Part 21: Chapter 4-7: Settlement

Part 4-7: Settlement



Up ahead! Treasure!



Would you look at that… actual crystals!

I dunno how to use these, but I bet they’ll be useful in alchemy! Anyway, back on track!



No kidding about this cavern being full of spikes. This world is seriously pretty… but also seriously dangerous.

And the greatest danger of all, the monster’s nest, still lies somewhere ahead.

At least this cavern isn’t as labyrinth… whatever! Onward!



Eeek! What is that huge, hulking monster?

Dunno, but my gut tells me to steer clear of it! It looks like it can take a real beating before going down.



Hey, Lydie. Remember when we were in that painting in the basement and got attacked by that black Puni thingy? Or when we rescued Lucia from the black monster with scythe-like arms in the Spooky Forest? I have a hunch that giant back there is related to them somehow.

We’ve seen monsters like that in every painting so far. Are they demons from the paintings?

I don’t get anything about it. Anyway, we’ve got bigger lizards to skin! We’re closing in on the ice dragon, so we oughta be on our guard now.



Now that we’re in the deepest depths of the Luminous Ice Grotto, the path forward has become straightforward.

We’ve finally reached the deepest depths… so I’ll steel myself for what’s to come.



There’s a clearing ahead… oh!


Showdown and Settlement

There it is. No time to waste, then!

O-Okay. Gulp!

Lydie, are you sure about this? You seem quite nervous.

I’m f-fine! I’ll make sure this works!

What about you, Lucia? I think I’d make a better decoy.

Thank you for your concern, but I’ve got this.

Understood. Just say the word if it all gets too much.

Right, Lydie, Lucia. Time to get to work!

Right!



Graaoooooooow!

Uh! It turned our way…!

He took the bait! Lydie, now!

U-uh… I can’t move…

Hey! Lydie! Move now, or Lucia is in big trouble!

Graaoooooooow!


Music: Softly Turn the Page

Ugh!

You… both of you, are going to surpass me and become the greatest alchemists in the land! Right?! In which case, this should be no problem for you! You can do this with your eyes closed!

Yes! Thank you, Lucia! As for you… eat this!



Gyaaaagh!



Music: Gemini Wing



Come at me, you overgrown lizard!



I’ll keep us all safe!



Ugh, what a pain! What IS this thing made of?! Lufts would be our best bet against it, but those’ll cause the cave’s icicles to drop on US to boot! …At least the environment’s still good for the Ice Bomb!



Let’s go!



Stand back! Here it comes!



Uwah!

Mathias! Heal up!

Don’t need to tell me twice!

Now, let’s try this out…



Light him up, Firis!

You got it!



Ah, haha… that could have went better…

Hyah!



That went better than Mathias’ attack, at least.

Hey!

Maybe Crafts are our strongest, safest bet, then!




Here it comes again!



Was that all this time around?

I’m glad that was it! Now let’s keep at it!



Now’s our chance! Eat this!



Ah! That didn’t finish it off… so just to be safe!



Get ba-




Aaaaargh! This is bad! Real bad!



I’ve been taking the brunt of this dragon’s abuse, so it’s only fair I treat myself!



Let’s finish this!

Wait, Lydie?! If you don’t finish it off with that, then-



Well?



Phew. It worked! Thank you, everyone. Especially you, Lucia, for doing the difficult part!

Hehe, no need for that. This was all thanks to Lydie’s plan.



Hey! M-M-M-M-M-Mathias! You promised not to say that! Especially not in front of these two!

Hahaha! Whoops! But now that the cat’s out of the bag… How about being honest about how you feel, for once?

What’s all this? What are you talking about, Mathias?

When I asked Lucia why is she always so hard on you two, do you know what she whispered to me? That even though she’s older than you, neither of you ever ask her for anything.

Haha! Hahaha! Lucia, that’s what you’ve been thinking?

Hahaha! How sweet! Lucia, you little sweetie!

Uwaaaah! You’re wrong! All wrong! I don’t think that at all! We should continue the investigation! We’ve defeated the monster, so let’s get moving!

Lucia runs ahead.

I can’t believe her, honestly. We rely on her for so much! Can’t she see that?

I know! Not that I’d ever admit it to her face. Hehe! Anyway… I guess that monster was the boss of this place? Because there isn’t really much left for us to explore.



There’s a pathway, I guess. Let’s see where it ends up.

The party proceeds to the end of the pathway, where they find…


Truce

Hey, you’re right. The color is different, though. I wonder what they are?

Shiny Crystal Fragments obtained.

Phew, anyway, that’s the end of this… achooo! Can we get out of here now? I’m about to catch a cold.

I suppose you’re right. But I wouldn’t mind looking around a little more…

Haha. So adventurous, aren’t we!

Lydie, Sue. This isn’t the end of our rivalry. Nothing has changed. Even if we grew up together, and I’m like a big sister to you. That’s that, and this is this!

That’s what now? You need to spell it out.



Hahaha! Of course, Lucia. We’ll continue to count on you for so much, I’m sure!

Leave it to your big sister! Now let’s get out of here.


A Licensed Alchemist and a Suspicious Alchemist

There were all sorts of things in there! I got frozen by a monster, acting a decoy, all sorts.

That sounds crazy! I’ll need a full report. Ah, Firis. I have your next exam ready.

Thank you, Mireille. I’ll do my very best on the next one, too!

That reminds me… Firis, what rank are you at the moment?

Oh, didn’t I tell you? I’m currently B rank.

Hehe, she’s a certified alchemist. It goes without saying that she’s good.



Hm? Why is everyone gawking at me all of a sudden…?

Lydie has acquired the skill “Gentle Heart”.
Gentle Heart - Increases the Recovery amount.

Meanwhile, somewhere else…



The mysterious boy rummages around, until he finds…



Hmm, very interesting. Hehehe… This is all I need! Hahahaha!