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Chapter 14: Arcadia

To access Chapter 14x, this chapter must be completed in under 25 turns with Slater alive.

Opening

narrator
After the fall of Mage General Cecilia, Zephiel heads into the Nabata Desert.
According to Melady, there is a village located in a hidden oasis.
One where dragons and humans live together in harmony.

Though the Bernese Army's primary aim is to cross the desert, Zephiel's curiosity is piqued by these rumors.

Zephiel is unsure that there is much chance they'll run into this village, but it would seem luck is on his side...

zephiel
This is a fierce sandstorm.
jahn
Fierce enough to challenge even my draconic fortitude.
How could anybody choose to live here?
The whole story seems more like a fairy tale by the minute...
zephiel
Perhaps. It is unimportant.
We must power on through and exit this desert before sundown!
Forward march, everyone!
narrator
Any unit can obtain desert items.
They are in the same locations as usual, but not all are the same items.
The recruitable enemy on this map gets the Sophia item.

Turn 3

jahn
...Well, one thing is for certain.
This desert is a lot less uninhabited than it first seemed.
zephiel
These people are no mere ruffians.
They are no trained army either, but they are well coordinated.
It all seems to indicate the rumors were true after all...
And that we are not far from the fabled village.
jahn
Whoop-de-doo. We're still under attack.
In these conditions, I don't know if we can hope to fight off an ambush...
I gotta say, I'm impressed. These humans are something else...
zephiel
Jahn...
jahn
What?
zephiel
You're acting strangely.
Ever since the Isles, you've not seemed yourself.
Pull yourself together. A dragon should suffer no inner strife.
jahn
You're imagining things, Zephiel. As you tend to do.
zephiel
...Hmph.
(Zephiel leaves.)
jahn
Yeah, I'm not any different from how I was before...
...A-Am I...?

Arcadia

igrene
Hurry, Fae!
Follow this path and find a place to hide.
Can you make it?
(Fae fidgets.)
fae
I'm... I'm tired!
igrene
Now is no time for complaints.
Go, or Bern's soldiers will find us.
fae
What about Sophia?
igrene
She has her own mission to accomplish...
Mine is to see you to safety. You have to go and hide, now!
fae
But if Bern catches us, then we can see the outside world!
igrene
Fae, no.
The elder strictly forbids communication with the outside world.
(Fae pouts.)
fae
Aw... Please?
igrene
No.
...I do wonder how Bern found out about our village, however...
Could it be mere coincidence? Surely not...
fae
What?
igrene
Ah, sorry!
Now is not the time for that!
Fae! Go! Hurry!
fae
...I want to see the outside world, too.

Turn 7

(A group of brigands enters from the southwest.)
garrett
Hey... The desert seems kinda crowded today, doesn't it?
geese
Yeah... What do you wanna do about it, Garrett?
garrett
Well, looking for treasure in these sands has been...
Uh, less than profitable. Our pockets are almost empty.
When we run out of cash, the boys will stab us in the back.
And even if they don't, hunger will do us in pretty quick.
geese
So you want us to make the jump to full-blown cutthroats...
By cutting some throats.
garrett
Look, I don't like this any more than you do, Geese.
But it's that or we kick the bucket.
You're free to go ahead and do that if you prefer.
...Really, I couldn't blame ya.
geese
Nah... I owe you, Garrett.
You and your band took me in after my mates were killed...
Would've starved long ago if not for you.
I've nowhere else to go and nothing else to do. I'll help you.
garrett
Fine... Then let's go sell our souls to the devil.

Turn 26

(The sandstorm subsides.)
zephiel
The sandstorm has stopped...
...We're taking far too long. There won't be much time to investigate the village...
Then again, I can't imagine such a hovel houses anything of use to us.

