Part 83: Chapter L-4: Things Finally Said
Part L-4: Things Finally Said
Haah…
Conscience and Reconciliation
Or some meat you were looking forward to eating has been eaten by someone else? All I think about is food, is that it? Thanks… I wasn’t thinking about my next meal, actually, but about Ilmeria. Ilmeria? You mean, about the atelier you used to run together? Yeah. She’s the one who invited me to join her… but then I headed off alone on my travels, betraying her. She told me it was okay, but I still feel guilty… She’s not bothered by it at all. She told us! Told us she was happy you went traveling. Come on, you know Ilmeria. She isn’t always honest about her feelings, even with herself.
Someone else isn’t being honest about her feelings here! You should ask her, if it bothers you that much!
Girls… You’re right, of course. Alright! I’m going to go and ask Il, straight up, what she thinks of me. Good, that’s the way. I’m sure it will turn out fine! Thank you! Right, I just need to maintain my resolve! We’re behind you all the way, Firis! Mmm! Hehehe… we really helped Firis out then, didn’t we, Lydie? We sure did! Now, time to go home…
Hey, it’s Firis. She looks a bit nervous… Very well. Time for us to step in… Hey, Firis! What a surprise, running into you here! We were just going to see our teacher. Why don’t you come along with us?
Ah, hello you three. You’ve become quite close, haven’t you all? It’s nothing like that. In this case, anyway. Firis was waiting outside the atelier. Ehehe… Firis, There’s something you wanted to ask Ilmeria, right? Ugwah, you’re ganging up on me! Fine, fine!
Not really?
No, I don’t. Like I’ve already told those two, I’m not bothered at all. I can't begrudge you… because that’s just the way you were always meant to live your life! You are freedom personified. Like a tuna, unable to stay in one place. A t-tuna? I admit I can’t settle down, but still, I’m not a fish! Also, I think you need to do something about your habit of overthinking things all on your own. You get so serious about the strangest things… Can’t you just be carefree all the time? You think so…? Hahaha… I guess I did it again! Hehehe…! That Puni-like smile is more like it! That’s the Firis I want to see.
I haven’t given up on running an atelier with you, yet, either. Okay. I can make that promise. I’ll come back and see you, when I’m ready. So please… Just wait until then, Il! …I think that takes care of that? I think so… Hehe, I’m glad. Now, home, for real!Firis has acquired the skill “Wealth of Experience”.
Wealth of Experience - Increase damage of special attacks.
Borthayre, Clients
Hey, Lucia! Welcome! Come on, don’t just stand there. Come inside.
Thank you. Here.
Yes. We took it at Borthayre, but we just can’t keep up at the moment. I’m sorry, girls, but will you please help me? Hehe, you’re finally being honest with us, Lucia. This is a much better look on you. H-Hey! You always say one thing too much, don’t you Sue? Hahaha! Lucia, you’re blushing! You look like a red puni! Bah! Forget I even came by!
We’ve got your back! We’ll do our best to support you! Haha, well said. Then I formerly offer this job to you. I’m so sorry about this. I’ll be counting on you, girls. Off she goes. Hmm… she wants an Ori Bomb. We have some perfectly fine Ori Bombs already. So should we just… Yeah. Let’s head on over!
A Job Well Done
Wow. This is a surprise. This is far better than what I was expecting! You’ve gotten a lot better at alchemy again! The speed at which you are evolving is almost frightening… Wow, our big sis praised us! Heheh, we can’t let you show us up, after all! Hehe. What would I do without you two around? Anyway, thank you so much. Things should be a little quieter at work now. Great! Glad to hear it, Lucia! Hey, I’ve got a good idea. If this means you’ve got some time, how about we go and have some fun?
Is that really one of them? I don’t remember that one… Hah, you noticed? I just made it up! Never mind, anyway. Let’s go, Lucia! Very well. That should be okay for today. Ohohohoho! Helping her little sisters have some fun is just another thing a big sister has to do! Hehe, fine, fine. Let’s go then, “big sis”!
While they’re all doing that…
Puniboy
Oh, come on in! It’s unusual to see you here, Ilmeria. Oh, not really… You just spend way too much time at my atelier… But never mind that. Today, I am here to give you a present. What, a present? Really? Oh, how wonderful! What kind of present?! Hehe, look and be amazed. This is your present… right here!
Wow, it’s so adorable…! A palm-sized puni…! But why? There was just one left unsold at the shop. It looked so sad that I just had to take it. And you always go on about how cute my puni are when you visit my atelier… So I figured you’d take good care of this one…
Punipuni! Hehe, it looks like it likes you. Come on, then, give it a name. Oh, yes, of course! Hmm… Let’s see, a name that’s cute yet cool at the same time… I’ve got it! Your name will be… Puniboy!
