Part 21: My goodness. What a tragedy in the making.

-Seaport City of Ruan-



Good work. Seems you safely achieved your goal. If you have any jobs completed, come on by and report them.

Let's just skip straight to the last witness, down at the Ruan/Zeiss border.



-Border Patrol Isn't Easy-







So the guard who saw...IT...is around here somewhere...?
Least that's what Jean told us, yeah. Let's hit up the guard commander here first and see who saw what.
Good idea.
But...*sigh* To think that someone saw IT in such a lovely place...
Oh, knock it off with the 'IT' nonsense. Just say it's a ghost or whatever already.
No, NO! Not hearing anything! LA LA LA! Can't a girl lie to herself every now and then?!



Private Vernon: Not many tourists are coming through these days. It's so boring, it's been a struggle to keep my eyes open.



Caesar: There's not many guests right now, so relax and enjoy yourself. If you're hungry, why not try out some of my new menu?




CWO Hahn: Hey, welcome. Hm? Wait a minute! You're that bracer who dealt with the duke.
Haha! Yeah, that's me. I'm surprised you even remember that.
CWO Hahn: Of course! Things wouldn't have gone half as smoothly without you. Well, what can we do for you today?
Well, sir, we're here about a soldier who claims to have seen a 'white shadow'...
CWO Hahn: What, even the guild's heard about that? For the love of...This is ridiculous. He should be ashamed. Honestly!
Ashamed? What do you mean?
CWO Hahn: There wasn't any ghost. He was just daydreaming. And drifting off the way he did could be disastrous if there was an actual emergency. As his commanding officer, his actions are wholly my responsibility. How embarrassing...
I think you're getting a bit ahead of yourself, sir.
That thing, whatever it is, has apparently been seen all over the region.
CWO Hahn: What? Are you...


CWO Hahn: I...I see. Goodness...I'd thought he was simply half asleep, but...Perhaps I did jump to conclusions too quickly. I've been far too hard on Nix, in that case.
So Nix is the one who saw the white shadow?
CWO Hahn: That's right. He's currently on duty at the entrance to the Kaldia Tunnel. You should go speak to him directly. Tell him he has my permission to speak to you.
Thank you, sir!






Private Nix: Give me just a minute and I'll open the gate.
Ah, no. We're not here for the tunnel.
We're from the Bracer Guild. And we're here for you, actually! Can we ask you about the 'white shadow' you saw?
Private Nix: Hang on, you mean...B-But that was just something I dreamed up when I was half-asleep.
Actually, it wasn't. A lot of people across Ruan have been seeing...it.
And, according to your commanding officer, neither you nor he knew. He said 'sorry' for his earlier comments, and says you can talk freely about it.
Private Nix: So it WAS real! I knew it was too real to be a dream! This makes me feel a bit better, honestly...Though if that thing was real, it's actually kinda bone-chilling...
Trust me, I know what you mean.
A-Anyway, can you tell us about what you saw? In as much detail as you can, please!
Private Nix: Sure. It was three nights ago. I was standing here on my watch shift...You've noticed how loud the waterfall is, right? You get used to it after a while, and it has a rhythm that can really lull you to sleep. Plus, I'd just started my shift and had come from the mess, so I was even more sleepy...So to keep from falling asleep, I walked back and forth around here. And that's when I saw...IT.
I-I see. What...was it, exactly?
Private Nix: A floating man dressed in white, old-fashioned clothes. He...or it...was dancing just above the waterfall. I freaked out so bad, I pointed my rifle at it without thinking, and...
Wha?! You SHOT the gh--the thing?!
Private Nix: Yeah. I meant it to be a warning shot, but...I was so nervous I hit it right in the chest. Or, I KNOW I did, but...it just floated there as if nothing had happened at all. After that, it took off like a bird or something, heading north.
Eeeep...
Immune to gunfire, too. That's just swell.
Private Nix: After all that, I ran inside and woke the commander, of course...But all that got me was a dressing-down for 'sleeping on the job' and 'unnecessary rifle discharge'! Man...that was a bad day.
I can, um, imagine...
Well, anyway, it's clearly for the best to just pretend it was a dream and forget it ever happened! Yep!
Private Nix: Thanks for the thought, but I doubt I'll ever be able to forget that. I dunno why that poor soul is a wandering ghost, but try to help him, yeah? I mean, bracers can solve the problems of the dead too, right?
H-Heck no! I'm no priest!
But...there has to be a reason it's showing up, yeah. We need to figure out what that reason is.
Private Nix: Good luck, then! It's nice to know I wasn't just seein' things, but fat load of good it does me now. Everyone's already pissed off at me. *sigh* My life's gone from bad to worse ever since that thing showed up.



