The Stone Tossed

Today's such a nice day. The sea breeze feels great and the village seems peaceful.

I cannot argue with that. Thank you for patrolling with me today, Aldo.

How about I treat you to a meal at the local tavern after we are done? You must be hungry.

Now you're talking! Maybe you could hear my stomach... I'm so hungry I could eat a Delish Fish Dish with a large portion of Rinde Sunfish by myself.

Well if you are so hungry, there is a tavern just...

Miss Bria...

Huh?

Who are you?

I have something to tell you about that man...

Really?!

Understood. I will head there straight away.

Please be careful.

Who was that man just now?

I am sorry, Aldo. It looks like I will have to take a rain check on the Delish Fish Dish.

Did something happen?

It is not a problem. In fact, it may be a blessing in disguise.

Do you remember that knight we caught the other day?

Yeah, the one that was spreading lies about Breeno.

It seems we finally obtained some information from him.

Really?! So, what happened?

Apparently, he was leaking information to a third party in order to bolster his position in his own inner circle.

And if this is true, he was going to make contact with this other party in the Rucyana Sands.

He did say something about how Breeno was interfering with his plans.

What could those plans be?

Well...

I think Breeno would agree that we should not involve you any further. I am off to the desert so let us postpone our meal for another time.

Well, I know what I need to do then...

I'm going with you to the desert no ifs, ands, or buts. Let's catch whoever's behind this so we can get something to eat.

Well then... You really will do just about anything to help others.

You make a sound like a bad thing. We're friends, aren't we? You can't go there by yourself.

There is no arguing with you.

Thank you. Let us make our way to the Rucyana Sands.

Let's go!

We should ask the Riftbreaker to take us there!

Hmm... It appears no one is here. Perhaps they have yet to arrive.

I guess we arrived too early.

Seems that way.

Aldo... I want to answer the question that you asked before.

What question are you talking about?

The one about these people's plans.

Though it was against my better judgement to bring you, it is not fair that you came this far without knowing the truth.

What do you mean?

The truth is...the reason that my family changed was because...

Some members of my family were abusing the power of the Prisma.

What were they trying to do?

Seems that way.

And why did that affect your whole family?

As you know, I am descended from dark elves.

You see, the reason we became this way is that... They abused the Prisma which led to the destruction of my ancestor's forest home.

You can destroy an entire forest like that?!

Well...

They used a secret magical spell to draw out too much power from the Prisma... The result was the land became corrupted and the forest died.

That's a terrible story...

Such taboos must not be repeated. And yet even as I say that, I still hear new stories of people abusing Prisma. That is why it is the responsibility of my family to stop those who would misuse Prisma.

I didn't realize that you shouldered such a burden.

Well, I guess I cannot say that this is all because of my family...

Huh? What are you trying to say?

It is nothing...

What was that noise?!

What the heck?!

Where did these monsters come from?!

No way...

Hmm... So that weakling sang like a bird just as I suspected.

Even a worm like him can serve a purpose though. The inside information he gave me was valuable.

Are you the one that man was going to contact?

Wait, you planned for all this?

I heard there were two rats poking around, a dark elf and an annoying human. I was ordered to take care of you two...

It's nothing personal though. You just got involved in something you shouldn't have.

Someone sent you here?

That's right. To be honest, this whole Prisma business means nothing to me.

So there is, in fact, someone trying to draw out power from the Prisma.

Darn it!

We've talked for too long. Would you both be kind and die quickly?

Haha... Don't be so angry. This is just a job. In fact, consider yourselves lucky...

I brought monsters from a faraway land just for you.

You should thank me for the opportunity to see them. Well then, it's about I got going.

Hold it!

Bria, there's nothing we can do about him! Let's take care of these monsters first!

Right! We are not going down so easily!

Looks like we managed to beat them all.

Well...

But it we're back to square one...

Do not give up so quickly.

Oh? Do you know something I don't?

We might be able to find the ones who hired that blabbermouth. He should be returning to his employer about now to report on our early demise. And he mentioned bringing those monsters from a faraway land...

You're right! He did say something like that.

I've seen those monsters before on the Eastern Continent in the Wicked Meadow.

Which means we know our next course of action... We must go to the Wicked Meadow and trace that man back to his employer. There is no guarantee that he will return there, but it is a place far from prying eyes. If we are lucky, he will plan a meeting somewhere there.

Sounds like that's our only hope. Let's go to the Wicked Meadow!

This is odd... He's late... This job's getting more annoying by the minute.

There he is!

What the, ?!

