Part 79: We're gonna have to be bastards about this.

-Commercial City of Bose-



Butler: We must do something soon...
Um, excuse me!
Butler: Yes? Who might you be?
Sorry to interrupt! We're from the Bracer Guild.
Reina: Oh! Wait, you're...
Huh? Hey, you're Reina, right?
Yes, that's Reina. You met her during our investigation of the academy. Hello, Reina. I didn't expect to meet you here.
Reina: Even Kloe is here? Goodness.
So, uh, what ARE you doing here?
Reina: It's quite a long story. I assume you saw our posting?
Well, yeah, that's why we're here.
Reina: I would like for you to handle this mission as quickly as possible. Will you accept it? Right now?
Sounds pretty urgent. Let's get to it!
Butler: You accept, then! Oh, thank you...
Reina: I will explain the situation to the bracers. You go deal with the rest of them.
Butler: As you wish, miss. Please, take care of our mistress.



Reina: Yes?
Who...was that, exactly? I feel like I've missed something.
Reina: A servant of the house, like me. We are both charged with caring for our mistress.
Charged with...uh.
Reina: Yes, ah, I'm getting ahead of myself. Let me explain what's happened from the beginning.
Please.
Reina: Right, then...Estelle, you remember Felicity, yes?
Felicity?
Uh...yeah, actually! Think I'd know her if I saw her.
We met while investigating the ghost story.
So what's Felicity done, exactly?
Reina: She ran away.
Eh?
Reina: As I said, she ran away. Specifically, from here at the Anterose.
She ran away from the restaurant? Why would she do that?
Ahhh, I believe I understand what happened. It's what you might call a, ah, dine-and-dash, no?
That's what YOU do, you glutton.
Reina: Why did she flee? I would like to ask her that myself. After all, today is a most auspicious day for our mistress.
And what's that supposed to mean?
Reina: Take a look over there by the corner.





Reina: The son of a certain Erebonian noble, yes. He has traveled far, into what most Erebonians consider a barbarian hinterland, for a wedding conference with our mistress.
Oh, okay, I...see...
A WEDDING CO--You mean like an arranged marriage?!
Felicity's...being married off?
Reina: Student she may be, but the mistress is sixteen. As a daughter of a noble house of the Erebonian Empire, it is shameful for her to have no proposals.
Now just a freakin' second.
There are KINDA more important things than your family's high-and-mighty honor or whatever! Have you considered what she thinks?
Reina: This proposal comes from a person of notable lineage and personal status. If milady Felicity meets him, I am sure she will find him compatible.
That's SO not the problem here...Man, I can kinda see why she fled at this point.
So can I, to tell the truth...I think I'd try to flee from something like this myself.
Don't think any of us can blame her. I just wish she'd thought about how this'd get people other than herself wrapped up in the mess...
Reina: You are, of course, entitled to your own opinions. I will refrain from voicing my objections. What matters now is not a debate over the merits of free love, but bringing back Mistress Felicity.
Yeah, moral debates aside, her being out on her own, outta contact with everyone, isn't helping anybody, least of all her. Any idea where she would've gone to?
Reina: Felicity's personality is such that she tends to go off as far as she can once she has committed to something. I suspect she has gone quite some way at this point.
Quite some way, huh?
Other side of the city, maybe? She wouldn't go onto the roads--
Reina: Quite the opposite, in fact. We know she is nowhere in town. In other words, she has taken to the roads by default. On foot.
What?! But that's REALLY dangerous right now with the monsters the way they are!
Reina: Ergo, my request. Do you understand, now, how severe the situation is?
Damn, say that first, instead of distracting us with this wedding stuff. Any idea where this girl went? I'd take a vague direction at this point.
Reina: The mistress said again and again she was returning to the academy. Beyond that, I fear I cannot help you.
The academy...So towards Ruan. That'd be to the west from here.
Yeah, we should check the road to Ruan first.
It's a plan. Okay, Reina. I still don't really like this, but we'll go find her. Anything else before we go?
Reina: Yes, hmm. Given everything, may I ask you to convey a message to her?
Sure, what's up?
Reina: If you would...Tell her, 'You're such a coward.' That is all.
Uh, what? You're...REALLY sure you want us to deliver that?
Reina: I am sure. Call it a calculated action.
Tch, fine, whatever. Let's just get this done.
Yeah, fine. We're off, then.
Reina: Good luck to you, then. Do your best, everyone. If you find yourself in difficulty, then please recall that advice about the young mistress.



Imperial Noble: Perhaps she saw I was dressed in casual clothes and was angered. Though it was a proposal from her, it's true it's ill-suited to the occasion. Hmmm, perhaps I really should have worn a suit here.
Young Butler: Young master, there is no failing on our part in this matter. It was the proposal of your companion to dress in casual wear, after all.
Felicity's Butler: The young lady is currently applying her cosmetics. She will arrive shortly, so we ask for your patience for just a short time longer...
Young Butler: The young master is simply too kind. I have a slight fear that he is likely to find himself at the mercies of the girl.



