BlazBlue Alternative Dark War Nightmare Fiction Event English Translation (Part 8: At the Edge)
IT’S FINALLY OVER! -cue game over music-
PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: I realize this isn’t getting as much (actually not much of any) traffic as opposed to the reddit posts, but I’d like to extend this request over here as well. I’d definitely like to continue working on translations for this game but am unsure whether I should jump right into the most current event (the Dark Mai one) or start on actual story content next. So my question is: what do you guys want to see more? Reply to this post or shoot me an ask or whatever it is tumblr does these days.
Crossposted from reddit just for a little more exposure.
This is part 8, or the ninth story quest in the event.
- The default name of Rei is used for the player character and was selected as male at the beginning of the game.
- I’m still on the fence on if I should be using honorifics or not. Your opinion on the matter would be greatly appreciated.
Clickhere to be taken to a pastebin with the translated dialogue or look under the read more to read it here.
Section 8 – “At the Edge” (TL: Read as “kazuaru hazama-nite”)
Kazuma This is…
Ciel It’s very similar to the room we found hidden beneath Ishana.
Raabe So… this is the “innermost part.”
Hazama Oh? What’s with you guys all of a sudden? You’ve all got this shocked look on your faces. Have you guys been here before?
>We’ve been somewhere like this before. Hazama Really? Normally I’d ask to hear more about what sort of place that was but… Hazama We’re not exactly in the best place to be taking our time, wouldn’t you agree?
>Never seen it before in my life. Hazama Hey now, don’t just leave me in the dark like that. Hazama You’ll just make me even more curious if you keep it a secret, y’know. Hazama But… now isn’t really the best time to get into that, is it?
Fuzzy Raabe’s right though. This is the innermost part you guys have been so keen on getting to.
Fuzzy You brought those six keys here so you could activate the elements… and finally escape.
Raabe What happens next then?
Fuzzy You’ll just have to find out for yourself, right? You will, won’t you? Really though, even I don’t have any idea what’s supposed to happen next. Ahahaha.
Raabe We don’t have much of a choice either way, it would seem.
Kazuma As soon as we activate the elements, all of the mana we’ve collected will activate with them and accumulate around us.
Kazuma Much more mana than we’re used to will gather together in one place.
Hazama Will that be problematic for us?
Kazuma There’s no reason why it should be. This is probably the perfect place for it actually…
Fuzzy If you’re gonna go ahead and start it up, I’d let Kazuma do it. Since he’s a magician he should be used to working with mana and the elements already.
Ciel Kazuma-san, would you be willing to activate the elements for us?
Kazuma I, uh, yeah, I can do that. That shouldn’t be too difficult.
Kazuma Let’s see here…
Hazama You’ve looked like you’ve had something on your mind for a while now.
Hazama I agree that Kazuma-san’s the best suited out of all of us to carry this out but… don’t push yourself if you don’t think you can handle it.
Hazama If we really have to we can always looks for another way to activate them…
Kazuma ……
Kazuma …No.
Kazuma I can do it.
Raabe Hey, hold on…
Hazama Are you sure?
Kazuma Yes. Please, allow me.
[a green magic circle appears, surrounded by the six elements]
Hazama Oh my… I can already feel how the air around us has changed. Looks like you managed to pull it off without a hitch after all.
Ciel Is this… activated mana? But this feeling, where have I…
Raabe It can’t be. This is…! Hey, Kazuma! Stop whatever it is that you’re doing!
Kazuma ……
Raabe Are you even listening!? Earth to Kazuma!!
Kazuma …Ah… it’s just like I thought. I was wondering… if that’s what it was…
>What’s wrong, Kazuma-san? >Who are you talking to?
Kazuma Who…
[a dark green shadow with veins and one glowing eye starts to materialize]
Hazama Uuh, guh, ghh….
Ciel Hazama-san? Is something wrong?
Hazama Please be careful… Something’s… coming…!
[the shadow becomes fully visible]
Raabe Wh… What’s going on?
Fuzzy Hmm, I wonder what it could be～? What do you think?
Fuzzy What about you, Rei? What do your “eyes” see? You can see it, can’t you?
Raabe Don’t look. …I guess that’s impossible, huh. Try not to focus as much as you can. This… isn’t a collection of mana.
Ciel Raabe-san, Rei-san! We’ve got a problem.
Ciel I’ve confirmed the appearance of the cauldron.
Ciel But… there’s nothing around here that looks like it could be the cauldron. And if there’s a cauldron here, then who is the Observer…?
Raabe They’re both right in front of us.
Ciel Eh? Wh-What do you mean?
Raabe The cauldron came into existence across this entire world the moment this guy appeared. In other words, that shadow… it’s the Observer.
Raabe It’s also the cauldron. There’s no other explanation for this sort of reaction. This much condensed seithr… this is the cauldron.
Hazama What’s that now? Seithr?
Hazama You mean what Kazuma-san’s magic is activating right now isn’t…
Raabe It’s not the elements or mana, no. It’s seithr!
??? Ahh～ god, you losers took fore～ver to show up.
Ciel !?
??? Shit though, you guys sure have been through a lot, huh? But thanks to you I can talk as much as I want again.
>The shadow spoke! ??? Kyahahahaha, just a shadow, eh… Well, I guess that’ll have to do for now.
>Who are you? ??? What, you wanna know my name? You really wanna know who I am? Sure, I’ll humor you…
Kazuma …Yuuki Terumi…
Spirit Terumi Oops, looks like you beat me to it. But yeah, the kid’s right. Don’t go forgetting it, numbskulls.
Spirit Terumi Yuuki Terumi. That’s the name, folks.
Hazama You were lurking inside of me.
Hazama Earlier when we were fighting Saya-san, she said she had sensed something within me… I wasn’t entirely sure what she meant at the time.
Hazama I had no idea that it would turn out to be something like this.
Spirit Terumi Hyahahahaha! Damn, I didn’t realize you were so out of the loop, Hazama-chan.
Ciel So you’re familiar with Hazama-san as well.
Spirit Terumi Oh yeah, best of buddies, thickest of thieves, call it what you like but we’re rea～l intimate. In fact, I know all you guys.
Spirit Terumi You’re the morons who’ve been running all over the city doing my dirty work for me. Hyahahahahahaha!
Kazuma So you were… using us? Does that mean that Fuzzy-san was also…?
Fuzzy Can’t say I know about any of this. I’m only here to fulfill my role. Really I’m just a pawn here.
Fuzzy You guys are all just pawns too. But even the pawns are necessary in the end, right? It’s not really a game if all the pieces aren’t in order, after all.
Spirit Terumi The trap over here gets it. And now since you’ve been such good little slaves so far, how’s about you do me one last teensy-weensy favor…
Spirit Terumi And die for me, will you? Hyahahahahaha!
Raabe I see now. We’ve been playing right into his hands this entire time.
Raabe When Kazuma started the activation sequence, he wasn’t channeling the mana or the elements. He wound up summoning this guy instead.
Ciel No way… Then does that mean the whole story about escaping from the city was a lie?
Spirit Terumi Come on, even if I’m not that cruel. I’ll still let you guys out.
Spirit Terumi All aboard the Terumi express! Now serving a one-way trip straight into the Boundary! Just make sure to keep your arms and legs inside the vehicle, or you might lose them!
Hazama Are you always this egotistical?
Hazama Things may have gone your way up until now, but we’re not going to just stand here and let you do whatever you want.
Hazama …It was wrong of me to bring you all this way when I sensed something was amiss, no matter how small it may have been.
Hazama Looks like I got you all mixed up in something undesirable after all… I’m really sorry, Rei-san.
Hazama But I don’t think I’ll be able to handle this one by myself. I’m afraid I must ask for your assistance one last time.
>Let’s all get out of here together. Hazama Thank you. I’m… truly glad to have met you.
>Let’s kick his ass and get the hell out of here! Spirit Terumi Ooh, someone’s a little touchy. That sort of enthusiasm is contagious, y’know.
Ciel Assuming combat position. All eyes on target. Ready when you are!
Raabe His form is still unstable. It’s hard to say if his existence has fully taken root yet or not.
Raabe The reaction he’s giving off is definitely strong but… he might not be able to use the full extent of his power the way he is now.
Raabe We need to strike before all of the seithr has finished gathering in one place. Let’s get this over with quickly.
Fuzzy Go, go! You can do it!
Hazama Are you ready for this, Kazuma-san?
Kazuma Ah, uh… Right.
Spirit Terumi Oh? You wouldn’t really team up against little ol’ me, would you? Heheheheh.
Hazama Well then. Let’s go, Terumi-san.
Spirit Terumi Guh, shit…! My power… no, none of this shit. None of it’s good enough!
