Chapter 52: The Specter Palace: Scared Stiff

Please wait!

Hm?

Please wait!

Hm?

What's up, Tsubame? Is something the matter?

I am well acquainted with the geography of this area. The quickest route to the Specter Palace is by crossing the Kunlun Mountains and heading straight for the summit.

We can head for the Specter Palace by crossing the Kunlun Mountains. The quickest route is to aim straight for the summit. I also have some business in the mountains, so I would like to accompany you there.

Really? We'd be glad to have you! Well then, let's get going!

Let's try our best, Aldo.

I will try not to be a burden. It will be a pleasure traveling with you.

Phew. Looks like we managed to make it to the top, but... Huh?

That's strange, it's a dead end. There's no sign of the Specter Palace anywhere! Hey, Tsubame, are you sure this was the right way?

What?! What are you talking about?

What?!

What's going on, Tsubame?

What's wrong, Tsubame?

You fools! You still don't get it, do you? I'm not Tsubame.

Then who are you?!

I'm Tsubame's older sister, Kamome! So we meet again, Heroes of the West. Mua ha ha...

According to my biometric authentication feature, I can confirm this is indeed Kamome. She is the babysitter of Mika and Kiyosuke of the Ryunoshin family.

No wonder I thought Tsubame and Kamome looked identical! They're sisters!

The babysitter is just a disguise of mine. You might find me as a waitress in a tea shop, or maybe even as a sophisticated dance instructor. But my true form is...

The kunoichi cutie, Kamome! A ninja who fights for love and justice! And, her faithful companion, Miracle Suzume!

Meow!

Good heavens! Cutie...?! Miraculous?!

So where is the real Tsubame?

She's probably fast asleep back at the house in Nagsham, being watched over by the little ones. When you rested at the palace, I traded places with her. I lured her out, then when I saw my chance, I slipped her some sleeping medicine. It was too easy!

But why are you doing this?

You've all become Garneli's faithful dogs! Planning on going to the Specter Palace, are you? Have you already forgotten about the hospitality you received at Kurosagi Castle? This is how you repay us?

Hospitality? That's not true! We don't work for Garneli or anything like that.

There is no use in arguing. In any case, dealing with the specters would greatly benefit the Land of Shin! However, it would not be so for the Land of Mi. At first, I was going to merely observe from afar, but you acted faster than I had originally expected. It would be better to eliminate you now, before the situation gets too...

Wait, Kamome!

Tsubame! Are you okay?

I didn't drink your medicine. I was just pretending to sleep. I wanted to see what you were up to, Kamome.

So you saw through my plan?

You shouldn't think so little of me, Kamome, even if I am younger than you.

Tch!

Listen, Kamome. You were tricked by Genshin.

This has nothing to do with that low-life!

It does! Everything was just one big lie! You're his...

Silence! I don't need to hear your excuses, traitor! Stand down, Tsubame! If you get in my way, I'll never forgive you!

Kamome?! Please... Wait!

Now, come forth, my loyal servant, my sorcerous soldier! Born from the earth, forged from steel! Come! Your prey is waiting!

What the heck's that?!

Now what will you do, Aldo? I dare say this snowy mountain will be your final resting place! Mua ha ha ha!

This is bad! The ground's giving way!

Aaahhh!

Tsubame?! Good job following us down here!

Is anyone hurt?

No, we're fine, but...

It's too early to relax! Let's do this, everyone!

Looks like we're about to reach the bottom! Brace yourselves, everyone!

Looks like the snow cushioned our fall...

Is everyone okay?

That was quite an exhilarating experience.

You can't be serious, Helena! I thought we were goners for sure...

What is this place? Looks like we landed in some kind of valley. This snow storm is super strong.

Isn't that...?

Everyone! Come and take a look at this!

The Specter Palace! I heard that it is protected by a heavy snowstorm. No one has ever reached the entrance before.

Judging from the atmospheric components, this snowstorm seems to have been created using the forces of evil.

A magical snowstorm barrier? Unless we can find a way through it, I don't think we'll be getting in anytime soon.

Hey, Aldo. Didn't Shanxi mention that Yin and Yang could balance the forces of evil?

There is just one problem. How do we get out of this place? Perhaps we should come up with a plan first.

There should be a path leading down to the base of the mountain. Follow me, everyone.

Indeed, you're right! It is a good thing you are here. Let us depart at once. My body will turn to ice in this weather if we stay here for much longer.

Oh? There's a path in a place like this?

Oh? Well, if it isn't you guys again. Are you here for another one of Lingli's Cat Manju?

