Noelle/Stories

General Stories Misc

Quotes

On Sortied

M-message for you!

On Entering a Room

I... I accept my duty!

When Quest Begins

Um...I think it's time to go?

Are you...um...ready?

Response to Beginning of a Quest

G-got it. Here comes the messenger!

R-right!

When Controlling Character in Quest

Wait...M..me? Uh..okay...

When Receiving a Heal

Um...thank you.

I'm...healed? Whew!

When Entering a Boss' Room

This is, um, the last one!

This looks tough, but we're not going to lose!

Response to Entering a Boss' Room

*gulp* I...I'll do my best!

OKay, I'll try to help!

Upon Getting to Low Health

I'll fight...to the end...

I'm...not done yet...

Upon Opening a Chest

Lemme just put this away for safekeeping.

I'll be sure this makes it home in one piece.

Boss on Low Health

J-just a little more!

Big news: The enemy is weak!

Boss Enters Break State

If we're going to do this, we'd better do it now!

This is our chance!

Rare Enemy Spawns

Oh my! What an unusual enemy this is...

Rare enemy spotted!

Upon Death

I'm so sorry, commander...

I can't...go on...

When Using Shared Skills

I've got this!

I'll give it all I got.

Special delivery!

That's enough from you.

Here you go.

I'm not giving up yet.

Player Uses Damaging Skill

Sooo cool...

Wooow...

When Shape Shifting is Ready

The dragon has entrusted its strength to me!

I can shapeshift any time. Just say the word!

Shape Shifting into Dragon

Here's a message from the dragon!

Idle During Quest

I'm even more nervous on the battlefield...

Let's see...ah, the letters are safe.

Quest Clear

I'll carry our hopes into the future.

Quest Failure

I'm sorry I wasn't more helpful.

Home Screen Walking

Um...

Do you have a mission for me?

Mmm... I love the sunshine...

I deliver messages at night as well as day!

Nnngh... I'm nervous...

Zzz...

Home Screen Inside

I know I have a ways to go, but someday I'll be a splendid messenger!

A letter can change the course of someone's life, so a messenger needs to be ready for anything.

I'm...not so good at talking...but I can run REALLY fast!

I, um... Yeaargh...

I want my words to come across accurately, so I have to think really hard about them...

A messenger often has to be surrounded by crowds, which always makes me nervous...

Home Screen Portrait

I don't... Um... Er... I mean...

My deliveries seem to make everyone happy.

It's a messenger's mission to connect people.

I may not be suited to this work, but I... think I love it.

You... wanna talk? Um, could we maybe write letters instead?

Collection Portrait

The commander is a kind person.

I have to get stronger so I don't lose a single precious letter.

I hear lots of folks from the North are inarticulate. Maybe that's why I have trouble talking to people...

I'll deliver every letter I receive, no matter how far.

I'm gonna be a great messenger.

I understand delivering treats, but... why tricks?

At The Halidom

Got a message for me?

Oh!

Y-you surprised me!

New Mana Circle Unlocked

Mana Circle Fully Unbound

On Promotion to 5

Now I can deliver your precious words even faster!

