The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky Part #27 - So there IS justice in this world!

Part 27: So there IS justice in this world!

Welcome back. Last time, we stopped for lunch at Manoria, a peaceful village on the way to Ruan. That was nice. Getting robbed by an orphan, however, was less nice. Still, we got some apple pie out of it, and now we're back on the road to Ruan, with Kloe in tow.

Oh, it's that brat!

You know you shouldn't be playing around here. What would you do if a monster attacked you?

I just had to come apologize to you... I'm sorry for lying about the emblem thingy.

Ha ha...well, don't worry. I'm not mad at you. But isn't there someone else you should be apologizing to?

Ack... N-no, there isn't!

???

I know you're a good boy. So...why don't you go and apologize?

...Well, if you want me to, I guess I gotta. Um...Miss Bracer-lady? I'm...I'm sorry.

Aww, maybe you're not so bad

Oh, uh...ha ha ha... You're apologizing to me?

So there IS justice in this world!

H-hey, don't get me wrong! I just wanted to apologize to Miss Kloe!

Aren't bracers supposed to pay attention to what's going on? If a little kid like me can grab something off you so easily, what's your excuse?

Never mind, still terrible.

Gah...!

Bye-bye! Make sure you hone that training of yours, before you lose something even MORE valuable!

Settle down. He was just trying to hide his own embarrassment. Not to mention, you really aren't the most attentive person in the world. Maybe you should heed his advice...

Hey, she can be attentive. Just only when sneakers or staffs are involved.

Grrrr... You're an even bigger brat!

*giggle* You two must be really close. I mean, you act like brother and sister.

Er, we do...?

Only insofar as we try to look out for each other.

Oh, that's a big help.

Ha ha. I'm honestly a little envious. I was an only child.

I wish I knew what that kind of relationship feels like...

Huh?

Oh, it's nothing... Anyway, shouldn't we be heading out? We can get to Ruan just by following the beach.

Okay. Let's get going, then.

And follow the beach we shall!

Unlike most beaches, this beach has attacking land sharks.

It's a pretty rad beach.

Oh no!

Estelle!

On it!

We're forced into a fight with three Shark Gators. Has science gone too far?

The Shark Gators are a really easy fight, they don't do much damage, and don't have any clever tricks up their sleeves beyond being half shark and half gator.

Yes, it looks like everything's okay now.

Um, he's not hurt, is he?

Are you injured?

Jimmy: Whoa... I thought I was done for this time. I really just missed becoming fish food...

That's because you were here by yourself. What in the world were you doing?

Jimmy: Ummm...it's kind of complicated. ...I can't really talk about it.

Uh-huh. Well, doesn't matter to me.

You just need to stop wandering into dangerous places all alone. Next time you might not be so lucky.

Jimmy: Yeah, you're right. Today was a close call, and I've saved up some money... Yeah... I think it's time I splurged a little.

???

So, what's the plan now? We really ought to escort him back to town, but we have to hurry... So, what's the plan then? If we can, we should escort him back to town.

Jimmy: No, no, it's okay. I'm fine with going down the coast road. See you later! And thanks!

And nobody ever saw him again.

It looks like there was some reason he was there. I'd hate to see him get into trouble again...

Right next to Jimmy we find a chest, which he was kind enough not to open. Smart enough too, because the monsters who have inexplicably taken up residence in this particular chest are no pushovers.

We're up against six Stove Plants this time, which is much tougher than just two. For obvious reasons.

We quickly take the initiative and dispatch two. It seems like things are going well enough...

Especially with Kloe pitching in with some much appreciated healing. So long as Kloe's travelling with you, she'll throw around Tears to keep you topped up. Not quite as useful as Larsa and his endless supplies of Hi Potions, but still appreciated.

And here's where things get fun.

Pale Flame does decent damage to a small radius around the Stove Plant and, far more importantly, has a pretty high chance of inflicting confuse.

Confuse is the same as it is in most JRPG: Any party member confused will start wailing on fellow party members.

Get it together Joshua, you're letting down the team.

Thankfully, Estelle can still do some decent damage on her own, and Kloe can nullify all the damage Joshua does. So we should be set, so long as...

That doesn't happen. You really ought to pay attention to positioning in this fight, since having multiple confused party members is a recipe for disaster.

And having everyone confused is a recipe for a god damned catastrophe.

There's nothing to do but to slowly watch the train derail itself.

And with Kloe dead, it's game over. Womp Womp.

