To investigate a small light in the depths of the forest, we walked up to the blue-white glow, watching our footsteps. |
Rennes first approached the source of said light to check for danger while keeping a watchful eye on the surroundings, but there were no monsters attacking us as before. |
![Story Rennes.png](/images/d/d7/Story_Rennes.png) Rennes |
"There is no problem approaching. It seems that the light was really just from a star leaf." |
![Story Freiburg.png](/images/8/8a/Story_Freiburg.png) Freiburg |
"So you're saying that the many lights over there are star leaves in this forest too?" |
![Story Rennes.png](/images/d/d7/Story_Rennes.png) Rennes |
"I can't say for sure, but I think they probably are." |
![Story Bourse.png](/images/9/93/Story_Bourse.png) Bourse |
"But you can never be too careful. It's obvious that this star leaf has something to do with the monsters earlier." |
![Story Freiburg.png](/images/8/8a/Story_Freiburg.png) Freiburg |
"Hey, can I check on that star leaf?" |
![Story Rennes.png](/images/d/d7/Story_Rennes.png) Rennes |
"Oui, be my guest." |
![Story Freiburg.png](/images/8/8a/Story_Freiburg.png) Freiburg |
"It's just an ordinary star leaf. Though it's a lot less luminous than the one I had." |
![Story Bourse.png](/images/9/93/Story_Bourse.png) Bourse |
"Speaking of which Freiburg, where did you get that star leaf you were holding?" |
![Story Freiburg.png](/images/8/8a/Story_Freiburg.png) Freiburg |
"I got it from a local. An uncle dressed as Santa at a party told me to use it to decorate the Christmas tree♪" |
![Story Freiburg.png](/images/8/8a/Story_Freiburg.png) Freiburg |
"Now that I think of it, the star leaf from that uncle I got at first wasn't that shiny, I think?" |
![Story Bourse.png](/images/9/93/Story_Bourse.png) Bourse |
"But when you came to pick up le Bourse duo, it was very bright, non? It was as bright as the Forestier lanterns Rennes used." |
![Story Freiburg.png](/images/8/8a/Story_Freiburg.png) Freiburg |
"The moment I got it from that uncle, it suddenly started glowing. Uncle Santa was wearing gloves, so maybe it reacted to my body heat?" |
![Story Bourse.png](/images/9/93/Story_Bourse.png) Bourse |
"...What do you think, Rennes?" |
![Story Rennes.png](/images/d/d7/Story_Rennes.png) Rennes |
"Ummm..." |
![Story Rennes.png](/images/d/d7/Story_Rennes.png) Rennes |
"Perhaps, the star leaf did not react to Mademoiselle Freiburg's body heat, but to your magical power? It's the same principle as the Forestier lantern I used." |
![Story Rennes.png](/images/d/d7/Story_Rennes.png) Rennes |
"Freiburg, please hold that star leaf in your hand." |
![Story Freiburg.png](/images/8/8a/Story_Freiburg.png) Freiburg |
"Eh? It's fine, but..." |
![Story Freiburg.png](/images/8/8a/Story_Freiburg.png) Freiburg |
"Like this?" |
![Story Freiburg.png](/images/8/8a/Story_Freiburg.png) Freiburg |
"Wo-woah! It really glowed! Is this okay!? Would the monsters jump out!?" |
![Story Rennes.png](/images/d/d7/Story_Rennes.png) Rennes |
"No, it's just glowing." |
![Story Bourse.png](/images/9/93/Story_Bourse.png) Bourse |
"This is the holy light from earlier. Was petite Freiburg a saint after all?" |
![Story Rennes.png](/images/d/d7/Story_Rennes.png) Rennes |
"As soon as Freiburg's hands touched that thing, I felt a healing power. Perhaps calling that a sacred light isn't wrong." |
![Story Freiburg.png](/images/8/8a/Story_Freiburg.png) Freiburg |
"Oh, hey look! The other star leaves are glowing stronger too!" |
As soon as Freiburg touched the star leaf, many of the lights visible further into the forest also increased their brightness simultaneously. |
The number of lights illuminated the forest, spreading out over a wide area as if cutting through the darkness of the night. |
As my eyes became accustomed to the forest illuminated in white by the dazzling lights, there was a distinctly different landscape. |
Bourse |
"Wha, what is this...?" |
![Story Rennes.png](/images/d/d7/Story_Rennes.png) Rennes |
"The forest is withered. The grass, the trees, everything..." |
![Story Bourse.png](/images/9/93/Story_Bourse.png) Bourse |
"Is this because of the Phantom Mist? Or is it because of the star leaf?" |
![Story Rennes.png](/images/d/d7/Story_Rennes.png) Rennes |
