Ah...
Why are cave raider maps so vague, anyway?
They say it's to prevent unauthorized cave raiding.
Details of locations are spread by word of mouth, but in my case...
You got your info from ozen and lyza's envelope.
It'll be alright, nanachi. Let's trust in riko and keep going!
Fine with me. Gotta respect the view of our team leader.
We're here.
This's the garden of the flowers of fortitude.
These are all eternal fortunes...
Don't go up to the top of the hill. You'll get hit with the strains.
Okay!
It's the same place... I saw back then.
Reg, what's wrong?
I'm coming now.
Nanachi!
I heard it, too.
There's several of 'em.
Riko!
At the foot of the hill... cave raiders!
Several of them have collapsed!
We have to save-uh...
Can I go see what's going on?
Don't get caught.
And also, what I say is...
Absolute!
Alright! Go ahead.
Riko, if you see anything strange, tell me.
Okay!
I'll watch over the force field.
Oh?
The consciousnesses are in total disarray... they confused or something?
Huh?
What's up?
The thing that person's carrying...
Is that...?
Reg, stop!
Why... why is he here?
What's wrong, nanachi?
He's a member of the umbra hands...
The personal cave-raider squad of the sovereign of dawn, bondrewd!
Bondrewd...
Isn't that your and mitty's bitter enemy?!
At your feet!
In front, on your right!
Was that screaming a moment ago your doing?!
Say something!
Quiet. You'll wake them.
Indeed, I did cause it.
Incidentally, this area has been designated off-limits for over sixty surface-time days now.
What?
So you entered without knowing, then.
Well, that's understandable.
Is this...?
It really is the Blaze reap!
Don't drop it again.
How did...?
I reiterate, this area is off-limits.
Tell the furry one and your other friend, too.
How do-
reg! Don't say any more than you have to!
That bastard! We've been under surveillance?!
How long have we been watched?!
Nanachi, are you alright?
I'll try to find out what he's up to.
Hey! Wait, that's...!
Leave it to me.
Nanachi, any enemy of yours is an enemy of mine!
Hey! We'll decide what we're gonna do after I see what it is you're doing!
Follow me.
This is... an insect.
It looks just like a leaf.
Huh?
This is...
Riko?
What are you-
found it!
Nanachi, this here!
"Be careful in the flower fields of the sixth layer.
If you spot one of these guys among the leaves, you've found their nest.
They disguise themselves as flowers of fortitude...
And attack and implant their larvae inside organisms that come near them."
Who?
They were discovered just recently.
The larvae enter the head...
And create the perfect living meal for themselves.
Innumerable primeval creatures have been turned into living food sources, as well.
So, that's why it's off-limits...
They've already created a massive nest within that hill,
and the insect's predatory adult form is spread throughout the flower garden,
sleeping and waiting for the signal.
"Signal"?
Who?
Hey, it went in his mouth!
They feed themselves to their victims so as to make the living food sources last longer.
I've already collected a specimen from one of their abdomens.
It was then that he let out a scream- er... a reflexive utterance.
That must've been what you heard.
These creatures, which are called "amaranthine-deceptors,"
came from the sixth layer and essentially should not be here.
The sheer number of them have proven to be unmanageable.
So, your boss... what is he doing?!
The person you speak of isn't currently present.
The method for straddling layers is prone to difficulties.
Who?
That's the signal.
We must hurry.
What are you talking about?!
Burning agents have been dispersed in key areas around the region.
Wh-what are you doing?!
Aren't there still cave raiders in there?!
The adult insects are entering their active period.
So either way, there's no saving them.
That can't be!
Then I'll... I can...
Reg!
You can do what, exactly?
Don't say stupid stuff!
I can't protect riko on my own! Get back here!
Nothing. I can't do anything, either.
Return to your friends.
The sovereign of dawn is eagerly awaiting the arrival of you all.
As for what a decent person would do...
Or my pride as a cave raider...
I have no need for such concerns.
Don't lose sight of what you must protect!
Don't lose sight of it!
Damn it!
They're going for any orifice they can!
Ouch!
We even got outta their territory damn persistent things.
Reg's here!
Are you two okay?
Hey, you're drenched in bug juice, you know.
Besides the insects... The inferno is consuming all the air, too.
Let's hurry and get out of here.
Nanachi... sorry.
Things went south before I could figure out how we're being watched...
Don't worry about it.
No way you could've seen this coming.
This is terrible...
The field of flowers... That mom loved is...
The sovereign of dawn is eagerly awaiting the arrival of you all.
That bastard...
Besides me, these two are also in his sights.
As for what lies at the end of this journey, they still do not know.
As for what lies on the path ahead, they still do not know.
Right now, there is but one thing they do know.
That, in the depths of this chasm, someone is waiting.
No matter who that may be, they must push forward.
For unless they pass through the darkest darkness, the dawn shall not come.
Dawn of the deep soul
The depths' fifth layer the sea of corpses
I came from the lowest part of the depths' fifth layer.
They call the place "ldo front."
It's bondrewd's miniature garden,
the final point from which a person can return and still remain human.
The only entrance to the sixth layer,
which is used by white whistles for their last dives, is also inside it.
But, I don't think bondrewd will just let you guys pass through.
We can't avoid an encounter with him.
So keep your guard up.
I had a feeling you'd swell up where you got bitten!
Hey, I told you I'm fine, didn't I?
What's that?
A water support probably collapsed.
Seems a path has formed. Proceed with caution!
Hey, it's not gonna crumble from under us, right?
Don't be afraid...
You might call it frost, but they're crystalized water supports.
A little jumping around... won't hurt 'em.
That said... I don't sense any living creatures at all.
Is there not any life around here?
Let's see...
Ah, hamashiramas!
Hamashirama
is that thing edible?
Yeah, it says that it's not poisonous.
