High Priest Zhed

Wait a second!

Right now, you're carrying

too many things with you.

Please come back after

using the Kafra Service

to store some of your items.

[High Priest Zhed]

For some reason, you look

familiar to me. Are you supposed

to be here? Otherwise, you should

leave this place if you don't have

the proper authorization.

Vincent sent you? I see.

You must have been looking

for me. I am High Priest Zhed,

and I understand that you

have a package for me.

Usually, Vincent doesn't

trust strangers to deliver

these packages, but perhaps

this was necessitated by some

strange circumstance. Anyway,

let's see what he sent me...

Hm? What's this?

Vincent sent a note?

I suppose this must be

important. Give me just a

moment to read this, please...

...............................

...Hrrrmm. Vincent. Now

I understand. So he was being

intentionally cold towards Jenny

and Phoebe so other people

wouldn't get suspicious...

Still, I don't think he

had to do that--it might

have been a little too

much. Well, I really

appreciate your help

in this matter, adventurer.

But tell me, did you only

help Vincent and risk your

life because you were being

paid? Were you only being

motivated by the money?

You were doing this just to

satisfy your curiosity? Heh

heh, that's very interesting.

That's also the best attitude

for a brave adventurer. I like

that. May I have your name?

Yes, that's a fine name.

It suits you well. I'll be sure

to remember that. Again, let

me thank you for risking your

life to retrive my belongings.

I shall be praying for

Freya to guide and protect

you in your travels. Peace

be with you,

Ah,

I appreciate that you've

managed to retrieve my

belongings for me. You are

a truly talented adventurer.

May Freya protect you...

Ah, good, I was hoping you'd

show up here sooner or later.

I have a favor to ask of you

since I'm too busy to do it

myself, and I trust you more

than any other adventurer.

However, before I give you

the details, you must know

that this favor must be kept

secret. In other words, once

I explain the task, you must

accept my request.

I understand, but if you

change your mind, please

come back and let me know.

It's very hard for me to find

someone that I can really

rely on to do this for me...

Ah, I'm relieved to see

that you accept. Don't worry,

this task isn't complicated,

nor will it require much

in the way of sacrifice.

As you may already know,

our country of Arunafeltz

worships the goddess Freya.

There's almost no separation

between politics, society,

and our religion, really.

Now, the leader of our

national religion, our pope,

is a direct servant of Freya

and delivers her messages

to us. As such, she must live

by very strict guidelines.

Our pope is curious about

the outside world and wishes

to learn more about what lies

beyond Arunafeltz, but she

cannot come easily by this

sort of knowledge.

Firstly, she cannot leave

Rachel, the place where the

spirit of goddess Freya dwells.

Secondly, all citizens and priests are forbidden to leave the city in

order to preserve our sanctity.

These are implicit rules that

normally aren't discussed openly,

but everyone follows them to

prevent from being stigmatized.

Frankly, I think it's somewhat shameful, but we're working on it.

Furthermore, our pope must

maintain her image of aloof

piety, so it'd be inappropriate of her to openly question outside

world affairs. Although, such

knowledge would benefit her...

That is why the high priests

decided to enlist a trustworthy

adventurer to inform our pope

about the outside world. Now

you understand why I've asked

you to keep all of this secret.

You won't need to divulge

outrageous secrets or anything

like that. I presume mundane

details would be enough to

please her. Just let her be

able to envision your homeland.

Personally, I think it would

be refreshing for our pope to

hear a few of your stories as

she is always worshipping

our goddess on the behalf of

everyone in our glorious city.

Unfortunately, I cannot escort

you to the priestess, but I will

relate the means to which you

can gain an audience with her.

First, you will need a High

Priest's Recommendation.

I will write that for you, so

there's no need to concern

yourself with that. Next, you

will need to gather 40 Glacial

Hearts as symbolic proof of

your strength and purity.

While I finish writing this

recommendation, let me tell

you how to get to the pope's

office where you must go once

you gather 40 Glacial Hearts.

Head west from the chapel

in the center of the temple,

and then enter a door guarded

by two soldiers. Show them your

recommendation and Glacial Hearts, and they should grant you passage.

Ah, here you are.

I've finished writing

your recommendation.

Well then, I guess I'll

see you after you've

completed this task.

You received a High

Priest's recommendation.

Once you gather

40 Glacial Hearts,

you can show them, along

with the recommendation I've

written for you, to the soldiers

guarding the pope's office.

When you're ready to go

to the pope's office, just

head west from the chapel

to the center of the temple:

this is where the entrance is.

