What's Past Is Prologue

Why hello there, Aldo!

Hi, Elseal! All done with your deliveries for today?

Yep! "When you want to send a message with grace and speed, Miglance Postal is all you need!"

So, Aldo... Has anything been troubling you recently?

Maybe some information you need or mail you want delivered? ...Ooh! A LOVE letter, perhaps?!

Trust me, with my Mailed Sheep security clearance I can get you aaanything you want!

Hmm... That's nice of you, but I think I'm good right now.

Oh, uh...okay. Well, it doesn't have to be something so major.

How 'bout I carry your bags for you? Give you a quick shoulder massage? Or if you're hot I can fan you for a while...

Whoa, whoa, slow down! What're you up to, Elseal?

Heheh, I guess you saw right through me, huh? Actually I wanted do something for you so you'd owe me a favor.

I'm surprised you'd just come out and say it like that...

Why me?

'Cause I wanted you to take me on a little adventure somewhere. You can time travel, right?

I guess so...

Which meeeans... You can go hunting for ancient treasures and bring them back with you to the present, right? Or even find out what kind of weapons from this era will be treasured by future generations.

Yeah, I guess I could if I wanted to...

I knew it! That's basically a superpower to a collector like me! Anyhow, I thought if I was reeeally nice you might bring me with you next time and lemme get a peak at the antiques of the future.

That's pretty...materialistic of you.

But yeah, sure. I don't mind. You don't need to force yourself to be nice to me or anything.

Wha, ?!

You got time now? Since it's been on your mind, why not join me today?

FOR REAL?! I-Is it really okay?! It's like a dream come true...!

Now that I think about it, you're like, the nicest guy ever! You'd bend over backwards to help any random person you came across, huh?!

...You mean that as a compliment, right?

Of course! Come on! Let's get time travelin'!

What era do you want to see the most?

Hmm... I'd like to see some of the ancient weapons that were lost to history...

About 800 years from now should do. I bet there will be tons of interesting antiques to check out by then.

Future it is, then. We'll need to get over to Elzion first.

Oh my gosh! I can't believe you really agreed to take me... I'm so happy I could jump for joy!

Now that we're here, I realize I don't actually know of any antique shops in the area... Where do we even start?

Come one, come all! Have I got a deal for you! Today we're auctioning off a fine selection of antique weaponry!

Did you hear that, Elseal?!

Ooh! A FUTURE merchant! He said he's selling antiques! Let's check it out, Aldo!

First up we have the Colossus Cleaving Claymore! Long ago, a hero used this very weapon to fell a monstrously massive beast!

And for our next item, we have the Shield of Shifting Sands! It's said that this was used to safely cross a deadly sandstorm in the ancient lands of Zarbo!

And I've saved the best for last! You see before you the one and only Dragon Gutting Glaive!, A polearm so durable that even the fierce charge of a vicious wyrm could do little more than bend it!

Did you hear that, Elseal?! Future antiques are awesome!

......

...Elseal?

What...a buncha...MALARKY!!!

H-Huh?! What are you so angry about all of a sudden?!

Grrr! I can't listen to another word of this! Wait here, Aldo!

Huh?!

I assure you that each and every one of these is the genuine article!

...Wait just a darn minute!

H-Huh?! Can I help you, miss?

I was trying to stay quiet, but I just can't take it anymore! This is the lamest scam I've ever seen in my life!

I-I don't quite follow...

You do too follow! Those "antiques" are complete fakes and you know it!

You say that's supposed to be the Colossus Cleaving Claymore, but everybody knows that the real one shattered during the battle! And the real Shield of Shifting Sands is completely covered in chips and scratches from crossing the storm! So where are they?!

You didn't even get the basic details of the story right on the Dragon Gutting Glaive! It was warped by the dragon's FLAMES, not its charge!

Not a single one of these look like they have any history behind them at all! They're basically brand new!

Why you...!

