Part 7: Betrayal

I'm actually not a big fan of strategy games...the only other game I can think of that I've played with RTS parts like this is Suikoden V, but most of that game is standard RPG.


Part 6: Betrayal


(Finally. Now, where's Max?)
: You've made good time, but the Minister is waiting. Continue quickly on to the north, and Minister Schneider will be waiting for you at the dam.


(But first, let's get Story #5 from this lady.)


(And change our equipment up a bit! Let's head north and meet Max.)


: Oh, thank heavens! Hopefully I can hand over these stinking books soon!
: Minister Schneider! I brought Wein and his associates.





: Damn it! What's she doing here? Minister, do not worry about this...development. I shall take care of it. Please...hurry!
: Ahhhh!
: Didja see what he did? The Minister just collapsed the dam! Why would he do something like that?
: I...I just don't understand. What reason could he possibly have for doing such a terrible thing?
: Captain! Over here! Quickly!
: What is it?



Rolandia Soldier 3: What have you done with the watchmen?!
: Uh...w...we...we...uh...the, the...I mean...they...wa...wa...uh...eeeh...uh...tha...
Rolandia Soldier: Wait! Look! They destroyed the dam!
: You've got it all wrong! We didn't do anything except walk into this mess!
Rolandia Soldier 3: Then what business did you have here anyway?
: We never had the chance to find out...when we got here it all...
Rolandia Soldier: Just as I thought! You had no good reason to come here! Take them into custody!
Rolandia Soldier 3: At once, sir!
: What now, Captain?
: We have no choice at this point. Run!
Rolandia Soldier: Don't let them get away!


: Uh...wait! Wait up!
: Hans, there's no time to even slow down! They're right behind us!
: I could run faster, but these stupid books are sooo heavy!
: If that's all that's holding you back, throw them away! If these soldiers capture us, we're all dead! They thing we destroyed the dam and killed their friends!
: But...aren't these rare books? What will the Minister say?
: How thick are you?! The man that asked us to retrieve those books is the same man that just framed us! He wants us dead!
: Ohhh, well in that case...no skin off my nose, they're check out to him anyway.


: Oh, that's much better! Too bad I didn't do that earlier! Heya, what's the matter? Shouldn't we be running again?
: I've made a terrible mistake. This is a dead end! We have to go back...and quickly!




: We're surrounded on all sides, but we have to find a way to break through their lines. We cannot be captured!
: Agreed!
: Remember, under different circumstances, these men are allies. Regardless of how badly they want to kill us, we must not kill them! If you must fight to break through, fight only defensively! We don't want any casualties.

: Ooohh...but that's gonna be so hard.


Dailymotion | Viddler
(Complete condition is to not kill any of the enemies, at all. Hans is right when he says it's hard, and if you're not prepared, it is really freaking hard. This is why Dash is the first thing I teach Wein and Hans, so I'm certain they know it by here. This is also why I give Charlone two Lv3 Quickness gems, making her as fast as Wein and Hans.
Most guides say to go south, but that way is longer and has more obstacles. I was stuck here going south until I decided to check out Working Designs' site, and they had a guide that said to go north. It obviously works well. The other evil part about this mission is if an enemy gets in the direct path of one of your party members, the party member will attack that enemy until they're dead. Luckily this time none of the enemies jump in front of anyone.)




( Just... to all of this! )


: We lost them...for now.
: Do you have any idea what's going on?
: Do you really thing the Minister planned to frame us from the beginning?
: I just...I... ...I can't bring myself to believe that Max knowingly betrayed me!
: After what we just went through, it's difficult to deny. Somebody wants you dead. Oh...I don't know who to trust anymore...it's...it's all too complicated now.
: I agree...it's hard to know how to proceed...I think the best way to address this is to confront Max directly.
: But, Captain that's insanity!
: Charlone...
: The person who we saw do the deed that nearly got us killed isn't going to have an audience with us! And that's even a minor consideration relative to the fact that we can't even make our way back to Burnstein Kingdom! I believed this to be the break I had been waiting for and now it appears I've become a part of some sinister plot! How I wish I had never even been chosen to accompany you!
(Well, ouch.)
: You're talking like we really are the bad guys! We're not, remember?
: Idiot! I know we're not the bad guys, but that really doesn't matter...Everyone in Rolandia, and probably Burnstein by now, thinks we are the ones that killed the guards and broke the dam!


