Part 11: Nightmares and Resentment

Update 10: Nightmares and Resentment


Briefing

It’s fine, just tell us what’s going on. Is there an emergency?



I have called you here because I need your help to defeat them.

Strange monsters?

I am afraid further details were not included in the report.

Ah … if I may.



Hey, that’s true!

Does that mean the mayor knows all about what the monsters are and what happens here?!

I do apologize; however, I have no such memories. I have no knowledge of what happened here, or regarding anything in Erde Wiege.

But why …? I wouldn’t think it is something easily forgotten.


And it would be too convenient if Doll Plachta remembered and relayed everything that would happen for the rest of the game, right? Whatever the issue here…

I believed I was able to recover them with Sophie’s help, but … It is possible not all of them have returned after all.

… My remark was most thoughtless. I apologize.

Not at all. It is something I, too, have been curious about.

But is it really possible for you to only be missing memories specifically about this?

Sophie, at present, defeating the monster is of greater priority than my missing memories. I have already called upon those citizens who can fight to head north. I would like you all to head to the grasslands south of the town, please.

Yeah, leave it to us. Olias the super bodyguard’ll show those things a real fight!

Is everyone ready? Let’s head off right away!



Ahaha. It would’ve been nice to do that in sync … Oh well, doesn’t change the fact that we’re all ready. We’ll be back soon, Plachta.

… Be careful out there.

…

Going south means heading through town and triggering a cutscene on the way:



Well, there’s a bunch of little stuff, but nothin’ all that urgent.

You’ve already managed to resolve the major issues that needed taking care of.

Agreed. You’ve been so quick to sort things out. It’s a relief to have such a dependable mayor.

I’m grateful you are satisfied with everything so far. I’ll continue to do my best for this town.

Haha! You’re a real serious ‘un, aren’t ya?

Ramizel took care of many issues herself, but there’s just too much for one person to do … Having someone whose focus is solely on the town has really made all the difference.

You’re a mighty fine mayor, Miss Plachta. We’re counting on you!



(Wait, is she embarrassed? Hehe, that’s a side of Plachta you don’t usually see …!)


To get to the Almare Grasslands, we’ll have to go uphill in the Residential District–up a different path than the one to the Dream Tree.




Here’s the other grassland right outside town!


Music: Sudden Rain
Monsters here are as weak as in the Windswept Plains, and are thus not worth our time. Besides, these aren’t our targets.


New Threat
This ugly, ominous-looking mofo is.

There’s the monster!

I … have most certainly never seen such a monster before …



Oi, Diebold …!

Indeed, there is no doubt about it. They resemble the aggressive fiends we fought earlier.

The ones you guys had a lot of trouble with?

If Olias and Diebold had trouble … this is gonna be a complete mess.

But today, in addition to two of the best fighters of Roytale, we have our whole party together. If you look at it that way, there’s no chance we’re going to lose.

Yeah … Let’s go, guys!




??? with ??? Aura? Not a problem! Remember, each debuff/status effect that lands shaves off 2 Aura. Let’s try our luck with the Ennui Mirror…


Alas, luck was not with me on this one. Still, it was easy to break through the 2 Aura it has left and then kill it and its buddies.








And that’s that. The small fries dropped these, which have nice Light components.

*Huff* *Huff* … I can’t … believe … we did it … What was with that monster?! That was definitely not normal!

If we consider just their strength, there are far stronger monsters.



What is going on here …

*RAWR*

Wh-what is it now?!

That bellow …!



Ah, over there!





Tch?! Look out!



Guaaagh!

Is everyone alright?!

Um, yeah, I think so …

Confound it, the Zmei is attacking from above … We are in a bad position here!

Yeah, we’re done for at this rate …!

It’s using the terrain to its advantage … Here!






Whoaaa?!

Don’t worry, it’s just attacking at random! We have to take this chance to get away!

Ruuuuuun! Diebold, don’t even think about hangin’ back!

… Understood.




I … I think we’re safe for now …

Geez … I’m … exhausted …

What in the world was that? That black dragon …

… The Zmei. That is the beast’s name.



Indeed. The very same. That fiend is stronger, more fearsome, and more aggressive than any other monster …

Those monsters with the auras were already bad ‘nough. Now Zmei’s gone and joined the party … We need an attack plan, or else we’re just gonna get our asses handed to us.

