Posts from ☀️ Arselia and Akonia Auto-translated

Whew, so much content to go through... But I need to sleep, I've already messed up my experience schedule, I shouldn't do that. I'll do the rest tomorrow morning.
Will Guion have time to stop by for a drink or give money to Beata so she can go shopping? Beata's route includes the List; if we can somehow arrange it, for example, by having Rafik or Astellia help, like Beata borrows from them - goes to the List - buys something - Guion returns - pays off the debt, that would be a really great trick to pull off.
Tomorrow, I need to write a big role-playing post about the reunion of Biba and Boba. I have a couple of ideas, plus I've been meaning to officially shift them to a less evil worldview.
And I definitely need to work on the Lytdybry! Guion urgently needs to increase his charisma. Luckily, losing a point doesn't equal losing charisma; it's not just used for points.

For now, Biba and Boba are going to get equipment and meet their assistants.

Until we encounter the first enemy immune to darkness, which we will definitely meet.
Darkness would have been quite effective, and Eclipse is no worse than Deflection, to put it mildly. But seven thousand... hardly.

To be honest, if it weren't for the RPG element, I would have considered Darkness or Water. Immunity to negative effects and injuries, regeneration, and stunning on attacks look incredibly appealing. Perhaps Light, due to its low cost and renewable companions. Alaria would assemble her own harem, without gambling or trading situations. But it would be strange for her to choose anything other than Fire, even though it's not the most optimal option. Of course, one could try to justify something with meridians, but that's just a thought. Unless I came here without losing all my skills, then there would be a point in choosing Darkness.

Added after 26 minutes
I could, by the way, earn 1500 rems a month as a waitress if I chose Light...

Frag, tell us about that fat guy you met at the inn, and that he's from Margel. It's a bit late, but still (if you haven't told us).

Well, we can assume he told them about it back in Yanshi; now, he's probably not thinking about the fat guy anymore...

Carneol's mission in Yanshi ended quickly and ingloriously. The cursed melody instantly drained the strength of the hapless saboteurs, after which the orphans appropriated their equipment. Garrett didn't have much of value: a few gems, a stolen artifact, and a hellish helmet. But the theft of Harold's knife was more painful. Although it was more useful for slitting the throats of defeated enemies than for use in battle, it had symbolic significance as a reminder of his brother. Recovering on the way back to Margel and assessing the losses, Garrett sincerely wished that the scoundrel who stole the knife would fall on his stomach. At least Harold himself was left alive, otherwise, he would have been completely demoralized.
"Yeah, brother, what a stroke of luck... Almost without irony - everyone is alive and well, not sent to hard labor or prison, and not even to a lab for experiments. What a wonderful opportunity for future adventures. Look, even the orphans considered you useless, hehe. Well, if we ever get to them, I'll personally smash someone's face with your stubborn head. And when we find your favorite dagger, we'll take a good look at their guts."
Having finished his mental tirade, Garrett tossed the skull in his hand a couple of times, assessing its weight, and put it back in the bag.
"Hmm... Dreaming doesn't hurt. Well, if the princess doesn't execute us on the spot for messing everything up, then we should at least find some weapons, and then we can start planning something."
Upon returning to headquarters, such an opportunity soon presented itself with a new mission. A sea voyage to rescue the queen from the hell of revolution. It sounds much more heroic than burning down an orphanage; Ayko will undoubtedly try to redeem herself with this... Maybe Carneol will suddenly prove his worth and justify at least some of the resources spent on him. Well, and he himself, who once avoided a fun trip to Barsin, will have to sail on a ship this time.

I won't be able to follow the thread during the day, so get Garrett some gear so he has something to throw into the whirlpool

Michka determines the color of the bald little man and observes the jumping cats for a while (if the situation matches his avatar).

will justify a portion of the resources spent

/ I was thinking about this and found it ironic that they spent about 7-8k on us, but Aiko brought about 6k worth of stuff to the headquarters. So, if we take inventory, the princess didn't really lose much, and if we take away Aiko's shoes, it will be a complete zero. /

The gnome greets the captain with a curtsy.

-- Thank you for taking us aboard your glorious Lightning, Mr. Hector. I hope our humble team won't be a burden to you and your experienced sailors.

Aiko also makes sure to introduce herself to the crew.

/ Am I right in understanding that everyone on board, including Hector, works for the princess, so there's no need for secrecy? /

No, they are all undercover agents from the Haven.

===Monday evening===

Guyon raced towards the "Carnelian" headquarters, praying to all the gods he knew, and half of those he didn't, that everything would be alright with the others – especially with Beata!
He was panting, and his head was slightly spinning – he had taken quite a beating during the armor test – but these were minor things!
Here is the headquarters. It's dark. It's empty. The lights are off...
His heart sank somewhere in the region of his stomach.
Had he been deceived? Were the whole group still being held in Yanshi?
Or... or were they no longer being held?
Or had the worst happened?
Guyon reminded himself that he had done the right thing. He hadn't chickened out, but had made a tactical retreat. If the whole group had been captured, what could he have done alone? He wasn't nearly as good with lockpicks as Beata, he was noisy, conspicuous, and he clearly lacked acting skills...
No, first he would discuss what had happened with the remaining members. Then – he would go and beg for mercy from His Highness. He didn't care about anything, even if His Highness had his head chopped off for the failure of the rest of the group, but maybe His Highness could come up with a way to save the others, maybe there was still a chance...
As Guyon reached for the door handle, he heard quick footsteps at the end of the street...

