Update 35: Troublesome, isn't it? And untidy, too!



♪ Three Crowns ♪



Having repelled the Imperial vanguard, the resistance army, in desperate need of troops, seeks help from Judith, head of House Daphnel—the governing body in the northwestern regions of Alliance territory.

♪ No music ♪



♪ Guardian of Starlight ♪




We were just talking about Rhea...
We have searched for five long years but have not found a trace of her. It is possible that she is sleeping somewhere...


Perhaps.


Do you think so? I truly hope that is the case.
We have moved against the Empire with the intent of defeating them, but have not given up hope of recovering Rhea. If she is alive, we will find her. Rhea is like family to us...and to you, as well. Please, lend me your strength...



♪ No music ♪



♪ Anxiety ♪




But there is a problem.
Openly marshaling soldiers within my territory could provoke other members of the Alliance. Therefore, I will secretly gather troops in Ailell, the Valley of Torment. Will your group be able to receive the soldiers at this location?
From there, it should be safe to return to the monastery by following the border between the Alliance and the Kingdom.


Ailell, the Valley of Torment...
Ailell is a deep valley located on the border of the Kingdom and the Alliance. People stay far away. There, we can meet without anyone finding out. It is decided. Make plans to meet up with our reinforcements at once.







♪ No music ♪



♪ Teatime Joy ♪














♪ Scales of the Goddess ♪


Caspar, having finished mastering Brigand a while ago, now changes into War Master. If you want to get an idea of how absurd War Master is, here are its innate abilities:

Axefaire: Grants Atk +5 when using an axe.
Fistfaire: Grants Atk +5 when brawling.
Crit +20: Increases Crit by 20.

And, upon mastery, you get these two things:

Quick Riposte: If foe initiates combat while unit's HP is ≥ 50%, unit makes guaranteed follow-up attack.
War Master's Strike: +3 Mt, +30 Hit, 1 range, costs 5 durability. War Master only. Effective against all foes.

Quick Riposte's description is a bit vague, so I'll try to explain it: During enemy phases, if a unit with Quick Riposte is at 50% HP or higher, then, when they are engaged in combat, their attacker's AS is set to their AS minus 4. What this means is that the unit always doubles, and the attacker does not double, regardless of their natural AS.


Cyril also classes into Warrior.

We've got a few supports to do.

Ferdinand/Mercedes B.
♪ A Gentle Breeze ♪




Hey! Stop that! Can't you see he's not interested?


Oh! I just thought it looked a little...
Actually, now I'm curious.
What kind of business are you conducting?
I've been told I have a keen eye for appraisal.




Any price? You must be able to afford anything your heart desires!
But did you consider that he might have a good reason not to sell it? Maybe it's a family heirloom. Or simply his favorite sword.




You would dare threaten a woman? I will not permit such ungentlemanly conduct.
Oh. Hello, Ferdinand. Do you have an opinion on all this?
Behind me, milady! I will protect you!




Keep your distance, gutless knave! I just cleaned my sword, and if I maim you I will have to clean it again.
Neither of us wants that, so I suggest you leave at once.






Well, that is taken care of. Are you hurt, Mercedes?
Hurt? No, I'm fine. We were only talking.
Ah, I am glad! I do not abide uncouth behavior. Stopping it is my duty as a noble!



♪ Scales of the Goddess ♪




Bernadetta/Seteth C.
♪ Respite and Sunlight ♪




Wow... He looks really deep in thought. I wonder what he's writing... A secret diary, maybe?
That phrase doesn't quite work, does it? Let's see about an alternative...
Hmm, too uncertain for a diary. Maybe it's a letter...or a poem!
No, that's bound to introduce misunderstanding. Precision is the key.
It must be really important if he's putting that much thought into every word.
But I mustn't overcomplicate things either. Parting words ought to be precise.
Parting? It's a farewell letter? Huh! Is he writing his resignation?
Seteth can be a little scary sometimes, but I hope he doesn't leave. It'd be sad to see him go.
He shouldn't make such rash decisions. If he's unhappy about something, he should tell someone!


