[door creaks]
[CLEMENTINE] It's about time you showed up,
I was starting to get worried something bad had happened.
Shame on you for making me wait.
Oh, sorry.
The shop will open in the morning.
Hey! Do you not know who this woman is?
[CLEMINTINE cackles] 'Course he doesn't.
Or he'd be running away.
Huh?
Nphirea! Get behind us.
Your affinity for magical items is exactly
what I need for my plans.
I want you to summon an army of the undead just for me.
What?
Whether you like it or not,
you'll wear the Crown of Wisdom. So you might as well come along.
It'll be fun. Whaddya say?
Who the hell are you?
[CLEMENTINE] I'm the last person
who's going to see you boys alive.
After you've all suffered a slow and painful demise,
your friend and I are going to cast a spell.
We're going to release an undead army together.
There's no way to control the amount
of creatures that I'm planning on raising from the grave,
so be prepared for utter chaos.
I've waited so long for this power!
[yells]
Leave now. Run away as fast as you can.
I can't.
Ninya. You need to flee as well.
Huh?
Take the boy and go!
We won't allow this lady to capture either of you.
They're right.
Your big sister is counting on you
to rescue her from those aristocrats.
Slip away while you still have a chance.
You guys...
[laughs] This is just the saddest scene.
As if anyone could escape.
There's not even the slightest chance that it could happen.
[ADVENTURERS gasp]
Stop playing around.
[CLEMENTINE whines] Oh, all right, fine,
but did you place the spell
that will cover up their screams?
I'd like to take my sweet time playing with
one of them at the very least. 'Kay?
[whimpers]
[NINYA] Save us, Momon.
[AINS] Sorry that took so long.
I don't mind waiting.
[AINS] The request was approved.
From now on, you shall be called Hamusuke.
Take great pride in the name, I shall.
It talks!
[gasps]
How cute!
How can a copper plate even afford that creature?
Well, I've heard that he's wearing a disguise.
And he's actually a famous adventurer.
[LIZZY] Hey, I know you.
Aren't you the man my grandson hired to accompany him
on his herb gathering trip?
[AINS] Hm?
I am Nphirea's grandmother. The pharmacist Lizzy Ballear.
[AINS] Oh, yes.
You are correct, we were the ones who traveled
to Carne Village with him.
I am Momon and this is my partner Nabe.
This animal is--
Hamusuke. My name, it is.
The Wise King of the Forest, I used to be.
Absurd, you're an overgrown rodent.
Am I supposed to believe this is the legendary
King of the Forest?
[FOREST KING] Mm-hm!
[AINS] It is.
He was out of control and confronted us
during our mission with your grandson.
But I beat him into submission.
Shocking. Did Nphirea make it back okay?
[AINS] Yes, he should be at the store by now with his herbs.
We were about to make our way over there to collect
the payment for a job well done.
That's where I'm heading. Care to escort a fair maiden?
[AINS] It would be my pleasure.
[LIZZY] Nphirea! Mr. Momon is here for his reward.
Where is that boy hiding?
[AINS] Something's not right.
[gasps] What's wrong?
[AINS] Where does this lead?
To the room where we store medicinal herbs.
[AINS gasps]
[LIZZY gasps]
These men have been murdered!
[ADVENTURERS groaning, growling]
They're zombies!
--[AINS grunts] --[LUKURT, PETER groan]
[DYNE growls]
--[AINS grunts] --[DYNE groans]
I don't see Nphirea.
[AINS] That's because he's not here.
[LIZZY] Nphirea!
[AINS] Keep Lizzy safe.
[NARBERAL] I'm right behind her.
[AINS] Ninya.
[AINS] Why leave only him alive? What the...
[LUKRUT] "Throwing a girl into the mix
would be distracting."
[AINS] So that's how it was.
[AINS] Whoever did this... will pay.
[AINS] Stabbed through the head.
[LIZZY] I've looked everywhere! My grandson isn't here.
[AINS] It doesn't look like the perpetrators stole
anything from their packs.
So that means Nphirea was the only thing they came for.
Who were these poor men that got killed?
[AINS] Adventurers that came along with us
on your grandson's quest.
I'm sorry about your friends.
[AINS] I barely knew them.
This was the first job we ever did together.
Oh.
[AINS] How do you want to handle this?
Whaddya mean?
