Chapter 5 choices

[Its Almost Harvesting Season]

So I'm wondering what happens here, because the information surrounding this seems to be getting confused because people are mixing guides or not really saying exactly what to expect, thus leading to more confusion.

You have the choice of taking Sheero (seriously, that was the alternative name they chose?) with you or leaving her behind. I read that bringing her along leads to her being killed, and leaving her behind leads to an optional boss.

So the details make it sound like there's two options; but there appears to be a third option of just not going back to the start and speaking to Sheero again?

I'd love to just "play the game" and experience it, but the lack of chapter select and the tedium of grinding monster parts is a huge deterrent in a game as long as this.

[Captain TraggPirarchBan]

Results in her death

[superfid2006]

Do you mean leaving her behind first, then going back sometime during the chapter and speaking to her?
If so, she will just refuse to come with you

If you mean, can you skip the choice by not speaking to her, you are railroaded into taking the choice, no way to skip

[Its Almost Harvesting Season]

Originally posted by superfid2006:

Do you mean leaving her behind first, then going back sometime during the chapter and speaking to her?
If so, she will just refuse to come with you

If you mean, can you skip the choice by not speaking to her, you are railroaded into taking the choice, no way to skip

I'm talking about not bring her along, and then doing one of the following two things:
1. Joining with Gau and returning to the start to talk to her where she says she will follow from a distance.
2. Joining with Gau and moving onward to the rooftop, refusing to go back to speak to her.

[superfid2006]

I tried the former in my playthrough, it makes no difference. The outcome depends entirely on your choice before entering the castle.

[Captain TraggPirarchBan]

Originally posted by Its Almost Harvesting Season:

Originally posted by superfid2006:

Do you mean leaving her behind first, then going back sometime during the chapter and speaking to her?
If so, she will just refuse to come with you

If you mean, can you skip the choice by not speaking to her, you are railroaded into taking the choice, no way to skip

I'm talking about not bring her along, and then doing one of the following two things:
1. Joining with Gau and returning to the start to talk to her where she says she will follow from a distance.
2. Joining with Gau and moving onward to the rooftop, refusing to go back to speak to her.

1. Results in optional boss
2. Results in her death

[superfid2006]

Originally posted by Captain TraggPirarchBan:

Originally posted by Its Almost Harvesting Season:

I'm talking about not bring her along, and then doing one of the following two things:
1. Joining with Gau and returning to the start to talk to her where she says she will follow from a distance.
2. Joining with Gau and moving onward to the rooftop, refusing to go back to speak to her.

1. Results in optional boss
2. Results in her death

This is false. She will follow from a distance in Postscript. Telling her to wait at the beginning causes the former, telling her to come with you at the beginning the latter. There is no inbetween or a third option.

[gatsu86]

Originally posted by superfid2006:

This is false. She will follow from a distance in Postscript. Telling her to wait at the beginning causes the former, telling her to come with you at the beginning the latter. There is no inbetween or a third option.

If you return to her after teaming up with Gau again (before reaching the boss), you can talk to her again and she will say that she will follow you and Gau. Or She will ask you again if you want her to follow you (I don't remember that exact dialogue 100%)

Technically it is a third option, although the result is the same as the first.

[Its Almost Harvesting Season]

Originally posted by gatsu86:

Originally posted by superfid2006:

This is false. She will follow from a distance in Postscript. Telling her to wait at the beginning causes the former, telling her to come with you at the beginning the latter. There is no inbetween or a third option.

If you return to her after teaming up with Gau again (before reaching the boss), you can talk to her again and she will say that she will follow you and Gau. Or She will ask you again if you want her to follow you (I don't remember that exact dialogue 100%)

Technically it is a third option, although the result is the same as the first.

So whether you return to talk to her or not, choosing to not bring her along for the trip through the castle will still result in the optional boss battle?

The video I saw her showed her dying during the initial encounter with the false boss... So I'm assuming she shows up after the main boss and gets possessed regardless of whether you return to speak to her or not?

