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schoenheit
Unlock: Train in the Forest of Dreams location
with any Owen card as your main party member ("scenario card")
Characters: Akira, Bradley, Cain, Heathcliff, Mithra, Owen, Snow, White
Note: All subepisodes take place in the Forest of Dreams
✧ A Story about this Location (1)
✧ A Story about this Location (2)
✧ Memories of this Location (2)
✧ Memories of this Location (1)
✧ Breaktime (1)
✧ About the North
✧ About the Great Calamity
✧ The People Who Live Here
✧ The Wizards at this Location
✧ Owen's Wish
✧ Impressions of Owen (1)
✧ Impressions of the Location (1)
✧ A Dangerous Place
✧ On-site Discovery
✧ Impressions of Owen (2)
✧ Memories of this Location (3)
✧ A Fun Place
✧ Impressions of Owen (3)
✧ Impressions of the Location (2)
✧ Breaktime (2)
✧ Impressions of Owen (4)
✧ Impressions of the Location (3)
✧ Local Specialty
✧ Impressions of Owen (5)
✧ Owen's Reputation
A Story about this Location (1)
Akira: I wonder what made the trees here poisonous...?
Owen: Rumor has it that a powerful wizard laid waste to the whole area a long, long time ago, and that's why this place is the way it is now.
Supposedly, he was so powerful that he turned everything here into a pulpy-squishy mess.
Akira: That... That sounds awful...
Owen: I wish I could've seen it. How do you think it feels?
Do you mind if I try it out on you? Don't worry— I’ll only turn you halfway into a squishy mess.
Akira: I-I'd prefer if you could refrain...
Owen: Fufu...
Anyway, this was still a small, fledgling forest of poison when I first saw it.
I feel a little nostalgic when I remember how it used to be.
A Story about this Location (2)
Akira: Oh? Is there something stuck up there? It's all the way at the top of that tree...
Owen: It's just a flask. A traveler or merchant probably forgot it.
Akira: A flask!? How did it get up there?
Owen: Here, the snow piles up higher and higher into cold, snowy nights, until it's nearly swallowed the trees. And when it's that cold, the snow is icy stiff, with a solid foundation... but only before the morning sun thaws it.
It's around this time that there's less poison in the air, too, with the trees smothered. So those who can't use magic but still need to travel through the forest wait for dawn to break before rushing through as fast as they're able.
My favorite thing to do is keeping those people from leaving the forest.
Akira: Do you block the road...?
Owen: It depends. Sometimes I'll do something like strike up an overlong conversation; sometimes I'll decide to obscure the path with magic.
When the sun rises and it starts getting warmer, the snow starts to melt. And when the snow gets that mushy, it gets harder and harder to walk on, until there's no more solid ground. Poison fills the air, until the forest is as thick with it as it always is.
I love watching people lose themselves to panic as they grow more and more aware of the changes all around them.
Akira: (Thank goodness Owen isn't my enemy...)
Memories of this Location (2)
Akira: Owen, you nearly died here once, right?
Owen: Excuse me? I didn't "almost" die— I did die.
Akira: (That's what you're hung up on...?)
Then, when you died, what kind of dream did the forest show you with its poison?
Owen: ... What kind of question is that? You keep pestering me for every little thing.
Akira: I-I apologize. I just got curious.
Owen: Dreams are fun, but they just make you feel empty when you come to your senses.
So, I don't really remember most of my dreams. ... Still, I feel like I had a dream about riding a horse, sword in hand...
... even though using magic is much more convenient. Honestly. Dreams are always so ridiculous.
Memories of this Location (1)
Owen: I ran into Figaro around here before.
Akira: Huh? You mean... here, in the Forest of Dreams?
Owen: Correct. He brought a dying child with him.
That's what a lot of people use this forest for. They bring people so sick that even magic can't fix whatever's wrong with them.
The child he brought laughed so happily as the forest's poison overtook them. And then, bit by bit, they grew tired, and died.
Akira: .........
Owen: But... I think, if you feel that sorry for someone, it's better to just put them out of their misery quick.
What would you prefer, Master?
Akira: Huh?
Owen: When you think death is near, would you want me to kill you right away? Or would you want me to bring you here?
