Debt on the High Seas

I'M RUINED!

Did you hear that?

Yeah, sounded like from over there.

Let's check it out!

Hey, were you shouting just now?

I'm...ruined... All this debt, and there's no way I can pay it all back...

How'd you end up owing so much?

One of my ancestors got in debt, and we've spent generations trying to pay it back, but it's just too much. It's over 1 billion git now...

A b-billion?!

I don't know the currency here, but that sounds like a lot of coin...

I don't even earn enough to pay the interest... There's no other option but to end it all...

Hold on! Don't do anything rash!

I want to help out if we can...

Sure, but we can't just take on the debt for him, right?

What did this ancestor of yours do to rack up that much debt, anyway?

I've heard the story a thousand times, passed down through my family...

Apparently, he was a notorious pirate based in a place called Acteul.

Through some trivial matter he ended up owing a lot of money.

He sought to repay it by finding some hidden treasure, but...

He didn't manage to do it?

Oh, he located the treasure, and almost got his hands on it, but something prevented it. So the debt remained unpaid, and continued to grow as interest was added.

My grandfather always said he'd have gone from deep in debt to filthy rich if he got his hands on the treasure... But empty dreams don't pay the bills.

...Maybe we CAN do something to help.

Huh?

Sorry. Would you mind waiting while we work this out?

Well, I don't see any way out of this, but I suppose I could hold tight for now...

Thanks! I'll be back soon!

Right...

I guess we're doing this, huh?

Yeah! Let's go meet this pirate!

Okay! He was based in Acteul, right?

So, where will we find this pirate?

I guess the first place to look for a pirate would be the tavern.

Even if he's not there, taverns are a good place to gather info.

All right, let's head over!

There's nobody here.

Let's ask the barkeep.

Hi there. Do you know of a notorious pirate living around these parts?

A notorious pirate? I wonder if you mean Aifread.

He's not notorious or anything. Just a treasure seeker who considers himself a bit of a corsair.

He popped the top on one of my most expensive bottles, saying he'd pay me in treasure! He's already racked up a massive tab.

So there's a pirate called Aifread in this world, too...

You wouldn't happen to know where we could find this Aifread, would you?

Yeah, the word is he's been hanging around Ratle looking for treasure.

Thanks! We appreciate the help!

If you see Aifread, tell him he better pay off his tab, or he won't be welcome here anymore.

Uh, sure. Understood...

He must have built up a big debt...

And if we don't do something, his descendants will be landed with it. Let's head to Ratle, Aldo!

All right!

Now where's this Aifread...

He's got to be around here somewhere. We could try the tavern again.

Okay, let's do it!

Aifread? He's that mopey-looking guy over there.

So you're Aifread?

Arr? Yeah, that's me. A pirate king in the making.

And you're looking for treasure?

I sure am, mateys... But not a soul believes it exists. Even though I have a treasure map to prove it.

No luck finding anything?

Nay, and if I'm the only one looking, it could take a lifetime...

Would you let us help you search for it, then?

What? Are ye serious?

Sure.

Haha. Who'd have thought such a strange lot would offer help. No one else paid me any mind.

I'll say it right now, though, I'll not share a penny with ye. We clear?

That's fine by us.

Then what's in it for ye?

It's not about profit. Dwarven vow #2! "Never abandon someone in need!"

Bahaha! I like you lot!

Can you show us that treasure map first?

Sure. Here it be.

...There's some kind of mark near the Zol Plains.

That's what it looks like, right? I've been scouring the Zol Plains, but I've turned up zilch. If there's treasure to be found, there must be some ruins of a kind.

Ruins? Hey, Aldo. Do you think it could be that place we were at?

You have information?!

Yeah, we have an idea, at least.

Then take me there!

Understood. Follow me!

I had no clue this place was here... I can't believe I never found it!

Still, with my expertise, I'd have uncovered it in time. Bahaha!

I dunno...

Well, from what we heard, he came close to getting his hands on it, so he must have found the place himself.

Any sign of the treasure?

Hold yer horses. I know all about these kinds of things.

It must be somewhere around here...

Bahaha! See? Aifread the Pirate King strikes again!

It's treasure time!

It looks like the treasure is ours.

I wouldn't be so sure. Remember, something went wrong right before he got his hands on it.

Wh-What?!

That's Aifread!

Something must have happened! Let's go see!

All right!

What is it, Aifread?!

The treasure's within sight... But look!

Ah, so that's what it was!

How might we deal with that?!

Don't back down now! You're the Pirate King, right?!

Uh, of course... I won't shy away from destiny!

That's more like it! And we'll lend a hand!

Bahaha... We did it!

Okay, let's take a look at the treasure!

No need for haste. The loot won't go running away on us!

Okay, I'm opening it.

What's that?

An Axe, by the looks.

THIS is the treasure?

I don't see how this will make anyone filthy rich... Filthy, perhaps...

It looks like something you'd find covered in cobwebs in an attic.

Oh, it's treasure, to be sure.

Huh?

It's the first treasure plundered by Aifread, the Pirate King! That makes it priceless!

The FIRST?!

That's right. I've come close to claiming treasure before, but I always panic and turn tail...

I've seen the light, thanks to you. To win fortune, I must conquer me fears!

I swear upon this axe! I'll become a Pirate King and travel the world seeking riches!

Now that's settled, I'd better get me a ship!

You don't even have a ship, and you call yourself a pirate?

You've all been such a big help. Once I'm crowned as Pirate King, I'll share a little of the loot!

Maybe you should pay your drinks tab at the tavern first...

Bahaha! Fear not, I'll even throw in a tip!

And now, time to strike while the iron is hot! Later, land lubbers!

Off he goes...

So, Aldo. Do you think this will solve that debt issue?

I don't know... We better go back and find out...

Wasn't his descendent around here somewhere?

Excuse me. Do you know if any family of the pirate Aifread live around here?

Aifread's family? That wealthy lot?

Wealthy?!

Yeah, of course. They hold these strange events from time to time. Everyone knows 'em in these parts.

Strange events?

Yeah, they're lookin' to trace the whereabouts of a legendary trio. Somethin' about passing on treasure bequeathed by their ancestor.

All sorts of rabble have shown up claiming to be the trio, but no one's been awarded the loot yet.

I think they were holdin' one in Gamma District earlier.

Yeah? Thanks for the info.

Well, it sounds like the debt was taken care of.

That trio must be us, right? They're trying to track us down.

Hey, maybe it's about that loot we were promised once Aifread became a pirate king?!

Let's go take a look!

Come! If you match the description of the legendary trio, the treasure's yours! Any takers?

We're the Dark Trio! I bet that treasure belongs to us!

Hmm... I'm afraid not... Perhaps try again once you're a little older.

Tch! Let's get outta here!

Oh! You three are together, no?

Yeah, that's right.

We have a winner! A trio matching the description has finally materialized! A warrior in blue carrying a massive blade, a dual-wielding swordsman in red, and a masked swordsman with black armor!

So THAT'S what you were looking for?! How were we supposed to guess that?!

Thank heavens! Now I can stop holding these peculiar rallies! Here's your treasure!

This is...

It's that axe!

Is that a message with it?

Well, he was true to his word...

He freed his descendant from all that debt, anyway!

Yeah. I guess the axe will make a good memento.

I have to admit I had higher hopes when he offered to give us a cut.

Yeah, this axe is too old to be any use in battle.

It's got a good weight to it, though.

I guess Aifread had all sorts of great adventures with this axe at his side.

Yeah... I hope I get to sail the seas one day, too!