Great Detective Essentials
A client is unable to pay his bill and instead offers Barawa an antique of his choosing. Sarya is dumbfounded at Barawa for accepting it, but all is forgotten when the Phantom Thief's letter arrives.
Days before the Phantom Thief incident in Auguste...
Barawa reports his findings to a client who runs an antique shop in town.
Barawa: Yes, that's right. Missing person cases require both great insight and great tenacity.
Barawa: Kidnappings, accidents, runaways...
After considering all the possibilities, I devise the optimal course of action.
Shopkeeper: Hmm, I see... But what about my little cutie?
Barawa: Hah hah hah. Fear not! I have rescued her from the nefarious underground sewers.
Barawa: You can come out now.
Cat: Meow.
Shopkeeper: Oh, my sweet kitten! I'm so glad you're okay. Thank you, Detective!
Barawa: Hah hah hah. With my brain and Buddy's nose, we found your kitty in no time!
Buddy: Woof!
Cat: Meow.
Shopkeeper: She's really taken a liking to you two. Thanks for your help too, Buddy!
Barawa: Case closed! We'll be taking our leave then.
Shopkeeper: Thank you so much. Now, about payment...
Barawa: Oops! I almost forgot about that. Hah hah hah.
Shopkeeper: I'm so sorry to say this, but my wife is in the hospital with a back injury.
Shopkeeper: And with the medical expenses amounting to a small fortune, I was hoping I could have a little more time to pay you back.
Barawa: I'm sorry to hear that. I'd be glad to give you more time, but how long were you thinking?
Shopkeeper: I'm sure I can pay you back by early fall. I'll be receiving a lump sum payment around that time.
Barawa: Fall? Mm-hmm...
Barawa: Fall is fine. Don't worry too much about it. You could even pay me back during the winter. Hah hah hah.
Barawa: Oops. Sorry, Buddy. Looks like I forgot your breakfast.
Buddy: Woof?
Shopkeeper: Um, come to think it... Would you be willing to accept antiques as payment?
Barawa: Antiques? From this shop?
Shopkeeper: Yes, does anything catch your fancy?
Barawa: Truth be told, I'm not really interested in—
Barawa: Hmm?
Barawa: Hey, what's that hanging over there!
Hours later, Sarya, who was tending to a separate matter, comes to meet up with Barawa.
It's been a while since her last assignment from the antique dealer, and with payday coming up, Sarya couldn't be happier.
Sarya: I'm pretty sure this is the right spot... Where could he be?
Sarya: Hehe. It's been so long since I got paid. Maybe this time I'll buy a new swimsuit.
Barawa: Sarya, over here!
Sarya: Detective!
Um, Detective?
Barawa: Hah hah hah, how were things on your end?
Sarya: Umm, what exactly is that thing?
Barawa: Pretty neat, huh? It was practically waiting for me at the antique dealer's shop.
Barawa ecstatically shows off the antique, patting it proudly.
Sarya: Uh, sure, it's pretty neat. But what exactly is it?
Barawa: No idea. Not even the dealer knew.
Sarya: Well, for one thing, it looks really heavy and it's got wheels attached to it.
Barawa: It's not too bad. I did carry it all the way here by myself, you know.
Barawa: Hah hah hah. My instincts as a detective tell me we absolutely need this object!
Sarya: Well, hey, it's your money!
Sarya: Anyway, can I get my pay now? I've been wanting to buy a new swimsuit for some time now!
Barawa: I was paid in antiques, as in this object right here.
Sarya: Didn't you get paid in rupies? And then use rupies to buy the antique?
Barawa: Actually, I got this instead of rupies.
Sarya: You have got to be kidding me! Are you saying my pay's part of that bizarre object?
Barawa: Hah hah hah! Calm down now, Sarya. An honorable detective lives a humble life. Besides, you did say it's pretty neat.
Sarya: Detective, we can't even afford to eat! There's nothing honorable about that!
Barawa: Mm... But this is an essential item for any good det—
Sarya: Ugh, never mind that swimsuit. At this rate, I'll have to dip into my savings.
Barawa: Urgh... I'm really sorry about this. I promise to pay you in due time.
Barawa: ...
Sarya: Oh right. We have to get you fed first before worrying about my pay.
Barawa: My powers of deduction tell me I haven't eaten in three days.
Barawa: And with no other jobs in sight, things do not bode well.
Townsman: Hey, did you hear about that incident in Auguste?
Townswoman: Yeah, the Phantom Thief's letter is the talk of the town. Maybe we should go take a look.
Barawa: Hm? The Phantom Thief's letter?
Sarya: Detective, this is no time to be down in the dumps.
Barawa: Right, no time like the present. Book our travel at once, Sarya!
Sarya: Okay! All a detective needs are phantom thieves and mysterious incidents, anyway!
Barawa: That's right! I'm coming for you, Phantom Thief Chat Noir!
