| Preface | Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 2 Side Stories | Chapter 3 |
Week 1[]
Zinaida's Castle
| |
|---|---|
| (After I put down the crossword puzzle, the door creaks open as a group of people walks in from the memorial hall, and the solemn looks on their faces make the already cold room grow even colder.) | |
| We are all gathered here today for the same person. It is to remember our friend, an independent and strong woman, a kindhearted individual, a great novelist, and a ray of light in the literary world, Miss Zinaida. | |
| This castle still looks the same from the time we met. I remember her telling me that she inherited it from her ancestors. But she isn't fond of this castle, so besides the study, the rest of the castle is empty. Now, even the study is empty. | |
| (A young woman walks over to Zinaida's portrait.) | |
| I had no idea that my reunion with Zinaida would be at her funeral. I used to exchange correspondence with her via letters, and we would exchange our views on novels. But it should be around two years since we last wrote to each other. | |
???
| |
 | |
| (The man by her side seems distracted. His mind isn't in the conversation.) | |
???
| |
 | |
| (Based on their dressing, it's possible that they are doctors.) | |
| Duke, I owe you my thanks for informing us. As the director of a children's hospital, I have to manage the entire place, so both my assistant and I would have missed a good friend's funeral if it wasn't for your letter. | |
| (Aside from being her close friend, Zinaida is also an influential novelist. News of her death was even reported in the papers. How could she not have known that Zinaida passed away?) | |
| Zinaida never forgot all of you. She even wrote some interesting things about the children's hospital in our correspondence. | |
| Oh, really? | |
| (The director of the children's hospital seems unhappy, but it only took a moment for her to remove that slight frown from her face.) | |
| It's all in the past. She's passed away too, so it's unnecessary to mention unpleasant things. | |
| Fine. The invite wasn't of my own accord. It was Zinaida's wish, and I just sent the invitations on her behalf. | |
| Slightly unpleasant things? Ma'am, may I ask if something happened between you and Zinaida? (She seems wary after I interjected.) | |
| May I know who you are? | |
| Oh, I invited him. Allow me to introduce him to everyone. This is Mr. Inference, a famous detective. | |
| Oh? I've heard of you. If memory serves, you solved the Golden Rose Theatre incident, right? | |
| Indeed. | |
| We're gathered here today to mourn the loss of Zinaida. Mr. Inference, are you a friend of Zinaida's too? | |
| I'm sorry to say that I did not know her prior to this. Today's funeral can be considered my first time meeting Miss Zinaida. You don't have to worry, Miss. Unless necessary, just pretend like we don't exist. | |
| Unless necessary? Then what about when it's necessary? | |
| When the truth remains hidden and the facts are concealed by lies, that is when a detective is necessary. It is a detective's duty to reveal the truth and bring justice to those who have gone to eternal rest. | |
| May I know who you are? | |
| She is my assistant and a detective, Lady Truth. | |
| Indeed! | |
| And this is Sway, our mutual friend. | |
| Hello. I have no intention to disturb anyone… | |
| Mr. Inference, since you're not here as a friend, then are you here as a detective? Was Zinaida's cause of death not suicide but something else? | |
| Ahem… Ahem… | |
| (The man standing quietly in the corner coughs and interrupts our conversation.) (Previously, he avoided participating in any conversations. He merely kept one hand on a thick old book while the other frequently lifted his necklace to his lips as he prayed in silence.) | |
???