What about if it were someone dear to you? Tell me— Would you want me to kill them quick, or would you want me to bring them here?
Akira: I...
Owen: You should pick something in advance.
Whatever you choose, I'll take care to do the opposite for you.
Breaktime (1)
Akira: It's still hard to believe such a beautiful, ethereal forest is so poisonous... Never mind how that poison traps victims in a deep slumber, with dreams they'll never wake up from...
Owen: Are you curious?
Akira: Huh?
Owen: If you want to know what it's like, I can release my protective magic for you. Go ahead; try it for yourself.
≪Cur Memini≫
Akira: Huh...!? T-That's not what I...! Owen, wai...! N-Nnngh...!!
Owen: Ahaha! Are you trying to hold your breath? How funny. It's futile, you know.
Akira: ...!
Owen: ≪Quare Morito≫
Akira: Ah! (Gasping for breath)
Wh... What should I do...?! I-I inhaled a little bit... Am... Am I going to die...?
Owen: Who knows. You’ll probably be fine if you only inhaled a little, tiny bit.
Akira: ... You're awful...
... Uwah... My vision's getting all blurry... Ah... But... it feels kind of nice, I think...? Aha... Hahaha..
Owen: Ahaha. Master, hold onto me. Come on; over here, over here.
Akira: Wahhh... Ahaha... Hey, it's the Tokugawas' buried treasure...~[1]
About the North (1)
Akira: Northern wizards must live in the North because they love it here, right?
Owen: What a weird question.
Akira: I apologize... I was just thinking how hard it must be to live here with how unforgiving the terrain is, everything being coated with such thick snow, and all...
Owen: You just think that because you're human. None of that affects me because I have magic. I'm used to the cold, anyway.
Though, I guess... After being in other countries for so long, it feels nice to be back.
Mornings in other countries... They just feel dark.
Akira: Dark...? Maybe other countries feel that way in comparison. I've seen how brightly the morning sun reflects off the snowdrifts in the North.
Owen: Besides, you can't walk two steps without running into a mana stone, and the land is saturated with unknown power; that's more than enough reason for plenty of strong wizards to gather here.
That's why the others live here, too, right?
There's no real reason to stay here otherwise; it's not like it's an especially nice place to live.
Akira: (Or so he says, but it really does feel like the wizards who live here are rather fond of the North...)
About the Great Calamity
Akira: Hey, Owen. What do you think the Great Calamity is, exactly?
Owen: I couldn’t care less.
It’s the reason I had to become a sage’s wizard, and there's nothing more boring than this. So, whatever the Great Calamity is, it must be the worst,
Akira: The worst, huh...
Owen: Now that Oz is here, it'd be nice if he could just put an end to it.
He's useless if he can't even do that much.
Akira: I-I don't know about that... Come next battle, let's all work together to defeat it.
Owen: It's not like I have a choice in the matter. It'd be a problem for me if the world got destroyed.
It must be because the Great Calamity is always alone that it keeps trying to come here.
Akira: Alone? What do you mean?
Owen: It's like me. It always ends up going anywhere there's people.
Akira: Like places that seem fun and full of life? The Great Calamity must be the type to get lonely quite easily, then.
Owen: I didn't say anything about being lonely. And it's not like I have any particular interest in going to those places.
You... haven't felt that way before?
Akira: Maybe, maybe not...
Owen: ......
Hmph. Whatever.
The People Who Live Here
Shino: Master, look at this.
Shino holds up a thin, disc-shaped object, slightly coarse in texture. Its surface reflects the seven colors of the rainbow, much like a soap bubble.
Akira: Oh, when you look at it closely, the rainbow is part of the wood... They look like tree rings.
Shino: Exactly. I met a woodcutter who works here. They said that when you cut down any of the forest's trees, the inside of the wood turns colorful.
But it goes back to looking like normal wood after a while, apparently. They said you can get a ton of wood like this from the trees here.
Akira: So you've met some of the locals. What were they like?
Shino: Pretty gruff.
They also hunt a lot, too, apparently. They seem pretty tough for humans, and the woodcutters here have more promise than the ones in the East.
