Chapter 4 - Intermission 5

Scene: A dream.

Ames
All right, good work.

Ames
Ahaha, you really look tired. I guess it's only natural, considering you were literally hiking up a mountain.

Ames
But, in order to cover your living expenses in Landsol, you'd already had to travel to that farm in the mountains to deliver mail as part of your job.

Ames
Because of that, you'd already met everyone from Elizabeth Park. If you don't recall, then please try to refresh your memories.

Ames
In any case, going mountain climbing like that is a good workout, isn't it?

Ames
You must feel like you've gotten stronger, especially since you were backing up Pecorine so diligently.

Ames
... But, well, today's events certainly were calamitous. With buildings destroyed, fields devastated, blood running, and screams filling the air.

Ames
Seeing the people from the farm, normally so laid back... It was painful even just to watch.

Ames
I hope that peace can return to them as quickly as possible. Helping them rebuild will become one of your objectives, moving forward.

Ames
Do your best to bring smiles back to those girls.

Ames
... Now, then. First off, there's something troubling I ought to tell you about.

Ames
Since this conversation is like a dream, you'll hardly remember any of it once you wake up... But I'll tell you anyway.

Ames
Since, no matter what, this is a problem that you all will have to face.

Ames
This time, you and Pecorine traveled to the farm together. What do you think of her?

Ames
She's a bit strange. Of course, you should already be quite friendly with her, since you founded your guild, "Gourmet Palace," together.

Ames
Yeah. If you don't know what I'm talking about, then please try to recall those memories.

Ames
Anyway. Even though Pecorine might seem mostly like a bright, honest, and kind girl, she's hiding numerous secrets.

Ames
Within her normal speech, things of profound importance sometimes are mixed in.

Ames
That girl carries the heavy burden of destiny.

Ames
So. For that reason, a dreadful entity is aiming for her life. Remember, when you met her, as well as this time, she was being attacked at random by monsters, right?

Ames
Those are attacks coming from whoever is targeting her life. Day and night, that girl is always in mortal danger of being attacked by monsters.

Ames
Despite all of that, she still worries about other people with a smile. She really is just like a princess.

Ames
More importantly. The problem lies in the fact that, the perpetrator who's been aiming for Pecorine's life, the one called "Her Highness"... Among her subordinates is Kyaru.

Ames
Right. The Kyaru that you know.

Ames
The companion who's been together with you, Pecorine, and Kokkoro, enjoying your time as members of Gourmet Palace.

Ames
She's been granted a special power by "Her Highness", which is the ability to control monsters. She still isn't skilled at using that power, and seems to slip up all the time.

Ames
The one goal of Kyaru's actions seems to be to assassinate Pecorine, one way or another.

Ames
If Pecorine were to be attacked and killed by monsters on the road, then they'd be able to treat it an accident. While in reality, those monsters would have been controlled by Kyaru.

Ames
In service of that plan, the assassination attempts continue. Of course, this isn't something done of Kyaru's own will, but something that she's been ordered to do by "Her Highness."

Ames
The two of them have that sort of relationship. The assassin and the target. The victim and the perpetrator...

Ames
As such. Sometime in the distant future, the fact that you've grown close to her may develop into something quite worrisome.

Ames
This time, Kyaru thought about killing Pecorine, but... That thought filled her with great conflict and pain.

Ames
She's just a normal, nice girl. She doesn't want to raise her hand against the friends she's grown to hold dear, after so many days spent gathering around the dining table.

Ames
But it doesn't seem like she can turn against "Her Highness." This can only lead to tragedy.

Ames
That's why. As the one closest to all of these girls, you need to keep a careful eye out.

Ames
And then, as best you can, strive for a way to avoid a sorrowful outcome.

Ames
To be a friend... No, to be like family to them is something that only you can do.

Ames
Well, I know it's far easier said than done. But do your best anyway. I'll be hoping for your success.

Ames
And be very careful. "Her Highness" doesn't seem to be especially patient, and soon enough, I expect that she'll grow tired of her subordinates' failures and make an appearance herself.

Ames
She's the evil being who destroyed the former world. She won't be defeated easily.

Ames
All I can do is pray for your survival. As long as you're still alive, there's hope.