| Genichiro, Second Encounter Cutscene | Genichiro: How is grandfather?
Emma: Lord Isshin is... it's a wonder he is still with us. A miracle.
Genichiro: ...is that so. Divine Heir, I'll ask you once more. Accept me into your immortal oath.
Kuro: I cannot do that, Lord Genichiro. Your victory that day means nothing. He will risk his life to take me home. For he is my shinobi.
Wolf: My Lord, I have come for you. This... will only take a moment.
Genichiro: I see. For as long as you are alive... The dragon's blood can never be mine. |
| After Defeating Genichiro | Wolf: We must leave Ashina.
Kuro: ... Wolf. My blood... the blood of the dragon causes men to become undying. The same goes for you.
Wolf: ... Yes, my lord.
Kuro: I wished to save you. I'm sure that I would do the same thing given another chance. However... Undying begets stagnation. The Immortal Oath, the Rejuvenating Waters, the Dragonrot. They all corrupt men to the point that they no longer live as men. I wish to sever the chains of stagnation bred by the Dragon's Heritage. Wolf, will you help me achieve this aim? |
| Agreeing to Help | Wolf: (Father... I cannot break the Iron Code.) |
| Obeying the Iron Code | Wolf: I cannot. To protect you, the Divine Heir... That was the duty my father entrusted to me.
Kuro: How many times have you died and come back to life for my sake...? Two? Three times...? Or perhaps a number so large that it cannot be counted?
Wolf: As it was for the purpose of defending my Lord, the number does not matter.
Kuro: I do not wish to bind you... to an eternity of undeath. Wolf... Join me in my quest to sever the ties of immortality.
Wolf: ... As you wish.
Kuro: Thank you, Loyal Wolf. |
| Talking | Kuro: If we are seeking to sever the immortal ties, I know a good place to start. Wolf, look at this. (Gives Immortal Severance Text) It's an ancient record that was kept in Ashina Castle.
Wolf: Sacred Dragon Tears... from the divine realm...
Kuro: Yes. It is my belief that with the Dragon Tears... It may be possible to sever the Dragon's Heritage.
Wolf: But... The divine realm? How do we...
Kuro: I know... Wolf. That incense burner over there. It belonged to a... person of interest. Take a look. |
| Inspecting Incense Burner | Wolf: Is there something special about it...?
Kuro: I'm told that long ago... There was another Divine Heir living here in Ashina Castle. His name was Lord Takeru... This incense burner belonged to him.
Wolf: Where is he now...?
Kuro: He died a long time ago, apparently. "Wrapped in the aroma of the fountainhead, I return to the divine realm." Those are supposedly the words he left behind.
Wolf: You’re saying that the scent of the fountainhead... Is the key to reaching the divine realm.
Kuro: That is my belief. Wolf, let us discover the truth together. |
| After Inspecting Incense Burner | Kuro: Now, as to how we begin our search... I am certain some of Lord Takeru's books remain in this castle. Books that he collected in order to find the divine realm. I will search for them.
Wolf: In addition to finding a way to reach the divine realm... Might we also look into how we might sever the immortal ties?
Kuro: A fine suggestion. Talk to Isshin. If anyone knows the answer, it is him. Wolf, come with me. Kuro: Lord Isshin is not within this castle citadel. I'm told he is recuperating in one of these watchtowers. However, the path to his watchtower is closed. His health is a little...
Wolf: How do I get in?
Kuro: On the roof, there's a path patrolled by the Nightjar ninja. It's intended for shinobi, but I imagine that won't be a problem for you. I've heard the Nightjar use smoke signals as landmarks.
Wolf: Yes.
Kuro: So If you follow their smoke signals, you should be able to reach Lord Isshin. And you can use this window to reach the roof. Kuro: Find Lord Isshin... and ask if he knows how we might sever the ties of immortality. He's recuperating in one of the watchtowers outside this castle keep. Reach the roof from that open window, then follow the Nightjar smoke signals. I entrust this task to you. |
| After Talking to Isshin | Kuro: (cough) Hmm... This dust is awful.
Wolf: I have returned.
Kuro: Oh, Wolf. You're back? Did you meet with Lord Isshin?
Wolf: I did. He said, "The Mortal Blade... it could be the key to severing immortality."
Kuro: The Mortal Blade...
Wolf: It's a sword that has the power to kill the undying. It can be found at Senpou Temple.
