Four months, huh? I'm getting worse at this... but I want to finish this, no matter how long it takes. I want to see this through.

Oh, another thing: I have a TV Tropes page! Cool, right? Just check out Hyperdimension Neptunia is Real! on the site. It'll take you right there. Thank you, my awesome fan who set that up. :D

Chapter 37: The Unearthing

While Neptune's party pursued Arfoire, IF's party waited in Leanbox's Basilicom. They couldn't go anywhere with the gondola out of commission but, having just gotten into a massive fight with her that they barely got away from alive, they didn't really want to. Hence, they productively used the time they had to kick back and relax with some sandwiches and drinks.

Said relaxation took place in a small square room floored with pearl-coloured tiles. Upon leading them there, Yvoire explained to them that it was a 'waiting room' of sorts to Vert's chambers, which explained why it was so empty. There weren't a lot of notable features to the room apart from a dark green rug upon which sat an elaborately carved wooden table and two wide white chairs that faced each other, both padded with pink cushions. IF and Red sat on one of these chairs and Jacob and 5pb sat opposite them.

"Huh," said Red. "So Momus is like some big evil dude?"

"Some evil god, yep," Jacob responded. "Momus took on three CPUs easily and Arfoire's his messenger."

5pb looked down and tapped her fingers together. "My radio show's received a few fan letters about Momus. They told me the world was ending and I should be singing the praises of Momus and his monsters... It's kind of making me nervous."

"I can imagine." IF shook her head. "The landmasses aren't in the best shape right now. Lastation's got the whole Avenir thing, Leanbox's got... well, you've seen, Lowee's got the most stubborn CPU I've ever seen, and Planeptune's CPU is missing."

Red perked up. "What? Didn't you say Neppy was Planeptune's CPU? And she's fine and dandy?"

"Yeah but Planeptune's citizens don't know that. It's better that way since Neptune doesn't remember anything about being a CPU. Anyway, what I'm trying to say is that people are getting cynical and think Momus is going to set everything straight or destroy everything trying."

Jacob stretched. "Hopefully, then, Neptune and the others can wring some good answers out of Arfoire."

What a coincidence it was for him to say that then, for Neptune, Vert, Compa, Nisa, and Gust just walked into the room. They weren't alone, though; curiously enough, Turquoise and Jade were were them, although Jade was tied up and pushed along by Nisa.

"Oh, h-hello!" 5pb greeted the females. "Are you all okay?"

Vert looked to the ground. "... We're unharmed. We won."

Jacob kept his eyes on Vert for a moment. He then broke away to look at Jade. "What are Jade and Turquoise doing here?"

Nisa scoffed. "Oh, you're not going to believe this. This little sneak was in cahoots with Arfoire!"

Jacob's eyes nearly bulged. "Wait, what?"

With a grunt, Jade turned his head away.

"P-Please, we will be discussing it shortly..." said Turquoise, far from this usual energetic self. "That is why Lady Green Heart has brought us here, to discuss the relations between the Aristocrats and the Basilicom."

"Iffy, Jacob, Red, 5pb," called Vert. "You're a part of this as well. You'll be participating in the meeting."

The party of four shared confused glances. "Um, alright," said Jacob.

"Thank you. Now please, come with us."

IF, Jacob, Red, and 5pb looked at each other once more as the CPU, Aristocrats, and Neptune's party proceeded towards Vert's room. Finally, the four of them shrugged their shoulders before standing up and following after.

The four involved groups stood opposite each other in the glass dome room. As the CPU of Leanbox, Vert alone stood furthest from the door. To her left stood the Basilicom's Archbishop Yvoire, who was unusually solemn. To her right stood the Aristocrats Jade and Turquoise, the former still tied up and the latter pensive. Standing opposite her, with their backs to the door, was Neptune's party of eight divided into two groups.

"Thank you all for coming," said Vert. "Earlier today, I was attacked by my own Evangelist. As it turned out, she was a malicious imposter who intended to turn the Basilicom and Aristocrats on each other in a civil war. Acting as her accomplice was Jade, an Aristocrat who planned to provoke the Basilicom into raiding his own home. After... taking care of the threat personally, I have decided to host this meeting to resolve the hostilities between the Basilicom and Aristrocrats."