The investigative duo once again sets out in search of the Phantom Thief.
Hunger, poverty—no matter the crisis confronting him on a personal level, Barawa will do everything he can to solve a case.
Case of the Rightful Owner
The first client at the new branch office asks Barawa to seek out his little brother's missing axe. Barawa fails to see the mystery in such a case but accepts it anyway after the crew urges him on.
Days after the incident in Auguste, the crew stops by a nearby island.
Having no other plans, Barawa tags along. But for some reason, he is found remodeling a room inside the Grandcypher.
Barawa: So I'll put the table here, and... Okay, that should do it!
Vyrn: Hey, hey, Barawa. What are you doing remodeling the room?
Barawa: Hah hah hah. This'll be my branch office. I'll take on cases here too.
Lyria: Hm, but do you think people will come if you just wait inside the ship?
Barawa: That won't be a problem. With Sarya handing out fliers in town, I'll have clients lined up in no time!
Barawa: After all, I'm the great detective who cornered the Phantom Thief and foiled his master's plans!
Rackam: Hey, you guys have a sec?
What the? What in the skies have you done to this room?
Barawa: Welcome, Rackam. You're my first client at this office. Since I'm such a good friend, I'll do the first job for free.
Rackam: Huh? I just came by for some spare floorboards. I thought there were a few laying around here.
Barawa: Floorboards? I used them all to make this table.
Rackam: Geez, gimme a break... I guess I'll just have to pick some up in town.
Vyrn: Oh boy, you really did it this time.
Barawa: Urgh... I admit I'm at fault here. But no worries, I'll make up for it later.
Katalina: Hi, Barawa. Do you have a have a minute? I have a favor to ask.
Barawa: Ah, a real client! Good timing, Katalina!
Katalina: About next week's cleanup duty, is there any chance we could trade places?
Barawa: Cleanup duty?
Katalina: Yes. Some on the crew asked me if I could train them. It's okay if you're busy though.
Barawa: Leave it to me. Luckily for you, I don't have any jobs lined up for next week.
Katalina: Thank you, I owe you one.
Lyria: Ahaha, I guess she wasn't exactly a client either.
Barawa: Well, I only just opened up this office.
Sarya: Detective, I think we have a real client this time!
Client: Uh, hello. I've heard rumors of the great Barawa, and there's something I'd like to ask him to do.
Barawa: Wow, rumors about me? Surely about how I cracked the case of the mysterious code? Or was it about the unsolvable locked-room mystery?
Client: Huh? Um, actually, I lost my axe in the mountains, and I was hoping you could retrieve it for me.
Barawa: Axe-searching in the mountains? Let me guess... The terrain is really complex and difficult to navigate?
Client: Not really. It's a typical mountain. I can't go myself with these injuries, and it's a really heavy axe, so...
Barawa: Where's the mystery in this case?
Client: Huh? Um, well, I heard rumors of your physical strength, and I figured that would come in really handy now.
Barawa: Physical strength?
Sarya: Sorry, I should've asked about the details first...
Barawa: Why?
Barawa: Why don't any mystery cases come my way? I'm the detective that cornered the Phantom Thief!
Vyrn: Well, searching for missing items is all in a day's work for a detective, right?
Lyria: That's right. Why not just take on the job for now?
Client: I would really appreciate it. The axe is really important to my little brother.
Barawa: Hmm...
Sarya: Detective, why not think of it as a chance to spread word of our new office?
Barawa: You're right. We should take this one step at a time. Besides, I can't turn down a person in need.
Barawa: All right, I'll do it. You just need your little brother's axe back, right?
Client: Thank you so much!
Barawa: Leave it to me!
Prepare for a trek through the mountains, everyone!
Vyrn: Huh? Us too?
Barawa: Of course. The crew and my agency are in a business partnership after all.
Lyria: Ahahaha... Really?
Sarya: My apologies. Barawa seems to have taken a liking to the idea of a business partnership. But really, we should be thankful we can even set up shop here.
Barawa: Hah hah hah. Let the investigation begin!
Case of the Rightful Owner: Scene 2
When the crew finds the missing axe, a man with a face identical to the client shows up. Barawa is thrown for a loop when the man claims not to be his twin.
When the crew goes searching for the missing axe in the mountains, something catches Vyrn's attention.
Vyrn: Huh? Hey, look! Isn't that the axe?
Lyria: We did it! That has to be it!
Barawa: Nice job, Vyrn. Why, talk about an impressive-looking axe!
Sarya: Yeah, the craftsmanship on this is really something. The client did say it's really important—
Mysterious Man: You thieves! Drop the axe and get lost!
Barawa: Who do you think you're calling a thief? Identify yourself!
Mysterious Man: Agh! The axe is mine, so give it back already!
Sarya: Detective, something's not right. His face looks identical to our client.
Barawa: Hm? Now that you mention it...
