Way of Primaveral Blade: Rhetoric

Way of Primaveral Blade: Rhetoric is an Adventure Mission on The Xianzhou Luofu from the Saga of Primaveral Blade event.
==Steps==
# Talk to Qingque
# Go to Aurum Alley and engage in the promised duel
# Go to Aurum Alley and talk to Skott
==Dialogue==
===Talk to Qingque===
:March 7th: I'm going up against Skott soon. Do you know why I'm visiting you, Qingque?
:Qingque: Yeah, with you, me, and (Trailblazer) here, the answer is pretty obvious.
: We can brainstorm ways to defeat Skott together.
::Qingque: But I know nothing about swordplay or duels. Now, if you're talking about playing Celestial Jade, that's something I might be able to help with.
: Of course, we're here to play "Celestial Jade!"
::Qingque: Yeah, you just have pre-fight jitters, March. Let's play a couple of rounds to help you relax.
:March 7th: Wait a minute! I've been playing with you a lot lately, right? I've actually picked up a few insights. For example, I've been thinking lately that just defeating Skott with my swords might not be enough...
: You? Thinking?
::March 7th: ...Yeah. You don't really think I'm dumb, do you?
: Care to share your insights?
:March 7th: Well, here's the thing. Even if Skott apologizes, do you think he'd actually feel sorry for what he did?
:Qingque: Nah, it's more he's just honoring a bet. Whether it's apologizing or squealing like a pig, I doubt he'd do it willingly.
: Remember when he barked like a dog? He definitely wasn't sorry then.
::March 7th: Exactly! He just wants to show off, which is why he picked Aurum Alley as the venue.
: But defeating him like this would feel pretty satisfying!
::March 7th: True heroes in immersia don't merely settle for "satisfying!"
:Qingque: ...You're right. Even though I'm not a fan, I'll help you figure something out.
:March 7th: (Trailblazer), why don't you fill her in on what happened at Aurum Alley earlier?
:Qingque listens to the whole story of Skott's incident with great interest.
:By the time you finish speaking, you notice that there seems to be a hint of anger on Qingque's face.
:Qingque: If being a workaholic were a disease, Skott would be in the ICU! It's okay to enjoy your work, but causing trouble in society is another story!
: So, any suggestions on what to do?
::Qingque: I don't have suggestions, only an opinion, and that is "He's a hopeless workaholic."
: He deserves a good scolding!
::Qingque: Skott really needs to apologize to regular people like me.
:Qingque: Come on, March! Let's go find him!
:March 7th: Huh!?
===Go to Aurum Alley and engage in the promised duel===
:Skott: Well, well, if it isn't our hero March 7th! And who do we have here with you...?
:Qingque: Before you start the fight, I have a few words for you.
:Skott: Huh...!? Who do you think you are? Is it like a Xianzhou thing to just show up uninvited?
:Qingque: It's okay if you don't know who I am. Introduce me to him, (Trailblazer).
: This is the CEO of the Dynasty Corp, Miss Qingque!
::Qingque: Don't freak him out. I work as the head of the Divination Commission most of the time.
: This is Qingque, a renowned diviner from the Divination Commission.
::Qingque: Yep, you're welcome to check out my credentials in the Divination Commission.
:Skott: Heh, what's so special about being a diviner from the Divination Commission? I'm a specialist at the Interastral Peace Corporation! Tell me, what makes you think you're so great? Do you have more minions than me? Or do you earn more credits?
:Qingque: You may not be young, but who spends all their time on work, while proudly proclaiming to "love their job."
:Qingque: In my opinion, you enjoy playing the role of a joker, spouting off outrageous opinions just to seem objective and indifferent whenever you feel like it.
:Skott: E—Enough! Shut up! What do you know about me!? Don't act like you know everything!
:March 7th: Wow, you really got under Skott's skin with just a few words.
:Skott: Well, you almost got me. I'm here to... have a duel, not to debate with you.
: Skott got hit where it hurts.
::March 7th: Yeah, Skott couldn't come up with a comeback.
: Diviners are indeed not to be trifled with.
::March 7th: I'd better not mess with the Divination Commission anymore.
: Is this really the same harmless little sparrow we all know? More like one ferocious eagle.
::March 7th: I guess not! Eagle sounds about right.
:March 7th: That's the spirit! Strike while the iron is hot!
: Well, I know a thing or two about convincing Skott...
: Leave it to me! I'm an expert negotiator!
===Go to Aurum Alley and talk to Skott===
;(Negotiation starts)
;Opponent information:
::Skott
::One of the representatives stationed on Xianzhou by the IPC. While he hypocritically remains proud of the IPC's corporate culture, he has also suppressed his dissatisfaction and resentment for the Corporation.The basis of Skott's arrogance is the afforded by the IPC. Don't let him .
