Chapter 9: Fear the Man-eating Marsh: Lord of the Abyss

Ribbit...

Wh-What was that noise?

Ribbit ribbit... Croooak...

Movement detected! Presence of unidentified lifeform confirmed.

*sproooing*

Croooak! Don't step any further.

Wargh! It's a...

Setting foot in my home without my permission... You're either courageous or foolhardy.

It's a frog! A frog...man? Wait, you live here?

You didn't even take off your shoes! Do you care so little for your life as to track mud everywhere? Foul villains! I see I will need to teach you a lesson in etiquette.

Whoa, hold on a minute! We didn't mean any harm...

The time for talking is over. Take up your sword!

Huh...? We're back at Palsifal Palace? We must've got turned around somewhere.

My apologies, Aldo. I am missing one of my reserve anti-matter battery packs.

What does that mean?

It is the source of my energy. Outside of my particle annihilation drive, it could be incredibly dangerous. It is likely to have separated from my main body when we fell into the Man-eating Marsh.

Much as I'd like to avoid going back there, if this thing's that important to you, then I can't say no.

Thank you very much.

Not too shabby! It's been a while since I had to take a fight so seriously.

Please wait. We do not wish to fight you. Allow me to explain. We had no intention of encroaching on your territory. Nothing would please us more than to leave.

Hm...? What's that you say?

You see, we got dropped into this filthy swamp... I mean, into your lovely home. It wasn't our fault. We'd just like to find a way back to the surface, and we're real sorry if we caused you any trouble.

You're not burglars, then? And you're not going to try to sell me scroll inscriptions?

Absolutely not. We wouldn't dream of it.

(Who'd come all the way to a place like this to sell anything? Talk about desperate...)

Why didn't you say so before? It would have been a smear on my honor if I had seriously hurt you. Well, no harm no foul. What's say we forget the whole thing?

(Can't believe I'm talking with a frog right now...)

Now that we're on friendly terms, I must ask again... What are you two doing here?

We came to the palace to try to stop King Palsifal from changing history. But he wouldn't listen. He dropped us into some kind of trap door, and here we are.

Changing history, you say? Where would the king get such power in the first place?

He and the Oracle are working together. They're trying to remake the future as they see fit. I've seen the way the future is supposed to turn out. I can't let them destroy it... Hey, you seem pretty strong. Would you consider helping us?

Why would I do that? You two are perfect strangers.

W-Well, I guess that's true... But think of all the people from the future that need our help.

Hm... The way I see it, the world of the future has nothing to do with me.

But this business of interfering with history is unbecoming of His Majesty. I cannot allow it. For the sake of the kingdom's honor, I will help put a stop to this. Does that sound acceptable?

Sure, that'd be fine.

As a faithful retainer, it is my duty to ensure that the king does not stray from the path of righteousness. It feels strange to have to leave this place, but I am left with little choice. It is meant to be.

Great! I'm Aldo.

I am Riica.

I am Cyrus, a servant without a master. Perhaps you and I were destined to meet here. I expect great things of you.

Same here!

I look forward to working with you.

By the by, might this curious object belong to you? I found it among the weeds earlier.

Let us waste no more time.

We're back in Acteul... Who'd've thought there was a place like that under the city...

From what you have told me, appealing to the king's better nature at this point will do us no good. I doubt he will let you off with a dip in the marsh if you try that again.

I concur. It may be more expedient to investigate the tower ourselves.

Sounds good. We'll go to the Tower of Time and see what we can learn about the king's scheme.

May I have a moment of your time before we go, Aldo?

Sure, Cyrus. What's up?

That sword at your waist seems a fine weapon. Why did you not use it in our duel?

The truth is, I couldn't use it even if I wanted to. This sword...it's called Ogre Rancorem. It kinda has a mind of its own. It only brings out its full power if the ogre clan wills it.

I see... Perhaps we ought to do some research before going to the tower. That sword has surely been enchanted with some powerful magic. And I just so happen to know an expert in such matters who lives nearby.

An expert? Who is it?

Her name is Ratchett, the royal magician. She teaches magic to children of the nobility.

Okay, sure. We'll go find her at the palace and see if she can tell us anything.