82. Familiar Yet Strange

Is there someone there? Sorry about that. It looks like you got dragged into our little dispute.

Allow Taisei to make it up to you, by kicking those losers to the curb. It won't take a second.

That one, smoking a pipe...

Yeah, it's got to be, Yanling, Watchtower's No.2!

Hey... and that other one. Isn't that Taisei?

Taisei? The same Taisei who can fight the God of War...?!

...Since you want to save them, they must belong to the Watchtower too, right?

That's hard to say. But I do know one thing, if you plan to take them in, I'm going to help them escape.

Yanling... Looking for trouble, as usual.

Whatever. It doesn't really matter who they are. I'm going to take you all in and take the Watchtower down a peg or two while I'm at it.

HA!!! I'd like to see you try! C'MON!!! Do your worst!

I don't think so...! Your fight is with me.

Either way, I'm going to have fun!

(Sigh)... I don't know what to do with Taisei when she's like this. Such a pain in the ass.

Yanling, it's me!

Huh? Oh! Could it be?! Stara! What are you doing here?!

You're looking well! That's great. Fancy meeting you guys here!

I got wind of something and thought I'd come and take a look. I didn't expect to find you here. Anyway, I'm very glad I did.

Fear not, everybody! This is our big chance to arrest Watchtower's No.2!

That's a shame. You pipsqueaks don't stand a chance against me!

Wow. Behold the power of the Watchtower...!

Stara, are these kids with you?

Uh, yeah. We can't let the Luminary Guard take us.

I see... Okay. Hang on. We're waiting for one of ours to get back. When they do, we can leave together.

Um, aren't you concerned about the one fighting over there right now...?

GET BACK HERE!!! I'm just getting started!

Ugh...!

She's too powerful...!

Taisei likes to go berserk. Just let her make some noise and she'll start to calm down in a bit.

Shouldn't we... go and support her?

Hold on, hold on. If you stop her having her fun, she might turn on you!

It's true. Taisei does love a good fight.

Yanling, sorry to keep you waiting! I cleared a path out of here.

Okay. Thank you, Xen.

...!?

Hm? Snezhana, are you okay? You look like you just saw a ghost...

That voice... and face... Is that you... Sunflower?

... Eh?

Do you guys know each other?

...No. I think you've got the wrong person. More importantly, what's Taisei doing, facing off against the Luminary Guard?!

Hahaha, get used to it. She's just having a tiny difference of opinion, that's all.

So... she's NOT... Sunflower...? But how can that be? How can two people look so similar...?

(Sunflower... Didn't Eriri mention it, after that Bifrost mission? Snezhana's old friend, who was really an Eastrise agent...)

(But wasn't she murdered?... What the hell is going on?)

Excellent. We have a way out... It's not safe here. Stara and company, follow us.

Sova, are we...?

Trust me, Sova! On my honor, Yanling can be trusted.

I don't think we should get involved with the Watchtower...

But what choice do we have? We risk getting captured otherwise. Very well. Let's follow them.

You guys done talking? Okay. TAISEI!!! WE'RE OUTTA HERE!!!

What?! I was just getting into a rhythm! Anyway. I'll think of it as a warmup. Let's go!

Wait, come back, AH?!

Haha! Clumsy! Consider yourself lucky! Until next time, Losers!

This way. Try to keep up!

Sunflower, it IS you, right?!

...

Anyway, Stara, you haven't changed a bit. You look fighting fit, I'm pleased to see.

So do you, Yanling. Still smoking like a chimney.

Huh? Don't you dare take this pipe off me, ! Speaking of which, I used to love the glass pipes you kept at your shop. Now that's what I call beautiful.

Yeah. That takes me back...

Anyway, we just saved your butts just now. Are you guys any good? If you are, why not challenge old Taisei to a duel!

NO NO WE'RE FINE...

What the hell. You're no fun.

Ah, haha... sorry.

(Still...)

Hey, Sunflower. Remember me? It's Snezhana, your good friend.

... My name is Xen.

Sunflower...

I don't know anyone called ''Sunflower''! Stop bothering me, PLEASE!!!

...! Sunflower, you're...

...She had a big reaction but I didn't find her very convincing.

Just as I thought. Sunflower is still alive. Only now she's called ''Xen'' and not ''Sunflower''.

Even if that's the case... why be so cold towards Snezhana?

Hm... Yeah, it was difficult to watch... Yanling, do you know what's going on?

Well... I'm not really sure. All I know for sure is, she is Xen from the Watchtower. I've never heard the name ''Sunflower'' before.

Me neither, ...Hey guys! Stop! There's something...!

Ha! I saw you coming!

Bah!

I thought I'd be able to take one of you... but I see I'm outnumbered. Ah well. There's nothing for it.

I think you're a bit overqualified to take me on, Sweetpea. Next time why don't you bring your sister along? I hear she's very strong.

...My sister doesn't have time to deal with the likes of you. And besides...

I think you meant ''underqualified'', not ''overqualified''... I'll get you next time!

Taisei, don't go after her. I guess that means the Luminary Guard have given up the chase for today.

So where to now?

Well... our base, obviously.