This is interesting. For those who haven't played the game, this is actually a reference to Kasandra's last adventure before becoming a core crystal by the events of the main game. Previously, she had a Nopon Driver, which is an absolute rarity within Alrest. What's more, it's heavily implied the Nopon in question was a legendary salvager, explaining the situation they're in.

They're in the Cloud Sea here, and if you look to the back you'll see a Merlin. It's one of the large swordfish-like monsters that float about. By the time you reach Mor Ardain, you can retrieve her core crystal from the same Merlin that ate her and the Nopon alive.