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Chapter 17: Resolve of the Heretic

Opening

selena
General Riev... Would you allow another question of me?
riev
You are fond of your questions, are you not, General Selena?
You are free to ask, as I am free not to answer. Heh heh heh...
selena
Do not hesitate to tell me if I am being overly probing, but...
What was the cause of your disagreement with the pontifex?
riev
I had a feeling this would be about that.
Rausten's doctrine casts the darkest shadow upon its heretics.
To be branded one is no better than being branded a murderer.
Everyone believes the story and keeps their distance.
But I suppose for some, a heretic such as I would be rather amusing.
A circus spectacle of sorts. Watch well, my audience - Riev, the heretic freak!
It even has a nice ring to it. Heh heh heh...
selena
I assure you, that is not at all why I asked you this question.
Once again, I merely wish to know you better, as a comrade.

...Do you not believe in the Teachings of Latona?

riev
I did, once. But for me, too, it all began with a question.
I became rather fascinated with what they call dark magic.
The feats you can perform with it... They defy all imagination.
And yet, its practice was secluded to the Grado Empire, far away.
His Piousness liked to pretend its practitioners did not exist.
I brought this up at court. Why do we shun them like pariahs?
There would be no limit to what we could accomplish together!
Faith and knowledge, hand in hand, working for the betterment of mankind!
We could soar the skies... We could unlock the secret of eternal life!
Power without limit! Prosperity for all without distinction!
selena
It... does not sound like such a bad thing.
There really is a lot we do not know about the world.
The faithful have their answers. Mages, their own.
riev
Yes, yes! You understand. Heh heh heh... But they did not.
A sepulchral silence overtook the holy court that evening.
Then Mansel spoke with his gravest tone.
"Bishop Riev, I hereby brand you a heretic."
I knew what that meant... I drowned in the deepest despair.
I contemplated taking my own life... But then, everything changed.
selena
How so?
riev
In my misery, I wandered to places forbidden to man, seeking my end.
But what I found in Darkling Woods was no end... It was the beginning.
I now have a true purpose. A genuine resolve.
One neither faith nor knowledge could have ever provided me...
I shall cleanse this world, Selena. Of filth and ignorance.
And pave the way for he who is the one truth of this world!
Heh heh heh... Heh heh heh heh heh heh!
selena
...I'm afraid I do not... quite understand...
riev
As I would expect.
It takes falling to the depths of the abyss to see what I've seen.
It has been enjoyable, however, speaking with you of this.
I do not often have the honor of a listening ear.
selena
Ah, well... I am glad you've decided to open up to me.
riev
Heh heh heh... Oh, how droll.
(Valter flies in and Lyon warps onto the ship.)
valter
For goodness's sake... Talking the evening away now?
riev
Heh heh heh... We were just done. Is something amiss, my prince?
lyon
Valter and I have scouted out the port.
It's filled to the brim with turncoats...
selena
To battle, then.
This shall be the first step in reclaiming our homeland.
In Emperor Vigarde's name... The traitors shall be punished.
valter
Do you never tire of talking? Come, come!
They are moving to attack already! No time to waste!
To arms, everyone! Let us stain these waters crimson!
Hahahahahahahaha!
(Riev speaks with Lyon privately.)
riev
They have monsters, Prince Lyon...
lyon
So they do... But that's impossible.
Morva could summon monsters, but he's...
Who could have done this?
riev
Heh heh heh... It is not so unbelievable.
After all, with your assistance, I am capable of such feats, am I not?
lyon
Yes, but they do not have my assistance.
Unless... Yes, it's got to be Knoll.
I didn't think his research would get this far without me...
I should have executed him when I had the chance.
riev
Heh heh heh... There's still time.
Let us simply face this problem undeterred, as always.
It is but a minor setback in the grand scheme of things.
lyon
......

Enemy Turn 1

amelia
All right! Listen up, everyone!
This is my first mission as general... And it's a really important one!
We need to stop Prince Lyon before he gets to the capital!
We're fighting to protect our loved ones and everyone else in the world!
If we fight together, I'm sure we'll be able to pull through!
So be brave, everyone! Let's end this awful war once and for all!

