When Partitio arrived back at the factory, Floyd was still standing beside the ruined steam engine and examining it carefully. He went back and forth between looking at the segments of the steam engine that had failed when he operated it previously and staring at the clockite that laid on the ground at his feet. His eyebrows were pressed together in deep thought, but he couldn't seem to pull any sense from everything he was seeing. The solution felt like it was right there, but he couldn't figure out how he was meant to find it.

Luckily, that was just what Partitio was there to do, and he wore a bright grin as he pushed the door open. "Floyd! Sorry to keep ya waitin'!" The merchant stepped up so he was just in front of Floyd, and the clockmaker stood just beside him. 

"Ah, Partitio," Floyd greeted. When he looked away from the steam engine and clockite, he saw the clockmaker, and his lips twisted into a frown. "And this is...?"

"Meet our clockmaker," Partitio replied, his smile growing wider as he gestured to the smartly dressed man beside him. 

"A clockmaker...?" Floyd echoed, tilting his head to the side in confusion. 

Partitio nodded. "Clockite's used to make clocks. Makes sense when ya think 'bout it, huh?"

Understanding bloomed across Floyd's face, and he gasped as he rushed over to Partitio. "In other words, he can work the stuff!"

"Yup. This fella can bend that metal however you'd like." Partitio gestured down to the containers of clockite littering the floor and stepped back to give the clockmaker as much space to work as he required. "Anyway, we'll let you get to it, old-timer."

The clockmaker nodded, picking up a piece and stepping a little bit closer to the fire in the furnace. He kept a respectable distance even so though, never daring to stray too close. "Temperature control is key to working clockite. Overall, it's quite a simple process. Watch and learn, and you'll master it in no time."

