Reputation: Three Sisters' Diary

At the most recent auction I finally managed to buy one of the Rondi Sculptures that was missing from my collection! I'm so happy!

Congratulations! Rondi's stuff is super expensive, right?

They are! My collection is really beginning to come along now. I think I might even be able to put on an exhibition.

I recently got my hands on that "Love's Remedy" book. It's so rare I had to have it as soon as I saw it.

I spent most of our savings, but it was completely worth it.

I'm amazed your merchant guild functions at all when you three just buy whatever you want.

Well, we finally got paid for taking care of you!

You sure you haven't used it all already? That wasn't your only source of income, right?

Of course not. Really, we have to thank Purin for taking care of our guild so well.

Right! She always has a surefire way of creating showers of cash.

Where did you learn this skill? I've never seen cash precipitation.

Aha. What Aerin said is a metaphor. My "skill" is more like... Hmm... Having a good eye for things?

A good eye? Can you make money with a good eye?

Right. With this skill, Purin can immediately tell if an item is authentic or a fake. Not to mention everything she chooses can be sold for a high price.

Oh? What a curious skill.

Hmm, there's really such a skill? That's hard to believe.

Then let's have a demonstration! You won't believe it until you see it.

Sounds fun! Purin, can we see, please?

No problem!

Kyukyu, Purin's eye examination is about to begin!

Okay, there are three identical bracelets placed in front of you, but only one is real! Can you find it?

Umm. Let's see... This one!

...You barely even looked at them.

But she picked the correct one, right?

She did. That bracelet is the real one.

No way! How did you do it so quickly?

Uh... I'm not sure? I just picked what I felt was the right one.

Felt? I thought it was your discerning eye that let you tell the difference?

Right. It's hard to explain, but I guess my vision is just drawn to certain items?

And it just so happens that all the items I've picked like this could be sold for a tidy profit later. I haven't been wrong once!

Maybe she was born with it? Interesting.

In any case, thanks to Purin our guild has never lacked for revenue.

I'm so jealous. I could really use a skill like that.

Miss Purin, would you consider adopting me as your pet? I'll listen to everything you say, I'm super cute, and I'm super useful unlike my master.

You little furball...

*giggling* I'd gladly welcome Arky if you're willing to become our merchant guild's mascot!

I'll take care of you Arky! I'll bathe you and style you and feed you!

And once you die, I'll stuff you and add you to my collection...

...Arky will need some time to consider this offer...

Please take extra care today. We'll be dealing with a very delicate creature.

It's just a monster.

Incorrect. MolaGoras are very sensitive. They say if you place one in a flower pot and provide plenty of light, water, and nutrients, it will bloom into a lovely flower.

It will be another wonderful addition to my collection!

MolaGora? What does it even look like?

You'll be able to see soon. MolaGoras often appear near here.

...

Ah! There's one!

...It's ugly.

So cute! Right?!

Which part? Are you sure you don't need new glasses?

Okay, remember, it's a very delicate creature so please be careful capturing it. Once you've got it under control, I'll move it to a flower pot.

See? Now that it's in a pot it's much more adorable.

Again, which part? Maybe you really do need new glasses.

It's very...unique.

Ugly.

...!

...What are you looking at!?

...

...?

...*blushing*

...Urgh! It's so creepy!

Oh my, it seems that our MolaGora has fallen for you, Arky.

#$%$%^%^&~

What's it saying? My master is my one and only.

Excuse me?! Why the sudden devotion?

...#$%#$%

I think it's disappointed.

Master, quick! Tell me you love me. Or do you want a monster to steal me away?

...Stop it.

*sighing* Aerin, do you really mean to keep this thing?

Definitely. Who knows, maybe if I take good care of it we'll even be able to communicate with it one day.

...And eventually we could. Before long, we were able to distinguish the various sounds the MolaGora made.

At first, it only communicated that it was hungry or cold, but eventually it began to cry all day, wanting to see Arky.

Losing sleep, we decided to donate it to the Ezera Botanical Gardens instead.

