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schoenheit
Unlock: Train in the Forest of Dreams location with any character
Characters: Akira, Bradley, Mithra, Owen, Snow, White
Chapter One
Location: Northern Tower (Day)
Akira: We've arrived at the Northern Tower. Northern Wizards, please allow me to ask for your cooperation during this subjugation mission.
Mithra: (Sighs)... You say we're "subjugating" something, but it's likely nothing more than some smallfry gone berserk due to the influence of the Great Calamity, correct?
Bradley: Yeah, like hell all of us need to waste our time like this. Any one of us coulda just gone alone and taken care of it, no problem.
Snow: Now, now, don't say that. We're practicing teamwork here.
White: Now, follow our lead. You must learn how to be in perfect sync with one another, just like us twins.
Snow & White: Three... two...
Perfect sync pose!
Mithra: I have to do that with Bradley...?
Bradley: I gotta do that with Mithra...?
Akira: I-I'll look forward to seeing that.
If I may return to the topic at hand, our destination is in the Northern Country: a place known as "The Forest of Dreams."
Owen: The Forest of Dreams?
Akira: That's correct. Do you know of it, Owen?
Owen: I do. It's cozy, so I go there often to play.
Akira: Oh, so it’s nice there! Thank goodne...
Owen: The trees in the forest release lethal poison that shows you strange but wonderfully sweet dreams.
The poison is so strong that you can't make it out of the forest alive if you don't have magic at least as strong as ours.
Knowing this, all sorts of people come to the forest, like people with terminal illnesses; wizards tired of living…
Those who want so desperately to see one final, pleasant dream before they disappear from this world.
Akira: ......
Chapter Two
Owen: The trees use their dead bodies as nutrients, which allows more and more trees to grow. And the more trees grow, the more trees there are to emit toxic spores.
Isn't it wonderful?
Option One: I don't know about that...Owen: Come on; let's go. Ahhh... I can't wait. I wonder, I wonder... just whose final moments will I get to so rudely interrupt?
Owen: Really? That's too bad. You should just enjoy the forest of corpses, like I do.
Option Two: You think that's "wonderful"?
Owen: Of course I do. You don't?
Akira: I... I think your moral values are a little strange...
Owen: That’s why everyone is so afraid of me. Go on— you can be scared of me, too.
Option Three: Suddenly, I want to go back to the manor...
Owen: You were the one who invited us all along, weren’t you? No need to be shy.
Oh, that's right. This has nothing to do with the mission, but if you take advantage of the forest's poison to dream, you can do some interesting things.
Akira: “Interesting things”?
Owen: When you lose yourself to fantasy while in the forest, its poison will invite you to a deep, deep slumber. When that happens, you'll see unusual dreams, and, as a result, gain unusual power.
Well, you'll die mid-dream if you inhale too much poison. But if you're confident you can return to reality, why not lose yourself in the Forest of Dreams?
Akira: Lose myself in dreams,[1] huh... I understand. I'll try that next time, then.
✧✧✧
Location: The Forest of Dreams
Akira: So this is the Forest of Dreams...
It really is mysterious and charming, as if it were straight out of a fairytale...
Owen: It only looks that way. If I weren’t protecting you with my magic, someone as weak as you would’ve lost their mind in an instant.
Akira: You're protecting me, Owen?
Owen: That's right. But only so I can tell you, "If you want me to protect you, then beg for your life."
Akira: I want you to protect me, Owen. I sincerely appreciate your assistance on this matter.
Owen: Ugh. At least try and sound more revolted. Boring...
Chapter Three
Owen: I wonder if anyone's here? Someone on the verge of death; someone seeing a sweet, happy dream. I'll wake them up and bring them back to reality.
Bradley: Yeah, how about you don't be an asshole, instead. You've got some nasty-ass hobbies.
Owen: Excuse me?
Mithra: Ahh, I just remembered something.
Snow: What is it, Mithra?
Mithra: I'm fairly certain I beat Owen within an inch of his life somewhere around here before.
Akira: What!? Why!?
Mithra: Hm, who knows. We were quarreling over something trivial. Do you remember, Owen?
Owen: ... Mm, who knows.
Mithra: Did you end up dying back then?
Akira: What kind of question is that...?
White: Owen can die a countless number of times, as he's hidden his soul away somewhere else.
Owen: I did die. Here, in this forest.
Let's go.
✧✧✧
Bradley: So, we’re here to subjugate something. But what the hell are we actually subjugating?
Akira: Reports indicated that the toxic spores have multiplied in such excess that they've begun affecting a great number of animals in neighboring regions. The behavior of the affected animals has grown abnormal, leading them to experience uncontrollable outbursts before soon collapsing.
Snow: Perhaps the Keeper of the Forest of Dreams has grown greater in size due to the influence of the Great Calamity.
White: The Keeper of the Forest of Dreams is an ancient arbor, located deep within the heart of this forest... It is considered a sacred tree.
Owen: You have it all wrong. That sacred tree has long since been swallowed up.
Mithra: By what?
Owen: By all the dreams of the dead. While the tree once used their bodies as its nutrients, their dreams eventually colonized it, making it their nest.
The Great Calamity likely breathed new life into the feelings in those dreams... the feelings of those who've passed. Now, those feelings puppet the corpse of the sacred tree.
Isn't it ridiculous? It meant to consume the dead, but it was the one consumed instead.
