Update 16

Update 16: Uncertain Path

...Somehow I skipped over the month intro without even seeing a frame of it.

♪ Spiderweb ♪

There are no absolutes in medicine, but the chances are extremely slim. Restless movements, fits of violence, becoming bedridden or even impossible to wake... With symptoms that varied, there are only a few possibilities.

Oh my, if it isn't Jeralt. Tell me, what was the first thing you heard?

Everything after you mentioned that it's not likely an infectious disease. My child and I owe the people of Remire Village. If something's happening there, we must help them.

We scouted the area ourselves. Speak with the knights. Hear what they have to say. I must go. Thank you for your help, Manuela.

That's nice of you.

Professor! A bit of a tease, are we? A girl could get used to this side of you.

Nice try, but I'll be going to the village as well. Enough nonsense. It's time to move out.

As you like. Good-bye, Jeralt. Good-bye, Professor.

♪ Calm Winds Over Gentle Waters ♪

If you have the time, it would be helpful if you could go ahead and talk to the knights.

The screen pulses a bit.

Abby collapses.

Hey! What's wrong?!

I'm OK.

If anything feels off, return to the infirmary. No need to just grin and bear it.

Actually... I've felt that way before...

That's not ominous at all.

♪ Learning Lesson ♪

Lysithea enters the highly-coveted Authority B zone, and gets a skill along with it.

Defensive Tactics: Battalion endurance takes half damage.

Sylvain also enters Authority C.

Caspar gets Lancebreaker, for when he's not brawling.

Edelgard also gets Authority B.

The Weight reduction passives are useful on both Felix and Bernadetta, Bernadetta does well at weeding, and I want to get their support ranks up. A perfect group task.

Fancy meals are boring if you eat them every day.

♪ Spiderweb ♪

Don't speak of it aloud.

You can't change the past. For now, all we can do is use it to our advantage.

I know that. I also know that I must steel myself to ascend the Imperial throne.

Those preparations are going well. We... Someone is coming.

Something terrible is happening in Remire Village. That's where you were when fate sent you our way. This feels...preordained.

They are.

If what is happening there is by design, there must be someone pulling the strings. There is the Death Knight, of course. And the mysterious mages who were implicated with the Western Church. They showed up when Flayn was kidnapped as well. And now there is another strange occurrence near the monastery... It seems an unknown organization hopes to make the monastery its stage for something.

Do you believe that all of these incidents are connected, Professor?

...Oops. Why does saying that make us lose support points with her?

That is the logical conclusion, but I'm not so sure. It certainly appears that all of the events surrounding the monastery are connected by a single thread. However... I think it's possible that it may just be a result of different motives overlapping. Remember, Professor...

That scene...raised a lot of questions. What were those two discussing behind my back? Why did Edelgard react so negatively to us saying that these events are connected? What did she mean by what she said at the end...?

♪ Learning Lesson ♪

♪ Teatime Joy ♪

♪ A Guide for the Future ♪

Ooh, we've got some new paralogues for later this month. In order, the paralogues are associated with Sothis, Felix, and Alois plus Shamir.

For the record, Tales of the Red Canyon (Sothis's paralogue) doesn't have any prerequisites, it's always unlocked in Red Wolf Moon, regardless of what path you're playing.

We have one support scene to view right now: Sylvain/Flayn C.

♪ Respite and Sunlight ♪

Now just a moment, Sylvain. If you must speak with me, I implore you to do so from where you stand. My apologies if this comes across as rude, but please do not come any closer to me.

I am sorry—my brother has explicitly warned me not to go near you.

Seteth said that? I bet he also told you any woman who comes too close to me is... How does he say it? Doomed to misfortune...

He used those very words! Is it true, then?

Come on. He's just messing with you, obviously.

Of course I would prefer to believe that, but one can never know for certain. Particularly when similar stories are constantly in circulation about you. I have heard that men and women alike have been seduced by your nefarious ways.

I hate to suggest my talents are being oversold, but...

I have heard you toy with people's emotions, like a cat toys with its prey.

Do I really look like such a villain to you?

When you put it like that, I feel like I should defend— Eh, forget it. Let's get to the actual point.

Did I not tell you, Sylvain?! Stay away from me!

It's kind of awkward talking from so far away. Can I please step just a little...

