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Chapter 10: Unlikely Allies

Opening

narrator
For a number of chapters going forward, the army will split into two squads.
On the world map, you'll have access to the entire army.
You can perform preparations or enter optional fights with everyone.
However, during the story chapters, you'll only have some units available.
Check the guide for the list of units that will go with each squad.

Also, monsters have made a home of the Tower of Valni.
Hosts of fiends have begun to pop up throughout Magvel as well.
Riev is definitely having too much fun with this...
These monsters are weak and impossible to control. No good for Lyon's army.
But they'd make for good target practice, should you require extra training.

narrator
Despite the odds swiftly turning against him, Lyon refuses to relent.
Seeking new allies, Lyon turns to the only country without a Sacred Stone, Carcino.
Carcino is a young nation ruled by a council of merchants.
Carcino council leader Klimt, a staunch opponent of Grado's imperialistic actions,
has pledged Carcino's support to Frelia in this conflict.
However, the country has yet to make a proper move against Grado.
Believing he may yet be able to curry Carcino's favor, Lyon arrives at Port Kiris...
lyon
......

1 1/5 years ago

ephraim
You're late. How does it take you so long to prepare for such a simple trip?
lyon
(smiles) Rest easy, Ephraim. There's no need to be so curt with your own sister.
After all, a king must learn to treat women with honor and discretion.
That's what Father McGregor says.
eirika
(smiles) Thank you, Lyon. You, unlike my dear brother, are a true gentleman.

(serious) I was up far too late thinking about my prayer to the temple flame last night.
And I'm afraid I...I overslept...

ephraim
Your prayer? What are you babbling about?
lyon
Come now, you know that flame has been burning since the time of darkness ended.
You must know the story that the flame will answer the prayers of any pilgrim!
ephraim
(smiles) Really? I didn't know that...
eirika
(smiles) Oh, Ephraim... Father McGregor is going to scold you for neglecting your studies so.
ephraim
...Don't even joke about that.
So tell us, what have you decided to pray for, Eirika?
eirika
I, uh...
It's a secret.
ephraim
I should've known. You're so boring.
lyon
Well, how about you, Ephraim?
ephraim
Me? Let's see...

I guess I'll pray to become a stronger fighter.

lyon
That's just like you, Ephraim.
eirika
Just like you indeed, Brother.
ephraim
...I can never tell if you're complimenting me or mocking me.
lyon
Praising you, of course! Right, Eirika?
eirika
Hee hee... Yes, that's right.
ephraim
And you, Lyon? What will you pray for?
lyon
What, me? Well, I...
I suppose I want to become a great emperor, like my father.
eirika
(frowns) You weren't born to be the Emperor of Grado, Lyon. It doesn't suit you.
lyon
No, I don't think so. I'm not--

W-Wait... What?!

ephraim
(frowns) Eirika, what say you to dressing like him and becoming emperor in his stead?
He's such a weakling, I doubt anyone would notice you're not him.
(Eirika balks.)
eirika
Ephraim!
Of course they'd notice. I'm way stronger than he is.
He'll never amount to anything.
You'll never amount to anything. You're worthless, Lyon.
I would never love you.
(Lyon starts.)
lyon
W-What are you saying?! Stop! Stop...!
Why would you say that? We're friends, are we not?
ephraim
That's a good joke. You're so far below us.
No, you're more like a bug infesting our lives.
If only we didn't have to pretend we care for you.
eirika
Why don't you just go away, Lyon?
Why don't you just disappear and never come back?
lyon
N...No...
fomortiis
(smirking) Well? Will you not listen to your dear friends, Lyon?
(Lyon trembles.)
glen
...Your Highness? Your Highness, are you listening?
lyon
Ah? Oh, Glen... Sorry. I was lost in thought...
You were saying?
glen
We have reached Port Kiris, Your Highness.
It is the first major settlement along Carcino's border with Frelia.
lyon
Looks rather busy here.
Reminds me of Serafew. In brighter days...
glen
This, too, is a trade center. Peoples of all nations pass through this town.
lyon
...Do you think Carcino will lend an ear to our pleas?
glen
It's hard to say, Prince.
At least in theory, they are allied with Frelia.
But with Frelia's inner turmoil, and Carcino staying out of the war so far...

