About a month had passed, and Rian's party had reaped the results of their training under Edward's guidance. Their skills had improved noticeably, and they had made great strides in their coordinated attacks and tactics. Lucas, too, had nearly recovered from his injuries and was gradually regaining his vitality. He had decided to embark on a greater journey with Rian's party and was preparing for their departure.
Lucas: "I'm fully recovered now. I'm ready to set out with you all."
Rian: "Alright, let's leave together. No need to delay any longer."
Ria: "It's reassuring to have you with us, Your Highness Lucas."
Eris: "Our strength has grown, so we should have no problem with any enemy that comes our way."
However, just as they were about to leave, a loud disturbance broke out outside the castle. Climbing the castle walls, they witnessed a startling scene. Wild animals were running chaotically around the castle, and behind them, figures that appeared to be Noktus were destroying the surroundings with small golems.
Lucas, grasping the situation, cried out in alarm.
Lucas: "The Noktus are wreaking havoc around the castle! This isn't just a simple disturbance."
Rian: "Let's go out and calm the situation. The castle is in danger!"
Rian's party went out the castle gates with the kingdom's soldiers. The residents in the rice paddies and fields were trembling with anxiety, and the Noktus's golems were indiscriminately trampling the crops. The soldiers tried to subdue the animals and golems, but the enemy moved swiftly, creating chaos.
Rian: "The golems and animals are moving randomly. This isn't an all-out battle; they're trying to create chaos!"
Eris cast a spell at the golems and succeeded in calming some of the animals, but the Noktus's magic was acting powerfully.
Eris: "Their magic is strong. This isn't a simple disturbance. They're after something."
Brunok punched a stone golem, letting out his anger.
Brunok: "Don't get too cocky for a lump of rock! I'll smash you to pieces!"
Rian swung his greatsword and brought down one golem, but each time, the Noktus soldiers would quickly retreat, creating deeper confusion. They avoided a direct confrontation, repeatedly causing a disturbance and then disappearing.
Lucas: "Why are they avoiding a fight and running away? They must be after something."
The Noktus soldiers intentionally dodged attacks and made a point of fleeing. They would wreak havoc around the castle, then disappear, repeating the pattern of disruption. This pattern was causing great stress and confusion for the soldiers of Altechna.
Ria tried to stop them with wind magic, but the Noktus vanished like ghosts every time.
Ria: "They're experts at running away. If they keep causing trouble like this, we'll get worn out, too."
Marielle was casting a holy barrier, protecting the residents.
Marielle: "If they continue to cause chaos like this, there will be a limit to the castle's defenses. We need to figure out their true objective."
Rian gave orders to the soldiers.
Rian: "Everyone, respond calmly. The Noktus's goal is not a full-scale battle. Focus on stopping their movements and protecting the castle as much as possible."
Lucas agreed with Rian's instructions and encouraged the soldiers.
Lucas: "Rian's right. They're not looking for a fight. We need to strengthen the castle's defenses and protect the citizens."
Eris used her magic to destroy the golems one by one and pursued the Noktus soldiers.
Eris: "Their pattern is consistent. Create chaos and disappear quickly. They must be looking for something, or preparing for something."
Brunok defeated a golem and then grumbled as he watched the enemies flee once more.
Brunok: "These cowards, always just running away! I can't figure out what they're after."
Lucas shook his head, lost in thought.
Lucas: "Their persistence in causing these disturbances might be a strategy to wear us down. We should defend thoroughly and wait for them to show an opening."
Rian listened to him and shouted to the soldiers again.
Rian: "Everyone, don't be swayed even if they cause chaos. Our goal is to protect the castle and its people!"
Ria controlled her wind magic, watching the fleeing enemies.
Ria: "Their intentions will be revealed eventually. Let's make sure we don't get tired out first."
Rian's party and the soldiers continued to fight against the Noktus's disturbances, doing their best to protect the castle. The enemies repeated their pattern of creating chaos and disappearing, but Rian's party did not give up and continued to strengthen the castle's defenses.
Just then, a telegram arrived urgently at the castle. It was from the Gnome Kingdom. The telegram contained a message urgently summoning Rian's party. Rian read the telegram and sensed that something important was happening between Altechna and the Gnome Kingdom.
Rian: "The Gnome Kingdom is calling for us. It says it's not a serious matter, but an important one. I don't know what it is, but the situation seems urgent."
Ria: "Why is the Gnome Kingdom suddenly calling for us? What on earth is going on?"
Rian examined the telegram more closely. It stated that a part of the Crystal Core held by the Gnome Kingdom had unexpectedly started to operate. The activation of the Crystal Core was a major incident that could have a huge impact on the kingdom.
Rian: "It says a part of the Crystal Core has been activated. This is not a simple problem. Something seems to be wrong with the Gnome Kingdom's technology."
Lucas listened to Rian and fell deep into thought. Altechna was a powerful nation with more than enough strength to defend the castle, but Lucas judged that his place was here, where the kingdom needed him most.
