Honestly, I was not expecting to get so many reviews. Granted, they're not all for the last chapter but still!

Saturn56: When the ham did Jacob have a kissing booth built around him and how long has that been there? Well, it's closed for business and none of that funny stuff's gonna happen. As for Vert calling Jacob Jake, well, I imagine it's naturally easier for her, like Compa calling Jacob Jake. I don't watch the anime anymore and... okay, that's interesting.

Guest: Maybe. We still have a few things to go, mind. And fanart draws itself; it's only acceptable for me to ask if I'm willing to pay. It's their free time and they choose what to do with it.

SS7x3: Ah, okay.

mastermind: What? No! I'm just saying there's a time and place for every idea and this just isn't the sort of fic for those ideas. Terribly sorry for the misunderstanding.

Random Reader: Ha ha ha! Here's your next chapter.

Eisenfaust: Thank you, thank you, that there was, that was also there, that was finally also there. There's no reason for him to fight EVERY CPU, maybe she just feels that Jake is easier to say, me too.

Guest: Like I said to Neptune Fan last chapter, let's not bring other people into this. If you have a problem with someone else's fanfic, kindly go review THEIRS, tell them what they did wrong and give them advice on what they can do to overcome it. Make sure to be constructive and supportive and helpful. Also, if you can, point out any strengths you can find; the last thing we want is for someone to think their strengths are actually their weaknesses.

In short, provide constructive criticism.

And, to make up for the wait you lot suffered, here's the next chapter.

Chapter 31: Walk With The Wind

Green Heart landed on the main landmass and reverted out of her HDD form. "Okay Jake, where do we go now?"

"I'm still up here!" shouted Jacob, making Vert quizzically look up and behind her. A moment later, Jacob landed behind her and began massaging his face like he was rubbing the creases out of a bedsheet. "Oh, god..." he groaned.

"Are you okay?" asked Vert.

"Yeah, I'm fine." Jacob took his hands off his face and exhaled. "Just never expected you to fly that fast. My face can't take speeds like that."

"I apologise. I'll make sure to go slower so that you can keep up next time."

"Much appreciated." Jacob looked out towards the city. "So what do we do now?"

The CPU looked at Jacob. "Hm?"

"What do we do now?" Jacob asked again.

"... Why are you asking me?" Vert inquired. "Aren't you taking me to Iffy?"

Jacob blinked. "... She's gone missing. I asked you for help to find her."

"Well, do you have any leads?"

If you put your hand on Jacob's head, you'd feel it shaking slightly. "No. That's why I went to you for help."

Vert crossed her arms under her impressive bust and frowned. "Then where do you propose we start?"

"I ASKED YOU TO HELP WITH..." Jacob's hands, curled fingers and all, rose into the air like he was preparing to viciously milk a giant cow and his teeth clenched together. He then saw Vert looking at him sternly, her fingers tapping against her bicep. He remained silent. He lowered his arms as he took a deep breath and exhaled again. "I'm terribly sorry about that. I have been through a lot in the last couple of days and I am rather stressed as a result and I nearly took it out on you. I am deeply sorry."

A small smile appeared on Vert's face. "It's alright. I understand. I'm worried as well." She sighed. "Maybe it was a mistake to leave so hastily..."

"To be honest, I would've thought you'd put together some sort of search party to look for IF."

"That's the kind of thing I'd leave to the Archbishop but, this time, it's for a friend of mine. I need to deal with this myself."

Jacob's eyes turned up towards the sky. "I don't think that's right... but whatever."

"Anyway, we're here now." Vert and Jacob began walking towards the city. "What do you propose we do?"

"Go to the main street, I suppose. Maybe we can ask around for a brunette with a big blue coat."

Vert smiled again. "Sounds like a plan."

"It's a back-up plan that I'd use if every other option was exhausted by virtue of being unhelpful but it'll do."

Jade knocked softly on the door to Neptune's room. "May I come in?"

"Huh?" Compa perked up. "Oh, sure thing."

The door opened quietly and the silhouette slipped into the room. Compa was sitting on a seat next to Neptune's bed and she held an olive leather book open on her lap. The left half of the book had accumulated a small pile of pages but the right side still dwarfed it. Jade silently shut the door behind him. "I am terribly sorry. Am I interrupting you?"

