Part 16: Dreams in Crisis
Update 14: Dreams in Crisis
Aftermath
Huh …? Is it just me, or does something seem off?
Wait here.
… Oi, what’s up …? Can ya hear me? *Sigh* … Why did I ever have that dream …? So tired … I don’t care anymore … about anything …
Th-the heck was that …? What was with that guy?
Sophie, we must visit the mayor posthaste. We must ascertain what has happened here.
Good idea. I just hope we can find her at Kati’s …
Plachta, what happened?!
Sophie! Oh, thank goodness. I have been waiting for you.
There’s something not right with the town. What happened while we were gone? The Groll … attacked the town in droves.
What! Were any of the townsfolk harmed? Gnome … Could you please relay the specifics?
Of course. Fortunately, it can be said that there was almost no damage done to the town itself. That is thanks to the mayor and the guards, who fought on the frontline against the Groll. What?! You fought out there?! Of course. It is the natural role of a leader to take command in emergency situations like these.Doll Plachta is, after all, a party member in Sophie 1 and Firis!
As a result, we successfully kept the Groll horde at bay near the town entrance. However … a few stray Groll were able to enter the town. We have received reports of a number of Groll attacks. Is everyone okay? Perhaps the victims are still in a state of shock from the attacks, but …
Ah, we saw a guy like that just now. Right … So that’s what that was …
Thankfully, only a handful of townspeople are suffering from those symptoms. The problem is, we don’t know how to heal anyone. I don’t think it’s something that can be fixed with medicine … Confound it all. To think this happened in our absence … That concludes our report. Sophie, how is the Dream Core? … The Dream Core is cracked. It was attacked by the Zmei. Truly?! That is awful news …
The surrounding land will disappear if we don’t do something about it. Oh no … That would be terrible …
We can’t give up! Nothing is set in stone yet. Indeed … We still have hope. We actually managed to capture one of the Groll that attacked the town. Y-you caught a Groll?! Of course. The Groll are a complete mystery to us. We have to learn more about them if we’re to defeat them, right? It is as Kati says. At present, gathering information on the Groll, however meager, is vital.
I see … Well, Sophie has said that she will fix the Dream Core. You did?! Yeah … The Dream Core fragments spoke to me. They said they want to become whole again. The Dream Core Fragments? They spoke …?
Huh? You know about that, Plachta? No … I am not sure why I just said that … Point is, while we’re neck-deep in trouble, we’ve still got our heads above it. Our hope is our best weapon! Let’s give this all we’ve got! Indeed. Leave the research on the Groll to us. I trust you will take care of the Dream Core, Sophie? Of course. I promise I’ll put it back the way it was. … I believe in you, Sophie. Alright. Now that we all know what we’re doing, let’s get to it. Yeah. We have to protect Erde Wiege and the people of Roytale …!
You could tell from the vibe, but day-to-day life in Roytale has come to a standstill. All character subplots are on hold in the aftermath of the Groll attack.
Kati won’t be issuing any quests, Gnome won’t have any rare materials for sale, and Alette and the other merchants in the Commercial District have halted operations.
Safety
Whoa, calm down, Alette! I’m just fine, as you can see. Oh, thank goodness … I was so worried about you … You’ve always been a worrywart. You oughta relax a little. You’re sure you’re fine, though? I heard you got rushed by a Groll. Sure, but we’ve got a buncha tough bodyguards around here. The mayor’s plenty fierce, too. Hm, if you say so … I’m just glad you’re all right. Nothing to worry about here! But you already knew that, right? I did, but … Well, I can’t help it.
… You really are thoughtful, Alette. Me? Not at all, I’m perfectly normal. Haha! Maybe so, but you feel pretty special to me.
That’s no problem. Don’t you go forgetting that we’re pretty strong! Haha. That’s more like it! So don’t get yourself all worked up about us Roytale folk. Just take care of the Dream Core problem!At least Pirka’s safe and still doing business
Anyway, let’s do what we can for now: figure out how to fix the Dream Core.
Please, speak to me … Let your voices be heard … If you do, I can help. Please tell me what you'd like to become …
Thank you … Thank you for answering me. Sophie, was that … Yeah. The voices of the Dream Core fragments. I wanted to make sure that they still wanted to go back to how they were. Since this is something they wish for themselves, I’m sure it will work out! Indeed … But the thing is, I don’t even know what kind of things I will need for this… I’ve got to seriously think this through. Hmm … When it comes to fixing things with a bunch of cracks …
What a fascinating person …
Sophie is above Alchemy level 80 at this point, let alone 70. As for the Alchemic Clay req, Synth Quantity +4 has a threshold of 22 Fire.
Since hitting that threshold and unlocking the Reverie Powder is all I have to care about for this synthesis, I just have to monomaniacally focus on maxing out Fire. With the materials available to me at this stage of the game, it’s a piece of cake to get enough links and hit enough Fire panels to do so.
