Audata

(Talk to Audata)

Audata: Oh? You're a friend of Phainon? Welcome, welcome! Sorry, I just came in from the fields and got a bit of messy...

Have you been busy with the fields?

Audata: Hehe, not too bad. The Month of Cultivation and Month of Reaping are the toughest, but the rest of the time's pretty manageable.

Hard work's a kind of joy, isn't it?

Audata: Hehe, it surely is. Seeing the wheat grow tall and golden... it just makes me smile, you know?

Audata: Ah! Look at me — got so caught up chatting I forgot my manners!

Audata: Come on in, make yourself at home. Once my kid's back, I'll have you all try my best honey suncake, and the smoked meat I just finished curing!

Phainon's Memory

Phainon: Hey, mom. I'm home.

Audata: Hehe, look at your expression... got your bags all packed?

Phainon: Can't hide anything from you, huh... Yeah, I'm all set. Heading out the day after tomorrow.

Audata: You've always been easy to read, my sweet child. Since you were little, I just had to glance your way to know what's on your mind.

Audata: You said... you're going to Castrum Kremnos, right? I wonder how far that is from our Aedes Elysiae?

Phainon: Haha, no clue. I heard that Castrum Kremnos roams around slowly, just like a dromas.

Phainon: Don't worry, mom. Once I finish my studies, I'll come straight home. Who knows? Maybe one day that city will wander right past our village.

Audata: Then I'll have to keep watch from the haystack. Just to see if a mountain-sized dromas is headed for Aedes Elysiae.

Audata: When that day comes, your dad and I will fire up the stove, get a feast ready. You'll see the golden fields, the kitchen smoke curling — and know you're home.

Phainon: Hah, even without the smoke, I'll always know where home is. I know these wheat fields better than anyone — except dad, maybe.

Phainon: When I get back... I want honey suncake, with smoked venison and olive juice!

Audata: Knew you'd say that. And if you make any friends, bring them home. The whole village will throw a proper feast to welcome them.

Phainon: You got it! I can't help wondering the people I'll meet out there.

Audata: Hehe... I believe in you. You'll definitely find kind, sincere people to walk beside you.

Audata: Just remember to treat them with the same kindness. Never let their hearts go cold or hopes turn sour, okay?

Phainon: Ah...

Phainon: I won't, mom. I won't let anyone down... not them, not you, and not Dad.

Phainon: Dad, Mom, everyone... I'm home.

Hieronymus: Phainon... you... you've grown taller.

Phainon: Haha... It's been so long. You almost didn't recognize me, did you?

Audata: Of course not, mom recognized you at first glance. Still the same scatterbrained kid who just barrels ahead without thinking!

Audata: Hieronymus, look! He's grown so strong. He was all baby-faced when he first left home, but now, he's even taller than you!

Hieronymus: That's a good thing! Otherwise, how could he live up to the title of "Deliverer"?

Phainon: Hey— Mom, Dad!

Word sure travels fast around here.

Is our Deliverer blushing?

Hieronymus: Heh, who would've thought? Back then, you were all about "wanting to learn swordsmanship at Castrum Kremnos!" And now look at you, you've actually beaten Nikador!

Hieronymus: Having a talented kid like you work the fields would be a real waste of potential.

Phainon: Haha... Dad, I can't take all the credit for this.

Phainon: I couldn't have made it this far without the friends who walked this path with me: my teachers, my rivals, and... my best companion.

That's right! That's me!

We're great partners!

Phainon: It's a long story... I'll tell you all about it slowly.

Audata: This kid of mine must have been quite a handful! Here, I made some honey suncakes. Please, help yourself!

Audata: Phainon, I know you've seen the world out there, but don't you dare look down on your mom's cooking!

Phainon: No way, I've been craving Aedes Elysiae's food for ages!