Scenario:Seruel - A Protector's Wish

A Protector's Wish

Restoration efforts are in full swing on Alster Island. Seruel assists as much as he can, but grows frustrated with his limited ability to help. Naoise reminds him that every bit of support counts, even the smaller actions, and encourages Seruel to find something within his means to do for the island's citizens.

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Seruel: Once upon a time on Alster Island, True Dragon Deirdre kept the peace between people and monsters, honoring a pact she had made with Irestill Kingdom's founder long ago.

Seruel: Eventually, however, the pact's existence faded from history, and King Connor ignorantly ordered the knight Naoise to eliminate Deirdre.

Seruel: Even a being as powerful as Deirdre was susceptible to betrayal. Her vessel was destroyed, and monsters were free to rampage across the island.

Seruel: Irestill Kingdom did not last long against the onslaught. Heles and I, Connor's children, were able to at least recover Deirdre's core in the aftermath.

Seruel: As a temporary measure, the core was placed into a person-like vessel. Through it, Deirdre experienced the mortal world and found it in her heart to forgive the royal family for their transgressions.

Seruel: With Deirdre's assistance gained, Alster Island gradually became one of the few places in the skies where people and monsters could live in harmony.

Seruel: But there was one being—True Dragon Medb—who despised these accomplishments and viewed Deirdre's actions as an insult to all true dragons.

Seruel: Consequently, Medb would not stand idly by. She drove the island's monsters mad and sent her subjects to eliminate the people.

Seruel: Instead of coming apart, the people and the monsters joined as one, and with (Captain)'s crew fighting by their side, Alster was able to triumph over Medb's wickedness.

Seruel: It was a victory that cost the lives of many.

Seruel: But no one gave into despair, and all residents of the island moved forward together.

Seruel: In the wake of tragedy, they buried the dead and treated the injured, with hope for a better tomorrow burning strongly in their hearts.

Alster Island has emerged victorious from True Dragon Medb's assault, though they still have yet to make a full recovery.

Seruel, wishing to do everything he can to aid his people, has asked (Captain) to remain on the island for the time being.

Seruel: I've finished compiling a list of materials we can purchase from other islands. Would you mind looking over it?

Elisheba: Thank you for doing this, Seruel.
I see there's a point of concern regarding wool and cotton.

Seruel: As you know, Alster is an island that can produce most of its own necessities.

Seruel: Importing a large quantity of materials from outside the island has a high possibility of disrupting Alster's domestic economy once the rebuilding efforts are completed.

Elisheba: I am also of the opinion that we previously requested enough help after the kingdom's fall. Seeking more would be unbecoming.

Seruel: True. There is the balance of power between islands to consider... Shall we focus on accelerating the restoration efforts of our fields and pastures instead?

Clever Girl: Elisheba! Is there anything I can help with...

Clever Girl: Oh! It's Seruel! H-hello, sir!

Seruel: Hello, young lady. There's no need to be so formal. Please relax.

Clever Girl: O-okay, um...

Elisheba: Thank you for all your help, but weren't you just doing the laundry for me?

Elisheba: You must be tired after working so much. Please go ahead and have some fun for the rest of the day.

Clever Girl: But...

Gentle Monster: Grrr...

Clever Girl: Oh, it's Fluffykins.

A monster enters the room, bites the girl's sleeve, and gently tugs her toward the door.

Seruel: Hmm, it seems to have business with you. Shall I fetch Deirdre to translate for us?

Clever Girl: Those bullies are at it again, aren't they? I know just what to do!

Gentle Monster: Groar!

Clever Girl: Seruel, Elisheba, please excuse me! Me and Fluffykins are going to go stop the bullies!

Elisheba: Good luck. Please tell them to play nicely, and no fighting, all right?

Clever Girl: Yes, ma'am!

Seruel: That girl... She seemed to understand what the monster was trying to convey.

Elisheba: I would wager their stay inside the Great Court has brought them together quite well.

