Suikoden VI

Chapter Seven: Part Two

Part Two

"...Nakula?" Oboro said slowly. There was a note of strain in his voice.

"Yes," Daunte said, placing the figurine on the table between them. "That's what Georg said his name was. Georg told me he was always very angry, as did Cius, but I wanted to hear more about him. Do you remember him?"

"Oh, quite well," Oboro said quietly. He picked up Nakula's figurine and examined it closely. "That is uncanny," he said.

"You ran Investigations during the Falenan Civil War as well, right?" Daunte asked. "Do you remember what you uncovered about Nakula?"

"Well, he was a warrior from Armes—"

"Armes? He wasn't from Nagarea?" Daunte asked in confusion.

Oboro looked confused by his question. "Oh no, he was from Armes. I'm sure you've heard enough about hostilities between Armes and Nagarea. They don't share a border but they share mutual hatred with each other."

"...I see," Daunte said slowly. "S-So how did he end up joining Prince Freyjadour's army?"

"Nakula was part of the Armes forces that invaded Falena and intentionally allowed himself to be taken prisoner," Oboro said. "However he was treated with respect for his perceived bravery in protecting his lordship, Jidan Guisu. However, in reality Nakula abandoned his family—and his country—in the pursuit of vengeance."

"'Vengeance'?"

"He was looking for his father's assassin," Oboro said. He glanced to his left briefly before looking back at Daunte. "The assassin came from Nether Gate. The last I heard however, is that Nakula came here to Nagarea to hunt down the remaining members of Nether Gate."

Daunte glanced in the direction that Oboro looked. Shou was sitting at a desk writing a report, not paying attention to their conversation. He had a sensing feeling that something else was going on. Oboro was being deliberately vague.

Should I bring it up? Or should I wait for Oboro to tell me?

He contemplated this for a moment as he took the figurine back from Oboro. Finally he looked back at Oboro. "Have...you seen Nakula recently?" Daunte asked quietly.

"No," Oboro said bluntly. "Trust me, I have been looking for him. But I haven't seen him or heard any rumors about him here in Nagarea. That leads me to believe that he may no longer be with us."

That's because he's isn't. Daunte squeezed his eyes shut and gritted his teeth. He gripped the figurine tight in his fists until his fingers started trembling.

"My Lord?" Oboro's voice was full of concern. "Are you all right?"

Daunte forced himself to relax and exhaled sharply. He opened his eyes and straightened, forcing a smile at Oboro. "I'm okay. Thank you for the information, Oboro."

"...Anytime," Oboro said slowly. There was a knock at the door and Caesar poked his head in. "Lord Daunte, Xi An arrived with news. Hero and James are ready to fly."

"Ah, to the Zexan Federation and Grasslands, yes?" Oboro said enthusiastically, clapping his hands. "I hope you have fun! I must gracefully bow out, as an old man like myself shouldn't travel so far!"

"When has that stopped you before?" Shou asked blandly.

"Let's go back to the war room and assemble the party for the trip," Daunte said, standing up. "I'm hoping to be gone for a lesser amount of time, but if there's a war going on in these countries then..."

"A war?!" Umeko exclaimed in confusion. "They're at war and they still invited you?!"

"It's quite curious," Caesar said cheerfully, taking Daunte by the arm. "But we'll be careful."