Part 51: Not That You Care!

: We narrowly decided, in a skin-of-its-teeth total of 13-1, that we should absolutely punch a tree in his extremely punchable face. Look at that face; you can’t tell me you don’t want to punch that face.

: Once more, you are to face the Chastity, then… although, I wonder….

: He hesitates before saying anything further. You cannot sense his thoughts.

: On reflex, the first thing I do when someone is being immediately forthright with me is to try and read their mind. What have I become?

: …I apologize. I was lost in thought there, for a moment. Let us make way for the Spring of Jomuer when everyone is feeling more refreshed, as much as possible.



: The, uh… the Downside isn’t looking so hot. As difficult as the place could be, at least it was usually pretty okay on the eyes. But now, everything is smokey and on-fire-y.

: I wonder if whoever’s in the wagon will acknowledge it.



: Following Mae’s liberation, The Lone Minstrel has returned to the wagon, and stands as though nothing has happened here this night. He tilts his head a bit as you approach.

: Once more the Nightwings have prevailed in the Liberation Rite under your mindfulness, Reader. A commendable achievement. Surely Mae shall live out her days in gratitude to you and your companions. Perhaps she may now seek Jodariel, there, in your Commonwealth. I should think Jodariel would have liked to witness what took place this night.

: She’d either be proud as hell at our movements and the way we absolutely crushed Barker, or she’d be a little disappointed, like I was, that Barker provided inadequate training and experience for what is probably going to be the hardest Liberation Rite coming up.

: I trust that, together, they shall make a formidable difference to the Plan which all of you endeavor to achieve. Now, for the time, Celeste and I are to return to our respective stations.

: ‘For the time?’ Is somebody getting the happy-ever-after they’ve been chasing for half the game?

: We all await the next turn of the cycle of the Rites. May you prevail once more when next we traverse Scribesgate. Until then, Reader… rest well under the stars.

: He nods, and leaves you to recover after a long night.



: There’s just one Rite standing between us and Oralech. Our visit with Manley is entirely a formality; it doesn’t matter who wins or loses. All the same, I’m gonna punch that face so hard, you guys. It’ll be a punch that’s so legendary, Underking Ores would write at least a page and a half about it.

: Speaking of the Book.


Gfy




: Triesta Tithis is implying that we, the Reader, can still be free, before the cycles are over. She wants us to nominate ourselves in the Rite against Oralech.

: That’ll definitely throw us for a loop, I think, if it really does turn out that we can nominate ourselves, rather than just one of the three Nightwings we have remaining. I wonder what the turnout will look like.



: Well, we’d better not disappoint her.





: The normally chilly and pristine Mount Alodiel is covered from peak to base in soot and ash, and the air is orange with ambient heat. It even looks like Scribesgate is on fire. The fire’s spread to the entirety of the Downside – even the ocean, which is extremely impressive.




: The Essence have set down, to perform their own final Rite – or maybe they’re just setting up camp, since surely they’ve realized by now that even if Oralech didn’t interfere, there would be no chance of them making it to the final Liberation Rite. The Tempers, meanwhile, are gearing up to head south.



: The Withdrawn have set down with the Essence.



: The frozen Isle of Khaylmer – the place that, according to superstition, is responsible for the ending of the Rites – is now experiencing hot updrafts because of the fires.



: The Accusers stop to enjoy what remains of the view at the Sea of Solis.



: The imps still look like they’re having a good time, at least.



: The Fate suffers one final, doleful pass over Flagging Hands. I, of course, make no attempt to communicate with anyone – I can’t begin to imagine what anyone’s opinion is of me.



: Barker, meanwhile, couldn’t give less of a shit.



Gfy

: Uh… moving on.



: And, surely, this heat is doing nothing to make Jomuer Valley any more tolerable than it already wasn’t. Let’s not spend any more time than we need here.




