A Series of Twists and Turns
Last updated 2026-09-09
A Series of Twists and Turns is the second part of the Whirling Waltz Event.
Steps
- Wait until the morning of the day after tomorrow (08:00 – 10:00)
- Go to the Palais Mermonia to find out what's happening
- A few days ago, at Romaritime Harbor
- This occurs if the player leaves Romaritime Harbor during steps 4 or 5.
- Approach quietly and find out what the suspicious folk are up to
- Find a way to create a diversion so you can investigate the cargo
- Approach quietly and find out what the suspicious folk are up to
- Discuss the case with everyone present
- Go find Ororon and Ifa
- Wait till 08:00 – 10:00 the next day
- Go to the Palais Mermonia
- Return to the entrance of the Palais Mermonia and carry out the plan
- This occurs if the player leaves the area during step 10. Select "Move Out" to resume.
- Head to the plaza as planned
Gameplay Notes
- During steps 4–6, the party will be limited to a trial Kinich with Stealth gameplay.
- During step 5, pressing the Normal Attack input throws a distraction that will attract the smugglers. Holding the Normal Attack input allows Kinich to aim.
- If the player gets spotted by the smugglers during steps 4–6, the player will return to step 3.
- During step 12, the party will be limited to a trial Wriothesley.
Trial Characters
| WL | Character & Weapon |
Talents & Artifacts | Attributes |
|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
  Lv. 30 C2 Kinich Lv. 30 R1 Fang of the Mountain King |
|
 Max HP: 7,848 ATK: 693 DEF: 269 Elemental Mastery: 13 Crit Rate: 34.0% Crit DMG: 66.8% Energy Recharge: 103.5% |
|
|
|||
|
3 |
Lv. 45 C3 Kinich Lv. 45 R1 Fang of the Mountain King |
|
Max HP: 13,605 ATK: 1,119 DEF: 387 Elemental Mastery: 17 Crit Rate: 43.7% Crit DMG: 82.0% Energy Recharge: 104.7% |
|
|
|||
|
8 |
Lv. 88 C3 Kinich Lv. 88 R3 Fang of the Mountain King |
|
Max HP: 20,670 ATK: 2,130 DEF: 936 Elemental Mastery: 105 Crit Rate: 36.5% Crit DMG: 192.5% Energy Recharge: 135.0% DMG Bonus: 46.6% |
|
|
|||
|
9 |
Lv. 90 C3 Kinich Lv. 90 R3 Fang of the Mountain King |
|
Max HP: 20,870 ATK: 2,158 DEF: 948 Elemental Mastery: 105 Crit Rate: 37.0% Crit DMG: 192.5% Energy Recharge: 135.0% DMG Bonus: 46.6% |
|
|
| WL | Character & Weapon |
Talents & Artifacts | Attributes |
|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
  Lv. 30 C2 Wriothesley Lv. 30 R1 Cashflow Supervision |
|
Max HP: 8,158 ATK: 707 DEF: 256 Elemental Mastery: 13 Crit Rate: 39.2% Crit DMG: 66.8% Energy Recharge: 103.5% |
|
|
|||
|
3 |
Lv. 45 C3 Wriothesley Lv. 45 R1 Cashflow Supervision |
|
Max HP: 14,101 ATK: 1,132 DEF: 369 Elemental Mastery: 17 Crit Rate: 50.3% Crit DMG: 82.0% Energy Recharge: 104.7% |
|
|
|||
|
8 |
Lv. 88 C3 Wriothesley Lv. 88 R1 Cashflow Supervision |
|
Max HP: 21,471 ATK: 2,146 DEF: 893 Elemental Mastery: 105 Crit Rate: 47.1% Crit DMG: 192.5% Energy Recharge: 135.0% DMG Bonus: 46.6% |
|
|
|||
|
9 |
Lv. 90 C3 Wriothesley Lv. 90 R3 Cashflow Supervision |
|
Max HP: 21,682 ATK: 2,252 DEF: 905 Elemental Mastery: 105 Crit Rate: 48.1% Crit DMG: 192.5% Energy Recharge: 135.0% DMG Bonus: 46.6% |
|
|
Dialogue
Quest DescriptionAfter some time, you decide to return to the Palais Mermonia to check up on your Saurian friend.
- (Pass time)
- Paimon: It's been a few days. The ban on flying objects should be over by now.
- Paimon: Let's head over to the Palais Mermonia to see how Cacucu's doing!
- (Approach Cacucu, Kinich, Neuvillette, and Wriothesley)
- Paimon: Hey everyone, we're here!
- Cacucu: Oh, hey, my little dudes! Good morning!
Morning, little dude!- Paimon: Oh wow, Cacucu's learned a new greeting!
- Paimon: ...Is that good news or bad news, though?
- Wriothesley: Sorry, I did everything within my power. But so far, I've only managed to teach him how to say "good morning."
- Paimon: Wait, so that's all you've been up to this whole time!?
- Cacucu: Get outta here!
- I think that means "no."
- Paimon: Huh?
- Paimon: Okay, so good mornings aside, please tell Paimon, there's been some other progress too?
- Kinich: Of course. That's why I'm here.
- Kinich: Cacucu's not the only one that Mr. Wriothesley's been getting to talk. I'm referring, of course, to the convicts.
- Wriothesley: It was nothing. These guys weren't exactly tough nuts to crack.