Salt made by drying seaweed
rub the meat well
rub the meat well seems like there's twice as much slime as flesh...
Seems like there's twice as much slime as flesh...
If you overdo it, it'll get tough.
It says it tastes best raw.
Honestly, this'll take some courage.
Don't make that sound!
It's sweet!
Riko sashimi
the flavor really hits the spot!
You can't judge based on looks alone, huh?!
Yep!
Look, riko. What a wonderful sight that is.
Hey, nanachi.
Wanna make the other one into a stew?
For real?!
Hey, riko, can you teach me how to make it?
Sure! Let's cook it together!
You were quite enthusiastic about being taught, huh?
I'm the industrious type, ya see.
I'm not satisfied with being on the same level as you.
And you know, mitty...
All she ate while in the abyss was tasteless food bars.
So, that's why...
I've gotta become able to cook tasty food.
If I'm able to see mitty again...
I might get to feed her some.
I feel bad that we weren't able to eat this kinda delicious stuff together.
Nanachi!
You're such a good person!
Well... don't take advantage of the situation to rub me!
Get off me!
Jeez... that was just my heart talking.
I don't actually expect I'll get to see her again.
Don't say stuff like that!
He's right!
It's too early to give up!
I mean, this is the abyss, after all!
I bet we'll find a way to see mitty again...
Figure out the reason the curse of the abyss exists...
And come to understand the secrets of the hollows and the relics!
The answers are waiting at the bottom of the netherworld!
The netherworld's bottom...
Considering we don't even know what it's like, you sure are confident, huh?
Of course!
After all, that's where reg comes from!
I'm sure it's a wonderful place!
Come on, you two! Let's go!
Aw, darn it.
This is the adventure to the bottom of this world that I've always wanted.
Darn...
This is actually really fun...
Darn it.
Lower region of the depths' fifth layer I do front
That building is slowly rotating around!
How's it do that?!
Nanachi, you alright?
Yeah, I was just watching the force field is all.
Look! There's a part that doesn't revolve, see?
Unless you use a boat, that's the only entrance.
We'll be in clear view...
Well, we have no choice but to stay alert and keep going.
By the way, that place makes use of the ruins of what was a ritual site thousands of years ago.
You see that tower in the middle?
That's the device for taking one's last dive into the sixth layer.
Wow, so that's it.
A ritual site is a place where people pray, right?
I wonder if the ancient people also saw everything below this point as special...
No way...
Aren't they all about the same size as me?
Oh, stop it. You need to be confident!
So, what should we do now?
We're not sure how much they know.
Don't speak carelessly.
Provoke them into doing the talking.
Information is power.
No matter what they say, don't get scared. And don't miss anything.
Roger.
That someone you know?
Nope...
Are you papa's guests?
Pretty small, aren't you?
Papa"?
Let's go.
But you did do well to make it here considering you're just kids.
Hey!
So how'd you come down here? Tell me!
We used crystalized water supports to-
you're kidding, right?!
You crossed over the crystalized water supports?!
"Information is power!"
You must be joking!
I mean, you never know when one of those things'll collapse!
I can tell if you're lying, you know. I've seen them before.
So, how'd you really get here?!
You gonna say something or what?
Are you angry 'cause I said you're lying?
Hey, don't give me the silent treatment.
Hey! Do you wanna touch my hat?
Why's she being so casual?
You two, help me out here!
P-please talk... I feel hurt...
Names! Yes, our names!
I'm prushka! And you all are?
R-reg.
I'm riko!
And this one here?
You're so fluffy and cute, aren't you?
Are those ears real?
Can you talk?
Oh, papal!
Papal!
Hello there, everyone... How nice of you to come.
Nanachi...
I'm glad to see you're well.
That hat suits you very nicely.
Oh, that's right, the other day that child's flesh lamp went out.
Congratulations, nanachi.
Finally been set free, eh?
Hey.
It was you, wasn't it?
You did that to those two, didn't you?!
Bondrewd...
Right now, I don't feel like getting into it.
We just wanna keep on going. Will ya let us pass through?
Certainly, I don't mind in the least.
However, the altar used for taking one's last dive is activated by a white whistle.
I presume you're aware, but a white whistle can only be used by its original owner.
This was made out of a relic called "your worth," the life-reverberating stone.
Even for a parent and child, the correct timbre won't be produced if the life-insignias differ.
Riko, is that true?
That's what habo said... and ozen, too.
Unlike other whistles, that one can only be used by its original owner.
That white whistle's a key.
You guys won't be able to do anything with it, though.
L... thought if I just went, it'd all work out somehow.
We've been through a lot, but I thought we, of all people, could go.
Hey, papa. Is that girl also a white whistle's kid?
That's correct, prushka. Can you try to get along with her?
Yep!
There, there. You are truly a good child, aren't you?
I have prepared a room for you all.
Why don't you have a little rest and think things over?
Prushka, you'll show them the way, won't you?
Yep!
Come on! I cleaned it myself, you know!
Let's go, riko.
Yeah.
The toilet's in there.
You'll die if you fall in, so be careful, okay?
You can't go up those stairs 'cause you'll get hit with the strains of ascending.
This is your room.
This spinny thing turns to the left.
Come on in!
These are type 4 energy rations!
These are those same food bars...
They're made for cave raiders who go deeper than the fourth layer - it's a perfectly nutritious meal.
Is it alright if I eat some?
Of course!
I don't want any.
This tastes like a wall...
Hey. You're riko, right?
Mm-hmm!
What does "riko" mean?
The meaning of my name?
I wonder...
Guess I don't know.
You know, my name "prushka" means "the flower of dawn"!
Papa named me that!
Have you ever seen a dawn?
Prushka, have you perhaps never been up to the surface?
No, I haven't.
I was born here.
Oh, but... I do know what a dawn is, though!
It's, uh...
When the light comes on!
So, you haven't seen the sea, then?