| |
 | |
| Sorry… I'm afraid I must interrupt your conversation… Today is a day for Zinaida — it's the day she returns to the arms of God and the day we mourn her as her friends. I think we should avoid mentioning unpleasant things at a moment like this. | |
| (He kisses the necklace around his neck, and it glows strangely under the light.) (It seems to be holding some kind of liquid? I suspect it's the holy water of his faith.) | |
| As a friend of Zinaida's as well, my thoughts differ slightly from yours. If there is something strange about Zinaida's passing, I'm sure you want to know the truth too, right? | |
| (The man dressed as a priest does not offer another answer and places his hand back on the thick book.) | |
| D.M., I think you should stop sitting in silence there on the sofa. Pursuing the truth is our job, so instead of wasting time like this, why don't we just clear the air? | |
| (Sneering) Now that Lady Truth has spoken of it so openly, I have no reason to continue keeping it from all of you… Just like all of you, I consider Zinaida a very good friend, and we were lucky enough to become friends with a common interest during a chess spar at a club. | |
| … | |
| Some made friends with her out of kindness, yet she failed to realize the motives hidden behind it all. | |
| … | |
| (The director of the children's hospital and the priest look down. It seems D.M.'s words were implying something.) (I decided to gather more information from everyone.) | |
| I'm Elsa Goodwin, the director of a children's hospital and an old friend of Zinaida's. | |
| Hello, Miss Goodwin. How did you and Zinaida meet? | |
| I met her at a book club. She's fond of interacting with her readers. As one of her loyal readers, we often exchanged letters, and a good friendship gradually bloomed between us. | |
| Oh? Excuse me for being so bold, but you mentioned that you haven't been in contact for two years. May I know why? | |
| (She shoots a hesitant look at me.) It's because of one of her novels — My hospital was entangled in a scandal. What I'm trying to say is that, as my friend, she should have taken my side instead of using what she knew as material for her novel. | |
| What happened at the hospital? | |
| It was a small-scale diphtheria infection, and at the time, we thought of some ways to prevent the infection from spreading further. | |
| (She intentionally emphasized the word "minor.") | |
| The cause of the controversy was our handling of the matter. I failed to explain it to her in time, and so some misunderstandings arose between us. | |
| How did you handle the matter? | |
| That is not something you need to know. | |
| Hello, sir. Are you here with Miss Goodwin? (His gaze wanders off as if he didn't hear me at all. So, I waved my hand in front of him.) | |
| Huh? Oh… Hello… | |
| Are you here with Miss Goodwin? | |
| Yeah. I'm Issac Goodwin, her assistant and husband. We're newlyweds. | |
| Could you tell me about your relationship with Zinaida? I hear you often write to each other? | |
| Zinaida… Zinaida… I'm sorry, I rarely speak to her, so I can't help you. | |
| (He doesn't shoot another glance at me. It's as if his attention isn't on our conversation at all.) Mr. Goodwin, Mr Goodwin… | |
| Huh? | |
| The infection at the children's hospital caused the misunderstandings between you and Zinaida. What exactly happened then? | |
| She has told you everything she knows. | |
| Do you have anything to add? (But as soon as I asked my question, he is already looking down, and his mind has drifted far away.) | |
| Just call me Pastor… | |
| Hello, Pastor. I'm sorry for what happened… (He is quite nervous and doesn't dare to look people in the eye as he speaks.) | |
| No, Zinaida invited me… She promised me a "surprise" on the day of her funeral. | |
| A surprise? What kind of surprise? | |
| I don't know… | |
| (I'm reminded of the Easter egg on the crossword puzzle blocks. It was some kind of "surprise" left by Zinaida too.) May I know how long you've known Zinaida? | |
| Zinaida and I… have known each other for two years. We met in church… | |
| (I can't tell if it's because we're strangers, his tone seems quite timid.) Relax, Pastor. I just want to know more about Zinaida. | |
| I may not have known her for long, but it feels like a lifetime. | |
| Did you get along well with Zinaida? You look quite young. | |
| Yes. She used to drive all the way to the church every Sunday, and I always listened to her speak about her pain, despair, and penitence in the confessional. It's my fault that… | |
| What? | |
| She'd shown signs of suicidal thoughts in the past. If I had been able to catch her cries for help, I might have been able to save her… | |
| When did she have such thoughts? | |
| She stopped coming to the church a while ago. I got worried and went to visit her. She'd already started vaguely expressing some pessimistic thoughts, yet I… failed to give her more help… | |
| (He restrains his emotions and kisses the necklace on his chest.) You've done enough, Pastor. | |
| Thank you… | |
| So, she'd started having those thoughts after she stopped going to church? | |
| It's all my fault… | |
| (I pat him on the shoulder to comfort him.) (There are other familiar faces here, some of which were invited by D.M. I feel he has some guesses which led him to get fully prepared.) | |
| We meet again, Mr. Inference. | |
| Miss Succubus. | |
| We met back then in Mélodis Estate. Who would have thought that the Duke would bring us together again? | |
| Excuse me, but may I know what you're doing here, Miss Succubus? | |
| I was invited by Zinaida. In her last letter to me, she mentioned wanting me to witness the "interesting" events that are about to happen. | |
| (At this point, besides the Goodwin couple who were indirectly invited by Zinaida, Succubus and the priest were directly invited by Zinaida.) (What did Zinaida prepare?) | |
| Miss Zinaida is a friend I met a few years ago. | |
| Where did the two of you meet? | |