I've mentioned it before, but if you select Retry from a game over, the fight becomes somewhat easier. They go down quickly, and so there's no time for the confusion murder train.

Our reward is a Ruby Talisman. Like the other Talismans, it changes your offense and defense to a certain element, in this case Fire.

Not really. I've never used any of the Talismans.

Exploring some more gets us more treasure. Teara is the upgraded form of Tear, restoring 1000 HP instead of 200.

Hey, that's not funny.

Like I said earlier, the road to Ruan is a fair bit more interesting than the roads we've been on before. Here, we can make our way between shores and around a cliff to find a chest.

It's got another six Stove Plants. Let's hope this goes better than the last time!

welp

Hurricane doesn't do very good damage, but sometimes you want to do some Area of Effect damage immediately. This was one of those times.

Joshua shakes of his confusion quickly, and so things don't go south this time.

The Battle Suit is an impressive piece of armor. It has double the defense of Estelle's old Leather Jacket, and three times as much magic defense.

The voices in your lid know I'm doing an LP.

You're a chest. What freedoms do you have?

It doesn't really show up on the map, but there's a long path along the side of this cliff here.

It ends at the somewhat grayed out sandbar south of our current position.

Wow, awesome daggers!

They seem pretty ancient. From the look of them, they may even date back to the Orbal Revolution.

Well, what about that piece of paper?

Looks like a piece of a sea chart.

Oh, so before airships, everyone traveled by water, right? I wonder if this beach is right on an old trade route or something, then...

The Skull Daggers are 15 points stronger than Joshua's old Katars, but drop his magic by 10. While they seem good, we can soon buy a new pair that's almost as strong but doesn't penalize his magic.

We're almost at Ruan, but our way is blocked by this pleasant fella'

And his friends! There's two Gator Sharks, two Stove Plants, and Jabba himself. Jabba is ridiculously weak to water, has almost no HP, and spends the entire fight casting.

So this real question is: Can you kill him before he finishes a spell?

Guess not! Not that it matters.

Anyway, with him dead there's nothing to do but play cleanup, and hope something doesn't go catastrophically wrong (most likely involving confuse.)

We eventually find a fork in the road. Normally, I'd go the way we're not supposed to, but there's literally nothing for us there yet.

Ruan has a nice aesthetic, as it's literally built onto the water, with small canals running between buildings and a river dividing the town into two halves.

This is one gorgeous city.

The blue water and white buildings do make for a nice contrast. It certainly feels like a port city.

Ha ha...well, it promises many varied things. There's a lighthouse not far from here, in a little park on the coast.

I know. I miss Vogt

On the other side of town, there's a pretty neat-looking church, too.

But the biggest attraction of all has to be Langland Bridge.

What's so special about it?

It connects the north and south districts of the city. And more importantly, it's a drawbridge.

A drawbridge, huh? Yeah, that might be interesting.

The Bracer Guild is just past there, in the middle of the main street. Just in front of the bridge.

Okay, then. Let's go there first.

Let's! Not do that. We've got a city to bum around in first.

There's some nice sights to take in, although the camera is close enough to the party that it's hard to get across in screens.

We can also buy a new issue of the Liberl News at the General Store. I'm looking forward to not being given enough credit, yet again! As always, you can find it in the Extras at the end, so you can look forward to it too.

We can also buy some new gear. Everything is an upgrade, except for the Shield Vest for Estelle.

Schera and Olivier have also left their inventory with us, so we can sell the for free money. Stellar!

I'm just showing my friends around.

(Hey, she's got the same school uniform as Kloe...)

(So she does.)

I guess you're on your way home?

Nikita: Yeah, there's no club practice today, so... Oh, by the way... did you ever make up your mind about you-know-what?

Um, not yet.

Nikita: Okay... I hope you do soon.

(What's [you-know-what]?)

I have no idea. But I'm sure we'll find out.

Hey, it's Melvin!

Melvin: When I tried to kill it, I actually broke my sword on its hide! It may be small, but it's tough!

There's a casino, but it's closed and will remain closed. Why Trails? I want to play virtual poker for hours on end. Let me play virtual poker for hours on end.

That's enough of that, let's make our way down the guild.

Um...

Jean is currently in a meeting with a guest on the second floor. I'm sorry for the inconvenience, but is there something I can help you with?

Uh...well, we're not here as customers or anything.

Oh, the emblems... I see. So we're in the same business, then?

My name is Carna. I work here at the Ruan branch. Are you new in town? I don't recognize you.

Yep. I'm Estelle, Junior Bracer.

