Part 90: And now we are prepared to enter the belly of the beast.

-Commercial City of Bose-



You're heading for Nebel Valley, right?
Yeah. We're used to working in small groups.
We're the best people for the job, really.
Well, if you have Morgan's permission, I've no objections, either.
The army's saying they'll keep things secure. You kids do what you do best!
Heh, that's the plan!
No need to tell me twice!
Lookin' forward to some good news!

Are you ready to slay a mother fuckin' dragon?!

If so, shame on you. That poor creature has been enslaved and we're going to rescue it.



Right after this new monster bounty.



Reina: Still, next is a return to her family in the Empire as soon as this ends...Really, Miss Felicity hasn't even the time to rest.
Imperial Noble: I see, so you will be returning to your family in the Empire after this?
Felicity: Yes, that is my current schedule. I still have a short break from the academy, so I shall visit with my father.
Imperial Noble: Hm, you truly are the woman I expected you to be. Possessed of progressive thoughts on one hand, while also equipped with our moral principles from yore. I feel I should again offer thanks to Aidios for allowing us to meet.
Felicity: N-No...P-Please, stop. I am nothing but an inexperienced girl.
Imperial Noble: No, it is definitely not an excessive estimation, I believe. Compared to you, I am far more the inexperienced party here.



Royal Army Officer: I still can't believe how that dragon outmaneuvered and outran our ships, though. That thing really does possess power beyond our understanding.
Soldier: We were worried the Erebonians might react badly to the capture attempt and all those airships being mobilized. We haven't heard a peep from them, either way, though. Honestly, that's making a few of us even MORE worried. Bose sits right on the Empire's 'southern march.' It's not like the Blood and Iron Chancellor guy to stay quiet when something this big is going on...



Butler Mayner: In the darkest moments, I did fear that...ah, but it has not come to pass. It lifts all our hearts to see her healthy and well.



Oh, thank Aidios...Thank YOU...!
Miss Bright...
Lila! Are you okay?
I am well, yes. It seems I've caused you all to worry...
...Please, forgive me.
Oh, Lila! What are you saying? You shielded Maybelle in the only way you could! You probably saved her life!
ALL the fault goes to that silver-haired maniac and his dragon!
Indeed! Do not blame yourself for injuries inflicted upon you.
Yes, do not blame yourself.
Campanella is letting Zane borrow his invisibility for this scene. Pay him no mind.
By the way, I heard from Miss Maybelle. It seems I owe a debt to Mr. Vathek and Mr. Lenheim. Thank you for helping me when I was indisposed.
There's no need for thanks! The real hero there was you. I was simply honored to carry a hero.
It was a pleasure to help one as brave as you.
This is also thanks for saving Lila. From the bottom of my heart...thank you. Thank you so much.



Sister Rosa: And yet she insists on going right back to work! She's not well enough to be straining herself so! Perhaps if I hog-tie her to the bed...



Corna: I wonder if she'd even still be here, if she's alive...



Buck: The opinion going around is that we'll be done sooner than expected at the rate we're going. Got the strength of the merchants of Bose on display, here!



Jacob: Back then, too, the town was in such a state that everyone chipped in to put it all back together.



-Town Where The Lights Went Out-



Lewey: Did you catch the dragon yet?
No, we're gonna go deal with it now.
Lewey: Oh, o-okay...Good luck! I'll be rooting for you! Everybody was up late talking. I guess they're really busy with the orchard.
Fran: I wonder if Pesca and Gray made up? They're grown-ups, so they ought to be able to work together!



Limon: Already back at work?
Yeah, things are kinda busy right now.
Limon: Being a bracer really is a full-time job, isn't it? Well, once you're done for the day, come over and have a drink. I'll treat you to one of our best ciders.
Oh, yeah?
I'll hold you to that, Limon. Lookin' forward to it.



Orange: I thought your injuries were keeping you in bed.
They did, but I'm better now.
Ma'am, did the dragon damage your place at all?
Orange: Thankfully not. The Goddess was watching out for us, I'm sure.
The Goddess, huh...? Yeah. Maybe she was. I'd like to think so, too.
Orange: Goodness! That's positively devout, coming from you. I'll pray for Her blessings to reach you on your way, then.



Vince: Are you gonna go beat up the dragon?
Yeah, somethin' like that. Just you wait, kiddo. I'll get this all taken care of soon.
Vince: Awesome! Do your best! We'll be rooting for you!



Figaro: The view here feels so much lonelier now. We all must come together and rebuild somehow.



Melony: Pesca was all smiles afterward, too. Maybe things are looking up.



Elder Reisen: How goes your capture plan?
Well, we know what's causing the dragon to go crazy now.
If our next plan goes okay, we should have this whole mess sorted out.
Elder Reisen: Haha! That's wonderful news! But I must implore you: be careful. Especially you, Agate. Your sister would haunt me for eternity if something happened to you.
Eh, you don't need to worry. I've got a little watcher keeping an eye on me all the time as it stands.
Aha...haha...ha.
Elder Reisen: Hmmm. That's good enough for me, I suppose. Be careful, all of you. And good luck. Dragons are creatures beyond mortal understanding. Who knows what could happen if you challenge one?
I'm keepin' that in mind, trust me.



