Part 8: Dreams of a Snowbound Land

Update 7: Dreams of a Snowbound Land


Soul Searching




Err, uh. Sophie …




Um … Hello.


Yes, um … Hello. … Why are we acting like two people who’ve never met before?

Um, I don’t think of you as a stranger …

No … Well, we’re not strangers, after all …



Um … Maybe we should, uh …

Yeah, um … See you …



( … She definitely isn’t over the shock of learning that she has a granddaughter. Not that I’m having the easiest time coming to grips with her being my grandma either … )


Yeah, let’s go soul searching! Anything to get their minds off that bombshell.




How is it, Sophie? Can you hear Plachta’s voice?

No, not a word … And her voice was so clear last time …

Elvira said the Dream Core draws souls in, right? Maybe we gotta get a little closer.



… It seems the dragon truly has been pacified.

Looks that way … Hey, Sophie, you can come out now.

Got it!



… Plachta? Can you hear me? If you can, say something!





Come on, Plachta … Please …

… No response, I take it.

I don’t get it. Elvira said she should be here …

Perhaps she is not as close to the Dream Core as we thought, but rather somewhere else within the ruins?

Then we’ll just have to walk around calling her name!

Alette … I’m afraid it wouldn’t be that easy. These ruins are extensive.

Oh. I guess I hadn’t thought of that …

Hey, Ramizel. Are there other Dream Cores?



Oh! Of course! That’s it! I’m not sure exactly how many, but I do know there are more in other places.

Then maybe that’s where Plachta’s soul has gone!

Yeah … Let’s head back to Ellie and ask her where the nearest one is!

Right!

That was an extraordinary insight, Olias. Consider me impressed.

Hah! … Now we just gotta hope it gets us somewhere …




Hmm … I think you might be right. Every Dream Core is vital to Erde Wiege, but they’re all made from different kinds of dreams. So there’s definitely a chance that Plachta was drawn to the one that she finds the most comfortable.

You were right, Olias!

Don’t go gettin’ all excited. That still means we don’t know where she’s at …

So where is the closest Dream Core?

It’s deep in a cave.

Could you explain in a little more detail?

Erm, umm … A cave south of Roytale, I think? Through the swamp past the western forest?

Right … I know the place, but are you sure there’s a Dream Core there?

Well, deep inside the cave is the entrance to the other dimension where the Dream Core actually is.

A cave on the other side of the swamp. Got it. Let’s get going as soon as we–



Um … Good question. I certainly have it, but …

Ramizel … You haven’t replenished its power, have you?

Ahaha … ha … Well, I haven’t really needed to go there recently … And besides, it’s kind of a pain to do …

Then how about you ask Sophie to do it?

Me?!

Good idea. I bet Sophie will be able to do a better job than I ever could. Oh, and you’ll need the recipe too.

Good grief, Ramizel …

Oh, I’d say it’s only natural to leave things to an expert!



(I know she’s not quite the same woman I knew, but it’s still nice … ) Hehe … All right. Just leave it to me!

I’m sure you’ll do wonderfully. Right, let’s return to the atelier!


No need to bask in the sun or get splashed by a waterfall for inspiration this time. We can just recharge the Glacial Larimar! And I’m well-covered for the ice and light components needed.



Alright, this should do it.

You seriously are incredible, Sophie. Far better than me.

You really think so?

Of course I do! Did you learn all this by yourself?



That is to say, someday I will be Sophie’s mentor. I admit, it is still a little hard to believe …

Ahahah. I know how you feel. I’m still trying to get my head around her being my– Um.



*Sigh* … I just wish Ellie had found a more tactful way to tell us …

Hey, what was a painfully awkward moment for Sophie and Ramizel was comedy gold for us! And only Elvira could have pulled it off

As do I. Believe me, it was no less awkward for me than it was for you.

We can talk this over properly once we’ve dealt with the matter at hand. Right now, we have a soul to find.

Nothing matters more than a life, right?

Exactly.



Great! I’ve just finished!

Huh? What have you two been up to? You look a little ragged.

We just got done with a job. Seriously though, what was with those things?

What happened?

Some particularly vicious monsters were reported, so we went to take care of them …


Well it sure doesn’t sound like it’ll be happily ever after after we rescue Plachta, huh?

Never been put through my paces like that before. Some kinda new species, I reckon.

