Bakerlon Main Story: Expansive Fog
Overview
- Stage Cost: None
- First Clear Rewards:
Commemorative Etiquette Ticket x350
Guide
- Hover to view spoiler content.
Script
Train Corridor
Briefly summarize the current situation with your companions, and progress the story.
The Mobius continues trekking along the mountains.
If you look out the window in the early morning, the mountains are a sight to behold.
But none of you are in the mood to admire the scenery.
You: Still no signal?
Marius sighs, shaking his phone vigorously.
What should've been a high-tech product of the modern age, is now an iron casket that can be silently seen anywhere in the old days.
Marius: The signal comes and goes, so the Big Data Lab isn't going to work.
Marius: The communication signal is no good either. I called Vincent, and the call dropped not even a second later.
Luke: I also tried several times, but the call doesn't connect, even with a signal.
Artem shakes his head calmly.
Artem: ...Me as well.
You: Hmm... Dr. Richter?
Vyn: Regrettably.
Vyn takes off his glasses, frowning.
Luke: The Myerson Mountains contain the largest mine vein in Bakerlon...
Luke: The vein will cause magnetic interference and may even form a magnetic shield that covers the area.
Luke: That's the situation we're in right now.
You: So we at least... have to wait for the train to clear the mountains before we get a signal?
You: But the train runs along the Myerson Mountains, doesn't that mean...
Artem: We probably won't get any signal for a long time.
Marius: I swear, before I go to another barren countryside again...
Marius: I'll have Pax's tech department develop a mobile communication tower for me in case I ever need it.
You: Yeah, that seems very important.
With Marius going off on a tangent, the tense atmosphere eases quickly.
You: So... Looks like we'll have to continue the investigation on our own for now without contact with the outside world, right?
Marius: Yeah.
You: As for the first step of the investigation... Why don't we take Mr. Wing's suggestion and talk to that person?
You mouth the name "William Lewis."
Artem: Yes, let's go now. Hopefully... he won't let us down.
Dining Car
Talk to William Lewis in the dining carriage. You might learn something about Kahn Corporation.
The dining carriage is still the most popular place for people to eat, gather, and gossip...
The difference is that one corner has been cordoned off as a reminder of what happened here.
Even if they don't think about it, people consciously avoid that corner and sit far away from it.
You: Huh? Mr. Lewis is talking to Emmy?
The dining carriage isn't too crowded, and a quick glance reveals where William Lewis is.
He is talking with Emmy at the table by the window.
William Lewis: You look upset, buddy. Would you like some legal advice from me? I can give you a discount.
Emmy Muller: Well, I don't think I have a legal problem...
William Lewis: Not a legal problem... so it's an emotional problem?
William Lewis: That's all the same. I can offer consultation.
Emmy scratches his head in embarrassment.
Emmy Muller: I... Ah, Mr. Lewis, please excuse me. I see my friends!
At that moment, he seems to see you guys and says something to William Lewis before heading over.
Emmy Muller: Everyone, are you guys here to eat? Why don't we eat together?
You: No, actually...
You are going to say that you're here to see William Lewis.
But you notice William Lewis peering curiously over here, which gives you an idea.
You: (Instead of reaching out to William Lewis, maybe... it would be better for him to take the initiative?)
You shake Emmy's hand politely.
You: Sure, let's find a place to eat and chat.
Since it isn't actually mealtime, everyone finds a place to sit and orders some snacks and beverages.
After everyone is done with the snacks, the chat begins.
Dining Car
You: Emmy, what were you talking about with Mr. Lewis?
You: I heard... you were upset or something...
Emmy Muller: Oh, that attorney was mistaken.
Emmy drinks a sip of coffee, his troubled expression looking even heavier as he looks down and sighs.
Emmy Muller: He thought I was sighing because of personal problems.
Emmy Muller: In reality, I'm a bit worried about Dr. Ronson.
