Duet of Swords and Wings

Blup?

Bliiip-blep...blipple...

Is Moke scavenging for food, again?

Stop it, Moke! I just gave you something to eat... Carry on like this and you're bound to get yourself lured away and kidnapped by bad people who'll want to sell you off.

I can't deny it, that could happen...

Bli-blup?

I get the feeling Moke is always eating something. Its stomach'll get enormous at this rate.

Well that would be a little frightening.

You said the other day that it's just Moke, and he simply decided to follow you... But do you really not know anything about it?

Of course I don't.

W-well, just because we've seen similar species in Uncharted Region Verdot...

Aside from its origin and its weird cry, we know nothing! I couldn't find anything, even checking through all the old documents I could find.

I traveled all over for my missions, but I've never seen such a weird looking creature. I'm not even sure if there are any other members of its species.

(Which means Moke's an incredibly rare creature...)

I've never allowed anyone to come with me before! But Moke...

Haha... Moke is quite attached to you, isn't it?

Look at that face, Aldo. You ever seen anything like it?

Blup! Blipple...blep...

......

......

Don't get lost for words now!

Bleep...!

Blipple!

Hey! Moke! Where're you going?!

Urgh! Stop wandering off on your own, Moke!

Running off as soon as it sees food... What a greedy creature! Hehehe.

Running off as soon as it sees food... What a greedy creature! Hehehe.

Oh! Is that you, Rosetta?!

Yes, it's me!

Urgh!

What's all this? Why are you backing away like that?

It's been a while, Thillelille.

Urgh! Y-Yes, it has.

Is that Rosetta?! What brings you here?

Just happened to be in the area.

But please don't frown like that, Thillelille. You don't need to be so cautious. It's not like I came here to interrogate you.

Interrogate?

Oh yeah. If I remember rightly, it's your job to investigate people who hold the wrong beliefs, isn't it, Rosetta?

You're absolutely right. I feel honored that you would have remembered such a thing.

Besides, Rosetta. Let's get down to business! What exactly did you want with me?

Rosetta? So the two of you know each other?

Yes indeed. We're from the same order, you see.

Thillelille... Who is this?

It's nice to meet you. I'm Rosetta. I belong to the same order as Thillelille.

The same order, eh? Then you came over as a missionary from the western continent, too?

No, Rosetta's an inquisitor. Hard to imagine she's here for missionary work.

So answer me this, Rosetta! Why exactly are you over here?!

Please don't frown like that, Thillelille. You don't need to be so cautious. It's not like I came here to interrogate you.

Interrogate?

Oh yeah. If I remember rightly, it's your job to investigate people who hold the wrong beliefs, isn't it, Rosetta?

You're absolutely right. I feel honored that you would have remembered such a thing.

Besides, Rosetta. You still haven't answered me! What exactly did you want with me?

Interrogate?

Oh yeah. If I remember rightly, it's your job to investigate people who hold the wrong beliefs, isn't it, Rosetta?

You're absolutely right. I feel like we've had this conversation before.

Besides, Rosetta. You still haven't answered me! What exactly did you want with me?

Interrogate?

Rosetta's an inquisitor...

In other words, she investigates whether there are any believers interpreting the teachings of our order in the wrong way.

So... She talks to people who have misunderstood the teachings, and corrects their views?

Basically, she's the least relevant person you could find for someone as faithful and altruistic as myself.

Besides, Rosetta. You still haven't answered me! What exactly did you want with me?

Truth is... The Winged Child seems to be in trouble.

What?! Th-The Winged Child? She's in trouble?!

What kind of trouble?! Tell me everything!

My, my, there's no need to get yourself worked up. Do calm down.

It seems she took on a pretty tough mission, and she's having trouble dealing with it.

A tough mission...

Just this once, the Winged Child might actually be in danger. As her rival, I thought this might make you happy.

No matter how intense their rivalry, Thillelille isn't the kind of girl who'd take pleasure in her rival being in danger...

