Part 81: You're not gonna give us a ton of those weird mushrooms again, are you?

-Commercial City of Bose-



Uh, yeah, hi. We saw your posting on the guild board. You're Gwen, right?
Gwen: That's correct. Yes?...Oh, wait, I know you...Aren't you the ones who got ingredients for us a while back?
Yep, that's us!
Gwen: Haha, hello! It would seem our fates are intertwined. Shall we get down to the details?
Sure!
So this is a job to collect ingredients, right?
Gwen: That's right. I need some rare ingredients for research into new frontiers of cooking! And I'm going to need you to gather them. It isn't terribly urgent, so feel free to hold off until you have more time.
All right, then.
I think we could use some advice on collectin' this stuff. Some of the ingredients on the list are pretty rare.
Yeah, that's a good point.
'Juicy Bones,' for example, are kinda hard to get. At least the ones you want, uh, intact.
Gwen: The most difficult ones will be 'Juicy Bones' and 'Curative Horns.' The 'Lucky Fangs' will be a bit easier, I think.
Is this all available in the Bose region?
Gwen: Yes, the monsters around here should drop them in reasonable quantities. You can get good bones in Nebel Valley, I believe. Horns are at their toughest north of Ravennue...And you can find fanged monsters in the Krone Pass.
That's, uh, kind of spread out. This is gonna involve a lot of walking.
Gwen: Well, that's the idea. This very difficulty is why I need assistance!
You...do have a point there.
Gwen: Once you have all the ingredients, bring them here. I'd like to receive them all at once. If you bring them piecemeal, I'll just send you right back out to get the rest!
So just deliver it all in one go? Honestly, I think that's easier on us anyway.
Heh, I doubt we plan on eating them, either, no? Though we should take care not to inadvertently mix them in any recipes we make ere our return.
Ahaha, yeah, uh...
Gwen: Do you have any other questions? If not, I must get back to work.
Lessee, we have the locations we need, instructions on delivery method...
Nope, I think we're all set!
Gwen: Good luck, then! I'll be waiting here.

If you've been thorough with your grinding and frugal with your cooking, it's very possible that you'll already have everything Gwen needs. DON'T TURN IT IN.



Oh...You were in Manoria last, right?
So you're in Bose now?
Orvid: Yes, I'm coming to the end of a long road. My ultimate goal is to secure a deal with the Anterose. The first step is going to be selling some of my ingredients in the market...
Umm, I kinda feel like I missed something again. So your goal's to sell stuff to the Anterose restaurant...but first you're going to sell in the market? Why?
Orvid: If I could, I'd love to approach them directly. But they won't deal with anyone who lacks an introduction from another more trusted source. Given how famous they are, it's only natural they'd be cautious.
Yeah, guess that's the Anterose for you. They can be kind of...snooty.
Orvid: So you're working in Bose at the moment, I take it?
Yeah, some...stuff happened.
Speaking of stuff, though...We actually have a job from the Anterose, now that I think about it.
Yeah, we're collecting some ingredients for 'em ourselves.
Orvid: WHAT?! Collecting ingredients?! And for the Anterose itself!
Yeah, it's been kind of a pain in the butt. They're looking for some REALLY weird stuff.
Orvid: Hmmmm! How interesting. What ingredients do you need, out of pure, academic curiosity?
Uh, one sec. I've got the list in my notebook...


Orvid: Ha-ha-ha! Is that really all? I carry this much with me on a daily basis!
Whaaaa?! Seriously?!
Across the whole of the Liberl Kingdom, pickpockets whisper Orvid's name with fear.
Well! How utterly convenient. Beloved companions, why not enlist the good Mr. Orvid's aid?
Orvid: I would ask it of you before you ask me! This is perfect for both of us. I'll be happy to provide you with the ingredients if you'll introduce me to the manager of the Anterose.
All right. We can totally do that.
Orvid: It's a deal, then!



