Character Quest:Gandharva:VN:1

[Translation by Kukuru]

Character Quest: Gandharva Episode 1 - Frenzy Tuner

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Tokyo Casino

"If you work by reason you grow rough-edged. If you choose to dip your oar into sentiment’s stream, it will sweep you away." There are many "weights" in this fleeting world.

That man however, is like a mirage whose soul is not bound by the gravity of the world.

A sinful priest that deeply enjoys the investigation of sound that will not be left behind, and submerged in a baby's first bath in sake.

As soon there is momentary joy. As soon the soul trembles. That's all there is about him.

Therefore, he continues to frequent the city of gambling, which is the kind of betting even tomorrow's life, to drink sake and play musical instruments.

Gandharva is the name of that priest... Someone who sits on a vacant seat high in the heavens.

After the series of attacks that occurred in the Tokyo Casino, the casino lost its core management due to the disappearance of Hakumen.

Afterwards, the administration right will be entrusted to the leader who manages the other factions of the Roppongi Guild, as well as the Ikebukuro Guild's Guild Master.

With Roppongi and Ikebukuro joining hands, the recovery process of the Tokyo Casino improves rapidly thanks to extraordinary measures.

In the gambling den of Little Wa no Kuni that stretches underground however, public order of the "town" has worsened due to the absence of the general manager.

Gambling ruffians act as if they own the place, and gambling-related troubles are a daily occurrence. It has completely changed into a dangerous slum with nonstop craziness.

On that day, you visited those grounds as Claude's attendant again.

On paper, Claude needs a part-time body guard because he is passing through a lawless area.

It's most likely his real intention is to show that this town has changed due to one's own interference of an incident...

After being advised about foolhardiness, you were given the duty of an escort and once again showed that those abilities are being evaluated.

You have no idea on how to approach that, so you are being cautious. It's like you were pricked by a nail from Shirou...

... Alright, that will do, [Player], my strongman.

Claude:(smile face) Your actions were truly laborious. I promise that this reward will be more than enough.

Claude stopped at the door and addressed you.

3 options (Same Response)
What do you mean by that?	Can't you get back by yourself...?	What are you really trying to do?

Hahaha! No need to rush to conclusions. I only wanted to observe your talents after a long time is all.

Pardon my joke. From here however, it will be a place where only staff are allowed in.

You're allowed to freely pass the time in the town for now. Once our business has settled, I will send Snow to get you.

I will continue to accompany the young master. It pains me, but please stay in this town for the time being.

I assume you have noticed it by now, [Player]-sama... Public order in Little Wa no Kuni is very poor.

Never enter an alleyway with very few pedestrians around. Please exert caution.

Snow:(worried face) Only outlaws are strutting around this town... Thus, your life is not secure.

2 options (Same Response)
You're leaving me alone in a dangerous place like this?!	That's pretty discouraging...

In case of an emergency, please consult the black-suited gate guard stationed on the main street.

Ah... I believe time is running out. Let us go, young master.

Understood. I'll see you again soon, [Player].

2 options
Eeeh...	Get back soon......
	Hahaha! I can't disregard my strongman's request. Claude:(cheerful face) Alright, I'll come back as soon as possible. Be good and wait until then, [Player].

Claude and Snow disappeared into the door. The door shuts with a ruthless loud noise.

You were all by yourself, sunken in despair in the middle of a desolate town.

Booo... Honestly, we should've went with those people! Even though you're strong, Master, it's still too much for you!

So... What do you think, Master? The two of us on a date despite the fact this is a very dangerous town...

Oh well. Not like we got a choice. I got no map of this town, so I'll just fish for one really quick...

You're roaming the gloomy, underground town as you look at the map Salomon-kun grabbed from somewhere.

Old-fashioned wooden houses are lined up with hanging lanterns lit on the frontage. A stream peacefully flows through the canal illuminated by the street lights.

This scenery is certainly good old fashioned Japan. If you look past the stern passersby, you will find a quaint townscape.

Salomon-kun:(joy face) It's a truly wonderful atmosphere about this town, Master~ Did Japan look like this in the past?

The warmly lit lanterns and the scent of incense in the air... Also I hear the strange sound of an instrument from somewhere...

... Huh what? Sound of an instrument...? I wonder what this slightly exotic note is...

1 option
... That's an interesting sound.

Huh? What happened, Master!? Your face looks drowsy...

N-No, don't go there!! You were told not to enter alleyways!!

You're the type that wanders away from an excursion... W-WAAAAAAAAAIT!!

You walked towards the direction of the sound like you were being lured by it.