: Both of these characters were in our previous match against Barker (unsurprisingly, given our… quickly diminishing character pool). Volfred was tied with Mae for the most votes received total, although he didn’t receive nearly as many anointment votes, which is why he didn’t go up.




: Once more, there’s no point in procrastinating: Manley’s face isn’t going to punch itself, unfortunately. Although, ‘repair the wagon wheel?’ That… I’m going to guess I’m about to get a debuff.

: In spite of having checked earlier, you realize the blackwagon suffered some damage to one of its wheels. Volfred is already working on repairs, but not having much luck.

: This old wheel has often been the bane of my existence, my boy.

: Hours later, the wheel is fit for travel again, although fixing it seemed to take a toll on him.



: Oh, that’s not too extreme of a debuff. It’s kind of annoying, sure, but it’s not that big of a deal, honestly. It counters one-half of my efforts reading the Book for my Vocation.

: Anyway, moving forward.






Gfy

: As usual, let’s take a look at the Book and see what’s left of it before we hit up Ron.


Gfy






: For the first time since our Liberation Rite against Ignarius… the Book sits silent. We’ve finally caught up.

: Of course, pattern recognition says I’ll get another page if I spend a bit of money at Ron’s. So, Ron, what’s for sale today?



: …I liked her.



: The only new thing Ron is stocking right now is a huge amount of Stardust. It’s actually called a ‘pile of Stardust,’ and it increases any one Talisman’s rank by a staggering ten levels. The only problem is that it retails for 109 Sol, which is just exorbitant.

: Well, before anything, let’s sell some garbage:





: As neat as Khaylmer’s Anklet sounded on paper, it wasn’t a particularly useful Talisman, all told. The chaos of having smaller Auras bouncing around the arena wasn’t worth nearly as much to me as the Flame Leech, given how easy it was for Mae to get three-pointers.

: Now that I got some more cash, there is one thing that immediately catches my eye…



: This will counter Volfred’s debuff, and give him a little bit extra for the remainder of the game, as well. If ever there was a time to blow all my money, it’s… very, very soon, but I can afford to splurge a bit right now.

: That’s all for now…



: … but seeing that pile of Stardust has got me thinking. I’ve been hoarding all this Stardust since damn near the start of the game, but I’ve never used it on anything or anyone.

: Our character pool has grown so limited, and my strategies have gotten so hammered out, that the only things I’d use, or even be able to use, the Stardust on are Volfred’s Lu’s Bough, and Ti’zo’s Ha’ub’s Wing.

: So, let’s go ahead and do that. We have more than enough Stardust to buff them both to their absolute limit.




: (Not pictured is me giving the Fortified Sun Serum to Volfred)




: So, now, every time Volfred uses Blink, he’ll travel twice as far as he did without Lu’s Bough, and now, with Ha’ub’s Wing, Ti’zo now has unlimited stamina at all times.

: I kind of feel a little vulnerable without the Flame Leech, but I think Manley will be a good test run, to see if Ha’ub’s Wing will be worth it against Oralech.

: Speaking of, it’s about time we throw hands.



: Everything is prepared, and night is just beginning to take hold above the barren wastes of Spring of Jomuer, when Volfred gets your attention.

: Reader, I suppose you might remember our first meeting with that Manley Tinderstauff. He would be mortified, of course, if you forgot.

: Well, then, quit reminding me.

: …I would say that he is an embarrassment to my kind, but, unfortunately, I’ve known many others like him. We are a discontented people, I suppose.

: Anyway, when last we saw him, you might recall that I avoided him. We are not good acquaintances, or anything, but…



: Volfred dons his ritual mask.

: I shall have to be discreet here. As I am with the Nightwings once again, I can no longer hide from him outright. Perhaps, though, he shall take me for a common Sap. Anyhow, it seems to me we have a Rite to conduct.


: Music: Grand Ceremony

: I’m not the least bit scared of Manley. Not because his triumvirate’s composition could not possibly be worse than Barker’s, but because fuck him, that’s why.




