Different Minds, Same Choice

So this is where the road splits.

The right path leads back to Kalaid, and the left leads back to NOA.

From here... I guess we'll be taking different paths.

I'm not happy about it, but there's no helping it, is there?

There's no helping it.

I know the people of Kalaid could be in danger...

But we can't force each other to risk our lives to help them, can we?

I think at least one of us... should go back to NOA.

Someone needs to get back quickly and report what's happening here.

And thank you too, miss maid.

You even saved our lives, so we owe you big time—h-huh?

...

She was standing right behind us just a moment ago... When did she disappear...?

You've already reached the point where you have such an adorable junior.

As long as the Cycle is broken in the end, I don't care which way the wind blows.

Haha. That junior of yours from Candle Square and her friend... I wonder if they can pull it off.

But if they fail... if their precious lives come to an end in Kalaid...

Bell, will you shed tears for them like you did back then?

But that, too, can't be helped. That's how... you grow stronger.

...When we meet again... I wonder what you'll be like...

...I'm curious.

...

...What is going on?

Why are you coming this way?

That you weren't happy about it, but there was no helping it.

What else could that mean except that you were going back?

You said one of us should go to NOA!

My mission is to uncover the truth hidden at the Kalaid branch.

I cannot return before completing my mission!

And if a Candle Square maid doesn't stop a conspiracy being carried out by Candle Square, then who will?

Besides...

The mysterious black stones and that strange boulder... Candle Square consumed by a vast conspiracy and sinister energy...

Powerful enemies hidden in the shadows, and fierce battles with our lives and the fate of Lavistar hanging in the balance...

*Huff...* *Huff...*

More importantly, you don't even have a reason to put yourself in danger!

Because it'd obviously be cool!

Unable to ignore a terrible injustice, she throws herself into danger and defeats the villains...!

It's my chance to become the kind of hero who casually protects justice and order!

How could I pass that up...?!

I find your way of thinking difficult to understand.

But... what else can we do? Guess it'll have to be the two of us.

They've already put a bounty on me!

Doesn't look like they'll treat me kindly if they catch me, huh?

A top-tier hunter boldly claiming the unjust bounty placed on her own head...! Something like that.

So... what do we do now?

If they catch us, we might get dragged away and disappear without a trace, just like those expedition members.

I'll use the latest stealth technique I mastered during my mercenary days.

This way.

...Trish, you're frowning.

Are you feeling unwell?

You said you were an expert at camouflage...!

You said I could trust you...!

What is this?!

How is putting a flowerpot on your head and holding a few branches supposed to be the latest stealth technique...?!

Even a rabbit would spot this and run away!

This is the latest stealth technique I learned in my younger days with the Antares Mercenaries!

...Hmm. Now that I think about it, I may not have read the last few pages...

Not two...!

Even if they've lost their senses, there's no way this disguise will fool them...!

Could there be something inside?

...!

No good. It's locked.

You can come out now. There's no one around.

I've got a feeling they're hiding something really important inside this annex!

We could probably force it open if we had to...

But then we'd never avoid drawing attention.

Hmm... Is there some other way?