Part 121: Fuck Ferrari, Buy a Porsche

Chapter 27: Fuck Ferrari, Buy a Porsche


By tradition, there have always been seven Rites of Rulership. The quests have always been of the highest importance to the kingdom. The last of these quests is always the most critical. This is the final Rite of Rulership. Our kingdom has been terrorized by an assassin. Our king, our citizens, and our comrades have fallen to his poisonous blade. He must be stopped. However, an assassin is but a tool. Mercenaries invading our countryside are but a tool. Inciting war between the tritons and Silmaria, too, somehow ties into our present situation. It is not a coincidence that all these events have occurred now. You will seek out the cause of all these events. You will find the person or people responsible for these terrible deeds. You will make those responsible pay for all the death and destruction brought to Silmaria. This is the Rite of Justice!

As of this moment, the endgame begins once you pass by the adventurer’s guild at night. I’ll be avoiding that for the time being.


One last update to the adventurers’ guild board. Toro doesn’t have much new to say in this case, unfortunately.


Hi there. Got curious after we talked about Atlantis sinking the other day, so I’ve been doing some reading. I didn’t write every book in here, after all. Apparently it’s not just a rumor.
Oh?
Nope. Turns out this dragon isn’t just one of those flying beasties that trophy hunters are fond of putting up on walls. This is a real monster which the wizards of Atlantis inadvertently released many, many eons ago. The wizards had to send Atlantis to the bottom of the sea to escape the total destruction by the Doom Dragon. After that, most of the wizards died trying to bind the dragon. That’s why Atlantis is still underwater; no one left was powerful enough to release the enchantments after they were killed.
The Pillars…
That’s right. For some reason, the enchantments the Pillars set up around the island needed sacrificial blood just to bind that thing, and sacrificial blood is what it takes to break ‘em. I’ve got a real bad feeling about this one, Nike. The kind of feeling I had when I visited Pompeii just before Vesuvius decided to blow.
I knew those Pillars were bad news the moment I saw one.
And we’re fresh out of powerful wizards to bind up some new ones. Without them, the Doom Dragon will destroy Marete completely when it’s released, and probably Atlantis this time as well. The book did say the dragon was still vulnerable so long as there’s at least one standing Dragon Pillar, though. It also said a sacrifice would be required to take it down for good.
Fuck that. It didn’t work when the wizards bound the thing in the first place, why would it help this time?
I know where you’re coming from; I was never much for the Heroic Sacrifice myself. Would have died a few times by now if I had been. Just remember what I said about destiny before, lad—a True Hero isn’t defined by fate, he (or she) does the defining. Look for every possible meaning before you commit yourself to following a prophecy.
I’ll remember. Thanks for all your help, FA.
Oh yeah, how about one more poem for the road? I came up with a good one this time.
My name, it was Don Juan when I journeyed to Madrid,
The senoritas were quite fond of all the things I said and did.
I’ve been known as Casanova when I strolled Venice by night,
All the ladies would throw kisses; all the men would pick a fight.

Good luck with this last Rite, Nike. I get the feeling things are going to get still worse before they get better.


I just wanted to thank you again for giving me the deed. I didn’t want you to think I was an inn-grate.
That’s fine, Ann. Really.
Having this deed is a big weight off my shoulders, let me tell you. I was afraid I was going to be inn-digent and inn-capable of making a living. And with all the neat stuff we did to this inn, I’m sure it’ll be a big hit with the tourists! That is, if we ever get tourists again. But never mind that, the cooks have all gone out of their way to make an unforgettable dinner for you. It would mean the world to them if you had a seat and ate what they made for you.
Oh, I’ve really got to stop letting that kind of thing get to me.


Messie Tessie was fixing roast beast stuffed with crab for you. Tony Maloney was fixing broiled quail with brandy sauce. Miigal Sal was making a Chocolate Temptation Cake, and Rover was making bouillabaisse. Unfortunately, Tony sniffed a little too much brandy, and set the quail on fire. Tessie dumped the bouillabaisse to put out the fire, and poured it all over Sal’s cake, instead. During the confusion, the crab ate the beast and wandered off. So I went out and bought you a pizza!
Thanks, Ann. Really, thanks.
Anything for you, hero.