| It was she who came to visit me at my home. She was friends with my father, or perhaps she came to seek out some material for her work. But it was really fun. In the process of getting along with each other, she became my material instead. | |
| What do you mean? | |
| Something interesting happened to her. Any normal person would have had a mental breakdown from it, but Zinaida was different, and the misfortune that befell her inspired her to a certain extent instead. | |
| I'm happy to see you here, Sway. By the way, are you still investigating the Bélóstáin incident? | |
| What? Are you still interested in that incident? | |
| No, you've misunderstood. I just want to avoid causing unnecessary trouble for your work again. | |
| Then it's better not to ask. I'm sure you're aware that the Ulliel family is famous for its ruthlessness, they… | |
| (She seems to realize something abruptly and changes the topic.) | |
| Feel free to ask if you need my help with this case. | |
| (I nod. I decide not to pursue an answer about the previous case and turn around to notice Tuberose looking warily at us.) It's been a long time, Tuberose. I didn't expect you to… | |
| Someone paid the huge bail for me. And the Duke invited me this time. | |
| Why did D.M. invite you? | |
| (Smiles strangely) For the same reason he invited you. | |
| Are you investigating too? Have you noticed anything out of the ordinary here? | |
| You'll find out soon enough. | |
| How did you find this place? | |
| (Taps on a device he carries) My detector told me that a supernatural event would be happening here. | |
| Where will it be? | |
| Right it [sic] in this room, and it's about to happen. | |
| … | |
| Haha! It was a joke! Can't I just seek temporary shelter from the terrible weather outside? | |
| (I could only wave my hand helplessly at his ill-timed joke.) (Suddenly, a bolt of lightning flashes by, and then darkness and silence engulfed the room. Only the intense pattering of the rain outside the window remains. It is as if a terrifying existence is approaching amid the silence.) | |
| Please do not worry, it's just a circuit trip. But sharing a serious matter with everyone in an atmosphere like this makes it much more interesting. I gathered all of you here today because I wished to tell you that our friend, Zinaida, probably didn't take her own life, it was homicide. | |
| (Shock spreads throughout the room.) | |
| As far as I know, Zinaida was a stubborn workaholic, especially when it came to her creations. She would finish every piece of her work, sometimes even in ways that most may not be able to understand. | |
| What did she get them for? | |
| Those herbs are still in these bookcases. They are right next to those manuscripts. | |
| (D.M. points at the bookcases at the back.) | |
| It's datura. | |
| (It reminds me of what Tuberose said to me. This should be the reason why D.M. brought him here.) | |
| I'm sure all of you met him earlier. This is my friend, someone knowledgeable in herbology. I invited him here to verify this. I can almost imagine her chewing on datura as she scribbled. | |
| Wait. Even if that's true, that alone isn't enough to determine that Zinaida didn't die by suicide. | |
| Datura is a great pick-me-up at the right dosage, but excessive consumption can lead to death. It gets a little tricky at this point. Did Zinaida cause her own death while trying to finish writing, or did someone aware of her habits tamper with the herbs? | |
| What do you think, Mr. Inference? | |
| I don't know yet. But I'd like to have a look at the bookcase D.M. just mentioned. | |
| If it helps, you can take a look at anything you want, so long as you don't mess them up. Zinaida will understand. | |
| (This is the last letter Zinaida left behind. After verifying the handwriting, everyone concludes that it does indeed belong to Zinaida.) | |
To those whom I love and those who love me,
Forgive me for leaving like this without saying goodbye. This decision does not leave me in fear or regret, and I feel relaxed and at peace instead. My dear loved ones, I can no longer bear this abyss of pain. When I look back at my life, my terrible marriage in the first half of my life tortured me both physically and mentally, and I finally found a moment of peace once that demon was gone. Writing used to be one of the greatest joys in my life, but now that my mind seems to be spiraling out of control, I'm losing control of the characters I write. And when the insomnia strikes, those soulless words of mine transform into the devil that binds my soul. Even seeking psychiatric help failed to silence the voice in my head. I'm tired. I dream of having a good night's sleep, and may the land of peace be devoid of noise. | |
| (A sketchbook in a cabinet that was probably used by an author to record drafts.) | |
 | |
| (There is a unique smell in the notebook. Tuberose recognized it as the smell of datura. D.M explained that it's a herb used to help with concentration, and as a workaholic, Zinaida had a habit of using herbs to help with her concentration.) | |
 | |
| (A few tear catchers stand above the fireplace. The clear bottles indicate they are empty.) (People catch their tears in these bottles of silver or tin as a symbol of mourning. There are eight of them.) | |
 | |
| (Three unique swords are hanging on the wall.) (It's the three swords mentioned in the book D.M. sent me, Medea's Redemption, a story about a woman killing her husband for revenge in a fantasy world. I did some research on the novel. The story caused controversy in the past because someone else helped the woman kill her husband in the end, and Zinaida was rather skilled at using open-ended endings to leave it to the readers' imagination. As for whether this story alludes to her own life, I do not know.) | |
That electrical accident left you devastated from the loss of a loved one, but accidents are just a perfect performance. If you seek the truth, the one you seek will be in the hymn of the outskirts.—?