Tee-hee-hee...

Thillelille? Why are you laughing? Don't tell me you really are happy about this?!

Finally...

The time has finally come! I can show the Winged Child my true power! My very presence will ensure there's not even the slightest chance she can fall into any danger!

Tee-hee-hee...! Tee-hee-hee...!

Erm...what? That's what you meant?

There's no time to lose! We must make haste to get to her!

Hey, Thillelille! Don't forget to ask where we should be going first!

Bli-bleep?!

Blipple-blep...

Blepple...

Moke's worried, too...

Heheheh... When it comes to the Winged Child, Thillelille's always running at full speed. Her troops are based in Acteul. Will you pass that on to Thillelille for me?

Thanks, Rosetta. I'd better catch up with her!

Tee-hee. May blessings be upon you!

All right then. I'd prefer not to get ourselves in a difficult situation, but...

There's no need to worry!

Huh?

The reincarnation of the Sword-wielding Savior has arrived! I'm here to help, Melina!

All right then. I'd prefer not to get ourselves in a difficult situation, but...

There's no need to worry!

Huh?

The reincarnation of the Sword-wielding Savior has arrived! I'm here to help, Melina!

Why are you here, Thillelille?

Tee-hee-hee! Thank you for asking! I heard the Winged Child was in reaaal trouble. I just had to run on over!

How'd you get wind of that?

And why is Aldo with you?

Haha... It's complicated.

And who's this?

I'm Aldo. It's a long story, but I've been traveling with Thillelille.

Melina! I heard you were up the creek without a paddle! So...

So I, the Sword-wielding Savior, will help! Just for you!

I wouldn't go that far. It's only a little bit of bother.

But never mind that. It's better to have all the help we can get. Since you're here, you may as well get to work.

I see you still can't be upfront with me. You'd be better off admitting straight away that you need my help.

You can rest easy now, Melina! With me in command, everything will be a walk in the park!

I will be in command.

What?! Why?!

It's only natural. It's me who was given this case from headquarters, so it stands to reason that it's me who takes command.

But I ran all the way here...

Why would I need to hand over my right of command to someone who turns up uninvited?

Thillelille... I think she's right...

Gah! You're on her side, Aldo?!

If you don't agree, you don't need to help out. Though, we do need someone to help... But I could always ask Prai instead of you.

What?! How could you choose Prai over me?!

Prai will listen to orders and actually obey them.

Y-You can't! There's no point if Prai...

Urgh! Fine. I graciously back down.

Okay. Then follow my command.

I've gotta do what I've gotta do to finish this quest and achieve my goals.

Achieve your goals?

It's nothing. Don't worry about it, Melina.

Well then. Regarding our mission... A vast number of monsters that don't usually inhabit the area have appeared on Keruri Highroad. Our mission is to defeat the monsters and find out the reason for their sudden increase.

Perchance... Have you still not worked out the reason for this, Melina?

That's right.

Tee-hee-hee! This is a golden opportunity! Melina! Let's have a competition! Whoever finds out the reason first, wins!

Competition?

I may have let you have the right of command, but my abilities far eclipse yours, and now I'll prove it to you.

Talking yourself up, aren't you?

*sigh*...Do as you wish. As ever, your pointless activities are in inverse proportion to your actual abilities...

They're not pointless! The day will surely come when you will realize this for yourself, Melina!

Every single action I take is to achieve my ambition! Okay, let's go, Moke!

Bleep! Bliiiiple!

There she goes again...!

Moke's asleep...

Don't mention it. We've all got to help each other out.

We're off too. Let's get this sorted quickly.

Moke, you coming with us?

Bli-bleep?

Blep...?

No, this way, Moke. We've got to go to Keruri Highroad...

Blup! Bliiiiple!

Is Moke... Still half asleep?

The monsters mainly seem to be gathering around here.

Look over there!

That's a lot of monsters!

I'll get rid of them, right away!

We're going after her.

Let's do this!

Bow down before me!