Repairs
Yeah, but … I’m only going to get one shot at this … It is going to be just fine. I have nothing but faith in you. Plachta … Yeah! I can do this, I’m sure of it!
Well yeah, this synthesis literally can’t be failed.
I did it, Plachta! This should be all we need to fix the Dream Core! Incredible … Really … I thought I was catching up, but it seems the gap between our skills has widened once more … Oh … Um … Heheh … Now, there is not a moment to lose. We must restore the Dream Core! Hey! Plachta, wait for me!
That light, it’s … That’s the Reverie Powder reacting to the damaged portions. Please work!
… My word! The cracks in the Dream Core, they’re … They’re disappearing … Yeeeah! Sophie, you nailed it!
Oi, oi! You okay? Oh … This is great … It did exactly what it was supposed to do … Haha! It looks like all those pent-up nerves have finally been released.
Hehehe … Well, with this, the matter of the Dream Core is now resolved. All that is left is the issue with the Groll. O-oh, right. We should go see if Plachta’s found out anything about that.
Groll Biology
Yep. It’s back to its original, flawless form. We looked it over, and there were no apparent issues. I see … All of you, please accept my gratitude for your hard work. We cannot … We were but mere footnotes in this particular venture. Yeah. Sophie’s the one who did all the real work! B-but … I wouldn’t have even made it if it hadn’t been for everyone’s help …
I would not be so smug, if I were you. There is still much you have left to learn. Eeeeeeeh?! Haha! That’s one strict mentor you’ve got, Sophie. On that note, how about you, strict mentor? Did you discover anything regarding the Groll? I did. While I was examining the captured creature, I discovered a disturbing biological aspect. Disturbing … biological aspect? You said that you saw Groll emerge from the Zmei’s body, correct? Well, I found that the Groll have an ability to possess monsters and make them go berserk. That means the Zmei had also … Been possessed, yes. That is the reason it attacked the Dream Core. But what connection is there between being possessed by Groll and attacking the Dream Core? Well … We have learned that the Groll are in fact naturally drawn to dreams. Drawn to dreams … Isn’t that a huge problem? People come here to live out their dreams …
Precisely … It is not simply the shock of being attacked by the Groll. They are possessed.
To the Groll, dreams are a source of sustenance. They wish to shatter the Dream Cores in order to feast on the dreams stored within them. However, the Dream Cores are not easily broken, making them difficult to prey on. By comparison, the unprotected dreams of humans are perfectly obtainable treats. That’s … awful. Our dreams are just snacks to them … …
Hey, Miss Mayor …? What’s gonna happen with the folks who’ve been possessed? I do not know … Unlike monsters, humans produce dreams, so there is no need to attack the dreamers themselves … … But while they are not being taken over and turned mad, their dreams are slowly eaten away. What’d happen if, say … some poor sap had all their dreams gobbled up? Plants that lose their roots can no longer grow … I presume such dreams would be forever lost.
Olias? I ain’t even got any dreams, but I still ended up in this world for some reason. And even a guy like me knows how important dreams are. Ya can’t ever let go of your dreams. But those things are chowin’ them down like it’s a buffet …
Olias, it’s gonna be okay … Everyone in Roytale came here to work their butts off and make their dreams come true, right? They won’t lose sight of their goals that easily. The Groll can’t swallow up all their dreams! … You’re right … Thanks, Alette. Hehe … So, what can we do to help? Until we understand how to best deal with the Groll, the most we can do is prevent them from entering the town. …
Ramizel, could you come with me to see Elvira? I bet she’s feeling really down right now … Yeah … Sure, I’ll join you. What about you, Plachta? I shall stay behind. There is something I would like to discuss with my future self. Alright, I’ll see you back at the atelier. Yes. I do hope all is well with Elvira.
I checked the Dream Core and it’s back to normal. Thank you all so much. Especially since I … should’ve been the one to fix it … Elvira … I’m so sorry … I made this world, but I couldn’t stop those awful things from happening … Come now, you don’t have to keep beating yourself up about it.
Ellie?! Wh-why would you say that?! I’ve been thinking about it … Not just you two … Everyone in Roytale should go back. If anything else happens here … And this world … it’s … We won’t leave. Huh? Yeah, that’s right. We’re not going home. Why not? At this rate, everyone’s dreams are going to … That’s exactly why. There’s a chance everyone’s dreams, including yours, will disappear. Knowing that, how could we possibly just up and leave? I was a little shocked at first, but the longer I stay here, the more I understand just how wonderful this world is. I met Ramizel, Plachta, Alette and others … and I fell in love with this world … There’s no way I could go home and just forget about this place. I know things might be tough right now, but … Erde Wiege is an incredible place.