Ah! You...you heard all that?!
If you don't wish to be heard talking to yourself, then you should not speak so loudly. I'm sorry to hear that you find me intimidating.
Uh, I just... Ah, I'm sorry! I won't disturb you ever again!




Ah, typical behavior for the girl. Most concerning. Can she really go through life this way?



♪ Scales of the Goddess ♪


Huh. I wonder what Seteth was really writing.

Mercedes/Annette A.
♪ Somewhere to Belong ♪


Is this about what happened when we were shopping? If so, it's fine. Don't worry about it.
Not so fast! I haven't properly apologized yet!
So, I'm sorry. I just... I got scared. Imagine if something bad happened to you because of me...
Mercie...
You would have just run away if you were on your own, wouldn't you? Instead you acted defensively because I was there.
I dragged you down...
Mercie, you're upsetting me! How dare you say that you drag me down! You know why I was acting so recklessly? Because I wanted to protect my best friend in the whole world!
Annie...
Do you remember when we first enrolled at the academy? It seemed like everyone was leagues ahead of us and so far out of reach.
I felt completely hopeless... But because you were there, I didn't lose hope.
So... Don't say stupid things about how you drag me down or how you don't deserve things!
Thank you for saying that... And again, I'm sorry.


You've stayed by my side through thick and thin...
I wouldn't be able to forgive myself if anything happened to you because of me.
Mercie, can we be friends again?
Of course, Annie. Friends forever.
Good! I don't know what I would have done if we hadn't found a way to make up.
I'm sorry. I should have said something sooner.
No, I'm the one who should have stopped being so stubborn and said something.
You know, now that everything's as it should be, I'm suddenly starving!
That's just like you. Come, let's go for tea.
Ooh, let's! And we should have some Mercie-baked sweets on the side!


You do? Oh, Annie, you're too sweet.
Not as sweet as your baking! I love your baking more than anything in the world too, other than you.
Well, I'm always happy to bake for you, Annie!
I'm so happy to have you bake—uh, back!



♪ Scales of the Goddess ♪


There's that good gay content I crave.

I mean, it's not explicitly romantic, but. C'mon. We all know it is.

Mercedes/Hilda C.
♪ A Gentle Breeze ♪


Oh, Mercedes! I was on my way to the greenhouse, to water the flowers. But I have a meeting with the professor right now, so I'll have to be quick.
It must be urgent to call you at this hour of the morning! Go see what the professor needs from you. I can take care of the flowers.
Oh, are you sure? Thank you so much!
It's no problem at all! Let me take the water from you.
Thank you again! I'll see you at lunch.
Right! I'm off!








All she had to do was water a few plants. I didn't think it would take this much time.
It's almost noon. Maybe I'll go see what she's up to.






Oh, Hilda! Is your meeting with the professor over already?
Um, yes. It's almost lunchtime. What are you still doing here?
Lunchtime? I hadn't realized how late it was...
After watering the flowers, I noticed that the greenhouse was in need of some tidying. I must have gotten a bit carried away. It's so pleasant working in here!
Oh, "pleasant," sure! You're such a kind person.
No, no. It was my pleasure. Anyway, shall we head to the dining hall?




What was that, Hilda? Come along, I'm hungry!
Uh, coming! What should we eat?



♪ Scales of the Goddess ♪




Hilda/Cyril C.
♪ Spiderweb ♪


You're in the way, Hilda. Move.
How rude! I'm not in the way.
Are you just here to goof off?
No. I'm here to feed the horses, actually.
Uh-huh. Where's the fodder then?
I wasn't sure where to find it. Can you help with that?
I'll take care of it. I'm cleaning the place anyways.
Ooh, thanks! It's great to have you on the job. I know you'll handle it perfectly.
Yeah, well, I don't like it when I feel like I'm not doing my part.
You're always so focused on the task at hand. Sometimes, I almost forget you're Almyran. I always thought they were a...rough and unreliable sort of people.
Though you're not really like the rest of them. You seem normal for the most part.
Rough and unreliable, huh?
My family has to fight against Almyrans sometimes. Not that my father or brother ever clued me in on what the battles were like.
But I do know that armies from Almyra will attack without reason, and break treaties, and tell lies... Everyone says they're a bunch of brutes.
Yeah? Huh.
Am I boring you? I'm talking about your people.