Kazuma ……
Fuzzy Whoa. You guys really creamed him.
Hazama …I think that shadow inside of me… Terumi-san detached himself completely from me during the course of that fight.
Hazama It’s the strangest feeling. It’s unsettling but also like a… weight’s been lifted, in a sense.
Spirit Terumi Ha, haha… Hyahahaha…! Damn, that really could’ve gone better.
Spirit Terumi I guess you win this one. I really lost to some lame spin-off side characters. Ain’t that right?
Kazuma Yes. I… think that’s what happened.
Spirit Terumi Heh, hahahaah! Yeah, them’s the breaks, huh. Tch, what a pain in the ass.
Spirit Terumi Man, this sucks… you’re really blue-balling me here. Taking on a bunch of pussies like you should’ve been a joke.
Spirit Terumi Sure screwed myself on that one.
Kazuma …Please send us back.
Kazuma As long as you do that… I don’t think we’ll have to hurt you anymore.
Spirit Terumi Ha! Hurt me? You really think you can hurt me? Hyahaha, you don’t have a lot going on underneath that pretty face, do you, kid?
Spirit Terumi Don’t make me laugh.
Ciel Are you going to continue resisting?
Spirit Terumi Oooh, close but no cigar! This isn’t what you’d call resistance…
Spirit Terumi This is an escape!
[static]
Kazuma …Ah. H-Huh?
Ciel This is…
>It’s Ishana! Kazuma Yes, this is Ishana. It’s the same place we were before we found ourselves in that strange city…
>Are we back? Ciel …It would appear so. This is where we were standing before we were taken to that strange city.
Ciel But what does this mean? It’s safe to say that we took out the Observer but we weren’t able to destroy the Cauldron…
Ciel Regardless… we managed to escape the Phantom Field.
Raabe I still need to look into everything further so this is just a hypothesis for now, but…
Raabe I don’t think that city was an undiscovered Phantom Field.
Raabe It’s foundation was built on Ishana who had already lost its Observer.
Raabe Using the power of Observation, that shadow calling itself Terumi must have found its way in and overwrote things when it took over.
Kazuma So it was… re-Observed?
Raabe That’s exactly what it was.
Raabe In other words, we weren’t so much moved somewhere else as it was our surroundings themselves were changing before our eyes… That’s probably what happened.
Hazama Well, it was certainly an experience I could have lived without and I’m still not overly sure how any of it was possible but…
Hazama Everything worked out in the end, right?
Hazama We all made it out safe and sound. Let’s be thankful for that, shall we?
Hazama Ahh～, truly all’s well that ends well.
Ciel Hazama-san. And Fuzzy-san, too. The two of you came back to Ishana as well I see.
Fuzzy Bzzt, wrong answer. Really, did you hear a thing Raabe just said? None of us actually came back anywhere.
Fuzzy We were all just sort of displaced.
Ciel Ah, so we were. So then would Fuzzy-san and Hazama-san be considered foreign entities in this situation?
Raabe There’s no way to know for sure what the Phantom Field has classified them as but… that’s probably the case.
Raabe Neither of them are involved with Ishana.
Hazama Hmm～, while this place does look incredibly delightful, I’m afraid this isn’t where I belong.
Fuzzy Me either. I’m not getting any good vibes from the ambience around here. I don’t think I’d fit in very well.
Raabe …Once a Phantom Field has been liberated of its Observer, any foreign materials left behind should gradually start to return to where they were originally from.
Raabe Here soon your existential information should be sent back to your own worlds.
Fuzzy I guess we’re stuck hanging around here until that happens, huh～.
Fuzzy Well, not like it matters. I’ve never been here before so there’s no harm in exploring a bit. Don’t you think?
[Fuzzy leaves]
Hazama And there he goes. I suppose it’s best to just let him have his fun while he can.
Hazama But more importantly… Rei-san, Ciel-san, Kazuma-san, Raabe-san.
Hazama Thank you all so much for your help.
Hazama When I was still wandering around all by myself, I was at a loss as to what I was supposed to do…
Hazama But as soon as I joined up with you guys, everything just sort of naturally clicked into place.
Hazama A lot happened back there, but I want you to know that from the bottom of my heart I’m grateful we were able to escape from that bizarre city.
Raabe …Is that all you have to say? I can’t say I’m very convinced.
Raabe It still feels like you’ve been manipulating us this entire time.
Hazama Don’t be ridiculous! It must’ve been fate that I ran into you when I did. I don’t know what I would’ve done without you.
Hazama I’d even go so far as to say that you saved me.
Hazama I’m honestly in your debt. If you ever need an extra hand for something, I’ll be sure to do everything in my power to help you out.
Hazama Then again… I can’t guarantee that the me you’ll encounter then will be the same as I am now.
Hazama Let’s do this the right way this time. My name is Hazama. It’s a pleasure to meet you.
Hazama Rei-san.
>Pleased to meet you.
Hazama Yes. I wish you all the best.
Ciel ……
Raabe …We still need to head back and check the data to see if this was indeed the abnormality the System was detecting.
Raabe We’ve overstayed our welcome. Let’s return to base.
Kazuma …I guess this is goodbye then.
Kazuma Hadn’t you said earlier that you couldn’t stay for long?
Ciel That’s correct. We’re still only outsiders in this world.
Kazuma ……
Kazuma …I’m really glad I was able to see you again. Getting to spend more time together… it was really fun.
Kazuma I feel like I know myself a little better now.
Kazuma Thank you so much.
Ciel There’s no need to thank us. We were merely here for our mission.
Kazuma You’re as blunt as always, Ciel-san…
Kazuma …I think I have my own perplexing “mission” in front of me… nevermind. Hang in there for me, will you?
Kazuma I’m rooting for you.
>Thank you. >Good luck, Kazuma-san.
[static]
Kagami Rei! Ciel! Thank god you guys made it back in one piece～!
Ciel Oh. You startled me. What’s the matter, Kagami-san? You seem out of sorts.
Kagami Well, what did you expect!? Almost as soon as you two got in you just fell off the grid!
Kagami I wasn’t able to pinpoint where either of were for a long time…
Kagami Your signals only reappeared inside Ishana’s Phantom Field a little while ago, y’know!
Kagami So what happened? Nevermind, it’ll be faster to get the answers from Raabe’s internal data.
Kagami Either way, I’ll get an investigation started. First you guys need to go get a medical check.
Kagami And watch yourselves this time, got it!?
Ciel Y-Yes, ma’am.
Kagami I can’t let you out of my sight for even a second. Geez…
[Kagami leaves]
Ciel It would seem we’ve caused quite the stir in our absence.
Ciel Let’s head to the medical room. I’ll go with you, Rei-san.
Hazama So this is supposed to be the famous Ishana, huh? Now that I’ve finally gotten a good look at it, it truly is nothing more than a ghost town.
Hazama …Well then. I wonder where I should be heading next? With the help of those suckers, I was able to remove the chain that was inside me.
Hazama I should be able to go just about anywhere now.
Hazama At any rate, Terumi-san is right back where he should be. Although I can’t say I’m overly thrilled that he left me to do all the grunt work by myself.
Hazama …I would have been in quite the bind if it weren’t for that boy, though. Heheh.
Hazama But still, what a successful endeavor that turned out to be!
Hazama For me, for Terumi-san… Even for him.
Hazama “End Gazer”… The One Who Sees the End. I can’t wait to see how this will play out.
Kazuma ……
Kazuma Ishana… All these years here, and I still haven’t learned a thing.
Kazuma But… I feel like I finally know why I’m here… Just a little…
- The default name of Rei is used for the player character and was selected as male at the beginning of the game.
- I’m still on the fence on if I should be using honorifics or not. Your opinion on the matter would be greatly appreciated.
Clickhere to be taken to a pastebin with the translated dialogue or look under the read more to read it here.
Section 7 – “Approaching Darkness”
Fuzzy Good job! You guys got the light element with no problem at all.
Fuzzy Only one more element left to go. Where’s the next one? You guys wanna know, right? You do, right?
Fuzzy …Oh? What’s up with the atmosphere around here? What is it?
Kazuma It’s certainly great that we got the element but… that’s beside the point right now.
Kazuma Hazama-san! Just what the hell are you trying to pull!?
Hazama …I beg your pardon? That is… what is it that you’re asking me, exactly?
Kazuma Please stop with the games.
Kazuma Ever since we came here, again and again every single person we’ve encountered has wanted your head on a pike!
Kazuma Are you trying to get us caught up in your problems?
Kazuma You’ve known something this whole time and have just been keeping it a secret. …Am I wrong?
Hazama You’ve got it all wrong, I’m not trying to get you guys wrapped up in anything. I’m not sure how I’d be able to accomplish that in the first place.