| |
| (It's signed with a question mark. The outskirts? Electrical accident? A moment later, Pastor's voice interrupts my thoughts.) | |
| I do not agree with you… | |
| (Pastor has his fists clenched and seems to have mustered up a great deal of courage.) | |
| I think… your arbitrary assertion is disrespectful to God, and disrespectful to Zinaida… | |
| (He always puts God first.) | |
| God has accepted Zinaida into his embrace. She is now his most holy child, and so the disputes during her life mean nothing to Zinaida now. She has found eternal peace in the embrace of God. | |
| I respect your belief, but I think the Duke is correct too. Zinaida was hateful of injustice, and her novels were her revenge. Although she may not say it, her amazing penmanship brings down punishment upon those who are unjust. However, her character is sometimes unpleasant to others. | |
| It's because she wrote your hospital's scandal into her story, so you… held a grudge against her, right? | |
| What did you just say?! | |
| (Her husband, who has remained silent by her side until now, angrily punches his own palm.) (Pastor doesn't say another word, but his fists remain clenched.) | |
| Forgive me… If I were to evaluate Zinaida while she was still alive, I'd say she isn't someone with an extreme personality, and she is just terribly misunderstood… Her terrible marriage was torture to her… Did all of you notice that part of the letter? She mentioned that before… | |
| (He looks down and kisses the necklace once more. The cold and humid room is exceptionally silent, and only the pattering of rain outside the window seems to be listening to these secrets.) | |
| Two years ago, she came to my church. At first, I thought it was an ordinary confession… but as I got to know her more, I realized that Zinaida had been suffering from domestic violence. When I met her, her husband, a physics scientist, passed away due to an electrical accident during an experiment… | |
| (D.M interrupts Pastor in an impatient tone. Pastor's grip does not loosen at all.) I've heard of her husband. He was just a failure. You would be flattering him by calling him a "scientist." Two years ago, the police found alcohol at the scene, and a death like that would be quite common for an alcoholic. | |
| I've taken a look at the files of that case. | |
| Oh? Why don't you tell us about it? | |
| The truth may be different from what you know. The local police found a type of special lethal dosage of drugs in his system, which appeared to be some sort of fern upon further investigation. However, the police are unable to determine if he consumed it willingly. | |
| Ahem, let's get back on topic. Zinaida's husband isn't the main character today. | |
| (So, Zinaida's husband may not have died due to a laboratory accident.) (I'm reminded of the three swords on the wall, and I make the inference that the story may be based on the relationship between her and her husband. However, in the story, it wasn't the wife who killed her husband, it was someone else.) | |
| Pastor, why don't you ever mention your real identity? You keep saying that you were close to Zinaida, but you weren't completely unrelated to her husband either, right? He was your uncle. | |
| (It turns out that Pastor is a nephew of Zinaida's husband!) | |
| Ask him | Remain Silent | ||
| Pastor, I mean no harm, I just want to know why you haven't mentioned your relationship with Zinaida's husband? | My uncle and I lost contact a long time ago. Since I chose to become one of God's people, I have ceased to concern myself with the strangers of this world, unless they stop lusting after the world and return to God's embrace to become one of God's people. | ||
| I'm sorry… My uncle and I lost contact a long time ago so I've never mentioned it to anyone. | |||
| Is that all? The way I see it, your uncle passed away due to an accident, yet you don't seem concerned at all, huh? | |||
| I have ceased to concern myself with the strangers of this world, unless they stop lusting after the world and return to God's embrace to become one of God's people. | |||
| Zinaida was my friend, and a sister of mine in the kingdom of God. As for her husband… Her husband was my uncle… But that is the extent of our relationship… | |
| (His answer sounds quite cold and indifferent, which may be an indication of his relationship with Zinaida's husband.) (However, his attitude conveys something else. It's that he does not care about anyone besides those who are connected to his faith, even if that person is related to him by blood.) | |
| But I didn't get to know Zinaida because of my uncle, and it was Zinaida who came to my church. We didn't know each other before that. Are you suspecting my relationship with Zinaida just because I didn't mention my uncle? | |
| (He clenches his fists again.) | |
| Relax, Pastor. I was just asking. Everyone knows how emotionally attached you are to your friends, so no one doubts you. | |
| (Pastor seems to have no interest in paying any more attention to D.M.) | |
| It seems it was a mistake to mention such unpleasant matters and spoil the peaceful atmosphere of this funeral. Then let's get back to what we were doing. It’s almost time for the eulogy, my friends, so please let us put aside our prior disagreements… | |
| (D.M. picks up the tear catchers above the fireplace.) | |
| In memory of our eternal friend — Zinaida. | |
