A Performance (after battle)
Just making sure we're all on the same page…
You all know that our goal is to win the game being held on the top floor, not reduce the first floor of the casino to rubble, right?
I was certain that some definitely didn't know or, if they did, care; but I saw no point in relaying that.
Remember, our ultimate objective here isn't reaching the top floor - it's winning the game.
Which means that we need enough Wishpower to make that happen.
I won't bother going into detail about how the Wishpower we went through quite the trouble to claim went straight down the drain for so preposterous a reason. No need to hurt our morale even further now, right?
I couldn't help but keep my head down, feeling the prickle of conscience in my heart.
Where's the largest Wishpower reserve in our nearest vicinity?
That roulette by the entrance. People who visit the casino try their daily luck using the roulette, and take or yield Wishpower depending on the outcome.
Is that so? Then I'll snatch the Wish Canister attached to it when opportunity knocks.
<Think you can pull that off?>
I have carried out countless operations much greater in scale.
Your preposterous blunder amounts to nothing in the grander scheme of things, Executive Manager.
It has to have been the fault of the drudging dredges who obfuscated your ability to make sensible decisions! Don't let their words deter you!
<"Preposterous," huh... I see… Wait!>
While we were busy discussing where to go from here…
... Heathcliff was already making a mad dash for the entrance.
Were we too focused on the conversation, or did we collectively lose our minds?
Either way, none of us was keeping track of what he was up to.
<Heathcliff?!>
Dammit, about time we got on with it, don't you think?
Then he shouted at security from the top of his lungs.
Oh, ain't you all one sorry, embarrassing lot?!
That blondie over there is a rookie who's as unfledged as it gets.
And that mate there, our "manager," misplaced their memories so badly that they can't wield a weapon to save themself.
This is what you're struggling against? What a bloody joke you lot are…
Ngh... D-damn prick...
H-Heathcliff… That was too harsh…
<Hear, hear. Much too mean, Heathcliff.>
And last thing, that club you're holding is wasted on a pansy like you.
You cocky little…!
Seething with anger, the security guard swung his club at Heathcliff, its furious arc sending a harsh whistle through the air.
But when Heathcliff barely managed to swerve out of its way, it fell upon the roulette with full force and smashed the machine to pieces.
The, the Wish Canister…!
Spouts of what I assume was once Wishpower until moments ago poured out of the roulette machine's sorry remains.
As if in death throes, Saude let out an agonized scream before clapping her hands over her mouth… I couldn't help but turn away from this tragic sight.
"When I grow up, I wanna be a wish sticker that gives people hope!"
It was as if I could hear the unrealized dreams of those lost wishes scattering into the ether.
Oi, listen up, you thickos.
Would you rather us keep fightin' and have to admit to your boss later you broke this thing?
Or, would you rather let us through now and blame us for the broken container when this all blows over?
T-this was… a whole month's worth of luck…
……
It won't be any safer for you upstairs…
Eh, never been too familiar with safety anyway. 'Preciate the advice, though.
Heathcliff came to me with a loose shoulder, likely dislocated when the club grazed him.
What's the look? Do your thing and fix me up.
<……>
I've made up my mind. From now on, I won't even try to discuss plans or anything in the same ballpark with these characters.
Took you long enough to realize.
Faust… You ever hear the saying "silence is golden?"
With that, we dragged ourselves up to the next floor.