Some Small Power II

I guess I should go meet up with Cyrus and the others in Unigan.

Hmm... Unigan. It seems we found our way back.

So, what's the plan?

We need to meet up with Shion and see what he's learned.

Well look who it is! Your timing is impeccable.

L-Lord Atratt...

Calm yourself, Aldo, He doesn't know we're on to him yet. Just try and act normal.

Kure filled me in on the details. I was delighted to hear that you were able to reunite that creature with its mother without serious incident. Yet again, I find myself in your debt.

It's fine. We made a promise to the creature's kin, and we had a duty to keepen it.

It pains me to do this after all that you've done for me, but I have another favor ask, Master Aldo. Would you allow me a little more of your time?

I don't mind, but why me?

How about we discuss it over a meal at the tavern? Your friends are invited as well, of course, and it'll be my treat. I've still yet to reward you, after all.

We would be honored. As it turns out there are a few things we'd like to ask you as well.

And I would be happy to answer. Shall we be off, then?

Art thou sure this is a good idea, Cyrus?

There are limits to what we can learn just by investigating our surroundings. This is a good opportunity to take our queries directly to the source.

I can't imagine he'll let much slip, but if that's what you think is best, then I won't argue.

I'm surprisede a noble taketh his meals among the common folk.

Well, I've been coming here since I was a lad, you see. This place is special to me.

But if it displeases you, I'm more than happy to arrange a meal at the manor instead.

Forgiven me, I didn't meane it that way. I actually prefere places like this.

So what was it you wanted to talk to me about, Lord Atratt?

Nothing so urgent that we have to discuss it right away. We have plenty of time before our meal arrives.

While we're waiting, I'm curious to hear your thoughts on King Miglance, Master Aldo.

King Miglance? He's a good man, and I respect him greatly. He always puts the needs of his people first.

Maybe so, but was he also not utterly defeated by the Beast King in the recent siege? Miglance has ever been a kingdom ruled by the sword. The kingdom needs a powerful leader upon the throne, and recent events have proven King Miglance anything but. Does this not trouble you?

It's true that King Miglance was cornered by the Beast King, but he wasn't defeated. My blade saw to that.

Exactly. YOUR blade led our nation to victory, NOT the king's.

While I may have been the one to land the decisive blow on the Beast King, it was only thanks to the support of countless others. As one of the kingdom's subjects, are my victories not also the king's?

Not to me, no. You may have saved him in the end, but it doesn't change the fact that he was bested. How can we entrust the safety of our nation to such a man?

So, what then? You can't accept anything less than a perfect, indomitable ruler?

Exactly. When war breaks out, it is not the king who marches to his death, it is his soldiers. Their lives should not be entrusted to a weak man.

Rawrrrrrr!

Who goes there?!

You have nothing to fear. They are my wards, family members of the brave soldiers who died in the siege of Miglance.

They gather here for one purpose, to ensure future generations don't suffer like they do. We seek to install a new ruler, a monarch of true power to protect us all.

...Are you saying you plan to incite a rebellion?

Precisely. And, we've already found the perfect person to lead it, a true man of power, YOU, Master Aldo.

We beg of you, Become the unbending king our people need. Together we can found the most powerful nation Migleina has ever known.

You want ME to be the king? I'd make a terrible ruler!

Don't say that. I assure you that there is no one more suited to the role.

I'm not as strong as you think. I've suffered my share of defeats, too...

No, Aldo, let him talk. You shouldn't make a decision before you've heard everything he has to say.

Have I left something out?

I would say so, yes. You surely don't expect us to join a revolution we have no assurance of winning.

On that point you needn't worry. Our plans are already in motion.

Plans will do you little good without an army to carry them out. Widows and orphans make poor soldiers.

Indeed. My people know much of the horrors of war, but little of the art. That's why we have a different sort of army in mind, , An army of monsters.

You may be surprised to know that I've developed a method of taming the vile creatures. We will have THEM assault the castle gates and assassinate the king.

Thou tamest them?!

Was that why thou tookest them into your care? Only to satisfyen thine own selfish ambitions?!

I have creatures hidden across the entire continent. I intend to set them upon countless villages, forcing the knights to dispatch, thus weakening the castle defenses. The king will be powerless to stop what comes next, a beast I trained personally to take his head.

What?! I'll never allowe that!

This plan of yours will lead to countless civilian casualties. Doesn't that go against everything you stand for?

No, because my monsters have been trained to only attack the outer walls and buildings, not the people. I've even gone so far as to train them to put up little resistance against the knights. This plan will ensure that no lives are lost save the king's.

What of the animal's lives?! Thou wouldst send them to fight thy battles for thee?!

After robbing them of even their ability to defenden themselves?!

She's right! Just because they're monsters doesn't mean you can treat them like tools! They're living things!

I see... Unfortunately, it seems that we will not be able to find common ground after all.

If you refuse to embrace your destiny, Master Aldo, then I'll have no choice but to take the throne for myself.

Hold on! You don't think we're just going to let you go, do you?!

