Employing our own little way of doing stealth (in the form of a special consumable item simply called the Monster Repellent) to ensure the safety of the princess and the widower, we navigate through Gata Salvaje Road, the passageway that runs through practically the entirety of Splendido.
Eventually, we all approach Ayana's house, which is an architectural oddity in terms of employing traditional Japanese building techniques when compared to the rest of the buildings here, which all utilize European ones.
Bearwin begins, "Leave the knocking to me."
He takes the initiative by knocking the front door.
A woman's voice penetrates through the door.
"Who's there?"
The guy with the odd head contraption stutters, "Uh... Ah..."
"Is it another freaking monster waiting to break through the door?"
Juniper castigates his partner once more.
"Man, we two have spent a lot of time together, and you still don't have any common sense!"
As he pushes Bearwin out of the way, he clears his throat and employs a more suave voice as he begins...
"Hey, lady, I'm a traveling salesman! I want you to buy the latest CD from Nathan Valente! He's a cool singer, and, and, he looks cute too!"
"What?! Just my luck... yet another pesky salesman in the midst of those spores! They might be carrying traps and crap."
Agaton, even in the midst of his coughs, pushes on to convince his former teacher.
"I must... do this quickly."
He faces the door and declaims with all his heart...
"Ayana-sensei, it's me, Agaton! I have with me some friends, so please let us in!"
As the door opens slightly to not let any spores in, a woman with long, beautiful black hair and wearing a knitted sleeveless sweater on top of a one-piece dress reveals herself to us all.
"Huh? Agaton, it's really you! Quick, before those spore scum enter."
We all quickly enter Ayana's house before she shuts the front door tight.
Phew. What a relief.
She makes us feel comfortable in her living room, which contains sofas built with traditional Japanese woodworking methods.
"Good day to you, Agaton. And stop calling me sensei. That was then."
"Heh, I got really hyped in meeting you again. So, how's life?"
"Pretty much the same. I have enough money to sustain a living, but I fear that I'll be running out of it in a short time, with the dancespores and all. I shouldn't have closed my dojo down."
"Never mind. As for me, I traveled to Dillingtonlandia in search of my wife."
"Oh, you mean Carmealla Gonzalvo? The head of that continent's The Movement chapter?"
"How'd you know that?"
"Oh, just from reading the news."
"Ah, I see. Speaking of her, I languished in her dungeon, until these eight brave teenagers saved me."
"That's amazing! Thanks to you eight, my friend and most trusted student was saved from harm."
Nolan airs his gratitude, "We are forever indebted to you, in the name of God."
Ayana then wastes no time.
"So then. Your names, please."
We all introduce ourselves in a way only we can.
"Benoit Valmonte, at your service."
"Gershwin Cannell, the name you can trust."
"My name is Jurina Kawamura. Pleased to meet you."
"Nolan Iverson is the name, spreading the word of God is the game."
"Juniper Clarence."
"Bearwin Coulthard I am!"
Ayana then cuts in, as she recalls...
"And you are... Lt. Christian Eamon Rhames of the Ishi-shiro, personal bodyguard to Her Highness Princess Carmina Johnston."
She then bows to the two as a sign of respect.
The two react, "Please... No need for formalities."
"So what is your purpose for coming here?" she queries.
I readily answer, as the de facto leader, "We need your help in eliminating that monster that allegedly sucks the life out of the trees here. Then we can get rid of the dancespores in this town, I think."
"Good. When the spores first appeared, that monster appeared too. I believe it's the source.
"Back then, I tried to use my martial arts skills to defeat that abomination, but it just spewed out more spores, rendering me weak.
"Ever since that shameful day, I locked myself up in this house, waiting for guys like you to eliminate it for good. And now, I strongly believe that you are the worthy ones. I can feel your raw passion, a good combination of body and soul, to help me revive this once splendid town."
Gershwin asseverates, "Well then, let's put the 'splendid' back to Splendido!"
The rest of us shout triumphantly while raising our fists, "Let's do it!"
With Ayana now accompanying us, we all get out of her house; and from there, we approach the monster, which looks like a living cluster of pulsating thick green tendrils.
Christian comments, "The innkeeper is right. The monster literally sucks the life out of the trees. Especially this big one right here."
Ayana then instructs us, "Stand back! I'll provoke him first."
With a brave face, she confronts the monster and unleashes a quick and fierce martial arts move.
"Whirlwind Kick!"
The monster, knowing that someone is interrupting its leeching, faces us all.
Ayana tells us, "From this moment on, you will all fight him. I just softened him up."
Jurina comments while we all prepare our weapons and battle stances...
"We are ready, Ayana! Please leave the rest to us!"
***
[Boss Battle: Blegharopodocephalus]
A simple twig mutated by the dancespores into a tendril-filled monstrosity. It sucks the life out of other plants – trees in particular – that keep the dancespores at bay.
