The Horn with an Ancient Sound

Hey you, I heard someone makes hunting horns around here. Do you know where I can get one?

Ah, you want the horn craftsman. He's over there.

Heeey mister! You've got a customer.

You want to see me? What on earth for?

We know someone who wants a hunting horn made in this village. Can you make one?

Tsk, easier said than done. I don't have a good animal horn to make a hunting horn right now.

Then if we provided the materials, could you make us one?

Yeah, sure. But I'll only work with materials that meet my approval.

For a hard, thick, carve-worthy dinosaur horn you'll need to go to Vasu Mountains. The mountainside is the turf of these extra large beasts.

The Vasu Mountainside? We'll get it right away!

Wait! Let me finish speaking, will you!

The dinosaur with the best horn is the leader of the pack. It'll always have swarms of other dinosaurs around it. As soon as you step into their turf, it's not just the leader you've gotta worry about. It's also his followers.

It's too risky to burst in on a pack of dinosaurs without a plan. Is there any way to avoid it?

There is. From my experience, the pack tends to be responsive to a certain smell. Simply put, while they love sweet smells, they hate fresh smells.

So if we smell of something fresh, we can avoid the rest of the pack.

I guess we'll need perfume for that!

There's an elderly woman in the village who loves herbs. She might give you something that smells like that.

An herb-loving woman. Got it.

Anyhow, it's impressive you noticed that dinosaur packs hate certain scents.

As I said, it's all down to experience. When I don't have anything, it's a fifty-fifty chance I'll run into 'em... If I've had my favorite treacle pudding for dessert, I'm 100% getting attacked.

And on days I've been good and only had a mint tea, I've realized I don't get attacked at all. The pack must be sweet-tooths like me.

If you're thoughtless and wander in smelling sweet, it'll be a catastrophe.

Okay. Let's get some fresh-smelling herbs from the herb lady.

Are you the herb seller?

I wouldn't go that far. I grow herbs as a hobby and sometimes I share them with others, that's all.

Would you be able to share some with us?

Of course, of course. So, what are you looking for?

There are so many different kinds of herbs, you see. Ones you put in your tea to relax you, ones to rub on wounds to reduce swelling, ones you boil up and drink to make...

N-No, it's nothing like that. We need a herb that smells.

I see. Something with a strong smell... Maybe these...

It's relaxing and the floral scent induces sleep. Do you want to take it?

According to the horn craftsman, the dinosaur pack likes sweet smells and hates fresh smells.

How about Floral Dream?

It has a sweet smell and is ideal for impassioning lovers' feelings. Do you want to take it?

According to the horn craftsman, the dinosaur pack likes sweet smells and hates fresh smells.

How about Sweet Vanilla?

It has a refreshing scent and is perfect for keeping yourself awake. Do you want to take it?

According to the horn craftsman, the dinosaur pack likes sweet smells and hates fresh smells.

How about Frost Mint?

Thanks, ma'am!

He said the dinosaurs live in the Vasu Mountains.

Now we have the herb, we should get going.

That must be the dinosaur leader. It's surrounded by its pack. They all look like pretty tough fighters...

It'll be fine. After all, we've got the herbs from the herb lady.

Well? Should we jump into their turf?

Well? Should we jump into their turf?

We don't know what'll happen. Let's prepare ourselves first.

Let's go!

Out of my way!

They're like retainers protecting their king. But...

Argh, eat this!

......

......

Nothing's happening...

Oh no, we got the wrong herb!

We messed up!

What do we do? Retreat and regroup?

Is it... Getting worked up?

Oh no, we got the wrong herb!

We messed up!

What do we do? Retreat and regroup?

Whoa! It's already taking effect!

Ah! Just the one shouldn't be too...

He looks raging mad... He's lost face now his retainers have run away...

I'll take it on from here. You should use this chance to escape.

You can't take it on by yourself! Don't be ridiculous! It's too dangerous!

The horn... It's all just to get that book. Stay back, you two...

Ahhhhh!

C-Cynthia...?!

That's enough! I said I'd do it, didn't I? Listen to people when they talk to you, you fool!

You two...

Argh, we're gonna have to force our way through. Come on!

Phew, got 'em...

You idiot! Why'd you jump out like that?! It's dangerous!

But I thought it would make you happy...

No more "buts"!

(It's not like Sophia to be this angry...)

Anyway, we're all safe and we got the XL horn. Isn't that good news?

And Sophia, if Cynthia hadn't jumped in front of you, could you really have done it all by yourself? The blame isn't all on Cynthia here.

Well...

I know you tend to act careless and irresponsible when it comes to that book... But can it really be that important to you, Sophia? You said the old canon hides incredible magic powers.

Sister...

The power of that book is the real thing. The manuscript is a grimoire, and depending on how it's used, it can destroy an entire nation.

It can destroy an entire nation?!

She's not lying. I was trapped in that book, and my homeland...

Trapped?

It's a long story so I'll leave out the details, but... Once upon a time, I was shut in a volume of one of the canons and it caused my homeland to be destroyed.

Come to think of it, you've mentioned this before, haven't you?

If my sister hadn't saved me, I'd still be all alone, trapped in the darkness...

If things didn't go well, she couldn't have escaped for tens of thousands of years.

Tens of thousands of years?!

With the power of that book, trapping something for eternity is nothing. Though there are conditions, the book has the power to bring about all miracles and disasters written inside.

How can something like that be put up for auction?

As powerful as it is, not everyone can use it. But there are some who wish to misuse it.

There are. Like those who destroyed my country.

As someone who knows the truth about the book, I've got to get it back, no matter what.

I see. Now I understand why you're so desperate to get it back. And why Cynthia always follows you.

But I can't let the two of you push yourselves too hard. We've got to work together.

It's my job to recover the book. I don't intend to put the two of you in danger. So I'll go it alone from now on...

If the book's really that dangerous, I can't let you do that. Now that we know the truth, the burden no longer falls with you alone.

Agreed. I know how terrible that book is for myself, I can't just leave it be and hope things will work out... Besides, I have sworn to dedicate myself to you ever since you saved me from the darkness. If you turn me down, I'll just follow you in secret!

You're not doing it in secret anymore...

So follow me proudly. And you, Aldo. How can I keep you safe if I can't see you?

Well, we've got the horn, so let's go back to Ratle village and visit the craftsman.

Ah, you brought the horn. Let's have a look at it...

Whoa! That's...

How is it? Can you make a hunting horn out of it?

What a huge, majestic horn... Wow! As a craftsman, this is making my heart pound! Wait a bit! I'll make it real quick!

Okay...

Look at this! This is my masterpiece!

Oh, there's detailed engravings on the surface.

Oh? It's of two girls...?

Ah, I got the idea from you two. I turned you sisters into goddesses, one sweet and one brave.

It's amazing! Now I want one for myself.

You're truly happy for us to take something so magnificent?

Sure. Just being able to do the work I love is enough for me. But, though I say it myself, this is a masterpiece to last generations. Don't go giving it to any strange types.

We'll only trade it with someone who has Suzanne's approval. Such a horn belongs to someone deserving.

I don't understand art, but even I know that this hunting horn is beautiful.

Don't worry. Your work will be appreciated for thousands of years to come.

I know I said it'd last generations, but thousands of years is pushing it a bit. But thanks to your kind words, I can send it out into the world with confidence.

Then let's show the hunting horn to Suzanne in Iota District.