Luckily, the MolaGora fell in love with the garden's most popular attraction, the Rafflesia, and last I heard they're still going steady.

We wish them a lifetime of happiness.

Greetings, Merurin here! I have a package for Aither!

Oh, it's so big. I wonder what it is?

...Yay! It's a plush of Sir Fluff! I told Sir Charles I wanted one, but I thought he'd forgotten!

What!? I didn't give permission for a plush! Who made this? This is a violation of Arky's image rights!

I'm sorry Sir Fluff. I should have gotten permission first. But still, it looks idennnntical to you. So cute!

Why do you need a plush when the real thing is right here...?

I thought it would be super comfortable to cuddle him while I slept. But the real Sir Fluff has to stay with you, Ras.

I would have let you borrow him...

What are you saying?! I'm not some "thing" to be given and borrowed. I can't believe I have to deal with such a cruel master. This is too depressing.

I want to become a beautiful princess's cat.

Oh, then, why don't you become my cat? I'll take such good care of you.

You aren't a princess, Aither.

But he looks no different from one.

I don't want to be held by a guy.

...This is the first time I'm sad I was born a boy.

Aerin said that Aither's beauty is greater "because" he's a boy.

Now I think about it, she does collect portraits of him.

Is there anything Aerin doesn't collect?

Aerin collects portraits of me? I'm a little embarrassed, but sort of happy too...

So if you have any lying around spare, you can sell them to me. I'll hand them to my sister.

The thing is... There aren't really any decent ones left... Sir Charles takes most of them.

...That man really is absurd.

Really? What a shame. Well, since I'm already here, do you have any letters or packages you'd like me to deliver?

Hmm... I don't think we have anything right now.

Then, Arky are you still not interested in joining our guild? Aerin would still love to have you. I can take you with me in my bag!

My bag can hold anything! You'll be super comfortable.

Aerin...scares me. She said she would stuff me...

Does it really matter what happens to your body once you're dead?

How can you say such a thing!? You really are a cruel master.

But can Arkasus really fit in that bag? It looks too small.

It's an enchanted bag so the space inside is infinite. Everything and anything can fit! I've even delivered an enormous Raqix egg with it.

Who would buy a Raqix egg? Aren't they extremely heavy?

You're right! But there's nothing I can't lift. The strength of my muscles is one thing I have complete faith in.

But that egg was a bit of an ordeal. It hatched during delivery.

It hatched? What did you do?

It was a huge mess! The baby Raqix started rampaging around in my bag, and it scratched and damaged all the other items in there!

The damages fee was huge. Purin couldn't understand what kind of ridiculous person would ask me to deliver a Raqix egg.

Who was it?

The leader of the Basar Merchant Guild, Basar himself. They say amongst the Emporium only the Afih Guild rivals them in wealth and power.

Mr. Basar originally said he wanted to fry the egg, but since it hatched first... He was quite troubled.

Wow, I've never heard of someone wanting to cook a Raqix egg.

So what happened to it in the end?

Oh, Aerin stuffed it and made it part of her collection.

...As expected.

It's been a while! How is everyone?

Oh, Armin? It's been too long. What brings you to the Three Sisters Merchant Guild?

The thing is, three years ago Neijika received a custom order for an earring named the Constellation Point.

It was made with a certain brilliant, star-like gem, and though it eventually showed up in an auction, no one knows where it is now.

I just... I really want that earring.

I see. Alright! I'll locate the Constellation Point for you.

But considering it was made to order, and presumably only one exists, if it shows up at an auction again it should command quite an exorbitant price.

Don't worry about the money. I've already got it all prepared.

Alright. Then leave it to me!

Are you sure about this? If Bobeda finds out...

It'll be fine. I can cover the cost with just a few jobs.

And what about my salary?

We'll start saving for that right now.

*sighing*...

Strangely, we found the Constellation Point in an antiques market. Securing it was cheaper than expected.

Armin was pleased too. This request didn't take too long.

