Regarding the Pain of Others
Last updated 2026-09-07
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Regarding the Pain of Others is a Trailblaze Mission in the chapter To Roll the Stars in Astropolis.
Steps
- Head to Astropolis and continue the adventure
- Talk to Owlbert
- Follow Owlbert to meet Jade
- Head to the hotel terrace
- Talk to Jade
- Leave the hotel terrace
- Meet with the field specialist
- Talk to Skott
- Head to the Upside-Down Restaurant
- Check out where Skott went
- (Optional) Continue waiting for Skott and take a casual stroll through the Upside-Down Restaurant
- (Optional) Talk to Asta
- Meet with March 7th
- Go help out March 7th
- Talk to Lighthouse
- Head to the ferry station and purchase a boarding pass to Lodestar Tower, then proceed to the office arranged by Jade
- (Optional) Gaze at Lodestar Tower from the observation deck
- (Optional) Examine the poster
- Wait for the shuttle
- (Optional) Eavesdrop on the staff waiting for the shuttle
- Take the shuttle to Lodestar Tower
Dialogue
Head to Astropolis and continue the adventure
Mission DescriptionAs per Pearl's arrangements, Jade is in Astropolis waiting for the Astral Express to arrive, having already coordinated the resettlement of refugees and related matters ahead of time.
A staff member from Astropolis, acting on Jade's request, has come to welcome the Crew.
Tooltip for 18px|link=ⓘ Sequence 1The Express Car burst out of the water and came to a stop on the beach. You and your companions walked out of the Express, setting foot on the ground of Astropolis.- (Cutscene begins)
- (Cutscene ends)
- Sequence 2The group touched down at the Seaside Park. Kuchiba and Ashveil headed off to meet with the Astropolis administration, turning down Nihilux's offer to tag along. Not far away, Owlbert's puppet was already waving hello.
- March 7th: So... this is Astropolis?
- March 7th: Trampolines, beach volleyball, and the smell of barbecue wafting in from who-knows-where... Guess this is what vacations are all about...
- Sunday: We just barely escaped with our lives, and now we're suddenly greeted by this scene of peace and prosperity. It feels surreal... like stepping back into Penacony all over again.
- Sunday: For the people of Astropolis, the events unfolding in Planarcadia still seem like a distant affair.
- Ashveil: It's hard to imagine what will go through their heads when they hear the news of the Voracity husk's revival.
- Kuchiba: From what I know, even if the news spread far and wide, most people in Astropolis would carry on surfing, sipping coffee, and dining on elegantly plated meals at open-air restaurants without batting an eye.
- Ashveil: After all, this is the vacation resort for IPC executives. Once people get parasitized by a certain kind of power, they always have this delusion that the fire will never burn its way to them.
- Kuchiba: The refugees on the Express can't just sit around twiddling their thumbs. We need to report this to the Astropolis authorities ASAP. Just leave that to Mr. Ashveil and me.
- Ashveil: Sounds like a plan, now let's get moving. And don't forget to bring Mister N along. His brain works faster than the two of ours put together.
- Nihilux: Wait, take me along too! Everyone's got something to attend to. How can I just sit here doing nothing?
- Ashveil: Um... well, that won't be necessary. You see...
- Ashveil: Oh right, as the Astral Express's biographer, your comic's still running, isn't it? You wouldn't want to miss out on the Express Crew's adventures in Astropolis, would you?
- Nihilux: ...Fair point. But I can't just keep being a "walking camera", can I?
- Kuchiba: Miss Nihilux, we understand how you feel. But the work Ashveil and I have ahead of us is... incredibly tedious, and we'll no doubt be up against Astropolis's massive bureaucratic machine. Please just leave all the bickering and legwork to us.
- Nihilux: Those two acting all hush-hush... Are they on some kind of secret mission or what?
- March 7th: Madam Jade said she'd send someone to receive us... So where's the guy?
- Owlbert: Hey... Hellooo...
- Owlbert: I've been waving forever and you didn't even notice me! It's me, your avian buddy, Owlbert!
Talk to Owlbert
- Step Description"Whether or not your world has a day-night cycle, good morning, good afternoon, and good evening!"
Ahem. Astropolis is something of a permanent workplace for me. But this is a hurried visit, so I won't be able to give everyone a proper tour. It's a real pity, but we can make up for it next time!
Madam Jade is waiting to meet with you all. Please follow me.
- (Idle NPC Dialogue)
- Did you guys see that!? One of the cars just came flying out like a surfboard...
- Who are these people?
- (Talk to Owlbert)
- Sequence 3The Keeping Up With Star Rail studio was located in Astropolis. At Jade's request, Owlbert had taken time out of a busy schedule to welcome you all. You followed Owlbert's lead, as Jade was waiting somewhere more convenient for a chat.
- Owlbert: Surprise! Didn't see that coming, did you?
- March 7th: Mr. Owlbert!? What are you doing here?
- Owlbert: After all those episodes of Keeping Up With Star Rail, don't tell me you still didn't know the show's physical studio is right here in Astropolis!
- Owlbert: Do you have any idea how hard it was for me to get away from my mountain of work? All because Madam Jade asked me personally to come pick you up. Figured an old friend of the Astral Express would do the job best.
- Owlbert: What's she being all secret about anyway? I'm a pretty big deal in Astropolis, you know! C'mon, can't you give me just a teensy little hint...
I'm sorry, Mr. Owlbert...- Sorry to rush you, but please lead the way.
- Owlbert: Hoot, hoot, hoot, I see! Sounds like a hoot... not that I give a hoot! The only hoots I give are literal ones. Anyway, I'll pry no more!
- March 7th: Wordplay? Seriously? At a time like this? Unbelievable!
- Owlbert: Easy there, young lady. There's no rush, just follow me! We'll cut through the Kenneth Seaside Park, and Madam Jade will be waiting for you somewhere a little more... convenient.
- Owlbert: In the meantime, allow me to give you a grand tour of the City of Converging Stars along the way: its sights, its culture, the whole shebang! Shall we?
Follow Owlbert to meet Jade
- Step Description"Whether or not your world has a day-night cycle, good morning, good afternoon, and good evening!"
Ahem. Astropolis is something of a permanent workplace for me. But this is a hurried visit, so I won't be able to give everyone a proper tour. It's a real pity, but we can make up for it next time!
Madam Jade is waiting to meet with you all. Please follow me.
- Owlbert: Speaking of which, why is this place called the Kenneth Park?
- Owlbert: Ta-da! The answer is: The administrator of Astropolis is named Kenneth Arita, and he's the one who designed this seaside park!
- March 7th: Alright, we're not here for sightseeing. Can we just put the tour guide act on hold for now?
- (Interact with Madam House, optional)
- Owlbert: Oh right, you've probably noticed all those big birds walking around Astropolis...
- Owlbert: Mm-hm... They're called the Zatzka, and they're actually my people!
- Owlbert: Don't ask just yet! I already know what you're gonna say: Why do you look so different from the rest of them?
- Owlbert: Well, if you had to ask, it's atavism, okay!? Atavism! In other words, ancestral traits resurfacing!
- I wasn't going to ask.
- Thanks for the intro. Now let's get moving.
- Owlbert: Oh no! What's the matter? My favorite (Trailblazer) lost (his/
her) sense of humor and everything.
- (Interact with Auto Heartthrob Bot, optional)
- March 7th: Wait... Isn't that Shush? What's it doing here in Astropolis?
- Sunday: On closer inspection, the paint job's different. This isn't Shush.
- Owlbert: Shush? Now that's a word we hosts simply can't bear to hear. Oh, I see, you're talking about this robot.
- Owlbert: I know nobody asked, but one more introduction: This is the Universal Companion Service Robot, commonly known as "Servis."
