Chapter 9: Applying Pressure

I received an email yesterday.

This is a screenshot of the Golden City accounting books.

It's incomplete, but you can see that the account is associated with Shadow Decree activity.

The email says that if you don't persuade Mayor Abigail to help Captain, the accounting will be made public.

They'll send the full accounting books to me.

As I'm sure you can see, that news would rock the Golden City.

You asked why I'd come here.

Besides money, what drives the Larkspur Detective Agency is mystery, friendship, and...

Justice.

As the chief investigator of the Larkspur Detective Agency, if I receive the full accounting...

I must hand it over to the police.

Justice is Larkspur's founding principle.

There have been business transactions between the Shadow Decree and the Golden City, but the Golden City has never betrayed the people of Utgard.

Save your excuses for the police.

So, what'll it be?

These waters are deeper than I expected! Would you really go so far?

If I'd known earlier, I wouldn't have said yes to Abigail...

That's enough. Your task is complete.

What?! You've been here the whole time?

Don't give Alexa such a hard time, Mr. Tevor.

I can vouch for Alexa, our little fan of romance novels. How could she be a villain?

Even you mock me too! That's awful!

Mayor Abigail, you must know...

It's not me who's giving Alexa a hard time.

Would you care to explain why you're stopping Captain from visiting the Raine Tundra?

And...

Exactly who it is you're fighting?

It's no cause for concern, detective. Some prefer to operate in the shadows...

But the sun moves ever onward, and will eventually shine its light into every nook and cranny.

Since this all revolves around the fact that Captain wants to visit the Raine Tundra...

Let's get down to the root of the matter.

In fact, I've already gotten the thing I wanted.

So I don't mind allowing Captain to visit the Raine Tundra.

However, Captain, there's something you're overlooking.

There's some kind of connection between you and the "Gate".

And that's why dark undercurrents are swirling around you.

You may be quite confused by all this, but in fact, it's not that important.

The undercurrents will all converge when you reach the "Gate", and you'll find your answers there.

You only need to focus on one question, which is...

Are you strong enough to reach the "Gate"?

The final stretch will be unlike anything that came before.

The Raine Tundra lies outside the bounds of civilization, where the Shadow Decree is free to...

... come out in full force.

We're not scared of the Shadow Decree! I'll keep Captain safe!

I pay no heed to what you say, only to what you do.

Before I allow you to travel to the Raine Tundra, you must...

Prove your strength.

Not bad at all. You're strong...

You have my approval.

The approval letter has already been prepared, so you can head out whenever you like.

Awesome!

Wait, Mayor Abigail...

I'd like to propose a deal. It's in Utgard's best interests. Can we discuss it?

The value of a miracle is... difficult to replicate.

And what you see before you now is just as difficult for Utgard to reproduce.

... a miracle of engineering.

I want to propose a deal with you.

We seek investment from Utgard for our exploration of the Raine Tundra.

Investment?

We're looking for a Gate, and we hope that Utgard can provide an escort.

What exactly would Utgard stand to gain from this "investment"?

The Gate.

We would share all the benefits of the Gate.

From what I hear, the Sonic Miracle is very close to Utgard.

If you could gain a deeper understanding of the Miracle by investigating the Gate...

That might help Utgard defend against the negative influence of the Miracle.

So, what do you think?

What made you think I would be willing to discuss this deal?

During our time in Utgard, I found that the citizens support you.

So I was certain you'd have Utgard's best interests at heart.

Of course, it's natural for me to give back to the people who support me.

If there really is such a thing as fate...

Then it must be because of the connection between people.

That's the way we are, rolling down the tracks of fate, oblivious.

The value of a miracle is... difficult to replicate.

And what you see before you now is just as difficult for Utgard to reproduce.

... a miracle of engineering.

A product of Utgard's Nexus Crystal industry, combined with the technological legacy of the previous generation.

A moving fortress cast from the tundra itself...

... the Tundra Cruiser!

It will join you on this operation, escorting you safely.

Some of our Espers and City Defense Force members will form an exploratory team and accompany you as well.

Your generosity is appreciated.

You don't seem surprised at all.

So you were certain all along that you could persuade me?

Weren't you waiting for me to mention something?

Aahahaha! I love talking business with clever folks.

I look forward to working with you.

And I look forward to a return on my investment.

Oh right, Alexa. I'm sorry if I offended you earlier.

Do you want this diamond chip back?

No, you hold onto it.

It might come in handy later.

Right?

This investment, is it really worth it?

Now's not the time to think about investments.

That Gate will open soon, and when it does, we'll have to face the fury of fate.

Abigail...

You've made a fool of me!