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Chapter 19B: Battle of Bulgar

Opening

narrator
After defeating the Kutolah in the former Djute territory, Zephiel moves toward Bulgar, the largest city in Sacae.

As a center of commerce between Etruria, Bern and Ilia,
Bulgar has a history of being a free city without rule.
Currently, the city is under the protection of the Silver Wolf.
The first line of defense, however, is led by Sue, his granddaughter.
She will be Zephiel's opponent in the battle for Bulgar...

sue
In the distance... The sounds of marching.
dayan
They arrive. Sin has fallen.
sue
He was a warrior true, until the very end...

We will try to stop the enemy from progressing any further.
Please retreat to the mansion and fortify your defenses there.

dayan
...Do you think you can succeed in stopping them?
sue
I cannot say, but we will try.
dayan
Sue, I know you, yourself, are a warrior of the Kutolah.
I know I cannot coddle you as if you were a mere child.
Just, please. Do not force me to bury you.
I do not know how I could live with myself after that...
sue
...I cannot make that promise. You know that, Grandfather.
But I will fight to the best of my ability.
I will do all I can to survive and protect our land, and our people.
dayan
That shall have to do.
May the earth and the sky grant you their blessings...
sue
Grandfather...
zephiel
Bulgar... The largest city in Sacae.
brunnya
It is currently under the protection of Dayan, the Silver Wolf.
I was under the impression that the Djute had taken care of him...
zephiel
It just goes to show that you cannot rely on savages.
brunnya
...Uh... Aptly put, Your Majesty.
zephiel
Well, then. To battle!
How can we best approach a siege on this city?
brunnya
The gates will be closed, and they have no reason to open them.
But these walls are ancient. Perhaps we can find weak spots?
zephiel
Have some saboteurs infiltrate the city as well.
Try to get the gates open if at all possible!
In the meantime, we wipe out the outer lines of defense!
brunnya
By your command!

Enemy Turn 6

(A Bernese infiltrator strikes a Sacaean guard from behind.)
guard
Ooaagh!!
(The guard dies.)
infiltrator
Finally made it...
Now to figure out how to open this gate.
???
Hey! Hey, you!
infiltrator
Huh?

Oh, there's a cell there! Who goes there?

olthoff
O-Overhere... You are Bernese, right?
I'm a compatriot! Olthoff is my name!
infiltrator
A Bernese captive? Well, talk 'bout luck!
Sit tight. I'll let you out.
(He does so.)
olthoff
Thank you very much! I owe you, my friend.
Any injuries? I snuck a staff past the guards...
I told them it was a walking cane. Hah!
infiltrator
Thanks for the offer, but I'm fine.
Don't get too excited, though.
We're deep in enemy territory.
When I get the gates open, make a break for it.
olthoff
Yes, that sounds agreeable. Thank you.

Turn 9

infiltrator
There we go. Blast, that took longer than I would've liked.
It's open now, though! I hope the king's army is ready...

(He turns to Olthoff.)

You! There's your chance.
Try to rejoin the king's army if you can!

olthoff
Ahh, the king is here. That explains the rescue.
I shall do my utmost! Good luck escaping, yourself.
(The main gates swing open and Olthoff joins the battle.)

Turn 12 (if Sue is still alive)

sue
We're losing...
soldier
It's still not over! Victory yet hangs in the balance!
We cannot lose hope now!
sue
You're right...
Have the guerrilla forces hiding in the houses commence their attack.
soldier
Right away!