While he conducted those experiments with total indifference... so, you haven't seen the sea, then?
While he conducted those experiments with total indifference... no, but... it's water, right?
He already had a daughter? No, but... it's water, right?
What's he trying to accomplish by having her get close to us? There's lots of it here, too!
What's he trying to accomplish by having her get close to us?
But, the sea's really big, you know?
But that's all it is, right? So the one down here's more amazing.
Then, what about the second layer's inverted forest?
The trees grow upside down, and the waterfalls flow upward!
Really?!
I told you guys information is power, and yet... even in the fifth layer I've never seen anything like that.
I told you guys information is power, and yet...
You know, I was at this place called belchero orphanage, and...
Oh, well... you know, I was at this place called belchero orphanage, and...
You know, I was at this place called belchero orphanage, and...
Unlike outside, it's safe in here.
Have a good rest!
Thanks.
Good night.
Good night, prushka.
I'm gonna... get some sleep.
Good night.
There's no telling what's going to happen.
Guess I'll stay prepared to take action if needed as I rest.
Hey, that pattern of yours...
Yeah.
It appears every time I put my helmet on.
Think it's some kind of writing?
Huh? Compared to before, it seems like it's...
Diminishing, doesn't it?
That looks like the same pattern...
This is a relic that produces air...
But every time you use it, the pattern diminishes a little.
I've seen this on lots of different relics.
The pattern indicates the number of uses left until something's unusable - no exceptions.
B-but, even though it's diminished some, I've been fine, haven't 1?!
Probably means the amount of energy you use to move is insignificant.
Only one thing I can think of... The "incinerator," your cremation Cannon.
After all, in a sense it's powerful enough to rewrite the rules of the netherworld.
Judging from the pattern, you have about three uses left.
You can't be firing the incinerator.
But...
I told you, right? I can't protect riko.
The moment you return to being a hunk of scrap iron is the moment this adventure ends.
In that case, will I be able to take him on if it comes to that?
We'll think of something.
Some way...
Isn't there some way to let these guys continue onward?
Sure enough, you are...
You are miracles brought forth by the prodigy of the abyss.
How very happy I am that you have returned to me.
Bondrewd...
I have something to discuss.
As do I.
Let us take our time and talk things over.
Pee...
Huh?
Where is everyone?
Oh, right... that must be it.
I'm sure the two of them went to the bathroom together.
Where... does this lead down to?
Reg!
Nanachi!
Reg!
Where did they go?
Besides, the door we came in from is closed and won't open.
The only place left is...
You can't go up those stairs 'cause you'll get hit with the strains of ascending.
Bondrewd in particular is an out-and-out scoundrel.
You better be careful.
I have a bad feeling about this...
It's alright...
Take it slow.
If it gets dangerous, squat down right away.
Hasn't hit me yet...
It's scary...
But, the thought of finding something out after it's too late and regretting it is...
Even scarier.
What?!
It... doesn't hurt...
Huh?
What's going on?
That's right... I've gotta squat down.
But, uh...
Which way's the ground?
I can't hear my voice.
I can't touch myself.
What's happening... to the shape of my body?
Is my face supposed to be farther back?
"Back"... where is that again?
Where is... where again?
Riko...
Riko!
What a relief!
Prushka...
Ah, ouch!
Your sense of pain's returning, huh?
Show me your face.
Whoa, you hurt yourself really bad.
All of a sudden, sharp things were pressed up against me.
You fell face first, you know.
Huh?!
The fifth layer's curse takes away your sense of touch and balance.
Say "aah."
Your molars got messed up...
Once you're no longer experiencing the right amount of sensation,
doing something like gritting your teeth can chip 'em really easily.
The cracked ones are baby teeth.
You're in luck! You'll have new ones come in.
That should do it.
Thanks.
Prushka, where were you anyway?
I was in my room.
Your screaming woke me up, you know.
But, all the doors were locked...
Oh, come on, even I lock my room, you know.
I mean, I'm at that age, so I've got my reasons.
You know, the truth is...
How'd it go?
You're right, it sure is strange.
They're all locked... first time this has happened.
And so... this is the only way left.
Reg... nanachi...
Alright! Let's go together.
Huh?! But...
It'll be okay.
Meinya, wake up!
Huh?!
This is meinya. Papa gave me meinya on my tenth birthday.
Come on, meinya, say hi to riko.
There! You go first!
Will meinya be okay?
Meinya's eyes and legs sense different things than we do.
You know...
They say that the only senses the fifth layer's curse can take away are those possessed by humans.
Whoa...
Just leave it to me. There's a trick to this.
I mean, even I have lots of secret adventures papa doesn't know about.
Hey, prushka.
In your eyes, what kind of person is your dad?
My papa's the best!
He's always thinking of me!
I never imagined you had a daughter.
Our blood relationship is weak, but she is my daughter.
Is she not adorable?
So she's not directly descended from you?
I mean, it's not like you could start a family, could you?
Nanachi, is what they call "family" restricted merely to those related by blood?
I do not believe that to be so.
Families are built by strangers who cross paths and come together.
Having souls that love each other is what makes people family.
Blood just helps in that regard.
Love. It's a matter of love, nanachi.
"Love," you say?!
You've got some nerve to spew such grand concepts from that narrow little opening!
Your verbal abuses are also unique and adorable, aren't they?
That's it, take a deep whiff.
Riko, you're new at this so just keep your eyes closed and concentrate.
Even if you lose all your senses,
you can see the "waves" meinya is putting out in front of us, right?
Yep, I can see them!
Take your time and head for those.
Slowly... go forward slowly.
Just like that, riko.
Nanachi, at long last the research is entering its final stage.
Please, come back and join me again.
There are so many things I would like you to see.
Hey, bondrewd...
I... I, uh...
Alright, I'll come work with you.
That is positively delightful to hear!
Nanachi, you really are special, you know.
