A Bouquet for a Maiden

It is all set.

I've squared things with a friend from the inner city, he will send his coach around here tonight. Once Psyche shows up, we'll take her out of town and lay low for a while. Henrik wouldn't dare rob a noble's coach.

After that... we'll have to play it by ear.

You really have a wide network, don't you?

Ha, got to make the most of all the cr*p I've been through these years. But are you sure she'll come?

...I'm not sure. Anyway, if she doesn't show up, we'll go with plan B.

We break into the Hypnos' House and confront Henrik, ha, sounds like the story of a hero from some pulp novel.

But don't get your hopes up. Even if we manage to save Psyche today, she... won't last much longer. Remember the thing we saw in the pit? That's her inevitable fate.

...One thing at a time.

...Right. Speaking of which, aren't the Deteriorators usually handled by the Escort? What on earth has Henrik gone through to end up doing things like this...

I might have figured out why.

...Henrik used to be a doctor, but he shut down his practice for some reason; he had a daughter, but she went missing in Scarletriver and Henrik murdered a Deteriorator in Scarletriver...

Right. More importantly, these three events happened in the same year, so they must be connected.

And the lodgers at the Hypnos' House are likely all Deteriorators... Hmm, I see what you're getting at.

Henrik's daughter was likely killed in Scarletriver, possibly by a Deteriorator, sparking Henrik's deep-seated hatred towards them, which hasn't faded even after so many years...

So, he somehow managed to control some of the Deteriorators and administer his own brand of justice, that's your conclusion, right?

...Yes. But regardless of what he's gone through, or what the Deteriorators would eventually become, we must...

Aaaargh!

...!! Did you hear that?

Screams, from the direction of the Hypnos' House!

Let's go!

(I've filled in Outsider and Snow on everything that happened today.)

(Now, all that's left to do is get to the meeting spot... and wait.)

A young man just climbed up here, and now three others? What's all this about?

Just as I thought, he startled the Filthoids here and got attacked.

Looks like this gate still works. But it's locked...

Seriously, why do they need all these security measures for an abandoned old pit?

...Probably to keep curious folks from stumbling into a Filthoid attack.

Let's try our luck! Maybe there's a key lying around here somewhere.

Wow... take a look at this! Margie would flip if she saw it!

This ore's pretty tough, though. It might just break Miss Margie's shovel.

Let me help you, Vita!

I've got this. Hey Psyche, while the Demon King isn't looking, how about we split the treasure?

I'm good. You can keep it all to buy yourself some nice clothes or something. I... don't really need the treasure.

What's this?

You're finally here!! You've no idea how scary it was!

Was that you shrieking just now? What happened?

I was just keeping watch here as you asked me to... And just like you expected, Psyche came out! I ran to her, ready to take her to you.

But she suddenly lunged at me, looking all scary... Lucky I was quick on my feet! But... was that really Psyche? She was nothing like her usual self, more like... a wild beast!

Oh no... The Deterioration's started!

...Please help us...

Mr Henrik is... in really bad shape...!

What?!

Please help us...! Follow me!

Over here! Mr Henrik's in his office!

Henrik?!

He's still breathing. Snow, see if you can find any bandages or strips of cloth, anything.

...Don't waste your time on me, I deserve this. Please, you...

Don't bother, he's a goner. Let him finish his last words.

You have to... stop Psyche.

Stop her?

...

The Hypnos' House shelters... Deteriorators... those abandoned by fate...

Their destined end... was supposed to be... a cold bullet...

Right. In Hyperborea, any Charons showing signs of Deterioration will be taken away immediately to prevent them from turning into Filthoids. Wait, are you saying...

...Their families... didn't have the heart to see... So they hoped... that I could...

Help end their misery... in a decent, gentle way...

Just like... how I... sent away Hayley...

...Are you saying... the Deteriorator who was "killed" in Scarletriver... was your daughter Hayley?

...You know about that too... That was merely... the last desperate struggle... of a father in despair...

We've been wrong about you all along... We're truly sorry, Mr Henrik.

...Do not forgive...

I brought them... to sleep... This is my unforgivable sin...

Then what happened to Psyche...?

I tried... with the Crystallo of Stella...

But still... couldn't avert... Deterioration...

I was supposed to let her go... like all the others... but that child was so special...

She knew what was coming, yet she's always worn... a smile... For months, she shone like a ray of sunlight... in this... godforsaken place... just like my Hayley...

I'm old... I couldn't... do it again...

...So in your hesitation, you missed the last window. Psyche lost her mind, attacked you, and ran away.

How come... I can't believe all this...!

You're Daimons... you can... stop that child...

She has such a gentle soul... hurting others is the last thing she'd want...

Please... save... Psyche...

Save... my Hayley...

Mr Henrik! Waaah...

Let's go... we must hurry.

Are you... off to find Psyche?

Please take this with you.

Psyche often gave us flowers. Even though some of us can barely smell or see them clearly anymore, she kept doing it, saying flowers bring good luck.

...But by the time I wanted to return her kindness, it was already too late.

Please bring this flower to her. It's her favourite.

And let her know that everyone at the Hypnos' House is waiting for her...

I will. I'm going to do everything I can to save her.

Or at the very least... stop her from doing something she'd regret.

Huff... Huff... Huff...

Ah...

I'm... sorr...

Argh...!!

The wind's too strong, can't get any closer...!

It's dangerous! Stay back here! Damn it, we're all doomed if this keeps up...

She's lost her mind... Be ready to fight!