Level 25 | HP: 2366 | MP: 758
Party: Benoit, Christian, Gershwin, Nolan, Jurina, CJ
[Note]
Putrid Air deals Poison to all targets. Rotten Belch deals physical damage to a target and disables its "Attack" command for the rest of the battle. Wicked Henge of Stones deals heavy physical damage on all targets.
Benoit chooses to perform his Innate Skill, Single Sinawali, on Blegharopodocephalus.
Christian chooses to perform his Innate Skill, Big Man's Punch, on Blegharopodocephalus.
Gershwin chooses to use a Blink Stone on all allies.
Nolan chooses to use a Resistance Stone on all allies.
Jurina chooses to cast her Innate Skill spell, Apoywa, on Blegharopodocephalus.
CJ chooses to summon Lava Dragoneer as her Innate Skill on all targets.
Blegharopodocephalus performs Putrid Air on all targets.
Everyone but CJ is not Poisoned.
Benoit performs his Innate Skill, Single Sinawali, on Blegharopodocephalus, dealing it 4 hits for a total of 663 damage.
Christian performs his Innate Skill, Big Man's Punch, on Blegharopodocephalus, dealing it 672 damage.
Gershwin uses a Blink Stone on all allies.
All allies' speed and evasion increased.
Nolan uses a Resistance Stone on all allies.
All allies' magic and magic defense increased.
Jurina casts her Innate Skill spell, Apoywa, on Blegharopodocephalus, dealing it 532 damage.
CJ summons Lava Dragoneer.
"Dragonic monk, purify with your sacred flames! Fire Wall!"
Her Innate Skill deals an average of 532 damage on all targets.
Blegharopodocephalus is knocked out.
The counter-terrorists win! That's us.
5500 EXP and 5667 Double Pesos acquired.
Puzzle-headed Dot acquired.
Benoit leveled up, from Level 25 to Level 26!
Benoit learned Chuk Chak Tienes.
Christian leveled up, from Level 25 to Level 26!
Christian learned Darkside Earth.
Gershwin leveled up, from Level 25 to Level 26!
Gershwin learned Mariah Interference.
Nolan leveled up, from Level 25 to Level 26!
Jurina leveled up, from Level 25 to Level 26!
CJ leveled up, from Level 25 to Level 26!
CJ learned Tarabusaw.
***
As the tendril monster collapses to the ground, never to rise again, Ayana congratulates us.
"Finally! You've defeated the monster!"
Christian, however, proceeds with caution.
"But do not let our guard down. Those spores are still..."
His statement is cut off...
...as our weapons glow, and their innate energy wipes out the spores from the entire town, like pressurized water cleaning out even the most stubborn of dirt.
The monster even dissolves into nothing.
Totally an unexpected development, but still a positive one!
CJ elicits joy, now that her glaring weakness is purged out of the town, hopefully for good.
"I never knew our weapons can have such powers!"
Bearwin jokes, in the style of a classic paint commercial, "Ayana, it's a miracle!"
Juniper follows up the joke with...
"No, Ayana. It's our might used for right."
The former sensei affirms, "I guess you're all right. You've upheld the basic teachings of martial arts."
Agaton reinforces, "Thank the heavens for you all! Now this town is saved! I'll go tell the good news to all of my town mates!"
He then separates from us, spreading the good news to his fellows.
Ayana tries to stop him.
"Agaton! Wait!"
However, she cannot catch him. She just sighs before she comments...
"Heh, he's so ecstatic."
Nolan compliments, "Even though he still reels from Carmealla's death, it looks like he has moved on with his own life."
We all decide to take in the, yes, splendid sights of Splendido.
For one, this town employs billboards, which are perched high above the concrete roofs of every house – except for Ayana's, of course.
Later, after all that sightseeing, we decide to flock back to Ayana's house.
A portly mustached rich man, whose defining outfit is a tuxedo and a black top hat, unexpectedly shows up at the front porch, rallying the town's citizens.
"These eight teenagers deserve the name of 'saviors of Splendido'. Presenting...
"Benoit! Gershwin! Jurina! Nolan! Juniper! Bearwin! Christian! And lastly, Her Highness Princess CJ!"
The innkeeper from before starts, "Thank you, Princess CJ and company, for saving this cozy little town. Agaton and Ayana also deserve an honorable mention for helping them."
A young man simply says, "Thanks!"
A young girl commends us, "Now we can go out and play!"
A female teenager gushes, "Wow! You're all cute!"
A twenty-something man requests, "Can I have your autographs?"
The throngs of people approaching us alerts Agaton, who told them to gather here in the first place.
"Hey, don't crush us!"
And unfortunately, we are caught up in a mini-stampede.
On the bright side, though, everyone involved suffer only minor wounds.
At a massive bedroom inside a mansion near Ayana's house...
We all wake up, not noticing how much time has elapsed since that stampede.
A butler greets us all.
"Oh, are you all awake? I am terribly sorry for the massive turnout yesterday. By the way, my name is Sebastian Kasmot."
