I think the real reason we're way out on the frontier is Artifacts: not just one, but many.

Eltnen is crawling with Artifacts...like the ones in the Abyss, we think. If we master the Artifacts here, that might give us an edge in the Abyss War, eh?

But I've just received a sketchy report from the Outpost Ruins. Something about the flow of Aether disappearing completely....

Not necessarily. There are always strange fluctuations in Aether flow nearby. But it bears investigating, that's for sure.

But troops are in short supply--look around you, eh?--and I don't want to send a raw recruit out there. When an Artifact is involved, you never know what might turn up.

Based on what I've heard you do in Verteron, I think you've got the experience to check it out for me, your character.

Meet Lakaias first. He's the guard for the Outpost Ruins.

He's been recording the Aether fluctuations and reporting back to me, so he'll know whether this is something serious.

Follow the road leading from the Manduri Forest to the Outpost Ruins, and you'll find Lakaias--or he'll find you.

Yah! You surprised me. Sorry--I was deep in thought.

Centurion Valerius must have sent you. You're here about the Aether, right?

The past few days, the Aether flow has been intermittent. Now it's stopped completely.

With all the refugees coming through here, I haven't examined the site firsthand, so I'm not sure what's up. The Outpost Ruins makes me...nervous, to be honest. Helping the refugees as they come through...now that's something straightforward where I can be useful.

My guess is that the Artifact must have received some kind of physical shock. But that's just a guess. Nothing like seeing for yourself, I suppose.

When you get there, you'll see ruined buildings in several places--they all look alike to me. The Artifact is inside one of them.

You survived the Outpost Ruins! You must be brave indeed.

Did you get far enough in to check on the Artifact?

Only the bottom part remains, you say? The rest has disappeared?

We should find out who did this before reporting back. And better yet--get the missing part of the Artifact back.

But, um, there's one problem: I got this assignment because...well, because I lost my nerve in battle. So I'm not much help in a fight, I'm afraid.

An object as powerful as an Artifact can't be moved without leaving some traces behind.

If you investigate the Ancient Caryatids that were guarding the Artifact, you may be able to find clues.

And I'm sure you've already figured out that the Ancient Caryatids don't willingly submit to "investigation," eh?

I hope you found some clues. I've been wracking my brains since you left, and I can't figure it out.

You can't just walk off with an Artifact.... Something like this takes manpower and planning...in abundance.

I can't believe this happened right under my nose. I should have stood watch right at the Artifact, not over here.

This...this is something Lepharist Revolutionaries carry with them!

The Lepharists! If they're involved, that's serious--serious for the Artifact's fate, and serious for what it says about the Lepharists.

Report this to Centurion Valerius immediately. He'll know what to do.

No clues, eh?

Keep looking. It would have taken significant manpower to remove the artifact completely. One of them must have left something behind, right?

Ah, you're back.

Did Lakaias have any information on what caused the Aether to stop flowing?

Or let me guess: It was a temporary fluctuation, and everything's fine now.

Gone? Completely gone? And worse, taken by the Lepharists?

The Lepharists are rabble--they have no interest in the Abyss War. I wonder what they're up to...

In any case, it's time to escalate this and get an audience with the Brigade General right away. And before I forget, here's a reward for your hard work.

1. Talk with Valerius.

2. Talk with Lakaias.

3. Check the condition of the Artifact.

4. Report to Lakaias.

5. Kill Ancient Caryatids, and bring any clues you find to Lakaias.

   Revolutionary Symbol x5

6. Talk with Valerius.

Order: Valerius received a report that something is wrong at the Outpost Ruins. Meet him and listen to the details.

Valerius received a report that the flow of Aether had stopped near the Artifact at the Outpost Ruins, and he told you to investigate it.

Lakaias gave you the details, and you went to check the situation. The upper part of the Artifact was gone completely, ripped from its base. You destroyed Caryatids near the Artifact and found evidence indicating that the Lepharist Revolutionaries were the culprits. You went back and reported to Valerius.