Chapter 07 - Friend Amiya Rai: Lord Euro! Euro Gallu: Amiya. Amiya Rai: Take them into custody at the Federation Council. Treat them without excessive force, they may become allies of our leader. Federation Soldier: Understood. All of you, come this way. Bandit Leader: ...Fine, fine. Amiya Rai: What a nostalgic sight. It wasn't long ago that Rao and I were the ones being taken into custody like that. Amiya Rai: You keep turning everyone you defeat into allies. The Empire might be terrified of that, Lord Euro. Euro Gallu: Drop the whole "Lord" thing please. Just call me Euro like you used to. Amiya Rai: Haha. I'm afraid I cannot do that. Euro Gallu: That's harsh. You’re the one who said leadership is nothing but formality. And now I have to get "Lord" tacked onto my name by everyone? Amiya Rai: Only in front of others. I'll drop the honorifics over drinks, my friend Euro. Euro Gallu: Sounds like a bad habit waiting to happen. What about Rao? Did he agree to stay? Amiya Rai: He set off on his travels. I'll admit I feel lonely without him. He's practically like a childhood friend to me. Euro Gallu: I see... That's a shame, but let's do what we can to bring him back someday. Amiya Rai: Are you headed somewhere now? Euro Gallu: To pay a visit to Eleu. He mentioned he's setting out on an investigation tomorrow. Amiya Rai: You're the leader now. You should have him come pay his respects to you instead. Euro Gallu: It's faster if I go myself. Besides, I wanted to meet that boy he's taken in. Amiya Rai: Ah... the one who was helping loot the Altaria Vetus ruins, right? Amiya Rai: We've got the Song Seeker locked up in the dungeon, but was the boy really one of his companions? Euro Gallu: Apparently that's not entirely clear. Worst case, he might not even be human. Amiya Rai: Not human? Euro Gallu: Interesting, isn't it? Amiya Rai: Is it, really? You truly fail to take things seriously enough. Euro Gallu: Oh, there you go, talking all polite and formal. Amiya Rai: Whoops. My apologies, Lord Euro Gallu. Amiya Rai: If you're off to see Eleu, I'll go pay a visit to the prisoner instead. Euro Gallu: Treat him with respect. If he's a skilled Song Seeker, I'd like to bring him into our ranks. Euro Gallu: Looting ruins and grave-robbing are crimes, sure, but he might have his reasons given the state of things right now. Amiya Rai: How kind of you. He'd have already been executed if the Empire caught him. Euro Gallu: I won't do that. Mostly because I wouldn't want it done to me either. Amiya Rai: That's exactly the kind of thing that made you our leader. Well then, give my regards to Eleu. Euro Gallu: Will do. [Inside Eleu's Laboratory...] Euro Gallu: Hey there, Eleu... Eleu Coge: Hey, hold still for a moment. Now walk straight ahead, exactly seven steps. Eleu Coge: Around the fourth step, do not let your shoe touch the liquid on the floor. It'll dissolve the leather. Euro Gallu: Thanks for the warning. What happened to this floor? It's a mess... Eleu Coge: It's not a mess. I know exactly where everything is. It's just... Eleu Coge: To be precise, some lightweight items that were on the table temporarily relocated to the floor due to wind. Euro Gallu: Oh okay... Eleu Coge: Obviously I knew there was a possibility of a strong gust if I opened the window. Eleu Coge: I was just focused on something else, and it completely slipped my mind for a moment. Eleu Coge: In other words, I had predicted it, but failed to apply that prediction when it mattered. That's what happened here. Euro Gallu: That sure does happen. Is this the kid the Song Seeker had with him? Balaeno: ........... Eleu Coge: Ah, sorry. I forgot to tell you. I'm in the middle of examining him so my hands are full. Eleu Coge: My apologies for greeting you with my back turned, I cannot even welcome you properly. Eleu Coge: I hear you were chosen as leader. I'd put it at about ninety percent likely, honestly. Congratulations. Euro Gallu: Thanks. Amiya's being awful about it, though. He already started talking to me all formal. Eleu Coge: He's trying to protect your position in his own way. His subjects are fiercely loyal, after all. Euro Gallu: Rao set off on his travels, apparently. Eleu Coge: As expected. Everyone gets over the pain of a betrayed ideal in their own way. Eleu Coge: I call it Balaeno. Euro Gallu: Getting over the pain? Eleu Coge: Hah... What the hell, sure. That's a clever response, I'll take it. Eleu Coge: Balaeno. Getting over the pain. Wonderful. Very beautiful. Euro Gallu: Oh, haha. Glad you liked it. Is that not actually what it means? Eleu Coge: It's just the name I gave this child. Balaeno. Balaeno: ........... Eleu Coge: Answer him, Balaeno. Balaeno: Yes. Eleu Coge: Let me introduce you. This is Euro Gallu, Leader of the Asheria Federation. Euro Gallu: Hey there, Balaeno. I'm Euro Gallu. Nice to meet you. Balaeno: Pleased to meet you as well. I'm Balaeno. Euro Gallu: Where did you come from? What were you doing at those ruins? Balaeno: I cannot answer that question. Euro Gallu: I see... Eleu Coge: Blunt and to the point, isn't he? Euro Gallu: True enough... Eleu. Let's talk over there. Eleu Coge: Over there? By the bookshelves on the east side? Euro Gallu: Yes, that way. Sorry, Balaeno, I'll be stepping away for a moment. Balaeno: ........... To be continued...