arrow_back Genshin Impact Quests 
Questioning Melusine and Answering Machine: Act II
Quest List
After clearing Rocher and Kevin of suspicion, an organization known as the "Elegant Tableware Confrerie" has become of interest to you...
Talochard:
Paimon! Traveler, good evening.
Paimon:
Talochard! Y—Your clothes... You haven't resigned already, have you?
Talochard:
Not just yet. I just took off my uniform because it makes me feel much lighter. So? Do I look good in these?
Traveler:
Not bad at all.
Paimon:
You look much better. Even your voice sounds gentler.
Talochard:
This must be the right life for me. Since I can't do anything well, it's best not to do anything at all.
Paimon:
Stop thinking like that... It just so happened to be a really tricky case.
Talochard:
It isn't just this case. Have you heard of Fontaine's aquabus?
Paimon:
That's how we got to Fontaine!
Talochard:
Then you must have taken the Clementine Line, right? Aeval is the tour guide there, and Elphane is in charge of the Navia Line.
Talochard:
Actually, I used to be a tour guide too. I was the guide on the third line, the Callas Line. It used to travel to the Fontaine Research Institute, but service was suspended due to the incident.
Paimon:
Whoa! You used to be a tour guide! That's awesome!
Talochard:
It's not awesome at all. Tour guides aren't exactly the elite. Being assigned as a tour guide is what happens when you're bad at being an agent.
Paimon:
Oh... So you returned to the Marechaussee Phantom because the line stopped operating?
Talochard:
Not quite... I was laid off due to complaints from tourists. Some praised me in person, but wrote complaints as soon as they got home. They said my voice grates, like a crow...
Talochard:
I couldn't accept it... Oh, I don't mean the complaints. I couldn't accept that they told me I was doing well to my face when they clearly had a problem with me.
Talochard:
I'll let you in on a secret — Editor Jenck was the first to complain that I sounded like a crow. He's such a hypocrite.
Paimon:
No wonder you were arguing with him back then... Paimon sorta gets it now...
Talochard:
Let's not dwell on annoying stuff like that, now's the time to focus on enjoying some delicious food!
Talochard:
Hotel Debord was recommended by the official tourist guide. I may not like it, but I think you might.
Traveler:
Thanks, Talochard.
Paimon:
But shouldn't we wait for Curve? He's not here yet.
Talochard:
It's fine, he doesn't eat this kind of thing anyway. He just wants to record Hotel Debord's data into his lie-learning module.
Paimon:
His lie-learning module... Curve is really special...
Talochard:
Yes, I'm very happy to have met him. However, his core is aging rapidly, so he will go into hibernation mode soon... *sigh* His body parts can be replaced, but not his core...
Paimon:
Hibernate!? Are you trying to say...
Talochard:
He will stop moving... forever... Ugh, I'm really just completely useless, aren't I? I can't solve my cases as an agent, I get complaints as a tour guide, and let's not even talk about my attempts at making breakfast. Now, I can't even manage evidence properly...
Traveler:
Did you sneak out to try and get Curve repaired?
Talochard:
No one but Dr. Mosso can repair Curve. I just wanted him to see more about how humans lie and help him overcome the Mosso Protocols.
Paimon:
Overcome the Mosso Protocols? Why?
Talochard:
That would be amazing! Curve could even become a genuine human!
Paimon:
Feels like Paimon just heard something incredible!
Talochard:
Dr. Mosso's true goal was to create a machine that would gradually become human by understanding lies and humanity. That's Curve's ultimate form!
Talochard:
Legends say that a Fontainian scientist called Alain Guillotin created an amazing thinking machine hundreds of years ago, and Dr. Mosso seemed to want to surpass that.
Paimon:
(A thinking machine made by Alain Guillotin? Could that be... Seymour?)
Traveler:
But can understanding lies make someone human?
Talochard:
Dr. Mosso believed that humans have various reasons for lying, with various feelings underlying those reasons. It is those emotions that make them human.
Talochard:
So he created a no-lying protocol. If Curve learns to lie like humans one day...
Talochard:
Then it means that he's no longer bound by his machine programming, and has acquired human emotions.
Talochard:
We're out here investigating cases because I want him to see how humans lie. I want him to learn...
Paimon:
Then you definitely can't give up. Shouldn't we fight harder to give Curve more time?
Talochard:
But how? Dr. Mosso is gone now...
Traveler:
But his research base is still out there.
Paimon:
Right, there must be a maintenance manual or something.
Talochard:
I went through everything already, and didn't find anything about the base.
Traveler:
How about the newspaper? Would they have any leads?
Paimon:
Didn't the Fatuus say something like that too?
Talochard:
That guy was an amateur. If the Marechaussee Phantom doesn't know, then the newspaper certainly won't...
Paimon:
You're just looking for excuses, Talochard. You're actually just afraid of failure, aren't you?
Talochard:
I...
Paimon:
No one fails forever. If you've hit rock bottom, your only way is up.
Talochard:
I've hit rock bottom?
Traveler:
Yeah! You even took off your uniform.
Talochard:
So I won't fail anymore?
Paimon:
That's right, you absolutely will not fail again!
"Curve":
In my humble analysis, Ms. Paimon is lying.
Paimon:
Hey, waitasec! Curve! Couldn't you have just shown up a little bit later!?
"Curve":
...But such lies have a chance to mold reality.
Talochard:
What are you talking about, Curve? Lies molding reality?
"Curve":
Thirty years ago, Dr. Mosso and I performed our first public test in Hotel Debord.
