It's Probably a Trap

Quest giver: Lyse
Location: Kugane (X:10.5, Y:9.8)
Quest line: Stormblood Main Scenario
Level: 61

Experience: 101,000
Gil: 2,070
Previous quest: A Good Samurai Is Hard to Find
Next quest: Making the Catfish Sing
Patch: 4.0

Main Scenario Progress: 414 / 853 (48.5%)

Stormblood Progress: 35 / 162 (21.6%)

“

Lyse is about ready to give up.

— In-game description

Rewards

Choose one of the following options:

Walkthrough

Defeat the Imperial soldiers
Use Smoke Bombs when spotted/chained by Sekiseigumi
Make your way to The Ruby Bazaar
Meet up with Curious Kojin
Follow Curious Kojin to a side alley

Steps

Speak with Gyodo.
Speak with Alphinaud at the Ruby Bazaar.
Speak with Alisaie.
Wait with Alisaie and Lyse on the Tasogare Bridge. Solo Duty. They are located at (12.4, 11.6).
Defeat the Imperial Soldiers.
Follow the curious Kojin.
Speak with Lyse.

Journal

Lyse is about ready to give up.

Your search for passage across the Ruby Sea, as well as information regarding the whereabouts of Yugiri and Gosetsu, has come to a standstill. When presented with Alphinaud's masterful sketch, the few who do not refuse to answer your questions outright will tell you only that they turned the Roegadyn samurai away. Defeated, Lyse is poised to return to the Ruby Bazaar, before remembering a final name on the list provided by Hancock: Gyodo, a Namazu said to frequent the Shiokaze Hostelry

The short and supercilious Gyodo claims not only to have met with your Doman friends, but to have helped them secure passage on a ship to Othard. He is more than willing to do the same for you, provided you can pay an exorbitant and undisclosed price. Though eager to proceed, Lyse says she needs time to consult with the others, and Gyodo duly agrees. He warns you to hurry, however, as all must be arranged by nightfall.

Back at the Ruby Bazaar, your all-too-promising lead is greeted with skepticism, for Gyodo and his ilk enjoy a less than stellar reputation. Your comrades quickly conclude that the Namazu is attempting to lure you into a trap...and that for lack of a better plan, you may as well spring it.

The plan is simple: you will accompany Alisaie and Lyse to the Tasogare Bridge, where you will meet with Gyodo as agreed, while Alphinaud observes from a distance. Should anything untoward happen, you will return to the Ruby Bazaar with all haste, making every effort to avoid an altercation with the Sekiseigumi.

Gyodo's sudden but inevitable betrayal comes as no surprise, but the enthusiasm with which Lyse boots him into the air does. Though you have little to fear from the ambushers themselves, the city full of samurai drawn by the sounds of your struggle could present a problem...

Perhaps suspecting you of being the agents of foreign powers, the Sekiseigumi dispatch several patrols to the Ijin District, preventing you from reaching the safety of the Ruby Bazaar. All seems lost until a mysterious Kojin appears and bids you hide while he directs your pursuers to another part of the city. Your path now clear, you return to Hancock, and at last learn the identity of your savior: Soroban, a Kojin of the Blue. The jovial beastman duly confesses that he did not aid you wholly out of the kindness of his heart. A merchant by trade, he seeks to broker an agreement with Hancock, who is more than happy to do so. All the while, the unconscious Gyodo that Lyse carried on her shoulder to the Ruby Bazaar twitches...but you will have your answers from him soon enough.

Though plainly still annoyed by the whole affair, Lyse seems satisfied that she managed to bring Gyodo back alive. That said, it may be prudent not to leave her alone with the Namazu, lest she be tempted to find out how much further she can kick him...

Dialogue

Accepting the quest:

Lyse: Well, I suppose we might as well head back to─ Wait! I've just remembered!

Lyse: There was someone on my list I forgot to visit: Gyodo.

Lyse: He's a "Namazu" fisherman─whatever that means─and a regular here. Maybe we'll find him if we look around?

Speaking with Gyodo:

Gyodo: ...What, what? Why do you stare? You have business with me?

Lyse: By the Twelve, a talking fish!

Gyodo: Yes, yes, a talking fish. How very observant of you, ijin. <sigh> You find me in good spirits, so your rudeness I will ignore this once─but only if you address me again in the proper manner.

Lyse: Sorry, I've never met a─ Let's start again. You're Gyodo, right? My name is Lyse, and this is [Forename]. We're looking for some friends of ours...