Same goes for me. I'm Joshua. It's a pleasure to meet you.

Estelle and Joshua... That's right... You're the new kids from Rolent, then.

You two were involved in some big to-do with Scherazard in Bose, weren't you?

Um...ha ha... Well, I don't know if I'd put it quite like that...

I like how earlier, when Agate basically tore into us and undersold our accomplishments, Estelle got somewhat mad, while she gets humble whenever someone praises her for it. It's the kind of somewhat contradictory response that actually fits her character quite well.

Were you expecting us?

Yes, Jean told me about some promising up-and-comers.

But I'm afraid you can't change assignments until he's available. Why not go sightseeing to kill some time until then?

We already went sightseeing though

I suppose so. It beats sitting around and waiting.

Totally with you!

Oh, yeah...

Um, would you want to hang out with us a little longer? We only just met, and I'd hate to just part so suddenly...

Ah...certainly. So long as I won't be a bother or get in your way.

That settles it, then. We can all go take in the sights of Ruan.

And then we'll come back in a little bit.

Sure. Have fun!

Whoa... This is the Langland Bridge?

It sure is huge. It's gotta be twice as big as the Verte Bridge.

It was built more than forty years ago. Before then, people used to have to take a ferry from one shore to the other.

Why didn't they build a bridge sooner?

The Roubine River is the only body of water linking the lake to the ocean. hips have to be able to reach Grancel, don't they?

Very astute. It wasn't possible to build the bridge until after the Orbal Revolution, fifty years ago.

I get it...orbment power, right?

But it looks almost like it just popped up out of nowhere.

The drawbridge is raised three times a day. The next time should be...sometime this evening, I think.

Cool! We need to see that!

Agreed.

Anyway, there's only one place to go sight-seeing, and that place is the docks apparently. Let's hope we don't get mugged.

We almost get mugged.

That's because this is the warehouse district. Cargo from foreign countries is kept here for safekeeping.

I see. Kinda depressing place, though. Seems really lonely and desolate.

Well, since the advent of airships, not much cargo is transported by sea anymore. So these warehouses don't get a lot of new shipments these days.

Yeah, that makes sense.

Looks like some of the warehouses are abandoned, too.

Picaro: Hey, this place is off limits! You brats ain't gettin' in, so scram!

We never even said we wanted to come in... But, mister... why do you look so nervous?

Picaro: Y-you can tell...? Just go already!

(I think we may need to handle this one with some care...)

(Well, he's sure acting strange. I wonder what's up with him?)

(...)

We can try and leave the Warehouse district by now, but well...

Deen: Well, well... Must be our lucky day!
Rocco: Not too many womenfolk come 'round these parts. You're a real sight for sore eyes!

Someone make some popcorn. This'll be good.

And what business have you here?

Deen: Ha ha ha... Oh, this and that. We've been here for quite a while, actually. If you honeys got time to spare, how about you entertain us, huh?

I, uh...

Are you seriously trying to pick up girls in an empty, old warehouse lot?

Sorry, but we have plans already. You know, places to go, things to see... So, yeah...not interested. Feel free to go away now.

Estelle is still the best, but I doubt you needed the reminder.

Rais: Oh, check you out! I like tough women. I'll take all the abuse you can dish!

If your goal was to creep me out even more, consider your mission accomplished...

Rocco: Hey, you know, if you ladies are playing tourist, then maybe we can show you around, huh? You can ditch that little kid with you, and we'll have some fun.

...

Punks like you couldn't take on Joshua if you--

It's okay, Estelle. It doesn't bother me. What good is getting angry going to do?

B-but...

Deen: Aw...you holding back for our sake, kid? How sweet.
Rocco: Where does this brat get off, hanging around with two hotties?
Rais: Heh heh... I think he needs a lesson in just how unfair life can be, don'tcha think?

The gang starts inching forward, in a way that might be intimidating if the last minute or so hadn't completely destroyed my ability to take them seriously.

P-please, stop!

If my presence has somehow offended you, then I apologize.

Joshua-sempai, so cool

Rocco: J-just who do you think you are?!
Deen: H-he's just bluffing! Heh, I get that you want to look all cool in front of the ladies. But you're about to experience a world of pain.

Rocco: Oh, great. Another nuisance.

You're old enough to know better! You should be ashamed of yourselves!

Deen: Sh-shut up! What do you care what we do?! You're just one of the mayor's yes-men!

How dare you denigrate my work!

Rais: D-Dalmore?!
Rocco: Bah!