"Curve":
At that time, there were only four tables, eight chairs, and a waiter... who was also the owner.
"Curve":
He said to me, "Restaurant Debord will certainly become a renowned luxury hotel." It was just like Ms. Paimon's statement, a lie based on sincerity.
"Curve":
But today, as you can all see, Debord has exquisite carpeting, expensive decorations, two dining areas, and an endless stream of guests.
"Curve":
I think that if the lie about Debord became true, then the statement that "Agent Talochard will not fail again" has the possibility of becoming true.
"Curve":
Shutting down the lie-learning module.
Paimon:
Um, was Curve being a little odd just now? What was he talking about?
Talochard:
It's the lie-learning module. It resides in Curve's core, and once it's enabled, it makes Curve spew a bunch of illogical nonsense...
Paimon:
Well... Paimon thinks that some humans say things that don't make sense. Does that mean Curve is improving?
Traveler:
It does.
Paimon:
Talochard, are you gonna give up just when Curve is showing signs of improvement?
Talochard:
Um, well... can you please say that thing again...?
Paimon:
Say what?
Traveler:
You've hit rock bottom!
Paimon:
Oh! That's right! So you can't fail again!
Talochard:
I get it! Then I'll try again, one more time! If Curve is still learning, then I have to help him!
Paimon:
Wow, Talochard really is like a child sometimes... She gets moody so quickly, but also perks up just as quickly...
Traveler:
Sounds like you, Paimon.
Paimon:
Is... Is Paimon not mature enough?
Traveler:
You're even shorter than Talochard.
Talochard:
Oh, just stop with the chit-chat! We should take action at once. Since the newspaper might know something, let's keep our eyes on the prize and keep investigating the theft!
Talochard:
Since there are four of us, why don't we each roleplay as a suspect and recreate the crime scene? We might even find a breakthrough.
Paimon:
Wow, Talochard's brain is working fast! Paimon likes that idea. Let's go to The Steambird now.
Talochard:
Morning! Morning!
Traveler:
Good morning.
Paimon:
Morning! Hey, Talochard, how come there's no desk in here?
Talochard:
There just isn't. We don't need desks for our work, anyway. And this bench is awesome. Look! It has comfy cushions.
Talochard:
Sit down, quick. Come try the delicious breakfast I made for you!
Paimon:
Woah! Thanks, Talochard. But what is this? It smells a little... odd?
Talochard:
That's my special Poissonchant Pie. It's even tastier than the usual recipe.
Talochard:
It does smell odd, but that's why it's special.
Paimon:
You've piqued Paimon's interest... What about you, Traveler?
Traveler:
Curve, what do you think?
"Curve":
An analysis of the composition indicates eating this could be a difficult trial.
Paimon:
Not eating? Then Paimon will finish your portion too. Waste not, want not! Hehe.
Paimon starts to chow down, and scarfs down a full portion-and-a-half of the odd-smelling pie in the blink of an eye.
Half an hour later... she comes back from outside, clutching her belly.
Talochard:
Just where did you disappear to? If you're still hungry, there's more. I made lots.
Paimon:
Th—Thanks, Talochard. No need though, Paimon just went for a quick rest. And there's still some pie left... Uh, Traveler, why don't we box it up for... later?
Talochard:
Uhm, your expressions... Wasn't it tasty? I thought I did a good job...
Traveler:
Perhaps you're tough enough.
Paimon:
Paimon knows why they call it Poissonchant Pie now. The "poisson" are in Paimon's guts, chanting: "We wanna swim back out!"
Talochard:
Huh? Oh, that sounds absolutely awful... I'm so sorry!
Paimon:
Oh, don't worry about it. Paimon's better already. Anyway, the problem is Paimon's preferences, not your cooking!
Traveler:
Back to business. Did you get any info about the knife?
Paimon:
Oh right! Paimon forgot we're supposed to be working now.
Talochard:
Okay. So, about that. We did find something that might be useful. This is a knife from the "Elegant Tableware Confrerie."
Paimon:
The people who said Rocher owes them money?
Talochard:
Yeah. They masquerade as a legitimate business, claiming their tableware is favored by Fontaine's upper classes and can be sold for hefty sums.
Talochard:
People like Rocher often fall for it. They pay a fee to join and get a pile of lousy tableware in return. Then they try to sell it for enough to make back their initial "investment" and then some.
Talochard:
But the tableware itself is unsellable junk. So the victims have no choice but to find other fools to pass the baton to. I hear they call it expanding their downline network.
Traveler:
Sounds pretty familiar...
Talochard:
See? Humans are creatures full of lies.
Paimon:
But it seems like Rocher didn't expand his downline network...
"Curve":
In terms of ethical human relations, Mr. Rocher's morals exceed the level of the average person. He didn't continue to bring in more victims.
Paimon:
Oh... So maybe his wife isn't the worst judge of character...
Talochard:
But his financial acumen is way, way below the average! In the end, his poor wife had to deal with the fallout and took the losses.
Paimon:
Ah... That's true... But weren't they exposed by the paper? Can't you guys track down the money and help them recover their losses?
Talochard:
Our colleagues got involved some time ago and made multiple arrests. But the ringleader is a crafty one, and immediately claimed that the perpetrators of the scam were temporary employees.
Talochard:
Most importantly, he kept all their accounts completely separate. As a result, recovering the losses has proven extremely difficult.
Traveler:
Is there nothing you can do about it?
Talochard:
Hehe, we can push things forward today. I got the location of their possible hideout, and I'll be investigating it later.
Paimon:
Whoa! You found their lair!
