Opening: A Stormcalling Journey

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Scene: A road outside Landsol.

Yuuki had departed Landsol together with Anna, and the two of them were walking along a lengthy road.

Stechepalme
Ooh, we've been walking for quite a while, but I still can't see anything like a canyon....^[1]

Stechepalme
I won't be able to fight with how hungry I am -- truly a problem that must be resolved at once...

Stechepalme
But these hardships are only fleeting... Once we reach that canyon cave, all of our problems will be resolved!

Stechepalme
Let us endure the tribulations of this path, Sigurd. The information on this flyer will surely rescue us from our dilemma!

Some time earlier...

Stechepalme
Curses! For the one known as Hecate of the Gale to be reduced to searching for part-time work... This shame will last a lifetime!

Stechepalme
I never imagined that the thieves around Landsol's suburbs would become so well-behaved.

Stechepalme
I can't collect bounties from turning in those thieves if there aren't any... There's no way that all of them have suddenly become rehabilitated, law-abiding citizens...

Stechepalme
Huh? What's that flyer you're holding, Sigurd? You want me to look at it? Let's see...

Stechepalme
Includes 3 meals a day! Free lodging provided! A bright and popular homely workplace with guidance from kind senior colleagues...

Stechepalme
W-What are these perfect-sounding work conditions!? Could a job like this really exist!?

Stechepalme
Where's the location!? A canyon cave? I've never heard of this place.

Stechepalme
... Sigurd, I think I'm going to apply for this job. With such great working conditions, if we don't hurry, they might hire someone else soon!

Yuuki
1. "I'd like to work too."
2. "It sounds a little sketchy, so I'll go with you."

Option 1.

Stechepalme
I see! So that means you're looking to claim the referral bonus written here! A one-day bonus of 5000 rupees... It's like a dream!

Option 2.

Stechepalme
You're saying it sounds too good to be true? Ha ha ha! You're such a worrywart, Sigurd! But very well, let's go together then!

End of flashback.

Stechepalme
Ooh, anyway, are we there yet? I'm so tired...

Nanaka
Oho? Is that you, Anna? And you're here, too, Yuuki! Yo!

Stechepalme
Ah, that can only be the voice of my sworn ally, Nanaka. Are you also on your way to this job?

Nanaka
Job? No, I'm on my way to pick up some ancient texts. I got word that some of those texts were being excavated at the canyon cave.

Nanaka
And those texts have some super rare information on them!

Nanaka
Which means they might be worth a ton! Heh heh heh, I have a feeling that I'm about to strike it rich!

Yuuki
1. "There's money in it?"

Nanaka
You've got it! Ooh, I had to pawn off so many of my figures just to get ahold of this info...

Nanaka
If this leads to me making back even more money, then I'll be able to buy them all back! Wait for me, my waifus!

Luka
... I came to see what all the noise was about, and it turns out that it's you two. Yuuki's with you, too -- what are you all up to?

Nanaka
Oh, Luka?

Stechepalme
Luka! What were you doing here?

Luka
Just taking a walk after an afternoon siesta. I've been taking it easy, doing some traveling around the continent.

Nanaka
So you've got that much free time... Wait, are you actually looking for clues about the Twilight Capital? How serious! Seriously serious, sis!

Luka
I've told you to stop calling me sis. You two are the only ones who aren't serious here. So? Are you on a job?

Stechepalme
Well, you see... It's a long story...

Nanaka
Can you keep it within 140 characters?

Villain
Hey! Wait!

Man
Ugh...!!

Luka
What's this?

Nanaka
I have a feeling that an event is about to occur!

Stechepalme
It looks like they're coming this way...

Man
Damn...! This is it...!

Yuuki
1. "Let's help this person."

Luka
Dear, dear. If you want to, then I suppose we'll have to. Hey, you! Take cover behind me!

Man
T-Thank you!!

Villain
What, are you guys his allies? I won't spare you either, then!

Luka
I wouldn't call us his allies or anything else, without any idea of what's happening. If you've got proof that he's the bad one here, then let's hear it. Well?

Villain
Keep yammering and you'll be in a bad time!

Luka
How noisy.

Villain
Gahh!!

Luka
Be thankful that I used the blunt edge of my sword.

Nanaka
Whoo! Brilliant as always! My role model!

Villain
Damn you! I'll remember this!

Man
Ah... Thank you!

Luka
Are you hurt?

Man
No, I'm fine. But more importantly, the village...!

Man
Please, save my village! It's farther along this road!

Man
I was on my way to deliver a petition to the capital! Until help arrives, please, protect the village!

Luka
Hey, just saying 'please' isn't...! Ah, he's gone...

Luka
Well, this is a problem. Things have taken a turn for the suspicious -- what are you all going to do?

Nanaka
Um, you mean now...?

Nanaka
Uh... Well, thwarting evildoers is the duty of a magical girl, but I've got some ancient texts to go get, too, you know?

Stechepalme
I've got a job lined up, and I can't delay that... And if I don't get something to eat soon, I won't be able to unleash my original power...

Stechepalme
I'm sorry, Luka. As soon as I get off work, Sigurd and I will meet up with you. Please, head for the village in the meantime.

Nanaka
Sorry, big sis! I'll wrap up my work in a flash to join up with you!

Luka
Understood. Be sure to handle your respective jobs as best you can, then.

Luka
And Yuuki, look after the two of them.

Yuuki
1. "You be careful, too, Luka."

Luka
Thanks. Then, we'll see each other later.

Luka
Well, let's see what I can manage on my own...

With that, Luka headed for the village to fulfill the man's request. Nanaka went off to obtain her ancient texts. And Anna and Yuuki headed for the canyon cave.