Blue Archive story · Volume 3: Eden Treaty, Chapter 4, Episode 4
Vol. 3 Ch. 4 Ep. 4: Between a Dream and a Mirage
1 scenes, 97 lines
1. Part 1
97 lines"You saw the fall of Kivotos...?"
"What did you see?"
An enormous tower emerges from a blood red sky.
It erodes the entire world, enveloping everything with its sinister power. It's accompanied by an awful screech.
Then, the fragments of our destroyed world rage like a storm, then crumble into pieces. I remember a black light shining down...
And at last, Kivotos falls.
Not a trace is left behind.
"..."
My heart hopes it was a nightmare. But it could've been anything: a snippet of our past or a vision of the future.
All I'm left with is an endless series of questions. I'm determined to find the answers to them.
...
To learn more, I've been venturing into the realm of lucid dreams.
They exist on the edge of reality and dreams, making it difficult to discern the future from the past.
Even when I'm awake I feel like I'm in an endless dream.
"That sounds dangerous..."
I suppose it may be.
I've always been afraid of the future. But I couldn't run away this time.
I won't rest until I find out our fate. This is my responsibility.
The tower... The destruction... It was caused by something outside of Kivotos.
This is just my guess...but the cause may be Gematria...
I believe you also know of that mysterious organization.
"You think Gematria is involved?!"
There has to be some way to stop the apocalypse.
"Seia."
Yes?
"If it's related to Gematria, you have to stop this now."
"This is too dangerous for you alone."
"On top of that, you can't keep pushing yourself like this."
"Just don't do it alone. We can work together."
...
"Someone needs you here in reality a lot more than your dreams do."
...Mika.
You're right, Sensei.
I was lost in my dreams and lost focus of what's important.
I can't help Mika if something happens to me.
I've been foolish.
Mika's situation is beyond dire.
She grew up like a princess in a fairy tale, beloved by all. So it's no surprise that she grew up expecting the world to cater to her every whim.
For her to experience something like this... Being the target of everyone's hatred for the first time in her life...
I don't know if she can handle it.
Right. Helping Mika is the top priority right now.
How could I have been so blind?
It feels like I'm finally shaking off my dreams. Thank you, Sensei. I must help my friend.
"Mika will be thrilled. She really wants to apologize."
Apologize? When I've already forgiven her?
Ah. That might've been in a dream.
I see... Mika thinks I still haven't forgiven her.
She must see me as the biggest victim of her actions.
Oh, Mika. What a dummy.
She's always been self-centered, impulsive, thoughtless, and she's even self-destructive at times.
Mika would be the perfect cheeky, arrogant fairy tale princess.
But that wasn't the role she got.
She was the villainess who tried to bully someone she didn't like.
And she eventually became entangled in a horror story of violence and murder instead.
But if any salvation still exists for her...
...it's in the fact that I didn't die, and her soul remains innocent of murder.
That tough smile she puts on is fueled by that one thought.
For her, a lot is riding on my well-being.
Mika...
I wasn't kind to her, yet she frets this much.
This is long overdue.
We're not grade schoolers anymore. I'm ashamed we've been so scared to speak openly with each other.
I'll request Mika be brought here now.
I want to have a proper conversation with her...and tell her I'll be attending the hearing.
The most grievous of her crimes is injuring me, so it would be very meaningful if I speak for her.
Y-You called, ma'am?
I'm sorry to bother you. Could you please bring Mika to me?
M-Mika? I will request Nagisa's approval to do so.
Thank you. Um... Please also inform Nagisa I would like to speak Mika privately, if possible.
Yes, ma'am!
"I'll go circle back with Nagisa in the meantime."
Thank you. It was nice speaking with you, Sensei.
I'm a bit tired, so I'll lie down while I wait for Mika.
Apologies, Sensei. If you'll excuse me.
"I'll see you at the hearing, Seia. Take care."
You as well, Sensei.
(I informed Nagisa that both Mika and Seia would attend tomorrow's hearing.)
(She was happy to hear the news and seemed a little less stressed. I decided to return to Schale early to prepare for tomorrow's hearing.)
Let's move on to the next agenda.
But of course!
I don't disagree, but there's something I want to confirm first.
(...)
(Oh... I fell asleep waiting for Mika.)
(I think the lucid dreaming has taken a toll on my health. And it's been getting more difficult to wake up.)
(More importantly...where am I?)
Please speak, Maestro.
...
(This is...! C-Could it really be?)
I have an...inquiry for Beatrice.
Me? By my guest.
(This is...Gematria?!)