Part 63: No Place for Replicas

Last time, we had our first God-General casualty. With that out of the way, time to head for Yulia City.

Skit: Causes to Die For

: “I wonder if the God-Generals all have something they're willing to give their lives to make happen...”

: “The elimination of the Score...?”

: “Since they're following Van's ideals, I'd assume so. They probably have their different motives... whether it's to eliminate the Score, or help Van.”

: “And they'll even sacrifice their lives for it...”

: “...I used to think that way. I thought it was the proper approach, and I never doubted myself.”

: “And now?”

: “Is sacrifice really the only way to be serious about something? I... I don't know anymore...”

: “Yeah? It sounds like you've come closer to my way of thinking.”

: “You don't think sacrificing your life is being serious?”

: “Well, everybody's different, but I think that clinging to life is what really makes people want to change the world. It's not wrong or right, it's just... faith.”

: “Clinging to life... sacrifice for a greater purpose...”

: “Yes... perhaps I'm uncertain because both are right, in their own ways.”

: “I don't think there's any such thing as right or wrong in this world. You have to decide on your own.”

Hmm.

Emerging Replicas





: “Tear, what is it?”

: “Who was that person...?”

: “A replica. She probably fled here from Sheridan.”

: “Fled? Why?”

: “It's been happening a lot recently. People who have died, just show up with no memories of the past. People being spotted at their own funerals...”

: “A natural result of such large-scale replication.”

: “They don't know anything. Some fall prey to monsters, others just take things from shops. Many replicas are the victims of terrible abuse.”

: “That's.... that's inhuman!”

: “More and more people are learning that living creatures are being replicated. Some people think that their loved ones died because a replica of them was created. Maybe some did, but a lot of replicas are just innocent victims.”

: “...And these newborn replicas can't say a thing to defend themselves.”

: “Exactly. In the end, we've begun offering them asylum here. There aren’t many places safe from monsters. They have nowhere else to go. But it's not like we have infinite resources. We're in just as bad a bind as they are.”



Skit: Replicas

: “What are we replicas, anyway...?”

: “What do you mean?! You're people!”

: “But we only look like people. I don't think we'll be treated like people.”

: “We know Luke. We know Ion, and Sync. We understand that replicas are no different from ordinary people. But...”

: “Most people see fomicry only as a means to create copies of inanimate objects. So they see replicas as simple copies or substitutes. Maybe a few will accept them, but...”

: “So where do we go? Where can we live? We're as helpless as small children...”

: “Luke...”

: “Jade, you created us! You know everything, don't you?!”

: “Luke! Yelling at Jade won't accomplish anything.”

: “...S-sorry...”

: “No... it's the truth. I can't find an answer. I'm ashamed to say. What good is this head of mine, I wonder...”

This really is the part of the game where everything just falls down around the party. Even Jade doesn't quite know what to do.

Teodoro's Support



: “Grandfather, we've come here today to consult with you.”

Fade to black, aaaand...

: “...I understand. Now that we've lost Fon Master Ion, I am the logical representative to attend the summit.”

: “Then you'll...!"

: “Yes. I'll head to Daath shortly.”

: “That's great!”

: “We should tell Father. The summit can now finally begin.”

In a rare act of mercy, the game just teleports us to Baticul.







: “Hey, couldn't those be replicas?”

: “What's going on? What are replicas doing in a place like this?”

: “Looks like we should see what's going on in the city before seeing His Majesty.”

Reactions





: “Hey! That thing's a monster. Don't get near it!”

: “Huh? What do you mean a monster?”

: “That's my buddy who died two weeks ago on his way back from getting a Score reading. No, m-my buddy's dead – that thing, i-it's an imposter! But he... he just... he looks just like him!”

: “A replica...”

: “Calm down! This person is no monster.”

: “F-fine! He's still a freak!”





And he walks off.

: “What's this Tower of Rem the replicas are talking about?”

: “It's the name of an ancient tower that stands in the Qliphoth. It's from the Dawn Age, part of a plan to travel to another planet, should they fail to create the Outer Lands.”

: “A-another planet?! Is that even possible?!”

: “Supposedly it was a radical idea, even for the time.”

: “If they couldn't do it in the Dawn Age, it's just a dream for us. We can barely fly.”

: “So these replicas are trying to reach the Outer Lands through that tower?”

: “Even if that's the case, how could they all know about the Tower of Rem?”

: “If one were to implant the memory of the Tower of Rem when they were created... it's unlikely, but not impossible.”

