The Visitor to the Royal City

Phew... That graffiti took some time to clean up, but it's all gone now.

Hard at work beautifying your home, eh? My faith could use more devotees like you.

Your "faith?" I don't know about that... Anyhow, there's been a lot more graffiti around here of late, I had to do something.

You're fortunate I was passing by. The divine Otoha's second sight will reveal the culprit in a flash!

Wow, you have clairvoyance? Awesome! So, who's been doing this?

Huh? Oh, well... The planets aren't in their optimal alignment today...

In other words, you don't know.

Of course I know! It's just...I need more evidence, or it will blow your mortal minds!

Sure, sure. C'mon, we'll look for clues.

*hiss* You don't believe me, do you?

Somebody, help! Guards! Anyone!

A cry for help! Shake a leg, Aldo! It came from that store over there.

Are you all right? What happened here?

Oh, it's terrible... I've been robbed!

Did they take anything valuable?

No, it looks like my money's still here. But the place is a mess...

Have you any idea who could have committed this dastardly crime?

They did leave a note behind. Take a look.

"Greetings from the wicked Team Tornado." What the heck... "If you want to catch us, come to the spot where waterfalls flow into caves of leather." What is this? Some kind of code? Or a riddle, maybe?

Waterfalls, huh...

Ha. What a joke. Obviously it means the swamplands. Water flows all over that place. I'm sure we can find a hidden cave there if we keep our eyes open.

I dunno, what about the leather part? It doesn't add up...

Maybe it's a cave full of bats, with leathery wings?

I don't think that's it. Hmm, waterfalls into leather caves... Water could be any liquid. And falling, that could mean pouring... Leather... Hmm...tankards, maybe? Got it! This note is pointing us to the tavern.

Is there a tavern under a waterfall here? That doesn't sound very practical...

I don't think she understands. Are you sure you'll be all right?

I ask myself that a lot these days... Anyway, let's get going, Otoha.

You know where the criminals are? Ah, it must be the blessing of my second sight.

Second sight? Blessing?

Trust me, don't ask. This is about as normal as she gets.

Looks like we just missed Team Tornado. Otoha, quit looking around and focus. There's no waterfall, it was a metaphor.

I was just wondering how anyone could eat their food without it getting wet...

Who wrote this, a little kid? This wouldn't even fool you, right Otoha?

Arrest the ruffians and enjoy the knowledge of our victory? Victory...knowledge...

Hmm... You find knowledge in books, is that it? Maybe they're planning to rob a library or bookstore next!

Are you kidding me?! Don't you see it? Look at the weird spelling and how the letters are arranged.

Knowledge of our victory... Letters being arranged... Are we meant to write to tell the press about this once we catch them?

Urgh... Look at the capital letters: K-A-R-E-K. All that tortured phrasing was just so they could fit in the name of where we have to go, Karek Swampland.

...How's that again?

Was that explanation not good enough? I don't know how to make it any more clear...

I see even you're baffled by this. Our foes clearly have intellects to be reckoned with.

Sometimes I worry about you, Otoha. I really do.

Don't fret, Aldo. With the power of the feline deity, I'll solve this mystery yet! Just have faith.

Right...

Waaah!

Quiet down! You brought this on yourselves.

Are those children getting kidnapped?

Hold, foul villain! Your evil deeds end today!

Hrmph...

Accept your fate with dignity.

Whoa! Otoha! That nearly hit me!

Huh? Sorry, I didn't mean to.

You're not going give me that "your body moved on its own" stuff again, are you?

Wow, how did you know? That's what I was about to say.

Wait, that means...

You sensed these guys subconsciously?

Y-Yes! Something like that. In times of danger, my second sight...

They look tough. Brace yourself!

Mrawr! You didn't let me finish!

Nice work, Otoha. Not even I noticed those monsters coming.

Uh...right! My divine perception extends far beyond the reach of your mortal senses!

It's like your body can respond to a threat without you having to ever think about it.

Hey, don't make me sound like an idiot! I can think about stuff just fine.

Uh, excuse me...

Whoops, I forgot about you. Are you ready to surrender? Theft is an act unworthy of one blessed with human intelligence. If you feel true regret, you may still have a chance to redeem yourself.

Sorry to interrupt, but I don't think that guy's our criminal.

Huh?

We're sorry!

These kids were behind the break-ins. It was a game that got out of hand.

Mrow? Then how did those monsters just now fit in to all this?

They showed up while I was telling off the kids... You saved us.

No wonder the clues were so simple.

What? Those confusing riddles were written by these children?

That's right.

Aw, but... Everyone'll get mad at us...

Naturally. You need to understand what you did was wrong.

B-But we...

Have faith, and find the courage in your hearts. We'll be right there beside you.

Okay, I'll go with you. I really do want to apologize.

Yeah, me too!

Me three.

That's more like it. Back to Unigan for the grand finale!

I can't believe you kids! Did you think you could do all this and get away with it?

Waaah!

Now, now, don't be too hard on them. They didn't act out of any malice. Making mistakes is all a part of growing up. I'm sure they've learned their lesson. If they're smart enough to come up with those cryptic puzzles, they must have a bright future ahead of them.

I think you're the only one who found them cryptic...

*hiss* Don't be ridiculous. Nothing escapes the feline deity's all-seeing eye!

Wow, you're a cat god, lady? Awesome!

Mrow, now that's the child-like wonder I look for in my followers.

It's probably best to reel them in while they're still young, right?

Otoha, you are NOT starting a cult.