Letter from an Old Friend
Lea: Haaaah! Well enough! That, as they say, is that. Shall we back to the castle now?
Elisanne: I continue to be impressed by your skills, Lea. There is much I can learn from you.
Euden: Me too. (Still, I can't get over the fury in her expression when she fights fiends. She's like a whole different person!)
Elisanne: Hmm? Oh, I think you dropped something. It looks like an old doll of some kind?
Lea: Ah! Th-that's mine!
Elisanne: Here you are, then.
Lea: Thank you so much, Elisanne.
Euden: Looks like it's pretty important to you.
Lea: I have many a treasured memory associated with this doll. Merely looking at it reminds me of why I still fight.
Euden: Oh?
Lea: ...It matters not. Let us hurry back.
Euden: Well, if you say so.
Cleo: Welcome back, everyone. Please make certain to wash your hands before you eat. ...Especially you, Ranzal! Ah, Lea. A letter and parcel arrived for you earlier.
Lea: Oh, heavens!
Euden: Is it important?
Lea: This comes from an old friend of mine who now makes a living traveling the world as a mercenary.
"I'm sorry for not contacting you in so long, Lea. I'm living the way I always did—fighting to protect the things I care about." "I heard you're serving at the Halidom now, so I enclosed a little congratulatory gift. I hope your new friends enjoy it."
Lea: That parcel must be the gift.
Ranzal: Let's see... Whoa! It's crammed full'a tasty-lookin' berries!
Lea: Heh. I'm glad you like it. Now then, let us see about the rest of this letter...
"There is something else I need to tell you. Do you recall the ebon fiend from ten years ago? The one we thought vanished?"
Lea: No!
Cleo: Er, are you all right, Lea?
Lea: ...Forgive me, Cleo, but I shall be missing dinner. I fear I have lost my appetite.
Elisanne: Whatever came over her?
Ranzal: *chump* *horf* These berrief are GREAT! ...Muh? Oh hey, there's another letter hiding' at the bottom of the package. It's addressed to "Lea's New Friends." I'm guessin' that's us, yeah?
Euden: Well, let's see what it says...
Lea: ...Enter.
Euden: I'm sorry for coming so late at night, but we need to talk.
Lea: About the letter, yes?
Euden: Yes. I actually heard about the ebon fiend back when I lived in the palace. It was said to have terrorized the continent before being defeated in battle by a brave knight who lost his life in the process. That knight led a unit dedicated to the slaying of fiends, so I'm guessing you knew him at least somewhat?
Lea: He was my father. Ten years ago, he and his knights were returning to the capital when they encountered the ebon fiend attacking an impoverished village. They attempted to put it to the sword, but its strength was beyond measure. Regardless, my father refused to give in. He did all he could to gain the villagers time enough to escape.
Euden: They were saved thanks to his efforts, and the wounded creature stumbled off never to be seen again.
Lea: It was said to be a most fearsome battle. We did not even have a body to bury. All that was returned to us was this doll, which I had made for him as a charm.
Euden: So that doll is a memento.
Lea: Looking at it always reminds me of the anger and sadness I felt upon learning of my father's death.
Euden: Did you join the knights to avenge him?
Lea: I told myself I was becoming a knight because I admired his way of life and wanted to follow in his footsteps... but that is not the whole of it. I despise fiends with all of my being. So when you suggest revenge as a motive, you are not entirely wrong.
Euden: ......
Lea: My friend's letter mentioned rumors that the ebon fiend has returned once more. If true, I would be the one to slay it. Even if it comes at the cost of my life.
Euden: I can see how much it means to you.
Lea: Don't worry. I have no intention of causing problems for any of your people. This is my fight, and I will take it on alone.
Euden: No. Let us help you.
Lea: But why? This is a personal matter.
Euden: If a fiend is wreaking havoc across the continent, that's EVERYONE'S fight.
Lea: And yet, I would still be dragging you into a fight of my own designs, and I could never abide such.
Euden: At this point, I don't think you can stop us from helping—especially since your friend specifically asked us to.
Lea: What?
Euden: We got a letter as well. It read in part, "I am too far away to help, so you must do so in my place—no matter how much she might protest."
Lea: Fie!
Euden: He also expressed doubts as to whether he should have told you about the ebon fiend's return at all. But he knew word of it would most likely reach you one way or the other. That's why he told you, but also why he asked us to help out. He clearly cares for you very much.
Lea: *sigh* What a meddlesome friend I have. But I suppose you're right. Approaching this fight with the expectation of losing wouldn't be very knightly. Allow me to make a formal request. Your Highness, pray help me find the ebon fiend and avenge my father!
Euden: We'd be happy to.
Lea: You have my thanks.
Euden: If you're going to thank anyone, thank your friend.
Lea: I definitely should. No matter how much time passed or how far apart we were, it seems he has never forgotten me. A fact for which I am most grateful.
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