You’re right … Let’s report back to Plachta first. Maybe she’ll be able to help us come up with something.




The black dragon Zmei appeared along the strange monsters …?

We have previously received many eyewitness accounts of such a dragon. However, this is the first time it has ever come so close to town.

Well, it’s good that no one was seriously hurt this time, but you may not be so lucky next time.

We must be prepared for the worst possible scenario. Goodness, I can feel a headache coming on …

What should we do, then?

Excuse me, but I have an idea …



An investigation?

Yes. Unfortunately, there are very few in Roytale who can fight as well as you all. That is why, in addition to defeating the strange monsters, I would like to ask you to investigate any abnormalities that you can find. We will provide a formal job request, of course.

We should have Sophie and the others make reports on what they find … and then we’ll reward them according to how many reports they turn in. That’d make for a better system, right?

Certainly. Now, on the question of your reward … Alette, could you please discuss the matter with Pirka later? We would like to ensure you are properly compensated, so please think of something suitably rewarding.

You can definitely leave that to me! It’s like killing two birds with one stone!

Ooh, I’m suddenly startin’ to get all fired up. Get us somethin’ awesome, Alette!

You betcha!

Please do show some restraint. Cole hardly grows on trees. Now that that has been decided, let us begin making the appropriate arrangements.

Before that … About the strange monsters …



IRL, it means “resentment” in German!

I-is that so … You have some impressive knowledge.

Knowledge is power, especially for a merchant and supplier like me!

Groll … Yeah. I agree that having a name to call them by would make things easier.

Well then, I shall leave the Erde Wiege investigations and the Groll in your hands. Good luck.




Huh? … What?

You’ve been quiet this whole time, like there’s something on your mind …

Sophie … Please come see me at the Dream Tree later. There is something I have to talk to you about. So please … I’ll be waiting.







It has grown leaves? It had barely a single leaf on it the last time we saw it …

You’re growing up well, Ellie.

What do you mean by that?

This tree is connected to Ellie’s heart.


Indeed; you can pull up the very first update and see what the Dream Tree looked like at the start of the game.

Ohh, I see …

But then that means, all this time, Elvira’s heart has been sad and wilted …

I feel we have caught some insight into the years of loneliness she has endured …

Let’s go and see her quick. She might be feeling lonely again …



It’s about those monsters … The Groll.

Do you know something about them?

No … I mean, not really, but …



I found them to be exceptionally ferocious.

They weren’t scared of anything we threw at them.

They were tough, yeah … but that’s not exactly it. More like, they didn’t feel any pain …

They were very fearsome … To be honest, I have never felt so intimidated by other monsters …

I swear they weren’t here before. Which means … they were born into this world from dream visions recently, right?

No, Rami. That’s not possible. I’ve never seen those monsters in dream visions, so I don’t think they could be born from dreams.

So, where do you think they came from?



They emerged from inside Erde Wiege and evolved on their own …

How could that be possible?!

I don’t know … This is the first time anything like this has ever happened. I’ve never seen monsters like these, and my guardians have never been so aggressive before …



But …

There’s no need to worry. I’ll check on the other Dream Core for you.

Huh …?

There’s another Dream Core?!

Well, of course. Erde Wiege is a very big place. Although, all I know about the other Dream Core is that it’s to the east …

Are you sure you can go by yourself …? No one’s ever been there before …

It’ll be okay, Elvira! She’ll have me with her!

Don’t force yourself, okay? The lands to the east are a lot more dangerous.



Exactly. Let us help you, Ramizel.

Thank you … You’re all too kind for your own good.

Look who is talking.

Hehe, he does have a point.

See, Ellie? Everything is going to be alright. Now, can you tell us where is the other Dream Core?

… Alright.



I see … That just leaves us with one problem. The cave that leads into the volcano is blocked off by a giant crystal. I left it because there wasn’t any need to go inside … But we’ll have to take care of it first.

We just have to break it, right? Leave that to me!

Hehe. I thought you might say that. I’ll leave it in your capable hands, then ♪

I will need a little time to come up with a recipe in the atelier, though.