Conversations

Scollan & Batta

scollan
(grinning) Wooooooow...
This has to be the most amazin' village I ever saw!
batta
To think, after all these years, I would return to Sacae like this...
scollan
Oh? Oh, it's you! Batta the Beast!
What an honor! Please, shake my hand!
(Scollan rushes over and shakes Batta's hand.)
scollan
I really admire you, sir. A real veteran.
batta
(smiles) Thank you. Feels nice to be appreciated.
scollan
(serious) Didn't know ya were Sacaen, though...
Always pegged ya for a Bernese.
batta
I've travelled all around the world, but I was born here in Sacae.
The rising star of the Ganelon bandits, I was.
...Alas, that group's star plummeted like a meteor.
I suffered a fateful defeat. I drifted between life and death...
And when I arose victorious, I found my comrades were no more.
That's when I set out to find greener pastures.
scollan
Yer pretty well-spoken for a brigand, ya know that?
batta
Thanks. Had to learn. Write and read, too.
Brawn often proved not to be the best option.
I didn't want to risk my other eye lightly.
Sometimes words are the best of a thief's tools.
scollan
Interesting...
I can't say I understand such a language.
I just burn down villages and grab what I can.
But I'll tell ya a secret, I just like the burning part.
That wrong, ya think? My ol' dad always said:
"Scollan, you're a hopeless scoundrel! Leave my house!"
I dunno, I love what I do, but... Ye think I'm a scoundrel?
batta
Aye... There's something to be admired about that.
Don't beat yourself up over being a scoundrel.
We're all scoundrels, in our heart of hearts.
scollan
...Maybe yer right, Beast.

Glass & Kel

glass
Hey, you! You are Sacaen as well, aren't you?
Yes, I mean you!
The guy with the glare and the ugly hair!
kel
...Let's not go there.
Yes, I am Sacaen. Kel is my name.
What do you want with me, sir...?
glass
Glass! My swordplay is peerless! The gods fear my name!
kel
I only asked for your name.
...Sigh... Ah, forget it.
Your, uh, peerless swordplay, it is not a common Sacaen style.
glass
Of course. It is peerless!
kel
No, that's not what I mean.
Sacaen warriors usually focus on swift, deadly blows.
Your style is more... brute. You even use axes on the side.
glass
...Is that an insult? I don't use axes.
I am a peerless swordsman, through and through!
kel
But... I've seen you...
glass
I do not use axes.
No self-respecting swordsman would be caught dead using axes.
I mean, please!
kel
...All right.
glass
You are not peerless like me, Kel, but you are good.
Would you like to learn some top-class tips from a master?
kel
You want to teach me?
...Yes, it would be useful to learn how to wield axes.
Very well. Show me.
(Glass sputters.)
glass
Why, you...! Who do you think you are?!
Mocking me like this! A proud Sacaen swordsman!
We aren't a people that takes kindly to mockery!
You, of all people, should know that!
kel
But--
glass
Grrr... Leave my sight! I want to hear not another word!
(Glass storms off.)
kel
...But...
I actually think using both swords and axes is a pretty cool ability...

Ruben & Grigas

grigas
You!
ruben
Ah, doggone it. You're still in the army, old man?
Wait, don't answer that. Of course you are.
Never met a guy so fiercely in love with his job in my life.
grigas
And I have never met a whelp as ungrateful as you!
Have you any idea the strings I had to pull to get you your position in the army?
It was the opportunity of a lifetime, and what do you do with it!?
You desert, first chance you get! Filthy traitor...!
ruben
First of all, it wasn't the "first chance" I got.
I served for over ten years, old man.
I realized if I stayed, I'd just end up dying another nameless goon.
grigas
Mongrel! One doesn't become a soldier for fortune and glory!
One becomes a soldier to protect their homeland, its people and its culture!
ruben
I'd thought you don't need to invade other countries to protect yours.
But I guess I'm just an idiot, aren't I.
grigas
You think you're so smart, huh. You think you're better than everyone else.
But aren't you a nameless goon now?
Worse than that! You're a goon for hire! Who will mourn you when you fall!?
Without a place to call home or anyone to call comrade!
ruben
And whose fault is that?
It's not like I ever had a family. Not a real one, anyway.
My dad never did care much for me... Did you, Dad?
grigas
...Of course I cared. Why do you think I helped you into the army?
Why do you think I risked my own standing covering for you?
You would have been discharged long before you thought of deserting.
But I protected you, put up with you, because you were... are, my son.
I had hoped you'd change. Mature. But you had other ideas, did you.
ruben
Damn right I did. Now I'm free as a feather.
I fly where I please, fight for my own sake and live the good life.
Meanwhile, you lug a giant piece of wood and metal around.
(smirks) Heh... It's pretty poetic. Shackled by your ballista and your pride.
grigas
I have no more to say to you. Leave my sight, whelp.
ruben
(frowns) Right... I pity you, Dad. I really do.
One day you'll realize you wasted your life, and for what?
Some madman going on a rampage throughout the continent.
(Ruben leaves.)
grigas
...And yet you seem giddy to do the madman's bidding, for a price.
Hmph.