- Paimon: So? What's the deal?
- Kinich: After racking their brains, they remembered speaking to an inconspicuous middle-aged man just as they were preparing to pack up and leave Natlan.
- Kinich: He was dressed in the manner of the Children of Echoes and carrying a box — plus, the description matches the one the gun was found in. All in all, he didn't look any different from your average Natlanese traveler.
- Kinich: Perhaps seeing that they were dressed as merchants, this man stopped for a chat, inquiring where their goods were headed and even asking if they could share a boat.
- Kinich: The smugglers were very cautious, though. They didn't tell him any specifics.
- Kinich: But all this happened before I crossed paths with them.
- Kinich: I happened to notice them as they were preparing to set sail. I thought they looked shady, so I snuck aboard, and ended up being carried along all the way to Fontaine...
- (A flashback begins)
- (During the flashback)
-
- (Kinich follows three people dressed like Children of Echoes members off a boat)
- Kanaka: Boss, do we know if those Fontainians will even like this stuff? What if we can't shift it...?
- Banolkax: ...And that's why we call you a rookie. It's all supply and demand, kid. Supply and demand! Natlan's foreign trade is just starting to lift off... There'll be a market for it, you'll see.
- Chajal: That's right. So stop giving the boss trouble, rookie. Just do your job and keep an eye on the goods.
- Kinich: (Are they merchants? Have they come to Fontaine to do business?)
- Kinich: (Scarred face, callused hands...)
- Kinich: (On closer inspection, the fabric looks worn at the knees and elbows, and his fingernails are dirty... Not exactly your typical merchant.)
- Kinich: (Could he have previously been a warrior, or even an adventurer?)
- Kinich: (Something feels off. I'd better sneak up and get a closer look.)
- (Stealth begins)
- (If the player gets caught)
-
- (If the player is caught by Chajal)
-
- Chajal: Who goes there?
- (If the player is caught by Banolkax)
-
- Banolkax: What was that sound?
- (If the player is caught by Kanaka)
-
- Kanaka: Who goes there?
- Kinich: (Tch...)
- You need to be more careful. Stay hidden, make use of distractions, and don't get caught this time...
- (Quest resets to step 4)
- (Approach Chajal and Banolkax without getting caught)
- Chajal: Hehe, nice thinking, boss. This tourist tub's been fast-going and smooth-sailing, plus no one's been asking us what we're up to.
- Banolkax: Hehe, that goes without saying. A big cargo ship would have been too slow, whereas the smaller ones would have been faster but way too bumpy.
- Banolkax: If we ended up damaging the goods by accident, all these months spent grafting away would have gone up in smoke.
- Kinich: (Seriously? But there's hardly anything here... Would it really have taken them months to prepare? And why would they need to transport it with such care?)
- Kinich: (Could they be secretly smuggling precious items out of Natlan...? I'll need to find a way to get to the bottom of this.)
- (Investigate the goods)[Note 1]
- Kinich: (Sure enough, there are relics inside the box... It's illegal to smuggle such items outside Natlan.)
- Kinich: (Let's go hear what these criminals have to say for themselves.)
- (Approach Kanaka and Chajal without getting caught)
- Chajal: Hey, why the long face? You're abroad on business, and you get to do some sightseeing while you're at it. Sounds like a pretty sweet deal to me. You'd better cheer me up, if you know what's good for you.
- Kanaka: Haha, I guess you're right... I was just worried I might have messed up with the packing, or that something's gonna go wrong along the way...
- Chajal: Oh, pull yourself together! Tons of foreign tourists come traveling to Fontaine. I bet their luggage is full of all kinds of weird stuff.
- Chajal: If someone insists on checking it all, just show 'em the purchase order we had drawn up.
- Chajal: Those Fontainians can't get enough of their legalese, so I've heard. They can look all they want.
- Kinich: (Aha, so their aim is to smuggle in contraband, after all.)
- (After the previous dialogue, Stealth ends)
- Kinich: (Looks like I've gathered enough intel about the smugglers and their contraband. Time to inform port security.)
- (Flashback ends)
- (After the flashback)
- Kinich: ...So anyway, that was when I went and told the Fontainian guards about my suspicions.
- Kinich: After an investigation and a chase, they finally apprehended them and sent them on their way.
- Paimon: Well, guess they're headed exactly where they should be!
- Good job, Kinich!
- Kinich: Thanks.
- Wriothesley: Based on your recollections just now...
- Kinich: *sigh* I was completely focused on those smugglers at the time, so I wasn't really paying attention to other passersby.
- That's only natural. Don't worry about it.
- Paimon: Yeah, Kinich, you did great!
- Wriothesley: In other words, the person who brought the gun here — the one who "lost" it — has no connection to the smugglers whatsoever. They were working entirely on their own.
- Cacucu: Oh dear! Oh dear!
- Wriothesley: Sounds like Mr. Cacucu wants to chime in?
- Neuvillette: He said this elusive individual's actions are positively mystifying.
- Wriothesley: It's a good observation. I quite agree.
- Wriothesley: However, we still know next to nothing about the person. Perhaps we should start by focusing on the "lost" item itself.
- (The Traveler enters Contemplation)
- About the suspicious aspects of this gun...
- (Interpret — It came from ancient Natlanese dragon ruins...)
