Section 7: Pirate Summit

Morning!!!

Good morning. I see you're in especially high spirits today, Da Vinci.

Of course she is. How could she not be, what with Steggy feeling better?

Why, I'd be beside myself with worry if Viy ever came down with a...cold... A cold, hmmm?

I can't even imagine such a thing... Are you even able to catch a disease?

No? You're invulnerable to physical and mental attacks? Doesn't that make you stronger than me?

Goooood morning! It looks like Blackbeard's in charge of breakfast today!

Oh my, that's unusual. Although... Do you happen to know what he's making?

Because I don't think I'll be able to stomach pirate stew.

Isn't that a little too, um, out there, even for him?

Anyway, um, he said he was making, and I quote, "a completely normal breakfast," but now you've got me worried...

Why don't we go take a look together!?

？！

Good morning, Senpai. I see you're up early today.

What's on the menu, Teach?

Mornin'. Today, I'm just making a completely normal breakfast.

Specifically...

Salt-broiled sardines, white rice, miso soup, chilled pickles, and flavored seaweed.

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Indeed. Though I don't see how he could have made a breakfast like that here at our campsite...

Um, where did you get the ingredients?

Not telling.

...You're quite sure these are all...genuine, yes?

Of cooourse!

You do seem to be telling the truth, but that only makes it scarier! Where in the world did you get these from!?

Old Blackbeard is exercising his right to remain silent.

Well, I know it's kind of unclear where exactly Mr. Blackbeard got those ingredients.

But I watched him prep them, and they did all seem legit.

I-if you're willing to vouch for him, Mandricardo...then it's probably just fine! Probably!

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Oh wow, Master. I didn't know you were so good with chopsticks.

I'm kind of jealous. I can't even use a fork and knife without incident.

What do you mean "without incident"?

Oh, well...

I tend to space out when I eat, and I often end up throwing them without realizing.

Whoa there.

Eep! I-I'm so sorry, Achilles.

No biggie. Just be careful.

Damn, you just caught that knife with two fingers like it was nothing.

？！

Hahaha, don't stop now. I love a helping of compliments with my breakfast.

I'm no stranger to praise, but it's way better coming from my teammates!

Nnn... I don't think I care for miso soup much.

I thought you might say that, so I made some borscht too, O Grand Duchess.

Whoa. I can't believe how considerate this pirate is being...or how good this borscht is...

It's all yummy. Really yummy. (Munch, munch, munch, munch)

Damn, slow down, girl. You're not a hamster, you know. You don't have to shovel it all into your mouth at once.

Well, I can understand how she feels. We've had bread every day since we got here, so as a Japanese Servant, I'm sure she must have been craving white rice.

All right, now that our hunger has been sated, I have a small announcement to make.

The fifth map marks the location in a much more standard way than the one out in the sea.

It had another pirate message on it too, but it was pretty straightforward.

"Climb this mountain if you can."

The end!

I see. A mountain, huh...

Indeed. So it seems we'll be going mountain climbing today! Heh... (Smug smile)

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Hahaha! Who do you think you're talking to?

I'm quite sure I have more experience solo camping than anyone else here, you know.

Now, come on! We need to get ready to climb!

You seem very excited about this, Director.

Of course! Mountain climbing is the sport of heroes!

So you'll be coming along again today, Director? Cool. Glad to have you!

Are you sure about this, Sir Gof?

Hm?

Because I get the feeling that this mountain is very, very tall...

...How tall?

Okay, we're here! Now we just have to make our way up to the peak.

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Yeah, I don't blame you for being nervous.

I checked out a bunch of possible routes, but it doesn't matter where you start. They all end up going through similarly tough areas.

That one there seemed like it was the least bad of the bunch.

Even from down here I can already tell it'll be a steep climb all the way up. It looks like a very long, almost completely vertical cliff face...

I, um, don't suppose we could use magecraft or mechas or something to just fly up to the top, could we?

Nope!

I ran the numbers, and there's no way to fly through the bizarrely complex air currents surrounding the mountain.

It'd be one thing if they just couldn't make it to the top, but the worst part is, they'd probably get slammed into the crags well before they got close.

