Part 76: Colm - Marisa, Rennac, Kyle

Naw, we'll be fine. The only trouble will be getting rid of them, since the only folks who can reach them are the same folks you don't want to bring within range.

By the way, this is long overdue, but here's the remainder of Colm's supports.

Supports - Colm

Marisa

Affinity: Ice

Starting Points: 0
Points Per Turn: +2
Turns to Max Support: 120

Attack: +0.5
Defense: +1
Accuracy: +5
Avoid: +2.5
Critical: +2.5
Critical Evade: +2.5

C Support

: Hey, you! Have you seen a scary-looking woman?

: ...Scary-looking woman? Is she your sister?

: NO. I don't have any sisters. The woman I'm talking about was beautiful, but also very scary. Have you seen someone who fits that description?

: I don't think so. Beautiful but very scary... What do you mean by that?

: Well, I'm not exactly sure, either. I just heard from one of Gerik's mercenaries that there is a woman sword fighter here. Apparently, she's very talented and was hired for an unbelievable sum.

: A woman sword fighter??

: Rumor is that if you speak to her without thinking, she's likely to attack you out of nowhere!

: Is that so.

: Maybe her face is scarred from fighting. Yeah, that's probably it! She's beautiful, but has a very sad past behind that scar. And that's why she's so scary!

: A scarred face? A sad past?

: Or maybe it's because her lover was killed, and she's trying to avenge him. That seems equally plausible, doesn't it? Anyway, if you see her around, would you tell her that I was looking for her? See ya.

: Well, I'm the only female sword fighter here. I guess he was looking for me. He is so clueless...





B Support

: Oh, hi, Marisa! I'm sorry for what I said the other day. I figured out that you were the scary woman I was talking about. I'm Colm. Nice to meet you.

: OK. So, what did you want from me?

: Oh, nothing special. I just wanted to meet the famous swordswoman. I was going to challenge you to a match, but I've seen you fight and know how good you are. You'd beat me senseless.

: I'll accept a match with you anytime.

: Well, I don't know how else to say this. You're scaring me.

: Scaring?

: Yeah. It sounds funny, but you never look at the enemy... I mean...you don't care about the enemy at all.

: I have no idea what you're talking about. Speak English.

: I mean... Even when the enemy is right in front of you, you aren't even looking at him. You're fighting something else.

: Something else?

: I'm not that smart, and I don't know much about swords. So I can't say exactly who or what it is you are really fighting.

: I see.

: Um... What I mean to say is good luck in all your battles. Um... That's it. See you later!

: The enemy...I'm really fighting?





A Support

: Colm.

: Hi, Marisa.

: I was thinking about what you were saying the other day.

: You mean about you not fighting the enemy in front of you, but something else? Is that what you're talking about?

: Yes.

: What about it?

: Do you want to know? What I'm really fighting with?

: Huh? Y-yeah...... If you want to tell me, sure.

: What I'm really fighting with is...

: ...

: My father.

: Your father?!

: Well, to be more precise, his shadow.

: Was he a swordsman also?

: He was one of the most famous swordsmen in Jehanna. He was also a mercenary.

: I see why you're so good.

: Ever since I was a child, my father taught me how to live as a mercenary.

: Since you were a kid?

: The harsh conditions of Jehanna breed strength and ruthlessness. The only way to survive is by being a mercenary.

: Oh.

: My father is my parent, my teacher, and above all, a mountain I must conquer.

: A mountain?

: Once I conquer the mountain, I can accomplish anything I want.

: That must be a...big mountain. So, where are you on the mountain? A third of the way up? Halfway up? Or can you already see the summit?

: ...I'm only at the base.

: You still have a long way to go, huh?

: ...Yes. I don't even know where the summit is yet.

: Well, then, you don't know how long it will take, do you?

: I'll just keep climbing. Even if it takes me forever...

: Oh. I see. Well, good luck. I'm sure you'll make it to the top.

: Yes. Someday. For sure. You're...a nice guy.

: Ha ha ha! Oh, please. You're embarrassing me.


Rennac

Affinity: Dark

Starting Points: 5
Points Per Turn: +2
Turns to Max Support: 118

Attack: +0.5
Defense: +0.5
Accuracy: +5
Avoid: +2.5
Critical: +5
Critical Evade: +2.5

C Support

: Hey, you! I know your secret.

: Huh? My secret?

: You're a thief, too, aren't you? Do you think that's acceptable behavior for someone in the princess's entourage?

: Ha ha ha! Where'd you learn a big word like entourage, boy? Not that it's any of your business, but Her Highness already knows about my...hobbies. You're not, by any chance, trying to threaten me, are you? That's funny. I never thought I'd be reprimanded by a boy!

: Hey, old man, don't you talk down to ME! I'm not a boy. I'm Colm! And I'm not threatening you, either. I was just surprised that you're a thief because you dress so nicely.

: I assume you're in the same trade. Those rags are a dead giveaway. Well, you may not take any pride in your appearance, but I'm different. Do you see this jacket? It has silk embroidery, a trend that I started in Carcino. Where are the stitches, you ask? They're on the inside of the jacket. But I'm not going to show you. The truly cultured man cares about every detail. It would be a waste of my time to even try to explain it to a poor urchin like you.

: Why are you bragging about something so lame? And I'm not a poor urchin! Man, I've never met anyone as annoying as you!

: Oh, don't be so sensitive, little urchin. If you want to be like me, make more money. Improve your skills. The name of the game is making money. Money is all that matters. It's your only way out. Work hard and escape from poverty.

: First of all, I don't want to be like you! Second of all, I'll show you!

: Well, don't pull a muscle, little urchin!





