♪ The Land Beloved by the Goddess ♪
♪ No music ♪
♪ A Gentle Breeze ♪
Only the name.
I see. In that case, allow me to fill you in. It's a large-scale mock battle between the rival houses that takes place every year.
Its scale is incomparable to the mock battle we fought during the Great Tree Moon. It will take place in the vast Gronder Field. That is in Empire territory to the southeast of Garreg Mach. Whichever house defeats the most opponents wins. Of course, the professors also fight alongside their respective houses. Well, usually. Professor Manuela is being prudent. She will not be participating this year.
What should I do?
Are you feeling any better, Professor Manuela?
Thanks to all of you. But I'd only be a burden out there. My students don't need to see me collapsed. Well, not on the battlefield, anyway.
Correct, we will not be participating. Regardless, do not expect victory to come easily. Or at all.
This doesn't seem fair... Oh my, look at you. If you're as confident as all that, my students will walk all over you. We have taught our students well. There is no need to hold back. Challenge them with everything you have!
♪ No music ♪
♪ Life at Garreg Mach Monastery ♪
...A fishing tournament? What? First I'm hearing of it.
Gronder is in the territory of House Bergliez, in the Empire.
That's right next to my home, the region of House Varley!
I don't think nobles are allowed to watch.
Are you good at fishing?
I believe it best that I stick to quietly fishing by myself.
...Huh? A White Verona? Oh, whatever. White Veronas increase a unit's Res by 1.
I want a Speed Carrot. Nothing else.
Do you want to travel around Fódlan someday?
It may be a tradition, but it takes forever to get there and is exhausting. So pointless. I guess there's nothing to be done about it. Even by you, Professor. Good point. If this is an event solely for the Officers Academy's benefit, why are we travelling all the way out to Empire territory?
Although...they did say we could eat whatever we catch. I'm a sucker for a good meal... I just couldn't resist. You're valid, Ingrid.
I'd love to spend some time lounging around by a scenic river or lake.
You get to fish in the pond as much as you want. The more you catch, the more you get to eat!
Will you be trying to fish too?
Your shouting is scaring the fish.
Everyone told me I was too loud, so I've been using my quiet voice.
I did not realize when I did so that it would turn into...well, this. My apologies.
"Catch some tasty fish for Flayn." I'm her bodyguard!
Battle quest. Sure, I guess.
Young Monica disappeared last year. I thought she had simply run along home. But it turns out she was kidnapped! I can't believe it. How awful it must have been for the poor thing. They say her personality has completely changed, but at least she seems more cheerful than before. Grateful to be alive, perhaps? I guess so. Being in captivity for a year and then suddenly being freed would certainly change how I act.
I haven't talked about the traveling merchants yet. They sell monastery stuff (tea, seeds, gifts, bait), and this particular one also sells the two common types of ores. Always grab the Eastern Merchant's stock of bait at the start of each month. You have no reason not to.
My father attended the Officers Academy, and won a glorious victory in the Battle of the Eagle and Lion. I think he is quite proud of that, even to this day. I suppose that shows how great an honor it truly is.
But after the civil war, the northern region split off and became the Kingdom. Later, the eastern part of the Kingdom seceded to become the Alliance. There are three powers today, but a thousand years ago, we were all united as one. Even now, among the nobles of the Empire, there are some who dream of reunifying Fódlan... Not through force, I would hope.
It is what it is.
Ehh... I'm not sure, kid. The circumstances don't exactly paint Jeritza in a good light.
Heh! Just kidding of course. The most important thing right now is preparing for the Battle of the Eagle and Lion.
I'm sure they do.
You had me feeling good about you for a bit, Sylvain, and then you came crashing right back down.
Belongs to Hubert.
Gronder Field is within the Empire, but the path there from the monastery necessitates passing through Alliance territory. Fódlan's biggest river, the Airmid River, flows along the border between the Empire and the Alliance. You will have to cross one of the largest bridges upon that river, the Great Bridge of Myrddin.
Fine, sure, pile another battle quest on me.
Don't you want to participate?