Hazama I want to get out of here just as much as you do.
Hazama And like I’ve told you before, I don’t know much about myself to begin with.
Hazama I haven’t known any of these people. Even if they’re going to blame me for something I don’t have any memory of… I still can’t give you any answers.
Raabe We heard you the first six times.
Raabe Still, there’s no mistaking the fact that everyone we’ve come across has known who you are.
Hazama I just want to get out of this situation.
Hazama …You feel the same way, don’t you, Kazuma-san?
Kazuma I mean, that’s true, but…
Hazama Right? You want to get out as well.
Hazama I understand where you’re coming from.
Kazuma What…?
Hazama Right now you’re trapped within your current “self.” You’ve always wanted to escape from it, haven’t you?
Kazuma …Are you referring to how I can’t remember anything? But then, if this is related…
Hazama There’s nothing, is there?
Hazama It’s a big deal, after all. I’d love to know your answer. Do you really want your memories back?
Kazuma What sort of memories are you talking about?
Hazama I suppose that would depend on what you would consider a memory.
Hazama Is it your parents’ names? Is it where you were born? Is it remembering days long past? Or maybe it’s just your own personal history?
Hazama Are those the things that you want?
Hazama What is it that you’re really looking for? What do you truly desire?
Kazuma W-What are you… saying…
Kazuma Th… That isn’t what we’re talking about right now.
Kazuma Every time I talk to you, I feel like I’m going crazy… My apologies, but please stop talking to me that way from now on.
[Kazuma flees]
Hazama Oh dear, he must really hate me.
Raabe ……
Hazama …Is something wrong?
Raabe No, I think Kazuma’s already said it well enough.
Raabe It sounded like you were prioritizing your conversation with him over getting out of this place.
Hazama Oof, you got me there. I should’ve been more focused on our current predicament.
Hazama Whenever I look at him I just can’t seem to leave him alone. He looks as clueless as a newborn faun that hasn’t quite found its legs yet.
Raabe Clueless, huh… That’s rich, given that you don’t know anything about yourself either.
Hazama That certainly is a sore spot for you, isn’t it?
Hazama But sadly I can’t do anything more to change your mind right now. We should find that last element while we still can.
Hazama Fuzzy-san, could you take us to where the final element is located?
Fuzzy Hehehe, you got it. Up next is…
Hazama Goodness, something definitely happened here. Looks like whatever it was wasn’t pretty.
Ciel Biological reaction detected. Someone is approaching us at alarming speed.
Ciel But this reaction is…
[a slash is aimed at Hazama]
Hazama Uwaah!?
[enter Saya]
Saya Ah… a near miss. Just a little bit closer and he would have lost his head… how annoying.
Raabe Saya, huh? She must have the last element.
Raabe You heard her, Hazama. I’m assuming you don’t remember anything about her either?
Hazama Y-You’re kidding, right!?
Hazama Why would I do anything that would turn a terrifying sword-wielding woman against me!?
Hazama I think I’d remember if someone wanted to decapitate me!!
Saya You don’t remember? Allow me to refresh your memory.
Saya You’ve stolen what is most important to me. Surely you don’t believe I would be able to let that stand?
Saya You’re despicable. You took away Nii-sama… my brother. Even if I were to gouge out your heart, I would still never forgive you for what you’ve done.
Saya Nii-sama gave my life meaning. He was the only reason I was able to exist in this world.
Hazama Is that so? I can’t imagine making someone other than myself the sole reason for my existence.
Hazama Whether I did something or not, it’d be unfair to expect them to stick around forever, wouldn’t it?
Hazama And even though you say it’s my fault, I can’t really say I feel much resentment coming from you.
Kazuma A reason to exist… Why… do I…?
Saya You must be bold to utter such lunacy to my face.
Saya No more unnecessary questions. Regardless of the truth, the outcome will remain the same.
Saya I’ll devour you whole.
[a black mist covers the area]
Raabe That Drive… it’s Soul Eater! This isn’t good.
Raabe If it goes out of control, we’ll all be destroyed, not just Hazama.
Hazama From the looks of it she’s a dark type.
Hazama That would make her the same type as me. We’re not exactly a poor match-up but I’m not at an advantage either.
Hazama I’ll probably have to rely on Rei-san for this one, but let’s go get that last element!
>L-Let’s do our best then. Raabe We don’t have much of a choice. Right now we need to focus on getting Soul Eater under control.
>Do we really have to…? Raabe It is what it is. Let’s focus on subduing Saya first.
Hazama This is our last fight then. Let’s do this!
Saya Gah–!
Ciel The target’s battle level has dropped substantially. I don’t believe further combat to be necessary.
Saya Heh, haha… so that’s it…
Saya I finally understand the reason behind this inexplicable unease.
Saya Hazama… it’s that “thing” inside you that’s the true reason for my distress…
Hazama That “thing”? ….Oh, I see… I suppose that may be it, yes.
Raabe What are you talking about? You’re not making any sense.
Hazama Ah, I guess I never mentioned it… I’ve felt it ever since I woke up in this world.
Hazama That there’s “something” inside me. Some sort of unsettling shadow that I can’t put my finger on.
Hazama Originally I had thought I was just imagining things. I assumed it had something to do with this strange city.
Saya Heh… you’re nothing but a “snake.” I hope that shadow of yours swallows you down until there’s nothing left. You’re a truly deplorable man.
Saya The rest of you should heed my advice. It’s not wise to leave your necks exposed around a “snake”…
[Saya vanishes into static and leaves behind a sphere containing the Dark symbol]
Kazuma ……
Fuzzy Congratulations! You got all the elements～!
Fuzzy This is certainly a relief for me, don’t you think?
Fuzzy This is what you’d call a load off my shoulders, isn’t it? I can finally retire from being your guide.
Fuzzy Haah～, now I can play around as much as I want.
Fuzzy Ah, I still have one last job to do though.
Ciel What’s left for you to do?
Fuzzy Now that you have all the keys, I still need to take you to the right place.
Fuzzy After that, my job here will be done.
Fuzzy Although it’s really up to you guys if you want to go or not, isn’t it? Even if you guys pussy out now, my job here is finished.
Fuzzy So what’ll it be? You wanna keep going? Or do you wanna stop here?
Fuzzy Choosing to stay put will leave you trapped here forever though. Ahahaha.
Raabe You’re talking about the “innermost part of this world,” correct?
Hazama I came this far with the intention of finding my way out of this world.
Hazama Of course I plan on heading to this “innermost part.” As for the rest of you… what shall you do?
>Let’s go. Raabe Fair enough. The only way to proceed is to go forward.
>Maybe it’s better if we stopped here… Raabe I understand how you feel, but I’m afraid we’re going to have to. Even if we’re walking into a trap, it’s our only way forward.
Raabe By going there we’re likely to find out more about the cauldron as well.
Hazama Ah, that’s a relief. Well, now that we’re all on the same page, we should…
Raabe Don’t get the wrong idea. Our goals just happened to align this time.
Raabe We’re not doing this to cooperate with you.
Hazama Still so cold… Words can hurt too, you know. Ouch.
Kazuma ……
Kazuma Something inside me…
Ciel Kazuma-san, we’re leaving. Is everything alright?
Kazuma Ah, no, I’m fine. Let’s go!
Kazuma Let’s hurry up and get back to where this all started… back to Ishana.
- The default name of Rei is used for the player character and was selected as male at the beginning of the game.
- I’m still on the fence on if I should be using honorifics or not. Your opinion on the matter would be greatly appreciated.
Clickhere to be taken to a pastebin with the translated dialogue or look under the read more to read it here.
Section 6 – “A Blinding Light”
Raabe For the love of… we’re right back where we were just a while ago. The next element is still probably a ways off.
Ciel Raabe-san, could I ask you something?
Raabe What’s on your mind?
Ciel I’ve been wondering for a while now but… is this place a Phantom Field?
Ciel I’m positive the Phantom Field we dived into was Ishana’s.
Ciel That world should have only been made up of that one island.
Ciel It shouldn’t have been possible to leave the island and this entire city doesn’t seem like it’s connected to Ishana in any way.
Ciel …Is it possible we moved to a different Phantom Field from the one we initially dived into?
Raabe Ah, my little Ciel has grown so much to be able to come to such conclusions…
Raabe You’re definitely on the right track. The next element looks to still be a bit further ahead so I have time to tell you a little about what I’ve been thinking.
Raabe A Phantom Field that has lost its Observer becomes little more than a collection of stagnated information.
Raabe Other Observers can then access and tamper with that information.
Raabe Ishana no longer has an Observer. It would be much easier for an Observer from the outside to interfere in affairs here than if there was still an Observer present.
