Last year's tornado wreaked damage all the way here.
There's a small settlement over that way.
If we ask around, we can probably find someone to put us up for the night.
No...
We'd only put a burden on them.
We can camp outside.
This is fine for one night.
What's the matter, Princess?
Volta, this is an ancient ruin.
Could it be from the Era of Asgard?
I'm not sure...
This is...?!
That's a Shepherd, right?!
Clem would go crazy if she saw this.
She's convinced that everything written in the Celestial Record is true.
I'm the one who recommended the Celestial Record to her.
Then you believe too, Princess?
That Shepherds exist?
If they do exist, I'd sure like to meet one...
A Shepherd.
Listen up!
Those interested in taking the trial of the sword
can sign up inside the Sanctuary!
Clem!
The princess summons.
I'll take over here.
Thank you, Tao.
Any of you interested in taking the sword trial?
You wanted to see me?
Isn't your father a physician in Guriel?
Yes, Maltran.
Clem is the suitable choice, after all.
Um...
Just a while ago, Drake the astronomer
came to report the discovery of a strange cloud or rather, mist.
The wind does not move it,
the rain does not dissipate it...
It simply hovers over one location.
And that location seems to be Guriel.
That's why you summoned me?
For several years now, weather has been unstable in Hyland.
It has affected crops throughout the land.
I want you to go and see if anyone reports anything unusual.
I understand.
I'm counting on you.
I'll leave immediately.
Princess...
I've grown to treasure this Celestial Record
that I received from you.
I'm glad you like it.
What are you saying?!
Conscript the youths who come to the Sacred Blade Fest?!
That is a terrible idea, Chancellor Mathia!
One moment, Princess.
If the outbreak of the sickness in neighboring Marlind is contagious,
it's only right to dispatch the army.
That is not the same as recruiting soldiers.
Of course it is.
If troops are needed for public safety,
where do we turn for soldiers?
You should take the initiative, to find and recruit patriotic youths.
To serve under you.
I see.
That was your intention all along.
That's why you agreed to the Sacred Blade Fest.
I say this as one of the royal family.
The Sacred Blade Fest will not be used as a tool of war.
The mist has gotten thicker.
Why is that?
I do not know.
But Princess...
The mist has become more eerie...
In fact, it seems quite sinister.
I can't help but feel that this portends something bad.
Can you follow Clem and head for Guriel?
I shall do that.
Gannet, how long since Clem left?
Roughly two weeks.
She's long overdue.
Princess.
What's the matter, Tao?
Who are you?!
Who put you up to this?
Enough. Retreat.
Boss, I can manage...
You're no match for her.
You're pretty good, Princess...
Why didn't you finish him?
You had plenty of chances.
Was it false integrity?
Or...
What do you want? Answer me!
- Going to Guriel? - I'm worried about Clem.
Then I should be the one to go.
Clem is my pupil, after all.
No...
I need you to oversee the preparations for the Sacred Blade Fest.
I don't want to postpone it even for a short time.
Why are you so determined to have this Fest?
Do you believe that someone will be able to extract the Sacred Sword?
The one who extracts the sword guarded by the Lady of the Lake will be the Shepherd.
This is no more than a legend.
I just don't want...
this promising light that has begun to shine on Ladylake to go out.
Clem must be having a grand time checking out the ruins.
The ruins?
Oh, didn't you know, Tao?
Guriel has ancient underground waterways that rival
the ruins in Ladylake.
Is that so?
She used to brag about always exploring them as a child.
If that's all she's doing, she's going to get it from me.
As long as she's fine,
that's all right.
All of you too.
Clem used to say
the green clusters were as pretty as jewels.
Well, they're no good to take back as a gift for Maltran.
Princess Alisha!
Don't pick them!
I'm sorry, I didn't mean to...
Please forgive us.
We have no intention of taking what's yours.
I don't recognize you. You're not from these parts.
Insolence! Who do you think she is?!
Never mind.
I want to ask you...
How long has that mist been there?
It only became obvious recently, but it's been there a long time.
When we noticed, it was just there.
It was just there?
Here, lady.
Here!
Thank you.
First, let's check in at the guard post. Clem will have gone there too.
After checking around town, Clem...
Are you okay?
Pardon me.
Clem headed for the woodlands in the north and hasn't returned.
Up north? That's the vicinity of the mist.
Yes, Princess.
Just what is that mist?
We don't know.
It was just there, and before we knew it, it grew to that size.
We've gone several times to take a look,
but we never noticed anything unusual.
Let me ask you this...
How do you feel about the situation in this town?
It's so lifeless.
Tao, please stay here.
I want you to continue looking around town.
Understood. What about you?
I'm going north...
to the woodlands.
This is...!
The mist... It's moving!
Clem!
Princess Alisha?
Clem! Behind you!
Princess Alisha!
We must get away now!
But Drake is still below...
Underground?!
He was going to find out about the Earthpulse!
Earthpulse?
Princess Alisha!
What's happening up there?
At this rate, the town will be swallowed up.
What do we do?
The professor told me...
that the world is connected by the Earthpulse.
Natural energy turning into the Earthpulse is what protects the world's equilibrium.
But now, that equilibrium is broken.
Long ago, man ruled this land...
and walked the path together in reverence with things unseen.
Man has not existed alone.
This generation is paying for the arrogance of forgetting that.
That is what I believe.
If I can find the Earthpulse...
perhaps I can discover its secret.
Volta!
Gannet!
Volta... Gannet...
Princess Alisha!
Please let me off! Otherwise, we'll be overtaken!
We won't.
Princess Alisha!
We won't!
I will not allow that to happen!
I shall open the portal of chaos with you.
Just what is happening?!
This is great!
This is so much fun!
Who are you...?
This is my main dish, you see!
Am I... dreaming this?
What is going on?!
Clem...
Clem... No way!
Clem! Clem!
Answer me, Clem!
It cooled down.
Why?
Clem...
Gannet...
Volta...
Lady...
Prologue 00 Age of Chaos