Lucas: "Rian, it seems you all have a place to be. Altechna is a powerful enough nation to defend the castle without me. But I will remain here for the sake of the kingdom. My role is to protect this place, not to go on an adventure."
Rian understood Lucas's decision and nodded.
Rian: "Lucas, if you protect the castle, we can go without worrying. With you here, Altechna will never fall."
Ria looked at Lucas with a worried expression.
Ria: "Your Highness Lucas, please don't overdo it. Please protect the castle well until we return."
Eris also nodded.
Eris: "Your Highness Lucas, we will go to the Gnome Kingdom and obtain important information. We're leaving this place in your hands."
Lucas nodded with a resolute expression.
Lucas: "I will. You all be careful, too. The Noktus attacks will continue, but I will protect the castle from here."
Rian's party prepared to leave for the Gnome Kingdom and bid farewell to Lucas. Even in a situation where they didn't know what threats lay ahead, they trusted each other and resolved to do their respective parts. Lucas, who would protect Altechna, and Rian's party, who were leaving to obtain important information. They promised to meet again and went their separate ways.
***
Episode : A Conversation with Mother
While on their journey to the Gnome Kingdom, Rian's party took a short break to plan their next steps. The journey had been arduous, but Ria decided not to miss a rare opportunity to contact her mother, Elena. Taking out a crystal sphere, Ria reached out her hand as it began to glow, directing it toward her mother.
Ria: "Mother! It's been so long. I've missed you."
The image of Elena appeared clearly within the crystal sphere. Elena greeted her daughter with a warm smile.
Elena: "Ria, I've missed you so much too, my dear. I was always wondering if you and Rian were doing well."
Ria and Elena began a lively conversation, asking after each other's well-being. Ria explained to her mother their adventures so far and their reason for heading to the Gnome Kingdom.
Ria: "We're on our way to the Gnome Kingdom now. Something related to the Crystal Core has happened there. We left in a hurry because we heard part of the Crystal Core had been activated."
Elena listened to Ria and fell into thought for a moment. She, too, had encountered matters related to the Crystal Core in her past adventures.
Elena: "The Crystal Core… The truth is, that core is an important object connected to a giant golem in Elysium. The Crystal Core is the very source that makes the golem move. The reason we lent the Crystal Core to the Gnome Kingdom in the past was based on the judgment that their research could help strengthen Elysium's defenses."
Ria listened closely to her mother's story, searching for important clues. Elena continued in a calm voice.
Elena: "The golem and the Crystal Core are a single entity; they can never be separated. The Gnome Kingdom has a deep understanding of ancient technology, and they intended to study the Crystal Core to find better ways to use it. But you must be careful, Ria. If that power is not used correctly, it can become a great threat."
Ria grew cautious at her mother's warning. Based on her mother's past experiences and advice, she began to rethink the dangers and value of the Crystal Core.
Ria: "Mother, I think we need to find out how that Crystal Core and golem can help us in the future. That seems to be the most important thing right now."
Elena: "You're right, Ria. The golem is stored safely in the depths of Elysium. But it will be a disaster if we can't control its power. You two will have to go and investigate it properly."
The conversation gave Ria great courage and information. Through the talk with her mother, Ria realized that the Crystal Core and the golem could play a crucial role in their journey ahead. Ria said her goodbyes to her mother through the scrying sphere and returned to Rian and her companions.
Ria: "I heard something important from Mother. She said there's a giant golem hidden in Elysium that's linked to the Crystal Core. The core was lent to the Gnome Kingdom for a time and is currently being researched there."
Rian listened to Ria's words, nodded, and fell into thought.
Rian: "In that case, we need to find out more about the relationship between the Crystal Core and the golem. We should prepare in advance, just in case the golem could become our enemy."
Brunok showed particular interest in the story of the golem and the Crystal Core.
Brunok: "A moving chunk of rock is interesting, sure. But it'll be a problem if that power doesn't end up on our side. You never know what those Gnomish technicians might be up to."
Eris considered the potential shamanistic uses of the golem.
Eris: "It would be good to investigate the shamanistic link between the Crystal Core and the golem. We might make a new discovery through the Gnomes' research."
Marielle spoke cautiously.
Marielle: "We must ensure that power isn't used for evil. It would be a disaster if the golem became our enemy. We need to get the information first."
Ria shared the information she had gained from her mother with her companions, and they all began to plan their next steps together. To uncover the relationship between the Gnome Kingdom's Crystal Core and Elysium's golem and to use that power appropriately, Rian's party hardened their resolve.
Ria: "We need to gather all the information we need and make the golem's power our own."
Rian: "You're right, Ria. The information we've gained this time will be a great help as we move forward. Everyone's doing great. Let's keep it up!"
Rian's party clarified their roles and resolved to move forward. They made plans to get more information in the Gnome Kingdom and to find a way to control Elysium's golem.