Beyond the Beyond: Update 56.5: Good Neighbors Indeed?

[ladyabaxa]

Beyond the Beyond: Update 56.5: Good Neighbors Indeed?)

Continuing...

Heading towards the castle the team finds the gates open and the guards on short patrol cycles that look pretty silly given how little space there is. It actually makes the front gate less secure since the portcullis is up and they both turn to face the wall at the same time.

This is Zalagoon Castle! Oh, you're from Marion... Please proceed.
We're getting to be well known around here.
It was bound to happen eventually.

Inside the castle was calm.

Good to see you kids again. A shame Sir Samson isn't with you today.
Why is that?
It's uplifting to see him in the castle. I shall always admire Sir Samson for his great strength.
So you don't admire us for our strength?
You can't lift a pillar on your own little dragon.
And we're all glad about that.
What's that supposed to mean?
You know perfectly well what mayhem you could wreak.

Pictured: someone who hasn't actually checked the armory recently.

Mayhem? Why I never! I'll have you know I strictly limit myself to mischief and pranks!
Steiner getting indignant over the word mayhem. It's... it's...
Ridiculous? Ludicrous? An affront to common sense?
The highlight of my day actually. I needed a good laugh.

It didn't take you kids long to come back to Zalagoon did it? Are you here on business?
Nah. We're enjoying some vacation time.
The war is over now. I hope we won't need the weapons in here for a while.
Especially since we took all the good ones.

To the north is another soldier milling about. Zalagoon castle is all about the military apparently.

What we took wasn't even all that good. Didn't even factor into why Bandore fled.
We were just too well dressed for the Vicious Ones.
Good to see you kids again. Prince Edward isn't with you today?
Nah. He's got prince stuff to do in Marion.
I imagine he's got a lot on his mind. Marion's still at war with Bandore isn't it?
It depends on how you define "at war."
Shutat and his generals will not be easy to stop. They are extremely powerful. I bet they have something planned.
We heard from someone who definitely wasn't a Bandore soldier we let run away that Bandore is building a new warship. That's what they're probably up to.
A new warship? How's that going to help them?
When we figure that part out we'll let you know.

Inside the room is Sir Piat and a soldier just relaxing as if it were a normal day in Zalagoon.

Hi kids. Is there something we can help you with?
We're just visiting.
The war is over, but Sir Piat is still a busy person.
Did the king give him a medal for his valor during the war?
You actually reclaimed Marion from Bandore. We just helped...
Technically you stared down two Vicious Ones.
Who were totally going to attack us until you showed up.
Don't remind me.
They didn't seem that dangerous to me. Some strong magic, yes, but nothing we couldn't overcome.
And to think that's the best the Underworld has to offer!
Maybe the Underworld's happy to be rid of them.
Look I'm glad you're all happy but I'd rather not run into them again.
What? Just because they were talking about how you personally had to be destroyed and everything?
I'd like my skin to stay attached. It's a personal thing.
I wouldn't worry too much. Those two didn't seem to be nearly as fearsome and powerful as the Vicious Ones from way back when.
If it's all the same I'm not all that interested in testing that.
I'm sure if it comes down to it you'll handle yourself just fine, Finn. You have been learning from one of the best.
That's an if that I'm happy to avoid.
So you've made a decision on whether or not you're going to Bandore?
I... *looks at Annie* Well, no. I haven't decided yet. I don't think any of us have.
...other than strongly implying we were to Dad.
I think anyone would understand why you would choose not to. If Marion isn't invading Bandore and you get caught in their territory well... We will honor your memory.
Ominous and to the point. I can respect that.
Prrarr. It's not like Shutat or Ramue are going to do anything to stop us.
I didn't say it scared me. In a real fight we could probably take them. Well, one of them... maybe.
I wish there was something I could do to help but this is out of my hands. I know the king isn't going to send troops into Bandore unless Marion takes the initiative.
We'll figure something out.

The kitchen, meanwhile, is filled with the relaxing smells of food being prepared.

