Child of the Mother Goddess

Huh?

Is that you, Garam? What are you doing here?

Oh, hello, Aldo.

I'm not up to much, to be honest. I was just a little lost in thought.

The plants around human settlements are so small. They're nothing like the plants in my home town.

But that building up ahead, a palace, was it? It's so enormous, and so ornate.

Humans and titans seem to have the complete opposite sense of scale between the natural and artificial.

Now that you mention it, you're a titan, aren't you, Garam?

I am. But as you know, I don't have the build of one.

I know I'm still tall by human standards, but...

You may be small for a titan, but you're still a great warrior. You and your lance have seen me through danger many a time.

Titans? I feel like I've heard that name before...

We are a tribe of people far, far larger than humans. We live above the towering Tree of Eternity.

Far, far larger...?

But I'm not so big. Is that what you're thinking?

Huh? Oh, umm... Well, I'd be lying if I said no...

Straight and to the point. You are such a frank man, Aldo.

As you can see, I don't have the build of a titan.

I know I'm still tall by human standards, but...

You may be small for a titan, but you're still a great warrior.

You and your lance have seen me through danger many a time.

Titans...?

We are a tribe of people far, far larger than humans. We live above the towering Tree of Eternity.

Far, far larger...?

But I'm not so big. Is that what you're thinking?

Huh? Oh, umm... Well, I'd be lying if I said no...

Straight and to the point. You are such a frank man, Aldo.

As you can see, I don't have the build of a titan.

I know I'm still tall by human standards, but...

You may be small for a titan, but you're still a great warrior.

You and your lance have seen me through danger many a time.

The titans are a people of a huge stature...like the Tree of Eternity?

You know them well. Aldo is right, the titans are a race of people many times the size of humans.

However...

But I'm not so big. Is that what you're thinking?

Huh? Oh, umm... Well, I'd be lying if I said no...

Straight and to the point. You are such a frank man, Aldo.

As you can see, I don't have the build of a titan.

I know I'm still tall by human standards, but...

You may be small for a titan, but you're still a great warrior.

You and your lance have seen me through danger many a time.

Now that you mention it, you're a titan, aren't you, Garam?

I am. But as you know, I don't have the build of one. I know I'm still tall by human standards, but...

But nothing. You're an excellent warrior, and I know that better than anyone after fighting you.

That does make me feel better.

The reason I started traveling...

......

Huh?

What's wrong, Garam? Why'd you go quiet?

There's one of them. It seems pretty worked up.

What?

It's over there. I'll go on ahead!

Go on ahead? What's he saying?

Ohhh nooo! Heeelp!

Was that a scream?!

Someone's being attacked by a monster! Did Garam sense this or something?

No, I can't just stand around talking to myself. I need to follow him!

D-Don't eat me! I-I taste terrible, I swear!

P-Please...stop!

You're not hurt, are you?

Who are you?

Let me deal with this monster first. Stay back.

O-Of course!

Monsters are children of this planet, too. I don't want to have to hurt you.

But you leave me no choice. I am sorry.

Garam!

There you are, Aldo! Will you give me a hand?

Sure! I've got to make up for being late!

Now, Garam!

I got him in his weak spot. He didn't suffer.

Thank you so much! I didn't think I was gonna make it...

What were you doing, sauntering around out here, with no guard, and no monster repellent? Very careless of you.

I-I...umm... I do have monster repellent. I often trade with the palace, you see...

But those monsters don't usually turn up around here. So I didn't think I'd need anything to ward them off.

He's right. I've only ever seen them on Keruri Highroad. What was one doing here?

I don't know. This has never happened before.

I think I get what's going on. You were returning home after trading in the palace, yes? Where do you live?

Umm... In Acteul...

Well, we can't leave you stranded here. Garam wouldn't have asked where you lived unless he was planning on escorting you home.

Really?!

Well, we've come this far, haven't we? I'm in no rush here.

Thank you so much! This really is a load off my mind!

I'm not surprised, after the day you've had.

Come on, let's head to Acteul.

Woohoo! I really did make it back alive!

I couldn't have gotten here without you! Thank you both so much!

It was nothing, really.

So no need to be so humble.

You were incredible, fighting that monster. I really was so lucky you were there!

But then... What if the same thing happens again?

