Part 8: Sneaky Shortcut

Part 7: Sneaky Shortcut


(Well, since we can't go to any checkpoints, the Southern Checkpoint is out of the question in terms of travel. And the only way out by the Magic Academy is through another checkpoint. Maybe there's some way in between those places...)




Yung 5: Grrouuugh!
Brave Woman: Why are these Yungs targeting our village?


: [Gasp] Captain, look!
: Yungs? What would they be doing here?
: That's a question better investigated later! Right now, we have to protect the villagers!


Dailymotion | Viddler
(To get Complete, no villagers can die and you have to destroy every enemy. Yungs are really freaking annoying because of their HP regen ability. Even though it's small, it prevents sniping one and saving it for later. They also have high defense, so it's best to team up on one. Villagers are also really slow and weak, so it's best if they don't get hit at all.)


(Arieta shows up partway through and starts tossing out magic spells. She's unreachable with physical attacks, and magic doesn't do much to her. She also doesn't count as the enemies that need to be destroyed for some reason, and her casting is a bit slow. Only a problem if she decides to target villagers, which is rare. Overall, this is another hack-and-slash battle unless a villager gets stuck or hit somehow.)



(Oh that crazy Arieta...)


Brave Woman: I'm fine. And with your assistance, all the villagers are safe, as well.
: Hmm...
: Uh...Xenos? What's wrong? Xenos?
: What? Oh...nothing.
: Waaaait a minute. I get it! You're checking out the...new blood, right?
: (Is it that evident?)
: (Men! They're all the same!)
: We should probably search the village to make sure all the Yungs are gone.


: You'd consider turning us in after we helped you?!
Brave Woman: I realized sometime during the battle that you were the ones wanted for destroying the dam. But don't worry. I won't turn you in. You saved my life and the lives of the villagers.
: W...w...w...wait a minute.
: They are the ones that were identified, but it's been proven to be a false accusation.
Brave Woman: If that is the case, the news had not reached here yet. So, how was it proven false?
: If you will walk with me as I check the village, I can explain everything.
: Whew! Good thing Xenos decided to come with us!
: Yes. Now then, let's divide the village into thirds and check it before we continue to Comsprings.
: Got it! I'll go this way...
: I'll check over here.


: Captain!
: I just...stumbled...that's all.
: Are you certain you're all right? Captain, you're feverish!
: Uhhh...I'm...I'm all right. Just get some of the medicine from the pouch at my hip...
: This?
: Yes, mmmm...thanks...Houuuughhh...
: Captain, I feat that the arrow was poisoned.
: I'll be fine...I just need to continue taking the medicine when the fever overtakes me. Don't worry about me...continue checking the village.
: ...


: By the way, what's your name?
Brave Woman: Riviera. Actually, I'm looking for whomever destroyed the dam as well.
: Really? Why?
: Because when the dam was destroyed, it ruined nearly all our crops for this year. I want the person or persons who did this to pay. Since our goals are similar, I was wondering if I could join you.
: But, you're not even formally trained!
: I appreciate your resolve, but it's just too dangerous for civilians.
: Wein, you've seen how she can fight. Shouldn't you give her request more weight?
: If you come with us, you may become a target of the conspiracy that has nearly gotten us killed.
: I'm aware of that, but I feel that the benefit far outweighs the risks.
: I appreciate your resolve, but it's just too risky. I'm afraid I can't allow it.
: Hmmm...that's too bad. I had some interesting information to share...
: Information?
: You want to get back into Burnstein, but are unable to pass through the checkpoints, right?
: Hey! How do you know that? I bet Xenos told her! He's talking too much...
: Uh...hehe...


: Really?
: Yes. If you take this path, you can slip into Comsprings unnoticed.
: Wein, I strongly suggest you reconsider. Riviera can help us.
: (Hmmm...)
: Well...I think we should take her...
: Really, Charlone?
: Yes. Our primary goal is to get back into Burnstein safely, and she can help.
: Your associate seems to have reconsidered her initial position. What about you, Wein?
: Yeah, so what do we do, chief?


(Another one of those weird choices that's really the best answer.)
: You understand that I cannot guarantee your safety.
: I have no problem being responsible for my own safety.
: Do not be concerned, I will protect you to the best of my ability.
: And, thank you for allowing me to join you!


