A Sophisticated Lie

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## **Main Background**

Unknown Skies Main Street

> *"The Zodiac Guardians have sworn an oath to fulfill people's wishes and protect everyone. Yet just weeks before the transition ritual, the 'Tiger' has gone missing. Worried for the safety of the Tiger, the Ox has initiated a search for her. If they don't complete the Transition Ritual before the end of the year, the world will suffer from a disaster. Can she bring the Tiger back and complete the Transition Ritual...?"*
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> -Official Event Info
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**A Sophisticated Lie** is a Spectre quest released for the Story of Zodiac event for the Taiwanese version of *Crash Fever*.

The event also had a story quest associated with it, **A Search for the Tiger**; episodes 1 and 2 will be covered on Unapproachable Place, episode 3 will be covered on Tower of the Strongest Bunny, and the rest on this page.

After the events of Tower of the Strongest Bunny, Hilda confronts Bunny Dean over his treatment of Huppe during training. Bunny Dean's Rabbit Special Squadron goes to attack Hilda, but she easily takes them all out, much to their surprise. She remarks that they have a long way to go before they're truly strong, and that their training methods are outdated. Bunny Dean tells her to save her breath, and goes back to fighting her directly.

Huppe watches on, dismayed at how strong Hilda is compared to Bunny Dean. She remarks that it is just like "he" said, she will never be strong enough to be one of the Zodiac Guardians. Hilda manages to land a decisive blow against Bunny Dean, though he still remains standing. She commends his strength as the Rabbit for not being knocked out by that attack. Bunny Dean concedes that she has won the battle, but refuses to change his mind on training methods, and leaves.

Hilda then goes to check to make sure Huppe is okay, but finds her crying. She asks what is wrong, and Huppe admits that she doesn't feel qualified to be a Zodiac Guardian after seeing Hilda fight with Bunny Dean. Hilda reminds her that she shouldn't be pushing herself too hard, while Evelyn says that while being a Zodiac Guardian has its responsibilities, it doesn't need to be a brutal experience. Huppe mentions that she was told by someone else that Zodiac Guardians not only fulfill people's hopes, but are supposed to take down powerful, evil spirits. She says that she was told that, unless she has the strongest body and mind, she had no chance of survival.

Hilda expresses doubt on the legitimacy of that claim, and asks who told her such a crazy thing. Evelyn asks as well, saying that they need to teach whoever told her that a lesson. Huppe says that it was the Rat, Irene. Hilda asks Evelyn if Irene was the one that she mentioned earlier, and Evelyn nods, confirming that she did have information stating that Irene had contacted Huppe before. Hilda vows to make Irene pay for tricking Huppe into doing things that made her get herself hurt.

Hilda then mentions to Huppe that, while she might not believe it, she was once much weaker than she is now; she was so weak, in fact, she couldn't pick up the weapon that she is wielding at that moment. Huppe expresses her disbelief, and says that Hilda must have trained a lot to become as strong as she is. Hilda notes that she used to undergo some harsh training like Huppe did, but was never chosen to be a Zodiac Guardian based on that. She says that is when she realized that there is more to it than just physical strength.

Hilda says that she has known Huppe for a long time, and knows that she has what it takes to become a Zodiac Guardian. She tells her that she has faith in her, and that she ought to have more self-confidence. Motivated by Hilda's words, Huppe wipes her tears and vows to do her best. Hilda says that she should take this opportunity to become better. Evelyn then asks, since this situation was resolved, should they go deal with Irene. Hilda nods, and they set out. They do not notice someone watching them from the shadows.

Elsewhere, in a bustling city, the person who was watching expresses his annoyance that the situation was resolved sooner than he expected. He remarks that it will be interesting to see them try to teach him a lesson. Hilda, Huppe, and Evelyn arrive in the city, with Huppe wondering how they are ever going to locate Irene given how big the city is. Hilda asks if he is even still in the city, and Evelyn responds that the intel she received says that this was the last place he was spotted.

Hilda says that she will punch Irene in the face once they find him, and Evelyn says that she will make him pay the price for tricking Huppe. Huppe just sighs and says that this whole situation was just because she was too gullible. A voice above them asks how they could possibly make him pay the price, referring to Evelyn as "granny". Insulted, Evelyn demands that he come down. Hilda recognizes the person as Irene, while Huppe asks why Irene would possibly lie to her.

