw, hell!
Scherazard and Anelace encountered one of their agents in the abandoned mine.
Another 'Enforcer,' Campanella the Fool.
Son of...Another one, huh?
They also found several strange things in the ruins of the base. Firstly, they discovered plans for something called an 'Orgueille,' which seems to be some form of orbal-driven vehicle...They also found a memo, written in cipher, discussing a 'tea party' of some sort.
Orgueille? Tea party...?
Well, that explains everything and leaves us with no questions. No, siree.
What do you mean by 'orbal driven vehicle'? What is it?
I'm more concerned about what a 'tea party' could refer to...
Tch...Hard to sit on our butts after hearin' all that.
C'mon, cool your heads, guys. The army and our guildmates are working hard over there. I'm sure they'll keep things under control. We'll hear about it soon enough.
Exactly. I know it may make you nervous, but please remain in Grancel for the time being. For now, you may do as you please.
All right...I'm sure Olivier will appreci--
Hey, wait. Where'd Olivier go?
Ah, yes. The Erebonian embassy called a little while ago. It was Olivier. He said that he had a small piece of business to attend to and left. He did say he would return quickly.
Huh. I wonder what that's about.
Wait, speaking of missing...
Where...Where did Renne go?
Whaaat?



Huh?...Oh! She was here just a minute ago!
Crap...Do you think she got bored with all the talking and went out to play?
Talk WAS gettin' kind of heavy. I know I'd book it if I was a kid.
Well, this isn't good.
Darn it...We do need to do something about her if we're going to leave Grancel.
...I'm gonna go look for her.
I'll come, too! I think I might know where Renne went!
Thanks, Tita.
Sorry, Elnan.
Not at all. While you're out, I'll get the other branches up to speed and see if I can learn anything new.



Tita, any ideas?
Ummm...
We went by a lot of places in the eastern block yesterday. Maybe she's at one of those places?
Uh, which places?
Um, let's see...First we looked around the department stores...Then we went to the History Museum...
And then we stopped by the ice cream stand near the clock tower!
Wow, you two were busy...
Sounds like you had a lot of fun, though, Tita!
Heehee...!
Let's begin by checking around those places, then.
Yeah, let's drag our little stray back.