-Looking Up at the Sky-











-Rock on the Road-



I said we'll go once we've got some time. C'mon.
Ah-haha...Right, you did.
Stiiill, we've come this far. We might as well, right?
Estelle, maybe we shouldn't push our luck...
Aww, but you want to visit too, right, sweetie?
Well, sure, but...
Argh, just drop it, will you? We're going back!



Guess he really doesn't want us to meet his little sister.
...Did I get the wrong idea about something...?
Huh?
Ah, no, it's nothing! Haha!
C'mon, Estelle! Let's go catch up with Agate, okay?





Well that deathblow could have been timed a little better.





These, on the other hand, were timed fabulously.



-Obstructive Existence-





...I don't think I like fighting these monsters.



They do have a pretty nasty bite when they're feeling up to it.



That's their only actual attack, so Blind will neuter them.













Deathblow does work on these guys, although it's not really necessary.







-Border Patrol Isn't Easy-



Private Cutinger: Lately, there have been a number of powerful monsters on the roads, making them dangerous. Feel free to use the post facilities to get some rest.



Private Mikey: Er, yeah, hi! I was gonna read this over dinner, but...Well, I got so into it I burned right through it. There's not much to do for fun here at a posting like this, so you tend to blow through that sort of thing. Anyway, here, might as well share, right?


Private Mikey: At this point, the only pleasure left to us is Officer Serose's cooking. He always says, 'Oh, it's just a hobby,' but he's seriously a pro. Lately he's had some time and has been in the kitchen a lot.



CWO Zelste: But with their defeat, the threat of insurrection within the kingdom has truly ended at last. We men of the border garrison can finally sleep the sleep of the just for once.



Warrant Officer Serose: I'm glad we can finally return to business as normal. I finally have time to cook again!



Felicity: Oh, but I can't stay here forever. I've got to figure out...SOME way to get back to Jenis, or...
(Aha!)
(That's really Felicity.)
(I'll admit, I didn't think she'd make it this far on her own...)
(A royal academy student...I'm guessing that's the runaway we're looking for.)
(Yeah.)
Felicity: Oh, you are...?
Uh, hi, it's been a while! I guess it has, anyway. Haha, it's only hit me just now.
Felicity: Oh! Yes, hello, it has! Since we last met at the academy, yes.
Hello, Felicity.
Felicity: Wha...Kloe, you're here too?! What on earth brings all of you out here?
If I can, I'd like to ask you something.
We're dealing with an emergency, and we'd like your cooperation.
Felicity: My...cooperation? With what, exactly?
It's not hard or anything.
We just need you to come with us...back to Bose.



Felicity?!
Felicity: You...I knew it. Let me guess...You're Reina's hired thugs now!
Thugs? Uhhhh...I'd kinda like to not be compared to surly guys with clubs, thanks.
Yes, r-really...
I'll remind you that you have a very large stick.
Now hang on, miss. Figured that school would've taught this lesson. Bracers are sworn to neutrality in conflicts. We're no one's thugs and no one's operatives.
Felicity: H-Hmph! Yes, I know what you are. In theory. But trust me, I know how the world REALLY works. Regardless of pretty words, you intend to drag me back by force, don't you?
If you try to flee into dangerous wilderness on your own, we may have to, yes. This ain't a barrel of laughs for us, either. Please, just cooperate and come with us.
Felicity: STAY BACK, YOU!! Any closer and I'll scream!
Felicity, just...calm down a second. It's okay, we're not going to do anything.
Tch...Exactly how I was afraid this'd go down.
Agate, you back off, too. Let me handle this.
Okay, Felicity, listen. We ARE here to take you into protective custody, yes.
And, look, I can totally sympathize with you hating this marriage thing...
Felicity: Oh, certainly, that's inexcusable in and of itself. The real problem, though, is Reina.
Wait, I'm sorry. What do you mean?
Felicity: She...betrayed me utterly. We were SUPPOSED to be making a little tourist trip out to Bose. See the market, say hello to Maybelle. I've stopped by Bose briefly before, but never had a chance to really see it. So you can imagine how excited I was to make the trip. And then, as soon as we arrive, what do I find but an arranged marriage waiting for me like a snake pit! Reina had been deceiving me from the very start.
Now I see...It sounds like you guys have had problems for a while.
But, look, doesn't that make it even more important to go back? You should meet Reina and tell her how you really feel.
Felicity: N-No, that's...that's impossible. I never, ever want to see Reina again.
(Not making much progress here.)
(Hey, c'mon. How long are we gonna play around? She ain't gonna come willingly. We're gonna have to be bastards about this.)
(I, uh, really would rather it not come to that! Gimme just a bit longer, here. I'm gonna try the hard sell...)
Okay, Felicity? You reeeeeally won't go back to town?
Felicity: Absolutely not. As long as Reina and that arranged marriage are waiting for me, I never intend to set foot in Bose again.
I see...Well, all I have to say then is...