I have some conditions.
What might they be?
Can you please not hurt them?
And help them get down to the sixth layer...
Whoops.
It seems I have done something regrettable.
That "boy-type" is a truly unprecedented specimen, you see.
Already, he is...
It wakes.
What?
Its meridians are also similar. What?
Its meridians are also similar.
Very similar.
Sleep. What are they saying?
Its vitals, too. What are they saying?
Its vitals, too.
I-I can't move?!
I can't speak either?!
Want to see inside.
Want to see.
No good. Metal is not strong enough.
The light...
Let's use the light.
Damn it!
What is this?! What are they doing?!
Removed.
M-my arm is...
Urine is also similar.
What's the composition?
Unknown.
Sufficient volume of fluid has been collected from the opening.
Sufficient.
It is even reproducing the sensation of exceeding pain.
The reason is unknown.
Unknown.
Want to see the abdomen next.
Want to see.
Would also like a leg.
Reg!
Ah, damn it! Why'd it turn out like this?!
The blessed.
Blessed.
Stop it!
Don't touch me!
What are you doing?!
Stop that, all of you!
I told you, didn't 1?! These kids are papa's guests!
Reg! Nanachi!
Huh?!
Riko, let's hurry and get outta-
reg...
Reg.
Reg!
Riko...
Reg!
How terrible!
Hey now, you guys! What's the meaning of this?!
I-I'm gonna tell papa on you!
That is a dangerous relic.
If we hadn't induced it into lowering its guard, we couldn't have captured it.
Wait, was this on papa's orders?
But, there's no way papa would do something so awful...
You must not come in here. Did the sovereign not tell you as much?
Now, this way, please...
This way, please...
Now, this way, please...
Riko?
Reg! Req!
Nanachi, reg is...!
He passed out, huh?
Riko, we're gonna take refuge outside for now.
They were planning to do this from the very start.
But, reg's arm is still inside...
We'll definitely get it back. Definitely.
Sure you're okay with that?
I'll tell papa about the boat later.
Sorry about... what they did to your friend.
Prushka...
You... don't know what they'll do to you if you go back.
They were acting strange today, but papa understands me.
I'll ask him to return reg's arm.
I'm really sorry.
I know I don't have any right to say this, but when reg gets all fixed up...
I mean, if everything turns out okay, then...
Oh, it's nothing.
Sorry to keep you. Please go.
Riko!
I want to go on adventures with you!
Papa...
Papal!
Listen, riko and them are-
prushka. Listen, riko and them are-
prushka.
You will soon be a full-fledged lady.
So please confirm the situation with your own eyes and ears.
This umbra hand is one who can be trusted...
And he will protect you while you're outside.
I can't take this anymore.
We can't let that bastard, who brought suffering upon mitty and now reg, keep getting his way!
He's definitely gonna come after us.
I don't know if we can swing it, though.
Reg...
Reg is...
Riko.
There, there... you held up well.
Riko... nanachi...
Reg!
I smell netherworld stew... The burnt parts of it.
Huh? What are ya talking about?
"Smell"?
This is the fifth layer's sandstone region.
Perhaps...
Nanachi, please don't sulk like that.
I heard from prushka.
He's a very important doll to you, isn't he?
I can't return him to his original condition, but I'll repair him in a most adorable fashion.
Now then, let us all head back together.
That's not gonna happen. I won't let you go back.
That's the sovereign of annihilation's...
It's dangerous here, nanachi. Evacuate immediately.
You know... you shouldn't just stare into holes.
You oughta look down at your feet a bit more!
In the sandstone region of the sea of corpses on the fifth layer...
There's a distinct odor near their nests.
Those who have not made any vomit smoke signals before coming here will probably die.
Seven-tailed ferocious arachnids...
The ultimate predators of the fifth layer.
A colony of stingerheads.
Reg, nanachi!
Riko, you alright?!
Yeah!
Are you both okay?!
I'm used to the fifth layer's strains, after all.
If you adjust to the eye of the force field, you won't lose consciousness.
Reg, how's your wound?
It hardly hurts anymore.
What's wrong?
I feel pain... in my missing fingers...
Must be what they call "phantom pain."
Anyhow, we've gotta get that arm back.
That's just one reason we can't afford to sit here.
Okay, you two, time to get ready for our next operation!
Wait, nanachi...
They're all already...
That guy's... a monster.
What? What did he just do?!
"Sparagmos"... the essence-returning light.
It's his weapon that cut off your arm and scorched off mitty's eye.
What's the matter? Why are you hiding in such a place?
Please show your faces.
Damn it!
He can read the flow of consciousnesses, too?!
Probably not.
He's using some kind of trick on me!
I fear that he's peeking in on my sense of sight.
Papa...
Riko... what should I do?
Good gracious.
Since we were right on top of a nest, I tried to call out to you without provoking them.
But to think you were fully aware of what you were doing...
Marvelous. Marvelous.
So you already knew then, huh?
Let's see if you can...
Play it cool this time!
P-papa...
A glowstone bomb.
Coming at me prepared to explode it on top of yourself - you truly are a boy.
I'm just getting started!
I'm surprised.
You aimed at a gap in my armor, didn't you?
Hm?! Why, this is...
They're amaranthine-deceptor larvae.
There's nothing good in your head, anyway... so just let 'em devour it.
How marvelous!
He didn't know anything about our conversations.
His peeking only let him know the things I saw.
We'll show off items we've prepared, and then bombard him using totally different methods!
Right now, he doesn't have any cartridges. We won't get a chance like this again.
"Cartridges"?
Equipment to ward off the curse of the abyss.
Before reinforcements come, we'll settle this with a short, decisive battle!
Such wondrous destructive power...
Good gracious, I'm envious.
I'm... not done yet!
We don't know how many sparagmoses there are.
Our only option is to make sure he can't fire it.