***

An awkward, but sincere prayer slightly eased Beata's heart, but the anxiety didn't completely go away. She tried to distract herself by taking a walk around the city, but it only helped a little. Along the way, she came across a couple of cafes, and she even went into one, but... she had no appetite, and no money. Of course, she could try to pick someone's pocket, but a suddenly awakened conscience reminded her of the promise she had made to the gods. She wasn't in the mood for anything. Shopping only made her feel worse. On the way, she ran into Raphael, who was rushing out of the theater, and borrowed money from him, not knowing how she would pay him back – but she really needed "Coolant". During her walk, she made a detour to the pharmacy and bought the medicine from the catamite who was annoyed by her appearance, barely managing to force a friendly smile. She didn't have money for anything else, and her conscience wouldn't allow her to steal. Even the annoying hag from "Rumor" couldn't cheer her up. After listening to the simple insults directed at her ("Thief of members," seriously? Did she come up with it herself, or was she prompted?), Beata just muttered something like "And a good day to you too," glanced at the shelves, and left.
On the way, she ran into a priestess, whom she recognized as Aiyano from Guyon's description. Should she say hello? Ask if she could help? Maybe her gods would help? Divine help is never too much...
...no, she's in a hurry. She's busy. She shouldn't be disturbed.
The day was coming to an end, and her legs were aching from the walk – Beata had really exhausted herself. It was time to go home, rest, and gather strength before the swim. A difficult journey awaited, and most likely without Guyon. Gods, how is he doing... More than anything, Beata wanted to drop everything and rush to him, regardless of the danger.
And here is the headquarters. It's dark – probably everyone has already gone to bed, she's the only one still out.
Wait, who is that? Someone is standing at the door!
Could it be...
Beata looked more closely... and recognized him.
Her heart beat wildly. Her legs automatically started running.

***

– Guyon! – Beata hugged her comrade tightly.
– Beata! You're alive! – Guyon grunted, half-crushed, hugging her back.
– Of course, I'm alive! We're all alive! They just robbed us, but we're safe and sound! Let's go inside, I'll tell you everything!
The couple went to the kitchen. Beata showed Guyon the note she had left and made a cup of tea for each of them.
– His Highness is not sparing us... Or maybe he is, – she smirked, – no one's head was chopped off, no one was punished... Although we punished ourselves. In short, tomorrow we're going to save the Snow Queen. Are you with us?
– Are you even asking! Wherever you go, I'll go!
– I didn't doubt you! – Beata smiled warmly. – How did you get here, by the way?
– Oh, it was terrible! I woke up – you weren't here! I asked the landlady – she said you had gone home! I thought, what can I do alone? I need to rush home. The landlady offered me a job, but for five days... I was almost going to agree, but then I thought – that's too long without you. I decided to take a risk, I saw an ad from a guy who needed a mannequin to test armor... Don't look at me like that! Everything went well. Even too well... They beat me up, of course, but I felt that it could have been worse. I got the money, bought a ticket – and came straight to you!
Beata didn't answer, she just hugged Guyon tightly and looked up at the sky.
"Thank you, Mother Anush, thank you!" – she thought.

***

Beata decides to embark on a path of redemption. From now on, she will commit crimes and XXX with everyone, only if it is necessary for the mission, to save her friends, or if she has no other choice. She also decides to trust the members of "Carnelian" and let them get closer to her. She still puts Guyon above everyone else, but the other members of the team also mean something to her.
Guyon was not as inherently criminal as Beata, so he readily and happily accepts the new rules of the game.

***

In the morning, the couple paid Raphael back for the "Coolant" and went to the pier. There they go to get their equipment and meet their assistants.

Could have earned 1500 rems a month as a waitress if she had chosen the light...

Alaria: inquisitor-renegade, agent of the first Empress Reima, agent of Princess Welfern, demonic warrior, has traversed palaces, dungeons, sewers, and deserts.
Also, Alaria: now she would wear a maid's outfit and flirt with oligarchs in XXX...

Nah, that's in "Diablo," they pay better there! 😄

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went through palaces, dungeons, sewers, and deserts

Also sailed the seas! Don't forget! And also survived Asparagus's mansion and the confrontation with the legate!

Added 6 minutes ago
Here, we could also make a joke like:
— Oh, what an interesting fighting style you have! It must be very useful in life!
— Yes, I get twice as many tips for it...

The unnamed manual "Constellations" warmly welcomed the visitors and agreed to give them a tour of the institution and show them the children. However, this was not meant to be. 

Shortly after they crossed the threshold of that place, they heard someone playing beautifully on a flute. 

The melody would have seemed soothing to any listener, but not to them. 

Beata, Aiko, Garrett, Mereel, Vortex, Kilika, and Kalina lose

They feel the blood in their veins ignite, and soon their bodies only have strength left to sustain the most essential life functions.

After looting Carneol, the wards of "Constellations" waited for the next train to Margel, put them on the train, and sent them on their way.

Nothing happened to Guyon, who was resting at the inn, but to get home he needed to find money somewhere for a ticket.

I still suspect that those who didn't eat the fruits could have been killed or enslaved. The kids are clearly overpowered, and one or two champions would definitely lose against them. Maybe they could have taken them down as a group, but I'm not sure.

I still don't understand why you decided that crippled units with 1.5k experience at the start could defeat Lyda's children. And it seems the princess just wanted to make us lose, that's all.

I think the situation is actually the opposite here, and they aren't very strong on their own, but they are cunning. And if the character hadn't eaten the fruits, I suppose they would have offered him to surrender voluntarily. Well, at least if the numerical advantage hadn't been in favor of the players.

Well, they didn't care about Gion at all. It was enough to simply avoid going there.