- Owlbert: These little guys handle roughly eighty percent of all services across Astropolis.
- Owlbert: If you want one, you can apply for your very own, free of charge, and give it any name you like!
- March 7th: Any name? Like this, uh, "Auto... Heartthrob Bot"? Who came up with THAT?
- Owlbert: Ugh, let's get out of here fast! If we accidentally trigger some IPC red line in this conversation, I'm done for too!
- (Interact with Chrissas the Great, optional)
- Owlbert: This is the most viral internet celebrity in Astropolis at the moment, an artist that talent scouts from Interastral Peace Entertainment are falling over themselves to sign: the King of Work!
- Owlbert: Rumor has it he's actually the emperor of some backwater planet in some borderland star system, and he came here to work odd jobs just to cash in on the exchange rate...
- Owlbert: Now I'm sure all you grown-ups and children watching at home are dying to know: just how big does the exchange-rate gap have to be to make this worth it?
- Owlbert: I'd say one credit is probably worth, like, a hundred thousand in local currency! Maybe he even bought his throne back home after cashing in on the exchange rate!
- Sunday: Excuse me... Mr. Owlbert, perhaps it's best if we try not to livestream Keeping Up With Star Rail here.
- Owlbert: Sorry, sorry, it's kind of a professional reflex.
- (Approach the marked location)
- Sequence 4Owlbert led you to the Tide of Terminator Hotel, where Jade was waiting on the terrace. Nihilux mentioned she had once stayed there for a while during a field research trip. Before parting ways, Owlbert invited you to take part in a special interview for Keeping Up With Star Rail.
- Owlbert: Here we are! Just head up this way, and Madam Jade's waiting for you on the hotel terrace.
- Nihilux: The "Tide of Terminator" Grand Hotel, huh? So this is the spot Madam Jade picked? Pretty tucked away, I gotta say.
- March 7th: Wait, you've been here before, Miss Blurry?
- Nihilux: Heh, well, I did actually live here for a while back in the day.
- Nihilux: You know how it is. As a comic artiste, my greatest talent is traveling around the world, alternating between "field research" and "deadline crunches."
- Owlbert: Whew, every time I do an interview, I can't help but envy you guests who get to travel far and wide and rack up all those amazing experiences. *sigh*... Sadly, work is like an invisible birdcage that I just can't seem get away from.
- Owlbert: Well, the mission Madam Jade assigned to me is all wrapped up. Much as I hate to say goodbye to you all, I gotta be on my way and get back to recording the show.
- Owlbert: Haha, before I head out, I hope you don't mind me asking, (Trailblazer). Since you've graced Astropolis with your presence, would the Keeping Up With Star Rail production team have the honor of interviewing you and your friends?
- If the opportunity comes up...
- Owlbert: (Trailblazer) just casually dropped the politest rejection ever...
- Owlbert: I sincerely hope that the opportunity comes sooner rather than later.
- I'd love that.
- Owlbert: Really!? Th-That'd be GREAT!
- Owlbert: Well then, I'll take my leave. Hope your chat goes smoothly.
Head to the hotel terrace
- Step DescriptionJade likely has more intel on the IPC's seven-member summit. Before taking action in Astropolis, it might be worth sitting down with her to discuss the next steps.
Owlbert has also extended a warm invitation. If you have the time, be sure to stop by for a special episode of Keeping Up With Star Rail!
- (Enter Interplanar Jump!)
-
- (Wispae dialogues)
- This place has views like you wouldn't believe~
- Did you eat today? Make sure to have a proper meal.
- Oh, my dear old friend!
- Hello~
- Welcome to the 2D world!
- Are you a Nameless too? Welcome, welcome!
- Try using Sprint!
- Click and hold to Sprint!
- Try clicking to Sprint!
- Run, Nameless! Charge~~
- Wow! So exciting!
- Let's head to the balcony for some fresh air~
- Press "Down" on the Dimensional Wall to leave~
- March 7th: Wait, why is Interplanar Jump here in Astropolis too?
- Sunday: Come to think of it, I think I might've also spotted some imagenae along the way.
- Invalid Transclusion
- (Use Sprint to break through wall)
- (Unlock Achievement Star Cleaner)
- (Use Sprint to break through wall with coins behind it)
- March 7th: Spacesuits? Jetpacks? Well, aren't we keeping up with the times?
- (Use Sprint Balls to break through walls)
- March 7th: Whoooa... I got launched!
- (Unlock Achievement Boarding Action)
- Invalid Transclusion
- (Use Sprint on ghost)
- (Unlock Achievement Rocket Fist)
- (Use Sprint Balls on third level)
- March 7th: Waaaaah...! We're going way too fast! I'm getting dizzy!
- (Use Enhanced Sprint Balls)
- (Unlock Achievement Space Military Cadet)
- (Exit Interplanar Jump!)
Talk to Jade
- Step DescriptionJade likely has more intel on the IPC's seven-member summit. Before taking action in Astropolis, it might be worth sitting down with her to discuss the next steps.
Owlbert has also extended a warm invitation. If you have the time, be sure to stop by for a special episode of Keeping Up With Star Rail!
- (Talk to Jade)
- Sequence 5Jade briefed you on the situation: regarding the Voracity crisis at Planarcadia, the Marketing Development Department had proposed a "Husk Weaponization" plan, backed by the Technology Department and the Building Material Logistics Department. The Strategic Investment Department's "Preservation" plan, meanwhile, had the support of the Business Consolidation Department and the Talent Motivation Department. The deciding vote rested in the hands of Arita from the Traditional Project Department. Jade had set up an office for you in Lodestar Tower. To save Planarcadia, you had to secure Arita's support within five system hours, before the summit convened.
- Jade: It's been a while, Nameless... and Mr. Sunday.
- March 7th: Sunday is also an official member of the Express now.
- Jade: Hmm... sounds like a lot went down during the Phantasmoon Games.
- Nihilux: Nice to meet you! I'm Nihilux, a comic artist. You must be Madam Jade! I've heard so much about you!
- Jade: Is that so? ...You look familiar. Have we met somewhere before?
- Nihilux: Haha, not surprising at all. I'm sure you must have read my masterpiece, Fluffy Across the Blue. Either that, or you've seen one of my on-camera interviews.
- March 7th: Someone help, please, get Miss Blurry and her zero-boundaries energy out of here!
- Jade: The Fluffy... Yes, Pearl has mentioned that comic to me before. But what we need to discuss next has nothing to do with comics, so if you wouldn't mind excusing us.
- Nihilux: Fair enough, but... I'm guessing whatever you're about to discuss is closely tied to Planarcadia.
- Nihilux: That place is my home, and its future will be determined by the IPC's decisions. I think I have the right to remain here.
- Nihilux: For as long as I can remember, I've been a bystander, recording other people's stories with my brush. But this time... my sketches, my home, they're all part of that world that's falling apart. At least let me witness the very moment that decides its destiny.
- Nihilux: Please... don't make me beg.
- Let her stay.
- You can trust Nihilux.
- Jade: There are eight system hours before the husk of Voracity breaks through the seal.
- Jade: Pearl's transmission conveyed both her resolve and her plan to save them.
- Jade: She intended to invoke the gaze of the Amber Lord and borrow the power of Preservation to encanvas Planarcadia once more, buying time against the husk's breakthrough.
- Jade: To that end, she was willing to offer up her Cornerstone.
- Jade: But before her message could come through, someone within the IPC, as if they had already seen it coming, issued an early warning about the husk in Planarcadia spiraling out of control.
- Jade: At the same time, the one who issued the warning proposed a targeted plan: weaponize the Voracity's husk and transform it into a weapon against Destruction.
- Jade: In which case, we would not only neutralize the threat posed by the husk, but also eliminate Nanook's minions once and for all... perhaps even wound the Aeon THEMSELF.
