Scenario:Gawain - Warm Guidance
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Warm Guidance
Bertilak continues challenging crew members to duels on the Grandcypher. Gawain watches and tries to figure out why Bertilak is so fixated on one-on-one fights. Seeing Gawain so concerned over the young knight, Vyrn and Lyria can't help but notice how much Gawain has progressed himself.
Bertilak: Hey, (Captain)! Duel me! One-on-one!
One day on the Grandcypher, Bertilak calls out to (Captain) in a loud voice.
The captain hesitates for a moment before accepting Bertilak's challenge, sword in hand.
Bertilak: I'm going to win this time! Prepare yourseeelf!
Using his illusion magic, the knight charges at (Captain).
Bertilak: Gwaaah!
(Captain) dodges his attacks easily and makes the deciding strike.
Bertilak: Ack! Damn it, one more time! Duel me again!
(Captain)'s lips curl into a wry smile.
The captain wonders how many times the two of them have dueled since the young knight came on their ship.
Perhaps not quite over a hundred times yet, (Captain) thinks while continuing to parry Bertilak's blows.
Bertilak: Damn it! One more!
Vyrn: Wow, someone never gives up! They're at it again!
Lyria: I hope Bertilak doesn't burn himself out...
Vyrn: For always being up and about like that, the guy's got incredible stamina.
Gawain: And guts. I didn't think he would hate losing this much.
Vyrn: Haha. I mean, if it was just (Captain) it wouldn't be too bad. But he goes and challenges other people in the crew too.
Vyrn: Honestly, it's pretty impressive...
Lyria: And everyone ends up agreeing to it, one way or another.
Vyrn: Were you like that before you left Dalmore, Gawain?
Gawain: There are similarities, but I'd like to think I had a bit more consideration for others.
Gawain: Bertilak refuses to train, but he keeps wanting to fight other people... I'm not sure what's going on in his mind.
Gawain: He does watch his opponent and change his tactics through trial and error.
Gawain: Look, he made a feint.
Gawain: Now he's doing a counterattack after a dodge.
Gawain: None of that will be able to faze (Captain) though.
Vyrn: You're watchin' pretty closely.
Gawain: I guess so.
Gawain: (The more I watch, the more I feel it's a waste.)
Gawain: (He's got excellent skills for making sneak attacks, but he's too focused on one-on-one combat.)
Gawain: (Is it because simple victory won't satisfy him?)
Gawain: (Maybe... he's got something he wants to do that he can't give up on.)
Gawain: (I want to teach him the kindness of people, and I want to know what exactly his true intentions are. But...)
Lyria: Hehe.
Gawain: What's the matter?
Lyria: I didn't meant to interrupt. I just noticed how much you were thinking about Bertilak.
Gawain: What, can you read thoughts now too?
Lyria: N-not at all! I could tell by your expression.
Vyrn: Yeah, "Bertilak" is written all over your face!
Gawain: It is not. Don't be ridiculous!
Lyria: Hehe. You really have become such a kind person, Gawain.
Lyria: It makes me happy thinking about it.
Gawain: Heh. Well, all of you have helped me a lot along the way.
Gawain: I'm only trying to pass on what I've learned from you guys.
Gawain: (That's my way of paying everyone back...)
Gawain: (For all the kindness they've shown me.)
Vyrn: Heheh, oh yeah? How're you plannin' to pass it on?
Gawain: I was thinking... it might be good for Bertilak to experience some of the jobs I've done before.
Gawain: Will you let me know if there are any requests for work that you think he'd be able to handle? Anything's fine.
Gawain: The sooner the better. I don't want to keep him away from Dalmore for too long.
Lyria: Okay! We'll find something!
The crew begin to look for a job that Bertilak could help them with.
Fortunately for them, they arrive at an island a few days later, where the perfect opportunity presents itself.
