Search in the Algae Sea

Knight 여행자, Paimon, you're back!

You bet we are! Have you found anything new in the meantime?

Mr. Caterpillar and I have been doing some research...

Ooh, and...?

We've discovered that Seymour doesn't, in fact, have an "Annihilation mode."

Following data fragment sorting, this phrase was found to have been derived from the novel "Prisoner Six: Overrun."

In that book, the world organization launched a mass annihilation agent to hunt a chimera down...

Wait, that stuff's not important at all!

Apart from using our free time to go out and investigate, we've also read through the books collected here one more time.

We couldn't make heads or tails of them at first, and even now... Well, they certainly are well-written.

I don't know whose handwriting it is, or what scribe or copyist was hired, but their penmanship is clear and clearly beautiful — a master of calligraphy if I ever saw one.

Wait, so you were talking about the handwriting!

Ugh, Paimon's got a bad feeling about this already — did you not find anything during this time, then?

Heh, alright, sorry. I shan't jest any further.

As you know, we told you all that we found the last time without holding anything back.

However, I fear that this time, there are some clues hidden in details that we must rely on chance to reveal.

Indeed. For example, if no further revelations concerning a murder emerge, then the blood on a painting will always remain a red smear.

Then what would this "chance" be, Caterpillar?

Well... Why don't we do a quick recap of everything we've discovered?

Let's make some deductions regarding what happened in the past — that might give us the opportunity to fill in some gaps that can help us support or refute our views.

That's a good idea. I've always felt like there's so much about this that's familiar... but I can't recall anything about it.

Negative. I can give a continuous account of the resources that I have sorted—

Ugh, silly dog. Didn't you only recover your creator's name after talking to us about the matter?

*mechanical noises* ...Negative. I merely matched similar sounds during said interaction. There was no data loss involved.

However, I must append that I, too, find that keyword searches make searching for entries more efficient.

So, what do we want to discuss?

Well, for a bit of a warmup, or a teaser, if you would—

You may be referring to a "heater."

Yes, that's exactly what I mean — so, let's start off our deductions with something simple.

What is the "Mary-Ann" in the Annapausis, exactly?

Huh!?

That "Mary-Ann" holds the greatest secret of all — I'm sure you can see that too.

Let's get ourselves some armchairs, maybe crack open a few beers... Oh, wait, you can't drink yet.

Anyway, let us help you sort our findings out.

I'll start first. Well, the name "Mary-Ann" itself certainly is familiar to me.

The name of the person I was meant to protect is "Mary-Ann," yes, but I have no data regarding the identity of the one who resides within the Annapausis.

We are missing context — I can only conclude, based on a human's unmodified lifespan, that they are not the same person.

That would seem to be the case, huh? It's been a few hundred years, after all.

Well, as for Paimon... She ate Chicken-Mushroom Skewer this morning...?

Well, guess it's my turn — you mentioned before that you encountered Oceanid creatures that had a great deal of character... One might say "personality," even.

The precondition for such creatures and their characters is the same — that an intelligent Oceanid has already understood their original forms beforehand.

So, were you the one who willed those creatures into being, Ann?

Uh, don't you think that's kinda weird — y'know, summoning familiar friends to play house with you for who knows how long and stuff?

Well, I didn't do that! I actually had to get to know Petit Chou, Al, and the others first.

Well, then. In that case, let's see what we can deduce from the things we already know.

I'm ready.

So, regarding Alain's younger sister Mary-Ann, the Annapausis's "Mary-Ann", the Red Empress Lyris, and the Ann who's with us...

What will our conclusion be? How will we sustain it, and how shall we refute it?

Is there anything else you feel we should add?

As I mentioned before, Mary-Ann is not only the Princess in Ann's story, but she is also the person I must protect.

She is the younger sister of Alain Guillotin, the one who designed me, 4ACV07.

As for matters concerning me, I suppose you already know all about them, Knight 여행자.

Speaking of which, didn't we also hear all sorts of stuff while we were in Elynas?

Seymour was also damaged during that time...

How did it go? Did you think of anything?

So, could you tell us what you heard?

Perhaps a hilichurl might hear something that humans and Oceanids will not, just as how dogs and humans differ in that regard.

I must correct your statement. My auditory components can indeed pick up higher and lower frequencies as compared to humans. However, I am not a dog. Moreover, a dog's low-frequency hearing is similar to that of a human.

Is that so? Well, I was talking about real dogs, not you, 4ACV07.

Haha, silly dog!

That said, I didn't think you would hear it too, Knight 여행자. I wonder if we'd heard the same thing.

"But everyone's left..."

"They won't come back, no matter how long I wait..."

Looks like we heard the same thing. I suspect that this was the inner voice of "Mary-Ann."

Did she say anything else? I'm not trying to invade anyone's privacy or anything. I just think that we're onto something here with you mentioning these words, 여행자.

Let me think... After that, I also heard something like "I prefer the story of the Narzissenkreuz Adventure Team sitting down happily for tea time after their adventure has ended."

And then...

"I don't want to hear your stories... I prefer my version."

...Have you noticed something off about this, 여행자?

Please state your case.

Let's think our own thoughts through first. Perhaps we really might be able to come to some conclusion.

We're back again. This time, I must... Mary-Ann...

That's the spirit, Ms. Ann.

In truth, I must confess to being somewhat jealous of you.

Hmm?

You still hold out hope of recovering your past. I've... been searching for centuries, but I haven't found a thing.

So please, do your best for this old caterpillar's part as well, alright? Figure your past out, and come to accept your present self.

Yup, I will!

Huh. The bubble that was here before is gone, too.

Well, it was Princess Lyris's magic... That's just how the story goes.

Let me think of a way.

Close your eyes, everyone.

A temporary optical sensor shutdown? Understood. They will be reactivated on your command.

Wait, why do we have to do that?

The essence of a mime is pretense — the charade that something is still here.

And belief is the heart of magic, the faith that there is meaning here... so, let's close our eyes.

So, Ann, begin imagining what it would look like if that bubble was still here.

Wow, it really appeared!

The Ordo called this step, the process of imagining something in such detail, "imaging."

Let's go over and have a look.

Eh? It's the entrance that's disappeared this time?

Ann, do you know to make the portal... Uh, can you do your "imaging" thing on it?

Alright. Let me give it a try.

I can't... it seems...

Wait, why?

How are we supposed to see Mary-Ann, then?

I suspect that this is because the portal has lost meaning, and thus cannot be recreated.

...

From what you told me before, the entrance that was once placed here led to a story that had yet to be written.

Now that she has said everything she wanted to, the story no longer has any meaning. Mary-Ann is rejecting our answer, and that is why the way in is shut.

Does... Does this mean we're going to return empty-handed?

It does seem so.

I wouldn't say we're completely out of luck.

Did you notice something we didn't then, Knight 여행자?

I heard something while Ann was "imaging."

I did hear something then... So you can hear it too?

Would that be Mary-Ann's real thoughts?

What did you two hear?

Ah, hmm, might be best not to discuss personal secrets here — the walls might have ears and all. Let's head back before talking about this.

Atmospheric visibility is acceptable today... Enough that you can see that tower over there, yes?

That building was once known to the Narzissenkreuz Ordo as the "Tower of Ipsissimus," but we would later call it the "Tower of Gestalt."

It was named for the idea that things that have been separated need to be combined to display their original, complete form.

But I suppose I might be speaking in reverse. The heart was complete to begin with — and the mistake was to divide it up for separate study.

Uh, Paimon didn't get a thing you said.

It's fine, don't worry about it. Plays on words are also a trick that mysterious organizations enjoy pulling. What matters is what we must do next.

Some of the vocabulary you used is missing from my semantic indexes, so I could not properly parse your meaning.

But I understood the last sentence. Please tell me what I should do.

While investigating alone, I found a map of the Seal of Chymical Marriage. You could say that I've found four seals.

And this tower is one of the locations?

That's not the place we need to go. That said, though, who can be sure? Perhaps our destinies will yet take us there in the future.

Either way, we need to use the position of the tower to locate the other four places. That's why we've come here first.

So what are those four seals for?

That said, we've discovered from experience that it's usually best practice to just break the seals and give whatever ringleader we find a good walloping.

As for me, I'd like to restore the Holy Blade of Narzissenkreuz.

Cool, a new weapon!

It's more for ceremonial use. But it could be used as a weapon, I guess...

Well, I suppose we could also just call it "the answer."

As I've said before, the Narzissenkreuz Ordo once had a ceremony to remove the ego and will.

The Holy Blade was used in that ritual.

I remember something about that...

If Lyris and Mary-Ann's wills created Ann... And if the old me was placed in some Hilichurl's body...

Aah!

Hmm... Wait a minute. Didn't we already find the Holy Blade of Narzissenkreuz?

What? Really?

Look!

A wooden sword.

It's the wooden sword we found during our adventures.

Hmm, yes, so it is.

...

Hey! What kind of reaction is that?

Perhaps you can think of it like this. That's a wooden sword found in the Narzissenkreuz Institute, named the Holy Blade of Narzissenkreuz. That makes it more important than any ordinary wooden sword.

Perhaps it might be of use when the time is right, just like the Holy Blade in the story.

Really? You don't need to try to make us feel better...

Then we ended up at the top of that Tower of Gestalt place.

We're separated from Caterpillar, Ann, and Seymour...

What should we do? It looks like there are traps waiting down below.

C'mon, you should have at least a little sense of urgency!

Paimon knows you're a good fighter, but Paimon's worried about the others.

But our only choice is to keep going... Oh, is that the entrance?

If there's any traps, just smash 'em!

I was worried the Master's clock might break down at a crucial moment, so I came just to do a bit of maintenance.

What took you so long? I've even had time to finish the anti-rust treatment and oil it up.

