Scenario:Noa - Golonzo's Competence

Golonzo's Competence

The three board the airship and are astounded by the detailed design of the interior, but Noa is concerned by the scarce number of support pillars. Although the new head of Natare's inadequate speech causes the guests to be skeptical about their future business, Noa still properly greets him. When the host's fiancee appears to be enamored by Noa, the new head of Natare becomes jealous.

---

A long hallway stretches out endlessly, designed to look like a labyrinth from ancient days.

Rackam: ...

Guest rooms are adorned with jewels, while the dining hall is modeled to look like a magic laboratory.

Eugen: ...

And in the very center of the airship lies an extravagantly large dance hall.

Noa: ...

Rackam: I mean, if the ship looked like that on the outside, I shouldn't be surprised that they'd put in the effort for the interior too.

Eugen: Putting my personal tastes aside, this level of intricacy sure is impressive.

Noa: Haha, I agree. But what intrigues me the most here is the number of pillars supporting the ceiling.

Noa: There are less than what I'd expect for this much floor space...

Rackam: Surely they got an artisan or some up-and-coming architect to take a look and gauge the right balance for it.

Noa: Right... Let's hope they did.

Noa: Still... somehow, this airship doesn't feel right to me.

Rackam & Eugen: Same.

Shortly after, once all of the guests have gathered in the main hall, the lights go off.

Young Man's Voice: My distinguished guests! What do you think?

New Head of Natare: Welcome aboard the Hellwing! This airship is the pride of our corporation!

Prompted by the new head of Natare, the guests put on smiles and give a round of applause.

Rackam: He may be the head of a large business, but this guy looks like nothing but a joke. I can't believe we have to put up with this...

Eugen: I know where you're comin' from, but attending this party's part of business.

Eugen: No one knows what the new guy's like yet, so their best bet is to stay on his good side.

Noa: ...

Rackam: What's the matter, Noa?

Noa: Hellwing... Interesting taste in the name too, I have to say.

Rackam: Hahaha! Let's not go there. I doubt we'd be able to understand the guy's taste no matter how hard we try.

New Head of Natare: Now that I've inherited Natare, I plan to throw all our outdated practices out the window and open up a path to a beautiful, new future!

New Head of Natare: The winter party tonight is one step toward that new era!

New Head of Natare: But that's not aaall!

New Head of Natare: I'd like to take this opportunity, on a romantic night such as this, to announce my engagement with my fiancee!

Fiancee: Thank you, everyone. I know my darling is looking forward to working with you very much.

After springing the unexpected announcement on his guests, the new head of Natare elaborates on the new future he envisions with his trade partners for some time.

Rackam: He went on and on for quite a while... but I don't remember a single thing he said. So what was his point?

Noa: To put it shortly, I believe he wants everyone to sing and dance and have a good time together.

Rackam: What the heck?

Rackam is clearly exasperated—but he isn't the only one. The other guests are also visibly hesitant about their future relations with Natare.

Guest: How could someone like that be the heir...

Eugen: You're tellin' me.

Guest: But we're subcontractors, so if we don't butter up to him, we won't get any work.

Guest: I hate it, but that's the truth. Really makes me feel pathetic...

Noa: Skill is what's most important for craftsmen...

Noa: But when it comes to trade, you have to be able to meet certain social expectations, even if they're unreasonable.

Noa: I really admire those who can do it.

Eugen: That's business, huh? There's no set way to get things done.

Noa: We're here as representatives of Golonzo. We have to do our best to carry out our duty.

Straightening his sleeves, Noa puts on a smile and walks over to the new head of Natare, who is busy drinking his champagne.

Noa: Good evening. My name is Noa, and I have come on behalf of Golonzo.

New Head of Natare: Oho, Golonzo...

Noa: Thank you very much for inviting us to this marvelous party.

Noa: Congratulations on your engagement—the two of you make a wonderful couple. I hope Golonzo and Natare can continue to—

New Head of Natare: Hah! I thought Golonzo only had that rugged bunch—first time seeing someone like you.

New Head of Natare: Ah... My apologies. I'm sure we'll continue getting along just fine.

Satisfied with Noa's refined greeting, the new head of Natare extends his hand for a firm handshake.

Noa: ...

Fiancee: Your outfit is stunning.

Noa: Thank you very much.

Fiancee: Hehe.

Noa: Well then, please excuse me.

New Head of Natare: ...!

When the man notices his fiancee gazing at Noa spellbound, a spark of jealousy flares up within him.

Golonzo's Competence: Scene 2

The new head of Natare stops Noa and accuses Golonzo's craftsmen of cutting corners in their work. When Noa calmly refutes his claim, the new head decides to cut business ties with Golonzo and throws Noa, Rackam, and Eugen out. While leaving the ship, Noa feels something unsettling within the ship and runs to the engine room, only to find it on the verge of breaking down.

