As Rian's party arrived on the outskirts of the Gnome Kingdom, a scene different from the usual unfolded before them. Many Gnomes were packing their belongings and leaving, and a mechanical carriage was noticeably stopped by the side of the road. The carriage seemed to have shuddered to a halt, and a Gnome was underneath it with tools, making repairs. Other Gnomes were on the move, each carrying a large bundle.
Ria felt that something was strange. Gnomes rarely came outside, as they usually handled their affairs within the kingdom. Sensing that something was amiss, Ria gave Rian a look.
Ria: "Brother, this is a bit weird. You don't see Gnomes coming outside in groups like this. Something must have happened."
Rian nodded and approached the Gnome who was fixing the mechanical carriage. Rian spoke cautiously.
Rian: "Hello. Has something happened? Is there some kind of big trouble in the kingdom?"
The Gnome, who had been working on the machine, looked up in surprise. He wiped away his sweat, looked at Rian for a moment, and then nodded in reply.
Gnome Technician: "Ah, you must be the envoys from Elysium. That's right. We've been having some problems in the kingdom lately. Strange beings started popping out of the ground, so we're in the middle of evacuating. The other Gnomes over there are all trying to leave their homes, too."
Rian furrowed his brow, mulling over the Gnome's words. The mention of strange beings appearing from underground gave him a sense of crisis.
Rian: "Strange beings? What do you mean by that? Have monsters appeared?"
The Gnome technician hesitated for a moment before speaking.
Gnome Technician: "Well, it's a bit ambiguous. Some people call them monsters, and others say they might be some kind of distant relative to us Gnomes. But what's for sure is that there's chaos within the kingdom. The royal family is trying to solve it, but they haven't found a clear solution yet."
Ria asked with a puzzled expression.
Ria: "Do you know why they've appeared? Is there any purpose or reason?"
The Gnome technician shook his head.
Gnome Technician: "We don't know why they've shown up yet. The kingdom's scholars are researching it, but they say it will take time. They could just be creatures that came up from underground, or there might be a bigger plan. To be honest, it might not be serious enough to evacuate, but some of us have decided to move in advance for safety."
Rian realized the situation was complex. He recognized that this was not a simple monster invasion but a major problem that could affect the entire kingdom. He turned to his companions, his resolve hardening.
Rian: "We have to help. We can't just stand by when the Gnome Kingdom is in chaos like this."
Brunok folded his arms and spoke with concern.
Brunok: "The Gnome Kingdom won't fall that easily, but if something like this is happening, it means something big is going on. We need to find out more."
Eris nodded and suggested a shamanistic approach.
Eris: "We need to check if these strange beings are under some shamanistic influence or if they are simple life forms. Where they come from will also be important."
Marielle clasped her hands as if in prayer.
Marielle: "We must lend our strength so that this can be resolved well. May the divine guide us."
Ria spoke with a resolute voice.
Ria: "Just as my mother said, this is all something we have to investigate and solve ourselves. Our mission here isn't just to observe, but to actively intervene and stop the Noktus threat."
Rian nodded at his companions.
Rian: "Alright, let's solve the problem the Gnome Kingdom is facing together. The fact that so many Gnomes have to leave their homes means this is a serious matter."
Rian's party thanked the Gnome who was fixing the mechanical carriage and decided to go deeper into the Gnome Kingdom to see the situation for themselves.
******
Episode : In the Heart of the Chaos
Rian's party arrived in Kronex, the main city of the Gnome Kingdom. The city was in a state of extreme chaos. The streets were overflowing with refugees, and many people were hastily loading their belongings onto mechanical carriages, trying to move to safer areas. The stalled carriages on the roads, the closed doors of the shops, and the anxious faces of the Gnomes starkly revealed the city's current situation.
Rian observed the chaotic scene and spoke cautiously to his companions.
"The situation here looks serious. We need to find out what's happened."
Ria frowned at the sight of the kingdom's crowded streets and refugees, and headed with her companions toward the center of the kingdom.
Upon arriving in the city center, the party was guided to the kingdom's research lab. The lab, even amidst the chaos, was continuing its research, and scientists were struggling to understand the relationship between the Crystal Core and the creatures. In a conference room where a royal representative and scientists had gathered, Rian's party was briefed on the current situation.
The royal representative let out a deep sigh and said.
"Our kingdom is facing an unprecedented crisis. As the Crystal Core reactivated, strange life forms have appeared from underground. These creatures are aggressive and are attacking the kingdom's major cities and towns."
Rian nodded and asked.
"What is the cause of the creatures' appearance? How is the reactivation of the Crystal Core related to them?"
One of the scientists stepped forward to explain.
"We are currently analyzing the operating principles of the Crystal Core and the behavioral patterns of the creatures. It appears that as the Crystal Core activated, unknown life forms from underground are breaking through the crust and coming to the surface. However, the exact cause and their objective have not yet been identified."
Brunok folded his arms, a serious expression on his face.
