Trails in the Sky Thing You Should Know

Part 15: Mr. I'll-Intermission-Your-Kneecaps-If-You lot-Don't-Talk.

Welcome back. Last time... uh... what happened again?

Right. That.

He sparkles too.

I-I think it's near time for the search party to exist returning with their reports.

Sentry: Thursday-that'south right, General!

I should get dorsum to my duties. And make sure you don't allow those kids in again.

He also makes things so awkward that we get off scot gratuitous.

Manner to get, sparkly blond guy!

Oh...and cancel whatsoever further checks on the travelers along the Eisen Road. Having these kids effectually any longer will but exist an eyesore.

Lookout: Right away, sir!

(I wish WE could escape... He's still right behind us, isn't he?)

Don't motion. His vision is based on movement.

Ha ha ha ha! No matter which country you visit, armed services men lack romanticism. Simply yous lot, on the other hand, appear to capeesh my aesthetic sense.

Y-you know, maybe we should get going ourselves?
Y-yeah, good idea. We had a scrap of trouble, but we did manage to get some information...
After nosotros head back to Bose, how nearly we call up well-nigh our hereafter program of attack?

Wh-where are you going?
W-expect for me! I-I mean, please wait for me!

Let me try and introduce myself again. I'k Olivier Lenheim, a wandering bard and musician past merchandise. As y'all already know I am an Erebonian touring your fair Liberl.
I'm Estelle and...
Now wait a minute! Why do nosotros have to introduce ourselves to you?!

He's strangely irresistible.

Easy, Estelle. He did intercede for us dorsum there. I'g Joshua.
And I'yard Scherazard. Things were getting pretty heated, and I'm glad you stepped in before something actually bad happened. Let me simply say thank you.
Ha, y'all've got nothing to thank me for. I simply did what any person who loves beauty and peace would have done. However, if you insist, how virtually going out on a date with me for a 24-hour interval?
I'g going to take to pass on that. Outset of all, I don't take that sort of free time.
That's too bad.
All correct then. I guess I'll accept Joshua every bit a substitute.
What practice I have to do with whatever of this...? Please don't involve me in your questionable humor.
Well, that'southward odd. I didn't mean it as a joke.
Saying that makes you even more questionable.

At present just a minute! How come you didn't invite me on a date?

Nooo, Estelle, y'all almost escaped.

You? Um, I don't know how to put this, but you lot're a bit lacking in the sexy department.
You might want to recollect about taking a lesson or two from your friends here.

Well, excuse me for not being sexy! And...merely what do you mean by saying I should accept a few lessons from Joshua?!
C-at-home down, Estelle. I think you're cute enough merely the way you are.

Squeamish saving dive Joshua.

Though I guess it's true...you lot are a flake lackluster in the sexy category.

And he fumbles.

Wh-what did you but say?!
Oh, good grief...
Anyway, like I said earlier, nosotros're busy. I'm pitiful there's not a better way to give thanks you, but we've got to get going.
Hmm, and then how about... You take me forth with you to the urban center of Bose? This is my first time in Liberl, after all, and I'd similar to request a guide.
Well, if that's all that you want, and so I don't mind...

Schera! Now just a 2nd!
It's the to the lowest degree we can do, and we're headed to the same place anyway. Plus, acting as a guide is one of a bracer'due south many duties.
Oh, all correct. I guess nosotros're stuck with him until then.
B-but what if he tries to sink his poisonous fangs of lust into Joshua...?
Uh, Estelle?
Don't you worry, Joshua! I'll relieve you lot from his perverted attentions if he tries anything funny!
What is it exactly that you think he'll try...?
Please don't refer to me similar I'thousand some sort of ferocious animal.
I'd rather that y'all call me a [hunter of dear.] Even [love stealer] wouldn't be that bad of a title, either. Heh heh heh...

Are you right in the head?
So how nigh it, everyone? Shall we leave for Bose? I'm counting on you all to get me there safely. Now permit us exist off!
Who died and fabricated you leader...?
Hey, wait a minute, you lot! I'm not done warning you nearly the grisly fate that awaits you lot if you sully Joshua's innocence!

