Antique Love

Why hello there, Aldo!

Hey, Elseal! You out on a route?

Nope, I'm off today! Turns out you HAVE to use your vacation days!

But you're hard at work, I see! A hero's work really is never done, huh?

Lemme give you a hand!

No need. I just wrapped up what I was doing.

So you AREN'T tied up? In that case...

You want me to take you somewhere?

Oh! I wasn't gonna ask, but... That'd be great!

Antiquity, then? I'm due for a trip, myself. We did just see Elzion.

Well, I was aaactually thinking... Look. Aldo. My sources tell me you're on... ...intimate terms with King Miglance. Is that true?

"Intimate"...? We're friendly, sure, but I don't think it's anything unusual.

Most people aren't allowed to just mosey into the throne room. You DO know that, right?

I mean...

No need to be modest! You're Miglance VIP. I bet his Majesty's willing to do you all kinds of favors. Like if you had a friend...who wanted to get a look at some royal family arms... ...the Noble Protector, for instance...

That's not a simple request! A treasure like that has to be under some serious security.

It doesn't hurt to ask! Help a girl out? I am ALL about respecting authority! If he says no, I'll forget all about it.

You promise? I'll ask, but I don't want to be any trouble... We'll drop it if he says no.

Have I mentioned you're like, the nicest guy ever? Let's get to it then!

Okay, let's head for the Unigan Inn. We should be able to find King Miglance there.

...And that's the gist of it. Is there any way we might get a look at the Treasury? We'd really like to see the Noble Protector.

The Noble Protector, eh...?

(Here comes the rejection in one, two...)

Very well.

Heck yeah!

Er, I mean, are you sure, Your Majesty? These are national treasures, so I'd understand if...

Planning to make off with them, are you?

Of course not!

Then I can't see why not. I trust in your intentions, Aldo.

It sure pays to be honest, huh!

And your companion is a member of the Mailed Sheep, is she not? I've heard incredible things about your organization's exploits.

I cannot award you publicly, so please, consider this a token for your services.

Always happy to serve! Thank you, King Miglance!

Let's be off, then.

You'll be joining us, Your Majesty?

It's been some time since I visited the Treasury, myself.

I see. Then please, lead the way...

Hold on! Do you think I could have just a tiiiny bit to get ready first?

I didn't think things would go this smoothly... I MEAN! I wanna make sure I look appropriate. It's not every day you meet your idols, y'know?

Of course. You may come by the castle when you're ready. I'll let the guard know of our plans.

You're too kind, Your Majesty! I'll be right over, that's an MLPS guarantee!

You aren't going as well? Don't let me keep you.

I'll at least head with you to ask at the castle, Your Majesty. This was my request, after all.

Upright to a fault. Come on, then. Let's go.

Hm, hm, hm~

Can't talk! I've got an appointment at Miglance Castle!

Rude! I'm getting a tour of the Royal Treasury, I'll have you know.

Don't be ridiculous! That would shock the poor Noble Protector.

When antiques are preserved in a vault for a very long time, the world changes around them, you know. Would someone from that distant future even register as a human being to it? I don't see how they could.

So, I wear clothes that it's familiar with, to meet it where it's at. Then it might open its heart to me.

They do if you believe they do!!

It's not a costume if it's accurate! I had something that was totally perfect, but I can't seem to...

A-ha! C'mere, you! You're still in good shape, right? Don't be falling apart on me...

I came to see how Elseal's doing. Is she not here?

Aldo! You didn't have to come all this way.

I'm all set, though! Whaddya think?

Wow! It sure is different. I like it, though!

Oh, you have a good eye! It's authentic! Can you tell? It's actually matched to the same time period as Noble Protector!

...Does it really look that bad?

It's gotta be accurate! I'm sticking with this.

Goodness... I'd almost forgotten about that thing.

Is that my old dress? I'm surprised you still have it, Elly.

I never wore it once. That sort of thing was all the rage with the court ladies when I was a girl, so I'd always wanted one. By the time I could afford one, though I was a bit past the age for wearing it. It went straight to storage.

It was only one of my favorite birthday presents EVER! Didn't matter one bit that I was swimming in it back then.

