[Kid and Serge enter Termina. They see a young man around their age in a uniform talk with a shopkeeper.] Shopkeeper: Sorry, I'm totally out of bellflowers. There's a big ruskus down in Fossil Valley. Men from the dragoons were setting road blocks in the valley. I'll get some in a few days, so come back again then. Young Man: ...... You have my sincerest apologies. I understand we are here to protect you as Acacia Dragoons... Those knights should be done with their work shortly. Shopekeeper: Oh, that's alright. I can get my flowers from other places, too. Never mind that. I haven't seen Karsh around here lately. What is he doing? Young Man: Well... He said he was going ghost-hunting down south. I'm just a private, so I do not know for certain, but I heard a rumor that Lord Viper ordered him to go. Shopkeeper: A ghost!? Now that is something... I just hope it's not a sign of a coming disaster. If you ever see him, give him my regards. Young Man: I will do that. And I will be back, too. [He leaves. Kid turns and faces Serge.] Kid: Oi, did ya hear that? Karsh is that bastard we saw at the cape!? And that ghost he's huntin'... Ain't that you, mate? So, that Acacia Dragoon mob is behind this after all... Let's check this place out a bit more! [As they head up the walkway, they hear a old man talking to a statue of General Viper.] Old Man: Master Viper... I'm here to polish your statue again!!! Alright, all squeeky clean. It's got to be extra clean for the coming festivities. Have you folks come to see the Viper Festival? Termina is peaceful thanks to the watchful eye of our Master Viper. At times warm, at times strict, Master Viper watches over us always. With that said, of course, the real Master Viper resides in his manor, along with his Acacia Dragoons. If you'll allow me to brag a little bit, I was invited to the manor a while back. It is a magnificent place... If there is a heaven on earth that would be it... The manor is beautiful and its design incorporates the surrounding terrain to its advantage, making it an impenetrable fortress. On top of that, there are powerful soldiers standing guard in front of the main gates that can destroy any monster with just one blow! Well, an upriht citizen like myself might be invited to the manor's garden party, but not so for you folks. The most you will get is a cold reception from the gate guards. Ho ho ho! Kid: Alright, that's settled! We've gotta sneak into Viper Manor. You gotta find out what those Acacia Dragoons are up to, right? Why was Karsh tryin' to capture ya? I've got some business there as well, so I'll go with ya. How 'bout it, Serge? (Serge): OK, let's go! Kid: It's the obvious choice, right? According ot grandpa here, this Viper Manor's a bloody large place, which also means it'll be easy to break in to! There's gotta be more than one way in. If we don't plan this right, it'll cost us our lives. { If Kid is not in party, this dialogue follows after the introduction of Glenn. [They head to Termina and encounter Kid.] Kid: Gawd, you're slow!? Ya made me wait forever. Makin' a lovely lady like......!? Ahaa...... So that's it. I get it! This sheila over here is yer sweetie, eh? I'm right, ain't I? No need to be shy! I'm not so bold as to break up lover's tender moments. I'm understandin'... I'll wait till yer little date's over. Well then, have a bloody good time...!!! [She leaves.] Kid: Alright, that's settled! We've gotta sneak into Viper Manor. You gotta find out what those Acacia Dragoons are up to, right? Why was Karsh tryin' to capture ya? I've got some business there as well, so I'll go with ya. How 'bout it, Serge? (Serge): OK, let's go! Kid: It's the obvious choice, right? According ot grandpa here, this Viper Manor's a bloody large place, which also means it'll be easy to break in to! There's gotta be more than one way in. If we don't plan this right, it'll cost us our lives. Oh yeah, Serge, I'll leave this in your hands just in case. It's a Teleporter. This is a really handy gadget that allows ya to exchange party members from afar. The way ya use it is... Ah, forget it. Check it out for yerself. I hate explainin' the details. [Kid