You did exactly as I predicted and returned here for your meeting.

This is impossible! How did you defeat my monsters?!

Did you really think that those monsters could beat us?

Darn it!

Where is the person that hired you?!

I'm so so sorry for the delay... Huh?

......

So many customers were coming to the dumpling shop that I lost track of the time.

Huh? Why are you all so interested in my work?

Oh! You bought some dumplings, didn't you?

Who's this guy?

Is he really the man who hired you?

......

Huh? Hey, this is weird. Why's the dark elf I ordered you to kill standing right in front of us?

Well, you see...

And I'm guessing that you let it slip that I was the one who hired you! You worthless piece of trash! You didn't do your job and now they know about me!

You know they wouldn't have found out if you'd been on time.

Both of these guys look like idiots right now. Hey you, are you really planning to use the Prisma for some nefarious reason?

What nefarious reason are you talking about?

We already heard about it!

It's simple, if I draw a lot of power from the Prisma... I'll have everything that I've ever wanted!

Do you both not realize what you are doing?! If you play around with Prisma, it could become unstable and corrupt the land...

That's just because your family didn't really understand how to use the Prisma, am I wrong?

This is bad...

Everything'll be fine. I won't make the same mistakes you did. You don't have to worry. Some of the high nobility in Miglance as well as Lord Genshin are very interested in the power of Prisma.

Lord Genshin wants this?! And the nobles in Miglance?!

As much as it pains me to admit, but there is a faction in Miglance that wants the power of Prisma for themselves.

And it sounds like Lord Genshin and the Eastern nobility are after it too.

You mean the lord of the Land of Mi, right? What a work of art he is.

I did not realize that all this had spread from Migleina to the East!

Lord Genshin never misses a scummy opportunity! No one can challenge his mastery of the scum! He saw the potential for my inner scumminess, which is why he introduced me to these guys!

Ninja!

......

I won't stop until I can breathe the sweet fumes of scumminess with Lord Genshin himself! Reveal yourself, my ninja forces!

Oh great, there's more of them...

Do you think sending monsters and ninjas is going to make any difference?

Yap yap yap! All you do is talk. Hahaha! Burn in the flames of the eternal scum!

Remind me of why I took this job? He's such an idiot. You guys take care of these two, but don't let your guards down.

Darn it!

Wait!

Bria?

What is it? Are you going to beg for your lives?

I have no intention of doing anything like that. I wanted to ask you something...

Do you love money?

What? Money?

That's right, money.

Bria, what's up? Why are you bringing up money suddenly?

...... Of course I like money. And I assume you have another question.

You are quite perceptive.

This is my second question. How would you like to work for me?

Interesting...

Wait, Bria! He's not just going to switch sides!

I know that already. That is why...

I am going to purchase their services.

Huh... Hahaha! Now I get it.

You're going to what?

So you wish to employ us?

That is what I intend to do.

Would you prefer to continue working for that piece of scum?

No, I can't say that I do.

Are you getting paid well enough by your current employer?

...... Haha... No, he's about as cheap as they come.

I don't know what to think about this...

I understand your pain all too well. We at the Order of the Fleareth are mercenaries too, you see.

Huh? Why did she suddenly bring up the Order of the Fleareth?

While we might call ourselves knights, in reality, we are just mercenaries. I am a knight in the service of an employer much like yourselves.

Is that right?

I see... Perhaps we're not so different, you and I.

That is why I am offering you this deal. I can offer you the money and respect that you rightfully deserve. What do you think?

......

Heehee Haha... I'm thinking that I'm glad I didn't kill you two back there.

(Has he really turned sides?!)

I can't agree to anything until I hear the amount. But if you can offer as much as you claim, then we may have a deal.

I told you I can do it, did I not? I thank you for listening to me. Shall we start the negotiations?

You know your stuff... We're under your orders now. We'll take care of your request.

I am counting on you all.

Understood. I'll tell you this as a little bonus... My former employer is usually holed up in the Temple Ruins tinkering with the Prisma.

He already has the Prisma?!

If you go now, there should be enough time to stop him.

Th-That was awesome... You really convinced them to join us.

This is just a business arrangement. I would not say that they are on our side. They will do what we ask of them, this time.

What did you ask them to do?

If I did that... It would ruin the surprise.

Oh, come on!

Right now, it is time that we made our way to the Temple Ruins. If we allow him to play around with Prisma, I do not want to think about what could happen.

Right, let's get moving to the Temple Ruins!

