Update 27

Update 27: Notphica

♪ No music ♪

♪ On the swift river’s drift, broken memories alight... ♪

♪ Somewhere to Belong ♪

Where am I?

Everything is all right. There is no need to worry. Those who are trying to harm you are far away. ♪ Mmm... Mmm... Mmm... ♪

I wish I could hold on to this time we have stolen...that you and I could create a world without end... I have heard whispers of what happened to you. Your appearance... You have received power from the goddess. From the moment you took hold of the Sword of the Creator... I prayed that one day the radiant power of Sothis, which bathes Fódlan in its celestial light, might reside within you.

Close your eyes, dear one. Sleep, just a while longer.

Always and forever...

Rh...ea...? Are you okay?

♪ No music ♪

♪ The Land Beloved by the Goddess ♪

♪ No music ♪

♪ Gazing at Sirius ♪

What is the meaning of how that one looks? It is almost as though...

As I said, there is nothing of which to speak. For now. At the end of this month...

I read Jeralt's diary. I happened upon it in his room.

What?

In it, he stated the reason for his departure. The baby thought to have died in the fire...has returned to us. Jeralt realized that you had done something to the child and decided to flee. What did you do to that baby, Rhea? Nothing...questionable, I should hope?

Seteth, enough. They will be here shortly. No more, I beg of you.

I will take our dear professor to the Holy Tomb. There...I should be able to see our dearest wishes to fruition. When I was young, I heard her voice there...I'm sure of it.

Now that you have received sacred power from the goddess, there is somewhere you must pay a visit to at once.

The Holy Tomb?

The Holy Tomb is where the goddess sleeps. This monastery was originally built for the purpose of protecting that hallowed temple.

Only a select few know of it, but there is a legend about Seiros and the Holy Tomb. Saint Seiros, the first soul to be gifted power from the goddess, received her revelation there. She was told that it was her sacred duty to save the people of Fódlan, and that she must use her power wisely in order to lead them. The words that were handed down to Seiros from the goddess will likely fall upon your ears as well.

Prepare yourself to go at once. There, may you find out why you were blessed with such power.

Do you think it wise to bring them into this?

It is said that when Seiros received the revelation, she had holy warriors by her side, protecting her. Your students, who have followed you and fought alongside you through the darkest of times, are well suited to stand by you for the ceremony.

Isn't that too dangerous?

The Holy Tomb is a sacred temple that is sealed off from the rest of the world. There is nothing to fear. Even if something were to happen, I am more than capable of protecting myself.

Much has changed, but your duty has not wavered. Steel your mind for the ceremony, and prepare your students well.

♪ No music ♪

♪ Teatime Joy ♪

♪ No music ♪

♪ Teatime Joy ♪

♪ Broken Routine ♪

Now that Abby has pretty much become the new Saint Seiros, she gets access to her unique class: Enlightened One.

Enlightened One is an infantry class that is considered a Master class internally, i.e. it takes 200 class mastery experience to max out. It gives the following skill experience bonuses: +3 Sword, +2 Brawling, +3 Faith, +3 Authority. It gives the following growth rate boosts: +20% HP, +10% Str, +10% Mag, +5% Def, +5% Cha.

It has the following innate abilities:

Swordfaire: Grants Atk +5 when using a sword.

Terrain Resistance: Nullifies damage from terrain.

And it learns the following ability upon mastery:

Sacred Power: Adjacent allies deal 3 extra damage and take 3 less damage during combat.

To be honest, it's not a great class. It's an infantry Master class whose only real draws are Swordfaire, the Authority bonus, and Sacred Power. It is worth taking to mastery, though, because Sacred Power is that good. Ditch it once you've mastered it, though—even Mortal Savant, with its gross Spd penalty, would be a better choice for them. I tend to prefer focusing on Faith and going Holy Knight, but that's just me. I fully recognize that it's probably better to just build Byleth as a sword user who goes through fliers.

