Well, would you look at that.
I'm here for first time in a while because I was craving salt-grilled seafood...
And what a terrible mess I find.
Did I make it?
Where am I?
Oh, I see you're awake.
I'm glad you survived.
What's going on? I didn't sense him at all.
And the way he's dressed... How can I say it?
Doesn't he have anything else to wear?
No, that shouldn't be the first thing out of my mouth.
My name is Abel. You saved me, didn't you? I'm most grateful.
Oh, you've nothing to thank me for. All I did was bring you home.
That said, you were the only one left. I'm sorry, but everyone else was...
Ah, so others washed up with me, did they?
Not to worry. They were smugglers.
Smugglers?
For now, why don't we have something to eat?
We can talk over a meal. My name is Ryo.
You have no other clothes?
That's right. And without thread or cloth, I can't make any.
Come now. Surely you could just go and buy—
Of course he can't procure necessities if he's without money.
Have I just offended the man I owe my life?
There aren't any other people around here, much less towns.
Really?
Then I take it you got this food by hunting.
I did.
Well, it's delicious.
Did you use that knife?
The knife is more for self-defense or cleaning what I catch.
Usually...
Water, be born.
I'm a water magician.
Magic, eh? Even in the Central Provinces, only about half of the people can use it.
I can't, for the record.
Half? Michael said 20 percent...
Something the matter?
Oh, no, it's nothing.
I see.
Ryo, there's something I'd like to confirm. Would you show me to the coast?
So, Ryo... You said you're a magician, yes?
Don't you need a staff?
A staff? I don't have one.
Another blunder! Of course he's lost his staff, living in this kind of poverty...
There I go again.
Ryo, if we run into trouble, allow me to take the front line.
You can stay behind me.
Oh, I couldn't...
Please. It's the least I can do.
It'll tarnish my reputation if I'm always the one being saved.
Ah, okay... I'll be counting on you if it comes to that, then.
The bodies are gone.
Either they were eaten or washed out to sea.
Which means if you hadn't saved me, I likely would've met the same fate.
Then I'd say you're pretty lucky, Mr. Abel.
I'll try to think of it that way.
By the way, Ryo... There's no need to be so polite.
It doesn't sit right with me to have the man who saved me calling me "mister."
But you seem older, Mr. Abel...
Then again, if that's what you want... Okay, Abel.
Yeah. Thanks.
That's how I am with all my friends. I prefer it that way.
Friends...
I couldn't find what I was looking for.
That's a shame. What are you going to do now?
I should try to rendezvous with my friends.
The town of Lune would be a good start, but I think I've been swept pretty far south.
I'm not sure where this "Lune" place is,
but I think getting there would mean quite a trek northward.
I see. I suppose I must brace myself.
Say, Ryo, would you come with me?
Sorry, I know that was sudden.
Think of it as... I know, as a job! I could use your help.
I honestly have no idea where I am or the faintest clue how to reach Lune.
So I could use a guide.
What say you?
A guide... to town?
Understood.
I'll need to prepare, so if you don't mind leaving tomorrow, you have yourself a guide.
Wonderful, Ryo! Thank you.
And here I was set up so nicely for the slow life...
You're saying goodbye? At this hour?
Yeah. They're only around at this time, so...
I want to let them know I'll be away awhile.
I see. Be careful out there.
I thought he said no one lived around here.
I guess he could be paying his respects to a loved one.
There's no guarantee he's always been here alone,
and it's not my business to pry into.
There's something I need to tell you.
Starting tomorrow, I'll be away from the Forest of Rondo for a time.
I'm really grateful for all you've done.
It's thanks to you that I've been able to survive.
I appreciate it from the bottom of my heart.
Today will be our last spar, so I'm going to fight harder than I normally do.
Thank you so much!
For me?
Thank you again.
I'll wear it with pride.
Okay, let's be on our way.
Sure. Let's go.
I'll handle this. Stand back and watch, Ryo.
Combat Skill: Total Impalement!
Combat skills? What are those?
Ah, yes, of course a magician wouldn't know about them.
They're sort of like... techniques swordsmen and other people who fight with weapons use.
I see!
I can hear something up ahead.
Lizardfolk.
You know of them? They'll make for tough opponents in the marsh.
Let's detour through the woods.
Abel, I think the lizardfolk are following us.
Seriously? We'll have to fight them off here.
There are lots of them, too. I'll use my magic to fight.
But Ryo, your staff...
Icicle Lance 4!
More are coming, Abel.
R-Right.
Ryo, what's with that spell you just used?
I'm not sure what you're asking. It was Icicle Lance, a water spell.
I mean, you made four lances appear at once.
With spells, doesn't a single invocation yield a single casting?
That's what the wind magician I know says.
Perhaps it's different with wind magic, but this is pretty normal for water.
That seems strange... but no matter.
Let's get moving.
Before that...
Cup, arise. Water, come forth.
We should stay hydrated as we proceed.
Say, Ryo... wasn't the incantation the last time you conjured water, "Water, be born"?
W-Was it?
Maybe you're imagining things, Abel.
I've never seen money before!
Y-You don't say...