If he were to release enough heat underwater to burn everything up,
the water would vaporize and there'd be a huge explosion.
Ah, I see. You've surprised me.
Did you think of this yourselves?
Marvelous... marvelous!
Now, reg!
Just below the water is the sixth layer.
So, you should be able to give him a taste of it.
How dare you do that to mitty... And nanachi!
If you like experiments so much, then get a good taste of what one feels like!
Mar... velous...
Mar... vel...
Mar...
Mar... belous...
I'll let you live to take one last breath.
You blow that whistle...
And we'll go beyond here...
Beyond here...
Dammit... why?
I'm sorry, reg.
I forced this horrible job on you.
Papa...
Prushka...
Papa...
Papa, answer me.
Papa...
Please, papa...
Cruel...
How cruel!
Damn it.
So what about it?! So what?!
Papa... papa...
This hurts so much!
Please... don't leave me.
Papal!
I'm your papa, prushka.
Papa! Papa!
What a relief!
I won't be going anywhere.
As long as I have your love, I am immortal.
Don't mess with me!
What the hell are you?!
Now that you mention it, I haven't yet introduced myself, have 1?
I am bondrewd... a cave raider of the abyss.
People call me "the sovereign of dawn."
You all are truly marvelous.
You brought about a trial that we had been lacking and have guided prushka toward completion.
Trials make love grow stronger.
Isn't that right, nanachi?
Wait!
Ah, so heroic and adorable.
I very much want you two, as well.
Riko!
Those are shakers that carry the strains of the third layer.
Please don't be alarmed. Your viscera will merely churn a bit.
You bastard. What's going on?
Why are there two of you?!
"Two"?
The umbra hands are all myself, you see.
Now, nanachi, let us return together.
Why... why me?
The abyss does not just Grant "curses."
There's an effect I was unable to see because the strains were too great.
As a matter of convenience...
I call this the "blessing."
It is due to your deep spiritual connection with mitty...
Your love and adoration, as it were - that your body received only the "blessing of the abyss."
You are the only successful instance of this.
Love. It is love, nanachi.
You low-life scum!
Whoa there... you'll wake up prushka.
My apologies, but please allow me to take my leave.
Feel free to come anytime.
You are always welcome.
Yes, please dispose of all that is marked in crimson.
Dispose.
Papa...
I want to see the dawn.
Yes. Let us view the dawn together.
Together is best...
Together...
On an adventure...
Yes. We shall be together forevermore.
Keep it up! Almost there, riko!
Riko, you'd be... "The sovereign of children"!
How about something a bit cooler?
Then... "The sovereign of large foreheads and glasses"!
Huh?!
Hey, riko, what do you wanna do once you're a white whistle?
Well, I thought I'd become a white whistle because I want to go see my mother.
But, you know... I wonder if that's all there is to it.
Even though I now understand the one waiting there might not be my mother, I'm all the more excited.
Who really wrote this letter?
Why does the curse of the abyss exist in the first place?
Who made reg... and why?
I mean, even his penis gets bigger, you know?
What's a "penis"?
Huh?
It usually looks kind of like this...
But when reg sees boobs or touches nanachi, it...
Oh, you mean a "papa pole"!
Well, anyway...
My desire to see my mom somehow feels like it's become a reason I give people...
And I feel like now I just want a white whistle so I can descend to the sixth layer.
But, there is one thing that doesn't change.
I want to keep on having adventures with those two forever and ever!
But don't tell either of them, okay?
After all, it'll sound like I don't have any goal in mind.
You're amazing, riko.
Huh?!
Riko, I think it's not so much that you wanna go see your mom...
But more that you wanna be like your mom and go on adventures with her.
Your true feelings have long won out over your stated reasons!
Ah, that's it... meeting her won't be the end.
Right! In fact, it's just the beginning!
Thanks, prushka!
Looks like you're feeling better.
Yep. I wanna hurry and see those two and talk with them!
Hey, riko...
That kid reg is more amazing than even papa's special-grade relics, right?
I bet you're gonna be the first white whistle armed with an aubade.
Keep going, riko... slowly, take your time... and don't look back.
No matter how dark the darkness of the netherworld gets, you'll be fine.
You're very bright, after all.
A "flower of dawn" wilts and falls in the afternoon, but you must push forward.
You know, riko, I've always wanted a friend like you.
Riko, I want to go on adventures with you.
No, prushka.
No. No!
Don't go!
Prushkal
riko! Prushkal!
Riko!
You can't be moving around!
You've suffered internal injuries.
What do I do now...?
Nanachi is also brooding...
What the hell was that monster?
Once he transferred to that body, I couldn't begin to keep up with his movements.
Not yet...
Riko?
We can't give up yet.
In the catalog of relics, there must be something...
Hey, what's with her?
Riko has the catalog of relics practically memorized.
If his relics are listed, we might find some kind of hint about how to defeat him.
Take a look. His discarded remains...
All the parts of the head are still there.
Only the mask was taken.
So he didn't swap heads?
"Zoaholic"!
What?!
"Zoaholic," the soul-slave machine.
It's a relic that transplants your consciousness into someone else and makes more of yourself!
But when you mix in or increase your consciousness, the people you're using end up going insane.
It's a special-grade relic that 15 years ago even the catalog started treating as lost.
White whistles are supposed to only have up to grade-1 relics,
but then I remembered what prushka said.
So that's the true nature of that mask?
No...
The zoaholic is about the size of a large room and shaped kinda like a butt.
So maybe that's not it...
You remember what the umbra hand from the garden of the flowers of fortitude said?
The person you speak of isn't currently present.
The method for straddling layers is prone to difficulties.
So, could that mean he can transfer his consciousness even without the mask,
but he'll go insane if he straddles the force field too much?
Perhaps the mask is just a symbol... of "the sovereign of dawn," bondrewd the novel.
It would also serve to impress on prushka that "this is your father."