That’s worrying … We certainly need to make sure the town is safe from them. … But, that can wait until we’ve rescued Plachta’s soul. Do you two need a breather?



Indeed … Nothing matters more than a life.



Hm? Did I say something strange?

Nope … Right, let’s get going!




I don’t HAVE to freeze the swamp over to proceed, but doing so lets me gather materials I couldn’t find my first time here.


Demolition

Ah … It seems our path is blocked.

The cave is on the other side. Ramizel, is there another way around?

This road is the only one I know. I swear this boulder wasn’t here last time …

But we could push this thing all day and it wouldn’t budge an inch. What’s the plan now?

… I may have an idea.

Oh, really?

I happen to know a bomb recipe for just this situation. Perhaps that will take care of it.

Well then, let’s go back to the atelier. We can come back once we’ve synthesized it.



I once used a blasting charge to divert a river in order to save my hometown from drought. That is the bomb I wish to try using now.

Wow! That sounds like just what we need!

So I hope. Now all we have to do is synthesize it.


Plachta’s got the right idea! And this will be convenient for recycling my outdated bombs. All that matters is that we CAN make this one. (and this is the first I’ve heard of using explosives to save her hometown from drought; she and her friend first made fertilizer to try and solve it.)



It looks like you’ve finished.

Yep! And it’s all thanks to you.

W-where did that come from? I do not believe I did anything particularly special …



Ahem! Anyway, now we can do something about that boulder. We ought to hurry back there and test this bomb.








Phew … Thank goodness it worked.

Yeah … I bet the town engineers would pay a fortune for those! If only some generous alchemist could make me some …

Hey, no business schemes while we’re on the job.

Good grief. You two really never change …

Heehee! I’ll think about it once we get back. For now, we’d better keep going.


Music: Rime Flower


Gotta slide on in to actually arrive. Somewhere here is the alternate dimension.


I’ve been slow to show off the game’s photo mode, but hey, this is a good place to do so!



Looks like it’s the end of the road.

Indeed … But we have brought the means to pass.



Try making it snow, Sophie. That should open the way.

Sure! I’ll give it a shot!


Freezing the lagoon also brought in all these bats!




I suck at getting what I want with Major Gathering, but this is a good haul for Saphir Gemstone. Now, then!


Frozen World

Here it is! We found it!

It looks just like the one we found in Near-Forest. I wonder where this one leads?

I can’t say for sure, but there’s a Dream Core there, so it can’t be that bad.

I’d certainly like to think so …

Right. Nothin’ for it but to jump on in!



A frozen fortress! If you listen to the music, it’s the same track that played back when Sophie and Plachta chanced upon the Dream Tree in the real world.




Yeah. We stick around here too long, even our souls are gonna catch a chill …



Whoops … Sorry. I didn’t mean it like that.

idgi

No … It’s okay. It really is too cold. We shouldn’t stay here too long.

I agree. Let’s find that Dream Core as quickly as we can.



Huh? Somethin’ up, Diebold?

Not as such, but … I have a bad feeling.

What kind of bad feeling?

It is as though I sense a monster close by … and a ferocious one at that.

C’mon, don’t joke around! You’re making me scared …

Diebold isn’t joking. If his instincts say we should watch out, then we should listen.

Yeah. This guy’s “bad feelings” are usually right on the money.

How very … reassuring …

… Got it. Keep your eyes peeled for monsters, everyone.


Olias and Ramizel are onto something here:





Opening the floodgates and freezing the water that comes is how we progress through the Snowy Corridor. And while it’s snowing, the faucets are frozen and can’t be turned; I have to make it sunny to do so.


Puni Statue



What’s it doin’ in the middle of the path?

Perhaps it has something to do with the dream visions that formed this place?

Who’d dream about a ginormous puni statue? That sounds more like a nightmare to me …

You think so? I think it’s adorable!

Really …? It gives me the creeps …

So, what’re we gonna do about it? It looks way too big to push outta the way.

I expect we would not have much luck climbing it either. We must find another way to–






None here. I think that’s our only option.

Breakin’ out one of those bombs, eh? Then we’ll leave it to you.

That means making another Demolition Bomb! Back to town…




Ah …


Um, Ramizel …? I, uh …


Hmmm …



Sophie, don’t you think this is a little absurd?

Wh-what is?!

