Head to the Goethe Hotel for your appointment

📍 Jarilo-VI Hotel Lobby

Serval

...Where did they get to?

Serval

Ah, speak of the devil! I was just wondering when you might show up, hehe.

Options

I never say no to a free afternoon tea...

Didn't realize you were in such a hurry... I'm not ready yet.

Have you placed my orders yet?

Serval

Don't worry, there's enough to go around! On the house — order whatever you like.

Serval

Ready? My stomach's always ready for food and drink!

Serval

...Huh? What orders?

Serval

Oops, forgot to check my messages...

Serval

Sorry, my bad... but it's not too late! You can order anything you want!

Serval

There's something I need your help with — I had to make it up to you somehow.

Serval

...Looks like we're not the only ones who wanted afternoon tea today though. We'll have to stand up for the time being.

Options

Well, I'll help myself to the tea then.

...This "something..." is it a favor?

Serval

Haha, don't drink too much, or you won't be able to sleep tonight.

Serval

Anyway... about the something I needed your help with.

Options

No need for the formalities. Let's hear it!

You have my attention... as long as the afternoon tea keeps flowing.

Already sounds dangerous — bye!

Serval

Well, you're clearly better traveled than I am, and I know how generous you are... I feel embarrassed to ask now...

Serval

Ha, don't get ahead of yourself, this might be more complicated than you think...

Serval

Wait, don't go! Take it easy, I just wanted to ask you a question...

Serval

*sigh* Was it that obvious? I'm out of practice...

Options

No need for the formalities. Let's hear it!

You have my attention... as long as the afternoon tea keeps flowing.

This is the price you pay for cleaning.

Serval

Well, you're clearly better traveled than I am, and I know how generous you are... I feel embarrassed to ask now...

Serval

Ha, don't get ahead of yourself, this might be more complicated than you think...

Serval

Uh... You still remember that?

Serval

Uh, how can I put this...

Serval

If I remember correctly, you, March, and Dan Heng came here on that train — the "Astral Express" — right?

Serval

I was wondering... is the train accepting new passengers?

Options

Why are you asking this all of a sudden?

Um... You need to pass the Boarding Exam first.

Such matters aren't up to me, I'm afraid I'll have to ask around first.

Serval

Well, i—it's just... the dust has settled now. The Stellaron problem has been resolved, and Cocolia...

Serval

...Forget it, it's nothing! Forget I said anything.

Serval

Boarding Exam? Like a test? I can do that! That sounds like the admission system that schools in Belobog use!

Serval

I'm wondering though, are there any restrictions against, uh... "aliens" like me from boarding the train?

Serval

...I guessed as much, hehe.

Serval

You see, there's not much left for me here except to carry on repairing equipment in the workshop... I like practicing the guitar, and performances are fun, but the crowds are pretty small.

Serval

Besides, I'm a researcher... how could I not get excited about the chance to explore new worlds up close? Everyone gets tired of living in small places like Belobog after a few years, right?

Options

I understand how you feel. Welcome aboard!

I can consult an expert opinion on your behalf...

Serval

Really? You're gonna say yes just like that?

Options

...But I'll still have to ask the others for their input first.

Serval

I understand. I'm counting on you!

Serval

I know this is a lot to ask out of the blue, so apologies in advance.

Options

Not a problem, just leave it to me.

Not like you to be so serious...

Action speaks louder than words...

Serval

Haha, I knew I could count on you!

Serval

Hehe, this is a pretty big ask⁓

Serval

...Actions? Ohhhh, I get you! Another plate of delicious snacks, coming right up!

Serval

...

Serval

Okay, okay, I—I'm counting on you!

Serval

I know this is a lot to ask out of the blue, so apologies in advance.

Options

Not a problem, just leave it to me.

Not like you to be so serious...

Action speaks louder than words...

Serval

Haha, I knew I could count on you!

Serval

Hehe, this is a pretty big ask⁓

Serval

...Actions? Ohhhh, I get you! Another plate of delicious snacks, coming right up!

Report back to Serval

📍 Jarilo-VI Neverwinter Workshop

🏃‍♂️

Move

Gepard

This is Lady Bronya's request...

Serval

...

🏃‍♂️

Move

Gepard

You should go and talk to Lady Bronya, Serval. It was her personal invite, after all...

Serval

Ugh... I know, I know. Let me think about it...

Options

What are you guys chatting about?

Serval, I already asked them...

Is this a bad time?

Serval

Huh? {NICKNAME}, you're just in time! Any news yet?

Serval

Oh! No, not at all! I could do with a hand, actually...

Gepard

Perfect timing, {NICKNAME} — please talk some sense into her.

