Yeah, I don't think that's happening.
You need to think about this seriously, Kartatz!
Well, Mum's using her Isolation Barrier, right?
Do you really think you can break through that?
Mother is a high-class mage who, during the Seven Nations Era,
was one of the 24 transcendentals, and was acknowledged as
the Master of the Sacred Ruins from the Age of the Gods.
There's no way an ordinary mage like myself would stand a chance.
If you're calling yourself ordinary,
does that make the rest of the humans the lowest rank possible?
Aha! I've got it!
Big Bro...
Have you thought of a way to tear down the barrier?
No! I've figured out why Mother Dearest hit me!
I was merely an eyesore to her because of how deplorable I looked!
That must be it.
I will go see Mother Dearest again dressed like this.
Ah, yes. That's exactly what it was.
Oho, would you look at the time?
I'll catch you later.
I want to live to see another day, so...
Oh, well.
I guess I'll go pay Mum a visit.
I doubt it'll do any good, though.
Mister, this is great!
M-Mum?!
Oh? What's the matter, Kartatz?
Want some meat?
Meat?
Could I get two more, Mister?
What were we even worried about?
You've got it!
A Son, a Fight, a Journey, and Bandits
It's so good!
Sorry I made you worry.
Did you ever! You really holed up in your barrier?
I was feeling shocked about something, but then I got hungry.
After I ate something yummy, none of it mattered anymore.
There's no point in being sad or worrying about it.
Isn't it dumb?
Tell me about it. Both Big Bro and Sis looked like the world was about to end.
Be sure you go and say hi to them later.
Your Big Bro...
So the blonde guy who barged into my room...
really was Skargo.
That's the norm for him. Keep that in mind.
So that's normal for him, huh?
To think he's able to use the
Special Skill: Roses Scatter with Beauty so perfectly.
Oh, I know. I'll completely destroy his current personality,
and then install a decent one.
Now hang on, Mum! What the hell are you thinking?!
Despite how he is, he's done so much for the sake of this country!
So despite how he is, at least acknowledge how much he cares!
Kartatz...
Y-Yeah?
You're right.
I have no right to judge Skargo
by his looks when I'm the one who registered him with the Foster System.
As long as you get it.
I'm sorry.
A-Again! I'm not some kid!
Mum, you seem a bit different.
Yeah, I might be. I do have all of you now, after all.
I have no idea what you're talking about.
Even if all my player friends are gone, I still have a family.
That's more than enough right now.
Yeah... Thanks so much, Kartatz.
Seriously! I'm not a kid!
What's that noise?
Ah... I guess Sis and Big Bro are still fighting.
They're fighting? Well, I guess siblings do fight.
Sis and Big Bro put up a barrier in this room
so they could fight to their heart's content.
So, how are you going to calm them down?
Probably like this.
Isn't that...
Why are you always so...
Mai!
Three... two... one...
It's for Mother Dearest's sake!
Looks like that stopped it.
M-Mother Dearest...
Mother.
It looks like I worried you two.
I'm sorry.
Wait! Why are you apologizing to us, Mother?
Yes, Mai-Mai! This is all your fault!
How dare you worry Mother Dearest like this?!
You might want to be quiet for a bit, Big Bro.
I was caught up in selfish thoughts, got annoyed,
and ended up being cruel to all of you.
That makes me a failure as a mother.
I'm very sorry.
Mother Dearest, I'm terribly sorry.
I'm sorry, Mother.
I hope we can go back to how things used to be.
Yes, we all do.
We only have one Mum, after all.
Yes, of course, you three.
On that note...
Yes?
I have something else I'd like to discuss with Skargo and Mai-Mai.
Well, I think that's my cue to leave.
I've got so much work to do.
See you later, Kartatz.
Yup. Bye!
M-M-Mother?
Wh-Wh-What are you...
M-M-Mother Dearest, why are you so a-angry?
No using on magic on each other every time you fight.
As your mother, I guess I'll have to remind you of what should be common sense.
Oh, and we should discuss you using that Special Skill of yours, Skargo.
I'm so sorry, Mother!
Please forgive me, Mother Dearest!
Serves you both right.
Lady Cayna, would you like to go up north?
You mean to Helshper? Why?
We were hoping you'd be our bodyguard on our journey to Helshper.
We will pay you for your services, of course.
A bodyguard? Is Helshper that dangerous?
Yes, indeed. It is quite dangerous.
The main road that connects
the royal capital of Felskeilo and the royal capital of Helshper
with the trading route that runs west is currently closed.
So this time, we have to take this route across the river
and head to their royal capital that way.
The roads are closed? Was there a mudslide?
No, it's due to bandits.
Bandits, eh?
There is an old, rundown fort here.
Recently, bandits started using it as their base,
and they've expanded their operations from there.
I see.
Is there any way you'd consider?
Well...
I mean... it's not like I have anything in particular to do.
Going on a journey might be a nice change of pace.
All right. I'll take the job.
Thank you so much!
Mother! Make sure you come back!
Come on! I can't breathe!
I'll come right back after this job is done.
Big Bro got stuck in an important meeting and was crying because he couldn't be here.
Well, if Skargo did show up, it'd be troublesome in its own way.
Maybe it's better that he didn't come.
I sort of feel like it'd be a waste of time worrying about you anyway,
but be careful, Mum.
And make sure you don't get hurt on the job, Kartatz.
Got it!
U-Um, Sir Agaido and Pri—er, Primo also asked that you be careful.
Thanks, Lonti.
O-Of course. Please take care.
Oh, I just remembered. Here, Mother.
For me?
