Part 19: Orchid Words Arc - Sun

Sun


Up Late with Tamamo

But later that night...



Oh, you've already fallen asleep... If that's the case... There's a cool breeze blowing through tonight, and it might get a bit chilly. So even if I...do this... Oomph. Ha. ...You won't be upset, will you, dear?

Something...soft and warm nudges my back. In fact, it's being pushed up against me. At first, I'm not sure what I'm feeling, but two seconds later, I feel it out. Oh. So these must be Caster's.



She's pressing up against my whole body. She has her arms wrapped around me from behind. She knows just where to hold me for maximum comfort, without any pain or discomfort at all. Oh my, oh my. Well, then... We're on our sides now, sharing the same futon. My heart is throbbing. Her body is so glamorous, so perfect, that some part of me might wonder if this is all too good to be true.

...You're...not awake, are you...? Then...I'm going to go...just a little bit further...

Ah, now... Her legs. Her legs are wrapping around mine. She's like a spider. Not a gross kind of spider, but an elegant spinner, using her long, graceful legs to ensnare her prey.

Please forgive me, my Husband. My...umm...my stress...needs to be relieved...so... Here, maybe if I...

"Stress", huh? I'm amazed Caster gets stressed about anything, but I suppose it must get stressful acting like a stern Queen all the time. You'd never know by looking at her. She must hold it in. So if this is what she needs, I shouldn't say anything...



The fox needs what it needs, but...we've also consider our need to get a nice sleep, right? Though, I'm thinking that's not in the cards this particular night...

Should I really say this? It's kind of a cliche, but I can't think of anything else right now. Well, all right. I'll go for it. She won't be able to tell if I'm asleep or not, but she might get the message and ease off. Okay, then... "Uhhh... Can't take it anymore..." Hmm, that delivery could have been better...



Fun fact, I initially thought my game froze seeing this, but nope. It's just a text box + expression without any text.

...Well, well... I may have been bad sneaking into bed with you, but your acting was worse, darling... And come on, trying to outfox me? That's a duel you don't want. And since we're both being animals, we need no words, do we?

As she presses against me, I can feel her body go through sinister waves. Is this some kind of metamorphosis? The beautiful fox maiden is turning into an angry ghost girl with a grudge. Or something along those lines.

Nature is red in tooth and claw. You're all out of luck tonight... Now you're in for a nightmare. Let's see how much you can REALLY take!



I think that about says it all...










The attack begins





Hoho. Victory after victory. So gratifying. Witness my subjects. The flowers in the capital have all bloomed in triumph.

*nod*

▂▂▃▃▂▂

...Ooh. I wish everyone could gather here right now. Can't you just picture them shouting out, "Huzzah for freedom!"? Well, technically, the people aren't unified yet, but that's just nuance. The Millennium Capital's motto is, "Live free in paradise!" Whether we're talking military strategy, human nature, or just a nice cup of sake, what matters most are results, don't you think? As it was on Earth... More elegant than the Yin Dynasty, milder than the Heian era, one eternal land without a cloud in the sky. That's what this place should be. More like that. Just a bit... Just a bit more. And we will strike down anyone who dares to stand in our path.

It should be noted tha the architecture of the Millennium Capital is based on Heian period architecture. An era of Japanese history that lasted from 794-1185 CE. This era was slightly before the era in which the stories of Tamamo no Mae started to get written.



Just as the Queen has said, I, Archimedes, am delighted to report the following. The Queen's undeniable victories have weakened the pretentious Emperor's campaign. Just a bit more, and then...all of SE.RA.PH will belong to our King and Queen, as one united world. We have already pinpointed the so-called Emperor's base. If we can topple that base...

...then there'll be no more obstacles, and the Capital can return to normal... Yes?

Yes, and the Regalia will be as one again! You in particular understand the importance of that, Hakunon.

Now then, my dearest, we are off to the battlefield. This time, we'll give that selfish Emperor her last rites. ...Now, to the final battle!

Will this really be the final battle? It seems that way. If nothing else, this war will bring the Regalia back together. After I get back, I should apologize to Elizabeth for making her worry... Hmm. Come to think of it, I haven't seen Elizabeth since this morning...

Uh-oh...when Elizabeth's not around, you know she's bound to get into some sort of trouble. Well, I have a feeling we'll be seeing her soon, even if Tamamo couldn't give less of a shit she's gone.

Speaking of our fox demon...





Maybe call it a bond that'll pay dividends. Or...oh, let's not fight about it. Let me put it THIS way: It'll help us win the battle.♡ I'm sure you haven't forgotten, but we need to talk more about that "incident", your friendly little chat with the enemy leader. Talking to her here in this room is one thing, but on the battlefield, it could get you killed. So please promise me one thing: On the battlefield, do the smart thing and let me make all the decisions. While I am your Servant, I also rule an empire, and I can be as ruthless as the times require.