Ah come to beg me for the Blackbird already? Yes, I know you want it. It is always so very gratifying to have something that someone else wants. It adds to my pleasure at having fulfilled my finest dream at last. Needless to say, I am very happy to see you.
I’ll bet. But you know that a guy like me doesn’t beg for things, right?
Oh yes, of course. You may have noticed a distinct lack of guards surrounding the Dead Parrot? They have all gone to my house, and they are looking forward to killing any thief foolish enough to walk into my trap.
A trap, huh? I’ve beaten traps before.
Not one like this. Assuming a thief can get past the guards, which I highly doubt, he cannot take the Blackbird. The minute the bird is moved, an alarm will go off. Thus, there will be no chance that I will lose my most prized possession.
What if the thief had a bag of sand that weighed the exact same amount as the Blackbird?
Oh, please. That never works.


Yep, that sure is an extra guard up there. I remember those bars up there being a bit weak, though; maybe I can pry them off now.




This bit is actually rather annoying. I’m not sure if you’re supposed to wait for the oil to work its way in, or if you need to apply it a few times to make it work, or use the toolkit on it before it registers, but it takes more than a simple application of oil to make the right dialogue box to pop up and let you enter.


*You carefully enter Ferrari’s house, and survey the treasures of this room. From your precarious perch on the narrow ledge, you can hear loud snores coming from directly below you.*

<sub>You need to hire better help, Ferrari. This one’s sleeping on the job.


Why, I bet a decent thief could sneak right into your house and take all your valuable vases.


And oh, Ferrari, you should know better than to hide your safe behind a painting!</sub>

This one is guarded by a hard trap, rather than the very hard traps found at Minos’s.

*You’re rich! You’re rich! You’re wealthy beyond your wildest dreams! Well, maybe not that rich. But you are 1000 drachmas richer. Better still, Ferrari is 1000 drachmas poorer.*

<sub>Ah, just a tiny amount in the wall safe? Just enough to make the thief think he made a big score without really denting your wallet? Clever.


Still, covering everything in carpet is not the best choice for trying to catch the thief who needs to *oof* move furniture.


Now, how do I do this? Oh, that’s right, I almost forgot I had this!</sub>

Do you remember way back in update one for Dragon Fire? I gave a rundown on Nike’s starting inventory. One of the items happened to be the fake Blackbird he found in the monastery. Non-imported characters don’t get it, but they can have Wolfie make an imitation if they show him the real deal before the exchange.



And, to avoid the complicated way back, we take the easy route.




The peace agreement that you have made with the people of Atlantis is good for both peoples. You have done wonders, Nike.
You’ve heard about that already?
Yes. I spoke with some tritons who swam near my island. They were called back to Atlantis to strengthen the defense of the city. It seems you proved to them that they were vulnerable to a concerted attack.
Well I was hardly trying to attack them.
I know. They spoke to me of the peace agreement you forged. I let them know that their kind would always be welcome to my island. There will always be peace here.
Here, yeah, but I’m kind of worried about the rest of Silmaria. FA was just telling me about what’ll happen if those Pillars go down.
The Prophecy of Doom. I read about that one before my imprisonment, and I have been refreshing myself on it since my arrival here. The Prophecy of Doom spoke of a dragon bound by the Dragon Pillars beneath the island of Marete. It isn’t a true dragon, you know. It is a collected force of elemental Fire and destructive magic bound into the form of a dragon. Thus, it can’t be defeated by simple force of arms. If it is released, we will need the binding magic of at least one Pillar, and a willing sacrifice made out of love so that others might defeat its power. To prevent this from happening, the Prophecy Stone must not be broken in blood, otherwise the Dragon of Doom will destroy this kingdom.
Is the sacrifice really needed? I mean, I would if there were no other choice, and you have before, but…I’ve only just met you for real. I don’t want to lose you again.
I wouldn’t want to lose you either. You have been a very dear friend to me.
A friend? Is that it?
Well…you…I’m sorry, Nike, but understand that I have always been a loner until now. I’ve never even considered that there could be someone else who could share my life, as a friend or…as something more.
Before you, I couldn’t have imagined sharing my dreams, either. Everywhere I went, you were there before me, your gardens and meadows all bringing me peace and calming me down, letting me act like a paladin rather than an angry warrior. I think I finally realize now that I love you, that I’ve always loved you since the very first time I saw your staff in town and napped by the flowers. I know that we’ve really only known each other for just a few days, but Erana, will you marry me?
Nike…I never thought anyone could ever love me. I am too strange, too different. Who would ever want someone who hides in the woods, casting simple spells of peace? You know that I’m not fully human, right? And the faeries of my mother’s side are not always known for their kindness or compassion.

