IN WHICH IS EXPLORED LIMBUS COMPANY'S NOT-EXACTLY-FIRST ALLIANCE WITH A WING (before battle)
So she's the one we were supposed to meet here at the station...
My, my... what an honor this is, to meet the Red Gaze himself in the flesh.
Everyone, I am pleased to meet you all. I am Cesara, Head Manager of P Corp. Archival Department.
Archival Department? So you are... bookkeepers, then?
In a manner of speaking, yes. It is a rather significant department within P Corp., regardless of how other Wings treat their own archivists.
If a bigwig like the Head Manager of such an important Department is here to see us herself, then... boy, I guess we really are putting our names out there.
Not an entirely incorrect assessment. I did hear some things about you and Limbus Company through the word of mouth.
What was it...? Ah, yes. A medium-sized enterprise with its employees gladly braving death to see a contract to its end. All just to obtain these... 'Golden Boughs'.
That's true, I guess, but...
<Hey, she's actually making us sound pretty impressive, huh...?>
For-sooth! I, and my dearest compatriots, have vanquished countless evils through all kinds of hardships and deadly foes! Braved death, indeed.
The other Sinners were more confused than impressed by her description, but it was clear from Don Quixote's practically twinkling eyes that she was immensely infatuated by it.
We did receive a brief of this contract.
A particularly stubborn Urban Nightmare case, which all kinds of Fixers have failed to rout despite their repeated attempts.
Correct.
I doubt it is customary for the Head Manager of an entire department to greet every no-name Fixer Office looking to make a name for themselves.
Correct again.
And seeing how you've gone to the lengths to privately deliver this particular contract to our hands...
... this isn't a simple Urban Nightmare eradication contract, is it?
I sense that your expectations of us extend beyond simply defeating it.
There must be a particular task you're expecting us to 'brave death' for, given your emphasis.
... Hm. What an odd feeling. I wasn't going to hide it from you anyway, but... it feels as though you're reading me like an open book.
We stared in dumbfounded silence as Vergilius effortlessly cut through the hoops to get to the core of the contract.
Yes. Your people were quite blunt about this when you contacted us first. That there's this 'Golden Bough' somewhere near our eradication target.
My, I was so astonished when I picked up that call. Your people refused to answer our questions, refused to tell us what those 'Golden Boughs' are, insisted that we let your people inside the zone to confirm the exact coordinates... I almost thought it was a prank call or something.
I believe we also made you an offer you couldn't refuse.
... Haah. I don't know if it's a particularly versatile agent or a very proactive intelligence department, but your company has some serious intel gathering capabilities.
Cesara let out a deep sigh and leaned against a wall, her shoulders slumping slightly.
So what exactly are we eradicating this time?
Given that we have hopeful Fixers queuing up to join the mission... what, is an escaped Abnormality wreaking havoc somewhere like last time? Or is it a Distortion, because if it is -
Cesara wordlessly stared at Ishmael as she began to rapid-fire her list of questions.
Oh, uh... ah, right. Forgot to explain. So Abnormalities and Distortions are the kind of 'monsters' that may look similar at first glance -
... If only our problem was just another monster to deal with.
Something had caught my eye immediately after we arrived at this place.
<The missing persons flyers...>
Countless flyers, each in search of a different person, were taped to the pillars inside the station.
Looks like people of P Corp. are randomly going missing in no discernible age or gender patterns.
Cesara, realizing that we were staring at the wall of missing person flyers, began.
As you can see, the flyers are all old, faded, and tattered to the point where the papers are starting to peel off.
... Which means that none of them have returned home safely.
…….
So we're not dealing with an entity, then...
... It is a phenomenon.
The land where the happiest smiles bloom.
The 'amusement park' of fables and legends, La Manchaland.
La Manchaland...
More than several dozen people have been reported missing. But the real number is likely much higher.
Most of the guests who visited La Manchaland, which mysteriously materialized two months ago at the Backstreets of P Corp... are still trapped within.
They have gone 'missing', thou sayest? Yet how can that be? 'Tis against the nature of amusement parks to be so full of horror, not joy...!
I simply did not have enough manpower under my authority to deal with this. It was designated an Urban Plague three days after its first appearance, and now it's been escalated to an Urban Nightmare.
Curious. If it is a mere Urban Nightmare, not even a Star of the City, then shouldn't P Corp. be able to easily handle this on its own?
Mm... that's the thing. The other departments aren't really interested in this phenomenon, which means that the Martial Department won't be sending their elite employees to handle this case.
Wha - Yet wherefore? Wherefore doth P Corp. not deploy their elite forces to swiftly vanquish this risk to the lives of the innocent?!
Don Quixote was now completely and emotionally invested in this gripping tale of tragedy that our client was sharing.
... Cesara seemed to be enjoying Don Quixote's excessive, almost theatrical reaction.
Because the phenomenon only affects the Backstreets.
Imagine if it happened somewhere within the Nest; squadrons of elite agents from the Compression Department would've descended the moment it manifested.
That's enough beating around the bush, Head Manager Cesara. What more are you hiding?
It would've been a walk in the park for someone of your status and station to requisition agents from a different department.
So, explain. Why did you really go through the trouble of hiring Limbus Company?
Yes, yes. My, you really are unrelenting.
Fine. I confess. The goal of our department...
... isn't the eradication of La Manchaland.
<... Huh?>
Now, you will soon be heading into La Manchaland with the other Fixers.
A piece of advice, if you will; do not let the other Fixers know that you are here to find the Golden Bough.
If they were to somehow find out that there is this mysterious artifact called the 'Golden Bough' hidden somewhere within that zone...
... it could start attracting unwanted attention from Fixers who consider it a bounty separate from the eradication reward. No need to stir the pot, hm?
