The Magic Perfume

Well, what is this delightful scent? is there a new perfume out?

Heheh! You noticed? Everyone's using this in Rinde right now.

I don't know why, but I feel incredible when I wear this perfume. Like I'm being wrapped in a blanket of happiness.

Sounds like a good perfume. It smells good too, relaxing.

Right? A perfumer who came from across the sea recently makes it.

Is that so? I think I would like to meet this perfumer then. I do not think I have come across a scent that has moved me in such a way before.

Oh! In that case, you should try the inn. I hear that she is staying at the inn in Rinde for the time being.

She? The perfumer is a woman?

Yep, she crossed the sea with her child as well.

Even better. Aldo, let's go and meet this perfumer. I feel inclined to see what kind of women creates such an appealing aroma.

Is it really that interesting to you?

Of course. I can sense something unmistakably beautiful from that scent. And beautiful is kind of my thing, you know?

Okay, got it. Let's head to that inn then.

Are you staying here at the moment, little one?

Yeah.

I heard that a perfumer was staying at this inn. Do you know anything about that?

Huh? What business to you have with my mistress?

So that would make you the child she brought with her then. I am looking to purchase some of her divine perfume. And, hoping to make her acquaintance, if possible, too.

I-I'll go get her.

He seemed really nervous about something. I wonder what was wrong?

I am sure he was just a bit taken aback from being approached by an adult all of a sudden.

I understand that you are interested in purchasing my wares?

I was moved by your perfume. So much so that I have come to see if you might sell some of it to me as well. Also, might I inquire, is that boy there your apprentice? He referred to you as mistress...

He is my foster child. He had no one else to call family, so I took him in and am raising him myself.

As you may be able to tell, I am not really of the age to have children of my own yet. But he has taken to calling me, mistress.

Oh, I see.

Travelling around selling perfume is my way of raising this child to have a broad view on the world before he grows up.

Quite a noble endeavor indeed.

Nothing of the sort. I just enjoy spending time with children.

Anyway, back to your wonderful perfume.

I am sorry to say, but I have run short of the necessary ingredients. I do not have any to sell you right now.

That is a great disappointment indeed.

I ran out of all the ingredients that I could normally find in my home country. So I came here in search for them. Perhaps it is just because I do not know this land yet, but I have run into difficulties acquiring the materials I need.

That does sound troubling. Perhaps we might be of some assistance?

Yeah, we'll do what we can to help you out. What materials do you need anyway?

The ingredient can be taken from the gentia leaf, found in the Karek Swampland.

Karek Swampland? Okay, we can go get that for you.

Really? It is not too much trouble for you? I am afraid there is not much I can offer in terms of recompense.

That is fine. In return I ask only that you make the most mesmerizing perfume for me.

I will do so gladly. Thank you for your kindness.

Okay. Aldo, let's make our way over to the Karek Swampland then.

It would appear that this is the monster we are after, Aldo. Are you ready?

Yep.

Did you get what we need?

Yes. This is gentia leaf, no mistake about that.

So I guess we can have that perfume made for us now.

I hope so. Isn't that...the boy we met at the inn?

E-Excuse me...

What are you doing all the way out here?

Mistress told me to come collect the ingredients from you.

What's the hurry? We've got the materials now and were on our way to give it to her ourselves.

No! I have to hurry it back to my mistress now! To tell the truth, we've had to leave Rinde. That's why I have come to collect the ingredients. Mistress will send you your perfume when she's mixed them.

Something doesn't seem quite right here. I think I will have to hear what's going on from her myself.

But, my mistress has already left town and...

What are doing out here?!

Y-Yeah...

Wait, you're here as well? What's going on?

I see what you were trying to do now.

I-I'm sorry. Please, I-I-I...

Why are you here? And what is he...

Oh you must not pay any attention to what this child says. He is different, if you catch my drift. But a good-hearted child nevertheless. Always thinking of me, isn't that right?

Oh, right.

He must have thought he was doing me a favor by coming out here himself. Anything to help me get back to being able to sell my wares again.

Speaking of which, here are the ingredients I believe you were looking for.

Thank you for that. I can resume production again now. I will inform you as soon as I have made a new batch. Until then...

Just one more thing. Where are the other kids you are looking after?

I only have this one now. The others grew up and set off on their own travels and adventures.

Come now. We have some talking to do when we get back.

Yes...

Does something smell off to you? And I'm not talking about the perfume, either.

I noticed it too. That kid was acting really scared. Something's up between those two.

I thought so too. And they might not be her kids, but even so, she still seems too young to have raised so many already.

Now that you mention it, she does seem too young, even for foster kids.

Something definitely isn't right. Okay, Aldo, let's follow them.

Yeah. If they're heading back to Rinde, then they'll have to pass along the Serena Coast. Let's hurry.

Come on already! We don't have much time left and you know resistance is futile. I'll always get my way!

Urgh...

Unhand that child immediately!

Wh-What are you two doing here? If it's the perfume you are after, then you will just have to wait a bit longer.

We did not come here for you. We came to talk to the boy.

The boy?

Hey kid, what makes you so afraid of your mistress there?

I-I'm not afraid...

That's a lie. You know it and I know it. We're among friends here. You may not have heard of me, but I'm the man with the finest fists in the world. There's nothing you need be scared of.

Urgh...

That's right, you can tell us.

Stupid brat! Is that all you can say? I raised you like one of my own, and this is the way you show your gratitude?

I don't wanna be made into perfume!

Whoa! What? Made into perfume? What are you talking about?

Mistress uses the blood of children as an ingredient in her perfumes.

What?! That's horrid!

So that's why you have raised so many kids. You keep them around to tap for your special ingredient?!

That's right, and it's none of your business. Hand over the brat now! I don't have much time left. I don't care how I do it, I'm taking back what is rightly mine!

You can try! See how far it gets you. I have the finest fists in the world. I think you will find I am not as easy to manipulate as your children!

You'll regret this! Destroy them my pretties!

Nero, watch out!

Nooo! I was too late. The perfume's effects are wearing off...

Whoa! She turning into an old crone! So is this what she really looked like?!

The perfume she was making from our blood was keeping her young all this time. Mistress has made and used it to stay youthful more times than I can count on my hands and toes, that's for sure.

That explains why she made the dangerous trip across the ocean. I thought it was a great risk to take just to make some perfume.

But if that perfume was preserving her youth, then things start to add up.

Ahhh! The agony! My body, everything hurts! I can't hold it anymore! Ahhhhhhhh! Goodbye cruel world!

She disappeared!

I suppose she had been using the perfume for so long that that was her body's natural reaction to its withdrawal. This was her inevitable fate. Or maybe I should say comeuppance.

Everything happened so fast, but thank you. If you two hadn't come and saved me, I would have been...

But why did you come to us in the swamp in the first place?

To make that perfume, takes two main ingredients: gentia leaf and the fresh blood of a child. That's why I was hiding away all of the gentia leaves before she could get her hands on it.

Clever. So you risked coming all the way out to us to make sure that she didn't get the gentia leaf first? But, what are you going to do now?

Use the money left from the perfume sales and try and find my way back home.

That's a good plan. A smart kid like you shouldn't have any problems making their way back home and becoming a great adult.

Nope! I'm gonna grow up strong just you two! Thanks!

You see that? That smile? Now that was a beautiful smile!

Yeah. It was something all right. Been a while since I've seen anyone so happy.

That smile makes all this trouble worth it. As a man who appreciates all things beautiful, I couldn't ask for a better reward!