Handling of Goods and Technologies

Hmm... Air transport. I'd like to deal in that myself someday.

Haven't you had enough with drones yet?

And anyway, what're you doing back in the future? Don't tell me you're planning to stock up on wares here again.

You know me oh so well, Aldo. But that's not all that brings me here. The headquarters for the Fugen Company is in Elzion. I came to see how things are going.

That's your shop, right? I didn't know your HQ was here.

The Fugen Company? Does that mean you opened a shop in the future?

That's right. I hope to expand my business by creating branches in each region and in each era, but... I'll need incredible products to make that happen.

Which means I need to find myself some new wares!

But I don't know much about the future's technology. I don't think I'd be much help.

That's where you're wrong. You are, in fact, the ONLY one who can help.

Meaning...?

I've already done a thorough investigation on the technologies used in the future.

Many of them are quite convenient, but can't be used in other eras, rendering them completely useless. And while I'd like to get into the business of supplying power to people, the scale is regrettably just too big.

So, for the time being, I'd like to focus on standalone products like drones.

Er... Sure. But what do you need from me then?

An introduction. Word has it you're acquainted with a famous engineer in this era.

A few of them, actually. But I'm guessing you mean Sebastia.

Precisely! When looking for new wares, it's always best to start at the top and ask the experts. I want to ask about products that haven't yet come to market and what's caught her interest of late.

Uh... I don't think that's gonna happen, but I guess I can introduce you anyway.

Ah, so this is the house of the legendary engineer, Lady Sebastia. What could be better for the company's growth than a meeting of two brilliant minds?

Aldo. You're about to witness history in the making. Make sure you commit every last moment to memory.

Y'know, as much as I'd like to do that... We're putting the cart before the horse here. We need to call Sebastia first and have her open the door.

Ah, right. The security in these homes is as steadfast as castle gates.

Hey, Sebastia! You home?

Aldo? Sorry, but I'm kinda busy right now.

I figured, but...I've got a friend here who wants to meet you.

Do you now?

Indeed, he does. I am Shigure, a merchant, and a successful one at that. It is my honor to speak to one as enlightened and esteemed as you, Lady Sebastia.

Ugh, what's your deal? You're not fooling me, so you can cut the theatrics. It really grinds my gears.

Hahaha! Was it that obvious?

Well, I'll be frank, then. Would you be interested in going into business with me, Lady Sebastia?

No.

Don't be so hasty. There's something in it for you, and I promise this won't take long.

(Shigure's being pretty pushy...) (I'm sure it's putting Sebastia in a tight spot, so...I'll have to ask him to stop.)

Listen, Shigure, I think we should...

Where'd he go?!

No way! Did he just let himself in?!

Shigure, you can't just barge into people's houses! They'll call the EGPD on you and...

Ah, Aldo. You made it.

(What's going on? Everything seems...fine?)

Hey, Aldo. You got yourself a pretty interesting friend here. Seems like he's been reading up on all the latest research. Are you sure you're a merchant?

Hahaha! Lady Sebastia, you flatter me!

Knowledge is a merchant's best friend. If he doesn't keep up with the trends, he'll get left behind.

Oh yeah? So you're not just trying to rope me into this to line your own pockets, then.

All right. I can respect the hustle. I'll hear you out.

How very gracious of you. Let me cut to the chase... I'm looking for new wares, particularly something appealing, original, and convenient.

So you want it all, huh?

I imagine you hear about all sorts of technology in your line of work, Lady Sebastia. Is there anything that's caught your interest, a new product or prototype, that you could tell me about?

Hmm... Well, my research is still in the experimental stage, so I'm not ready to talk to anyone else about it just yet. And even if I knew about something that hasn't been made public yet, I have a duty to keep it secret.

Please! Isn't there anything you can share with me?

Well, I guess there is something that's caught my interest. I've only just heard about it, so I can't say whether it's true or not, but... Rumor has it there's something strange going on in the Industrial Ruins.

Strange? How so?

People suspect synth humans are building something in secret.

Oho. So synth humans have the ability to develop things as well?

Synth humans are the ones who made the Riftbreaker. It's totally possible they're making something else incredible now.

Seems like whatever it is is still small, but who knows what it'll become? Sometimes they make things even I couldn't imagine.