Conversations

Oates & Perez

oates
My goodness, this sand... It's too much!
It's getting into my every wrinkle!
perez
Ahh, we don't care about a little sand, do we, Oates?
Come now, old dog! Don't tell me you're losing your touch!
oates
I've been losing my touch for 17 years, you decrepit fossil.
But that doesn't mean I'm about to let you pass me by!
Or any of these whelps, for that matter!
A little sand never hurt anybody!
perez
Hahaha... That's more like it!
Still... 17 years, huh.
That's when you broke your hip, wasn't it?
oates
Eight months I was out of commission.
Back then I vied to become Elibe's first mage knight.
Alas, I could never swing a sword again after that...
Had to stick to magic. Consarned fate...
perez
Yes, that fall from the horse was unfortunate...
But look at yourself now! Finest sage I ever saw!
Is that not something to be proud of, as well?
oates
Shut your mouth, Perez. You can hardly see.
perez
Bahahaha! Right you are, right you are.
Ahh... It's really been too long, hasn't it?
oates
How about we shut up about time already?
You're making me even more depressed than usual.
perez
Feh... All right, you ancient grump. Have it your way.
...Grr. I have to admit, the sand really is annoying...

Orlo & Nord

orlo
(smiles) Ahh, Lord Nord.
I had no doubt you would not be contained.
nord
(smirks) Bishop Orlo.
They do say only the good die young.
By that metric, you may be the world's first immortal man.
orlo
Hah... I will take that as a compliment.
But no, truly, it is the providence of the gods.
Heaven wants me down here, fighting the good fight.
All in the name of the ones above, naturally.
nord
Spare me the sermon.
I remember well how you operate, Orlo.
Never met another so versed in the art of skulduggery.
orlo
Skulduggery? Mere faith, my friend.
If the gods did not want me to be this way...
I would have been smitten long ago. Yet here I stand.
The gods must not exist, or they are happy with me.
Either serves my purpose, would you not say?
nord
Hah... Well, I cannot deny the effectiveness of your tactics.
You got far, before the ones above us made costly mistakes.
I, however, prefer a more... direct approach.
orlo
Hmm... Heed me, Nord.
Once this is all over, what say you follow me?
nord
Follow you where, Orlo?
orlo
I have great plans for the future, you see.
Greater than Bern's dearest king could ever dream up.
Hehe... I will require a degree of muscle, however.
Would you be the first sworn knight of the faith, Nord?
nord
......
Ah... I think I see. Yes...
A flattering offer. Alas, I must decline.
I have grown used to being alone.
Free to do what I want.
Free to explore my magic's potential to my heart's content.
orlo
I had a feeling you would say that. A shame.
I will not forget that you are a friend, however.
As such, the faith, too, shall consider you a friend.
Perhaps one day, I shall seek you out once more.
May the gods see that your mind has changed by then.

For now, let us focus on the task at hand, shall we?

nord
After you, Orlo.
(Orlo leaves.)
nord
(frowns) ...And some called me terrifying.
What a loathsome creature...
I must watch my back around him.

Maggie & Rose

(Maggie drifts.)
maggie
My, my, dear Rose. Look where fate has brought us.
(Rose drifts.)
rose
Truly, this is quite the coincidence, dear Maggie.
(Maggie drifts.)
maggie
Do you think the treasures we buried are still here, Rose?
(Rose drifts.)
rose
Most likely, Maggie. Nobody could've found them.
(Maggie drifts.)
maggie
Do you think we should tell these guys where they are?
(Rose drifts.)
rose
If we do, they'll like us more. Maybe pay us more, too!
(Maggie drifts.)
maggie
You're so smart, Rose. What would I do without you?
(Rose drifts.)
rose
No, Maggie, sweetheart. You're the smartest here!
(Maggie drifts.)
maggie
Haha, oh, you'll make me blush, Rose!
(Rose drifts.)
rose
I love you, Maggie. Don't ever leave my side.
(Maggie drifts.)
maggie
Likewise, Rose. Likewise.
(Rose drifts.)
rose
True love is such a beautiful thing.
(The two dance together.)

