That Secret Dragon Treasure is Mine!

But that still leaves us with the second problem.

Hmm... I'm stumped too.

Hey, look. Those two seem kinda worried about something?

You guys okay? You know there are monsters around here, right?

Yeah, well, actual, Waaaaaah! B-B-B-Beast!

Hi there! Beast here. Time to eat you up! Rarrr♪

P-Please don't kill us! I have so much left to give!

Whoa, Myrus! Cut it out already. You're gonna scar these guys for life.

Oh, come on! It's their fault for not being able to take a joke.

A joke? Wait, so you're not going to devour our bone marrow or anything like that?

Well how rude! I'm not some blood-crazed animal, you know!

Not all beasts are bad. In fact, most of them are really nice. Myrus here is a good friend of mine.

That's right! I'm actually more interested in being your friend than drinking your bone marrow!

Really? Well that is certainly good news.

What are you doing all the way out here anyway?

To tell you the truth, we had heard rumors of hidden treasure out in these parts and came looking.

Treasure? But would there really be any lying around in a place like this?

You bet there is. And it's not just any treasure, rumor has it that it's treasure that once belonged to an ancient dragon.

An ancient dragon's secret treasure? I've never heard anything like that from anyone in Baruoki. Are you sure?

Oh! I've heard that one before! Slumbering deep in a forest lies a dragon's hidden treasure.

You know about this?

Yeah! It's an old folk tale among beasts.

Yes. We heard that it was an old beast tale too. It took us quite a few years to track down all the details to get as far as here though.

Well that explains why I'd never heard of it before. So what exactly is the hidden treasure?

Ah well, you see. The thing about that is... We don't know. We just heard that there was treasure is all.

But I just know there's gonna be mountains of gold and silver and jewels! We're gonna be so stinking rich!

Treasure, huh? Humans really do get obsessed with all kinds of strange things. Putting all kinds of prices on shiny stones seems crazy to me. Of course, beasts think they look great too, but not enough to ever pay money for!

I didn't know that. I guess we have a different sense of value, huh.

Well that may be. But it doesn't change the fact that there are humans who'll pay a fortune for those "shiny stones."

Is that so. Hey, could we come along with you? A treasure hunt sounds interesting!

Wha, really? You're just gonna join them like that?

Ah come on, Aldo. Where's your sense of adventure? Even if there's no treasure it'll still be funny to look back on, right?

Well, yeah. I guess you're right. Okay, let's do it.

You'll help us out? Man, we owe you one!

Okay, so let's go over what hints we have so far. Hidden treasure, slumbering deep in a forest. I'm supposing this would be Moonlight Forest.

Got it. Off to the Moonlight Forest then!

Well, we've had a look around. But there doesn't seem to be treasure anywhere around here.

I'd be more surprised if you did find it that easily! But I guess this forest isn't all that big. If we keep looking we're bound to find it eventually, right?

Hey, so just how long ago in the past was that story anyway?

How long ago? I've actually no idea. A real long time though.

Do you think that it might not be this forest at all, but a much bigger forest from long ago that the story was based off?

Oh! You might be right there! We just need to look for a large forest that's been around since then.

Wow, that hadn't even occurred to me. Now you mention it, I've heard of a place Northeast of here. You know, Zarbo, that desert island?

Yeah, what about it?

There are some people that say a long, long time ago it used to be covered in woodland instead.

So you think the forest from the story maybe used to be there?

Okay! Next stop: Zarbo!

Actually, there's one more thing...

What's that?

It's rumored that the ancient dragon put a seal on the treasure. There's a good chance that even if we find the treasure, we may never be able to open it.

I reckon it's probably some kind of elemental energy.

Really? In that case, I should be able to get it open, no problem.

What?! Really? How?

I'm something of an expert on controlling element energy. That's why, if the seal is elemental based, you can count yourselves lucky I'm around!

I see. Even if humans aren't able to do anything, maybe a beast can!

Well I'll be... Are all beasts like you, lassie? Is that what makes your kind such a tough bunch?

You know, I'm not too sure. I don't really compare myself to other beasts.

Oh! But Master Guildna can do all sorts of things! All the other beasts have always looked up to him.

G-Guildna? You mean, the Guildna. King of the beasts?!

Hey, Myrus! Maybe don't talk so much about Guildna right now. You're scaring them.

Oh fine. First I'm not allowed to tell jokes, now I talk about wonderful Master Guildna.

Okay, well let's head to Zarbo then. We're counting on you, Myrus.

You got it! Although the sun's really strong over Zarbo. I hope nobody gets too sunburned.

Okay! Maybe we can just swim from Rinde?

You're worried about that?

Are you crazy? I don't even wanna think how many days it'd take to swim that far! Let's just ask the Synth Hydra instead.

Zarbo, at last. I can just feel the treasure!

Me too! Once we find this treasure, we'll be richer than rich!

Really? You're talking about money again? Humans really love that stuff, huh! What do you even want all that money for anyway?

Tell you the truth, I'm actually a doctor by profession, not a treasure hunter. I want to build my own hospital, but I need funds. With the war against the beasts, there's more people than ever who need care. And not nearly enough facilities for them all.

Ah! I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to speak badly of your friend's people or anything.

It's fine, really. There were both things that the humans and beasts refused to give up on. The people and beasts who got hurt did so protecting something they believe in. I think that's very brave. And we should all be proud. And I know some beasts have used this war as an excuse to do terrible things to humans. It's sad, but the truth.