Compa shook her head. "No. I just finished the second chapter and I think we could use a break." Compa used the book's blue ribbon as a bookmark and closed the book. "Can I help you with anything?"

"I am perfectly fine, thank you. I just wished to check up on you and little Neptune." Jade walked over to Compa's side and stood at the corner of Neptune's bed. "It appears Neptune still has not changed for the better or worse... She must have a remarkable immune system. That poison was very strong."

The nurse smiled. "Nep-Nep's tough. I don't think anything can take her down."

Jade turned his head to Compa. "You seem to revere her."

Compa nodded. "She's the reason I'm on this journey in the first place. She's full of energy and kind and she wants to help others..."

"She sounds like your typical hero."

"You could say that." Compa rubbed the back of her head.

"If I may ask, what is this quest you are on?"

The nurse turned her head to look up at the aristocrat. "We're going around the four landmasses looking for Key Fragments. We need them to save the world."

"Ah, one of those quests." Jade crossed his legs and rested his hand on the bedpost to balance himself as he leaned on it. "I am surprised we don't have more saving the world shenanigans going on. It is not like video games go for any other approach. So how is your Key Fragment search going?"

Compa smiled. "It's going well, thank you."

Jade made a low hum. "... Was Neptune poisoned because of this quest?"

Compa looked back at Neptune. Only her head was visible from underneath the thick covers that were just as pale as her skin. "... Maybe."

"Very well, then." Jade stood upright once more. "How, exactly, would one go about finding a Key Fragment?"

"Well, we know they're found in dungeons and guarded by strong monsters."

"A very vague clue..." Jade crossed his arms. "Very well, then. I will help you in your search."

Compa's head snapped towards him. "Really?"

"Of course. I have yet to see an instance of someone lying about the fate of Gamindustri. Besides, monster attacks are on the rise and, if these Key Fragments are the key to stopping them, it would be daft of me to not provide assistance."

"W-Well, thank you... How can you help?"

"Well..." Even though his face couldn't be seen, it would be hard to miss the feeling of someone looking left and right. "Don't tell anyone about this, as not even Sir Turquoise knows, but I happen to have quite a few friends with their ears to the ground."

"Ears to the ground? That sounds uncomfortable."

"No, no, not in the literal sense. I mean that they know a lot about Leanbox. I am sure they will be of great aid in the search."

"O-Oh..." Suddenly sheepish, Compa's gaze fell to her feet.

Jade chuckled slightly. "You are one of a kind."

Compa's hands scrunched up the plaid skirt they rested on.

Jade stopped chuckling. "Have I offended you? I am terribly sorry, I did not mean to insult you—"

"It's okay... I know I'm weird."

"What? Do not be absurd. You are just like everyone else."

"No, no I'm not..." Compa sighed. "Everyone thinks I'm weird. IF, Jake, Nisa, Gust... no one thinks I'm really all that smart."

"You do have your eccentricities but everyone in your party is odd to a certain degree. Gust wears that ridiculous outfit and speaks in third person, Jacob is petty and would go spelunking in a horse's mouth—"

"They still believe in each other, though..." Compa's hands reached out and overlapped Neptune's right hand that was kept under the blanket. "Nep-Nep and grandpa are the only ones who believe in me."

"Even if you are... odd, I am certain your allies place great faith in your abilities nonetheless."

Compa turned up to him but, before she could speak, the door opened and Nisa stepped inside. Neptune's hammer rested on her shoulder and a grin rested on her face. "We're back."

"Nisa!" Compa stood up from her seat. "Did you get the ingredients?"

"Sure thing!" affirmed Gust as she walked in, holding a bottle filled with a lime green liquid. "Synthesised, too! Now to give to patient..."

Compa lifted Neptune's head slightly and opened her mouth, allowing Gust to pour the contents of the open bottle into it. Once the antidote was all used up empty save for the usual drops that remained at the bottom, Gust took the container away and the nurse rested Neptune's head against the pillows once more.

Compa waited for a couple of seconds before placing her hand on Neptune's forehead. "She's not changing..."

