Core of the Apparatus/Story

A-Toymaking We Shall Go

Main article: A-Toymaking We Shall Go

Quest Description

A toy merchant from Fontaine seems to be struggling with the source materials of his products...

(Talk to Bertrand before completing Step 1)

Bertrand: Heh! If that's the amount I'm getting for one of these, then I just need to sell 20,000 of them to pay off my debt!

Bertrand: As simple as that... Uh, you seem to have some questions, I presume?

What do you plan to sell?

Bertrand: I plan to sell toys, but... Unfortunately, the toys are yet to be produced. Please check them out once I have them ready.

Nothing...

Bertrand: If you've nothing to say, then don't bother me. I'm currently making a batch of important products.

(Talk to Katheryne): Katheryne: Traveler and Paimon, you're right on cue!; Paimon: Right on cue for what?; Katheryne: For a commission that's suited for you! I was just about to reach out to you.; Paimon: A commission that's suited for us... Don't tell Paimon that you want us to look for things or drive hilichurls off.; Or to pick some garbage up on the rooftop...; Or to fetch some suspicious-looking goods...; Katheryne: Oh, don't misunderstand. The commission is indeed suited for you, and by "suited" I mean...; Katheryne: It's fun, and there are rich rewards to be had as well.; Paimon: Rich rewards!; Being fun certainly doesn't seem important to Paimon, huh?; Paimon: U—Um... Being fun is also important! So, what is this commission about?; Katheryne: The requester is a toy merchant from Fontaine. His name is Bertrand. He came to sell toys in Inazuma and is currently looking for an assistant to help him with toy-making.; Katheryne: He's a businessman, after all. That explains why he promised some very generous rewards when he put up the request at the Adventurers' Guild.; Katheryne: But he somehow can't leave Ritou at the moment. Please go and ask him about the details of the commission.; Paimon: Sure, we'll head to Ritou and look for him right away!

(Talk to Bertrand)

Bertrand: Ahahah! I now have everything ready! I'll sell each toy for thousands of Mora. Then, with tens of thousands of them sold...

Bertrand: I can easily earn tens of millions... Hahaha...

Paimon: Hello, are you Bertrand?

Bertrand: Ah yes, I am.

Bertrand: Are you two toy buyers who caught wind of my business?

Bertrand: But it's a shame that I can't sell you any toys yet, because I haven't started mass production.

Bertrand: But no worries, the production line is being built as of now. You can register and make a deposit if you're interested. I'll inform you when the toys are ready, and then you can proceed to pay the balance...

Paimon: Hold your horses! We're not here to buy your toys.

Bertrand: Oh, you aren't toy buyers... So if you've got something to say, tell me quick. Don't waste my time.

Bertrand: And be concise, my time is precious.

Paimon: Whoa... What a change of attitude!

We're here to help.

You put up a request at the Adventurers' Guild, didn't you?

Bertrand: Ah, so you're the assistants sent by the Adventurers' Guild! Welcome! You could've told me earlier!

Bertrand: Yes, I did put up that request. How should I address you two?

Paimon: (A sudden change of attitude again...)

Paimon: Paimon is... Uh, Paimon.

Bertrand: Then, how about you?

I'm (‍‍)...

Bertrand: (‍‍)? I think I've heard this name somewhere. Were you once... a wanted criminal too?

More than once, actually...

Bertrand: Well, I might've heard your name when the Tenryou Commission arres... Um, asked me to answer a few questions.

A wanted criminal "too"?

Bertrand: Haha, that's a long story. I was once arrested by the Tenryou Commission due to a small accident...

Paimon: What on earth did you do to get yourself arrested by the Tenryou Commission?

Bertrand: *sigh* It was not a big deal. I just missed something when I made the last batch of toys... It really was a small mistake.

Paimon: Not a big deal?

A small mistake?

Bertrand: Hehe, those toys would explode if you triggered something inside them. That's all.

Paimon: Explode?

Bertrand: Ahem, it's really no biggie. No one got hurt.

Bertrand: But the Doushin from the Tenryou Commission still confiscated my toys without a second thought... The way I see it, those toys could still be sold as lovely-looking bombs!

Bertrand: *sigh* When I first arrived, I borrowed some Mora from the International Trade Association to start my business. Who'd have thought that I would end up being confined in Ritou, not allowed to enter other areas of Inazuma...

Paimon: You obviously had this coming...

Paimon: Hang on, since you owe the International Trade Association money, how do you plan to pay us?