Talochard:
Hmph! The Marechaussee Phantom is more capable than you think! Considering the facts of this case, I now have reasons to believe that Sir Arthur was stolen by the Elegant Tableware Confrerie!
Paimon:
Although it does sound very likely, it's best if you don't act so certain of it...
Talochard:
Hmph! We'll know once we get there! Let's go.
Talochard:
We're here.
Paimon:
Let's see... Sure are a lot of them in there... What should we do? Charge in, beat them up, and make them confess?
Talochard:
Don't be so violent, Paimon. They're already frightened and on edge. They might destroy the evidence if we give them another scare!
Paimon:
Hmm... That's true. Then let's sneak in, find the evidence, and then beat them up?
Paimon:
Well... It's such a small place, so a fight is inevitable anyway... Fine, then is it possible to distract them?
Talochard:
There must be something here that we can use...
Talochard:
Curve, hide and wait here for us. You're too big not to get spotted. Just come over once we're done.
"Curve":
As you wish.
Paimon:
Then let's hurry up and figure out how to lure them away.
"Curve":
Self-diagnostic in progress...
"Curve":
Moisture has seeped into the motherboard. Motherboard temperature: Below warning line. Core functionality: 19%.
Paimon:
Whoa! Paimon has a feeling it'll be super effective!
Talochard:
Hey! How could you put that in there!? It's an insult to my culinary talents!
Paimon:
Don't be mad, Talochard. Your cooking might end up making a very significant contribution here. Paimon's certain they won't be able to overcome the trial of toughness it poses.
Talochard:
Really? Then... Fine. Let's hide and watch what happens.
Once "Chowtime!" is shouted, the entire Elegant Tableware Confrerie starts gulping down the food with the extra "seasoning."
It doesn't take long before, one by one, subtle changes begin to appear on their faces, and then they start running toward the exit with their hands clutching their stomachs.
Paimon:
See, Talochard? They're experiencing the power of Poissonchant Pie, just like I said!
Talochard:
Hehe... I'm incredible! I'll go get Curve. Now we can search for evidence to our heart's content!
Paimon:
Hmm, this chest... What if Paimon hides inside and makes some noise? Then you guys can go look for clues while they come over to investigate. Think that'll work?
Paimon squeezes in, and once the rest of you are well-hidden, she starts shaking the chest.
Paimon:
Someone's over there! By that chest! Intruder alert!
Talochard:
This plan's way too dumb!
Paimon:
These Bulle Fruit... Do these people really like them? In that case, we could try distracting them by throwing some from a distance...
All of you hide and start chucking Bulle Fruit really far away.
Paimon:
Wow! Sweet! Bulle Fruit! Wait... Who's throwing them?
Paimon:
Alert! Alert! Intruder alert!
Talochard:
This plan's way too dumb!
Talochard:
See? Director 42 admitted it in their diary! Busted!
Boss:
Y—You fool! Didn't I tell you to keep a low profile for now!?
"Intrepid Valberry":
But... Boss! Are we supposed to just lie down and take it when they're bullying us like this!?
Boss:
Th—The Marechaussee Phantom! Officer, with all due respect, th—this fool is just a temporary employee! He hasn't even passed his probation period! Since he's suspected of breaking the law and committing a crime, I have no choice but to fire him in the spirit of justice!
Paimon:
Hey! How much longer are you planning on using that same old trick!?
"Intrepid Valberry":
F—Fire me!? Why!? Boss... D—Didn't you just say earlier that I'm the only one here who has always been loyal to you!?
Boss:
Who are you? What are you talking about? You're fired! We have nothing to do with each other from now on!
Boss:
Take him away, honored Agents. He's all yours.
"Intrepid Valberry":
Boss! You... you betrayed me...
"Intrepid Valberry":
Argh! You dirty double-timing dog! I'll take you down with me!
Boss:
Ouch... You blithering idiot! How dare you go against me!?
"Intrepid Valberry":
You filthy traitorous mutt! You can't stop me!
Traveler:
Alright, alright! That's enough. Just play nicely now, would you?
Talochard:
Hey! Redhead! Hurry up and fess up! Where's Sir Arthur?
"Intrepid Valberry":
Hey! Cut it out, shorty! I'm not on your side either! Unless you're willing to do me a favor...
"Intrepid Valberry":
Help me convict this traitorous backstabbing thief of a felony and make the rest of his life a living hell! Then I'll try my best to cooperate with you.
Talochard:
Hmph! The Marechaussee Phantom never negotiates with criminals! But with the evidence we already have, the quality of the rest of his life won't be too different from what you are hoping for...
Boss:
Huh? Don't do that!
Talochard:
So? Are you going to come clean now?
"Intrepid Valberry":
Alright! Fine! I'll tell you everything! I didn't actually take Sir Arthur.
"Intrepid Valberry":
I know it's strange, but someone got to it before me. So I just stuck the knife there as a warning.
Talochard:
Huh? It wasn't there? You're lying, right?
Paimon:
Hurry, you got this, Curve! It's your time to shine!
"Curve":
No anomalies detected in Mr. Intrepid Valberry's data.
Talochard:
What!? It really wasn't this redhead!? I...
Traveler:
So, did you see anything at the scene?
"Intrepid Valberry":
I saw a really smelly drunk lying on the ground, just like that debtor Rocher. All I wanted was to stay well away from him.
Paimon:
Then it's Rocher, right? Is there no one else?
Talochard:
Even if there's nobody, you're gonna have to give us someone! You cut short the trail we were following, and you're going to have to take responsibility for it!