Anyway, that... "Zoaholic," was it?
That thing's super fishy...
It's the kinda thing that bastard would undoubtedly love.
That's our nanachi! You're the brains of the team!
I-I could be wrong, you know.
Still, it's worth looking into!
Yeah!
Yeah... I suppose you're right.
If I give up before you guys do, I won't be able to show my face to mitty again.
Alright!
If we can destroy that huge thing, that should really shake him up.
Let's do this, you two!
I'm not about to let things end like this.
We will take back our adventure!
Reg's energy source is electricity, you know!
When he woke up in orth, it was electricity that we revived him with.
But, you know, that might've been what caused reg to lose his memory.
If he forgets who we are...
Riko, the incinerator will be indispensable if we're gonna take him on.
The ten minutes before I pass out after I fire the first shot...
Everything depends on how many shots I can hammer him with.
And don't you worry. I won't forget about you.
Reg!
Listen here.
I do front gets its electricity from a whirlpool.
The amount of power is nothing compared to the city's, but we can count on him recovering...
Or so I'd like to believe.
Reg, you alone will sneak into the place that houses the power source.
Riko and I will buy you some time.
The whirlpool's located in the interior of I do front,
so you don't have to worry about getting sucked in, but...
Sun sphere!
Now, come this way. This way.
How many of these bastards are there?
What am I supposed to do?
Hey, nanachi...
Hm?
The sovereign of dawn's white whistle... How was he able to use it?
Only the original owner's supposed to be able to.
Reg did it?
Where... is here?
What happened?
Who are you?
Where to?
Well, even peeking in on my vision won't do much when it's this dark.
Nanachi, reg's not responding.
What was that?!
It's reg!
Since the comm device isn't working, he's shaking things to send us a signal!
You're one hell of an optimist.
Anyway, let's hurry to where prushka is!
That thing was with prushka.
Huh?
Meinya!
You came!
You smell like prushka.
Meinya!
Hey!
Meinya!
Riko?!
I think meinya wants us to follow!
What are you talk-
That is... the right way.
What could it be?
What is this place?
It's the processing area.
"Processing"?
Of people, I mean.
The ones who are chosen are those who won't be missed:
Kids from slums or those given up to reduce the number of mouths to feed.
The stuff inside their heads and on downward to part of their spines...
Plus enough guts to live for a few days until their expiration date...
That's all they leave of them.
Everything else gets scraped off while they're still alive.
Any sensory organ that might hamper the curse gets chopped off.
The small thing that's left after the thorough scrapping is wrapped in flesh and skin again...
And stuffed into this container as a substitute for the bones.
Drugs are used to manipulate their ecstasy and fear,
and they continue to suffer as fleshy curse-repellent until they die.
They're what came out of the experiments mitty and I suffered through.
That's the truth behind what he calls "cartridges."
Nanachi...
I was truly terrified of him.
I gave in to my fear... and helped him make these.
The hands of the kids who giddily kept telling me how cute I was just the day before...
Their eyes, which were filled with admiration for the abyss...
Their chins, as they groaned in pain...
We carefully removed those parts and discarded them.
Pretending not to see anything!
With these hands... so many people!
So many!
Damn it... what the hell did I do?!
Huh, bondrewd?!
Marvelous.
Even under such extreme conditions,
I see your sensitivity and ability to absorb information did not diminish in the least.
You are truly worthy of receiving the "blessing."
Now, nanachi, something far more enjoyable awaits you.
Please come back and assist me.
Why are you always like that, you insane bastard?
You're gonna cram prushka into one of those just so you can attain
that "blessing" or whatever, aren't you?
Please! Let prushka go!
Please put your mind at ease. Prushka is sleeping at the moment.
I will indeed release her.
Leaving that aside,
I was fully under the impression you had come to create the raw materials for "your worth"...
"Your worth"?
"The life-reverberating stone"...
If I recall, that's what white whistles are carved out of.
You mentioned the unmovable sovereign, so I assumed she had taught you a little about that,
but I suppose she is also ill-natured.
The raw material for your worth is a human being.
You're kidding, right?
This base was the ruins of a former ritual site.
You see, to challenge the sixth layer and beyond, from which one can never return,
is to surrender oneself to the netherworlid.
This was a place where the preparations... And the ritual for that were carried out.
Not just anyone makes for a suitable offering, however.
Without a firm resolve to sacrifice everything for the intended user,
the life-insignia won't be compatible.
The timbre of the instrument that is created also has the power
to draw out the "true purpose" that's hidden within relics.
Doesn't sound so bad, does it?
I get it now...
You used yourself as the offering for your whistle, didn't you?
Well, well, you have keen insight.
And also the experiments that led to the cartridges...
You came upon those ideas while fiddling with how to produce your worth, didn't you?
You may be much more like us than I first imagined.
I can understand having great ambitions, but I can't even begin to forgive you.
If you're capable of making an offering of yourself,
then you should do that to make your damn cartridges!
This is the original me from back when I was human.
We who came thereafter, though possessing a mind, have been judged as not being living things...
And thus can't be utilized as such.
Most regrettable, isn't it?
Still...
Even so, doing that to prushka is just-
for just buying time, this's been far too shocking, but he's here now.
Huh?
Reg?! You-
my, my...
My, my, my, my.
That commotion I had been wondering about was you?
I see you've gotten all slippery while I wasn't looking.
Be careful! He's fully equipped with cartridges!
Well, well... I see you're in fine spirits.
What...?
Reg... what the hell happened to him?!
He sure is fired up.
Meinya?!
Nanachi, take care of things here!
Huh?!
Prushkal! I'll be there soon!
You're a peculiar one, aren't you?
To think you've sucked even the reserve electricity dry...
Or rather than electricity, dare I say it's power itself that you've taken in.
I'd very much like to see the true ability of an aubade.
Gangway!
He deflected it!
