Tales of Vesperia Part #83 - Halure and the State of the Capital

Part 83: Halure and the State of the Capital

With Karol passed out, we can't use him for the rest of the dungeon.

It's not a huge deal though, the remaining part is fairly short, although it does split into two paths, but containing some treasure. There's nothing stopping you from just going one and then back the other one, though if you don't feel like doing that the lower path has the better stuff.

Skit: Praise for Karol

Karol... Why'd ya have ta go and be a hero?

Seriously. When is that kid gonna learn to be a good boy and act his age?!

Woof, woof!

I've never seen him show courage like that. I swear I lost a year off my life just watching him.

Well, we almost lost our entire lives, so we owe him one.

But that was just crazy. Absolutely crazy.

I know. We have to watch him and make sure he doesn't do anything crazy again.

Yeah. I'm through losin' precious years of my life ta that boy's antics.

Woof!

They're actually agreeing for once.

We all share a pride in what Karol did for us, each in our own way.

Hah hah. It just comes a little easier for some of us.

And we're already at the exit.

Watch the cutscene!

Tired already?

We old folks lack stamina... Judith, be a dear and take him for a spell.

...

Oh, I wouldn't dream of stealing your job from you.

...

N-no I'm not!

Mister Karol. You're made of tougher stuff than I might've guessed.

Feeling better, Karol?

Yeah.

We were really worried about you.

You didn't look that worried to me.

Really? That's weird.

Just never do that again okay? We're all in this together.

Okay.

Mind telling me what's so funny?

Hey. Easy, Yuri. ...I was just remembering something the Don said.

Yeah. I was thinking maybe this is the kind of thing he meant.

Well, if you feel like you understand what he said, I'm sure you're on the right track.

I hope so.

All right, the exit's right in front of us. Let's go.

Everything all right?

The ice? From the aer?

Well, if all things are made up of aer, that would make sense.

The aer krene here was actually quite stabilized. Enough for a monster to control it. Maybe, if huge quantities of aer could be made solid, it would help stabilize things.

You mean something like that could restore the aer imbalance and stop the disturbances?

I'm not sure. It would probably need to be more efficient, and it would take a lot more aer...

So you wanna stay here and research this aer krene?

No. There isn't time for that.

Estelle, please be okay...

...

Once we're out of here, let's ask somebody about what's happening in the capital.

Sure thing.

Skit: Where To Next?

If we want news of the situation in the capital, wouldn't going to Halure be the safest bet?

Good call. Not only do they have a barrier, we can rest while we're there.

Well if that's that, then let's get movin'. I'm damn near frozen ta the bone as it is.

I run back the upper path here to grab the remaining treasure chests.

Skit: Are You Okay, Karol?

Sure you're all right after your little one man crusade?

Huh? Uh, I guess. I mean, I feel okay for now.

How unlike you to worry about Karol, Rita.

It's not that I'm worried about him, I...

We can't show up with injuries when we're going to rescue a princess who has to heal everybody.

Yeah... That's what I meant.

If you say so.

And with that we're basically done with Zopheir. Let's look at the notable loot:

Special: Mystic Arte!
Spirits 2: Increases Max TP by 50.

Oh hey, another Mystic Arte! That's two in one dungeon!

Watch the Mystic Arte!

I like this Mystic Arte because it looks cool, but it's not really the best, especially against a single enemy. Though the fact you can just activate it from wherever with a spell is nice.

Anyway, let's leave here and go to Halure.

...There sure are a lot of people here.

They're refugees from the capital. See how they're all well-dressed?

It looks like there's nothing unusual with the barrier here for now.

Karol, are you okay?

Looks like he ain't okay at all.

Yuri...?

Huh? Oh, sorry. Let's go to the inn so that Karol can rest.

Apart from a lot of nobles from Zaphias being here, nothing has really changed since our last visit. Not much to do except heading for the inn, either.

Skit: The Me Then, the Me Now

It's actually nice to be back.

Woof?

It all started with trying to recover that aque blastia.

Couldn't have guessed then we'd be heading out on a trip that spanned the globe.

Woof, woof.

Don't worry, Repede. I'm the same guy now that I was then.

It isn't me... It's the situation that's changed.

Yeah... It's just a new set of circumstances.

Woof...

Innkeeper: Don't worry about paying.

Huh? Why?
Innkeeper: Well, you see, an important official is visiting the mayor's house right now, and it's by his orders. The government's handling the money for the inn, so that anyone can stay here for free.