I don't know what you kids want but I'm tellin' you now I don't have anything to spare.
Tough day on the job?
Now that everyone is back from the war, I'm busy with meals.
We'll get something from the inn later anyway.
You kids here to see the king?
I guess. Is he here?
Of course he is.

The kids once again walk into the throne room of Zalagoon. No one bothers to challenge or question them.

Of course not everyone has something of their own to say. I'm not exactly going to fault the devs for recycling some lines here. Sometimes there just isn't time to write something unique and at least a little interesting for everyone.

Good to see you kids again. I see Prince Edward isn't with you today.
He's got stuff to do.
Yes. There must be a lot of work to be done in Marion.
(SW) The queen seems to be relieved that everything is well in Marion.
(NW) As well as Marion can be considering...
Hmm. I heard you defeated the Bandore troops blocking the southern bridge. Finn, you are a true hero.
As if!
Steiner!
Eh, he's right this time. I was just going along with everyone else's plans and doing what needed to be done.
Your modesty is rather refreshing, Finn.

Elsewhere in the room the king and queen sit on their respective thrones.

It didn't take you long to return did it. Is there something you need?
We're just taking some time to enjoy traveling for the sake of traveling.
Piat has told me that Marion is finally free from Bandore's control. Thank you for your assistance in returning the throne of Marion back to my brother.
Yes, Piat was quite excited when he recited his tale. I've heard that Marion is once again in the good hands of my brother-in-law. I'm glad the soldiers of Zalagoon could be of help.
With any luck we won't need their help again.
It won't be long before Bandore is back to causing trouble.

As the kids walk away a sad realization lingers.

They'll definitely be back to causing trouble if those Vicious Ones are still there.
And that emperor guy who basically told Edward he was going to come back for another invasion. I don't think he was kidding.
Maybe we will get to see them sail their ship up to Marion's shore and shout insults. That would be great. I'd love to see that so I could laugh at them.
(SE) Bandore has a new ship?
Maybe, possibly, we heard it from a guy.
I'm calling it now. They take their new ship and go on vacation.
Maybe they'll get lost and run aground on a deserted island.
(NE) Nah. They'll be sunk by pirates.
You all have so much confidence in this supposed new warship.
(NE) Now that Marion is restored and Bandore is no longer a threat, Zalagoon has returned to its once great splendor. I'm proud to serve such a great kingdom. I'm not going to let one rumor get me down.
I don't know about splendor but it is quiet around here now.
(SE) Now that Queen Scarlet's anxiety has calmed down, I'm sure Sir Bison is relieved.
Aaand now not having Edward with us makes for an awkward situation.
Eh, it's not like he can't come visit his aunt any time he wants.

pictured: I have no idea how a typo that bad got through other than the fact that this is a line of dialogue the player has to go a bit out of their way to find. Still, that's somewhat impressive. It managed to skip a space, hit L instead of S and capitalized the L when the S would never have been capitalized.

As the kids continue their circuit around the castle they find another soldier just sort of wandering around.

Hi kids. Off on another adventure?
Always!
It's great isn't it? Until recently I was out with the scouts. During our travels, I heard many frightening stories about Shutat and his generals.
Anything we should be worried about?
I heard from Sir Piat that you confronted Shutat and forced him to flee. After that I guess you don't have much to worry about.
Hrm.

And in the last room in the castle is the soldier who didn't want to go to war the last time the team saw them.

Finn's just grumpy because he's almost out of reasons to stall going back to Marion.
As if there isn't a huge amount of continent to revisit if we wanted to.
No that's quite alright. As much as it pains me to admit, if we're going to sneak into Bandore we can't waste any more time.
You kids are actually going into Bandore? I don't envy you.
Eh, we'll mostly be tourists.
With a secret mission!
...
...forget I said anything about that, ok?
I heard nothing.
Sooo, did you see any action on the front lines?
Yeah. Not much though. We defeated Bandore, but we took losses as well. I'm glad to be back home safely.

Next time on Beyond the Beyond - Finn's band has a decision to make and it's not about what totally metal name they wish to adopt.

Update Fifty-six | Index | Update Fifty-seven