Nue Quest 8 - Pagan: A Z-Machine Adventure

[Hello Purvis]

> Look back at the tavern.

>You into the Tavern, and see Tenshi at the table with her celestials, sitting properly this time. You note that Alice and Mamizou are among them. Tenshi is looking right at you, though the others do not seem to have noticed you yet. "Yeah, it is Nue," she says, causing a couple of the celestials to glance toward you as well.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "Need something?"

[Hello Purvis]

> "Need something?"

>"Hey, did you get everything done?" says Tenshi. "And that sword is weird-looking!"

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Have we had a proper look at the sword since we unsheathed it? If not, do so.

[Hello Purvis]

> Have we had a proper look at the sword since we unsheathed it? If not, do so.

>You have a look at the weapon. It really is unusual-looking, be straight bladed and double edged, and fairly heavy compared to other swords you've had contact with over the years.  You don't think anyone would mistake it for work from Gensokyo.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Look back at Tenshi.
> "My business is, unfortunately, not yet concluded."

[Hello Purvis]

> Look back at Tenshi.
> "My business is, unfortunately, not yet concluded."

>"Heh, then what're you doing running around out there like that?" she says.
>This person is a fool. She needs to be taught silence.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> This person may not be the sharpest tool in the shed, but she looks up to us. A lack of intelligence in other areas can be forgiven from those that recognize our superiority.
> "Taking care of said business."

[Hello Purvis]

> This person may not be the sharpest tool in the shed, but she looks up to us. A lack of intelligence in other areas can be forgiven from those that recognize our superiority.
> "Taking care of said business."

>You decide to let things slide, as long as she remembers her place.
>"Well, okay," says Tenshi. "Don't fall and cut yourself with that thing. It looks nasty."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Nod.
> "Don't worry. I can handle myself."
> Is the merchant still following us?
> Continue heading south.

[Hello Purvis]

> Nod.
> "Don't worry. I can handle myself."
> Is the merchant still following us?
> Continue heading south.

>"You better," says Tenshi.
>Rinnosuke seems to be keeping up with you, and fairly pleased with things despite becoming progressively soaked and sporting some swelling around his jaw where you had hit him.
>You continue southward, and soon leave the human town behind entirely. Some distance ahead, you can see the crossroads where this path and the one to youkai mountain intersect.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Is the merchant's shop still south of here?
> And he is presumably still following us?

[Hello Purvis]

> Is the merchant's shop still south of here?
> And he is presumably still following us?

>It is, you can see the edge of the Forest of Magic some distance ahead.
>He is following you.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "I am surprised you came out this way. I would have thought you would stayed in the sanctity of the Temple."

[Hello Purvis]

> "I am surprised you came out this way. I would have thought you would stayed in the sanctity of the Temple."

>"I'm sure it's nice," he says, "But I have matters to attend to."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Turn around to face him.
> "And I suppose you think I will let you simply waltz by?"

[Hello Purvis]

> Turn around to face him.
> "And I suppose you think I will let you simply waltz by?"

>You turn to face him. He pauses for a moment, raising his eyebrows.
>"And do you think you can stop me?" he says.  "Do you think that you have stopped me? Bandits such as yourself may well slow commerce a tad, but little more. I barter with the universe itself Miss Houjuu. It doesn't care where I am. I merely seek more convenient surroundings for my own comfort."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "It is not a matter of think. I know I can and will stop your nonsense."

[Hello Purvis]

> "It is not a matter of think. I know I can and will stop your nonsense."

>"I do not think you could afford that," he says, as he resumes walking, seeming to intend to go around you.
>He must pay.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "Just try to come and collect."
> Move laterally to stay in front of him.

[Hello Purvis]

> "Just try to come and collect."
> Move laterally to stay in front of him.

>You move to stay in Rinnosuke's path, and he stops.
>"Are you going to threaten me with your sword again, Miss Houjuu?" he says.
>Crush him.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "No. This time I will act upon it."

[Hello Purvis]

> "No. This time I will act upon it."

>"And you are certain that the leader of that temple would approve of you spilling blood?" he says.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> "She was aware of the potential consequences of my journey when I first set out."

[Hello Purvis]

> "She was aware of the potential consequences of my journey when I first set out."

>"Awareness and acceptance are not the same, as I'm sure you've deduced," he says, folding his hands together.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Begin walking toward the merchant.
> "She may be unhappy, but she will settle down in time."

[Hello Purvis]

> Begin walking toward the merchant.
> "She may be unhappy, but she will settle down in time."

>"Will she?" he says, as you start to approach. "What happens when mere violence fails to have an effect, Miss Houjuu? Will you take my head, perhaps?"
>Trample him. Break him. Let him be an example.

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Patience! He will be dealt with.
> "If need be."

[Hello Purvis]

> "If need be."

>"I am impressed," he says, raising an eyebrow. "To so causally make an enemy of Gensokyo as a whole for the sake of nothing. At least, upon my deathbed, I can say I left a better world. But you, one wonders. Ah well, at least my path was bloodless."

>_

[Kilgamayan]

> Is he in swinging range yet?
> "Your actions have instilled in Gensokyo confusion, worry, anger, and violence. My actions have organized the reversal of your actions and the restoration of order. Gensokyo will fall all over itself to thank me for saving them from chaos. They will fall in line behind me. As they all should."
> Narrow eyes.
> "And if any strike back at me for stopping your nonsense, they will meet a similar fate."