All the people here are pretty cautious of all the plants and animals here, plus anything even a tiny bit unusual, cuz of all the poison from the forest.
Akira: Is that so...? I guess if you're a human who lives in the North, you'd have it pretty hard if you didn't toughen up...
Shino: Probably. Still, I'm tougher.
Akira: Ahaha. Got it, Shino. I'll be counting on you.
The Wizards at this Location
Akira: Do you know anything about the powerful wizard who was seen in this area a long time ago?
I was told that, whoever he was, he destroyed the whole area, and from that wreckage the Forest of Dreams was born.
Mithra: Who told you that?
Akira: Owen did.
Mithra: Oh?
I believe that story is about Owen, actually.
Akira: Huh?
Mithra: If I recall correctly, there used to be a human village here. It made the area quite easy to pass through.
Owen destroyed that village, and a forest of poisonous trees grew from the remains.
Though, I've only heard this story second-hand, so I don't know all the details myself.
Akira: That's... But, then... Wouldn’t he not want me to know of this?
Mithra: Well... This is a very, very old story. Maybe he simply forgot it happened?
Akira: ......
Mithra: He doesn't seem to remember the past very well, strange as it is, given I'm quite certain he's younger than me.
Owen's Wish
Owen: Master, do you want to hear my wish?
Option One: I do.Owen: You see, my wish is to call Arthur to this forest and see him lose his mind to the poison here...
Owen: Perfect. No take-backs, understand? No matter what I say.
Option Two: No, thank you.
Owen: No matter what I do to you now, even if it makes you cry and beg for me to tell you my wish, I still won't forgive you for telling me no. Is that all right with you?
Option Three: It depends on the wish.
Owen: So you’ll only hear me out once you know what my wish is? That's quite a narrow-minded, cowardly, needlessly-cautious response. Do you know what that means? It means you have no faith in my character whatsoever.
I'm not only distraught, but utterly wounded to my very core... From here onward, I'll have no faith in you whatsoever, either. How about that?
Akira: There's no need to be that depressed...
It's just that I can’t put my faith in you when you go, “Won’t you listen to my wish~?” with a grin that tells me you’re up to no good.
How furious do you think Oz would be? Can I use you as a shield when he gets mad at me?
Akira: ... I believe he would be quite angry, and I would prefer not to see Arthur lose his sanity. Given this, I'll have to decline this opportunity to become your shield.
Owen: Why. It's so interesting to watch people here lose their minds to the forest's poison.
Akira: (He sure has some terrible hobbies...)
Owen: Do you think Oz would be reduced to tears? I can't wait to see how he looks when he's angry. I'm getting chills just imagining it.
But, even if I want to see Oz completely beside himself, I don't really wanna deal with the pain after. Oz never shows me any mercy because he knows I won't die.
There's no way around it. Won't you be my shield? I wonder what sort of face he'd make if Oz kills you on accident while trying to kill me.
Akira: I'm afraid I'll have to decline...
Impressions of Owen (1)
Akira: Speaking of the Forest of Dreams, don't places full of vegetation just make you feel so invigorated?
Snow: Though it's true nature grants us power, it is necessary to protect our bodies from the poison the trees here secrete. The energy we take in from the forest is nearly equivalent to the amount we expend shielding ourselves from that poison.
Essentially, I feel more or less the same as I typically do.
Akira: Is that so...? When Owen said he was fond of this forest, I couldn't help but wonder what everyone else thought of this place, too.
Snow: Hmmm...
We wizards cast magic from the heart. Thus, we are partial to nature; we like places that allow our hearts to find calm.
However, Owen draws his power from malice and fear.
Akira: Is Owen the only wizard like that?
Snow: He is. Owen is the exception to the rule— an aberration, if you would.
Any normal wizard would very likely go mad from being exposed to even a drop of such negative emotions. However...
Perhaps Owen went mad long, long ago.
Impressions of the Location (1)
Akira: As beautiful as this place is, it's quite scary, isn't it? Being a forest full of poison swallows you in dreams, and all...
Bradley: I mean, sure, it probably looks nice when you’re shitfaced.
But there's so damn many dead people here, I can't even get into the mood to dance. This place's halfway a graveyard already.