As he speaks, a head pops out nearby from behind a chair with a high back.
It's easy to guess from the haircut that it's that attorney from Baldr.
You: (Is he afraid that we're stealing his business?)
You wink at Artem, hinting at William Lewis' position.
Artem sits upright, assuming the posture of an attorney about to take on a new client.
It seems the others realize it as well, since they also follow suit.
Artem: What happened to Dr. Ronson?
Emmy Muller: Hard to say... Ever since Mr. Kahn's death, he's had something on his mind.
Emmy Muller: This morning, I found a problem when I was sorting out the data report, so I wanted to confirm with him...
Emmy Muller: And he uncharacteristically kicked me out, saying that I can take care of trivial matters myself.
Emmy Muller: It's very odd...
Luke: Did he not do that before?
Emmy Muller: No, Dr. Ronson is a cautious man and very responsible when it comes to his research. He would never say something like that.
Emmy Muller: I... so, that's why I'm worried if he was affected by what happened to Mr. Kahn...
Vyn hooks the side of the cup with his pinky finger, scrutinizing Emmy with his stare.
Vyn: Affected? What makes you say that?
Emmy bites his lip worriedly.
Emmy Muller: After all, Mr. Kahn was the executive director of the Kahn Corporation and a supporter of our research project...
Emmy Muller: With his passing, our project will no doubt be affected.
Emmy Muller: Especially when it comes to funding...
At this point, he quivers and looks at everyone warily.
Emmy Muller: Sorry, this topic shouldn't be disclosed...
Marius: We understand that the project involves company secrets, so we won't pry.
Marius: Rather, I am... more curious about you and Mr. Kahn.
Emmy Muller: Me? What... about me?
You: That day in the dining carriage... did you notice anything off about Mr. Kahn?
You: Or something you felt was odd?
Emmy Muller: Yes...
Artem: Don't worry. We're not asking because we suspect you.
Artem: We just want to gather more information before we get in contact with the police, so as to aid their investigation.
Emmy frowns and thinks hard for a while.
Emmy Muller: Actually, I didn't bump into Mr. Kahn that day. I was holding a wine glass and was on my way to find Dr. Ronson...
Emmy Muller: Mr. Kahn stumbled and bumped into me.
Emmy Muller: He reeked of alcohol, as if he had been drinking a lot.
You: So you only spilled wine on him because he bumped into you?
Emmy Muller: Y-yes.
Emmy nods quickly, as if he's pleased that his innocence had been confirmed.
Vyn: Are you certain Mr. Kahn had too much to drink?
Emmy Muller: I'm sure! Mr. Kahn kept holding onto me and talking nonsense, almost like he was drunk.
You: Nonsense?
Emmy Muller: Yeah, he said that I dirtied his clothes with yellow and green stains... In any case, he seemed to be drunk.
You: It's strange though. At the time, the party had just started, and people don't usually drink that much at that point...
Emmy Muller: Well... I don't know about that.
Emmy Muller: I heard from Dr. Ronson that Mr. Kahn didn't usually drink a lot, so I don't know what happened that day...
Vyn: ...
Vyn doesn't respond to Emmy this time. He puts his fingers to his chin, thinking about something.
During the silence, Emmy glances at his watch, then looks anxiously at everyone.
Emmy Muller: Sorry, I've stayed too long.
Emmy Muller: I still have a lot of data to sort though, and Dr. Ronson will scold me if he finds out.
Artem: No worries.
Food Truck
Discuss the next step with the NXX members.
You: Dr. Richter, what's on your mind? Did you discover something?
As soon as Emmy left, you ask Vyn in a low voice, not caring that William Lewis is still watching from nearby.
Vyn: According to Emmy, Mark was in a state of confusion and saw yellow and green...
Vyn: That may prove my conjecture.
Vyn: At the time, he probably was not drunk. ... or rather, not entirely.
Luke: Was it drugs? Can you speculate on the drug?
