It's a tree, but it almost looks like... a man?
It looks like a living person.
Help me... Somebody...
Welcome to Bilibin! Please, just ignore that strange tree out front! Many brave warriors have been sent to Kolima. Travelers needn't worry!
I hear a large group crossed over Goma Range, heading toward Imil.
Did you see the tree at the entrance?
That tree was once a man... He came to our village under a curse. His last words were that he had offended the sacred tree...
I can't believe you missed the tree... You should look around some more.
Lord McCoy has been quite frightened since the incident.
Have you tried heading southeast from here?
That barricade was built because there's been trouble in Kolima.
The road is blocked, so you might as well not even bother. I heard they put a massive barricade up...
The road to Kolima is blocked now, as per Lord McCoy's orders.
Ever since that man turned into a tree, everyone has been too scared to go near the town's entrance.
Is it true that a mountain exploded on the other side of Goma? The sky was a brilliant red that day. It was a beautiful sight.
There's a tower at the tip of Imil that people say was built by the gods! Everyone there calls it the lighthouse.
Something changed in the eruption. Now, all sorts of strange creatures lurk in every forest and mountain!
The lumber I ordered from Kolima disappeared after the incident.
Have you seen the barricade we built on the road to Kolima?
It's pretty shabby, because it was built on short notice... I had no idea it was meant to block the road to Kolima.
It's off to the east, if you want to see it. It was a rush job, so I had to take some shortcuts.
Are you telling me that I'm responsible for this?
Sure, I had them cut the tree down so I could build my palace! But if anyone is a victim, it's me! I've been waiting for my palace for months!
That curse of the tree spirit is a foolish old superstition! I just want to live in a big palace!
You guys are so unlucky, arriving in Bilibin at such a scary time.
You must be mad! It's almost winter, and you're going to Imil?
We ended up like this because of Lady McCoy's foolishness. If only she hadn't wanted to live like a queen...
Everyone gets worried when town leaders get scared. I wonder if we can still rely on Lord McCoy.
Where did these kids come from?
No one would dare go after what happened last time.
He begged for help as he turned into a tree, but no one would help him. Is that how all grown-ups are?
I want to see that pretty sky again...
Only great Adepts can enter the Lighthouse of Imil.
That explosion must have been a sign of some big disaster. I'm scared!
If things like this are going to keep happening, maybe we should stop building that palace.
I am glad I didn't know Kolima was involved in that incident... If I had, I wouldn't have done it, no matter what.
If all this trouble was caused by the sacred tree, then all we have to do is cut the tree down!
That tree at the entrance is really a man cursed by the sacred tree! It's all because McCoy, the lord of this town, cut down all those trees.
McCoy had the trees cut down so he could build his wife a grand palace.
This is all Lord McCoy's fault, but we can't say anything... He is our leader, after all.
Ah, Lady McCoy... I would just love to be her. Will I ever live in a lovely palace?
The snow is already piling up in Imil, and the weather is freezing. If I were you, I'd wait until spring to go there.
We rarely see any snow around Bilibin.
When spring comes, I want to go see that angelic Mia again.
It must be difficult to live in a snowy town. I think I'll just stay here.
How are people doing in Kolima? I've been worried...
I know that guy who turned into the tree... I remember his clothes.
I can't imagine that everyone in Kolima turned into a tree, but...
He seemed so happy, and then he turned into a tree! What if that happened to me?
Long ago, the lighthouse near Imil held the Water of Hermes, a magical liquid that could heal all injuries.
But even the legendary Water of Hermes cannot turn back time. If only there were a potion that could restore youth.
Could the Water of Hermes save a man who had turned into a tree?
The Water of Hermes vanished long ago. After all, nothing lasts forever.
There was an able healer in a village called Vale, but he is gone now.
The world will never see such a great healer again.
Have you ever heard of the 'ocean'?
If you travel over the ocean to far, far away, you'll find another world. They say the world of misty darkness begins there.
The ocean is immense... You would want to sing if you ever saw the ocean.
I wish I could see another world! If I were a little younger...
You must be used to all types of danger, being travelers and all. Lord McCoy could use someone like you.
Only someone really brave would go somewhere so scary.
A curse on Kolima? What a scary development!
