Kingdom of Magic, Cochlea

There you are. You're watching another video?

Heheh. No matter how many times I watch, it never changes.

It must be a pretty important scene. I hope we can find out more soon.

I know, but I'm just happy to have something, even if it is isn't much.

I mean, when I met you, I couldn't remember anything from before. Nothing!

But now, I can remember the faces of those I used to care about. And I couldn't have done it without you. You braved all these different worlds with me, and never gave up, whatever the danger.

Don't do yourself down, Nona. This was all you. But I'll be with you as long as you need.

Thanks, Aldo.

Let's go on loads more dangerous adventures together!

Erm, that's not quite how I'd put it!

Teehee...

Hm?

Hope I'm not interrupting anything... But I thought I should tell you sooner rather than later.

You repaired the board?

Yes. Now you'll be able to extract more information from your jewels. You see, we'd been using a makeshift part before, but we've found ourselves a better material now.

It was no mean feat, I tell you.

I researched the unknown materials from the board and searched the maze for things of a similar composition.

I went to the maze and collected things similar to the materials used in the board.

I asked my guys, too. We threw everyone we had at it.

You did all that, for me?!

Come on, everyone was happy to help. You used to have such a bright smile, but we haven't seen it in a while. We were starting to worry. Don't think of it as a favor. Just think of it as a load of idlers passing the time, having fun.

I don't think I can ever thank you enough!

There's that smile again.

But it's up to you whether you view the new projections or not. Whatever awaits, once seen, can never be unseen.

So be sure you won't regret your choice.

I'll be fine. I won't regret it, whatever I see. I have to know what lies ahead.

You have strong resolve, Nona.

Okay, just touch the board when you're ready to watch.

Good. Everything appears to be in order.

There you are, Your Majesty. No need to inspect the barrier yourself. The magic soldiers can take care of it.

No, I must check it with my own eyes every day without fail. The barrier created by this control unit is all that keeps our magic state of Cochlea safe.

A barrier that reflects all attacks aimed at our country like a mirror... Though our realm has studied it for generations, I never thought our queen would be the one to achieve it. So vast, it encircles the castle and surrounding sea, so precise, not even an ant could pass through.

It hardly seems possible that this was made by human hands.

Oh, it is simple in principle.

Meet the coming force with force, break the momentum. This is magic at its most basic. Children are taught this at a young age in our schools.

Even simple magic can create an impregnable barrier if it is polished, compiled, and repeated over and over.

You make it sound so simple, yet no other country has such a barrier. And now, our country can live in long-lasting peace, with no fear of attack from any other country.

I dread to think how many days were spent on trial and error, trying to complete this barrier.

I made an oath... To never lose anyone else in battle. All I did, I did to keep my oath.

Of course, the naval battle. How many years is it now? That poor prince. Such a loss...

Hmph. I have no regrets about my husband. By taking the vanguard, he was able to save many lives. And his death was not in vain. It is the reason that I turned our island nation into an impregnable fortress.

Considering our country's development, perhaps it was even a good thing.

How could you say such a thing?!

Hm?

Your Majesty! I have news!

Why do you look so flustered? What is it? Monsters?

No! Not even close!

Look! It's a cute little baby!

A...baby?

Why were you so panicked then? It's just a baby.

No, her reaction is understandable. No one in Cochlea was pregnant.

What?

No? Your Majesty remembers everyone, so if you didn't see anyone pregnant, then no one was. This baby just turned up in the castle gardens. So where did it come from?

The barrier should detect any intruders from the outside. So if it didn't react...

This baby couldn't have come from the outside? But it also didn't come from anyone here? How's that make sense?

Perhaps it's a monster.

Don't be absurd, Your Majesty! It's just a cute little baby.

Your Majesty, I had an idea. How about... If you raised this baby as your heir?

What?

Weren't you listening to me? How could you even suggest leaving this mysterious baby in my castle?!

Oh? So what happens if someone outside the castle raises this baby, and it turns out to be a monster? If it ever came down to it, you would be able to resist a monster. But others would not be so lucky.

Then get rid of it. Leave it outside the barrier.

I'm stunned, Your Majesty! The only thing outside the barrier is the sea, as you well know. And all our ships were lost in battle. We don't have any suitable for long distances. Do we make a new one from scratch?

Well...

And then what? Travel to a distant land? For days? Weeks? Or were you just planning to fling the poor baby into the sea?

That's so cruel, Your Majesty! It's evil! It's heartless! Don't think for a second I'd keep this a secret!

......

*sigh* What's the use? Whatever I say, you won't listen.

