Sword In Heart

Coming through! Thillelille just knows there's a letter waiting for her today!

Sigh...

No letters for me again, huh?

I'm sorry, Thillelille. That must be such a letdown after you skipped all the way to the port.

Yeah, what a wasted effort. Do you know how long it's been since Thillelille last got a letter?

One, two, three...

She can't even keep track, that's how long!

Melina's such a meanie! She's spending all this time working with Clarte out on the central continent... Poor Thillelille's starting to feel neglected over here!

I'm sure Melina would never do that on purpose.

(Actually. Melina DOES usually ignore Thillelille...)

Like, Thillelille gets that Melina's busy, but so is she! She's totally swamped with things to do!

But she still runs over to the ship every time it sails into port, hoping to get a letter from her...

Grr, and now she's gone and said too much! Stupid Thillelille! Stop it, stop it, stop it!

Do you think she's okay?

Like, did something happen with her work? Maybe it's too hard on her, or she's all burned out or something?

(Thillelille seems more erratic today than usual...)

Listen, Thillelille.

I'm sure Melina's thinking of you while she's working overseas. Maybe her letter is kind of late, but that doesn't mean she cares for you any less.

So here's an idea. Why don't you start sending letters to Melina instead? Even if she's too busy to write, I'm sure it would mean the world to her to read your letters.

That's perfect!

Yes! That's exactly what Thillelille'll do! Thanks, Aldo!

She's gotta pull it together. For everyone living here and for her hard- working friends, She's gotta...

Sigh...

Thillelille, isn't it time for your patrol?

Wait, are you feeling okay? You look so sad!

Gahh!

Learn to knock, Aldo! Thillelille doesn't want you to see her this way!

R-Right, sorry...

But did something happen? You really don't look like yourself.

Well... Melina hasn't been leaving her room lately. And no matter what Thillelille says to her, she always seems so...vacant.

Really? That does sound concerning.

She's almost never like this, and it's gotten Thillelille super worried. If there's something on Melina's mind, why can't she talk to her about it? Thillelille wants to help!

Thillelille...

Ah! Forget what Thillelille just said, okay? She doesn't mean it! Wh-Why should she care if Melina doesn't feel she can depend on her? What's new there?

Melina absolutely depends on you, Thillelille. It's obvious to anyone who's seen the two of you together. As soon as she's ready, she'll tell you. Definitely.

Aldo...

You're right! Just gotta have a little faith. Thanks, Aldo!

Okay, better get ready for today's patrol! Hmm... Thillelille's gonna need a change of clothes if she's gonna be helping out in the fields...

Ah! This robe...

Huh? What is it?

My my, Thillelille. What a lovely outfit to keep hidden away.

Eeek!

R-Rosetta! Y-You saw that?

Oh, I saw, all right. Just as I saw you scrambling to hide it behind your back. My, my, Thillelille. You've been hiding quite the secret in the depths of that wardrobe. The Su...

Shhh! Keep your mouth shut!

And forget everything you saw!

I'm afraid that's impossible.

Isn't that right, Aldo?

Um, what am I missing? Why are you both fussing so much about some dress?

Nope, nuh-uh, we're done! This conversation is OVER!

And anyway, Rosetta! What d'you think you're doing, flouncing into Thillelille's room without permission?

Are you stalking her? Is that it? Now that Melina's not around, is she your next victim?

Thillelille. You shock me.

I came here out of the goodness of my own heart to offer you comfort in your time of loneliness. I know the lack of letters from Melina has been bringing you down...

Pfft! As if!

Well, that is good to hear. But if you do get lonely, my interrogation room is always open to you. The inquisitors have been defunct ever since the blessings came, and frankly, I could do with the company.

That's a hard pass. Thillelille never wants to set foot in that godforsaken room again!

Well, suit yourself. Now, I must confess, there was another purpose to my visit.

The Supreme Cardinal has summoned you. He wants you to pay him a visit once you've finished your patrol.

Th-The Supreme Cardinal? Why? Thillelille hasn't even done anything to upset him yet...

Yet?

Oh, I'm sure you've been very well- behaved, Thillelille. But you see, I myself have just come from seeing him. You'll find out what this is all about when you get there.

Is that supposed to make Thillelille feel better?!

