Barong's Story

Hmph! Everyone's so mean!

How can they say my bunny is filthy?!

That I only carry her around because I'm broke?!

What do they have against my doll?!

She's so small and cute!

Hmph! Why is everyone obsessed with a doll that isn't even theirs?!

It's times like these that make it pretty hard to be a popular phantom... *Sigh*

Hey, you!

Come here for a second.

Huh? Me?

Eeeeek! Isn't that... Chloe?!

What brings her to phantom territory?

Huh? Wait... I'm in Sprite Kingdom!

When did I end up here?!

Ahem, who are yooou...? I think you've got the wrong phantom...

Oh, don't make me repeat myself. Just come over here.

I just want to ask you something.

Urgh... at this rate, she's going to find out that I tried to steal one of her dolls recently!

Don't tell me that grubby bear already tattled on me...

Is she trying to lure me into some dark corner of the back alley for that?

That creepy puppeteer! What the heck is she trying to do to me?!

What do I do? What do I do?

Should I make a run for it?

Urgh, I'm so nervous that I can't think of anything!

I'm... screeewed...

Uh, why are you so scared?

Someone might think I was about to beat you up or something!

I was only going to ask you to join me for some tea. Is that really so awful?

Tea...?

*Slurp*...

What do you think? Do you like it?

U-Uh, yeah. It's okay.

Hmm... That's good to hear.

Listen, I heard everything.

You know... what you did to Sebastian.

Huh? Me? I didn't do anything!

I really think you have the wrong phantom here. I'll be on my way.

I'm not done here. Where do you think you're going?

Sit back down.

Ah, okay...

You know... you're more humble than I thought you'd be!

I didn't know phantoms could be like this.

Hmm... It's a whole new side of you guys.

Humble...?

That's right! I heard that Her Majesty didn't bully Sebastian, and you looked after her when she was left all alone!

That you put on a fireworks show for her and kept her company so that she wouldn't feel bored.

Ah, er... the thing is...

I mean, throwing Sebastian and breaking into my tailor shop without my knowledge were definitely wrong...

But still, I thank you. To be honest, when I traveled to Monatium, I worried about Sebastian a lot.

You know... whether some crazed individual would go after her, or if someone would do something weird to my tailor shop...

*Gulp.*

All groundless worries, I guess.

Anyway, Sebastian said she wasn't lonely thanks to you.

I just wanted to thank you when I got the chance. That's all.

I-I seee...

Heh! So what had happened waaas...

I just happened to be passing by your tailor shop that day, and when I looked in through the window... Bam! Our eyes met! Sebastian had been rolling about in lonelineeess.

She looked so desperate that I couldn't just let her be!

I knew I'd get into trouble, but I broke in anyway to look after Sebastian.

Hehe, now that I think about it...

It was actually kind of fun that day!

I see. Sebastian said the same!

Oh, it looks like you're still carrying that doll around.

Hmm, want me to fix it up a bit?

Fix it up? Are you trying to torture my doll?

I won't let you do that!

What are you talking about? I meant that I would make it cuter and cooler, of course!

But you knew that, right? We're both puppeteers here, so don't get weird about it.

Huh? Cuter and cooler?

Well, of course I knew that! I was only joking arouuuund.

Okay... um... I'll take you up on that, then...

Yeah, I mean, at the end of the day, it was one of my creations to begin with...

Something of a free restoration of sorts?

Okay, please wait a moment.

Chloe doesn't seem to be as vicious as I thought. She's actually a pretty nice sprite.

And Sebastian...

She must've heard me badmouthing her, but she still spoke well of me to Chloe.

On second thought... She seems to be a pretty special doll.

Not as much as my bunny, though, of course.

Hehe... Hehehehe...

Queen Erpin. I formally challenge you to a duel!

Yeah, let's settle this here and now!

How dare you charge into our palace out of nowhere?! Just what do you think you're doing here?!

Y-Yeah! Let's just use our words here!

Why do you all want to fight me so badly?!

Huh? You're the ones who declared war against us first!

Exactly. We heard Queen Erpin issued a blanket challenge to all dragons, including Daya.

That's why we're here. We are not ones to shy away from a fight.

Excuse me?! Who issued a challenge against whom?!

I heard exactly the opposite!

