video

[peachbaths]

Greetings.

[ A young woman appears in the smoke with her head high, but her mouth covered by her sleeve. She had to keep up appearances, no matter where she was—Sinbad and Judar were both watching her, after all.

that and she wants to look cool ok ]

I am Kougyoku Ren. I am from the Kou Empire, though I suppose such things do not matter now.

I am here because I would like to hear about the apparitions everyone saw last week. Surely there must be something about them that holds a tiny piece of the answer towards bringing us back home. ... Is anyone still interested in going back to their own world?

Speaking of which, I also, um. I would like to. I would. Would like to...

[ Oh no, her facade is falling apart. Uh.

"Get to know everyone else here!" "Make friends!" Just say it, Kougyoku! ]

Go to the castle and gain more experience in order to reach the top. Unfortunately, I can only venture so far alone. So... [ She looks away. ] I am looking for people with similar goals to come with me. That is all.

Comments

[peachbaths]

[ Ja'far wants to go back to Sindria, that much is obvious. She wants to go back to Kou, herself. ]

... Yes. I was in the middle of something important. It is something that may change our fate... [ As friends standing on opposite sides of the battlefield.

She shakes her head. She doesn't want to say more. ]

I only know of one way back — by reaching the top of the castle. It is strange, isn't it? Have you been inside? It's like a dungeon.

[advisors]

( Something that may change their fate? That's certainly troublesome, but he won't press. Sinbad's probably already done that to the poor girl, and he's not going to stress her further. )

So there is a way back? Curious. ( And worrisome, considering the nature of the place. ) Yes, briefly. I thought we had arrived in a dungeon at first, to be quite honest.

[peachbaths]

Yes, I—spoke to some locals...

[ That's a lie. She overheard them and decided to follow and eavesdrop throughout their entire conversation. Because she's shy. ]

The entrance in that castle had a different design and appearance, but I was convinced that it wasn't different from the dungeons in our world. The rumors spoke of a god at the top in charge of the castle—

[ pause, and then ]

I wonder if a djinn is behind it all...

[advisors]

It's not beyond possibility. I've seen stranger things in dungeons. ( As to just how Ja'far, Masrur, and Sinbad are in one again though poses a bigger question. None of them have been allowed in or near one in years, and to suddenly find themselves in one again makes Ja'far more than curious.

Or, and more likely, they're not in a dungeon - which scares him even more. ) Clearly we need to investigate the castle soon. Perhaps we can figure out if a djinn is within it. ( And get home. )

[peachbaths]

[ Yes, but before they get home, there are other, more immediate and pressing matters. ]

Sir Ja'far, you... will be investigating with Sinbad... right? Or am I mistaken?

[advisors]

( Oh jeeze. Somehow he expected this. )

Most likely - at least if I can drag him out with me. Sometimes the King can be quite stubborn.

1/2

[peachbaths]

Please!

[ Oh... That was too forward. And it lacked a lot of context, too! And it made her sound desperate. Let's backtrack. ]

[peachbaths]

[ clears her throat ] What I mean is, if you do not mind, I believe that we can efficiently progress further in the castle if we traveled in numbers.

[advisors]

( Oh Kougyoku, poor Kougyoku. He really needs to get Sinbad to stop wrapping people around his little finger - he has plenty as is. )

...I'm sure the promise of adventure will draw him out.

1/2

[peachbaths]

[ Oh, a positive reply. That's good to hear! Another dungeon date with the dungeon conqueror.

Only Kougyoku would find this romantic. ]

Yes, of course! He's the High King of the Seven Seas, after all! Ehehehe...

[ She twiddles her fingers shyly as she bites her lower lip. Her expression is clearly the look of a girl in love. ]

[peachbaths]

Speaking of which, are the rest of the Eight Generals here?

[ It's not Sinbad without his Eight Generals. ]

[advisors]

( God Kougyoku, could you be any more obvious. You're just making Ja'far feel more and more sorry for you at this rate. )

It is just myself and Masrur, as far as I know. ( Which is a bit more troubling than your girlish crush. No one to watch over Sinbad properly, after all. )

[peachbaths]

[ It's embarrassing, please don't watch her anymore. She covers her mouth with her sleeves. ]

I see... That is unfortunate. I was hoping that more familiar faces had joined us, but this may be for the best.

[ here's where it gets slowly into awkward territory as they grasp at straws for a conversation ]

Um. Also, I... do your household vessels work? Mine and Sinbad's metal vessels do not, so I am curious.

[advisors]

I am more comforted to know most of my allies are at home, personally. ( And his enemies. ) But yes, it would be nice to have some more company as well. What about you? Do you have anyone from your country here? ( Please not that dumb assistant of yours. Or that horrible horrible HORRIBLE magi. )

( My, this girl is curious about things, isn't she. ) Unfortunately, no. Considering our vessels are tied to King Sinbad's, ours are completely useless. ( Sinbad's fault, as per usual. )

[peachbaths]

I see.

[ She figured that was the case. They were all powerless in this world, it seems. But they were, at least, given something to compensate for that.

Now about that other question... should she say? She doesn't know if Ja'far would actively pursue him. She also doesn't want to give him any more headaches if she wants to help Sindria. Th princess gives him a forced, sheepish smile. ]

Ah, as luck would have it, I am the only one from the Kou Empire in this world. Ahaha...

[advisors]

( He can tell when enough when people lie - especially someone like you, Kougyoku. Judging by the fact she is lying, it must be someone Sindria - or he himself - does not like, or someone she needs to hide. Which is absolutely great. Outstanding. He's just hoping it's not who he thinks it is. )

Is that so? Well, I do hope you will not be lonely for long, then.