That must be for all the refugees that've come to the town.
Innkeeper: Circumstances being what they are, it takes the fun out of it, but our business is booming thanks to all of the visitors to our town.

Sounds like a good deal for the empire.

Innkeeper: You're in luck! I have one room that's not taken.
???: Then I'll take that room, thank you.

Man: Of course, I wouldn't think of not paying. I'll pay ten times the regular price. I'll also give the same amount to you travelers. That should settle things nicely, yes?

You son of a--
Innkeeper: Oh, I'm so sorry! I took another look at the register, and it seems that I don't actually have any vacancies. So sorry, come again!
Woman: What?!?! ...I knew this town was in the sticks, but this is--
Man: Honey, let's just go on to Heliord from Nor Harbor.

They're gonna be in for a nasty surprise when they try to go to Port Nor...heh heh!

Wha? But you said there weren't any vacancies...

Business is business, right?
Innkeeper: Yes, don't worry about it. I can't stand people like that. And wasn't it you who saved Halure's tree? This is the least I can do. Enjoy your stay!

What evil y'think that bastard Alexei's going to perpetrate next?

Who cares about Alexei? ...Estelle. I want to save Estelle.

Yes. But to do that we need to take care of Alexei. And we need to come up with a better plan to do it. We can't let ourselves get blasted all the way back to Nor Harbor again.

...

Well, we can't go anywhere 'til Karol gets better, so we might as well gather some info 'round town, dontcha think?

...Good idea. Someone might end up saying just the thing we need to hear.

Let's go and have a look-see.

Someone's gotta look after the boy, don't they? Leave that to me. You kids go on ahead.

We're pretty much railroaded from cutscene to cutscene here.

Watch the cutscene!

Huh. You did this, right? Had the inn open up its rooms free of charge.

I felt this was one service their country could provide for them.

Hmm, okay.

The city's barrier blastia began giving off a great light... And the town was wracked by earthquakes and lightning...

However, the real terror came after that. A glowing fog appeared from the barrier blastia, and quickly spread throughout the city. The plants it touched grew hideously large, and the water became poison... It was hell itself.

The aer is out of control...

Oh, that such dire events could befall Zaphias, jewel of our glorious empire...

If the aer has covered the entire city... What is he doing to her...?

Th-this is that turncoat Alexei's doing, I'm sure of it! He came to us demanding our obedience. When we refused, he swore he would reduce us to dust!

That beast even had the gall to t-turn the Royal Guard on us after we made our escape!

Then how did you come all this way unharmed?

Flynn held them off for us. It is thanks to him that we refugees arrived here safely. If he hadn't come to our aid just then, we all would've died.

Oh, I'd love to hear more about how great Flynn is, believe me...

What happened to them?

They must have been left behind. With all that aer flooding out.

I-it was all we could do to save ourselves. With all that was happening we were unable to take everyone with us. We did all we could! You must understand!

...Oh yeah?

Hey...

Watch the cutscene!

His Highness is...

And the one in the middle of it all is most likely...

Who knows how much of a toll it takes on her each time she's forced to use her power? She was already having problems controlling it. Now there's no telling what will happen to her.

What if...what if we get there too late, and... Even if we take out Alexei, she...

There is. There has to be. We just haven't found it yet...

Ah...hm.

Hey, what about the Knights?

Hmm...

I'll try asking Phaeroh. It would be good to know how much time we have left.

...

Yuri...

Looks like I slowed you guys down again. ...You're going to the capital, right?

Don't worry about that now. We're still figuring out what to do. You just get better.

Yeah, I just don't want to be left behind, okay? Our whole guild is gonna rescue Estelle...

I know. Why don't you try and get some more sleep, huh?

Okay...

I can't seem to reach him. The aer may be causing interference.

Right?

...And nothing more?

...I'm gonna go get some fresh air. Keep an eye on Karol for me.

Watch the cutscene!

I want to know how things are in the lower quarter, so I'm just gonna go take a look.

The Council has decided to bring formal charges of criminal conspiracy against Alexei. The Knights are currently forming a strategy for reentering the capital from Deidon Hold.

With all that aer in the city? I doubt they'll get very far.

...Estellise is with Alexei, isn't she?

How did... So you caught on, huh? I wondered why you didn't bring her up earlier.

What do you intend to do about her?

What do you mean?

...All those who carry the imperial blood possess a certain power. In most of us it is too faint to be of use, but I have heard that hers is extraordinary. I'm sure it was for this reason that the Council threw their support behind her.

Why are you bringing this up now?