"Intrepid Valberry":
Now you're just making things difficult for me!
Paimon:
You can do it, Mr. Intrepid Valberry! You even fought back against your own boss!
"Intrepid Valberry":
Fine, you're right. Let me think it over for a moment...
Some Insignificant Lackey:
Um... Director 42... Can I say something?
"Intrepid Valberry":
What!?
Traveler:
Do you have any leads?
Some Insignificant Lackey:
...N—No, I don't...
"Intrepid Valberry":
Then just wait a minute. Can't you see that I'm racking my brains right now?
"Intrepid Valberry":
Ah! I've got it... I just remembered something...
"Intrepid Valberry":
I went to the Fleuve Cendre in search of a locksmith, because I needed their help to break into the paper's office at night and wreak havoc.
"Intrepid Valberry":
But wouldn't you know, I ran into someone there who was also trying to find a way to sneak into the paper.
Talochard:
Who was it? What was their name?
"Intrepid Valberry":
I don't know, but he was dressed like a member of the Fatui.
Paimon:
The Fatui? Them again?
Traveler:
Justice may be absent, but the Fatui never are.
Paimon:
And what did he do after that?
"Intrepid Valberry":
How would I know? I'm not some sewer stalker!
Talochard:
This time it's certain. He's the one who stole Sir Arthur!
Paimon:
Oh... But every "certainty" of yours has been wrong so far...
Talochard:
It's certainly different this time! Don't you remember?
Talochard:
There were four pairs of footprints at the scene, so there were four suspects at most! The Fatuus is the fourth suspect!
Traveler:
What if it isn't him?
Talochard:
Hey! Don't look down on me! I'll bet my uniform on it, alright? If I'm wrong again... I'll quit and stay home!
Paimon:
Calm down, alright? Let's not be too hasty...
Talochard:
Hey, redhead! Can you find that guy?
"Intrepid Valberry":
Why don't you just try your luck in the Fleuve Cendre? I've seen him there on more than one occasion.
Paimon:
Someone dressed as a Fatuus in the Fleuve Cendre. If he really is there, he won't be difficult to spot...
Talochard:
Alright, let's do that. We'll take these criminals back first and then head over to Fleuve Cendre.
"Intrepid Valberry":
Don't forget your promise! You'd better convict that two-timing traitor! Pin him to the wall!
Talochard:
Don't worry, neither of you is going anywhere. Huh!? Wait! Where is he? Where did their boss go? He was just here a moment ago!
Some Insignificant Lackey:
Um... Well... He snuck off in that direction while you were distracted...
"Intrepid Valberry":
What!? Why didn't you say something sooner!?
Some Insignificant Lackey:
Well... I wanted to... but you kinda stopped me, didn't you?
"Intrepid Valberry":
That sneaky, conniving...! Darn it... He knew his life would be a living hell, so he fled? Hey! How about you let me go and get him for you?
Talochard:
Let you go? What do you think, Curve?
"Curve":
Based on my analysis of Mr. Valberry's data, he's telling the truth.
Talochard:
Then get going, redhead! Don't disappoint us!
"Intrepid Valberry":
Hmph! Don't worry, I give you my word as a man.
Paimon:
Really? Are we really just gonna let him go? Just like that?
Talochard:
What's wrong with that? If someone deceives another, shouldn't we support the victim in getting their revenge?
Talochard:
I know what it's like to feel angry after being tricked... Oh, Curve, you should be taking note on this.
"Curve":
As you wish. I have recorded the behavioral and physiological data of everyone involved in my lie-learning module.
Talochard:
Then let's stop wasting time here. Our primary objective is to take the others back to the Marechaussee Phantom and then get to the Fleuve Cendre.
You escort the criminals back to the Marechaussee Phantom.
And without a moment's rest, you immediately rush to the Fleuve Cendre, the haunting grounds of the other suspect...
Baulard:
You're here.
Traveler:
Huh?
Baulard:
So, did you bring the goods?
Baulard:
Huh? That's not the code! Who are you!? Shoot, I gotta get outta here!
Paimon:
Huh? Were we exchanging passphrases just now!?
Talochard:
Forget that! Hurry! Don't let him get away!
Paimon:
We finally caught you! But why run like that!? That was exhausting!
Baulard:
Stop! Stop chasing after me! I haven't done anything wrong!
Talochard:
Why run if you're innocent?
Baulard:
Th—That won't hold up in court! Why don't you tell me what crimes I've committed, huh?
Talochard:
You stole Sir Arthur!
Baulard:
Hey! Hey! I didn't steal that!
Traveler:
Quite certain someone stole it now, aren't we?
Baulard:
Ah... Crud...
Talochard:
Hmph! Don't even think about trying to weasel your way out of this! We even know you've been looking for a way to sneak into the paper's office!
Talochard:
Take a look at my uniform, then take a look at your own. Are you trying to cause an international crisis? Do you want to say bye-bye to your life?
Paimon:
No way it's that serious!
Baulard:
N—No! After I complete this mission, I'll be able to retire early... Don't be like this...
Talochard:
Then why don't you try making this a bit easier for me, hmm? If you make things difficult for me, then it's only fair that I do the same.
Talochard:
Picture your retired life for a moment. When you sit down to eat, you'll look across and see me. Every date you go on, I'll be your chaperone. And for every travel photo you'll take, I'll be there too, smiling...
Baulard:
No! Stop! That's enough, don't terrify me like that... I'll come clean, alright? It's not like it's a secret anyway...
