Rohne's Story

Alright, it's time to jam out on the street again with some real, unfettered tunes! Are you ready?!

Mmm, perfectly tuned as always! This is gonna be a great performance!

Are you busking here today?

Well, slap me with a guitar, you scared me!! When did you get here, Rohne?!

Sorry? I've been here all along...

R-Really? I had no idea.

I see that you're still good at sneaking around.

I mean, I'm a spy. Of course I sneak around!

I see you still go around advertising you're a spy for no reason, too.

At least take off that cumbersome armor!

Are you trying to stand out or something?!

Ugh, you sure are one awful elf. Why do you have to go and pick at a sensitive issue of mine...?

Having too little of a presence leads to its own set of problems.

Such as?

Like when everyone else goes home without me while playing hide and seek...

Or when I go to buy something, the card reader always has a problem scanning my card.

It's one thing not to be recognized by automatic doors, but it's a real problem when my ID card doesn't scan at work...

Getting to work on time is just another way society pushes its conformist agenda.

Of course an antisocial elf like you would think that way, Festa.

But if you've ever been summoned by Amelia for being late, you'd be singing a different tune.

Ugh, that definitely does sound somewhat awful...

A spy having to write a letter of apology for having too little presence? Don't you think that's weird?

So you're wearing that old piece of armor on purpose?

The machines recognize me more easily with this armor on.

Had I realized this earlier, I would've worn it as a student too.

Why would you wanna stand out at school?

Didn't I tell you? I've become a spy because I lack presence.

My teacher wrote a letter of recommendation, saying that no one could compare to my lack of presence.

You became a spy with a letter of recommendation...?

They said they guaranteed employment in public enterprises.

Schools fixated on employment can only produce dull, gray souls, devoid of artistic flair.

What's wrong with dull, gray souls?! You're the odd one here for not appreciating how important monthly wages are!

It feels so good to have a well-earned, timely paycheck!

You've been completely brainwashed... Is that what they taught you at school?

Well, I won't deny it was a strange place.

There were many kids who were forced to drop out because the classes were too hard.

Forced to drop out? What do you mean?

It's like an NDA. The kids would have learned enough already... The school couldn't risk having them go somewhere else with that knowledge, could they?

So they make it look like you dropped out voluntarily... Do you wanna know more?

Nope. It'll just make my head hurt, so you can stop there.

It looks like you managed to graduate from such a horrible place, though.

They told me to just keep my eyes shut and hold my breath. I did, and they let me graduate.

How can you hold your breath while—No, no! There's no need to explain!

My goodness... how did someone like you become a spy?

Hey, now! I got good grades too!

They probably just forgot to fail you because of your lack of presence.

Wow, you've got nothing nice to say, do you? But, I mean, they did forget to send me my report card a few times, that's true.

Are you serious...?

Sigh... You've totally sapped my energy and I haven't even started busking.

K-Kyaah! Chief, your shoulder...!

There's a spider on your shoulder!

Hmm? This is nothing. Go away, shhh.

Y-You brushed it off with your bare hands...

Hmmmm...

Chief? Why are you staring at me like that...?

Rohne, I've just realized what you desperately need right now!

It's composure!!

Huh? Composure...?

Yes, what you need is mental fortitude so that you won't get shaken easily!

You gotta be ruthless, like those deliverymen who leave packages out in the rain!

How are you ever going to be a good spy if you can't even swat a spider?!

But spiders are too scary! Look at how many legs they have!

Save the excuses! Check this out!

Here, eBye is full of trials for elves like you!

Let's see... Yeah, this one should do it. Have a look!

Chief, "debugging"... Does it mean what I think it means...?

Um, let's head out on the double!!

N-Nooooo!!

Hello there, we saw your post on eBye!

Ahh, finally!! The saviors have come!!

Tell us about what we're dealing with.

It's one of those flat ones with wings...!

Everyone's scared of it so no one dares call it by its name. We only refer to it as "Mr. Roach"...!

Roger that. Please leave the rest to us.

Rohne, now you know what you're up against, right?

Y-You mean I have to do it?!

