Section 7: The Melancholy Assassin

What is this place? It smells all mildewy...

It looks like an archive.

This must be part of Cortés's legacy.

Huh? What do you mean?

As much as those pretending to sainthood in the current government might like to think otherwise...

...there were a lot of people looting everything they could get their hands on in the chaos ten years ago.

And the worst of all was Cortés, right? I mean, he basically looted the whole country.

Very true, but while the others were all focused on their immediate gratification...

...Cortés was methodically collecting evidence of their crimes to use in the future.

That isn't to say he collected everything, of course...

...but he didn't need to as long as he could make the government officials believe he had all kinds of dirt on those in high society.

Isn't that right, Roma?

I'd rather not get into all the lurid details here, but yes, you're essentially correct.

I doubt he could have become the first president, or have his new government's cabinet picks be approved as smoothly as they were...

...without some rather shady dealings behind the scenes.

But Cortés trusted you, right? Why didn't you stay in the new government and enjoy all the perks?

I know all too well how Cortés operated. If I'd stayed, it would only have been a matter of time before I became trapped in his web.

Besides, he never let his guard down around anyone, so I could never tell what he was really thinking. People like that scare me.

Saying I resigned paints it in a nice light, but really, all I did was run away from him.

Maybe there's something in this room that can tell us what's going on here? And when I say us, I mean you, 'cause I'm sure as hell not gonna read all this crap.

I doubt there's anything valuable in this room, seeing how it wasn't even locked.

...Doesn't look like there's any secret doors or anything either. Boooring.

I believe you said your name was Elise, yes? If you don't mind my asking, do you happen to have an older brother?

Uh, YEAH I mind! Why the hell would you need to know about my family?

I'm sorry. Just forget I said anything. It's an old habit of mine, asking young women that question.

Elise is an only child, to my understanding. What's more, she's been performing since before her tenth birthday.

Uncle! You didn't have to tell him that.

While we're on the topic, Elise and I are not technically uncle and niece. We are far more distantly related.

When I stopped being the court musician ten years ago, I knew I would have to fend for myself from then on.

So I sought a singing voice like Elise's, and she in turn sought music like mine.

It is that partnership of ours that helped us get to where we are today.

Why don't you tell him our entire life story while you're at it? You know this guy could very well be our killer. Well, attempted killer.

In that case, I think it's only right I tell you a little more about myself.

The truth is, I've been trying to track down the Kingdom of Nadai Nadha's legendary assassin, a man named Daizou Oka.

I remember him. He was feared far and wide despite being no more than a lone soldier.

I can still feel the chills that ran down my spine whenever I passed him. The sheer bloodlust he radiated was palpable.

If he's that strong, he's probably doing fine for himself.

I doubt it. He never struck me as cut out for normal life.

Besides, I can't imagine a man who can cut down other people for money would have an easy time going back to life in normal society.

Unfortunately, I've heard nothing about him these past ten years.

And I have no doubt people would be talking about him if he had done anything noteworthy. People love talking about stuff like that; there's no stopping it.

That's exactly why it's so strange. I can't imagine an assassin of that caliber being taken down easily, especially when he had a younger sister to protect.

Then we have another mystery on our hands. Where did the fiercest assassin ever to live disappear to?

In that line of work, you know he'd be the first person to be cut loose the moment it became inconvenient to keep him around.

If his bosses decided they didn't want him around anymore, he'd be gone no matter how good he was.

Hm? Is this...

Find something?

This might just be what I've been looking for. I'll study it some more and see what I can find out.

Come on, let's head back.

Fujimaru, I have a brilliant idea.

Really? What is it?

What if we made Salazar here and this Daizou person one and the same?

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Hehe! Fortunately, we never saw Daizou's face during the prologue!

We can make use of that here.

Daizou was the assassin who worked for General Tan, right?

He would never admit defeat, no matter how much things turned against him. What would you do if you were him?

Well, I don't think I'm exactly the sort of person who could cut down his foes as easily as breathing, but

Wrong!

You are already Daizou. From now on, you will think as he thinks, and speak as he speaks.

Spoken like a true pharaoh!

Well, I think heI, might try to kill as many enemies as possible, even if I knew it was ultimately pointless.

But there's only so much any one person can do, so I probably suffered a grave injury...

...and though I managed to survive the attack, I ended up losing my memory. How does that sound?

Very good. Your memories may be gone, but your body still remembers its deadly fighting techniques.

Thus, Miguel kept you around to turn you into his personal bodyguard.

So I used to be an assassin... Yes, I'm starting to believe it!

That's right. I was the Kingdom of Nadai Nadha's greatest assassin!

Of course I would try to assassinate anyone who even vaguely seems like an enemy of the royal family!

So I poisoned the wine glass because... Um, I guess I just wanted to kill someone?

I'm sorry. I'm doing my best to come up with a plausible motive as we speak!

I'm not sure... I don't think I can use Presence Concealment...

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At any rate, as an assassin, I am sworn to serve the kingdom to my dying breath.

But my efforts backfired, and I almost inadvertently killed my master.

Perfect!

Now I have painful, intermittent flashbacks of my failed assassination attempt.

So I impulsively think about performing new assassinations in order to escape that pain.

