Hero Stories: Family

Do you really mean that, Boss? Are you sure we can order anything we'd like?

I wouldn't have said it if I didn't mean it.

Mr. Eligos, I think...this place is too expensive...

That's quite all right. You don't have to worry about things like that.

Unlike Haste and Pyllis who took a long vacation to Wetheric Moor, you two aren't really planning on doing anything special...so dinner is the least I could do.

Ah... Mr. Eligos.

You sure love to worry about nothing, Coli. Everything we eat is going to come out of the Taranor government's pocket, anyway. That's why I'm gonna get the most expensive thing I can find!

Right, Boss?

Actually, I'll be covering this meal.

Ack...

You know, I think we ought to go to this other place just down the street. I saw it on the way over here. They serve Ezeran food and I thought the prices were pretty reasonable too...

You two...

Did you come all the way here just to complain about the menu? You're embarrassing me, so just order, will you?

Yes, Boss!

All right, Mr. Eligos.

The food here is as delicious as it is expensive.

*munching* Maybe it's because you're the one treating us, Boss, but everything tastes so good!

...

Help yourselves.

Waiter

Hello, everyone. How did you like the beer you ordered?

Err... We didn't order any beer.

It was great! Revenbol sure knows their beer.

Waiter

I'm glad you enjoyed it. Here's the check. Whenever you're ready, sir.

Thanks.

Just now, that was a secret rendezvous, wasn't it?

Ugh... Can't you just act cool and pretend like you didn't see anything. Get with the program!

Coli's right. We're at a restaurant. Focus on your food.

But, Mr. Eligos.

Yes?

Do you come here...often?

Hmm...

Not anymore...but I used to be a regular here a long time ago. This place wasn't so fancy back then.

It was just a dinky little dive bar...a real hidden gem, in my opinion.

How far back in the past was this?

Was it before I joined Dagger Sicar?

It goes way back. Back before Dagger Sicar even existed.

Who...did you come with? Was it a...?

He came alone, of course. We weren't there to accompany him back then.

What are you talking about?

Of course I had people to share a drink with.

CHARACTER STORY Family

Family... This simple word harbors a mystery that I just can't wrap my head around.

I had no idea what it meant since I never had anything that even remotely resembled it.

Back when Taranor was still peaceful under the rule of the benevolent King Alfred, a housekeeper working at a small orphanage in a slum found me.

There was no heartfelt note asking for someone to take good care of the baby. No nothing. Just a newborn baby wrapped in a blanket left on an icy road.

Since the baby wasn't even crying, everyone thought it was dead at first.

Hmph, maybe it had been settled that far back, that I was going to be as tough as nails.

I don't know what it's like elsewhere, but growing up in an orphanage on the rough side of Revenbol was no picnic.

Every day was a constant battle for survival, and relying on others was a luxury that I couldn't afford.

The more independent one is, the longer they can endure.

No one had to teach me the rules of the streets, I was already well-versed. That was my one and only gift.

After the Archdemon War that Diene was involved in ended

Crew Member Johnny

Yo, Eligos.

Eventually, it was that singular gift that got me out of the orphanage early. From then on, I hustled my way up...from the streets, to shady warehouses and underground gambling rings...

It was around this time that I stopped hearing the word "boy." I was a member of the third-biggest crime syndicate in Taranor.

You're over an hour late.

Crew Member Johnny

I'm sorry!

I dropped by the hospital on my way over to check on Tony.

I see.

How is he? Doing better?

Crew Member Johnny

He's able to recognize people now. I'm sure he'll bounce back in no time... He's one tough cookie, you know?

I guess... So, what did Boss say?

Crew Member Johnny

Well, that's what I asked you down here for... He wants you to take the lead on this next job, Eligos.

He's looking for someone who doesn't leave loose ends. Says you're the most dependable of all of us.

Hmm...

Do we know where he's hiding?

Is that him?

Hey! You're the trash that did that to Tony, aren't ya?

Don't make this harder than it needs to be, and let's just get it over with, all right?

Crew Member Johnny

Nice work as always! No wonder you're Boss's right-hand man.

Did you tell him what we talked about?