See, Ner?! I told you!

Ugh... Oh my...

So your intent is to trample Queen Erpin and establish a clear hierarchy between sprites and dragons?

I believe I understand what is going on here.

You dragons wish to wage war against Sprite Kingdom using your ranking fights as an excuse, correct?

What? It's not an excuse!

Exactly! Stop this back and forth and just fight us already!

Do you really want to fight this badly?

Ner's mad now! You are all goners!

Ah, this is between us, Master, so please step aside for now.

What is it you find strange about this, Master?

Huh? A wedge?

Are you serious? The dragons are about to start a war?!

Hey, Queen! Are you planning to tell the entire kingdom?!

Keep your voice dooown!

It's just that I'm shocked! How could I not be after hearing what you just told me?!

Anyway, are you sure they're going to pick a fight with us?

Yeah. I heard they are planning to march on the palace with a plausible excuse sooooon.

So go tell the Head Priesteeeess. You need to come up with a plan as sooooon as possible!

Oh, and don't tell her this came from me, okaaay?

You have to protect your source, you know?

Y-Yeah! Of course! I knew that!

Heh. Hehehehe... Good. Hurry up and go tell Ner!

Barong... Wait... she lied to me?

What did you say?! The one who told you this was... Barong?!

You should have told me that from the beginning, Your Majesty!

Barong? Who's this Barong?

You know... That phantom that looks like a walking Neapolitan ice cream!

Neapolitan... ice cream?

...Really?

I'm seeerious! The Sprite Queen and the Head Priestess really think little of you draaaagons!

Espeeeecially that Sprite Queen...

She was going on and on about how she could take down the dragons with a single punch, eaaaaasy!

She said that once dragons become sprite underlings, you'd have to offer caaaake as tribute!

This is a declaration of war, isn't it?

Seems that way. Should we make preparations?

You don't worry about a thing, Rudd. I'll see to this myself.

No. If what that phantom says is true... this is important enough to take to Daya.

Have you forgotten that Daya is away right now?!

Ah, you're right.

Then, we can go to Sprite Kingdom together, Silphir.

Urgh, together? I can do it by myself!

No. It's still too dangerous for you to go alone.

Hey! I said to stop treating me like a child!

Hehe... I hope your conflict gets resolved smoothly...

I'll be on my way then...

That's what it looks like.

It seems I reacted before verifying the facts. Queen, Head Priestess... I sincerely apologize.

Silphir, give them your apologies, too.

I was going to do that even without you telling me, okay?!

Queen, Head Priestess... I-I'm sorry.

Um... could we keep what happened today a secret from Daya?

We were deceived as well, after all. We apologize too.

Urgh, fine, I won't say anything, so don't worry.

Barong, you little punk... You dare lie to me?!

She already has a record, does she not? Your Majesty should have listened to her stories with a grain of salt.

A record? Barong has a record? What do you mean?

Hmm... She seems to be a particularly foul phantom. We should look for this Barong.

She dares to lie to me?! She needs to be taught a lesson!

If it is all right, may I accompany you? I have a debt to settle with that phantom as well.

Hm? Are you talking about me?

Who are you?

Wait... Are you the Master of the Order?

.........!

Huh? I don't have time right now.

I was in the middle of a conversation with my one and only friend, you knooow.

Hmph! How veeeery disappointing! You can't even recognize my friend.

*Thwack!!* Maybe they're just shy around strangers!

Really? Are you shyyyy around strangers?

Or are yoooou interested in my doll, too, Maaaaster?

*Thwack!!* Why the heck would they be?!

Look at that contemptuous expression!

We'll never be understood!!

Wh-What?! You're interested in her?

Don't lie!

Listen, I don't need your look of pity here!

And stop being so serious! It's making things awkward!

Ugh... this Master idiot...

Whatever! Let's finish ourrrr conversation, bunny!

It was about that dumb queen and those foolish dragons, riiiiight?

Why would you bring that up in front of Master?! *Thwack!*

What does it matter? It's not like it was my doing anywaaaay.

Look at that dumbfounded expression! Hilarious! I just can't resiiiist!

I don't knoooow. It's of no concern to me who did it.

All that maaaatters is that it was entertaining, riiiight?

