Beyond the Rift of Time and Space, Void Dimension. Lithia calms down hearing a familiar voice in the rift between the rift and start thinking about how she ended up where she is.
Quest Completion Dialogue
[Rift, Void Dimension]
Lithia:.......
Lithia:(Sigh, back here again. If only I can figure out how much time has passed... Then it would be somewhat bearable...)
Rift:... Wow, you definitely pulled a big one again. So? Are you going to finish the story?
Lithia:I don't know if I can keep doing this.
Rift:Ah... How are you feeling right now?
Lithia:A bit dazed... and kinda sick of talking to the voice in my head that I conjured from meory.
Lithia:I need to get out of here, or I won't even remember who I am.
Rift:It's going to be fine. Hang on, just a while longer.
Rift:Come on, let's start from the beginning. Refresh your memory.
Rift:Remember where you went, the people you've met, and think about what happened.
Lithia:...Yeah.
Lithia:(That's right. I cannot forget. Joy... Felix... My friends... Who I am, and my wrongful past.)
Lithia:...... Ok, I'm ready. Let's start from the beginning.
Rift:You've left off when you were leaving the capital of the Ancient Kingdom. Where did you go next?
Lithia:I went south, past Lanox and Sander.
Lithia:I met a good friend there... and solved a troublesome case.
Lithia:Or... Maybe I should say, it was the start of THE case.
Lithia meets a friend in Sander on the way to report her completed mission.
Quest Completion Dialogue
[Fluone, Sander Village Market]
Lithia:Yawn... Ah. I'm tired. Agh...!
(Crack!)
Lithia:Ack! Ow... my joints... I guess I've overdone it this time.
Lithia:Maybe I should have stopped by Lanox... But I didn't want to stay somewhere with unpleasant rumors...
Lithia:Oof! Well, now that I'm in Sander, I'll stock up on supplies and scope out the area.
Accessory Merchant:Get your curse resistance necklace here! Get one now and feel safe later!
Lithia:(Hm. This accessory looks fancy. Someone with an untrained eye might think it's an actual gem instead of a cheap wind stone knockoff.)
Perfume Merchant:Spray away the demons with this perfume! It will chase away demons, ghosts, and other undesirable creatures!
Lithia:(Wow, a pesticide for demons! If only it worked.)
Lithia:(Haha, this is fun. You can learn a lot about what's going on in the world from what's being sold at the market.)
Lithia:(More protection charms and amulets popped up since the Demon Invasion... It seems they're still as popular as ever.)
Mathi:Are you sure, Your Highness? This request may delay our plans...
Lithia:Huh? That voice...
Mathi:Ah, sorry. I keep forgetting not to call you that.
Lithia:(Is that Mathi? What is he doing in Sander? Last I heard he was in Velder...)
???:Huhu, our destination is not going anywhere.
???:Besides, if they are seeking help from passing adventurers like us, it must be something urgent.
Mathi:But the Festival is right around the corner. Shouldn't we arrive early in case something happens?
???:I'd rather not arrive early.
Mathi:Well, in that case... Alright, I'll make sure to finish early.
???:... Go do your thing. I'll look around some more before heading back to our rooms.
Lithia:(Who is that? She doesn't look like a magician...)
(SNEAK SNEAK)
(SLAP!)
Mathi:Waa?!
Lithia:My wittle Mathi! Good to see you again.
Mathi:You scared me...! What are you doing here?
Lithia:Isn't it obvious? I'm just swinging by after my last gig. You know I'm always traveling.
Lithia:The real question is, what are you doing here. I thought you were working in Velder!
Mathi:Ah, well... I quit.
Lithia:You quit?
Mathi:Yeah...
Lithia:You... quit? Even though they're still working on restoring the capital and patients are pouring in from all sides?
Mathi:Mmhm...
Lithia:Uh huh...
Mathi:.......
Lithia:I see... Well! I suppose the work there can get overwhelming. You should take this opportunity to rest. Though... you look like you're doing fine.
Mathi:... What do you mean by that?
Lithia:I did see your girlfriend...
Mathi:Were you watching me?! It's not what you think!
Sander's chief, Emirate wants them to investigate the ancient ruins found near the village to stop the rumors.
Quest Completion Dialogue
Lithia:W, wh, ww what did you say?! Di, dddid you say ruins?!!
Lithia:Me! Leave it to me! I can guarantee there's no one better at this kinda stuff than me, Lithia Beryl!
Mathi:Calm down. We didn't even get all the details yet.
