Sweet Magical Whisperings

Aw, man. Looks like there's no fruit tart for me today.

Fruit tart?! Have you just been to La Vie En Rose?

Yeah. Apparently they're having a supply problem with their ingredients and can't open today.

No! What a disaster. Aldo, we need to go there and find out what's wrong!

What is this "Lavvy On Rose" place?

You haven't heard of it?! It's only Elzion's hottest high-class patisserie!

Oh, okay. I was never a big fan of sweets, to be honest.

I won't take no for an answer. This is an emergency situation!

La Vie En Rose was that shop we went to before, right?

That's right! It's Elzion's hottest high-class patisserie!

I know it's Suzette's favorite store, but what can we do about the ingredients?

I won't take no for an answer. This is an emergency situation!

Is there anything we can do to help?

Well...I believe the manager is in Gamma District, so he can tell you more about it.

Gamma District, is it? Got it!

Ah, hello there.

Shopkeep, is it true you're not opening today? Say it isn't so! Tell me what the problem is, I'll find a way to fix it!

Wow, Suzette. You're really fired up about this, huh?

Of course I am! This place has the best tarts in the whole city! And don't get me started on their amandine! Why, it's...

Okay, I won't! You can tell me later. How about we deal with this problem first?

Hrm... I suppose you're right.

It's my delivery carriers. They've been held up, and now I can't make any of our signature products.

Oh, right. I remember hearing on the news there's been a shortage of synthetic fruits lately.

You know how it is when word like that gets around. I decided to do some digging of my own. It's not just my store. I talked to the owners of some other places, and it turns out we all get our ingredients from the same company.

Is something up at the factory?

I don't think so. They say our shipment left their distribution center just fine.

So the problem must be on the road between there and here.

It would make sense. That whole region is completely mechanized. Very convenient, unless it malfunctions. I sent one of my employees to Route 99 to check the road for obstructions. It's been a while now, but he still hasn't come back. Maybe you could go find him?

We'd be happy to. Leave this to us!

Heh heh heh... Put your faith in the Dark Princess of the Netherworld!

Nothing can hide from the abyssal mana within my cursed left eye!

Huh? Cursed what now?

Oh, she gets like this now and then. Better if you don't take her too seriously.

Come, Aldo, to Route 99! We must solve this problem and attain greater glory!

Ah-ha! My cursed eye sees through the mists of confusion. You must be from La Vie En Rose.

Huh? That's right, but how did you know? Who are you guys?

Your boss sent us to see if you're all right.

Oh, of course. I knew I should have headed back to check in with her.

You went out to check on your latest shipment of goods, right? Did you find out what's holding them up?

I sure did. But it's not something I can put right on my own.

What do you mean?

A decommissioned construction robot has gone berserk and is attacking any containers that pass this way.

A malfunctioning robot, huh? This isn't gonna be easy.

Worry not, my good man, we shall stop that mechanical monster in its tracks!

R-Really?

Heh heh heh... This will be a simple task for Suzette, Princess of the Netherworld.

Not forgetting my faithful ally, Aldo, the Time-Traveling Knight!

Together, the two of us can move heaven and earth. One little giant robot is nothing to us!

Uh-huh... Are you sure about this?

My will is unshakeable! Now, guide us to this rampaging robot of yours.

There it is! I saw that thing knock our carrier clean off the road.

Ah, a worthy foe at last. I'll teach you a lesson for holding up my supply of swee, I mean, obstructing the happiness of our citizens!

This feels like more of a personal grudge on your part, but sure. Let's do this!

Amazing! You took that thing down like it was no trouble at all.

Hah! We eat enemies like that for breakfast. Or afternoon tea, sometimes.

Our shop can reopen now! I'd better go tell the boss.

We'll escort you and make sure you get back safely. Right, Aldo?

Huh? We're not that far from town now, he should be fine on his own.

Yeah, but I want to reserve my next order of sweets from the store! Ah, jellies...tarts...petites madeleines...

......

Thank you so much! We should start getting our regular shipments of ingredients again soon. I'll set aside a special platter of sweets for you when we reopen, Suzette.

Wow, thanks! Mmm, I can't wait! Uh...oh, I'm drooling again.

The same goes for you too, Aldo. I'd be very happy if you'd try our signature fruit tart.

Hey, Suzette. Are the cakes and stuff from that shop really all that great?

"All that" and more! Come to think of it, I never got to finish telling you about their menu, did I?

Oh, you don't have to...

How far did I get before? Oh yes, the amandines are simply divine, but the fruit tart is on a whole other level...

(Oh no, I thought she'd forget about this.)