Baulard:
I'm Baulard, a peripheral intelligence officer. What "peripheral" means is that I'm not very important.
Baulard:
I was tasked with locating a research base belonging to a scientist known as Mosso Lombroso.
Paimon:
Mosso Lombroso? Isn't that Dr. Mosso?
Baulard:
You've heard of him too? He passed away some thirty years ago, and his research base is said to contain valuable information. But no one knows its location.
Paimon:
What does that have to do with The Steambird?
Baulard:
Because Dr. Mosso's death is linked to The Steambird, I'm sure the paper knows something.
Paimon:
It's linked to the paper!?
Baulard:
Correct. That's why I contacted one of their editors, Jenck, hoping to get the inside scoop.
Paimon:
Isn't that the editor who was arguing with Talochard? Would he reveal the paper's inside info?
Baulard:
I sent him a small gift. Do you recall that the paper recently exposed the Elegant Tableware Confrerie scammers? I provided the details of their crimes.
Paimon:
Whoa! So you did that! You're really amazing, huh!?
Baulard:
Thank you. Though I may only be peripheral personnel, but I'm one of the better ones.
Baulard:
Anyway, the exclusive report gave Jenck's reputation quite a boost. But when I contacted him again, he said he had nothing to repay me with... Utterly despicable!
Paimon:
That's when you decided to sneak in?
Baulard:
Indeed. But I noticed something odd when I got there that night: The signature steambird at the door was gone.
Talochard:
It vanished before you arrived!? Ugh, not again...
Baulard:
That's right, and there was an envelope on its pedestal. Acting on my instincts as an intelligence officer, I opened the envelope... To my surprise, it was full of threats.
Paimon:
What!? The envelope at the scene! How could you sneak a peek at someone else's letter? Let us look, too!
Baulard:
Ahem... Luckily, I've kept it with me. Please, help yourselves...
Baulard:
Are you done? The one who signed it "Crow or Blackbird?" is the criminal you're looking for.
Paimon:
But... Is this for real? Is the paper really linked to Dr. Mosso's death?
Baulard:
There's no mistake. The inheritance mentioned here is probably Dr. Mosso's research base. The paper definitely knows something.
Baulard:
Later on, I put out some feelers in my circles, hoping this "Crow or Blackbird?" would be willing to meet with me. If she's in the same line of work, that is.
Baulard:
Best case scenario, we can work together, and even if that fails, I didn't want her to raise any alarms, as it would only disturb my work.
Traveler:
But as it turns out, we're the only ones who showed up.
Paimon:
Talochard, it seems you made a mistake again... Huh!? Talochard... What's wrong?
Talochard:
...
Talochard:
Curve... Tell me now! Tell me this guy's lying!
"Curve":
Biological indicators detected to be normal: Mr. Baulard is telling the truth.
Talochard:
Darn it... You... you peripheral! Why aren't you the culprit!? You've lost me my uniform!
Paimon:
Calm down, Talochard... We weren't serious.
Traveler:
Don't pay it any mind.
Talochard:
But I mind! I was serious! I care about whether I'm useful! I said I would figure it out from among the four suspects, yet none of them was the culprit! I guess I'm just completely useless.
Talochard:
Editor-in-Chief Euphrasie was right to ask for your help. I should just take off this uniform and leave.
"Curve":
Relevant information detected: Agent Talochard, you can be useful. You can write for The Steambird's fantasy column, just like Editor Jenck suggested...
Traveler:
That's not comforting in the least.
Paimon:
Hmm... Wouldn't it be better to just name Mr. Baulard the criminal? At least that might make Talochard feel better.
Baulard:
Ahem...
"Curve":
Ms. Paimon, are you suggesting that I lie? Can lies be a source of comfort?
Paimon:
That doesn't count as a lie... Paimon means that when you're comforting someone... sincerity is what counts!
Paimon:
For example, when Paimon is worried about gaining weight from eating too many Slimes, Traveler might say that Paimon would still be cute even if she gets fat, or something like that.
Talochard:
That's enough. Curve can only analyze biological data. He can't understand all of that... Forget it. You can go, Baulard.
Baulard:
Thank you so much!
Paimon:
Huh? Talochard? You...
Talochard:
Paimon, Traveler, I know you two are both amazing and tenacious.
Talochard:
But I'm just a stupid piece of deadwood that is always rolling downhill and finding new lows. I break at the slightest touch. I'm sorry, but from here on out, I'll just leave everything up to you.
Talochard:
I'd like to buy both of you dinner one last time tonight. We'll go to a nice fancy place like the Hotel Debord, so you won't have to eat the trash I make.
Paimon:
But Paimon hates farewell dinners... Curve, talk some sense into her!
"Curve":
Agent Talochard, I suggest you reconsider writing for The Steambird's fantasy column...
Talochard:
Alright, that's enough! I really need to think things through. Anyway... I'll see all of you at Hotel Debord tonight! Don't forget to come!
Paimon:
Paimon knows Talochard is a straightforward person, but it still feels so sudden. Was today really that bad?
Traveler:
It probably wasn't just about today.
Paimon:
Paimon hopes she gets better by tonight. Let's get some rest too. Paimon's quite tired after so much investigating.
Talochard:
You're the smallest here, Paimon, so you be Kevin. I'll be dirty Rocher.
Talochard:
Mr. Baulard is here for Dr. Mosso, so let Curve be him. Then all that's left is the redhead...
Traveler:
Leave it to me.
Talochard:
Alright, everyone's got their roles, so let's reenact the night of Sir Arthur's disappearance. What did all of these guys do?