Huhuhu... Keep your hands clean and take care of those in your way. And I managed to save a lot of money by holding out on those ninjas... And I got my hands on this Prisma using the money I saved! I am the greatest scum alive!

Well then, let's see how I can use the Prisma next!

There you are!

He has the Prisma!

What the, ! How can you be here?! Could the ninjas have failed?!

Those ninjas decided that they didn't wanna work for you anymore.

Are you serious?! Darn it! Those traitorous worms! I'll hire more ninjas to take care of those ninjas later!

You had it coming. But right now you need to stop your stupid actions! You will destabilize the Prisma if you continue to mess with it!

Destabilize-smabalize! You don't get it. If I destabilize the Prisma, it will change into Chaos Prisma! That'll get me even more bang for my buck!

Are you mad?! Do you not understand how much danger you are putting yourself in?!

He's not listening to us.

Anyway... I'm far from finished, but here's a sample of what I can do so far!

Say hello to my little friend! The Prisma Creature!

This is a Prisma Creature?!

I was able to enhance one of the monsters here using the Prisma. Let's see what it can do! Go, take care of these annoying interlopers!

There's no way!

Are you ready to give up yet? If you do not stop abusing Prisma, then something terrible might happen to you...

It's not over! Did you think I could be stopped so easily?!

This guy's nothing but trouble!

Aldo, stop! There is no need to chase him.

Huh?

We already defeated the Prisma monster that he created. We might as well relax and enjoy a meal at the tavern.

I am so sorry for dragging you along on an empty stomach.

Are you sure it's okay to let him go? He didn't look like he was giving up.

There is no need to worry... Trust me.

Everything has been taken care of.

Really? I guess I'll just have to take you at your word. I remember a pretty good tavern over in Izana. We should head there.

The Eastern food here is exceptional. No matter how much I eat here I just crave more and more.

Yeah, it was good, but I think I ate too much.

That is a good thing, is it not? You are still a growing boy.

You better not be calling me a child again.

Well anyway, you told me to just let that guy get away. But whatever happened to him?

Huh? Oh! You want to know about that. You will know soon enough. The threat in the East is over. But there is still that faction in Miglance.

You still don't have any information on them?

Not yet. It is quite annoying not knowing anything about them. Breeno and I are working on this together...

Because you're family, right?

Breeno is trying to redeem our family for their mistakes. Unlike my own mixed blood, Breeno is a pure dark elf.

What do you mean by mixed blood?

......

One of my parents is a dark elf and the other one was an elf.

You have both dark elf and elf parents?

Yes, and in many ways I am closer to my elven blood. I age at the same rate as elves and therefore have already lived a long time.

I didn't know that.

But then... What about Breeno?

He is my half-brother. That is why both of his parents are dark elves.

So, that's how you can be related but have different blood.

Honestly, I wonder if there is a place in this world for someone like me. That is why I stay away from my hometown, and have watched over Breeno for a long time.

Bria... Why don't you talk to Breeno about everything?

What are you talking about?

Ask Breeno what he thinks about you.

What?! No way! I mean, what if he says something bad about me...

Haha, I don't think you have anything to worry about.

Hmm... But then again, Breeno isn't one to show his true feelings either...

What are a blabbering about?! I will protect him because he is family! That is all!

*grumble mumble* Bored bored bored bored! I'm so bored! I need another fresh, hot-blooded scum! I'm crazy bored! How can I entertain myself...

Oh yeah! Whatever came of that prisma thing that I was interested in for about two seconds? Can those jerks on the Migleina Continent really draw power from them?! I don't believe it! Why can't they just be good boys and girls and accept scumminess into their hearts?!

Lord Genshin!

Hm? Are you...

Please listen, Lord Genshin! I've been working on the Prisma plan to continue our scummy plans... But for reasons that're not my fault at all, the ninjas turned on me and everything fell apart!

What nonsense is this?!

This is very irritating, but that's the way things go sometimes...

You must perform even more scummy things against them! Muahahahaha!

Oh, Lord Genshin! You are so cool and magnificent!

Hm... The more you praise me, the more I wish to hear! Never stop saying nice things about me. Come closer... I'll tell you our next plan...

Of course!

So that's all it takes to get close to you.

Wh-Who are you?!

Y-You guys! What're you doing here?! I still haven't forgiven you for, !

You want an apology? Hah, you really do have something wrong with you. We came back for a simple reason...

To pay you back for all the wonderful "favors" you did for us!

Mommmmmmy, !

Ah, here he comes. Right on schedule.

What're you talking about?

Aaaaaaaaaah!

What in the world?!

Did that really just happen?!