Mathi:Sigh... I apologize in her stead. No, I don't know her, don't ask me how I know, but she gets excited like this sometimes.
Emirate:Hahaha! Don't worry about it. It's good that she's enthusiastic.
Mathi:First... There are few things I'd like to check. You are aware of the inherent risk from investigating ruins?
Mathi:It'll be ideal if the area is some kind of archaic site with historical significance...
Mathi:But if it's a ritualistic place of some sort, or a seal... It's going to be tricky.
Emirate:Yes, who knows what kind of curses or traps await. Mm... It's causing headaches on our end as well. That's why we'd like to have it taken care of as soon as possible.
Mathi:Is there any particular reason why you want to hurry? Perhaps something like a missing person case...
Emirate:Ah, nothing serious like that. It's not the problem with the ruins, but rather an external problem.
Emirate:Where should I even begin... You know how dangerous the world has become. Especially since the Demon Invasion.
Emirate:Of course, Sander was also impacted, but it's nothing compared to what Senace, Velder, or even the Northern Empire suffered...
Mathi:Yes, it's a painful subject for all of us...
Mathi:But what does that have anything to do with the ruins?
Lithia:Tsk, tsk, tsk. Don't you get it, Matthias? The uncertainty is spreading like a plaque.
Mathi:Don't call me that. And could you clarify? What do you mean??
Lithia:It's more than obvious. There's probably a rumor going around that the ruins are somehow connected to demons.
Emirate:Got it in one. More specifically, there's a rumor going around that demons will come out of the ruins and destroy Sander.
Mathi:Oh....
Emirate:And the Wind El... Hm, actually that doesn't matter right now.
Emirate:In any case, more and more merchants are leaving, or getting ready to leave the village due to the rumor.
Lithia:Tsk, I guess they don't know any better. People think demons pop out of nothing, like divine punishment or something.
Lithia:I understand. You want to investigate the ruins to make sure, without a doubt, that demons have nothing to do with them.
Emirate:Yes. Of course, we're doing the best we can to prevent people from wandering into the ruins, but it hasn't been that effective in preventing the rumors.
(SLAM!)
Lithia:Yes! That feeling of uncertainty! If you don't resolve it soon, who knows what terrible things will happen!
Mathi:Goddess! Did you have to slam the table like that?
Lithia:-We live in an era of tragedies. Every day, those who live in Elrios are slowly, but surely, drowned by the tides of uncertainty and fear.
Lithia:Ah... As a true intellect, and a future leader of knowledge, I, elite magician Lithia Beryl, feel great responsibility for the current predicament.
Lithia:Thought I may be an insignificant force in the vast universe, if my meager power can serve as a beacon of hope for Sander, and perhaps even Elrios, I will gladly! Give it all that I've got to serve!
Emirate:Oh! How inspiring!
Mathi:Smooth, very smooth.
Mathi:Why are you so obsessed with the ruins? I thought you were busy with some other work?
Lithia:Of course I'm busy. But this is first dibs in ruins investigation. A jackpot!
Mathi:Don't be so tactless. Really? A jackpot?
Lithia:Don't focus on the semantics! What's important is that opportunities like this are far and few between.
Lithia:Elder! A commission like this, that directly impacts the peace and well-being of Sander, surely requires a handsome reward? Including additional compensation for risk?
Emirate:Yes, of course.
Lithia:Alright! Even with Mathi, that's two people. If we split the fee between the two of us... Huhu, huhuhuhu!
Lithia:Haha. I definitely did not expect today to turn out like this! Fortune, here I come! Hahaha!
Mathi:... Mr. Emirate, are you sure you want her help? I don't think it's a good idea.
Mathi:You shouldn't allow anyone to enter the ruins without proper verification. It's included in the official ruins management regulation...
Lithia:... An exception will be made for trespassing when the necessity of immediate action can be demonstrated on the account of the existence, or immanency of dangers occuring as a direct result of the existence of the ruins!
Mathi:Ugh, how did you even know that particular clause...!
Lithia:All you Landars are the same. You don't own every historic site, you know.
Mathi:It's for safety! Because people like you get lured by promises of treasure and act recklessly!
Emirate:Come now, there's no reason to fight. I think the two of you will complement each other nicely.
Emirate:A great magician who doesn't fear danger.
Lithia:Hoho! You flatter me!
Emirate:And though not as experienced in investigating ruins... The youngest healer endorsed by the Landar family.