: “If we're not reaching any conclusions here, let's stop for now and go see the king.”

: “You're right.”

The Peanut Gallery



: “Respect the Score! I will not sit by and be smothered by the miasma!”

: “My father in Chesedonia died from this outbreak of miasma!”

: “I don't want to go to the Qliphoth! Put me back on the old Outer Lands!”

: “Calm down! Everyone, just calm down. Cease this at once!”



: “Natalia!”

: “Silence! I am Natalia! Natalia Luzu Kimlasca-Lanvaldear. Beloved Citizens of Kimlasca, I beseech you to be calm. Hear what I have to say!”

: “Your Highness! The miasma! At this rate, we'll all done for!”

: “We are aware of the situation and are doing everything we can to stop the miasma.”

: “Why don't we just raise the ground again like before?”

: “That's not possible! The Outer Lands of the New Order of Lorelei are created by destroying the land we have now! The appearance of Eldrant has caused several islands in the Central Ocean to disappear! This land is being erased... and you along with it!”

: “But... that can't be...”

: “You all know better by now. What good can come from obsessing over the Score? Yulia's Score never predicted that the Outer Lands would fall into the Qliphoth.”

: “That's because we didn't obey the Score!”



: “The Score is not a future set in stone. It's just one of many possible futures!”

: “I ask you all to please give us just a little more time. If... if we cannot come up with a solution in time, we will petition the New Order of Lorelei for help.”

: “Princess Natalia... we believe in you.”

: “As long as the miasma goes away, we've got no complaints with His Majesty's rule.”

: “The miasma has already killed several people. Now there are replicas? These weird human things just hang around and root through our property!”



: “We just want to live a normal, peaceful life.”



: “Human things...”

: “Luke, they're just upset. Once they calm down and get a grip on the situation...”

: “It's fine! It's fine...”

Skit: The People's Unease

: “The Score really does wield sway over people's hearts. It will take time for that to change.”

: “And the with the world full of miasma...”

: “And 'weird human things...' like me.”

: “Luke, don't put it that way.”

: “No... I think that's probably how we look to ordinary people. We don't have mothers or fathers, after all.”

: ….

: “Well, I know it's mean to Luke, but as far as normal people are concerned, it's bad enough already without the Score, and now these things are popping up all over the place.”

: “Fear is infectious. At this rate, there could be riots worldwide.”

: “It all depends on how well the rulers can lead their people...”

The Last Ruler



: “We're looking into that now ourselves.”

: “...Well, at the moment we can't openly cross him. We do not intend to give into him, but many people still have faith in the Score. If we were to oppose it, it could lead to violence.”

: “Damn...!”

: “His Majesty is also working to settle the issues of the replicas. But there are too many to accept as refugees, and the city's public safety is suffering.”

: “A small riot broke out when a replica went to his own funeral. Several people died. And there's the matter of feeding them all. These replicas are such a headache.”



: “...Ah, Luke. I'm not talking about you. Don't let it upset you.”

I've been mostly silent this update, but let me poke my head in and say I really like how this game approaches this whole issue of mass replication. First of all, it's a scarily smart plan to make so many replicas that public infrastructure collapses due to the influx of new mouths to feed. The racism/xenophobia angle is pretty well played too. Allies and even our own party members aren't too hot on replicas, but everytime Luke brings this up they just pat him on the head and say “No no, I'm not talking about you, Luke. You're one of the good ones." No wonder he's feeling like such shit.

: “Your Majesty, I propose we work on an allied response with the Malkuth ambassador.”

: “Agreed. I leave that to you.”

: “By the way Father, all sides have agreed to hold that summit on the Score.”

: “I see. You've made a fine ambassador, Natalia. I'm proud of you. The timing is perfect. All three powers can agree on how the Score is to be handled. I also intend to propose taking joint military action against the New Order of Lorelei.”

: “That makes sense. This world is about to get erased because of that replica land.”

: “That said, any direct attack on Eldrant is precluded by the Planet Storm.”

: “Yes, another headache. And we'll need to discuss the replica issue, as well.”

: “Is the replica problem really that bad?”

: “It's better than it was. It seems they're headed to a place called the Tower of Rem. Many have already left. But between clashes with the citizens and the stress on the economy, they caused quite an uproar. There were enough of them for an entire country, and the majority couldn't speak a word... some people tried to snatch up replicas for untoward purposes...”





: “These problems only arose from a lack of preparedness and infrastructure.”