We should spend some time here and investigate the situation in this nation.
I have a feeling there's more to it than what it first seems.

caellach
Sounds like a job for the two of you. I'm no good at playing detective.
Let me see if I can find an inn for us to stay at without drawing attention.
lyon
Fine...

Wait, do you hear that?

caellach
I hear some kind of infernal racket, if that's what you mean.
It's growing closer. Ready your books, Prince. You might need them.
glen
Let's not be overly hasty, now.
This isn't supposed to be hostile territory.
caellach
That's why I said "might," O wise Sunstone.
But it never hurts to be prepared.
lyon
...!
(L'Arachel and her entourage approach.)
l'arachel
(smiling) Oh, these dainty sugar pastries! They're delightfully scrumptious!
Flavorful without being overwhelming, refined without being banal...
dozla
Gwah ha ha! Right you are, Lady L'Arachel!
lyon
You... I know you...
(Rennac starts.)
rennac
O-Oh no!
l'arachel
(serious) Why, hello there, fellow travelers!
Are you trying to obtain passage to my beloved Rausten as well?
lyon
......
No, we're going to stay in Carcino for the time being...
l'arachel
Ah, I see. Well, this too is a rather lovely country, I suppose.
It's got nothing on the beautiful Theocracy of Rausten, but...
(smiles) Hey, would you like to try a pastry? They're positively divine!
lyon
Er... Actually?
(smiles) Yes, those do look rather nice. I'd like one.
l'arachel
Help yourself! Both of you as well, good sirs.
glen
(smiles) I... I don't see why not...

Oh, these truly are quite good! Thank you, my lady.

rennac
...I have to be going insane.
L'Arachel, you seriously don't recognize these people?!
dozla
Gwah ha ha! Lady L'Arachel, we have to hurry!
If we don't, we'll miss the ship to Rausten!
Think how your dear uncle would worry if you were delayed...
l'arachel
Ah, my wonderful Dozla! As reliable as ever!
Forgive me, my friends, but I must now leave you.
Run, everyone! To the ship!
(L'Arachel leaves.)
dozla
Gwah ha ha! Wait for us, Lady L'Arachel!
Come on, Rennac! We run till we drop!
The first one to collapse from exhaustion is the winner!
(L'Arachel and Dozla run off, leaving Rennac behind.)
rennac
......
lyon
......
(Rennac balks.)
rennac
...I can't believe it!

(Rennac becomes agitated.)

They left me behind AGAIN! With you, AGAIN!

(Rennac flounders.)

They didn't even remember you lot! How is that even possible?!
I know the old man's not with you this time, but still!
How does one just forget a guy like you? Honestly!