Mathi:Ugh... I wouldn't put it like that. I was just there as support for post-war restoration...
Emirate:Haha! You'll be fine. And no pressure with this request, either.
Emirate:You don't even have to go in deeply. Just a quick look to see if there's anything odd or dangerous is good neough.
Mathi:Hm... A preliminary investigation does sound like less pressure and it shouldn't take too long...
To cheer up Mathi, Lithia tries to lead his focus to investigating the ruins.
Quest Acceptance Dialogue
Mathi:.......
Lithia:(He's really down. Maybe I shouldn't have put my foot in my mouth...)
Lithia:(But being kicked from the family? What happened in Velder?)
Mathi:.......
Lithia:Oh, oooh? Hey, Mathi. Check it out. Wow! There's a mural on the wall!
Lithia:Amazing! I wonder what it stands for? Come on. Explain it to me. I know you're good at this stuff.
Lithia:Hurry, hurry!
Mathi:...Um, I think that's the El. The Primal El bestowed by the Goddess.
Lithia:(I wonder if the pieces fallen on the ground are also related to the legends on the El.)
Mathi:The Goddess has bestowed her blessing upon the wild barren land, and thus life began to form... There you go. This must be the chronology of the El.
Lithia:(I guess he feels a bit better now.)
Lithia:Let's move closer to get a better look.
Quest Completion Dialogue
Mathi:The Goddess bestowed the El, and Elrios greatly flourished... But the greed of mankind led to the overloading of the El and endangering the world...
Mathi:Wow... Could this be... The lost Wind Temple? If that's the case, this is an incredible discovery.
Lithia:Ah... I don't like temples. Sure they have great historic value, but I feel kinda bad selling things taken from a temple...
Lithia:Is there any other possibility? It could be the tomb of some wealthy merchant.
Mathi:Wow.
Lithia:Hear me out. You know Sander's history.
Lithia:A barren land, the Behemoth raging, and the Wind El going missing... You could say it suffered through a dark age.
Lithia:The rumors of the Wind El being hidden nearby led to frequent disputes between villages and bandits raiding.
Mathi:You know the saying, the desert wind carries the scent of blood...
Lithia:So my thought it that the Wind Temple was destroyed ages ago, which is why they had to build the modern one in its stead. What do you think?
Mathi:Do you want my honest opinion?
Lithia:No, don't tell me. Let's look at the next section.
The mural in the ruins was that of the El and the El Lady.
Quest Acceptance Dialogue
Mathi:Next... records the appearance of the first El Lady up until the El Explosion.
Mathi:To take care of the El weakened from the Nasod War, the Goddess has appointed a human girl as her messenger to attend the El...
Mathi:That is... the El Lady.
Lithia:I personally believe that the story of the El Lady was greatly exaggerated, and she was an ordinary priestess or a clan that took care of the El.
Mathi:Why do you think that?
Lithia:I mean... The selection process is kind of strange, isn't it? A girl is selected as the El Lady through some revelation?
Lithia:Say, I was selected as the El Lady.
Mathi:What a terrifying tragedy.
Lithia:What your mouth.
Lithia:Anyway, I'm just saying that if we take the legend as face value, the system has too many holes and is absolutely unfair.
Lithia:What if the candidate says 'I don't want to become the El Lady!' and run away from her duties?
Lithia:If she dies from an unexpected accident? According to legends, the El Lady cannot even be replaced by anyone.
Mathi:That's why I think the El Lady was a position given to children of influential people.
Mathi:That's an interesting interpretation. I suppose legends are usually exaggerated to some extent.
Mathi:But there are records of El Ladies who were commoners by birth. How do you explain that?
Lithia:Aw, come on. I don't have to spell it out, right? They probably made up stories about being from a middle-class family and all that because they didn't want to make it too obvious that they're all in it together.
Mathi:I take back anything positive I said. That's full on conspiracy.
Lithia:What's the stuff below the mural?
Mathi:It says the Sun Master felt sorry for the El Lady and kidnapped her, which caused the El to explode.
Lithia:I don't think the absence of one person actually caused the El to explode, but if it's true, what a world we live in.
Lithia:If this is the result of fighting against your destiny... I really don't like the story at all.
Quest Completion Dialogue
Lithia:I think I know what this is saying...
Mathi:After the El Explosion, war and dispute broke out to claim ownership of the El.
Mathi:As the El became weaker, magicians also became weaker, and many monsters began to appear.
Mathi:The decline of civilization and anguishing people...
