Live A Hero Conspiracy Masquerade Episode 7 (Abridged)

Standoff at the castle balcony when...
Maculata: Hello everybody, I'm back and I kept the Poderna safe!
Yeah, that!
Maculata: So, time to discuss things and lay it all out.
Red: So you DID steal the Poderna!
Maculata: Calm down, you. We're here to straighten things out.
Red shuts his mouth. Maculata turns to Gaisei.
Maculata: So I know you're having fun, but could you stop for a minute, Gaisei or whatever your name is?
Gaisei: ...are you offering to dance with me instead?
Maculata: I could, but could you let us speak first? Maybe we'll dance with you after that.
Gaisei: ...I suppose I can take a break if I can expect more fun later.
Maculata: Oh you can count on that. You'll join us too, right Astosis?
Astosis: Of course. With all evidence and the Poderna here, we should have our proof ready to go.
MC: Right, let's end this.

Maculata: So back when a fight happened in the ballroom, I was guarding the Poderna. Nobody suspicious was nearby. Then the lights went out. And then I heard something moving.
Nessen: Was it the wall moving?
Maculata: Yes, though I didn't know just then.
Red: ...
Maculata: I notice you don't seem surprised.
Red says nothing.
Yohack: What happened then?
Maculata: Someone came out, someone I'm sure we all know now. Anyways, I grabbed the Poderna and hid under a tablecloth that got knocked off during the fight.
Nessen: I don't know how to feel about that fight helping you...
Maculata: Same here... still, after that I kept watch. Whoever came from the secret passage went for where the Poderna was, but of course it wasn't there anymore.
Red: ...
Maculata: They panicked when they couldn't find it, and then I heard them say "the lights will be back on soon, secure the targ--the target's gone! I have to report back!"

Astosis: ...I see, so they were after the Poderna.
Maculata: So it seems. After that, I slipped into the secret wall as it was closing and followed the sneak. It was easy between the sounds of boots and having a racial darkness vision bonus.
Nessen: You managed to sneak in!? That was dangerous...
Maculata: There was a chance of solving things. Since the Chasseur didn't want people to know about the secret passage, there weren't lights inside. I just hide in shadows, and I'm good to go. Nobody noticed me. Must've been all the panic.
Maculata smiles at Nessen's concern.
Astosis: It's good the Poderna was undamaged, but why didn't you show yourself earlier?
Maculata: I'm getting to that. Right, MC?
MC: Yeah. I was surprised then, but we met up. Sorta.

Yohack: wait what? How?
Maculata: Well...sorry MC, I put these on you.
Maculata takes off those earcuffs she put on MC earlier.
Yohack: Oh right, that was before the party!
Maculata: Yes, these are communicators. I wasn't expecting to use them like this, so I should thank Crowne.
MC: Oh wait...
Maculata: Oh, you remember? Back at Parallel Flight.
Flashback!
Crowne: Here you go, funny request this time. Never woulda guessed you'd ask for a comm that looks like some accessory.
Maculata: Well of course, I have work to do and I need to look good. And if it doesn't exist, I just need to have it made.
Crowne: Huh, well that makes sense. But yeah, it's done! I'm sure no one will figure it out if they don't look closer at it. It's got short range audio output, but I couldn't finagle a voice lock in time, so it'll hear everything around you instead of just your voice.
Maculata: Wait are you trying to make me a spy or something? ...the design's perfect though, thanks.
Crowne: It's cool, come again!

Present
Maculata: I stuck it on you in case we got separated, but the sneakiness helped out a lot and now I owe Crowne a beer.
Astosis: W-wait, you stuck a communicator on MC? Are you saying MC's been sharing everything with you since then?
Maculata: Exactly. I heard everything.
Red: WHAT? Wait...did you slip into the mid-investigation talks?
Yohack: U-um, are you talking about when Nessen and I went off?
Yohack can't keep up with the conversation.
Maculata: Oh right, I should go over that. So once I was alone in the secret passageway, I connected to MC's comm and heard what was happening. Once things were starting, I started talking.

