Part 33: Have I changed things? Still I fear the answer’s “no”
~Update 16: Have I changed things? Still I fear the answer’s “no”~
Welcome to Chapter 7!
...That's probably not a good thing. Alright then, I guess we better follow up on whatever the hell that nonsense is all about. Sooner rather than later.
-Laboratory-
That's a gross understatement, Ruby.
They all formed within the past month. 
All these formed in a month?They're small, but some have already begun to materialize.
An announcement was made yesterday by the scientific society. They said that the Dusk Energy density has increased at an unprecedented rate.
That must be the cause of the growth of these Dusk Circles.
Does this mean... the Dusk Circles will continue to appear even faster now?
We'll have to work even harder to keep up.
Don't get so pessimistic. It's going to be fine, Fuuko. Trust me.
Thank you for trying to cheer me up, but I know there's no proof for that.
(Dammit. I can actually feel the morale hitting rock-bottom right now.)
Complaining won't change anything. AngelMarker's researchers have already headed out to investigate. According to a section of their report... These Circles are relatively small compared to the ones we've seen up until now.
There's a chance that people besides you will be able to handle them.
But will the supply of Neo Ether be able to keep up with that demand?AngelMarker's got that covered. I normally wouldn't place any faith in that statement, but I still have a major Dusk Circle on my plate, so I can't really do anything except believe in those words.
Anyway, where is Chlotz today? It's weird that he's not butting in like usual. Did he call in sick?I haven't seen much of him lately. Since weapons development has been slowed now, he may be resting from all that work.
Mmhmm, he doesn't seem like his usual self.(Yeah Narika, there's a lot of that going around. At least I some idea of what's going with Chlotz.)What about Mark? Have you heard from him recently?None so far.
Man, I never thought he was an "off the radar" type. Alright, well let me know if he wanders back or calls you from a burner or whatever the hell he's up to.-2nd-Year Classroom-
So here's where you've been moping around.
What do you mean?Ruby mentioned that you haven't been going to the lab lately.
How often do I do things that Ruby asks of me?Fair point.I just wanted to check in on you. Everyone has been getting weird lately.I-I see...
With Mark missing, and Luce, and now the Disciple that turned into a monster... There's just been a lot happening lately. It's tired me out.
Sorry about that. I'm okay now. I'm going to start going to the lab again tomorrow.(Wow, that was easy.)
Just leave me alone!What's happening now?[Male Disciple C]: H-Hey, calm down.
Shut up, don't bother me![Male Disciple C]: S-Sorry, I was just trying to cheer you up.
Is there some virus going around that's making everyone go insane?
Hey, what's wrong? What're you yelling for?[Male Disciple C]: It seems his dad got laid off.
Just... leave me alone......Are you sure you're okay?
Dammit... Why is it the good guys are the ones who end up dead...? And the bastards who lay off someone like my dad live comfortable lives...?That's life, man. It sucks, but it's just the way things go sometimes.
AngelMarker suddenly cut off divisions with low sales without any warning. That's not something a large corporation does!The hell are you talking about? Large corporations do that constantly. That's business.
You know anything about that, Chlotz? I figured AngelMarker would be raking it in with all that Neo Ether stuff.You know how there's a tremendous demand for Neo Ether and the God Braces expected? I heard a lot of the workforce was reduced to free up money for production...Hey, don't you work there? You're in a pretty important division, too, right? Isn't there something you can do?Well, yeah, I work there... but only part-time....Sorry I made such a big fuss.
He misses LightBlueHair.I understand how you feel. It's not just you. I... No, everyone's still...
.....*Alec has apparently been standing around nearby this entire time*
-Downtown-
I don't agree with this matter myself as well.But still... Hey, can I back out of this? I mean, I don't want to piss off the President and end up fired.Then why are you following us? It's not like we pulled you into this.We're just students! I thought we'd be turned away at the reception desk!
We might actually get through to the President, won't we...?Obviously. He would be hard pressed to turn away God's Gift after that big press conference he did with me. Not to mention Alec is family.Right? So come on, let me go.If you're not comfortable with it, then just go. It's fine.
Indeed. I'm sorry we forced you.Wh-What...? Why're you letting me go that easily...?
Dammit... Fine! I'm not that lame!
Neither of us think that you're lame. On the contrary, if you do end up being fired, we're not responsible for that.Hrgh... No one's asking you to take responsibility!Chlotz, just make up your damn mind. Are you going with us or are you not? We really don't care either way.*Chlotz darts off*
C'mon, let's go already!-President's Office-
Everything is going as planned.
