Sage Babama

Your companion always looks ahead.

You don't know if there's any wavering in her heart, but her gaze has never wavered.

This is the Winter Snow Forest of Alternate Dimension...

The scenery in front of us is similar yet different from the border of Alternate Dimension Forget.

Similar in that it bears the marks of Erosion.

Different in that the Sprites that used to exist are no longer here.

At the border, there were Barriers left by the Sprites, but there is nothing left here.

"...We may have arrived too late.

%n%, have you seen the situation around here on your way?"

"The level of Erosion here is even more severe than the previous area... I'm worried about the conditions of the second confinement."

Where is the second confinement?

"Based on my previous research, it should be in the northeast. There's still a long way to go, but there's a problem now."

Babama points ahead.

"If you go a little further to (260, 83), you'll see what I mean by the problem... Be careful not to be discovered.

You can go forward a bit to (260, 83) and take a look, but be careful about your safety and don't let those guys notice you.

Up ahead is the Carso Cultist stronghold, and it's not small in size. People coming and going are all followers of the Carso religion.

"This is not good... We came here with the least amount of people and don't have the ability to confront them head-on with so many."

"If only the White Flame Knights could come with us."

"The road to the ancient polar region of the Alternate Dimension is in the northeast corner, almost diagonally opposite to our current location. Even if we didn't have the Barrier problem, it would be difficult to request support from the White Flame Knights."

"What should we do..." Babama pondered in the direction of the Carso cult camp.

Okay, let's do it this way!"

How should we do it?

"Pretend to be members of their cult and infiltrate!"

Are you serious?

"Of course. Didn't we gain some understanding of their cult through our previous collaboration with the heretics?"

"Although I also want to go with you... they might recognize me, and the situation could become complicated."

"%n%, give it a try. I'll hide here. If you fail, come back quickly, and we'll think of another way to escape together."

"If you can infiltrate, you might be able to directly inquire about the second level of confinement and their plans for the future."

"Remember not to go straight to their leader at the beginning. Once you reveal your true identity, it will be irreparable."

"First, observe the people around you and gather information from their reactions before talking to the leader.

How's it going? Is everything going smoothly?"

"Should we escape now or continue with the investigation?

Is everything going smoothly? Should we escape now or continue deeper?"

We should have made it through for now, so there's no need to escape.

However, the tasks assigned to us are still just simple errands, and we haven't yet been involved in their specific Event.

The main person in charge, the assistant priest Asika, has asked you to collect reports from other members, maybe you can sneak a peek at the contents?

"Although I also want to know what they're planning, it's still too dangerous to act recklessly.

The assistant asked you to clean up the nearby Toxic Flame Lizard, right?"

"Hurry up! These monsters are not good for the land."

"For now, just do as they ask and see what to do next."

You indicate that you understand.

What's wrong? Did the covert investigation go smoothly?"

You want to tell Babama what happened, but you don't know how to say it.

You need some time to sort things out.

First, investigate the East Side Of The Natural Fault (1156, 410), South Of The Harbor in the Northern Territory (808, 617), and Time Forget Land (1029, 824).

What's wrong? Did your infiltration investigation go smoothly? Your face looks terrible," Babama's expression became serious as she saw your face.

You explained everything you found during the investigation.

The second imprisonment has been lifted, Carso's cult is collecting the power of imprisonment, and most importantly, you found Zindel in the northern region.

"The second imprisonment has been lifted? How... no, I guess that's it," Babama muttered.

"The land has been damaged too severely. If the imprisonment was still in place, the surrounding area wouldn't have been eroded like this," you added.

"What are they trying to do with the power of imprisonment? We don't have any crucial information," Babama asked.

"And how did Zindel end up there? And the Stagnation feeling in the northern region... what happened?

Damn, the current information is not enough."

"...The people Carso taught will investigate the northern region, %n% will continue to investigate."

"Since they want the power of confinement, we can avoid danger by mastering it first, right?"

"I need to figure out what happened in the north, why they can resist Erosion, and also need to know what Zindel is doing there and if it's related to these things."

"But I can't rashly expose myself to Carso's people. Damn, it would be great if there was something for remote communication."

"I'm counting on you, %n%, to first ask Zindel how to explain this situation.

Zindel has put his power into the tear crystal given to Asika. If Asika does anything to the tear crystal, it may affect Zindel. Let's inform Zindel about this first and then tell Babama about the situation later.

How is the situation now?"

You told Babama about Zindel's explanation and explained that you had tampered with the power of confinement and handed it over to Asika, and also learned about the summary of what the Carso members were going to do here.

"They just gave it away like that... We need communication equipment!"

Babama complained for a while and then fell into deep thought.

"..."

"...I don't think this is right."

"You said before that Zindel made the Barrier in the northern region, right? But its nature seems completely different from the ice FrostBarrier on the border, and the way it deals with invaders is also different."