If you want Master Atratt, you'll have to go through us first.

Ngh! Get out of my way! This is between him and us!

(Master Atratt is planning a rebellion? And he's going to use the animals to do it?)

I knew there was something off about that monster...

I wasn't expecting to find you here, Kure. Shouldn't you be at the manor?

Let's head back to take care of the animals, shall we? We wouldn't want them yelping for food.

I'd like to settlen this peacefully.

What should we do? It's not like we can draw our blades against unarmed civilians.

Indeed... We find ourselves at an impasse.

Umm... Master Atratt? I kinda might've overheard what you were talking about at the tavern earlier.

Are you really planning to use monsters to hurt the king?

You heard that did you? I was hoping to keep you out of it since you're still a child, but I guess it can't be helped.

It's true. The others and I are planning to build a peaceful country where soldiers and innocent people don't have to die anymore.

But what about the animals? We worked so hard to treat them... I don't want them to die...

They would've died anyhow, had we not saved them. It's only fair that they repay their debt to us.

Wh-What about Guardy?

Ahh, that one. If only all monsters were as strong and obedient... It's still young, but it's only a matter of time until it grows to full size.

But...but Guardy found his family. He was gonna live a happy life in the forest. If he gets mixed up in your plan, then...

Fret not, Kure. What could be happier for that creature than becoming the very key to our revolution?

That's not happy at all...

Kure... You of all people should understand why I'm doing this. Was I wrong to put my trust in you?

Would you betray the very man that saved you from the destitute life of a street urchin? Even monsters show more loyalty than that...

How about this, Kure? How about YOU go and assassinate the king, hm?

The castle guards would never suspect a mere child. With just a little effort on your part, none of the animals you love so much would have to be involved.

I-I can't do something like that...

I see... Then how about assassinating Aldo instead? Now that he knows our plans, he cannot be allowed to live. Killing him would be a much simpler task than slaying the king, wouldn't you agree?

It seems a lot has happened in my absence...

I was hoping to avoid starting any trouble so soon, but it seems that trouble found us. However, it did allow me to confirm my suspicions on how exactly he planned to mount his rebellion.

The monsters... I suspected as much. What else could they have been planning to use that taming equipment for?

We don't how many monsters he's already released into the wild, but we should assume that it's more than we can handle by ourselves.

Yeah, which is why we need to end this before he can ever make a move. But the manor's been totally sealed off. What are we gonna do?

Well if you're prepared for a fight then I can think of a few ways inside.

That won't work. The rebels are all untrained civilians. Someone could end up getting killed.

Any ideas? We're running out of time.

P-Please... I need your help...

Kure! What are you doing here?

Wait Olberic. That boy has a knife.

I-I don't know what else to do... He said if I don't kill Aldo, Guardy will...

Everything's going to be alright, Kure. Let go of the weapon.

Who put you up to this? Can you tell us?

I see. So it was Atratt who ordered this.

I'm so sorry Aldo... I just wanted to save Guardy, and...

It's okay. I'm just glad you came to your senses.

But now what am I gonna do? When the master finds out, he'll, I beg you, Sir! You can't let him use Guardy to kill people!

I won't. You have my word.

Well, we're going to need to figure out a way inside first.

No. That won't be necessary.

Olberic?! Where are you going?!

Over there! He's one of the outsiders trying to foil Master Atratt's plans!

Move. My business is with Atratt alone.

Move? Like hell we're gonna move! Put your hands behind your head.

Wait! Leave him alone!

Kure?! What are you doing here?! This man is a criminal, an enemy of House Atratt!

I know. And I'm the one who asked him to come here. Master Atratt's rebellion has to be stopped!

Kure! Have you forgotten everything the master has done for you?!

Calm down, everyone! You can't do this!

Standen back, Kure. These beasts aren't sound of mind.

...Are you going to hurt them?

Don't worry, we won't kill them.

No... After all Master Atratt did to train them...

Sniffle... I'm so sorry...

Grrr...

You poor fools. You said yourselves that you wouldn't follow a weak king, and yet you would do this to a child.

If it takes destroying this boy's future to bring about your revolution, then what right do you have to lead?!

How are you any different from the king you so loathe?!

Then what would you have us do?! What would you do if your children and grandchildren were sent to the frontlines to die for nothing?! Would you just live out your remaining days wallowing in regret and your own powerlessness?!

We're not saying you shouldn't do something, just that it's important HOW you do it. Those soldiers didn't give their lives for this.

Whenever we step onto the battlefield, we soldiers understand the risks. Fallen soldiers don't desire vengeance, , They fought and died so that the people who survived them could live in peace. If you would honor them, do it by appreciating what they gave you and doing everything you can to protect it. Right now, you're destroying the very thing your children and grandchildren gave their lives for. YOU are the ones making it so that they died for "nothing".

......

Let's go. We're out of time.

Now to find our man.

He's probably in his chambers. I can take you there.

Good. Atratt's ambitions end today.