( )
: By the way, my full name is Wein Cruz. I'm a knight of Burnstein Kingdom. We should get moving. Where is the secret way that you mentioned?
: We need to go to a mountain northeast of here that shelters the pass to Comsprings.
: Lead the way...


(Riviera is your first true mage. It's hard to see at these lower levels, though, since her HP and STR are higher than Hans and Charlone. She's also capable of learning just about every magic, and comes with a ton of spells.)


(Here, Riviera talks about wanting to find whoever destroyed the dam. Xenos talks about the Yungs, monsters created by Gevel (the big bad from GL1). He also says he'll introduce us to someone who deals with Featherians often.)


(Riviera's interested in the Arena, so we introduce her to Xenos the Arena Champion.)


(Let's check up on Lyell since we're gonna leave the area soon.)
: Why have you come?
: To get you.
: Wait...Do you mean to say that I've been granted amnesty after only one year?
: I didn't say that.
: Then what are you saying? Get to the point!
: Aren't you aware of what's happening in the world around you right now?
: I've lost interest in the trivial affairs of this world.
: Then you have no idea that we stand at the brink of war once again?
: Hmmm...
: Hmmm? What kind of answer is that?
: As I said before, I have no interest in the affairs of this world any longer.
: But...you were an Imperial Knight! How can you say such a thing and mean it?
: This situation is not trivial by any measure. Someone has manipulated events to spark a war. We have to stop it before it starts.
: You're a fool to think that you can stop a war single-handedly.


: I will be called Growlanser. And to become legendary, I'll need the help of strong people...like yourself!
: Go home.
: Lyell! But, if you join with us...
: I'm a criminal who conspired with Venzern. I will never be allowed to return to Burnstein. Besides...there will always be war. I'm not going to stop that...


: Aww, c'mon! I don't believe what I'm hearin'!
: Captain, his heart is closed. We're not going to change his mind by staying. Let's go.
: I suppose you're right...


Marauder: What do we have here? An aristocrat? Aren't you a little out of your...element?
: Perhaps. Slums are not my usual haunts.
Marauder: Hey! Was that some kind of insult?!
: If was a warning. If you wallow in filth, you remain expendable.
Marauder: Damn you! I'll show you expendable!
Voice: That's quite enough!


Marauder: Lyell...
: In the flesh...
: What business do you have here, Your Highness Richard?
Marauder: "Your Highness?"
Marauder: The brilliant prince that's rumored to be a heaven-sent child of the sword?
: Since you know that, I trust you understand it's time for you to go...
Marauders: ...
: Truth be told, I've come to see you, Lyell.
: You've come to this slum...to fine me?
: Why is a person with your skill joining with conspirators in a place like this? You're wasting your talents. I've come to try to change your mind...one more time.
: Then you're dimmer than your reputation would indicate. I have nothing more to say to you.
: Sir Lyell, I know your sword is dying. Your ambition has weakened.
: What nonsense are you spewing now?
: I know you feel it too. Don't deny it.
: ...
Marauder: What are you talking about? Lyell's sword is stronger than any I've known!
: Silence!
: So, have I hit the mark? If I have not, prove it.
: Damn you!




: Your strength makes you deadly with the blade. But your sword is clumsy...not vested with real power. As a result, you strike with only the power that comes from your desire to defeat your enemies. What a person sees...or feels...manifests itself in the sword as strength. What do you see beyond the sword? Nothing. You see only a means to an end.
: Are you saying...I have no future?
: You yourself live that desolate reality. That is the reason you are wasting your petty efforts here, passing away the grains of your time on this world.
: ...
: That is the reason you are dissatisfied by everyone and everything. You have no aim...no purpose. You are drifting through life. I came to give you direction...give you purpose.
: Yeah, well, what's in it for you? You're not doing this out of the goodness of your heart.
: Correct. Soon, I shall be crowned king...shouldering the responsibility of leading a kingdom. As such, I shall need the strength of a powerful army to protect my people. But my strength alone will not guarantee my success as monarch. I shall need at my side a strong confidant...a capable minister to see my plans into action. Sir Lyell...No...that is too formal. Ernest...I need you. My plans will not be successful without you at my side.
: Your Highness...
(Yay backstory )



(Another little bit of relationship building with Riviera here. That's it for events in Rolandia. Let's start back to Burnstein!)