"Is this research even being conducted properly? If a mistake is made, the situation could get even worse. We need to keep an eye on everything."
Eris spoke in a deliberate and elegant tone.
"We must meticulously record and analyze the creatures' behavioral patterns. It is our mission to predict their appearances through the collected data and to clearly identify their attack routes. Now is the time to form a response strategy by deeply understanding the operating principles of the Crystal Core."
Marielle clasped her hands as if in prayer.
"We must lend our strength so that this situation can be resolved well. We pray the divine will guide us."
Rian decided to cooperate with the research team at the lab along with his companions. They began their investigation with the researchers to analyze the cause of the creatures' appearance and the state of the Crystal Core. At the same time, they did their best to supply necessary resources to the kingdom's refugees and to build up defensive lines. Rian's party devoted all their efforts to reducing the chaos in the Gnome Kingdom, helping people in the chaotic city and searching for ways to prepare for the creatures' attacks.
Rian said to his companions.
"The reason we came here is not simply to watch the situation. We must intervene directly to solve the problem. We have to make every effort to reduce the chaos in the Gnome Kingdom and to stop the threat of these creatures."
Rian's party faithfully carried out their respective roles, reducing the kingdom's chaos and analyzing the cause of the creatures' appearance and the state of the Crystal Core.
As Rian's party proceeded with their investigation, they learned that one of the main causes of the kingdom's chaos was the malfunctioning of the mechanical soldiers. Although the Gnome Kingdom had Gnomish soldiers, their numbers were insufficient due to the Gnomish physique—small and slight—and their general preference for experiments and building machines over physical activity. The mechanical soldiers were operated to supplement them.
In the past, they had not operated many mechanical soldiers, but after a certain past incident, they had begun to operate quite a few, which they now believed was the cause of the current chaos. It would have been one thing if they simply didn't move, but because they were malfunctioning, it required even more people to deal with them. Gnomish mages also had to be dispatched for this, resulting in a shortage of troops for defense.
***
Episode : The Royal Summons
As Rian's party made their way through the chaotic streets of Kronex and arrived at the royal palace, the noise and congestion of the city faded away, replaced by the palace's quiet and majestic atmosphere. As the palace gates opened, the party stepped into a grand interior decorated in the traditional Gnomish architectural style.
In the grand hall at the heart of the palace, the Gnome King, Hardill, was waiting for them. Hardill was dressed in his traditional royal attire, and his appearance exuded both dignity and trustworthiness. Rian and his companions knelt before the king, paying their respects.
Hardill looked at them and spoke with a serious expression.
"Rian, your companions, and the director of Baeldrak's research lab, I welcome you all here. Our kingdom is currently facing an unprecedented crisis, and I hope that you can help us resolve it."
"We express our deepest regrets for the crisis your kingdom is facing. If there is anything we can do to help, please do not hesitate to ask."
Ria spoke next.
"We thank you, Your Majesty, for greeting us personally in this difficult time. As the prince and princess of Elysium, we promise to do our utmost for the safety of your kingdom."
Hardill nodded and replied with a serious expression.
"Prince Rian, Princess Ria, I am deeply grateful for your willingness to help and for the aid of Elysium. We are currently facing two major problems. Aggressive creatures have emerged from underground due to the reactivation of the Crystal Core, and our mechanical soldiers are not functioning properly. We need your help to solve both of these problems together."
Rian listened carefully to King Hardill's words and said.
"I fully understand Your Majesty's words. We will immediately begin an investigation to resolve the issues with the Crystal Core and the mechanical soldiers' malfunction. We will also treat the matter concerning Elysium's artifact with the seriousness it deserves."
Ria also added.
"We will swiftly analyze the current situation and commit all necessary resources to solve this problem. We will cooperate with you to protect the safety of the kingdom."
Hardill nodded with a satisfied expression.
"Thank you. The future of the kingdom rests in your hands. If you need any help, please ask at any time."
Meanwhile, as Rian and Ria were discussing the situation inside the royal palace, the rest of the party was outside, meeting with others to discuss the current events. Brunok, Eris, and Marielle were at an external meeting place, exchanging information on the situation with the kingdom's military, researchers, and refugees.
Brunok explained the problem with the kingdom's defense and the mechanical soldiers.
"The situation has become such a mess because the mechanical soldiers are not working properly. If we don't solve this problem, the kingdom's defenses will collapse. The issue with the mechanical soldiers must be resolved as soon as possible."
Eris said:
"The chaos here is the result of the natural flow being disrupted. If we wish to restore harmony, we must understand how each element is interconnected. We must approach this cautiously, so that nature can find its own balance."
Marielle offered words of comfort to those around her, showing her understanding of the gravity of the situation and her will to do her best.
"I pray that this situation is resolved quickly. We all must gather our strength. Let us work together for the safety of the kingdom."
Rian and Ria, through their conversation with Hardill inside the palace, came to understand the kingdom's situation, while the rest of the party analyzed the situation and took measures from the outside, all putting forth their full effort to resolve the kingdom's crisis.