Crew Member Johnny

Of course. He said he was counting on you.

He said he had a job for you, a big one, so he's asking you to lay low for a month or two. Just in case those guys start knocking on doors, looking for you, you know?

No, I meant the other thing we talked about.

I said I wanted to be in charge of a business like you are. I'd be okay running some dingy bar or hole-in-the-wall inn. Anything.

Crew Member Johnny

Ah... That?

I did... But, um...as you know, big or small, running a business ain't easy.

I can handle it.

Crew Member Johnny

Umm...and I'm not disagreeing with you. But...we're not the ones calling the shots here. Besides, Boss thinks your strengths lie elsewhere.

I can't keep doing that kind of work for the rest of my life.

Crew Member Johnny

...Yeah yeah, I hear you. Listen, I'll bring it up again...when the timing is right.

Next scene: 4. Heartless Street

...

2. 4. Heartless Street

89 lines

Crew Member Johnny

What's up, Eligos?

You're on time today.

Crew Member Johnny

You remember the job I told you about the other day, right? The big one. Boss said it outright this time. He said it had to be you.

Who's the target now? Things have been quiet around here recently.

Crew Member Johnny

It...looks like we found out who's been supporting our rival from the shadows.

A young noble, but he seems to have a great deal of interest in the local businesses here.

An aristocrat?

Crew Member Johnny

You know the type. One of those busybodies who's trying to exert their influence in a place like this, whether it's for their own gain or because their family asked them to...

Seems like it might not be a good idea to mess with this guy.

Crew Member Johnny

Don't worry about it. If you go to Ezera and lay low for like six months, it'll all just be yesterday's news.

..."like six months" makes me certain this isn't a good idea.

Crew Member Johnny

Well, yeah... He's still a noble after all. But try to look at it this way. It will bring peace to Revenbol. So that's the silver lining, right?

Also, Boss promised that he'd give you a business to manage when you come back from your break.

...He did?

Crew Member Johnny

Yeah, so why don't you just take care of this?

I was never the one to carry out a job half-assed, but I put a little extra effort into it this time around.

I can't go through my whole life constantly being the one to get my hands dirty... Around here, if you don't come up with early retirement plans fast enough, retirement will find you...

...and gift you with an extra hole in your head.

According to Johnny, that young noble comes by here from time to time late at night and sticks around for about an hour or two.

A dive bar in the seedy backstreets of Taranor.

The sign outside that must've been "Lusicar's Bar" a long time ago became so old and run-down. From a distance, the only letters I could make out were "Sicar."

That's where I went every day to find him. I'd change where I sat to avoid being spotted. Some other days, I just stayed outside, looking in.

After a few days of staking the place out, my target finally showed up.

I recognized him right away, since his appearance was so...distinctive.

He looked about my age. And he loves to drink...

He just kept on going... Like he had fallen head-over-heels in love with booze.

There was nothing out of the ordinary about him. He looked like a young, defiant nobleman who just wanted to flash his money.

He ordered some more drinks after talking with the people around him...then he bought a round for everyone in the bar.

After quenching my thirst with the free drink, I take a look around as I get ready for the hunt.

He seems to be with two guards. One by his side and the other one by the entrance. It'd be hard to get rid of them with all these witnesses.

I need to take care of him before he returns home...

Madam Lusicar

Oh my, leaving so soon.

Young Noble Man

Well, I have plans tonight.

Madam Lusicar

A girl?

Young Noble Man

No, just a friend. An old friend of mine.

Before leaving, he gave a nod to his guards, signaling that they could leave first. The two soldiers who were in shoddy disguises as commoners looked puzzled for a second then turned away.

Luck seemed to be on my side today. I waited a bit for him to leave, then I got up without arousing any suspicion.

Drat. Right now is when the patrol change shifts...

I should get rid of them first lest I risk the chance of them getting in the way of a crucial moment.

The young noble was walking by himself very slowly as if he was enjoying the chilly night air.

He stopped for a moment and checked his surroundings to see if he was being followed, then he went into a small, dark house.

After waiting a bit, I headed in that direction as well. Slowly and quietly, I approached the back door, dagger in hand.

