Speak with Pela in the museum

📍 Jarilo-VI History and Culture Museum

Pela

{NICKNAME}, good to see you again! I've heard from Miss Eris that under your superb management, the museum is on the verge of regaining the thriving crowds of its heyday.

Pela

If the momentum continues, and if the History-Culture Hall can reopen on schedule... the museum's complete revival is surely just around the corner!

Options

What went missing this time?

Good thing you have me around.

Pela

...So you guessed it already.

Pela

...Ahem. Yes, indeed.

Pela

...I'm afraid there's been another theft. Like the previous cases, a valuable item was stolen from our exhibit — this time in the History-Culture Hall. The item in question has a connection to you.

Options

Was it a photo of me? I can always take a new one for you.

Was it my weapon? Here — I'll give it to you right now.

So what is it?

Pela

No. As you just pointed out, that kind of thing is easily replaced.

Pela

Uh, that won't be necessary — we've already made a high-quality replica.

Pela

Hehe, have I piqued your curiosity?

Pela

It'll be easier to explain once we're actually in the History-Culture Hall. Why don't I take you there now?

Pela

With an exhibit like this, all Belobogians will know your story, {NICKNAME}.

Head to the History and Culture Exhibit

Pela

You can probably guess from the name that the History-Culture Hall houses artifacts, replicas, and documents that are of great historical significance to Belobog.

Pela

Every passing day, we Belobogians must continue to endure the city's harsh environment. The trials and experiences of our ancestors serve as a reminder that the path of survival belongs to every generation of our people.

Pela

Every child in Belobog should visit this exhibit at least once... No, once isn't nearly enough.

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Move

Pela

This is the item in question.

Pela

This projector is a limited-edition version custom-made for the museum — the only one of its kind in the whole of Belobog. It can produce images with a resolution of up to...

Pela

...Oh, sorry, I'm doing my tour guide thing again. I'm sure someone as well-traveled as yourself has seen much fancier equipment than this.

Options

So broken, not stolen? Let's ask Serval.

Wowee! This is so high tech!

Pela

Oh, uh, that's not the issue...

Pela

...Nice try keeping a straight face.

Pela

The issue isn't the projector, but the microfilm that goes into it. It's the most crucial piece of this exhibit, and it was stolen.

Pela

There were some very valuable images on that film, and we hadn't gotten around to making a backup... I must admit, the thieves chose a good target, and they were fast and efficient.

Pela

Slide projection is a new addition to the museum — it was intended to be a surprise for visitors when the History-Culture Hall reopened. If we don't recover the microfilm, the Hall's opening will have to be postponed indefinitely.

Pela

Some of the images stored on that film are related to you, Miss March 7th, and Master Dan Heng. The curators of the museum wanted to take this opportunity to tell the story of the Astral Express' visit to Belobog.

Options

You did a secret photoshoot of us?

No worries. We can just do a reshoot.

Pela

Uhh... th—that's beside the point.

Pela

The parts related to you are only a small portion of the collection...

Pela

...{NICKNAME}, is... that your phone?

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Messages

Pela

Was that a message from Lady Bronya? Hm, this theft case has been dragging on for too long — she must have decided to intervene...

Pela

If she can delegate more resources to the investigation, that should help it move forward faster.

Pela

No point in waiting around here, then. Let's go pay Lady Bronya a visit, {NICKNAME}.

Head to Qlipoth Fort and speak with Bronya

📍 Jarilo-VI Qlipoth Fort

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Move

Bronya

{NICKNAME}, Pela, welcome.

Bronya

If I'm not mistaken, the two of you just rushed over here from the History and Culture Museum? I appreciate your coming here on such short notice.

Bronya

I should have gotten involved earlier, but I was tied up with other responsibilities. My apologies for letting you take on the investigation without proper support.

Pela

Lady Bronya, we never saw it like that...

Bronya

...Hehe, there's no one else here, Pela — no need for such formality.

Pela

...Okay, Miss Bronya.

Bronya

{NICKNAME}, I heard that you helped recover a number of valuable items for the museum, and that you've been running the museum as a part-time manager — do you have any insights into this serial theft case?

Options

I'm just taking it one step at a time. There doesn't seem to be much headway.

It feels like we've gotten very lucky.

Whoever's behind this is one Smooth Criminal for sure.

Bronya

Is that so? I see.

Bronya

Or maybe it's just the fruit of your efforts?

Bronya

Well, on that point, we can agree.

Bronya

In any case, this fiasco has been going on right under our noses for too long. Regardless of how cunning and talented the culprit may be, we must draw them out and demonstrate the resolve of the Architects.

Bronya

Pela, {NICKNAME} — I will issue an immediate directive to mobilize all on-duty Silvermane Guards in the city to conduct a door-to-door investigation.

Bronya

You're familiar with many of the locals in the Administrative District, right? If possible, I'd like you to head to the city center and see if they have any clues to offer us.

Pela

Understood! We'll head there at once, Miss Bronya.

Pela

{NICKNAME}, guess you're stuck with me again for this assignment. Let's meet up at Fountain Plaza.

