Through the Petals in the Land of Repose - Witch's Mirrored Reversal

Listen to Herta talking to herself

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  Herta: ...Oh? How interesting.

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  Herta: I never expected a mere Memosnatcher to be actually hiding so much inside her head.

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  Herta: What's even more interesting is that the word "Amphoreus" has appeared in her subconscious.

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  Sunday: This lady... seems to be having fun. Is she usually like this?

• Welt: ...It's hard to explain.

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  Herta: What are you two whispering about? Has it not occurred to you that I can hear everything clearly?

• Welt: Please pardon me, Madam Herta. Would you mind sharing with us what you've discovered?

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  Herta: Hmph, the ones who need help are the Astral Express. You will have to put up with my methods, even if they are rather unconventional.

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  Herta: Let's get back to the topic. By using the Fourth Mirror, I rummaged through the brain of this Memosnatcher and learned a good deal.

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  Herta: Not only does this person know of Amphoreus, but there are also many Memokeepers who are interested in the place.

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  Herta: I searched through her consciousness and found the following terms: "The Eternal Land," "The Rejected Land," and "the Private Collection of the Garden of Recollection "...

• Welt: It seems like Miss Black Swan is indeed hiding some things from us.

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  Herta: Since I'm not able to find any useful clues from the outside, why don't I personally visit this mysterious Amphoreus?

• Welt: You're planning to head to Amphoreus yourself?

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  Herta: Yes, but not in the flesh, like you all foolishly did.

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  Herta: See these Herta Mirrors? With them, I can project my "data spirit entity" to any corner of the cosmos through spatial warps, without even needing to leave my room.

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  Herta: But of course, these "corners of the cosmos" must be within the coverage zone of Interastral Peace Communications . After all, this is collaborative technology.

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  Sunday: I see. You do seem like the more... "indoor" type.

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  Herta: Although that starzone is not within the network of the IPC, the Express itself can serve as a signal station. Come, give me the astral chart coordinates.

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  Herta: Then, sit back and enjoy the show.

Give an order to the First Mirror

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  Herta: Alright, now that everything is ready...

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  Herta: Mirrors, get to work.

(Talk to Welt, optional)

• Welt: Thank you, Madam Herta. Companions are the lifeblood of the Astral Express. When things are settled, we will repay you for all your help.

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  Herta: (Welt... This young man sure is courteous.)

(Talk to Sunday, optional)

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  Sunday: Madam, watching you work has been an enlightening experience for me. It's hard to imagine that an outstanding scholar like you could maintain such a... relaxed manner most of the time.

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  Sunday: Your calm and collected nature is truly a trait that I should learn.

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  Herta: (This brat... Why does everything that comes out of his mouth sound so snarky?)

(Investigate the First Mirror)

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  Herta: First Mirror, input the coordinates. You'll be in charge of the spatial warp.

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  First Mirror: As you command, Madam Herta.

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  First Mirror: The preparations are complete. I wish you a pleasant journey ahead.

Give an order to the Second Mirror

(Investigate the Second Mirror)

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  Herta: Second Mirror, prepare for the Thought Refraction. There's still some distance from the Astral Express to the Amphoreus celestial body. You're in charge of sending me over...

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  Herta: This time raise the power to the maximum. Don't be stingy!

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  Second Mirror: O—Okay, I won't fail the mission, Madam Herta...

Give an order to the Third Mirror

(Investigate the Third Mirror)

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  Herta: Third Mirror, you're in charge of generating the "data spirit entity."

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  Third Mirror: Hehehe... I'm happy to help, Madam Herta...

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  Third Mirror: Hehehe... What kind of appearance are you planning to use this time?

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  Herta: Good question. Let me think...

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  Herta: Forget it. Just use my own appearance. There's no one there that'll recognize me anyway.

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  Third Mirror: Hehehe, as you wish...

Return to the First Mirror and prepare for the warp jump

(Investigate the Fourth Mirror, optional)

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  Herta: Fourth Mirror, you'll be in charge of...

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  Herta: It seems like I have nothing for you. Just stand by and wait for orders.

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  Fourth Mirror: Ah? Standing by again? That's so boring...

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  Fourth Mirror: Next time, can you count down from four instead...?

(Investigate the First Mirror)

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  Herta: Preparation of the data spirit entity, complete.

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  Herta: Thought Refraction, at max power.

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  Herta: Excellent — First Mirror, let's get going.

• Welt: Have a safe trip, Madam Herta.

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  Sunday: May your journey yield good results.

(Screen fades to black)

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  First Mirror: ...Coordinates input complete. Preparing to activate spatial warp. Destination: Unknown celestial body, Amphoreus.

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  First Mirror: Spatial warp countdown: Five, four, three, two, one...

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  First Mirror: Warp activated.

