Two Overlapping Souls

Such a nice, cozy tavern is the perfect place to rest one's feet.

Don't get too comfortable, Cyrus. You're acting like you own the place.

So basically, business as usual, right?

Aldo. Reminder: The Mayor wishes to see you. He is concerned about an unidentified issue.

Oh, yeah! That's right. Thanks Riica, I'd better head on over and see him then.

N-No! This is terrible!

What's wrong?

There are bandits in the village! Aldo, please, can't you do something?!

Bandits?! Don't worry, I'll deal with them! But what happened to the village guard?

Well, unfortunately they're off fighting monsters in the Nuaru Uplands.

Is that so? Fear not then, for we shall aid you.

Leave it to us!

A Civil Service Android is duty bound to help those in need!

Thank you so much! The bandits were heading to the south of the village!

South it is then. Let's go!

The bandits are over that way!

Let us hurry!

Argh!

......

You all right, Joker?

Ow... Hold on a second...

I don't think I've seen these guys around here before...

They certainly look suspicious... And what manner of cat is that, walking upright like a human?!

Who d'ya think you're calling "cat," frogman?!

Just who the heck are you guys anyway? You're not those bandits, are you?

Wait, so about the whole bandit thing...

We're not bandits, we're...phantom thieves.

Seriously Skull.

Ph-pha-wha? Thieves you said?!

Phantom Thieves: A class of thief that is particularly elusive!

No, no, I mean yeah we're called Phantom Thieves, but we're good guys!

You're making us look even more suspicious there, Noir.

If you've come here to start anything in my town, I'll show you no mercy!

Well, I won't go down without a fight!

Aaarrrgh!

Huh?

I think the scream came from over there!

That must be the bandits!

What do you mean?

We're after the bandits, too. Someone who took care of us was in trouble.

Aldo, we better go see what that scream was about!

Yeah. Let's go!

We're going with you!

Bro. This village is so stocked. Like, super stocked. Mega stocked, bro. To the brim, Bro.

Yeah Bro! We're gonna be livin' like king bros, my dude.

Stop right there!

Whoa. Look at these dudes. There's so many of them, Bro.

Bro. Remember. We got all these monster dudes to fight for us, Bro.

Okay monsterinos, do your monster thing all over these dudes.

Want some more, do you?

This may be the first time we've fought together but man, it just feels RIGHT? Ya know?

Bro...too strong...dude...

Now, come quietly. It's pointless to carry on fighting.

Aldo! Sorry I'm late!

Darunis! How did it go in the Nuaru Uplands? Did you defeat the monsters?

Yeah, we certainly taught them a lesson they won't soon forget!

We, too, were just about to deliver the coup de grace on our bro-foes here.

Thank you for your help. Please, leave the rest to me.

Get over here, scum. I'm turning you into the Unigan Knights!

So, uh... You guys were trying to catch the bandits too, huh?

Sorry man. We totally thought you were the bandits, but you were just trying to help the village.

It was an honest mistake. Don't worry about it.

My name's Aldo and I'm from around here, but mostly spend my time traveling.

Cyrus at your service. I travel along with Aldo, giving assistance where needed.

I'm Amy. I come from Elz, Uh, a far-off land. I'm a hunter.

Allow me to formally introduce myself. I am a KMS all-purpose android, Type 2-03. Designation: Riica.

That's a pretty weird lineup...

So, you said you're the...what was it? The Phantom Thieves? Why do you call yourselves that?

What do we say, Joker?

I think we can tell these people our situation. They don't look like they're bad people, after all.

I agree! And also we have no other choice.

It's kind of a long story, but...

I see... So, you came from another world after hearing a voice from our world?

Thieves who steal hearts from bad guys. Appraisal: Cool!

You're very trusting. Aren't you even a little suspicious?

We have gotten quite used to such states of affairs by now.

So, you're looking for a way back to your own world?

Yup... We've been looking all over this village for clues but...

We're no closer to finding out where that voice came from.

The only clue we've got is the word "Solania"...

Solania? Doesn't ring a bell.

Riica, can you run a search on it?

Initializing database. Please stand by.

Wh-What's she doing?! It's legit!

Search complete: Zero hits. There are no mentions of the word within the next 800 years.

As far as I can recall, there was no such word 20,000 years ago either.

20,000 and 800 years is a pretty wide time frame.

So, what you're saying is that we've got nothing to go on.

Hold up, my grandpa might know something about it. He's the village mayor and knows stories from all around the world.

Speaking of the mayor, didn't he wish to speak with you about something, Aldo?

Ah man! I completely forgot about that.

