Part 62: It's always relaxing to get back home.

-Looking Up at the Sky-





This seems to be as far as the fog goes. It does end quickly, though.
So along the Elize Highway, the fog clears roughly 60 selge from the city.
There don't seem to be any monsters in the fog, either, so ensuring people's safety shouldn't be difficult.
Yeah, hopefully. I guess we should just check the other roads like we did this one, then, huh?



-Obstructive Existence-



Everything in this fight has some sort of nasty ranged art. Agate and Olivier are probably best here.







The Wisdoms themselves cast Shadow Spear, which has a 20% chance of deathblow.





































-Border Patrol Isn't Easy-



Umm, can I have a moment?
Percy: Hm? What's up?
We're from the guild. Are you Percy, the guy who posted a request?
Percy: Yeah, you bet. Thank goodness you're here.
Well, first we'd like to hear the details of the request.
From what was posted on the bulletin board, it seems you wanted some kind of investigation, yes?
Percy: Yeah, actually I'd like to ask you to search out the fishing spots in Rolent. I can explain the nitty-gritty if you're up for it. So, how about it? Will you do it?
Shouldn't be a problem. You can leave it to us.
Percy: Ahh, thank you! Yep, bracers really are the ones to call when you're in need.
But, why are you looking for fishing spots? Even going so far as to spend mira on it...
Percy: Ah, well, actually, I'm a member of the Fisherman's Guild. We plan on holding a fishing class soon, you see. So, I'm here doing a bit of fishing reconnaissance in Rolent, which is a candidate location for the class.
Hmm, a fishing class. I'd like to join myself if I had the time.
Percy: It's a good plan, right? It went over really well in the capital, so I'm sure the next one will be an even bigger hit. Really, I'd like to do the lookin' about myself, but...Unfortunately, we're stuck in this fog. That's why I decided to ask the pros.
...I see. I think we understand the point of the investigation. So what should we be looking for, specifically?
Percy: What I want you to pinpoint are the locations of the fishing spots. Places where you can pull up a fish, basically. That's what I want you to report.
Find some good looking water and fish up a fish, and that'll be good?
Percy: Yeah, exactly! Oooh, you seem pretty happy about it. You into fishing?
Ahaha, yeah, a bit. ♪ I didn't think I'd be able to fish on the job, though.
Percy: Huh, I see we've got comrades even in the bracers. Our glorious fishing revolution gains strength! Well, then, think of this as a break in your normal work schedule. Ultimately, fishing is a fun hobby, after all.
Well, I intend to complete the mission as thoroughly as I would any job, but I appreciate you saying that. Welp, time to have a think about where might be a good spot, then.
Once we've gone over everything, we'll be back to report.
Percy: Yeah, thanks. Be careful out there.





-A Cat Relaxing in the Sun-



Chateau Bright, a.k.a. Dunstavin.



Oh, is this your home, Estelle?
Haha. I like it! Simple, but a bit refined.
Uh, you really like it? Thanks!
Well, anyway, I can fix everyone some tea or something, at least. Come on inside.
I'll handle making the tea.
You head on up to the rooms upstairs.
The...um, why?
Look up, Estelle.



The house is gonna get pretty damp in this fog...







I kinda wonder how much of that is 'cause we're out of that fog, though.
Hmmhmm. That's part of it, I'm sure.
If you don't mind me saying, Scherazard. You glide through this house like you know every corner.
Of course I do. I've known this house for...a long time. A very long time.
Yeah, you've been coming over since Mom was alive, so...
That's over ten years. Wow, it HAS been a while!
About that, give or take a few gray hairs.
...Did they do that on purpose?
Scherazard, you were part of a traveling circus, weren't you? How did you come to make Estelle's acquaintance?
Hmmhmm. Well, you see--
Wait, Schera, you don't need to--
It's fine. It's an old story.
It would've been...About twelve years ago now. Our troupe had come to Rolent to perform.
Estelle, at that point, was even more fearless and curious than she is now. After one of our shows, she strode into our tents with purpose--the purpose of playing!



Circus troupes...usually get met with some suspicion by residents of a town outside of performances, you see. As a result, we weren't really sure what to do at first with this girl who came to visit us, but, you see...
Estelle wasn't exactly a timid girl. She kept coming over every day, and everyone came to really love her.
Myself especially, of course.



One day, Estelle didn't want to go home until long after the sun had set. Since there wasn't any choice, I ended up being the one who took her home.
That's the day I met Cassius and Lena...Ah, pardon, Lena is Estelle's late mother.



Haha, so Estelle was bold and fearless even as a child?
Ah-hahaha...Well...I don't really remember that much of it since I was, like, FOUR back then, but...
I do remember Schera would come by our house any time the circus was in town after that.
Hmmhmm. That's right.
Hmm. Though, Scherazard...How did you leave the circus and come to live in Liberl as a bracer?
You could say...a lot happened. Eight years ago, when I decided I wanted to be a bracer, I came to Liberl to ask Cassius for help. I've been in Liberl ever since.
I see now, all right.
Oh, that reminds me.
Was, um, Joshua here in those days?
Oh, um, no. Joshua came to live with us three years after all that.
Actually, he showed up when you were in Grancel during your junior bracer tour, didn't he?
That he did.
I wandered Liberl, spreading good will and flowers as a bracer does, and returned home to find a boy I'd never seen living with Cassius and Estelle. To say it was a bit of a shock would be an understatement.