Okay. The moment Sophie finishes her crystal busting tool, we’ll set out for the volcano.

Thank you, everyone … And for all your help with the Dream Core …



If I had known it’d be this fun, I would’ve come out to talk with everyone sooner …





A bomb … wouldn’t be powerful enough. Not if the crystal’s big enough to block the whole path.

Well then, what if we tried raising the level of firepower?

That’s too dangerous in a cave. If something went wrong, we’d end up buried alive. I want to make something that will give us an instant bang on impact, but …



Yeah, I think I’ve more or less got an idea … If only I could just get one little push in the right direction …

Do your best, Sophie.


Here’s another import from Ryza! At this point in the game, you should have gathered at least 7 different types of Stone items.











…

What brings you here?



You used to do this too, did you not …?

Who can say. I have no recollection of doing such a thing.

Right …




It is odd that you would come to see me when you find your past self so highly embarrassing.

Yes, well … Truthfully, I do not think I could have done this when we first met. However … I have become somewhat used to the idea. I am fine now.

I see … I am relieved to hear that. I was worried I would be stuck trying to tolerate this encounter in the future.

Mind you, you will not remember this meeting when you reach my age.

Yes … That is somewhat of a shame.
Um … Sophie is incredible, isn’t she? I have never seen someone so skilled in alchemy and rich in imagination.



Hehe … Although, just looking at the everyday Sophie, you can hardly guess the talent hiding inside. To a stranger, she could appear silly and lazy … unable to keep her own room tidy. And yet … she turns into an altogether different, highly focused individual when it comes to helping others. To use her alchemy for the greater good. To make herself useful to others … She genuinely finds a lot of joy in those goals, and she will not hesitate to act to pursue them.

Indeed …

Do I really have what it takes to be you one day?



You misunderstand. All I ever taught Sophie was technical skill. Her wish to help others with alchemy, and the joy that it brings her … they all come from within Sophie herself. I imagine her attitude was the result of her grandmother’s nurturing.

Her grandmother … You mean Ramizel?

I passed on much knowledge and skill to Sophie as her alchemy teacher.



You must have felt that from observing her closely, yes?

Yes, that is true … Perhaps … that is what I am missing? I have no strong drive to help others like Sophie does …

You do, deep down inside …



Thinking back, I can recall a time when I would fret over these matters, as you are doing now. However, I simply cannot remember how I was able to rid myself of my anxieties … It may have been a result of the experiences I had in this world …

Your time in this world … If meeting Sophie and Ramizel would lead to me overcoming my worries …



Pfft … Hehe. So you even use that phrase at a moment like this? You certainly are fond of it.

I cannot believe I would ever stop using it … It is a very smart and mature phrase.

Well, I cannot say for certain what kinds of turning points you will encounter in the future. However … I wish for you to do your best to overcome any obstacles in your path.

A wish from me to myself … So very strange.

Hehe, honestly … Oh, there is just one more thing. I am hoping that the day when you realize that the words you thought were terribly mature are in fact nothing of the sort …



Pfft! Ahahahaha! Oh, I cannot breathe …

Hehe, please consider that payback for earlier.




Even if the stars disappear after dawn really sets the mood for these heart to heart moments, and the dawn coming and the stars fading very literally happens as this scene draws to a close.




Haha. It looks complicated, but it’s actually not that hard once you give it a go.

That’s only because you’re so skilled. I’m often lost even with a recipe.

Really …? Well, thanks. To be honest, I was totally useless at this stuff only a short while ago. I couldn’t even make Berg Medicine without looking at a recipe …

What?! Even I can make Berg Medicine fine by myself.

I was only able to make so much progress because Plachta took me under her wing.
so went the first hour or so of Sophie 1, indeed.



Me too, but that’s just not possible right now … She can’t do alchemy while in her doll body. That’s why I’m studying up. So I can help her become human again.
Oh, but not just for that. I’m working to become certified as an alchemist too, of course. I can’t make Plachta human with any old trick, though … I have to get really strong. I’m so excited for the day when I can learn even more and make lots of things together with Plachta!

Haha … That’s a wonderful dream to have. So, you want to make Plachta happy too, not just yourself. That’s pretty amazing of you.

Y-you think so?

Yes, of course. I hope your dream comes true. It’s too good a dream to just stay in your head.