After passing through the still depressing alleyway lined with tenement houses, you reach a slightly wider area where a water well is located.

A lone avian wrapped in gaudy colored cloth is sitting on the edge of the well playing a stringed instrument.

So we meet again. If I expected someone, it would be you.

It was revealed to be Gandharva. He is holding a Sitar, a large instrument, with love.

You never imagined someone with a rugged and tasteless physique to produce a soft and pleasant melody with an instrument.

It appears you're interested in this fellow's tune... I don't plan on throwing away my talents just yet.

There's... still more to this melody. Care to stick around for a little longer?

Gandharva returns his attention to his sitar and begins strumming the strings again.

His fingers danced on the 19 metal strings. A melody with a somewhat gentle dancing tempo that seems fierce.

The timbre wins over your ears, and a sweet aroma hangs in the air, stimulating your nose.

When you fell into an illusion like your mind became hazy, the melody coming from the avian in front of you concluded.

I feel blessed to be a master musician. I wish I had such a mesmerized look like yours.

Shall I perform a little more? How about... one short piece?

Without waiting for an answer from you, Gandharva proceeds to play his next melody.

The sweet aroma increasingly shrouds your mind, enveloping you in a strange exaltation.

You completely fell victim to the atmosphere of the situation.

... Thank you for listening quietly. This fellow instrument feels delighted to have a good audience after a long time.

As he said that, Gandharva puts his sitar beside him.

Must be fate for us to reunite here. Why don't we go and pass the time for a bit later?

I've been stuck in a rut and there hasn't been enough thrills ever since that "Hakumen" lady disappeared.

This town... is quite fun. It's packed with entertainment brimming with thrills and craziness.

No need to worry. I'll teach you the basics if you're wet behind the ears.

2 options (Same Response)
... Let's go.	My body is moving on its own......

Hey... Master!! Don't do it! You can't give in to such a shady invitation!!

Ahhh my eyes are completely melting!! The heck is this aroma and music...

Delightful. Shall we get going? I'll teach you an easy-to-remember pastime.

Welcome... to the adult's playground, Master [Player]...

Nooooo my wake-up-slaps aren't doing anything!! Snap out of it, Master! MAAAAASSTEERR!!

Gandharva takes you to a dimly-lit shop.

Moving through the dark hallway, you reach the innermost room. Gandharva urges you to go inside.

Beyond that is a slightly spacious tatami mat room. The lighting is scare for its size. There's barbaric-looking men inside as well.

It's difficult to compliment the roster, and there's a somewhat dangerous scent about them.

So, how are you feelin'? Care to join our group?

Gandharva enters the circle with no hesitation.

Gandharva then slowly pulls you closer, holding your shoulder in his arm.

Blue_Oni: Hoh...? Never seen this kid's face before... Ya got guts coming to this gambling den.

Blue_Oni: We switched bankers just now. So, you're on board with this tehonbiki?

Blue_Oni: Well, I reckon it's a tad difficult for an amateur kid like you.

Soft gambling doesn't suit Master and I. Ain't that right?

Gandharva smiles sneeringly and peers into your face.

His bewitching expression makes it feel like you're being sucked in. That sweet aroma tickles your nose.

1 option
... Yeah.

Blue_Oni: Tch. Aren't you bright kid. I won't give in if you cry like a baby from losing badly.

Blue_Oni: Here's an idea... If you lose all yer money... How about you pay with that soft body of yours as collateral?

The people inside the room burst into laughter by the banker's crude joke.

Don't get intimidated. That won't happen if I took that into account.

Now... Let's get wild together.

Prompted by Gandharva's ecstatic face, possibly lusting, you take a seat in the gambling den.

There's all sorts of gambling. Tehonbiki is one of the most prestigious kinds of gambling.

Now, I assume you are aware of the rules for tehonbiki?

2 options
Yeah.	Nope.
Excellent... Seems you play a lot for your age.	To put it simply, it's a game to guess which of the six cards the banker chose. The banker picks out a card nobody can see and presents it to you covered in a cloth. We have to guess what that card is, and we can guess one to four choices. Naturally one choice can add up to four. If you want to savor the best orgasm, just choose one... "just one."

The first move, called the "first hand", and the wagers start from the next.

Blue_Oni: Alright let's begin. Watch carefully as best you can.

The man who's the banker, starts flipping through small cards behind his back.

His expression, his hand movements and habits are shown in the first hand. All of that is the basis for decision.

If you take that in consideration and guess... you should be able to see which one he chooses naturally.