See, someone has already said she dies, but you're saying the result is the same as the first option (optional boss).

[gatsu86]

That scene doesn't mean she dies. That secret boss is her, so..
She dies if you choose to take her with you when she asks you the first time. I haven't tried this option so I don't know when this happens, but I'm sure when you face the optional boss you're good to go.
In fact, you will meet her again later in another chapter if you choose the right option.

Options:
1) Yes I take her (the first time) = she will die later (in another cutscene maybe.. idk)
2) No, I don't take her with me (the first time) = optional boss & she lives
3) (Choose No as in option 2 when she asks) Come back with Gau and take her with you = optional boss & she lives

[VertVentus]

https://w.atwiki.jp/astlibra/pages/60.html
1. Bring Sheero along, she dies by the false Demon King, no optional boss fight.
2. Don't bring Sheero along, obtain Gau but don't go back for her, she dies from being left behind, no optional boss fight, slightly new text compared to the above.
3. Don't bring Sheero along, obtain Gau and go back for her, (do this one) optional boss fight, she lives, acquire Love, she joins you in Chapter 6.
4. Postscript Sheero joins regardless of your choice, but she lives and the optional boss becomes forced.
It's as shrimple as that and Captain TraggPirarchBan was correct about it.
Later dialogue and scenes also change to reference what happened (Chapter 7, 8, Postscript). You can keep a save as soon you get Gau back to check the differences between going back for her or not.

This video is using the old translation, but...
https://youtu.be/99c-Sn-vZpo?t=3962

Originally posted by Taking Sheero along.:

Girl: Yay!
Karon: You big softy... You'll believe anything... I can't help you if something happens later as a result of bringing her along...
Girl: Erm... My name is...... Yeah, it's Siro! I'm Siro. Nice to meet you.

1:33:07 in that video.

Originally posted by After defeating the "Demon King".:

Karon: Yeah... The Demon King is no more. There's no one leading the demons any longer.
Siro: This will... drastically change human history.
Karon: We have to find Gau and Shiro... And return to our time.
Siro: ...
Karon: But I thought the Scales would activate once the Demon King was defeated... So what critical factor are we missing in returning to our original timeline.
Siro: ... I wonder if there's another me in this timeline, just like the redhead... [Laughter.]
Karon: What was that now...? ["Demon King" appears and lifts Siro up.]
Siro: (Gasp)
Karon: What...?!
"Demon King": Shatter!
Siro: ... He-help... [Siro dies.]
Karon: Siro...!!
"Demon King": That's one down...
Karon: What the hell... [Protagonist kneels.]
"Demon King": Hmm... You've lost your will to fight. What a fragile mind. How did you even get this far?
Karon: Hey... Come on, man...
"Demon King": Rest assured. I shall send you to the same place right this minute.
Karon: At this rate...
Levis: Take away his freedom.. and seize him, thorns of the great tree! ... The secret maneuver, Pebble Beach Surge! [Hero's party rescues the protagonist as usualy.]

2:01:36 in that video.

Originally posted by Siro dead, after defeating the actual Demon King.:

Demon King: Mechanical failure. System... Anulis... M... Mode...
Gau: We did it. We... did it...
Karon: ...Yeah! We... killed it. The Demon King. We... saved the world!
Gau: Lisa... I... I did it... ... [Fade to white, Lisa and Gau's farewell cutscene does not change. After returning to the present, the Meloo and Kuro introduction is the same up to the fade to black where Kuro wants to talk one on one. Even her recounting of her familiarity with Elizas is the same, as well as the narration of what changed in this timeline due to the Demon King dying. Afterwards is new.]
Kuro: And... I also have a feeling that I've forgotten something even more important. Half of me... I feel like I've lost half of me for reason. I... Have I really been alone all this time? I have a feeling that I've forgotten something that I cherished...
Narration: ... A startling revelation... It appeared that if a person went to the past and didn't return, they disappeared completely from people's memories. it's as if they never existed in the first place. In the end... we couldn't find Shiro. When the Scales activate, anyone nearby jumps in time. She must have had to be near us to return to our original timeline. Shiro's existence was erased. She only remains in the hearts of those who carry her memory. Let us never forget her or her courage in venturing into that treacherous place. Let us live with her memories. It's the least we can do to make up for what happened.
Kuro: I can't believe that I would forget something so important... It's not normal, is it? I'm sorry... Maybe I'm just tired. Thank you for listening to me... I feel a little better now... Yes... Let's go. We'll regret it if we make Meloo wait too long. [The White Flowers Cliff scene is exactly the same regardless of what happens.]