Well, I must be off. Take care, you two.

Brrr! There's something about her that never fails to send shivers down your spine!

Okay, gotta pull it together! Come on, Aldo, come on, Moke! It's patrol time!

Wait?

Moke's not here?

Come to think of it, Thillelille hasn't seen him since this morning...

Moke? Moookeee! It's patrol time! Where aaare youuu?

Honestly, Moke! Where ARE you? Shouldn't you be lazing away in bed like usual?

Blep.

There you are! Huh? Where are you going now? Wait up, Moke, we've gotta go on patrol!

Some things never change.

Hmm... (Moke's sure acting strange today...)

Moke! We're heading to the Merlot Ward! The Merlot Ward, you got that?

Hmm... Yep, there's definitely something up with Moke today.

You think? He looks the same as ever to me.

Well, sure, he has that same goofy-looking face and all, but we're talking about the finer points here. Like, look at how he walks! He's not running around, getting distracted, falling over, nothing!

And there was an almost indifferent look in his eyes when he looked at Thillelille!

His eyes look as dark and round as usual to me...

Oh, for goodness' sake, Aldo! Don't you know ANYTHING about Moke?

Because right now he's all, how should we put it? "Subdued"? That's not it. More like, um...

Thillelille! Aldo!

Hey, it's Kook's mom! And mister elder! Today's your lucky day, 'cause Arch- cleric Thillelille's here to lend a hand with the restoration work!

Hey, it's Kook's mom! And mister elder! Today's your lucky day, 'cause Cleric Thillelille's here to lend a hand with the restoration work!

How kind of you! It's always so reassuring when you and the church folks come to visit.

Please, giving comes naturally to me!

And Aldo, you've come such a long way...

Don't worry about it! I'm just happy to help.

Now, if you have any problems, no matter how small, you just let me or one of the priests know, okay?

We will. Thank you.

When we heard that Sister Melina had resigned from the Order, folks in the slums started to worry... But Sister Thillelille's and Brother Prai's efforts have dispelled all misgivings. Everyone here is full of energy and excitement for the future.

The long-awaited blessings have rained down upon us at last... And everyone here is full of energy and excitement for the future. Of course, none of this would have been without the efforts of Sisters Thillelille and Melina, or Brother Prai.

All those days of perseverance and patience when the future seemed so bleak... And all those days of change and turmoil after the blessings poured from the sky. Clergy like you have been with us every step of the way, through thick and thin.

For this, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to you all.

Oh, stop! You're gonna make Thillelille blush! We're just doing our duty...

Hohoho... Of course, I almost forgot. Thillelille is the reincarnation of the Sword-wielding Savior.

It will be a tale told for generations. The Winged Child and the reincarnation of the Sword-wielding Savior... Striving to rebuild our continent.

Huh?

Nah, we don't need anyone telling stories about us.

Way into the future, the Winged Child and the Sword-wielding Savior'll be like fairy tales from a distant world. Even if the stories get forgotten, so long as the things we did made life better for everyone, then it was worth it.

Thillelille...

Heh, that was just Thillelille trying to sound cool.

Even if everyone forgets those words in the distant future... We will forever remember the kindness you showed us and the fruits of your toil.

Mister...

Well, that's reward enough! Teehee!

Blep...

Blep!

Moke! Not this again...

Anyway, an arch-cleric shouldn't be loafing around! Gotta go check up on the others!

Anyway, a cleric shouldn't be loafing around! Gotta go check up on the others!

Let's go, Aldo!

Sure.

Guess we'd better check on Moke while we're at it!

Ugh...

Not again...

Whoa! I can't believe there are actual fields here now! This is incredible.

Sister Thillelille, Brother Moke! And Brother Aldo, too!

Yay, Thillelille! You're back!

Teehee, of course! Morning, you two!

Now, why're you looking so glum?

Well...

We tried planting some seedlings of my favorite vegetables from the central continent, but well... This is our third attempt now, and still no luck. They bloom with flowers but never set any fruit.

Are you watering them regularly?

Yup! It's been raining a lot lately, so they're pretty much drenched in water!

I thought over-watering might be the problem, but the crops I watered less still ended up failing.

