"... that's a whole lot of info for just a lilac-haired young lady to know. Got it. So you're saying she is absolutely our best lead. But we can't let her too close to Akira, just in case.

And she feels slightly like kindred to the Barians. Good. That makes things so simple."

Kaz drains his glass of sake and pour another. Not like he can get drunk anymore anyway.

"Do you have any crystals? Shards or whole, doesn't matter. I got one person whose expertise in this stuff would be invaluable. Magic isn't exactly my strong suit."