Part 14: The True Enemy or, More Like Mana-kill-me
Chapter 12: The True Enemy or, More Like Mana-kill-meNow I'm sorry to disappoint you, but I'm actually not blind when it comes to this chapter. Usually, I do my little
the Isles' largest city and its capital.
So let's get kickin'.
is an Eturian of high nobility, but not of importance to the Eturian court.
Roy, still wary of how Eturia may respond to his attack,
I think we have enough people who want a piece of him that we'll have to draw Lots.
Lord Arcardo. Why do you fret so?"You know that red-haired kid? Turns out he's got a mystical beast with him, something called a 'useful archer'. If he can do that to the rules of nature, imagine what he'll do to me!"
"Dude, we're summoning dragons to take over the continent and even I know a fairytale when I hear one."
It's the Lycian Army! They come for my blood! Yes, they have been a thorn in Bern's side for some time... We knew it would be difficult if they became too friendly with Eturia. That's why we had you send them here."As you know."
It seems, however, they fight even better than expected."We suspect romhacking may be involved, but so far we haven't been able to prove it."
You don't understand the gravity of this situation! Do you realize how much I've lost thanks to their meddling? All the riches I've gotten from these islands are gone! ...And on top of that, now they want my life! Once they arrive, my legacy is finished! My hands are shaking. I don't know what to do...Put on some clean pants, come out of that room and die with something resembling dignity?
...It was just a suggestion.
My, how you worry. I suggest you flee to Eturia. You will allow it? Warfare is Bern's strong suit. We also have our secret weapon ready to brandish. With it we shall erase the Lycian Army once and for all. But... Lord Arcardo. Once Bern and Eturia join forces, we will have nobody to fear. Am I wrong? No... No! You're right. I leave them to you.Arcardo escapes downstairs. Flaer takes the throne in his stead.
If we defeat the Lycian Army here, the Isles shall be ours...
That's a big "if". A F...
...
shut up.
Once we take it, we can finally go home.
That's not even an "if", it's a "when".
I have already sent someone
The one over there dressed like a dancer? Yes, that's her.
Your Majesty? ...I know not of what she speaks.
Lalum, why do you call me "Your Majesty"?
HuH? ...Oh! Ah... er...
...... ............
"Okay so you know that's bullshit and you know I know it's bullshit, but I'm just not going to say anything and you'll owe me a favour. Deal?" "...Deal." "
" My apologies, Lord Roy. This is Lalum, a member of the resistance. You're Roy? Everyone on the Isles has heard of you! They all call you the Savior from the East.
Whoa! Please leave a little distance! Roy, your face is all red. How cute!!I'm pretty sure that's his beard.
...Lalum...
I've been hearing strange rumors. The people here say that an "unhuman" resides in this castle.
An "unhuman"...? Oh, yes. They say he changes form into something that looks like a dragons!You say manakete, I say manakete...
A human? That can change into a dragon?! I don't know... But that's what I hear. We must proceed with caution.
If you need to go fast, Ogier has you covered.
...If you need to go fast and also do something else... Well, let's just hope going fast is enough for now. I am also bringing Lugh because he may have disappointed me a few times in a row but he's still faster than Lilina and I'm pretty sure I need him for something here.
This map is a bit odd in that we start in two separate groups. Fortunately we do get to pick who goes where, so it's easy enough to build balanced teams. (I have Chad, Jerrot, Ogier, Dorothy, and Saul on the right.)
Before we get started, let's take a moment to appreciate this asshole.
THIS ASSHOLE RIGHT HERE.
What I wouldn't do for a siege tome, or better yet a ballista... and since I'm already dreaming, a portable ballista... with like 60 uses... and a crit bonus... and... and excuse me while I run off to take a cold shower and let's never mention this again.
I may end up regretting this, but it's not as if I won't be able to steamroll the rest of the game with my awesome Wolt anyway
Nothing of note happens on the first round.
But on the second...
You called...?I could probably have thought of something to replace his portrait with, but I don't think it would have been an improvement.
I will make a report about the Lycian Army to General Narcian. I want you to defend the castle while I am away. ...Understood. Hm? Who's there?!
...... Just the wind...? Ahem. I will take my leave now. I leave them to your discretion. ...Understood.
Normal weapons won't even scratch its skin. These manaketes... They certainly are terrifying beasts.
That's not a nice thing to say. Bantu fed me pickles. How many beasts have you known to feed people pickles? You're a jerk. t
Bern really has brought dragons into this world.
...What to do now...? I guess I'll pose as a soldier and observe the dragon's power.Holy shit that is the smuggest looking kid in the universe.
He parks himself on the far left here and will be sitting there for the rest of the map.
Both fighters attack Fir. Neither of them hit. She even manages to kill one!
...because he had been weakened with javelins on the first round, but still!
The one on the other side is marginally more threatening, but he has to hit before he can crit and he can't hit worth one bit. 'Cause he's a twit.