- Jade: By comparison, Pearl's proposal looks more like it's just stalling an inevitable catastrophe.
- Nihilux: Convert the husk into a "weapon"? If we do that, all of Planarcadia would cease to exist, wouldn't it?
- Sunday: Once that happens, then Himeko and the others will...
- We'll never abandon our friends...
- ...And we definitely won't abandon Planarcadia.
- (Trailblazer): My friends, two Stellaron Hunters, Madam Pearl, and countless citizens out there... are still fighting for Planarcadia.
- (Trailblazer): As long as there's a chance to help them, as long as there's still a glimmer of hope, I'll pay any price without hesitation.
- (Trailblazer): But there is one price I refuse to pay: their lives.
- March 7th: So, who proposed this plan anyway?
- Jade: Oswaldo, from the Marketing Development Department.
- March 7th: That monster! Does he have even an ounce of humanity!?
- Nihilux: Human nature isn't even my main concern here. I'm more doubtful about whether this plan can actually work.
- Nihilux: I mean, was there really not a single person at the IPC who stood up and asked that guy if this plan even had a snowball's chance of working?
- Jade: Of course there was. But standing behind Oswaldo was none other than Ms. Yabuli from the Technology Department.
- Jade: As the de facto leader of the Intelligentsia Guild, Yabuli has spent years researching this technology. She's staking her personal reputation on seeing it put into practice.
- Jade: I assume you noticed the presence of imagenae on your journey here.
- March 7th: Well, yeah, but what does that have to do with what we're talking about?
- Jade: They're not visitors who migrated from Planarcadia, but homegrown products of Astropolis itself.
- Is this Yabuli's doing?
- Imagenae can be born in Astropolis too?
- Nihilux: I've heard that the birth of imagenae is closely tied to the unique properties of Ahatopia. Could it be... that Ms. Yabuli really has gotten her hands on some earth-shattering secret?
- Jade: It's hard to say, but there's no doubt she's conducted extensive research into both the husk and imagenesis. Her claim that she can manipulate the husk of Voracity doesn't seem to be some spur-of-the-moment delusion.
- March 7th: Even if... even if she could harness the Voracity, that's not exactly "Preservation," is it? Aren't you all followers of the Amber Lord?
- Jade: Little girl, the IPC indeed walks the Path of Preservation. That much is true.
- Jade: But the IPC is made up of individuals, each with their own idea of what Preservation actually means.
- Jade: Should the Preservation be about protecting individual lives and homes, or safeguarding the prosperity and order of the universe as a whole? That's a debate the IPC has never stopped having.
- Jade: Compared to the Anti-Destruction Alliance strategy, which would require endless coalition-building and diplomatic maneuvering, the proposal to weaponize the husk holds far more appeal.
- Jade: It offers a radical, efficient approach that would dramatically showcase the IPC's power, and the prospect of harnessing the fragments of a fallen Aeon? This alone was enough to send many a colleague of mine with a taste for grand narratives into a frenzy of eagerness.
- Nihilux: Grand indeed. But I fear that when the time comes, Yabuli and Oswaldo may end up creating something far more terrifying than Nanook.
- Sunday: From what I understand, no matter how many people support or oppose it, the proposal still has to be put to a vote by the heads of the IPC's seven departments before it can be implemented.
- How many voted in favor of weaponization?
- Jade: Aside from Oswaldo and Yabuli, Taravan from the Building Material Logistics Department also cast a vote in favor.
- Nihilux: Oh? That gluttonous butterball? Can't say I'm surprised. Everyone who meets him wonders if he's got some kind of family ties to the Voracity.
- How many of them are on our side?
- Jade: I've secured the support of Madam Scarred Eye from the Business Consolidation Department and Zazzad from the Talent Motivation Department.
- March 7th: Wait a minute, let me write down all these names, and departments...
- (Quick Read)
-
A Quick Guide to IPC's Department Structure That Even March 7th Can Follow Along - A good memory is no match for a reliable pen.
The departmental structure of the Interastral Peace Corporation is far too complex, so I will make a record in my little notebook first, just in case.
First up, there's the faction opposing us, the ones pushing for weaponizing the husk.
Head of the Marketing Development Department: "Oswaldo Schneider."
The primary architect behind the Voracity husk weaponization program, the one most responsible for this whole mess. Goes by the alias "Chameleon." Ruthless and calculating, willing to do absolutely anything to claw his way to the top in interdepartmental rivalries. He and "Diamond" from the Strategic Investment Department have been bitter, entrenched rivals for ages, both gunning for a seat on the seven-member board...
Based on the experience dealing with him, the conclusion is simple: The less you interact with this man, the better. Ugh! But it's looking like he's one opponent we simply can't avoid in Astropolis.
Head of the Technology Department, "Yabuli."
Ms. "Yabuli" is a staunch advocate for the weaponization of the husk and oversees the IPC's largest research facility: the Life Sciences Institute. Through her extensive technical dealings with the Intelligentsia Guild, her influence has also permeated deep into the Guild's inner workings, making her its de facto ruler.
Head of the Building Material Logistics Department: "Taravan Keane."
Taravan oversees transportation and logistics within the IPC. His Building Material Logistics fleet is responsible for shipping building materials to the Amber Lord, a venture that earned him a seat on the seven-member board. The Starflux racing circuit in Astropolis is also one of his investments. As for what terms Oswaldo used to bring Taravan on board, that remains anyone's guess.
Beyond racing, Taravan has a passionate love affair with food. The man is a certified big eater in every sense of the word. Rumor has it his private spacecraft is fitted with a fully reclining lounger, and that it takes three IPC employees stacked on top of each other like a human staircase just to help him get on and off!
Man, this is making my fists itch... These obscenely rich people are unbelievable.
Then there's the faction opposed to weaponizing the husk, advocating instead for encanvasing Planarcadia within the painting.
Head of the Strategic Investment Department: "Diamond."
"Diamond" didn't make a personal appearance this time, but Madam Jade represented the Strategic Investment Department and made their intentions clear.
Whether it's to protect Pearl, a fellow member of the Ten Stonehearts, to uphold their stance as followers of the Preservation, or to compete with Oswaldo for a seat on the seven-member board, the Strategic Investment Department has proven to be the Astral Express's most valuable ally in Astropolis, and has provided us with crucial intelligence.
Here's hoping the partnership goes smoothly! But as for what "Diamond" actually looks like, even Madam Jade wouldn't breathe a word about it. Honestly, the curiosity is killing me!!
Talent Motivation Department has two supervisors: "Mtooyin Raj Zazzad" and "Yan Shiluo."
Working in the IPC's most intelligence-dense department, "Zazzad" is a figure shrouded in mystery, a master at digging up dirt on others while keeping his own affairs locked up tight. On the other hand, Mr. "Yan Shiluo," is pure iron judgment and no mercy, like a judge of the underworld. Word has it he's from the Xianzhou.
Thank goodness he's already thrown his support behind us. Without Dan Heng, we'd have no way to even get a chance to speak to him.
Head of the Business Consolidation Department: "Madam Scarred Eye."
The Business Consolidation Department boasts a massive workforce, a 45% of the entire IPC! "Madam Scarred Eye" is best known as the most successful talent scout, having worked with the Traditional Project Department's Interastral Peace Entertainment to launch countless cosmic superstars into the spotlight.
Her appearance has never been made public. Some say she's a breathtaking beauty with an ego to match, while others claim she's plain-looking, which is precisely why she takes such sadistic pleasure in exploiting her artists' youth and looks through cutthroat contracts...
Whatever the outside world may say, for a lady who's clawed her way to the top, her looks are probably the last thing worth anyone's attention.
Huh? Weren't there supposed to be seven departments? What happened to the last one?
