Part 110: Show me that radiance as it brings light to this shadowed land!
-The Hidden True Form-
At this point you're meant to think 'Hooray, teleport maze' and quit the game forever, but for the most part the true towers are straightforward.
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'Meager,' she says. 
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Supercaledfwlchalistic-Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch.
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...aladocious.
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The towers are also crawling with the two types of smaller archaisms you see here.
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The Broken Pieces have chainsaws for privates. The clockworky-looking Guard Minions in the back cast arts, including La Teara.
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Show me your moves.
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Hmmmm, looks like some sorta computer terminal.
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Let's have a look.
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This should work.
A Unix system! I know this!
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It does seem to be some sort of computer terminal for viewing information. Let's have a look at the contents.
quote:
Received Data Crystal 0.
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What the heck good is this? It's basically unreadable except for the beginning.
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Though...that 'Auslese' bit.
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Yes...It is the name of the royal family of Liberl.
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This may have been written by someone connected to us.
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That's true...
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It is possible that there's a connection there.
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Yeah, maybe.
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Well, it could be useful, so we should take it.
I really hate these ancient green & amber monochrome displays.
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These spider archaisms use arts. You can mute them, but they'll just try to melee and you don't want that.
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The super-deluxe teleporter and rest point mark the end of the dungeon.
-Silence-
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I think so, but...look at it.
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So this is what they're hiding on the roofs with these dark barriers.
Man's Voice: Ho ho. That was sprightly.
-The Enforcers-
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So you ARE here...you masked weirdo.
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Hmmm. Must we trade insults? I would expect better from the ones who managed to best every one of my challenges.
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Those 'challenges' are half the reason I don't want to even bother talking to you anymore, you know.
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Putting that aside...this is something of an event, is it not? It has been an age since we last met, after all...Joshua Astray, Black Fang of Ouroboros.
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...It has, hasn't it?
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I'll admit, I was surprised YOU would support Weissmann's plan.
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Hah. Well. Putting anything else aside, I am here out of...curiosity.
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This land of Liberl possesses a mysterious sort of dignity, wouldn't you agree? In the people, the land, even the air.
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I simply wished to discern if this dignity is real. For, when faced with disaster, it should shine forth all the greater.
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I...see.
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In some ways, you're more like Weissmann than I thought, I guess.
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Haha! What I seek is beauty, in all its forms. The good professor's goals are...somewhat different. I should think that you, above all others, would understand that.
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...
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Ah, and my darling princess has come as well. May I assume that means you shall accept my adoration?
Now's your chance, Kloe! Tell him he's just too nice!
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Unfortunately...I fear I cannot live up to your expectations.
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If I were truly noble, I would not...hesitate so. I shall have to give an answer when I return to the Arseille.
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I...I dread that moment.
Turns out Kloe is the one who's too nice. Oh well.
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Kloe...
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...
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HA-HA! Ahhhh! Yes! That fear! O shining proof of nobility! O radiant wings which will not deign to touch the disgusting insects crawling in the mud!
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Waaaah!
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Balancing Clowns--assault archaisms!
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Now! Show me! Show me that radiance as it brings light to this shadowed land!
-Fateful Confrontation-
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Hm-hm-hm-hm-hm...
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Ahahahahahahaha!
Bleublanc will conjure up illusory clones. Any attack against a clone will have no effect, but whoops! If the real thing already has any debuffs or arts-targeting on him, he'll still stand out.
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Any damage to the real Bleublanc will dispel his clones.
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There's nowhere to run!
I might waste Grail Sphere sometimes, but at least I've still got Earth Wall.
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The clowns can impede, but their damage is low and they're subject to AT-Delay so they aren't very dangerous.
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I'll bring you a fitting end!
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Now...die beautifully!
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Hahahahahaha! Farewell!
Kloe would have dropped if not for that Earth Wall. Death Magic is pretty nasty. At least it's only single-target.
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How do you like this?
-The Enforcers-
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Perhaps it is time we get properly serious, th--
-Silence-
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...!
-Engaged People in Secret Maneuvers-
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Heeey! It's all back to normal!
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Hm, it seems my role has come to an end for now. Nothing for it, then. I suppose I shall withdraw.
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Wh--
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Wait, please!
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Haha! Ah, I expected it of the princess, but you bracers also shine with a certain nobility. When next we meet, I shall take the full measure of your radiance. Well, then, everyone...Adieu!
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...
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It's even larger than the other new models.
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I'm glad the tower's back to normal, and all...but what was he trying to do with this thing?
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All the mechanical junk up here's stopped working again, looks like.
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Thaaaat's definitely not ominous, y'know?
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And that barrier that was covering the tower's crown until a moment ago...What WAS that, I wonder?
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...
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Regardless, the tower has been returned to normal. We should return to the Arseille for now.
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Yeah, we should discuss this with Professor Russell.
-Tetracyclic Tower-
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I see, I see. Sounds as if quite a lot happened.
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Anyway, Professor, we thought you should have the Beta.
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Oh, also! We found this in the tower.
quote:
Estelle handed over the crystal she found.
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Ohhh...This is a memory crystal! The ancient orbal cultures used these to store information.
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The information inside it seemed...damaged, somehow. Is there a way to restore it?
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Damaged? Hmm.
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The crystal itself seems to be circuit-imprinted septium, just like a 'normal' quartz crystal. It may take a while, but I'm reasonably sure I can make the Capel read it.
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Could you do that, then?
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Of course! Leave it to me.
Trust Professor Russell to have already mastered the CD-ROM(Crystal Doohickey: Random Orbal Malarkey).
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So. Beyond that...whatever-it-is in front of the tower doors is something you're calling the 'shadow tower.'
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Hmmmmmmmmm...I should have gone myself.
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Umm, Grandpaaaa...
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We've been calling it 'shadow,' but I think it might be the actual form of the towers.
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That is, as the components of the second seal on the Aureole.
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I kinda want to be relieved that it's all back to 'normal,' but...yeah.
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What's got me really worried is that they got the machines at the top workin', and now they're stopped again.
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Mmmm. True.
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One way or another, we can't leave the society to do what it wants.
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We have to get to the next tower as soon as we can!
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Julia. Do we have ANY information on the other towers?
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We did just get an update from the scout squad sent toward Carnelia Tower.
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They reported a man wearing a black suit and sunglasses entering the tower.
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Him...
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That 'Direwolf' guy. Damn.
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Walter? Mmm...
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Finally. A chance to meet him head on.
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Zane...
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Estelle. Joshua. I'm sorry to impose, but I'm coming with you into Carnelia Tower.