[AINS] You want to find Nphirea, right?
We're dealing with at least a third tier spell caster.
One that decided to use Create Undead on these men
instead of just hiding the bodies.
Which is odd, since that would have given them
a bigger head start.
The culprits were confident that they would get away.
And wanted to advertise the power they possess
and are willing to use.
These are dangerous people.
We need to act quickly if we want to find them.
You need to make a request.
Huh?
[AINS] The right person would make quick work
of this spellcaster.
What happened here was a tragedy.
But you are lucky, Ms. Lizzy Balear.
I happen to be the only adventurer in town strong enough
to rescue your grandson.
And I'm currently in between missions.
If you want to save Nphirea, make a request
and I may just accept your offer.
You can have whatever you want.
Just go save him, bring my Nphirea home!
[AINS] I will. But my services are not cheap.
Do you have the means to pay my fee?
How much would you charge an old lady?
[AINS] Everything.
What?
[AINS] I'll take all that you possess.
You fiend!
I've heard tales of demons that make deals with humans
for their very souls.
Is that what you're asking of me now?
Are you two really demons?
[AINS] Would you not be willing to pay that price
for his life? It would be a shame to lose
such a talented young man.
[growls]
[AINS] Time's ticking away and I need an answer.
Make it quick.
You win. Consider yourself hired, devil.
Take whatever you want from me.
[AINS] The first thing we need to do is locate
where Nphirea is being held.
[NARBERAL] How will we figure that out?
[AINS] The criminals made one mistake.
Although they didn't steal any valuables,
they took the time to remove each man's adventurer plate.
Any guesses why that is?
The plates are worthless. So I'm not sure.
--[AINS] I'll explain. --[beeping]
[ENTOMA] Lord Ains?
[AINS] Entoma.
[ENTOMA] I have some information.
[AINS] You caught me at a bad time.
I'm in the middle of something right now,
but I'll notify you when I'm available.
[ENTOMA] Certainly, master. Also,
Lady Albedo asks that you contact her.
[AINS] As I was saying.
The plates were taken as hunting trophies.
I'm assuming the culprit collects them as souvenirs.
Which is lucky for us since we now have
something to track. We'll use the Locate Object scroll.
[AINS] You already know how to use it.
Let's find ourselves some plates.
I'll activate it now.
[AINS] Hold on.
The enemy may have set the counter spell Detect Locate.
So we need to cast Fake Cover and Counter Detection
to break through any defenses they may have prepared.
[AINS] Hm. There's no way
for them to hide from all these spells.
So, start whenever you're ready, Narberal.
"Fake Cover."
"Counter Detection."
[MOMONGA] We have to be careful.
Collecting information with magic is dangerous.
This encounter may end in a Player Kill.
And if that happens, we need to be overly prepared for it.
The Player's Handbook that Punitto Moe wrote taught me
the importance of attacking hard and fast.
[NARBERAL] "Locate Object"!
[NARBERAL] Right here.
[AINS] That's in the middle of the cemetery.
A fitting choice.
Please cast Clairvoyance and Crystal Monitor
at the same time. I want to see for myself.
"Clairvoyance"! "Crystal Monitor"!
[AINS] I see Nphirea. Among the undead.
And I can sense the ones that stole the plates.
They are nearby.
What are your orders?
We could teleport there and attack immediately.
Or use magic and launch an assault from the sky.
[AINS] Don't be foolish.
[gasps]
[AINS] An army of the undead is ready
for such a reckless attack.
Whoever woke up that many men from their graves
has something big planned for them. That's good news.
Our names will spread far and wide once we save Nphirea,
and stop whatever grand scheme they're trying to pull.
[AINS] Unfortunately, we have to move fast
and have no time to research their plan further.
We've finished.
What have you discovered?
[AINS] They have fled into the cemetery.
Is my grandson there?
[AINS] Yes.
He's being guarded by a large legion of the undead.
[gasps]
[AINS] Don't be scared.
Nabe and I can handle them, but a few undead
may escape the grounds.
That's why we need you to let the townsfolk
and Adventurer's Guild know what's happening.
We are headed to the cemetery now, so you need to be quick.
Hold it. Just how do you plan on defeating
such a large army of the undead?
[AINS] With this weapon right here.
[SOLDIER 8A] Looks like another uneventful night.
