Part 2: The Keep Vaults Walkthrough Hub Part 4: West Fortress Lab

Area Intro Briefing

Area Summary

The East Forest is shrouded in poisonous mist and infested with agile Ninja Genma (Kunoichi) who leap across bamboo poles. At its apex stands the Mountain Shrine where Shippu (Wind Naginata) is enshrined.

Prerequisites

Part 2 completed, Marcellus defeated, Raizan and Enryu both upgraded to Level 2.

Recommended Setup

Gauntlet: Level 2
Weapons: Raizan Lv2, Enryu Lv2, Shippu Lv1 → Lv2
Stats: 4 Power Jewels (+40% HP), 4 Magic Jewels (+40% MP)

What to Upgrade First

Shippu (Wind Naginata) to Level 2 (3,500 Red Souls). Creates twin tornadoes that trap airborne insect Genma and unlocks all Level 2 Green Demonic Gateways.

Primary Objectives

Traverse the East Forest bamboo path and counter Stealth Ninja Genma.
Claim the Wind Orb (Shippu) from the Mountain Shrine altar.
Drain the shrine courtyard pool by aligning the dragon water spouts.
Retrieve the Great Bow and Sacred Fire Arrows.
Defeat Queen Hecuba (Genma Insect Queen) in the hive cavern.

Optional Secrets & Missables

Fluorite #4 (MISSABLE): Inside the waterfall cave behind the shrine torii gate.
Power Jewel #3: In Puzzle Box #3 near the shrine bell (Solution: 3-5-2).
Fluorite #5: Resting on the roof of the waterwheel shed.

Area Item Databank

1. Key Items, Jewels & Fluorites (Click to Expand)

Item	Location	Effect
Great Bow	Water Shrine Armory	High-damage ranged weapon for flying Genma
Power Jewel #3	Puzzle Box #3 (3-5-2)	Permanently increases Max HP by +10%
Magic Jewel #3	Chest behind Level 2 Green Seal	Permanently increases Max MP by +10%
Fluorite #4	Waterfall Cave entrance	Collectible #4
Fluorite #5	Waterwheel shed roof	Collectible #5

2. Weapons & Gauntlet Orbs (Click to Expand)

Weapon / Orb	Element	Special Ability
Shippu	Wind / Cyclone	Rapid multi-spin double naginata; summons twisters
Wind Orb Lv1 → Lv2	Green Seal Key	Opens Level 1 and Level 2 Green Demonic Gateways

3. Consumables & Recovery Items (Click to Expand)

Item	Quantity	Usage
Fire Arrows	x20	Ignites insect nests and distant snipers
Medicine	x2	Restores 100% HP
Red Souls	~6,000 Souls	Used to upgrade Shippu to Lv2 & Raizan to Lv3

Step-by-Step Walkthrough

Step 1: East Forest Bamboo Grove & Fluorite #4

Head through the eastern gate into the bamboo forest. Ninja Genma will drop from the tree canopy. Block their shurikens, wait for their dive attack, and execute a Deflect-Issen. At the waterfall crossing, search inside the cavern entrance to claim Fluorite #4.

Step 2: Mountain Shrine & Acquiring Shippu

Reach the Mountain Shrine. Open the wind altar chest to claim the Wind Orb and forge Shippu. Use Shippu's high-speed twirls to cut through flying wasp Genma swarms. Next to the shrine bell, solve Puzzle Box #3 (3-5-2) to obtain Power Jewel #3.

Pro-Tip (Rapid Spin with Shippu): Tapping attack rapidly with Shippu triggers a 6-hit continuous spinning flurry. It is the best weapon for preventing nimble ninja enemies from dodging away.

Step 3: Draining the Dragon Pool & Fluorite #5

Rotate the four dragon stone heads to face the center pool. The water will drain, revealing the underwater passage leading into the hive cavern. Climb onto the waterwheel shed roof to grab Fluorite #5 before descending into the abyss.

Step 4: Boss Encounter — Queen Hecuba (Genma Insect Queen)

Enter the hive chamber where Queen Hecuba hovers above the pit.

TACTICS WARNING: Click to Reveal Detailed Boss Tactics & Weaknesses

Boss Profile: Flying insect queen with acidic stinger attacks and larva summonings.

Phase 1 (Aerial Hover): Fire Fire Arrows with the Great Bow or activate Shippu Wind Magic. The cyclone pulls Hecuba directly down to the floor.
Phase 2 (Ground Stagger): Once grounded, switch instantly to Raizan and execute Thunder Magic for massive burst damage.
Larva Swarms: Switch to Enryu and use broad sweeps to eliminate all spawned larva simultaneously and absorb Yellow healing souls.

MAJOR STORY SPOILER: Click to Reveal Plot & Narrative Details

Dying Hecuba shrieks that the ultimate Genma resurrection ritual in the West Fortress Lab is already underway, where Guildenstern is fusing Nobunaga's soul with the dark primordial Genma core.