Scenario:Baotorda - Baotorda: A Man of Culture

Baotorda: A Man of Culture

(Captain) and company are surprised that Baotorda decides to stay with them despite a commendation from His Eminence. Baotorda explains that he needs the crew's strength to follow his own brand of justice.

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Baotorda not in crew

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Baotorda is a holy knight who was once a member of the Lumiel Order of Holy Knights.

While on the way home from a mission for his order, he saw some imperial soldiers chasing (Captain) and company, who were then still children.

He renounced his position as a Holy Knight of Lumiel on the spot and helped (Captain) and the others escape their predicament.

Baotorda: I would offer up my cherished sword and even my body in the name of justice... I am always ready to do whatever justice requires.

Lyria: But surely you didn't need to leave your order...

Baotorda: Oh, but I did. The Holy Kingdom of Lumiel currently has a reasonably cordial relationship with the Erste Empire.

Baotorda: If I were to start a conflict, it would cause great difficulty for the captain of my order and for His Eminence.

Baotorda: So the only way I could see justice done was as a simple knight, not as a member of the Lumiel Order of Holy Knights...

The self-declared simple knight then told the crew he wanted them to help him live in a way that is forever pure and forever righteous.

(Captain) accepted his request, and they've been traveling together ever since.

During his travels with the crew, the knight has remained as noble and brave as ever, aiding the weak as he pursues his own brand of justice.

Baotorda: I must return to my roots and focus on constant self-improvement.

Baotorda: I have to do this for myself... To be forever pure, forever righteous...

Baotorda: ...

Baotorda stands within Lumiel Cathedral. A tranquil voice rings out, cutting through the still air in the sanctuary.

His Eminence: In praise of the way you've upheld justice, I hereby grant you a new sword.

Baotorda: Thank you, Your Eminence.

Several days earlier, while on the way to Lumiel, (Captain) and company encountered a carriage being attacked by monsters.

Without wasting a single moment, Baotorda leapt into the crowd of monsters and dispatched them in a blink. The carriage was saved.

The person riding the carriage turned out to be the ruler of Lumiel...

And it was decided that Baotorda would receive a reward today in commemoration of his nobility and bravery.

His Eminence: That armor also suits you. It's truly fitting for a man of such infallible integrity.

Baotorda lowers his head with reverence.

Baotorda: I'll do everything in my power to keep the light of justice burning bright in my heart.

Baotorda: Justice always guides me.

Baotorda thrusts his new sword towards the heavens and is met with a thunderous round of applause from the people gathered there.

His Eminence: Show this mighty hero of Lumiel just how proud you are of him!

Lyria: Wow!

Vyrn: Yeah, they really love you, big guy!

The applause for Baotorda doesn't die down for quite some time.

Baotorda: La-di-da. La-di-da-di-da.

Clad in a chef's outfit, Baotorda hums merrily as he stands in the kitchen.

His cheerful look starkly contrasts with his austerity upon receiving the new equipment from Lumiel several days before.

Baotorda: It should be just about done. Now let's see here...

Baotorda: Slurp!

Baotorda: Whoa!

Baotorda: There were a ton of extra lemons and garlic in the storeroom, so I decided to give them a try, but...

Baotorda: The combination of the lemon's refreshing scent and the punch of the garlic makes for quite an incredible flavor!

Baotorda: This...

Baotorda: This would be perfect on bread!

Baotorda: No...

Baotorda: It'd be more accurate to say I want bread just so I have an excuse to eat this sauce itself.

Baotorda: Thus a truly beguiling sauce is born...

Baotorda: Now I have no choice but to bake some bread.

Baotorda: I thought a little pasta would be good enough for this sauce, but how wrong I was.

Lyria: Baotorda, it's Lyria. You mind if I come in?

Baotorda: Of course not. You're always welcome, Lyria. Come on in.

Lyria: Heh-heh... Okay then!

Lyria: ...

Baotorda: Do you have need of my services?

Lyria: I do! I'm actually wondering if you'll let me cook with you.

Baotorda: You want to cook with me?

Lyria: Yes. I mean, you always look like you're having so much fun when you cook.

Lyria: I'm hoping to learn a little something about cooking from you!

Baotorda: I look like I'm having fun, huh? Ha-ha. I suppose I do.

Baotorda: And of course I'll help you learn. Let's get started.

Lyria: Yay! You'll really help me? That's great!

Baotorda: I was about to start baking a loaf of bread. It happens to be a fairly difficult job, but...

Lyria: It'll be fine! I'll do whatever I can to help!

Baotorda: Heh-heh... I'm counting on you. Now let's get started with the preparations.

Baotorda: Okay, start by mixing everything in this bowl until you have a nice clump of dough.