---

And with that, Olivier joins our merry gang.

Like the bards of our time, Olivier is packing heat. He's also, like other bards of our time, ain't nuthing* to fuck with.

He'south stronger than anybody simply Joshua (admittedly, he has a level reward), which is pretty impressive, considering he'southward primarily a caster. His magic is higher than anybody else'due south, and all his other stats are quite respectable (if on the delicate side). He also has surprisingly lackluster Magic Defense.

Furthermore, since he has a gun, he'south got a sizeable assault range, letting him attack enemies from a prophylactic altitude.

*Google docs machine corrected null to nuthing. It's amazing.

Olivier also has the best orbment line upward in the game. His center slot is Mirage, but unlike the other elements, Mirage doesn't actually take magic of it'southward own. Instead, Delusion elemental values are necessary to use a lot of the really powerful spells, and Delusion Quartz tends to have multiple types of elemental values associated with information technology (See the EP i quartz he joins with, which has ten 1 Time, x 1 Infinite, x 2 Delusion). My point is basically that even if he didn't need a Mirage Quartz equipped, he probably would have one anyway.

On height of that, Olivier is i of just two party members whose orbment only has 1 line, significant he could utilize a greater multifariousness of high level spells.

I don't have many actress quartz lying around to slot the human with, and so he ends up with an Information quartz, letting me show off what it looks like.

Olivier'southward default assault.

Before nosotros head back to boondocks though, we can head a little ways dorsum Eastward, and encounter this lil' fella'.

There'southward one King Scorpion, and three Queen Scorpions.

I like his style.

The Scorpions can paralyze you lot with their default attacks, which is a pain.

Still, Hell Gate kinda owns...

And you can practise this fight before Olivier joins. With him on your side, you lot've just got fashion likewise much firepower.

Hmm... Then this is Bose, is it? It'south more than urban than I'd imagined. That building over at that place... is Bose Market, no?
Well, you lot seem to exist quite knowledgeable. Are you sure this is really your commencement time in Liberl?
Ha, I was smart enough to buy a tourist guidebook before I left. One published by your very own Liberl News, no less!
A guidebook? Practice they really sell such things?
I don't know how to say it...but we alive in a actually user-friendly age.

Not really. You lot don't fifty-fifty have cars. Or the internet.

So do you intend to go shopping at the Bose Market place now?

And without the net, what volition people play games for?

Yep. And afterward doing a bit of window shopping I planned to dress up and dine out. According to the guide, there's supposed to exist a three-star eatery in town.
Right, the place we ate at with the mayor. Er... What I hateful to say is...I guess this is the place.

Indeed, no dubiousness this is the place. Hmm-hmm-hmm... I'thousand quite looking forward to it!
Merely it's supposed to toll a pretty mira if you decide to go with a full-course meal. I'd have to recommend a normal bar whatsoever solar day over this.
Worry not, my fair lady. I've brought sufficient travel expenses. And if that's not plenty, I'll earn more with my superb skills.
Superb skills...? You lot're not talking about your songs and musical, uh, renditions, are you?
Tin you lot actually earn mira with that crap?
Ha! I've starred equally the main opera singer at the Smashing Theater in the Majestic Urban center before. If I recollect correct, I one time earned i,000,000 mira in a single night...

Unlikely.

(Big fat liar...)
All correct, everyone, good work. I guess this is adieu until fate brings us together once more.
Adios, amigos!

Olivier's run is immensely funny to me. I'm not certain why.

An entertaining 1.

Is anybody from Erebonia a weirdo like that?
I-I don't think I like the idea of THAT being the Empire stereotype...
Huh?
What I'thousand trying to say is that I think the majority of the people there are quite serious. I read in a book that their ethos respects the strong, silent type.
Hmm... So what you're maxim is that he's simply a weirdo because he's an artist?
Now just hold upwardly there, Estelle. If the artists of this world heard that, they'd be less than pleased.
Permit's run into...nosotros need to report the information nosotros got out of the general to Lugran.
And it would be all-time if we allow Mayor Maybelle know after that likewise.
So first we visit the guild and then the mayor'due south residence. Okay, permit's get going.

