Part 50: Chapter 8-3: Those They Cherish

Part 8-3: Those They Cherish


Outlandish Rumors

What’s going on?! Mr. Fritz? Drossel?

You look very serious! Are you here to fight us for the atelier?! Is that it?!

As if! Your place leaks more than the one we rent!

We’re here because there’s something we want to ask!

Like what?! Not my secret savings! Hah, you’ll never look under Sue’s bed… ulp!

Not that either! We want to ask you about the Mysterious Paintings!

Hold on… Mysterious Paintings? You know about them?

Who doesn’t?! The rumors are everywhere! Twin alchemists, exploring worlds inside paintings!

Wooow, really? People are talking about us? Hehe, that’s great!

Lydie, a little modesty! Hehe! Anyway, why do you want to know about the paintings?

We want to make a puppet show about them. There are all sorts of worlds in there, right?

A world with only cute girls, or a world where gold can be found scattered on the ground?



Come on then. We’ll tell you the truth. These painting worlds… they’re pretty fantastical! They’re made of their artists’ thoughts and feelings. So you can have a snowbound cave or palace, or a land ravaged by lava, or a sea full of pirates! Or a forest full of… of ghosts!

There’s all sorts of rare, wondrous materials in these worlds, too! Better yet, anything you find there can be brought here into the real world. We’ve also found people living inside! Real characters! But on a darker note, every world we’ve been in has had strange, dangerous monsters.

And that’s how it works. Does that help?

A lot! Hahaha, now I can write it! I can write a great script, based on this!

I’ve had some new ideas for puppets, too! Hahaha! I need to get back and start work at once!

Me too, Dad! Girls, we’ll see you later!

…Uwah, that was a surprise. They sweep in here, and then sweep out again! Crazy!

Hahaha… But you know what? I think I quite like them. …So intent on their goal, so full of energy… It’s almost dazzling to look at them!

Hmm. I think you’re going to have terrible taste in men in the future, Lydie…

What! What’s that supposed to mean!



Hey! Hold on! Explain yourself! What are you talking about?!

You’re smart! You can figure it out on your own! Anyway! Let’s get to work!


Voices and Secrets



Ah. Were you synthesizing?

Yes, but don’t worry about it. We’re happy to see you both.

These sweets aren’t going anywhere. Let’s take this chance to see you in action.

Sure thing! Now, where was I…



Right, all done! Your turn next, Lydie.

Okay. Right, let me see what to use…



Oh?

Lydie, are you talking to yourself again? You’ve been doing that a lot recently!

I have? Hahaha, I must be tired, that’s all! R-Right, time to mix these together. …There we go! I’m finished too. How is it, Sophie? Plachta?

Very good! Well done! Even more impressive, considering your age.

I concur. There are still some things that require work, of course.

Hahaha, pretty strict! I’m glad, though. I thought maybe you’d say it was terrible!

You should be more confident. Keep working this hard and you’ll be truly great alchemists one day.

I agree. …Ah, Lydie, can I have a moment?

Yes?



How did you know!

How do you think? I can hear them too. Listening to those voices will improve your synthesis. Just don’t rush it. Take your time.

Yeah, I will. I have one request, though. Will you please not tell Sue about this? Sue doesn’t seem to be able to hear them yet, and I kind of feel like I’m cheating.

Sure. That’s your decision. This will be our secret for now, then.

Thank you!

Hey! What are you two whispering about?

Hahaha! Just getting a little advice!

Hey, that’s cheating! Give me some advice too!



What! Lecture? How about we just have a chat!

Hahaha! An advisory chat, is it?



…Why only me? Why can’t Sue hear them?

Hehe, that was real helpful, Sophie, Plachta! Thanks for this!

Anytime! See you around, girls!

Take care, now.

Sue, Sue! Speaking of experienced alchemists we can learn from, we oughta visit Alt! It’s been a while since we’ve been to his atelier.

Sure thing! Let’s go right away!

Alt! We’ve come to look around again…


The Meal of His Life

A-Alt?!

…he’s dead.



Uwah, he talked! Are you alright?!

I’m… hungry…

Huh?

We still have some of the sweets Sophie and Plachta brought us… hurry!



You need to take better care of yourself! Not that we’re ones to talk…

I’ll take better care in the future. I’ve got to get used to this body again.

Again? What does that mean?

I had a different body before. Then, I hardly ever needed to eat anything.

Hmm, interesting… So tell us, Alt. What do you normally eat?

Whatever I find lying around. Mushrooms, grass, tree roots.

What?! You’re joking, surely? You can’t live on that! Are you some sort of survivalist?

No, but…

Very well. I’ll bring you a delicious meal the next time we come over.

You don’t have to bother. So long as I don’t collapse, it doesn’t matter what I eat.



B-but…

Alt, give it up. Once she goes into stubborn mode there’s no reasoning with Lydie.

Very well. If that is the case, I’ll look forward to it.

Yes! Hehe, what would be good? I’ll give you the best meal of your life!

Sue… It can’t be easy having her as a sister.

Not all the time, no… Ha… haha…

I think you’ll love some meat! But we don’t have enough on hand to do this meal justice, so… we’ll be back shortly!



You whipped that up in a flash, huh, Lydie?

Right! Now, we mustn’t keep Alt waiting…


A Willingness to Help

Alt! We’ve got some delicious food for you!

Hi. This does look good. Is this really alright?

Of course! Eat until you’re stuffed, please.