Akira: It's true, it feels like this place could be on a "top ten haunted locations" list...
Bradley: A top ten what now?
Akira: Umm, they're essentially lists of places with alleged ghost sightings and paranormal activity. They tend to have a great deal of scary rumors surrounding them. People go out of their way to visit places like that to prove their mettle.
Bradley: Haha! Prove their mettle, huh? I get that. That was me sneakin' into Oz's castle who knows how many times. Nearly died every time he caught me!
Akira: Huh? Bradley, you used to ding dong dash?
Bradley: I used to ding dong what now?
Akira: Umm... It's a prank where you ring someone's doorbell, but run away before they answer the door.
Bradley: What's the point of runnin' when you're goin' out of your way to bait 'em outside? How else are you gonna fight 'em?
Akira: Umm...
A Dangerous Place
Owen: Master, Master. Look; come over here.
Akira: (Pause) ... What is it?
Owen: Ahaha, no need to be so cautious. Come on; come a little closer. Look at this log.
Akira: Whoa...! It's huge...! Oh— The inside makes a tunnel...
Owen: When a tree grows low enough to the ground and it has a large, empty cavity, it creates a pathway.
Let's go through it. Come on; come in.
Akira: P-Please wait a moment... It's so dark in here...
(Sound of wind blowing)
Akira: (I... I feel like something's watching me...)
Owen: Do you want to know something interesting? This tree is actually the body of an evil wizard that was sealed away. That means that right now, we're travelling through his belly.
And if his eyes meet yours, he'll spirit you away.
Hollow Tree: (Staaaaaaaaaare)
Akira: Eeeeeek...!!
Owen: Ahaha. What a shame; we’re already at the end. Guess you made it out safely.
I really thought it'd be interesting to walk through Master's stomach after they'd been turned into a tree.
On-site Discovery
Murr: Wahhh~! It's a shiny-sparkly!
Akira: Is this your first time coming to the Forest of Dreams, Murr?
Murr: Nope! I've been here tons of times before! You can find Nightmare Stones here!
Akira: "Nightmare Stones"?
Murr: They're a special gemstone that can only be found in the Forest of Dreams!
They're gemstones that've absorbed the poison and bad dreams from the forest!
I searched lots and lots places, asked lots and lots of people, and dropped lots and lots of cash trying to find some!
After all that, I only found one! I beat it, roasted it, cooled it, whittled it, blended it, hardened it, and smashed it!
And no matter how many many many many many many many many times I tried, no matter what I did, I couldn't get it to break!
Akira: Your single-minded focus and boundless tenacity when it comes to research really is incredible...
Murr: I forgot all about it, but now I remember! I remember everything! Master, you search too!
I'm not leaving 'til we find another one!
Akira: (Maybe I should've never asked...)
Impressions of Owen (2)
White: Master. Were you separated from Owen?
Akira: Yes... I lost sight of him.
White: Then we ought to return as soon as we can. He's quite terrifying with all his whimsy and nothing to bind him.
Akira: You find Owen scary, too, White?
White: I do. Owen treats humans and other wizards as his toys.
Owen is bound by nothing and no one. That is what makes him so terrifying.
Akira: When you say "bound," you mean...?
White: Even Oz and Mithra have some form of bonds to bind them.
So long as someone has some sort of bond, you can use it as leverage and force them to obey you, even if only somewhat.
Owen lacks that. That is the part of him that is the most horrifying. He can only be subdued by force.
Akira: And, if he were to somehow gain the upper hand, there would be no one who could stop him.
Snow: Exactly. Though, it seems he has some interest in Cain, whose eye he stole.
And we have high hopes that you shall become that which binds Owen completely.
Akira: ... I think that's expecting a little much...
Memories of this Location (3)
Bradley: Pretty sure I had an underling who wanted me to bring him to the Forest of Dreams a long while back. His injuries were so bad he didn't look like he was gonna make it.
I just smacked him and asked him what the hell he was thinkin' in that pea brain a' his. Didn't let him go nowhere.
But, y'know. He did end up kickin' it. So a part of me wonders if maybe I should've taken him here after all.
Akira: ......
Bradley: But, the rest of me wanted to try 'n keep him alive.
