Bard

[Kino Kitty]

Everything will be

fine in the end, right?

I'll be okay, Jorti will be okay, and she'll be... Oh.

I'm sorry, I was just

muttering to myself.

Is there anything

you want from me?

Many legends have been passed down as songs. Stories of Gods and tales of brave warriors have all been written as songs.

Many people love to listen to those songs because they dream of the romantic past. To sing these kinds of songs is the reason people like me exist.

Kino Kitty adjusted the strings on his guitar, and began to sing in a low voice.

Rheingold...

Hidden in the Rhein river.

If made into a ring,

Could rule the world~

Protected by a spell

Cursing its thief

To never find love.

Alberich had known

Nonetheless stole it.

Love was forsaken for power.

Giants built beautiful Valhalla

Matrimony with Freya

Goddess of beauty

Their supposed payment.

In not receiving it

They forcefully took her.

The gods would

give Alberich's treasure

To the Giants for Freya's return.

Loki tricked Alberich,

Stealing his ring or power.

But Alberich cursed his ring

Before it was returned to him,

Envy and death would

befall its wearers.

The ring was given to the giants

Freya was returned to the gods

The giants killed themselves

Fighting over the rheingold,

Victims of

Alberich's curse~

Hmm...

*Cough Cough*

This old song

is about the ring

of the Nibelungs.

Hah... I can't sing more than one song nowadays. But did you like it? *Cough Cough*

Ah...

I do feel like singing a song. You know, every song has its own story. *Cough Cough*

Kino Kitty coughed a few times, wiping his mouth with his sleeve. As he adjusts the guitar strings, you notice small stains of blood on his sleeve. Then, he began to sing.

Brave hero Siegfried

Vanquished a mighty dragon

Its blood coated his skin

Making it impenetrable

Save for one tender spot

Blocked by a single leaf

From a linden tree.

Siegfried was powerful

Clearly invincible, save for

those who knew of his secret.

In the end he was killed, by

A spear flung into his back

set into motion by the wrath

And jealousy of a woman.

[Jorti]

Bravo, Bravo~!

Uncle Kino is the best Bard in the world~! Jorti likes Uncle Kino's singing!

Thank you, Jorti.

Anytime for my

little princess.

This song is about Sigfried, who was invincible, except for a single spot on his back. Just singing this reminds me of the influence women have over the world.

You want to

listen to a story?

Mmm, let me think...

When you go venture Southwest from Morocc, you will arrive at Fortress Sandarman. Did you know that the fortress is built on a sand hill, which serves as a natural defense?

When you go South of Sandarman, you will see Paros Lighthouse. East from the Lighthouse, you will see Kokomo Beach. North of the beach is Papuchica Forest.

I'm not boring you, am I? I just wanted to tell you about the village of Umbala, which is above that last place I was telling you about. Have you ever been there?

Umbala itself is a pretty interesting place. But I'm really interested in this giant tree in Umbala. I've heard that it leads to Niffheim...

I wonder...

Could that tree be Yggdrasil? Is it possible that I could meet her in the Niffheim, realm of the dead?

Oh... Well, I have a chronic disease so I can't speak out loud. I, um, even cough up a little blood. But aside from that, I'm perfectly healthy.

A look of bitterness momentarily flashed across Kino Kitty's face. He then adjusted his guitar strings and began to play, humming a low tune.

Hmm...?

I wish everyone in the world were as kind and honest as you. If that were the case, there'd be no selfish fights. Hahahahaha~

I still remember feeling

Your shoulder's warmth

As I leaned on it.

You held my hands

until the final moment.

Crying on the inside,

I saw you off with a smile.

Things would never be the same,

But I'd remember every single

Moment we shared.

I still remember the clear chimes

Of the Prontera Church Bells

The ice cream we shared in Morocc,

Being chased by bats

In Payon dungeon.

Gazing together at

Comodo's fireworks

Snuggles under the

Gently falling Lutie

Snowflakes...

Your beautiful soul

Will be with Odin.

When the day

Of the dusk comes,

A brand new place

Will be before your eyes.

I will remember you forever.

Forget me not, call my name.

I'll hear you, and look to the skies.

Ah, Uncle Kino, isn't this the song my mom always sang? Sing more songs, please! Please~!

You're right...

She always used to sing this song... *Cough* There are always people waiting for their beloved to return...

If you have someone who you've left behind, someone that is waiting for you, make sure you come back to that person. You'll regret it if you don't.

Errende must be waiting for you. Although others would be in anguish if they were made to wait, and people like Errende and me wouldn't mind, it's still more polite to hurry when you can.

I guess you've met Mr. Sketzi.

By the way, why do you have that look on your face? Didn't find what you were looking for? Haha, would you show me your left hand?

Well, while you were gone,

I remembered the original lyrics to the song. I guess they really are important.

Here, let me give you a letter with the lyrics to Errende. I should also give you my seal so that Errende will know it's me. You don't mind, do you?

Ah, right.

You already have a seal marked by Errende. Oh well, if you don't want it, what can I do?

Now, let's see...

How is it supposed to go?

...Lu lu lu...

...La la la...

At One, I fall in love.

At Two, you give me your smile.

At Three, I adore your touch.

At Four, a tender kiss.

At Five, we change our minds.

A petal scatters through the air.

At Six, I fall in love~

At Seven, you fall in love~

At Eight, we're both in love.

At Nine, you know my heart.

At Ten, I know you've

been waiting for me.

At Eleven, a precious

Whisper: 'Will you marry me?'

At Twelve, our two hearts

Are one. 12 petals, our

Love finally blossoms.

