The Secrets of the Teddies

I'm watching you...

Lingli, what are you doing?

Aldo. I'm training. This is a toy cat my father gave me when I was little.

I'm training my powers of concentration.

Concentration?

Right. I have to stare at the toy for as long as possible.

Is that it?

Yes. It's surprisingly tough. Especially since this cat looks a lot like my father. When I notice that, it makes it even tougher.

I miss you, Father...

Aldo!

What is it? I didn't say anything!

This toy is pretty old and tattered. I'm starting to get worried.

You're right. It looks quite worn. Can't you fix it?

Whoa! How is it so heavy?!

It's full of iron. That's why I can't use any normal thread to fix it.

Yeah, normal thread would just tear the moment you picked it up.

I remember my father saying it was sewn together with a special kind of thread.

I know of a special kind of thread.

What? You do?

There's a spider in the Moonlight Forest that makes a kind of thread that's full of magic.

A spider?

Technically, it's a kind of cobweb. I don't know when the broker will be back, and I don't know whether it will work, but it's worth a try, at least.

Aldo, thank you. Let's go look for this mythical thread!

Hmm... Last time I saw it it was somewhere around here...

Don't worry, not long now, Poochie.

(Poochie? Is that the cat's name?)

Aldo! Over here! It's a cobweb!

It certainly seems to be very strong, and very fine.

Strange. There should really be more webs around here. All the clothes in Baruoki...

Aldo!

I see. So you're to blame.

Let's do it, Aldo!

Phew... Okay, now it should be safe for the villagers to come gather the thread.

Okay, let's fix my toy cat! I just need to cut off the frayed bits... And then sew it up with this Magic Thread... Huh? There's something inside the toy? This is...

Lingli, what is that? An old bit of paper?

Yeah, it was inside Poochie. There's something written on it.

This...this is my father's handwriting. There's no mistaking it!

If he put it in the toy cat, then this must be a message for you.

Yes, but why...

Let's go to Miglance. We might find out more once we get there.

Hmm, I don't get many visitors, but you say you're his daughter?

Yes. I'm Lingli. I'm looking for my father. Sir Lakhesis, do you know where my father is?

Hmm... I knew you father well once upon a time. But, I've not seen nor heard from him in a long time now. I'm sorry, but I don't think I'll be able to help you.

Oh...

He told me he had something he needed to do and left. I haven't heard from him since. I only wish I had asked where he was going...

No, Lakhesis, it's not your fault.

From my father?

Yes. However, there is one condition. You need to prove that you're as strong as Sturdy Lizzy in the Karek Swampland.

A test from my father. How interesting. I can't wait to take it!

Then head to the swampland. The enemy you face has skin like stone. Don't let your guard down for even a moment.

Understood!

I guess we finally found a clue about your father... In the most unlikely place.

All it took was to go about our business as usual. My thoughts of my father led me here.

Grrrrrr...

Whoa! Looks like someone heard your wish, Lingli.

That must be the monster Lakhesis talked about. Let's do this, Aldo! Hiyaaa!

Phew! That was a tough one. I've never met anything that could withstand my punches.

All right, let's take a little trophy to prove we took him down.

Right.

Here we...nngh...go!

Well, you certainly have passed your father's test. I guess this is yours, then.

A notebook?

This is the manual to his secret technique! It's a move that will break any enemy, no matter how strong. I could never do it when I was younger.

Does it give you any hints as to your father's whereabouts?

Hmm... It doesn't seem to have anything like that written in there.

I see. So it won't help you find him then.

What will I do? I've never thought about that. I'm looking for him because I want to see him again. It just seemed the natural thing to do. Yes... I've been alone for too long. He left me alone, it's his fault! I want to make him pay!

Hahahah! That's the spirit! That's just what your good-for-nothing father needs. I hope you find him soon. I'll be thinking of you.

Thank you so much! Okay, let's go, Aldo.