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Watanabe: Epitaph I
>In this vast wilderness, it's hard to tell how long you've been walking. The endless yellow sands stretch out infinitely.
It is 09:12 a.m. Every 10 minutes, the temperature here rises by 0.7°C.
The scorching heat reminds you of a giant pressure cooker, slowly and relentlessly pressing down on anyone passing through this desert.
Under the blazing sun, your thoughts begin to wander, drifting back to the night before your departure...
It's been a while since we last talked. How have you been lately?
After ending Ballard's liberation movement, both the Forsaken and Babylonia have been busy dealing with the aftermath, and you haven't seen each other in a while.
Until you suddenly receive an encrypted message from Watanabe one evening.
His usually solemn expression shows a rare hint of fatigue. The disheveled hair on his forehead suggests he hasn't rested well in a long time.
Hmm... I knew I couldn't hide it from you.
Sorry, I didn't mean to keep secrets. I just haven't figured it out myself yet.
Watanabe lets out a wry smile. In the background, faint noises of clashing firearms and the crackling of a campfire can be heard.
Yes. After what happened, I've been trying to unite the various groups that Ballard incited.
But once an idea takes root in people's minds, it's hard to remove its influence.
Especially since they've already taken up arms and had a taste of its power before.
Don't worry. Since Ballard's death, the influence of his plan has significantly waned. They can't cause much trouble anymore.
But there is still evil growing in hidden corners that we can't reach...
Watanabe pauses slightly, frowning as if troubled by how to explain this dilemma.
And you are the only one who can solve these problems.
Would you do me a favor by coming down here and helping me with this issue?
Hearing your answer, Watanabe looks slightly relieved.
You'll find things very self-explanatory when you're here.
In the flickering light, a fleeting warmth flashes across his shadowed face.
You thought finding the destination using precise coordinates wouldn't be difficult, but you have underestimated the dangers of long treks in the desert.
You have no idea how long you have walked, but you still cannot find the rendezvous point with Watanabe.
While traveling through the desert, you have to keep your head down to avoid looking at the harmful sunlight.
As you take another heavy step, you feel a strong force holding your shoulder, supporting your exhausted body.
Looking up, you see the tall, silver-haired Construct with his classic solemn expression that hides a trace of worry.
Can you still walk?
His heavily armored arm isn't as hot as you imagined. He takes out a handkerchief soaked in clean water to wipe the heat from your forehead.
I received your message saying you had set off three hours ago. Given the speed of your transport craft, you should have landed within an hour.
But I didn't see you at the rendezvous point for two whole hours, so I followed your trail to find you.
Don't worry. People get lost in deserts all the time.
Let's keep going if you can still do it.
Watanabe supports your shoulder, and you set off on this short journey through the endless yellow sands once more.
His support is as firm and reassuring as always, making you feel that nothing can go wrong as long as you stay by his side.
I really didn't think this through carefully enough.
Next time, I'll arrange a safer rendezvous point and pick you up where you land.
...I don't recall saying this would be our only collaboration.
Watanabe lowers his head slightly, hiding his expression in the shadow of his hair.
You notice his subtle sensitivity and can't help but tease him.
You see, after everything we've been through...
Halfway through his sentence, Watanabe suddenly changes the topic.
He slows down and there is a rare softness in his tone.
Although I haven't completely forgiven Babylonia for what they've done, they're not my enemies anymore for now, and you are a very important work partner to me.
So I'm going to keep you safe.
After saying this, Watanabe quickly reverts back to his stern expression, ending this topic.
You still have a long way to go, but fortunately, you now have a reliable companion.
After walking a long distance with Watanabe, you finally see the silhouette of buildings ahead.
After the battle, many familiar faces have disappeared from the Oasis camp, replaced by many new, young faces.
Annie! Don't mess with that rack! If it falls, we'll have to clean up all over again—
Oh, Mr. Watanabe! When did you get back?
Just call me Commander.
Yes, Commander!
Commander, who is this? Do you want me to give a tour?