joins the party.] } [They explore the town until they cross a bridge that contains a small shop. There is a blanket covering a large tank, and a woman tending it. A few kids walk up to the shop.] Boy: Yahoo! Woman: Hell there! Come and see for yourself! This is the prize of all prizes, a rare catch, a live mermaid! This is what you call a real treasure. Remember that, kids. Unfortunately, this one isn't for sale. She's my most valuable item. [She removes the blanket, revealing the mermaid in the tank.] Woman: So, what do you think? This isn't some stuffed animal or anything. She's really alive. Her pure, clear skin, like it's made from crystal. Her gem-like eyes. she is the ultimate collector's item! Phew... Nature's creations are indeed great. Such a beautiful thing... Boy: Is this thing really alive? Hey, come on! Look over this way! Girl: Oh, how beautiful she is... [A young boy with a mohawk suddenly arrives, and throws a rock at the kids.] Girl: Ouch! Boy: Yeow!!! Korcha: Hey, you! You think this is really fun? How wouldCHA feel if you were trapped in a tank like that, being stared at everyday, huh? Boy: Yikes, it's Korcha!!! Run!!! [The woman covers up the tank and speaks to Korcha.] Woman: Korcha, not you again!? Don't you go bothering my customers. This is no place for the likes of you! Just leave now!!! Korcha: CHA! Shut up! What customers!? You're sellin' a bunch of bull! Why didn'tCHA keep the tank uncovered when I showed up? Heey everybody!!! This shop is a bunch of boloney!!! Woman: Sh-Shut your mouth! Don't you say such ridiculous things!!! Get back to your demi-human friends! Korcha: Heh, I won't take that from a sleaze-bag like you! Hey, you guys. Your'e not from around here, eh? Don'tCHA wander around too much, or you're gonna get burned. Just watch your back. [He jumps off the bridge on to his boat and leaves.] Woman: That's Korcha! He's from Guldove. I wonder why he hangs around here in Termina all the time? You shouldn't mess with the likes of him! I tell you... he's nothing but trouble! [Kid and Serge continue through town until they reach a gravesite, where the young man from earlier, and a young woman visit a grave.] Young Lady: So, she was out of flowers... That is unfortunate. Then let us pray without any flowers for today. Young Man: Hmmm...? [He walks over to Serge.] Young Man: Is that a bellflower you have there? Would you be so kind as to give up that flower to us? We need a bellflower for our prayer. (Serge): Give it for free Young Man: For free? Are you sure? I thank you deeply. [He takes it.] Young Lady: Please, let me offer you my gratitude as well. The souls that rest beneath this sword loved this flower in life. That is why we always bring some here when we pray here... Dario, here is a bellflower that you used to love so much. Soon, the flower's seeds shall sprout, bring leaves, and bloom flowers everywhere. And we shall age another year, while you will remain the same, in memory. [She puts the flower on the grave.] Young Man: Father... Brother... Young Lady: It is such a mystery; this sword never rusts, even when left in the rain... It's seems as if the souls of its masters live within it. Do you not think so, Glenn? Glenn: Yes... I have engraved in my memory the lives of my father and brother, who had wielded the sacred sword Einlanzer. Young Lady: Let us hope that is true... Glenn: What do you mean by that? Miss Riddel, I cannot allow even you to... Riddel: Do you think there is something odd about the dragoons of late...? Daddy's face shows anguish, and even Karsh was saying he was sent on a "ghost hunt"... Glenn: Miss Riddel... Riddel: Everyone has been acting oddly, ever since that beastly guest arrived in the manor. Glenn: ...... Riddel: Glenn, promise me to always keep the unclouded truth in sight. Do not be swayed by the masses. The splendor of the Einlanzer must no be tarnished... Glenn: ...As you wish. Riddel: ...Chuckle... Glenn: ...? Riddel: Oh, forgive me. I just found it a little awkward to hear you say such words... Chucle... Glenn:...... Miss Riddel, a chill wind has risen. Shall we return to the manor? Riddel: Yes... Of course. [They leave.]