Hey Nial! Work your charm a little, I'm sure she'll allow you in.

If I could just get a comment from the mayor, I'd be on my merry little way.
Yeah, that'due south right. And of class I'd need a photograph, too.
I'grand sure the mayor would be flattered, only she's extremely busy. I'thousand going to accept to enquire all those without an appointment to go out. I hope you can understand the situation.
Come on! Please! For an incident this huge, we hardly know anything about the circumstances surrounding it... And I take an obligation to inform the readers!
Simply...
Yeah, what about the readers? Nosotros can probably reach double the number if we have the mayor grace the comprehend! She'southward said to exist very beautiful, after all.
...
D-Dorothy! Why did you accept to go and say something like that?
Huh? But it was you lot who was proverb the same matter, think? Y'all said if we didn't have any news to proceed, we could lure customers to buy the magazine by featuring the sexy mayor on the cover.

Charming. I knew we couldn't count on you lot Nial.

Y-you idiot!
...
Ah...ha...ha... U-um, miss?
Well aren't you two a couple of interesting visitors... I'll make sure to tell Mayor Maybelle about the details of our conversation. At the moment, even so, I am going to have to ask you to get out.
W-look! This is a misunderstanding.

Fine...
So are we going to be okay non getting a photograph of the mayor so?
Please...for the love of Aidios and my sanity...just keep your rima oris close...

Whew...
Huh...?

Oh, information technology'southward y'all bracers again. Did you just return from the Haken Gate?
Uh yeah, something like that. And so, uh, those two y'all just turned abroad...
A bunch of unscrupulous individuals.
Really...?
Those miscreants said they planned to use the mayor to make some quick mira. Only as long as I'g here to protect my mistress I won't permit that to happen.

Ah...ha ha...I see.
Y-you're really serious about your job, aren't you?
Deadly serious. That'due south because information technology's my duty. Anyhow, why don't you all come inside. The mayor is waiting for you.

Damn NPCs. Can't they realize their lives are insignificant?

Tardily deliveries of goods to the Bose Marketplace because of the airspace being a no-fly zone... Servicing the sewer facilities... Selecting a congratulatory gift for Her Majesty, the Queen... Impairment incurred by monsters on the New Ansel Path...
When will all this paperwork finally cease?!
Um...
Uh...hello?
Oh, are you back already?
You lot wait pretty busy...so would information technology be better if nosotros came back at a later time?
*ahem* Ah, no, yous're fine.
Then you lot institute out something from Full general Morgan, right? I'd like to hear near it.

We found out he's a dick!

or did you already know that

So there was a hijacking by the Heaven Bandits and at present a ransom demand...?
The situation is much more serious than I had originally anticipated.
If the full general hadn't constitute out nosotros were bracers, I recollect we could have learned more, just...
No, it's all right. I'm but glad to know that information technology wasn't a crash. With this information, I should be able to have effective countermeasures with the city. Now I demand to think of a style to inform the citizens of Bose and bargain with the families of the passengers.
I imagine that'll be quite a hard task considering that you're already equally busy as you are.
Ha ha, well, that's only the duty of a mayor.
And since the identity of the criminals is now known... May I inquire that you continue your investigation of the incident?
Of course. That was our plan to begin with. We've already had a run-in with these Sky Bandits before. And I'll wager the honor of the order that this is ane grouping we cannot only leave up to the Majestic Army.
Yeah, that'south for sure! There's Dad to detect, and then nosotros need to deal with these Sky Bandits once and for all!
...
Huh? What's with the look, Joshua?
I was but thinking, and... No affair which mode I wait at things, I just can't believe it.

I know. Morgan is just such a dick!

Or are nosotros talking about something else now?

because i'chiliad however on that

What can't you believe?
That Dad could get browbeaten by a agglomeration of Heaven Bandits. Basing my judgment on the ability of the group that appeared in Rolent...
I'm in agreement with you there. Cassius could have easily dealt with a group of that caliber.
Come on, Joshua! You too, Schera! Y'all're giving him way more credit than he deserves. He'southward pretty skilful, I'll requite you that, but I think information technology would be a chip of a stretch to take on an entire group.
... Um, do you mind if I ask you something?
Are yous trying to tell me that your begetter was aboard that airliner?
Oh, didn't I mention that...? I'm embarrassed to say it, but aye, he was. Non to mention he's a bracer, too. His name'south Cassius Bright.

