[This is a difficult position because on the one hand, maybe this Archsorceress is genuinely a good force and this is just an unfortunate necessity born from the circumstances of their world. On the other hand, the patterns just fit too well with Barnabas and Ultima, too will with those who seek power for their own gain while under the guise of something else. And Rem clearly has all her faith and loyalty to this woman, a person he has not personally seen and can only guess from what Rem says—who is an unreliable narrator here.]

I should ask you—don't you think it's strange she's acting rogue from what's considered normal operations? As I said, I may be missing a few facts so do correct me if I'm wrong, but just from what you told me, she seems to be trying to act like a Crystal herself, and all of you are her l'cie, collecting the souls for her to use on this Altocrystarium in return for your own powers.