Operation story: AS-5

Operation

Story

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Characters
Pepe Anat Narantuya Lazvar Zubayr Aspasia Ajani Ajazi Mio Woof Visitor On Hoverboard Young Visitor Tourist With Coins Tourist Reading Guide Visitor in Armor Woman of High Status Gem Merchant Museum Receptionist Lamplighter Museum PA Fervent Crowd Visitor On Phonecall Museum Staff Lost Passerby? Gemstone Broker
Backgrounds
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Before operation

Summary To get the gem, Pepe has no choice but to accept Medjehtiqedti's terms, leaving Zubayr behind in the museum to draw in visitors. However, Zubayr is angered by the rude tourists, and leaves after a quarrel with Pepe. He then runs into a distraught Narantuya on the riverbank.
Museum PA	Please queue here for tickets... Please queue here for tickets to the "Encounter with a Resurrected General from the Time of the Shah" special exhibition! Please queue here for tickets, please queue here for tickets...
<Background 1>
Zubayr	...
Fervent Crowd	Yes, eyes on me, look at me, not the camera. Please wait just a moment! I need to straighten my bridal gown! I worked all night to make this, but I guarantee with my three thousand tales about the Shah that it is historically accurate!
Zubayr	Please note flash photography is prohibited in this exhibition, to prevent damaging the cultural artifacts.
Fervent Crowd	Alright! Lets do twenty burst shots!
Zubayr	...
<Background 1>
Visitor On Hoverboard	Hey guys, I'm finally inside the most mysterious room of the Varjavandabad Museum. Now, I'm going to smoothly record the movements of this heroic general from all angles and uncover the secrets of the resurrection in the City of Radiance.
Young Visitor	Dad, its legs look empty inside. You hear that, Dad? It sounds like it's empty inside when I knock on it!
Visitor On Phonecall	Mhm, yes, this batch of goods must be delivered to Higashi. It's not a large order, but we can't come off as unreliable...
Museum Staff	Sir, please look after your child.
Visitor On Phonecall	Sorry, hold on, I'm a little busy... Hey! Come back here! Don't run off touching everything!
Museum Staff	Please don't make noise in the museum...
Visitor On Phonecall	Hey, you're the ones who decided to pull off this open exhibition and even let your exhibit wander around! You didn't even limit the number of visitors, so it's no wonder the place is so rowdy!
Zubayr	Acting Curator Anat believes that "History and knowledge should be made equally available to all", and thus she has not established a tiered ticketing system. Also, the sixty centimeter-high guardrails around my display are meant to prevent visitors from intruding into my space. If your child crosses the rails, you will be flouting the rules and regulations of this place. Please cooperate with the staff...
Tourist With Coins	Gah! I missed!
Tourist Reading Guide	This guide doesn't say which currencies work. To be fair, the guide doesn't even say if tossing a coin will bring good luck.
Tourist With Coins	Why not try it anyway, just in case?
Tourist Reading Guide	...Give me a coin. I should aim for its torso, right?
Museum Staff	Please... stop... this is an important historical artifact...! There's too many of them, I can't handle them all...
Zubayr	Understood. I will use my weapon to slice the incoming projectiles apart. (Lifts hand)
Visitor in Armor	Arrgh—! Everyone, look! I'm role-playing a Nightzmoran warrior from a thousand years ago! Ack, I have been defeated! What a grand historical re-enactment!
Zubayr	My weapon did not make any contact with his body.
Visitor in Armor	Oh, General of the Shah! A few words for your defeated foe, perhaps!
Zubayr	... Back in my day, the most common phrase one would hear in the army when beheading captured enemy leaders was "The insects shall devour your entrails".
Visitor in Armor	Okay, sure, if you could just say that again... Hey, hey! Don't come over while I'm still lying on the ground! You're gonna cause a stampede!
Museum Staff	Oh no... I should call for backup. Who could've guessed there would be so many people here to see a walking mummy when the Flood Festival is going on?
<Background 2>
Woman of High Status	Hatshepsut Hanimefendi, I hear you've been spending recent days looking for a particular gem lately. It just so happens my family is in possession of one, so I've brought it here for you. I hope it can alleviate your worries.
Pepe	Thank you so, so much... please let me see it...
Woman of High Status	I wonder if I might be fortunate enough to host you at my home for dinner sometime soon?
Pepe	So sorry, hanimefendi, but I've been crazy busy lately. Thank you for taking the trouble to bring me the gem, but I'm sorry to say it's not the one I'm looking for.