Perfect. A product created by a synth human likely wouldn't be widely circulated, so it's worth checking out.

I'd probably approach this with a little more caution? I mean, if it's something dangerous, we'll have to put a stop to it.

I'll leave it to you, then.

All right. Guess that means we're heading to the Industrial Ruins.

Hmm... I don't know. Don't you think changing history is going a little too far? One wrong move and we might be the ones who disappear.

But if we don't try, nothing will ever change!

Still...

I know we're taking a big risk here, but just think about how big the reward'll be.

Oho, wise words!

I feel the same way. It's worth trying if there's a chance of success.

What're you saying, Shigure?! They might actually change history!

If history could be changed by the actions of one man alone, then I don't think changing it is a big deal. And for all we know, history may have already been altered by someone else's hands.

What's up with this guy?

I don't know. But he's got to be messed up to cheer us on after hearing about our plan...

In any case, now that you've seen us, we can't just let you leave!

Shigure! Get ready!

And here I was hoping to talk business... Oh well. Have it your way.

Ungh... So this is where it ends, huh...

If you two are planning to change history, then... I take it you have a way of traveling through time and space?

But how? Synth Hydra is with us...

Wait. Did you make a new Riftbreaker?!

It's not easy building something of that scale. Right now, we're just making meters and gauges, bit by bit...

You idiot. Don't tell them that!

We have nothing else to say to you. We already know what's in store for us, so go ahead, do it! Kill us!

Kill you? Now why would I do that?

Instead, I suggest we make a deal. What do you say to signing an exclusive contract with my company?

...What?

I want to know if you'd like to put your skills to use for society instead of using them for war. I promise I'll treat you well. So, how about it?

I'd rather die than let a human take advantage of me.

I have no intention of doing that. I want to do business fairly, as equals.

What makes you think I'll believe you, human?

I meant everything I said. Alas...

Well, I guess that's that, then. I'll take my leave for now.

You're really just going to let us go?

"For now," as I said. And if you change your minds, you're welcome to join my company at any time.

The Fugen Company would be glad to have you!

Humans can be so weird sometimes...

You sure about this, Shigure?

Negotiations can't be rushed, my friend. I'll revisit a deal as many times as necessary.

Now then...

What're you doing?

I'd hate to return empty-handed, so I think I'll have a little peek at their project.

Hah... Bingo.

Find something?

Indeed. But I've concluded my business here, so I think we best leave, before they return. Let's go report our findings to Lady Sebastia.

So the synth humans were trying to create a new Riftbreaker, huh. I'm curious as to how they were going to traverse space-time, but there's not much we can do if they don't want to negotiate.

It looked like they still had a long ways to go, too, so I don't think it poses any threat at the moment.

Well, if I hear anything else, I'll let you know.

Thank you. If I'm not around, I'd appreciate it if you contacted the Fugen Company instead.

We'll show ourselves out. See you later, Sebastia.

Y'know, Shigure...it feels like you lose sight of everything else when it comes to business. I was kinda worried you were gonna become friends with those synth humans.

I have no reason to hate them. They're neither friend nor foe to me. So long as my company is growing, it doesn't matter who my employees are. I can put their technical skills to good use.

Of course, we might find ourselves some less-than-friendly synth humans, but... If that happens, you can count on me to win them over.

Well, you did win Sebastia over, so I guess it's possible, but...

But what?

You heard what the synth humans said, right? One wrong move and we could be the ones who disappear. That's how dangerous making a mistake in your line of work can be.

I understand what you're saying, but if I venture nothing, I also gain nothing. Still, you should know that I've established some basic ground rules to mitigate my risks.

Like what?

I don't take any new knowledge with me, nor do I deal in weapons.

Guns especially. If you don't kill something with your own hands, you don't understand the weight of taking a life.

You might be right, but...I still have my reservations.

Life is labor. And there is value in labor. If I can save someone from a meaningless death, I'm willing to do whatever I must.

Like I said before, I can't turn a blind eye to someone in need.

The same can be said now. They're creating a weapon to get revenge on humans, but the technology behind it can be useful. It might be able to save someone's life.

Is that the same one you have on your waist?

Heh heh... I'm simply borrowing it from those synth humans. I heard about it and thought it might be what I was looking for. Now I finally have it...

Is it really that amazing?

This saved my soul.

Your...soul?

Exactly.