Part 55: Mantaic, the Desert Oasis

Last time, we were about to enter Mantaic.

Watch the cutscene!





Well, in this heat...



There are knights even here, though.
I don't recall seeing such intimidating people here the last time I came.



I'm for that...Before I do anything, I want to give these feet a rest...
Okay then, let's meet up in front of the inn after sunset.
Okay. See you then.



Karol, Rita, Judith, and Estelle leave.




Well, I think we all could use a little time to think things over.
Hah hah hah. The kids are all right.





Skit: The Imperial Knights
I wouldn't think the Knights would bother coming all the way out to a border town like this.
More power to 'em if they're really here to "defend the public order," or whatever, but...
Something tells me there's more to it than that.


Mantaic is a pretty small and quiet town. Something is going on though: The only NPCs standing around are a few travellers, a lot of knights, the shopkeeper, and the innkeeper.

Our party members are hanging out in the area and we can talk to everyone for a bit. First, though, we can get ourselves a recipe:






If we check the same location a bit more, we can find the Wonder Reporter again:




Wonder Reporter: While you sleep, I've been sneaking in and updating your Wonder Log! Oh no, you know my precious secret! And yet, you're the first person I've ever told! It's all right! Just let this stay our little secret, and I'll keep sneaking up to your bedside and working my magic. ♥ Oh no, I think I just violated the reporter's code of confidentiality...! Goodbye!
...I'm scared...


Anyway, let's talk to everyone. Estelle is by the oasis.



Hey, why the long face?



I don't think Rita'd joke around with such a serious look on her face.
Yeah, I guess not.. I've dragged all of you all the way out here...
You should stop worrying about all of us.
Huh...?
I mean, we're just doing what we feel like doing. But...what about you? What do YOU want to do?
Me...? I...
You were saying that you need to figure out who you are, weren't you?
Yes...that's true, but...
Estelle, you're Brave Vesperia's client. If you tell us to go somewhere, we'll go there.



Yuri... Then, I...
...There's no need to rush to give me an answer. Take your time.
...


Raven is next to the shop.



...
Whoa, what's with that face?
Hearin' you apologize like that puts me a little bit on edge, is all.
I mean, you still have to deliver that letter to Belius, right?
Yeah, but if I can't see her until the new moon, then that's that, ain't it? Till then, I'm at the mercy of the princess's whims.
Well well, aren't you easygoing. You sure about that? If we spend too long out here and you miss the new moon, the Don'll yell at you for sure.



It ain't like we're gonna run out of new moons anytime soon.
You certainly sound patient. You sure about this?
Of course. Patience is something you'll learn with age.
Ugh, I swear...
Well, making the right decisions is part of being an adult, too. I'll leave as soon as I feel like I have to. Anyway, let me travel with you kids for a while longer.
Sure. Whatever you want.


We run into Judith attempting to leave the town.





Nowhere in particular. Just going on a walk. What about you? Where were you going?



It's good to be prepared. So, how was it?
It was hot.
Well, I assumed as much.
But... It wasn't as hot as I thought it'd be.
Hmmm...well, okay. But what I wanted to know was if Phaeroh is out there.
Right...that'd be nice.
Oh well, I guess we couldn't expect him to be that easy to find.
...
What?
You want to go out and check for yourself?
No, that's okay... If we head out to look for him, we should do it together.
Oh, I see.


Rita is hanging out in the inn.





I know.
Are you really going to return it?
Yes, I am. You got a problem with that?
Nope...
You saw what happened in Nordopolica. This thing made it so I couldn't control my magic.



Interferes with aer? How could a tiny box like this do something like that?
I don't know. That's why I wish I could open this box somehow...
There's a good chance that we'd be able to find a key for the box in Yormgen.
For me, this doesn't have anything to do with Estelle wanting to return it anymore.
So then you're going to look for the town of Yormgen that was mentioned in that diary?
Yes, if I can...
If you can?
I can't leave Estelle behind.
Sure you can, if you want to.



...
Until now, she was so careful...how could she... She couldn't be serious about going alone into the desert...could she?


And Karol is outside the inn.



I can't believe Ruins' Gate was secretly selling weapons. And that they were smuggling them illegally out of ruins...
...Sometimes you have to have shadow where there's light, I guess.
...That's so sad, though.
Well, you don't need to worry about those guys. Just keep living your life the way you know is right... And lead Brave Vesperia to victory with pride.
Yeah, you're right!



Yeah, we've finally made it into the desert...it feels like we're almost there.
Hey, once we're done with this commission you think we could go back to Dahngrest for a bit?
Hmm...let's wait until we've wrapped up our current job to talk about that.
Oh, y-yeah, sure.


And that's everyone! ...Well, unless you're playing the PS3 version.






You're still here?
What, did you come looking for me because you were lonely?
You sure you aren't hanging around because you're looking for me?
You got it, actually. Marry me!
I'll think about it once you've grown up.



