Near the heart of Lute Caves…
???: It’s not enough… the pain…
Rif: What was that voice?
Killfith: An unpleasant one… it’s that human from before.
(Inside the cavernous area)
Pike: The pain…
(Rif and Killfith are puzzled)
Pike: The pain…
-IT'S NOT ENOUGH!!
Rif: What is he talking about?!
Pike: (turns around) There's one left over! A Stray Summon!
Rif: Stop! He's not a Stray!
Pike: You're that runt from before! Didn't I tell you not to come near here? Or do you want to be squashed?
Rif: I—I'm sorry, it's just… I thought we might be able to help exterminate the Strays…
Pike: Help?! What could a couple of small children like you possibly do to help?
Killfith: I'm not a child! You should be grateful I don’t slap that mouth of yours for mocking my appearance!
Pike: What was that?! Summon Creatures shouldn't back talk to their human lords!
Killfith: What…!
Pike: And you! If you're its owner, you need to properly discipline it.
Rif: His owner...? What are you talking about? I’m Killfith's comrade—his partner!
Pike: His partner? You must be joking… if the owner doesn’t personally discipline it, then of course it’ll turn out rotten…
-You think that’s fine? A Summon Creature is a weed! Weeds shouldn't talk back, and therefore back-talking Summon Creatures need to be eliminated!
Rif: Wha...!
Pike: I know just what to do. I'll simply replace its exalted master so that I can teach that Summon Creature how to behave, myself.
-And I say any Summon Creature that talks back to its human lords needs to be punished!
Killfith: You ugly bastard, if you continue to talk to me like some sort of dog, I will be the one to teach you, in full, how to behave.
Pike: Try to use some of that fight in you to make sure I enjoy this at least a little!
Rif: Geez!
(Beats Pike into the ground for being a dink)
Pike: Urgh... that’s smarts…
Killfith: Tch… I hope you’ve learned your lesson.
Pike: Heeheehee... that's good... more pain...
Rif: Huh?
Pike: More pain… give me more!
Rif: What the heck is he talking about?!
(Someone else walks up)
???: What abominable thing is shouting over here? I know it couldn’t have been that little lady over there.
Killfith: Another one?
Rif: Wow… another weirdo arrived…
???: Oh my, what did you say? Shouldn’t you take care to watch that mouth of yours?
-I don't care if you are a child, I'll make an example of anyone who insults the beautiful Lord Gillan by tearing them to pieces with my Poison Claws!
Rif: The beautiful Gillan…
Killfith: This guy's serious! Rif!
Gillan: What's this? This wouldn't happen to be your Summon Creature, would it?
Rif: Y-yeah.
Gillan: So, Pike, did you happen to see anyone like the picture of the child around here?
Pike: No. And the only Companion Beast I’ve seen around here is this one.
Gillan: Such a chore! Doubtless even talking with these two wouldn't help any. Ah, what a pain…
-Although that one girl I saw on the way here was rather cute.
Rif: Wha—wait, who are you talking about?!
???: What are you doing playing around here?!
Rif: Didn't that voice belong to a woman this time?
(Two people walk up)
Gillan: Once again, dear Anise, your cute face will never come to anything if all you ever do is scowl.
Anise: I'm not interesting in hearing that from you! Who is that?
Rif: (looks at Bostaph) Ah! He’s…
(Momentary flashback to a dark, rainy night)
Rif: (stunned) …
Gillan: Ahh, that? Seems that girl there is that Companion Beast's child.
-After all the trouble you must have gone through to come here—such a disappointment.
Killfith: That man Bostaph's aura is a foul color… if he's the one aiming at Murno—
Bostaph: It's been a long time, Rifmonica. I had heard from V.E that you had come to Prosban.
-I couldn't believe my ears when I heard you'd gotten a Summon Creature... Looks like you've finally become a Craftknight.
Rif: Uh, yes... because Master said I would need to have a forging partner...
Anise: If she's a Craftknight... she might be acquainted with...
Bostaph: (amused) Indeed… she is Rob's rumored apprentice. What do you think?
Anise: (!) That kid... I see...
Rif: Wh… what is it? Why are you glaring at me like that?
Anise: (to her companions) Did any Stray Summons appear in this area?
Pike: Yeah, there were about five or six. I ate the entire party, but they weren't very filling.
Gillan: Whaat?! And you didn't leave even one for me? You just enjoyed it all by your greedy self, did you? You're the worst!
Anise: I see. Then there is nothing more to do here. I'm heading back.
Pike: I'm still hungry, so I think I'll find something to eat...
-(leaves)
Gillan: I'll go too, then.
Killfith: Why is it our enemies have all gathered here...?
Bostaph: You should also hurry back home to your village. I've already told V.E that I won't put a stop to the Stray Hunting.
-To return the favor of the scar on my face and Rob's death... with these hands, I will take my revenge.
Rif: Um... But, Mr. Bostaph, it sounds like you're searching for a kid who has a Summon Creature as a companion...
-Why would you do that? What on earth did that kid do?
Bostaph: Do you want to know?
Rif: Uh... yes...
Bostaph: I see... what, you ask... heheheh...
-If you want to know the truth, that girl is at the heart of the calamity that has overtaken us!
Rif: Calamity...?
Bostaph: Everything is that girl's fault. It is thanks to her that Stray Summons have begun to act violently in this area. Therefore...
-It is that girl's fault that I have this scar on my face and that Rob died!
Rif: Wha...
Bostaph: Of course, that is dependent upon whether that man’s word is good. But whether it is or not, eradicating every Stray in this area will only do us good.
Rif: That...
Bostaph: Until we meet again. Be sure to send my regards to V.E.
-(leaves)
Rif: Killfith... was what he said about Murno true?
Killfith: ...
Rif: Well?! Is it really Murno's fault that all the Strays have been acting out?!
Killfith: I don't know.
Rif: What do you mean, you don't know?!
Killfith: I don't know if Murno is the cause of the Stray Summons attacking people, or why they would say that.
-What I do understand is that right now, as long as Murno is anywhere near this town, she is in danger.
Rif: I…
-(…)
-What’s the best thing to do? Master…
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