Stopping a Deteriorator won't be an easy task. Make sure you're well-prepared before heading out of the city to look for Psyche.

...Psyche seems to have rushed out of the city.

Because there are fewer people there, right? She tried to keep herself from the crowd with her last shred of sanity.

Are you... going to find Psyche?

Once you find her, please, end her pains. I think she would want you to do the same...

Waah... The wind's gonna blow me away!

Stay behind us, Snow. We'll make our move when it calms a little.

And if the wind gets strong, we can stay behind the rocks to take a little break. Don't rush in.

...Butterflies? How come there are butterflies in such coldness?

And it seems as if... they are leading the way for us...

These Filthoids are half-dead, probably defeated by Psyche.

So if we trace them all the way back, we might be able to find Psyche...

It's okay, we already know where Psyche has gone. All we have to do is follow her trail.

Right! As long as we can find Psyche, there's gotta be a way to save her!

Thank you...

Psyche, can you hear me?

Talk to me, Psyche...

You said it yourself, there's so much you want to do...

You'll leave Icelake for those unseen places...

...You'll go to a small island, where you can build a house by the sea...

...and grow white flowers around it...

...Talk about the snow in Icelake with your friends, while shading yourself with a wide-brimmed sunhat...

Talk to me, Psyche...

Is this... my home?

Honey, look, Psyche is smiling at us.

...I wonder whether this child's birth in this world was a blessing or a curse.

...Yes, we weren't born with blessings.

Mum! I promised Psyche I'd bring her home today to play with blocks...

Who says you can play with her? How many times have I told you to stay away from these unclean people? Do you want to get killed by dark magic?

Ugh, now these blocks are all dirty. Throw them away now!

That day, feeling wronged and confused, I bathed all night until my skin bled.

Please, sir, you've got it all wrong. My daughter is a good girl, she knows better than to steal a necklace and hide it in a flowerpot!

Save it. Is there even one Charon kid who isn't light-fingered?

Alright, if she's so innocent, she can prove it: just smash all the flowerpots here. That'll clear things up.

...It's all because, we are "demon's children."

Aargh... why...

She's such a kind child, and we've always been decent, law-abiding people... Why did this happen to us?

...At this point, there's nothing left but to turn to Dr Henrik Ethelred. It's the last thing we can do for her.

Mum, Dad, I'm sorry...

...It's all meaningless.

You bring these things to me every day, but what difference do they make?

Psyche, you should know what it means to be sent here.

Yes, I'm aware.

...But are we just living for some kind of "meaning"?

...Psyche...

...Can you hear me...

Talk to me, Psyche...

Is someone calling out my name...

Are they trying to tell me not to fall asleep like this...

You've witnessed your entire life. A cursed beginning, and a meaningless end.

It's all meaningless, how you've always appeased others with a fake smile. Are you really that selfless? No, you're just cowardly begging for their pity, and for them to remember you, as before you turned into a monster!

It's all meaningless, their fleeting pity and memories will soon wither and decay with time, leaving you rotting in the ground, utterly forgotten.

What are you thinking? What are you furious about? Ah, I see. You crave to vanquish me. You still harbor the naive thought that by eliminating me, your life will return to those amusingly peaceful and tranquil days.

Well, you're wrong. Deterioration is irreversible. Once I die, you'll vanish along with me!

Just embrace me, and yield to the primal urges of this flesh. Be a beast... none of this absurdity can hurt you anymore...

You "demon's child."

Just be a beast... you demon's child...

Right... My time...

Has already... come to an end.

It's you...

Stand up...

Stand up... Don't yield to this cold, unfeeling world!

I...

Psyche, don't lose hope.

It's you...

Stand up... Don't yield to this cold, unfeeling world!

Don't yield to this cold, unfeeling world!

I...

Are you insane? What do you think you are doing!? Kill me, and you will be gone too!

It's them! They are the ones who insult and hurt you! And you choose to destroy me!?

You should've followed the desire of this body to destroy and pulverize everything!

No, this is not right. 'Cause I remember...

Psyche, do you remember what your deepest wish has always been?

Yes, I remember now.

I've always wanted to leave this place and see the world.

To find a warm place where flowers always bloom.

I wish to make it there. I will make it there.

Psyche, I'm here to take you home.

I have one last wish...

I'm all ears.

Target missed. Unable to confirm the status of either target or hostage from this range.

Er, it broke.

Well, it is made from scrap, after all. I was surprised that it would work!

Back already? Shouldn't you be following Henrik?

Psyche, can you hear me?

Talk to me, Psyche...

You said it yourself, there's so much you want to do...

You'll leave Icelake for those unseen places...

...You'll go to a small island, where you can build a house by the sea...

...and grow white flowers around it...

...Talk about the snow in Icelake with your friends, while shading yourself with a wide-brimmed sunhat...

Talk to me, Psyche...

Let's get out of here.

Please find her... I'm begging you...

Psyche killed Henrik... Why... How did this happen...?

Psyche was so sweet, always smiling... And even though Mr Henrik didn't talk much, he cared for us like a father... They were such good people...

Mr Henrik must've been exhausted... Maybe this is somewhat a merciful release.

Snow, do you remember which way Psyche went?

Of course, I have a good memory! She ran towards the city gate!

...She left the city?

Alright, let's head out and catch up to her.

This wind is so strong! Whoa, I feel like it's going to blow me away...

Be careful, you two!

This is the quickest way. Let's cross the floating ice.

Watch your step, the water's quite deep here.

...Hang in there, Psyche. I'm coming.