The structure of the crystal was unique when compared to naturally occurring materials. Stone, wood, dirt, ores – the common strand between these materials was that they were highly disordered, whereas a crystal had a uniquely high level of order when it came to its overall molecular composition.

When viewed at the atomic level a crystal would reveal a pattern that repeated infinitely. Self-similarity was the correct term here, and Frost could not help but to apply it in this instance.

Memories of Cer, Ber and Res were born. The unique structure of a crystal allowed what were called refractions of light to form. Each refraction was but one piece of the original light that passed through the crystal, creating aberrations of light from the original.

One memory of was remembered by the Blue Dahlia, and the thousands of refractions they saw swarming around them were derived from this one memory alone.

It was as though each Cer, Ber and Res were in different worlds. If the original memory was about one of the triplets running on an open field, then the refractions would reveal a triplet running either through a garden, a meadow, a sea, the streets of an Earth-like world, or through a bloody warzone.

This was the power of the refraction of ‘Light’ that passed through a crystal lattice.

At least Frost believed it to be. No one knew the principle behind Corrupted Skills, or how the Corrupted attacked. Though they had Light, it was hard to say that it was caused by Light.

But for a Genesis Stone? It had to be Light. If not, then it had to be the driving force. Studying the Light further was already on the top of Frost’s priority list for when they return to the Nexus.

For now, there was something else she had to ask out loud.

“Is it possible that she’s looking into other worlds!?”

The response was delayed as Snap wove through the crystal hailstorm. Frost created a stream of [Liquid Fire] and [Inferno] to incinerate tiny crystal shards, whereas [Prejudice] continued to deal with larger ones.

Additionally, her one thousand Judge’s Aids were able to serve as individual mobile shields. Helping them was a steady stream of bullets fired by Frost and the Hired Arm, who continued to stun Cer with their legendary accuracy.

“And here I am… only hitting them because there’s so many!” Cer cried. “[Bolt of Tasty Levin]! [Electric Fang]!”

It wasn’t Cer to scream out the names of her Skills. But she desperately needed an outlet.

“What’s this about other worlds!? Are you saying there’s more of ‘us’ out there!?”

“No. That can’t be it.” The Hired Arm quickly corrected, her voice on edge as if annoyed by Frost’s conjecture. “Other worlds are real, but the triplets only exist in this world. Even if the Rivers exist there, and if the triplets serve as a form of archetype of whatever their tale is – then it still is not possible.”

“Since when did you know about the Rivers?”

“I’m essentially the future version of the Taleor. I’m not as well versed as her during that time, but the book burning occurred because people were afraid that tales had an influence on what could manifest. Granted, that’s all up here.”

The Hired Arm flicked her forehead before she readjusted her peaked cap.

“The mind. Cognition.”

< Lailah has nothing to correct, aside from the addition of the Collective Unconsciousness >

Frost then answered.

“Then… this is the Blue Dahlia’s delusion. It’s a way for her to create false memories to figure out which one is the real one. Worlds can exist in thoughts. And thoughts can be made into reality in this world.”

Despite the turbulent situation, Frost managed to find clarity in her thoughts. She felt like she was in the eye of a cyclone. There was an odd feeling that Frost couldn’t shake off.

The Blue Dahlia was supposed to have lost her memories.

So how come she still has some of them? I know it’s Perigean Night but… Think Frost. Think! Perigean Night should only cover for Cer, but she can remember Ber. Res is a given. Why can she recall it? Even just a little bit?

Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

< [Sundering Un(Cer)tainty] >

< [Echoes of (Ber)eavement] >

< [Searching For A (Res)emblance] >

< [Erase] >

< “Where is she? Where are you? I’m here! Waiting! Can you hear me!?” >

The thousands of phantom triplets were murdered in cold blood by lightning strikes, crystal shards and left impaled on branches like the victims of a butcher bird. Though they weren’t real in the slightest, Frost felt sick to her stomach to see the way the triplets were still being treated.

Not only that, but Frost noticed another thing.

It’s not Ber or Res, is it? All those wolves are Cer.

