Suspicions Aroused

Suspicions Aroused is the second part of A Parade of Providence: Act II - Beginnings and Endings during the Event.
==Steps==
# Go play at an Akademiya booth
# Head to the Akademiya and find a matra
# Talk to Aarav
# Go to the main venue and find Alhaitham
# Head to Alhaitham's home
# Knock on the door and enter Alhaitham's home
# Investigate the documents on the table
==Dialogue==
;(Approach the south entrance of Sumeru City)
: Paimon: It feels like something's been on your mind this entire time.
: (That white-haired man I saw before the competition started...)
: (That secret conversation we overheard after the first round ended...)
: Candace: , Paimon! I've finally found you.
: Paimon: "Finally"? Did something happen?
: Dehya: Don't you feel like there's something off about this year's Akademiya Extravaganza?
: Dehya: When Candace and I were at a café earlier, we might've caught sight of some mercs on business. Thing is, they were disguised as tourists here to shop.
: Dehya: But no disguise can mask the stench of blood. Just from their suspicious looks, I bet they do dirty work like kidnapping or assassinations.
: Candace: We eavesdropped on them for a while. Their target seems to be someone called Sachin.
: Paimon: Sachin? Isn't that the person who Kareena mentioned during the opening ceremony?
: Paimon: He's apparently the sponsor behind the competition prizes and the Diadem of Knowledge. But he hasn't shown himself at all...
: Dehya: Sounds like a rich person, all right... It makes sense now.
: Dehya: The Eremites have been struggling to make ends meet recently, so a lot of groups have been doing "private" work that involves the rich.
: Dehya: In their words, one gig sets you up for half a year. Just one job like this nets them enough Mora to take it easy for a while.
: Candace: The Extravaganza has brought many tourists to Sumeru City all at once, so it's likely that they took advantage of the bustle to sneak in.
: Candace: Dehya and I wanted to directly capture them, but they were on guard and made some excuse to slip away.
: Dehya: I would've tied them up if it wouldn't have caused a scene.
: Dehya: Who's legally supposed to take care of this kind of thing? The matra? Or the Corps of Thirty?
: Paimon: Hmm... If Cyno were here, he'd definitely get involved. Why don't we head over to the Akademiya and tell a matra?
: Paimon: Thanks a million, you two!
: Candace: Not at all. It was coincidence on our part as well.
: Dehya: Yeah, don't sweat it. The Eremites' reputation is gonna get even worse if these scumbags succeed.
: Dehya: But this is Sumeru City. Candace and I don't have as much freedom to act here, so we're leaving this in your hands.
: Candace: Should you require our aid, come find us at the café.
: Paimon: Paimon's noticed that something's bugging you. Is it the Extravaganza? 'Cause Paimon's starting to think that there's more than meets the eye here, too...
: Paimon: Ugh, but thinking like this isn't doing anything. Let's just go find a matra!
;(Talk to Candace and Dehya in Puspa Cafe, optional)
: Dehya: I'm surprised anyone has the guts to try and pull off something like this during the Extravaganza. Just goes to show how tempting a fortune like Sachin's is.
: Dehya: What would you do if a sum of Mora like that suddenly landed in your lap?
: Candace: I don't know. I've never thought about it.
: Dehya: Come on, first thing off the top of your head. How would you spend it?
: Candace: Hmm... Buying food, finding water sources... That kind of thing, I guess?
;(Use Nahida's All Schemes to Know on Candace, optional)
: Candace: (Mmm, this is good coffee.)
;(Use Nahida's All Schemes to Know on Dehya, optional)
: Dehya: (There's not much harm that a bunch of small-time crooks can do. But this whole Sachin affair... something about it strikes me as strange.)
;(Approach Aarav)
: Paimon: Hey... Isn't that the matra we investigated Siraj with?
: Paimon: "Aarav," wasn't it? Let's go talk to him!
;(Talk to Aarav)
: Aarav: Hello both. It's been a while. Do you have any issues to report?
:
: Aarav: Someone's planning to kidnap Sachin? Goodness... Though I suppose it's not all that surprising.
: Aarav: The growing popularity of the Extravaganza has given him quite the reputation boost as its sponsor. He's seen as one of these "super-rich" types.
: Paimon: Well, since he's got a target on his back now, shouldn't you send some people to protect him?
: Aarav: To tell you the truth, we've thought about doing just that. However, Sachin apparently prefers to spend most of his time out doing field work, and hardly ever comes back to Sumeru City. No one has been able to contact him.
