The North Wind in Migleina

*huff huff*

That damn tyrant...more bark than bite for sure, but there were way too many hounds to fight off alone...

That wasted so much time...

Verdanta!

Conah? What are you doing here?

I...

Don't let them get away! Fire!

Conah!

YOU'LL PAY FOR THIS!

Conah!

Ver...dan...ta... They...

Don't worry, they were no match for me. But...weren't they men of Nornir?

Yes...they betrayed us...

What happened to the forest? What happened to everyone?

They...

Verdie!

Verdieee!

VERDIE!

Ladies, ladies! Calm yourselves! If you cry yourselves hoarse, I won't be able to enjoy your beautiful voices. Besides. There's no need to shout. How could I ever fail to hear the sound of my name on your sweet lips?

*sigh* Oh, Verdie!

You make me feel so young!

Verdanta!

Oh. It's you, Aldo.

I thought you came to Unigan from the northern continent on business? Are you sure you should be idling away your days like this?

IDLING?! How rude. Can't you see how hard I work? I am devotedly preaching my love to these women. And I will not stop until my body and soul merge with their love.

Oh, Verdie! Can I believe you?

You can trust me, sweet thing. Does a lion hold back when hunting its prey? No. Well, neither do I.

Oh my!

Here's the thing, Aldo...I have already done what I set out to do.

From the moment I laid eyes on the women of this town, I knew...

I had braved the seas to speak of love to the fine ladies of Unigan.

I don't have a clue what you're talking about... But I swear that wasn't why you came here... Didn't you have some kind of mission or something?

There's no need to worry. See how many flock to me while we've been talking.

Hello there, Aldo.

King Miglance! What brings you here?

Oh, I'm just taking a little walk around town to kill time between duties. Is this lady an acquaintance of yours?

Yes, this is...

Ngh!

Oh...

You insolent girl! How dare you point your sword at His Majesty?!

Verdanta?! What are you doing?!

......

Heh... Hahaha!

What's so funny?

Do excuse me. In the northern lands where I come from, I'd lose my head for such an act. But not here. What fine knights you have, King Miglance.

The northern lands...?

Ah, apologies. I am Verdanta, special envoy of Nornir.

Ah, you're from the northern provinces.

I have been sent on behalf of our King. Here, I have a letter to prove it.

Genuine or not, that doesn't change the fact that she just tried to attack his majesty!

Indeed, I behaved reprehensibly. I understand that this cannot be without consequence. Besides, I'm not the only envoy sent to your country. Punish me as you see fit. I will not object.

No, no. I think we can overlook this. Your sword may have been in hand, but I don't believe you meant to kill me.

You see right through me, Your Majesty. I am much obliged to you for your generosity.

I would love to hear what has brought you to our land... But as you can see, my castle is not entirely fit for visitors at present. Why don't you accompany me to the inn?

Of course, Your Majesty.

And why don't you join us, Aldo? Having a mutual acquaintance between us will surely help break the ice.

I-I'd be honored, Your Majesty.

Then let's go.

Yes, Your Majesty!

Nornir, you say? I heard the land was embroiled in a long civil war.

Yes. However, that civil war has finally come to an end. Now, we are working to quickly build a new country under King Wota. He believes that deepened ties with the nations of the other continents will help in our development. He would like to develop relations with you as well, King Miglance. He hopes to build a thriving trade partnership between our peoples in the near future.

I see...

To that end, we would be honored to present you with some of Nornir's finest products.

I am humbled by your kindness, especially in light of your country's more...turbulent circumstances.

Excuse me for asking, but what kind of ruler is your King Wota? What is his vision for his country?

Let me think... I'd say...he wishes for us to be a strong country. An unshakeable country. And he is not afraid to use force in order to get that.

I see... I'd like to hold a dinner to thank you and the other special envoys. What do you say?

I appreciate your offer. However, the men of the North are somewhat... rough. Pomp and ceremony aren't really their thing. They would much rather be drinking themselves stupid down at the Rinde tavern near where our boat is docked.

I understand. But I feel I must do something for you...

In that case, I do have one request... Would you allow me to travel freely across your country during my stay? Of course, I wouldn't expect to be left to my own devices. I'd happily accept a guard...or guide, rather.

I don't see why not. Anabel, that can be your responsibility.

Me?! Oh, um... Of course, Your Majesty...

Well, no time like the present. I'm dying to take a look around the city.

By the way, Your Majesty... Are you interested in ships?

Ships? I know the northern provinces are excellent shipbuilders due to their many small islands, But why do you ask? Is this about trade? Or are you trying to assess our naval might?

Your Majesty, I assure you that we have no plans to redraw our borders. Heh...

Come Aldo, we must see the town.

O-Okay...

...You are a hard woman to read, Verdanta.

Anabel, you have the reins.

Yessir!

My, my. That is the most beautiful smile I have ever seen. How am I to admire the beauty of Miglance Castle when it pales in comparison to you?

Oh, you!

Is she always like this?

Pretty much, yeah.