Teehee you know us well! But it will all be fine. This baby is no monster. It's a messenger of god.

Sent to you because Your Majesty needs a family.

Urgh...

Enough of the meddling.

As of today, I am appointing you official nurse. This thing's entirely in your care.

......

There we go! Nice and cozy. See over there? That's your mommy.

She'll only get in the way of my work. Take her.

So harsh, Your Majesty. Don't you feel for your heir?

Hmph. I don't know. It's a foundling. Not my husband's child.

What a cruel thing to say! You should show some concern for her upbringing!

You're the nurse. Raising the thing is your job. It has nothing to do with me. This baby is so very strange. If it does anything suspicious, just get rid of it.

This is a baby, not some governmental policy!

I'll prepare a bath. Perhaps you should have a good think about what you're saying, Your Majesty.

Hmph. What a frightful baby.

It's not your fault, really. You would have been better off with a more affectionate mother. Unfortunately, I...

Waah...

Hm?

Waaahhh! Waaahhh waaahhh!

The baby is crying! Is anyone there?

WAAAHHH! WAAAHHH!

Urgh it's making such a racket! Do be quiet!

WAAAH!

Urgh...

Hmm. Do I hold you like this? I don't want to hurt your little neck...

Goo... Goo...

You've stopped crying at last? This is the only time I'm picking you up. Understood?

Gah...

Don't look at me like that.

You scare me. I lost my husband. I know the pain of losing someone you love. I don't ever want to have to feel it again.

Goo...

If I end up loving you, then I'll fear losing you. So I didn't want to get close to you. And yet...here we are.

Hyumumum...

Why hold my finger with that tiny little hand of yours? Why are you smiling as you sleep in my arms? Do you accept me as your mother, even though I never even looked at you?

Goo... Goo...

After that, I decided to devote myself to my country and never love again. But that firm determination crumbled to dust when I held you. This must be a mother's love.

Hyumumum... Gah... Gah...

Hmph. What a frightful baby.

The magic state of Cochlea? So that was...

It's strange. Somehow, I just know... That baby was me.

Nona...

Somehow, I see my mother, so frightfully alone, standing with her back turned to me.

I tried to hold out my hand to her, but I couldn't reach. I cried, and she came to me. Even now, I remember the warmth of my mother's arms, her troubled face.

Aldo, I want to see the rest.

Okay. Let's watch together.

Grandpa! Is your back any better?

Yes, I'm fine now. Have you finished maintenance on the barrier?

Yep, nothing to report today. Her Majesty's barrier may be complex, but it's near flawless. All a magic soldier has to do is inspect it.

I'm glad to hear it. That barrier is an incredible thing. It protects us not just from attack, but also storms and tsunamis.

Our fields and farms are rarely ever disrupted thanks to it. We are truly in Her Majesty's debt.

Heehee, we are. May peace...

Heeelllp!

What's wrong, Nona?

He's after me! If anyone comes, say I'm not here!

Who's after you?

Grr! Where'd she go?

Have you seen Princess Nona? I thought she might be around here.

Oh...

Good question.

That shadow looks pretty suspicious, don't you think?

How could you do this to me?!

Why did you tell him?

Don't act all innocent, missy! You skipped your magic studies and snuck out the castle, didn't you? You can't fool me! Back to the castle with you, quickly now!

No fair!

Nona really does make our country a brighter place.

Yes. I think everyone here loves her as their own.

I heard you snuck out of the castle again.

Eep! Mom!

I, err... I'm sorry! I did my studies afterward, I swear! I won't sneak out again. Least for a little bit...

I don't want to hear it. You were supposed to receive an important lesson in protective magic today.

Umumumum...

Why did you want to go into town?

Why? Erm, I heard the old man on the outskirts of town hurt his back and I was worried about him.

But he seems fine now! Ooh! And, and, and! The flower shop lady's got a real big belly now!

And the carpenter's got a load more cats, and the brothers at the gardener's house were fighting.

You are very observant, Nona.

Wait? You're not mad?

Do I look it? I just wanted to know why you left. I knew you wouldn't leave the castle without good reason.

Th-Then you should've said so! It's such a shame you don't smile more, Mom! You're so kind underneath it all...

You just smile for the both of us.

No, it doesn't work like that! You always look so serious, that everyone's too scared to tell you how much they love you! Maybe if you smiled more, they'd find it easier to tell you so!

A queen should be dignified. And it is too late to try out something new now. They don't need to tell me, for me to know my impact on them.

What do you mean?

