Part 93: Reunited

Back at Naniwa's place, he's talking to Kurando while Yuri paces restlessly back and forth in the garden.

Hm. I understand the situation.



I want you to work with Yuri and his companions. Help them any way you can.
But...
Don't you worry about Yoshiko and me. Ishimura can't touch us as long as we're in the Capital. ...Actually, from what I hear, he has his hands full with his own problems.


Yuri is still pacing.

Yes, sir. I'll go with the others, then.



Good.
Mm-hm.



Where could he have gone, that bastard!?
You've gotta take it easy. Worrying won't help us find Nicolai.
You think I don't know that?! Don't talk to me like my mother!


After he gets his little temper tantrum out of the way, Yuri finally sits down. They're quiet for a minute.



The thing is, this ISN'T the Nicolai we fought in Apoina Tower. He's a million times more dangerous.
Is it because he's been taken over by Astaroth?
He tried...to control the soul of a demon and claim its power for his own.



But the demon was stronger, so he's the one who wound up being controlled.



So Nicolai and Astaroth are sharing the same body?
Yeah. I think Nicolai's in there somewhere, but it's Astaroth that has the power.



Now the demon is free. I'm afraid to think of what it might do!






We get a flashback of Seraphic Radiance destroying Shanghai when Yuri failed his attempt to Fuse with it. Good times.



*sigh*
What's wrong, young Yuri?



Sensei!
You seem depressed. So, there's no hope, eh?

Karin elbows him when he doesn't answer.

Yuri!
.........



What happens when you find the monster?
I'll waste it.
You think you can win?
Yeah, sure.
Hmm... Then go to Katsuragi.
Katsuragi!?



Yes, the Forest of the Wind. There's someone waiting to meet you.
To meet me? Who is it?
You'll know when you get there. But believe me, that person will be able to help you on your search.


Karin and Yuri just look at each other and nod. Sure, Naniwa's being a cryptic old bastard, but at least it's a direction to go in.







Yeah, okay...

Before we can progress, we have to go wander around Nihonbashi until we find everyone.



Professor: ...and a huge man reeking of sweat!

Looks like we're already making an impression on some of the locals.



Okatsu: I can't stop thinking about it!

Hmm...


We can find Anastasia and Joachim by going north at the crossroads.

Oh, Yuri! Look at all the stuff I bought! They'll make good souvenirs for Daddy and Alexei!
Oh, great! So we're done at last?! It's exhausting trailing all over the place after you!
What are you moaning about? I very kindly invited you out shopping with me. You should feel privileged!



Did you say something?
Um...no, nothing!


Kurando and Blanca are with Yoshiko at the park on the east side of town.

See you later, Blanca! I'll take you for a walk again when you come back!
Awroo, awroo!




Gepetto and Lucia are hanging around Gerard and Pierre, for some reason.

So you've finally figured out where we're going next, have you?!
Great! I was starting to get really bored!


When we try to leave the park, it triggers a cut-scene. The group hears a scream behind them.


Roger's back! And he doesn't seem very happy to see us, for some reason.

Roger!



Finally found me, huh?!
You're still alive!
How did you ever get off that mountain!?
Yeah!



I wasn't about to die, until I could give you all a piece of my mind!



Hey, c'mon, we didn't have a choice! You were the only one that could fix that ship! Plus, I figured the bear would decide you were too nasty to eat!



You expect me to believe that?! You ran away screaming like babies! I never saw anyone run that fast! Aaaah! Just like that!
Is that right?
Yeah, that's right!



Okay! Time to let bygones be bygones!
She's right. Let's just forget it.


And everyone just laughs at Roger.

What kind of people are you?! It's not funny!




We can finally go back to Europe!


Our first stop is with Ernest where we get a new Tarot card, The Emperor.


We've got eight chapters of the Ring of Nibelung, so our next stop is to talk to the drunk in Southampton.

Sefo: I always said, if there was somebody good enough, I'd let it go. So here! You earned it!

You got Nibelung Scene 9

We've now got Karin's last piece of opera!


Or do we...?


Our last stop is in Florence to resume the interrupted trading quest.

It's a kind of Russian bread. It's called a Piroshki.

Ginori: I suppose you eat it with your fingers, do you? I don't know. It's disgusting! I bet it tastes foul!



Ginori: Me?! Eat that?! Well if you really insist... ...Gulp! Maybe I was a little judgmental. Let me give you this, by way of an apology.

You got Fine Tea Set

Wow, I never thought I was going to get rid of that stuff. I must have been carrying it around in my pack for months! Ha ha!

Ginori: Ha ha! Wait, what?!


We have to go back to Japan to trade the Tea Set. The first person who will take it is at the Yokohama Brick Warehouses. DO NOT TRADE with this guy. You'll only get some Strongoids in return, ending the trading.


The one you're supposed to trade with is also in Yokohama, right next to Loud Croft.

Akiko: Oh! Look at that! You've got a beautiful one! Where did you buy it?

Oh, this? I didn't buy it. Somebody gave it to me.

Akiko: I see... I know it's rude, but you wouldn't give it to me, would you? I've completely fallen in love with it.



Akiko: I'm sorry to be so forward... Here, let me repay you.

You got Talking Panda

Akiko: My pop gave it to me on my birthday, but I'm a little too old for stuffed animals. Please, you're welcome to it!

We could have also gotten the Panda by trading Piroshki with that guy in Paris.


Right now, we can trade the Panda with a girl in the park in Nihonbashi.

Mieko: Oh, that stuffed animal's so cute! I love it! Let me see! Look, the little panda's got gloves on! Aaaah! And it talks if you touch its belly! Cool! I want it! Please give it to me! You will, won't you?! Great!


DON'T DO IT! Mieko gives you a Third Key, ending the trading quest.

Mieko: You're mean! I'm so upset. Now you'll have to give me the stuffed animal to make up for it!

I said no!

Well, that's enough faffing about for now. I guess next we'll have to go check out the Forest of Wind. What could go wrong?