Visiting Family

There are monsters on the Derismo Highroad, she wouldn't go there on her own. I don't think she's gone far. Could you keep an eye out for her? Thank you.

Huh? That person looks a little restless. I wonder if something's wrong?

You there! You look like a group of sturdy adventurers. Will you listen to what I have to say?

Sure, if you think we can help.

My daughter, Rui, has gone missing... I've looked all over town for her without success. I'm exhausted, I can't do all this alone...

Alone? Don't you have any other family?

No... It's just the two of us...

Sorry to hear that... I'd be glad to help out. What do you want me to do?

Ah, such great-hearted kindness! Rui hasn't been gone long, so she can't have gone far. Could you ask around Acteul and see if anyone has seen her? Thank you so much for your help.

Could you ask around Acteul and see if anyone has seen my daughter?

Oh, Rui... Where did you go?

Did you find out anything? Does anyone know where she is?

What?! Marbo took her out on the Derismo Highroad? This is absolutely outrageous! That place is far too dangerous to wander around without protection.

That rapscallion Marbo is leading my darling daughter astray! I told her not to spend so much time with him. Kids these days...

Sorry about that. We have to focus on getting her back. There are monsters on the Derismo Highroad, she wouldn't decide to go there on her own. I don't think she's gone far. Could you keep an eye out for her? Thank you.

This looks like a good spot to rest.

How are you holding up, Rui? We can take a breather here if you want.

Sure.

Huh? Those kids over there...

Hey, you guys! Is one of you named Rui?

Um, yes, but... Who are you?

I knew it! My name's Aldo. Your mom asked me to come find you.

Lackeys of the old lady, are you? You can tell Miha that Rui won't be home for a while! C'mon, Rui. Let's go!

Woah! Slow down, Marbo!

Hey, get back here! You could get attacked by monsters...

Oh great, this is the last thing I need. I don't have time to play around with you!

Just a little farther to the palace...

*huff*...*huff*... This should be far enough... They can't catch up to us now.

*pant*...*pant*... I'm so tired... I can't go another step...

Sorry, I got a little carried away. How about we take another break?

Sounds good...

Say, Marbo...

...... Thank you... For coming with me, I mean.

We haven't reached the palace yet. You can thank me when this is all over.

Marbo!

Tch! Rui, get behind me!

R-Right...

Phew, looks like we're in time to help.

You!

We'll talk later. Right now we need to concentrate on the battle!

Awesome! Thanks for the help. You're stronger than you look.

So, what are you two doing all the way out here, anyway?

If I tell you, you'll just run back and snitch on us to Miha...

No, Marbo, it's all right. We owe them an explanation now they've been dragged into it. I should never have kept all this a secret from Mother...

You see... I'm going to visit my father.

Your father? Miha told me you didn't have any family besides her...

That's true, in a sense. Mother and Father parted ways when I was still little. Mother never talks about him, so I really have grown up knowing her as my only family. But some time back, I got talking to one of our neighbors, who told me all about Mother's past. I learned from her old diary that my father resided in Palsifal Palace.

So you decided to go see him in secret...

Mother would surely have forbidden me to go if she knew. I asked Marbo here to accompany me, for protection.

Um...well... I couldn't just say no. I sneak out of town all the time, so I thought just getting to the palace would be a breeze. Besides, I've been friends with Rui since we were kids. She and her momma have always had it tough, doing their best to scrape by with just the two of them. I thought it might be nice if Rui had someone to treat her kind, take some of that weight off her shoulders.

That's quite a story. Well, you made it this far already, I'll come the rest of the way with you.

Cheers... I got too big for my boots, thinking I could protect Rui all on my own.

There's a lot of monsters around here. Traveling by yourselves is dangerous.

Thank you so much, both of you!

That's settled. Time to hit the road. Next stop, Palsifal Palace!

Hey, Rui. D'you reckon it could be that guy over there?

Yes... He does match the description from Mother's diary...

Move along, people, nothing to...

Y-You're!

Father?

Rui! Is that really you?

Goodness, how you've grown, my girl...

So that's why you and Mother parted ways... It's sad, but I suppose in the end it was no one's fault... I'm glad I got to meet you, Father. You're everything I imagined!

Rui... I'm sorry if I caused you any pain.

It's all right. Mother's always been kind to me, and I have good friends like Marbo, too. I'm very happy with my life, Father.

Rui...

You must be the famous Marbo. Thank you for taking such good care of my daughter. Even if our circumstances keep us apart, I know Rui'll be all right with you by her side.

You can count on me, sir.

We'd better make our way home. Mother's probably worried sick by now.

Allow me to escort you back. I can call in some favors and get someone to cover my shift.

So that's what all this was about. I always avoided talking about Rui's father. The memories were too painful. But she had a right to know. I shouldn't have let my past blind me to my daughter's needs. Some mother I am...

Don't say that, Mother.

Rui...

I shouldn't have left without telling you. But I wanted to meet Father so badly. I needed to know what kind of person he was, what happened between you, why I was born... I would have liked it if you'd told me more about him, but I understand now why you didn't. I love you dearly, Mother, and I'm sorry for all the trouble I've caused.

Rui... Oh, brave travelers, thank you for your help. And Marbo, I owe you an apology. I misjudged you, lad. You care about Rui much more than I realized. Thank you for protecting her.

Miha... I know you and Rui have been through some hard times. You've always been so protective of her, too. Anytime you need help, just let me know. I may be a rapscallion, but I'll do whatever I can!

I'd better head home. I'm not so great with this sentimental stuff, anyway.

See you later, Marbo! Thanks again!

Rui... I'm sorry if I caused you any pain.

Honestly, Mother! Father said the exact same thing! You really are like two peas in a pod. Seriously, though...

Even if I did feel like something was missing, I have you, and Marbo, and everyone in town, so I've never been lonely.

You have nothing to apologize for. Living among such good, kind people, I have all the happiness I could want!

Oh, Rui... Traveler, you have my most heartfelt gratitude for bringing my daughter home.

I can't thank you enough, either. I would never have got this far without you.

Come now, Rui. Let's go home.

...Family, huh?

Well, can't stand around here all day. Time to go.