Who do you think you are?! Those wrinkled old prunes were too nearsighted to know the difference anyhow!

So you admit it then!

Of Course they're fakes! But if they sell, then who cares?! Now I've gotta change locations, thanks to you...

HEY! Where do you think you're going?! I can't believe that guy! Who knew the future would be so full of swindlers!

Unfortunately, there're plenty of bottom feeders like him around. It makes people with an eye as good as yours a commodity.

And you are...?

Jeeno. A weapons broker. I'm guessing you work in the same field?

Hey Jeeno! Didn't see you there.

Long time no see, Aldo!

I'm Jeeno, a weapons broker. I'm guessing you work in the same field?

Ah, no... I'm just a hobbyist actually! I work as a courier.

Oh yeah? Well for a private collector you sure know your stuff. If you weren't already employed I'd scout you right here on the spot.

Heheh! I'm flattered!

If you're a broker, then you must have quite a collection.

Yeah. They usually get sold off pretty quick, but I've got quite a few that I can't bring myself to part with.

Seriously?! Is there any chance you'd let me see?!

Haha, of course! Let me show you my weapons! You won't believe what I just won at the last auction, it's...

...Wait, no. Now that I think about it that one got lost in transit.

Was it something valuable?

Yeah. It was a really unusual dagger. I contacted the shipping company after it didn't arrive on time and they told me the ship carrying it had been attacked. Luckily I had the package insured.

A dagger, huh?

Yeah. A treasure from the Miglancian era called Wayland's Dagger.

What...?!

Wayland was a prolific blacksmith of the age, but for some reason only one dagger was ever attributed to them. Or at least that's the story. To be honest, its existence wasn't even known until pretty recently.

And then out of nowhere the blade itself was discovered. Now it's all anyone can talk about.

A dagger, huh...?

A hobbyist like you must have heard the rumors, right?

Actually no, but...

...I know plenty about that dagger.

Huh...?

I was so excited when I found out it would be put up for auction. I never imagined it would turn out like this...

When exactly was the ship carrying it attacked?

Just a few days ago.

Then the assailants might still be nearby. How 'bout I try and track the dagger down for you?

I appreciate the offer, but trust me, I've searched. There wasn't a single clue to be found.

There has to be SOMETHING we can do. If the assailants get away then the dagger will be lost to history... There's no way I can accept that. Please let me at least try!

Why's it so important to you...?

Well, alright. You've got the job. Let me know if there's anything I can do to help.

I will!

So... Where do I even start?

You have any ideas, Aldo?

Me?! You mean you took the job without even having a single hunch where it might be?!

How would I know?! I wasn't born in this era! But I couldn't just ignore what Jeeno told us! What about that poor little dagger?

I guess I shouldn't be surprised given who I'm talking to...

Help me out, Aldo! Do you know anyone I could ask? Maybe an antique collector, or someone who regularly transports rare items? Someone like that would have probably heard about the theft.

An antique collector, huh?

Oh yeah! I know this one guy that's into archeology. He even runs a museum! He doesn't specialize in weapons specifically, but he definitely has experience transporting valuable items.

There's a museum?! Then what're we wasting our time out here for?! How big is it? Can you touch the weapons? Do they have a gift shop?!

You'll have to see when we get there. Just don't forget about finding Jeeno's dagger, alright?

O-Oh yeah...

Get it together Elseal... Come on, let's go see him.

Huh? He's not around...

You think he might be over at that museum you mentioned?

I mean he must be, right?! Come on, Aldo! Off to the Macminal Museum!

You just want to go sightseeing, don't you?

This is it, The Macminal Museum.

W-Wow...!

They've got stuff from every era of history!!! I-Is that a Garulean great spear?!?!?

Th-That's not a replica...! This stuff is all original! And there's not a single speck of dust on any of it. You could eat your dinner off that blade! Not that I'd EVER do something so hideously disrespectful, but still, !