Floyd nodded eagerly, unable to hold back his excitement for even a second longer. "Yessir!"

~~~~~

Partitio and the rest of the travelers watched carefully as the clockmaker taught Floyd how to work with clockite. Since this was the travelers' second extended wait of the day, some of them had taken to sitting on the steps leading up to the upper level of the factory. Others had chosen to claim seats on closed crates lining the edge of the construction room. Partitio was the only one who remained just beside Floyd, watching eagerly as the clockmaker worked away. Partitio doubted he would ever need to fully master the craft of handling clockite, but he was still interested. If this would do something to help people, then he was more than happy to learn as much as he could. There was no harm in broadening his horizons and developing a new skill, after all. 

Quite some time later, Floyd had constructed the outer shell of a steam engine. He glanced over at the clockmaker to ensure it was as structurally sound as it could have been, and the clockmaker nodded. Floyd laughed giddily and rushed over to Partitio to share the good news even though Partitio could already see it from where he was standing. "We did it, Partitio!" Floyd cried out. 

Partitio walked over to the steam engine, not bothering to correct his mouth when it naturally began to fall in a circular shape. "Oho! Ooooooh..." This steam engine looked very similar to the original model, but the clockite was a far cheaper replacement for the iron that had previously been used. It was holding firm beneath any pressure that could have been put on it, functioning the same way as a regular steam engine. If Partitio didn't know better, he never would have thought this was made as an imitation of the first model. It seemed to improve upon itself in every way, and Partitio knew this was what they had been searching for all day. 

"With this new process, we'll be able to mass produce steam engines!" Floyd exclaimed. He picked up a nearby blueprint that he had been using as a reference throughout the creation process and started to write away. Quite a few changes would need to be made in order for this version to hold up in the future, but if Floyd had pushed through the improvisation process once, then he was certain he would be able to do it again. From there, it would simply be a matter of teaching others where the differences were and how to change course to correct the shifts. 

Partitio tipped his hat to the steam engine. It was an inanimate object and could not return the favor, but he still found it to be an appropriate response to the progress being made. "Heh. Looks like the world's one step further along the road to prosperity." If Floyd was right, then this would lead to the steam engine being mass produced, and Partitio couldn't even begin to imagine how much good that would offer to the world. The steam engine had already revolutionized Clockbank. What would be next? Where would be next?

"My dream is one step closer to coming true too. It's all thanks to you, Partitio," Floyd beamed, finally setting his blueprints aside after having completed his current round of notes. 

"Aw, weren't nothin'!" Partitio assured him with a shake of his head. "Now... Let's crack open a bottle to celebrate!" He heard clamors of excitement rise up from the other travelers, and he knew they were all just as eager to go to the tavern as he was. This was an occasion worth celebrating, and every single one of them was going to enjoy it however they could. 

Partitio and Floyd parted ways with the clockmaker shortly after leaving the factory, and when they stepped outside, they found that night had fallen. It was no wonder Ochette had started to fall asleep on Castti's arm when Floyd was finishing up the last few stages of the building process; it was incredibly late. After they enjoyed their food, the travelers would probably have to turn in for the night. They hadn't been able to talk to Roque yet, so Partitio would try to go to the office one more time. If that fell through, then he could wait until the morning. 

The travelers and Floyd claimed the largest table available at the tavern, and all of them perked up upon ordering drinks and food. Floyd sighed heavily once he had passed along his order to the employees behind the bar, his head falling into one hand. "It's been a long road..." Something contemplative rose in Floyd's eyes, and he looked up at Partitio with a tender, soft smile. "My master was the one who invented the first steam engine, you know. We hailed from a coal mining town past its prime. Our mines had all been exhausted, and times were tough... We wanted to find a way to revitalize our dying town. That's when my master came up with the idea for the steam engine. But we didn't have the capital, and our research stalled at the development phase."

Partitio crossed his arms, already having figured out where this was headed. "That's when Mister Roque showed up, wasn't it?"

Floyd nodded. "We owe him so much. He invested in us, employed us... It's been eight years, and now, finally, our shared dream has tangible results."

