Part 21: Chapter Twenty-One: You’re Toxic

’re Toxic

Last time Viese learned the Poison Mana Jiptus wanted her to read the nearby lithograph before she’d make a pact. Now we’ll see how Viese accomplished this.



Huh? Didn’t he notice me?
I guess he was lost in his thoughts…

Viese entered Yach’s store and discovered what was bothering him.



Hello.
Oh! Viese, don’t scare me like that!
But, I just entered like any normal customer.
I think you were daydreaming…
Oh, I was thinking about this book…
The Yugen Diary?
This book has been passed down through my family for hundreds of years.
It contains a study of the ancient lithographs.
Really?!
Yes.
But, it’s only the first half.
My father and uncle have been searching for the second volume, but…
I lost them before they found it.
Oh, I’m sorry…
Now, it’s up to me to find it.
Look, it says that volume two is hidden here.

He showed Viese a rather detailed picture.



There? But I’ve never seen a place like that in Eden before.
Neither have I…
That’s why we haven’t been able to find it.

Viese left with a copy of the picture to send to Felt.



Is probably somewhere in Belkhyde…
I’m going to ask Felt to look for that place!
I’ve never seen anything like that place in Eden, so it must be in Belkhyde.
If you have some time, please look for it.



I wanted to make a pact with Jiptus, but she wants me to decipher a stone lithograph. I heard that Yach’s father used to study the lithographs… But he only has half of his father’s notes. I think this picture shows where the other half is hidden.
It must be somewhere in Belkhyde, because I’ve never seen anything like it in Eden. Can you look around for it? Thank you.

Felt had indeed seen that place before.



It was the wetlands known as the Source.



Deep in the cave, behind a cave in, he found the Yugen Diary’s second volume.



The Yugen Diary?
Isn’t this… that book that Viese told me she wanted me to find…?
Let’s take a look at it.
I wonder if Viese will give it back to Yach.

She did indeed do that thing.



Huh? Let me see!
System Message: Handed over [Yugen Diary Vol. 2]!
This is it! There’s no doubt about it!
Viese, you’re amazing! Thank you!
Thank you.
Don’t thank me. Felt’s the one who found it.
Then, thank you Felt, wherever you are!
Thank you.
Hahaha.
Heh.
Here, I want you to have this.
What is it?
This is just something you found, isn’t it?
Well, this is the general store.

But what he handed her was far from just something he found in back.



So, it’ll have more value in the hands of an alchemist.
I’m sure my father and uncle would have wanted it that way.
System Message: Received [Yach’s Notes]!
You now have the recipe for [Rainbow Cloth]!
Thank you.
Huh? Ah…
You’re welcome.
?
The Rainbow Cloth from this recipe will allow you to read the stone lithographs.
It’s pretty easy to Synthesize. I’m sure you can do it.
Great, thanks.
I better go back to my workshop and make it.

Viese hurried back and created the cloth.



It’s so beautiful. It shines just like a rainbow.
I’ll be able to read ancient text with this…
Hey, how are you doing? Hey, isn’t that…?
Yes, it’s Rainbow Cloth.
I thought so. I came to check on how you were coming along with that book.
Well, that’s great because I just made the cloth.
I was about to go down to Aquitto Spring to read the ancient lithograph over there.
Great. Did you know there are lithographs all over Eden?
I remember something about that…
Yeah, there’s one in Marmel Forest and the Scarlet Temple.
I don’t know what they say… I wonder if they were all made by the same guy…
My father believed the lithographs were explaining things about Mana.
“There’s a lithograph for every Mana,” he once said.
And there’s supposed to be a lithograph for the Creation Mana somewhere, guarded by a holy beast.
But, I haven’t seen many lithographs.
Well, I’ll try to read them all.
I’m sure you will. I’m just glad my book finally has some use. Bye.

Viese found the lithograph at the Spring again, and it seemed Yach was right about their contents.

Video- “The Pact of Poison”

Watch the Story Unfold

She then reported back to Jiptus.



I read it, but I don’t understand it…
Let’s see…
Poison. The sweet nectar of eternal rest. The gentle way to confront thine enemy.
That was it, right?
……
Well, that’s it.
Oh, yes, sorry.
I was trying to remember…
…Those words. I really can’t remember any of it.
I’m sorry, I’m sure you really are a gifted alchemist.
So, I suppose making a pact is in order.
Thank you.
Mana, the father of power… the mother of life… The source of all nature…
I, Viese Blanchimont, have pledged to uphold the sacred tenets of Lilith.
In honor of that pledge, I have come to form a pact with Jiptus, the Poison Mana!
System Message: Received the mark of the Poison Mana, the [Poison Gem]!
I better get back to the workshop now.

Viese detoured to the other Lithographs she’d seen earlier.







Iris had a question for Viese as they returned to the workshop.

Video- “Good to Go”

Watch the Story Unfold

Do you mind if I Synthesize?
Not at all. Just be careful, okay?
I will.
Now then…
Iris…
She’s not a normal little girl…
Viese…
When I’m done, I’ll give it to you, ‘kay?
System Message: Received [Heal Herb]!
Ohhh, thank you, Iris.
……
Felt…
We now have a little sister.
She’s a little quirky, but she sure is cute.

Meanwhile, it turned out that Felt and his friends weren’t the only ones heading for Grand.



You called for me, Sir Theodore?
Yes, yes. I have decided what your new assignment will be.
You will be stationed at our base camp in Grand.
The eastern camp, sir?
But, there is only a tranquil village and town in that region…
That is precisely why you’re going there.
Huh?
Thedore: They are completely defenseless…
You see, Galahad, my lad, I want you to lead our attack on Grand.
What?!
Sir, Grand is a peaceful, prosperous and totally self-reliant city.
Attacking them doesn’t make any sense!
Oh, but it makes perfect sense.
With you in control, we can squeeze them for taxes and exploit their labor.
So you see, Grand is ripe for the taking…
And you believe this justifies a war…
How many more times must we go over this?
I am the consul. I speak for the Empire.
……

Despite his misgivings, Galahad agreed to lead the attack.



Someone was waiting for him outside.



I am a servant of the Empire.
He is the consul. His words are law.
And…
?
If I do not accept this duty, someone less qualified will.
It will be safer for all if I go.
Indeed, it would.
I, however, am in no mood for war.
That region requires some serious though.





Yeah, I think we’re done researching.
Geez, what took you so long?
Come on, let’s go.

With Viese’s errand complete, Felt and company were ready to check back with the checkpoint and see if they could pass. Next time, we’ll see what happened next.