act39side

That was a long day, learning to catch saltfins with Señor Rus... Ow, my aching shoulders...

Mm, yes, that's the spot.

Nene stomps even harder on Isidro's back as he inhales and exhales deeply.

Nene...

Mm-ph!

Never mind, you wouldn't understand.

...It's not like I don't want to help you all.

When I was little, a beggar taught me a few tricks, just to earn scraps on the streets.

But when I met my mentor, he told me those weren't tricks.

It was alchemy.

Mm... hmph...

I was fascinated by alchemical studies. It earned me praise from my mentor, and recognition from my peers.

And most importantly, I was no longer a street urchin with nothing to my name.

I was worth something.

That is, until I learned the most fundamental nature of that school of alchemy...

Isidro pauses. Nene stops stomping and looks up perplexedly.

You can never abandon what you have, Isidro.

You fear you will go back to having nothing if you fail.

But the nature of alchemy is to achieve your goal, devoting everything to it, no matter the cost.

The stakes, everything... The return, a chance.

Why is it that only our alchemy was used to sail the seas? Because the ocean demands such quality.

Sensing Isidro's depression, Nene lies down on his back and chirps gently.

Rus was right. You all just want to live a decent life. Repairing the compass and going to sea... It's not worth the risk.

But I'm curious... how exactly is Juana's compass constructed?

The Corazonix inside... does it truly point towards whatever your heart yearns for the most, as the stories say?

If I just had the chance to study it...

Did you fall asleep?

I'm curious. What's going on in my own heart?

Flowers?

Doctor Añora was the first to plant them in town, decades ago. For use in ointments.

Ah... I have seen them before, in the halls of the Bastión de Cánticos.

I've never been.

All I know is that it is the first flower to bloom from the salted earth of Aarón, after so many years of being besieged by the sea.

The townsfolk used to give me these, as a token of appreciation I think.

Now, I feel I should be offering them to you.

No, señor, I am unworthy.

Had you not taken those... measures towards the caravans, to obtain the predator burdenbeasts...

We could never have gone after those despicable bandits in the Salt Flat.

I did no more than what must be done.

Your duty, of course.

I believe you mentioned you are after a forbidden relic the bandits have stolen.

What sort of relic could it possibly be, to bring you all the way to this barren land?

A... compass.

There are thousands of antique compasses from old Iberia.

None like this. This one corrupts the heart.

It points towards the user's deepest desires, dredged from the depths of the heart... Or so it is said.

But those who cast their eyes towards such base desires can never turn back.

It drives them to theft, robbery, murder. They cannot stop themselves, try as they might.

...You really think so?

It is simply the truth.

Is this what you've been preaching to the townsfolk these past few days?

It was not I who preached. The people here already understood this truth, more profoundly than I ever have.

Someone had already revealed it to them. Perhaps you?

...Yes, it was me.

It was I who issued those prohibitions.

Why stop then? Why lift the prohibition?

Look at this town. No one here dares touch the new goods and technologies that the caravans bring. No one dares leave their house after dark.

They dare not fill their stomachs... even in years of plenty.

Every word I used to shackle these poor people has continued to shackle them.

They see it differently.

Was it not your deeds that helped them lay aside their dreams and laments for wealth and power. Was it not your words that encouraged them to take up the hoe and the scythe?

Times have changed, Señor Alguacil.

Times never change, Señor Calificador.

The deepest desires of the heart should never be probed. Not by anyone, not anywhere.

Never.

Saltfins ahoy!

Two meters wide, eighteen long!

Now that's a big one. Chase 'em down!

Full speed ahead! Harpoons ready!

Hard to port! Full speed!

Harpoons up! Hey, ho!♪

In the waves the big one rolls!♪

Stomp the planks! Hoist the sails!♪

Drown the high wind's wail!♪

Hey, ho! Up we go!♪

Before the sun sinks low!♪

Wha'cha watching from a corner for, chaval?

Oh, nothing...

Ugh!

Watch yourself. But the shaking is a good thing. Means we're getting close.

Where'd the boss put you? Reeling in the net from here, or joining the hunt in the salts?

Señora Juana won't let me leave the ship.

I don't get it. With your swordhand, you'd be way more useful in the hunt.

She didn't give me any particular job either. Just told me to do whatever I can.

Weird. She's usually so detailed.

Maybe the standards are laxer for the new guy?

I see it!

Finshit... that's a BIG one...

Lower the boat! Don't let it get away!

Wait, it's turning!

Full rudder! It's running into us!

Not in the best mood, big guy? Well, <i>my</i> mood couldn't be better.

Change of plans, Perlita. Javier stays aboard. I'll lead the hunt myself.

But señora, you haven't led a hunt in ages.

Do as I say!

Javier! Come back! Take the helm!

It's too dangerous, señora!

This one's too much for you, Javi. Stay on the ship. I need you to work with me.

Then what should I do?

See that salt reef in the shape of a tongue? Herd it there with salt rounds. I'll handle the rest.