This one uses the new translation, but...
https://youtu.be/iEm6kpfqrUA?list=PL2_ssnLlGi6mlG_qVhYlff_sRTdF6o5j4&t=2667

Originally posted by Leaving Sheero behind.:

Girl: Boo! You're mean!
Karon: ...Hmm. I feel a bit sorry for her, but... I think that's wise. Fortunately, it looks there aren't any demons around, so she should be fine if we leave her here.
Girl: Huh? My... name? Ummmm... right, it's Sheero! My name is Sheero. You've asked me my name... but you're still not taking me with you, are you? Hmph. I guess there's nothing I can do to change your mind, so I'll wait here. But if you come crawling back to me later, don't think you'll get by with some simple apology.
System: You have decided to leave Sheero behind.

https://youtu.be/2emBTceFiuk?list=PL2_ssnLlGi6mlG_qVhYlff_sRTdF6o5j4&t=1953

Originally posted by After leaving Sheero behind, returning to Sheero to Gau.:

Sheero: ...Ah! The redhead...
Gau: ...Who the hell's this pipsqueak...?
Sheero: ...Wha-!? Who're you calling a pipsqueak!? You... you cockscomb!
Gau: ...Huh? Cockscomb...?
Sheero: Your head looks just like a chicken! Pbbbbbttttt!
Gau: Wha... what the hell...? What did I say that was so wrong?
Karon: Umm... This lady here is Sheero. It seems like she was near us when the Scales were activated... So she was flung to this time along with us.
Gau: ...What the hell?
Sheero: Pbbbtttt!
Gau: You little...
Karon: Well, that's the situation. She was brought here because she was nearby. If so, there's a high chance she'll need to be close whenever we return as well.
Gau: ...Wouldn't it be better for the world if she didn't come back with us...?
Sheero: What did you just say!?
Karon: Sheero, please... won't you come with us? I can't accept the possibility of you not being able to go back.
Sheero: ...Well. It's true... I was starting to get a bit anxious too. But you didn't take me with you from the start... So I really don't feel like helping you.
Gau: Oh, what a pain in the ass...
Karon: Then you don't have to help. I just ask that you stay close to us, okay? We don't know when we might return to the original timeline.
Sheero: ... ...Okay. If you insist, I'll come with you. But I', not helping. I'll hang back a little.
Karon: Right, that's fine. If we didn't take you back to our original time, I don't think we'd be able to handle the guilt.
Gau: We done here? Let's get going. I'm surprised you guys even remembered this girl when all that's left is the final battle...
Sheero: They aren't anything like you.
Gau: Yeah, yeah...

43:20 later in that video...

Originally posted by After defeating the Demon King with Gau and Sheero.:

Gau: We did it... We really... did it...
Karon: ...Yeah. We completely... destroyed it. The Demon King is gone. We... saved the world! [Cut to black.]
Sheero: That was amazing!
Karon: Sheero! I'm glad you're safe.
Gau: Tch... you really didn't help at all, huh?
Sheero: What the heck... we just met, do you really think I could have fought the Demon King!?
Gau: Ah... I know the truth. I can smell it on that tiny body of yours... the scent of a real seasoned sorcerer. What's more... It's reeeal strong. You... don't tell me, you're... [Demon King wailing.]
Karon: What?!
Sheero: Huh?
Demon King: Ma... maGIcal power... pow... Intense... destrUCtive vibration deteCted.
Gau: ...♥♥♥♥! This thing isn't dead yet!
Demon King: SouRCe of magic... use it as a mEDium. Scanning...
Gau: Where is it?
Sheero: Ahh!?
Karon: Sheero! [A mask materializes on her face.] Sheero... what's that on your face!? Is that a mask...?
Sheero: Huh?!
Gau: ...Pipsqueak! Rip it off, quick! It'll control you!!
Sheero: I-It won't come off! [She's teleported away.]
Karon: W-Where did she go...!?
Gau: This is bad... That damn Demon King... it's gonna use the pipsqueak's magical power!
Karon: ...The hell did you say!?
Demon King: It's coMing... comINg... cOMing...! DarknESs is born... is bORn... is Born...! [Sheero's body materializes.] Use... uSE the witch as a meDium... iUM... Transition to baTTle mode.
Gau: She's just a pipsqueak... what's with this body!
Karon: What the hell are you saying in this situation!? ...It's coming!

48:22 in the same video.

Originally posted by After defeating the optional boss.:

Demon King: All functiONs stopping. SystEM... Anu... is... Error... MoMOdedE...
Karon: Sheero... [She's teleported back.] ...Good. It appears she's still alive.
Gau: Heh... almost had me worried there...
Karon: With this... the Demon King has finally been eliminated.
Gau: Lisa... Your big brother... he did it... [Fade to white, Gau and Lisa convo I'll not type out, return to present.]
Meloo: Hey, you! How long are you going to stay in bed!?
Kuro: ...Good morning. Gau got up early and went somewhere alone.
Meloo: For goodness' sake... get a grip. You have the important job of escorting us, don't you? There're demons all over the place out there! We can't go anywhere if you're still in bed!
Narration: We returned to our time. We slayed the Demon King in the past and altered history once again. However, after all that... the world remained cursed with demons, even in this era. Akrasinon's Demon King was vanquished, but, in time, rumors circulated of a new one appearing on a faraway continent to the east. The Demon King was just the mother of its colony... when it died, it was simply replaced. That is what the kid meant when he compared it to a queen ant.
Meloo: ...We'll wait for you at the village entrance. Get there as soon as you can, okay? The Guild's work is piling up as we speak. Right then, Kuro. Shall we go?
Kuro: Ah, I'm sorry... I need to talk to.. our dear hero.
Meloo: Oh... really? Well, that's okay. I'll wait outside, alright? [Fade to black.]
Kuro: Umm... well... I apologize if this sounds strange... To tell you the truth, I... I don't feel like... it's the first time I've seen this inn... Oh, it's not that! I haven't... visited... it with any man! It's my first time in this village too! I don't have that kind of experience either... It's odd, isn't it...? It's my first time in this village... And my first time staying at this inn... But I have a feeling... something really, really important... happened here... I have a feeling I received something very important... from you, dear hero... No, no! I don't mean that in a weird way! I really feel like I've forgotten something.
Narration: Many things changed since we altered the past. Firstly, Gau's betrayal was prevented... the entire Hero Party returned unscathed. Gau's sister's demise under the Demon King... meant Gau had no reason to go Akrasinon. With no reason to leave in pursuit of Gau, we never visited the town of Elizas.
Kuro: I can't believe that I would forget something so important... It's not normal, is it? I'm sorry... maybe I'm just tired... Thank you... for listening to me. I feel a little better now... Yes... we should go. We'll regret it if we make Meloo wait too long.[The White Flower Cliff scene is the same.]

After the opening plays however, you get a Shiro exclusive scene and Love.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lbpKSte-Eyg

I am transcribing my own save file for this. Aside from a few lines that get added in bold, taking Sheero with you to to begin with is exactly the same as forgetting to go back for her.