Truly, there are countless terrible stories of your behavior. I've heard that you panic when there aren't women around to flirt with. That you've gone as far as flirting with horses and even chickens!

I would like to believe that you are a sincere and reputable person, Sylvain.

But there is no smoke without fire, or so the saying goes.

I may not be the most respectable fella you'll ever meet, but...

Until I can be certain, please refrain from coming too close to me. Now if you will excuse me, I must be on my way.

Flayn! Hey! The professor said we need to come to the cathedral! I'll run really far ahead so you don't have to walk near me!

There. I tried telling her. The professor can't be mad about that.

♪ A Guide for the Future ♪

Well, that was funny.

I wonder if Flayn knows something we don't with the "men and women alike" line, though.

♪ Life at Garreg Mach Monastery ♪

I am.

I assume you know by now that the Four Saints are all important figures in the teachings of Seiros...

Still, I have a particular fondness for Saint Cethleann.

Well, that's...ominous. As for the quest itself, we just need to grab an item near the greenhouse.

Belongs to Mercedes.

In a place alike to this place, you can imagine the goddess of Fódlan truly existing.

At times, I miss those places in Brigid. At times...I am missing those places so painfully.

Thank you, nameless monk.

This student is asking us to deliver a love letter to...Rhea. Sure, kid.

Please be careful. It's so easy to catch a cold this time of year.

Nothing gets by you.

I don't believe it is.

Oh? Well, that's better, but I wonder what the real cause could be...

Your words are oddly persuasive, Professor. Even if they're not exactly based on anything.

Belongs to Linhardt.

Belongs to Sylvain.

If you're not feeling well, I'd strongly recommend some rest.

There are more villagers acting strangely today than yesterday.

Knights have been dispatched, yet...

The underlying cause is as yet unclear, and the most anyone can do is stand back and watch.

Some kind of illness.

If it were indeed a disease, why would it only affect the villagers, and not infect the knights stationed there?

I'd like to note that saying "Punishment from the goddess." causes Gilbert to get angry, accuse you of blasphemy, and demand an apology.

Oh, it also loses support points with him.

If only this debacle had to do with Crests. Why, I'd have gone and dealt with it in an instant.

I was afraid you might say that. I do wish you'd dote on me just a bit more...

Belongs to Bernadetta.

No, you don't.

How did you know? My act was perfect.

Alas, 'tis no mere illness of the body, but a malign affliction of mine soul! So, um, back to bed.

...

Belongs to Cyril.

Medicine is all about preventing infection and suppressing symptoms with, well, medicine...That's probably obvious. But magical healing is focused on closing up wounds faster, raising a body's vital energy, stuff like that.

He left soon after, but I saw him talking to Edelgard first.

Empire business, perhaps?

I guess that would make sense. He is the Minister of Military Affairs, after all.

Still though... I could've sworn those two didn't get along.

Watching this month's gardening hurts. After I recorded it, Serenes Forest published the calculations behind how gardening works, and now I know how to actually garden.

Oh well, still got a Speed Carrot.

Agh, no, don't do that, Rea, you fool. Plant more Nordsalat Seeds!!

Bernadetta gets the Speed Carrot.

Fun fact: she has the second-most Str out of anyone in our house, only beaten by Edelgard. 35% Str growth, 45% with Brigand.

This is the item for Seteth's quest.

Time to give up.

You're going with the captain to investigate Remire Village soon, aren't you?

It feels like so long ago that you two came here...

It's only been six months, Alois.

I've heard it's not an ordinary disease.

Belongs to Alois.

Belongs to Flayn.

This one is pretty confusing. What kind of connection could Flayn have to Enbarr that she'd have an old map of it? She's a teenager.

Oh, except that Tomas departed the monastery and has yet to return. Consider that reported. He's been gone for periods of time before and has always returned, so I'm not too worried. Still... I wonder what in the world he's doing out there!

Good question, 9S.

Belongs to Lorenz.

Why, all of the food I've eaten in this monastery has been absolutely delectable. Every last bite of it.

Food really is the only thing you think about, huh?

Hardly! I think about all sorts of things.

Oh! Like tomorrow's menu, for instance?

Aw, c'mon, Felix, don't make fun of someone for liking food.

Ennnnnggggghhhhh. Another boring auxiliary battle. I don't want to accept, but my LP completionism demands that I do so.

Thanks, Dedue.

