Story Reader / Interlude / Untainted Prayer / Story
It has been years after that tide. Pfaff is no longer prohibiting Rosetta from meeting others. Like today, Rosetta is even occasionally tasked with buying supplies from the port.
Rosetta, over here!
A girl from the fur shop waves at Rosetta, whom she immediately recognizes in the crowd of people.
Huehuehue, lemme guess. More rabbit pelts for sale?
Morning, Lisa. Nope, it's a reindeer pelt! Yesterday, Grandpa shot...
Still no seafarin'?! That mad narwhal is still rollin' and flailin' about?
Discordant noises travel over from the market entrance.
Not yet... If we don't take it out while it's in the harbor, it'll just come back again and again.
Some fine job 'em Forest Guards are doin'... Useless pricks.
Are you guys talking about... the mechanical narwhal?
What other narwhal is there? Thanks to that fatso, all the port's wrecked!
You wanna destroy it just because of that?!
Whaddya mean "just because of that?" Port's down—no fishes—we all gon' be starvin'!
Grandpa said the Narwhal's the Guardian Spirit of humanity. It wouldn't just destroy the port for nothing. There must be a reason...
To Rosetta's surprise, the fishermen around her bursts out laughing.
Bwahahaha... You killin' me, girl. You hear that? She thinks the narwhal is a guardian spirit! Hahahahaha...
What are you all laughing at!
Everyone 'cept you drifters know that WE made that narwhal. And ye call it a guardian spirit, hah!
So what?! If you made the Guardian Spirit, and now you're destroying it out of inconvenience... You all are just selfish!
What does a lil' brat like you know!
The fisherman could no longer control his temper and rushes over to grab Rosetta. However, Rosetta quickly catches his wrist and twists it behind his back.
Ow! You lil' sardine! Damn it! Let go!
I won't let you go unless you apologize to the Guardian Spirit and to us!
Damn it!
The port manager could no longer take it. He clenches his fist to swing at Rosetta.
However, his punch is stopped mid-swing by the steel grip of an old but firm hand.
She's my granddaughter. Just a child. Don't be so hard on her, big guy.
Grandpa!
The port manager shakes off Pfaff. At the sight of Pfaff, Rosetta lets go of the fisherman.
Pah... You're that weird old man living in the forest.
Bloody outsiders! Ruthless savages, the lot of you...
Call the guards and have 'em jailed! Jailed!
Pfaff shields Rosetta behind the rowdy crowd. He slams the butt of his shotgun on the ground, letting off a loud thud.
Listen up!
The presence of the shotgun, coupled with Pfaff's fierce glare instantly silences the commotion.
I will hunt the narwhal alone tomorrow, but at one request.
Hah! An ol' man with one foot inna grave thinks he can kill the whale? Quit joking around!
The mocking laughter of the crowd resumes, but Pfaff seems to pay no mind. He pushes his way through the crowd, coming before the port manager.
What makes you think you can kill the narwhal?
Pfaff lowers his voice so that only the port manager could hear. At his words, the manager stiffens and takes on a solemn expression.
Are you serious...? This is too much for a joke.
I stake my life on it.
Hmph, your life means little to me. But...
The manager shifts his gaze at the Rosetta behind Pfaff. For this little girl, the old man would never lie.
Alright, fine. I will inform the captain.
But remember... If you fail, you will bear all the consequences. I'm sure you know what that means for you and your granddaughter.
Pfaff glances at the port manager. He grabs Rosetta's hand and leaves the port under the gazes of the crowd.
Is there something you want to say?
Grandpa, didn't you say that the narwhal was the Guardian Spirit of humanity?! Why are you killing it? I don't get it!
Pfaff sighs. The steam from his breath escapes into the snowy forest.
It's okay. You don't need to understand. Just know that this is my decision. That's all.
The thing about the Guardian Spirit protecting us—protecting humanity... Was it all a lie?
Rosetta, it's just a mechanical narwhal. You are a human; you need human friends.
Rosetta is about to retort, but Pfaff quickly interrupts her.
I'll set out tomorrow morning. If I don't return in a month, run. Go as far as you can into the forest.
Grandpa...
Waking up next morning, Pfaff finds Rosetta gone.
Rosetta! No, it couldn't be...
Pfaff immediately packs his gear and rushes to the seashore for departure.
To his surprise, Rosetta is waiting there with her spear.
Grandpa, even if you don't tell me what you plan on doing, I wanna help you at least.
If you're gonna kill the Guardian Spirit, I wanna be a witness to it!
Pfaff stares at Rosetta bitterly. This girl grew up to be just as stubborn as he is.
Without a word, he untethers the small fishing boat. Starting the engine, the two gradually leave shore.
Two humans, one Narwhal... Their fates intertwine in the vast blue sea...