And what was a Keruri Highroad monster doing on Derismo Highroad?

Come to think of it, the monster seemed a little frightened. It's not too much of a stretch to presume it had been chased out of its original territory.

Chased out? But by what?

I hear the whispers of mother goddess. This matter may seem insignificant, but if we leave things be, it will snowball until it eventually destroys the planet.

Mother goddess?

Titans are the children of mother goddess. I can't actually hear her voice, but it is our custom to place much value on these signs.

Wait a minute! You mean you're not human?!

I thought there was something mysterious about you, something I've not seen in other humans. So you're a titan...

A titan?!

You bunch... Did I hear that right? Who's this titan you're talking about, and where do I find him?

That would be me. Is there a problem?

You're the titan...? C'mon, that's a barefaced lie and you know it! You're a big fat liar!

Did you just call me a liar?

Hold on! Who are you, anyway?

Hmph! I'm a hunter. I travel the world, hunting monsters.

And what makes you say I'm not a titan, hunter?

Well...

Because my master is a titan! And he's the real deal!

Wait, is that a thing? Do titans take on human disciples?

I'm not sure. There aren't many titans who left home like me, but that's not to say there aren't any. Who's to say they didn't indulge in the odd whim on their travels?

Quit acting like you know everything there is to know about them!

Titans are known both as the tribe that rules this world, and as the gods of war. They have a huge build and incredible strength, far beyond compare with humans like us.

You're only a teeny bit taller than us. No way a little weakling like you is a god of war! And besides... I can barely sense in you the strength that emanates from my master. There! That's plenty of reasons why I don't believe you!

Okay... I understand where you're coming from.

Oh, how reasonable of you. Then take back what you said! Take back your claim of being a titan.

I'm not going to take it back. I don't need you to believe me. It's perfectly possible for me to be a titan, AND for you not to believe me. They're not mutually exclusive.

Tch! You're not gonna talk your way out of this by splitting hairs like that. You've insulted my master's pride, and that is unforgivable. No matter what, I will make you take it back.

Hey, you.

Huh? M-Me?

I hear monsters that don't belong around here have started roaming about these parts.

Are they causing you problems? I can sort it out for you!

Oh... I-I'd appreciate that, but...

You, fake titan. How about a little competition?

If you manage to sort out this issue first, I'll recognize you as a titan. But if I sort it first... You have to admit you were lying!

......

Well, I'll be on my way. You'd better get a move on yourselves.

But if you're gonna run off like cowards, I won't stop you!

What a bullheaded guy. There's no need to listen to what he said, Garam.

I'm going after him.

What?! You're accepting his challenge?!

I couldn't care less about his petty little competition.

But like I said, if we don't resolve this, it will snowball until it eventually destroys the planet.

Oh, right. Because titans place real value on signs like that.

Exactly. Let's go trace our steps.

Okay. Annoying as it is that we have to follow that hunter... If that's what you want to do, let's go back to Derismo Highroad.

Be careful, you two!

Take that!

You're late. Did a pretty good job, didn't I?

My master taught me everything there is to know about the titan way of fighting! That technique I just used, of instantly blasting the energy that lies within me...

Is one of their secret arts! It's rudimentary, yet nearly impossible to master.

Really?

(I used to use Fram frequently, but I didn't know it was that difficult to learn...)

Yes, he is correct in that. But to use that technique with a human body like his...he must be more skilled than I'd imagined.

You ain't seen nothing yet. But before that...

Here's an idea for you, liar. If you really were a titan, you could create a net out of your own energy no problem, right?

To what aim, exactly?

I'm giving you a chance. Find whatever's been chasing those monsters from their territory.

It's the perfect opportunity to prove that you're a titan.

......

Garam...

No, that won't be necessary.

......

How disappointing. You really are just a liar who happens to be kinda tall. You know what? I'm past the point of anger with you. If anything, I feel sorry for you.

Anyway, why don't I give you something to be jealous over? This is how...

You create a net of energy!

I see something! Just as I suspected, there are signs of a really strong monster up ahead!

Really?! Then why don't we...

No... You should turn back. It's for your own good.

What?!

You intend to take it by yourself?

You'll only get in the way.

Though, I suppose...

I do have the skills to protect you.

But if I waste my energy on you, I'll have less to attack with.