Lyria: Like this?

Baotorda: That's right. Oho, you're a natural. Keep mixing that until its texture is uniform.

Lyria: Okay!

Baotorda: Hum, hum. Hum, hum, hum.

Lyria: Bread, bread! Delicious bread!

Baotorda: Heh-heh. Looks like I have some lyrics to go along with my humming now.

Lyria: Hee-hee! Well, every fun melody needs fun lyrics!

Baotorda: You honor me.

Lyria: Hee-hee. Now sing it with me, Baotorda!
Delicious bread!

Baotorda: Delicious bread!

Lyria: Delicious bread!

Baotorda & Lyria: Delicious bread!

The two of them gleefully sing as they continue to cook.

Baotorda: The next step is to get the dough out of the bowl and start kneading it for real.

Baotorda: The better this is done, the better the bread will rise later, so it's crucial to do a good job.

Lyria: All right!

Lyria: Knead, knead!

Baotorda: Press, press, press!

Baotorda: Smash, smash, smash!

Lyria: Wow... You're so strong! Okay, it's my turn!

Lyria: Squeeze! Squeeze! Squeeze!

Baotorda: Kick! Punch! Chop!

Lyria: Chop! Slap! Punch!

Baotorda: Wham! Wham! Wham!

Lyria: Bang! Bang! Bang!

Vyrn: Hey, what are you guys up to?

Baotorda: Well, if it isn't the rest of the crew. What's going on?

Vyrn: That's what we'd like to know! We heard yelling and other noises in here, so we came to investigate.

Lyria: Oh, hey, Vyrn! And (Captain) too! We were kneading dough! Take a look! I did a great job!

Vyrn: Dough?

Baotorda: Oh, well done, Lyria. Looks like the butter has been worked into that well.

Baotorda: Now we have to set the dough aside for a little while to give the dough time to rise.

Lyria: Okay!

Vyrn and (Captain) are relieved to see that Baotorda is the same as ever.

Vyrn: We were actually worried that you might suddenly decide to stay in Lumiel, Baotorda.

Baotorda: Oh? And why would you think that?

Vyrn: Well, you received new armor and a sword from His Eminence the other day, right?

Vyrn: You used to be a member of the Lumiel Order of Holy Knights, so I doubted you'd be able to refuse after your ruler asked you to stay.

Baotorda: ...

On the day that Baotorda was honored in Lumiel...

His ruler actually asked him if he'd stay in Lumiel to work for the good of the kingdom.

Baotorda: Ah, so that's what you're talking about.

Baotorda: I was of course grateful for His Eminence's words, not to mention unworthy of the honor, but there's something else I need.

Lyria: Something else?

Baotorda: Indeed. I need to continue upholding justice.

Vyrn: You say stuff like that a lot, but wouldn't it be easier to do just that if you stayed in Lumiel?

Baotorda: No, justice isn't just some flag to be held up. And it isn't something to be upheld in the name of praise from someone else either.

Baotorda: The day His Eminence's life was threatened, anyone who happened to be there could have done what I did.

Baotorda: I was just in the right place at the right time.

Baotorda: Upholding justice has nothing to do with one's position, country, or where one happens to be.

Baotorda: But I'm convinced that I'm not yet strong enough to continue upholding justice as it must be.

Baotorda: I know I said this before, but...

Baotorda: In order for me to live in a way that's forever pure and forever righteous, I still need the assistance of this crew.

Vyrn: Hmm... You know, it might sound blunt, but I think you're already plenty strong and skilled.

Vyrn: Don't you think you're being a little too hard on yourself?

Baotorda: Heh-heh. Thank you for that. But I still have a long way to go.

Baotorda: There are people I would never have met if I weren't with you guys.

Baotorda: And there are plenty of people I never could have helped if I weren't with you guys.

Baotorda: I don't want to try to uphold justice on my own when I can do it so much more effectively alongside you guys.

Baotorda: I hope you understand how I feel.

Lyria: Baotorda...

Baotorda smiles at (Captain), who has listened attentively to every word he's said.

That smile is all it takes to dispel the crew's doubts.

Baotorda: I look forward to continuing to fight in the name of justice at your side, (Captain).

Vyrn: Yeah! We're with you on that!

Lyria: That's right! I hope you'll always be with us, Baotorda!

Baotorda: Indeed.

Baotorda: Oh, Lyria, it looks like the dough is rising nicely.

Lyria: Wow! It's gotten so big!

Baotorda: I'd say it's about time to finish our cooking and have lunch with everyone.

Baotorda has chosen to devote his life to upholding justice, which has nothing to do with reaching a certain destination or rising to anyone else's level.

The way he lives will surely continue to act as a light to help the weak find their way.