Posts from Rhemic Empire (2) Auto-translated

Halmeldiru got lucky (?), today the owner of the store was working there himself.

Taking advantage of the situation, he showed the visitor the range of goods that his store could offer.
Leather Jacket Physical Damage -15% Magic Damage -15% Ephemeral Damage -15% Cost: 4650 Rumies.
Leather Pants Physical Damage -10% Magic Damage -10% Ephemeral Damage -10% Dodge +10 Cost: 3400 Rumies.
Leather Boots Physical Damage -5% Magic Damage -5% Ephemeral Damage -5% Movement Speed +2 Cost: 6250 Rumies.
Sunglasses 50% chance to avoid being blinded Cost: 2000 Rumies.
Sunglasses EX 100% chance to avoid being blinded Cost: 10000 Rumies.
Mechanical Watch +30 Initiative Cost: 5000 Rumies.

Although the Tanarian was not yet sure whether she would sign the contract, she decided to ask Castor another question regarding one of the clues. - The clue that should lead to "Evthumia" mentions the dwelling of a certain "great master." And although there are many people in Rheims who are more than worthy of such a title, I have never heard of their homes being given any special significance. However, while thinking about this, I couldn't help but remember a certain "capital prince's" estate located in the same area. I have heard that the owner possesses a special, albeit nominal, title. However, I do not know what merits this title was bestowed upon his ancestor for. Could he be the "great master" from the riddle?

— This estate and title were granted to the Asparagus family many years ago by Emperor Reisen Reim. The then-head of this family served as the emperor's chief engineer and architect. He was responsible for many of his projects, but his main achievement was the reconstruction of the capital. As a result, it was always believed that the bearers of this title knew the city best, as it was their ancestors who rebuilt it. Until recently, however, few people cared about this, but after the research of Reisen Reim's palace, something changed, and people from certain circles began to take an interest in his personality. Rumors have it that the current bearer of this title may have information about the city's underground tunnels, the "Reisen Reim Archive," the "Treasury of Evil Spirits," and the "Celestial Tower," which were mentioned in the records found in the palace, but for now, all this remains shrouded in mystery, and there is no way to verify the authenticity of these rumors.

-- Well, did you get what you wanted? Alright, I'm an honest person, at least when it comes to card agreements. No fire to be found? I'll have to burn something.

Heading to Stal Lymos.

Shimizu abruptly turned to the others. "While there's still time, let's discuss where we should go next. I think we should continue north, because the base is in the center of the island, and north is roughly the direction we need to go, right? But maybe the path to the west or east will be easier? It's a shame that I don't even have a rough idea of the island's size." Mostly, Tsukiko hoped that Katsuhiro would say something useful; he seemed smarter than the others. But if not, then... it seemed she would have to continue to bear the burden of command, which wasn't hers to begin with. Of course, she was flattered that she was the strongest and most decisive in the current situation, but on the other hand, she felt anger towards her allies, who, she believed, were only hindering her with their presence. "And yes, I'll repeat. Be on the lookout for any shelter. Even a rock that blocks the wind will do. Otherwise..." - this "otherwise" hung in the air, and the girl waited for suggestions on the direction. But not for long; if there were no reasonable suggestions, the group would immediately head north.

Okay, let's think about the riddles for now.

"Where swords are forged and the old gives way to the new"

Probably, it doesn't refer to forges after all. Unless the first part is a hint about the area in general, and the second – about a specific part of it. Perhaps it's a hint about "Street of Endless Swords" and the coliseum, where beauty contests replaced bloody sports. Or "Wings of the Empire" – a military unit equipped with the latest achievements of Rhemic engineers.

"Where demons roar, tempting with their power"

Only "Rheimport" comes to mind. I don't see any other good options.

"Where the great master lives"

For now, I'm leaning towards the "Prince" option, but I'm still not sure. After all, the "great master" doesn't actually live there anymore. Probably.

"Where the small world ends and souls rest"

I just want to say it's the cemetery. But I don't see any cemeteries here. Either "Gardens of Ikigai" or "Aquilon" come to mind. But the first option fits better. Perhaps the words about the "small world" are hinting at the imperial street. As if, it used to be a small world, exclusive to the elite, but times are changing.

What do you think, Heroist? And should we take on this quest?

Elrina wasn't particularly eager to be indebted for paintings of such great value, nor was she overly interested in the specific reward, but the opportunity to participate in resolving this situation seemed like a good chance to maintain her modest reputation at court, while a direct refusal could lead to even greater problems.
-Indeed, a very unusual case. As for the theft itself, as far as I understand, you haven't found any other clues or leads besides the envelope, which means our only option now is to play by the thief's rules? Don't get me wrong, I highly doubt that every street hustler could steal works of art of such great value, and dealing with a maniac who wants to play his own games doesn't appeal to me much. However, we really don't have much of a choice. If we manage to save at least part of the collection, that will already be a certain success.

