arrow_back Genshin Impact Quests 
Song of the Welkin Moon: Act III
A Nation That Doesn't Exist
The "Rächer of Solnari" has been revived with the aid of a kuuvahki beam. Now a new crisis looms over Nod-Krai...
Go to Nasha Town
Paimon:
It's been a few days since we said bye to the others in Nasha Town.
Paimon:
Still no news about Rerir, though. Where could he have slunk off to?
Paimon:
If only he was gone for good... But with all the trouble he stirred up before, there's no way we've seen the last of him!
Radimir:
Hello! You must be the Traveler and Paimon?
Radimir:
Mr. Flins has been looking for you. Unfortunately, there's been a serious Wild Hunt attack over at the quarry. He thinks it's time to regroup and figure out a plan.
Paimon:
The Wild Hunt!? Uh-oh, we'd better get over there, right away!
Paimon:
C'mon, let's go, Traveler!
Meet up with Flins at the quarry
Flins:
...
Lauma:
I can barely sense any kuuvahki at all. This whole area feels like a soulless husk.
Flins:
Looks like his appetite truly is insatiable. As if the power of that Energy Cannon wasn't enough...
Jahoda:
He's not seriously still getting stronger!? What's his endgame here?
Paimon:
Ah, everyone's here already. Hey, we made it... So, what's going on?
Flins:
We've all been on high alert since we split up a few days back, expecting Rerir to strike again.
Flins:
But it's like he just vanished into thin air. No one has seen him, nor found any trace of his presence.
Flins:
...That is, until this morning, when a Ratnik found signs of Wild Hunt activity while out here on patrol. As you can see, the Crystonite itself is physically intact, but the kuuvahki it contained is all but completely diminished.
Paimon:
And we're sure that Rerir did this?
Aino:
Who else? He's the only one who could pull off a stunt like this...
Ineffa:
Kuuvahki loss has reached critical levels. Rächer of Solnari set to maximum threat level.
Ineffa:
Warning: Unless de-escalation measures are taken soon, he will pose a threat beyond our ability to contain. The consequences could be catastrophic.
Flins:
Traveler, do you remember when we encountered Rerir just after regaining his body?
Flins:
There wasn't a shred of sanity left — nothing but madness and rage.
Paimon:
Yeah. Didn't he shout out a bunch of names? Then he started raving about how nothing in this world mattered to him...
Paimon:
Paimon gets chills just thinking about it. But the thought that he's still out there, lurking somewhere in Nod-Krai, waiting for his chance to strike... *shudder* Even chillier.
Flins:
Last time we fought, we were already at a disadvantage. If he has such overwhelming strength, why would he suddenly go into hiding?
Aino:
Yeah... If I were him, and I wanted more kuuvahki, I'd just take it by force. No point staying in the shadows.
Aino:
Unless... something went wrong? His whole resurrection thing didn't exactly go smoothly.
Flins:
The other thing is... how does someone who's completely lost their mind still have the wherewithal to cover their tracks so perfectly?
Aino:
Beats me...
Ineffa:
According to certain medical studies, insanity does not always entail a complete loss of rationality. It may be that he is simply living in a world of his own.
Paimon:
That... actually sounds about right. He was ranting away to himself the whole time, like he had zero interest in talking to us.
Lauma:
There are many unanswered questions here. He could be right under our noses, and we'd still be in the dark.
Lauma:
Besides his name and title, we know little about him. Certainly nothing about his past or what he might be hoping to achieve.
Jahoda:
Exactly — and we wouldn't even know where to begin looking! Even boss hadn't heard of the "Rächer of Solnari" before all this.
Jahoda:
I'd be willing to bet that even if we gathered together every scrap of intel in Nod-Krai, we still wouldn't find more than, like, three useful facts about him.
Paimon:
So if we do nothing, he'll just keep getting stronger... but if we wanna investigate him, we have no idea where to look.
Paimon:
Last time, we had Marionette and her big robo-buddy to help us, and we still barely held our ground. If we had to face him alone...
Paimon:
Ugh, Paimon's head hurts just thinking about it. What are we supposed to do against a threat this big?
Flins:
Well, I do have a little hunch about his next move. Given that he attacked the quarry, I'd say it's likely he'll target other places rich in kuuvahki.
Flins:
Somewhere like the Eye of Kratti, or the Pillar of Embla. One thing's for sure — if we just sit back and let him keep absorbing kuuvahki, we really won't stand a chance against him.
Ineffa:
A perfectly reasonable hypothesis. However, it is worth noting that these two locations are quite far apart. To investigate them both, we'll need to split up.
Flins:
I agree, we should split up. Right now, Rerir's goal seems to be gathering kuuvahki, not fighting us directly. Once we're done, let's regroup on Hiisi Island.
Lauma:
...Wait, why Hiisi Island?
Flins:
If I recall correctly, your largest goddess statue was carved from kuuvahki-rich ore, was it not?
Lauma:
Hmm, that's right... Yes, it could well be a potential target of his. I should head back and start evacuating the pilgrims.
Aino:
Splitting up's always gonna be risky, but I guess we don't have much choice, right? We're in a race against time here.
Paimon:
And if we do run into Rerir... What then?
Jahoda:
Heh, that's when you follow the third rule of treasure hunting: Run like the wind!
Paimon:
Uh... Didn't you say the third rule was "go with the flow"?
Jahoda:
Uhh... I dunno, did I? Anyway, whatever! In this situation, "go with the flow" means "go find backup."
Flins:
Agreed. If anyone finds so much as a trace of Rerir, do not pursue him. Get out of the area and alert the rest of us as soon as possible. We need to put safety first.
Aino:
Alright, we'd better get moving. C'mon Ineffa, let's go.
Go to the Frostmoon Enclave
Lauma:
Any leads?
Jahoda:
Nope, diddly-squat. No clues to where he might be hiding. It's like he's a ghost...
Jahoda:
It feels like we're sitting on a powder keg that could go off at any second... Ugh, I hate this feeling! I'd rather face him head-on than be left hanging like this!
Paimon:
So you guys didn't find anything either?
Jahoda:
*sigh* Not loving the word "either"... How about you, Flins?
Flins:
I questioned a few Ratniki and eventually narrowed my investigation down to one suspicious individual. But by the time I got to his place, he was already gone.
Flins:
Almost as if he knew someone was onto him... Either that, or he's just extremely cautious and doesn't stay in one place for long.
Lauma:
He's been biding his time for a while now... The question is, where or what is his next target?
Flins:
No idea. Since regaining his body, he seems to have lost all interest in the fragment in my possession. If he did still want it, he's had plenty of chances to take it.
Jahoda:
All we can do now is hope that Aino and Ineffa turn up some leads... Darn it, Rerir! If you've got the guts, come face me one-on-one!
Jahoda:
...W—Wait, he's actually here!? I didn't mean it, I swear!
Lauma:
No, it's coming from...
Lauma:
...Silvermoon Hall! The Lady Kuutar might be in danger!
Paimon:
Let's get over there, quick!
movie
You rush to the area, only to see The Damselette blasted out of the air by Rerir. You immediately dash forward to stop him, but his power has grown greatly since your last encounter, and he swats your combined attacks aside with ease. All at once, Abyssal power surges from beneath the ground and binds everyone tightly.
Jahoda attempts to extract The Damselette, and seeing this, Rerir unleashes a ruthless attack. At the last moment, The Damselette shoves Jahoda aside, being injured in the process.
At this moment, The Damselette signals to you. Realization dawning, you break free of your binds and sprint toward her. As your fingertips touch, there is an explosion of kuuvahki that teleports everyone away.
Left standing alone, Rerir is furious beyond measure. He gathers countless monsters of the Wild Hunt and issues the order to find you, even if that means leveling the entire place.
Discuss the situation with everyone
Paimon:
Th—That was too close...
Jahoda:
We barely made it out of there alive! What's that guy's deal? How'd he get so crazy strong?
Flins:
He's a threat to this entire nation. I doubt his strength could even be measured by conventional standards.
Aino:
I have a question.
Aino:
When me and Ineffa showed up, we saw him chasing after this lady like he wanted her dead. What was that all about?
Paimon:
We weren't there for the whole thing either. They were already duking it out by the time we arrived.
Jahoda:
Yeah, we didn't see how it all started. It all escalated so quickly, we had no choice but to step in.
Lauma:
Kuutar, can you shed any light on the situation?
Ineffa:
Kuutar... Cross-checking database... I see. So you're the one that the Frostmoon Scions refer to as the "Moon Goddess"?
Aino:
(Wait, she's the Moon Goddess!? Ohhh, no wonder she looks just like all those statues...)
The Damselette:
There are many reasons why people might worship the moon... and just as many why they might despise it.
The Damselette:
I've never met that person before, but there was no mistaking his deep-seated hostility towards me.
The Damselette:
Why he holds me in such contempt, I cannot say. But since he hunts the power of the moon... it's no surprise that I am a target.
Lauma:
Kuutar...
Ineffa:
There are many potential motives. For instance, you helped Traveler escape his grasp. This could be his way of taking revenge.
Ineffa:
It is also possible that he covets the kuuvahki inside you, and seeks to take it for his own. The list goes on.
Ineffa:
But right now, devising a counter-strategy should be our number one priority. The likelihood of this location being discovered is close to 100%.
Jahoda:
(A counter-strategy? But we don't stand a chance against an enemy like this...)
Jahoda:
(Surely, our only option is to run? He's not gonna chase us to the end of the world, right? So, as long as we can sneak out of Nod-Krai undetected...)
Jahoda:
(...No, I can't say that! Come on, Jahoda, this is serious stuff... You can't suggest we all just chicken out!)
The Damselette:
Running is our only option.
Jahoda:
Huh!?
The Damselette:
You seem surprised... But what other choice do we have? We are facing an enemy we cannot possibly defeat in battle.
Jahoda:
W—Well, I mean, yeah... but still...
The Damselette:
It's not too late. I can distract him, so you'll have plenty of time to make your escape.
Paimon:
Wait, what? You're gonna act as bait!?
The Damselette:
Doesn't that make sense? I'm the one he's after. There's no need for you to risk your necks on my behalf.
The Damselette:
A coyote doesn't stop for bypassers while it's howling at the moon.
Lauma:
...
The Damselette:
What is it, Lauma?
The Damselette:
The Frostmoon Scions have already grown accustomed to life without their Goddess. My presence here is no longer essential, and this is not my home, so you needn't ask me to stay.
Aino:
We can't just roll over and let him get away with this! That's not our style!
Jahoda:
Yeah! We can't just call it quits after everything we've been through together!
