What Must be Cut Down

Grandpa! Grandma!

Now now, my boy. What brought about that big smile?

Listen to this! I finally did it!

I'm a full-fledged woodcutter now!

Wh-Whatever do you mean?!

Don't tell me you chopped down a tree around here, did you?

No Grandpa! It's not like that! Not around here.

If it wasn't around here... Oh dear... then was it in Elzion?

C'mon, Grandma! I said it's not like that!

Haha... Well, I expected this reaction.

Don't worry. Philo hasn't cut down anything he shouldn't have.

Say, Philo. Didn't you have something to show them?

Oh yeah! You're right!

Heehee... I was so excited that I totally forgot about it.

Uh, here it is! Take a look!

Let's see... This tree is...!

Did you really cut it down, Philo?!

Yup! I did! I cut it down myself!

Well, to be more accurate, it's a monster that takes the form of a tree.

I can't believe that you were able to achieve your dream so quickly, my boy.

This calls for a celebration!

Look, Philo. They are both really happy for you.

Hehe... I couldn't have done it without you, Aldo!

Since you were a little boy, no one could ever doubt your enthusiasm for trees.

I remember you even swinging sticks at trees back when you were still in diapers.

But I was shocked when your first word was "woodcutter."

We had only heard about woodcutters in ancient records.

I can just imagine how it looked when Philo managed to cut down that tree.

How I wish I was there to see our little Philo look so brave.

There, there. Just seeing the tree is enough to make us cry for joy.

Aww, Grandpa... Grandma...

Philo?

Aldo... I really really want Grandpa and Grandma to see me cut down a tree!

Um... I know you want to... But you're not allowed to cut down a tree in this era, right? Plus, it's not like we can take them with us on the Synth Hydra to another time.

Yeah, I suppose you're right...

Oh! How about this?! What if I cut down the World Tree?!

Absolutely not!

And how do you even think you can do it?!

It's simple! What are trees made of? Wood! What am I? A wood...cutter! Therefore, I can cut down any tree.

Your logic amazes me.

(Either way, he still can't cut down a real tree. What are we supposed to do?)

Alrighty! Let's gooo!!

Hold on! I think I have an idea!

Really? You do?!

Of course, my tree felling friend. You said that you tried to cut down trees in Nilva and Elzion, right?

Yup, sure did! People got reeally mad!

Then why not try Laula Dome? Somethings gotta be there.

Wow! You're so smart Aldo!

Grandpa! Grandma! Can you come along with us?!

Why yes, of course.

We want to see our little boy in his moment of glory.

Alright, then. It's settled.

Yeah! Next stop, Laula Dome!

Woah!

So...so...natural around here! Trees and bushes! I'm getting hyped up!

Alright, here we are. No way we can get into trouble here.

Great! I've never tried cutting trees down around here!

Well, here goes! I'm gonna chop it up lickety-split!

Woah woah, hold on! People will definitely get mad if you cut down trees here!

Awww... Then, what am I supposed to cut down?

Well...Umm...

Look, there's one over there!

Over where?

Wait, do you mean that wheat? That's not a tree, right?

Y-Yeah, it's wheat... Indeed, it's thinner than trees! But it'd be really cool if you're able to cut all this wheat at once!

......

And... Umm... It's harvest season so people will be super happy if you help cut it for them.

Well...

(No way this works.)

Well... you know Aldo...

You're a genius! That's the most awesomest idea you've ever said!

Um...

I mean, wheat is a plant after all.

So it's not crazy to say they're the same!

Chopping through so many trees like this in one swipe is like so cool!

And it'll help these people too.

This is totally the best idea ever!

Y-Yeah... Well I'm just glad that you're happy.

I'm sure Philo can at least chop down wheat... Can't he?

Alright, I'll go get Grandpa and Grandma!

I'm almost speechless. I can finally witness your growth with my own eyes. I thank my fate for letting me live this long.

Little Philo, give it your all!

Alright! Watch this!

*grunt* Hnnnngah!

Must remember my training... "Like a brother!"

Philo!

Little Philo!

Philo, my boy!

Waaaaaaaaaahhh!!

Owch.

Philo! Are you okay?

Did you hurt yourself?

I-It's... It's okay.

How is that even possible? How can you swing that huge ax around and not even cut one piece of wheat?

Grandpa, Grandma... I'm sorry. You came all this way and I couldn't even cut down a tree...

This wasn't the way it was supposed to be... *sob*

It's alright, little Philo. I could tell that you really gave it your all.

That's right. We will never forget how brave you looked.

But... But I...!