...Without a word, I nod my understanding. For all her vast empire, all her riches, what she fears losing the most is Hakunon.

...It means so much to me that you understand, Master. You're still not quite at your peak, you know. You're still the Soul, beautiful and fragile as you are. And you're at your most beautiful when you're at your most gentle and vulnerable. Seeing you that way brings me so much joy...and terror at the thought of losing you. So... I'm sorry if sound awful about this. The decisive battle is about to begin. I'm sorry if I've been too harsh with you, but please, just this once, let me take the lead.

Awww It's appreciated...

Well, the only thing left to do is get ready for Stage 3. Like with Flame Poem Stage 3, there's not much of an intro, but a hell of a lot of outro. Once again, we shall make allowances. If you're playing on Hard, this is the first time you'll encounter Poison Sector Traps. The Viper Mantle is a good counter to this, even if it only has three anti-Poison uses, and there's a total of 5 Sector Traps you could potentially get hit by. Well, we'll muddle through, of this I'm sure.


Orchid Words Stage 3



I know this is sudden, honey, but I have to ask you something.♡ Do you like this kind of cityscape? With the old, masculine statues and the ancient stone walls? I mean, not that it REALLY matters. The Capital is the Capital, no matter where we are, and that's that. But you're a bit more picky than I am. So, which one strikes you more? The western capital or the eastern capital?



Hakuno strikes me as an intelligent, fair-minded woman. Personally speaking, as much of a cop-out as it might be, I do agree with this sentiment. I like the stolid simplicity of eastern architecture, with its focus on symmetry and elegant design, but there's no denying the sheer scale and impact of western (if we're defining "western" as Roman, which seems appropriate in this setting) architecture, with its focus on wowing the on-looker.

Oh, my dear Husband. This might be the capital of roses, but remember that MY capital has blossoms too. Your wandering words can't fool Tamamo. ★ I want you to make a decisive judgment, like the Master you are. ...So, which one's the prettiest?



What happened to all that swagger? You look like a wounded animal right now. Seriously disappointing for the Queen of the Moon.

Who's there?!



Just like with Nero... An idol needs a stage, after all.

Heh... Who's there? A pretty idol with impeccable timing, that's who. A tent of flowers in the city of water. My new outfit draws squeals from my unruly pigs. And of course, I come out on stage an hour late. Is there any Servant like me? I don't think so! Because if there was, it would be a real pain.



Quick response, my little squirrel! By the way, you were supporting me, right?

It's good to support all idols, as a matter of course.



But after this, I'll be the only diva. The dragon's daughter who sings at the center of SE.RA.PH.



All life forms, all consciousness, will idolize ME!

All idols need to have confetti on demand. I think that's part of the job description.

*sigh* Been hitting the elixir, have we? I thought I told you to clean MY palace. Not the enemy's. You're still my maid, so do your job right!

Tamamo's expression + voice on the "elixir" line really sells it. She is not amused by Liz's shit.

Ah, that? I got bored, so I quit. Shoved my resignation letter right in Rider's face. I'm a solo act now. Not working for you or Saber. You're both beneath me. I'm a one-girl party for SE.RA.PH. Straight from the abyss, it is I, the princess of darkness, Dark Eli. Or Dark Eliza, if you want to be fancy! (Sparkle)

...

See? No time for this shit.

Dark Elizabeth... She never changes...Caster holds a cold, steady gaze. It looks like she's got nothing to say. Before I can stop myself, I mutter...



Well, she *has* to be.

I'm Dark Eli! Or Dark Eliza! Don't make me say it again, y-you rude little squirrel!

...

Okay, let me put it all together. Caster treated Elizabeth unfairly, until Elizabeth couldn't take it anymore and revolted. Caster was the master to Elizabeth's servant, the Queen to her scullery maid. This is the moment where the tables turn. Maybe. But...if that is the case, there's one thing I don't understand. How did Elizabeth become free? How did she dispel the geas Caster cursed her with?

I guess Tamamo's been dipping into the Northern European magic books, because "geas" are, let's say, magical, conditional binds attached to Celtic warriors. As long as a geas is attached to someone, violating it would be...troublesome, for the concerned party.

Don't sweat the details. Point is, the fox's little slave girl is gone. Pretty naive, wasn't I? A maid looking for redemption? Ha! Like I could just wipe my sins away with a mop... I'll never be saved. I'll never be judged. And I'll never, ever be a good girl! So I'm going to destroy, violate, kill! I'll waste it all, just for myself! SE.RA.PH's going to be my own personal playground! You know what that means, right, Caster? I'm going to devour your useless little squirrel, cute as she is, and your Regalia too!

I mean, maybe not a "Good" girl, but a "good" girl? Definitely. Elizabeth is and continues to be great.