Jahoda:
(Besides, she pretty much saved my life back there. If I just ditched her now, I'd never forgive myself!)
Flins:
We can't overlook that you have saved our lives multiple times now. To talk of returning the favor would be a little crass for my liking, but... suffice to say that we are friends, and friends look out for one another.
Ineffa:
Rerir's true objective remains unclear. Even if we were to sacrifice Miss Kuutar, there's no guarantee he would stop.
The Damselette:
But—
Lauma:
Kuutar... I know why you left the Frostmoon Scions so long ago. It was because people started treating prayer as a form of trade.
Lauma:
They would make self-centered wishes, force you to accept meaningless offerings in return, and then expect you to perform miracles for them as if that were their entitlement.
Lauma:
If it were me, I might have walked away too. But I believe that time can change everything... and that sometimes, it takes losing something precious to appreciate its true worth.
Lauma:
After much reflection, I've realized that this was never about whether the Frostmoon Scions "need" you.
Lauma:
Any relationship based on need is purely transactional. What I truly hope... is that you'll choose to stay, not out of obligation, but as part of our family.
Lauma:
You were born here, and now you've returned. Who knows, perhaps it was the moonlight that guided you home.
The Damselette:
...
The Damselette:
Thank you, Lauma, but my power is on the wane. I'm afraid I will be of little use to you now.
The Damselette:
...Very well then. I'll do as you say.
Flins:
Both times you saved us, we were transported across great distances in an instant. Is that one of your powers as the Moon Goddess?
The Damselette:
It is, but I find it very draining. I barely managed to pull it off just now... and it will be some time before I'm strong enough to do so again.
The Damselette:
Rejected by the world, my power is dwindling — like a lake cut off from its source, slowly shrinking away. Now... it has almost run dry.
Lauma:
What do you mean, "rejected by the world"?
The Damselette:
The three moons belonged to the ancient, bygone era in which they came into being. From the moment I was born, the world itself has been steadily sapping away at my strength.
Traveler:
That's why we need the Moon Marrow — to borrow the Eternal Moon's power...
The Damselette:
The three moons are not one and the same. As the Goddess of the Frost Moon, I cannot wield the powers of the other two.
The Damselette:
Yet moonlight has a way of blending together. Each can reflect the others' glow. So when our fingers touched, I was able to restore my strength by drawing kuuvahki from the Eternal Moon's marrow.
The Damselette:
But this method of recovery is painfully slow. If only we could find th—
The Wild Hunt's Roar:
Raargh!
Jahoda:
It's the Wild Hunt!
Aino:
Ugh, even faster than we expected. We'll have to finish this conversation later.
Flins:
Hmm... See how those Wild Hunt creatures are running away from us? They're likely just a scouting party... Which means, Rerir won't be far behind.
Aino:
Then what are we waiting for? Let's get the heck outta here!
Talk to the mysterious man
???:
What's the matter, bit off more than you could chew?
Paimon:
Wh—Who the...
Paimon:
Uhh... Who are you?
Aino:
Uncle Varka! You're back from Amsvartnir?
Paimon:
Whoa, you're Varka? Grand Master of the Knights of Favonius!?
Varka:
We can save the intros for later. Right now, let's get you all out of this hellhole. Follow me — I know somewhere you'll be safe.
Jahoda:
Oh, is that where I think it is?
Varka:
That's the one. C'mon, move — there's no time to waste!
Head to the secret base
Paimon:
Wow, where are we? This is so well-hidden...
Varka:
Heh, well that goes without saying. This is the Knights of Favonius's meeting place in Nod-Krai, and a contact hub for the Northern Intelligence Network.
Traveler:
The Northern Intelligence Network...
Varka:
...Aka, the black market of intel. No matter what faction you're with, it's THE place to buy and sell information. Their headquarters are in Nod-Krai, but they've got contacts in every nation.
Varka:
As an expeditionary force on foreign soil, working with them has offered us the most effective way of getting our hands on reliable local intel. This is where we meet — so naturally, it's secure.
Varka:
Anyway, where were we? Folks from Nod-Krai should be pretty familiar with me by now, but I believe this is the first time we've met.
Varka:
Allow me to introduce myself. I am Varka, Knight of Boreas, and Grand Master of the Knights of Favonius.
Paimon:
Hehe, we've heard all about you. This meeting's been a long time coming!
Paimon:
You look way younger than Paimon expected! But you definitely have that Grand Master vibe, hehe.
Varka:
Haha, well, I'm no spring chicken. Just not showing my age yet.
Varka:
Definitely feeling some of that back pain today, though... Rushed back from Amsvartnir without a wink of sleep, only to get right into another fight with that freshly revived maniac...
Flins:
Another? You mean, you've fought him before?
Varka:
Yep. He wasn't nearly as strong back then, but he was still a formidable foe. I brought some of the Knights along to give him a little "surprise," but he saw us coming from a mile off.
Varka:
My squad took heavy injuries, and I barely made it out alive myself. We knew it might have been our last chance, so we staked everything on it... But still, it wasn't enough to stop him.
Varka:
I tried tracking him down afterwards, but he didn't leave a trace. Even in his unhinged mental state, he's as cautious as any trained operative...
Varka:
So I decided to come find you, and as luck would have it, turned up to find you being ambushed by the Wild Hunt. The rest, you already know.
Flins:
Hmm... Is that why he's been frantically absorbing kuuvahki these past few days? Because he sees you as a threat?
Varka:
Maybe I'm part of the equation, but even if I weren't, I'm sure he'd still be gathering power. He's clearly working up towards something.
Ineffa:
Note to self: Uncle Varka's strength rating officially upgraded.
Varka:
Guess it's my turn to ask questions now... So, what exactly's been happening in Nod-Krai? Why has the Wild Hunt returned in humanoid form, and why is it after you?
Aino:
That's a long story, but I'll try to make it quick...
Aino brings Varka up to speed about what happened before...
Varka:
Wow, I had no idea so much had happened. Sounds like you guys have really been through it.
Varka:
So, the Kuutar is actually a Fatui Harbinger... and all this Wild Hunt activity in Nod-Krai is the work of the "Rächer of Solnari," one of the Five Sinners...
Varka:
That's a lot to take in. Need some time to wrap my head around it all...
Lauma:
I'm truly sorry, Mr. Varka.
Lauma:
You stood with us against the Wild Hunt, and did everything you could to stop it from escalating into a full-blown catastrophe. And then, the one time you're away, it all comes to a head and all your hard work gets undone...
Varka:
You've got nothing to apologize for, Miss Moonchanter.
Varka:
You can plan a hundred steps ahead and still slip up — that's just life. No one knows what tomorrow holds. You can't predict which way the wind will blow next.
Varka:
And to be perfectly honest, I can't say I'm surprised. For all the times we've defeated the Wild Hunt in the past, we've never been able to completely wipe it out. Turns out we were just delaying the inevitable.
Varka:
But now that a new variable has come into play, fate may well take a different course.
Paimon:
A new variable? You mean... us?
Varka:
Heh, who else? And in a strange way, I think his resurgence might not be an entirely bad thing. The Wild Hunt is like an unrelenting force of nature, but Rerir is an individual with an agenda. He's gotta have a weak spot somewhere.
Varka:
That said, while Aino was explaining everything just now, some of the points that Mr. Flins added caught my attention.
Flins:
You mean about our mystery ally?
Varka:
That's right. From what you've said, not only did they lead you straight to some key files, they also shielded Hiisi Island from a lethal kuuvahki blast.
Varka:
I don't know who or what could pull something like that off... Heck, even Miss Columbina doesn't have a clue.
The Damselette:
I hadn't heard the story about those files... Would you mind repeating their titles for me?
Flins:
"Wild Hunt Phenomena Log," "A Nod-Kraian Ratnik's Field Journal," and "Kuuvahki Survey Log"...
The Damselette:
Oh... No, still doesn't ring a bell...
Varka:
Hmm, another dead end... Guess all we can do now is hope that our mystery ally keeps showing up when we most need them.
Varka:
Still, it's safest to assume they won't be intervening again. From here on out, we'll have to resolve this crisis by ourselves.
Varka:
Your intel also explains something else I've been wondering about. The reason I led my team to Amsvartnir was because we'd had reports about a possible source of the Wild Hunt showing up there.
Varka:
But once we looked into it, it turned out to be a red herring. I don't know who was behind it, but clearly, it served its purpose.
Varka:
I doubt it's by chance that he happened to make his comeback while my attention was diverted. And from everything you've told me, it sounds like his scheming began well before his return... so maybe luring me away was all a part of his plan.
Varka:
(But is it even possible that he orchestrated all of this by himself?)
Varka:
(The Moon Maiden and the Rächer of Solnari, in Nod-Krai of all places... The way everything is unfolding, it can't be a coincidence.)
Jahoda:
So... What do we do now? Got any ideas?
Varka:
Right now, we've got at least three things to consider. Let's go through them one by one.
Varka:
First, we need to figure out how to take down Rerir. If we can't beat him in a straight-up fight, the rest won't even matter.
Varka:
To my knowledge, the bulk of Nod-Krai's fighting force is already gathered here. But even with everyone united, we're still no match for Rerir in his current state — let alone with his power still growing.
The Damselette:
...What if there was a way to tap into a new power of our own?
Varka:
How so?
Paimon:
Have you thought of something, Columbina?
The Damselette:
Three moons once watched over this world: the Eternal Moon was the largest, the Frost Moon was the brightest, and the Iridescent Moon was the most mysterious.
The Damselette:
They say that back then, the three Moon Goddesses wielded immense power. Enough to shape the workings of the world itself.
The Damselette:
I now bear the Frost Moon's power, and the Eternal Moon's marrow resides within Traveler.
Lauma:
Hold on, are you suggesting...
Flins:
The Iridescent Moon, the last piece in the puzzle...
The Damselette:
That's right. If we can find the Iridescent Moon's marrow, I will be able to regain my strength much more quickly.
Lauma:
The three moons are said to stir the tides and illuminate all things. Perhaps they hold further secrets beyond our understanding.
Ineffa:
According to my analysis, this solution is feasible. However, it is subject to one major condition — how do we locate the Iridescent Moon's marrow?
The Damselette:
I know a way, but... We will need to visit the Fatui's Experimental Design Bureau.
Paimon:
The Experimental Design Bureau? Are you saying... we need to involve Marionette?
The Damselette:
Yes. I must speak with Sandrone.
Flins:
It's a long way from here to the Experimental Design Bureau... There's a high chance you'll be spotted. You shouldn't go alone.
Traveler:
I will go with her.