"I don't know. But this scene we are seeing is no illusion. These dead trees, the grass, everything is real." |
![Story Rennes.png](/images/d/d7/Story_Rennes.png) Rennes |
"There is nothing unusual behind here. Perhaps something happened around that ravine." |
![Story Bourse.png](/images/9/93/Story_Bourse.png) Bourse |
"This is still all awful. All of the plants except for the star leaves are dead." |
![Story Freiburg.png](/images/8/8a/Story_Freiburg.png) Freiburg |
"No, it's fine. This forest is still alive." |
![Story Bourse.png](/images/9/93/Story_Bourse.png) Bourse |
"Petite Freiburg?" |
![Story Freiburg.png](/images/8/8a/Story_Freiburg.png) Freiburg |
"I'm sure the forest withered for some reason, but the grass and the trees are still alive. I can hear them saying 'save me...'." |
![Story Rennes.png](/images/d/d7/Story_Rennes.png) Rennes |
"Um, Freiburg. If you don't mind, could you tell me too? What is the forest saying?" |
![Story Freiburg.png](/images/8/8a/Story_Freiburg.png) Freiburg |
"Rennes..." |
![Story Freiburg.png](/images/8/8a/Story_Freiburg.png) Freiburg |
"Save us, they said..." |
![Story Freiburg.png](/images/8/8a/Story_Freiburg.png) Freiburg |
"'Don't destroy our dreams,' they said, 'return our prayers'." |
![Story Rennes.png](/images/d/d7/Story_Rennes.png) Rennes |
"Don't destroy our dreams, return our prayers... What exactly do they mean?" |
![Story Freiburg.png](/images/8/8a/Story_Freiburg.png) Freiburg |
"I don't know. But there's something that's caused these children to be like this." |
![Story Bourse.png](/images/9/93/Story_Bourse.png) Bourse |
"The people who destroyed their dreams and took away their prayers have made this forest crazy. Perhaps the star leaves called Freiburg to tell her that?" |
![Story Freiburg.png](/images/8/8a/Story_Freiburg.png) Freiburg |
"Are they calling me?" |
![Story Bourse.png](/images/9/93/Story_Bourse.png) Bourse |
"I'm sure petite Freiburg has the power to save this forest. That's why you can hear the dead trees and even emit sacred light." |
![Story Rennes.png](/images/d/d7/Story_Rennes.png) Rennes |
"Dohyuhyuh, good idea. I think that's quite an interesting theory." |
![Story Bourse.png](/images/9/93/Story_Bourse.png) Bourse |
"Just so you know, le Bourse is serious." |
![Story Rennes.png](/images/d/d7/Story_Rennes.png) Rennes |
"I know. I'm not making fun of you. I think your theory is very good." |
![Story Rennes.png](/images/d/d7/Story_Rennes.png) Rennes |
"Yes, it is..." |
![Story Rennes.png](/images/d/d7/Story_Rennes.png) Rennes |
"Let's have Freiburg take the lead from here, shall we?" |
![Story Freiburg.png](/images/8/8a/Story_Freiburg.png) Freiburg |
"Huh?" |
![Story Rennes.png](/images/d/d7/Story_Rennes.png) Rennes |
"Let's continue to follow the star leave's guidance. That light means something. It may lead us to a way to save the forest." |
![Story Bourse.png](/images/9/93/Story_Bourse.png) Bourse |
"Nice idea. Is that okay with you, Conductor?" |
Conductor |
If that's what we all discussed, fine. Though we haven't asked Freiburg's opinion yet, what do you really think, Freiburg? |
![Story Freiburg.png](/images/8/8a/Story_Freiburg.png) Freiburg |
"Me leading..." |
![Story Freiburg.png](/images/8/8a/Story_Freiburg.png) Freiburg |
"That means I'm going to lead everyone, is that OK with Frau Rennes and Frau Bourse? We could be in danger again, you know?" |
![Story Rennes.png](/images/d/d7/Story_Rennes.png) Rennes |
"I'm fine with it. I'm used to being in danger in the first place." |
![Story Bourse.png](/images/9/93/Story_Bourse.png) Bourse |
"Le Bourse doesn't mind either. I mean, given the circumstances, I don't think we can avoid danger even if Rennes leads the way anymore." |
![Story Bourse.png](/images/9/93/Story_Bourse.png) Bourse |
"Then I would like to rely on you, Freiburg. Don't you think you're amazing? There are not many people in Brocéliande who can hear the voice of the dead forest." |
![Story Freiburg.png](/images/8/8a/Story_Freiburg.png) Freiburg |
"Frau Rennes, Frau Bourse..." |
![Story Freiburg.png](/images/8/8a/Story_Freiburg.png) Freiburg |
"Got it. I'll go first. I'll listen carefully to the light of the star leaves and the voice of the forest!" |
We thus proceed to the deepest part of the dead forest, relying on the star leave's lights and Freiburg's ears. |