Scenario:Unbound Asterism - Chapter 3: Trajectory - Episode 2

Unbound Asterism - Chapter 3: Trajectory - Episode 2

Just before bed, (Captain) and company spend some time together in their room, talking among themselves. Meanwhile at the arena, Ferdinand, Judah, and Nereus gather on the stage to reconfirm the crew's current situation as well as their plans going forward.

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That night, the crew gather once more in the large room and spend some time together before going to sleep.

They divide into smaller groups among themselves to talk. Feather and Randall sit quietly in the corner, looking down at the floor.

Feather: Did we... go wrong somewhere?

Randall: Are you talking about the price we have to pay?

Feather: We've always fought together as one, ever since we were little...

Randall: Yeah... Even when you didn't have any weapons, you'd swing your fists around like a windmill.

Feather: The Lion Khan Claw... Am I becoming any stronger, now that I'm swinging these talons around?

Randall: ...

Feather: I don't really care if I lose my teeth or won't be able to move my body anymore.

Feather: But... is this the kind of strength I want?

In another part of the room, Kolulu and Troue are happily playing a board game.

Kolulu: Hah! I'm not headstrong for nothing, after all!

Troue: Ah! I didn't think of that... All of my pieces got turned over...

Kolulu: Heheh! Now the majority of the pieces are white... I win!

Troue: Haha. I guess I lost... It was still very enjoyable though!

Troue: I was able to see so many fun memories by interacting with the pieces and the board.

Kolulu: I'm glad to hear! This game does contain a lot of memories for us.

Kolulu: The two of us happened to find this board and some pieces when we went to a flea market... We got so excited when we saw them!

Troue: Ah! Yes, I could see that particular memory very clearly even through my gloves!

Troue: I must have been so happy that day.

Fiorito: What're you two doing?

Kolulu: Oh, Fiorito! This is a game I really like...

Troue: If you can sandwich a white piece with black pieces, the white piece gets flipped over and becomes black.

Fiorito: The white piece... becomes a black piece?

Fiorito: ...

Two weeks ago, when the crew were busy with preparing for their trip to Ovuque Island...

Monster: ...

Fiorito: (That's Tristette's monster... It's a job for me.)

Fiorito spots a letter in the monster's mouth. She takes the letter and reads it before returning it to the monster.

Fiorito: These instructions... What do they mean?

Fiorito: (Those pieces... I'm just like them.)

Fiorito: (I appear to be white on one side... but am pitch-black on the other.)

On the sofa in the middle of the room, Tikoh is checking the condition of Ragazzo's artificial arms.

Tikoh: I can't believe you pushed yourself like that... You even used the arms' functions without consulting your doctor first.

Ragazzo: I'm sorry... I got too excited and didn't think much about it...

Ragazzo: Um, Dr. Tikoh. Was I... a bad person?

Tikoh: ...
I'm not sure. I don't know what's good and what's bad.

Ragazzo: You don't know?

Tikoh: There was a time I resented you. You may have been used and tossed away by that thing, but... if you hadn't been there in the first place, I might've been able to...

Ragazzo: ...

Tikoh: But I don't regret my decision.

Tikoh: I want to save lives as a doctor. That is my wish.

Despite her conflicted expression, Tikoh smiles and looks over at the Asclepius Rod.

Tikoh: Anyway... I derailed from our conversation. You probably don't know what I'm talking about.

Ragazzo: No... Somehow, I think I do.

Ragazzo: Thanks, Dr. Tikoh. For saving me.

The arena is as silent as a graveyard, without a single person in sight. The roof is closed, hiding the night sky.

Suddenly, the sound of solemn footsteps echo across the venue, and two figures appear on the stage.

Ferdinand: Ovuque Island... What a nostalgic place.

Judah: Only for you. I don't have the patience for your old stories.

The two slowly walk across the large stage before taking a seat where three chairs are set up.

Ferdinand: There is more than one traitor by (Captain)'s side.

Ferdinand: I wonder who (Captain) thinks is the traitor at this point in time.

Judah: (Captain)'s opinion... So we've arrived at the final review of the plan.

Judah: Before we talk about our predictions, let's sort out the sequence of events up until now.

Judah: (Captain) and the others came to Ovuque Island hoping to find clues on Horoscopes.

Judah: On their way, an explosion happened in the ship's engine room. Tikoh and Cupitan went to the room... and Troue couldn't pick up anything with his Gift of Visions.

Ferdinand: An incident without any trace of emotion... That was the first incident, yes.

Judah: The second incident happened after Lodi's concert... when Troue was stabbed by someone.

Judah: The first ones to find him were Manamel and company... At the time, everyone was on their own, so anyone could have committed the crime.

Ferdinand: The Gift of Visions is an incredibly useful power, after all. It's no surprise that Troue would become the first victim.

Judah: And the third incident occurred that night. While they were sleeping, Manamel was attacked.

Judah: Between all of that, Ragazzo woke up, and Cupitan collapsed from hysteria. Quite a few things we can't overlook.

Ferdinand: Hmm... If you were (Captain), Judah, who would you assume to be the traitor?

Judah: The most suspicious person among them must be Fiorito.

Judah: She is very clearly hiding something—a secret she doesn't want the others to know.

Judah: How do you see it, Ferdinand?

Ferdinand: For me... I may suspect Feather and Randall of being complicit.

Judah: Oh?

Ferdinand: The two are always together and work perfectly in sync.

Nereus: Have you forgotten the one who is the most blatantly suspicious?

Ferdinand: Ahh! "Nereus" now, is it? It's been a while since all three of us gathered like this!

Nereus walks gracefully over to the two and takes a seat in the last chair.

Nereus: Among the Accordants, Cupitan possesses the strongest power of perception... We cannot neglect her.

Nereus: She would be able to camouflage her emotions for the first incident, and use a Prism Arrow on a passerby to bring about the second incident.

Ferdinand: I see... And for the third incident, she could have made it so Manamel thought she had been stabbed.

The three Chairmen go through their plan at leisure, as if exchanging their thoughts after an entertaining show.

Nereus: Still, the situation is one where anyone can appear suspicious, yet also innocent.

Judah: In other words, it's going very well... minus the slight irregularities.

The pleasant chatter subsides, replaced by a chilling tension.

Ferdinand: Now, let's move on to the main topic, shall we? We must join the constellations.

Judah: According to your astrology, three Horoscopes are set to reach harmonization this time.

Ferdinand: Yes. Feather, Randall, and Dr. Tikoh...

Ferdinand: Though it's sad to say goodbye, it is time for their harvest.

Nereus: ...

Ferdinand: Now, let's hear about your astrologies one more time.

The words the Chairmen exchange are so quiet they fail to reach even the seats of the arena, vanishing into the void as soon as they are spoken.