Earlier
"Whoa, so this is your workplace?"
Phil can be seen glancing around the monitor displaying calculations and data. Caelus holds himself from flinching as several pop-ups display data and explain it in simple terms for him to understand.
On one hand, Caelus is grateful he gets to understand more of the sci-fi elements in Zenless Zone Zero. On another hand, some things are too complicated even for someone with a degree in engineering, who also learns shit tons of physics lessons for extra credits.
[Erudition - LVL 0: 901/1000]
At least he gets closer to unlocking the Path of Erudition.
...wait, what powers does Erudition provide him again?
Before Caelus could check through the system, he got distracted by Phil trying to look more into Phaethon's computer, the same one that is used to control Eous to travel around Hollow without getting lost, the H.D.D. system.
Caelus decided to gently pull Phil away from the computer, slightly scared he might've accidentally done something that could've harmed the system. Phil can't help but pout while staring at Caelus with an unimpressed look.
"Don't touch that," Caelus sternly scolds the bunny. "No offense, but you might've broken it. And honestly? I ain't taking that chance."
"Give me the benefit of doubt, will ya?" Phil groans. "I was a top student in my college!"
"Even geniuses might've caused an accident," Caelus says before looking at Belle, who watches the entire moment in amusement. "Tell him, Belle. There must be a time when you accidentally made a huge mistake, right?"
"Nope, never," Belle says with a smug grin.
"Second assistant, I advise not to lie to our walking supernova," A robotic voice appears from the monitor, startling Phil and Belle. "Have you forgotten the moment when youlose-!?"
"Oi, oi, oi! Don't spill everything to our guest!" Belle exclaims.
"Aww, just guests? I thought after everything, we're at least friends," Caelus says while mockingly holding his chest to feign hurt.
"I, um, uh...GAH!!!!" Belle groans in frustration, earning a chuckle from Caelus, who looks at the monitor.
"So, an Artificial Intelligence, eh?" Caelus says before waving at the monitor. "Hi there. Love your description for me, but perhaps you can just call me Caelus."
"Greetings, Master's friend, Caelus. I am Fairy, the number one assistant of the master." Fairy greets the guest. "I am fortunate to meet someone who knows how to show manners, unlike the master's assistant over there,"
"If you would at least stop mocking me, maybe I would show manners to you!" Belle growls in frustration. "And let's not forget the electric bills you're piling up!"
"To be a very efficient assistant, my care wouldn't be cheap," Caelus raises his eyebrow as he notices how Fairy seems to display more human nature than their game counterpart, especially with how smug they sound despite the monotonous tone. "My service had made master's work 74.31% faster and more efficient."
"Huh, I was expecting you to brag that you made it 99.99% faster and more efficient," Caelus admits.
"That number is impossible. Not with how master had to lower the electrical output to prevent bankruptcy," Fairy says, and Caelus is once again surprised at how Fairy could make her monotonous tone sound like they're guilty. Is it a butterfly effect caused by an unknown event that never existed in canon, or is it a change that proves he's in ZZZ's alternate timeline?
...he should stop himself from overcomplicating shits.
"And yet you dare to call yourself top assistant?" Belle mocked the AI. Caelus swears that if Fairy had a human face, they would be huffing in annoyance.
"Alright, I think you guys have been beefing with each other enough," Wise decided to make his entrance as he stopped Belle and Fairy from arguing more. "Thanks for coming, Caelus. And you too, Phil."
"Happy to help," Caelus says.
"Says you. I'd rather not encounter that crazy woman again," Phil grumbles.
"How is this soldier from the Obol Squad crazy?" Belle asks in confusion.
"We caught her petting stray cats at the back of the arcade, and when we were caught, she tried to charge in while ready to unsheathe her sword," Caelus explains with a sweatdrop.
"...yeah, that woman is crazy," Belle can't help but sweatdrop as well.
"Can...we focus on the matters in hand?" Wise rubs his temple. "Caelus, can you tell me more? All we knew was that the Defense Force required help from someone. Do you know why?"
"Sorry, bud. If I knew, I would be part of the Defense Force or an info broker." Caelus says apologetically, hiding the fact that he did know why they were here. "All of this was just my speculation that I made based on my encounter, and it happened by accident as one of them accidentally implies they're here for official business."
"Ah..." Wise mutters. "This complicates things, but thanks anyway."
"So, what do you guys expect from helping us?" Belle can't help but ask.
"Belle!" Wise exclaims.
"What? I can be suspicious of someone willing to help without asking for rewards." Belle argues.
"Like I said earlier, from a former broke man to a financially struggling family," Caelus says while pointing his thumbs at Fairy, which made the screen display an eye flicker a bit while Belle's eyes twitched. "It'll leave a bad taste in my mouth if I charge you guys with money."
"....you accept so you can get the chance to say those lines, aren't you?"
"I have no idea what you're talking about."
"Oh, screw you!"
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Later
As Caelus, Phil, and Belle giggle at the other side of the comm, Wise tries his hardest not to react as he stares blankly at Soldier 11, wondering if he heard her words right.
"Um...sorry, but did you say I need to impersonate Phaethon?" Wise asks in disbelief. To make things worse, Fairy decided it's time to chime in.
