Hero Stories: Sweet Nightmare

Don't be too sad.

You'll join Cecilia soon enough.

Please, Luna, stop this...

Remember, Yufine. Humans and Dragons can't be friends.

Nothing can come from it but a merciless death!

*sobbing*...

*panting* ...I...I don't want any of this...

I...just wanted to...

...!, fine! No!

Yufine! Calm down! Yufine!

Garo...?

It's all right, Yufine. I'm here. Don't be scared.

*sobbing*...

Are you sure you're feeling okay? You can take the day off if you want.

I told you, I'm fine. I'm all good now!

It's not like this is the first nightmare I've had. Plus, you were woken up in the middle of the night because of me. You must be exhausted.

You stay here and rest. Leave today's errands to me.

...All right, thanks. I'll let you handle things.

Sure! You'd better have some dragon nuggets ready for me when I come back, though!

...I can't just sit and watch anymore.

I hope she can do something about Yufine's trauma...

All right, let's see. Today we need...

Sh-Sh...Shine? Slime...? What is that weird word after Slime?

...Ugh, Garo's handwriting is the worst! Can't someone else read this for me?

Oh! Who's that girl over there? Maybe she can decipher this.

Hello, hi! Umm...

What?

Do you know what this says?

Don't you know how to read? It clearly says "J-E-L-L-Y."

Oh! You're right! I thought that word looked familiar. I had to pick those up last time too!

This is ridiculous.

Anyway, did you happen to see someone named Cecilia?

She has spiky hair, and she's wearing a black, spiky crown...

Hmm, I might have heard of her...but I've never seen a weird person like that.

I see... *sighing* At the least, I have to know where she went if I want to follow her.

Do you want me to ask Garo? He's an information broker, so he knows basically everything!

An information broker? I've never heard of that.

Well, all right. If you hear anything, come find me at this address...

Wa-Wal...Walnut Frost? What is that?

It's forest! Walnut Forest!

Close enough! And why would you write such a difficult word!?

*sighing* ...Never mind. Look, I'll draw you a map. If you pass Tarfin District...

Phew, I spent too much time talking with her.

Well, it doesn't matter! I'll be done with this in no time!

So I just need to get some Slime Jellies? I'll collect so many, Garo won't believe his eyes!

Garo, I'm back! Come see how many Slime Jellies I...

Yufine! You're safe!

Huh? Is she a customer, Garo?

You have no idea how surprised I was when I heard you were here! I thought you were dead!

Yufine, if you were alive, why didn't you contact me!? You made your aunt so worried, I couldn't even sleep...

Huh?! Wait, w-what... Who are you? Do I know you?

You really have forgotten everything...

Don't worry. I know all of this must be very confusing, but I'll help you recover your memories.

Garo! This customer is really weird! Who is she?!

She's your family. She came here from Eureka.

Ever since I heard that the magical barrier had grown weaker, I've been trying to get in contact with her.

My...family?

*sniffling* ...It's Mom and Dad... I can't find them anywhere...

The other Dragons too...

*pushing*

Yufine...?

I don't have any family! Garo is my family!

Garo! Tell her to leave!

You can't stay here forever. You have to return to your home, where your real family is waiting.

No!

I said I don't want to! And I don't care if I forget my past!

And I told you... I'm happy as long as I'm with you, Garo.

Yufine, you're a Dragon. Do you really think you can live among Humans?

How long do you think this man will take care of you out of the kindness of his heart? You and he are not related.

You cannot overlook that.

Once this rebellious phase of yours ends, you'll return to the Dragons. To the family you're bound to by blood.

So why don't we return together to...

Just go back by yourself!

I hate you! I hate Garo! I hate everyone!

...! Yufine!

*sobbing* ...I hate Garo. I never want to...*sniffling*...see his face again.

*sniffling*...

...But where can I go now...?

Aha!

Right, I have that map!

All right, I'll have to sleep on her couch tonight.

It must be around here somewhere...

Huh? You're...

I didn't expect to see you again so soon. Did you hear something about Cecilia?

No.

...Then why are you here?

Can I stay at your place tonight? I have nowhere to go.

I gave you my address so you could come tell me when you heard something about Cecilia, not for when you need a place to crash!

But...I really have nowhere else to go.

What do you mean? What happened to wherever you were already living? And what about that Garo guy?

Garo tried to kick me out. He told me to go back to where I came from... *crying*

Maybe he's tired of me...*sniffling* because I keep bothering him...and I eat too much...

*sobbing*

All right, all right! Don't cry! Quit whining like a kid!

But I am a kid! It will take forever for me to become an adult dragon!

What? Don't lie to me!

You just look like a grown woman with a tail and horns! And yet you claim to be a Dragon?

All the Dragons I know are huge and scary!

