Boong Boong Bwoooom! A Grand Plot!

Hey, Lauma!

Ah, Traveler, Paimon. Come night or day, may the moonlight connect us. Hmm... I sense you are troubled. Please, unburden yourself.

You saw right through us again, huh...

Bathed in moonlight, the concern in your features is as stark as the dark spots on a full moon, ever betraying the emotion that lies beneath the surface.

I tell Aino to keep quiet for one second, and of course, she throws a tantrum... Lady Moonchanter, allow me to explain.

...Theft? How despicable. A disgrace on the Frostmoon Scions.

It's all just speculation at this point...

Just a moment.

A few days ago, a mechanical construct was brought back to the Frostmoon Scions. Come, I will speak to the offenders at once. I am certain the truth of the matter will reveal itself.

P—Please... Calm yourself!

Aino!

But, you heard him! He wants to destroy Krum-Clank...

We won't let that happen! But causing trouble isn't going to help the situation.

N—Not good! A group of flying machines just ambushed the storage facility and took back the device!

What? That can't just be a coincidence... They must've taken advantage of our conflict with this girl...

Whoa, that's a lot of recon bots!

It must be those black market merchants! I knew we wouldn't get off so easy!

I can create a temporary Moonlane here. Could you get the kuuhenki to help, Traveler?

Can do.

Alright! Let's knock 'em down!

Hey, Jahoda! Wow, this place is packed!

Heh, my intel network never steers me wrong. Now, I'm thinking we start off by checking whatever transaction records we can find. See if our thief already made the sale...

HEY! Which one of you is the rotten thief who stole my robot, huh? Come out, and show yourself!

(That was not what I had in mind...)

...

My, my. You must be the owner of the Krumkake Craftshop!

Now THIS is an opportunity I've been waiting for. Always easier to talk business in person.

Wh—Which one of you is the thief?

No thieves here. Only shrewd businesspeople. Speaking of... You do custom orders, right? Kid, make me a robot — I'll be sure to make it worth your while.

You're the one who built that robo-maid, right? Is it for sale? I'm dying to get my hands on one!

Both of you... get out of my face!

Ahem! It's clear you two have no respect for even the most basic of rules! No wonder an illegal market like this is the only one that'll take you.

Even if Miss Aino is willing to do business with you — and that's a big if — all negotiations go through the front desk, understood?

As you can see, this kid's creations are a hot commodity in Nod-Krai. I'm not surprised these merchants are practically clambering over each other in excitement.

I don't care. Ineffa's not for sale, and neither is Krum-Clank. These grown-ups are getting on my nerves.

But Traveler was right... They're not gonna fess up 'cause they don't even feel guilty. There goes my plan...

Yeah, getting them to confess was kind of a long shot...

If you figured that would work, you're even more out of touch than I thought. These people only care about one thing — Mora. Being a "good person" doesn't exactly pad the pockets.

If we want information, the front desk is the place to start. Follow me.

That last one must have Krum-Clank! Ah, it's getting away!

Hey! Get back here!

Aino, watch out!

Darn it...

Aino—

Uh... Right. The recon bot...

I'm just glad you're okay.

Phew... That was way too close! Reckless much, Traveler?

At least it all turned out okay... Nice fighting back there, by the way. Thought I'd have to swoop in and save the day, but guess I was wrong.

(That really was way too close. If something happens to that kid, I don't know how I'd explain it to Ineffa...)

Okay? No, it's not okay! How is it okay? Krum-Clank's been stolen... again! *sob* No, stop... You're the boss of the Krumkake Craftshop, Aino. You can't cry at a time like this.

Allow me to apologize on behalf of my people. If we hadn't tried to stop you, perhaps you could have reached your companion in time.

My Lady...

If she truly viewed that robot as a "product," she could simply create another. But, instead, she demonstrated a degree of courage that should put us all to shame.

Not even the light of the full moon could reveal the slightest blemish in her goodness. But, your hearts... are sinking into shadows that the moonlight cannot reach.

...You have my sincerest apologies.

It's okay. It was all just one big misunderstanding.

Do not despair, young one. "The pure of heart will always have the moonlight to guide them."

I'm confident that you will retrieve your companion. I can even send some of my people to help if needed.

...Okay.

That brings us to our next question... Where should we go now?

It's obvious. That stunt just now? It had that merchant from the black market written all over it. He knew we were walking into a conflict with the Frostmoon Scions, and he used that as his opening.

