act15mini

I'm an explorer too—one pretty familiar with the icefield if I do say so myself—and finding them even a day earlier will make the follow-up rescue that much simpler.

Also...

I understand.

Then do you mind sharing the missing group's last known coordinates?

Eh? Oh, okay, just give me a moment.

They should be around here.

Thank you.

(Ursine dialect) I've obtained the Columbians' coordinates. Based on them, they likely have something to do with what's happening in the north.

(Ursine dialect) Very good.

(Ursine dialect) What do we do with the girl?

(Ursine dialect) She's supposedly a veteran explorer from Columbia, but her importance to the country is unclear. Keep an eye on her and await further instructions.

(Ursine dialect) Understood.

Mr. Ivan...

I just confirmed with my colleagues. My apologies, Miss Magallan, but we still can't let you head any further north.

The front is under military control, so it's out of my hands.

Then...

But to make up for it, I can accompany you anywhere within Ursus territory. My status as an Ursus official should simplify things for you.

Let me think then...

Oh right, Sami!

No one would block me if I entered the icefield through Sami, right?

In theory, yes. However—

Then let's go to Sami first!

I'm all ready, Mr. Ivan. Please take me there now.

(Ursine dialect) She wants to enter the icefield through Sami. Do you have enough time to run a background check?

(Ursine dialect) Just do what she wants. Investigating a Columbian with a public identity won't take long.

(Ursine dialect) When you reach the border, the guards will send someone to take over your job.

(Ursine dialect) Roger.

(Ursine dialect) Be careful not to let the Witch spot you.

(Ursine dialect) Understood.

As you wish, Miss Magallan.

Captain, a moment please.

You have a question, soldier?

Yes, Captain. Regarding... our mission.

You have concerns about the military's arrangements?

No, sir. I wouldn't dare. I was only thinking, about how we treat the Sami—

You pity those creatures?

Yes, Captain. I think—

Wait, what did you just say?

I can understand your sympathy.

Let me ask you a question though, soldier.

As I recall, you're the son of a farmer.

Yes, Captain.

Then, on your family's land, you must breed burdenbeasts. You use them to pull your carts, and otherwise create value as your father demands.

Do you think those burdenbeasts would have done any of that on their own, without your father to tame them?

Of course not, Captain.

So what makes you think the Sami would?

But, Captain—

After the Ursus people overthrew the Hippogryph's rule, they spent a millennium transforming the land into what Ursus needed it to be.

And yet Sami remains a desolate woodland.

The Sami have contributed nothing to civilization.

I believe that with proper guidance, they will eventually come to understand the painstaking efforts Ursus has made here.

We've brought them the fire of civilization, so they should be shedding tears of gratitude.

Yet their response, well, I believe it goes without saying.

Yes, Captain.

They understand only strength, and more civilized means of persuasion fall on deaf ears.

As such, violence is a necessary evil.

But when their descendants are living in sturdy homes and enjoying the products of Ursus culture...

—Then they'll understand.

Understood, Captain.

Reporting in. A group of Sami sighted ahead, engaged in combat with the demons.

Get in formation, and have the Caster team ready their Arts.

Yes, sir!

Captain, you...

Not even a disobedient burdenbeast deserves to be devoured by starving beasts, wouldn't you agree?

All units, prepare to attack the demons.

—Yes, sir!

One week later, Sami-Ursus border

Just a little further, and we'll reach the border sentry outpost. And Sami is a short trek from there.

This is as far as I can accompany you.

It's been a whole lot easier communicating with anyone from Ursus with you around.

Your Ursine isn't bad, although your accent is thick.

I doubt I'll be fixing that anytime soon, heh.

And I still have a lot to learn. Sometimes I can't understand a word you're saying, Mr. Ivan.

It's an obscure regional dialect. Not even other Ursus can understand me sometimes.

I could teach you some on your next visit, if you're not so busy next time.

Really? That'd be wonderful, thanks!

Ha, you're very welcome.

By the way, are you particularly familiar with Sami?

Well, I've never used this route before, so not really.

But I've heard it takes just as many supplies to get through Sami as it does to enter the icefield, and there are fewer outposts there as you get nearer to the icefield, so restocking is difficult too.

Indeed, it is a savage place.

You don't seem to like it much, Mr. Ivan.

Normally, there is a permanent garrison at every outpost on the Ursus border, but the Sami-Ursus border only has regular patrols. Can you guess why?

Does... Ursus have some sort of dispute with Sami?

Dispute? The Sami invaded Ursus territory and attacked our soldiers, all to satisfy their malicious, primitive desires.

Even the sentry outpost up ahead was once occupied by the Sami for no reason at all. We even so kindly helped them repel the demons before issuing a protest to reclaim our territory.

But they refused to leave, and even harmed our soldiers. In the end we had no choice but to drive them out with force.

Is that so...

(Is that so...?)

The barbarous Sami exacted their revenge by sending out a vengeful spirit we call the Witch.

She killed every last soldier at the outpost, and has been wandering the border ever since.

Whenever she runs across a small squad, she'll engulf them in a snowstorm before going in for the kill, but if she meets a larger force she'll hide in the wind and snow.

We can neither get rid of her nor chase her away. A real thorn in our side.

In the end, our only option is to strengthen the border defenses with an elite patrol squad, simply to prevent the Sami from wreaking further havoc.

You must also be careful when passing through Sami.

The moment they spot an outsider, they will not stop until they rip out your throat to sip on your blood.

Like the wild beasts swarming the snowfield, we can only keep them in check by force.

Am I clear?

Y-Yeah, you're clear.

Good.