Ah, My Darling Gnome

Um! Um! Excuse me! Can I ask you something?

What's the matter?

Well...I came here because we can no longer be apart...

Do you know where I can find Mister Gnome?!

Wargh, not so close! He's somewhere on that side if you're looking to go see him!

Wargh, not so close! I-I don't really know where he is, sorry.

I see. Okay. Thanks, bye!

Whew...That one's a real firecracker.

Wait, she can't be so hotheaded she would just rush into Purgatory all by herself, is she?

Oh man, if she is I can't let her go alone. I have to go after her! If I hurry maybe I can catch up with her.

No sign of her yet. Does that mean that girl didn't safely make it this far? I hope that isn't the case.

Oh, there she is!

Oh, Mister Gnome! I can't believe I'm finally meeting you in the stone!

Puny human, wholly unknown to me. For what purpose do you seek audience with me?

I'm your wife.

What?!

......

Hold up! Wife? As in Missus Gnome?!

Oh, it's you! Hi there.

Yep, it's as simple as it sounds. I am Mister Gnome's wife.

Err, really?

Yes.

I do not recall betrothing a speck of a creature such as yourself.

If that's what he says, surely...

Well, it's only natural that you wouldn't recognize me, darling.

I was chosen to be your wife by the village, after all.

What do you mean?

In my home town of Gunor, we have a tradition of choosing a girl to serve as Mister Gnome's wife every ten years. I was betrothed to Mister Gnome through that process.

Right. Huh.

I know nothing of such a custom.

Are the girls who get chosen happy with that?

How dare you question my faith! The FEELING of love is all that matters. Everything else is just fluff!

And I... I love you, Mister Gnome! So there, that makes me your wife!

......

Enough.

You who claims betrothal to me. Why have you come before me? Explain.

Ooh, I almost forgot!

I came to ask you to restore fertility to Gunor's soil.

What's wrong with it?

Completely barren since some years back. Because of it there's a terrible shortage of food there, to this day. We've tried everything we could but nothing's worked even the teensiest bit.

The whole village has given up, believing that Mister Gnome has forsaken us and rescinded the good fortune he once blessed us with.

Just when I thought that we'd be done for, I learned of this crazy, parallel Purgatory world.

I thought maybe if I found him somehow I could get him to help us.

Then you...

Yes. I had no choice but to journey here and see Mister Gnome.

Even though it means giving up my life. I just want to save my home! I have to!

Going so far as to trade your life for the protection of others...I admire that.

I see. The plight of your village must be severe indeed.

Your courage and love for your home shine as brightly as the morning dew. Very well. I, Gnome, Phantom Elemental of the Earth, do swear to grant your wish.

You do?!

Really? You're on board just like that?

If nothing else I sense no malevolence in this maiden. However, I do not currently possess enough power to revive the soils of your home.

What?!

Do not be alarmed. With the other human's efforts, there is a way.

Me? I'd be glad to help.

Then go with this in hand.

A seed?

With this seed and the fluid from a particular monster a medicine with the same effect can be created.

How perfectly wonderful! I'd expect nothing less from my great Gnome!

You will find the monster dining on fruits in the Man-eating Marsh. I advise that you go there.

Then I'll go get it in her place.

Wow, thanks so much! I'll leave it up to you!

This must be the one Gnome said to find.

Is that you, Gnome? What do you mean?

I wasn't aware you could find bigger bigger variants like that in the Man-eating Marsh.

Huh?

Like that one?

It's pretty big but I reckon I can take it on. Let's go!

Hm. I think this is what I needed to get.

Why there?

All right, to Palsifal Palace then.

A village-looking kind of guy with two companions. Let's see...

That has to be them.

Excuse me.

Can I help you?

Are you guys from Gunor?

We are. Who are you?

I'm Aldo. Gnome entrusted me with the ingredients for saving your home's soil.

A girl who says she's Gnome's wife was the one who asked him about it, though.

Really? Incredible! We can make use of the Gnome's power!

You have our deepest gratitude, servant of the great Gnome!

I'm not his servant but you're welcome.

Speaking of servants, who are those guys dressed like one behind you? Are they fellow villagers?

Oh, I hope they didn't startle you. They're the Mages us Gunorites hired to help. Without them we'd have no way of getting to Purgatory, you see.

I see. All right, sorry to have kept you. That's all you need.

Get home as quickly as you can and use the remedy. I'm sure everyone's waited for it long enough!

You're right, excuse me!

Whew, another village saved. I should go talk to Gnome again.

Hey, how come you haven't left yet? Something you forget to ask?

No, actually... There's something she wanted to talk to you about first.

Aren't you meant to be in Purgatory?! What are you doing here?

What? You look like you've seen... A GHOST! Hah!

N-No, it's just... In Purgatory, people are usually, um... Unable to return to this world.

Geez, SORRY. I didn't realize you wanted me to be dead.

Then how did you manage to go in and out of Purgatory and still be alive?

I let the Mages you just saw figure out all the little details so I don't really know how it works but...

They performed some kinda ritual that sends only your soul to Purgatory, or something.

Whatever they did, now we can finally reinvigorate the village land. Thanks a bunch for that!

Welp, I'm off. Gotta go help with that reinvigoration.

W-Wait, what about Gnome? You're supposed to be his wife, right? You're not going to go back to him?

He's already gifted me the remedy so no.

Yes, I am technically his wife because of the village rite, but it's not like I'm gonna go back there now.

But, uh, what about your love and marriage and all tha...

Of course I love Mister Gnome, he's great. But I never said I, like, "LOVE" love him.

Besides, without the Mages' rituals I'd actually have to die to see him.

Well, that's...true.

Okay, I'm going for real now. Thanks again!

......

Let's just go talk to Gnome.

You have returned. Did you successfully hand over the remedy?

Yeah, she was really, uh, happy.

Good. Now, I would ask of you this. I see neither hair nor hide of my wife. Do you know where she has gotten to?

Uh, well, um...

She said she'd go check in on the village for a second.

Hmm, I see. Very well. By the by, little human, I suppose I should bequeath unto you a reward.

A reward? What for?

For carrying out that which I asked of you. To give when one has taken is only proper. Now...Yes, this will do.

What's this?

A fragment of my power enshrined in a jewel. Unleash its Raging Wind to drive back all threats in your path and you will be safe, I guarantee.

Thank you, Gnome. I'll keep it close, always.

Mister Gnome!

Oh, how I longed to see you again! My darling Mister Gnome!

Puny human. What business have you here?

Don't be so formal, dearest. It's me, your wife!

Another one?!

So, Mister Gnome, darling... In my village, Kerulu, the earth is simply getting drier and drier EVERY day.

I beseech you, o great Mister Gnome! Restore fertility to the soil of Kerulu!

......

Hmm. Your courage and love for your home shine as brightly as the morning dew. Very well. I will lend you my aid.

Seriously, Gnome?!

Thank you so much, darling! You're the greatest!

(Is Gnome just kind-hearted or a total sap? I can't tell.)

Oh, Mister Gnome! My love for you is more vast than your rocky mass. If only I could show you how wide and tall it stands!

No need, maiden. For anything larger than the great Gnome is surely very great indeed!

Ahem. Wandering human. I have need of your efforts once more.

Oh no...

Gnome won't have any shortage of request-happy wives now. Unluckily for me.