Hm, that's a tough one. I thought you just planted the seedlings and you'd be good to go. Maybe they need special care of some kind?

Special care, huh? Hmm...

Grr! Thillelille's trying her best to think, but Moke keeps distracting her!

Moke! Stop playing around and come help out with...the...

AHA! I've got it!

Sister Thillelille, what are you...

The genius Thillelille has solved the mystery of the failing seedlings! The cause of your pollination misfortunes is...POLLEN!

Pollen?

The flowers are blooming, but the rain's washing all the pollen away. The plants can't get pollinated, which in turn means, they can't produce fruits!

B-But how do we solve that?

Um, basically, we just... You see, we... uh...

...Prai! What do we do?! There has to be something... Some trick from the central continent or something like that! Right?

Leave it to me, Sister Thillelille! I shall devote all my concentration to remembering this vital information!

Hrrrrrrnnnngh...

...Aha!

I recall the farmers of the central continent directly rubbing flowers against other flowers...

Great idea, Prai! That has to be it!

I believe they called it artificial fertilization. The sciences of the central continent are formidable...

Hmmm... It's not enough to bring crops and seeds over from the central continent and hope they'll grow. Unless we get experts to teach us how to actually grow them, we'll never rebuild our land.

Blep!

My, Brother Moke! If it weren't for you, we never would have solved this issue. Now, I happen to have with me some of Ratle's specialty, Bulky Chicken Tenders. How about a little snack?

Blepple!

Honestly, Prai! Why're you rewarding him for messing around?

Bliip-blep blipple!

I had planned to transport them straight back to the village...

Why don't you take a little break first? You must be exhausted.

My, is that you, Moke?

Misty! Seze!

Thilly! Al!

Long time, no see! Is something troubling you?

Well, you see...

We came to pick up a peddler from the central continent. But...

Well, there weren't any rooms available in Merlot Ward when he arrived last night... He ended up having to stay in the boat he came in...

Some people in Merlot Ward offered to let him stay with them, but he turned them down.

There's nowhere for the peddler to stay?

Thanks to Johann and Seze, our village is now getting supplies from the central continent. But there's pretty much nowhere for the suppliers to eat or rest.

Yeah, guess there aren't many inns or eateries in Merlot Ward or the Winged People's Village. You could probably rest at the church, but it's Merlot Ward that's closest to the port... And you hold a lot of business meetings in the Winged People's Village, huh?

Yeah, come to think of it, this area doesn't really feel like a proper travel hub yet.

And we still gotta reinforce and rebuild all the houses of those who've been living here for a while. Now that we have an active trade route, hopefully more people will visit from the central continent...

Teehee. Pretty incredible, right?

Still, there's so much to be done that I don't even know where to start! How do we get from here to the future we want and deserve?

Hm. It'll be no mean feat building more houses, or even finding enough carpenters to...

Whoa! Goodness me, Moke!

Blep!

Moke...

Teehee! He's trying to lift your spirits, Misty! There's no need to get yourself down! Of course it's not gonna get done overnight...

But Thillelille was thinking... Someday, the Merlot Ward and the Winged People's Village aren't just gonna be trading points anymore... They're gonna be super-prosperous, bustling tourist hotspots!

Tourists? In our village?

That's quite the ambition.

Maybe so, but it's not impossible! First, we just need to bring the Atlantica carpenters over... And get them to build more housing around the port and your village.

With more houses and inns available, more engineers will come over to our continent and...

Are you hungry? I only have dried fish, but it's yours if you want it. I caught it myself at the port, and dried it at home.

Blipple!

That's it! The road from the port to the Merlot Ward was upgraded recently, right? Why focus on agriculture alone when we could be doing fishing, too? Then we could open up a restaurant serving fresh fish! People would love that!

A seafood restaurant, huh? That's actually not a bad idea.

Ooh, and another thing! All the culture and crafts of the Winged People... I bet it would be a real hit on the central continent!

It all sounds like a bit of a pipe dream to me.

But we've come this far. Why stop now?

I agree! Anything we don't know, we can ask the central continent to teach us. And bit by bit, we can make those dreams a reality.

Who would have thought the village history I keep would someday serve us for the better...

A travel hub, eh?

Thillelille honestly can't wait to see it! It's gonna be incredible!