- Jade: You don't need to remember all that. All you need to know is this: The score's three to three. For the time being, we're tied.
- Nihilux: Thank goodness. Sounds like things haven't gone completely off the rails just yet.
- Sunday: Wait, seven departments, seven votes. Did someone abstain?
- Jade: The power to cast the deciding vote fell into the hands of Mr. Arita from the Traditional Project Department.
- Jade: Instead of tipping his hand at the meeting, he postponed the vote.
- Jade: And in five system hours from now, he will give his answer at the internal decision-making conference.
- March 7th: H—How long!? Five system hours!?
- Nihilux: In other words, it's only a matter of five hours before Planarcadia gets encanvased again or becomes a total sacrifice to the weaponized husk.
- Sunday: And our goal is to convince the undecided Mr. Arita?
- Jade: Precisely.
- Where can we find him?
- Will he even meet with us?
- Jade: As a matter of fact, he refuses to meet with anyone, especially lobbyists from within the IPC.
- Jade: Arita is the most senior of the seven department heads and the most low-profile one among them all. Apart from showing up to make calls at key moments, his schedule is never made public.
- Jade: A big man like that prefers to call the shots from behind the scenes, not step into the spotlight to debate with his subordinates.
- Sunday: Then what if it were the Nameless of the Express requesting an audience? Would there be even a sliver of a chance?
- Jade: It's a long shot, but I guess we could give it a try.
- Jade: I've already dispatched a team of field specialists to track down his movements today. I'm sure one of them will report back with a lead soon.
- I'll talk Arita around.
- I won't let things get to that point.
- (Trailblazer): I'll talk Arita around, no matter what it takes.
- (Trailblazer): The fate of billions is at stake... my friends' lives included. That's all the reason I need to keep fighting for this. I believe Madam Pearl shares the same conviction, and that is why she has my respect.
- (Trailblazer): But make no mistake. Just because I'm giving this everything I've got doesn't mean I'm fully siding with the Strategic Investment Department. I refuse to let the fate of billions become a bargaining chip in the IPC's internal power struggles.
- Jade: I understand. I swear by my Cornerstone that what I place upon the scales this time is my unconditional trust and support. You have my word, so please rest assured.
- Jade: To ensure you all have a proper base of operations, I'll arrange an office in Lodestar Tower, the central hub of Astropolis. You're welcome to convene there to discuss the matters ahead.
- Jade: Well then, I shall take my leave.
Leave the hotel terrace
- Step DescriptionSix department heads have cast a deadlocked vote. The survival of Planarcadia now hangs on the decision of Arita from the Traditional Project Department.
If you want to tip the scales, you only have five system hours left to put in the legwork.
- (Enter Interplanar Jump!)
-
- (Wispae dialogue)
- This place has views like you wouldn't believe~
- Hello~
- Welcome to the 2D world!
- Did you eat today? Make sure to have a proper meal.
- Oh, my dear old friend!
- Are you a Nameless too? Welcome, welcome!
- The shopping center is over this way~
- March 7th: Oh no, five system hours! That's all there is to decide the fate of an entire world!?
- (Use Aesthetic Window)
- (Trailblazer): What kind of people does Jade send into the field?
- Sunday: Probably people who are good at staying under the radar, I assume?
- (Exit Interplanar Jump!)
- (Receive a message from ???)
- Sequence 6After receiving a tip from your informant, your group split into two. March 7th and Nihilux headed to Lodestar Tower, while you and Sunday made your way to the Upside-Down Restaurant to meet with the informant.
Messages
???Greetings. I am a field agent dispatched by Madam JadeI have uncovered crucial intel regarding the target's whereaboutsTo prevent our communications from being intercepted via keyword tracking, please refrain from mentioning any names during this conversation
"Location of the Upside-Down Restaurant"I have a solid lead on the target's current situation. Please rendezvous with me as soon as possible
- March 7th: They've got intel already? Madam Jade's team really is something else!
- Sunday: They want to meet us at a restaurant. Sounds like they've found where Arita's been dining.
- March 7th: So we just barge in and ask for a meeting? Would Arita even agree to see us?
- There's no time to think about all that.
- We must see him, no matter what.
- Sunday: It's not exactly ideal to show up with a crowd when requesting an audience with someone important.
- Sunday: How about this: (Trailblazer) and I will head out, while March and Miss Nihilux go on ahead to the Lodestar Tower and get settled in. What do you think?
- March 7th: Fair enough. If I tagged along, I'd probably put my foot in it and make things harder for you two anyway.
- Bring the furbos along to the office.
- (Trailblazer): We can't delay any longer. Let's split up and get moving.
Meet with the field specialist
- Step DescriptionSix department heads have cast a deadlocked vote. The survival of Planarcadia now hangs on the decision of Arita from the Traditional Project Department.
If you want to tip the scales, you only have five system hours left to put in the legwork.
A field agent has sent word on Arita's whereabouts. This is a chance you can't afford to miss.
- (Trailblazer): Oh right... This is my first time teaming up with you, huh, Sunny?
- Sunday: Missing Dan Heng already? Don't worry, I'll try not to hold you back.
- (Approach Kenneth Shopping Centre)
- (Trailblazer): Is the meeting spot somewhere around here?
- (Approach the marked location)
- (Trailblazer): Wait, that figure!
- (Trailblazer): Is that you? Skott!? You're still alive??
Talk to Skott
- Step DescriptionThe field agent you are meant to meet turns out to be Skott, or his ghost form? Quite the unexpected reunion.
According to intel gathered by Skott, Arita will be dining at the "Upside-Down Restaurant" today.
- (Talk to Skott)
- Sequence 7Skott, in his ghost form, reunited with you and presented Arita's itinerary, which indicated that Arita would be dining at the "Upside-Down Restaurant" that day.
- Ghost Skott: Shh, keep it down, for crying out loud! Can't you see I'm in the middle of a secret mission here!?
- Ghost Skott: Thanks to your immense generosity, I, Skott, have come back from death, and now I'm back to repay the favor.
- Sunday: And this is?
- (Trailblazer): Oh, almost forgot. This is an old acquaintance of mine, Mr. Skott.
- Sunday: You're... the IPC victim from the bloodbath in Dovebrook.
- Sunday: So, Mr. Skott, how exactly did you survive?
- Ghost Skott: Wasn't it all thanks to you, (Trailblazer)? Screaming about getting revenge for me in front of everyone?
- Did I say that?
- I didn't do that.
- That's nonsense!
- Ghost Skott: Oh please, would I ever lie to you? Shall we run it back on the VCR?
- (Trailblazer): This one is for Skott!
- (Trailblazer): And this one! This is for everyone you've tormented!
- (Trailblazer): Alright, I said it, so what? I'm kind of starting to regret it!
- Ghost Skott: Well, it's too late for regrets now. After Interastral Peace Entertainment broadcast that fight, everyone started asking the same thing: Who's Skott?
- Ghost Skott: When I was alive, I never imagined I'd ever have that kind of insane clout. That's probably why, one day, I suddenly woke up in my office in Astropolis, as if everything had just been a dream...
- Sunday: It seems Wishpower doesn't only take effect in Planarcadia. It can work in Astropolis too.
- That's enough small talk.
- We still have important matters to attend to.
- Ghost Skott: My fault. I've been rambling on about everything except what actually matters. But how lucky am I? I just got back from hell, and already I have a chance to repay your kindness.
- Ghost Skott: Madam Jade asked me to share what I know about Arita with the two of you.
- Sunday: So, Mr. Skott, you know of Arita's whereabouts?
- Ghost Skott: Of course. The many secrets of Astropolis are practically pinned on a public bulletin board for a wallflower like me, someone who can slip through walls and go completely unnoticed.
- Ghost Skott: I sneaked a peek at Arita's secretary's shredder and pieced together his itinerary.
