Defeat the Flower of Death

......

What's up, Nikeh?

I was looking at this wanted poster. The target is credited with a lot of murders.

Weird, there's nothing in the space you'd usually see a portrait of them.

There's not many eye witness accounts. Given the risk, it's not surprising people are reluctant to testify.

I don't like the idea of someone like that going free... Is there any other info?

It says "Wanted, Dead, Not Alive. A reward is offered to whosoever may take the head of the Flower of Death."

Huh? Wait a minute, this bounty's for you?!

So it seems.

You don't sound too worried about it...

In my line of work, this kind of thing is an occupational hazard. It's only natural that I'd make some enemies along the way.

Maybe so, but we've got to do something about this! We're lucky they didn't have a picture of you for this poster. Maybe the store staff will remember who posted the flier in the first place.

Hey, I was wondering about those notices on the wall...

Oh, those things? Yeah, I think Geze put them up.

Geze? Can you tell us more about him?

He's a clerk for Ponessos, the merchant. You see him running errands around the palace all the time.

What do you think, Nikeh? This guy sound familiar?

No, I'm afraid not.

Guess we'll have to search the palace and ask him ourselves.

Hey, is your name Geze?

Indeed, I am Geze, of the illustrious Ponessos Trading Company.

We heard you put up those notices in the dining hall.

Ah, have you come in answer to the bounty I posted? You see, my employer, the great Ponessos himself, is being targeted by this assassin, Nikeh.

I wish to, shall we say, put an end to her before she can do the same to Mr Ponessos. I'm aware such a feat is beyond my own skills, hence the bounty.

Did you take on that job?

A hit on Ponessos? No, it doesn't ring any bells.

You've ended up with a price on your head anyway. The way I see it, the only way for us to stop anyone coming after you is to accept this job ourselves.

Yes... That's a good idea.

Is everything all right?

Just asking my colleague if she thinks we're strong enough to fight this Nikeh.

Well, she didn't get the nickname the Flower of Death by chance. None of her targets have ever survived before.

You may rest easy. We are more than capable of defeating any opponent.

I'm glad to hear it! We have a deal, then? Meet me at the inn in Acteul and I'll introduce you to the boss.

Mr. Ponessos, these warriors have agreed to take out Nikeh for us.

Don't be ridiculous. There's no helping me now! No one escapes the blade of the Flower of Death!

...Pretty jumpy, isn't he?

He's been like this for days now. He doesn't eat, he barely sleeps...

Do you have any idea who hired Nikeh?

It's hard to say. Mr Ponessos is a highly successful merchant, he has plenty of business rivals. Competition in the market is fierce, but I can't think of anyone vengeful enough to hire an assassin. Our only choice is to intercept the killer before she can strike.

Don't worry, sir. Nikeh won't lay a finger on you so long as we're around.

Can you guarantee that? Can you really? I'll pay any reward you want, just save me!

Is there anything else you can tell us that might be useful?

There is one thing... I haven't told Mr. Ponessos yet for fear of scaring him even more. I received this strange letter. It says to come to Lake Tiilen to negotiate terms for calling Nikeh off.

It's most likely a trap. They're trying to exploit your affection for your employer to draw you into the open.

It'll be much safer if we go in your place. Where exactly do they say to meet?

Let me see... The center of the road along Lake Tiilen, right between Ratle and Acteul.

We'll handle it. You guys sit tight here until we get back.

This looks like the spot the letter said to come to.

It's as far as we can get from either town.

We'd better be on our guard. We still don't know what they're scheming...

...... Have you noticed anything weird?

Everything seems normal to me.

...... We've been here a while now, and still no sign of anyone.

I don't sense anyone lying in wait, either.

I think we should return to the merchant's room at the inn, as fast as we can.

What do you mean?

This letter wasn't for a meeting, it was to get us away from Ponessos so he'd be left without protection.

Of course! I can't believe we fell for it. There's no time to waste. Back to Acteul!

Somebody, help me!

Heeeeeelp!

What's going on here?

It was Geze! He set a pack of monsters on me. I'm lucky I made it out alive!

Tch. You're back already?

No matter. My little pet's got plenty of room for more morsels!

Ngh!

You wrote that "strange letter" to yourself in order to decieve us, am I right?

He must have been planning to kill Ponessos himself and put the blame on Nikeh.

So, I was never being targeted by the Flower of Death?

That was all a part of the subterfuge. Not a bad touch, I have to admit.

I was so close! At first I thought the bounty would enrage Nikeh enough that she'd attack the old man in retaliation. I waited, and waited, but she never came. That's when I decided I'd have to do the job myself. With Ponessos out of the picture, his company would have been mine for the taking!

Geze, how could you? After everything I've done for you... Somebody, take this man away!

Guards, guards!

Phew, that's taken care of. You don't have to worry about that bounty anymore, Nikeh.

Thank you for your help, Aldo.

I still don't like the line of work you're in. No one should be able to put a price on human life. Don't you think now would be a good opportunity to quit the assassination business?

Wash my hands of it completely, you mean?

Yeah. This whole incident would never have happened if it weren't for your reputation. I know it was the only way for you to survive in the past, but now...

Well, now you're not alone anymore. Working together with us, you can get by in life just fine without needing to spill any blood at all.

Aldo...

Thank you... I'm truly happy to hear you say that. I think you're right. When this job is done and dusted, I'll retire from the business. This will be...my last hit.

Curses! How could my plan fail? It was such a great idea, using Nikeh's fame against the old man...

No. It was the worst idea you ever had.

Wh-Who's there?!

If you hadn't tried to deal in death, you might have lived a little longer.

You! How did you get in here?

...... Foolish mortal, ye who seeks to play with the lives of others. Pay for misusing Nikeh's name with your own life.

What? No... It can't be... You were the real Nikeh all along?!

None other. Do you know why they call me the Flower of Death?

No, not that! Please, I'm sorry for what I did. It was a mistake, I see that now. I'll do anything, just spare me!

Begging for your life is a waste of time. You know my reputation. Have you ever heard of me sparing anyone before?

Graaargh!

This is the last one. I won't take a life again...

Oh hey, Nikeh. Where were you just now?

I left something behind. But it's fine now. We can consider this case officially closed.

From now on, I'll live a good life alongside you and your allies. It's going to be a fresh start for me.