Ahaha … You’re right. I don’t care how many years it takes, I swear I’ll make it come true … Hey, speaking of dreams, what’s yours?

My dream, huh …? It’s to make everyone happy.


The goal Sophie has (and eventually, Firis and Lydie and Sue) is to bring happiness to all with alchemy. For Ramizel, who is a less powerful alchemist, it’s slightly different by necessity.

To be happy … with everyone?

… As you know, I’m really not that skilled of an alchemist. So, if I say I want to make everyone happy, I know I won’t really be able to do that.

Aw, but I’m sure you’d be able to do that even without loads and loads of skill.

I know. I can do some parts myself, but there is also plenty that I can’t do. So, I’ll do whatever I can, but when I get stuck, I’ll need help from other people. When there’s something I can’t solve myself, I’m going to ask for as much support as I can.




Ahaha. Sorry, that’s not much of a dream, is it?

No, don’t say that. I think it’s wonderful.

Thanks … I’ll do anything to make it come true …

Same goes for me!



Rounds

Hmm. It’s not that someone built it, exactly …

What do you mean?



Which means this pier probably existed in one of such visions, and then was recreated here.

Well, that’s likely. I can’t imagine too many people come out this way. A place with traces of civilization that hasn’t actually had human visitors … There are many such spots in Erde Wiege.

Oh … There are so many mysterious things about this world.




Alette, is everything okay? You’re talking to yourself again …

Oh, Sophie! Look, look! It’s a super, super old document!

An old document? … Whoa! I’ve never seen writing like that before! Alette, can you read this?

You betcha! If you wanna make a fortune fast, what you need is long-lost buried treasure! The kind that’s written about in old documents! I studied all sorts of ancient languages in preparation for this very day!

That’s amazing! But, it must’ve taken you a long time to learn so much, right …?

Well, I’d never have been able to do it if I hadn’t come to Erde Wiege.

There really is no stopping you when it comes to making money. It’s seriously inspiring! So, what does the document say?

Hang on, no need to rush. I’ll have it translated in a jiffy. Hmmm … Ah! Okay, I know a similar writing system. So, that would mean, err …

Come on! What does it say?

… “Dear future me. How are you enjoying life as an adult? Have you become a doctor yet?”
“I’m studying really hard, each and every day. Do you remember what your life was like when you wrote this letter?”

… Huh?

“I know that if I keep at it, one day I’ll be a great doctor who helps the suffering … ”



I paid through the nose for this thing! They said it’d lead me to buried treasure!



… Maybe she should’ve read it over before she bought it.
You know how these scammers work; they’ll be cagey about letting you see the goods before purchasing, at which point you should probably just cut them off.



Found ya!



Good to see you’re showin’ some proper remorse. Very nice. But that ain’t what I’m here for. Here, take ‘em.

These are … Oh wow! Vegetables! And they’re all super fresh!

Well, you’ve got a good eye. I picked ‘em just this mornin’. I didn’t get to give ya any last time ‘cause I was too thrown off by the mess in your atelier.

Oh, I didn’t know … That was really thoughtful of you. I’m sorry.

Never mind. What’s important are these veggies. You won’t go tellin’ me you hate veggies, will you?

I love veggies! They’re delicious fresh and cooked into soups and the like, too!

…




Clever girl! Makes me happy to hear you like your veggies! Eat a ton of ‘em and grow up big and strong!

Th-thank you!







No kidding, looking at it makes me wonder if something in there is gonna jump everyone.

Umm … What is it?

It’s a pot, duh! I love pottery, so I rolled up my frilly sleeves and made some on my own! Every single one I make goes up for sale, but for some reason not all of them are doing that well …



Oh, by the way, I wanted to ask you something. Did you have trouble waking up again, like before?

Umm … Not really. I actually figured out why that was happening! Sooo, remember how you asked if my duplication power had any side effects? Turns out you were right on the money. When I use my power too much, it makes me super sleepy.

So you weren’t able to wake up last time because …

Right. Because I was up late duplicating stuff … Usually I go to sleep once I get tired, but I was in a rush, so I kept going until I zonked out.

Wow, I had no idea … So I guess this means you have your limits.