Woman of High Status	Oh, truly a pity. I will bother you no more, Hatshepsut Hanimefendi. Until we meet again.
Pepe	Uh... how many more do we still have outside?
Anat	Seventy-three, and they all claim to have the gem you're looking for.
Pepe	Why are there so many?!
Anat	Just tough it out and take a break at noon. Some gemstone merchants from the Grand Bazaar say they've found some clues, so we'll go over then to take a look.
Pepe	You call that a break...?
Anat	Of course. You'll only be seeing gemstones, no people.
Pepe	Ah...
<Background 3>
Gem Merchant	Anat Hanim, the Padishah's daughter has been sitting here frowning for the past three hours. Are you still interested in the remaining gemstones?
Anat	How many do we have left?
Gem Merchant	More than two hundred...
Anat	...Leave them here, we'll finish looking through this crate first.
Gem Merchant	Very well, I'll take my leave then.
Pepe	Anat... did someone come by earlier?
Anat	They delivered another crate of gemstones.
Pepe	... Anat, something's wrong... why does your head look like a prism...? The furnishings too... they're sparkling...
Anat	Pepe!!!
<Background 4>
Aspasia	The museum has finally opened its doors?
Museum Receptionist	Yes, Aspasia Hanim. The special exhibition tickets are in high demand! I heard wind of it last night and wanted to tell you to queue up early, but I couldn't find you.
Aspasia	It's alright, that's not what I'm here to see. It's the collector I'm looking for.
Museum Receptionist	You seem to be in a good mood.
Aspasia	As I thought, language is a bridge to peace, communication serves as a foundation of understanding, and this historic city is also abundant with knowledge. *sigh* Sargonians have been proud of their glorious history since antiquity. How wonderful it would be if they were willing to sit down for a long conversation, instead of plundering everywhere they go. That collector understood how persistent we Minoans could be, after my explanation, and I also gained much from his insights into the city... Right, there is something I want to ask you. In modern Menat-Ha'mait, are silver crafts more valuable than those made from gold?
Museum Receptionist	Haha, are you joking? Of course, it does happen from time to time... for example, under pain of death by a lord ameer.
Aspasia	...I see, thank you for the clarification. May I ask if that companion of mine has returned?
Museum Receptionist	Yes, with two other friends as well.
Aspasia	Two other... friends? Very well. The more heads to share ideas with, the better. I'd love to find more Kurantas as passionate and frank as she.
<Background fades out and in>
Aspasia walks up the hotel stairs and stops before the door.
Aspasia	Narantuya, are you in there? I bring good news. That collector who won third place has decided to return my goblet to me after listening to my three-hour speech! Would you like to come with me to the museum to look at both goblets together...?
Unfamiliar Voice	...I didn't see anyone go in or out of that room with the gemstone last night, Narantuya. I was hiding on the roof of the opposite building with my eyes peeled the entire time.
Narantuya's Voice	...You know how important this kidnapping is. This is the only way to quickly get a big pile of money.
<Background 5>
Ajani	I'm sorry, Narantuya. We'll go look for the Padishah's daughter right away.
Narantuya	It's too late for that. The caravan I got to be our cover is about to leave the city. Even if we manage to find and snatch her, we won't have a way out.
Ajani	So...
Narantuya	Let's focus on what to do next. Both of you should go back to the museum, but avoid contact with the girl. Report in as soon as you find any other way to make money. I'll go look for the lost gemstone and return it to Aspasia. That's the least I can do...
Aspasia	You don't have to do that.
Narantuya	...
Ajazi suddenly feels a deadly silence descend upon the room. She looks at the intruding stranger, shifts her gaze to Narantuya, and finally turns her head to Ajani with eyes pleading for help. Ajani raises a finger to her lips with her other hand inching towards the sedative at her waist.
Narantuya	Uh, I can explain, Aspasia. We were just mapping out our plan. Once it's done, I'll return you your gem, or something of equal value. You can trust me on that. Oh, and, these are my other two subordinates...
Aspasia	What plan?
Narantuya	Eh...?
Aspasia	I heard you planning to bait the Padishah's daughter with that gem, in order to kidnap her.
Narantuya	...You heard everything?
Aspasia	My apologies, I had no intention of eavesdropping on your conversation. I just happened to be standing by the door. I believe communication lays the foundation of understanding, but I also know you have a large debt to pay and need money urgently. So, would you like to tell me the whole story?
