The Lives We Live, the Paths We Take

So this is where you've been, Shigure. What're you up to?

Can't you tell? I'm gazing at the ocean.

Do you like the ocean?

Aldo. If you're going to be a good merchant, you need to have a deeper appreciation of beauty. Isn't the sight of me gazing out into the big blue sea a far prettier picture than the sea itself?

I, uh, have no intention of becoming a merchant. But it's clear to me how much you appreciate your own beauty.

Hah, you're a funny one. I won't deny the truth of it, though.

(Is that Shigure? Wonder what he's doing here.)

Hm? You there. Have you business with me?

(Oh, that's not Shigure. Looks just like him, though.)

No, sorry. I mistook you for a friend of mine.

Is that so? Your friend must be quite the handsome devil, then.

I am Shigure, a successful merchant who has traveled all across the realm. You'd do well to remember that.

I'm Aldo. So, Shigure, what're you doing here?

Can't you tell? I'm gazing at the ocean.

Do you like the ocean?

(Hmm... I wonder what that guy's doing.)

Hm? You there. Have you business with me?

Sorry to interrupt, but I couldn't help noticing...

Of course you couldn't. Anyone would if such a handsome man were staring so sorrowfully at the sea. Such a sight would even stop me in my tracks.

Not what I was gonna say, but...

Destiny must have brought us together. I am Shigure, a successful merchant who has traveled all across the realm. You'd do well to remember that.

I'm Aldo. So, Shigure, what're you doing here?

Can't you tell? I'm gazing at the ocean.

Do you like the ocean?

The sea is beautiful. It is freedom itself, bound by nothing, full of potential, stretching on into eternity.

I get what you mean. When I look at the ocean, all my troubles seem so small.

And they are. But only those who've sailed upon its waters can truly understand just how vast it is, The waves ebb and flow, the horizon melts into the azure sky, the salty scent of the sea tickles your nose...

And who could forget the sight of a drone drifting upon the sea breeze?

Yeah. Nothing like a drone on the sea...

Wait, what? What's a drone doing in Rinde?!

Haha! Just the reaction I was hoping for!

Oho. You know what a drone is? I was hoping to surprise you, but you've turned that right around.

Oh dear. So this is where it went.

I hope my little one wasn't any trouble.

Little one? Is this drone yours, ma'am?

Yes, but I still haven't learned how to control it. I must've pressed the wrong button and sent it flying. Still, I don't regret my purchase. Thank you so much, young man.

But of course. I live to serve.

Wait. Are you saying...

YOU sold her this drone?!

That's right. I didn't come here to gaze at the sea. I came to see how my new product would fare. And it seems to be helping her out quite a bit.

That it has. Peddling goods at my age is a struggle. But this drone has made it easier, carrying heavy wares and letting me know when monsters are near. I can't help but wonder about the price, though. It's so handy, yet you sold it to me for next to nothing.

Never you mind that. Consider it thanks for helping me test it out. And besides, there's no greater reward for me than knowing my customer is satisfied.

You're a fine merchant, young man. I'm in the business myself, so I know exactly how you feel.

Now then, I think I'll tell the townsfolk about this "drone" of yours.

That would be a great help, ma'am. Thank you ever so much.

Hold on just a sec here. What is going on?! What's a drone from the future doing in this era?

It's simple: I went to the future and got one myself.

But how?

By slipping into one of those portals...

You two. Got a minute?

That peddler you just spoke to is my mother. Are you the one who sold her that "drone" thing?

And if I am?

I want one too, no, I want all the drones you have! Please! It'll help me become an incredible knight. It can scout for beasts and defend people, right? It'll be much more useful with a soldier than a merchant!

You want a drone to do your job? I dunno about that...

All right, we have a deal!

Really?! Thank you!

There is one condition, though. You need to prove yourself worthy of my wares. If you pass the test, you'll pay for the drones and that'll be that. If you fail, however, you have to return them all to me.

Sounds like a fair deal. I'm sure I'll pass your test anyway.

Very well. Here are the drones.

Much obliged! Could you hold the test in Unigan? I'm gonna try these out while I wait.

Uh, Shigure? You sure this is a good idea?

"Nothing ventured, nothing gained," as they say. Don't you want to see what my wares are capable of doing in this world?

Now then, let's make for Unigan. That deal won't seal itself!

Well, consider me impressed. I didn't think anyone in this era would be able to fly this many drones at once.

Shigure, this is way too much! There's no telling what'll happen to history if people see all these drones flying around!

Oh, don't get your chaps in a twist. Business is about finding goods all across the world and making sure they get to those who need them. It's about providing value. And if technology from the future can enrich our lives, then why not let it do just that? There's no difference in my mind between trading with other countries and other eras.

Still!

Ah, there you are. These drones're incredible.

Thanks to them, I easily defeated the beasts on the way here, so I think today's monster- slaying mission will be a piece of cake. And since it can find any enemies lurking about, it'll help keep the people safe too.

So, what do you think? I should get a pass if I use 'em like this, right?

Hm... For now, yes. But it's not enough in the long-run.

You're not easy to impress, I see.

Well, that's fine with me. So long as I keep this up, there's no way I'll fail. Now then, please excuse me. I have to get back to my rounds.

...I fully understand your concerns, Aldo. And I don't just hand out my wares willy-nilly. I can't yet tell what the outcome of this transaction will be, but for now...I'm asking you to trust me.

...Fine. But if this thing starts going off the rails, I'm gonna have to put a stop to it.

Ah, hello again. I see you sold my son some of your drones. Thank you so much. It's been ages since I've seen him in such high spirits.

You mean he's not always like this?

