Hero Stories: A Piece of the Past

*sighing* Have I finally escaped from that boiling heat?

If the Covenant can't even beat Magnar, he doesn't deserve his title!

Now, to Aakhen to carry out my next mission...

*rustling*

Huh?

This flower...

It looks like the flower that dad used to pick for me when I was little.

Come to think of it, these ruins also look like my hometown...after the conflict between religious sects destroyed it.

I never thought I'd find something that reminds me of home on this planet...

...

Shall I take a look around...just for a little while?

The crimes of denying the will of our god Rekos and indulging in blasphemous ideals are not acceptable under any circumstances.

Therefore, as representative of Rekos on this mortal plane, I sentence you to divine punishment!

You... Aren't you the priestess my father made those robes for? What do you mean we denied the will of our god...?

...Get back, Lilibet. She won't listen to anything we say.

I...don't understand. That priestess used to stand up for those of us in minority sects. She promised to protect us.

...I will listen to this nonsense no longer. Holy Order, arrest these blasphemers!

My lovely daughter... Please, survive. And if you do, you must...

And because of that priestess who tried to erase her past...I was ripped away from all my friends and family.

After that, I was deployed to work as security on Tyripas, Rekos's moon, where I was raised by mercenaries.

To survive, I had to abandon everything, from my swordsmanship to even my emotions, and replace them all with cold-hearted ruthlessness.

Yes, I was no longer an innocent girl. I was reborn as...

Lilibet, the survivor.

I believed in nothing but my mother's final words... That as long as I survive, I will one day be reunited with everyone.

But time passed, and when I finally returned to my old hometown after the Tyripas colony's collapse, I lost all hope.

Because what I found there was nothing but bleak ruins...just like this place.

All I'm left with is this small handkerchief I made with my father as a child...

...?

Where did it go? I remember using it while passing through the Fire Tongue Tunnel...

Did I lose it...?

I believe this is the location where I, Treasure King Goblomu, shall begin his very first Cidonian treasure hunt!

I found this place with only a single piece of an old map...

I'm just too amazing! Haha!

Anyway...I thought I was supposed to have someone to help me and keep guard... Where are they?

*panting* ...When...did you arrive?

Ages ago! How could you possibly help me when you struggle to even keep up!?

Ugh... This wicked old man, how does he move so fast with those heavy bags!?

Hehe, you're just incredibly fast, so mere ordinary people such as ourselves couldn't keep up with you...

Tsk, no more excuses. Where are the other guards?

...

Where have you been!? If you keep doing your job so poorly, I'll have no choice but to reduce your wages!

Hahaha, this slacker's got no one to blame but himself.

I've been checking the area to be sure there are no possible threats. It appears to be safe for now.

W-What!?

Well, it seems that unlike someone, you're not completely useless.

Sir, he's lying. He must have been...

Silence!

Now, shall we have a look at this map with these All-Knowing Glasses?

Hmm? There's a piece of cloth underneath my feet...but the glasses don't have any information about it.

How can there be an item that the All-Knowing Glasses don't know about? Wait...

Does that mean this item doesn't belong to this world!?

Hahaha! What a great start! I knew the Goddess favored me!

What's wrong with him? That's just a random piece of cloth. I thought he was just a grumpy old man... Is he insane?

Let's go! Cidonia's hidden treasures are waiting for us!

I was so caught up in the past that I lost my precious handkerchief. How foolish.

Since I already looked through the way I came, it must be somewhere near here, where I first saw that flower...

Where did it go...?

Footprints... Were these left by the people who took my handkerchief?

...I've got no choice but to follow them and see for myself.

Goblomu, we've been walking for quite a while... How far are we going?

Why are you asking? Are you tired already?

No, I'm not...

Hmph, what a wimp... That's why you're nothing but a petty thief!

This wicked old man...

Hmm, I'll explain anyway. We're heading somewhere called the Twisted Haven.

It's where the original inhabitants of this land used to live, and rumor has it that there are hidden treasures waiting to be found. But no one knew its exact location.

Until!

I, the great Goblomu, found this treasure map!

So that's why I decided to try to find treasure with you bunch of useless idiots and your other slightly less useless friends.

...I see. Wouldn't I be more of a hassle to you than help if I go with you?

No! I need everyone. It's well-known that a fearsome sentinel is guarding the treasure...

So here's my plan. You'll distract the sentinel. Meanwhile, I'll go inside and take as much treasure as possible.

S-Sentinel?! You never said anything about anyone guarding this place!

*chuckling* ...Look at you, all panicked and terrified.

What were you expecting? Did you really think you would receive great fortune just by wandering around with me?

No, but...

Hahaha, don't worry too much about it. I'm sure it's nothing.

If it turns out to be something dangerous...use this to put it to sleep.