"Storyline antidotes not heal poisons instantly like gameplay antidotes," said Gust. "Wait one moment."

Five seconds passed and not a single sign of change could be seen on Neptune's face.

"Well, I guess we need to wait for her body to properly absorb the antidote." Jade turned his head towards Nisa and Gust. "Was it hard to retrieve the ingredients?"

"No. Just annoying," Gust answered. "Got locked inside three treasure chests."

"I'm sorry!" Nisa shouted. "When you're fighting three monsters at once while protecting your comrade as they rummage through treasure chests for herbs, it's kind of hard to think about collateral damage!"

"You patted me on the back and pushed me in!"

"That was an accident!"

Jade might have glanced back at Compa. "Hopefully, dear Neptune won't have to wake up to this noise."

With a sigh, Compa nodded.

Jacob and Vert strolled through the main street of Leanbox. Like tourists, they kept diligent watch of their surroundings. They looked at every NPC they came across, watching the ones running to and fro and going into buildings.

"So..." Jacob sighed as he placed his hands in his pockets. "Where do we start?"

Vert glanced over the fruit and vegetable stalls in the street. "To be honest, I wouldn't know. Do you know who Iffy might have talked to?"

"Afraid not. We had a massive fight not far from here but no one seems to know about it."

Vert looked down the street. "Um, Jake?"

"Yes?"

"Do you know that non-silhouetted character?"

Wearing an expression of confusion, Jacob followed her finger and looked down the street as well. Immediately, his eyes widened. "Vert, we should hide."

"Huh?"

"Hide. In the alley. Now."

Jacob quickly strode into the nearest alleyway, followed by a confused yet compliant Vert. He peeked around the corner and saw none other than Red skipping down the stone street before walking into one of the shops. It was a very old-fashioned greengrocer with a wooden sign on top of a red shelter that stretched over the baskets that lay in front of the store, holding fruits and vegetables.

"Do you know who that is?" Vert asked.

"Yeah, her name's Red. I think she's a friend of IF's. She interrupted our fight and attacked me."

"Does she not like you very much?"

"No but I can't think why." Jacob kept watching Red as she talked with the silhouette at the counter. When they stopped, he reached behind his counter and pulled out a square basket of fruits and vegetables that he gave to the red-headed girl.

"What's with the dragon around her neck?" Vert asked.

"I haven't a clue." He turned around to the CPU. "Hey, can you ask her if she knows where IF is?"

"What? Why me?"

"Because she doesn't like me."

"But what will I say? I cannot just ask her where Iffy is. That would be suspicious."

"Then ask her if she's seen a friend of yours that happens to resemble IF and even has the name IF. Maybe you could bring up that Red's not a silhouette and that she's relevant to the plot somehow and that's why you're asking her."

Vert pursed her lips in thought. "That's a good idea, actually... Hang on, then."

Vert strode out of the alleyway and walked over to Red. Red gave an apple from the basket to her dragon, which consumed it entirely in one bite. Red laughed before picking up the basket again with both hands and walking away. She stopped and turned around when she felt Vert behind her.

Vert smiled warmly. "Excuse me, may I—"

"Waiiit just a minute!" Red shouted as she stared at Vert intensely. The dragon blinked before glancing at Vert. It yawned and went to sleep. Red didn't blink once.

"... Is something the matter?" Vert asked, leaning back slightly.

Finally, Red stopped glaring at the CPU and grinned. "Sorry about that! It's just that you have big boobies and you're kinda tall so I thought you'd be one of those evil mature women. But you're not wearing lipstick so I know you're a goodie."

"Huh... she's got a point," Jacob mumbled.

"Anyway, I'm Red! What do you need help with?" asked the smaller girl.

Vert smiled. "My name is Vert. I am looking for a friend of mine. You wouldn't happen to have seen her, would you? She has long brown hair, green eyes and she wears a big blue jacket."

Red's mouth fell from its usual wide smile to a simple line. "Is... her name Iffy?"

Vert's eyes brightened. "That's right! Do you know her? I'm so worried about her. Something happened and I haven't seen her since."

"Well, you found me at just the right time! She's sitting back in my apartment right now! Do you want me to take you to her?"

