What Lied Beyond the Feud

Ah! Boss! I finally found you!

Huh? Is she a friend of yours, Hozuki?

Yes, she works at my bar.

What's wrong? You look different from usual.

It's about that business. A customer brought me some good information.

Oh. It's about that.

That business?

Lots of people like to chat at my pub, meaning I overhear lots of rumors. I introduce the most troubled customers to those who can help them. I'm like a middleman in that sense.

It's a pretty good way to earn money, don't cha think?

A middleman, huh? Well, since you can't rely on Yoko, I guess this is how you make your money now.

Hehe, that's how it's been working out.

I mean, I'm making money, but my debt still remains.

So, what was the information you found out?

The item has been found. I heard a trader in the capital has it.

But now it seems like they're heading for Baruoki on business.

The item?

Hmm... It's like, an object that can expel Yoko inside me.

What?! There's something like that?

I've been searching for it all this time, with little success.

So this item you've been after is currently in Baruoki?

Then let's get going. You may not get this chance ever again.

Oh? You're certainly full of energy today, Aldo. I'm moved. You'd go through so much trouble just for little ol' me.

Well it can't be easy, being possessed by Yoko. Besides, it's a friend's job to help out whenever they can.

You really are such an honest person, Aldo.

I think I'll take this a little seriously too.

How can you not take it seriously? Remember, friends help each other out.

You don't get how I feel about you... Which is one of the things that makes you cute.

Anyway, let's go to Baruoki and find this merchant.

Look! Is that...

Goodness me. If it isn't Hozuki.

You're the guy who didn't pay his tab!

It's nice to see you again. Thank you for your help then. May I ask what you're doing here?

I'm here on business. I can't afford to build up a tab again, after all.

Oh that's right, you're a trader, aren't you?

Wait... He's the trader we've been looking for? Then that means...

Perhaps he has the item I've been looking for.

By the way, you haven't stumbled upon a violet jewel on your travels, have you?

A violet jewel? Why yes! I certainly have!

That ain't good.

Hey, Hozuki. If the person we've been looking for is him... Then doesn't that mean the item you've been after, was incinerated?

Oh... So the merchandise from before, was it a violet jewel?

Why...yes. It was.

And there it is... Back to square one again...

No. There's still hope. If it really was the violet jewel, there's no way the Yoko would have incinerated it.

Wait! So, you mean it might still be out there?

Exactly. But I can't recommend you get involved this time. You see, it's a cursed jewel.

A cursed jewel?

It belonged to my ancestors from long ago. They would find them, and then sell them for a high price.

That is, until the trouble with that wretched specter started...

Yoko...

Yearning for treasure, my ancestors were shameless enough to rob an object in which Yoko resided. Angered, Yoko cursed them to pay it tribute in order to purify their hearts.

That's the reason why Yoko used up your family fortune.

Truly, they are such sinister creatures.

If that's the case, then I had better not get involved.

You guys are looking for it, right? Here, this might come in handy.

Huh? What is it?

I didn't give up either, so I went back to the Moonlight Forest to try and find it. That's when I found this note on some burnt ground.

Someone left it there on purpose, as a clue, perhaps?

So the jewel is somewhere here in Baruoki?

But who would write a note like this? It looks like it was written by a child.

Hehehe. Let's go along with it. We can treat it like a date.

C'mon Aldo, lets start by looking for clues around the village.

I found one! It's a clue!

Damp? I hate damp places. Makes the fur on my tail get all sticky...

That's what you're thinking about at a time like this?

But it'd be a shame for you if all that silky, smooth fur on my tail was to get ruined, wouldn't it?

Well... I guess that would be a shame.

Hehehe, exactly. After all, you can't resist my tail, can you? Just say the word and you can stroke it anytime.

N-No! I have a feeling it's not a good idea for me to keep stroking it!

Well don't hesitate to ask, ok? Here *stroke*

O-Okay, Okay! I got it!

It looks like a clue to the jewel.

A cave? I can't think of any good ones around here.

Well, people don't tend to remember caves now, do they?

They do! Remember when I didn't eat my Oagesan and went a little strange?

One time, after having a huge argument with Yoko, I started having withdrawal symptoms. I lost consciousness and Yoko took over my body.

No way! If we let the withdrawal symptoms come back, things can really get dangerous.

How did you manage to be okay in such a situation?

As if!

Yoko loves running all over the hills and fields! Before I knew it, the heavens open, and I'm covered in mud, taking shelter in a cave!

R-Really? That sounds awful...

I was so hungry, and dirty. I can't bear to think of it.

There's no way I could live in a place like that.

No, well I guess you won't find many people who live in caves, anyway.

Exactly, not like our home, which will be clean and stylish.

Huh? What do you mean, our home?

I mean our dream home, silly♪

I found a new clue. But I can barely make out the writing.

What on earth. Aldo, do you understand it?

Perhaps it's talking about Migradrite?

