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Agh! Those things are looking at us! Get out of here, get out of—

Gkhaaaaaagh!

Huh...?

Y-You used your fan?

Hide yourselves further away.

Gkhao? Gkhaa—

In one move...?!

Ao!?

A-Amazing...

Ow-Owie, it hurts so much, it hurts so much—just what are these things, and how can they look so soft, yet be so hard when striking them?

Oh, stop goggling at me. The proverb puts it well; even a cornered burdenbeast will bite. Here, we'd best just hurry on our way!

Gkhao...

Man alive, Nothing, your kickboxing work's not bad, but you've never done a rescue business like this, eh?

Deal with the enemies in front of you without checking movement on your whole perimeter, and sooner or later you'll give yourself grief.

Ah, ahahah... that was quite dangerous just now! My apologies for the grief I gave you, benefactor. Only thanks to you am I safe and sound.

Alright, quick, go and get everyone left into shelter.

Er, what about you, benefactor?

Me? Don't you mind, I walk light as a feather. They won't ever notice me.

(Can the single skill of light-footedness really explain that?!)

And then... how do we cut down these Ink Spirit numbers fast...?

Eyaah! Wh—what's that fire in the garden?

Hoo! This blaze soaring skyward makes quite a spectacle!

Ho? Could it be that the name 'Lava' held this exact meaning?

Lavaaa.

Confirm the extent of all enemy scatter in the vicinity for me.

This big of an arena?

I'm worried about the surrounding buildings getting caught up, so I've been sort of keeping my Arts tied down...

...but there's just too many enemies. If we keep dragging this out, I'm concerned casualties are going to end up tough to estimate.

Roger. Special times, special methods, right.

I'll find a high vantage point. You focus on casting.

I'll help you sort all the ones outside your Arts range. I guarantee I'm not gonna miss a single one.

Good.

I'll submit the mission report afterwards... after all, it's not just the Infected that Rhodes Island helps.

Infected...?

What's up?

Huh... nothing, actually. By the way, Lava.

You seen Mr. Umbrella-Boiler anywhere?

Mmm...

Did I fall asleep?

Oh, now I remember... I was helping count the casualties till late last night, and I went straight to bed after I got back...

Looks like the sunrise and sunset have gone back to normal...

Kroos, wake up!

...Hfff...

Kr—oo—s—!

Ngh... guh.

*Yawn*... Morning, Lava...

I've been meaning to ask, but how do you manage to sleep so well with that crossbow as a hug pillow?

Well, sleep is... important... yep~

Hnn—

Okay, let me wash my face.

I wish you could be this stoked about getting up back at Rhodes Island.

Not happening~ We're on the job right now. I don't do this on my days off~

We need to help them rebuild...

Hey, Lava...? I'm not dreaming now, am I? Who's that outside the window?

Hm?

Mommy, mommy! Hurry! We'll be late for story time!

Okay, okay. Slow down now, or you'll hurt yourself.

I'll be fine! Hurry up!

I-Is that her mother...? Her mother's okay?

Uh, maybe...?

Look at the roof over there. I could swear the eaves were damaged by Arts yesterday.

You're kidding...?

Rice cakes fresh out of the steamer! Packed with sesame filling!

Sweet rice! Come get your fermented sweet rice right here!

What's going on...?

Hmm... Everything's back to normal?

My benefactors?!

My benefactors, you remember me, do you not? Please tell me this is not a nightmare!

Slow down, what are you—

Oh, thank goodness you two remember me! Please, hear me out. When I woke up, it was as though everything that had transpired yesterday had never occurred! Everything was in perfect order!

The Ink Spirits attacked? Families devastated? None of it ever happened! Look, even Ah Jan's mother is walking around in one piece, hale and whole! Gave me quite a start, I tell you! I thought I'd come upon a ghost in broad daylight—

—Right! Have you perchance seen the wandering monk, Saga? Where is she? Is she well?

I haven't seen her yet—Oh, hello, Ah Jan.

Why, hello, Little Ah Jan~!

Hm? Who are you, Mister? How do you know my name?

My benefactors, look! This is exactly what I meant!

Hey, Ah Jan, we're here to listen to Mr. Umbrella-Boiler's stories. How come story time is over already?

Oh, I see. The storyteller is sick today. My mommy is staying to help take care of him. Most of the people who came for his stories are staying to help, too.

That's a shame.

It really is!

Ah Jan? This gentleman actually missed the session yesterday. Do you remember what the story was about?

I wasn't here yesterday. I was flying my kite with my mommy the whole day.

That's too bad, then. It looks like you're out of luck.

H-Haha... Little Ah Jan? You don't know me? You must be playing!

Who are you, Mister? Oh, you must be the one who just moved into the house down the street!

N-Never you mind. Please, go on, frolic as you do...

Hm? Okay. See you, mister!

Why are we the only ones who remember anything...?

No idea, but look at how cheerful she is. This isn't so bad.

Well... *Sigh*... That I certainly have no qualms with, but, my benefactor, are you not being a little too... calm?

Is this what the clerk meant when she said that...catching the moon in the water thing?

Anyway, I think... I have a pretty good guess where Saga is.

Oh my! This sesame soup is unlike anything I've ever tasted! Simply exquisite! Wouldst thou like some, shopkeep?

I'll pass. I'm not too fond of sweets myself. Please, don't worry about me. Just enjoy it yourself.

I see. 'Tis a shame, but pray mind not if I do—

Saga!

Whoa—

Lava, why the commotion? I well nigh spilled my sesame soup...

So... you remember who I am?

Beg pardon?