Magna City Shining Congress – Bar Lounge

[Chibi Pika]

Heading west... a Radiant dungeon, out west? Everyone had been talking about 'the events going on in the north' but if there were other dungeons in other places, and Matthias was being sent that way... then it was probably the kind of thing that'd be kept under wraps.

<Hey, um, guys? Some of you are at the roundtable, right? Maybe try asking if there's any intel on Radiant dungeons other than the one up north. But like, in a 'we're just curious' kind of way, not a 'we wanna head there ourselves' kind of way.>

In the meantime, maybe she could try ruling some things out. "Heading west, huh. Some of our group actually traveled as far west as the Obstinea Mountains. Learned a bunch about Radiance out there, too. Probably stuff the Covenant is already familiar with, though."

Would Matthias's mission be further west than that, or less?

 

[Namohysip]

"Hmm." Mhynt decided not to voice anything there, but she did glance at Nova briefly. If anyone would know about the presence of nearby Radiant dungeons, it would be Powehi. He had manipulated things so Alexander's escape had been halted due to opening a Radiant Dungeon, she was sure...

 

[Jackie Cat]

"If mining for it in the environment's pointless... then the other option lies with folks who actually wield it."

"Heading west, huh. Some of our group actually traveled as far west as the Obstinea Mountains. Learned a bunch about Radiance out there, too. Probably stuff the Covenant is already familiar with, though."

Matthias' expression had since settled back into the 'polite schoolboy' facade. His composure returned, he seemed perfectly at ease, but underneath he was certainly still as tense with concentration as ever. (Not to mention that apparent passive deathwish of his...)

"I'd head out that far if that's what it took, but I don't think it'll be necessary. Thank goodness for that!" He smiled with unbridled positivity. "It's difficult to find Radiance just lying around, but it can coalesce in mystery dungeons, especially 'divine' ones, in their deeper levels. Sometimes there might be an item inside with a limited amount of Radiance. Or it might metastasise further, which makes it more stable, at the cost of being more dangerous. Probably not too dangerous for me, though. I guess we'll find out!"

He nodded at Nova. "Not too many 'mon can use it, and those that do can't always pass it on. Otherwise we'd just get it from you guys, ahaha. The problem is that you can't just find, say, a powerful Saint just like that. Those 'mon sure can be elusive!"

The Covenant probably wouldn't have much success tracking down Luz and compelling her to give them Radiance. She only did so to the Wayfarers under the assurance that they would not remain in the world long-term. She'd likely just avoid the Covenant completely...

 

[Namohysip]

"That makes sense," Mhynt said idly. "A shame they can't be traced. I wonder if the Covenant has their eyes on potential successors who are easier to trace, then."

She leaned back. It was unlikely they would get much more about of Matthias, but at least they had a confirmation or two of things they'd suspected. What do do about it, though...

 

[Ambyssin]

Nova blinked slowly, while trying to mentally ping the others.

"Hey, I was too busy partying it up in hell with Alexander. Didn't some of you guys find relics helping out the grouchy bird duo?"

 

[Jackie Cat]

Matthias smiled his fakest smile. "Oh, I couldn't begin to speculate on who might end up in that position. Who's to say that anyone will even do so this generation? I hope I live to see a bold Radiance-wielder of that calibre in the Covenant."

He definitely knew about Sierra and wasn't telling a soul. Better hope nobody in the Wayfarers spilled that detail themselves, then.

"Anyway, the strongest and most concentrated Radiance-use will create the longest-lasting and most stable environmental Radiance, and the most potent exotic energy in a dungeon seems to leak out and affect the surrounding natural environment, much as you all saw in Malantau... So I guess we're looking for somewhere where there are, for instance, atmospheric effects from lingering Radiance..."

The Wayfarers had encountered something like that before, hadn't they?

"I found something very interesting, very promising once before, in a dungeon near Novelux. It wasn't what my superiors were hoping for, but it sure did put me on the right path!"

So, there was a clue in one of the Novelux dungeons...?

 

[Chibi Pika]

"Hey, I was too busy partying it up in hell with Alexander. Didn't some of you guys find relics helping out the grouchy bird duo?"

"Oh, uh, that's right. We found the Blazing Dawn's relic in a corrupted dungeon, but I gave it back to Moltres after that whole mess got sorted. I think I heard that there was a similar deal with Zapdos?"

"Anyway, the strongest and most concentrated Radiance-use will create the longest-lasting and most stable environmental Radiance, and the most potent exotic energy in a dungeon seems to leak out and affect the surrounding natural environment, much as you all saw in Malantau... So I guess we're looking for somewhere where there are, for instance, atmospheric effects from lingering Radiance..."

Jade nodded distantly. She was pretty sure the others would be able to piece together the most likely location. Her brain was much more fixated on what he'd said previously. If he was heading west, then he wouldn't be here. That was the golden opportunity. Finding Betel. Rescuing Starr. It all felt so tantalizingly close.

 

[Ambyssin]

"Well, maybe we oughta reach out to those birdbrains and tell 'em to be on the look out for any not-so-friendly strangers in the near future..."

 

[Shiny Phantump]

Somewhere that radiance had altered the fabric of the surrounding area. Gladion didn't know, off the top of his head, any places that seemed to be damaged by excess radiance. Or, at least, he hadn't been to one... yet. But he could make some guesses. He was looking for somewhere connected to a Saint or really powerful offworlder. Somewhere they'd fucked up. Fucked up badly enough to leave scars in the surrounding area that lingered in the modern day. It couldn't be that long of a list...

"One last thing, boy. If you or your companions wish to see the truth of Victory for yourself – and learn how pointed stones can tear a canvas – then visit the rift called Blackglass Caldera, and descend within."

...and he could think of one place that might fit the bill. He just hadn't actually been there yet. It was a bad idea to overplay his hand, or admit how little he knew outright but if he was wrong it'd be a mistake not to at least give Matthias the chance to correct him.

Gladion whispered two words. "Blackglass Caldera..."

 

[Jackie Cat]

Matthias winked at Gladion. Then the expression was gone. Whether it was his destination or not, he at least thought it was worth them going there, and learning something...

[ ] Chapter Objective: explore Blackglass Caldera.

"Well, I think I've taken up enough of your time," said the amphibian, mildly. "There's a party out there, don't let me bore you all evening. Perhaps I'll take up a game of chess with another Wayfarer some other time, huh?"

 

[Namohysip]

"I've never been much for socializing," Mhynt said plainly. "I prefer... quieter parties."

Still, she relaxed and leaned away from the table as she thought about all they'd indirectly learned. A lot to discuss with the others, at least... when they were outside of prying eyes and ears.

 

[Ambyssin]

"Does breaking up parties count as attending them?" Nova wondered. "That was the closest I got to any back home." He was still playing around with the king's piece. Like a bird that had gotten a shiny bauble.

 

[Jackie Cat]

"Oh, of course you were a gendarme," murmured Matthias, mildly. "Well, it's been a pleasure nonetheless, chess game or no. I prefer quieter parties myself, Mhynt – don't worry, I'm sure your next visit to the Congress will have fewer members in attendance."

He smiled again, as if to wish her good luck on a future espionage mission.

And then he left, walking out through a side door, and into the side halls.

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