That's the voice we heard earlier! You're... uh...

The Purple Dude!

...I've told you, just call me Jakob.

How did you set up this trap?

I believe the "Persona" section to be the most important, for there lies the persona excised by Master Narzissenkreuz himself.

Only a drop of water from an Oceanid can open it. I can't allow it to be taken by just any ignorant adventurer.

So I set a trap before activating the Orthant and sealed the space off.

Why are you here?

Why shouldn't I be here? This is a Narzissenkreuz Ordo base. Is there something wrong with returning to my own base?

You're the ones who are trespassing. Don't you feel even a twinge of guilt for breaking the law?

"This was once the realm of a god. Now, a pheasant sits upon the throne." Just like the world today.

As compensation, give me the rest of your paints and the "Persona" I need.

I refuse.

Even now, at a time like this... Just what are you so hung up on?

The countdown to the world's end has started. I must forge the Holy Blade and place it in my Master's hand.

Is Narzissenkreuz this "Master" of yours?

Indeed. According to his world-formula, the second deluge is looming before us. When it comes, only he will be able to save the world.

Only by forging the Holy Blade can he continue his unfinished work, gathering the wills of everyone in Fontaine, the continent, and even the entire planet unto himself.

As the primordial sea returns once more, and as the devourer of all darkens the sky, only he who is whole unto himself may survive.

Only then will all of our souls — nay, all of humanity's souls — be spared from destruction. We will welcome a new dawn in the tranquil sea of innocence he grants us.

So this is your big plan to save the world?

It sounds like you're just bundling everyone's consciousness together without consent.

And what would you know of anything? Only Master Narzissenkreuz's new body will survive the coming of the second deluge.

Even if all other life disappears into the sea, he will survive alone. He will remember all those lives that were lost.

He recognizes the value and equality of all life — a selflessness that shall not be besmirched by ones such as you.

So where is he now?

In the deepest depths beneath us. When the thugs and dogs of Fontaine surrounded us and attempted to wipe us out, he descended alone into the abyss below.

But he must still be alive, and the time for his return is nigh.

Quickly, give me what you have on you. Then I will have all the Orthants, and you may leave.

How about this? I will trade you this rust treatment and oil. Think of it as a gift for that foolish dog.

In the dawn of the new world, it is unlikely there will be a place for it or Guillotin's fantasies.

I refuse. The world is not as weak as you think.

That's right! Paimon and 여행자 have seen more crises than you've eaten Lotus Flower Crisps. And we always come out on top!

Truly, there is no reaching your exalted heights.

I remember how the Master used to pretend to be an evil dragon when we played as children.

Who would have thought he would become the hero, while the real evil dragons would come at us, one after another.

Guillotin may have disappeared, but here his successors come, self-assured, thinking themselves totally infallible.

What the heck are you talking about?

The time has come. A century ago, the prophecy predicted all. He will return.

If you will not give me what I need willingly, I will take it myself.

Ha... Ha... It's been a while, "chrysalis." Still no sign of metamorphosis, I see.

Perhaps you've grown too used to being a caterpillar?

Have you already forgotten the time we spent here?

It was a brief time compared to our eternity. But those brief moments granted us mastery of this universe.

I was nothing more than your "exhibit" at that time, nor could I understand your grand plans. Plus, I tend to have a bad memory for things I don't like.

But on your return, you performed the "Dispelling Ritual." How fastidious of you.

Of course. How could I allow spiritual impurities or contaminants into the Master's space?

Alas, you have not yet left your cocoon. You will return to the void in the end. There is no place for you in the new world.

Hand over the rest of it.

Hmph. I shall permit it. It seems it is you who are the hero wielding the Holy Blade in this telling of the story, while I am the dragon who falls to your sword.

It matters not in the end. All the elements are in place and the dragon has been defeated. You may guard "reason" — for now.

After all, nobody can truly own the Holy Blade. We merely hold it as it travels in the direction it must, until it reaches its final destiny.

The Holy Blade can be any object. But there is particular symbolism in it being a sword.

Well then, present something that can hold "reason."

Let's use the Holy Blade of Narzissenkreuz we found earlier.

*nod*

Th—This is...

What's next, Jakob?

Eh? Uh... Hm.

Don't you want to reforge the Holy Blade as soon as possible?

Next, Oceanid, you touch the sword.

...Is this a trap?

No. Although the Holy Blade can part any will from water, it can also unite wills. It can accommodate both the primordial, and that of order.

You have been chosen because even if you are an illusion, you contain something that the Narzissenkreuz Ordo has gathered over many years...

...The power of will.

Should we trust him?

His biological indicators show a very low probability of lying, though I remain doubtful.

How long must you dawdle? You're no better than that rusty old shell Guillotin created.

Would you like some oil for your brain? Or rust remover?

Speaking of rust remover...

What about it?

That watch...

Yeah! We can try using rust remover on the watch!

What nonsense are you all going on about...

Adults shouldn't interrupt children.

...

And I'm a child, too.

Whoa! It's open!

And there's... a photo inside?

Hmm. How nostalgic. Alain, Rene, Director Lyris, Mary-Ann, and myself, as we once were.

I... I remember this photo...

I think I remember...

Matching traits detected. That is Mary-Ann, my ward.

Well? Has the oil helped lubricate your rusty decision-making skills?

If we don't take this step, we'll never be able to leave the world of memory.

Yeah. Let me give it a try, then.

Ann!

It's okay. I've made up my mind.

Whoa...

Is this what the Holy Blade of Narzissenkreuz is really like?

Weren't you listening? Caterpillar just explained that the Holy Blade can indwell any form that holds significance.

Ah... Just like the Holy Blade of Narzissenkreuz we imagined...

Y—You changed back!

Ahem... Very good. My mission is complete. Now, I propose a trade.

Now, you, Oceanid! Please take all my emotions and memories.

Huh!?

My power is no match for yours, and I will soon disappear.

Save all that I am, that I may be reunited with everyone in the new world.

(Seems like he's not up-to-date with the latest news...)

But...

We established several nodes in Fontaine in accordance with the Seal of Chymical Marriage as part of our response to the apocalypse.

Today, only the five most important survive. Only the smallest part of our Master's plan has been implemented, but even that is a form of success.

The arrival of the new world is fated. I...

I cannot absorb your persona and memories. After all, I have no wish to retain anyone as with such serious sins on their hands as you are now.

Huh?

You may no longer be the crybaby Jakob, but as you are now, you are still not worthy of eternity.

Rather than do that, we will help you and treat you. You must atone for your sins.

Part of the Red Empress is within you, so you should know that she rejected the future.

She wanted to return to the Narzissenkreuz Institute as it was, and watch again as we pretended to be the Narzissenkreuz Adventure Team.

Beautiful memories are the only eternity in this world. There are no others.

Grant it to me, oh being of eternity.

I do not wish to do so. And I will persuade that part of Lyris, too.

The appointed time has come. It seems the watch wound up running a little fast over the course of a century.

What's going on here?

I have reversed the Seal of Chymical Marriage and reforged the Holy Blade of Reason. The truth of the world-formula has been proven.

The Seal of Chymical Marriage was an ancient Fontainian ritual meant to seal off the source of life. Now it has been reversed, and all has been set free once more!

Now, it is time for our Master... No, for Rene to return!

He will break the seal and control the source of life. The pure water of life will inundate the world as he rises once more, giving birth to a new universe.

All souls will be preserved forever, and the Blade of Will shall fall into the waters and be grasped by its legitimate owner.

All will be united as one, and gain the power to combat the apocalypse.

Jakob!

I've already anticipated the end for this body. "The clock may stop, and its hands fall still."

It may take Master a little time to find my will in the new world. But do not worry. We will meet there again!

Jakob!

What a terrible ending... But I fear there's little time for mourning or lamentation. Everything now hangs by a thread.

If my sense of direction is right, I'm afraid the interior of the Tower of Gestalt is below us now.

You've never been there, Caterpillar?

It is the closest point to Master's ultimate goal. I do not believe many have been there.

That means we don't know what we'll find there.

I'm ashamed to admit it, but yes.

What... What's all this?

Warning. Abnormal environmental changes detected.

Paimon can see that just fine!

It seems we don't have much time. Let's get to work, quickly!

Before Jakob's new world becomes a reality.

What a huge mechanical core.

How shall we descend?

An optical-coupling design, is it? It looks like we need to get all the rays to hit their targets.

So how do we do that?

There must be some kind of equipment nearby. Have a look around.

Is that the "Persona" piece ahead?

Unable to analyze the density of the substance before us. It appears to have a mass of... zero.

It looks like we've got the last piece. We should at least be able to negotiate a bit with our opposition now.

On the bright side, at least we can stop the Narzissenkreuz Ordo from forging the Holy Blade.

Not at all, Paimon. Our final goal is to forge the Holy Blade ourselves, and use it to stop their plan.

Of course, Ann, I have not forgotten what this sword means to you.

A Holy Sword that can cut out the will is also your key to unraveling the mystery. And to be honest, it is equally important to me as well.

It's just that we have more important, more pressing matters at hand. Would you mind, then, if we looked into the mysteries surrounding us later?

I'm fine with that.

In that case, 여행자, please take this "Persona" with you, if you would.

That's enough for now. More than enough for a warm-up.

Correct. The oddities in Annapausis all point to the powers of the Oceanids.

But this is not Miss Ann's doing. All of this together means...

There's another Oceanid in Annapausis?

That is what I suspect. An Oceanid with whom Mary-Ann has a close relationship.

Or perhaps, she could even be... the princess herself.

Do you mean to say that "Mary-Ann" may, in fact, be Princess Lyris?

Yes, Lyris. The Red Empress of the Narzissenkreuz Ordo from back then, the Red Empress who loves to take heads.