You can't reach Kolima, no matter how you try.
I'm really worried about Kolima. I was born there, you know? I can't even focus on my cooking.
Hey, Mister Head Chef! Are you going to cook or not? Customers are waiting!
Start cooking already!
Grrr...
Did you hear a sound? You heard it, right?
I can't hear anything over the growling of my stomach! I'm dizzy with hunger.
Oooh... It's been so long since I ordered... My stomach's rumbling. Where's my dinner!?
We came here because Lord McCoy was building his wife a palace. I wonder if they stopped because of the curse?
I think that big tree deep in the forest looks suspicious!
Do you believe a tree spirit can curse a man?
It's hard not to believe after you've seen that tree out front!
Really? Then go see Lord McCoy and listen to his story!
I can't wait to see today's special! Yippee!
I went to Lord McCoy looking for work... I'm too scared to accept the job alone, though...
I've heard songs that tell of ancient trees developing strange powers. Maybe that power is what caused the curse.
I don't believe in curses from ancient trees.
Any travelers heading east are stuck here until the road opens up. Until then, I'm gonna make lots of money!
Father, Mother... I hope they're all right. I wish I could go home and see them right away.
Should I just forget that I'm a newcomer and just start cooking?
I've had all the customer complaints I want!
Arghhh! That's it... I just want to scream with hunger! But I still have to smile... Boy, it's tough being a businessman.
I came to Bilibin hoping to sell furniture. Instead, all I get is... a palace nobody's building and a restaurant that won't serve me my food.
I see why they call that big tree in Kolima Forest the sacred tree.
I don't care who does it. Just undo that curse, now!
Yippee! Is it ready yet? My mouth is watering just thinking about it.
I'm getting a little scared hearing all these stories from the villagers.
It has been said that a fairy named Tret lives inside the holy tree.
I am starting to feel that this is only a beginning.
Please, give me strength at times like these...
Will I turn into a tree someday, too? How terrible...
Someone will save us! Just keep the faith!
Lord McCoy is so upset about this curse that he can't even eat.
[Right guard] The lord will only meet with brave and mighty warriors. You don't seem the type. Think you're up to it?
[Right guard] Your honesty is good... But I can't send such inexperienced children to see my lord.
[Right guard] Hmmm, I see... You seem pretty confident...
[Left guard] What do you say? They look a little young to get involved in this ugly mess.
[Right guard] Nobody else seems up to the challenge, though. What do we have to lose?
[Left guard] All right. I shall let you pass. Follow me!
Lord McCoy is a very difficult man. Be careful how you act around him.
Where were you?
Lord McCoy is angry because he couldn't find you.
The master can be quite cranky. Hurry along, now!
No one believed they would turn into trees, and yet they all did!
Is there no one who can aid us now?
Lord McCoy would never hire anyone so puny as these kids...
You are the only ones I can count on! Please help us.
Really? I can't believe he really asked you.
Don't blame me if you get turned into a tree.
I am beginning to feel rather sorry for you now.
If you want to see Lord McCoy, follow the red carpet.
Make sure you don't offend Lord McCoy!
Oh, are you willing to go to Kolima Forest?
I forget how many people Lord McCoy has hired to end the curse. And yet not a single warrior has returned...
You don't look too strong, but that may be for the best.
I always believed that the old tree in Kolima Forest should be protected!
This is Lady McCoy's room, so don't touch anything.
How many times do I have to tell them? Why won't they leave me alone?
They should never have let such young children into the palace! I'll be the one to get yelled at if they break an urn or something!
Sending these children to Kolima Forest? Do they want more people to suffer the curse?
I shouldn't have said anything when they were planning the new palace. I think I might have caused them to cut down the holy tree...
Of all the nerve! Coming into the palace unescorted!?
Milady was renowned far and wide for her beauty! That's why milord is so anxious to please her, regardless of cost.
Oh, someday, I want to sleep in a silk nightgown like this.
Will I ever find someone to make my dreams come true, like milady did?
Oh, no! This nightgown has a hole... Milady will be furious!
You can see Kolima pretty well from here. On sunny days, Lord McCoy comes here to admire the view.
Hmm. It seems the curse of the tree has not yet come to Bilibin.
