Scenario:Albert - Trial By Lightning

Trial By Lightning

(Captain) and company apologize to Albert for not being able to find information on the person he's searching for. Albert tells them not to worry, then suggests that they stay at an inn for the night.

---

(Captain) and company try to gather information about the person Albert is looking for as they continue following leads on primal beasts.

But for all their searching, they hear nothing about a person possessed by the power of a primal crystal.

Vyrn: Drat... Just more run-of-the-mill monsters.

Lyria: Mm... I don't sense any primal beasts, but we can't leave this mission halfway through.

Vyrn: Sorry for making you help with stuff that has nothing to do with you.

Albert: Don't worry about it. It's a knight's duty to help those in need.

Lyria: Hehe... Remember how you helped us too when we first met?

Albert: Heh... Did I?

Albert: Ah, I can see the town up ahead. It's about time we got to rest at an inn for once.

Trial By Lightning: Scene 2

While searching for an inn, Albert is approached by a town official who asks him to investigate the recent kidnappings of townspeople. Later that night the crew hears the scream of a woman and rush to save her from a monster.

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Albert and the crew walk down a large avenue, looking for an inn to stay at.

Vyrn: All right, that inn's gotta be around here somewhere...

Albert: Hold on, Vyrn. We should ask someone rather than wander around aimlessly.

Townsgirl 1: Ooh... Won't you take a look at him? He's so... dreamy.

Townsgirl 2: Aaah... He's so handsome... And his silky, silky locks are to die for...

Townsgirl 1: Everything about him is so dignified, like the way he walks. Perhaps he's the heir to a noble house. Gasp! He's coming this way!

Albert: Excuse me. We're looking for the inn. Would you happen to know where it might be?

Townsgirl 2: Oh! Y-yes, of course! The inn! Um, it's right along this street. You'll see it at the end of the block.

Albert: Thank you. Now, if you'll excuse me.

Townsgirl 1: Oooh! Even his voice is wonderful! I'm about to melt!

Vyrn: Oh, that Albert. As popular as always.

Lyria: Heehee. He doesn't seem to realize it though.

Albert: What are you doing? Let's get to that inn.

A man suddenly appears in front of Albert. He'd been watching him from afar.

???: Um, excuse me, but would you happen to be the one known as Albert of the Sky Knights?

Albert: That I am. And you are?

Town Official: I'm a bureaucrat who works for this town. I've heard about your many deeds, Sir Albert. Would it be possible to discuss some matters with you?

Albert: An urgent discussion with me? However, I'm currently in the care of these skyfarers...

Vyrn: Oh, come on. We can listen to what he has to say at least.

Lyria: That's right! We would love to be of help!

Town Official: Thank you!

With a look of relief on his face, the town official reveals that townspeople have been going missing.

Town Official: It started a few days ago. The number of searches for missing persons has been increasing.

Town Official: But we still don't know what the cause is. We have no clue what to do.

The distressed official pleads with Albert to shed light on the mysterious disappearances.

Town Official: Will you help us? We could really use your expertise...

Albert: I see. This cannot be ignored. What say you, (Captain)?

1. I'm with you on this one, Albert.
2. Wait just a second...

Choose: I'm with you on this one, Albert.

Albert: Heh, guess it was a waste of time for me to ask since you and I were on the same page. Thanks, (Captain).

Go to "Continue 1"

Choose: Wait just a second...

Albert: What's wrong, (Captain)? Is there a problem?

1. I'm just kidding.
2. There's something in my eye...

Choose: I'm just kidding.

Albert: There's a time for jokes, but I'm asking you seriously, (Captain).

Go to "Continue 1"

Choose: There's something in my eye...

Albert: What? Are you okay? Here, let me take a look.

Albert is worried about (Captain).

He brings his face in close and peers into (Captain)'s eye.

Albert: Ah, one of your eyelashes got in. There we go. You should be fine now.

With the source of discomfort removed, (Captain) gives full cooperation to resolving the missing persons cases.

Albert: Haha... You're so silly sometimes, (Captain).

Continue 1

Town Official: So you'll accept this request?

Albert: Yes. Could you please go over the details again?

The official briefs the crew again about everything that is known about the missing people. The crew joins the night watch later that night.

After receiving more details about the case, they decide to join the members of the town's night watch.

It's an especially dark and moonless night. (Captain) and the others take up their positions to patrol the town.

Lyria: It's pretty dark around here. It'd be scary to walk alone...

Albert: Don't stray too far away from us, Lyria.

Vyrn: How are we supposed to find any clues about these disappearing acts anyway?

Albert: It seems many of the victims are women from this part of town.

Albert: Make sure to keep an eye out for any women walking around alone.

Just then the sound of a woman's scream rings out from an alley.

Lyria: Sounds like it's coming from over there!

Albert: Damn it! Hurry, (Captain)!

The crew follows the scream to find a woman under attack from a monster.

Woman: The man... into a monster...

The panicked victim manages only a few words before fainting.

Monster: Grr... Get... away...

Albert: (Captain)! We've got to save her!

(Captain)! We have to rescue the young lady first!

Trial By Lightning: Scene 3

The crew rescues the woman, but the wounded monster manages to escape. The woman says the monster can disguise itself as a man, and the next day all suspects with injuries are gathered into the town plaza for questioning. Albert weeds out the monster that had hidden itself among the suspects, and the crew prepares to fight it.

---

The wounded monster scurries off into the darkness of the alley.

Vyrn: Shoot! He's fast! After him, (Captain)!

Albert: No, not now! Treating this woman comes first!

(Captain) and company stay back to tend to the woman's wounds.

The woman regains her composure and says that the monster had taken the guise of a man.