Hmm... Maybe we shoulda brought 'em the beginner stuff instead?

Yo, Moke!

Milsha! Minchy!

Aldo! Thillz! Long time no see!

Milshaaa, you shoulda said you were coming to visit!

Didn't know I was comin' till just now! Our delivery girl couldn't make it, so I offered to come instead.

What's with all the books?

Oh, they're just some spare books and teachin' materials we had lyin' around Atlantica.

Teaching materials?

In addition to our sermons, we have started teaching the fundamentals of arithmetic, reading, and writing. The education standards in Atlantica are much higher, so we received educational materials from there...

The only problem now is getting the children to actually show up.

Yeah, I can imagine that's a challenge.

The kids all have chores to do at home, and the route between Merlot Ward and the church isn't the safest. They only have so much energy, and there's not enough of it to get them to class. No kid wants to spend their life with all work and no play, right?

Unless they're particularly motivated or circumstances are in their favor, class is the last thing on their mind.

Yeah, I can see that. Studyin' can be real taxin', ya know? They're all li'l superstars just for helpin' out at home. You can't go forcin' them to do more.

Hmm. I wonder what you could do...

Moke, cut that out before ya get yerself hurt! Get back here!

Guess there's only one thing for it.

Mokeee! Heeere boy! I got a tasty seaweed snack for ya!

Blep!

Aha! Food!

Food? What about it?

Set up a cafeteria next to the classroom! Provide delicious and nutritious meals, and the kids'll definitely come to eat! At first, make sure they know there's no pressure to come to class. They can just eat their grub and go, if they like.

Ah, I see! Some of those kids will look in on the classroom and maybe even decide to sit in on the lesson.

Basic education is super important to develop the town and improve everyone's quality of life. The central continent has a really well-structured education system, right? And we should, too! We gotta create an environment where all kids, not just those who wanna join the clergy, can study.

Hmm...

(Just because the blessings appeared doesn't mean everything else will suddenly fix itself.) (Food is one thing, sure...) (But we're also missing the knowledge, technology, and experience to rebuild our land.) (We need experts from the central continent to come and teach us their skills. Then experience'll follow.) (Plus, children's education is way more sophisticated out on the central continent.)

What Merlot Ward, the Winged People's valley, and our whole continent really need is...

Blep.

Moke? What is it? Why do you have that knowing look in your eyes?

Wait! Are you... Are you thinking what Thillelille's thinking?!

Blep.

You are, aren't you? That's so weird! Never knew you could read my mind about work!

AHA! Thillelille's finally figured it out! She knows what's been so different about Moke today!

And...what's that?

Well...

He's too amazing! Today, Moke's been... Well, incredible!

He's TOO amazing?

Thillelille thought he was just looking for snacks, but he was actually sniffing out people with problems! And every little thing he's been doing has been to give us hints on how to solve those problems!

Um, are you sure about that?

Yes! And there's absolutely no way my fuzz-brained little Moke could do any of that!

My Moke's so dense, he can't even grab a snack if you wiggle it in front of his nose. Thillelille knew something was up with him today! She just didn't think it would be this!

He's finally gone and done it! He's become the Sacred Beast Mokepontas!

He has?!

Blep?

See how calm he is? Moke's never calm! Don't you see what that means? He's risen above his worldly emotions, just like a true sacred beast should!

Oh, you secretive little thing! Who d'you think you are, racing ahead of Thillelille and becoming a sacred beast? Tell us everything! When did you learn this power? And where? And HOW?

Hey, wait up! Mokeee!

Um, Thillelille?

Ngyaaaaaah! Blub-blub-blub?!

Sister Thillelille!

Well, that's one way to put a dampener on things.

Did she just fall headfirst into a puddle?! A-Are you okay, Thillelille?

Agh, Thillelille's all soaking wet now!

Hah! Where's Moke?

Oh? You want a snack, Moke?

Sure!

WHAT?!

I hate to say this, but I think Moke was just running after a snack.

B-But he's supposed to be the Sacred Beast Mokepontas...

Oh, who are we kidding? Look at him; that's no sacred beast. Maybe he really was just hunting for snacks today...

(Sacred beast or not, though, there's definitely still something up with him today.) (Aldo and Prai may not notice, but Moke's never so quiet and well- behaved when there're snacks involved!)

