Dark Elf

Breeno! I've finally found you! You tricked me!

Who was this again?

Ah! One of Breeno's friends! One of the knights?

He's a comrade.

A friend.

Is this the meddlesome one?

What have you been saying, Breeno?

Anyway, what do you want? I'm not just going to let you accuse me of trickery.

Don't play dumb! It's about the huge Prisma...

Ngh!

Who did you hear that from?!

Gwagh... I-I can't say...

...I guess the hush money wasn't enough.

Listen, just forget about the Prisma. This isn't something people need to know about.

Breeno, what are you... Same as always, huh? Always doing everything on your own, never letting anyone help you!

Why ask for help you don't need? This isn't a problem you can help with.

You, ! You never change, do you, Breeno? This isn't the kind of thing a mere knight should get involved in!

I've made my mind up. You and me... We both have burdens to bear, just some are bigger than others.

Why do you have to be so stubborn! Listen, Breeno, I'm not going to give up!

...Are you okay?

...Yes. But I have to go. Let's head to the tavern.

The tavern? Are you hungry?

...You're so carefree. There's still not a whiff of a rumor in town. That leaves only one place he could have heard it. Let's go and see what we can find out.

Barkeep, have you seen him?

Oh, if it isn't Breeno. The information broker? Not seen him for some time.

Information broker?

That miner from yesterday... I'm looking for his employer. If someone like him has some information, it should have found its way here.

Ugh, that was a tough one. Barkeep, the usual...

Breeno!

Wait, aren't you... the bard Breeno was talking to earlier?

So it would appear to an outsider. A traveling performer is the perfect disguise for a gatherer of information.

I see, so he's a spy.

...You sold information to him, didn't you?

What are you talking about? I only just got back to Unigan...

...Don't play dumb. People who try to trick me tend not to live to try again.

W-Wait. Sorry... That young knight...he sure offered a good reward.

I thought so. Anything for a price, huh?

Money makes the world go round. If you want me to keep your secrets, you have to pay better than that.

Hey...you're one tricky bard, you know?

Well I guess this was my fault. This guy really is all about the Git. That's all he cares about. (But still, I really misread him... I didn't think he'd go this far.)

Now you get it. Now as a favor to you, I have something juicy that you might like.

...How much?

Just this once, I'll give it for free. Since you're such a good customer.

Wow, isn't that nice? Well, it won't hurt to listen.

...... There's no news like free news, I guess. Okay, I'll bite. What is it?

Well... It's about your friend...

Comrade.

Erm... Anyway, it's about him. He's been taken by some strange people.

What! When?! Where did he go?!

Well about that, I saw him on the way here to the tavern. It looked to me like he was heading to the Serena Coast.

That's why I told him not to get involved!

It can't have been long ago. We could catch up with him?

Let's head there! Information broker, I owe you one!

...... Ahem... I wouldn't thank me just yet... It only makes it more difficult. Please, don't think less of me...

*huff huff* Strange. We should have caught up with them by now.

If they make it to the port, we'll be too late. We have to run!

Breeno, wait!

Heheh... So you're Breeno? I have a close friend of yours.

Clearly you don't value your life.

Fool! I'm not the one who's going to stop you!

Grrrrrr!

I've been looking forward to this day for a long time... Time to feed. Go get 'em!

How?! No one's that strong!

Now, return my friend.

I-I don't know...

Ah!

...I won't ask again. Where is my friend?

O-O-Okay! He should be in the Karek Swampland!

What do you mean, "should be"?!

I was just told... to keep you here...

By who?!

I-I don't know his name! He wore a cloak and a feathered hat... and a harp! He had a harp!

Breeno, is that...

...... No doubt. There really is no news like free news.

Th-That's all I know! Please, just let me go!

That damn Information Broker... What's he planning to do...

We need to get to the Karek Swampland. We'll get your answers there.

Ugh... Where am I...

The Karek...Swampland?

Yes, and soon to be your graveyard.

Wh-Who are you?!

I have no name worth mentioning. But I suppose you could call me the god of death.

Graveyard? God of death? What are you talking...

It's simple. Your crime is knowing too much about what you need not know. In short, I'm here to seal your fate.

No...

There's no use trying to run. While the drug is in your system your legs are useless.

What... Dammit!

Your "cause of death" is imminent. Even though this is diluted to 1 in 200, to meet your end by a product of his experiments...is exquisite.

That's enough!

Y-You... You were supposed to be heading to the Serena Coast.

You're working with the Information Broker?

Is that what you think? He sold me the information in exchange for his life. That's all.

Speak of the devil and he will come. It's too late for you now.

I've brought you what you asked for. It wasn't easy... I've never been good at delivering anything heavier than information.

Information Broker? How could you...

Don't look at me like that... I had no choice. It was my life on the line. Not much point getting rich if you die in the process.

The people won't forgive you for this.

I wonder. Surely you know better than anyone that the nation won't change.

Your confidence strays close to arrogance. Don't tell me your leader's...

Heheh... It doesn't matter whether you guess right or wrong, the result will still be the same. Now, it is time to end a man's life!

Please, don't think less of me...

Information Broker, stop this!

...I'll never sell information to you again!

A... A bomb! You fool...

Information Broker! Why are you doing...

I guess I sowed the seeds that started it all... If I hadn't given my friend the information, none of this would have happened... It's my fault... So please, don't look at me like that...

......

......

...... I never thought... it would lead to this...

...Get it now? This is the result of your meddling.

Breeno, what are you saying?!

I cannot leave this case alone. There is something I must do. Until now it's been unclear... But now I know what it is. But... You perhaps think otherwise? I...I don't want to see you suffer.

Breeno... I'm sorry.

If you're clever enough, you'll know not to involve yourself with me anymore. The fire that burned the Information Broker... You all saw it. When I saw the flames... Every cell in my body shook. There was such a sense of deja vu. As if it stired a memory from deep within...

Breeno...

Dark elves are an outcast clan. I was born from wickedness. Still, I have to stop those who were born with the same terrible fate.