lyon
Yes, I must admit, I'm wondering the same thing myself...
rennac
W-Well, I've not forgotten, so uh...
How about we call it even and I just... step that way...
caellach
Boo.
(Rennac jumps.)
rennac
Gyaaaaaaaaaahhh!!
D-Don't hurt me! Lady L'Arachel, help! Heeeeeelp!
(Rennac runs away.)
caellach
(grinning) Hahahahahaha! It was even more fun the second time!
I love those guys. I hope we keep running into them.
lyon
...Well.
glen
Prince Lyon... I hate to interrupt, but something else is happening...
lyon
There's more?
glen
Look there, to the southern part of the port.
Someone is being pursued...
lyon
What?
glen
Let me fly a little closer. I may be able to find out more.
(Glen flies over and observes a conversation between a mage and some mercenaries.)
gerik
C'mon, Elder Pablo. How long do you intend to keep running?
You'll end up throwing your back out with all this pointless strain.
(Pablo fumes.)
pablo
Grrr... How could things take such a bad turn?!
I paid top coin for those mercenaries...
How could they lose so easily against you rabble?!
gerik
You paid top coin, but you didn't get top mercenaries.
Sorry, man. That's just the way it goes sometimes.
Now, Elder Klimt is a benevolent man...
I'm sure he'll be merciful, even to a wretch like you.
Just surrender quietly and come with us.
pablo
Whelp! I have more money than you've ever seen...
I could pay a king's ransom ten times over!
(smiles) Heh heh... What say you? Let us discuss a new arrangement...
gerik
Hah... Listen here, Pablo. Here's how this works.
My band, Gerik's Mercenaries, takes its name from me, Gerik.
If I switched loyalties the second I was offered a higher bid,
they'd want a new name. You follow me?
pablo
(scowls) That's preposterous! You're sellswords!
It's in the name! You sell your swords!
What could possibly matter if not cold, hard gold?!
gerik
We value our reputation just a tad more than quick coin.
Guess we're just lousy mercenaries.
pablo
But... Money! The money!
Money rules the world, you dolts!
tethys
I think we've heard enough, Gerik.
He's clearly not going to cooperate, so...
gerik
Yeah... Elder Klimt requested you be brought back alive, but I guess roughing you up a bit should be all right.
pablo
D...Dammit all! Stay back, you runts!
(Pablo runs away. One of Gerik's mercenaries steps forward.)
marisa
Gerik... Let me handle this.
gerik
Yeah, sure. It's just one old guy against all of us.
We might as well go back and check on the capital.
tethys
I'm sure the others have already rounded up Pablo's remaining cronies.
Still, some of them looked rather tough. We'd best go back and make sure.
May fortune smile upon you, Marisa. Come back to us alive.
marisa
...Okay...
(Glen flies back.)
glen
It's one of the elders of Carcino!
(Lyon starts.)
lyon
What?! An elder of Carcino?
Are you certain, Glen? Absolutely certain?
glen
Positive. From what I could hear, Elder Klimt himself ordered his capture.
lyon
The head of the council... How odd.
Why would Carcino hunt down one of their own leading elders?
caellach
This could be a golden opportunity, Prince.
Klimt's known for being none too fond of Grado...
But we don't know where the rest of the council stands.
Let's rescue this old coot and see what he has to say.
lyon
Hmm... That sounds like a decent course of action.
Very well. Let's go to that man's aid!
glen
Understood, Your Highness!

Conversations

Tiffani & Lyon

tiffani
Mister Lion!
lyon
Eh? Ah, Tiffani...
tiffani
You're... You're not scary anymore...
lyon
...I'm always scary, Tiffani. Even if it doesn't look like it.
You'd do well to keep your distance, to be honest...
Being with me will only get you hurt.
tiffani
I don't know... Usually you're really nice.
You save people...
We're saving someone right now, right?
lyon
Yes, but... Ah, it's not that simple.
We're trying to save this person because it'll be useful to us.
Nothing more, nothing less.
tiffani
But you saved me!
lyon
...To test the limits of my power.
I didn't do it out of some manner of selfless kindness.
I merely wanted to see if I could pull it off. That's all.
(Tiffani becomes agitated.)
tiffani
T-That's not true! Lying is wrong, Mister Lion!
lyon
What...?
tiffani
I saw you! You were crying just like Mom!
You were so happy that you had saved me...
Why are you pretending to be a bad guy, Mister Lion?
I don't understand...
lyon
......
I told you before that this world is a cruel place.
In truth, it is doubly cruel to those who are kind.
I'm trying to... rid myself of that weakness.
Only then, can I perform truly great deeds...
Only then can I save...

......

tiffani
I don't really get it, but... I don't think that's true.
(smiles) I like you because you're nice, Mister Lion.
lyon
(smiles) ...Hah... You're still a kid. One day you'll get it.
But... Still. Thanks.
tiffani
Let's save that man, okay, Mister Lion?
He's going to be so grateful, just like me!
(Tiffani leaves.)
lyon
(frowns) ...Just like you, eh? Somehow I doubt that.
You're too pure for this world, Tiffani...
Meanwhile, I'm...
[Lyon and Tiffani's support rank increases.]