*sigh* We can barely even pass a woman without her putting the moves on her. I'm starting to think she sought permission for flirting rather than for sightseeing.

No, there's no way... Although...

Lady Anabel!

What's wrong?

M-My son! He's...

Calm yourself. Tell me what happened.

Please, you have to save my son! He went out alone to Karek Swampland to hunt down a monster!

Why would he do something like that?

My husband was killed by this monster half a year ago... My son's been withdrawn ever since, but then he suddenly started saying he was going to avenge his father.

Understood!

Come on, there's no time to lose!

Allow me to join you.

You? Very well... Your help would be much appreciated!

Okay, to the swampland we go!

Any sign of the boy?

Aha! Over there!

P-Prepare to die!

We have to go and help him!

Wait.

Wait?! We can't just wait! That boy is in danger!

He picked up that weapon, resolved to take revenge. We should respect that.

But he's just a child! This isn't a matter of resolve, it's a heat of the moment decision gone wrong!

Child or not, we're all just animals at the end of the day. No matter how young, we should always be ready to both kill and be killed.

And see? He isn't running away. He stands tall, facing his demons.

So we should let him put his life at risk for the sake of his pride? He's a civilian, not a soldier!

His status does not matter. What he needs right now is action and resolve.

Argh!

I can't watch this anymore!

Me neither!

I'm so sorry we didn't get here sooner! Are you hurt?

N-No, it's just a little scratch...

You're safe now, okay?

Verdanta!

I guess I'll have to help too.

Thanks! Let's go!

Grrr...

One more strike and...

What are you doing, Verdanta? Get out of my...

Don't let the now get away from you, kid.

O-Okay!

Aaargh!

The boy!

Verdanta! Do you have any idea how dangerous that was? What if the monster had tried to make a last stand?!

......

Ugh... *sniffle*

Waaahhh!

Poor thing. You must have been so scared.

*sniffle* *sob* N-No... It's not that...

I did it... I avenged my dad... But I can't tell him. He's not here anymore. And he's never coming back, is he?

No, I'm afraid he's not. That's the thing about the past: it remains forever out of reach.

Then...why did I...

We are but a tiny fragment of the now. Vengeance can't change the past, nor can it make the future any clearer.

But that's why you, alive in this moment, needed it... No matter how futile it may seem.

At least, that's what I think.

......

......

Speaking of the present, let's head back to Unigan. There's someone there who'll be anxious to see you.

O-Okay!

Mom!

Oh, thank goodness! I'm so glad you're safe!

How can I ever thank you enough for saving my boy?

No need to thank us. All that matters is that he's safe.

He does have a couple of cuts and bruises, though. I apologize. That was my fault.

Verdanta?

Please don't apologize! If anyone's to blame here, it's him and him alone!

But Mooom! I avenged Dad!

You...did?

Oh, you must be hungry. Let's go home and get you something to eat. Then you can tell me all about what happened.

Okay!

Lady Anabel, and all of you... Thank you so much.

Luckily, everything worked out in the end...but what if we hadn't been able to save him in time?

Hardly worth worrying about. I was confident enough in your skills to know that wouldn't have happened. And if it did...then that would have been his fate. A natural consequence of throwing his own life away.

How could you say that?!

You saw how determined he was to take revenge. If we'd ignored his resolve, his pride, and defeated the monster straight away, what then? Do you think he'd put his father's death behind him? Realize the futility of wallowing in hatred? I do admit it was a risky move.

Nevertheless, it was more important to respect how he felt in the now. It was the only way to help him move on.

......

This may be difficult for you to understand...

But there's a reason why we northerners are always taking up arms and fighting...

It's pride.

Then why did you apologize to his mom?

Because her feelings are not his. Where the son felt resolve, the mother felt concern. And I felt guilty about that...

I see...

I guess you're not such a bad person after all, Verdanta.

And you say the strangest things, Aldo. Good, bad, it all depends on perspective.

......

I won't pretend to agree with your way of thinking. I know all too well that life is just as important, no, even more important, than pride or fleeting emotions.

That's fine. You're entitled to your opinion.

That said, I can't entirely refute it either. Ultimately, the boy did feel better as a result of your actions. I would like to hear more about your philosophy, Verdanta. Not just as your guide to Miglance, but as an individual.

Heh. Is that so?

(It looks like they've finally accepted each other!)

Wh-Wh-What are you doing?

I'm glad to hear you'd like to get to know me better...

Because I'd like to get to know you, too. Not just surface-level details. I want to know what you're like deep, deep down.

Eeep!

Oh, you sweet thing... There it is again, that beautiful, crimson blush warming your snow-white skin. My, how captivating you are.

Let us talk deep into the night, Anabel. Let us make this a night to remember.

Three's a crowd, Aldo... Why don't you do us a favor and give us some space? Go on, take off.

Now, Anabel...

Hm?!

Oh my, I mean, KNOCK IT OFF! I was trying to have a serious conversation with you, at least pay me the same respect! That's it, today's tour is officially over! I'll see you tomorrow! In BROAD daylight!

How cruel. I WAS being serious...