Whose Vow

How are you finding your lodgings?

Well...

Huh? Isn't that the King?

It is. Did he come by to talk with everyone?

Almost certainly. Hearing the voices of his people is the duty of a King.

It seems like the blackouts are happening more often lately. All the food in my stores has gone bad.

The sky projected onto the barrier has been flickering, too. You can see the real sky, and it scares the kids.

...My apologies.

Not at all, Your Majesty! Many people across the world have been forced to flee the pollution. But we can keep on living here, in the land of our ancestors. We're lucky enough just for that.

And after the Rising, we won't have any more worries.

We're all praying for the Rising, Your Majesty. It's our only hope.

......

...It will work. I promise. I will protect our home.

Please...

I seem to recall...you once asked for assistance to retrieve items from the Unclean Lands. Were the knights able to assist you?

Oh, I gave up on that long ago. I only wanted to retrieve a picture of my family from my old house... But I couldn't bear to expose those kind young people to danger all for a single piece of paper.

It's my own fault for forgetting it when we were evacuated to the palace.

I see...{lang-nuance}Claudio, to the old lady{/lang-nuance}

You need not give up!

What are you doing here?

Circumstances have led us to form a squad with which to assist the needy people of Kelkale.

......

From monster extermination to transportation of goods, we accept any any all requests, free of charge.

Uh, it's the trial of benevolence. We need it to climb the Tower.

I see...{lang-nuance}Claudio, to Aldo{/lang-nuance}

Good lady, please allow us to assist you. May we?

Oh, are you sure? It's so dangerous outside...

Don't worry. We have a purifier, so the pollution's no problem.

But it really is such a small thing...

No, it's not. It's your family, isn't it? Please don't say things like that. The things you treasure deserve better.

Thank you, dear... Then, would it be alright? My house is in the west part of the Unclean Lands. The picture is in a frame, just inside.

We'll bring your treasure back.

The good lady's house should be around this area. I had no idea the pollution had progressed this far on the surface...

Yeah. It's really sad to see. All these reminders that people used to live here, just left, to be forgotten in time...

Perhaps this is what it means... For a kingdom to fall. The people, gone. The buildings, crumbling. Someday even their memory will fade from history.

Just as, in my time, the Kingdom of Kelkale's very existence has been utterly forgotten.

Claude...

Worry not, Aldo. I have no intention of moping. Even if the world should forget, I will remember that this place once held life, loyalty, and love.

If I, the King, remember... Then one day, it can be restored.

You're really an optimist, Claude. I kind of envy you.

Hah. It is the duty of a King to lead his people ever forward, after all. If the one in front is always lost in worry or indecision, those who depend on him will be lost as well.

Thus, no matter what happens, I will always keep moving forward. So I have decided.

Hm? Hmm? Aldo, did you hear that? That was a super cool thing to say!

Yeah. Very regal.

Is it not a little late for that? I am, without a doubt, the King of Kelkale.

I am at all times conscious of the proper bearing and conduct of one belonging to the royal family!

Now, we got slightly sidetracked... But we should not forget what we came here to accomplish.

Right. Let's get looking through these ruined buildings.

Whoa, that's a lot of cobwebs. And the dust... cough...

L-look here!

Did you find it?

A Bow Of Creation Duon Helios and Royal Banner of Kelkale Perfect Form scale reproduction?!

Ah, they must have belonged to some kids living here...

...Hey! Look more seriously!

Ah! I think this is it!

It's really dusty. Let's see... Phoooo... Look! See?

This woman here in the corner... She looks like the old lady.

Right?

Perfectly done. Now that good lady will have some peace of mind, at least.

Yeah! Let's hurry back. She's probably still in Migration.

We're back, Granny!

Oh, thank goodness. I was beginning to worry.

It was a little dark indoors, so it took a bit of time to search.

But behold: your treasured picture, only somewhat dusty, and otherwise none the worse for wear.

Here it is!

Ahh...welcome home.

Huh?

This is the only picture I have of my husband and son, since they both passed away. Thank you for bringing them back. I didn't want to be selfish, but I truly did regret losing them... Now I can bring them into the sky along with everyone else. I simply can't thank you enough.

......

We only did what was right.

Yeah. I'm glad we could help reunite your family...even if only in a picture frame.

Truly...thank you.

...This is wrong.

What is?

History must be protected. Even now, I know this. Logically, I know it is right.

But...seeing my people smile... I want to carry those smiles onward into the future.

These people who have been lost even to the pages of history... I cannot help but love them.

Don't feel bad about that. No one could stand in front of someone else and wish for them to suffer.

Yes. I know. I may be a king, but I am also only a human being.

Let's hope the Rising works. For all of their sakes, too.

Not hope, Aldo. We will make it work. That is why we're taking the trials Kelkale has levied us, is it not?

Ah...right.

I was so happy with how relieved that old lady looked that I totally forgot why we were helping.

Heh...I understand how you feel. Their smiles fill my heart with warmth.

Hm?

Did Mr. Kelkale like that?

Yes, I feel power welling up. We must have shown benevolence.

Perhaps something has changed within the Tower. Maybe we should return and see if we can make any more progress.