Yay!

I'm afraid not. We're actually here to ask you something, Shanxi.

Aw, man...

And what would that be? I did say I would not hesitate if you needed my help, after all.

My Lady Shanxi. We wish to enter the Specter Palace. However, there is a snowstorm blocking the entrance and we can not enter.

Ah... That snowstorm was created using powerful evil forces. It can't be defeated so easily. However...there may be something we can try. Perhaps the Vermillion Fan might work.

Vermillion Fan? What's that?

It's a legendary item. Born of the crimson leaves of fall, once the Ritual of the Twins has been completed, the fan will bring forth a mighty gust of wind.

Gust of wind? That sounds like it could work.

So we will blow away the snowstorm with the power of wind? That is quite simple indeed.

Looks like that's our best bet for now. What do you need us to do, Shanxi?

Let me see... I need you to gather some vibrant, fresh fall leaves. I'd say 100 should be enough.

100?!

It'll be okay, Cyrus. When we were younger, Aldo was really good at catching and collecting insects!

Yeah, I guess I was!

Don't let us down, Aldo! We should be able find the fall leaves on the Vermilion Road, south of Nagsham. Now, let's get going!

I will begin preparations for the Ritual of the Twins. I leave the matter of the fall leaves to you, Aldo.

Alright! That should do it. Time to head back to Shanxi.

Let me see... I need you to gather some vibrant, fresh fall leaves. I'd say 100 should be enough.

From the look on your face, I'd say you're done collecting the leaves, yes?

Just as you ordered Shanxi. Exactly 100 Fresh Fall Leaves.

Yes, these should do. Very well, then, I shall begin creating the Vermillion Fan. Please stand back while I work.

Lingli! We must combine our powers! Give it your all!

Okay!

Did we...do it?

Lingli! Is she all right?!

She's fine. The Ritual of the Twins uses a lot of energy. I, too, am finding it difficult to stand.

Here, take this. Please allow us to rest for a while.

Thanks so much! We really owe you one.

With this, we can blow away the snowstorm surrounding the Specter Palace!

All right! When Lingli wakes up, we'll head to the Kunlun Mountains!

All right! Let's get to the Kunlun Mountains!

All right then... Let's do this!

So this is the Specter Palace...

Aldo, I have a bad feeling about this place...

Me too, but it looks like the fan worked, at least. All right guys, let's go inside!

What's up with this room?

Not bad...for a bunch of humans...

A specter?! Show yourself!

I've been here all along. I'd watch your step if I was you!

Uh, what?

Aaaaaahh!

What the heck is that thing?!

Urgh!? Mysterious indeed!

Mua ha ha ha!

You?!

I am known as Mizuchi, one of the three great specters! We have evolved to feed off the very lifeblood of nature, which dwells deep inside the earth in this region. It seems our beast brethren in the West have been driven almost to the brink of extinction by you humans.

......

We didn't fight them because we wanted to! We had no choice!

Silence! Making excuses won't help. You cannot change what you have done. I will not allow you to do the same here in the East. I will drive you out of this region for good! Prepare yourselves! I will enjoy savoring the sweet taste of your life energy!

Curse you, Aldo! I will not forget this! My anger will live on... The other two will... definitely...!

Three great specters, huh... It doesn't seem like they're an alliance like us, but...

Looks like we've been dragged into another sticky situation again...

Nothing out of the ordinary, at this point.

But we can't turn our backs on those who need help. Isn't that right, Aldo?

That's right, Feinne. These specters are seriously tormenting the people here in the East...

So not even Mizuchi of the Great Three was enough to stop you.

Phantom!

Just as expected from such meddlesome spacetime travelers. Of course you'd ruin my plans.

......

Here's a question for you, Aldo... Will you not consider joining us?

What?!

Do you not wish to restore history back to the way it was? Without Eastern control, or the Goddess of Time's religious reforms... Wouldn't it be better to fight with us, rather than siding with the East?

......

Do you really think the people of the East will go along with your plan, knowing that you'll leave them in a worst position? If you truly know what you are trying to do, you would consider the people of this continent your enemies.

So now you're hanging around these specters? Just what is it you're planning? You mentioned that the Goddess of Time couldn't open the door to paradise. What did you mean by that?

When the time comes to meet the Goddess of Time, you'll understand.

Consider my offer carefully, Aldo.

Phantom...

Aldo... We have to go to the Chapel of the Goddess of Time. Let's head back to Nagsham and speak with Garneli.

I guess you're right. Let's get going.