To Fight Is To Deceive

And blam! The king and the hero Aldo whooped the Beast King and peace returned to Unigan!

Heh. Is that right? Sounds like there's some pretty impressive people on this continent. (The beasts set their capital on fire? That's not history as I remember it.) (Then this really is a different...)

Oh! Look! There he is!

Hey, what's going on? Need my help or something?

Nope! We were just talking about you, Aldo!

Ah, so you're Aldo? I've been hearing a lot about you. So you're the hero who drove back the Beast King and protected the city.

It's a rare honor to be known as a hero in this day and age.

And who might you be?

Oh, how rude of me. I'm Shion, a tactician from a faraway land.

Is that you, Shion? I didn't expect to see you here in Unigan.

Lunch time!

Coming! See you later, mister!

You can hear the rest of the story from Aldo himself!

I will. Thanks for taking the time to talk to me.

So, why did you want to know about me?

As you can probably guess from the way I'm dressed, I'm not from around here. I was asking around, and was told of a hero who saved the city. Naturally, I was curious.

That was just a coincidence. I hail from a foreign land, so I don't know much about the area. I was asking around about the kingdom...

And that's when I heard your familiar name mentioned as a hero who stepped up when the nation was in crisis.

Hero?! No, honestly, you really don't need to call me that.

Oh? But "the hero Aldo" has such a nice ring to it.

Speaking of names...

Do you mind if I ask you something kinda strange?

Go ahead. I'll do my very best to answer.

I know another Shion, and you look just like him. So...are you, erm...

Am I a Shion from another world? Is that what you want to ask?

Well, yes. But how did you know?

It seemed pretty obvious, given the circumstances.

You're so calm about it...

I suppose I am. But then, I guess that's because I chose to jump through that vortex.

You CHOSE to go through a wormhole? Why?

I've long since felt I was destined to be spirited away. I was curious to see how the vortex worked, and where it led to.

But let me make this quite clear. Whoever the me from this world is, I'm me. Understood? Just because we'll look alike, don't go thinking of us as the same person.

Don't worry, I won't. You may look the same, but you're different people, who've led very different lives. I understand that.

Speaking of names...

I know a samurai called Shion. Is it a popular name over in the east or something?

Yes, it's quite common. It's named after a flower known for its beautifully pale petals.

Oh, right. You two just look so similar, I thought maybe you were related.

Nope, I've never met this guy.

You know, there's a bird following you about overhead. Do you have any food on you?

I've got some dried sardines...

Sardines? Why do you have sardines?!

Who knows what the day might bring. As a tactician, it is my job to be prepared for anything.

Come to think of it, the Shion I know always carries dried sardines with him, too.

It sounds like you know a lot about this other Shion.

An encounter with a cat is a once-in- a-lifetime opportunity! You must always be ready!

Would you like me to give you some, Aldo?

Erm... Thank you... Gotta love a bit of fish...

So... Do you think that hawk is after me or something?

What? No! I think it's just watching you.

Come to me.

This here is Tamazusa. She's like a carrier pigeon, but better. She's a carrier hawk.

Tamazusa? What an unusual name. And speaking of unusual, it's not every day you see someone using a hawk to carry messages.

Since coming here, I've been using her to keep in contact with my old acquaintances. Oh? Looks like I've got a letter.

Sorry, I'd better take a quick look at this. Hmm. I see... That's not good...

You look troubled. Is something wrong?

It's a warning. Apparently some guys in Rinde are out swindling people from the east. Honestly, there's no escaping the vices of mankind, is there?

Those poor people! Fresh off the boat and already they're being taken advantage of! Does it say anything about the swindlers?

There's two of them, apparently. An eastern man and a coarse, rough-looking man. Why? Are you thinking of going after them?

Of course! They can't get away with swindling poor, unsuspecting travelers!

I agree. Knowing what is right and not doing it is a want of courage. I'm coming with you.

Lowlifes like them mustn't be left unpunished. As an easterner myself, they're bound to approach me if I show up in Rinde.

So here we are in Rinde. I wonder where those swindlers are.

Don't worry, they'll make themselves known soon enough. I'm sure to stand out in this outfit.

So... Would you mind going away? Just for a short while.

Okay, got it.

Them's some fancy clothes you've got there. You from the east?

I am. I came over from Garulea just a few days ago.

I thought as much. Then I guess you haven't got your permit yet?

Permit? What permit?

Eastern folk need a special permit to travel the continent. You'll get sent to jail otherwise.

