83. Weighing the Pros and Cons

So this is the Watchtower headquarters...!

Welcome to the Watchtower. Please make yourselves at home.

We appreciate the help, but really we...

Stop right there. Don't tell me, it's not my problem. I'll go and get Chiraha. You wait here.

Chiraha... not the leader of Watchtower Stara told me about?!

Yep, that's right.

The head of Watchtower... Hopefully we all get back to Bifrost in one piece... and if we do, let's hope people don't suspect us of selling them out.

If Chiraha's anything like Stara says, we should be fine.

I appreciate your confidence, Awakener. As long as we make our position clear, Chiraha is sure to understand.

I'm not talking about that! The real problem is, what if we end up disobeying Lieutenant's orders?!

Sorry to keep you waiting.

Are you the Watchtower's...?

Yes, I am Chiraha, the head of Watchtower. Welcome, everyone. Firstly... I want to apologize for dragging you into our ongoing conflict with the government.

It's been a while, Chiraha!

Stara... It has been a long time. When Yanling told me, I could scarcely believe it. I never expected we would meet under these circumstances.

I disappeared before I got a chance to explain properly. I'm sorry about that.

It's okay. I thought at the time, Stara, you would find your own way. Are these guys your companions?

Nice to meet you. We work for an organization called Teslovik.

Awakener?! What the hell's wrong with you?!

Captain... I never picked you as a blabbermouth.

If we don't take a leap of faith, how can we expect her to trust us? Besides, I trust Stara and she trusts them. Leave this to me.

Haha. I'm pleased to see Stara has made some good friends... Okay. Tell me what you are doing here.

Sure thing. The reason Teslovik has sent us to Eastrise is...

What you're saying is, Teslovik has sent you to investigate the disappearance of Echo Crystal particles and its possible causes, a mission that has got nothing to do with Eastrise politics, am I right?

As for what to do with the findings, that's something for higher-ups to decide. We're not involved...

Eriri, she doesn't need to know all that...

The point is, we don't intend to take sides in the conflict between the Watchtower and the government of Eastrise.

Obviously, we're very grateful for the help you gave us back there... but if you think we're going support you in your struggle, you are going to be disappointed.

I see... Haha... What a curious cat you are. I did not think you would be so direct.

I appreciate your openness. I fully understand your predicament.

Allow me to make a suggestion... Perhaps there is still the possibility of our joining forces.

... Meaning?

We have also noticed the disappearance of Echo Crystal particles, and have started making inquiries.

Actually that is not strictly accurate. We have been paying close attention to Raeon's movements for a long time and it was in the course of our investigations that we detected the disappearance of Echo Crystal particles.

In other words... Raeon is somehow involved, right?

That's right... We have hard evidence that Raeon was present on the day the particle reactions disappeared.

She was in possession of an artifact called the Dragon Orchid... at the time.

Artifact... called the Dragon Orchid?

The Dragon Orchid is an object said to have been wielded by the Emperor who united the kingdoms of the East in ancient times.

According to ancient tomes, the Dragon Orchid was a gift from the gods, and was widely recognized as a symbol of imperial power.

Hm... You said ''wielded by'' and ''was widely recognized''. Why are you speaking in the past tense?

...The Dragon Orchid was lost thousands of years ago as different factions vied for control of it.

Thereafter the Dragon Orchid disappeared from the pages of history becoming an object of legend...

Then three years ago, Raeon unearthed an object in a ruin which we believe is the Dragon Orchid. As far as we know, historians are still studying the item and are yet to establish authenticity.

And the Dragon Orchid was present when the Echo Crystal particles disappeared...

Correct. According to the evidence we have at hand, we strongly suspect the Dragon Orchid was responsible for the disappearance of particles.

So here we are. The key question is no longer is the Dragon Orchid real or not, but rather, what powers does it possess?

In other words, what is the precise nature of the Dragon Orchid that Raeon now controls? As her opposition, the Watchtower is compelled to get to the bottom of it.

...so what do you say? Then interests of the Watchtower and Teslovik are aligned. It makes sense to join forces, don't you think?

The Dragon Orchid, an artifact full of mystery...

Our main task now is to establish whether or not there's a link between the Dragon Orchid and the Relic.