Lithia:That's not fair. If the El Explosion is divine punishment, are we just born with sin as descendants without even a chance to prove ourselves?
Mathi:I don't think it's reasonable to apply human logic to the divine.
Lithia:Yeah, yeah, I get it. Stirring up an ant's nest doesn't have to mean anything.
Lithia:But it's a disaster for the ants.
Lithia:Plus, from the mural, it seems like the reason why monsters appeared was divine punishment due to the El disappearing.
Lithia:Some people might even connect the El Explosion to the Demon Invasion.
Mathi:They might.
Lithia:But we know that's not the case. Felix was not some monster created to punish us.
Mathi:... Yeah.
Lithia:I think that's not fair. Well, who knows what gods actually think.
Lithia:... The Large El. It's restored now. After Elrios suffered from the Demon Invasion.
Lithia:It makes me wonder sometimes. Is it a symbol of forgiveness that the gods promised? Or is it a pure human achievement.
Mathi:What do you think?
Lithia:Me? I don't know...
Lithia:I think it's the latter... But I hope it's the former.
They successfully escaped from the wraith of the ruins and returned to Sander, but Mathi is still worried about Lithia who was caught by the wraith.
Quest Completion Dialogue
[Sander Village]
Emirate:Oh, you're back? How was it? The ruins...
Mathi:Stop being so reckless! Do you even think about how your actions may worry others?!
Emirate:Oh?
Lithia:I AM going to get it treated! Just not now, since we're busy. Is that so hard to understand?
Emirate:Now, calm down, you two! There's no reason to fight. What happened in the ruins that got you all riled up?
Lithia:Whatever it is, demons got nothing to do with it. It's an ancient tomb of some kind. You'd want to restrict the area since the spirit that dwells there was a bit curse-happy.
Lithia:Anyway, that's the end of the preliminary investigation!
Emirate:Ah, good work. But it sounded like you were in a dangerous situation, are you sure you're fine?
Lithia:Mathi's just being dramatic. The spirit grabbed my arm on the way out, but see? My arm is completely fine.
Mathi:Curses can lay dormant for a long time! You shouldn't make light of it!
Lithia:Hello? Unless you forgot, I'm a magician, too. Of course I know that.
Mathi:Ah... Sorry. I thought because of me, you'd be...
Lithia:Aw, here we go again. Hey, you're not the one who cursed me. Why are you blaming yourself?
Mathi:... If it weren't for me entering that room, you wouldn't have ended up in that situation. It's my fault, so please get it treated...
Mathi:If, if something happened to you... I won't be able to meet Joy in the eye.
Lithia:... Tsk, you know you're playing dirty when you bring her up.
Emirate:Hm, if Mathi is concerned, it might be worth getting it checked over. He is a healer.
Emirate:Just in case. You don't want to leave any stone unturned. I'll take care of anything you might need.
Lithia:Mm... It's not that I don't want to... Of course I'm worried, it's my body after all. But there are no symptoms.
Lithia:If there are no symptoms, it's impossible to know what curse it is.
Lithia:How about it, Mathi. Do you have a hunch?
Mathi:...No.
Lithia:We'll need to spend a lot of time figuring out what kind of curse it is, but I don't have time for that.
Lithia:I need to head to Velder to report the mission I completed. And once I'm done with my business, I'll get treated there.
Lithia:I will stop by as many villages as possible on the way, and if I feel sick at any point, I'll seek out a healer.
Lithia:Alright? I'm not refusing to get treatment.
Mathi:... You're headed to Velder?
Lithia:Yeah. Why?
Mathi:Then let's go together. I was headed that way anyway.
Mathi's companion, Vera comes and introduces herself to Lithia.
Quest Completion Dialogue
Lithia:[I refused to go together, but Mathi insisted.]
Lithia:[As we quarreled, Mathi's travel companion came over and talke to me.]
???:Ah... Hello. Nice to meet you. My name is Vera.
Mathi:She's my client. I'm supposed to take her to Velder.
Vera:How did Sander's request go?
Mathi:You see... Something happened in the ruins.
Mathi:I would like her to travel with us to keep an eye on her condition, if that's alright with you?
Vera:Oh... How unfortunate. I would love a new companion.
Vera:I am unaccustomed to travel as I have not had many opportunities to, so it would set my mind at ease to have two experienced adventurers at my side.
Lithia:Hold on, I did not agree to this arrangement. Who says I want to go with you?
Lithia:He, at least, is making money. But I refuse to carry two extra baggages on my travel. It doesn't take a genius to see who's losing out.
