Part 41: Episode XXXIII: Monster Energy Drink

Alright. So we have the longest of longshots that a local children’s rhyme might be connected to a hidden functional airship hidden in a sealed ruin we only learned about the other day. Now we just need to track down the wayward royal batshit crazy lady knight wandering the wastes for further intel. Well, may as well start by...



Walking back outside! As luck would have it, Cornelius is back with the mighty combined forces of the whole two other knights in existence. Also Akash, for some reason...


Music: Feeling of Unease



Ah! You are here!
What happened? Looks like some of your knights are injured...
All two of them, in fact...
*shakes head* Augh! We’ve been to hell an’ back! And all because of that Julienne! She...
Sir! Kindly hold your tongue!
......
What happened?
I apologize, but this is a matter that the knighthood must deal with by itself.
I take it something happened to Julienne, right?
......
She turn all purple evil aura, start screaming, and try to kill you?
Hurgh... Well...
Please tell us... We might be able to help.
*shakes head* With the spatial distortions gone, we were on guard against monsters invading from other regions... I led our troops into Magna Valley. It was there we found Lady Julienne... Or what remains of her.
? Wait... But WE just came from Magna Valley. How did we miss you AND Julienne passing through? Isn’t it a boxed in canyon?
...We must have just missed each other.
...
Is Julienne safe!?
No... I am afraid she is not what you would call “safe”... Her Highness is no longer... Her Highness. Upon noticing us, she suddenly rose to her feet and attacked us. Cloaked in a sinister aura, she seemed more monster than human...
Julienne...
And so... Left with no alternative, we used a restraining spell to contain her there. However, its effect shall not last long...
So y’all just... threw a magic net on her and ran away?
It was a tactical retreat...
Her Highness... Lady Julienne... is in great pain.
Her incredible magic energy has something to do with what’s happening to her, doesn’t it...?
Tell us what’s going on.
*shakes head* B-but... I...
Look, medicine didn’t work. Magic didn’t work. We gotta know what’s her deal if we’re gonna get anywhere...
*looks over shoulder at Aeterna* And someone already blew the only “Hoho I’ll tell you at a dramatically appropriate time later” card in the deck earlier.
......
Julienne is one of us now. If she’s in pain, we want to help her.
......
We have already done everything we can... Very well... I shall tell you...


Music: Loss



Huh...?
Lady Julienne consumed the blood of a monster...
Metal.
What... Why? Isn’t monster blood highly poisonous?
*nods* Indeed it is. Most humans would die instantly if they consumed it. But in some rare cases, there are those to whom it instead grants great power and life force... Her Highness is one such example... A long time ago, when out slaying monsters, Her Highness was left stranded by an avalanche...
*folds arms* We heard. It was to rescue a knight who didn’t get away in time, right?
Y’know I’m amazed with all the stupid crap we’ve had to deal with an avalanche blocking the way hasn’t come up.
...Don’t jinx it.
Did we already have this exchange once...?
It all blurs together, frankly.
Indeed... Her Highness was left teetering on the very edge of life and death...
In order to survive, she had no choice but to consume the blood of a monster.
*nods* It was because of her fierce will... her undying determination to see her kingdom restored...
So what did she eat? Did she pop off one of those Pengy’s heads like a Pez dispenser and go to town?
I... do not know the minute details...
Well, that’s my head canon.
Yeah, all right... We get the picture. So it’s the effect of the monster blood... That’s what’s given her that superhuman magical energy...
Her Highness survived, and returned to the village. We all rejoiced, of course. However, in exchange for that incredible magical energy... The monster blood began to transform her into a monster herself. Her Highness’s mental state has become progressively worse... On occasion, her mental distortions cause her to show extreme cruelty and ruthlessness.
Ya, we were here for the part where she was gonna burn two of her knighthood alive for fleeing in battle.
Oh, no. That was still within bounds of our order.
......
I fear Her Highness may never return to her former self. And so... I have prepared myself to die together with her. I shall continue my service to her in the afterlife.
Woahwoahwoah! Hold a up a sec here!
*shakes head* No one’s dyin’ just yet, old man. Right now, we need to help Julienne.
Yeah... And in the event anyone DOES die. You’ve got your will and such in order, right? Any outstanding DEBTS for... ya know... services rendered you might have will still be paid...? Wink. Nudge.
Oh... That. Yes, yes... Affairs are in order.
*thumbs up* ‘Kay. Cool.
...Wha?
Don’t worry about it.
Don’t worry. We’ll get Julienne back to her old self.
When I think of Her Highness’s pain, I... I...

Cornelius, Akash, and the knights exit stage right...



*shakes head* C’mon, what else could I say, given the circumstances?
Exactly. Anyway, we NEED to get Julienne back to normal, no matter what! If we don’t, we won’t be able to enter the ruins.
*shakes head* But if her transformation has already progressed this far... Will there really be any way we can cure her?
Sure, I know a way.
Really?
Yeah, it’s simple.
Kill Julienne.