Maybe this is one reason why your guild survives. Being able to find rare items at a customer's request is a unique service...

In terms of finding objects, I believe that our information network is wider even than Garo's and his World's End Pub.

It's all thanks to Purin's hard work establishing connections in our day-to-day operations.

You provide us with lots of information too, Aerin!

Since Aerin is a collector of all things, most of the items we end up looking for happen to be something she already knows about.

That allows me to quickly go and pick it up. There's nothing we sisters can't do when we work together.

Then find me a new master. Preferably a princess.

A princess is a person, not a thing.

Aha, Arky, if you're looking for a new master, I'm always ready to accept you.

...No thanks.

One day, a merchant guild leader from Savara named Myra came to visit.

We're looking for something odd! The word is that you three sisters are the best when it comes to finding things...

What sort of item are you looking for?

I'm searching for the Soul Fountain Pen.

This is the first I've heard of it. What kind of fountain pen is it?

It's a lovely pearl color and is said to contain a soul within it. To put it simply, it's a haunted pen.

From what I hear, it writes by itself.

Wow... What a cool pen.

It seems like something Aerin would love. Just hearing about it has got her all excited.

I've been searching for it everywhere, but I still have no idea where it could be. I must have it!

I'm sure even Nonori would be shocked by such a pen. I'd love to see her be so shocked she falls over.

Why do you want to see that specifically?

Because she's always so calm! It's boring.

Don't you think it'll be so cute to see Nonori scream or look shocked?

Aren't you friends? You sound like a bully...

If you can find me that fountain pen, I'll pay whatever you ask!

Huh? But...

You've got a deal, Myra! I'll use all my abilities to find what you want!

Since the customer was willing to provide any necessary funds and support, I was sure we'd find the pen in no time...

...But it turned out to be quite a challenge.

This is taking longer than expected. Barely anyone knows anything about this pen. It must not turn up very often.

What will we do, Purin? We promised to find it within two months.

I know, I know. There was the rumor that it was being sold off in a secret auction...but I haven't heard anything about it since.

Maybe we should just give up this time? We get plenty of other requests anyway.

Actually... Myra already paid us upfront, so we have to find it.

...*sighing*

But we've only got one month left. What do we do?

...We've got no choice. I hate to do this, but we'll have to ask the World's End for help.

Welcome! I never thought I'd see Purin come running to me for help.

I've got no choice, I boasted too much in front of a customer. Do you have any information for me?

It's true that fountain pen was sold to someone in a secret auction.

But they died of a heart attack from the shock of seeing it write by itself.

Go on...

After that, people began spreading rumors that it was cursed, and no one wanted it anymore.

Eventually, a buyer did come forward, but they kept it locked away until they sold it to someone else...

Someone else?

They were then assassinated last year. That pen really lives up to its cursed reputation.

Then it seems the family of the deceased, believing the pen was evil, sold it to Afih.

But, you guessed it, Afih no longer seems to have it either.

Did Afih sell it as well?

I can't say. She wouldn't tell me any more after that. It's up to you now.

Hmm, okay. Thank you. Your information network is unrivalled.

...

What do you want in exchange for the information? I assume you won't be willing to give it for free.

You would be correct. But I have a standing agreement to keep my mouth shut on that particular matter.

And how might you be convinced to break this agreement?

Hmm, that's hard to say...

Afih, I understand you are still searching for a spring crystal tree sapling?

......!

Aha, that seems to have caught your attention.

...Are you suggesting you may be able to procure me one?

Have we ever failed to procure any item? I already have the sapling in my possession.

...

Purin? Is everything okay?

Did something happen in Savara?

Was Garo able to tell you anything?

I was able to learn quite a bit, actually. Until recently, Afih was the owner of the Soul Fountain Pen.

But it seems there was a buyer that was persistent enough to persuade him to part with it.

Who?

Curator Aerin.

...Ah, well...

You knew where the pen was all along but you didn't say anything. Is this how you treat your own sister?

