Day Eight, Part Seven

Rif slowly rouses from unconsciousness…

Rif: Uh… ugh… mm…

(Rif wakes up, handcuffed, in a cave with Gillan and Anise standing near her.)

Gillan: Are you waking up, little miss…?

Rif: Nn…
    -(gets up slowly, shaking her head)
    -(?) Where… this place… ouch… what… is this?
    -(panics, looking around)
    -Wh… where’s Killfith…? What have you done with Killfith?!

Gillan: Such a disrespectful mouth… you should address your elders properly, especially when they’re as beautiful as I am.
    -UNDERSTAND?!

(Gillan walks up to Rif and punches her. Rif falls to her knees, panting.)

Rif: (…) Ugh…

Gillan: Heeheehee… you don’t have to play tough, you know. You can scream louder if you want.
    -The place where we’re standing is the nest of the sca~ary Stray Summon everyone’s been talking about.
    -What idiots you are, to be puttering around a place like this without a care in the world. You have no idea what position you’re in.

Rif: Nest…? This is Red Wing’s…

Gillan: What’s this? Are you scared, little miss? How adorable.

Rif: (gets up) Screw you… I’m not scared at all!

(Gillan punches Rif again, forcing her back to her knees)

Gillan: Didn’t I tell you to address me properly?

Rif: Ugh…

Gillan: Although they say that little Red Wing has returned, it’s all right. See that over there?

(Screen moves to a box with blinking red lights at the entrance of the cavern room)

Gillan: Even though little Red Wing is just in that cave, that thing over there is sealing the passageway, so it won’t be able to come in here.

Rif: … Killfith… where is …?

Gillan: That Summon Creature was being so gloomy, so I left him with Pike in the next room over.

Rif: With that guy!

Gillan: He really loves tormenting Summon Creatures, you know… I wonder how it’s going by now…

Rif: N… no… I won’t let you get away with this!

(Gillan, annoyed, punches her twice, once for each cheek)

Gillan: A kid with a brain this rotten… it’s like you’re asking me to teach you some manners.

Anise: (…) While she is definitely a fool, it seems she can make some rather good weapons. Maybe we should take those next?

Rif: Stop it!
    -For someone as villainous as you… to take our precious weapons…

Anise: Villainous…?
    -Ha! What… are you going to say that you yourselves have done nothing wrong?

Rif: What do you…?

Anise: What an excellent opportunity. Come, I will tell you the truth about your mentor, Rob.
    -That man was a murderer.

Rif: (!) A… mur…?!

Anise: He killed my lord, Voijin!

Rif: (!) Tha… but… Master wouldn’t…

Anise: Ha…! What’s with that face? Are you going to say you believe in him? That your Master wouldn’t do that kind of thing?
    -(Whips out her spear and points it at Rif)

(Rif and Gillan are both shocked)

Rif: …!

Anise: He did it… your Master killed my Voijin!
    -You’re his apprentice. Surely you cannot be surprised that I curse you as well.

Gillan: Hold just a minute there, Anise… if she dies, we won’t be able to use her as a hostage!

Anise: There are many different ways of obtaining the demon stone without exposing our hostage.

Gillan: That… that may be true, but…

Anise: I know… wouldn’t it be exquisite for her life to be taken by the very weapons she herself had forged?

Rif: …!

Gillan: Anise… you’re serious…

Anise: Don’t worry. They’re a naïve bunch of fools. Even without seeing the hostage is alive and well, there is no doubt they will obtain the demon stone for us.
    -I will honor Voijin’s memory by carrying on his mission, and finish what he started!

Rif: Mission…? What in the world are you planning to do with Govan’s Demon Stone…?

Anise: What, she asks… that’s right… how about I tell you one last thing…
    -What you don’t understand is that everything that Voijin did was to liberate humankind from Summon Creatures.

Rif: Liberate from Summon Creatures…? What are you talking about…?

Anise: Ha! You really are a thoughtless little fool!
    -Do you have any idea how much suffering humans have had to endure because of Summon Creatures? Have you never even considered it?!

Rif: Because of Summon Creatures…!