Did you only say...Cassius Vivid?!

Everybody knows Cassius. Y'all should get used to information technology.

Uh...yep. Why? Practise you know my dad or something?
I've never met him in person, but I've heard a slap-up deal about him. I'k distressing...I just don't know what to say... Merely we might be able to use this to get some data from the army...
Excuse me, mayor?
I'g very sorry, and I can empathize with what yous must be going through.
If there'southward anything I tin practice to help you clear up this incident, and so I am at your disposal. If there'due south anything you need, delight don't hesitate to ask.

As presently every bit we mentioned Dad's name she got all surprised.
You lot're right...but I guess I can imagine where she'due south coming from. The mayor and the general have known one another for a long time, afterwards all...
???
Well, allow's non worry about that right now. We've given the mayor a brief rundown of everything, so let'southward head to the social club. I'm sure Lugran is waiting for a report from united states.
Right.

Tee hee... Yous bet! Valuable information, at that!

Estelle relayed the information they had obtained from General Morgan.

The Sky Bandits and the Capua Family... Y'all're right, that IS valuable information! It looks like we'll be able to decide on a policy for the Bracer Guild related to this.
Withal, I'g surprised to hear that General Morgan is an even bigger bracer-hater than I had originally thought.
Yeah, I was pretty surprised myself. In Rolent, the chore of a bracer is pretty much respected by everyone, so to encounter someone that hates bracers that much...
Don't worry about it. General Morgan is an exception. Under normal circumstances, the Royal Army and social club maintain a pretty good cooperative relationship.
However, information technology looks like this time yous're going to have to bargain with a lot more than than you bargained for.
Well, so I guess we'll take to endeavour and brand steady efforts while maintaining a low profile. But information technology looks like these recent burglaries are also the work of the Sky Bandits, correct?
Aye. Taking into account the incident in Rolent it'south pretty articulate who's behind these. To call them burglaries is 1 matter though, considering nigh of the stuff that'southward been stolen hasn't been all that valuable. I would have never thought they would become as far as to commit a heinous crime like hijacking the Linde.
At present that you mention it, that is rather odd. The break-in that happened in Rolent was also rather mild in comparison.
Aye, and to hijack an airliner and so to turn around and demand a ransom from the royal family unit... The risks there are greater than any potential reward.
Hmm, in lite of that we should probably do a piddling more on the investigative side ourselves.

Nosotros demand to think about what to exercise next.
Hmm... Just searching around blindly for the airliner or Sky Bandits probably won't corporeality to annihilation, right? I mean, if that's all information technology'd take, then the army would have constitute them a long time ago.
...
...
Huh? What's the affair with you lot ii?
Estelle, you've matured... If it had been the same you every bit before, you probably would have said something like, [Permit's but comb the entire region!]
I never idea I'd see the day when those words would come out of your rima oris either... My center'due south besides full of emotions for words...
So what are you two trying to say? You tin be so rude sometimes, I hope y'all know.
Ha ha. We were complimenting yous, Estelle. Seriously.

And doing a terrible job!

Unfortunately, dissimilar Rolent, the Bose Region is...enormous. I'm really hoping for a clue right about now.
A clue, huh...?
Oh, correct. Wasn't that Nial and Dorothy we saw in front of the mayor'due south place earlier? He seemed pretty starved for a story...but he's gotta know SOMETHING by now, correct?

Unlikely.

It's true he arrived in Bose a little before we did... So I call back it may be worth talking to him.

Still, we don't have any other leads.

I wonder where they went.

From what I know of Nial, I've got a adequately good guess.

The bar! At present, did yous discover him?

Nial can exist a hurting in the donkey to find in the bar, he looks a lot like an NPC. Damn reasonable clothing.

...This ain't a joke, you know! Uggh... *hic*
Well, we found him...but he'due south drunk off his donkey. Was having his article rejected really THAT MUCH of a shock to his arrangement?