B Support

: Hey, urchin, have you made any money yet?

: Stop calling me urchin! I heard that your dad is a wealthy merchant in Carcino.

: Yes. So what? My father is a wealthy merchant, and his son is a thief. Great family, huh?

: If you're rich, you don't need to steal. You can just buy whatever you want.

: You are so green, boy. Greener than the fruit I left out for a month.

: What's that supposed to mean? I've never had dried fruit, so I don't know what you're talking about!

: Oh, that's too bad. Listen, urchin. Merchants are always stingy. It's part of who they are. And my father was especially stingy. He gave us nothing for free. We had to work for everything we had. So my brothers and I learned the value of hard work from a young age. And this just happens to be my job. Get it?

: It's not easy being the son of a merchant, huh? Forced to work from a young age. I had a tough childhood, too. I always had to hunt and garden with my dad. I guess our lives aren't so different after all, huh.

: Er, a little hunting and gardening is quite different from actual work. You can see that just by looking at how you and I turned out.

: Well! I'll show you! Maybe you'll wake up one morning and find that something important to you is gone! Consider yourself warned, old man!

: You know, warning people of your plans isn't really the most effective thieving strategy. Anyhow, I look forward to seeing what you can muster.





A Support

: Hi there, urchin. I haven't heard you bragging in a while. I thought maybe you gave up on your big plans.

: I'm more persistent than you think I am. I came to see you because I remembered-- Wait, you haven't noticed yet?

: Noticed what?

: Ha ha ha! I won!

: What? Did you actually steal something? Don't tell me... A ha!

: So you finally noticed! Yes, I secretly stole only the embroidery off your precious jacket. So, how's that for stealth? That's some pretty fine thieving, if I do say so myself.

: I see. The embroidery IS missing. Good work. It's a little early for a victory celebration, though. The embroidery was of a pony, correct?

: Huh? Yeah...

: Unfortunately for you, that was a fake. I knew you would try to steal it, so I replaced it with a fake beforehand. The real embroidery is of a phoenix. But I won't show it to you. Nope, never.

: You! That's a cheap trick!

: In this business, anything goes. However, I'm impressed that you got as far as you did. I definitely don't want you for an enemy.

: Heh heh heh... Same here, I guess. I'm glad that we're on the same side. Now give me my boots!


Kyle

Affinity: Ice

Starting Points: 5
Points Per Turn: +2
Turns to Max Support: 118

Attack: +0.5
Defense: +1
Accuracy: +5
Avoid: +2.5
Critical: +2.5
Critical Evade: +2.5

C Support

: Kyle, do you have a minute?

: What is it, Colm?

: Well... It's about Princess Eirika.

: Is something the matter with her?

: It was a while ago, but when she went to bed, she was...

: What happened after she retired to her room? Colm, don't toy with me. Just tell me!

: The princess looked like she was having trouble falling asleep. She kept pacing.

: Having trouble falling asleep?

: Yup.

: That's not good. It's very important for her to get enough rest during this tough march. This war has been very hard for Prince Ephraim and Princess Eirika. I'm sure she's probably spent a few nights worrying, but--

: Hey! I just remembered that I have this secret remedy my mother used to make. It started off as a freckle cream, but it turns out that it works pretty well with insomnia, too.

: Really. That's a good idea. I'm sure Prince Ephraim and Lady Eirika would love to have something like that.

: OK, then. I'll give it to her next time I see her. I'll let you know how it goes.

: All right, Colm.





B Support

: Kyle, big news!

: What is it this time, Colm?

: It's about Prince Ephraim.

: What? What happened?

: He's just like me!

: Just like you? In what sense?

: He hates studying, too!

: And...? That doesn't seem like news or anything.

: It's big news for me! And for you, too! The future of Renais is not looking good if he hates studying as much as I do.

: Don't worry about it. He might not like studying much, but no one is as bad as you. Besides, if you're bringing this up to denigrate him, you are in serious trouble.

: Not at all! I'm just worried about Prince Ephraim and Princess Eirika.

: I understand. But this news was really useless. In the future, please only bring me relevant information.





A Support

: Kyle, I have some useful news!

: Finally. What is it?

: Heh heh heh... Well, it's a secret about you.

: A secret about me? What is it?

: You have a girlfriend! Her name is Meriella! You send letters to her all the time, don't you!

: Oh, that. I've been meaning to tell you about her.

: I'm so glad to hear that, Kyle. Let me know if you need to talk to someone. Long-distance relationships can be hard. I can't believe it! Stuffy old Kyle is in love!

: In love? Me? I think you're confused. Meriella is not my girlfriend. She is one of my teammates.

: Workplace romance, is it? Say no more. I understand.

: Just shut up and listen to me. Meriella is the alias we use for Renais knights on undercover missions.

: Alias? Like a secret code?

: Precisely. We send mail addressed to Meriella, which only the Renais knights know. The contents are always the same: We let them know that Prince Ephraim and Princess Eirika are safe. It's all written in secret code. That's the letter I was sending.

: Even though we're in the middle of a war, does it really have to be so complicated?

: Yes. Better to be safe than sorry.

: I see. Well, would you like me to deliver that letter?

: No. Every single soldier is important in this war. We need you here.

: Really? You value my service? Neat!

: Um... Yes. Although you do bring me some pointless tidbits, you have also been a big help.

: Great! This is so encouraging! Until recently, I thought I'd never have any real connection with the knights. But it's different now. Now, I consider everyone involved in this war, especially the knights like you, to be my friends. I will always fight for my friends!

: Thank you, Colm. Civilians and knights... Together, we'll restore peace in Renais.