...Steal the Regalia, you say? Who put that silly little thought in your head?

Hmm, good question. Doesn't matter, though. I figured it out on my own. I mean, it's kind of weird, don't you think? You being Queen of SE.RA.PH? We're anti-heroes, bathed in blood. But if you can be the one... Then I can be the one too! I'll be the ruler! The greatest ruler ever! I've spilled just as much blood as you have! I'll be greater than any King ever. The Great King of Terror from Mars, the red planet that dwarfs the Moon Cell!

"The Great King of Terror..." I swear I've heard that phrase somewhere before. Red planet. Mars. Someone else said that...

I really wish I knew if Hakuno was actually referencing something someone said in this series, but I have no idea. Could just be a weird line.

Hmph. Don't make me laugh, you little newt. You're just quoting astrology books to puff yourself up. You know what? I accept your resignation. Good luck finding your next job. May I suggest "comedian"? Come to think of it, I could use a court jester. With your skills, I could pay you top cash.

To be fair, that probably wouldn't be a huge demotion from scullery maid. Might be more fun, too.

Hell, no! I was born to be a diva! A singer! ...But you know what? Say what you want this time. I'll let it slide. All I have to say to you is, "I declare war". I'll take both Regalia. Don't underestimate my power...Caster. You'd better be ready.



...She disappeared. We're about to face Saber for the last time, and now this gets thrown into the mix. Dark Eli... Dark Eliza... Dark Elizabeth... Whatever. Regardless, she's serious about wanting the Regalia.

Hmph. No need to worry. She's just someone else's puppet. She'll implode before we even know it. What a bird brain. A mediocre maid, and she'd have been a terrible jester, honestly. Not worth the chump change I would've paid her. Please try not to worry, dear. ♡ Once we take Saber's Regalia, our problems will all be solved, and we'll both be unstoppable. Now, off we go! And let nothing come between us!

*nod*











On my honor as the Knight of the Sun! Let us do battle!

So, if there's one thing the Gawain of the Fate series is famous for, is his peerlessness when the sun is shining. Few knights can even be a warm-up for him when he's powered by Numeral of the Saint.







Unfortunately for us, Tamamo is no such knight. He *really* does not fuck around in this stage. Numeral of the Saint basically makes him invincible + does a hell of a lot of damage + invulnerable to stagger. Even with the Regalia, you stand essentially no chance of beating him like this. You have two alternatives: writhe beneath his attacks, dodging when you can and *very* slowly building up the Moon Crux gauge, or...



Since he follows you around, and ignores everything else except you, lure him up to Lu Bu's Sector and have these two gorillas smack each other about. Now, if we hang around, Gawain could cut through both him and us without a second's thought. However, following Karna's advice, we're going to lure him up here, quickly get the hell out of there, and support Medusa as much as we can against Li Shuwen's rampage.

Of course, that's a secondary concern. Most important is getting control of sunlit Sectors.



Indicated here. Now, as you might expect, Gawain will eventually win his fight, and when he does, he's coming right after us. While that no doubt brutal fight is going on in the northeast, we've got to move quickly.

In practice, though, it's *very* unlikely your needed conquests will be finished by the time their fight is over. However, if we time things right, we'll swoop in just after Lu Bu gets KO'd, and Gawain will be injured enough to make our victory much easier.



Now, once you've taken a few Sectors, you're mostly out of the danger of losing via too many enemy Sectors, so you can indulge yourself for a bit and help out Medusa. I like Medusa a lot, so we'll lend her what aid we can.



During the fight with Li Shuwen, I discovered Tamamo's final combo attack is *really* good. It's basically a regular version of her Regalia's projectile attacks. Basically, she throws out a bunch of shards of projectile ice that tears through crowds, and can inflict a lot of damage against single targets. Projectile attacks in this game can be *pretty* damn powerful, and Tamamo finally has a nice crowd control move.



I really don't like these bat things. Once they get a hit on you, they come in such large groups typically, that they can pretty well stunlock you for a while. It's more than a bit annoying... If they get you like this, just dash in the opposite direction whenever you see a chance, then EM to death. They have too much health to target individually.



Bummer. Lu Bu got defeated *just* after we arrived.



I wish Sir Gawain was a bit more injured, but still. Lu Bu did good work. We'll be able to wrap this up shortly.



Oh Nero. A card, even as an enemy. Shortly thereafter, I managed to bring him down, with the might of the Regalia. With his fall, I think we're about done with anything of interest on this map. Like with any other boss stage, remember to gather up the two Phantasm Circuits on the map, and fill up your health / EM gauge. No sense in not being as prepared as we can be against Nero.



Love when I catch a Plant like this. It only had two Aggressor protectors that were annihilated already, and it won't be spawning any more it is destroyed, and this land comes under my benevolent protection.



Enough goofing around. Time for the main event...


