Onwards, to the restaurant!
We brought Kemmy to Marga, as we promised, and stepped inside.
Kemmy followed without saying a word.
Ah, how about sitting here? I always sit here when I come to this place.
...Okay.
We sat down at the table Kemmy suggested, and waited for a messenger of Salvatore.
.............
What's wrong?
Ah, er...
Just that there's no real feeling of tragedy here, even though you are likely to be sold further to cover the debt.
~~
Oh? It's not always selling further, you know? They could keep me for their own amusement, or maybe they'd use me for dodgy scientific experiments, or maybe as a heretical sacrifice...
...............
I'm joking.
Heretical sacrifice, eh...
Minvi popped into my head for a moment.
I hope she's all right...
Heya, Kemmy! Long time no see!
Suddenly a shout that overpowered the tumult of the town disturbed my thoughts.
I'll join you if you don't mind.
The owner of that voice navigated nimbly to the seat next to Kemmy and sat down.
How've you been?
Delford... So it was you? Were the others busy?
So these people are the ones, right? I'm a messenger of Salvatore. Guess you heard my name already, but I'm Delford.
...Yeah. How do you know Kemmy?
~~~
The next order... the last order, comes here.
Delford evaded my question, and presented me with a small package.
...What's this?
Some of the latest information we've come across. Please give it to Salvatore.
...But I don't actually know Salvatore?
You should have met him today already. So good luck!
Met him today? It could be you for all we know.
Nah, well, as a hint, I'll reveal that I'm not Salvatore.
...............
Kyaaaaaa!!!
...!?
!?
!?
The sudden scream lead us to look around.
...............
A group of masked claw people had invaded the place.
*hisssssss*
They were heading straight this way.
...!
Were they aiming for me? Or for Delford, Salvatore's messenger?
Kemmy! Stay behind me!
Okay!
I found it curious that he didn't tell her to run away.
But we didn't have time to think of that now, but drew our swords and faced the enemy.
Over in three turns...
Jamrock 150/150 HP
Sandrake 176/180 HP
Pamela 101/110 HP
Minardi 123/130 HP
Phew...
Are you okay?
Yeah, mostly.
Delford didn't escape the combat unscathed, but the wounds he had sustained were all shallow, and didn't need further attention.
What about you? Are you okay?
Yeah, nothing serious over here.
Good, then.
Anyway, I hope you succeed with your last order and get to meet Salvatore.
We'll be waiting here, so let us know what happens.
Yeah...
Bye then.
We left the restaurant...
Salvatore ... who on earth could he be?
How about the old man, Zehed? Could be a blind spot for us.
Judging from the standpoint of age, and then the physical traits too... I didn't notice anyone who looked like he could match those...
We can't exactly search blind here either.
GT: I do not think that it is translated as a mushroom.
Well, no use worrying about it here. We should go elsewhere to search.
So we search around. We're given an option to offer the package to every person we meet. But once they hear that it's meant for Salvatore, they refuse to touch it. (Or in some cases, are irritated, and tell us to use our heads a bit.)
Side note: the pub owner is closing shop. Says he's lost his crowd magnet; the place will no longer be profitable.
So, who's Salvatore? I know you haven't seen every person I've talked to, but you can try giving it a guess.
Guesses ready? Revelation ahead.
...In the prologue posts, I mentioned that the menu screen has four background images. I haven't shown you two of them yet. I'll just use them here as spoiler space. First the morning...
And then the evening...
The view of misty Altamina (?) is kind of pretty, really.
We entered the restaurant named Marga.
Heya, have you given it to Salvatore already?
No, not yet.
Oh... Well, I'm not Salvatore, anyway.
...............
Kemmy and Delford were before my eyes.
Could either of these be Salvatore?
I thought for a while and then...
- Give the information to Delford
- Give the information to Kemmy
- Leave the restaurant
I gave the package we were given, to Kemmy.
..............
Kemmy accepted it and smiled sweetly at us.
There's a mansion in the north, out of the way. Come there.
Shall we go then, Delford?
All right.
With the brief discussion, Kemmy and Delford left the restaurant, accompanying each other.
She was Salvatore, it seems.
Anyway, we should go to the mansion she spoke of.
We left the restaurant...
At the mansion...
Oh, you? Come in.
Thank you for following the three orders.
Thank you for the help at Marga too.
Anyway, Salvatore is waiting for you in the other room, so go in.
Delford was nodding towards a door.
What about you?
I'll wait here.
I see.
Welcome!
Unlike the previous room, this one was clean ... or rather, organised efficiently. Kemmy was there alone, waiting.
So, you were after all ...
Yup.
I am Salvatore.
Whaat? You were Salvatore?
Huh? Didn't you notice?
No, I didn't. How about you, Jamrock?