But I feel much better now knowing that you are out to help people and not just get rich. Makes me glad to realize that there are humans out there worth supporting and helping out!

I've learned a thing or two about beasts too. You're not all marrow-thirsty savages after all. But why did you help us in the first place anyway?

But I already said, didn't I? Because it looked kinda interesting!

I couldn't just ignore somebody in trouble.

You guys...

Well, it's all well and good that we've come this far. But what next?

Well...

I reckon it's somewhere in that desert.

What, how do you know that?

I don't know, I just got a feeling that it is. A beast's intuition, maybe. I can sense something coming from over there. Kinda like a "tough-guy vibe." you know. I've always had a knack for sensing those.

"tough guy" you mean like a dragon or something? That means there might really be treasure then!

Really?! Let's get over there on the double then!

So? Can you sense where the treasure might be?

Hmm... Hang on, okay? I'll just use my magic again.

Oh.

Myrus, are you okay? You must be really tired from using your magic all this time.

No, it's not that. It's the heat. I just can't concentrate at all. Maybe if I take my clothes off I...

T-Take your clothes off?! H-Here? Now?

Ahahaha! Just kidding. Oh, Aldo, what's the matter? You've gone bright red. Doesn't look like sunburn though. Heheh♪

N-No! I'm pretty sure I've caught the sun a bit. Yeah. It's really sunny, that's why.

Ha haaa! Look at you getting all shy! Wait! I can feel elemental energy!

For sure? Where? Where's that treasure at?

Over here!

There's an old elemental energy coming from deep underground.

Underground? Digging anything up is going to be too big of a job for just the four of us.

But we know where it is now. It don't matter how many days it takes. The treasure is finally within our grasps!

But you're seriously thinking of hard labor in a desert? You'll collapse from heat stoke way before you get to the treasure.

But it's right here under our noses. We can't just stop now!

Okay, just leave this to me! It's bunny time!

Whoa! Myrus, are you sure that's a good idea?!

Just sit back and watch the dirt fly!

Found it!

Amazing! I had heard of beasts' combat form but never thought it be so... enthralling.

I knew we could count on you! Now, let's get this baby open! Treasure! Treasure! Oh yeah♪

Grrrfghh!

Guess the bit about the elemental seal was true as well.

I knew it. Looks like we're gonna have to rely on Myrus one last time.

Phew! Just...gimme...a second... to get my...breath back. I am all horrible and sweaty and beat! Can we take a quick break first?

You have been doing all the heavy lifting ever since we got to Zarbo. I'm not surprised you're tired.

Even beasts have to stop and rest now and again...

Don't worry about it. You've done so well this far. Just get some rest for now.

Okay, I'm back! I'm rested and ready to go!

We're ready when you are.

Just sit back and enjoy the show!

Hey there little guy, you gonna behave for me? Yeah, you like that? Ah ha! So that's what you want, huh?

Think you can crack it?

I do! With just a little fiddling I think I can break the seal. See, if I just do this and concentrate here!

Oh...

Did you open it? I saw some kind of letters float up from the chest.

......

Look, I'm sorry. I don't think I'll be able to open this after all.

Wh-What you do mean?!

Those letters were from a dragon language, it says a sacrifice is needed to open the chest.

A s-sacrifice? But we can't do that. I came here to save people. That treasure's meant to help others.

I could never kill anybody. Oh why'd it have to be a sacrifice!

Let's just kill the beast then.

It's not a person. You came here to save people, a beast doesn't count. You'd be doing humans a favor anyway.

Dad, what the heck are you saying?! Myrus is the only reason we ever got this far in the first place!

Then she can make herself useful right to the end, can't she?

You're acting crazy! This isn't why we helped you!

That's right! What's gotten into you!

What, you were going to come this far, with the treasure right in front of your eyes, and then just go home? If you don't want it, then I'll just take your share too!

Dad... Wh-Why?

Why would you do that?! Do you really want the treasure that badly? How can anything be worth more than your son's life?!

Quit that useless yammering! With that hidden treasure I can live a life of luxury and do whatever I want. Anyone who would turn their back on an opportunity like this is a fool!

Whoa, what was that?!

Heheh. Looks like that fool's blood opened the chest for me.

No, wait! Don't go near it!

Hm?

Wh-Wh-What is that thing?! Did the grudge of the son take form or something?

I don't wanna die in this stupid desert! Help m...

Meal?!

Looks like it's coming after us too!

I guess we just gotta take it down! You ready?

Phew. Looks like we managed to beat it.

......

I just can't believe anybody would kill their child. No matter how much they want money.

I don't understand it either.

Why do humans do things like this, Aldo?

B-But!

No, sorry. I didn't mean because they were humans they did this. After all, if there can be good beasts then there's bound to be bad humans. Right?

Yeah. I just feel really bad for not being able to save those two though.

Me too. The least we can do now is to mourn for them. We just have to hope they are living happily where ever they are now. One couldn't save the ones they wanted to, the other wouldn't. They were both different, but they both deserve peace.

I'm sure they'll come to their differences in time. Somewhere.

But what should be do about the treasure? I was never interested in it in the first place.

I don't want it either. Let's bury it again. There's a chance it's still possessed by that angry spirit. All we can do is just hope that something like this never happens again.

Yeah! I'll put a seal on it way stronger than the first one, and we can bury it way, way deeper than before!

I'm sure you'll make a great doctor, somewhere.