Abby's personal skill has also changed with her newfound power, a fact I neglected to mention last update:

Professor's Guidance+: Unit deals 2 extra damage during combat. Multiplies this unit's and adjacent allies' experience earned by 1.2.

Abby gets a persistent +2 damage at all times now. Yay.

I changed a bunch of units into upgraded classes; Ferdinand to Paladin, Bernadetta to Sniper, Dorothea and Lysithea to Warlock, Petra to Wyvern Rider, and Felix to Swordmaster. All of these, save for Lysithea's, are significant upgrades; Ferdinand now has a whopping 8 Mv, improving his already excellent mobility, Bernadetta now has 1-3 range on bows, and all of them now have access to -faire skills, giving them a flat +5 damage with a certain weapon type. Ferdinand gets Lancefaire, Bernadetta gets Bowfaire, Petra gets Axefaire, Dorothea gets Black Tomefaire and Black Magic Uses x2, and Felix gets Swordfaire and Sword Crit +10.

Lysithea unfortunately doesn't really benefit from Warlock since, in a kind of weird and janky decision from Koei-Tecmo, black magic and dark magic are separate things as far as abilities are concerned, meaning she gets no benefit from Black Tomefaire and Black Magic Uses x2.

I also change Ingrid into Wyvern Rider, since she's mastered Pegasus Knight.

Only one support from the last map: Linhardt/Caspar B.

♪ Respite and Sunlight ♪

You've got to help me come up with a strategy, Linhardt.

Is that not a waste of time? Even if I handed you a perfect strategy—something I've done in the past—you'd never follow it through.

That's because your plans are always so complicated! But come on, I need your help.

All right. I will share with you my tactical genius. I call this...my "secret plan."

You already have a plan? You really are ready for anything. So, what is it?

Land the first hit. Then keep hitting them—hard and fast as you can—until they stop hitting you back.

So, you're basically telling me to just...fight?

Dodge their attacks. Keep up the assault. Then go for the knees. Done.

The secret is the knees?

Being tall means short people are closer to your knees. Exploit the enemy's weakness, Caspar!

Makes sense! That doesn't sound like my style though. I don't really wanna exploit a weakness.

Then go ahead and continue losing. Or...you can listen to the rest of my plan.

There's more? Fine. Tell me the rest.

Your defense is careless. The last bit of my secret is that you need to train in that area.

I won't argue with training. Let's go!

No, I don't think we should—

C'mon! You've even got that height advantage you're always going on about. You're the perfect training partner for me.

Quit stalling and let's go!

Ugh, fine. I'll train with you, but only for a bit.

Uh... Ah... Caspar, please... I need... I need... Water... I need water... I'm going to... Gonna go get some. Bye.

Huh? Hey! Get back here!

♪ Broken Routine ♪

I haven't changed that much.

That's disappointing. What's even the point?

Sorry. I'm really not feeling well this month.

Even leaving my room for dinner is just too much.

It's got nothing to do with your, um...changes.

So, um, don't open the door, please!

What if she shows herself? I'll be so jealous!

I don't know either.

More killing power. More.

Those spirit people have much strength. They are maybe able to fly in the air or race across the ocean.

Perhaps.

Although I suppose...you are something to report! For a moment, I thought you were someone suspicious! Lucky for you, I am quite perceptive. It took only that single moment for me to recognize you. The professor went out and got some new power!

Oh, Gatekeeper. A stabilizing presence, even in tumultuous times.

Maybe Seiros transformed before receiving her revelation too!

Hmm. I haven't heard anything about that before... Maybe that part never found its way into the legend?

It is told that Seiros had a revelation instructing her to use her power for good, and to lead the people of Fódlan to salvation... I wonder what sort of revelation you might have, Professor.

I'm not surprised. Rhea has her secrets, and she seems to have at least a few relating to Abby.

Is the world different outside Fódlan?

Belongs to Ingrid.

I'd hope so, but you ever know. Time and aristocracy, with regards to the nobles, does a lot to people.

Belongs to Catherine.

