A Piece of What We Call "Now"

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...burned...it down...

The others...couldn't...escape in time...

Conah?! Conah!

Verdanta... If what we heard on that flying ship is true...

Then we could change the fate of Nornir! We could save our Snowbloom friends.

You think we can just rewrite the past? Don't be ridiculous. What about their resolve during the civil war? Their pride? You think I should just ignore that?

But...

Even if we could change that day our forest burned down... Judging from what happened in Nornir afterward, history wouldn't have changed much anyway.

Changing the North's history is not so simple. All we can do...

Verdanta!

Well, well... Actively seeking me out, huh? Has someone finally realized my feelings?

Not this again...

We're onto you, Verdanta. We know you're not a special envoy of Nornir. You may have a ship, but Rinde is distinctly understocked with envoys. So tell us. Who are you? And why are you pretending to be a foreign envoy?

I just heard from these two. What exactly is going on here, Verdanta?

Ha...hahaha! Okay, no point in hiding it now.

I'll tell you everything. Just as long as I can do so in front of your king.

You think we'd allow someone we know absolutely nothing about to appear before King Miglance?! Think again.

Please, Anabel. For old time's sake? Besides, if I do anything remotely suspicious, you have my permission to cut me down where I stand.

......

Very well. Escort her to His Majesty, Anabel.

Sir Lakhesis... I don't know about this...

The situation in the North is of great interest to King Miglance. Bring her to Unigan.

Yessir!

Thank you.

Can I come too? I'm very curious about what Verdanta has to say.

Fine. Come along.

My sincerest apologies for presenting myself under a false title, Your Majesty.

Apology accepted. But what I really want to hear is: why?

Well...

Nornir has been home to many different peoples, all of whom have lived there since ancient times. Over the years, cultural and land issues have led to multiple clashes between these peoples and Nornir.

And this is the reason for your prolonged civil war?

Yes. I belong to one of such groups, the Snowbloom. We have protected the land known as Snowbloom Forest for generations, living in harmony with nature...

Until the Nornir invaded our home, seeking to seize control of our land and people. Despite our resistance, the Nornir, having fortified their ranks with a nearby tribe, destroyed our forest.

......

Many died...and those who survived were captured and deprived of basic human rights.

The Nornir have trampled over our land and robbed its inhabitants of their dignity. I decided to resist this regime...

And established a resistance group made up of survivors of the peoples they have torn apart.

So why did you come to Miglance under a fake identity?

I captured a ship belonging to a special envoy of Nornir, and claimed that title for myself... In the hopes of meeting influential figures in Miglance and requesting their support.

Above all, I was determined to meet you, King Miglance.

Oh...

As we speak, the resistance is building its forces and waiting for the right time to strike. But even when that day comes, and even if we manage to defeat our oppressors, I still have one concern.

And what's that?

That a foreign nation in the North may intervene in our affairs. After all, what would have been the point in ridding ourselves of our Nornir oppressors... Only for some foreign nation to come in and take their place?

That's why I wanted to enlist your help.

You don't expect us to fight for you, do you?

Of course not; I'd never ask that of you. All I want is for Miglance to ally with our land and to position its ships around our coastline.

Ah, I see... You want us there as a show of force.

Yes, exactly. If other countries see Miglance's navy guarding our continent, they will think twice about invading.

But why go about this in such a roundabout way? Why not be upfront and ask for their help in defeating the Nornir?

It is important that we be the ones to overthrow the current regime. Besides, your country would have nothing to gain from such a plan. You would have no reason to agree.

So all I ask of you is to keep other nations out. If the resistance's plan succeeds, then great... But even if it fails and the Nornir aren't defeated...

Our countries can still continue their friendly relations. There's almost no risk for you.

So what do you say, King Miglance? Do you accept?

......

I do not.

Oh... May I ask why?

All I have to go on is your one-sided account as to the state of your country. I have no way to verify that what you say is even true. I cannot mobilize my military based on this.

Besides, what if I wanted to form an alliance with the current regime?

Are you seriously suggesting that I'd risk my life to cross the sea just to feed you lies? People said you were a wise ruler. One who could tell truth from lies. Was I wrong to believe that? ......

Forgive me... If you don't trust me, you don't trust me. I always knew that would be a possibility.

But I refuse to believe that you would consider an alliance with the Nornir.

......

Let us pretend this conversation never happened. I think you should leave.

Thank you, yes. I still have the now to live for.

Are you okay, Verdanta?

Fine. Totally fine. I expected this to happen, anyway.

I'm going to the swamp to get some air.

Poor Verdanta... She came here having lost so much...

What a heavy burden she carries... But I guess she was prepared for it.

I'm worried about her. I think I'll go check on her in a bit.

Damn! Our one hope has been ripped from our very hearts... What am I supposed to tell everyone back home?

It's you again!

Oh, hello again. How are you? Has your wound healed?

Yeah, I'm all healed up now!