Where's the person who prepared this? I wanna speak with the manager!

This isn't a restaurant...

Well hello there. I thought it sounded livelier in here than usual.

There you are! I figured you'd be over here since you weren't at home.

Yes, I had some business to take care of. You were looking for me? What for?

I see...

By the way... May I ask what that young lady is doing over there?

It's too much... This place is heaven... I can finally die happy... ...I wonder if anyone would notice if I moved into the Miglancian Era exhibit and pretended to be a mannequin...

...I think she likes the place.

Hahaha! Well it's nice to see a fellow history buff enjoying the exhibits.

But returning to the topic at hand, there actually aren't many transport companies that work with valuable art and artifacts. Given the details of the attack we can surmise that the culprit knew exactly what they were targeting. Which means...

They probably specialize in this kind of heist, and have knowledge of the trade routes and best locations to make their move.

Correct. That's quite a sharp deduction from a hobbyist.

Heheh... I need to be sharp in my field of work!

Seeing someone as passionate as you trying to save these artifacts really brings a tear to my eye. I happen to have a list of transport companies that work with valuable objects and the routes they use. I'd be happy to lend it to you.

Thanks! It's a big help!

This should bring us one step closer to the truth.

Yep. But now it's a race against time. By the time we investigate all of these routes the dagger might have already been sold off. There's gotta be a more efficient way to do this...

...Huh?

You see before you the one and only Dragon Gutting Glaive!

Grr! You again! Here to cause more trouble?!

...Can I borrow those for a while?

Huh?

I want all the fakes you have! And then I want you to spread a rumor that they were all bought by a naive little rich girl on a spending spree.

It's one thing if you're buyin', but there's no way I'm gonna just let you "borrow" my stock...

Either you shut up and help me or I take you into custody right here and now and hand you over to the authorities!

O-Okay, Okay! I get it! But I'm just lendin' 'em to you, alright? Don't you dare think of runnin' off with 'em!

Why would I waste my time stealing this junk?! Just do what I said, okay? I need to get moving.

...Thanks for waiting! The preparation is all done.

Just what are you planning? First you got all these fake weapons and had the archeology buff contact a transport company... ...And now you're spreading rumors in the streets?

You'll find out soon enough, Aldo.

But first we need to get over to "Route 99". Do you know where that is?

Yeah, I can show you how to get there.

Then let's get going. I'll tell you the details once we get there.

Route 99, as requested.

Perfect! Not a soul in sight out in this wasteland! I can't think of anywhere better to do some shady black market deals!

You make that sound like a good thing...

It kind of is given what we came here for! By the way...

I don't recall ever inviting YOU! I only asked you to lend me your fake weapons.

You think I'm just gonna hand 'em over without even knowing what you were plannin'?! I came here to make sure nothing happens to 'em!

I get it, but this might be pretty dangerous.

Dangerous...?

Why?

Heheheh! That's because...

We're trying to lure out a thief!

Wait, what?!

Yep! There's no way our thief didn't hear the rumors. The sheltered daughter of an influential family is convinced to spend a fortune on antique weaponry by a fast talking auctioneer...

Due to the sheer volume of purchases involved, the seller requests to make the exchange in cash...right here on Route 99. As shady as that sounds, our heroine is woefully inexperienced in the ways of the world...

That sounds ridiculously far-fetched!

...But then again, a deal that big is bound to attract the attention of thieves.

I'm a genius, right? So the plan is to wait here with the weapons until the armored car arrives. To the thieves, we'll look like a bunch of sitting ducks!

Wait, so you're supposed to be the wealthy daughter in this scenario, Elseal? I'm amazed anyone actually believed you...

Hey! What's that supposed to mean?! I mean, yeah my clothes might seem out of place here, and my way of speaking doesn't exactly scream "nobility", but...

If you tell enough lies, the truth starts to get pretty hazy, right?

I don't think you should be talking about the "truth" right now...