Gandharva's voice whispered into your ear.

Strangely enough you don't feel like losing when you heard his voice. You concentrated on the man's movements in front of you.

Blue_Oni: Alright... The cards are in. Here's your chance to make a living. Make your pick!

So, how will you wager, [Player]?

2 options (Same Response)
Either "3" or "5" ... Actually-	I'll go with a single card, "3."

Heheh~... So you know the card?

Blue_Oni: Uh-oh, a reckless chap using only one right off the bat. I respect your backbone.

Blue_Oni: Now let's open the hand... GAME!

The card that was rang by the oni bookmaker was "3." It matched the card you wagered.

The surrounding players are noisy because of you proving to be completely right.

Blue_Oni: This fella surprised me...! A big win! How's that for beginner's luck huh?

Blue_Oni: 'Tis getting interesting... Here's a written challenge for ya.

Blue_Oni: If you score another point on the next turn, I'll double the payout.

Blue_Oni: If you lose, you'll be broke in an instant. So, you up for it?

Hoh... Ain't that an interesting proposal? Such a rule rarely appears...

What's your call, Master [Player]? You risking this huge gamble?

1 option
I'll do it.

Fire_Ninja: Seriously...? They're a pretty big deal despite how they look...

Water_Kuruhoku: Hah! They're just all talk cause they won by pure luck. They'll be bawling like a baby later.

Such fighting spirit... This is getting exciting, isn't it, Master?

... How many games have you played since then? You piled up on victories each time.

The avian's voice that entices you becomes even sweeter and breathless.

However, one man who felt uncomfortable with the victorious results disagreed with the air of the situation.

Water_Kuruhoku: Now hang on a minute! Ain't it odd? It ain't possible for them to win so much!

Fire_Ninja: I-I know right...! No matter how you look at it, it's unnatural for someone to win this many times!!

Dark_Ninja: The little rat must've cheated somehow!!

1 option
I wasn't cheating...!

My master did not cheat whatsoever. They're purely blessed with a talent for gambling is all.

Such little brats they are... going insane with jealousy when they witnessed nothing of the sort.

Fire_Ninja: Shut the hell up! You must be coughing up a foul trick too!

Water_Kuruhoku: I knew something was fishy here! Let's crush 'em, gang!!

Yelling loudly, the other players attacked you from all directions at the same time.

My my, they lost their temper. Can't be helped when this sort of thing happens.

Let's just step out of the way for a minute, Master.

Even as he said that, Gandharva's expression makes it seem like he's been looking forward to this twist.

3 options
You look awfully happy about this.	I shouldn't have came after all.	My arms are tingling...
Hoh, is that right? It's not exactly easy for me to express my emotions. Even when it's intentional...? Hahaha! Not like I care.	Aww don't say that. Enjoying a brawl is also a real thrill of a gambling den.	Don't you understand? You still got potential.

Now, let's get rolling. Come and get it, you punks.

Ninja: Still babbling huh! I'll break that beak of yours so you can't talk shit again!!

Ninja: Prepare yourselves, gang!!

[Battle]

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Water_Kuruhoku: Guaaaah!! How is this brat so strong?!

Fire_Ninja: It's not so bad with that freak bird, but how are we struggling with one bratty kid?!

Dark_Ninja: This damn rat..! You're gonna pay big time for making us look like fools!!

Sigh... Gangs nowadays are so persistent...

2 options (Same Response)
An instrument?	What are you planning to do with that?

Observe. This is something you're familiar with.

Gandharva slid his fingers across the sitar strings. As a result, the mobs stopped moving.

It's the melody that you heard a short while ago. A sweet aroma then hangs in the air.

2 options (Same Response)
This feeling...	It's the same as before.

They stopped breathing for a moment, Master. I'm afraid I don't know how to use discretion with this "characteristic" of mine.

You stop breathing as the sitar's melody becomes intense.

And just like that, all the mobs' expressions have gone senile very fast...

Before long, the glaring directed at you wandered off into space.

And you were patted on the back as if it was to say "it's okay"...

... Gandharva smiled sneeringly.

Let's get funky... shall we?

Fire_Ninja: ... Hey, you. I remembered about the other day...

Dark_Ninja: Damn... You got some nerve doing that yesterday!

Every single mob started making accusations at someone. That was then a chance for someone to get punched...

Water_Ninja: The hell, you shithead! You're asking for it now!!

Kuruhoku: Be my guest! I'll beat your ass up!!

They were affected by the instrument's melody, and they started throwing punches at the air whilst not concerning you at all.