Ah, thank you so much

for spending some time

with the pope for me.

I can tell that she really

enjoyed speaking to you.

I am curious, though...

Our pope is unaccustomed

to speaking with outsiders,

so I assume that you have

your own questions after

your conversation with her...

What...?!

She mentioned

the Holy Ground...?!

The Holy Ground is a place

where all humans, including

the pope, have been forbidden.

We used to allow people to

visit in the past, but...

Only the gods can access

that place now. Listen, if

the other priests ask about

your conversation with the

pope, please do not make any

mention of the Holy Ground.

Please don't ask me

why, but believe me that

it's very important that

you feign ignorance of the

Holy Ground's existence!

[????]

Excuse me, Zhed?

May I speak with you

for a moment? I need

to talk to you about

a private matter...

Er, yes, of course!

Excuse me for a moment...

While you're waiting for me,

why don't you relax in the

next room? Don't forget:

there is no Holy Ground.

I'm sorry, but we're not

quite finished with our

discussion. Why don't you

wait and relax in the next room

over there in the meantime?

I apologize for making

you wait for so long: I had

some crucial matters to

discuss. Now, that look

on your face tells me that

you have a pressing question.

Bekento? Ah, you must

have been speaking to

High Priestess Niren.

She's the only one that

calls me that. You see, my

full name is Zhed Bekento.

Speaking of which...

Did Niren ask you anything

or tell you something that

was out of the ordinary?

After a little hesitation,

you tell High Priest Zhed

about your conversation

with High Priestess Niren.

Hmm, I see.

Yes. That sounds

like something she'd do.

I'll explain it all later, but

right now, I need to rest.

I'm getting old, you know.

Ah, but before you go, let

me warn you not to go near

the Holy Ground. I repeat,

stay away from the Holy Ground.

The Holy Ground...

Why is High Priest Zhed

so adamant about protecting

the Holy Ground? Regardless...

If you want to go there, then

just go there. Who'll stop you?

Whatever you do, whatever

journeys you take, please

make sure that you stay

away from the Holy Ground!

Now, more than ever,

you feel compelled to

enter the Holy Ground.

Oh, it's you.

Let me guess...

After everything I said,

you still went ahead and

visited the Holy Ground,

didn't you? Oh, well...

Well, honestly, I've been

temporarily suspended from

work, but no need to worry.

It's not your fault. I've been

in conflict with the other High

Priests for a while, anyway.

Please don't worry about it.

If not this, they would have

found some other way to attack

me. It would only be a matter

of time. They're exaggerating

your intrusion for their benefit.

All I want is for

Arunafeltz to be safe

and at peace. I hope this

land is not twisted by the

greedy humans. I hope all will

work according to Freya's will.

Ah, and please do not

blame Niren. She must have

her own reasons for her own

actions. She has changed

much but in the end, I think

that we are still friends.

One last thing:

try not to let the

other priests catch you

doing anything forbidden.

It'd be a little embarassing

for me, you understand.

Still, you were secretly

invited here, so I'm sure

that only a very few of them

would be able to recognize

you. In the end, you'll do

what you will, right?

...I think I know what

you saw in the Holy Ground.

I'm sure that you have much

to ask, but now isn't the time

to seek for answers. Please,

you must be patient.

Until the right time

comes, I want you not

to tell anyone else what

Well then, adventurer,

thank you for coming by.

I need to go lay down now,

so if you'll let me rest...

Ah, it's been a while,

hasn't it? You look well,

and I'm doing fine as you

can see. What can I do

for you today,

As you well know, I'm only

a High Priest in title, and

lost much of my influence

amongst many of the other

priests for my views.

Still, I have faith that

justice and good will

prevail over the corruption

that plagues our priests,

so long as good people

are willing to act.

Veins incident?

I haven't heard of

anything... Well, perhaps

if you'd elaborate, then

I'd understand a bit more.

You told High Priest

Zhed about the group of

smugglers arrested in Veins.

Oh, I think I did hear

something about that earlier.

Let's see now... Ah, right.

Niren mentioned something

strange about them...

The smugglers were with

a high ranking official from

the Rune-Midgarts Kingdom,

which is why Niren was so

hesitant to take any action

against them for a while.

I was too preoccupied with

other matters, and I didn't

think much of it at the time.

Why don't you speak to Niren?

I'm sure that she can tell you

more about what happened.

If you do decide to

visit Niren, please

send her my regards.

Ah, it does my heart to

good to see you again.