I'm not very confident, but I'll try my best. That's all anyone can ask of you, Marianne.
I thought I heard that there's no path that goes straight from the monastery to the Empire...
Oh! Perhaps we'll travel through Alliance territory. Yes, I see, from the east, we would go...hm, there! Ah, yes, that must be it!
I tried it once, and...ugh. Gross. I don't even really like to eat fish, let alone catch and gut them. Besides, who can think about fishing right now?
Very.
She's moving on. Isn't that a good thing?
I guess you're right. It just seems fast, doesn't it?
Hmm... And why is she so close to Edelgard anyway? Whoops, I should've chosen the other option.
Consider me motivated.
Just what I thought you'd say.
Belongs to Catherine.
Do you need something? I'm a little busy at the moment.
Sorry, Professor! I've got a lot of questions to ask Edel here.
Since I couldn't graduate last year, I really want to make sure I can do so this year. Don't worry. I won't participate in any assignments so as not to take any attention away from the younger students. I look forward to learning from you, Professor! ...If you're not participating in any assignments, then how am I supposed to teach you? What?
Try pretending the person you're talking to is a horse.
I bet people really enjoy your songs.
What were you thinking about?
The Death Knight's true identity. Could it actually be Professor Jeritza?
Another love letter quest! This time, we've gotta deliver the letter to Alois.
You're one of them, Professor.
Of course.
A most reassuring response. I trust that your class is in good hands. I look forward to seeing your skills on display at the Battle of the Eagle and Lion.
Leave it to me.
Flayn has been through an awful lot this past month.
To make up for that, I have decided to give her whatever she wants. I asked her what she would like, and she expressed a desire for a feast of fish.
Since I'm sure the students would be interested, I have decided to hold a fishing tournament here at the monastery. I have left all of the specifics to Shamir. Please, enter and put in your best effort. ...Awwwwwww. What a caring older brother.
I've been commissioned to investigate as well. As I've already mentioned, this month I'm off to the Kingdom.
I'm not worried.
Well, I hope you're right.
Oh, the lengths to which she could advance my research, if only I were able to study her!
Maybe you can convince him. Have you ever tried convincing Seteth of anything? I'm not sure I could convince that man the sky is blue if he hadn't already looked up for himself.
But my opponent was the Death Knight, so I figure I did pretty well to only get stabbed. I wonder if it's true that he is actually Jeritza...
I'll help you get revenge.
We kinda did already get revenge, if you think about it. I think Lysithea nuking the Death Knight for 40 damage is equal retribution for being stabbed.
Why don't you give it a try too? They say we can eat whatever we catch!
You look confused. Didn't Seteth tell you about it? Just catch whatever fish Flayn requests.
Hell yeah I'm gonna go fishing. You get 50 Tournament Baits to participate, which are limited to catching fish that are only used for the tournament. Sadly, these fish do not give any professor level experience.
And then I go and catch the fish that Flayn wants on the first go.The Teutates Herring has a 12% chance of showing up when fishing up a red icon without a Perfect, a 72% chance on a red icon with a Perfect, and is guaranteed for gold icons.
I am so pleased! I shall cook it up immediately!
What a wholesome event.
Several characters' dialogue changes after the tournament ends.
I heard you did some fishing, and that Flayn is happy.
Oops.
Three-way battle, huh? Sounds like a series first.
Belongs to Mercedes.
I could not care less about this rumor, unless non-straight people can get in on it too, in which case... Eh. Not my circus, but I respect the clowns.
Belongs to Petra.
Anyway, let's finish that quest.
There.
I use the Renown on upgrading the Saint Cichol statue. I want that Authority +2...
There's how I spent today's activity points.
Grounder: +3 Mt, +20 Hit, +5 Crit, 1 range, costs 4 durability. Effective against Flying foes.Decently useful combat art on Normal/Hard, really bad on Maddening because most fliers are Pegasus Knights or Falcon Knights, who have Swordbreaker+, which means you'll be suffering -30 Hit against them.
I had Petra eat the White Verona. Her Res is a bit low for a Pegasus Knight.