Alright, let's see what Edelgard—

♪ No music ♪

Where are we going?

It's meant to be a secret, but...I'm going to Enbarr, the Imperial Capital. There is something I must do there.

...Ah.

Choosing to instruct the Black Eagles means you have to pick between one of two routes. Choosing to go with Edelgard to Enbarr will lock you into her route, while choosing to stay will lock you into...something else.

This choice only comes up if Abby has at least a C support with Edelgard. I don't know how you wouldn't have that by now, but I suppose it is possible. If you don't get this choice, you will be locked into the non-Edelgard route.

We'll be doing the non-Edelgard route first.

The scene ends there if you choose to stay.

♪ Broken Routine ♪

Belongs to Ferdinand.

Belongs to Petra.

Belongs to Caspar.

I'll help you get there.

You'd better not go easy on me. I need your training to be strict if I'm gonna get any better!

Don't worry—I'm fine.

Constantly coming and going, in and out of Garreg Mach. Perhaps they are doing something in the Empire? As the legitimate heir of the Aegir family, I have not heard anything about it. But if it were significant, I am sure my father would have told me.

...I can't articulate why, but I feel like that bodes ill.

I haven't changed on the inside.

Heh, I guess you're right. If I look hard, I can still tell it's you.

I've a bit of research I'd like to perform. Nothing so crass as Hanneman's poking, prodding, and drawing of blood. No, I wish to investigate Crest power itself. Crest power must have some kind of limit, right?

Lady Rhea says any limits must be the protection of the goddess, but that doesn't quite answer it for me. Hmm...

Is that what happened to you too, Professor?

No way! The professor transformed before receiving any kind of divine revelation, right?

Still, I wonder. Does the fact that you've changed really mean you've been granted some kind of power?

If that's the case, then what sort of revelation can be gained from the ritual?

I'm guessing the revelation will just be a gentle reminder to use this new power to save the people of Fódlan. What else is there to say?

You don't actually believe we're going to hear the voice of the goddess, do you?

I won't stop you...

I hear that Lady Rhea will accompany you for this month's task. She's the pillar that supports the hearts of Fódlan's people. Her safety is paramount. I hope there are no complications...

There's a ritual at the Holy Tomb this month, isn't there? I wonder what'll happen with that. I'm sure you'll be all right. But don't lose sight of who you really are, OK? However you may change, and whatever new power goes along with those changes—you'll still be the same person, deep down. Remember that.

But there are other enemies we have yet to hunt down, not least the Flame Emperor.

Once we've crushed them all, we can return to our peaceful lives at the monastery.

It will happen soon. I have a feeling something big is coming.

So do I! But not the kind of big thing that'd let everyone return to peaceful lives...

That would be exciting, wouldn't it?

Belongs to Bernadetta.

He's exaggerating. He thinks my color is off and that rest will cure all.

You should rest.

I won't. Even if I tried, it's not like I would get any decent sleep. It would only be a waste of time.

Uh...

Look, he's losing his grip. Even in his swordplay, he's getting sloppy. If he keeps progressing like this, he's going to get himself killed.

Kronya, Solon... They're dead, but we still have a glut of enemies.

We still have to take down the Death Knight and the Flame Emperor. Our next battle is fast approaching. I'm ready for it.

Furthermore, you have overcome the death of your father, Jeralt...and you have destroyed countless of our wicked foes.

Thank you.

Ah. It is you. I am sorry, but I have a lot on my mind. I would prefer to be alone right now.

Same.

Oh, Professor! How long have you been standing there? I didn't see you.

I was just sorting through Captain Jeralt's belongings. I... Haven't made much progress. I keep finding things that bring back memories. Clearing out this room of his belongings again, it's... It's not easy.

Alois...

By the way, this month is the earliest you can recruit Alois.

But...recently I sense that things are a bit strained between Lady Rhea and my brother.

She wants to do something at the Holy Tomb. I do not know what, but... Hm. Whenever it has concluded, I hope they will return to their friendship, as it has always been...