All of a sudden, Vert lost her composure. "Um... Uh..."

Red blinked. "What?"

"J-Just hold on a second! I need to, um, think for a bit."

Much to Red's confusion, Vert strode to the alleyway she came from. Jacob looked at the CPU expectantly. "... Yes?"

"Jake, what do I say?"

"What do you mean, what do you say?"

"We never discussed the plan to this level. She's asking me to—"

"I know what she asked you to do. Say yes. I never thought we'd get this lucky and we cannot pass this up."

"But don't you need to come along?"

"I'll follow behind you. Don't worry, you just won't see me."

Vert sighed. "Very well," she said before walking back out and to Red.

The red-haired girl put a finger to the side of her mouth. "Who were you talking to?"

"J-Just a ghost that only I can see," Vert lied.

Red 'hmm'ed for a moment before smiling. "Alrighty. Follow me," she said before walking down the road, carrying her basket.

Vert took one more look behind her. Jacob gave her a thumbs up. She turned back towards Red and followed after her, giving Jacob a thumbs up from behind her back all the while.

"Hey, Iffy! I'm back with the shopping!" called Red as she carried the basket into the room.

"Hey," greeted IF, lazily raising her hand from the bed she rested on while looking at her phone. "You didn't just put it in your disc?"

"Nah! It's more authentic to carry it!" Red set the basket down in one corner of the room. "Plus, it helps build your muscles."

"If you say so," responded the brunette without looking back at her.

Red walked over to the other bed and made herself comfortable on it. "Hey, you remember that thing from yesterday?"

IF turned her head towards Red and raised her eyebrow. "What thing?"

"You know, the thing that happened."

IF's face tightened. She quickly turned away to look back at her phone. "Yeah, I remember. What about it?"

"I found a friend of yours who wants to talk about it."

The pink phone fell from IF's hand onto her stomach. "W... What...?"

With her hands held in front of her stomach, Vert walked into the room. As usual, her gait was light as if she was walking on water yet her steps were as heavy as the solemnity that showed on her face. "Hello, Iffy. I've heard you've gotten into a bit of trouble and I wanted to check up on you. Are you okay?"

All that came out of IF's mouth were sharp gasps. She quickly stood up, not once taking her eyes off the CPU. "V-V-V-Vert? W-W-What are you doing here?"

Vert's eyes softened as she looked at the shaken girl in front of her. She gently made her way to the brunette. "Iffy, it has come to my attention that... well, something happened yesterday and you were involved. I need to talk to you about it."

IF's entire body began to shake.

"Iffy, don't worry," said Vert as she placed her hands on IF's shoulders. "Please, let's just sit down and talk about this. I promise you that I am not angry." Under her gentle yet urging touch, IF sat down on the bed with her. "Tell me Iffy, did you enjoy the banquet?"

"Huh? What banquet?" asked Red.

"Red, please," Vert answered before looking back at the slumping brunette.

IF kept her eyes on her feet. "I... didn't have much time to enjoy it, unfortunately. Got wrapped up in work."

"Iffy, I never actually invited your party."

IF sharply turned to her. "What?"

"Hey, what's going on?" Red whined.

Vert sighed. "Very well, I'll tell you. A banquet was held at the Basilicom only two days ago and Iffy and her party were invited. They were told I had invited them but that was false. So it goes, my Archbishop made that up. Is that true, Iffy?"

"Wait, Basilicom? Archbishop?" Red repeated.

IF kept her gaze away from Vert's face as she slowly nodded. "Th-That's right... He came to Ne... my party's leader and gave her the invitation, saying it was from you for helping clear the dungeons."

"Is that so... Well, I have another question. Did Yvoire ask you to poison your party's leader?"

The Moderatist stiffened.

"Iffy?"

With a gulp, IF nodded again.

Vert granted her a moment of silence before speaking again. "... If I may ask, what did you do?"

"... Why are you asking me this...?" IF asked very quietly.

The CPU sighed. "I'm sorry, Iffy. I know it's painful but I really need to know."

Red walked up to IF's side. "Iffy, what happened?" she asked without her usual zeal.

With a groan, IF ran her hands through her hair. "He offered me a poison. I... took it..."