Uh... It might be best if we leave now.

Agreed. Let's go.

*chuckling* Have you nothing to say, Aerin?

...I'm so, so, so sorry!

I was in a lot of trouble with Purin after that...

Oh my, the Soul Fountain Pen! I can barely hold in my excitement. Does it really move and write on it's own?

Shall we put it to the test?

How do I make it move? Mr. Pen, here's some paper, please write something!

Ahh, it's floating!

My heart's beating so fast just from seeing how gracefully it moves.

I wanted to keep it forever, and I took such good care of it... But now I have to let it go without even using it once...

Wow, the pen really is writing by itself!

It's stopped! Look, it wrote something on the paper...

What does it say?

It says, "Are you my new owner?". Wow, it's talking to me! Yes, I'm your new master.

Oh, it's writing more.

"You're brave to keep a cursed fountain pen like me. Don't you know that my last owner was brutally assassinated?"

Assassinated!? I'm starting to have my doubts about this...

Ah, yes. I did hear about that...

Pen, if what you're saying is true, who was your previous owner?

"Noard Riks, a priest of the Church of the Goddess." Do you think this person really exists?

Maybe. We'll have to investigate further to know for sure.

Now I'm really curious. Pen, if you're really not lying, who killed that priest?

Do you think it will answer? Oh... It's moving again! "You still don't trust me? Fine. I'll tell you."

"He was killed with powerful magic by a person named Kawerik Vian. If you don't believe me, go find out for yourself."

Uhh... It's starting to get a bit creepy now. Do you think the pen's story is true?

Don't pay any attention to it. This pen probably just has a very talkative soul inside it, like Serila's Chatty.

Everyone seemed to relax after Schuri said that, but soon after another incident occurred...

One day, a catastrophe befell our guild.

What should we do? This is a big problem!

What? What's going on, Purin?

We received a request from the Church of the Goddess to deliver a magical item called the Immortal Heart to Reingar, but the courier was attacked en route.

And the Immortal Heart was stolen... What do we do?

If we can't find it, we'll owe the Church a lot of compensation.

Do we know who did it?

Based on our investigations so far, it was a mage named Kawerik Vian. Wait...I've heard that name somewhere before.

That was the name that the fountain pen mentioned. It said he killed the priest, Noard Riks!

So he really exists?

It's not a common name so the chances are high it's the same man. But even so, we should see if a Noard Riks really did belong to the Church.

But what even is the Immortal Heart, and why did Kawerik go after it?

It grants the holder an endless supply of mana and energy. It's incredible but also extremely dangerous, so its use is prohibited.

Ah, I really wanted to add it to my collection one day...

Now isn't the time for that. We have to find Kawerik quickly. Ras, you'll help us, won't you?

Me?

We treated you well, didn't we? It's the least you could do...

Fine... Let's go, Arky.

Are you trying to dump your work on me?

It's not like you'll do it even if I ask you to.

Correct! Arky won't do a thing.

It doesn't matter. If I throw you in between some monsters I'm sure you'll fight your way out.

Woe be me that such a cruel man is the Heir of the Covenant!

And woe be me that I was given such a lazy Guardian.

We started with a request from Myra to find the Soul Fountain Pen. And through that we discovered a startling fact.

Could Noard Riks really have been murdered by Kawerik Vian?

Let's unveil the truth!

What are you doing?

I've been summarizing everything that happened. I thought there might be some people who would be curious.

Like who?

Anyway... Did Noard Riks really exist?

Yes, it's also true he was a priest with the Church of the Goddess, and that he was murdered last year. The killer was never found, though.

The pen was telling the truth.

I did more research on Kawerik Vian and discovered that he specializes in assassinations.

Then he was paid to do it?

I couldn't find that out. But there is the possibility.

We have to find him immediately. It's our only major lead for finding the Immortal Heart.

True. If we can't find the Immortal Heart, who knows how much money we'll owe the Church. I don't even want to imagine.

Find him soon, Purin. We have to protect our collection!