By the town official's decree, all injured persons of interest are rounded up and brought to the town's plaza the next day.

Town Official: Miss, do you recognize any of these men as the one that attacked you last night?

Woman: I'm very sorry. It was so dark and sudden... I don't remember his face.

The official's expression hardens.

Town Official: I'm sorry to have to do this, but we'll jail all these suspects for the time being in order to prove their innocence.

Town Official: Let's see if this stops the kidnappings.

Injured Man 1: There's no way in hell you'll get away with that!

Injured Man 2: But, but, but! I didn't... I did nothin'! I swear!

Injured Man 3: Um, I've got to get back to work, so could you let me go now? I'm going to make a formal complaint if you keep me here any longer.

The suspects begin to stir up a ruckus, but the official's expression doesn't change.

Albert takes a step toward the suspects.

Town Official: Sir Albert?

Albert: You don't need to imprison anyone. I'll handle this personally.

Albert raises his sword to the sky. The plaza grows dark under the sudden covering of clouds above.

Albert: Listen up. I'm going to ask you a question, and you're going to answer me truthfully.

Albert: Let's start with you.

With a cold look on his face, Albert points his sword at the man.

Injured Man 1: Who made you the boss, huh?

Albert: Don't make me repeat myself. If you want to leave here, just answer my question.

Albert's no-nonsense attitude sends a wave of anxiety over the suspects.

Injured Man 1: F-fine...

Albert: Were you the one who attacked this woman last night?

Injured Man 1: It wasn't me! Honest!

Albert stares into the man's eyes. He then points his sword at the next man, expression unchanged.

Albert: Next.

Injured Man 2: Gulp...

Albert: Were you the one who attacked this woman last night?

Injured Man 2: I-I said I-I don't know nothin'!

Albert stares straight into the trembling man's eyes and without saying a word, turns his sword to the next man.

Albert: Next.

Injured Man 3: Humph. You really ought to step off your high horse. Who do you think you are?

Albert: Sorry, but there are still many people to question. I don't have time to spend chatting with you.

Albert: Were you the one who attacked this woman last night?

Injured Man 3: How many times do I have to say it? I didn't do it.

As soon as the man finishes speaking, Albert shoots up high into the air.

He points his sword to the sky again, and a blinding flash of lightning strikes it.

Albert: Didn't I ask you to answer me truthfully?

Albert seems to glide through the air. He brings down his sword of judgment on the man.

Injured Man 3: Gyaaah-rooo!

The man's transformation is undone by the strike from the Thunderswift Lord.

Monster: Grrr! How dare you...

Woman: Aaah!

Albert: Now we just have to put it away!

Albert: Let's do it, (Captain)!

Vyrn: Uh... Yeah! Follow Albert!

Trial By Lightning: Scene 4

Albert slips away from the townspeople thanking him for defeating the monster, feeling unworthy of the adulation. A young girl thanks him and calls him Old Man Sparky, which only causes him more consternation.

---

Albert reveals the monster's true form in front of the townspeople and strikes it down.

A mighty cheer rises up from the crowd.

Lyria: Wow. Albert's so popular!

Vyrn: He sure is! Hey, Albert. How did you know that guy was lying?

Albert: Heh. No one can lie to me when I'm the one asking the questions.

Vyrn: Booo! Throw me a bone here, and give it to me straight! You're with me, aren't you, Lyria?

Lyria: Now that I think about it, Albert believed what I said after he pointed his sword at me...

Woman: Oh, Albert... I can't thank you enough.

Albert: I'm glad your injuries weren't serious.

Town Official: Now then, Sir Albert, if you would just step into my office for your reward—

Albert: Er, excuse me, but I think I'll be taking my leave.

With that Albert slips through the crowd.

Vyrn: Hey, wait! Albert! I said wait!

Lyria: (Captain)! We have to go after him!

The crew finally catches up with Albert. They wonder why he doesn't appear to be happy.

Albert: I'm not someone who is worthy of praise or rewards.

Lyria: But you saved those townspeople! I think you're great!

Vyrn: She's right. No matter what anyone else says, I think you were amazing out there!

Albert: Haha... Thanks. I'll tell you all about it when the time comes...

Albert then looks at (Captain).

Albert: (Captain)... Please promise you'll never lie to me.

Albert smiles with the weight of his words hanging in the air.

As (Captain) thinks of a response, a young girl walks up to the crew.

Child: Um...

The child faces Albert, but can't seem to get her words out.

In an effort to ease the child's timidness, Albert squats down to meet her gaze.

Albert: Yes?

Child: I... just wanted to say thank you... for beating up that bad monster...

Child: Thanks, Old Man Sparky!

Albert: What? Old man? Sparky?

Child: Yeah! Your sparks were super cool, mister!

Albert: I'm not even that old! Please don't call me that!

Vyrn: What's the big deal? Don't lose it over what some kid thinks. Just let her call you Old Man Sparky.

Lyria: I mean, you are a bit stuffy sometimes... I can see where the name might come from!

Albert: Huh? When have I ever acted stuffy? I... No! Just no!

Albert: I won't allow the title of Thunderswift Lord to be reduced down to something frivolous like Old Man Sparky!

Albert is in a never-before-seen state of agitation.

Albert: You must change that name!

Vyrn: Whoa there... Calm down. That kid ran off already.

Lyria: Old Man Sparky... Rolls off the tongue, don't you think?

Albert: Can we drop it already? I'll never dignify that name!

Albert, unable to contain his agitation, walks away from the crew as if trying to escape to somewhere.

The crew members are witnesses to an unexpected side of Albert. They hastily chase after him as he starts to disappear into the distance.