I guess so! Now that I think about it, maybe I’ve conked out before and just never realized it …

Maybe you should leave a sign that says, “please slap for service”?

But what if one slap wasn’t enough? I don’t wanna wake up with a puffy face! Hmm. There’s gotta be a better idea … Sophie, what do you think?

Let’s see … How about a disgusting drink that customers can give you if you’re asleep? For example, I can make a milky beverage that’s super bitter …



Ahaha! I figured you’d say that … Okay, I’ll think of another way!


Thankfully for me, the Ennui Mirror is very cheap to duplicate. One for everyone! As for the Breezy Aroma…well, let’s just say I didn’t have enough cash on hand to duplicate it for both Plachta and Ramizel.



Huh? Where to?

A banquet! Landed myself a real good client, so I’m feelin’ generous.

Olias, I feel bad for allowing you to pay for me. I should pay for my own meal.

If I say I’m payin’, I’m payin’! Don’t you dare touch your wallet, you hear me?

Hm … If you say so, sir. You are most gracious.

Ugh, I swear I told ya to knock it off with that sir stuff!



I’m afraid I’m a bit busy right now, but you two go and enjoy yourselves!

That so? Well, suit yourself. I’ll treat you some other time when you’re free. Let’s go, Diebold! We ain’t stoppin’ till the sun comes up!

I welcome it. I have many work matters that I ought to discuss with you.

C’mon, I told ya it’s a banquet! Work talk is banned!



Hehe. They sure are good friends.




Ah. I got a little hungry …

You come here a lot, huh. Are you not very good at cooking?

I can cook just fine, but there are only so many dishes I can make. If I come here, I can eat what I want, right when I want without having to wait. Being able to eat a good meal is such a blessing.

Oh, I see. Because of your hometown …

There was a terrible drought and we suffered greatly … The only food we had was soil potatoes.



I see. People take eating whatever they wish whenever they like for granted so often, but it actually is a true blessing.



No, no … I am simply stating the truth. Every dish you cook is so delicious …

Um, I would like to treat you to dessert to show you my gratitude. Would that be okay? It made me very happy to hear you say that about my food. If you don’t mind, that is …

Ah … Thank you, I’d like that.

Thank you so much! I’ll bring it to you shortly.



Hmm … How peculiar …




No, this is just something all teens go through, being far too preoccupied by the opposite sex. Goodness, how annoying. I wish this was something alchemy could fix …

(I guess even Plachta went through her own teen troubles once upon a time … )




Gnome? Hello?



… Kati’s not at work, huh? You really should complain about that every now and again.

It doesn’t bother me at all. I love working here.



… Really? You’re not the least bit upset that she slacks off so often?

Oh, no. If anything, I admire it. That sort of carefree joie de vivre … It’s the kind of spirit I’d like to immortalize in a painting.

… A painting?

Ahaha … Ah, actually, I … Um, I’ve wanted to create art for as long as I can remember.

Oh, really? What sort of things do you draw?

A little of everything, since I need the practice. I only started once I arrived in Erde Wiege.

Yeah, I know the feeling. When I first started, I sketched everything under the sun.

You draw, Sophie?

Oh, sure. A lot of alchemy recipes wouldn’t make sense without pictures.

Is that so? … Fascinating. An alchemist and an artist …






No, just flipping through it.



Pretty much. It’s a fair number of pages … but it’s still missing things, if you can believe it.

You sure are dedicated. So why did you quit your job at the Observation Institute?

Didn’t I tell you last time? I was constantly rushed off my feet.

But you loved it anyway, didn’t you?

Well, even love has its limits. We’re talking about collecting every form of data imaginable.


in WFH times, Kati would be in working group meetings on Teams from 8AM til 8PM.

That kind of environment would kill anyone’s passion, no matter how much they enjoyed their work. So I walked away. Not long after that, I was called over to Erde Wiege.

And you started this tavern?

Information pools where people gather. This seemed like a nice, relaxing way of picking things up.
This world really is the best. Compared to my old life, it’s practically a paradise.

Hmm … I think I can see why you’re not in a rush to go home.

… Well, I’d be lying if I said I never think about it. I’ve learned things talking with the townspeople here that I never knew back at the Institute. It’s made me realize just how much I still have left to discover …




Remember those abnormal monsters Gnome and Mayor Plachta were talking about after the encounter with the Groll and Zmei? Kati’s issued a quest to take one out, so let’s do it.