Varka:
Then that's settled. Next up, our second priority — somehow, we need to figure out Rerir's end goal.
Varka:
As you saw for yourselves, when he was still in his Wild Hunt form, everything he did was for the sake of recovering his body and resurrecting himself. His first act since then, after laying low for a while, was to try and assassinate this young lady.
Varka:
People's obsessions often reveal their greatest vulnerabilities. There must be a reason why he despises the moon so deeply... Perhaps it'd shed some light on his title, the "Rächer of Solnari."
Varka:
The Wild Hunt has plagued Nod-Krai for centuries now. If we want to stop it for good, we have to get to the root cause of what's driving it.
Lauma:
It's true... We still know very little about him.
Lauma:
If Kuutar hadn't given us that lead, we wouldn't even know his name.
Aino:
But where would we even start? I doubt even the intel queen of Nod-Krai has a clue, and she has info coming out of her ears...
Nefer:
Oh? That's a rather hasty conclusion for someone who's so painstakingly meticulous when it comes to dealing with machines.
Aino:
Ah, she heard me...
Jahoda:
Boss! What are you doing here?
Nefer:
I'm now asking myself the same question... I received a letter from a "humble knight of Favonius," requesting a meeting to discuss a major business deal. But it looks like this humble knight had something else in mind.
Varka:
Hahaha, details, details... Miss Nefer, the important thing is that you've arrived at the perfect time.
Varka:
Since his failed ambush, I've been racking my brains trying to come up with a plan to fight Rerir. Given the severity of the situation, I think it's fair to say that our only chance lies in uniting as one — and I'm talking ALL the factions in Nod-Krai.
Varka:
We can't do this without the Curatorium, but I knew it'd be a tough job to win you over. So I took the liberty of reaching out for a little chat.
Paimon:
Wait a sec... How did you even hear about this place, Nefer?
Paimon:
Didn't you say this is meant to be the Knights of Favonius's meeting spot, and a contact hub for the Northern Intelligence Network? And... isn't it supposed to be super hidden?
Nefer:
You really think he could've gotten settled in Nod-Krai without my help? Besides, I'm the one running this gig — of course I know where the meeting place is.
Varka:
Allow me to introduce the current head of the Northern Intelligence Network. If it's intel you're after, she's your woman. Pretty much seen and heard it all.
Nefer:
Please, spare me the flattery. Let's cut to the chase — seems like you've run into some trouble, huh?
You bring Nefer up to speed on what's been happening...
Nefer:
Well, this certainly qualifies as an unforeseen crisis. On behalf of the Curatorium of Secrets... I wish you all the best of luck.
Lauma:
So you're just going to sit this one out?
Nefer:
Why should I get involved? What could possibly be in it for me?
Lauma:
What if we told you we can't do this without you?
Nefer:
Oh? Then I'd say, you'd better make it worth my while. I don't work for free.
Lauma:
I can't put a price on something like this — it's just not in my nature. But then again, you and I have always been polar opposites in this regard — so I can't exactly say I didn't see this coming.
Lauma:
If you insist on compensation, I will pay you. Consider this a formal commission. Sound fair?
Nefer:
You just don't give up, do you? Heh, too bad — I know you well enough to know you can't afford my prices.
Nefer:
The riskier the job, the more it'll cost, and a Moonchanter's stipend isn't exactly generous... Unless you're planning to start passing the donation box around among the faithful?
Jahoda:
Uhh, boss, just a thought... If they come up short, maybe you can take the difference out of my next few paychecks?
Jahoda:
Things got really dangerous during the fight with Rerir. If this girl hadn't saved me, I'd be ley line fodder by now... I'd be gone for good, boss.
Jahoda:
If there's any way we can make this work, I'd really like to help her... Please, I'm begging you!
Nefer:
...
Nefer:
This is why I'm always telling you — never accept favors. They're the hardest debts to repay.
Nefer:
You have to be careful who you get involved with, or you invite all kinds of misfortune... *sigh* Very well, Jahoda, I will help — but just this once. Don't count on this happening again.
Nefer:
Flins, that fragment that Rerir was after... Do you still have it on you?
Flins:
Of course.
Nefer:
Let me borrow it. I need it to follow up on some leads.
Paimon:
Wait... You actually have some leads!?
Nefer:
Shh... This is top-secret information.
Varka:
I get it... We all have things we'd rather keep to ourselves. Plus, I know we can count on you, so we'll leave the intel-gathering in your hands.
Varka:
And that brings me to the third and final item... We need to find a way to distract him. We need time to make our move, so someone will have to stall him.
Varka:
I'm in for this part, no matter what. Anyone coming with?
Flins:
Count me in too.
Aino:
Come off it, you two... Quit playing heroes.
Aino:
I'm waaay ahead of you here... Ineffa did a scan of the Moon Goddess's kuuvahki signature, and we're gonna use it to make some decoys over at the Krumkake Craftshop. Anyone who's "in," follow me.
Aino:
Once they're ready, we'll deploy the decoys across Nod-Krai. So as long as the rest of you keep moving, he won't catch onto your scent and won't be able to track you down.
Varka:
I like it! Genius idea.
Aino:
No biggie!
Varka:
Alright then, we'll split into three teams.
Varka:
Once your team has finished their mission, return here and wait for the others. Dismissed!
Grand Master Varka has returned from Amsvartnir and helped to devise a battle plan. To face the "Rächer of Solnari," the people of Nod-Krai must unite as never before...
Head to the Kuuvahki Experimental Design Bureau
Fevroniya:
Lady Damselette... Wait, and you two? What are you doing at the Kuuvahki Experimental Design Bureau?
Fevroniya:
We've been doing our best to mind our own business lately, but if you're just gonna waltz up here like this, you're seriously pressing your luck. Don't blame us for doing what we have to.
Paimon:
Hmph! You really think that's gonna scare us off?
The Damselette:
We're not looking for any trouble. I just want to see Sandrone...
Ozerov:
...Do I need to remind you that you're still a wanted fugitive for deserting us?
Ozerov:
Out of consideration for our former ties and the crisis we're all up against, we'll let you leave in one piece. But don't even think about trying to get insi—
Marionette:
Let them in.
Fevroniya:
But...
Marionette:
Are you going to make me repeat that?
Fevroniya:
N—No, my Lady...
The Damselette:
Sandrone seems to be in a good mood. Must be maintenance day.
Talk to Marionette
Marionette:
So, tell me. To what do I owe the honor this time?
Marionette:
...Actually, before you answer that... Just so we're clear — we're not colleagues anymore, Columbina. I don't owe you anything.
The Damselette:
I promise it's nothing big.
Marionette:
It seems like you've gotten the wrong idea here. The only reason I let you in was because I was bored. It seemed like a way to kill some time and satisfy my own curiosity.
Marionette:
Whatever miscalculations I may or may not have made in the past, I haven't lost the plot enough to even consider sticking my neck out for your sakes.
The Damselette:
I'd like to speak with Arlecchino.
Marionette:
...What?
Paimon:
Huh? You mean, The Knave!?
The Damselette:
I'd like to speak with Arlecchino. Is she in Nod-Krai?
Marionette:
No, she's not. Once the work on this facility was completed, she went back with "The Rooster" and "Regrator." The only ones in Nod-Krai now are me, and... Ahem, what is it you need to speak to her about, anyway?
The Damselette:
Rerir is hunting me. If I'm going to face him, I must first retrieve the lost moon.
Marionette:
...
Traveler:
(Marionette seems lost in thought, but she doesn't look surprised. She must know more than she was letting on.)
Traveler:
(I don't understand what Arlecchino has to do with the Iridescent Moon's marrow... But at this point, I have no choice but to go along with Columbina's plan.)
The Damselette:
Is that a no, then?
Marionette:
Hmph, as if I need reminding. I was THIS close to settling things with him before SOMEONE decided to whisk me away to their weird little garden.
The Damselette:
Have you held any tea parties lately?
Marionette:
Tea parties? Uh, yeah, obviously. You don't seriously think we'd pack it all in just because you aren't here?
Marionette:
If anything, they've been more eventful than ever. Just me, Arlecchino, and a bunch of insolent, insensitive "guests" who won't stop asking where you've gone. Oh, they've been a real joy.
The Damselette:
I bet you served them the worst tea you have. Just like you used to do to me when I upset you.
Marionette:
Hmph... Who cares about how good the tea is when there's no one around to drink it? I keep losing people...
Marionette:
First Rosalyne, now you... I'm running out of people who can make me laugh. Honestly, what could be more ridiculous than a multi-centenarian goddess who's only ever had the plain herbal tea she received as offerings? Heh...
The Damselette:
You'd always brew a different type of tea for me each time. Was it really just to see how I'd react?
Marionette:
I, uh— Well, duh! Why else? Watching you squirm was practically my only form of entertainment.
Traveler:
(Or was she genuinely trying to introduce Columbina to new flavors? Maybe all that coldness is just an act... and they actually get along?)
Marionette:
Oh, yeah... and Capitano sometimes used to bring Tartaglia around too, but I guess we won't be seeing him again.
The Damselette:
...
Marionette:
Hmph... Well, I guess we are overdue for a get-together. Pulonia!
Marionette:
Have Fevroniya pass a message to Arlecchino for me. "It's time for tea" will suffice.
The Damselette:
Pass along a message for me too, if you would: "My body cannot contain the marrow of two moons, so I'll be leaving one of them in her care."
Marionette:
Excuse me? Who said you were on the guest list? If my tea meant that much to you, maybe quitting the Fatui wasn't your brightest move.
Marionette:
Back when you were under the Tsaritsa's protection, no one would have dared come at you so openly.
The Damselette:
But that protection didn't come for free — in fact, I paid dearly for it. At the end of the day, it was just another transaction.
The Damselette:
I just got tired, that's all... I never wanted any part in their grand ambitions, and I've had enough of being treated like a bottomless supply of power.
The Damselette:
It brings back memories from the old days, when I was still worshiped as the Moon Goddess. Centuries on, it may be a different group of people, but I see the same greed in their eyes.
Marionette:
Hmph... I figured you'd leave eventually. You didn't have as much of a reason to stay as I do.
Marionette:
The Tsaritsa gave you shelter and protection, but that was it — nothing more, nothing less. Meanwhile, the Fatui demanded everything from you in return, until it was more than you could bear.
Marionette:
I get why you left. And frankly, I have no interest in dragging you back just because the higher-ups told me to.
Marionette:
But if you keep hanging around with this riffraff, the next time we cross paths, we might be enemies for real.
Traveler:
(She says that, but she's the one who just caved in and agreed to help Columbina...)
