The Painting Split

Hey, Lord Aldo! Who was it again that knows about Leonardo? You came all this way. Do you know where he is? Well, do you?!

C-Calm down already!

I thought I'd ask the master first. This is the place where the people of Unigan come to unwind, so somebody's bound to know something.

People possess knowledge... It's as simple as that.

Y-You're right! Sorry for getting so excited...

All right, Lord Aldo! Let's see what we can find out!

Master, I have something I want to ask you... I've heard there's a painter named Leonardo around here. Know anything?

Sure. I know a young man by that name who paints. Wouldn't call him a painter yet though.

Really?! Do you know where he is?!

He's usually somewhere in Unigan painting something or other. You should probably go look for him.

So he's somewhere around town, huh. Got it. We'll look for him!

Let's make haste! For my sister's sake!

I'll find Leonardo in no time at all!

H-Hey, wait up!

Ugh, this kid... Aldo... Let's get going.

Leonardo... Leonardo... Where are you?!

W-We finally caught up with you! There's no stopping you when it comes to Sophia...

Lord Aldo... That goes without saying!

I mean... This is my dearly beloved sister we're talking about here!

Oh trust me, I get it.

So... Have you found anyone who could be a painter?

Ugh... N-No, not yet... So sorry to have let you down...

Hmm... No... This color isn't right... Only that particular pigment will do... *sigh*

Pigment? Could it be?

Color is what gives my paintings life. I really don't want to compromise...

Hey... Are you Leonardo? The aspiring painter?

Huh? Oh... That's right. I'm the only person by that name who paints in this town.

Then do you mind if we make a request? There's something we would like you to paint.

Oh?! You're commissioning a painting?!

After ten long years... Finally... I'm finally getting hired!

Oh, but I can't...

Huh?! Wh-Why not?!

Yes, yes, that won't do at all! We really really want a painting painted by you! We really need your help!

I'm overjoyed to hear you say that... I'm just not sure I'm good enough to satisfy your request.

I heard you say something about a pigment earlier. Is that the reason why?

Yes. The truth is... There's a pigment that I don't have enough of for my painting...

I-I've got it! Would you be willing to get that pigment for me?! Do that, and I'll do a painting for you!

Sure thing. Where can we find this pigment?

The pigment I'm after comes from the gentia in Karek Swampland... But it goes bad quickly. Only freshly squeezed paint will do the trick.

Then let's hurry up and get it!

Umm, hold on! If you're actually going, it helps to have a handkerchief with the scent of the pigment. gentia often gather near rocks, so if you have this and wait a bit, they'll come out, thinking you're one of them.

Thanks! This should help!

Beat them quickly and get that pigment. It'll go bad quickly if you don't! I'll be here coming up with a new idea for a painting in the meantime!

All right. Next stop is the Karek Swampland!

Circumstances understood. Basically, we are looking for gentia in this marshland.

Yeah. You'll come in handy for sure, Riica.

Indeed. An atmospheric analysis will allow me to identify the enemy's energy response... Leave it to me!

He mentioned that gentia like to gather near rocky areas, but there are a lot of areas like that around here... We'd be forced to check them all without Riica's help.

Riica... Let's get started. Find us an area that matches the scent of this handkerchief.

Stink analysis complete. Now beginning scan of the entire Karek Swampland area!

Scan of the Karek Swampland has identified as many as five location that match the scent of the handkerchief!

Wow, you found them already?! Your friend is really something, Lord Aldo!

You can always count on Riica! All we have to do now is use the handkerchief's scent to lure the gentia out.

Yeah... And the pigments from the gentia go bad quickly, so we'll have to defeat them as soon as they show up.

Yes. Speed is of the essence. Eliminate them as they appear.

All right, let's get to it!

This is a pretty big rock. Is this the place?

Yes! The same scent from the handkerchief is in the air here!

Okay, so should we trying using the handkerchief, then?

All right. Let's wait here with the handkerchief. We need to take them down fast, so be on the ready to do just that.

Of course, I'm ready and willing.

You can count on me!

A response! Here we go, Aldo!

Huh? Are they excited?! They're coming this way!

How convenient. They won't even know what hit them!

I'll help out as well!

Riica! Let's go!

Understood!

Nah... Let's give up on this area. We can search somewhere else.

Slow and steady wins the race. That's the spirit!

But let's hurry to the next area.

If Riica's findings are correct, this should be the spot...

Should we trying using the handkerchief here, then?

All right. Let's wait here with the handkerchief. We need to take them down fast, so be on the ready to do just that.

Of course, I'm ready and willing.

You can count on me!

Hold on. Hold on. No enemy response detected in the area!

U-Ummm... My arms have gone numb...

I guess it's a lost cause.

Yeah... Maybe they don't come here.

Oh, well. Let's look somewhere else.

Nah... Let's give up on this area. We can search somewhere else.

Slow and steady wins the race. That's the spirit!

But let's hurry to the next area.

All right! We took care of business!

Now, how fresh is the pigment...?

It's perfect! We managed to get it before it went bad!

Now, he'll paint us a picture for sure! Let's get back to Unigan!

W-We managed to defeat it...

The problem is the pigment. Is it fresh?

Ugh. Unfortunately, it's already gone bad.

N-No way...

Stop it! This is no time to be losing hope after just a single failure!

Let's lure the gentia out and get the fresh pigment this time around!

Yeah! You're right!

Whoooaaa! This! This is it! The pigment I was after!

So you'll do a painting for us now like you promised?

Of course! I came up with perfect idea for a painting while you were away! To be honest, I'm absolutely itching to get to work on it! I'll start immediately!

Yeeeesssss! I've done it! True art is all about the clash of colors!

Phew! What do you think? Pretty good if I do say so myself.

I don't know much about art, but it looks great to me! Thanks!

Oh my, such vivid colors! There's no mistaking it... This is the same painting I saw once before...

Cynthia...

N-Never mind me. No need to read into my words...

We were able to get our hands on it at least. Let's hurry back to the auction house at once.

There's no need to rush. These colors won't fade anytime soon.

Thank you so much. But it's okay... The colors of this distant memory will always burn brightly in my heart.

Understood. Then let's head on back to the auction house.

All right, we've got the perfect frame for this painting. Let's go show it to Suzanne.

Yeah, let's bid on the perfect frame for this painting.