Part 80: It's not a 'something-or-other medal'! It's the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Winged Stallion!

-Commercial City of Bose-



Jerrold: If you have no business there, please refrain from entering.
Is this where we can contact the Imperial ambassador?
Jerrold: Yes, that's correct, but...Do you have business with us?
You're the ones who have business, I think. We're from the Bracer Guild. You guys submitted a request...?
Jerrold: Ah, bracers, I see. Pardon me. If possible, I'd like to have you listen to an explanation of the case immediately. Do you have time at the moment?
Yeah, no problem.
Jerrold: This way, then, please. The secretary will explain the details.







Hey, it's been a while.
Heh, you seem as well as always.
Hm...you too.
Um, thank you very much for your support in the capital.
What brings you to Bose?
Hm, with the signing ceremony over I finally have a somewhat open schedule. I'd been planning a visit for some time, and I've finally managed to realize it.
Ah, gotcha. An inspection trip.
Hmph, it matters not.
More importantly, my medal MUST be recovered!
I-Is it that important?
Barkley! What are you waiting for? Hurry up and show it to the bracers!
Secretary Barkley: Yes, immediately.
I-It seems like the ambassador's quite, uh, concerned.
Secretary Barkley: Hmm, well, it's not an unreasonable reaction. This event is quite the serious crisis for the good ambassador. After all, that medal is an heirloom of great honor and glory bestowed directly from the emperor. To have that stolen is a slap directly to the ambassador's face. Should news of this reach the Fatherland, the good ambassador would be the laughing stock of the capital.
The laughing stock of the capital...Isn't that a bit, uh, extreme?
Secretary Barkley: Mmm, I'm afraid not. I love my country dearly, but...A blunder like that would be blood in the water for the high society sharks. Should the rumor spread, there is no doubt that his reputation would take quite the beating behind the scenes.
Yikes. Talk about nasty.
Erebonian society really is a scary place, huh?
S-Seriously...
Secretary Barkley: That is the fate of those who live in politics. Do you understand now why we asked you to come?
I see. I think I've got it.
So what's this thing the ambassador talked about? He acted like he wanted to show us something...
Secretary Barkley: Yes, actually...There was a card that appeared to be a declaration of criminal intent left at the scene.
A card?!
Secretary Barkley: Yes, something like that. Allow me...



Really, he puts a lot of work into these. The guy's so persistent, I can't even work up the energy to complain.
Yep. Not even worth gettin' worked up about.
Anyway, we should go over the important parts of the card.
Okay. Well, the main point seems to be this 'RICUL' word. I think we'll have to start by looking for what that means.
In which case, the bits that come after that will be important. Most likely those parts will be the hint to that word.
The part with...'The end of everything is the beginning,' right? Yup, that sounds about right.
Should be enough to start with. First, let's check out the town using that as a hint.
Secretary Barkley: Do you think you'll be able to investigate the matter?
Yeah, we should be. Well, then, if we find anything out, we'll let you know.
Secretary Barkley: Yes, we expect good results from you all.
The investigation shall be underway, then? We're counting on you.
Yeah, leave it to us.
Secretary Barkley: For the glory of our Empire, we expect a good effort from you. Please recover the ambassador's medal.
That medal is proof of my family's glory and was bestowed on us directly from His Highness...I have to recover it somehow.



If you head up those stairs on the right, and back around the building:



And, 'The end of everything is the beginning.'
It must be a hint to read them in reverse. So we have to read the entire phrase backwards. 'RICUL' must be special, though, since it's all in caps. We probably just reverse the letters there. You end up with 'Flower in the back, LUCIR.'
Ahh, I get it. You say 'Lucir' in Bose, and it's gotta be this place.
Right, so the card mentions a flower. Let's take a look.

Yes! Found it.
Another riddle solved.
Right, let's see here.



What the hell? 'FTHKC2E'? That's our hint? Pure gibberish? Thanks, man, now you're also giving me a headache.
There's gotta be some kind of trick to reading it, like last time! Maybe 'look a step ahead' is a hint?
One way or another, how about we just look around the town? Maybe we'll figure something out if we wander a bit.
Yeah, just sittin' here ain't gonna do much for us. Let's get movin'.
Yeah, let's go.

Now what could 'one step ahead' mean? Steps...steps...EUREKA! The Bracer Guild is Bose's only building with more than two floors! Its stairs have the most steps in the city!



Okay, found it.
Let's see...



Yup. We got it.
If you take each letter in 'FTHKC2E' and make it the next letter in the alphabet, it's 'GUILD3F'! It has to mean the third floor of the guildhouse!
That's the riddle solved, I guess.
But what the hell?! Seriously! Right in the middle of the guildhouse?
That clown's tryin' to mock us. We'll have to show him what mockery gets you the next time we see him.
Yeah, no kidding.
The next hint is a 'reverently-held casket.' Another metaphor.
Pretty safe to assume so, yeah. There aren't exactly a ton of caskets just lying around Bose.
My thoughts exactly. Startin' to get into the clown's head, eh? Speakin' of heads, let's put ours together and figure out what this casket's supposed to be.

This one's at the landing port.



Calling it a coffin's a bit of a stretch, but it IS being held like it was holy!
Yeah, but there's a problem. I don't see that bozo's card anywhere.
Hmmm, that IS weird. I'm sure this is it, though.
Wait, I know! I bet it's on the bottom of that thing!
It might be, but, um. That little hole isn't big enough to crawl under to look...
Yeah, good point.
This container HAS to be it, too. Lesse...
Man's Voice: Hey, HEY! What do you think you're doing?!