Take heads!?

I seem to have a vague recollection of something like that.

Whoa...

But it's not a story about Lyris. Rather, it's a fairytale about someone named Mary-Ann.

Yes. The taking heads thing is just a metaphor. Lyris is made of pure water and so has the ability to dissolve and extract people's wills.

The Narzissenkreuz Ordo used her to extract the ego and become holy.

Searching for the keyword "Lyris" has yielded relevant information in my indices.

Talking of the Red Empress has reminded me of a few things about Mary-Ann.

Mull that over a while first, then speak to Miss Ann and Seymour.

See if the conclusion you reach awakens any new memories.

The "Mary-Ann" in Annapausis...

That makes her our prime suspect, then.

To be honest, were you using the process of elimination, you actually already guessed as much long ago.

I didn't want to disrespect Ann, though.

You're right. But you do already have a version of the story in your heart — your own interpretation, yes?

If that's the case, then we should go find that "Mary-Ann," and see for ourselves.

Please permit me to change the topic for a moment.

Does this mean that I shall no longer be able to fulfill my orders to protect Mary-Ann?

We've worked out this much, and that's the only bit you care about?

Hmm, it may be cruel, but from the moment we discovered that the Guillotin siblings were from centuries ago, it was probably inevitable...

Correction. So, the conclusion would be that it was my incompetence that exposed Mary-Ann to danger?

Do not blame yourself. You have fought to the point of destruction. You have done your part.

There's no need to be so pessimistic either. Though that is an odd thing to say to a machine.

Yeah. It's like pouring Fonta into a sink and then saying "Sink, you'll get fat if you keep drinking like this!"

Oh. 4ACV07.

I can't believe you remember that...

What is it, Mr. Caterpillar? Why use my official designation?

We may not have reached any conclusions. But we now know what to do next.

Look. There is a Mary-Ann in Annapausis too, and she also has close links to the Narzissenkreuz Ordo.

My long-term memory module confirms this.

As such, there's no need to restore your logic module to factory settings yet. Let's take a step back.

We can still go and find this Mary-Ann.

...

Thank you for your logical troubleshooting and... emotional adaptive maintenance.

I think... what you said makes sense. It is not yet time to admit defeat and restore myself to my initial settings in order to take on a new mission.

Yeah! That's right, you silly doggy!

Let's leave things here for a while, then. Once you are ready, we can continue.

Hmm. Why don't we go find this Mary-Ann?

Let's solve that mystery before tackling the Narzissenkreuz Ordo issue.

Mmhmm. I'd really like to figure that one out too. After all, it might explain where I come from.

My logic module agrees that this is the correct course of action.

So, shall we go then?

Then let's begin.

Huh? It's already starting?

Let me think back on what's happened.

Got it.

Let me know if I can be of assistance in any way, Mr. 여행자.

Are you ready now? Or do you have any questions for me?

We've put the pieces of the case that were floating all over the algae sea back together.

It's just an empty box even after being put together, but we've finally figured out...

What the lost pearl should look like.

Uhm, what are you trying to say, Caterpillar?

Wait. Don't give Paimon any hints. She's gonna figure this out on her own!

We pieced together a good guess from the clues, but the truth is... still unproven?

Of course. My speech analysis module has determined that Miss Paimon is correct.

Actually, I meant that we may never know the truth. But I'm afraid we have no choice but to accept this conjecture.

So, Knight 여행자, is this the secret of my birth?

It's... I'm afraid I can't... accept something like this right away...

I understand, Ms. Ann. It's a shocking fact, and it'll require you to accept yourself again.

But I don't think it should be that difficult to do so. After all, knowing your past does not require abandoning everything about the present.

I do not understand the specific context of this discussion. But I would like to add that I do not believe I am different from how I was before suffering disk damage.

Even though you insist on addressing me as a silly dog, my identification number is still 4ACV07.

Come on, it's not that serious! I promised Knight 여행자 that I would accept this conclusion, as long as it's reasonable.

Then I have a suggestion, one that will resolve Miss Ann's quandary and put a stop to Narzissenkreuz's plans.

Narzissenkreuz...

Narzissen... Oh! Paimon remembers now! You mentioned him before, Caterpillar. Just who is he, huh?

Well... Simply put, the leader of the Narzissenkreuz Ordo.

Whoa! Sounds like he's got an impressive resume! But isn't the Narzissenkreuz Ordo always up to no good? Wouldn't that make him the nastiest of the lot?

Of course. During my time with my master, creator, and the other Marechaussee Hunters, we devoted most of our time to hunting the Ordo down.

As I said before, the goal of the Elynas operation was to capture or eliminate Narzissenkreuz as well. However, my memory does not contain any intelligence regarding his involvement.

That's a given. Looking back at it now, he was merely using us as bait. And I wasn't the only one... It was the same for Jakob, Lyris, and many others in the Ordo.

I'm afraid the Elynas operation was probably never more than a red herring with the goal of leading you and Guillotin away to buy him more time to execute his true plans.

Remember the Doomsday Clock I mentioned?

It's what the Ordo considers the countdown to the apocalypse, right?

To be more precise, it's the apocalypse as calculated by the world-formula. This planet itself should survive just fine, though...

"The beast of the stars shall drink the amniotic fluid of the world dry. A hundred years more, and all surface life shall be wiped away."

Once life on the surface is wiped out, only that which is underwater will remain. Can a planet full of fish eventually rise up to the ocean of stars?

The thought of all terrestrial life going extinct is pretty spooky, but when you say things like that, it does give things a romantic ring...

It's the heading of a Yae Publishing House novel from a few years back. Mamere brought it back to the village to learn how to paint.

O—Oh, no wonder...

Anyways, for myself and the others gathered here, though the Narzissenkreuz Ordo is the source of all our troubles...

Its objective and Narzissenkreuz's great purpose are actually completely selfless.

He only took the actions he did because he calculated the coming of the apocalypse. He wishes to save the world.

So is the world really on the verge of destruction?

I believe this to be a pathological delusion caused by paranoia.

Were the apocalypse real... would you be able to forgive Narzissenkreuz?

No. It's a bit too early to consider such things. You have yet to understand what happened to you, Ann.

And as for you, Seymour, your hostility is a result of your programming and the duties it imposes.

I suppose we must find the Holy Blade of Narzissenkreuz.

The Holy Blade... of Narzissenkreuz?

I'm talking about the real one, of course... as much as it may be quite strange to say that the ceremonial sword of a magic society is real.

Not only will it help us stop Narzissenkreuz's plans, but its unique powers may be able to undo the merging of wills.

We should be able to separate Lyris and Mary-Ann. And then, Miss Ann, you can defeat the evil dragon, Narcissus, and rescue Princess Lyris.

Regardless...

...Let's get moving first.

That's the spirit. It might take some time to explain, so let's move out first and I'll explain when we get there.

Knight 여행자, I've remembered the name "Mary-Ann."

It's familiar to me because it's from a children's story. The same one that the "Red Empress" comes from.

The female lead, Liddell, was mistaken for Mary-Ann, the servant. And Mary-Ann never appeared throughout the entire story.

Maybe "Mary-Ann" never really existed... except as a figment in someone's dreams.

How do you know about this story, Ann?

And isn't that a good question? How do I know about it?

The memory feels more vivid than those I have of the story of the evil dragon, Narcissus.

Shall I summarize the entries regarding Lyris I possess for you two?

Omitting the standard citation format. Reconstructing output to match format "report to superiors"...

Lyris is a registered Oceanid. She is not eligible to be stationed in the waters outside Fontaine and has become...

A special source of information for the nation. She was appointed as the director of an orphanage to symbolize the love and affection of the previous Hydro Archon.

The orphanage's affairs were mainly managed by its human vice director.

An orphanage director... Then how is she connected to the Narzissenkreuz Ordo?

As Director, Lyris was very affectionate towards the children and quite devoted to them, but her intelligence among Oceanids was below average.

She wasn't very good at working out the cause and effect of things, nor could she even count. As a result, she was not qualified to perform covert investigations.

Aww, sounds kinda like a big ol' cat mom who can't count!

Y'know, because cats can't count, so they pick up their kittens one by one, and keep going back until they see there aren't any kittens left!

Later, the orphanage was destroyed during the calamity, and official records of her stop there.

They say she failed to understand the link between the disaster, the orphans fleeing, and her own conduct, and so she wanders the ruins, drowning in guilt and expectation.

I have an underwater locomotion module. Once, Mary-Ann and I... dove down to the ruins of the orphanage, whose coordinates were the same as those of Annapausis.

There, we found an Oceanid swimming sadly in circles...

When she next appeared in the records, she was a core member of the Narzissenkreuz Ordo and the subject of a high-priority arrest warrant.

Oh, but she doesn't seem like a bad person.

Considering that she may be connected to Ann, she must've been tricked.

Ah, yes. There's another important piece of information worth noting. The orphanage's name was—

The Narzissenkreuz Institute.

Narzissenkreuz...

These are all Marechaussee Phantom files that Mr. Alain Guillotin recorded for testing light sensitivity while designing me. The output is via my image-to-text-to-speech module.

According to eyewitness testimony regarding who I suspect to be Lyris, there shouldn't be any problems.

And you may have heard of this elsewhere, but it's worth mentioning again:

Alain and Mary-Ann were orphans in the care of the Narzissenkreuz Institute before the Marechaussee Hunter, Emanuel Guillotin, took them in.

Thank you, Seymour.

Don't mention it, Noble Sir.

Paimon feels like you've changed a lot since we met in the Fortress of Meropide, Caterpillar...

Would a five-year-old child and a fifteen-year-old teenager be the same? Perhaps returning here simply reminds me of the past, and of who I used to be.