;Negotiation strategies:
;(Emotional Trigger)
::Without knowing why, you absentmindedly stare at Skott, leaving him deeply unsettled.
::Skott: If you have something to say, just say it. Why are you staring at me like that?
;(Smoke and Mirrors)
::You cast a knowing glance at Qingque, the main force in this war of words, who immediately caught your drift.
::Qingque: Let's move on, this topic's getting boring. Time for the next one.
;(Feigned Retreat)
::You cast a knowing glance at March 7th, the main instigator in this war of words, who immediately caught your drift.
::March 7th:Hey, none of that counted just now. Let's start over! Ready? Three, two, one... Go!
::Skott: ...
----
;(Round 1)
:Qingque: Let me ask you something. Do you consider the IPC to be your family?
:Skott: Of course I do! I... I have so many amazing colleagues there...! Have you seen our structure? The Talent Motivation Department makes everything feel even better than family!
: Ask Skott to do some serious soul-searching!
:;(+1 morale)
::(Trailblazer): Think about it. You consider the IPC your family, but does the IPC consider you a family member? You love the IPC, but does the IPC love you back?
::Skott: Does the IPC love me back... the IPC is not a person! It doesn't have to love me at all!
::March 7th: Then the IPC isn't your family! Stop lying to yourself.
: Tell Skott to ask his underlings!
:;(+1 morale)
::(Trailblazer): Ask your underlings if they honestly feel like the IPC is their family. You consider them your family, but do they feel the same way?
::A good bro of Skott's: ...Mr. Skott bosses me around as if he owns me.
::Skott: ...I own you, and that's what makes us a family, right?
::March 7th: See, Skott? Looks like your bros have different ideas of what "family" means.
: Discuss his contributions and what he gets in return.
:;(+1 morale)
::(Trailblazer): I heard someone went through 17 rounds of interviews just to become a basic P13 employee. What about your own efforts?
::Skott: Seventeen rounds? That's insane! If I hadn't joined the IPC already...
::March 7th: Think about it, is the entrance to your own home that hard to get through?
: Ask about the Talent Motivation Department's perks.
:;(-1 morale)
::(Trailblazer): You mentioned the perks provided by the Pie-in-the-Sky Department. What exactly did they hook you up with?
::Skott: Oh, now you're asking the right person! We're talking getting paid to play with pets, remote work across the cosmos, and regular interstellar trips... You wouldn't believe it!
::March 7th: "(Hey! That's not the right thing to say...)"
----
;(Round 2)
:Qingque: I heard even the lowest-ranking Pier Point folks feel proud of the IPC's success and wealth... But when you really think about it, how much does the IPC's success and wealth have to do with you?
:Skott: O-Of course it has something to do with me...!
:March 7th: Then tell me, which of the IPC's achievements can you personally take credit for?
:Skott: I was involved in the Aurum Alley investment project... and right now, I'm in charge of these transport ships... They may not seem like big things, but they can't be done without me!
: Question Skott's indispensability.
:;(+1 morale)
::(Trailblazer): Funny thing is, Aurum Alley has actually been doing better since you left. As for those transport ships, do you really think no one else can handle it?
::Skott: I... I just got unlucky with that project. If the IPC had listened to me, it would've been a massive success! And the shipping and transportation stuff... i—it's just impossible without me!
::March 7th: I've heard that the IPC's annual turnover is even higher than the total population of the Capital of Passion... Even without you, they'd find other "Skotts" to get the job done.
: Picture Skott leaving the IPC.
:;(+1 morale)
::(Trailblazer): You talk about how proud the IPC makes you feel, but have you ever thought that once you leave, you'll be nothing?
::Skott: I... I'd be Skott... former employee of the Interastral Peace Corporation!
::March 7th: Listen to yourself! That's how you want to be known? Is your name just an appendix to the IPC?
: Inquire about Skott's personal life.
:;(+1 morale)
::(Trailblazer): Even in the middle of an argument, you don't miss the chance to plug the IPC's mech products — you're truly dedicated. But do you really have a life of your own?
::Skott: W—What's the big deal!? I find joy in my work, and my life is... is pretty fulfilling!
::March 7th: Seriously, you even picked a fight while drinking tea. I honestly doubt you have a life at all, let alone a fulfilling one!
: Question the importance of transport ship security.
:;(-1 morale)
::(Trailblazer): You claim to be in charge of IPC's transport ships, but are they really that important?
::Skott: Of course they are! We're transporting the top-of-the-line tech from the Intelligentsia Guild, and each container is worth a fortune! How can they not be important?