Has there been a time when Frost’s eyes deceived her? The past memories of the triplets did not escape her scrutiny, no matter how quickly they were killed off and –

< [Erase] >

– Erased.

< “Where is my daughter? Why are there so many fakes? No matter how many times I see your face, I can never pinpoint where I first saw you, my first born.” >

This was Cer.

Nothing could tell her otherwise. Surprisingly, Cer didn’t realize it herself until Frost pointed it out.

“Peregian Night is the only time she remembered me. But she also remembers Ber and Res too. What’s going on?” Cer asked with bated breath.

Finally, Frost arrived at an answer.

“The Blue Dahlia was said to have neurological disease.” Frost said. “Dementia. In my world, it wasn’t only a disease that erased memories. Dementia could imprison people in their own world… a certain time in their life. It’s also… probably self-inflicted. I think… I think she’s in the process of losing her memories. Your mother… is sacrificing everything to find you!”

“Only me? I’m… But I’m not Res.”

They were almost at the top. Cer had never spoken so softheartedly before. It was barely audible, and she spoke without moving her lips. Her breathy voice, and her ceasing tremors revealed her shock far more than words possibly could.

“Hah… haha… It can’t be. Mother… why would she? I’m just… I was… I am…”

< “Condense my memories for the sake of a glimmer of light in our dark. My ears are open, but I can hear no more.” >

< [Sundering Un(Cer)tainty] >

< “My voice screams longing for you, but I can shout no more.” >

< [Echoes of (Ber)eavement] >

< “I scour through infinite possibilities for you, but my eyes can see no more.” >

< [Searching For A (Res)emblance] >

< “One by one, the petals holding your memories were plucked away, leaving me bare.” >

Then, as the false Cers were deleted, a sudden Corrupted Skill appeared.

< [Fuel Are (My) Memories] >

< EFFECT: The search for [My Daughter?] will be narrowed down. All scenes and all variations of [My Daughter?] are conceptually erased. Increase the intensity of attacks of the Effeuiller La Dahlia >

< “Love me? Love me you may not. Forget you? Forget you I must not!” >

“Effeuiller La Dahlia… That’s the name of the Dirge.” Frost uttered. The living corpse of the Red Giant, which had been reduced to a disembodied head by her hip, shivered in response to her voice.

The Cers stopped forming. They were no longer erased. Everything seemed to go back to normal as Cer clutched onto her chest. Patches of blue flowers grew along the bark. It joined the ever-growing crystals.

Finally, Nav revealed the Conditions to them as made their last push into the light.

| Meadow of Blooming Memories |

< CONDITION: All targets eliminated within the Meadow of Blooming Memories are inflicted with [Erase]. All targets that resemble the subjects in the Effeuiller La Dahlia’s memories are given the [My Daughter?] Condition. The Effeulier La Dahlia cannot be destroyed until it finds what it’s looking for >

< ADDITIONAL CONDITION: The Meadow of Blooming Memories expands as the demand for [My Daughter?] grows. Emotional distress dictates the end size of the Corrupted Zone >

< SUPPRESSION REQUIREMENT: When the Effeuiller La Dahlia is reunited with who she is looking for, then the Effeuiller La Dahlia becomes vulnerable >

< SUBJUGATION REQUIREMENT: The Effeuiller La Dahlia is Subjugated when its HP reaches 0 or when its Genesis Stone is destroyed >

“Then… We just have to bring Cer to her!” Frost realized, but with the assault becoming far too intense, it seemed like it might not be possible. “We’re almost there!”

The other thing that irked her was the mention of how emotions could expand the Corrupted Zone further. With how emotionally distressed the Effeuiller La Dahlia was…

… it was entirely possible that it could consume an enormous portion of Grandis. Not only that, but Frost also realized that this Corrupted Zone was dangerous for her. If the Impuritas’ wish was to erase her entirely, then this Dirge was the perfect countermeasure for her.

Indeed, while they perhaps didn’t expect them to fight them now, this Dirge would have been deployed. That way, they wouldn’t need to waste a Wish on her.

It could’ve been a red herring as well!