Hm. OK, let's turn the tables. How do the people of Fódlan seem to you, from an Almyran perspective?
Huh...
That look on your face. Are you OK?
I can't tell you what I think of folks from Fódlan. I don't really got an impression of them altogether.
What's that supposed to mean?
There's all sortsa different people everywhere. You can't say everybody of one place is any one thing. It's no different when you're talking about Fódlan or Almyra or anyplace else. And wherever you go, you see people in power keep the weak ones down.
There's a line at the end of this scene and I'm not sure where it's used. Maybe if you view this scene during Part 1?
The only difference far as I'm concerned is...one place has Lady Rhea, and the other don't.


♪ Scales of the Goddess ♪




Shamir/Cyril C.
♪ A Gentle Breeze ♪


I hit closer to the bull's-eye today, and that felt real good.
You were fine.
"Fine"? That might be the nicest thing you've ever said to me, Shamir.
You take too many direct shots though.
But it's easier if you shoot straight.
Of course it is. But if you can hit your enemy with a straight shot, you're too close. Tell me, Cyril. What's an archer's greatest weakness?
Umm... When we get too close to the enemy and we can't shoot the way we're supposed to?
Exactly. As an archer, your position is critical. Know exactly how far the enemy is and keep a minimum safe distance. Understood?
You mean to stay away from the enemies but not too far away or my arrows can't hit 'em.
So you understand why you can't rely on straight shots. You have to use curved shots as well. Never run up to your target. Hit them from a safe range.
Shoot 'em from a safe range with curved shots.
Archers should always control the battlefield.
OK, yeah, I get that. I'm gonna go practice some of those curved shots right now.
You're not a bad student. If nothing else, you have the right attitude.
You think so?
Keep it up.
I will.



♪ Scales of the Goddess ♪




Now that we've cleaned out that backlog of supports, let's get to talking, but in a different way.
It sounds scary. Do I really have to go with you?
Hey, um, here's an idea... Maybe let the recluse stay home and hold the fort!


But speaking the Fódlan language still gives me difficulty.


Everyone has a weak spot.
Yes. I will keep practicing more.
Even when I was actively taking Spanish classes in high school and could at least write sentences—an ability that I've lost due to lack of use—I could barely actually speak it. I think my teachers did, too, since none of my Spanish classes ever actually had the teacher speak in Spanish for most of the day, like they were supposed to.

I suppose I've told you that though, yes? I've no idea how you cope with it.
I hope this war ends soon. I dislike being lightheaded because other people are bleeding everywhere. Though the thought of working hard for it does sound like quite a pain...



Do you need any help?


Even if Lady Rhea's not here right now, I still gotta do my duty. Like you. You gotta have other stuff you oughta be doing, yeah?


Damnable randomness. Give me my stat boosters.


Need to start planting with seeds in mind soon.

The family split in half when two brothers quarreled over an inheritance.
Despite blood relations, the families lived apart from one another, so the relationship has been distant and somewhat estranged. I'm not so much acquainted with Judith, the head of House Daphnel.


I hear there are still quarrels within the Alliance... This generous offer of soldiers and supplies seems a little too good to be true. I mean, it's also really impressive, but I'm just a little worried, I suppose...
You have every right to be worried, Annette. We just kinda have to take House Daphnel at their word.

Is everyone setting out on a big campaign? Not exactly? Ah, so you're meeting up with the reinforcements. Well, you can leave guarding this place to me! I'll keep an eye out for anything suspicious!


Was I convincing? Was it like he was standing right in front of you?
Some things are the same as they were five years ago, but I guess a lot more has changed...
...Hahaha! Okay, that was good.