*nods* I see... What a dark mind you’ve got, Endir... The gate will open for one with royal blood... Perhaps even if that person is a corpse. That’s what you’re thinking. Isn’t it?
Ding-ding-ding! We’ve got a winner.
Are you being serious? Is this the sort of gruesome stuff you mercenaries think up?
No. Gruesome mercenary stuff would be thinking all the ways in the immediate area I could cave your head in and make it look like an accident so as not to diminish team morale, back when I thought you were a malicious gremlin trying to sabotage us from within...
...
It was 12 different methods immediately available, FYI.
Endir, please...
Look, all I’m saying is all this talk of royal blood and all. We just lop her head off, toss that sucker at the gate and boom! We’re good to go! None of this scouring the land for a cure or having to do a boss fight against her or whatever BS you KNOW is coming... Quick and expedient. Professional! That’s what I do!
But if the gate doesn’t open up for a corpse, we’ll be completely out of options...
I mean... There’s always the dynamite back-up plan. Floneia Citadel is a good walk, but I’m sure that joint has some...
That’s ridiculous, Endir.
No, ridiculous is trying for the THIRD time now to cure some crazy chick that is turning into a were-penguin or whatever the hell. What if her magic special royal blood is permanently tainted cuz of the monster snack time? We’re boned then too!
Well... Yeah, that would be a problem, yes. But what oth—
Stop it! This is ridiculous! We’re going to cure Julienne and bring her back. I want you to stop this discussion right now!
Alright... Yes ma’am. The smart options are already on the table...
What we need to do is find someone who can cure Julienne.
Mm... Easier said than done. We don’t know anyone who’s good at that sort of thing, do we...?
!Yeah, we do... We know jus’ the person! Someone who specializes in healing magic...
I know what you’re thinking... But I’ve got another idea...
Let’s get more of that medicine.
But takin’ that medicine still didn’t cure her, right?
Who the hell knows if we even CAN cure her? We only need her to open that gate. That medicine from the shady back-alley dealer worked well enough for a couple weeks. That’s MORE than enough time to get this sorted out.
...I mean, you’re not wrong. But...
No! We’re not doing a temporary remedy!
Say... What about Sayagi? Do you think she might be able to help?
Of course! She cured her once already, after all!
Sayagi did help cure Julienne before... Maybe it’s worth talking to her.
...Yeah that worked for like a day! It started crapping out like half way through those lame caves outside of town with that roided out tiger guy. The shady meds lasted TWO dungeons and they’re right in town...
*nods* Come on, let’s go back to Gatherington...
...And again I am ignored.





Welp. Time for some more backtracking! Wouldn’t be a visit to Royburg if it didn’t involve returning to previous areas a half dozen times, now would it?



Music: The King’s Valley



Magna Valley is just as we left it before. I don’t think this game ever changes enemy layout after plot events. So we’ll just skip right ahead to the solitary new bit...



Julienne is hanging out in the valley now. And conveniently, they managed to trap her directly in front of the gate the party needs opening.



Grrrrrrrggg...
We’ll be back soon with help!
KKKKKKKKIIIIIILLLLLLL SAAAAAAAACRIFFFFFIIIIICE! RRRIIIIIPPPP AND TTTTEEEEAAAR! UUUUUSSSSEEE GUUUUUTTTTTSSSS FOOOOOOOOOR NNNNEEEEECCCCKLLLAAAACE! Grrrrrrrrrggggg...
Metal.
I’LLLLLL USE YOUUUUUURRRR SHHHHHIIIIITTTTTY MAAAAAAAASSSSSKKK TO WIPE MY AAAAAAAASSSSSSSS!!
So executive decision: I’m killing her now. Sorry. Vetoing any other votes.
No, Endir! C’mon!
Tch... Fiiiiiiine. But if she talks mess about my mask again, I’m ending her...





And that’s all there is to a return visit to Magna Valley


Music: Simple Gratitude



So back to Gatherington we go yet again. Everyone in town’s dialogue is now about how Sayagi has mellowed out and doubt that the sacrifice will finish her journey.



What’s a Baby Boomer doing in this fantasy RPG?



Since we have grinded through a new area twice and had bothered offloading materials in Royburg, let’s do that now. We get a cool 20k plus gold out of the transaction. And a few new Spritnite.



Endir has learned Battlecry. Everyone rallies for their next attack for a single round. That sounds tremendously useless. We’re just being thorough with Spritnite at this point.



The newly back on the party roster Aeterna learned Oblivion, wherein scores of potato-faced men soaked in bloom argue about mudcrabs and a minor riot occurs because someone picked up an apple that didn’t belong to them.



Finally, Nidr has learned to harness the power of a demon to strike his enemies. Note to self: I should probably make another Tech video because hell if I ever used any of these at any point nor will I unless forced to do so.



Also while on the road, we’ve managed to gather enough of a random assortment of ingredients from here and there to unlock a couple new recipes with Gatherington’s NPCs. The first is in a house to the right of the Pub.