Pheros & Narcian

narcian
Aaaargh! Balderdash and piffle!
It's been... however many battles already since I returned, and...

(Narcian fumes.)

I've yet to regain my rightful status as Wyvern General!
It's as if the king doesn't even notice my contributions!

(Narcian tantrums.)

How is this FAIR!?

pheros
Lower your voice.
You will draw unwanted attention upon yourself.
And, by extension, the rest of us.
(Narcian steps towards her.)
narcian
(smiles) Oho... Aren't you beautiful.
I believe I shall grant you the pleasure of my company...
Hm hm hm...
pheros
You would do well to rein yourself in.
Your reputation isn't exactly stellar.
To make it worse would be unwise.
narcian
(scowls) My reputation!? What do I care about the opinion of my inferiors?
I am the heir to Bern's oldest dynasty!
Older even than the king's lineage!
We were among Bern's founders!
pheros
Quite the... putative pedigree.
narcian
Ahh, in awe, are you now?
pheros
...Something like that.
Well, your family's deeds must be the stuff of legend.
narcian
Deeds? I am the highest noble in the realm.
That's all there is to it, and all there SHOULD be to it!
I don't have to prove anything.
pheros
Pah... And what have you to show for your precious lineage?
(Narcian fumes.)
narcian
How dare you!
pheros
Answer the question.
(Narcian flinches back.)
narcian
W-Why, everything!
I am strong, I am wise, I am lovely--
pheros
Cease spewing drivel. That is all meaningless.
The only thing impressive about you...
is how you've managed to fall from Wyvern General to lowly corporal.
(Narcian quivers with rage.)
narcian
If you think you can insult me so and get away with it,
you are sorely mistaken. I will not endure such offense!
pheros
I welcome you to do something about it.
Well? Will you go to your lord father and cry?
(Narcian shrinks back.)
narcian
...I am the last of my name.
It falls to me to defend our honor and our legacy!
pheros
No siblings or anything? How I pity your forebears...
Such a storied family, and it comes to an end here.
With so pathetic a child.
narcian
Eh?! You wench, I am a young man!
I have plenty of time to sire an heir or three!

(Narcian shakes his fist.)

Just watch! You'll wish YOU had begged to be my bride!

(Narcian storms off.)
pheros
...And in the end, he flees, having done naught but whine.
Sigh... Fool. Blue blood is worthless. True strength begets true devotion.
You could stand to learn that from your liege.

Mary & Lim

mary
Gasp...!
lim
......
mary
W-Who are you...?
lim
I am Lim.
mary
...Mary.
Pardon me if I am mistaken, but... you...
lim
I am not human.
How did you know?
mary
Not human...?
...No, I was going to ask if you are... alone.
You have the same emptiness in your eyes I see...
Every time I dare look into a mirror.
lim
......
You are correct. Your eyes are empty.
Yet you are human. You are not like me.
How can you be empty?
mary
It's not that strange a tale.
In fact, I wager many have had it worse than me...
I'm alive, at least. I'm healthy...
I may have lost everyone and everything, but...
I-I'm supposed to be happy to be alive, aren't I?
lim
I do not know. I am not human.
I do not know anything about the human heart.
mary
Something truly awful must have happened to make you this way.
lim
You are human. I am not.
mary
I... think I understand.
lim
I doubt it.
mary
We have a girl with us that can create dragons out of thin air.
A construct that looks like a human... It's not unimaginable to me anymore.
lim
......
You are correct. I am a construct.
But she did not create me. My creator died long ago.
Alongside almost all that were like me.
mary
You have also lost everyone...
And here I am, feeling sorry for myself.
...Let's just... Let's stick together, shall we?
We are so similar. Perhaps we could become friends.
Who knows. Maybe making a new friend will help...
lim
Friend...
I do not know if I can provide what you seek.
But...
mary
Yes?
lim
I shall try.