Get an item somewhere at the monastery.



Why not?


Though, I guess that climate will keep our enemies at bay.
I guess this is kind of like the reverse of what I experience, where I can tolerate temperatures up to and including 110 °F (43 °C) from growing up in a very hot and dry area, but anything from 65 °F (18 °C) and below immediately makes me feel like I'm freezing.



All right, I will.


I'm glad you understand. I'm counting on you.


The Kingdom's Fraldarius and Galatea families, and the Alliance's Daphnel family. In the Fraldarius lands to the north, the former Kingdom army and new duke's army are fighting.


If the stories of her courage are true, no one will be able to stand against us.
In different circumstances, I'd have wanted to try crossing swords with her.
Right now we have to focus on getting to those reinforcements. Let's hope nothing goes wrong.


With just one look, she tamed a runaway horse that nobody else had been able to touch. When an Almyran general provoked her, she talked him into a tearful apology. She's spectacular. I wish she'd fight alongside us.
That's...kinda terrifying.

Oh, right, Anna asked me to find an item.

It is odd to think that I will be invading the very city that I once called home.
Ah, that is still a ways off.
I will prepare for our journey to Ailell.


My father is one such eccentric.
Hmph, they can't accept reality. Dimitri is dead. He's not coming back.


Half of the Kingdom has fallen to the Empire. Skirmishes are rife throughout the Alliance.


It's true—it's just like it was all those years ago.




In that land of oppressive heat, it is unlikely that we will be disturbed. It also means we will need to contend with those harsh conditions ourselves, however. Best ensure we are well prepared.


There's that item for that random guy's quest.



You're very resolute.
Don't worry about me. I'm ready for anything.




Studying is important.
I couldn't agree more! I hope the Officers Academy reopens when the war is over.
It's a shame the monastery was ruined, but...
At least the books are still intact!




Something wrong?








Yay.

Got the Riding +2 bonus from the Saint Macuil statue.










And that's all my activity points burned.

Time for new supports.

Ferdinand/Flayn B.
♪ A Gentle Breeze ♪






Now, allow me to wager a guess. Are you feeling hungry, as usual?
As usual? It is not as though I am always searching for a meal! I just...
I am rather interested in armor. Do you mind if I peer over your shoulder while you work?
Of course not. Please, feel free to observe.
Thank you for allowing me the pleasure! Ooooo! So many different types!
Wow! Helmets, armor, gauntlets... The range of defensive items seems innumerable! This one seems different from the rest of them. It is akin to a gauntlet, except—
Flayn! Careful!
Huh? Ahh!




I am well... But what was that?
That could have been serious. Please forgive me. I should have warned you first.
This is a new type of gauntlet with a spring-loaded blade over the knuckles.
The mechanism is rather easily triggered. How foolish of me not to warn you...
No, I am the one who was overly curious and reached out without permission. My apologies.
But...um...when you snatched me out of harm's way, you...er...you embraced me quite tightly...
Ah, yes. You were in danger and my instincts simply took hold. I hope you will forgive my rashness.
No, it is not that at all! It is just...you hugged me so tight...
Did it hurt? I am so sorry, Flayn. I did not mean to cause you any discomfort.
Not at all! Not—not in the slightest... Anyway, I had better be on my way.







♪ Scales of the Goddess ♪


Ferdinand, you are 23 years old. Flayn, you are vastly older than that. Surely you two can react to a situation like that more maturely than, in the most sophisticated terms possible, being dorks.