Warm Guidance: Scene 2
At Gawain's suggestion, Bertilak joins the crew for one of their jobs. Though the young knight is disappointed when he hears the job consists of harvesting potatoes, with Bertilak and Gawain's joint efforts, the harvesting is completed in no time. After their client thanks them for their work and presents them with roasted potatoes as a gift, Gawain tells Bertilak that it can be rewarding to accomplish something together with others.
Bertilak is eager to participate in his first job with the crew.
However, his shoulders droop in disappointment when he hears what the request involves.
Bertilak: I can't believe it... We're harvesting potatoes for a job? Why can't we go exterminate monsters or something?
Gawain: What do you mean? Harvesting potatoes is hard work.
Gawain: Yanking the potatoes out from the ground is more intense exercise than you think.
Gawain: Besides, it's not like the client can do it herself, as she's hurt her back—
Bertilak: Fine, whatever. I don't really care.
Gawain: Would it kill you to show a little sympathy?
Bertilak: What use is sympathy for a knight?
Bertilak: Siiigh. I got excited when I heard we were doing some skyfaring work, but...
Bertilak: I don't feel like doing something so simple. You guys go.
Gawain: So you're saying you can't even handle a simple job?
Bertilak: What? No one said I couldn't do it.
Gawain: Then what's your reason for refusing the job? If you can't do it, just say so. You can stay here and nap all you want.
Bertilak: I didn't say I can't! What, are you saying you can? I doubt it.
Gawain: What?
Bertilak: You act all high and mighty as the hero of Dalmore, but you probably can't control your own strength. You're going to end up destroying all the potatoes.
Bertilak: Then it'll be even more trouble for the client. You're the one who should be taking a nap. I'll show you how to do it right.
Gawain: Oho... Then prove it. Prove you can yank potatoes out better than I can!
Bertilak: I will!
Bertilak & Gawain: Haaah!
Bertilak: Heheh. Get a load of this! No way you can catch up to—
Bertilak: Wait! How'd you get that many out so fast? You cheated, didn't you!
Gawain: Heh. It's going to take all day if you're pulling out the tiny ones like that one by one.
Gawain: I've done this kind of job before, so I know the tricks. You take this part and... hrrgh!
Gawain: The best way to get the potatoes out is to yank them out with their roots. See? You can get this many all at once.
Bertilak: Whoa! That's amazing—
Bertilak: I mean, I knew that! I was just... letting you do the talking!
Gawain: Ha, nice try. You were impressed by my—
Gawain: Wha! How'd you get so many potatoes out?
Bertilak: Heheh! I told you, I already knew how to do it.
Bertilak: I have a lot more out than you have, so I've obviously got more talent. I mean, look at your pile of potatoes. It's pathetic.
Gawain: What'd you say!
Bertilak & Gawain: ...
Bertilak & Gawain: Hraaah!
Vyrn: Um... This field was supposed to take us more than a day to harvest...
Lyria: It seems they've finished the job in the blink of an eye. Ahaha... That's amazing.
Bertilak & Gawain: Huff... Huff...
Vyrn: Sure it's amazing, but I don't see what the rush was for...
Bertilak & Gawain: He was trying to compete with me!
Vyrn: You two sure are gettin' along.
Bertilak & Gawain: Are not!
Vyrn: Are too!
Lyria: Ahaha... Hehe.
Bertilak: What're you laughing for? This guy and I are definitely not...
Elderly Lady: Hehe, thank you very much for your hard work.
Bertilak: Huh? Who's this old granny?
Gawain: It's our client, you dunce! Don't call her "old granny"!
Elderly Lady: It's fine! I'm happy to see you young ones being so energetic. I appreciate the help.
Bertilak: O-oh...
Elderly Lady: Thanks to all of you, it looks like I'll be able to send off these delicious potatoes.
Elderly Lady: You've saved my back quite a lot of aches and pains.
Bertilak: Uh... Right...
Elderly Lady: Here you go—a small token of my appreciation. I'll give you compensation for your work after too.