That... Isn't that a dream elixir? I've heard these aren't being made anymore and are really hard to obtain.

But you have two bottles. No wonder they call you the Treasure King.

Oh, you've heard of these? Then I assume you know how they work too.

And that no one can stay sane once they drink this elixir... *chuckling*

Although I watered down a bottle of the elixir to make two bottles... Hopefully, that won't be a problem.

These don't look like Human footprints...

Does that mean it was taken by one of the lesser creatures of this planet?!

Ugh, why did they take my handkerchief!?

Phew... It looks like there are quite a few of them, so it might be a little too much for me to handle by myself...

But it should be fine, I've done this before.

Now that I think about it, there was a time when I was being chased...

Yes, I remember... The day I snuck into the Spirit Shrine.

Dammit, I should have seen this coming... I wouldn't have taken on work like this if the security team hadn't been disbanded.

...*sighing* I guess it's too late for regret now. I'll have to hide here and wait for them to pass by...

Hahaha! Of course! I'm telling you, I know it by heart!

Ugh, is someone here...?

So stop following me!

Just one last time, I promise I'll let you go after that.

You promise? Hehe, alright then, listen carefully! I'll recite it perfectly.

No one on this planet may escape the Eye of Rekos.

Therefore, He shines the light of generosity upon those who act virtuously and punishes evildoers through His Divine Punishment.

As He measures all on His Absolute Scale, no one dares doubt His fairness.

Beloved people of Rekos, refrain from wickedness. And may Rekos punish thee for thy vice.

So? What do you say, at least I won't be embarrassed in front of everyone, right?

...Although it's nowhere near perfect, I guess it's good enough for now.

*sighing* ...Quit nitpicking! Anyway, can I go now? I'm late for my appointment!

Alright then, I'll go report to the high shaman.

...

Punishes evildoers with his "divine punishment"...and no one dares doubt his fairness?

Does that mean my family did something horrible...? All we did was make clothes!

I've had enough of this religious crap! Enough!

*rumbling*

Who's there!? Who destroyed the holy statue of Rekos!?

I wish Rekos would just disappear...

And all of his followers too!

Ack!

Phew, I finally caught up with you. What's the rush, why did you come so far?

Who are you? Why did you attack us out of nowhere!?

I have my reasons. Let's see... Ah, it was you!

Are you here for my gold? Alright, we can't afford to lose anything else. I'll give you whatever you want.

...What are you talking about? I don't want your gold. Just give me my handkerchief back!

You know what this is...? Are you the owner?

Yes, so just give it back to me, and then we can all be on our way.

No! This is the only handkerchief like this in the world. Do you really think I'd just give it back to you?

Once it's mine, it's mine forever!

That's nonsense! You found it on the ground, and it's mine. It belongs to me, so give it back already!

Hmph, if it was so meaningful to you, you shouldn't have lost it in the first place! I found it, so it's mine now. I'll say it again...

I will never, ever give it back to you!

...Looks like you're not going to listen. Alright...

Then I'll just have to snip that greed-fattened body of yours into pieces.

*gasping*...! Hey, stop her! I'll pay you twice, no, three times as much as I promised!

Too slow!

Ack...!

Now, you're the only one left. What do you say? Do you want to do this alone?

N-No, ma'am! I-If you spare me this time, I-I'll be nice!

Hmm, you'll be nice...

W-Why...so cruel...?

Don't you know that being nice isn't enough to survive in this world?

Ack...

Wait, when did that fat Goblin run away?!

Arghh... I guess I'll have to track him down again.

What a hassle... I'll be sure to cut him into a thousand pieces!

*panting* ...Is she...still following me?

I...I don't think so. Phew... It doesn't seem like she's chasing us anymore.

I certainly was not expecting that. Hey, how many warriors are left to fight the sentinel?

...Less than half, Sir.

Ugh... Dammit! That's not enough. I don't think we can do this...

Unless we use your dream elixir.

Don't be stupid! Do you realize how expensive that was?!

In the worst-case scenario, my life could be at risk, so I'll save it for that.

Hmph, he made it sound like he would let us use it before...

I guess we'll just have to fight with the numbers we have...

I knew you'd be here! Wait right there, I'll cut you into pieces!

Arghhh! How...how did you find us!?

Sir, there's a hole in your bag...

That's how she found us? Following the trail of gold I left? Dammit!

Hey, Captain! Stop her, stall for time for me!

Stop... Please, stop following me...

*giggling* ...Looks like there's nowhere left to run, is there?

And those who came to protect you seem to be finding the ground pretty comfortable.

Get up, you idiots! I saw you get on the ground before the sword even touched you!

...

Give in already. Now, how do you want this to go? Do you prefer to be cut into circles? Triangles? Or squares?