Mithra: (Sigh)... It really does resemble you, somehow.
Owen: ... What are you getting at?
Chapter Four
Mithra: I don't entirely understand it, but... Like the sacred tree, you, too, are eager to know the darkness that lies within people's hearts, correct?
Owen: But I don’t get swallowed up by that darkness.
Mithra: You’re still similar. Back then, too— You were probably... trying to peer into the darkness within me, but, instead, you ended up... What's the word...
Akira: ... being the one hurt?
Mithra: Yes, that. Am I wrong?
Owen: Haha... Heyyy. I'll murder you, Mithra.
Mithra: That's just not possible for you. Ahh, that's right... Back then, we also began arguing just like this.
Bradley: Then don’t pull the same shit again, hey.
Owen: ......
Snow: Where are you going, Owen!?
Owen: I’ll take it down on my own. (Leaves)
Mithra: Thank you very much. So, can we go home?
Bradley: Yeah, Owen can handle it.
White: Now, now! Mithra, Bradley!
Snow: Hm...? The sage... The sage is gone!?
✧✧✧
Akira: Owen! Owen, please wait!
Owen: ... Are you stupid? Why did you follow me?
Akira: Ah, you mentioned that your magic was protecting me, so I thought it'd be nullified if I were separated from you.
Owen: ......
Then beg for your life.
Akira: Please help me. I would deeply appreciate it if you would aid me. I don't want to die.
Owen: Hmph. Hurry up and get over here, then. I'll leave you behind.
Akira: Thank you very much!
Chapter Five
Akira: Still... It's so lovely here. I wish I could post a picture online.
Owen: On what line?
Akira: Ah, never mind...
In regards to what Mithra said earlier... What were you two fighting over when he killed you?
Owen: Who knows? I forgot.
Akira: ......
Owen: But he made total mincemeat out of me. I've died countless times, but the pain is fresh every time.
So I fled into the Forest of Dreams for refuge. I just wanted to try it— I just wanted to try being like one of those people who come here to see happy, comforting dreams before they die. But...
Something wasn't right.
Akira: Wasn't right...?
Owen: Mm. Something felt off. Happy dreams... Warm dreams... Kind dreams... None of those came to me.
I was left alone with myself: me, the one who'd picked a fight with Mithra; the one who'd lost; the one who'd run away seeking refuge. Pathetic, miserable me.
I'd intended to hurt him, but I was the one who got hurt. And there I was, dying because of it.
If I'd known that was how it'd end, I should've just fought Mithra to the death and made sure he killed me. I made too many mistakes to even count.
The whole of me just felt emptier and emptier, as if I'd been hollowed out.
Akira: Owen...
Owen: I mean, Mithra isn’t like me; he doesn't weaken and toy with people like I do. He takes them down in one shot.
I'd say that part of him is kind.
Akira: (Sighs)...
Owen: Haha... Wow, you sound just like Mithra.
Chapter Six
Owen: ... The people who escape to the Forest of Dreams for refuge... They remind me of myself.
So I can't help but want to bully them.
Akira: Even so, if they remind you of yourself, you should be kind to them…
Owen: ......
Akira: Didn't you wish someone would've come to save you, too, Owen?
Owen: Are you stupid? If someone tried to save me, I'd just bite my tongue off and die.
Akira: But...
Ah...! Owen, that massive tree...!
Owen: That's the Keeper of the Forest of Dreams— the sacred tree. Colonized by the dreams of the dead, spreading its toxic spores.
Trying to hurt others, but getting hurt instead... You, too, are foolish.
Allow me to laugh at you.
≪Quare Morito≫
✧✧✧
Bradley: Hey, they're back.
Mithra: Thank you for your hard work, Master, Owen.
Owen: Can I pinch your cheek?
Mithra: Huh? I'd rather you didn't... Why?
Owen: I remembered the details of the time you left me for dead, so seeing your face irritates me.
Mithra: You must love my face.
Owen: You could say that.
Akira: I can't tell if they get along or not...
Snow: Your hard work is greatly appreciated, Master Sage. Subjugation: Complete!
White: Though the Forest of Dreams is as it's always been, now no harm shall reach the neighboring regions.
Akira: Thank goodness! And it's all thanks to Owen! Thank you very much!
Owen: Hmph. I don't need your thanks.
Just gimme some yummy candy in return.
Bonus: Location Description
About this Location
An area related to the Northern Wizard, Owen. A wondrous and lovely place that seems as if it were right out of a fairytale, but the trees of the forest have been imbued with magical power, releasing lethal poison. As the poison corrodes its victims from the inside out, it shows them wonderfully indulgent dreams, so those who are on the verge of death come to the forest to lose themselves to one, final happy dream. According to Owen, he finds the forest "comforting," and he often comes here to be a nuisance upon the people roaming the forest, who stand at the edge of life and death.
Special Command: Lose Yourself to Dreams
When the lethal poisons released by the trees in the Forest of Dreams invoke dreams within a wizard, that wizard's heart will experience tremendous growth. However, it depletes a massive amount of stamina in exchange. It's possible to fail when attempting to lose yourself to dreams, however, so it's vital to be precise in exactly when you choose to attempt this action.
Translation Notes
1. As explained in the "Location Description" translation above, when training in the Forest of Dreams, the gimmick button (the one with the rainbow on it) reads "lose yourself to dreams." ↑
Thank you haranami_ @ Twitter for proofreading!