: “It's also an emotional matter for many. Replicas are identical copies of the originals.”

: “In any case, this summit comes first. Gather the advisers together to formulate Kimlasca's policy. You all should wait at Duke Fabre's manor until things are settled here.”

: “Father! Please allow me to participate.”

: “...Very well.”

: “Natalia. We're all counting on you.”

: “Thank you.”



: “...Come to my chambers later.”

: “Understood.”

Skit: Like Father, Like Daugher?

: “Those two sure do look different.”

: “Those two?”

: “Natalia and Largo. Natalia's so elegant and beautiful...”

: “She probably got it from her mother.”

: “I sure wouldn't want to see a Natalia that got her looks from Largo...”

: “She'd certainly be taller than you.”

: “I-I'm still growing! ...Huh? What is it?”

: “Oh... I was just imagining a Natalia that...”

: “Looked like Largo...”

: ….

: “Well, I imagine she'd be quite the character.”

: “Y-yeah...”

Riiiight.... speaking of Largo, I guess we'll go report to the King.

Bitter Truth + A Familiar Voice



: “Yes, sir. There's no doubt.”

: “What to do... that child could very well be forced to battle her own father.”

: “Natalia still doesn't know. There's always the option of not telling her at all.”

: “Yeah, knowing the truth doesn't always bring happiness...”

: “How about you? Luke, what do you think?”



: “But... I had already begun to get a sense that I wasn't really myself. If I hadn't known, I would have been in complete despair. I'd have just given up... on everything. I know her case is completely different, but... I think it's probably better to know.”

: “I think you're right. Ignorance can be bliss. But the idea of us knowing, while Natalia, the one in question, doesn't.... it feels wrong to me.”

: “It'll only make it more painful when she finds out later.”

: “You're right... give me some time to think it over.”

: “Yes, Your Majesty.”

The game just teleports us right to the next scene, so sorry for the abrupt switch.



: “I'll be borrowing the Albiore.”

: “Well then, what's it going to be Luke? Back to the manor?”

: “Yeah...”

: “Luke, what's wrong?”

: “Yeah, you're acting weird, Luke. Off in your own little world...”



: “Luke!?”

: “Lorelei? Or is it...”



: “Asch...! We're in...”

: Never mind. I see it. Baticul.

: “Damn it, first you put your voice in my head, now you're looking through my eyes?!”

: ...I'm close to Baticul. I'll meet you there. Stay in the city.

: “I'll be back in the manor. If you want to come see me there, be my guest.”

: No, head to the port or something...

: “I want to go back to my home!”

: ...Fine! Do what you want!



: “He's coming to meet us. I told him we'd be at the manor.”

: “The manor? Are you okay with that?”

: “...Yeah. It's better this way.”

Skit: Asch Again

: “I wonder what Asch wants this time.”

: “It's probably about the Jewel of Lorelei.”

: “I guess that means he hasn't found it.”

: “Why?”

: “If he had, he'd have come and said 'I got it, Replica' or something with that convenient communications network of his.”

: “Convenient communications network...”

: “Anise does have a point, though.”

: “...So I guess he's come to vent at you for not finding it.”

: “...That's fine. There's something I want him to do, anyway.”

: “Something you want him to do?”

: “You'll see.”

Returning Fabre + Undertaking the Conference



: “I never thought I'd return.”

: “Asch, how's Lorelei?”

: “I couldn't make contact. It must be trapped inside Van, unable to communicate.”

: “So your search for the Jewel of Lorelei is...”

: “Still ongoing. But we do know that Lorelei passed the Key up through the Sephiroth. If you didn't pick it up, it should still be somewhere around the Sephiroth.”

: “But you searched them, didn't you, Asch? What, did you miss one?”

: “I'm not an idiot. You have me confused with someone else here.”

: “What are you trying to say?”

: “They say the Sword and the Jewel react to one another. You should have found it...”

: “If we don't get the Jewel, things play right into Van's hands...”

: “Damn. And with the miasma, the people are leaning towards the New Order of Lorelei...”





: ”There, salvation shall be found through the use of a forbidden power...”

: “Asch... what if the miasma could be neutralized through a hyperresonance?”

: “...What are you talking about? That's impossible.”

: “Not if you have the Sword of Lorelei! It would cost someone their life, but...”

: “Luke, what are you talking about?”

: “That's the first time I've heard anything like that!”

: …

: “...So? You saying you'll die for us?”

: “I... I'm saying...”







: “...I don't want to die any more than anyone else.”