Yvoire rubbed the tip of his hat. "My lady, I understand the need for the Aristocracy's presence but for Neptune and her party—"

"They are outsiders, yes, but they were dragged into this state of affairs. As a matter of fact, if it were not for their assistance, we would today be in far worse places than here." Vert narrowed her eyes at Yvoire. "They have as much of a place in this meeting as any one of us."

Yvoire's grip tightened on his headwear.

"With that settled, I'd like to move onto the first order of business." The CPU aimed her gaze at the bound Aristocrat. "Jade. To my understanding, you conspired with the imposter Evangelist to have the forces of the Basilicom raid your father's manor so that the rest of the Aristocrats would be incensed to fight. Even taking into account your natural opposition to the government, why would you sacrifice your own home? Is your anger that intense?"

Jade, with his head hung low, remained silent even as everyone else's eyes fell on him.

"Jade," said Vert, "your silence will not help you in this s—"

"And talking will...?" Jade cut her off with a voice that trembled with restrained rage. "You caught me red-handed. What can I possibly say to get out of this?"

"Maybe getting out of this is a bit much," Jacob answered, "but it's possible you could get a reduced sentence or something."

Jade clenched his fist. "A little comfort that would be. I wanted this, more than anything..."

Turquoise placed his hand on Jade's shoulder. "Please, if there is anything at all you can say, do. I can't just watch my son go to—"

"I'm not your son!" Jade pulled his shoulder out of Turquoise's hand very suddenly, prompting Nisa, Red, IF, and Yvoire to draw their weapons. "I hate both the Aristocrats and Sanctuary in equal measure!"

"Huh?" Compa's eyes trembled. "You hate the Aristocrats? But you helped us because of their teachings. You were one of them..."

Jade turned to face Compa, and his anger dissipated immediately upon seeing her. "That... is true. But I have no love for the Aristocracy in any event."

"M-My boy, I don't understand," Turquoise stammered. "My son and his wife took you in when you were an orphan. I raised you like my own son even after his passing... What did I do to be scorned like this?"

"It because of you that I became an orphan," Jade countered. "If it weren't for the Sanctuary and Aristocrats ten years ago, I would still have my home!"

"What?" Vert's eyes widened. "Jade, please explain what you mean."

The Aristocrat orphan looked around the room. Everyone was looking his way, except for the Archbishop whose head was tilted down. "Ten years ago, I was purged from my home. I escaped to Lowee, away from the Aristocrats. A tale you're all familiar with, I'm sure."

Turquoise stepped forward. "As I said, we had nothing to do with any purge! It was the Parliament's uprising!"

"The very reason for that uprising was to allow heretics to escape Leanbox, away from the Sanctuary's hold!"

Everyone gazed at Jade with wide eyes.

"Is that true, Jade?" asked Vert.

"YES! Your precious Archbishop concealed everything not to cover that the rebellion occurred, but to cover that he was the one who caused the 'uprising' and that he used the Aristocrats to suppress it!"

"Wait," said Gust. "Gust and Jacob overhear IF and Yvoire conversation. IF mention oppression heretics by Sanctuary. Yvoire not deny it."

Vert, with great restraint, turned her head to her Archbishop. "Yvoire. The suspect claims that the Sanctuary's oppression was the cause for the Parliament's rebellion, such as it was. How do you respond?"

The Archbishop dared not to meet his CPU's gaze. "... I will not deny it. But it is the Sanctuary's duty to protect the CPU's reputation, which those heretics sought to sully. I simply served my duty. Should you feel the need to punish me for that, so be it."

"Yvoire, it's bad enough that you meddled in an affair between CPUs but you oppressed citizens merely for having differing faiths." Vert closed her eyes. "You are hereby confined to the Basilicom until further notice. All communications you make must be approved by me."

Yvoire rose his head quickly in bewilderment, just as everyone else looked at each other. "That... is all?" asked the Archbishop.

"I dare say you are letting him off lightly, Lady Green Heart..." Jade seethed.

"I'm sorry, am I receiving ruling advice from a heretic who tried to destroy my landmass?" Vert snapped. "Yvoire, your first assignment is to escort Jade here to the dungeons. I will have no violence, however. He is to be treated well."

"Y-Yes." Yvoire bowed slightly. "At once, my lady." The Archbishop walked up to the bound Aristocrat and pulled out his trident in a flash of light. "Move along, now—"

"Pulling a weapon on him is not treating him well, Archbishop."