Adventurer Story Episodes

Episode 1

Get the Message

Three years before the current day, in a hall for interviewing potential recruits... Er, um...I'm Noelle. Thank you for having me here today. The name's Victor. Tell me why you applied to become a messenger. General Victor Um, because...because I want to tell people things. Such as? Well, I read in a book that you can... Er, I mean, that one can... ...... I'm sorry. I'm not very good at talking. Yet that didn't deter you from applying for this position... Hmm... That's fine. Continue. *nod* Well, when I was a child, I read about how it's important to tell others how you feel. And if you can't speak your feelings aloud, you can do it with letters or other ways. I took that to heart, and ever since have... Well, I thought there must be some way for ME to tell people things. I see. And yet, this is a job that requires stamina and speed in addition to speaking. Are you an active person? Not...really? But even if I'm kind of slow, I'll run as fast as I possibly can to deliver my message! Hmm, I see. Well, I have a few more questions for you. Please reply with a simple "yes" or "no" answer to each. Okay. ...I mean, um, yes. Are you aware that being a messenger requires you to work in foreign countries, including some that may be hostile? Yes. Are you aware you will sometimes be tasked with delivering orders to dangerous places? And that as such, this is not a job for the faint of heart? Yes. Such danger, yet you applied regardless. Does the act of telling things to others really mean so much to you? Yes! Thank you, Noelle. That is all. You will have your answer soon. Th-thank you. Every applicant thus far has boasted of their agility or stamina. Whereas Noelle... Well, let us just say I've never had an interview quite like that before. She lacks speed, she lacks stamina, and she can barely hold a conversation. I wouldn't entrust her with the task of delivering an advertising flier, much less any kind of important directive. I'm not sure what even possessed the poor child to apply. If the ability to deliver things was all we cared about, we could leave this job to any old letter carrier. What we need is the resolve to deliver a message in ANY circumstances, regardless of the danger involved. A messenger must understand the import of their task and have the drive to overcome all obstacles in their way. And you think she has such qualities? Speed and stamina can be trained, but a new mindset? Not so much. I wish to see how she takes to an aggressive training regimen. If that is your decision, I will abide by it. I will inform the girl that she has been chosen and arrange for her training to begin at once. This one has a bright future ahead of her, my friend. Just you wait. *sigh* Passing on messages accurately is surprisingly difficult. I ended up having to write all of today's missives down in letters, too. I'm really not suited to this job, am I? Why so glum, Noelle? Commander?! Failing during training isn't the great shame you seem to think it is. Nor is the spoken word the only way to reliably relay information. If you have time to worry, you have time to work on bettering yourself. I...I understand. Thank you, Commander. ...... Noelle? Yes. Enter. Y-yes, sir. I take it you received your appointment. *nod* Good. Your training is over—from this day forth, you will serve as a messenger under my command. I understand! Noelle. I hereby relieve you of your current appointment. What?! Why?! Because your former commander has run away, leaving his country and everything behind. You will be informed of your new task shortly—until then, you are to stand by. That is all. Dismissed! Wait, please! I don't understand! Why would he do something like that?! Know your place, messenger! We are done here! I could only assume everyone had been ordered to keep silent about whatever it was the Commander had done. I learned he had left the country, but I knew there had to be a reason. And so I set about trying to gather information as I continued my work.

Episode 2

Away With Words

Hmm... This is definitely the spot where my orders were supposed to be delivered. ...... I suppose all I can do is stand by and wait for the messenger to arrive. Um... Whoa! Here are your orders from HQ. Wait, YOU'RE the messenger? *nod* You scared the dickens out of me. Well, whatever. I guess I have my orders now, no matter how they got here. *nod* Did HQ ask you to relay any other messages? ...Oh! *scribble* *scribble* ...Here. You wrote it down just now? Why? E-excuse me! Hey, wait! I couldn't speak today's message either. I need to pass on the information accurately, but it's hard to do it out loud. I wish I could be more like her... ...Uh oh. She clammed up again. Um... If you've got something you want to say, just spit it out already! Ummmm... Oh, forget it. Let's go play over there, guys. Urk. Yeah, I don't read so good. Me neither. ...And yet, here I am still writing letters. I'm not becoming like her at ALL. I need to be more confident when telling others how I feel, just like she was. *sigh* Right then. What's my next message?

