Scenario:The Girl Who Leapt Through Mountains - Chapter 4: "X" Marks the Spot - Episode 4

The Girl Who Leapt Through Mountains - Chapter 4: "X" Marks the Spot - Episode 4

Following the smoke signal, the village chief encounters (Captain)'s crew and offers to show them a secret after seeing Yodarha's basket of greatshrooms. Meanwhile, the village guide stealthily sends one of Rhens's men tumbling into a ravine with her hidden blowgun.

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Village Chief: Ah... Hello there.

Village Chief's Guard: So here they are.

Farrah: Hi? Who are you guys?

Village Chief: I'm the chief of the village at the foot of this mountain... Just making my usual rounds.

Vyrn: Oh, gotcha. This is a tourist spot, after all. I guess you need to make sure travelers are staying safe!

Village Chief: Yes, something like that. How is your hunt for greatshrooms going, might I ask?

Village Chief's Guard: I can't imagine you've had much luck without a guide.

Vyrn: Heh! Think again. We've got a master of this mountain here on our side. Right, gramps?

Yodarha: Hyuk-hyuk! I wouldn't go that far, but we've done okay! Here, take a look.

Village Chief: ...!

Village Chief's Guard: ...!

The two take a look in Yodarha's basket and are shocked to see it packed to the brim with glistening greatshrooms.

Village Chief: Well, well. Quite impressive.

Vyrn: Right? This old guy picked all of 'em up before we even knew it!

Village Chief: I see... Clearly you are people who love this mountain, so how about I share a secret with you?

Vyrn: A secret? Like what?

Lyria: Oh! A place where lots of greatshrooms grow, perhaps?

Farrah: Whoa! Yeah, I'd love to know about a place like that!

Village Chief: Hahaha... You'll see when we arrive. This way, everyone.

Village Chief's Guard: Chief?

Village Chief: Proceed.

After confirming that the smoke signal sent was indeed not a mistake, the chief gives his guard a look of fierce determination.

Rhens: Okay then... How exactly do we take care of the old coot?

Thug 1: Hah! You almost sound scared of him!

Thug 2: We'll crush his old bones with ease, easy!

Rhens: Don't be so sure. He's stronger than he looks, and tough to ambush too.

Woman: You're planning on capturing that old man? He looked pretty familiar with the mountain.

Rhens: Indeed. It won't be easy. We don't even know which way he went.

Woman: That narrow path over there, probably. That's the route someone familiar with the mountain would take.

Thug 2: All right. Rhens, take the lead.

Thug 1: You're the most skilled one among us, after all. We'll need you to face him to see how tough he really is.

Rhens: Seriously? Fine, whatever... Let's get a move on.

When Rhens in the lead, the four make their way down the narrow path in silence for some time.

Thug 2: Hey, miss. Mind yer footing here. Lemme help you.

Woman: You're quite the gentleman... Thank you.

Thug 2: You remind me of my mother back home when she was younger... I have a painting of her at home.

Thug 1: Hahaha! Homesick, are you? Needing mommy?

Thug 2: Shut it! Stay out of this!

Woman: Be careful, dear. I think you need to watch where you're going!

Thug 2: I am, I am... Heh... Feels kinda strange, almost nostalgic...

Woman: I'm sure I'd remember being a mother to such a big boy such as yourself.

Woman: Pfft!

Thug 2: Graaugh!

A dart fired from the woman's hidden blowgun strikes him directly in the neck and quickly paralyzes him.

Rhens: What the hell's he doing?

Paralyzed, the thug tumbles into the ravine as Rhens clutches his head in disbelief.

Woman: Ah, how horrible... His foot must've slipped. From this height, he...

Thug 1: No way. I can't believe he'd do something so careless.

Rhens: Damn... C'mon, let's just keep moving!

Woman: (One down...)

Farrah: Something feels strange here...

Lyria: Strange? Like how?

Farrah: Hmm... I can't really explain it, but it's like, the atmosphere? The smell?

Vyrn: The smell? I'm not getting anything.

Yodarha: Interesting... Almost as if a battle for greatshrooms is about to erupt.

Village Chief: Yes, perhaps.

Village Chief's Guard: ...

Farrah: What's this secret supposed to be, anyway? We've been walking for a while now.

Village Chief: You'll see soon enough. Just wait...

Village Chief's Guard: Kyeargh!

Farrah: Whoa!

The guard suddenly lunges and attacks Farrah, who barely manages to save herself.

Vyrn: Hey! What's the big idea?

Village Chief: The big idea, is to share the secret of this mountain with you.

Farrah: Take this!

Village Chief's Guard: Grngh!

Village Chief: You see, we're the only ones allowed to pick greatshrooms. They're a vital source of income for our village.

Village Chief's Guard: We might let one or two slide, but that old man has clearly picked far too many.

Village Chief: I don't know where you found them, but you aren't going to be telling anyone else about it.

Yodarha: I see. So you turn your weapons on us?

Yodarha: You can't hope to defeat these kids, anyway.

Village Chief's Guard: Heh... You think these little brats can stand up to me?

Yodarha: Hyuk-hyuk-hyuk! Judging by how you're holding that sword, I know they can!

Yodarha: This lass here has been trained to a far higher level than you!

Farrah: Bring it on! No one gets in the way of our dinner plans!

The Girl Who Leapt Through Mountains - Chapter 4: "X" Marks the Spot - Episode 4: Scene 2

(Captain) and the crew manage to drive off the villagers for the time being. Their greed reminds Yodarha of a student he once trained in swordsmanship.

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Vyrn: Geez... What's even going on anymore?

Farrah: You tell me! He certainly wasn't holding back!

Yodarha: Of course... It seems that the villagers have been consumed by their greed.

Yodarha: Defending their business is one thing. On the other hand, killing to do so is no good.

Farrah: You said it! You think they've done this before?

Yodarha: Perhaps... Just like with Rhens, this island twists people.

With a twinkle of sadness in his eyes, Yodarha looks off into the distance and begins to mutter a story to himself.

Yodarha: Long, long ago... There was an acclaimed swordsman who trained countless pupils.

Yodarha: However, the betrayal of his best pupil led many of them to turn to the dark, one after another.

Yodarha: What caused their devotion to falter was also their greed.

Farrah: Wait, is this story supposed to be about that Rhens guy?

Yodarha: Maybe... It's a common enough story.

Yodarha: Anyway! Come on, move!

Farrah: Ah! Hold on, Master!

This battle for the prized greatshrooms is far from over. With an enigmatic smile, Yodarha continues onward.