Serval

*sigh* I knew it...

Options

So, am I supposed to be the good cop here?

I try to stay out of family squabbles...

I'm not taking sides — I don't even know what the deal is.

Serval

...Hey, you're taking his side already!?

Serval

Y'know what, you're right — we should work these things out on our own...

Serval

That's just it — there is no deal...

Gepard

...Serval, I understand your reluctance to rejoin the Silvermane Guards.

Gepard

But Lady Bronya values your talent, and she sees how much you could contribute to the rejuvenation of Belobog... so I came to talk to you about it.

Gepard

In any case, you should at least pay her a visit.

Serval

...

Serval

Okay... I get it. I'll make a trip to Qlipoth Fort and tell Bronya what I really think.

Serval

Sorry, {NICKNAME} — I need to get this over with. Let me know what they said when I get back.

Gepard

*sigh* ...Same old Serval.

Options

What happened?

That's your sister for you.

Was Bronya caught off guard by her desire to join the Astral Express?

Gepard

Is she creating trouble for you too?

Gepard

Join the Express?

Gepard

I see... no wonder she seemed so flustered. So that's what's on her mind...

Gepard

Ah, sorry, my head's still in the argument. It's like this.

Gepard

As you know, my sister used to be one of the research team leads in the Silvermane Guards Technology Division. Stellarons were her main area of research.

Gepard

But her expertise went far beyond Stellarons. She was and still is well versed in mechanical engineering and other fields.

Gepard

Immediately after her succession, Lady Bronya set her sights on Serval's talents. The supreme guardian wants her to resume her technological research and be a shining light for the revitalization of Belobog.

Gepard

However... you saw her attitude just now. I doubt her meeting with Lady Bronya will change anything — it'll probably just leave them both feeling dejected.

Options

Maybe she just wants to see the outside world.

I couldn't stand an office job either...

Gepard

Mm... I think there's more than one element to it.

Gepard

My intuition tells me this is mostly linked to Madam Cocolia's passing.

Options

I thought they became enemies a long time ago?

Sounds like you've got a story to tell. Let's hear it.

Gepard

That's true, but...

Gepard

*sigh* Never mind, it's just a personal hunch. I've never been good at reading my sister's mind.

Gepard

I can tell the two of you have a close bond. If you get the chance, see if you can persuade her to open up about it.

Gepard

...Hand on heart, I wouldn't want to see her sitting behind a desk in Qlipoth Fort and sighing all day either...

Gepard

Belobog is too small a place for a mind as inquisitive as Serval's... Maybe it would be better for her to join you on your journey.

Gepard

*sigh* ...I'll admit, I'm a little worried about how she plans on getting all this across to Lady Bronya.

Gepard

{NICKNAME}, are you busy? Let's go and wait for her in front of Qlipoth Fort.

Go to the Qlipoth Fort with Gepard

📍 Jarilo-VI Administrative District

Gepard

Doesn't seem like they've finished talking yet. I hope it's not turning into a shouting match... Let's go in.

📍 Jarilo-VI Qlipoth Fort

📍 Jarilo-VI Administrative District

Serval

I assume you heard our conversation just now?

Serval

I didn't expect her to be so open-minded... and she didn't even try to persuade me to stay. She didn't summon me just to return the guitar, did she?

Gepard

I wouldn't rule it out — she's good at reading people's minds... she would've known that you'd never set foot in Qlipoth Fort voluntarily.

Serval

...After all these years, I never thought I'd set eyes on this guitar again. *sigh* Guess we're stuck with each other...

Options

So what's the story behind it?

Did Cocolia like rock 'n' roll too?

Serval

...Well, it'll take a while to tell.

Gepard

If she did, I never knew about it.

Serval

The story behind this guitar... huh, it'll take a while to tell.

Serval

When we were in cadet school, Cocolia and I were notoriously disruptive — we were always coming up with the next crazy invention... We called it "exploring the infinite possibilities of new technologies."

Serval

This guitar was one of those inventions. Cocolia came up with a name...

Serval

...the "super electromagnetic flux player," or "electric guitar" for short.

Options

So she was tech-savvy too?

Wait, you sure you didn't come up with that name?

Serval

Not really, no. She was a military history major — very different from what I was doing.

Serval

Still, we hung out every day, it's only natural that my love for inventing would rub off on her.

Serval

Don't believe me? Let me tell you, Cocolia and I shared a similar way of thinking back in the day.

Serval

It's a bit of a mouthful, but I liked it at the time... it was a rock 'n' roll name.

Serval

...*sigh*, I told you it'd take a while to tell the story — let's get back to the workshop first. By the way... wanna help me pack my bags?

Gepard

...