Lemme give you an example! I didn't know a single thing about the going rates for what I was buying, but I turned that to my advantage. I mean, if you don't even know basic shopping etiquette, then it must be because your servant usually does the shopping for you, right?

Th-That's pretty smart...

And this outfit makes me look pretty eccentric, too! Who would be wearing an old-timey postal worker's uniform this day in age?

...Before I knew it I had everyone believing I was just a sheltered maiden with money to burn on my unusual hobbies! They could kidnap me for ransom, steal all the weapons, and even make off with the cash car! No band of thieves on the planet could ignore a mark this easy!

After that it was just a matter of getting to know who's who in town to spread the rumor as efficiently as possible.

My job is all about protecting secrets right? All I had to do was the opposite of what I usually do. Doesn't get much easier than that!

Wow. I think you'd make an even better conman than me...

Quiet you!

But these weapons are all fakes I made. Don't you think the thieves might be able to tell?

I guess it's possible, but I don't think they'll actually care either way.

Huh...?

The most important thing is that SOMEBODY was willing to pay a high price for them. Fake or not, it gives them a certain legitimacy that will make it easy to find the next gullible buyer. It's sad but true.

Oh...

For someone who loves weapons as much as I do, it's a tough pill to swallow.

But that doesn't mean I won't use it to my advantage! I'm gonna make those scoundrels pay!

...And wouldn't you know it, something's stopped up there on the side of the road. The thieves might be making their move. Get out of sight, you two. And Aldo...

I'm counting on you to get the jump on them if things start to turn violent!

Y-You make it sound so easy...!

Take it as a compliment! We've been through some pretty tough spots together. A couple of thieves should be nothing to you, right?

You're just pushing all your responsibility on me!

That said, I've gotten to know you pretty well too, Elseal. I'm glad you feel like you can count on me!

Heheh! My trust doesn't come cheap, believe me!

Alright, I'm gonna try and get them to let down their guard like always. I'm counting on you, partner!

You got it!

E-Excuse me...

Huh? Who're you?

Are you the men from the bank? Did you bring the money I requested?

...Yea. That's us.

Th-Thank heavens. I was starting to feel so helpless out here all by myself...

After you unload the money would you mind locking up the antique collection I purchased? There are sooo many of them.

Oh we will, trust me. But first.

Uwaaah...?!

I think we'll be lockin' you up, kid. The weapons and cash are good 'n all, but I'd wager the most valuable thing out here is YOU.

O-Oh dear...

Robbery, smuggling, kidnapping... You guys do it all, huh?

Huh...?

Well that's fine by me! Just means there's no need to hold back!

Hey! This ain't no rich brat! Get 'er boys!

...Oho! So you DO have a few tricks up your sleeve. I guess I'll call in a secret weapon of my own.

Let's do this, Aldo!

"Secret weapon" is a bit of an exaggeration...

You're worth more than 100 average swordsman, trust me! Come on! Let's deliver up some justice!

Gah! Who ARE these guys?!

Freeze!

Crap...!

Who are they?

The EGPD. They're an organization that captures and imprisons criminals.

I see! I guess that makes them something like the knights from our era or Mailed Sheep, huh?

Their armor is so cool and and form fitting. It looks really easy to move around in... I thought my outfit was already pretty functional, but it looks like there's still plenty of room for improvement.

You think maybe we could convince them to give me a set of their armor?

You'd freak everyone out if you walked around our era looking like that!

I wonder how the EGPD got here so fast...

I guess someone must have tipped them off for us.

That'd be me. I called 'em as soon as I saw those goons turned their drones on you.

You did?! Thank you!

But I'm surprised. I figured a swindler like you would wanna avoid the authorities like the plague.

Who're you callin' a swindler?!

Truth be told, I never actually successfully sold one of those fakes, so they've got no reason to take me in. And I've gotta say, this whole mess has opened my eyes a bit. I'm gonna try to clean up my act.