So? If you were in my shoes, what would you've done?
Akira: This is the pretty heavy topic for a casual conversation...
Option One: I would've brought him here.
Akira: I think I would've listened to his dying wish and brought him here.
Bradley: You serious? I guess you can get away with thinkin' that cuz you're a kid and all, but that's a hard pass from me.
If I ever start spouting bullshit like, "Oh, take me to the Forest of Dreams to die," know I've probably gone and lost my mind, so just do me a favor and stop me. There'd still be a chance I could pull through and live, y'know?
I'm countin' on you, Master.
Option One: I wouldn't have brought him here.
Akira: I don't think I would've brought him here, either.
Bradley: 'Course not. If someone's on their way out, I'd think of every damn thing I could do to keep 'em alive, too.
I get you.
Option One: I don't know.
Akira: I'm not sure... I won't know until it happens...
Bradley: Wow, real decisive, ain't you.
You oughta think it over and figure it out starting now. You've got tons of people bending over backwards to serve you in the Manor, so you better get your act together quick.
Me? No way in hell am I goin' out like that. You better not forget that, Master.
A Fun Place
Mithra: I heard a great many flowers grow around this particular spot.
Akira: Wow, you're right. They're so beautiful, but I wonder if they emit poison, too...
Mithra: Who knows. Do you think I should take some of these back for Rutile? He’d very likely be pleased with these.
Akira: Um... They might be dangerous, so it might be better to refrain.
Mithra: By the way, don't you think it's rather boring here?
.... Perhaps we should go bug-catching.
Akira: Now!?
Mithra: We have nothing better to do.
≪Arthim≫
Here you go.
Akira: So insect nets exist in this world, too...
Mithra: I wonder if there are any cicadas around here.
Akira: I wouldn't think so!? Let's find somewhere safer to catch bugs...!
Mithra: Oh, you know of cicadas? Have you ever eaten one?
Akira: I haven't eaten any...! Please don't eat them...!?
Impressions of Owen (3)
Akira: Mithra, what do you think of Owen?
Mithra: What do I think of him…? Nothing in particular.
Akira: S-Surely there must be something? You’ve all been going on subjugation missions together, deepening your bonds all the while...
Mithra: (Sighs)... Owen, huh.
"Bright." That's what I think of him.
Akira: "Bright"...!? Owen!?
Mithra: He's usually smiling, isn't he?
Akira: I guess I can't deny that...
Mithra: And you can't argue that Oz is gloomy.
Akira: I suppose that's one way to describe him...
Mithra: Owen is always grinning from ear to ear, and he always feels easy to talk to.
At the very least, he's better company than Oz.
Impressions of the Location (2)
Cain: This sure is such a beautiful place, Master. It's a very dreamy pastel aesthetic.
Akira: Wait, you know the term "pastel aesthetic"!?[2]
Cain: Yep. The last sage told me all about it.
Akira: ... But, it's true. A great many things have happened since I arrived here, but I feel as if I've stepped through the looking-glass when I'm in this forest.
Cain: It's the same for us wizards, too.[3]
Not too long ago, I saw this floating rock, yeah? And all of a sudden, it started glowing 'til the whole thing was pure white.
Dunno how to explain it, but that that got me pretty excited, so I held it close and started stroking it, doing this and that— then all of a sudden, boom, Owen hit me.
That’s when I found out this forest is chock-full of some weird poison.
Akira: You didn't know...!? A-Are you okay!?
Cain: Yep, I'm good, since I'm a wizard and all. I guess if you only inhale a little poison, all you're in for is a good time.
Apparently, Owen was the one who helped me return to my senses. Granted, I was pretty loopy, so I don't exactly remember what happened after.
Akira: Now that you mention it, I haven't seen Owen for awhile...
Cain: Do you think it's because of me? Maybe I did something...
Akira: (Maybe... that "rock" Cain hugged was actually Owen...)
Breaktime (2)
Snow: Every time I see this place, I'm taken with how dreamy the lighting is.
This forest truly is emblematic of the age-old adage, "the more beautiful something is, the deadlier it must be."
Akira: It really is...
Snow: And now it's...
Doodle time!
Akira: Doodle time?