- (Traveler): (This is a relic left behind by Natlan's ancient dragon civilization. It's a genuine antique, so it must be of great value.)
- (Interpret — A lost object that was picked up...)
- (Traveler): (A genuine treasure lost by the roadside, yet still it remains unreported and unclaimed...)
- (Interpret — The box was buried amidst junk...)
- (Traveler): (It doesn't seem like an accident. No, it's as if someone left it there on purpose...)
- (Unlocks entry — Bait?)
- (Interpret — Bait?)
- (Traveler): (Why would someone just leave such a valuable antique out in the middle of nowhere... Was the plan for someone to come pick it up?)
- (Submit the wrong conclusion)
- (Traveler): (That doesn't sound right... I need to think about this some more.)
- (Submit conclusion — Bait?)
- Kinich: It certainly seems like it was the bait in some kind of trap.
- Kinich: The only question is, why wasn't the bait made more conspicuous?
- Wriothesley: Hmm...
- Neuvillette: Has something... sprung to mind?
- Wriothesley: I just remembered a film I watched this one time.
- Paimon: Huh?
- Cacucu: Oh wow... No way, bro!
- Wriothesley: Hold on, let me explain...
- Wriothesley: Just now, (Traveler) speculated that this box might have been placed there on purpose, as if the intention was for someone to come pick it up. That got me thinking about those films about kidnapping cases.
- Wriothesley: When they demand their ransom, the kidnappers tell the victim's family to leave money or valuables at a designated spot for someone to come pick up.
- Neuvillette: That doesn't merely happen in films. There have been similar cases in real life.
- Neuvillette: In fact, if anything, it's probably the real-life events that inspired the films.
- Kinich: Mm, sounds plausible.
- Paimon: Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait... This raises the stakes to a whole new level...
- Paimon: If the gun really was some kind of ransom, then... since we took the box, the kidnappers never got their payment, so...
- Paimon: D—Does that mean they... executed the hostage?
- Paimon, stay calm.
- We haven't heard of any missing people.
- Wriothesley: I agree. I don't believe we have a kidnapping on our hands.
- Wriothesley: Selling off stolen goods is extra work that most kidnappers would want to avoid. Unless they're after something very specific, they tend to just ask for cash.
- Wriothesley: Could we be dealing with a kidnapper who's dead set on getting their hands on an ancient dragon handgun? It's not impossible, but the likelihood is very slim. We can discount that possibility for now.
- Wriothesley: And speaking of selling stolen goods... Don't you think this looks more like a transaction?
- (The Traveler enters Contemplation)
- About the transaction contents...
- (Interpret — About the seller...)
- (Traveler): (The gun was placed in a locked box and hidden away. Clearly, the seller wanted to keep their identity a secret.)
- (Interpret — About the buyer...)
- (Traveler): (After receiving the instructions, the buyer would have gone to the designated spot with the money to pick up the goods. To ensure they actually got paid, the seller would likely have been watching the buyer.)
- (Interpret — About the goods...)
- (Traveler): (Before the buyer could show up, Lepine-Pauline found the goods by chance while setting up the event venue.)
- (Unlock entry — About the incomplete transaction...)
- (Interpret — About the incomplete transaction...)
- (Traveler): (Due to the unexpected arrival of Film Fantasyland, the deal had to be called off.)
- (Submit the wrong conclusion)
- (Traveler): (That doesn't sound right... I need to think about this some more.)
- (Submit conclusion — About the incomplete transaction...)
- Kinich: So bottom line, this was an individual smuggler at work.
- Wriothesley: Exactly. And it was the location itself that caused the deal to fall through.
- Wriothesley: The last thing they would have expected was for a quiet beach to turn into a bustling film convention overnight.
- Wriothesley: Not only is the area now packed with tourists, but the Spina di Rosula have a presence there... I'll bet that both parties were completely caught off guard.
- Great job, Lepine-Pauline!
- Neuvillette: That sounds like a plausible theory, but how do we verify it?
- Wriothesley: Looks like your people better start rolling up their sleeves.
- Neuvillette: How so?
- Wriothesley: Easy. Just follow the usual procedure by putting up a lost-and-found notice.
- Wriothesley: The more routine we make it seem, the more likely the suspect will come forward to claim it. Even if they send a proxy, we're liable to get our hands on new leads.
- Wriothesley: And timing-wise... It's about time we updated the bulletin board anyway.
- Wriothesley: All we need now is a lucky Gestionnaire to write up the notice for us, post-haste.
- Neuvillette: Ah, so that's what you meant by "rolling up their sleeves"...
- Neuvillette: In that case, I may as well write it myself.
- Neuvillette: Delegating this to someone else would require an additional explanation...
- Wriothesley: Hah, or are you just not used to asking others to work overtime?
- Paimon: Is that really a major concern here!?
- Kinich: Well, looks like I won't be needed around here — at least until the notice has been posted.
- Wriothesley: You could always wait here if you like. The Palais Mermonia serves a particularly fine cup of tea, if that swings it for you.
- Kinich: Thanks, but no thanks. I left a very noisy creature with a friend before heading out, so I should probably get back to feed it.
- Wriothesley: Ah, I wasn't aware that you had a pet, Mr. Kinich.
- Wriothesley: Speaking of pets...
- Cacucu: Get outta here! Outta here!