Haha, sounds like that oughta work. It feels like everything's starting to come together.

Seems kind of contrived to me, but whatever. I can live with it at this point.

Oh, but if we go this route then you'll be playing a pretty bad guy. Are you okay with that?

I think that, even with my memory gone, the battle against the revolutionaries still rages on inside me.

So now, whenever something happens to stir up my past impulses, I can't help but want to kill anyone I consider a threat to the kingdom...

Ooh, that way, we can have Gabriela's poisoning be one of your attempts to kill someone.

Hmm. I see.

Then as the last prince of Nadai Nadha, I will take it upon myself to put my poor, faithful retainer to rest.

After a pulse-pounding fight scene, Vargas will defeat Salazar, and praise him for his faithful service as he passes away in his arms.

Then, after Gabriela wakes, Vargas will confide his true identity to her and set back off on his trip to help make his former nation a better place...

It all makes sense. This will work nicely.

Hmm... Then it would seem we finally have the outline of our plot...

Very well, let us proceed with this story. Unless there are any other cast members who wish to object?

It think it sounds very good...

Eh, whatever. Don't love it, but don't have anything better to offer.

I guess that means our scene will be the last one then...

Hmm. I don't know if I like the idea of me and the pharaoh ganging up on Salazar.

Ah yes, a good point... Very well then, perhaps you could think of a way around that?

What if García stayed behind to protect Gabriela while Vargas and Salazar go to the storehouse to get some medicine?

Then he could have a painful assassin flashback that spurs him to attack Vargas while they're alone.

I see. That could lead very naturally to their climactic fight scene.

In that case, we'd probably want something in the storehouse to trigger his memory, to make it more convincing.

Heartily agreed. It would only be confusing to the audience if he simply had a flashback out of nowhere.

If he lost his memory from a wound in battle, perhaps something that symbolizes war would suffice?

...What about the sound of a cannon?

I mean, at least I know Izo and I would instinctually react to that.

But why would there be a cannon in the storehouse? Why would they even hear a cannon going off in what's basically a big-ass medicine cabinet?

Is Little Miss Holier-Than-Thou around or something? I know she wouldn't think twice about firing a cannon in a storehouse.

...On second thought, never mind. Having her show up now would only make things even more confusing...

Exactly. My heroine spot

Shut the hell up.

That's putting it mildly. No, we definitely don't want her getting mixed up in this mess.

(I'm surprised she sees her rival as her older sister... Has she been brainwashed or something...?)

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Um, what about this?

One of them could accidentally knock over a bottle while they're looking for the medicine.

The bottle happens to contain some dangerous chemicals, so when it hits the ground, it explodes.

The explosion sounds just like a cannon shell, which triggers Salazar's flashback.

...I know it's kind of a stretch, but...

Yeah, no way that's gonna

I think it's brilliant, milady with the beautiful bangs!!!

It might be a stretch, but it's also innovative and sure to be clear to the audience!!!

I would be glad to handle the bottle dropping as well!!! In fact, I wouldn't even mind BEING the bottle!!!

...Sorry about that. Those eyes I can only catch fleeting glimpses of through her lovely hair are so beautiful that I just...can't help myself.

(Is it just me, or are my eyes and bangs the only things he seems to care about...?)

Very well then, I will do my best. Annnd strum.

Phew... ...Sorry about that. I'm calm now.

He looks like he just came down from a mountain after reaching enlightenment...

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Very well then, we shall require the sound of a cannon blast. Find it!

Will do! I'll send you the audio data from the library as soon as I track it down.

Would you prefer an Orleans cannon sound effect, or a North American cannon sound effect?

Definitely not an Orleans cannon. That wouldn't do anything good for my mood.

I can play the cannon sound effect once Salazar knocks the bottle over.

Will we need sound effects for machine guns and missiles? No? All right, just thought I'd ask.

Well, no time like the present. Let's film the scene as soon as everyone's ready!

Okay! We can start the scene in Gabriela's room.

(What is this feeling...?)

(Does this mean I want to be the lead actor?)

(...I get that they want to do this so that everything ties together, but Salazar and Izo are almost nothing alike.)

(This isn't good... I need to be a more proactive detective.)

Ready? Annnd action!

Oh, I almost forgot!

The doctor said I should get some medicine to give Gabriela.

Would you mind showing me where the medicine is kept, Salazar?

I would be happy to check the storehouse myself.

No, we should go together, just to be safe. No one should go anywhere alone.

...I see. All right, if you insist.

Don't misunderstand. This isn't because I suspect you. It's simply better for both of us to have a witness present.

True, if we go together, and anything happens to one of us, the other will come under suspicion...

Besides, if Lady Gabriela's condition should worsen because of my medicine, my position here would become extremely precarious...

I apologize for my rudeness. All right, let's be on our way.

Be careful out there, you two. There's no telling what you might run into.

This place seems much bigger than it needs to be.

That's partly because there is also an emergency shelter here. One never knows when one might need it.

We're prepared for anything here. We have food and medicine alike in ample supply.

I see. So where is this medicine we need?

I think it was on this shelf... Oops!

Ngh... My head...

Salazar? What's wrong?

I... I just remembered...