Do you think I'll die at your hand, you crazy scissor girl!?

Let's call it a day. There's nothing worse than hanging out with boring people!

No, I can't die here...

*rattling*...

Oh... Right, I almost forgot I had this! I'm sure this will...

Hyaaaaaa!

Hmph, I accidentally cut this weird bottle of liquid in half...?

Haha, I knew you'd break it. Now you're covered in dream elixir. This ends now!

I don't know what you're trying to... Ugh, what is this?

*chuckling* I wonder what you'll see...

...I can't see anything...? I swear, that fat Goblin...

Huh? Why am I suddenly in the Rekos Spirit Shrine...?

Only punishment awaits those who deny Rekos.

This voice... No, this can't be right. You're supposed to be dead...

My holy duty is to punish blasphemers. And as long as they stand...

I will never fall.

Shut up! How dare you call us blasphemers...? You hurt innocent people trying to rewrite your own dark past!

How foolish of you... You've yet to realize your own sins.

That day... If only I had been strong enough to kill you, my family would have never been separated...

...Alright, maybe this way is better. Killing you only once wasn't enough for me anyway. If I don't kill you over and over again...

...my rage will never be tempered! So right here, right now...

...I'll shatter your soul.

...

I guess...she's calm now? This dream elixir sure works well!

...Did you enjoy your nap?

A nap? Oh, I fainted while protecting you, sir...

Silence! If it weren't for the treasure, I would have already... Ugh, never mind. Let's run away before that monster wakes.

...Die.

D-Did I just hear something?

Die! Die already!

What's happening in her dream!? Why is she going even crazier than before!?

Sir, we must run. I can't handle this...

Can't you see she's moving twice as fast as before?! Fight if you want to survive. That's the only way!

Right now there are only three of us left. Surely...death awaits us.

What? Do you still consider yourself a Goblin warrior?! You useless...

Never mind, it's my own fault... Does the legend of Goblomu end here...?

I don't want to die like this... Please, do something! Think through your past experiences and come up with something brilliant!

Oh, I've got an idea! Why don't you throw gold at her? There's a reason they call you "Jackpot" Goblomu!

There's nowhere left for you to run...

Alright, we're going to die here anyway... Why not enjoy my riches one last time?

I'll show you a shower of gold!

Ack... What was that? My eyes...!

Kyaaaaa...!

No... I can't be defeated like this again...

It worked... It worked, Goblomu! That monstrous girl is buried in gold!

Phew... That was close.

Hahaha... The goddess of luck is smiling upon me. But we can't go look for treasure like this.

You're right, sir. We can't confront the sentinel with only the few of us remaining.

Treasure can't move, right? Maybe we can look for it another time.

It surely does not move, but we won't be able to get in.

What? What do you mean...?

Because the gate is only open on certain days! Of course, I'm sure this isn't the last day it will be open, but who knows if I'll have a competitor by then?

There must be a good solution to this... Oh! Right, hehehe...

Why are you looking at that girl, sir? Please tell me you're not thinking what I think you're thinking...

...

I was fighting that damn Goblin at the Spirit Shrine...

But this place feels somehow familiar. Right, this is...

...This is where I was imprisoned after defeating the Sacred Knights who attacked me for destroying that statue...

A cell filled with nothing but pain and the darkest depths of despair.

And that must be...me?

Rekos took everything I had! Destroying his statue was the only thing I could do!

And for that one thing I did...I'm locked in here, never to see freedom again? It's unfair... This world is so unfair!

Dammit, those Sacred Knights were nothing to me... If only that white-haired guy hadn't shown up!

Months and months passed, and when I was slowly being suffocated by helplessness...

Yes... That's when he appeared.

Are you really going to bring her right to the treasure?

Do you know how scary it is every time she moves?! What if she wakes up?

Hmm, if you're that terrified, then you can let her go. But only if...

...you'll sacrifice your life to fight the sentinel.

Hahaha... Oh, come on, Sir. Why would we do that when you've already come up with such a brilliant plan?

Then quit complaining and keep moving! We'll arrive soon.

Waking her up and making her fight the sentinel... Do you think this will go as planned?

What if she wakes up and the dream elixir's effect has worn off?

It hasn't even been half a day, so it should be fine. More than anything...I'm worried that she'll attack us instead of the sentinel.

Look at the price we're paying for that tiny piece of fabric. This is far too much of a loss.

I'll have to collect as much treasure as possible to make up for this.

Okay, according to the map, this should be the place we've been looking for. I'm sure there's tons of treasure waiting for us behind that door!

Mmm! Looks very luxurious. It's like I can even smell the treasure from here!

...But more than the treasure, isn't there something we're forgetting?

Oh, don't be absurd! There are legends about the sentinel, but that doesn't mean it will actually appear...