Olthoff & Zephiel

olthoff
(smiles) Ah, the king! How serendipitous.
zephiel
You are Bernese, are you not?
olthoff
(serious) Correct. I am a chaplain in General Narcian's legion.
zephiel
Which general did you say?
olthoff
Er, General Narcian, sir.
zephiel
Yes, I thought I heard as much.
Did you get captured searching for him?
olthoff
S-Searching for him, sire?
My unit was sent to reinforce the occupation army here.
That was some months back. Things were peaceful, for a time.
Alas, the rebels caught us off-guard...
Most of the troops were driven back and retreated to Bern.
However, I was taken captive. Uh, as you can plainly see.

Please, give me my orders! I am in condition to assist!

zephiel
...Hmph. Here, take this tome.
(Zephiel gives Olthoff a Divine tome.)
olthoff
My thanks, Your Majesty!
Might I ask where General Narcian is at the moment?
zephiel
Make yourself useful, and perhaps you shall avoid his fate.
(Zephiel leaves.)
olthoff
..."His fate"...?
And the way his eye twitched when I said the general's name...
What in Elimine's name has happened while I was here?

Sue

Combat

sue
Leave this place now.

Combat w/ Monke

monke
You are the granddaughter of the Silver Wolf...
(grins) Heh. I shall relish the chance to take your life!
That will show the old coot...
sue
......
I will not lose to you, Monke of the Djute.
monke
(scowls) Oh, won't you, now?
I already had many a victory under my belt when you were still suckling your mother's teat!
You could never hope to keep up with me!
sue
...Talk is cheap. Let us begin.
monke
Insolent whelp! My arrows will find your eyes!

Death

sue
Sound of the wind... Smell of the grass...

Locations

Southern Central House

young man
This goddess icon brings good luck.
...I used to con people by saying that.
I can't do business with this war, though.
Heeeeeey, you're from Bern, right?
Would you like a goddess icon? It brings good luck!
visitor
......
(The visitor receives a Goddess Icon.)

Northern Central House

boy
Wow... Lucky me! Finders keepers.
I bet I can sell this thing...

(The visitor approaches.)

Whoa! A-are you from Bern?
No, I didn't steal this!
See ya!

(The visitor receives a Wo Dao.)

Southwestern House

young woman
Would you like a special ring from Etruria?
I used to sell them, but I had to close my shop because of the war.
Here, take it. No charge... No one will buy it anyway.
What? No, I don't care you're Bernese.
I would get as much cash from anyone else as I will from you.
(The visitor receives an Energy Ring.)

Northwestern House

man
I was selling weapons to Bern before the war...
But after they took over the city, they wouldn't pay!
Good thing they're gone.

Oh, it's you. You've returned.
...Fine. Here, have this thing and quit bothering me.

(The visitor receives a Wyrmslayer.)

Northeastern House

young man
This is a longbow, a favorite of the Sacaen nomads.
I made it for you. Because I love you.
Yes, you specifically. You're so cute.
(The visitor receives a Longbow.)

Ending

murdock
We are victorious, my liege.
According to Brunnya, there is a manor in the outskirts of this city.
That is most likely where the Silver Wolf readies to face us.
Dayan... some say they look to him as an unofficial leader of Sacae.
zephiel
Is that so?
Then his death shall mark the fall of Sacae.
This city, all of it, will be under our control.
Once it is, we can proceed to Bern...
murdock
It is much too late to beat the princess there, I'm afraid.
I do wonder how many of the troops in Bern will join her side...
zephiel
Whoever does, dies.
As will she. I have granted her enough chances.
If she will insist on defying me... She will be disposed of.
It is long past time I rid myself of the weakness that is family.
murdock
...I...
zephiel
Do you have any objections, Murdock?
murdock
...Of course not.
I am your loyal servant, my king. Now and always.
zephiel
I hope so, Murdock. I hope so.
murdock
......

Character Descriptions

Olthoff
A Bernese chaplain. Cautious.

Sue
The granddaughter of the famed Silver Wolf of Sacae.

Kutolah
Warriors of the Kutolah clan who oppose Bern.

Deserter
Deserters from the Bernese army, now mercenaries for hire.