Snow: Indeed! I find myself inspired enough to pen a stained glass design. I shall sketch the scenery here.
Akira: That's right; I forgot you and White are stained glass craftsmen by trade.
Snow: ≪Noscommunia≫
Akira: Ah! A sketchbook and paintbrush just appeared... They're moving about on their own...
Snow: Might you have any requests?
Option One: A stone shining with all the colors of the rainbow.Snow: (Sketch sketch sketch...)
Snow: Understood. Though snow can be found everywhere in the North is, the way the snow reflects the light of the forest's curious stones is especially beautiful.
Option One: The forest's poison.
Snow: My! Drawing something invisible to the eye— now, that's the thrill of creation!
Option One: A portrait of me.
Snow: Taking this opportunity to request a portrait of yourself... I quite like that part of you, as well.
Akira: Wow! Snow, you're so talented!?
Snow: It's merely because the two of us have quite a bit of free time.
We've had plenty of time to practice.
Impressions of Owen (4)
Akira: Bradley, what are your thoughts on Owen?
Bradley: Creepy.
Also, scary.
Akira: You don't beat around the bush, do you...
Bradley: Listen. It's 'cause you never know what he’s thinking.
With Mithra, you get under his skin if you try hard enough, but Owen— He's the last guy I'd ever wanna argue with. He's just the worst.
Akira: But you just fought with him, didn't you?
Bradley: Yeah. I was baitin' him a lil bit and was wonderin' if I'd pissed him off, but... Well, when you start a fight, you can't back out, y'know?[4]
Akira: So? Did you win? Lose?
Bradley: I ran.
Akira: Huh, I'm surprised you don't find running away shameful or anything...
Bradley: The hell's that supposed to mean? 'Course I don't. You can't win if you're dead.
I'm not gonna think I'm a coward just for running away. 'S not like a horse or a deer thinks it's stupid for turnin' tail, so why should I?[5]
Only humans would think something so stupid.
Akira: That's fair...
Impressions of the Location (3)
Akira: Do you visit the North sometimes, Heathcliff?
Heathcliff: Of course not... I never once considered coming to the North before becoming one of the sage's wizards.
There's a great number of terrifying wizards here, a dearth of public order, terrain that makes it difficult to enter the country at all, and it's exceptionally difficult to get to know most people here.
Akira: That's true, that's true...
Heathcliff: ... But... I never thought I'd see such a place like this here, either. A place that seems so much like a fairytale.
This place is nothing like East or Central. Even so, maybe... such terrifyingly beautiful places like this are very fitting for the North.
Akira: Snow and White did mention that this place was especially ephemeral.
Heathcliff: Though it may be beautiful, it has a sinister air about it. I wouldn't chance venturing into it alone....
Still, I was fairly surprised to hear Owen was fond of such beautiful scenery.
Local Specialty
White: The Forest of Dreams has a local specialty— the oneiric tree branch.
Here is one such branch.
Akira: A branch...? Is this tree branch really a local specialty?
White: It is indeed. Should you burn one of these branches, you will be treated to an illusion within the flames; one that will bring you joy.
For the briefest of moments, it will show to you your heart's deepest and foremost desire.
Akira: Your heart's desire...
White: Supposedly, it's quite common for humans to snap off these branches and take them home to sell them at high prices.
You can whittle branches down into matchsticks and sell them for a little money, as well.
And thus, oneiric matchsticks made from the branches of the Forest of Dreams have become one of the Forest of Dream's deluxe specialties.
Akira: ... Selling matchsticks...[6]
White: My, my. Have these matchsticks become so famous that our dear sage has already heard of them?
Let us purchase some matchsticks for the children of the Manor, shall we?
Impressions of Owen (5)
Akira: I know your fates are linked,[7] but what do you think of Owen personally, Cain?
Cain: He's a pretty bad guy, and a problem, to boot. I still hold it against him for taking my eye, too.
But, I dunno how to put it... He's kinda hard to grasp, y'know...?
Akira: I can't really deny that...
Cain: See, you get me. Even if I get angry with him or tell him off, he just looks like he's enjoying himself, and it ends conversation right there. And there's not much I can do about it.