Narantuya	... To be honest, I don't have a clue where the gem is right now. There's nothing I could ask you to do, even if you want to help. The past is in the past, and our plan now... Well, we basically don't have one.
Aspasia	You know that's not what I'm talking about.
Narantuya	If I tell you why I owe this debt and need the money, will you help me?
Aspasia	I believe we can discuss a more honest and conscientious way to do it.
Narantuya	Heh, I knew you'd say something like that. Aspasia, mind holding your hand out for me?
Aspasia	What for?
Narantuya	For old times' sake... I just want to...
Ajani and Ajazi exchange looks with each other. They are certain Narantuya's call to action is the moment when they hear the crisp clacking of her heels on the ground.
Narantuya	——Ask you for a discount on what I owe you.
Ajazi and Ajani	...Huh?
Narantuya	I've been staying with you for weeks and even took your gem. I have to pay you back for all that. This coin purse holds one thousand and two hundred dinars. I know it's not enough, but... I mean, we're such good friends, aren't we?
Aspasia	Narantuya...
Narantuya	Ah, there's a bunch of foreign coins in there too. Some merchants might not recognize them, but I'm sure you'll find somewhere to spend them. Here's some gemstones too. They're tiny and impure, but they make up for it in number. So... could you be a bit flexible with my debt?
Aspasia	...Narantuya! Are you so unwilling to have an actual discussion about this with me?
Narantuya	"Communication lays the foundation of understanding", right? I already get you, though. Maybe you spent day after day in your temple copying statues to work out the basics of swordsmanship, or maybe you followed your parents and took an oath passed down through generations. More importantly, you're one of the innumerable followers of the Minoan heroes, so I'm sure your soul is pure. You'd definitely help out someone about to fall from a tall building, and you'd speak up to anyone who used more... exceptional methods.
Aspasia	... Yes, you're right. I believe a scale of good and evil lies within all our hearts, and one exists within the laws of the land as well. People ought to act according to the balance of that scale. But I understand your point of view. Perhaps you would say the laws set by the lords ameer and padishahs are of abnormal balance, and one should act as one's heart dictates. However... I dare not trust myself, Narantuya.
Narantuya	... If the day does come when I'm caught by the lords ameer and they give me some ridiculous death sentence, will you feel sorry for me?
Aspasia	Of course.
Narantuya	Hah. That's all I need. Looks like you think my death would be a great loss for all Sargon too. Your help in my grand project would significantly lessen the risk of us failing midway. But I understand if you don't want to. People come and go. I'd love to have everyone join me and stay by my side, but if I care too much about those who leave, aren't I just as stupid as the ones who resent me? What I mean is... let's not make it difficult for each other.
Aspasia	...Very well. I consider your debt settled.
<Background 6>
Pepe	*sigh*...
Zubayr	You're injured.
Pepe	I'm fine, it's just a scratch...
Zubayr	You should see to it. I've met many a warrior who lost his life after neglecting a minor injury.
Pepe	Times have changed... I'll tell you all about modern medical science someday.
Zubayr	Are you going to rest?
Pepe	No... I need to tidy up these soaked notes first...
Zubayr	Soaked?
Pepe	It's a super long story, and I don't know if I'm sane enough right now to tell you the whole thing.
Zubayr	Before we parted this morning, you promised to share the information you obtained with me. Stay true to your word, Pepe.
Pepe	...Okay, I found absolutely nothing today. I made an announcement, and lots of people came to see me with similar-looking gems, but they were all useless stones. I spent the whole day watching gem after gem fly past my eyes until my head was spinning. Then I went to get a drink and take a break, but the two kids next to me suddenly started fighting. They knocked over the table and my drink, spilling it onto my notebook, and that's how I got this bruise... That's all I have to share with you, Zubayr. Got the information you needed from that?
Zubayr	... Do you... wish to hear what I experienced today?
Pepe	Zubayr...
Zubayr	Many strange people came... though they were rather amusing as well.
Pepe	Let's pick this back up tomorrow. You don't need to sleep, but I'm exhausted.
Zubayr	Pepe... I do not wish to stay inside the museum.
Pepe	Just bear with it for a few more days... we need to help Titi with her exhibition until its over. That's how we got the gem from her, after all. Once the exhibition is over, I'll take you to look for the other gemstones.
Zubayr	I do not want to look for gemstones either...
Pepe	What's wrong, Zubayr? As the guardian of the Shah's treasury, aren't you supposed to recover all your memories and resume your original duties?
Zubayr	Are you not the one more eager to locate the treasury?
