The Beauty

Oh, Now this feels more like the big city! So many people!

Huh? Huh?

Aldo? Are the people avoiding me?

Maybe they're mistaking you for a beast?

A beast? You mean like Guildna and the others? But why would they run away from me?

Well, the humans used to be at war with the beastfolk. So the people around here are scared of them.

Oh dear...

And you're saying they think I'm one of them?

Beasts? Are they like a mix between humans and monsters?

I guess... But beasts are known to be quite violent. The people around here are scared of them.

Hmm. And you're saying I look like a beast?

Well, I wouldn't say you don't look like one.

So maybe we should get out of here before we get into trouble. You don't want to be accosted, do you?

Wah! Wh-What the! A beast! In town!

B-But!

This is...

Aldo? What's going on? He's really staring at me.

I guess trouble caught up with us. We should definitely get out of here.

Ah! P-Please, wait! Miss Beast!

You're so beautiful. Such beauty! I had no idea that a beast could be so beautiful! The perfect blend of human and monster... A living work of art!

Aldo? What is this man talking about?

Erm... I really don't know...

Oh, oh, I'm sorry. I was just so surprised.

I am an artist working here in Unigan.

Oh...an artist?

Yes. And I'm sorry, but I need to ask a favor of you!

A favor? If it's something I can do, then I'm glad to help.

It's something that only you can do! I want you to model for me!

What? You want me...to model?

Yes! I've never seen a beast as beautiful as you before! I need to keep a record of that beauty for posterity!

Hmm... Well to tell the truth, I'm not a beast...

Yeah... And why aren't you scared of Lovinia? Everyone else is running away from her.

As if I could be scared of her! No! On the contrary, I'm more scared that such beauty may run away from me!

Oh. Well, I'm still not sure I know what you mean, but I like you.

Well, I'm ready when you are! Just come along to my place if you're interested!

...He was something else. So what do you want to do, Lovinia?

A model... Sounds like fun!

Maybe I'll give it a go!

Okay. Well, as long as you're okay with it. I'll go along with you. He headed over to the fountain. Let's look for him over there.

Oh, you came! I knew you wouldn't be able to resist!

Eheheh! This is my first time modeling! Make sure to get my good side!

Of course! Now, let me just get my things ready.

Okay. Now you just stand here...

Oh no!

Hmm? What's wrong? You just shouted out all of a sudden.

O-Oh, I'm sorry. It's just, I've run out of the paints I need.

Oh no. Without that paint I can't get the colors right. I can't work without it.

Oh! You mean you can't draw me? I was really looking forward to it.

Hmm... The paint is made from a flower that grows in the Karek Swampland. If I had some of those, I could make more...

What are you doing?!

Hmm? Who is this?

Oh, this is my little brother. He helps me out with my drawing.

You're just in time! I'm out of the paint I need. Go get some more, will you?

Brother! You aren't going to draw this beast, are you?! What are you going to do with a picture of a beast? What are you thinking?!

......

H-Hey, watch what you're saying! You're being rude to our guest!

As if I care! Brother, don't you get it? Even if you paint a brilliant picture of this...thing... no one's going to want it!

Hold your tongue! If you can't stop being rude to our guest, I suggest you leave here at once!

Tch! Fine!

...Ahaha. It seems your brother really hates me.

My brother was exceptionally rude. I can only apologize for him.

Don't worry about it. I'm not offended.

Still...your brother seems to have a particular hatred for beasts.

Yes. I'm afraid he's always been like that.

Why can't he just accept people look different! Art is finding the beauty in everything, and leaving worldly prejudices behind!

... So what will you do? You still don't have your paint.

Oh! I forgot about that! It would take too long for me to go out and get the flowers myself.

Hey, if you have those flowers, would you be able to make more paint?

What? Oh, yeah, in no time. Once I have the flowers, it's a simple process to make the paint.

In that case, why don't we go out and get the flowers for you?

Y-You would do that for me?! But, I couldn't ask you to do something so...