Paimon:
Heh... Well, uh... Guess that's our cue to leave?
Marionette:
Umm... That might be your plan, but it sounds like someone else wants you to stay a little longer.
Paimon:
Huh? What do you mean?
Marionette:
See for yourselves.
The Wild Hunt's Roar:
Raargh!
Ozerov:
My Lady, it's the Wild Hunt! A horde of monsters is headed straight for the facility!
Marionette:
Ugh. Another uninvited guest trying to crash my tea party. Clear the area — I'll handle this.
Paimon:
Wait, what? You want us to leave you here by yourself?
Marionette:
Heh, you'll be lucky to make it out of this alive. You really think you can afford to worry about me?
Marionette:
Go on, get out of here! You may have stopped Pulonia from crushing him last time, but I've made sure that won't happen again. The entire Experimental Design Bureau is rigged for war!
Marionette:
Stay and watch if you want — but it'll be at your own risk. You're not flagged as friendlies in the weapon system.
Traveler:
Just... be careful, okay?
Marionette:
Don't tell me what to do! Look, if you're leaving, make it quick, or you'll just get in my way. There's a secret passage on the second floor — it'll take you right to the plains out back.
The Damselette:
...
Marionette:
Stare all you want, Columbina. You're not getting another invitation to my tea party.
The Damselette:
I know... But thank you anyway, Sandrone.
Marionette:
Ugh... This is exactly why you shouldn't hang around with those people. All their melodrama and sentimental nonsense is rubbing off on you.
Block the Wild Hunt's assault
Marionette:
Come on then, Mr. Rächer. Let's pick up where we left off.
Marionette:
It's your Wild Hunt monstrosities versus my beautiful creations... Let's see who comes out on top!
"Rächer of Solnari":
Hmph...
Confront the "Rächer of Solnari"
Marionette:
Pulonia, get him!
Marionette:
I've upgraded Pulonia again since our last encounter... and uploaded every last scrap of your data. So let's finish this, once and for—
"Rächer of Solnari":
She's not here...
"Rächer of Solnari":
Where did she go?
Marionette:
Hey, over here, you big—
"Rächer of Solnari":
Cursed... moon...
"Rächer of Solnari":
Go... Keep searching. She cannot have gotten far.
Follow Nefer and complete the "ceremony"
Lauma:
So this is your method for investigating Rerir's past? It almost looks like some kind of... ceremony.
Nefer:
Good deduction. But it's quite a different affair from what you're used to with the Frostmoon Scions.
Jahoda:
(Whoa... First time I've ever been in here. Boss always said it was off-limits, so I pictured some kind of creepy dungeon... But it's actually kinda nice!)
Jahoda:
(Oh! I guess this must be Sumeru decor? That's where boss is from... and that nice shopkeeper who sold me my treasure compass.)
Nefer:
...
Lauma:
I'm not sure exactly what you've got planned, but it looks like you're all set. When do we begin?
Nefer:
Whenever we wish... But for some reason, I've got a feeling this isn't going to end well.
Nefer:
I've never faced Rerir myself. But from what you've told me, his power is beyond anything I could imagine.
Nefer:
I, on the other hand, am just an ordinary businesswoman. Our paths should never have crossed, yet here I am, forced to make an enemy of him.
Lauma:
If you ask me, you're about as far from "ordinary" as it gets. So what are you saying? You're getting cold feet?
Nefer:
Once I take a job, there's no backing out. Still... I have to ask myself if the power I'm relying on will even work on an opponent of this caliber.
Nefer:
...And also, how to make sure I come out of this alive if things spiral out of control.
Nefer:
Death is the one thing we can take for granted. It is the great equalizer, however fortunate or unfortunate we may otherwise be. So it's important to consider how to spend what lifespan we have left.
Jahoda:
Haha... C'mon boss, lighten up. Quit talking about death, it's bad luck!
Lauma:
...For once, I agree with you. When you're up against a foe like Rerir, there's no such thing as being too prepared.
Lauma:
Is there anything I can do to help?
Nefer:
That won't be necessary. I've already made up my mind... Time to cash in a precious favor I've been saving for a rainy day. Jahoda, I need you to find someone for me — the sooner, the better.
Jahoda:
Eh? Find who?
Nefer:
That shady merchant who sold you an overpriced treasure compass the other day.
Jahoda:
Come on, boss, you're pulling my leg again! In what way is she shady? She showed up when I was completely lost and sold me a neat little gadget that was exactly what I needed! Trust me, she's a good person!
Jahoda:
Anyway, I know who you're talking about. Don't go anywhere, I'll be right back!
A few moments later...
???:
*panting* ...Quit dragging me, I genuinely can't run any further!
Lauma:
Hey, aren't you...
Dori:
What is it? What's the big rush? You dragged me out of a dream where I was literally swimming in Mora... I—I'm charging double my usual attendance fee!
Jahoda:
(See? Look how easygoing she is! After that rude awakening, she could've completely snapped at us, but instead she kept it together and just asked for an extra fee.)
Lauma:
Dori Sangemah Bay? I never would've pictured you two doing business together.
Dori:
If you wanna make it big in Nod-Krai, it's all about connections. Lady Nefer just so happens to have a lot of intel that interests me — and she also did me a big favor in the past.
Dori:
It was back when I first arrived in Nod-Krai. My trusty assistant, the Jinni in my lamp, had an adverse reaction to the kuuvahki and fainted.
Dori:
And wouldn't you know it, that's when I suddenly find myself in a life-or-death situation. Good thing my compatriot was there to swoop in and save the day.
Dori:
I've been giving her a thirty percent discount off all of my goods ever since. Now, so that no one here feels left out, I'm willing to extend a twenty percent discount to fellow friends of Boss Nefer.
Dori:
Plus, any other friends you send my way will enjoy ten percent off. What can I say? The great Lord Sangemah Bay is nothing if not generous...
Dori:
So, let me guess... You've run into some trouble? Hehe, I've got everything you could possibly need — and the more you buy, the more you'll save.
Nefer:
You guessed correctly. What have you got in the way of survival gear?
Dori:
Heh, the one type of gear I've never been short on! What are you looking for? A jetpack fresh from the Akademiya's labs? An ancient suit of armor, dredged up from the bottom of the sea?
Dori:
At the very least, I need to know what kind of opponent you're dealing with here. If even you're worried about staying alive, it must be pretty serious...
Nefer:
What if I told you it's someone with the power to bring a nation to its knees?
Dori:
Is that so? Hmm... Then we really are talking top-shelf treasures. I don't have anything like that in stock right now... I'll have to ask my supplier.
Lauma:
Your supplier?
Dori:
A powerful woman, make no mistake... I can't reveal her identity, but luckily for you, I hear she's planning to visit Nod-Krai in the near future.
Dori:
If you're willing to wait, I can ask her once she's here. Can't say exactly how long that'll be, though...
Nefer:
Then let me put it another way... What would you do if you encountered an enemy like that? Roll over and serve yourself up on a silver platter?
Dori:
Course not! I have a handy little trinket from one of my generous suppliers, which... Hold on, what exactly are you getting at? No, no, this is for my personal use only!
Nefer:
Let's just say I'm borrowing it, alright? Just for insurance purposes — you'll get it back later.
Nefer:
Favors are the worst kind of debt to owe, and now you've got a chance to repay one. A win-win situation, don't you think?
Dori:
...Hmph, fine. You can borrow it for five days... No, make that three! And for every extra hour after that, I'm charging you a million Mora. Deal?
Nefer:
Deal.
Dori:
*sigh* What a way to start the day... Now, was there anything else you wanted, or can I go back to bed now?
Nefer:
That will be all. Take care, now — don't trip up on your way back, friend.
Jahoda:
See you later! You're my favorite shopkeeper!
Nefer:
Excellent, everything is well and truly ready. The ceremony can now begin.
Nefer:
After initiating the ceremony, your minds will follow me wherever I go. You will see many strange things in your mind's eye.
Nefer:
So remember: Don't be frightened, and don't make a sound...
After laying down the ground rules for everyone who will be joining the trip as a follower, Nefer begins the ceremony.
Nefer:
Now then... Let us peer into the Rächer of Solnari's past.
Observe your surroundings
Nefer:
(...I made it.)
Nefer:
(I don't recognize this style of architecture... Must be Khaenri'ahn.)
Nefer:
(Simple furnishings, table and chairs... It's a more ordinary house than I might have expected.)
Nefer:
(...Looks like the fearsome "Rächer of Solnari" came from surprisingly humble beginnings.)
Nefer:
(Unless this passed for luxury in Khaenri'ah...? Hmm, unlikely. It was said to be a very prosperous nation in its heyday.)
Nefer:
(...Anyway. I'll keep exploring.)
Investigate the note on the table
A Note:
A handwritten note.
A Note:
Hi, Rerir. Since you're working extra hours tonight, I thought I'd keep myself busy by checking out that new kebab shop. I've heard good things about their menu.
A Note:
I'll test it out, and if it's as good as everyone's saying, let's go back together some time.
A Note:
(P.S.: New stash from the Universitas Magistrorum. I brought some goodies home — a few teacups and a pen rack. Hope you like them!)
Nefer:
(They didn't sign their name... But they must have been close. Sounds like they were living together.)
Check:
A few storage boxes sit next to the cabinet. Everything in sight is neatly organized.
Check:
Whoever lives here seems to be enjoying a pretty comfortable life.
Read Rerir's diary
Journal on the Table:
I went over to Joseph's for drinks today. They have a fine collection, but I went alone — Tholindis was tied up with something and couldn't make it.
Journal on the Table:
Joseph asked why I came alone, but I didn't really have an answer. He then went on to ask about other things. If you ask me, someone who asks that many personal questions is too nosy for their own good.
Journal on the Table:
But if he invites me again, chances are I'd still go.
Nefer:
("Tholindis"... That's the same name Rerir mentioned.)
Journal on the Table:
Grain imports keep falling. If things don't pick up, we'll soon be back to meat and mushrooms only...
Journal on the Table:
Honestly, I'm not a huge fan of that new type of mushroom everyone's been into lately. Didn't it start out as a lab-grown variety? I heard it's even mildly corrosive... Seriously, why would you even eat something like that?
Journal on the Table:
I don't care if it's an impressive feat of alchemy... that just isn't the kind of thing I like to eat.
Nefer:
(Grain has to be imported, and they're eating a diet of mostly meat and mushrooms... Could it be because Khaenri'ah is underground, so it doesn't get much sunlight?)
Nefer:
(That would explain why they use so much stone in their buildings...)