::March 7th: (Hey! That's not the right thing to say... You managed to stir up this guy's sense of pride)
----
;(Round 3)
:Qingque: Do you find it hard to fall asleep without scrolling through your phone? Do you hit the snooze button every morning? Do you feel useless at work, hearing your bosses complaining about your incompetence...?
:Skott: E—Enough! Stop it!
:Qingque: When you actually think about your life outside of work, only one word pops into your head, doesn't it?
:March 7th: "Overtime!"
:Skott: Please... just stop it. Please...
:Qingque: You know, based on my work philosophy, I don't want to say "You're not important." In fact, I'd say "You are important." As an employee, you should take pride in living a good life for yourself, not just work.
:Skott: But I... I don't have a life of my own...
: Remain silent.
:;(+1 morale)
::(Trailblazer): In your silence, your eyes betraying your sadness. The heat of the sympathy in your gaze could hatch a chick.
::Skott: Come on, just say something. Don't make me feel so miserable about myself.
::March 7th: But you are miserable, because you don't have a life of your own...
::Skott: Arrrrghhh...!
: Convince Skott to quit his job.
:;(+1 morale)
::(Trailblazer): What has the cursed IPC done? They've turned a living, breathing human into a heartless machine! Skott, take my advice and leave the IPC.
::Skott: But... but I don't have a choice.
::March 7th: Yes, Skott. You do have a choice.
: Imagine a better life.
:;(+1 morale)
::(Trailblazer): Skott, have you ever thought about slowing down and exploring things like tea and tea culture? It could be a new hobby and a whole new way of life for you.
::Skott: But I... I'm not interested in tea.
::March 7th: It's important to learn to enjoy the simple pleasures in life. You might discover a new interest if you just give it a try.
: Try to empathize with Skott.
:;(-1 morale)
::(Trailblazer): I get how you feel. Honestly, I don't have much of a life outside of work either.
::Skott: No, you don't get it. You're a freelancer on the Astral Express. You're nothing like me.
::March 7th: (Hey! That's not the right thing to say...)
----
;(If negotiation fails)
::March 7th: (Trailblazer), it looks like talking sense isn't working. Looks like it's time to settle this with a good old-fashioned sword fight.
::Skott: Hmph, you almost had me there.
::Qingque: (Trailblazer) might not be the best at talking, but we're not here to defeat you in a debate. That'd be no different than beating you with a sword, right?
::Qingque: We're not out to get you. We're all in the same boat, just grinding away. Why do we have to make things hard for each other?
::Skott: ...
::Qingque: Now do you understand what we're trying to say?
:(If negotiation is successful)
::Qingque: You consider yourself superior to others, you have no time for your own life. You lack empathy, you're always worried about being looked down upon, and your self-esteem stems from the status the IPC gives you. Do you really want to live like this forever...?
::Skott: Wahhhh... That's so mean! I'm just an ordinary person struggling, trying to survive. Don't you feel a twinge of guilt saying nasty stuff like that?
::Qingque: Of course I do, because I'm just an ordinary person too. Now, Skott, welcome back to the world of ordinary people.
:Qingque: Mengming, the owner of the Sleepless Earl, went to great efforts to set up her shop, all so that workers like us can catch a break and find some joy in our lives!
:Qingque: What makes you so different from her? How would you feel if you worked so hard to create something, only to have your boss wreck it and overwhelm you with unreasonable demands?
:March 7th: We were intending to defeat you in a duel and make you apologize to her, but now we see that won't work.
:Skott: I see. I'll make a genuine, heartfelt apology to her
:Skott: Enough, I understand. We don't need to carry on with this sword fight. I'm going to apologize to the owner of the Sleepless Earl, and to everyone fully living their lives.
: But have you forgotten the "squealing like a pig" part?
::March 7th: Drop it, Skott is in the midst of introspection.
::Skott: Thank you, Miss March. You really are a hero.
: Remain silent.
::Skott: Thank you, guys, I almost went too far, which would have been a mistake.
:Skott: Starting tomorrow, I'm going to be happy. I'll have some tea, read the paper, and explore the universe.
:Skott: Okay, without further ado, I'm going to apologize to the owner. Thanks, you've given me a lot to think about... As for this lousy job at the IPC, well, it's time for some serious contemplation.
:Skott: Catch you later!
:Skott leaves Aurum Alley with his bros and apologizes to the shopkeeper of the Sleepless Earl, Mengming.
:Qingque: Ah, I'm so tired... haven't felt this exhausted in ages. You guys better treat me to something nice, March.
:March 7th: Of course. Thank you, Master Qingque.
:This brief interlude has concluded, yet March 7th's pursuit of the art of swordplay shall continue.
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