It's been awhile since we've seen any action.
--Even the undead --[groaning]
--have been quiet. --[groaning]
Huh? What was that noise?
Nice try, man, stop trying to--
Be quiet. I think I heard it again.
It's just in your head.
[SOLDIER 8C] Hey! Something's coming!
I don't believe it.
[SOLDIER 8A] It's an entire army.
[CAPTAIN 8A] I've never seen this many undead at once.
There's at least 1,000 of 'em!
Notify the reserves, quickly!
We'll try to hold them off the gate until backup arrives.
[SOLDIERS gasp]
[gasps, grunts]
Get... off me!
[UNDEAD 8B growls]
[SOLDIER 8D yelps]
[SOLDIER 8E grunts]
[SOLDIER 8F grunts]
[UNDEAD 8D growls]
[CAPTAIN 8A] Damn! There's too many!
[CAPTIAN 8A] Retreat!
Huh? An adventurer? Thank goodness.
Damn, he's just a useless copper plate!
Leave before you get killed!
[AINS] Nabe. My sword.
Look up. You'll want to see this.
[CAPTAIN 8A] Huh?
[growling]
[AINS grunts]
[UNDEAD GIANT 8A groans]
[CAPTAIN 8A] Uh... Who are you people?
[AINS] Open the gate.
You have a death wish?
There's an entire legion of undead on the other side!
[AINS] I know.
Don't worry about a thing. Momon is here to save you all.
Huh?
[AINS] Fine then.
If you won't open the gate, I'll just have to improvise.
[FOREST KING] Don't worry 'bout me!
I'm right behind you, Lady Nabe!
Through thick and thin, Hamusuke will be by your side!
That he shall!
[SOLDIERS, CAPTAIN 8A gasp]
[CAPTAIN 8A] Wait. It can't be.
[gasps]
What is it?
The voices of the undead just... stopped.
[SOLDIER 8B] It's not possible.
There's no way they defeated that many undead
all by themselves.
[SOLDIER 8C] That man. What was his name again?
Momon, I think. I've never heard of him before.
And we're sure he was only a copper plate?
Seems wrong.
Well, I wonder if he's the fabled
adamantite plate I've heard rumors about.
[CAPTAIN 8A] Whatever he is,
we just witnessed a myth in the making.
The legend of a raven black warrior
who becomes a hero!
[roars]
[AINS grunts]
--[UNDEAD groaning] --[AINS grunting]
[FOREST KING] So sorry.
Cause you this much trouble, I did not mean to.
Stop wiggling around, will you?
It's hard enough to carry you as it is.
[AINS] All undead creatures are naturally drawn
towards the living.
If you were down here, they'd try to overwhelm us.
So embarrassing, this is.
[UNDEAD ARMY groaning]
[AINS] Damn.
It's going to take us forever to cut through this pack.
I agree.
We should ask Nahzahreek to send help.
[AINS] Definitely not.
That would defeat our entire purpose
for accepting this quest.
[NARBERAL] If we wish to become renowned,
shouldn't we wait for an incident
that claims more human lives?
People would have a greater respect for our power
in a situation like that.
[AINS] The enemy's goal is to take over the town.
The capital is too important to be under the control
of an outlaw. I would have approached
this situation differently if I'd been better informed.
But there was no time to spare.
Yes, of course.
You are right as usual, Lord Ains.
Please forgive me for questioning your strategy.
I should have expected this level of foresight
from a Supreme Being like yourself.
By the way, would you mind alleviating
my naivety on another related matter?
I don't understand why we didn't send in
forces with stealth skills ahead of us.
They would have killed most of the undead,
then we could have swooped in and finished off
the strongest opponents at our leisure.
[AINS] How will you ever learn if I always tell you
the answer, Nabe? Try figuring it out yourself!
Yes. I will endeavor to improve.
[AINS] That said, we don't have time for leisure now.
We need to make a path.
And I think I know what will do the trick.
"Summoning second tier undead. Jack the Ripper"!
[JACK THE RIPPER cackles]
[AINS] "Corpse Collector"!
[JACK THE RIPPER cackles]
[AINS] Attack!
[JACK THE RIPPER cackles]
[CORPSE COLLECTOR roars]
Wow. Unstoppable, they are.
[AINS] Now then. Let's continue.
