Part 14: Chapter 3C (3)

Our next stop is Market Marleigh. We can't shop yet though, we're instantly thrust into a cutscene.



Saintess?

As word of my work in the neighboring villages has spread, many have taken to addressing me so.

Once I had served as a court magus, the king himself calling upon my talents.

But those days are no more. I was sent from the palace in shame and disgrace - by no means a saintess.

I possess a soul as impure - nay, more than others'. A soul enslaved by hatred, guided by scorn...



You?

Sound of monsters roaring.



To a village as this in broad light of day? Something is not right.

I must stave off the demons while the villagers take cover. All will be lost should I do not!

Do not be foolish! Fighting alone will only guarantee you are the first to die!

Or perhaps it shall be me...



Well thanks to Rosea, we have another battle ahead of us. We'll just add her to our ranks, it's only fair.



300 Sin minimum, 600 sin target, seven enemies. Sounds possibly difficult but now that we have four characters and four Soul Crushes it's actually pretty simple.



We start off close to three enemies. While we could take out the Battle Beetle now, we're instead going to move everyone to the right against the wall to avoid activating the Ocypete.



Gods, forgive our trespasses...



Battle Beetles have poor defenses, but that is still a fine start to Rosea's career.



During the enemy phase, the Battle Beetle and Fire Bat of course go after the one in the dress, and. Rosea almost kills the Beetle in retaliation.




There are only two variants of beetles, both on this map. Beetles have Earth elements in their attacks and also resist it. They are cripplingly weak against Magic of any sort, though.



I would say there's a bit of concern getting max Sin with only two characters.. but Beetles are just that weak that Razor Edged Darius and Wylfred can take it out even without any gems.




We faced Fire Bats in the last map, but I didn't really touch on them. Fire-type attack, resistant to Fire, weak to Ice. Even then it's not really worth switching out the Flame Pallasch for this fight.



Rosea Soul Crush

I really do love the VA work for the game. Rosea isn't my favourite voice (she has some stiff competition) but she's certainly one of the more memorable ones for me.



The Bats can drop another copy of Rejuvenation, nothing that special.



As we end our turn, Rosea moves forward to trigger the Ocypete and Heal herself.



Well that's annoying. The Ocypetes are the toughest thing on the map, and they also reveal a nasty aspect of upgraded Harpies - their whirlwind attack inflicts Paralysis. Not so much fun being on the receiving end of a Gleipnir's Bonds effect.



We can't buy paralysis-healing stuff yet, so Elixirs are our only option to cure it right now. Rosea could also heal it with Normalize... if she's not the one actually affected by it, of course.



I forget to move Rosea right next to the Ocypete to prevent a counterattack...



Let... there... be peace...

And she pays for it. Darn, that's an Elixir wasted and one Union Plume used.




As mentioned before, the Ocypetes are the strongest things on this map. Lots of health, resistant to Lightning and vulnerable to Earth, and hit hard. Rosea has a 10% resistance to their attacks but it doesn't really help that much.





Ocypete, meet the Elemental Edge.



I think they're going to get along well.



The Alchemy Wand is.. pretty junk actually. We'll get a better wand before we can even equip it, so it goes straight to selling fodder.



We move everyone a little forward, triggering the other Battle Beetle to move forward as well.



Things are going well. 400 Sin for four enemies.



The Armor Beetle has more health than the Battle Beetle, but has even lower RST (less than 30), so it'll take a huge wallop from Magic. It's also vulnerable to Fire, so the Flame Pallasch and Kindling Sword work extra well on it.



Geez, Rosea.



Now, Rosea could end up killing the Beetle in her counterattack. Which brings us to our next way of not accidentally killing enemies. You can skip counterattacks with the Start button. Also, while you have to use all our attacks when we initiate attacks before we can end a round, any attacks gained by gems can simply not be used if you don't want to.



I'm not sure she agrees with me about not killing the Beetle though, as the other Ocypete moves forward and finishes her again.



Revive her again, finish off the Beetle...



The last enemy is a Fire Bat on the rooftop. It'll actually spend most of the fight walking back and forth on it, making you spend several turns climbing up a stack of crates at the end of the map to get to it. The simpler way, though, is to use Sacred Javelin as a menu spell to get its attention and have it fly down instead. Sacred Javelin costs 80 AP as a menu spell compared to the 60 AP for Fire Storm and Frigid Damsel, but also has a larger cross-shaped effect compared to those two.