Don't be so serious, just enjooooy it... hehehe.

Well, it happens.

Phantoms get up to so much mischief that even someone as normal as me gets misunderstood sometimes.

*Thwack!* Stop criticizing members of your own race!

Yes, that was me.

I'm a small bunny doll who's 100 times prettier and cooler than Sebastian!

Isn't it obvious? My actual body doesn't have a mouth.

That's why I'm borrowing Barong here to speak.

Did you see that? The Master of the Order is talking to that compulsive liar!

Don't tell me they're falling for that liar's lies!

No way. Surely the Master of the Order already knows about that liar!

Shh, I think they're looking at us. Let's get going!

Ugh, I almost had them—hook, line, and sinker...

Let's get out of here!

The story I'm about to tell you noooow...

Is a story about my paaaast—a real tearjerkeeer...

Tears locked and loaded. Hurry up! Let's hear it!

It was about a month agooo...

After staying up all night reading a nooovel... fatigue hit me like a ton of bricks, and I passed out cooold.

But the next morning, I opened my eyeeees and found myself somewhere I didn't recogniiiize!

I was inside a lavish mansion dripping with antique chaaaarm!

I have good instincts, so I started to take a look around the room to figure out what was going on.

That's when I found a mystical looking mirror in one of the drawers.

But here's the thing...!

Yes? Continue!

Hey, I've always been curious...

What are you always writing?

Oh, just a little something...

I promise I'm listening, so don't mind me.

Oh? Are you curious as to what happens? Wanna hear mooore?

Ugh! Are you serious right now?! Of course I do!

Do you know the two ways to really annoy an elf?

The first is to stop a story halfway through!

Hehe, okay, okay. If you're that curious, I'll keep goooing...

Yes! Let's go!

What reflected back at me through that mystical looking mirror... wasn't meee!

It was the main character of the novel I'd been reading just before daaaawn!

Huh? This sounds really familiar.

Are you sure this is something that actually happened to you?

Of course it iiiis...! Are you doubting meee...?

Well, I suppose they say that familiarity breeds an appetite...

So, what happened after that?

Weeeeell...

So, the main character—I mean, I—had no choice but to say goodbye to the doll fiiiirst.

But I didn't lose hope! I knew we were destined to meet agaaain!

You know the story where the doll that went to the Weekend Farm before you is there to greet you if you ever end up theeere?

I really love that story...

*Sniff, sniff*... That was so touching...

I think this part in particular should be emphasized.

Oh, if only some kind soul would make a small donation of gold for a wretched creature like me...

With that, inspiration for my next story may come more easilyyy...

I'll do it! I'll donate!

Now where'd I put the rest of my gold...? Did I leave it at home?

Huh? Where'd you come from, Master?

Master...?

Argh, Master! What do you think you're saying?!

Barong doesn't lie! She only tells stories that are completely true, okay?

Right, Barong?

Hmm? Of cooourse!

Right, Master? I only tell the truuuuth.

Master, read the room!

Are you gonna take responsibility if my trashpost clickbait golden goose runs away, Master?!

I'm not being played by Barong right now, I'm using her!

Er... haha! Okay, Barong, looks like Master finally gets it! They said they'll leave now!

Wanna continue this at my place? I'll get you that gold there!

Hmmm?

Okay... sounds good.

Master, see you next tiiime! Hehehe.

Hmm, I'm bored.

I really wanna tell a lie that's new, fresh, and high-stakes...

Oh! Why don't I put that plan I came up with last time into motion... the "Cursed Garden" plan?

I've already built some rapport with the key player—the gardener—by helping her out a few times...

And the weather is overcast... Perfect to put that plan into action.

Alright. Time to gather a few supplies and head over.

Hey, Kyarot!

Hi, Barong! You're back again?

Are you thirsty? Want a cup of sugarcane coffee?

It's okay. I'm fiiine.

I'm here to help out agaaain. I was bored with nothing to dooo.

Really? I will take you up on that!

Will you do me a favor and water the plants for me? I've been so busy today that I haven't been able to yet!

Hmm, I don't think that will be necessaryyyy!

They said we'd be getting a huge downpour this afternoooon.

Really? It's supposed to rain today? But I don't smell rain in the air...