Don't worry about it! I really want to see how this portrait will turn out!

Me too. What kind of picture will it be with Lovinia as the model?

Thank you. Then please, help me.

Okay! Let's go, Aldo! Onward! To the Karek Swampland!

......

Okay. This must be it. The flower the artist needs.

Yes! Okay! Now let's take it back to the artist!

Right. Hmm? Wait, is that...

...Ah! The artist's brother.

What are you doing here? Did you come all this way to say more mean things to Lovinia?

Sh-Shut up! I see now I was being rude. I apologize.

You came all this way to apologize?

No, I came because my brother asked me to tell you something.

He wanted to tell us something? So, what is it?

There's another paint color that he's run out of. So he needs you to collect another kind of flower.

Really? Okay! I'm sure we can do that.

The other flower can be found in the Moonlight Forest. Ah yes, here. This is a picture of the flower he wants.

Hmm... Okay! Let's go get it!

Let's go, Aldo!

Heheh... Stupid beast.

Hmm, I wonder if this is it? Do you think this is the flower he wanted?

It should be. It's the same as the flower in the picture, isn't it?

Yeah...hmm. But for a flower used to make a paint, doesn't it look a bit pale?

...! Hey, Lovinia! Look there!

M-Monsters! When did they show up?!

There are more over here, too. Looks like we're surrounded.

Wh-Why? Why would the monsters all turn up here at once?

Let's work that out later! They're closing in!

Gah! They won't let up. They just keep coming!

Wait, is it the flower?! Maybe they're attracted to its scent...

If so then we're in trouble. As long as we have the flower, the monsters won't stop following us.

Lovinia, let's just dump the flowers and get back to Unigan. At this rate, we'll be overrun before long!

Lovinia, now! Run!

Oh! You're both okay! Thank goodness. I was worried something might have happened.

Don't worry, we're fine.

But we were attacked by monsters, so we had to drop one of the flowers.

... Yes, I'm afraid I have to apologize about that. My little brother has been misleading you. I'm so sorry!

Brother, what are you doing?! You don't need to apologize to this thing...

Idiot! You need to apologize too! These two may be unharmed, but I can't believe what you've done!

What do you mean?

The truth is that the flower my brother sent you out to find isn't used for my paints...

It's a lure for monsters. In his anger, he sent you out to find the most dangerous flower imaginable.

So it really was the flower that the monsters were after.

He was doing everything he could to make your life a living hell. I really am sorry.

Hey! Get over here and apologize, right now!

N-No! I did that for you, Brother...

Don't worry. Nothing actually happened, after all.

I can't just let him get away with this.

My brother needs to learn that doing bad things comes with consequences...

......

They're the ones doing something bad! You've been tricked by these beasts!

Oi! Where are you going?! Come back right now!

Damn. That brat. Why can't he understand? All I want is to find beauty in all its forms and to bring that to the world...

There's only so much you can do. People have to realize these kinds of things on their own.

But...I...

Yes! But no need for such a sad face! It may not feel like it now, but he will come around, they all will! And this was the first step!

Now let's make a picture that will change his mind! I'm sure if you make something beautiful, your brother will understand! Won't he?

I guess so, yes. Yes! If he won't listen to my words, he'll listen to my brush strokes! I'm back in the mood! I'm going to paint a picture so amazing, even he will have to admit it's beautiful!

Yes! Yes! That's the spirit!

Now that's decided, let's get to work! First, I'll just make up the paint!

Ahaha! All's well that ends well. Looks like the artist got his zest back.

...Lovinia?

How can you just shrug off those horrible things that boy said to you? If that was me, I would be so mad right now. What's your secret?

Hmm...I have to admit it does make me sad to see someone hate me so much.

But I want to make the world happy with my songs. How can I make the world happy if I let myself be sad?

That's why I keep smiling!

You're really something, Lovinia. I admire your spirit.

Eheheh! Yay! A compliment from Aldo!