"I remember what you said to me, Floyd," Partitio told him, leaning over the table with his elbows. "'If we can mass produce the steam engine, the world's manufacturin' capability will expand tremendously. Prosperity for all, and all will benefit,' you said."

Floyd nodded once again. "I believe steam will save my hometown and all the other places out there that share its fate."

"It'd prove all your master's blood, sweat, 'n' tears were worth it, huh?" Partitio asked, and Floyd nodded. Partitio smiled, flipping over a coin he had pulled from his pocket during the conversation. "It'll happen, Floyd."

"Only because of your help, Partitio!" Floyd pointed out with a shake of his head. A moment later, the travelers' food arrived, and Floyd gasped before looking up to the waiter. "Thank you. I appreciate it."

"Time to dig in and enjoy ourselves!" Partitio grinned, reaching for his fork without a second thought. In an instant, he had practically launched himself into the food. He hadn't realized just how hungry he was until after he was already looking at his meal for the night, and now, he couldn't seem to stop thinking about it. Maybe working all day on the steam engine had tired him out a lot more than he thought. 

Beside Partitio, Osvald had finished off his massive mug of coffee, and before the waiter could step away, the scholar held the cup up. "Could I get another?" he asked. Despite the late hour and the dark time of night, he was still intent on enjoying as much coffee as he could stand. 

Partitio couldn't help but stare at the mug as the waiter took it off Osvald's hands and then went to refill it. Osvald had enjoyed the coffee at Gil's tavern a little bit too much back in New Delsta too, and Partitio had been curious about the scholar's choices ever since then. Partitio thought coffee was fine, he supposed, but his preferences had always rested more with a nice mug of mead. "Whoa there, Osvald. Easy on the coffee," Partitio said with a small yet uneasy smile. "Why're you drinkin' the stuff in a tavern, anyway?"

Osvald looked at the mug of alcohol sitting just before Partitio, and his eyes narrowed critically. "Alcohol numbs the mind and slows the wits."

"So... You do it for the science 'n' stuff? That's a laudable attitude," Partitio replied. He supposed that if anyone he knew was going to do something for the sake of science, it was probably going to be Osvald. Everything he did seemed to come back to his research and the work he was determined to put into it. "Wait... Does this mean that strapping physique of yours is also all for the science?"

Osvald took a moment to consider his choice of words, and Partitio wondered if he had missed the mark. For all he knew, the reason Osvald was so strong had nothing to do with his studies. Maybe it was just because of all of the intense work he had been forced to do on Frigit Isle. Partitio never got the chance to backpedal though since Osvald nodded his confirmation. "Of course. Every good scholar possesses a trifecta of strengths: discipline, stamina, and willpower. Regular exercise is an indispensable aid for improving all three." Osvald didn't say that he would have to be careful with what he chose to do to test his body after what he had been through on Frigit. He didn't need to; Partitio had already helped to ease him back into regular life following his escape, and it had been a challenging feat for them both. 

Luckily, Partitio was more than happy to express his appreciation without bringing up Osvald's time on the island. "Hooo-ey! I knew there was a good reason for all those muscles!"

The waiter returned to the table a moment later, and Osvald gladly accepted the mug of coffee he had been given. After giving the server a curt nod, Osvald turned to look back at Partitio, his eyes shining with curiosity. "Speaking of which, you are lean but strong, with not an ounce of wasted sinew. How do you train?"

"Me?" Partitio asked, his eyes wide in shock. He hadn't ever thought of it as training. Most of his combat experience was from either many years ago or the very recent past when he had fought against Giff and then taken to the road. His body had wound up this way through chance and very little else. "I just work hard, and the muscles come along for the ride."

"The triumph of practical application over theory..." Osvald murmured, his voice so quiet it was muffled by the presence of his beard. He took another sip of his coffee and then nodded at Partitio. "You have given me valuable insight today."

Partitio wasn't entirely sure of what insight he had offered to Osvald, but he supposed he had no reason to complain. "I'm glad to hear it." With that, Partitio returned to his food, wasting no time in spooning another bite into his mouth. He was looking forward to retiring to the inn that night and then resting the remainder of the night away. He was disappointed he hadn't seen Roque that day, but he would be able to make an appointment the following day, he was sure... Not that Partitio knew the first thing about making an appointment with an expensive company like the one Roque worked as part of now. 