Still, shouldn't we at least hold a press conference regarding the massive layoffs?
We're a business, not a charity. That's all there is to it.
Leaving that aside, how go our negotiations with the government?There are miles of red tape to go through before Neo Ether can be approved. I'm currently making contact with a key person through a mutual acquaintance.It seems we'll have to proceed as we are, while we don't have government funding...It is only a matter of time until we get the assistance we need.
...Indeed.Good to know that bureaucracy still thrives, even in Aterra.
*There's a beeping from Rhiod's desk*
It's me. ...Yes, that's fine. Let them through.Well then, I will be going.*The gang arrives*
Brother.A-hahaha... Hey.
*Enzea leaves*
What brings you here, Alec?
This is regarding the amount of layoffs the company has made. My classmate's father suddenly lost his job.Ha...Is there anything funny about this, Father?I'll be straightforward with you. The current situation requires a large amount of Neo Ether. Obviously, manufacturing it costs money, and AngelMarker's funds are not limitless.
I understand, but I'm not convinced that laying off so many people was necessary.This is a temporary solution.
Once the threat is eliminated, they will be able to return to their jobs.Or would you rather abandon this world?Is the government unwilling to lend their help even in an urgent situation like this?Don't worry. This turbulent condition will not last forever.And there was no other way to pull this off than by cutting a bunch of people?
.....Is there anything else?If... If it's at all possible...What is it?
...Very well.-Downtown-
I think you did alright.
You said a great deal.Wake.Oh, hey.
Oookay, I guess. I'll catch up with you guys later.-President's Office-
The weak are devoured by the strong... That is one of the laws of nature.
I know I love to just stand alone in my room sometimes and wax philosophic about the laws of nature and the war economy.
-Heroes' Grave-
Well, I'm still alive, so no. I can't say I have.
Interesting... But I have seen it, with my own eyes.I have seen... Heaven's door.
(TouchmyheartTransformationphrasePickupthekidsfromRubylaterNarikaisfreakingmeoutFeenesfriendiscoolIwonderifthatsickgirlisstillaliveKillmonstersEatTakoyaki)You're going to have to be more specific.
We both seek world peace, and are both striving to see it come about.We're not really the only ones, you know. There's a lot of people trying to bring that about.Perhaps. But not everyone has the power to bring it about, wouldn't you agree?
Not really. There are a lot of assholes around here, but everyone is still helping in their own ways. Despite how frustrated I get sometimes, I do need the help of my friends and allies.Friends, and teammates... Yes, they are wonderful. Very useful, indeed.
The strong and weak are divided based on their Star Energy. The rules are unfair.With such arbitrariness deciding the fates of so many, is this world worth protecting?Not going to lie, I've asked myself that question before.But not for the reason you said. Life is unfair, man. You have to learn to accept that and just work to make it better. Why are you so interested in talking about that stuff, anyway?What do you think is an ideal world? That's what I want to hear from you.A world where everyone can smile and not live in constant fear of being ripped apart by monsters. Pretty simple.
In any case, I still continue to expect great things of you.Excuse me.*Enzea leaves*
...Why is everyone being weird!?Seems like everyone is getting a taste of the crazy juice. Wake is getting hit by all these weird conversations and girls making aggressively flirty moves on him. Weird.
That introduces us to the chapter and coughs up the typical assortment of notifications. The shop just started carrying Attack and Magic Mantles (temporary boost to ATK or MAT while in battle), so there's nothing noteworthy on that front.
The Lab opens a few quests, including one for a new Wake weapon called "Ruintail". We can also turn in the quest to kill Leviathan in order to score another Wake weapon called "Sealing Blade". It does what the name would suggest (chance at causing Seal), but the loss of 50 ATK and 150 SPD isn't worth the trade-off to me. Magnus and Chrom have Sealing covered if I really need it.
The Gift shop also has a few new accessories.
There's also a Witch Pin.
And Angel Halo.
Also Mana's Ears, which... Mana is a stuffed animal creature thing from the first Conception. I can't even recall his name (I want to say Kon?) from Bleach, but it's basically the same deal. It makes a bunch of perverted comments and euphemisms and such.
Which brings me to another matter. Minor ramble incoming. I got caught in a rabbit hole while trying to figure out what this accessory was referencing, so I might as well grab on to your ankles and drag you down it with me.
