Inherited Heart

Good to see you again, Aldo. How are you doing?

Wait? I-It's you? Wh-What are you doing here?

Wh-Why are you so shocked to see me? I'm doing my time quality survey, of course. I thought I explained last time?

I'm really sorry about thinking you were an Imperial arbiter the other day.

Last time? Oh, right. The temporal disturbance...

What's wrong, Aldo? You're looking kinda funny.

Actually, I'm sure it's nothing. You humans are strange creatures at the best of times. Will you help me with my survey today?

Um. Sure thing, Yuki. Just tell me what I can do to help. Before it's too late.

Thanks. Today, we're heading to the residential district a little off to the west. Though only small, a temporal disturbance has appeared there.

Got it. Let's head on out!

But be careful now!

Well, we got here safely. The temporal disturbance seems particularly strong beyond this door. As soon as I go in, I want you on my tail.

Got it.

Let's go.

Is that rubble? No, guess not. Maybe it's connected to the world from decades past?

Indeed. Now I'll just take some measurements...

EEEK!

Did you hear that?!

I think it came from that room!

Someone! Help me!

There's a monster in the house! We have to save her!

Wait a moment, Aldo.

What? Why? This is an emergency!

In a sense, what's playing out here is just a replay of something that happened decades ago. I'm afraid we're not able to intervene. All we can do is measure and record the events taking place here.

But! Someone's being attacked right in front of me, and you're saying there's really nothing I can do?!

Wh-Who are you? What's a human doing here?

Look, Imperial soldier, or whoever you are! Please help me!

We cannot interfere with past events!

I'm not just going to stand back and watch! I have to do something about that monster!

Hey, you! Over here! It's me you want, not her!

Are you hurt?

No, I'm fine, all thanks to you. I never realized humans could be so kind.

I'm Aldo, a traveling adventurer.

And this is...

I must apologize. I was going to leave you to die. I'm too ashamed to face you.

Oh, don't say that...

Whose are those voices? What happened?!

Oh, sorry!

Wait, what? What's a human doing here? Are you to blame for all this commotion?

Me? No! There was a monster attacking this lady, and I dealt with it! That's all!

What? There was a monster?!

He's telling the truth, dear. These people saved my life.

Oh. Then I owe you an apology.

That's really not necessary. It was an understandable reaction to seeing strangers in your house.

But what was a monster doing in the house? That's never happened before. Was it because of the temporal disturbance? I never thought it would put us in life-threatening danger.

The monster got here through the temporal disturbance, yes.

Right. The flow of time does go all strange here on occasion. Sometimes someone will turn up, saying the exact same thing as they said earlier that day. And one time, my parts order was duplicated and they made spare parts.

Some noticed time was repeating when titanium curry was served five days in a row.

It's certainly inconvenient, but we've been able to put up with it so far. Though, it's a whole other story if monsters from other eras are going to start wandering in.

But these days in Omegapolis, you need Her Ladyship's permission to migrate. We were designated to live here. We can hardly ask her to move...

Besides, I can't move somewhere and do something else. I've been working on the railroad my whole life.

The railroad?

Say, have you ever heard of the Shore Runner?

The Shore Runner? You mean the plan to build a railroad between Omegapolis and Lashval? I may be skilled, but an engineer at my lowly level could never take part in such a project. Besides, I heard the plan was in limbo over a budget disagreement.

The plan is in limbo? And you're not taking part? Hm, I think I see what's happening here...

You see, it wasn't the budget that caused the delay, it was a technical issue. Why don't you put yourself up for it?

What? You want me to help with the Omegapolis railway? Nuh-uh, no way. A mek's rank is decided at birth, remember? My destiny is already determined.

Maybe so, but if you don't try, how will you know?

You have a point. Still, it's not like my destiny's going to change.

You said you lived your life for the railway. So you'd just be carving out your own destiny to live on the railway.

My destiny to live on the railway? ......

Are you...

Yeah, I know...

Well, we mustn't overstay our welcome here. Come along, Aldo. We haven't finished our survey.

R-Right, of course. Let's go.

We'll be off then. Good luck with everything.

We've gone back?

Yes. The link with this era was still properly connected. So long as you return before the link disconnects, everything's fine.

It's a good thing we entered that temporal disturbance, so that we could save that lady.

