Echocalypse: Scarlet Covenant story · Themed biography
Prosperity of Yesterday
The letter from Bartholomew guides people to the ruins of Myselburg, where a new castle has been built. What's the author trying to say, and what's with all the weirdness in the castle?
21 scenes, 436 lines
1. Lightfooted
30 linesA beam of light hit you, and you squinted instinctively.
Once you've adjusted to the sunlight and opened your eyes...
You watched the seed push through the soil and bloom, saw the fledgling flap its wings and turn into a dove soaring high, and witnessed the grand castle rise, brick by brick.
You hear a strange voice...
'The story begins when, a traveler from Bifrost...'
... What's there?
When doubt fills your heart, the scene before you sharpens.
A grand castle, seemingly out of a fairy tale, stands before you, as if the illusion you saw a moment ago has become reality.
Awakener, what's wrong? Are you okay?
I'm fine, I'm just a bit surprised.
Not long ago, Teslovik received a letter signed by Bartholomew, but the handwriting looked strikingly similar to your sister Lena's.
To uncover the link between the letter and your sister, you went to the address listed in it.
Ruins of Myselburg.
Are we really not in the wrong place?
Shouldn't be, it's just that this place doesn't quite look like a ruin.
Maybe someone has rebuilt it? But I don't get why they would renovate it completely...
Let's just ask the owner directly.
You and Sova traveled further and arrived at the castle's grand entrance. Even the doorbell was a work of art.
Your pressed the doorbell, and in that instant, you heard a faint whisper.
The voice gradually becomes clearer...
Greetings to the unfamiliar guests.
The door swung open, and a lady with great curves stepped out.
Hello.
I am the current owner of Myselburg Castle, Damonica. And you are?
We are travelers from Bifrost. Someone sent us a letter, but we couldn't understand anything in it except for this address.
Do you recognize this letter?
You pulled out the letter and showed it to Damonica.
I see, so you are here for the same reason.
Well then, my guests, please come in.
This letter, isn't something that can be explained in a few words.
2. Mystery Castle
27 linesYou don't seem surprised to see us...
Of course, you're not the first group to come knocking with a secret message from Bartholomew. I'm not sure how many others have received it.
And I did my best to accommodate those I could.
Did a lot of people receive this letter?
Sova glanced at you, her eyes filled with doubt, and you started to feel suspicious too.
The letter is confusing. If it weren't for the handwriting resembling your sister Lena's, you wouldn't have come here at all.
But no one else knows Lena. For what reason would they come here?
Tons of powerful people have visited.
A Cardinal of some diocese, a patriarch of some nobility - none to be trifled with, yet all unavoidable.
If Teslovik's technology can't crack the cipher, then the Augustine Empire likely can't either. So many people have come here for it...
Is there a connection between Myselburg and Bartholomew?
By asking this, it's obvious you don't know anything.
What do you mean?
The Church's sage gets their name from saints who've made important contributions over the years. Myselburg is where Bartholomew grew up.
In other words, it's the former residence of the saint.
The Calamity has destroyed many things, and even the home of the saints isn't safe from it. What you see now is the rebuilt castle of Myselburg.
In my opinion, there is no longer any connection between this place and the historical figure Bartholomew.
However, this castle doesn't seem to have been renovated or refurbished.
Indeed, it doesn't resemble the original, as this castle was demolished and rebuilt to reflect the old Myselburg castle. Every brick, tile, blade of grass, and tree has been restored to its original state.
That's what the architect told me, and I'm not sure whether it has been restored.
Are the mirrors seen everywhere in that castle also a restoration of history?
Mirror?
Under Sova's reminder, you noticed beautiful mirrors in every corner of the castle's interior, but their surfaces were pitch black and reflected nothing.
You curiously stared at the mirror for a few seconds, and the faint whispering emerged again.
No, that's just the architect's personal preference.
The elusive sound has disappeared.
You wanted to know more about the mirror, but Damonica seemed to have lost interest in explaining and didn't elaborate further.
3. Unfair
30 linesUnder Damonica's guidance, you entered the castle's living room, which was extraordinarily luxurious. A girl in pure white lounged on the sofa, quietly flipping through a fairy tale.