After the song, Kino smiles at you. You feel a sharp pain on your wrist. On the spot where the silver crescent was, you see a tiny black cross.

So, how do you like it? Well, I'm certain that Errende will love it for sure. Hahahahaha~ *Cough Cough*

I want to apologize.

I didn't mean to make you wait, but I just remembered the old lyrics to the song. Now, hurry to Errende, I'm sure he's waiting.

Kino Kitty hands you a letter that is labeled 'Dear Errende'

on the front.

Hmmm...?

There's no reason to be scared.

I mean, I won't bite or anything.

Didn't you leave already?

I'm sure you can find the lyrics in a bookstore in Juno.

Well, I'm sure Errende knows more about bookstores, so he can probably tell you where to look in Juno. Why don't you ask Errende?

If you don't mind, please come again and listen to this poor Bard's songs. I'll prepare a song just for you.

Don't worry about my health. I'm a Bard at heart, and I can't help but sing for my audience.

Also, I'd like to thank you for helping Errende. He may be a little whiny, but he's a good person.

A silver seal...?

Well, welcome to the wanderer's club. I must say, the silver crescent suits you.

If you have that seal, Mr. Sketzi will permit you to read his books full of Norse songs.

What business

do you have with me,

my friend?

You gave candy to the crying little girl, and relate the problem with the lyrics to Kino Kitty.

I'm insulted that Errende does not like the words I wrote for 'At One, I Fall in Love.' But, I suppose he is a romantic at heart.

[

So...

Do you know the

original words

for the song?

The original lyrics were horrible. There's not enough room in my mind to remember so romantic nonsense. *Cries*...

Romance is for foolish dreamers!

I refuse to sing or even remember such vapid lyrics!

U-uncle Kino

You're scaring me.

Please don't yell!

It makes me want

to cry...

Oh...

I'm sorry, princess.

It won't happen again.

Your Unclde Kino will

try to be good

from now on.

*Sigh...*

Alright, listen.

You'll need an old book of edda lyrics for the original words to the song. All the new books no longer contain the original version.

How did Errende happen to know the original lyrics? In any case, I'm sorry about all this. I suppose I'm a little jaded.

You know, maybe you should go to Juno. There's a small book store on the book street, and you can probably find the song in that store.

Wh-why do I have to suffer? Are my final days as a Bard on this earth soon approaching? I feel so pathetic...

A story? Mmmm...

My throat hurts,

but if you listen,

I will do my best

to relate a tale.

Do you know how Baldur, son of Odin, died? There is a story involving his obsessive mother

and the wicked god, Loki.

One night, Baldur had a nightmare where he was cast into the pit of Hell. Upon hearing of this, Baldur's mother Frigg was stricken with panic.

To prevent tragedy from befalling her son, she made every single object on earth to agree to an oath where they would not harm Baldur.

*Cough Cough* And they all got together to *Wheeeeze* celebr--*Cough*...

Uncle Kino...?

Are you okay?....?

...Hah...

I'm sorry, but I don't think I can speak for much longer.

Sorry, but I don't feel like singing at the moment. I hope you understand. I want to sing the last song of my life for Jorti...

You have no

business with me?

What a shame.

Even in the sandy wind,

Even in the pouring rain,

Even in the falling snow,

I know it's you~

[Mysterious Bard]

...

......

My apologies,

*Cough* but this is

a private performance

for my little

princess.

A...

Love song?!

Love songs are for fools who have never known true love, or never had their hearts broken. Happy songs are fine, but I refuse to sing nonsense!

Waaaah~!

Uncle Kino,

I'm scared!

I wanna see

my mommy...!

*Cries*

There, there,

princess. Don't cry.

Everything's okay.

There's no reason to be scared. The scary people with swords only use them on monsters, okay?

You don't need to be scared, that person is a servant of God, okay?

There's no reason to be afraid of this riffraff, your Uncle Kino is here, okay?

There's no reason to be afraid. I know that person looks scary, but you're a good girl, so you'll be okay.

There's no reason to be scared, honey. It's just a Blacksmith.

There's no reason to be scared. See...? That person won't hurt you.

Um...

(Wasn't the little girl

scared by your outburst...?)

You're such a kind, young person. I will remember your name. I would much appreciate it if you would also remember mine.

I am known as Kino Kitty. I am a wandering poet who wishes to rediscover wishes and dreams.

When next we meet, I will tell you what I have heard and experienced. That is, I am willing to spend my time with you.

Oh, you're most admirable. You truly do respect Bards, don't you?

Now that I think about it, are you look for anything, or is there a reason you wish to speak to me?

How do you

know my name?

Ah, I'm flattered

that my reputation

precedes me.

You give some candy to the crying girl and relate your tale regarding the lyrics for the song 'At One, I Fall in Love.'

Romance is for foolish dreamers! I refuse to sing or even remember such vapid lyrics!

I'm sorry, princess. It won't happen again. Your Unclde Kino will try to be good from now on.

How did Errende happen to know the original lyrics? In any case, I'm sorry about all this. I supposed I'm a little jaded.

Really now?

That's strange.

You adventurers are always one some kind of adventure, aren't you? I mean, that's the very definition of the word.

You're such a nice young man. I will remember your name. I would much appreciate it if you would also remember mine.

Ah, it is a privilege to meet a noble woman such as yourself. By your leave, I shall give you my name.

My lady, fair as wisteria, whose beauty rivals that of the goddess Freya, let me introduce myself as the poor poet who wanders the earth, Kino Kitty. I hope you remember me.