Ciel So what you’re saying is… another Observer intervened in Ishana.
Ciel That’s probably the source of the foreign intervention the Takamagahara System detected then.
Raabe Exactly. There’s no doubt that something happened back in that Phantom Field.
Raabe As a result, it’s possible that someone created a new world by using the information that made up Ishana.
Raabe Alternatively, a new Observer could have taken control of the Phantom Field and transformed it into a different world altogether.
Raabe As long as someone possesses the power of Observation, it would be simple enough to overtake this place using Ishana as a foundation.
Ciel Then… even if it’s impossible to ascertain the structure of this world, it is still highly likely that there’s an Observer here.
Ciel But who’s the Observer?
Raabe As of right now, I would say it’s either Hazama or Fuzzy. Kazuma is also a possibility.
Raabe More importantly than that, I’m worried about how the world isn’t actively trying to dispose of us since we would be classified as “foreign material.”
Raabe The “innermost part of this world” that Fuzzy keeps alluding to is probably where the Cauldron is located.
Raabe Phantom Field Observers generally have the ability to restrict access to the Cauldron.
Raabe Although in this situation, all we need to do to reach the “innermost part” is to collect these keys. There haven’t been any other major obstacles in our way.
Raabe There’s still too many things I don’t understand. For now all I can say with certainty is “don’t trust anyone.”
Raabe The moment you start to feel that something is off don’t hesitate to tell us. And remember to stay vigilante. Got it?
Ciel Yes, roger that.
[enter Tsubaki]
Tsubaki I’ve been waiting for you, Captain Hazama.
Ciel Tsubaki-san! Does this mean Tsubaki-san has an element as well?
Tsubaki …? What are you talking about?
Tsubaki I don’t know who you are but if you have no business with me, please step aside. My target is Captain Hazama.
Hazama Haah, another one? Seems to be a theme around here. …At least I have good taste.
Tsubaki Captain Hazama. You’ve taken away everything I hold dear. I will never forgive you.
Tsubaki No, not just for myself… I will condemn you for all the sins you have committed here and now.
Kazuma Condemnation doesn’t sound like it’ll be peaceful… Hazama-san, what sort of horrible thing did you do to her?
Hazama I’m telling you, it’s not me. You’ve gotta believe me, I don’t know anything about this.
Hazama I’m not sure how you guys see me, but I truly am on your side in all this.
Hazama We’ve joined forces to try and escape this strange place so shouldn’t you believe in the me that’s already in front of you right now?
Hazama We’ve made it this far by working together as comrades!
Raabe On the contrary, your whimsical attitude only makes you sound more suspicious.
Tsubaki …Comrades. I understand now.
Tsubaki If Captain Hazama refers to you as “comrades” then I can’t overlook your own transgressions.
Raabe Eh? No no, Hazama’s just talking out his ass…
Tsubaki Resistance is futile. The fact stands that you and Captain Hazama have arrived here together.
Tsubaki If he’s going to continue to play innocent, then I’ll just have to force him to comply.
Kazuma She’s not including us in all of that, is she…?
Fuzzy Ahahaha, you guys really are a riot.
Fuzzy She’s got the light element so don’t you need to defeat her anyway if you want to move on?
Fuzzy Surely you’ve figured out that much, right? You have, right?
Kazuma Still, it makes my skin crawl to be held to the same level as Hazama-san…
Kazuma That said, it’s true that we can’t move on without getting that element.
Tsubaki An ally of Captain Hazama’s is merely another enemy to me.
Tsubaki The time for smalltalk is over. I’ve heard… more than enough.
- The default name of Rei is used for the player character and was selected as male at the beginning of the game.
- I’m still on the fence on if I should be using honorifics or not. Your opinion on the matter would be greatly appreciated.
Clickhere to be taken to a pastebin with the translated dialogue or look under the read more to read it here.
Section 5 – “Shadows Below the Water”
Fuzzy Hey hey, you guys still hanging in there? Well, are you?
Fuzzy Looks like you managed to retrieve the third element without too much trouble. That’s only half of what you need though. But it’s still half!
Fuzzy I wonder if you’ll be able to get the last three just as easily～.
Hazama Very good. If we’re lucky, finding the rest should be a breeze.
Kazuma I would have liked to avoid any fighting but… I don’t think we’ve been given much of a choice.
Hazama Regardless of what’s in front of us, we’re stuck following Fuzzy-san’s lead if we want to get anywhere.
Hazama I’ll keep playing along. So where are we headed next?
Fuzzy Hehehe… O-kay! Come on, this way.
Fuzzy I’ll even be extra nice to you this time and bring you straight there.
Ciel Why is he suddenly taking us there directly? This feels out of character for him.
Raabe Hmm. While I certainly agree, this could also just be another result of Fuzzy’s fickle personality.
Raabe But just like Hazama said, our only option right now is to proceed.
Raabe Whether or not he’s on our side, the fact remains that only Fuzzy knows how we can escape.
Raabe Nevertheless, it doesn’t hurt to remain vigilante.
Raabe Let’s stay behind the others for a while.
Ciel Yes… roger that. Rei-san, if you would watch my back, just to be safe.
Ciel Please don’t worry. I’ll be here to protect you, Rei-san.
>Thank you, Ciel. Ciel Of course. There’s no need to thank me. Ciel …That doesn’t feel like the right thing to say, but I’m not sure what would be more appropriate…
>Don’t forget you can rely on me too. Ciel Yes, of course. I’ll always be able to count on you. Ciel If it weren’t for you, we would never be able to liberate the Phantom Fields.
Fuzzy You guys done talking yet? Huh, are you?
Fuzzy Come on then, let’s go find that next element! Let’s go, everyone!
Kazuma …Um.
Kazuma We’ve been walking for quite a while… is the next element much further?
Fuzzy Hmm, I wonder.
Fuzzy I know where we’re supposed to be going, but I don’t know the layout of this city at all.
Fuzzy I wouldn’t know if there’s actually an element there or not honestly.
Kazuma You’ve got to be kidding me…
Kazuma You don’t know anything about this place. You’ve only just met us. You don’t even know who set up all these elements in the first place.
Kazuma Why are you even in charge of guiding us?
Fuzzy Really, this question again?
Fuzzy I told you before, didn’t I? This is the role I was given in this world.
Fuzzy I hate people who can’t remember things～.
Fuzzy Everyone in this world is given a role. It’s always been that way, ever since the beginning of time.
Fuzzy And this time I was given the role as your guide. Nothing more, nothing less. Hehehe.
Kazuma …But we’ll learn something if we head to the innermost part of this world, right? Isn’t that what we were told?
Fuzzy Well, who knows～? I’m sure you’ll figure it out～.
Fuzzy You’ll find out if you go there, right? Ahaha.
Kazuma ……
Hazama You don’t have to look so on edge, Kazuma-san. Fuzzy-san hasn’t led us astray yet.
Hazama If you aren’t sure, then you should just keeping going forward and find out for yourself.
Kazuma That’s… I suppose you’re right.
Hazama Forgive me if I’m being presumptuous, Kazuma-san. But I think the fastest way to learning whatever the “truth” is is by carving out your own path.
Hazama If you really want to know something, if you want something to be within reach, then you need to reach out and grab it.
Hazama I’m dying to know more myself, but we won’t learn much by just standing around and waiting for the answers to be given to us.
Kazuma Hazama-san…
Kazuma I see… yeah, that’s it. I think so too.
Kazuma My knowledge on things is limited. All I know is what I studied back on the island of Ishana.
Kazuma …But this isn’t Ishana. I can discover things here that I could never have discovered back home.
Hazama There you go. If you believe hard enough, I’m sure you’ll be able to find what you’re looking for in no time.
Kazuma …When you say it like that, I can’t bring myself to agree with you completely for some reason.
Hazama Hey now. You don’t have to look at me like I’m gonna mug you when you aren’t looking.
Hazama …Then again, we do barely know each other. It would be asking a bit much to have you trust me so soon.
Hazama Still, you should believe in yourself a little more.
Kazuma Believe in myself, huh…
Hazama Of course. I think it’d make you much happier in the long run.
Hazama …No matter what you decide to believe in though, you’re going to need those keys to reach the bottom of it.
Hazama The elements are quite literally the key.
[enter Jin]
Jin Hazama… You speak as gracefully as ever, I see.
Raabe Hmm. Looks like we’ve found our next element.
Jin You there. It would be in your best interests not to trust that man too much.
Jin Don’t let his words and appearance deceive you.
Jin That man is a “snake.” If you choose to place your trust in him, he’ll eat you alive.
Hazama Oh goodness, do you know me as well? I can’t say I remember anything about you either, I’m afraid.