Time is frozen in the Fortress. Being locked up there for a day, or a hundred years... I'm afraid it made no difference to me.

Lanoire is what made time flow for me. Watching her grow reminded me that time still passes, and life is still being born, shining brilliantly, and then being extinguished.

And so I changed as well. That said, my past self — the person I was before I met her — would certainly be more helpful to Ann and Seymour in our current situation.

That's true...

Haha! Don't be like that, Paimon! Just think about it — making up stories for Lanoire was nothing more than putting such ways of thinking to good use.

Regardless, it has nothing to do with the current situation. You look like you still have questions, 여행자.

Since we have our own suspicions about Ann and Lyris's relationship, we have topics of discussion that can be used to refute or sustain those conjectures.

How do Oceanids reproduce?

I'm sure you have friends more knowledgeable than I am regarding that. Perhaps you can even find scholars of natural philosophy who have dedicated research to the question.

Or you could have asked the Oceanids you know personally... but you asked me.

Of course, I know what you mean. So this is your speculation? I see.

Paimon doesn't get it.

When we exchanged information earlier, 여행자 mentioned that Ann is the person in "Mary-Ann's" dream.

Or perhaps, she might be a manifestation made by "Mary-Ann" — an Oceanid-Oceanid.

Oceanid-Oceanid? Why the repetition? ...Are you just trying to make it sound cuter?

Apologies, perhaps my description was ill-done. Still, can an Oceanid create an Oceanid-creature version of an Oceanid?

Wow, that's deep! That's like asking if hard candies can be used as the filler for another hard candy.

So, what would you say to that? This question's really interesting, but Paimon's already hungry for answers!

Still, you may not realize just how deep this rabbit hole goes, so let me explain.

Do tell.

You might be confused as to why there are Oceanid creatures with personalities in the Annapausis.

If Oceanids can create Oceanid creatures, then can they create Oceanid-Humans or Oceanid-Oceanids?

Convention dictates that it's rare for Oceanids to be able to mimic a human, unless the human drowns in their arms, or the Oceanid has spent extensive time with the person and knows everything about them.

And the Oceanid in question must also have tremendous wisdom and compassion. I'm afraid perhaps only one as powerful as Rhodeia could do it.

Wow, so that means Idyia must be incredibly strong...

So it's rare to mimic humans, but not impossible. Now, creating another Oceanid... That's different.

Creating humans using human knowledge can only be achieved by gods, and the same applies to Oceanids creating Oceanids. It usually should be impossible — in this world, at least.

Unless... Unless this human or Oceanid has already placed themselves above their own kind, and attempted such insanity.

You mean... They thought they had become a god?

That's right. Followers blindly believe in their leaders, who in turn blindly believe in themselves, giving rise to delirium and delusions.

"I can do what a god can do. Their deeds are not that great, after all."

A powerful belief is also a powerful will, and magic is a skill that molds reality to your will.

Perhaps the descendant hypothesis makes more sense.

Perhaps, perhaps! It's possible, and quite understandable, too.

If nothing else, the Lyris I know doesn't have this kind of intelligence... nor would she be this crazy.

I have some... less mainstream ideas about how Oceanids reproduce, but they're not important, and we can discuss them later.

Whoa! What are these guys doing here again?

Wait! Isn't that Al's group?

Hohoho! Yes, it is us. And you are... Knight 여행자 and Paimon?

It's really good to see you. So good that I can't control myself anymore. Please dodge to the best of your ability.

She asked us to send you a message. Now let me take out her handwritten letter with my hands, which are much like yours, yellow and white ones. Ahem—

"I don't want to hear your stories... I prefer my version."

You don't seem to want to link the two of them together.

Neither elimination nor enumeration is very fair to Ann.

What a coincidence. I happen to agree.

But I have some other thoughts to share too, though they may have nothing to do with the next step in our reasoning.

Are you willing to listen?

I'm listening.

Earlier, we broached the topic of Oceanid reproduction.

It's a huge taboo for Oceanids to mimic and transform into one of their own kind, just as it is for humans to create humans.

But you see... Humans can create humans. Through love.

"Go. Pursue eternity, not through mystery, but love."

What if, by some chance, this mysterious method of Oceanid reproduction is accomplished through imagination and mimicry?

Perhaps their regret or remorse gives birth to a thought, and as they imagine the path that could have been taken, a new Oceanid is born.

That's a very interesting idea.

We'll never know. After all, it's a secret passed down amongst Oceanids only.

In any case, we'll begin once you're ready.

Got it, let's go.

There are four Seals in total. If my hypothesis is correct, then they should be at these locations, respectively...

Huh? These four locations...

We've been to some of them before during our adventures.

I see. And did you find anything there?

...I see. This proves two things. Firstly, my hypothesis is accurate.

And the other?

Secondly, the situation is grim. We need to get moving and see if we still have a chance to turn things around.

Got it, let's go.

There are four Seals in total. If my hypothesis is correct, then they should be at these locations, respectively...

Huh? These four locations...

We've been to them during our adventures.

Well, to be precise, we've been to three out of the four locations.

I see. And did you find anything there?

...I see. This proves two things. Firstly, my hypothesis is accurate.

And the other?

The situation is grim. We must hurry to the fourth location.

Tell me about what happened previously.

Hmm. You didn't go ahead and save the world while we split up to investigate, now did you?

A lot has happened indeed. It's no wonder you've forgotten what we went through together.

I jest, of course. Maybe you're just tired, and it's eluding you for now.

To put it simply, we met in the Fortress of Meropide, and you helped me rescue Lanoire.

And now, it's my turn to help you.

I just thought of something...

I'm looking forward to it.

I need to talk with the others first.

Got it.

Got it, let's go.

Anyway, assuming I looked at the map from the right angle, we will find the entrance to one of the Seals nearby.

Ha... Ha... It's been a while, "chrysalis." Still no sign of metamorphosis, I see.

Perhaps you've grown too used to being a caterpillar?

Have you already forgotten the time we spent here?

It was a brief time compared to our eternity. But those brief moments granted us mastery of this universe.

I was nothing more than your "exhibit" at that time, nor could I understand your grand plans. Plus, I tend to have a bad memory for things I don't like.

But on your return, you performed the "Dispelling Ritual." How fastidious of you.

Of course. How could I allow spiritual impurities or contaminants into the Master's space?

Alas, you have not yet left your cocoon. You will return to the void in the end. There is no place for you in the new world.

Hand over the rest of it.

Hmph. I shall permit it. It seems it is you who are the hero wielding the Holy Blade in this telling of the story, while I am the dragon who falls to your sword.

It matters not in the end. All the elements are in place and the dragon has been defeated. You may guard "reason" — for now.

After all, nobody can truly own the Holy Blade. We merely hold it as it travels in the direction it must, until it reaches its final destiny.

The Holy Blade can be any object. But there is particular symbolism in it being a sword.

Well then, present something that can hold "reason."

Let's use the Holy Blade of Narzissenkreuz we found earlier.

*nod*

Th—This is...

What's next, Jakob?

Eh? Uh... Hm.

Don't you want to reforge the Holy Blade as soon as possible?

Next, Oceanid, you touch the sword.

...Is this a trap?

No. Although the Holy Blade can part any will from water, it can also unite wills. It can accommodate both the primordial, and that of order.

You have been chosen because even if you are an illusion, you contain something that the Narzissenkreuz Ordo has gathered over many years...

...The power of will.

Should we trust him?

His biological indicators show a very low probability of lying, though I remain doubtful.

How long must you dawdle? You're no better than that rusty old shell Guillotin created.

Would you like some oil for your brain? Or rust remover?

Speaking of rust remover...

What about it?

That watch...

Yeah! We can try using rust remover on the watch!

What nonsense are you all going on about...

Adults shouldn't interrupt children.

...

And I'm a child, too.

Whoa! It's open!

And there's... a photo inside?

Hmm. How nostalgic. Alain, Rene, Director Lyris, Mary-Ann, and myself, as we once were.

I... I remember this photo...

I think I remember...

Matching traits detected. That is Mary-Ann, my ward.

Well? Has the oil helped lubricate your rusty decision-making skills?

If we don't take this step, we'll never be able to leave the world of memory.

Yeah. Let me give it a try, then.

Ann!

It's okay. I've made up my mind.

Whoa...

Is this what the Holy Blade of Narzissenkreuz is really like?

Weren't you listening? Caterpillar just explained that the Holy Blade can indwell any form that holds significance.

Ah... Just like the Holy Blade of Narzissenkreuz we imagined...

Y—You changed back!

Ahem... Very good. My mission is complete. Now, I propose a trade.

Now, you, Oceanid! Please take all my emotions and memories.

Huh?

My power is no match for yours, and I will soon disappear.

Save all that I am, that I may be reunited with everyone in the new world.

But...

We established several nodes in Fontaine in accordance with the Seal of Chymical Marriage as part of our response to the apocalypse.

Today, only the five most important survive. Only the smallest part of our Master's plan has been implemented, but even that is a form of success.

The arrival of the new world is fated. I...

I cannot absorb your persona and memories. After all, I have no wish to retain anyone as with such serious sins on their hands as you are now.

Huh?

You may no longer be the crybaby Jakob, but as you are now, you are still not worthy of eternity.

Rather than do that, we will help you and treat you. You must atone for your sins.

Part of the Red Empress is within you, so you should know that she rejected the future.

She wanted to return to the Narzissenkreuz Institute as it was, and watch again as we pretended to be the Narzissenkreuz Adventure Team.

Beautiful memories are the only eternity in this world. There are no others.

Grant it to me, oh being of eternity.

I do not wish to do so. And I will persuade that part of Lyris, too.

The appointed time has come. It seems the watch wound up running a little fast over the course of a century.

