Part 15: Internal Chaos

Part 13: Internal Chaos



: What is it, Lyell?
: I'm a wanted man! They'll never let me return if they know it's me! I have to disguise myself.
: A new name wouldn't hurt, either...
: Right. Any name will be fine. They just can't know it's me. Pick something...Jack...anything...you decide.


: Raine is a nice undercover name.
: I agree. Raine is a decent name.


(...Right. That is totally not Lyell. Nope, not at all )
: Fine. Let's get this over with.


: I have returned with news of a successful mission to Fort Rargin, Majesty.
: Your service to the kingdom and the fair people of this land is appreciated. Was there difficulty in carrying out the assignment? You have returned later than we expected.
: There was an...incident at the Control Tower.
: An incident?
: Yes, Majesty. Gevas tried to break free from imprisonment in the Dimensional Fusion Control Tower.
: Gevas?!
: So that beast yet lives, but is merely imprisoned in the tower?
: His uprising was the reason we were late returning to report the status of the Fort Rargin mission.
: So...are you certain it's dead this time?
: Certainly.
: I see. It's as I expected.


( ! The other two ranks are Holy Dragon and Sleeping Lion. The rank you get depends on how many Mission Completes you have received up to this point. Obviously getting all or a majority of Mission Completes gets you Imperial Knight, the highest rank. Also, this is the last requirement for Charlone's ending!)
: What?!
: In light of Wein's superb service, it makes perfect sense.
: Hey, I knew he'd make it. I just didn't know it was gonna come this fast...
: The formal knighting ceremony will take place once the war is concluded. Until then, please continue your impressive service to the kingdom.
: I shall do my utmost, Majesty!


: ...
: He's an ally we met in the course of the mission. His name is Raine.
: Mmmm...Raine. Reminds me of a dusty country road on a warm summer's eve. He seems to be the quiet type.
: He's probably just nervous to have an audience with the king.
: (hehe) He certainly looks formidable. His strength was a great asset, no doubt.
: It was indeed.


: ...but I was wondering what our next assignment might be?
: Ah...next assignment. Certainly...I shall let Imperial Knight Douglas explain what has transpired in your absence...
: Yes, Highness. While you were engaged at the Control Tower, Rolandia's Navy was maintaining the sea blockade to the east. However, the mercenaries must have allied themselves with pirates, because our ships were caught in a dual-pronged attack.
: Unbelievable!
: It seems to have happened just as Max predicted.
: Now that the blockade is broken, the region has descended into all-out war, and it is spreading this way.
: So this mercenary army has taken on the best soldiers from three nations. We should be able to defeat them now!


(It's never easy, is it?)
: Most of the problems are centered around the Comsprings area. Your next mission begins there, and you are to depart immediately.
: Understood, Majesty.



: ...
: Did you think we would really be deceived by such a poor disguise?
(It seems SOMEONE around here has some brains, or good eyes.)
: Lord Reaves, it appears you have confused me with another.
: Well, if that is the case, I apologize. In that case, would you be so kind to deliver a message to a friend?
: ...
: I had a dear friend I haven't seen in more than a year who was expelled from the kingdom as a criminal. I know where he is living, but I fear that my presence would make him angry, so I have refrained from telling him something important. If you happen to meet him during your mission, I would like you to tell him...
: ...
: Tell him that I wanted to thank him for standing at Richard's side until the bitter end. I want him to know that I appreciate the fact that he risked his honor to stand at the side of his friend...our friend...Richard. Knowing that Richard did not die alone gives me some small comfort in the midst of my personal pain.
: I shall certainly tell him...if I see him. It seems like you miss your good friend. I'm certain that he would tell you that your dedicated service to Burnstein is admirable. He would also say that he understand the painful sacrifice you made for your kingdom in choosing it over your friends.
: ...thank you...



Olivia: You certainly have changed since we last met...
: What?
Olivia: When I was listening to your report, it became clear that you've become close to this group.
: I...I don't...
Olivia: Previously, I would never have heard you refer to others as friends, but that's precisely what you just did in that report.
: I see. You're right. I have become too close to these people, and that could jeopardize my mission. I shall work to correct that.
Olivia: Very well, then. It has been two years now since the Karl incident. It's time to get past that now. Time to get back to your old self.
: ...
Olivia: That is all. I'd best be going now.
: Mmm...getting back to my old self...what is my old self? I must remain on guard to protect the mission...