Hah. That feels like just yesterday...

Anyway, I'm good to go, let's scoot on over to Miglance Castle!

Oh, we aren't heading to the Treasury?

For security reasons, I cannot have you two enter the Treasury itself. But I've arranged for the guards to bring some of the more notable pieces up here. They should arrive presently.

Much appreciated!

So, the Noble Protector. What's the story behind this sword, Elseal?

It's a doozy! Noble Protector is a mere colloquialism, it made its REAL name as a nameless weapon. Popular belief holds it was used in a successful defense against a foray by beastfolk some decades prior. But the knight who wielded it never returned from the battle. A hero, but in the end, only his sword was recovered.

That's the general gist of it. Allegedly it had first been put in the care of a lady, the knight's lover, as a memento. It was instead claimed by the head of the girl's family, who presented it as a gift to the royal household. We have had it since. This was all before my time, mind you. I believe the family lost everything and then eventually died out.

That's quite a story. I'm surprised you're interested in something so recent, Elseal.

Ah, but age isn't the only indicator of an antique's value! Condition, for example, is also a major factor. Weapons wear with use, so while ornamental blades survive well, it's rare to encounter an antique that was actually wielded.

The Noble Protector not only saw plenty of field action, but we can also TRACE which battles! Just imagine the stories he has to tell!!

Huh. Well now you've got me interested.

Pardon me.

The Noble Protector, Your Majesty.

Thank you. You are dismissed.

OHHH MY GOSH! Okay, okay! This is really happening! Anyone else sweaty?

You're welcome to pick it up. Please.

THANKYOUTHANKYOU! All right mister. Come to Elly...

Hands only. Don't even think about licking it.

Who do you take me for? I have manners, you know! I would never EVER disrespect antique royalty by, ......

What's the matter?

This is a forgery.

IIINTERESTING.... Nope, no mistaking it. This was forged recently. QUITE recently, at that. Smell that? That's pure, undiluted steel right there. This baby's never been used. Not on anything living, anyway.

That's not... Excuse me. I must ask that you remain here.

Everything all right, Your Majesty?

Nothing amiss in the Treasury. The other pieces weren't disturbed.

Only the Noble Protector itself was tampered with?

It appears so. Though I could not say how long ago, I must admit I've not inspected the Treasury since before the raid. The castle, however, is under constant guard. Surely the only window for theft would have been the raid itself.

Looters, then? Preparing a replica would ensure the crime went undiscovered...

But who would go through the trouble for only a single sword? It seems almost foolish.

I would! I would in a heartbeat!

C-Calm down! She doesn't mean that, Your Majesty.

Pardon me. I got carried away.

Anyway, this is a crime against antiques and antique afficionados alike! Taking advantage of the chaos to steal from the castle is unforgivable!

King Miglance! Permission requested to investigate this matter!

The Mailed Sheep's network would certainly be useful in a case like this.

This one'll be off the books. I'm not approved for overtime.

Very well. Miss Elseal, Aldo, I leave it in your hands. Please let me know if I may be of any assistance.

You can count on me, sir!

All right Aldo, time to get on the ground! Let's take this investigation to the streets.

Who are we going to ask, though? We don't have any decent leads... Unless... If it was taken during the beast attack, wouldn't it make sense for the thief to be beastfolk?

Let's not jump to conclusions. Remember: the perpetrator was prepared with a dupe. So this was a planned crime. By that logic, it had to be someone privy to the Protector's value. It doesn't seem to me like a beast could've done it.

I just can't imagine a citizen of the kingdom would make an opportunity of a national crisis like that.

If you're a crook on a mission waiting for your opening, any opportunity will do.

In an ideal world, they wouldn't! But I think you've got a little too much faith in people, Aldo. Not everyone's so honest. Anyway, it's not ideal, but we're just gonna have to start from zero. Let's ask around. There's bound to be folks who saw something interesting on the day of the crime.

The day of the raid? Oh, I couldn't say... My wits left me in the panic, I don't recall much.

That's alright, ma'am! Anything helps, even if it seems trivial. Did you see anyone you don't normally see, for instance?

