After finishing our conversation in that heavy atmosphere, we set off and began heading back to the bus.
Haa... if things had gone as originally planned, we would've just received the information at the rendezvous point and been done with it. How did it end up dragging on like this...?
Well, being late for the appointment was the workers' fault, so there was nothing to be done about that.
No. Considering what the LCCB team went through, trouble was probably guaranteed from the start. Unavoidable, I guess.
While I was letting my thoughts wander in circles, Faust opened her mouth after reading the encrypted coordinates of the fluctuation.
bTBNM09MZGUzZmlaRkFUdzhUa200UHNQRDFDSU9aVEdLZzEzN3pXc01BZDJvalpkNmV5ZGowa3A5UE1wOTNjRQ
"I have confirmed the fluctuation coordinates for the Lobotomy branch delivered by the pilot."
"What exactly are fluctuation coordinates?"
"Large vessels such as the Lobotomy branch we are seeking, or the Bluefin Harbor ship, receive encrypted partial rules for the Great Lake from U Corp. Since U Corp secures and strictly controls each piece of information regarding the Great Lake's rules within the Nest, the corresponding price must be paid in various forms."
Right. If a vessel that size gets caught by the waves, the losses would be enormous, so they trade for part of the Great Lake's rules in advance from U Corp and make use of them.
If I let my imagination run a little from there, I could probably stretch that thought in another direction, but that would be Faust's explanation to continue, so I'll stop there.
"Using the partial Great Lake information they receive, they standardize where they need to be and when in order to remain safe from the lake's rules, and turn that into fluctuation coordinates. In the case of harbor ships, since they need to attract many customers, they transmit such coordinates to the vessels frequently... but for closed-off vessels like the old L Corp branch, which have no need for that, it is kept secret."
"Then... if the Lobotomy branch is basically some kind of treasure ship, those coordinates must be traded secretly for a high price?"
"An excellent deduction."
Faust affirmed Rodion's question and continued her explanation.
"Moreover, unlike ordinary coordinates, fluctuation coordinates are extremely long encrypted codes. So ships sailing the lake usually input them in order to navigate toward facilities located on the lake. They are even equipped with orbital automation functions that periodically check the destination's current position."
"Wow~ That sounds complicated, but anyway, if we enter the information we got from the pilot here, it means we can somehow make it to the Lobotomy branch?"
Hmm, as expected, Faust doesn't seem to have much talent for simple explanations.
Considering Hong Lu couldn't make sense of it, I wonder if there are more than four people here who understood what she just said, excluding Faust herself.
Me, Yi Sang, Otis, and... one veteran.
"...It's useless once you leave the Great Lake managed by U Corp and head out to the outskirts."
"Correct. Even so, the Lobotomy branch is inside U Corp, so with these fluctuation coordinates, we can determine the vessel's sailing pattern and arrive there."
So we're heading back to the bus-ship now...!
Hup, better move fast. I can already picture our impatient bus driver wearing a sour expression.
Getting scolded by Vergilius for being late would be a pain.
Ah. Would I get scolded even if we went quickly?
*
After pushing through the pile of containers and returning to where we'd started, the usual Vergilius and, as expected, a sulking Charon were waiting for us.
Perhaps surprised to see us return quietly for once, Vergilius asked an uncharacteristically direct question.
"You all look like death. What happened?"
"No, you see...! We arrived at the meeting place, but...!"
"...I'm not interested in that. Summarize what information you obtained. Start with the conclusion."
Fast.
Don Quixote's face, which had been blocked from speaking, was clouded with disappointment. ...Would buying her a snack make her brighten up?
Would she hate it if I patted her head? Something like, 'Do not treat me like a child!'
Hmm, I can see it clearly. Let's just join the constructive conversation.
Looks like Ishmael is about to speak up anyway.
"We found the location of the Golden Bough. It's the Lobotomy branch in the middle of the Great Lake."
"...Of course it would be embedded in the branch. Is that all?"
"We obtained fluctuation coordinates."
At Faust's brief conclusion, Rodion, dissatisfied with the far from brief process that had led here, started prodding Vergilius.
"Well, you might say it's only coordinates, but... if you don't hear how much trouble we went through..."