A Queen Cabbage, a Redtop Radish, a Euphoria Pumpkin, and a Springy Broad Bean... That’s what I need... You don’t any you could give me, do you?
Yes.
You’d better be fixin’ something good if you’re gonna use a Euphoria Pumpkin...
Oh, thank you! This should tide us over for a while. Are you in a hurry? If you wait for a minute, I’ll cook something up...

3-4 hours later of brewing a vegetable stew...

It’s ready! Gaia’s Blessing Stew. I made some for all of you, too. I’ve written the recipe down on here, so try it out some time.



This stew’s mix of temperatures gives it a strange and unique taste. Usual EXP bump and material drop increase, but also... status infliction rate is increased. Ehh... I’ve tasted better buffs.



The next house over, just before Sayagi’s joint at the top of the hill, contains a culinary inclined NPC.



Do you have a Maple Potato, a Red Olive, some Red Rock Salt, and some Coiled Parsley you can spare?
Do I ever! ...I’m as surprised as you.
Really? Thank you! I know... Wait there a minute! I’ll try cooking some up!

A few minutes later...

They’re ready... Gatherington Fries! They’re supposed to be very effective for fatigue, so eat them all up!
Heck yeah! You got some Gatherington Ketchup to go with that?
I’m afraid not. I do have Gatherington Mayonnaise.
...
...
...I’m going to take my fries and leave now.
Just in case you’d like it, I wrote the recipe down for you, too!



A crunchy delicacy that you’ll want to snack on all day. This one does the usual business plus boosts maximum MP. Now that’s more like it!





But, enough of this culinary nonsense. Let’s barge back into this old woman’s house and demand her assistance for a third time. You’d think she would invest in a locksmith by now.



So we’ve come to ask for your help.
So it is as I feared... I did sense it faintly the first time I met her... I thought that her magical energy was different from that of a human...
...So she has The Clap? That’s rough.
The... what? N-No...
Oh... huh... Guess I was off.
*tilts head* Why would you think that?!
What did you do to her!?
You think I did something to her? Please, enough of your accusations! I do not have the power to do anything of the sort to her, even if I wished to. I cannot stop her transformation... It is far beyond my power.
So there’s nothin’ left we can do?
You misunderstand... I merely said it was beyond MY power.
Huh? Whadd’ya mean?
What I mean is that I do have an idea of someone who might be able to help her. Just one person, mind you...
Really?!
It had better not be someone on the other side of the continent. Is it gonna be like that beetle boy or something...? Ugh.
There is a spell that can drive out the evil influences of monsters. If you use it, you may well be able to control her transformation.
Tell us who it is!
Enough with the coy talk. Just rip off the bandage so we can start marching towards the way longer and pain in the ass plan than mine...
The spell of which I speak may only be used by one who is worthy. One who possesses both noble spirit and great selflessness...
Even to the point where logic and reliable decision making is thrown out the window...
*slowly pivots towards Setsuna*
I am talking about you... Setsuna.


Music: Faith



Me...?
*sweats and shakes head* But I... I don’t know any spell like that...
Is it... Cure II? I’ve not even used that. It seems excessive. Cure already heals 400 HP and only Nidr has more health than that yet...
No, of course you do not... I am going to teach it to you.
Huh. But if you know the spell why can’t you just use it?
Because I’m old and I’m not traveling to wherever your friend is holed up. You got a problem with that!?
*sweats* N-No...
However, learning this spell carries with it a significant risk.
*sweats* Wh-whadd’ya mean?
If not learned properly, its force will be returned upon the caster.
Ergh... I’m more of a big sword kinda guy. What does that mean in non-magical laymen’s terms...?
If that happens, death is certain.
*sweats* ...Oh.
But you are the sacrifice... Many lives and futures rest upon your shoulders... It is possible that you may end up needlessly throwing away your own life to try and save just one.
*nods* I don’t think it would be needless. And anyway...
If you die instantly, accomplishing nothing, then that is the textbook instance of a needless death.
Maybe... but...
*nods* I know I shall reach the Last Lands no matter what... I’ll be fine. So please... tell me how I can save Julienne.
*nods and approaches Setsuna* Here, take this...





Tch. It is a power-drained spritnite. You young people always just button mash past prompts without reading...
Spritnite that has lost its power. Now, we are going to imbue it with a new power. A power that will allow us to bring back that young lady’s spirit and life force... This is our last chance to save her.
*nods*
You must simply do one thing... Use your healing powers to endure my light-elemental magic attacks.
...What?
I’m going to strike you with lightning several times until the spritnite powers up again.
*sweats* I... What?
You must show me your determination... your will...
Use my healing powers to endure your light-elemental magic...
*whispers to Aeterna* So this is the stellar alternative plan we’re going with...? Not too late to back out and hit up a local dealer...
*bites lip* Hush... It'll probably be... probably fine... Probably...
*nods* I understand, Sayagi. I can do it... I know I can.
*nods* Very well... Come outside.

Setsuna and Sayagi step outside...


Music: Relentless Advance



O-Okay... So do I just... Stand right here?
Right there, yes. That should be fine.
Okay. Now wh—




New Music: Winter’s End



...
*body twitches*
...
*sizzles*
...This teaching method sounded better in my head.