Gwen: Let me take these right now, then!

*phew* That's a big help. That takes care of all the hardest-to-find ingredients all at once!
Gwen: Indeed it does! The remainder will have to fall to you, though.
No problem! We can handle the rest.
Gwen: Even so! Mr. Orvid, I must say I'm impressed with your store of ingredients.
Orvid: Hahaha! But of course! I specialize in the handling of the finest ingredients on the continent! My selection certainly isn't what you'll find at the corner market! Should you require anything else, please, contact me anytime.
Gwen: I'm sure I will! I'd like to introduce you to the head chef, but he's busy at the moment. Do you have a little time to wait, perhaps?
Orvid: Of course! I'll be happy to wait as long as it takes! Let me go find a seat.
Gwen: The rest of the ingredients should be very simple to get. Good luck with the rest of it, everyone!

After all the headaches he's caused Estelle, Orvid finally gets to save the day. That's not all, though.



Orvid: Bracers...Thank you very much. It's been my dream of many years to deal with a first-class restaurant. To know that'll come true soon...This is thanks to all of you.
Haha, thanks. But, really, it worked out because you worked so hard. We just helped out a little.
Orvid: Well, one way or another we have been working at this for a while. I know that I've caused you a lot of trouble, but thank you for putting up with it. Allow me to offer my thanks in physical form, for everything you've done.
Uh oh...You're not gonna give us a ton of those weird mushrooms again, are you?
Either that or he's hitting on you.
Orvid: Hm? Would you like mushrooms? In that case I do have quite a lot in stock...
Er, no. Seriously. No. I REALLY don't want any.
...Uh, what were we talking about again?
Orvid: We were talking about my thanks. My thanks to you is nothing less than the right to patronize the Orvid Company.
Huh? Use rights?
Orvid: Yes, as you know, I am a merchant specializing solely in ingredients, but...Ultimately I only do business with professionals. I don't sell to the general populace. However, I owe you quite a bit. I'll offer special permission to deal with us.
So basically...We can buy things from your store?
Orvid: Exactly. If there are any ingredients you need, just talk to me. As long as you can provide the correct payment, I'll be glad to provide you in turn with any ingredients you need.
My, that is impressive. Can you really procure any ingredients at all?
Orvid: Yes, as long as it's something eaten within the boundaries of the Liberl Kingdom. I know that ladies and gentlemen in your line of work often end up preparing their own meals in the field. Please, do not hesitate to use my services.
Yeah, okay. If the chance comes up, we will. All right, if you'll excuse us...
Orvid: Ohh, yes, my apologies. Sorry to have kept you. I'll be waiting for your business. Please, use my store whenever you'd like. Why don't you buy something? Go ahead.

Orvid stocks every ingredient in the game, including monster ingredients that aren't sold anywhere else.



I'm actually short on the Tender Poultry and Bird Eggs that Gwen still needs, but they're pretty easy to collect from the bird monsters on the road to Haken Gate.



-Border Patrol Isn't Easy-



Sentry: Beyond here lies the Erebonian Empire. I'm afraid you'll need Liberlian passports to proceed.



(Huh? Hey, this guy...Now that I look, he's got a guild emblem on!)
Sup, Sting? Been a while. You out here on the hunt for these crazy monsters, too?
Sting: Agate. Working in Bose again?
Yeah, for the moment, anyway. We're mostly just helpin' out with those weird monsters of the road right now, though.
Sting: Gotcha. There's been a lot of those these days. Grant and Anelace are both out. We'll be counting on you.
Just leave it to us.



Carlos: I ran out of money part way, though, and had no choice but to become a soldier. Military life is hard, but the soldiers here are nice people. And hey, livin' life one step at a time ain't such a bad thing, right?