Cardinal Prinny, I had to go out to greet the new guests. Hope I didn't keep you waiting?
Just mind your own business.
No problem.
Guests of Bifrost, this is the Empire Cardinal I mentioned earlier, Cardinal Prinny.
Cardinal Prinny, these guests from Bifrost have also received the letter from Bartholomew. Perhaps they know some thing.
What do you mean?
Prinny closed the fairy tale in her hands, and you could vaguely see words running out from the cover.
Saint Bartholomew betrayed the Church and fled from the Augustine Empire.
What?
This letter is signed by Bartholomew and deliberately omits the holy word of the Church. This is the proof!
Hold on, we have nothing to do with Bartholomew and the absurdity...
I know.
... Do you know?
The parish under my jurisdiction is near the border of Bifrost, and I have seen you in reports from Siloam.
The captain of the Teslovik Nova Squad, Awakener.
Hmm...
Don't worry, the Siloam incident was caused by the missionary Kurain acting on her own. It has nothing to do with you.
On the contrary, you all stepped in to prevent the situation from worsening, for which I should be thanking you.
No need for that.
As a token of gratitude, let me share some intel about this place.
Ahem, go ahead.
Do not trust anyone in this castle, including me.
No one can perfectly restore a building from the past, and if someone claims they have done so, then something's wrong with the building.
Lady Cardinal, I can't unhear what you just said.
Damonica's tone grew a bit serious, as if Prinny had said something she shouldn't have. Prinny glanced at Damonica but chose to ignore her
Myselburg once flourished, but it should have...
Prinny's words began to blur, and soon you couldn't understand what she was saying.
Hold on, slow down!
BOOM...!!!
4. Malicious Guest
20 linesThe explosion sharpened your consciousness, and the blurred voices returned to normal.
...Someone's coming again.
Who's there?
Where is Bartholomew?
Dear, there's no Bartholomew here.
Mordred pointed her grand sword at Damonica, the tip nearly cutting her skin.
Who are you? What's your relationship with Bartholomew?
I am the master of this castle, the person who financed its construction.
Many have received letters from Bartholomew recently. I allow guests to investigate here, but the premise is that they can't act recklessly.
You? Financed the construction? Don't make me laugh.
I'm not here to play games. Tell me, where is Bartholomew?
Don't you dare tell me that this place was written in Bartholomew's letter. And as the owner of this castle, you have no connection with Bartholomew whatsoever.
It seems that the guest needs to calm down first.
When I discovered this place and invested in its reconstruction, I anticipated that someone would come to challenge me.
Fortunately, I've got the power to resist.
Now, my guest, have you calmed down?
You indeed have a problem.
Please be on your way, you won't get anything here.
5. Abnormal
15 linesCaptain, something's not right!
What's wrong? What's the problem?
Miss Damonica made her move and battled Mordred for several rounds, but there wasn't a trace left on the ground.
After Sova's analysis, you realized it too, it's odd that Mordred's giant blade left no marks on the ground.
Something's definitely wrong with this castle.
You recall the occasional whispers by your ear, the sounds that only emerged after you arrived at this castle and rang the doorbell.
To both of you, I apologize for any misconduct.
Is it okay for you to do this?
Are you referring to the guest just now? There are always guests who want to destroy this place. If I don't take action, they'll ruin the hard work I've put in?
The person just now was Mordred, she's from the Campbell family...
Are you okay?
Sova, help me here!
6. Persuade to Stay
15 linesIt's afternoon, and a few more guests knocked on the door. However, they all had bad tempers and were all driven away by Damonica.
Ahem, no need to be polite.
Oh? Both of you are here.
Lady Cardinal, is there anything you need?
It's afternoon, I'm about to leave.
I came here solely to arrest Bartholomew, you should be clear about this matter.
Since there has been no news from Bartholomew, it makes no difference where I am.
Although it may not be appropriate for me to say this, but since Bartholomew chose my place as the letter's address, she should do something, right?
Perhaps she only appears at night?
Myselburg has many bedrooms, you are free to choose one to rest.
Of course, the guests of Bifrost can do the same.