No, actually, I was wondering if you could deliver this to a person named Caerick
who's at a shop called Sakaiya in Helshper.
Sakaiya?
Sure. You have friends in Helshper?
Lady Cayna!
We're heading out, missy!
Oh, sure. Okay, I'm gonna go.
Was that letter for... those guys?
Yes. I'm sure Mother will be quite surprised.
Surprised? I'm pretty sure she'll faint.
Dwarf Power Type Mon.
I love my Mum.
There, there. There, there.
This is the Ejidd River.
Wow, it's kinda majestic.
So... how are we getting across this thing?
Until about six months ago, there was a simple bridge made of logs.
But a flood washed it away.
What?
Now, Lady Cayna, as for your services...
Wait...
We're counting on you.
What?!
You're putting all this on me?
Hmm...
I can't exactly fly with all of you.
Kee, would freezing the river work?
This would stop up the river's flow, like a dam,
which could actually cause everyone to be washed away.
Yeah...
In that case...
I guess we could all walk across the water.
There's no reason to be scared.
We won't sink.
That's not exactly reassuring.
This is rather impressive.
I've heard of this before, but... I can't believe we're actually walking on water.
Talk about a shock!
Looks like the wagons are doing fine, too.
We made it safely across.
Come on! Just a little bit more! You've got this!
Cut the ropes!
Th-That startled me. What was that?
Probably a laigayanma larva.
Larva? But that thing was bigger than a horse!
Yikes!
Looks like we've lost a horse.
The other horse is pretty spooked, too.
We didn't have any casualties among our party and our goods are safe,
so things are still acceptable.
But this isn't good.
There aren't any villages or cities around here where we can get a horse.
Indeed.
All right...
There, there, Cerberwoof.
How have you been, Centaur?
It has been far too long, my lady.
Yeah!
They seem frightened.
Yeah, I can see that. Why, though?
Wh-What the heck are those things?!
A cerberus and a centaur.
I figured they could pull the wagon.
No way! They're going to spook the other horses!
Really? They can't?
Of course not! Absolutely not!
Then our hands are tied, my lady.
Human folk never did take kindly to our ilk.
Not to mention...
Yeah?
I do beg your pardon, my lady,
but I'd rather not act as a pack horse.
Oh, okay. Then... hmm...
Well? It's cute enough that no one will have a problem, right?
Y-Yeah, maybe if it wasn't so big.
I'm sorry, Li'l P. Would you mind pulling the wagon?
Thank you!
Th-Then let us continue on our way.
We'll probably make it to the Helshper checkpoint by evening.
We'll camp out there tonight.
Yes, sir!
All right, let's go!
Our caravan is turning stranger by the minute.
Yeah, that's it! You're doing great, Li'l P!
Er... I can't say I've seen that beast before.
What's it called?
Huh? Oh, it's a baby crimson pig.
Huh?!
I hear they grow to be, like, 25 meters long.
Huh? But look how cute it is.
Isn't that right, Li'l P?
Be careful.
Malice ahead.
Please be on your guard. Something is wrong.
Halt!
Arbiter!
You noticed it, too, missy?
There's definitely something wrong here.
The checkpoint...
Hey! Show yourself!
Tch. Bandits.
Arbiter, I'll keep an eye on the back!
Yeah, I'm counting on you.
Please stay in the wagon, Elineh.
R-Right.
Can I leave the ones hiding around here to you two?
Leave it to me, my lady. Those scoundrels...
will be no more than rust on my spear when I'm done with them!
Your journey ends here.
We'll take real good care of that girl and your goods.
Don't think it'll be that easy.
What?
Hear my voice far and wide! Those nearby, come witness!
I am Heigl of the proud warrior tribe of centaurs!
Come on... Stop hogging the spotlight.
Wh-What the heck is that thing doing here?
Oh, he actually has a name.
This isn't a game. This is reality now.
So, what are you going to do?
Looks like your lackeys are all gone.
D-Damn it.
But I still have this!
Boot Up Fireball!
What're you aiming at?
Missy!
Ms. Cayna!
How'd you like that?! That's what you get for defying me!
Are you a fool? Like that measly little fireball could do anything to our lady.
Huh?
Come forth, beauty of ice and snow!
Wh-Wh-Wha...
If you actually want to hurt me,
you're gonna have to pull off a spell of at least this size.
Magic Skill: Convert: Liza la Giga!
B-But that's something that gets hurled at the demon lord in fairy tales!
Splendid work, my lady.
You're amazing, missy!
I mean, I knew you were amazing,
but I can't believe you're unscathed after taking that attack.
Wait, what's wrong? Are you actually hurt?
Well... My hair got a little singed.
Oh, come on! Don't scare me like that.
I thought you were really hurt.
All right. First, we gotta get rid of the dead bodies.
Then we'll set up camp on the other side of the checkpoint.
You were a big help, Lady Cayna.
I knew it was a wise decision to hire you as our bodyguard.
So some bandits from the west made their way down here.
It appears so.
To think they had something like that in their possession...
We mustn't underestimate them.
That thing's disposable, but it can fire that same attack seven more times.
You could probably sell it for a nice profit.
We couldn't. I'd much rather just give that thing to Sir Arbiter
than have it fall into the hands of someone potentially dangerous.
What? We have to hang on to this thing?
Then how about I make you a brand-new one that can shoot about thirty shots?
They're super convenient.
Don't even think about it!
Please don't make anything of the sort!
Huh? R-Really?
Thank goodness Ms. Cayna's on our side.
That's what's giving you peace of mind?
Unlike the game, when we get hurt, we bleed and suffer...
and when we die, we don't come back to life.
This is my reality right now.