After the Blood Moon Fades/Story/On the Other Side of Sapphire

(TBA)

Script

Transcluded Script

This section contains story script that was transcluded from the game with the help of OCR tools to avoid human-made mistakes as much as possible. Generally speaking, it shouldn't be altered unless the in-game equivalent has been changed. Any typos or other errors that are also present in the game are to be retained on the wiki but can be marked via {{sic}}.

Chinese and Japanese romanizations and translations, if present, are unofficial.

Last updated: July 23, 2024

Characters Present

Delicate Youth

Frail Man

Captain

Sirin

Bronie

Rita

Himeko

Start

✦

See that? The clock is in the factory, but...

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✦

But we can't get in. Ugh, the factory's gate has been locked with a huge, old fashioned lock too.

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Delicate Youth

✦

H-H-Hey! What are you guys trying to do!

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Frail Man

✦

Restricted factory, authorized personnel only!

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Captain

✦

Um, your boss sent us to pick up a delivery. Did he not tell you about it?

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Frail Man

✦

Is... is that so?

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Frail Man

✦

Maybe, but I'm just a temp... Fine, if you need the key, go over there and ask.

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Frail Man

✦

The administrator of this warehouse also oversees that mountain forest, so he should have all the keys you need.

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Captain

✦

Alright, we'll go find him. Thank you.

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Sirin

✦

You're quite the storyteller, eh?

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Captain

✦

Why thank you for the praise.

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Bronie

✦

Let's go. When we get to the admnistrator, you'll do the talking.

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💬

Investigate

Sirin

✦

What's going on? The fog ahead is too thick to pass, and I don't see any forest.

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Sirin

✦

Something's not right... This fog is fluctuating like magic.

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Bronie

✦

Oh? You're saying this fog might be one of Sapphire's anomalies?

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Sirin

✦

I don't know why we're led here, but my guys tells me to stay out of it.

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Captain

✦

In other words, we... are deceived.

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Rita

✦

I suggest we return and confront him.

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Bronie

✦

You don't say! Let's go ask why he tricked us to this place!

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Delicate Youth

✦

I didn't expect anyone to come so far, I can't let others near the warehouse! Better hide the key.

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✦

Chase after him!

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Delicate Youth

✦

Ah, We've been discovered, gotta run!

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Delicate Youth

✦

Guards! Stop those people!

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✦

After them!

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Bronie

✦

Got you!

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Frail Man

✦

Don't hit me, please! Ouch, that hurts! I surrender, can't I surrender?

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Bronie

✦

What are you talking about? I haven't even touched you.

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Frail Man

✦

I apologize for misleading you... Look, here's the key... Catch!

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Sirin

✦

Hey! Don't throw the key all of a sudden! Hey, stop!

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Bronie

✦

What an escape, I'll give him that. He's a sly one.

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Himeko

✦

Anyway, we go the key. With it, we can unlock the factory gate. Let's proceed, Captain.

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💬

Investigate

Bronie

✦

How intriguing! This is a finely crafted piece, just not very good at doing its job.

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Sirin

✦

Look, it runs slower that regular clocks.

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✦

A colossal pendulum clock stood before me. However, its pendulum, which should be swinging back and forth with ease, was swinging sluggishly, as if being held back by some unseen force.

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Himeko

✦

Do not be fooled by the pendulum clock's slow pace at night. It spins much faster than you think at day-night transitions.

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Captain

✦

Rapid day-night transitions, prolonged nights like this... Are these all dictated by the time displayed on its dial?

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Himeko

✦

Impressive. With so little information, you were able to guess what I'm about to say.

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Captain

✦

In a general sense, clocks serve as metaphors for our comprehension of time. However, in Sapphire, time is subject to the hands on the pendulum clocks. This is what "pendulum clocks control time loops" means.

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Himeko

✦

Yes, when the hour hand points to six for the second time, looping day will start again.

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Bronie

✦

Yes, for someone aware of being trapped inside a perpetual loop, living through the same day over and over again must be hella tedious.

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Himeko

✦

That's why I've made numerous attempts to break the loop, unfortunately...

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Himeko

✦

I tried to tell others that "we're all living in a world that repeats itself" just like you did. And the result is... what you saw.

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Himeko

✦

Informing familiar colleagues, shouting on the streets, throwing flyers like crazy-I've lost track of the number and manner of my attempts. But once the loop restarts, it's like none of that ever happened.

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Himeko

✦

... Like all the efforts I made never existed at all.

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Captain

✦

...

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✦

I've seen Himeko angry, vigilant, teasing, and even talking drunk on the rooftop. Yet I've never seen her gutted like this.

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✦

Time and time again, I made futile attempts. I pursued relentlessly, only to witness tragedy unfold before me.

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✦

Denial, disappointment, and denial again, is my going in circles in a tragedy not a loop itself?

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Captain

✦

Himeko...

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Himeko

✦

Yes?

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Captain

✦

N-Nothing. So what happened next? Regarding this pendulum clock, what are your thoughts?