With a scowl and a cast of his hand, Yvoire dismissed the trident. "Weapon or no weapon, you stand in the sacred ground of our goddess. Do not try anything."

Jade growled. "It's barbaric that you are still privileged to act on her behalf."

"Her word is law. Now move."

With a grunt, Jade began walking to the exit, with the Archbishop following closely behind him. The Archbishop opened the door—

"Hold on a minute," said Jacob.

Yvoire sighed as he and Jade looked back at the speaker.

Jacob bit his lip. "Jade, if we didn't meet you back then, I don't know what would've happened to Neptune. I don't think it factored into your plan at all so I think that, as well as you telling Turquoise we didn't owe you anything, you did it all just because you help the helpless. Thank you. We owe you a lot."

IF closed her eyes and hung her head. Red, standing at her left, gave the brunette a hug. 5pb, at her right, placed her hand on IF's shoulder. The Moderatist looked between the two of them, looking at her with smiles like it was all okay, and she couldn't help but return with a smile of her own. It was a pitiful yet honest one.

Jade's expression, on the other hand, was unreadable. "... You're welcome. Stay safe."

"Also, Yvoire, you suck," Jacob added.

"Yeah, you really suck!" Neptune called, sticking out her tongue.

"Tch!" Yvoire pushed Jade through the door and closed it behind him.

The CPU turned her attention to the head of the Aristocrats, who kept his head low. "Now for you, Sir Turquoise. I'm sorry that the Archbishop has tried to revoke the honour I bestowed upon you all these years. Rest assured it will remain intact for the years to come."

Rather than bow in excitement, Turquoise fidgeted with his hat. "The gesture is much appreciated, Lady Green Heart... although, in the face of such allegations, I fear it may be more of a stain. To think, we were used to crush the freedom of others..."

"You acted in the interests of the Basilicom and fought for its values. You were not an accomplice but a man who meant well used by someone who didn't." Vert breathed in through her nose. "To think that, for so long, a misunderstanding caused by a man I falsely trusted separated my Basilicom from the ones that truly cared for it."

The room fell into silence.

"Turquoise," Vert continued, "if you would be so kind as to wait in the Basilicom, I will fly you back to the mainland when we're done here."

Jacob rose his hand. "We'll do it. Not like we're not gonna make return trips anyway."

"Thank you for your generosity."

Turquoise tipped his hat in Jacob's direction. "As I thank you, Jacob. For all you have done, whatever misguided cause it was for."

Jacob raised his palm to the Aristocrat. "As I said, it's no one's fault but Yvoire's. Now go get some rest."

"An idea to top all others this day. I believe I should indeed take this time to sit down..."

The silhouetted Aristocrat made his way to the door. His pose was upright and dignified but his gait was uneven. He fumbled with the handle once before grasping it like normal, allowing him to open the door and exit without a word.

With only the adventurers and Vert left in the room, the mood became much more casual and personal. Throughout the party, shoulders slumped and postures relaxed.

Jacob placed his hands on his hips as he looked at Vert. "Sorry but I have to agree with Jade. Yvoire caused all this and you're not even demoting him, let alone firing him? What the hell?"

Vert's gaze fell to the floor as she knotted her hands in front of her. "You might think I'm being far too lenient on him. To an extent, you're correct." The CPU's eyes closed. "But so is Arfoire. Who am I to punish him after my failures?"

"Failures?" said Nisa. "What failures?"

"My failure to look after my landmass, what else? I had tremendous fun playing video games and talking about boys, so I left my landmass in the hands of people I didn't know as well as I should because I never left my room." The CPU roughly turned and strode to the window. As she looked through the glass, she rested her hand on the frame. "So much I could have done differently. I should have had a more direct hand in ruling Leanbox. I should have met with other government members, both Sanctuary and Parliament..." Her fingers curled against the frame before her head fell forward on the window with a tap. "I just left it alone..."

"Vert," Jacob began, "Arfoire is not your friend and she's most certainly not family. She lied to you and the other CPUs to fight amongst yourselves. You can't trust her."

"But there is truth in what she says!" The CPU lifted her head from the window and looked at Jacob. "You know that a CPU is empowered by the faith of her people, right? I've felt weak and tired for years. Only now do I realise it was because no one was focused on me but, rather, their agendas for Leanbox. I should have known. I should have realised it as soon as I blamed it on lethargy... So many people have felt abandoned, the heretics and Aristocrats especially... and, on top of it all, I killed... Arfoire..."