Flashback!
Maculata: MC, do you read me? Keep up your poker face and update me while sounding natural. I know it won't be easy, but at least I can tell you the Poderna and I are all okay.
MC: ...I can explain.
Maculata: Roger. So after the lights went out...
One explanation later...
Maculata: And that's what happened. How dare they accuse you of stealing the Poderna. Now MC, don't let them pressure you, it just means they're desperate. They were going to steal the Poderna and frame us for it, before oopsies that's not working out! So they're pressing for a confession and fishing for info on the Poderna. We could just end this farce now but...
MC: I'm not done yet!
Maculata: Aww, how dependable. It's looking bad, but now's not the time to whine about it. We still have Nessen and Yohack helping us, so we wait for them to bring back proof. Until then, you need to stall. I'll be on standby. If it comes to it I'll use the Poderna as a decoy to keep you safe, so just run then, okay?
MC: ...it's fine.

Present
Nessen: Oh. Well I'm glad you two could talk like so.
Yohack: Was I any help? Hehe, nice!
MC: Thanks everyone!
Maculata: Okay, I think we've filled enough details on that end. Long story short, we didn't try steal the Poderna.
Nessen: Yes, your circumstantial evidence about the window being the only exit has been disproven.
Yohack: ...yeah, since there's a secret passage.
Maculata: And the one who came out was on you Chasseur, yes? Not everyone knew about the passage, and if any of the guests didn't come back that would unnatural.
Red: ...urk!
Nessen: Now, are you still going to try to blame MC for what happened?

Astosis: Now that we have conclusive evidence, does the Chasseur have a rebuttal?
Red: ...
Astosis: ...well! Very impressive that you managed to prove your innocence in this case. Now is the time for closing arguments. Now please hand me the Poderna.
MC: ...we can't.
Yohack: What!? But why?
Nessen: Astosis, please tell us why you have the castle blueprints.
Astosis: I'm an attorney. Naturally I safeguard confidential information.
Nessen: So you also knew about the secret passage then?
Astosis: ...I didn't think they'd try something so violent.
Nessen: So you claim you aren't working with them? Then please explain one other thing.
Flashback!
Astosis: This castle used to be nobility's as you know. Now it's a museum and sometimes public ballroom.
Nessen: Huh, those designs.
Astosis: Questions? I'll answer whatever I can.
Present
Nessen: How did you know we heard about the castle being former nobility's? You were away while we were in town.
MC: You were having us watched?

Astosis: You think I got that information from the Chasseur? Oh no, I mentioned it when you came to town. I apologize for causing the misunderstanding.
Maculata: Then can I ask something?
Astosis: By all means.
Maculata: Did you know that the jewel accessory from the Poderna was taken off?
Astosis: ...could you elaborate what you mean by that?
Maculata: Something seemed off when the Poderna was displayed to us.
Flashback!
Maculata: Huh...
Astosis: Not what you expected?
Maculata: O-oh, nothing.

Present
Maculata: The Poderna's a beautiful dress planned down to the details. The accessories were planned out as well, but I noticed part of it was missing. It ended up in MC's pocket, but when did it get there? Was it already gone when the ball started?
Yohack: ...it can't have. The city's crafters always look it over and fix it when it's festival time.
Maculata: Meaning it happened sometime between the festival's start and our seeing it.
MC: And it was you who put it on me, wasn't it Astosis?
Nessen: ...I understand something now too.
Yohack: W-what? Astosis, what's going on?
Astosis: ...pray tell?
Nessen: Neither Maculata nor MC's ball outfits had accessories at the start, which the Chasseur confirmed. Which means it had to have been planted on MC after we entered and before the lights came back on. Only four of us got close enough to have done so in that time.
Yohack: Um, that's Maculata, Nessen, me, and...
MC: You, Astosis. It must've been during that dance...

