Part 8: The Lord of the Plains

As we walk towards the gate, we can hear some bells starting to ring.

Watch the cutscene!



This cutscene is... weird, really. It's also pretty action-y, so you might want to watch it even if you normally don't.






Knight A: Arrows! Bring the arrows!



Knight C: Dammit! What are they doing here this time of the year.
Knight D: The monsters will fall back if we stop the main charge! Remember your training!





Hold the gate! There's still more...






We just left the capital and things are already getting crazy...
That's it. I'm cursed. I know it.

Yuri decides to run out and help the people get inside. You know, right now I'm wondering what they were even doing there, there's absolutely nothing on the other side of the gate, so unless all of those people were just passing through going towards Halure... oh well, whatever.




Repede is awesome and stops the knight from lowering the gate.

...?! The gate!
Grrr, woof!!
Knight C: Wh-what the hell! Cut it out!



Help the girl!
...Whatever you say.



Everything is going to be OK.

Meanwhile, Yuri grabs the girl and gets the hell out of here.




Back to Estelle.

Boy: ...Hey, I can...I can stand...
Go in the hold. Hurry!



Girl: My doll, mama's doll!

Estelle wants to rush back out, but Yuri stops her.



Hey! Let go of me!
You wait here!

Yuri runs out and fetches the doll. In the meantime, the gates starts closing again...

So much for keeping a low profile!
Yuri!








Neat move, I guess.

Woman: How can I ever thank you?
Oh, it's nothing, really...
Boy: I'm not sure what I would have done if you hadn't cured me. Thanks!




...I'm just thankful that everyone's safe...



All worn out, huh?
It really is dangerous beyond the barriers with so many ferocious monsters around.
This place could definitely use a barrier against a pack that big.
Couldn't they install a barrier blastia here?
No. Barriers are a precious resource.
You're right...and with the current technology, we can't make anymore. If only we could recover the secrets of the ancient Geraios civilization... They created the blastia.
Even if that were to happen, I can't see the empire using the knowledge for the common good.



He gets interrupted by a conversation behind him that we happen to overhear.

So why don't you let us through? I'll beat those monsters to a pulp with these fists of mine!



You dare to doubt the power of the monster hunters?






Stay out of this! You Knights cheated us out of a job back there, and now we're gonna work off some steam!
Knight: Hey, hold it!



Great, we'll never get through as long as this keeps up.
But Flynn is headed to Halure, and we're so close.
Well, getting caught by the Knights wouldn't be too fun. Let's find another way through.

Skit: Quite a Scene
We made quite a scene, didn't we? I was so worried once those knights noticed us...
I told you we couldn't stand out.
You were the one who just jumped.
I can't just look away when monsters are attacking someone right in front of me, right?
Heh heh.
What's so funny?
I'm sorry. That sounded just like the way Flynn described you, that's all. He often said that you could never turn a blind eye when someone near you was suffering.
Well, next time you see him, you tell him that I said he's the same way.
Heh heh. I'll do that.


Well, let's search for another way. Asking around town a bit, we run into this charming lady.

Watch the cutscene!






Yuri just ignores her.



Bodyguard: Watch your manners around the President. Well, whaddya say?
So it's not bad manners to try and buy someone without even introducing yourself?
Bodyguard: Watch your mouth!



You're just as charming as I expected. I'm Kaufman of the merchants' guild, Fortune's Market. We handle everything from trade to distribution.
Guilds, huh...

At this moment, the earth shakes a few times for a second each.

You see, I'm in quite a tight spot, and it's all thanks to these tremors.
I'd rather not know, but was that the work of a monster?
Yes, the Lord of the Plains.
Lord of the Plains?
He's the leader of that pack of monsters.
The leader? Man, there's some amazing things out there.
Do you know if there's another way we can cross the plains? We're in a hurry.
Hmm, I'm afraid you'll just have to wait for the Lord of the Plains to leave.
Huh. I guess there's no point getting worked up over it.
But I can't afford to just sit and wait. I'm going to get a second opinion!
...

Estelle and Repede walk off.



I could hire you and just charge through once the leader moves on, but...you don't seem interested.
If it's bodyguards you want, why not hire the Knights?
Are you forgetting that we guild members have thrown away our rights as imperial citizens?
Once leave the empire behind, you can't expect them to help you a whole lot. So naturally, the Imperial Knights would never deign to escort the likes of us.
Wow. You really stick to your principles.
Without that level of determination, one could never hope to run a guild.
Well, maybe you could use your determination to do something about that Lord of the Plains.

Yuri starts to walk away.

Go to the Quoi Woods that lie to the west of here. If you pass through the forest, you'll come out on the far side of the plains.
But the fact that you guys aren't going that way must mean we have some surprise to look forward to.



Thanks, I owe you one. Maybe I'll talk to you about that job if we meet again.



Estelle.
I...I'm not waiting around for the monsters to leave or anything. I'm just resting a little.
Oh, I see. Well then, I guess I'll just have to take the other way around by myself.




Well, I suppose we'll check out those woods. Let's get out of town, back to the world map.

Skit: Guilds
That woman who gave us directions--she said she was in a guild, right?
That was Ms. Kaufman, of Fortune's Market.
Man... Giving up their rights as imperial citizens and just...living free...
Yuri, are you interested in the guilds?
Interested? Nah, I've just never had much contact with them.
Back in the capital there weren't any gritty guild types who'd refuse the Knights' protection.
We may meet lots of people in guilds before we're done with our trip.
I hope they're a little less aggressive than that woman was.






The Quoi Woods lie to the east, close to some mountains. The trip there is fairly short and uneventful.

Skit: Watch and Learn
You look very good swinging a sword, Yuri.
You're not bad yourself, Estelle.
Really? My swordmaster used to scold me terribly...
Well, I have to admit I'd be surprised if you looked TOO natural.
I really don't like fighting... I don't like hurting people...
How ladylike of you.
But...if I don't fight, I'll end up hurt, myself, right?
Yeah, that's pretty much how it works.
I wish I could enjoy fighting like you do, Yuri...
You think I enjoy this?
Don't you? I mean, the way your eyes shine... That only happens when you're fighing.
O-oh, really?... Wow, you're pretty observant.
Yes, I like watching people.




And we're already there. Next time we'll walk through, hopefully reaching Halure.

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Oh, also, are you guys interested in dungeon or world map travel videos? If yes I can throw them up for interesting areas here and there.