Aldo! Please take me back to your time again!

I don't know about that...

I just want to show Grandpa and Grandma how cool I can be! I think we can find a way back in your time.

O-Okay...

It's hard to say no to you.

In fact, as far as I remember, there's a skillful woodcutter who takes care of the royal hunting ground woods near Unigan. He might be able to help you better than the man in Baruoki.

Really?! How awesome would that be! I can't wait to meet him.

I thought you would say that. Well then, we best get going.

Grandpa, Grandma. Can you go back to Nilva for now?

I just need a little more time to figure this out. But next time, I'll do it for sure!

Oh... I've no idea where you're off to, but take care of yourself.

Will do. Thanks Grandpa!

Okay Aldo! Let's go to Unigan!

Dear, I fear that Philo can't cut down a tree because of you-know-what.

Yes honey. Probably it's all because of you-know-what...

Aldo! Hey Aldo! Where can we find Mr. Woodcutter?

Let me see... We got here all right, but where could he be?

Hmm... Well, if he's a woodcutter, he'll be holding an ax, right?

So, let's ask everyone who's holding an ax! It's so simple.

Well, just because they're woodcutters, I don't think they'll be walking on streets carrying around an ax all the time...

Huh?

How many times have I told you? I am not a mercenary.

How many times have I told you? I am not a mercenary.

But you can protect me from monsters with that ax, can't you? So why can't I hire you as a mercenary?

I may use an ax, but I am faaar from a mercenary, my friend. Actually, I'm a...

I may use an ax, but I am faaar from a mercenary, my friend. Actually, I'm a...

B-Benedict?!

That ax... You must be a woodcutter!

You've got keen eyes, little guy.

You've got keen eyes, little guy.

The name's Benedict. And as you probably noticed...

I'm just your regular shmegular woodcutter.

Ack! What's with these superhuman moves?!

Heeeeelp!

Wow! Aldo! I think I found the royal woodcutter that we were looking for!

I'm sorry. Did we get in the way of something?

Oh, don't worry about it. That person just mistook my profession.

But more importantly, you two are looking for a woodcutter, aren't you?

That's right! We're looking for a skilled woodcutter who is supposed to live in Unigan.

I see. Unfortunately, I am no such skilled woodcutter.

I'm just your regular shmegular woodcutter.

W-W-Wow!

Aldo! Look at how fearless he is!

He's the one! This man is a true, pro woodcutter!

Hmm... Is he?

Mr. Benedict! Please allow me to call you my master!

You wanna become a woodcutter?

Yes! My whole life I've been practicing swinging an ax!

Watch this! Here goes! Hrnngah!

......

...Wrong!!

Whaa?! What did I do wrong?

You don't understand the very fundamentals of woodcutting.

The ax to a woodcutter is as the blade to a samurai.

...It's like an armor. It is not to be flaunted nor flung around so frivolously.

Y-Yes sir! Master Benedict!

Right, I'll teach you the ABCs of becoming a woodcutter. If you are ready, come with me to Rinde.

The ABCs?

I'm so ready to learn! Let's go, Aldo!

O-Okay... If that's what you want, Philo. I'm not gonna stop you.

But Rinde is a port town. I'm not so sure about this...

Wooood-cutter Wooood-cutter Master Beni's a wooood-cutter!

Wooood-cutter Wooood-cutter Master Beni's a, Wait...

Master Benedict, huh? Why does that name sound so familiar?

What is it, Philo?

N-Nothing... It's fine! All's good!

Really? Well, okay then.

Yup! Well then, let's follow Master Benedict! Next stop, Rinde!

Master Benedict! I'm ready to learn the ABCs of becoming a woodcutter!

Right, but don't think of me as a boring lecturer or something.

Try cutting that.

What? The trees growing around here, you mean?

...Wrong!!

Eek! W-Wrong? How?

Obviously, what you're supposed to cut is...

...That lighthouse you see over there!

What?!

What do you mean, Master Benedict?! That's not even a tree!

You're darn right, it's no tree... So what?

Are you telling me that you can't cut it? What happened to all that enthusiasm you had before?

W-Well...

Fine, then. If you can't do it...

...Then I will!

Why would you do that?!

Don't! That's a public building!

Hm... You intend to stop me, huh? I see. So you've changed your mind. You're willing to cut it down yourself, eh?

Huh?! You really are bent on pushing this thing, huh?

Fine. In order to determine who is worthy to cut down that lighthouse...

We shall battle!

Ugh...!

I see that you are determined to cut down that lighthouse...

Uh, not really...