Guild Member: What's with you?
I kinda know her.
He's my husband!

Yuri sighs.

Guild Member: Well, whatever... I got the information you wanted regarding the Maris Stella.
I'm grateful.
Guild Member: But before I get to that, is it true that you're Aifread's granddaughter?
...!
Guild Member: That's the rumor I heard. ...Is it true?
...
Guild Member: That must mean it is. In that case, I can't help you out.



Guild Member: If I did business with the grandchild of a traitor, it would hurt our guild's reputation.
Aifread wasn't...
Guild Member: I have nothing against you personally, but for those of us who live by the guild oaths, Aifread's behavior is unforgivable. I don't want to have anything to do with someone who goes around saying they're related to him of their own free will. Don't show yourself before our guild ever again.
...
Guild Member: Don't go thinking you're being treated unfairly here. If you pull something against our guild out of resentment, you'll have hell to pay. If you think World's Cellar is nothing more than a simple surveyor's guild, you've got another think comin'.
I would never do that!



Guild Member: I wonder about that... Anyway, the blood of a coward who attacked a ship while pretending to guard it runs through your veins. I'll never be able to know what's going through your head.
...
Guild Member: And you. I don't know if you're really her husband or what, but if I were you, I'd keep my distance from her.

The guild member leaves.





Because I don't know anything. Neither about my grandfather, nor about the incident. I don't know if it really happened or if it's all a lie. I don't even know if my grandfather was a good or bad person. All I know is that my grandfather was important to me. So I can't agree or disagree with anything people say.
So you're not even sure what sort of person you are, then?
I'm me. I know that much.
In that case, couldn't you have said something back to him?
It's okay. I'm already used to hearing people say all sorts of things about my grandfather. I pay no mind to all that hogwash! I can keep looking for my treasure in my own way.
If you're going to act so tough, you better not start crying as soon as you're alone.
I've no need for tears. After all, my motto is "When the going gets tough, the tough don't cry!".
Well, whatever works... Nothing will come of your treasure hunt without some sort of clue, though.
Don't worry. I've got one. See you.

Patty runs off.

...


Man, this is just kind of a plot dump about Patty's backstory. They could have done that more naturally. Oh well.




Once we've talked to everyone, walking near the inn triggers a cutscene.

Watch the cutscene!





Huh? What's going on, Estelle...? What's this?
This is payment for your services. I'm sure you'll be able to sell it for quite a sum.



Huh? What do you mean? You haven't found what you're looking for yet...
...I'm afraid I must take my leave from you here.



You're not thinking of going alone, are you...?
My desire to meet Phaeroh is a personal one.
Are you crazy? That's way too dangerous!
Which is why I must go alone. I won't have the rest of you caught up any further in my own selfish quest.
Do justice, and punish the unjust.



There's no justice in letting Estelle march into the heart of the desert all by herself.
I don't think I have it in me to break our laws. How 'bout you, Karol?
Right!
It seems those are the rules.
...I'm terribly flattered, really, but I'm afraid I can't let you...
Estelle, wait! Have you all lost your marbles? We're talking about a force of nature here!
Which is why we're all going together.
I'll admit I'm a little scared, but I can't just let Estelle go off like that.



If I start whining now, I'll have go all the way back ta Nordopolica by myself, right? That's no fun.
Ooh! There's no reasoning with any of you.
Are you sure you're dead set on this?
Yes. I've thought a lot about this. You all have something that's important to you, a goal you give everything to achieve. I realized that I didn't have anything like that for myself... And I knew I had to find a purpose of my own, something I can dedicate myself to. I made the decision to begin this journey, and I have to finish what I've started.



...Okay okay, you win. So we'll be aiming for the desert's center.
Huh...?
Hey, I tried talking sense into you idiots.
Rita...
There's actually no real need for you to come, Rita. You've got your aer krene research to worry about, don't you?



The aer krene isn't going anywhere. I'll go check up on it later. But! We're not leaving until we've taken care of all our preparations.
I'm sorry to be such an inconvenience to you all...
I think we had a pretty good idea things would turn out like this from the start.
Yeah.
Thank you!

Huh...? Where's Judith?



Yeah.
Well, what did you decide?
We're going to the center of the desert.
I had a feeling, so I've made some arrangements. The innkeeper has agreed to help us.
We'll wanna be good and rested before we leave this town behind, that's for sure.
You're always thinking about your next nap, aren't you?



This comment causes Rita to step closer, and...




step on Raven's foot! Ouch.

Everyone except Judith leaves for the inn.





Skit: The Desert
This town's only on the edge of the desert, but the heat's still got my head spinning.
Youngsters these days have got no stamina, I tell ya.
...*Pant*
Whoa, no come back from Rita.
...It's hot. It's so hot.
I think she's so hot she didn't even hear him.


Next time, we'll learn a bit more about the situation in town and most likely enter the desert!