The Path of the Animal

Here? This just looks like an ordinary house...

Hey!

Lord Aldo!

Is that you, Cynthia? Are you following up information on the broker, too?

No, I just came because I sensed my sister's presence.

You sensed her...? Is that another kind of special ability?

Actually, Sophia is planning on visiting this house. I think there's a zoological broker here.

What a coincidence! Let's get in the way!

Wh-What?!

Oh, little Elizabeth! Doesn't your fur look beautiful today!

Gonzales, are you enjoying your food? You are? Good good!

He sure is a real animal enthusiast...

Huh? Who are you?

Ah! You're the lifesaver from the other day! What can I do for you?

Lifesaver? My sister saved you, too?

I didn't save her.

It's not me who was saved, it was my little Elizabeth.

The naughty thing got stuck in the fence and couldn't move. Your sister helped her out.

Really?

What?

You're so caring after all, Sophia.

What do you mean? My sister's always been so noble and kind.

I was just going with the flow. Anyway...

We're looking for a broker who knows about zoology. Could you help us out, Mutsuro?

True, no one in this town compares to me when it comes to zoology. And you're Elizabeth's savior. I'll help you as best I can.

Well then!

But sometimes it can be dangerous handling creatures. I won't do business with half-hearted Seekers. So show me what you've got.

Okay. What do you want us to do?

Get me a fluffy feather.

A feather? Is that all?

No, no. A "soft" feather.

You mean, there's something special about this feather?

There is! I've only read about it in old books, but it comes from a giant bird that used to exist long ago. But that bird is no longer anywhere to be seen nowadays.

In other words, we can't get it in this era... Is that what you mean?

You'll be fine! Fluffy feathers will stay nice and soft no matter how much time goes by! You put your heart and soul into it and you'll find one!

You sure are patient.

Indeed, indeed. This was also written in the books, but the birds are as timid as they are huge... It seems they tended to call their friends if anything happened.

Perhaps they summoned them by crying. Ah! Just once, I'd like to see one with my own eyes...!

A huge bird from the past... Could Mutsuro have been taking about the ones at Lake Tiilen...?

Now you mention it, there were birds like that. Let's head there right now.

If there are any birds, they must be around here.

Look at that huge creature. It has puffy feathers, too... That's got to be it!

Oh no! It got away!

We can't lose it! Let's chase it!

Huh?

Whoa! What the?! That's an impressive cry!

It's as timid as it is huge and it's calling its friends... Just as Mutsuro said.

In other words, we can't avoid this fight.

Right, and it's gonna be a long one. We should get prepared.

Lord Aldo... Should we head there straight away?

Lord Aldo... Should we head there straight away?

Yeah, it'll be fine. Let's go!

We should wait a bit. Let's withdraw for now and prepare.

You're right. We should cover our bases first.

Great, we've defeated them all...

It's crying out again!

Agh! Again?! It's friends are coming!

It's the same thing, no matter how many come.

Yeah, we'll have to defeat them again!

It's the same result, no matter how many times we try. Let's just give up.

Again?!

Nothing else is coming... Looks like we defeated all its friends. Now we just have to quietly get a feather...

We've got to keep quiet, if a little forceful.

Flat strike!

Let's go!

Finally! It's stunned...

It was rampaging so much we don't even need to pluck its feathers. They're everywhere...

Achoo!

Sister?!

Anyway, let's gather up these scattered feathers.

On it.

Phew, there's quite a lot here, aren't there?

The bird's flown away now, so let's go back.

Yeah, Mutsuro will be waiting. Let's go back to Iota District.

We've got it for you. So...

Whoa! A soft feather from Antiquity! It feels so nice! Well..

*sniff* *sniff* That smell... It's irresistible!

I don't get what all the fuss is about...

So, can we make a contract with you?

Oh, of course. You've started to give off the same smell as me.

Well then, companions! Let's make this contract!

Do... Do we smell like beasts right now?

It's just because we're covered in feathers.

We won't be needing all these feathers... Would you be able to sell them for us?

But they're so soft... Ah well. It's a chance for me to show off my skills.

Okay, how's this for you?

Now we've got a contract for a zoological broker. We should head back to the auction house to get things organized.

Now we've got a contract for a zoological broker. It's just a gourmet food broker left now.

For food and drink, we should head to a tavern... Let's go to the one in town first.