Besides, didn't you say you enjoyed mountain climbing, Gordy?

Normal mountains, yes. But when they're this tall and steep...

Well, the mountains I used to climb were a tad more...welcoming. The kind you'd find near most typical campsites.

Even so, it doesn't look like we have any other choice but to make the ascent.

All right, I'm leaving this climb to all of you!

Much as I wish I could go along, someone has to stay behind to watch the camp. There is no greater responsibility in fact!

Hmm...

It's a pretty sheer climb for sure, but it does look like there's plenty of hand and footholds.

Think we Servants'll be fine. The real question here is you, Master.

That's why I whipped up these magic ice axes. They'll stay firmly in place with just a single swing.

These will let you climb any sheer cliff, as long as you put in the time!

And of course, they're for you to use, Fujimaru.

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But, what if even those aren't enough? What if something happens?

True. We do have to be prepared for every contingency.

Which is why I also made a safety Mystic Code that'll keep Fujimaru alive even if he happens to slip and fall.

It uses air resistance to slow the fall, like a parachute...

And it also wraps the user in a protective membrane to reduce any injury they may sustain from coming in contact with the mountain's surface.

It won't be able to help anyone who falls get back up the mountain, but it should at least let them survive a fall intact.

I guess you could just say it lets you fall safely.

Anyway, these were pretty easy to make, so I whipped up about ten of them. Why don't all of you take one just in case, too?

Whoa, these sound great. There should be a Da Vinci in every house.

Hehehe. Maybe so, but I'm one of a kind and that's not changing anytime soon.

So, who's gonna make the climb?

It's obviously gonna be a lot of work, but the longer your limbs, the easier it oughta be.

So if we're going by build, that means me and

Me? As I'm sure you know, I'm a man of the sea, not the mountains...

But, okay. Adding "Mountain Pirate" to my list of titles ought to be worth it for bragging rights alone!

I don't mind going, either. I think I'm probably cut out for solitary slogs like mountain climbing.

Fujimaru will go, too, of course. And as the engineer in charge of equipment and scanning, I'll come along as well.

Would it be all right if I went, too?

I want to check as many different places as possible, in case Rengoku happens to be at one of them.

Oh, uh, I know it's very unlikely that she'd wash up on top of a mountain from an underwater cave!

But I also know Rengoku can do anything she sets her mind to! Not to mention she's very small and light!

Like, maybe she got caught up in a submarine volcanic explosion, blasted high into the sky...

...and wound up drifting gently down to the mountain peak!

(I wonder... Is she just trying to keep her own spirits up? I mean, it's good to be hopeful, certainly, but...)

Ahem. Well, since I'll be staying behind at our camp, I should be okay with a minimal security force.

So I'd like you to go along with them as well, Lord Caenis.

Seriously? How're you gonna manage on your own if an enemy attacks the camp while we're gone?

Eh, if that's what you want, I'll do it. You want me to keep an eye on Okita, yeah?

I've already made up my mind to accompany Master everywhere I can for this mission.

And since in this form, my limbs are plenty long enough for mountain climbing, there shouldn't be any problem with my going along here, right?

Oh, you're going too, Kamacho? Then I think I'll tag along as well.

I gotta get used to you in your medium size, after all.

I'm still the same person I was before, you know! And I'm NOT getting chummy with you!

Oh, right. I almost forgot.

I think it'd be best if we paired up and made the climb linked together with rope.

Even with the safety Mystic Codes, it'd be better to recover from any mishaps wherever we can rather than let ourselves fall...

And I think it'd slow us down too much if we all tied ourselves together. So let's go with the buddy system.

B-buddy system...?

(Why does he look so crestfallen about that?)

In that case, I'll be Master's buddy.

Good idea. You two have plenty of experience working together.

？！

Hey, wai

You and I weigh about the same, so it looks like we'll have to team up.

Aww. If I have to be tied down, I'd much rather it be to a pretty girl...

Heh... Come on, Kamacho. I think you and I are gonna see some great sights together.

Wha? Hey! I don't even want to go if I can't team up with Master!

Oh man, oh man, oh man... (Looking around frantically for a possible buddy)

Oh good, there's an even number of us... What a relief... I don't know what I would've done otherwise...