It's like they were completely misled by a mirage, throwing fists in the way of the day after tomorrow, occasionally hitting their colleagues.

As they repeated such a thing, the mobs destroyed themselves one by one.

Blue_Oni: They all got knocked out, oof... Might as well call it a day.

Every single mob passed out completely before your eyes.

Oh... right. Sorry for laying this place to waste.

Blue_Oni: Don't you normally do this? Isn't that how some gambling dens get totaled?

Think it's a bad habit of mine. Oh well, I should've been more careful.

Welp... I lost interest completely. Let's head back for today, Master [Player].

You left with Gandharva, leaving behind the corpses of the gambling den.

[Transitioning...]

... Eh? Ah yes. I have "that kind" of characteristic.

The aroma drifting from my body pushes those who catch a whiff of it to be driven mad and run wild.

I believe it was a bad thing to arouse my former Master with that, but...

Thanks to you, I got to witness something fun. You have my gratitude, Master.

Gandharva stopped in his tracks to look at you.

You are quite the big deal. You were so vibrant that I couldn't help but notice.

Just as I anticipated... You seem to be a talented professional gambler more than you might expect.

3 options
I doubt it.	What did you do?	How about I show it off some more?
You want to feel even more proud of it? I'll teach you another pastime soon.	Nothing at all. Your abilities clearly earned you those victories. You could say... I aroused your competitive spirit through your nose a little.	Oh yeah... Show me more of your lovely winning figure. It's becoming a bad habit of getting involuntarily turned on by that look...

Here's your earnings. Take 'em.

Gandharva presents you a drawstring pouch filled with lots of coins.

A large amount of money is attractive. If you bring this home, Shirou, who holds his head in account books, will be delighted.

... As far as you can tell, the amount of money is too much for a mere student.

2 options
Give it back to those people.	You can have it, Gandharva.
Do you make a lot of money all the sudden? Surely it surpasses a child's pocket change.	I'm not interested in money earned by others. You don't need it despite earning a lot?

3 options (Same Response)
This money deserves better, and besides...	The game was fun.	Isn't that enough?

Huhu... Hahaha! Indeed, the pastime itself was fun...

You aren't obsessed with money at all, that's why. What a great chap you are... Kukuku~

After laughing for a while, Gandharva stares directly at you and starts talking.

Master... I believe the "intuition" of the moment is the most righteous.

Well, if those living creatures can't be righteous, would the species have perished long ago?

However, everyone makes a mistake in their judgment by giving that intuition a retrofitting reason and emotional blur.

From past experiences, "it won't proceed smoothly"... and "I'll save up a little bit of money here" for the future...

And they will destroy themselves without believing in "intuition"... That is the saga of all living things.

Talking up to that point, he thought he reached out to you and puts a finger on your chin and lifts it up.

However, you have neither the "past" or "future." It can't be found in this Tokyo's "past" and "future."

Not bound by the "past" and not connected to the future... Such an emphemeral way of living......

I suppose you were able to show off your good fortune to the point it's repulsive in that tehonbiki.

Gandharva's sharp bird-of-prey eyes fixed onto your gaze like he's taking you in.

Of course, Master is only here "currently." You're like a mirage, completely detached from the world.

I finally figured it out. Why was I attracted to your soul when you passed by at the Tokyo Casino that day...

Does it come from love? Or does it come from sexual passion? A terribly ecstatic, indulgent look.

Very nice... It's been a long time since I been this aroused thus far.

A gambler who arouses me so will never become my master...

Apparently, the big gamble that took my fate ended in sweet success.

Snow:( face) ... Master [Player], I have come to get you. Where will you be coming from?

Oops, it seems like he's calling for you. Sadly that's all for today.

3 options
I want to play with Gandharva bit more.	I don't plan on going back today.	I should go now.
I'm flattered to hear that. However... you should head back home for today. You shouldn't be someone like me who makes the gambling den their bedroom.	Don't joke around with adults too much. Especially someone like me. Especially the likes of a professional gambler. If that's what you feel like doing, then... Ah, maybe you don't want to end up with a burn.	Good. I like kids that are reasonable. Go back quick.

Don't fret. It's my responsibility to return this money to the banker.

We shall meet again. When the opportunity comes...

I'll take you to the exciting gambling den again.

Gandharva makes his last comments and leaves while guzzling down the sake that was hanging on his waist.

The sweet aroma fades as he gets further away. The dangerous aroma that drives you mad and wild...

As for the memory together with the excitement you experienced in that place, you won't be forgetting it for now.

Character Quest: Gandharva Episode 1 END