| (Everyone takes the tear catcher from D.M. I've read about this custom. In the local religion of this area, people shed one last year for the deceased during the funeral and store it in a blessed vial. The tear can represent longing or even repentance. Once it's sealed in the vial, all yearning and debts will be isolated beyond this world.) (Meanwhile, Pastor reorganizes his emotions and starts to read the eulogy. Unlike his timid self from before, once he got to work, he seemed so staunch, as if he was a completely different person.) | |
| With God's blessing, we mourn the passing of our late friend, Zinaida, whose sudden passing is a huge loss to us. But we know that God is welcoming her back to the embrace of paradise. | |
| In eternal memory of Zinaida. Why don't we do something meaningful in memory of her? | |
| What do we have to do? | |
| (He turns the hidden switch in the table, and a board game setup appears.) | |
| We used to play board games, and she often said that games are not only able to imitate life, but they can also expose a person's true nature. You can pass around this novel's setting to get an understanding of it. | |
| I think I'll sit out of it. All of you know Zinaida well, but I don't. So it's not suitable for me to participate in her novel. (As I declined, D.M passes me the sketchbook, and I notice a paper has been slotted in between the pages.) | |
| Oh? Aren't you going to take a look at the novel's setting before deciding? Maybe this story will pique your interest. | |
| (What D.M said confused me, but I felt he may be indirectly hinting at something. I could only accept the sketchbook.) (I unfold the paper in the sketchbook and it turns out to be a coroner's report.) | |
…
The physical condition of the deceased is as follows: Bilateral pupil construction, pupil diameter of less than 2mm, and no obvious scarring or signs of fighting. … The possibility of death from a drug overdose cannot be ruled out. More tests are required. Report Date: March 25 | |
| (The report data matches with the day of Zinaida's death, so it is probably Zinaida's.) (Why would D.M give me this report? )[sic] | |
| So, what do you think, Mr. Inference? Does the setting of this novel interest you now? | |
| It's quite interesting indeed. I'm curious about your opinion on it. | |
| People disguise themselves due to hidden motives and secrets, and a story itself is a form of disguise. But even the best disguise isn't without its flaws. Don't you want to use this opportunity to observe everyone's actions and expressions to determine their character and motivations? | |
| (I didn't intend to participate, but after looking through the report, D.M's words brought me to realization.[sic] So, I could only agree.) (He spreads out a row of cards with character portraits on them.) | |
| Wait! I think these character settings are vaguely connected to everyone. First, the most obvious is the Goodwin couple. They are a pair of husband and wife, while the Deva and Aasimar's destinies are closely connected in the story. Isn't that just like the setting in the novel? | |
| (Lady Truth slows down and frowns as she gazes at Succubus. She seems to be briefly caught in some memories.) | |
| Rukia, the princess betrayed by her kingdom in the novel. It's just like your family and… | |
| (She doesn't finish her sentence. Succubus turns to meet Lady Truth's gaze, and in the end, Lady Truth looks away.) (Lady Truth's discovery points out to us that these carefully-prepared characters seem to be revealing Zinaida's "surprise." But why did she gather them here? Is it only to complete the novel?) | |
| Since Zinaida has made the necessary arrangements, why don't we redistribute these characters as she wanted? | |
Aasimar
| |
|---|---|
| Miss Goodwin plays the divine Azimo, a demigod. She and the Guardian Angel are an inseparable pair. | |
Deva
| |
| And her husband, Mr. Goodwin, is playing the Guardian Angel. Under the orders of Azimo, the Guardian Angel's goodness is influenced by Azimo's kindness and integrity. | |
Half-Elf Knight
| |
| Pastor, the priest, is playing the Half-Elf Knight who was ostracized by his family. In order to prove that he has the power of an elf even without a pure elven bloodline, he sets out alone to the destroyed World Tree. | |
Lucia's Spirit
| |
| Succubus is playing Lucia's ghost, a deceased princess with a tragic fate. | |
Necromancer
| |
| D.M. is the host of this game and will be playing a mysterious character. | |
| Now, I must trouble everyone else to choose from the remaining characters. | |
| This character is rather interesting. I wouldn't mind delving into the mind of a rouge. | |
Tribin the Halfling
| |
| The Paranormal Detective is playing Tribin the Halfling, a cunning rouge. | |
| I like this character who seems quite modest. | |
Tiefling
| |
| Sway is playing Tiefling who hides in Neat Forest. | |
| He doesn't look like a kind character… Interesting… | |
Wraith Guard
| |
| Tuberose is playing the Specter Guard, the princess's former guard who became a specter. | |
| A halfling? It looks like a cute race. I choose her. | |
Wesser the Halfling
| |
| Lady Truth is playing Wesser the Halfling who lives in the once beautiful Dust Town that's now in a state of ruin after the disaster. Then… only the protagonist remains. | |
Me
| |
| And I will play an orphan born in Castle Umbra who sets out from home and embarks on an adventure to find the truth. | |
In the story, Runo Continent has been destroyed, and the disaster of the past has let loose a plague upon the land. The Grand Scholar Oberis ordered me to travel to the temple and seek an oracle for the sake of this world, and so an adventure begins.