This … awkwardness! We act perfectly normal when we’re with everyone else, but freeze up when it’s just the two of us. I’m not usually like this … Neither of us are. We … we can’t enjoy our time together, and I hate that! It’s such a waste!

I-I feel the same way, but …

I … don’t think what we are in our own worlds should matter here. And seeing me as my young and vivacious self must make it feel all the more unreal, right?

Young and vivacious …? Um, I guess …



You and me? Friends …?

Yes. Don't you think we’re better off like that right now? It’ll be a lot more fun, at least. So, what do you say …? Why don’t we start over as friends?

Hehe … Alright! I think I’d be a lot happier with that, too.

Phew, thank goodness … I was so afraid you’d say no. Then, let’s try this again … Hi, I’m Ramizel. Nice to meet you!

I’m Sophie. Nice to meet you too!




Now, let’s try and make BETTER bombs. Critical+ and Critical++ merged into Half Critical on the Pure Water that went into this Red Neutralizer.



Critical and Critical+ combined for Critical Finish, which merged with Half Critical to become Certain Critical on this Flame Emperor Dust–a necessary ingredient for…



…this Draco Bomb! Having this has the added bonus of freeing up another regular Bomb to stick in a Demolition Bomb. (And note that only our alchemists and Alette can use it, hence why Olias and Diebold are greyed out.) Now let’s go duplicate it…


Bombs

What’s the matter, Pirka?

Let’s just say I can no longer ignore the clutter problem in my warehouse … I’ve gotta clean the palace out, but I have so many mystery items that I don’t know how!

Mystery items …? But why did you gather so many things you don’t understand?

Psh. Because mysterious items have mysterious values, of course! Think about it! It might just be junk … but it COULD be insanely valuable! Business is all about testing your luck, including on items full of secrets! If you can’t be lucky, you’ll never make it in the cutthroat world of economics!

I guess you’re right … Bad luck can spell doom for anyone, no matter how great they are.

Exactly! You need both skill and luck!

But didn’t you say that your warehouse is bursting at the seams with all these mystery gambles? How can you test your luck with them if you’re just hoarding them?

Ahaha, now that’s a good question! Guess they’re not doing me much good locked away in there … Oh, but maybe if I leave them be, things’ll eventually get all over the place and naturally attract customers.

At that point, I think we’ll have bigger problems to worry about …


Well, let’s duplicate that Draco Bomb! One each for Plachta and Alette; at this point, I figured that Ramizel's Burning Rod covered her bases more than adequately for fire damage.





Eek! The plinth got blown to bits …

THAT’S what you’re worried about? I wanna know where the Puni went!

It went blasting off like Team Rocket, it can’t show up again soon, right?

Hmph … I can only hope we don’t encounter it blocking our path again somewhere else …

If we do, we can always use another bomb. We ought to press forward.



Plachta: … …
Everyone else:





Usual drill: open floodgates and freeze the water, thaw to uncover a path blocked off by ice, then freeze again to advance on the frozen water. At the end of the zone…


Crystal Puni

What’s wrong, Alette?

Ahhhh!! Look ooooooout!



That thing’s alive?! I thought it was a statue!



Perhaps you’ve earned its ire. You DID just blow it up …

Well, I guess no one would enjoy being blown up while they’re just minding their own business …

It was blocking our way! You can hardly call that “minding their own business”!

… Anyway, it doesn’t look like we’re getting past unless we persuade it to move somehow.

Everything turned out just like Diebold said …

My apologies … I never intended for that to be a prediction.

Whatever the case, if it is standing in our way, it is certainly not our friend. Let us show it the error of its ways.

You know, I think we’re… kind of in the wrong here? Still, this thing won’t move unless we make it, so. Miniboss time!


It has an Ice Aura AND it’s weak to fire? Aren’t we glad we made that Draco Bomb!


Even Olias and Diebold have Bombs with these great damage/critical traits to lay on the hurt. Diebold especially appreciates this since he’s otherwise locked to physical damage, which the Crystal Puni resists. Unfortunately, that physical resistance means Ramizel’s Burning Rod doesn’t hit as hard as I’d like.



Imagine a Draco Bomb crashing into this mini-boss until it’s finally nuked from orbit; fitting way to end this fight.

…yeah, maybe I should have made it sunny to remove its defense buff.