P…
P-P…
P-Puniboy…?! *Pet, pet*… You’re so cute, Puniboy… I hope you grow up to be big and strong… Punipuni… Puniboy…? Hmm… She really has a… how shall I put it…? …A unique taste… Er-hem. I hope it works out for these two… Hey, Lydie, it’s been a while since we went to Mom’s atelier, hasn’t it? It sure has. And we don’t know how much longer she’ll be with us… so we should visit her as often as possible while we still have her! Yeah… To the Heavenly Flower Garden!
The Cute, Growing Twins
…So cute. Eh?
Look at the foresight I had, in making clothing that turned out to suit you so well! Hey, that’s right! I didn’t think we’d ever get to, but now you’ve seen us wearing these clothes! Yes! Hehe, what do you think, Mom? Do we look like alchemists? Yes, you do! Like exceptionally talented, exceptionally cute alchemists! We need to get Roger to paint this. Your cuteness needs to be preserved for future generations! Hahah! You’re starting to sound like Liane… D-Don’t worry, Mom! You don’t need a painting, we’ll come anytime you want to see us! …Ahem!
Aaaaah! My clothing ripped! My side, my side is completely exposed! Oh my! Suelle, sorry, but can you take that off for a moment? What? I think I’m too embarrassed to do that!
Hands off, Mom! I can take off my own clothes! Hmmm… like this, and this, and this… There, all done. I’m glad there was a sewing kit here in the atelier. Amazing, Mom… You fixed that in the blink of an eye! Thank you! Huh… It seems easier to move in than before! Yes. It was getting too small, so I adjusted it a little, too. You’ve both grown so much bigger than I expected when I made this… Mom… I’m glad… Hey, Lydie. Can I take a look at yours, too? It must be getting tight as well. I’ll fix it. Great! Thank you, Mom! I’ll get you something to wear, then. It was super cold while I was waiting! Thanks, Sue. I’ll go and get changed!
…That’s good. Kids should always surpass the expectations of their elders. Being able to watch them grow up, though… Roger, I’m so jealous.The next morning…
That was fun! We should really bring Dad next time, though… Don’t forget Lucia! We’re all family, after all… Speaking of Lucia, didn’t you get the feeling she forgot something as we saw her off for the day the other day? Now that you mention it…
Colleagues and Adversaries
1000 Coll received.
No, we don’t need a reward. We just wanted to help you, Lucia. That’s not allowed. My pride won’t allow you to work with no reward. Hahaha, okay. Some things never change, do they? That’s right. Pride and beauty are my two main ingredients!
Ohohoho! That’s right! Praise me more, go on! Hmm, I wouldn’t call that praise… Hehe. I’m going to make some changes, anyway, you’ll see. Especially about work. I want to reduce the amount we take, and also rely on you when I have to. Hahaha, that’s great to hear. Pushing yourself too hard and burning out won’t help anyone.
My atelier and your atelier. Our two ateliers, growing together side by side. That’s what I want to work together toward. That’s what I think. What about you? Hehe, that does sound good! It’s reassuring for us to know we can count on you, too! Good. Let’s work together from now on, girls!
Hehe… it’s been a wild ride with Lucia over the years, but this sounds like a new chapter in our story, doesn’t it? Sure does… Ah. That doesn’t change the fact that we’re also rivals, however. Drop your guard and we will crush you with our overwhelming superiority! W-What?! That doesn’t really work with your idea of us “growing together”, does it? I meant that stuff, but it’s also a bit boring. Let’s have a little more adversarial cooperation. Hahaha… What are you talking about? …No matter! Count me in! We’re taking Borthayre down!
Ohohohoho! You do your best, if you think you can! I don’t think you stand a chance! I will continue to push you to greater heights… My cute, cute little sisters… Ahem! Now, where was I… Right!Lucia has acquired the skill “Elder Sister’s Pride”.
Elder Sister’s Pride - Gain a chance of avoiding being KO’ed when taking a fatal amount of damage.
Lucia’s First Love
Oohhh… I’m back, Dad! Sue went to buy a comic… Hey, Lucia! Sorry, I just stopped by… Hmmm… What’s up? Why are you staring at Dad like that? No, I was just thinking… Uncle’s getting old, isn’t he? Hahaha, well, look at how much we’ve grown up! Time doesn’t stand still for anyone. You’re right, of course. He was so cool when he was younger, though!
You even said you’d marry him once you grew up! I was a little kid, alright?! But I admit, for some reason, being around him has always calmed me… The complete opposite of my dad, even though they are brothers. So warm, scatterbrained, chaotic…
Hey, Lucia. You’re not bad mouthing me, are you? Not at all. I think you were my first love! Hahaha! Lucia, you definitely need to get some glasses! I know! I was just thinking the same thing!