Urh! Why can't Clarte be here! He'd know what was up with...

AAACHOOO!

You keep goin' around like that, and you're gonna catch a cold!

He's right, you should really change out of those sodden clothes! Do you have anything else to wear?

A-Anything else? Um...

O-Of course I don't! Why would I have spare clothes just lying arou...

Hey, what do you think you're doing? Cut that out!

Um, Thillelille? I think you do have some spare clothes with you after all. I can see them sticking out of your pock...

Shush, Aldo!

Huh?

My, Sister Thillelille! You really do come prepared! Now, change into those clothes as quick as you can! We can't have you catching a cold!

You can get changed in my house if you like!

Hey, Mom! Thillelille's here!

Oh my, Sister Thillelille!

Dear me child, you're soaking wet! Come, dry yourself off.

Sigh... Yes, yes...

I-I got changed. Happy now?

My, Sister Thillelille!

You look so...

Oh?!

Wow, that looks great on you. I feel like I've seen that uniform before... The knights of Miglance, maybe?

N-Not the knights! These are the same robes that the s-supreme...

...N-Never mind!

Huh? Is something wrong?

Oh! Now I remember!

It almost makes you look like one of the high ranking clergy members!

What do you mean, ALMOST like them? Thillelille IS one of them!

Oh, forget it.

Ugh, Thillelille knew this was gonna happen! That's why she didn't wanna have to wear this!

Ooh, you look so pretty!

Yes, you sort of look like...

Like the Supreme Cardinal himself.

That's why I recognized your outfit! They're the Supreme Cardinal's robes!

Whoooaaaggghhh!

A-Am I dreaming? Am I truly seeing Sister Thillelille as the Supreme Cardinal?

Though I know you are still an arch-cleric...

Though I know you are still a cleric...

I am overwhelmed, overcome, over- joyed! I feel like I might explode!

Woooaaah! Raaaggghhh!

Shut up, Prai! Did you really have to point out in your little outburst that Thillelille's still just a humble arch-cleric?

Shut up, Prai! Did you really have to point out in your little outburst that Thillelille's still just a humble cleric?

So why do you have those robes? Did you actually become the Supreme Cardinal or something?

Of course not! And to even suggest such a thing is heresy worthy of the interrogation room! The thing with these robes is...

Well, back when Thillelille was younger and about to enter the theological academy...

Thillelille's gonna study her butt off, devote herself to her volunteer work, and become the best clergy member the continent's ever known! And then she's gonna become the Supreme Cardinal and use her policies to spread happiness to people far and wide!

Thillelille was so sure of herself that she made these Dream-Supreme Cardinal robes as a symbol of her conviction.

Dream-Supreme Cardinal robes?

She painstakingly collected scraps of unwanted cloth and old decorations from all over the academy. She even got the adults to teach her how to sew...

Ugh! It's so embarrassing having to explain this while actually wearing the thing!

Don't be, Thillelille. It suits you.

No, it's embarrassing! Like, what a starry-eyed simpleton, making her own Supreme Cardinal robes! Thillelille hid them away in the bottom of the drawer, but Rosetta being Rosetta, of course she saw them. Thillelille didn't mean to take them with her, but she got all flustered, thinking someone might accuse her of heresy!

Isn't it a little late for that now?

What's that supposed to mean?

Still...

Seeing those robes, I feel such warmth in my heart and such pride surging through me. Perhaps this is presumptuous of me to say, but it's almost like this outfit is a reflection of who you are.

It captures your youthful spirit while conveying your unshakable conviction.

Brother Prai is right. You may be young... But it was your grit and determination that brought salvation to Merlot Ward and our continent.

Whoa! Is Sister Thillelille the Supreme Cardinal now?

Teehee. Someday I hope to see you do the rounds dressed in the real deal, Thilly.

I'm not sure if boisterousness is a common trait among Supreme Cardinals, though...

Yeah, well, maybe it should be! Think how awesome it'd be if the most important person in our church was as friendly as Thillz!

Feels pretty great seein' someone we know goin' up in the world!

You guys...

Cut it out already!

My my, don't you look nice.

Eeek! Rosetta! Don't sneak up on people like that!