I'd even go so far as to say, he's the one that stole your bot in the first place. Explains how he knew it was here, and could set this all up.

If you want my opinion, Asikko's your biggest suspect. But I guess we can't rule out the other merchants either...

Yeah... So, that means you know where we should search next!

(So, it's all up to me again? That market is long gone. Who knows where those merchants scurried off to, and we don't even know which one's the real culprit. *sigh*... This is what I get for trying to sound confident.)

You just can't stand seeing Aino so upset, right Jahoda? Aww, that's so nice! From here on out, we're counting on you!

It's all up to you, Jahoda!

(...Great. How am I supposed to back out now!?)

Fine. A—At least... give me two days.

No problem! See, Aino? Look at all the help you've got — everything's gonna be fine!

I know... Thanks, everyone.

Ah, if it isn't the owner of the Clink-Clank Krumkake Craftshop! What an honor! How can I assist you?

Let me do the talking... It's simple. We just want to know if anyone has tried to sell one of the Craftshop's bots around here recently.

Ah, well... I won't lie to you. We're very much a "need-to-know" establishment — meaning we don't make a habit of asking for details about the transactions that take place here. It's one of the advantages of this place.

Our clients are free to buy or sell whatsoever they might wish. All they need to do is post a notice on the bulletin board.

That's it? No wonder this place is illegal...

Wait, you guys! The first notice here is offering a huge sum of Mora in exchange for Aino's newest robot!

Krum-Clank was stolen! And you just sit back and let people peddle stolen goods for cash? That makes you just as bad as the thief!

I'm afraid it's not that simple. As I said, we never question the terms of our transactions.

It's a matter of professionalism. Remaining neutral in client disputes is a must.

Krum-Clank is more than a robot. He's my friend! I'm not gonna let him be sold off like some second-rate piece of scrap!

Hey, hey! You can't tear that down! I'm obligated to keep it up until closing at least. Please, show some understanding.

What happened to "remaining neutral in client disputes"...

Listen, customers have to pay to put up a notice, alright?

We have to turn a profit somehow. If you pay more than the original customer, I'll let you cover that notice up with one of your own.

*sigh*... Enough. This place clearly has its rules. There's no point in making a scene. Besides, we found a clue, didn't we? Let's see what the notice says.

Huh... "Willing to part with large sum in return for specific robot. It appears to be the work of the Krumkake Craftshop. Details negotiable in person..."

"According to intel from an informant, there is only one of its kind in existence. It is currently in the hands of the Frostmoon Scions..."

"Present the robot to me, and a generous sum of Mora will be yours..."

The Frostmoon Scions? Does that mean...?

The Krumkake Craftshop is situated between the Frostmoon Enclave and Nasha Town. Their people always pass by the workshop whenever they need to head into town.

Over time, you get used to it. Ineffa and I never even thought to be on guard...

So, does that mean the Frostmoon Scions stole your bot? But, why?

...I know why! They obviously want Krum-Clank's desserts for themselves!

Desserts?

Yeah, Ineffa is always controlling my "sugar intake" or whatever, so that's why I created Krum-Clank. All you gotta do is input the recipe and provide the ingredients, and he bakes desserts for you!

All this... for a dessert-baking robot?

Haha, trying to downplay it, are we, Miss Aino? Not convincing enough to fool the various factions of Nod-Krai, I'm afraid...

Who are you?

Asikko? Oh, uh, my boss knows him. He's quite a respected guy in that circle... What are you doing in a place like this?

The Voynich Guild isn't the only place to make deals, you know. Business often requires one to... expand their horizons.

And when it comes to lucrative opportunities, I'm not one to discriminate. In fact, I'm the one who got someone to post the notice you just saw.

So you're the one who's trying to buy Krum-Clank! You're as rotten as the rest of 'em!

Now, now. It's just business.

I have a... fascination with this robot of yours, Miss Aino. I tried to purchase it from the Frostmoon Scions, but those zealots wouldn't budge.

So, here I am, right at the source. I want you to fashion another of its kind. Mora is no object. I'll even offer you ten times the number on the notice.

I don't do business with rotten thieves!

Your notice didn't talk about how you want this done. In other words, stealing is fair game...

You're telling me someone of your esteem is willing to risk your reputation for a cake-baking robot?

How about this? Share the intel from your informant, and the Krumkake Craftshop will owe you a favor...

According to my intel, this bot is capable of much more than baking cakes. It incorporates the technology of the "Boom and Blast Kuuvahki Energy Cannon" and has formidable potential as a weapon.

