Golden Carrot

But now, I have this D32 Steel flashlight!

The factory owner said this 'D32 Steel' can withstand incredible amounts of energy, and that local mages use it to make magical items. Maybe I could use it to channel my magic better!

I even saw him use it to fire off something like a flash spell!

I still believe that nothing in this world comes without a price.

Maybe he didn't want to let a perfectly good tool go to waste, so he gave it to an amazing mage like me, heh heh.

I'm so hyped up about the principles behind this world's magic now.

Well, why not get in some practice? How about using it to get the fruit down from that tree over there?

It's rare to see fruit trees here, and there's a few by the water. We might not get another chance.

Hmm...

Hyah...!

Nothing's happening.

B-But how?! The factory man could use it just fine, and I can feel it responding to me!

Maybe you're imagining things.

Hmph! I'll give it another go!

Grrrrrrhhhhhhhh...!

Still nothing.

Can you really get this 'flashlight' thing to work, Marcille?

Why not go back to using your staff?

I just need to get used to it! Give me a moment and I'll understand how it works.

*Deep breath*

Hyah!

Oh! You did it!

Marcille, I knew you could—eh?

Why'd you blow yourself up?

......

*cough* *cough* *cough* *cough*!

*cough* *cough* *cough* *cough*! *cough* *cough* *cough* *cough*!

Look, no need to push yourself...

Why... Why does magic come out of the end?!

Why are this world's magic items so hard to use?

This is why I hate magic.

That's different! *cough* *cough* *cough*!

One more time! This time I'll get it right, for sure!

Excuse me! I think this D32 flashlight has some issues—

No way! I gave you my most prized flashlight for free, and now you're back looking for trouble?

Ahem... No, I'm not! I just want to ask if you happen to sell any books that explain how it works? I'd like to study it if I could...

No. What kind of place do you think we are? We're a factory on its last legs. We don't have anything but the weapons and mining machines!

If you don't want it, then give it back! Hmph. I knew it. No one can truly understand the beauty of it. You can even use it to light up the entire night sky!

Nobody appreciates this sort of handy gadget... They don't sell at all... And now my factory's about to go out of business... I thought I finally met someone with good taste...

I-I didn't mean it that way! It's fine, it's fine, I'll just give it another shot once I've done more research on this world's magical principles! Uh, I mean... Thank you for the gift!

We should get back to our search for Rhodes Island.

*sigh* Into that wasteland again? This world's way too big. We'll die of exhaustion before we walk there.

Hmm... I don't think I've seen any carriages, but...

Excuse me, this, uh...

Truck?

Oh, so it's called a 'truck'... How much does one cost?

Hah! My factory might be going bust, but this truck's still worth a pretty penny. I don't think you could afford one.

Oh.

I really doubt we could reach Rhodes Island by walking all the way there...

Here, boss. Lunch.

Boss, we're nearly bankrupt. You should sell whatever we have left, otherwise I'm worried about us getting our wages.

We've been eating carrot rice balls for yonks now! You said we'd have roast golden carrots for our farewell party today, to strive for a better tomorrow!

Look, I know I need money to feed you guys, but if I sell off that truck, I'll have nothing to my name!

Alright, you all, we're about to start prepping for our party, so I'll leave you to your business.

A farewell party?

*sigh* It's not like there's anything to prep. All we have are carrots and rice.

The very first meal we had when this place opened was golden carrots...

......

*sigh*...

If I had any golden carrots to give you, I'd give them. But right now...

If I could, I'd love to continue the tradition. If I could.

......

......

So it's a tradition for you to eat golden carrots here?

Yep.

We'd always have a golden carrot dish for our get-together meals.

But looks like we have to give up on the idea today. Seriously, where are we gonna find any? I suppose barbecue and carrot rice will have to do for the party.

Mind if I have a look at your ingredients?

Just this basket of carrots and that meat over there.

What're you doing?

I understand the situation here now.

Leave the ingredients to me, will ya?

When I'm done cooking, you'll be able to say your goodbyes with a smile.

...Eh?

You...

(Whispers) What's on his mind?

(Whispers) Did you forget? Senshi joined us because he couldn't stand watching Laios cook.

(Whispers) He doesn't like seeing other people have sloppy meals.

Eating's not just for survival. It's got emotional value, too. I know how you must be feeling right now.

I'll help you get some of those golden carrots.

R-Really?

You've got plenty of regular carrots, and I can certainly do something with those. But what's a golden carrot exactly?

Is it just... a gold-colored carrot?

You lot aren't Rim Billitonians, are you?

Golden carrots are a traditional delicacy around these parts. Ore and carrots, Rim Billiton's two specialties!

You eat ore? How do you cook it?

Eat ore? No no no! The gold dust on golden carrots comes from the secretions of Goldglitter Originium slugs. That kinda thing is just outta our price range.

But if you could find some Goldglitters, we'd be able to make some right now, no problem.

I see.

Where do these slugs live?

In mines, out in the wilds, anywhere there's not a lot of people.

See that pit over there? Definitely got a slug nest in it, and the mine there's got two more. That tunnel further ahead is overgrown with grass, which means it's already abandoned by the slugs.

Most of the local Goldglitters get snatched up by trappers, though. Bet it'd be hard to find one.

Huh...

Well, the factory might be shutting down, but I still haven't finished all my work for the day. If you lot can find some Goldglitters, we'd never forget!

(Whispers) I am a bit hungry, but we should do something about getting to Rhodes Island, right?

If we do manage to get these golden carrots, would you mind selling us your truck at a discount?

I... I'll consider it.

There must be slugs around here. I can hear them crawling around!

Whoa... There's loads of them!

How're we supposed to find a Goldglitter in this crowd?

Only Big Bob can calm them down. We've seen it, their attacks hurt like heck, so I don't think it'll be easy to get their secretions or whatever...

Looks like we've got no choice but to fight.

Understood.

Stand back! I'll try using the magic item again. I'm definitely getting it right this time!

She blew herself up last time. Can she really make it work?

No, stop!

—What is it now?!

Don't kill them all at once, Marcille! You have to take them out one by one—

I think we've got a bigger problem than that now, Senshi.

Marcille's thingy looks like it's about to—

Gah! My eyes!

Wha-What's happening?!

I think the slugs noticed us!

I see them... B-But I still can't control this thingy very well...

Calm down, Marcille. Try it again. It might work.

Feel the flow of mana being drawn in from all around. Channel that power through my fingertips and into the tool, then release—

It worked?!

It worked... right?

(Cautiously stop)

I'm not too sure. It's like I managed to release something, but it disappeared.

But I can still sense it... Stay on your toes!

It's going to be a lot more violent than I expected!

...!

IT'S ABOUT TO EXPLODE!

What kind of sound was that...?

(Carefully back away)

I don't think any of those are Goldglitter slugs, though.

How about we get out of here first and look someplace else?

I feel like the soil's loosened up a bit.

Yeah, I also heard something break beneath us. Could it be Marcille's magic that went below our fee—

—eeetAHHHHHHHHH—