Nolan: Wait, you...
Heh, it has been some time, my good man. I last graced your establishment when I first came to Liberl, eh? Such sweet memories.
Nolan: Yeah, I thought it was you! You're that per-, er, traveler from Erebonia. So how's Liberl been treating you?
Far better than I ever imagined it would.
Spectacle, intrigue, hope...It has been quite the journey.
Nolan: What, seriously? That sounds like quite the story. I'd like to hear it over a drink someday.
Heh, should I find the time, my good man, I would be glad to.




Sentry: He's only just returned and is already back on full-time duty. Talk about a man of steel!



I heard about what you did in the capital. Good work. Schwarz's report mentioned another society agent, of a...disturbing nature.
Y-Yeah...It was a pretty big problem, but we managed to fix it.
Yeah, it got pretty hairy.
Hm. I imagine. From the reports, the members of this 'society' are fearsome foes indeed. We will need to be even more on guard.
Out of curiosity...I take it you will be operating in this region for the time being?
Ah, yeah, that's the plan. Right now we're helping out the city of Bose with some trouble-making monsters.
I see. Monster hunting, excellent.
However, should anything happen, do not hesitate to contact the army. Our cooperation with the guild is based on mutual trust. Especially when it comes to certain groups of undesirables.
If anything happens, we'll send word through the guild. No complaints then, right?
Mm, yes, that will suffice. Make sure not to bite off too much.

So I brought Zane all this way since he asked about it on the Cecilia, and he doesn't even say anything. What the hell, Zane. See if I let you have your climactic showdown with Walter now. General Morgan doesn't take any notice of Kloe if you bring her along, either.





Warrant Officer Dyne: We didn't have sufficient troops to patrol Rolent. We barely managed to respond with reinforcements from the Haken Gate. You wouldn't think something as simple as fog could mess us up so bad...

There's a free rest point on this side of the Bose/Rolent border.



-Rock on the Road-



The valley is divided into two halves. The left half has the Ghost Epitaph, and the right has a bit of loot. The last Giantfoot at the end of the right-hand path has Shining Poms, too.









Just about every monster in the Nebel Valley has some kind of freeze ability, so keep the Tornado Fan, Soft Knit Caps, and Anti-Cold Helmets handy. Definitely have them ready before you open the chest right near that Giantfoot.













Private Rakel: Sorry about this, but I can't let you go any further. Ever since the friggin' Capuas stole back their airship, the patrols have been really cracking down. Please, don't give us any trouble, okay?
Private Gutte: Ever since those sky bandits broke in, the brass has really gotten on our case about our security. Sorry to say, but we really can't let any civilians past. The chief's given me strict orders not to let so much as a mouse pass through!







-Obstructive Existence-





















-A Cat Relaxing in the Sun-





Pardon us, sir, we're from the Bracer Guild.
Whemler: Yes, I can see that. And I also see a certain red-haired brat who's standing over there, too.
Heh. Who're you still calling a brat, you old fossil?
Though, really, good to see you, Whemler. You holdin' up okay out here?
Whemler: Heh heh! I'm doing well enough to be able to keep up with you kids, that's for sure. I don't know what could bring you all the way out here, but welcome, I suppose. Feel free to use anything you need here.
Cool! Thank you, sir.
Sorry for the trouble, old-timer. And thanks.

You can nap in the bed for a free heal.



-Commercial City of Bose-



Yeah, take a look.


Gwen: Yes, this appears to be everything. Let me take them off your hands, then.
*phew* And that is THAT.
Gwen: Haha! Well done. Really, thank you for helping me. I know how busy you are, and it really means a lot that you're so willing to assist. You even introduced us to Mr. Orvid!
Heehee! Don't worry about it. I'm just glad we could help!
Gwen: If you have time, please, come in again for a bite. And good luck in your travels!
Yeah, see you. And good luck with your experiment, Gwen!




A fishing rod that can use every bait. Only certain baits will actually work at any given fishing hole, so you wind up with a lot of 'This doesn't seem like a good spot' messages.
Good work! Always nice to see some progress. If you complete any more jobs, be sure to come back and report.