Lost Gold Story 01-06
Overview
- "Pax's successor is not someone who can be easily manipulated."
- Stage Cost: None
- First Clear Rewards:
Astral Memory x20
- Unlock Condition:
Emergency Medicine x100, 
Lumber x100, 
MRE x100, 
Drinking Water x100 - Note - During its initial limited run, this stage's first clear reward was:
Hunter's Badge x50
Guide
- Hover to view spoiler content.
Script
Beach
You finally arrive at the appointed location. Everyone else is already waiting there.
As soon as he sees you, Luke runs over and takes your backpack.
Luke: Give it to me. You must be tired after such a long trek.
You: I'm okay. Sorry for making you all wait.
You: Did you confirm the identity of Zachary's assistant?
Luke: Yep. I managed to collect the assistant's fingerprints and send them off to the NSB this morning.
Luke: My colleagues ran an analysis. That person is Joshua Ott.
While talking, Luke hands you a water bottle that he had kindly opened in advance.
Vyn: There is no need for haste. You should rest first.
Vyn: The terminals are scheduled to be "destroyed" in one hour.
Vyn: That is when we begin our operation.
You: Yeah.
So far, everything is going as planned.
Cruise Ship Parlor
Last night...
After discovering the problematic terminals, you all drafted an action plan.
Marius: To avoid alerting our suspect, I'll distribute the intact terminals as planned.
Fortunately, Marius prepared well for this event; there are enough spare terminals on the ship.
Otherwise, you would not be able to continue with your plan.
Marius: About an hour after the event starts, the staff will broadcast an emergency message as if the terminals really did malfunction.
Vyn: When our suspects think their plan has succeeded, they will take action.
Vyn: If Zachary's assistant truly is Joshua, then they are our primary suspects.
Vyn: We will have the upper hand. I can follow them and possibly assist the police in locating the lost gold.
Vyn: However, I do believe that Zachary and Joshua will part ways at some point.
Vyn: Their alliance is too fragile to continuously remain together.
You: If they split, you won't be able to keep tabs on both of them.
Luke: I'll track Joshua.
Luke: Even if he was only a common bandit, he still belonged to a gang of thieves. It'd be hard for the average person to deal with him.
Luke is indeed the most capable person to deal with Joshua among your team.
You: Luke, I have faith in your abilities, but you still need to be careful. Don't get hurt.
Luke: Don't worry!
Artem: Jack wants to seek revenge. For him, we should focus on prevention.
Artem: I'll keep an eye on him and ensure that he doesn't go astray.
You: But if Jack's really here to seek revenge, he'll likely be armed. Mr. Wing, you...
Artem: Don't worry.
Artem looks at Marius.
Artem: Marius, I saw an armory on the ship. Do you have a firearms permit?
Marius: I heard you have sharp aim. Go ahead and take your pick.
Artem: Thanks.
You: (Why do I feel like... that isn't completely legal...)
You look at Luke, the "civil servant"...
It's like he didn't hear the conversation between Artem and Marius. He's focused on checking his equipment.
You: (Adaptability during an emergency is key. Mr. Wing's safety is the most important thing.)
You: (Anyway, we're within Nation A's borders. Our country's laws don't apply here.)
Marius: To ensure that our comms remain unimpeded and secure, we should all bring our phones.
Marius: If anything happens, we'll communicate via NXX's encrypted line.
You: You've thought of everything.
Marius: With you here, of course I have to be thoroughly prepared.
Luke: Marius, it's too early for you to relax.
Luke: There is still a suspect who isn't being monitored.
Marius: You mean...
Luke: Previously, you said that your friend is the real organizer. Was he the one who invited Zachary?
Marius: ...It was just an invitation. Just business networking.
Marius: Uncle Bryce has a clean background. He has nothing to do with the Great Gold Heist.
Marius: Besides, his family's rich. He's the one sponsoring the event rewards.
Marius: A bit of gold might be a handsome reward for treasure hunters, but it doesn’t mean much to him.
Luke: If it were only gold, then you'd probably be right.
You: Only gold...? Luke, you mean...
Luke: You all are going to Nosta for different reasons. I'm obviously not here for a vacation.
Luke: I can't disclose any information about my mission, but I wouldn't be here in person if it was only about tracking gold.
Luke: Putting aside the allure of loot, Bryce is naturally a suspect in damaging the terminals.
Luke: Marius, if you can confirm that all the staff in the warehouse and monitor room are innocent...
Luke: Then the only people who can move about without arousing suspicion are you and Bryce.
The room grows quiet.
After a while, Marius breaks the silence.
Marius: If the NSB's "big shot" suspects him, then I'll keep an eye on Uncle Bryce.
Marius: If he truly has a hand in this, then I won't let him off.
Marius: Pax's successor is not someone who can be easily manipulated.
You have a plan, but thinking about all the suspicions surrounding Nosta makes you feel uneasy.
You look at Marius. He has maintained a relaxed appearance this entire time, with his signature smile plastered on his face.
Maybe it's only at times like this that you're aware of his status as the scion of the most powerful family in the country.
He is far more shrewd than you had imagined.
You: (Marius...)
Artem: Have you decided who you'll work with?
You didn't decide on a personal plan of action during last night's discussion, but now you've already decided.
You: Oh, I'm planning—
Before you can finish, a cry for help sounds in the distance.
???: Help! Help!
You: ?!
You: Are they already making a move? No way!
The five of you glance at each other, then break off into a run in the direction of the voice.