What's going on here?

I have reversed the Seal of Chymical Marriage and reforged the Holy Blade of Reason. The truth of the world-formula has been proven.

The Seal of Chymical Marriage was an ancient Fontainian ritual meant to seal off the source of life. Now it has been reversed, and all has been set free once more!

Now, it is time for our Master... No, for Rene to return!

He will break the seal and control the source of life. The pure water of life will inundate the world as he rises once more, giving birth to a new universe.

All souls will be preserved forever, and the Blade of Will shall fall into the waters and be grasped by its legitimate owner.

All will be united as one, and gain the power to combat the apocalypse.

Jakob!

I've already anticipated the end for this body. "The clock may stop, and its hands fall still."

It may take Master a little time to find my will in the new world. But do not worry. We will meet there again!

Jakob!

Ha... Ha... It's been a while, "chrysalis." Still no sign of metamorphosis, I see.

Perhaps you've grown too used to being a caterpillar?

Have you already forgotten the time we spent here?

It was a brief time compared to our eternity. But those brief moments granted us mastery of this universe.

I was nothing more than your "exhibit" at that time, nor could I understand your grand plans. Plus, I tend to have a bad memory for things I don't like.

But on your return, you performed the "Dispelling Ritual." How fastidious of you.

Of course. How could I allow spiritual impurities or contaminants into the Master's space?

Alas, you have not yet left your cocoon. You will return to the void in the end. There is no place for you in the new world.

Hand over the rest of it.

Hmph. I shall permit it. It seems it is you who are the hero wielding the Holy Blade in this telling of the story, while I am the dragon who falls to your sword.

It matters not in the end. All the elements are in place and the dragon has been defeated. You may guard "reason" — for now.

After all, nobody can truly own the Holy Blade. We merely hold it as it travels in the direction it must, until it reaches its final destiny.

The Holy Blade can be any object. But there is particular symbolism in it being a sword.

Well then, present something that can hold "reason."

Let's use the Holy Blade of Narzissenkreuz we found earlier.

*nod*

Th—This is...

What's next, Jakob?

Eh? Uh... Hm.

Don't you want to reforge the Holy Blade as soon as possible?

Next, Oceanid, you touch the sword.

...Is this a trap?

No. Although the Holy Blade can part any will from water, it can also unite wills. It can accommodate both the primordial, and that of order.

You have been chosen because even if you are an illusion, you contain something that the Narzissenkreuz Ordo has gathered over many years...

...The power of will.

Should we trust him?

His biological indicators show a very low probability of lying, though I remain doubtful.

How long must you dawdle? You're no better than that rusty old shell Guillotin created.

Would you like some oil for your brain? Or rust remover?

Speaking of rust remover...

What about it?

That watch...

Yeah! We can try using rust remover on the watch!

What nonsense are you all going on about...

Adults shouldn't interrupt children.

...

And I'm a child, too.

Whoa! It's open!

And there's... a photo inside?

Hmm. How nostalgic. Alain, Rene, Director Lyris, Mary-Ann, and myself, as we once were.

I... I remember this photo...

I think I remember...

Matching traits detected. That is Mary-Ann, my ward.

Well? Has the oil helped lubricate your rusty decision-making skills?

If we don't take this step, we'll never be able to leave the world of memory.

Yeah. Let me give it a try, then.

Ann!

It's okay. I've made up my mind.

Whoa...

Is this what the Holy Blade of Narzissenkreuz is really like?

Weren't you listening? Caterpillar just explained that the Holy Blade can indwell any form that holds significance.

Ah... Just like the Holy Blade of Narzissenkreuz we imagined...

Y—You changed back!

Ahem... Very good. My mission is complete. Now, I propose a trade.

Now, you, Oceanid! Please take all my emotions and memories.

Huh?

My power is no match for yours, and I will soon disappear.

Save all that I am, that I may be reunited with everyone in the new world.

But...

We established several nodes in Fontaine in accordance with the Seal of Chymical Marriage as part of our response to the apocalypse.

Today, only the five most important survive. Only the smallest part of our Master's plan has been implemented, but even that is a form of success.

The arrival of the new world is fated. I...

I cannot absorb your persona and memories. After all, I have no wish to retain anyone as with such serious sins on their hands as you are now.

Huh?

You may no longer be the crybaby Jakob, but as you are now, you are still not worthy of eternity.

Rather than do that, we will help you and treat you. You must atone for your sins.

Part of the Red Empress is within you, so you should know that she rejected the future.

She wanted to return to the Narzissenkreuz Institute as it was, and watch again as we pretended to be the Narzissenkreuz Adventure Team.

Beautiful memories are the only eternity in this world. There are no others.

Grant it to me, oh being of eternity.

I do not wish to do so. And I will persuade that part of Lyris, too.

The appointed time has come. It seems the watch wound up running a little fast over the course of a century.

What's going on here?

I have reversed the Seal of Chymical Marriage and reforged the Holy Blade of Reason. The truth of the world-formula has been proven.

The Seal of Chymical Marriage was an ancient Fontainian ritual meant to seal off the source of life. Now it has been reversed, and all has been set free once more!

Now, it is time for our Master... No, for Rene to return!

He will break the seal and control the source of life. The pure water of life will inundate the world as he rises once more, giving birth to a new universe.

All souls will be preserved forever, and the Blade of Will shall fall into the waters and be grasped by its legitimate owner.

All will be united as one, and gain the power to combat the apocalypse.

Jakob!

I've already anticipated the end for this body. "The clock may stop, and its hands fall still."

It may take Master a little time to find my will in the new world. But do not worry. We will meet there again!

Jakob!

Ha... Ha... It's been a while, "chrysalis." Still no sign of metamorphosis, I see.

Perhaps you've grown too used to being a caterpillar?

Have you already forgotten the time we spent here?

It was a brief time compared to our eternity. But those brief moments granted us mastery of this universe.

I was nothing more than your "exhibit" at that time, nor could I understand your grand plans. Plus, I tend to have a bad memory for things I don't like.

But on your return, you performed the "Dispelling Ritual." How fastidious of you.

Of course. How could I allow spiritual impurities or contaminants into the Master's space?

Alas, you have not yet left your cocoon. You will return to the void in the end. There is no place for you in the new world.

Hand over the rest of it.

Hmph. I shall permit it. It seems it is you who are the hero wielding the Holy Blade in this telling of the story, while I am the dragon who falls to your sword.

It matters not in the end. All the elements are in place and the dragon has been defeated. You may guard "reason" — for now.

After all, nobody can truly own the Holy Blade. We merely hold it as it travels in the direction it must, until it reaches its final destiny.

The Holy Blade can be any object. But there is particular symbolism in it being a sword.

Well then, present something that can hold "reason."

Let's use the Holy Blade of Narzissenkreuz we found earlier.

*nod*

Th—This is...

What's next, Jakob?

Eh? Uh... Hm.

Don't you want to reforge the Holy Blade as soon as possible?

Next, Oceanid, you touch the sword.

...Is this a trap?

No. Although the Holy Blade can part any will from water, it can also unite wills. It can accommodate both the primordial, and that of order.

You have been chosen because even if you are an illusion, you contain something that the Narzissenkreuz Ordo has gathered over many years...

...The power of will.

Should we trust him?

His biological indicators show a very low probability of lying, though I remain doubtful.

How long must you dawdle? You're no better than that rusty old shell Guillotin created.

Would you like some oil for your brain? Or rust remover?

Speaking of rust remover...

What about it?

That watch...

Yeah! We can try using rust remover on the watch!

What nonsense are you all going on about...

Adults shouldn't interrupt children.

...

And I'm a child, too.

Whoa! It's open!

And there's... a photo inside?

Hmm. How nostalgic. Alain, Rene, Director Lyris, Mary-Ann, and myself, as we once were.

I... I remember this photo...

I think I remember...

Matching traits detected. That is Mary-Ann, my ward.

Well? Has the oil helped lubricate your rusty decision-making skills?

If we don't take this step, we'll never be able to leave the world of memory.

Yeah. Let me give it a try, then.

Ann!

It's okay. I've made up my mind.

Whoa...

Is this what the Holy Blade of Narzissenkreuz is really like?

Weren't you listening? Caterpillar just explained that the Holy Blade can indwell any form that holds significance.

Ah... Just like the Holy Blade of Narzissenkreuz we imagined...

Y—You changed back!

Ahem... Very good. My mission is complete. Now, I propose a trade.

Now, you, Oceanid! Please take all my emotions and memories.

Huh?

My power is no match for yours, and I will soon disappear.

Save all that I am, that I may be reunited with everyone in the new world.

But...

We established several nodes in Fontaine in accordance with the Seal of Chymical Marriage as part of our response to the apocalypse.

Today, only the five most important survive. Only the smallest part of our Master's plan has been implemented, but even that is a form of success.

The arrival of the new world is fated. I...

I cannot absorb your persona and memories. After all, I have no wish to retain anyone as with such serious sins on their hands as you are now.

Huh?

You may no longer be the crybaby Jakob, but as you are now, you are still not worthy of eternity.

Rather than do that, we will help you and treat you. You must atone for your sins.

Part of the Red Empress is within you, so you should know that she rejected the future.

She wanted to return to the Narzissenkreuz Institute as it was, and watch again as we pretended to be the Narzissenkreuz Adventure Team.

Beautiful memories are the only eternity in this world. There are no others.

Grant it to me, oh being of eternity.

I do not wish to do so. And I will persuade that part of Lyris, too.

The appointed time has come. It seems the watch wound up running a little fast over the course of a century.

What's going on here?

I have reversed the Seal of Chymical Marriage and reforged the Holy Blade of Reason. The truth of the world-formula has been proven.