Adventurers willing to work

so hard for the sake of world

peace like yourself are fairly

uncommon. I hope you know that.

[

Huh...?

Please don't flatter

me like that! Saying

it like that is kind of

overdoing it, isn't it?

Not at all. In fact, I'm

sure that a place in

Valhalla has already

been secured for you

by the Valkyries. Now, how

may I help you, my friend?

Actually, I was wondering

if you knew of anything about

this facility inside Thor

Volcano near Veins. There

might be something big

going on over there.

Zhed about the shackled

child in Thor Volcano, and

how you found the building

hidden there. High Priest Zhed

seemed disturbed by your words.

I see. I have my suspicions

about what is happening. Now,

you're aware that Arunafeltz

is governed by our church,

and that our entire nation

The priests that lead this

nation are split into two main

factions: I am considered part

of the moderate faction, which

usually butts heads with the

jingoistic hard-liner faction.

These hard-liner priests

are more than willing to use

violent methods if they believe

it to be the will of Freya, and

are the ones that established

the military camp at Thor Volcano.

Of course, it's also

considered a geology camp

since they're always monitoring

that place for volcanic activity,

but for all intents and purposes,

they are training men to fight.

It scares me to think

about it, but I'm sure that

they have many military supplies

and machines of mass destruction

hidden over there in the camp.

Wait, what exactly do

they hope to accomplish

by fighting? How do they

intend to help the goddess

Freya by using violence?

All the priests agree that

reassembling Ymir's Heart will

revive Freya. As you know, the

pieces are scattered all over

the world. Some are possessed

by the Rune-Midgarts Kingdom.

In the interest of avoiding

conflict, the moderate faction

of priests decided to hire

scientists to reproduce Ymir's

Heart, resulting in an

imitation of that artifact.

An imitation of Ymir's

Heart? I think I know of

a famous scientist from the

Schwarzwald Republic that

was working on that! Let's

see, his name was...

Isn't the scientist's name...

Oh, you've heard of him?

Yes, his name was Varmunt.

Unfortunately, he deliberately

destroyed the Imitation of

Ymir's Heart into pieces,

and then disappeared.

No, that wasn't him.

The man that created the

imitation of Ymir's Heart

was named Varmunt.

He was truly a genius.

I'm not sure what happened

to Varmunt. All I know was that

something serious happened

in the Schwarzwald Republic,

and that he disappeared in

the fiasco. It's strange...

Although the working

Ymir's Heart imitation that

Varmunt had created was broken

into pieces, other scientists

managed to mostly reproduce

his work with unstable Ymir Hearts.

Since our moderate faction,

was only able to provide

unstable Ymir Heart imitations,

the hard-liner faction quickly

gained more respectability than

us in the eyes of the people.

Despite our advanced weaponry

and armor, I'm afraid that our

country of Arunafeltz is not as

civilized and peaceful as I'd

like it to be, and the hard-liners

control our government now.

Although the hard-liners

allowed us to continue

our research in faithfully

reproducing Ymir's Heart,

they've been developing their

military might unopposed.

So basically, the moderates

are trying to recreate Ymir's

Heart at research centers

in the Holy Ground and the

Schwarzwald Republic.

The hard-liners are

training soldiers and

storing up military supplies

and weapons in their camp

in Thor Volcano. However,

I don't know any more details.

This doesn't look good.

I mean, if they're gearing

up to take the Ymir Heart

Pieces by force, it'll be war

against the Schwalzvalt Republic

and the Rune-Midgarts Kingdom!

Seeing as I'm part of the

moderate faction, as well as

recently demoted, I just don't

have access to much information

about the hard-liners. However,

there may still be hope yet...

War would be bad for all

parties involved. That is

why I'd like to ask you to

sneak into the camp at

Thor Volcano for the sake of

protecting international peace.

I really want to know

more about what they're

planning to do, but that

place is heavily guarded!

How am I going to sneak in?

You're right.

We'll have to think

of a really good way

for you to infiltrate

that place. Hmmmm...

Hmm...

I still don't have any

ideas for sneaking into

the camp at Thor Volcano.

Give me a little more time,

and hopefully we can figure

something out together.

We priests of the moderate

faction are opposed to war,

so we've been trying to

develop imitations of Ymir's

Heart for a long time. We've

yet to succeed, unfortunately.

The hard-liners actually

opposed our efforts, but

they've let us continue since

they think they can eventually

use imitation Ymir Hearts for

military purposes.