: Aarav: Our only lead is something he once said... "Each time the Interdarshan Championship is held, I will be watching from close by to choose a suitable person to inherit my estate."
: Aarav: Assuming he remains committed to that promise, then he must be right here in the city somewhere. I suspect that the Eremites in question must've heard about that as well, and decided to come here and try their luck.
: Paimon: So they shouldn't know where Sachin is either, right?
: Aarav: I would assume not. Anyway, Mahamatra Cyno is still on vacation, so I'll handle this.
: Aarav: Don't you worry. A couple of kidnappers aren't gonna get very far in Sumeru City these days. I have my ways of forcing them out into the open.
: Aarav: All of that said — if you're interested in Sachin's story, why don't you try tracking him down as well?
: Aarav: The sooner we ascertain his whereabouts, the quicker we can act to ensure his safety. I mean, you could task all the matra and the whole Corps of Thirty with someone's protection, but if the client doesn't show themselves, there's nothing we can do to help them.
: Paimon: Fair point. Guess we should start searching for him too. But where should we start?
: Do the matra have any information at all on Sachin?
: Aarav: None, I'm afraid. He's never committed any crimes or broken academic protocol, so we don't have a very detailed file on him.
: Aarav: I've heard that Alhaitham has now stepped down from his post as Acting Grand Sage and is back to being the Scribe again. Maybe it's worth checking to see if he knows anything?
: Paimon: Good idea. Okay, we'll head back to the Extravaganza venue and see if we can find him!
;(Talk to Aarav again, optional)
: Aarav: Rest assured that I will bring these criminals to justice.
;(Approach Nilou)
: Paimon: Phew... Hey, Nilou, have you seen Alhaitham anywhere?
: Nilou: Alhaitham? Why, what is it?
: Paimon: We're trying to track down someone, and we need him to pull up some records for us.
: Nilou: Oh, I see... Sorry, I don't know where he went.
: Nilou: He's always the first to leave after the competition ends, and he never tells anyone where he'll be going...
: Paimon: Huh. Yeah, actually, that sounds about right for him.
: Nilou: Lemme think... To be honest, he doesn't seem very interested in the Extravaganza, so he probably doesn't stick around longer than he has to.
: Nilou: To him, being a commentator is just extra work he was roped into. Do you guys know of any places he'd go after work?
: A tavern?
:: Nilou: Uhh... There's still one more round to go. Would he really go to a tavern in the middle of the competition?
:: Paimon: Oh! Here's a thought. Maybe he just went straight home?
: ...Maybe he went home?
:: Paimon: Ooh, maybe!
: Paimon: Paimon remembers that his house isn't that far from here, so we might as well check it out!
;(Talk to Nilou again, optional)
: Nilou: I wonder where Alhaitham would go?
;(Approach Alhaitham's home)
: Paimon: Let's try knocking...
: (Knock.)
: Paimon: No answer... Maybe no one's home?
: (Knock.)
: Paimon: Hellooo...? Alhaitham? Are you in? We need your help with something!
: Kaveh: Oh, it's you two?
: Paimon: Oh, Kaveh! You're home!
: Kaveh: ...Come on in. I'll get the door for you.
:;(The Traveler and Paimon enter Alhaitham's home)
: Paimon: We didn't hear a peep when we first knocked — we thought no one was home!
: Kaveh: Well, I can't be too careful. If someone from the Akademiya came here looking for Alhaitham and I opened the door for them without thinking, before long the whole city would know that I'm living here...
: Paimon: You're pretty conscientious about this, huh...
: Paimon: So... what happens if someone comes inside looking for him while you're at home?
: Kaveh: It's fine, as long as I stay in my own room. Anyway, why would someone just barge in here looking for him? Most people have better things to do.
: Paimon: Fair enough. So do you know where he is at the moment?
: Kaveh: What do you think? Who knows what he does in his free time. All that matters to me is that he's out of the house!
: Did you have a quarrel or something?
: Kaveh: I wouldn't call it that, he's just incapable of saying anything pleasant at all!
: Kaveh: I told him how the second round went. I won the lot draw, remember? Because of good karma, of course. My luck's on the rise.
: Kaveh: But him, being him... You wouldn't believe what he said after I was done talking!