I think he'd be like this no matter how the article went, to be honest!

He'southward just interim like the human he is. Men ARE pigs, later on all... Though he seems to have forgotten that alcohol is a beverage to be consumed, not a drinkable to be consumed BY.
You're i to talk! Don't they sometimes call you [Abysmal Schera]?
Oh, delight. [Abysmal] is much more suitable for a woman like Aina. I, on the other hand, can Concord my liquor. No matter how much I may drink, my face and my disposition remain unreddened. So don't yous dare group a fun-loving drinker like myself in the same category as this clumsy lush!
Oh, come up now! When you get drunkard, you lose it completely and anybody around you gets a heck of a show! Admit it!
Information technology's certainly true that Aina is like a saucepan to Schera's sieve. But no matter how yous await at it, they're both pretty bottomless.
I'm sensing disrespect, children...

The breathy disrespect might take something to do with information technology.

...Ooooh...

Good. You lot're awake...sort of. Drinking so much is NOT good for your health, you lot know.
Oooogh, my head...
...Wh-what the...? You're that bracer trainee, aren't you? Oh, my Goddess...what the hell am I doing in Rolent?! Idea I'd fabricated my way to Bose...
What are you mumbling about, y'all sponge? Y'all ARE in Bose! And then are we!
Oh... Well, damn, don't scare me like that!

Distressing for existing while you're shitfaced, I guess?

...Oooooh, and I see yous've got a lovely lass with yous!
Name's Scherazard Harvey. The pleasure'due south all yours, I'm sure. I'm the mentor of these two.
Scherazard... Are you the infamous [Silver Streak,] by any take a chance?
Oh? You humble me, sir. I have it yous've heard of me, then?
Only rumors, I'1000 afraid. Only aye, I know your name. You're i of the superlative immature bracers, if I'm not mistaken. ...Which means you three are hither to investigate the incident equally well, I suppose?
Oh, and then you Practise have some brains left in in that location after all that booze. I'm impressed.
Y'all find anything out? Nosotros saw you by the mayor's house. You seemed pretty troubled...
(Damn! They saw that?)
Uh, aye! I was looking for clues and couldn't find whatsoever!
That's what I figured.
Damned ground forces'south regulations on the spread of information actually restrict what I'thousand able to larn, anyway. And if I attempt to consult General Morgan at the Haken Gate directly, I'll be held up for inspection for who knows how long! So I figured I'd at least endeavor to score an interview with the legendarily voluptuous mayor, but a maid turned me away outright! And to top it all off, that useless girl kept screwing everything upwardly. Everything!
Oh, bang-up Aidios! Tell me, what did I do to deserve this shabby life?!
Well, y'all did effort to exercise an exclusive on the mayor's chest... But if yous want information that badly, we might share some of ours with you.

Huh...?
We're really investigating the incident on Mayor Maybelle's behalf right at present. So naturally, we've met with the mayor and General Morgan, too, for that affair.
...Holy crap. Y'all serious?!
Aye. Totally.
...Scoooore! And the Goddess gets a point! Blest exist the bounty of Aidios!
Please, I beg of you...tell me everything! Every last detail!
We'll be glad to. Still...
...Aren't you forgetting something, Nial?
Huh?
Heh...information ain't free, you know. We'll scratch your back, but y'all need to scratch ours first. And become that look off your confront... I totally do NOT hateful that literally.
Y-you want mira or something? My inquiry funds are long-exhausted at this signal, I'm sorry to say.
Nosotros're not interested in your money. We just find it fascinating that you made your way to Bose Right After this incident occurred. Seems like yous might have heard some interesting things yourself. That being the case...
Ugh. And hither I thought you lot were a prissy kid. Turns out you're just a slimy little leech like me! I'll tell you what I know, just rest bodacious, it's non big news by whatsoever stretch of the imagination.
As long as it's related to the incident, no matter how footling it may seem, I'll take it.
Simply...don't be stingy. Give information technology to u.s. straight, okay?
Fine, fine! I'll tell you everything, on my honor as a newsman! I've got 2 clues to share, so if you're taking notes, I suggest you go out your pen and paper.
We're ready whenever you are.
(Homo, way to go, Joshua! You're on a ringlet!)
(Heh. Well if he ever gets tired of being a bracer, we know he'll have a bright future in racketeering with those skills!)