Girl's Voice: Papa, Mama, c'mere!



Hmhm! It really is lovely.
I'm glad we could come with you, my love. Thank you.
No, I've always left you two alone back home. This is the least I can do for my family.



(Looks like they're on vacation or something?)
(Looks like, yeah. Think they might even be foreigners.)



Just looking at it, I feel like it's gonna swallow me whole!
Excuse me, miss! Do you know the name of this waterfall? Where does all this water come from?
Ah, that's a little out of the blue. Um...



The water flows here from Valleria Lake, through an ancient waterway.
Oh, I know what Valleria Lake is! It's the big lake we saw before the airship landed, right?
Yes, that's right, but...airship?
Are you from another country?
Yup! That's right.
I'm from far, faaar away. By the way, my name's Renne!
Renne, huh? That's a really cute name!
Heehee, I know. Papa and Mama gave it to me. Of course it'd be cute!
Renne, don't bother the nice lady too much.
Haha! Our apologies if our Renne is troubling you too much, miss.
Awww, I wasn't doing anything bad.
No, no, it's no trouble.
Hope you don't mind me prying, but what brings you to Liberl, folks?
Well, I often come to Liberl for business. Every time I do, I'm struck by the beauty of this country. So...
So this time, he brought myself and our daughter along.
Miracles do happen, it seems.
Heh...You guys are, like, the most picture-perfect family, you know?
Heheh! Jealous?
Papa's away a lot, but he aaalways brings us lots of presents when he comes home. And Mama's always full of smiles and makes the best food!
Really? I AM kinda jealous now, actually.
Ahaha, goodness...
I'm sorry...She's still very much a child.
Hey, what's yours, miss? What's your name?
Oh, yeah, sorry. I haven't introduced myself! I'm Estelle! Estelle Bright.
I'm a bracer...Er, wait, do you know what a bracer is?
Hey, I'm not stupid! I'm a big girl.
But that's neat! You're a bracer, huh? Do you slay lots of scaaary monsters?
Yep, that's part of the job sometimes.
A bracer? That's very impressive.
Yes, especially at your age.
Haha...I'm still pretty new at it, though.
There're guild branches in every major city in Liberl. If you folks encounter any trouble during your trip, you can count on us.
Thank you! We'll keep that in mind.
If you'll pardon us, though, we need to check into the inn.
Come along now, Renne.
Aww, I wanna talk to Miss Estelle more.
Hey, Miss Estelle! Will you play with me next time we meet?
Sure!
Heehee, yay!
See you, Miss Estelle!



A bit younger than Tita, even, I think.
Yeah, she might be...
...What? They remind you of your old man?
Haha...Just a bit, yeah.
I was thinking about how I was around her age when Joshua and I first met.
Ah, I see...
Anyway, we've shaken down all our witnesses. Shall we get back to Jean?
Sure!



-Seaport City of Ruan-









Obviously, getting some pictures taken and articles made for this friggin' wildfire of an election! And THEN I heard something weird beyond that happening, so I stopped by to check out what's up.
Something weird...? You mean this white shadow thing people have been reporting?
Actually, while you were out, we had another report of the thing appearing in the city limits. The citizenry is starting to get frightened and demand answers that I can't give them...
Ah, hell...This is really becoming a problem.
And the capstone to it all...would be the picture this young lady took. This one pretty much puts the nail in the coffin as to what's going on, so to speak...
A picture...?
Y-Y-You mean...?!
What, so you're into ghost hunting now?
Mmm, it's nothing like that, really. I was just taking pictures of the hotel at night, and skaboosh! Ghost picture! Here, take a look!



Wh...Wh...
...Huh. Yeah, I'd, uh, call this decisive.
Just look at all those orbs!
Ahaha! Ha ha! Ha! Come on, guys, don't you think this is just a bit too hasty?! It might just be, um, a malfunction of the camera! Yeah!
Nnnnooooo, I don't think it's the camera's fault.
It's a shiny, brand new model from the Central Factory, and I've been taking reeeeeally good care of it!
It's a MALFUNCTION, okay?! MAL. FUNC. TION.
Waaah, Estelle, you're scary all of a sudden...



More to the point, I think working with the media on this wouldn't be a bad idea at this juncture. So let's all share information. To start with, did you guys get statements from the witnesses?
Uh, yeah...We checked with all thr--
Man's Voice: Oh, crap, oh, crap! This is an emergency! Help!



Is it a robbery?!
Agate hasn't had a chance to smite anything this whole update. He's getting antsy.
Primo: No, no! The supporters of Norman and Portos are arguing...They're facing one another down on the Langland Bridge!
All that fuss over an argument?!
Hold up. Those are the mayoral candidates, right? Friggin'...
Oh ho! This sounds like an article...and maybe a riot!
Dorothy, we're on!
Aye, aye, sir!
See you later, Estelle!