What?

Look at that cannon. It's capable of condensing kuuvahki into highly destructive energy. But, it's too big and cumbersome to be mass-produced and transported.

Not to mention, it takes a considerable amount of time between firings to prepare the ammunition... All in all, it's not something that can be commercialized.

But, if you make it smaller and easier to mass-produce, you have the perfect product, even if it doesn't quite replicate the power of that cannon.

Besides, if you think about it, is that not precisely why the Frostmoon Scions targeted your bot in the first place?

In their doctrine, kuuvahki is a sacred power. They'd consider it blasphemy to treat it as anything but.

The giant cannon in Nasha Town uses kuuvahki to fend off the Wild Hunt and protect the people, which is something the Frostmoon Scions can accept.

But turning that technology into a product, and allowing anyone with Mora to purchase it via the black market and wield the power of kuuvahki for themselves...

Now, that is blasphemy of the highest order, I would imagine.

A lot of trouble could come knocking at your doorstep, Miss Aino. But sell that technology to me, and it all goes away. Easy as that.

Please don't tell me you've made some kind of war machine again?

Krum-Clank isn't a war machine! I already told you, he makes desserts — and deliciously scrumptiously yummy ones, at that!

He's my friend, and I'm gonna get him back no matter what it takes! So you can take your offer and get lost!

It appears negotiations have broken down... A real pity.

Well? What do we do now?

We know Krum-Clank is with the Frostmoon Scions, so all we have to do is go there, and then... um....

Why don't we ask Lauma for help?

Good idea!

Hold up. I should warn you, if that merchant was telling the truth, things are about to get tricky. Just be prepared, okay?

Come night or day, may the moonlight connect us. What can I do for you, my Lady?

Theft? We would never do such a thing! This is baseless slander!

We did recover a dangerous mechanical device, but we didn't steal it. We confiscated it from a group of bandits.

If there's been a misunderstanding, our guests deserve an explanation.

I remember, it was a few days ago, out in the wild...

Huh? What's going on over there?

It's still not done? C'mon, we need to finish these tests before the locals are onto us!

Can't we just go somewhere else? This job is putting me on edge...

No, idiot! Didn't you hear what the boss said? This thing uses kuuvahki. Why else would we be out here? Now, shut up, and get moving!

Not so loud! I just need to think. This should be it...

What!?

What did you do? Are you trying to give us away?

No, I... Look, at least we know this thing's powerful, right? We should have enough to report back on!

Alright. Then let's pack up and get out of here!

Stop right there! Drop that dangerous device at once!

Shoot, that was quick. Can you activate this thing again?

I don't even remember what I did... Are we supposed to run with this thing? It weighs a ton!

*sigh*... Let's just make a run for it. The most important thing is that we don't get caught!

So, that's what happened. We didn't catch the bandits. But, we were able to intercept the device.

Aino, I'll ask you one more time. Are you sure you didn't make some kind of war machine?

Maybe this is another misunderstanding? We don't know for sure that the device Aatso confiscated is Krum-Clank...

Hm... Did it have this symbol on it?

Yes.

That's the one I designed for my bots. I made it so that even if the bot gets dismantled or modified, the symbol can't be removed.

So, Krum-Clank is definitely the bot you picked up...

Misunderstanding resolved, then. The device will be returned to its rightful owner.

Forgive me, my Lady, but I believe that is far too risky.

Although this device is similar in principle to the cannon in Nasha Town, the two cannot be seen in the same light.

By harnessing kuuvahki, the cannon has protected this land from the Wild Hunt time and time again. I've always regarded it as a blessing from the Moon Goddess.

But, this construct... is more like a commercial product. In the hands of those with nefarious intentions, it could easily be exploited for personal gain.

As far as I'm aware, this young lady often has dealings with the major factions of Nod-Krai.

I suspect she created the device to sell it for profit. If it ends up on the black market, in the hands of those who would misuse our goddess's gifts—

Krum-Clank is my friend! He's not for sale!

...As much as I would like to believe you, that is a risk we cannot take. It is blasphemous to allow the power of our sacred moonlight to be exploited!

(I warned them that things were about to get tricky. What have I gotten myself into...)

The best course of action is to destroy this dangerous device and prevent anything like it from ever being created again...

What did you just say? Are you threatening to destroy Krum-Clank?

You must understand. The consequences could be dire...

No, you just want Krum-Clank for yourselves, just like everyone else! Get out of my way!

Our paid services are still on the table. Perhaps you could reconsider.