Bertrand: You can rest assured — I haven't spent all my money, and I can clear my debt once I'm able to produce toys again and get them sold.

Bertrand: Then, I can give you the rich rewards as promised!

Paimon: ...Is this really gonna work?

Bertrand: Have some confidence in Inazuma's toy market! My toys were very popular before people realized that they could explode... And you know what? They actually got even more popular after that.

Bertrand: Anyways, if my plan still fails in the end, I'll pay off my debt by giving all the toys to Kurisu.

Bertrand: Please lend me a hand, hehe.

Paimon: But what do you want us to help you with?

Bertrand: Well, all my toys are produced by this machine that I built. It's called "One-of-a-Kind, Never-Failing, Engineer-Grade, Second-Generation Furnace-Powered Machine."

Bertrand: Speaking of my "One-of-a-Kind, Never-Failing, Engineer-Grade, Second-Generation Furnace-Powered Machine"...

What a tongue-twister...

Paimon: Yep, let Paimon think about it...

Paimon: Let's call it "The Great Machine"!

Bertrand: Wait a sec, this name is too short! It doesn't sound impressive at all!

Paimon: Sometimes the shorter it is, the easier it is to remember.

Paimon: "The Great Machine"... Hmm, Paimon thinks that it rolls off the tongue very well.

Bertrand: *sigh*... OK, I've indeed been told that I've bad taste in names. I'll take your word for it just this once.

Paimon's taste in names isn't exactly any better...

Paimon: Hey!

Bertrand: Hahaha, anyways, my Great Machine can automatically analyze the materials added into it, and then choose the most appropriate method to assemble them.

Bertrand: But last time I added some strange mechanics that caused the toys to explode. So this time, I've reflected on the mistake and rebuilt the machine... Theoretically speaking, it should be fine.

Paimon: Theoretically speaking...

Bertrand: That's why I need people to test it.

Bertrand: In all, the collection process involves three steps: Source Material Collection, Elemental Charge, and Core Activation.

Bertrand: We need to collect things like ores, fruits, and flowers as the base materials.

Bertrand: Next, we infuse the materials with elemental energy to allow the process to move forward. And finally, we power the materials with the energy drawn from the cores of elemental life forms.

Bertrand: Today, let's try the first step — Source Material Collection!

Bertrand: Here, take this Material Collector. Remember to directly put anything you collect into the Collector, lest it be contaminated by other elements.

Leave it to me.

Bertrand: Thanks. Let me adjust the device one last time. I'm counting on you to collect the materials!

(Obtain Material Collector)

(Talk to Bertrand again): Bertrand: Have you collected the source materials using the Collector? The source materials play a critical role in shaping the toys. Be careful with your choice, haha!

(After collecting 3 ores): Paimon: Hmm, now that we've collected all the ores — let Paimon see — next we need some flowers...

(After collecting 3 flowers): Paimon: Great. Then, we'll need many fruits!

(After collecting 6 fruits): Paimon: We've collected all the materials Bertrand needs. (‍Traveler‍), let's bring them to him.

(Talk to Bertrand): Bertrand: How's it going? Have you collected any materials?; They're all in the Collector.; Bertrand: Alright then, lemme add the materials to my One-of-a-Kind, Never-Failing...; Paimon: It's "The Great Machine."; Bertrand: Fine. Lemme add the materials to the Great Machine...; Bertrand connects the Collector to The Great Machine.; Paimon: Wow! And what's next?; Paimon: Will the machine go "chug chug chug" and then spill out the toys with "crackle and kaboom"?; Bertrand: Hahaha, that is totally...; Bertrand: Impossible.; Bertrand: What are you thinking? That's only the first step of the three processes. We're far from getting things done.; Paimon: Paimon gets it, so we need to complete all the processes, huh?; Bertrand: Yep, we need all three processes in order to produce the toys.; That's so troublesome...; That's so much work...; Bertrand: Look at you, always wanting a quick fix. It takes patience to make toys. We must infuse every process with...; Paimon: With what? Oh, Paimon gets it. It's toys we're making, after all, so we must infuse every process with real passion!; Bertrand: Yep, my passion for Mora!; Paimon: Uh... Although that's not what Paimon was thinking, Paimon does share the sentiment!; Hey...; Paimon: Hehe, Paimon was just trying to make conversation.; Paimon: Then, Bertrand, what do we do next? Should we move on to the following processes?; Bertrand: No worries. Since I've recently adjusted the machine, and this particular process hasn't been tested yet, I need to check if it works well with the materials.; Bertrand: This requires some time. Please come back later.

