After arriving to the temple, Ara, Laby and Gaia decide to try and find clues on where they are exactly. After sparring with Gaia, Ara learns why she was hesitant to say something to Eun; she considers him like family. She manages to convince Eun to first help them with resurrection of the lord, then ask questions afterwards, finding the circumstances suspicious.
On the way to the Northern Empire to find Calonne... The lost party enters a nearby shrine with Ara's guidance.
Quest Acceptance Dialogue
Gaia:We managed to leave right away, but...
Laby:Hmm... Sorry... Laby was only looking at the red needle... So Laby doesn't remember what was around at all...
Gaia:I overestimated my knowledge of the area as well. I didn't realize how much the lands have changed since I was asleep. Looks like the the old map I have is useless...
Laby:Oh! Laby knows a way if we don't know how to get there!
Laby:If we jump into the sea, the waves will carry us to the Bamboo forest!
Gaia:... Maybe we should use that after our final resort.
Laby:Eh? What's after final?
Ara:Master Gaia, Laby! I found a path!
Gaia:Oh? Are you certain?
Laby:Laby only sees trees.
Ara:This flower may look like a common weed, but it actually requires great care to bloom.
Ara:It's often planted near a shrine to encourage people to visit, and it's never seen in this quantity in the wild.
Gaia:So there's a path where people frequent nearby?
Ara:From the condition of the flowers, I don't think people come this way anymore. But there are still traces left, so we should be able to find the shrine by following these flowers.
Ara:Once we find the shrine, we would be able to figure out where we are.
Laby:Amazing! How do you know so much, Ara?
Ara:Where I'm from... This kind of information is readily available for anyone who's interested...
Ara:And I used to visit different shrines with my mother when I was young.
Gaia:There's not much we know about the Northern Empire. Although, I did hear the people of the Northern Empire believe in the holy beasts...
Ara:It's because the spirits here hold more power, as people believe in spirits unlike Velder who only believed in the goddess... Although many only believed in the powerful spirits.
Ara:There are many guardian spirits, and many believed in different spirits for reasons such as fertility, health, and wealth.
Ara:I suspect the shrine here was built for one such spirit.
Gaia:I'm glad you've come with us. Thank you.
Ara:I'm glad to help. Now I'll lead the way, follow me.
Quest Completion Dialogue
Laby:Whoa! A house!! Oh! A snake!
Ara:Looks like the Shrine of the Two-Headed Serpent. It's a spirit that usually represents harmony between family members and love between siblings.
Laby:Are there other meanings?
Ara:It also represents sacrifice and revival. The tale of the two-headed serpent starts with the death of the brother snake. It's a story of a snake who wished to save his younger brother.
Ara:It is said that after days of prayer, the younger brother was restored, attached to his older brother.
Gaia:So that's why there are two heads. I'm not sure if it's a happy ending...
Ara:I had many siblings. So the adults in the family often told this tale, telling us to get along.
Laby:You started your journey to save your family, right? Is it because he's family that you want to save him?
Ara:Well... That's one reason... But it's more because he's someone I respect.
Laby:Respect... Haivan said he respected Winster... Why didn't he act like Ara?
Ara:.......
Laby:Winster is Haivan's family. And Nichel grew up like family. Why did Haivan do something that will hurt his family?
Gaia:.......
Laby:Laby was thinking... But Laby still don't get it. Laby gets sad just thinking about being mean to Nisha.
Laby:Did Haivan actually really really hate Winster? Did Haivan hurt Winster because Winster is not important?
Ara:When Berthe came with an army... Haivan looked surprised.
Laby:Yeah, Laby remembers.
Ara:I think... Haivan didn't intend to hurt others. He did help us before we entered the secret laboratory.
Laby:But... Haivan lied to Winster and Nichel and sided with Berthe! Isn't that still mean?
Ara:... Maybe it's because their goal differed too greatly.
Laby:Their goal?