: I apologize for dragging you into this.
: ...
: Once I realized what was happening, I should have directed all the attention to me. I must be the one they want.
: ...
: Regardless of what happens, I won't let you take the blame for what Max did.
: Captain...
: I know it's difficult because of what just happened, but you have to trust me.
: ...
: Okay, we gotta get a plan to clear our names!
: Agreed. Clearing our names must be the first order of business.
: Cool, Chief. But, how?


: I'm sure I met her at the Magic Academy. Her name is Karene, and she said she tends a hospital in Grandshill.
: Well what're we waitin' for?! Let's go find her!


: Ah! Here it is.


: No harm done. You can help us, though. We're looking for Karene. Is she inside?
Knight: Karene? Haven't you heard?
: Heard what?
Knight: She hasn't returned for a number of days. I was just setting out to look for her.
: We had no idea. In fact, we came a long way just to see her.
Knight: So, you came to see her about a specific matter? I am Xenos, Karene's brother. Perhaps you can tell me what you wished to ask her.
: Well...all right. I'll tell you, but it's quite a long and unbelievable story, so please don't interrupt until I've told you everything. We are of Burnstein Kingdom...


: Exactly. But if she's not here, there's no reason to...
: Why don't you join me in looking for her, then? I've been with her on herb-gathering trips, so I believe I know where she may be. If we fail to find her, I can use my connections here in Rolandia to get new leads.


: Why did you shriek?! Is something wrong!
: I knew you were familiar...you're the Xenos that teamed with the Growsians to defeat Venzern!
: Well...yes, I was involved with that...but it was just my job.
: Captain...with his help, I'm sure we can clear up the mess we're in!


(We do need a buff muscle man on our team. Our masculinity is a bit lacking right now.)
: That sounds great! In fact, I was thinking the very same thing, Charlone.
: Thank you, sir! Xenos, we'll do our best to help you find your sister. Just don't forget about our problem when we do.
: Deal.


( )
: Enough talking. We leave at once for the mountains northeast of Agriss. I believe we will find Karene there.


(Xenos is completely a physical character: high attack and defense, doesn't learn any magic. He's also at a higher level, comes with the best armor we can get in shops right now, and has Critical Hit, Dash, Ground Defense, System Shock, and Synapse Blow learned.)




(Relationship boosting time! Talking to Xenos in Grandshill gives him the Arena Champion title with a friendship boost. The scenes at the Magic Academy and Tower don't have any important information, they're just for bar boosting. Doing all three of these events puts Xenos to 10 on his bar.)


(Also at the Magic Academy, you can talk to the Braided Girl, Misha, again. She doesn't remember Wein at all because she crashes into so many people, and also ends up almost late to class again.)


(This scene happens when you hit the Fort Rargin circle.)
: Uh, what is that?
: This is...interesting. It's a poster offering a reward for the trio who attacked Rolandia...I think it's referring to you. Rolandia is offering 50,000 Elm for your capture, and 30,000 Elm for your death.
: Great! We're wanted criminals now...
: Only until we get this all straightened out.
: The one thing we have working in our favor is that the poster doesn't list your names or show your portraits. That will work in our favor, but not for long. We need to get you back into Burnstein at once.
: Right.
(Xenos then breaks the fourth wall to tell us how to access the Power Map. It's like a world map, but it shows the boundaries of the countries.)


Narrator: Wallace, who has now become a Rolandia general in the year that's passed since he fought alongside Carmaine, is extremely troubled by this unusual peacetime edict.




: I've heard the news about Cornelius.
: ... Yeah...The news is all over here, too. I don't like it. The king is saying, "Soon everyone will know that I am not a pushover king like my uncle was!"
: But if his uncle, Kind Alkadious, were still here, he would surely investigate the facts before mounting a full-scale attack on our allies.
: I agree; however, this is the hand we have been dealt. Our new kind is acting rashly...again. We must adapt...and quickly!
: What do you plan to do about the situation, Wallace?
: As of now, there is no choice but to obey the orders of the king.
: In the meantime, I shall work to discover the truth...it must be out there. It seems very strange that Burnstein would mount an unprovoked, covert attack on our infrastructure. Something is not right, and I intend to find out what that is.
: Good. I'm counting on you, Carmaine.