The Seal of Chymical Marriage was an ancient Fontainian ritual meant to seal off the source of life. Now it has been reversed, and all has been set free once more!

That's insane!

Now, it is time for our Master... No, for Rene to return!

He will break the seal and control the source of life. The pure water of life will inundate the world as he rises once more, giving birth to a new universe.

All souls will be preserved forever, and the Blade of Will shall fall into the waters and be grasped by its legitimate owner.

All will be united as one, and gain the power to combat the apocalypse.

Jakob!

I've already anticipated the end for this body. "The clock may stop, and its hands fall still."

It may take Master a little time to find my will in the new world. But do not worry. We will meet there again!

Jakob!

Paimon feels like you've changed a lot since we met in the Fortress of Meropide, Caterpillar...

Would a five-year-old child and a fifteen-year-old teenager be the same? Perhaps returning here simply reminds me of the past, and of who I used to be.

Time is frozen in the Fortress. Being locked up there for a day, or a hundred years... I'm afraid it made no difference to me.

Lanoire is what made time flow for me. Watching her grow reminded me that time still passes, and life is still being born, shining brilliantly, and then being extinguished.

And so I changed as well. That said, my past self — the person I was before I met her — would certainly be more helpful to Ann and Seymour in our current situation.

That's true...

Haha! Don't be like that, Paimon! Just think about it — making up stories for Lanoire was nothing more than putting such ways of thinking to good use.

Regardless, it has nothing to do with the current situation. You look like you still have questions, 여행자.

Since we have our own suspicions about Ann and Lyris's relationship, we have topics of discussion that can be used to refute or sustain those conjectures.

How do Oceanids reproduce?

I'm sure you have friends more knowledgeable than I am regarding that. Perhaps you can even find scholars of natural philosophy who have dedicated research to the question.

Or you could have asked the Oceanids you know personally... but you asked me.

Of course, I know what you mean. So this is your speculation? I see.

Paimon doesn't get it.

When we exchanged information earlier, 여행자 mentioned that Ann is the person in "Mary-Ann's" dream.

Or perhaps, she might be a manifestation made by "Mary-Ann" — an Oceanid-Oceanid.

Oceanid-Oceanid? Why the repetition? ...Are you just trying to make it sound cuter?

Apologies, perhaps my description was ill-done. Still, can an Oceanid create an Oceanid-creature version of an Oceanid?

Wow, that's deep! That's like asking if hard candies can be used as the filler for another hard candy.

So, what would you say to that? This question's really interesting, but Paimon's already hungry for answers!

Still, you may not realize just how deep this rabbit hole goes, so let me explain.

Do tell.

You might be confused as to why there are Oceanid creatures with personalities in the Annapausis.

If Oceanids can create Oceanid creatures, then can they create Oceanid-Humans or Oceanid-Oceanids?

Convention dictates that it's rare for Oceanids to be able to mimic a human, unless the human drowns in their arms, or the Oceanid has spent extensive time with the person and knows everything about them.

And the Oceanid in question must also have tremendous wisdom and compassion. I'm afraid perhaps only one as powerful as Rhodeia could do it.

Wow, so that means she must be incredibly strong...

So it's rare to mimic humans, but not impossible. Now, creating another Oceanid... That's different.

Creating humans using human knowledge can only be achieved by gods, and the same applies to Oceanids creating Oceanids. It usually should be impossible — in this world, at least.

Unless... Unless this human or Oceanid has already placed themselves above their own kind, and attempted such insanity.

You mean... They thought they had become a god?

That's right. Followers blindly believe in their leaders, who in turn blindly believe in themselves, giving rise to delirium and delusions.

"I can do what a god can do. Their deeds are not that great, after all."

A powerful belief is also a powerful will, and magic is a skill that molds reality to your will.

Perhaps the descendant hypothesis makes more sense.

Perhaps, perhaps! It's possible, and quite understandable, too.

If nothing else, the Lyris I know doesn't have this kind of intelligence... nor would she be this crazy.

I have some... less mainstream ideas about how Oceanids reproduce, but they're not important, and we can discuss them later.

Hold on.

Sure, mull it over for a bit.

Are you ready to begin?

I am very sorry. I may be unable to offer any logical support at this time.

My listening equipment cannot hear inner voices.

Don't worry, you've helped plenty already.

Could you tell me your assessment? Is the Mary-Ann from Annapausis the person I am meant to protect or not?

I am willing to believe your judgment, even if that means I have to update my data.

According to my records, Mary-Ann Guillotin never exhibited the behavior of waiting for others to come back after the Narzissenkreuz Institute was destroyed.

That means she must have returned to the ruins here after being adopted, living there for a while. But there is no possible timeframe that meets these requirements.

...Logical error, data fragment sorting initiated...

Logical error. Sorting data fragments...

Please do not be concerned. After warming up, fragment sorting speed will be greatly enhanced.

The process should be complete before you begin speculating.

Knight 여행자.

Is there anything else you want to say?

I'm just an Oceanid who doesn't know anything, and I'm really bad at thinking.

Even if you just told me a random story, I'd still believe it all, hook, line, and sinker. The world is too complicated, after all, and I'm not experienced enough to spot any holes.

I wouldn't do that.

Thank you, Knight 여행자.

I think that the Mary-Ann in Annapausis is the same as me.

She might look smart, but she doesn't want to accept this complicated world, so she chooses to protect herself with fairy tales.

But even fairy tales must end.

I believe you, Knight 여행자.

Even if your story isn't as happy as Mary-Ann's fairy tales, to me, a tale with an ending is better than a fairy tale without one.

Knight 여행자, Paimon, do you have any questions for me?

Could you refresh my memory on what happened previously?

Um, have you forgotten certain details? Uh, I'm just a little Oceanid, so explaining every little thing might be beyond me...

Anyway, I was determined to rescue Petit Chou when we first met. Luckily, Paimon and you helped.

Later on, we intended to rescue Princess Lyris and defeat the evil dragon. But we met Mary-Ann...

She told us things I couldn't understand, and it seemed like she was holding on to some very important secret.

How can I help you, Mr. 여행자?

Command: Recall what happened before.

Of course. You repaired me inside Elynas. I was only capable of repeating a fixed set of lines up until then...

Oh, Paimon remembers something like that. That was outrageous!

Please forgive me, it was a necessary measure to preserve my internal storage.

Forget it! Even Mamere forgave you, so we have no right to stay angry.

Mamere...

I wonder how she's doing. My long-term memory module frequently requests updates for her file.

Are you trying to say that you miss her?

That is not imprecise.

After that, we thwarted the schemes of Jakob of the Narzissenkreuz Ordo.

And as I must find my ward, Ms. Mary-Ann, I shall be going with you.

These stories... Just how do I know them...?

By the way, in the end, everything was the Red Empress's dream, and the Red Queen was merely a cat.

I hope my information helps.

Now, let's reorganize the information that everyone just recalled. This might take quite some time, and might be somewhat hard on our throats.

Let's begin.

Then let's begin.

Let me think it over...

That's a good idea. Do think about it first, then.

Oceanid reproduction?

The popular view is that Oceanids somehow managed to split the helix that represents life within them.

Newborn Oceanids are ignorant and innocent, yet the same cannot be said for Oceanid creatures.

I have my own thoughts on the subject, though it's a long story.

About the damage to Seymour and Elynas...

That's right, Seymour was damaged inside Elynas, and Mamere's been taking care of him!

To my shame, yes... Though I do not have such emotions, you can see it as me having lowered my assessment of myself.

And according to Elynas, the battle that occurred within his body ended quite terribly.

Evidently, that was the battle that damaged you, and it was an incredibly fierce one. But considering that you were damaged...

Then your master might've been...

Common sense dictates that the fate of Mary-Ann Guillotin, sister of Alain Guillotin, was most likely a grim one.

But this world is full of tales of loyal knights who exchanged their lives for a miracle, so you needn't grieve too much, Seymour.

(Seymour appears to have entered data fragment sorting mode out of pure shock.)

But your master, Mary-Ann, was an ordinary human being, wasn't she? And the time that has passed since then far surpasses the lifespan of any human...

How did it go? Did you think of anything?

The "Red Empress" Lyris...

She was an important figure in the Narzissenkreuz Ordo, and she is also the other Oceanid involved in the tale apart from Ms. Ann.

One of only two Oceanids... and we also just agreed that we believe there must be an Oceanid behind Annapausis.

But her traits don't match those of the "Mary-Ann" we encountered.

Could it be that Lyris's imagination was behind everything, even me?

That's unlikely. Seymour mentioned that her intelligence was quite limited, so phantoms of this sort would be quite hard for her — similar to how an author would struggle to write a character more intelligent than themselves.

In fairy tales, the kitten may dream of their living little master, but I fear such things don't happen much in real life.

So, who is behind all this? And who in the world is that "Mary-Ann"?

How did it go? Did you think of anything?

The Oceanid Ann...

Huh? What about me, again?

We once suspected that you might be the person that "Mary-Ann" dreamed of.

So, in your view, "Mary-Ann" is the Oceanid behind the curtain, yes?

I... I don't know.

Well then, do you find the name Lyris familiar? She is, after all, the only Oceanid involved in this apart from yourself.

If you mean the title, "The Red Empress," then yes, I do have some impression of it.

How did it go? Did you think of anything?

The bonfire is still burning. Wait, why is there a bonfire here? This is just a ruin...

Let me see what's written on the stone tablet.

"Lo, this place is the Orthant of Memory, the Hall of Memory, the Room of Memory."

"Born in an instant"... "Often contradicting, your company in eternal rest, never separated"... "Fire cannot burn it"...

Riddles, huh? Ancient Fontainian civilization loved them, and the Narzissenkreuz Ordo enjoyed them too. I'm not sure if they were just into old stuff, or if this was genuine interest.

