Part 88: Chapter L-9: An Oath of Return

Part L-9: An Oath of Return

Hmm, what else do I need? I need some more rations, and a blanket too…


The Next Mysterious Journey

Ah, yeah. I’ve seen Sophie and the others here. I’m going to leave Merveille for a while.

Of course… You’re a tuna, after all, Firis.

Stop calling me a fish! Uwah, now I feel all smelly!

Wow, so you’re leaving, Firis… Any idea where you’re going?

No, I haven’t decided. I’m just going to see where my feet take me. But I’ve decided on a plan. I’m going to repay my debts to everyone!

Repay…?

Just like before, I’m going to study all sorts of things as I travel. Then I’m going to use the things I’ve learned to help all the people who’ve helped me! That’s how I’m going to repay them all. A bit vague, perhaps, but that suits my style!

Yes, it’s just like you, Firis!

A kind and fine goal to have. We’ll be behind you all the way, Firis.

Hehe, thanks. That really gets me fired up to do this!



Later that day…


A Gift of Return

I want to give something as a gift to everyone who has helped me around here. I’ve got something for most people, but I’ve gone a bit overboard on my gift for Ilmeria…

Let me guess… You’ve run out of materials?

Yes, that’s right. I’m sorry, but could you help me with the synthesis?

No trouble at all! Hehe! A good chance to show you our progress, too!



Lydie, Sue. I’ll be counting on you!

Will do! Hmm… this note says that all she needs is…

…An Elixir of Laawe!



Here you go, Firis. We’ve made the items you wanted.

Thanks! Yes, these look very well made. Right, now it’s my turn! I’ll synth this up in a moment, just hold on.

Great! We’ll watch and get some tips!



So what did you need the Elixir of Laawe for, Firis?

Hehe! You’ll see soon enough…



Hold on, Firis. What is this?

I’ll explain later. I have to get this to her at once! And you’re coming along too, aren’t you, Lydie? Sue?

Of course! Because after all…

This is gonna be good…!



Il!

Here you are again. What is it this time?

Hehehe! I’ve got a present for you today!



What is this? Some kind of item for bending space?

That’s right, Il! It’s a tool that lets you move freely between two points.

Two points? Which means…

I can move freely between your atelier and mine?

That’s right. We can meet up whenever we like!



Wow… You made this crazy item just to keep your promise…? You dummy! You super dummy!

Hey, don’t call me a dummy! It wasn’t easy to think this up, you know!

I know… Thank you, Firis. The strength of your feelings have reached me. …Remember this, though. With this item I can now visit your atelier anytime. If you take too long to come back, I’ll be over to bother you everyday!

Hahaha, I’ll keep that in mind! We’ll be friends forever, Il!

We certainly will, if I have anything to say about it.

…Sue. Sue! Let’s leave them to it.



Hehehe… Anyway! Should we head back to the Garden of Merk? Maybe Liane will have something for us at her shop.

Sure, why not?

We’re here! …Oh… Oh dear…


Liane’s Gifts and Hints

Firis! Firis! Firis, Firis, Firiiiiiiiiis…!



Hehe, that’s right! Firis has given me a present!

That wasn’t a compli… ahem! A present? Is this the gift she was talking about before?

Yes, that’s right! It was a handmade muffler! I don’t think she used alchemy to make it, either. It’s a bit uneven in places… But that just makes it cuter! I’m so happy. What a great gift, truly!

Hahaha! I’m very happy for you, Liane!

Thanks! So now I’ve got a request for you.

I’m sure we can handle it. What do you need?

I want to give presents to people close to me, too. Something famous from this city. But I just don’t know what to choose… I wasn’t able to make a decision. That’s what I want your help with, girls. Can you find some things for me?

What? You want us to choose your gifts? Are you sure?

Yes. You grew up here, so you should have some good ideas. I need three things. Three gifts. Can you handle that?

Sure. We’ll pick things to really impart your feelings, Liane!

Hehehe. You can count on us!

Hmm… something elegant, and emblematic of Merveille…

We have the perfect items for her!



Liane! We’ve got the items you wanted!

We selected them carefully ourselves! Hehe, I’ve got a lot of confidence in these!

Oh, how lovely! I’m sure they’ll love them! Hehe, thank you, girls. I’m glad I asked you.

That’s fine, no problem. Can you tell us who you are sending this to, though?

Sure I can. I’m sending two to my parents back home. The third is for…

Gulp! Who!



The most important person…! Wow, that sounds so cool, right Sue?

Yes! A sweeping romance! But hold on a moment… Surely, for Liane, the most important person in her life would be Firis…?

