The Stolen Treasure

Raid Event: A Splash of Adventure

Story 3

The Stolen Treasure

Previous Quest

Giant Ember Toad Assault/Beginner

Next Quest

Barbary Clash/Beginner

Summary

Erasmus has long been vying with a dangerous fiend named Barbary for a legendary hidden treasure. But after the prince offers his aid, Barbary steals the prize and grows to a colossal size.

Dialogue

That should be the last of them. What the heck is a fiend with an otherworld fragment doing here?! Sorry, what is an "otherworld fragment"? They're powerful shards that are dropped by equally powerful fiends. The strong mana inside them can be used to bend and warp the fabric of space itself. ...But back to our conversation, Erasmus. You say someone is targeting you? Before I answer that, I would put to you a question of my own. Who are you people, and why have you come to this place? We're following a treasure map. Er, or a map, at any rate. And how did you come by this map? It washed up on shore in a bottle. Here, take a look for yerself. ...This is Simon's map that he lost on the beach some time ago! To think it has finally made its way back here... Despite him being a skilled adventurer, Simon had no sense of direction at all. He needed this map just to find his way to my abode. Heh. How amusing. I have not thought upon this matter for an age. It sounds like you and Simon were close. Wait, so this AIN'T a treasure map?! It's just to help out some poor schmo what gets lost all the time?! Oh, there might be more to it than all that. What do you mean? At the end of my adventure with Simon, we came into possession of a treasure— a legendary piece which enhances the mana of its owner. We sealed it here and set traps to protect it, and I have kept guard ever since. So that's what the traps were for! Er, but back to the treasure. Do you think we could...maybe...take a peek at it? Alas, I no longer know its location. I thought you were guarding it! And I would be still, if not for that foul villain Barbary. And who is THAT?! The archenemy of Simon and myself. We—and now just I—have long been waging war with her over the treasure. Just a few years ago, she learned of my location and attacked with her minions. The fiends we found all over the island, you mean? Just so. Barbary came under cover of a raging storm and made off with the treasure while I was distracted. I chased her down, and we did battle on the high seas. But alas, the treasure itself was lost in our struggle. Sunk to the bottom of the sea, eh? That's a downer, all right. Barbary was furious to have lost it, and sought to force me to use my power in order to locate it once more. But I would never aid her in this quest, and so hid myself away inside this cave. It sounds like you could use our help, Erasmus. We can't allow a dangerous fiend to find the treasure and use it for evil. This is not your matter; I cannot accept your aid. Ah, but it IS our matter! It can't be mere coincidence for us to have found a map that led us all the way here! I think Simon wanted us to have it. Hmm... In truth, I have been troubled at my inability to search for the treasure alone. My power is to guide others, you see. Thanks to your cooperation, I will finally be able to search for it. Then let's get to work! Yeah, break out the magical guide beams or whatever and let's goooo! I will do exactly that. Behold... O, flame! By your radiant incandescence, I bid thee guide the lost and show the way. Be their lantern in the dark! Now we merely go in the direction the flame points—which appears to be the eastern side of the isle. Then let's get busy! ...We have arrived. The treasure will be somewhere in that rocky area. I can't believe I'm FINALLY gonna track down some treasure! While treasure holds no interest for me, I am happy to lend my aid to Erasmus. By the way, what IS this treasure, exactly? It is a ball small enough to be held in a person's hand, inlaid in a setting modeled after a dragon's claw. Something that small will likely prove difficult to find. Yeah, but won't Erasmus's magic fire dealie point us right to it? Of course... Nnngh... Allow...me. Are you all right? Merely a bit tired. My power demands a rather extreme amount of mana, you see. Then stop using it and rest! You've taken us all the way here— we can handle this part. Heck, a treasure ain't worth squat unless ya dig it up with yer own two hands. Right. Let us do the lookin' while you do the restin'. My apologies. I will leave it to you. Let's split up and search this area. ...No luck on this end. Anyone else? Nope—and I feel like we've searched just about everywhere. The thing might be hidin' in the shadows of one'a these stones, so what say we shove 'em aside? ...HHHNNNGGGGHH! Aaaand a big goose egg. Shoulda known. Yeah, but I think you've got the right idea. C'mon, everyone! Push the rocks! Hnngggh! ...Nothing? Very well, then. On to the next. I'm not exactly one for manual labor, but I suppose the situation calls for it. ...Heave! Ho! Hmm... Now THIS looks like a fine place for treasure to be hiding. Hnnngh! ACK! BUGS! SO MANY BUGS! Bwaaa ha ha! Yeah, that tends to happen on the underside'a rocks. Nevertheless, I shall persevere! ...Hnnngh! Oh! What's this?! That's it! That's Simon's treasure! You did it, Estelle! Wait, what's... Estelle, look out! Huh? Look out for wha—AAAAAAH! Avast, ye land-lubbin' maggot! Ye be some sharp little runts to be figurin' ol' Barbary out! What are you doing here, demon?! Gahar har har! I been followin' ye, and ye led me right to me treasure! She be mine now—so tie yer tongues and toss me the goods! This belongs to Erasmus and Simon! To steal something so precious is the most unforgivable of sins! The path of righteousness must be preached, even to fiends like you! Gahar har har! I spit on yer righteousness! I be a pirate, ye hollow-headed lass! Stealin' be what we do! Then it looks as though this calls for a more forceful method of persuasion! And how do ye plan to fight with yer rags slippin' off and showin' yer hidden treasures to the world?! WHAAAAT?! Estelle! Don't look at me, Euden! Your swimsuit is fine, Estelle! Barbary's trying to trick you! Guh? Oh no! The treasure! Gahar har har! Ye stone-headed lass! Outwittin' ye was as simple as pointin' a ship true north under clear skies! Now, me sweet, grant yer power to ol' Barbary! HOLY SMOKES, SHE GOT HUGE! Yar, THIS power be to me likin'! Urk... Such a fearsome attack! This is all my fault... Pull yourself together, Estelle! We have to deal with Barbary! And what exactly ARE we to do with such a monstrous fiend?! You hoisted something up—something that seemed set to repel the great beast. (Verica's divination! If she's right, then the thing I need to hoist up is...) Yes! The otherworld fragment! We'll trap Barbary in the space between worlds! Yaaaaar, what be this nonsense?! That should keep the island safe for now. Come on, everyone! After Barbary!