7. Guess
13 linesUnder the guidance of the servant, you and Sova have chosen your rooms for the night.
The room's decor is grand and exquisite, more like a noble's residence than a place for churchgoers.
Something's off with Damonica. She could be the Bartholomew mentioned in the letter.
What makes you think that?
The only valuable intel in the letter is about the ruins of Myselburg, and Damonica has rebuilt it. She now rules over the new Myselburg!
This is just one reason.
From the moment we met her, I noticed that she avoided answering any questions related to her identity, especially those concerning her relationship with Bartholomew.
This is the second reason.
Finally, and what I find most puzzling, is that the castle did not bear any traces of Mordred's attack... I suspect it has something to do with the Castle's mirrors.
Your analysis is accurate. Even if Damonica is not Bartholomew, she definitely knows something.
From the way she skillfully avoids questions, it's clear that, at the very least, she's telling us the truth.
But we still lack intel and need to investigate for more clues.
Yes?
8. Assassin
37 linesYou and Sova are inspecting around the castle, but you haven't found anything unusual.
The investigation continued until dusk, and you returned to your room where Sova was waiting for you.
Nothing new. Despite the fancy looks, this is just a normal castle.
I hid in the corner, messing with the carpet and tiles, which broke easily... No trace of the morning fight were found, and that's definitely the work of Damonica.
Do you have any valuable intel at all?
Turns out, even Prinny didn't know about this castle. She's a Cardinal, and this is supposed to be where the saints live.
It's no surprise that Prinny didn't know about the simple makeover of the saint's old residence. But completely tearing it down and rebuilding it like this must have taken a ton of manpower and resources.
Can you believe that the Church has no idea about such a big matter and the huge mobilization of manpower and resources?
Are you implying that this matter is related to the God Eaters?
Normally we should focus on the God Eaters, but before entering the country, I contacted Guinevere.
The God Eaters' perception of Myselburg aligns with ours, and considered this merely as a ruin.
They didn't even receive the letter from Bartholomew.
But in the Empire, apart from the Church and the God Eaters, what other forces could build such a castle without anyone knowing?
Have the nobles united?
No, the answer is our old friend, Rasparta.
Have you forgotten? We're here because Bartholomew's letter was purposely written to look like my sister Rayna's handwriting.
Whether it's the Church, the God Eaters, or the Nobles, they have no reason to get involved with Rayna.
I am absolutely certain that we have caught the tail of Rasparta.
That's absolutely...
*BANG
Out of nowhere, someone knocked on the door.
Who's there?
There is no response.
I'm going to open the door, Sova, be careful.
Yes?
*Squeak
A blonde girl in pajamas with a pale complexion stood in front of you. She didn't say a word and had a really cold expression.
You once saw this young girl in the Thousand Ruins Mountain of Eastrise, but you didn't expect to meet her here.
Were you the one from the Hot Spring Inn back then...?
KILL!
*Cough. What are you doing?!
You... are real?
Am I not? What are you saying?
I'm sorry, I thought... *Cough
You are injured!
You must have gotten hurt before you found me! We need to treat this right away.
9. Ambiguous
12 linesHang in there, I'm almost done.
*Sniff...
All taken care of. Are you feeling okay?
I'm fine... Just keep an eye on the people around you.
There are monsters in this castle that can change their appearance to look like other people.
Change their appearance?
I got attacked and followed the trail here. I thought you were that monster. Sorry about that!
I'm sorry, it's okay, but you mentioned changing into someone else's appearance...?
I totally agree; only through battle can we tell monsters from humans. That monster is as fragile as glass.
I understand, thank you for your reminder.
I have something else to attend to, see you next time.
See you next time.
10. Review
24 linesDo you know her?
We had a brief encounter at Eastrise.
We were interrupted by her just now, let's continue.
Continue what?
Sova's tone sounded a bit off. You looked at her, but she seemed just as you remembered.
Mituba said there's a monster in this castle that can transform into others.
The monster's transformation was completely identical to the original.
Just to make sure, did we agree to meet in my room tonight?
Perhaps we did. Have you've forgotten?
I really can't remember... What?!