Sparagmos!
Ah. How marvelous.
I really regret having removed one of your arms.
I'd very much like to have... That body of yours.
Reg... what's happened to you?
More than losing your memory, you've turned into something totally different!
Whoa there.
But... but, you know...
You're an even match for bondrewd!
While I'd love to watch you run wild a bit longer,
it would be problematic if you destroyed any more of the facilities.
Far caress!
Close.
Reg!
Dammit!
The cartridges are spewing out consciousnesses and I can't read what he's gonna do next!
Nanachi!
What in the world have you been doin'?!
I found it!
The zoaholic!
I still haven't found prushka, though.
And also, right by it...
For real?!
Listen, riko, don't show it to me under any circumstances!
If worst comes to worst...
Nanachi?
The incinerator?
The force field's calmed down?
No!
It's all tensed up since the presumed scale of destruction's so huge!
That's... the light of the essential part?!
He's gonna blow the whole base?!
Riko, run!
In the opposite direction from where we are!
You mustn't, nanachi!
You stupid or something?!
Don't you forget what you treasure!
Stop!
What the...?
Nanachi!
Wh-what did 1...?
Good grief, that was some show you put on.
Nanachi!
Riko, you okay?!
I'm alright!
I see. Come back here.
She said she's fine. What in the world happened to you?
I remember up to the point I bathed myself in electricity...
It felt like a whole bunch of "someones" were inside me.
One of them took control of my body...
Thank you, nanachi!
I snapped out of it thanks to you.
Well, I guess my words reached you, huh?
No, uh... your fluffiness...
Good grief...
Here! Stuff this in your ear!
A comm device?
I stuck one on your helmet, but you completely lost that thing.
Anyway, what happened to that bastard?
I'm not sure...
Maybe he got engulfed in all that?
Wha-?!
Accompany me. This way, please.
R-reg!
Damn it. Where am 1?
Is that where I fell from?
Wh-what are these guys?!
Shakko.
Etan.
Sumiko.
Puel.
You see, they all have names, reg.
N-not even a scratch?!
Well now, isn't it that you've chosen to have things this way?
What are you talking about?
Oh? So it wasn't deliberate, then.
Even so, I'm not happy about you destroying the ground beneath our feet.
That light of yours is a little too dangerous.
Come now.
Here, we can test out both your light and my masterpieces...
To our hearts' content.
Please show me more and yield more.
These hollows... also used to be...
Whoa there.
Now, this is most surprising.
You're more agile now than when you were all slippery.
I'm surprised, too.
"Someone" made me remember...
How to use this body...
And that I have to stop him or our adventure will end here.
It has begun.
Reg. Reg!
Nanachi!
You've already fired the incinerator.
I'll keep this short and tell you the final game plan.
I see... so it's make or break then, huh?
My, my, right after I'd requested a change of scenery...
How cold of you.
That bastard's holding off the curse with those cartridges.
But they won't last forever.
Concentrate on evading him and make him use them up.
Don't think that you must strike him down.
So long as the zoaholic isn't destroyed, he's immortal.
The current bon can move about freely.
The incinerator needs a long prep time and it's unlikely it would hit him.
Make it back somehow before your time limit's up.
My, my...
Recima is finished.
She was one of my kind-hearted masterpieces.
She dreamed of becoming a Princess, you know.
Isn't that cute?
The water bastion collapsed! Watch out!
Reg! Req!
So this must be the "blessing."
Takiri. Toreithea. Nopero.
It was truly a marvelous adventure, was it not?
Prushka...
What are... you saying?
Is that...?
But, prushka...
P-prushka...
Cried over you because she cares about you!
My... my, my, my.
What a strange thing for you to say considering your desire to kill me.
Come now.
Preparations for stepping into the next two-thousand years are complete.
Let us witness the dawn together.
To hell with your dawn.
As if there could be any reason to turn your beloved daughter into one of those things...
How could you?!
Let's do this, nanachi!
Got it! On with the plan!
Riko! Can you hear me?!
Riko! Please respond!
Riko?!
P-prushka...
Prushka...
It hurts...
It hurts!
How is it going, gueira?
This one's provin' difficult, boss.
The curse affected her too deeply and even her sense of self got stripped away.
Look, do ya know who ya are?
Whoa!
Though the daughter of an umbra hand, she's a survivor of the carrier failure...
Way things stand, makin' use of her would be overly cruel.
Wouldn't it be better to just kill 'er off?
A prayer cannot be born from one who knows only of joy.
O child of suffering who curses life itself, there is something only you can accomplish.
Your name shall be "prushka." The meaning of the word is "flower of dawn."
I'm papa. I am your papa.
Prushka.
Come on, prushka!
Time for your medicine.
Come 'ere.
How's she doing, gueira?
She's been like this the whole time.
Prushka, I've brought you a friend today.
Meinastilim... it's called a "child of change."
Mei...
Meinya...
My, my, have you taken a liking to it?
You mustn't put it in your mouth, now.
Oh, she came out.
Meinya...
Prushka, I see you've found something that you like.
From this moment forward, your world will begin to change.
From now on, you will grow as person with each and every step you take.
Today is the day of your birth.
This is the start of your adventure.
Is that tasty?
You can eat it, you know?
I see. Whatta waste...
I mean, there's so much tasty stuff in the abyss.
"Tasty"... can be eaten?
That's right.
I wonder what "tasty" is...
Think it tastes like you, meinya?
Pee-ew!
Meinya!
Wait, meinya!
You can't go there!
Alright!
The nails on both hands... her upper left arm... and all her baby teeth were broken.
Her spinal cord didn't end up gettin' crushed...
But as to whether her psyche can be brought back...
It will be fine.
Prushka's psyche sprang forth from a far deeper place.
I am sure it will return soon.
Let us watch over her with care.
My hair is all twirly now, huh?
Why were you totally fine, meinya?