- Ghost Skott: Mr. Arita will be dining at this Upside-Down Restaurant today.
- (Quick Read)
-
Upside-Down Restaurant Dining Invitation - Where Beauty Reigns and Flavors Sing
Dear Mr. Arita:
Thank you for dining at the Upside-Down Restaurant
Reserved Room: XX Hall
Table Size: 1
Reservation Date: AE DD/MM/YYYY, HH:MM
To better serve you, our culinary concierge can prepare your dishes in advance to your specifications.
Also available are today's limited-time new menu items: Dragon Scale Cheese, Emerald Mushroom Salad, Lidovia Giant Beast Bone Marrow with Sourdough Bread Crisps, Lushaka Blue-Spotted Sashimi, the Xianzhou Zhuming "Dragon Palace's Kitchen" house specials, and Klein Snake Bone Soup.
Your dining area has been sanitized. Our ventilation system cycles fresh air 20 times per hour, ensuring optimal air quality. Please rest assured and enjoy your meal!We are honored by your presence,The Manager of the Upside-Down Restaurant and all staffkeenly await your arrival.
- (Trailblazer): In that case, what are we waiting for? Lead the way!
Head to the Upside-Down Restaurant
- Step DescriptionThe field agent you are meant to meet turns out to be Skott, or his ghost form? Quite the unexpected reunion.
According to intel gathered by Skott, Arita will be dining at the "Upside-Down Restaurant" today.
- Sunday: Who would've thought your single act of kindness would transcend worlds... and come to our aid.
- (Trailblazer): That was hardly some act of kindness... I should've kept my mouth shut.
- (Walk through the entrance)
Is the gravity of reality weighing you down? Don't worry! In Astropolis, just follow the glowing paths to defy gravity and walk right up the wall surfaces, no special gadgets required.
Is the gravity of reality weighing you down? Don't worry! In Astropolis, just follow the glowing paths to defy gravity and walk right up the wall surfaces, no special gadgets required.
- (Walk down the hallway)
- Ghost Skott: Right this way, if you will.
- Sunday: An anti-gravity corridor? It feels like I'm back in a Penaconian dream.
- (Approach the marked location)
- Sequence 8Upon entering the Upside-Down Restaurant, Skott figured Arita was probably dining in a private booth and offered to scout ahead for you.
- Ghost Skott: Even back when I was still alive, a place like this was a rare splurge for me.
- Sunday: A restaurant that truly lives up to its name. The view here is quite spectacular.
- Sunday: In Penacony, whenever the stock market fluctuates, plenty of people will head up to high places for a little... "mental recalibration." Does Astropolis share the same custom?
- So, where's Arita?
- Ghost Skott: A bigwig like him is definitely dining in some secluded private room. Probably surrounded by bodyguards, too.
- Ghost Skott: Let me go scout ahead for you. Wait here.
Check out where Skott went
- Step DescriptionUpon arriving at the Upside-Down Restaurant, ghost-Skott decides to put his unique form to good use and help you find out exactly where Arita is dining.
While waiting for Skott to return, take a look around the restaurant with Sunday.
- (Idle NPC dialogue)
- Polite Waiter: Welcome.
- Smiling Waitress: May I ask, will you be dining with us, or just stopping by for drinks?
- (Interact with the dining table, optional)
- Sequence 10While you waited, a server came by to take your order. Sunday casually mentioned you were expecting someone and asked for nothing more than two glasses of water.
- Surrounded by such refined ambiance, you do your best to look the part.
- Drats... Sunday never had this problem. He conducts himself with such grace that he doesn't even raise a shred of suspicion.
- How do they order in the movies again? Right, snap your fingers, and a waiter magically appears with the menu.
- Attendant: Welcome, distinguished guests! Shall I recommend today's specials? We have Emerald Mushrooms flown in fresh from Vonwacq, and the Giant Prime Tomahawk Steak.
- Let me see the prices.
- (Trailblazer): What!?
- A million credits for a steak? What, does eating it make you ascend to godhood or something?
- Just order whatever.
- The dishes on the menu don't sound like food at all... more like a jewelry catalog. Same goes for the prices.
- (Trailblazer): Uh... I'll have this, this, and... this.
- Sunday: Ahem, we're not here to eat.
- We're not here to eat.
- Sunday: We're waiting for someone. Just two waters, thanks.
- There may have been a flicker of contempt in the attendant's eyes as he withdrew, or not. Either way, his training was more than sufficient to keep his innermost secrets from showing.
- (Approach Asta)
- (Trailblazer): Wait a minute, is that... Asta?
- (Talk to Asta, optional)
- Sequence 9You ran into Asta at the Upside-Down Restaurant. Upon learning you were dealing with an urgent matter, Asta, a resident of Astropolis, offered to help out whenever you needed it.
- Asta: Oh my, (Trailblazer)? What a pleasant surprise!
- What are you doing here in Astropolis?
- Asta: What do you mean? Astropolis is my hometown! I've mentioned it before, haven't I? Quite a few people in my family work for the IPC.
- Asta: I racked up a bunch of vacation days at the space station, so I figured I'd use them and come home for a visit. Plus, it gives me a chance to handle some... collaborative matters on behalf of Madam Herta.
- Asta: What about you guys? Here for a meeting with the IPC? Or... on vacation?
- Sunday: More or less... We've got some urgent business to take care of.
- Asta: Then I won't keep you any longer. But... if you need anything at all, like booking a table, arranging a visit to the Cloudpeak Level of Lodestar Tower, anything like that, just let me know [sic]
- Asta: After all, sometimes connections get you further than regulations on IPC turf. Good luck out there!
- Step DescriptionIs the Upside-Down Restaurant really that big? Skott's investigation has taken way too long.
Something couldn't have happened... could it? - (Trailblazer): Where'd Skott run off to? What's taking so long?
- (Trailblazer): Let's go check on him.
- (Walk down stairs)
- Sunday: Strange, there aren't even any bodyguards around here.
- (Reach the bottom of the stairs)
- Sequence 11You found Skott's sunglasses inside a private room, and a nearby robot reported on Taravan's dining activity. Kenneth Arita appeared, proclaiming that he used Skott as a pawn to draw you there.
- (Trailblazer): Do those shades look familiar to you?
- Sunday: Wait, they appear to be Mr. Skott's... What exactly happened here?
- Robot: ...
- Skott?
- Arita is... a robot?
- Robot: Mr. Taravan has concluded his meal. Items consumed during this dining session: one hundred portions of Prime Tomahawk Steak, thirty blocks of Dragon Scale Cheese, ten servings of Emerald Mushroom Salad, assorted Lushaka Blue-spotted Sashimi, and Gold-Flake Wine.
- Sunday: Taravan? That's... quite the appetite. And you are...?
- Robot: I am Mr. Taravan's personal dietary management robot. My duties include monitoring his blood pressure before and after meals, and ensuring he takes his high-potency digestive enzymes and gout medication.
- Personal Health Butler: My regards to you both. All for the Amber Lord... and that eternally bottomless dinner table~
- Personal Health Butler: Wash your hands before you eat, rinse your mouth after the treat. Good health makes for a happy life~ yoho~yoho!
- Sunday: So, this isn't some private room for Mr. Arita at all.
- ???: You guessed correctly, Penaconian exile.
- ???: Please don't blame your poor ghost friend. His idea of stealth isn't nearly as impressive as he thinks, and neither is his brain.
- ???: With just a little bit of misdirection, he dutifully led you straight here to me.
- ???: Of course, I wouldn't be so bold as to let you disturb Mr. Taravan's meal without permission.
- ???: Allow me to introduce myself. I'm Kenneth Arita, of the Traditional Project Department.
