What's this?
It is a notebook of mine from before I joined the Amberground Bioscience Advisory Panel...
I wrote down all the characteristics and effects of flowers and herbs I studied.
Wow... You wrote it all down so thoroughly!
But there was no scientific basis to anything written in there.
Back then, I didn't have the knowledge to prove my claims.
Still, those two didn't give up on me.
They never gave up, and led me to the missing link to my dreams...
I would have never thought she'd show her face here again...
It's quite the surprise.
And I thought we'd finally be able to cut the budget for her research.
But thanks to the Chairman, we still have a pretext to fire her.
It's impossible to demonstrate the value of her research in just a week, after all.
This simply gives her time to accept the bad news.
I should have expected this.
It's a waste of money for them to employ me if I don't produce any results...
Mana Jones...
Doctor, is there nothing we can do?
Is there no way we can save her?
There is a way. It is not impossible.
Dream Link Notebook
Dr. Whitman?
Dr. Whitman is the foremost researcher into plants and vegetation.
The same research as Mana Jones?
Yes. He was once a part of the Amberground Bioscience Advisory Panel,
and due to his achievements, he was given an honorary Doctorate.
He's an authority on the subject.
Although he is no longer active in his research.
It is true that Mana's research lacks scientific basis.
But if Dr. Whitman recognizes Mana's research and provides a recommendation...
The council would have no choice but to accept it!
We should try going immediately to Dr. Whitman...
Impossible.
Why?
Dr. Whitman currently lives in the town on the Southernmost point of Yuusari, Sahara.
No matter how fast you travel, it will take ten days to get there and back.
The council only deferred their decision for one week.
There is simply not enough time.
I will go.
Please write the request to Dr. Whitman.
I will deliver it along with Mana's notebook.
Even for you, it's not possible!
And Dr. Whitman is famously ill-tempered.
I cannot know whether he will recognize Mana's research...
Then why did you tell me this?
Because...
You thought that I might be able to do it, yes?
Doctor, let me go.
Suede...
Why?
Why would Gauche go to such lengths for me?
Because that's the kind of man Gauche Suede is.
If I can make it over this cliff, I'll be able to cut the distance considerably...
I'm okay, Roda...
I mustn't!
Let us go, Roda...
The gaichuu, Bookers!
Shindan loaded! Black Needle!
Who is it? Is someone there?
Who are you?!
Letter...
I have come to deliver you... a letter...
This is some highly caffeinated herb tea.
It should wake you right up.
Oh, thank you very much.
Excuse me, but how long have I been sleeping?
About a bell...
Thank goodness...
Attempting to cross from the Bee-Hive to out here in Sahara and back in only a week?
You must be out of your mind.
I apologize for causing you trouble.
I have read the letter from Thunderland Jr. and the notebook of this Mana girl...
Thank you very much!
And so... your impressions?
I have never seen such unscientific, ill-proven research before!
It is true that Mana Jones never had a proper scientific education.
But she is more passionate and has more potential than anyone!
So that is why... I want to help her accomplish her dream.
And I also want to help Dr. Thunderland Jr...
You did this for Junior?
Just as I left the Bee-Hive, I asked him...
I really can do nothing, can I?
Doctor?
I can do nothing for my staff when they're in trouble.
And because of that, I have placed a great risk on your shoulders.
Doctor, may I ask you something?
Why are you going to such lengths for Mana?
She hates to lose, see.
The more I yelled at her, the harder her resolve would become.
It was a lot of fun to watch.
That's why?
Suddenly I feel my motivation lacking...
Also, Mana's research will be of greatest use for the Bees.
For us?
Being able to heal the body and heart quickly after an exhausting delivery, you know?
I'd like to be able to, but it's not something I can do.
And that is why you attempted such an insane delivery?
Yes.
Doctor, I may not understand the science.
But Thunderland Jr. is a dependable person.
I believe in him.
Please! Give Mana Jones another chance!
And when exactly did I say I would not?
It is true that her research lacks any scientific proof.
But the contents display an incredible curiosity.
Performing such research on her own is quite impressive.
Just as you said, I can feel her limitless possibility.
Really?
I wish I could mentor her myself!
I am certain that she would be overjoyed to hear you say that.
But you only have three days left.
Are you sure you can return to the Bee-Hive in time?
Of course.