(Whoa, who's that? He's way too well-dressed for this part of town...)

(That's Dalmore, the mayor of Ruan. And the younger one is Gilbert, his private secretary, I think.)

Ruan has always been a free city. I have no intention of lodging a complaint about your manner of speech, or your attire.

But bothering outsiders... who may be paying guests... is NOT permissible.

Deen: Stuff it, old man! You think you're such a big shot...

He is the mayor.

Deen: We ain't interested in a thing you have to say!

H-how dare you speak to the mayor in such a fashion! How would you like for us to report you to the Bracer Guild again?!

Rais: Hmph... Bracer, shmacer. Always hiding behind them... Can'tcha do anything on your own?
Rocco: Besides, it's not like the bracers would get here right away. We'd have plenty of time to...enjoy the altercation. And then we'd be gone without a trace before anyone was the wiser.

Um... I hate to ruin your masterful plan, but... I'm afraid we're already here.

Deen: ...Wait, what?

Man...you mean you STILL haven't noticed the badges? Maybe you guys need glasses or something.

With great deliberation and exaggerated movements, Estelle pointed out the Bracer Emblem on her chest. She then raised her eyebrows for further emphasis.

This is my favorite mental image.

Rais: Ahh, crap...
Rocco: You guys are bracers?! So wait, this little punk you're with...

...is also a bracer, yes.

Rais: (I can't believe that little squirt is actually a bracer!)
Rocco: (You're actually worried? Even if they ARE bracers, it's just a coupla girls and some kid!)
Deen: (Dumbass! You can't judge a book by its cover, y'know? You remember what happened the last time we took on a chick bracer?! Even with three people, she wiped the floor with us!)

This was presumably Carna, but who knows, maybe Schera went on a asshole beating vacation.

Deen: (Going up against two bracers, even if they DO look like pipsqueaks, is totally NOT a good idea!)

Deen: O-okay, we're gonna let you off the hook...for now!
Rais: If we see you again, though, you'll be in for some real pain!

We do seem them again.

It's not us who's in for the pain.

Rocco: Catch you later!

They could have pompadours.

I wish they had pompadours.

Hell, I wish everyone had pompadours.

Ehh, no harm done. And don't we have somewhere we need to be?

I must apologize. I loathe when our city's guests are bothered.

Forgive my lack of an introduction, as well. I am Dalmore, mayor of Ruan. And this is my steward, Gilbert.

A pleasure, I'm sure. You are bracers, are you not?

Yep. I'm Estelle, from Rolent.

And I am Joshua, also from Rolent.

Jean did mention some promising new faces soon to arrive. Might he have been referring to you, perchance?

Ha ha... Well, I don't know about the 'promising' part, but yeah, I think he meant us.

We came to Ruan in search of work, actually.

Ah, how delightful! We've had some hard times of late, you see. So any help we can get is simply wonderful. I'm sure your presence here will be a great boon to us.

Hard times? What do you mean?

Well, Jean would be the one best able to supply the details. ...As an aside, is that a campus uniform I spy, young lady?

Yes, sir. I'm Kloe Rinz. I'm a second-year student at the Royal Academy. It's a pleasure to meet you.

Charmed. Dean Collins is a friend of mine, actually. Hmm... Didn't you graduate from the Royal Academy yourself, Gilbert?

Yes, sir. You said your name was Kloe? I've heard a great deal about you. You ran against Jill for head of the student council, right? You must be proud to have been a contender, as a junior.

Oh... You flatter me, sir!

Ha ha ha. I'm looking forward to the campus festival. I trust you'll be giving your all to help make it a memorable one, no?

Yes, sir. I absolutely will.

Well, I think we'd best be going. If those Ravens start making trouble again, feel free to drop by and let me know. It is my duty, as mayor of Ruan, to ensure that these streets are safe for tourists and residents alike!

Yes, indeed. His manner and actions were perfectly suited to the mayor of a city.

House Dalmore is made up of a long line of well-bred aristocrats. Though we no longer have real nobles, he's about as close as it gets.

Wow... It's like he's from a totally different world.

On the other hand, though, you still have all the low-lifes, like those guys who tried hitting on us.

Yes... That was quite unsettling. I'm very sorry for leading you into such a place unprepared.

No need to apologize. It's not like we sought them out or anything. We should probably keep our distance from the back end of the warehouse district, though, to avoid any further altercations.

Ehhh... Well, I don't like being restricted like that, but whatever.

Next time: Estelle gets into a fight with royalty. For real this time. I got the order of events mixed up