Ara:Yes. Everyone has their own path to follow, and that path does not necessarily converge just because they are close to one another.
Ara:I don't think it's right that he betrayed his family and friend. But... But there must be a reason behind his action.
Ara:And... I get the feeling... That he didn't want Winster and Nichel to get hurt despite their differences.
Laby:... Laby don't get it. Winster and Nichel looked really shocked because of what Haivan did.
Ara:The fact that he hurt them will never go away.
Laby:Why did Winster say Haivan didn't do it, even though he knew Haivan lied?
Ara:Isn't it because he wished to believe in him? That Haivan never intended to hurt Winster, Nichel, and the villagers.
Ara:That is was a misunderstanding devised by a nefarious villain...
Ara:It may be foolish, but there are those who cling on to even a sliver of hope.
Laby:.......
Ara:I will go inspect the shrine. There may be something inside that shows us where we are.
Gaia:Oh, I'll follow you...
Ara:It's fine. Please wait for me here, Master Gaia, Laby.
Ara is conflicted between Eun's unknown intention and her own path she wishes to follow. Gaia offers to spar to clear her mind.
Quest Acceptance Dialogue
Ara:(I said so confidently to Laby... But even I don't truly understand.)
Ara:(Maybe I only think this way because I want to believe Aren is not fully controlled by Ran...)
Eun:Watch your step, Ara. The shrine is quite old.
Ara:Oh! Understood!
Ara:It's not a big shrine, but the pillars and decorations are all very intricate. There must have been a lot of people who visited this place when it was first built.
Eun:... Yes. I'm sure you're right.
Ara:You must have a shrine too, right Eun? I've only seen the one in our village, so I'm curious how it looks like in other places!
Eun:I don't think there's anyone who'd waste their time on a sealed spirit, don't you?
Ara:Oh...! I shouldn't have said anything!
Ara:(What should I do? I'm constantly bringing up topics that would make her uncomfortable...
Ara:I'm such a burden... Here, and in Rigomor, too.)
Eun:That lithograph seems to depict the map of this area. You should go check.
Ara:Yes!
Eun:.......
Ara:Oh! So this is where we are. I think I know which direction we should go.
Eun:That's a relief.
Ara:... It is.
Ara:(We'd meet Calonne once we arrive at the village, and I'm sure everyone else would head to the Demon Realm to save Winster...)
Ara:(If Eun is planning on refusing Winster's request and stop the restoration of the White-Ghost King...)
Ara:(Then maybe I'd be more helpful if I stay away from everyone else.)
Ara:(But if I avoid coming in contact with the White-Ghost King completely, I'd be betraying Eun's trust...)
Ara:(It wasn't this hard when we first met. I was too busy thinking about my brother.)
Ara:(I wonder what has changed since then.)
Gaia:Ara? Did you find something?
Ara:Oh, yes. A lithograph with a map of the surrounding area.
Gaia:Oh? Did something happen? You seem to have a lot on your mind...
Ara:Oh, it's nothing! Now that we know where we are, should we get going? Where's Laby?
Gaia:Laby is thinking really hard right now. Conversation with you left her a lot of questions.
Ara:I see...
Gaia:... When Laby has a problem, she thinks about it until she comes up with a solution. It will take some time.
Ara:I'm sorry?
Gaia:You said you're from a martial artist family in the Northern Empire, right? I usually focus on fist, so I was always interested in martial arts of the Northern Empire.
Gaia:Do you mind sparring with me right now?
Ara:... A spar?
Gaia:From personal experience, sparring or training always helped me when I had too much to think about.
Ara:Does that mean you also have a lot on your mind?
Gaia:Mmm, I won't say you're wrong... Oh! Don't feel like you're obligated to agree!
Ara:... No... A sparring match... It's really been awhile...
Ara:I look forward to this match.
Gaia:Thank you for accepting my offer. Shall we?