Okay, so here's our lineup.

I'll make the climb with Mandricardo...

Master and I will climb together.

We're all set.

Ugh. It's not gonna be any fun getting pulled down by your weight...

Hey, don't blame me. Blame our builds.

All right, Kamacho, you and I are making a beeline to the top! Ooh, we have to think of a team name, too!

No.

And I'll look out for this one. That about sum it up?

Yup, that's it. Okay, everyone check your equipment!

Here, Fujimaru, let me show you how the ice axes work.

Let's see... All right, let's all try to be ready to climb in thirty minutes.

Char and I will keep an eye on things back at camp with Goredolf.

See you later, everyone!

This is gonna be a really intense workout, so don't skimp on the warm-up!

How are you doing, Master?

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Understood. Just let me know if you need anything.

That ledge is nice and spacious. Why don't we take a short break once we get there?

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Hup. You know, this is pretty fun. Good training, too.

Nope, definitely still a man of the sea. Why can't the land just carry us the way the sea carries ships?

Don't worry, Da Vinci. Even if you fall, I'll hold onto you with every fiber of my being.

That's what it means to be part of a buddy system.

You kept me from being the odd man out. I'll never let you down!

Wow, you're weirdly fired up about this, aren't you!? It's really encouraging.

Incidentally, don't worry if you fall, either.

My mecha arms can grab you, compensate for our weight difference, and hold our position all at once!

'Preciate it!

Hup, hup, hup! Come on, let's keep going!

Whoa, whoa, slow the hell down. You'll never make it to the top if you wear yourself out so early.

I'll be fine! I've got plenty of energy!

Hmph. Gonna have to apply a little force then, I guess.

Gurk! The rope! It's so tight!

We're taking a short break in this crevice. Got it?

But, I still want to

Got. It?

...'Kaaay.

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Whatever you do, Master, please don't push yourself too hard!

I can always pull your weight by myself for a while if you need to rest!

Guess it's no surprise the wind would pick up the higher we go. Let's hope it doesn't get any harder from here onHm?

Aw crap! Falling rocks incoming! All of you, hug the wall as close as you can!

Khh...!

Stay below me, Master!

Heh.

It'll take more than a few rocks to stop me. I'll cut them down to size with a slash of my sword!

Idiot! You can't hold your sword with both hands up here!

Hrrk. (Rope suddenly taut)

Yeow! Ow ow ow!

Dammit! Why do I have to get hit with rocks from a mountain instead of marshmallows from a cute girl!?

Aw crap, we've got a big one incoming! Gaaah!

(Welp, guess this is how I die.)

(Dammit! Now my dream harem will never get beyond the candidate selection stage!)

(There were just too many...hotties...)

Hrah!

Sheesh. Why you gotta make me work like that, huh? Anyway, glad I made it in time.

Oh wow. I never noticed how strong your arms are before... (Heart fluttering)

Oh gosh. My badump circuit is overloading...

Hmph. This would've been a perfect chance to get close to Master if only I'd been buddies with him.

W-waaah!

Hey! What're you doing!?

Ghh... You're a lot...heavier...than you look...

Hehe. If it wasn't for this rope tying us together, I'd be plummeting down headfirst right now.

Unfortunately...it looks like this is as far as I go.

Huh???

I must've hit my head pretty hard. Don't think I can move so much as a finger anymore...

But we shouldn't both die.

Cut the rope, Kamacho!!!

...That's from a movie I saw recently. What would you do in that situation, Kamacho

Huh?

Huh?

Later, moron. I'll be climbing for both us from now on.

Wow, you didn't hesitate...at all.

W-well, can you blame me!?

It's her fault! Saying something like that, under circumstances like this! What an idiot!

Who WOULDN'T think she was serious!? Besides, she was really heavy, and I didn't have any reason to hold on, anyway!

(Part of me feels sorry for her... But I think she kinda brought it on herself...)

W-well... You've got a point...

And at least she should survive thanks to her safety device!

...Huh? Aah!

Oh man, I thought I was done for!

But I guess people really can do crazy things if they put their mind to it! And that's how I skateboarded back up here!