Oh, this is so exciting! I'll help too!

Look at this.

Oh, this gloss and texture. It must be Wyvern hide.

This kind of thing is extremely rare.

That's right, it wasn't easy to find. But if we can't find the Immortal Heart, we'll have to compensate Reingar too.

So I thought I ought to prepare. Wyvern hide demands an incredible price.

If Wyvern hide is worth this much, then Dragon hide must be worth a fortune, right?

Wow, you are a true merchant. A realist through and through.

So if we can catch a Dragon there's a lot of money to be made?

I think so. Unfortunately, unless they're a Dragon Knight, there aren't many mercenaries that can take down a Dragon.

I heard there are a few Dragon Knights from Eureka in Ritania. I'm sure one of them could do it without much trouble.

Really? We should find one straight away and ask them to help us!

Capturing Dragons is a Dragon Knight's job. I was planning on going hunting even without pay.

Oh my, I didn't realize you had such a generous heart.

In return, could you capture them with minimal injuries? It would be a shame to let any of the Dragon's hide, meat, or bones go to waste.

Can you really ask that of someone putting their life at risk for you? Do you want her to catch a Dragon or don't you?

I will do my best.

May the grace of the Goddess be with you!

I hope you can catch a lot of Dragons!

But... There is something we overlooked.

There's not really any Dragons in Ritania.

...Dragons seem to be very rare here.

Right...

I'm sorry I could not be of any assistance.

Not at all. It's not your fault no Dragons are in the area. Just please let us know if any do appear.

But even after a month, there's still no news of any Dragons.

I think...it would be easier to just find the Immortal Heart.

So in the end Purin was the one who found Kawerik's whereabouts.

The cost of loss compensation is too ridiculous. We have no choice but to find the Immortal Heart and return it.

You must be curious how Purin managed to find him, right?

She mobilized all her contacts to track down Kawerik Vian.

And so, with the help of the Orders of the Sword and Shield, we are just about ready to arrest him.

I really don't understand why you keep explaining situations out loud in front of people who already know what happened.

Maybe someone might have missed something!

Is Kawerik really here?

Yes. Our knights have already encircled the area. All that's left is to arrest him.

Be careful everyone. Our suspect is an incredibly powerful mage.

Noted.

Let's move out.

I see I have many customers today.

Kawerik Vian, you're under arrest for the murder of Noard Riks.

Seeing how much force you've brought with you, I guess you didn't think I would go quietly?

We never assumed it would be easy.

It's good you came. I was looking for an excuse to test the Immortal Heart's abilities.

Ack...

Sir Crozet!

...I'm alright.

Amazing. So this is the power of Ezera's knightly orders.

Why did you kill Noard? From what we've been able to gather, he was well liked by everyone. Were you paid to do it?

Well liked by everyone? You must have looked into the wrong man. I killed him for my own, personal reasons.

Personal reasons? Like what...?

...

Twenty years ago, during the Archdemon War, Priest Noard was leader of the Enhanced Magic Division.

Enhanced...magic?

Little more than disposable Human weapons.

Ridiculous. The Church would never condone such a thing.

Our world was at risk of being destroyed. Do you think we had the freedom to pick and choose our methods?

I'm not naïve enough to believe we had any luxury to fight the war in a clean fashion.

But do you know what they did with us once the war had been won?

If you did...you would understand why I killed Noard.

Halt! I won't let you escape!

Ugh...

Don't push yourself. We can't chase him, we've already suffered too many losses.

Enhanced magic...

Have they found Kawerik?

They're still searching.

That thing he said...about enhanced magic?

Aerin is investigating it now. With the amount of information available to her she should be able to find something out.

Whatever does come to light, I don't think it will be pleasant.

I agree. And we didn't even get the Immortal Heart back. I'm exhausted.

But at times like this, we should try to laugh more. That's why I went on a stress relieving shopping spree!

What did you buy?

Tada! A sculpture of Ras! It looks just like him, right? I had it made specially.