And I'm sure you are all savvy enough to know that it would be wise to keep quiet about the true objective of our department... if you know what I mean.
I hear you loud and clear. Let's keep this hush-hush between P Corp. and Limbus Company, we both get what we want, and we can go our separate ways once this business is over. No fuss, no muss. Did I get that right?
That's a pretty good summary.
Who do you think we are? I can tell you right now that, when it comes to OPSEC -
... some of us might fall slightly behind.
It's about time we got to the point. We're only attracting more unwanted eyes by lingering here.
... That's true.
Here is your mission. Enter La Manchaland. Find the thing - or someone - that created La Manchaland, and bring it to me.
Or someone...?
"The thing - or someone" is too insufficient a description. We do not even know if what we seek is made of organic or inorganic material.
So why do you need the... thing... person... who created La Manchaland? Shouldn't eradicating it be enough?
... Hah.
Cesara's eyes twinkled for a brief moment as they lingered on Sinclair.
D-did I say something wrong...?
I don't know. I suppose I was flabbergasted by your boldness of daring to ask a question like that.
Notice how I'm not asking you why you're looking for the Golden Boughs?
Ahh...
Well, it's not like a big secret or anything.
If you really do want to know, here it is. I just want whoever, or whatever it is behind this case to be held responsible for the damages they've caused.
Mm, forsooth! A villain who hath committed such wicked atrocity deserveth a punishment most fitting!
And as a little bonus, I get to put some achievements under my belt to give my department a little push to rise above the others. I could use some promotion right about now, you know.
<…….>
... I suppose it doesn't matter whether we accept your proposition or not. You must have already reached an agreement with the top brass of our company.
... Right. But what if, after kickin' the phenomenon's arse, we don't bother bringin' in the bloke who made that bizarre amusement park?
What'll you do then?
Heathcliff spoke crassly, but it was a reasonable question.
After all, there was also a chance that we could *fail* to bring the culprit here, even if we wanted to.
Well, then I suppose we'll start looking into what these 'Golden Boughs' are, even if we won't get our hands on them immediately.
Hah. So you'll start getting in our way if we don't bring you what you want, is that it?
It would be a rather unnecessary and cost-ineffective research investment, of course, but you just might force our hand if you don't do as we requested.
Besides... While La Manchaland is only an Urban Nightmare at the moment, its threat level is rising exponentially. This means that more and more people in the City are beginning to catch wind of this case.
Numerous Fixers from all over the City are gathering here at this very moment to eradicate La Manchaland, to demonstrate my point.
So, you're saying that we're not your only option.
Mhm, who doesn't love fame and fortune? We could always get a truckload of willing participants if we wanted to.
Oh, and maybe, just maybe, some Fixers among them may find themselves becoming particularly interested in these Golden Boughs. I swear, these precious artifacts must have a particular smell that attracts Fixers like bees to honey.
... Got it. You want this mission taken care of before the phenomenon attracts too much attention.
Oh, you're cutting right through the fluff again!
Anyways, you got that right. Isn't it so fortunate how we both seem to be under the impression that what each of us is looking for won't be of much use to the other? For now, at least?
I suppose that is why you're keeping the nature of those Golden Boughs discreet, and that is why we're keeping it on the down low about what created La Manchaland.
Agreed. The more eyes observe an info, the less value it has. Like run-of-the-mill mass-produced products.
Haah... of course it's all work talk. I got excited for a sec thinkin' we were about to get some nice souvenirs.
We have very high expectations for every single one of you.
After all, you're all willing to die for this, aren't you?
<She keeps saying that...>
This is what every single one of our contracts has been like.
Our stability and safety go out the window the moment a mission begins in earnest.
We share nothing but our cold goals and objectives, not exchanging anything deeper than the shallowest transactions.
I'd grown to accept this as an inevitability, but...
... I do know that this is... probably not the right way.
AHEM!
Amidst the dull and resigned eyes of the other Sinners, Don Quixote's eyes alone burned with passionate fire.
Thou mayest put thy faith in us, Head Manager Cesara!
I, Don Quixote, and my compatriots here at Limbus Company shall put an end to the terrible reign of this 'La Manchaland', and rescue every single victim it hath claimed!
And mark my words; we shall pinch this vile rascal who created La Manchaland by the collar and present them before thee! Prithee, smite them with the hammer of justice in everyone's stead.
My, my...! You certainly know how to inspire confidence. That's more than I could say for the vast majority of Fixers I've known!
Sniff... I, Don Quixote, shall battle valiantly and honorably; thus shall my name be forever etched in the halls of P Corp....!
Don Quixote was bouncing up and down like she was prepared to stand at Cesara's beck and call.
Please stop...
This woman certainly wasted no time figuring out how to turn her into putty in her hands...
It really ain't that difficult to see how the lass works, to be fair...
Well, then! Shall we get a move on?
Let us depart! Lead the way, Lady Cesara!
Oh, I'm sorry. Sadly, I can't go there with you.
Please head to the location marked on this piece of paper.
Yet wherefore?! A journey on thy lonesome shall be so dreary, no?
Isn't it obvious? If we show up at the Fixers' gathering with the Head Manager of a whole department in tow, we'll attract more eyes than superstars on a red carpet.
Yep. I'm sure they'll sniff out our connection to P Corp. at a glance...
Yet... are not stars of... super variety a good goal to strive for?
Don Quixote... this might come as news to you, but sometimes words can mean more than one thing at a time...
Here's a pass that'll let you move freely between the Backstreets and the Nest of P Corp. Do note that it's a work visa, however, so it won't last forever.
Hmm... If they can just hand out something so important this easily, I can't imagine why her department won't be able to handle it themselves...
Sinclair was still quietly suspicious, but that small doubt was practically buried in the brief commotion that followed as Sinners gathered in front of Cesara to receive their visa.