Birnette: Thank Aidios! I'm glad to see you on your feet again.
Yeah, I'm sorry. Guess I made you worry, huh?
I'm fine now, though. Well, I ain't exactly top shape yet, but not like I'm gonna keel over from a little walkin' around.
Birnette: I'm glad to hear that, but...It sounds like you have a lot of work ahead of you. Please, take care of yourself.



Put on those T-Anklets and Mirage Rings for this one.



-Obstructive Existence-











These cute little fellas hop around and Petrify, or impede.







No, I don't know what the hell 'Meadow Task' is supposed to mean.









-Rock on the Road-







Yeah, let's hurry.

-A Cat Relaxing in the Sun-



Whemler: Oh...Agate. And the little sprout's group.
Hello, Mr. Whemler.
Um, sorry to bother you!
Whemler: Hmmm. You kids seem like you're filled with purpose this time...What's happened? Tell me.
Yes, we are, sir. Actually...


Whemler: Ohhhh...I see. Explains all the noise a little while ago, at least.
Hey, Old-timer. You used to say you've been to northwest, right? If you don't mind, we'd like to know what route you used.



Whemler: Absolutely not.
Huh?!
The hell?! Why not?
Whemler: ...Let me ask you kids one question. Once you find that dragon, what're you going to do?
Oh, u-um...It seems like it's being controlled, so we don't really want to slay it...
But if it keeps causing trouble even after we break the Gospel, we'll have to. Can't let it hurt people no matter what.
Whemler: Goodness...Children today know nothing. You kids are treating that dragon as if it's just a big monster. That's no dumb beast you're hunting. That is a divine creature older than the Great Collapse.
From before the Gr--
WH-WHAAAT?!
You're saying it's been here for over twelve hundred years?!
Haha. C'mon, Old-timer, be serious. Sure, it might have a long lifespan, but--
Mr. Whemler speaks the truth, I believe.
According to the legends of the Septian Church, dragons are the divine guardians of She Who Dwells Above. I find it unlikely we can apply our common experience to them.
Seriously?
I'm, uh, starting to think we shouldn't have thought of it like a normal monster...
Whemler: Trying to 'slay' that creature would be nothing but suicide. So be good and leave it to the Royal Army. Honestly, most of the army's got their heads up their ends, too, but maybe he could...
Huh?
Whemler: ...Anyway. I've no desire to send young people to their graves. I'm sorry, but I can't help you.
But...!
...
Hey. Old-timer. I appreciate the concern, but you're a bit off the mark, don't you think?
Whemler: Mm?
We've fought a lot of nasty stuff to get this far. Intelligence Division thugs, ancient orbal machines...
Nasty as they were, though, we couldn't just let 'em go 'cause they were 'too dangerous.' We put together what we had, every one of us gave it our all, and we managed to overcome them.
This dragon's the same. We ain't just gonna blindly rush in...but we can't let this go, either.
So...please. Lend us a hand. We need you.
Agate...
Agate...!
Whemler: Heheh. Finally got a bit of nobility on that ugly mug of yours, eh? Your sister'd like that. Well, after a speech like that, guess I have no choice but to help, eh?
!
Really?!
Thank you, Mr. Whemler!
Whemler: Nah, don't worry about it. I'm not doing anything that big. I'll head out first and get things ready. Come find me when you're ready, I'll be at the deepest point of the western side.
Come find you?
Wait, weren't you going to tell us how to get to the northwest part of--
Whemler: It's going to involve a bit more than just telling you. Anyway, come as soon as you can to the west side by foot. I'll be waiting.



...Nothin' for it.
Like the old man said, we should get going.
Right, right.
Deepest point of the west side of the valley, right?
Yeah. Need to keep an eye out so that we don't get lost out there.

-Rock on the Road-



Old-timer...
So if we cross that bridge...
Whemler: Aye, go straight across and you'll reach a rocky mountain. It's got a cave in it that'll let you climb up farther. Your dragon's over that way.
Gotcha...
We owe you, Whemler.
Whemler: If that's all for you sprouts, then, I'll be heading back to my hut. Mind yourselves, though, that cave's packed with all manner of nastiness. If things get dangerous, don't be stupid. Turn around and rest up. If you need a break, come by the hut and I'll help you out.
Thanks, Mr. Whemler!
We'll be careful.



*gulp*
Heh, time to really get serious.
Wait, something occurs to me.
Did we not promise to contact the Arseille once we cornered our quarry?
Right, good point!

Sieg!
Falcon's Voice: Screee?







Haha. Yay, you really did follow us!
Thank you, Sieg!
Man, that falcon makes no freakin' sense.

Okay, then, Sieg. Can you take that note to the Arseille?
Scree!





Okay...Let's do this!
Yeah!
Let's go!



-Visions-

















Now Agate and Olivier can match





-Leiston Fortress-





Oho, there he is!





Let's see...Estelle's group has arrived at the mountain where they believe the dragon to be. They're going to enter and search.
I see.
...Transmit to all ships! Stand by at designated coordinates with armor piercing rounds loaded!
If the dragon attempts to flee...do not allow it to escape!
Yes, sir!

-Visions-









there is no help



This is it. The dragon's lair.



But there's more loot.







I get it already, game, you wanted me to bring Kloe. Tough.



Okay. Now we're ready.