Incredible! It's better looking than the real thing.

Quiet, Arky...why in the world would you buy this?

Well...while you were slumbering, we played wi, Umm, I mean, we took such good care of you...

...Are you sure?

Of course! We all grew so attached to you, when you left us we couldn't help but feel a bit sad.

That's why I had this life-sized statue of you made! Another happy addition to my Ras collection.

Then this isn't the first...

We collect everything that's related to you, Ras. Actually, your hair kept growing while you were sleeping...

So we made sure to keep it tidy with regular haircuts.

There must've been a lot of hair.

Of course. We've kept all of it, and it takes up the most space in our collection.

...Please burn it.

Oh no, we can't do that. When you save the world, the value of our little collection is sure to soar!

The hair of the Heir who saved the world! We could ask for any price! The cost of losing the Immortal Heart will be nothing in comparison!

So please make sure you win this time!

...I don't think I'll ever understand how you do business.

Then my fur should be worth a lot too, right? I'm the Heir of the Covenant's Guardian!

I knew you would understand, Arky. We'd be very interested in collecting your fur too.

Being naturally generous, Arky would gladly give you whatever I shed...

Thank you so much. Merurin, please grab Arky. We'll have to shear him.

What!? Arky didn't agree to any shearing!

Arky! Please don't struggle! If we shave you clean, maybe you'll become even cuter!

You can't convince me with such blatant lies!

I think it's a good idea. Why don't you try a new style? It's getting hotter these days too.

You're heartless, Master! So mean!

Okay, this is what I've managed to uncover so far...

Twenty years ago, during the Archdemon War, almost everyone was sure the world would be destroyed.

But people didn't lose hope, and many still continued to fight back.

However, it became clear that a stronger army was needed to fend off the Archdemon once and for all.

And so, the Enhanced Mage Project was created.

As Kawerik said, this project was quietly sanctioned by the Church.

And...was lead by the priest Noard Risks.

...A lot of things happened while I was sleeping.

If Kawerik Vian knows so much about this project... Does that mean he is one of these enhanced mages?

I think so. The mages in the project had their magic power amplified, and they soon became unparalleled.

This newfound power helped them achieve many victories in the war, but eventually, the negative side effects began to become clear.

After the war was over, almost all the enhanced mages fell victim to rapid aging and debilitating weakness.

Some even went insane. Most were dead within a few years.

Despite this... the Church provided no support to the dying mages, and kept their existence a secret.

All the mages who took part in the project were volunteers. Men and woman who wished to end the war.

I've never heard of this. If it's true, won't the Church's image be seriously damaged?

That's why they were so keen to keep it all secret.

As Kawerik said, they were just used and disposed of...

I was surprised too. I understand that during the war the world was facing destruction...

And it wasn't a time when we could pick and choose our methods, but...

That doesn't justify sacrificing innocent people.

...If Kawerik Vian really is an enhanced mage, he needs help.

It's possible he stole the Immortal Heart because his body was damaged by the project.

But to have survived for twenty years when all his peers died long ago... He's lucky.

What do we do now, Purin?

There's no need for us to involve ourselves in Kawerik's grudge against the Church.

But the penalties for losing the Immortal Heart are too big.

We have to retrieve it back from Kawerik.

While Kawerik possesses the Heart, he's sure to use its power to take revenge against the Church.

Then I have put myself in danger again?

The one putting themself in danger is me, not you.

But why do you have to get involved?

The world's on the line here, so it only makes sense for you to save it, Ras.

Good luck, Master.

Where do you think you're going? You're helping me.

We have Kawerik Vian's location.

Good work.

What will you do? You've seen how dangerous he is.

I still have to go talk to him. I have to get back the Immortal Heart as well.

...I was briefed on the enhanced mages.

What did you think? Your position must make it hard to accept...

My position does not change anything. The Church must rectify the crimes they have committed.

But I too experienced and survived the atrocities of the Archdemon War.

I know the world was driven into a corner. We were forced to make some difficult choices.