Mathi:Please...! Language! Must you call other people baggages?
Vera:... What if I hire you?
Lithia:Hm? Hire me? For the record, I'm much more useful than Mathi.
Lithia:If you're going to hire me, make it 1.5 times his pay, and give me one third of it up front.
Vera:...... Alright, here.
Lithia:Huh?! Really?
Mathi:Why are you shocked? You asked for it.
Lithia:I thought you'd leave me alone if I asked for a lot.
Vera:Huhuhu, does this make me your client as well?
Lithia:.......
(SLIP)
Lithia:Take it back.
Vera:Oh? Are you... refusing?
Mathi:What are you thinking...
Lithia:I'm grateful for your concern, but I'd rather not have you worry after me.
Lithia:I'll take care of the curse myself. You know me, I'm a veteran!
Mathi:... It's already too late for that...
Vera:... I see. Pardon us. But... at the very least...
(SLIP)
Vera:Please take this. It's a curse resistance necklace...
Lithia:... What's this?
Vera:Oh! This is called a wind stone. Apparently it's Sander's specialty! It's supposed to stop misfortune.
Vera:If I knew you were Mathi's friend, I would have bought another one... But I can always buy one more, so I'll give you mine.
Lithia:What!! This is a total scam! Wind stones don't have any ability like that!
Vera:Huh? A scam?
Lithia:Stops misfortune my...! It's just a stone that holds the power of wind! This one in particular is a low quality one at that!
Lithia:It's completely useless useless you're into research like me!
Vera:What?! I had no idea. Lying to customers... What a terrible person!
Lithia:I can't stand this! You, take that thing and lead the way! I'll make sure you can get a refund if that's the last thing I do.
Vera:Yes! Follow me. This way!
Mathi:.......
Mathi:So... Is she coming with us or not? Sigh....
Mathi and Vera are like easy pickings for merchants. Lithia remembers becoming frustrated and butting in.
Quest Completion Dialogue
Lithia:... That's right. I was initially planning on refusing.
Lithia:It didn't even take that long to argue with the merchant that sold the fake necklace.
Lithia:And then... Who was it? One of them said, they should take care of the supplies while we were at the market.
Lithia:Since I was there, I thought I'd handle mine as well.
Lithia:But, ughh. The two of them had NO talent in bargaining, and they did NOT know how to pick out good products.
Lithia:Picking out things that are clearly bad quality, buying things they don't need just because it's part of a set or some random curiosity!
Rift:I, is that so bad?
Lithia:Ah! They were so hopeless, I would have died out of frustration if I did not meddle!
Lithia:And Vera! I thought she could be a merchant's daughter. She seemed sheltered despite having rough hands...
Lithia:But she had no idea what things were worth. She couldn't make it any clearer that she's not a merchant's daughter!
Lithia:If I didn't take her money pouch, they would have spent it all at the market.
Rift:I... You're probably right. If you weren't there to take control of the situation, I can see that happening...
Lithia:Hey mister! Can I take that one? But without the ones in the back, please. I want fresh ones!
Lithia:These look like it will go bad any day now, why don't you sell it to us for half the price? You're going to throw them out at the end of the day anyway.
Lithia:This is way too overpriced! Everyone knows a large salt mine was found near the ancient temple a few weeks ago!
Lithia:If you plan on keeping your license and continue selling overpriced products to rookie adventurers, you better give me a fair price.
Lithia:Half price! If you give it to me at half price, I won't tell another soul about the salt mines.
Vera:Lithia! I found what you've asked for. It's the stand on the left behind the sign!
Mathi:I brought the cart. Can I load it? Ah, excuse me! Coming through!
Lithia:Haha! I knew we'd come to see eye to eye! Nice to do business with you. Have a good day!
Lithia:... Well, that's how it went.
Lithia:Hahaha... What happened next is the funny part...
Rift:I remember. We were so busy buying everything, when we returned afterwards, we noticed all our things were mixed together.
Lithia:Yeah. Looking at the mountain of supplies, thinking about how to organize everything... It was exhausting to think about it. I was so done.
Lithia:That's when Vera asked again... Hahaha, isn't it really funny?
Lithia:She said, it's such a hassle to divide our belongings, wouldn't it be better to travel together instead?
Lithia:... It's strange. It's not like we did anything special that day.
Lithia:Just the three of us, struggling as we go around the busy market place.
Lithia:When did we become so familiar with each other?