Vyn: Yes... digoxin toxicity causes dizziness, hallucinations, and xanthopsia.
You: Xanthopsia?
Vyn: Simply put, everything you see is yellow or green... Like...
Luke: Like when Mark thought the red wine stains were yellow?
Vyn: Yeah, however... that is only a speculation. The best way to know for sure is to examine Mark's body.
Vyn: Use your device to run a blood analysis and see if you can detect any suspicious drugs.
Marius: Eh... I have a question. He's been dead for so long... can drugs still be detected in his system?
Vyn: It is difficult... but... with his skills, he should be able to, right?
Vyn looks at Luke. For some reason, it feels more like provocation rather than trust.
Luke: Hard to say, but it's worth a try.
Luke isn't about to back down.
Now, it seems that reaching out to Kahn Corporation and requesting to examine Mark's body will be the biggest breakthrough in the investigation.
As for how that breakthrough will come about, just as everyone expected...
Artem: Perfect timing. He couldn't resist coming over.
Artem signals to everyone else as William Lewis walks over.
Dining Car
Try talking with William Lewis and find a way to get closer to Kahn Corporation for a follow-up investigation.
William Lewis: Hey, what did you guys say to that kid?
William Lewis: Something about Mr. Kahn and red wine... What do you people from Themis have up your sleeve again?
With one hand on his hip, William Lewis stares angrily.
Artem: Nothing, we were briefly going over some details of his altercation with Mr. Kahn in the dining carriage.
William Lewis: Why? Are you going to represent him?
Marius: What? Do you also think Mr. Kahn went overboard?
William Lewis: N-nonsense! I said nothing of the sort!
William Lewis: I just... Hmph, fine, I admit, Mr. Kahn was a bit impulsive.
William Lewis: But Mr. Kahn is already gone. What's the use in saying that now?
William Lewis: That kid's got nothing wrong with him. What do you hope to gain by representing him?
You: Maybe we are investigating Mr. Kahn's death?
You put your palm to your forehead as William Lewis gets further and further away from the truth.
William Lewis: Huh?
Vyn: It seems the thought never crossed his mind.
Marius: I think we overestimated him.
Artem nods unexpectedly, agreeing with what Marius said.
William Lewis: Hey, why are you guys being deliberately ambiguous? If you got something to say, just say it.
William Lewis is stunned, but that shame quickly turns to anger.
Luke: The thing is, we believe there are suspicious circumstances surrounding Mr. Kahn's death.
Luke: According to our investigation and conjecture...
After hearing Luke briefly explain your theories about Mr. Kahn's cause of death, William Lewis falls silent.
William Lewis: Yes...
This is the first time he had shown a silent and slightly anxious expression.
William Lewis: So you want... me to speak on your behalf, to allow you guys to assist in the examination of Mr. Kahn's body?
You: Yes.
William Lewis: Why should I help? Don't forget, we're competitors.
Artem: Because you're also an attorney.
You expected Artem to list the reasons he told everyone to convince William Lewis.
Unexpectedly, that is all he says.
An attorney will have the desire to find the truth. An attorney will have the faith to stick to justice.
William Lewis pauses, staring silently at Artem for a long time, then sighs.
William Lewis: Fine, come with me.
William Lewis: But... I can't promise the people from Kahn Corporation will agree.
Luxury Suite
Follow William Lewis to the luxury suites and talk with a person from Kahn Corporation.
Following William Lewis into the luxury carriage, there are several people standing within.
A dispute can be heard clearly since the outer and inner rooms are not separated.
Dennis: You... really didn't do this?
Ernst: Oh my god! Would you please shut up? This is already a mess!
Yann Kahn: Knock it off! Can't everyone just talk it out?
Dennis: But with Mr. Kahn dead, you're the biggest beneficiary now...
Yann Kahn: Can you shut your mouth? Dennis, don't make me repeat myself!