"Wait, what?!" shouted IF.

"Arfoire's dead?!" Jacob joined in.

"... Yes. I committed the deed with my own hands. For once, I took it upon myself to engage the threats to my landmass... But what of the dangers that still linger from my inaction? How can I make up for all I've done...?"

Looking down, IF grabbed onto her arm, nursing it. "You can't..."

All eyes in the room fell to her.

"The thing is, you screwed up really bad. Lots of people are hurt and confused. You can't do anything to make up for it. It's never going to go away or get better. All you can do is get used to it."

"That's not true!" called Neptune. "It's like, uh, a friend! Like, they do something you'd never think they'd do because besties know their besties but then you realise you actually don't and... that's not fun." Despite the low note, Neptune pumped her fists. "But it's okay because there's something else; besties are about learning about your besties and then you become better besties. Everyone starts out a stranger, after all!"

"Thank... you...?" Vert blinked. "But what does that have to do with my duties?"

"..." Neptune pouted. "Well, shoots and stews."

Gust cleared her throat. "Neptune means ruling is learning process. You learn what landmass needs and change accordingly. Is fundamental marketing. Besides, Vert is good CPU. No one is perfect but anyone can learn more. Vert knows mistakes so can learn from them. Off to good start."

Vert crossed her arms in front of her, hugging herself. "But, but I failed so terribly..."

"Of course you did," Jacob answered. "But you're more than your mistakes and you're more than your failures. It's okay to screw up; it's just not okay to give up. That's character development. Hell, you're already doing better than Blanc and Noire. They kept trying to fight us even though we weren't a problem. You didn't fight us once. Gonna be hell for them to top that."

Vert stifled a giggle behind her hand. She looked over the party once more, her eyes relaxed and her smile soft. "I think you may be right. It would be in poor form to mope, wouldn't it? The landmass still lacks a proper leader but someone needs to take up the mantle. I do believe it's time for me to level up in that regard."

Jacob smiled. "The level up bit was corny but that's the spirit, kind of."

"I'm glad you approve," Vert responded with a nod. "Could I trouble you all, then, to come back tomorrow? There is something I would like to research and share with you all."

"Okily-dokily," Neptune agreed. "I could use a rest after today. Sheesh."

IF rolled her eyes. "I've spent my time resting. I could go for some more action."

"Oh! I almost forgot!" Vert clapped her hands together. "I shall clear up those false charges set by Yvoire immediately. No need to worry about any arrests while you simply walk across Leanbox; you're free to go as you please."

"Aw yeah!" Nisa pumped her fist in the air. "The light of heroism has once again cut through the insidious darkness of falsehood!"

Jacob poked her shoulder, getting from Nisa an 'Ow!' and making her rub it. "I told you so, eh Sensei? You were always a hero even when you weren't."

Although she was sore, she couldn't help but smirk at him. "You did." Her smirk grew into a smile. "You really did..."

"Aw...!" Vert cooed. "You're all so adorable as friends! I'm so jealous."

With her eyes closed, IF took a breath through her nose.

"Mr Turquoise, we're finished," called Compa as the two sub-parties re-entered the waiting room. "We're ready... to..."

Compa's voiced trailed off as she saw the Aristocrat sitting on one of the wide chairs with his wine glass in hand. An open bottle of wine stood on the table in front of him. As he sighed, he reached out to it and pulled it towards him. He limply raised it to the ceiling before pouring it into his wine glass. He placed the bottle back onto the table and looked at the glass, circling it around for a moment and watching the liquid whirl. It settled but he continued staring into it, letting out a very faint sigh all the while. He brought the glass to his lips and poured the wine in.

"Ah..." he sighed before taking the wine away once more to look at it. His shoulders slumped before he put it onto the table. As he hung his head, he brought his hands up to rub his face.

Compa, after a moment's wait, she stepped forward. "Mr Turquoise?"

"Huh?" The Aristocrat slowly lifted his head towards her. "Oh, hello mascot. I suppose you're done?"

"Yes, we've finished all our business. We'll be happy to take you back home."

"Oh thank you kindly... I could do with a rest back in my own chair."

With Neptune's HDD and Jacob's jetpack, it took several trips for all nine of them to get down from the Basilicom to the main landmass. Once she was done, Purple Heart transformed into her usual form and stretched.