Kuro: I see... Yes, that seems promising.
Wolf: As you say.
Kuro: For my part... I hunted for any books that may contain clues about the aroma of the fountainhead. It seems Lord Takeru indeed sought a way to reach the divine realm. So far I've found one piece of relevant information.
Wolf: What is it?
Kuro: A flower. |
| Asking About the Flower | Wolf: A flower?
Kuro: First, read this. (Gives Fragrant Flower Note)
Wolf: What is...
Kuro: Lord Takeru left it behind. I was looking for information on the fountainhead aroma, and how it relates to the divine realm. There is water that flows from the fountainhead through Ashina... And the book speaks of a white lotus flower that grows where that water pools deeply. It appears to be one component of the fountainhead aroma. A place where the fountainhead waters pool deeply...
Wolf: Perhaps in a deep valley?
Kuro: Yes.. Indeed, the sunken valley may be the place. The fountainhead waters should flow into there.
Wolf: Where is this sunken valley?
Kuro: It's beyond the woods to the rear of the castle. There's a shrine dedicated to the White Serpent deep in the woods. As the name implies, the sunken valley is just below that place. There's no proper path down there, but a man of your talent could navigate it. |
| Asking About the Stone | Missing information. |
| Giving Fragrant Flower Note | Wolf: My Lord, this is for you.
Kuro: This is...
Wolf: A document written by one who sought the fountainhead aroma.Kuro: I see. It says there's a "fragrant stone" in some sacred village... But I've never heard of such a village.
Wolf: It is beneath Ashina.
Kuro: ... Now that you mention it... about the well near the Moon-view Tower... I've read it may have some connection with a bottomless hole. This may be worth investigating.
Wolf: I will take a look.
Kuro: Good. The text did say to "throw oneself"... I wonder what that could mean... |
| Asking About Bottomless Hole | Wolf: A place to throw oneself... I've seen a place where that might be possible...
Kuro: You have...?
Wolf: There is a great, seemingly bottomless hole in the abandoned dungeon outside Ashina castle. An old woman there... She told me to throw myself in.
Kuro: ... Hmm. This hole -- you believe it's connected to somewhere?
Wolf: Yes. I felt a faint wind blowing in from the direction of the torii gate. I think I will try jumping into it.
Kuro: ... It's worth a try. But do be careful. |
| Asking About the Bell Charm | Missing information. |
| Giving Bell Charm | Wolf: My Lord, please take a look at this.
Kuro: That bell... I've seen it before. It reminds me of Hirata... and of that night...
Wolf: .........
Wolf: Forgive me, Wolf. You brought it all this way to me... but I don't have need for it anymore. I've heard there's a run-down temple on the outskirts of Ashina where one can offer items with a significant past to Buddha... Lady Emma also frequents that temple. Wolf, would you take that bell and make an offering of it there?
Wolf: Yes. I will make the offering. |
| Giving Lotus of the Palace | Wolf: .........
Kuro: Hmm? What is it, Wolf? That's... the white lotus flower...! Was it in the Sunken Valley?
Wolf: Yes, deep within the Sunken Valley.
Kuro: I see, so that valley is indeed where the Fountainhead waters pool deeply. I didn't expect you to find it so quickly. Well done, Wolf. |
| Leaving | Kuro: Oh, that's right... That door marked with the outline of a person... Lord Isshin once called it a "shinobi shortcut." I haven't a clue how it works... But seeing as he mentioned "shinobi" I thought you might know. |
| Missing information. | Kuro: I see you've gathered some of the ingredients needed to create the aroma of the fountainhead. Keep up the good work, Wolf. |
| Missing information. | Kuro: Ahh, I meant to ask. Did you notice the lingering scent in the incense burner? |
| Answering No | Wolf: I did not.
Kuro: I see. Then I suggest you do so at some point. It is faint, yet... It makes you feel as though there is still some of the aroma left. |
| Answering Yes | Wolf: My Lord, the incense burner...
Kuro: You smelled it? What did you think?
Wolf: I did. The smell... was reminiscent of sawdust.. But also, it smelled faintly of sakura flowers...
Kuro: Oh? So you smelled it too? I felt the scent was much like sakura flowers, but slightly different... Hmm...
Wolf: .........
Kuro: What is it, Wolf?
Wolf: That scent... it reminds me of something.
Kuro: You've smelled it before?