: I was wondering...what was all that about just now?
: What part couldn't you follow?
: Uh, the part about our duty.
(Oh Hans. )
: Pathetic! And you call yourself a soldier?!
: If you're so smart, you tell me, Charlone!
: Fine, but I'm only going to tell you once, so listen up! We're working with Rolandia and Ranzack, fighting against the mercenaries who are trying to cause trouble.
: I knew that much!
: However, a situation has arisen where our front-link soldiers need to be used as policemen. It's taking them away from their work as soldiers and slowing down progress against the mercenaries.
: Y...yeah, so?
: Sooo...we need to figure out a way to get this campaign against the mercenaries back on track!
: Oh, I get it!
: (Finally! He can be taught!)


: I'm with you now.
: Then let's get this investigation started.
(Like the beginning of every other new section, there's a lot of optional events to be seen.)


(Lyell says that everyone overlooked his presence, and he basically got approval to help Wein out. Wein says he's just too famous to hide behind a mask. I think anyone is silly to try to disguise themselves with only a mask.)



(We finally find out that it was Xenos who killed the former chief. After speaking to Wein, Carmaine, and Riviera, Hans is able to accept what happened, and forgives Xenos for what he did.)


(This scene happens every time you step on this circle. The mercenaries are pretty much at the border of Burnstein now. Carmaine tells Wein to stay focused on ending the internal conflict for now.)


(Arieta tells us she was able to go outside once a year for three days, and that's how she happened to meet Wein.)





(This is the last time we can visit the injured man, and he gives us quite a nice revelation.)



: You can't be serious! Why?
: Now that I'm an Imperial Knight, I will make your father acknowledge my position as a proper suitor.
: Um...I...I don't know...
(Some time later...)
: So, will he see me Charlone?
: Father wasn't home. He left a short time ago for the front to aid in the fight against the mercenary rebellion.
: Hmmm...I really wanted to talk to him.
: Captain, why does this matter so much to you?


: Because it was my dream to be an Imperial Knight, and I finally made it. He should see that.
: Ah, I see. That makes sense.



: When we were here before, there was a mask, suspended in some kind of energy. It's gone now.
: Mask? What did it look like?
: It was a large, round face mask, with a pointed chin. It had an emerald and a horn on the forehead, and the eyes were glowing blood red. Do you know what I'm talking about?
: Yes. It's the Power Mask.
: Sounds like fun. What's it do?
: In the world of magic, there are words that have the power of influence. We call that the power of language.
: The mask gives the user the power of language, meaning that the user can control others with just words. It was sealed away in an age before I was even born, and no one knew where...until now.
: This is serious. If that were to be used for evil, it could have grave consequences! We must find out who took it.
: ...
( still!)




(Telling the truth of where you got the gem from lets you meet Luga, Storm#3's mother. That human man is actually Storm#3's father. They're all happy that their daughter is alive, and we promise to tell her where her parents are if we see her again. The game really doesn't give hints as to where Storm#3 is, but at the end of the last battle she said she was looking in the south. The battle took place at the ruins west of Zauerberg, so she has to be south from there...really, I don't know how you're supposed to know where she is. She's in South Starkberg, so let's go there.)


(We give her directions to Zauerberg, so let's follow her.)


(Yes, her real name is Lucia. Everyone's even happier, and we get a special gift.)


("The person I received it from said it was EXTRA, but I have no idea what he meant." It means that this is an option added to the Extra menu from the main screen of the game. It's a short visual novel about Sandra, Carmaine's mother, and I'll play through it later. Lucia wants to unite the cat tribe and humans, since she's learned that humans are nice. How cute.)




Burnstein Soldier: We can't win! They're too strong!
: Who is left to fight if even the king's men are afraid? Your weakness shames us all.
Burnstein Soldier: I...I apologize, sir.
: The situation is dire, but we must stand firm!
Armored Soldier: Victory is certain now. Those that remain are too weak to resist us effectively.
Armored Soldier 2: If this is the best the king has to offer in defense, the castle will fall easily.
Armored Soldier: How about we have a little fun with our prey?
Burnstein Soldier 3: Hoot man! Why are they just standing there? Are they taunting us now? I half expect them to turn and lift their crusty steel kilts!
(That line is so funny that I just had to upload an mp3 of it.)
Armored Soldier 2: Soon you will be consumed by regret!



: How convenient.


Dailymotion | Viddler
(I thought Mission Complete was to kill every enemy without letting any escape, but two slipped away and I still got Complete. So maybe it's fewer than three or something.
Yet again you're in a bad place compared to where all the enemies are, so Hans and the mages work best at taking down the ones by Logan, while everyone else heads to where the reinforcements spawn. The best way to kill everyone is to have Hans only kill the ones closest to Logan, and heavily damage the rest. Wein and the other close range people should do the same to the soldiers in their area. This way, when they start retreating after five or so have been killed, Arieta can mass kill the ones at the bottom with Blizzard, and Hans, Charlone, and Riviera can snipe the others.)