Quest Completion Dialogue
Ara:Oh! I recognize your form! You must have taught Laby how to fight?
Gaia:Haha, I can't really say I taught her much. I've only given her some advice when we met. Now she has her own style fighting with Nisha.
Ara:A few pointers? It's not easy for one to change existing forms of martial arts to make it more powerful... Laby must be truly talented.
Gaia:She is... But I think it's more because she's hard working. Even when she doesn't know, she tries her best to find the answer.
Gaia:... So I should just believe in her...
Ara:Oh, is Laby the reason why you have a lot on your mind?
Gaia:Mm, well... Please don't tell Laby.
Gaia:She helped me out a lot. Thanks to her, I was able to overcome a difficult time. I think of her as family.
Gaia:But as you well know, she's still... naive. I don't want her to get hurt because of something she has yet to learn.
Ara:Come to think of it... Laby said she needed to visit the Demon Realm...
Ara:Are you worried about her traveling to the Demon Realm?
Gaia:Honestly... Yes.
Gaia:But I know I shouldn't get in her way because of my worries.
Gaia:She has the ability to find her own way, and she's not obligated to assuage my worries. Even I don't want that from her.
Gaia:So this... Is just my personal problem.
Ara:But... You are worried, aren't you?
Ara:As family, shouldn't you be able to voice your worries?
Gaia:... Some words can be taken the wrong way.
Gaia:I'm afraid I can't portray myself accurately... Or of how Laby would take my words...
Gaia:It's a bit embarrassing, since I just talked to Laby about the importance of communicating your opinion.
Gaia:But, it's difficult to communicate BECAUSE I think of her as family. Surely, you understand that as well?
Ara:(Family... Something that's difficult to communicate because they're family...)
Ara:(I see... The reason why I hesitated to talk to Eun... It was so simple.)
Ara:(But still... I...)
Ara:Thank you, Master Gaia. I was able to clear my thoughts.
Gaia:Is that so? I just vented out my embarrassing thoughts, but if that helped, I'm glad.
Laby:Ara! Bellonde!!
Gaia:Oh, Laby! We should get going soon!
Gaia:Now, Ara...
Ara:But Master Gaia.
Ara:I too, think there are things you have to say, precisely for that reason.
Gaia:Hm?...
Laby:Huh? Were you still talking?
Ara:We just finished, Laby. We've checked the map of the area, so I'll lead the way until the road becomes familiar to you.
Laby:Really? Laby knew we could count on Ara!
Ara:Shall we get going, then? It's best we hurry on our way.
After worrying for a long time, Ara finally settles her mind and calls Eun.
Quest Completion Dialogue
Laby:Ooooh! Laby knows this place! Nisha! Nisha, you remember too, right?
Gaia:The map must have been accurate. We didn't get lost since the Shrine. This is all thanks to...
Laby:Shh! Bellonde, you can't talk! Ara is talking to someone!!
Gaia:Talking...? With who?
Laby:Mmm, uh...
Laby:Ara said, a very important family that's always with her!
Ara:Eun, may I ask you something?
Eun:Go on.
Ara:When you told me about a wager you made with the Red Demon King... You told me you were relieved that the wager was nulled.
Ara:I thought that was because your rage from being sealed was abated... But that's not it, is it?
Ara:From what I gather from your response when you heard about the White-Ghost King, you still hold great resentment towards the demon that sealed you. But you were still relieved because...
Ara:Because I wouldn't... I wouldn't have to harm my brother with my own hands... You were relieved that I wouldn't have to suffer pain.
Eun:... Ara.
Ara:It's rather strange if you think about it. They say even a brush of hands form a connection. And you and I, aren't we bonded through our souls?
Ara:You've always protected me. And you believed in me when you told me of the wager you made with the Red Demon King.
Ara:And... You gave me a heartfelt apology.
Ara:I was hesitating... Because I didn't know how you would take my words. I was afraid I would hurt you, because...