Hmph! This is absurd! At this rate, I could take down most of these monsters myself...

Bleep!

Blip-blip! Blepple-blup!

Get out of my sight!

Blep!

Noah... You did well. But it's dangerous to make yourself a decoy. Don't do it again, you'll get me worried.

Blep!

Grrrr...! Moke! If you're going to be at my side, you should be that useful!

......

Darn, there's more!

I'll mow 'em all down this time!

Hyaaah! Take this!

Hmph! I'll get through these in no time...

Argh! There really are a lot of 'em!

Thillelille! A little help!

Huh?!

What was that?

Something isn't right...

You lot! I'll leave this to you!

Agh! We're focused on this right now!

Look, Melina! Look at all these footprints! So many prints... And it looks like they were all running in the same direction!

There's no way those monsters we just faced were all there is.

Perhaps these monsters are all headed in this direction...

And besides...

There's a faint sweet smell in the air!

You can smell it too? Then there's no mistake. This must be...

Everyone! Take up your weapons and make way!

Huh? Thillelille?!

We'll explain later. Hurry!

I knew it...

There's no longer any doubt about it.

What's this all about? So the monsters have a set course...

They have an objective. They're all of one mind, heading for the end of this road.

It's incredibly faint, but there's a peculiar sweet smell wafting in from the end of the road. Most likely, there's something drawing the monsters in. Likely something alive.

We'll know it when we see it. For now, we should follow the smell.

Noah, your sense of smell is far better than us humans. Lead the way, if you will.

Blipple-blep!

You should follow Noah's example, Moke. You're worse than completely useless when you follow me around...

Blup...!

Over here!

Right in the heart of Keruri Highroad. Hurry, follow Noah!

...... ...... ......

Bleep...?

What an intense smell! I didn't realize it before, but the air's full of that sweet fragrance now...

And just like that, I'm now the favorite in our little competition! Get a hold of yourself, Aldo!

Blup...!

Look. Over there!

That monster...? What is it...

It's luring out prey with that sweet smell... And eating all that prey's made it so much bigger and stronger, it's in a different league altogether! A rare individual, you could say it's some kind of mutant. And for it to be living here...

This is undoubtedly the reason for the increase in monsters. It must have already eaten a fair number of them. The more it eats, the bigger it gets, ad infinitum...

If it gets any bigger, it'll cause serious damage to the town and townspeople!

Argh! This is pretty bad!

I don't see the tiniest problem here!

I will eliminate this monster before things get ugly.

It looks pretty strong!

But it must be close to its limits. If we push it now...

Melina! It's too dangerous!

Phew...

Ooh...?! I-I can't see...

Thillelille!

Why did you...!

Oh dear...Thillelille!

Blep! Bliiiiple!

Blup...

Mo... Moke...?

Did you... Did you sacrifice yourself for Thillelille?!

Moke... Moke!

Oh no... Moke! Moke, open your eyes! Why... How could... You're messing with me, aren't you? Right, Moke?

Thillelille...

Moke would never be defeated by something like this! It's gonna get up like it always does, with that stupid look on its face. Aren't you? Hey... Moke!

Don't, Thillelille... I'm sure Moke felt proud that it was able to protect you.

*sob* *sniffle* If only I'd known... I would have praised it so much more! I was jealous of Noah! That must be why Moke acted so rash! Everything... Everything.... EVERYTHING is all my fault!

Thillelille. Moke did its best to protect you because it cared for you.

B-But... How can I live in a world without Moke?!

I want more time! I want more time with Moke! What's the point in living without Moke?!

What the...?!

No way... Moke's coming around?!

Moke?!

Blep-blep! Blipple!

Moke! Oh Moke! I don't think I've ever been so happy in my entire life!

We'll be together forever now! Right, Moke?

Bleep♪

Blepple!

Oh dear...Thillelille!

Blup!

You gave me such a fright! I want you to stop that right now!

Moke?! Don't go behind me like that! You'll get in the way while I'm fighting!

