The Fisherman's Tales
While evading imperial troops, (Captain) and company encounter an elderly man who invites them to fish with him. After getting familiar with the perceptive man, he invites himself into the crew.
While making their way through the mountains, (Captain) and the crew run afoul of some imperial soldiers and are forced to flee.
They run blindly and are soon lost. Luckily they spot a river where they can drink and rest.
Vyrn: It looks like we've lost them for now...
Katalina: Indeed. But we ran a lot further than I thought.
Vyrn: Ugh... Trying to go all the way back to town from here would be a pain.
Lyria: B-but at least it's a good thing that we weren't caught, right?
???: Oh? Ahoy there!
Lyria: Ahh! A-are you with the empire?
Yodarha: A-hyuk-hyuk! Nope, just an old fisherman.
Lyria: Whew... You really scared me.
Yodarha: You folks seem to be in a bit of a spot... Are you lost by any chance?
Katalina: Um... As a matter of fact, if you could tell us how to get back to town, we'd be really grateful...
Yodarha: Hyuk-hyuk! And why are you in such a hurry?
Yodarha: How about taking a few minutes to join an old man for some fishing?
- Sounds good! Let's do it!
- We've got no time for that!
Choose: Sounds good! Let's do it!Yodarha: A-hyuk-hyuk! That's the spirit! Here, I'll even let you use one of my best rods.
Vyrn: Wait a second, (Captain)! This ain't the time for fishing!
Katalina: Honestly... You've got real nerves of steel, you know that?
Choose: We've got no time for that!Yodarha: Hyuk-hyuk-hyuk... Just relax and trust me.
Yodarha: That's right, take a seat and let your cares float away with the water.
Lyria: We're sorry... but there are actually some people after us, and—
Yodarha: Haste will only dull your swords, don't you think?
Yodarha: A-hyuk-hyuk... But I don't know much about swords. Still, they can't be too different from fishin' rods, can they? Now sit. Consider it training if you must.
Continue 1Yodarha: Now there's nothing to worry 'bout, see? We're in the middle of nowhere—you won't run into another soul all the way out here.
Yodarha: You'd much more likely to be caught making a ruckus moving around, right?
Katalina: I suppose you may have a point...
Yodarha: Now don't be shy. I've got rods for all of you. Come on! Give it a try!
And with that, (Captain) and company find themselves doing some fishing.
Lyria: Um... I don't think I'm any good at this...
Katalina: But... Should we really be doing this at a time like this?
Yodarha: A-hyuk-hyuk! Quit yer fussing and pay attention. I'll show you the way!
Yodarha: It's simple! Just find some fish and cast your hook right to 'em! Like this!
With a twinkle in his eye, the fisherman casts out his line—before long, he catches a bite.
Yodarha: There! Just like that!
Lyria: Wow! That was amazing, sir!
Vyrn: Whoa, watch it! That's a monster!
Katalina: Lyria, stay back! Let me handle this.
Yodarha: A-hyuk-hyuk! Not a chance! How 'bout I reel it in instead? Look, here it comes!
Lyria: Ah! The fish flew away!
Imperial Soldier 1: Huh? Hey, there they are!
Imperial Soldier 2: Heh! They're just sitting there fishing without a care in the world! I'll bring reinforcements, so just stay here and keep an eye on—
Imperial Soldier 1&2: Gyuh?
Yodarha: Forget about it for now! We can go pick it up later. Now then... Next!
The crew enjoys some leisurely fishing. The elder can't help but laugh as Katalina rushes to draw her sword each time a monster is hooked.
And just as he promised, the imperial soldiers never showed up.
Lyria: Hehe... We sure caught a lot of fish!
Yodarha: Hyuk-hyuk-hyuk! Just this much here is a cinch for me!
Yodarha: But you, lass—you weren't enjoying yourself so much, were you?
Katalina: Huh? Me? But why do you say that?
Yodarha: The aim of both your rod and sword was a little off! How can you strike your targets like that?
