So, we have an appointment with a trap.
Is the enemy in here...?
...This should be the correct cavern...
The cavern was filled with an eerie silence.
...................
Are we already in their sights...?
We progressed deeper into the cavern.
................
Silence still enveloped us...
..................
Turn left there, Jamrock!
...!?
So you finally came. I was tired of waiting.
There are no traps set for you yet. Don't chicken out now! Come!
....................
It's probably... as he says...
We turned left in the caverns, as we were told.
In front of us were a dozen masked claw people, and with them, one claw woman and boy as captives.
No, was that boy a... 'Nails Baby'?
So, you came, Jamrock. ...Oh? Daromreed is not with you?
Good grief... He said he'll do anything, yet still chickened out.
How pitiful, abandoning you too.
He took a look at the captive claw people next to him, and laughed with glee.
Yeah... You're aiming for us anyway, right?
Hmh... Well, yes.
Er... Are those two claw people Daromreed's family?
That's right. Fools who forgot the pride of us claw people and started living together with humans.
GT: That's it. It is a cryptic actor who we forgot the pride of the nail people, together with human beings.
...................
Indeed... Daromreed wished to have claw people and humans live together in harmony, so...
All right. If you want these two to remain unhurt, don't resist.
GT: Well, if these two lives are liberal, you will not resist.
...................
Saying that, the masked claw person approached us slowly...
- Don't resist.
- Resist.
- Buy time.
I've been in passive mode lately with my choices. Number one.
...All right. Do what you want.
A laudable attitude.
...!
So, you dodged.
I'd rather be allowed that much.
Hmh... Well, I don't care if your journey to the afterlife is more painful.
*whoosh* ... *whoosh* ...
...! ...kuh...
Jamrock!
...Just don't lay a hand on the others, all right?
Hmh... That'll be fine. My task is only to kill you, and to get this town into our hands.
...Good.
Minardi... Don't get involved.
Kuh...
Hey! I've killed plenty of your kind too! How about you kill me too while you're at it!
We are not interested in your life. Our job is to kill this man and this man only.
The man's words made me feel reassured...
Ngh...
The cuts continued to be piled upon my body.
I could feel my consciousness going away...
...!?
I thought it was the sound of a claw hitting me.
Gyah!?
Ah!?
Wah!?
The masked claw person who had been holding them back had that moment gripped his own arm and was now lying face down on the ground. ~~~~
GT: People of the nail who took the mask masking the two were holding their arms and lost their hands.
!?
*swoosh* ... *swoosh* ...
More similar sounds of the air getting sliced followed.
All right! You two, run away now!
...!?
The two, now free, ran straight towards the exit.
I've been playing at the stone quarry since I was a wee lad and become the best of the best with stone throwing!
You fool! Why do you set against us and betray the pride of the claw people!
Oh, me? I'm not the only one.
All right! Over here!
Are you two okay?
Did they treat you okay?
Ah... both of you were safe.
Daromreed told us what had happened. All right, let's beat them up, no holding back!
GT: I heard the story from Dr. Dromreider. Do not hold back, hey!
..............
I drew the sword from my back.
I thought you were in death's throes.
What can I say? Another easy fight with the masked claw people. Six enemies this time, as compared to the four-ish enemies at the start of our journey.
They are kind of resilient though and it takes six turns to despatch of them all. 30-40 hp of damage taken on our side, per party member.
Phew... haa... ugh...
Thank you very much. How can we ever repay you?
...I haven't done anything to speak of. I just got saved myself too.
Nonsense! If you hadn't stopped me earlier...
I think you should concentrate on your family, rather than me.
Ah... Yes...
Oh, please visit my house later. We'd all like to thank you properly then.
...Yeah, I guess I'll come.
Good-bye, then.
.................
I slowly propped myself up, with my sword acting as a cane.
I guess we'll go now...
Daromreed asked us to visit...
...I guess we should do that.
Come in!
We entered the house, as suggested.
Thank you for what you did.
Come, you thank them too.
Thank you very much. We will never forget what you did for us.
Ah... Er, thank you...
...I told this in the cavern already, but we haven't done anything enough to be thanked for.
Oh, no, you're far too modest!
If you hadn't been there, my family would still be held hostage, and I would still be helping to kill the villagers as a pawn of the Order.
That is what you brought to an end.
.................
The crimes I have committed... are great in magnitude but... I still wish that this village remains a place for humans and claw people to co-exist in peace.