Bernadetta/Seteth C+.
♪ A Gentle Breeze ♪


Yes? What is it?
I'm really sorry about what I said. I shouldn't have called you scary. Even if, um...you are. Ah, I said it again! I'm sorry!
It is nothing I haven't heard before.
I am well aware of my austere nature, and I am accustomed to the commentary it brings.
I do confess, however, that I was slightly hurt to see you flee from me in such abject terror.
Don't be sad! I'll never do it again. I promise.
But, um, I've been wondering... Were you really writing a farewell letter?
Ah—that. No, actually. I was composing a fable centered around Saint Indech.
I didn't know you wrote fables. Wh-what's it about?
Saint Indech, one of the Four Saints. He was an extraordinarily shy person. It is said that he spent most of his life in solitude, unable to open his heart to anyone.
I like him already.
He was, after all, a man who hid himself away at the bottom of a lake.
Um... What's that about a lake?
Hm? Nothing. Now, something else to know about Saint Indech is that he had incredible skill with his hands. And that skill made him beloved by the people, because he constantly applied it to their benefit. The moral of the story is that shortcomings can be made up for with talent and kindness.
I like it...but I don't have any talents like that.
I can't even imagine being that helpful to people. Saint Indech must have been really gifted.
Don't be so quick to dismiss your abilities.
You and he are actually alike in more ways than one. You possess Indech's Crest, after all, do you not?
Um. Yes, I do. You really think we're alike? Now I want to know all about him! Do you think I could read your fable when it's done?
Absolutely. Indech's...example is something that we can all learn from.
Thanks so much! I'm excited to see it!



♪ Scales of the Goddess ♪


Now that... That was wholesome.

Felix/Lysithea B.
♪ Respite and Sunlight ♪






You again?! Can't you see I'm busy?
Trust me, I didn't mean to interrupt.
So, how did you like the cake? I bet you ate it, didn't you? I knew it was irresistible.
What was the experience like? I'm curious, from a research perspective.
I don't know. I didn't eat it. I gave it to some kid.
You...gave it to some...undeserving child?!
We've been over this. I don't like sweets.
Cake is not a "sweet." Cake is the divine essence of the heavens!
Everyone has their own tastes.
That's true, but life without cake is no life at all.
Your dismissiveness regarding cake is inexcusable.
I'm not sure why you're so fixated on this.
I simply can't resist the spongy magnificence of cakes. I don't understand how you can be so dispassionate about it.
I don't know. I just don't like it.
Just try a bite. Come on. Open up!
No. I already told you, I don't want it.
But I made this one. With care and attention—love even. Ah, and I went light on the sugar, just for you!
Not light enough, I'd bet. If I eat this, will you stop bothering me?
More or less. Just don't give it to some silly child this time.







♪ Scales of the Goddess ♪


I am ashamed to admit that I used to be as pushy regarding making my friends try games I really enjoy as Lysithea is about making Felix try cake. I'm not, any more, though.

Sylvain/Marianne B.
♪ Somewhere to Belong ♪


...
Won't you at least tell me why you're avoiding me? It hurts. It really does.
I'm not avoiding you. I'm just not very good at talking to people in general.
I told you I'm on your side, and I meant it. I'm guessing you don't much like talking about Crests. Call it a hunch.
Well, um...
I'm the same way, ya know.
The value of my life has always been dictated by the damn thing. It's not fair to have your worth determined by something you can't control.
Growing up in House Gautier taught me that the hard way.
What do you believe determines a person's value?
I like to think it's a person's smile.
Huh? Their smile?
A smile, it tells you who someone is. Are they fake or sincere? It also makes you feel stronger when you smile.
My smile helps me focus and set free all of that power I never asked for.
Hm, I wonder...
Try it out, Marianne! Be strong-willed, and put everything you've got into your smile.


Yeesh, that's a terr—rrific first try...if a bit stiff. Lift the corners of your lips just a bit. Oh, I know! Try saying, "cheese!"
Ch-cheese?
Hey, that was good! It might feel a bit unnatural, but you'll get used to it soon enough.
Cheese...
Are you sure this will make me stronger?
Guaranteed. It's a great smile, you know. Let's go to town and show it off. If you lift your eyes from the ground, you'll see that the world has all sorts of amazing things to offer. The more you realize that, the more you'll smile.
I'll think about it...
Please, don't let me pressure you. If you don't want to go, I understand.
It's not that I don't like going into town. I'm just eager to get back to my room. I want to go practice my smile. If I keep practicing, maybe someday I'll be ready to go into town with you.
Oh yeah? That sounds great. I can't wait to see your best smile.