Nefer:
(They even use alchemically modified strains for food. Seems like the people of Khaenri'ah don't have many options when it comes to dining...)
Journal on the Table:
I've just about saved up enough now. Time to buy it and keep it somewhere safe...
Nefer:
(Making a big purchase... I wonder what it is?)
Journal on the Table:
Most of what's written in the diary are the mundane details of everyday life. It's clear that the author was an ordinary Khaenri'ahn — or at least, that they were passing themselves off as one...
Journal on the Table:
The author's handwriting doesn't reveal anything. It's neither showy nor stiff — in fact, it doesn't really leave any particular impression.
Nefer:
(...He really is a professional. No wonder he's so good at covering his tracks.)
Nefer:
(Despite what he's become, it seems like he's retained certain habits, at least in this regard.)
Journal on the Table:
Near the end of the diary, you notice a page with a shallow indentation along the bottom.
Journal on the Table:
The previous page has been torn out. For now, its contents remain a mystery.
Nefer:
(Did Rerir rip it out himself?)
Journal on the Table:
But pen marks like these leave a trace. With something like charcoal to add some color, you just need to find the right angle...
Journal on the Table:
When Nefer looks around, she sees a fine charcoal pencil on the desk. Before long, she has restored the missing words.
Journal on the Table:
Compared with the forgettable handwriting from before, these lines have been scrawled in a rougher, more haphazard way — as if the person who wrote them was in an emotional state.
Journal on the Table:
Before I met you, I was convinced that my heart was nothing more than a stagnant pool.
Journal on the Table:
The burial place of a fallen moon... a withered, windless grove where the waters rested forever unrippled.
Journal on the Table:
It was you who helped me see that my heart hadn't entirely withered away. That it could still beat to the rhythm of love.
Nefer:
(This is just trivial sentimentality, from the looks of it. Why would he go to the trouble of hiding that?)
Nefer:
("The burial place of a fallen moon"...)
Observe Rerir's memories
Dainsleif:
Rerir! Over here!
Rerir:
Dain! Oh, and... Vedrfolnir? What a surprise to see you here, Sir.
Vedrfolnir:
Hello there, Rerir. You need not address me so formally outside of court.
Dainsleif:
He doesn't get much free time, so I invited him over for a drink. Even the court prophet deserves a break every now and then, right?
Rerir:
Haha, well, I'm flattered.
Vedrfolnir:
So... What are we discussing today?
Rerir:
Hey, don't look at me. As far as I see it, we don't need an excuse to have a few drinks.
Dainsleif:
Come on, don't give us that! Didn't you say you were about to pop the big question? How's that coming along?
Rerir:
Heh, who'd have thought the great Twilight Sword was an even greater gossip?
Dainsleif:
I just didn't expect you to be the first one to settle down and get married, that's all.
Vedrfolnir:
...
Rerir:
Yeah... If you'd told me that a few years ago, I wouldn't have believed you either. Haha...
Dainsleif:
So, are you planning to come clean about your job, then? I'm guessing you still haven't told her.
Rerir:
Sure, I'll have to tell her at some point... but I'll need to pick the right time and place. To be honest, I have no idea how she'll take it.
Dainsleif:
Come on, stop being such a pessimist. For all you know, she could be thrilled! I bet she'll be much more impressed by your actual job than the one she thinks you're doing now.
Dainsleif:
A member of the "King's Guard"... Heh, quite the cover story. Does the king himself even know?
Rerir:
Of course he does. Anyway, enough about me. How've you been?
Dainsleif:
Me? Same old, same old, nothing much to— Huh?
Dainsleif:
What's up, Ved?
Vedrfolnir:
...It's nothing.
Rerir:
...
Rerir:
(Vedrfolnir, Dainsleif's elder brother... Renowned throughout the Court of Khaenri'ah as "The Visionary," and said to possess a wisdom far beyond the reach of any ordinary man.)
Rerir:
(And yet, despite the gulf between us, he seems to have something to say about me...)
Rerir:
(Does he even know me? Does he see me as a friend of his brother... or just another of the Vinster King's blades?)
Rerir:
(Why did he react so strongly? Was it really to do with what we were talking about?)
Nefer:
(Brown, curly hair, and brooding blue eyes. So this is what Rerir looked like back in the day.)
Nefer:
(Perfectly normal, no different from anyone else.)
Nefer:
(As frightening as this monster is in the present... There's something even more unsettling about seeing the human he used to be.)
Continue to observe Rerir's memories
Rerir:
Tholindis? You're back early.
Tholindis:
Our equipment's being serviced today, so I got off earlier than usual. How's your day been?
Tholindis:
Aw, why the long face? Is something the matter? Has your boss been giving you a hard time again?
Rerir:
...
Rerir:
Went for a drink with Dain and the others after work.
Tholindis:
Isn't that a good thing?
Rerir:
...
Rerir:
Vedrfolnir showed up today too. You know, Dainsleif's older brother.
Tholindis:
Ah, Mr. Vedrfolnir. Yes, I've heard of him. They say that everything he says ends up coming true.
Rerir:
...He overheard Dainsleif mention that I'd recently proposed, and seemed to have an issue with it. But when I asked what it was, he kept it to himself.
Tholindis:
So... you're worried? You can be such a child sometimes, Rerir.
Tholindis:
We're nobodies. Why would The Visionary be concerned about us?
Tholindis:
I'm sure someone in his position has much bigger fish to fry.
Rerir:
Ha... Maybe you're right.
Tholindis:
...
Tholindis:
You worry too much, Rerir. We've been together for ages now, and everything's been going so well, has it not? You've even proposed to me!
Rerir:
Haha, so you do remember. Tell me, then... what's your answer?
Tholindis:
Like I said, I need some time to decide. You can't just rush into things like this. We may be nobodies in the grand scheme of things, but if we want things to work out, we've still got to plan ahead.
Rerir:
Alright, take your time. Just don't keep me waiting forever.
Rerir:
("Nobodies"... Hmph, sounds about right. In the eyes of people like Vedrfolnir and Dainsleif, what do we matter?)
Rerir:
(Can someone whose gaze is so fixed on the far-flung future even see the present clearly? Besides... The dynasty's fate rests with the king and his inner circle. Whatever I do, it won't make much difference.)
Rerir:
(Meanwhile, every idea they come up with and every decision they make, it affects everything... These days, the king is lost in his research, and the purge of the Crimson Moon bloodline grows ever more intense.)
Rerir:
(The opposition tried to speak out, but nothing came of it. And I'm under no illusions as to why — because we eliminated them and got rid of their bodies.)
Rerir:
(A man can have a thousand reasons to carry a sword, but there are few good excuses to use it. Yet the king has never even considered a gentler approach, and he never will.)
Rerir:
(...What becomes of someone who kills on another's behalf? Can he ever find true peace?)
Rerir:
Tholindis... I...
Rerir:
*sigh* It's nothing. You are right... Fate has never smiled upon nobodies like us. But by the same token, it's unlikely to bear a grudge against us, either.
Rerir:
There's no reason we can't keep living happily together, cherishing the simple joys of each day as they come...
Tholindis:
See? You just need to stay positive, Rerir.
Tholindis:
I can feel your warmth, your breath... You're right there, right by my side.
Tholindis:
Just seeing you makes me happy in a way I can't explain, and that's something that no one could ever take away from me. So smile, my love... Let go of that frown.
Rerir:
You're right, Tholindis. I've just been overthinking things.
Tholindis:
That's better. Getting caught up about things like this will only ruin our evening. Speaking of which... All set for the ball tonight? I need to go get ready.
Rerir:
You go ahead. I just have a few things to take care of, then I'll come join you.
Tholindis:
Even busier than the big shots, huh? Fine, I'll go get started... but don't be late. If you keep me waiting too long, I won't be a happy bunny.
Rerir:
Relax, I'll be there...
Rerir:
Seriously, though, you drive a hard bargain... You're really gonna leave my proposal hanging, and still expect me to take you to the ball?
Tholindis:
Well that goes without saying. I already told everyone I'd be coming with a dance partner.
Tholindis:
Besides, they're two completely different things... Let's take it one thing at a time, alright?
Rerir:
Hmph...
Rerir:
Alright, white outfit it is.
Nefer:
(It seems like Rerir was deliberately hiding his ties to the intelligence services... by giving the impression that he was just an ordinary member of the Vinster King's guard.)
Nefer:
(He clearly doesn't want his would-be fiancee to know about his other life. Then again, that's hardly surprising — people in the intelligence trade rarely do.)
Nefer:
(Heh, who'd have thought we were in the same line of work...)
Nefer:
(Let's dig a little deeper.)
Leave the hut
Thorkell:
Our last operation was a resounding success — and all thanks to you, Rächer of Solnari. In total, we apprehended 32 dregs of the Crimson Moon, and 67 accomplices.
Rerir:
After all these years since the dynasty's fall, so many of them still linger on.
Thorkell:
Indeed, it cannot be denied. Yet it was destiny that the Crimson Moon should be overcome by the Eclipse, and that His Majesty, the all-seeing Vinster King, now guides our nation on the path to prosperity.
Thorkell:
Khaenri'ah has no further need for a dead moon. But alas, there will always be those who refuse to see the truth, choosing instead to romanticize the past.
Rerir:
That's not entirely true. Much about the Crimson Moon era was worthy of remembrance, and that's exactly why they keep trying to see it restored.
Rerir:
Many of its secrets remain unsolved to this day. As it happens, that's precisely the field of study my partner is devoted to.
Thorkell:
You still haven't told her what you really do for a living?
Rerir:
...
Rerir:
Where would I even start?
Rerir:
How do you tell someone that you're one of the king's hand-picked executioners? That your hands are steeped in blood?
Thorkell:
You didn't choose this life, any more than I did. Orphans like us don't get a say.
Rerir:
But I'll sure as heck be the one to pay for it.
Rerir:
Speaking of which... We need to be more rigorous in the way we identify direct descendants of the Crimson Moon.
Rerir:
Someone, it seems, has strong opinions about my future plans — most likely my marriage, in particular. I have a feeling that we may soon become targets of the Crimson Moon's retribution.
Thorkell:
Your concerns are not unfounded. They've taken out many of our colleagues these past few years, and for that very reason. These are no helpless lambs we're leading to the slaughter — they're wolves in sheep's clothing.
Thorkell:
Take care, Rächer of Solnari. I look forward to toasting you at your wedding.
Rerir:
Thanks, Thorkell. You look after yourself too.
Rerir:
...
Rerir:
Tholindis, I never wanted to keep this from you. You're the last person I would ever want to lie to.