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  Herta: Oh... So that's Amphoreus? Its appearance is — well — sure is unique.

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  Herta: Second Mirror, prepare for Thought Refraction — it's time to send me in!

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  Second Mirror: Alright, p—please read the safety protocols carefully...

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  Herta: Can't you hurry up?

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  Second Mirror: Y—Yes, ma'am!

Continue forward to locate Amphoreus's entrance

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  Herta: Agh... I didn't expect it to be so turbulent. I should have asked the Second Mirror to use slightly less power.

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  Herta: Oh... What a magnificent sight. Is this the entrance to Amphoreus?

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  Herta: Let's see. Perhaps I'll be able to find a way in?

Check the surroundings for remnants of memories

(Investigate the two statues)

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  Herta: What's this? A statue? It's ugly. I don't like it.

(Investigate (Trailblazer) andDan Heng's hologram)

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  Herta: Oh, I've finally found your... traces.

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  Herta: How esteemed must you be for the great Herta to come out personally! When we return, get ready to become free labor for the Simulated Universe for the rest of your lives.

(Investigate theFlame Reaver's hologram)

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  Herta: What's this? How creepy.

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  Herta: ...Oh, it moves? Who are you trying to scare?

Investigate the strange basin

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  Herta: It's either a projection or a fake. There doesn't seem to be much to take note of.

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  Herta: Now then... How am I going to get into Amphoreus?

(Investigate the basin)

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  ???: My deepest apologies, esteemed lady. I'm afraid that you cannot proceed further.

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  Herta: Who's there?

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  ???: Your visit, although not part of my calculations, is a pleasant surprise. It's a pity that the preparations are not yet in place to receive you with the hospitality that someone of your status deserves.

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  Herta: Are you not going to answer my question? Who are you?

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  ???: I have many identities, and I'm only going to have even more in the future. But if you just need a form of address, you can use my common alias...

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  Lygus: Lycurgus, Lygus.

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  Herta: Alright, Lygus. But you can't possibly think that I'm just asking for a name, can you?

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  Lygus: Regrettably, I do not have the authority to share more information.

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  Lygus: However, standards are always flexible. While not violating the ultimate agreement, I'm able to disclose this piece of information: As you thought, this is the entrance to Amphoreus.

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  Lygus: Now, please kindly turn back. Amphoreus is not a world that you should be involved with. Regardless of what kind of magnificent achievements you have accomplished, this place will not open its doors so easily.

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  Herta: You seem to understand me very well. Then you should know that I have no reason to listen to you.

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  Lygus: Your reaction is completely within my calculations. Despite my long years as a watcher, it seems like my assessment of human nature still remains accurate. From you, I am able to sense a beautiful desire for knowledge.

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  Lygus: But my answer remains unchanged. Madam, it is with the utmost goodwill that I suggest you return to where you came from.

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  Herta: Let's assume for a second that I'm not so well-mannered and that I insist on uncovering the secrets hidden behind you, Mr. Lygus...

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  Herta: ...How do you plan to dispel this notion of mine?

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  Lygus: ...

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  Lygus: Within the scope of the ultimate agreement, there are 178,244 logic chains at my disposal to convince you.

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  Lygus: After filtering through them, I have determined that I only require three to attain the results that I desire.

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  Herta: Oh? I'm all ears.

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  Lygus: First: For reasons that cannot be disclosed, Amphoreus is a completely isolated celestial body. Apart from me, no one else will be able to help you enter.

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  Herta: That's not a good argument.

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  Lygus: Second: If your plan is — as you've alluded to previously — to force me into cooperating by showing hostility, do know that...

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  Lygus: Just like you, I have basked in the gaze of the Erudition . I stake my honor and assure you that in the worst-case scenario, our mutual destruction will be inevitable.

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  Herta: ...Oh?

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  Herta: No wonder I couldn't find a backdoor when I did a scan of our surroundings. The safety protocols on you... are comparable to Screwy 's. How interesting.

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  Lygus: I assume that you still wish to hear the third logic chain?

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  Herta: Of course. Why wouldn't I?

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  Lygus: Third: Even if you exhaust all your means and find a way to break through...

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  Lygus: You will surely give up once you understand the consequences of your actions. After all, throughout your long life — as much as you'd hate to admit — your conscience has played a crucial role.

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  Herta: Haha! What a brazen robot. You think that you can actually understand me through your paltry calculations?

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  Herta: But since you've put it that way, why don't you tell me what these consequences will be?

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  Lygus: It concerns the third Path that is entangled with Amphoreus — a Path that you and your friends still very much lack understanding of...

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  Lygus: The Destruction . So, if you ignore my warnings and persist in your ways...

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  Lygus: You will break the shackles of a Lord Ravager , and when that happens, their fury will engulf the Cosmos.

• Returning to the Trailblazer's POV...:

(Mission complete)