act36side

Gkh...

We might not have been here long, but we've been killing plenty of ink spirits every day. Who would've thought there'd still be this many left?

There are so many of them here, yet there's no sign of fighting... Could they actually coexist peacefully?

I don't see any of their young, though.

Now that I think about it, I can't tell their genders, either. They're all adults too, no young or old. No matter how you look at it, it's no ordinary monster cluster.

Hmm? Wait, where'd the familiar-looking one go?

Crap, that one spotted me!

I've got to think of a way to stop it from calling over more! I can't take them all on my own—

Oh no, it's about to call out—

Here, have some fruit!

Gkh...haaa? Munch munch...

Munch munch...

Gkh.

What's that, you want more?

Gkh, gkh.

As long as you don't start shouting.

Here, I was saving them as a snack, but... Look, just eat quietly, and come over when you're done. Then we can go around the back of this wall and...

You're awfully well-behaved. What's going on here?

(Sneakily climbs behind the wall)

(Ready to pounce at apricots on the ground)

(Apricots pounced! Proceeds to gobble up apricots)

It just attacked the village, but now it's docile over a few pieces of fruit?

(Nom nom nom)

(Bites onto Laios's pocket)

Hmm? What're you up to now?

You attack the village, yet you don’t seem any happier when you win, and you flee when you lose. Now you're just snacking on apricots!

You do fight over food, but it makes no sense to attack the village for it—there are way more fruits in the mountains. So why attack so often just for a few fruits?

The villagers haven’t stolen your young or encroached on your territories, so where's all this hostility coming from?

Wait, isn't that the one with the mole from earlier?

Take this!

Laios sends an apricot flying at the familiar-looking ink spirit, striking it right in the head with a 'pok!'

It staggers from the blow, but quickly recovers and raises its stubby arms to cover its head.

But that's when the sweet scent of apricot hits it.

Hruuh!

Wait, are you here to eat apricots too?

Here, catch.

Hruuh! Hruuh!

Munch munch...

Let me have a closer look... Same mole, slightly bigger head than the rest, a slender yet forked tail...

You really are the same ink spirit as last time! I thought you were rather odd, what with your belly so full you could barely walk. Hardly a ferocious marauder!

Hruuuh...

Did you really come back to life?

Do you go through the cycle of life and death over and over?

If so, that's pretty similar to our life in the dungeon.

Gkhuu?

I still don't get it, though. If that's the case, then why attack the village in the first place?

Is it just to eat apricots?

Alright. This is the last of them...

...So I followed Falin into the cave.

Which is where I found out her 'secret.'

She also explained what 'ecology' was while we were there. It was the first time I realized how limited my experiences had been.

That's the day she and I became best friends.

What more can one ask for in life but a companion dear?

From the way you talk about her, this Falin must be very important to you.

You're right. She's the closest friend I have.

Shouldn't you be looking for her, then?

I remember you telling me that she was eaten by a red dragon, but you have some means of reviving her.

Red dragon... Red...

We will save her. And once we do, I'll bring her back to P'o-shan to meet you!

Very well.

There goes the bell again. That's rather frequent for one day.

It better not be Laios's fault!

I'll go have a look!

*sigh* This... is about all I can do.

It seems it's up to you to save your companions, Laios.

What's the matter, Marcille?

It's strange. The bell went off, but the ink spirits didn't attack.

Laios hasn't returned either.

...Eh?

Haha, if you like apricots, then go get 'em!

Hup!

He throws a handful of apricots he picked into the distance and a pack of bestial ink spirits, large and small, chase after them.

Laios rejoices in watching them squabble over the fruit. Almost wanting to take the entire pack home to raise as dogs.

Right, they're just like Nussa, Anowtrid, Boff, Fucci, Dustrag, and Muimui!

Hraaagh—

No need to rush, plenty more to go around!

For the ink spirits that resemble sloths, Laios feels no need to make them fight over the fruits.

He's become familiar with the habits of this species of ink spirits, setting aside a pile of apricots just for them to eat as they please.

Once they eat their fill, they lie down, and the color of their backs begins to change...

As he watches them try to stuff their mouths despite their protruding, plump bellies, he wonders how anyone couldn't be fond of these little fellows.

Aaaaaagh—

No need to worry. Did you think I forgot about you guys?

The tortoise-like ink spirits might be the species Laios is most interested in. At first, he thought they were giant rocks, at least until his butt made contact with its shell.

Their temperament is exactly the same as a tortoise. The most interesting thing about them is that once their appetites are sated, spring water begins to flow out the false mountains on their backs!

Thunder rumbles in the distance.

Upon hearing it, the ink spirits begin to stand, one by one.

Though they discover that they cannot, for one simple reason...

They've stuffed themselves silly!

Aye, looks like it's gonna be a good harvest this year.

And it's all thanks to you, Senshi.

If you weren't here, my harvest would only be about half as much!

All I'm doing is putting my knowledge to good use.

Senshi, stop with the farming!

What's wrong, Marcille?

It's been days since Laios went off to look for ink spirits outside the village, and he hasn't returned!

Laios? Well, the lad's fond of research. Let him be.

The ink spirits haven't been attacking the village lately either...

Surely something's happened to him?!

Oh... Well, we were planning on staying here for long anyhow. No harm in waiting a bit longer.

No, no... We can't stay here long!