Victory is yours. The defeated has no right to speak to the victorious on the battlefield.

Now you may slice down that lighthouse with everything you've got!!

We told you we aren't going to do that...

What...?!

I get it. That the lighthouse is not good enough for you, huh?

Then, you must follow the ancient tradition and cut me down!

We're not doing that either!

Hmm. If you insist, I cannot force you.

I suppose you have something more worthy of cutting down, huh?

...Hey little guy!

Y-Yes sir!

Here's a tip from a true woodcutter. That which you're meant to cut, you must cut down in one fell swoop; that which you're not meant to cut, you must refrain from cutting. You must remember this, and cut that which you are meant to cut down.

That which I'm meant to cut down?

No matter how massive it is... The essence of woodcutting says you must cut it down nonetheless. And a real man finds the grandest thing he can dream of and attempts to cut it down with no hesitation!

What did I just listen to?

Aldo, it's all so clear now!

You're kidding me! You got all that?

Yep! Master Benedict's words helped me realize something.

I now see the preconception that was lying hidden deep within me... Once I throw that aside, I can truly find that which I must cut down...

Yeah... Okay... Well as long as you're figuring it out, that's all that matters, Philo.

Yup! So, let's head back to Nilva where Grandpa and Grandma are waiting!

*joyous humming*

Hey Philo. Is this spot really the best place to meet them?

Yep! This place is one of my favorites!

Ooh, I can't wait for Grandpa and Grandma to get here!

Haha! I can tell just how much you love your grandparents.

Speaking of which, where's your mother and father?

Well um...

Actually... I don't have any parents.

Oh, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have asked.

No, it's totally fine!

Apparently, Grandpa and Grandma found me as a baby and took me in. ...So as you can imagine, I don't remember anything about my mom and dad.

...I see.

Heheh... Sorry, that got a little too personal.

No, no... Philo, I can relate to your story very well.

Really? You too?

When I was a kid, I traveled from Elzion and landed back in Baruoki through a spacetime rift... Then, me and my sister Feinne were taken in by the village mayor, and he raised us.

Wow! So you've never met your parents either...

Maybe you came to this time through a spacetime rift too, Philo.

I traveled through spacetime?!

Well, it's certainly possible.

Woah! I've never even thought that I could have traveled through spacetime!

Oh, oh! So then, if I am actually a spacetime baby, what era did I even come from?! Could I have come from your time? Or maybe from an even older one...

Hmm, my guess would be antiquity. You have such remarkable strength for being so small, so maybe you were like a dinosaur child or something!

I-I'm a-a dinosaur?! That's crazy, w-w-what do I do?!

Hahaha! I was just kidding!

No matter where you came from, and no matter what your past is, you are still you.

I am... me?

Philo! My boy!

Hey! Grandpa, Grandma!

This time, I became a woodcutter for real.

Oh little Philo... About that...

We kept going back and forth about whether to tell you the truth...

What do mean?

It hurts us to tell you this, Philo, since you have always wanted to become a woodcutter...

But keeping this a secret any longer would be even more cruel.

Philo... You will never be capable of cutting down a tree.

Huh?

What do you mean? Do you know something about this?

We found you at the base of the World Tree, Philo. From an early age, for some reason you couldn't pull out a single blade of grass...

But you could pick me and your Grandpa up so easily with those tiny arms of yours.

You can't harm plants, Philo. That must surely be the destiny of one who is under the protection of the World Tree.

So that's why you've been having trouble... You can't become a woodcutter or even a-a gardener... *sob*

The destiny of the one protected by the World Tree? That means... if that's true, Philo will never...

...Be able to cut down a tree?

My boy...

Little Philo...

That's... that's just...

...No problem at all!!

Say what?!

B-But, you won't be able to cut down any trees, you know?! You can't become that woodcutter you've dreamed of becoming!

Nope, that's not true. Master Benedict helped me realize something.

The thing these hands are meant to cut is not necessarily a tree. So I can be a woodcutter even if I don't cut a single tree. I will still become a woodcutter!

Philo...

But right now, I'm still too weak.

Just hold on for a little longer. Soon, you'll see with your own eyes what I am destined to cut!

Well, of course. We'll be there no matter how long it takes.

That's right, I look forward to it.

Heheh! Thanks!

And a real man finds the grandest thing he can dream of and attempts to cut it down with no hesitation!

Isn't that right, Master Benedict? I finally get it. It's darkest at the base of the lighthouse! It's been right under my nose!

The thing that I'm meant to cut... Must be...

Xeno-Domain!

Whuuuuuuuuuuuatt?!