- Wriothesley: Yep, that's the plan. Outta here, indeed.
- Neuvillette: I believe that what Wriothesley is trying to say is, you are free to leave, Mr. Cacucu.
- Neuvillette: Furthermore, it has been determined that Mr. Cacucu should not, in fact, be classified as a flying object. As such, he shall be free to move around Fontaine whenever he so pleases.
- Cacucu: You're the best, bro!
- Paimon: Oh, that really is good news! (Traveler), should we bring Cacucu back to Ifa and Ororon?
- Neuvillette: I shall leave him in your capable hands.
- No problem.
- Let's keep in touch.
- Neuvillette: Indeed.
- (Talk to Neuvillette or Wriothesley again, optional)
- Wriothesley: Ahh... Y'know, all this has made me realize that I'd quite like to have a pet.
- Neuvillette: If that proves inconvenient within the Fortress of Meropide, perhaps you should consider finding a place in the Court of Fontaine?
- Wriothesley: ...That actually sounds like a good idea.
- Wriothesley: In the past, I always dismissed the idea of buying a property in the city. The prophecy about the floods meant it never seemed like a worthwhile investment. But now...
- Neuvillette: This might be a good time for you to re-examine the documents I gave you regarding your title as Duke.
- Wriothesley: Huh?
- Neuvillette: Citizens with honorary titles are eligible for certain benefits when purchasing property in the Court of Fontaine.
- Wriothesley: Really?
- Neuvillette: How about this: You read through your documents from start to finish, while I write up the lost-and-found notice.
- (Approach Ajaw, Ifa, and Ororon)
-
- (The time turns to evening)
- Ororon: Ajaw.
- Ajaw: What? What now?
- Ororon: Let's shake hands.
- Ajaw: Fine by me. Get ready for a knuckle sandwich!
- (Ajaw tries to attack Ororon)
- Ororon: !
- Ifa: Whoa, nice dodge!
- Paimon: Uhh... Paimon feels strangely inclined to keep a safe distance...
- Cacucu: D'you miss me, bro?
- Ifa: Hahaha, Cacucu, you're free!
- Ajaw: Ugh, not you again! Nope, didn't miss you in the slightest!
- Ororon: Hey, (Gramps/
other Granny). - Ororon: And hey, Paimon and Kinich, it's good to see you all. Thanks for bringing Cacucu back.
- Ajaw: Get it away! Get it away from me!
- Cacucu: Nice to meet you, bro!
- Ajaw: Who are you calling "bro"!? Say that again, to my face! I dare you!
- Kinich: If you've got the energy to argue this much, you're clearly not hungry yet.
- Kinich: Let's go find something to eat, while Ajaw lives his best life.
- Sounds good to me.
- Ifa: Haha, poor Ajaw! He's spent all day being tormented by Ororon, only to discover that the suffering's just begun.
- Ororon: Ifa, as a Saurian vet, how can you just sit back and watch our little dragon-bro suffer?
- Ifa: Huh? How am I the bad guy?
- Cacucu: Do you even hear yourself?
- Paimon: Doesn't anyone wanna hear how Cacucu got out of jail?
- Amidst the racket, you briefly explain what happened with Cacucu to Ifa and Ororon.
- Hearing that Cacucu now has permission to move around freely, Ajaw's face goes even redder than before.
- Ororon: Don't lose hope, Ajaw.
- Ororon: By the same standard, you have freedom of movement now, too. You're still in the game.
- Ajaw: Same standard!? I will NOT be held to the same standard as that thing!
- Kinich: That's right — you won't. As far as I understand, the Palais Mermonia will want to assess your case on its own merits before they grant you freedom of movement.
- Cacucu: Hahahaha!
- Ajaw: Ugh... Where's that Saurian meat restaurant again? I'm gonna march that little pink balloon right into the kitchen...
- Ifa: Yeah... good luck with that, bro. You'll be putting your own neck on the line, too.
- Paimon: Also, there's no such restaurant!
- Kinich: Anyway, thanks for looking after Ajaw, guys. I'll take over from here.
- Ajaw: Why you...!
- One Cacucu delivered, as promised.
- Looks like we've managed to swap "saurians" too.
- Paimon: Between the two, Cacucu wins the cuteness competition hands down.
- Getting picky now, huh?
- Well, Paimon wins my cuteness competition.
- Paimon: Aww, really? Thanks!
- Paimon: ...Wait, who are the other contestants, though?
- (Talk to Cacucu, Ifa, or Ororon, optional)
- Ororon: So, now that our crew's back together again, what's our next move?
- Ororon: Oh! How about a game of rock paper scissors?
- Ifa: No chance! If I lose, we'll end up stuck in the room watching films all over again...
- Ororon: Nope. This time, we'll only watch a film if I lose instead.
- Ifa: Had enough too, huh?
- Cacucu: For real, now? C'mon, bro...
- Ifa: Can we just ditch this whole "leaving it all to chance" thing? Why don't we take our fate into our own hands?
- Ororon: Uhh... Aren't we doing that already? Rock paper scissors uses our hands...
- Cacucu: Hahahaha!
- Ifa: ...Dunno why you're laughing, you're stuck with paper every time!
- (Pass time)
- Paimon: The lost-and-found notice is up!
- Paimon: Maybe we should go hang around the Palais Mermonia to see if anyone shows up to claim it?
