-The Story so Far-

Alfyn, a young Apothecary from Clearbrook in the Riverlands, sets out from his lazy town alongside a band of travelers to save people the world over, just as a man once did for him. He asks for no coin, to honor that man.

Traveling from town to town, they eventually arrive in the Coastland town of Goldshore, it is here there could be a possible dilemma that requires his aid.

"So Alfyn, you don't cure people for money?" Gemini asked.

"Nope. The man who cured me never asked for money and I don't either. Besides, there's no price on life." Alfyn said.

"DId ya hear? Ol' Zeke's been stricken down too." a villager said to his buddies.

"That's ten this week. This fever's spreadin' worse and worse." another said.

"Now that I think of it, there is tale of a travelling apothecary in town." a third said.

"Heh. Word spreads fast." Alfyn said.

"They say she can whip up an elixir that can cure a fever right fast." they said.

"Wait...she?" Alfyn said shocked. "Guess I'm not the only one in town."

"Guess even apothecaries need rivals." Hope said.

"You sounded like Dave for a moment there. Sure, he believes in it because athletes need rivalries to push them further, but…" Rose said.

"Don't worry about it. I can understand the feeling too a little bit." Alfyn said.

"So who's this Apothecary showing you up? We should check her out." Kazuichi said.

"Yeah, I sure would love to see who's helpin' this town out." Alfyn said.

The group wandered around Goldshore until they found a crowd gathered around a female apothecary wearing black and white with raven hair.

"Thank you so much for your tincture. My husband has been out of bed for the first time in weeks." one of the people said.

"My word, it worked like a miracle." another said.

"And a modest fee no less. You could charge 10 gold and it would still be a steal." another said.

"You are all too kind. I was only doing my job. Seeing your hale and hearty smiles is reward enough for me." she said.

"Heh, a kindred spirit." Alfyn said. "Hey there miss. So you're the wonder girl around here. I'm also an Apothecary. Names Alfyn."

"Vanessa. Vanessa Hysel." she said.

"I agree with what you said. It's not about the coin we make." Alfyn said.

"Thank you. Though I am guilty of overcharging from time to time." she said.

"I understand. We all gotta put food on the table from time to time." Alfyn said. "Well, nice meeting ya." Alfyn said as they headed back. "Well...seems like we weren't needed here at all. How about a stroll by the beach before we head out?"

"That sounds lovely." Sonia said.

The group went down to the beach as they rested for a bit only to hear a commotion.

"Huh? What's going on?" Mickey asked as they headed back to where Vanessa was as the crowd crowded around her.

"Miss Hysel, please help me! My husband won't stop coughing." a woman said.

"I see. I'm afraid a deadly malady is plaguing this town. The Gaborra whooping cough! A very rare disease that comes from a far far away land! Fortunately, I have a tonic that will fix it right up overnight. Its brewed from a special kind of moss you see in a remote yet dangerous location. Because of the rarity of the key reagent….I must charge of substantial fee...of one hundred thousand leaves a phial should suffice." Vanessa said as the aristocrats crowded her.

"Please, miss! My daughter has the cough too. I do not have much but here...all of my savings." a peasant woman said offering coin.

"Oh...so sorry…" Vanessa said casting the woman's coin aside. "I'm afraid my medicine is in high demand and in short supply. So sorry...no sale." she said walking off with the aristocrats.

"Mam...we have an apothecary with us who could look her over for you." Titanica said.

"Thank you." the woman said as she brought them to her home.

"Hmm. I'm starting to think this whooping cough is a big hoax. But the girl's throat is definitely red and swollen." Alfyn said as he grabbed a vial. "Is this the medicine she was first cured with?"

"Yes." the mother said.

"Hmm...Gaborra…" Alfyn said looking through his book. "Gaborra evergreen: a flowering plant native to the tropical and subtropical regions of the continent of Gaborra known for its antipyretic properties. A constituent compound has been known to cause inflammation and swelling of the throat, inducing severe coughing, making it resemble a plague from the land it hails. Due to its risk and severe adverse reactions, use of Gaborra evergreen in any dosage is strongly discouraged." Alfyn read.

