[Sorry the update times have been all over the place...]
Chapter 492: Resound, Grateful Legacy — Remnants of an Unfulfilled Doomsday Theory
So, in other words...
D’Artammeow saw what was inside the Lowenava Amber Crystal and realized two things at once: it was a top-grade specimen, and whatever was sealed inside it was seriously dangerous.
I put in that commission with Cazzeria back when I was around level 99, I think. By the standards of the New Land's brutal environment, that was basically beginner territory.
Naturally, since it's a gemstone, it'd be easy for D’Artammeow to turn it into the finest accessory he could make.
But "the finest" means bringing out the maximum possible effect. If there were even the slightest chance that the accessory he made could end up harming me, that'd be no laughing matter.
I do kind of want to grill him over why the thing he made instead was a convenient "become a stain on the wall" simulator, but I'll let that slide this time.
It was useful, after all.
Sunraku: "So that's why you didn't use it."
D’Artammeow: "Y-yes..."
Now then, what do we do...?
There's no talking his way around the fact that he pocketed it, but as for why he didn't use it, Vash has effectively given his seal of approval.
That moves us away from the whole matter of "settling accounts," but then Cazzeria is the side whose reputation is left hanging.
Vash: "Yo, Nyai. I give you credit for bringin' D’Artammeow here without tryin' to hide anythin'."
Nyai: "Y-yes, nya! Your son has helped us time and again, nya. I could never repay that by betraying him, nya."
Vash: "But y'see... I understand why this one got cold feet, too..."
Damn it, here it is!
The technique where you slip in an explanation that makes D’Artammeow's actions look justified in hindsight!!
Evelle: "Aniki, just what the hell is sealed inside that amber? If even somebody like you gives a damn about it, it can't be any ordinary stuff."
Vash: "Yeah. Inside that thing is... 'wind.'"
...Wind?
As in, wind?
Vash: "Takes me back... That ain't ordinary wind. That stuff is Agatreo's flesh and blood."
Sunraku: "Agatreo's flesh and blood...?"
There isn't a Unique Monster by that name, and Raid Monsters don't have singular, individual proper names.
So that means it isn't a Unique or a Raid...
Maybe it's a monster like the Scarlet Scar?
But am I the only one who feels like "flesh and blood" and "wind" don't connect at all?
Evelle: "This Agatreo bastard—Pops, you know him?"
Vash: "Course I do. I'm the one who beat him into submission, ain't I?"
Hm.
Vash flicked a glance in my direction for just an instant.
What was that supposed to mean?
Is this information I'm not supposed to know yet?
No, that's not it...
If that were the case, he would've dodged the part about being the one who defeated Agatreo in the first place.
Vash: "Time to hand down a ruling... D’Artammeow."
D’Artammeow: "Y-YES!!"
Vash: "Sunraku over there doesn't seem all that bothered by it, and I can't say I don't understand what you were worried about. But those sticky fingers of yours are somethin' you oughta reflect on a little... Rabituza'll be sendin' you some big commissions too. Work honestly for a while, got it?"
D’Artammeow: "Th-thank you for your boundless mercyyyyy!!"
D’Artammeow slams his narrow forehead into the floor with a smack and bows his head.
Vash then turns toward the beckoning-cat king standing beside him.
Vash: "Nyai. If I settle this entirely on my own judgment, that ain't gonna do much for your reputation... Before long, a storm's comin'. I'll lend you some fighters from our side."
Nyai: "Hm... Much appreciated, Lord Vysache, nya. If you say so, then I suppose the more fighting strength we have, the better, nya."
A storm...
A Raid Monster?
If I remember right, the Great Red Devourer became available for another challenge after Siegwurm was defeated. In that case, there's a good chance the other Raid Monsters were unlocked at the same time.
Is there a Raid Monster somewhere near Cazzeria?
Or maybe...
Vash: "Oh, and one last thing... Sunraku. As you are now, you should be able to handle that amber."
Sunraku: "Oh, for real, good sir?"
All right!
Permission to use it acquired.