Gyodo: I see, I see... Both these ones I know well. I helped them secure passage across the Ruby Sea.

Lyse: Really? That's wonderful! Could you do the same for us?

Gyodo: Yes, yes, this would not be a problem. For you, I could charter a ship this very day.

Gyodo: But the journey is fraught with much peril! The fare will not be cheap. Are you sure you can afford to pay?

Lyse: I didn't think to bring any money...but surely Tataru will let us take whatever we need from the Scions' coffers, right?

Lyse: We wouldn't be the only passengers, though... Could we take a moment to talk it over with our friends?

Gyodo: Yes, yes, but hurry! Your ship must depart under cover of darkness. We shall meet again at sunset on the Tasogare Bridge. Do not forget your fare! Bring many gil, yes!?

Lyse: It's about time our luck changed! Alphinaud and the others will be thrilled!

Speaking with Alphinaud at the Ruby Bazaar:

Alphinaud: We spoke with a number of merchants and captains at the southern piers.

Alphinaud: Several recognized Gosetsu and confirmed that he had been searching for a vessel to deliver him to Othard. None, however, made any mention of Lady Yugiri...

Lyse: Yes, it was the same story for us─and then you'll never believe what happened...!

Alphinaud: ...So this Gyodo claims to have aided both Gosetsu and Yugiri? How fortuitous.

Hancock: Not the word I would have chosen, Master Alphinaud.

Tataru: Stupid's what I'd call it! How can you agree to his price without making any attempt to haggle? Or even confirming what it was in the first place!?

Hancock: Yes...that too was a misstep on their part, but it is not what troubles me most. Gyodo and his brethren are not renowned for their generosity of spirit. Rather, they are disdained as scheming moneylenders, ever eager to turn a profit from others' misfortune.

Alisaie: Everyone else we questioned stated that Gosetsu was alone. Only Gyodo claims to have met both him and Yugiri...

Alisaie: I suppose it's just possible that Gosetsu made inquiries by himself, and only called upon Yugiri once he had found a willing captain...?

Hancock: ...But it is equally possible─if not more likely─that you are being deceived. Do not forget that there are parties present in Kugane with agendas which may run contrary to your own.

Hancock: The viceroy was once a spy herself, as I recall. I should be surprised if she did not have countless agents here in her employ─all eager to prove themselves to their new master. And what better way to do so than by delivering her the heads of foreign insurgents?

Lyse: Fine. You may be right about him. But if Gyodo's working for the Empire, who's to say he didn't try the same trick on Yugiri and Gosetsu? I mean, if he did, he might know where they are. And if he succeeded, they might be in trouble!

Lyse: Anyway, if he holds up his end of the bargain, we'll have nothing to worry about, will we? But if he tries to betray us, I vote we take him prisoner and punch him till he tells us the truth.

Alisaie: So, if it's a trap, we'll spring it and deal with the consequences. Hmm...I like the way you think.

Alphinaud: <sigh> Very well... We should prepare for the worst. Tataru will remain here, and I shall follow the three of you at a discreet distance.

Hancock: Once more, I must caution you to avoid physical altercations at all costs─even should imperial agents attempt to engage you. The Sekiseigumi will not hesitate to clap you in irons...or cut you down.

Hancock: If anything untoward should happen, you are to return here at once. Is that clear?

Speaking with Alisaie:

Alisaie: To review: Lyse, [Forename], and I will meet with Gyodo as planned.

Alisaie: Alphinaud will keep watch from a distance, ready to provide support in the likely event that Gyodo attempts to betray us to the imperials or whomever else.

Alisaie: Should that happen, you and Lyse will subdue him, and together we will make our escape.

Alisaie: As our actions will surely draw the attention of the Sekiseigumi, we will evade them with Alphinaud's assistance and return here with our prisoner. Does that meet with everyone's approval?

Alisaie: Of course, these precautions will be for naught if Gyodo does not play us for fools...but we shall see. To the bridge!

Speaking with Alisaie at the bridge:

Alisaie: Our would-be ally is nowhere to be seen... Make ready, [Forename]. Something smells...fishy...

Duty start (cutscene):

Alisaie: He's late...

Gyodo: Endless and most sincere apologies to you and yours, yes, yes.
This way, this way. Quickly now!

Alisaie: Enough. Where are you taking us? Where is the ship?

Gyodo: The ship, the ship... So very sorry to inform you, yes, yes.
Long before was it pledged to another.

Gyodo: To me, to me! These ones are for Doma!

Lyse: <sigh> I knew it couldn't be this simple...