The recent anime seems to depict the Star Child making ritual as being as close to actual full-on sex as you can get without going X-Rated. The main character is in his underwear and the girls are full on naked (obviously all the bits are strategically covered), they are on some kind of curtained off circular bed thing, and the main character is fully led to believe that the ritual involves actual sex. Of course, a Star Child pops out of nowhere and someone explains to the two characters that the ritual doesn't involve that at all.
I have no idea if this is what the developers of the Conception games imagined the ritual actually was, or if it's something the anime studio decided to create of their own volition in order to drive up the fanservice (apparently there has been a scourge of those kind of barely-not-porn anime in recent years).
If it's the same case for this game then that would explain a few things, like Ruby mentioning "getting changed", the girls always asking Wake to "be gentle", the girls being exhausted afterward, and Chloe saying stuff like "I'm drenched in sweat".
On the other hand, that also doesn't seem to fit this game. There's no way girls like Fuuko, Feene, Narika, and Serina would be as accepting of the Classmating ritual if it involved a bunch of naked grab-ass. Serina spends some of her intro whining about not forgiving Wake for accidentally touching her chest. No way would she be on board with stripping down and rolling around in bed with him. Fuuko would be the same. At the very least she wouldn't have gone through with it when she was put on the spot that first time.
So absent a translation of the first game, I'm just going to choose to believe that the anime took liberties in an effort to up the titillation and draw more attention. Whatever the ritual is, it seems a lot more tame in this world than what the anime shows.
I also choose to believe that because if the ritual was actually the same as how the anime depicts it, then Ruby and Mattero become 1000x creepier for standing there and watching it.
Anyway, moving on from that weird speculation. Let's follow up with a few of our buddies.
-2nd-Year Classroom-
Hey, Wake.
It's a system that uses Star Energy more efficiently.
Well, yeah, in layman's terms. The Star Engine was invented by the founder of AngelMarker.I'm not sure if Chlotz is referring to Rhiod, or if AngelMarker is a business that was passed down to Rhiod from his father, or if some random guy founded AngelMarker and then Rhiod eventually took it over and re-branded or something.
The first Star Engine was about the size of a small house. And then they started to develop progressively smaller versions... And now the chip can fit on the tip of your finger!On top of that, the Supernova Superchip unleashes...
That's crazy, isn't it!?Right, so it uses Star Energy more efficiently.That's it...? I just poured my soul out, and now I feel like an idiot...What did you expect? If it doesn't give me a new transformation, I'm generally not super interested. I established that long ago. It helps me kill monsters better, that's good, but I'm not going to drool over efficiency ratings. Killjoy...Anyway, I think you'll be happy with the new weapons we handed you. Each of them is embedded with a Supernova Superchip.
Well, the girls are loving their new weapons. I got something better almost immediately, though.
What!? Where did you get a weapon stronger than one that has AngelMarker's latest tech!?Found it laying around one of the Labyrinths.You've gotta be kidding me.Well, how about this?Did you know that AngelMarker is developing a new model of God Brace? They're trying to design one for mass-production. Everything I've heard after that is speculation and rumor...There's a rumor that they're developing yet another kind of God Brace.
Chlotz just loves to nerd out about gadgets.
What does it do that makes it super cool?It's a rumor! It could do literally anything...All I know for sure is... that it's super cool! Everything after that is icing.
And that's going to be proof of concept?-Hospital-
Let's quickly drop in and see how Triche is doing before we move on.
Hey. I'm actually surprised you came out to see me.
Hey, you're alive and still in one piece. Be thankful that boredom is the worst you have to deal with right now. How have you been, anyway?The doctor said I should be able to leave soon. I'm hoping to get well before winter break ends. I don't know what I would do if I had to spend my entire vacation in a hospital. I'd love to enjoy some free time with my friends while I have the chance. I usually make a point of participating in every festivity I can.I'm sure you'll be out in time for that stuff.Let's hope so.
You just have to go and push your luck, don't you? Reckless bastard, just like me and Alec. Well, try and take care of yourself as long as you're stuck here, at least.Thanks for stopping by. Tell everyone I'm alright.Slow your roll, Triche. You just barely dodged the bullet on the retirement curse, don't go getting cocky. Remember what Mr. Krabs says: "What doesn't kill you, usually succeeds in the second attempt."
-2nd-Year Classroom-
What's up with you today?
You're not really looking too good.I'm fine, it's probably just your imagination.Now I'm positive. You're definitely bottling something up. Just talk to me. I thought we were passed this stuff.Hmph... Chlotz was right. You must be able to read minds.I wish I could just blame everything on the Dusk Circles. But recently my own family disturbs me.
