Scene 77

Wait! That's...!

Stina

Sorry to sneak up on you like that; I should have introduced myself. I'm Stina.

Don't worry about that, I was just surprised at your brooch...

Ah, I'm Iori, by the way.

Is that the Sacred Tree Brooch you've got there?

Stina

Yes...

Did you get it from Teardrop Cave?

Stina

No, I just found it out of nowhere walking through town.

Seriously? Out of nowhere?

Stina

Yeah, it was a real shock when it equipped automatically...

Zash

The same item in completely different locations... Is that even possible?

I wonder...

Did it glow?

Stina

Yes... And there was a cutscene that felt like some kind of nightmare...

And then you got the Swordsman of Salvation quest?

Stina

Yes, I did... It felt like a bad idea to throw the brooch away, but I don't know what to do...

Zash

Well, we're actually working on clearing that quest ourselves.

Stina

Oh, really?

Frankly, we don't have any information on what we should be doing. Happen to know anything else about the brooch?

Stina

I think it might be a high elven relic.

Zash

A what?

Stina

You know, something left behind by another civilization.

Stina

I'm guessing it's from the high elves, because the name references the Sacred Tree.

Damn, you've really done your research... Where'd you find that out?

Stina

Ah, well, you see...

Wait, are you a beta tester?

Stina

Uh...

Relax—I am too.

Stina

Really?

Yeah. I wondered if getting this brooch had something to do with the beta test, so I figured you might be a tester too.

Stina

Phew. You had me worried for a second there.

Zash

Wait, uh, just so you know, I'm the only one here who wasn't in the beta.

Stina

Oh, okay...

Zash

So... yeah...

But then, how are the brooch and the quest linked...?

Stina

I don't know anything specific, I'm afraid.

Stina

But maybe investigating some High Elven Ruins around here could provide a clue.

So I guess you're trying to clear the quest too, Stina?

Stina

I keep having that nightmare, with the terrifying monster... It's horrible...

Stina

I can't take it anymore. That's why I decided to speak to you...

I see...

Stina

I didn't have the courage to investigate them by myself, but there are some ruins on the 2nd Floor that seem promising...

Oh yeah?

Stina

I found them during the beta.

Zash

Seriously? We should totally go there then!

Definitely.

Stina

But I ran out of time and never went inside, so they might not even have anything to do with this quest...

Zash

Hey, even the chance of a hint is enough for me! Let's do it!

Stina

Oh... Thanks...

Shall we get moving? Can you show us the way?

Stina

Oh, sure... It's just that a lot's changed since the beta, so the route might be a little different to what I remember.

Maybe we should take several routes at the same time, then. We need to do something before Aincrad starts to collapse!

We'll each head out whenever we're ready.