Hooded Woman

Something wrong, Deirdre? You looked out of it for a moment there.

Nothing to worry about. Something's been on my mind, that's all. Remember when I had that strange vision?

The demon sword...tremendous power. Life...when death...certain.

I've been having this feeling of unease ever since then. Can't shake it off.

You had a vision? You mean the weird stuff you were saying at that door?

Yeah. Sorry for being so vague, but it's better than nothing, I guess. I saw a woman wearing a hooded cloak. Maybe we need to find her to progress.

You don't know who she might be?

Nope. I don't think I've ever met her. I've been racking my brain, but nothing.

Do you think we can find some clues about her identity in the labyrinth? I don't mind lending you a hand.

Thanks. There's a problem, though. I peeked over the edge of the well earlier and saw a guard in front of the tunnel entrance. I think Anabel stationed him there just to make my life more difficult. We may have to use force...

You hire a mercenary, and next thing you know, she's planning to brutalize a fellow soldier.

Ah, so that's why I suddenly got a headache. Your presence is all it takes...

Urgh...

Why does it hurt so much?! It's never been this bad before.

You're quite the headache from my point of view. Always causing trouble. I see my intuition was right when assigning a guard. Thwarted your dangerous plans, no doubt. I'm not going to let you selfishly imperil innocent civilians with your reckless behavior.

I hate dealing with stiff-necked paladins.

She has a point, you know? Why don't we try to think of another way...

Captain Anabel!

What is it? You were ordered to guard the tunnel in the well!

Please forgive me, Captain. I was approached by a strange woman in a hooded cloak, and she cast a spell on me!

......

The woman from Deirdre's vision?!

I fainted. I'm not sure for how long. She may have entered the labyrinth. I'm sorry I have failed to fulfill my duty.

......

It was my oversight. I did not expect anyone but you to try to trespass into the labyrinth.

Well, we all make mistakes, arrogant paladins more than others. Well? Are you going to capture her or what?

Of course I will apprehend the trespasser. The underground is part of the royal castle. No unauthorized civilians are allowed inside.

You report to the Knight Commander. I will go after the hooded woman with Aldo.

Yessir!

Heh. And don't forget your faithful mercenary.

Faithful is the last word I'd use to describe you.

Don't be so harsh, Anabel. Deirdre is a capable fighter and is sure to be of help.

Tch... I suppose she can be useful. Fine. I will allow it, as an exception.

I'll be forever grateful. Heh. Let's get going!

You report to the Knight Commander. I will go after the hooded woman.

Yessir!

What really peeves me off is that this hooded wench got in there before me.

That's what you're upset about?

Meh, anyway. Thanks to her, the pesky guard's gone. And we get to access the labyrinth. So all's good!

Ugh... My headache is even worse down here. Is it the effect of all the magic power stored in my sword?

You're looking very pale. Maybe you should give up on chasing after this hooded woman?

Don't be ridiculous. I'm not giving up until my sword is restored to its full power.

What more do you need to do? You passed the trial of strength.

I did collect enough magic power to prove my strength. But now my sword is buzzing with it, and there's no release. I just can't unleash it.

The power is sealed inside, you mean?

Yes, and I bet this hooded woman knows how to break the seal.

This all sounds a bit crazy. And anyway, do you really need to go through all this trouble? Even without the demon sword, you're still a great fighter.

Heh...

Deirdre?

You don't seriously think so. You saw how the battle with the labyrinth monster went. I was hard-pressed to deal any damage, while Anabel just took one swing and the battle was as good as won. I don't have her skill, sadly. All I've got is my demon sword, but even that needs to be made stronger before I'm any good.

......

Do you look down on me now? I'm a pathetic fighter, compensating for poor sword skills with an enchanted blade.

Why would I look down on you? You live by what you believe in, using any means you've got to protect people. I remember you calling those who stick to "just and chivalrous" ways of fighting foolish idealists.

Well, yes, but...

Nothing wrong with wielding a demon sword if it's for a good cause, in my opinion.