- Sequence 12As Arita's adopted son, Kenneth served as the "Butler" of Astropolis. He flatly refused your attempts to persuade him, returned Skott to you, and made one thing crystal clear: "Respect is the cornerstone of trade."
- Sunday: Traditional Project Department... Arita?
- So you're Mr. Arita?
- Kenneth: How could that be? I'm merely an adopted son, fortunate enough to bear the old gentleman's family name.
- You're not Mr. Arita, are you?
- Kenneth: Oh, why of course not. I'm merely an adopted son, fortunate enough to bear the old gentleman's family name.
- Kenneth: If you think of all of Astropolis as one big, sprawling family, then I'd be the "butler" of the household.
- Kenneth: And a butler's job is to know everything that goes on within the estate down to the smallest detail, and to ensure no pests ever find their way inside to threaten the family's interests.
- Kenneth: I heard that the Astral Express had arrived in Astropolis... three Nameless bringing a flock of refugees to beg for aid. Curiosity got the better of me, so I decided to come and take a look.
- Kenneth: And the result turns out to be... disappointing.
- Sunday: I'm sorry, there must've been some misunderstanding between us.
- Sunday: Kenneth, we have an extremely urgent matter and would like to request an audience with Mr. Arita.
- Kenneth: Mr. Arita has already made his position clear to everyone: no lobbyists. The lady from the Strategic Investment Department behind your visit should know that all too well.
- Kenneth: My father taught me that at the heart of every deal lies one thing: respect.
- Kenneth: But that lady showed no regard for Mr. Arita's wishes, sending bumbling spies and reckless lobbyists. Her actions were utterly devoid of respect.
- Sunday: ...
- I only have five hours left...
- Five hours from now, my friends...
- (Trailblazer): Kenneth, we're not spies, nor do we mean to offend you. We're just... a group of desperate people with nowhere else to turn.
- (Trailblazer): My friends are back in Planarcadia, and every living being in that world, are in grave danger right as we speak.
- (Trailblazer): On behalf of the Astral Express, I make this promise to you, and through you, to Mr. Arita: So long as he is willing to cast the deciding vote against the weaponization of the husk, the Express will bear any and all costs and obligations that arise from it.
- (Trailblazer): Please, make sure this promise reaches him.
- Kenneth: ...The bond you share with your friends is truly moving.
- Kenneth: However, I'm afraid I can't do that.
- Kenneth: As for this spy right here, I can give him back to you.
- Ghost Skott: ...
- Kenneth: "The heart of every deal lies in respect." Chew on that. I've said my piece.
- Kenneth: Taravan, that bloated pig... Weaponizing the Voracity? Why not just weaponize himself instead? Save everyone the trouble...
- Sunday: So, what do we do now?
- Sequence 13You sensed that Kenneth intended for you to demonstrate your strength, and intelligence and influence were strengths too. You decided to leak the news of the "Awakening of the Husk," using the resulting public outcry to force the IPC to take notice. You headed for Lodestar Tower without delay.
- Ghost Skott: I'm sorry, (Trailblazer). I... I messed everything up again.
- This is not your fault.
- It's okay, Skott.
- Sunday: An unfavorable opening, to say the least. The moment IPC faction politics get involved, things get infinitely more complicated.
- Sunday: (Trailblazer), what do you think? Should we try a different approach, or keep up the chase?
- ...He seemed to be hinting at something.
- Sunday: You mean what he said to us before he left?
- There's still hope.
- Sunday: But where exactly is that hope you're referring to?
- (Trailblazer): "The heart of every deal lies in respect..." Is Kenneth trying to tell us something?
- Ghost Skott: Respect? Since when has the IPC ever treated anyone with respect?
- Ghost Skott: Setting everything else aside, my higher-ups are each more ruthless than a wolf, which is very much in line with my family motto: "No friends. Only prey." Who knows, maybe we're even distant relatives?
- Ghost Skott: A wily old fox like Arita, does he even know what respect means? The only way he'd ever bow is if Louis Fleming crawled out of his coffin, I'd say.
- I've got it!
- Skott, you got that right!
- Ghost Skott: Huh? Really!?
- (Trailblazer): True respect comes from having the strength that others acknowledge.
- (Trailblazer): Just like how the Strategic Investment Department respects the Astral Express... Kenneth is telling us he wants to see what we're made of.
- Sunday: I see... But what do we have that could earn his respect?
- Sunday: Trying to bribe him would take wealth on Old Oti's level to sway Arita. As for using force... that would be exceedingly unwise on IPC ground.
- Intelligence and influence are power in their own right.
- Sunday: As far as the city is concerned, the awakening of the husk is still a piece of information known only to the IPC's upper echelons.
- Sunday: But Astropolis isn't home to IPC executives alone. It's also teeming with envoys, magnates, and officials from member worlds across the Pan-Cosmic Trade System.
- (Trailblazer): Exactly. The crisis Planarcadia is facing right now is going to seriously shake their confidence in the IPC. What's that old saying... when one limb suffers, the whole body feels the pain.
- (Trailblazer): So, once we release this information to the public, the IPC's stock price is going to be thrown into turmoil.
- Sunday: We don't necessarily have to convince Arita. We can use information the way... Fulwish did.
- Sunday: Once you start learning from the enemy, it's hard to stop, isn't it?
- Sunday: So, we leak this to the press and turn this little internal scheme into an "external risk" that the IPC has no choice but to deal with.
- Let's get Owlbert on this.
- (Trailblazer): I can reach out to Owlbert and feed him a bombshell for his Keeping Up With Star Rail.
- Time to get the furbos back in action.
- (Trailblazer): It's time to relaunch Furbobo Weekly and drop our first bombshell scoop!
- Ghost Skott: H—Husk? Stock fluctuations? I... I have no idea what you're talking about.
- It wouldn't matter if you did.
- You're welcome to spread the word.
- Ghost Skott: Uh... I think I'll pass. I just got a new lease on life, and I'd like to enjoy it for a few more days!
- Ghost Skott: A—Anyway, I gotta run!
- (Trailblazer): Now then, let's have Kenneth show a little "respect."
- (Trailblazer): C'mon, Sunny, let's head to the Lodestar Tower and meet up with March and the others.
Meet with March 7th
- Step Description"The heart of every deal lies in respect." With those words, Kenneth firmly shut the door in your faces, turning down Jade's lobbying efforts.
Now that your only lead to Arita has gone cold, what's the next move?
- (Receive a message from March 7th)
Messages
March 7thTrailblazer, we've got a huge problem.What's wrong?I knew this wouldn't go smoothly.
Let me guess, another "surprise" popped up?Miss Nihilux and I are completely surrounded!The Astropolis security forces are trying to arrest us for "disturbing the peace"
Go help out March 7th
- Step DescriptionMarch 7th and Nihilux are surrounded by Astropolis security forces and facing arrest.
The situation is truly going sideways...
- (Trailblazer): ...March 7th disturbing the peace? You've gotta be kidding me.
- Sunday: We can still make it in time if we make haste.
- (Exit Kenneth Shopping Centre)
- (Trailblazer): It's just one thing after another.
- Sunday: Is Kenneth creating obstructions for us?
- (Trailblazer): No way? He left us a hint...
- Sunday: So the Marketing Development Department is behind this?
- (Idle NPC dialogue)
- What's going on over there?
- Apparently there's a wanted criminal walking among us.
- Why are there security forces here?
- Word is someone's resisting arrest.
- (Approach Lodestar Tower)
- Sunday: I see them. They're right there.
- (Approach the marked location)
- Sequence 14The Astropolis Sentinels claimed that the IPC reserved the right to place Sunday, a wanted criminal of The Family, under preventive detention. Unwilling to let your companion be taken away, you clashed with the security forces.
- March 7th: "Disturbing the peace"... Is this a mistake?