Hazama Even so, what you’ve said sounds horrible. Exactly what sort of person was I?
Jin Don’t play me for a fool…
Jin Your very existence disrupts the world’s peace and order. I can’t let that go unpunished.
Jin Give it up, Hazama. Your life ends here.
Hazama H-Hold on! Even if you say that, I still don’t have any idea what’s going on. Rei-san! Help me out here!
>Wha, me!? Hazama Please, Rei-san! We’ve fought together until now as comrades after all!
>Wh-What should I do… Hazama Don’t be so heartless, Rei-san. We’ve fought together until now as comrades after all!
Hazama We won’t get the element if we don’t defeat this guy anyway, right? So we should work together to bring him down!
Hazama Our opponent is a water type. That’s a good match-up for me.
Hazama Let’s hurry up and get those keys so we can get out of here.
Raabe Good grief… I’ve still got a bad feeling about all this, but he has a point.
Raabe For now we need to continue gathering the elements so we can move on and learn more about where we are.
Ciel Roger. Rei-san, you take the back. Keep an eye on the target. Then we will commence combat.
[a sphere with the water symbol appears]
Fuzzy Well done! Looks like you got your hands on the water element～.
Fuzzy Watching you guys fight, I wanted to jump in and play a bit myself. Hehehe…
Hazama The way you say that… I knew it. You’re watching us whenever you disappear, aren’t you?
Fuzzy Ahaha, I may have said too much～.
Hazama If that’s true, then I’d like to know exactly how long you’ve been keeping tabs on us.
Hazama Ever since I got here, everyone seems to know who I am but I haven’t been able to recognize anyone… It keeps happening, over and over.
Hazama Rei-san, Kazuma-san, and the others all have memories from before they came here. But I can’t remember a thing.
Hazama If we were both brought here by the same means, then what’s with the glaring discrepancy?
Hazama …Although, even if I were to ask, you wouldn’t have a reason to tell us why. Please consider this as me simply talking to myself.
Fuzzy Hehehe, seems like you’re finally starting to catch on.
Fuzzy You’re right, though. You won’t get anywhere by asking me. You’re gonna have to see the answer with your own eyes.
Hazama In any case we should get a move on to that next element. I wonder where we’ll go next?
- The default name of Rei is used for the player character and was selected as male at the beginning of the game.
- I’m still on the fence on if I should be using honorifics or not. Your opinion on the matter would be greatly appreciated.
Clickhere to be taken to a pastebin with the translated dialogue or look under the read more to read it here.
Section 3 – “Following the Tailwind”
Ciel Confirming the current area’s situation. No biological reactions detected. This seems to be the right place… what should we do?
Raabe Hmm…
Raabe Will someone appear again just like Noel, or is the element hidden somewhere…
Raabe At the very least, I’m not sensing any of the elements nearby.
Raabe Let’s look around a bit.
Hazama All things considered, it’s nice to be in such an open space again.
Raabe You’re being optimistic. This is hardly the sort of level you’d want to have so much open air. Imagine if you were to be hit with a gust of wind from this height. You’d find yourself plummeting to the ground within seconds.
Kazuma ………
>Is something wrong? Kazuma Ah, no, not at all. I’m just feeling a bit nostalgic.
>It’s dangerous to be so absent-minded all the time, you know. Kazuma Ah, I’m sorry. I was just thinking a little.
Kazuma Back in Ishana I was by myself a lot.
Kazuma There was a place I’d often go to kill time that had a nice breeze just like this one…
Kazuma This place reminds me of the time I spent there.
Hazama Oh my, we must have something in common then.
Hazama More specifically, I feel a strong connection with high places such as this one.
Kazuma Saying that’s something we have in common is a bit much… I… don’t really think we’re all that similar.
Hazama Oh dear, I’ve been shot down already.
Raabe Perhaps the place Hazama remembers is just as shady as he is.
Hazama Please don’t say such cruel things when I’m standing right here!
Hazama I’d like it if you guys thought of me as a friend.
Hazama Haah, this is so tragic. I just wanted to get along with Kazuma-san…
Kazuma O-Oh… My apologies.
Ciel Kazuma-san, your heart rate has been steadily increasing ever since we arrived. Are you feeling unwell?
Kazuma It’s nothing like that…
Kazuma I apologize for my sour attitude. I’m just not sure Hazama-san and I are a good fit for each other…
??? You likely never will be.
[enter Rachel]
Ciel Rachel-san.
Ciel Could Rachel-san have the next key?
Raabe She’s emitting a similarly strong reaction to the one Noel did. There’s no doubt.
Rachel You two may seem very much alike, but in reality you are both quite different.
Rachel It’s only natural that you would feel rejection and unease around him.
Kazuma Hazama-san and I are alike? Um… I’m not sure I understand…
Rachel I’ve just told you. You are as alike as you are different. No matter what you do, the two shall never intersect. You will never be the “same.”
Kazuma You’re… What do you know about me?
Rachel ………
Kazuma Please tell me. You know something about me, don’t you?
Rachel I’m afraid I can’t tell you.
Rachel If you wish to seek the truth, aim for the innermost part of this world.
Kazuma The innermost part of this world…? What will I learn if I go there?
Rachel Who knows?
Rachel No matter your decision, you will need a key to get there. I presume you lot would like one?
Hazama Yes, we certainly would.
Hazama I personally would rather not spend the rest of my life here.
Hazama Rei-san, if I could ask for your cooperation?
Hazama This person as well… I feel like I won’t be much use here either. Please don’t expect too terribly much of my capabilities.
>I’ll fight so we can get the key. Kazuma …Yes. The innermost part of this world… I’m not sure what we’ll find there, but we need that key. Kazuma Let’s find the rest of the elements and get ourselves out of here.
>I’m not sure I want to get involved in this one… Kazuma I understand how you feel but… Right now we need to find those elemental keys. Kazuma It may not be pleasant but… let’s do our best. So we can escape this world.
Rachel Very good. A wise decision. Take this key and head for the innermost part of this world.
Rachel This way I won’t have to do anything myself. Especially when it comes to dealing with you.
Hazama Hmm? Me?
Rachel Oh dear me, of course. I was honestly thinking about turning you into a nice flambé. It would certainly be the perfect opportunity to do so.
Hazama W-Wait, doesn’t this development feel umcomfortably familiar? Is it too much to ask for things to be amicable for once…?
Rachel Oh, do shut up. It would take much too long to explain why I despise you.
Ciel Rachel-san’s battle level is increasing!
Rachel Come… Show me how unsightly you are when you attempt to dance.
- The default name of Rei is used for the player character and was selected as male at the beginning of the game.
- I’m still on the fence on if I should be using honorifics or not. Your opinion on the matter would be greatly appreciated.
Clickhere to be taken to a pastebin with the translated dialogue or look under the read more to read it here.
Section 2 – “Starting Beneath the Dim Light”
Fuzzy Ah, that was fun! I enjoyed that more than I thought I would!
Ciel Fun… I guess you meant combat when you said you wanted to “play.”
Fuzzy But there’s nothing more fun, don’t you think? Don’t you?
Fuzzy There aren’t many people who play with me anymore. Everyone always breaks before we’re finished.
Fuzzy Well, I didn’t exactly give my best performance this time either. But you guys played with me until the end so I guess you pass.
Raabe I thought the goal was to get know each other better, not an all out battle. Such bloodthirst is unbecoming.
Raabe Although… we seem to have passed the test. We probably shouldn’t worry too much about what he says.
Fuzzy Ahahaha, don’t be such a stick in the mud. It’s not like I actually tried to kill you, you know.
Fuzzy Besides, what better way to get to know one another than to have some fun?
Fuzzy So now I know more about you and you guys know a little more about me. Right?
Fuzzy Especially you… Rei.
Raabe Admittedly I was able to collect some valuable data. In any case, please hurry and tell us where we can find the elements.
Fuzzy Okay～.
Fuzzy If you keep heading straight down this road, the scenery should start to change a bit. It’s over there.
Hazama Just keep going straight? You can’t give us a bit more of a detailed explanation?
Hazama Do you not trust us or are you simply handling the situation as you see fit?
Hazama Ah, I’m not trying to sound overly skeptical here or anything.
Fuzzy You can take your doubts and shove ‘em. You’ll be fine, the city isn’t that big anyway.
Fuzzy It’s not that far and you’ll know it when you see it. Probably.
Kazuma “You think?” I can’t speak for Hazama-san, but I can’t say I feel overly comfortable with this either… Fuzzy-san…
Kazuma Is this really okay?
Fuzzy Who knows? I’m just following the role I was given. You don’t know if I’m lying to you but you also don’t know what the truth is either, do you?
Fuzzy Well, whether you believe me or not is up to you guys. Isn’t it?
