Part 60: Cumore in Mantaic

The game is nice enough to not actually make us go through the desert again. When we reach the edge of the desert after we've gone through it once, the game gives us the option of just staying on the world map. Pretty neat!






After a short walk, we're already in Mantaic.

Watch the cutscene!



You're telling me.
Look...there are people outside the town...
Wonder if that means the curfew's been lifted.





Easy now, haste makes waste.



Man: But while we're gone, the children...!
I promise riches to anyone who can bring me the remains of that giant, winged monster. Then your children will be able to live in the lap of luxury.
Man: Please, don't make us go!
Stop your whining! I told you vermin to get aboard! Now get moving this instant!



The giant, winged monster must be Phaeroh.
Yeah, but what's he want ta capture Phaeroh so bad for?
Well, what are we going to do? We can't just stand by and watch, can we?



I'm afraid that idiot isn't going to listen to anything a princess would say.
...Then what should we do?
Karol, c'mere a sec.
What? Yeah, I could do that...but I'd need tools... Wait, you mean...?



How convenient...



You guys better bail me out if this goes bad.



So you did pick that up.
Well, it was just lying there. I thought it might be useful.
...Whatever.
Now about all we can do is leave it up to the kid.



Knight: Sir Cumore, everyone is aboard!
Everyone except yourself.
Knight: What? M-me...?
Those who do their jobs slowly will never learn without punishment.
Knight: Sir Cumore, please, I beg of you! I have a wife and daughter...
If you'd like to stay here... I'm sure I could arrange for them to go in your place. Now, be gone with you!



Don't worry. That young man is very capable.




What's going on?! Who was it that readied this coach?! Gaaah!! Fix the blasted coach! I will find out who's responsible for this!
I've gotta hand it to the little runt.



Whew... My heart was pounding like a drum.
This won't do anything more than buy us some time, though.
I think it's about all we can do at the moment.
Yeah, Captain Karol'd start crying if we tried to tackle the Knights head on.
How 'bout we make ourselves scarce before people start gettin' too curious?



Yeah. I'm sure your kids will be so happy to see you. But there won't always be someone around to save you.
Woman: Thank you again for all your help.




Skit: The Knights in this Town
Using your power to terrorize people.
There's not a soul in the lower quarter that evil.
...You've gone too far this time, Cumore.


Before we head to the inn, we can check to see how the two kids whose parents we brought back are doing.




Oh, it's you! Yay!
Thank you for saving our Mommy and Daddy!
Aw, shucks, kids, 'tweren't nothin'!
What are you getting all bashful for, old man?
After all, we even got a reward for helping them.
Oh, what's the matter?



Woman: Thanks to you, our children have someone to take care of them again.
No, really, we hardly did anything.
Man: No, no, it's thanks to all of the precious water you shared with us that we're here today!
Woman: I doubt this is really enough to thank you for all you've done, but...



Thank you!
Man: It's the least we could do. Thank you.



Here you go.
Huh...?
This is important to you, right? You can have it back.
But...
Don't worry, your Mom and Dad already gave us something to thank us for helping them. We couldn't take your reward, too! That would be greedy!
O-okay...!
See ya later, okay?




Alright, off to the inn!



Innkeeper: Ohh...! You've returned safe from--! ...W-welcome back.
...Looks like they've still got guards watching him.
Innkeeper: You must be tired. Please enjoy your stay.




I wonder why they're trying to capture Phaeroh.
I don't know, but... At this rate, they're going to send all of the adults in the town out into the desert.
And once the adults are gone, it might be the children's turn, next.
No, that can't happen!



Are you forgetting what happened in Heliord?
Yeah, Estelle. He didn't care that you were the princess at all.
...
So should we help the townspeople, or should we help ourselves?
Rita...
Don't you want to know what the Entelexeia is thinking? If so, you should put this whole business with Cumore out of your mind for the time being.
It's a strange feeling to be agreeing with you, but... I think we should focus on meeting Belius for now.



If we can't do anything about him, we should focus on what we actually can do.
If only Flynn were here...!
Flynn... But where is he...?
I wish I knew...
I'm sorry, Estelle... We don't mean to be ganging up on you. It disgusts me, too, to imagine that jerk snoring all nice and cozy in his bed right now. But...
Rita...I understand.
Lock up a guy like that, and as soon as he's released he'll just end up doing the same thing again.
Yep. You know what they say...the only cure for stupidity is death.





Watch the cutscene! (recommended!)














Cumore.

No reaction from Cumore. Yuri kicks the bed.



Wh-what are you doing here?!








Cumore stands up, his whole body shaking.









You talk too much, Cumore. The time's come for you to make your exit.
D-do you have any idea the trouble you're in for even pointing that thing at me?!










I'm not the one to blame! I've just been following orders! I had no choice!
Then don't hate me. Hate whoever gave you your orders.



I could use my authority to pardon all of your crimes! A fresh start! I may even be able to have you reinstated as a Knight! I have no shortage of money. With enough money, I'm sure I could satisfy your every wish. Go ahead! Tell me what it is you want!



A-and what might that...?



I am Cumore, a captain of the Imperial Knights! The man destined to become Commandant!





I-I beg you! Spare my life!





















That ought to put you one step closer to your next promotion.

I'm heading back to the others.









Watch the cutscene!










Yes. It's a great relief to know the people here can live freely again.
I'm still in shock that Flynn actually came.
That was amazing timing.



You watch. Flynn'll have that guy behind bars in no time. Right, Yuri?
...Oh, uh, yeah.
...Yuri...?



He wore himself out playing with all the children. You'd think he was 12 years old.




They're still going out there. I can't keep up with them.
I saw you having a good time, though. You're an awesome dancer, Rita.
Shut up.
Huh...? The old man's asleep already?
Heh. That was quick.



Just gonna go have a word with Flynn. I'll be back.


Watch the cutscene! (recommended!)




Why don't you have a seat?



Tell me... Why did you kill Cumore? You know it's not our place to pass sentence on the crimes of others. He was to be punished in accordance with the laws!
And just what laws do you think would have punished him?! The same laws that failed to punish Ragou? Give me a break.







If the laws are at fault, then fixing those laws comes first. It's for that very reason that I'm still with the Imperial Knights!
But you can't deny that lives were saved because those bastards were put down.



That's not what I'm saying at all!
They're out there, you know. People so bad they'll just go on hurting others. What can the average person do but be victimized by people like that? You know it was the same way with our people in the lower quarter.
Even so, Yuri, what you're doing isn't right.



That's the behavior of a common criminal.



Murder is a crime.

And even knowing that, you intend to dirty your hands.





So this is the path you've chosen.
Don't make me repeat myself.
I won't. But it seems you dont yet understand the full weight of your choices...
As a knight, I cannot overlook your crimes.








What is it?



Also, it appears that the Hunting Blades are on the move. Sir, we must go to Nordopolica quickly.
...
Captain?
Understood.
Sir.





I know you better than anyone alive, Yuri. If you insist on walking down the path of a criminal...










Yuri...
So, you heard it all?
I'm sorry.









...It's true the things you've done are against the law. But I...I'm confused. It's also true that your actions saved the lives of others...



You'd never do something like that without a reason. If you ever end up pointing your sword at me, I'm sure I will have done something to deserve it.
... If you're going to go with Flynn, now's your chance. He seemed like he was in a hurry.
No. I'm going to continue on this journey with you. It's what I want. Traveling with you, I know I'll find the right path for myself, too. So what I'm thinking is...





...Thanks.