- Nihilux: We're guests invited by Madam Jade of the Strategic Investment Department. Is this really how Astropolis treats its guests?
- Astropolis Sentinel: Your entry permits are verified and valid. However, the laws of Astropolis are jointly upheld by the seven major departments. No exemptions are granted based on the invitation of a single senior executive.
- Astropolis Sentinel: Our system detects a dangerous wanted fugitive hiding among your visiting party.
- Nihilux: Is this some kind of interastral joke? The Nameless of the Astral Express are heroes who've saved many worlds...
- March 7th: This is bad. We need to go, now.
- Astropolis Sentinel: Target identified: Sunday, former head of Penacony's Oak Family, currently a high-priority wanted criminal of The Family. Charges include "severe endangerment of cosmic order and security."
- March 7th: Since when does the IPC hunt down wanted criminals for The Family?
- Astropolis Sentinel: In accordance with the Pan-Galactic Civilizations Judicial Mutual Assistance and Emergency Extradition Treaty, IPC security forces are authorized to subject dangerous fugitives to preventive detention, to ensure segmentum stability and fulfill treaty obligations.
- Sunday: It appears explaining myself is entirely pointless now.
- I refuse!
- You want to take a member of the Express? In your dreams.
- Astropolis Sentinel: Excuse me. I am not equipped with a dreaming module.
- Defense Sentry: You have selected the most unwise course of action: violent obstruction of the law.
- Astropolis Sentinel: Warning. Disarm immediately. Noncompliance will prevent us from guaranteeing your right to life.
- March 7th: Ah, that's the stuff... clashing with the local authorities every three stops of the way, how familiar.
- (Begin battle against
Astropolis Sentinel ×4) -
- Astropolis Sentinel: Target threat level: Unable to assess.
- Astropolis Sentinel: Requesting "Lighthouse" support. Requesting "Lighthouse" support.
- Lighthouse: Tsk... "Lighthouse" copy. Request received.
Talk to Lighthouse
- Step DescriptionAn Astropolis hero named "Lighthouse" beat up his comrade to save you, and brought along a high-priority pass.
It seems that beneath Astropolis's dazzling surface, undercurrents of infighting between IPC departments surge.
- (After the battle)
- Sequence 15A Superhero known as "Lighthouse" arrived with a higher-level pass, pulling you out of the standoff, but still demanded Sunday's arrest, citing orders from above. Sunday chose to return to the Express and warped back to low orbit above Planarcadia to serve as a communications relay. From here on, Lighthouse would escort your party the rest of the way to Lodestar Tower.
- Astropolis Sentinel: Lighthouse! Execute the arrest directive immediately!
- Lighthouse: Zip it, tin can! You're making my brain hurt.
- March 7th: Huh? What's going on? Why is he taking down his own people?
- Lighthouse: Alright, stand down. I'm not here to cause trouble.
- Lighthouse: Here, this is a special access pass. Its clearance is a few grades higher than that outdated arrest warrant of yours.
- Lighthouse: I'm taking them with me. Objections?
- Astropolis Sentinel: ...Clearance confirmed.
- Lighthouse: *Astropolis civility*... Hilarious, "clearance confirmed." One word of objection out of you, I'll be pounding you into scrap and shipping you back to Security in a box.
- Lighthouse: Right, you lot. Write your own incident reports. Make it airtight, and keep my name out of it, hear me?
- Lighthouse: Well don't just stand there. Do you really want to waste eternity dealing with these by-the-book blockheads?
- Lighthouse: Allow me to introduce myself. I am "Lighthouse"! Astropolis's Honorary Security Officer.
- Lighthouse: I am the light that pierces the darkness, the shield that guards against danger, the one who leaves no place to hide for the scoundrels that threaten IPC assets and the safety of Astropolis's citizens. I am the BANE • OF • EVIL!
- Lighthouse: See that gleaming statue? They built it for me after I single-handedly stopped an out-of-control airship from crashing into Paradise Island three years ago, saving well over a hundred IPC executives and more than a thousand foreign dignitaries from our partner worlds!
- March 7th: Cool.
- Nihilux: So, you're basically Astropolis's resident superhero?
- Lighthouse: Superhero... Pfft, I'm no different from the influencers swarming this city. I can't hold a candle to the Nameless of the Astral Express.
- Lighthouse: At the end of the day, I'm just a corporate grunt running errands for the bigwigs...
- Lighthouse: Someone sent me to bail you out. As guests of the Strategic Investment Department, you all have free rein in Astropolis. With the exception of that Halovian young master over there.
- And if I say no?
- Lighthouse: Aw, c'mon, please don't make my life difficult.
- Any chance to appeal?
- Sunday: The IPC is riddled with internal factions. It seems someone is trying to assert their presence.
- Lighthouse: Spot on. I got two calls at the same time. One asked me to "ensure unrestricted access for the Strategic Investment Department's guests," and the other asked me to "Apprehend the high-risk wanted felon."
- Lighthouse: I thought to myself, isn't this just *Astropolis civility* picking on the little guy? Am I supposed to fish the sugar out of their instant coffee, too? But hey, that's just how corporate life is...
- Nihilux: So tell me, big hero, exactly which two heavyweights are duking it out up there?
- Lighthouse: On IPC turf, some questions are better left unasked. Because the real question isn't "who dunnit," but rather "who wants you to know."
- Lighthouse: And I, obviously, haven't received the directive to "tell you."
- Sunday: To think my past mistakes would catch up with me right here, right now. (Trailblazer), March, I'm very sorry. Imposing my presence here will only burden you.
- Sunday: So be it. No need to worry, Mr. Lighthouse. I will leave Astropolis immediately.
- March 7th: Where could you go at a time like this?
- Sunday: I'll return to the Express and warp to low orbit above Planarcadia. There I can use the Express as a comms relay. We need firsthand intel from there.
- We're counting on you, then.
- Make sure you stay safe.
- Sunday: Take care, you two. I'll do my part, and you do your best too.
- Lighthouse: Phew... finally got His Highness out of my hair. My performance review is safe. I'll call that a win.
- March 7th: Honestly, I never want to set foot in this dump ever again.
- Lighthouse: Hehe, it's truly my greatest honor that you Nameless are so willing to cooperate.
- Lighthouse: By the way, I hear you're heading to the Lodestar Tower. Please, allow me to escort you the rest of the way. I guarantee no one else will come looking for trouble.
- Nihilux: Escort... or surveil?
- Lighthouse: In Astropolis, surveillance is a public service. Me? I'm just the optional companion package with a more personal touch.
Head to the ferry station and purchase a boarding pass to Lodestar Tower, then proceed to the office arranged by Jade
- Step DescriptionThe crisis is averted for now. With Lighthouse escorting you, no one's going to come looking for trouble anytime soon.
The information about the awakening of the husk is a powerful bargaining chip to secure the chance to persuade Arita.
Jade has reserved an office for you at Lodestar Tower, to prepare to drop this bombshell that will shake all of Astropolis.
- March 7th: ...?
- (Interact with the balcony, optional)
- Sequence 17From the observation deck, you gazed out at Lodestar Tower and the floating isle known as "Cloudpeak" perched at its summit. Lighthouse had once harbored dreams of reaching Cloudpeak, but that spark had been slowly ground away by the thankless, day-to-day grind of superhero work.
- March 7th: Ah, that white tower piercing the clouds...
- Nihilux: That's right. That's the "Lodestar Tower," the central headquarters of Astropolis and the main office complex for all the different divisions.
- Lighthouse: Ah, it seems this isn't your first time in Astropolis, my lady.
- It's so tall... like a space elevator.
- True... from a distance, it looks like a needle.
- I wonder what it looks like inside.
- Lighthouse: You'll see for yourselves soon enough.
- Lighthouse: From afar, it might look like a prickly needle, but it actually houses a staggering number of IPC employees, along with their dreams and entire lives.