Uwah, we’ve made him mad! I’m sorry! So very sorry! I think I’d better get going, anyway. Lydie… Look after him for us all, will you? Yes, I will. He’s still my dear old dad, warts and all. What are you… Just what are you two… Hehe, see you later! You’ve got many more years of painting left, I’m sure! And Lydie… about later… We’ll see you there too!Later…
An All-Alchemist Family
A request? Do you want a massage? Have you got an itchy back? No. Actually, I was thinking I want to give alchemy a try!
W-What’s brought this on? And Dad, where did you spring from? I just wanted to see Honnete! Forget that, anyway! What do you mean, you want to try alchemy?! Hah, I’m just feeling a bit lonely… Everyone in this family can use alchemy but me… It’s like I’m on the outside! So I want to give it a try! Ah, so that’s why… What do you think, Dad? Hmm… Once she sets her mind on something, she won’t budge… The same as someone else we know… Yes, I think I know who you are talking about…
Yes. Good idea. A whole family practicing alchemy together would be lovely! Hehe, you’re right! Take your time and teach me everything you can! Okay! Mom, let’s start you off with this Princess Grass… I’ll set the cauldron to this temp… Alrighty. I add this next, do I? Gaaah! T-Too much! Water! Add some water and dilute it! Next, mix it as hard as possible! Hahaha, this is fun! It’s flying everywhere! Splashing everywhere! Go slower! …Uwah, it’s really bitter, too! Finally, we adjust the heat. It’s just like cooking! Mom, hold on! Don’t turn it up that high! Oh dear. At least I finally get to say this line…
Oh dear… What comes next… …Is gonna take a good while…
Hahaha… It doesn’t look like I’m suited to alchemy… I’m sorry, Mom. I don’t really want to say this, but I think you’re right. You are so incredible, all three of you. You do something so difficult all the time, don’t you… Alchemists really are incredible! Honnete… Lydie, Suelle, and Roger. Keep up the good work! I want to be able to boast to everyone I meet about how great my alchemist family is! Sure! You can count on us, Mom! We’ll have our names ring out across every world there is, you’ll see! I’m behind you all the way, girls. You are my precious treasures, after all. Now for something I know I can do… Pancakes! Enjoy, girls. I’ll cover for any customers back in Merveille!Later in the Heavenly Flower Garden…
Auntie At Last
I know! I can’t stop stuffing them down! Ah, I’m so happy! I’m glad you enjoyed them. Now, after eating, you know what comes next? Yes! We tidy the plates away! Come on, Sue!
Yes? What is it, Auntie? I thought you might like to talk for a while. Look how lovely you are, Lucia! T-Thank you…! You look so grown up now. And your hair is so lovely! It looks like you’ve been taking care of it just like I showed you. Yes. I have. I want to be just like you, after all! So beautiful, and so kind! You always taught me so many things… And when you died, I was so sad…! So very sad…! Sniff…
Thank you, though… You’ve been keeping an eye on my two girls for me too, haven’t you? I wouldn’t say that, exactly! Come now, I see everything. Lydie and Suelle have grown up so straight and true thanks in part to you, Lucia. So… Lucia. Please just keep on doing what you’ve been doing. Hehe. I can’t turn down a request from you. They have no respect for their elders, I assure you, but I’ll do what I can to keep them in line. There’s no need to worry, Auntie.
Meanwhile, in Merveille…
Firis, I’m coming in! How’s Puniboy doing…?
Palm-Sized No More
H-He’s huge! Is that really you, Puniboy?! Ah, Ilmeria! Hehe, hasn’t Puniboy grown big?
I think it’s grown a little too big! It’s supposed to be a palm-sized puni! But it’s pretty much the same size as a regular puni! What did you do?! Huh, I didn’t do anything… I just fed him regular food…
Punipuni?
Punipuni…
Punipuni! …See? I haven’t fed it anything unusual, right? The portions! Portions are the problem! How could you give it so much?! Of course it’s going to grow, eating all that! …Hm? Hang on… “Of course it’ll grow big, eating all that”… Oh, I see… Huh?
H-Hey, Ilmeria… You seem to be drifting somewhere far away… Eating a lot is one way to grow bigger… That’s right… I mean, I knew that, but… I blew it. I made a mistake. If only I’d eaten more, I could have grown too…
Hey, Ilmeria… Hmm…? I wonder what got into her, Puniboy… Punipuni…? …Well, never mind. All that talk has made me hungry. Time to eat! I’ve asked Liane to make us her specialty meat dish tonight. Should be delicious! Come on, Puniboy! Let’s eat until our bellies almost explode! Punipuni!
Lucia’s ultimate… Umbrella…