Irene says that they ought to thank him for showing up and saving them the trouble of finding him. He then notes that, while he is partially to blame for misleading Huppe, she is also to blame for being so easily tricked. Hilda says that it is all his fault, and that he owes Huppe an apology. Irene refuses to give one, and starts to run off, remarking that it will be difficult for them to find him given how this is his territory. He then gets away while the group gathers to figure out their next move.

Hilda notes that Irene has a complete advantage regarding terrain, and asks what they should do about it. Huppe apologizes for getting them involved, but Evelyn tells her to not worry as they will figure this out together. Huppe notes that they should probably expect some traps laid by Irene, and Hilda agrees, saying that they will need to plan for that. Evelyn says to leave it to her, pulling out a map of the city and handing the other two a communication device.

Evelyn admits that she has already investigated this place, despite it not being very proper to investigate another Zodiac Guardian in private. Huppe asks if this is the only way they could catch Irene, and Evelyn nods, before hugging Huppe. Hilda tells her to knock it off, considering how they don't have much time to resolve this. Evelyn reluctantly agrees, and they split up so that they can flank Irene, while also being sure to dismantle any traps along the way.

Huppe eventually reaches Irene's base, surprised by how complex the mechanisms inside are. Hilda and Evelyn communicate via the device, asking about how close she is to their rendezvous point. Huppe says that she is almost there, but something doesn't seem right. The other two tell her to not worry, and regardless of what Irene has planned they will be able to deal with it. They ask her to just focus on meeting up at the rendezvous point. Huppe nods, and they all continue on their way.

Hilda and Evelyn arrive at the rendezvous point, and observe the building behind a nearby wall. Hilda notes that she doesn't see any traps, and Evelyn says she doesn't either, though she remarks that Irene has most likely prepared something. Hilda asks if they should just break in, and Evelyn responds that she doesn't see any other way of approaching this. Hilda asks if they should wait for Huppe, but Evelyn states that if they resolve the situation now then Huppe won't have to worry so much.

The two of them break into the building, where they are immediately confronted by a mechanical beast under Irene's control. Irene says he was waiting for them, while Evelyn asks where he managed to get all of these things. Irene says it doesn't matter, as he has already succeeded in stalling them there. Hilda asks what he means, and he asks her if she has ever wondered what happens if the new Zodiac Guardian doesn't complete the transition ritual. Evelyn asks Irene how he, as one of the Zodiac Guardians, could ever do this, while Irene just says that he doesn't see any problem with it.

Irene sends forth several mechanical beasts to fight, but Hilda and Evelyn manage to fight back. Evelyn uses her mirror to call forth a flood of water to surround the main mechanical beast and destroy it. Irene, angry, asks how it could have lost so easily, given all the effort he had put into it. Evelyn demands that he surrender, while he laments that he couldn't even win a game like this to pass time. Evelyn asks if all of this is just a game to him.

Irene then explains that he was forced to leave his hometown in order to get the title of Zodiac Guardian, and yet he didn't end up having much to do. He says that his sister even went missing after the transition ritual, and says that it was all the fault of the title. Evelyn tells him that, instead of complaining about it, he ought to actually think and reflect on what the importance of the title is. She says that, while she is sorry for his loss, he could be using this chance to be doing something more meaningful. She then says that she hopes he has learned his lesson.

They hear a voice, and see Huppe arriving. Evelyn happily rushes to hug Huppe, and Hilda asks her if she ran into any trouble on her way there. Huppe says that she didn't, and Hilda expresses her relief that she was okay.

In some unknown space, Liber Prohib tells the adapter that that is the end of the story, and asks what they thought of it. The adapter nods, expressing their approval. Liber Prohib says they are glad to hear it, and asks if the adapter has a story to share as well. The adapter shakes their head, and Liber Prohib says that it is okay if they don't, mentioning that they have a feeling that something will happen soon, involving Nian Beasts. Liber Prohib asks the adapter to share the story when the time comes.

## Counter Units

The Regional Festival event counter unit to this quest is Evelyn.