Wolf: I believe so... but I can't remember where.
Kuro: Now that you mention it... Lady Emma said that once long ago there was a sakura tree to the rear of the castle. Perhaps that is relevant to our search? |
| Asking About Sakura Tree | Kuro: The scent in the incense burner reminded me of a sakura tree. Yet it wasn't a regular sakura flower. Lady Emma might know something about the sakura tree that was once in the back of the castle. |
| After Talking to Emma | Wolf: I asked Lady Emma about the sakura tree.
Kuro: You did? What did she say?
Wolf: The tree is called an "Everblossom." Lord Takeru brought it here from the divine realm-- But it has withered away and no longer remains.
Kuro: I see...
Wolf: However... It is said that someone plucked a branch from the Everblossom and stole off with it.
Kuro: Hmm... Who would do such a thing?
Wolf: .........
Kuro: ... What's lost is lost. Finding a stolen tree branch? We have no information to go on. Let us gather what we can for the aroma first.
Wolf: As you wish. |
| Giving Shelter Stone | Wolf: My Lord, I have procured the ingredients for the aroma.
Kuro: Oh, so that is... the stone for the Fountainhead Incense? What a peculiar shape it is.
Wolf: The stone looks to be an object of worship.
Kuro: Oh...? It was worshipped? Interesting custom.
Wolf: Yes. There was also an inscription-- "A sweetly scented bridal offering." ...written on the altar.
Kuro: Bridal...? Hmm. What sort of place was this?
Wolf: It was in a cave, beyond a door made of solid rock.
Kuro: Hmm... In that case, where was the wedding procession headed? No way to know, I guess...
Wolf: Sweetly scented...
Kuro: Hmm?
Wolf: Lord Kuro... That place might be the gateway to the divine realm.
Kuro: ......... I see. Sweetly scented... meaning wrapped in the Fountainhead Incense... That is what it might be referring to. Yes, it had been made into some sort of shrine. So it was just as Lord Takeru wrote. Yes, the book described it perfectly... Oh, and actually... I've found something. I discovered there's another scent we must acquire.
Wolf: What is it?
Kuro: The blood of the Divine Heir of the Dragon's Heritage... In other words, my blood.
Wolf: Your blood... But my lord... you cannot bleed.
Kuro: Yes, it is true that those of the Dragon's Heritage cannot bleed. However, in Lord Genichiro's quarters, I found a curious journal belonging to Lord Takeru's page. And it appears there is a way for me to bleed. For now, I'd like to ask you to keep this for me. (Gives Page's Diary) Now then... We just need to figure out how to make me bleed...
Wolf: Perhaps we should ask Lady Emma?
Kuro: Hmm... As a doctor she should have much knowledge of the human body... Yes, she may be able to help us. Wolf: To think my blood is an ingredient of the aroma... Perhaps Lady Emma will know of a way to make me bleed. Might you ask her? |
| After Talking to Emma | Kuro: Wolf, did you speak with Lady Emma?
Wolf: ......... I did.
Kuro: And? What did she say?
Wolf: That it could be possible with the Mortal Blade.
Kuro: ... I see. So the Mortal Blade will allow my blood to flow.
Wolf: ... As you wish.
Kuro: I've heard the Mortal Blade is in Senpou Temple. Will you obtain it for me?
Wolf: ... As you wish. |
| Presenting Sakura Droplet | Wolf: My Lord, this is for you...
Kuro: Could this be...?
Wolf: It's a sakura droplet.
Kuro: That's... When the Undying Pledge of the Dragon's Heritage is broken... It's said that this remains in place of the oath. Do you think this one was left behind by Lord Takeru?
Wolf: ... That seems likely.
Kuro: Wolf, if you so desire... I can use this sakura droplet to assist you. |
| Refusing Sakura Droplet | Wolf: My lord's oath is all I need.
Kuro: I understand. But don't refuse it to spare my feelings. If you feel it is necessary, do not hesitate to ask. |
| Accepting Sakura Droplet | Wolf: If you should be so kind...
Kuro: Of course. Close your eyes.
Wolf: My Lord...
Kuro : Lord Takeru's dragon blood... Lives on with you.
Wolf: I humbly accept.
Kuro: Yes. ......... You may open your eyes now.
Wolf: My Lord...
Kuro: That was a boon granted by Lord Takeru. Use it well.
Wolf: Yes. |
