The Club Owner
Captain, are you all right?
I'm fine.
Scarlet?
Oh! I'm finally starting to warm up!
I'm glad everyone seems to be all right...
We take one down, and more just keep coming.
You've got some nerve walking into [Deep Field]. I'll give you that much.
But don't think you'll last forever.
All units, get over here now! Keep only essential guards at your posts!
Now that we've come this far, we'll have to take them all down and push through.
Naturally!
Just as we were steeling ourselves for another round—
Please wait a moment.
A voice mixed with mechanical distortion echoed from somewhere.
From a strange device carried by one of the guards, a modulated voice flowed out.
Now, now.
This is a place where the intellectual elite of NOA gather to in pursuit of noble desires.
Club [Deep Field].
Of course, violence is also a form of desire...
But violence without rules or purpose is not a desire worthy of our club.
I believe everyone gathered here are distinguished gentlemen and ladies of NOA.
So... why not resolve this matter through dialogue, like proper intellectuals?
Who are you?
How rude...!
My apologies for the late introduction.
My name is [Hubble].
The owner of this place, Club Deep Field, and a seeker of pure desire... That will suffice as an introduction.
[Hubble]... I have heard that name before.
They say you are the ruler of NOA's underworld.
Hahaha, ruler of the underworld? That is far too generous.
In the underworld you speak of, there exist monsters and secrets far beyond anything like me.
I merely perform a bit of management to maintain my modest little club.
My apologies!
Hehe, it is quite all right.
There are certainly opponents in this world that are beyond your ability to handle.
I-I see... then please forgive me...
However...
Failing to recognize the caliber of your opponent and resorting to petty violence...
That is rather disappointing for someone in charge of security.
Th-that's...!
Let us discuss that later.
For now, we have more pressing matters.
Tch...!
So you want to talk this out...?
Indeed.
Dialogue is the greatest tool given to humanity by the divine.
It is the boundary between savagery and civilization.
Therefore, there is no better way to bridge the gap of misunderstanding between us.
If I may speculate...
You have likely come here in search of Ms. Bell of Candle Square.
Just as I thought! So you were the one who kidnapped the gravedigger!
Haha, I'm glad we cleared up our first misunderstanding.
While it is true that we brought Ms. Bell here...
To call it a kidnapping is quite inaccurate.
I presented her with a proposal that would be mutually beneficial...
And she simply accepted it.
More importantly, Ms. Bell is a member of Candle Square.
What would we stand to gain by harming someone like her?
So you're saying you would harm her if it benefits you.
Ah, you must be...
I see. You're the newly appointed [Journey Captain].
You know me?
Of course.
You're the one [Alicia] personally recruited.
Alicia, founder of NOA and the enigmatic Grand Witch.
You should be aware that you are far more well known than you think, Captain.
If things had gone as planned, I intended to send you a formal invitation next month...
It's unfortunate that our first meeting has taken such an improper form.
But please do not misunderstand my sincerity.
I wish to build a very good relationship with you, Captain.
For a long, long time.
...Where is Bell?
Ms. Bell... is in a private area deeper within the club.
Of course!
She is resting safely and comfortably, under no threat whatsoever.
For now, at least.
...That sounds like a threat.
My, you don't trust me very much, do you?
Given the circumstances, that is understandable...
But my words are true.
If you simply accept the proposal I offered, Ms. Bell will be able to return safely.
Along with a very generous reward.
So why don't we all calm down and settle things here?
You expect us to believe that?! Bring her here right now!
Agreed. That sounds like you are implying something will happen if we refuse.
Hmm, I thought I was being quite generous...
Very well. I understand.
Well, then...
Let us decide this with a game.
A game? What are you talking about?
This is a place where desires are settled through games.
It's [Deep Field], after all.
You and I will compete.
If you win, you may leave immediately with Ms. Bell.
However, if I win...
Hmm, what shall it be...?
Ah, yes, how about this.
In place of Ms. Bell, the Captain will remain here at Club Deep Field.
Wh-what?!
That's absurd!
Absurd? That's quite an unfair accusation.
Is it not you who are making unreasonable demands after entering my establishment?
...Why should we follow your rules?
First, because you are uninvited guests.
If you had come at my invitation, that would be another matter...
But as it stands, you are intruders who have violated this club's rules.
Second, because that is how things work here.
What one desires must be obtained through a game.
That is the rule of Club Deep Field.
My desire is to conduct a certain transaction with Ms. Bell.
Your desire is to have her returned immediately.
When desires clash...
Wouldn't it be fairest to let the rules decide the outcome?
If I lose, how long do I have to stay?
Well...
Is it just me, or did the distortion in the mechanical voice grow more unsettling?
I've always been highly observant since I was young.
From ants crawling on the ground to the stars in the sky...
I have observed many things in pursuit of understanding their true nature.
And when I realized that this was my fundamental desire...
Ironically, I was faced with the fact that there was nothing left to observe.
Captain... to me, you are a trove of priceless discoveries.
Despite all the rumors surrounding you...
There is astonishingly little that has actually been confirmed about you.
So until I have observed you to my satisfaction...
I would like you to remain here.
...Hehehe.