What do you think? I'll introduce you all to him.

We'd be grateful if you could.

Right, everyone?

Okay, that settles it. Come with me, I'll take you to meet Grandpa!

Oh, Aldo. I heard there were some bandits making trouble. Did you deal with them already?

Yeah, they were no trouble. I let Darunis mop up.

Good, good. How nice that the village youth these days are so brave and heroic.

And it would appear you've got some new friends.

The old man doesn't look concerned at all about us.

Compared to a walking, talking frog and a robot girl...we're normal.

These are the Phantom Thieves of Hearts. They assisted us with the bandit issue.

They have some questions that you might know the answers to.

Oh ho! Well, I'm not sure how much help I can be, but fire away.

Have you heard the word "Solania" before?

Hmm. Solania, you say? I've not heard that word in many, many years.

You mean...you've heard of it?!

Solania is a legendary flower from the village of Lucniva.

In my adventuring days, it proved quite the motivation for me and my comrades.

So... Solania was the name of a flower.

Maybe we can get some info if we go to this Lucniva.

Most certainly. However, I fear the village has suffered much misfortune...

What misfortunate do you speak of?

Well, it just so happens that the reason I called Aldo here today was to request that he check on Lucniva. I've heard various unpleasant rumors about the place lately.

Unpleasant rumors, eh... That sounds a bit concerning.

Okay, Grandpa. I'll head to Lucniva and check what's going on.

Well, if Lucniva is the clue that leads us to the Solania flowers, I guess we are all heading the same way.

I thought you might say that. Here. Take this.

What is it?

It's a map to Lucniva village. It's far from here, but follow it carefully and you'll get there safely.

Thanks, Grandpa!

Phantom Thieves. You're tagging along, right?

Absolutely.

But it's a bit far, right? How should we get there?

Heh heh heh, that's where I come in!

What do you have in mind?

That's right! Mona can...

Yes, but not here. Let's head outside!

Thanks for the information.

I just hope it proves useful to you all. Please take care of my boy, won't you?

Okay. Let's head outside and see what Mona has in store for us!

All right... What did you have in mind, Mona?

Heh heh, just watch this...

Morganaaa...transfoooooorm!

Mona, you can transform?! What miraculous power is this?!

Wh-What in the world is this?! It's like a horse-cart, but completely different!

It's called a "car." Why not hop in and see for yourself? Don't worry, it's perfectly safe once Mona's transformed...for a while, at least.

I'm always safe...

So, it's some sort of vehicle... I've never seen anything like this, not even in the future.

That is because the rise of anti-gravity technology in Elzion led to a decline in the production of wheeled vehicles.

It's amazing... But will we all fit?

Erk! I didn't think about that...

Do your best, Mona...

*huff* *huff*

We made it! *huff* I'm really something, ain't I?

Traveling this distance on foot would have taken several days... But in a blink of an eye, we've arrived!

So this is Lucniva?

How can you be so chill after a ride like that?

Talk about being packed in like sardines... Ugh, my neck...my back...

Yeah, we clearly overloaded the car.

Inari... I don't think I...can go on...

That was your first time in a car, right? How did you find it?

*hick*... Oof... Not good...

Motion sickness detected. Engaging restoration procedure.

Well, that WAS one heck of a ride...

That was worse than my school days, when I had to ride in on a packed cargo vessel...

I feel like I'm about to croak...

Ugh... I still feel dizzy...

But at least we made it to Lucniva. Thank you, Mona.

Heh, it was nothing. Don't mention it.

Grandpa said he'd heard some bad rumors about this place, but...

It looks perfectly normal. How strange.

Yeah... Joker, you guys are gonna search for the Solania flower, right?

I'm wondering if we could meet with the mayor first.

Good idea. We certainly learnt a lot from the mayor of Baruoki, so that's not a bad start.

You're right, we should find the mayor before anything else. I'll come with you.

Okay, then. Let's start looking.

Is this the mayor's place?

It would appear he already has guests.

M-Mayor Sethka, I fear we may not be able to bring you our wares on time...

We were set upon by monsters from the mountains, and many were injured...

I see. That must have been terrible... I trust their injuries were not too severe?

Well, some of them can barely walk, but they're alive, at least...

Good. I'm glad to hear that...

So have them get straight back to work.

No way...!

I have noble clients in the city counting on me. Be sure to inform me of those who can no longer work. Remember, no breaks until the job's done.

Be off with you, now. I'm busy.

But...

Did I not make myself clear? Come on, get to it.

Urgh!

We've got no choice. Let's do as he says and get back to work. We deserve this punishment...

