Siero informs Gran and company that the mysterious mage girl they saw earlier is being held ransom. The crew rushes to her rescue.
Sierokarte
I have some important news about that girl you mentioned this morning, Gran.
Rackam
Oh? And what might that be?
Rackam
We have the mage. If you ever want to see her again, come to the specified location tomorrow at high noon.
Vyrn
That isn't news! That's a ransom letter!
Katalina
What's the meaning of this, Siero?
Vyrn
Who brought you that letter, shopkeep?
Sierokarte
To tell you the truth... it wasn't a letter so much as a note posted to my message board.
Katalina
Then tracing it back is probably out of the question...
Sierokarte
But why that girl of all people? Could they have mistaken her for a member of your crew, Gran?
Rackam
What do you want to do, Gran? Ignoring it isn't totally out of the question...
Vyrn
I can tell from the look on your face that you're not gonna let this one go, Gran!
Katalina
They're clearly trying to threaten us. But this may just be the clue we need to find the archduke.
Rackam
That's that then. We've got a mage to save. The rest will take care of itself!
The kidnapper at the specified location turns out to be none other than Drang, who the crew previously encountered at Port Breeze. Before Gran and company can say anything to him, a monster attacks.
Rackam
We came just like you said, kidnappers! Now show yourselves!
Drang
Mmm... I just knew you would accept our invitation.
Vyrn
You're one of those goofballs we ran into back at Port Breeze! What're you doin' here?
Drang
Ah yes, you certainly saved our bacon back there! But that nice thank-you letter we sent you should put us on even footing, don't you agree?
Vyrn
Looks like he's back to working for the empire.
Vyrn
Let's get him, Gran!
Drang
Easy there! Have you forgotten that I'm the one with the hostage?
Drang
You haven't? Well then! Allow me to reassure you that she's safe and sound in Sturm's company!
Drang
Dreadfully sorry about all this. We're in something of a bind ourselves. You... wouldn't happen to know where the archduke is, would you?
Katalina
How dare you...
Rackam
Don't give me that! You're with the empire! You know more about what's going on than any of us!
Drang
Now, now. No need to play dumb! We know you met with one of the archduke's inner circle. Where's he hiding?
Katalina
What was that?
Katalina
This is getting us nowhere...
Drang
Hm?
Machina Soldier
...!
Drang
What the!
Katalina
Some sort of ambush?
Drang
Save me, Sturm! Oh my goodness... What in the world is this strange machine?
Lyria
It's not alive, but I can faintly sense the power of primal crystals... Who could be controlling it?
Vyrn
Whatever it is, we'll give it the fight it's looking for! Let's kick some butt, Gran!
After defeating the mechanical creature, Gran and company find their shadowy follower lying unconscious and decide to protect her.
Vyrn
I've never seen anything like that before. Was it a machine? Or a monster?
Lyria
It seemed so strange!
Lyria
But something about it was... well...
Katalina
Hey! That girl from earlier is over here!
Rackam
She's passed out... but seems to be okay otherwise.
Lyria
I don't think she's safe here, Gran. We should take her back.
Katalina
Of course. Lend me a hand, Rackam.
Rackam
Sure thing!
???
Urgh... Master... Master?
With the appearance of strange machines, the mystery behind the archduke's disappearance grows ever deeper.
Only the unconscious mage holds the key to finding the truth.
5: Island of Lanterns 