- (Approach Kinich, Neuvillette, and Wriothesley)
- Paimon: Huh... Looks like there were quite a few others with the same idea...
- Neuvillette: Hello, you two.
- Paimon: Have there been any developments?
- Paimon: ...Okay, guess not...
- Paimon: Well, the notice was only just posted. Guess it's pretty unlikely that someone would show up right a—
- ???: Special Patrol, open up!
- Paimon: Whaaa! Who's there? What's going on!?
- Paimon: Th—The Special Patrol...?
- Wriothesley: I don't think that's who this is.
- Someone's knocking at the door...
- Please, anything but the Special Patrol!
- Paimon: Hey, this isn't the time for silly jokes! Let's go check it out...
- A guard from the Palais Mermonia carefully opens the door, and a familiar figure walks in...
- Ororon: Good day, all. Gramps, grannies, aunts and uncles.
- Paimon: What in the Teyvat are you doing here, Ororon?
- Wriothesley: Oh, he must be the one you mentioned... Cacucu's owner?
- Paimon: One of his owners, kind of...
- Paimon: But... Bro, what are you doing here?
- Ororon: I'm here to claim a lost item.
- Can't tell if he's being deadpan, or deadly serious...
- Neuvillette: Is this... the person you saw on the boat, Mr. Kinich?
- Wriothesley: Somehow, I highly doubt that.
- Wriothesley: For starters, he just addressed us as "gramps and grannies." And unless this is the youngest-looking middle-aged man in the world, I don't think he's our guy.
- I apologize for my grandson bursting in like this...
- Ororon: Huh? Was there... something wrong with my door-knocking etiquette? Hmm, that's how they do it in all the films...
- Paimon: That's not door-knocking etiquette... That's the Special Security and Surveillance Patrol doing their job. Completely different things.
- Ororon: Oh, I see... I figured it was just a polite way of requesting entry, to show the people inside you had something important to discuss.
- Ororon: Oh, sorry about that, I totally goofed that one up. Gimme a moment, I'll go back out and try again...
- No need...
- Let's just get down to business...
- Kinich: Ahem... So, Ororon, you said you were here to claim a lost item. What did you lose?
- Ororon: Yeah, so basically...
- Ororon carefully describes the lost item he's come to claim. From the style of the box to the gun itself, everything matches.
- Paimon: For real, now? C'mon, bro...
- Is arresting my dear grandson what it's come to...?
- Paimon: Ororon, be honest now — were you the one who lost this?
- Ororon: No, it belongs to a friend.
- Paimon: So it belongs to Ifa?
- Ororon: Of course not, Ifa has his own gun.
- Paimon: Uhh...
- Ororon, tell us the truth.
- Otherwise, we're gonna have to arrest you for real.
- Ororon: Alright then... Ugh, I knew this wouldn't go well.
- Ororon: So here's what went down... This morning, Ifa and I were playing rock paper scissors. Before long, he'd lost — as he usually does — so we figured we'd head out and visit some of the Court of Fontaine's famous landmarks.
- Ororon: When we got near the plaza, a man suddenly stopped us to ask for help.
- Ororon: He said that he had lost something, and that someone had found it and sent it over to the Palais Mermonia.
- Ororon: But apparently he used to work here, and was worried it'd be awkward bumping into his old coworkers, so he asked us to pretend to be the owners and claim it on his behalf.
- Paimon: You didn't manage to keep that pretense up for long...
- Ororon: It's fine. I'm not the one who feels awkward, anyway.
- Wriothesley: So, a former employee of the Palais Mermonia? ...Was this individual a Fontaine native?
- Ororon: Yes, at least I assumed so. He looked like a well-dressed gentleman to me.
- Ororon: We were about to refuse, but he was so polite...
- Kinich: Could it have been a disguise?
- Paimon: Oh, oh no... Ororon, Paimon thinks you've been tricked. This person might be in cahoots with the bad guys...
- Paimon: Maybe he already took off and escaped, as soon as your mission went pear-shaped!
- Ororon: No way, I'm not that dumb.
- Paimon: Huh?
- Ororon: He's not going anywhere. Ifa and Cacucu are keeping an eye on him over at the plaza.
- Wriothesley: "Keeping an eye on him." I like the sound of that...
- Nicely done, bro.
- Paimon: In that case, let's hurry over to where Ifa is!
- Paimon: Time to catch that con man and find out what's really going on here.
- Wriothesley: Wait a minute, I have a question first.
- Wriothesley: (Traveler), Paimon, you're pretty famous in Natlan, right?
- Paimon: We're basically household names! But why do you ask?
- Well, it's not just us...
- Kinich, Ororon, and Ifa too...
- Wriothesley: Ha...
- Kinich: Would that... be a problem?
- Wriothesley: Remember when I said that the seller might be watching in secret?
- Neuvillette: If so, then picking Ororon to do their dirty work was a careless mistake on their part.
- Wriothesley: It suggests that the person who got Ororon to claim the item might not be fully in the know themselves.
- Wriothesley: ...There are plenty of unanswered questions, but standing around racking our brains won't help.
- Wriothesley: However, I still suggest that the famous faces among us, meaning (Traveler) and Kinich — oh, and of course, Monsieur Neuvillette too — stay here for the time being.
- Wriothesley: We'll empty the box, give it to Ororon, and then he can claim the item as if nothing happened.