Gyodo: Nothing personal, yes, yes? Just business.

Lyse: Then business is about to take a turn for the worse...

Lyse: Come on, let's find a way out of here!

While fighting the imperials:

Alphinaud: Disappointing, but not surprising. In retrospect, we probably should have─

Alisaie: Quiet, Brother! Fight now, talk after!

Lyse: I'll hold on to Gyodo! You deal with the imperials!

While making your way to The Ruby Bazaar:

Alisaie: As expected, the Sekiseigumi have caught our scent. Since fighting them is out of the question, we'll have to wind our way back to the Ruby Bazaar, evading their patrols as we go.

Alisaie: If they find you, use these smoke bombs to make your escape!

Use the smoke bombs to evade the patrols. Be warned that attacking the Sekiseigumi will result in failure.

Alphinaud: Split up and head for the Ruby Bazaar! And remember: under no circumstances must you engage the Sekiseigumi!

Sekiseigumi Blade: You there! Lay down your arms and surrender at once!

Lyse: Dammit, they've found us!
Use a smoke bomb so we can escape!

Lyse: Nice work! Now, let's find a way out of here...

Lyse: <huff> <puff> That was close.
Now, which way to the Ruby Bazaar...?

Lyse: The streets are crawling with Sekiseigumi...
Keep those smoke bombs ready.

Lyse: Oh bugger─they've got a whole squadron out front!
What do we do now, [Forename]?

Curious Kojin: Come with me. I will guide you to your friends.

Lyse: First a talking fish, and now a tortoise? <sigh>
What have we got to lose?

Alphinaud: Thank the Twelve you made it!
I feared our Kojin friend might not find you in time.

Curious Kojin: Everything is going to be all right. Trust me...

After reconvening with Alisaie and Alphinaud (cutscene):

Curious Kojin: Stay hidden and quiet. Understood?

Sekiseigumi Blade: Clear the road! Clear the road!

Sekiseigumi Blade: You there, Kojin! We seek four foreigners─one a brutish woman carrying an unconscious Namazu. Have you seen them?

Curious Kojin: Four foreigners, you say? Ah, yes! Very rude they were, making no apology as they barged past. They went that way, I think.

Sekiseigumi Blade: Many thanks, good sir!

Sekiseigumi Blade: With me! They cannot have gone far!

Curious Kojin: All is well. The Sekiseigumi will not return this way for some time,
I should think.

Curious Kojin: You are of the East Aldenard Trading Company, yes? Come with me.
I know a safer way.

Hancock: You are returned─and with guests, I see.

Lyse: Our meeting went about as well as expected. We've brought the Namazu who thought to betray us. When he wakes up, we'll see what he knows about Yugiri and Gosetsu.

Hancock: Well done you. When I saw the Sekiseigumi out in force, I did begin to worry, but I see my fears were misplaced.

Lyse: Actually, if it weren't for Soroban, we might not've gotten away...

Soroban: 'Twas my pleasure.

Alphinaud: Yet I must ask, Soroban: why would you deceive the Sekiseigumi to help us─foreigners of whom you know naught?

Soroban: Why, out of the kindness of my heart...is what I would like to say, but my motives are not so pure.

Soroban: I chanced to witness your meeting with Hancock at the tavern,
and saw an opportunity.

Hancock: An opportunity?

Soroban: Like many, I came to Kugane as a trader to make my fortune.
Kojin of the Red may serve the Empire as mercenaries, but Kojin of the Blue walk a different path.

Soroban: Regretfully, most here would rather not meet our gaze, much less do business.

Soroban: So I seek the custom of those less predisposed to dismiss us outright.
Namely, the East Aldenard Trading Company.

Alphinaud: Quid pro quo, is it? Well, there is no denying that we owe you a debt. What say you, Hancock? Will you consider doing business with our entrepreneurial friend here?

Hancock: Rest assured, Master Soroban, that in matters of trade the company does not discriminate. We would be honored to hear your proposal.

Soroban: I promise you will not regret this, good sir!

Soroban: Ah, yes─you sought passage across the Ruby Sea, did you not?
I have a ship you can use.

Alphinaud: You do? Well, then! Far be it from us to refuse! You have our deepest thanks.

Soroban: And you mine!

Speaking with Lysa (finishing the quest):

Lyse: I'm still annoyed he tried to deceive us, but at least we were prepared for it.

Lyse: Even so, next time we should probably try to avoid running around Kugane in the middle of the night with half the city guard snapping at our heels...

It's Probably a Trap

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