Rhea's keeping her right-hand man in the dark, and Seteth...pretty clearly doesn't like that. I can't blame him.

Unfortunately, I have found no record of Nemesis's hair and eye color ever changing. However...

If that transformation was brought on, in part, by the power of the Crest, that would be most... Well, I suppose interesting is too small a word.

Still, it would be an absolutely exceptional discovery. To know for certain, we must investigate further. So, clothes off!

...

What? A full physical is in order, yes? We need to know if this transformation affected you adversely. Don't worry, it won't hurt a bit.

Oh! Yes. I...I should call Manuela. My apologies.

I think the last line is for Abby only, but I don't know for sure.

I've worked here for years, and this is the first I've heard of it. I mean, it does make some sense. Sort of. Something about it is still weird. I understand now why they'd build the monastery in the mountainous center of Fódlan. Although... When the monastery was built, the Kingdom and Alliance weren't even around yet. But look how cleverly it was placed right in the middle of the Empire, Kingdom, and Alliance. That's weird, right?

Eh, I don't think it's that suspicious. There's plenty of reasons why, even when all of Fódlan was ruled by the Adrestian Empire, the Church of Seiros would want its headquarters in the center.

It's like you're sort of floating above the clouds, separate from other people... And like you've got no interest at all in ever coming back down.

I don't know what to say to that.

I'm not so sure Dorothea's just pulling a Cole Phelps here. Given her attitude towards nobles, and how she seems to have taken to Abby as a guiding figure, I wouldn't be surprised if Abby becoming a saint upset her.

Monica was actually Kronya. Tomas was actually Solon. Who were these people?

That's my intention.

That transformation was just the beginning, wasn't it? I have a feeling that things will only grow more dire from here on out.

I fear that Claude is right.

It's only my appearance that has changed.

Dropped 1000 renown on further upgrading the Saint Indech stature. Hopefully it won't be long before I can get Bow Skills +2 and Brawling Skills +2.

Got two support ranks out of that!

Bernadetta/Petra B.

♪ A Gentle Breeze ♪

I heard that the duty to hunt is yours today.

The duties all got assigned while I was holed up in my room...

Do not be worrying. I can show you the way to hunt well.

Oh, um... OK, then...

That is how prey thinks. You must think of the beasts as food. That is how the hunter thinks.

So it's not an enemy. It's food.

But, um, how is it food when it's still alive?

You pick the vegetables from the field. Those have life too. It is the same. You take a blade in your hand and take the lives of the vegetables. You cut their stalks and harvest without mercy. They do not scream, but you are still their killer.

K-killer?!

Fruit ripens and falls to the ground. The seeds sprout and a new life is born. That is life's cycle. It has cruelty, yes. But you must end life to eat. You must be killing to be living.

Maybe, but I don't know if I want to be some...some kind of vegetable murderer!

It is the same for rabbits, deer, pheasants. The only difference being that they cannot cry out. You must do what you must do to be living in this world. It is your task.

A task. Yes, just a task. A completely mindless task.

Feel it. There, in the grass. Prey is moving. Just like a vegetable in the wind. Give it an arrow, just like you would give a vegetable a blade. It is just your task.

Uh, right. That makes sense. It's just like cutting a stem.

You are now a hunter. You have learned how to hunt.

I am? I have? Oh, good! What a relief.

You have understanding now, I can tell.

Great! Leave it to me. I'll hunt down my prey just like they're vegetables.

I have belief in you.

Aw, thanks, Petra! I can do this! Make way for Huntmaster Bernie!

No! Stay back! I'm sorry, Mr. Rabbit! I didn't mean it! Why are you the one chasing me?! Ow!

♪ Broken Routine ♪

As I've said a bunch: poor Bernie.

Seteth/Flayn C.

Speaking of these two, I should mention: I blanked certain names from three Mt-boosting support pairs in Update 5. The one with Annette is still to be revealed, but the other two are Adan/Abby and Flayn, and Seteth and Flayn.