*rumbling*...

Th-The wall is cracking! Please tell me I'm seeing things!

Grrrrrrrr...

Ahhh! It's really here...! What a terrifying-looking statue...!

S-S-Stay calm! We'll go through with my plan. Release that girl, quick!

Grrrrrrrrrrrr!

How long have I been locked up in here...? Hahaha, right... Maybe I should just give in to the darkness...

Since I have nothing left anyway.

Are you sure you'd be satisfied with things ending that way?

This voice...sounds familiar.

Ah, I see. You're that damn white-haired Sacred Knight who locked me up here, aren't you?

Did you come to see if I killed myself yet?

...Lilibet, real name unknown. Born into a family of tailors belonging to a minority sect.

Your family was torn apart and scattered all across Rekos in the name of "divine punishment."

You looked into my past?

Later, you were enlisted into Tyripas Security, where you earned many nicknames, including "Tailor of the Battlefield" and "The Devil's Scissors."

While these are childish nicknames, I believe they are evidence of your exceptional skill.

After the disbandment of the security team, you worked in back alleys until several months ago, when you snuck into the temple and destroyed the statue of Rekos.

Following a battle against a group of Sacred Knights in which you were defeated by me, you were imprisoned here. That about summarizes your life story, does it not?

Wow, thanks for reminding me what a terrible life I lived! So what? What are you trying to say?!

The only fate that awaits you is dying here, alone and helpless. I imagine you never wanted your life to end this way.

I know you still have a burning hatred for Rekos deep inside your heart.

...You're a Sacred Knight, what are you trying to say?

How did you end up with such a miserable, twisted fate? Was it by your own will? Or...Rekos's?

...

...I can help you temper your rage and unending pain. Join me, and be my sword.

Let go of your empty, painful past...

...and take hold of your future.

I've untied her! But...how do we wake her up...?

Do I really have to walk you through everything? I don't know, splash water in her face! Didn't you refill your bottle before?

Oh! Alright...

We'll see if you still have both arms after that...

*gasping*...!

What...? Why did I pass out? Ugh, my head... You! What have you done to me?

H-How is she awake...? The elixir couldn't have worn off already...

Wait, is it because I diluted it...?

How am I supposed to know? Anyway, I hope you're ready.

Because, thanks to that weird elixir, I got to relive a lot of bad memories.

I need to vent this anger somehow. So I guess I'll have to show you how we used to torture people at Tyripas Security. Hehehe...

I-I think you should look behind you...

Krrrrrrrrrrrrr!

Ack...! What's wrong with that giant statue!? Why is it attacking me!?

It's the sentinel that protects the ruins' treasure. Maybe...it thinks all of us are trying to steal from the ruins.

Ugh, give me a break. I just woke up. Hey, fat Goblin! Don't you dare run away from me.

It'll only make your pain worse when I catch you.

...

Grrrrrrrrr...!

Alright, alright, I'm coming! I'll pretty you up with my scissors, you ugly monster!

Now, let's talk about you, shall we? Since you've become such a big hassle in such a short time...

How should I punish you? Hahaha, I'm already so excited!

Look at her face... She's genuinely enjoying holding my life in her hands. I'm going to die... No, she's going to put me in so much pain I'll wish I were dead...

I'll give you everything you want! No, I'll give you everything I have. Please, I want to live...

...

Ack...! My head...!

...I'll let you go now.

That's it...?

Usually, I wouldn't just let you go like this... But, for some reason, today I don't feel like bullying someone weaker than me...

What? You have a problem with that? I can always start working through every torture method I know...

N-No, ma'am! If I can be forgiven like this, I'll sing praises of your mercy all day long...

...What are you talking about? Just shut up and give me my handkerchief.

H-Here you are...

And that too.

What do you mean...?

The elixir! You have it, right? If not...

O-Of course I do! I have one bottle left.

...Alright. Listen. I don't ever want to see your face again. If I ever run into you...

...you're dead. Understood?

...Is it over? Have I been released from this waking nightmare? *sighing* ...But I survived.

I, the Treasure King Goblomu survived. Hahaha! And all the treasure is mine too!

I'm the luckiest person in the world! Now, shall I finally see what treasure awaits me?

...What is this? There's nothing here but documents so old, they may as well be dust!

Wait... These are historical records... This is the treasure?!

I wasted too much time... I need to hurry to Aakhen.

...But it seems if I drink this elixir, I can see the past. And it almost feels real...

If I can figure out how to control it, maybe I can see my family again.

...

*clinkling sound*...!

"Let go of your empty, painful past...and take hold of your future."

He's right. The past is the past. I don't need to hold onto it anymore, just like Straze said...

Like this handkerchief...!

...

But...maybe I can keep just a small keepsake of a happy memory...