Ugh... You really need to work on your sense of humor.

I'm sorry! For realsies!

Well... If you're really sorry, and won't do it again...I guess I can find it in my heart to forgive you.

Here. If you want to tie our ropes back together, go ahead. I won't stop you.

Not that I, um, care either way, of course.

Hehe... Yeah, you're right. It doesn't matter how many times our bonds come undone. We can always tie them again.

That goes for our physical bonds...and our emotional ones.

I could also just cut the rope again and send you down for good this time.

Those two bicker constantly, but they also seem like good friends. How strange.

I wonder if...we seemed that way, too...

Rengoku...

...Ugh.

All right, no more falling rocks, and we're almost done with this damn cliff! Let's keep moving!

It looks like we've finally passed the near-vertical climb section...

But we can't get complacent yet. We still have a long, difficult path ahead.

Yup. You could still end up falling for who knows how long if you lose your footing here.

So let's keep taking it slow and steady.

Wait, hang on. What's that?

Is that...a black block floating in the air up ahead?

There's a "V" on the front. How strange.

No way. It can't be...!

You know what that thing is? Granted, it feels like I've seen something like it before, too.

Now where was that...?

Either way, it looks hella suspicious to me. We oughta leave it alone till we know what we're dealing wi

Heh. It's fine, Caemyon. I know exactly what to do here.

It's this!

Fist up above your head, jump, and then the block spits out an item you can use!

What the hell're you doing!?

The "V" just disappeared. And it looks like it actually is spitting something out!

Damn, guess I got a bum block.

This is EXACTLY why you don't mess with shit until you know it's safe!

Well, we've gotta get rid of them now! Just make sure you all watch your footing!

All right, I found the next block! Aaand HUP!

Oh, hey. This looks like QP!

There we go. That's how these things are supposed to work. I don't know HOW they work, but I know Moe-Moe knows her stuff.

Who's that?

You know, Tomocchi.

Now come on, keep hitting them! Don't be afraid to really get in there, like you're scooping them out from below!

I think this one just shot out some vines!

Yup, some're like that. You can climb up them to get higher up.

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Platformer...? No, it's not that. I feel like I've seen these things somewhere else... Hmm?

They're obviously not natural. Maybe the pirates who hid the treasure here put them up?

If we can use 'em, we should use 'em. If we can't, just ignore 'em.

Yeah. In the meantime, those vines oughta be good for climbing higher up the mountain.

All right, let's leave the blocks alone before they pop out anything weird and keep heading up

Wait! Hang on, Achi! Just let me do one more!

It's gonna be something good! I'm positive!

Whoops! Never mind!

Not again!

We ended up breaking every block we saw...

And most of them turned out to be enemies. Damn waste of energy.

Hey, we still made some good QP off them, and the vines were a big help getting this far. I don't see the problem.

It does seem like if it's not one thing, it's another.

This just doesn't seem to make sense.

Huh? We're still not at the peak, right? So why am I not seeing any more slopes?

Look up there. It's hard to tell 'cause of the clouds, or mist, or whatever it is, but you can see there're some big rocks jutting out. So that means

Nnn. I just scanned this terrain...

It looks like we're gonna have to make our way past an overhanging cliff from here on.

Hmm, how can I put this...? It's like the cliff's roots are in the center of the mountain? Or like the mountainside has been scooped out from all directions?

If you were to look at it from the side, it would kind of look like...

...a GIANT less-than sign.

And right now, we're smack-dab in the middle of the whole thing.

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It really doesn't seem natural, does it? How does it even stay up without collapsing?

Man, I don't know what we're gonna do now.

That's way too high for even a Servant to jump.

Maybe we could just do our best to scale the overhang?

No, that wouldn't work. It'd be even harder than the part we just climbed, and we'd have to get to the mountain's center before we could even begin.

And after taking time, stamina, and resources into consideration, I just don't see a realistic way for us to make it.

Hmm. We'll have to come up with something clever...

I don't see any of those vine blocks around here, either. Just when we could have really used some, too.

If we need to rack our brains for a while, maybe we should take a break?

Even Old Beardie the Mountain Pirate here's getting tuckered out from all this unaccustomed mountain climbing.