"%n%, please go to the northern region again, there's something I want to confirm.

%n%, help me investigate these places in the Northern Region: Harbor (689, 913), Tower (1155, 759), and South of the Tower (1222, 590)."

"Ice FrostBarrierProtection has helped many survivors. During the time of the Cataclysm, there may still be other survivors in the Northern Region. Check to see if there are any other survivors."

"Also, investigate the monsters in the area."

"After the investigation, do not go to Zindel, come back to me directly."

Babama has a clear suspicion of Zindel.

You also want to know what subtle bug you feel from Zindel's words and actions, so you go back to the Northern Region again.

Go investigate Harbor (689, 913), Tower (1155, 759), and South of the Tower (1222, 590) in the northern region."

"Ice FrostBarrierProtection has protected many survivors. During the time of imprisonment and destruction, there may still be other survivors in the northern region. Go check if there are any other survivors."

"Also investigate the monsters that exist in the area.

No survivors?"

There are no survivors. After traveling throughout the northern region, the only human you saw besides Zindel was a member of the White Flame Knights.

It is said that when Zindel came over, he was patrolling the Ancient Mountain Passage and was intercepted by the other party.

There are no survivors, and no signs of human habitation.

Although Harbor is intact, it is completely deserted, and other areas are occupied by monsters.

"This situation is too buggy. How is it possible that there are no survivors at all?"

"Leave it to Carso's power of confinement that he taught us to retrieve as soon as possible. It's too dangerous, and we have no idea what will happen next."

"Even if Zindel says he set a trap inside with magic... what if Zindel betrays us?

We need to find a way to retrieve the power of confinement first - wait, what's that?"

Feeling an unusual aura, Babama looked towards the east in shock.

"Something's not right, there's a strong force gathering over there... Carso's followers have started to act!"

"We must stop them from offering the power of confinement in the ritual to the gods!"

"I'll go find the anchor point they're using to extract the power of this land. %n%, you go confirm the location where they're going to perform the ritual!

Have you confirmed the location? Did you find out their next steps?"

First, go find the assistant priest Asika to confirm what the next move of the Carso sect is.

Tell Babama the location of the ritual and what the Carso members are saying about the spell.

"I've also found the location of the anchor point - based on your description, it should be the same as the spell they're talking about."

"The power of confinement is related to the power of the Broken Pieces Of Sprite... it should be qualified, right?"

Babama uses magic to take something from you, and upon closer inspection, it's the Energy Fragment you collected for Zindel before.

It must have been picked up during your previous activities in the northern region.

"Use this to go to the location I've confirmed and take care of the spell once you've dug it up!

Babama hands you Broken Pieces Of Sprite and a device.

"This is the Temporary Communicator I made earlier. It's not very stable, but it should work for the current situation."

"Now you can communicate in real-time without having to run back and forth like before."

"Go to Divine Tree Surroundings (1076, 199) and find the first spell, solve it!"

"After solving it, just report back to me using the communicator.

The third spell is located on the high platform of the desolate mountain path (208, 379).

The communicator is no longer working, so hurry back to Babama after casting the spell.

Is it resolved?"

You hand over the non-functional Temporary Communicator to Babama and give her a positive response.

"That's great! %n%, we still have time!"

"I've investigated and found out that the ritual site created by Carso is a secret chamber built on the ruins of an abandoned altar for worship."

"In addition to the spell providing energy and the brainwashed travelers converting energy, there are also artificially created Sprites that serve as carriers of power."

"The foundation of these artificially created Sprites is the Black Magic Crystal made by Carso. I've made a Resonant Magic Crystal using similar materials found in this area that can locate the artificially created Sprites."

"%n%, get ready!

Babama hands you the resonating magic crystal.

"Use this magic crystal at the altar (722, 133) in the secret chamber ruins to locate the artificial Sprite that serves as the foundation of the chamber."

"As long as you defeat that guy, the secret chamber built by Carso's teachings will collapse!"

"That guy must be very strong, %n% so be careful!

At the altar (722, 133) in the secret chamber ruins, using the Resonant Magic Crystal will reveal the cornerstone created by the cult - the artificial Sprite."

"The secret chamber will collapse once the artificial Sprite is defeated!"

"The artificial Sprite is very strong, so please be careful and fully prepared before taking on the challenge!

After finally defeating the Artificial Dark Sprite, you didn't notice any changes in the location of the ritual. The Dark Ritual Secret Chamber created by the Carso cult also didn't react, so you explained the situation to Babama.

"How is this possible? This shouldn't be... Wait, %n%, let me check!"

After using magic to confirm your situation, Babama showed an expression of disbelief.

"...The link between the artificial sprite and the secret chamber hasn't been severed."

What does that mean?