I was just bringing some flowers to my dad. And not just any flowers! My new best friend picked them for me!

Heh. That so?

I've finally found you, Verdanta!

Well, well, if it isn't the special envoy of Nornir. Look at you, you look like trampled snow.

And I was thinking you were going to end up as fish food when I tossed you into the sea. Apparently, years of overindulging at others' expense didn't translate into a tasty treat for the fish...

Silence, you Snowbloom scum! I will never forgive you for what you did!

Now listen up, men! There's a handsome reward for whoever kills this vermin!

We're gonna hold you to that!

Seriously? I'm really NOT in the mood for this right now...

Kid. Go find someplace to hide.

Get her!

Eek!

Now, what should I do with you?

Even after being hurled into the sea, you still come right back to me like a boomerang. But are you prepared for what comes next?

Stop this! Don't you know who I am?

Oh, I know exactly who you are. You're someone I'd gladly chase till the ends of the earth. Someone utterly beyond redemption.

You're making a big mistake! One word from me could decide the fate of your fellow Snowbloom survivors.

Do you understand?!

Yes, I think you're painting a clear enough picture. All northern officials are pathetic scumbags.

Wh-Who the heck are you?!

Now, prepare yourself.

Hey! Look what we have here!

Oh no!

Try anything funny, and the kid gets it!

Yes! Good work, men!

Now, lay down your weapons and let us leave!

Ngh!

Don't do it! Don't listen to him!

Ah!

You little, Get back here!

Weren't you scared, kid?

Nope! Those thugs had nothing on that monster!

You're one brave kid.

*sniffle*

Heh, such brave words, but your tears deceive you. You went face to face with your "now" and I shall do the same.

Now, go back to Unigan. We'll take care of this.

Verdanta! Are you okay?

Let's clear out these weaklings!

Now. What to do with you...

Wait! Please, spare me!

If it's money you want, I have plenty back home! O-Or I could even free the Snowbloom survivors for you!

Do you think I'd believe a word you say?

I'm sorry about the Snowbloom forest! Truly, I am! So please...

With this sword, I condemn you. Not for your acts of hatred of the past...

But for attempting to deprive that brave little boy of the present.

Verdanta!

Don't worry, I just whacked him with the back of my blade. It was the only way to keep him quiet.

I'll leave it up to Miglance what happens to him next.

It would be our pleasure. We'll make sure he regrets this for the rest of his life.

Don't get carried away, Deirdre...

You know...

He just may be the key to persuading King Miglance to cooperate with Verdanta.

That would be nice...

......

Knights cannot act without the King's authorization...

But if it comes down to it, I will help you out as a friend instead.

Are you sure?

Absolutely. I haven't taken any time off lately. And I hear the northern lands make for a lovely vacation spot...

Heh... Sure, if your idea of a lovely vacation involves a lot of bloodshed...

Fine. If Anabel's in, so am I.

I don't think you're lying to us. And I think your cause is worth fighting for. Besides. I don't want to leave you alone with my sister.

Hm? A plan to go against the word of your king? Perhaps she's starting to rub off on the two of you!

Your Majesty?

A child returned to town and told us all about what happened, and I came to thank you personally...

I do not deserve such praise. It was my fault there was any danger to begin with.

Regardless, I owe you one. And a king must repay his debts. You risked your lives and for that you deserve rest. The people demand it, even.

Verdanta, I'd like you to stop by the Inn later. My men want to consult with you on where would be best to go for your reward.

Haha! I know just the place! Leave it to me.

Verdanta!

This was all because of you two. You have my thanks.

Now, let's go back to Unigan.

Aldo, do you mind if we go back to your ship? This whole thing has left me drained. I just want to see Dim-Dim again.

Sure.

There, there! There's a good Dim-Dim!

Not this again!

Okay, I'm all good now!

Phew... (Poor Dimension Cannon... You really took one for the team there...)

......

Beyond the waters before us lies the northern continent.

Right...

I'm sorry for deceiving you, Aldo.

It's okay. As much of a surprise as it was, I don't really care about titles anyway.

You've always just been Verdanta to me.

I see...

What would you want to do after the Nornir are defeated?

Hmm... Simply reclaiming our land and people won't be enough. It would only be a matter of time before old quarrels would rear their ugly heads again. We need to create a new framework for a new country. But I won't be the one to do it.

Why not?

If I lead the charge to overthrow the current regime, some will think of me as a destroyer. Some will hate me.

It's best that I just accept their hate and leave the building of our nation to someone untainted.

Oh...

I am...just a piece of what we call "now." I am resolved to give my all, not to the past, not to the future, but to the present.

Dim-Dim told me all about your adventures... It sounds like you've spent your time in many different eras, with many different people.

So perhaps you'd be willing to spend some of that time with us in the now?

Heheh... You don't need to be so formal about it. Of course I'll help you.

Thank you, Aldo...

Finally... It feels like my "now" has finally just begun.