Elisheba: It's a rather fortunate development, as I've heard that Fluffykins lost its own child during the recent mayhem.

Elisheba: Now it watches over the surviving children, people and monster alike.

Seruel: I see... I'm relieved that reconciliation between us is progressing even in such circumstances.

Elisheba: As am I.
As long as the children are happy, well, I don't mind being subjected to a prank or two either!

Seruel: Oh my... You've certainly matured, Elisheba. I don't recall you being quite as lenient when I was young.

Elisheba: I must admit, my attitude is much different now that there aren't any children who pretend to help in the kitchen and then turn every pot upside down.

Seruel: I... should have simply kept quiet.

Elisheba: In all seriousness, the pranks are far better than worrying over subdued and cheerless children.

Elisheba: Especially when you consider that some of them haven't seen their families or homes in weeks.

Elisheba: They understand they were sent here to the Great Court while the adults focus on restoration efforts, but...

Seruel: They are overly conscious of the situation and refrain from childlike behavior, keeping all their negative feelings bottled away, or so I've noticed.

Elisheba: Indeed. The girl you met a moment ago is an especially worrying case.

Seruel: We push onwards with restoration efforts for the sake of the future, and yet we force the children who are the future to endure... This cannot continue.

Scathacha: You are both overthinking.

Seruel: Scathacha? I do hope you realize eavesdropping is a hobby unbecoming of a true dragon.

Scathacha: Please. I only came to deliver what a monster entrusted to me.

Elisheba: Oh my! Those are the sheets that were blown away. Thank you very much, Scathacha. Please convey my thanks to your monster friend as well.

Scathacha: I will.

Scathacha: Also... Keep your voices down. Even children have their pride, and your pity will only wound them.

Seruel: That is... sound advice.

Seruel: (After all, when I was a child I felt the same.)

Seruel: (Perhaps it was only natural for people to pity the prince whose birth caused his mother's death, but I found such pity extremely disagreeable.)

Scathacha: What's wrong? It's not like you to listen quietly to what I say.

Seruel: Heh... I am simply trying to keep an open mind in the spirit of the holidays.

Seruel: Especially when talking with a child.

Scathacha: You're never at a loss for words, are you?

Lively Boy: Ahaha!

Quiet Boy: W-wait up...

Naoise: Please don't run in the hallways—

Clever Girl: Hold it! What are you doing! Why can't you just behave!

Gentle Monster: Groooar...

Lively Boy: Uh-oh! It's Big Sis and Fluffykins!

Quiet Boy: Oof! N-Naoise, sir! I'm sorry!

Naoise: Are you all right? You should be more careful of your surroundings.

Lively Boy: Come and get meee!

Clever Girl: Just you waaait!

Naoise: ...

Quiet Boy: U-umm, I'm really, really sorry.

Scathacha: Heh. I see the kingdom's number one knight has quite the tender heart.

Naoise: Scathacha...

Elisheba: Hehe, watching these children run around the castle certainly brings up quite a few memories.

Scathacha: Does it now? You've piqued my interest. Do share with the rest of us.

Elisheba: In that case, why don't we put a kettle of tea on and call Heles over as well?

Seruel: I'm afraid I must attend to other matters. There are a few documents I have to look over before submitting them to the parliament.

Naoise: Allow me to assist you with those documents.

Seruel: Thank you, Naoise.
If you'll excuse us.

Scathacha: They got away...

Seruel: There weren't any miscalculations or inconsistencies, and the focus remained mostly on what was necessary. I believe these documents are ready.

Naoise: Very good! The parliament will be relieved to receive them.

Seruel: As a citizen of the island, I'm pleased to be of service.

Seruel: However...

Naoise: What is it?

Seruel: I cannot help but sigh at my limited usefulness.

Seruel: Despite being deemed worthy of Gorm Glas and acknoweldged as Alster Island's protector, this is the extent of the aid I can offer to everyone.