---

Rackam: Where'd you learn to talk like that, Noa?

Noa: I only did what's expected of us as representatives of Golonzo.

New Head's Voice: Hold it right there!

Eugen: Well I'm starving. Let's go get some grub.

Noa: Excellent idea. It'd be a waste not to enjoy ourselves at a party like this.

New Head of Natare: Hey! Stop ignoring me! You over there! The... Golonzo guy!

Rackam: Hm? Noa, I think the head's saying something to you.

Noa: Pardon me. Can I help you?

New Head of Natare: You sure can! I forgot to tell you something just now!

New Head of Natare: Lately the quality of what we're getting from Golonzo craftsmen hasn't been great. What's going on with that?

Noa: The quality?

Eugen: Hang on, you can't just go makin' stuff up—

Eugen is about to lash out when Noa stops him. The primal beast turns to the new head of Natare and smiles, taking a step forward.

Noa: You mentioned the quality of our craftsmen's work has decreased. May I ask what grounds you have for your criticism?

New Head of Natare: Huh? G-grounds? I mean... just take a look at the airships Golonzo's been servicing!

Noa: Could I have a concrete example?

New Head of Natare: Er, the... gears in the engine aren't turning properly! And the deck repairs are sloppy!

Noa: So you're claiming there was a problem with the gears, and our craftsmen at Golonzo failed to notice such a trivial mistake?

Noa: Engine parts are generally taken apart and cleaned. We then replace the areas that are worn with new ones before reassembling everything, oiling the parts, and making necessary adjustments.

Noa: For repairs, materials are examined and carefully selected before getting treated and painted so their colors blend in with the existing parts. We proceed with the actual mending after that.

New Head of Natare: Whatever! Who knows if you guys are cutting corners?

Noa: In the case that a single craftsman is in charge, everything still undergoes checks carried out by multiple people.

Noa: Even if one of our craftsmen were to cut corners, any sloppy work would not be able to make it through the numerous other checks.

New Head of Natare: Yeah, that's what you think! But—

Noa: I believe you're wrongfully blaming us.

New Head of Natare: Wha!

Noa: That is what I think, but if you are unwilling to go back on your accusations, then this discussion is futile.

Noa: Even if your claims are not ungrounded...

Noa: Why would you choose this place and time to bring up the topic?

Noa: This is a matter concerning airship safety. If there really is any sort of ineptitude, you need to notify us immediately.

Noa: Natare services a large number of public airships that sail between different islands.

Noa: Do you understand what that means? It means that you are responsible for an immense number of people's lives.

New Head of Natare: Rrg...

Noa: As Golonzo craftsmen, we... our workers take pride in their work. There are no compromises.

Noa: Handling airships means taking responsibility for the lives of people. This should be the case for you as well.

New Head of Natare: Ergh...

The new head is at a loss for what to say. Noa continues to press him, hoping for the man to retract his accusation and apologize.

However, that does not happen.

New Head of Natare: Shut up! I don't care! We're not trading with Golonzo anymore!

Noa: What...

New Head of Natare: G-guards! Throw them out this instaaant!

The guards close in on the guests as instructed, and Noa and company are promptly forced out of the main hall.

Noa: Does the man not have any moral sense?

Eugen: No use thinkin' about it. He was born with a silver spoon in his mouth and has never had to work hard for anything.

Rackam: Besides, this all started just because his fiancee was staring at Noa.

Eugen: So this whole fiasco was some kinda one-sided revenge? Give me a break... The fellow's pathetic.

Noa: ...

Rackam: Don't worry about it, Noa. You shouldn't be the one to feel down.

Noa: His temper may have been short, but the fact remains that I was the one who ended up causing our contract with Natare to terminate.

Eugen: Business is a give-and-take. Without Golonzo, there's no way they'd be able to safely service their public airships.

Eugen: Once the man calms down, I'm sure he'll come back to us with an apology.

Noa: I certainly hope so...

Eugen: Ack, missed out on some good food. What do you say we drop by the pub?

Noa: ...!

Guard: Hey, keep walking!

Noa: Could you take me to the engine room? I'm afraid I have a bad feeling.

Guard: Natare's not trading with Golonzo anymore. That means no touching this airship either.

Noa: It's not a matter of trade—if something happens, it'll be too late.

Guard: Rules are rules. It's time for you to leave!

Noa: ...!

Guard: Hey, get back here!

Rackam: Whoa, hold it. You're not going anywhere.

Eugen: If you're after Noa, you'll have to get through us first.

Noa: What... is this?