Raabe That’s a logical way of looking at it. We don’t know anything about this world so whether or not we believe you we don’t have much of a choice other than to do what you say.
Fuzzy Now you’re getting it. What’s the harm in just going along with it? I’ll tell you everything I know.
Fuzzy After that, you’re on your own～!
[Fuzzy leaves]
Ciel Doesn’t matter whether he’s coming or going, it’s impossible to tell where Fuzzy-san is.
Raabe What an undesirable trait. Saying whatever they want and then vanishing without a trace.
Raabe The information we were given might have been hard to digest, but our options do appear to be limited.
Raabe We still need to find a way out of here. If gathering these elements is our only lead, then that’s our best option going forward.
Ciel Roger.
Hazama Please allow me to accompany you. I don’t think I could stand being left alone again in this unfamiliar place.
Hazama I’m counting on you.
Kazuma …If you ask me, this guy may be better than Fuzzy-san but he still seems like a piece of work…
Hazama I must admit I was surprised, though.
Ciel What do you mean?
Hazama I wasn’t expecting you guys to be so skilled in combat.
Ciel Thank you for the compliment.
Hazama On the contrary, I’m much more ashamed such skills are outside my range of expertise.
Hazama I’m much more suited to infiltration and reconnaissance. Or, that is to say, I get the feeling I would be anyway.
Hazama Nevertheless, I must be lucky to have met up with such strong individuals. Kazuma-san is even a magician! How cool is that?
Kazuma A-Ah… is that so…
Hazama As long as I’m with you guys, collecting these elements should be a breeze. It’s a real confidence booster.
Raabe ………
Hazama My, you’ve been staring at me rather intensely for a while now. Is there something on my face?
Raabe …No. I was merely ruminating on our situation. Don’t worry about it. If I feel I must say something, rest assured I will speak my mind.
Hazama Oh, is that all? I won’t look into it too much then. Feel free to ruminate to your heart’s content.
Raabe …Hey, Rei.
Raabe Do you think Kazuma is real?
>I think he’s real. Raabe Really… If you think that’s the case then you’re probably right.
>What do you mean? Raabe …No, it’s probably nothing. Tell me if you start to notice anything off.
Raabe We have so little to go on right now and everyone we’ve met, including Kazuma, have been cryptic so far.
Raabe For now, I would be wary of our allies.
Ciel Just like Fuzzy-san said, the scenery has changed.
Ciel If he’s to be believed, one of the keys… the elements, should be here.
Kazuma At first glance, nothing seems particularly suspicious.
Kazuma Since this place is so big, should we split up to look for it?
Hazama We still don’t know what these elements are supposed to look like. Splitting up would probably be unwise.
Hazama It would be nice if it turned out to be something simple like an actual key but… I doubt things will end up being that easy.
Raabe I agree. For all we know, it might not even be visible.
Hazama I do so hope he didn’t forget to let slip that these “keys” are potentially dangerous.
Ciel Kagami-san once called this sort of thing a “flag.”
Raabe Hey, don’t just say that. You’ll end up making it come true.
Kazuma ………
Hazama Kazuma-san? You’ve had this distressed look on your face ever since earlier. Is something bothering you?
Kazuma Aah, no, that’s not it. I’ve just had a lot to think about.
Hazama That’s understandable. All of this happened out of nowhere, after all.
Hazama I can see how you’d be overwhelmed.
Hazama We’ve all gotten caught up in this awful situation.
Kazuma Haha, you’ve got a point…
Hazama Does this sort of bizarre thing happen to you guys often?
Hazama You’ve remained very composed this whole time, analyzing things, and you seemed accustomed to combat as well.
Raabe How observant of you. Where did you cultivate such a discerning eye?
Raabe You had said before that you were skilled at infiltration and reconnaissance. What sort of work do you do?
Hazama Aw, now that’s not very fair. I’ve forgotten everything about myself. What I can remember is vague at best.
Hazama I told you earlier. I just have a feeling that I would be good at investigation. There’s really no deeper meaning to it.
Hazama It’s nothing more than an educated guess.
Raabe Is that so. Well let me tell you something you may have forgotten then. It’s hardest to trust those who speak the loudest. You would do well to remember that one.
Hazama Ahaha… So harsh.
Ciel …!
Ciel I’m picking up a biological reaction! It’s coming closer–!
[gunshot]
Hazama Gyaaeehh!
Ciel That was an interesting scream.
Hazama I don’t care about that right now! Did you not see me almost get shot to death!?
Raabe You’re still alive, aren’t you? Ciel, where is the enemy located?
Ciel In front of us, at 12 ‘o clock!
[enter Noel]
Ciel Noel-san?
Ciel What are you doing here, Noel-san… Were you brought here, just like us?
Noel Who are you? Why do you know who I am?
Raabe This doesn’t seem to be like Kazuma’s case.
Raabe No, wait… this reaction…
Raabe I figured it out. This is the element. Noel Vermillion possesses the element of fire.
Ciel Why would Noel have one of the keys Fuzzy-san was talking about?
Raabe It feels like she has more than just possessing it.
Raabe Rather than being Noel Vermillion herself, the element may have overwritten Noel’s very existence here.
Noel Excuse me, but if you have nothing to do with me would you please stand down? I have business with Hazama-san.
Hazama Eh? Me? With me? Uh, now hold on just a minute.
Hazama I’m very sorry but I have no idea who you are. …Then again, perhaps I should know who you are.
Hazama Yes, could you please tell me? What is my relationship with you?
Noel How dare you say such a thing…!
Noel How could you have already forgotten what you did to me and my friend!
Raabe She’s not being very reasonable. What did you do?
Hazama How am I supposed to know!? I wanna know just as much as you do!
Hazama Uh, Miss… Noel, was it? I think you may have mistaken me for someone else…
Noel I’m NOT mistaken!
Hazama Even if you say that… I really don’t remember anything so I don’t know what you expect me to do…
Kazuma Since she’s already so angry, why don’t you just go ahead and apologize for now?
Ciel I’ve heard that it’s always important to apologize.
Hazama I don’t really understand the point of apologizing for something I don’t remember doing but… I guess it can’t be helped. Sometimes it’s an adult’s job to take the high road…
Hazama Um, Noel-san, correct?
Hazama I offer my sincerest apologies. I must have hurt you deeply.
Hazama It’s regrettable that I don’t know who you are, but from the bottom of my heart I apologize.
Noel There’s no emotion in your words… they have no meaning.
Noel Were you even going to apologize in the first place!? No, you can’t just apologize and expect me to forgive you.
Noel I must defeat you…! You’re my enemy!
Hazama Uh, wait, isn’t this going a little differently than expected? I apologized and now things have gotten worse!
Hazama At any rate, would you mind putting the guns down? They’re scaring me.
Ciel Noel-san’s battle level is increasing and she’s getting more hostile by the second.
Hazama You think I can’t see that!?
Noel Don’t bother trying to resist!
[gunshot]
Hazama Aaaiiii!
Noel I will never forgive you!
[gunshot]
Hazama W-Wait a second! Surely we can talk this out!
Noel Talk… there’s nothing here that needs to be talked about…!
[gunshot]
Hazama Owaah–!?
Kazuma Do you think he’ll be okay…?
Hazama Do I look okay to you!? I don’t get along well with people like this!
Hazama This girl is a fire type, right? I’m a dark type. Fundamentally we just aren’t compatible.
Hazama You understand, don’t you, Kazuma-san? Since you’re a wind type you’re also no good at this kind of thing, right?
Kazuma Eh? Me? I… that’s…
Hazama Ohhhhh this is bad!
Hazama I leave this up to you guys!
>What!? Hazama Don’t give me that look! Surely you knew something like this would happen eventually.
>Even if you leave it to us… Hazama You guys are my only hope! I’m counting on you!
Hazama That’s it, Ciel-san should know how to handle this, right?
Hazama She’s a light type, after all.
Noel What are you whispering about…!
Noel You there! Please hand over Hazama-san quietly!
Noel Otherwise, I will have to use force…!
[gunshot x3]
Raabe Oh dear. It would appear that there’s no use trying to talk things out.
Raabe I guess it’s unavoidable. Ciel, Rei, prepare for battle.
Ciel Roger! Initiating elimination of target.
[static]
Raabe …she disappeared?
Ciel Noel’s reaction is no longer within range. However, in her place is…
[a sphere with the fire symbol appears]
Kazuma That’s… a mass of mana, isn’t it? That’s the feeling I’m getting from it.
Kazuma I can feel it radiating the power of fire.
Hazama Perhaps this is the fire elemental key.
Fuzzy Ding ding ding! You’re absolutely correct!
[enter Fuzzy]
Raabe You were watching us from somewhere. You’re timing is too perfect.