When you realized that the 'Sova' before you was the monster mentioned by Mitsuha, she shattered into pieces.
You feel as if a part of your body has been sliced off.
You lower your head and see massive wound appears on your stomach. All you see is red.
When did this...
Your consciousness gradually fades...
In your fading vision, you see...
Bloody red tentacles wrapping around your legs as a gigantic eyeball emerges from the wound.
An unknown whisper enters your mind, growing louder and more disruptive.
IT'S COMING!
Your consciousness fades as hers takes over!
You close your eyes.
And the noise vanishes with your consciousness.
11. Investigation
10 linesThe issue with the castle mirror needs to be thoroughly investigated.
My guest, please keep your distance from this area.
I just want to look in the mirror.
My guest, please keep your distance from this area.
What if I must get closer?
What does it mean by these jerks, if they can't win, they take away the mirror!
There must be something wrong with the mirror in the castle!
There must be something wrong with the mirror in the castle!
12. Mystery Castle
Side story · 27 linesYou don't seem surprised to see us...
Of course, you're not the first group to come knocking with a secret message from Bartholomew. I'm not sure how many others have received it.
And I did my best to accommodate those I could.
Did a lot of people receive this letter?
Sova glanced at you, her eyes filled with doubt, and you started to feel suspicious too.
The letter is confusing. If it weren't for the handwriting resembling your sister Lena's, you wouldn't have come here at all.
But no one else knows Lena. For what reason would they come here?
Tons of powerful people have visited.
A Cardinal of some diocese, a patriarch of some nobility - none to be trifled with, yet all unavoidable.
If Teslovik's technology can't crack the cipher, then the Augustine Empire likely can't either. So many people have come here for it...
Is there a connection between Myselburg and Bartholomew?
By asking this, it's obvious you don't know anything.
What do you mean?
The Church's sage gets their name from saints who've made important contributions over the years. Myselburg is where Bartholomew grew up.
In other words, it's the former residence of the saint.
The Calamity has destroyed many things, and even the home of the saints isn't safe from it. What you see now is the rebuilt castle of Myselburg.
In my opinion, there is no longer any connection between this place and the historical figure Bartholomew.
However, this castle doesn't seem to have been renovated or refurbished.
Indeed, it doesn't resemble the original, as this castle was demolished and rebuilt to reflect the old Myselburg castle. Every brick, tile, blade of grass, and tree has been restored to its original state.
That's what the architect told me, and I'm not sure whether it has been restored.
Are the mirrors seen everywhere in that castle also a restoration of history?
Mirror?
Under Sova's reminder, you noticed beautiful mirrors in every corner of the castle's interior, but their surfaces were pitch black and reflected nothing.
You curiously stared at the mirror for a few seconds, and the faint whispering emerged again.
No, that's just the architect's personal preference.
The elusive sound has disappeared.
You wanted to know more about the mirror, but Damonica seemed to have lost interest in explaining and didn't elaborate further.
13. Unfair
Side story · 30 linesUnder Damonica's guidance, you entered the castle's living room, which was extraordinarily luxurious. A girl in pure white lounged on the sofa, quietly flipping through a fairy tale.
Cardinal Prinny, I had to go out to greet the new guests. Hope I didn't keep you waiting?
Just mind your own business.
No problem.
Guests of Bifrost, this is the Empire Cardinal I mentioned earlier, Cardinal Prinny.
Cardinal Prinny, these guests from Bifrost have also received the letter from Bartholomew. Perhaps they know some thing.
What do you mean?
Prinny closed the fairy tale in her hands, and you could vaguely see words running out from the cover.
Saint Bartholomew betrayed the Church and fled from the Augustine Empire.
What?
This letter is signed by Bartholomew and deliberately omits the holy word of the Church. This is the proof!
Hold on, we have nothing to do with Bartholomew and the absurdity...
I know.
... Do you know?
The parish under my jurisdiction is near the border of Bifrost, and I have seen you in reports from Siloam.
The captain of the Teslovik Nova Squad, Awakener.
Hmm...
Don't worry, the Siloam incident was caused by the missionary Kurain acting on her own. It has nothing to do with you.