Wait, what's thi
When I said I wanted a siege tome, I meant I wanted me to have it!
...
Apparently Eclipse is Dickmove Alpha, except with an atrocious hit rate and... nothing else going for it. I don't know what they were thinking with this shit, but I'm glad they did, because it means I can just ignore it.
And-
...I can just ignore this, too. Why did he target the guy with actual Res on this team?
Well, I certainly don't mind that he did, it's just...
The real reason Saul's on that side is because he can use the restore staff and Clarine can't, but she can use Unlock. I'm not sure it was worth it, but she can.
Lugh gets to finish the second fighter, and I'm not sure that was worth it either.
Eat your vegetables, Fir.
Wait, would that be cannibalism?
Chad has opened one of the three doors on this end. Ogier still hasn't used up his armourslayer.
Jerrot will take the left path while the rest go through the opened door. I don't actually do this; sure I could heal her with Saul but there's still priests with healsticks in there and the sniper won't actually move so he's more trouble than he's worth.
Jerrot weakened this guy; he suicides on the next round.
Fir still can't hurt knights. She also can't dodge. Goddammit Fir.
One more sleep staff use left.
All these walled-off areas makes this map 2-range central. Fortunately, our ranged attacks are a lot better than theirs.
And no more stupidity out of you, thank you very much.
I was going to set Lugh up for a kill, but Allen missed one of his javelins so I'm left with a 1-health knight
Fir can do damage with the Wo Dao. She didn't need the crit, but it looked cool, so it's fine.
This, not so fine... but hey. She has 16 levels to cap that strength, right...?
Speaking of capping, I guess Noah won't be doing it. Still really good, though!
That's three, no more sleep staff!
Fir also has a chest key. If only we had someone who knows how to use dark magic...
This could come in handy!
Jerrot tangles with the archers up here. One of them has a long bow, but he only deals one damage.
None, now.
If he moved, this guy would be a pain and a half. Guess that's why they made him sit still.
Wolt's gonna love this.
And someone's gonna love this, not sure who, but we'll find out eventually.
There was a priest with a Physic staff here. It's gone now. Instead, one of the fighters runs up and chucks a hand axe at Jerrot. He doesn't hit.
Hey, look what we can do!
Lord Roy, the issue was settled.I can't help but imagine Wolt went up to some random dude who looked like he may have done something wrong and started berating him for getting on Roy's nerves.
Probably Allen.
More importantly, this is a battlefield. You never know where enemies are hiding. Keep on your guard. Wolt... You're starting to sound like Merlinus and Marcus. Am I? Thank you! That is such praise. All I desire is to be as loyal a servant as they are. ...Are you serious? Of course! ...... Lord Roy? Is something wrong? No. Leave me alone for a while, would you? Lord Roy...?
That... didn't look very supportive.
That's the third door down.
Dorothy tries out the Brave bow, but she still can't use it. So sad.
Only one more chest to go.
One of the five axe dudes over here is a warrior. Allen can't really stand up to him on equal terms, but with Noah's help, he gets the kill.
And a pretty nice level.
Fir has accomplished everything she'll do on this map. Lance goes to pick her up.
Then, suddenly!
All the way out here in the Isles West, folks work to death for nobles in their nest! This castle's sure to be brimming with treasure! All this loot was stolen anyway. Might as well take it off these nobles' hands.Yeah uh, good luck with that...
Roy can one-round this guy with his iron sword. Even without a crit.
A-rank swords now! Only one left until he can start swinging Durandal around.
I would have liked to feed this guy to Lance, but there's no one who can hit him without killing him, so weakening him is out of the question.
There's a wall, and a door. Who actually goes in through the front door? Seriously?
And that was the last chest!
...Of course the priest in the throne room has Sleep, too. Ogier takes the hit... right in front of the breakable wall.
We'll have to rescue him out of there or something.
Damn it! Turns out you can't steal with a full inventory. Why can't I just send the lockpicks to Merlinus like everything I pick up from chests?!
Wolt is better at this than Ogier.
Gimme that.
Yoink!
And now the path to the boss is open.
Might as well let the unconscious Ogier do some good. No reinforcements for you, buddy!
We'll be able to wrap things up before they get here.
......
...Th-that's all, sir.
Don't worry, he won't be around for long.
Nope.
And no more stupidity out of you.
Lugh is finally within reach to talk to the mysterious shaman.
Lugh...! What are you doing here?
I'm glad you're OK. We were all worried about you. I know you wanted to train your magic skills, but you left so suddenly. I couldn't have learned magic if I'd stayed in that orphanage. It was a miracle I picked up as much as I did. Raigh... The orphanage is gone. What? What happened? Bern came... and burned it down. ...What happened to everybody? Poppa was killed trying to protect us... The young children are under the care of the St. Elimine Church now. ...I see. It's for the best... They'll be happier at the church than at that dilapidated orphanage. You don't have to be so callous about it. ...... Raigh! Come with us. We'll defeat Bern, and then we can go back to the children! Sorry, not interested. But- Then again... the Lycian Army might be good company. They're sure to come across more dragons at some point. All right, you got me. I suppose I'll go with you. Raigh... I just want you to know one thing. I'm not joining to avenge Poppa or the orphanage! I know, Raigh. Then stop looking at me like that!