You're not getting away with just handing the gem back, you damn tomcat...!!
Vash: "Well then, while the party's still in full swing... let's call it here."
Vash steps down from the throne and heads off somewhere.
The moment he leaves, almost everyone still there finally lets the tension drain out of their shoulders.
Nyai: "You escaped with your life, D’Artammeow. Be grateful for Lord Vysache's generosity, nya."
D’Artammeow: "Y-yes..."
Nyai: "Be prepared. I intend to work you to the bone for a while."
D’Artammeow: "C-could you at least guarantee me three meals a day..."
Nyai: "You've got some nerve, nya!"
THUNK!
With a far more muscular sound than you'd ever expect from his round appearance, Nyai drops a fist straight onto D’Artammeow's head.
Nyai...
What number was he again?
Whatever. I head over to the beckoning-cat king.
Sunraku: "Hey, hold up a second, cat royalty."
Nyai: "Bird Person."
Sunraku: "Sunraku. I know that thing might have some baggage attached to it for you guys, but now that Vash has given it his seal of approval, I'm not planning to leave it sitting around as a gemstone... Think I can commission you properly this time?"
Need more materials?
Got it. Money's no object.
I've got a sponsor now, so unless you're asking for something seriously rare, I can probably source it.
So after handing over a few different ores and whatever else they needed, I place a hand on D’Artammeow's shoulder.
Sunraku: "Trust is important, right? At least, I think it is. And right now, my trust in you is sitting almost exactly at neutral—plus-minus zero... You understand what I'm saying, don't you?"
D’Artammeow: "Y-yesss."
Sunraku: "This job is what's going to decide where that trust lands. Don't disappoint me too badly... all right?"
D’Artammeow: "Eek!"
Sunraku: "That said, I don't doubt the skill of the guy who made those other two accessories. I'm counting on you, D’Artammeow-kun...?"
D’Artammeow: "I-I'll make you the finest piece possible!!"
Glad to hear it.
Oh?
Looks like somebody's trying to quietly slip away while no one's looking...
Sunraku: "Hey, Evelle."
Evelle: "What the hell d'you want? Wanna go?"
Sunraku: "Don't be so hostile. Come on, let's be friends."
And there's the pose asking for a handshake.
Evelle: "............"
Sunraku: "............"
Sunraku: "...Ahh! Sorry, sorry!! Guess I was looking down from a little too high up, huh!? My bad—I'm just used to viewing the world on a bigger scale than you!!"
Evelle: "Yeah, I was wonderin' why somebody that big was so damn stupid, but with a head like that... guess it can't be helped. You're a birdbrain, after all, huh?"
Click.
(The sound of some kind of switch flipping inside my head.)
Sunraku: "All right, we're fighting! I'll make you eat dirt, so get your ass outside!!"
Evelle: "You're on!!"
Emul: "Why are you two perfectly in sync in the weirdest places when you're completely hostile to each other—KIIICK!!"
Sunraku: "Ogh!!?"
That's what I'm saying...
Now that you've broken past the level-100 line, your kicks are legitimately life-threatening...
How many times do I have to tell you...!?
Evelle: "Hah! Look at you now!! Your head's gotten awfully low—"
Bilac: "SHUT YER TRAP!!"
Evelle: "BWAGH!?"
Bilac: "Evelle! I hear you've gone and broken anooother weapon! You're gettin' a lecture!!"
Evelle: "S-Sis... the back of the head is... that's how accidents happen... life-ending accidents..."
Bilac's Knee Drop appears to have been super effective.
If this were the kind of game that did that sort of thing, Evelle would probably have smoke or a giant cartoon bump coming out of the back of his head as he writhes in agony.
I watch Bilac drag him away while I start trying to recover the hefty chunk of HP Emul shaved off me.
Damn it, The Fool gacha... seriously, you bastard...
Hmm?
Feels like I'm forgetting something.
...
It wasn't until the sun came up that I remembered I'd logged into SLF in the first place to take a break...
And that I'd completely forgotten GH:C existed.
Two days until X Day.