Part 130: Action first, words later! We'll send these things packing!

-Looking Up at the Sky-



Soldier: Well, you'll have to keep yourselves safe, I'm afraid. I hate to say it, but we've got our hands full. Aidios, is the rescue squad still not here? I really don't want to hang out near all these monsters!



Royal Army Officer: You can probably tell by looking at us, but our patrol ship's currently grounded. We've requested rescue, but who knows how long that'll take. We intend to stay here on standby until rescue comes. We'll be able to watch out for ourselves. Don't worry about us.
Soldier: We had to take a guy to the nearby village, though. He was just bad enough that we figured he needed a place with a bed.



-A Cat Relaxing in the Sun-



Creda: I can put on some firewood if I get cold, and lamps are fine to keep things lit. I really don't get why everyone's making such a fuss.



Sadie: There was someone injured there, so they're resting at the lodge here.



Carla: They're the ones who protected the village when it was attacked. Even if their injuries are light, it's only natural that we take good care of them.



Royal Army Soldier: We got lucky because our altitude happened to be low, but it was a hell of a shock. I've got bruises all over me from the impact of the landing. Owww...



Elder Serge: If we relax because of that, we'll run out really fast. I sent my son Solomon out to seek support from the City of Ruan. Hopefully he'll be able to negotiate with the new mayor. The supplies we have at the Windmill Lodge will run out very quickly. This is why I sent my son to request aid so early.



Lucia: I'm searching for branches like Mommy asked. Heehee, I'm a good girl, huh? Ummm, are there any good branches around?



Amelia: My younger brother Zack went to check on the lighthouse to make sure everything's all right there. It's just old Vogt up there on his own, so we're both a little worried.





Zack: I've told him over and over that orbments aren't working! But he doesn't want to hear it, OF COURSE. Just got to leave him be for now.



Vogt: I know this lighthouse better than anyone, I say! The cause of this is somewhere in the internal mechanics! I can fix something this simple in no time. Just you wait!




Only one fish left to catch now. It's waiting in the Bose region--and there have been a few other interesting developments while Estelle's been away.



-Town Where The Lights Went Out-



Buck: Remember, it's exactly during hard times that we need to help each other! To offer thanks for your daily patronage we've prepared great deals on our stock! It's gonna be hard going, but thanks to the assistance of the little lady we've avoided shortages for the moment. Times like these, you just gotta run a sale and cheer everyone up with a bang. To show my gratitude to our customers, I gotta work my hardest, especially during the tough times.


Buck and Trayton have new foods but they haven't lowered their prices at all, the hucksters.



Trayton: Thanks to the little lady we've got stock in, so it's time to brighten the mood. The Bose Market's always on the side of the citizens.




Stabilizing the prices seems to have done the trick. The younger merchants are adding their own twist to things as well...
Hmmhmm. At this rate, I can probably relax and just step back and watch.



Paul: Haha. It's been a while since I yelled like this. After all, this kind of business isn't my style.





Katrina: We've got castella cake made with the fluffiest eggs! It's a must-try of the Bose Market! Would you like one?!




Minuet: After all, my store's running sales every day. Well, as a supporting shop I do intend to at least offer some stuff at a loss. Hey, hey, you! Read this book and cheer up!

Wow, thanks.



Felicia: It was the idea of the guys over at the fruit store, but I think it was a really good one. So, then, I gotta make sure I keep my voice up there with everyone else's.





Spence: As a practical matter, it seems there was aid from Mayor Maybelle, but...It seems the good old Bose merchant spirit's still alive and well. Of course, we're putting out some treasured items as goods at this shop, too.



Spence doesn't have any new unique stuff, but he gave me a Zeram Powder way back when so it's all good.



Butler Mayner: Now, if only our orbments would function once again...From what I have heard, that may prove to be our greatest challenge.



In other words, as always, she's skipping out on her prayers. Given the current situation, I can't really scold her too much, but...when everything has settled, I intend to have her pay these debts.