We should get moving too. If that thing turns into a damn riot, we need to be on hand.
R-Right!
Thanks, you two. Good luck!



Herio: We KNOW that you're behind the ghost that appeared at the hotel!
Dels: Norman's son is bedridden from the shock! Have you no shame? What disgusting tricks WON'T you stoop to?!
Benoit: Oh, please! That 'son' is a member of the Ravens! How do you expect us to trust something a worthless THUG says?!
Norman: ...Wait a moment. Criticize me as you wish, but only a coward would attack my family. You will retract your statement calling my son a 'thug.'
Portos: Uh, that...was probably a little much, there...
Kuper: But, but, sir! Why are you agreeing?! It's because you bend on issues like this that the Tourism Party dares to try such tactics!
Herio: WHO'S 'daring to try things'?!
Dels: The Harbor Party is the one crossing the line! Do you really think your harassment with this ghost trick will really stop us?!
Yikes, this is really getting out of hand...
D'you think we should step in?
They ain't throwin' punches...yet. So stay cool. Get into a good position, though. If this DOES get 'real,' we need to be ready to jump right in.
Yeah, but...rrrgh, there are so many spectators we can't GET any closer.
How the heck did Nial manage to get up front already?
Benoit: I can't take this anymore!
Kuper: Do you limp-wristed tourist-suckers think you can beat us in a straight fight?!
Herio: Ooooh, that's IT! Let's do this!
Dels: The employees of the Norman Firm WILL uphold Mr. Norman's honor!
Norman: STOP, all of you! Do not sink to the level of thuggery!
Portos: Everyone, calm down! We should discuss this...rationally...
(Oh, crap!)
(Son of a...Don't think we can stop them now...)

*plinkety plink*

-Silence-



Man's Voice: My goodness. What a tragedy in the making.



To you, I offer this song. A gentle, sad song, to encourage you to overcome that which divides your hearts and join hands as one...

-Amber Amour-


The sun shines, a rainbow bridge...
I cross it to reach you...
And yet as I search...
it fades...into the sky...
Dancing with loneliness on the wind...

If this wish is doomed to fade...
without ever coming true...
Then may it leave at least a scar...
My first promise, a promise I cannot keep...

I keep your breath encased in amber...
Sealing within this eternal dream...

-Silence-



Ahhh. It seems you were all touched by my song.
Remember! There is but one truth:
Love is eternal.



-Seaport City of Ruan-

Norman: *cough* Ahem...Well, Portos. I think it would be a good idea for both of us to cool our heads a bit.
Portos: Yes, I agree. Besides, we're, uh...obstructing traffic. Yes...Back to the harbor, everyone!
Benoit: Y-Yeah...
Herio: Right, I've got flyers to distribute.



(...Can't blame 'em.)
Ah, but the citizens here are as easily stirred to both action and rest as anywhere else.
No, what truly moves them is the miraculous power of my melody!
You there, reporters! Take photos and write articles to your heart's content over this day's miracle!
Oh, okay! Here we go!
Say cheeeeese! ♥
Mmm...Marvelous.



Er, right...
You guys still in the mood to talk about that stuff you mentioned before?
Y-Yeah, sure. I feel like I'll forget it if we don't report it soon, anyway.
Let's get back to the guildhouse and report to Jean a.s.a.p.
Hmm?



W-Wait! No, please wait!
Ooooh, what a great expression! How heartbroken! It's so cuuuute! ♥





To meet your fated partner again after such a long absence, and then to abandon him! Such cruel barbs you cast!
Ha! 'Fated partner,' my left Strega!
What in the Goddess' name are you DOING in Ruan, anyway, Olivier? Aren't you supposed to be turning into a prune in Elmo's hot springs?
Mueller contacted me at the Maple Leaf Inn, you see. He was kind enough to tell me that you'd returned from your travails, Estelle.
And I thought to myself, 'She has been deprived of my person for so long. Her happiness is imperiled! I must welcome her back!' and flew here posthaste.
It certainly feels 'imperiled' now...
Still...I haven't seen you since the queen's birthday celebrations. Thanks for your help back there, Olivier. It IS nice to see you again.
Truly...?
Ah, but your honesty makes it difficult for me to stay focused.
When you don't take the opening to make a joke at my expense, it leaves me...wanting something more.
Let's see you deliver another line like that through broken teeth!
...Whatever.
Jean, this THING is Olivier, one of the people who helped us during the coup. He's a musician from Erebonia. We think.
Ah, nice to meet you! You seem like an...interesting person! So I'm guessing you don't mind if we let him in on this, then?
Normally I'd want to kick him out on his butt for being an outsider...I doubt he'd even listen, though. Just try not to make eye contact. Maybe he'll go away.
Ha ha! Oh, Agate! Truly, you are intimately acquainted with my ways!
Hey, stop trying to imply things! We've never even talked much! We just fought on the same side for a little while!
ANYWAY. Going beyond that.
Yes, that sounds like a very good idea.
Seriously, we have a story to talk about, here. We don't have all day, either. Dorothy and I need to get the scoop on the election.
Right, right, I get it.
So. This is what the witnesses had to say...