Flashback!
Astosis: ...thank you, MC.
Present
Astosis: (frowns)
Astosis: This is normally where one goes "prove it" but I must admit, I applaud that you've all managed to find out the truth.
Tensions rising.
Nessen: But why all this!?
Astosis: ...I thought you'd have figured that out too.
MC: The expulsion of foreigners?
Astosis: Yes. What would the people think if the Chasseur told everyone about how foreigners stole and defaced the Poderna?
Maculata: What the everloving hell are you on about?
Nessen: You intend to lie to the townsfolks for your own self-interest!?

Yohack: W-wait! Astosis, what's going on!? Everyone in town looks up to you, and you work so hard for them! Why!?
Astosis: Because of how it should be. You and your family know full well what that means.
Yohack: !!
Astosis: Courrèges is the city of tradition, shutting out the world to protect its autonomy and ways. It cannot change.
Yohack: But that makes no sense! People outside already know about Courrèges, and the workshop we visited had no problems with us! And plenty of outsiders enjoy the festival, so if we give it time--
Astosis: So Courrèges should accept them and lose its traditions?
MC: Acceptance is a personal thing, not something decided by others.

Astosis: ...further discussion is pointless.
Maculata: On that point I agree. You can't have the Poderna.
Nessen: Indeed. We will stop you if you mean to denigrate the people's pride and feelings!
Astosis: Negotiations have unfortunately failed... Operator, transform me.
Some other Operator transforms Astosis!
Astosis: Shall I show you the weight of this city's history?
Maculata: MC, transform us too!
MC: Right, let's go!
Beep!
Maculata: We can't give the Poderna back.
Nessen: Yes, not to people who would abuse the feelings behind its creation.
Yohack: ...sorry Astosis, I don't know what's right. But I do know you aren't enjoying this! I'll stop you, then I'll keep talking to you until you get it!
Space French Guard A: All men, to position. Take back the Poderna!
Space French Guard B: D'accord.
Incoming crowd of mobs!
MC: Okay so I saw this coming but damn that's a lot!

The party is surrounded when...
Space French Guard A: OOF
Space French Guard B: wait wh--UGH
Red: WHAT? Hold the line!
It's Gaisei!
Gaisei: Finally. Were you planning on just talking all night? Still, it looks like it was worth the wait if I'm up against someone with the power to protect a whole city. How wonderfully thrilling!
MC: Gaisei! You're actually helping us?
Gaisei: Well I suppose you could take it that way? I just want to swing and enjoy this bloody banquet!
Gaisei charges the mobs!
Astosis: ...the irrational truly are bothersome, but that isn't enough to stop things. Now, time to pass down judgment!
BATTLE START (in battle scene included)

Phase 1
Astosis: Okay MC, give me the Poderna. Then I'll kick you all out and the Chasseur can tell everyone foreigners are unneeded.
Phase 2 (bring Astosis to ~60% HP)
Astosis: MC, thanks again for playing into my hands. But's time for you to leave!
Viewer A: What the hell is this stream? It's from Courrèges? I thought they Space IP blocked things.
Viewer B: Hey isn't that the guy from that one hot spring? New suit?
Viewer C: It's Maculata! Who she fighting?
Viewer D: I don't get what's going on, but cool!
Nessen: Wait, the space region lock is gone!?
Maculata: I don't think they noticed yet. Don't know why it happened, but quick, send in VP!
Astosis: Stop resisting.
Viewer E: Uhh, weird?
VP Gain Amp applied to the party!
Phase 3 (bring Astosis to <50% HP)
Astosis: Oof! Is that what it means to be an excellent Operator? Full power then!
Astosis fires his Ultimate and summons two Judgment Scales!
Nessen: Oof, that's strong!
Yohack: Oh no we're being pushed back!
Maculata: UGH, what kind of weapon is that!?
Astosis: Cease your--what!?
Gaisei attacks Astosis!
Gaisei: Ooh, let me join too.
Astosis: Sheer brute force? Fine, have it your way!
Phase 4 (bring Astosis to ~25% HP)
Astosis: Ugh, not yet! The people only need to be sheep and be guided by the Chasseur!
Phase 5 (defeat Astosis)
Astosis: We...lost? ...I see. Now it's over.