After all, if we don't effectively force things to go our way, nothing will be achieved.

That's surprising... But I suppose it's possible you're telling the truth.

Time heals all wounds.

That's a good exchange.

Ignatz, how long are you going to keep harping on about the Battle of the Eagle and Lion?

Aw, come on, let me gush! Did you see how the house leaders came together after the battle?

What an incredible thing to witness! Harmony, even after something so hard-fought.

True. If they can keep playing nice, perhaps there will be peace in Fódlan after all.

And just when I had some questions about a book I'd borrowed... Ugh, now I'm so curious about where he's gone off to! He'd better come back soon...

Whoops, advanced the dialogue box before Flayn's portrait loaded. Yay for asynchronous I/O!

I honestly cannot recall the last time I interacted with others on a daily basis like this...

...?

I was just asking Monica here to be less demanding of Lady Edelgard's time.

Hey, it's not like I'm bothering her! Sorry for the ruckus, Professor. Please don't worry about it too much. Nooothing to worry about here!

Ugh. I wish you would worry about it a little more.

This guy is like some kind of Caspar clone.

Well then, I should go.

If you had not been there, something terrible could have happened.

Did one of the house leaders know that mercenaries were staying in Remire Village? I wonder...

It will remain a mystery for now. All we can do at this point is speculate.

My life consists of wearing a groove in the floor between the library and the dining hall. Although, I guess a real recluse wouldn't leave their room, eh? That would be me if you weren't my teacher, locked away in my room, reading, napping, never to be seen.

You know I never see Bernadetta outside of class. I wonder what it is that she does in her room all day.

I hope it's nothing too serious... After all, that's where we first met. I have valued memories of the place.

It wouldn't be unheard of. Almost 20 years ago, a terrible plague blazed through Faerghus. It even hit the capital city, taking the queen consort's life...or so I heard. The whole Kingdom was in an uproar over that loss.

The person who saved the Kingdom wasn't a doctor but a holy woman—the fair Lady Cornelia. After that, she was awarded the honor of being a mage in the service of the royal family. She sounds like an amazing woman, but...

She must be pretty old by now. But hey, maybe she's aged like a fine wine.

I'd sure like a job like that one day.

Then again, I don't know... Serving Lady Rhea here is pretty good.

Still a little unsteady.

Hm. If you must go to the village, make sure you're in good health before we depart.

I do not.

This month's assignment will again take you outside of Garreg Mach...to Remire Village.

It was in Remire that you first met Alois and the rest of his order, was it not?

Better remember to do this.

Yay.

You brought this upon yourself.

Hello now, that's not a normal item.

It was four. I've been here five.

Oh, what's a year here or there? Don't be petty now, Shamir.

You count your enemies the same way.

If I take care of them quickly, what does it matter how many there are? Oh, sorry! We didn't mean to ignore you, Professor.

As you were saying, it's been a busy year. There never seem to be enough hands for the work.

That reminds me, do you have that thing? If you do, we want it.

Want? No. We need it. Give it to me, not her.

Hey now, I'm the one who brought it up. We may be friends, but that's just rude.

Where the heck would I find a two-toned whetstone?

Well, when we do find one, we can turn it into either Catherine or Shamir, but not both. Catherine gives a Silver Sword, Shamir gives a Silver Bow.

Silver weapons are the final generic tier of weapons. They have significantly more Mt than iron weapons, have equivalent Hit to iron weapons, and have Wt somewhere in-between Iron and Steel (with Silver Gauntlets being the exception, weighing more than their steel counterparts). They have lower amounts of uses than iron or steel weapons, but that's not an issue in a game where repairing weapons doesn't cost much.

For the record, we can also start purchasing silver weapons from the shops now. We're presently limited to only 3 a month of each type, though.

So, to spare you all a lot of images for something I could easily just condense to text, we have to do a long chain of trades.

Crestological Mysteries → Tome of Comely Saints

Tome of Comely Saints → Fire Amulet

Fire Amulet → Glowing Stone

Glowing Stone → The Path of Dawn

The Path of Dawn → Medicinal Eyedrops

Medicinal Eyedrops → Two-toned Whetstone

How? You can't even afford your own drinks. Give it here. You won't regret it.

A Silver Bow is more useful for me than a Silver Sword is, so...

You made the right choice. Here's your reward. I'll let you borrow it later, Catherine. If you quit sulking.

