Part 6: Estelle. I'm counting on you.

Oh right! Joshua!

-The Way They Walk In Liberl-



The Bright residence is just outside of Rolent proper.



-Setting Off-



I hope Joshua really is home, because otherwise that upstairs window has been open for like six months. Keep an eye out for attic bears, you two.



It's got a...how to put this...a warm, homey feel to it.
Heh heh. Yeah, I know. This place holds a lot of memories. For me, for Dad...And for Joshua, too.
So I can see! And you think Joshua's going to be just inside, right?
Yeah, I'm sure he is. Come on in! I'll introduce you to him. He'll like you, I think.





Well...let's get this over with. Aidios, give her strength...



You're back, right?
...That's weird. I'm sure he must be here...
Ah! Maybe he's in Dad's study.



-Silence-





It's possible he's in my room looking for something, right?
...Did I leave some underwear or something laying around?



Uh...My room's clean, at least! Though Joshua probably wouldn't care about a few panties here and there...
So...



*knock, knock*

Joshua...I'm coming in, okay?

-Decision to Leave-



Of course...Makes sense...
I'm such an idiot...



...
Or, hey, maybe we missed him? He came back, then headed out to town for a bit, and we passed by each other without realizing?
...No.
*sigh*
You've accepted it, then.
I...
Really...I knew, somewhere, deep down. I knew he'd really left. There was no way he'd come back home for any longer than a few moments.
Right...
But this room was it. It was my last hope. I have no idea where else he could be. At all. So...this is the end. I'll never see Joshua again. Ever...
...
Ain't it a bit early to be giving up THAT easily?
Huh?
In the end, the only one who knows whether we're destined to meet someone again, here or beyond, is Aidios Herself. Just because YOU think fate's against you is no reason to give up. The question then, Estelle, is this: what do you think you can do about it?
But, but...I don't even have any leads to follow...
No leads at all? You sure? I don't know your boyfriend, of course, but...Nobody I know would disappear without SOME reason.
What do you...?
Was there anything weird in how he talked or acted towards you recently? Or maybe something strange had been happening with him lately? Something only you, who've been with him so long, would pick up on?
Hey!

-Silence-















Oh yeah, of course! Joshua started acting weird RIGHT after I got back to that spot where we were resting! What the...? Why is my head fuzzy...? Why can't I remember who I met along the way? I DID meet someone!
Hey, you okay? You went white as a sheet there.
Yeah...I think so...



Joshua went off to stop the 'foul magician.'
If the person I met then was that 'magician'...and that person was the one actually behind the coup and Colonel Richard's memory trouble...then that magician must still be planning something else in Liberl!
But that means, if I can stop him, as a bracer...Maybe...Just maybe...
Man's Voice: So, you've realized what's going on.

-Where The Bonds Are-



Why are you here?
Sorry, Estelle. When we touched down, I took the liberty of contacting the guild's Grancel branch on the sly.
Oh...
Estelle, honey, you scared the pants off of us, running away like that! We were at the Grancel guildhouse trying to find you when the call came in.
We barely managed to catch a departing freightliner out here.
Ah...I'm sorry.
Just as Scherazard said. I'm glad you're safe, Estelle.
Now then, Father Kevin, was it? I appreciate your contacting us. You have my deepest thanks for letting us know where Estelle was.
Naaah, don't worry about it. My fault for butting into family matters, really.
U-Um...Dad, I...
No, Estelle. The one who needs to apologize is me.
It was nothing more than my ego talking when I told you to stay away from Ouroboros. I was simply forcing my opinion, as a man and as your father, onto you.
Scherazard made the point, ah...quite clear on our trip over.
Schera...
Hm-hm! Don't worry, Estelle, I'm completely behind you on this.
In all honesty, I thought I'd prepared for this day for a long while, but...losing him is worse than I could have even imagined. Thus, I...if nothing else, I wanted to keep you from walking the path of thorns which now lies before us. I couldn't bear the thought of you sharing Lena's fate--of you losing your life to protect someone else.
But, that is an insult. Not just to you, but to your mother as well. I understand now, as terrifying as the possibility seems to me.
Dad...
I will be too busy with the work of rebuilding the military to act on my own. I fear that is exactly why they will act now. This time, I really won't be able to help you, Estelle. Are you sure this is what you want?
...Yes. I know I've still got a lot to learn, but I don't see any other way.
So I'll do it. I'll put a stop to whatever horrible thing this 'Ouroboros' has planned...and I'll bring Joshua back home!
I see.
Then there's nothing more to say. As a bracer, and as an independent woman...Do as you see fit.
Dad...



I...I...
Well, no. There is one more thing I must say.
Huh?



Estelle. I'm counting on you. Bring back Joshua. Bring back my damn fool of a son. Please.
Ah...
Right. Piece of cake. I'll do it. I'll make sure we can all live in this house again.
I WILL bring Joshua back--no matter what stands in my way!



Video: Intro