Ernst: In any case, my suggestion is to keep Mr. Kahn's death a secret for now and try to calm the passengers.
Ernst: Otherwise, who knows what nasty rumors might arise? How would Kahn Corporation continue its operations then?
Yann Kahn: Dr. Ronson, what do you think?
You: (Dr. Ronson is here as well? No wonder he kicked Emmy out... He came here for a meeting.)
Dr. Ronson: Well, my only concern is about "Hill"...
Realizing that there are people outside, the voice stops in the middle of the sentence.
Then, led by the family doctor, Yann Kahn, who is looking cautiously at everyone, the people in the inner room walk out one after another.
Yann Kahn: Mr. Lewis? You guys...
William Lewis: Oh, they're... also from Stellis.
William Lewis seems a little reluctant to introduce you and the others.
However, Yann interrupts the introduction with a raised hand.
Yann Kahn: Yes, we met briefly in the dining carriage.
Yann Kahn: If I remember, Mr. Wing and Miss [Player] are Miss Schneider's legal counsel, correct?
Artem: Yes.
Artem nods calmly.
Ernst: What is Miss Schneider's legal counsel doing here? Are you here... to mock us?
Artem: ...
Artem doesn't speak for a moment, frowning and looking a little hesitant.
You: (Oh no, the original plan was to talk to them about the investigation into Mr. Kahn's death.)
You: (But just now, these people were saying they didn't want a public investigation...)
You: (Mr. Wing's plan might not come to fruition.)
You: (Judging by Mr. Wing's expression, he must be in a dilemma... What should we do...?)
Before you can think of something, William Lewis has already opened his trap.
William Lewis: Mr. Wing, why aren't you talking? Didn't you come here to help investigate Mr. Kahn's cause of death?
The room is silent after William Lewis speaks.
The people from the Kahn Corporation stare at him in disbelief, as if he had said something unreasonable and unthinkable.
Dennis: This...
Among the few people in the room, Dennis, who had brief interactions with you and the others, looks upset and hesitant.
William Lewis: W-what's wrong?
Artem: ...
You: (Mr. Lewis... sometimes speaking too directly isn't a good thing.)
You regret not coming up with an excuse to leave after hearing their intentions to delay the investigation into Mr. Kahn's death.
Everyone has the same gloomy and uncertain look on their faces, so they are probably thinking the same thing.
Yann Kahn walks past William Lewis and stops in front of you all.
Yann Kahn: Friends who have come from afar, I am very grateful for your kindness.
Yann Kahn: But I am sorry. I cannot accept your help...
You: (As expected...)
You expected such a response, and it stands to reason that Yann Kahn would decline.
Marius: Well, sorry, I'm the type of person that likes to get to the root of the matter.
Marius: Can you give us a reason?
You: Eh!?
Vyn: Let him test them.
Vyn whispers reassuringly into your ear.
At the same time, Artem walks forward.
Artem: Naturally, Mr. Kahn's death will have an impact on this train.
Artem: But at the end of the day, you'll incur heavier losses if you don't figure out what happened.
Yann Kahn's expression stiffens, which is followed by an awkward cough.
Yann Kahn: I... don't have the authority to make decisions without being able to contact the company.
Yann Kahn: I'm just a regular family doctor.
Luke: It's a matter of urgency. I'm sure your company would like to see this matter resolved, right?
Yann Kahn: Yes, we are desperate to see it resolved.
Yann Kahn: But that's not the same as accepting your cooperation.
Yann Kahn: With all due respect, you are outsiders... Not to mention, these two attorneys are Miss Schneider's legal counsel.
Yann Kahn: For commercial security reasons, we would never, under any circumstances, involve anyone with ties to the Schneider family.
Yann Kahn: Everyone... please understand.
By this point, Yann Kahn's intention to reject your offer is evident.
It would be too deliberate if this continues any further, so you and the others thank William Lewis and leave.
