The Forest Kingdom in Nier Automata is filled with secrets, but few are as rewarding as the optional side quest hidden deep within the woods. Players looking to achieve full completion will want to tackle this adventure to earn valuable upgrade materials and experience points. Initiating this mission requires a bit of exploration, but following the correct path ensures you will not miss any crucial steps along the way.

How to Unlock the Castle Quest

Before you can begin searching for hidden items, you must progress through the main story until you complete the report on A2. Once this milestone is reached, travel to the Forest Zone and locate the specific machine NPC standing just outside the massive entrance gate. Speaking with this mechanical resident will trigger the hunt and provide your initial objectives inside the structure.

It is highly recommended to clear out nearby enemies before starting your conversation to avoid interruptions. This preparation makes it much easier to focus on the dialogue and understand where you need to go next.

Finding the Hidden Machine Parts

Your primary goal inside the royal residence involves locating three distinct machine parts scattered across different levels of the castle. Navigating the side-scrolling segments requires careful platforming, as these key items are stashed in broken containers inside the separate towers. You will need to explore both the upper walkways and lower chambers thoroughly to spot every glowing collection point.

Many players accidentally bypass these objects because they blend into the background debris of the crumbling kingdom. Taking your time to inspect each room ensures you gather all the necessary components without needing to backtrack later.

Opening the Royal Treasury

After successfully securing all three fragments, you must locate a securely sealed door hidden within the library section of the area. Interacting with this barrier allows you to combine the collected pieces to form a functional key structure. Granting access to the room reveals the final challenges standing between you and the ancient rewards.

Be prepared for a sudden confrontation, as a powerful mini-boss guarding the vault will activate as soon as you step inside. Defeating this mechanical sentinel requires swift dodging and consistent ranged attacks to quickly deplete its durable health bar.

Completing the Mission and Claiming Rewards

Once the guardian is destroyed, you can freely loot the chests inside the chamber to discover the historical secrets of the Forest King. Afterward, return to the original quest giver outside the main gates to officially report your success. The NPC will reward your efforts with a generous amount of experience points, financial compensation, and rare crafting materials.

Completing this narrative thread provides excellent lore context regarding the tragic history of the machine faction. These resources will also significantly assist you in upgrading your favorite weapons for the difficult battles ahead.