Basically, I'll be so much stronger on my own.

Do you understand? Go back. I won't blame you. But don't you dare spread those filthy lies about you being a titan ever again...

Say, Garam...

In truth, Garam could use an energy net, right?

It looks like he really can use that net of energy thing he was talking about.

Yes... It's a pretty basic skill. All titan warriors can use it.

Then why...

Titan techniques are not there to be shown off. And furthermore...

It's not something you just do on command.

What do you mean?

To be honest with you, I always have a net of energy laid around me, wherever I go.

Always...?

Wait, you mean...

What's wrong, Garam? Why'd you go quiet?

There's one of them. It seems pretty worked up.

What?

It's over there. I'll go on ahead!

Go on ahead? What's he saying?

Ohhh nooo! Heeelp!

When that monster attacked the merchant, you'd realized before he'd even screamed! You'd sensed it with this net thing of yours, right?

That's right. And right now, I'm sensing something huge...

This isn't good. If that hunter slips up, he'll be done for.

Done for?!

There's no time to go into detail now.

No, you're right. We'd better get to Keruri Highroad as fast as we can!

Tch... They're not giving me a break here.

We came to give you a hand!

You two? I thought I told you to go home!

It's okay. We don't need your protection. Garam's strong... And I can fight, too!

You can...? That I didn't know!

Here they come! At arms, everyone!

Hey! You're actually pretty good.

Watch out!

Ack...

Are you okay?!

Don't stick your nose...ack... Where it doesn't belong!

My energy net... It only senses enemies at my own level or lower. If it got caught in my net, then...

However tough the fight, it's got to be beneath me!

Told you so. That's all of them...

Not yet, it isn't!

What the...

Nrgh! No, this can't be... Am I done for? Here, of all places...

...?

It's too soon to give up.

F-Fake titan?! H-How did you...

Th-That's protection energy! There's so much of it.

B-But... Why did you save me?! When I've given you nothing but trouble this whole time!

What? You certainly do have a way with words...

But you went from reproaching me and judging me as powerless, to feeling you must protect me, all in the blink of an eye. That is proof that you have a good heart. You don't deserve to lose your life.

B-But if you use that much energy on protecting me, you won't have enough to...

That won't be a problem. For a titan warrior...

Handling energy is as natural as breathing.

......

......

......

Wha?! Th-This is crazy! You got it with just one stab!

Whoa! I knew you were strong, but I had no idea you were THAT strong.

Then you... You must be the real thing.

Real, fake, what does it matter? So long as I know in my heart that I am a titan.

Oh... My master used to say something like that.

Now that we've eliminated the source of this problem, we should get this man's wounds taken care of.

You're right. Let's go back to Acteul then. We should tell that merchant how it's gone, since he's kinda our client.

Really? So you used some "energy" thing to track down the monster causing all this trouble?

Yes, you don't need to worry now.

Thank you so much. By the way, where's that hunter?

Phew! I'm so glad you're safe, too.

......

You seem a little quieter than before.

Did you have a change of heart or something?

Hey! That's no way to speak to this fine man!

This fine man?! You've sure changed your tune. You're the one who was calling him a big fat liar just before!

Well, maybe so...

But that's all in the past now!

You sure are temperamental...

Garam, when you stood between me and the monster, it was like my master was there before me. I'm still chasing after him, trying to catch up with that huge back of his.

You...

You are so much smaller than a regular titan.

But that small frame of yours hides a power that easily rivals my master's. Perhaps even beats it flat out.

Can you ever forgive me for the horrible things I've said to you?

There's nothing to forgive. I never took any offense.

Wow. Not only are you strong, but you're honorable, too. How could I ever compete against that?

I've gotta go back to square one and retrain!

Haha. He sure seems different from when we first met him.

Honesty is strength. I'm sure he'll be much improved the next time we see him.

Umm... You know... I'd quite like to learn how to defend myself, too.

Garam, will you teach me how to use that energy thing?

I will not.

Whaaat?!

This technique isn't for sharing with outsiders. That hunter's master broke the rules.

Haha... Well I guess that settles it.

Indeed.

Right. I suppose I should get back to my travels.

Yeah, good point. We'll be on our way then.

Thank you so much! I'll never forget your kindness!