The rest of the travelers were all silent as they enjoyed their food. Everyone was so hungry that they had very little room for conversation aside from the exchange between Partitio and Osvald. Partitio gave up on trying to talk after he focused back in on his own meal, and each bite brought delight to his senses that he hadn't thought possible after his day of hard work. This was exactly what he had needed, and he couldn't believe it had taken him so long to realize it. 

By the time everyone had finished their food, Floyd had downed the rest of his own alcohol, and he rubbed at his mouth with his napkin. "That was delicious," he smiled. His gaze slid up to the clock on the wall, and Floyd's eyes went wide. "Ah... Shoot, it's about time for the boss to come by for his inspection."

Partitio's eyes went wide. Floyd was going to speak with Roque that night? Things really couldn't get any better for him. "You're goin' to see Mister Roque? Can I tag along?"

Floyd nodded. "Of course! I'll go on ahead." He reached into his pocket and dug out a small pile of leaves, and he left them in a pile on the table just beside his empty plate. "I'll let him know you want to see him. Come by whenever you're ready!" Partitio nodded, and Floyd darted for the door, vanishing through it moments later. 

Partitio's stomach felt like it was on the verge of bursting, but he pushed through it to retrieve Floyd's leaves and then walk over to the counter. He would speak with Roque, ask about everything happening in both Clockbank and Oresrush, and then return to the inn for a nice, long night of rest. Everything was going to be just fine, and Partitio was looking forward to it... At least as much as he could look forward to going to speak with someone who was supposedly responsible for such deep pain for him and the rest of the people who lived in his hometown. Partitio had been doing his best to avoid thinking about the situation with Roque taking over the land in Oresrush for a while, but he wouldn't be able to stay away from it forever. Tonight, everything was going to change whether he was ready for it or not. 

Once he was up at the bar, Partitio leaned over the counter. "Hey there, can I have the bill?" he asked of the man behind the bar. The waiter nodded, and after passing Partitio the information from the night's meal, the merchant dropped the necessary leaves to pay for the food onto the countertop. The waiter moved to break the bills for change, but Partitio shook his head. "Heh, no need for change. I'm feelin' generous today!" The waiter looked shocked, but he gladly accepted the change and tucked it away into his apron's front pocket. 

Partitio returned to the table where the rest of the travelers were waiting for him, and he clapped his hands together grandly. "Alright, everyone. Are y'all ready to head up to the factory and see if we can talk to Mister Roque?"

"I'm ready to sleep for a week after all that delicious food," Ochette sighed dreamily, but she pushed herself to her feet and rushed toward the door anyway. "But I guess that can wait until after we've had the chance to talk to your friend!"

Partitio nodded, doing his best to fight down the sudden, overwhelming flash of guilt that came with Roque being referred to as his friend. Once upon a time, Partitio wouldn't have doubted it for even an instant, but now... After what he had learned in Oresrush, Partitio had no idea how he was going to face Roque. He knew it was an understandable reaction, and he could only hope he was able to pull himself together enough to respond sensibly when they saw each other again. Partitio wanted to consider himself friends with Roque after all they had been through back in Oresrush, but if Roque had betrayed them all, then...

No, he couldn't think like that. Partitio was going to hear the truth from Roque himself. For all he knew, Giff was lying through his teeth about the deed to the land. Partitio wasn't sure what he felt at the moment or what he wanted to be the truth, but he was going to wait and make up his mind until after he had seen Roque. This was the chance he had been waiting for. He would be able to find Roque, talk to him, and hear about everything he had been doing for the last few years. Partitio would have his answers soon enough. He simply had to be patient for a little while longer. 

Once all of the other travelers had pulled themselves together and started for the door, Partitio opened it and then stepped off to the side. He gestured for everyone else to walk through ahead of him, and they all did so gladly. Partitio was the last to walk through, and once he was out on the street, he let the fresh air clear his head. Everything was going to be fine. He was sure of it. 

Back in the tavern, Ori looked up from the notepad she had been jotting away in throughout the entire meal. She had been tailing Partitio for most of the day, and now, she knew it was her time to gather the information on the scoop she had been waiting for. Ori set her leaves on the table to pay off her bill and then trailed after Partitio and the rest of the travelers quietly. She knew how to keep from being spotted, and that meant she would have a front row seat to whatever happened between Partitio and Roque that night. 

And Ori absolutely couldn't wait to see where it took her. 

