The Reason Behind the Crying

You really shouldn't head out onto the plains.

Oh, Aldo. I was worried about you.

Hey. What's all this about not going out onto the plains?

It's been getting dangerous out there. Thieves, kidnappers...

I wonder... I'm sure some of them are just bad to the core like that.

I can't forgive them! If a person wants something from another person, they should just ask nicely for it!

N-No. That's not quite the same...

Oh, miss. You're an innocent one, aren't you? It's people like you who need to be the most careful. What's more, monsters have even been seen around here. It's getting pretty scary.

Monsters, you say?

Right. The monsters have been attacking the merchants coming through this way. They've had no choice but to drop their cargo and run back home.

Well, something needs to be done.

Right. If we don't, then it'll only get worse.

Okay. Then let's go talk to some of the merchants who have been attacked.

Oh, a customer? I'm sorry, but I'm afraid I'm all out of stock at the moment...

We're actually here to find out some information about the monster that attacked you.

You were attacked on the plains, right? Can you give some more details?

Oh! You want to know about the monster? That thing has been causing so much trouble! That thing's the reason I lost my cargo...

I see. So that's why you're all out of stock.

What does the monster look like? Its shape? Its size?

E-Erm...about that. I didn't actually see the monster myself.

What? You didn't see it? But then how did it attack you?

It happened when I was on the job up in the Nuaru Uplands. I heard a terrible voice... I could feel the very ground shaking! I was so scared!

So you dropped your cargo and ran for your life.

At this rate I'll go out of business. I'm sorry, I have to leave this area for a while.

Ah, wait!

He left... We have to do something.

We will, don't worry. We can't let this monster get away with this!

Right, but a voice isn't a lot to go on.

We should check out the Uplands. If we get up there, the monster may come after us too.

That would certainly make the search easier. Let's go!

...Yaaaaaaaaargh!

Hyagh! What was that sound?

That's a lot of echoing! Could this be the monster...

Hyeeegh! Help meee!

Forget about the cargo! Just run!

People are in danger! Aldo, over there!

What is...that man...

Yaaaaaaaaargh! ...Hehe, so easy.

Erm...hello? What is going on here?

Eh?! Who are you?! Why aren't you running like the rest of them?!

What? Ah! That sound earlier, that was you?!

I see now. You used that sound to scare away the merchants. You thief!

W-Wait! It's true, I'm a thief, but it's not like I'm doing this for fun! I'm just trying to get my son back from the kidnappers!

Kidnappers? Son? What's going on here?

A-Ah...I'll tell you everything. I turned to robbery to provide for my son. But then, one day... the kidnappers, right in front of me...

...For sure, that lady did say something about kidnappers.

Right. I'm just a small time thief. I'd heard of the kidnappers, but... I never thought they'd take my poor son... Damn it!

I get it now. But why do this to the merchants?

I heard the kidnappers had been selling people off up on the Nuaru Uplands.

...! That's terrible!

I'm sure they'll turn up here eventually to sell my son!

Oh! So that's why you're scaring away the merchants with your monster voice! It's a plan to find the kindnappers!

R-Right! I need to get my son back, I have no choice...

...Oh, mister thief, I feel so bad for you! To be separated from your son, who means more to you than life itself... I know! We'll help you, in any way we can!

What?! R-Really? You're going to help me?

Of course! Isn't that right, Aldo?

Y-Yeah...I guess if what you say is true, then we'll help you...

I knew you'd agree! So...what can we do to help?

Thanks. I think we should let them come to us. This way!

Okay, we're here. Are you ready? You hide in the bushes, and when the merchant gets close... Grrroargh! Yaaaaaaaaargh! Something like that.

H-Hey! When we said we'd help you out, we didn't mean in your robberies!

Don't worry. We're just going to scare them and check whether they're kidnappers. We won't touch the normal merchandise. Ah! Speak of the devil. A merchant, hide.

O-Oh... So we need to sound like a monster. It's not really my thing, but I guess we have no choice.

Best of luck, Aldo!

G-Groooooorgh! Grrraaarrrgh!

...! Kyagh! Aaargh!

W-Well done, Aldo! That sounded just like a real monster!

Ah. That was pretty good! You'd make a really good thief, you know?

Ahem. Shouldn't we start checking the dropped cargo?

Oh! Yes! Let's see what that lady was hiding... Oho! This is incredible! The boxes are full of jewels!

...Hey.

Ah...r-right. O-Okay. Let's wait for the next one! The next one's sure to be them!

...Hey, Mariel? Is there something off about that guy?

Hmm? Off? Like what?

Hmm... I just get the sense we're being used...

Aldo! You have to start believing in people! Start doing that, and you'll be amazed what'll happen! Let's follow him!

Okay! This time it's your turn, miss. Think you can do better than your friend?

Okay! I'll do my best!

Hmm! They're coming! Okay, I'm counting on you!

All right! It's time!

Ahem. Meow!

...? What was that? A cat?

H-Hey, miss!

E-Erm... Woof! Woof! Awoooooo!

What's that sound? Something fishy's going on!

Ah! You! What are you doing over there?!

Damn! We've been spotted!

Oh! I'm sorry!

You expect us to run? I won't let you get in the way of our plans!

A beast! I should've known they'd be behind all the kidnapping!

F-Father?!

My son! You're okay!

*sob* F-Father! Faaatherrr!

*sob* This is so nice. A family reunion...

Miss... Why did you care about me so much? Everyone else doubted me, like this boy here...

You noticed...

*sob* Because...*sniff* Isn't it obvious?! Surely everyone wants all people to be happy!

......

Heh... Bwahaha!

Wh-What?! Why are you laughing all of a sudden?

... You win. I'll wash my hands of robbery, starting now.

Oh! Well, that's good! After all, you should never do bad things, even if it's for someone else's sake!

You're just good to the core, ain't ya. It's like you don't even know what a lie is... But that brilliant innocence, it's shining a light into my dark heart. Now I just need to decide what to do with the rest of my life...

What are you saying?! We're taking you to the guards!

What?!

Wh-What did you say?!

What? You can't miss this opportunity! Come along with me. And Aldo! You keep an eye out!

O-Okay...I'll watch... But...

Oh...my son! Your papa...your papa...

Father, what's wrong?

*sob* It's no good. I...I can't say it!

Heheheh. Guards!

Yes, what is it? Oh, Mariel. The head priest has been looking all over for you.

Oh... J-Just never mind that! It's about this man.

Oh, what is it? He seems a bit suspicious. You want me to take him in?

Yes!

I-It's all over! Son, just forget about me...

Take him to the temple, and give him a job!

What?

The temple is always short handed, so I'm sure they could do with the help. I think someone as resourceful as this thief would come in very handy!

I see... I thought it was odd, but that actually makes sense.

Huh? Did I say something strange?

No. Mariel, you're a really kind person.

A-Are you sure, miss? I'm...

I'm sure you're feeling bad about your past misdeeds. But what's important is what you do from now on!

M-Miss! *sob*

I'm not sure I get what's going on... But you want me to take him to the temple?

Yes, please. I've only visited that place once a very long time ago.

Okay. Let's go.

Miss! I won't forget this act of kindness! I'll repay you one day!

Thanks, miss!

......

They'll be all right.

Mariel, are you sure you won't ever want to go back to the temple?

N-No! Not yet, there's still so much world left to see!

R-Really? In that case, I guess it's fine...

Right. Anyway, I don't have what it takes to be a priest.

Hm? What'd you say?

N-Nothing! L-Let's just head out!