Sacred Stone Memories Chapter 7/Quest 5 - Storyline

Collapsed Equilibrium
Orion	Here he comes.
Waginau	I see. Just as you stated, even Fung Liu wasn't enough to stop him.
Kudanstein	Huzzzaaahhh!!! Orion! Waginau!
Reimei	...
Orion	What a rowdy visitor. I arranged for you to be welcomed graciously.
Kudanstein	I'd like to return your generous welcome, but can you explain why I was greeted by an assassin?
Waginau	It appears orders weren't conveyed properly. My mistake...I apologize.
Kudanstein	A mistake? You gotta be kidding me!
Orion	So...did you come all this way to point your weapon at me?
Kudanstein	What...?
Orion	If that's the case then this talk is over. Waginau, I'll leave the rest to you.
Waginau	Understood.
Kudanstein	Wait!
Orion	What is it?
Kudanstein	You said that you could help me pursue absolute power that surpasses any in this world.
Orion	Exactly.
Kudanstein	I came here to ascertain the meaning of your words.
Orion	I see. Well then, listen.
Kudanstein	Tsk...
Reimei	I'll be waiting at the entrance. If something happens, call me right away.
Kudanstein	Got it.
Waginau	Hmph. So why are you pointing your spear at Emperor Orion?
Kudanstein	Don't get me wrong. I just came here to hear what you have to say. I have no intention of hanging around.
Orion	Never mind. Well...what do you want to ask me?
Kudanstein	What do you mean when you refer to absolute power?
Orion	I'm talking about an ancient power that is immense enough to affect the laws of the world.
Kudanstein	An ancient power?
Waginau	You know about the brother and sister who created the Tower of Babel, right?
Kudanstein	Nimul and Emmel. They unified this world, created the Tower of Babel, and discovered Alchemy. How can I live on this continent and not know about them?
Orion	Having seen the other side of the Door of Truth, Nimul fell into utter despair and attempted to destroy the world.
Waginau	However...it was his younger sister Emmel who prevented him. Eventually, in order to protect the order of this world, Emmel created the Holy Guard.
Kudanstein	Just so you know, I didn't come here to talk about folk tales.
Orion	This isn't a folk tale. It's an actual story that leads up to this present day. The absolute power that I'm talking about is the same power that Nimul tried to use to destroy the world.
Kudanstein	Are you saying it's the power that Nimul obtained?
Orion	Yes. I am trying to achieve that power; the very power that will shake the laws of this world.
Kudanstein	Are you serious? How would you obtain that power?
Waginau	That power won't appear unless the balance of the world is disturbed.
Kudanstein	The balance of this world? What are you talking about? Explain it to me in a way that I can understand.
Orion	This world is balanced by an extremely precise force that is supported by the Alchemy Source.
Kudanstein	The Alchemy Source...?
Orion	The Alchemy of Power that revolves around Nimul...can change the laws of this world. And the Alchemy of Love that revolves around Emmel...can protect the laws of this world. Alchemy is comprised of these two different natures of Alchemy.
Kudanstein	Power...and love...
Orion	What I am aiming for is the one polarizing side of the Alchemy Source that is the Alchemy of Power.
Kudanstein	The Alchemy created by Nimul...? How do you propose to obtain it?
Orion	If we destroy the balance of this world, this power will no doubt show itself.
Waginau	The two different types of Alchemy that constitute the Alchemy Source. Because there is a balanced equilibrium between these two forces, the world is kept in a state of silence. In other words, if one of these forces of Alchemy were obtained and the equilibrium was destroyed... The embodiment of that Alchemy Source will bring about an effect in this world.
Orion	There is a so-called "supreme judge" that maintains balance in this world. As long as that person maintains balance of the Alchemy Source, the embodiment of its force won't appear in this world.
Kudanstein	A "supreme judge"?
Orion	The one who maintains the balance of power and soothes the turbulence on this world. Their name bears that of absolute justice.
Kudanstein	Wait...are you talking about the Lord Commander?!
Orion	Yes. I guess you could say your slaying of Zain was a great step in the right direction.
Waginau	That man was placed in the position of "supreme judge", yet he attempted to lay his hands on the Alchemy of Power. If you had not stopped him...he would've had full sway over this world by now.