~~~~~

The journey back up to the factory was a simple one. Partitio could feel the weight of dinner starting to catch up with him, but he knew that was more than fine. He would be able to rest and recover his energy in the inn once he had finished talking with Roque. Surely a single conversation wouldn't exhaust him that much. He would just have to hear what Roque had been doing for the last eight years, and after that, he could decide what it was he wanted to do with that new information. 

Most of the people who worked at the factory had gone home for the night by the time the travelers arrived, meaning the workroom was empty. Partitio looked around in search of Floyd, figuring he would be easy to spot... But something else was even easier to see, and Partitio's face scrunched up in confusion. "Hm?" He walked over to the spot where the steam engine made of clockite had last been sitting, and he found that it was... Gone. There was a massive empty space where it should have been, and Partitio walked to the center of the floor like he thought it would appear before him if he only got close enough. "That steam engine we finished, it was right here. Where could it have gone? I don't see Floyd around either..."

The rest of the travelers took to looking around as well in search of any traces of the steam engine, but in the end, each and every one of them came up short. Ochette's ears began to twitch seconds later, and she turned to face the door just in time to see a guard bursting through the entrance to the factory. "You there! What're you doing here?!" the man demanded, his voice loud enough to echo off the steel floors of the workroom. 

Before Partitio had the chance to explain himself, another two guards appeared on either side of the one that had yelled at him. All three of them had their weapons at the ready, and Partitio stepped back with his hands up in a show of surrender. "H-Hold on a sec! There's a good explanation for this!" he cried out. 

"No, there's not! Intruder! Intruder alert!" the first guard yelled, and another pair of guards came running down the steps from the second floor of the workroom. In a matter of seconds, there were five guards for the Roque Company clustered together ahead of the travelers, and it only took a moment more for them to attack. 

One of the men swung his sword at Partitio, and the merchant narrowly avoided the swipe. At first, Partitio was too shocked to counter the attack, but Hikari was more than ready for a sneaky blow, and he had his own blade prepared. He returned the slash with one of his own, knocking the guard backward. That left him as a perfect target for a blast of lightning magic from Mahina. The guard stumbled around for only a few seconds before he fell to the ground, and Throné revealed herself as the culprit behind his downfall when he collapsed to show her standing behind him with her dagger's hilt poised behind his neck. 

Another guard rushed at Throné, and she jumped out of the way just in time for Temenos to unleash a column of light magic. The guard shrieked and moved to cover his eyes, but he never got the chance to recover. Castti swung her axe sideways, catching him across the side with the blunt edge of the weapon. The guard was sent sprawling to the floor, too dazed to stand. A third guard moved to retaliate for that blow, but he never got the chance. Osvald moved faster than him, creating a sharp blast of electric magic. The guard went stiff on the spot as the lightning surged through the steel of his armor, and seconds later, he had collapsed to the floor alongside his two companions. 

The final two guards rushed at Agnea and Partitio as a single force, and the dancer pressed her hands together before pushing them out. A massive surge of wind magic sent the guards sliding backward across the metal floor, pure luck all that was keeping them from collapsing backward and slamming into the steel. Ochette revealed herself off to the right of one of the guards, and when he came to a stop, she was ready for him. She had pulled out her axe and swung it sideways into his gut, not piercing his armor but still knocking the wind from his body and dazing him significantly. The guard hit the railing attached to the stairs hard, and he didn't even try to get up again from the pain. 

The final guard tried to run for Partitio once again, but the merchant was ready this time. He may have been caught off guard by the soldiers initially appearing, but that wouldn't happen a second time. Partitio used his spear to slice through the air twice, catching the guard in the shoulder and then the side. The man fell to the ground bonelessly a moment later, groaning in pain. Much like the rest of his companions, he did not try to stand again as the pain fully sank into his body. 

With the guards all on the floor and too dazed to fight, Partitio sighed. "Ah, darn," he muttered. He had been hoping he and the rest of the travelers wouldn't run into too much more trouble after the scuffle with La'mani back in New Delsta, though he supposed he had been a little too hopeful. "Somethin' smells fishy. Time to explore this here factory some more."

"I wonder what this could be about," Castti hummed, looking at the spot where the steam engine had been when the travelers were last there. "I know we heard that steam engines are capable of a lot, but I don't know if I believe that they can sprout legs and walk away."

"It would have taken a lot of manpower in order to pick up the steam engine and take it somewhere else too," Hikari commented. "I have to wonder just what happened after we left to go to the tavern... Though I suppose there's only one way for us to get to the bottom of it now."

Partitio nodded, and he gladly led the travelers up the stairs leading to the second floor of the factory. No other guards came out of the shadows to rush at them, but Partitio had an awful feeling they would end up in another major battle if they made too much noise. Hopefully, they would be able to get to the bottom of this without needing to attract too much more attention. The one battle had been more than enough. 

