act12side

*Sigh*, fine.

Please go on in, Miss Ch'en.

Miss Ch'en Hui-chieh, looks like you made it here first.

I've long heard that the L.G.D. Special Inspection Unit Chief is a young lady of extraordinary talent. Meeting you in person has only proven that those are no mere rumors.

You... must be the mayor, Lady Sanchez?

Yes, that's right. I am Candela Sancheze, the mayor of Dossoles.

You speak Yanese pretty well.

I've always wanted to cozy up to Mr. Wei, but he hasn't been back since ten years ago. I haven't had much use for my Yanese, even after all the time I spent learning it.

Lady Sanchez, I'm just here on vacation. I am not representing anyone.

Please, call me Candela. You may even call me Auntie, if you want. After all, it's long been my wish to become Chief Wei's sworn sister.

I will pass, Lady San... Candela.

Hahaha...

The way you talk, and the way you frown. My, my, you look just like he did when he was still young.

But I have to say, he was much more heroic than you are now.

I'm not much related to Chief Wei...

Don't worry. I understand.

You have nothing to worry about, my lovely niece. Lady Fumizuki has already told me that you won't be representing anyone, and you will have no burdens on your shoulders.

Have some fun. As long as I'm here, there is nothing that can hurt you in this city.

Thank you for your kindness, then.

You said I made it here first. Is someone else coming?

Right! Wouldn't you say it's a coincidence? She's coming from Lungmen, while you came here from Siesta, and both of you are arriving on the same day.

Who?

Hmm?

Oh, looks like Lady Fumizuki's hiding something from you, even though you are bound to find out.

Ch'en, my lovely niece, I'm sure you already know, but there are certain formalities that Chief Wei and I must follow given our position, even if we'd rather not.

I actually wouldn't have minded if Chief Wei had sent just any old lout off the street... Well, I guess maybe he'd still have to put a little thought into it. Someone like you, perhaps? I would honor them with the same hospitality as I am showing you now.

And why does it matter? I invited the Weis and the Rat King here for a holiday.

But he knows that will not do, and so do I.

He is free to not come, but he must send someone of status. Or it would be tantamount to the Chief of Lungmen disrespecting the Mayor of Dossoles.

You would've seen countless headlines in the newspapers of both cities, and way too many things would get unnecessarily problematic.

So what you are saying is Chief Wei sent someone of sufficient status to represent him.

That's right.

Is it Hoshiguma? No, maybe Swire...?

Wrong on both counts.

Then...

Ma'am, she's here.

There's your answer.

Lady Candela Sanchez, esteemed mayor of Dossoles, on behalf of the Chief of Lungmen Wei...

Lin Yühsia?!

Ch'en Hui-chieh?!

What are you doing here?!

Oh... I get it. No wonder Lady Fumizuki sent me.

So you're Wei Yenwu's representative.

Looks like you two are acquainted. That's wonderful.

We used to be classmates. That's it.

She's a friend of a friend. We barely know each other.

In that case, wouldn't this be the perfect opportunity for you to reconnect?

Anyway, Lin, my dear niece.

Just like my niece Ch'en here, you may call me by my given name. No need to be so formal.

Even though you're here to represent Chief Wei, you don't need to think too much about such things. No burdens on your shoulders.

All you need to do is enjoy this city I'm so proud of.

Understood...

Oh, and two more things.

Please, by all means.

First, I heard that both of you are very bright and can more than hold your own in a fight, that you girls are capable of great things.

So I have an extra fun activity prepared just for you two, my beautiful nieces.

Activity?

Before I explain, do you know anything about our city's biggest event of this time?

The championship that's going on right now?

That's right.

Dossoles's greatest feature, and indeed what it is known for all across the world, is the 'ocean' that surrounds us, and this ship sailing its waters.

It's a piece of renovated Iberian technology. It took much blood, sweat and tears to complete. It's one of my finest masterpieces.

Including the statue on the ship's bow?

Hahaha, that's just my own little addition.

As for the water of this 'sea,' it's all sourced from the actual, vast ocean to the north.

The water gets dirty and starts to stink after a while, so we replace the ocean water at least twice a year.

And this season is when most of us here head to the beach. That's why we have the water replaced around this time.

Changing the water is in itself a mundane process. Not only that, but we even have to take away a day of fun from our esteemed guests.

Nonetheless, I don't want to have our guests play in any filthy seawater either. It would be an insult to Dossoles's fame.

And that's how the Dossoles Warrior Champion came to be.

This is a variety competition event that takes place all across the city, and it is entirely sponsored by me, at my expense.

I will have someone give you a more detailed explanation later if you would like to know more.

What you need to know is that the competition's victor will get to press the button that starts the water changing process. It's an honor that's unique to this city alone.

So you turned something that used to be trouble into a huge event...

Hahaha, that's exactly right.

To tell the truth, I'm very happy that the two of you made it before the competition began.

I heard you were vacationing in Siesta before you left for our city, Ch'en?

Yes.

What do you think of the music festival there?

I don't know much about music, but it was pretty lively.

Haha, I've met their mayor as well. You could say he, too, is trying his best for his city.

Sadly, he doesn't have what it takes to be the master of a city.

Besides, a music festival is nothing compared to my championship! Hahaha!

It looks like you two can handle yourself in a competition. If you're interested, perhaps you would consider joining the fray.

Oh, but if I'm not mistaken, the prelims will be over soon. If you are throwing your hat in the ring, don't wait much longer.

If the two of you win together as a team, not only will you brighten Chief Wei's day, you will also get a special present from me.

I'm not sure about teaming up, but we will give it some thought.

Now what was that extra activity you mentioned?

Oh, look at how forgetful I am. This fun activity has to do with the championship.

Sometime last week, my men busted an explosives and universal Originium circuits smuggling scheme.

I let a lot of things happen within my borders, but that isn't one of them. You should keep this in mind, too.

I don't think we'll need any.

Hahaha, of course. Just joking.

Normally, there would be nothing remotely fun about weapon smuggling, though, as you know, the championship is right around the corner.

So you don't have enough manpower? Looks like they picked an interesting time to try to smuggle weapons into the city...

They are probably trying to pull something funny at the competition. I suggest we start with any gray areas.

Very good. Looks like I made the right decision to prepare this little activity for you two. It's wonderful that you're already interested.

Anyway, if you feel you aren't having as much fun as you'd like at any point during your stay here, you could try your hand at the investigation. For fun.

Investigating this... for fun?

Right, and especially for you, Ch'en. I know you love solving a good case.