Father Holstein: The steps of the people passing by seem to have grown lighter. Hmm-hmm. A good sign, indeed. It is the strength of this city to recover quickly from difficult times.



Jacob: Has everyone truly forgotten the doom that seems to hover overhead? It's amazing what people can get used to.



-A Cat Relaxing in the Sun-



Sophina: I'm amazed he can be so calm about it, what with that island in the sky! I guess professional fishermen are in a class all their own...



Lenard: As long as...whatever THIS is continues, they won't be able to fly with orbal engines. And at the same time, you can't really tow it back to the capital. I guess it's just gonna float out there on the lake for a while.



Sting: We're going to be in real trouble if this continues. Right now, though, all we can do is give the best we can.



Lloyd: King of Valleria Lake...I'll find you!

If you cast off the Kingfisher Inn's dock with a Trout or Salmon as bait, and every fish recorded in your fish journal, you can get this.





Lloyd: I CAN'T BELIEVE MY EYES!





Lloyd: There's no doubt! It's HIM! This is the Master of Valleria Lake!
Say WHAT?! You're serious? I just caught the master fish?
Lloyd: I never imagined you would catch him...As the one who gave you your Fishing Book...Ah, it feels complicated. I'm frustrated and proud all at once...Still. This, too, must be the will of Aidios. All I can do is admit what you've accomplished, and give you this.


Lloyd: From this moment forward, you are now a Master Fisherman, as acknowledged by the Fisherman's Guild. However! Do not be satisfied with this alone! Always strive further on the path of the fisherman!
A-haha...Yeah, I, uh, will...
And, uh, not to change the subject, but...What IS this, exactly?
Lloyd: It is an identification pass which marks you as a Master Fisherwoman. Anyone with this will be able to take advantage of a wonderful service at the headquarters of the guild. Should you return to the capital, please, stop by. We'd love to have you.
Huh, okay. I don't QUITE get what's going on, but it sounds cool. I'll make sure to drop in.
Lloyd: Heheh. Trust me, it's a service any fisherman would dream of. Anyway, if you'll excuse me, I need to decide what my next goal will be now! Farewell!



Lloyd: Still, fishing is essentially about finding oneself within the natural world! Even if the King's been caught, there's still plenty of fish in the lake, as it were. Maybe it's time I started thinking beyond just Liberl...

I have no idea what this reward could be, but I had to complete a game-spanning quest and walk around the entire Liberl Kingdom twice to get it. There's no way it won't be something awesome.



-Town Where The Lights Went Out-



Fisher: My word, that's a Master Fisher Card! No doubt about it!
Uh...Oh, this thing I got from Lloyd.
Fisher: The Master Fisher Card, which only those who can fish up the kings of fish can claim...And also proof you are a comrade of us.
I-Is it? (That kind of makes me happy, and also kind of not...)
Fisher: Also, Master Fishers can purchase as much bait as they need here.
Ah, that's kind of nice...
Fisher: Yup, yup. It's a real perk, don'tcha know. Should you need bait, just come and speak to me.

...You have got to be shitting me.



Let's just go. And let's never speak of this again.





Ah...!



I'm glad to see you're well.

Estelle...and...and Joshua!
I see...You're both safe. Thank Aidios...All this madness started while you were at the towers, so I was worried that something had happened.
Haha...Thanks for worrying, Jean.
We're all fine, for now, anyway.
It seems the same can't be said for Ruan, though...
You've got that right. We're in a ridiculous mess right now. The second we saw that massive...whatever it was above the lake, all our orbments stopped working.
The new Mayor, Mr. Norman, is struggling to keep up with it all. Honestly, if it weren't for the clergy from the church and the members of the Ravens gang, the town'd be a wreck.
I guess the Ravens really are serious about turning a new leaf.
Those good for nothin' punks...Looks like I underestimated all of 'em.
Of course, it's just been one ridiculous catastrophe after another.
For starters, this whole thing just HAD to happen while the Langland Bridge was up. Naturally. Thanks to that you can only cross the river via paddle-boat ferry right now.
Yeah, we used it to get over here.
The wait time was absolutely brutal.
Ultimately, I don't think the city can keep this up for very long. I'd like to put some kind of relief plan together with the other branches and the army...
But with the phones not working, at best we have written mail, and the roads are a mess.
I think we can help on that front, Jean. We have just the thing!
You can what? You have what?
Let's get you up to speed.