-Looking Up at the Sky-



Man's Voice: That you, Schera?



Heading for Grancel already?
Ridge: Yep! The clients are all packed and ready to go. Once we get there, I figure I'll poke my head in at the capital guildhouse and abuse Elnan's hospitality a bit.
Hmhm. Well, keep up the good work.
Ridge: You too. Good luck with the fog. How do the roads look, anyway?
The Elize Highway isn't too bad, yet. If you follow the path down a ways, you should reach the edge of the fog fairly quickly.
Ridge: Oh! Good to hear. Anyway, if you'll excuse me...Right, everyone, follow me! Off we go to the capital! Stay close, now!
Merchant: Understood, Mr. Bracer!
Traveler: We're counting on you!





Mantraps are swarming everywhere on the road to the Bose region.











So along the Milch Main Road, the fog clears around eighty selge from the city.
And there are monsters creeping about in the fog as well. This could be a threat to travelers.
Yeah, let's make sure we tell Aina. All that's left is just the Malga Trail, I guess.



Put on some anti-Sleep gear before you open this next chest.



-Obstructive Existence-











-Looking Up at the Sky-



Scent makes it impossible to sneak up on enemies. That would be terrible except that Haze and Yin-Yang will always override it, and you'd never not be using one of those. So Scent is awesome.















Put on anti-Freeze and anti-Faint protection for this next bounty.



-Obstructive Existence-







When Taunt works, it's pretty great. These monsters will all bunch up into a perfect arts target as they move in on Zane. With such a crowded field, some of them will be blocked off completely, but they won't try to attack anyone else.





























-Border Patrol Isn't Easy-



Private Scott: Rumor has it there was a pretty skilled guy with 'em, too...Eh, probably no big deal. The Sky Bandits are powerless at this point. When the leaders were captured, the members all split. So I was told, anyway.





Hey, Mr. Ashton. Long time no see.
CWO Ashton: On some job from the guild, huh? If you want to pass right now, it may take some time.
No, we're not passing through today.
Did something happen to jam you guys up, though?
CWO Ashton: Not exactly. Security's just been upped since the Sky Bandit ship got taken. So for safety's sake, orders came down to strengthen our watch.
I-I see...
Hmm...So the army's raising security, huh?
CWO Ashton: Yes, but it's more just standard procedure. A safety precaution, nothing more. I'm more concerned with Rolent's fog problem, to be perfectly honest. If it's even stopping the scheduled liners, it must be pretty crazy.
Yeah, actually that's why we're here. To investigate the cause of it.
CWO Ashton: I see. That explains why you've come this far, then. If you figure anything out, please contact the army right away. This is exactly the sort of situation where cooperation is paramount.
Understood. And no problem.
CWO Ashton: Well, good luck with your investigation!
Thanks. See you later.



-A Cat Relaxing in the Sun-



Sorry, Will. I can't. I've got work to do.
Will: Awww, maaaaaan. You haven't been by in a looong time, either, AND you've got a job. What's that about?! Booooriiing!
Chere: Ah, Estelle...
Hello, Chere.
Chere: Um, um...Where's Joshua?
O-Oh, we're, uh, working separately for now.
Chere: Oh...Um...Come by together sometime, okay? I wanna see him again, too.



Tio: Ah, Estelle! Since Schera's with you, I assume that means you're on the job?
A bit, yeah. We're doing an investigation.
But it's not a big case or anything, so there's no need to worry.
Tio: Oh, that's good to hear, but...Hey, Estelle. What's with these clothes?
Haha...You noticed, huh? Schera got them for me as a present to celebrate me becoming a full-on bracer.
Tio: So Schera picked them out for you, huh? No wonder they're so stylish. They look great on you. Hmmm...I might have to look into getting a skirt like that myself. It's functional AND super-cute!
Ahaha...Thanks.
Tio: I heard about Joshua, too. From Elissa. I'm sure it's hard on you, Estelle, so if you ever need an ear, mine is at your disposal. Talking about this kind of stuff makes it a little lighter, you know?
Thanks. I might just take you up on that.
Well then, Tio, hopefully we'll catch you later. It was fun talking. It's been a while! ♪
Tio: Talk to you later, Estelle!



Hannah: Did you say Estelle? Oh, my, my, it is! It's been ages.
Heheh, it HAS been some time.
Franz: Come from Rolent? I bet it was hard to see with that fog on the highways.
Actually, we're out here investigating that fog.
Hannah: Are you, now? Well, good luck with that. Really earning your keep as a bracer, aren't you? Perhaps that's due to your wonderful mentor's guidance, hmm?
It's more thanks to her own efforts. I did oversee her training, but I hardly taught her anything at all. She managed to become the pistol she is all on her own.
That's not true at all! You've always been there for me, Schera. You taught me a lot of what I know!
Franz: Well, one way or another, it's an impressive feat. You're doing your job like a real professional. Like you were born for it. You keep on doing us proud out there, you here? Us hometown folks will cheer you on the whole way!
Thanks! I won't let you down. ♪
Hannah: Be sure you watch out for your health, though! You're still a growing girl.
Estelle is a puny little girly girl, in Han's and Franz's opinion.
Franz: If the guild's launching an investigation, the fog must be really bad. My deliveries are already done for today, but tomorrow's another story...
Hannah: The fog wasn't this bad when we went out for deliveries. I'd better make sure the kids don't go outside the fence...

Next stop: Malga Trail.