gvial2

They promised me that the moment they get their equipment back, they'll send their mechanics to help me test my robots with their technology.

Give it up.

Nnuuh...

That said, I really didn't expect <i>you</i> on their side.

Who else have they talked to?

Let's see...

They tried Tomimi, but they got blasted out.

They've also talked to their Great Chief Edge Eartheart and others from Zeruertza.

They said it themselves. Aside from Avdotya, everyone's been either somewhat lax about it or at least... ambiguous.

Ambiguous?

Supposedly, they've even managed to persuade Chief Edge despite how strict he was with the ban at first. And we've both seen in Zeruertza how the alcohol there flew right off the shelves.

This can't continue!

We can't waste any more time with these fellas. They're the ones who banned all the booze, so of course they can unban it, too.

But if it comes to that, they'll never finish their settlement... I don't want Acahualla to have nothing but a bunch of incomplete buildings waiting for Inam when she gets back!

...Wow.

You wouldn't want to see that either, right?

It doesn't really matter to me, but... I'll follow your lead.

Bring Tomimi here. Time for a war council.

Huh???

What do we do, Gavial?!

Calm down, Tomimi.

I'll go talk to Master Edge and ask him not to change his mind!

Stop. Stop! Come back!

I just talked to Gavial. It's not like Edge doesn't drink himself. It probably wouldn't be a good idea to talk to him now.

Avdotya might just be the only one who'll follow through with the ban, but since this involves the Durins' immediate benefit, she might be powerless herself.

*whine*...

Actually, I have an idea.

Really? I knew you'd know what to do!

Don't get ahead of yourself. I can't do this on my own. I need your help.

Tomimi, send the word out to all the tribes and ask them to keep an eye on the Durins.

Huh? What are they gonna do?

That depends on Zumama and her mission...

How many days has it been since we last had a sip?

Yeah, I haven't been keeping count, you whiskey idiot. Couldn't be bothered to. All I remember is that all the men you guys sent to persuade her came back empty-handed. You guys are even more pathetic than Originium slugs.

What did you just say, you mead wimp?!

...Let me warn you. You can insult us, but you can't insult Old Karl Mead!

The way I see it, you guys got brain damage from all that stinking foot odor you guys got with your whiskey!

You know...

What?

I've always advocated for both sides to peacefully coexist.

Get to the point, you berry tomato wine freak.

Actually, my guys have almost persuaded Master Edge. We just need to wait a couple more days. Just a few more days—

Hey there, my conspirators. Nice to see you guys.

Gavial?!

I'm here to talk conditions.

What conditions?

I know you guys want your booze making tools, and you can't wait to get your hands on them, right?

True enough.

I'll give you guys a way out, then.

If you guys manage to beat me, I'll give you your tools back.

Really? Get her, boys—

Just like that?

Uhh... I guess we'll need to make some preparations first.

Good call.

I'll say this again. If one of you manages to defeat me, I'll give that person the tools back.

Hey, you there. That's right. You.

An ambush isn't gonna work on me.

Anyone who tries might just end up having to give up drinking for the rest of their life.

Eek!

Besides, ambushes are kinda underhanded, wouldn't you agree?

W-We aren't going to bow down to you!

Good, you've got some backbone. I'd expect no less from the newest residents of Acahualla.

Now hurry up with your preparations. I'm ready when you are!

Zumama, how are things going on your end?

Very well.

At first, they thought they could take you on just by working a little harder and putting some gear together. Clearly they underestimated you.

But after you handed their asses to them every single time, they started looking for another way, and it didn't take much work for me to divert their attention to robotics.

I lent them the blueprints for the Big, Ugly Thing and had a bit of a technological exchange with them. I have to say, the Durins' technology is really interesting.

Their self-driving carts may act like they might as well be blind, but the technology behind them is nothing to scoff at. Once deployed, we'll be in for quite a show.

That's not a bad thing... but what I'm worried about is them putting together a self-driving Big, Ugly Thing.

Well...

I think that's exactly what they have in mind.

(Shrugs)

Alright, fine. We were going to take this chance to see if the Durins would put together some kind of machine they could use in construction anyway.

And I mean, they haven't really been putting up much of a fight the last few days. Getting to fight something like the Big, Ugly Thing again isn't so bad.

Bad news, Gavial!

Huh? What's the matter? Did the Durins start fighting among themselves over their booze?

Yeah, the mead fan club almost had an all-out brawl with the No. 7 Whiskey fans—

No, that's not what I'm here about!

They put together a robot just as awesome as the Big, Ugly Thing, and they're testing out its weapons right now!

Oh.

That's exactly what Zumama's mission was. Don't you remember?

Oh... I guess I worried too much.

Alright, I'll keep watching them test their weapons, then! It's like, kaboom! It looks really amazing!

Alright. Let me know if something seems off—

Hold up, where are they doing this testing?

At a cave not far north of the Eunectes tribe. There's nothing but trees there.

A cave north of... the Eunectes tribe—

Dammit!

Huh?

Tomimi, hurry up and stop them. Zumama and I will be there soon!

They're just testing weapons. Why are you so worried about it all of a sudden?

That's the cave where Inam hid all their alcohol making equipment!

Hah—*yawn*.

G-Gavial?!

Hey, fellas. Mind testing your weapons somewhere else?

Why should we?

Well...

You're the one who told us you'll give us back our tools if we defeat you!

That I did say.