It makes me really happy to hear that, but why the sudden change of heart?

I don't really have the right to say this after all I've done, but I really do love antique weapons, just like you do.

Then why would you do something like sell fakes?!

Because there was a weapon that I was dyin' to get my hands on, but there was no way I could ever afford it.

Thought I could scrape together some cash sellin' imitations I made with a 3D replicator. Problem was, there was no way to get the details right, just like you said. And honestly, the thought of passin' one of those things off to an unsuspecting buyer made me feel like a dirtbag. So I'm done. I'm never gonna try that kinda thing again.

Is that so? Well I'm glad you opened your eyes. No matter how spectacular the weapon you wanted was, if you got it by ruining someone else's day you'd never be able to see its shine.

Yeah. You're absolutely right.

Well that's one case closed, but we still have one other thing to do!

We do?

Yep! We still need to talk to the EGPD about Wayland's Dagger and get it back to Jeeno!

Oh, yeah! Between our trip to the museum and taking down a band of thieves I'd completely forgotten about that!

"You haven't crossed the finish line until you've gotten the customer to sign!" That's MLPS 101, Aldo! Let's give the EGPD some time to finish their search and then see if they found the dagger.

Okay. We should probably get in touch with Jeeno, too.

We were contacted by the owner of this dagger. You were hired to deliver it, correct?

Yep! "Send it express with MLPS!"

Wayland's Dagger... We finally got it back.

Yeah...

...So? Aren't you going to nerd out about it? Why're you so quiet?

Heheheh... Actually things are a little different this time. You see...

...I already have Wayland's Dagger.

What?! There were TWO?!

...No, wait. I get it. The dagger Jeeno bought was yours back in 300 AD, wasn't it?

You guessed it! This dagger was actually the first antique weapon I ever got my hands on. It's really important to me, and that's why I had to make sure to get it back.

I never would've guessed... Now that I think about it, you never did tell me what got you into weapon collecting in the first place.

Well you see, It was all thanks to...

Heeeeeey!

Huh? What're you doing here so early, Jeeno?

Huff, puff...! ...I was so excited when you told me you found the dagger that I ran all the way here!

Heheheh! I bet this little guy is very happy to hear that.

...Here you go. Please take good care of it.

I will! I promise I'll treasure this beauty every single day.

Oh, and I meant to tell you. I learned a very interesting anecdote about this blade while looking into its history recently. It turns out that in 310 AD this dagger was...

....Uwaaah! No spoilers please!!!

S-Spoilers...?

I-It's nothing! Just talking to myself! But yes, I'm sure that blade has an incredible history. In fact... I'll MAKE sure of it.

If anyone can do it it's you, Elseal.

Huh...?

I feel like I'm forgetting something...something I meant to pass to Jeeno when I saw him...

Really? Shall we go back and see him, then?

No, it's fine. I'm sure I'll see him soon enough.

Anyhow you were just about to tell me what got you into collecting weapons.

Right... It was all thanks to Wayland's Dagger actually.

Really?

Yep. Wayland was in fact, an ancestor of mine. Despite being descended from a long line of blacksmiths, their son aspired to be a knight. The dagger was for him, and it was never intended to be used as a weapon, It was a charm for good fortune.

So that's why a blacksmith so famous for their long swords created this one single dagger...

Yep! And whether it was the charm's power or simply the love Wayland poured into crafting it, the son did indeed grow into a fine knight. The dagger was passed down through generations of knights in his bloodline, until eventually finding its way to my father.

Your father is a knight, Elseal?

Yes... Or at least he was.

Was...?

My father was killed in the line of duty before I was old enough to remember him. My mother also passed away shortly after I was born, so I have no memories of my parents.

...I'm sorry to hear that.

Don't be! Despite all that, I've had a good life. Good enough that I've grown okay with the fact I never knew them.

Did you first learn about your parents because of that knife?