You really are a coward, Felicity.
Felicity: I'm a WHAT?! Did you just call me 'coward'?!
Yeah, I did.
Felicity: And how am I a coward?! Explain yourself!
Well, you've been listing off a whole bunch of reasons for a while now...But the real reason you don't want to go back is because you're scared of the marriage meeting, right?
Felicity: I...I am not SCARED!
Then why not just go back to Bose and confront it? You seem dead set on making the wedding meeting out to be purely Reina's fault...But looking at the facts, there's no way she did all this because she wanted to. Think about her position. This can't possibly be just her fault.
Felicity: Well...
And yet, you're latching onto her as an excuse to keep running away. We all run into stuff we hate in life. You don't want to risk being forced into marriage; I don't want to drag you back to Bose for it.
But if we all just try to run away from it, sooner or later it catches up to us. I think Reina knew you'd try to run from this. That's why she felt she had to lie.
Felicity: That...yes, I know that! Okay, yes! You're entirely right! That's WHY I'm so angry at Reina!
Huh?
Felicity: Reina always spends so much time being nice to me, flattering me...But when it comes down to it, she couldn't be honest to me about THIS, of all things! Aren't real friends supposed to trust one another? Well, Estelle? Isn't that what friends are supposed to do? Answer me! Is what I'm saying wrong?!
Felicity...
Whoa, Felicity, wait a second...I'd like a second to, you know, actually answer.
Felicity: *pant* *pant* *pant*
Yeah, now I get it. You've got a lot more than just an objection to an arranged marriage in this.
Aren't you taking it out on the wrong person, though?
Felicity: *sigh* You're right...Estelle isn't the one who needs my venom. I need to save this anger for Reina.
Wait, so...you'll go back with us? You're sure?
Felicity: Yes...I do feel a little more clearheaded now that I've managed to spit all that out. For now...let's go back to Bose. I need to let Reina know how much she hurt me.
*phew* Thank goodness. I'm glad this ended somewhat well, at any rate.
I do not think the need so pressing that we could not wait a moment longer to rest, should you need.
Felicity: No, I'm all right. And Estelle has a point. I can't just run from this. I need to confront what's being forced on me and let everyone know what I think.
Heehee! That's the spirit. ♪
Sorry. I know I was kinda playing hard-ball there for a while.
Felicity: No, I should be the one to apologize...I know that you know the answer to that question already, Estelle. Let us be off, then, everyone. After all, I will need your escort...on the way home.
But of course! You are safe in our hands.
Let's get this show on the road, then.



-Commercial City of Bose-



Reina: ...As am I. We've been waiting.
Felicity: ...Reina, let me be clear on one thing. I still haven't even remotely forgiven you.
Reina: Yes...I'm well aware. We can, however, discuss that later.
Felicity: Yeah. I suppose we can. This isn't something we can do in five or ten minutes.
Reina: Well, then. Lead the mistress to her seat.
Butler: Of course. Mistress Felicity, please, this way.
Felicity: All right...I'm sorry I put you guys through so much trouble.
No, trust us, we understand. Good luck in there, okay?
I'll see you back at school, Felicity.
Felicity: Yeah, see you there. Bye, everyone!



Reina: In the place of my lord, allow me to offer you our gratitude for your efforts. It may not be much, but this is a token of our thanks. Please, take it.


Prevents Poison and Freeze. Handy for the bounty monsters here.
Uh, yeah, thanks.
Well, that's the job settled. For better or worse. But, uh...
Reina, are you okay? Your relationship with Felicity kind of seems to be, y'know. A wreck.
Reina: This is all for Felicity's sake. It is the fate of we servants to be hated by those we serve.
Oh, Reina...Haven't you ever considered that Felicity doesn't think that way?
Reina: I...don't understand what you mean.
Felicity thought of you as a friend, okay? Like, it's really obvious. If you thought your role was to be hated...I think that's where you two slipped away from each other.
Mmm, maybe it's a little big-headed of me to be saying all this, though.
Reina: ...No. It is...something worth thinking about. I believe Felicity and I WILL need to sit down and talk for a while, after all. However, for now, if you'll pardon me.
Oh, yeah. Good luck.
I'll see you at school, too, Reina.
Reina: Farewell.



I kinda hope they can rebuild their friendship, but, man...
It is all rather dire, isn't it?
I know how you feel, but this is as far as it goes for us. The rest has gotta be up to them.



Reina: Everyone, please remain quiet.
Felicity: A pleasure to meet you. I am Felicity. Allow me to offer my sincerest apologies for keeping you waiting. I was busy with live studies of modern society, a task from the academy.
Young Butler: The young lady was painted as a woman of talent studying abroad in the kingdom...Hm, it appears that picture was not false. Her understated grace and confidence are no less than I would expect from someone born of such a noted family.
Imperial Noble: I have eagerly awaited the day I would meet you. I was bit concerned when you hadn't showed. Regardless, we have at last met. As a man of the Empire, I have no intention of picking over the little things.
Butler: Despite such a strong resistance to this meeting...Now that it's begun, for such an exchange of words...This flexible attitude is the ability needed to survive in high society. Very impressive, young mistress.
Imperial Noble: First, a toast. To our meeting, and to the future of our glorious families.
Felicity: Yes, gladly. However, I shall have to give my salute to the occasion with a soft drink.