Yep, you'll be done as an illegal alien. And boy is that one hefty sentence!

O-Oh dear... I can't go to jail! I'm here on an important mission! His lordship sent me!

His lordship, eh?

I'm a diplomat of sorts. I was sent here by a lord of the Land of Mi.

See! Look at this letter. See the handwriting, the seal? Surely that makes my position quite clear.

Okay? And that seal belongs to?

You don't recognize it?

W-Well of course I do... But rules are rules, no matter who you are.

Maybe this will change your mind?

Whoa! Look at all that money!

His lordship gave me this to aid in my negotiations. Will it help? I can give you whatever you need. So please, let's keep this matter between us, yes?

It ain't enough. But we can give ya an extension.

Oh, such generosity! I am truly grateful to you! I will send my carrier hawk to fetch the rest from my homeland.

While we're waiting, would you be willing to teach me about this land? I'll pay you handsomely for your troubles, of course.

Well, when you put it like that...

I am in your debt, yet again! I'm sure you'll have things to do, so why don't we meet up later? Where works best for you?

Hmm... How about the lighthouse?

Sure. Oh, and would you mind if it was just us two easterners for our little lesson?

Since I'm here on official feudal business, I'd like to avoid being too conspicuous.

But don't worry, I'll still be paying the both of you.

Then I guess our hands are tied. You're okay with this, right?

Just don't go double-crossin' me.

See you later, then.

What terrible playacting. How are they swindlers?

Hey, why'd you give them money if you knew they were swindlers? Didn't your lord give you that? Won't he have questions?

No, I was lying about that. The money was from my own personal funds. His lordship did give me some money, but our taxes should only be used for the benefit of our people.

And since our exploits here are of no benefit to my people, that money shall not be touched.

Okay, let's go sow the seeds of these scoundrels' demise!

He said to meet at the lighthouse, right?

Would you mind watching from afar again, Aldo? I'll be sure to put on a show for you.

Sorry to keep you waiting. It took me some time to find this.

What's that, a coin? No, wait, a gold relief? Of someone pretty important-looking...

It's the work of a famous craftsman. It's made of pure gold, so it should sell for a nice profit.

Please, take it as a small token of my appreciation.

Sure, if you insist. Okay, so you want to know about this land, do you?

So there you have it.

Thank you, this has been most educational.

To change the subject, do you happen to know of any good souvenirs to give a young lady?

A young lady, eh? Your sweetheart, perhaps?

No, no, no. My little sister. I've been living away from home for a long time now.

Sometimes I worry that if I don't do brotherly things for her, she'll forget I even exist.

Ah, I know how you feel. I've got a sister back home, too.

There's a stall in Unigan that sells some nice cloth. Maybe she'd like something from there?

Thank you. Boy, it was so lucky I met you. You seem to know everything there is to know about this place.

Yeah, erm... Just glad I could help.

Oh, I've got an idea! Why don't you sell that relief I gave you and buy something for your sister?

But...

That was just a gift, from one countryman to another. Don't worry, you'll still be getting your other payment as promised in a few days' time.

Well in that case...

Okay, I mustn't take up any more of your precious time. I'd best be on my way.

Right. Gimme a shout if you need anything else.

Sorry to keep you waiting, Aldo. You can come out now.

That was your plan? It sounded like idle chit-chat to me.

Good. Hopefully, that will have come across as an innocent talk between countrymen about our sisters.

And yet...it wasn't.

Hey. What were you two talkin' about?

What do you think we talked about? I just told him about Migleina, like he asked me to.

Looked to me like you were enjoyin' yerselves a bit too much for a history lesson.

Oh, we started talking about our sisters. We both worry about our families, so I guess we sorta bonded.

Hmph. Family, eh?

And what about the money? You got the payment off him, right?

Oh, uh... He didn't have any money on him. He said he'd pay us later.

That liar. I saw that guy give him somethin' all shiny and expensive- lookin'. An' it's mighty suspicious to be chattin' away with our mark if you ask me.

I know he's been hankerin' to go back home. Bet he thinks he can stab me in the back.

And I ain't gonna let that happen! I've gotta move all our spoils to a safe location!

And now, we don't have to look for their hiding place ourselves.

You knew this would happen?

Lowlifes like him can never trust in the goodness of others. They will always fall prey to their suspicions. There was never any question that he would do this.

Teehee. Even Tamazusa thinks so.

Right, I'm going to follow him. As for you, Aldo...

I'm coming with you.

But...