Remember what I said earlier about what you lack as a spy?

Being ruthless... like deliverymen who leave packages out in the rain...

Complete this debugging assignment successfully, and you will achieve that level of heartlessness!

Now, repeat after me, "I can do this!"

I c-can do this...

Louder!!

I can... do iiiit...!!

Now go, Rohne! Move out!!

M-Moving out...!!

Eek... It's here...! "Mr. Roach" is really here...!!

I'm scared, but... I mustn't run away! I mustn't run away...!!

Ta-Target in the center, pull the switch...!!

Chief, I... I did it...!

Excellent! Now you're one step closer to becoming a true spy! Congratulations.

Now, let's move on to the next house!

...Huh? But we just defeated the evil enemy...

Haha, I told you! eBye is FULL of trials!

There's no time to waste. Our goal is to debug 100 houses before the day's out!!

N-NOOOOOOOOOO...!!

I can ...it! I am ...py!

...I can do it! I am a spy!

Oh! Hi there, Master!

Chief Canna taught me this training regimen.

But no one will think of me as a spy otherwise.

Huh? But this one is lightweight armor made for running.

Master, do you also believe that I've got a ways to go as a spy?

Maybe I should be shouting even louder?

Then what should I do?

Well, I do have someone I admire. One time, I saw an incredibly talented spy!

Her skills were so masterful that a spy like me would be no match for her.

Yes, she was a professional armed with such unsuspecting amiability.

No matter how heavily guarded a place was, she would infiltrate it with ease.

Restricted areas meant nothing to her.

Everyone just opened the door for her when she showed up.

And they were all willing to give her sensitive information if she asked.

She didn't even raise any suspicions throughout all that. Amazing, right?

I'm ashamed to say this, but I was locked in a factory before coming here. That's where I met her.

I'm pretty sure she was called... the "Yacult Delivery Lady."

She appeared like a shadow and disappeared like lightning in her mobile cart.

I've never seen such awesome skills, not even at the spy academy!

A spy who can also pilot a robot...? That's incredible!

Okay! One day I'll become a spy like the "Yacult Delivery Lady"!

...By the way, Master, what's a "yacult"?

She hands out such addictive food everywhere she goes? Wow!

I had no idea it was such a dangerous substance...!

The more I learn about her, the more amazing this "Yacult Delivery Lady" seems.

That's strange... I just stepped out to do a coffee run...

So, why am I in the Sprite Kingdom...?

This coffee is for the mayor... if I'm late, Amelia will yell at me...

Sniff, sniff... Sniff, sniff, sniff...

Eek! Who are you?!

...Sprite Queen?!

Hmm, you're that elf I see around here all the time.

What brings you here today? You're not lost again, are you?

Ahaha... Well, I kind of am...

Again? You really are directionally challenged. You get lost at least once every other day.

By the way, what are you holding? It smells funny.

Did you come all this way because of a smell?

No food that passes through the land of the Sprites escapes my nose!

So, show me what's inside!

I-It's a drink. I was sent on an errand...

You're not going to drink it, are you?

I can't guarantee it!

Th-That's not fair!!

A chance to loot free food... oh no. Ehem!!

We can't have suspicious food circulating in the kingdom!

Now, if you have nothing to hide, show it to me!

Y-Yes ma'am...

Hmm... It's black. I've never seen anything like this in my kingdom.

I've heard of something that looks like this. What did they say?

They said it's black and has bubbles in it.

Oh, you must be talking about cola!

Yes, that's right! It was cola! Apparently, it's sweet and refreshing?

But why doesn't this one have bubbles?

Uh... That's right! This is cola but it's out of bubbles! That's why the bubbles don't come to the top anymore!!

Just ig-ignore this stuff!!

Eww! I heard cola that's out of bubbles is the worst, it's just bland and sticky!!

Yes, Your Majesty. I'll get rid of this...!!

But you never know until you try it! Give it to me!

N-no!!

Let's see if it really tastes that weird. Gulp...!!

...Ahhhh!!! It's so bitter!!!

Yikes!! The Sprite Queen collapsed!!

W-What do I do?! She's still breathing, right?!