I see...You managed to gather a lot of detailed information. It's enough to see that something is definitely up, at least.
Really? I thought a lot of it was kind of vague...
Well, the possibility of it being a prank from the mayoral candidates to cause problems for each other is out, for one. Scaring Norman's kid is one thing, but I doubt they'd waste time scaring guards or orphans.
Also, whatever this 'ghost' is, it can fly. That was consistent across every report. That's not something Joe Average could pull off.
Well, then, it must be a real ghost! Maybe some ancient noble went crazy and was locked up in a lonely cell, and forced to wear a mask...FOOOREVER! And then, after hundreds of years, he revived as a spooooooky ghooooul! ♪
P-Please stop talking about such scary ideas with a happy face, thanks!
Besides, ghosts are supposed to be bound to people or places. So it really CAN'T be a ghost, can it?
...Hm. Not necessarily.
Wh-What do you mean, Olivier?
You notice something?
Well, I cannot weigh in on the matter of our fugitive's ghostliness. However...Estelle's reports featured several common points. From what she said, I think it's actually quite possible our specter IS bound to a place or person.
Oh, you're sharper than I thought.
I was about to say the same thing, actually!
Heh, indeed.
As a wandering hunter of love, I must keep a map of Liberl handy at all times. Let us use my map to look at Estelle's sightings from a geographical perspective.
Now, then. Estelle, you investigated three areas, I believe. Here, here, and...here, yes?



That's right...The Ruan Warehouse District, the Air-Letten Checkpoint, and the Mercia Orphanage. What about them?
If we look over the testimonies for differences, one particular point stands out.
Estelle. I don't suppose you see it yourself, now, looking at the map?
The point that was obviously different with all three testimonies...
Wait, that'd be...
I've already completely forgotten. Luckily only one of the choices is relevant to maps:



I've got it! It's where the ghost went that matters!
Precisely.
Our Raven-feathered tough man in the city's southern block said it went northeast...Our Air-Letten guardsman said it went north...
And our young orphan said the white shadow went east.



Heh, now I get it. Never woulda figured...
That's pretty conclusive, yeah. When you look at it like that, not many other places it can come from, really.
Exactly my point.
Jenis Royal Academy...It MUST be around there.



Okay, I don't care if it's a ghost or a whatever. We're gonna go to the academy and find out just what it is!
Hm...Jean, it's cool, yeah?
Absolutely. I'll phone ahead. Go on over and investigate. See if you can get to the bottom of all this. I do have to wonder if our reporter friends have any plans, however.
Hrrrmmm...Really can't afford to cut out on the election...
Okay. Dorothy? I'll leave this in your hands.
Yes, SIR! I'll do some REAL ghost hunting! I'll get tons of pictures!
NO! Help solve the damn mystery! You follow Estelle and take pictures relating to this ghost mess.
Oh, okaaay.
I don't really get it, but I'll do my best!
Er, hey, we didn't actually agree to this part...
Now, now. They did get us that photograph, so let's help them out in return, okay?
Right, fine. The camera girl can come too.
*sigh* Kinda feels like this'll eat away at any seriousness the situation might've had...
Still, Dorothy can probably help us out, so...
That's settled, then. I'm counting on you guys! If you'll excuse me, I have a couple of mayoral candidates to interview.
Oh...before that, though. Estelle.
Your dad...told me a little bit about the Joshua thing. Not a lot...but enough for me to get the picture. I know you're worried about...uh, 'those people'...If I hear anything that might be related, I'll forward it to the guild.
Wha...Um...
So, uh, yeah, keep a stiff upper lip! Or, uh, something...Anyway, gotta go!



Awwwwww, Nial's embarrassed!
It was a really big shock when he heard about it all from Cassius, I think. I think he's really been looking for a way to help you, Estelle!
R-Really...?
Oh, if only he could be a little more honest, it'd be sweet...
I'll make sure to contact the guild, too, if I take any more neato photographs of weird people!
So, Estelle, fight on, yeah! Or...something!
Thanks, Dorothy.
Anyway, off to the royal academy!
Like I said, I'll call ahead and let them know to let you in. Good luck, guys! We're counting on you!