Whew... That seems to have psyched them up...
I don't know why Master Garcia promoted me, of all people,
but I'm not going to let him down! I'm gonna win and stop the prince!
I'm gonna make everyone proud!

When Amelia is approached

amelia
Oh no! They're so close... They're doing too well!
All right... All right! I think we can still do this.
Everyone, charge! Hit them hard and push them back!

Conversations

Beran & O'Neill

beran
We are back in Grado...
o'neill
Aye. It's been too long.
You know, I was actually born in this city.
beran
Oh, were you?
o'neill
Ever since I was a wee lad, I wanted to be a warrior.
Kept seeing soldiers march into ships and sail into the horizon.
I thought, "one day I'll be the one to take a ship to war!"

Of course, little me didn't know that most those soldiers didn't go to war.
Then when I started to think I'd never see a war in my lifetime...
Heh. Life can be full of surprises.

beran
That is quite the story. Mine is far more mundane.
I was born in a small village in the Bethroen province.
From a young age I enjoyed hunting.
The more fearsome the mark, the more glorious the trophy.
I suppose becoming a knight was the natural next step.
It doesn't get much better once you conquer a bear.
o'neill
Whoa! You've hunted bears?
(smiles) Outstanding! You, my man, are a true marksman!
beran
(smiles) Thank you. It means a lot to hear that, friend.
Most people think I'm just a bore.
o'neill
(serious) Pah. You're no wordsmith, nor are you trying to be.
And who's the one who hunted a bear, huh? Them, or you?
beran
Hah! That is a very good point.
(serious) Ah, but the battle rages on.
Let us resume our concentration, O'Neill.
o'neill
Too true. I get too talkative these days.
As true warriors, we must put our minds to the fight!
beran
Hear, hear!
Now who wishes to become my next trophy?
o'neill
Come!
[Beran and O'Neill's support rank increases.]

Murray & Tirado

murray
Lord Tirado, report! The battle rages on!
tirado
...Gh...
murray
Sir? Is something amiss?
tirado
Oh... Thank goodness.
I thought that accursed voyage would never end...
murray
Ah, seasick... Pardon me, Lord Tirado.
tirado
Hmph... Fret not over me, Murray.
I am not some sickly convalescent to be doted on.
Any foes who underestimate me will pay for their error.
murray
Of course, Lord Tirado! I never doubted it!
Count Murray's Brigade ready to stand behind you as always!
tirado
You know, Murray-- I really need to ask, at this point.
Why do you keep talking about "Murray's Brigade"?
You don't have a brigade! It's just you, Murray!
murray
Oh, I know that.
tirado
Then why? It makes you seem out of your mind!
murray
When I was little, I had real trouble studying.
Not because I was stupid or anything,
but because I was incredibly afraid of failing.
An irrational, paralyzing fear that kept me from concentrating.
My mom told me, "tell yourself you've already passed, Murray!"
(smiles) And it worked! I became top of my class.
I've adopted the same approach to all challenges in life since.
tirado
Oh, is it that simple?
You pretend you lead a brigade... Hoping one day it will come to pass?
murray
Indeed, Lord Tirado.
tirado
...Hmm. What a positively endearing story.
But it does not change the fact that it makes you seem mad.
It is unbecoming to me as your superior, too. Dispense with the habit.
(Murray shifts.)
murray
(frowns) B-But, Lord Tirado!
I can't just change my way of being at the drop of a hat!
tirado
We all have to make sacrifices in war.
I have lost far more than a menial idiosyncrasy.
As much as I've lost, however, I remain your direct superior.
I suggest you follow your orders, Murray.
murray
Sigh... Very well, my lord.
tirado
Stay alert, Murray.
(Tirado leaves.)
murray
......
Don't worry, Murray. He's just in one of his moods.
He'll get over it soon enough, and then!
(smiles) Murray's Brigade will be back in action!
I must simply have strength until then!
[Murray gains 2 Strength and increases his support with Tirado to rank B.]