(This scene starts when you go to Agriss Village...)
Burnstein Commander: Mmm...this is serious.
: What is on your mind, Commander?
Burnstein Commander: Troublesome news, Minister. We've received word of an incident that may spark a war between our kingdom and Rolandia.
: War?
Burnstein Commander: Yes, we received an urgent missive from Rolandia indicating that Burnstein soldiers were seen breaking a dam that killed Rolandia citizens.
: Is the information reliable?
Burnstein Commander: Yes, and to make things worse, there was a royal social function taking place downstream. A number of nobles were killed. Now, their families crave revenge.
: What evidence is there that our men actually did this terrible thing?
Burnstein Commander: They profess to have collected items left behind by the perpetrators.
: Such as?
Burnstein Commander: Foremost among the items seems to be a bundle of copy books from the Magic Academy. Rolandia claims they have not requested the use of the books, so they concluded the request must have come from Burnstein. I personally believe they already know who requested the books from the Magic Academy. This is indeed very serious. We need to ready our troops.


: Yes, I have studied their field tactics extensively.
Burnstein Commander: Hmmm...We may have cause to call on your expertise in the near future...
: I am ready to assist in any way I can. Just don't send me into the field. I've developed a distaste for the daily reality of war.
Burnstein Commander: Ah, yes. I see. I'll bear that in mind.


: This is Agriss Village.
: This is where Karene used to gather herbs?
: The place she gathered the herbs is at the mountain northwest of the village.
: Why have we stopped here, then? Let's go!
: All right...follow me. There's a cave just ahead...
: A cave?
: Yes, at the foot of the mountain. My sister uses the place to dry herbs away from the sun. It also provides adequate shelter from the rain. Since she keeps tools there to break the bulky herbs down into small pieces, as well as to cook some into concentrated tonics, we can live there if we need to.
: Let's hope we don't have to do that. I'd rather find her sooner than later.
: Agreed. Let's do our best to try to find her as quickly as possible.


: What's the matter?
: ...
: Hmmm...it says...Burnstein Kingdom announces the formation of the female Unicorn Knight troop, to be led by Imperial Knight Julia Douglas. The entrance exam for troop candidates will be held one day past the next full moon. Interested parties must submit the appropriate form to command headquarters by then. Hmm. It looks like they are forming a new Squadron.
: [Sigh] That's the exam I was to take.
: You're giving up? That's not like you...
: But, there's no way I can...
: There's still one month until the exam. If we hurry, we can be out of this mess by then.
: But...
: Don't worry. Once we're finished, I'll write a letter of recommendation to increase your chances.
: Really?!
: Of course! But let's find Karene and clear our names first.
: Yes, sir!
(It's possible to miss this scene if you've been a douche to Charlone up until now. If you miss it, you're screwed out of her ending, but if you were being mean to her, you wouldn't be aiming to end with her anyway...)



: Not yet...it's over there, just ahead...


( )
: What are they doing here?
: They look like mercenaries who are searching for criminals...like us!
: Uh, uh, uh...w...w...what're we gonna do?!
: Well...Please step aside. We need to pass.
Squad Leader: Yeah? Well who are you?!
Mercenary 6: It's them! They're the criminals that destroyed the dam!!
Squad Leader: Ha! I guess following the woman wasn't such a bad idea after all. Led 'em right to us!
: You've got it all wrong! We're innocent!
Squad Leader: Yeah, yeah. Everyone we hunt is "innocent"! All we care about is the bounty. You can plead your case to someone who cares.
: It appears we will have to fight our way through.
Squad Leader: Not so fast, pretty boy! Maybe this'll change your mind...bring her out!


: B...brother...
: Karene!
(Shit.)
Squad Leader: Your sister might be a little...uncomfortable...if you decide to fight us. I wouldn't advise it.
: What do you want?
Squad Leader: See? I knew he was more than just a pile of good looks. He hears the voice of reason! What we want is for you to join us in slaying the murderous traitors that have duped you into traveling with them.
: ...


(More shit.)
: Xenos...
: I...I'm sorry, Wein...I...have no...choice.
Squad Leader: The rest of you listen, and listen good! Attack us, and the girl is history. Your friend Xenos is doing all the fighting today.
: Damn you!


Dailymotion | Viddler
(In other words, you die if you do anything but move around in the area you have secure. This is a very innovative battle, and the game starts to lean more towards strategy than brute force from here on out. So we move Wein up towards Xenos a little...)


(And then back to Hans to relay the information.)



(Survive for a few turns and start charging your magic for when Hans makes his grand return.)





(Now the real battle starts. I was stupid and tried this battle with brute force and was wiped out. So I switched to the strategy method of getting Wein up towards the top as fast as possible with Xenos cleaning up behind him, Charlone buffing, and Hans defending the cave. It didn't work perfectly, as that one sword dude got in Wein's way and slowed him down.
Well, the wrong strategy might not have been the only problem, because Hans and Charlone were also a bit behind armor wise the first time...oh well. Overall this battle is just about surviving attacks while killing them off as fast as possible.)