Yes, and on that matter, I owe you my thanks, Aldo. You really saved the day. If not for you, she and I would both have fallen prey to that monster.

Everything ended up all right, that's all that matters. So you said we hadn't finished the survey?

Ah, yes. Let's head out to the next spot.

So where are we going?

To the residential district north of here.

Got it. Let's go.

So are we going in here as well?

No, this time we'll just take measurements from the outside. But monsters could always appear. Perhaps you could stand guard while I take the measurements?

No problem.

Okay, let me set up first, and then I'll start the survey.

Thanks for waiting. That's this area done now.

So where to next?

Actually, we've already gone everywhere I wanted to today. So that's it for now. Thank you for all your help.

Phew! We may not have been out long, but that was quite the adventure.

And today's survey yielded some good results, all thanks to you. Considering where and when these temporal disturbances occur, the epicenter must be the Tree of Time.

Oh, never mind that for now. Let's return to the entrance of Rust Town.

Thank you once again for all your help with my time survey.

You're welcome. I got an unusual experience out of it, too.

Come to think of it, why did you bring up the Shore Runner again?

Oh, that? I found out about it when doing research for the ceremony. A genius engineer with no previous connection to the project ended up playing a key role in its opening.

This was what cinched it for me.

That? It just looks like a gear to me.

Couples sometimes carve their names on these things. It's like a good-luck charm. When he bumped into me, he must have dropped it. And the names are Jester and Elfir. Jester is the name of the genius engineer who helped open the railroad.

So you suggested that, knowing he might be the engineer in question? Surely that means you're partly to thank for the Shore Runner ever being completed.

Oh, I don't know about that. No one knows the causal relationship of past events. I just feel bad that I didn't return this gauge back to him.

Someone that well-acclaimed might still live somewhere in Omegapolis. I could find Jester and give it back to him if you like? You shouldn't have to waste time on that when you're so busy with your time survey.

You're too generous, Aldo.

I will take you up on that offer. I don't know how this will end up... But I'll entrust this gauge to you. Good luck.

For someone as distinguished as him, you're more likely to find information on Midlayer.

Got it. I'll search Midlayer then.

I am so glad I met you, Aldo. Well then, I'd best...

Yuki, wait!

Yes?

Um. I... Just... Take care of yourself, okay?

I will. I know the Imperial arbiters have their eyes on me. I know to watch my back.

Just so long as you're being careful. I hope we meet again someday.

Me too. So long, Aldo!

Yuki...

Okay, off to Omegapolis Midlayer to search for clues on Jester. I have to give him back this gauge.

Jester? I haven't heard that name in a while. He and his wife used to come to the station to watch the trains, but I haven't seen them in a few years.

I heard he passed away...

An engineer named Jester?

Him, I don't know. But I did meet his wife here. She said she liked to look over Rust Town and reminisce about her husband.

When I go and play, this old lady likes to tell me about the old days. How one time, this scary monster attacked her, but then a human swords-man and mek saved her. She keeps telling me the same story over and over. I pretty much know it by heart. But she always seems happy when she tells me, I don't mind her repeating herself.

Where would you find her?

Guess she's not here. I really thought I'd find her here.

No! It's you!

Who said that?

I never imagined I'd be seeing you again, traveling swordsman. My, you don't look a day older than that fateful day.

You're the lady I met in Rust Town, aren't you? Elfir, I believe? And what of your husband? Jester?

I'm afraid he passed away a good three years ago now... He always regretted not being able to pass on his thanks to you.

After we met, he put himself forward for the project. It wasn't easy, completing the Shore Runner.

But he never gave up, and he did it with pride. He said his dream was that destiny could be changed. We were both so encouraged by what you two said to us. Thank you so much.

I didn't do anything. This was all on you. But I have something for you. Yuki asked me to give it to you.

Why, this is...

Your husband must have dropped it when he ran into Yuki. I'm sorry it took so long to give it back.

Oh, my darling!

Okay, I've calmed down now. I'm sorry that took so long.

Don't worry about it.

Oh dear! I almost forgot! My husband told me to give this to you if I ever saw you again.

A box? Your husband wanted me to have this?

Yes. He said it would help the traveling swordsman.

Thank you. I'll take good care of it.

I'm afraid I must get going now.

I understand. Look after yourself.

You too. Bye, then.

You touched someone's heart. Yuki.

No, Ironheart.