Garo told me that Dragons can transform into Humans! Maybe I did that too.

But I forgot how to turn back into a Dragon, so I don't know what I look like...

Ahem. Fine, let's say you really aren't an adult dragon yet. If that's true, I have a question.

How do I become taller...?

Eh?

It's just that...no matter what I do, I don't get any taller! I stretch every morning, and I even drink tons of milk!

Well, that's...

Do you understand, Yufine? Unlike Humans, you can't tell a Dragon's age just from their appearance.

That's because Dragons grow quickly and age slowly, and can even transform when they become adults.

Huh?

Who...was that person?

Are you going to finish your sentence?

Mmm... I don't know, maybe it's because I'm a Dragon.

It sounds like you know nothing. Is there anything you actually do know?

Ummm... I don't know that either.

*sighing* ...I thought I could finally find a way to get taller.

I mean, do you really need to get taller? It's your tininess that makes you so cute.

W-Wha... Excuse me?!

How dare you call me cute... I won't let you get away with this!

On my honor as Charlotte, Lady of the Swamp, I challenge you to a duel!

What? I have nothing to...

Can I just say I accept your duel in the name of Slime Jellies?

How dare you compare my honor to mere Slime Jelly?!

I won't forgive you for this!

Ugh, crap. How did I lose...?

Yay! I won! So your honor belongs to me now?

...Of course not!

Haven't you heard of "best out of three"?! We'll see how the next two battles go!

This is unfair...

There's nothing unfair about this! This is the nature of duels!

Also, you didn't even put anything on the line! If anything, you're the unfair one!

Then I'll come up with something now.

If I win, I get to stay at your place! If I lose, you can have your honor back.

Again, my honor doesn't belong to you!

*sighing* ...Whatever, there's no point. Let's just get this over with already.

I'll formally introduce myself once more. I'm Charlotte, Lady of the Swamp. And you are?

Yufine!

Okay, Yufine! I won't go easy on you this time. Take this...!

I...lost?

Hmph, who could ever be defeated by you? You swing your weapon around like it's a toy!

Your absurd strength may have shocked me into losing the first battle, but if I take this seriously, I can easily take you down...

*sobbing* I lost... I really have nowhere to go now.

...*sighing*

Get up. Come with me.

Huh...? Really? I can stay with you?!

Well, I can't exactly abandon a crybaby like you in a place like this.

I will extend my greatness and generosity to you and allow you to stay at my place. Be grateful.

Is Yufine back yet?

Not yet. I figured she'd come back pretty quickly, but it seems like she really is upset.

I only said what I did for her own good. Tsk tsk...

Still, you were too pushy.

Why didn't you treat her more kindly? Her lost memories are already confusing her enough.

Are you telling me what to do? How dare you.

If you think about it, the reason she came here in the first place was that she'd spent too much time with Humans.

I just wanted to bring her back as quickly as possible and save her from making any other stupid mistakes.

...I still regret not stopping Yufine and her family from getting too close to the Humans.

First, let's just see if anyone has seen her.

Then we can try to persuade her to go back with you.

Very well. I'll take a look around the neighborhood once more.

Um, Charlotte... Do we have to stay in a place like this?

Yes, this is all I can afford since I'll have to pay extra for food and everything...

I promise I'll only eat one meal a day. Can't we move to a room that has beds?

Stop whining. Just think of it as special training to help you become a great queen.

But I don't want to be a queen...

...Are you hungry?

N-No, not really.

...

Well... Maybe a little bit...

*sighing* ...I guess we'll need at least twice as much food as we already have...

I guess we could afford a better room if we go hunt for our food. Let's eat first and then go hunt.

Ah, now I'm full!

Impressive. It's as if there's a beast in your stomach...

Don't worry, Charlotte! I'll do my best to hunt lots of monsters!

*sighing* ...All right. Our food is all gone now, anyway. Let's try our best to earn some extra money.

First, let's get rid of the monsters near the village.

We can earn some reward money for helping patrol and maybe sell whatever we happen to find along the way.

Okay, got it! I'll do my best!

Charlotte, Charlotte! Look at how many I've already caught!

Hmm, not bad.

Hehe... It's 'cause I helped Garo with hunting before.

Isn't Garo the one who kicked you out?

You're right. After everything I did for him... He's so mean, isn't he?!

How foolish of him to kick out such a helpful assistant.

No, he isn't foolish! He's super smart!

...So do you like him or not? Make up your mind.

To be honest, I want to hate him...but I can't.

You're too soft and generous. How are you going to make it in this cold, brutal world?!

Anyway, let's hurry to the market. If we can sell all of these, we might be able to afford a room with two beds!

Huge bargains! Wild Flux sap, 30 Gold only!

Limited-time sale! Soft, Angaran mufflers for 80 Gold. Get them this morning, that's right, this morning only!