"Why?"

"He... He said you wanted me to."

"And you arranged to meet me to confirm that?"

"Iffy..." Red rested her hand on IF's. IF overlapped her other hand on top of hers.

"That's..." IF paused. "That's right..."

"My goodness..." Gently, Vert hooked her index finger and thumb under IF's chin and guided her face to look at her. IF did her best to not show any extreme emotions but Vert could tell without a doubt that IF was straining herself. "Why didn't you say anything?"

IF took Vert's hand away from her and moved her gaze back to the ground. "I... didn't want to disturb you..."

"Iffy, I wouldn't have minded at all," said Vert. "It was a nice day but there are some things that simply take more priority. Had you told me about this, I would have done something about it immediately."

"W-Wait..." started Red, looking at IF with shaking eyes. "You... really poisoned someone?"

"No, she didn't," answered Jacob as he strode into the room with his hands in the pockets of his pants.

"J-Jacob?!" IF stammered, jumping back.

"You?!" Red, immediately on the defensive, pulled out her frisbees. "What are you doing here?!"

"Relax. I'm not here to fight," he stated with his hands up.

"He's correct," said Vert. "Out of concern, he asked me to help him find you."

"What?" IF turned back to Vert.

"He told me everything as well. About your quest for the Key Fragments, about Neptune and her amnesia, about this Histoire you're trying to rescue and about Yvoire's transgressions. I merely wished to confirm it with you."

"I also told her about me being from another world. That wasn't my best idea but I thought it would be a bad idea to leave that out," Jacob added.

"What do you want?" IF snapped, looking at him through narrowed eyes.

"Bad news. Neptune's been poisoned."

IF's eyes shot open again. "What? How?"

"I'm guessing Yvoire did it. Nisa told me that he and his guys stormed the room after Neptune was poisoned and they escaped. Nisa and Gust are currently looking for a cure." Jacob took a couple of steps forward. "IF, we know you didn't poison Neptune. I believe you when you say you didn't want to. Everyone's worried sick about you."

IF stood up from the bed and walked to the wall. She leaned forward, supporting herself with her arm propped against the wall.

Jacob didn't move from where he stood. "You don't want to come back?"

"I can't..." IF whispered. "Not yet..."

"What?"

"I can't face them now!" she shouted. "Jacob, you... don't know how I'm feeling right now."

"Why can't you tell me?"

IF bristled. "It's really stupid. It's embarrassing... and I almost killed Neptune over it. So I can't go back yet... Don't try to convince me otherwise."

Jacob let out a small breath. He glanced around the room as he thought about what to say next. "You're right. It's not my decision to make, so I'm not going to force you to do anything and I'm not going to hold it against you."

IF pushed herself away from the wall and turned around to look at Jacob. She looked at Jacob with a sense of uncertainty and her soul began to show itself through her face.

Jacob walked up to her and extended his hand to her. "If you don't mind, can I stay with you for a bit? I think it'd be helpful as the others are still a bit mad right now and it'd help bridge you and them back together."

IF looked down at his hand. With her head tilted forward, her brown bangs slightly veiled her eyes but Jacob could still see the sorrow within her just as much as he heard it when he eavesdropped on her and Vert. She looked back up at him, her lips in the infancy of a smile, and took his hand in hers. "That'd be great. Thank you so much."

"Aw, do we really have to?" Red whined. The dragon on her shoulder rolled his eyes. "I don't like having sausages in my flower garden."

"... What?" Jacob said as he looked at the red-haired girl.

"He's a friend of mine," said IF. "Don't worry, I'll still be your wifey," she added with a smile.

Jacob looked back at the Moderatist with a raised eyebrow.

Red crossed her arms and pouted. "Darn tootin' you will be."

Vert stood up from the bed. "I have a few questions for your party as well. Do you mind telling me where they are?"

"Not at all. They're..." Jacob paused. Inside his chest, his heart began to grow heavy. The thought of Vert telling his party of his decision reminded him of when he left his home for Gamindustri. "... Actually, I'll take you there. I need to tell them about me staying with IF."

"I can do that. It won't be a problem, I assure—"

"No," Jacob cut her off. "I need to tell them myself."