But in the limbo between life and death, I dreamed of you. I dreamed of a man who shared his past, his emotions, his life with me. And even in the shadowlands of Hades, I dreamed of you. You were my hero, the only one who could understand my hopes and fears, the only one I could trust. The only one I could love. The only thing I didn’t know was if my hero could love me. Yes, Nike, I will gladly accept your ring, and with joy I will marry you and share my life with yours.

However, there is no time for love right now. The danger is too great, and the chance of the Dragon rising is too high. Right now we should concentrate on saving Silmaria; only once the danger is over should we turn our attention to ourselves.
Thank you, Erana. You’ve given me the best reason of all to save Silmaria.




It’s good to have you here again.
Hello. Just stopping by this time.
Thank you for coming, then. That familiar Fenris stopped by earlier, too. He informed me about what’s been happening in Silmaria recently. You might have warned me about the danger posed by those Dragon Pillars, you know.
I’ve only just heard about it myself. I told you I thought they were bad news, though.
Yes, well, Fenris also explained that since Erasmus is still unable to cast spells, I may be needed in his place.
Makes sense. With him and Shakra down for the moment, you’re the most powerful spellcaster left around here. Did he give you any help, like with position information or anything? Because I’ve got this tip that Minos—
Nike, I refused.
What?
I’m not a hero like you. Zante is my home, and I shall defend it, but I will not go looking for other people’s troubles.
Well, neither do I, it’s just that other people’s problems always wind up being my problems anyway. Like with the Doom Dragon. If I don’t do anything, it’ll just end up killing everyone, myself included.
But there are other heroes. There are always other heroes! Like that Elsa woman. You told me how she was more than capable of taking on the Hydra. Why do you have to do anything? You don’t even have a hope of defeating this danger, while my magical defenses will be more than enough to defend my castle against anything that comes. I fear no dragon, I only fear for you. Why don’t you come with me, stay in my castle and let someone else deal with all the danger?
It’s not enough. I’m sorry, Katrina, but FA just told me about how all of the strongest wizards of Atlantis weren’t enough to do more than bind the dragon up, and they had to die in the process. You’re overestimating your powers again.
Overestimating? This is only a dragon we are talking about here!
A dragon that Atlantis sank to avoid! One wizard, no matter how powerful, won’t be enough to stop it!
I don’t need to stop it, I just need it to leave me alone! Why can’t you see that you don’t have to go out and die to prove you’re a hero? Elsa can do everything while you stay here with me.
Because I don’t want everyone to die! If I’m the only one who can save them, then it’s my responsibility, whether I like it or not. I’d love to stay here and hide away until the fires stop, but with Elsa out there and in danger, I can’t.
Elsa? So you’d rather be out there saving the day with Elsa than spending your time here with me?
I didn’t mean—
I think you know exactly what you mean. Goodbye, Nike. I think this little visit of yours is over.
Katrina…
Go.


A Hera’s ring? Who is the lucky woman?
Someone I should have given this to a long time ago.