(Flashback to the bloodied pendant and V.E crying in the rain)

Rif: (…) People’s suffering…

Anise: That is why we must use the demon stone’s power—to liberate us from humankind’s suffering!

(A blast of purple lightning interrupts Anise’s speech)

Rif: Wha… what on earth?!

Anise: Is that a Summon Creature? Who’s there?!

???: I can’t believe that you were thinking such a ridiculous thing.

(Enter Lemmy)

Gillan: Little boy… what are you doing here? What happened to our lookouts?!

Lemmy: They fled once they realized they were found out by someone of higher rank than they.
    -But what I care about is that you cretins deceived Master Bostaph…!
    -I won’t let you get away with that.

Anise: You think we deceived him? Ha… what are you talking about, he…

(Another blast of lightning cuts her off, destroying the seal)

Lemmy: Honestly, just look at the state you’re in.

Rif: You…? Why’re you…

(Pike comes in)

Pike: Hey! What’s going on here?!

Gillan: Look! The barrier is broken!

Anise: This is bad…! Now Red Wing can get through!

Pike: Bah. Should we call a retreat?

Gillan: Obviously! Well, au revoir!

(They flee)

Anise: Hey, you guys…!

(From the next cave over, there is a high, keening noise)

Keekeekeekeekee...

Anise: Dammit… no way around it.
    -(flees)

Lemmy: That must be the rumored Summon Creature… come on, we have to get out of here.
    -(Breaks Rif’s handcuffs)
    -Come on! Hurry up!

Rif: Thank you, Lemmy… but my hammer… over there… my weapons too…

Lemmy: Hammer?
    -(Looks towards the other side of the room)
    -Over there, huh… okay.
    -(Grabs the bag and brings it back to Rif)

(Regained possessions!)

Lemmy: Is that it? We need to go!

Rif: I can’t…! Killfith is…

Lemmy: Is this really the time for that…?! If we don’t hurry up and get out of here, then Red Wing will…!

Rif: I can’t just run away and leave Killfith behind!

Lemmy: (…) Oh for pity’s sake…! You do whatever you want, I’ll deal with that Stray somehow.

Rif: Wha—?! You can’t…

(Lemmy runs off)

Rif: Lemmy! Darn it… Killfith!

//Fun fact: the Japanese word Anise uses when she calls Voijin her lord is 主, and can mean anything from “lord” to “master” to “employer” to “husband” or “lover.” Although it is usually used to mean “lord,” there is some room for interpretation, particularly when you consider Anise’s behavior and her words.//

Day Eight, Part Six

Cuddling Kills (Gillan wraps his arms around Rif’s neck and starts nuzzling her.)

Rif: HUH?!
    -What are you doing?! Let me go! Let me go now!!

Killfith: Rif!

Gillan: You’d best behave, Summon Creature. If you don’t, then—well, I do have a nice grip on the little miss’s neck…

Killfith: …!

Pike: So what’s the plan now?

Anise: I know… we should exchange these kids’ lives for Govan’s Demon Stone… what do you say?

Rif and Killfith: (!)

Rif: What did you say? Stop it! Let me go! You’re disgusting!

Gillan: (…) Oi, you want me to strangle you…?
    -(grip tightens)

Rif: (!) Th-that hurts… owowow!

Gillan: And now, this… this is for calling me disgusting…
    -(Grips even tighter)

Rif: (panicking) AAUUGH!

Gillan: A little punishment is necessary… for a kid like this…

Anise: Heh… that sounds good. Be my guest.

(Gillan releases Rif)

Gillan: Heheheh… prepare yourself, because there is plenty of punishment awaiting you.

Rif: Wh-what the heck! Who do you think you are, you…!

Gillan: First of all, let’s shut up that big mouth of yours!

(Punches Rif in the face twice, while Killfith panics behind her)

Killfith: Rif?!

(Rif collapses to the ground and blacks out, as does the screen.)

Day Eight, Part Five

Leftways Halfway through, Killfith stops, looking across the gorge.

Killfith: Who’s there?!

Rif: What is it, Killfith? Is someone there?

Killfith: Tch… ran off.

Rif: There’s no one there. Could it have been your imagination?