Zonta & Zabba

zonta
Well... All things considered, we got off pretty easy.
zabba
We're on thin ice, Zonta.
They had to send us with this team to protect us.
zonta
I-I'll admit, I didn't think General Valter was such a terrifying man...
zabba
You call that a man? I'd sooner call him a rabid animal.
Why did you get us roped up with this lot, Zonta?
How could you fumble the background check so badly?!
(Zonta huffs.)
zonta
H-Hey! You got any idea the riches Tirado promised me for our swords?
How was I supposed to know Grado enlisted psychopaths for generals?!
I mean, c'mon! Who does that?
zabba
...In other words, you DIDN'T do a background check at all.
You blithering ninny! This is all your fault!
zonta
Yeah, well, it's too late to do anything about it!
They're watching us too closely to try deserting again...
We'll just have to appease them. Fight your hardest, Zabba!
zabba
Urgh... This never would have happened with Gerik.
zonta
...What's that dandy prick have to do with anything?
What's he got I don't have, anyway?!
zabba
He actually ran background checks on would-be clients, for one!
zonta
Bah! That's it? And what else?
zabba
I can think of five or six things off the top of my mind.
And I hate his guts, so take a guess how I feel about you at this time.
zonta
All right, all right, calm down...
Let's get along, okay? We need to stick together.
For our own safety... We got no other friends here.
zabba
Yeah... Never thought I'd say this, but...
I miss Deni.
zonta
Me too, honestly...
I'd even sit through one of his tear-jerker songs right now...
zabba
...Sigh... What we did was for the best.
He was just gonna get himself killed if he stayed with us.
zonta
Or we were going to get killed protecting him...
zabba
But even then... I kinda feel bad about the way we left him.
zonta
I'm sure he's not that upset.
He's just not the kind of guy that keeps a grudge.
zabba
...Here's hoping...
[Zonta and Zabba gain 1 Strength and each gain a C-rank support with Deni.]

Glen & Saaga

saaga
Hmph! She better count her lucky stars she left so fast.
I would've had a few choice words for her had she lingered...
glen
Hmm? What are you talking about?
saaga
Oh, General Glen!
Ah, where are my manners? Allow me to introduce myself...
glen
Dame Saaga, I know. Well met.
saaga
You knew my name already?
glen
I keep track of all our soldiers.
One cannot expect to lead an army without knowing its members.
saaga
Wise.
That aside! Some things never change.
L'Brat has yet to mature, I see!
glen
L'Brat?
saaga
Rausten's beloved princess, that spoiled-rotten harlot.
She's in a fiery contest with her uncle to see who can be the biggest clown.
Hairy Dozla is winning, but it's an extremely close race.
glen
...Aha. Very interesting.
saaga
I remember Mansel's father, even though I was but a child then.
Now that was a man worthy of the title of pontifex.
He carried himself with the gravitas that befit his station.
But it's only gotten worse and worse since then.
Oh, the poor man must be rolling in his grave...
glen
...I'm going to focus on the battle now.
(Glen looks away.)
saaga
Wha-- How rude! I'm not done here, you...
Hah! True gentlemen are a dying breed.
(Glen comes back.)
glen
Sigh... Forgive me.
It's just, we are in the middle of a battle, remember?
I need to keep my eyes on the action.
saaga
Hmm... All right. I forgive you.
Truth be told, I allowed myself to get distracted as well...
glen
No, I let impatience get the best of me.
My brother, that one's a true gentleman.
And even so, he's still a terror on the battlefield...
I have no excuse. Please accept my apologies.
saaga
Oh, well... You certainly are a humble one, General.
Please, let's not dwell on this.
glen
Thank you, Lady Saaga.
Well, I shall take my leave. Please, stay safe.
Healers of your ability are few and far between.
(Glen leaves.)
saaga
Ohohoho... What a charmer.
Rough around the edges, but he certainly tries...
[Glen and Saaga gain C-rank support with each other.]