I don't think... Well, I suppose I might have seen... Yes. I saw a woman fleeing from the castle. She must have been a maid who managed to escape. Though, she wasn't wearing her uniform.

Perfect! Can you recall how old she was? Or how she was dressed?

Hmm... I don't suppose she was all that young. Her attire... I'm sorry, dearie. I really don't remember. I don't believe it stood out.

Hm... Not really anything that can help us identify the culprit.

Chin up. We're just getting started! Let's get as many testimonies as we can and see where we're at after.

The beastfolk raid? Can't help ya there, I'm afraid. I was in Rinde at the time.

I don't suppose you would've seen anything, then. Sorry to...

Since we're here, how about in Rinde? You didn't happen to see any interesting characters?

Can't say I did.

Doesn't have to have been that day. Even just someone you saw in passing! Like "huh, that was interesting" level.

This woman passed by the shop one day, you should've seen her clothes. Looked like she hadn't washed in a week. I almost feared for the sword the lady was carryin'. She definitely didn't know how to handle one.

What did this sword look like?

Couldn't see it. Was wrapped up, and she held it fast.

It could have been something else then, right?

Hah! I'm a weapons dealer, son. Think I know a sword when I see one. A bundled blade still clinks, don't it? And it's hard to hide a cross-guard's girth. It was definitely a sword.

You didn't happen to catch which way she was headed?

The port, or thereabouts.

Fantastic. Thanks so much!

The day of the raid? Yeah. I saw some bozo running INTO the castle while everyone else was escaping. There's always guys who wanna play hero, though.

Into the castle, you say... Could you describe him?

Wasn't really paying attention... A pretty tough guy though, I reckon. He was armed, but didn't look like military. Mercenary, maybe.

I think...that might have just been me.

Pfft. Definitely not. This guy was more... burly, shall we say.

......

Is that all? I got places to be.

Of course. Didn't mean to hold you up.

......

The beastfolk attack? Oh, yes! I saw a suspicious individual headed to the castle with a SUSPICSIOUSLY sword-shaped suspicious object!

Suspiciously sword-shaped...?

Well I don't want to make baseless claims. Whatever they had was all bundled up but probably around a sword's size...maybe.

What if that was the replica used for the switch?

We can't rule it out. Can you recall anything else about this person, miss?

Mmm... It was a young man. Didn't look super tough, just some guy on the street. I didn't really look. I was just focused on getting out of there.

No, that's perfect. Thank you so much!

We still don't have anything to identify the perpetrator... But I think we ought to look into this guy who might've transported the dupe. And then there's that "mercenary"...

Let's not forget about our lady friend. The sword smuggler who left the castle.

I guess the witness accounts are all we've got to go on for now... Should we go after the woman first?

Could've been a group operation, too. I've got a hunch these people are all connected, it's just a question of how. Why don't we hit the Serena Coast? If the suspect traveled from Unigan to Rinde, she probably left clues on the road.

One of the witnesses was lying, after all. You caught it, right Aldo?

Were they? Which one...?

It'll be clear soon enough. Let's go!

You there. Stop a second.

I hear you two've been poking your noses around in this whole beastfolk raid business. Tell me. What's your game?

If you're asking, I assume you must know something about it.

I couldn't say anything before, but I may be able to help you guys out. ...Depends on what you're after.

We're looking for the Noble Protector. We suspect someone used the mayhem of the raid as an opportunity to steal it from the castle.

Tch. Already...? Damn. I thought we'd have more time...

So it's safe to assume you're the thief?

No use hiding it. Well? You gonna take me away or what?

First, some questions. What was your motive behind taking the sword?

I dunno. Thought I could make some quick git.

And where is the sword currently?

Beats me. I sold it.

Is this REALLY our blade burglar? Something feels off.

I've seen this before. If he turned himself over so quickly, he's probably covering for someone. We know you had an accomplice. If you aren't going to be cooperative... Perhaps we'll have a chat with her instead.

Grgh! You got it all figured out, do you?

Please. I can't ask you to forget about this whole thing for a little while longer...?

On behalf of our client, I'm afraid we can't do that.

...Then forgive what I'm about to do.

We won't kill you. But by the time you're moving again, it'll be too late.