Good point. We should find some place we can take shelter from the wind, and maybe have a quick cup of tea, to

Hm? Whatever could that flapping sound be?

...Don't look at me. It wasn't my parrot. It sounded like it came from up above.

Whoa! It's a flock of some crazy bird monsters I've never seen before! Wow, that's a big flock!

Please stand back, Master! I don't care how many of these birds there are; I won't let a single one past me!

These things aren't strong at all, but there's a freakin' ton of 'em!

Ugh, they're so annoying! At least they're not doing much damage, but still!

(Something's not right...)

(It doesn't seem like these bird monsters are just attacking us for the heck of it...)

At least we managed to chase them off. Though it looks like they're still watching us from a distance.

Ugh, I don't wanna fight anymooore. I'm tiiired. I'm gonna take a naaap.

Damn, Beardie, don't you think you should wait until it's safe before you kick back!?

Eh, it'll be fine. It's not like they're raging with bloodlust or anything.

If anything, this is just making me more sleepy... (Zzz...)

H-hey! One of those birds is carrying Beardie off while he's asleep! How has he not woken up!?

Wow, that's pretty impressive in its own way. Hup!

Yeow! What was that for!? I was just having a great dream about floating! Or maybe ascending? Either way!

A little longer, and I'm sure I would've made it to a paradise filled with hotties as far as the eye could see. Dammit, I was so close...

Oh!

I think I might've just gotten an idea for how we can proceed...

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Right. It didn't seem like those bird monsters were trying to attack us.

It was more like they were trying to subdue us so they could take us away somewhere.

And I'm guessing that's probably...

...their nest somewhere on the cliff up above us.

Now that you mention it, it did seem like they flew down here from somewhere higher up.

So...it's a possibility, at least.

Really? Are you sure?

No harm in giving it a shot. Worst case, we've still got Da Vinci's safety devices.

Even if they end up dropping us, we'll just fall back to the foot of the mountain.

Maybe so, but I'd rather be keelhauled than climb the damn mountain again!

Whup, here they come. Heeere, birdie, birdie. Come get the yummy food...

Those bird monsters just carried Achilles and Blackbeard off!

I knew it. They DO have their nest on the cliff up above! Come on, let's follow their lead!

Agreed. Though to be perfectly honest, I was petrified most of the way...

Let's see... It looks like we all made it okay.

I guess it makes sense that birds native to this area would have no problem dealing with the rough air currents.

Ow ow ow. Why am I the only one getting pecked at by what I'm guessing are this species' chicks!?

Probably because you look the tastiest of all of us. It's a compliment, obviously.

Speaking of which, now's our chance. Come on, Master, let's get out of this nest while the birdies enjoy their meal, shall we?

Heeey!!!

Whether we let 'em eat Blackbeard or not, it looks like we won't have to fight these birds anymore.

All we have to do is make it to the peak. Come on! We can fend 'em off while we run for it!

(He might act like he doesn't care, but he still took the time to save me. Badump badump...)

？！

Yes, I think this is the peak. We did it, Master!

You know, it feels like I had it maybe twice as hard as anyone else on this trip...

Wahaha, that just means you had twice as many opportunities to shine! You were awesome, Beardie!

Really? Does this mean my time has finally come?

Nnn, I wouldn't go that far.

Never mind that. We're here because Rengoku mightI mean, the treasure is up here, right? So where could it be?

After all the work it took to get up here, if this turns out to be nothing, I am officially going to flip.

So you worked hard to get here, did you? Hmm, I see! But you didn't give up, and you finally made it!

That's wonderful! Truly wonderful!

Oh, right. I remember now. It wasn't video games those "V" blocks we saw down below reminded me of.

It was the cubes themselves I was recognizing. So, that was your doing.

Keeheehee! Yes, that's right!

A little birdie told me you'd all be climbing this mountain to look for treasure...

And I thought to myself, what fun is a treasure hunt without adversity to overcome?

It'd be boring for you, and doubly so for me.

So I took it on myself to prepare a few little trials for you!

I got the idea for the blocks by watching Ganesha play games.

Pretty entertaining, no?