Noa rushes into the engine room to find an abnormal amount of steam coming out from the engine, which appears to be on the verge of breaking down.

Golonzo's Competence: Scene 3

Noa and company are able to prevent the engine room from failing completely, and the ship safely makes a landing at Golonzo. After witnessing the competency of Noa and the others, the new head of Natare retracts the termination of his business relations with Golonzo. Noa is relieved, content that he was able to carry out his duties as Golonzo's representative.

---

Channeling his power as the primal beast of shipbuilding, Noa reaches out to touch the engine.

Noa: (The engine is the life of the airship. How could they treat it so carelessly...)

Noa: Ngh... We have to let the steam escape as quickly as possible.

Noa looks around and is aghast to find nothing but a pitiful-looking cooling device and an exhaust port that is far too small.

Noa: Why would they allow this? I feel sorry for the airship...

Rackam: Noa! Are you all right?

Eugen: It's scorchin' hot in here! What's with all this steam?

Noa: I'll need your help. At this rate, this airship's going to sink.

Just then, the sound of gunshots can be heard overhead.

Trader: Whaddya mean the ships's gonna sink? Don't go spoutin' baloney!

New Head of Natare: He's probably mad about the contract termination and trying to get revenge by taking down the Hellwing!

Noa: Is that what you really think?

New Head of Natare: The ship's tilting because you lot are running around in the engine room!

Trader: I couldn't agree more, Boss.

Rackam: Seriously... If the chief's this incompetent, Natare's future is looking pretty dark.

Noa: Are you the ones responsible for servicing the ship?

Trader: Sure am. Not just the servicin'—the exterior and interior are all done by us.

Noa: Have you considered the fact that the quality of your work could cause many people to lose their lives?

Trader: Wha? Who said you could be that cheeky with me!

Noa: It doesn't look like we'll be able to hold a proper discussion.

Trader: You little brat...

Natare Members: Waaah!

Noa: The engine's overheating. There's no time to lose!

Noa: Rackam! Eugen! Can you widen the exhaust port on the left?

Rackam: The left? Let's see... What the! With an exhaust port this small, it's no wonder so much steam's getting trapped.

Trader: Hey! What d'you think you're doin'!

Eugen: Every minute counts, buddy.

Trader: Grah!

New Head of Natare: V-violence is prohibited!

Rackam: Just shut up and watch.

Rackam and Eugen grab the traders' guns, aim them at the exhaust port, and pull the trigger.

The gunshots open up a large hole in the exhaust port, allowing the steam to gush out from the engine room.

Eugen: All right!

Noa: This won't be enough though.

Noa: I hate to do this to the Hellwing, but we'll need to get a little rough.

Noa: Ephemeral brillance, shine your guiding light... Sacred Globe!

Noa: Hehe.

Noa's power blows apart a section of the airship's ceiling, letting cold air into the airship.

New Head of Natare: Wh-wha... What have you done!

New Head of Natare: A-ah... Achoo!

Rackam: Hahaha! Noa... Not even a moment's hesitation, huh?

The room abruptly cools down, and the engine's overheating subsides.

Thanks to Noa's emergency measures, the enormous airship safely makes a landing at Golonzo.

New Head of Natare: Er... Now that it's come to this, I'm not sure what to say...

Noa: The public airships run by Natare are indispensible to many people.

Noa: Consequently, it's important for you to think of safety first and ensure that every airship is properly serviced.

New Head of Natare: Right... I trust your expertise on airship maintenance.

Noa: What's done is done. It's best to take the experience and learn what you can from it.

Noa: Then surely, someday, you too can become a respectable head like your predecessor.

New Head of Natare: Yes, sir!

New Head of Natare: U-um... I'd really appreciate it if... Golonzo and Natare could remain on good terms...

Noa: Haha, that's what I like to hear. Also, I only attended to what needed immediate attention on the Hellwing.

Noa: It'll need proper maintenance, so let's take it to Golonzo's docks and have them ready it for flight once more.

Rackam: It'll definitely need an engine overhaul. Bet that thing cost you an arm and a leg since you went to some shady traders.

New Head of Natare: Rrg...

Noa: Let's not tease them too much now.

Rackam: Hahaha! All right, I'm sorry.

Eugen: Well, he did just say he'd like to continue gettin' along with us. I'm sure we can give a discount or two, right?

Noa: Hehe, yes. Personally I'm quite interested in examining an airship of this size, so I wouldn't mind servicing it for a lower price.

New Head of Natare: That'd be much appreciated!

Attending the winter party as a representative of Golonzo has turned out to be quite the eventful feat.

Despite the unexpected happenings, Noa smiles quietly, glad that he has successfully carried out his duties in a manner suitable for one from the island of shipbuilding.