Upon entering the next zone, a loud oink roars through the corridor…



D-did you hear that?

Do not let it concern you, Alette. Whatever that was, it is a long way from us.

R-really? Phew …

Well, maybe you should be a little worried. After all, it came from much deeper in the cave.

We are likely to stumble across whatever it is sooner or later …

Huh? So I SHOULD be scared!






Fear not. I will see us all safe and sound.

I’m talkin’ about me, not him! Tch …

Hehe … Well, I’ll be counting on you, Olias.

Heh! At least you know what you’re talkin’ about, Sophie. Don’t you worry. Whatever shows up, I’ve got your back!

Good grief. They are all taking this far too lightly …

They’re our friends. We know they’ll come through in a pinch.

You are right, of course … I shall be counting on them, too.



By making it sunny or rainy, the enemies I need to fight for Olias and Alette’s weapons spawn. Speaking of, let’s go back and-


owwwwwwww. Using those Draco Bombs with all those good traits attached cost me 2/3 of my Cole!


We don’t need to make the bigger, better ice bomb for the ice dungeon, but rather…




Making it twice AND making a Gold Eisen–one with the Trusty Leader!Polish–unlocks Ramizel’s next rod.


Anyway, the greenhouse–I only have Plant Seeds available, and they’re a pretty poor vector to show off greenhouse abuse because their ingredients are all primary. No neutralizers or anything else I can attach a 5* trait to can go in them.



It’s all I can do to max out yellow on this one and attach a singular 3* trait–and only the singular trait, as weird shit happens if you attach multiple traits of varying grades to a seed. After five days, it’ll be ready to harvest…



And here’s the yield! Develop the Body is something I’d want on my endgame armors. Dragonscale Protection and ATK-SPD Supercharge are also great, but not top-end, traits. The former can go on armor and the latter on accessories for now.







These traits (plus Trusty Leader) yield massive stat boosts across the board, but for Enhance the Body and Develop the Body, which scale off a party member’s base stats, they really show their worth when actually equipped. Anyway, I need cash like, right now.


Respite

The era that you’re from … What’s it like?

Huh? In what way?

What kind of country you lived in, what kinds of problems it had, all the latest trends … Tell me whatever you can! Well, if you’ve got time to spare.




I really appreciate you answering all my questions. Sorry to keep you so long, though.

Ahaha … I didn’t think you’d have so much to ask.

Heh heh heh. Now I can fill in three different gaps I had in my history!

Wait, is that why you kept grilling me? And what do you mean by “gaps”?

I’ve been compiling a written history filled with stories from people from all different ages.

You have? But why?

I love compiling all sorts of historical knowledge. It’s a hobby of mine.

So that’s why … I thought you seemed strangely enthusiastic.

Aw, c’mon. You didn’t think I spent ALL my time lazing around, did you?



You didn’t have to answer that one! Oh, whatever. I can’t wait to sit down and record all this after I close up! This is going to be great!


Lucky for me, just actively gathering means I can get plenty of free money from Kati.



Wh-what’s all this about?!

You’ve bought a ton of stuff from my store, so I’ve got a present for you!

Whoa! You mean it?

Course I do! You guys are my best, most favorite customers, after all!

Thanks, Pirka! I’ll be buying even more from you now!


this is very much appreciated after that earlier tab!




Such is the power of the weather tools that they can freeze a mill in its place and free it up to move again. Anyway, for once you want the water off when progressing to…


Soul Searching 2

C-could it be the same monster as before?!

I believe so. Whatever it is, it must be nearby.

… I can’t hear it anymore. I wonder what it was?

A warning to keep our distance, perhaps? But then, surely it would have continued …




So I assume. This must be the source of the roars we heard.

And I was so scared, too! I guess it was just fighting with the local monsters?

Thank goodness. That means we can search for Plachta in peace.




Eh?



Whoa! It’s got that aura thing!

Olias!



Oi, Ramizel, what gives? I thought this thing was supposed to be friendly!

Don’t ask me! Ellie said she’d told it not to attack us!

It didn’t seem to mind us when we first came in. Why would it suddenly just …?

We can speculate later! Ready yourself!


Fuck that noise! First things first, let’s make it sunny to remove its buffs.


It’s got a sturdier aura than even its mistress, so that’ll mean more (Draco) Bomb uses are needed to chew through it.