I'm especially proud of the sublime number of enemies I stuffed into the trap blocks.

That's great and all, but we ended up having to fight all of them anyway thanks to a certain someone breaking every single one...

Hehehe... Sorry 'bout that.

But come on, who wouldn't want to break them all when they're right there for the breaking?

You opened ALL of them? Huh.

Keeheehee, then you must enjoy overcoming adversity even more than I thought!

...All right. I wasn't certain about whether I should do this, but now, I've decided to give you a final trial.

You don't mean

That's right. Your final trial will be to get past me, the treasure's de facto guardian.

I don't care about treasure, and I have no use for whatever it is.

My only real treasure...

...is watching you struggle to overcome my final trial, up close and personal!

That is what I desire more than anything.

Now, come. If you want this treasure so badly, prove you are worthy of it by defeating me in combat!

...Mmm, I will never get tired of saying that! I won't ask for a chance to do so every day, but once a week would just be lovely!

Too much still? I see...

How about once a month?

...Not even once a month? Ugh, you're so stingy!

Well, no matter. At least today was satisfying.

You did climb a very difficult mountain to come this far.

And even though you were all exhausted from the climb, and gasping for air in this thin atmosphere, you still fought desperately to overcome me... Mmm!

Whoops. I think I just drooled a little.

At any rate, as guardian of the treasure, I deem you worthy! Farewell!

Don't forget to put in the effort with your future treasure hunts too!

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I don't mind going along with that evil dragon's games when I've got nothing better to do...

But there's a time and place for these kinds of things.

I absolutely hate that about handsome heroes like you. You never run from a fight, even when you should.

(Trials that help you grow, huh. Maybe that's what I need...)

(But not ones from an evil dragon! I know all too well I'd be way out of my depth there!)

I know this is rich coming from me, since I helped her out that one time and all, but she really needs to learn how to gauge the mood...

At least I'm a demon king with tradition and social standing.

Plus, now that I'm wearing a swimsuit, my Mara side is showing a lot more. In fact, I'm practically ALL Mara right now.

So, speaking of gauging the mood, if there's anything you'd like me to do, Master, just say the word...

Heh. You're never not on the attack, huh?

I'm kinda proud by proxy that you're being the same old Kamacho you always are, arguably to a fault!

Anyway, all that's left now is to find the actual treasure.

I'm assuming it should be easy now that we've made it to the peak...

Oh, there's a little shrine over there! Maybe that's where it is?

All right, it could be dangerous, so I'll be the one to open it.

What is it they say at times like this again?

Let's see... I think my original likes to say...

This is a raid!

Yeah, that sounds right! Rengoku! Are you in here!?

...No. Of course not.

I was imagining she'd be there sitting patiently, like a statue of a kami or something...

Yeah, the odds of that happening all the way up here were always pretty slim.

But hey, you can still sense the bond you and Rengoku share even now, right?

...Yes.

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...Yeah. You're right, Master.

If Rengoku were here now, I'm sure she'd be lecturing me about how I need to shape up.

Okay! Let's get back to searching for the treasure!

I wonder what sort of treasure it'll be. Maybe we'll find Rengoku inside?

Definitely not.

Oh, right! I almost forgot!

Aah! Don't scare me like that!

I have something fun to tell you.

This is both a reward for overcoming my trial, and a new trial in itself.

Hmm, kind of like dessert, if you will!

I'm really only telling you this because I expect it'll perplex you, and you'll agonize all the more over it.

Huh? What do you mean by

It's about that Chris boy you're all fighting.

Okay.

Apparently, his full, True Name, is Christopher Columbus.

I happened to overhear him mention it in conversation with that slimy monk. That's all I can tell you, though.

Keeheehee. I wonder what it could mean. Don't you?

... ...

You're kidding me!

I'm still not sure how I ended up in a place like this after wandering around that cave...

(I'm also surprised there was a passage connecting the seafloor to the island's underground.)

Hm? What's this bright light...?

!!!

Oh man. This is...

Great. I never imagined anything like this. Now what should I do?

...I'll have to ask my wielder to take a look at this...

...and decide if fighting for that child is really the right thing to do.

...Oh man... What are we going to do?