Master Atratt. I regret to inform you that the boy has chosen to ally himself with the outsiders.

I see... That is unfortunate. Kure's failure means we will have press forward with our plan ahead of schedule.

Hear me young beast, for I am your master.

Grrr?

Grawr?

It's over, Atratt!

I'm not foolish enough to expect a few monsters to keep our nation's greatest hero at bay for long.

Don't think you've won just yet.

I understand that you're trying to create a world where people won't get hurt anymore, and I respect that. But using monsters to start a revolution? Destroying the peace that this nation's soldiers died to bring us?

That would make you no better than the Beast King himself!

With enough power, any enemy can be forced to kneel. That's why the monarchy has lasted as long as it has, because the might of a nation can crush all opposition to its authority.

You're wrong! King Miglance doesn't rule with an iron fist! He always puts the needs of the people first, and I'm sure the kings of old did, too. Maybe it looks like power is all it takes to run a kingdom, but there's so much more to it than that! Someone who would hurt his own subjects just to further his ambitions is unfit for the throne!

You say you'd force your enemies to kneel, but somehow I doubt you would do it by your own hand. No one will respect a man who relies on the strength of monsters.

Say what you will. It won't matter when you're dead.

Grawrrr!

Guardy! But why?! You should be in the forest!

This is YOUR fault, Kure. If you'd only done what you were told I would have never had to resort to this.

No...

Guardy, you can't do this! You'll die!

Grawr...

Guardy...why...

I cannot reade this creature's heart... It's like its spirit hath been completely broken.

All the better to follow my orders. But this isn't any different from the beasts you've already seen. What I really want to show you...

, Is the ugly, violent, and PURE nature of bestial instinct!

Well... That certainly looks ominous.

Scoundrel! Just how much must thou abusest these poor creatures before thou wouldst be satisfied?!

Hmph. I'm not the one doing the killing here, That would be you. ...If you want to live that is.

Guardy...

We won't kill him. I promise.

Nothing but talk! This is no average beast, This is the very creature that will deliver me the Kingdom of Miglance!

But before that can happen, you need to die!

But before that can happen, you need to die!

How?! How was it not enough?!

Guardy!

GRAWRRR...

Thou must rememberest, child. We are not thine enemy. That boy is thine irreplaceable friend. No amount of "taming" could ever make thee forgete that.

Guardy, please, you've gotta remember... I want to be friends again.

GRAWRRR...

My control is broken?!

Well then, I'd say unless you plan on fighting us yourself it's about time you surrendered.

Ngh! DAMN YOU MEDDLING OUTSIDERS!!!

What's the point of calling more monsters when we've already bested your strongest? They won't even buy you time.

After him, Linde!

Rawr!

Damn it! All of my precious monsters, GONE! It'll take years to procure more!

You... Have you returned for your child? Well, that serves my purposes just fine.

Go! Even if you can't kill them, I command you to buy me time to escape!

Grrr...

W-Wait... What are you doing?! You're going the wrong way...

GRAAAGH!!!

Atratt! Is he dead?!

It's fine. Loweren thy weapons.

Stay back, Kure.

Grawrf!

Grrr!

I'm sorry thou wert pulled into our problems yet again. I shan't aske your forgiveness, but I hope you will at least steppest aside for the sake of the children.

Are you sure it's wise to let it go?

It only came here for its child. The forest hath its own laws, and one must faceth retribution for breaking them.

Did Master Atratt...die?

No... He's still breathing! If we move fast he might yet have a chance!

...Is Master Atratt gonna be okay?

We'll save him, Kure. I promise.

Doctor! Is Master Atratt going to make it?!

He might not have if you'd arrived any later.

Then, that means, !

He'll make it, barely. But he's in no condition for visitors.

I need to report what happened here to my superiors. Can I leave the rest to you?

Wait. This isn't over yet.

A ring?

I noticed something interesting during our confrontation earlier. Whenever he gave orders to his monsters he would give off a ghastly aura. Such magic should be beyond the grasp of a common civilian, unless...the ring itself was the source of his power.

That said, I'm not sensing any traces of magic from it now.

......

Is something wrong, Aldo?

That ring... It looks exactly like the one Odysso gave me.

Is that so? Then I suppose it would be quickest to ask him directly. I trust you can handle things here, Shion?

Cyrus. I'll have to ask you to take care of this one on your own. I need to be here for Kure.

Thank you, Sir, but I'll be fine. Master Atratt wasn't always like that. He was a kind man who looked after innocent animals and his fellow townsfolk alike. It was the ring that cause him to change, wasn't it?

So please... Promise me you won't let something like this happen again. I just want Guardy and the other animals to be safe and happy.

...Alright. Consider it done.

Come, child. Let's get you somewhere safe.

I'm surprised how well he's taking this. He's a tough kid.

You're wrong about that. He's just putting on a brave face so that we can do what needs to be done.

Then let's see that we do.

Can you bring us to the Spacetime Rift once more, Aldo?

Yeah. I've got plenty of questions for Odysso, myself.

You're never getting through!