Bard

[Nelliorde]

Oh, I guess all is going well for you. So how has everything else been?

I may be being overly sensitive, but it feels like something might happen soon. Aaah, don't mind me. It's no big deal. Maybe I'm just being weird.

Right, right, let me play a song for you. Would you care to listen?

So, which song

would you like to hear?

Go ahead, pick one~

Bragi's Poem!

What a good choice!

I must say this song

represents the

heart of a poet!

Eternal Chaos...

Sounds too chaotic.

By the way, I wonder

what the title really

means. Is it the chaos

of hell or our own reality?

Assassin in the Sunset!

Yes, no one looks cooler than an Assassin, the bringer of death, standing alone in the sunset! Heh heh~

Der Ring des Nibelungen.....

Okay, are you ready to listen?

Hum hum hum....

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~

Some news you say..

What kind of news do

you wish to hear about?

What?! Prontera?!

Can you not see that the front

gate of Prontera is right before you? You should at least know where you are, adventurer.

Anyways, I have one interesting news about Prontera. But, it's a secret. Shh! Are you... Single?

If so, go visit the tavern. I met a guy there who took to me a nice place. Oh yes. He took me to 'the place' where singles are forbidden~!

Coastal areas?

That's a funny question. I mean, there's Alberta and a few other places where you can see the sea.

To the southwest there's

Kokomo Beach. But, I suppose it's too dangerous just to go there to take a stroll.

Kokomo Beach is a large

expanse of sand. The nearby water is filled with sea animals, so you can enjoy catching Shellfishes.

However, there are always bullies in that kind of place. Once, I met a threatening looking hoodlum with red spiky hair.

He was chewing on something and spat it on the ground. The big buffoon managed to intimidate me into giving him all of my Zeny!

*Sigh...*

This world is too

dangerous for a young

and fragile Bard.

By the way, Alberta doesn't seem to have changed. The Sunken Ship looks the same as well, with all of its Skeleton Pirates and whatnot. You know how it is.

The event agency in charge of expeditions into the Sunken Ship is still making tons of money. If you have nothing to do, why don't you hunt for monsters down there?

Oh, hell yes!

When is it not?

The desert is hot, has

been hot and probably

always will be...!

Giant worms still jump out of nowhere, freaking out innocent travellers like myself, and the Sandmen still kick people in the, well... You know where.

Even if the desert is filled with hideous monsters, the view of the ocean there is so magnificent. Hah, it makes me want to play a song.

I must say there is

one place you may wish

to see in the desert.

I'm talking about the Assassin Guild. Supposedly, it's hidden behind a sandstorm in the Morocc Desert!

But you should know what I am talking about! So when are you gonna take me to the guild, eh?

Have you ever been there before?

Well, to the north is the Schwaltzwald Republic.

There, you'll find Juno,

the 'City of Sages.'

The people there say that there is one major nuisance, a man known as

the 'Mad Scientist.' He's antisocial and creates a lot of public disturbances with his experiments.

It seems everyone in Juno

hates him with a passion. Even one of the Tool Shop owners begged a passing adventurer to stop this Mad Scientist's research!

But I have a different opinion about him. I believe it's not a good idea to interrupt the work of any scientist.

After all, he might just discover something important, even if his experiments are a little hazardous.

Speaking of discoveries, you know how Juno floats in the air, right?

It's said that a piece of Ymir's Heart generates enough power

to keep the entire city aloft in the sky. Isn't that amazing?

Even more recent is the news about the discovery of Ymir's Book. You can read it in Juno's Sage Castle. I hear that it contains the secret to meeting Valkyrie...

Huh? Okay then, talk to you later. May Bragi bless you on your journeys.

So, have you

met Mr. Kaili?

Please do your best.

After all, I especially

recommended you~

Hmm. What would

be a good story for

you this time...? Ah yes, I've got it. Let me tell you about one of my own adventures. It was a pretty amazing experience.

I went to Morocc, the city of the desert. On my way there, I became exhausted from the heat. Luckily, I found a hole beneath the shadows and climbed in to rest.

Oh my God...

If I had known

better, I would have

never gone inside that place...

I actually crawled into the infamous Ant Hell! I don't sound like a coward to you, do I?

Well, the ants aren't the only ones living there. I wasn't afraid of them at all. Except, of course, when they attacked in groups.

What I was really afraid of was this type of strawberry colored... tongue thing. Phreeoni!

Fortunately, I survived the whole incident, although I still have nightmares of that man-sized tongue.

Once I got out of there, I craved human companionship to restore my sense of normalcy. The closest place that I knew was Paros Lighthouse.

Yet again, I decided to traverse the desert, despite the fact that the Kafra Ladies provide a very convenient teleport service there.

Anyway, the fortress of Sandaruman is on the way to Paros Lighthouse. I remember Serutero, a guy I met in south Morocc, telling me about its scenic beauty.

I was so excited

about seeing it

for myself. After all, doesn't 'Sandaruman' sound like the

name of a beautiful place?

But I immediately regretted my decision once I arrived. Of course, the view was breathtaking: the sandy hills near the ocean, as

well as the ruins.

And of course I forgot Serutero's warning about all the monsters. Argh! It was a nightmare! Instead of enjoying the scenary, I ended up running for my life.

I was still trying to escape those monsters when I stumbled upon

an old house, West of Sandaruman, that seemed to be in a state of decay.