(Arieta tells us that this armor was used in the war between the Growsians and Featherians. So these mercenaries have gotten their hands on some nice ancient technology.)




: I should have guessed it would be you that would come to my aid. You've grown strong, Wein Cruz.
: Due in no small part to the instruction you provided when I began, sir. But that is a conversation for another time. Why are you here?
: I have seen the events unfolding, and I fear that our kingdom is about to be overrun by the mercenaries. I could not stand idly by and wait for that day to come. So, I took up a position here, near the border, and waited. After all, my best friend's wife is here as well. I swore to protect her when he went to fight for Burnstein.
: Best friend...you mean Maximillian's father?
: The very same. If you'll excuse me now, we must inspect the city for damage and casualties...
Wein Oh...uh, yes. Of course.


: It's no problem. While you were addressing Logan, we were discussing the present situation. Defeating or destroying the armor will do us no good in the long run. We have to find those that are controlling it.
: Right. Only then can we count this battle won.
: Yes, but Neural Armor has a range of approximately three square miles! That's an impossible task!
: I only have one question. When the armor is engaged, what's happening to the one controlling it?
: Because neural impulses are being rerouted from the cortex to the transmitter, the user's body is defenseless.
: A fine lot of good that does us, though. Defenseless or not, we don't know where they are!


: I remember Ariost explaining briefly how the signal transmission works. It seemed to be a blend of science and magic.
: Magic?
: Yes. There might be just enough of it for us to track down our real opponents!
: Yes, but...talking about tracing magic wages and succeeding are two very different concepts.
: Well, it's clear to me that Ariost seems to be our best chance at success here. Since he knows the most about the transmission system, he might have an idea about how to intercept the signals. Let's pay him a visit.


(Logan tells us that Max's father died on the front lines because Logan was injured and unable to command, so Max's father took over. He blames himself for what the family went through and swore to protect them)



(Lyell tells us he used to live here, but the house has since been sold.)




(Staying at the inn gives us this scene. Carmaine says Wein has good self control for not wanting to look.)


(At North Grandshill, we can talk to Max. He tells us that the Control Tower can levitate, and Wein tells him the story of how they were in it when it last did. He also tells Max where it landed and that it didn't break or anything.)


(Speaking with Carmaine has him introduce Wein to Wallace...)



(...which opens up the option to speak to Louise. Carmaine wants her to get home and away from the fighting. It's best to agree with him.)



: Ah! Come right in!
: Hello, Ariost. It's been a while...
: Well, this must be an occasion of some importance to require the presence of Carmaine, hm?
: I've come to ask a favor, and I hope you'll have time to comply.
: Hrmph...and when have you ever come for anything besides a favor? So, what is the emergency this time?
: Well...


: Wait...something like that already exists?
: Yes, yes, of course! The problem is, the only design remaining is in my head. I need parts to physically make one.
: What do you need? Just tell us and we'll get them!
: In the Growsian ruins to the north there is an underground parts storehouse with all manner of artifacts, including a directional antenna.
: Directional antenna?
: Oh, don't worry. I know what he's talking about.
: Excellent.
: It is not a simple matter to retrieve this, though, so don't fool yourself! The floor of the ruins is rotting. Several research parties from the Magic Academy have gone to the ruins, fallen through the floor, and died. It is not a task to be taken lightly. I shall instruct the Academy to unlock the ruin for you, but please, tread carefully...


(Actually, it's Gina, but answering with this one gives us Story #15)



(Also, Gevel showed his true form here for the first time. And we're going to get an antenna from here, so let's go!)



: It seems to have become a haven for monsters...
: Look! Under the floor!
: That muddy water seems to be rotten the wood floor at an alarming rate.
: I don't think that's water. It has the faint scent of poison.
: It's poison?!
: I would imagine that chemicals from experiments long forgotten are leaking from somewhere in this ruin.
: Ariost wasn't kidding. We're really going to have to be careful in here. Where is the storeroom with the antenna, Arieta?
: Hmmm...


: It's over there, next to the Guardian. There's a transport elevator right next to it that we can use to ride back to the top once we have the antenna.
: Uh, I'd rather not walk on this floor...can't we just take the elevator down?
: We could if there was power to it, but the switch to turn it on is over there. We'll have to reach the switch, first.
: It looks like there's no choice but to fight our way over there, then.
: Well then, let's get this over with...