Blipple-blup?!

Blep...

Moke? What's...

Bli-bleep...

Blup...!

Moke...

......

...... Moke?!

This doesn't make sense! What was that just now?!

You lot. You must pay attention.

We've finally finished this.

Darn it! She's stolen it away from me!

Stop it, Moke! You're distracting me! Why are you acting so strange all of a sudden?!

......

Moke? Moke, why aren't you... Why aren't you replying?

Could it be?!

Moke... No...?!

You really are completely useless! You decide to follow me, then you decide to leave me... In no way shape or form are you a good pet.

I'll make you a grave site. That's how compassionate I am! I'm kind...aren't I? Oh... *sniffle*

Bleep!

Moke?! What?! How did you?!

Moke... It looks like it was playing dead this whole time.

Huh?

What's going on?! Moke! What do you think you're doing?!

Blup? Blipple-blep!

Huh... Why am I feeling so much more emotional than normal?!

And why didn't you tell me right away, Aldo?! I cried for nothing!

When I checked to see if it was breathing, I heard strange noises... Whizzing and whooshing... Looks like I got a bit distracted by them for a while...

Urgh! It doesn't make any sense!

*sigh* That's enough. We'll go back to report.

Let's go, Noah.

Bleep!

Hey, wait a minute! How can you just leave, Melina? You're so cruel! After I defeated that vicious monster for you, don't you have anything to say to me?

It was really helpful having you here.

Huh...?

You certainly contributed to the defeat of these monsters, and I'll be mentioning your name in my report to headquarters. And now I'll be off.

......

It all worked out well in the end, right Thillelille?

......

Thillelille...?

Tee-hee-hee... Tee-hee-hee!

I helped! She said I was helpful! My incredible work helped the Winged Child!

We can return in triumph, Aldo! Let's return to Acteul and feast in the tavern!

Thillelille sure seems happy.

You coming with us, Moke?

Bleep!

Tee-hee-hee! I can't wait for my food! What I really want is a chilled Mesaiomato Salad...

Just thinking about it makes me smile!

You like chilled Mesaiomato Salad, do you, Thillelille?

I've never actually tried it! But... According to Melina, it's quite exquisite! Thickly cut slices of Mesaiomatoes with a delicate sprinkling of salt...

Melina?

Oops, did I say Melina? I meant everyone. Everyone, yeah, that's it...

You don't need to hide it from me. You said Melina is your destined rival, but when you actually talk normally, you seem surprisingly close. During the mission, when you'd both worked out what was lurking in within, you two were so in sync...

C-C-Close?! You've misunderstood, terribly! She and I are eternally bitter rivals!

Thillelille? Why are you so desperate to compete with Melina?

Um... Well...

It's all her fault! I was always the child prodigy of our order...

Then she just appeared out of nowhere and stole it all away! And so long as she was around, I was only ever second best, no matter how hard I tried...

She was even extolled by the adults as the Winged Child!

Thillelille...

That's why I decided to prove my own strength! Prove that I am so much more amazing than the reincarnation of the Winged Child could ever be! Because I'm the reincarnation of the Sword-wielding Savior!

That's why... Melina isn't really as amazing as me... That's why... That's why...

That girl...

Thillelille...?

Urgh enough of this! Now I feel really down! I need to eat lots of delicious things to build up my strength so I can achieve my ambition!

You mentioned that during the mission. What is your ambition, exactly?

Stop it, Aldo! We don't need to think about that right now! Food is much more important!

Bleep...! Blipple-blup...

Moke, you were useless before, so I'm not giving you anything.

Bleep?!

Don't worry, Moke. I'll share mine with you.

Blepple-blip...

Barkeep! I'd like to order some more! I'll take the Freshly Caught Fish Platter, the Soft Steamed Duck Potato, and the Glazed Bubble Chicken Teriyaki...

Wait, Thillelille... Can you really eat all that?!

This is just the beginning! I'm going to conquer this whole menu today!

Blep...