I'm pretty sure it's going to rain todaaay. Do you have a tarp or something prepared to protect the plants from the raaain?

Nope. The one I usually use disappeared a while ago.

*Sigh* Oh, no...

I'll keep an eye here. Why don't you head into the kingdom and buy a new taaarp?

Hmm... Good idea!

Thank you, Barong, as always. I'll be back in the blink of an eye!

Alriiight. I'll be right heeere!

Hehe, foolish gardener...

I already bought up every tarp in the Kingdom. There won't be a single one left to buy!

It'll take her at least half a day to get back after finding a tarp to buy! Hehe.

Now that the gardener's away... Let's proceed with the plan...

First, I'll dig up the entire garden.

Then, I'll plant some dolls throughout the plot...

After that, I'll grab some passing sprite and scare them with a tale about how dolls have cursed Elias...

And then... I'll introduce myself as "Barong, the one and only deliverer capable of lifting the curse"!

Soon... everyone will worship me as their deliverer! Hehehe!

Phew, I've finally finished digging up the garden.

Now I just need to stick the dolls into the empty spots—

What are you doing, Barong?

Eeeeeek!

The gardener? Am I seeing things? Are you a ghost?!

What are you talking about? It's me, Kyarot.

H-How did you get back this fast?

It's only been 30 minutes...!

Where the heck were you able to buy a tarp?!

For some reason, I had a feeling they wouldn't be selling tarps in Sprite Kingdom today...

That's why I went to the Monatium Grocery Store instead.

Why? Is something wrong with that?

No way... I never anticipated something like that happening!

You're acting a bit strange...

That aside... Will you please explain what exactly you were doing to my garden?

Er... well, you seeee...

I can't believe I got caught this easily...

Ugh... And I put so much into this plan, too!

It seems I've got to put a cork in this plan for now...

Right now, I need to figure a way out of this.

Time to quickly make something up and bail.

It looked like there was a plant disease spreadiiing, so I pulled everything out as an emergency measuuure!

I had to save the healthy ones, riiight?

That makes sense, doesn't iiit?

Aha... I see.

Yeah. That makes sense.

Oh, wooow... that was easier than I thought! Hehe.

See? My plans can deal with little hiccups like—

It makes so much sense that I'm gonna beat you senseless with my sugarcane!

A-AAAAACKK!!!

Don't pull my hair! It huuurts!

I knew it! The moment you offered to help for free, it felt suspicious!

How dare you ruin my garden like this?! I spent so much time and energy on this!

Fess up! You're the one who stole the tarp from my house, too, aren't you!

I've got you now! You're not gonna get away with this!!!

No! Let go! I didn't do anything wroooong!!!

Deliveryyy!

I said, deliveryyy!

I heard you hesitating at the door, okayyy? Don't try to lie to me!

Here. This is for you.

It's a ticket for a one-way trip to the Weekend Farmmm!

I ran into Mayor Elena on the way heeeere.

I'm telling yoooou! She recognized me as the true deliverer of Elias and offered this voucher to me as tribuuute!

She was bawling her eyes out, begging me to watch over her poor little eeelves!

Tch. You're no fun.

Anyway, this is of no use to me, so you can take it, Master.

Well, that's it, so I'll get going.

With... me?

*Sigh*... Fine.

You gotta watch out for those elves, too, Master. They're worse than I am.

Who would've thought they'd hand out an expired voucher as a free gift?

Well, that aside...

I actually have bad memories tied to this place.

There was a time I had no one to eat with, so I wandered around...

I was drawn here by the delicious aromas, you see...

I stopped a passing employee and asked if there was a table for one...

But they shoved me aside and said,"We don't even have enough food left because of Her Majesty, and now I've gotta deal with some phantom loser too?!"

Pfft!

I got you again, Masterrrr!

At this rate, you'll be spoon-feeding me neeeext!

Hehe. This is fun.

Hm? That came out of nowhere...

Hmm. You really want to know why I don't make eye contaaact?

Hmm... Oh, Master... When have I ever lied to yooou?

Really...?

Well... it's not that serious a story.

I've always had trouble making eye contact with others.

Aaaand... if I lock eyes with someone, a super-powerful laser shoots out of my eyes—

Me? I'm not curious about anything.

Maybe? Maybe not! Hehe.