Frustrating as it is, he's much stronger than I am right now.
Option One: Do you think about getting revenge on him one day?
Cain: Up until recently, I did, but...
Right now, he's one of your wizard's, too, Akira.
I'm grateful he can be of use to you.
Akira: Cain...
Cain: Well, I know I'll get my eye back eventually. As for the rest, I'll cross that bridge when I get to it.
Option two: Do you think you can try getting along with him better?
Cain: Are you trying to flatter me? I know it's me, but I dunno if I can get along with the guy who took my eye from me. I think I'd just come off as even more of a loser...
Akira: Yeah, I figured it wouldn't be that easy...
Cain: No, I get it— I’m happy you’re worried about me.
But he's gotta give back what he stole first. After that... Becoming friends might not be out of the question.
Owen's Reputation
Wizard Hunter: Owen? Indeed, I see him around these parts quite often.
... Once, I saw him speak to a man who intended to commit suicide in this forest.
I thought that he’d just poke fun at the poor fellow, but Owen inspired such visions of fear in him that the gentleman became overtaken by terror and turned tail, right out of the forest.
Akira, Cain: .......
Cain: ... I really doubt he had good intentions, but...
Akira: W-Well, I mean... Perhaps Owen has some good qualities we just haven't seen yet...
Cain: You really think so? I’d say he’s just trying to be a nuisance. Hey, Gramps. Did you get a chance to talk to Owen after that?
Wizard Hunter: Of course not. If you let his eyes meet yours, you're as good as dead. I hid my presence and watched from afar.
Cain: Fair enough.
Guess Owen can be useful sometimes. Let's leave it at that.
Akira: A-All right...
Cain: Man, I wish I could've seen Owen's face.
Translation Notes
1. Legend has it that the Tokugawas buried a great amount of treasure, which has either gone undiscovered or, according to some rumors, was later taken by government officials. Most rumors suggest it is buried on Mount Akagi. You can find an English post on it here (date: 2016), but it's been a popular topic for treasure hunters for quite awhile (date: 1941), and it was allegedly buried in 1867/1868. (GoogleTranslate version of JP wiki page). ↑
2. Cain uses the term yume kawaii (ゆめかわいい), which is an aesthetic term that literally means "dreamy-cute". It's an aesthetic style similar to the Western pastel aesthetic genre, with a focus on things that are considered cutesy and dreamy (as the name suggests), such as pastel pinks and purples together, Alice in Wonderland themes, and so on. (There's a lot of pastel pink and purple in the Forest of Dreams scenery, as well as the obvious dreams thematic, so Cain's remark makes total sense.) You can find a list of English-translated yume kawaii concepts on this Japanese blog. Image searching ゆめかわいい will probably give you a good idea of the aesthetic, too. ↑
3. The word Cain uses here is 抱く, which means to hold/hug/embrace someone, but is extremely common slang for engaging in intercourse (if you've ever seen someone say, "I want to hold you," in Japanese media in a very intimate context, they're usually referring to this). Akira somewhat clarifies the writer's innuendo by using the unambiguous ハグする (the verb that uses the English word "hug"), but it was probably an intentional joke (on the part of the writer) given the rest of Cain's dialogue. ↑
4. Bradley uses an uncommon turn of phrase here, 因縁をつける (innen wo tsukere) here, which is a phrase that means "to pick a fight." But, because it's uncommonly used in general and is particularly uncommon for someone with Bradley's style of speech to use, it's possibly meant to be the writer making a reference to Cain and Owen's in-game pair title, 因縁の二人 (innen no futari, or "Fated Pair"). ↑
5. Bradley's line is rooted in some wordplay; he uses 馬 (horse) and 鹿 (deer) as his examples and leaves the "they don't think they're stupid" part implied, because the kanji for both "horse" and "deer" together make 馬鹿, or baka, translated as "stupid" in this particular context. ↑
6. Akira is probably thinking of the story of The Little Matchstick Girl, which resembles what White describes. ↑
7. Akira uses the word 因縁 (innen) here, which is Cain and Owen's in-game pair title, 因縁の二人 (innen no futari, or "Fated Pair"). ↑
Thank you haranami_ @ Twitter for proofreading!
