Part 1: Old Characters in a New Game

And this is Gran Estard Castle. King Burns lives there, and reigns over the island. You are the mischeivous young prince of this kingdom, barely ten years old... Today, after you were discovered attempting to escape from the castle again, the king called for you to be brought to him...

(King Burns) To think you could jump out of the castle from the 2nd floor balcony!
(Kiefer) Could be worse - I could have kicked down a partially repaired wall and jumped down from there.
You're lucky you weren't hurt... If you had made even one mistake! How could you! I've tolerated a lot up until now, but...
But what, old man? You're just going to overlook my bad behavior like you always do.
Today, I'm not going to overlook it. Yes, it's time for punishment!
Servant: Oh my... Prince Kiefer, this looks bad! His Majesty seems serious about this. Y-you'd better get out of here!
100 spankings! No, 1000 spankings! And no more snacks, ever!
Kiefer out!
Hmph! You may think you can run, Kiefer! That won't happen, today!
I'll hide in my room! He'll never look there!

Argh! Kiefer! Where are you!?
Serving Girl: Oh... His Majesty is after you? My, oh my... What to do? Just hide anywhere you can! I'll cover for you.
I think the wardrobe is the only safe place in here...

Did Kiefer come in here?
Serving Girl: ... No. I've been in here cleaning. Nobody came in here...
Hmm... If he's not in here, then... He must be trying to escape again! I'm sorry for interrupting your work. If you see Kiefer, let me know.
Serving Girl: Yes, you can count on me. (The king leaves) Prince Kiefer, it's okay to come out now! Huh? Prince? There's no response...

A voice can be heard from nowhere in particular...

(Magarugi) The cries of your heart seeking to go outside, have reached me. Do you wish to escape the confines of the castle, and see the world around you?
More than anything that exists!
With my power, I can send you on a grand adventure. But the adventure will be perilous, I wonder if you can handle it? Heh heh!
It won't be too perilous for me! I laugh at peril!
Will you go? It is your own choice. Go ahead, decide. Will you continue with everyday life, or will you set off on an adventure?
You didn't hear me earlier? Definitely adventure!
I long for the day when we meet, face to face... Heh heh... Wahahaha!

What an odd portal... Hrm - someone's talking?
What is that? Could it be a monster? Whoa, it's headed this way!
N... No way! Hurry, everybody! Run for your lives! Waaaah!
Time to dive into the portal! ADVENTURE!

The noise is coming from over there!

Without a leader, we won't stand a chance in a fight!
Huh? Who are you? When did you get here? Oh, that doesn't matter! Just listen, alright? Can you be our caravan leader? Please, defeat these monsters!
Leader? Killing monsters!? I'm your man!
(Slalon) Thank you! I'm Slalon. I'm the Guard Monster of this caravan. What's your name?
I'm Kiefer! Let's get to the killing!
...Alright! You say your name's Kiefer? I'll leave things to you, Kiefer. First, get everyone to enter the wagon. You have to do that before we can fight. Then, once you get everyone in the back, let me know, Kiefer!
(Randol) I'm Randol, a Mapper! Do your best, Kiefer! All of us in the wagon will support Slalon. That's why we rode along! We'll await your orders, Kiefer!
(Deckson) I am Deckson, a Cleric. I've looked forward to serving a leader! I'm worried about Luin, but right now let's focus on defeating these monsters. I'll board the Eagle Wagon and prepare for the battle.
So, you say you'll be our leader!?
Yeah - I'm a much better leader than any normal kid.
(Alex) You may just be a kid, but you're brave. I am Alex, a Warrior. It's a pleasure! I'll board the wagon, codename: Eagle. There, I'll put my skills to the test!

he'll be fine. Did everyone board the wagon? Confirm the position of all members!

I'll take all the blows that the enemy throws!
My axe can split apart any monster!
If Slalon gets seriously injured, I will pray to God for a healing blessing.
I'll chart out the area and make it easier for Slalon to move around!
Wait wait wait wait wait. Slalon guards, Alex hits things, Deckson heals, and Randol... makes maps in combat? That seems, well, stupid.
Kiefer, you just have to give us the signal when it comes time to fight. Leave the rest to us!
That signal will take the form of me yelling "ATTACK THE MONSTER, YOU IDIOTS" when a monster appears. Sound good?
Drackies: Kee kee kee! I can't hold it any longer! Destroy them!
Let's give this a try, then... "Attack the monsters, you idiots!"
They're coming! Don't back down, everyone!

Oh no! They're Drackees, one of the least impressive threats of all! Why, some little guy with no magic wielding only a Cypress Stick could probably take one out, no problem.
And yet, they defeated you guys with no trouble?
That was due to poor leadership. Now that we have a ten year old at the helm, we shouldn't have any difficulties!
Okay then guys, go at it!
I'll tackle him! Raaagh!
Taste axe, foul bird!
By the grace of God, be healed!
Left! GO LEFT! No! My left!
... Seriously?