"Pretending to be Phaethon - That is a job the Phaethon has ever taken in their commission history." Fairy says. "Searching for 'Pretending to be myself' online. 0 results found. Related results: I sell myself, I hit myself, I kill-"
"Oh, how useful, Fairy," Belle says sarcastically, while Phil and Caelus laugh louder.
"Is everything alright, Crimson Gloom?" Soldier 11 asks in genuine concern, noticing the look made by Wise. "You look troubled."
"I'm...I'm fine," Wise says, trying not to worry his client before pausing. "A-and also, that's not the name..."
"I understand you likely feel a lot of pressure having to pretend to be a legendary figure such as Phaethon," Soldier 11 says, which made everyone on the comm laugh harder than before. "But, Shephard staked his career on your abilities. So, I know you won't let me, the Defense Force, and the citizens of New Eridu down. So, relax."
"...no offense, but those kinds of words only made me feel more pressure," Wise says in a deadpan manner.
"Ah, she's a dork," Belle muses.
"...apologies." At least Soldier 11 had the decency to look sheepish. "I have posted the encrypted commission details on the Inter-Knot. It's...how you all normally do things, right?"
Wise simply nods at the question.
"Alright, I will contact you after you have checked the details and accept the commission." Soldier 11 says, before walking away through the parking gate. Wise was silently watching the entire scene.
"...next thing we know, you'll encounter a Phaethon fan who gushes about how 'amazing' Phaethon was, right next to you, while not even aware who you are," Caelus jokes.
"...I swear if that happens, I'll team up with Belle to use Eous to twist your balls," Wise says in a deadpan manner.
"No, don't do it, Wise. I want to see if it may happen," Belle says jokingly.
"Not you too, Belle," Wise shakes his head, the corner of his lips twitching upward. After making sure Soldier 11 left, he decided to enter the store through the same path when he entered his store's parking area. Caelus had warned that there are actually two people from the Defense Force, with one of them in hiding.
But, there's an issue, Caelus forgets to tell Trigger is the second person from the Defense Force, so Wise and Belle choose to remain wary of her as they had no idea it was her.
As Wise enters the shop through the front door, he is greeted by Belle looking at her phone while Caelus and Phil look at Wise in amusement.
"...please, not a single word from either of you," Wise deadpans.
"Nope, I ain't saying a thing," Caelus says, his tone still has a hint of amusement.
"Neither am I," Phil also says with a similar tone.
"Master, I apologize. I have yet to find an advice on how to complete this unique commission despite having thoroughly researched every Inter-Knot." Fairy apologise.
"Fairy, he's basically 'disguising' as himself. There won't be any disguising required; he just needs to act like himself since he's basically Phaethon." Caelus says in amusement.
"...It seems I have failed again. Such simple logic, and yet I had complicatedit." Fairy chastises herself.
"Fairy, you're not failing," Wise says in exasperation while subtly glaring at Caelus. "And please, let us focus on the situation. Soldier 11 had said she posted the commission on the Inter-Knot."
"Yeah, I got it already," Belle says as she shows the commission details on her phone. "Honestly, I am still surprised how we got a commission from the Defense Force of all people. Accepting this might've helped ease our electrical bill issues. But, still, catching a mole from the rebel is dangerous. Do you really want to continue with this mission? Or maybe we could just cancel it and leave Shepherd with his own luck? I mean, he did give us that atrocious alias."
"...for a supposed law-abiding citizen, you can be evil and petty." Caelus points out. "I mean, throwing your info-broker under the bus because of an atrocious alias is too much."
"Yeah, I mean, not even my bullies that petty," Phil says before pausing. "... never mind, it's something they would've done."
Belle froze in shock, unable to believe her suggestion would draw comparison with a cute little guy's bullies, and if it wasn't for the comparison, she would be focusing on the fuckers who bullied Phil. If this is an anime, Belle would comically turn into a statue and cracks start to form on it.
"Guys, please don't bully my sister even more," Wise says in exasperation. "Anyways, for your question, Belle. I don't think cancelling this would be a good idea. This will not only help with our bills, but also help us gain connections with the Defense Force. I mean, surely they would be indebted to us once we clear this commission."
"That's true," Belle says, snapping out of her thought. "Well, I suppose having a soldier at our side would keep Eous protected. Alright, I guess accepting the commission is fine."
"Good," Wise says before looking at Caelus and Phil. "Once again, thanks for the help, even if it was unnecessary in the end."
"Nah, no problem," Caelus waves it off. "Just be happy to help."
"...F for doubt," Belle deadpanned, earning a chuckle from everyone.
"Anyways, we should leave now." Caelus slowly reached the door. "I would rather avoid another legal trouble again, especially when my recruitment is in process."
"Well, I suppose see you next time," Wise says with a small smile. Caelus simply nods before he and Phil open the door. Much to their surprise, Trigger is in front of the door.
"T-Trigger!?!"/"Charon!?!" The four of them exclaim in shock before they look at each other. "Wait, you guys knew each other!!?"
"Oh, wow. This is quite a meeting," Trigger says in slight amusement.
To be Continued