Heheh, you guessed it. After I lost my family I was taken in by an orphanage associated with Miglance Postal.

...Hi there, Elseal. It's nice to meet you.

We heard all about what happened. It must be tough...

Huh? N-No, not at all! The food here is yummy and I've got a soft fluffy bed and the ladies at the post office are super nice! It's not tough at all!

But aren't you lonely...?

Why would I be? I don't even remember what my parents looked like, or what they thought of me.

So I'm fine! I just wanna learn how to work at the post office!

You want to work...? You're too young to worry about things like that, dear.

Don't say that! I wanna pay you all back for everything you've done for me! And anyhow...

I love how people smile whenever they get a letter or package! It makes me wanna smile, too! I think that postal workers deliver more than just letters, They deliver happiness.

I wanna be like that.

Heheh, you're such a good kid. In that case, why don't we start you off with a very simple delivery?

Can you deliver this letter for us, Elseal?

Hmm? It's addressed to a Knight living on the outskirts of Rinde... 'Kay! I'm on it!

...Delivery!

Hi, I'm Elseal, a courier for the MLPS! Could I get you to sign for this?

...Elseal?

Huh?! D-Did I say something wrong?!

Can you tell me how you spell your name? And the name of your father?

You knew my father? You fought together as knights?

Forgive me for not visiting you earlier. Quite a lot of things happened back then, and I didn't know of your whereabouts...

...This is for you.

What's this...?

A dagger your father always kept with him for good luck. Your ancestors were blacksmiths you see, and this was passed down in your family for generations. Each new owner carved their name into the hilt.

A dagger...

...Huh? That's weird. That's my name there at the end. I'm not a knight...

Your father carved that the day before battle.

Huh?

He swore that he would survive to pass the dagger on to you when he returned home...

......

"Who gives a dagger to a toddler?!" the others laughed. But your father, he swore his daughter would grow into a fine swordsman. "Hey now! It's never too early!" he said, half joking. Now that I think back on it, I'm sure those oaths of his protected him more than any charm. Only this time...he wouldn't be able to fulfil it.

He did, though... He did fulfil it. Because today, the dagger finally found its way back to me.

Elseal...

This is the first time in my entire life I've been the one receiving a package. Who knew it would be such a wonderful feeling. Thank you so much for never giving up your search for me.

The pleasure is all mine. Take it. It's yours.

So this is the dagger my father left me. I can't even remember his face, and yet...he was still able to tell me how much he loved me.

I shouldn't feel anything. I never knew you. So why do I feel so warm?

I never knew...

After that I started to look at antiques differently. I realized that they're letters of a sort, from the people who came before us. Among them, weapons carry a very special message, that someone loved you enough to fight for you.

It makes me sad to think of them being lost forever in the fires of war. That's why I began taking on special deliveries in addition to my usual duties, to create a world where that doesn't happen.

So that's why your work is the one thing you take seriously...

Hey! Whaddaya mean "the one thing"?!

Haha! Relax, I'm just teasing you!

I'm sure the history you fight to protect will be passed on to future generations, Elseal. If not, we would have never found your dagger in this era.

Heheh! To be honest, I was suuuper surprised when I heard its name.

The work you do helps a lot more than just the people in 300 AD Elseal. Future generations are counting on you just as much.

Y-You really think so?! Heheh...Heheheheh... I haven't felt this fired up in a long time.

Oh! You know what would fire me up even more!

...A nice big hug!

Huh? You want me to give you a hug?

Not you! HIM!

Mr. Rancorem! I've been dying to hold him in my arms this entire trip! Can I?!

Whaaat?! I don't think that's a good idea!

Don't be so stingy! I worked really hard today!

I'm gonna hug him, and snuggle him , and smoosh him to sleep! You can at least give me that much, right...?

Is "smoosh" even a word?! Sorry, but you're gonna have to find a different weapon!

Hey! Wait uuuuuuuuup!

At least let me smell hiiiiiim!