♪ Scales of the Goddess ♪




Ingrid/Catherine C.
♪ A Gentle Breeze ♪


Thank you! Yes, let's.
Catherine? If you don't mind, I'd like to ask you something.
Let me guess. You're going to ask why you're so bad at predicting my attacks.
When I expect an attack from above, you surprise me from below. When I expect a jab, I get a sweep! You seem to anticipate my anticipation.
It's probably because you're a straightforward, honest person. You're reading my movements and trying to calculate what I'll do next.
That has always seemed the most sound strategy when engaging in combat, yes.
Right. Well, I take that anticipation and turn it against you. I use my eyes and the tilt of my sword to mislead you. Catching your opponent off-guard is the trick to staying alive in combat. You've got to keep yourself alive if you want to protect Lady Rhea, right?
Your dedication to Lady Rhea's safety is truly inspiring, Catherine.
You flatter me.
My dream is to become a knight and protect my king, no matter the cost. There is no greater purpose I can serve. Although your fealty is sworn to Lady Rhea, you are the ideal knight I aspire to be.
Admire me to your heart's content, but I'm—
Catherine, I'd be honored if you would make me your squire.
My what now? Oh, you're far too straitlaced to be my squire.
However you might judge me, I'm quite serious about this.
Hm. All right, then. Why not? Let's start by teaching you how to flirt with handsome men!
Pardon me? Uh...that can't possibly be where you want to start...
Nah, I was just kidding. I wish I knew how to flirt with handsome men. Instead, let's teach you to lighten up.
Ah. Understood!



♪ Scales of the Goddess ♪




I fished a bunch, made some money, and now it's time to move on.
♪ Learning Lesson ♪




Oh, hello.

Abby/Seteth A.
♪ Recollection and Regret ♪


Abby nods.
I promised to help you find the truth of who you are.


What details?
Five years ago, before she vanished, I asked Rhea some pointed questions. I learned that she knows everything about you.


What do you mean?
I could explain to you, here and now, what fragments of knowledge I was able to pry from Rhea. I fear, however, that a partial understanding might do you more harm than good. Once we save Rhea, you will know the whole of it.


...
If you are still uncertain about your feelings... Then permit me to add one more thing.


Because of those deep ties, you can be certain that I will never abandon or betray you.


Even family members can turn on each other.
You're not wrong. History is full of examples. I don't believe that will be the case here, but I suppose all I can do is ask for your trust. The truth is, you have become indispensable to me. And that is true quite independently of whether I see eye to eye with Rhea, or even whether we are friends.


What do you mean?
I am still trying to figure that out, myself. Perhaps it is just that I find you so fascinating that I cannot bring myself to leave your side. I dislike a one-sided conversation, but in this case, I am afraid I had no choice. Our future is yours to determine.



♪ Learning Lesson ♪


Great. Thanks for that...nothing, Seteth.
♪ Scales of the Goddess ♪


And...oh, hell, let's do one paralogue in this update, why not? This one isn't that long.
♪ No music ♪



♪ Anxiety ♪


Um, we were just talking. Why do you look so flustered?
Haven't you heard? An Imperial army was spotted near Garreg Mach!
Oh. Do you think they came to scout?
Maybe? We could probably take care of 'em if that's the case... But I heard the Death Knight is out there!


Is that a problem?
Don't you remember? He's the guy who abducted Flayn!
We fought him a bunch of times after that! Right, Mercedes? Oh. Is something the matter?
N-no. It's nothing. Really...
Now's probably not the time, but I was just thinking of my brother.
You have a brother?
Yes, but we have different fathers. He was a year younger than me.
Why'd he suddenly come to mind?
You see—







Mercedes, wait! I don't know what's going on with you, but...


Let's go with her.
Yeah, we can't let him get away! I'll help Mercedes find the Death Knight! You go gather the others and meet up with us, Professor!



♪ As Fierce as Fire ♪


I thought the Sealed Forest was supposed to be, like, hidden? Protected? Whatever.