Dailymotion | Viddler


(Complete is to kill all enemies without anyone dying. Underneath the minimap there's a counter that shows how much longer you have until more of the floor rots away. Now, you might think to just have Hans and the mages snipe everything and keep everyone else on the rock. But to pass the mission, you need to let at least one person off so they can get the antenna. You don't have to actually make your way over to where the antenna is, just have someone on the wood floor area.)

(All the enemies here use magic, so you're going to get damaged unless you have Lv4 Dispel on everyone, which blocks all magic. But then you can't cast helpful things like Cycle Up and Attack Up. Magic spells only do 30-50 damage to everyone, so it's not a big deal to be getting hit by them. Wein and Lyell are in the front row on the rock, which is why they go out onto the floor to help defeat the enemies, while everyone else stays behind.)




(And it's back to the Magic Academy. Hope we don't have to pay any money for this item.)


: Ariost, is this the antenna you require?
: Ahh...the very same! Good work! I'm just glad you all returned safely. Those ruins are so dangerous.
: It was a bit harder than we expected, but we got what we came for.
: I've prepared the rest of the device, so all I must do is add this!



: How do we use it?
: The direction and strength of signal are displayed here, on this panel. When the reaction area grows, you're getting close to the source.
: Seems simple enough. Thank you, Ariost!


: Why doesn't the direction level show?
: Well, reaction level 10 is the strongest possible indicator level. The device is picking up normal magic waves from the Magic Academy here. Since they're strong, it thinks we are at the transmission point.
: Can't you make it filter the difference between the neural transmitter and ordinary magic?
: It may be possible, but not in the time available. You will just have to be away of the limitations of the device.
: I see. Well, thank you Ariost. At least now we have some means to continue our search.
: Yes...good luck!


(So now whenever we bring up the menu, we can use the radar to check magic readings around the area. We're looking for a "bearing erratic" reading, which means we're at the source. Let's start looking!)


Dailymotion | Viddler ate this video
(This scene happens when you hit Comsprings. Some shopkeepers try to sell their goods to Riviera. The reason this is a video is because the shopkeepers' voices are probably THE funniest voices in the entire game. The scene is rather plain if just read with text and screenshots.)


(The first time we do this, we meet Lord Reaves in town, who says he owns a villa in town and decided to check on it. The second time we pick this option, we tell Lyell that his house was bought by Lord Reaves. Lyell thanks us, and seems happy that a friend bought his old place.)


(Southwest points to the ruins where the mask was sealed, of course that would have a high magic reading. That one to the north is a bit suspicious.)




: We should use the terrain to our advantage and box them in so they don't get away.
: Excellent plan.
Armored Soldier 9: Look! They've spotted us.
Armored Marauder: We've been discovered! There is no time to disengage! Take your control pot and retreat at once! We'll meet at the rendezvous point. Do not allow your pod to be destroyed!
Armored Soldier 9: Check.
: Ahhh! Look! One of them already escaped!
: That will work to our advantage. I intended to let one escape.


: If we wipe out all the enemies here, their allies will continue to attack innocent people. By letting one get away, we have a trail to trace using our neural radar. We can follow that to their hideout.
: Ahhh hah ahhh...sneeeaky! I like it.
: The one we let go will serve our purpose. The rest must not be allowed to escape!
Armored Soldier: Regardless of how many Neural Armor we possess, we will be powerless if our bodies are destroyed. We must protect the pods at all costs!


Dailymotion | Viddler ate this video
(Mission Complete is to kill every enemy on the map. You might be thinking "there's eight of those armored guys with high defense plus five other enemies, that's impossible!", but four of those armors are carrying pods for the other four armors. They're also the ones at the bottom of the screen that would be targeted first so that none escape anyway. When a pod-carrying armor is destroyed, a plain armor is destroyed as well, making the battle easier than it seems. And for once, we're not deployed in bad positions! The strategy is the same as every other beat 'em up. Attack Up on the fighters, Cycle Up on everyone, and cast Blast with the mages.)



: Good work!
: They're mercenaries, all right, and they've been trained very well.
: Mercenaries?
: Yes. I'm sure of it. Even though mercenaries aren't a formal army force, they still are more dangerous than simple bandits.
: Hmmm. Well trained mercenaries, and now Wolfgang is fighting with them.
: Yes, and now they have significant amounts of Neural Armor.
: It's even more critical now that we don't lose the trail of the one we let escape, then. There's no time for more conversation--let's go!

(That conversation makes it seem like we just found out that they were all mercenaries, even though Eliotte and Logan and everyone else knows and has told us that we're fighting against a giant band of mercenaries...whatever.)

Next update: More tracking fun with our new toy

Current Relationship Status
, , , , : 10
: Finally jumped up to 10
: Also jumped from 8 to 10. We now have a 100% happy party!