Scenario:Auguste of the Dead - Chapter 1: The Walking Meg - Episode 1

Auguste of the Dead - Chapter 1: The Walking Meg - Episode 1

(Captain) and crew arrive at Auguste to find it almost deserted. They are reunited with Mari, who explains that the appearance of monsters year after year has led to a large decline of visitors to Auguste. She adds that there have been rumors of a mysterious flying creature being sighted around town recently. Meg is eager to rid the island of the threat, but the others convince her to rest up at the hotel first.

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The captain, Meg, and company ride with Rackam's friend to Auguste.

They arrive at their destination to find the island looking as beautiful as always.

However, they sense something different in the air.

Vyrn: ...

Lyria: Um, is something wrong?

The crew make their way from the port to the city, only to see that it is completely deserted.

Vyrn: The place looks way too empty... Even Zinkenstill was livelier than this.

Only a handful of tourists are seen walking the streets while shops appear closed left and right.

Meg: But why? Isn't it supposed to be peak season now?

The crew are speechless at the strange sight. Just then, a voice calls out to them from behind.

???: This is the reality in Auguste right now.

Vyrn: Hm?

Meg: Mari!

Mari: Meeeg!

Mari throws herself into a hug around Meg, burying her head in the warrior's chest.

Mari: It's been so long! How've you been?

Meg: Fine! You look like you're doing pretty good yourself!

Mari: Super good! As good as I can be, now that you're here!

Meg: Ahaha! Same for me! I'm so glad to see you again, Mari!

Laughter rings out from the two girls. Meanwhile, the rest of the crew looks on from nearby.

Vyrn: Um, hey... It's been a while, Mari!

Mari: Huh? Oh, it's (Captain) and the others. You're here too.

Vyrn: You bet we are! We've been here the whole time!

Mari: Whoops, sorry. Guess I only had eyes for Meg.

Lyria: Ahaha... I'm glad to see you're doing well.

Meg: Hey, Mari... What's going on here in Auguste?

Mari: It's because of those things that come to Auguste every year... You know what I'm talking about, right?

Meg: By "those things," you don't mean stuff like... Albacore and eals and colossal hermit crabs?

Mari nods.

As the crew very well knows, troublesome creatures have appeared at the popular holiday destination year after year.

The appearance of these creatures would throw tourists into a panic, and as a result, more and more people have been staying away.

This year, it is practically deserted in every corner of the island.

Meg: But... nothing happened back when (Captain) and I met!

Mari: It's true they've been appearing less frequently since then, but I guess people have just had enough. And restoring Auguste's good reputation is no easy feat.

Meg: No way...

Vyrn: You mentioned there weren't a lotta tourists here in your letter, but I didn't think it'd be this bad.

Mari: I didn't think the situation would get this dire when I wrote that letter either.

Mari: It doesn't help that a strange creature's been spotted this year.

Lyria: Huh? Did something appear again?

Mari: No one knows what it is yet, but there's been a few rumors of a mysterious something flying around town.

Mari: We already had problems attracting people to the island, and now with these new rumors, even Auguste residents have been leaving.

Vyrn: So that's why so many of the shops are closed... With things lookin' this bad, even the tourists who were brave enough to come this year won't be making another visit anytime soon.

Mari: Things are really looking down for Auguste... We're in some serious trouble.

Meg: We've gotta do something about it... This can't happen to Auguste.

Meg: I'll go look for that mysterious something that's been terrorizing the place and exterminate it!

Mari: Wait, Meg! Why don't you rest for a little first? I'm sure it was a long journey here. You're in Auguste, after all—take some time to relax.

Lyria: Mari's right, Meg. You have to remember to take care of yourself first.

Meg: But...

Eventually, (Captain) and the others manage to convince the hotheaded girl to let herself settle in first. Together, they head to the hotel run by Meg's acquaintance.

Hotelier: Hello! Welcome to the—

Meg: Hello, Mr. Proprietor! Long time no see. I'm glad you're still running this place!

Hotelier: ...

Meg: Mr. Proprietor?

Hotelier: Oh! U-um, Meg! Yes, it's been a long time indeed!

Meg: Oh, phew! For a second there, I thought you'd forgotten all about me.

Hotelier: I'd never forget you—you're Auguste's hero! It's just that, well...

Hotelier: As you know, we've known each other for quite a while, and... my brain is just finding it hard to process how much you've, er... matured.

Hotelier: I think I just need some time to get used to it. Ah, where are my manners? I must apologize.

Meg: Um... No problem?

Vyrn: (What exactly was Meg like before? Did she really look that different?)

Lyria: (I'm curious to know too. It seems Anila and Ferry know...)

Hotelier: Shall I prepare some rooms for you? We'd be glad to have all of you staying with us!

Hotelier: As we don't have very many guests these days, please feel free to use the facilities however you like—they're all yours! Ahaha... Haha... Ha...

The hotelier forces himself to laugh, but his laughter soon trails off into an awkward silence.

Meg: ...

Hotelier: Ah, but do let me warn you—I wouldn't walk outside late at night if I were you.

Hotelier: There've been sightings of a mysterious creature roaming around as of late, so please be careful.