Slater & Peggy

slater
Dammit... Seriously?
THIS is the first mission after I rejoin the army?
C'mon... Armor and sand don't mix, anyone knows that!
peggy
H-Hi...
slater
Mm? Oh, a pegasus knight...
One of the mercenaries under our employ, I assume?
peggy
Yeah... You're another rookie like me, right?
slater
Uh... N-No, I'm a lieutenant under General Narcian.
peggy
What?! Really...?
You... don't really look the part.
slater
...Bah, it's because of the desert! It's got me fumbling about!
You got it easy! Look at you flying up there!
I wish I'd taken up wyvern lessons when I was a squire...
peggy
Easy? We're in the middle of a sandstorm!
It's all I can do to avoid plummeting to the ground!
A-And the sand keeps getting in my eyes, it's awful!
slater
At least you can get somewhere.
I can barely move around in this heap of scrap!
peggy
Yeah, I get to be ordered to fly all over on my own.
Extra danger for Peggy. Woo hoo.
slater
But if you don't want to be in danger, why become a mercenary?
peggy
Why else? I'm Ilian. It's either this or hope to grow crops on ice.
It's not like in Bern, where you can get all sorts of easy jobs.
slater
Hey, I'll have you know, being a farmer is really difficult.
You have to nurture those pieces of grass more than a kid!
peggy
Oh, boo hoo. Instead, I get to die young.
slater
Please. Pegasus knights are always the last to die.
You can just fly away if things seem dire.
If my armor fails me, I can only beg for mercy.
peggy
At least it takes some effort to get through armor!
A single arrow is all I need to go down! It's terrifying!
slater
Yes, well, maybe you should've gotten some armor, then.
peggy
And maybe you should've taken those wyvern lessons!
slater
Bah! Go away, little girl. Bug someone else.
peggy
Fine by me! I was gonna offer to fly you ahead, but if you're going to be such a jerk, you can walk, Mr. Lieutenant!
slater
Like that scrawny thing could've lifted me up!
And even if it could, how long till you screwed up and we crashed?
I'll keep my feet on the ground, thanks!
(Peggy huffs.)
peggy
Hmph! I hope some mage scorches you to death!
slater
And I hope a hunter mistakes you for game!

Anyone & Sommie

speaker
...!
sommie
......
speaker
...So... cute...!
sommie
......
speaker
Come with us! Please!
(Sommie jumps.)
sommie
Arf!

(Sommie jumps again.)

Arf!

Garrett

Combat

garrett
Sorry. We need your stuff, or we'll all starve.

Death

garrett
It's...all over...

Geese

Combat

geese
I wish there was another way, but...
It's either this or tying a noose.

Death

geese
Why...now? I'm sorry...

Igrene

Combat

igrene
Leave this place now. This is your only warning.

Death

igrene
I...fought hard... at least...

Can I go back to the place I love now...?

Locations

Left House

boy
There are a lot of things buried in the sand.
If you're really lucky, you might find something good.
Try looking around the bones.
Be careful you don't get lost, though. That'd be a tragedy...

Right House

old man
Have you heard of the sky god, Delphi?
He is said to race through the skies and protect all living things.
They say that with his blessing,
wyvern riders and pegasus knights can fly freely without danger...

...Say, would you mind telling me what's going on out there?
Also, who are you again...?

Ending

zephiel
It was true... I'll admit I can hardly believe it.
jahn
A village where man and dragon live happily together...
Incredible. Truly incredible.
There is no war here. There never was...
These men and dragons have found contentment and peace, in harmony.
There's something almost... beautiful about it.
Don't you think, Zephiel?
zephiel
...Hm...
jahn
Zephiel? You seem even gloomier than normal...
melady
...If I may, Your Majesty.
The villagers appear afraid. Shall we go, Your Majesty?
zephiel
...No...
This place... It is...
It is despicable.
jahn
What?
zephiel
Murdock!
murdock
Yes, my king?
zephiel
Order the troops to destroy this hovel.
Raze every home to the ground. Leave none alive.
melady
What?!
jahn
Are you insane, Zephiel?! More than usual, I mean!
zephiel
The dragons here... They are weak.
They have allowed themselves to be corrupted by humans.
They've been perverted by their rotten influence, and now...
They are no better than them.
This village's existence could undo the liberation of the world...
I shan't allow it! It will burn this day!