Mi..Milag...mig..lado? *sigh* I can't say it.

It's a type of ore found in this village. The villagers mine it.

Really! Is it a jewel? If we can sell it for a high price, we can make good business out of it.

I'm not sure, I've never heard of it selling for much.

How unfortunate. Is it a pretty stone?

Yep, it's pretty all right. We fixed one to the top of my grandpa's staff as a gift.

Oh, a gift? If I wanted one of these stones, would you dig one up for me?

Huh? Sure, but...you know it won't sell for very much, right?

Oh, no. I won't sell it. I just want it as a gift.

Nothing compares to how a woman feels when they are given a gift. You can't put a price on that.

It would be great if you'd use it to craft some accessories for me.

Like, a ring...

A ring? Well, I guess crafting a ring is not something impossible to do.

So it's just as Feinne said, shiny things are romantic.

Hehehe. See, your little sister gets it. I'll be looking forward to my gift.

Right. When I have a chance, I'll stop by the blacksmith and have them make one.

......

Hehehe.

Hey Aldo, don't you think this paper of clues had already served its purpose?

Well, it looks like we have our answer. The hints are leading us one way.

The cave used for mining Migradrite is under this well.

Hehehe. It's almost time for Yoko to pay the piper.

Gra-wuh-wuh-wuh! So you made it this far! You must be wise humans to have solved such difficult riddles.

Well, makes sense you are behind this.

Gra-wuh! This goblin is even cleverer-er! Our plan to lure you out was a success!

Lure us out? So what exactly were you after?

Gra-wuh! That's right! There's no mistaking the power we feel from this jewel. You have the same power, don't you!

The same power? You mean, Yoko's power?

Yoko inside the jewel has long since departed. It's just an empty shell now.

An empty shell? Gra-wuh! No no no! This is overflowing with energy!

Listen. It's better to just throw it away now. That energy is not good, please trust me.

Gra-wuh! Silence, human! You'll regret ever incinerating our leader!

O' great jewel! Gra-wuh! Lend me your power!

What the?! There isn't by chance Yoko is inside that thing, is there?

It's empty, but it looks like the power which accumulated over many years still remains.

Gra-wuh-wuh?

Aaaaaaaah!

Ngh! The power, it's out of control!

......

There's no doubt about it, Yoko. It's that jewel.

Yes. That is the other half of my spirit. Proof of your ancestors' past sins.

If I can get it back, will you leave my body for good?

Of course. Your body doesn't even compare to that divine jewel.

Wretched until the bitter end. You always have to have the last word.

At any rate, after this battle it'll all be over. Can we go all out, like before?

Hmm, as you wish. Have your fill of my power. Incinerate your soul if you must. Behold, my greatest flame!

Aldo, thank you for putting up with me until now.

It's okay. Let's kick this guy's butt and take back the jewel!

Finally...

Hozuki? Are you okay?

Oh, nothing! It's nothing! It's just...

Don't you think this place is a little too gloomy for expelling a spirit?

It is a little cramped for sure.

Let's go to a place with a nice view. Like the Nuaru Uplands. What do you think?

Yes...! Just as I thought, the breeze feels so good.

Hozuki... We got the jewel but you don't seem excited at all.

It's just... Yoko has been a part of me for such a long time, it might be lonely after it's gone.

Hmph. Expel me already. The time we've spent together has been a lifetime too long.

So that's Yoko?

It pains me to admit it... But your fried tofu wasn't half bad.

I'd accept some now as a farewell gift.

For once, be honest with yourself at a time like this. Unfortunately, we don't have any Oagesan now.

Hmph! Then let's get on with it!

Well then, in that case can you return to the jewel for me?

*sigh* I bet I could've sold this for a pretty penny without Yoko inside it.

So is Yoko expelled yet?

Yes...wait...I'm not sure. My body certainly feels lighter.

...Huh?

Isn't this the jewel from before that trader was terrified of?

Hehe, correct. Well remembered, Aldo.

Wait a second. Didn't you have this jewel from the beginning? Which means, you've already expelled Yoko! But why do you still have the ears and tail?

That's right. Well there are still 99 more Yokos to go.

Wait, 99 more?!

Oh, did I not mention it before? Originally there were 108 jewels in total.

Each jewel has Yoko inside, and my ancestors sold them all separately. That's why they are always in such a bad mood.

I swear you never mentioned this before.

So... if we don't find the other 99, we can't expel the Yoko?

Yep, and I've been searching forever to find them. But, I have to find them all before my time is up. I won't allow my descendants to inherent such a burden.

Hozuki...

I'll help you as much as I can. You can rely on me.

Hehe, such a curious fellow you are.

But it'll be a long while yet until I'm ready to have a family. So be patient, Aldo!

So you won't get married until you find all of them? ...That sounds pretty rough.

You seriously don't get how I feel about you... You're miraculously dull.

But that's so you, and that's what makes this game fun. Hehehe...