act11mini

Do you think... the Browntail clan has been a burden on her, this whole time?

Was this before the end of the Patriarch?

Yeah. Not long after that, Grandpa passed away.

You know now that Grandpa's health was already shot by then. Ratatos just kept the wool over our eyes...

Too many people had eyes on the Browntails, and the Matriarch was still too young. Some people were bound to get ideas.

Yeah. It got so busy for her she didn't even sleep. She had the heaviest bags under her eyes and thought I'd just miss them... Her temper got awful too. Ragging on me all day.

Yucatan.

Huh?

Back when I wasn't convinced, when I kept trying to disagree with Ratatos... I was being such a dumbass, wasn't I?

No—

Okay, stop, don't you say anything!

Mmph!

I know I was stupid then and I didn't help anything, but I sure ruined plenty! I was stupid to the max! It's fine, okay, I know all the way deep down!

It's whatever from anyone else, but you're the only one who can't say it.

You're not allowed to yell at me. I wouldn't be able to take it.

Rus... let me finish.

You're brilliant. I've never once thought you were stupid.

Ugh, you... How do you say this stuff so straight?

Hmm? Do I?

I don't think you're stupid, and neither does the Matriarch...

She totally does!

Alright... but she wouldn't fault you. You've always been trying to do a little something, and she's always trying to put faith in you. Haven't things turned out pretty great now?

I know that, I'm just still a little... angry.

Angry at myself, and angry at Ratatos.

Why couldn't I realize sooner, and why does she have to love showing off so much?

Well... do you want some real talk?

If it's not nice, don't say it.

Come on, that won't do.

Showing off probably runs in the Browntail family by now. You're not much different to her there, Rus.

So, our reluctant bravery-lover Madam Sciurus, do you have a plan to persuade that Mr. Harrison, and knock his greed down a few pegs?

I—

Hold on... what noise is that?

What a wretched dinner party.

Am I to believe Mr. Harrison has the courage to purchase a noble's land, but not the bravery to receive me as a guest face-to-face?

You lot.

Your orders.

Give our Mr. Harrison a little gift.

No cold feet to be had here. Teach this man how the mercantile should treat the aristocracy.

On it!

Argh!

Q—Quickly, fetch Mr. Harrison!

(What the hell? They're wrecking the whole hall.)

(Is that Victorian noble their leader? What is this meant to be...?)

(Looks like he and Mr. Harrison got into a mix-up.)

(He's destroying the house. That can't be your average mix-up.)

(Want me to take a look?)

(Hold on a bit longer. We can't just show up that casually. At least not right now!)

(But I think this might just be a good opportunity...)

Viscount Evans!

W—We're honored to have you! Why didn't you send word in advance? I heard you were holidaying in Leithanien; I hardly thought...

Mr. Harrison, you're quite the well-informed one on the subject of my travels.

You hardly thought I would return early. I imagine I've thrown a hardy spanner in your schemes, Mr. Harrison.

Tha—Tha... What are you...

Now, Mr. Harrison, none of that silly countenance.

You've been fraudulently snatching up shares in our joint firm, depressing prices and then purchasing the land on the sly while I was gone from the country. Not a good fit with your pathetic, wide-eyed look.

Viscount Evans, is this really called for?!

Our partnership is still in effect! If it's a question of interests, we can still hash things out again... This is hardly how you treat your joint associate!

But of course I haven't forgotten our partnership.

And yet still, I would dearly suffer for not letting off a little steam here.

(A dispute of interests between this merchant and this noble...)

(Ratatos pushed me through a bunch of material before we left, so I knew about this, but who knew I'd see it first-hand.)

(But with this...)

(Do you have an idea, Rus?)

(Yep. You just asked me if I had a plan for how to negotiate with Mr. Harrison.)

(Now I do—quick, Yucatan, here's our chance!)

You can't... You can't just do this!

Oh, can't I?

Mr. Harrison, let's be crystal-clear. Suppose I *do* do something to you! Then, they'll report that 'Pitiful Sir Harrison sadly passes away in duel with Viscount.'

Bahah, you can't possibly hope they'd lay hands on a noble?

(Sir.)

Huh?

(People got a lot of our guys knocked out now, only a few up still.)

(And seems one of the guests called the police. Look...)

You're not as dull as you suggest, Harrison. Fine job on finding some lackeys.

What...?

Enough of the tomfoolery!

I'd come in thinking there would be future leeway for discussion if you were tactful enough here, but it seems you don't quite agree.

Hmph. Today was just a lesson. We're far from through yet.

We're leaving!

They're just gone now?

Ugh... What about these guys, then?

The red-haired Zalak carelessly dumps the people over her shoulder in front of the magnate.

Just put them here. Someone will deal with them.

Ah... are these all—Viscount Evans's...

You don't mean those 'lackeys' he mentioned were—

If you don't have anyone else to choose from, then I imagine you mean us.

Are you alright, Mr. Harrison?

I escaped the worst of it, though I must seem an awful fool to the two of you, and, well, er...

No matter what, I thank you with all my soul.

Only, having set about to the Viscount's men like so, I worry in future, er... *sigh*...

Mr. Harrison.

Let me be straightforward about that—your partnership with that noble's in for a rocky ride, isn't it?

Well...

You've publicly offended him now we've beaten up his entourage, and it looks like he's a rung on the ladder above you, so you've got no way to get at him. Is he going to just keep working with you?

Based on what I know, your firm is in the key phase of its expansion right this moment, and if your partner pulls out midway, that'll be a massive blow to you, right?

Wh... What are you getting at here?

You can't be telling me you just did all that on purpose?!

Come on, I'm doing nothing more than talking facts here, that's all. Don't go and overthink it.

You're stuck between continuing to beg to that noble, or searching for a new associate under pressure. We have a small, little proposal there...

We Browntails are one of Kjerag's Three Clans. A single puny Victorian noble poses no threat to us. If you're inclined, the Browntails will be your most reliable business associates.