Murdock! You have your orders!

murdock
I...

...Yes, Your Majesty... It shall be done.

melady
Sir Murdock?! You agree to this?! But--
jahn
Hush, you! There's no point...
If you defy them now, you'll get yourself killed.
melady
But I... I...
zephiel
Let us go. I shall oversee the destruction myself.
(Zephiel leaves.)
murdock
...Zephiel...
(Murdock leaves.)
melady
This is... This is terrible... Such a pointless act of barbarism!
Is this truly what Bern has come to?!
jahn
Looks that way...
And they're all too stubbornly loyal to do anything about it.
melady
Why don't you do anything, yourself?
jahn
I... I don't know.
I think I should feel more indifferent, if anything.
I am the last true dragon... I am above all this. And yet...
...There's a lot I'm not sure about, these days...
melady
......
Likewise...

If the chapter was cleared in under 25 turns and Slater is alive

murdock
Your Majesty, your... orders are being carried out.
In the meantime... We have found a passageway.
It was well concealed, but we found it nonetheless.
...Er, one of the men tripped and fell through the entrance.
slater
To be specific, it was me, Your Majesty.
zephiel
Ah, there's Bern's elite soldiers at work.
Sigh... Well, at least we found it.
Gather some troops. I shall head in with them and explore this passage.
We may yet get something of value from this place before it burns.
murdock
Right away, my liege...

[Chapter 14x begins.]

Default

brunnya
Sire... It's almost done.
We found these two hiding deep inside the ziggurat...
(She brings Fae and and old man.)
old man
You! You're the one responsible for this?!
Stop now! Stop, in the name of mercy...!
zephiel
Are you dragon or human?
old man
Dragon... I've not been called that in a long, long time...
But it does not matter. What I am is irrelevant.
It is you who should question... Are you a man, or a monster?
zephiel
(smiles) ...Hah. That is amusing.
(frowns) I am only someone who has seen the depths of mankind's darkness...
I am the one who will liberate the world.
Nobody will stop me. Neither human...
...nor traitor to the dragons.
old man
...! What do you--
zephiel
Perish!
(Zephiel strikes the manakete, causing him to stagger back.)
old man
U-Urrrk!
No... Fae...
(He dies.)
fae
No...!
(Murdock approaches.)
murdock
Your Majesty... Your edict has been enacted.
The village and its inhabitants... They are no more.
zephiel
Excellent...
The world's liberation may now proceed as planned.
murdock
Er, with all due respect, Your Majesty...
The troops' opinion about this is... divided, to say the least.
Unrest threatens to spread throughout our army.
We should address this.
zephiel
Execute any who shows signs of dissent.
Make an example of them. The rest will fall in line.
murdock
...Y-Yes. Of course. At once, sire...
(Murdock leaves.)
fae
Y-You're a bad guy! You're a really mean man!
I-I hate you! Why don't you just go away?!
Sniff... W-Why don't you just... stop...
zephiel
......
History will judge me as it sees fit.
But I will see my dream realized. The world will be liberated...
No matter the cost.
fae
W... What are you going to...
zephiel
You are all that remains.
Once you are taken care of, we may leave.
fae
N... Noooooo!

Character Descriptions

Orlo
A bishop of the St. Elimine Church. Oversaw the mine at Eburacum.

Slater
A lieutenant of Bern under Wyvern General Narcian.

Sommie
A mysterious being from another realm. Heavy as two peaches.

Garrett
A bandit from the Etrurian border.

Geese
A pirate from the Western Isles.

Igrene
A markswoman known as the Guardian of Nabata.

Nabata
Guardians of the hidden village in Nabata.

Dragon
A dragon living in the Nabatan village.

Bandit
Brigands who look for treasure in the desert.