- Wriothesley: I'll follow to check if anyone is watching.
- Wriothesley: I doubt anyone would recognize me anyway, so I shouldn't draw too much attention.
- Being low-key has its advantages.
- Neuvillette: I think this plan is worth a try. I shall leave it to the pair of you.
- Ororon: So I have to go undercover again, right...?
- Wriothesley: Well, not exactly undercover. Just drop the Special Patrol persona and... be yourself instead.
- Ororon: Roger that. Over and out.
- (After the cutscene, the player plays as Wriothesley)
- Wriothesley: (No sign of any suspicious individuals around here...)
- Wriothesley: (Ororon has entered the elevator as planned. I'll head over to the plaza now.)
- (Approach the elevator, optional)
- Wriothesley: (Ororon's taking the elevator. I should take a different route to the plaza.)
- (Interact with the elevator, optional)
-
- (Ororon's using the elevator right now. Doesn't look like we can squeeze in there with him.)
- (If Wriothesley walks out of the area, optional)
- Wriothesley: (This isn't the way that Ororon said. Am I getting too old to remember directions...?)
- (Quest resets to step 11)
- (Approach the plaza)
-
- (Cacucu is seen chasing Argenteau)
- Wriothesley: (Nothing suspicious going on here either...)
- Wriothesley: (Strange... Maybe we're overthinking this?)
- (Cacucu repeatedly pecks Argenteau)
- Cacucu: Oh dear! Oh dear!
- Argenteau: Stop with the pecking... Stop with the pecking!
- Argenteau: Please, sir, I'm begging you! Do me a favor and... get this pet of yours under control!
- (Cacucu gets fired up)
- Cacucu: The heck are you on about?
- Ifa: Sorry, but he's not my pet — he's my coworker.
- Ifa: And I should warn you, he's not too happy with how you're talking about him...
- Argenteau: What the!? This thing has a JOB? So in Natlan, they just dish out jobs to any old thing?
- Ororon: Uh-oh, Cacucu's not too big on being called a "thing" either... You're on your own now.
- Argenteau: I'm sorry, I'm sorry! Please, Mr. Cacucu! Master Cacucu, Lord Cacucu! I meant no offense, I promise!
- Ororon: Alright, Cacucu, that'll do for now. Let me ask him some questions first.
- Cacucu: Sure thing, bro!
- Wriothesley: (Ororon actually looks pretty serious this time. Was he just pretending to be clueless earlier?)
- Wriothesley: (Interesting... Think I'll sit back and see how this plays out.)
- Ifa: You actually got it? Wow, didn't think it would be that easy...
- Argenteau: Ah, excellent! Looks like sending you was the right approach after all!
- Ifa: "After all"?
- Argenteau: Uh... I mean, because the staff at the Palais Mermonia don't recognize you, right... Haha...
- Ororon: So I got it, but I don't remember promising I'd hand it over.
- Argenteau: Huh?
- (Ororon sits on the box)
- Ororon: This thing's pretty cool. I've taken a bit of a liking to it.
- Ifa: ...
- Wriothesley: (?)
- Argenteau: Please don't do this, my good sir, my master, my lord! My very life hangs in the balance...
- Wriothesley: (His life hangs in the balance...?)
- Ororon: If this means so much to you... what are you gonna offer me in return?
- Ifa: ...Are you trying to get him to say "my life"?
- Ororon: Uhh... How'd you know that?
- Ifa: Because I watched that film with you!
- Ifa: You should drop the act. We don't want a real misunderstanding on our hands.
- Ororon: ...You're probably right. But honestly, I don't know what else to say.
- (Ororon turns to Wriothesley)
- Ororon: Sorry, this is the most "myself" I can be. Is that enough?
- Wriothesley: Enough. More than enough.
- Ifa: Uh, who's this dude...?
- Wriothesley: Just think of me as a staff member from the Palais Mermonia.
- Wriothesley: Now, if you don't mind, I have some questions for this gentleman about that "life-or-death" treasure you were just discussing... Truthful answers appreciated, of course.
- Argenteau: Oh no, I'm toast now...
- Wriothesley: What's that supposed to mean? You don't think the Palais Mermonia has the ability to protect our citizens?
- Argenteau: No, no! I mean, yes, of course they do! I, uh... P—Please, ask away...
- Wriothesley: I could do that. But I'd rather you just tell the whole story, from the beginning.
- Argenteau: *sigh*... I suppose I only have myself to blame. Such a rare antique, I couldn't resist...
- Argenteau: I'm a collector of antiques — nothing excites me more than rare old relics. And to be completely honest... if someone's selling, I'm buying. I don't care to ask where they sourced their goods...
- Argenteau: As for the seller of this particular item... Well, I've never met him in person.
- Argenteau: We've had some prior dealings, but always under the cover of coded ads in some shady tabloids — lost-and-found notices, missing person ads, that sort of thing.
- Argenteau: As long as I took care to hide a time and place somewhere within the text, then slipped some Mora into the envelope before submitting the ad, it would get published. And that was that — no fuss, no trace. Simple, right?
- Argenteau: Normally, everything goes off without a hitch. But this time, I arrive at the pickup spot expecting a discreet in and out, and instead, I find a whole construction crew at work!
