90. Dual Trap

Well, it's about the right time.

Chiraha said she would be here... OMG!

...

Yes! Let's go grab her! Just like we planned!

Taisei, we already told you, that's the last resort.

That's right. First, we see if Dosen's ''marketing'' skills can win her over.

... Hopefully it works.

Excuse me, Madame. May I have a moment of your time?

Huh? Is there something I can do for you?

Yes. You're probably not going to believe this, but...

You've been possessed... by an evil spirit!

...

...

...

... I beg your pardon.

Yanling! You call that marketing?! She's talking nonsense! Why did we let Dosen take the lead?!

Ah... um... I don't know. I didn't hear it. It's not my plan.

What?! You're trying to shift the blame, aren't you?!

Quiet! All we can do is see how it pans out...

...Uh, yeah, like I said, You're possessed by a very powerful evil spirit.

If you don't get rid of it, it could have serious negative effects on your life. You should come with me, right now, to a temple, to get it exorcised...

Oh, I thought there was something wrong... It's fine. There's no such thing as evil spirits.

Ah... well, lots of people THINK there's no such thing. But then they suffer all kinds of misfortune. You need to take care of it immediately!

Okay, let's assume for a minute you are right and evil spirits do exist. Give me some clear examples of misfortunes caused by evil spirits and explain to me how they do it.

You know, cause and effect. Also back up your claims with EVIDENCE.

HUH?! I... ah...

Evil spirits have appeared in fables since ancient times, but no one has been able to verify their existence or explain what a successful exorcism looks like.

If evil spirits really did exist, do you think the government would leave it to local witch doctors and the like to exorcise them? Of course not. There would be a special government department dedicated to exorcism.

Have you ever heard of a government department dedicated to exorcising evil spirits? Have you ever heard any government announcements concerning evil spirits?

(Sobbing)...

I guess not. After all, I work closely with the government, and I have not heard anything of the sort.

The only conclusion you can draw is, there is no such thing. That's the official position of the Eastrise government, and I stand by that.

If you can see any flaws in my logic or have any counterexamples, please speak up. If you can, I will happily change my mind.

...No... I don't... I think I must have the wrong person. You must be...?

Well, I might as well tell you I suppose. I am Pan Pan, head of the Association of Scholars.

Oh, I didn't realize I was in the presence of greatness! I owe you an apology.

It's fine. Scholars look just like everyone else.

You're very modest. Would it be okay if I asked you a couple of questions?

Go ahead.

You said you're a researcher. Do you work nearby then?

No, not that close. These days I work mostly from the Forbidden City.

Wow, the Forbidden City... You really ARE important!

The Association has an office in the Forbidden City. It's no big deal really.

There's a lab inside the Archive. I'm working on a special project.

(... A lab inside the Archive?)

(Could it be... that room on the upper floor...?)

(If Pan Pan really is conducting research on the Dragon Orchid, then that room must be...)

Special research? Do you mind telling me what it is about?

I'm studying an ancient artifact that can be used as a weapon. They call it... the Dragon Orchid.

So Pan Pan IS researching the Dragon Orchid...!

Yes, and it sounds like the Dragon Orchid might be in Pan Pan's lab! This is a huge breakthrough!

Haha, good old Dosen. Just as I suspected.

You've got a nerve... You surprise me Yanling, well, not so much, just quit while you're ahead.

An, anyway, if she can just tell us how to get into the lab now, we won't need to rough her up...

If she doesn't say, we can just grab her like we planned. For now, we should, Huh? Something's not right...

, Well, I think that brings our little chat to a conclusion.

Troops. Seize her.

Yes, ma'am!

WHAT?!! Soldiers!

They've taken Dosen...! What the hell... is going on?

You! What are you...?! Help...! I...!

You're from the Watchtower, right?

...!

Ah, not to mention your colleagues hiding in the bushes over there. You might as well come out!

What the, our cover's blown!

HA!!! In that case, let's get in there! Watch me knock those bowling pins over!

ARGH! Not again...!

So many troops! She knew something was going to happen...!

Yes. I knew you would be coming.