Whoa, it's really noisy. I can't hear anything.

Okay. Listen, Yufine. Shout as loud as you can, just like how you did when we first met. All right?

Got it! *inhaling*...

MUUUUSHROOOOM CAAAAPS!

Freshly caught just this morning!

WE ALSO HAVE TESTUDOOO SHEEEELLS!

Buy them right now and get a free Slime Jelly!

Huh? Did you hear that really loud voice just now? Is it coming from that girl with the blue ribbons?

Seems like it. I think I recognize her, though...

Oh, isn't she the girl we saw at Garo's pub? I think he was looking for her.

You must be Yufine, right? What are you doing here?

Huh? Who are y?! *muffled speaking*

You should never talk to strangers! What if they're kidnappers?!

Kidnappers...? We're just mercenaries.

Garo has been looking for you. Is everything all right?

Garo? He's been looking for me? Really!?

Don't fall for that, Yufine. We don't know whether or not they're telling the truth. And even if they are, we don't know what Garo's real intentions are.

And more importantly, look at that blonde, spiky hair! Only villains have hair like that!

I'm telling you, we're not... Just come with us, then you'll see.

Wait! Who do you think you are? You can't just take Yufine!

And who are you to stop us?

What!? I-I'm...

I'm Yufine's older sister!

...You? You are her older sister?

Hahaha, are you sure you're the older one?

What's so funny...?

It may be true that I'm a little short, but you have no right to make fun of me!

On my honor as Charlotte, Lady of the Swamp, I challenge you to a duel!

And I'll join, too! In the name of Slime Jellies!

Wait, wait! We really were just trying to help you two!

Silence, kidnapper!

You clearly tried to trick this poor, innocent girl into coming with you! Who would think you're good people?!

Now that I hear her say that, I feel like we should have been more careful to avoid any misunderstanding.

Hurado, whose side are you on?!

I'll have to teach you all a lesson so that you won't try to repeat...

Hey! What do you guys think you're doing?!

You scared away all my customers!

And you broke all the products in my stall! How are you going to compensate me!?

W-Well, that...

Those who lost our battle will pay for the damages!

Who are you talking about?

The shirtless guy and the bald guy...

...Huh?! Where did they go?!

They ran away while you were talking to those merchants.

I'm charging you for property damage and interrupting my business.

Don't even think about running away.

Ughhh...

Charlotte... Are we really sleeping here tonight...?

Stop whining!

We have no choice. We were forced to give those merchants all of our money, as well as all the things we planned on selling.

You were right, it really is a cold, brutal world... *sniffling*

...Are you cold?

Yeah... The floor is freezing cold. And these stones are stabbing me in the back.

Then...here, take this.

But...this is your blanket. What are you going to use?

I'll be fine. I'll just think of it as special training to become...

Ah-choo!

Hehe. You're cold too, aren't you?

Come here. If we snuggle up, we'll both be able to use the blanket.

I'm already going through such a difficult time in my life, do you really think I want to do such a thing?!

Ah, it's so nice and cozy when we cuddle like this, don't you think?

...Quit moving so much! I can't fall asleep!

I love this! It's like I really have a sister!

You know, earlier, when you told those guys you're my older sister... You have no idea how happy I was!

Thanks, Charlotte.

Hmph, I was only doing what I had to do as a future queen and someone older than you.

And...I like having a younger sister too.

Because I've been all by myself for so long.

What? Speak up, I can't hear you!

Nothing! Just go to sleep already.

Luna!

Are you going off to fight today, too?

Uh-huh, there's been another sighting of the Dragon Ragnar.

I wish Dragons and Humans could live happily together without fighting, just like Mom and Dad.

I wish so, too, but we cannot simply allow these Dragons to continue to provoke conflict.

That's why we're heading out to fight today. To get rid of the Dragons who cause nothing but conflict, and bring peace to this land once and for all.

Where have you been? Why do you look so pale?

Yufine...

Please don't leave me. I'm scared.

I'm scared you'll disappear one day without a word, just like our parents...

Oh, Yufine, I don't know. I don't know who my allies and my enemies are anymore.

It seems like...everyone is deceiving me.

...You wouldn't tell me what happened even if I asked, would you?

I feel the same, Luna. I don't know what's going on anymore.

But there are a few things that I do know for sure.

I know that you love me as much as I love you!

So rather than worrying about whether something might or might not happen, I'd rather trust you, since I know you love me.

Because whatever decision you make, I know it'll be for the best for everyone.

That's one thing that's for sure, right?

Yufine, are you okay?

...Luna...

You were crying in your sleep. Did you have a nightmare?

...I think I might have a real sister.

But she tried to kill everyone, including me.

Why would she do that?