I still haven't forgiven him for that.Everyone thinks he's either a hero or a murderer. They both make me sick to my stomach.Have people started giving you shit for that, since you're his brother?I don't care what they say about me. But they're completely ostracizing Luce for being my friend. And if I tried to do something about it, it would only make things worse.Have you gone to the Academy about it?Of course. Then I realized...
Yeah, I guess there really isn't.I'll be sure to keep an eye on her. At least she'll know that she has someone backing her up.Chlotz said the same thing.Yeah, he's a good guy at heart.Don't tell him I said that.Your secret is safe. By the way...
Hm? Oh, no. Never been there myself. I've only ever seen it from the Savage during Dusk Circle deployments.I'm surprised, I thought you were a faithful person.Hey, I believe. Sort of hard not to when you're 'God's Gift'. That pilgrimage isn't just something you can go and do, though. You need a permit from the Church, and they only give those out in a lottery.Lottery? I didn't know it was that hard to get one.I guess it must be different for your family.As far as I know, my father has unrestricted access.
I'm sorry, I didn't know. I wouldn't have asked if I did.What made you ask?I thought we could make the pilgrimage together. I heard it was more difficult to get a permit this year. The demand must be extraordinary since there are so many Disciples around. But you wouldn't need a permit if you went with me.It all depends on the Dusk Circle situation, but yeah, that sounds like it would be fun. I probably should go and see Star God at some point and thank him.Let me know.This part bothers me, and I have a feeling it's a plot hole due to the fact that the game didn't have the budget (or vision) to go to areas outside of Fort City.
Wake is God's Gift. Not A God's Gift. THE God's Gift. The only one in the twenty years it's been since the Dusk Circle problem cropped up. The current best shot that humanity has at stopping said Dusk Circles (Neo Ether hasn't exactly been proving itself a worthy replacement). Forget Wake not getting a permit by that virtue alone, how have the leaders of the Aterra Church not personally accompanied him to the Rootstone themselves? The god they worship heeded their prayers and blessed Wake with overwhelming Ether. You'd think the Church would have brought Wake to Shelgard as soon as he had sterilized the first Circle so he could commune with the Star God, AKA the one that entrusted Wake with His power.
But they don't interact with him at all. Mattero is the highest ranking Church official that Wake meets, and he is essentially a Bishop.
Again, I'm sure this is the fault of a limited budget or time constraint. It's just another example of the missed opportunities this game has that could have made for interesting scenes.
Oh well. No use thinking about what could have been. Let's get back to focusing on what is.
-2nd-Year Classroom-
They're going to publicize it?Lately, society has been showing signs of questioning the safety of Neo Ether. It seems that large layoff is further pushing sentiment against AngelMarker.
I mean, that's dangerous!He plans on using Neo Ether himself to prove its safety. That's why my father has selected me to act as his bodyguard. Still... Aside from using Neo Ether, is there really a need for him to go in the Labyrinth?Chlotz is right, your father is taking an absurd risk by going into a Labyrinth for a PR stunt.*Alec flashes back*
We'll bring a camera crew along with us and broadcast your actions as well.*Flasback ends*
...That's what he said.There are so many ways for that to backfire. I'm warning you Alec, I'm not a Search and Rescue team. If this ad campaign goes south, I'm not going to be there to bail anyone out.We cannot stop fighting the monsters, and so we cannot stop producing Neo Ether. For the sake of world peace, we need the public to get behind Neo Ether. That's why I accepted that request. Still...Still, what?What surprised me is that my brother agreed to come along on this publicity stunt.I bet he must feel the same way about you.
...Do you think so?I do want to live up to my father's expectations of me... But I can't believe that he feels the same way.
What are you talking about?Who you're going to take to the Star Conception Festival, of course!This isn't the time for that.Now is the exact time for stuff like this. We have to fight for the future, a future with Star Conception Festivals!So we have to keep acting as if we know we'll still be here to have one! Right?Got to side with Chlotz on this one. Surprisingly.See?
Huh?You wouldn't be pressuring us to make these decisions without doing it yourself.Me? I'm... Well... I'm currently on the prowl for a partner!Don't dodge the question. You've already asked someone, haven't you?I'm sure you've gone and asked Luce, right?Why would I do that?Do we have to explain everything? Hasn't she been hanging around you almost every single day? She brings your lunch. I think she even does your laundry!...She told you that?
Wait, she does your laundry?She only does it when she comes by my room every so often. I don't even ask for it.
