With the help of conspirators, Freesia escapes from prison, abducts Orchis, and holds her hostage on Agastia. She demands that the crew bring Akasha to her, but the crew heads to Agastia with no intention of playing her game.
Servant
And then I was knocked unconscious. By the time I awoke, the princess was gone.
Injured Guard
Freesia had more than a few golems with her.
Injured Guard
With the amount of guards we had left, we didn't stand a chance.
Adam
I see.
Having returned to the Palace of Elijah Chelm, Adam, Gran, and the crew listen to the details leading up to the kidnapping.
Adam hangs his head as the two speak of their encounter with the escaped prisoner.
Adam
Why— Why would Freesia take Orchis now?
Struck with grief, Adam speaks aloud to no one in particular. But the palace servant may have an answer.
Servant
Well actually, before I passed out, Freesia told me to give you a message.
Servant
She said that you must bring Akasha to the tower in Agastia.
Adam
Akasha?
Rackam
You've gotta be kidding. Is she trying to start that monster up again?
Katalina
It would seem she hasn't given up on her plans.
Eugen
The way that lady sees it, it's not over in the least.
Lecia
She said in the prison cell that she'd spend her life getting revenge against us.
Lyria
...
The thought of Freesia's treacherous tenacity sends a chill through the crew. Just then, they hear the sound of footsteps approaching.
Guard
Admiral Adam! We found people that match the prison guard's description!
Conspirator 1
...
Conspirator 2
...
Io
Huh? Why these two?
Rosetta
It's just as the guard said. Two elderly relatives came to visit Freesia late in the night.
Rosetta
And since he was out cold shortly after they arrived, these two should have an interesting story to tell us.
Conspirator 1
Humph. You're the crew that made a mess of Lady Freesia's plans.
Conspirator 1
A bunch of outsiders who know nothing but dare to interfere in the restoration of Erste.
Vyrn
Hey! What're you saying! That's no way to talk to somebody!
Conspirator 2
She's keeping company with a bunch of skyfarers and hanging around with a suspicious creature.
Conspirator 2
I knew we couldn't trust Lady Orchis with the Erste Kingdom.
Conspirator 2
Her mother, Queen Viola, was such a wise woman.
Conspirator 2
But she was deceived somehow by that Astral fellow who despised Erste.
Conspirator 2
Everything fell to pieces. Those Astrals are nothing but a menace to our world.
Conspirator 2
The same goes for that girl and the Astral blood in her veins.
Lyria
But Orchis is working so hard for the kingdom.
Sensing Lyria's distress at the accusation, Adam steps forward to lead the questioning.
Adam
You two have been brought here because of testimony from a guard.
Adam
Were you the ones who helped Freesia escape the prison?
Conspirator 1
That's right! Because Lady Freesia is the only one who can save Erste!
Conspirator 1
Lady Freesia swore an oath to us.
Conspirator 1
She promised that she'd return Erste to how it was before the Astrals ruined it, no matter the sacrifice.
Conspirator 1
You should be proud that Lady Orchis will become a sacrificial cornerstone for Erste's renewal!
Adam
How dare you!
Conspirator 1
Yeep!
Adam clenches his fist in an effort to quell his anger.
Adam
Orchis has been serving this kingdom from the very moment she returned to Erste.
Adam
Practically ten years of her life were stolen from her. That's precious time people take for granted—time one needs to mature from a child into an adult.
Adam
But she saw her duties through to the end without a single complaint.
Adam
The likes of you will never understand.
Adam
You couldn't fathom how hard she works for the kingdom, or how deeply she cares for its citizens!
Conspirator 2
!
Katalina
Calm down, Adam. I understand how you feel, but now's not the time for lecturing these two.
Eugen
That's right, Admiral. First, let's deal with the problem at hand, eh?
Adam
...
Their encouragement seems to work. Adam takes a moment to collect himself before turning to the guard.
Adam
My apologies. These two have confessed, so let's send them to the palace cells for now.
Guard
Roger!
Conspirator 1
Humph.
Just before they leave, Adam calls out to them.
Adam
One more thing before you go.
Conspirator 2
?
Adam
Freesia's restoration plan for Erste involves an incredibly great sacrifice.
Adam
That is, if she tries to return Erste to the way it was, the very world we live in will likely disappear.
Conspirator 2
What! Don't be stupid. Lady Freesia never said anything about that.
Adam
To her, the two of you are nothing more than lambs to be sacrificed.
Adam
And likely she thinks the same of herself.
Conspirator 2
It can't be.
In shock, the two are escorted to the palace prison by the guards.
Adam sees them off before turning back towards Gran and the crew.
Adam
I apologize for my behavior just then.
Vyrn
Don't sweat it! We were stewing about that too!
Rackam
Yep! Besides, we got a peek at the human side of you.
Rackam
Well, I mean, as human as you can be, since you're a golem and all...
Adam
No need to explain. In fact, I consider it a compliment.
Adam
However, I think it's time to get a little more serious.
Io
You mean, we need to figure out how to get Orchis back, right?
Katalina
Let's see. First of all, Freesia wants the primal beast Akasha.
Katalina
But what's the state of Akasha at the moment?
Adam
After that last battle, Akasha was sealed using a specialized procedure.
Adam
It was then entrusted to a reliable individual.
Lecia
A reliable individual?
Adam
Even if Gran asked me, I'm afraid I can't reveal who it is.
Adam
We don't even know where that person is located right now.
Eugen
So with only a few people who know its location, you can keep its very existence in the dark, eh?
Adam
Once born, a primal beast can't be extinguished.
Adam
If we sealed it somewhere, it would be exploited once found.
Adam
As such, we had no choice but to keep its existence as secret as possible.
Rosetta
It's not a bad idea, I suppose. As long as there's no need for it.
Io
Sounds like we won't be bringing Akasha along. That's a relief.
Lyria
Back then, in order to stop Akasha, I absorbed a little of her power.
Lyria
I'm sure there must be some left within me!
Lyria
...!
Lyria
Huh? It's not responding to my call.
Adam
Akasha should still be specially sealed, just as it was when we handed it over.
Adam
It has the same seal that was used on Deus Ex Machina.
Adam
With those measures in place, a primal beast should be completely cut off from the outside world.
Lyria
Then I guess I can't borrow its power.
Gran and the crew resign to the fact that they can't meet Freesia's demands.
Rackam
Sounds like there's only one thing to do here.
Dialogue Option
We'll force her to give Orchis back.
Eugen
You're thinkin' what I'm thinkin', eh?
Katalina
After all, if we did exactly as she said, we'd gain nothing in the end.
Dialogue Option
We'll convince her to give Orchis back.
Lecia
Well, that may be the most logical way to go about it.
Rosetta
It doesn't seem hopeful considering how adamant she was even in confinement.
Io
We don't have to convince her! She's the one in the wrong!
Lyria
Let's go to Agastia. We've got to get Orchis back from Freesia!
And so, Gran and the crew decide to make their way to Agastia.
Freesia and her dangerous, undying ambition await them.
72: Alarm in Agastia 