Star Jumper
The monsters in these special quests all have Groll Aura, a lot of HP, and can hit pretty hard if you let them. But what if we didn’t let them?


Now THAT’s more like it with my Ennui Mirror! Stunned and with that many debuffs and status effects active, it’s a trivial task to burn through its HP.






Here are the rewards I can get for hunting the Groll Aura bosses. There’s plenty of rare materials that are otherwise very hard to find. I don’t need any of them for now, but I’ll want to purchase an Abgrund Schüler sometime during the final stretch of the game.




Man, you’re so cool, Sophie. You can make so much stuff just with that cauldron.

Hehehe, thanks! But, I’m still only studying.

Eh? Ya already look like a plenty amazing alchemist to me.

Well, my grandma was an amazing alchemist. And I want to become just like her … But if you think I’m amazing, maybe that means I’m getting closer to my dream.

An alchemist like your granny, huh? … Yeah, gotta love kids full of hopes and dreams.

You call me a kid, but it’s not like you’re way older than me, right?

Huh? Ah … Well, I guess I do look young …
for reference, Sophie is 19 during this game and Olias is 25.

You know, I bet I can guess your dream! It’s to become an incredible bodyguard, right?

… Nope, nothing like that.

Oh, was I wrong?



Huh?! You don’t?! Not even one?!

Nope … As you can see, I’m pretty loved ‘round here, even without a dream. I’m already way more awesome than anythin’ anyone could ever dream up. So, I don’t need hopes or dreams.

Ahaha … I guess that answer shouldn’t come as a surprise … But, isn’t there at least something you want to do? Like something new you want to try?




… Nothin’ comes to mind. I just feel awesome about myself when I’m doin’ my job guardin’ folk! Speakin’ of which, I’m gonna go and be even more awesome. See ya!

… Maybe dreams aren’t all that important if you’re as confident as Olias …

Now, time to synthesize!



Greenhouse abuse from the last update means I don’t have to care about getting good traits when gathering anymore. I easily hit Rank 3 gathering for the upgraded sickle and pickaxe, but sadly I lacked the Wind components/links needed for more shots at the Major Gathering games.


Same for the Bomb Hammer.




Ehehe, yep! I did make it for breaking that giant crystal, after all! No crystal big or small will be able to stand in our way once I hit it with this!

I look forward to seeing it in action. Now, let us hurry to the cave.


The Goddess and Dreams

Huh …?



I see … So you want to become a master chef who can cook every dish in the world?

Yes, exactly! There are so many delicious delicacies from far and wide. Wouldn’t it be amazing if someone could make every single dish perfectly, no matter the cuisine?

Yeah, that would be amazing! You know, I’m crazy about good food.

Then you must come by my restaurant sometime! I’ll treat you to the tastiest food ever.

Really?! Yay! I’ll be there for sure!

Miss Elvira, I want to become the best singer in the world.



Really? Well, you could try singing just for me, then.

Eh? You will listen to me sing?!

. Yeah. I figured it’d make you less nervous since I’m just once person, but … I guess not?

No, no! It would be an honor! I'll sing from my heart for you!



I’m so happy for her …

Me too … She’s always wanted to talk to everyone about their dreams and aspirations. I’m so glad she has been able to realize her own dream …


from what we’ve seen of their relationship so far, we’d have every reason to think Rami effectively is Mom to Ellie!

No … I am a bit jealous, though.

Ahaha, come let me fuss over you then!

Hahaha. Go on, Sophie! Don’t hold back!

Indeed. It is only natural for a grandmother to dote on her granddaughter.

Don’t call me a grandmother! I’m still in my twenties, you know!


Dreams, huh …



What is that, Olias?

Huh? Oh, uh, nothin’ … Just my lucky charm. My little sister gave it to me when we were young.



How nice …

Haha, I s’pose … She’s just the sort to make things like this …

No, I was talking about you. You have kept it with you all this time even though it is only a simple stone.

Heheh. No matter what it’s made from, it’s still my lucky charm!



What’s with the sudden shouting … You’re a real weirdo sometimes.