Kudanstein	W-wait! Are you saying that I influenced the equilibrium of this world? That was never my intention...
Orion	Regardless of your intent, the outcome is the same. It was your destiny to destroy this world's equilibrium.
Kudanstein	Destiny?! Nonsense!
Orion	In any case, the moment that Nimul's Alchemy of Power manifests itself in this world is drawing nearer. Whatever the case, I will obtain that power. I will lead this world to its ideal state.
Kudanstein	What world do you intend to create if you get that power?
Orion	It's quite simple. A world where only the fittest can survive–where those without power are not qualified to live.
Kudanstein	A world where only the fittest can survive?
Orion	Kudanstein...how does this world reflect in your eyes? Ugly battles are waged across the land, fueled by hatred, envy, contempt...and vulgar emotions. That is the current state of the world based on its natural equilibrium. Can you call this the ideal world?
Kudanstein	I...
Orion	The source of all this confusion is the lukewarm spirit of equality that has given birth to this balanced world. You were helpless amidst the destruction of Wadatsumi, unable to do anything...
Kudanstein	That's nonsense. If it were to become the kind of dog eat dog world you're suggesting, it would only increase the conflict...
Orion	You're wrong there. A world where only the fittest can survive is based around the absolute guidelines of power. Those with power lead; those without it obey. There is no room for conflict to be born. Look at the animals of this world. That is the true state of mankind.
Kudanstein	... ...
Orion	Was the destruction of Wadatsumi when you began to seek power?
Kudanstein	!
Orion	You were helpless admist the destruction of of Wadatsumi, unable to do anything... That memory, which most would wish to turn their back on, is at your core. The reason why you continue to protect the daughter of Wadatsumi's royal family is because you want to dispel the notion of your powerlessness.
Kudanstein	Shut up! Don't act like you know me...
Orion	There's nothing for you to deny. That is the true nature of humanity. Your way of thinking is correct.
Kudanstein	...What?
Orion	It's not a strange thing to blame yourself when you are helpless...to seek power in order to change the future. You understand well that power is absolute.
Kudanstein	...!
Orion	With your immense determination, it's unlikely you'll fall to the darkness. Kudanstein...I beseech you to seek further power.
Kudanstein	...Fall to the darkness? Captain Cadanova used to speak of that often. What does it mean?
Waginau	There are two faces to the power we seek...that of light and dark. If the two are balanced it will aid the wielder as pure force.
Kudanstein	And if they are not balanced?
Waginau	The heart will be infiltrated with darkness. Eventually, you will no longer be able to separate yourself from it, and you will fall into the world of darkness.
Kudanstein	Is that the world that lies on the other side of the Door of Truth?
Waginau	Heheh. It's just a matter of not seeking more power that you can handle. With your determination, I am sure you will be able to obtain an extraordinary amount of power.
Kudanstein	...!
Orion	However...right now, your determination appears to occasionally fluctuate. First of all, you must do whatever is possible to protect the source of your determination.
Kudanstein	The source of my determination?
Waginau	I'm talking about Kagura. With her sealed in the Philosopher's Stone, the Paladins are heading to Ramproad Mountain in order to repair the Holy Sword Excalibur and release her. Of course...they ultimately plan to use her to obtain the Mikaboshi.
Kudanstein	Kagura...she's still alive!
Orion	That's the end of our discussion. We're wasting time here.
Kudanstein	Don't get me wrong. I will not base my actions around your words.
Orion	Of course. I am in no position to force your will.
Kudanstein	I will find my own path to travel. Thanks for your time.
Waginau	Honestly...he's a real handful.
Orion	Don't worry about it. He will destroy the equilibrium of this world. As long as he fulfill his role, I have no complaints.
Waginau	Hm. It appears we have an uninvited guest headed this way. What would you like to do about it?
Orion	Let them do as they please. I have no time to deal with them.

← Sacred Stone Memories Chapter 7/Quest 4	♦ Sacred Stone Memories ♦	Sacred Stone Memories Chapter 7/Quest 6 →

Main Story	Ancient Story	Genesis Story	Sacred Stone Memories	Babel Chronicles	Character Stories	Event Stories