Hugo Mercenaries: Past and Present

Derk: Wait, it's you! ‹your name›? How did you know I was here?

Derk: Is it possible Hugo is back too? I've been hearing news about the mercenaries for a while, but it suddenly stopped, so I was worried.

Derk: Uhh, why the long face... Did something happen?

Derk: What? Everyone was wiped out? A trap? Does that include... Hugo?

Derk: Damn it! I told him not to take the Ishalgen mission! Robbing Fafnir? That's not something Hugo would usually go for!

Derk: We fought about it over and over, and in the end, I quit. I still don't know what Hugo was thinking.

Derk: *sigh*... Before we lost contact, I did receive a letter from Hugo... Do you want to take a look?

Derk: I wonder how Hugo is doing...

Derk: After receiving this letter, I wondered whether I should go back or not.

Derk: But Hugo was being so reckless. It was unclear who the client even was, and there were more than a few other suspicious things.

Derk: In the end, I didn't even send a reply. I never imagined it would be the last I'd hear from him...

Derk: I should've tried harder to knock some sense into him... Hugo, you fool, why would you be so rash?

Derk: ...I don't want to say goodbye like this. I want to give him a proper farewell...

Derk: I wish at least I had something that belonged to him... But all he left behind for me is this letter...

Derk: Ah! Now that I think about it, we stayed in this area for a time. We even set up a stronghold not far from here.

Derk: We left in such a hurry that we didn't have time to pack anything. There might still be something of Hugo's there. Will you come with me?

Derk: Come to the inner path of the Mire Campsite.

Derk: Seeing all of his things sure brought back a lot of memories.

Derk: The last time we were here, Hugo suddenly showed up wearing an eyepatch.

Derk: When I asked what happened, he said he got hurt while fighting marauders. He even joked that it made him look cooler.

Derk: But now I realize it was a symptom of Karas... To stop it from spreading, he gave up his own eye... That stubborn fool.

Derk: That's also when he started taking on dangerous jobs. We made a lot more money, but in return for far more risk.

Derk: He said that Fafnite job was going to be the final mission.

Derk: He must have felt like time was running out. Otherwise, he wouldn't have put the company in such danger.

Derk: Hugo was always like that. He was reliable... but he tried to take on everything himself.

Derk: *sigh* And only now I'm learning what he was going through. If I'd just realized sooner...

Derk: I know this is all too late, but I want to give Hugo a proper send-off.

Derk: There's a spot Hugo and I used to visit often when we stayed in this village. It's a small stream behind Shadow Hall.

Derk: The place doesn't have a name, but it's quiet and peaceful. Meet me there.

Derk: There you are. Come this way.

Derk: Not many villagers even know about this place. Hugo and I used to come here often because it's so peaceful.

Derk: *chuckle* We were so full of energy back then. The memories are all flooding back...

Derk: If Hugo could rest anywhere, it would be here. The fool that always put the company first...

Derk: I'm sure he'd be relieved that you survived. He never showed it, but he really cared about you.

Derk: Could you place the Spirit Flower next to the Memorial? Hugo always used to have one by his bedside. He said they smelled nice.

Derk: But did you know? That flower is said to guide souls to their resting place.

Derk: I wonder if he knew...

Derk: *sigh* Go ahead and place the flower.

Derk: There you are. Our old campsite is up there.

Derk: I took a quick look, and it seems some thieves have settled there now. Luckily, there don't seem to be too many of them.

Derk: We need to clear them out first before we can look around. So? Are you up for it?

Derk: Great. With your skills, I know you're someone I can trust. Hugo had a lot of good things to say about you.

Derk: You ready? Let's go.

Derk: Next to the note... A blood-stained knife... and an eye?

Derk: It's in a bad state, but... this handwriting is definitely Hugo's.

Derk: Damn, no wonder Hugo was acting so strange back then...

Derk: Let's gather what's left and talk outside. Other thieves might come back.

Derk: You go ahead. I'll meet you back at the Mire Campsite.

Derk: Hugo... You fool.

Derk: He gave up his own eye to hide that he was a Karas...

Derk: I should have noticed...

Derk: How could I be so blind to Hugo's pain...?

Derk: Those vile bastards must have raided some Shugo Merchants. Be careful.

Thieves Watcher: Who goes there? Get lost!

Derk: We have a job to do. Don't interfere!

Derk: Let's clear this area all the way inside!

Derk: Come on, take them down!

Intruder!

What are you after?

How dare you trespass here!

You won't get away with this!

Don't interfere!

We have a job to do. Keep your nose out!

We're not backing down!

Get out of the way!

Phew, that's better.

Derk: Let's finish off the rest!

Derk: I knew you'd do great. It's a good thing I brought you along.

Derk: Now we can take a look around. I hope there's something, anything of Hugo's left...

Derk: Let's check those chests first.

Hmm... Nothing but junk.

It does not appear to be related to the Hugo Mercenaries.

Thieves Captain: Who's harassing my men?

Derk: Damn it, that is their leader.

Derk: There's nothing here but food supplies. We'll need to search elsewhere.

Derk: Someone's coming. Could it be their leader?

I'll teach you to mess with us!

Derk: Phew, let's look in the remaining chests now.

Nothing here either.

What was that noise over there?

Cowad: Eek! Please spare me!

Derk: There's someone inside! Break the chest!

Cowad: D-Don't come any closer!

Cowad: P-Please spare my life! You can take everything here!

Derk: Hey... I think you've got the wrong idea. We're not here to raid the place.

Derk: We're looking for something. This was a place our mercenary company stayed in once.

Derk: Have you come across any items we left behind?

Cowad: Yes? But I haven't been here very long. If what you're looking for is from the past... I don't really know...

Cowad: But I do know where the leader kept the goods! He's a bit of a hoarder, so he wouldn't have thrown them away.

Cowad: Would you like to take a look?

Cowad: Follow me this way!

Cowad: It's all gathered behind this stone wall! I-I swear!

Cowad: I told you the truth, right? C-Can I go now?

Derk: Thanks for your help. You can go now. We'll take it from here.

It only contains items looted by the thieves.

Derk: This is Hugo's...!

Derk: Thanks to you, I was able to properly honor Hugo's memory. Thank you.

Derk: I think I'll stay around the village from now on. I don't really have anywhere else to go, and then I can visit this place from time to time.

Derk: The mercenaries always lingered in the back of my mind... But thanks to you, some of that burden has lifted.

Derk: No amount of grief will bring them back... It's time to let go.

Derk: I don't know what your journey holds, but don't let the past hold you back.

Derk: ...But I do hope you come to say hello sometimes.

Derk: Take care then. I'll contact you again next time.