On the contrary, you all stepped in to prevent the situation from worsening, for which I should be thanking you.
No need for that.
As a token of gratitude, let me share some intel about this place.
Ahem, go ahead.
Do not trust anyone in this castle, including me.
No one can perfectly restore a building from the past, and if someone claims they have done so, then something's wrong with the building.
Lady Cardinal, I can't unhear what you just said.
Damonica's tone grew a bit serious, as if Prinny had said something she shouldn't have. Prinny glanced at Damonica but chose to ignore her
Myselburg once flourished, but it should have...
Prinny's words began to blur, and soon you couldn't understand what she was saying.
Hold on, slow down!
BOOM...!!!
14. Malicious Guest
Side story · 20 linesThe explosion sharpened your consciousness, and the blurred voices returned to normal.
...Someone's coming again.
Who's there?
Where is Bartholomew?
Dear, there's no Bartholomew here.
Mordred pointed her grand sword at Damonica, the tip nearly cutting her skin.
Who are you? What's your relationship with Bartholomew?
I am the master of this castle, the person who financed its construction.
Many have received letters from Bartholomew recently. I allow guests to investigate here, but the premise is that they can't act recklessly.
You? Financed the construction? Don't make me laugh.
I'm not here to play games. Tell me, where is Bartholomew?
Don't you dare tell me that this place was written in Bartholomew's letter. And as the owner of this castle, you have no connection with Bartholomew whatsoever.
It seems that the guest needs to calm down first.
When I discovered this place and invested in its reconstruction, I anticipated that someone would come to challenge me.
Fortunately, I've got the power to resist.
Now, my guest, have you calmed down?
You indeed have a problem.
Please be on your way, you won't get anything here.
15. Abnormal
Side story · 15 linesCaptain, something's not right!
What's wrong? What's the problem?
Miss Damonica made her move and battled Mordred for several rounds, but there wasn't a trace left on the ground.
After Sova's analysis, you realized it too, it's odd that Mordred's giant blade left no marks on the ground.
Something's definitely wrong with this castle.
You recall the occasional whispers by your ear, the sounds that only emerged after you arrived at this castle and rang the doorbell.
To both of you, I apologize for any misconduct.
Is it okay for you to do this?
Are you referring to the guest just now? There are always guests who want to destroy this place. If I don't take action, they'll ruin the hard work I've put in?
The person just now was Mordred, she's from the Campbell family...
Are you okay?
Sova, help me here!
16. Persuade to Stay
Side story · 15 linesIt's afternoon, and a few more guests knocked on the door. However, they all had bad tempers and were all driven away by Damonica.
Ahem, no need to be polite.
Oh? Both of you are here.
Lady Cardinal, is there anything you need?
It's afternoon, I'm about to leave.
I came here solely to arrest Bartholomew, you should be clear about this matter.
Since there has been no news from Bartholomew, it makes no difference where I am.
Although it may not be appropriate for me to say this, but since Bartholomew chose my place as the letter's address, she should do something, right?
Perhaps she only appears at night?
Myselburg has many bedrooms, you are free to choose one to rest.
Of course, the guests of Bifrost can do the same.
17. Guess
Side story · 13 linesUnder the guidance of the servant, you and Sova have chosen your rooms for the night.
The room's decor is grand and exquisite, more like a noble's residence than a place for churchgoers.
Something's off with Damonica. She could be the Bartholomew mentioned in the letter.
What makes you think that?
The only valuable intel in the letter is about the ruins of Myselburg, and Damonica has rebuilt it. She now rules over the new Myselburg!
This is just one reason.
From the moment we met her, I noticed that she avoided answering any questions related to her identity, especially those concerning her relationship with Bartholomew.
This is the second reason.
Finally, and what I find most puzzling, is that the castle did not bear any traces of Mordred's attack... I suspect it has something to do with the Castle's mirrors.
Your analysis is accurate. Even if Damonica is not Bartholomew, she definitely knows something.
From the way she skillfully avoids questions, it's clear that, at the very least, she's telling us the truth.
But we still lack intel and need to investigate for more clues.
Yes?