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Himeko

✦

Ever since I realized the connection between these pendulum clocks and Sapphire's loop, I've been searching for ways to stop it. As you know, they all failed.

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Himeko

✦

After so many loops, this is the first time I'm standing before the pendulum clock.

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Himeko

✦

Each attempt I made to approach the pendulum clock was disrupted by monsters that appear out of nowhere. They remind me of insistent suitors.

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Captain

✦

Yeah, the insistent type's not for you.

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Himeko

✦

Hah, then do you know any eligible guys to introduce to me?

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Captain

✦

...

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✦

"Hey, when this is all over... I will need you to find a good man for me." I don't know why, but that line from Himeko popped into my mind.

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✦

On that summer night of beer and breeze, I brushed it off as her tipsy joke. Little did I know that she was referring to a tomorrow that would never come.

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Himeko

✦

Hey, hey, why did you suddenly space out? D-don't tell me you find it difficult to find a nice guy for me?

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Captain

✦

Of course not! I promise to find the perfect guy for you. If you have any requests, just let me know!

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Himeko

✦

Haha, you're certainly taking my joke to heart. But don't do it in this city that keeps resetting memories, or my date would start with a self-introductions every day!

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✦

Seeing Himeko join in on the joke, a sense of relief washed over me. Despite no longer residing in her memories, my hope that she would forever be the enthusiastic and candid police volunteer remained unchanged.

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Captain

✦

I assure you that the matter is in good hands, Himeko... There's strength in numbers. We've already reached the first pendulum clock, and I'm confident that we'll soon crack the loop!

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Himeko

✦

Absolutely, compared to investigating solo and fretting about being jumped by monsters, your involvement already marks a breakthrough!

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Himeko

✦

Time is of the essence. After I climb onto the pendulum clock, if any monsters appear, make sure to guard my back, alright?

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Himeko

✦

Wait, on second thought... you should go instead. I have more experience dealing with monsters, after all.

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Bronie

✦

No need for all that trouble, Miss Himeko. Tracker, it's time to shine!

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✦

In response, the drone emitting a soft blue glow swiftly flew to the top of the pendulum clock and began to scan. In the mean time, we huddled around Bronie's holo screen to observe the progress.

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Sirin

✦

I can't see clearly. Bronie, move it closer.

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Bronie

✦

It is clear. Oh, you're not having trouble understanding, are you? Don't worry, little Sirin, I'll teach you!

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Sirin

✦

...

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Bronie

✦

Look, this is the escapement, and this is the mainspring that powers the pendulum. I'll have the Tracker fly closer for a better look of the structure. How do you like it? Is it much clearer now?

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✦

Click-

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✦

The instant the sound was made, the colossal pendulum clock in front of me abruptly stopped, and the boundless night outside the window was instant;y bathed in twilight as it should.

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✦

However, in a matter of seconds, the pendulum clock resumed its ponderous sway, and the afterglow dissolved into the thick night. I could hardly believe my eyes.

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Himeko

✦

Did the pendulum clock actually stop?!

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Bronie

✦

Wow, Sirin, your magic has become so impressive! You should keep up the good work and shut down the clock!

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Sirin

✦

That wasn't me! I just tried, and my magic is completely... ineffective against this bizarre pendulum clock.

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✦

I looked at Bronie's holo screen, trying to figure out what happened.

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Captain

✦

It seems there's a jammer resembling a data barrier outside the pendulum clock's driver, which caused Tracker's scanning signal to impact the pendulum clock's operation.

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Bronie

✦

Is that so? Let me check...

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Bronie

✦

Ha, how fascinating! Who would have thought I'd get to work on such an antique? I'm almost moved to tears.

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Rita

✦

Alright then, we'll leave the task of hacking into the pendulum clock's data barrier to you, Miss Bronie.

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Bronie

✦

Well, well, you've finally decided to chime in, Miss Rosemary. I was beginning to wonder if Sirin had cast some sort of silencing spell on you.

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Sirin

✦

I'm not that bored, you know! And if I were to use that spell... I'd definitely use it on you first!

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Bronie

✦

That's not gonna work, little Sirin.

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Captain

✦

Bronie, how long will it take to hack into the pendulum clock?

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Bronie

✦

It won't take much time. After all, I am the No.1 hacker. But of course, if you're willing to offer a more generous reward, it might be even faster!

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✦

Bronie winked at me, then started tapping on the screen while humming a tune.

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✦

I scanned my surroundings, searching for any indicators of potential monster attacks. Yet, at present, an unsettling tranquility pervaded-so tranquil, it was also incredulous.

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Captain

✦

(Himeko mentioned that once the pendulum clock detected anomalies, monsters would emerge. Despite Bronie's Trackers guarding the perimeter of the factory, caution is still advised.)

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Captain

✦

(However, what concerns me more is-)

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Rita

✦

You seem to have something to speak to me.

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Captain

✦

Urm, it's just that I expect the usual Rita to provide some advice or insights, but today you're unusually quiet.

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Rita

✦

Hehe... In my view, everyone's efforts are commendable. As for you, Captain, you don't require my counsel at the moment. You simply need to trust your own instincts.