My people live in peace, with no fear of what tomorrow may bring. To me, there is no greater compliment.

Um I don't really know what you're talking about...

Squee!

What are you doing? Do you want attention or something?

No, I'm giving YOU attention. If nobody else says it, then I'll say it for them! Thank you! And I love you! And you're doing a great job! Your happiness is my happiness, Mom!

Nona...

Heh.

Aha! You just smiled, didn't you?

I suppose so...

...... Hmm. If I put this on like so... Oh, but maybe this looks better?

Aha! Perfect!

Dressed like this, I can sneak into town and mother will never know!

Nona, what are you doing? You're not trying to sneak out the castle again, are you?

Uh oh! Busted!

You're free to go into town anyway. Why try to hide it from me?

Um...

It's a secret! Byeee!

A secret?

Morning, Mom! You know what day it is today? It's my birthday!

Huh? What's wrong? Mom, you look so pale!

Oh, it's nothing. I've just been having difficulty sleeping lately.

That's not nothing!

Why aren't you sleeping? Are you okay? Are you sick?

You... ...ver... ...before...

Sorry? I didn't catch that. Your voice was too faint to hear...

You've never hidden anything from me before. I was worried.

What are you talking about? What have I hidden from you?

Over the last three days, you keep on sneaking off into town when you think I'm not looking. I was so worried you've started mixing with the wrong crowd now that you're nearly 18.

The wrong crowd?

Hehehe! Ahahaha!

What's so funny?

Surely you know better than anyone, there aren't any bad people in this country to be mixing with!

But... If I'd known you were going to worry so much, I would have told you sooner.

What were you up to?

Well, the truth is... I've been preparing a present for you!

A present? But today is your birthday, not mine.

I know! But if today marks the day I came to this country, then it's also the day you became my mother. So I wanted to say thank you.

Oh!

I got you all kinds of things! Flowers from the garden, a cake I've been practicing for ages...

I even asked the townspeople for the best wine around! I've got to fetch it before the party.

So I hope you're looking forward to today, Mom!

Hmm... Why would I need presents? I already have more than enough. But thinking of how much she's grown, a sip of wine would be nice.

Hm?

Your Majesty! Bad tidings! The barrier control unit, it's⁠...

What is the meaning of this?! When did this distortion start?

I don't know! Yesterday's inspection came back normal.

Urgh! Until we know the cause of this, there's no way of knowing what it will do!

Just in case, evacuate everyone in the castle. Don't let anyone come near until this has been repaired.

Understood, Your Majesty!

Why? Why is there a distortion at the barrier?

The sigil composition hasn't changed in the last few years. Is there a flaw in my theory? Or is there something wrong with the flow of elementals, its power source?

But the flowers outside haven't died. If the elementals became imbalanced, it would be apparent in the flowers.

There's no time to think right now. I must take emergency measures.

What? The distortion is even bigger?! Oh no... At this rate, the border defense sigils will stop working and attacks will get through!

No... Worst case, resistance from the elementals will cause the whole barrier to collapse! No! I cannot let that happen! Even I have to stop it by force!

Guaaaghhh!

Why?! Why can't I stop it?!

Stop!

No! Stop! My people...

My beloved people...

I can't let them get hurt!

Stoppp!

Where...am I?

I must use protective magic. What is this place?

Oh no! I remember! The barrier exploded!

No...

He's not breathing!

Were all these people...caught up in the explosion?

All of them? By my hand?

No. I cannot stop here. There could be survivors. I must save them. I must save someone!

Dead as well. Are there really no survivors?

Oh no! Nona!

Nona! Nona! Please answer me! Please! Nona!

*sob* No. I cannot give up here. I am still...the queen. Oh? She's holding something. She's holding it so tight. What in the world was she protecting?

This?

I even asked the townspeople for the best wine around! I've got to fetch it before the party.

So I hope you're looking forward to today, Mom!

Nona...this gift really meant so much to you? *sniffle*

Waaah! Waaargh! Waaahaaah!

Huh? What is that light? It's like it's beckoning me.

Perhaps the afterlife is calling to me.

I will accept any punishment. Even if I cannot be with the others.

Pass unto me a judgment worthy of my crimes.

What? Where am I?

The afterlife seems so...

Oh! It's the queen!

Huh?

What's wrong? Is there something on my face?

Hey! You mustn't talk like that to Her Majesty, honey.

I'm terribly sorry, Your Majesty! My daughter forgets her manners. She just loves talking to new people.

Don't worry yourself about it. How is your health?

My...health? I'm fine, as you can see...