A-Toymaking We Shall Go: Energy Storage

Main article: A-Toymaking We Shall Go: Energy Storage

Quest Description

Bertrand's machine seems to have finished processing the materials. One process down — now for the next...

(Talk to Bertrand)

Paimon: Bertrand!

Bertrand: Ah, (‍‍) and Paimon. Splendiferous timing.

Bertrand: My one and only Great Machine has finished processing the materials you collected.

And how did that go?

Bertrand: Well, come now, this is a machine that I created! Of course there were no issues at all! My techniques were, after all, forged in the fires of Fontaine!

Bertrand: And of course, none know the operation and workings of such devices better than we, the people of Fontaine.

Bertrand: I blame the previous, ah, explosive nature of the product on rushed preparation and a lack of helping hands to help hoover up the necessary materials. Things will be different this time!

Paimon: So you say...

Bertrand: If it still explodes... Well, then my final deposit and the rest of my life will go up in smoke too.

Bertrand: So even if you don't believe in me, you can have faith in my resolution to put my life on the line for this!

Paimon: Y'know, Paimon never thought that this toymaking thingamajig was supposed to require that much resolve...

Bertrand: Well, regardless, we need to begin on the next step of our work.

Bertrand: For safety's sake, let me just ask you this first: of the three processes, the one we have completed is "Source Material Collection."

Bertrand: Now then, is the next step "Core Collection" or "Charge Collection"?

Core Collection...

Bertrand: Congratulations... on being wrong. If you really did go out and do that, then you'd have a part in the collapse of my fortunes.

Bertrand: The correct answer is Elemental Charge.

It's Charge Collection...

Bertrand: Well, it would seem so... But in truth, the answer isn't "Charge Collection" but rather, "Elemental Charge." Didn't expect me to give you two wrong options, eh?

Paimon: This guy's laughter is pretty annoying...

Bertrand: Well, all in all... This Elemental Charge is essentially performed by being affected by the elements while carrying the Material Collector.

Bertrand: For example, I could stand in a river while carrying the Collector to collect Hydro. If I wanted to collect Electro...

Paimon: You'd need to be struck by lightning?

Bertrand: Well, you know, you *are* adventurers...

Bertrand: I believe that you have an adventurer's constitution.

Oh, so it's our constitution you believe in...

Bertrand: To be honest, coming into contact with elemental life forms is probably our best bet. During my previous travels in Inazuma, I marked out three different locations frequented by elemental beings...

Bertrand: I'd actually wanted to sneak over there by boat and make contact with those creatures myself, if no help came...

Paimon: That's way too risky...

Bertrand: Well, now that you're here, why don't you go and try your luck in those places?

Bertrand: Yes, indeed, I believe I shall leave this to you!

(Talk to Bertrand again): Bertrand: Hmm... The elements within the Collector will have to be transferred into the Machine after each collection, so one production cycle will require three collection trips... This seems like a bit too much busywork.; Bertrand: Let me see if I can find some way to optimize this...

(After applying Pyro for 15s): Paimon: This should be enough Pyro for now... On to the next!

(After applying Hydro for 15s): Paimon: Well, looks like we've got enough Hydro. Paimon thinks this process of collecting elemental energy is kinda weird, though.

(After applying Electro for 15s): Paimon: Pyro, Hydro, Electro, looks like we've got 'em all! Let's head back to Bertrand's and pass the Collector to him.

(Talk to Bertrand): Bertrand: How are things going with the Material Collector? Operations are smooth, I trust?; Quite so.; Bertrand: The Collector, too, is my pride and joy. Whether it be the collection of source materials as we did before or the storage of elemental energies as it presently does, it can do them all.; Bertrand: To tell the truth, I've been having some thoughts about changing the Material Collector's name...; Paimon: Eh, Paimon thinks it's fine the way it is.; Same here.; Well, if the shoe fits...; Bertrand: Really? I thought that it might be understating the device's capabilities a little, honestly.; Bertrand: Well, whatever the case, pass me the Material Collector. Just as before, the trial production run will require some observation, especially with regard to the use of elemental energy.; Bertrand: We'll most likely be able to proceed only after the elemental reactions within the Great Machine stabilize.; Bertrand: Well, I'll be counting on you once that happens.

A-Toymaking We Shall Go: Core Propulsion

Main article: A-Toymaking We Shall Go: Core Propulsion

Quest Description

At last, the final step in the toymaking process has arrived. If you complete this final step, production can begin proper, but will this process really produce any toys?

