Rikka and Shane found a ruin on the lower level of the castle, which had already been destroyed and abandoned many years ago.
Rikka: "Hmmm…"
(Splop!)
Shane: "Wooow…"
Rikka: "Hmm… these are the ruins of the Sandhofen nobles… hehehe… here, right here, there should be a room… at least that's what I heard… but since it's almost completely destroyed, I don't expect much…"
Shane: "Hey… Rikka…"
Rikka: "Yes?"
Shane: "I'm scared…"
Rikka: "No reason to worry. Even if a monster appears, we'll deal with it easily…"
Shane: "Okay…"
She looked around. There were really many broken pillars, and the whole place was in ruins.
Rikka: "Nah… come on… huh?"
She found something. It was a secret door.
Rikka: "A secret door…"
She opened it.
Rikka: "Hmmm?"
She went down.
Rikka: "Let's take a look, Shane…"
Shane: "But… isn't that dangerous?"
Rikka: "Don't be scared, bunny, and come on…"
He went down.
Rikka: "A secret door… what's surprising is that it doesn't look very damaged at all… this secret room… oh… very interesting…"
Shane: "Hey, hey Rikka, look over there… there's a chest…"
Rikka: "Woohoo… let's take a look…"
Suddenly a hand came out of the chest.
Rikka: "Huh!"
Shane: "Oh no!"
A cry for help was heard.
Rikka: "Huh?"
Voice inside the chest: "Help… help… this chest is eating me… I've been trapped here for years… please get me out of here!"
Rikka: "Oh no… wait, I'll get you out…"
The chest opened its eyes.
Chest: "Krrsh krrsh"
It had sharp teeth.
Rikka: "Oh no… hmm… Water Fist…"
A fist made of water struck the chest.
(Crash!)
Chest: "Ghhh…"
(Dizzy)
(Swish)
It opened its mouth. From inside came a rabbit wearing a gentleman's suit.
Rikka: "Huh?"
Rabbit: "Thank you very much, my lady. My name is Roland Richard. Just call me Mr Roland. For saving my life, and because I was trapped in there for four months, I wish to thank you for my freedom…"
Rikka: "You said years…"
Roland: "I said that because I was afraid you wouldn't help me if you simply defeated it or walked away. So you have my gratitude."
Rikka: "Oh… that reminds me… you're a talking rabbit. You speak just like Shane, only… more elegant. Are you from a nearby place?"
Roland: "I come from Fablekingdom…"
Rikka: "Oh… the kingdom of talking animals or objects… that's cool. But that's far away… why are you here?"
Roland: "Well, my lady, I enjoy traveling. I search for treasures, and of course diamonds, as well as jobs…"
Rikka: "Ah, I see…"
Roland: "May I ask why you are here in Sandhofen Castle?"
Rikka: "Well… I was looking for valuable things…"
Roland: "Oh, I understand… we seem quite similar… hahaha. Well then, my lady, I have a proposal…"
Rikka: "Oh? Okay, what would that be?"
Roland: "Let me join your group."
Rikka: "Oh… and what do I get out of it?"
Roland: "Well, I can make use of magic… I can help you…"
Rikka: "Hmm… okay…"
Roland: "That is wonderful. I'm very pleased. This talking sheep called you Rikka…"
Rikka: "Yes, my name is Rikka Green."
Roland: "Hahaha… Miss Green or Rikka?"
Rikka: "Just call me Rikka. I'm not someone who likes such formalities."
Roland: "Very well… Miss Rikka… I heard that nearby there is a dungeon…"
Rikka: "Huh? Really?"
Roland: "Indeed. This dungeon is located to the north, about two hours from here…"
Rikka: "But it will soon be dark, and you know that at night creepy night monsters appear outside, as well as evil dwarves or plants that eat people, maybe even a werewolf or yetis…"
Roland: "Come now, Miss. We can still travel, can't we? This dungeon is said to contain a lot of money and resources… and mechanisms…"
Rikka: "What… really? Are you serious? Hahhh…"
Roland: "Huh?"
Rikka: "I love crafting. Well, if it involves machines, what are we waiting for? Let's head to the dungeon… hehehe. Come with us, Mr Roland."
He accompanied them.
Roland: "With pleasure. After all, we are a group now… oh… where is your wagon?"
Rikka: "Wagon? Oh, you mean my house… hehehe. You'll see…"
Roland: "House?"
(A few minutes later)
(Boom!)
Roland: "Huhhh! What is that… a traveling house…"
Rikka: "Hehehe… I built it. Well, with a friend of mine named Bell…"
Roland: "Bell?"
Rikka: "Hehehe… he's still in the city where I lived, in Tintra. He's one year younger than me. I'll soon be nineteen, and he'll soon be eighteen. I promised him I'd come back if things continue like this so we can travel together…"
Roland: "Well, would you look at that. Is he a magician too?"
Rikka: "Yes. His ability is remarkable. He has the power of plants. Hehehe. We were both cursed as children…"
Roland: "Oh, I see…"
Rikka: "I was cursed by the witch Barbara, and Bell was cursed by the witch Landrel…"
Roland: "Interesting. And… what exactly is it?"
Rikka: "Well, I said he controls darkness, but that's wrong. It's actually corrupted plants… hehehe. But that's not a problem…"
Roland: "I understand…"
Rikka: "Well then, come inside…"
They went in.
Rikka: "Hello, Eugene… we have a new companion now. This is Mr Roland…"
Roland: "Eugene… ugh."
Eugene: "Huh… you!"
Roland: "You here… Eugene!"
Rikka: "Huh? You know each other?"
Eugene: "Of course I know him. Roland is a well known magician in Fablekingdom, just like me… hehehe."
Roland: "Well, well… Eugene is here too. Wow."