(I'm starting to feel really uneasy about this. I've wandered so far in.) (No one apart from the royal family should know about the secret of this labyrinth, but what if...)

Hmm... Maybe I've already passed by the hooded woman without realizing? She might be closer than it seems.

Your name's Miyu, isn't it? I don't think so, Miyu. I sense impatience in my demon sword. It's urging us to go further.

Ah, okay. (The place should be sealed, but it's still a worry. I hope that woman hasn't got as far as that room.)

Oh?

What's the matter, Miyu?

I'm not some goody two shoes, Aldo. I've had to dirty my hands and do things that earned me hatred and contempt.

Hold on, Deirdre. Look over there!

That's the hooded woman!

You can't mean?!

Huh? What are they doing in here?

We've got you now!

Aaah!

What do you want?! Give me back my cloak!

Are you robbers? In this unlikely place? I've never been robbed before. I suppose it's about time it happened. Such is the life of a traveler. No risk, no fun!

I think we got the wrong person, Aldo. Sure she was wearing a hooded cloak, but she doesn't seem to be the one.

I'm so sorry. We're not robbers, we're just looking for someone.

Ah, okay. Very few people have access to this area...

I owe you an apology for mistaking you for common ruffians. I'm Miyu, a traveling swordswoman.

No, no, it was our bad... Urgh, we're going to get stuck in an endless cycle of apologizing!

What brings you here, Miyu?

Well I...heard a child crying for help.

In here?! A child is lost in this labyrinth?

Aldo, don't forget what the guard said. The hooded woman used magic on him. It's possible that this is just another trick of hers.

I hope so. It'd be terrible if some kid really was down here.

Yes, so in any case, we should hurry and find that woman!

All right, let's keep going!

That's the problem with labyrinths... You quickly lose sense of distance and direction. I'm no longer sure we're going the right way.

Huh? I heard something just now.

A voice... A crying child?

There's a little girl over there! She's facing away from us.

That witch is so devious, conjuring a vision of a child to fool us... Ugh... Ngh...

I'm scared! Please help me!

Deirdre, are you okay?

It...hurts...when I look at her... My head hurts like it's about to burst open! *huff huff* Wait, I know her! I know that girl!

Deirdre, you're making me really worried.

Ugh... Sorry, Aldo. I'm not myself right now.

It's all right. But if it's some magic trick, why is it only affecting you?

I don't know. Maybe it's aimed at me. It's all one big mystery, but at least that splitting headache has stopped. We've got to find that woman. She's got all the answers. So let's focus on that.

All right. Let's keep going.

This magic seal is incredibly complex. I guess that's 300 years of trials for you.

Stop right there!

Aaah! Wh-Who are you?! You scared the daylights out of me!

Are you the maker of this demon sword? Tell me how to unseal its true power!

What? Err... Demon sword? What are you talking about? Swords aren't my field of specialization. I'm a mage, you see.

Liar! If you have nothing to do with my sword, then why did you come after me?!

Hey, you got it the wrong way around. It's you who followed me in!

...... You're right. I got carried away. If you're a mage, can you at least take a look at this sword?

There's some strange spell on it, I think. It can absorb magic power all right, but something's blocking it from releasing it.

Hmm... Color me interested.

Let's see... Hmph. Ah, that's it. Of course it can't use magic power.

Care to explain?

You see, it's not a demon sword right now.

Nonsense! I know for a fact that it is!

Don't interrupt. I said "right now," didn't I? It definitely used to be one, and a powerful one at that. There are vestiges of ancient magic in it. If my theory is correct, it should be possible to restore it to its previous form.

Well, that's a relief!

Will you let me finish? So, it's not going to be easy. It's a very complicated process, in fact. First, you'll need to go to the Moonlight Forest...

Moonlight Forest? Got it. I'll head there right away.

It's that voice again...

What's that, Deirdre?

You're hearing voices? Ugh, and here I thought you two seemed like people I could rely on. I've used up all my magic power getting here and could use some help getting back...