Katalina: ...!
I can't believe you were able to see the flaws in my swordsmanship so easily...
Yodarha: A-hyuk-hyuk-hyuk! Swords and rods are wielded the same way, am I right?
Yodarha: You've got skill, lass—both with fishing and I suspect with a sword as well. But there's something holding you back.
Yodarha: What troubles you? Are you running from something? Or maybe you're worried about someone you've left behind...
Katalina: What? I... well... But how could you know that?
Yodarha: Easy enough! Your doubt shows through both your rod and your sword! It's a real waste given your potential!
Yodarha: Anyway, moving on. Did I hear just now that you folks were traveling to the Island of the Astrals?
Vyrn: Hmm? Why're you bringing that up all of a sudden?
Yodarha: You see, I wish to leave this island. Would you let me ride with you as you travel to the Island of the Astrals?
Yodarha: In return... Hmm, let's see. How 'bout I teach the armored lass how to fish?
Katalina: Huh? Me?
Yodarha: Of course! You've got real potential, lass. With my teachings, you could become a master! It would be a shame to let your talent go to waste.
Yodarha: It's such a thrill to finally meet a worthy pupil! Here, take this shrimp lure! You can use it to practice fishing!
Katalina: But...
Yodarha: No buts about it, young lady. There are more than a few people who would love to study under me!
Yodarha: Now let's go find your airship! I'm sure the imperial soldiers are long gone by now!
Vyrn: You know, I'm thinking this one would come with us even if we say no...
The crew reluctantly allows the elderly man to join them. After leaving, they discover that the imperial solders had been defeated.
Katalina: No way... W-what happened here?
Yodarha: Hyuk-hyuk-hyuk! Perhaps a bored martial artist was tidying up the area!
Thus, Yodarha the fisherman joins (Captain) and the crew on their journey.
Perplexed on how he was able to see through her sword technique, Katalina mumbles to herself that there's more to this old man than meets the eye.
Speak Up
The crew is visiting a certain town when Yodarha notices a glum-looking boy and tries to cheer him up with a story. Others begin to gather and listen, but his tale is interrupted by a gang of ruffians.
The crew is in town, where Yodarha notices a glum-looking youth. To cheer him up, he walks up and begins to tell a story.
He begins telling the story of The Phantasmagoric Fencer and the Dual-wielding Master Swordsman. As he speaks of their battle, passersby stop to listen.
Yodarha: The phantasmagoric fencer readies his sword and faces the young master swordsman!
Yodarha: There is a tense and deadly silence as they circle each other.
Yodarha: The young swordsman makes the first strike! Quick as lightning, he unsheathes his weapons and leaps forward!
Boy: Whoa! Then what happened?
Man: I've still got shopping to do, but I gotta know what happens next!
Yodarha: Legend says his blades cleave through the scales of dragons! With a blinding flash, he strikes—but the fencer has kept his wits about him!
Yodarha: He parries the strike at the last possible moment—catching the legendary blades with his very own.
Ruffian: Hey, you! Stop right there! So you're the geezer who's been tellin' stories in the middle of the street!
Ruffian: I don't remember givin' ya permission to make money here, so wrap it up! Scram!
Yodarha: Oh? I'm just telling this boy here a story I heard once.
Ruffian: Don't give me that! Look at this audience!
Yodarha: Hyuk-hyuk... I'm just a fisherman, son. I ain't gonna take money for a story like this.
Yodarha: Hmmm... Did you actually come here to listen, too? You should have just said so.
Ruffian: You think this is a joke, you little geezer? Looks like I need to teach you a lesson!
Yodarha: A-hyuk-hyuk... Now what good would it do you to fight an old fisherman like me?
Ruffian: Shut up! This here's my territory—you think I'm just gonna sit idly while you make money in my place?
Yodarha: I told you already, I'm just a fisherman. See, here's my fishing rod...
As he speaks, Yodarha produces a fishing rod to show the ruffian.