A young shaman traveling to perfect his dark magic.
Bit of a little shit, isn't he?
Raigh's growths are HP 55, Mag 45, Skl 55, Spd 40, Lck 15, Def 15, Res 35. Looks okay I guess? Don't have a lot to say at this point.
He also comes with this, which could be handy at some point.
Well then, the... boss...
Yeah, Jerrot isn't going to do anything against that. He'll sit here instead.
A mysterious figure sent from Bern to assist in the Western Isles.
Manaketes have shit stats but awesome stat boosts from dragonstones, yak yak, same as oh just about every other game where they appear.
Ein has 26 effective defence. List of the people in this party who can reliably inflict physical damage on him:
We'll go with magic, okay.
That would look a whole lot more threatening if...
...I wasn't going to burn you while you just sit there and take it.
...
It's... it's a boss... without a ranged weapon?!
Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha.
The healers and physical people can't do much at this point, so they just mill about aimlessly.
Hey, it's the reinforcements! One of them a warrior.
wait what
You said reinforcements from the south. Nothing about these assholes!
Well wyverns or no, we still need to go pester Cath.
Hm? ...You again? You always come and mess up my plans. Do you have it out for me or something? No! I just... wanted to apologize. ...Excuse me? The last time we met, I was pretty callous. I said you shouldn't steal, but I didn't even realize what you'd been through... Oh, that? Whatever. I don't care. But I still think what you do is wrong. You've got some nerve, you know that? Just give me a chance. A chance? Once this war is over, I promise to help rebuild your village. I'll be sure the taxes are put to good use too. Just please, stop looting. ...... How long will that be? Whenever this war ends. I can't say when... And you expect me to wait patiently until then? No. All I want is your faith. ...Why are you so kind to me? I'm just a thief. Without you, we wouldn't have escaped Wagner's trap. Maybe you didn't care about helping us, but the fact is that you did. You saved our lives. You're more than just a thief. If things keep going like they have... I guess you'll get in my way no matter where I go. As long as you appear in our path. Fine, you win. I'll stop looting battlefields. You will? Thank you. But I'm coming with you. What? Why? Actions speak louder than words. Prove to me that you'll be true to your promise. I won't disappoint you!Guess I could have let her keep those lockpicks, huh. And for all that work...
A young thief who steals only from the rich.
...we finally get... Cath. Who is far behind Chad. And even Astore. The only reason she'll stop looting battlefields is because we have people who are better to do it for us.
...That said though, her growths are fairly comparable to Chad's - HP 80, Str 40, Skl 45, Spd 85, Lck 50, Def 15, Res 20 - so she could be trained into a pretty effective unit... but +5% speed for -10% strength probably isn't worth it; I'd expect Chad to turn out better.
For comparison.
Saul wakes up Ogier, because he can.
He goes over here to see if he can get some extra exp while we play around with Ein.
Wolt can actually damage him! For two points a pop.
We'll let Chad in on the reinforcements, too.
And let's park Roy here so we can at least see what Ein's attack looks like.
Ow.
Well, he doesn't have a crit rate, so whatever.
Chad can only chip at the warrior, but even chipping is profitable against a high-level opponent.
Once we stop fooling around, Ein goes down pretty quickly. He wasn't a very interesting character.
It's... defensive.
Enough chipping still results in death!
Ogier gets in on it too, but
...the wyverns have lances and WTA so fuck this noise.
Actually it kinda was.
The dragons' power is truly... horrific.
How many of these dragons does Bern have...? How can we expect to be victorious against monsters like these?! Lord Roy! Keep a level head. Ah... ...I understand your worries. But if you panic, that feeling will spread to the army. You must remember that.
It is a perfectly understandable reaction after a fight like that. But... we also gained knowledge we did not have before. What knowledge is that? Don't you remember? I told you Arcardo was rumored to be working with Bern. Oh, that's right! If Bern's dragons are in an Eturian castle... Arcardo has indeed made a deal with Bern. ...That means Lycia is in danger... We must return to the mainland. We have to contact General Cecilia and conceive a plan... Lord Roy, before returning to the mainland, there is a matter to take care of. More bandits? No, thankfully. A legendary weapon is hidden in a cave not far from here. If we obtain it, we can fight the dragons more effectively. A legendary weapon... You're right! If we can get all eight of them, we might have a chance of defeating Bern! Yes... We must find as many as we can. Then let's go to the cave and get it!
Geez, I wonder which one it could be.
I'm pretty sure Elphin is full of it. A cave without bandits? Such a thing does not exist. But I guess next time we'll find out who's right. Snappy closing statement!!