On the Brink
So... could you tell me why you were causing a disturbance in front of this shop?
This shop is... uh... well...
This shop was up to something it shouldn't have been!
Taboo. Forbidden. Line crossed.
Something it should not have been doing?
That's right! Did you know about this, town guard?
Inside this shop...
There is a secret passage that leads further inside!
...!
I didn't know...
I had no idea at all!
Right?!
But building a secret passage inside a shop...
That doesn't really seem like something forbidden.
...Ah.
R-right...?
It isn't illegal either.
Then how about this!
That secret passage leads to a secret casino!
...!
A... a secret casino! That is definitely...!
Definitely suspicious, right?!
That's quite an exciting location choice.
Huh.
Operating a casino isn't illegal in NOA.
Of course, an unlicensed private casino would be illegal...
...Is that so?
Uh... did they get a license...?
It's a secret casino run by an underworld kingpin!
There's no way they got a license, right?
What's the name of the casino?
[Deep Field]...
Deep Field, Deep Field...
Ah, here it is.
A members-only casino for nobles and the elite, built around a secret theme.
It's a fully licensed establishment.
...
Why would an underworld boss bother getting a license?
...Limits of irrational logic encountered.
More exhausted than ever...
Tch... Then how about this!
Inside that secret casino beyond the passage...
My friend has been kidnapped and detained!
That's illegal!!
As soon as Annah finished speaking, she pulled out a pair of handcuffs and raised them into the air.
Reinforcements!!
At that signal, town guards appeared from somewhere and gathered around Annah.
Surround them!!
With a gesture pointing at the shop, the town guards immediately surrounded it.
D-damn it! Things were just about to calm down...!
Don't let a single one of them get inside!
Y-yes, understood!
Ah! You have chosen to challenge public authority!
I had my doubts, but now I am certain.
Town Guard!
Move in!
Stop them!
Is this... getting out of hand?
W-wait! Don't push! No, wait, maybe we can talk this out!
It's too late for that now!
Now's our chance! Let's get inside!
Inside?
It's been two hours since the infiltration team entered.
Thirty minutes past the expected return time under normal conditions.
Something must have gone wrong, and they might not be able to contact us.
With the Town Guard here, this is actually a good opportunity!
Hmm...!
All right, let's go in and bring them out ourselves!
Okay, into the shop!
Hey! There's a door over there!
All right, let's move in through there.
N-no! Damn it!
Headquarters! Headquarters! The gate is about to be breached!
Reinforcements! Send more reinforcements!
There are more reinforcements?
All right, I have an idea.
We wait here by the door and take them down one by one!
Agreed. A rational tactic.
...! I hear footsteps coming up the stairs!
They're coming! Move, Asherah!
Luna, wait!
Here I go! Take this!
...Ah.
...Oh.
Umm...
C-Captain...?
...Luna's full swing landed squarely on his head.
We... are back...
Captain!?
Wh-what the? What's going on here?
...
...Luna, hiding the weapon behind you is pointless.
Shh!
If a witness is needed, please contact me.
After a moment of chaos, things settled down.
Since the supposedly kidnapped person walked out unharmed, both Deep Field's security and the Town Guard agreed to stand down without further conflict.
Judging that staying would result in being held responsible for causing the disturbance, Luna quickly decided we should all head back to Candle Square.
Goodness, is everyone all right?
We heard there was a disturbance in the city and came as quickly as we could.
Haha... Things were a bit chaotic...
But... I suppose it was resolved well enough.
Hmm, everyone seems all right, which is a relief...
But we will likely need to report what happened to NOA later.
And as for Claire and Scarlet...
You are... unharmed, correct?
...We're fine.
But the outfits...
...We are fine!
I'm not sure this counts as a clean resolution...
But since Ms. Bell returned safely, it is safe to say the matter has been settled for now.
This is all your fault! Hurry up and bow and apologize!
I...
I'm sorry...
Louder!
...I'm sorry.
To think Ms. Bell would say she's sorry...
It seems she's aware that she caused quite a serious incident.
It's fine, it's fine. I'm just glad nothing bad happened.
Hmm, so in the end, it was all a misunderstanding and a mix-up?
It still feels like something's still unresolved...
...
Well, it's fine!
At least we discovered the location of that secret casino!
Forgetting that it is a members only establishment would be unwise.
Also, there's a 97.5% chance they'll move the entrance after this.
Seriously, Smile, way to kill the vibe.
Mmph, mmph!
In any case, it is all thanks to everyone here.
The Voyager Savior Party, and Captain.
On behalf of everyone at Candle Square, thank you.
We are the ones who are always indebted.
I am glad we could help.
Of course.
By the way, regarding the Captain's welcome banquet...
We should discuss when to reschedule it—
Why not just do it now?
...Now?
Yeah, everyone's already here!
Ah, now that you mention it.
...Everyone?
Lisa is here too, perfect!
I suppose so. However, the commemorative cake has not been prepared.
We don't need a cake.
How about a meal instead?
The meal's no problem. We can have it ready in about 30 minutes.
I wasn't even thinking about it...
But now I'm suddenly starving.
Me too!
Agreed.
At that moment, I suddenly had an idea.
Since everyone seems hungry...
Let's just do it now while we're at it.
Understood.
Since it's your welcome banquet, we'll follow your lead, Captain.
Then Scarlet and I will get changed—
W-wow, I'm starving!
I want to eat as soon as possible!
...
...Ahem☆
I see... that's it, Captain!
All right! I'll help too!
Huh? H-help with what?
Wow! I am really hungry. Really hungry!
Claire, can you hurry it up? Please?
W-wait, we need to change first...
It's fine! I'll help with the meal prep!
Where was the kitchen again? Here? Or over there?
Ah, it's over there... Luna! Wait! Let's go together!
Not giving them a chance to change, Luna dragged Claire and Scarlet out, then glanced back and gave me a firm nod.
I nodded back at Luna...
Expressing my deep gratitude.