Burning rose

Once we take care of "Emperor" Saber, I'll be able to grant our every little desire. So then what will you wish for, with your Royal Authority? Please say whatever you like.

The Regalia. Once we restore it, I'm sure I'll be able to wish for anything I want, and the Moon Cell itself will give it to me. But on the spot, I can't think of anything in particular. It's an odd little paradox. Humans don't always want what they can easily have. Besides, I already have everything I want. If I had to choose a wish right now, I might wish for Caster's special breakfast, or for a nice present to give her, something she'd like.

My Husband... Your gaze is making me dizzy... I...I think I'm getting a nosebleed! Do you have any greed in you at all? Ohoho! My Husband's Soul, passive in a way, but strong at the core. Anyway, forget all that! Be greedy! You can have ANYTHING, so go ahead and ask for it! Any amount of luxury. All kinds of riches. Infinite authority over immeasurable lands! The finest wines, the finest meals, the finest clothes, and palace, and bedsheets...the finest wife- Wait, you already have that.

The finest wife, well... What about the finest husband? No matter. I already have her to stand by.

...Th-Those sudden words. That gaze. Ooh, you don't know what you do to me. Even though your wild side has faded, the charm of those silent eyes... It's something else. Ah, this...almost makes me forget what kind of danger we're in. You do cause me trouble sometimes, don't you?

...Peeping, are you? What would your people think of you, Saber?



But if I might offer a whisper of praise, your tenacity has impressed me. Perhaps you could even face me woman to woman. You deserve to know I have held back with you until now. I held my blade askance for fear of harming the Praetor. And because you and I once fought as allies. But now...the time for half-measures has passed! Forgive me, my other Praetor! I shall free you from that shrew in fox's guise!

...You love your fancy speeches, don't you? The Moon Cell has chosen me, not you. Do you still not understand that? I used to envy your ignorant bliss, but now I just pity you. The midday sun has scorched Rome's sacred tree, and all its dreams with it. Let me empire swallow yours up and be done with it.

Urrgh! You dare insult my divine ancestor, Romulus himself! You have reached the end of my patience! You invoke Apollo, but I am Venus in the flesh! I yield only to fine young ladies, not to you!

I might have mentioned it in the previous arc, but Nero is bisexual (maybe like Tamamo? She loves Hakuno no matter what sex they are, but you can only be a man or a woman) but does prefer women. If there is one line I do know from EXTRA that was to the effect of that, she mentions that she does like men and women equally, but if she must choose, she'd choose women. A lover of the arts, you see.

Also, as of Grand Order, divince ancestor Romulus looks like this. He's a...hammy fellow, as you might imagine. And yes, that is a tree he uses as a lance.

Ooh, now you've said it! Too old, am I? I'm not even out of my twenties! There's no choice but to roast you alive... Taste the power of MY Regalia, Nero Claudius!







Okay, so I *really* wasn't expecting her to start in Regalia mode, and holy shit, she did a number on me. As an enemy, Nero's Regalia is *really* dangerous, because she can come up on you fast, and if one hit gets you, you're probably going to lose about a life bar worth of health on Hard. It hits *hard*. On Very Hard, if she gets you in a combo, you're done. There is 0% chance of withdrawl if she gets you, and she only needs two hits to completely drain your HP. I immediately had to withdraw and Code Cast heal, and then turned to my own Regalia.





So until this point, I hadn't used the Regalia's attack in air. It's a good attack, much like everything Tamamo's Regalia does, but I don't really see much need to use it, since her ground attacks are already plenty potent.



So Nero's actually a pretty tough enemy, like most every above-average speed enemy is in this game. Good range on her sword, and plenty of powerful techniques the AI will throw out more or less randomly. She is also pretty aggressive, and will always want to get in your face.





I mean, look at that shit! Regalia is no joke, yo.



So what is an animal that charges, and if it makes contact with any soft flesh, it'll leave more than a flesh wound? A bull. That's how I'd advise you treat Nero's Regalia. Stay the hell away from her in this form, since a bull doesn't need a whole lot of momentum to wreck your shit, and most importantly, bait her into attacking. When she's attacking, she's pretty committed to a lengthy attack, and you can safely disengage by getting to the opposite side of the arena.



And of course, she'll every now and then disengage and try to launch her Noble Phantasm. I trust you'll be able to stop it.



Really, dodging and dealing with the enemy's Regalia is 90% of this fight. As long as you're comfortable with how you deal with dodging its many powerful attacks, there's not a whole lot of threat Nero can pose to you.



And now, it's checkmate.





As expected, I took *way* too much damage, but in a way, I have no regrets. It's much better *seeing* how much damage an enemy can do rather than me telling you about it, right?

Side missions were 3/3. For unknown reasons, I canceled Karna's and Archimedes' Side Missions. The world may never know why.