No. He usually keeps to himself and wasn't much of a fighter, but then... One day, he was helping me with my work on the Serena Coast when we were attacked by a monster. A passing knight stepped in to save us and, ever since then, he's wanted to become a knight himself.

That means he made his dream come true. That's great news!

Yes, but being a knight is dangerous. Even now, he freezes in fear when face to face with a monster. Lately, I can tell he's been feeling down, wondering if he's too much of a coward to continue as a knight.

But thanks to those drones, he can be brave. I heard he even volunteered to help slay monsters today.

......

AHHH!

What the?!

Dammit! What's going on?! Why won't they listen to me? Did I press the wrong button?!

You need to be more careful with the controls! But first, we have to turn them off!

You lost your composure and put the people around you in danger. If you can't keep your cool in an emergency, there's a chance you'll make the same mistake again. You've failed the test. I'll be taking back those drones now.

No, please! Give me another chance! I was doing so well until they lost control!

Thankfully no one got hurt this time, but things could've turned out differently if Shigure hadn't stepped in. I think it's probably best not to use things that're too advanced for you.

But without these drones, I...

Dammit. I can't give 'em back!

Hey, wait! Where do you think you're going?!

Looks like he's headed to the Serena Coast. After him!

These drones can help me be a real knight. I can't just hand 'em over...

I need to find some monsters. If I can beat 'em, that merchant will HAVE to admit I'm worthy...

There's one now.

Go, drone! Fell that beast!

What? But why?

Ahhh! Get back!

I don't think so!

You two...

We'll talk later! Right now, we've gotta get rid of this thing!

I had a feeling this might happen...

Is it broken?

Yes, but that's because they're intended to make everyday life easier for folks. Not to do battle. So of course they're not sturdy enough to withstand an attack.

I see... Everything went so well the first time, I thought for sure it'd work...

Perhaps a surprise attack wouldn't be out of the question, but...

I make a point of not dealing in arms. Do you truly not understand what it is you have? I thought you were that woman's son. Haven't you seen her work up close?

Still... I didn't wanna take over the family business. I wanted to be a knight and protect people.

That's a noble goal, but one your disposition and skills just aren't suited for, I'm afraid.

Shigure. That's a little mean, don't you think?

No, he's right. A coward who can't even save himself from monsters has no business trying to help others do the same.

I'm useless...

Oh, enough with the self-pity already! I can't stand to hear people whine. Just how long do you intend to sulk about something so trivial? Look at the ocean. See how vast it is? Doesn't it make your worries seem so small? Like they could be washed away by the waves?

...Guess you have a point. They might be small in the greater scheme of things, but they're big to me.

That's why I'm telling you to look at the ocean.

When you gaze upon the sea, do your eyes focus on a single wave? No! You look far and away, until your vision is filled with the sea in its entirety.

You said you wanted to save people. Do you think knights are the only ones in the world who can do that?

Well, I...

You've helped your mother when she peddled her wares before, no? In that case, you've seen the truth for yourself: her wares help people who need them. And still, you don't think merchants save lives. I find that enriching people's lives through commerce is a fine way to live, one worthy of being called a "hero."

Merchants...save lives...

Why don't you head back to Unigan for now? You wouldn't want your mom to worry.

Right. Sorry for the trouble, and thanks for getting me out of it. I'll need some time to think on all that's happened...

The sea truly is incredible. It liberates us from everything, from our trivial ties to the places we live and even the constraints of time itself.

Sure, but...I think it was your words more than anything that saved that knight.

I just thought it absurd to throw away one's whole life for the sake of a dream. In the East, there are samurai who do the same, give up their lives, in the name of loyalty. And I was once one of them.

But you're not anymore?

Knights and samurai live in the past. Their lifestyles are far too passé for my liking.

Now then, what say we make for Unigan too? I am owed compensation for my broken drones.

Hey! Mr. Merchant!

I forgot to pay you back for those broken goods and...

Wait. Are you...?

Oh, right. I bet you didn't recognize me in these clothes. I'm that knight who borrowed your "drones." I did a lot of thinking and, after talking with my commanding officer, decided to quit the guard and help my mother.

That so? You definitely seem different than before.

Mother scolded me, saying I need to watch the way I talk to my customers.

I've decided that I'm going to do my best at what it is I can do.

Good. It's important to live a life that truly suits you. And don't worry about the drones. I'll let you off the hook, to celebrate this new path you're walking.

I...I can't thank you enough.

I promise I'll pay you back once I've become a successful merchant.

Y'know, I'm really glad that guy found something he wanted to do. To be honest, though...I was kinda surprised to hear you say that to him. I expected you to give him advice about living however he wants. Instead, you told him to find a life that suits him.

Well, I am a genius. You need to learn to expect the unexpected from me. Besides, it was clear to anyone who looked that he wasn't suited for that life, no matter how it appeared to him.

Consider me a kind soul who can't turn a blind eye to those in need.

Is that why you chose to be a merchant instead of a samurai?

A sword can only save so many. But a merchant can change the whole world. I wanted to be someone who could make the future more enjoyable, and in a smarter way.

And I couldn't do that without my trusty companion.

Is that...a compass?

That's right. I got it from a merchant long ago. It points the way to those mysterious portals that transcend time and space.

Wait, you mean a wormhole?! So that's how you've been getting your wares from the future...

Still, it's kinda reckless, don't you think? The sale didn't go well this time, and one wrong move could end in disaster.

Hahaha! It didn't go well? Says who? It was just another step along the road to success. After all, I got to test my new product and do some marketing in the process. I consider it a huge success!

Regardless, I'll have to make the drones easier to control. And to do that...

He hasn't learned a thing... Well, I hope whatever he's scheming doesn't go off the rails again.