[KHAJIT FOLLOWERS, KHAJIT chanting] Mooway Oko Ube Doka...
[FOREST KING] Master! Creepy place, it is.
Scared to be left alone, I am.
[KHAJIT FOLLOWER 8A] Master Khajit, they're here.
[AINS] Nice. Now I have a name.
Greetings! Are you enjoying your night, Khajit?
[gasps, growls]
[gasps]
[AINS] Go have fun and stop wasting your time
on a dull ritual.
[KHAJIT] Hmph. There's nothing dull about this ritual.
As you'll soon witness.
Since you now know my name, how about sharing yours?
[AINS] We're just adventurers out doing a job.
I'm sure you've seen the boy we're looking for.
Make it easy and show us where he's hidden.
[KHAJIT FOLLOWERS gasp]
[AINS] While you're at it,
point me in the direction of your friend.
The one that carries the piercing weapon.
Surely they're not too scared to face me.
Or maybe they are only brave enough to fight the weak?
[CLEMENTINE] You took the time to examine the corpses.
Smart guy.
Go back in.
Khaji, this fella has figured us out.
There's no point in hiding anymore.
Aw, come on.
Don't you wanna tell sweet lil' ole' me your name?
Huh? My name's Clementine.
The pleasure's mine.
[AINS] I'm your executioner. Call me Momon.
Oh! You're confident.
Tell me, how you figured out that we came to the cemetery?
[AINS] Why, it was you who led us here.
Open up your cloak.
Whoa! Hey!
Now you're making me blush.
And I like it. Looking for these?
[AINS] Those plates are the reason I was able
to track you so easily.
[AINS] Nabe.
Sir.
[AINS] Please exterminate Khajit and his followers for me.
I'm going to take care of this woman myself.
It will be done.
[AINS] Keep an eye on the sky.
Lord.
[AINS] Clementine.
Let's finish our business over here if you don't mind.
Okay!
This girl is harmless.
"Cast Twin Maximize Magic"!
What?!
"Electrosphere"!
[KHAJIT cackles] Impressive.
How annoying.
Why don't you just roll over and die
like a good little rodent?
[CLEMENTINE humming]
I guess those men I killed in town
were friends of yours, is that right?
Did you come here to avenge them or something stupid like that?
[giggles] Did you notice the magic caster
was really a girl? She kept insisting that someone
would come to rescue them.
But I got bored of waiting around.
[AINS] I barely knew those adventurers.
Really? That's disappointing.
I was so looking forward to all the whining about
how they meant so much to you and I had no right to kill them.
Please say you're not going to have
one of those boring deaths.
I can't get hard if you're not angry.
[AINS] This isn't vengeance.
They were in your way and needed to be dealt with.
I would have done the same thing in your shoes.
It would be hypocritical to condemn you.
That being said, by killing them, you've robbed me
of valuable assets. They were vital components in my plans.
In other words... You're in my way!
[CLEMENTINE] Fabulous.
I promise there's no way you can defeat me
by yourself, though.
It's a shame you left your spellcaster with Khaji.
He gets to kill her. No fun for me.
[AINS] Nabe can take you out just as easily as I can.
You're hilarious!
All it takes is a slice and a quick stab.
I've killed plenty of magic users that way.
[AINS] Impressive.
I know all the people strong enough
to fight me in this country.
There's a person from Blue Rose and one from Drop of Red.
Then probably Gazef Stronoff. And maybe Brain Unglaus.
[AINS] Ha. Thanks for the information.
Sounds like you need to be given a handicap.
Consider it a sympathetic parting gift from me to you.
[growls] You must not have a brain underneath
that helm of yours if you think you can talk to me
like that and get away with it.
The inhuman Lady Clementine doesn't
lose brawls to nobodies like you.
You're about to learn why people fear me!
[AINS] I see nothing to be scared of.
You're a joke. Now shut up and fight!
[AINS] I finally find the person that I had been seeking.
She's hiding deep within the heart of the cemetary.
The fool who destroyed The Swords of Darkness,
some of my most valuable assets thus far,
is a psychotic female fighter named Clemintine.
She uses her signature, "Stiletto,"
to torture and maim her prey, and even claims her skills
have surpassed human limitations.
Well... I'll have to show her what it really means
to be inhuman.
Chapter nine: "The Dark Warrior."