Pepe	Ah... yeah, you're right. I mean why else did you think I woke you up?
Zubayr	Pepe. I am already awake, and you can no longer treat me as a mere artifact. My thoughts and actions are my own to control. I do not wish to recall all my memories so soon. At least for the moment. Tomorrow we will have fine weather, and I wish to take a walk outside, free of all worry.
Pepe	People are going to freak out if they see a museum exhibit getting some sun all alone on the streets!
Zubayr	I already told you, I am not an exhibiting artifact!
Pepe	... I'm sorry, Zubayr...
Zubayr	It's fine.
Pepe	It's already so late though, and I'm REALLY tired, so... we can talk tomorrow, okay?
Zubayr	...
Pepe	Good night.
Zubayr	...
In the empty room, Zubayr tries to press the wall switch and turns the light off. After a moment, he tries again, and the light comes back on.
<Background 7>
Mio	... Meow?
Mio stands in the middle of a night-shrouded street, staring at a window in the distance with a light repeatedly flickering on and off. And then— The light stops flickering, and glass shatters.
<Background fades out and in>
Narantuya	Once the south wind passes, it'll be the drought season over there. Will I manage to make enough money before then? Alright, prepare to jump...
Lamplighter	Whoa! Girls are really something these days... What are you doing? Throwing your life away?
Narantuya	What, isn't this normal for the Flood Festival? I want to ask the river god some questions.
Lamplighter	Not by jumping into the river though... Also, which history book did you even learn this custom from, girlie? The ancients did ask the river for answers when they were unsure of something, but later, they realized many problems could be solved with money...
Narantuya	Thanks, but that life hack won't work for me.
Lamplighter	I can answer your question, though.
The lamplighter raises his lamp and approaches Narantuya.
Lamplighter	Before the southern wind blows through, you won't have enough money to satisfy your own desires, but it will be what you need.
Narantuya	...I'll rephrase my question and be more specific: where should I go to look for the money?
Lamplighter	To the depths of the sands.
Narantuya	This is Sargon, that doesn't do much to narrow it down.
Lamplighter	I can only answer one more question.
Narantuya	I thought the people of Menat-Ha'mait were generous sorts with unlimited samples to offer? No... wait, that's not the question I wanted to ask. I want to know... will that rigid Minoan come looking for me?
Lamplighter	Yes.
As soon as the lamplighter finishes, Narantuya catches a glimpse of a shadow on the edge of her vision. The figure stops in the empty street and looks at her for a moment before turning and leaving.
Narantuya	...Aspasia? Aspasia!
The shadow crosses the street, and the crimson Kuranta chases after it. Narantuya can only hear the sound of the wind, the rush of the river, and a song from the lamplighter that gradually fades into silence. ♪May I see Him by the waterside, may I follow Him to eternity♪
<Background 7>
Narantuya	...I lost sight of her? I, Narantuya, actually lost track of a target? Must have been a ghost. ...*sigh*. Forget it, I'm not stupid. Everyone here is always praying to see a spirit or two, and I heard no footsteps earlier. So, this only means I really did see a ghost, yes?
She sits down on the curb. On the other side of a flowerbed sits someone listening to the river silently in the dark.
Narantuya	The benches by the river tend to get wet, you might want to wipe it dry first.
Lost Passerby?	... You're not actually scared of ghosts, are you?
Narantuya	What, did you see that shadow too? Did it spook you? Need me to protect you?
Lost Passerby?	...I'm feeling nostalgic. I didn't get a good look, but I'm certain it felt like the soul of a late friend or kin.
Narantuya	Two spotting a ghost is always better than just one. I hear anyone who spots that shadow will receive the blessing of Menat-Ha'mait, but it looks like the two of us here are down on luck.
Lost Passerby?	...I merely got into an argument.
Narantuya	What a coincidence. I'm guessing you didn't win?
Lost Passerby?	I would not be sitting here if I did.
Narantuya	Haha. You know what? Somebody told me ten minutes ago that the locals are never troubled because money can always solve their problems. I thought that made sense. What's there to be sad about, if you're not as desitute as me?
Lost Passerby?	Today, someone threw something at me, another soiled the new cape I got last week, and I was inexplicably married twenty times to people of all genders and ages. No one was interested in listening to me either.
Narantuya	O-Oh... that's pretty unlucky. How old are you? They stole your identity for a marriage registration?
Lost Passerby?	...What?
