act36side

What do you mean?

I bet it means he knows where the food is, but not everyone can make it out alive.

That is one way to interpret it.

I wouldn’t want to influence you into danger, it’s just—

Just tell us where it is. We're experienced adventurers. We can handle a little danger.

If you say so. Follow the coastline south. There will be a cave.

What you seek is within.

There's something fishy about that guy, Laios.

I know.

Then why'd you listen to him?

I have a hunch that whatever weird's going on in town is connected to the church he was talking about.

If we follow his 'guidance', it should lead us to something.

Besides, if there's an ambush waiting for us, I'm sure you'll notice beforehand!

Well, I guess you're right...

Hmm? That's—

A kraken! It's huge!

Laios, look out!

Calm down. I don't think it's moving any time soon.

Eh! It's already dead?

Wow! A kraken this huge... The church wasn't lying to us!

Look at its tentacles, its suckers, its sea anemone-like organs! This must be its... head?

I'd love to see what it looked like alive. It should be about the size of a tower and would've looked impressive.

Though it does taste rather nasty...

This isn't a kraken, though maybe they share a common ancestor.

My stomach's starting to hurt from going hungry...

Still, you shouldn't just eat things you know nothing about!

I agree, we shouldn't.

Eh?

Sea creatures can contain toxins after their death. Take crabs, for example. They can be contaminated by harmful bacteria, even if they haven't been dead for long.

If you really want to eat something...

We can see if there are any parasites still alive in there!

Gah! I shouldn't have gotten them started!

I've learned to just say nothing in times like these.

I do wonder though, who killed this giant creature? It must have been hard avoiding these tentacles...

Laios, hush. I hear something...

Marcille uses a stick to hoist a gooey, fluorescent... thing.

Eww... I feel kinda sick just looking at it.

It glows, even during the day... It's beautiful...

Absolutely not! I'm gonna throw it away!

What a waste... Say, what's that you threw it on?

What is that?

Ah!

Is something wrong?

Laios, watch your step!

Oh! Seagrass?

Careful, lad. I don't think it's a good idea to step on it.

Hmm? Now that you mention it... I do feel a bit numb all over.

Avoid the seagrass as best you can, guys!

You say that, but there aren't many other places we can stand.

It looks like all the plants in this cave were actually monsters, huh?

There's no doubt about it. We're in the kraken's lair.

Which means all these things coming out from deeper in the cave must've lived alongside it.

Which means...

Fresh ingredients!

Marcille, can you use magic on the seagrass? Set it on fire, or something?

Huh?

Are you crazy?! If we make a fire, wouldn't that be like shouting 'Hey, over here!' to all the monsters?

Yeah, which is exactly why we're doing it.

The seagrass is spreading out from the depths of the cave. If we chased them in, we'd be at a disadvantage.

Better to use a fire and let them come to us.

Sounds like you really thought this through.

Don't worry, we're not going to take them head on. You can wait outside. Once we've gotten enough ingredients, we'll get out.

And if something does happen, you can come to our rescue.

Hmph. Whatever.

He must be going through a rebellious phase.

On a separate note, haven't you considered the remote possibility that I might not play along?

Eh?

From his expression, Marcille can tell that he never even considered she wouldn't.

*sigh* Fine. Cover your ears.

Oh? That noise...

I presumed they would have exercised more caution... Who would have thought they had such confidence?

Heheh. No matter. The outcome will be the same.

The church has need of men.

Become one of us.

Then we shall bring revelation to all Iberians.

That should be the trap set.

Just need to wait for them to get enough ingredients and get out of there. Should be enough to buy them some time.

Man, Laios, sometimes you really do think of everything.

Hmm?

What's a treasure chest doing here?

Let me guess, this world has mimics too?

This one's barely even trying.

It's a beach! There's nothing here but sand! Who does it think it's trying to fool?

Hmm? Footsteps... I bet it's that weird guy.

They will become our brethren. Soon, soon, they will become something greater...

Tch, it's him, alright. I knew he was sending us to our deaths.

I've got an idea.

When the Inquisition comes, they too may have a taste.

A taste of what?

Why... Why haven't you gone inside?

I'm not much of a fighter myself, so I'm waiting outside.

...Is that so?

You mentioned the Inquisition. Who're they?

Our common enemy.

Oh, mind telling me more?

(It seems this Durin has no talent for combat. I suppose there's no harm in chatting with him.)

(With his build, where could he even run off to?)

I do not mind.

We might be seen talking here. How about we go chat by that chest?

Very well.