Everyone here adores what you’ve created, Ellie. That’s why we won’t budge. No matter what. Sophie … Rami … I’ll do whatever it takes to bring back everyone’s smiles. That’s a promise. Yeah … Me too. If there’s anything I can do to help, just tell me. I mean it. If it will help everyone, there is nothing I won’t do. Thanks, Elvira.
I wonder if Elvira is really alright … I’m sure she is … See, take a look at that.
Mhm … We talked about this last time, remember? It’s connected to Ellie’s heart. For so long, it was all shriveled up … And now it’s looking better than ever. So I’m sure she’s fine. She might be feeling a little gloomy, but it’ll pass in time. Yeah … You’re right. She’ll bounce back for sure.
Ah! Something wrong?
It is?! Then, when the Groll came and attacked Roytale … Exactly … I suspect they were after the Dream Core … Ramizel, I’m going to head back to the atelier. I’ve got to think of some way to keep everyone and the Dream Cores safe. Thank you, Sophie. If there’s anything I can do to lend a hand, just say the word.
Oh, Plachta! I didn’t think you’d be back already. How is Elvira? She’s definitely taking this hard … But it’s okay. Ramizel says she’ll be back to her usual self in no time. That is a relief … So, what about the meeting of the Plachtas? Well … we spoke about the Groll’s inherent attraction to dreams. If that is the reason why the Groll possessed the Zmei and attacked the Dream Core …
I agree … That’s actually why I hurried back here to try and come up with a solution … Do not worry. We were able to come up with an idea. Really?! My future self has provided me with excellent counsel. I am certain I can make something that will solve this problem. Okay … I’m counting on you, Plachta.
The Rustproof Heart can be found at Mt. Surva, as can Large Groll. So it’s time for some hardcore ANTI-GROLL AKTION.
Music: Ride on Moonlight
I didn’t get to show off this Dual Trigger with Zmei, so now’s a good time!
He has no idea what’s about to hit him: a giant barrel crashing on his head like a grand piano.
Now to cut the
And that’s a wrap.
That was a flashy way to finish off these two Large Groll, but ANTI-GROLL AKTION means ANTI-GROLL AKTION! That means we’ve got 8 more to go!
And while I'm at it, I finally have enough AP to unlock this: a fifth item slot for Sophie. Needless to say, being able to have five items in battle represents utility I can't quite put in words.
A Rank 3 Pickaxe lets me get a Rustproof Heart. After getting this and beating up 8 more Large Groll, let’s do the actual synthesis!
Warding
This recipe … It’s a tool for repelling Groll? Yes. Reasoning from the Groll’s attraction to dreams, it can be inferred that they have some way of sensing them. Therefore, creating a magic stone that blocks all signs of a dream’s presence should serve to repel the Groll. Th-that’s amazing, Plachta! You can do that?! It was nothing, really … I was only able to come up with it because of the Reverie Powder you made, Sophie … As well as the research that my future self gathered on the Groll’s biology. But it was you who took those things and turned them into a recipe.
Well … I don’t know … But … it does feel different from before … As though something new has begun to sprout within me. If this really is my own power, then maybe I’m getting close to grasping something … Something I’m not yet aware of …
The Groll-warding Stone CAN be used as an ingredient for something else, but for now, we just want to make one. And to duplicate it since there are four known Dream Cores. To this end, the particulars of the synthesis don’t matter, though traits that reduce value would make it cheaper to duplicate.
That’s amazing, Plachta! Now the Groll won’t be able to cause any more damage! I cannot say for certain that it will remove the threat entirely, but we can expect a sizable reduction. Ramizel, please tell me, where do you consider would be the best place to put this to use? Well, the Dream Tree, I should think. Oh, yeah, since the Dream Tree’s crystal is also a Dream Core. Th-that ginormous crystal is a Dream Core?! In that case, it would be the most sensible place to start. Let us head over to the Dream Tree.
Well, time to put this to the test …!
Thank goodness … It seems to have worked.
… Indeed! Next, we just need to mass produce these stones. Er … “mass”? One isn’t enough? Not in the least. With that single stone, we have only managed to cover Roytale and the Dream Tree. We must protect the other Dream Cores, too. And that will require making a warding stone for each of them.
This is why you’d duplicate it if you’re smart!
Ah, well … Nothing to do but get the job done. Yep … We’ve got to get to the other Dream Cores before the Groll attack them.
Aside from the Thunderbolt Palace, the other two isekais-within-this-isekai have the other Dream Cores. Let’s start with the first.
Our work is finished … Now this Dream Core is safe. Huh … Turns out alchemists do a heck of a lot more than I woulda ever thought. You fixed the Dream Core that Elvira made, and came up with a way to protect them … That basically means alchemists are on the same level as a goddess, right? Alette, it doesn’t work like that. While the possibilities within alchemy are of course endless … There aren’t many alchemists like Sophie or Plachta. With practice, I might be able to accomplish similar things someday, but …
So, Sophie and Plachta indeed possess a rare talent. G-geez, all this praise is making me blush … I-I simply did what I could … Haha … Alright, we don’t have time to hang around and chat. We’ve got other Dream Cores to protect!