I get it...Figures that thing has something to do with the society.
Being able to use the phone would be a HUGE help, though!
Could you set that up right now?
Yes, give me just a moment.






It should work now. You won't be able to make calls until the receiver's phone is also functional, though.
Oh, man, this is just what we needed. Having a working phone is like manna from Aidios at a time like this!
I could kiss you all AND Professor Russell right now!
Ahaha...It's, uh, a nice sentiment, at least!
And with that, all the phones should work now. We should return to the professor and Captain Schwarz and inform them of our success.
Or we could just...you know, give them a call? Let's not have a repeat of that mess with the combustion engine.

You guys have done great! I can take care of anything that comes up now!
Is there anything else we can help with?
Right, hmm.
Check the postings on the board, if you could. Also, if you could check the places outside the city limits, like the orphanage and school, I'd appreciate it.
Yeah, I can see how you'd need a patrol at a time like this.
We'll keep an eye out as best we can.
Thanks!

*RINGRINGRINGRING*



A call already? THAT was fast.



Oh! Elnan!
I was just thinking of calling YOU, actually. No, no, the phone only started working a second ago. Good timing.
Estelle's group? They're right here, actually.
(Elnan wants us?)
(Seems like it. I wonder what's going on.)
Yes...Yes...
Yes, I understand. I'll tell them. I'll give you another call about the situation over here once I have a better picture.
Good luck over there. Talk to you later. *click*
Jean, that was Elnan? What's up?



Apparently, Her Majesty wants to talk to you all about something. They'd like for you to stop by Grancel when you get the chance.
The QUEEN?!
Kinda outta the blue...Wonder what's up.
Elnan didn't share any details. It seemed like something he wasn't comfortable talking about over the phone.
Something you can't say over the phone...
I get it, phone calls run the risk of being intercepted...
It must be something secret, then.
Elnan said it wasn't a huge emergency, though. You can stop by whenever you find the time.
Hmm. Okay, then.
We'll get over there at some point, then.





-Pinch!!-

That was...
Hurry, Estelle!







Mickey: D-D-Dammit...Why is this...? Gotta, gotta hurry and tell someone...

*GGRRR*







Action first, words later! We'll send these things packing!
Step back. We may not be able to protect you in a fight.
The hell are Ouroboros' critters doin' out here?
Defend yourselves!

-Fight With Assailant-







-Secret Green Passage-



Yes. Glad we managed to make it in time.
Mickey: You saved me...



Mickey: Sorry...You really pulled my bacon out of the fire.
Hey, no big. It's part of the job.
More importantly...what's happened? Those monsters aren't from this area.
Mickey: W-Well...The academy...The royal academy's been attacked!

-Conspiracy-

WHAT?!
Okay, calm down and make with the details.
Mickey: O-Okay...I was...I was hanging around behind the old schoolhouse, ditching class again. Suddenly, these soldiers in red armor break down the front gate! The janitor came up to ask them what the hell they were doing, but...but...But they, they...sh-sh-shot the guy...
Oh, no...
Animals...
Mickey: When I saw that, my...my mind just went blank...I ran and ran, like, I wanted to get some help, but where was I gonna go?
All right, I think we understand the situation.
Listen closely. Can you follow the road to Ruan and tell the guild secretary there, Jean, what's happened? Tell him that Estelle Bright's team is going to go investigate the academy.
Mickey: I'll...I'll try! They've got these weird, I dunno, puppet things, too, along with the monsters. Be careful, okay?

alright everybody wake up shit's starting to happen again