- Argenteau: That was not what we'd agreed! But I couldn't just let it go, so I reached out to him again, the same way as usual.
- Argenteau: He replied, and do you know what he said? He told me that the item's now in the Palais Mermonia!
- Wriothesley: Well, he wasn't lying about that.
- Argenteau: He insisted that it would be "inconvenient" for him to make an appearance himself, but said that if I could somehow find a way to retrieve it from the Palais, he'd give me a discount on the price...
- Argenteau: Of course, it wasn't the discount that swung it! Do I look like I'm strapped for cash?
- Ifa: Feeling smug now, are we?
- Cacucu: Feeling smug now, are we?
- Argenteau: No, no... Please, go easy on me!
- Wriothesley: Go on.
- Argenteau: Ah, where was I... Well anyway, I thought to myself, seeing as the item itself came from Natlan, it would make more sense if I could find someone from there to go retrieve it.
- Argenteau: And by a stroke of complete and utter coincidence, I just so happened to see these two young folks wandering around, so I...
- Argenteau: *sigh* I'm so very sorry, I underestimated the pair of you!
- Wriothesley: I need you to clear something up for me. You haven't paid the seller yet, correct? And yet, he told you to collect the item from the Palais Mermonia. Was he not worried that you'd just split afterwards?
- Argenteau: Well... To be honest, though I can't claim to know him very well, he on the other hand seems to know my name and where I live...
- Argenteau: Besides, this is a guy who managed to get his hands on an ancient Natlanese weapon. That's probably not the kind of person I want to double-cross...
- Wriothesley: Fair. That makes sense.
- Wriothesley: So, Mr...
- Argenteau: Uh... Please, uh, just call me Argenteau.
- Wriothesley: Alright, Mr. Argenteau, listen very carefully to what I'm about to say. It will determine how much of the rest of your life you'll be spending beneath the waves.
- Ororon: What does he mean? Is he gonna drown him, just like they do in those gangster films?
- Ororon: ...Oh, I get it! He's talking about that place at the bottom of the Fontainian sea...
- Ifa: Shh, can it!
- Wriothesley: Owing to your suspected involvement in the illicit trade of Natlanese relics, you're now one of the suspects in an international smuggling case.
- Wriothesley: A trip to the Opera Epiclese seems unavoidable at this stage, but on the bright side, you still have one chance to make things right.
- Argenteau: Okay... D—Do I really? Please, tell me what to do.
- Wriothesley: It's very simple. Just reach out to your seller in the same way as usual, arrange to meet, bring the money, and make the deal. Just be sure to let me know all the details — I'm talking time, place, the whole lot.
- Wriothesley: If we can catch the other party by doing this, you'll have gone some way toward redeeming yourself. Understand?
- Argenteau: Oh... I see! I—I understand! You shall have my full and unadulterated cooperation!
- Wriothesley: Good. Don't break the law, and don't even think about making a run for it. The Palais Mermonia will be watching you and ensuring your safety.
- Wriothesley: Alright, take the box, but leave your ID and other documents behind. You can go now.
- Wriothesley: As for you two...
- Wriothesley: *sigh* Protocol dictates that I should take you both back to the Palais and have you sign a confidentiality agreement... But that would take a lot of time and effort.
- Cacucu: Such a hassle, bro!
- Wriothesley: See, Mr. Cacucu knows exactly where I'm coming from.
- Wriothesley: So I was thinking, since you're all friends of (Traveler)...
- Ifa: I understand, Sir. We got dragged into this by accident, and it has diddly-squat to do with us.
- Ifa: Out of respect for (Traveler), we won't say another word.
- Ororon: Ohhh, I know this part — we'd better keep our mouths shut, or we'll both be sleeping with the fishes in a tailor-made pair o' cement shoes.
- Ororon: In that case, I understand completely.
- Wriothesley: ...Not exactly what I was going for, but if that's how you want to understand it, then be my guest.
- Wriothesley: Mm, then it's settled. Thanks for your help.
- Wriothesley: (Boy, am I glad that's over. That's enough work for one day... Time to head back!)
- (In the Palais Mermonia)
- Paimon: Ah, Wriothesley's back!
- Paimon: Judging by your expression, it must be good news, huh?
- Wriothesley: It went smoothly, on the whole.
- Wriothesley recounts what happened.
- It all makes perfect sense, but somehow it feels like Wriothesley has glossed over a lot of the "bro" talk...
- Kinich: So basically, we hold off until Argenteau and the other party have set up the next stage of the transaction, then we plan our next move.
- Wriothesley: Patience will be key.
- Kinich: I get that, it's like hunting. I'm just not sure the other party will take the bait so easily.
- Wriothesley: Hehe, well... If he didn't need the money, or if he valued self-preservation over making a profit, he could have walked away as soon as the contraband was brought to the Palais Mermonia.
- Wriothesley: On top of that — although he hasn't shown his face yet, he seems to have no followers or accomplices, and he's relying on an extremely limited set of options to push the deal along.
- Wriothesley: So, if you ask me, he seems like someone who cares a lot about his image and has a somewhat high opinion of himself, but lacks any real ability. I almost get the feeling that if he misses out on this opportunity, he won't have any other way of making money.
- Wriothesley: His every move is like a spin of the roulette wheel, hoping that the ball will land exactly where he wants it to.
- Kinich: ...
- Wriothesley: ...Or, ugh, I dunno.