Hmph. I'll work these puppets until their strings break from the strain.

So...you're the mayor?

Hmm? Yes, yes. I'm Sethka, the mayor. I'm guessing you're with some sort of wandering circus? Well, these villagers are too focused on their work to care for pointless distractions.

But perhaps I could be persuaded... For the right price, that is.

Wow, someone's stuck up...

I don't like this one bit...

If you've come looking for work, then I've got enough to grind you into the floor. That is, if you'll agree to become my puppets. Well, what do you say?

No way! Can you believe this guy, Joker?

What do you know about "Solania"?

What?!

Where did you hear that name?

Oh, you know, through the grape vine...

Mother...

It was Mother who told you, wasn't it?! That foolish woman. How many times do I have to warn her?! I've been soft on her since she's my mother, but it's high time I dealt with this once and for all...

Hey, what's with that all of the sudden? Look, we only wanted to know more about Solania.

There's no Solania flower in this village!

It's forbidden to even mention that cursed flower here.

I'll let it go this time since I'm generous, but there won't be a second time. If you wish to become my puppets, you'd better keep your mouths shut.

Now, who's next?!

Jeez! What's going on here?! How can they just carry on obediently doing whatever that guy commands?!

If he tried acting like that in our world, he'd have a riot on his hands. He wouldn't last five minutes.

Hmm...

Is something wrong, Aldo?

Well, we're here because of Grandpa... He wanted us to check up on this place, right? And now I know why. But I doubt that he'd make us come here just because the mayor is evil.

Right... We'd better look into this.

Unfortunately, though, we were not able to secure any information about the Solania flower...

Not necessarily. When Joker asked the mayor about the Solania, he never said it was a flower...

Hey, what's with that all of the sudden? Look, we only wanted to know more about Solania.

There's no Solania flower in this village!

Ah ha! Now you mention it, he knew enough to know it's a type of flower!

D'you think he's got one hidden somewhere?

I don't know, but Sethka seemed adamant that there are no Solania flowers in this village.

Which explains why none appear in my database.

Doesn't look like we're going to get any more info outta him...

Well, should we ask his mother?

It's a good idea. If the mayor is not willing to talk, we must find others who might know something.

Let's go find Sethka's mother.

Yeah, she must be here in the village somewhere.

Did you learn anything over there?

Not much... It looks like a poor harvest.

The villagers look really busy. We'd better not bother them unless we have to.

Have you located the target?

Nope, there's no sign of her. I thought the place would be fitting for a mayor's mother...

I have never known anyone so preoccupied with their own mother...

Well, well. Are you the ones searching for the mayor's mother?

I rushed over once I heard some people were near the statue. You mustn't approach that statue, else he'll be furious with you.

"He"?

Hey, doesn't this lady remind you of someone?

Now that you mention it...

Hey, lady... Do you know anything about Solania flowers?

Ah, now there's a word I've not heard in many years! You'd better not let him hear you saying that.

You must be Sethka's mother, am I right?

How did you...? Yes, that's right. Sethka is my son...

We heard a voice... It was about Sethka and this village, Lucniva. A wish was made on Solania flowers. It was you, wasn't it?

Oh...oh! I-I'm not dreaming, am I? You really heard my wish?

You said that we shouldn't approach the statue, correct?

Ah, yes. I did. There's a small cottage on the edge of the village. We should go there and talk if you don't want to be heard by anyone. Follow me, if you don't mind.

Of course. Please, lead the way.

Excellent. We won't have to fear being overheard by anyone.

Exactly. Please feel free to use this place as much as you need to.

Thank you, ma'am!

So, just what is a Solania flower?

Those beautiful flowers growing around the statue were Solania flowers... Yes, the very same.

They were?!

They're mysterious flowers, only known to a select few. Legend has it they have the power to grant wishes. That statue used to be very important to the villagers. It was the centerpiece of the whole village.

However, since my son became the mayor, no one has been allowed to go near it, or even mention the flowers surrounding it.

Probably because the roots remain in the ground, the flowers still grow around the statue.

Why would he do that?

My husband, Sethka's father, was the previous mayor.

When he grew ill, Sethka took me to the statue, and we prayed to the Solania flowers for his recovery. Sadly, though, his father passed away...

I'm so sorry...

After that, my son...well, he changed. After becoming mayor, he began a reign of tyranny, treating the villagers like puppets he could use and dispose of. He was such a nice boy before this all happened...

My boy... He really regrets all those terrible things he does to the villagers. Sometimes when he thinks he's alone, you can see it on his face... A mother can tell.

Have you looked in here?

I finally found you! Lord Sethka wants to see you!

