Part 4: A new town, and the first real quest!

(Gyavan) You should still find more allies. That will lead to better formations.
(Kiefer) We'll also need a better wagon or something, then. We can barely hold the people we have now!
The allies you bring with you will change the way you travel.
One more thing to do before we leave...

Thank you! You've saved 2 medals now, Kiefer!
Well, a medal saved is a medal earned?
(Luin) Well, we've decided on who will enter the wagon, right? So let's check out the village to the north! The time has come to head out! Are you ready, Kiefer?
More ready than you are!

Boy, are those guys spiky...
(Alex) That's because they're Spiky Boys. They can learn Defeat All, which attempts to kill every monster on the opposite team, if they're more experienced. These are just lightweights, though.

(Alissa) Oooooooooh! These are Minons! They like casting Upper to improve their defense, and also breath fire from time to time.

Something seems OH GOD BOULDERS!

Those boulders won't expect me to just stand here!

Ow! My slime!
(Slalon) Ow! My me!

Another tiny medal just laying on the ground. Neato!

First, we should try talking to everyone here, Kiefer!
Well, this is an RPG, and I'm royalty, so let's just burst into someone's home! HAAAAAH!

Random Woman: Oh, welcome! Were you lured in by the good smell?
Nope! Just the closest house. But I do want your food.

(Venasu) I'm Venasu, the Eggplaton. I'm looking for delicious foods.
Not while I'm around!
I smelled something good, so I came in to see what it was...
Random Woman: Oh my! I can't tell a monster to go away when it says such nice things, can I? Fine! You don't seem to be a bad monster, so I'll treat you to a real feast!
Alright! Thanks, lady!
Random Woman: I'll make some for all of us! Wait right there! Here you go! It's my deluxe steak! Eat it before it cools!
Wow, it's our lucky day! Let's dig in!
Mmm... Don't mind if I do!
Mmmmm, steaky!
It's delicious! It reminds me of my mom's cooking!
... Not enough. Well, it IS delicious, but not enough to satisfy Kakalon. Thank you very much for the meal though, ma'am. Maybe they're selling something delicious at that shop? Venasu awaaaaay!
Nearby Child: I had a dream a while ago. The adults don't believe it... You believe me, right? About the Master of the Illusions?
Sure! The Master of Illusions teleported me from the bedroom in my castle into this world full of monsters and wagons!
Nearby Child: The Master of the Illusions appeared in my dream, talking to a pretty lady and some others. They were being given something called the Orbs of Loto... By the way... in the northwest, there's a crumbling castle. It seems the ghost of a pretty lady appears there...
Let's keep after that eggplant monster! To the Tool Shop!

Bullish Merchant: Huh? No, no! You wouldn't be able to handle it!
You're wrong! I've studied long enough! I'm a real Merchant now! I can run a great store!
Bullish Merchant: You don't have enough experience. You need more training.
Ugh... I've been training to be a merchant here, but... Even though I've been here to long, I don't get to run the store... Maybe I should become a traveling merchant instead of staying here...
Ummm, are you selling anything delicious? I have money here...
Bullish Merchant: A... Shopping monster!? What a surprise! But if you have the money, a customer is a customer. How about an apple?
Aww, is that all you have? Maybe I should leave...
Bullish Merchant: Just browsing, huh!? As if a monster would ever understand the quality of my goods!
I was ordered by the great Kakalon to search for delicious food. Do you know the great Kakalon?
Only what I've heard from you.
Well, I'll tell you either way. The great Kakalon is one of the legendary Illusions that protect our world. But that doesn't mean Kakalon can pick very good food. It's troubling... Anyway, I can't find any delicious goods. Not anywhere near this town, at least. Ahh, I'd better get back to Kakalon... If I come back empty-handed, I might get eaten instead... Oh well. I'm scared, but I have no choice but to go back to Lorasia Castle.
It seems that the eggplant ghost monster went back to the castle... I'm really interested in what's going on. Aren't you, Kiefer?
This Kakalon seems likely to know something about these orbs. But first, let's finish checking out the town, shall we?