Lord McCoy hasn't come here for some time... It's because of the curse, no doubt.
Kolima Forest used to be so green. Once the holy tree was cut down, everything began to turn brown. Is Kolima Forest dying...?
What do you think? These are Bilibin's great treasures. Whoever ends the curse can claim these as his own.
Pick any one of the four treasures.
Are we really giving our treasure to these wimps?
You will get the rest when you succeed.
What good is treasure if you get turned into a tree?
[Lord McCoy] What's the matter, then?
[Guard] Sir! Some new warriors have just arrived in the palace!
[Lord McCoy] New warriors, yeh say?
[Lord McCoy] We've sent many a man intae Kolima Forest, but not a one has returned.
[Lord McCoy] These warriors... Did yeh get a good look at 'em?
[Lord McCoy] Come closer, laddy.
[Lord McCoy] Hey... Are these the ones yeh were talking about?
[Lord McCoy] They're but children!
[Lord McCoy] And yeh expect me tae believe yeh can save Kolima?
[Lord McCoy] Bah! Yeh're too young. Yeh cannae handle the job.
[Lord McCoy] Yeh can leave now...
[Lord McCoy] What is it? Yeh've had a change of heart? Yeh want tae help Kolima?
[Lord McCoy] Hmmm. Well, I'll grant yeh're a brave lot.
[Lord McCoy] Here. This key'll get yeh past the barricades tae the east...
[Lord McCoy] Even with the key, such wee lads as yerselves'll never reach Kolima.
[Garet] He's making fun of us! Calling us children! That's just irritating, don't you think, Isaac?
[Garet] Are you serious, Isaac? It doesn't bother you?
[Garet] Well, don't let him get to you. We'll just have to prove we can handle this job, whatever it is!
[Lord McCoy] So, yeh've decided to accept our little job?
[Garet] Hey, Ivan! You... You don't look too enthusiastic.
[Ivan] That curse can turn a man into a tree! You think we stand a chance?
[Garet] What? Yeah, of course we do!
[Garet] You know we do, right, Isaac?
[Garet] Come on, Isaac! You said you'd do it! We're still going, right?
[Ivan] Well, if Isaac's going, I guess I'm in, too.
[Lord McCoy] At least we all agree on something!
[Guard] What troubles you, Milord? They seem willing enough...
[Lord McCoy] They call themselves warriors...but they're naught but wee children!
[Lord McCoy] Aye, these are desperate times, but I cannae send such wee lads tae their doom!
[Guard] Then what will happen to Kolima Forest?
[Lord McCoy] We cannae give up hope on our other champions!
[Ivan] But... But what about us?
[Lord McCoy] We cannae send yeh intae certain doom.
[Garet] What if we said that we were going east anyway?
[Lord McCoy] Yeh can go once things have settled down.
[Ivan] But that means... you're not going to let us go?
[Lord McCoy] Ach, it's fer yer own good, lad.
[Lord McCoy] I dinnae want tae talk about it anymore. Captain?
[Guard] I'm sorry, but you should leave now.
[Guard] Your name was...Isaac? I'm sorry you were rejected.
[Guard] I never, ever, expected anything like this to happen to Bilibin.
[Guard] Will you promise me you won't go to Kolima?
[Guard] That's good.
[Guard] You are persistent, aren't you?
[Guard] That barricade... You may not need a key.
[Guard] Oops... I shouldn't have said anything.
[Guard] Well, I'm going to go now.
Sorry, lads, but Kolima's future is best left to more experienced men.
Hey! If you can't do the job, you don't get the reward!
I can't tell you anything else. So don't even ask!
What a shame, huh? I guess you need to be a little older.
There is nothing more to talk about! Tell them to go. I don't care how often they return!
It's a tough thing, being so young. They dinnae ken what it means to be afraid.
That barricade is pretty shabby... It was rushed, you see? The hinges on the barricade are quite noisy. They might break easily.
I didn't think they'd let you go... You're too young!
McCoy's Hidden Warehouse Do Not Enter!
Even frozen Imil must feel warm with that wonderful Mia around!
There is a tree that looks like a person.
They're... so heavy...
This area is off-limits to all those without a permit. —Lord McCoy
|