Belongs to Shamir.

Busy day.

Let's do the supports.

Abby/Shamir C.

♪ A Gentle Breeze ♪

It would seem that way.

Hah! And you're not modest about it. I like that. Still, I can't deny that you've got skills. It's a little strange, to be completely honest.

I was surprised too.

I'd be suspicious of their true intentions, if I were you...

But what's it matter? Seems like it turned out just fine for you.

I'll admit, it's unbelievable that you used to be a mercenary. I was a merc before coming here, but I can't imagine pulling off your fancy tactician act.

You're not a fan of nobles?

You deal with a lot of nobles when you're a merc.

I didn't mind putting my life on the line, but I never liked having to bow and scrape to our noble employers.

That's what I like about being a Knight. I get to punch all the nobles I want.

Business partner?

I don't believe in the Church of Seiros. It makes me a bit of an anomaly among the knights. Rhea took me in, so I became a knight to repay my debt to her. I may be a knight, but it still feels like I'm doing the same things I did as a merc. Who knows though? Maybe you and I will end up working together. Us knights are a pretty tough crew... I'm guessing you'd run circles around us though.

I'm interested to see where your path leads you.

♪ Life at Garreg Mach Monastery ♪

I like Shamir. You gotta have some courage to not believe the Church of Seiros's doctrine while working as part of its martial force.

We've also got Abby/Seteth C.

♪ Spiderweb ♪

What are these duties?

Spiritual instruction, ceremony oversight, donation management—all of the church's many administrative tasks. I oversee not only the priesthood, but also the Knights of Seiros and the Officers Academy. The archbishop entrusts a great deal to my discretion, and I am honored by her confidence. Even when she must make decisions herself, she often seeks my counsel in advance. And yet...

Not only that, but you have also been entrusted with the Sword of the Creator. Frankly, that decision baffles me. Frankly, I am just not sure how to handle you.

You don't trust me.

Not quite. I do find you to be a trustworthy individual. But my subjective opinion is not enough. I have a duty to be cautious. Should the archbishop's trust in you prove to be misplaced, it is the faithful who will suffer most. First, I would like to know just how much you know about yourself.

I think so.

That's quite a vague reply for such a basic question. In the future, I would advise you to answer such queries with confidence. As the former captain of the Knights of Seiros, Jeralt is renowned throughout Fódlan. If you really are his child, then no one would voice any complaint about you joining the knights.

I'm not sure.

I see. Most curious.

Well, um...

Your face says it all. You truly don't know, do you? Just what was Jeralt thinking raising you this way?

Given your responses thus far, I feel as though any further questions would just be a waste of our time. However, permit me to make one thing clear. Whatever her reasons, the archbishop has placed great faith in you.

♪ Life at Garreg Mach Monastery ♪

Seteth is basically Rhea's Hubert, isn't he? At least he's nowhere near as dour and threatening.

Time to move on.

♪ Learning Lesson ♪

Marianne gets one of the things that defines her.

♪ Life at Garreg Mach Monastery ♪

Come the next Sunday, the Fish of Mystery event is happening at the pond.

On these days, you are far less likely to find red shadows, and slightly more likely to find dark blue and light blue shadows. However, you also have a 5% chance to hook a Goddess Messenger—you might also need to be using the higher-tier baits, I'm not sure. The Goddess Messenger is worth a lot of money if sold to merchants, and can also be used to cook a +1 Dex/Spd/Def food.

By the way, I haven't mentioned it before, but food buffs stack if you keep cooking—i.e. if you cook a +1 Str food twice, all of your units will have +2 Str for the rest of the month. I'm not sure if there's a cap on this.

Bleh, no carrot. Not that unexpected, I guess, since my foolish way of getting them was only giving me a 56% chance each week, it turns out.

Incidentally, you can reset if you don't like the crops and seeds you get from a harvest, since those are generated as soon as you hit Harvest, but stat boosters are decided as soon as you plant the seeds, so you can't savescum them.

Agh!

Abby's got quite a deep stomach to have seven full meals.

Belongs to Seteth.

We've got plenty of supports after that.

Ferdinand/Marianne C.

♪ Calm Winds Over Gentle Waters ♪

Yes, I am.

Excellent! So persistent in your devotion. I quite admire that about you.

Oh, no. It's not like that.