Ruffian: Agh! Ouch! Watch it, gramps! You pricked my foot with that damn hook!
Yodarha: Oh? Sorry 'bout that. My hand must've slipped.
Yodarha: But no worries! I just need to twist this a bit and it'll come right out...
Ruffian: Stop it—I'll do it myself!
Yodarha: Oho? That's odd... Maybe if I just twist it real good like this...
Ruffian: Stop that!
Yodarha: Oh! There we go! Thanks to your squirming, it came right out!
Ruffian: The hell's up with this geezer? Don't think for a second that you'll get away with this! Get him!
Yodarha: Oh, goodness me... Throwing a fit over a mere prick—quite the melodramatic one, aren't you?
Speak Up: Scene 2
The ruffians gang up on Yodarha, but they aren't able to land a hit on him as he begins to tell another story about a martial artist and a gang of corrupt disciples.
Ruffian: Damn you! Hold still, you slippery little fish!
Yodarha: A-hyuk-hyuk-hyuk! Can't keep up with this old man?
Ruffian: What's with him? It's like he knows what I'm gonna do before I do...
Yodarha: A poor fisherman you'd make, lad. You won't accomplish anything with wild swings like that.
Yodarha: Anyway, are we done here? I'd like to finish telling my story.
Ruffian: You're off your rocker, gramps! Ain't nobody wanna hear that. Get over here, guys!
Yodarha: Oh? That one wasn't to your liking, eh? How about I tell you another one.
Ruffian: Huh? Don't get the wrong idea, geezer!
Yodarha: A-hyuk-hyuk! But you might like this one!
Yodarha: Being surrounded by you ruffians like this reminded me of it, actually.
Ruffian: You little... You're still talking?
Yodarha: Ahem... Long ago, there was a legendary master whose name was known across the land!
Ruffian: C'mon, hurry up and stop him, you flunkies!
Yodarha: He had countless disciples who trained under him day after day, upholding their code of honor and justice!
Underling 1: I'll shut that mouth up, old-timer!
Yodarha: But one day, one of the master's disciples betrayed his teachings!
Yodarha: That disciple was none other than his most talented and trusted student!
Underling 2: Geez, this damn old codger just keeps goin'!
Yodarha: The disciple led a band of thugs to terrorize and take over a town.
Yodarha: However, their master entered their hideout alone to stop his foolish pupil!
Boy: Whoa! Amazing! He's slipping away from them like an oiled fish!
Yodarha: What happens next, you ask? Well, allow me to show you myself! A-hyuk-hyuk-hyuk!
Speak Up: Scene 3
Yodarha teaches the ruffians a lesson for taking over the town. After cheering up the boy, Yodarha denies that he was the martial artist from the story, stating that he's only a fisherman.
Yodarha finishes teaching a lesson to the ruffians who have been controlling the town.
Katalina: There's definitely nothing ordinary about you... Who exactly are you, Yodarha?
Boy: Ahaha! Isn't it obvious? He's the master from the story?
Yodarha: Hm? Don't be silly. That was just an imitation, and a poor one at that.
Yodarha: The real master is even more amazing!
Yodarha: Anyways... You haven't been fishing lately, have you, lass?
Katalina: Well... there weren't many places to fish, and...
Boy: Oh! If you wanna go fishing, there's a great little pond where you can do that! Want me to show you?
Yodarha: Sure! Why don't you take us now?
Boy: Of course! But do you think you can tell me the rest of that story from earlier?
Yodarha: Hyuk-hyuk... I sure can, lad. And then perhaps I'll teach you a thing or two about fishing—together with that lass over there too, of course.
Boy: Yay! I'm pretty good at fishing, you know! Especially when casting the line out just like this!
Yodarha: A-hyuk-hyuk! Hey, your form's pretty good!
The crew decides to spend some time with the boy and take him along for some fishing.
As they head toward the pond, Katalina can't help but revisit her suspicions that there's more to this old man than meets the eye.