Part 99: Honoring the Promise: Alchemists and Mysterious Painters

Honoring the Promise: Alchemists and Mysterious Painters

Of course the game was going to have this ending option! But like with the big shop ending, this one has some hoops to jump through first. Let’s check in with Lydie, who made some mysterious paints shortly after starting the S Rank exam…

La la la, la la!


Painter Ending 1

Yes. Dad gave me a canvas. What should I create, oh, it’s very exciting!

Hahaha, I know that feeling. A blank canvas is so appealing! Creating your own world from nothing… I love that feeling!

Me too! Oh, wait a second… How did you put it? Your own world?



What! W-Where did that come from?

You just said “create your own world”, didn’t you? To have our own world inside a painting, and then go on adventures there! That would be great! My mind is made up. I want to paint Mysterious Paintings! Heheh!



D-Dad, you too? I don’t think this is possible!

Promise with Mom Number 1! “Don’t give up before you even try…” Ow!



Don’t make fun of me!

Hehe, you’ve got me fired up now. Really fired up, Dad! Is this the fire of creativity?

I… think so. You’re really getting into this, aren’t you, Lydie? Oh well… I guess it would be cool if we could make Mysterious Paintings… I’m just not sure about your art style, Lydie… But alright!

Days later…


Painter Ending 2

Hmmm… Another failure… This one isn’t a Mysterious Painting, either.

It isn’t going to be easy, is it? Are you using Neige’s Paints?

Yeah. Why isn’t it working?

What do you think, Dad? You’re the one with the experience here.

Good question. Are you clearly visualizing the world you want to create?

I don’t think that’s the problem. Lydie’s paintings are totally her own unique little world.

Yes, you’re right.



Now it’s just a case of lack of practice, then… Paint enough and you’ll get there eventually.

You think that’s all? Lydie is pretty lucky, so I thought she’d get it pretty soon?

Hey, don’t underestimate Mysterious Paintings. Many have tried, few have actually painted. Painting one is a miracle of miracles… I know how lucky I got, believe me. No matter how lucky Lydie is, there’s a lot of hard work involved in this task.

Yes, you’re right. I just want to get inside that painting, though!

Is there nothing else we can do? Oh! How about asking Neige?

Neige? You mean Neige Chintreuil? I hate to break it to you, girls, but she’s been dead for a long time.

Hahah, actually! Just like Mom, Neige is also living inside a painting, even now!

Seriously? I guess she was the one who invented Mysterious Paintings, after all… Impressive! If that’s true, though, then you should go and ask her! She might have some unique insights.

Yes! Let’s go! For our own worlds within paintings!

It’s rare for Lydie to get so passionate about something… I need to back her up however I can!


Painter Ending 3

Actually, we’re here to ask you a question today. Is there a secret to making Mysterious Paintings?

No.

That was quick! Really? What about drawing a magic circle on the canvas? Or mixing blood with the paint?

Hey, alchemy isn’t black magic! There’s no secret to it, so I can’t help you! You need to use Mysterious Paints, and paint while imagining the world you want to create. That’s all. If you follow the right steps then it shouldn’t be all that hard.

Uwah, easy for you to say, Neige! I’ve tried lots of times already, and it’s no good…

Lots of times? Hold on. What Mysterious Paints are you using?

These, here.



What? …Pitiful?

That’s right. These are only the concept model. I mean, they might be enough for a Restoration… But for a new painting you need to use much better paints! Even I wouldn’t be able to do it with these.

What?! Well that was totally unexpected!

Hahaha! So… if someone did make a Mysterious Painting with these, they’d have to be pretty impressive, right?

Yeah, I guess so… They must be a pretty hard worker… Anyway. If you really want to make Mysterious Paintings then you need to improve your paints.

What? You aren’t going to tell us the recipe you used, Neige?

No, I’m not. It’ll be more personal if you think of the recipe yourself, won’t it? These paintings are alchemy, too. Feelings are key! Fill the paints with your intentions! If you can do that, I think you’ll be able to spread your colors across a white world.

I see… Thanks, Neige! I’ll try improving the paints, then! Once the painting is finished, I’ll invite you over to my world! Just wait and see!

…Okay. Now, take some time to mull on what I’ve told you… and do come back!



Don’t overthink it, Sis. The most important thing is, what do you want to paint?

What do I want to paint… I want to create a painting that everyone can enjoy! A fun world… I think that would make everyone happy!

Hahaha, that sounds lovely! I’d like to paint something like that too. Let’s hold onto those feelings and create a new recipe!

Yeah!

Some time later…

Good. I think this should do it!

Great! We created this together, after all! A recipe from us both means double the power!

Yeah, you’re right. We need to remember this feeling when we synthesize, too.



After synthesizing this paint…



We’ve done it! The improved “Neige’s Paints”!

Well done, Lydie! I’m so glad it worked out!



Hey, don’t judge based on appearance. The emotions poured into these are totally different!

Yep, that’s right. With these, I can do it!

Come then, Lydie the artist! Madam Lydie! Create your first masterpiece!

Yes, leave it to me! Right, canvas, easel, go!



What? Why not? We’re just about to create a Mysterious Painting!

Oh my, this isn’t easy to say, but it might be a bigger problem if you do manage to create one, you know?

I’m not sure I do. What do you mean, a problem?

Once, a very… “unique”, shall we say… artist managed to complete a Mysterious Painting… The world inside, though, was… let’s just say, little better than a tipped-over alchemy cauldron. Those who went inside had a very difficult time… Do you see now?

In other words, because Lydie is so bad at painting, if she actually does manage to create a Mysterious Painting…

…It could end badly. Inexperienced artists can’t be going around making Mysterious Paintings. I stopped you two from going into the Heavenly Flower Garden because I was worried about my own work.

I see… If even Dad was worried, then maybe you shouldn’t do it, Lydie?

Gah! You just come out and say I paint badly?! I’m not stopping! I’m mad! I’ll keep practicing! I’ll practice so much I’ll become better than you, Sue, and even you, Dad! Then I’ll paint a Mysterious Painting that will make everyone happy!



Ah, we upset her. You shouldn’t have said she can’t paint, Dad!

Hey! I didn’t say that. I actually quite like her paintings. But if you’re going to make a Mysterious Painting, you at least need a sketch first!

Hmm, okay. Maybe I’ll start practicing art too?

That sounds like a good idea. You’ve got those paints, now. In the future you could even become known as sisters who paint Mysterious Paintings!

Hehe, I think I like the sound of that!

And all that unlocks…



This is the plan!


Honoring the Promise: Alchemists and Mysterious Painters







Are you ready for this? I call it “Romance & Violence”! The perfect world for a young woman seeking both some romance and some stimulation!

I see, I see. And what about you, Madam Lydie?

Me? Well… my next theme will be… “March of the Rabbits”!

Excuse me?

My next theme is March of the Rabbits! I think a horde of bunnies would be quite soothing.

S-Sure, maybe you have a point. Thank you. How about a message for all your fans?

No problem! I’m going to paint something you’ll love again, don’t worry about it!

M-Me too. We do this to bring joy and happiness to you all! I just hope our paintings can make you all happy. That’s what we want, more than anything.

Thank you. We will be looking forward to your next work.

You can count on us! Right, Lydie?

That’s right! Please look forward to our next Mysterious Paintings!