That's a...pretty empty map.

We're rolling with this group.

Seteth is Ingrid's adjutant, Catherine is Shamir's adjutant, and Flayn is Linhardt's adjutant.

No other prep of notice this time, so... Let's roll!
♪ No music ♪



♪ Dark Clouds Gather ♪


Take your helmet off. Please. Let me see your face. It really is you under there, isn't it? I've been searching for so long...


But I'm here now, so you can give up, Death Knight!
...









♪ Tempest of Seasons ♪


Ah, hell, I should've known more Adrestians would back the Death Knight up.

They're not to be trifled with, either. 41 Atk and 22 AS is nothing to scoff at.

The Death Knight is much the same as ever. He's not really progressing much in stats, is he?



Firstly, let's stagger this beast.




One dance later, and we can do it again, now having broken two panels of its armor. Put it closer to the rest of the group, too.



Abby weakens the last armor tile, pops an HP bubble, and is badly rewarded for it.



Marianne breaks the last armor tile.


No crit, damn. Oh well, this thing is harmless for now, we can afford leaving it alive.


Okay, I'm gonna do it!


Unnecessary, but stylish.

Productive, too. Missing Str is a bit irritating, but, like, Bernie got every other non-HP stat. I can forgive her.


Chance Time yields nothing for me, as it always has.


Oh well, who needs luck when you've got Ingrid?

...

holy shit lmao caspar could legit just. one-round DK. i gotta—
♪ The Verge of Death ♪


Heh. Simpleton...
i gotta try it

I'll have your head!






caspar i love you
♪ Tempest of Seasons ♪


You're not getting away that easy!
For completeness's sake, here's Mercedes's dialogue for engaging the Death Knight.
You try to hide yourself with that mask and helmet... But I know who you really are.
I...have nothing to say to you...

I'm sure this is safe.

(I know this is safe.)



Ouchie.




okay i was lying maybe i didn't know this was safe holy shit



I have to shatter this thing's armor. It's the only way to make sure Mercedes doesn't die on the enemy phase.









Meanwhile, back at the south end of the map, Marianne ices a goon, and gets a bad level for it.



Annette, I swear to god, you are the master of two-stat levels, and I don't mean that in a good way like "you are the master of getting Mag and Spd."


Allow me to demonstrate.


Noise erased.



...I have no evidence of this, obviously, but I think using a Devil Axe cursed me.

One dance into one heal, coming right up.






woah jesus

i need to remember heroes have innate Vantage, that could probably fuck me over at some point if i'm not careful

Ingrid, you'd be set for Endgame with that Str, you're plenty useful as-is.



Finishing that hero off got Shamir a very good level.

yep, i'm using bernie to draw aggro

remember when she was an anxiety-ridden teenager who basically only went outside to put flowers on Jeralt's grave. boy that sure feels like a long time ago



i wish female Byleths could marry Bernadetta



This chest isn't particularly valuable.


Buh-bye.

Neither do I, Mercie.



...Uh-oh.
♪ The Dream is Over ♪


Okay, yeah, there was a lot wrong there. Mainly, sending someone to draw aggro while wielding a Devil weapon is an exceptionally terrible idea.

Let's try that again.

Better.

Much better.

Petra's safe.

OW.




Stay cool.


Here is something to believe in!








Southwest side clear.

You've got this, Caspar!

This'll help.

Dancing to let Abby attack and heal in one turn is very nice.

Linhardt gets Ingrid ready for combat again.


Brave weapons are great.







Anomalous Bernadetta.










Sorry, but this is war!


lol


Going for the kill.







Well, that was fast.

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

If Ingrid comes across a target she can't kill, she can at least heavily wound them, and lower their Def by 6 while she's at it.


Pa-pow!



100% safe, I swear this time.

Because this time, Sylvain can dance for her.

Sylvain'll have to dodgetank the rest of the enemies that were going to go for Petra, which he's well-equipped to do. Silencing this mage will help matters.













Meh.

