act36side

Farms in the wilderness are often targeted by bandits and looters. He didn't have many business connections, and he wasn't sure if the beer he brewed was any good.

But the joy on your faces as you ate his cooking gave him confidence.

I never realized he was in such dire straits.

Is... Is he alright nowadays?

Don't know. We haven't met in a long while.

All I've heard is that his Originium slug beer factory's doing well and making a profit. Seems he's got it made.

Good, good.

But I also heard that he broke some local laws in the process. Some kind of tax issue. He was sent to jail.

...Eh?

Jail? Are you sure he's still alright?

The most recent news I heard was that he either broke out or made bail. Either way, he's fine.

I guess that's... good?

A jailbreak, huh...

I've also heard that he set up a grocery store in Sami. Business is good there, apparently.

Oh...

He... knows how to persevere, at least.

Anyway, come with me. We'll head up in the elevator.

'Elevator'? You mean this iron box? How do you use it?

Looks like another magic item to me...

Go on inside. We're heading to the first floor. Wait a moment though, I need to get a—

Hmm?

...Where did they go?

Why's everything all different now?!

Where are we? What just happened?

This place is looking more and more like a dungeon by the second.

...As I have foreseen.

Hey, aren't you the Cyclops from Sami?

A Cyclops?! How do you know—

Wait. If you're here, that means you saw something, right?

Indeed.

Then, what did you see?

On your road ahead, there will be flames, a great shock... and a fearsome beast.

Do you know where Ceobe or the Doctor are?

Ceobe has just returned. She should be at the training room now, which is that way.

As for the Doctor... Please forgive me for not being able to tell you anything at the moment.

Thanks.

So... where should we go first?

I don't think Mudrock will find us any time soon.

This is the training room the lady from earlier told us about.

Doesn't seem like there's anyone here. There's some great big <i>strange</i> thing over there...

What are you lot doing here with that gormless look on your faces?!

Eh? High Priest?!

Have you seen Ceobe, High Priest?

She was here a moment ago, but ran off somewhere.

You guys looking for her?

Yeah!

Don't just stand there then, get your butts over here and sit in this machine!

Huh? Uh... Sure, okay.

High Priest, did you happen to see some lost visitors? We heard they were spotted around here.

What? No, I haven't. We're about to run an impact safety test on this new model of Big Ugly.

I suggest you stand back a bit.

Uh... Sure.

Alright, Zumama, everything's ready to go!

Are you sure?

Of course I'm sure.

AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH—!

Was it just me or were there people inside that thing when it got blasted?

Are you sure about that? Did you <i>see</i> anyone get blasted?

Oh, huh... Guess not?

Just my imagination, then.

Yeah, yeah, go look somewhere else. The ones you're looking for aren't here.

Sure. Thanks.

I think this is what they call an 'abuse of power.'

They put me in a stew one time, I blew them up one time. Fair's fair.

Where'd you send them?

They wanted to find Ceobe, so I sent them to her.

That part's no lie.

The smoke from the explosion clears, and the four find themselves experiencing the oddly-familiar feeling of floating in midair. As they regain their senses, gravity begins to do its work.

Surprisingly, it is P'o-shan Village rushing up to meet them. Dawn watches them with a peculiar expression on her face.

AHHHHHHH!!! HELP US—

The four flail about in the air, to no avail.

However, it does not escape their notice that below them is not solid ground, but a near-infinitely deep well.

Instead of a cold, hard, and most-likely-fatal landing, they find themselves shooting straight into their hole of hope.

...A tad crude, but I guess that's how she will send them on their way.

May we meet again someday.

Did Kay run into the kitchen again?

That she has.

But she's been acting oddly this time around.

How so?

She's been unusually silent since her return.

I'll go have a chat with her, then.

Kay.

Hmm?

Are you alright? Do you feel unwell?

Uhh... Dunno know how to describe it...

I've been feeling weird ever since I got back to the ship...

If that's the case, why don't we go to Medical together and let the doctors have a look?

...Don't wanna.

Why not?

I dunno why, but I feel like... I should wait here by myself.

Oh. Alright then. Go get some rest, okay?

Yeah.

Huh?!

Oww... My butt...

We're in... a kitchen?

Who are you?!

Get behind me, Amiya!

Be careful, everyone!

Looks like High Priest sent us somewhere where they're not too friendly.

High Priest? Who are you—