(Talk to Bertrand): Bertrand: Phew! Wow, that was close...; Bertrand: So close, yes, very close indeed...; Paimon: Bertrand, are you alright? You're sweating all over, and you look like you might collapse at any moment!; Bertrand: I "look like I might collapse," eh? Nay, I've already done so, yes indeed!; What's going on?; Did the elemental reactions fail?; Bertrand: Heh, almost! Almost. But thanks to some emergency adjustments, performed triple-quick-time by yours truly, the process stabilized.; Bertrand: The elements are beginning to slowly fuse with the source materials we collected as we speak.; Bertrand: Indeed, that was a really close shave! If I hadn't been able to control the elemental energy, I'd probably be competing with the Naganohara family's fireworks for highest recorded altitude right now.; I thought you said it won't explode.; Bertrand: I said that the toys wouldn't explode — I never guaranteed that the machine that makes them would be similarly stable.; Bertrand: But honestly, it's thanks to your help in this experiment that we even got this far. If I had tried doing this in one go from the start, I don't think there'd be anything left of the Great Machine, never mind there being any toys.; Bertrand: Alright then. This is the final step, also known as "Core Activation."; Paimon: Paimon remembers you mentioned this had to do with elemental creatures, right?; Bertrand: Precisely. Elemental life forms are constantly being powered by the elements. Collecting this motive force and adding it to our machine is the final step.; Bertrand: If I can make the toys, then I can keep making them. Then I can pay off my debt, earn a good sum, and live out my days in Inazuma in peace...; Paimon: Eh? Not going back to Fontaine?; Bertrand: Fontaine... Ah, Fontaine.; Bertrand: (‍Traveler‍), Paimon, you have never been to Fontaine, I suppose. If you had, you would know...; Bertrand: For some people, it is a most convenient place to live. But for others, it is naught but a place of grief and disappointment.; Bertrand: The energy system there is very special, and no one knows how long it can be sustained. Thus, we must find alternative energy solutions before it all comes crashing down.; Bertrand: And yet, change is even harder than we can imagine. The result of all this being... that I must now research alternative energy, alone and away from Fontaine.; Bertrand: The Great Machine, too, is a product of that research, which is why it remains somewhat unstable and at risk of exploding if not handled with the utmost care...; Bertrand: But someday—someday! Someday, I will find a good energy solution.; Bertrand: And then I shall return to Fontaine.; Paimon: Bertrand...; Bertrand: Well, let's not talk about such things now. On to our final process.; Bertrand: My standard of living in Inazuma before I can return to Fontaine depends on you, (‍Traveler‍)!

(Talk to Bertrand again): Bertrand: How is the final process going? Well, I'll bet that defeating elemental creatures was no challenge for an experienced adventurer like yourself, eh?

(After defeating 3 slimes): Paimon: Well, those Slimes were pretty easy to beat. What was next again... Oh, Specters, huh...?

(After defeating 2 specters): Paimon: A Hypostasis... Do we really have to defeat one just to make one toy?

(After defeating the hypostasis): Paimon: Paimon thinks this was waaay more trouble than the other days, but it's done either way. Let's hand the stuff over to Bertrand!

(Talk to Bertrand)

Bertrand: In any case, that's all our processes completed.

Bertrand: Hmm... How about this, (‍‍)? How would you like to be the one to place the Material Collector upon the machine?

Bertrand: Haha! I have no idea what's going to be made — oh, the expectation!

Paimon: Wait, you don't know what sort of toy will come out?

Bertrand: Why, that's the fun of the Great Machine! It responds to and processes different materials differently.

Bertrand: What you've brought shall determine what gets made... So now then, give it a go!

(Opens Product Creation menu)

(Talk to Bertrand again): Bertrand: Alright, go over to the Great Machine to give production a go. Let's see what you end up creating.