...Yeah. I think you, if anyone, can do it.
...Thank you.
And then... I know this is not much, but I'd like to...
We have no need of anything.
Yes, I am aware of my discourtesy. However, we feel indebted to you and wish to assist you somehow.
...The gratefulness you have showed us is plenty for us.
...Use the money to take care of your wife and child, please.
But...
We'll excuse ourselves now...
We turned back, and left the house...
...and, as we reached outside...
チャンラ! チャンラ!! チャンラ!!! (Found you! Found you!! Found you!!!)
Uwah!?
Just as the voice had registered to me, something bumped into me.
W--What?
H--Hey!?
You were fighting those guys earlier, right? I was watching you!
??
You're strong! I was amazed!
The girl said, in rapid claw speech that I could only barely make out.
Ah... well... erm...
I tried to respond something in Claw, but I couldn't get a word out.
I'm Lorimleara! Who are you?
Er, Jamrock, but...
I stated my real name, just to get something out of my mouth.
Humm... That's a nice name!
W--What on earth is up with you?
I finally managed something out of my mouth, with a tone tinted by surprise.
Oh, right! Will you be my husband?
Huh?
Ah, you didn't get that word? Okay then, marry me?
Er, that wasn't what I...
Jamrock... What are you talking about?
Ah... Well... She's asking... me to marry her...
Eh!?
Hey! Just a moment there!
Minardi peeled Lorimleara off of me halfway by force.
Saved... I guess? I'm still getting a bad feeling about this...
Hey, you!
...?
E--err... Jamrock's...
Minardi's voice soon faded into nothingness.
It seemed that Lorimleara did not understand the human language, so anything said to her would be a waste of effort...
What did she mean to say?
...Jamrock, who is this woman?
Ah... Well, she's... a companion of mine.
I responded in a roundabout way to her in Claw.
Hmmh...
For some reason, she was watching me and Minardi with a meaningful expression on her face.
...Then, let me become your companion too!
What!?
...?
Minardi was watching us with a puzzled look, not understanding the discussion.
I'm in the middle of a journey too. My dad made me do it though.
...What will become of your journey then?
It's all right. We have the same destination.
...Do you know where we're heading?
Nope.
...?
My dad told me to not return until I found a man who can head the clan.
...C--Clan?
Ah, yeah. It's a small tribe, kind of far away.
I'm the only daughter of the chief there.
Wait a bit, wouldn't the husband of the chief's only daughter be...
Well... He'd be the next chief then.
But that's not what I mean.
I just want to be with a strong man.
................
But well, that wasn't the issue.
I'm sorry, but I'll have to decline your offer.
Eh!? Why?
Our journey is not what you seem to think it is. It's a dangerous journey, and we don't know when we'll be attacked.
And I don't think you'd...
That's exactly what I wanted.
...?
I couldn't see you fight otherwise, right?
Hey...
If you're worried about me, don't! I'm not some princess who wants a strong man just to act as a bodyguard, okay?
I could help you, and I'm not going to drag you down either!
~~
...But...
...What's the topic now?
Ah... She's asking to join us...
I concisely conveyed just the conclusion.
.......................
What do you think?
...I can't say anything. You're free to decide.
Oh come on. You know you're jealous. You don't want her spending the nights in the same temple church as Jamrock.
.................
- Accept her offer.
- Decline her offer.
...Well... All right then.
Really? Thank you!
Yeah. We'll be counting on you, Lorimleara.
Okay! Just leave it to me!
Lorimleara joined the party!
So... I have some bags and stuff... Can you wait for me?
Oh. We'll be at the temple church near this village, so find your way there.
Okay! Wait for me there, okay?
................
Is she coming with us?
...Yeah.
.................
...? What's wrong, Minardi?
Ah... er... Nothing...
...Okay.
Well... I guess we'll run across her at the church, so we might go now.
Scenario ended here. Everyone is happy that Daromreed got his family back. The claw people are happy that the situation got untangled.
I tried finding any hidden events, but only found a single one that was far too short to translate. In short, it was Jamrock wistfully remarking something akin to 'family, eh?'
Really, that 'in short' description was two times longer than the actual happening. The actual happening had saddish music to set the mood though.
My party members demand performance ratings.
Pamela
Minardi
Guickcure
I'm having trouble judging whether Pamela was happy with her rating from her response, but I'll assume she was.
That's all, folks.