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My guess is—

Oh, anyone can tell it's waiting for two 'keys'.

It doesn't look like the tree will fully activate until a second Rhine Lab section director is present. Unless someone else sneaks into Propeller Paradise unnoticed...

What do you mean...?

People might have many theories and speculations about this device because of its appearance and the Rhine name, but I see nothing more than a flying 'tree', Mr. Gustave.

Are you done? We're not here to write Rhine's paper for them.

The delayed hearing has bought us time. But the reason Nasti concealed the tree's existence, how Ferne sneaked in, and my side hustle... everything needs an explanation.

Enough. Impatience is a sign of fear, and questions are a sign of incompetence.

Our consultant here has already given us the answer.

What is it?

Rhine's device is pretty low-risk, but also invites all kinds of speculation. Therefore, our definition of it can be as big or as small as we want it to be.

What else do you need me to do, sir?

Do as you're told.

All you need to do is what you're told.

Stop pushing!

P-Please, let me through, I have something to ask the desk...

Don't waste your time. They don't know when the hearing is.

I just want to know if I should come forward to the investigation...

Listen, we're impatient too. No one can do anything to move the hearing process forward, unless you're actually involved in the case.

Uh...

Let me guess. You took out a 'Sky Loan', didn't you?

Yes... there were six grocers like me back home. We spent our days betting drinks on the direction that tumbleweed rolled, until two years ago...

The sky, the Starpod, life free of Originium, a brand-new frontier for Columbia... I didn't understand a thing that the TV and newspapers said, but I saw the light that night.

I sold my shop, abandoned my wife, took out a huge loan, and went into Propeller Paradise without ever looking back.

I've already heard a dozen stories like that today. Take a banner and go join the protest instead of hanging your head here.

Aspen looks down at the protest banner in his hand. The fabric is silver, a reflective material commonly used by flying machines.

Lucky Cystybeast's furniture uses the same materials too. Aspen does not understand how it became so popular so quickly. The sofa reflects his face whenever he walks past it. It is patently absurd.

Yet the sight of the silvery fabric also causes his heart to leap, as though the future is really in his hands, and luck is really on his side.

I'll make it... I'll make it through this hearing.

Even if I'm put on trial and thrown in jail, I'll make sure the name Lucky Cystybeast and my exhibits stay on Propeller Paradise, where everybody can see them.

Things will turn out fine. Lucky Cystybeast will bring me luck!

He's never been late before... was he delayed by the protests, or did he get lost on the way?

The structure of Propeller Paradise is certainly complex, but it's not so hard to understand if we see it as a massive Wrankwood film set.

I remember the pioneer-era classics that you starred in. People still think your metal body was some kind of special effect.

You have a good memory.

Transportation on the levitating layer is very interesting. The combination of steel wires and ball pods seems like some sort of amusement park.

I apologize for the delay. I had to make a few rounds to humor these three stooges.

I haven't had a chance to greet them yet.

No need to be nervous. Young Maylander agents always attract too much attention. It takes someone with a calmer demeanor like you to play the part of a secretary. But I can't help but feel like you're starting to go too far with this seriousness thing.

Tannen isn't an easy customer, is he?

He has... a personality. It's not hard to read.

Good work.

Your timing a few days ago was impeccable. A single squad eliminated two major risks before the exhibition. I'll be sure to make a note on your annual assessment.

I'm flattered.

The suspension of Propeller Paradise's administrative and engineering functions has created plenty of room for Maylander to operate.

Gustave's desire to work with us is clear. He has already sent people to deal with Rhine's devices, and he intends to personally instruct his subordinates.

I guess all that's left is a hearing to placate the public?

You have questions about the delay of the hearing, don't you?

It's not like Maylander to stall.

Since when did you pick up an impatient streak? Everything happens in due course. We're not only here to investigate.

Such a beautiful, futuristic city. I leave Columbia for a few months, and all sorts of new stuff pop up.

How long will it take to make a full round of the levitation layer?

Less than an hour by ropeway.

Very good. I would like to enjoy a nice view of Propeller Paradise before the hearing.

The wind blows on the leaves in the young Banshee's hand, and voices fall from the breeze.

(In Sarkaz) One more! One more story!

(In Sarkaz) How about the tale of the wandering metal hero?

(In Sarkaz) He even graced our valley once. In fact, the mist that shrouds Mist Lake was actually blown from his big pipe...

(In Sarkaz) Retract your feather horns like this, and you can shield your eyes.

(In Sarkaz) So we can use them as an eye mask to sleep during the day?

(In Sarkaz) No, of course not. This is so you can easily weave your tears into elegies at funerals...

Another recording ends, and the young Banshee keeps her leaves in a chest pocket, yet her gaze suddenly turns wary.

Eavesdrop again, and I'll throw you into the concrete mixer.

Was that... a Banshee's incantation?

Yes.

You've journeyed thousands of miles from Kazdel to Columbia, yet you record your people's voices to keep by your side, listening to them over and over?

Is homesickness hard for you to comprehend?

No. But, it's rare I find someone concentrating on nostalgia the same way she concentrates on a blueprint.

You're trying to decipher the Banshees' language and behavior. Why? To find a new path, to solve your entire race's plight that has endured for millennia?

Gah...

I'm not that arrogant.

I only hope to take a burden off the shoulders of a particularly worried individual.

I see, though that's pretty much what I just said.

So, any breakthroughs?

I'm not in that much of a rush.

It sounds as if you've replayed that countless times over...

Soaking in the same old corpus until you drown, unable to develop a new language.

The limits of vision and thought drown us in the pool of 'common sense', and then everything turns into so-called destiny...

I thought you left Kazdel knowing this.

Erasing those recordings... is a cruel suggestion.

It's rational.

Hello, I'm Kristen, Control of Rhine Lab.

Nasti.

The talented Banshee, freshly recruited by Sterleigh Construction Co, who completes projects three times faster than regular engineers, provoking rumors of you imbuing witchcraft into blueprints...

We're currently establishing an engineering department at Rhine Lab. Might you be interested?

I happened to overhear your chat with the boss yesterday... 'Rhine Lab' is a bio-tech company, yes?

Look up, Nasti... Do you see those fowlbeasts, and the morning stars behind them?

I'm only looking for some kind of power to break through the sky.

The sky...

Per your prior suggestion, if you wish to accomplish something that exceeds the borders of common sense, then perhaps the power you need doesn't come from our side...

Rhine Lab should be looking into a scientific investigation department instead.

A rational suggestion. Can I take this as the first proposal fielded by our Director of Engineering?

Miss Lunorey?

I thought you'd send me straight to the hearing, or perhaps a more confidential cell... but here we are, waiting for a cable car at the ropeway station. Are we to visit the levitation layer next?

Your visitor has indeed arranged for that.

Long time no see, Nasti.

...So it was you.

I just got here, and what a fine place it is. I still have half the place to see—shall we have a look together?

Alright.

Why is it raining only in the area we just passed through?