What do you think, Hero? And should we take on this quest?

I'm having a snack right now and will share my thoughts as well.

- How intriguing, - the Tanarian woman drawled, - Thank you for the detailed answer, Master Celene. Do you have any ideas about who else might have been meant by "great master"?

Hmm.
Looking at it purely from a descriptive standpoint, I like "Limoss Steel" better for the first option. However, I don't like that the hints use the present tense. On the one hand, this rules out "Perfection," where swords are no longer forged, and on the other hand, it greatly complicates the part of the riddle about "the old being replaced by the new." With the coliseum, on the contrary, the second part seems to fit quite well, but swords were never forged there, and I can hardly imagine how the first part could be used in a figurative sense.
For the second option, reactors also came to mind. But the question is how much they "roar." I like Reimport a little less, because the noise of production wouldn't be so similar, and the noise and power of aircraft engines are still not comparable to reactors, and they, unlike the former, are not so constant.
I didn't have any options for the third one until you mentioned the Grand Duke. For some reason, I was thinking of some martial arts teachers, but in its original meaning, the architect even better suits the title of "grand master." But here the question is really whether all this was in the past.
I have no ideas for the last one except for the Ikigai Gardens.

But the question is, how loud is their "roar"?

Fortunately for visitors to Endless Swords Street, this complex looks aesthetically pleasing and doesn't make excessive noise.

That's why I abandoned this idea.

In general, I'm not sure if this quest is worth it. However, I can ask Castor a few more questions and then make a final decision.

-- Well, is this what you wanted? Alright, I'm an honest man, at least when it comes to a card game agreement. No fire to be found? We’ll have to cauterize it.

— ... — After the last round of cards, Ryunosuke fell silent, and it was difficult to tell what he was thinking. — Your fingers are getting expensive...

Heading towards Steel of Lymos.

In "Steel of Lymos," there worked some grumpy old man.

Flame (two-handed sword)
A flamberge made from Larian steel; the hilt of the weapon is decorated with a large ruby.
Damage: 150
Additional fire damage: equal to melee damage (not a percentage value)
Cost: 12000 rummies

Outcast (one-handed sword)
Camelian steel; the blade of the sword is decorated with various runes.
Damage: 100
+50 to hit chance
+50 to dodge chance
Cost: 30000 rummies

Boulder (one-handed axe)
Steel; the axe is made in an unusual shape.
Damage: 50
Paralysis on attack (strength vs. strength)
Cost: 10000 rummies

Medea (dagger)
Camelian steel; a curved dagger, its blade adorned with inscriptions in an unknown language.
Damage: 40
Poisoning — -40% to hit chance, dodge chance, and maximum health until the end of combat (strength check against owner's will checks)
Cost: 25000 rummies

Lymos (axe)
Larian steel; battle axe; the pommel is decorated with a large sapphire.
Damage: 200
Additional water damage: equal to melee damage (not a percentage value)
Freezing on attack (will check against owner's strength)
Cost: 40000 rummies

Snake (yatagan)
Larian steel; strongly curved one-handed sword; the blade has a greenish tint
Damage: 60
Three additional attacks, -5% of target's current health.
Cost: 25000 rummies

But not for long, if there are no reasonable people, then the group immediately goes north.

The group moves north.
Katsukhiro loses 10 stamina points (30/100)
Ren loses 10 stamina points (280/350)
Keiji loses 10 stamina points (710/780)
Rikia loses 10 stamina points (1380/1400)
Tsukiko loses 510 stamina points (1210/1280)

And as for the theft itself, as far as I can tell, did you find any other clues or leads besides the envelope, so that now our only option is to play by the thief's rules?

— The criminal left no traces, so here I must reluctantly admit that following the established rules of the thief is the best option we have available, and perhaps even the only one.

- How curious," said the Tanarrian woman, "Thank you for your detailed answer, Mr. Tzelen. Do you have any ideas about who else might be meant by "great master"?

— It’s hard to say, especially since we don't have information about what kind of information these riddles were based on. If they were related exclusively to the history of the city, it would make things much easier, but we have no reason to believe that this is the case.

– Probably costs more than a slave’s finger. – Jack still kept his finger on the trigger, watching the Nihon-jin intently.

— Yes, yes, yes, that’s right. The value of a person and their limbs depends solely on how much money they have. Therefore, being a noble and compassionate person, I offer you to buy back the finger that you owe me – in exchange for your winnings today. Does that work? — Ryunosuke moved his head unnaturally to the side and repeated the question. — Does that work?

– I thought you were rich enough not to worry about such amounts… However, since I don’t want to lose a finger, I’m willing to agree to this offer, but with a slight amendment – in exchange for my winnings in the last game. Ryunosuke’s expression at that moment was already a sufficient reward for the trio: it’s not every day that a group of former Araidian bandits gets the opportunity to humiliate a Japanese millionaire from the capital of the world’s most powerful nation, but Jack still didn’t want to leave empty-handed.