"The link has been transferred from the artificial sprite to you. How is that possible..."

That should have been created using the power of confinement...

"...And that power of confinement was extracted from the Sprite Broken Pieces you collected. If this is Zindel's contingency plan, it's too absurd!"

"This won't work... We have to go into the Dark Ritual Secret Chamber and destroy the core furnace directly.

Although we should focus on the Dark Ritual Secret Chamber situation, I still care about what's happening in the North. %n%, even though it may tire you out, please investigate the situation in the North for me."

"While investigating the anchor points set up by the Carso Church, I found a sacrificial site in the North similar to the Sprite Sacred Tree area. Please go there and take a look!"

"The location should be in the area near Harbor (854, 784). Observe the situation around there.

There is a sacrificial site in the northern region that is similar to the Sprite Sacred Tree area, located in the vicinity of Harbor (854, 784)."

"Observe the surrounding area and come back to tell me.

Are there many Sprite phantoms wandering around nearby?"

"Well, this is indeed one of the results I anticipated."

"Let's continue investigating!

I would like you to help me collect energy from the Remnant Sprites."

"Based on my deduction, Phantom Sprites and Remnant Sprites have different properties."

"Finding the differences in their properties will solve the mystery of the Northern Barrier."

Babama remained silent for a moment.

"I have a few guesses, but there are still some inconsistencies..."

"Let's collect some samples first.

Please collect energy samples from Remnant Sprite for me.

After obtaining the energy, Babama immediately began to observe.

"Well... I need some time to analyze this."

"It feels like the energy mixed in is the power of time and space, but I can't be sure yet.

When I confirm,*Please check the route to the Ancient Polar Region in the Alternate Dimension. The inability to come from the Ancient Polar Region in the Alternate Dimension should be due to the Barrier, but other possibilities need to be ruled out.*If there is any danger on the way, please eliminate it first. If we can contact the Ancient Polar Region later, it will also be convenient for others to come over.

Confirm the route to the Ancient Polar Region in the Alternate Dimension."

"The reason we can't come from the Ancient Polar Region in the Alternate Dimension is probably due to the Barrier, but other possibilities need to be ruled out as well."

"If there are monsters wandering on the way, take care of them!

Have you confirmed the route to the ancient polar region of the Alternate Dimension and eliminated all the dangers on the way?"

How is the progress on Babama's side?

"I have... made progress."

"Although I wish it wasn't like this..."

"Darn it, what did Zindel do...

This is something I extracted from the Energy Fragments you collected."

What is it?

"It's the power of time and space contained within those Broken Pieces."

Why would this kind of power exist in those virtual Sprite images?

"That's something I want to know as well..."

"Those Sprites have been hovering around the Sprite Ring, right?"

"Take this power of time and space to the area near the Sprite Ring (854, 784), there should be some kind of reaction. Go check it out.

When using my extracted Time Broken Pieces at Sprite Ring (854, 784) in the northern region, there should be some kind of reaction.

You returned from the mission, but Babama didn't ask about the result, so you had to tell him what happened.

"Is that so..."

What exactly is that huge Remnant Sprite?

"...It's the lingering thoughts of a Sprite that got stuck in the time rift."

"The difference between Remnant Sprite and Phantom Sprite is that Remnant Sprite has energy that doesn't belong to this time and space."

"They were brought here from another time and space, and the huge Remnant Sprite you called out with Time Broken Pieces is their companion that was left behind in the river of time."

How could something that doesn't belong to this time and space be in the Northern Barrier?

"...Maybe it's not those Sprites that don't belong to this time and space, but..."

Babama stopped halfway and shook his head instead of continuing.

"I can't give you the answer to this question, and there are still many Unwavering doubts I have."

"Zindel said he made the Northern Barrier, so he should be the one to give us the answer.

Only then did you realize that you had a connection with the power of confinement and the secret chamber. You were worried that doing something in the secret chamber again might lead to irreparable consequences.

"We don't have enough time. Let's go to the secret chamber first, and I'll explain on the way," said Babama.

And so, you had no choice but to follow Babama to the Dark Ritual Secret Chamber (768, 52).

%n%, which path do you want to choose?

One option is to continue on the current path, defeating Carso and protecting the current Seal.

The Northern Harbor, which was cut from the future into this timeline, looks so beautiful that it seems unreal. It's something you can protect by continuing in this direction.

Another option is to take a completely different path, allowing Carso to consume the power of the Seal and then transforming Carso into a new Seal.

This plan is like a fairy tale, and you can't imagine what will happen. But after realizing that the previous method cannot prevent destruction, this seems to be the last resort.

It's like the faint and rugged vitality that Stargazer saw.

You look at Sage, but Sage can't make a decision either.

"I need to think, %n%, let me think..."

That's okay, because you feel like you need to think carefully too.