: Kaveh: "You're always quick to remind me that you're my upperclassman, and yet you do not problem-solve in the manner becoming of an upperclassman. This begs the question of why we attach prestige to seniority at all." What does he mean, "manner becoming of an upperclassman"? What, am I supposed to earn the title of upperclassman now!?
: Kaveh: And he didn't stop there! He said:
: Kaveh: "I'd encourage you to reflect on why you've ended up having to rely on luck every round. Frankly, it's incomprehensible to me how you've managed to make it to this age without acknowledging the proverbial elephant in the room of your life."
: Paimon: Hahaha... Yeah, that does sound like something Alhaitham would say...
: Kaveh: I've had it with him! Every time I talk to him it's the same way! He finds a way to infuriate me, every single time!
: Kaveh: Anyway, the disdain is very much mutual between us, so I'll be moving out as soon as possible. I'm actually packing my things right now. He'll have to get used to doing his own cleaning and tidying from now on!
: Kaveh: See those perfectly hung paintings on the walls? They're coming with me, too! Heh, if his life wasn't utterly devoid of artistic sensibility already, it certainly will be after today.
: Paimon: Wait, you're moving out already? But the competition isn't even over yet. How can you afford it?
: Kaveh: Well, obviously I can't just yet. I'm just packing early, to get ahead of the game.
: Kaveh: I've got my new place picked out already. The moment I have my hands on the prize money, I'm going to buy it and move my things right in. It'll take me three days tops to move out of here for good.
: Kaveh: I now know what I have to do to achieve this goal. No matter what happens in the third round, I will win. I will emerge triumphant! You'll see!
: Paimon: Well, we'll be rootin' for ya. But... are you sure you'll be alright?
: Kaveh: Hmm? In what way?
: Paimon: Layla said that she thinks you'll get caught up in internal conflict.
: Kaveh: ...Meaning what, exactly? Don't tell me you think I have serious personality flaws, too...?
: Paimon: We didn't say that! But think about it. You say you wanna win, but you also turned Faruzan down when she offered to give you her points. Plus, you took it upon yourself to help those Desert Foxes...
: Kaveh: Wait, what's so unusual about all that? I gave you my reasons — I would have felt guilty otherwise... Where's the conflict in that?
: Why would you feel guilty?
: Kaveh: ...
: Kaveh: Well, when you put it like that... Yes, why, indeed? It's a good question. I guess it's just in my nature. Plus, if I just did nothing, then there'd be no escaping the blame if something bad came of it later down the line.
: Paimon: But thinking like that all the time must make your life so exhausting. Not to mention that by helping out, you put yourself at risk... Fainting in the middle of the desert, for example. Was that really worth it?
: Kaveh: It's complicated, I... Look, let's maybe leave this conversation for another time. What was it you needed Alhaitham's help with, anyway?
: We'd like him to help us look into Sachin.
: Kaveh: Sachin? Huh, he did actually mention a Sachin recently.
: Kaveh: I remember he brought a few documents home that day. He was thinking out loud as he looked through them, making some notes and doodling as he went. He even suggested that I should take a look, but I didn't. Gimme a moment, let me go find them...
: Kaveh: Ah, this is the one. Here, take it.
: Paimon: Uh... You sure he'd be okay with this?
: Kaveh: With taking liberties? He's certainly okay with helping himself to my beer whenever he pleases.
: Kaveh: And anyway, he did ask me if I wanted to read his notes. I didn't see the point at the time, so he just left them on the side.
: Kaveh: He doesn't leave documents lying around unless he's okay with other people reading them. It's fine, I promise.
: Paimon: Cool, if you say so. Okay, let's see what he's got on Sachin...
;(Talk to Kaveh, optional)
: Kaveh: I fetched the documents for you. Feel free to look through them at your leisure.
;(Use Nahida's All Schemes to Know on Kaveh, optional)
: Kaveh: (Did he leave these notes there on purpose, or was this sheer coincidence? No... But if it wasn't a coincidence, then...)
;(Investigate the document)
::Tabletop Documents
::Sachin was born to a wealthy family, and his father Rajput was a renowned merchant in Sumeru, with many properties to his name.
::At the age of nine, Sachin enrolled into Vahumana and achieved excellent grades. At the age of fifteen, he completed all of his courses and graduated first in class, his accomplishments greatly lauded by the sages.
::At the age of sixteen, Sachin ventured out and began to research the local environment and customs. His travels took him throughout Sumeru's rainforests and deserts.