Head to the Administrative District Plaza to start the investigation

📍 Jarilo-VI Administrative District

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Move

Pela

This place is an endless stream of people... Where do we start?

Options

Let's start with people we already know.

Let's interrogate them all one by one!

Pela

Agreed — that'll be more efficient.

Pela

I remember lots of folks like to relax around the plaza. Let's head there first.

Pela

...That won't do. Even a survey requires rigorous methodology, let alone an investigation.

Pela

We can start with people we already know. I remember lots of folks like to relax around the plaza. Let's head there first.

Head to Qlipoth Fort and report to Bronya

📍 Jarilo-VI Qlipoth Fort

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Move

Pela

Miss Bronya, we're back.

Bronya

Thank you both for your hard work. Did you find out anything in the Administrative District?

Pela

We didn't find anything directly related to the museum thefts, but there was one thing worth noting...

System

Tell Bronya about Wallace's disappearing "friend."

Bronya

I see. It was the man from the Limestein family who provided the information.

Bronya

Norbert... Norbert... I feel like I've heard that name somewhere before. Please, give me a moment to see if I can recall...

Bronya

...Ah, I remember now. The Minister of Transportation, Noel, has a nephew named Norbert — I believe he's currently working in the Municipal Department as a transportation coordinator.

Options

You can remember all of that!?

Guess he comes from old money too?

Bronya

The leader of a city should be familiar with the status and division of labor of her subordinates — that's just part of the job. Norbert's position is indeed an idle one, so it's no wonder he has time to socialize with members of the Limestein family.

Bronya

Norbert's position is indeed an idle one — it's no wonder he has time to socialize with members of the Limestein family.

Bronya

If what Wallace said is right, then Norbert must have been missing for several days already. There must be someone who knows where he is.

Bronya

Even if they want to keep the young man's secret... they'll cough it up with the right kind of encouragement.

Bronya

Kyle, can I ask you a favor? I would like you to visit the residence of Minister Noel and ask around regarding the whereabouts of Mr. Norbert.

Soldier Kyle

Understood, Madam Guardian!

System

After some time, Kyle heads back to Qlipoth Fort...

Soldier Kyle

Lady Bronya, Miss Pela, I have returned.

Bronya

You were quite expedient, Kyle. Did you find anything out from the Department of Transportation?

Soldier Kyle

It took a little prodding, but a few of the more timid attendants started speaking up...

Soldier Kyle

They say that Mr. Norbert was indeed leaving at odd hours recently. Whenever someone would ask where he was headed, he'd mumble something about going to the shopping street to "inspect the site."

Soldier Kyle

The attendants think he might have a love interest — someone he doesn't want his family to know about — they haven't mentioned anything to the Minister of Transportation.

Bronya

Going out at unusual hours, the shopping street, could it be...

Bronya

...Pela, {NICKNAME} — I have a request. I'd like the two of you to scout out Backwater Pass and see whether anything's happening there.

Options

Why there?

Does Norbert have anything to do with our investigation?

Bronya

While the two of you were busy questioning people in the city, I received some tip-offs. One source said that suspicious people were recently seen sneaking around the Fragmentum corrosion zone, and that the Silvermane Guards didn't prevent them from entering.

Bronya

Together with Norbert's mumblings about a "shopping street..." I think all these clues are pointing in one direction.

Pela

...So this Mr. Norbert could well be the museum thief we're looking for?

Pela

...We can't hold off a moment longer! Hurry, {NICKNAME}, let's go arrest that scoundrel.

Bronya

My apologies, I have a lot of business to attend to at present — I won't be joining you. Good luck recovering the stolen items.

Place the microfilm into the projector in the museum

📍 Jarilo-VI History and Culture Museum

Return the microfilm.

Pela

...It works! The slides play without a hitch — the microfilm is undamaged.

Pela

Once the projector is restored, the History-Culture Hall can reopen to the public. Then visitors can enjoy all three of the museum's most important exhibits!

Pela

I want to thank you again, {NICKNAME}, on behalf of all the museum staff, and all the citizens of Belobog! If it weren't for your help, I'm afraid many of the exhibits in this museum would have been lost.

Options

Don't mention it.

Another great accomplishment to my name!

Pela

I'm just stating the obvious! The way I see it, the museum's reopening is a very significant event... and worth remembering more than any other time in the past.

Pela

Hehe, that's for sure. And you know what? The way I see it, the museum's reopening is a very significant event... and worth remembering more than any other time in the past.

Pela

A whole generation has grown up in the Underworld in the last decade or so, and they never had the privilege of seeing these precious works of art and historical treasures... what you've done has helped bridge a huge gap for them.

Pela

So, even if it seems small to you — you did a very great thing here.

Pela

Ahem, that's enough praise for now... Anyway, if you did want to continue working as a part-time manager and handle the daily operations of the History-Culture Hall, I recommend talking to Miss Eris.

Pela

It's not like we don't have any other suitable candidates for the position... Isn't it great you can help us with such an enjoyable job?

Pela

...Ah, by the way, I'll keep you informed if we pry anything noteworthy out of that Mr. Norbert guy. See you later, {NICKNAME}!