: Great. Lead the way.
: Follow me...


: What's wrong?
: He's still being affected by the poison...
: Poison? You mean that arrow he took was poisoned?
: I...have one of the pills...Karene gave me...remaining. If we can...get to Comsprings...I can...get medical attention.
: You should stay here and regain your strength, first. The trip to Comsprings will not be easy in your current condition. You could easily lose your footing on the cliffs and plunge to your death.
: ...


(This is the only choice that lets Charlone become a Unicorn Knight.)
: I know my limits better than anyone. No one should be worried unless I tell them to be. I am a knight...I am trained to deal with wounds like this.
Narrator: Because Karene's medicine had run out, Wein was gripped with a poisoned condition far beyond the ability of "Refine" to cure.


: What is the status of the battle?
Rolandia Soldier 19: The defense is more steadfast than we imagined. Gaining concrete victory will be difficult.
: The defensive side has an advantage...proceed cautiously.
Rolandia Soldier 19: Yes, sir!


(This man gives you Story #7 and a drink to refill your MP.)


: At last...Comsprings.
: So, wasn't the secret path exactly as I said it would be?
: It was great! Say, uh, you know any other shortcuts? Waah! Hey, hey, it's Minister Schneider.


: Max!
: !! ...Wein...
: Max, I need to speak with you!
: Well, this is...uncomfortable. But since we're airing grievances, I must tell you that I think you're in bad form for starting something like this.
: ...what? What are you talking about?!
: Don't pretend you don't know.
: Know what? That you're guilty of...
: What? Me? Guilty? Enough of this! It's time to end your embarrassing charade of innocence!
(So Max thinks we did it, but Wein saw him break the dam. Something's really wrong here.)


: You must hurry, the Commander-in-Chief is waiting.
: But...
: Sir, you must understand how critical every moment is at this juncture. Go to your meeting. I shall detain this traitor so you can speak with them at length later.
: ...very well, then. There will be time to talk later. Stopping this war must remain my first priority. I leave this to you, then.
: Very good, sir. Now hurry...
: Wait! Max...(Grr!)
: Now then, to the business at hand.



: Time to dispatch you before Minister Schneider learns the truth.
: So, you never had any intention of "detaining" us, did you?
: Now, now. Such a pessimistic outlook! I did try everything in my power to take you in peacefully, but when you met us with unexpected resistance, we had no choice but to kill you. It's unfortunate, really. The minister will be quite disappointed in your ill-advised action.
: Wait a minute! You're the one behind this, aren't you?!
: What are you babbling about?
: You coward!
: He definitely knows more than he's sharing.
: All right. We accept your challenge, then.


Dailymotion | Viddler
(To get Complete, you have to defeat every enemy, including the Messenger. He'll run after a while, so kill him quickly! Wein's poison condition takes 5 HP every so often from him, so it's not good to send him to the front lines to take even more damage. Besides, the enemies have the high ground, there's only one path up to that high ground, and you're on the opposite side of the map from that one path. This battle is best done with magic from Riviera and sniping from Charlone. Hans and Xenos stand where the later reinforcements come from, while Wein heals. It's another long hack-and-slash battle.)



(We get kicked to the world map after the battle.)


(Speaking with Charlone shows how worried she is about you. Wein promises to get back to the capital in time for her exam. When you talk to Riviera, she tells you that she wants to chase after the Messenger. Xenos says there's no need for him to travel with us after we catch the bad guy, but to save the thanks until we're all safe.)


(Speaking to this woman is an important trigger to hit for later.)

(So anyway, it seems the only direction the Messenger could've gone without going back into Rolandia is to those ruins to the east. He's probably there!)

Next update: Working our way back to the capital

Current Relationship Status
: 10!
: The hard to get girl is still at 9.
: 10 like Hans!
: She joined at 7, and all of her events so far have upped her to 9.

Also, voting for the character ending will end on Thursday when I put the next update up. We've met all the girls now, so if you haven't decided or want to change your mind, do it before then!