Costello

[Costello]

*Ahem* Yes, this is him.

I'm Costello, mayor of Rock Ridge.

You know me because...?

Oh, he did!

Welcome! I've been waiting for you!

So how much did Karam tell you?

Ah, so he told you about the bandits.

As you see, Rock Ridge is a village of pioneers built on a wasteland.

And, of course, most of its residents came from Midgard.

No. There's a couple of native tribes.

One of them is the Cacti, cute-looking people that live nearby.

We couldn't have built Rock Ridge if it weren't for them.

They're very good friends to us.

The other tribe is the Tauruses.

These Tauruses are warlike, and pillaging is their only way of living.

The Cacti and we the people of Rock Ridge call them the Buffalo Bandits.

It's because they've been preying on us, and it's getting worse.

Now, our vigilante group and sheriff's office aren't enough to keep them at bay.

The Pink Rose Headquarters has decided that it needs capable adventurers from Midgard to take care of this situation.

And that's why you've been invited to Rock Ridge.

Recently, the bandits stole the freight train that we use to transport ores.

And as if that wasn't enough, they took up residence inside our mine. Now I can't produce any profits and the company is not happy with me.

And what about the miners? They came here full of hope, but now they're living on the street without jobs or money.

*Gasp* Don't tell anyone there's no work to do in the village.

I can't have people leaving as soon as they arrive.

Anyway, I'll appreciate if you can take care of the Buffalo Bandits.

I don't care how you do it, as long as you do it.

Go to the Sheriff and tell him that you came to help with the Buffalo Bandits situation. He'll tell you what to do.

Please help Pink Rose? I mean, Rock Ridge.

Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't tell you his name, did I?

Follow the main road in the village east, and you'll see the sheriff's office.

You could also ask the guide in front of me for the directions.

When you get there, ask for Mr. Wyatt Warp.

Yes, that was his name.

Hah hah hah!

Mr. Wyatt Warp is the sheriff of this village, and he can tell you more about the bandits.

You look grim. What's wrong?

The Buffalo Bandits want to make a bargain with us.

For the ores. What do they want in exchange?

What? Does it make sense to you?

They must have lost their minds!

Why would they want me, anyway?

You're just joking, right? Please say you are.

And they want to talk to me and Wyatt and no one else.

Hah! I don't want to do this to Wyatt, but I'm just going to leave Rock Ridge on the next ship.

Why are you looking at me like that?

Protecting my company's profits is important, sure, but I can't do that if I'm dead, now can I?

What about their wanting to bargain? Were you joking about that too?

That's real, I see.

Can't you just attend the meeting, maybe pretend to be someone from HQ?

You could listen to what they have to say,

and tell them you'd have to talk to the Headquarters first.

Mm, and...

What was that strange look on your face?

...Anyway, Wyatt and you can attend the meeting without me.

Now, excuse me. I'd better find a place to hide...

Costello is looking around him and babbling anxiously.

I should go tell Wyatt that Costello wants to hear what the bandits have to say.

I-I'll be counting on you, Adventurer.

I'll be here somewhere in case you need me.

I've heard the news.

You've caught Johnny James, the infamous leader of the Buffalo Bandits.

This means we have a bargaining chip now.

What bargain? Maybe we could just extract the location of the ores out of him.

I'll let Sheriff Warp take care of this.

Mm, how about we just pay them a million Zeny or so for the ores?

That'll make things easier for both parties.

Of course, not.

But I'm pretty sure you do.

Justice can be so costly sometimes...

I'm sorry I said that. That was thoughtless.

You and the Sheriff take care of it. I'll stay out of it.

You do that.

I've heard you're still bargaining with them.

I've also heard a strange rumor,

but you should know that I don't hold a grudge against you.

I'm safe as long as you're acting mayor.

How's it going?

Sheriff Warp only smiles at me.

And why am I hearing that you'd be the next mayor?

What on earth is going on?

Why, is this some sort of secret operation?

This has to do with your pretending to be mayor for the meeting with the bandits.

I'm okay, as long as you don't want to be mayor.

All I have to do is just wait.

Wh-wha...?

...!

*Pant Pant*

You're mean, do you know that?

I'm at the dock for personal safety issues,

and that's not enough reason to be dismissed from office.

If that was a joke, it wasn't funny.

I'm going to talk to Sheriff Warp about you.

If only we didn't have to worry about those Buffalo Bandits...!

I'd like to thank you on behalf of Rock Ridge and my company.

...

I'm really grateful for everything you've done, and... and...

Mm, I don't know what else to say.

By the way, you've declared war against Albert Ford.

I guess I'll have to stay at the dock for a little longer.

To, you know, recruit more adventurers and all.

Ah, I'm busy, and I wouldn't mind being busier!