| |
Deduction[]
Start an Adventure
| |
|---|---|
| I am Orion from Castle Umbra. Castle Umbra is situated on the Glacial Spine to the north of the Runo Continent. According to the Grand Scholar, Oberis, Castle Umbra was where the wisest of the Runo Continent gathered long ago. It was like a lighthouse on the highest point of the glacier in the north, illuminating the continent with it's light of wisdom. However, after the great battle, the flames of evil engulfed the continent, and a plague devastated people's lives. The once glorious Castle Umbra became a deserted castle frozen in ice. Now, it's an ancient titan forgotten by time, and while it still stands on Glacial Spine, it will faithfully protect it's glory and dignity. I was raised by the Grand Scholar Oberis, and I grew up listening to his stories of the continent and the horrific battles. I gradually became a Trainee Scholar of Castle Umbra, and I think I'll become someone like Oberis soon. Until the day Oberis knocked on my door... | |
Oberis |
You're an adult now, Orion. It's time I let you go. |
| (Oberis hands me a pouch of coins.) Where must I go, Oberis? | |
Oberis |
Do you remember the Temple of Hecate I once told you about? |
| The Temple of Hecate. It is situated to the northwest of Runo Continent. Legend has it that it was built by an elven mage with the gift of prophecy to protect the peace of the continent in the name of Hecate. The elven mage met Hecate on the three-forked road leading to the underworld, and it was Hecate's torch that guided him to the correct path and saved him from falling into hell. | |
Oberis |
I order you to travel to the Temple of Hecate. Seek an oracle from the temple built by the elven mage and bless this continent. |
| (I do not know why the Grand Scholar would order me to do this all of a sudden. But before I can even answer him, he lets out a long sigh and locks himself in the study again.) (Although I grew up in Castle Umbra and can travel through time between the pages of the books there, I have never truly stepped foot on the continent. I have never touched a tropical Morgan Grass or climbed a Dragonheart Tree.) | |
Helping Sanguine[]
Castle Umbra
| (Everything about this journey is uncertain. I rummage through my backpack yet fail to find a suitable weapon. Even a dagger would have been nice. I have no choice but to go to the butcher in the backyard, Sanguine. Maybe I can purchase a sharp blade from him.) | |||
Sanguine |
Look at your arms, boy. I can't believe you've grown so much. I heard the grand scholar has assigned you a dangerous task. It's time for you to take on some responsibilities. | ||
| (Sanguine chops a leg bone into two with ease as he speaks) Sanguine, can I borrow that knife of yours? | |||
Sanguine |
This knife? This isn't something you can take for free. Unless you help me with something, then I'll consider giving it to you... | ||
| Steal it | Help Sanguine | ||
Sanguine |
I've always been nice to you, kid. You've really disappointed me. |
Sanguine |
Bring me a wolf from the backyard. Take care not to damage it's hide. |
| (Upon noticing it, Sanguine whistles and summons a ferocious wolf.) | 
| ||
|
|
(After bringing the wolf back, Sanguine hands me his treasured knife.) | ||
| (I finally won.) |
Sanguine |
You're all grown up now, kid. I hope the Sanguine Blade will bring you good luck. | |
Sanguine |
You've really grown up, kid. | ||
| (Sanguine gives me the Sanguine blade in the end.) | |||
| Obtained Item: Sanguine Blade Stat Change: HP+ MP+ Strength+ Intelligence+ Dexterity+ | |||
Lost in the Forest Labyrinth[]
Forest Labyrinth
After leaving Castle Umbra, I arrive at Nest Forest. Nest Forest is situated at the foot of the Glacial Spine. According to A History of Runo Continent Volume 1, the forest was once peaceful before the Scourge of Baelzorath, and it was inhabited by Elves hiding in the depths. Yet now, only the terrifying aura of death remains here. The desolation and silence devour my existing sense of direction.