Bertilak: What is this?
Elderly Lady: Baked sweet potatoes. They're nice and tasty, I promise.
Lyria: Wow, thank you very much! They look so warm and delicious!
Elderly Lady: Enjoy! Thank you once again. Take care!
Bertilak: Hm.
Gawain: Not bad, right?
Bertilak: What's not bad?
Gawain: Being thanked for something. Accomplishing something with other people.
Bertilak: Whatever. It's... nothing special.
Bertilak: I could've done everything myself anyway. Then I would've been able to eat all your baked potatoes too.
Gawain: It's true. You kept up with me the whole way—you probably could've done it by yourself.
Gawain: But because there were two of us, we finished the job early, and we're not as tired. Those are facts too.
Gawain: And most of all, it feels nice, doesn't it?
Gawain: It's nice to work together with someone.
Bertilak: ...
Bertilak: I can't believe... you'd actually say something like that...
Warm Guidance: Scene 3
That night, Gawain has a talk with Bertilak. The young knight confesses that he wants to become someone who can bring about a miracle single-handedly, just like Gawain, so he can someday protect his country. However, Gawain tells Bertilak that a miracle is not brought on by a single person, but is only possible with the help of many friends and allies. With this new perspective, Bertilak returns to Dalmore and the other knights with fresh determination.
Night falls on the crew's day of potato-harvesting. Gawain calls Bertilak up onto the deck of the Grandcypher.
Bertilak sighs, knowing that he has been summoned for some training.
Bertilak: I told you, I don't need any training. I'm already perfectly capable.
Gawain: Ha, I don't know what you're talking about. You don't even have the basics down.
Bertilak: What? Yeah I do.
Gawain: Then prove it. Come at me however you want.
Bertilak: Tch...
Bertilak swings his sword as hard as he can at Gawain.
But Gawain blocks the blow easily, holding his poleaxe with one hand without even the slightest quiver.
The sound of Bertilak's blade scraping against Gawain's poleaxe echoes into the night.
Gawain: Straightforward and sure. You have good swordsmanship.
Bertilak: Are you being sarcastic?
Gawain: If you think I am, then you should know what to improve on.
Bertilak: Tch.
Gawain: You need to charge with more effort. Follow what I do.
Bertilak: Okay...
Bertilak: Haaah!
Gawain: Good. You put weight into it.
Bertilak: You're... actually pretty good at teaching.
Gawain: Please. These are the basics of the basics. Even Glane has them down.
Bertilak: Glane? You're kidding.
Gawain: I'm serious. He may be suited for back line support, but he's still commander of the Dalmore knights. Don't look down on him.
Gawain: These basics were taught at the beginning of his training.
Bertilak: ...
Gawain: Still think I'm joking? If you don't face reality, you're going to keep losing.
Bertilak: Shut up...
Gawain: Why do you skip out on training?
Bertilak: Because it's meaningless.
Gawain: You litt—
Bertilak: ...
Gawain: Go on.
Bertilak: Training and practice aren't going to bring about any miracles!
Bertilak: Lot! Morgause! Your sister, Florence!
Bertilak: And you! The miracles that all of you brought about... You didn't make them happen by spending all your time on mock battles and drills!
Gawain: ...
Bertilak: If the rest of us don't become powerful like you guys, Dalmore will fall someday!
Bertilak: We'll perish!
Gawain: Bertilak...
Bertilak: The stupid adults say all sorts of cowardly stuff—that we're going to be okay because we have the three-way alliance!
Bertilak: But the alliance isn't with Dalmore... It's with you!
Bertilak: If you're not here... we won't be able to count on the alliance anymore! Without power, Dalmore is done for!
Bertilak: That's why I have to... I have to become more powerful...
Bertilak: So the next time Dalmore needs another miracle, I'll be ready!
Bertilak: I'll be the hero, just like you were... By myself, without having to rely on anyone else...