Me too! I'm feeling great! Nona's coming over today!

Honey, don't⁠...

'Cause Nona and me're learning to bake with Mom! It's her birthday coming up and she wants to make Your Majesty a nice cake!

What?!

Shhh! Nona said to keep that a secret, remember?

Your Majesty, could you possibly pretend you never...

When is Nona's birthday?

H-Her birthday? Are you so busy with your duties that you've forgotten?

It's in three days. Make sure you celebrate in style!

Much obliged.

I think she really did forget!

Wonder if today's gonna be the day Nona learns to crack an egg...

I can't see anything wrong with the control unit. And what those two said before... Nona's preparing my present for her birthday in three days? Time must've reversed. It's the only explanation. But if that's the case...

Are things going to go wrong this time?

Who's there?

What in the world?! How do you look like me?

No, it's not even worth asking.

Pretending to be me in order to sneak in here, you can only be up to no good. You will pay for this in prison!

Gah!

Oh, you're stronger than I thought. Then let me show you my true power!

Ack!

Oh no! That was far too much power!

Ah!

Hey! Wake up!

...... *huff* *huff*

Your wounds are too deep! At this rate...

Hnnnggg...

Your crimes...will never...be forgiven... You will...pay for this... ......

...... I've killed her... I killed me...

What's all that racket?

It came from the control unit!

What's going on?

Oh? Your Majesty? What are you doing here?

...... The control unit didn't look right. I made a few changes.

Huh. Sounded like you used brute force to do so.

With all that noise, we thought perhaps...

Yes. I apologize.

There is no going back now. Not unless I find out what caused the collapse.

Your Majesty, what is happening?

...... Evacuate the castle. It is almost time.

Yes, Your Majesty!

Why? Why can't I stop it?

Why, why, why?

...... I have another chance to start over?

Who's there?

......

Aghh!

I'm sorry. Any other way, and your servants would hear. And if the past me remains, then perhaps that gate of light won't open if everything goes wrong again. I must leave nothing to chance.

What...are you?

......

This time, I will stop it.

There's really no mention of this in any of the literature? But I've read every last book on the barrier now! I have killed so many and witnessed the death of even more, yet I still cannot explain what is causing this.

What should I do? How long must I keep repeating the same few days? No, I mustn't say such things. I am the only one who can save us.

It has begun...

Your Majesty!

Terrible news! The barrier has...

The barrier's component sigils have gone haywire! Attackers are finding their way through!

The magic soldiers are holding the line for now, but even the elementals are acting strangely!

How could this be happening?! Our glorious kingdom's barrier should never fall, not like this!

If things carry on this way, the Kingdom itself will fall! Your Majesty... Please, Your Majesty! Save us!

......

I will go immediately. Make preparations to evacuate the citizenry should the worst befall.

Right away!

What an empty thing it is, to struggle against a pre-ordained destruction.

No matter how many corpses may pile up behind us... If this life, alone, persists, then the true end shall not come. It shall not. I will not permit it.

So that's the story of Cochlea?

......

Maybe we should pause for a bit? All this must be too much to take in one go.

No, I'm okay. It's showing me things I've always wanted to know. I'm watching to the end.

I cared about these people, so I should know what happened to them.

......

Okay, I won't pause it again. Let's watch through to the end.

I still couldn't save them... I've killed hundreds of me so far. And I've witnessed the deaths of thousands...

How many more times must I...

Kill you too, Nona.

...... I cannot turn off this path yet.

Every time I see my people looking so alive, I hate myself for bringing them death.

Every time I kill the blissfully ignorant me, I think things can never go back to how they were. And yet...

Who's there?

I must kill you again.

Oh no!

What is that blade? And why do you look like me?

Why? Why do they look like that?!

No, my first priority must be to call the guards before anyone gets hurt!

......!

Guagh!

Don't get in my way.

Who... Who are you? Why do you look like me?

You've no need to know that. I must be getting rusty, making mistakes like that.

What are you talking about?

I thought I'd be used to it by now.

Ngh?! Guaaagh!

I won't apologize to you. But I will remember this. The warmth of your blood, the pain in your voice, the feel of my blade as it plunged into your flesh.

*huff* *puff*

Hate, curse, die. The watchful eyes of tens of thousands of dead will keep me walking on.

...na...

You have no right to say that name. There can be no saving you.

Mom... Mom!

Oh?!

What are you... What is happening?

Nona, wait!

Get away from me!

Nona!

Where are you, Nona? I've searched the kingdom high and low for three days, but still no sign of her. The barrier collapse imminently. I won't be able to protect her, again.

