Part 21: Next Time: Chapter 21 - Hey, join our group. (Recruitment)

"Oh, Genkaku Castle, huh!! That's a great name!"

"Yes, I like it too."

"Hoo hoo, you'd like anything he came up with."

"Shut up, Sis!"

"So this is Genkaku Castle, huh!"

"Genkaku Castle! Genkaku Castle!"

"Genkaku Castle................"

"Well, it's okay, isn't it? It's the name our leader chose."

"Good. Now that we've chosen our castle's name, about that party...."





"Huh? Huh? Who... who are you?"

"I am called Leknaat. I am the Keeper of the Gate Rune. The Water of the Great Balance. Riou, inheritor of the Bright Shield Rune, the cycle is complete. The stars of destiny are poised to gather once again. I give you the Stone Tablet of Promise. The names that appear on it show your followers, the source of your strength."



"I'll also favor you with my great presence. It's not what I choose, but Lady Leknaat has ordered it."



"These old eyes see the future dimly. Many strands of fate are woven around you, young man. Your friend... The inheritor of the Black Sword Rune... I see him also. You both have hard roads ahead... So you must always look forward and proceed carefully... Riou."

"So. It's Viktor and Flik. You're still alive?"

"Y... You..."

"Is this person a friend of yours?"

"Well, sort of. We once fought together."

"Bah! Oh well, next time we'll have a real party!"







You can reorganize your units here and add various people to the different ones to give them various bonuses. I will go into this in greater detail when we actually have enough people to do things with.



Man, she is so angry about keeping items.







"Can you believe that my guide ditched me on the way here? You see, I heard a rumor that a great hero here defeated the Highland Army. So I decided to come here and see for myself. Have you ever seen the hero? What's he like?"



"I can't wait to meet him! Well, duty calls! I'm gonna go ask for an audience right away. Thanks for your help, kid."

"Eh, he's nothing special.

"I figured as much. But that's the nature of rumors, but I still want to meet him. Anyway, later."

"The hero is me."

"Oh, YOU'RE the hero! Of course! I'm SUCH an idiot for not realizing that. Heh heh. Well, nice joking around with ya, kid. I'm gonna go seek an audience with the real leader. Catch ya later."



"Wha... WHAT?? This little kid...??? I... I beg your pardon, my lord. I guess I'm a pretty poor judge of character after all. Heh heh heh... I used to work for Lady Anabelle, but that terrible accident happened while I was away. I'm currently working for the mayor of Two River City."

"So what's your business here, Mr. Fitcher?"

"I heard that you were assembling an army to fight against Highland, so I came to check it out. I was quite surprised to hear that you defeated the force led by General Solon Jhee."

"It was nothing but luck."

"Well, that's what I mean. It was almost a miracle, eh?"

"Shut up!!"

"So I thought I've just got to meet that leader. That's why I came. Lord Riou, please come to Two River City. We must forge an alliance and fight side by side in order to defeat the Highland Army."

"Is this a formal request from Two River City?"

"Let me speak frankly. So far, I'm working on my own initiative."

"Wait a minute. You have that kind of authority?"

"No, officially I'm just here to scout out South Window. But we're going to need each other to stand up to the Highland Empire."

"What will you do, Riou? Are you going to trust this guy?"

"Leave everything to me. I'll make the necessary arrangements in Two River City."

"Lord Riou, I think we should do it. We need all the help we can get right now."

"Great! I'll get started on the preparations immediately. But... Umm... There is, er... There is one other problem."

"What is it?"

"Uh, it's just that the bridges connecting South Window and Two River City have been completely destroyed by the Empire. (Empire? I don't think they've ever been called that before...) I came here by boat, but the crew fled when the battle began, and now... Um... Can you send out a boat for us?"

"Hey...! Is this whole thing just a ruse so you can hitch a ride back home?"

"Of... Of course not!"

"We have a boat, but we'll need a talented captain to make it all the way to Two River City."

"I can't think of anyone who's up to a trip like that. I guess we'll have to find a captain before we go anywhere."



Let's go ask BOAT MASTER CAESAR. (seriously what is with that headband)





"Join your group? Hmm... What should I do... What do you think, Yam Koo?"

"No matter what I say, you've probably already made up your mind."

"Yeah, well... Hey kid, I suppose I could join up with your group. But I've got a rule never to mess with people with bad luck. How about it? Wanna test your luck?"



"Okay, let's do it. We'll play Chinchirorin. If you win 5000 potch or more, I'll join up with you!"







"Hey, you're not too bad. I'm not surprised though. I had you pegged for a winner."

"Hey... you're not really going to do this again, are you...?"

"Quiet! I can make my own decisions without you. Okay, I'll help you guys."

"Oh no. Not again..."



"Stop complaining, Yam Koo and let's go."

"Yes, yes."





"Well, I see you still like sticking your neck into suicidal causes."

"Seems I'm not the only one."

"Indeed you're right. A boring life is meaningless."

"Well, take good care of Lord Riou, eh."

"The boat is down below."

"Leave it to me. On the water, nobody can hold a candle to me."

"Then let's go, Lord Riou. Sir Tai Ho, first head west on the lake, and you'll see Lakewest after a short while. We'll dock there and head to Two River City on foot."


Next Time: Chapter 21 - Hey, join our group. (Recruitment)