Part 54: Update 51-and-a-bit – Odds and Ends

This isn't so much an update as just filling in all the bits and pieces that don't fit into a proper update. Fear not, next update we'll finally get to see what lies within Soltis.

First on the order of business is a quick trip back in time to before the battle against Galcian and the Armada. To the Past!



And I have received word from my father that his ship, the Ironclad, is ready to fight alongside of us! The preparations on the Delphinus are being finished up as we speak! The whole crew is ready when you are!



I...I didn't really like the place, but...I grew up there. It makes me sad that it's all gone. Vyse, promise me that we'll beat the Armada. We can't let them get away with what they've done.



I want to put my past behind me, but I'm worried about the Valuans. They're not all bad, you know.



This is the result of giving Urala the money to get the dress altered. As far as I know it has absolutely no practical effects whatsoever. Perfectly in keeping with poor Merida, really.



But, I can sense the fear of the birds that come from the direction of Mid Ocean. I have a very bad feeling about all of this...





Galcian must pay for destroying my homeland, and killing my mother...and Gregorio...

I didn't get round to mentioning it before, but Enrique does make himself useful in the Hydra battle. You can't add him to your party, but when you board the Hydra he hangs out by the entrance with a supply of healing crystals ready in case you get injured.



Since this blade was crafted solely for you, I customised the guard and the pommel to fit your hand. This is the finest blade I have ever created. May it serve you well.

I, uh, completely forgot about this before the Hydra battle. The Vorlik Blade is the result of handing over the Velorium from Deep Sky, and is the most powerful weapon in the game outside of the ultra-powerful Legends-only weapon available for doing absolutely everything else in the game. It would have been nice to have for the Hydra battle, but with a whopping a 200ATK and 200hit% it'll serve just as well against Ramirez.

And Loopers.



But just give me the sign...and I'll show you how womanly I can be...heh heh...

Just in case some of you don't hate me yet enough.



But, since Captain Clara and the other Air Pirates will be fighting alongside us, I'm confident we will win!



Lilly: Well, with three beautiful cannon-goddesses onboard your ship, you have nothing to worry about!



Nara: Fighting the Armada...fighting Galcian...it's all so exciting!!!

Speaking of the Armada, all those ships and crews that showed up to help us don't just vanish into the ether once the Hydra falls. They're now keeping a perimeter around Soltis, and will be for the rest of the game. Except Clara, I can't find her anywhere.



sure, Dad. You've taught me well, and I always follow orders. I'll do everything I can to help Captain Vyse.



If you ever have any more questions concerning exotic ingredients, I'll be able to help. I'm not called the Gourmet Pirate for nothing.



I'll kill you if you die fighting with these clowns. Got that?! I'm the one who gets to kill you! Me!

Aaaand check off another one of the Standard Anime Girls. I-i-it's not like he packed these cannonballs just for you, stupid!



We pray...

...for your victory.



Leave it to us! Wrrack! Leave it to us!



I've always been proud of you. Maybe there were times when I didn't show it, but I've never been disappointed in you. Now, this is it. We've got the enemy cornered. Don't give up, Vyse! I know you can do it!



And seeing as we're in the area, we may as well drop by the ole un-doomed hometown.



Lindsi: You better promise that you'll come home safely, okay! Promise!!



Jimmy: So, I'll be cheering for you guys form here, okay? You better not let those bad guys beat you!!



Alan: We'll be okay! We're going to defend the island while all the grownups are off fighting! Just leave everything to us, okay?

The littlest defenders .

Sadly, with all the interesting characters gone to war with Galcian there's not really a whole lot else to do on Pirate Isle, and that leaves only one place left to go.



It's a tiny forested island floating high above the Dark Rift.





Welcome to Hamachou Island! Sadly there's no sign of Piccolo the Moon Hamachou, but the island does contain two essential resources for us.



Firstly, there's the final Cham of the game that isn't inside Soltis itself.



And secondly, there's the giant Hamachou at the back of the island.



AUGH

Whoa! Who is this old guy?!

Hamachou Hermit:I'm the Hamachou Hermit chirp! I am their friend and caretaker! Chirp! This is our private paradise chirp! You're invading our privacy!! CHIRP!! You're really starting to bother me chirp! If you don't leave soon, I will have to spread bad rumours about you chirp!!



And this is why the Hamachou Hermit is so very handy. He records all your stats, which is incredibly handy just to make sure you're not missing anything. Sadly, he's not forthcoming on what exactly you've missed, but still.

Hamachou Hermit: Okay chirp! I'll tell everybody about the way you fight! You better hope you've been brave...first off, the number of times you've chirp been engaged in battles would be...300 times chirp! Chirpy chirp you were probably able to get here with very little effort! On top of that, you defeated 1055 enemies chirp! And, the number of times you've run away from battle chirp is...chirpy chirp! You've never run away from a battle chirp! You're either really slow or really brave chirp!

And this is where my strategy of keeping the White Map equipped comes back to bite me. See, in order to unlock absolutely everything, you need (amongst many other things) to have a total of 2500 enemies defeated. That means my reward for keeping the videos nice and short for you is going to be hours of off-camera grinding before the final update. You people had better appreciate this .

Hamachou Hermit: Lastly, the number of times that any of you has been knocked unconscious during a battle would be...





(The unwinnable battle against Ramires doesn't count!)

Hamachou Hermit:You must be an incredible fighter...you're just too good! You rarely ever get knocked out chirp! Well, there you have it. Is there anything else you wanted to ask me about chirp?

My treasure hunting skills.

Hamachou Hermit: Alright! I'll tell you how your treasure hunting skills are...first of all, your treasure chest discovery rate until now would be...97 percent! Well, that's pretty average. You have what it takes to be a decent Air Pirate chirp!

There are 119 chests in the game and Soltis has three of them, so 97% is right on track. The slight breeze you just felt was my sigh of relief.

Hamachou Hermit: There are some treasure chests that can't be found once they are passed up. People must know when to give up. Life's not all about treasure. And, you've caught quite a few fish until now chirp! You caught a total 84 fish! The total value is 2765 gold chirp! Do you...hate fish or something chirp? Even these little Hamachous are better fishers than you seem to be chirp! But,t hat's all I have to say about your treasure hunting skills chirp. Is there anything else you want to ask me about? If you don't want to ask me anything, that's alright chirp. That just means I can go back to taking care of my Hamachous chirp! I wish I was born as a Hamachou...that's why I wear this outfit...chirp!

As an aside, I'm pretty sure the Hamachou Hermit is a reference or Sega injoke of some sort, because it seems suspiciously similar to the Fake in Yellow quest of Phantasy Star Online. And speaking of references...





Third of the update. I think we have a new record. And yes, in case it wasn't obvious that was a tiny feathered Cutlass Fury.

Finally, it's time to round out this update as we started it: With a chat to the crew, this time without the aid of the DeLorean.



I know I still have a lot to learn, but I'm going to do my best against Ramirez!

Nara: After we save the world, do you think that guys will be too intimidated to approach me? I hope they won't be. I know that there is someone out there...waiting for me.

Lilly: So, you're going to fight that good-looking Admiral for Fina, right? Haha, that was just a joke. I was just kidding. Seriously Vyse, lead us to victory! Then we can all come back here and party!!!



Everyone is so energetic! I can feel their spirit. I'm sure we will win the battle against the Armada!



I don't think I can stand being apart from Prince Enrique again...perhaps I might be able to help in some way...



And there we have it. Next time, we set sail for Soltis and the fate of the world. See you then!