Killfith: Tch. I thought I just spotted that slow-moving dullard.

(Side Conversation)
Rif: It seems that Anise is in the Slenge Mines after all. Let’s go in!

Killfith: Maybe we should plant an ambush for them, to pay them back for those other times…

Rif: Hold up…! Don’t make threats!

Killfith: You call that a threat?
(End)

//Now would be a good time to finish your side quests, if you haven’t already.//

(In the next area, a gang headed by Anise is waiting.)

Anise: Do you always drag your feet? I was getting tired of waiting.

Rif: Why you… you… creeps…!

Pike: You can thank our Summon Creature lookout for discovering you. You didn’t even realize you’d been spotted.
    -Stupid brats!

Gillan: What are you saying? They came out all the way here just to become my little brother. Isn’t that right?

Rif: Huh?! That’s not it at all!

Killfith: You are the ones we’ve been looking for. No doubt about it.

Gillan: (blushing) My!

Rif: Don’t give him any weird ideas!

Anise: (…) However, the fact that you were able to follow this guy here is an inexcusable failure.

Man: But if the next lookout had come to relieve me like he was supposed to, then this never would have…

Anise: SAVE YOUR EXCUSES!
    -Instead of quibbling about who should have been doing what or where, you should hurry up and seize those brats!

(The funny-hatted man, annoyed, faces Rif)

Rif: Bring it!

(Man, Rif and Summon Creature fight. Rif wins.)

Man: (…) Dammit… These brats…

Anise: (sigh) This guy is completely useless…

Gillan: Leave this to me. You just watch and see how it’s done.

(The man steps onto the sidelines while Gillan and the others walk up to Rif)

Rif: (…) Kh…!

>Go to Cuddling Kills

Rightways If you take the path to the right, our heroes will stop as they see the Summon Creature paused up ahead.

Killfith: It’s him!

Rif: The Summon Creature from just now!

(The Summon Creature turns around, annoyed, and attacks; Rif wins)

Rif: Whew… that took me by surprise.

Killfith: Tch… someone might have overheard our battle with that garbage heap just now…

Rif: Even so, let’s try and go as far as we can!

Killfith: Heh… figures you’d say that.

(Side Conversation)
Rif: It seems that Anise is in the Slenge Mines after all. Let’s go in!

Killfith: We might have drawn some attention this way during our fight with that piece of garbage back there.
    -Well, it makes no difference either way. We’ll wipe out the whole lot of them regardless.

Rif: Come on, Killfith, settle down, just settle down…
(End)

(In the next area, two men are arguing.)

First Man: I already told you I didn’t forget, and anyway I’m here now so I’ll take your shift, I just thought… huh?

(Man notices Rif)

First Man: Ah!

Killfith: (to Rif) Don’t just stand there gawking.

Second Man: What are you staring at? I told you, hurry up and stand guard! … Huh?
    -(turns around and sees Rif)
    -AH!
    -You little runt! How did you get here?

First Man: (smirking) Aw, did you get followed? What a schmuck… have fun reporting that.

Second Man: Shut yer yap! We’ll be fine as long as we grab ’em, right?

Rif: No way you’re grabbing me!

(Fight ensues)

Man: Dammit… these guys…

(Crap! The cavalry!)

Anise: Do you make a ruckus wherever you go?

Rif: It’s you!

Anise: (to nameless minions) I will teach you both a lesson after this for letting them infiltrate so far into our territory.

Man: Y-yes, ma’am…

Gillan: (blushing) I’m so happy. You came all the way out here just because you wanted to become my younger brother, didn’t you?

Rif: Huh?! That’s not it at all!

Killfith: You are the ones we’ve been looking for. No doubt about it.

Rif: Wait a… Don’t give him any weird ideas!

Gillan: ♥ Really?! I’m so happy!

>Go to Cuddling Kills

Day Eight, Part Four

(Outside Benson’s Workshop, Tier and Zakk walk up)

Tier: Ah, Rif, how was the conference?

Rif: Not good at all… if we can’t get a hold of any evidence that Anise and her gang are bad people, they won’t do anything.
    -So, we decided to split up in order to find them…

Tier: (to Zakk) Hey, I don’t suppose you know something, do you? Aren’t you like the eyes and ears of this town?