(Talk to Bertrand after crafting a toy): Paimon: Is this really a toy made by a machine from Fontaine?; ...Hmm, this just doesn't fit with my image of Fontaine.; Bertrand: Ah, but you see, making goods only in Fontaine's image is no way of guaranteeing mercantile success.; Bertrand: To tell the truth, this production process does include my various gleanings from studying local popular culture. After all, you must win the people's hearts to earn your welcome.; Paimon: Will this stuff really be popular, though?; Bertrand: *cough* Now, I am sure that there might be some early misunderstandings, but so long as we persevere and continue to improve on our work, I'm sure that they will someday be moved!; Bertrand: Whatever the case may be, we have completed this first production cycle.; Bertrand: How did you find it? Fascinating, no?; It was decent.; Bertrand: Hehe, alright. Hmm, I see, so this is what we can produce using these material ratios. Well, in that case, I shall keep this in storage... and also, this voucher is for you.; Bertrand: As for this voucher, you can use it to redeem a robot with the same design as this one for free! If you like this model, then you need only redeem it using this voucher... Well, once we have established a stable production flow, of course.; Bertrand: This is our first robotic toy, after all, so there are still some examinations to be done. We can't be producing exploding gadgets all the time, now can we?; Bertrand: Hmm, and now, let's read the record of issues caused during the test run... It seems that we must make some adjustments to improve our efficiency.; Paimon: Huh, you're actually pretty serious about all this, aren't you?; Bertrand: Of course I am. As a person living alone in a faraway land, this machine and my creativity are all that sustain me.; Bertrand: I mean, the Doushin who arrested me previously called these "bizarre tricks." Hah! Well, I'll teach 'em to look down on these "tricks."; Bertrand: In any case, I must make some adjustments first such that I'll be able to begin mass production shortly.; Bertrand: Do come and lend me your aid when that time comes as well, alright, (‍Traveler‍)?

A-Toymaking We Shall Go: Mass Production

Main article: A-Toymaking We Shall Go: Mass Production

Quest Description

The three processes have been successfully verified, but Bertrand still seems to have something else to ask of you...

(Talk to Bertrand): Bertrand: Hah, (‍Traveler‍) and Paimon. You've arrived!; Bertrand: My Toy Factory shall soon be open!; Paimon: Toy Factory?; Bertrand: *coughs* Well, I mean, it's just me and my Great Machine at the moment.; Bertrand: So, I streamlined the Machine's processes. Now, production should take a lot less time.; Bertrand: Of course, we're not talking about "instantaneous" levels of speed, but I would at least rate it at "rapid."; Paimon: Wow, that sounds impressive.; Bertrand: Speaking of which, I made some improvements to the Material Collector as well.; Bertrand: Previously, you'd need to come back here after each process.; Bertrand: I thought that was inefficient, so I made some adjustments, and now it updates the current process based on your collection progress.; Paimon: So it changes the process...; Paimon: ...based on what we've collected?; I'm confused...; Bertrand: Hmm, how should I put this?; Bertrand: Let's say that the first process requires 10 Sunsettias, the second needs Hydro and the third will see you defeating 2 Hydro Slimes.; Bertrand: And let's say that now you've collected 10 Sunsettias with the Material Collector equipped. Well, in that case, it will consider the materials for the first process collected in full.; Bertrand: And then it will...; Paimon: Ooh, and then it will automatically start the process of collecting materials for the next stage!; Bertrand: Bingo! It will enter Elemental Charge mode, which will let it collect Hydro energy. And once it finishes collecting Hydro, it will change processes again.; It will go on to the third process...; It will proceed to Core Activation...; Bertrand: Yep, and all you will have to do once that happens is to defeat 2 Hydro Slimes.; Paimon: That does sound a lot more convenient.; Bertrand: Tell me about it. I pulled an all-nighter to improve it, you know? I personally call it the ultimate foolproof three-in-one...; Paimon: Huh. This Material Collector is truly amazing.; Indeed.; Bertrand: Heh...; Paimon: Why would you give this Material Collector to us, though?; Bertrand: Hehe, I'm temporarily grounded in Ritou... So I can't collect materials at the moment.; Bertrand: Come on, help me out here. You can have a bit of the Mora from selling toys and one of the toys for free!; Bertrand: Remember the ticket you got? Hehe, well, it can get you one free redemption...; Bertrand: Well, as long as you've already created that particular toy model, of course.; Paimon: Excuse me? You mean with all the materials we collected and all the effort we put in, we only deserve a bit of the Mora and one toy?; Paimon: That's preposterous! Let's get outta here, (‍Traveler‍)!; Bertrand: Wait... How about a bigger share of the profits and two... maybe three toys?; OK, that's it. Let's go, Paimon.; Bertrand: Four! You can have four! But come on, that's as far as I can go!; Bertrand: *sigh* You could have all of them, really, if only I wasn't in debt. Sadly, I still owe the International Trade Association a sum of Mora...; All right, I'll let you off easy this time.; Paimon: *sigh* Listen, we chose to help because you needed help, not for the Mora or toys.; Bertrand: Hehe, and your aid is most appreciated.; Bertrand: A relief, finally...