- Lighthouse: Look all the way up to the top of the tower. See? That floating island is called "Cloudpeak." It's home to the richest and most powerful big shots in the IPC.
- Nihilux: Looking at it now, it doesn't resemble a needle so much as a strand in a spider's web of power. And to climb that strand... you'll need more than strength. You'll need skin thick enough to stop a bullet, and the willingness to put your soul up as collateral if that's what it takes to meet your KPIs.
- Lighthouse: Yet, countless people still rack their brains and do whatever it takes to claw their way up this strand, hoping to reach the top and live like gods alongside those media giants.
- What about you?
- I have no interest in that kind of life.
- Lighthouse: That's the Nameless for you. No interest in fame or profit... must be nice. Me? I'm not nearly that selfless.
- Lighthouse: Five years ago, when I first came to Astropolis, I wondered... if one day, my statue would stand atop "Cloudpeak."
- Lighthouse: And how'd that turn out? It ended up in the plaza over there, becoming the most glaring... signpost on the path to "Cloudpeak." Just a daily reminder to everyone passing by: Look, it's the superhero "Lighthouse." This is as far as he got.
- Lighthouse: Speaking of which, after defeating Irontomb, did the IPC give you guys, um, some kind of special bonus?
- Nope.
- The Nameless don't fight for money.
- We don't fight for the IPC.
- Lighthouse: My bad, my bad. I was projecting my own situation onto you. You guys are heavy-hitters who can go toe-to-toe with the heads of the Strategic Investment Department.
- Lighthouse: Why would folks who can trade blows with a Lord Ravager sweat the small stuff?
- March 7th: Do you have a lot of that "small stuff" to sweat over, Mr. Lighthouse?
- Lighthouse: If only. My typical to-do list looks more like this: track down some big shot's runaway nosewalker, then stop two departments' private security forces from shooting each other, while somehow managing not to step on anyone's toes.
- Nihilux: You're quite the down-to-earth hero.
- Lighthouse: Down-to-earth? Yeah. If I so much as brush against some big shot's favorite painting or antique vase while on a mission, I'm stuck writing a 3,000-word incident report.
- March 7th: Your superhero career sounds a little... miserable.
- Lighthouse: That's life. Misery is the main flavor, with just a dash of sweet every once in a while. Heh.
- Lighthouse: Alright, now that we've taken in the view, we should all be feeling less uptight, more relaxed. Let's head over to the Lodestar Tower.
- (Receive a message from AAA Furbobo Weekly Wholesale Requests)
Great Raccoon! Where are you?Astropolis is so huge. I've got a whole bunch of furbos with me, and we're totally lost!Great Raccoon, where are you? Where do we meet up with you?Head to the spot Madam Jade prepared for usHead to the new office at Lodestar TowerEasy now. Madam Jade has set up a new office for us over at Lodestar Tower. [Lodestar Tower Office Coordinates]You guys go get settled in first. See you at Lodestar Tower in a bit.Roger that! On our way!
- Lighthouse: This is my first time getting up close and personal with the Nameless of the Astral Express. What an honor.
- March 7th: Want an autograph or a photo? Wait, you're not trying to get a selfie with us for clout, are you?
- Lighthouse: No, no, no! Of course not! I'm just genuinely curious and a huge fan!
- (Approach poster)
- March 7th: This poster...
- (Interact with the poster, optional)
- Sequence 16You noticed a promotional poster for the Cosmic Big Lotto. According to Lighthouse, the woman on the poster was a Ms. Beatrice Mellanine, who had won the jackpot three times in a row and was subsequently signed on as its ambassador. The face on that poster, though... it looked awfully familiar.
- Lighthouse: Ah, that's a promo poster for the Cosmic Big Lotto.
- Lighthouse: What, wanna buy a ticket? Haha, I get it. Everyone dreams of striking it rich overnight.
- March 7th: No, I mean the person on the poster.
- Lighthouse: Ah, Beatrice Mellanine. Apparently this insanely lucky girl hit the grand prize three times in a row.
- Does someone that lucky actually exist?
- Lighthouse: Who knows? I heard the IPC tore their pipelines apart looking for a glitch, found nothing, and had no choice but to honor the payout. They even signed Beatrice as the spokesperson for the Interastral Big Lotto.
- Lighthouse: Man, if only I had that kind of luck.
- (Talk with the IPC worker)
- Sequence 18Arriving at the Ferry Station, Lighthouse purchased tickets to Lodestar Tower, then waited around with you all for the shuttle to arrive.
- Lighthouse: Hi there. Tickets to the Lodestar Tower.
- Ticket Vendor: Mr. Lighthouse! Are you heading up too? Are you on another important mission!?
- Lighthouse: Hmm... Just a routine patrol. Escorting these friends here while I'm at it. Duty calls.
- Ticket Vendor: I knew it! With you around, Lodestar Tower is in good hands!
- Ticket Vendor: Here are your tickets! And thank you again for what you did on that sightseeing boat... for saving my child.
- Lighthouse: Don't sweat it. I was just doing my job!
- Lighthouse: Alright, we've got the tickets. Let's move.
Wait for the shuttle
- (Talk with the IPC worker again, optional)
- The ticket vendor looks you up and down, her eyes filled with both caution and curiosity.
- You can practically guess what she's thinking. She's probably caught in a fierce mental tug-of-war right now between, "If the Lighthouse is escorting you, you guys must be big shots," and, "Never mind, I shouldn't pry. I'd actually like to keep my job!"
- (Listen to staff next to the chairs, optional)
- Gossip-Loving Employee: Phew, good thing I caught the last shuttle before the lockdown hit.
- Diligent Employee: Is this level of security really necessary? Half the board and department heads are just dialing in remotely anyway.
- Gossip-Loving Employee: I heard some rumors... Apparently something big happened again.
- Diligent Employee: ...Ugh, my Interastral Peace Entertainment stock better not tank. I was just about to cash out.
- (Listen to imagenae behind the mechatron, optional)
- Echoing Lightpaw: Must be nice! Just because we lightpaws are fast doesn't mean they can keep dumping all these "super-urgent" takeout orders on us.
- Echoing Lightpaw: I was looking into it, and apparently, back where we imagenae originated, there's an actual Faekind Protection Act to safeguard our rights.
- Serious Ploo: When I make manager, I'm definitely submitting an Imagenae Protection Accord to the board.
Take the shuttle to Lodestar Tower
- Lighthouse: It's here. Let's go, guys.
- (Approach shuttle)
- Lighthouse: Alright everyone, grab a spot and hold on tight.
- Lighthouse: This little hover-saucer is gonna coast along the tow track for a bit before taking us into the Lodestar Tower.
- (Head to Lodestar Tower)
- Lighthouse: Skylight's open. Nice view, eh?
- Nihilux: Even the most spectacular views get old when you have to stare at them every single day.
Trivia
- Regarding the Pain of Others is an essay written by Susan Sontag discussing how images of war and suffering affect people's perception of reality.
Other Languages
| Language | Official Name |
|---|---|
| English | Regarding the Pain of Others |
| Chinese (Simplified) | 关于他人的痛苦 |
| Chinese (Traditional) | 關於他人的痛苦 |
| Japanese | 他者の痛みへのまなざし |
| Korean | 타인의 고통 |
| Spanish | Sobre el sufrimiento ajeno |
| French | Face à la douleur des autres |
| Russian | О чужой боли |
| Thai | ว่าด้วยความเจ็บปวดของผู้อื่น |
| Vietnamese | Về Nỗi Đau Của Người Khác |
| German | Über das Leid der anderen |
| Indonesian | Tentang Penderitaan Orang Lain |
| Portuguese | Sobre a Dor dos Outros |
Change History
Released in Version 4.5