| |||
| (Darkness gradually envelopes the forest labyrinth. Countless shadows tear through the sky, accompanied by shrill cries that seem to come from behind the gates of hell itself. They circle the sky without restraint.) (This should be a labyrinth. The stems and roots of the demonic vines are incredibly tough and can even withstand sharp weapons like axes.) | |||
| Chop it | |||
| Strength points | |||
| Saved | Defeat | ||
| (The Sanguine Blade is extremely sharp and slices through the coiling vines with ease.) | (I swing the Sanguine Blade at the coiling vines. Unfortunately, I overlooked the dark rock behind it, and my grip slipped as the blade hit the rock. The blade is blunt now.) (Faint rays of blue light appear nearby. They come and go like a flickering candle or a ghost wandering the forest.) | ||
| Obtained Ability: Sword Dance Stat Change HP+ Strength+ |
Stat Change HP+ Strength+ | ||
Half-Elf by the Wisp[]
Will-o'-the-wisp
| (Are those will-o'-the-wisp? According to A History of Runo Continent: Races, the Wisps and Elves are closely related. They are the light that the Elves use to guide travelers through the forest and wilderness, and the Elves play the role of guardian and creator to the wisps.) (But there are evil elves who use the wisps to deceive and attack humans. I'm unable to determine if it is friend or foe, and I have no choice but to follow my heart and travel in the flickering wisp's direction with caution.) (I notice a silhouette not too far away. The figure is lying flat and motionlessly on the ground with demonic veins wrapped around his ankles.) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| W-Who goes there?! | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (The person warily raises his sword at me. However, as he struggles, the demonic vines tighten their grip on him. I notice the ears of an Elf hidden behind his blond hair.) You're an Elf? (He does not put down his sword and tightens his grip on the hilt instead. In a display of friendliness, I help him chop off the vines.) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Thank you. I apologize for before... Are you from Castle Umbra? | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| How did you know? | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| You're wearing a scholar's braided necklace. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| I am Orion from Castle Umbra. Could you tell me if you're an Elf? | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| You've seen through my identity. Even though I have the same ears as them, strictly speaking, I'm not one of them. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Can you still walk? (He finally relaxes and nods to me. I have no choice but to support him as we leave this place.) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| I wasn't able to ask earlier, but what is your name? | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| I'm Erwin, a knight. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| I hope you don't mind me asking, but did you say that you aren't an Elf? | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Yes, I'm a Half-Elf. It's funny because I look like an elf to humans, but I look like a human to elves. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Hi Erwin, you're my first friend on this continent. (Perhaps my kindness loosened his tongue.) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| This is Nest Forest, a sacred land of Elves. The ancient guardian dragon created the World Tree to protect the elves and bless the continent. Beneath it's roots is the Hvergelmir Spring, an underground river nourishing the World Tree. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Hvergelmir Spring? | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| In our language, Hvergelmir means "boiling cauldron." It's an everlasting spring that has existed since ancient times. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (I look along his gaze. At the border between Nest Forest and the Glacial Spine, the World Tree stands listlessly above the clouds, and the Land of Chaos, which is full of danger and the unknown, is not too far from it.) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| During the Scourge of Baelzorath in the year 138, Baelzorath corrupted the guardian dragon, and it ate away at the roots of the World Tree. The once luxuriant World Tree withered day by day until the day its roots were completely eaten away. The objective of my journey is to get there. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The World Tree is close to the Land of Chaos. Your legs are being corroded by demonic vines, and you'll never reach your destination without getting the toxin out. (He releases my hand with slight displeasure.) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| That's my problem... | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| I was just reminding you. (He looks at his swolen ankle and frowns.) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| I'm not one to take advantage of others. So, Orion of Castle Umbra, shall we make a deal? I can tell you how to escape the labyrinth, but you must help me. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| How? (He carefully pulls out a vial from behind him. The tiny vial looks absolutely ordinary at first glance, but as he speaks the incantations, special energy emerges from the tip of his finger.) (As his fingertip rubs against it, the dark vial shines brilliantly, and the liquid within it emits a strange glow. It's like a sea of stars in the palm of his hand.) (Meanwhile, dark creatures circling the sky are dispersed by the divine light.) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| It's known as the World Tree's Blessing. It's from Hvelgelmir Spring that runs beneath the World Tree, and it contains the pure energy of the World Tree. It's but an ordinary item in the hands of others, but in my hands, it can give me strength and new life. So, can you bring it to the World Tree for me? | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