Fuzzy Hm? Whatever could you be talking about?
Fuzzy Rather than that, aren’t you more interested in where the next key is? Aren’t you?
Kazuma I don’t think…
Fuzzy Aren’t you curious? You are, right?
Fuzzy I’ll tell you about it. There’s a building down at the end of this road – the rooftop is your next stop.
Raabe Once again you are awful with giving directions… So we’ll find the next element if we head there?
Fuzzy Probably. I think so anyway.
Raabe You think so… Take a little responsibility for your words.
- The default name of Rei is used for the player character and was selected as male at the beginning of the game.
- I’m still on the fence on if I should be using honorifics or not. Your opinion on the matter would be greatly appreciated.
- The terms magic and sorcery are used interchangeably in the source material throughout the series, despite being two different things. The words 魔術 and 魔術師 would normally be translated to mean “sorcery” and “conjurer” respectively but since we are dealing with mana here rather than seithr I’ve decided to translate them as “magic” and “magician” instead to maintain continuity. If this turns out to be contradictory plotwise, I will make appropriate revisions.
- Japanese typically lacks pronouns when referring to someone. Fuzzy is canonically male and therefore, despite Kazuma’s confusion, will be referred to with male pronouns from here on out as needed.
Clickhere to be taken to a pastebin with the translated dialogue or look under the read more to read it here.
Section 1 – “The Man With No Memory” (2)
Hazama Haah… somehow… I managed to defeat them?
Hazama Haah～, that was exhausting. I’m not used to these kinds of violent activities. I was quite nervous～.
Raabe Really? Didn’t you say earlier that you couldn’t remember anything other than your name?
Hazama Ah, you must be a stickler for the finer details. Yes, that’s what I said.
Hazama But I don’t mean to lie. I don’t understand it too well myself.
Hazama My remark just now simply felt like the right thing to say. Surely that’s logical?
Raabe Right…
Hazama Come now, you don’t have to look so suspicious anymore. I haven’t done anything to harm you.
Ciel You were trying to scare Rei-san earlier.
Hazama Aw, does that count as harm to you? That was merely some good-natured teasing.
Hazama You don’t believe me? Hmm, this is troublesome.
Hazama I guess I’ll just have to win your trust by providing you with some more frivolous information.
Hazama For example, how to escape this city.
Kazuma You know how to get out of here!?
Hazama Of course. That is what I said, after all. What part did you fail to understand?
Kazuma Wh— I— You— Y-Yes, sir…
Raabe Please explain. We have only just arrived here and don’t fully understand the situation.
Hazama Oh my, that must have been very unsettling then. This city is closed off with no one around and nowhere to go.
Hazama Ah, but you already knew that this city is built so that you can’t go anywhere, didn’t you?
Ciel When Raabe-san was scanning the area earlier, only this part of the city was detected.
Ciel Is that what you mean?
Hazama Yes, that’s exactly it. It would seem that only certain parts of this city actually exist.
Hazama If you were to continue walking in a straight line in one direction, you would eventually wind up right back where you started.
Hazama Round and round you’d walk endlessly through this cramped urban wasteland.
Raabe I see. So that’s how it is. Well? What is this escape method you have?
Hazama I mentioned earlier that the air in this city contained large quantities of mana.
Hazama In order to collect that mana, you need a mana crystal.
Kazuma You can crystallize mana?
Hazama I’m not sure if it’s the same as what a magician would consider crystallization but yes, it’s possible.
Hazama In addition to the mana, a key is needed in order to truly activate it.
Hazama There are six keys in total and each one corresponds to one of the six attributes commonly used by magicians.
Ciel The six attributes… Kazuma-san is a magician. Do you know what they are, Kazuma-san?
Kazuma Yeah… Fire, wind, water, earth, light, and darkness. They make up the basic classification system for magic. Those attributes… right?
Hazama As expected, a very knowledgeable answer. I’m so glad we had a magician here with us.
Raabe You’re quite knowledgeable yourself, Hazama. You seem to know quite a bit about the structure of this city and these keys.
Raabe Where did you hear all of this from? You keep using words like “or something” and “that’s what I’ve heard” in all of your explanations.
Hazama Instead of stumbling around blindly looking for the answer, I’ll go ahead and tell you.
Hazama I learned about this city, mana, and the keys from someone I encountered here before I came across you.
Ciel What was this person like?
??? He’s talking about me.
[young vampire appears]
Kazuma Uwaaah! A-Another one appeared!?
??? That’s a rude way of putting it. Makes me sound like a ghost. …Do you think I look like a ghost? Is that it?
Fuzzy Hello. I’m Fuzzy. Nice to meet you!
Ciel Fuzzy… –san. Nice to meet you. My name is…
Fuzzy You’re Ciel. That’s Raabe, and the weak looking one is Kazuma.
Fuzzy And that must make you Rei. I know all of you～. Don’t ask how I know all of that though.
Raabe You’re the secretive type as well, huh…
Kazuma Um, are you… a woman? Or a man?
Fuzzy Ahaha, I wonder～? Rather than worrying about that, shouldn’t you be focused on finding your way out of here?
Ciel That’s correct. Is it true that we need a mana crystal and six keys in order to escape?
Fuzzy Yeah, it’s true.
Fuzzy The keys are the six elements. Each element has the power of one of the six attributes.
Kazuma So… if we have those we can escape from this weird city?
Fuzzy Well, I’m pretty sure anyway. There’s a special place you need to bring them in the end, so once you’ve found all of them I can take you there.
Raabe I hate to ask but how do you know all this?
Fuzzy Well, I can’t really answer that one～.
Fuzzy I’m only here because I was asked to and now I just play the part I’ve been given.
Fuzzy My job here is to guide poor little lost children like yourselves who have wandered into this city.
Raabe ……
Fuzzy If you want to escape I can lead you to where the elements are. So what’ll you do? Naturally if you don’t like that idea then that’s no skin off my back.
Hazama I don’t see any problem with it. We’ll collect them. Right, everyone?
Hazama You wouldn’t really abandon me, would you? Please don’t do that to me.
Hazama There could be another battle like the one we just fought. If that happens, I won’t be able to handle it on my own.
Hazama Could you please lend me your assistance?
Ciel Raabe-san, Rei-san, what do you think?
Raabe Good question… As things are right now, neither option has a favorable explanation and both of them are rather suspicious…
>We don’t have much of a choice, do we? Kazuma I think you’re right. There’s not much else we can do at the moment…
>Let’s give it a try! Kazuma That’s certainly a positive way of looking at it. But now I really don’t have a choice and have to go… don’t I?
Raabe …You have a point. Let’s go find these elements and mana then.
Hazama Aah, thank goodness. I was afraid I was going to end up by myself again～.
Raabe You don’t have any balls, do you?
Hazama What are you talking about? I’m simply a weak run-of-the-mill commoner.
Raabe A weak run-of-the-mill commoner wouldn’t say something like that.
Fuzzy So we’re all good to go together? Are we?
Fuzzy If so then… I want you to tell me all about yourselves before we go.
Ciel Didn’t you say that it was unnecessary for us to introduce ourselves?
Fuzzy I said I knew your names. But you guys are more than just names, right?
Fuzzy Plus I want you guys to know about me as well.
Fuzzy This is a very uncertain and ambiguous place. We should probably get to know one another.
Fuzzy Especially you. I want Rei to have all his attention on me.
Fuzzy So I think I’ll have you play with me for a bit.
Fuzzy Ah. But if I accidentally kill you while we play I don’t want to hear any complaints. Hehehe…
BlazBlue Alternative Dark War Nightmare Fiction Event English Translation (Part 1-1: The Man With No Memory)
Deciding to crosspost these from reddit just for a little more exposure.
I got bit in the ass by Blazblue for the first time in ten years a few months ago and have been on an extended kick. I have also sold my soul to Hazama. Therefore, I present to you the first part of the currently ongoing (at the time of this posting) event, Nightmare Fiction, in BlazBlue Alternative: Dark War.
This is only the first half of part 1, or the first story quest in the event.
Some notes:
- The default name of Rei is used for the player character and was selected as male at the beginning of the game.
- I’m still on the fence on if I should be using honorifics or not. Your opinion on the matter would be greatly appreciated.
Clickhere to be taken to a pastebin with the translated dialogue or look under the read more to read it here.
Section 1 – “The Man With No Memory”
Ciel Dive complete. Ciel Sulfur reporting no abnormalities.
Ciel There are no abnormalities in your vitals, Rei-san, but how is your mood?
>I’m alright! Raabe Good man. A solid, reliable response.
>I’m still not used to this sensation… Raabe It would be more worrisome if you had adjusted already. It’s okay if you’re not used to it.