My, those poor robes were positively wasted, crumpled up at the back of your drawer.

Imagine if you really did become Supreme Cardinal, Thilly! Think of how proud Moke would be!

What's he got to be proud of? It's Thillelille who'd be a somebody, not him.

He wouldn't have done anything. As per usual.

How do you turn everything into an opportunity to say something mean about Moke?

Oh! Moke!

I think you upset him, Sister.

Hey, don't blame Thillelille!

Ummm... ......

Erm, just gonna chase after him real quick! Thillelille'll be back to work soon, promise! Adieu for now!

Is she going to apologize?

Oh, I doubt it... It's not like dear Thillelille to sincerely apologize to Moke for anything.

And speaking of things unlike themselves, did anyone else notice that Brother Moke was acting a little strange?

Maybe there's something on his mind? Clary would know what he was saying.

But Clarte doesn't actually understand his language, does he?

Wait... DOES he? Does he actually get what all those blipple-blep noises mean?

Of course I do. I understand Moke's language as naturally as my mother tongue.

My, your level seems much higher than before.

Hmph?!

(Thillelille KNEW something was up with him! But they've got it all wrong!) (He's totally not angry that she was saying mean things about him!) When he gets mad, he'll start kicking up a fuss and barking, but today he's just wagging his tail...Something just feels off!

Moke, lemme see your back...

Hey, Moke! Where're you going? The church? Hey, wait up, Moke! Wait for meee!

Which is why...

Oh?

Why, if it isn't the self-proclaimed savior's...

Whoa, what is it? Hey, stop that!

My, it looks like Arch-cleric Thillelille isn't the only one with a secret snack stash, Brother Johann.

My, it looks like Cleric Thillelille isn't the only one with a secret snack stash, Brother Johann.

Give me a break, will you. This came from the traders at the Winged People's Village.

Aha! There you are, you little troublemaker!

Oh, Moke! Have you been begging for snacks again? And off of Johann of all people? Not gonna lie, Thillelille's impressed! Woulda thought he'd skin you alive, but look at you! Well do...

Huh?

......

......

......

AHHH! Wait, it's not what you think, Supreme Cardinal! Thillelille's got a real good explanation for this, promise!

You certainly are brave, oh, self- proclaimed savior. To have the audacity to wear such an outfit in the Supreme Cardinal's presence...

Grrr! Thillelille gets that she had this coming, but she's really not in the mood for your sarcasm right now, Johann!

Arch-cleric Thillelille...

Cleric Thillelille...

Did you make those robes yourself? They're very lovely.

You're showing me...kindness? Ugh, can't take this, it's too much!

Grr, Moke! Thillelille's head's all in a spin, and it's all your fault! AGAIN! Why'd you have to go and pretend to be the sacred beast? Letting me think you were saving people in need when really you were just sniffing after snacks?

People in need, you say?

Um? Is there, um, something troubling you, Supreme Cardinal?

Indeed, there is. Johann and I have been puzzling over this one for some time now. Of course, I realize that we cannot expect an answer right away, but...

...The statue of the Winged Being?

There has been talk that the church no longer has need of it. I was hoping to ask your opinion on the matter, Arch-cleric Thillelille.

There has been talk that the church no longer has need of it. I was hoping to ask your opinion on the matter, Cleric Thillelille.

Huh?

Oh yeah! Rosetta's message!

(Oops. Can't let them know we forgot all about that meeting...)

Blessings have rained down upon us, and our church has changed. The Winged Child has left the land... And as you yourself say, Arch-cleric Thillelille, the people now hold the sword in their hearts.

Blessings have rained down upon us, and our church has changed. The Winged Child has left the land... And as you yourself say, Cleric Thillelille, the people now hold the sword in their hearts.

We have hailed the Sword-wielding Savior and the Winged Being as gods for eons. However, perhaps they should no longer be symbols of our faith. For now, we know that our savior neither wields a sword nor is a Winged Being.

Supreme Cardinal...

Yet, we are still in the early days. We may have found our ray of hope, but it is not yet pinned down. Now is not the right time to take symbols from the people. And even if that time were to come... We of the church are still in a state of disarray ourselves.

