The expedition on the Steel Tree was undertaken together by the Allied Forces. The huge thorny defences blocking the Thorn Railway were lifted, allowing access to the entrance of the Steel Tree from the Station that had been used as a temporary base. |
The entrance to the Steel Tree is like a castle entrance, with a Gate permanently open on a straight stretch of railway. It seems possible to enter by Mist Train as before, which is not surprising as it used to be the Giant Tree. |
![Story Islington.png](/images/6/6f/Story_Islington.png) Islington |
"There seems to be a route into it without the Mist Train this time. It's a bit confusing, but there looks like an intrusion route if you climb up to the top." |
![Story Mary.png](/images/8/82/Story_Mary.png) Mary |
"Is the intrusion route really safe? If you don't know what it looks like inside, you shouldn't just jump in recklessly." |
![Story Islington.png](/images/6/6f/Story_Islington.png) Islington |
"You can already figure out what's inside based on the exterior~ There are stairs, there are doors, and it's really built like a castle." |
![Story Mary.png](/images/8/82/Story_Mary.png) Mary |
"Since when did the Giant Tree become a place for people to live..." |
![Story Islington.png](/images/6/6f/Story_Islington.png) Islington |
"It might have 'recently become so'. Isn't there a high possibility that the intrusion route was someone who pried it open later?" |
![Story Mary.png](/images/8/82/Story_Mary.png) Mary |
"The Mistism cult...?" |
![Story Farringdon.png](/images/c/c8/Story_Farringdon.png) Farringdon |
"If other people can get in, the infantry unit should also go in; we need to investigate where the Mist Train can't go. We need to make a floor plan of the interior and see if Phantom Mist is occurring." |
![Story Mary.png](/images/8/82/Story_Mary.png) Mary |
"You speak as if we're going to tore a castle down. We're dealing with the Giant Tree, remember? It's not man-made. Our common sense doesn't apply." |
![Story Farringdon.png](/images/c/c8/Story_Farringdon.png) Farringdon |
"It is not man-made. You are right. But the Giant Tree was created by God, and Divine Children might be able to enter that realm." |
![Story Mary.png](/images/8/82/Story_Mary.png) Mary |
"There were only two Divine Children in the world who could do that - Ricardo and her son, Conductor. I recognise your power, but not as much as Ricardo." |
![Story Farringdon.png](/images/c/c8/Story_Farringdon.png) Farringdon |
"A Divine Child's powers are different for each individual. Ricardo has hers, and I have mine. And also, all those powers are for the Iridescent God." |
![Story Farringdon.png](/images/c/c8/Story_Farringdon.png) Farringdon |
"What Lady Iridescent God needs is to bring harmony to this world. It is not the Divine Child's will to let the world's crises pass without using their powers." |
![Story Mary.png](/images/8/82/Story_Mary.png) Mary |
"A Divine Child who has only been holed up in a castle up until now should not speak of 'the Divine Child's will' lightly. You haven't done anything since Ricardo left." |
![Story Islington.png](/images/6/6f/Story_Islington.png) Islington |
"Stooop. Mary, that's not nice, okay? Is it time to talk about that kind of thing now?" |
![Story Islington.png](/images/6/6f/Story_Islington.png) Islington |
"Dear sis, you're being a bit too gruff. Leave it up to Mr. Conductor to decide what the SSS's strategy is, so you should be a bit more considerate when giving your opinion in front of the Train Knights." |
![Story Mary.png](/images/8/82/Story_Mary.png) Mary |
"You're saying that, Islington?" |
![Story Islington.png](/images/6/6f/Story_Islington.png) Islington |
"I work with Mr. Conductor. And sometimes I'm in charge of the Out-Siders." |
![Story Farringdon.png](/images/c/c8/Story_Farringdon.png) Farringdon |
"Yes, Islington is right. I have never been on the front lines like Islington. I am also acutely aware that I didn't have the confidence of the troops." |
![Story Islington.png](/images/6/6f/Story_Islington.png) Islington |
"But dear sister, your reputation has gone up a lot since you took part in the battle earlier. The Divine Children of House Elrond have a reputation for being good fighters. Isn't that so, Mary Rosegarden?" |
![Story Mary.png](/images/8/82/Story_Mary.png) Mary |
"Yeah, Farringdon fought a great battle, not just the Out-Siders, the other nations' troops were amazed at your fighting ability too." |
![Story Mary.png](/images/8/82/Story_Mary.png) Mary |
"It's true... I'm surprised. It's as if you've been trained for battle. Since when did a Divine Child's magic become combat-oriented?" |
![Story Islington.png](/images/6/6f/Story_Islington.png) Islington |
"Sister Farringdon should take this opportunity to listen to the people fighting outside the Royal Castle." |
![Story Islington.png](/images/6/6f/Story_Islington.png) Islington |
"The trust of the people is important, of course. But it's the knights and soldiers who put their lives on the line in places like this who are actually fighting Phantom Mist." |
![Story Farringdon.png](/images/c/c8/Story_Farringdon.png) Farringdon |
"I think you are right. I wish I had listened to you earlier..." |
![Story Farringdon.png](/images/c/c8/Story_Farringdon.png) Farringdon |
"I thought I would have to change my mindset in the future, about what I should do as a Divine Child, and what I need to do for the Allied Forces." |