Return to the workshop with the duo

📍 Jarilo-VI Neverwinter Workshop

What should we do now?

Serval

Ah... There's no place like home. I never feel completely free out there.

Serval

Gepard, can you lend your dear sister a hand? Help me pack my bags~

Gepard

Am I allowed to refuse? This place... Just looking around gives me a headache.

Serval

Okay, okay, I promise this is the last time.

Serval

I'm about to go traveling with {NICKNAME} — who knows how long it'll be before I can visit home again. You should help me pack while you still have the chance.

Gepard

...Fine. I'll give you a hand.

Serval

{NICKNAME}, you just need to make yourself at home. You've done plenty of work already!

Help Serval pack her things

Options

Serval, can we hear more about this guitar now?

Serval

Since you're so curious, I'll give you the whole story.

Serval

This guitar... was actually given to me as a birthday present by Cocolia a long time ago.

Serval

I came up with the design, but I was never able to build it — some of the raw materials were either too expensive or too hard to get a hold of. She helped me turn the concept into reality.

Serval

Quick as lightning, always keeping her word — that was her way of doing things. Back then... I thought we'd be friends for life.

Gepard

If it was a gift... why was it in Madam Cocolia's office?

Serval

I don't think anyone realized, but back then we were so close we didn't even differentiate between each other's possessions. We shared pretty much everything.

Serval

We lived in the same dormitory, went to the same school together every day, ate together, whiled away the time together... and occasionally talked about music together — though it wasn't something she was overly familiar with.

Serval

That's how things were until the day we fell out. A lot of our shared possessions never left her office again...

Serval

I was always looking forward to the day she'd return this guitar... I thought that would be the day we could bury the hatchet.

Serval

Now that I think about it... perhaps I was too naive. She'd probably forgotten it even existed.

Serval

And that's the only Cocolia you guys ever got to know, huh... Always ahead of everyone else, never looking back, even for a second...

Serval

...She put it all out of her mind. Me, and every memory to do with me...

Options

...She may have been colder than you thought to begin with.

You didn't do anything wrong, Serval.

Serval

...You think so too?

Serval

*sigh* I know... but that's what makes it harder.

Gepard

Let bygones be bygones, sister.

Serval

How did the conversation get so heavy again!? No good — let's talk about something interesting.

Serval

You know something, Gepard? That guitar case in your hand, and my guitar... They're both from the same prototype — the "super electromagnetic flux player."

Gepard

I never knew your guitar had a connection to me too.... Quite the story.

📍 Jarilo-VI Administrative District

🏃‍♂️

Move

Serval

...Huh? That melody...

Gepard

...That's one of yours, right?

Serval

...

Serval

I didn't think many people liked that one... Seems the city might have a few nice memories of me after I'm gone.

Serval

Well, it's getting late, let's head back.

📍 Jarilo-VI Neverwinter Workshop

Serval

That should be everything...

Talk with the Landau siblings

What should we do now?

Serval

Phew... finally. I think I must have left cadet school with about the same amount...

Gepard

No easy job. Serval, I want to ask you again...

Gepard

Do you... really want to leave Belobog and go with the Trailblazers?

Serval

...Of course! This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity — I can't miss it.

Serval

What's wrong, Gepard? Ahh, I see... Can't let go of your dear ol' sister, eh?

Gepard

I... Forget it. I don't want to complicate things for you.

Gepard

But before you leave, I have one last request to make. The Garrison is heading down to the Underworld soon to survey the situation around Boulder Town. Why don't you come with me?

Serval

...Huh? You just said you didn't wanna complicate things for me, and now you're sending me on a mission...

Serval

Ahaa~ You just wanna spend as much time as possible with me before I go, right?

Gepard

...

Gepard

N—No, it's not that... I've heard there are a lot of old energy hubs in the Underworld, and you're probably the only person in Belobog who knows how to inspect them.

Gepard

Since you're leaving one way or the other, why don't you do the people of the city one last favor before you go?

Serval

Even at a time like this, you're still thinking about the people... *sigh* I don't know what to say.

Serval

Alright, I'll help you out — the first and last time the Landau siblings will work together!

Gepard

Thanks, sis. {NICKNAME}, if you have the time, could you accompany the Garrison?

Gepard

You're Belobog's hero — I'm sure you must be popular in the Underworld. The Silvermane Guards will face less resistance if you come with us.

Options

Of course, remember to send me a message in advance.

Gepard

Thanks. I'll contact you when the Guards have finished their preparations.

Serval

*sigh* ...I'm tired of packing. Let's leave it here for today. Thanks for your help.

Serval

*yawn* I drank all that tea. Why am I getting sleepy?