"No, that's enough. I'd like to praise you, in fact."
"Oh my?"
"...?"
What did this person eat wrong?
- Rustle, rustle.
"...What are you trying to say, Saramago? If you have a complaint, say it with words."
"No, I was wondering if Mr. Vergilius had eaten ice cream and gotten sick or something."
"It's only natural, since you brought back results beyond expectations."
"Hmm, ah... Ah. I think I get what you mean, more or less. Yes."
"I'm glad you're quick to understand."
Come to think of it, this was probably the first time we'd succeeded at a simple mission like this.
We'd caused nothing but accidents every time, so I could understand why he'd react like that.
...I'm innocent!
"Guide, I have something to say."
"Go ahead, Otis."
Otis's mood... ah, she's going to say it, isn't she? That.
As expected, Otis neatly organized what Ishmael had done in the club basement and relayed it to Vergilius.
Including my part in the quarrel.
...I won't get in trouble for that, right?
"......"
"Ishmael, you must have been quite anxious. Perhaps... that 'interview' you conducted earlier wasn't enough to put your mind at ease?"
"Of course not. With my purpose, my objective, moving around from moment to moment in ways I can't even know... how am I supposed to just stand there and watch while I keep trying to carry on with one thing after another? It's driving me insane."
"Hah, calm down. The Great Lake that has accompanied your life was also built so that every destination must be reached only by going around and around. For someone who has experienced that, you're rather impatient. That temperament nearly caused a major incident, too."
"That..."
"Well... I understand it wasn't intentional. If something like that had happened, you wouldn't be standing in front of me in a breathing form, at the very least."
"......"
"Why can't you think further ahead, Ishmael? You should be able to infer it roughly from the results of everything so far. That 'contract condition' you're so restless over—if you keep following this bizarre journey led by the Manager, it's bound to appear."
Right. If you can see the flow... it should be easy enough to tell that some enormous current is dragging us toward the Golden Bough in a way that's almost unnatural.
The problem is that there aren't many people in the City who can see that flow.
"Continuing to oppose the Manager will only slow that journey down."
"You're telling me to be certain based on just four times?"
"Well... I can see that sort of flow well."
"...!"
Hm?
"...If you put it that way, I understand. I won't overstep more than necessary just because I'm frustrated."
Looks like she knows something. A flow... maybe that's the sort of thing you can learn after living in the City long enough.
Maybe there are sayings passed down among Fixers about it.
Or maybe that red-haired man just has quite a reputation in that area. An epithet is a kind of gaze, after all.
"U-um... about the ice cream..."
Ah, Yi Sang. Come to think of it, I should've bought motion sickness medicine too. I forgot because we were so busy.
"Why don't you ask the one who goes around buying things with his own money without permission?"
"That's a bit much! You gave me permission too."
"I merely did not stop you."
"That's the same thing!"
"Um..."
"Ah, I'll give you the money, so go ahead and buy it. While you're at it, please get some motion sickness medicine too."
"Thank you. Then, if you'll excuse me for a moment."
Yi Sang carefully headed toward the place selling ice cream.
He really has changed a lot. Back then, he wouldn't have even brought up something like that.
As I was feeling pleasantly moved by his change, Dante looked at Vergilius and let his clock tick.
"You ask Dante about something that would be meaningless even if he asked?"
"Did you infect them or something? Honestly, I should've bought whale ice cream after all."
What does he think we are?
Incompetent germs? Dead weight that only causes trouble?
...No, maybe worse. Yeah.
I didn't want to get hurt for no reason, so I decided not to think about it any further. It was making me feel depressed.
"All right, everyone. It's time. Board the vessel."
After killing time for a bit, Vergilius said that and climbed up onto the deck first.
Now it's finally starting for real.
The journey on the Great Lake. If I had to put it into words, the prologue is over and Act One is only beginning now.
Everyone, including Yi Sang who had rushed back in a fluster, boarded the vessel, and with its characteristic engine sound, it began to move forward smoothly.
Whoooosh!
Facing the sea breeze carrying the smell of salt, I prayed carefully in my heart.
...Please, let this journey be free of trouble as well.
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