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Just then, another scar appears on her old, tattered protective gear.

I should've guessed.

It's an apt metaphor, isn't it? Animals need very thick fur to protect themselves—same for humans.

When I see you standing here like that, it's like I'm looking at those two old friends of mine. I really miss them.

Oh, you earn no praise from me for inheriting their exquisite mantle. It's just I'm guessing you miss them too. Poor girl, why can't you just open up and admit it?

No need to act tough. You shouldn't keep yourself so on edge, either. No one will deny a girl your age the right to feel sad or afraid. You need to learn to not act tough.

If you're tired, stop and take a break or cry your heart out.

Mr. Dolly, is this scavenger hunt <i>just</i> a game?

It's true that it's not really all that mysterious of a puzzle. I just wanted you to have some fun, Adele.

I had lots of fun during my time in Siesta.

I don't understand. Why are you taking such good care of me in particular...?

It's simple. A girl as lovely as you is a rare sight on this world.

Misfortune may find you often... but you have no less love than anybody else.

Actually, I saw you a long time ago, back in Leithanien.

A little girl always earnestly reading her books in that tiny, little spire.

As the child of two genius academics, many had high expectations of her. She was seen as a gifted Caster and scholar.

Outstanding, remarkably talented individuals like her are always burdened with achieving results to match their talent. Even if they are inflicted with an incurable disease, they are seen by others as a tenacious role model.

Young Adele, has anyone ever asked you what you wanted?

Take a look. There are so many people and so many lives all around the world. You know volcanoes like the back of your hoof, but there are so many fun things out there besides volcanoes. Why not see for yourself?

Thanks... Mr. Dolly. I've... had a lot of fun these past few days...

I can smell <i>half</i> a lie. Just half, but we'll leave it like this for now.

It's nearly time. I really wanted to invite you to come try lava surfing with me, but the human body is too weak.

I'll take you three somewhere safe. Then, I'll have to be ready for the opening of Volcano Paradise.

So long, Adele.

Thanks, Mr. Dolly... Will we meet again?

Perhaps... No, maybe I should say we will meet again for sure.

I hope that the next time we meet, I will get to see a truly happy Adele.

Promise me this?

Yeah!

The fluffy creature shakes its body a little, walks forward a few steps, and lightly brushes the girl's cheek with its snout.

Oh! I almost forgot. I owe you a reward for finding all three things.

Mr. Dolly, do you know anything else about... the death of my parents?

Hrmm...

What I mean is... The thing you've been looking for... isn't 'Volcano Watchers?'

You've been talking about Volcano Watchers?!

S-Surprise...?

I thought...

There used to be a lot of Volcano Watchers growing on Mount Siesta's hills. They look pretty, and they are tasty. That's why the little ones ate most of them up.

Then I realized if they kept on eating them, it wouldn't be long before they went extinct. That's why I planted some of them in a secret spot behind their backs.

So the Volcano Watchers aren't extinct yet... That's good news...

Then where did you plant the flowers?

Oh, just on top of a hill around the back of the volcano.

By volcano... You mean this one, the one that's about to erupt...?

Er... yeah.

Enis?

Are you... leaving...?

(Out of breath)

Why did you... run out here all by yourself...?

I thought... you weren't ever going to come back.

Are you kidding me...?

When you're on the adventure team... you never work alone.

Let's go home.

The seawater has risen above their soles, making it difficult to even walk.

Hurry!

At first, the waves were just a hazy line at the far reach of their vision, but in just the blink of an eye, they are right here in front of them.

Enis tightly clutches his sister as the waves beat against his less than robust back, causing him to stagger.

Another, taller wave is approaching them.

(There's no way...)

(Let's try this—)

Enis tries his hardest to feel the 'rock' in his body. It's close to his heart. Every time his heart beats, he can feel its hard texture.

A rock the size of a man rises from the ground in front of the siblings and immediately crumbles just barely withstanding the crashing of the wave.

There is an intense pain in his chest.

Enis!

Look... Didn't I tell you...? I know magic...

Enis wipes the blood on his face and pulls his sister so she isn't hurt by the crumbling gravel.

Quick, hide behind me!

One, two...

Seemingly formed by the white waves, a countless number of fluffy creatures rush toward them from the coast. They stack together and form a wall, or more precisely, a dam.

The waves clash against the furry dam, completely absorbed by it the very next second.

I must've gone crazy...

What exactly is this...?

Having absorbed the seawater, their white wool has grown even puffier, enough to keep the siblings safe from the dangerous waves.

After who knows how long, the ground has finally stopped shaking, and the waves gradually start to calm.

Are... Are we saved?

(Shivers) (Shakes to dry body)

Th-Thank you...?

(Happy bleat)

Just like cotton candy dissolving in the water, the beastling suddenly disappears.

I guess that's... a near-death hallucination...?

Enis!

The night deepens, and at some point in time, the bustling crowd's clamor gradually started to fade.

Someone has taken out a guitar and started playing a gentle melody.

Almost like some kind of tacit understanding, everyone looks in the same direction.

A pillar of smoke gradually rises from the volcano's caldera, followed by spews of dark red and ash gray. The ground is trembling slightly underneath their feet.

We're so far out. We definitely won't get caught in that, right...?

*sigh*... It still came.

Oh... It really erupted...

*sob*...

The people in the crowd hold the hands of those around them. Parents hug their children tight, as pedestrians begin to hold their breaths.

As though they all finally feel a weight off their shoulders, or perhaps like a giant boulder has finally crushed their hearts, sighs and quiet mumblings can be heard amongst the crowd, yet this just makes the whole street seem even more quiet.

This continues for a very, very long time, until the crowd snaps back from the sight before them.

I can still recall that back when I was a young boy... my parents would take me to this little hill. It was full of flowers and trees whose names I never knew. There were so many of them, and they smelled so wonderful every spring.

My father was allergic to their pollen, so he would wait for us at the bottom of the hill. My mother and I would bend the flowers' branches and weave garlands. We ran and ran across the hill, and waved down to the bottom of the hill...

...That won't ever happen again...

Mr. Tom...

It's nothing, girl. I'm just thinking about the past... I used to sell ice cream every day, meeting all kinds of children.

Now my children are all in Columbia. They didn't come back home, even for a time like this.

Sir, your children are far away. It's possible that they didn't know Siesta's volcano was going to erupt today. The might be on their way, or they could have a package still in transit...

I came here because I wanted to build a logistics center that connected all regions and shortened the distances between them.

Maybe someday, you'll get things from different places more quickly, and your children will know how you're doing that much faster.