Part 30: A Ton of Plot at Heliord

The next day...

...
What's the matter, Repede?
Do you guys hear a strange sound?
Now that you mention it, yeah...




I can't!
Commandant Alexei is there, isn't he? He should be able to take care of it.
Rita, if we let you go out on your own, it'll just be another repeat of Ehmead Hill.
Well, if you want, we could at least let Flynn know about it.


Before searching for Flynn, I buy two weapons:


Item Thrower: Allows usage of recovery items on other party members.
Axes Up: Increases attack power when an axe is equipped.


Critical Magic: Allows Magic to deal critical hits.


Skit: The Interrogation
It's been a while since the Imperial Knights have interrogated me... Forgot how tiring it was.
Even the Princess and His Highness Ioder got involved.
Woof!
And two captains and the Commandant. And with Flynn here, too, they're leaving the capital totally defenseless.
Pretty sloppy work...


Next stop is the blastia in the middle of town, where we meet up with Estelle.




Estelle!
After all, I've heard that the Imperial Knights have made some repairs on the blastia here.
Give the Knights some credit for once, will you?
Please, Rita.
...All right then.
(to Estelle) It's okay for you to be wandering around like this?
Yes... But can I stay with you until it's time to return to Zaphias?
I don't mind at all.


Skit: The Hunting Blades and the Monster
What do you think that scary monster we saw in Caer Bocram was?
That beast was way tougher than anything I've ever seen before.
If it didn't run away when it did, we'd have been in a world of hurt.
That's a surprisingly cautious opinion, coming from you.
Not that I disagree, when it comes to a monster like that.
Do you think it was the Hunting Blades who trapped it in a reverse barrier?
...Yeah, probably... It looked like they'd come to take that monster down.
Whatever the case, I don't want to meet up with a monster like that again.


Since we can't investigate the blastia ourselves, let's at least inform Flynn about it.





You came all the way here because you were worried about that? As always, Yuri, you can't leave well enough alone if you see anything amiss.
Hey, it's not me! She was the one that--



This blastia is currently in a state of repair. I'm sorry, but I cannot allow you to examine it.
Why!

Suddenly, the ground is shaking.



What was that vibration?



Maybe something's happened to the blastia!
Let's get outta here!
Your Highness, you must stay here!


We rush outside, just in time to catch up to Rita.

Watch the cutscene!



Let me go! I can't just leave him like this!



And what about you?!

The ground shakes again, causing Yuri and Rita to lose their balance. Rita quickly gets back up and runs to the blastia.

Dammit! That girl's blastia crazy!



You'll be just like new!





Yes, sir.
The aer is completely out of control. There's no telling what it will do.
...No! The flow of aer has outstripped his capacity. At this rate, it'll either swallow the city or even explode.
Man A: E-explode? Did you hear that?!
Man B: Everybody, get out of here! Hurry!



Princess?!




What is she--?!



...Estellise...







An explosion. Rita and Estelle get knocked onto the ground.






...*Huff* ...Please... Get a room ready...for Rita...
Do you even hear what you're saying? You're just as worn out as she is.
Prepare rooms at once! I'll take her there myself.

Yuri decides to check up on Karol.



Y-yeah...
Come on, we're going too.



Someone knocks on the door.

...C-come in.



You can't keep using your healing artes on her forever, Estelle. Come on, let's let her rest for now.
Yes...
I can't believe she had to go and do something like that.
Yes. Once Rita chooses to do something, she won't listen to anyone else...
You're one to talk! You were just as bad as she was.
...I'm sorry.
I'm going to stay here. You should go rest. Aren't you tired from using your healing artes so much?



And so can you, if you spend enough time looking for it. But you need to go and get some sleep now.
No, I'm fine. Yuri, you should get some sleep, yourself.
Flynn will get mad at me if you pass out.
So let him get mad at you.



I can't ask you to take my place if I've already collapsed, can I?

Yuri sighs, then leaves the room. In the Inn's corridor, he finds Karol.

Watch the cutscene!