Ciel Confirming any surrounding dangers. There are no immediately harmful biological reactions.
Ciel This is the Phantom Field Trinity-san resided over as its Observer.
Ciel Now that it’s lost its Observer, it seems this place has become stagnant…
Ciel That’s probably why there’s no one here, just like the last time.
Raabe Most likely.
Raabe We’re here to investigate the Phantom Field this time. The Takamagahara System has detected a foreign intervention.
Raabe It’s unknown whether it was caused deliberately by someone and what their goal was or if it was a spontaneous occurrence.
Raabe This Phantom Field has only just been liberated. It’s hard to say if its condition is stable or not.
Raabe It would be best to proceed with the expectation that anything might happen. Anything’s possible.
Ciel Roger. Let’s do some reconnaissance around Ishana to confirm the current situation.
>Alright. I’d like to see everything again after all this time. Raabe I suppose this is the school you were enrolled at. It’s okay to be sentimental, but don’t forget our purpose here.
>Maybe we’ll meet up with Kazuma-san and Trinity-san. Raabe Yes, it would be nice to find them. It would be faster to hear about the state of things straight from the people here.
Raabe Hmm… it doesn’t appear as though anything has changed so far.
Ciel I agree. Ishana seems to be much the same as when we left it.
Kazuma Is that…?
Ciel Ah. I found Kazuma-san.
Raabe Kazuma Kval.
Raabe He was our ally the last time we were in Ishana but things could have changed this time.
Raabe Don’t let your guard down just yet, Ciel, Rei.
Ciel Ah… yes, I understand.
Kazuma Is that you, Rei-kun? And Ciel-san as well and… Raabe-san, right?
Raabe …You remember us?
Kazuma Woah, you can talk now… Could you always do that, Raabe-san?
Kazuma Uh, yes. I remember you. Why wouldn’t I?
Kazuma It’s not hard to remember meeting something with an eye like yours, even with how forgetful I am.
Kazuma But what happened? If I remember correctly… I had said I was going back somewhere…
Raabe …Hmm. This one is quite peculiar.
Raabe While there are exceptions, once a Phantom Field is liberated any foreign material that was still inside would start to gradually disappear from that world.
Raabe Moreover, being foreign material ourselves, all knowledge of our existence would be erased immediately.
Raabe In short, the original inhabitants of the Phantom Field should have forgotten us.
Raabe However Kazuma Kval seems to remember us perfectly.
Kazuma ？
Ciel Could there be a connection between Kazuma-san’s memories of us and the foreign intervention that was detected?
Raabe That’s certainly a likely possibility.
Raabe …Kazuma. Are you really Kazuma?
Kazuma Wh… What are you going on about? Of course I am.
Kazuma I mean, I don’t understand why anyone would want to disguise themselves as such a dull human being like me if they weren’t already me…
Raabe In that case, do you remember anything strange? Can you describe what happened after we left Ishana?
Kazuma No… There wasn’t anything particularly strange… Ah, although…
[static]
Ciel This is…!
Kazuma Wh-wh-wha… what just happened!? Where are we? We were in the park up until a moment ago, right!?
Ciel The scenery has changed completely. This… isn’t Ishana, is it?
Kazuma I don’t think so. I’ve never seen this place before…
Raabe Is this a Phenomenon Intervention? Was its target Kazuma or was it…
Raabe I can sense something unusual is most definitely occurring.
Kazuma Now isn’t the time to nonchalantly analyze the situation. Where is this place…?
Raabe There’s nothing nonchalant about analyzing the situation. If you aren’t sure of something, then you should examine it further.
Raabe The architecture here is completely different from Ishana. We are clearly in a different city.
Raabe Give me a moment to scan our surroundings.
Raabe …We’ve gone somewhere strange again.
Kazuma Wh-what is it? What did you find out?
Raabe This is… let’s call it “this world” for now. Only part of this city exists in this world.
Raabe The scan radius is too narrow. Nothing outside of our immediate area currently exists.
Ciel If it doesn’t exist then… that means it hasn’t been Observed.
Ciel Then conversely is someone Observing this area?
Raabe Possibly.
Kazuma Uh, I’m not sure I follow. Did we somehow fly to another world?
Raabe I don’t know enough to give a definitive answer. First of all…
>We should gather information. Raabe Exactly.
>First of all… what should we do? Raabe Gather information!
Ciel I searched the surrounding area for any reactions just to confirm but… there aren’t any noticeable biological presences.
Ciel Perhaps this place is as uninhabited as Ishana.
Raabe There’s some kind of power mixed with a small amount of magical essence in the air.
Raabe What is this… I’m not familiar with it…
??? That would be mana, the source of all magic.
Ciel !?
Kazuma Wh-who’s there…?
[mysterious man appears]
Man in Black Suit Ah, my apologies. I must have surprised you. No need to be so cautious, I’m no one to be suspicious of.
Ciel That’s not it.
Ciel Although it was brief, I couldn’t sense your presence when I was searching our surroundings just now.
Ciel Where did you come from…?
Man in Black Suit Searching? My my, you must have quite the mysterious power then. If that’s all, the answer is very simple.
Man in Black Suit I’m quite good at concealing myself. I was simply hiding to see what you were up to.
Man in Black Suit Besides, I had been thrown into such a strange place with no one around when you all appeared out of nowhere.
Man in Black Suit Isn’t it only natural to be startled and want to hide?
Ciel That’s…
Raabe I don’t think so. Evading Ciel’s search ability is no easy task.
Raabe If he chose to show himself now after concealing his presence then he must not see us as a threat.
Raabe Nevertheless I am still wary. If there’s truly no problem, would you mind telling us who you are?
Raabe We too were brought here unexpectedly and are unsure of what is going on.
Man in Black Suit Who I am…? I suppose that’s a bit of a difficult question to answer.
Man in Black Suit Actually, I haven’t the foggiest idea as to who I am or why I happen to be here…
Kazuma So… you have amnesia?
Man in Black Suit It would appear so. It may be more accurate to say I lack any knowledge regarding myself.
Man in Black Suit Ah, but if it’s a name you’re looking for… a name… hmm, what to do…
Hazama In that case, you may call me Hazama.
Ciel Hazama-san… I see. My name is Ciel Sulfur.
Kazuma …I’m Kazuma Kval. Oh, and this is Rei-kun…
Raabe Call me Raabe.
Hazama I see, I see. So we have Ciel-san, Kazuma-san, Rei-san, and Raabe-san, is it?
>You mentioned mana earlier… Hazama Yes. Mana exists in nature as the source of all power… or something to that effect. Hazama The air here seems to be teeming with it. That’s what I’ve heard, at least.
>Are you a magician? Hazama No no, don’t be ridiculous. I’m simply a magic enthusiast. Hazama I had just heard that the air in this city contained the power source used in magic, or in this case, mana.
Kazuma Mana? I feel something like that existed…
Ciel Kazuma-san, you were a student back in Ishana. Do you know anything about mana in the air?
Kazuma Mm, there’s definitely mana here but it feels like there’s something different mixed in with it.
Hazama Oh? Mixed in, you say? I wonder if it’s because of that…
Raabe Because of what?
Hazama I see it from time to time. These dreadful shadows made up of something sinister.
Kazuma A shadow…?
Hazama That’s right. It quietly crawls out from the gloom hidden in back alleys…
Hazama Boo!
Hazama …or something. Ahaha, did I scare you?
>Y-Y-You startled me… Hazama I must thank you for such a refreshing reaction. An honest reaction like that is a surprise in and of itself. Hazama Did you know? The human brain will start to deteriorate without sufficient stimulation. Hazama Stimulation is also necessary for leading a prosperous life, you know. Do make sure to take care of yourselves, alright?
>Please don’t mess around, Hazama-san. Hazama Oh my, you didn’t enjoy that? How unfortunate. Please forgive my rudeness. Hazama But didn’t you know? The human brain will start to deteriorate without sufficient stimulation. Hazama Stimulation is also necessary for leading a prosperous life, you know. Do take care of yourselves, alright?
Hazama In any case, please do look behind you.
Kazuma Behind us?
[enter three faceless creatures]
Kazuma Waaahh!!
Ciel I… I’m sorry, my reaction was delayed!
Raabe No, there wasn’t anything for you to react to. Those presences only just became noticeable!
Hazama They just show up without warning every so often. It’s quite troublesome.
Hazama Ah, before I forget.
Hazama While I may look like an ordinary model citizen, I do possess some fighting ability.
Hazama It would seem you all are having trouble deciding whether or not I’m an enemy. Therefore…
Hazama Now that I’ve introduced myself, what kind of person am I? What “existence” do I have? Please decide for yourself with your own eyes.