- Wriothesley: Maybe he'll cut his losses and vanish into thin air, and our efforts will have been in vain.
- Wriothesley: At least Natlan will get the stolen relic back, so it won't have been for nothing.
- Kinich: In that case, let's hope his arrogance stays in play.
- Neuvillette: Everyone, I have just briefed the Marechaussee Phantom on the situation. As soon as there are any further developments, we will act without delay.
- Neuvillette: When that time comes, we will be relying on your help.
- Leave it to us.
- Paimon: We'll be waiting for the good news!
Post-Quest Dialogue
After completing this quest, Ifa, Ororon, Kinich, Ajaw, Wriothesley, Neuvillette and Cacucu's open-world dialogue is updated.
Wriothesley and Neuvillette
- (Talk to Wriothesley and Neuvillette at the Palais Mermonia)
- Wriothesley: On the topic of kidnapping cases...
- Neuvillette: Hm?
- Wriothesley: How exactly do we define the subject of a kidnapping? According to the regulations, I mean.
- Wriothesley: Aside from humans, do pets count? What about sentient non-human beings?
- Wriothesley: Of course, Melusines go without saying, but what about a being like Cacucu?
- Neuvillette: I am surprised that you're unfamiliar with the legal provisions on this matter.
- Wriothesley: Haha, if I knew all the laws like the back of my hand, I wouldn't have ended up in the Fortress of Meropide, would I?
- Neuvillette: ...That is no laughing matter, Wriothesley.
Wriothesley and Neuvillette's Location
Additional Context
Kinich and Ajaw
- (Talk to Kinich and Ajaw in front of the Palais Mermonia)
- Ajaw: ...
- Kinich: ...
- Ajaw: ...
- Kinich: Come on, just spit it out. I can tell you're itching to say something.
- Ajaw: Ahahaha! Kinich, you big dummy, you fell for it, huh?
- Ajaw: Nooo, what's wrong, feeling lonely without the Almighty Dragonlord to talk to?
- Ajaw: If a bedtime story's what you're after, just say so! I'll tell you one so bone-chilling you won't be able to sleep for three nights straight!
- Kinich: Sure, go ahead.
- Ajaw: Huh? What do you mean "go ahead"? You pretending to be a tough guy, now?
- Kinich: Maybe, maybe not. But one thing's for sure — if I don't sleep, neither do you.
Kinich and Ajaw's Location
Additional Context
Ifa, Ororon, and Cacucu
- (Talk to Ifa, Ororon, and Cacucu at Chevalmarin Film Fantasyland)
- Ororon: ♪~
- Ifa: In a good mood, I see?
- Ororon: Yep! Seeing my dear vegetables all settled in right where they belong brings me great joy.
- Ifa: You sound like a proud parent. I'm happy for you, bro.
- Ifa: But given how "where they belong" is the inside of a cooking pot... that kind of fills me with dread at the same time.
- Cacucu: Nice to meet you, bro!
- Ifa: The heck are you on about? Does this really seem like a good time for "nice to meet you"?
- Ororon: I guess he's referring to the "meeting" of the vegetables and the pot.
- Cacucu: You got it, bro!
- Ifa: ...
- Ifa: Honestly, right now, I'm not sure if I should be worrying about your definition of "nice to meet you," or investigating whether you and Cacucu share some kind of telepathic bond...
Ifa, Ororon, and Cacucu's Location
Additional Context
Soundtracks
| No. | Soundtrack Name | Album | Played In |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16 | Cakes and Ale for the Exiled | Fountain of Belleau | A Series of Twists and Turns, Should We Meet Again (Quest) Locations, Event Gameplay |
| 26 | Searching for Clues | Fountain of Belleau | When All Return to the Waters, Into the Deepwater Murk, Lost in Deep Seas (cutscene), Top Note: Floral Debt, Middle Note: Blood Due, A Series of Twists and Turns, One There Was, Who Hunted the Moon, Where Our Space and Time Intersect, For a Reunion Without Tears Locations |
Trivia
- During steps 4–6, Angoulvant can be seen on the boat behind Kinich's initial location.
Notes
- ↑ The audio for these two lines are swapped in-game.
Other Languages
| Language | Official Name | Literal Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| English | A Series of Twists and Turns | — |
| Chinese (Simplified) | 一波三折的辗转 | |
| Chinese (Traditional) | 一波三折的輾轉 | |
| Japanese | 波乱万丈の展開 Haran Banjou no Tenkai | Progression of Twists and Turns |
| Korean | 한바탕 우여곡절 Hanbatang Uyeogokjeol | A Bout of Twists and Turns |
| Spanish | Vueltas y más vueltas | Round and Round |
| French | Une série de rebondissements | A Series of Twists |
| Russian | Серия поворотов Seriya povorotov | |
| Thai | เรื่องราวพลิกผันที่มากมาย | |
| Vietnamese | Tập Phim Nhiều Bước Ngoặt | An Episode With Many Twists |
| German | Eine Wendung nach der anderen | One Twist After Another |
| Indonesian | Penuh Lika dan Liku | |
| Portuguese | Uma Série de Reviravoltas | |
| Turkish | Bir Dizi Dolambaçlı Olay | |
| Italian | Una serie di colpi di scena | A Series of Plot Twists |
Change History
Released in Version 5.6