World Tree: Search for Answers[]
World Tree
| (Finally, we made our way out of Nest Forest, but the joy only last for a moment. We found ourselves at the burning border of desolation upon emerging from the forest.) (Beware of the crooked tree stumps and the foul-smelling liquid flowing by our feet. The slightest mistake would make us fall into the liquid. It is not the ground but a swamp.) | |||
| Watch out for swamp monsters here. You'll never get out once you fall in. | |||
| (A strong ray of light stabs my eyes, and only then do I realize we've arrived in the vicinity of the World Tree.) (Behind it is three mountains, and the tree itself is like the fourth. As the wind blows, the withered leaves fall to the ground and rumble like a fallen giant crashing to the ground.) (The deep grooves in its body attest to the fierce battle in the year 138. I read many poems on it in Castle Umbra, but I still feel moved as I stand before the World Tree.) | |||
| Stay where you are! | |||
| (A powerful force pushes me away. It feels like a giant just stomped on my chest.) | |||
| This barrier bears traces of elven magic, but it's slightly different. I think it was built by the locals of Glacial Spine. | |||
| Are they nearby? | |||
| Legend has it that they are Elves too, and they have been living here long before the ancestors stepped foot on Runo Continent. That's what the legend says, but I haven't actually seen them. Some say they have tall figures, attractive visages, and pointed elf-like ears. It's also said that they are short as dwarves, but their stout physiques are exceptionally agile. | |||
| (Another gust of wind assaults us. I'm forced to hug myself while strange yet sorrowful howling is coming from afar, adding a layer of eeriness to this ethereal land.) (A ray of emerald light flashes from the invisible barrier, and the howling sounds once more. It's deafening even when I'm covering my ears tight.) (I'm almost at my limit, yet I notice Erwin is as calm as ever. Upon noticing the pain I was experiencing, he casually plucked leaves and crushed them into a strange shape before covering my ears with them, immediately isolating the sound.) — Finally, some peace and quiet. | |||
| Miksi sinä itket? (Why do you weep?) | |||
??? |
Itken maailmanpuun kuihtumista. (I weep for the withering of the World Tree.) | ||
| (Erwin speaks to an invisible person. Although I cannot see the person, I can sense the wind brought about by the person's quick footsteps. The person seems to be circling me.) | |||
| Hän on ystäväni ja auttaa minua tulemaan tänne. (He is my friend, he helped me get here.) | |||
| Wait quietly | Ask what they are talking about | ||
| He's an Elf who lives here, and only those who have the blood of the Elves flowing through them can see him. I told him you're a friend of mine, so he won't harm you. | |||
| (Erwin removes the leaves on my ears and casually squeezes them into an even smaller form.) | |||
| Stuff them in your ears. | |||
| (With the tool created by Erwin, I finally understand their conversation. Erwin closes his eyes and whispers sincerely...) | |||
| I have brought the purest blessing — Hvergelmir Spring. I implore the World Tree to give me strength and help me find my way. | |||
??? |
Elven traveler, the World Tree's strength is insufficient to help you awaken the Hvergelmir Spring you hold. If it's guidance that you seek, return with the reborn "blessing" and the crystal ball which spoke the prophecy. The remaining leaves shall gather for you, and the World Tree will show you the way. | ||
| (Another howl echoes once he finishes, and then the valley falls silent. Meanwhile, Erwin looks down dispiritedly.) | |||
| I thought that bringing it across the land to the World Tree would be enough to fulfill my wish, but it was all for naught. | |||
| What does he mean? | |||
| I only have guesses in the first half. The unawakened "blessing" should be this vial I possess, but I do not know how to "awaken" its power. The second half is a mystery to me. What is the crystal ball which spoke the prophecy? | |||
| (His eyes gradually dim down as he gazes at that World Tree before him. It feels like I can see the torch within his heart being extinguished. So I decide...) It seems we have no choice but to head back. You aren't fully recovered yet, so what do you think about looking for someplace safe before deciding on our next move? (He nods. We decide to return to Nest Forest.) | |||
| As we depart, a gust of wind makes the World Tree rumble again. I notice the dejection on Erwin's face, and at this moment, I realize that this journey is far from being as smooth as I expected, and this is but the first hurdle on this journey of mine. | |||
| Stat Change: HP+ Intelligence+ | |||