Zakk: Of course I know!
    -But, until everything is cleared up, Master wouldn’t want me to betray those people.

Rif: What are you talking about? Eyes and ears? That’s the first I heard of it.

Zakk: That’s because you’re not important enough to feed information.

Tier: Isn’t that just another way of saying you don’t know? You were actually lying about being this town’s eyes and ears. How aw~ful.

Zakk: I do too know! They’re in the Slenge Mines! The mines just outside of the West Gate!

Rif and Killfith: (!)

Killfith: What…? Wasn’t that near where that guy said the Red Wing is?

Zakk: Yeah, but they really are there! I overheard those guys talking before!

Rif: Hmm, I see… and we don’t have any other leads… should we try going there…?

Tier: If it’s that dangerous, maybe it’d be a good idea to invite Miss V.E and Jade along?

Rif: But Master is searching Lute Caves, and Aniki’s gone to Bayreat Forest…

Tier: Crimany, what an annoying situation. Guess there’s nothing for it.
    -The only solution is for us to go track down Miss V.E and Jade.

Zakk: (!) By “us,” do you mean me too?

Tier: Of course I mean you too! You spilled the beans, so obviously you should ask for Jade!

Zakk: Ugh… I got it.

Killfith: (…) Exactly whose side is this kid on, again?

Zakk: Hey! What’s that supposed to mean?!

Tier: Time is money, so let's not waste any!
    -Catch you later, Rif!

Rif: Take care, okay?

Zakk: You too.

(Tier and Zakk depart stage left)

(Side Conversation)
Rif: It seems Anise is somewhere in Slenge Mines. Let’s check it out!

Killfith: It sounds like there’s a ferocious Summon Creature known as Red Wing residing there. This should be fun…

Rif: That’s one thing I hope we don’t find there!
(End)

(In front of the West Gate, we find out why the gatekeeper’s letting us through)

Gatekeeper: The usual gatekeeper caught a cold, so today I’m substituting for him. What a pain…
    -It seems there’s a scary Stray called Red Wing out there, but if you want to go I won’t stop you.

(In the Slenge Mines, Lemmy is standing in front of a gorge)

Rif: Huh? Lemmy, what are you doing here?

Lemmy: W-what, you ask?

Rif: Didn’t you know? They’re saying there’s a scary Stray called Red Wing around here.

Lemmy: I know about that! And anyway, what are you doing here if you know it’s dangerous?

Rif: What are we… Zakk told us that Anise and her gang were hiding around here.

Lemmy: Zakk… saying too much again…

Killfith: Hmph. And what exactly are you doing in a place like this?

Lemmy: M-me?! Weapons, I… that’s right, I just came to forge weapons.

Rif: Oh, is that what you’re doing? Specially came to a dangerous corner of the world so you could forge, huh?

Lemmy: But I was on my way back just now.

(He rushes off in a panic)

Rif: (…) What’s with him? And what was he so upset about this whole time? I got a really bad feeling about this.

Killfith: Hmf, no kidding.

(While trekking through Slenge Mines, Killfith suddenly stops Rif.)

Killfith: Tch… over there…

(Nearby, a bad guy stands beside a large ogre-looking Stray.)

Man: What are those guys doing! We were supposed to change shifts ages ago! Dammit…
    -(paces back and forth)
    -(…) Forget it, I’ll go call them over!

(The man departs.)

Rif: That must have been one of their comrades! Their hideout has got to be nearby!
    -We’ve gotta go after him!

Killfith: Cool it… what are you planning to do about the watchdog?

Rif: You don’t think we’ll have to knock him out, do you?

(The Stray walks away.)

Rif: (?) What? It doesn’t want to keep a lookout?

Killfith: How am I supposed to know?

Rif: Anyway, let’s keep moving.

At this point, there will be a difference depending on which path you choose:
    -Path on the left >Leftways
    -Path on the right >Rightways

Day Eight Side Quests

One-Shots

Didn’t another kid give you that Mountain Spring Water before?
(Purple-haired kid just north of the shops)
Child: Do you wanna trade that Mountain Spring Water…
    -… for my Common Ring?