Ara:Because you've become very important to me.
Eun:......!
Ara:But that's why I wanted to tell you how I feel.
Ara:I don't want to regret because of words unspoken any longer.
Eun:.......
Ara:... Eun. I do not want to part with the El Search Party. Not only because I need to find my brother...
Ara:But because I find this path just.
Ara:They accepted me, a complete stranger, and trusted me to fight along side them. They were patient, and understanding of my duties.
Ara:Nothing is clear at the moment. I can't help but suspect the fact that no one knows what has transpired, even though a Demon Ruler was involved.
Ara:But I will release you from your seal. If the White-Ghost King is truly the reason why you were sealed in the first place, I may not take their life, but I will make sure they repent.
Ara:You may think I'm too ambitious, but...
Ara:I want you to stand by me, Eun. On a path I find just.
Ara:I want us to walk this path together, without parting with those I've found to be honorable.
Eun:... I remember when we first met. You were stubborn, even when your life was but a candle in the wind.
Eun:Ara. The reason why I'm pursuing the demon that sealed me, is not just to release myself from the seal.
Eun:... I don't trust the Red Demon King. However, I do know the circumstances around me when I was sealed was dubious at best.
Eun:The Haan family was a small martial arts family. Thought they did have an exorcist background, they were never exceptional.
Eun:But that day, it was different. They used a special exorcism skill to seal me inside this hairpin.
Eun:I've been wondering how they've obtained that power, and the Red Demon King provided an answer. There was a demon involved in my sealing all along.
Ara:Eun...
Eun:Even thought I'm a beast, I grew up absorbing the energy of this land. I accepted that I too, would fade one day, and become part of the Earth that became a part of me.
Eun:But not if the reason I was sealed was because of someone not of this world. That is an insult to my being, and anyone who thinks they can get away with insulting me, will learn that they are sorely mistaken.
Ara:But... What about my ancestors? It was my ancestors that borrowed the power of outside sources and sealed you.
Ara:It is understandable if you are angry with us for that reason alone. But you acted as the guardian spirit of the Haan family, and aided me on my journey until now.
Eun:Of course I was angry in the beginning. But how can I be angry when they have only acted in response to my actions in my later days.
Eun:Besides... The Haan family still showed me respect. They spoke of my past, and treated me as a guardian.
Eun:If anything stands in my way, I would remove it. Before, I acted in instinct. But since I traveled with you, the cause and effect of my actions that once eluded me became much clearer.
Eun:It seems that a just being can even change a beast set on their ways.
Ara:Eun... You truly cherish our family.
Eun:It is your action that made me this way. But sometimes, I wish you weren't so stubborn.
Eun:Back then, Elrios wasn't even aware of the existence of demons, so it can't be that there were many demons loitering about.
Eun:And to be able to seal me... Must mean that this demon was truly powerful.
Eun:Nothing is certain. But you're right, it is suspicious. Even if the White-Ghost King was not directly involved, it could very well be that it was the right-hand man that executed the deed.
Ara:.......
Eun:But I'll wait. I won't rush ahead. We'll resurrect the White-Ghost King and listen directly from the source.
Eun:I'll decide then, remembering your words.
Ara:Eun...! Does that mean...!
Eun:I was aware you were agonizing between my goals and the El Search Party. Hmph, listening to you like this, I must be getting too soft.
Ara:Euuuuuun...
Eun:My, my, where's the righteous girl that demanded my help? Stop crying!
Ara:Eun... You'll stay with me, won't you? You're like family to me.
Eun:Yes... Alright. I'll stay with you. Now look ahead. The forest has ended.
Laby:Oh, over there! That's Mao and Calonne's house!
Laby:Eh? Ara, what are you doing all the way back there?
Laby:Come on! Laby will introduce you to Laby's friends!
Shrine in the Forest
Varnimyr
Pruinaum
Tirnog