Sorry! Firis is of course very important to me, but this isn’t for her!

Huh? Who, then? A romantic partner, separated by long distance?

Heh, I’ll leave that to your imagination. Adults have all sorts of secrets!

Uwah, that just makes me want to know more! Tell us, Liane!

No can do. I can’t tell anyone that, even you two.



What? For our dad? What do you mean?

A hint, if you can decipher it… Right. I need to get back to work.

Ah, you’re running away! You can’t escape, Liane!

Hehehe! If I say it’s a secret, it’s a secret!

Sigh… hate to admit it, but we really won’t get anything more out of her on this.

Feh… Let’s go home, Lydie…

The next morning…


Gift of Journeys to Come

Lydie! Sue! I’m coming in!

Hey, Firis. Ah, I see! You’ve come to get revenge on Lydie at cards!

Ah, that is tempting, but that’s not why I’m here… I’ve got a gift for both of you, too!

What? You made gifts for us too?

Of course! You’ve helped me a lot, too. Just this gift alone almost isn’t enough! I really wanted to let you know how grateful I am. So, without further delay, here you go!



Yes. It’s a winger, portable atelier! It’s basically the same as my own atelier! Those wings are really great. It will fly to wherever you need it to!

Wow… I’ve given up being amazed by how amazing you are, Firis.

Me too! Hahaha! Thank you so much for this gift.

You seemed keen on doing some traveling, so I thought of something to help you out. That’s all. Traveling is great! It’s fun, and you learn so much. I really want you both to try it. You’ll make a load of new discoveries if you do… Hahaha! The world is just so large, after all!

OK! Hey, Sue, if we are going to travel, where do you want to go?

Good question. An island? Ooh, a quiet forest! …Ah, I can’t pick just one place! I want to see loads of different places!

Well said! Me too. So let’s really push the boat out…

Hmmmm, seeing them have so much fun is making me itch to get back on the road, too! North, south, or maybe west! Which way should I head next…? Oh, right! Girls! Liane sent for you earlier today. Don’t ask me what for, though…

Liane…? Well, we’ll see what she needs soon enough!

Alright! Off to the garden!

Liane! Liane!

Lydie, Sue. This is for you.


The Doting Sister’s Gift

That’s right! That’s my secret book of recipes for Firis!

Book of Recipes “Firis” received.

Oh dear! This sounds like it could get messy!

Not at all! These miraculous dishes have fostered the love between us!

That doesn’t sound any better!

Hehehe. When thinking about Firis, I just keep thinking of new recipes! I thought maybe they could be used for something, so I’ve been writing them down. What do you think?

Tut-tut, Liane. You’re underestimating alchemy! First, even if you are Firis’ sister, you can’t just start making alchemy recipes…



You’re kidding! That can’t be… wah, it is! We could mix some of these up right away!

Oh, really? I don’t understand, but if you can use them, that’s great.

Hold on. Liane, have you really never done any alchemy?

Nope. Never.

And yet look at the quality of these… You might just be a genius, Liane!

Hahaha! That sounds so likely, I’m actually scared!

Pardon?

Ah, it’s nothing. Hahaha!

Really? Alright then. It’s just something to thank you for everything, anyway. My recipes, named for my love for Firis! I hope you can make some good use of them!

Thank you very much. Wow, it’s a little… nope, strike that, very heavy!

Girls, I hope you’ll continue to be good friends with us!

Sure thing!

Ah, but just to clarify, you should be better friends with Firis than with me. Understand? For example, if we were both drowning in a river, you should definitely save her. Forget about me!

Li… Ah, haha… there she goes again…

Let’s beat it, Lydie. It’s not like she’ll even notice if we ditch her.

Right. Later, Liane! Not that you can hear us…



After all, Firis is a world treasure! She’s the light illuminating this world!



Let’s… all… steen…

Leitzelstein. Anyway, this is the best bow we can get for Firis.



Now, let’s go home! The sooner we can put down Liane’s book of recipes for good, the better!



Learned Bursting Gift recipe.

Zzz… Lydie, what’ll it be?

I found a recipe we can use! Hmm… I think we might have even seen Firis herself making this!



We have! Is this her signature bomb or something?

I bet it is! So we oughta do this thing justice…



We have some solid traits and components to work with here, but this won’t be enough…



Good thing we have enhancers!



And that’s a wrap! We oughta get Firis to show us how it’s done…



Off we go! A gift from the sky!

Did she just…

Better question, where’d she get that broom?



Oh no…

Uwaaaah!


Phew…

I almost thought WE were gonna be collateral damage…



Hehe, do you think I’d let that happen to you two?