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Rita

✦

However, besides these concerns, it seems we now have a tougher challenge at hand. Some uninvited guests have breached Miss Bronie's security blockade.

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✦

*thud*

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✦

Chaotic and ominous footsteps reached my ears, prompting me instinctively glance out of the factory windows-sure enough, in the moonlight, the monsters have surrounded us.

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Captain

✦

They're here.

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Sirin

✦

Bronie, take position behind me quickly!

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Bronie

✦

Haha, that's so sweet of you, Sirin! While I work in the hacking, I'll leave the task of protecting me in your capable hands!

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✦

Sapphire: Defense Device

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✦

Bronie is hacking the device. Stop the monster that suddenly appeared from interrupting Bronie. If the monster interrupts her 3 times, the hacking will fail.

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✦

Bronie is hacking the device...

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✦

A monster is coming, don't let it affect Bronie's progress.

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Bronie

✦

25% completed.

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Bronie

✦

50% completed.

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Bronie

✦

75% completed.

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Bronie

✦

Completed!

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✦

*click*

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Bronie

✦

Mission accomplished! Time to wrap things up! Hmm, perhaps it's more like a break?

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Captain

✦

Is everybody alright?

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Himeko

✦

No worries, I've become accustomed to this a long time ago.

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Captain

✦

They've retreated for now. Is it because the pendulum clock was damaged?

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Himeko

✦

It seems the malfunctioning pendulum clock has lost its value for them to protect. But has the loop been terminated?

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✦

Gazing at the daunting darkness outside, I shook my head while holding the timer in my hand.

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Captain

✦

Clearly, we're still caught in the loop. Based on the way it was in Sapphire, the current sky shouldn't be as deep into the night.

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Himeko

✦

The way it was in Sapphire? Sounds like you've been here for a long time.

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Captain

✦

Uh, in fact, I've gone through a lot of intel beforehand! Himeko, you mentioned that Sapphire has a total of three pendulum clocks, correct?

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Himeko

✦

Ah, yes... So, are you implying that unless we completely destroy the three pendulum clocks, the loop of Sapphire won't come to a stop?

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Bronie

✦

Bingo! I've just found that these pendulum clocks are seemingly interconnected by some force. Destroying one of them is not enough to completely shut down the loop.

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Bronie

✦

However, this triple safeguard is, for me, just child's play.

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Sirin

✦

Then what are we waiting for? Let's proceed and shut down all the remaining ones.

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Captain

✦

Himeko, do you know the locations of the other pendulum clocks?

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Himeko

✦

Well... truth be told, I couldn't have found there are three of them if not for the chimes.

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Himeko

✦

As for the other two, I can only rely on the hourly chimes to gauge their approximate locations. Whenever I attempt to pinpoint their exact positions, those troublesome monsters always get in my way.

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Rita

✦

Is it because those two pendulum clocks are situated relatively far away from your initial routine within the loop?

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Himeko

✦

Probably so. Within this loop of Sapphire, when things deviate too far from their original trajectories, they will be hunted by those monsters. It's almost like correction mechanism.

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Himeko

✦

If that's the case...

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Captain

✦

Huh?

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Himeko

✦

I probably can't continue the journey ahead with you.

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Captain

✦

Why?

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Himeko

✦

If my deviation from my original path would attract monsters, then as we head out to locate the other two clocks, my presence might lead us to even more monsters...

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Rita

✦

However, without you as our guide, you'd still be worried for us if we go straight ahead to break the pendulum clocks which draw monsters, wouldn't you?

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Rita

✦

Besides, when it comes to dealing with those monsters, aren't you the most experienced and proficient one here?

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Captain

✦

Let's go together, Himeko. Unraveling the loop has long been your wish, hasn't it?

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Himeko

✦

My wish...

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Himeko

✦

You're right, for without breaking the loop, that unresolved case will forever remain an enigma, untouched by resolution.

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Captain

✦

Now that's the responsible vigilante I know.

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Himeko

✦

... Not anymore.

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Captain

✦

What did you say?

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Himeko

✦

Nothing... Let's head to the second pendulum clock now.

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✦

*beep*

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✦

The alert from Bronie's screen interrupted our conversation.

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Sirin

✦

W-What's that sound?!

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Bronie

✦

Don't be afraid, little Sirin. It's just the alert of my Trackers.

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Sirin

✦

Have they spotted any monsters?

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Bronie

✦

Uh, it appears there's a bit of a snag in the program. Let me check... Hmm, it's not a difficult issue, but it still requires a bit of time to pinpoint the problem. It would be nice if there's a spot to recharge, you know.

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Sirin

✦

And then perhaps a chilled drink to go along with it?

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Bronie

✦

Yep!

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Himeko

✦

By the way, my place is nearby. If you don't mind, you can come over for a visit or something.

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Rita

✦

Well, this does appear to be the most plausible approach.

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Captain

✦

Well then, guess we'll have to trouble you, Himeko.

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Himeko

✦

Haha, you're so welcome! After all, you've helped me more than enough!

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✦

Bronie rejoins the team.

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End