I have already tried keyword searches on all of them, but have found no answers.

But this riddle has already been solved. Maybe the answer has something to do with the bonfire.

Is there any point in thinking about riddles that have already been solved?

Yes, there is. Just like you and I are both like this now, but we must still search out what happened in the past.

You've got a point.

What do you think the answer is, Knight 여행자?

Products of lithiasis. Y'know, like kidney stones and such.

It's true that fires don't destroy them, and they stay within our organs and tissues... But they aren't born in an instant, right?

They are formed by unhealthy dietary habits over a long period of time, Ms. Paimon.

What do you think the answer is, Knight 여행자?

Oceanid tears.

I'll just pretend you tried to say something romantic.

That's obviously not the right answer.

What do you think the answer is, Knight 여행자?

Shadows.

Yes, shadows.

The instant a beam of light shines, a shadow is born.

We know the answer, but someone's already opened the door. So, what do we do now?

We go inside now, of course. It's a race against time to see if we can find what we're looking for before the person who solved the riddle before us does.

Looks like someone was just here. Did they already figure out the little mechanism up ahead?

There's a bonfire that's still burning over there on the ground.

So, why is there a bonfire in a place like this?

Let me see what's written on the stone tablet.

"Lo, this place is the Or... Orth..."

Orthant.

"...Orthant of Memory, the Hall of Memory, the Room of Memory..."

"Born in an instant"... "Often contradicting, your company in eternal rest, never separated"... "Fire cannot burn it"...

A riddle, eh?

The answer has gotta be fire! There's a bonfire nearby.

Just what kind of riddle contains its own answer...

Oh, that's right! What do you think it is, then?

Products of lithiasis. Y'know, like kidney stones and such.

It's true that fires don't destroy them, and they stay within our organs and tissues... But they aren't born in an instant, right?

Oh, that's right! What do you think it is, then?

Shadows.

Oh, shadows does seem like the right answer! They are with us for our entire lives, and can't be burned by fire.

But what's the point in figuring out the answer to a riddle that's already been solved?

There's nothing here?

It looks like something was here, but someone else took it.

Wait, doesn't that mean that our plan's already failed?

The birth of "Reason" requires the merging of the four Orthants. If we can get the rest of them, we still have a chance.

In that case, we'd better hurry to the next area.

There's nothing here either...

What exactly are we looking for, Caterpillar?

We're looking for the materials necessary to forge the Holy Blade of Narzissenkreuz.

The Ordo was able to reproduce the four requisite hypothetical substances here in the material world, based on the esoteric philosophies of the underground kingdom and ancient Fontaine.

I do not understand.

These enigmatic substances are purely experiential. You could say they are even further beyond ordinary logic than elemental power.

I entered all introductory to intermediate level textbooks from the Akademiya's Spantamad into my memory banks decades ago. There is nothing mysterious about elemental power.

Is that so? Anyway, to sum up, this is born of the confluence of traditions from Fontaine and technology from the ancient underground kingdom.

And thus, four types of substance came into being: Memory, Wish, Soul, and Persona.

To avoid any possible ambiguity, let's call them the "Memory" piece, "Wish" piece, "Soul" piece, and "Persona" piece.

Why are these used to make the Holy Blade?

In the Narzissenkreuz Ordo's brand of mystical philosophy, the temple is a microcosm of the universe, the members are stand-ins for the gods, and the holy oil is tempered willpower.

The Holy Blade, on the other hand, is "reason," that which cuts everything open. It can only be born out of consummate human will.

Quite abstruse.

That's esotericism for you. If it looks similar enough, you can latch onto it, and when this kind of thing becomes magic, fiction becomes reality.

Anyway, we should make our way to the next area now.

Did someone... take whatever was here, too?

Looks that way.

Just who is...?

It's Jakob.

We had an altercation with him inside Elynas once... Clarification: Recently, not "once."

When I saw that unfortunate victim at the gate, I knew it was his handiwork. It seems he's still active after all.

Then what does he want with the stuff he took from here?

Simple — He too wants to reforge the Holy Blade of Narzissenkreuz. The dream of the Ordo remains unrealized.

Anyway, we should make our way to the final area now.

There's nothing here?

Oh no! It looks like someone already took whatever was here.

But who?

There's nothing here either...

Did someone... take whatever was here, too?

...Shouldn't you be more concerned with the person lying on the ground in your field of vision?

Huh? Wah! What happened...?

My apologies, Miss. I prioritized the search for the stone tablet. Allow me to conduct a scan now...

...My apologies, Miss.

What!?

Though he's still alive, the breath of life has escaped his body through the orifices. I've seen this handiwork before...

Eek! Paimon can't look.

We have to get help! We can't just leave him like this!

Alright! Now let's have a look at this stone tablet.

"Lo, this place is the Orthant of Wishes, the Temple of Wishes, the Room of Wishes..."

"Often contradicting"... "Born in an instant, your company in eternal rest, never separated"... "The tainted fruits of sin"...

Another riddle.

Why do something so scary here... Could it have something to do with the answer to the riddle?

Well, Fontainians are "sinners," life tainted with original sin.

For this reason, the answer is "life." I suppose I'd guessed it already.

Can you be sure that's the answer?

I know the rhetoric and semiotics of the Narzissenkreuz Ordo all too well. Barring any surprises, that is the answer.

Okay, it's time to make up for lost time. We need to hurry now.

Eek! Th—There's someone on the ground!

(Examine the fallen person...)

Is... Is he...?

He's still alive, just unconscious.

Phew! That's good.

We have to get help! We can't just leave him like this!

Alright! Now let's have a look at this stone tablet.

"Lo, this place is the Orthant of Wishes, the Temple of Wishes, the Room of Wishes..."

"Often contradicting"... "Born in an instant, your company in eternal rest, never separated"... "The tainted fruits of sin"...

Looks like a riddle!

Hmm... What do you think the answer is then, 여행자?

A dream?

Paimon doesn't think so... Just what kind of weird thing would you have to dream up for it to be a sin?

Hmm... What do you think the answer is then, 여행자?

Guilt?

Paimon doesn't think that's it. Paimon only feels guilty about something for 15 minutes, tops.

Hmm... What do you think the answer is then, 여행자?

Life?

Sounds strange. Can life really bear original sin?

Still, Paimon thinks she might have heard that somewhere before. Let's go with that answer for now.

There's nothing here?

It looks like something was here, but someone else took it.

Wait, doesn't that mean that our plan's already failed?

The birth of "Reason" requires the merging of the four Orthants. If we can get the rest of them, we still have a chance.

In that case, we'd better hurry to the next area.

There's nothing here either...

What exactly are we looking for, Caterpillar?

We're looking for the materials necessary to forge the Holy Blade of Narzissenkreuz.

The Ordo was able to reproduce the four requisite hypothetical substances here in the material world, based on the esoteric philosophies of the underground kingdom and ancient Fontaine.

I do not understand.

These enigmatic substances are purely experiential. You could say they are even further beyond ordinary logic than elemental power.

I entered all introductory to intermediate level textbooks from the Akademiya's Spantamad into my memory banks decades ago. There is nothing mysterious about elemental power.

Is that so? Anyway, to sum up, this is born of the confluence of traditions from Fontaine and technology from the ancient underground kingdom.

And thus, four types of substance came into being: Memory, Wish, Soul, and Persona.

To avoid any possible ambiguity, let's call them the "Memory" piece, "Wish" piece, "Soul" piece, and "Persona" piece.

Why are these used to make the Holy Blade?

In the Narzissenkreuz Ordo's brand of mystical philosophy, the temple is a microcosm of the universe, the members are stand-ins for the gods, and the holy oil is tempered willpower.

The Holy Blade, on the other hand, is "reason," that which cuts everything open. It can only be born out of consummate human will.

Quite abstruse.

That's esotericism for you. You attach yourself to anything that looks similar enough, and when this sort of thing becomes magic, fiction becomes reality.

Anyway, we should make our way to the next area now.

Did someone... take whatever was here, too?

Looks that way.

Just who is...?

It's Jakob.

We had an altercation with him inside Elynas once... Clarification: Recently, not "once."

When I saw that unfortunate victim at the gate, I knew it was his handiwork. It seems he's still active after all.

Then what does he want with the stuff he took from here?

Simple — He too wants to reforge the Holy Blade of Narzissenkreuz. The dream of the Ordo remains unrealized.

Anyway, we should make our way to the final area now.

There's nothing here?

Oh no! It looks like someone already took whatever was here.

But who?

There's nothing here either...

Did someone... take whatever was here, too?

"Lo, this place is the Orthant of Souls, the Shrine of Souls, the Room of Souls..."

"I accompany you in eternal rest"... "Born in an instant, often contradicting, always united"... "I am life's most cherished treasure"...

Phew... Nothing scary this time. Is the answer a pocket watch?

Speaking of which, don't you have one too, Ann?

Well, watches *are* expensive...

Then the answer must be money, as in Mora!

Passing away along with your money is life's second-greatest tragedy. Don't ask what the greatest one is.

What is life's greatest tragedy then?

I am aware of this one. It is "to rest in your coffin without a single Mora to your name."

I'm not sure I agree with those values. Aren't there many things more important than that?

Well, that's why I said "don't ask."

I apologize.

Anyway, based on the above reasons, I don't think the answer is a fancy timepiece, nor is it Mora.

What could it be, then?

The answer is simple — I can retrieve similar riddles with a 70% match rate.

This is from a centuries-old classic novel. It reads, "I was born in the fleeting moment when eyes meet. I run with my back turned to the one I pursue."

"Even after all flesh, bone, and entrails have been sliced away, I still lie nestled with you in the marrow that remains."

The answer is "love."