: “Humph, of course you don't. I... I'm not ready to die yet, either.”



: “This little chat is over. I've got something to do...”

: “I'm not done talking. Just give me ten– five more minutes.”

: “L-let go of me!”

: “Come on, hear him out, Asch.”

: “...Fine.”

Asch joins are party here, but we're not going far.



: “You're...!”

: “...Father, mother, I've brought the real Luke home.”

: “You bastard! What are you planning to-!”

: “We'll be waiting in the courtyard!”



: “...It... it's good to see you again... Mother.”

: “So you've been with the Oracle Knights?”

: “Yes...”

: “...You've grown up, Luke.”

: “Father...”



: “But Luke, are you okay with this? The thought of Asch coming here always made you...”

: “Terrified. I still does. But... I'm just a replica... he's real. If I'm going to get told I'm not needed, I'd rather hear it sooner than–“

: “Stop it, Luke.”

: “Guy?”

: “I thought something was up with you.”





: “Luke! Don't be an idiot!”

: “You keep telling yourself you're just a worthless replica imposter. You keep worrying that you'll be told you're unnecessary. What doses that even mean?”

: “I've been asking myself ever since I found out I'm a replica.”



: “I have no right to exist! No replica does!”

: “I've heard enough!”

: “So have I.”





: “...Luke. Let's get some rest. You've got to be tired...”

: “Yeah...”



While we're sleeping however, the world works.



: “But what good is maintaining the Planet Storm if all of humanity is lost?”

: “The Score is no longer our guide. The time has come to shape the future by our own wills.”



: “But not all fonons would disappear. We simply have to develop a way to make use of those limited fonon resources, correct?”



: “I agree that stopping the Planet Storm is the logical solution.”



: “As have we. Now we should head for Daath for the formal summit. Their Majesties have already set sail for Daath.”

: “Yeah, but we're taking the Albiore. We'll probably pass them along the way.”

: “...Okay, let's go.”

Skit: Unending Troubles

: “At last. Now we just need to ensure that the international conference proceeds uninterrupted...”

: “Yeah...”

: “The heads of the three major powers... everything's secure. And I can't imagine them making unreasonable demands at this point.”

: “Yeah...”

: “But as long as people are involved, nothing is certain. I think we should assist in keeping the conference secure.”

: “Yeah...”

: “Master, does your stomach hurt or something?”

: “Yeah...”

: “Your father will go bald one of these days.”

: “Yeah...”



: “He's completely gone, isn't he?”

: “Well the lights are on.. but sadly, nobody seems to be home.”

: “Neutralizing the miasma again? ...What an idiot.”

: “Luke...”

About Face



: “What's going on? What are you doing all the way out here?”

: “So, you've left the neutralization of the miasma to Asch?”

: “What?”

: “Asch came by just a bit ago, asking about how to neutralize the miasma using hyperresonnance.”

: “Asch?! But why?!”

: “That jerk... what is he thinking?”

: “I did some calculations at his request for the likelihood of the plan succeeding, but...”

: “There simply aren't enough Seventh Fonons to make it work. With Lorelei asleep, there wouldn't be enough even if the Planet Storm were active. And even if there were enough...”

: “No one could endure it. The fonon bonds would break, the fonons would separate, and the person would die.”

: “Don't tell me Asch was fully aware of that...”

: “Yes. I tried to stop him, but he was insistent.”

: “But what about the ten thousand Seventh Fonists he'd need to sacrifice?!”



: “The Seventh Fonon is used to bound a replica's atomic particles. They could be used as substitutes for the Seventh Fonists. He has the Sword of Lorelei to use as an amplifier as well.”

: “That idiot! He's planning to kill himself, and take all the replicas with him?!”

: “What the hell is he thinking now, after all that talk about not wanting to die?”

: “Luke, you have to stop him! We can't let him do something like this!”

: “I know.”

: “Where is he now?”

: “If he's planning on using the replicas' Seventh Fonons, then he's at the Tower of Rem.”

: “Where's that?”

: “The Qiubi Peninsula. It was part of the Qliphoth, but now it should be at the tip of the Rugnican continent.”

: “Okay, let's go get Asch!”

Fucking hell, Asch. We'll stop here for now.

Next Time: Ancient Space Elevators

Synopsis:

When we reached Yulia City, we found a replica on the ground in pain.
Apparently the world has been flooded with replicas, and some of them are
being treated cruelly and running away.

I felt for them. I'm in exactly the same position myself...