Rerir:
But that's exactly why I can't tell you everything. There are things you shouldn't know... things you cannot know.
Rerir:
The moonlit dynasties are a thing of the past. Yet even now, with the sun shining high in the sky, there are those who would call forth a dead moon's ghost.
Rerir:
Could that be why Vedrfolnir held back? Or was it because of some court secret he's not at liberty to share?
Rerir:
...I have to get a clear answer from him. No matter what happens, I will protect Tholindis.
Nefer:
(Rerir seems to be very concerned by Vedrfolnir's reaction...)
Nefer:
(Vedrfolnir and Dainsleif, "The Visionary" and "Twilight Sword." So that's what they were really like...)
Nefer:
(I've investigated this whole area now. There doesn't seem to be any other memories here.)
Nefer:
(Should I try somewhere else? Wait a second... What's this black smoke?)
Investigate the strange black smoke
Tholindis:
So he's late, after all! Just you wait, Rerir... You're in for it, big time!
Orlog:
Are you waiting for someone, Ma'am? Could I tempt you into buying some flowers?
Tholindis:
Hm? Oh, sure. Pick me out a pretty bunch, if you would.
Orlog:
Thank you! But I'm afraid none of them are as pretty as you...
Tholindis:
For someone so young, you sure have a way with words, don't you?
Orlog:
I'm only telling the truth. Look me in the eyes... you'll see I'm not lying.
Tholindis:
You're...
Orlog:
May we have a word in private?
Tholindis:
...Who are you, and what do you want?
Orlog:
It doesn't matter who I am. Too many of our kind have fallen lately, so I decided to take the risk of reaching out.
Orlog:
Not long ago, the Rächer of Solnari led an assault on one of our strongholds. We suffered many casualties, and many who came to our aid lost their lives as well.
Tholindis:
Sorry, I don't know why you're telling me this... and I don't want to get involved.
Orlog:
Wait... Hear me out. This time, we finally got a clear look at his face and learned his true identity.
Orlog:
His name is Rerir, and he claims to be one of the king's guards.
Tholindis:
...What did you say!?
Orlog:
A cruel irony, isn't it... the man you're set to marry leads a double life as a brutal executioner. But surely, you must have caught a whiff of the blood on his hands?
Tholindis:
Why are you telling me all of this now?
Orlog:
Simple. It's because...
Nefer:
(How strange... Rerir was nowhere to be seen in that memory. It clearly belonged to Tholindis.)
Nefer:
(Rerir couldn't possibly know what happened if he wasn't even there.)
Nefer:
(Why would her memories appear in his fragment?)
Nefer:
(...The ceremony won't last much longer... I think it's time to call it a day.)
Summarize the clues you have on Rerir
Nefer:
Whew...
Lauma:
So that was your doing? Did you just... pull us inside Rerir's fragment to spy directly on his memories?
Nefer:
Any more questions and I'll have to start charging.
Jahoda:
I had no idea you could do that, boss! Seriously, that was amazing... We're not worthy, we're not worthy!
Jahoda:
I gotta admit, though, I'm itching to see what happens next... Feels like we barely scratched the surface...
Nefer:
I'm just as curious as you are, but the ceremony only allows for limited time inside. That's all we can see for now.
Nefer:
Luckily, we managed to learn quite a lot.
Lauma:
So far, so good... I just hope the others are doing okay too.
Lauma:
Especially the group with Traveler... Their mission is a risky one. Let's hope it's all going smoothly.
Nefer:
If you're worried about them, go see how they're doing.
Jahoda:
If I know Boss, she's gonna need some time to write up all the details and make sure it's all coherent. I'll stay behind to lend a hand, but feel free to head back and meet up with the others.
After negotiating with Sandrone, the "Marionette," you leave the Fatui's Experimental Design Bureau. Everywhere you look, the Wild Hunt is prowling. Make your way back to base — and be sure not to get caught along the way!
Find a way to return to the secret base
Paimon:
Ugh, they've been prowling around for nearly two days now. These things just won't quit...
Paimon:
They might not have seen us yet, but with them constantly sweeping the area, our way out is completely blocked!
Paimon:
That's never gonna work... One little slip-up, and it's game over!
Paimon:
If they spot us, they'll run straight back to Rerir — and once he knows we're here, it won't be long before he's breathing down our necks again...
Traveler:
Be that as it may, we still have to try.
Paimon:
Ugh, guess you're right. Alright, time to zip it...
Avoid the patrolling Wild Hunt
Paimon:
There's no end to these things!
The Damselette:
Fire...
Paimon:
Fire?
The Wild Hunt's Anguished Roar:
Raargh!!!
Paimon:
Wait, what's that smell? ...Oh no, there's a fire!
The Knave:
Sandrone was right. You look weak, Columbina.
The Knave:
The old you would never have let such lowly creatures bar your way. Word has it that you did something for the Tsaritsa, and that's why you've lost most of your power...
The Knave:
Freedom comes at a heavy price, doesn't it?
Paimon:
It's Arlecchino! You came!
The Knave:
Hello again, Columbina. And greetings... guests of the House of the Hearth.
The Damselette:
It's been a while, Arlecchino.
Follow Marionette and finish repairing the machine
Marionette:
Ugh! Stupid Rächer of stupid Solnari... Ugh, whatever! I've got all the data I need. Next time we meet, you're finished!
B.O.S.C.O.NO.1:
*clunk*
Marionette:
Ugh... He sure doesn't pull his punches...
???:
Excuse me, um... Do you need a hand?
Marionette:
You can do me a favor by staying OUT of my way. Can't you see I'm busy?
Marionette:
Wait a minute, I recognize that voice...
Lyney:
Hello, Miss Sandrone. "Father" sent us over to help.
Marionette:
Hmph, how considerate of her.
Marionette:
Hey, uh... Freminet? Get over here and help me fix this. Lyney, you do your thing — just keep your sister away from my machines.
Marionette:
Nearly every machine that cat-girl touches ends up going haywire... Go put her on cleaning duty, or something.
Lynette:
Hmph.
Lyney:
Hehe... Then let's start downstairs. Freminet, we'll leave this place to you.
Freminet:
You've got it.
Marionette:
Wait a second.
Marionette:
...Pretty sure there's still some tea in the cupboard. If you want some, you'll have to make it yourselves.
Return to the secret base and discuss your next steps
Varka:
It's a relief to see you all made it back in one piece.
Paimon:
Huh? Feels like there's quite a few people missing... Where's Flins and the others? And what about Nefer?
Varka:
I returned ahead of them. Flins is helping Aino and Ineffa to set up the decoys and buy us some time. As for Miss Nefer...
Jahoda:
Boss is still wrapping things up on her end. She sent us back to fill you all in on the top-secret intel we've been gathering.
Varka:
I see. Then let's get right into it.
Varka:
But first — who do we have here? You brought someone else in to help?
The Knave:
Greetings. I was invited here to help as a long-time tea party companion of Columbina's. You may call me Arlecchino.
Lauma:
(Surely it can't be...)
Jahoda:
(Those eyes... Where have I seen them before? Wait, of course! In those memories we just saw...!)
Varka:
Hmm. The only Arlecchino I know is the Fourth of the Fatui Harbingers. So either you share a pretty uncommon name, or you're more than just a tea-party buddy.
The Knave:
You're well informed, Grand Master. A man from Mondstadt living all the way out here in Nod-Krai, and yet the people and affairs of Snezhnaya seem to hold a special place in your heart.
Varka:
Haha, the feeling's mutual. Sounds like you know all about who I am, too.
Lauma:
A Fatui Harbinger...
Jahoda:
(The atmosphere in here just got really tense... Guess we can't just start trusting Fatui Harbingers, even at a time like this.)
Varka:
I must admit, though, I'm a little curious — seeing as the Moon Goddess no longer belongs to the Fatui, what makes you so willing to put your neck on the line here?
The Knave:
Nor does Nod-Krai belong to Mondstadt, Mr. Varka. Yet still, you're fighting for it all the same.
The Knave:
Things don't always have to have a tangible payoff. Sometimes, stopping things from spiraling out of control is a higher priority than chasing the spoils of victory.
The Knave:
Of course, I can't say there's nothing in it for me at all... but that's between Columbina and myself.
Lauma:
Forgive me, I don't mean to doubt you. It's just that the Fatui really have been the source of many of our troubles.
Lauma:
We have our own way of doing things here in Nod-Krai. But ever since they arrived, the Fatui have treated us with nothing but hostility.
The Knave:
I know there's been a lot of bad blood between us in the past. I've done my utmost to avoid friction whenever I could, but sometimes, fundamental conflicts of interest simply can't be settled amicably.
The Knave:
That's why I'm here solely in a personal capacity. This has nothing to do with the Fatui.
The Knave:
As a gesture of good faith, I'll be frank. I can help Columbina track down the Iridescent Moon's marrow, which will help her restore more of her power.
The Knave:
Anyway, what else is on the agenda? Let's begin.
Jahoda:
(She says she'll be frank, then completely skips over the details... Looks like she doesn't wanna give away too many secrets, after all.)
Jahoda:
(But she clearly wants to change the subject. It'd be awkward if I tried to bring it up again now... Ugh, guess we'll just have to go along with it. She's the Fourth of the Fatui Harbingers, after all... One look and you can tell she's not someone you'd wanna mess with.)
Varka:
...
Varka:
Well, since Ms. Arlecchino sounds confident in her ability to handle that, we'll proceed to the next topic. Jahoda, time to share that top-secret intel.
Jahoda:
Ahem... Alright, listen up everyone! First, we now know that Rerir was originally a Khaenri'ahn secret agent whose primary mission was to hunt down and assassinate the so-called "Dregs of the Crimson Moon."
Varka:
The "Dregs of the Crimson Moon"...?
Jahoda:
Mm-hmm. In the memories, there was a lot of talk about the "Crimson Moon" and "Eclipse," and a whole bunch of other stuff from the time of Khaenri'ah.
The Damselette:
...
The Damselette:
To my knowledge, those were the names of two different Khaenri'ahn dynasties.
The Damselette:
Long, long ago, it is said that the people of Khaenri'ah worshiped the Crimson Moon, drawing a mysterious power from its reflection.
The Damselette:
But one day, a coup saw the Crimson Moon "eclipsed" — hence the name of the new dynasty that replaced it, and how it became the new emblem of Khaenri'ah.
Lauma:
Still, long after the Crimson Moon dynasty had fallen, the last ruler of the Eclipse dynasty, the "Vinster King," still coveted the secrets it left behind. So he sent the "Rächer of Solnari" to secretly hunt down the Crimson Moon's few remaining followers.