Barawa: Ah, I get it now! You must be our client's twin brother, and I wager this axe is yours?
Mysterious Man: Huh? Don't go around calling me someone's twin brother! That axe belongs to my older brother!
Lyria: Hm? They look identical, but they're not twins?
Vyrn: The client said the axe belongs to his little brother, but this guy's saying the axe belongs to his big brother?
Sarya: Hehe. I get it now.
Barawa: It's a mystery!
Barawa: A valuable axe and a paradox. Put two and two together, and you'll see that someone is spouting lies to strike it rich!
Barawa: Hah hah hah. Looks like a job for yours truly! I'll tell you who the axe really belongs to!
Sarya: Uh, Detective, I think we already have it figured out...
Barawa: Let's take a closer look at the evidence. Sarya, magnifying glass please!
Mysterious Man: Umm... I'm sorry for mistaking you for thieves. Your client was probably—
Barawa: Zip it; you're a suspect in this case. We can't have any bias in the initial investigation... I'll be cross-examining you later.
Barawa: Oh my, the scars on the handle... It can't be...
Vyrn: Hey, hey, Barawa, how much more time do you think you'll need? Still don't have an answer yet?
Barawa: Wait, I have an idea...
Lyria: Umm, why don't we go back to the Grandcypher and try asking the client—
Barawa: I've almost got this!
Mysterious Man: I'm sorry. It's all my fault. This wouldn't be happening if I had approached you normally.
Sarya: It's okay. This is our first job after opening the branch office, and Barawa's just a little excited.
Barawa: Aha! It's all coming together now! Captain, can you hold the axe sideways?
Sarya: Huh? What are you going to do with the axe?
Barawa: Break it in half.
Vyrn: Whoa, how is destroying evidence going to help?
Lyria: And let's not forget the axe is supposed to be really important!
Barawa: I understand the concern, but we'll never get anywhere at this rate.
Vyrn: But we will be getting somewhere if we just go back to the ship and have the two guys talk.
Barawa: Absolutely not! The next tragedy will occur if that comes to pass... Or maybe not.
Lyria: Um, what do you mean by the next tragedy? Nothing's happened yet.
Barawa: I mean, in a manner of speaking. I have to solve this case by myself, or we'll have trouble pulling in new clients to the branch office. Until then, don't expect me to budge.
Barawa: ...
Barawa: This mystery has me stuck.
Monster: Groaar!
Sarya: Eek! Detective, it's a monster!
Barawa: Monsters? Looks like I might have to budge after all. Let's do this, Captain!
Case of the Rightful Owner: Scene 3
The crew return to the Grandcypher to confirm details and discover they're dealing with triplets. But when a fourth identical-looking man arrives, Barawa is once again left confounded.
The crew defeats the monsters and returns to the Grandcypher to ascertain the facts of the case.
There, they find both the client and the supposed owner of the axe.
First Son: Bwahaha! Forgive me, everyone! It looks my little brothers caused you quite the trouble.
Third Son: Look who's talking! If you guys put out a request, you should've told me!
Second Son: I'm at fault here. I was in such a panic that I didn't explain myself clearly...
Sarya: It's just as I thought... No apologies needed, though. We're just glad the axe is back with its rightful owner!
Lyria: Umm, the three of them look identical. How is that possible?
Sarya: Hehe. Everything our client and the man in the mountains said is true.
Sarya: Simply put, the axe belongs to the second son.
Vyrn: I get it now! If the client is the little brother, and that guy's the big brother... It only makes sense if there's another brother in between!
Barawa: Hah hah hah, the case is closed! You could say our client this time was actually all three brothers!
First Son: Says who?
Second Son: Bwahaha! Looks like the detective is still confused.
Third Son: C'mon now, let's not make things more complicated than they already are.
Barawa: Huh? Are you saying the client is someone else?
Fourth Son: Hey, did you guys find the axe yet?
Sarya: Oh, I see now! They're actually quadruplets!
Vyrn: Haha, you guys sure threw me for a loop.
Lyria: Wow! Quadruplets aren't something you see very often.
Barawa: Quadruplets? That means these brothers are...
Barawa: It can only mean one thing!
Barawa: The axe belongs to the younger, or rather the older brother. But our clients are actually twins, or should I say quadruplets? And now that we know they're not really triplets...
Barawa: The mysteries keep piling atop each other!
Sarya: Um, Detective? The axe belongs to the second son. The fact that they're quadruplets is irrelevant...
Barawa: Aha, I've figured it out! One of them must be the Phantom Thief in disguise! Captain, it's time to cross-examine them!
Sarya: Detective!
Vyrn: Oh no, now you're just creating more mysteries...
Lyria: Ahaha, this is Barawa hard at work!
Barawa manages to solve the first case at his Grandcypher branch office.
True to his calling, Barawa steps forward in search of the next mystery despite the crew's resignations.