Talochard:
The first thing to reenact is the order of their arrival.
Talochard:
Incredible! Traveler is absolutely correct. I am the first to arrive...
Talochard:
I'm Rocher, a middle-aged man who was kicked out by his wife. I've been loitering around here because I'm trying to get a job at the paper.
Talochard:
On the night of the incident, I drank a little, and I remember Sir Arthur sitting on its precious pedestal before I got completely drunk. Later on, I fell asleep by the road, and then...
"Curve":
I'm Baulard, the second suspect to arrive at the scene. I immediately noticed that Sir Arthur wasn't where it should be...
"Curve":
So, the real thief stole Sir Arthur between the time of my arrival and Mr. Rocher falling asleep, and that criminal left a letter full of threats for the paper...
"Curve":
Acting on my intelligence officer's instincts, I read the letter left by the thief and took it with me from the scene. After that...
Traveler:
I'm up next! I'm Intrepid Valberry! Director 42 of a criminal gang!
Traveler:
I wanted revenge on the paper, so I planned to run Sir Arthur straight through!
Traveler:
But Sir Arthur was gone when I got there. I was furious! But there was nothing I could do. I just stabbed the knife into the pedestal to scare them and left...
Paimon:
It's finally Paimon's turn! I'm Kevin, a problem child! I'm here to get Sir Arthur to spread the word that my dad's a big fat weasel.
Paimon:
But Sir Arthur was gone, and there was a knife in its favorite pedestal! I tried to look for it, but all I found was a smelly old man...
Paimon:
I somehow woke him, and that terrified me. I took the knife to defend myself and ran as fast as I could! I didn't even notice when a button got torn off my clothes...
Talochard:
Indeed, I'm that smelly old man. The commotion Kevin made woke me up, and I vaguely caught sight of him running off with something.
Talochard:
After that, I looked toward the paper's office and saw that Sir Arthur was missing. I was afraid of becoming a suspect, so I hurried back to my usual haunt at the docks.
Paimon:
Is this everything that happened? Paimon thinks our reenactment went perfectly, but did we miss anything?
Traveler:
The threatening letter...
Talochard:
That's right! We forgot about that letter... Since the thief's motive is tied to the incident from thirty years ago, the paper should have some idea about the thief's identity, right?
Paimon:
Yeah, but the paper is still in the dark on all of this. We should deliver this letter to them immediately. How could we have overlooked something so crucial...
Talochard:
Because all of you were too busy trying to console me. I'm so sorry for being a burden...
Paimon:
You shouldn't think like that, Talochard. Haven't you read through Dr. Mosso's case files? Those should be really exclusive information.
Talochard:
Ah! Now that you mention those, I forgot to tell you about the contents... Hmm... Let's go over there to discuss it.
Talochard:
Dr. Mosso's death is closely linked to the paper, so it feels weird to talk about it right outside their front door.
Talochard:
This spot is perfect. You wanted to know why Dr. Mosso was tried, right? It actually stemmed from public opinion.
Paimon:
Public opinion!?
Talochard:
Well, not long after the existence of Dr. Mosso's lie detector was made public, The Steambird published several articles on it and quickly drew the public's attention.
"Curve":
Relevant information retrieved: "Mosso Exclusive: Behind the Lies," "Mosso Protocols: Protocols to Watch," "Lie Detector? A Game of Authority"...
Talochard:
The paper used special features like these to incite widespread fear and worry among the general public... Soon, public opinion began to turn against Dr. Mosso.
Traveler:
What were they worried about?
Talochard:
For example, how to guarantee that the lie detector's output is credible. What would happen if a suspect in a trial isn't lying, but Curve says he is?
Paimon:
Would mistrials and injustice result? But if Curve's reliability can be guaranteed, then those concerns would evaporate.
"Curve":
Relevant information retrieved: Content from "Lie Detector? A Game of Authority":
"Curve":
"...When using protocols to restrict authority, the central question is not the lie detector's reliability but its ability to remain independent from outside authorities..."
Talochard:
As the article points out, Curve is just a machine. So, what would happen if the people put their trust in Curve, yet someone could control Curve and use it to falsify results?
Paimon:
The Mosso Protocols are there to prevent that, right?
"Curve":
Relevant information retrieved: Content from "Mosso Protocols: Protocols to Watch":
"Curve":
"...It must be noted that as the Mosso Protocols are man-made, there is a possibility of them being modified. This may prove to be a well-concealed trap..."
Paimon:
Whoa! Are they accusing Dr. Mosso of secretly tampering or leaving backdoors?
Talochard:
This is just the beginning. All kinds of other characters piled on after The Steambird triggered the first outpouring of public opposition...
"Curve":
Relevant information retrieved: "Fish Can't Live in Clear Water: Reject A Goldfish Bowl World" published by the Seven Nations Gazette, "Shocking Misjudgment of the Lie Detector" published by Short Anthologies...
Paimon:
"Shocking Misjudgment of the Lie Detector"? Did Curve make a mistake?
Talochard:
That was just a lie, of course! Curve was never involved in any case, much less in misjudging one... But that's how public opinion works, and so it was all downhill from there for Dr. Mosso.
Talochard:
In the end, some even came forward and made accusations against the doctor. They called the lie detector a total scam, and all the results were completely manufactured.
Talochard:
They believed the doctor was deceiving the public in an attempt to gain the power to pass judgment over others, and so they demanded the doctor be severely punished and the lie detector be destroyed.
Paimon:
A—aren't those accusations a little too serious? Would anyone even believe stuff like that?
