Hey, Hans!

Look! Over there!

You can see Alnakeid on the other side of the bridge!

All right, let's get going right away!

Wait, hold on a second, Tilith.

Elder Grah?!

Ho ho ho.

Tilith, and pretty little Paris. You both look well.

Pr-Pretty little Paris?!

E-Elder Grahdens, why are you addressing me in such a...

Well, we are allies.

We should be a little friendlier with each other, don't you think?

So why don't you call me Elder Grah in return?

Even if you ask me to, I...

Well, this won't do.

This is something that Eriole himself suggested. He thought it would strengthen our teamwork.

I-Is that true?

Well then, Elder Grah, sir...

Am I addressing you correctly?

Ho ho ho.

You're getting close. You can drop this "sir" business, though.

Oh, umm, o-okay.

E-Elder Grah...

Ho ho ho!

Pretty little Paris is so cute!

Hey, Elder Grah!

What do you think you're doing?!

That whole thing about Eriole suggesting you get friendly is a lie, isn't it?

Wait, i-is that true?!

Well, when you put it that way, I guess it qualifies as a lie.

I-I knew it! I knew something was odd!

Why did you say those things?!

Well, because I'm a bit worried about you, Paris.

You trust that man a bit too much, don't you think?

There's no doubt that he's quite the capable man.

But, do you think it wise to trust his every word?

Even what you're doing now, you wouldn't be doing it if he hadn't told you otherwise, am I right?

If Eriole asked you to die for his cause, you would lay down your life for him, wouldn't you?

W-Well...

Hey!

Elder Grah! Stop bullying Paris around!

Ho ho ho. I'm sorry about that.

So, Elder Grah. Why can't we cross the bridge?

Hmph. Well the truth is...

The disciple Zurg appeared here not too long ago.

Zurg? Here?

Yes.

He talked about the structure of this place, and then he just vanished.

The structure of this place?

Yes.

He said that this fortress was not meant to protect the Alnakeid Castle you see beyond the bridge...

...but to protect the three capitals from Alnakeid instead.

And since it still stands today...

...this castle remains completely isolated from this area.

So how are we supposed to get to Alnakeid then?!

That disciple told us how to do that too.

Beyond the fortress are Lanara's Light Ruins.

At the end of that is the entrance to a cave which connects to Alnakeid.

I see. Then that should work, right?

But, Elder Grah.

Why are the castle and the capitals isolated from each other?

Aren't they supposed to work together?

Because of the foolishness of humans.

The nobility that lived in Alnakeid Castle...

...started lusting after all of the riches that could be found in...

...the Sea Capital Almeria, the nameless capital that lies in ruins in the Forest of Old...

...and Lanara's Light Ruins.

The nobility thought that all of the riches that fell under their territory were theirs.

However, their friends in the capitals disagreed.

That's how the war came to pass.

It makes me ashamed to be human.

Apparently, no matter how many moons humans may live through, we still never make any progress.

Paris. You understand this well, don't you?

...

Ho ho ho. I wonder if that falls under bullying again.

Hans.

Make sure you take good care of little Paris in my stead!

That's an order from an Elder Summoner!

Ho ho ho. I'm just joking.

Well, I think I'll take another look around these parts.

You should hurry and be on your way, just like Karl and the others.

And Tilith...

If you're worried about anything, make sure you talk to me about it.

Don't hold back now.

Thanks, Elder Grah!

But, I'm doing fine, so don't worry about me!

All right, it's time, Hans!

Cave hiding in the depth of those ruins, here we come!