You've been acting alone ever since we got to Rinde. And I think I know why. You didn't want me meeting those swindlers... Because you didn't want me to get dragged into it. Right?

......

I may not be able to engage in psychological warfare like you, but I am pretty strong. You are speaking to the hero of Unigan, after all.

......

Urgh... Even I cringed at that.

You're an interesting man, Aldo.

Well, since you offer, sure. It couldn't hurt to take a great hero along with me. I think he's heading toward Serena Coast. Time for the final stage of my plan.

Look at all 'em goodies. Now I've just gotta move 'em somewhere else before he notices.

Nice hiding place you've got there. Off the main road, away from prying eyes.

What're you doin' here? Urgh, that backstabber. Guess he really did betray me.

Oh? You were being so unsubtle, I just assumed you were leading us here on purpose.

I apologize if I misread the situation.

We know that you've been swindling people from the east and stealing their money. Just admit it already and give everyone back the things you stole!

We didn't steal nothin', they gave us that money. Ain't my problem if they mistook us for government officials.

It's their own fault for fallin' for such an obvious lie!

I agree, they were stupid to fall for your lies. But ignorance isn't a crime. The fault lies solely with those who deceived them, who took advantage of them.

And people like that make me sick. Fool enough to be tricked themselves, cruel enough to disregard the pain of others.

And speak of the devil, one stands before me right now.

Yeah, whatever. Hey, you guys! Get over 'ere!

Funny. Lowlifes always stoop to the same lows, whether from east or west.

Shion, this is no time to be reflecting on the ways of the world!

Oops, my bad. Just goes to show how safe I feel with you at my side, oh great hero of Unigan.

Well?

Don't act like you ain't scared! Tear 'em to shreds, guys!

You've gotta be kidding...

Anger never gets you anywhere. You lost the moment you let what I said get to you.

Darn it! I'm gonna have to abandon my stash and flee!

Wait!

There's no need to chase him. He can't get away.

Argh!

What're knights doin' out here?!

A large man in a bandana... This is our guy, all right. So you're the swindler stealing from our eastern visitors!

What are Unigan knights doing here? Did you have something to do with this, Shion?

I did. Before we left Rinde, I got Tamazusa to send a letter to Unigan.

So you must be the one who sent us the tip-off.

Thank you for reporting this crime to us. Many don't, you see. People from the east often blame themselves, which makes it hard for us to find those responsible.

I guess it was worth swallowing my pride and contacting you then.

......

In your letter, you said there were two men. Do you know where the other one is?

Still in Rinde, I imagine. I know what he looks like, so I'll accompany you.

I appreciate that. Now, let's head to Rinde.

Thank you for all your help. We couldn't have apprehended those loathsome swindlers without you.

I didn't do anything special. It was a team effort.

You're nothing like the other folks from the east I've seen around here. Most of 'em prefer to solve their problems themselves. It's pretty rare for 'em to cooperate with us.

If only they were all samurai like you.

Me? A samurai?

Wait, so you're not? What are you then, a ninja?

Huh, I see what's going on here. This is a common misconception in the west. Just as not everyone in Migleina is a knight, not everyone in the east is a samurai or ninja.

Oh, sorry. You just really seemed like what I imagined a samurai to be.

Well, thank you for that. But as much as I'm enjoying this little chat, aren't you meant to be working?

Sorry, I got a little carried away. I'll be on my way...

A samurai, eh?

Hey, Shion, can you use a katana?

Not you as well, Aldo. You don't really think we're all samurai over in the east, do you?

Of course not. It's just... You seem so calm, yet so alert. I figured maybe you did some kind of martial arts.

A long time ago, I did.

I was once taught the art of the sword. So yes, I could hold my own with a katana. But I'm no master, and my blade has long since rusted.

I bet you look pretty cool wielding a katana.

The blade strikes but a single foe.

You what now?

A sword can never take on thousands of enemies at once.

One-on-one fighting isn't my thing. I prefer to go against whole armies, or entire countries.

I wasn't fated to wield a sword.

My fate is to kill that...

Shion?

Oh!

Here kitty, kitty! Want a dried sardine?

All right! Now I should be able to pet...

Oh...

There it goes again. That makes 157 failures since I came here.

Don't be disheartened... Cats are incredibly fickle creatures. Maybe it was just in a bad mood.

*sigh*

Tactician toys with swindlers, cat toys with tactician. Cats can make fools of us all...

But... (Am I imagining things, or did he say something about killing just now?)