Watanabe thinks for a moment and is about to explain the situation when a few kids who were running around the camp rush in.
Is the traveling merchant back? It's been a while! What did you bring us this time?
We still have the lanterns you made for us last time. We'll show you later!
But don't hang them at the entrance again, or the adults are going to give us a piece of mind...
So, you're the merchant the kids always talk about. Sorry, I only recently joined the Forsaken and didn't recognize you.
Yes! The conservation area I lived in was also incited by Ballard to join the riot. If Watanabe hadn't stopped the conspiracy in time, I probably would have been dead by now.
Watanabe has made such great contributions to peace on Earth, and it got me excited and wanting to do what I could to help.
You exaggerate... I couldn't have done it by myself.
Are we done talking yet? C'mon, let's go play!
The roads are fixed now. Let's play hide and seek!
Woof!
A collie covered in yellow sand runs to your feet in excitement, circling you affectionately.
Matches! Where did you go? We've been looking for you!
Awooo!
Matches whines as if saying that he didn't intentionally disappear.
Your heart grows soft when you see this adorable creature, and you can't help but crouch, gently petting his furry head.
Woof!
Matches is now an important member of our search and rescue squad. He's so good at finding people that even Uncle Watanabe has good things to say about him!
Yes, it's faster to let Matches bring us the target than to search the entire camp aimlessly.
And... Matches gets along well with the soldiers in the camp. He's indeed an important member of our team.
Woof!
As if understanding Watanabe's praise, the black and white collie wags his tail even more excitedly now.
Are we still taking Matches to look for desert treasures this afternoon? I think he wants to go.
Huh? Are we going again...?
C'mon! We get nothing if we give up now!
The innocent kids continue to chat about what to do next. Their bright eyes show no trace of the recent turmoil as if they are completely unaffected.
Ahem, "Forsaken Reserve Team K-107".
Hearing Watanabe's order, the three noisy kids immediately stand still and give a perfect salute.
"Forsaken Reserve Team K-107" Captain Annie, reporting for duty!
How's your task of filling in the holes you dug yesterday coming along?
Ah, Uncle Watanabe... I mean, Commander! Sorry, we forgot. We'll get on it right away!
The three kids dash off with Matches, and Watanabe nods slightly to the skinny soldier.
I have important business to discuss with our guest. You're dismissed.
Yes, Commander!
The bustling square quickly returns to silence. Watanabe takes a step forward, signaling you to follow.
Follow me. It's time to show you why I took you here.
There are very few personal items in Watanabe's living quarters. Various carefully maintained weapons hang neatly on the wall, reflecting his meticulous personality.
Watanabe brews two cups of mint tea and invites you to sit by the tea table. The familiar, cool scent instantly dispels the desert's heat.
Take a seat. It's more comfortable talking to you like this.
You saw how things were earlier. These recruits joined the Forsaken because of the stories about me, but I'm not as good as they make me out to be.
I only did what I could.
Maybe you're right. In difficult times like this, hope holds great power.
And it's my duty to maintain that hope.
Watanabe straightens his back, his eye showing a firm resolve that's different from before.
Realizing that Watanabe is about to say something important, you also adjust your posture.
[player name], I'll get straight to the point. I need your help because of your identity.
The Ballard faction didn't completely disappear after the battle. They now call themselves the "Resisters" and linger near conservation areas, inciting civilians to steal supplies.
We've tried persuading civilians to leave the "Resisters", but they are completely brainwashed by their leader. They don't believe the Forsaken are working for peace, and violent suppression would only sow more seeds of chaos.
And this person must have some popularity, but not too much power, to prevent the suspicion of collusion between Babylonia and the Forsaken.
Only someone in that position can convince the people that the conservation area system is the best way to peace.
So, this role can only be filled by you—[player name], the Gray Raven Commandant and the people's "hero."
Watanabe chuckles softly, seemingly amused by his overly passionate speech.
So? What's it gonna be?
The yellow sands still roam endlessly over this barren land, but the people of this desert are ready for a new life.