Sethka was talking about how he needed to "deal with you" earlier...

I see... Of course. I knew this was coming.

For a second, I saw a glimpse of hope when I realized that my wish was heard... Finally, hope had returned. Now, you may forget about all the things I said...

Wait, I have some questions.

Hmm?

It's hard to say in front of his mother... But aren't those people under his control suffering?

There are plenty of ways to deal with this...like going on strike, or running away to another village.

Well...you outsiders might think this village is unusual.

And we appreciate your sympathy, but we accept this punishment. We must atone for our sins.

Sins...you say?

Things aren't looking good for our village. Yet, the people know that going through this pain is the only way to make amends.

Take my advice and leave this village before it's too late.

What was that all about? He really weirded me out.

Let's sort this out... We managed find where the voice came from.

The mayor's mother told us to forget about this whole thing... But if her wish is what brought us here, perhaps granting it is the key to getting back to our world.

Besides, I don't like anything about this. We can't just forget everything and leave now.

We feel the same.

Agreed... The old man asked us to check things out. There must be something behind all this. It seems like Grandpa was right to worry.

The lady wished for someone to save her son.

If we can reboot Sethka in some way, it is highly likely that the state of this village could be improved.

So I guess Sethka is the key to everything.

Right... Everything'll be fine if we can just change him back into a good boy.

Perhaps we could delete the corrupted partition of Sethka's heart.

Hm? What do you mean by that?

It makes sense... If we get Sethka back to the way he was, then we'll have fulfilled his mother's wish.

With Sethka as he is now, the villagers will always live in fear. And...you heard his mother, deep down, the real Sethka regrets what he is doing.

There's nothing else we can do... We'll have to change his heart.

What do you mean by "change his heart"?

I guess our reputation isn't known 'round here. We ARE the Phantom Thieves of Hearts. We steal the hearts of the bad guys and literally change them.

In order to do that, we enter the target's heart, which we call a Palace.

So, what you're saying is...

You can go inside people's hearts?!

That can't be real! It's a metaphor... Right?

Oh, it's real all right. At least, in our world it is.

But how in the world do you get inside people's hearts? Doesn't seem like you can just make your own way in, like with our Dream Worlds.

But how in the world do you get inside people's hearts?

You gotta use the Metaverse Navigator app on your, uh, smartphone...

A smart...what?

Smartphone: presumed to be a mobile device used in the Metaverse. App: Short for "application." These are also used by KMS manufactured mobile devices!

Yep. The entrance opens by correctly entering the keyword into the Metaverse Navigator.

Hmm...entering a key of words into a metal navy?

Uh yeah, that's how it usually works... But things are different this time.

Yup. The thing is, we're in the Metaverse right now... At least that's what it says on the Navigator's screen. Which means, we can't use it.

You can't use it?! Then what can we do?

Well...

To tell the truth, we're kinda stumped too.

Normally, the Metaverse Navigator gets the job done. We don't even know another way...

Seems we've hit a wall...

I'm sure it'd be easy going if we could only get inside.

Out of options. More information required. What shall we do?

What was that?

Interesting...

A talking sword?!

I overheard your little chat. Take me to where you believe the Palace entrance is. Hah hah... You had best get moving before I change my mind...

Ogre Rancorem?

What will happen if the sword does change its mind?

Your guess is as good as mine. Even I don't know his intentions. But he swore an oath to me. He'll lend me his power when needed. We can trust him that far.

So...a place that possibly leads to the entrance of the Palace, huh?

Sethka's mother was making a wish around the statue where Solania flowers were blooming.

I guess the statue is the best option we got. Let's head over there.

Ogre Rancorem, we're here! We believe this is the entrance to the Palace.

Yes...this is the place. I feel a stream of cursed power pouring from here.

How can you tell?

Muahaha... That's a foolish question to ask. As a cursed sword, I can easily detect similar energy sources.

I shall lend you my aid, Aldo. But do not get used to it!

Urgh!

Huh?! What's that wave?! I've never seen such power!

Is this it? The entrance to his heart?!

I, a cursed sword that can cut through spacetime itself, has never encountered such a disturbance. I wonder what awaits you, Aldo. Heh heh... Go forth and learn what evil has nested itself in his heart...

Nested in his heart? What could that mean?

Everyone, it looks like the entrance to Sethka's heart has opened!

Great work, Aldo! You made our life easier!

Well, it was all Ogre Rancorem this time around.

We came here to help this village. This is our first time entering a heart, but we won't slow you down!

Hah. You're right. But who cares really...

We'll keep moving ahead. For the sake of these people!