Defaria

- You cannot proceed with the quest when you're carrying too many items with you. -

[Defaria]

Please step aside.

I'm experiencing a turning point in my life right now.

.....

- The fire sparked, but then it immediatly blew out. -

...............

You know, that was my ninety-third attempt to make a fire with wet firewood.

Wait, was that the ninty fourth ot ninety fifth?

..I've.. I've lost count.

......

- The fire sparked, but then it immediately blew out.-

Are you also here...............

to make fun of my stupid attempt to roast these sweet potatoes with wet firewood?

...No? Then what brings you here?

...Huh?

A spell scroll? May I see?

...Isn't... Isn't this?!

...Hmm...

Eek... So Echinacea referred you to me, huh?

...Does that means she knows everything...?

...Alright then, I'll tell you.

As you can see, this scroll is sealed.

It can only be unsealed by a secret method.

...And...

...It is from....

...Arunafeltz?

The way it's sealed is the same method used by the temple...

I don't know how you've gotten this scroll,

...but I'll try to help you on behalf of the respectable scholars of Arunafeltz.

But remember; I'm not doing this officially. Please don't make me disgrace my country by helping you. Do you understand what I'm saying?

Good. Then I expect you to help me by gathering the items I need to unseal the scroll:

30 Holy Waters, Runes of Darkness, and Bloody Runes.

I'll be waiting for your return.

At first, you looked like someone who is reliable and understands the difference between official and private matters.

Your answer just proved me wrong.

Echinacea must be getting desperate if she's asking people like you for help.

Oh, you've brought everything!

Good, it wasn't hard, was it?

Okay, can you come back in a little bit?

To unseal the scroll,

I need 30 Holy Waters, Runes of the Darkness, and Bloody Runes.

Don't forget to bring the spell scroll along with them.

While you're gathering the items, I'll be roasting my sweet potatoes.

If I could only make this fire work...

Welcome back; you came at the perfect time.

First, this spell scroll contains a teleportation spell.

You know what teleportation is, don't you?

You know,

it's a spell that instantly moves you to a different location.

That's the spell contained in this scroll.

The only difference is...

This scroll will teleport you to a specific location.

Such scrolls are generally used by organizations to gather their members.

I don't know where this scroll will lead you..

You'll be the one using this scroll. Am I right?

Here, please take this.

[

'To gather members...?'

...Right! I remember

Rayan mentioned a gathering somewhere!

So this scroll will take me to that meeting?

Um, do you mind? Would you stop talking to yourself and just leave already?

I'm sorry, but this old man needs some rest, alright?

Don't be so impatient.

You can come back later.

It'll take some time.

What are you so worried about?

You'll see how it works as soon as you use it.

....

..Huh? What do you want?

..I know they're involved in this case, but

we shouldn't talk about them.

Why should I go through all that trouble?

You can go and ask Echinaea.

This old man needs some rest, alright?

Anything?

Are you serious?

What th--! How dare you fool an old man!

You little punk!

I may be old,

but I'm a representative of great Arunafeltz's scholars!

It's a mistake to trifle with me like that!

Did you think I'm stupid just because I was trying to make a fire with wet firewood?!

..*Pant Pant*.. Phew, even yelling tires me out..

Then...

...Umm... Can you bring me some Logs?

...And some sweet potatoes too, if you don't mind.

...Let's see...

I need sweet potatoes for me, Mr. Kidd, and Echi... Umm...

...And then I need... Yes!

Please bring me 20 Sweet Potatoes and 30 Logs.

You seem to give up really easily.

I don't blame you. Sometimes giving up is the best decision,

not to mention that it takes a certain kind of courage.

For example, Tarous that know when to abandon their hopes of getting cheese, you know, the bait in traps, are the hardest ones to catch. You know?

..Hahaha!

...Arunafeltz...?

Yes, I'm from Arunafeltz...

So what?

Be more specific about your question,

and stop being so ambiguous.

Oh, you've really brought what I wanted!

Please give them to me..

No, wait, can you pile them on the firewood over there?

Make it a nice, neat pile, please.

Oh, you forgot to put the sweet potatoes on top.

Yes, good. That's perfect.

Hopefully I can make a fire with your nice logs....

Oh, this is as great as I'd hoped!

I guess my magic hasn't gotten that rusty after all..

If you want me to do you a favor, then

you should bring me 20 Sweet Potatoes and 30 Logs in return.

- Defaria is blowing on a roast sweet potato, peeling off it's skin. -

What..?

Didn't you forget something?

... Dandelion? I wanted you to tell me what you knew.

I was hoping you'd remember something about Dandelion.

So,

do you want me to confirm

if Dandelion is really supported by Arunafeltz?

Umm... I don't know what to say... I don't feel comfortable talking about politics.

...Do you mind delivering these to Mr. Kidd?

- Defaria has given you 2 Nice Sweet Potatoes. -

Um, I just told you to deliver those sweet potatoes to Mr. Kidd.

Say, did he like them?

Hahaha...

... ...

Dandelion was like a ghost.

There are many different types of people in this world.

Some people want war while others are against it.

The Dandelions were the former case.

Those right-ists believed in a distorted patriotism. They thought shedding blood was the only way to make peace.

They organized Dandelion,

and they happened to ally themselves with the warmongers in the government.

That's how they grew so strong.

At first, their purpose was limited to gathering intel and spying on other countries.

This is just what I think, but the right information can cause chaos in a country.

Can't you see it by now? Isn't it obvious?

Well, if you can't take care of your own problems,

then you won't be able to handle your enemies.

No, it isn't that simple. The world isn't just black and white, you know?

Just bring these to Echinacea, will you?

They're cooked very well.

- You have received 2 steaming hot Nice Sweet Potatoes. -

I told you to deliver those cooked sweet potatoes to Echinacea.

Don't eat them, alright?

Muhahahaha!

Did Echinacea really say that?

She's an executive of the Rune-Midgarts army.

I can tell that what she said came from the bottom of her heart.

I'm relieved that things turned out this way.

After all, they're the reason why the three countries decided to cooperate.

Of course, it's too early to say if the cooperation will last long.

I just hope that the three countries will use this chance to form lasting, friendly relationships. Wouldn't that be great for the sake of everyone in the world?

Hrrm, but I'm not holding my breath for world peace.

I'm just a mere human who can't foresee the future, you know?

..Hahaha..

Ah, your sweet potatoes are now roasted very well.

Here, enjoy them.

Thank you for trying so hard to please this whimsical old man.

- Defaria is lost in thought, standing with a poker in one hand

and a sweet potato in the other. -

- Sometimes, he looks to the sky, sighs, and then says, 'I'm envious of young people these days ..'

or something like 'I don't care anymore, no matter what happens.' -

- It sounds like he's having some pretty deep moments, so let's not disturb him. -

Please leave me alone unless you have extremely important business with me.

I have so many things that I want to do...