I was prepared to immediately take out the guards if there were any inside, but...

Young Noble Man

There's a front door too, you know.

He was alone.

Young Noble Man

Why don't you take a seat and have a drink with me? And put down that dagger.

...

Young Noble Man

You could poke an eye out with that thing.

Shut up...!

Young Noble Man

Hey, chill out.

CRASH!

An assassin!

Protect Sir Friedrich!

Friedrich...?

As in...Prince Friedrich?

Are you all right?

Friedrich

I'm fine, stop fussing over nothing.

Also...why are you even here? I thought I told you not to follow me.

B-But Sir Friedrich.. This is our duty.

If something were to happen to you, we'd be as good as dead before sundown.

Friedrich

You don't have to worry about that. There's no way something bad would happe...

Of course there is! We caught this scum trying to take your life red-handed!

We're taking in him for treason. I bet one or two days in the torture chamber will have him singing like a canary.

Two soldiers with their imperial weapons and shields were closing in on me from both sides, and there was no opening.

They were too close for me to reach for my gun, and my dagger was on the floor. Even if I managed to pick it up before they got to me, it wouldn't make a dent in their shiny armor.

I saw no way out.

Friedrich

Hey, there seems to be a slight misunderstanding... That's my buddy.

...!?

I beg your pardon?!

Your buddy? But he was going to stab you with his dagger a second ago.

Friedrich

His dagger? Ah! Haha, no that's mine.

Friedrich picked up my dagger from the floor, dusted it off once casually, then stuck it in his belt as if it really was his.

Friedrich

We were just messing around, but it got a bit out of hand there at the end, I admit.

...Right.

...I see.

Friedrich

Is everything okay now? Look, I have something I need to discuss with my friend, so why don't you go and hang out at a bar or something?

Or better yet, why don't you go home and get some rest?

...Maybe we should just call it a night. He's not going to listen to us anyways.

...You're right. I'm sure he'll be fine. He dodged that thrust pretty well back there... If he had dodged to the right instead, that would've been perfect form, but still good enough.

Let's go, then.

Wait a sec, this cologne...?

Hmm? What is it?

Umm... No, it's nothing. I think I must be mistaken.

There's no way Sir Krau would be in a place like this.

Though not fully convinced, the guards left the two of us alone in that tiny house.

Well, actually, the "three" of us, to be exact.

Prince Friedrich's old friend, the one he left the bar early for, had already arrived and was watching this ridiculousness unfold.

Next scene: 7. Revenbol Sewers

You made me come all the way here just to meet you, and you show up late? I'm a very busy man, Friedrich.

Why did you spare him anyway?

3. 7. Revenbol Sewers

80 lines

Friedrich

To be honest... I have no idea why I defended him...

Perhaps...because we have the same taste in liquor?

Yeah, that sounds like you all right.

...

Friedrich

Ah, where are my manners? This is...the owner of Guardian Ziegfried and the hero who led Taranor to victory during the Archdemon War!

Stop it.

Friedrich

Mister Krau, the Heir! Then here, we have...

Eligos.

Friedrich

Cool name. It's the perfect name for a hitman.

It sounds like this is your first time meeting each other.

Friedrich

Yes, it is.

When it comes to forming a friendship, compatibility matters more than how long we've known each other. So...I look at what a man drinks to see what they're like.

Uh... I was just copying you and ordered the same thing.

Friedrich

You see? Even now, he doesn't drop his attitude or start begging me "Your Highness, please show mercy..." Do you know who he reminds me of, Krau? You, when I first met you.

Ha, you're drunk. Do you even hear this gibberish that you're spouting?

Friedrich

Oh, that's nothing. I'm just getting started.

Friedrich opened up another bottle of wine, and Krau handed me an empty glass. I sat at the table. There were no other options.

I was about to be executed for committing treason...so I figured it'd be best to just go with the flow for a while.

However, as the clock passed midnight, I started to enjoy this bizarre gathering more than I ever could have expected. I didn't even realize what time it was until the sun began to rise.

That's how the three of us met.

Of course, my choice of drink wasn't the only thing that had kept my head attached to the rest of my body.