I talked to a villager who'd just come to Bose for a visit, and she told me something very interesting. Apparently, she knows a kid who saw a huge shadow flight overhead on the nighttime of the incident.
A huge shadow flying overhead...?
Yep. Airship, I told 'em. Possibly fifty-fifty that missing one!
Merely the regular army checked it out and establish absolutely nothing.
Aww, you lot meanie. You raised our hopes, just to nuance 'em straight away!
And so you lot're saying somebody saw something, but it was probably unrelated to anything?
That'due south what I'm saying! I warned y'all it wasn't big news! And I went to a lot of trouble to get this distressing morsel, too, what with that information embargo in place and all!
Well washed. Now, let's hear that 2nd clue of yours.
Ugh...fine. The other affair I learned is that the military'southward Intelligence Sectionalisation is on the motion.
Intelligence Sectionalization?
I've heard rumors near them. Information technology'south a new royally-sanctioned branch of the ground forces in charge of intelligence gathering and dissemination.
That'southward the ane, yeah. Supposedly, they're then elite they tin fifty-fifty stand toe-to-toe with the royal bodyguards. The human being they put in charge, Colonel Richard, is apparently quite the whiz kid. With him on the instance, they say this incident is every bit good as solved already.
Hmmm... Doesn't seem like your information will exist of much use to the states in our investigation.
Oh, well that's a shame. Sorry I couldn't help much on your end. Merely a promise is a hope! I scratched. At present information technology'due south your turn!
Of course. A deal IS a deal, after all.

Joshua told Nial all about the incident in Rolent, equally well every bit the information received from General Morgan.

The Capuas? Sky Bandits? A ransom demand to the royal house and the airship corporations?!
Good Goddess, that's exactly what I needed! That's the missing link I've been killing myself to discover!
Caught your fancy, did it?
Absolutely! I can definitely write my article now! I tin can't exist wasting my time getting drunk hither...I have to find Dorothy, post haste!
See you lot later, you wonderful people, you!

I must say, I like how our relationship with Nial develops. Throughout the residue of the game, he basically becomes our contact in the news, hunting down news and other information for us. Information technology's pretty neat, if only considering I like that our protagonists are involved in that kind of wheeling and dealing.

Well, he was chasing a large story pretty unsuccessfully until we came along. It's only natural. I'm glad we could help him out.
Well look at you. From Mr. I'll-Pause-Your-Kneecaps-If-You-Don't-Talk to Mr. Squeamish Guy in under a minute! Talk about a split personality!
Finish thinking weird things well-nigh me. I was just negotiating. A niggling give-and-take, nada more!
Hee hee. A bad boy exterior with a skilful boy inside, or is it the other style 'round? Either fashion I'g sure the girls love it.

As this update will evidence, even the guys love it!

I've said it before, but hit on Joshua is the national past time.

But anyway, I guess we've only really dealt with scrupulous people thus far. We're pretty lucky, in that regard. Start dealing with weirdos, and that's when you'll need to bust out some Actually questionable negotiation techniques.

Anyway, that aside... ...Was anyone else a picayune bothered when Nial talked near that huge, flight shadow thing?
That bystander report from Ravennue? I'd say in that location's a stiff gamble there was zero to information technology, if the army already checked it out...
Yeah, just I mean, it'due south non like the ground forces is totally infallible. They could've missed something! Information technology wasn't General Morgan himself, after all, merely i of his men. And some of those guys are pretty thick-headed!

Then is the General, really.

That is truthful... Probably worth looking into. Certainly can't hurt, at any rate.
Heh. You two are starting to get the hang of this, I see. I call back this is a first-class thought. Let's head to Ravennue, then, shall we?

Schera volition commonly give you the directions to Ravennue, but I've actually been in that location: For a sidequest that got pushed back into next update. In that case, she won't bore yous with the details.

Got information technology!

Next time: Sidequests!

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