Lyon & Pablo

lyon
You there! You're an elder of Carcino, correct?
pablo
Yahh...! You're... Prince Lyon of Grado!
(smiles) Heh heh... How fortuitous. Allow me to personally welcome you to Carcino.
(serious) I am Elder Pablo. 'Tis a pleasure to meet you, my prince.
Be that we could have met under better circumstances. Alas...
lyon
What is happening, Elder Pablo? Please, explain the situation to me.
pablo
All in due time, my prince. Let us first win the day!
After all, patience is a virtue.
And time is money besides.
lyon
Er... Isn't that sort of a contradiction...?
pablo
I may be an elder, but I am far from helpless.
I will roast any buffoons that dare to test me!
Let me prove to you just what a great ally Pablo of Carcino makes!
lyon
All right, then. Pleased to meet you, Elder!

Marisa

Combat

marisa
You aren't our target...
You don't need to die. Step aside.

Combat w/ Pablo

marisa
...It's you...
You can't beat me. Give up or die.
pablo
(grins) Heh heh... Oh, but you see, I cannot die.
Not when there's such wealth to be had!
I must remove you from my path! Have at you!
marisa
Death it is, then...

Combat w/ Zabba

marisa
You...
zabba
Fancy seeing you here.
Where's the big man, Marisa?
marisa
......
zabba
Still don't like talking much, do you?
That's fine. I can let my sword do the talking.

Death

marisa
I lost...

Locations

Western House

(Rennac starts.)
rennac
...Gah...!
(Rennac hides.)

Default

visitor
...No one here...
Guess I'll help myself to this thing.
(The visitor leaves. Rennac comes out of hiding.)
rennac
M-My thing! Thief! Thief!
Some honor among thieves, dammit!

If a monster is visiting

monster
......
(The monster leaves. Rennac comes out of hiding.)
rennac
T-The heck was that thing...?
Wait-- It took off with my thing! Thief! Thief!
Some honor among thieves, dammit! Human or otherwise!

(The visitor gains a Rapier.)

Southern House

man
Hey there! What's cooking?
Nothing much? That's good, that's good...
So, what are you doing in my house, exactly?

Oh, that axe hung there? It's my pride and joy!
It's not for sale... Heh, unless you can offer a good price.

Default

visitor
Your life for the axe.
man
Wha-- Criminal! Guards, help!
(The visitor advances menacingly and the man cowers back.)
man
Nooooooooo...!

If Glen is visiting

glen
......
man
Wha-- A wyvern rider of Grado?!
Guards, help!

N-No, please! Spare my life!
Just take the axe! Take it!
Gaaahhh!

(The man runs away.)

Nooooooooo...!

glen
...I...
(closes eyes) ......

If a monster is visiting

monster
......
man
Wha-- F-F-Fiend! Guards, help!
(The monster advances menacingly and the man cowers back.)
monster
Nooooooooo...!

(The visitor gains a Swordreaver.)