Vert paused, not expecting such a firm answer. "... Suit yourself. At the very least, a guide would be beneficial."

The male turned back to the brunette. "I'll be back in a bit. Unless, of course, something comes up."

"... You just got here, said you're staying with us and now you're taking off again?" IF asked.

"Look, the others need to know and I'd rather do it in person."

The brunette sighed. "Fine."

"Don't worry. I'll come back before you know it."

"Take your time!" added Red. "Preferably a few months!"

"You can shut up." Before Red could respond, Jacob followed Vert out the door. Quite quickly, too.

"Lousy male protagonists stealing all the wifeys..." Red grumbled.

"He's not stealing anyone from anyone, okay?" IF assured the dragon-carrying girl before sitting down on the bed. She smiled at Red.

Red smiled back. "By the way, who was that Vert?"

"I'll... tell you later."

Vert and Jacob arrived at the mansion. It was in the middle of a forest so the path leading to it was narrow. The cobblestone was well-arranged and tended to, though, much like the mansion itself. The three-story brick building stood proud with a tall grey roof even in the isolated clearing. Two large columns supported the section of the roof that extended over the two wooden front doors shaped in a perfect square.

Vert glared at Jacob. "You never told me your party lived with the Aristocrats."

"Why, is that a big deal?" Jacob asked.

"A very big deal. The Aristocrats oppose the Basilicom. Their conflict harms Leanbox. Surely you know this."

Jacob shrugged. "Well, we're only staying with them because they're helping us with Neptune. We didn't have much choice, mind you. If it weren't for them, we'd be running around in circles finding a cure that we'd have no way of finding."

Frowning, Vert turned her head back at the mansion and walked along the path. "Let's just find your party."

"Here we are," said Jacob to Vert as they stood at one of the many brown oak doors in the yellow corridor of the mansion. Jacob knocked softly three times.

"Who is it?" Jade called.

"It's Jacob. I'm back. I've also got a visitor."

"Ah, come right in."

Jacob pushed open the door and walked into the modest room, Vert following shortly after. Nisa, Gust and Compa quickly approached them.

"Jake! Welcome back!" Compa greeted.

"Thanks." He turned his attention to the alchemist and heroine. "Did you two get it?"

"Yes. Antidote administered. Waiting for it to take effect." While Gust spoke, she stared at Vert with unmoving eyes.

Vert squirmed slightly before crossing her arms in front of her. "Y-Yes, is there something you need?"

"Jacob," Nisa began, arms crossed and foot tapping on the floor, "who is that?"

The door leading into Neptune's room opened and Jade came out. "Sorry Jacob, I was just..." As he entered the room, his eyes possibly fell on Vert. Everyone looked back at the aristocrat as the room suddenly fell into silence. Jacob was rather certain that Jade was more casual before he saw Vert. Now, Jade seemed immeasurably tense. "... Who might you be?" the aristocrat finally asked.

"She's a friend of mine," Jacob answered in the goddess' stead. "I asked her to help me find IF and we did."

"You found IF?" Compa repeated loudly.

"I'll get to that later. Anyway, she wanted to ask about the whole poisoning thing."

"May I please see Neptune?" Vert asked.

Jacob could feel Jade glare at him. "... Absolutely," Jade answered possibly through gritted teeth. "In the meantime, I would like to take Jacob away to hold a small discussion so that you are not disturbed. Compa, Nisa, Gust, if you wish to, you may join us."

"Thank you," said Vert before she made her way past Jade and into Neptune's room.

Jade walked towards Jacob with quick yet angry steps that lightly echoed throughout the room. "What is the meaning of this?" he growled. "We are in the middle of a war and you bring the CPU to our headquarters? Are you mad?"

"Wait, what?" Compa asked. "You mean—"

"Yes, Compa," Jade answered, still looking at Jacob. "Your friend here has invited Lady Green Heart herself to walk around here."

"What? Th-That's Lady Green Heart?" Nisa shouted.

Jacob rolled his eyes. "Yes, sensei. I told her about our quest to this point as well."

"Jacob..." Jade began, exasperated and on the verge of exploding, "I do not need to remind you that the Basilicom and Aristocrats are at odds."