Talochard:
Many did.
Talochard:
They were all just ordinary people, so how could they differentiate the truth from lies? When we don't have access to sufficient information, we believe what others want us to believe.
Talochard:
And it just so happened that at such a critical juncture, The Steambird did something huge: They provided evidence that exposed Dr. Mosso as having falsified results. Their evidence was key to Dr. Mosso's conviction.
Paimon:
Evidence!? Did Dr. Mosso really... deceive everyone?
Talochard:
The doctor refused to admit it of course, and so he died defending himself in a duel. Only then did things start to calm down.
Talochard:
The paper's reputation skyrocketed, and a useless "fake" like Curve was soon forgotten. It was just left with the Marechaussee Phantom as evidence...
Traveler:
So is Curve the real deal or not?
Talochard:
Well, I think Curve is the real deal... and Dr. Mosso was wrongly accused...
Paimon:
Then was the evidence presented by the paper falsified? Or did they make a mistake?
Talochard:
But the person who wrote the threatening letter seems to think that the paper deliberately fabricated those lies in search of fame, profit, or something else.
Paimon:
Oh... Then could she be someone very close to Dr. Mosso, back for revenge?
Paimon:
Paimon would definitely avenge Traveler if Traveler was wronged like that! Ugh! Paimon can't bear to think about it...
Talochard:
But Dr. Mosso passed away thirty years ago, so someone very close to him... I wonder if Euphrasie knows anything...
Paimon:
...Should we go see her then?
Talochard:
Don't worry, she wasn't in charge of the paper at the time, and I don't think Euphrasie is a bad person...
Paimon:
Fine, looks like we'll have to ask her about it tomorrow. Today was a total information overload, Paimon's head needs some time to recover...
Talochard:
Alright! Then let's head home, get some rest, and meet outside the paper tomorrow morning.
Paimon:
(This pot... has chicken legs in it. Is someone cooking?)
Talochard:
(How about adding in some "seasoning" to put them to sleep after their meal? Or we can do something else to drive them away...)
Paimon:
(N—Nice idea! Check your bag for any useful "seasoning," Traveler!)
Boss:
Who cooked this gar— *blaaargh*... Who cooked today!? Kill— *blech*... Find him and kill him!
"Intrepid Valberry":
Boss! Boss— *urrrrrk*... Boss I'll immediately— *blaaaargh*... I'll go find the cook!
Talochard:
Hmph! This Agent right here is today's chef! So who's going to kill me?
Boss:
M—Marechaussee Phantom? Agents... How did— *huuuuurk*... How did you get in here?
Talochard:
I don't think you've got time to worry about that right now! We've obtained evidence of your crimes!
Boss:
Evidence? But Officer, all of them were temporary workers, and didn't you arrest them already?
Talochard:
We're working on another case right now! All of you are suspects in a plot to get revenge against The Steambird by stealing Sir Arthur!
Boss:
The paper? I—Impossible. I've never held any grudges toward them... in fact, I even want to thank them for pointing out the flaws in our business model...
Talochard:
You're good with words, but what will you do once we show you... THIS?
Talochard:
Oh, dangit! That's not it!
Boss:
What are you going to show? Do you have any evidence?
Old Clockwork Locket:
(An archaic clockwork locket. It looks quite old.)
Paimon:
What's this? Looks like it opens.
Talochard:
There's a photo in there. Who is she?
"Curve":
Database responding... Database responding... Database responding...
"Curve":
Failed to retrieve information.
Talochard:
Retrieval failed? Curve, your database wouldn't respond without having relevant information, right? Did water get inside you?
Talochard:
Hmm... Let's put this away for now. I'll let Curve take a look later...
Dining Table With Tableware:
(An overwhelming amount of tableware is scattered all over the table in a messy yet charming pile that's ripe for the taking.)
Paimon:
A table knife! A table knife just like the one left outside The Steambird!
Talochard:
It must be them...
Talochard:
Paimon! Traveler, good evening.
Paimon:
Talochard! Y—Your clothes... You haven't resigned already, have you?
Talochard:
Not just yet. I just took off my uniform because it makes me feel much lighter. So? Do I look good in these?
Traveler:
Not bad at all.
Paimon:
You look much better. Even your voice sounds gentler.
Talochard:
This must be the right life for me. Since I can't do anything well, it's best not to do anything at all.
Paimon:
Stop thinking like that... It just so happened to be a really tricky case.
Talochard:
It isn't just this case. Have you heard of Fontaine's aquabus?
Paimon:
That's how we got to Fontaine!
Talochard:
Then you must have taken the Clementine Line, right? Aeval is the tour guide there, and Elphane is in charge of the Navia Line.
Talochard:
Actually, I used to be a tour guide too. I was the guide on the third line, the Callas Line. It used to travel to the Fontaine Research Institute, but service was suspended due to the incident.
Paimon:
Whoa! You used to be a tour guide! That's awesome!
Talochard:
It's not awesome at all. Tour guides aren't exactly the elite. Being assigned as a tour guide is what happens when you're bad at being an agent.
Paimon:
Oh... So you returned to the Marechaussee Phantom because the line stopped operating?
Talochard:
Not quite... I was laid off due to complaints from tourists. Some praised me in person, but wrote complaints as soon as they got home. They said my voice grates, like a crow...
Talochard:
I couldn't accept it... Oh, I don't mean the complaints. I couldn't accept that they told me I was doing well to my face when they clearly had a problem with me.
Talochard:
I'll let you in on a secret — Editor Jenck was the first to complain that I sounded like a crow. He's such a hypocrite.