Jude & Gheb

jude
What an unpleasant surprise. It's Gheb.
I see nobody has snuffed out your pitiful life yet.
gheb
Hello to you too, Jude.
I see your heart hasn't given out yet from one of your tantrums.
jude
Hmph... I'd eat my mustache before I die such an ignominious death!
Now, how about you? What manner of end do you envision for yourself?
gheb
Comfortably in bed, surrounded by women and delicacies?
jude
Disgusting pig. You bring shame to the army of Grado!
gheb
Not the first time I've been told that.
But I'm still here. They value my exceptional abilities.
jude
Your exceptional ability to make everyone around you hate you?
It certainly did pay off. Fort Rigwald, Bethroen...
From one distant post to another. Well out of everyone's sight.
gheb
Pfft. As if you're any better.
When I joined the army, you were just a standard squad commmander.
It's been a good few years since, and you're STILL in the same place!
And every year you grow more and more bitter over it, don't you?
(Jude huffs.)
jude
Of course I do! I don't deserve this treatment!
You're human scum, but I'm one of Grado's most capable!
Be that I knew why our liege is unable to see it...
What does Duessel have that I don't, huh? What is it?!
Does he just like his facial hair better? My mustache is bigger than his!
gheb
And you wonder why you've stagnated.
Your mind is so simple. Rocks are smarter than you are.
jude
Dastard! Get out of my sight before I cut you down.
gheb
You'd cut down an ally? That's treason, Jude.
jude
It's a favor to the world, ridding it of you!
Now go! My mood is sour enough as it is.
I don't need you making it worse!
gheb
Feh... You know what, Jude? This is exactly your problem.
Maybe you should try calming down for a change.
See how that works out for you.
(Gheb leaves.)
jude
Hmph! Why should I calm down? I have no reason to calm down!
Blast, I haven't had reason to calm down in YEARS!
[Jude and Gheb gain C-rank support with each other.]

Amelia

Combat

amelia
Why are you doing this?!
Why are you doing all of these terrible things...
Just, why?! Why won't you just stop?!

Combat w/ Melina

amelia
...Why aren't you coming at me?
melina
...I-I... I don't...
Why... Why does this feel so... wrong?
amelia
I'm sorry, but I can't let you continue.
If you won't surrender, I'll have to fight!
melina
This isn't... Why am I...
Why do I feel like I'm about to make a terrible mistake?
W-What is happening? If only I could remember...!

Death

amelia
I... I did well, didn't I?

Locations

Building

Default

rennac
Hmm? M-Me?
Oh, I'm just the innkeeper here.
Y-Yeah... Sorry, we're closed right now. Could you come back later?
(The visitor leaves.)
rennac
(grins) Hehehehehe... Sucker.
The only thing I'm "keeping" here is the inn's gold reserves.

Man, freedom feels so good!
No more following orders from that impossible brat L'Arachel...
No more having my eardrums popped by that kook Dozla!
Yes, things are looking up for me... What could possibly go wrong now?

If Riev is visiting

(Rennac starts.)
rennac
No...!
(Rennac hides.)
riev
Heh heh heh... Nobody in here?
Very well...
(Riev leaves. After a moment, Rennac pokes back out of hiding.)
rennac
Oh, goodness... What's HE doing here?!
But, wait... If he's here, then...
Oh, surely not! Surely I'm not THAT unlucky!

If Lyon is visiting

(Rennac starts.)
rennac
No!
No, no, no! Not you! Anyone but YOU!
After I finally got far enough to be sure SHE wouldn't find me...
What god did I anger to make me run into YOU now?!
lyon
Er...
rennac
How'd you even make it here?
Last time I saw you, you were on the other side of Magvel, going in the opposite direction! What sorcery is this?!
lyon
If you must know, I teleported.
rennac
You teleported, right. I should've known.

Hey, where's that horrible guy with the red hair?
He's not here, is he?