I get it now. This pocket watch is just like the one I have, then — It must be filled with memories of love.

Now, if only it would open.

It will, one day.

Why, well done, you silly dog! Who's the cutest mechanical dog?

It was my pleasure. "Cute," however, is a subjective description. I would prefer to be addressed as "the reliable, useful Prototype 4ACV07."

And that's exactly what makes you so cute.

Are you reenacting an old conversation? I feel like I've seen this scene before.

In any case, someone's already solved this riddle. Let's get moving.

Someone was just here! Paimon can't believe we've run into someone with better archaeological exploration chops than us.

Is that... a pocket watch on the ground?

If this is anything like our usual adventures, we should take a look at this stone tablet.

"Lo, this place is the Orthant of Souls, the Shrine of Souls, the Room of Souls..."

"I accompany you in eternal rest"... "Born in an instant, often contradicting, always united"... "I am life's most cherished treasure"...

Hmmm... A valuable pocket watch, and one of life's treasures...

Ooh, Paimon knows! It's gotta be Mora!

I—I'm not sure about that...

You're right, the answer to a riddle wouldn't be so tacky. Then it must be... What's the word...

Right, "wealth"!

Wonderful, that's one answer we can count out.

Come on! Why can't you just trust Paimon?

Well, if you're so smart, what do you think it is?

Lovely weather we're having.

Hey! Don't change the subject.

There's nothing here?

It looks like something was here, but someone else took it.

Wait, doesn't that mean that our plan's already failed?

The birth of "reason" requires the merging of the four orthants. If we can get the rest of them, we still have a chance.

In that case, we'd better hurry to the next area.

There's nothing here either...

What exactly are we looking for, Caterpillar?

We're looking for the materials necessary to forge the Holy Blade of Narzissenkreuz.

The Ordo was able to reproduce the four requisite hypothetical substances here in the material world, based on the esoteric philosophies of the underground kingdom and ancient Fontaine.

I do not understand.

These enigmatic substances are purely experiential. You could say they are even further beyond ordinary logic than elemental power.

I entered all introductory to intermediate level textbooks from the Akademiya's Spantamad into my memory banks decades ago. There is nothing mysterious about elemental power.

Is that so? Anyway, to sum up, this is born of the confluence of traditions from Fontaine and technology from the ancient underground kingdom.

And thus, four types of substance came into being: Memory, Wish, Soul, and Persona.

To avoid any possible ambiguity, let's call them the "Memory" piece, "Wish" piece, "Soul" piece, and "Persona" piece.

Why are these used to make the Holy Blade?

In the Narzissenkreuz Ordo's brand of mystical philosophy, the temple is a microcosm of the universe, the members are stand-ins for the gods, and the holy oil is tempered willpower.

The Holy Blade, on the other hand, is "reason," that which cuts everything open. It can only be born out of consummate human will.

Quite abstruse.

That's esotericism for you. You attach yourself to anything that looks similar enough, and when this sort of thing becomes magic, fiction becomes reality.

Anyway, we should make our way to the next area now.

Did someone... take whatever was here, too?

Looks that way.

Just who is...?

It's Jakob.

We had an altercation with him inside Elynas once... Clarification: Recently, not "once."

When I saw that unfortunate victim at the gate, I knew it was his handiwork. It seems he's still active after all.

Then what does he want with the stuff he took from here?

Simple — He too wants to reforge the Holy Blade of Narzissenkreuz. The dream of the Ordo remains unrealized.

Anyway, we should make our way to the final area now.

There's nothing here?

Oh no! It looks like someone already took whatever was here.

But who?

There's nothing here either...

Did someone... take whatever was here, too?

This is the last place.

At least the entrance is still sealed.

Looks like Jakob hasn't answered the riddle here.

Perhaps he provided "an" answer, just not "the" answer.

Hmm... The answers from before were "shadow," "life," and "love."

Based on the previous patterns, my logic module has hypothesized the tablet inscription to be as follows:

"Always united"... "Born in an instant, often contradicting, I accompany you in eternal rest"...

Then the last line is "the first droplet."

Caterpillar, Seymour, do you guys know the answer?

This is the last place.

Our search hasn't turned up anything so far...

Very true. However, this entrance is shut, which means we still have a chance.

Looks like our adversary hasn't solved the riddle here.

The inscription here reads: "Always united"... "Born in an instant, often contradicting, I accompany you in eternal rest"...

And the last line is "the first droplet."

The areas from before had riddles like this as well. Do you guys still remember the answers?

"Shadow."

"Life."

"Love."

Ugh, the answers just keep getting more abstract, don't they?

Caterpillar, Seymour, do you guys know the answer to this riddle?

This is the last place.

Our search hasn't turned up anything so far...

Very true. However, this entrance is shut, which means we still have a chance.

Looks like our adversary hasn't solved the riddle here.

That said, who *is* our competition, exactly?

Assuming that the Narzissenkreuz Ordo has been inactive for centuries and that the knowledge I possess of it still holds true, combined with events that occurred prior to now...

I fear it must be Jakob.

That jerk who was picking on Seymour? What would he want with this stuff...?

I'm afraid that his objective is the same as ours — to find the materials needed to forge the Holy Blade of Narzissenkreuz.

The Ordo was able to reproduce the four requisite hypothetical substances here in the material world, based on the esoteric philosophies of the underground kingdom and Ancient Fontaine.

I do not understand.

These enigmatic substances are purely experiential. You could say they are even further beyond ordinary logic than elemental power.

I entered all introductory to intermediate level textbooks from the Akademiya's Spantamad into my memory banks decades ago. There is nothing mysterious about elemental power.

Is that so? Anyway, to sum up, this is born of the confluence of traditions from Fontaine and technology from the ancient underground kingdom.

And thus, four types of substance came into being: Memory, Wish, Soul, and Persona.

To avoid any possible ambiguity, let's call them the "Memory" piece, "Wish" piece, "Soul" piece, and "Persona" piece.

Why are these used to make the Holy Blade?

In the Narzissenkreuz Ordo's brand of mystical philosophy, the temple is a microcosm of the universe, the members are stand-ins for the gods, and the holy oil is tempered willpower.

The Holy Blade, on the other hand, is "reason," that which cuts everything open. It can only be born out of consummate human will.

Quite abstruse.

That's esotericism for you. You attach yourself to anything that looks similar enough, and when this sort of thing becomes magic, fiction becomes reality.

Either way, our adversary hasn't yet solved the riddle. Or he did, but wasn't able to provide the correct answer. With Jakob being said adversary, my bet is on the latter.

The inscription here reads: "Always united"... "Born in an instant, often contradicting, I accompany you in eternal rest"...

And the last line is "the first droplet."

The areas from before had riddles like this as well. Do you guys still remember the answers?

"Shadow."

"Life."

"Love."

Ugh, the answers just keep getting more abstract, don't they?

Caterpillar, Seymour, do you guys know the answer to this riddle?

I think I have an idea concerning "the first droplet."

It sounds like it's referring to the first raindrop that fell following the creation of the world. I believe this idea was in vogue with both Ancient Fontaine and the Ordo.

But how are we supposed to find something like that?

Well, this first droplet became part of all water in Teyvat. In that sense, every drop of water is the "first droplet."

It's like the first god spreading out the potential for greatness. An element of divinity is present in every person's body.

But if it's that simple, the person who came before us should have had no problem offering up the right answer.

Indeed. I'm probably wrong.

Well, even if it was the wrong answer, it was a good one. I can only conclude that the person who set up these riddles had no sense of romance.

And now he's laughing at you for not getting how security works!

I am unable to provide an answer. My search for "the first droplet" retrieved 1,200 results.

"Legend has it that the world's first drop of wine came to be when the Anemo God..."

Very well.

About that... I think I have something I can share.

There's a legend that says that Oceanids came from the first tear shed by the previous Hydro Archon.

Meanwhile, the first tear on the earth was shed by the first Oceanid after she came to understand humanity.

Wouldn't the first tear in the world have come from the first crying human baby?

Animal tears are actually salt discharges, and in those peaceful times, humans breathed their first in laughter.

That's what the legends say, anyway.

Actually, I believe that the cries of babies and animal salt discharges can be regarded as similarly unemotional behaviors.

Babies cry due to external stimuli, and to fill their lungs with air as quickly as possible. That is what the Sumeru Amurta textbooks say.

Is the answer an "Oceanid" then?

That does seem like an answer that the person before us might not have provided.

I think you're beating a dead horse here.

Paimon thinks this is the right track, though!

Based on my understanding of the Narzissenkreuz Ordo, this makes logical sense.

The Red Empress who dreams in a place unknown, the dreamer who never says what they mean.

That's even more confusing than the riddles.

Well, does that matter? We're already at the final juncture. Whatever the case, the answer will come to light at the end.

Now then, Ann, if you wouldn't mind.

Sure, I'll give it a try. But do come up with another answer quickly if I fail, alright?

It opened!

We have to get the last piece. Otherwise, the Holy Blade will fall into the Ordo's hands.

Is that the "Persona" piece ahead?

Unable to analyze the density of the substance before us. It appears to have a mass of... zero.

It looks like we've got the last piece. We should at least be able to negotiate a bit with our opposition now.

On the bright side, at least we can stop the Narzissenkreuz Ordo from forging the Holy Blade.

Not at all, Paimon. Our final goal is to forge the Holy Blade ourselves, and use it to stop their plan.

Of course, Ann, I have not forgotten what this sword means to you.

A Holy Sword that can cut out the will is also your key to unraveling the mystery. And to be honest, it is equally important to me as well.

It's just that we have more important, more pressing matters at hand. Would you mind, then, if we looked into the mysteries surrounding us later?

I'm fine with that.

In that case, 여행자, please take this "Persona" with you, if you would.