- Phew. I really thought that was it for me. I can't
[cdb]believe I fell for that trap behind enemy lines...
- It was certainly an uncharacteristic blunder.
However, you have returned safely, with your
[cdb]life intact.
- Heh, I can hardly believe it. Part of me keeps
[cdb]wondering if I'm really still alive.
- I've had my share of brushes with death,
[cdb]but that was definitely the second worst.
- Oh? What was the first?
- An illness swept through my village when I was really
[cdb]young. We didn't have access to a doctor, or the
[cdb]money to pay one.
- Ah. The plague that ravaged Faerghus. At the time,
[cdb]the entire Kingdom was struggling mightily to
[cdb]contain it, or so I have heard.
- Its foul clutches claimed even the queen of Faerghus
[cdb]herself. It is incredible that you survived without the
[cdb]aid of a physician.
- You're telling me. Honestly, if that old man hadn't
[cdb]saved me, I wouldn't be standing here now.
- This old man you speak of, was he a doctor?
- No, at least I don't think he was. Just some feeble old
[cdb]stranger my mother came across.
- He could barely even walk on his own, so we took
[cdb]him in and made sure he was cared for.
- Then I caught the plague, and of course there was
[cdb]nothing my mother could do about that.
- That's when the old man saved me. I have no idea
[cdb]what kind of treatment or medicine he used to do it.
- Is that so? And where is this elderly gentleman now?
- Oh, he passed away a long time ago. I told you,
[cdb]this was back when I was a kid.
- I see. Then it is as I thought...
- Your story reminded me of something, actually.
- One of the Ten Elites was originally afflicted with a
[cdb]terminal disease. After receiving their Crest, this
[cdb]individual made a full recovery.
- Or so the story goes. Perhaps it is more fitting to call
[cdb]it a fairy tale.
- I'm not sure I completely follow...
- Are you saying that old man saved my life by giving
[cdb]me the power of a Crest?
- I am simply saying the possibility exists. Alas,
I cannot know for certain.
- Hold on. It does actually kind of make sense when
I think about it.
- But if that's true, it would mean that old man was
[cdb]an apostle of the goddess or something.
- Heh, which means I might live to be ridiculously old,
[cdb]just like the Ten Elites. Right?
- Regrettably, that elderly gentleman has left this
[cdb]world, so none can confirm nor deny that.
- However, what is certain is that he saved your life.
You should treat it with care, whether on the
[cdb]battlefield or elsewhere.
- After all, we have but one life to live.
- Yeah, you're right. Thanks for the advice. I still have
[cdb]plenty of things I have to do before my time is up.
- You would do well to head back and get some rest.
My apologies for keeping you.
- You always cursed the blood that flowed through you.
But in the end, it saved that child's life.
- It brings me great relief to know that you found
[cdb]salvation in your last moments. Aubin, my friend...
Be at peace.