Lauma:
In those days, Rerir showed no signs of madness — in fact, he was as normal as any other person. Oh... and he had a fiancee, or at least a would-be fiancee, called "Tholindis."
Traveler:
Tholindis...?
Lauma:
What's the matter, Traveler?
"Rächer of Solnari":
Vedrfolnir...! Rhinedottir...! Arrghh... Tholindis! Tholindis!
Varka:
Interesting. Anything else? What about this would-be fiancee of his... Do we know anything about her?
Jahoda:
Well... She was a researcher at the Universitas Magistrorum, but it felt like she was hiding some kind of secret.
Lauma:
Oh, and one more thing — for some reason, Rerir's fragment also contained some of Tholindis's memories, though only a very small portion.
Varka:
Hmm... Well, no shortage of potential leads, I'll give you that. In any case, it sounds like we can conclude that while Tholindis was still around, Rerir appeared to be lucid and quite normal.
Varka:
Tholindis, it seems, must have been the one thing in this world that he couldn't let go of. Tell me, though... Were these "pure-blood" Khaenri'ahns we're talking about here?
Paimon:
Why do you need to know that? Hold on... If she was a pure-blood Khaenri'ahn...
Paimon:
Oh, yeah! Just like how it was with The Captain!
Jahoda:
If we could somehow find her, do you think there's any chance Rerir might regain some of his sanity?
Lauma:
It's possible... but it would take a miracle. We can't pin all our hopes on that.
Lauma:
(That merchant who Nefer knows... Dori Sangemah Bay? Maybe we could hire her to look into it.)
Varka:
Alright then, let's keep working in our separate teams.
Varka:
Traveler, Paimon, Kuutar, and Ms. Arlecchino will go look for the Iridescent Moon's marrow.
Varka:
As for the others...
Lauma:
On the way over here, I noticed that the Wild Hunt monsters had grown even more frenzied in their search for Kuutar.
Lauma:
At this rate, the people living here will be in grave danger too. So I'm thinking of gathering together some of our followers to go wipe them out.
Jahoda:
I'll head back to the Curatorium and meet up with the boss.
Varka:
Feels good knowing we've all got something to be getting on with.
Varka:
Given that the Wild Hunt has been a lot more active lately, the Lightkeepers have likely begun their own operations too. If that is the case, someone will need to pass the news on to Flins.
Varka:
I'll hold the fort for now, then discuss our next move with Flins, Aino, and Ineffa when they get back.
Paimon:
Alright then!
The Knave:
Well, the clock's ticking. If that's everything, we'll be on our way.
Lauma:
We'd better get moving too. We'll try to buy you as much time as we can.
Varka:
Haha... Relax, just do your thing. I decided to call in some backup since things are getting so hairy. Our reinforcements should be here any minute now.
Varka:
Stay safe, everyone. Dismissed!
Flins:
We're back. Did we get here a little early... or a little late?
Varka:
Haha, a tad late — the others have already set off. To summarize: Our resident Moon Goddess has found us a new ally, and boss Nefer has uncovered some promising info.
Varka:
Everything going smoothly on your end?
Aino:
Eh, not great. I dunno how long we can stall him for. The decoys are getting taken out way faster than we imagined.
Aino:
I'm gonna make some more later, but I need a time-out first. I'm soooo tired right now!
Aino:
Oh, right — Ineffa, could you fill in Uncle Varka on what we just discussed with Flins?
Ineffa:
Sure.
Ineffa:
Uncle Varka, you previously told us about how, when you went to investigate a source of the Wild Hunt in Amsvartnir, you discovered that it was just a diversion.
Ineffa:
But according to Flins's intel, several outbreaks of the Wild Hunt had already occurred in Nod-Krai in the period leading up to that.
Ineffa:
That was before Rerir had regained his body, when he was far from regaining his full strength. In other words, in theory at least, he still lacked the means to act in two places at once.
Varka:
...
Varka:
Flins, with everything that's been happening, the Lightkeepers across Nod-Krai are rallying to fight back against the Wild Hunt. They're gonna need your help.
Varka:
Aino, I'm sure you're capable of coming up with something far more effective than decoys. But for now, you should stay here and get some rest.
Varka:
Ineffa and I will head back over to Amsvartnir to see if there's anything I missed.
Aino:
Hehe, I told you Uncle Varka would say that, didn't I? A deal's a deal! Not a word about my snack intake for the next week!
Ineffa:
Database updated. Reliability of Aino's predictions increased.
Varka:
Uh... What does that mean?
Flins:
They were betting on how you'd respond after hearing their intel.
Varka:
It's the obvious choice, isn't it? That's hardly worth betting on.
Flins:
We already decided that Ineffa should go investigate the situation over at Amsvartnir on her own. You might as well stay here and keep watch.
Flins:
Someone needs to hang back and oversee our strategy meetings, and besides... you still haven't fully recovered from ambushing Rerir.
Varka:
So I've ended up with the easiest assignment, hahaha... Well, I appreciate it everyone. See you when you get back.
Go to the place The Knave mentioned
The Knave:
Here. This will serve as a good spot to cross over.
Paimon:
Arlecchino, hold up a second... Since you brought us all this way, would you mind telling us what you've got planned?
Paimon:
We still haven't got the slightest idea what's going on here! And if even Columbina doesn't know where the Iridescent Moon's marrow is, how do you?
The Knave:
Simple... Because I am an inheritor of the royal bloodline of the Crimson Moon, and one of the last surviving embers of the Two Worlds' Flames.
Paimon:
Huh!?
Paimon:
A—Are you serious? As in... you're a descendent of that Crimson Moon dynasty we were just talking about? The one from ancient Khaenri'ah?
The Knave:
Your surprise is understandable. I was also taken aback when I first learned of it.
The Knave:
But the more I thought about it, the more I realized — the signs had been there all along.
The Knave:
When I was young, I discovered I could wield a very special kind of "fire." It coursed like blood through my veins, and smoldered away inside my nerves.
The Knave:
What's more, whenever I experienced strong bursts of emotion or drew too deeply on this power, it was like some kind of presence within the fire would begin to gnaw away at me... consuming me from the inside out.
Traveler:
Your hands...
The Knave:
Exactly... That is why my hands are like this too. At first, I saw it only as a curse. But once I became a Harbinger, The Jester apprised me of the truth.
The Knave:
Together with my own investigations over the past few years, there are several things that I have gradually come to understand.
The Knave:
For instance, take the so-called "Crimson Moon." In truth, it is nothing more than the shattered remnants of the Iridescent Moon, fused with the Abyss to prolong its lifespan.
The Knave:
Since this "bloodflame" was bestowed upon me by the Crimson Moon, it is a fusion of the Iridescent Moon's former power and the corruption of the Abyss.
The Knave:
You all understand the nature of the Abyss well enough. I draw upon its power, and in return, it hungers for my soul. This strange blackness is the mark of corruption it has left behind.
The Damselette:
If I recall correctly, you once told me that if the corruption ever made it to your heart, you'd become a completely different person.
The Knave:
Yes... and that's the reason I'm always careful not to push my power too far. It's essentially a never-ending tug-of-war.
Paimon:
Sounds intense...
The Knave:
...Anyway, the rest of my story can wait. Is there anything else about the Crimson Moon or the Iridescent Moon that you're unclear about?
Paimon:
Paimon has a question... So the Crimson Moon that the Khaenri'ahns used to worship was actually the Iridescent Moon, right? Which was one of the Three Moon Sisters?
Paimon:
Does that mean that... the Khaenri'ahns were to the Crimson Moon as the Frostmoon Scions are to the Frost Moon...?
The Knave:
So much of that history has been lost. We have no way of knowing exactly what they were like.
The Knave:
But I would suspect that the Khaenri'ahns weren't as devout in their moon worship as it might appear. The Iridescent Moon's remains simply served as their link to the Abyss.
The Knave:
Later on, perhaps someone discovered a way to make direct contact with the Abyss, or maybe there was some kind of ideological divide. Either way, a dissenting faction staged a coup and drove out the royal heirs of the Crimson Moon dynasty.
The Knave:
Still, even with the dark sun looming high overhead, the Crimson Moon's glow never truly faded. If you want living proof, it's standing right before you.
The Damselette:
The first time we met, I sensed something familiar in your presence.
The Damselette:
When I looked at you, I felt I could see that mysterious red moon in the corner of my eye... In your flames, I saw its broken image, surrounded by a strange black aura.
The Knave:
Well, I appreciate that you kept it to yourself. Much about the Crimson Moon is still a mystery, and I'd prefer not to end up as the object of an insane research project.
The Knave:
Anyway, time is against us here, so if there's any other questions, they'll have to wait.
The Knave:
I just want to make sure I've got one thing straight. In her letter, Sandrone mentioned that since you are unable to contain the Iridescent Moon's marrow yourself, you intend to leave it in my custody. Correct?
The Damselette:
That's right. For now, it's the only way I can pay you back for your help.
The Damselette:
The Iridescent Moon is already part of who you are. So with its marrow in your possession, you'll be even more powerful than before.
The Knave:
Deal. Then let's get started.
Paimon:
Uhh... get what started? What does this place have to do with the Crimson Moon?
The Knave:
When I first became a Harbinger, The Jester gave me a book called Perinheri, also known as Hleobranto Innamorato.
The Knave:
You should be able to buy a copy next time you're in Fontaine. It's a love story set in the Crimson Moon era — but setting aside the tangled romances of its characters, it also records a few interesting details.
The Knave:
In the Crimson Moon era — or so the story goes — there was an orphanage that received children from beyond the bounds of this world and subjected them to a peculiar induction ceremony.
Paimon:
Beyond the bounds of this world? For real? And what kind of induction ceremony?
The Knave:
The Crimson Moon sages looked beyond this world for beings with powers that surpassed the gods — but fearing they might lose control, they subjected these children to a process of "refinement."
The Knave:
They made these children crawl up a fireplace, and kept asking them, "Have you died?" "Did you see it?"... until they finally admitted to having died and seen a crimson moon.
The Knave:
The adults embraced the children who passed the ritual, telling them: "Within the fireplace, you have traversed the flames between two worlds. Here and now, you are born anew."
The Knave:
The book leaves much unsaid, but I suspect that this was their way of "branding" the children they had enrolled — leaving an indelible mark upon them, so that they would forever live in the Crimson Moon's light.
The Damselette:
That explains why I can't sense the Crimson Moon's marrow in this world. It makes sense that it would be sealed in a special space that can only be accessed temporarily through some kind of ritual.