Once again, I have killed all these people...

Did Nona die, hating me for what I did to her mother?

But I can fix this next time. I just have to kill the past me without hesitation.

What? There's no gate of light?

Wait! How can this be? I must go back! I must save them!

What is this feeling? I feel fear... A great power I cannot resist approaches.

What is this?

No?! The town isn't destroyed... Why? Did time reverse again?

Oh! It's the queen!

It's nearly Nona's birthday, isn't it?

Ah!

Wonder if she'll be able to bake the cake... There's only three days left and she can't even crack an egg.

Oh, I thought so. Time has reversed.

But there was no gate of light. Yet I didn't will myself back here. So how...

We don't often see you around here, Your Majesty. Are you preparing for tomorrow's birthday party?

What?!

Your Majesty, wish Nona a happy birthday from me today!

What is happening? The flow of time, it's...

Huh?

Something isn't right. Am I the only one who senses it?

The gate of light didn't open, time rewound by itself, turmoil ensued, and the country was destroyed again.

Is the nature of time starting to break down? Is this my punishment for going back in time so often?

There's no gate of light...

This feeling again...

Stop! Time, please stop! I don't want this!

I don't wish for a world that goes back in time against my will! I don't want it to perish over and over!

Not again...

Oh! It's the queen!

It's nearly Nona's birthday, isn't it?

Aaaghhh!

Aaaghhh!

No... Then the vortex that created the recurrent spacetime...

Nona...

At first, my mother simply went through a wormhole that led to the past.

But then she went through it again and again and again. Hundreds of times. Maybe even more. Time went back and forward and back and forward... And eventually the flow of time went so wrong that it warped into this closed-off vortex.

And then this vortex started to twist on its own... Creating recurrent spacetimes in adjacent worlds.

And if this all started with my mother trying to protect me, then it's all my fault.

Of course it's not your fault!

But it is!

I've seen everyone in the recurrent spacetimes suffering.

If it wasn't for the vortex in Cochlea, there would be no recurrent spacetimes... Phantom would never have used them, and they never would have gone through those tragedies.

But this didn't start with the queen trying to protect you. It started with the explosion in Cochlea.

If we knew why that happened, maybe we'd find a way to save them. Because even now, Cochlea is surely...

Oh...

Because even now, Cochlea is being destroyed over and over, right at the center of the vortex.

You cut yourself off because you wanted to spare my feelings. Thank you.

......

But I know. There is no end to the recurrent spacetime. My mom and everyone else...

Will be in constant, endless pain.

Nona!

She's burning up!

No wonder. What she just saw must weigh heavy on her mind. To find out your home was the cause of the recurrent spacetimes...

She needs rest. Is there anywhere we can take her?

Noahxis, if we investigate Nona's homeland, surely we'll⁠...

Let's talk about this later.

You always say that. Is there a reason why you keep avoiding it?

......

Noahxis, if we investigate Nona's homeland, surely we'll⁠...

Yeah, there is.

When the time comes, will you tell me what you're hiding?

......

Sorry for asking you to watch over her.

Don't be silly. She's our friend, it's the least we could do. So, did you get anything?

No, nothing. I searched everywhere but I couldn't find a single clue.

Don't get disheartened. Knowing that you don't know is still a step in the right direction.

I guess so.

Thankfully, the long rest has pretty much got her fever in check. If she still wants to continue on your adventure when she wakes up, tell her what you found out.

I will. But she...

I want to continue.

Nona! Shouldn't you be resting?

Nope! I'm right as rain now!

So, what were you talking about? Tell me everything!

Umm...

Just give it to her straight. It will be fine.

Youth is strength.

Okay. Here goes.

I've been trying to look into your country of Cochlea. It should be in this time layer, after all.

Oh! Sure, that makes sense!

But I haven't found out anything concrete.

It seems to be closest in time to antiquity, but all that remains of it now are rumors... Of a ghost country across the sea that no one has ever visited. There was once a sea battle, but no one could reach them because of the fog.

I'm sorry. If we went to the Cochlea in this time layer, maybe we'd find something out...

No, it's plenty. It's enough for us to narrow down what we need to do.

We at least know that we don't know. Right, Klein?

Right.

There's still so much I want to know.

Why did Cochlea fall? How do we stop the vortex? I'm not going to stop until I find out.

That's probably the only thing I can do to help all those people suffering right now.

When the next recurrent spacetime appears, will you come with me?

Of course.

There you are! A new pillar of light's appeared! Come quick!

Okay, we're on our way!