Doctor of Rhodes Island, I hope you fully understand that any extraneous information you provide to me will influence my evaluation of our cooperation... Of course, you can also use this as leverage in your negotiations.

I use this set of counting rods for accounting. It's a gemstone trading tradition dating back several centuries. You merely set it down like this, then... Ahem, I could show you how to use it, but I normally set it down just to let visitors know I'm busy. Besides, it's faster to use a calculator.

Your company's Engineering Department is very interested in my clockwork fowlbeast, and so I made a batch without surveillance functions. This one is for you... A hobby of mine? Hardly. It's a traditional craft in my family. There was a time when our work was unrelated to gemstones.

That's true, I took over the gemstone trading post when I was fifteen. For three hundred years since the day the first set of scales went up, the one who stands behind the counter has never been important, much less his age. Visitors need only see order. Are you perhaps questioning my abilities?

Are you... reading my medical report? Pardon me if this is inappropriate. It's true that I often injure myself with no rhyme or reason. Some say it's because of a family curse, and my life will be as short as the previous overseer. Still, I lived to see those gemstones returned, and that is more than long enough.

The caravan that is now disappearing into the golden sands will reach the markets I shall build anew. Once the commerce network is built, the settlement will grow stronger and stronger... Another 'City of Radiance'? No, I would rather it grow naturally. What happens in a hundred years will have nothing to do with me.

Come here, little cutie. Give this can of meat a try. You'll love it, that's right... Uh... No, it's not right! Doctor, since when have you been here? I'm afraid I shouldn't be taking care of your operators' companions. Could you please help get this slumberfoot away from me?

Oh, my apologies. It's been an exhausting journey. I think I fell asleep— Hold on, you needn't have someone take me to the lounge. You were inspecting the cargo manifest. I had nothing to do and so... You want to tell a story to relax? Something about snow? Oooh, very well.

Trading necessitates weighing your bargaining chips as well as the human heart. After a few rounds of back-and-forth, I already have a good picture of the other party's heart. I feel honored to be able to partner with Rhodes Island, but what do you perceive when you see me...? If you believe this heart will one day grow wings, I shall want for nothing more.

Still asleep? The sands of time are flowing away one grain after another, even if you care not for the gemstone scoured with it.

I would like to thank Lady Anat for facilitating this partnership, but contrary to what she said, I am no longer the gemstone trading overseer of the 'City of Radiance'. All I have now is the codename known to the merchants, 'Sand Reckoner'.

A pharmaceutical company cultivating its own bodyguards? Impressive.

Thank you. If you choose to award medals to make our agreement more ceremonial, I shall prepare a few traditional Sargonian gifts. Do you prefer gold or silver?

I had a dream. I saw my clockwork fowlbeasts taking flight without returning to me. In the end, I stood in front of a long river empty-handed, yet... I couldn't help but feel relieved, knowing they would roam the skies free, knowing where to fly.

I weigh gains against losses, good against evil.

Judging against the security forces I've met, this team holds its own.

The clockwork fowlbeast has taken flight.

I shall not make deals with war and disaster.

What is it you are weighing?

If there is anything you can't see clearly, you can ask me.

Treasures always lead to conflict.

Lives are always used as leverage.

I'm afraid your value is not as high as you imagined.

Can you offer nothing more?

They who dwell in darkness will be punished.

What heavy souls…

Sands gather and disperse, life blooms and withers... You always pick the most difficult among the countless cycles. This is a priceless masterpiece, and I am honored to be its witness.

I do hope they will receive the forgiveness they deserve.

Do you wish to know their whereabouts, or the best terrain for a frontal counterattack? On this battlefield, there is nothing that I cannot see.

No need to be disappointed. With a few more weights, the scales shall be balanced.

I cannot say I agree with post-Crystal Age aesthetic sensibilities.

Do you know how many fingers I've cut for disrupting the scales?

Do you have any thoughts on my electric head-bobbling cloudbeast figurine?

Arknights.

This is the New Year. The beginning of the changing of seasons, and the day everyone purchases gemstones in hopes of improving their luck. If you need any, I can pick a few for you... You prefer one like mine...? Yes... perhaps starting this year, I should allow myself a little wish.

Doctor, remember to wear some more clothing— Um, my apologies. In the desert, the temperature can vary wildly between night and day. This is our customary greeting to visitors.

My family's atonement is a secret, and as such, no one has ever asked me how one is to wash away the whole of Sargon's golden sands. Rhodes Island chose a similarly long-winding road. It is seeing you doubted by others that made me reexamine myself, after which I learned from your experience.