(Leela) ...What? Have we met before?
Yeah - in Del Quondal. Not long ago. I was there, you were there, Luin was there, it was a good time.
Yes, I remember. We met in Del Quondal, didn't we?
Yeeeeeesssssss.
So you came here too. So? Do you want your fortune told? Should I foresee what you seek?
Please.
Fine. I'll tell you your fortune. Wait... Ahhhhhh... There, it came to me. This is the key to hat you seek. It is the shadow of a young woman in a crumbling castle. I wonder if the crumbling castle is Lorasia Castle? She may know something about the Orbs of Loto. Will you try going there?
... You're listening in on me somehow. That's the only possible explanation. Let's check the church and head out, then.

(Not Randol) So my brother Randol isn't here either? Too bad. I'll search the next town. According to the map... Hmm... The next town is far to the west... That's rough. I guess I should go, though.
Hey. Wait. Don't go, other map person. Oh no, they got away. On to the castle.

I'm gonna make that pot very happy.

AHHH! Don't surprise me like that.
Mage: Hey, hey... You must be tired from all of that travelling, right? I can cast Return to send you back to camp. How about it?
No, but thank you for offering, random encounter mage!
Mage: Rather than relying on other people, you want to do it yourself. That's great for a young boy! Well, just be careful in your journey. Maybe we'll meet again. I hope so.

Castle-Dwelling Ghost: he is gone. After many years, the legend of Loto has vanished from the memories of most people... But the proof that Loto once lived is in this castle, protected by the Illusions. May Loto live on, eternally. As long as humans remain in this world...
Another Ghost: I passed away, but I stayed here to protect the castle and Kakalon, one of the Illusions. I pray that no one seeks the power of Loto and disturbs this place... If you are seeking the power of Loto... You must first gain the permission of Kakalon, the Illusion.
The Third Ghost: The world is at peace due to the efforts of Loto the Warrior.
I though Loto was a title, not a name. Probably some kidd with a name that wasn't that memorable or something.
The Third Ghost: However, one day the Demon King may appear again... I believe that another would appear to inherit the title of Loto... Guided by the Spirits and the Illusions, that one would restore peace to this land again. Even if we are destroyed, may Loto live eternally...

Right, umm... About that delicious food, mighty Kakalon...
(Kakalon) You couldn't find any, could you? I expected as much.
I'm sorry! I'm sorry! Please don't eat me!
Enough! I'm so hungry. Even if you don't taste good, you'll do.
Yikes! Forgive me, great Kakalon!
Ahem?
Oh! I met you in the village... Perfect! I have a request! Please do something to calm down the great Kakalon! If you don't, I'll be eaten! Please, save me!
You poor thing... We'll help you, right Kiefer?
What the hell, why not?
Th... Thanks. Do something about the great Kakalon, would you?
Hey, be cool, Great Illusion Kakalon.
It's rare to find a human who is willing to help a monster. Fine. I will make an exception and forgive Venasu. I am Kakalon, the Illusion. Good to meet you, human children. We Illusions are not like monsters, more like the Spirits... In other words, we're in a whole different class... Can you even comprehend our greatness?
Meh. Give me time, and I bet I can get a group together to take you out. Right now, though... I think you'd win.
Am I correct in assuming that you have business here?
We're looking for Orbs of Loto. What do you know about them?
I not only know of them, I have an Orb of Loto here.
So it's true! The Orbs of Loto really exist!?
I'm not sure why you're seeking the Orbs of Loto, but the Orbs of Loto and the power of Loto are quite precious. It is not something I can give to just anyone.
But I'm not just anyone! I'm royalty!
You must meet the requirements before being given an Orb of Loto. Let me think... Do you really meet the requirements?
Me? Of course.
We absolutely need the Orbs of Loto! We'll do whatever it takes, right Kiefer?
As long as it doesn't require me to do more than tell other people what to do, sure!
Okay, then show me your power. I'm so hungry... Starving, really. So much I can't stand it! I want to eat something delicious, so bring it to me. That's all. Easy, right? So do what you need to do.
Wh... What should we do, Kiefer? Should we go back to the camp?
Yeah, let's check to see if anyone there besides the Ration Making Granny knows anything about food.


Next time. on Let's Play Dragon Quest Monsters: Caravan Hearts: Quest 1: Dinner with an Illusion!

P.S.: Sorry about the delay - power surges and other troubles today.