Episode 3

Pursuing the Commander

Noelle, I am assigning you the task of looking into the Commander's current situation and whereabouts. Huh?! In truth, the story you were told about him abandoning our country was just a cover. You're aware of the former Kingdom of Alberia in southern Grastaea, yes? Y-yes. Ever since they changed their name to the Dyrenell Empire, the country has become deeply unstable. And so, the Commander took on a false identity as a mercenary and entered the country to learn more. But...why would he do that? He is acting under royal decree. After forming a band of mercenaries, he had been working to establish himself in the Empire in order to gain their trust. All of this was good news, and our agents had been keeping us apprised of any new developments. However... Yesterday, we received word that his mercenary force was wiped out. Oh no! What happened?! That is all we know. ...... But as the Commander was acting under royal decree, we must learn the truth. Hence, you are to make contact with our agents in the Empire and conduct an investigation. Understood. Inside the Dyrenell Empire... Um...could you maybe share what you know about the Shadewolves? Everything I know was in my report, so don't bother asking me how they managed to get slaughtered. Did you...see the battle personally? Not the battle, but the aftermath. I'm gonna be having nightmares about that for the rest of my life... ...And the Commander? Didn't see him, but then again, it was quite the mess. Even if he did manage to escape, it doesn't mean he's still alive. Still, I've heard a rumor about a man who's been going around recently hunting down imperial soldiers. And not just them—apparently more than one innocent person has gotten caught up in the crossfire. You ask me, the Shadewolves' leader is still alive—and thirsty for vengeance. And you think that man is... the Commander? Like I said, it's just a theory. But imperial soldiers ARE being attacked— that much is certain. Hell, I heard tale of an entire village that got wiped out when someone poisoned the well. If you're curious, you might try asking some of the other agents. Doubtless they've heard rumors I haven't. *nod* Dyrenell Empire Spy Hideout Th-these are your orders from HQ. Thank you. Please take my report back to them as soon as you can. O-okay. Also, um... You want to hear what I know about the "Shadewolves' leader," yes? ...If you don't mind. Well, take this for what it's worth, which may be nothing. Rumor has it that a hooded man has been going around murdering anyone who has given aid to the imperials—even if they had little choice in the matter. He sets entire towns to blaze even if imperial soldiers only passed through, and kills any who try to escape. That's...that's awful. But why? I can only assume that he's afraid of his identity being discovered. Although given that all the rumors are calling him "the Shadewolves' leader," it seems a bit late for caution. So maybe he's just pissed off and wants to see the world burn. Hell, I've even heard rumors of him roaming the countryside at night with a bloody sword in his hand. What could drive someone to that...? I don't know—but even assuming the stories are exaggerated, this is a headache the world doesn't need. Oh, but if you want to know more, talk to my friend in the town east of here. Th-thank you. I'll do that. Dyrenell Empire Restaurant A'yup. We had us a report of someone what looked just like the Commander. R-really?! Where?! Can't promise it's him, now. Just repeatin' what I heard. That's fine. I'll go see for myself. In that case, you wanna make your way to the Halidom—a castle deep inside the Mistholt. Apparently he's joined up with the seventh heir to Alberia, the prince what's fightin' the Empire. I may have finally found him... Er, thank you. I'll go back to HQ and let them know at once! ...So it's true, then. The Shadewolves are no more. Though it appears the only way to find out HOW is to ask the Commander himself. You heard he had joined up with Alberia's seventh scion, correct? Yes, but I...um...wasn't able to confirm it myself. It makes sense. In fact, it is consistent with why he was originally sent to Alberia. What do you mean? The Commander's true mission was to learn the secrets of the Alberian royal family's dragonblood. I will write down new orders for him. You are to deliver them at once. Y-yes, sir! Dyrenell Empire Woods near the Halidom ...... I know you're there, Noelle. C-Commander... I'm not a commander anymore. Just a mercenary. I finally found you. I assume you're looking into the rumors of the "Shadewolves' leader"? I heard such terrible things... And yet, you have not come all this way just to verify the veracity of such rumors, now have you? ...... What do you want of me? ...No, I suppose that's a foolish question for a messenger. You bring new orders, I take it? Yes, um... Here. ...Hmph. So they want me to capture the prince and drag him home, do they? Y-you just tore up your orders! Go home, little messenger. Go home and tell them that I will carry out this mission in my own way. The choice of capturing—or killing—this prince will be made by me alone. Glad I was around to hear that. Ranzal? What are you doing here? We caught word that someone was skulking about outside, so we decided to strengthen our patrols. Ah. I see you have all come, then. I think we deserve an explanation, Victor. Run, Commander! I'll handle this! Stand down, Noelle. With them, it's safer to show no readiness to fight. ...After holding me back, the Commander told everyone the truth about what brought him to their door. Shockingly, the prince didn't seem fazed by the fact that he was a spy at all. In fact, he even invited him to join them as an ally at their castle! They spared my life as well. They set me free at the edge of their territory and told me to go home.