Naoise: Well, there is only so much one person can do.

Naoise: Besides, your "limited usefulness" has helped everyone once before, has it not? Your efforts are worth more than the credit you give yourself.

Seruel: I was only doing what any member of the royal family should when the kingdom fell.

Seruel: But now that I am simply another citizen of Alster, I am not doing enough.

Naoise: Seruel... You are far wiser and more knowledgeable than a foolhardy warrior like myself.

Naoise: But perhaps, at least at the moment, you might be overcomplicating matters.

Seruel: Overcomplicating...

Naoise: Yes. I am of the opinion that you should do what you wish to do without worrying whether it is enough.

Naoise: Because even a trivial task like assisting an elderly citizen with their bags is worth doing, is it not?

Seruel: I see... Your point is that simpler, smaller actions have their place, as much as the more dire issues.

Naoise: Precisely. I know you wish to do more to help, but part of that is occasionally taking a step back and simply doing something within your means. Am I wrong?

Seruel: You... are not.

Seruel: (I need to stop overcomplicating matters... But stopping myself from doing so might be complicated in its own right.)

Seruel: Hm? What was that?

Seruel wakes in the middle of the night at the sound of footsteps and voices traveling down the hallway.

Seruel: Am I hearing... the children?

Wary of trouble, he gets out of bed and exits his room.

Quiet Boy: Sob... Sniffle...

Clever Girl: Come on! We won't get anywhere if you keep crying!

Quiet Boy: B-but, Sis... It's so dark and scary...

Clever Girl: What's there to be scared of in the castle? All the knights and Fluffykins will protect us.

Clever Girl: Santa Claus won't come anymore if you keep crying like this!

Quiet Boy: Sniff... B-but...

Seruel: (Those two are...)

A young pair of siblings stands at the end of the dark hallway. Seruel attempts to call out to them when the sister speaks again.

Clever Girl: Remember, we're the children of knights. We have to lead by example.

???: Remember, you and I are the children of a king.

Seruel: ...!

Quiet Boy: Ah... Seruel?

Clever Girl: Huh? Oh, Seruel, sir! I-I'm sorry about the noise...

Seruel: There's no need to be so formal. I thought I said as much earlier.

Clever Girl: But it would be rude...

Seruel: It is quite all right. From where I stand, you display an ample amount of discipline. Your parents must be proud of how they raised you.

Clever Girl: ...!

Seruel: Besides, I'm more concerned with why the two of you are so far away from your rooms. What are you doing this late at night?

Clever Girl: W-well... We...

Quiet Boy: Sis?

Clever Girl: Ugh!

The girl turns her gaze down and quietly speaks to Seruel, careful to keep her brother from hearing.

Clever Girl: We went to the bathroom, but then we got lost...

Seruel: Understandable. This is a foreign place to you after all. Allow me to escort you back.

Clever Girl: We can't possibly ask you to!

Seruel: A cold winter night like this shouldn't be spent in the hallways. I insist we hurry before you catch a cold.

Quiet Boy: Okay, Seruel... Can we go now, Sis?

Clever Girl: Ugh... I'm sorry to bother you, Seruel. Thank you very much.

Seruel escorts the children back to their room. They thank him again before sliding into bed.

Clever Girl: Don't forget to pull the blankets over your shoulders too.

Quiet Boy: Hey, Sis... Do you think Santa Claus knows we're here?

Clever Girl: Now's not the time to be thinking about presents, okay?

Quiet Boy: But...

Seruel: Santa Claus is always aware of where good children reside.

Seruel: Hence considerate children such as yourselves have nothing to worry about.

Quiet Boy: ...!

Seruel: Please focus only on resting warmly tonight.

Quiet Boy: Okay. Good night, Seruel.

Seruel: Good night, and sweet dreams.

The children fall asleep almost immediately, leaving Seruel to ponder by himself.

He believes he's found something that he wishes to do, and it's also an idea that is within his means to accomplish.