Well, you should've planned ahead then, don't you think? Anyhow. Since you're going to help me with Verweil, I can lend you a hand too. If we can only restore its power, this door might open as well.

Much appreciated! Let's go to the Moonlight Forest then.

Don't keep me in the dark, mage. What exactly do I need to do to restore my demon sword? I'm in a hurry, so tell me the quickest way.

Ease up on her, Deirdre. I get it that you want power, but you're being really pushy.

I've got this feeling of impending doom, you know? And it's getting worse with every day. I just feel it in my bones that I've got to act fast, or I'll lose something that I'll regret for the rest of my life.

I also wish to get this done as soon as possible, but I don't think these guys want to let us go.

Hah, they must have a death wish to stand in my way. I'll make short work of them. Feel free to join in, Aldo!

That went pretty fast, huh.

Were you even looking, or just hacking with that sword at random? Lost your cool, didn't you?

That's...that's not true!

So you knew I was talking to you? Looks like I was right then. What are you so desperate about?

None of your business.

Hmph... You know what I was thinking? The way you talk, it's as if all you want to do is alienate people. But deep inside, you have this urge to protect someone.

No, I just...

You haven't noticed it yourself yet, it seems. I guess it takes time. Oh well. But that fire in your eyes is worth more than any treasure in this world.

......

I'm honest with myself. I love all things beautiful and despise everything that is ugly. It'd be unseemly for me to keep droning on about this, so I'll take my leave. Don't worry, you'll see me again once your business is nearly done.

No, there's more!

You're quite observant. Well done. However, here's a fair warning. I'm stronger than you. Do you want to challenge me now?

......

Normally I wouldn't walk away from a battle, but right now I'm in a hurry. I've got no time to waste on you. But next time, you'll get to taste my sword.

Oh, how dispiriting to be called a waste of time. Oh well. What are you in such a hurry for?

None of your business.

Hmph... The way you talk, it's as if all you want to do is alienate people. But deep inside, you have this urge to protect someone.

No, I just...

How fascinating. That fire in your eyes is worth more than any treasure in this world.

......

I'm honest with myself. I love all things beautiful and despise everything that is ugly. How I feel about things dictates how I act.

Who the heck are you?

I'm Nero. A pursuer of beauty and the strongest fist fighter you'll ever come across.

Oh wow, who was that handsome fellow? Introduce me next time! Ahem. Hold up the sword and let it bathe in moonlight.

Why?

The light of the moon has an esoteric power. It will amplify the magic dormant in your sword.

Got you. All right, here goes!

Well done!

Is this... Verweil's true form?

......

You don't look too impressed, Deirdre.

Um... To be honest, I don't feel any power from it.

Well, duh! It's because now it's a proper demon sword, you see? It's starved for magic power. You won't feel any difference until you feed it.

Ah, I guess that makes sense. So now we go back to the labyrinth and feed it monster souls?

That'll work, but first, a word of caution... This sword was originally created with the power to fulfill its master's wish. Using it binds it to you, making you its master. It will fulfill your wish. But at a price. And that price will be what's most important to you.

That's fine. I have nothing to lose to begin with.

Thought you'd say that. Good luck with it. I'll be going back home. Getting your sword back up and running was a stimulating challenge for me. Maybe we'll chance upon each other again some day.

Back to the labyrinth. Let's go, Aldo!

We've got to get that door open using the harvested monster souls!

We've got to harvest monster souls to get that door open!

What revelations do you have for me this time?

Another trial?

This demon sword possesses tremendous power. It will save her life when death seems certain.

Deirdre, are you all right? Deirdre!

Huh? What happened?

You just completely froze after defeating the guardian of the door. Did we fail or something?

No, we did all right. I had another vision. I just can't make sense of it.

......

Deirdre?

I'm okay. Just exhausted from all that fighting.

How about we go back outside now?

Agreed. We found enough new clues for now.

Please, somebody help! Can anybody hear me?

Please, save her! Please!