Ending

If Pablo is alive

pablo
Sigh... Phew! That was a close shave.
Allow me to extend my deepest gratitude to you, my saviors.
I always knew Grado's side was the right one to stand on.
lyon
Please, enough pleasantries.
We need more information. What's going on in Carcino?
pablo
'Tis truly a sad tale, milord. We are a divided people.
Klimt, that senile dotard, he wishes to preserve our alliance with Frelia.
Pah! Frelia are pitiful weaklings. We gain nothing from their support.
caellach
Did you know their own king betrayed them?
We seized a critical position from them with his help!
(Pablo guffaws.)
pablo
(smiles) Bah ha ha ha ha! Aha ha ha...
(frowns) Wheeze... Cough, cough...
Ahh... That is priceless. Once again, my judgment is evidenced sound.
lyon
But if you are in favor of Carcino allying with us...
Well, why hasn't it?
pablo
That cowardly Klimt, he kept refusing my proposals!
He and his annoying little yes men.
I've got my own advocates, but we only come up to 37%.
Not enough to get our way. Curse this form of government.
caellach
None of this explains why your own countrymen were trying to arrest you.
pablo
First off, not "my" countrymen. They were mercenaries.
Carcino doesn't have its own army, but we have something better.
Money! We're all filthy rich. Even Klimt, that holier-than-thou cad.
lyon
So Elder Klimt hired a band of sellswords to capture you?
pablo
I mean, certainly I did hire mercenaries of my own.
And sure, I explicitly ordered them to relieve Klimt of his head.
But how was I supposed to know the useless imbeciles would fail?
There is nothing I hate more than to see my money go to waste.
lyon
What if we helped you to... regain your seat at the council?
Would you pledge Carcino's allegiance to our cause?
pablo
With pleasure, my lord! It would be my honor!
But Klimt has had me banished. He'll never accept my return...
caellach
(smiles) Hah! Keep up, old timer. He's suggesting we get rid of him for you.
I'm shocked, Prince. That's a really devious idea.
Didn't think you had it in you. You're a bag of surprises.
lyon
Yes, well... Trying to assassinate a fellow elder is a serious crime.
We cannot let it stand, can we? All in the name of justice, of course.
(Pablo bounces with enthusiasm.)
pablo
Hear, hear! You are wise beyond your years, my dear prince. Heh heh...
Yes, if you help me bury that dastard, Carcino will happily lend you her aid.
lyon
(smiles) Great. Thank you, Elder Pablo.

If Pablo is dead

glen
We failed, Prince Lyon. The elder lies dead.
lyon
Blast...
That was our only chance to figure out what's going on here.
caellach
Not quite, Prince. All it takes is a little imagination.
lyon
What do you mean, Caellach?
caellach
Think about it for a sec.
Carcino is allied with Frelia, but they've not moved a finger to help 'em out.
Now this elder's been chased out of the capital and put down like a dog?
I can only think of one matter so grave that it warrants such extreme measures.
glen
...He wanted to have Carcino pledge allegiance to Grado...
caellach
Mmhmm. We know the council's leader, Klimt, is a big fan of Frelia.
If the head honcho himself was ousted, that'd be big news. We'd heard it already.
So, only explanation left's that this guy went against the grain and paid for it.
How's that for someone who doesn't like playing detective, huh?
lyon
One thing's for certain. We have nothing left to do here.
We should make for the capital. And then...
glen
What?
lyon
If we find Elder Klimt there and he refuses to cooperate...
Well, assassinating a fellow council member's a pretty bad crime.
We'll relieve him of his duties. In the name of justice, of course.
caellach
...Hahahaha! You're a bag of surprises, Prince.
Every time I think I've got you all figured out,
you say something outta left field like that.
glen
......
lyon
Caellach, Glen! Go to the capital.
I'm going to take my leave for a few days.
Check on the other squad's progress.
(Caellach balks.)
caellach
Wait, what?! You're leaving us, just like that?
glen
Surely you jest, Prince.
And what do you mean, check on the other squad?
They march at speed in the opposite direction!
lyon
...Follow your orders in my absence.
I'll be back when you're close to the capital, I imagine.
glen
Prince Lyon?!
(Lyon warps away.)
caellach
Ohhh, right... I almost forgot he could do that.
Why doesn't he do it more often, anyway?
Could've just popped on top of the leader and saved us the hassle...
glen
As I understand it, that manner of sorcery is highly taxing on one's body.
If he did it "more often", as you put it, he could neither fight nor stand.
Especially so soon after warping the entire army to the Tower of Valni...
caellach
So he's gonna ravage his body just to keep tabs on both divisions?
And I'll bet he's still gonna fight the good fight at the van on both sides.
Hoo boy... Never thought a skinny bookworm could be such a terror.
glen
......
caellach
...Guess it's just the two of us for a bit, then.
Damn, that stinks. It's going to be a boring trip to the capital.