Like Elvira, it can summon scrubs that will take the hit for it. This time, I don’t have to worry about a reaction skill if I use my fire bombs, although the Apostle is immune to magic damage. And once it’s stunned…


Ramizel’s Burning Rod can do a whopping 2000 damage when it’s stunned, but OOPS I forgot that her Avalanche Naginata also does, well, ice damage, to which this boss is immune.


Also really appreciating the armor I forged for Diebold; he already has the highest defense on the team, but now this boss is just tickling him.


And this is how it all ends: the Wild Hail being at low enough HP that a Draco Bomb crashes through its aura and puts it down for the count.

… It appears we have defeated the beast.

Yeah … Tch. The hell was that all about?




Olias, wait!


Dunno, you see the way it breathed that smoke? it seemed like it had been exorcised of something really nasty?

I don’t know … Perhaps Elvira’s command failed to transmit properly.

I don’t think she'd make that kind of mistake … Well, I HOPE not … But who knows?

Its black aura seemed unpleasantly familiar …

… You mean the monsters we fought before … right?

… I cannot say for certain. As of yet, we simply do not have enough information. In any case, Sophie, now is the time. Call out to Plachta’s soul.

Right! Got it!



Plachta … …



Sophie … Where are you…?

… I can hear her.

She’s really here?!

Yep! I’d recognize her voice anywhere!









… It seems you’ve done it, Sophie.

All you had to go on was her voice, and you still found her … You’re really something else!

You can say that again. This girl’s one of a kind.

… It’s miraculous.

… I couldn’t have done it alone. Without all your help, I would have been totally lost …

Remember, everyone, we aren’t out of the woods yet. If we can’t get Plachta’s soul back to her body, all this will have been for nothing.

Hehehe … You’re right. Hold on just a little longer, Plachta. We’ll get you back to normal in no time …




… Sorry we took so long, Plachta. You must have missed this body.



Please, come back to me!





… Sophie? How is she?

…

… Nngh …



… Plachta …

Sophie … What happened …?



Awwwww.

Plachta! Oh, thank goodness … Are you okay? How do you feel?

I feel … a little numb, all over …

Erm … Her soul might not have reattached completely yet … B-but it’s just a matter of time! She’ll be fine after a good night’s sleep … I think.

… That’s a relief. Thanks for being honest with me, Elvira.

Ah …!



… I’m still a little unsure of the details, but my body appears to have malfunctioned.

You can say that again! You had us all really worried.



Heh! Count yourself lucky the world’s greatest super bodyguard was there to lend a hand!

I’m just so glad! It’s so nice to see you two reunite!

None of us worked half as tirelessly as Sophie. We merely helped her on her way.

Quite. She hardly knew anything about this world at first, but that never stopped her.




… It appears that there are many questions that must be asked.

Say what you want about isekai, this one is providing opportunities for all sorts of otherwise impossible interactions. Sophie and her grandmother as a young woman, Sophie and her mentor as a teenager, having two Plachtas in the house…



Heheh. And on that note … Sophie … Thank you. I must have caused you a lot of trouble.

It was nothing … Welcome back, Plachta.

It’s good to be back, Sophie.




… The sun has already risen … How is she still sleeping … Sophie, it is morning. Time to wake up.

Hngh … Gnnngh …

What is wrong, Sophie? Hurry and get up.

But I’m still so sleepy … Just gimme one more hour …

One hour? … Ridiculous. Get up this instant!

Urgh … But I’m still tired …!



(Although, it is probably just the relief from saving my future self catching up with her … Once all the built-up tension was released, she reverted to … this state. No, that cannot be. I refuse to believe this is her true form. The other me would never have allowed it … *Sigh* … I may need to have a word with my future self. I fear what may become of Sophie if she continues to be so lazy … Ugh, my head hurts … )



You are finally awake, I see … Goodness, and on such an important day …

An important day? What’s happening?

You forgot?! Gosh, whatever am I going to do with you … Today is a very important day for my future self and Elvira. Do you remember now?



… Oh, right!

You actually did forget, didn’t you? You are unbelievable …

Plachta’s gonna get mad if we don’t hurry! C’mon, Plachta!

How confusing … Having two of me is quite inconvenient, but … also a good learning experience.

Next time, on-


…ouch. Next time, we’ll see why it’s such a big day for Elvira and the other Plachta!