And now, supports.Abby/Mercedes B.
...
I don't know him.
Is that so? I was sure you two knew each other.
Is there something we can do for you, good sir?
Really? What's troubling you?
How terrible! That's no good at all. May I be of assistance? I'd be happy to lend a shoulder and escort you to the chapel.
We'll need your help too, Professor. Here, sir, take my arm.
Abby nods.
We did a good deed.
Putting a smile on someone's face always seems to brighten up the day.
How did you know something was bothering him? Oh. Hmm... How should I put this...
What do you mean? It's difficult to describe, but I can usually tell when someone is worried about something. Back there, I could tell that both you and the old man were in distress.
Living in the church? Did I not mention that before? I spent nearly 10 years of my life in the church of Faerghus. Many came to us with their troubles. In my own time of need, I once ran to the church myself, and they helped me.
What is your dream? I'd like to work in the church one day. I want to be like the priest who helped me.
If I were someone else, perhaps a commoner without a Crest or stature, maybe things would be different. It's a bit sad, but...this is the way things have to be. After all, only the goddess can decide our fates.
♪ Life at Garreg Mach Monastery ♪
What was that at the end? Why did she suddenly resign herself to fate over her wish to be a woman of the cloth?Ah, hell, her Crest means that whatever noble adopted her out of the church is using her like a bargaining chip, doesn't it?
Abby/Felix B.
Should I take that as a compliment? Indeed. Knights ought to have some hunger. I've always thought so. They depend too much on their swords. Only when they're wrested away do knights consider their hands and feet as weapons. That's not how it was for warriors of old. They weren't limited by their tools. Victory is what matters, not the method of achieving it. That's the attitude to adopt.
That doesn't seem like praise... You may take it however you like. I believe the difference between us lies within that hunger. But where does it come from? From the start, I was aiming to win, yet I couldn't defeat you.
About your aspirations? Indeed. I was raised to value strength above all else. Whereas you had a reason, an ambition, pushing you toward that hunger.
To survive. That's a mercenary's answer, to be sure. So that is the source of your hunger.
I'll help you. Ah, if we're to get along, I think not. I'll be content if you continue to train with me.
Perhaps it will come to me as I swing my sword.
♪ Life at Garreg Mach Monastery ♪
Hm. Felix feels...directionless to me. He fights because it's all he knows, and he has nothing else driving him. Sort of a nihilist.
It's the Blue Lions Power Hour.Abby/Ingrid B.
Was that a letter you were disposing of?
Oh, ah... That paper? Well, I...yes. Yes, it was.
Are you sure you want to throw it away? I understand where you're coming from here, but I have no need of such things. It isn't like anything of importance was written on it. Curious? I suppose there's no harm in allowing you to read it. Go on, then.
Are you well? I trust that you are behaving yourself and refraining from causing trouble for others. Things on the home front are in order. The marriage proposal for you and the viscount's son should be prepared soon. Although I am quite certain there are many superior candidates at Garreg Mach Monastery. As you know, the very survival of our family is dependent upon whom you marry. You are the only one left in the family who can make things right. We are all counting on you. Do not lose sight of what truly matters.
This is... Yes. Perhaps you found it somewhat entertaining. I've told you that we've never been very well off, financially. My noble family—House Galatea—branched off from House Daphnel in the Alliance. Shortly after, we were lucky enough to receive the support of the royal family, allowing us to attain nobility...to some extent. But the territory we watch over is poor, its harvests meager. And our noble blood, too, has grown thin. Neither my father nor my brothers bear a Crest.
What an awful way for him to treat you... Thank you, Professor. Your sentiment alone is a great comfort to me. Despite my own feelings, I understand his approach to all this. It isn't that he doesn't care for me. I understand it very, very well. Which is why I...
♪ Life at Garreg Mach Monastery ♪
Another person with their own aspirations in life, smothered by the fact that they were born with a Crest and are smothered by all the bullshit expectations that entails—now with the added extra bullshit of being a woman, and therefore being treated like a token to be exchanged by the people that have control over you.
