Video;

[truthdecided]

[It's the middle of the day, not long after quests go up that Akechi greets the Grumpearls with a serious expression.]

Greetings. This is Akechi. To anyone newly arrived, I'm a member of the Oran Berries, and I was also among the group exploring the Northern Forest.

[Images accompany of his words of meandering, overgrown plantlife, strange, glowing vines, and luminous mushrooms eerily aglow.]

As there are multiple quests related to the recent fungal infestation as well as further requests to explore to the north, I'd like to give you all my personal insights.

First...

[He raises a wing, feathers folded in such a way to approximate a hand holding up one finger.]

The spores cause heightened aggression. I highly recommend obtaining some form of facial covering to minimize their effects. While I cannot say how effective it will be, reducing how many spores you inhale will likely serve you well in the long run.

Second...

[He raises another feather.]

Be extra careful when removing the mushrooms. If you can dig around them, that will be ideal, but mushrooms have complex root systems called mycelium, so if you want to be extra cautious, it may be worth digging especially deep. The fruiting bodies are their primary means of reproduction, however, so simply removing and eliminating as many as possible while minimizing contact with the spores would be ideal.

[He tries to convey this with little images of the mushroom caps and the roots spreading far, far beneath the soil.]

Ren and I will return to the northern forest to rectify our... mistake. I also fully intend on gathering and eliminating as many of the mushrooms as possible.

Be smart, expect the worst, and we may be able to overcome this unfortunate infestation.

Comments

[truthdecided]

I suppose it depends on the scope of their abilities. Still, if their powers govern forces of nature and reality themselves, would they not be the most likely culprits? Unless there's something even greater, that is...

[Hmmm... Come to think of it...]

Akari-san did mention an "Arceus."

[offtracks]

Mmm, yes, she has mentioned that to me as well. She says that it is the true name of the Original One.

[truthdecided]

In other words, a god. Thus, would that not make it a probable suspect? Such power would certainly explain why so many different worlds were involved...

[But that doesn't explain why they were all dropped in such unfortunate places.

The crashing of waves stirs through his thoughts, followed by the foggy forest.]

[offtracks]

It would certainly be possible. Though it certainly isn't as though it runs around doing such things at all times!

[There's nothing to really work from. All of the old legends...at this point, who knows which of them were really referring to the true Sinnoh at all?]

[truthdecided]

Perhaps it has some greater goal in mind, but the lack of transparency doesn't sit well with me.

[They weren't really given a clear objective before the guilds... Really, they've all had to adapt and make do.]

[offtracks]

Yes, yes, I can certainly understand that. But we do not even know that it was involved in the first place.

[He's not really mad, if only because there's very little direction for that.]

[truthdecided]

True. It is still speculation. Nonetheless, I don't see it as coincidental, because it's far too coordinated.

[And now that there have been two cycles of this, that's even less reason to see it as a fluke...]

What I can say is that it's clear that this town and its surrounding wilderness are in grave danger, and I can't imagine that will change any time soon.

[offtracks]

Quite so. It is a bit disconcerting...nonetheless, there is little for us to do but move forward and try to help as best as we can. With any luck, that will lead us towards the truth!

[truthdecided]

All the more reason for us to take care with these upcoming missions. We can't afford to get sloppy.

[offtracks]

Quite, quite. At least nothing incredibly dangerous has happened thus far.

[All of these missions have been pretty normal to him! Even the ones with fights!]