Whatever the truth may actually be... Revising everything all at once so that it is "correct" is not necessarily, well, the correct thing to do. Force a change too suddenly, and it may cause things to fall apart instead.

If we do not consider our actions carefully, we put the bright future of our innocent civilians in jeopardy. Though I myself might not understand the need to place all one's hope in god...

...Actually, let's leave that topic be. Imagine if an inquisitor were to hear such talk.

I certainly heard it, Brother Johann.

You've got me there, Supreme Cardinal, but we have more intriguing things to discuss than my personal opinions...

Tell me, self-proclaimed savior. Why are you dressed like that?

Or, are you now the self-proclaimed Supreme Cardinal? Please enlighten us.

UGH! Stop talking about Thillelille's clothes in front of the Supreme Cardinal!

Um, that is to say...erm...

Thillelille has always believed that the Sword-wielding Savior is in all of us. So long as you hold the sword in your heart, you will have the strength to stand on your own two feet... With or without symbols of faith, or someone to pray to...

Like what Melina said...

This land no longer needs a Winged Child. You're right, Thillelille, those living here are all saviors, and they all have the sword in their hearts.

We don't know how long it'll take for the land to recover using the blessings from the sky... But I believe the age of divinity and the Winged Beings is coming to an end. The people will change, and so should the church. Although it hurts to say this, I am just a symbol of the old ways. It is time I withdrew myself from my service.

If we leave the symbols as they are, then there is no point in Melina leaving the church.

But at the same time, it's understandable where you're coming from. We can't change everything at once.

Ugh, feel like my head's about to explode! Why is this so hard? Who knew faith, symbols, and stuff could be so complicated?

Well, we hardly expected to come upon the answer overnight. We thank you for your opinion, oh, self-proclaimed Supreme Cardinal.

Stop it already!

The Sword and Wing. Those two things built something truly enormous. Simply abolishing the symbols and removing the statues will not make up for what the people have lost. What should we believe now? What path should the church guide its people down? It will take us quite some time to come up with those answers, I am sure.

Supreme Cardinal! Brother Johann!

I'm here to take you to your meeting. It's about to begin.

Well then, let us go.

I trust that you will keep this matter confidential.

O-Of course!

Symbols, huh?

Guess it never really sunk in till now... But boy, those wings were such a heavy burden for poor Melina to bear.

Blep!

......?!

Wait a minute... That was Moke's voice! Moke, what's wrong?

Mo...

AHHH!

...... ...... Ugh...

Ouuucch! What happened?

Thillelille was following Moke...and then there was this strange light, and...

Huh?

Where am I?

Thillelille's never seen this place before, and yet...

Huh?

Um? What are you talking about?

Sorry kids, but Thillelille has absolutely NO idea what's going on here! Maybe there's been some kind of mistake...

AAAHHH! HELP ME! PRAIII! ALDOOO!

MOKEEE!

We're finally here?

What a curious route we took. It was all so new, yet so familiar...

Wait! I know you said we're back, but back WHERE?

......?!

Where is this?

I guess Thillelille's just too popular for her own good, even in a strange land.

I'm so sorry I'm late!

Ah!

Is school already over for the day? I'm so sorry I missed it!

Oh, how rude of me. I'm your new teacher! My boat was a little late...

You'd better be, given the amount of stress you just caused me!

Um...

This isn't really the best time for that...

Thillelille doesn't really know what's going on here, or even where this is...

But since Moke is missing, maybe it wouldn't hurt to walk around a bit and look for clues.

So let's go!

It's hard to believe but...maybe this is really...

But if that's true, then...

Then everything... Everything we did, the path we walked...

Ever since that day...

Wha!

You okay? Your tummy hurtin' or something?

Um no, it's fine. But thanks.

Actually...

Yeah?

Are you happy? Like, do you have a good life?

Yeah! It's the bestest!

You're not hungry? Or sad? Or cold 'cause you don't have enough clothes? Or stressed 'cause someone's sick and you can't get them the medicine they need?

Um, nope?

And what about your studies? Do you get to learn about lots of fun things? Not just the Sword and Wing, but other stuff too?

Yeah, we have loads of fun in class! Art's my favorite.

I'm not a big fan of math, but at least our teacher's nice.

Teeheehee! Heheheheh! That so?