Teodoro agreed to attending the Daath summit, and said he would leave for
Daath shortly. Now we just need to report to King Ingobert. Let's head back
for Baticul.

There were a lot of replicas in Baticul, just like we had heard at Yulia
City, and they weren't all being treated well. The sight worried me.

Before the castle, we found a group of Baticul citizens who believed in
the New Order of Lorelei about to riot. Natalia somehow managed to calm them
down, but it's easy to see they're at the limit of their patience. We'll have
to get the country unified again as soon as possible. Anyway, let's go report
to the King on the Score summit.

The King was also worrying himself over the replicas. We explained what
had happened since Mohs' worldwide broadcast, and reported that the Score
summit would be held in Daath. His Majesty said that he would propose
military action against the New Order of Lorelei at the summit, as well.

But there are still a lot of problems that need to be resolved. Eldrant is
still protected by the Planet Storm. The replicas need to be taken care of,
and there are domestic issues as well.

His Majesty then said he needed to discuss the stance Kimlasca would take
at the summit. He allowed Natalia to join the summit as well. I decided to
wait at my father's...no, at Duke Fabre's mansion until the preparations were
complete.

As we were leaving, I mentioned the issue of Natalia's father to the King,
and was told to visit His Majesty in his chamber afterward.
Okay, let's take care of that first.

Upon hearing that Largo was indeed Natalia's father, the King couldn't
decide whether to tell Natalia or not. Everybody had their own thoughts...but
I suggested that Natalia should be told. Though, of course, His Majesty is
the one who'll make the decision. He's much more of a father to her than
Largo, after all.

With the report taken care of, we headed for the mansion.
As we left the castle, Jade said that he would return to Malkuth to help
settle Malkuth's policy. He took the Albiore with him, so we ended up stuck
in Baticul.

With no other choice, we headed for the mansion, but then Asch contacted
me, saying he was going to come and meet me. That gave me a thought, so I
told him to come to the mansion.
Okay, let's wait for Asch in the mansion.

Asch arrived before long. Apparently he hasn't been able to find the Jewel
of Lorelei, and is out of clues on where to look. That reminded me of Ion's
Score, the one about going to Belkend to find a way to eliminate the miasma.
That way was to use hyperresonance to dissolve the miasma, with the power of
the Sword of Lorelei and ten thousand sacrifices. I asked Asch about that,
but he came right back and asked me if I was offering to die.

...That's when I first realized how insincere, how weak my resolved to
change, even the gesture of cutting my hair, had been.

Back then, I had thought I could die. But now? Even if my death could save
the world from the miasma, I'm afraid of dying...

Asch said that he didn't want to die either. It's just like Jade said...
This method is too unrealistic.

Asch tried to leave then, but I still had something for him to do. I'm
going to make him see Father and Mother...

I brought Asch to see Father and Mother, and left for the courtyard. I'd
been thinking I wanted to get Asch back here to see them, but now that I
finally have, it was too difficult to watch.

When I got out into the courtyard, everybody scolded me for thinking about
dying in order to get rid of the miasma. But I've spent a lot of time
thinking about it...thinking about why I was born. Maybe I was born in order
to eliminate the miasma...then wouldn't that mean I had a reason to exist
after all?

Then Asch returned from seeing Father and Mother, yelled at me, and left.
Even though we're the same person, we always wind up fighting. ...Or maybe
it's because we're the same person.

Natalia and Jade returned the following day. Both countries had agreed to
stopping the Planet Storm in order to attack Eldrant. Now we just need to get
things arranged at the summit. Both rulers are already headed for Daath--
let's get going in the Albiore ourselves.

But just as we were leaving Baticul, we found Spinoza waiting for us. He
said Asch had gone to ask him about how to neutralize the miasma.

He can't be planning to use hyperresonance to do that...?!

Even Asch, the original, wouldn't be able to survive that. And what's he
planning to do about the ten thousand people he'd have to sacrifice?
I wondered about that out loud, and Jade replied that he was probably
going to use replicas.
Since the Seventh Fonon is used to bond together atomic particles during
replica synthesis, replicas could serve as substitutes for Seventh Fonists,
Jade said. Is Asch planning a mass suicide with that many replicas...?

We can't let him do that. We decided to head for the Tower of Rem, which
is probably where Asch has gone. The Tower of Rem is on the Qiubi Peninsula,
the southernmost part of the Rugnican continent--southwest of Kaitzur. Let's
board the Albiore and hurry after Asch!