Paimon:
No wonder you were arguing with him back then... Paimon sorta gets it now...
Talochard:
Let's not dwell on annoying stuff like that, now's the time to focus on enjoying some delicious food!
Talochard:
Hotel Debord was recommended by the official tourist guide. I may not like it, but I think you might.
Traveler:
Thanks, Talochard.
Paimon:
But shouldn't we wait for Curve? He's not here yet.
Talochard:
It's fine, he doesn't eat this kind of thing anyway. He just wants to record Hotel Debord's data into his lie-learning module.
Paimon:
His lie-learning module... Curve is really special...
Talochard:
Yes, I'm very happy to have met him. However, his core is aging rapidly, so he will go into hibernation mode soon... *sigh* His body parts can be replaced, but not his core...
Paimon:
Hibernate!? Are you trying to say...
Talochard:
He will stop moving... forever... Ugh, I'm really just completely useless, aren't I? I can't solve my cases as an agent, I get complaints as a tour guide, and let's not even talk about my attempts at making breakfast. Now, I can't even manage evidence properly...
Traveler:
Did you sneak out to try and get Curve repaired?
Talochard:
No one but Dr. Mosso can repair Curve. I just wanted him to see more about how humans lie and help him overcome the Mosso Protocols.
Paimon:
Overcome the Mosso Protocols? Why?
Talochard:
That would be amazing! Curve could even become a genuine human!
Paimon:
Feels like Paimon just heard something incredible!
Talochard:
Dr. Mosso's true goal was to create a machine that would gradually become human by understanding lies and humanity. That's Curve's ultimate form!
Talochard:
Legends say that a Fontainian scientist called Alain Guillotin created an amazing thinking machine hundreds of years ago, and Dr. Mosso seemed to want to surpass that.
Traveler:
But can understanding lies make someone human?
Talochard:
Dr. Mosso believed that humans have various reasons for lying, with various feelings underlying those reasons. It is those emotions that make them human.
Talochard:
So he created a no-lying protocol. If Curve learns to lie like humans one day...
Talochard:
Then it means that he's no longer bound by his machine programming, and has acquired human emotions.
Talochard:
We're out here investigating cases because I want him to see how humans lie. I want him to learn...
Paimon:
Then you definitely can't give up. Shouldn't we fight harder to give Curve more time?
Talochard:
But how? Dr. Mosso is gone now...
Traveler:
But his research base is still out there.
Paimon:
Right, there must be a maintenance manual or something.
Talochard:
I went through everything already, and didn't find anything about the base.
Traveler:
How about the newspaper? Would they have any leads?
Paimon:
Didn't the Fatuus say something like that too?
Talochard:
That guy was an amateur. If the Marechaussee Phantom doesn't know, then the newspaper certainly won't...
Paimon:
You're just looking for excuses, Talochard. You're actually just afraid of failure, aren't you?
Talochard:
I...
Paimon:
No one fails forever. If you've hit rock bottom, your only way is up.
Talochard:
I've hit rock bottom?
Traveler:
Yeah! You even took off your uniform.
Talochard:
So I won't fail anymore?
Paimon:
That's right, you absolutely will not fail again!
"Curve":
In my humble analysis, Ms. Paimon is lying.
Paimon:
Hey, waitasec! Curve! Couldn't you have just shown up a little bit later!?
"Curve":
...But such lies have a chance to mold reality.
Talochard:
What are you talking about, Curve? Lies molding reality?
"Curve":
Thirty years ago, Dr. Mosso and I performed our first public test in Hotel Debord.
"Curve":
At that time, there were only four tables, eight chairs, and a waiter... who was also the owner.
"Curve":
He said to me, "Restaurant Debord will certainly become a renowned luxury hotel." It was just like Ms. Paimon's statement, a lie based on sincerity.
"Curve":
But today, as you can all see, Debord has exquisite carpeting, expensive decorations, two dining areas, and an endless stream of guests.
"Curve":
I think that if the lie about Debord became true, then the statement that "Agent Talochard will not fail again" has the possibility of becoming true.
"Curve":
Shutting down the lie-learning module.
Paimon:
Um, was Curve being a little odd just now? What was he talking about?
Talochard:
It's the lie-learning module. It resides in Curve's core, and once it's enabled, it makes Curve spew a bunch of illogical nonsense...
Paimon:
Well... Paimon thinks that some humans say things that don't make sense. Does that mean Curve is improving?
Traveler:
It does.
Paimon:
Talochard, are you gonna give up just when Curve is showing signs of improvement?
Talochard:
Um, well... can you please say that thing again...?
Paimon:
Say what?
Traveler:
You've hit rock bottom!
Paimon:
Oh! That's right! So you can't fail again!
Talochard:
I get it! Then I'll try again, one more time! If Curve is still learning, then I have to help him!
Paimon:
Wow, Talochard really is like a child sometimes... She gets moody so quickly, but also perks up just as quickly...
Traveler:
Sounds like you, Paimon.
Paimon:
Is... Is Paimon not mature enough?
Traveler:
You're even shorter than Talochard.
Talochard:
Oh, just stop with the chit-chat! We should take action at once. Since the newspaper might know something, let's keep our eyes on the prize and keep investigating the theft!
Talochard:
Since there are four of us, why don't we each roleplay as a suspect and recreate the crime scene? We might even find a breakthrough.
Paimon:
Wow, Talochard's brain is working fast! Paimon likes that idea. Let's go to The Steambird now.
Boss:
What are you going to show? Do you have any evidence?