Originally posted by Left Shiro behind, got Gau, didn't go back for her, defeated the Demon King.:

[It ends the same from victory, Lisa's farewell scene, to Meloo and Kuro's wake up scene to the fade to black for Kuro's one on one conversation where she recalls Elizas and the narration of what changed due to the Demon King's death.]
Kuro: And more than that... I feel like I've forgotten something truly dear to me. Half of me... I feel as though I've lost half of myself. Have I... really been alone all this time...? I have a feeling that I've forgotten something that I cherished more than anything else...
Narration: ...It was a startling truth... it seemed that if someone that was sent to the past did not return, they disappeared completely from people's memories. It's as if they never existed in the first place. In the end... we couldn't find Shiro. When the Scales activate, anyone nearby is flung through time. In the same way, they must need to be near us to return to the original timeline. If my guess is correct... we did a disservice to Sheero when we left her at the castle's entrance. I can't help but feel regret for not talking to her just before the final battle. Ultimately, the girls' existence was erased. They only remain in the hearts of those who carry their memories. Let us never forget them or their courage in venturing into that treacherous place. Let us live on with their memories. It's the least we can do to make up for what happened.
Kuro: I can't believe that I would forget something so important... It's not normal, is it? I'm sorry... maybe I'm just tired... Thank you... for listening to me. I feel a little better now... Yes... we should go. We'll regret it if we make Meloo wait too long.[Cue the White Flower Cliff scene and opening.]

[Its Almost Harvesting Season]

Appreciate the post above with the transcript. This thread already shows how muddled the info is, as every answer has given a different outcome lol.

One person is saying the optional boss happens regardless of returning to speak to Sheero or not...

One person is saying she dies off screen and there is no optional boss if you don't return...

Another reply says the optional boss is solely dependent on the initial choice...

And another says the dialogue only occurs in post-script...

Not really sure I understand how Captain TraggPirarchBan was correct though. They state two of those paths lead to the optional boss (aka returning to Sheero has no effect on optional boss happening) and yet the same post saying he's correct states a different outcome should the player choose to not return to Sheero after meeting with Gau. Again, very confusing...

[VertVentus]

Originally posted by Its Almost Harvesting Season:

You have the choice of taking with you or leaving her behind. I read that bringing her along leads to her being killed, and leaving her behind leads to an optional boss.

So the details make it sound like there's two options; but there appears to be a third option of just not going back to the start and speaking to Sheero again?

Originally posted by Captain TraggPirarchBan:

Results in her death

Originally posted by Captain TraggPirarchBan:

Originally posted by Its Almost Harvesting Season:

I'm talking about not bring her along, and then doing one of the following two things:
1. Joining with Gau and returning to the start to talk to her where she says she will follow from a distance.
2. Joining with Gau and moving onward to the rooftop, refusing to go back to speak to her.

1. Results in optional boss
2. Results in her death

What do you mean? The entire time they've been saying that third option of leaving Sheero and not going back for her is a bad result, which is corroborated by the JP wiki.

[gatsu86]

Originally posted by Its Almost Harvesting Season:

Appreciate the post above with the transcript. This thread already shows how muddled the info is, as every answer has given a different outcome lol.

Make your in-game life easier and choose the 3rd option.

* Say no to Sheero the first time, then when you team up with Gau come back (after the mini-boss Lich boss, just to be safe) and talk to her again to take her with you... this way you get both the secret boss and the Love item.

If you really want to experiment with the others I can understand, otherwise there is little to decide, choose the most advantageous one. :)

[Its Almost Harvesting Season]

Originally posted by VertVentus:

Originally posted by Its Almost Harvesting Season:

You have the choice of taking with you or leaving her behind. I read that bringing her along leads to her being killed, and leaving her behind leads to an optional boss.

So the details make it sound like there's two options; but there appears to be a third option of just not going back to the start and speaking to Sheero again?

Originally posted by Captain TraggPirarchBan:

Results in her death

Originally posted by Captain TraggPirarchBan:

1. Results in optional boss
2. Results in her death

What do you mean? The entire time they've been saying that third option of leaving Sheero and not going back for her is a bad result, which is corroborated by the JP wiki.

My mistake. It was another user saying that the third option had the same result as "the first"; referring to the two listed outcomes. The third would of been where she dies outside of the castle in that circumstance (and not the first, as the first was the optional boss route).