![Story Islington.png](/images/6/6f/Story_Islington.png) Islington |
"Seeing the battlefield in action changes your thinking, doesn't it?" |
![Story Farringdon.png](/images/c/c8/Story_Farringdon.png) Farringdon |
"Yes, it does. The soldiers here have a different look in their eyes to the knights guarding the St. Irish Royal Castle. They have been fighting in places like this for a long time..." |
![Story Islington.png](/images/6/6f/Story_Islington.png) Islington |
"Yes, they have. It's not just the Out-Siders who have been fighting, even Nishiki's Tsukiyo Banshuu, Eisengrad's Dela Veteranov, both have been through battlefields that would make a normal unit run for cover." |
![Story Islington.png](/images/6/6f/Story_Islington.png) Islington |
"There are so many battles in this world that go unrecorded." |
![Story Islington.png](/images/6/6f/Story_Islington.png) Islington |
"If only you understood that, dear sister, I'd be..." |
![Story Mary.png](/images/8/82/Story_Mary.png) Mary |
"......" |
![Story Mary.png](/images/8/82/Story_Mary.png) Mary |
"Farringdon, I'm sorry about earlier. I was a bit out of line too." |
![Story Mary.png](/images/8/82/Story_Mary.png) Mary |
"As you know, I left the Royal Castle because I was fed up with it, and I know all about the incompetent nobles around House Elrond. I've had a lot of bad experiences and I've seen a lot of things I didn't want to see." |
![Story Mary.png](/images/8/82/Story_Mary.png) Mary |
"That's why I can't trust the people in the Royal Castle so easily. It's not that I don't like you by any means." |
![Story Farringdon.png](/images/c/c8/Story_Farringdon.png) Farringdon |
"I know. No other knight has been as honest with me as you have. I am sure that there are many people in the Royal Castle who think the same way." |
![Story Farringdon.png](/images/c/c8/Story_Farringdon.png) Farringdon |
"My job is to change the Royal Castle from the inside. I often leave what's outside to others, but my aim is the same as yours. All for a peaceful world." |
![Story Mary.png](/images/8/82/Story_Mary.png) Mary |
"......" |
![Story Mary.png](/images/8/82/Story_Mary.png) Mary |
"So back to what we were talking about earlier." |
![Story Islington.png](/images/6/6f/Story_Islington.png) Islington |
"Hold it Mary..." |
![Story Farringdon.png](/images/c/c8/Story_Farringdon.png) Farringdon |
"Islington, please don't interrupt her. She's telling us this because it is important." |
![Story Islington.png](/images/6/6f/Story_Islington.png) Islington |
"......" |
![Story Mary.png](/images/8/82/Story_Mary.png) Mary |
"It's not that I think you can't save the Giant Tree, Farringdon. I am not talking about your superiority as a Divine Child. I've known for a long time that you're a great Divine Child, and Ricardo has always been a good admirer of yours." |
![Story Mary.png](/images/8/82/Story_Mary.png) Mary |
"However, the Giant Tree chooses its Divine Child. Please remember this." |
![Story Farringdon.png](/images/c/c8/Story_Farringdon.png) Farringdon |
"Understood... I will remember it well. Much appreciated for the very helpful information." |
![Story Farringdon.png](/images/c/c8/Story_Farringdon.png) Farringdon |
"Mary Rosegarden, you love this country and this world with all your heart. I could feel your strong feelings about it." |
![Story Mary.png](/images/8/82/Story_Mary.png) Mary |
"I'm going to go and discuss with Blackfriar about the infantry's raid... Islington, who do you get the information from about the route of this raid?" |
![Story Islington.png](/images/6/6f/Story_Islington.png) Islington |
"From the strong Nishikese." |
![Story Mary.png](/images/8/82/Story_Mary.png) Mary |
"Roger that. I'll check the rest myself." |
![Story Islington.png](/images/6/6f/Story_Islington.png) Islington |
"Dear sister, please don't mind her. She's a very nice person." |
![Story Farringdon.png](/images/c/c8/Story_Farringdon.png) Farringdon |
"I know. It's alright. She is worried about me. I have to be very careful not to overestimate my strength." |
![Story Farringdon.png](/images/c/c8/Story_Farringdon.png) Farringdon |
"Islington, you have been blessed with good company. You have become strong and respectable because you have fought alongside your allies in the Mist." |
![Story Islington.png](/images/6/6f/Story_Islington.png) Islington |
"How surprising. I never thought I would hear such words from my sister Farringdon's mouth." |
![Story Islington.png](/images/6/6f/Story_Islington.png) Islington |
"To be honest, I'm starting to change my thoughts about you, sis Farringdon. I didn't think you'd come all this way to help me." |
![Story Farringdon.png](/images/c/c8/Story_Farringdon.png) Farringdon |
"I still don't approve of Divine Children going off to war together, but I didn't think it was right for the Giant Tree to remain in such a lifeless state." |
![Story Farringdon.png](/images/c/c8/Story_Farringdon.png) Farringdon |
"Besides, I was also inspired by the actions of you and Lord Conductor. Please don't hesitate to point out my inadequacies in the future." |
![Story Farringdon.png](/images/c/c8/Story_Farringdon.png) Farringdon |
"I understand that some things are non-negotiable for the both of us, but we, House Elrond, have to work together to get the Giant Tree back. Little by little, we have to change." |
![Story Islington.png](/images/6/6f/Story_Islington.png) Islington |
"Sis Farringdon..." |
![Story Maki.png](/images/f/f7/Story_Maki.png) Maki |
"......" |