"What did you want me to do? Say no? She's a goddess! Besides, it was her Archbishop that started all this. She has a right to investigate."

"And how to do you know that she did not plan the whole thing with him?"

"Because she's not that kind of person," Jacob snapped. "Yvoire acted behind her back."

"What makes you so sure of this?" Jade shouted.

"I eavesdropped on her and IF!" Jacob shouted back. "I know what kind of person she is!"

"Bullcrap you do!" Jade yelled. "You can't possibly know anyone! Did it ever occur to you that people can and will use you? There are people out there who use kindness as only a mask for their true intentions. You're far too naive."

"Normally, I'd agree with you," said Jacob, calming down. "However, I know how these things work. I've had experience. I can virtually guarantee that Vert's a good guy."

"Girl," Compa corrected.

"Whatever."

Jade sighed. "For your sake, and that of your party's, I pray that Vert does not fall into the small space that is next to your 'virtual guarantee'." The aristocrat then made his way to the door. "I am heading back to my room. Can I trust you to see Green Heart out when her business is finished?"

"Absolutely," Jacob affirmed with a nod.

"Splendid." Without another word, Jade shut the door on his way out into the hall way.

"So..." Gust started, "did Vert know where Key Fragment is?"

"She didn't," Jacob answered.

Just then, the CPU exited Neptune's room and walked towards the party. "I could hear that argument from the other room. It was quite intense."

"He didn't like me bringing you here," explained Jacob.

"I see..." Vert glanced to Neptune's door. "I saw Neptune. She's rather pale..."

"She used to be much worse before we gave her the antidote," Nisa replied.

"Is that so? It's a shame she's not awake. I would very much have liked to have talked to her. So is it true, then? That the Archbishop raided your inn room with several guards?"

"Absolutely!" Compa piped up. "We were eating, then Nep-Nep fell unconscious, then the Archbishop and his friends came in, then he kicked ArfArf into a wall, then we escaped with Nep-Nep, then Mr Jade found us and he helped—"

"Hold on, please," Vert interrupted. "I'm sorry, but... 'Nep-Nep'?"

Compa blinked. "That's my nickname for Neptune... What, is something wrong with it?"

"Oh, absolutely not!" Vert beamed, much to the confusion of the party. "It's a perfect fit for her. I think I'll call her that when she wakes up."

"Uh, back on topic, please?" Jacob rolled his hand in the air.

"Ah, yes." Just like that, Vert's face was passive once more. "So Neptune had been poisoned... but you say she was poisoned before Yvoire arrived on the scene. What makes you think they're connected?"

"Gust and Jacob eavesdropped on IF and Yvoire conversation," the alchemist answered quickly. "Yvoire asked IF to poison Neptune."

"And she didn't..." Vert muttered, recounting what she heard from Jacob.

"And I don't know anyone else who would do it or even have the motive to," Jacob added. "The only people I know who want Neptune dead are the kind of people who would prefer to fight her to the death."

"Also, Yvoire knew Neptune was goddess," Gust chipped in.

"Really..." Vert held her forehead. "This is far too complicated."

"Are you okay?" Jacob asked.

"Yes, I just need some rest..." Vert walked over to a nearby seat and sat down with a sigh. "I must confess, I haven't had a workload like this for quite some time... By the way, you mentioned Neptune had amnesia?"

Compa nodded. "That seems to be the case. When we first met, she couldn't recall a thing. She didn't even know what landmasses were or what they were called."

Vert closed her eyes. After a moment of silence, she stood up again and walked to the door. "Thank you for your time. This discussion was very productive. I'll be seeing myself out, if you don't mind."

"Oh, absolutely. Have a good day, Lady Green Heart."

"And you too, um..."

"Compa, Nisa and Gust," finished Jacob, pointing at the three girls in sequence.

"Ah, thank you. Have a good day, all of you." Vert opened the door and walked out.

Nisa shot her fists into the air. "Finally!" Quickly, she turned to Jacob. "What happened to IF?"

"What— Oh." Jacob rotated his head as his thoughts caught up with Nisa's question. "I found her staying at an inn with Red. Vert helped me find her and talk to her. I offered her to come back but she said no."