I recalled that Serutero said that no one was living in that area, so I began to worry a bit. Still, I was desperate and needed refuge.

In my panic, I violently knocked on the door and screamed for someone to let me inside. Then do you know what I heard?

Who's there?!

Who would dare to intrude

upon my territory?

I was freaked out! Whoever owned that house must have been some

kind of lunatic!

Th-then, with the specter of Death nipping at my heels, he told me to get lost! Luckily, I was saved by a mysterious, wandering SuperNovice, but that's another story.

In any case, I finally arrived at Paros Lighthouse. There, I learned that the old house was a secret camp for the Rogue Guild.

It's amazing, how they can live in such dangerous areas. Only Rogues would be able to survive there, you know?

Ah...

I'm so tired from talking so much. But if I happen to have another adventure, I shall share that tale with you.

Ah, you wish

to hear a song?

Okay! I shall then

perform my favorite.

I chased after fame.

It eluded me.

I ran after happiness

But never caught it.

But tomorrow will still

Be there, I'm sure.

Like the Water Mill

In Al De Baran

Which turns as

Life goes on.

Cheer up! Life goes on.

As surely as the Water

Mill turns, tomorrow

Will come.

Say...

Have we met before?

Hmm? Never? Well...

That's rather odd.

I seem to recall that you've asked me to give you some information if I ever have any. Well, now I have and shall share it with you~

The usefulness of this information all depends on you. Now, have you heard of the Monster Research Organization?

I happened to get this information from its headquarters in Juno. So how does that sound?

Well...!

You seem to be

very excited about

this new tidbit of

knowledge I have~

Alas, this information doesn't seem to be very valuable to someone such as yourself.

I'm so very sorry to have excited you, but only people that are strong enough to handle grueling work can benefit from this.

Why don't you travel around and gain more experiences? I will let you know when you're ready, you know~

Ooh...

And you look

like you can handle

this kind of information.

I'll share everything I know!

One day, an adventurer discovered a strange, mysterious object. Unable to figure out what it could do, he visited the Monster Organization.

There, it was entrusted to a scholar by the name of Mr. Kaili. He still hasn't uncovered the truth about that item and wishes for assistance in his investigation.

Mr. Kaili suspects that the item might be part of an undiscovered ancient relic. Fortunately, he is also researching ancient relics as a project assigned by the royal court.

So what do you think? Isn't that interesting? Of course, you'd better speak to Mr. Kaili if you wish to learn more. If you'd like, I shall write you a letter or recommendation.

Excellent...!

So your name is...

Alright, I shall contact him right away! Oh, and you can find the Monster Organization west of Juno's central plaza. It shouldn't be hard to find. Good luck!

Ah, it's disappointing to hear that. I thought that you'd be perfect to help out Mr. Kaili. Oh well, talk to you later~

Boring, you say?

Perhaps, but not as

boring as an adventurer

that passes up a chance

for an adventure, yes?

better, I never

would have gone

inside that place...

Hello there!

Isn't it such

a glorious day?

You know of me,

do you not?

Hahahaha, forgive my rudeness,

but I fail to remember your name, although your face does seem rather familiar.

Oh well well...

How could I ever

forget the lovely

So, aren't you curious about me? Feel free to ask me whatever you like! I'm the vagabond that will wander the earth till the end of his days, your friend who loves to sing under the moonlight~

Why, I am Nelliorde, the Bard.

In truth, my real name is Elliorde.

However, while I was singing at a Tavern, as per usual, a man with long blonde hair angrily demanded that I change my name!

Never before have I seen such a flailing and a fuss over someone coincidentally sharing the same name!

And so, that little altercation

was settled with me being named Nelliorde.

I don't sound like a coward to you, do I? Do you believe I should have fought for the right to keep my original name?

If so, you're wrong! I just don't believe that violence can solve anything, as the romantic Bard

that cherishes peace...

Seeing as it's not worth

listening to Nelliorde's lies, you decide to simply tune him out.

...

......

.........

And that's how I convinced wise

and benevolent King Tristram III to build a paradise where married lovers could enjo--Hm? Are you even listening?!

You wish to

hear of some news?

you wish to know about?

Anyways, I know one interesting bit of news about Prontera. But it's a secret. Shh! Are you... Single?

If so, go visit the tavern. I met a guy there who took me a nice place. Oh yes. He took me the place where singles are forbidden~!

Seaside areas?

He was chewing on something and spat on the ground. The big buffoon managed to intimidate me into giving him all of my Zeny!

Oh yes!

I'm talking about the Assassin Guild. Supposedly, it's hidden behind a sandstorm in the Morocc

Desert! But you should know what I am talking about! So when are you gonna take me to the guild, eh?

Desert! Have you ever been there before?

The people there say that there is one major nuisance, a man known

as the 'Mad Scientist.' He's antisocial and creates a lot of public disturbances with his experiments.

It seems everyone in Juno hates

him with a passion. Even one of the Tool Shop owners begged a passing adventurer to stop this Mad Scientist's research!

Can I sing, you ask?

Certainly, and if I may say so, pleasureably. Which song would

you care to hear?

Please forgive me, but I cannot play a song for free. The world is harsh, and a frail Bard such as myself must have some means

to survive~

You must like robust

and energetic music, eh?

As you wish~

Excellent choice!

Somehow, the image of

the setting sun fits

well with Assassins.

Don't you agree?