(Obtained Common Ring!)

Child: Hehehe… sucker.


If you hit the target in Slenge Mines
Archery Maiden: Good to see you again! Take this prize!

(Received Kitchen Ore!)

Archery Maiden: Be sure to continue your devotion to the bow!

Stray Extermination

//Today’s Stray Extermination quests are hosted by Velworen.//

Velworen: Ahh, it’s you… would you like to know a little secret?

Rif: Eh? Not really…

Velworen: I came to the Council of Gold because Ms. Janna asked for my help in processing the Stray Summon Extermination requests.
    -But it seems like everyone strong enough to take on the requests is busy with something else now that the budget is running low.
    -We have some nigh-impossible-to-do requests that haven’t yet been fulfilled. It’s getting to be a bit worrisome.

Rif: Okay…

Velworen: Considering all that, I would consider it an act of mercy if you two could undertake one of the Stray Extermination jobs.

Rif: An act of mercy, huh?

Velworen: If you can finish up the job, I’ll reward you with raw materials that can help strengthen your weapons!
    -Ms. Janna told me that, as a blacksmith, that would be far more useful to you than money, so that should be fine, right?

Rif: Right…

Velworen: Well, let me know if you feel inclined to take on a job.


Upon talking to Velworen again:
Velworen: Ah, you’re not here to do the new Stray Summon Extermination job, are you?
    -It seems there is one Boulderhide running amock in Slenge Mines.

(Accept the job?)
    -Yes
    -No

(Obtained Council’s Dispatch Notice!)


After defeating a single #78 Stray, talk to Velworen:
Velworen: I heard you exterminated the Stray. Thank you. Here’s your compensation.

(Received Scroll of the Essential Point!)


Remember the blond purple-y guy we love so much? I know I don’t.
Receptionist: Hm, you want a job? Today’s job is very serious. Are you going to give it a shot?
    -There have been 20 Last Muppets spotted in Slenge Mines. Do you think you can handle them?

(Accept the job?)
    -Yes
    -No

(Obtained Council’s Dispatch Notice!)


After defeating twenty #72 Strays, talk to the blond receptionist:
Receptionist: Hm, it looks like you finished the job. Good work. Here is your compensation.

(Received Scroll of the Art of Health)

Accepting the Quests

It’s funny how no one questions you barging into their house
(Under a blue-roofed house just south of the shops, there are two people dressed in purple)
Woman: I wonder if you’d be able to lend a hand…

Man: There’s a weapon I want to order.
    -I really want a sword called Gimmick Sword, but…
    -It seems it needs some Gallic Ore.

(Accept request?)
    -Yes
    -No

(Received an order for a weapon!)

Man: If you can do it, I’ll be really pleased.


What is an Cat Lady without any cats?
Cat Lover: Excuse me, have you seen a white cat anywhere?
    -She had only just come back home, but suddenly she’s not here.
    -If you find her somewhere, please offer your assistance. I’m sure that she’s just purring away right now.


I like to think of this guy as “Leprechaun-esque”
Green Merchant: Are you going to do some exploring? While you’re at it, there’s this Blood-Sucking Pump… though you probably won’t be able to find it.
    -Although, if you can prove me wrong, I might be willing to trade.

Completing the Quests

It’s funny how no one questions you barging into their house
(After giving the man a Gimmick Buster, which is a #20 Sword)
Man: Here. Instead of money, let me give you this.

(Received Sash Ore!)

Man: Please come by any time.


What is an Cat Lady without any cats?
Cat-Lover: Oh, yes yes!
    -Sorry for all of the trouble. Please accept this as thanks for everything.

(Received Sash Ore!)

Cat-Lover: I just hope she doesn’t find herself in anymore dangerous places.


I like to think of this guy as “Leprechaun-esque”
Green Merchant: Ohh, that’s it right there.

(Trade the Blood-Sucking Pump?)
    -Yes
    -No

Green Merchant: Thank you. In exchange, why don’t you take this?

(Received Sash Ore!)

Green Merchant: Come by again.