Now that we have a B support with Ingrid, though...
Okay.
Thank you, Professor! I look forward to studying under you. I will be extra diligent with my studies. Thank you for this opportunity.
We get another new student in our house! Ingrid joins as a Pegasus Knight.
We also got a B supoort with another Blue Lions student...
Okay. I'll transfer to your class, then. Don't make me regret it.
Yay, another one! Felix starts as a Mercenary.I tried to recruit Mercedes, but she unfortunately doesn't want to join yet. I need to get a few Bow ranks on Abby.
We've got several other supports to go through, so strap in.Ferdinand/Caspar C.
Hey, Ferdinand! Did you see that fight?
I saw it from start to finish. Both parties were at fault, disturbing the peace. Then you stepped in and corrected their behavior.
You are setting a good example. I am proud to call you my fellow noble.
Your fellow noble? I wasn't even thinking about nobility. That had nothing to do with it. Excuse me, "nothing"? Resolving conflicts among commonfolk is a duty of the nobles. Is that not what you were doing? I guess so?
But it was more like instinct or something. I saw people acting out of line and I had to step in. Ah. You were acting on impulse. You might be better served following moral convictions rather than instincts. Take me, for example. I always bear in mind that I am a noble and behave accordingly.
The fortunate must help the unfortunate. That is my guiding principle.
If someone's in trouble, you gotta help them out. Simple as that. Hmph. A difference of opinion, you might say. Very well, then. Believe what you will. I will not expend energy trying to change your mind. Maybe all of this "noble" stuff just isn't for me—hey! Don't walk away when I'm talking to you!
♪ Life at Garreg Mach Monastery ♪
There are less patronizing ways to phrase your good-but-somewhat-ill-informed intentions, Ferdinand.
Sylvain/Lysithea C.
Uhh, OK.
It's just, you know, you're four years younger than me, but you work really hard at everything. I mean, when I was your age, I wasted all my time just goofing off and doing whatever I wanted. Doesn't look like much has changed for you since then. And unlike you, I don't have time to waste, so leave me be. Are you going to do some extra magic training? I'd be happy to join you, if you don't mind. What do you want to start with? I am absolutely disinterested in spending any time with you.
What is it you want, anyway? Clearly you haven't been listening to a word I've been saying. Perhaps it's because I'm younger, you see fit to ignore me when I speak. Is that it? What? No! Age has nothing to do with it. You're amazing! You're true to yourself. You know what you want and who you are. Not a lot of girls I know can say that. Ah, so it isn't my age that's to blame for you breezing over my wishes. It's my gender. I— What? Where did you get that idea? I'm just trying to praise your smarts and hard work and everything. It's impressive how someone so young—
What I'm aware of is you trying to pick a fight. Calm down, kiddo. Look. I'm really busy. Super, extremely, inordinately busy. I've got one last thing to say to you. And what would that be? I'm skilled with magic, and my abilities are finely honed. It's not like I need someone for target practice.
♪ Life at Garreg Mach Monastery ♪
I don't know about you, but I enjoyed Lysithea just blocking and countering all of Sylvain's attempts to patronizingly "compliment" her.
Mercedes/Ingrid C.
Good work with your training today, Ingrid. Here's something to wipe up the sweat.
Whoa, Mercedes? Hi? Hello. How long have you been, um— Thank you! You're very welcome! I've been here since you started. That long? Huh. Well, my apologies for not having noticed you. I get so caught up in training, you know. But why are you here? I can't imagine it was too terribly interesting watching me. I disagree. I just couldn't help but admire your training technique. I have to say, you were very impressive. I'm nowhere near as graceful as you.
Graceful? I wouldn't say that, but thank you. If I'm to be honest, I'm the one who admires you. Goodness! Me? How so? You're always so put together—you hold yourself with such poise and have such a keen eye for fashion. I mean, even the handkerchief you handed me smells like...lavender, is it? It's just lovely. That perfume is a favorite of mine. I'm so glad you like it.