Narantuya	Your voice is a little strange, but you sound young. No offense. *sigh* I think I was pretty lucky, when I was around your age. One time, we were herding some stolen burdenbeasts back home, and the sky suddenly turned dark. Our headscarves couldn't shield us from the sand flying our way. But we had plenty of manpower, and quickly found a somewhat different area to dig into. Guess what we found? Two houses buried in the sand, just enough to fit everyone. Even came with beds and tables.
Lost Passerby?	...Common furnishing you find in ancient tombs.
Narantuya	Hahaha! You know your stuff! I only found out a few years later. Those were wonderful days.
Lost Passerby?	Indeed... Time can alter how rivers flow, establish and eradicate cities, bleach bones with the sun, elongate and intensify history. It makes one miss the past, and nostalgia... can be a fearsome thing.
Narantuya	Yeah. Miss the past all you want, but you're never getting it back.
Lost Passerby?	... How are the people you've been missing?
Narantuya	They're alive, but more surviving than living. The worst part is that they can't just move on. You have no idea how many of them sold off their blades. So as their boss, I owe them. I mean, I just need to build a new pile of gold, and those stooges will cheer up and return to the way they used to be.
Lost Passerby?	I hope that is the case.
Narantuya	What about you?
Lost Passerby?	I... don't know either. It's like how people risk their lives to catch a glimpse of the river god, but all they end up seeing is the last face they would ever want to see. Is that not a terrifying prospect?
Narantuya	It's not that scary, if people still choose to chase that mirage. Well, that's what my mother always told me, back home: "We Nightzmora must be the masters of fear, and will never be dominated by it." That's what they all say.
Lost Passerby?	—You're a Nightzmora?
Narantuya	Yeah, why—
Narantuya feels a pat on her shoulder and turns her head on reflex. She sees no one but the silent street, with its lamps being lit one by one from a distance. The lamplighter hums a tune as he walks up to them, climbing up a ladder and opening the glass shade to light it.
Narantuya	— AAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!! Help, HELP! There's a dead guy haunting meee!!!

After operation

Summary Prompted by Narantuya, Lazvar decides to purchase Zubayr. Once the transaction is complete, Lazvar's pets begin to speak and reveal themselves as Sovereigns of Beasts.
<Background 8>
Zubayr	What are we waiting for?
Narantuya	A phone call. Might be a novel thing for someone as old as you.
Zubayr	How much longer must we wait here?
Narantuya	No more questions, just wait and see.
Zubayr	Can I take the call? Someone explained how it works to me a while back...
Narantuya	Nuh-uh-uh. No can do. They'll think we're a scam call the moment they hear your robotic voice.
Zubayr	Alright.
Narantuya	Right. As you mentioned earlier, us working together is an imitation of the greatest alliance in history.
Zubayr	Indeed.
Narantuya	Sooo... can I ask what's in store for me, if I help you find your gem? Oh wait, I did get something already. I got a golden slipper thrown in my face after you scared me last night.
Zubayr	Do you have any suggestions?
Narantuya	——No, no, I wouldn't dare ask for more. Letting me live is already more than enough. You're one of Sargon's forefathers, I should be escorting you on your quest. So please, don't be hasty. Though, the artifact that won first place at the Harvest Gathering seemed to resemble this very gold slipper, inlaid with sapphires...
Zubayr	Yes, the two of them complete the pair.
Narantuya	So... Is making a ruckus in the dead of night also a way to make a fortune?
Zubayr	They originally came in a pair, but one was lost forever in the depths of the river, so this other one naturally has its value halved.
Narantuya	Oh.
Zubayr	Please entertain my curiosity. Are all modern Nightzmora... like you?
Narantuya	Beats me. I've looked into the customs and beliefs of many tribes for my plunders, fences, and abductions, but I never looked into my own birthplace. I never went back after that one sunrise.
Zubayr	I don't suppose... you are presently on your Khaganquest?
Narantuya	Khaganquest? (Ancient language) Khaganquest. ——Nuh-uh, that's the last word I ever want to hear. I'm not doing it, not even if my ancestors compel me to.
Zubayr	You mean you never performed your coming-of-age ritual?!
Narantuya	Yeah? It's not that important. I might have a few drops of Nightzmoran blood in me, but they didn't turn me into a tyrant or a conqueror, and I have no intention of letting them influence my life either.
Zubayr	No, it is very important. How will your forebears recognize your blood, if you don't embark on your Khaganquest?