I agree wholeheatedly.
You might be a suitable caravan leader after all.
Did I... faint?
Oh, Luin, you came to! We were almost done for!
Due to your terrible leadership!
Sorry, Slalon... I was just so afraid of those monsters. Who is this guy? I've never seen him before...
That's Kiefer. He took your place as the caravan leader!
That's right, so hit the road!
Oh, really!? That's amazing, Kiefer! I'm not cut out for it... I was useless as a leader...
And you kinda smell funny.
Don't say that! We came because of you, after all. Come one, let's leave this forest. We don't have anything else to do here. Hey, Kiefer. Can you be our leader for a little while longer?
Sure - seems like fun! ADVENTURE HO!
That's the answer I was looking for! Let's move on, Kiefer.
Yeah! Lead on, Kiefer!
Alright, we'd best be off. Let Kiefer pave the way for us.

Six Drackees later...


Hey Kiefer, we have a camp set up near here. I would like to properly reward you there. Can you come with us to the camp?
Of course!
Thanks! But you know, I have no sense of direction, so I'll let you lead! Take note of the number that slowly decreases as we move. That's the decreasing amount of rations we have. The journey would become pretty painful without any food!
Gotcha. Wandering around makes people hungry, then they eat food. When they run out of food, they starve.
You got it!
Are people really so stupid here that this needs to be explained?

Seriously? This was a challenge? It was less than a minute walk! And you guys ate... 18 sandwiches? What the hell?
We would have been lost if Kiefer hadn't shown up!
Yeah. But I guess going to the forest was too much for me...
Don't say that! Our journey has only just begun!
Yeah, right. Oh... We'd better head to see the caravan's elder. Kiefer, come with me. I want to introduce you to my grandpa.

Wow! You really are terrible at leading, aren't you? Anyway, the important thing is that you're okay.
Yeah, but if Kiefer weren't there, I sure wouldn't have been okay...!
Seriously! They were Drackees! They just wanted hugs!
Kiefer, this is my grandpa, Gyavan!
(Gyavan) I head about you from Luin. You have my sincere thanks, Kiefer. By the way, I haven't seen you around here before. Are you a traveler?
Yeah, I'm from the island of Estard.
...Hmm. One little boy, wandering around the Lost Forest? You're a small boy, but you're brave. I'm impressed! You're probably worn out today, though. Take a rest here for a while.
Then let's hit the streets!

Caravaneer: While the caravan's away, all of us will defend it.
Guard: This camp is set up however we want it! There's an inn, a church, and you can even get rations here.
A caravan must coordinate the actions of many people. It'd be chaotic if everybody was doing whatever they wanted, right? That's why we need a caravan leader to give the orders.
At first I didn't know how I'd be able to take orders from a child, but... I'm not sure why I'm okay with it. It feels natural to fight at your side. It's true you're still a child, Kiefer, but you have the qualities of a leader!
This area is called the Del Quondal Region... Are you from around this area, bro?
Nah - Gran Estard Island. It's the only place on Earth, so you probably haven't heard of it.
...Huh? Gran Estard? Hmm, I've never heard of that country. It must be really far away, right? I'm impressed, Kiefer!
I have a feeling you are different from most people.
That's because I'm one of those Adventurer-Princes you hear about on occasion.
I can't put my finger on it, exactly... You have the power to lead the caravan. That much is certain.
Caravan Supplying Granny: They call me the Caravan Ration Supply Granny. I can whip up rations lickety split!
Girl: The wagon out there is codenamed Eagle. Cool, huh? The Eagle Wagon originally belonged to Luin's dad! He must be well-off, owning a whole wagon!

Holy crap! A talking pot!
(The Talking Pot) Are you surprised that a pot can talk?
Very much so!
I find it really strange that humans can!
Well played, pot, well played.
My hobby's collecting Tiny Medals! If you pick up any tiny medals, drop them in here! I'll be sure to reward you!

Oh, that's right... By the way, what do you plan to do from now on, Kiefer? If you're not in a hurry, would you lend us your power?
The truth is, my mom and dad are really sick. I went into the forest looking for the medicine that will cure them!
...But they didn't find anything. We've no choice but to venture ahead.
If you could lead us again, like you did back in the forest... We'd definitely be able to go anywhere!
I'm sure that you have your own goals, Kiefer, but... Even if it's just on the way to your destination, won't you join us?
Please, Kiefer! Lend us your power!

Next time, on Let's Play Dragon Quest Monsters: Caravan Hearts! Will we lend them our power?