Reap What You Sow
No matter how hard I tried, Trish's habit of fighting recklessly was stubborn as ever.
Because of that, every time we went on a quest together, we'd end up bickering and arguing like clockwork.
Ugh! You're so noisy!
If you're just gonna stand there nagging my ear off, why'd you even come along?
Because I'm your Captain!
Ugh...
Anyway! It really wasn't that dangerous, okay?
I could've totally handled it on my own!
No. It was reckless.
Errgh...!
You're always lecturing me, Captain.
Can't you just let me win for once?!
...Wait.
Captain, let's go the other way.
What? Why all of a sudden?
*Sigh*
I was too distracted to notice until now, but...
I used to live around here. No wonder why the scenery felt so familiar.
My old house was over there, and across the river was probably the farm.
Ugh. I don't want to stir up memories I've been trying to forget.
Captain, let's turn back.
Where did you plant the berry?
The berry? You mean the Morian berry?
That was on the hill over there, I think...
Wait, the hill...?
I'm sure it was underwater.
Maybe the water's receded with time.
Though now it barely counts as a hill anymore.
Let's go take a look.
You want to go there? Why?
I said I don't want to...
Hey! Don't just take off like that!
*Sigh* Captain, you're not seriously thinking...
I saw it myself. This whole place was completely submerged.
Whatever I planted there must've died before it even sprouted.
There's really no point in checking—
Listen.
Listen to what?
...Is that laughing?
There are people living out here?
Following the faint sound, we crested a low hill and found a wide plain beyond it.
Children were laughing and running between rows of trees across the sunlit field.
...Those are Morian trees.
But they were underwater... How...?
It's a beautiful view, isn't it?
...Who are you?
Haha. Just someone looking after those children down the hill.
Ah! It's the headmaster! Hello!
Careful now! Don't go tripping on tree roots again like last time.
Okay! We'll be careful!
They've grown up so cheerful. I'm grateful for that.
The children bear no blame, yet disaster finds them all the same...
Ah, forgive me. I'm rambling.
The Morian berries from this area are quite delicious.
Would you like to try some?
Hey... Can I ask you something?
Something to ask? What might that be?
Those Morian trees... Did you plant them?
No. When I came here with the children, they were already growing.
From what I heard, this whole area was submerged just a few years ago.
So no one could've been tending them before we arrived.
Most likely, someone planted them before the flood.
But the whole place was underwater. Even if someone had planted them, the trees should've been swept away.
Haha. Morian trees are remarkably persevering.
Even in the harshest conditions, they'll bide their time...
Then once things settle, they'll grow quickly and bear fruit again.
I'm deeply grateful to whoever planted them.
The children and I harvest the berries and sell them to merchants.
It's embarrassing to admit, but we're in a remote area, so outside support is hard to come by. Haha.
Trish.
...Yeah. I think I get it now.
Hey, Headmaster?
Yes?
Those Morian trees... do they really grow a hundred berries?
A hundred? Haha! They can grow thousands.
...I see.
Sometimes, instead of eating it all right away...
Maybe leaving something behind to grow isn't such a bad idea. Yeah.
...Guess it wasn't such a pointless thing after all.
I thought it was dumb.
Trish fell silent for a moment, then leaned in to whisper something to the headmaster.
Hey, is there anything you guys need around here?
Trish didn't leap out of her fancy carriage like usual, but walked into the training grounds looking completely ordinary.
What did you blow your money on this time?
Huh? Oh, are you talking about the carriage?
Well, I didn't really buy anything...
But I'm broke! Spent it all. Guess I'll just make more, then.
Didn't you just get paid for a bounty?
Haha! Let's just say I had my reasons.
But one thing's for sure. I spent it on something really cool!
So buy me lunch until I catch the next bounty. Yeah, Captain?
...You're so shameless.
The way of the hunter! Never grovel when borrowing money!
That's not something to brag about!!
I tried to press her for details about what sort of extravagant splurge left her penniless, but Trish only smiled mysteriously and said nothing.
The way of the hunter! Do good in secret!
Not even the Captain gets to know!