I don't know what happened...or why she made a decision like that.

It's because she was blinded by her own desire for revenge.

...! Who are you?!

Hmph. What a rude child.

You must first introduce yourself before asking others' names.

Who are you to call me a child?! You're short too!

Do you...know my sister?

That fool who doesn't know her place? Of course.

Thanks to her, the idiot who believed that hurting Cecilia, the queen of Wintenberg, was a good idea, the war between Humans and Dragons is more brutal than ever.

Did you say "Cecilia"?

Do you know her?

Well, with Yufine on this continent, I thought there might be a chance she was here too...

But if she really is here, then that's even more reason for me to take you back home.

Let's go back to Eureka.

...No.

I have this feeling that...I shouldn't return.

But those nightmares will haunt you for the rest of your life if you don't...

Garo...

Yufine, you need to face this, even if you're scared. That's the only way to resolve things.

I can't! I won't!

What if I want to see you? What if I want dragon nuggets for dinner?!

If I leave, I'll be far away from everything I like!

You're welcome here anytime.

I'll always be waiting for you. Right here.

He's right. Once you're able to transform into a Dragon, it'll be a piece of cake to come to this continent now that the magical barrier is gone.

It seems that you two have become quite close, so I'll turn a blind eye this time.

...You promise? I can come back whenever I want?

You swear you're not sending me away because I bugged you too much?

Of course not.

The place, the food, even me... Everything you love will stay exactly the same until you come back.

So don't you worry about a thing.

...Okay. I have a request then.

Sure, anything.

Let Charlotte come with us.

Charlotte? Do you have a pet?

Ahem. Actually, that's my name.

...No. You can't bring her.

Why!? Charlotte has nowhere to go!

Didn't you hear me? Humans and Dragons are in the middle of a major war against each other!

If someone were to discover that you're harboring a Human...

We'll hide her in a cave! Charlotte is good at sleeping in caves!

I'm not going if you can't even do this tiny thing for me!

I doubt that Human has any interest in coming to Eureka just to suffer like that.

No, you're wrong. I'll go.

I'm certain that Cecilia will return to her home one day. She may have even returned already.

Since my goal is to find her...why wouldn't I go with Yufine to Eureka?

Ugh, can't this Human take a hint?

Hmm, she's got a point. I think it would be good for Yufine to have at least one friend she can rely on.

Don't talk as though we're just adopting a stray dog! This is a very complicated matter!

...All right then. Let's make a deal.

I'll have to test whether or not this Human is capable of taking care of herself.

If she passes, she can come with us. Any objections?

I accept your challenge!

*scoffing* ...What an arrogant child. I'll make her beg for her life!

Then I'll help Charlotte fight!

What?! Yufine, stay out of this. It's too dangerous.

When we're in Eureka, I'll be there to protect her anytime she's in danger. So it's only fair this way.

Here I gooooo!

...She's not perfect, but I guess she's good enough to take care of herself.

Ugh, if it hadn't been for Yufine, I could have pretended to have an accident and gotten rid of her.

So you'll let me bring her with me?

Fine. But promise me this, if you're ever caught, do not mention our names.

Don't drag us into anything. Die quietly.

Hmph, do you really think I'd put myself in your debt like that?

Leave her alone! Why are you being so rude to her!?

I wasn't being rude at all!

If anything, I'm being generous. I let her live after talking back to me like that...

Don't forget to brush your teeth before you go to bed. Take care, Yufine.

*sniffling* ...Garo, I promise I'll come back.

Even when we're apart, I'll think of you everyday... So please stay safe until I come back...

All right, let's get going. We should ride this northerly wind before it dies down.

Hey, Garo!

Huh? Where's the girl with blue ribbons? I thought you found her.

I did. Thank you. I was able to give her a proper goodbye.

A proper goodbye...? Does that mean she's never coming back?

Well, that depends on how hard she tries.

Wow... You don't get attached to anyone, do you?

Still, you must feel lonely...

Anyway, we helped find a missing person! I think we deserve a few free snacks for our efforts!

Let's see, what do I feel like eating...?

Sorry, but I'll only be serving dragon nuggets for the next few days.

Huh? Why?

Hmm, let's just say...it's my wish.

There's someone who really likes them, and I want her to come back safely and enjoy them like the good old days.

Whoa... It smells amazing! Garo, you put lots of dragon nuggets in here, right?

You have no idea how much I've missed them while I was in Eureka.

Ah, look at the time! Charlotte told me not to be late!

All right, then, I'll see you again!

I didn't know you had someone like that in your life. Who's this mysterious girl you're making wishes for?

I'm not going to give out sensitive information like this for free.

Pay up if you want more details.

...It's fine, I didn't want to know anyway! Just give me some dragon nuggets then.

Haha, all right. No need to look so down.