It's just laundry! Stop over-exaggerating.I'm not exaggerating. Take Fuuko, for example. She saw this guy's undies for a second and turned bright red.You both barged into my room while I was sleeping. I accept no responsibility for that.That's not the kind of thing a girl does if she's just a "childhood friend," Alec!...Really? I didn't know... That's just the way things have been since we entered the Academy.Right, so you've gotta grow a pair and ask Luce to the festival.It'll be a way of thanking her for all she's done for you. Just ask her!How does asking her to the festival make up for all the work she's done for me?That's for the two of you to figure out!
Why are you being so serious over something like this? You really are an odd one.Yeah, I think so, too."Odd" is underselling it a bit.Don't get carried away....So, what about you? You're going to ask one of the Seven Witches, right?Haven't made up my mind yet. Don't go rushing me.-Laboratory-
About the Classmanting experiments we had you participating in until now... Since the main researcher is absent, the project has been temporarily halted.Probably for the best after what happened last time. Is there still really no sign of Mark, though?
-Serenity Chamber-
We are just all over the place right now.
Honestly, I wouldn't really blame him if he was. That's not the kind of guy he is though, so I doubt that's it.Chief Ruby's been in a constant bad mood because of it... And my pay got cut, too, for some reason. Mark, you've gotta come back to us!*Alec and Luce arrive on the scene*
Hello.Excuse us.Oh hey, what brings you two here?
Mm...You kept pestering me about it, so I tested it out. I asked her if she wanted to go to the festival with me.I-I see.Well, that's all.What? You came all this way to say that?You're the one who told me to report to you. Well, I'll be going now.I'm sorry, Alec. You go on ahead for a moment.Sure.*Alec leaves*
You did it, Luce.
Nah, I didn't do anything.
Alec said it would be thanking me for all I've done for him... but I'm still happy.Hey, it's a start.I'm so happy for you.Oh, I can't wait for the Star Conception Festival.Thank you so much, Chlotz.
Yeah, bye.*Luce leaves*
...You doing okay, Champ?Her happiness is most important, right?
What about your own happiness?Seeing her happy makes me happy.That doesn't make any sense.I see......I guess it still kind of hurts, though.You want to borrow a copy of "Breasts or Bust!" for a few days?.....Maybe.There's the Chlotz I know. Come on, I need to go dig it out of the gift pile in my room.The gift pile!? You mean for the Witches? Were you really going to give something like that to one of them as a gift?Not really.Then why did you buy it and put it in the pile?Listen man, one of my Star Children runs the gift shop and we've got this arrangement in place. I usually just go in once a month and grab one of every new thing, then dump it all in the corner of my room and pick from it as needed.-Laboratory-
That's rather ominous.
This footage is from only two hours ago. The seventh Labyrinth has appeared. If we crush this one, we'll have sterilized all the large Circles except the one here.I feel like I can hear it beating even from here...That's definitely the creepiest-looking one so far...Doesn't it make you want to rush in there and kill it right away?Obviously.What about Alec's team, though? They aren't joining this assault, right?Yes, we do have to consider what happened last time, after all.
Oh, so this is part of that PR activity we've been hearing about, isn't it?It seems like they've been going back into the Labyrinths you've sterilized. They're planning on editing the footage of these expeditions into a reality show. Talk about not taking the threat seriously...As long as that's where they stay, then I don't really care what stupid garbage they put together. This is a crucial Labyrinth, so I don't want them getting in the way and messing everything up for the sake of some TV show.The Neo Ether...We can't use it, but it must be necessary for attaining world peace.
Still... I have a bad feeling about this.
About what?Will Neo Ether truly save us?
Get ready, everyone. We have a go to invade the Labyrinth in an hour.
Understood!...What? No complaints this time?You got the Field Hospital concert back on. I'm giving you a free pass on this one.Well aren't you thoughtful.
Now that the seventh Labyrinth is open to us, the game gives us a warning that we've reached a minor point of no return. Major bonding events will only happen on this chapter. In the next chapter we'll be limited to just the generic bonding events (in order to make sure that we still have ready access to BP).
So guess what that means? The thread has a final choice on its hands.
Technically, the choice of which heroine ending we get doesn't happen until the end of the game. Chapter 7 is just the cut off point for maxing the bond gauge. You need to have the gauge maxed with a heroine in order for them to be selectable as an ending choice.
You also have the ability to make a clear save that starts from this chapter in case you wanted to work on other ending requirements.
But I still want the thread to make the choice during this chapter, for narrative purposes (also because I need a heroine to take into the next story dungeons).
First of all, we are going to check out the final bonding events for our Focus Heroines. After that, the vote will be open and we'll see what the thread decides.