lyon
No, but...
rennac
(smiles) Hah! So it's just you and me, huh.
Say, you're Prince Lyon, right? Heard a lot about you lately.
You're pretty unpopular around these parts, you know.
Maybe you should give me something, if you don't want me to tattle that you're in here all alone...
Scratch my back and I scratch yours, you get me?
lyon
......
Caellach may not be here, but...
rennac
(frowns) What? Speak louder, man! I can't hear--
lyon
(Fomortiis face) I can be plenty scary myself.
rennac
H-Huh?! What's wrong with you all of a sudden?
(Lyon shoots a spell at Rennac, who just barely dodges.)
rennac
Aaack! You're a dark mage?! I didn't know that!
Hey, hey! Hang on! We can make a deal!
lyon?
You have nothing of interest to me, you fool.
If you would so readily give me up to my enemies...
I shall have to seal your lips. Forever.
(Rennac cowers.)
rennac
No! No...! H-Hang on for a second!
L-Look, let's make a deal, okay?
I'm a really handy guy to have around!
I can pick locks, I can stab folks, I can... spy on people!
I can do all sorts of things! There's no need to kill me!
I can be of help to you!
lyon?
...Hmph...
(Rennac steps forward again.)
rennac
Yeah, but uh... My services don't come cheap.
The fee comes up to, er... 10,000 gold?
lyon?
......
(Lyon shoots another spell at Rennac, making him jump.)
rennac
Gaaaah! That one grazed my... Okay, okay, okay! No more!
8,000. I'm giving you the friends discount.
Even though we're clearly not friends.
C'mon, man! It's a steal at this point!
lyon?
...I'm not satisfied.
(Lyon shoots another spell, making Rennac jump around.)
rennac
Stop that already!
Listen, I just can't go any lower. Professional standard, understand?
7,870, and even if you refuse I'm not telling anyone you were here.
I think it's a pretty solid deal. What do you think, Prince?
lyon?
Greedy worm... Let me ponder on your fate.
rennac
Gulp...

If you accept

rennac
(smiles) Wow... You really did pay my fee!
That's... That's incredible! You paid me!

(Rennac jumps for joy.)

Woo! I got paid! I got paid!
He's nothing like L'Arachel! He actually paid in advance!
That's it, Prince Lyon! From here on, I'm your man!
Loyal to you until the day I die, that's a promise!
Thank you, thank you, thank you so much!

(Rennac bounces eagerly.)

Out of my way, everyone!
Rennac is here to serve the prince!

(Rennac runs out.)
lyon
......
(normal face) ...Well.

If you refuse

lyon?
No.
rennac
N-No...?
lyon?
But don't worry. I will spare your sorry life.
Do not attempt to follow me if you know what's good for you.
(Lyon leaves.)
rennac
...Y...Yikes...
Oh, man... All right. All right... Off the hook for now.
N-Now I better hope he doesn't come back...
...Maybe I should just barricade the doors...

Red House 1

old woman
Behold!
An extremely overripe, disgustingly faded, funky-smelling fruit!
I found it under the floorboards in the basement.
I was going to throw it away, but then I heard you were coming.
Go ahead. It's all yours. Hope it gives you a nasty tummy ache.
Don't be afraid! Who knows, it might have magical properties.
Hah! What are the chances of that?
(The visitor receives a Juna Fruit.)

Red House 2

old woman
This is a martial arts school. I am...

(She balks.)

Oh, I can't believe it! It's you yet again!
I have moved to the other side of the continent!
HOW did you make it here?!

Sigh... All right, you know the deal. I can't beat armed soldiers, so...
You spare my school and I train one of you jerks.
Is it going to be you, then?

If you accept

(The visitor gains 100 EXP.)
old woman
Wasn't that fun? Now get out of here.
Clearly I need to move somewhere more out of the way to escape you.
Here's hoping this is the last time I have to see you dastards.

If you decline

old woman
Send someone else over to train, then. Or don't.
Frankly, I don't really care as long as you leave my school alone.

Yellow House

girl
My mom says you're the bad guys.
She says you want to do bad things to Grado.
She called you a bad word. She called you...
A... As... She compared you to holes. I didn't get it.
Are you really as a hole?
visitor
.......
girl
W-Well, she'll probably be upset if she finds you here, so...
Just go, ok? Please...

Ending

riev
Heh heh heh... You look rather crestfallen.
Displeased by victory? That's rather worrying.
selena
I am not displeased. This is just...
These are our own countrymen, in Grado's own soil.
This is a kind of battle I had hoped I would never have to fight.