At the top of the stairs, Partitio found another door that led to an outdoor passage. The walkways were made of steel, and Partitio walked carefully along the flooring, keeping one hand braced against the railing to ensure he didn't tip over the edge into the abyss below. He didn't know what would happen if he or the others fell over the side of the railing, and he didn't want to find out either. Hopefully, they wouldn't have to. 

The travelers remained quiet and careful throughout the journey across the outdoor walkway. Eventually, their path took them to a door that led into another part of the factory. Partitio turned to see if the others were ready for whatever it was they were going to find on the other side, and he found their eyes all gleaming with determination. In all their time walking through the factory, they still hadn't seen so much as a trace of Floyd, and that couldn't have been a good sign. Now, it was time for them to get to the bottom of this, and if all went well, they would be able to find Floyd too. 

There was no one standing on the other side of the door waiting to ambush them luckily. Instead, there was just another walkway that then gave way to two flights of stairs leading to the bottom floor of the factory's western wing. Partitio walked to the edge of the steps and then looked over the railing at the ground below. The steam engine made of clockite was sitting on the floor beneath him, and two men were standing in its shadow... No, not just any two men. Partitio knew both of them. It was Floyd and Thurston... But what were they doing there? Why was the steam engine so deep in the factory when Floyd hadn't made any efforts to move it? Partitio had an awful feeling he wasn't going to like the answer to any of his questions, but he shoved his anxiety down and began the journey down the stairs to the ground floor. 

Floyd's face was broken beneath the weight of its own shattered hope as he staggered toward Thurston. "No... You promised me..." he said weakly even though he already knew no words would be able to save him now. "You said you'd help me bring the steam engine to impoverished towns that need it..."

"Perhaps we made that promise. Verbally. Non-binding," Thurston told him, pushing his glasses higher up on his nose. "But you haven't forgotten the contract you signed with us, have you? 'All intellectual property rights related to the steam engine will pass to the Roque Company in return for provision of research funding.'" Floyd's eyes went wide, and Thurston shrugged apathetically before continuing. "The Roque Company owns all rights to your steam engine. I'm sure our mutual boss will be delighted to hear that you've invented a better model. Nevertheless, we have no intention of letting anyone else benefit from our property. Period."

"B-But...!" Floyd tried to protest, his voice failing him in favor of the tears rising to his eyes. 

"Forget your silly dreams, Floyd. They're not needed here," Thurston said sternly.

Floyd bowed his head in rage and embarrassment, clenching his fingers together tightly. "'Silly?' I won't stand for that. This research can bring prosperity to people all around the world. Technology exists to make life better for people! That's what gives it value!"

"Well said, Floyd. I'm in complete agreement."

By now, Partitio and the other travelers had arrived at the bottom of the stairs. Partitio had heard the entire conversation between Floyd and Thurston, and it filled him with deep anger to hear Thurston speak so casually of ruining the lives and work of others. How could anyone ever think their personal profits were worth putting others through pain untold? Floyd was right; the steam engine could help countless people so long as the company was willing to share its power with them. It had already benefited Clockbank, and Partitio was certain it would only become more helpful once it had expanded beyond the Brightlands. How Thurston couldn't see that--or perhaps how he was choosing to not acknowledge it--was beyond Partitio, but he didn't have to understand. 

All he needed to do was make an effort to change it, and that was exactly what Partitio was going to do. 

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Another chapter! Woohoo!

I really don't have all that much to say about this one. I feel like we haven't had any major changes to the story in a while, so I'm just kind of going through and novelizing things as needed. I'm happy with how it's turning out, of course, but you know how it is. 

I am, however, very excited for the next chapter coming after this. It'll be time for us to get into another boss fight, and I've been itching for another full party boss fight ever since La'mani... Though we haven't really had one in all this time, have we? Three of the party members were absent for the fight against him. What a momentous occasion this is going to be! I can't wait. 

So next time, it'll be fightin' time. Until then, I hope you all enjoyed this chapter. Feedback is appreciated as always. Have a nice day, everyone!

-Digital