Friedrich was looking for a dependable informant to pass along intel about the highborn masterminds pulling the strings in Revenbol's underbelly.

But why me, of all people?

Why did he decide to put his faith on a hitman who attempted to slash his throat?

He's just that kind of guy.

...

I'm telling you. Sometimes you may feel like there's more to him than that, but it's not that deep...

I really didn't know how much I could trust these two men who had come from such different upbringings, with higher status, loftier philosophies, and cleaner lives than me.

But I thought they were a far cry better than my boss who did nothing but string me along, before leaving me to die by sending me on a suicide mission.

After accepting Friedrich's offer, I gave them Johnny, who handed over the names of the higher-ups of our organization.

It was only a matter of time before my boss, then, in hiding, would be dragged out to face the music. But like always with this kind of work, rooting out the real mastermind wouldn't be so simple.

The three of us reunited back at the old pub after sending everyone to the underground prison. Madam Lusicar was nowhere to be seen, but the sign remained.

To be completely honest, I had never expected that those two would stay in my life like that.

Or that I'd stay alive long enough to share another drink with them, for that matter.

Revenbol Sewers, The Present

Where are we going, Boss?

We ate too much, so we should go for a walk. It's good for digestion.

But why in the sewers? Yuck. There are so many other places we could be walking...

He's taking us to the location written on the back of the check, you idiot.

I know that! I was just...playing dumb to entertain him!

Yeah, sure.

I can take it from here by myself. Why don't you two return to headquarters.

No, we'll escort you to your destination, Mr. Eligos.

Yeah! It's a dangerous place, you know? This is where all the outlaws hang out!

...You think punks like that could take me out?

Y-You can never be too careful... I mean, what if there was poison in the food back there...?

You mean the food you ate with me?

Cidd's idiocy aside, don't you think it'd be better with us by your side? You did mention how exhausted you've been lately...so I'm worried...

Very well.

Just a little bit more then, all right?

Hehe, aren't you glad you brought us?

I am. It would've been a hassle if I was by myself.

But...Mr. Eligos...

Yes?

You haven't told us who your associates were back then.

Hmm? What do you mean?

Aww, c'mon, you know what we mean! We want to know about those people you would hang out with when the bar was nothing but a local dive.

I'm sure it was Boss's love, oww!

You dare...!

Ah, that's what you meant.

There's not much to tell. It's not that you'd find it interesting anyways.

...

Lusicar's Bar, The Past

Hmm...

You really wanna know how things work around here? We rip off poor people in the slums and give that money to the aristocrats...

Then they turn around and use that money to hire us to kill other nobles. And this cycle just keeps going...

Friedrich

Did you hear him, Krau? That's the reality.

Taranor needs to change. Otherwise, it'll slowly wither away.

Next scene: 10. Deep inside the Sewers

Is King Alfred on the same page with you?

Friedrich

Ah, Father is...umm...

I'd rather not discuss it right now.

He didn't have to explain any further.

I was well aware of the rumors surrounding King Alfred and his obsession with finding the missing queen. The rumors were so outlandish, I wasn't sure how much I should trust them.

For how nonchalant Friedrich liked to act, he could barely compose himself when the topic of his family came up.

So I pretended I hadn't heard the rumors.

Especially after I saw the way he winced one day, when he spotted a little boy walking down the street holding his mother's hand.

Underneath the mask of aloofness that covered his face, I could see his jaw clenched, fighting back the pain.

I knew exactly how he felt.

In order to avoid the mistake of yearning for something you can never have, you must never allow yourself to approach the thought of it.

You need to cut that part of yourself out, like you would with a sharpened dagger.

4. 10. Deep inside the Sewers

114 lines

Friedrich and Krau wanted to bring back the golden age of Taranor. They wanted to restore peace and stability in their country so that they could see smiles on their people's faces again.

It didn't mean much one way or the other to a lowlife like myself, but I did notice a change in how I felt about taking on missions in those days.

I wasn't just killing, robbing, or conning for money. I was actually doing something for tomorrow.

It was like a sense of duty...something I'd never felt before.

Perhaps that's why my bond with Friedrich and Krau felt like...something meaningful, something completely different from what I had formed with my prior associates.