If Rennac's house was visited

(L'Arachel and Dozla approach.)
l'arachel
(smiles) Ah, it's you, my friends!
I would offer more pastries, but I'm afraid we're all out.
dozla
Gwah ha ha! I'm sorry, folks!
I may be small, but my stomach's large enough for three men!
glen
That is quite all right.
caellach
...Shame... Coulda gone for a couple more. They really were delicious.
l'arachel
(frowns) Say, have you seen Rennac?
The lanky man with brown hair that was with us earlier.
I took my eyes off him for one moment, and he vanished!
He must've wandered off and gotten lost.
Truly, he can be such a handful...
caellach
Sorry, lady. Last time we saw the guy, he was with you.
l'arachel
Hmm... We do not have time to keep looking for him. Ah, alas.
Thank you kindly nonetheless. Please, take this for your trouble.
glen
You have my thanks, but truly, you needn't do this.
caellach
Ever the gentleman, eh, Glenny-boy?
Well, I'll take it if you won't! Thank you kindly, m'lady!
glen
......
l'arachel
And now, we must make haste for the ship.
I'm sure Rennac will turn up eventually...
Come, Dozla! If we don't hurry, they'll set sail without us!
dozla
(smiles) Gwah ha ha! I'll be right behind you, Lady L'Arachel!
Even if I have to roll down the hill to keep up!
(L'Arachel gives Caellach an Angelic Robe and leaves.)

Castle Renais

fado
Ephraim, Eirika! Thank goodness...
I had grown worried...
eirika
We weren't gone that long, Father...
fado
I suppose not. Forgive me, children, but...
It's a miracle I survived the fall of Renais at all.
The idea of coming back, only to lose you now...
Ah, don't listen to me. I'm letting sentimentality cloud my judgment.

How did you fare? Were you able to make the Grado forces stand down?

eirika
I... I don't know...
ephraim
I don't think so. We did find Lyon, but...
It didn't go as we had hoped...
innes
Isn't it about time you accepted reality?
Your dear Prince Lyon is as complicit in this as his father.
That much should be obvious to anyone.
ephraim
Innes, you don't know him like we do.
He is... Lyon is our friend.
innes
Your friend, right.
You are a greater fool than I thought, Ephraim.
(Eirika becomes agitated.)
eirika
Innes, he speaks the truth!
The Lyon I know would never be happy with this war!
innes
...Well, we have an eyewitness.
ephraim
What?!
(Syrene approaches.)
ephraim
Commander Syrene... It is good to see you live.
syrene
I live, yes. But at a great price.
The lives of all the men and women at the Tower of Valni...
I saw him with my own two eyes, my lords.
Prince Lyon, wearing a... deranged expression on his face.
Slaughtering good Frelians like they were cattle...
He looked less like a man and more like a nefarious beast...
(Eirika balks.)
eirika
B-But that's... That's not possible...
...Unless...
myrrh
I told you... The darkness...
fado
Who is this young girl, Ephraim?
ephraim
Ah, she's Myrrh.
I rescued her from captivity at Grado's hands.
She told me an unbelievable tale, but...
Myrrh, I think you'd best show them.
Please, it's all right. That man is my own father,
and Innes and Commander Syrene are trustworthy.
myrrh
...Okay, Ephraim... If you say so.
(Myrrh reveals her wings.)
fado
Wings... One of the dragonkin.
I had heard the legends, but to think I would have the honor of meeting one...
innes
...So, what do you know about the situation in Grado, little girl?
myrrh
...My name is Myrrh.
I set out from Darkling Woods some time ago...
My father and I sensed a great dark force coming from the south...
From Grado. I was trying to find its source when I was caught...

Now that I've seen him up close, I can tell for sure.
It's Prince Lyon. Prince Lyon is the source.

innes
And this means what, exactly?
myrrh
...The Demon King...
(Fado starts.)
fado
The Demon King?!
What does that fiend of yore have to do with this...?
myrrh
...Allow me to tell you the rest of what I know...

Character Descriptions

Pablo
A member of Carcino's Council of Elders and an advocate of Grado.

Marisa
An aloof sword fighter from Jehanna. She's known as the Crimson Flash.

Sellsword
Mercenaries hired by the Republic of Carcino.

Cutthroat
Ruffians taking advantage of the chaos of war to rob and pillage.