I wouldn't try that if I were you. We won't go easy on you.

I don't care. I was ready...when I took the sword...

Had enough yet?

Stop...Stop! You win.

I-I'll talk... The sword is in Zarbo. I'll...I'll take you there.

Zarbo... Why hide it here of all places?

Tell me, what do you two know about this sword?

It belonged to a knight who died defending the kingdom against beastfolk.

I may not know the real story, but I can tell you that whole legend is bogus.

That would imply there's someone who knows the truth.

Yeah, the knight himself! He's really in his dotage now, though.

He's ALIVE?! The legend who wielded the Noble Protector?!

They said...what? That his body was never found? Truth is he washed up here. They threw him into the ocean after he got stabbed.

Really? Getting rid of a body like that doesn't sound like something the beastfolk would do.

That's 'cos it wasn't beastfolk that got him. It was assassins. His lover's parents probably wanted him gone. The battle was an opportunity to make it happen.

She was from a noble family, right? Considering their standing, I'd imagine they didn't approve of the match.

So it sounds like you were trying to return the sword to its rightful owner.

It's what my mom wanted. It's... It's the whole reason I came to Unigan.

I assume she was your co-conspirator, then. What's her interest in all this?

You can ask her yourself. She's at his...at pops' bedside these days.

This knight then, he's your grandfather?

We aren't blood related, but... He's a...family friend. Mom's the one who found him when he washed up in Zarbo. Back when she was a kid.

Anyway. C'mon, the house is this way.

You're back. I wasn't expecting you home so soon. ...Who are these people?

Evening, ma'am. We've come on behalf of King Miglance. We're here to retrieve the Noble Protector.

I-I'm sorry... They found us out.

Yes. And I'm afraid that following procedures...

Is that... It can't be...!

Huh?

You... So you've come all this way... To find me...

Ggh... *cough cough*

Whaddya think you're doing? Come on, let's get you back to bed, pops...

I understand we've committed a crime, and I will face the punishment. I only ask that you wait a bit longer. He...does not have much time left.

It's been hard. His memory began to go as he aged... Since some time ago he's had little sense of his surroundings. He recalls things strongly, though, from his younger days... It seems that in his mind, he's still a knight on duty. He's asked after his sword so many times, and... Well...

We had the replica commissioned, but he wouldn't take it.

He would know it, I suppose... With all the time they spent together. All the battles... It was a part of him. It was foolish, I know, but... It pained him so much. I couldn't bear to see him die so unhappy.

Why was he so fixated on this sword?

A promise he felt he had to keep. Or so I imagine. He had been sworn to a lady, you see. Vowed to protect her...

Forgive me, my lady. I could not keep my oath... I have not *cough* been by your side...

You have nothing to apologize for. I know how bravely you've fought for the kingdom. Everyone does. Did you know? Miglance lives in peace today because of you. I sleep soundly at night with no fear of beastfolk. Thanks to you...my Dear Knight.

Ohhh... That is good to hear... In...deed... ......

What are we to do now?

Normally, I'd be obligated to return the weapon to its rightful owner, but... We'll have to return to Unigan and see what the authorities have to say.

Don't worry. It won't be so bad as you think.

Mom. I never quite knew how to ask, but... I need to know. Was he...was he my father? You were so prepared to take the fall, I can't imagine...

Don't be a fool. You know as well as I he was a knight who served a lady. He wouldn't... He would never betray her in such a way.

Something on your mind?

Do I REALLY look like I pass for nobility?

The old knight sure seemed to think so. Come on, we'd better report to King Miglance.

I see... That's certainly quite the story.

And the sword is safe in Zarbo. Would you like us to...

Tragic! Most regrettable, truly, that not even by best agents could uncover its whereabouts!

Um, Your Majesty? We did find the sword. It's in...

Uh-uh! Come on, Aldo. It's rude to interrupt.

I could send another investigation, certainly... But I worry they would fare no better. I fear we cannot spare more manpower on this. Reconstruction must be a priority, after all...

I couldn't agree more, Your Majesty! A tough decision, but one that's for the best. What's one treasure, after all, compared to the welfare of our citizens!

Ummm...that's it? We're just gonna look the other way? Okay...