...But we're doing this for the emperor.
To reclaim his land, that we may return it to him one day...

riev
Heh heh heh... Courage, my dear lost lamb.
Very soon, we will find ourselves in the capital.
There, you will find all the answers your soul seeks...
selena
Must you always speak in riddles, General Riev?
riev
No, but it amuses me. Heh heh heh...
selena
......
(Valter approaches.)
valter
You two! The prince has already departed.
He's gone to see to Glen and the good General Caellach.
selena
Glen... He'll not have heard of his brother's death yet.
I can only hope he will be able to endure the sorrow.
He and his brother were so close...
valter
Oh, I don't know if the prince will even tell him. He is smart.
I'll bet this will go on to be just one more of his secrets.
After all, what's one more when you already hold so many?
...Isn't that right, old man?
riev
Heh heh heh... Why do you ask me?
valter
Hahahaha... No reason in particular, of course.
No matter. Even should the prince not inform Glen...
I shall do the honors myself. It's going to be such a delight!
selena
...Glen...
valter
Leaving that aside, we've got some orders.
March at speed toward the capital.
If we can make it there before Prince Lyon returns, all the better, wouldn't you agree?
riev
Heh heh heh... I don't know if we'll be so fortunate.
selena
Let's just leave this place behind already...

If Melina fought Amelia

melina
...W-Who...
Who was she... Who was that girl...?
I cannot shake this awful feeling... It makes no sense, and yet...
D-Doesn't it? Does it truly make no sense?
Or does it instead make a horrible amount of sense?
(Melina shakes herself.)
melina
N-No... It can't be... I'm wrong, I have to be!
She's still lost... My...
My A...Ame... Urrrgh...
I'm so close... I'm so close, and yet so far...
Where are you, my child? Where could you possibly...?

Castle Renais

soldier
...According to the letter, the emperor has been delivered safely to Grado.
Regent Knoll extends his gratitude.
He also asks we tell him if there's anything he can do for Renais.
fado
Send a short response in my name. Let him know he has done enough.
I shall visit personally once Prince Lyon has been located and arrested.
(The soldier salutes.)
soldier
Right away, Your Majesty.
(The soldier leaves.)
fado
......
seth
My king... You still grieve, do you not?
fado
Nothing ever did get past you, Seth. I'm glad to see that remains unchanged.
Vigarde was one of my oldest friends. We studied together, grew up together.
I had long admired him. I hoped I could be as selfless a monarch as he.
For it to end like this...
seth
Take solace in the knowledge that he was not to blame for this, my king.
And neither were you.
fado
That is all I can do, Seth.
Sigh... Do you know if Eirika and Ephraim will be long?
I grow more worried with each passing day they are away.
seth
You have no cause for worry, Your Majesty.
Prince Ephraim is as strong and stalwart as ever, and Princess Eirika has grown tremendously in this short time.
fado
I know. I also know it was important for them to undertake this mission.
The nations need be advised of the impending threat looming above us all.
The warning is too urgent, too dire to send a simple messenger.

And yet... These are dangerous times.
Is it so wrong for a father to worry, Seth?

seth
No, of course not, King Fado.
But I traveled with the princess for some time.
I can attest to her character. She is made of stern stuff.
fado
If my most trusted knight says so, who am I to question it?
Forgive me, Seth. I must appear laughable to you.
seth
Vulnerability is no sin, my king. It is only human.
fado
I was truly blessed the day you took your vows, Seth.
seth
...Perhaps what you need is a distraction, my king.
The city is still recuperating from Grado's invasion.
That being said, I hear there's one theatre that's opened again.
They're performing one of my favorite plays two days hence.
A tale of forbidden love, between the princes of two warring kingdoms...
fado
(smiles) Oh? I never took you for a romantic, Seth.
seth
(smiles) Haha... I do have a life aside from my duty, Your Majesty.
fado
Take these coins of gold. Purchase us two tickets.
You are coming as well.
seth
(serious) Naturally. You will require an escort, Your Majesty.
fado
(serious) And you deserve a token of my gratitude for all you have done.
You kept my daughter safe. This is but a trifle in comparison.
seth
(smiles) My king... I would be honored to accept.

Character Descriptions

Rennac
A lazy, greedy, but exceptional fighter from the Republic of Carcino.

Amelia
A young girl from a small village in Grado. She is honest and sincere.

Traitor
Renegades from the Grado army who wish for the war to end.

Monster
A creature akin to those of the Demon King, but summoned by another.

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