That's a single bronze florin, used in the Kingdom of Knightley, where Lune is.
Knightley? I like the sound of that!
S-Sure. In the Central Provinces, each mints their own coins,
but they all use the same denominations.
And the Kingdom of Knightley is part of these Central Provinces?
Yes. One of its three major nations.
The other two are the Debuhi Empire and the Handalieu Federation.
"Debuhi"?
Have you some problem with the empire?
No. The name just isn't very good.
R-Right. That's what concerns you, Ryo?
I mean, think of how much a nation's name matters to its people.
Would you ever want to say "I'm from Debuhi"?
Not me. Out of the question.
You feel really strongly about this...
The view has really opened up.
Yeah.
A stone?
Ice Wall.
We're surrounded.
Ryo, this is bad. We've stumbled into a rock golem nest.
That's a rock golem?
I always thought they were more humanoid, with arms and legs.
I'll try taking one of the closer ones.
You stay here.
Combat Skill: Total Impalement!
It's no use. They just grow back.
There's an attack I'd like to try. Do you mind?
Have at it.
In that case...
Ten-Layer Ice Wall.
Kinetic weapons sure are scary.
R-Ryo... what was that?
Two golems handled.
I'll use the same spell on the others.
This is the last one.
But why is it not moving anymore?
Maybe they absorb energy from the ground and,
now that it's knocked over, it can't keep moving?
And look here.
That's magic stone.
A big chunk too. And of a surprisingly vivid color.
This thing must've been defeating any monsters it came across for ages.
The spoils of our battle, I'd say.
I would've liked to collect them from the other rock golems as well, but...
That's not happening.
A giant... hippo?
I've never seen one in person before, but I think that's a behemoth.
Thinking of slaying it, Abel?
Absolutely not!
Incoming from that way too.
Those are wyverns!
Looks like we've got front-row seats to a monster war!
Except the behemoth is at a clear disadvantage.
I don't think BeheBehe is going to go down so easy.
Attagirl, BeheBehe!
What was that?
I'm pretty sure it was magic negation.
I was expecting Abel versus BeheBehe for the second round.
Don't be ridiculous!
Still, magic negation, eh? I've heard of traps in dungeons with such effects, but...
Dungeons?!
Are you interested in dungeons, Ryo?
Of course! I'd love to crawl through one someday.
This might work out perfectly, then.
The only dungeon in the Central Provinces lies in the town we're headed to, Lune.
What? And you've been keeping this secret from me, Abel?
No, that wasn't what my intention.
I just didn't know you were so invested in dungeons.
Unbelievable. This is just like you, Abel.
Is there anything else you forgot to tell me?
Well, surely you know about elves and dwarves, right?
By all means, give me details.
Dwarves are skilled smiths. And they're good in a fight.
Lune has a few of them.
I see. That's exactly what I pictured.
Based on what...?
As for elves, I'm pretty sure Lune only has one.
Most build settlements in the woods that they don't stray from.
I see. That's also just like I pictured.
Seriously, based on what?!
Once we're through these mountains, we should be approaching human territory.
Not that I mean to doubt you, Ryo, but where are you getting this info from?
Oh, well...
Another continent?
Indeed.
This land is surrounded by sea to the east, west, and south.
And to the north is a mountain range separating it from the next continent.
So it's unlikely you'll ever encounter any humans coming southward
from their territory in the north.
It's better not to know.
Let's just call it a source of knowledge beyond human ken.
I see...
Abel.
Right.
Abel!
I'm glad we survived that.
You can say that again.
Still, that thing really left an impression.
Yeah. I doubt we would've lived to tell the tale if we'd fought it.
Humans weren't made to fight such beasts!
There haven't been reports of anyone running into behemoths or gryphons for centuries.
Something's wrong with this place.
That's a rude way of putting it!
Maybe humans aren't trying hard enough.
Trying hard enough to do what?
I'd wager mountains have been keeping behemoths and gryphons
out of human territory.
The north...
Something wrong, Ryo?
I thought the wyverns that fought BeheBehe flew in from the north.
Which would mean...
Congratulations, Abel. There they are.
I didn't ask for this!
So, what do we do now?
We're not fighting?
Wyverns are too much for just the two of us.
When hunting them, it usually takes twenty experienced adventurers to handle them.
And even then, there are still casualties.
I get the feeling we'll be encountering quite a few, though.
We might not be able to avoid combat.
Say what you will, but...
Would it be easier to fight them if they were pinned to the ground?
That'd definitely be better, since I could actually reach them with my sword.
That settles it, then.
Hey!
I guess we're doing this...
Spear of ice which pierces all. Descend from the heavens and impale my enemies.
Icicle Lance 4!
Combat Skill: Total Impalement!
Abel.
R-Right!
I'm shocked by how easy that was.
Would you prefer a life-and-death battle to make your heart race?
No! I most certainly would not.
That was perfect, in fact. Let's stick with this plan.
Well, as long as you're satisfied, Abel, sure.
Okay, Ryo, let's take down that entire wyvern flock.
You really are a combat junkie...
Shut up!
They're in the way, so it's merely a matter of fighting them now or later!
Let's keep slaying them as we go!