Well, she did accept the package...
I'm of the second generation, you see.
The first Salvatore was my father. He died some time ago.
Anyway, the town is like this, as I'm sure you've seen, so you need to have some unwritten 'laws' in addition to the written-down ones.
So, the subordinates of my father, including Delford, spent their days protecting this town, and once in a while saving this unworthy daughter of his.
I see...
Me? Dancing is more in my nature, really.
Sorry that we made you run around with those three orders.
I've heard of the situation with the abduction of the miko of the royal temple, and we took the liberty of investigating your character, to see whether you were responsible.
~~~
I don't particularly mind that...
You were as we expected.
...............
You, we will help in any way we can.
~~~
Thank you for the kind offer.
So... you were searching for information about the Order of Dark, Blood, and Claw, right?
...yeah.
We don't know much either, but ... well, it turned out that we have a pressing need for information on that subject too.
As an organisation, they are large. Almost unimaginably large. I'm surprised that we didn't notice them earlier.
They have chapters in almost every town, but we don't know where exactly they are located. According to the rumours, the chapters are for quickly gaining control of the town when needed.
Of course, this town is no exception. We're having frequent brushes with them here too.
I see...
I think they have recently uncovered me too... That's probably why they sent assassins to Marga -- to get me.
...............
Well, that's about everything I can tell you. Sorry, I know it's not much...
It's plenty. Thank you.
What do you plan to do now?
Well, more investigation is our only ...
...!?
...!?
Suddenly, there was a loud sound coming from the other room.
It's the Dark, Blood, and Claw! Kemmy! Jamrock! Run!
Delford's warning was for nought, as the next moment, several masked claw people barged into the room.
How did they find here?
Stand back!
I took the sword from my back, keeping Kemmy behind me.
Combat with the religious assassins ended on the fourth turn.
Jamrock 138/150
Sandrake 179/180
Pamela 91/110
Minardi 115/130
Kemmy! Jamrock! Are you all right?
Yeah... How about you?
Yeah, they went straight to you. I was unharmed.
Oh.
Er... Thank you.
Don't mention it. But ... If these guys weren't aiming for us, then...
Yes... then we have a betrayer.
................
Well, that is something we can handle ourselves.
Kemmy laughed lightly after saying that.
Unworthy daughter, she said, but perhaps she has inherited some skills from her father too.
GT: She said that she was a non-daughter, but perhaps the skill of the neighbor is a father.
You're in a hurry, aren't you?
Yeah.
If you stay here much longer, I don't know what else you'll get involved in. Maybe you should take your leave while you still can?
Yeah... Thank you for your hospitality, then.
You're welcome.
You are Jamrock-san, aren't you?
Hi. Is this a party member encounter?
...!?
I was considerably startled by someone suddenly speaking out to me.
And you are...?
I apologise. I am a messenger from the Zeinhad temple. My name is Joseph Moore.
Apparently not.
I was tasked to bring you new information the Zeinhad temple had received.
Now that he said it, this man ... Joseph Moore ... did indeed look like a priest from the temple.
Did something happen?
There has been a flurry of action in the neighbouring countries, and it is somehow related to the claw people. That was the message.
~~
How useful.
In the neighbouring countries?
That is correct.
But ... at present, it doesn't really seem like information we have use for...
...........
...?
Joseph Moore did neither leave nor continue talking. He just stood there, looking intently at my face.
Sigh...
Really, what was the head priest thinking...
...?
He made a slight grimace, and continued staring at me.
Well, we can't stand here forever either, right?
- Ask him, "What's wrong?"
- Bid him farewell.
- Silence.
What's wrong?
...............
When I first saw you, I immediately wanted to say something to you!
...?
Why did they give someone like you the task of rescuing Minvi-sama? I just do not understand.
And the head priest himself, of all the people, would rely on a savage such as yourself for this! Has he lost his mind?
..............
Does such an act not deny the power of our faith itself in the first place?
~~
The power of your faith...?
Yes!
This for sure is the correct time to calm our hearts and fervently pay for Minvi-sama's sake!
With that, she will undoubtedly return to us! We need not rely on the barbarous strength of swords!
Trying to save her like this -- Zeinhad himself must be lamenting!
...?
Hmph... How uncool.
...?
It's
'that', right? That man, he's jealous of you and this girl called Minvi, isn't he?
...? Is that how it is?
That's what I'm saying.
Huh...
Are you listening to me, Jamrock-san!?
Yeah...
I can't really stand this man much longer...
To begin with, shedding blood for the sake of a goal, is the most foolish possible way for man!
That the church would choose such a method ... and to top it all, give it to a man of no faith like you...
- Argue against.
- Ignore him.
You said that shedding blood for the sake of a goal is foolish, right?
I interrupted Joseph Moore, not knowing how long his tirade would take.
