The Key Claw and Small Flower

Huh?

Lokido, what's wrong?

Oh, nothing. There used to be herbs around here. I was just thinking about gathering some.

Oh, I hadn't noticed.

I started smelling them a while ago. I've learned to always follow my nose. With herbs like these I can heal myself without the need for a doctor. That's why I keep my stocks up.

Right, let's just...

Ugh?! Damn.

I've dropped the bag with all my herbs in it.

Should we go look for it? It must have been around here when you dropped it.

No, I couldn't possibly bother you like...

Sir!

Oh, what's wrong?

Sir, is this yours? I found this when I was picking flowers.

A bag? And inside... It's full of herbs.

Is this what you dropped, Lokido?

Yes! These are my herbs.

You found these? I have to thank...

Kyaaah! Lokido?!

Oh? Do you know her?

No, I don't know this girl...

I wouldn't have picked them up... if I'd known they were yours!

Hey, wait! A child like you shouldn't be out here alone. The monsters will get you!

Leave me alone! I just want to go pick flowers!

Pick flowers? Where will you go for the flowers?

I won't tell you! Don't follow me!

Even so, it's dangerous out here. Why don't I pick the flowers for you? You should go home and wait!

Hmph! You can't leave me well enough alone, can you, fiend!

......

Wow, she was rude. But will she really be okay out here on her own?

I'm really worried about her. And I still haven't thanked her for finding my herbs.

Okay. Let's go after her! Based on the direction she ran off in, I'd say she was headed for the Nuaru Uplands.

Huh? Strange. I'd heard that there were some rare flowers in this area.

It looks like she's fine.

What should we do? She doesn't look like she's going anywhere until she finds some flowers.

Hmm... Flowers...

*sniff sniff*

Kyaaah?! Why are you following me?!

There's a lovely smell coming from those rocks. How about looking over there?

What?! I'm not going to listen to some fiend like you!

I do not lie.

......

Oh! The flowers I was looking for!

...... Why did you help me?

I wanted to thank you for finding my bag. You really helped me out. Thank you.

See, do you get it now? Lokido's really a nice guy. So stop calling him a fiend, okay?

......

You've been hoodwinked! Lokido is tricking you! He's just pretending to be your friend!

No, you're wrong. Come on... Cut it out, will you?

......

Get lost, fiend!

That's out of order! Why are you saying that? Lokido really is a nice guy.

That's what mommy tells me! She says Lokido is a beast and a fiend! Everyone in Unigan says so!

Really... I see. I'm sorry if I scared you.

Hey, Lokido! That's not true, is it? Surely this is just one of those childish stories.

No, it's okay, Aldo. What this child says is true. I am of beast bloodline. A monster in their eyes.

I know that I can't expect people to treat me like a normal human. This child is just following everyone else.

Lokido...

......

But will you listen to just one thing? I really want you to go home.

No! I was going to go pick more flowers in the Moonlight Forest!

The Moonlight Forest is even more dangerous than here! If you're going there, we're coming with you.

No! I don't want some fiend following me!

Then let me go and pick the flowers for you.

I don't want any flowers that someone like you touches! They'd be all icky!

I see... I can't pick the flowers for you. But I really can't let you go to the Moonlight Forest on your own.

Enough! Okay! I'll go home!

......

She really didn't like you.

Not much I can do. It's always been like this.

But still, aren't you still worried about her? Whether she gets home safely?

Right. Should we follow her to Unigan?

Of course!

Hahaha, I can't believe that worked! Now, to the Moonlight Forest!

Oh... What to do! What to do!

What's wrong? What's happened?

My daughter hasn't come home. She went out to pick flowers and I haven't heard from her since.

Can we help?

Aaah! Fiend!

Calm down! This isn't the time, for that. We may just have seen your daughter.

Yes. Did she say she was going to the Nuaru Uplands and the Moonlight Forest?

What? Oh... Well, now that you mention it...

But how would you know that?!

We met her in the Nuaru Uplands.

Really?! On her own?!

She told us that she'd not go to the Moonlight Forest and go home instead...

I don't believe it! My daughter is so little, there's no way she could get to the Nuaru Uplands!

Now I get it! You kidnapped her and took her there!

Give me back my daughter, you filthy fiend!

Wait! Lokido wouldn't do a thing like that!

You be quiet! Are you an ally of this fiend?!

Someone call for the guards! My daughter, she's been taken by the fiend, Lokido!

It's hopeless. Come on, we have to look for the girl.

Right, we don't have time for this. It's our fault she ended up going to the Moonlight Forest on her own.

I suppose so. Let's head to the Moonlight Forest!

Wait, fiend! Give me back my daughter!

Oh, won't someone please call for the guards!

We're pretty deep into the forest... Maybe she didn't come here after all?

No, I think she did. I can smell her scent everywhere.

*sniff sniff*

Kyaaah!

Stop!

Monster! I'll take it on with my bare hands!

Th-That was so scary. I thought I was going to die...

Like I said before, this forest is too dangerous for you to be here.

O-Okay...

You're quite the spirited child. I'm glad you're okay...

Fiend! Get away from my daughter!

I knew you'd kidnapped her! Fiend!

Step away from the child!

......

Mommy... He was just help...

What were you going to do with her?! That look in your eyes, were you going to eat her?!

What are you talking about?! Lokido would never do that! We were protecting her from a monster.

Aldo, stop. If you try to protect me you'll get in trouble too.

I don't care, I can't let this happen!

Hmph! What now, a quarrel? Anyway, I don't want either of you to go anywhere near my daughter ever again! You dirty, filthy fiend!

Well, the child is unharmed. We'll let you go this time. But we won't be so kind next time!

What are you saying?! I don't get any of this!

The child is unharmed. Isn't that what's important?

Besides...

I'm used to being feared.

Still! I can't just let them all think that you're...

Aldo... You're the first person to try to defend me. That is worth more than you know.

Lokido... You're...

However, it is a shame about that child. She never got her flowers. I couldn't smell them on her.

So I want to give her this.

Okay, got it.

Let's take it to her!

Lokido, what's wrong?

I'll wait here. You take the flower to her.

Why? Is this because of what her mother said to you?

That's part of it. Remember what the child said? She didn't want flowers touched by a fiend like me.

......

Okay. I'll take it to her. Just leave it to me.

Did you give her the flower?

No, she wouldn't take it.

Here, you might as well take it back.

I see... I guess we're both fiends now.

No, that wasn't it. It seems she didn't want me there.

......

That's what she said. She wanted the person who found this flower to give it to her.

I want that flower.

Are you sure? Even after I've touched it?

I don't care! Just gimme the flower!

O-Okay...

Thanks, Lokido!

And...

I'm sorry! I said such mean things to you.

What is this? Why the sudden change?

I finally get it! Lokido, you may be hairy, big, have a scary face... But I know now you're not a fiend!

......

You were so cool when you saved me earlier! And you picked this flower for me, didn't you? There's no way someone so kind could be a fiend!

My mother had the wrong idea about you, too. I'm so sorry about that.

There's no need to apologize. After such kind words as those, I feel I should thank you.

Eheheh... I see. I'll treasure this flower forever. I'll even show it off to my friends! I'll tell them all that this is a flower from Lokido!

See you, Lokido. Bye bye. Catch you later!

Next time... You should go and pick flowers with her.

Yes. If she wants...