Menu spells deal notably less damage, too.



Meanwhile I fail to kill the Ocypete, and it kills Gwendal in retaliation then Rosea during the Enemy Phase. I'm running out of Union Plumes guys!



Not that concerned though.



And I... accidentally press a directional button instead of an attack button and cancel the Soul Crush. Oops.



Still not concerned though, 500 Sin and one enemy left, I just need to get a perfect kill on it.



So let's cut to the chase.



Just right.



The Skrep is junk - 40 ATK, 3 attacks, Soul Crush enabled - you'll have better stuff for a Warrior unless you somehow miss out on every possible broadsword drop and reward up til this point. The Prime Elixirs are the other base reward. Stalking is part of the mid-tier benefits - for 50 AP the user becomes invisible for three rounds unless they attack or they are hit with an area of effect magic spell. Pretty handy at times. The Icicle Plate is probably the best reward here; 120 RDM, 5 RST, 15 AVD, and a 50% resistance to Ice. It does have a vulnerability to Fire, but other than that it's pretty much the best chestpiece for mail wearers for the next couple chapters and it'll go straight onto Wylfred.

Three top-tier rewards here. Training reduces all stats by 20% but increases experienced gained through battle by 20%. Perfect on Sorcerers or Archers, where their best assets don't come from their damage. Frostbane is a sword with 60 ATK, 3 attacks, SC enabled and 20% Ice bonus. Nice for either Wylfred or Darius, but Darius will probably get it so he can get gems while Wylfred will still appreciate the stronger Flame Pallasch. The Holy Halberd is junk though. We don't have any Lancers in our party and there's a better lance coming right up anyway.

---



Duwain, thank the heavens you are alive.

Forgive me for leaving you unguarded. Are you hurt?

I am unharmed. The traveler kept me safe.

...

Regardless, we have pressing concerns. I have gained wind of most disturbing news.



More likely than not, the fiends you encountered were unleashed by Langrey's men in search of the assassin.

How could they punish these poor, innocent people? That is... That is... unforgivable!

I agree wholeheartedly, but for now you must flee this village. It is imperative we must get you to safety!

Be that as it may, I cannot very well turn my back on these people!

Lady Rosea, you must reconsider!

Must she, Duwain? Perhaps it is you who must reconsider, and ponder bringing the assassin to justice.



You know! But how?

Rosea has told me.

Then you know me for the wretch I am.

Nonsense, Duwain! You mustn't say such things!



Even if it costs others' lives?

I repent!

Overwhelmed in battle, I called to Thyodor to protect me. Your father fought valiantly.

He did more than protect me... He died in my place.

The game flashbacks, in case you had forgotten.



---



Cruel irony! Fate took her from me to punish the sin I committed for her sake!

Your vision is shrouded by the past, Duwain.

The man I have journeyed alongside has performed countless good deeds. Can you not see him as well?

Your words offer comfort, Lady Rosea.

True, I have found salvation in aiding my fellow man. It is a meager penance.

Wylfred, I pray you wait til I have tended to the assassin to reap your vengeance on me.



You do not wish me dead?

There is but one who invokes my fury - the Battle Maiden.

My gods!



But milady, I alone should suffice against a mere blaggard.

I actually went to look this one up. Blaggard seems to be a pretty archaic word, and can often have an alternate spelling of 'blackguard'. From what I can tell, it seems to be some ruffian who has impugned the honour of a lady.

I do not doubt it. But there lies always strength in numbers, particularly should our foe prove formidable.

If you so will it, I do not protest.

Then I shall join you. I have much fighting to do if I am to achieve my aim.



Age: 46
Gender: Male
Homeland: Artolia
Height: 176cm
Weight: 72kg

Duwain was rescued from the clutches of certain death by Wylfred's Father, yet failed to reciprocate the deed when the opportunity arose. As the enemy closed in around Thyodor, Duwain stood paralyzed by fear, his mind consumed with delivering the life-saving antidote his wife required.

In the end, the medicine came too late, and Duwain's cowardice has been for naught. For months on end he sought to drown his sorrows in drink, until at last he encountered Rosea, a saintess bearing an uncanny resemblance to his late wife. In an act of penitence, he devoutly accompanies the saintess hither an thither as she heals Artolia's ill and wounded.





Duwain offical render.