Yes, I did say that. Concerning your actions...
Putting aside our actions for now, I do agree with the thought. There is nothing better than resolving things without bloodshed.
Then...
However, if I can avoid shedding Minvi's blood through shedding some of my own blood and the blood of those who kidnapped her, I will not hesitate to do so.
That is the view of someone who has no faith. If we but devote our lives to God...
Then, go ahead and continue to pray. That is the best method you have. But my best method is the wielding of my sword.
...!!
...............
He suddenly looked exhausted.
Are you all right?
M--Mind your own business!
I see.
Then, are you finished?
...Yes.
Very well, we shall excuse ourselves then...
Ah!!
Joseph Moore looked like he still wanted to say something, but we decided to flee from this place as quick as possible.
...What on earth was that...
Indeed. At least we didn't have to take him into our party.
The scenario is over, we can exit now, but we still browse around for tidbits.
The young woman that recognised us earlier invited us over for tea, but Jamrock refused. Sandrake wished to accept though, asked us to go ahead without him.
Hm, found an event.
We knocked on the door of the old man, Zehed.
Though we knocked on the door, there was no response from inside.
He must be out...
I turned the handle, just to try.
...?
Surprisingly, the door opened easily.
Is the old man not home?
The house was filled with a strange silence.
...!?
I saw the old man lying on the floor in a corner of the room.
Hey! Hello!?
A stab through the heart...
A knife had been thrust deep into his chest. It was clear that he was now dead.
? What's this?
What next caught my attention was a mask, placed right next to Zehed.
This is one of theirs, right?
Yeah...
Was Zehed the betrayer?
Then ... then... Did Kemmy do...?
...Yeah, probably.
"That is something we can handle ourselves."
That is what Kemmy said when we were leaving.
It's probably best to just leave this place quietly...
We decided to leave this place as is, not touching anything...
And one more event found. Infodump time!
(Sorry, I probably butchered the translation. It mostly whooshed past me the first time I read it.)
We opened the door and entered the building.
Inside, there was a mix of smells of various ointments, the combination forming a peculiar reek.
Welcome!
Does Kemmy come here often?
!? N-no, not really...
Oh.
Ah... but recently, there was a second stranger -- apart from you -- who came to buy the Fragment of Immortality.
The merchant spoke in a flustered way for some reason.
She was completely wrapped in cloth, looked like a human woman ... and she bought quite a few other things too.
This woman gives little privacy to her customers.
She did ask for some rather strange things for a human, I found myself thinking... Come to think of it, she may have been a 'Nails Seeder'...
Nails Seeder?
Are you unfamiliar with the term? Nails Seeder is ...
No, I do know it, but...
Nails Seeder is one of the kinds of mixed-race child that are born between parents of claw people and humans.
The child, depending on whether he gets the traits of humans or claw people, is given different terms.
If the traits of claw people are apparent, the term given is 'Nails Baby'. Almost all children fall into this category.
Then, in extremely rare cases, when human traits overpower those of claw, they are called 'Nails Seeders'.
Of course, Nails Babies have the varieties of quarter blood and three fourths blood. If there is much human blood in them, the traits become less apparent. ~~~
But even if so, as long as there are traits of claw people in the child, he gets classified as a Nails Seeder.
By the way, I have never met a Nails Seeder myself.
Well, I probably wouldn't know it even if I had, unless the person explicitly told me that he was of Claw blood.
But, couldn't she have been just a Nails Baby with less claw blood in her?
No ... well... how should I put this... We claw people just know. It's in the atmosphere.
Oh, that's how it is...
Excuse me! Our kid got the flu! Do you have any medicine for that?
Suddenly there was a shout from the outside.
We seem to have stayed long enough here. Well then, thank you.
Ah, yes. Please visit us when you need something!
One more encounter. We chatted with Kemmy a bit. She thought we were useful and invited me into a life of crime. Sandrake wanted to come along too.
All right, I can find nothing more. Let's end this.
Sandrake
Pamela
Minardi
Minardi and Pamela didn't get embarrassed by the high ratings I gave them.
Enemy breakdown:
- bounty hunters x 3
- guards with horses
- regular guards x 2
- wild dogs x 5
- poison wasps x 3
- out of control horses
- ruffians who wish to borrow money from us
- ruffians who believe we're on their turf
Nothing really interesting. This time I killed the guards too.
Activity point tally for today:
Sandrake: 21
Pamela: 10
Minardi: 19
I have no idea how Pamela collected that few points. I think it's related to combat performance ... but she is the fastest in our party so she definitely did land hits.
Stars = 3 + [Activity points] / 2
Total stars collected:
As you can see, Sandrake and Minardi maxed out. I suspect surplus stars are still counted, even if not displayed.
Back to the base camp!