The Ymir Heart reproduction

project has been frustrating

the best minds in the world,

and some scientists have even

resorted to using forbidden

methods. It's a shame, really.

Varmunt actually succeeded

in recreating Ymir's Heart,

but then he destroyed it and

he disappeared. He did it to

prevent war, but we could

really use his help now.

The hard-liners are especially

fanatical in their devotion to

Freya, and will use any means

to further what they interpret

as her will. They're willing to

go to war for their beliefs.

The fact that they've even

built a military camp in Thor

Volcano disturbs me greatly.

It's almost certain that they

intend to wage war against any

nation with a Ymir's Heart piece.

Who is in charge of that

camp at Thor's Volcano?

High Priest Vildt.

He's in charge of all

important buildings in

Arunafeltz. His room is at

the other side of the building,

but it's always heavily guarded.

Vildt is one of the

highest ranking members

of the hard-liner priest

faction. He rarely makes it

his business to see anybody

that he sees as beneath him.

Would you please

take a look at this

file, High Priest Zhed?

Of course.

Let's see, what's

in this File Folder?

.............

.................

....................!

This is a geological

report about Thor Volcano?

Ah, I see. They must have

someone regularly check

to see if it will erupt.

Although it's fairly dangerous

to build a military camp there,

some weapon materials can

only be forged from the heat

coming from Thor's Volcano.

Yes, I think it's also

likely that there are special

weapon crafting metals and

materials that can only be

found on the volcano. That

makes perfect sense.

Although the volcano is

dormant now, these reports

claim that the volcano is

either safe or ready to erupt

at any time. The data here

doesn't make any sense.

Hm. This is just a hunch,

but seeing these discrepancies

in his reports, I really think this geologist has an agenda against

You know, if that's true,

he might be able to help

you sneak into the camp.

Don't you think it's worth

checking out for now?

Well, you never know

until you ask. Besides,

I don't know if there's

any other way to sneak

into the Thor Volcano Camp...

I hope you'll go and talk

to the geologist. He should

be in Veins, the desert city

south of Rachel. He's your

best chance of entering the Thor

Volcano camp without suspicion.

Where did I put

that File Folder?

Oh! You're back!

Was that geologist able

to help you sneak into

the Thor Volcano camp?

More than that. We've

convinced the camp that the

volcano is going to explode,

so they're scrambling to

evacuate. They're really

panicking over there!

Hahaha! That's great!

Even if they do figure

out that they've been

fooled, it will take them

some time to realize it

in all that confusion.

Yes, it might not be the

perfect time to bring down

the hard-liner faction right

now, but the opportunity

should present itself soon.

Thank you for all your help.

Please relax for a while,

and I'll take care of the rest.

When the time to strike comes,

I will be contacting you again.

Together, we can protect

peace between our nations.

I'll be sure to contact

you again for your help

when the time is right.

I'm sure there are others

that may need you now...

Welcome, adventurer.

I'm glad to see that you're

here. I think... I think an

opportunity has arisen in

which I could use your

expert assistance.

Though, I fear that I may be

making the wrong decision.

After all, I no longer have

much influence among the

other priests... I can't help

but think I'm in the wrong.

Don't lose heart,

High Priest Zhed.

I... I believe in you!

I guess you're right.

As you well know, the

highest authority in

Arunafeltz is our Pope,

the reincarnation of

our goddess Freya.

Unfortunately, she is too

young and innocent, and she

doesn't yet have the experience

to assert control, and stamp

out the in-fighting and

corruption among the priests.

In these desperate times,

we will need someone to

provide strong and confident

leadership to the people

of Arunafeltz before all

is lost to war and violence.

*Sigh...*

I know it may not be

right, but someone

must do something

before the other High

Priests ruin our nation.

Y-you're not thinking

of overthrowing the

pope are you? I-isn't

that a bit extreme?

What? No, no!

Don't jump to conclusions

like that! Don't misunderstand

me: I'm loyal to our pope.

I actually want to work

very closely with the pope,

in essense, rule together with

her by combining my experience

and her wisdom. It's ambitious,

but what else can I do?

You remember how you

stopped the hard-liner

priests from carrying out

their plans for war in the

Thor Volcano camp? That will

only stop them temporarily.

They'll eventually prepare

to act out in violence again.

We need a permanent solution

to ensure that this sort of

thing doesn't happen again.

We need to convince the

pope to finally act, and

give my policy of peace

her full support. Will

you help me to do this?

Well... Asking for the

pope's support is the only

solution I've been able to

find. Do you have any ideas

for protecting peace here

in Arunafeltz?