I've gotta investigate!
Pretty amazing, huh?!
When I take a sniff of meinya's scent,
I can see fuzzy stuff in places I can't usually make out anything!
You never learn, do you?
The boss okay with this? Just letting you run wild, I mean.
It's fine! Keep this a secret from papa, okay?!
Good grief...
Meinya! Use those eyes that see everything and watch!
Watch my adventures!
Some special and important visitors are coming now.
They're people who are going to help me.
Prushka, I would like you to keep them company.
Oh, that's right.
One of them is the daughter of a white whistle just like you.
You need not fret.
I'm sure you'll become friends in no time at all.
Oh, come on, papa!
I mean, you already have me!
Hey, meinya, those people came here all the way from that place called the surface, right?
I wonder what seeing an actual dawn would be like...
Well, I'm surely better at cleaning than them!
The trees grow upside down, and even the waterfalls flow upward!
Really?!
Even in the fifth layer I've never seen anything like that!
You know, I was at this place called belchero orphanage, and...
I listened... you know, I was at this place called belchero orphanage, and...
You know, I was at this place called belchero orphanage, and...
I learned... you know, I was at this place called belchero orphanage, and...
Of scenery I'd never heard of.
Creatures I'd never heard of.
Precious friends.
Fun.
Fun!
Faces I'd never made!
Words I'd never used!
And more...
More...
More... together...
My arms...
My legs...
My... what is that anyway...?
It hurts.
The pain keeps getting worse...
Papa's pain...
His feelings...
Are flooding into me.
My pain is turning into papa's strength.
Papa...
Papa, I'm here with you.
Now, no matter how hard things get,
no matter how dark the night is,
we can overcome it together.
Seems these claws can Pierce through your thin spots.
Although your body is excessively durable,
it's most helpful that even your weak points are fashioned after a human's.
You said that... even my pain... Is an imitation.
Indeed. You are truly well made.
Even your insides are warm.
If this pain is just an imitation,
I can still move!
I'll show you... that this will of mine is far from fake!
So, papa...
Just one thing... can I ask just one thing of you?
Reg, riko! Now!
L... you know, I...
Want you to make peace with riko and her friends.
It's not good to fight.
After all, we're gonna go on adventures together.
On adventures together!
Reg! Req!
Dammit!
Don't die on me!
Nanachi...
Don't try to speak!
I'll fix you no matter what it takes.
N-nanachi, your hand...
I've... calmed down a bit.
Sorry... I've reached my limit.
Take care... of riko.
You have surprised me.
To think you got the severed arm to operate...
You exerted all of your strength, used your wits, and each of you took action most brilliantly...
It was truly moving.
Enough of your blabbering.
From the looks of it, no one's coming out to protect that body,
which must mean you no longer have umbra hands capable of fighting us.
So now we're free to destroy the remaining facilities, including the zoaholic.
There are so many of you now, we wouldn't be able to kill you even if we tried.
But, your aspirations end here.
Serves you right!
Oh, heavens no.
Your prayers...
Your ardent desire to choose your own paths and push forward...
They surpassed even my own.
Although it is most regrettable that this body has been destroyed,
crossing paths and having the chance to clash with you was an unparalleled joy.
That you will all continue on beyond here... is my new aspiration.
It's useless saying anything to you, huh? Damn you.
How unbelievably pathetic...
I've long dreamed of the day we'd kill each other in battle, and yet...
Ah, I am glad... that things did not turn out that way - truly.
Nanachi, come now, raise your head.
May...
May your journey overflow with curses and blessings...
Shut up already.
Aah... you truly are adorable.
It's ironic...
If I didn't fall for your honeyed words, then I...
Looks like you woke up. That's a relief.
Nanachi...
I took a peek, and your insides weren't injured.
Judging from how you're looking, you'll be fine.
Did we do it?
Yeah.
There are still some umbra hands left, but they no longer have the power to get in our way.
More importantly...
I don't want this!
Riko...
Reg!
Your tummy!
As you can see, I'm alright.
That aside...
P-prushka, you know...
She's so warm, but...
Look! Even though she has a pulse...
Huh? Her pulse is...
Does facing upward hurt?!
Huh?!
No!
Prushka's spilling out!
Why? All this...
Hm? What's that?
Prushka... is that you?
Seriously? Is that...?
That's the sense I get.
I wonder why...
It's strange.
What? Hey, what's wrong?
M-my belly's hot... what is this?!
A "life-reverberating stone." For real?
But, unless it is desired by the subject who got packed, something like this would...
For somebody to be able care about another person even while having the curse forced on them...
And it was such a short period of time, too.
Prushka...
Riko...
Can I see that?
Look. Leaving it exposed is, uh... Probably not good.
N-nanachi...
You're probably feeling conflicted,
but I'm certain that this being entrusted to you is prushka's will.
You're the only one who can use it.
Though it doesn't look too pretty...
That's your white whistle.
Nanachi!
About ten shots left, huh?
That reminds me, I haven't eaten anything...
Pretty sure you ate your fill.
The power at the base is still out, you know.
Are both of you ready?
Crying, eating... you're a busy one, aren't you?
Hey, nanachi...
That bastard...
I should've shattered that mask.
You okay with everything?
We've come to an understanding of sorts.
Besides, I'm gonna respect our team leader's will.
Come on, hurry!
Our adventure is about to begin!
To those who offer up their bodies and challenge the chasm for which even darkness is no match...
It is said that the abyss shall Grant all.
Life and death, curses and blessings, all of it...
Prushka, let's go together.
At the end of their journey, what will they come to choose?
That can only be decided by the challengers.
It's finally time for our last dive.
Yeah, at long last.
It's the beginning of our final journey from which we can never return.
Let's do this!
Yeah!
No matter how dark the darkness of the netherworld gets, you'll be fine.
You're very bright, after all.
Riko, push forward!