Very well. Mmm… Thank you. That really was delicious. …How long has it been, I wonder, since I last ate this well? Three years? No… longer than that.

T-That long? You really don’t care what you eat, do you?

That’s no good, Alt! Food is where your energy comes from. You need to eat more!

When we’ve been short on money, we’ve had to go without proper food as well, sometimes… It wasn’t easy.

I understand. I’ll pay a bit more attention in the future. You are very kind, though… Helping out someone you don’t even know, simply because he just moved here.

I’m not sure about that… I mean… We just can’t let you starve, Alt.

Yeah, you said it. You’ve clearly got no idea how to take care of yourself!

What? That’s not true. Not really. I can at least do housework.

No need to get defensive. If you need our help with anything, just let us know!

Cooking, washing, cleaning, anything! Lydie will handle it all!

Haha, that’s good to hear. I may well take you up on that offer. Anyway, I need to get back to my research. You take this and off you go.



“Ornament Catalogue” received.

It’s fine. You fed me well, so I want to thank you.

In which case, thanks very much! We’ll see you again soon, Alt!



Alt has acquired the skill “Unbridled Curiosity”.

Unbridled Curiosity - Increase maximum MP.

Home we go, home we go! Let’s see what’s in this catalogue!



Hmm… I wanna try making a Gnade Ring!



Feh! We still don’t really have any good traits to work with…



But we can make do with these!



The runes on the ring represent power, protection and agility. So… one for Alt, and one for Firis…




Agh, I’m totally shot! See you in the morning…

The next day, at the Gates of Merk…

Haah, haah, Uwah. My lungs are burning!


The Travails of a Knight

Yeah. I’m just going through a few things with my superiors.

Superiors? You mean in the knights?

Yeah. The Captain and Vice-Captain.

Wow, the top brass! I’m impressed that you get to be trained by them!

I’m royalty, after all. But they certainly don’t hold back! The captain teaches me the sword, but he’s strict as you can imagine! A single mistake and he hits me with everything he’s got!

Uwah!

The Vice-Captain seems charming enough, but she’s incredibly strong! She hammers me like an anvil, every training session!

Uwah! It’s tough being a knight, huh. I could never do it.

It’s extreme, that’s for sure. Training everyday is harsh. But the knights exist to protect the people. I think I can put up with a bit of training.

Wow. That’s an impressive attitude to have.

Yes, very noble! Your strength is the result of all this training, Mathias!



Hey! What’s with that face, as though you’re expecting something bad to happen?

Yeah! We’re just being nice to you! Come on, Sue, let’s go.

…That was a shock. I guess they’ve finally accepted me. I’m not done for today yet, anyway! Just you wait, Julio, Shanon! I’m going to defeat you next time!
So yeah, if you played Sophie and/or Firis’ home games, they aren’t the only ones who’ve been moving up in the world! Anyway…

Mathias has acquired the skill “Knight’s Pride”.

Knight’s Pride - Increase ATK when HP is below half.

Let’s go to the tent! It’s right there, and besides, there’s never a dull moment in there between Firis and Sophie and Plachta.

Plachta. Can I discuss this recipe with you?

Yes. Of course. Hmm… I see your problem.


Sophie’s Family

But Sophie looks older than her… Odd, isn’t it? I wonder what the story is…

Girls, you should try to gossip more quietly. You do realize we can hear everything?

Uwah, sorry!

Hahaha, I can understand why you want to know about us.

We are best friends, yet teacher and student. And family, though we are not blood-related.

I lived with my grandma, but then she suddenly passed away… I lived alone for a while after that, and then I met Plachta.

There have been twists and turns along the way, but I’ve been with Sophie ever since.



Yes! Like what Sue is to me…

And what Lydie is to me. As important as that!

That’s right. To me, Plachta is completely irreplaceable.

Irreplaceable! How lovely!

Hehe, you two have a great friendship! Thanks for sharing that with us.

Mmm… it really made our day! Anyway, we’ll see you around!



Why? It’s the truth, after all. I don’t want to lose you, Plachta!

…You’re still just a big child, aren’t you?

Sophie has acquired the skill “Wisdom of Alchemy”.

Wisdom of Alchemy - Increase power when using tools. (Items? Nice Q/A KT)

Later that day…

Uwah, another hard day of training, done! Now then! I’ve wanted to ask her for a while, and I can’t hold it in any longer!


Mathias picks up Sophie

Hey, Mathias. What brings you to my atelier?

Not you, I’m afraid. I’m here to see Sophie.



Yes. I’d like to get to know you better. We’re around the same age, too. How about we grab a lunch together?

Ah… sure. I don’t mind… I think? Hahaha.




Hold on. What’s with the scary faces, you two?

Sophie will take any invitation she is given. So we have to protect her.

That’s why, Mathias, we are declining your offer on her behalf!

Hahahaha. Sorry? About all this…



Firis? I’m looking for someone a little older, I think?




Ah, but taking Firis out on a date is even less allowed! Just shut up and leave!

Uwah, where’d you spring out from?! I’ll find no victory here! Retreat! Retreat!

Ah, you scared him off! Come on, you three, I think that was a bit mean.

Not at all. It’s our job to drive off anyone with designs on you, Sophie.

That’s right! Everyone’s hitting on you all the time, it’s not fai… I mean, it’s dangerous!

I’ll keep you safe, Firis!



…I know you’re thinking about me. Apart maybe from Liane. But do I seem so untrustworthy? So insecure? So unsafe? Hmm, this is complicated…