♪ Respite and Sunlight ♪

You worry too much, Brother.

I think a kidnapping is good cause for concern! I was so worried about you I nearly fainted.

Had that not happened, I would have never been allowed to join the professor's class. Even from something so dire, some good did come of it.

That is a dangerous attitude. This world is full of peril. You must be more vigilant! Please understand, I allowed you to enroll here only because I thought it best for your safety.

I am very much aware of that. You wanted to speak to me of something?

Yes, my dear little sister. You are kind beyond all measure, and you are the very picture of innocence.

But, precisely because of these very fine qualities, I worry about your interactions with the others here.

This year's students are...particularly eccentric. As your brother, it is my duty to help you with any concerns you may have.

I do appreciate the offer, but all the students and professors have treated me exceptionally well.

Even so, there must be at least some worry. Please, you need not conceal anything from me.

You worry far too much. There is truly nothing to share. And nothing for you to fret over!

Are you absolutely sure? The idea of you suffering in silence is unbearable to me.

Enough! I made it clear that nothing is wrong. I stand by my word.

A pause.

Well, there is one concern that comes to mind...

What is it? Tell me! I will help however I can!

There is a certain somebody who seems determined to get in the way of my friendships with my classmates.

What?! That's horrible! Fear not, I will handle this scoundrel for you. Just tell me his name.

It is you, Brother. Now then, I must be on my way.

Another pause.

What was Flayn getting at just now? Let's see... I was speaking to her, I asked her to share her concerns, and...

Was there something else? No matter. Fear not, Flayn. Your brother will protect you from all harm!

♪ Broken Routine ♪

Oh, Seteth. I respect the instincts to protect your daughter, especially after she was kidnapped by an organization of body snatchers, but please learn to give her some space when she's being constantly watched by people you can trust.

Time to move on.

♪ Learning Lesson ♪

They may all be bugs, but they're such different species.

Note how Edelgard and Hubert are absent from instruction this week. The ominous feelings continue to mount...

Getting Flying B gives Petra access to a new ability.

Alert Stance: If unit takes no action except Wait, grants Avo +15 for 1 turn.

A decent Avo boost, although maybe a bit too small for my liking. If you're going to level Flying, you might as well go to A+, since Alert Stance gets an upgrade at that:

Alert Stance+: If unit takes no action except Wait, grants Avo +30 for 1 turn.

Now that's an Avo boost.

And Marianne gets a significant boost to her offensive capabilities.

♪ Broken Routine ♪

I really hoped you would join me in Enbarr, but...sometimes your path takes you far away from where you wish to go.

Mercedes/Ingrid B.

♪ A Gentle Breeze ♪

There's no need to apologize at all! Please, have a seat.

Not entirely, no. I'm not accustomed to being treated so...delicately.

Anyway, what will we talk about today?

I actually wanted to gripe about something that's been bothering me.

You? Gripe? Now that's unusual! I'm happy to listen, of course. It's the least I can do after all the kindness you've shown me.

Thank you. The one thing I really wanted to talk about is marriage...

Oh?

Yes. I received a letter from my adoptive father about marriage discussions with a noble family.

And will you accept?

That's the problem. No matter what I decide, I'll probably be married off anyway. What I really want to do is help those in need. But I think it would be more difficult to do so if I married a nobleman.

Understandably so. Sounds to me like you need a strategy to silence your father.

Sorry? To...silence him?

Don't you agree? It seems the best course of action would be to consider severing all ties with the family and running away.

We don't need to go that far. I'm sorry, I really just needed to let that out. I don't need you to worry about solving my problems.

Oh. OK. It's...just a bit personal for me, actually.

At a very young age, my hand had already been promised to someone in marriage. But Glenn died young.

That must have been difficult for you. Would you have married him if he had survived?

Hm. That's a good question. It's hard to imagine now.

Although I did admire him quite a lot. He held true to the ideals of knighthood, proudly serving the king. Even after all these years, I aspire to be the type of knight that he embodied.