Lakely: What in hell were you trying to do?
We weren't 'messing' with anything! We're trying to investigate this container!
Lakely: Investigate? What?
I think this'll explain.


Lakely: Ah, you lot! Has a case led you to my dock?
Right to the middle of it, in fact.
Oh, right! I wanted to ask. Can we use that machine?
Lakely: You bet you can. And what are you looking to do, exactly?
We just need to take a look at the bottom of that container. Could you lift it just enough for us to take a look?
Lakely: Sure, I suppose. Wait here a second.





Lakely: All right, it's locked and safe. You should be able to get a look now.
Thanks, mister. C'mon, let's see if there's anything there.



And here it is!
Thank you, sir. That's all we needed.
Lakely: Great. Let me get this container back down, then.





Our thanks for your aid, my good man.
Lakely: Haha, don't worry. It was no big deal. Anyway, I don't know what you're investigating, but good luck with it! Well, I need to get back to work.
Of course! Thanks again!



Yeah. And now, time to get on with it.
Right, the card.



That's it. Looks like we're just about done.
Yeah, I guess so! Hmm, 'words of the Goddess'...
Well. You say 'Goddess' and there's really only one place I can think of.
Yep, gotta be it. Let's get over there.
Off we go!



Do you think this could be the 'words of the Goddess' the clue was talking about?
Most likely.
The Testaments are meant to be exalted tidings of the Goddess immortalized on paper.
Now that you mention it, I remember learning something about that in Sunday School...
Anyway, let's check it out.

Sweet! We found it!
But man, just look at this thing. A little imposing for a medal, don't you think?
It certainly is. That's the Erebonian way. By comparison, Liberlians tend to lean towards keeping things simple and elegant.
So it's a cultural thing? I never would've guessed.
Plus, what with Ambassador Crainagh wearing it and all, this medal's gonna need the impact of a boot to the head. It kind of works, in a way.
That's one way of putting it. Any less showy on a guy with that kinda presence and nobody would notice the damn thing's even there.
That applies more than ever, too. Losing the medal does seem to have put him on edge.
Now that you mention it...
Well, whatever. At least we found it! Let's go give it back to him.



You really found my medal?!
Yep, we got it. Well, here. Showing you is probably the best way. Let me return it to you.

Oohhh! It truly is my...! Y-You found it...You really found it!
*sniff*
I-I hate to interrupt the moment, but...Is this something-or-other medal what you were looking for, then?
*gasp* It's not a 'something-or-other medal'! It's the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Winged Stallion! This is no ordinary medal! It is an exceptionally high honor that all long to receive and few ever obtain!
_{Who the heck can remember something that long...}
Did you say something?
N-No, nothing. Anyway, it's the right medal, er, cordon thingy, right?
Yes, most definitely.
Hmm, this avoids the worst possible scenario. Now, if the criminal responsible could just be punished, things will be settled.
Do you have an idea who the criminal might be?
We've totally got an idea, but...
Unfortunately, where they went is another matter.
What? Is there no way you can capture them?
Not immediately, no. The one we've got our eyes on as the culprit is quite the well-known thief. Have you heard the name 'Phantom Thief B' before?
Phantom Thief B?! He's been appearing in Liberl?
Ah, so you do know him?
H-Hmmm, yes...He reigned havoc in the Imperial capital for some time.
He was a man who could not be captured even by the Imperial Army...It seems I should be glad that my medal returned at all this time.
Yeah, seems that way...
...Barkley.
Secretary Barkley: Sir!
Do you have the item prepared?
Secretary Barkley: Yes, here.
Hm...While I feel some regret that things did not proceed to capturing him...Against the infamous Phantom Thief B you can hardly be blamed. You recovered my medal in good order and maintained the dignity of the Empire.
In acknowledgment of your great services to the Empire, I, the Erebonian Imperial Ambassador--grant you this Eisenritter's Medal.


*clap clap clap clap*

Secretary Barkley: Ladies and gentlemen, congratulations!!
Jerrold: Congratulations!!
U-Um...
This is kind of embarrassing...
Oh, boy...
It's not so bad, once you get used to it.
I understand your speechlessness at being awarded such an honor. It must be very hard for you to contain yourself. Ah, sweet youth...I was the same when I received my first medal.
However, do not feel unworthy. No, your efforts are more than deserving of this. I expect great deeds in the future as is befitting of one to receive this medal.
Yeah...Thanks.
It's actually pretty good: +20 DEF, with immunity to Seal and Mute. Perfect for Estelle in tank mode.
For me, it's enough just having recovered my medal. Phantom Thief B's capture is a national and guild-wide problem...You shouldn't let yourself be too bothered by it.
Jerrold: The medal of service...A gracious thanks, indeed. That medal is a sign of a person who has dedicated himself to the Empire. It is very rare for it to be bestowed upon a foreigner.
Secretary Barkley: The ambassador is scheduled to resume his observations soon. You have our heartfelt thanks for your efforts, bracers.

Now you might be thinking 'What even was that weak mess, Bleublanc,' but consider this. Why would Bleublanc the Enforcer forgo his usual elaborate games only to hastily mug the ambassador, copy some riddles from a Liberl News junior jumble he fished out of the trash, and re-use one of last week's clues from Rolent?

Because he's too busy.

This is a sign of something dire.