Episode 3: The Search for Vegetables in the Thicket!
Scene: In a remote forest.
Following Iliya's guidance, Maho, Kaori, and Yuuki make their way to the thicket.
Maho
Hah... Whew... We walked and walked, and now we've come to this humid, muggy place...
Iliya
... The trees may block out most of the sun here, but I can hardly stand the feeling of my damp clothes clinging to me...
Kaori
I'm fine in this heat -- it reminds me of home!
Maho
I suppose that you're used to it, Kaori. But the two of us aren't so good with walking over muddy ground like this...
Iliya
I-Indeed...! Under such a humid atmosphere, everything feels terribly unpleasant...!
Iliya
This place is even more overgrown with trees than I remember it being.
Kaori
I bet it's because trees grow more quickly in this warmth!
A swarm of bugs descends.
Maho
Eeek!?
Iliya
W-What!? What is it!?
Maho
Bugs, b-b-bugs... They're inside my clothes!
Iliya
Bugs? W-W-What... How did all these bugs get here so suddenly...! Don't come near me!
Iliya
These... These... No matter how many you shake off, still more come to take their place!
Yuuki
1. Get the bugs off Maho.
2. Chase away the bugs around Iliya.
Option 1.
Maho
Aah! M-Mister Prince, you mustn't touch me there! We aren't at that level yet!
Option 2.
Iliya
Ow! It's well of you to chase away the bugs, but don't strike me with your waving arms, you fool!
End of branches.
Kaori
You're getting too worked up... If you didn't freak out so much, they wouldn't come so close, y'know.
Kaori
Ah, I see a bunch of bitter melons growing over there! I'm gonna climb up the tree a little!
Maho
Eeep... Help me! I hate bugs!
Iliya
Ugh... To think that they would try to drink my blood, of all people...! These insolent, reckless insects!
Kaori
If the two of you move around that much, you'll attract even more! You should just relax.
Maho
Y-You can't be serious! I-Iliya, please, get these bugs off my back!
Iliya
V-Very well, leave it to me! There!
Iliya
Ha ha ha! What, now! I have you in the palm of my hand...
Maho
Ah, Iliya, there's a bug on top of your head!
Iliya
Hm... Waah!? G-Get off!
Iliya
Ooh... At this rate, I'll have to check myself all over for bugs!
Kaori
Everyone, just wait a little bit longer! I'm going to pick a ton of melons for us to take back!
Iliya
H-How carefree that Kaori is...
Kaori
This one, and this one... Whew... This should be plenty!
Kaori
Sorry for keeping you!
Iliya
Let's go, then! I'd like to take my leave of this place as soon as possible!
Iliya leaves.
Maho
Ah, wait! Don't leave me behind!
Maho leaves.
Scene: A road outside Landsol.
Iliya
Hah... hah... What a miserable time that was...
Maho
I'm never going to a place like that again! Never, for the rest of my life!
Kaori
Good work, everyone!
Iliya
Well, then... What was next?
Maho
Next is the "udon pin"...
Iliya
Hm... Do they not sell that in town?
Maho
Unfortunately, udon-making isn't that popular in Landsol...
Iliya
Hmm... Indeed, even in all my years, I've never eaten udon before. That being so, finding this item seems like it will be difficult.
Maho
Sigh... It really does seem that way... How troublesome. Iliya, can you think of anything that might be able to take its place? Something long and hard... A powerful-looking item.
Iliya
Long and hard... Heh heh... Why, something does come to mind!
Kaori
Ohh? Iliya, where can we find it?
Iliya
Because I'm not good at coping with sunlight, I would often take refuge in a certain set of caves. Many monster skeletons can be found in those caves!
Maho
M-Monster skeletons? That sounds frightening.
Iliya
Indeed, some of those caves are places where elderly monsters go to meet their end. And of course, some of these monsters have horns.
Iliya
Those horns are sharp, and strong as well! I think that should take the place of your rolling pins quite nicely.
Kaori
That's a good idea! Plus, if they're just skeletons, then we won't have to do much work at all!
Iliya
Then, if we're decided, let's depart! Follow me! The caves are right this way!
After having given up on finding an udon pin in favor of finding a monster's horn instead, the group set out on foot towards a cave with a monster graveyard within.