Part 28: Chapter 5-6: The Mysterious Boy's Omen

Part 5-6: The Mysterious Boy’s Omen

The reputation of our atelier has improved again. I think maybe we’re ready to take the next exam…


The E Rank Exam

Well then, off we go!

Interesting. Your reputation has grown quite a lot. I think you might be ready for the exam.

Awesome, cause we’re ready to rock and roll!

Very well. Then, without further ado, here’s your next task!



An investigation into the odd weather we’ve been having? There have been a lot of storms recently.

Indeed. Too many, I think you’ll agree. Will you help with looking into it?

Of course. This is hardly our specialty, though, and we don’t know anything about lightning!

No worries! We only need you to synthesize a device to measure lightning power and place it somewhere.



E Rank Test Problem received.

Do that, then bring it here to me. It can give you a bit of a spark, so be careful!

Isn’t it a failure if that happens? Ah, well, no matter. This sounds urgent, so we’ll begin posthaste.

The twins go home.


The Finest Lightning Finder

Even aside from our exam, I think we need to make this Lightning Finder as potent as possible. I get the feeling it’ll tell us a lot about the many storms we’ve been getting.

First, we need a Lightning Bomb. A very high quality one.



This should be more than good enough! Now for the Lightning Finder itself, we need that Lightning Bomb, some Steel Balls, and two more heaps of metal.



Good, the measuring device is complete! Next we have to take this to Mireille.

That’s right…

What’s wrong? You don’t look all that happy.

I’m worried about the thunder. There have been a lot of storms recently. Both Mireille and Firis are looking into them now, aren’t they! I just hope it isn’t all some kind of bad omen.

Huh, you’re overthinking things. This device is intended to provide the answers, anyway! There’s no need to worry. Let’s deliver the device and see what happens next.

Yes, you’re right. I’m just overthinking things. I’m sure Mireille knows what she’s doing with this, anyway.

The twins return to the castle the next morning.


A Delivery and an Omen

Great work, twins! Now we should be able to shed some light on the lightning problem!

Yikes… Ahem! So, now we just go out and set it up?

Then we’ll do that right away. See you later, Mireille.

The twins leave.

Not even a smile… Shed some light on this lightning problem! I thought that was pretty good…



We’re supposed to put this thing up in Braisewest, right?

Right. It’ll take us a while to get there, so let’s hurry!

At Braisewest…

We need to place the machine around here. Where, exactly?

Good question. A place to put the device, a place to put the device…



Uh, sorry. Who are you?

Who I am is a trifling question, Lydie and Sue of Lune Street.

What? You know us?

With all the rumors, how could I not? I’ve been wanting to meet you both.



O-okay…



You need to stop your futile struggle and focus only on that which can still be changed. That’s all.

And he’s gone… Just who was that?

Don’t ask me. With all that talk about the future… Maybe a fortune teller? Anyway, back to the task at hand!

Of course, of course. We can’t afford to forget why we’re here!

Let’s just stick it in here… hyah! There we go!

That’s it, all finished! We’ve completed the task!

Great! Let’s go and report to Mireille. I hope she doesn’t try another terrible pun on us…

That boy just now… Hmm. I’m sure I’ve met him before somewhere, but I can’t place it… Am I just imagining things?


Music: Twin Birds Flying through the Wilderness
Music: Twin Birds Flying through the Wilderness -Night-

Still though, since we’re here… Braisewest was bountiful a long time ago, but it looks desolate now because it got ravaged by lightning.

Right. That’s probably why Mireille wanted us to set the Lightning Finder up here specifically. …I wonder what this all means? Let’s report to her first thing in the morning. Whatever morning comes after we arrive back in Merveille.

Two days later…


The Next Mysterious Painting…?


Flower stamp condition : Lightning Finder with quality upwards of 60.

You’ve placed the device. Thank you. Which means… Yes! You’ve received E Rank, twins! Congratulations!

Thank you, Mireille! Which means…

What is the Mysterious Painting this time? I just can’t wait to see it!



No way! But you made a promise! You can’t break a promise!

