I was inside the whole time. I didn't see what was going on outside.
Bounty Hunter
You're gonna be real damn sorry if I find out you've been hiding them!
Villager
...
Villager
They've left, Miss Grani. It's safe for you two to come out now.
Grani
Hup~!
Grani
Looks like I owe you another one, Mister!
Villager
Are you okay, Carol? I'm sorry you had to go through that.
Carol
Thank you, Luke. I'm doing much better now.
Grani
I wouldn't have been able to rescue you without everyone's help.
Villager
Don't worry, Carol!
Villager
We've been helping out this young knight here! She promised that she'd save our village!
Carol
Huh? She?
Grani
Ah, that's right. I'm a girl.
Carol
Huh?
Grani
Aww, come on! I might not look it, but I'm a proper maiden on the inside!
Carol
Ah, um, sorry...
Carol
...
Carol
It's hard to tell from your outfit, but...
Carol
Excuse me, are you... the knight from Kazimierz... who was recently anointed?
Carol
After you save our village... Will you make us pay tribute?
Grani
No, no. I'm not actually a knight, nor am I even from Kazimierz.
Grani
Even though Victoria does have knights, I was actually just a member of the Mounted Police!
Grani
Unlike the knights, our only job is to maintain public security. We don't ask for any payment in our line of duty, so of course we wouldn't tax you!
Carol
Victoria?
Grani
It's the land that lies beyond Kazimierz. My ancestors were actually all Kurantas who moved there from Kazimierz.
Grani
I came after receiving your village's request for aid. I also wanted to see what my parents' homeland was like, but... I didn't expect the situation to be so dire.
Carol
...Sending those pleas for help... felt like leaving messages in the bottle.
Carol
We're used to most non-governmental organizations ignoring us because we're in such a remote location...
Grani
I wonder, why didn't the Kazimierz government send out any assistance?
Carol
Hmph... Why would those high-and-mighty knights even bother coming all the way out here?
Carol
Even without their help, we've lived here peacefully for many years. The hustle and bustle of the city simply has no appeal for us.
Over the last few years, the villages around here have become the bounty hunters' stomping grounds.
Carol
I heard that a region in the northern part of Kazimierz has been in turmoil, and that has attracted hordes of bounty hunters looking to strike it rich. Apparently, the only way to get up north runs right by our village.
Carol
In the past, plenty of bounty hunters used to pass through, but they never caused any problems.
Carol
But about a month ago, some bounty hunters dug up a knight's sarcophagus from these mountains. They even found a small chest of gold coins...
Gold coins with the Kazimierz crest on them, like these?
Grani
Those bounty hunters tried to pick a fight with me as soon as I arrived. I relieved them of these coins as compensation for their rudeness.
Carol
Mhm... these are the same coins. Our troubles began when a certain saying began to circulate among the bounty hunters.
Carol
'The ancient Knights of Kazimierz were all buried with their riches near the lands they once called home. Their souls protect these unmarked graves for all of eternity.'
Carol
'Only those who fear not sacrifice and possess the true, dauntless bloodline of Kazimierz may open the path.'
Carol
Rumors such as these keep spreading, and more and more bounty hunters have been drawn here.
Carol
At first, all they used to do was discuss where to look for the next big find. But for some reason, they soon started spreading the idea that the villagers knew where the treasures were buried...
Grani
—Shh! Everyone, quiet!
Bounty Hunter
What do you mean, you couldn't find them? Double back and search harder this time!
Grani
It's not safe to stay here. We can't let any more innocents get dragged into this.
Grani
Anyway, let's get out of here first.
Villager
Stay safe out there, Miss Knight... I mean, Officer! Please take care of our Chief!
Grani
Don't worry, Mister. I'll be sure to protect—
Grani
Huh? Chief?
Carol
...I've only been on the job for about half a year, but that'd be me... I might not look it, but I'm a proper chief on the inside~