"Hooey, that's gonna be a hassle," Neptune said. "Sucks to be people that to get to the Basilicom and back. Hope the gondola gets fixed soon."

Nisa crossed her arms as she tapped her foot. "How many times am I going to need to say sorry?"

Compa turned to the Aristocrat. "Mr Turquoise, would it... I mean, after all that's happened, are you okay with us still staying at your mansion?"

Turquoise didn't turn to look at her. "It... is okay, of course. You've all been so helpful to us. I could never be so rude as to turn you away."

"Th-Thank you..."

"Hey hey hey, Iffy!" Neptune flapped her arms as she strode up to the Moderatist, who leaned back. "It's a reaaaaaaaally big mansion! You could make beds with the food but you wouldn't want to since the beds are awesome anyway. They have games and food, I mean! It's awesome! Come with us—"

"Nope," IF cut in, pressing against Neptune's forehead with her finger to push her away.

"Aw, why?" Neptune stomped. "We solved that whole Arrestocat Sanctuary thingy, the day is saved, all the baddies are done and dusted, and... What's stopping you?"

Crossing her arms, IF stared at Neptune silently. Her mouth pursed, like she was trying to open it but couldn't. She clenched her eyes shut and turned away. "Things. Just... things."

"Well, y'know, you can always tell me. It's—"

A hand fell upon Neptune's shoulder. She whirled around and saw Jacob standing tall above her. "Let her sort it out in her own time."

Neptune looked to IF. Instead of being allowed to see her emerald eyes, all the CPU was able to behold was the back of her long brown hair. "... This sucks."

"Hm?"

She pushed away from Jacob's hand and threw her fists down. "I don't want it to end here! I want you and Iffy to come with me to the other landmasses and keep adventuring!"

Jacob sighed. "I know. Trust me, you're not the only one."

Jacob looked across at Gust, Nisa, and Compa, with Neptune following suit. The alchemist, usually so casual to hide her venomous business demeanour, carried with her an air of fatigue and uncertainty. The heroine held her arm at her side like she was nursing a phantom pain. The nurse looked between Neptune and IF as she kept to the back.

The two then looked at 5pb and Red. They looked at Neptune and IF in the same way as Compa did but without shrinking back. They were separate from the group, confused and unsure.

Jacob rubbed the back of his head. "We'll come back tomorrow to hear what Vert has to say. Let's all meet here and go together."

"Good idea," agreed Gust.

5pb nodded.

Neptune and IF said nothing.

"Well, uh..." Jacob walked over to IF's side. "Bye, guys."

"Bye..." said Compa and Nisa in return.

"Farewell, Jacob," added Turquoise. "Have a good day."

The two groups parted. After a couple of seconds, Neptune looked over her shoulder at IF. She wasn't looking back but Jacob waved.

"Whew...!" Upon getting back to their hotel room, Jacob twirled on his heel and fell on the bed closest to the door. "Holy smokes, busy days like that don't come often."

"You're telling me," sighed Red, slipping off her shoes and flopping onto the floor. "Man oh man, there was political intrigue, troubled friendships, prophecies, evil overlords, the whole shebang!"

5pb stood in the middle of the room. "There was a lot to take in... Is every adventure so complicated, Iffy?"

An odd moment of silence passed.

"Um, Iffy, are you feeling okay?"

Jacob looked towards the bed at the window. IF, without a sound, was sitting on her bed with her back facing the sun. She was more quiet and still than anyone in the original party had ever been. "Sorry, I was just... thinking."

"About what?"

Her face tensed. "I was thinking... it was time."

Jacob lifted his head from the mattress.

"To tell you my story."

"What?!" Red's gasped filled the room as she flapped from the floor like a fish. "Yay! Iffy's gonna spill her backstory to us!" No sooner than finishing that sentence did Red lay on her stomach, bending her legs and letting her feet knock back and forth like pendulums. "Teach me, Iffy!"

"Are you sure?" 5pb sat next to Jacob, not sporting the same smile Red did. "I understand it must be difficult for you. We're not forcing you—"

"No, you're not..." The brunette smiled tenderly at the idol, "... and thanks for that. But I'm... I think I'm ready. And you deserve to know."

Jacob crossed his arms. "Well, alright then. Whenever you're ready."

IF nodded and took a breath. "Really, I'm as ready as I'll ever be..."