Sylvain's offense has turned out...disappointingly. Let's not do that.



That's better, Annette.


You are in my way.





Abby is now in a good spot to dodgetank.


Bisected!


That'll break one armor tile, and weaken the rest.



There go the rest.




Holy shit, Ingrid. I don't go for this, but...yeah.



Ingrid.

Seteth's level is okay.








Near the end.


Caspar is suddenly one of my best units.








I'm sorry.




Well, that's +1 AS, but otherwise a bad level. 'Least she's got a new spell.


chunk


Going for the kill.



Then get Str.



Linhardt, I think you're confused, that's not progress.



Thank you three for lining up for Assault Troop.





Last turn.




I had such high hopes for you, Sylvain. Oh well, you've still got utility.


Dammit!



Again, I swear enemy Vantage is going to be the death of someone eventually. If I hadn't healed Linhardt up, that would've gotten him killed.

Good level, Flayn.


And that's that.
♪ No music ♪




I am, thanks to you. But still...
There's something you wanted to ask him, right? Come on, he ran off into the forest.
Thank you, Caspar.



The Bergliez War Group comes with a whopping +8 Phys Atk at max rank.


♪ Wind noises ♪





♪ Recollection and Regret ♪


I'm so sorry... I should have come for you sooner... I'm sure it wasn't pleasant living in House Bartels.
I'm not sure I follow. Do you know this guy, Mercedes?
My younger brother... Emile... Is it really you?
I'm sorry, what? Your brother is the Death Knight?! But you two look nothing alike!
Mercedes... Leave the monastery.
Hold on just a minute! Is that all you've got to say for yourself?
This doesn't concern you...
That's not true! You're her brother, right? But you've got nothing nice to say to her after all this time?
You will die...
Even if I die, I've made my choice.
Please, Emile. Fight on our side instead.
I cannot. My soul has long departed...




Is this...a Hero's Relic? You and I must share the same Crest.
When next we meet, I will kill you without hesitation.
You won't kill me. I have this now.
Hmph.




Take...this...


This is...
I will kill her. Until then, she must live...




I can't tell whether or not he actually cares that you're his sister...
Hmm... Somewhere, hiding underneath that helmet, there's a very sweet boy.
Is that a joke? Would a "sweet boy" threaten to kill someone? I don't get you, Mercedes.
Living at House Bartels changed him.
But that's beside the point. Thank you, Caspar. I couldn't have confronted him without you.
Don't worry about it. I may not understand you half the time, but we're still pals.
Come on then, pal. Let's get back to everyone else.





Clearing the map gets you the Rafail Gem. Having Caspar (and only Caspar) kill the Death Knight gives you the motherfucking Scythe of Sariel.

Scythe of Sariel: Requires Lance rank A. 1 range. 10 Mt, 100 Hit, 30 Crit, 6 Wt, 30 durability. Requires Agarthium x3 and 2500 gold to repair.

While that Mt of 10 isn't much to write home about, that 100 Hit, 30 Crit, and 6 Wt certainly are. Ingrid is only 2 Str away from being able to wield this thing without a -1 AS penalty, which even now would still let her double damn near anything she comes across, and probably crit twice while she's at it.

Rafail Gem: Nullifies both effective damage and critical hits against the user. If the user has the Crest of Lamine, they are given the effect of both Pavise and Aegis.

For those of you who need a refresher on what those two skills do:

Pavise: Chance to reduce sword/lance/axe/brawling damage by half. Trigger % = Dex stat.
Aegis: Chance to reduce bow/magic damage by half. Trigger % = Dex stat.

You might think "wait, only Mercedes has the Crest of Lamine, that's worthless on her." You'd be correct. In general, though, the Rafail Gem is a good thing for pretty much any flier with a Crest, since it means they no longer take effective damage from bows. I'm sure there's uses of it for armored and cavalry units too, but the fact of the matter is that you just don't see much effective damage against either of those on the enemy side.
♪ Scales of the Goddess ♪


Phew. That's it, I think?

Next time: those two other paralogues.

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