But then again, when I mentioned the Dragon Orchid, you made so much noise... I could hear the celebrations from where I was standing. It was hard NOT to notice.

So everything you said about the Dragon Orchid was intended to...?!

Yep, draw you out into the open.

Okey-dokey. I think that covers just about everything. Now I can hand you over to Raeon.

Well, looks like most of the Watchtower's officers are here. Pity Chiraha isn't here... Still, I'm glad I dropped off that message for you...

By ''message''... you mean that government pamphlet...

Correct. That was the bait I used to catch you Watchtower traitors.

Since you broke into the Archive and stole that book, I knew your objective was the Dragon Orchid.

I knew if I put some leads out there about the Orchid, you would definitely fall for it.

Blah blah blah! Trap or no trap, you've still got to take us!

You honestly think you've got a hope in hell of getting out of here?

You really think a bookworm like you stands a chance against ME?!!

... Of course not. That's why I brought ''her'' along.

You're up, God of War!... You can take it from here.

Hehe... You kept me waiting!

So, where should I begin? Who wants the first kiss from my Fire Tongue?

...!?

(What is this feeling?... She's just standing there, but for some reason I can't catch my breath...)

Uh... This doesn't look good...

Um... Did they just call her the ''God of War''? Does that mean she's...

ARGH!!! I can't believe it!

The greatest warrior in Eastrise, Firentia the God of War!!

No! Can it be?! They only deploy Firentia in wartime...

I should have said. My plan is to wipe you all out. Everything I have done to this point has been to achieve this objective with the highest chance of success.

Okay. I'll leave them to you.

Sure... It won't take me long.

Woooohooooo, ! I get to fight the God of War...!

You owe me a debt and today is the day I collect!

Uh... You're...

Sorry... who are you?

AIIIEEEE!!! NOW I'M REALLY MAD!!!! DIEEEE, !!!!!!!!

Um... Guys, will Taisei be okay? Eastrise soldiers told me she's a match for the God of War. Is it true?

...Let's just say Taisei is the only one who has survived a one-on-one battle against Firentia. I wouldn't count her out just yet...

Taisei... she fought Firentia before and survived?

In terms of individual ability, Firentia is the greatest fighter in Eastrise. But is she the greatest in the whole world?, in my estimation, she is.

In short, if things go badly, and Taisei looks like she's going to lose, I will intervene, although that was not my original intention.

You can take care of the brainiac, Awakener.

Uh... Okay!

Oh. So I'm fighting you, am I?

In that case... let's do some exercise. Physical activity is good for the brain.

She's... so... strong!

Is that all you've got...? Never mind. We can just call it cardio.

Now I'm going to do something for Raeon... Soldiers, take these traitors down.

Yes, ma'am!

HAH!!!... I've got this! You get out of here! C'mon Firentia! I'm the one you want!

As you wish. I am happy to oblige... if Pan Pan agrees?

You take care of Taisei. I've got everything ready over here...

Ah... over there! Check out that weird device!

EH?!! What the, ?! I can't move! I'm stuck!

Now, grab her!

Ah, yes ma'am!

What, what happened to Taisei...?!

A special adhesive ordnance, used to apprehend fugitives. It's called Birdlime. It's still at the experimental stage, but you can see how effective it is for yourself.

It's only a matter of time before the rest of you go down.

...a special weapon to capture enemies alive? I am surprised you would even bother.

AH!!! It's aiming right at me...! Oh, aaaaarrrghhhhhh!

Next up... it's you!

!?

... Watch out, Awakener!

EIII, ?! So sticky... and disgusting...!

No, Snezhana...! I won't let you take her!

Don't! Don't worry about me! Get out of here!

B-But...!

Let me go. I'll wait for you at Raeon's. You understand me?

... We'll save you! Expect us!

Haha! I will! Now go!

... Sne... zhana

(Sunflower... what is that look on your face? You said we were through...)

Okay. Now for the rest of you...

...Dammit. Why NOW of all times? Looks like this design could still use some work.

NOW!!! While the great scholar is scratching her head!

...OKAY!!! Let's get out of here! Hustle hustle hustle!