"Hold on… so Vanessa gave everybody in Goldshore that remedy intentionally knowing the Side effects? But that means… she's the one causing all the problems!" Kendo said.

"No...I do believe there was a fever here first. But she took advantage of it and gave everyone this cure so she can make a fortune off the people." Espio said.

"That money grubbing cheapskate!" Charmy said.

"So she's only in the apothecary business to make some cash... that's just wrong." Hope said.

"Isn't there any cure?" Erica asked.

"Vanessa mentioned a kind of moss that could cure it. A rare kind." Alfyn said.

"Well...there is a cave where a lot of moss grows. It's called the Azure Cave...just a little east of here." the mother said.

"I bet that's where Vanessa is…. It's time we talked to her personally." Ichiro said.

The group then headed to Azure cave where they saw Vanessa and a few sellswords harvesting the moss.

"Vanessa!" Hope said as the group arrived. "What's the big idea, taking advantage of the town's people for their money! That's not what apothecaries do!"

"Well, seems you sniffed out my private supply. Seems you folks aren't as stupid as I thought. Yes, I travel the land selling my potions and salves for more leaves than any of you will see in a lifetime. What do layfolk know of illnesses and their cures? Nothing. That's what makes this job so profitable and easy...if it weren't for rival apothecaries like you. Here's some advice...don't trust anything you can get for free." Vanessa said.

"You think anyone's gonna take that here?" Hope said. "We don't do anything for money, or fame. We help people because it's the right thing to do. It's not about money for us."

"Oh please. The able and injured are just little tools to test my tonics on. They bring me leaves by the bucket, and when they outlive their usefulness...they die. When they break, do you cry for a broken flask? No...you don't." Vanessa said.

"Unfortunately...there's no cure for a rotten heart." Alfyn said.

"Then perhaps...you all care to die." Vanessa said as her sellswords gathered. "I doubt you are the types to keep your mouths shut. You're all a threat to my business. Kill them!" Vanessa said as the sellswords charged while guarding her.

"You asked for this, you cheapskate!" Hope said.

Charmy charged and buzzed around the mercenaries, stinging them rapidly.

"Outta the way!" Gemini said knocking them out with swings from her sword. "Mifune Ryu Sword Style: Rock Wave!" she said blasting them away with a flaming boulder.

"You're all mine!" Alfyn said drawing his axe and charging. "Last...Stand!" Alfyn said cutting down the men guarding Vanessa.

"Oh please...please spare me. I'll be good from now on." Vanessa said.

"Oh I believe you." Alfyn said taking out a powder and blowing it at Vanessa as she fell to the ground asleep.

"What the hell was that?" Akane asked.

"Slumberthorn. That should keep her asleep until the guards come." Alfyn said.

"That's potent." Hope said. "Okay Alf. Time for you to get to work. No Charge."

Alfyn nodded as he harvested the moss per the sick townspeople.

"Well...it took all day...but we did it." Hope said.

"Looks like everyone's been given the medicine and their coughing is stopping." Kendo said.

"That's a relief." Hope said. "Y'know, I can understand why Vanessa wanted the money, but she took things too far. An apothecary lives to serve the people, regardless of the money they have or give. To cure somebody, that has no price. Money can't buy you a second life."

"That's right." Alfyn said. "Well about time we hit the road. I'm thinking we try Saintsbridge next." Alfyn said.

"Sounds perfect. Going from the Coastlands to the Riverlands." Sakura said.

And so, Alfyn and company bid farewell to Goldshore, with Alfyn more convicted to his path than ever.

Though his travels have only just begun, one town was already happier with his presence.

And so he set forth to Saintsbridge, in the Riverlands, eager to see what else his journey had in store.