What a creepy forest...

I can see what looks like an unnaturally large giant in the mountains ahead, and...

...it doesn't look like it will be easy to get to that tower.

Paris, I know you're curious about the ruins here, but they have to wait.

I-It's okay! I haven't forgotten why we came here!

I was just a bit curious about those ruins over there.

I'm also curious about the giant that you mentioned...

...given how we've been able to see it since we arrived in Zamburg.

Supposedly, those are the remains of a giant that Amu Yunos once sealed away.

Karl!

Hey, Hans.

And Seria and Ms. Paris, too. It's been a while.

Karl, finally we meet again.

This time I'm going to make you explain yourself for sure.

Haha, you certainly think so.

I can tell from your attitude that you don't intend to let me run off.

Of course not!

We've had nothing but trouble since we came here!

We need to get at least one thing straight.

You seem to agree, Ms. Paris.

Yes, Summoner Karl, I do.

You're as intense as ever, Ms. Paris. And just "Karl" is fine.

...well, then maybe you could simply call me "Paris?" There's no need for such sudden formality.

Haha, I'll do that.

This isn't the time for that kinda stuff!

Hans! Don't you have anything to say?

Karl's told you a lot, but you're not satisfied yet, are you?

Seria, Hans, and Paris.

I'm sorry, but I didn't come here today to tell my story.

Karl, what you think doesn't matter. I want to hear your story.

Haha, you're as tough as usual, Seria.

Hear me out, though. It's about Lugina.

Lugina?! Karl, have you seen him?

No, I haven't actually seen him.

If I saw him now, he'd be thrilled for the chance to attack me...

...so I'm making every effort to not run into him.

That makes sense...

Even so, his movements caught my attention, so I had some people look into him.

It seems we found a lead concerning his true goals.

And now he's making moves toward that end...

...so I don't think he'll rejoin you all for a while.

You're not really telling us much, you know.

So what is Lugina's true goal? And how you do know about it?

Well...

Karl, why don't you tell her?

You can't turn down a request from such a beautiful woman.

You!

A pleasure to see you again. Seria, Paris.

Bertz...

Since Lord Owen isn't here today, we have plenty of time to chat.

As do our Summoners, Karl and Hans, of course.

We're a bit busy with Karl's story right now. Could you hold on a bit?

Don't be so cold.

Karl, what were you talking about?

Was it the origin of the Akras Summoners' Hall?

Was it the tragic fate of Ishgria's Recon Squad?

Or...

Was it the immense power hidden in this land...and how you know its location...and so on?

......

There is an immense power hidden in this land?

Yes! Indeed there is!

Ishgria, Grand Gaia, and Elgaia!

An incomprehensible power capable of upsetting the balance of all the worlds...

...lies dormant here in Ishgria!

Right, Karl?

......

My good friend Lugina was looking for its location on orders from the Elgaia Federation.

Karl, has Lugina found a clue as to its location, then?

How did he find it? Do you know?

Who knows? If Lugina is one of yours, then you should get a report on it soon, right?

I know his orders weren't just from the Federation; they came from the Summoners' Hall, as well.

He he he, you never disappoint, Karl. You know just the right answers to entertain me with.

As expected from a member of the demon bloodline ruling over Fal Nerga.

A demon's bloodline?!

Karl, what are you...?!

......

Paris, this isn't the time to worry about that.

B-But...

Whether he has demon blood or not, Karl is Karl.

And what's important right now, is that he tells us what he's thinking.

Hans, you agree, don't you?

Ahahahaha!

That's my Seria! Well said!

Karl, what do you have to say to her in response?

......

Haha. Hans, Seria, there's really no fooling you.

Bertz, just as you predicted, I was about to explain my current position.

Hans, Seria, Paris...

...I now intend to take action against the Akras Summoners' Hall's goals.

Not because of my demonic blood, but because I believe that it's the right thing to do.

So please, hear me out.

Of course.

I'll always trust you, Karl.

Now hurry up and continue.

Seria, thank you...

First, the Akras Summoners' Hall, or rather all of the Summoners of Old...

...intend to revive the power hidden in this land and then completely destroy it.

All in order to prevent the world from being subjected to it ever again.

But, I think that's too risky.

So I intend to stop gramps and the others' efforts here...

...even if I need to use demonic power to do so.

Karl...

It's not the kind of power people can just destroy. It's best left alone!

The demons of this land have taught me of its danger, too.

So please, Hans, and everyone, won't you reconsider?

Karl, I see what you're getting at...

...but why didn't you just say that from the start?

...I feel bad about that.

It's just that, to have this conversation...

...I had to tell you about my demon blood.

Did you think we would care about that?

No, I trust you, but I'm a coward...

It's really pathetic.

*Sigh* I'll say!

But since you did tell us, I'll make a special exception and forgive you.

And one other thing. What's the immense power?

Well...

Rather than from you...

...I feel they should hear that directly from the Summoners of Old.

After all, you can't make good decisions without hearing both sides of the story.

That's true.

Hans, Seria, Paris...

...thanks to Bertz, I ended up sharing some things I didn't intend to, but...

...I did let you know about Lugina's current situation like I wanted to.

Take some time to think about what I've said.

I'll be back later to hear your reply.

Farewell for now.

Karl, wait!

He's gone...

Leaving such beautiful women behind...

...Karl is really a terrible man.

Bertz...

That said, I did appreciate the chance to hear about Lugina.

It was worth introducing Karl to the demon related to his lineage.

Why, you...

Oh my, I hate to see a woman angry...

...so I'll be making my exit now.

I need to ask my good friend about where this immense power is hidden, after all.

Oh, and by the way, I'm in favor of leaving the power undisturbed, too.

That's why I gave Karl and Mirfah information on it.

Unlike the genius Summoners of Old, simple men like me put safety first.

Now then, until next time.

When we meet next, I'll bring some delightful information to appease Seria!

......

*Sigh* We've met all sorts up until now, but he's in his own league of being suspicious...

Seria, are you alright? Are you feeling better now?

Yes, I'm fine.

Bertz got me pretty mad...

...but you could say that it was thanks to him that Karl told us everything.

I kind of understand what his other name, Klauser, means now too.

Me too... It rather feels like everyone gets naturally drawn into his motives...

We must take care, and make sure we are making the right decisions for ourselves...

We'll be fine.

We've got Hans, after all, who's stubborn despite not thinking at all.

He he he, you're right.

Hans, we're counting on you.

Alright, let's head for Amu Yunos's tower.

No matter what the world thinks or does...

...nothing will stop us from saving Tilith.

Right, Hans?