: My, my, what have we have? Why, the Nightwings!! Come to grace us with their presence once again! You think that you can simply cut us down like last time, is that it?

: Yes.

: You sense Volfred reaching out to you.

: <Reader… let us indulge him for the time. Perhaps he shall reveal something we can use to… provide a disincentive for his meddling. Just let him keep on talking. I shall attempt to remain hidden.>

: …and, my, the colors of those raiments, I mean, they are rather gaudy in this light, I have to say! Though, I mean no offense at this, of course! So, do you suppose the Rite is going to commence soon? As much as I enjoy our chats like this, I do have to get going, soon! If you must know, why, I’m expecting an important message! From the other side, no less, come dawn! I hear something is brewing out there, some sort of unrest, hmm? So, yes, it’s a very important message! Sent all this way by one of those imp-couriers, and I must say, those little things, their services are certainly not cheap! Though, I’m sure that I could get you a good deal on their services, if you wish, perhaps, to contact a loved one back home, hmm? All I ask, of course, is that you stand aside and let the Chastity prevail, as well we ought. For I’ve a date with destiny not long from now, upon the Fall of Soliam!

: He continues talking for some time, until, at last, the Rite is set to start.



: I hope you’re satisfied, Fred.



: As for us–



: You know, I heard the most preposterous rumor about you, that you are harboring an especially notorious criminal! One who has designs upon the Commonwealth itself!

: He looks right at Volfred.

: But, I could not imagine such outlandish tales could possibly be true, hmm? Anyhow, I so would like to meet everyone here! Hello, good Nightwings, I am H. Manley Tinderstauf, and, truly, it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance!

: Manley has intruded on your privacy as you set to choosing your triumvirate. He could not be less welcome. He seems to be searching for someone in your ranks.



: Give me an excuse, Manley.



: You warn Manley to back off immediately or there will be consequences he will not appreciate, at all. He stares back, but you see something in his eyes.

: Why, I never!! How dare you speak to me that way, you lowly, crippled, ragged little churl?! I have many friends who could make your miserable life so very, very worse!!

: At least I’ll still have one if you do not step away from me.

: Oh, but, this is so uncivilized, I have to say, so very disappointing. Anyway, I ought to go check on my wonderful colleagues. See you shortly, and, good luck!!

: Manley leaves, at last, leaving you to focus on the Rite again.



: Frustratingly, we don’t unlock Manley’s biography, despite finally meeting him outside of a Liberation Rite. I’m assuming there’s some crossed wires in the flags and events in the game, since this is the second-to-last Rite, and the doom-and-gloom of the situation has priority over Tariq or Volfred explaining what Manley’s in for.

: Anyway, as for us, since we’re down to three and this isn’t a Liberation Rite, I won’t bother holding a vote. I’ll instead select our triumvirate in order of our previous bias towards them: Volfred got more votes than Bertrude, and Ti’zo hasn’t been in a Rite since Lendel and the Accusers, so our order is Volfred, Bertrude, and Ti’zo.

: Fight me, Manley. Fight me like you mean it.


: Not That You Care! – Gameplay



: (Ti’zo can scarce believe this is to be the final opportunity to liberate one of your own.)

: I’m afraid so. Our Plan is an imperfect one, yet here we are, faced with this vital opportunity.

: He looks over to you.

: Reader, my boy? Please, go see for yourself. I think we all know where we are headed next. And… I suspect I know whom we shall face when we arrive.

: The others turn to you, as well. You turn toward the wagon’s door. You know what you shall see, out there. Now, however, the time has come to face it.





: The night sky is completely devoid of any of the normal stars. They’ve all been snuffed out.



: Every triumvirate has taken themselves out of the running. It should rightly be Sir Deluge’s chance for liberation, and yet… he knows better. He knows that he wouldn’t stand a chance, no matter who he faced on Mount Alodiel.



: Let’s find out who between us wants it more.