Indeed. It's not a simple problem. Even so...

I can't just let Kawerik take his revenge upon the Church. I have to stop him.

I'll come with you. You will be supported by the best knights of every Order.

So you found me.

We need the Immortal Heart or we'll be in big trouble.

Kawerik Vian, we know what you've been through. We know the pain the Enhanced Mage Project caused you.

Then you know why I killed Noard.

Revenge... But it doesn't change anything.

You're right. Killing him did nothing to fix my body. Nor did it satisfy my grudge.

But I couldn't just let him lead a normal life, unpunished.

So you won't stop until you've taken your revenge against the entire Church?

My revenge is all I have left.

But if your body is in such a state that you need the Immortal Heart...

Is that revenge worth spending all of your remaining strength?

What other choice do I have? Let the Church escape punishment?

They buried the truth of the Enhanced Mage Project and ignored my dying comrades.

You yourself had never heard anything of it until I told you.

Then... Maybe you could ask the Church to admit what happened?

Ridiculous. Do you really think the Church will acknowledge their crimes now?

Maybe twenty years ago it was different. But the Archdemon War is long over. Too much time has passed.

Surely there will be someone in the Church who will listen to you.

That's what you think. And you didn't come here to convince me. You're just here for the Immortal Heart.

I've had enough of this pointless discussion.

Damn. It seems we won't be able to avoid a fight.

Take care, Ras.

Let's focus on stopping Kawerik for now.

Ugh....

He really is powerful. If he had endured just a bit longer we may have been in trouble.

...

Kawerik, you're under arrest.

Arrest? Just kill me, already. I'll be put to death in Ezera anyway.

I won't let that happen. I'm giving you to the Merchant Union.

...We may have stopped Kawerik, but this issue still isn't resolved.

I know it isn't a pleasant story, but I thought you ought to know.

...I never knew such a thing happened.

It was twenty years ago, long before you were born. We only learned about this recently ourselves.

What should I do?

I haven't come up with a solution yet ,either. We should take our time in coming up with the best answer.

But there is the risk that someone like Kawerik might appear again.

We should be prepared for that. I'll do my best to help you.

Thank you... It's a difficult issue, and I'm not sure how to handle it, but... It seems I won't be able to avoid it.

Yes. Facing this problem won't be easy but let's work hard to solve it together.

The Immortal Heart has been safely sent to Reingar.

And as Ras ordered, Kawerik is under the protection of the Merchant Union.

But...

He escaped...

We went through so much trouble to capture him. I expected better from the Merchant Union.

But the Immortal Heart is safe?

Yes. Reingar will take good care of it.

Kawerik is powerful, but without the Immortal Heart, he won't be able to use his full potential.

I hope the Immortal Heart is well protected. It's eventually going to become part of my collection.

Do we know where Kawerik went? I had heard his condition was already deteriorating.

It seems he's reached his limit. Even if he plans to reclaim the Immortal Heart, to reach Reingar in his condition should be impossible.

Despite everything we did, we're back at square one.

Still, we should be glad that the Immortal Heart is no longer in Kawerik's hands. If he still had it, who knows what might've happened.

But will he stay quiet?

That's a good question... He might even come after our guild for taking the Heart from him...

It'll be okay. If anything happens, the Heir of the Covenant will be there to help! He exists to protect the world.

And he can't save the world if he doesn't protect its people!

All the hard work is mine, huh?

And your reward is to be known as the one and only Heir of the Covenant!

I'll trade.

Don't want it.

Arky, no matter how hard you try to avoid me, you and I are bound together. You can't get away.

Disgusting! Don't be so clingy.

...

Cheer up Ras! We're here for you!

After taking care of Ras for so long it's like we're family. We'll always be there for him.

Me too!

...Being the Heir to the Covenant can't be easy. Are you okay, Ras?

...Sometimes I wish I could just go back to sleep.

...But, I wonder what Kawerik Vian is up to now...

...Who are you?

My name is Myra. I've been looking for you.