: I'm just so happy to see you brother! Don't worry about me, I'm fine.
: We're all just so relieved we were able to rescue you.
: Thanks to good ol' Hans!


Mercenary: That rebellious wench will pay for what they've done! Taste the poison of the Hydra! Die!!!


: What are you doing? Get...away from me!
: No, no, Charlo you're wrong! Check it out! Wein protected you! He probably saved your life.
: What?
: You weren't injured, were you?
: What? Uh...no, I...I'm fine.
: That wound needs attention.
: I'm all right. It's just a scratch.
: Don't be foolish. Infection is a grave possibility. I must treat this. My options out here are limited, but this temporary treatment will do for now. It's certainly much better than nothing.


: There. I'm afraid that's all I can do with the limited supplies I have here. I can tend to it more thoroughly when we return to the hospital.
: Thank you.
: We should return to Grandshill at once. There is no telling if more will come, and we cannot risk another battle now.
(This scene doesn't happen if the earlier scene about the Unicorn Knight test didn't occur. There's a lot of Charlone scenes that can't be triggered if you miss that first one.)



: Thank you so much. You have no idea what this means for us all.
: You've certainly done enough for us. Without your assistance, Karene might have perished.
: Something sinister is afoot. We need to find out what and put a stop to this madness before it starts. Do you have any ideas?
: I'm sorry we can't be of more help.
: Hmmm...I'll take that as a "no", then. Karene, did you see anything that could help us?
: I was so surprised at the dam, I'm afraid I didn't get a very good look. I do know I saw the Burnstein official uniform...
: I'm afraid that's not enough to help us. So, what are your plans from this point forward?
: Uhhh...we're not certain. I need to discuss that with my two associates.
: Mmmm hmmm, I see. We have matters to discuss with Carmaine here as well. Feel free to confer over there.


: I need to see Max...in person, face-to-face. I must know why he framed us.
: If he's the one that framed us, he is certainly the one that put the bounty on our heads.
: Right. And until that bounty is rescinded, we have to travel carefully. That means we need to avoid all checkpoints. But, one way or another, we have to find Max.
: Yeah, but where is he now?
: I know where to find him. However, we must get back into Burnstein Kingdom, first. I know that his mother is recuperating in Comsprings. He visits her every weekend.
: So we get to Comsprings, then wait for the minister to appear?
: Precisely. It seems the least risky way to address the minister, given the circumstances.
: I don't know...that sounds so...risky...heh.
: Yes, but it is clearly our only real course of action.
: All right, then. As far as anyone outside is concerned, we don't know who started this whole mess at the dam. We're cleared of suspicion in Rolandia, but it is not to anyone's benefit to know that Burnstein may yet be involved.
: Understood, Captain.
: [muffled] My lips are sealed, sir! [unmuffled] Uh...My lips are sealed, sir!


: Yes.
: We have decided that Xenos should accompany you, as a representative of Rolandia that can testify to your innocence. It seems the best course of action, given that it will take some time to correct the erroneous information kingdom-wide.
(So I guess word spreads faster when it's big stuff like dams breaking than when trying to clear someone's name...? Or is this that RPG law where news about you travels faster than you?)
: I...hope that is acceptable.
: I don't think there really is a choice.
: Good! That settles it. I shall take my leave of you, then.
: So, are you ready to depart? I will be ready to go as soon as I say farewell to my sister.
: Oh, Xenos, please be careful.


: Thank you very much.
: You should rest a little more before departing...you're quivering...
: I'm sorry to worry you. Unfortunately, I must return to Burnstein at once. There's no time to rest. Besides, if we don't conclude this soon, Charlone will miss her opportunity to become a knight.
: But you risk death if you push yourself in this condition!
: [Sigh]...
: Just promise me that if your condition worsens you'll take a rest, okay?

(After all those twists, we're on the road to Burnstein. Other than the checkpoint, there seems to be no other routes in...hopefully we can find something before the month is over!)

Next update: Breaking into Burnstein!

Current Relationship Status
: At 10 for the rest of the game!
: Being nice to her has pushed her from 8 to 9. Almost there!
: On the other hand, his three scenes jumped him from a respectable 7 to an ending-grabbing 10. Is it just me or does Wein have better luck with the men...?

Voting for the character ending you want is still open, and will be open until part 8 is posted! Right now Arieta is winning.