A Master of Proselytizing
I asked Lisa for advice on how to handle this whole Journey situation with Muriel in tow.
Lisa looked genuinely stunned after hearing everything.
I see. She's even more of a walking disaster than I thought...
Got any good ideas?
Hmm, well...
By the rules, a Journey ends if the Journey member quits or fails the trials.
Sadly, there is no rule that lets us stop the Journey just because the member behaves like Muriel.
The real issue is, can someone who faints at a slime build courage...? It won't be easy.
B-but she does seem motivated to finish, so maybe she'll pull it off somehow!
Hang in there, Captain!
Lisa's encouragement was nice, but I still had no idea how to help Muriel get over her fears.
While heading back to the quarters with that worry in mind, I ran into someone very familiar.
Oh? Captain!
Muriel?
Wow, fancy meeting you here.
I figured you'd be at the training grounds again, going "training, training" like usual.
Or... were you off to enjoy some indecent little date? Who's the lucky partner?
Don't say stuff that'll get me misunderstood.
Pfft, yeah right. Like anyone would date a gloomy guy like you ♪
I'm heading back to the quarters. Wanna come?
In her arms, Muriel was hugging a fat stack of papers.
Did you trick people with another "survey"?
Trick? Call it a survey-slash-recruitment drive.
And this time, the membership form is properly formatted, okay?
If you don't believe me, take a look yourself.
The paper Muriel handed over had the membership clause printed in huge letters.
Huh... For once, it actually looked like a legit sign-up form.
So... you got that many people to sign up in just one day?
When I put my mind to it, this is nothing.
Well, Captain? Impressed?
I'll admit it. What's your secret?
Heh heh, my secret?
A good angler always chooses the best spot to drop their bait. That's the trick.
While I was doing my pitch in the plaza when some guy came up to me.
He made me quite the tempting offer, you know?
A tempting offer?
Yup. He asked if I wanted to buy their stuff and resell it to others.
And every time someone I signed up sold something, I'd get a cut of the profit.
That's just a pyramid scheme!
I know. But I pretended to play dumb.
Why would you do that?
Heh heh, sometimes you have to brave rough waters to land a big fish.
Anyway, when I showed interest, he invited me to his seminar.
One look at that crowd and I knew I'd hit the jackpot.
If they fell for a pyramid scheme, I knew they'd fall for anything I pitched.
So when the scammers stepped out, I made my move.
Welcome, everyone, to the Monolith Order recruitment session!
...And that's how it went.
As you can see, it was a huge success ♪
What about those poor victims you roped in?!
What? Better my church than their scam, right?
They were suspicious at first, but by the end, they all left chanting "Praise Lord Gaph!"
Crowd mentality is something else. Heh heh heh.
So basically, a cult outwitted some crooks.
When did NOA turn into a city of crime?
You sure you'll be okay? They're criminals. They won't let this slide.
Pfft, Captain. Worrying about that? So naive.
How could those guys possibly find me in a city this big?
There she is! Over there!
What?!
Running your cult pitch on our marks and then loitering here? Bold move, kid.
And just hanging around like this? You've got guts.
What?! How'd they find me already?! I thought it would take more time!
We just asked around for a stuck-up girl in clergy robes. Everyone remembered.
Everyone remembered. Guess you should've been born with a better impression.
Who're you calling stuck-up?! You crooks!
You brat...! You ruin our business and then talk big?!
Boys! Don't let her escape!
Armed men poured out of the alleys, surrounding us.
C-Captain...! What now?
Did you seriously do all this without thinking ahead...?
I didn't think they'd actually find me!
What do I do?! If they catch me, they'll kill me!
If the Order finds out a Journey member got beaten up by small fry like this, I'll get kicked out for embarrassing them!
Calm down! These guys are way less scary than monsters!
R-really...?
Show them what all that training was for!
The courage training?
O-okay! I'm not sure how, but I'll try!
Focus... focus...!
Fire sparked at the tip of Muriel's staff.
But then... the flame started growing bigger and bigger.
Wait, that's way too much!
...And lead us not into temptation but shower us with luxury and comfort...!
She's not listening at all!
W-what? She's a Savior?!
But that thing... looks way too dangerous, doesn't it?
The thugs backed away as the fireball swelled as big as a building.
...Eh?
Eeek?! What is this?!
It's hot! Help me, Captain! I'm gonna burn up!
Just toss it in the air!
A-are you sure?! You told me to do it, okay?!
Hrrgh!
The fireball Muriel hurled shot up and exploded in a dazzling blast.
*Huff...* *Huff...*
Th-that was close... If I'd waited any longer, it would've blown up right over my head...
Holy crap... What was that...?
We'd be dead if that thing hits us! Run!
...Huh? What?
Captain? What just happened?
Does that mean... I chased them off?
Yeah. Barely, but you did good.
Heh... Heh heh...
Ahahaha! Just like the scripture says! Those who believe fear nothing!
Thanks, Captain! If you hadn't been here, I'd be toast!
Wow, you do know how to say thank you...
Of course I do! What do you take me for?!
But now that I actually scared them off, I kinda wish I'd hit them with the fire.
It would've been fun to watch them squeal under a holy blaze.
Oh well, whatever.
At least all my forms are safe—
...The sign-up forms in her arms had already caught fire and were burning up.
Eeek! No! My forms!
The sparks must've landed when that thing blew up.
Waaah! Don't just watch! Help me put it out!
Word later was, the scam group's cover got blown that day and they were all arrested.
The victims claimed the Monolith Order was involved, but...
With those forms reduced to ash, there wasn't a shred of evidence left.
Maybe... that too was Gaph's blessing?