I’ve got my eyes on the next one. It’s just the negotiations are dragging on.

Which means… I’m sorry, but can you wait a little bit longer?

Uh, very well. We can’t get selfish, can we! We’ll be patient.

That’s very good of you.

I’ve got an idea! Lydie, Sue. Why don’t you try looking for a painting by yourselves?

What do you mean, Mathias? We can do that?

I’ve heard rumors that someone brought a large painting into the city recently. And that there’s another world inside it. In other words, a Mysterious Painting.

I see! If we negotiate with them directly, then…

We might be able to get a new Mysterious Painting! Do you want to give it a try?

Hehehe! I know all about negotiations and strategy! You can count me in!

Sounds like a plan. Good luck! We’ll keep up with our negotiations, too… that is, Mathias will.

What? Me again?

Yes! Now, over here!

Right. First we need to find the person who has the Painting. Who collects all the best rumors?

Maybe Sister Grace, who talks to a lot of people? Or Lucia and Liane, who run shops? Let’s go and see them. We can think some more if that doesn’t turn anything up.



Let’s start with Lucia! Atelier Borthayre is right there, after all.

Lucia! We’re coming in!

Ah, Lydie and Sue! What brings you here today?

We wanted to know if you’ve heard of anyone bringing a large painting into the city.

Hmm, a large painting? A large painting… Sorry, I haven’t heard any talk.

It was worth asking, I guess. Sorry for interrupting your work.

I don’t mind an interruption from you two. I’ll let you know if I hear anything.



Let’s try the church next, then.

The twins go to the church.

Sister Grace! Have you heard about anyone carrying a large painting around?

Someone carrying a large painting around? Sorry, I haven’t heard about anything like that.

I see. Sorry for asking such a weird question.

Oh, no need to apologize. Come and see me any time.



That leaves Liane, then.

Come to think of it, anyone who enters or leaves the city through the gate would have to pass by Liane’s shop.

Right! That’s quite some real estate she’s landed. And hopefully some juicy info, too!

The twins go to Liane’s shop. And I’d rather not spell out its name again.

Ah, Lydie and Sue! Need something?

Liane! Have you heard of someone bringing a large painting into the city?

Someone bringing a large painting into the city? Yes, I know who you want. People in a tavern I frequent were talking about it. Some male alchemist, seen with a large painting.

An alchemist! What kind of person was he?



Apparently he has an atelier on Soleil Street.

You seem to know a lot about him, from only hearing his name in a tavern!

Hehe, I did some checking of my own. Information is the lifeblood of both hunting and retail! I don’t have an exact location on his atelier, though. You’ll have to search for it yourselves.

Thank you, Liane! You really helped us out!

Right then. Let’s go look for Alt’s Atelier on Soleil Street.



I guess we’ll find out soon enough! Off to Soleil Street!

The twins go to Soleil Street.

Oh?


A Quick Interruption

There’s plenty of materials out there, but they are just too expensive.

I see. That’s been a big help, thank you.

The two part ways.



What’s this, little Lydie? You’re not jealous, are you? Hahah, how sweet!

Sue. Go ahead and shoot Mathias.

Sure thing! Where do you want it?

Sorry, sorry, I wasn’t doing anything like that! I wasn’t trying to pick her up!

Oh? Then what were you doing?

I was asking about the state of the market. The reports we get aren’t enough on their own.

Wow. I guess you can be serious, Mathias.

Hey, I’m always serious! I’m focused, most of the time, you know! I realize well enough I can’t see the real world from inside the castle. That’s why I walk the city, to see the truth. And most importantly… I’m also next in line for the throne. I need to build my knowledge for the future.

I’m sorry, then. I thought you were just a hopeless do-nothing, like our dad.

That’s not easy to hear, but at least you have changed your mind now.

I’m sorry, too. I’ve underestimated you too. You’ve been working hard, Mathias!

Hehe, glad to clear that up! I don’t mind if you want to show me a little more respect… ah!



I can’t believe him! Just as I was ready to change my opinion, even a little.