::When Sachin was 23 years old, his father Rajput passed away. Sachin returned to Sumeru City to take over his father's business and spent two years here.
::At the age of 25, Sachin once again ventured into the desert to conduct field research. Records show that he traveled with a caravan and lived in Aaru Village for a period of time.
::At the age of 32, Sachin returned to Sumeru City. He looked withered and weary, his mental state in shambles. Much speculation arose amongst outsiders, but Sachin locked himself in his room and did not respond.
::At the age of 33, Sachin entrusted all of his properties to the Akademiya and pledged to donate all proceeds to the Akademiya. He then wrote a contract regarding the use of the proceeds and property ownership.
::The following is an excerpt quoted from Sachin when the contract was signed:
::"A minimum of 30% of all revenue generated from the business will be used to fund prizes for the Interdarshan Championship, which will encourage young prodigies to actively participate in the competition..."
::"I will also be donating my entire collection, the most prominent item of which, the 'Diadem of Knowledge,' will serve as a symbol of great honor in the Interdarshan Championship. Only the winner of the competition may wear it..."
::"In addition, the Akademiya is only given the right to maintain and manage my properties. Ownership of them does not belong to the Akademiya, nor does it belong to me."
::"Each year, when the Interdarshan Championship is held, I will keep a close eye on each candidate... If I particularly identify with a participant, I will reveal myself."
::"I will then bequeath all of my wealth to this individual whom I judge worthy of my acknowledgment. They will have the usage rights to all assets and proceeds under my name. I hope the Akademiya will respect any and all decisions made by that person."
::After the contract came into effect, Sachin returned to the desert to continue his investigations. But there has been no word from him since then.
::Many claimed to have seen him in the desert, but none of such claims have been verified. Twenty years have passed since then.
: Paimon: That was a lot of information... Paimon's getting a headache.
: Paimon: So to sum up, Sachin put the Akademiya in charge of managing his estate and went off to do research, right?
: Paimon: He even said that if he really liked one of the contestants, he wouldn't just give them a reward, but his entire estate as well... That must be worth heaps and heaps of Mora!
: Kaveh: What!? Are you serious?
: Kaveh: All of Sachin's wealth, that's... more than I could spend in a lifetime, surely. Heck, if I got chosen, I'd be able to pay off all my debts, then buy a new place, and still have cash to burn...
: Kaveh: I could build another Palace of Alcazarzaray... Except this time, I'd make it ten times bigger...
: Kaveh: Then there's that new project in Port Ormos, of course — the bridge renovation. To do it properly would take upwards of—
: Paimon: Hey, hey, snap out of it! You're getting way ahead of yourself there, mister!
: Kaveh: You're right. First, I need to focus on winning and moving out of this place...
: Paimon: Huh? Wait a moment, there's a loose slip of paper tucked in between these pages.
: Paimon: Did Alhaitham write this? It looks like he was jotting ideas down as he was thinking things over. Hmm, let's see... Um, two phrases have been circled:
: Paimon: "Sachin, dead or alive? Unknown"... and "Diadem of Knowledge"?
: Paimon: Some of this stuff is just plain incomprehensible. Is this written in some other language?
: Kaveh: Let me see... Huh? I recognize this script. Hmm, give me a second...
: Kaveh: "Lofty ideals may provide no defense at all against nihilism, but perhaps little decisions can"... That's a rough translation, anyway. I can't guarantee it's one hundred percent accurate.
: Kaveh: ...Hmm? There's another, smaller line of text underneath... Huh... Why would he bring that up?
: Paimon: Wow, it's so cool that you can actually read this script!
: Kaveh: We worked together on a project once when we were students — the title was "Decoding the Runes and Architectural Philosophy of the Ruins of King Deshret's Civilization." I had to familiarize myself a little with this script at the time.
: Paimon: Oh, interesting! So... Any idea what Alhaitham meant by all of this?
: Kaveh: Heh. Who knows? The way his mind works is one of the great mysteries of the world.
: Paimon: Fair enough. Well, guess we've learned all we can here.
: Let's hope Aarav's made some progress.
: Paimon: Yeah, he'd better catch those crooks. But until then, uh... let's just head out for a stroll.
:;(Quest ends)
;(Talk to Kaveh again, optional)
: Kaveh: "Little decisions"? What could've been going through his mind when he wrote that...
==Other Languages==
==Change History==
es:Sospechas que afloran
pt-br:Suspeitas Levantadas
vi:Nghi Án Dần Hiện