"What? Why?" Compa asked.

"She really didn't want to poison Neptune and the whole scenario's left her feeling guilty beyond reckoning." Jacob, closing his eyes, took a deep breath. "I've decided to stay with her."

The three girls took a sudden step back from Jacob and looked at him like he just fired a bullet into the air. "What?!" they all shouted in tandem.

"She's having a lot of problems and I think she needs a friend from our party. I've decided to go and help her out with whatever's wrong."

"B... But..." Compa struggled. "But what about Nep-Nep? She's going to get better soon... Isn't she going to see you?"

Jacob looked towards the door leading to Neptune's room. The last time he saw her, she was kept in the duvet like a cocoon, its bright red sharply contrasting with her visible skin. Her skin's wan white shade seeped into her once vibrant purple hair and turned it into lifeless strands like old beetroot. Not once did her eyes open from when he stood in her room.

Jacob rubbed his shoulder. "Please tell her where I've gone. I'll come back tomorrow afternoon to visit."

"You sure...?" Gust asked. "Are you really going, too?"

With a smile, Jacob bent down to her level. "Gust, with both me and IF gone, it falls to you to be the mature one of the party. Keep everyone in line. Make sure Neptune doesn't beat up anyone who doesn't need to be beaten up. IF and I are coming back soon, don't you worry. Just make sure to be responsible and not to wring the others of their money. We all need it, you know."

Gust smiled back and moved her hands behind her. "You can count on Gust."

"I prefer not to but I have no choice." Jacob stood up again and looked at Compa and Nisa. They had no smiles to offer him.

The nurse gulped. "... Bye," she said to him with a cracking voice.

Jacob nodded. He couldn't summon a farewell before he exited into the hallway.

With a sudden roar, Nisa turned around and punched a hole in the wall behind her.

"N-Nisa!" Compa yelped.

The heroine panted. "S-Sorry..." she apologised as she withdrew her hand from the plaster. "I needed to get it out of my system..."

"Are you certain she is nowhere to be found inside?" Yvoire asked the Sanctified standing guard at the Basilicom's doors.

"Sir! We have not been able to locate Lady Green Heart within or around the Basilicom!" the guard reported with a salute.

"Damn it all..." Yvoire cursed as he turned around and paced. "Where could she have gone? And without telling us?"

"It's quite alright, Archbishop," said Vert as she approached, immediately capturing the attention of the silhouettes. "I merely went out for a walk."

"L-Lady Green Heart!" exclaimed the Sanctified.

"Lady Green Heart, where have you been?" inquired the Archbishop. "I was afraid my men would be taken ill from news of your absence!"

"I assure you, Yvoire, I am capable of defending myself," responded the CPU.

"Of that fact, I have no shortage of faith. However, should something happen to you by any stroke of malevolent luck, we would be as helpless as headless hens."

Vert narrowed her eyes at Yvoire. "... You seem to do fine without my direct leadership."

The Archbishop, being a silhouette, had no face to project any anxiety from. However, he did lean back just a bit and his right arm rose to extend over his chest. "... W-Well, I am your right hand. It is my duty to perform at times when you are unavailable. However, at the centre of it all, you are the cornerstone of the entire landmass."

Vert sighed. "I have had a long day. I am retiring to my quarters."

"Of course, my lady."

Yvoire and the Sanctified stood at either side of the door and saluted. Vert walked between the both of them and stopped at the door. Turning her head to the right, she stared at the Archbishop.

Unsurprisingly, he flinched. "... Yes, my lady?"

"Tomorrow afternoon," she began, "we are to have a talk."

No more words were exchanged between them. At that moment, Vert was finished with Yvoire. She opened the doors of her Basilicom and entered without another word.

The Sanctified possibly raised an eyebrow at the Archbishop. "What was that about, sir? Did you get in trouble?"

Yvoire took off his head and scratched his head. "I haven't the foggiest idea..."

Jacob didn't grab Vert's hand and pull her into the alleyway because he's not the kind of person to grab someone's hand in the heat of the moment. And now you know.

Yes, I know that was a boring chapter. That was probably my fault.

As a growing writer, I like constructive criticism very much. Any faults you can pick out would be much appreciated.