The Relic... An object forged by the ancients to counteract the power of the Ancient One. Haha, looks like the rumors about a secret god-slaying organization called Teslovik were true.

It is as you say. Teslovik was founded to counteract the Rasparta and the Ancient One, however, our mission does not include hurting others.

We're also interested in Echo Crystals and the Calamity, for various reasons.

...Okay, I won't pursue the matter any further. What I want to know is, do you approve or disapprove of my idea? Have you reached a decision?

Since we're all interested in the Dragon Orchid we should pool our resources and share intelligence.

...I already said, we're not taking sides in the conflict between the Watchtower and the government of Eastrise.

Nevertheless, I told you what we were doing.

Firstly because I felt we owed you for saving us earlier, and secondly, to show you our operations in Eastrise pose no threat to you.

...! Awakener! Didn't you believe me when I said Chiraha can be trusted?!

Of course I believed you, Stara, it's just...

Can I trust that, from now on, you'll continue working with us, with Teslovik, to the benefit of both parties? Or... could it be that our goals no longer align?

(Before answering that question, I have to make sure I don't make any rash decisions that will jeopardize the group...)

And is that your final decision?... Ah well, there's nothing I can do.

So what are you gonna do? Tell us we're not going to get out of here alive?

I guess that makes us enemies. Let's stop beating around the bush and get down to business.

Haha, no. Nothing like that.

If you don't agree, all I can do is try to persuade you, until we reach an agreement. Talking is always the best way to resolve differences, don't you think?

Well said. I wonder why the Watchtower have a reputation for being radicals...

Well... I don't know what to tell you... But you've got to believe me, I've told you everything I can about Raeon.

I used to be one of them, an insider. At the time of the Joint Council, I was a follower of Raeon's mother Lady Mahiru. I even helped establish some of her ministries.

That's why I can say with certainty the dictatorship Raeon wants to establish is fraught with danger.

I tried to dissuade Raeon, but that kid just wouldn't listen to me... That's why I decided to split away and establish the Watchtower, to keep the flame of democracy burning bright.

I see... Your Lady Mahiru sounds like an amazing person.

She is. Lady Mahiru is the greatest leader in Eastrise and much beloved by the people.

At that time, Rasparta had already begun to infiltrate the Joint Council and the corruption quickly spread, but Lady Mahiru fought bravely to keep the flame of democracy burning to the very last.

If you don't believe me, go and ask your own leader, Niz. She'll tell you how lawful and righteous Lady Mahiru's administration was.

Niz...?

...so what you're saying is, you're the good guys, and Raeon is the bad guy. Am I right?

What is ''Good'' and what is ''Evil'' depends on your point of view. Who knows, perhaps to Raeon you appear evil?

Sne-Snezhana...? Is she okay? She's acting very strange...

Don't let looks deceive you. Snezhana was a spy. She's seen a lot of the world, the good and the very, very bad... besides, she's still not over the ''Sunflower'' business.

...Well, Snezhana is right. Let's just stick to the facts.

In the end, Raeon still occupies the top spot. It's only a matter of time before Bifrost Industries and the Watchtower join forces. There's no point in delaying the inevitable.

Uh... That's strange reasoning. Didn't Fenriru say don't get involved with the Watchtower or it could lead to war...?

...That's because we want to avoid war with Eastrise ''for now''.

But the higher-ups know very well that if Raeon retains control of Eastrise, war is inevitable. That's why they are preparing for war.

But when things get to that point, the only partner Bifrost Industries can depend on in Eastrise is Watchtower.

And you could think about our cooperation now as a kind of ''down payment''.

That way you won't be caught off guard and you can seize the initiative before Raeon starts any trouble. Establishing trust with us... is a gamble well worth taking.

Uh, ah... My head is spinning... What do you think should we do?

And when Raeon is out of the picture, we will establish a new government, and sign a treaty of friendship with Bifrost Industries.

Joining forces with us now can only serve to benefit Teslovik... and Bifrost Industries itself. So, what do you say?

I've got to give it to you... you make a very convincing argument. But to be honest, we're just field agents. We don't have authorization.

Yeah... We need to talk to the Lieutenant first...

Well, why don't you contact her? Then once you have her answer you can decide. There's no hurry. Haha...