Gershwin reacts, "We're getting the rock star treatment, guys."
I ask the butler, "Huh? But where are we? Still inside Splendido?"
"Yes, sir. Actually, you're inside the mansion of Don Joaquin Iñigo Baquero, the richest man in town."
Ayana remarks, "Heh. To be honest, I've never seen the interior of this house before. Now that I'm here for the first time, it's elegant not just on the outside, but also on the inside."
Agaton jests, "Think we can go living permanently here?"
And then, the master of the mansion himself, Don Joaquin, shows up in order to check up on us all.
"Sebastian, you may leave. I will personally speak with them."
"Affirmative, sir."
As the butler takes his leave, the don compliments us.
"Once again, my grateful thanks for saving this town from the monster and the dancespores."
Juniper deadpans, "Just how many thanks do we need to receive?"
"Gratitude is always in my vocabulary. So then. Princess CJ, everyone, with this town saved, I will tell you something good."
I lilt, "Yeah, our ears are ready."
Don Joaquin clears his throat before he begins his monologue.
"As far as I know, the continent you are in, named Shurilesia, is still in grave danger. You have only saved one town from those spores so far, and there are many more places waiting to be saved. According to reports, a shady organization is behind this entire mess.
"Furthermore, we are saddled with a mountain-load of problems. You see, I am the main financier for the candidate for the Kingly Prime President, Ferdinando Jose Shimokawa of the Rebirth Party. We've received some reports that our opponents from the Unity Power Coalition are employing dirty tricks to win in the upcoming elections. For example, those same spores are being spread inside the Theresentien House of Politics to stop Señor Shimokawa from carrying on his campaign."
I drone, "Uh... we actually don't want to put our hands in a bag full of politics."
Jurina follows, "We'll just play the waiting game and let the politicking end."
After all, politics in the real world is already dirty enough. What more in a fantasy world?
The don confutes, "Goodness gracious, that is so ungrateful of you. I've been asking for help from you heroes, and now you will turn down my offer?"
"Our sincere apologies, sir", the princess asserts. "Even when we don't agree on some political matters, we don't let that damage our friendship."
Her bodyguard echoes her sentiment, "Well said. As an officer of the Ishi-shiro, please leave the dirty work to us!"
Don Joaquin affirms, "Good! Princess CJ, the rest of you, please save the rest of Shurilesia! And help my top dog win the elections, OK?"
CJ acquiesces, "We will. Thank you for your kind assistance. But for now, we will bid you goodbye."
I then enunciate, "And sadly, Agaton and Ayana, we'll have to part ways. We have a bigger job to do, as Don Joaquin said. But don't worry, we'll visit you once all this is over. Bye!"
Jurina gives her compliments, "We hope to see you again."
Agaton and Ayana, in turn, bid farewell to us.
"Same for us."
And thus, we eight all leave the mansion in high spirits.
***
Don Joaquin finalizes, "As for you, Señor Agaton Muller and Señorita Ayana Crossriver, I will give you one million double pesos each for assisting Princess CJ and company, no strings attached."
Agaton can't contain his excitement.
"We, like, won the lottery! We're so lucky!"
Ayana, however...
"But I'll pass on the money. I'm still content with what I have."
***
We all carry on the exploration of Splendido.
Besides the main road, Gata Salvaje Road, there is an alleyway that serves as a secondary road, which is generically named Alley 44.
The alley itself is home to three buildings – Catolico Funeral Homes, Bishoujo Yorokonde Fashion Shop, and the residence of the Mingleton family, which we've just learned is formerly the residence of Agaton and his now-deceased wife. Their children are also now under foster care of the Mingletons.
And on the main road itself, there are six buildings.
There's Endermende Inn, Hidden Desire Bar, Mireille's Salon, an item shop named Priss and Acidburn's Sari-Sari Store, a weapon improvement shop named Mr. Naghahasa, and an armor shop named Mar's Armory.
Once we've had our fill of what Splendido has to offer, Christian's cellphone rings. He suggests...
"This call is secret. Never eavesdrop."
He then gets to a safe corner and answers the call.
"Rhames, this is the Supreme Leader. Report what you did."
"Sir, with the help of my new-found friends, the town of Splendido is now free of the spores, sir."
"Are you sure? Lying is a grave offense, remember? Anyway, what is the status of our subject, Princess CJ?"
"Sir, she's all well, sir."
"Good. You must back to HQ in 1500H to present a formal written report of your actions. But first, please visit Sant-Diegol for a short recon mission. I and the others were there to check the dancespore status. Now then, I will leave the rest to you and your new friends. I will doubt them until I have seen their true colors. Understood?"
"Roger. Over and out."
He ends the call and faces the rest of us.
"Fellows, let us go to Sant-Diegol, as per instructions from HQ."
Nolan verifies, "A guarantee."
Alright, we now know where to hit next.