Different Minds, Same Choice
...This is where we part ways.
...Yeah.
So this is where the road splits.
The right path leads back to Kalaid, and the left leads back to NOA.
From here... I guess we'll be taking different paths.
...Trish, shall we make a promise?
A promise?
Let's promise... not to resent each other for the choices we make.
Ahaha! All right! I promise...!
...
...Have you made your decision?
...Yes.
I'm not happy about it, but there's no helping it, is there?
Yeah. You're right.
There's no helping it.
I know the people of Kalaid could be in danger...
But we can't force each other to risk our lives to help them, can we?
I think at least one of us... should go back to NOA.
Someone needs to get back quickly and report what's happening here.
And thank you too, miss maid.
You even saved our lives, so we owe you big time—h-huh?
...
...Huh?
She was standing right behind us just a moment ago... When did she disappear...?
A-argh! I should've at least asked her name so I could find her later and repay her!!
Heh. Bell.
You've already reached the point where you have such an adorable junior.
...We're only cooperating temporarily. Our ultimate goals aren't the same.
As long as the Cycle is broken in the end, I don't care which way the wind blows.
Haha. That junior of yours from Candle Square and her friend... I wonder if they can pull it off.
But if they fail... if their precious lives come to an end in Kalaid...
Bell, will you shed tears for them like you did back then?
But that, too, can't be helped. That's how... you grow stronger.
...When we meet again... I wonder what you'll be like...
...I'm curious.
Hey, Emily.
Yes...?
Good luck.
I wish you fortune in battle.
...
...
Trish.
...What is going on?
That's what I was about to ask...!
Why are you coming this way?
Because I thought you were the one who chose to go back to NOA!
What are you talking about? You're the one who said it.
That you weren't happy about it, but there was no helping it.
What else could that mean except that you were going back?
And what about you...?!
You said one of us should go to NOA!
Obviously, I thought you'd be the one going!
Why would I?
My mission is to uncover the truth hidden at the Kalaid branch.
I cannot return before completing my mission!
And if a Candle Square maid doesn't stop a conspiracy being carried out by Candle Square, then who will?
Besides...
The mysterious black stones and that strange boulder... Candle Square consumed by a vast conspiracy and sinister energy...
Powerful enemies hidden in the shadows, and fierce battles with our lives and the fate of Lavistar hanging in the balance...
*Huff...* *Huff...*
Uh, your face is red... Did you catch a cold or something?
Ahem! I-I'm perfectly fine.
More importantly, you don't even have a reason to put yourself in danger!
W-well...!
Because it'd obviously be cool!
...What?
A completely unrelated top-tier hunter just passing by...
Unable to ignore a terrible injustice, she throws herself into danger and defeats the villains...!
It's my chance to become the kind of hero who casually protects justice and order!
How could I pass that up...?!
Seriously...
I find your way of thinking difficult to understand.
Ghh...! Same goes for you, you know!
But... what else can we do? Guess it'll have to be the two of us.
Let's go. We may not have much time left.
Try not to fall behind...!
Emily, look at this. I secretly picked it up off the road earlier...
They've already put a bounty on me!
Doesn't look like they'll treat me kindly if they catch me, huh?
...Looks like they realized we went out hunting and haven't come back.
Hmm... Just wondering...
Do you have a good idea?
Can you collect your own bounty?
...What?
Wouldn't that be kind of cool?
A top-tier hunter boldly claiming the unjust bounty placed on her own head...! Something like that.
...
Ahaha. Kidding, kidding. You looked way too tense.
So... what do we do now?
If they catch us, we might get dragged away and disappear without a trace, just like those expedition members.
For now... let's head to Candle Square.
Seriously? There could be maids guarding the place.
Leave that problem to me.
I'll use the latest stealth technique I mastered during my mercenary days.
Ooh... The latest stealth technique? What's that?!
Area clear. No hostile forces detected.
This way.
...
Let's wait here for a moment.
...Trish, you're frowning.
Are you feeling unwell?
Y-you... Ghh...!
You said you were an expert at camouflage...!
You said I could trust you...!
What is this?!
How is putting a flowerpot on your head and holding a few branches supposed to be the latest stealth technique...?!
Even a rabbit would spot this and run away!
W-what are you talking about?!
This is the latest stealth technique I learned in my younger days with the Antares Mercenaries!
Then you learned it wrong! Or maybe you forgot the important parts again...!
I-I did not forget—
...Hmm. Now that I think about it, I may not have read the last few pages...
Ugh... See?! We'll just do it my way—
Shh...! Shhh! Someone's coming!
Bad... Savior... One cookie each...
Not two...!
Dirty... Clean... Make clean...
...This is bad. They'll spot us like this!
Even if they've lost their senses, there's no way this disguise will fool them...!
...If necessary, we may have no choice but to use force—
...!
...Call bell. Heard it. Follow orders...
You heard that bell just now, right?
...Yes. Clearly.
The moment they heard it, they moved without even looking anywhere else.
Let's follow them.
That place...
So this is... the annex...
Could there be something inside?
I'll go check.
Trish, be care—
Don't worry. Moving silently so prey doesn't notice is a hunter's specialty.
...!
No good. It's locked.
You can come out now. There's no one around.
...It must be because all the maids nearby went inside.
Hmm... That makes it even more suspicious.
I've got a feeling they're hiding something really important inside this annex!
But the door is locked.
We could probably force it open if we had to...
But then we'd never avoid drawing attention.
Y-yeah, that's true.
Hmm... Is there some other way?
...There is one.
What is it...?