Rohne, where are you?

Why aren't you back with the coffee yet?

W-Well... I'm in the Sprite Kingdom right now.

And the Sprite Queen has collapsed!!

...Calm down and tell me what happened.

Well... She ordered me to give her the coffee I had and then she drank it all in one gulp...

...She drank the mayor's Weekend Farm Edition coffee in one gulp...?

Sigh... I see. Are there any witnesses at the scene?

I-I don't think so!

Then, run away right now. Don't let anyone see you.

Is that okay...?

If they don't have any evidence, you can just deny it. Nothing happened today, okay?

O-Okay!!

Ugh... Huh, why was I sleeping here?

That's weird... My mouth tastes bitter and I can't remember anything...!

Hello, Master!

I have an important job to do today, so I'm leaving now!

As expected, Master, you noticed right away!

Today, I'm going somewhere where armor is important!

If you would like to, you can come along, Master.

The more the merrier.

Okay, just follow me!

Yeah, it's amazing to look at, isn't it?

Oh my! Is that the newest surcoat?

The graphite color is amazing! And the rivets are star-shaped!

How about compatibility?

It's all standardized, of course! You can mix and match it with previous generations!

Wow, that's awesome!

Ahaha... You must be surprised because this is your first time here.

This is Armorworld! It's Elias' armor paradise, where armor enthusiasts get together.

They promote new products and show off their armor.

Well, that's not entirely wrong. Here, look.

If I put a hoodie over my armor... voila, hooded armor!

Throw a coat over your armor and voila, coat armor fashion!

Do you see what I'm talking about?

That's right! I knew you would get it, Master!

I knew we could understand each other!

Absolutely not! Why would you say something like that?

I've been trying to show you the many charms of armor!

It may not seem like it, but I love looking at fashion magazines.

If I'm going to wear armor, why not make it more fashionable and stylish?

Worrying about my fashion in armor led me here.

They're cute, right? That's the newest edition of the super popular Random Armor Figures.

What? One? Not a box?

You usually buy them by the box, don't you? Then you have a complete set.

What?

Umm... The sky is red, the clouds are hard, Amelia is not scary...

The sky is red, the clouds are hard, Amelia is scary... W-Wait no...

Rohne? What are you doing?

Aahh!! You startled me! W-When did you get here?

A while ago. Why are you talking to yourself? Are you sick?

I'm fine... Oh, right!

I'm going to tell you something and you can guess if I'm lying or not.

Okay. Tell me.

I finished all my work today and didn't make any m-mistakes.

Lie.

Gasp, h-how did you know that? Have you been watching me work?!

I haven't been watching. It's just easy to guess.

Rohne, you stutter when you're flustered or lying.

...W-What? It's that obvious?!

Of course. You didn't know?

It's not that I didn't know, but I didn't think it was that bad...

O-Oh no! I need to practice!!

The sky is red, the clouds are hard...

You were doing that earlier. What the world are you doing?

I'm practicing lying.

If I practice every day, it will help me when I have to tell a real lie!

I don't think that'll work. You're wasting your time.

N-no! Anything is possible if you practice enough!

I learned how to eat my noodles all in one bite in the military!

I also learned to flip a water bottle upright! So, I'm sure I can learn to lie if I practice!

Did you only learn useless things from Canna?

Th-they're all helpful in their own way.

Rohne, you just stuttered.

Oh...

How did you become a spy when you can't lie?

Can you even be a spy?

Well... I make it work somehow...

Somehow?

The thing is, Chief Canna thinks that I've always stuttered.

What do you mean?

Whenever the chief asked me to do something, I always said "I-I can do it!"

So, she thinks that I just stutter a lot...

If you always stutter that you can do it, doesn't that mean you can't do it?

Is that okay?

It's not okay, but if she tells me to do something, I have to do it.

Even if I don't think I can do it, I just do it anyway...!

Having a job isn't easy...

Rohne, come to me when you are worn out.

I will make a special exception and add you to my collection.

Thank you... But first, I have to try my best!

I'm going to practice lying! I'll get better at lying! I've got this!!