Paimon:
But there's no fireplace here... Do you see a chimney anywhere? ...Oh, are we supposed to build it ourselves? Umm... okay fine, Paimon'll go find some bricks...
The Knave:
That won't be necessary — the fireplace is purely symbolic. The key to the ritual is crossing "the flames between two worlds"... in other words, the flames that burn within me.
The Knave:
Those burned away by such flames leave behind a kind of ghostly "afterimage" in the world. In the days of Khaenri'ah, people believed they could be used to bridge the gap between the "two worlds" of life and death.
The Knave:
In short, I can open a passage to that space for you. That's the easy part.
The Knave:
The catch is, I'll need to stay on this side to keep the passage open, so I won't be able to come with you. Once you're inside, you'll have to find your own way.
The Knave:
Very well, then I'll open it up.
The Damselette:
Traveler, spare me a little more moonlight, if you would. I may need it...
The Damselette:
Thank you... I feel like I've recovered some of my strength now. It should be enough to move us across short distances and confront whatever dangers might await.
The Knave:
Mistress of the Seven Hues of ages past, great mother of the present, crimson-clad sovereign of the two realms. By fire severed, by fire renewed — I offer myself now, and beseech your descent.
Paimon:
Whooooa!
The Knave:
One word of advice — as you're crossing over, no matter what voices you hear, do not answer.
Paimon:
Got it!
The Damselette:
I sense a sinister gloom inside... but also the familiar light of the moon.
The Damselette:
I feel that I am about to meet an old friend who has changed beyond all recognition... Alright, let's go.
Varka:
What happened over at Amsvartnir... If it wasn't Rerir, then who was it?
Aino:
Need... krumkakes...
Go through the "passage"
Paimon:
Hey, look up at the sky! A red moon... This must be the spot, right?
Paimon:
I—Is that the Abyss!? It's practically filled the entire place! What now?
The Damselette:
...
The Damselette:
*sigh* What a tragic sight... Fragments of your broken body, seized by the Abyss and hung up aloft like mummified remains. Iridescent Moon... was this truly what you wished for?
Paimon:
Careful, there's something spooky about this place. Feels like something is lurking in the fog...
Paimon:
P—Paimon's right behind you, Traveler. Whatever you do, don't run off without her!
Proceed deeper
Paimon:
Huh...
Traveler:
So the Iridescent Moon's marrow is up there in the sky?
Paimon:
Huh, for real? But that's way too high... There's no way we'll be able to reach it!
The Damselette:
No... I'm not sensing anything up there.
The Damselette:
It's coming from under the mountain.
Paimon:
Let's see... Eek! There's some kind of weird shadow over the water!
Paimon:
Wait, see that? Looks like a mechanism of some sort... Let's check it out!
Activate the nearby device
Paimon:
Hey, look at that! Now that the mechanism's running, the shadow in the water looks different.
Paimon:
Do you think these mechanisms might be the key to unlocking the secret? Let's try to find more of them.
Snorri:
Tholindis, we'll leave the rest of the research in your hands. We'll be heading back now.
Vilwis:
Hope this isn't ruining date night...?
Tholindis:
Ugh, mind your own business. Just leave me some snacks on the table.
Paimon:
Tholindis? Is that Rerir's girlfriend? How come we're hearing her voice here?
Paimon:
Oh, yeah! So... do you think she was studying this strange space all along?
The Damselette:
The Abyss has made this space extremely unstable.
The Damselette:
Maybe that's why some of the things she said and did were preserved here... like echoes, or afterimages.
Tholindis:
...Whenever I see this view, it takes me back to a poem from my childhood.
Tholindis:
"Waning moon, oh lifeless damsel, weeping on the mountain crest. Mourning still, in wistful tone, her fragile soul now laid to rest."
Tholindis:
For me, of all people, to be here investigating the mysteries of the Crimson Moon's space... Is it a coincidence, or something more?
Activate the second device
Tholindis:
I see... So the Moon Marrow, or rather the power of the three moons, is the key to unlocking ■■■■.
Tholindis:
If ■■■■ really does exist, then maybe this madness can finally be put to an end...
Activate the final device
Tholindis:
With the Abyss inhibitors in place, I should be able to access the chamber with the Moon Marrow...
Tholindis:
Oh, Rerir... With every step you take, you're drifting further from what you truly desire... but you're not the root of the problem. Ever since that outsider set foot in Khaenri'ah, the Vinster King has sunken deeper into madness.
Tholindis:
If only I could get my hands on that outsider...
Paimon:
Hey, look! The moon's reflection is back to normal!
Paimon:
Tholindis's voice mentioned a chamber with the Moon Marrow. D'you think maybe it's hidden in the moon's reflection...?
The Damselette:
It must be... for within it, I sense the fragile aura of a dying soul.
Paimon:
Then there's no time to lose — let's go!
Purify the Iridescent Moon's marrow
Paimon:
Whew, we finally did it.
The Damselette:
The Iridescent Moon's marrow... Still burning away like an undying flame, yet now contaminated by the Abyss. It has taken on a new form entirely.
The Damselette:
If we can purify the Abyssal power within, we should be able to obtain its untainted essence.
Traveler:
Leave it to me.
???:
So cold...
???:
Is it you? Are you here?
Paimon:
Huh? Are you talking to us?
???:
At long last... I can see you once more. Our fates have crossed... and I am finally free.
???:
I'm sorry... I lied to you. Even knowing what was to come, I still couldn't let go of the fear in my heart as death drew near.
???:
The moment the moon shattered, my body began to split apart piece by piece... like I was being cut into pieces by a thousand blunt blades. My thoughts scattered as the cold crept in... but I could not bear to fade away like that...
???:
Tell me, what was it that brought you to us, all that time ago? If only I had possessed your courage... Then, I might have been spared this torment more painful than death...
???:
You look so puzzled... Heh, that's how I felt too... when I first saw you...
???:
But trust me when I say... that everything happens for a reason. Farewell, Hypo...
The Damselette:
...
Paimon:
What was that all about? Was that the Goddess of the Iridescent Moon...?
Paimon:
It sounded like she was speaking to a long-lost friend... but none of us have ever met her before, right?
The Damselette:
Perhaps... she took me for the Goddess of the Frost Moon she once knew.
The Damselette:
For a fading soul like hers, our auras must be too similar to tell apart.
Paimon:
Hmm... It felt like there was a deeper meaning to what she was saying...
Paimon:
But anyway, we've got the Iridescent Moon's marrow now. That should help you regain your strength, right?
Paimon:
Alright, time to leave this place and meet back up with Arlecchino. Let's go!
movie
You prepare to leave, but find this place an apocalyptic scene. The ravaged moon in the sky becomes a meteor that hurtles toward you, forcing everyone to flee.
The Damselette explains that since you have taken the Iridescent Moon's Moon Marrow, the abyssal will that remains is attempting to keep you here. You struggle against the countless monsters and collapsing ground together, trying your best to seek a way out.
You reach the exit, but find it blocked by a giant rock. The horde of monsters has you blocked in from the rear. At this moment, you hear The Knave's voice. She bars the path of the beasts and clears the obstacle using the Crimson Moon's power, aiding in your successful escape.
Talk to The Knave
Paimon:
Whew, we... we made it...
Paimon:
Was that you, Arlecchino? Did you save us?
Paimon:
Wait, your hands! They're...
The Knave:
Oh, this? Don't worry... It's a small price to pay.
The Knave:
The Abyss wanted to trap you inside, and I defied its will by bringing you out. No wonder it's a little angry.
The Knave:
No — I have paid the price, albeit a small one, and it cannot be undone. My hands have already fused with the Abyss. Purification would simply destroy whatever's left of them.
Paimon:
B—But surely...
Paimon:
*sigh* We're so sorry, Arlecchino. Paimon can't believe you'd make a sacrifice like this for us...
The Knave:
As much as I'd like to call it a favor, the truth is, I was simply holding up my end of the deal. Well, Columbina?
The Damselette:
Yes, you did your part. And as promised, I will leave the Iridescent Moon's marrow in your care. From this day forth, may the Two Worlds' Flames burn ever more brightly.
The Knave:
I'll take that as a blessing. Now, Columbina, give me your hand. Accept this moonlight I offer in return.
The Damselette:
Ah...
The Knave:
Feeling stronger?
The Damselette:
Uhh... Argh!
Paimon:
Hey, Columbina! Are you okay?
The Damselette:
I'm fine.... Our powers are... a little at odds, that's all.
The Knave:
By the Frost Moon's authority alone, wielding the power of the other moons was always going to be a stretch. Still, I think it's fair to say that your strength has returned... at least to the level it was at as third harbinger.
The Damselette:
It's still not enough. There's no way I can hope to challenge Rerir like this.
The Damselette:
Just... one more ray of moonlight, if you would.
The Damselette:
It's okay... I can take it.
At Columbina's insistence, Arlecchino shares more of the Iridescent Moon's power. Her strength surges, then levels out once again.
The Damselette:
Whew...
The Knave:
How about now? Fighting fit?
The Damselette:
At the very least, I won't have to stay hidden like before.
The Damselette:
I want to see him gone from Nod-Krai. The Rächer of Solnari and his Wild Hunt must be sent back where they belong.
The Knave:
Hmph, well, it's good to have something to aim for. You certainly seem more alive now than you did earlier.
The Knave:
When I first met you, you didn't strike me as a ray of moonlight — more like a wisp of fog drifting in from who knows where, ready to scatter at the first sign of a breeze.
The Knave:
But now, you're full of vitality — just like the Frost Moon, once the brightest of them all... May you keep shining, Columbina. This is who you are.
The Damselette:
Thank you...
The Damselette:
Look after yourself too, Arlecchino. I know you have plans of your own, and that's why you're always seeking to grow stronger.
The Damselette:
But whatever you're after, don't let the Abyss take a hold of you. I do not wish to see you go down the same path as Rerir...
The Knave:
I appreciate the concern, Columbina... Heh, although perhaps it's time you took a new name.
Paimon:
A new name...?
The Knave:
Kuutar, the Moon Maiden, Columbina... they're nothing more than codenames. They describe who she is and the roles she's played, but they're not her real name.
The Knave:
We often use codenames in the House of the Hearth too, but it's knowing your real name that keeps you grounded. Up till now you've been living a wandering life, so you've probably never really cared.
The Knave:
All I'll say is this — once you've defeated Rerir, give it some thought.
The Knave:
Alright, that's it from me. I'll get you back safely first, then go meet up with Sandrone.
Paimon:
Hehe, you're the best!
The Knave:
I appreciate the gesture, it speaks to your good character. Anyway... Let's get going. There are more urgent things to do right now than trade compliments.