A Sword for the People

Hey, Aldo!

That's you, isn't it, Aldo!

Oh, hey. When did you move here from Baruoki?

Baruoki? Isn't that your hometown, Aldo?

Yeah, that's right. This guy used to live there too.

So what are you doing here? Are you here for work?

That's right. The people of Baruoki asked me to come here to talk to the Royal City Guard. They've not been all that helpful though. It was about a monster hunt...

What?! They would dare refuse a call to aid from the citizenry?!

Well there's a real shortage of knights right now. They have no choice but to turn down non-critical requests.

I see. In that case, I'll head back to the village. It's been too long since I've been back anyway.

Then I shall come with you! I can't help but feel responsible for the Royal City Guard's lack of manpower.

Hmm? Miyu, why do you feel that? You're not part of the guard, are you?

Oh! That's right! I'm a traveling swordswoman! Erm...so what I meant was... Erm... R-Right! Aldo's hometown! I really want to see Baruoki! Would you show me around?

Okay. Come on, let's go. The more the merrier.

Wow, thanks, Aldo! I have some other errands to run here, so you head on to Baruoki ahead of me.

Ah! So this is Aldo's hometown!

Yep. It's a nice and peaceful village, but there's not that much to show you.

That's not true. I always enjoy seeing how ordinary folk live.

What do you mean? Miyu, you must have grown up in some sort of village too.

I guess, but... My home was a bit special. It didn't really feel lived in.

Right, you come from money, don't you? Actually, now that I think about it, even your armor looks more like a classy dress than a knight's uniform.

Wha?! You think so? I looked hard to find the plainest, most comfortable set I could.

And that's what you found?! In that case, what do you consider fancy clothes?

Erm...clothes you can't put on alone, and that take about half a day to put on properly?

What?! Ah, now I get why you might not know how the normal folk live.

Okay, then let's take a walk around the village.

Yes! I'm looking forward to it!

Hello, miss!

Hello.

I like how everyone here is happy to just strike up a conversation. It's so quaint.

I guess everyone's excited about the festival. They're all a bit more lively than usual.

Right, the 300th anniversary. Everyone in the Royal City is taking it very seriously. But it's nice to enjoy the festivities from outside the city for a change.

Outside the city... Aren't you a traveling swordswoman? You must see other places all the time.

Erm...well... I mainly travel around... the Royal City Palace... and along the main roads... and sometimes down the alleys...

Aren't all those places within the city?

Yes...I guess you could say most of my travels are within the city.

Ahaha! Can you really call yourself a traveling swordswoman?

P-Please don't laugh at me!

But you're just so funny!

C'mon, stop it!

Sorry, sorry! Okay, so how about the tour? Have you had enough?

No! But...

This is actually the first time for me, walking around and chatting with a man like this. It's so much fun! Let's do a little more! Please!

Okay! Then let's head to the tavern and have something to eat!

Hi, Barkeep. I'm showing my friend Miyu here around the village. Oh, yeah. Barkeep! How about you make us some of your famous dishes!

I look forward to it.

I'm sure I don't need to tell you, but try to keep to the normal ingredients, okay.

Ah, that was delicious.

Right? The Barkeep's famous in these parts for his cooking. He has a tendency to use some unusual ingredients, but otherwise it's usually delicious.

Heehee. The Barkeep sounds like an interesting character.

You know, I've come to really like Baruoki.

Thanks! I'm glad I gave you the tour now.

Oh, look who it is.

Okay, here's what you need to know about the monsters.

There's these monsters we've never seen before that's appeared in the Nuaru Uplands. They're pretty strong.

I see. And if those monsters make their way down here, the village will be in trouble.

Exactly. That's why we need to do something about it now.

Got it. Then let's go to the Nuaru Uplands!

I've never seen one of these in these parts before.

These must be the monsters we're here to hunt! For the sake of the Baruoki citizens, onwards!

Okay! If they're all so easily scared, we should be fine.

Wha?! If you don't take care of them now, they'll get away!

Hey! Learn a lesson from this and don't cause trouble around here anymore, okay?

Gigeeegh!

Ah! It got away!

Let's go after it. If we don't get that thing...

Don't worry. This should be enough.

Are you sure? I...I really don't get it.

Come on Miyu! Let's head back to Baruoki, tell them we're done.

Oh, Aldo! How did it go?

We scared it off. It should know now not to come back here.

I see...I guess we'll have to see. Well done. You've really helped us out, Aldo.

No need to thank me. I'm just doing my job. I've not been around much lately, but I should. I am a Baruoki guard, after all.

I guess you're right. Well good job, all the same! I'll let you know if we need any more help.

Are you sure everything's sorted out?

Sure. Monsters are like wild animals, they know not to hang around somewhere they know is dangerous. Most of the time all it takes is to scare them off like we just did.

That may be the case, but we could make sure they never come back by wiping them out...

It's not like we can take out every last monster. The best thing to do is to make a border and let the monsters live peacefully on the other side of it.

I see. Fight the small battles so that the war never escalates. That kind of thinking could well work in national defense, too.

Huh? National defense? I wouldn't know about that.

I never thought I'd find inspiration for improving the nation in such a place as this...

This has been most educational!

I want to see more of the world.

Oh, right. I'll help you as much as I can. Let's go to all sorts of places.

Yes! I'm looking forward to it!