Hey, you coming? I'm sure the teacher won't mind.

Really? That's great! Maybe Thillelille should sit in on one of your classes...

Waa!

What is that?

What happened?

Is that...

I'm scaaared!

Thillelille will save you!

Be a good girl and go hide with the adults, okay?

B-But it's too dangerous!

This is nothing, trust me! Now everyone stand back, okay? Thillelille will protect you.

Thillelille?

Thillelille will not tolerate villains trampling over the fields everyone worked so hard to cultivate! No, not just the fields...

She won't tolerate harm to ANYTHING here, not when it's taken so much blood, sweat, and tears to gain! Let's go, Moke!

Blep!

......

That was amazing, miss! You were so cool!

You're so strong! Thanks for protectin' us.

You have my thanks. If not for you, our town and our fields would have been destroyed.

Whoa, she's so smart, too!

Thanks, miss! You're the best!

As a thank you for saving us, um... here! Take this nut.

Yeah, it came from the tree at school. Findin' 'em is s'posed to bring you happiness.

We collect 'em and trade 'em at school.

Oh yeah, my dad had one, too! I'm pretty sure he said it was a good luck charm or somethin'.

Um, about your name...

She's gone.

Follow me, brave young maiden, vanquisher of the beast.

Thank you for coming.

Promise-breaking so-and-so?

Wait...

No way am I letting that slide. Are you talking about Melina? How DARE you say that about her!

Ngh!

Um...no? Ahem. You must've been imagining things. Yeah, you simply misheard me, that's all.

Ughhh!

Trust a Thillelille to catch a Thillelille. You did well to figure it out.

HEY! You take that back! Thillelille may be old, but she's no crone! Thillelille's just as cute as ever!!!

Just like you are in that outfit!

The Dream-Supreme Cardinal robes, right? Oh, I remember staying up for days to get that dress sewn up!

I see the stitchwork's still holding up! Gosh, I'm so good.

UGH! No I don't! Our fates may be linked together, but I'm nothing like her! She's just a bitter ol' cynic!

Yeah, right back at ya!

Teehee, careful now, you wouldn't want any spoilers! The only thing I can tell you is... ...You still have many long roads ahead of you.

Heh... Of course.

Well of course he's gonna recognize me.

Honestly, Moke! I don't mind you wandering off, but you were gone way too long this time! Were you messing around with young Thillelille, you nostalgic little fuzzball?

Blep-blipple bliip?

You're unbelievable! You disappear for ages, then come plodding back with a young Thillelille in tow...

Yes?

Yeah, that's my Moke.

You didn't realize he wasn't your Moke?

'Fraid not.

Moke! Here boy!

This is your Moke. Me, I realized he wasn't my Moke like straight away. I mean, he wouldn't stop jumping around for snacks! Way too greedy and clumsy to be my Moke.

Blep! Blipple-blup!

Blipple-blep!

Our Moke's always had an eye for snacks.

Well...

Blep? ......

Ah! It's Moke!

Moke? You seem...

Oh?

Bli-bleep!

Well, well, well!

Blup...

Bliiip-blep? Blipple-blup!

Weird. Your personality's done a whole 180, Moke! Why're you acting so hyperactive and clumsy all of a sudden?

Wait a minute... This is exactly how you used to act when you were young!

And that's about it! I think this Moke heard your voice, sensed the presence of snacks, and wandered over.

Bli-bleep!

Yep, they're two peas in a pod.

Well, there's only one way to find out. Someday, after years and years have passed, you'll know if what happened today was real or not.

Huh?

How should I know?

If I don't know, I don't know. It's you who should really know, not me. You're the one who came here, after all.

Hey. Don't mess around on the school grounds.

Blep?

Twice the Thillelilles, and yet three times the noise. Your master certainly is something, Moke.

Blup...

Bliip-blep! Blipple!

Blep?

You think all that shouting's gonna make your Prai come running to you?

BLIPPLE!

Right back at ya!

Teehee. Bye bye, Thillelille.

Blep!

Blepple-blip...

Blep!

Bliiip-blep blipple-blup!

Bliiip!

You still have many long roads ahead of you.

Well, there's only one way to find out. Someday, after years and years have passed, you'll know if what happened today was real or not.

Bleeep-blip...