Bertilak: I'll face down entire armies alone, and keep Dalmore safe... Just like you did!
Bertilak: Dalmore needs a new Gawain, one that'll always be there for us... and I'm not going to sit around and wait for that to happen.
Gawain: (So that's how it is...)
Gawain: You bragged that much about your abilities, when all you could do is put out a pathetic number of clones that don't even hold a candle to hybrids.
Knight: Yeah, what were you thinking! Sir Gawain's a hero who defeated an entire army by himself, you know!
Bertilak: Tch... I... I know that!
Glane: His insistence on fighting one-on-one is another matter of concern.
Gawain: (The reason why he tried to fight me with numbers is because he wanted to see how I brought about the miracle...)
Gawain: (And the reason he's so fixated on fighting on his own is because he saw how I fought by myself.)
Gawain: (Now I see. Still...)
Gawain: You just don't get it.
Bertilak: Wha!
Gawain: You really think the miracle happened because of me alone?
Bertilak: Am I wrong? I saw it with my own eyes! You were by yourself!
Gawain: I was the only one standing in that one specific location, yes.
Gawain: But I was able to defend that location because Florence and (Captain) were somewhere else, destroying the magic cores for me.
Gawain: I was able to take on the army because the knights led the enemy to where we wanted them.
Gawain: I was able to push on because there were mages waiting in case any injuries happened.
Gawain: And most of all, I was able to fight because our people, whom I wanted to protect, were cheering me on.
Gawain: It was because of everyone there that the miracle could happen.
Bertilak: ...
Gawain: The kindness of others is precisely what saved Dalmore.
Gawain: So no. I didn't do it all by myself.
Bertilak: I... didn't know that...
Gawain: You really want to become stronger—be the one to protect our country?
Bertilak: I do.
Gawain: Then dedicate yourself to your training. Learn the basics once more as a knight.
Gawain: Don't look down on the people around you. They're the people that will bring about a miracle together with you.
Gawain: Listen to Glane's directions, and cultivate new strengths and skills through continuous trial and error.
Gawain: Only then will you find the strength you've been looking for.
Bertilak: Yeah?
Bertilak: Are you sure? I might eventually surpass you, you know.
Gawain: Hah. Well, you're free to dream.
Bertilak: Hmph, you scoff now. But I'll become stronger than you in no time!
Gawain: Then you should at least learn to land a hit on me. Come on, do your worst!
Bertilak: You asked for it!
Vyrn: Phew... Looks like things are finally kicking off.
Lyria: Hehe, yes. Both of them look like they're having a lot of fun.
Smiling, the crew peers quietly at the two knights from the shadows.
Several days pass.
Bertilak finishes his journey with the crew and returns to the knights of Dalmore.
After hearing about the young knight's adventures from the crew, Glane takes out a large stack of papers.
Bertilak: What in the skies is that?
Glane: While you were gone, the other knights and I tried to think of ways to implement the improvements you wanted.
Glane: We wrote everything out. Hopefully we can figure out new combat formations and tactics that work from this.
Glane: Will you take a look? If we continue training and looking for solutions together, I'm sure we'll stumble upon the right ideas.
Bertilak: You... and the other knights too?
Bertilak: Everyone... did this for me?
Glane: Of course.
Bertilak: All for my sake...
Bertilak: Um... Thank... thank you.
Glane: Haha, you're very welcome. I'm glad it turned out to be a worthwhile journey for you.
Bertilak: And... thank you, Gawain.
Gawain: Don't worry about it. I was the same as you once.
Gawain: You're going to grow, Bertilak. I'm looking forward to it.
Bertilak: Yeah! Heheh. Just watch!
And with that, Gawain says goodbye to Bertilak and the knights before departing from Dalmore once again.
He stands on the deck of the crew's ship, looking out as his country grows smaller and smaller below.
A gentle smile appears on his face as he imagines the new heroes waiting to be born in Dalmore, and all the miracles they will bring to their country.