I believed that they would never try to hurt me. That, even if they did trick me, it'd be for my good in the long run.

It was much deeper than the thug fraternities of the underworld. Something...that didn't really require any explanation or action, something I just felt.

Although I had no point of reference, I imagined it was how it felt to have brothers.

But, as always, happiness never lasts.

Friedrich

This time around...it has to be just me and Krau.

Thanks to all the information you provided, I was able to identify who was after my life and come up with countermeasures. But I don't want to put you in more danger than necessary.

You don't have to worry about that. None of the jobs I've ever worked have been something that could be considered safe.

Friedrich

If we fail, you'd be a fugitive for the rest of your life.

That doesn't matter.

No, that's not why you need to stay back. See, your identity is still hidden, so we need you on the outside to fall back on. You have to provide us with a place to lay low in case we fail.

Friedrich, he just says things without thinking to look cool.

Friedrich

What? Perhaps that's what YOU think, but I'm genuinely concerned about Eligos.

Hmm...What you said makes sense, Krau.

We're going there with an army. We have enough men for battle, so you don't have take an unnecessary risk.

Friedrich

Hahaha, I knew it Krau, you care about Eligos too.

They raided the palace before sunrise and the battle ended before evening.

I sat alone at Lusicar's Bar and raised my glass to the new king.

I knew I wouldn't be seeing them as much anymore. One of them just became the king of Taranor.

I got myself a small office and opened a new business near the old orphanage.

I was a handyman who helped solve problems in people's daily lives. I was able to make a living fairly easily.

I don't know about the rich part of town, but nothing's really changed around here.

Secret feuds among the nobility over control of the underworld, outrageous taxes...horrific rumors about the king were a constant.

What happened to his ideals, to building a new Taranor?

I couldn't say. But I'm sure the buds of change would sprout somewhere in this country.

I dropped by Lusicar's Bar once in a while.

It's not like I was expecting to see anything there. I just went to remind myself of the good old days.

One day, while I was sitting there...a surly waiter handed me a drink with a note.

The handwriting was familiar. Chicken scratch so messy it was hard to differentiate from inane scribbling...

Only me and Friedrich could read this.

It's been a while.

Considering how dire the situation is, I had to choose a place where I could avoid being seen by others.

"Dire...?" Did something happen to Friedrich?

...Well, not exactly...

If something were to happen, it's about to happen.

Hmm?

Take this. He asked me to give it to you.

Krau handed me a sharp dagger.

It was the same dagger that Friedrich picked up from the floor the day we first met.

Why...

A farewell, perhaps. He probably thinks the two of you will never cross paths ever again.

...

That's Friedrich being Friedrich. Don't think anything of it, since you didn't do anything wrong...

Krau, what did you mean when you said something was about to happen to him?

That's...

It's nothing you should concern yourself with. That's between him and me now.

I've heard some rumors about Friedrich.

Well, what I heard was too elaborate to just shrug off as just banter on the street. Is it about that?

You don't have to worry about it. It'll all be sorted out soon.

I'm going with you this time, Krau.

No, I'm the one who needs to tie off the loose ends of this job. There's no need for you to...

So I'm sitting this one out too?

I'm saying it's not your place!

The way things turned out...it's all my fault. I should've stopped him from going down the wrong path.

Not my place? What? You're saying a sewer rat like me better know where it belongs, that this is some conflict between princely heroes and honorable knights?

Hmph, such a mistake wouldn't have been made if I accompanied you back then.

...What did you say?

What? Am I wrong?

You bastard...

Step aside, or I'll knock you out.

I'd like to see you try.

Hmm?

That's enough.

I'm sorry for blowing up on you. But he and I...we never left you out of anything.

...

At least, not intentionally. I didn't mean to make you feel that way.

I...

I didn't mean what I said either. I was...just talking out of spite.

...Don't worry. I know you'd never think of us that way.

Are you...still gonna go on your own?

It's between him and me. Besides...

I don't know if I'll make it out of this alive, but...knowing that my drinking buddy waiting for me at the bar... That might be the motivation I need to survive.

You understand where I'm coming from, right?