Episode 4

Vengeance's End

After being released, I chose to remain in the Empire instead of returning home. I wanted to learn more about the awful rumors of the "Shadewolves' leader." As far as I knew, the Commander WAS their leader—but I couldn't ever imagine him harming innocent people. So where did all of these rumors come from? To find out the truth, I kept my eyes and ears open as I traveled. Oy! You hear about the supply unit that stopped off at that village the other day? The one wiped out by a hooded guy with a sword? Yeah, I heard all about it. Apparently he came back and torched the place in the night. Cor, what a madman! Sounds like an entire force of imperial soldiers got wiped out on a ridge over the mountain. A guide from a nearby village ended up getting crushed by rocks along with them. I get that this guy wants revenge, but why not just go after imperials?! Now you mention it, I think this guy DID just target them—at first, anyway. Yeah, I remember that. Back when people were saying he was a sword master with scars on his face. Um... Oh, it's you. New orders from HQ? N-no. I wanted to ask if you know anything about the "Shadewolves' leader." This again? Look, I told you already— some hooded guy is going around on a revenge spree and killing anybody who gets in his way. Kinda funny how people change, eh? Apparently the guy was ONLY targeting imperials in the first little bit after the Wolves were defeated. You heard that? Sure. Early on, everyone was talking about the crazy guy who charged imperials without even hiding his face. Um...can you tell me more? Not much. Apparently he was just some tough guy with scars on his face. Then... Then when did he start hiding his face? Hmm... Now that you mention it... Sometimes he's got it covered and sometimes he doesn't... *scribble* Umm...here. What, a letter? Okay, lemme see... "After hearing uncountable rumors and your testimony, I finally know the truth." "There are two different rumors circulating. One is about a hooded man exacting revenge without a care for the cost." "The other is about a man with scars on his face who fights only imperial soldiers." "The two fight in very different ways." "Whenever something inhuman happens, the hooded man is responsible." "But when imperials alone are attacked, the fault lies with the scarred man." "One hides their face. The other does not." Wait a second... You think there are TWO survivors from the Shadewolves that are out there fighting the Empire?! *nod* Huh. And somehow all those rumors just sort of smooshed into one big one? *nod* I can't believe you worked that out. That's pretty impressive! N-not really... B-but I have a favor to ask... Please make sure that everyone knows the truth of these rumors! Excellent work, Noelle. This concludes your investigation into the Commander. There has been a good deal of bad news, but the mere fact he is alive is fortunate. Still, now that he's alone... I know. It will not be possible for him to continue his mission. I regret we will lose a means to sow chaos in the Empire, but there is nothing for it. Here. Deliver this to the Commander and let him know that he is to return at once. Y-yes, sir! Y-you tore up your orders again! I'm not going back. I can't. I abandoned everything in the name of revenge—including my home and duty— yet now that revenge feels hopeless. What future is there for a man who has lost everything? You...you haven't lost everything. Everyone else is waiting for you at home, including Kirsty! So you should just— ...Here. Give this blade and this sword to your superior and tell them I died in my blind pursuit of vengeance. Then never return to this land again. B-but... Forget all that has happened and be free. That is what I intend to do, and you would be wise to follow my example. I wanted to call out to him. I wanted to run after him. But in the end, all I could do was watch as he disappeared into the distance.

Episode 5

Sealed and Delivered

Dyrenell Empire Wooded Region After relaying the Commander's message, I was assigned to another mission in the Empire. All talk of the Shadewolves—once the only thing on everyone's mind—was now forgotten. Nor could I obtain any new information about the Commander's whereabouts... Wh-who goes there?! Urrrgh... A-are you all right?! You look hurt. Deliver this...to the Halidom... Please... Wait! I don't... ...... Stay with me! He should be around here. He can't have gone far with those injuries. Search every nook and cranny! Imperial soldiers?! I need to hide! ...Oh. I guess I'm still hanging onto the letter and stuffed toy he gave me. Wait, this toy is— Over here! This way! Oh no! Looks like he's out cold. Oh. I thought they'd found ME. Damn! It ain't here! He must've passed it off to someone else. Expand the search perimeter! We can't let that information get into the hands of the traitorous prince! Ah! That poor man must have been carrying a message to the Halidom! I know what he was going through— and I will see his work finished! Well? Did you find that missing information? No, but we located a set of footprints leading in that direction. They know this land better than I do. It's only a matter of time now. Eeek! Who's there?! Shh! Quiet. Huh? Is someone chasing you? You're th-the prince?! Wait, I know you. You were with Victor. Um...this letter is for you. How do you have this?! A man gave it to me. He told me to deliver it to you. I see... It seems I didn't make it in time. Still, thank you for protecting the letter in his place. Let me return the favor by protecting you. It didn't take long for the prince to defeat all of the soldiers. Afterwards, the two of us were able to carry the messenger back to the Halidom. At the Halidom... Thanks, Noelle. I wouldn't have been able to bring him back here without you. Um...it was nothing. He was on a secret mission to obtain information on a new fortress the Empire is planning to build. I heard he'd found important info, and was on my way to meet him. But I didn't make it in time to get it from him. And after he risked his life to get it! Oh, he also gave me this. A stuffed toy? Hmm... I think there's more to it than that. There's something inside. I'll pull open the seam a little. It's a blueprint! I never would've thought of hiding it like this. Well spotted, Noelle. Something felt...off when I touched it for the first time. And I also thought...a messenger would hide important information...just like this. That makes sense. Um...can I ask you something? Of course. D-do you know where the Commander— I mean, where Victor is? Sorry, but I don't. ...... He said he was leaving on "a journey to move forward." What does that mean? I don't know. But he might come back here at some point, so you should try to drop in from time to time. But...he told me never to come back. Only because he was worried about you ending up in danger. If I was in his place, I would have said the same thing, I imagine. You...really think so? But why would he care about a nobody like me? He cares. Trust me. If he didn't, he wouldn't have offered himself up to ensure your safety. ...... I can't swear Victor will come back here, but we DID promise to meet again. So...I can really come back? You're always welcome here. I thought I wouldn't ever be able to see him again. That I mustn't ever see him again. But if I come here, maybe... Until then, when I think of something I want to say to him, I'll write it down. That way, I can tell him all of it. Because connecting people is what messengers do!