Alright! Only one more to go! Indeed … We must make haste to the final core, for we cannot predict the Groll’s next movements. No time for a breather, huh … Guess we just gotta keep goin’.
Ramizel, is something wrong? Ah. No, it’s just … There’s something about the Dream Core that’s bugging me. Do you believe there is a problem?
Either way, I get the feeling I’ve sensed it before, somewhere else. The atmosphere …? … Sorry, never mind … I’m sure it’s nothing. We should get moving.
… I can’t let this go on … I’m the one who made this world. I created Erde Wiege … So, I’ve got to be the one to set things right!
We did it! Now all the Dream Cores should be safe. You say that, but we haven’t actually seen any Groll goin’ after Dream Cores since our fight with the Zmei. Well, that’s probably just because they can’t so much as put a scratch on them without possessing a monster as strong as the Zmei. The guardians were already enough to hold back most monsters, and now the Dream Cores as as safe as they can be.
Zmei … Friends, I must profess my deepest apologies. Diebold, what’s wrong?
I have endangered this entire world, and caused everyone great hardship … Hah! There ain’t nothin’ you coulda done. That’s right! I mean, there’s no way anyone could’ve seen this coming. It’s not like people have control over their dreams. Dreams come to you naturally, made from thoughts about what you’d like to do for yourself, and for others. Even if the Zmei was born from your dream, you realized that it was not in fact your true dream. And then you broke free by your own hand … That is by no means an easy feat.
… I see … Yes. Thank you … I am truly blessed to have such wonderful companions. Hehe … Okay! We’d better go report back to Plachta.
Crisis Averted
Thank you ever so much, Miss Elvira. Because of you, I’ve got my dream back! I’m just glad you’re feeling better!
There simply aren’t enough words to convey my gratitude. Thank you for restoring my dream! Oh, you don’t need to thank me. Just tell me all about your dream later! Ellie … What’s going on?
Ramizel! Miss Elvira has saved all of us! Miss Elvira was able to get rid of those monsters who were possessing us! Whaaat?! Ellie, you could do that?? That’s amazing! Elvira, you’re a miracle worker! Ahaha … I just felt like I should step it up a bit, since I’m a goddess and all. I kept thinking that I had to do something, and then all of a sudden, I could! Wait, is that … really the sort of power that one can just stumble across? O-of course it is … Besides, all that matters is that it worked!
Wow, wow, wow! She really cured everyone! The entire populace has returned to normal … Truly an act befitting a goddess. No … I’m a rotten goddess. There’s so much I can’t do … C’mon, don’t be like that … You’re a damn fine goddess! Ya helped everyone out, which makes ya a star in my book.
… Everyone … Thank you! Thank you so much! I’m going to work even harder from now on! But wow, this is really something … That is how great of a feat she has accomplished. The power of a goddess truly is awe-inspiring. Perhaps her divine powers also grow alongside the Dream Tree? It’s hard to say, but … it can’t be a bad thing, right?
Hm, I see … Then, I am proud of my success. Thank you, future me.
It becomes far easier if you simply think of us as two different people. More importantly, while you have only just returned, I have another request for you. Does it perchance concern the Groll?
I hoped you might go and investigate it for me. There’s a place like that? Elvira informed me that an area she had been working on is now complete, and the path there has been connected up.
Doll Plachta might not be borderline dying of fremdschämen whenever she hears “mightily” anymore, but she still doesn’t like being in earshot of it.
A-as I was saying … I need you to investigate the area and report back to me. Will you do this? Sure! I like exploring places, it’s fun! Sophie, you must bear in mind that this is no frolic. Oh, and I should mention …
Pleasantly surprised …? I wonder what kind of a place did she make … I’m happy so long as it’s not a volcano. Let’s head out as soon as everyone’s ready to go.We’ll see soon enough! And as for how, exactly, Elvira exorcised the Groll from their victims? …Let’s put that question on the burner for now.
It is … And that worries me. What do you mean? Remember that chat we had about Dream Vessels? And how they use a portion of her power? Ellie must be in a weakened state. Think about it. It’s like she’s cut off a part of herself. And yet … she helped the people who’d been possessed by the Groll, didn’t she? Well that’s … because she’s the goddess of dreams, isn’t it? I guess so … But I can’t stop worrying that she’s being reckless again, you know? And yet …
But … if the Dream Tree is okay, that means Elvira’s in good spirits, right? So, I’m sure it’s fine! Hm. Maybe I am overthinking it … Yeah, you’re right. It must be fine.