Chapter 7: Acteul: A Figure on the Water

Halt! My apologies, but the road to the palace is closed right now. We have...an incident on our hands.

Really? What's up?

Well...this is just a rumor, but... A ghost has been seen out by Lake Tiilen. People say it's the spirit of our queen, who passed away many years ago. The palace is in such an uproar, they're not allowing anyone inside until they get to the bottom of the matter. His Majesty's not been the same since he lost the queen... These stories must be hard for him to hear.

He is "haunted by the past," correct? I find it difficult to understand this concept.

A ghost, huh? Could this have something to do with the disturbance Salamander mentioned?

Why, are you the bold warriors who returned Salamander to his senses?

Yep, that was us.

Whoa, that changes everything! You did such a great job for the people of Ratle, could you look into our problem, too? At this rate, no one will be able to reach the palace. The markets will come to a standstill.

That does sound rough... And we need to get into the palace to gather information, too. Okay. We'll see what we can do.

Thank you, good sir! They say the wraith appears on the side of Lake Tiilen nearest Ratle. Look for a dead end on the road. Let me know if you discover anything.

Okay, we'll get right on it. Ghost-hunting, huh? This'll make a good story for the folks back home.

They say the wraith appears on the side of Lake Tiilen nearest Ratle. Look for a dead end in the road.

Over there! There's something strange about that woman...

She's gone! Could that have been the ghost everyone's talking about?

Urgh, where did these guys come from?

And don't come back!

Hmph! Who goes there?

Huh?! I'm Aldo... And this is my friend Riica. We're, uh...travelers, I guess. Who are you, anyway?

I... I am the one they call the Oracle.

Oracle? Like someone who knows the future?

Indeed. Did you say your name was...Aldo? Surely it can't be you... And Riica is with you... What brings you two to this place?

We heard there was a ghost appearing around here. The people of Acteul asked us to check if the rumors were true. They say it's the spirit of the queen. Do you have anything to do with all this?

That is no lost soul, simply an image of one who has now passed on. It's not even a depiction of the late queen. The mechanism must have been tripped by a passing monster. It will not happen again.

Really? Wow, uh...thanks. I guess that problem's solved.

Tell me, where did you come from? Are you alone? Have you no...family with you?

You probably won't believe this, but I'm from the year 300 AD, a little place called Baruoki Village.

300... Ah, early Miglance Period... I see...

I know, you probably think I'm crazy. Before now I wouldn't have believed time travel was possible, either. I have a sister but what about her? Only Riica and I have travelled back in time to this era.

You seem to know a lot, so tell me...what's going on here? Why is the world getting so messed up?

You'd do better to ask the king. But don't even think about getting in the way of our plans. All I've done is for the sake of the planet. I will not be stopped now!

What?!

Aldo, your coming to this time may have changed more than you realize. The world may be spinning new dreams as we speak. But in the end, it will make no difference...

Hey! Come back here!

What a weirdo... But if what he said is true, we can close the case on the queen's ghost.

C'mon, Riica.

Hm? Oh, yes! Understood.

Ah, you're back! Any news? Is our dear departed queen still wandering this mortal plain?

No, it wasn't a ghost after all. Apparently, you've seen the last of it, though.

"Apparently"? Who told you this?

An oracle.

Not the masked Oracle, perchance? Is this an official prophecy? That fellow's a few cards short of a full deck, but his prophecies aren't to be ignored. If he says the apparition is gone, I'm willing to accept it as the truth. Thank you for your help. I'll go and tell the king right away!

It would appear we have been granted access to the palace.

Yeah, we'll finally get to talk to the king. But some of that stuff the Oracle said still worries me. Don't let your guard down.