Part 63: Did you guys...hear the sound of a bell just now?

-Rock on the Road-



So along the Malga Trail, the fog goes all the way to 140 selge out from the city...Hmmm.
Not only does the fog extend halfway up the blasted mountains, but there are monsters everywhere. This is bad.
Yeah, I don't ever remember it being this bad. Anyway, we've checked all three roads, so...
Time to head back and report to Aina, right?
Unless you can think of any other pressing business, I'd say that's right.



Miner Landan: Sorry, but the mine's off limits to non-miners. Sorry, but I'll have to ask you to leave.
Laaame. Maybe I should have brought Tita. She's a miner minor.





-Tetracyclic Tower-











True Distend jumps from +30% STR/DEF, to +60%. That's sort of a lot, especially on Zane.










More arty explody rock things, just like in Sapphirl and Carnelia Towers. You know the drill.













Kloe's position as the group's strongest attack caster is now more or less a lock.





Like most of the uniques, tier 4 quartz require an upgraded orbment slot.









A ring? Why would something like this be here?
...About that bird just now...That was a crow, I believe.
Maybe. It sure looked like one, but what does--
...Oh! Isn't this Armand's ring?
It's very, very likely. Let's head back and report.
Right!



-Provincial City of Rolent-



_*RINGGG*



Did you guys...hear the sound of a bell just now?
I did. It sounds quite distant, however.
Real pretty sound, too.
Yeah, I know! It was, like, hypnotizing for a second, there.
...
Uh, Schera? You okay? You're spacing out.
Ah, no, it's nothing. Like you said, it's a lovely sound. It...enchanted me for a moment, that's all.
You too, huh? You don't hear a bell that nice often! I wonder if Rinon got one in or something.
It's...possible.
Anyway, we have a clear picture of how far the fog extends now. We should let Aina know.
Yeah, let's get back.



Let me pay you for your efforts before we continue.

I have to admit, though, I was expecting a more...vague report. If the fog has boundaries THAT clearly defined...Brrrr.
Yes, it's all but impossible to think of it as natural when you see it.
I'm still a little unclear on just how big the entire, um, 'fog cloud' is.
Let's take a look at it on a map.



So, if it's 60 selge down the Elize Highway, 80 down the Milch Main Road, and 140 down the Malga Trail...
It should look something like this.



That's not really as helpful as I thought it'd be...
Yes, it's strange...The way fog spreads should change based on its point of origin and the direction of the wind.



Guess all we can do is stay ready for anything.
I'm afraid so. The army's still on the fence about mobilizing, too...
Oh, that reminds me.
Hey, um, Tita? I don't suppose your Grandpa has any inventions that are like, um, a fog remover or something?
Ummmm...Grandpa did make something called a dehumidifier once...
A dehumidifier? So it removes water vapor from the air, right? That's perfect! Could we use that?
Ummm, I don't think so. It's meant to be used indoors.
You'd need hundreds to affect a place as big as Rolent...And even if we had them all, it wouldn't fix the actual problem!
*sigh* Technology fails us, huh?
It'd also be nice if we had some solid evidence the society is behind this. This feels a little...half-cooked, I think. For them, anyway.
I think you mean 'half-baked'...and, uh, what makes you say that?
So far, everything they've used their Gospels for has been some sort of world-shaking phenomena, right? Literally, in one case. But just producing some fog isn't really that impressive.
Good point. You'd think this would be like a...flesh-eating...doom-fog...thing, or something, coming from them.
Ah, and let us not forget.
Every time, they have given us a message in some form or another. This time, however, not a murmur.
Wait, have they?
My rival's ghostly projections, the wolf appearing amongst sheep, and our kitten's lovely letters.
Each time, there were provocative signs spurring us into action. But here? Silence.
That's true, I guess.
Hm. Put like that, it does come across as rather half-baked.
...
Hmm? Schera, is something the matter?
A message...
We may have received one already.
What...?
What? When did we--
Man's Voice: H-Help! Someone!

-Silence-



*wheeze* *wheeze*
O-Oh, good, you're all...*wheeze*...
Mayor Klaus! What's wrong? You look like you just ran a marathon.
...Wait, why am I getting the weirdest sense of deja vu?
Mayor Klaus, please, catch your breath. Has something happened?
Has something...You could say that, yes...
I'm glad to see you're all safe, at least.
Mayor, what do you...
Mayor, if you could explain?

-Engaged People in Secret Maneuvers-

Just a few moments ago...Lita collapsed in my home. Several other citizens have fainted in the same way.
*gasp*
What?!















Father Divine: Their breathing is stable, and their pupils look fine. They seem to be asleep, so they shouldn't sicken further, I think.
I see...It's a small mercy, at least.
Father Divine: If we cannot rouse them, however...I doubt I need to elaborate. Mayor, we have to find a solution, as fast as we can.
Hmmmmm...
...
Be strong, Estelle. There would be no shame in needing to take a seat.
I'm okay...
It's just, even Elissa's mom and Luke collapsed...It's...kind of a shock.
Estelle...If you're not feeling well, you can go back to the guildhouse, you know. Or you could rest at home.
...No. Can't let myself get all mopey, you know?
Father, you really have no idea why they're comatose?
Father Divine: I'm afraid I don't. I desperately wish I did! The traditional Church remedies for awakening the sleeping aren't working, so I don't think it is poison or illness...It's more like...Aidios preserve us, but it's like their souls are trapped by something.
Their...souls?
...
For the moment, it seems the best course of action would be to visit the homes of the afflicted. We need to find out what, exactly, the situation was when they fell into these...comas.
Ah!
Right, let's go.
Estelle. Scherazard.
As of now, in my capacity as mayor of Rolent, I am formally requesting guild assistance. Please...discover what has caused this, and assuage the fears of our people!
Just leave it to us, Mayor.
We'll do everything in our power, sir. I swear it.

-Under the Moonlight-



Am I the only one who's suspecting the society behind all this?
No...I'd say it's likely at this point.
A deep, sudden coma that the local parish head can do nothing about...
That certainly seems like the sort of incredible 'phenomena' we were talking about.
Thanks, guys. I was hoping I was just being paranoid.
But then, I have to wonder...Has anyone received a 'message'?
That's...a good question.
You did write down the full list of people who've fallen comatose, yes?
Oh, one sec!





We can return to the guildhouse once we've done so.
Right!