18. Assassin
Side story · 37 linesYou and Sova are inspecting around the castle, but you haven't found anything unusual.
The investigation continued until dusk, and you returned to your room where Sova was waiting for you.
Nothing new. Despite the fancy looks, this is just a normal castle.
I hid in the corner, messing with the carpet and tiles, which broke easily... No trace of the morning fight were found, and that's definitely the work of Damonica.
Do you have any valuable intel at all?
Turns out, even Prinny didn't know about this castle. She's a Cardinal, and this is supposed to be where the saints live.
It's no surprise that Prinny didn't know about the simple makeover of the saint's old residence. But completely tearing it down and rebuilding it like this must have taken a ton of manpower and resources.
Can you believe that the Church has no idea about such a big matter and the huge mobilization of manpower and resources?
Are you implying that this matter is related to the God Eaters?
Normally we should focus on the God Eaters, but before entering the country, I contacted Guinevere.
The God Eaters' perception of Myselburg aligns with ours, and considered this merely as a ruin.
They didn't even receive the letter from Bartholomew.
But in the Empire, apart from the Church and the God Eaters, what other forces could build such a castle without anyone knowing?
Have the nobles united?
No, the answer is our old friend, Rasparta.
Have you forgotten? We're here because Bartholomew's letter was purposely written to look like my sister Rayna's handwriting.
Whether it's the Church, the God Eaters, or the Nobles, they have no reason to get involved with Rayna.
I am absolutely certain that we have caught the tail of Rasparta.
That's absolutely...
*BANG
Out of nowhere, someone knocked on the door.
Who's there?
There is no response.
I'm going to open the door, Sova, be careful.
Yes?
*Squeak
A blonde girl in pajamas with a pale complexion stood in front of you. She didn't say a word and had a really cold expression.
You once saw this young girl in the Thousand Ruins Mountain of Eastrise, but you didn't expect to meet her here.
Were you the one from the Hot Spring Inn back then...?
KILL!
*Cough. What are you doing?!
You... are real?
Am I not? What are you saying?
I'm sorry, I thought... *Cough
You are injured!
You must have gotten hurt before you found me! We need to treat this right away.
19. Ambiguous
Side story · 12 linesHang in there, I'm almost done.
*Sniff...
All taken care of. Are you feeling okay?
I'm fine... Just keep an eye on the people around you.
There are monsters in this castle that can change their appearance to look like other people.
Change their appearance?
I got attacked and followed the trail here. I thought you were that monster. Sorry about that!
I'm sorry, it's okay, but you mentioned changing into someone else's appearance...?
I totally agree; only through battle can we tell monsters from humans. That monster is as fragile as glass.
I understand, thank you for your reminder.
I have something else to attend to, see you next time.
See you next time.
20. Review
Side story · 24 linesDo you know her?
We had a brief encounter at Eastrise.
We were interrupted by her just now, let's continue.
Continue what?
Sova's tone sounded a bit off. You looked at her, but she seemed just as you remembered.
Mituba said there's a monster in this castle that can transform into others.
The monster's transformation was completely identical to the original.
Just to make sure, did we agree to meet in my room tonight?
Perhaps we did. Have you've forgotten?
I really can't remember... What?!
When you realized that the 'Sova' before you was the monster mentioned by Mitsuha, she shattered into pieces.
You feel as if a part of your body has been sliced off.
You lower your head and see massive wound appears on your stomach. All you see is red.
When did this...
Your consciousness gradually fades...
In your fading vision, you see...
Bloody red tentacles wrapping around your legs as a gigantic eyeball emerges from the wound.
An unknown whisper enters your mind, growing louder and more disruptive.
IT'S COMING!
Your consciousness fades as hers takes over!
You close your eyes.
And the noise vanishes with your consciousness.
21. Investigation
Side story · 10 linesThe issue with the castle mirror needs to be thoroughly investigated.
My guest, please keep your distance from this area.
I just want to look in the mirror.
My guest, please keep your distance from this area.
What if I must get closer?
What does it mean by these jerks, if they can't win, they take away the mirror!
There must be something wrong with the mirror in the castle!
There must be something wrong with the mirror in the castle!