Narantuya	It's fine, most of them pretty much disappeared off the ends of the earth. Unlike someone I know who suddenly sprang to life at the museum just to lecture me. So yeah, what about you? I've heard that in the Shah's time, people would shave their heads bald when they came of age, that they applied perfumed ointment to their scalps. But some say the scent smelled more like a stench... so I'm pretty curious if that's true.
Zubayr	... I also...
Narantuya	Oh, there we go. Huh, I didn't expect to get news so soon.
Gemstone Broker	Yes, hanim. It just so happens the gem trading post's overseer sent word that he has a gem to trade, and it fits your description in all aspects.
Narantuya	Good, I'll go to him right away.
Gemstone Broker	But... it will be difficult negotiating a deal, even with my introduction.
Narantuya	What? I heard from my subordinates they could simply sell their gems at the reception.
Gemstone Broker	Selling is easy, but not the other way round. The trading post does not operate like a regular store. You need to offer something heavy enough to balance the scales.
Narantuya	Something heavy? In value? ...I have an idea.
<Background 3>
Lazvar	...
Narantuya	Ahem, yes. This is the deal I wanted to discuss. The ancient mummy from the recent museum exhibition... The Nameless General of the Shah's Very Court.
The young overseer shoots her a complicated look, and leans down to the huge gilded box. Zubayr lies inside silently, with his hands folded across his chest. Narantuya thinks this is honestly Zubayr's time to shine—even his dreadful golden mask seems to be emitting a soft, sacred glow.
Lazvar	This box looks familiar.
Narantuya	It is a sarcophagus taken from the museum in its original condition... a replica of it, I mean.
Lazvar	...(Lightly taps Zubayr's body)
Zubayr	...
Lazvar	(Examines his chest with a flashlight)
Zubayr	...
Narantuya	Um, this isn't a regular artifact you can find anywhere. So if you could be more gentle and professional with it...
Lazvar	...I hear it came back to life, and can move on its own.
Narantuya	About that... I'm sure we all know the dead don't come back to life. Just Arts at play is all. I mean, wouldn't you be afraid, if it really could move?
Lazvar	Afraid it might run off after, I buy it?
Narantuya	Well, uh... Oh, is that black one your pet? Haha, what a beauty! Of course the gem trading post's overseer, who controls the flow of money throughout the entire city, would have such a unique pet.
Lazvar	(Whisper) Is that him, Woof?
Woof	(Sniffs) (Sits besides the sarcophagus)
Narantuya	Hey, look. It sniffed out the millennia-old stench you can never fake. It's as real as my sincerity in making this deal with you. Of course, I know how precious this artifact is, and it'll be quite troublesome for you to handle it—I'm basically offloading my troubles to you, so I'm not exactly hoping for a windfall. But I guarantee the museum has no way of tracking me down...
Lazvar	No, this is an extremely heavy offer you've made. Though it's still within the measuring limits of my scale.
Narantuya	Uh, okay.
Lazvar	What do you want in exchange? I hear you came for a gemstone.
Narantuya	Well, that was the original plan, but I thought of something else on the way over. I don't need that gem anymore. I'm an outsider, so ingots will do.
Lazvar	You wish to be paid in Pure Gold? I'll go fetch the appropriate scales. Please bring this inside to keep others from seeing it.
Narantuya	So... we got a deal?
Lazvar	Yes.
<Background 9>
Narantuya	Ha, I love a man who does easy business!
Zubayr	... I don't like the feeling of sleeping in here one bit. You didn't have to get your subordinates to bring it here in the first place.
Narantuya	Ssh, don't speak... Just hold on a bit longer, I'll come retrieve you soon. Seize the chance and find the gem you're after before the day ends.
Zubayr	Alright, please do come back. I still need you for something.
Lazvar	This is the price I'm offering. Any objection?
Narantuya	Phew... ♪Remember the crescent moon on the blade, the youth's sincerity washed into gold♪ I'll be back for sure... no objections at all! Nope! Well, I'll be going now.
Lazvar	By all means.
Narantuya	(Blinks at Zubayr)
Zubayr	(Blinks at Narantuya)
Narantuya	I look forward to any future cooperation!
Lazvar	... I never said we'd have any future cooperation.
<Background 3>
Narantuya	Hah, me neither—in the near future, at least. That old thing wants me to run errands for him? Sorry, but see ya!
Zubayr	...She should have understood my signal? Narantuya, if you're truly a descendant of the Nightzmora... A treasury awaits you.
<Background fades out and in>
Lazvar	He finally followed the notices I sent around and came here... Mio, Woof.
Mio	...
Woof	Well done, Lazvar.
Mio	You have earned our praise.