After what happened when you first met me, and at Caer Bocram, and today...
I think everyone freaked out today. Even the great Commandant was pretty in over his head. There are lots of things even grown-ups can't do.
Even you, Yuri?
Yeah. I guess so. It's a tough world.
Now you got the idea.
...Hey, Yuri?
Hmm?



A guild, huh... Yeah, that's an idea. I'll think about it.
R-really?!
What, you're surprised?
I thought you'd say "No way! I've been in enough messes already!" or something.
Not all adults think like that, you know. Anyway, it's late. Let's get some rest and see how she's doing in the morning.


Checking back on Estelle and Rita...

Watch the cutscene! (recommended)



Glad to see you're awake.



You didn't think she'd really listen to you, did you?
Uuh...
...Heh, she looks happy.





I just didn't think you were the kind of person who cared what other people thought.
F-forget it. You can go now.
Compared to those formulas of yours, she should be easy to figure out.



But be careful! It's just when you think you've recovered that you're in the most danger.
It's all right, I'm fine.



I... What do you mean?
It's pretty cool that you can use healing artes without a blastia.





What the?
Hey, it's that dragon freak!








Don't you ever learn...?



The Dragon Rider flies away.

W-What was that thing?
Just when the conversation was getting interesting.



Fine by me. I've pretty much figured it out, anyway.
Don't look at me like that. Do I really look like that much of a bad guy to you?
Yes.
...Heh heh heh.
...Hey wait. What's going on you guys? Come on, tell me!


The next morning...

Watch the cutscene!



Okay.
Do you have everything? Wouldn't want to have to come back later.
If I forget anything, you'll bring it to me, won't you, Yuri?
Hah, yeah right. Okay, let's go find Flynn. I'll take you that far.
U-um, what are you all going to do after this?
Hmm. Well we did lose track of the Blood Alliance...



Man, if I go back there now, they'll all just laugh at me...
Dahngrest? That's the guild city, right?
Y-yeah. I thought we could find out about the Blood Alliance there...
What direction is it from here?
Well, it's to the west I guess, but...
Let's check it out, then. Might be helpful for anybody thinking of starting a guild, too.



...

Flynn, however, doesn't seem to be around anymore. After a quick search...

Watch the cutscene!



Does that mean you're staying with us for now?
Well, I... Would that be all right?
Karol, don't fill the princess's head with ideas.



Flynn has already set out to tend to other business. Now then. Rita Mordio, we would like you to investigate yesterday's blastia malfunction.



No, we would ask that you go to the forest of Keiv Moc.
...Keiv Moc, huh? Oh yeah, the plants affected by the disaster here look just like the ones in that forest.
We have reports of tree mutations and of monsters increasing in both number and aggressiveness. Messengers have gone to the capital, but much time will be wasted finding a gifted mage.
I specialize in blastia. Plants are out of my league.
Consider their connection to the aer. I imagine that is within your league.



What do you mean?
You are a researcher in an imperial blastia laboratory. You must undertake the tasks assigned to you.
Um... Then there should be no problem if I accompany her to the forest, right?



If this does have something to do with aer, then my healing artes would prove useful.
Yes, they would...
Please, Alexei! Let me do my part to help.
Your Highness, I simply cannot allow you to go to such a dangerous forest.
Well, what if...



Me?
If Yuri were to come, you wouldn't be worried right?
Young man, please escort the Princess. I ask this of you only because you once sought to join the Imperial Knights.
...Of all the underhanded... I didn't ask anybody to count on me. You're pushing me into this.
It seems I can take that reply as indication of your agreement.



Very well.
Your Excellency...



Huh? He did what?
He left this message for you: "Take care of Her Highness."
All right then, it's the forest of Keiv Moc by way of Dahngrest!








Skit: Alexei
I'm glad that Commandant Alexei turned out to be so reasonable.
Yeah, I thought he'd be more of a stubborn jerk myself.
Had you met him before, Yuri?
I knew him, but I doubt he knew me.
I was barely in the Knights for any time at all, really.
What sort of person is he, I wonder?
He can be very formal at times. But in a way, he's something of a symbol for the Knights. Many who are in the Knights now were inspired to join by Alexei's example.
Heh. One thing's clear. I don't have much in common with him.


Well that was a bunch of plot. Next time: Sidequests!