Well, I don't know.

It's a good idea, but

I fear that it will only

be effective in the short

term. Why don't we just

try what I've proposed first?

Hmm, now how can

we convince the pope to

support us? Even as Freya's

reincarnation... She's just

a young girl. She probably

knows nothing of politics.

It'd probably be best to

tell her exactly what is

happening. The full truth.

In my heart, I know that

would be best.

But... Maybe it would

be better if we sugar

coated it a little bit.

She might not be too

receptive to us if we

totally shock her.

Hmm... What do you

think? Should we stick

with the truth, or do you

think it'd be better if we

exaggerate and... lie when

we feel it's necessary?

That's what I think too.

Although I'm worried about

how the pope will react at

our message, I should have

faith. I should have faith.

I suppose that you may

have a point. It might not

be a good idea to totally

expose her to the ugly

truth. I'll try to be as

honest as I can...

Well, there's no time

to waste. The two of us may

not be enough to convince

the pope to act for peace.

I already have someone in

mind that might help us.

That sounds good.

Who is he?

My old friend, High Priest

Niren. I'm not sure if she'll

help me after all that's

happened between us. She

may even think I deserve

to be excommunicated...

Come on, it wouldn't

hurt to try! Besides,

Niren isn't a bad person.

Maybe she'll understand

the way you see things

if you explain them?

You're right, of course.

I'm just grasping at straws

here, but she and I both used

to believe that peace was

possible. I don't know why

she joined the hard-liners...

Would you please talk to

her, and just see how she's

doing? It might not be a good

time to mention our plan

right away, though...

If you think that you

have a chance of convincing

her, then feel free and offer

my proposal. Her office is

located across from here,

but she's always very busy...

There's actually

a good chance that

she is away somewhere

on business. She is highly

loved by the people, you know.

Please speak to Niren,

and she if she'd be willing

to help us convince the pope

to enforce peace in our nation.

Welcome back.

So did you get a chance

to speak to Niren? How did

she respond to my proposal?

You explain Niren's reasons

for her disappointment in

the Moderate priest faction,

and tell Zhed that she intends

to carry out the plans for war.

....................

Hmm... This explains why

she and some other high

priests started being absent

from their offices. Many of

them were invited over to

the Schwarzwald Republic...

Regardless, I know for

a fact that war is never

a solution. It only brings

death and destruction.

Give me a moment.

I'm going to write

a letter that I want

you to give to Niren.

Please bring this letter

to Niren. I hope what

I have to say will help

her understand how I feel

about these plans for war.

You received a letter for

Niren from High Priest Zhed.

Please deliver my

letter to Niren as

soon as you can.

I really appreciate

you helping me on this.

Great news! Niren just

sent me a reply: I can't

believe that she's willing

to help me! Would you please

give her any help that she

may need from now on?

Ah, I've been

waiting for you.

High Priest Zhed,

everything's ready!

High Priest Niren managed

to send away all of those

followers that were near the

pope. You won't be interrupted.

I hope we can get the pope

to understand the situation

of our nation. I only...

Oh, Freya help us...

..............

Alright, I'm ready.

Let's receive an

audience with the

pope, shall we?

I'm a little nervous

about talking so brazenly

to the pope, but I'm

ready to go meet her.

I believe that Niren

has something important

to tell you. Why don't

you speak to her before

coming back to me?

I'm glad that everything

turned out great. Your

help was truly a blessing.

Although Schwarzwald will

continue their plans without

us, we've slowed them down.

Yes, without our support,

Schwarzwald won't have

any excuse to continue

their dangerous research

for a little while, at least.

Thor Volcano Camp

should close down soon,

now that we no longer

have any use for it.

I also underestimated our

pope. She is more dignified,

willed that I believed.

I owe her my apologies.

We won't give up on

reviving our goddess Freya,

but we will retrieve Ymir's

Heart through diplomacy

rather than violence.

It won't be easy...

You've been instrumental

in returning peace here in

Arunafeltz. I've even been

reinstated, and will be very

busy from now on, working

closely with the pope...

I know that the life of

adventuring beckons you.

I know she'd like to see

you before you leave, but

she's sleeping deeply after

that exhausting speech...

On behalf of our pope

and all the citizens of

Arunafeltz, I'd like to

thank you for your heroism.

Your place in Valhalla is

already assured, I'm sure.

May Freya bless you

on all your journeys,

my good friend.

Ugh...!

I've got such

a horrible headache!

I should rest for now.

Please travel in safety.

May Freya be with you.