No need for false modesty. I hardly know anyone with more piety.

I need to be going.

Wait a moment!

Oh! Um, yes? Did you need something?

I have a suggestion. I have been meaning to tell you about it for a while. Have you ever considered projecting more confidence? Your every word is laden with pessimism and devoid of enthusiasm.

To gain the trust of commoners, you must appear self-assured at all times.

I have no need to earn the trust of the common people as a noble. All I want is to live a quiet life and to not be a bother to anyone. I dare not hope for anything beyond that.

Regardless of what you hope for, you must concede that you have inherited certain responsibilities, by virtue of your birth.

If that's the case, then I don't care to be a responsible person. Farewell!

♪ Life at Garreg Mach Monastery ♪

Being a noble isn't fun, Ferdinand. Some people don't want to shoulder that responsibility.

Linhardt/Flayn C.

♪ Spiderweb ♪

Hello, Linhardt. What is it?

I've recently been lost in study on the topic of Saint Cethleann. You're familiar with her life, yes?

I know a little of her, as do many. But what does this have to do with me?

Interesting that you would ask that. Your question betrays your understanding of my inquiry.

I am quite certain that it does not, as a matter of fact.

I have interviewed several members of the academy and the monastery. All agree that you have trouble focusing on detail-oriented work. As I mentioned, I have been carefully researching Saint Cethleann's history, and I found several intriguing anecdotes concerning her life.

The authors of several tomes, all written within 50 years of Saint Cethleann's passing, imply she found it difficult to maintain focus on detail-oriented tasks. Then, just this morning, as I was studying statues of Saint Cethleann, I came to realize how similar her visage is to your own. Interesting, no?

I do not appreciate your disrespectful approach to this topic.

No disrespect intended, I assure you. Saint Cethleann is a major saint. I only mean to say that looking like her is an honor.

I actually meant that you are being disrespectful to Saint Cethleann.

There was one other item...

If you must...

You are quite skilled in white magic, yes? My understanding is that you have a very high affinity for the art.

Yes, I do. I am confident in my abilities. I am glad of my abilities, for it is a way in which I am able to help others.

Indeed! Once more, an echo of Saint Cethleann. I'm so curious as to why such similarities exist...

Her Crest... Perhaps hereditary traits, then? Or is it possible I am allowing myself to see patterns where there are none? Hmm...

♪ Life at Garreg Mach Monastery ♪

Sounds like you're succumbing to a lot of confirmation bias to me, Linhardt. Cethleann lived...how many years ago? Probably around 1000, if she was contemporaneous with Seiros?

Caspar/Shamir C.

♪ A Gentle Breeze ♪

Your archery skills were amazing the other day.

I couldn't believe it when you hit all those bulls-eyes. Not a single miss!

It was nothing.

No way! It was incredible! You were incredible! You gotta teach me how to shoot.

Maybe.

That sounds like a "yes" to me! Are you free tomorrow?

Maybe. No promises though.

Come on, Shamir! Don't be like that!

Wait. Is this because you don't think I'm good enough? That can't be it.

It's nothing personal.

Dagda? Where is— Oh! You mean where they had that war with the Empire a few years back? The country west of Fódlan?

Across the ocean. That Dagda?

That Dagda. But that is behind us.

I had no idea. I understand why you'd hate the Empire so much though.

My father was a major general in that war. He led an entire army. If I were you, I definitely wouldn't want to train the son of someone who killed all those Dagdans...

You misunderstand. I harbor no ill will toward your generation.

Huh? Then what does this have to do with you teaching me how to shoot?

I simply have other commitments. I don't have the time to teach everyone, so I can't make any promises.

That's your reason? You're just too busy? I thought you hated me. I guess I had nothing to worry about. In that case, I'm excited to get to know you better.

Let's leave all that Dagda and Empire stuff in the past.

♪ Life at Garreg Mach Monastery ♪

Shamir, you're not much older than Caspar. You're 25 and he's 17. I don't think you can really refer to his "generation" without also referring to yours.

Let's move on.

♪ Learning Lesson ♪

Flayn finishes her Reason aptitude, and gets Seal Magic.

Seal Magic: If unit damages foe during combat, foe suffers Mag -6 for 1 turn after combat.

Other magic users can barely hurt her, if at all, so she can leverage that to make them safer for weapon users to approach.