But that's just it. I'm not a tool for furthering my family's fortunes. I'm a knight at heart. Regardless of what my father desires.

I see. A very noble cause indeed.

How strange that we should be worrying about the same thing.

Even though we are such different people.

It's true. Enjoying a nice chat over tea with you like this makes me realize... Maybe the paths we walk aren't so different after all. Don't you think?

I do. These tea parties of ours...they really are something special.

That they are. Ingrid... I would love to get to know you better, if that's OK.

I want to know about your childhood, your favorite books, the sweets you like, anything at all!

Hahaha, absolutely! I'm happy to speak with you anytime, and I want to know you better too, Mercedes.

♪ Broken Routine ♪

I can't be the only person who thinks that ending sounded exactly like the kind of support scene that would've belonged to two characters who get married in a paired ending in one of the GBA FE games, right?

Abby/Catherine B.

♪ Respite and Sunlight ♪

That wasn't funny.

Oh, come on. Look at the blade I threw. It's just a wooden training sword.

It would have hurt enough.

Aw, poor thing! Aren't you used to getting hurt? You've been in your fair share of battles. Besides, I knew you'd dodge in time. I told you before that I was going to observe you.

Uh...

I took steps to make myself invisible, so I could observe you without being detected. I hardly let you out of my sight. After extensive research, I've concluded that you really are first-rate. Your sword skills are impeccable; you're a gifted educator. You clearly love working with the students. Someone with all of your exceptional qualities should not exist. But here you are! At first, I thought Jeralt was the reason for Lady Rhea's interest in you.

But no. Lady Rhea knew exactly what she was doing when she singled you out.

Unfortunately, I can't hope to emulate you, let alone wield the Sword of the Creator.

So, you're going to stop watching me?

I didn't say that. I plan to give Lady Rhea a detailed report about what you're up to.

Hopefully then I'll be in her good graces. Oh, and don't think you can avoid being watched. I won't let you out of my sight!

...

♪ Broken Routine ♪

Lastly, Abby/Seteth B.

♪ Calm Winds Over Gentle Waters ♪

I am sorry that I doubted your ability. I deeply regret ever holding such a view of you.

Really?

Do you doubt your own power, even now? I suppose that's only natural. You've lived your whole life knowing next to nothing about yourself. Not even Jeralt could have possibly known all there is to know about you.

What do you mean?

I...wish to know more.

It was a foolish question, of course. You are not the sort to be complacent.

Ready for what?

The truth. All of it. Learning it will doubtlessly have direct consequences on your life. I do not know what those will be. You may decide, once you learn it, that you wish you hadn't. But even if you have such regrets, you will never be able to return to ignorance.

Yes. I am.

I see. That is what I wished to hear. The archbishop continues to put her faith in you. And so you will continue to have my aid. More than that... I will put my faith in you as well. And I will do all that is within my power to help you someday reach the truth.

♪ Broken Routine ♪

With all of our activity points expended, let's move on.

♪ Learning Lesson ♪

Upon reaching Sword A, Felix gets a new combat art.

Finesse Blade: +2 Mt, 1 range, costs 4 durability. Avoid +10. Might increases based on user's Dexterity.

Potentially decent. Still less good than just having him hit something normally.

Dragging this kid through Authority is awful.

♪ Teatime Joy ♪

Huh! That was a more amicable Felix than I'm used to.

♪ Broken Routine ♪

It's another auxiliary battle day. Put on your favorite montage music, I recommend the title theme from Paper Mario. Roll the results!

Caspar's power is quickly ramping up.

Meh.

Well, I can't complain about Spd on Flayn...

If you had just gotten Mag instead of Str...

Excellent.

Also excellent. Shamir's not as powerful as Bernadetta, but she's close.

Garbage fire level, good ability.

Ingrid will have Spd to spare by the end of the game, so a level that has Str without Spd is still excellent. Wyvern Rider's +10% Str growth is surely helping with that.