Lost Gold Marius Investigation 03-01
Overview
- "I was supposed to protect you, but all I've done is make you worry about me."
- Stage Cost: None
- First Clear Rewards:
Astral Memory x20
- Unlock Condition:
Emergency Medicine x160, 
Lumber x240, 
MRE x80, 
Drinking Water x320 - Note - During its initial limited run, this stage's first clear reward was:
Hunter's Badge x50 - Note - During its initial limited run, this stage's unlock condition was: Emergency Medicine x180, Lumber x270, MRE x90, Drinking Water x360
Guide
- Hover to view spoiler content.
Script
You: A blueprint?
Marius: It looks like it's the design of a prison fortress on Nosta.
Marius: Also, not only does it show the structure of the prison fortress, but even the details of the secret passages are drawn.
You: The drawing looks very new. I guess someone brought it to the island and dropped it here.
Marius: Maybe someone thinks there are clues about the treasure inside the prison fortress.
You: They've really done their research.
Ancient Ruins
You: You better explain why you let Bryce go.
When Bryce was about to attack Marius, you fired the air gun you took from the ship's armory.
While Bryce was startled, Marius seized his blade.
You thought he would subdue Bryce and then inform the camp, but he'd unexpectedly let Bryce go.
Marius: Bryce changed the surveillance video. He's obviously working with either Zachary or Joshua.
Marius: He knows that his plans are exposed, so he'll definitely inform his partners. They'll take action in a panic, which will make revealing them easier.
Marius: If we take Bryce away, do you think we'd find the whereabouts of the gold by interrogating him?
You: You have a point.
Marius: But without your gunshot, I couldn't have snatched his blade. Rounding up, you were the savior. I...
You: Stop. I don't need your devotion. If you want to pay me back, buy me ice cream or some other thing.
Marius: Oh... I'm worth that little to you?
Marius: Forget it. Tell me, why'd you pilfer a gun?
Marius: It's dangerous for someone to shoot without any prior gun training.
What mood whiplash. How can he be so serious all of a sudden?
You: It's not a real gun. It's a replica air gun, like the ones you use in shooting games in carnivals.
You: I asked the staff. This gun makes a loud noise, but it lacks any destructive power. It's for scaring people.
You: You were unarmed, and Bryce had a blade. I didn't want you to get hurt.
Marius: I was supposed to protect you, but all I've done is make you worry about me.
Marius's gentle voice makes you blush. You helplessly avert your gaze elsewhere and notice some items on the ground.
You: Marius, look. Did Bryce leave those behind?
A pillbox and a scroll of paper are on the ground nearby.
Judging by their location, they likely dropped out of Bryce's backpack during the altercation.
Marius: His backpack was cut when I tried to take the blade. They must have fallen out then.
Marius crouches down and examines the things that Bryce had dropped.
Marius: This is...
The scroll of paper catches your attention. It's a sheet of parchment with writing on it.
Marius: "Departed spirits rise, sing of the sun..."
Marius: "You rise, shine, make the heavens step aside..."
Marius: "You are the king of gods, the master of the living. Before you, Maat raises high her fate-deciding feather."
Marius: Maat... Isn't that... a goddess from ancient Egypt?
An ancient Egyptian god? Now that Marius mentions it, you remember Artem and Vyn both sent encrypted messages.
You were in such a rush that you didn't carefully read their messages, but they both mentioned ancient Egypt.
You: Both Mr. Wing and Dr. Richter found similar parchments...
You wave your phone at Marius, reminding him to check the messages himself.
You: Artem has Jack under control, and Dr. Richter has Zachary as well.
You: They're both suggesting that the gold's whereabouts are related to ancient Egyptian mythology.
Marius: The Book of the Dead... From its name, you can already tell that it's a piece of literature about life and death.
Marius: Bryce wants immortality, and the Great Gold Heist is related to the Book of the Dead... Something between Bryce and Joshua...
Marius: Maybe... The missing items from the Great Gold Heist aren't gold, but relics related to immortality?
You: If it's about important historical relics or valuable works of art, then I understand Luke's secret mission.
You: Hold on... If it's related to ancient Egypt, then it's not a relic or work from our country.
You: Then it shouldn't involve Luke as an investigator.
Marius: Anyway, let's continue to follow Bryce.
Marius: If we see any historical relics or ancient Egyptian things on our way over, we can pick them up. Such as...
Marius takes out the parchment and looks at it.
Marius: Like a statue of Maat, or... a feather?
Bryce's target is the God of Death's treasure, so his next destination is the temple at the mountain's peak.
You find a shortcut to the peak by studying the notebook's map and Pax's information about Nosta.
Finally, before dawn breaks, you and Marius arrive at the sacred temple before Bryce does.
You: This temple is massive. I wonder where the treasure that Bryce is looking for is hidden.
You: If we can find the treasure first, we can use it to barter for information about the Great Gold Heist.
Marius: ...
Marius stands in the middle of the temple, looking around. He doesn’t respond to you.
You: What are you looking at?
Marius: I suddenly feel like this place is similar to other historical sites I've been to...
Marius: But I can't remember where.
Now that Marius mentions it, you also find this sacred temple very peculiar.
It's relatively sealed. The only connection to the outside is a narrow door that is wide enough for only one person.
Although the door extends from the floor to the ceiling, it doesn't let in much light.
It is aptly named the Temple of Death. It's dark like the depths of hell.
You: From the notebook, we deciphered words like "immortality," "full moon," and "sunshine"...
You: Do these words give you any hints?
You: If we're talking similar structures, then there will always be some similarities in key features or cultural significance.
Marius: Now I remember—
???: You piece of trash! You can't even deal with a nuisance or two! Someone who keeps making excuses has no value to me!
???: I didn't give you a gun to scare people!
???: If I don't get the treasure, it means nothing to me whether you find that thing or not!
The loud yells outside the temple suddenly interrupts Marius.
It is Bryce Thatcher's voice.