Then I request you link my dreams to hers...
Doctor, how much time is left?
Only half a bell.
He won't make it after all...
Believe in Suede.
He took on this delivery knowing it was impossible.
Believe in him until the very end. Is it not the least we can do?
Doctor...
Suede!
Gauche?
Sorry to make you wait.
And the letter?
Did you deliver it safely?
That is the job of a Letter Bee.
This is the response from Dr. Whitman.
Mana, we're summoning the committee again!
Then...
Suede, thank you!
Mana, let's go.
Roda, let me rest for a bit.
"There is great potential held within Mana's research."
"To crush such dreams would be an embarrassing loss for the Amberground Bioscience Advisory Panel."
- Dr. Whitman.
So what is the decision of this committee?
We cannot disregard the opinion of Dr. Whitman on the matter of Mana Jones's employment.
Of course not! We'd never consider doing something so outlandish!
Then Mana's termination will be overturned?
We have little choice in the matter.
Thank you so much!
Gauche, thank you!
Thanks to you I can continue to work in the Bee-Hive!
Gauche?
Mana...
Yes?
Prepare a potpourri that will wake him up feeling refreshed
and an herb tea to help him recover his stamina.
After that, I studied under Dr. Whitman and finally completed this room.
So this room is like a gift Gauche left us after he crossed over into Akatsuki...
If you ever meet Gauche, I'd like you to tell him that I've fulfilled my dream thanks to him.
I am more grateful to Gauche than anyone else...
Well, what a coincidence that we're all talking about Suede...
Doctor!
Lag Seeing... We might be able to find a clue to what happened to Suede.
Really?
You see, five years ago, I heard this from Suede...
Doctor, do you know of a town named Honey Waters?
No, I don't.
Many people there do not follow the Empress.
It may be a small town, but many people come in and out,
and there are many unpleasant rumors...
Oh, you mean the anti-government activists?
I've heard about them.
On a delivery to that town, I met a strange man.
That man called himself "one unable to become Spirit."
"One unable to become Spirit?"
I would normally laugh at such madman's drivel,
but after Suede went missing, it began to bug me...
I asked Jiggy Pepper to search around if he had the chance.
Jiggy Pepper?
It seems like that person really is in that town.
The "one unable to become Spirit."
Seeing... Your shindan can allow you to see the memories of objects.
You might be able to find a clue to Suede's disappearance,
even after these five years without a trace.
I would like you to deliver the letter I will write.
To the "one unable to become Spirit" in Honey Waters.
Sheesh! The town's right up ahead!
Hurry up, Connor!
Wait!
This path is steep!
Why did it have to be closed to the carriage?
You're hopeless...
Come on! You can do it.
W-Water, please!
I don't have any left!
Lag!
Water is spurting out.
It's spring water!
Ooh, this water looks lovely...
I wonder if there's some honey in it?
Lag!
Don't drink that water!
Why?
The water around here may be called "honey water,"
but drinking it directly is dangerous.
There's poison in it that could paralyze a person for hours after drinking one glass...
N-Niche, don't drink it!
Trinket?
Thank goodness...
About five years ago Honey Waters became a town off the delivery routes.
There are many anti-government activists, and the nasty rumors persist without end.
Will they be okay?
Both of them have quite reliable dingos, so...
What bothers me more is the clue about Suede.
I don't care how small it is... as long as we obtain some information.
A clue about Gauche, somewhere in this town...
I heard that people come and go through this town a lot, but it's very quiet...
Connor, look...
What's that? Look at all the people gathered...
Master Hunt used to be a civil servant, but thanks to a government plot,
he was sacrificed as a human guinea pig, and his body was warped into the sad state you see now.
These evil experiments, the "Artificial Spirit Project,"
were attempting to create a man-made body with the energy of the ancients!
Claws!
But the project ended in failure.
And the government tried to cover up the evidence. They plotted to get rid of Master Hunt!
However my husband and I escaped from the capital Akatsuki in the nick of time!
And we survived!
As ones unable to become Spirit!
Wait, those two...
Mistress Sarah!
Give us your blessing!
I've come from the next town!
Mistress Sarah, take this!
Then, this way...
What's going on here?
The jewel in which resides Spirit Energy!
Spirit Amber!
Black...
A black... Spirit Amber?
That's...
That's Gauche's...
Next: Honey Waters