act20side

A few days later...

Stitch is working hard at the forum again today.

Just like the journey to the surface, the dressing of the city is a task that requires the supervision of all the citizens.

And as the face of the city, the dome's renovation is naturally the most important task.

Which is why it is also necessary for the design tasks to be done in the forum, where everyone can see.

And as Master Edge claims, it also saves time.

That darned old man. He's definitely having me do this because he thinks it's funny.

Noticing Edge's smug look below, Stitch finds himself immediately incensed.

However, not even he himself expected to adapt so quickly to these work conditions.

When he has to take questions from passersby, when he has to hear opinions, and even when he stands up and defends his beliefs in an argument—

None of that actually carries as much pressure as he thought it would.

With Edge grinning away at him, Stitch is definitely irritated, but he also knows what people must be thinking about him.

Just like how they must know what he is thinking.

This little runt. He's had more arguments than I could count the past few days.

Just because someone dared to give him some feedback, he had to argue for the better part of the day.

Still, the work he's turning in is impeccable.

Finch, I don't know where in the world you've tromped off to, but you can rest easy now.

Oh, right, right.

Stitch!

What is it? I'm working here!

Somebody found a letter at the top of the dome while it was being inspected.

A letter?

Yep, and it's for you.

No way...!

I am Finch Canvas, the Zeruertza's greatest architectural designer.

I placed this letter at the top of the dome.

I am sure the one who opens it will be the next person to renovate it.

I hope that he is my dearest student.

This letter is for him.

However, if you are not him, then please do not give him this letter.

As that would mean he has failed.

Sorry, Catch.

Hm?

If only I were more like you...

Everyone's personality is different, and I can understand the way you think, too.

All I can say is, if I'd found out a little sooner, maybe things could've turned out different.

You're allowed to stay, you know.

It's fine.

*Sigh*, it feels like I did something terrible to you.

Not at all, Elysium. I really appreciate your suggestion.

It's true that I made this decision to give him that push at first, but I also really want to seek out Master Finch.

I'm sure he'll be very happy to hear how Stitch is doing.

Well, you've made it plenty hard for me to know what to say here.

Speaking of which, it sounds like this Master Finch really cares about his student. I have a hunch that he might have gone to the surface to seek a cure for Oripathy.

After I leave, I will try my best to track him down, too.

Hah, perhaps he will one day find his way to Rhodes Island.

Oh, now there's a plan.

You know what I'm trying to say, right?

Yeah, we'll meet again.

I know I want to help out when we finally rebuild Zeruertza.

And when the time comes, I am going to work together with Stitch to put out some amazing designs.

Like a statue of me?

Well... Maybe not that.

A shame!

First, I must apologize to you for my departure.

But if I had not left, knowing you, you would never become truly independent.

Alright, truth be told, if I decided to stay, I wouldn't have known how to stop caring for you.

You have a gift.

Oripathy has greatly limited your lifespan, but at the same time, it has made you see life in a more profound way.

Thanks to this, your style has greatly transformed for the better.

I can tell.

Here we go, let's pull it together. Our job today is the blow all the caverns in this area!

You hear that, Yogi?

Yes, Brother!

*yawn*, Yota, did you have to start working this early?

What are you talking about, Inam?

This is a mission Gavial gave us herself.

She saved my life. If I could, I would dig through the earth to meet her right now and check how she's been doing.

She'll still be alive and kicking, well after you're dead.

Haha, that's for sure.

Right, I'll be leaving tomorrow to meet the Pasha and discuss the lord ameer business.

So, starting tomorrow, Zumama's in charge. Got it?

How about I come with you, then?

Didn't you say the Pasha is a pain to deal with?

For you, yeah. The Pasha would grind you until there's nothing left.

Don't worry. I haven't been a Messenger all these years for nothing.

Alright, Zumama, I'll leave this to you.

Don't worry.

We've installed the 'Mountain Breaker Mk. III' on the Raging Ironhide.

That'll put its efficiency up three-fold.

You could even leave me this whole place.

Sometimes... I feel like you're even scarier than Gavial.

At the same time, this has made your style more and more extreme.

And the more you stood firm with your style, the more you despised working with others.

This worried me.

By the way, Avdotya. What are you going to do once you make it to the surface?

What else can I do?

You can't believe I will settle down for a life on land just because of the speech I gave?

Once Zeruertza is rebuilt, I will be back.

Is there a problem?

Right... Actually, this only just came back to me, but I made a promise to Inam.

We agreed that if I ever went to the surface, I would do business with her, and she would also introduce me to a place called Rhodes Island.

But I don't know that much about the surface, so I told her you would be our middleman, and I could learn from you.

So that means...

You sold me to her?!

I'm sorry! But I really want to try doing business on the surface. Please, help me out!

Croooooque! Diamondfaaaaaaaace!

Didn't I tell you not to drink?!

I'm really, really sorry!

When aloofness yields no result, it only devolves into misconception.