Yeah. I guess Mathias will always be Mathias. Anyway, we have an atelier to find, much as I’d love to hang around and watch him get rejected yet again.

We didn’t find it passing by Hagel’s, or Fritz and Drossel’s, or Corneria’s. Maybe it’s further up the street. …Oh? Hmm…


The Mysterious Boy’s Mysterious Painting

Lydie, what’s wrong? Did you hear that painting voice again?

Hahaha, I think so. It was coming from over there.



In which case, this is the place! If you heard the voice, there must be a Mysterious Painting here! Right! Hello? Anyone home?

The twins walk in.


Music: Scars (Lydie & Suelle Ver.)

Oh? Guests?



Ah, I remember you! That means… you’re Alt?

Who told you that name? Well… No matter. Yes, I’m Alt.



So… What brings you here?

Ah, well, we heard that you were seen carrying a large painting around, you see…

You mean this? It really was a pain to get in here.

I’m sure it was, Alt. How would you feel about us taking it out of here? As it turns out, this painting is actually cursed! Just owning it will make all of your hair…

Sure, you can have it.

What? T-That was quick! You aren’t kidding, right?

Why are you so surprised, Sue?

Because no one normally gives up something so easily! I wouldn't! Never!

Honest to a fault. Of course, I’m not going to give it up for free. You can take it on one condition. I want to join you when you investigate it.

Investigate it? I’m sorry, I’ve no idea…

No need to play coy. I know about Mysterious Paintings and your little trips inside them. If you take me with you, I don’t mind handing over this painting. What do you say?

Very well. That sounds reasonable enough. It can’t hurt to have someone else along.

Thank you. Restoring this painting by myself would be a pain, and I want to visit as many worlds as I can, too. I’ll take it over to the castle then. See you there.

Alt goes on ahead, Mysterious Painting in tow.

Hahaha, that’s great! He handed it over with almost no fuss at all.

No fuss, indeed. He seems competent anyway, so he’ll probably be a help inside the paintings. Now, to the castle, Lydie. We have to prepare to restore that painting!

The twins go to the gallery, where they find Alt waiting.

There you are. This is the painting I found. “The Great Cascades of Anfel.”



After all that fuss, you were the one who found it, Alt! You could have just let me know.

Haha, am I obligated to do that? Now then, both of you, please get to work on restoring it. I’ll wait here until the work is finished. Please don’t take too long.



So all we need is some gunpowder, sand, oil and hidden power. Simple enough!



Alt’s waiting, and I’m sure that the others are raring to get inside. So without any further ado…

The twins return to the gallery.


Entering the Inferno



I’ll write all of that up later, anyway. For now, this means we can go inside, right?



Good. In which case, I want to get in there as quickly as possible.

Hahaha, we’ll get ready as quickly as we can. Please just wait a little longer.

Hmmm…



I’m not sure. I could swear that I’ve met you somewhere before.

I think you’re imagining things. I don’t remember you at all.

Really? That sounds suspicious to me, too.

Come now, Firis. You’re unsettling our Alt. Leave him be.

Fine, fine. I’m sure I’ll remember eventually. Anyway, shall we depart?

We’re ready! Off we go, into the world of the painting!



Finally! I’ve waited so lo-ohhhhhhhhhhh!


Music: In the Sea of Fire -Lydie-



The endless, tumbling flow of molten rock scorches the sky, parches the land, becoming a sea of fire.



Backed by dragon’s roars, this world heads into destruction. Will you stand witness to that fate?



It’s so hot! Where are we, an oven? Couldn’t we arrive somewhere a little cooler?

It really is a world swallowed by magma. Just like the painting showed.

Alt, you look so cool and composed! I think I’m about to melt on the spot!

I was expecting something like this, so I came prepared. That’s all.



No can do. If I give it to you then I’ll be the one all hot.

Hahaha, I guess you’re right. Shall we get moving, then?

Might not be a bad idea. I’m going to end up baked if I have to stand here any longer.

We’ll be in for an easy time if baking is all we have to worry about. Come on!