I'll gladly share some with you. You're welcome to come visit my room whenever you'd like. We can have tea and chat! How does that sound? Ah, that sounds really nice, yes. Sipping tea and having a chat—it's unlike me, but it sounds lovely. From now on, we'll meet up whenever we have time. We can go right now if you're free? Oh, no need to trouble yourself and rearrange things for me. It's no trouble at all! You'll never know if you're the type who enjoys chatting over tea if you never try. Hehe! All right, then!
♪ Life at Garreg Mach Monastery ♪
Well, that was cute.
Abby/Flayn C.
Certainly. Ah, wonderful! I was hoping you might enlighten me. About yourself, that is.
Oh? Why is that?
Well, because. There is something different about you. You possess an air of mystery... I could not help but notice when first we met. I am intrigued, to say the least. I find it rather difficult to put into words...
A few times, yes. The sea is vast. Boundless. On the surface, all seems still. Yet beneath that stillness, it is unfathomably deep. Within, it teems with life, yet without, one is lucky to glimpse a fleeting shadow.
What are you talking about, exactly? About fish, of course! Oh, bother. I got sidetracked, didn't I? Right. About the sea... During a storm, the once calm waters become mighty enough to overturn even the vastest ships. Not unlike you. You are calm—you carry yourself with poise. Yet you wield great power. My brother was uncertain of you at first. He once referred to you as a youth of...dubious origin. Oh, but please do not think ill of him! He is incredibly dedicated to his work. So surely you understand why he would have doubts about one of whom he knows so little.
I don't actually know.
Wait—you do not know your own age? You truly are mysterious! Hmm... Looking at you, it is quite difficult for me to determine.
And how old are you? Who, me?
You look younger than the others... Be that as it may, it is simply not the case. Oh, by the way... You should know I had actually been considering enrolling in the academy for a while. I have endured hard times, but I am so grateful that those very experiences led to my acceptance at the academy. Oh! My apologies! I am sure you have much work to do. I will not keep you any longer! We must speak again sometime...if that would be all right. Have a lovely day!
♪ Life at Garreg Mach Monastery ♪
Hmm. So Flayn's about as mysterious as Abby, then. Fascinating.
Abby/Marianne B.
I'm happy to listen. Thank you.
How should I put this... I don't seem to be getting along with everyone. I don't contribute much either. Am I a nuisance to you, Professor? If so, I'll leave.
Your adoptive father? Oh, my adoptive father is one of the new nobles of the Alliance. His territory is to the north. He was a distant relative who took me in after my parents vanished. He's blessed with great drive and ambition. Some may go so far as to call it avarice. He wishes to marry me off to a powerful noble. That's why he sent me to the academy. If I left now, I'm sure he'd have a strong opinion about it.
I understand. Ah, good. I'm glad.
You're no bother at all.
Oh! I'm so grateful to hear you say that.
I won't agree to that.
I'm sorry. I have to go!
♪ Life at Garreg Mach Monastery ♪
"You only say that because you don't know the real me."Ooooohhhhhh ouch. As someone who's lived with depression for almost half of her life, that line sounds all too familiar. I think I understand Marianne a lot better now...
Well, time to move on.
Linhardt gets Authority C, allowing him to use some of the first really good battalions, and gets...
Battalion Renewal: Unit recovers up to 30% of max HP at the start of each turn while battalion endurance is ≤ 1/3.Meh.
You should just enjoy what you've got.
♪ A Guide for the Future ♪
More characters move into Intermediate classes! Bernadetta and Caspar class into Brigand, while Sylvain classes into Mage.Bernadetta could've also been an Archer, but I want Death Blow for her more than I want her to have Bowrange +1 for however long she'll be in her Intermediate class.
Oh, hey, we've unlocked our first two paralogues! Paralogues are side battles, often with unique objectives and side objectives, that are unlocked by having certain characters recruited in your house.
Some paralogues focus on two characters. If you have one involved character not recruited into your house, they still show up on the map, but they do not gain EXP and will not stick around after the paralogue is over.Since paralogues are full-on battles, we'll be checking them out next time! See you then.
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