Part 86: Estelle Rescued

Watch the cutscene!





No, that's the first time. I wonder what it is.
I don't know? But I know what he's gonna use it for.
World domination... Do you really think he can do that?
He sure thought he could.



Without the rest of you, we'd never have been able to approach the capital. Much less stop the blastia from spreading this danger across the land...
It was the Knights that protected the capital from Heracles, though.
Even with Lady Estellise...
Hey, Estelle came back on her own.

Alexei owes the world for all he's done. He owes us.



I assume your friends will be with you.
Yeah. Everyone's resting up for tomorrow. So spare me any guilt trips tonight.
Okay.



Captain, so this is where you were. ...You again.





It seems they can't even agree with each other. And one more thing. The council intends to cede all authority to His Highness Ioder in order to control the current crisis.



Congratulations!



Congrats.
Watch your tone!
Yuri, you're the one who really did all this...



Well, I guess I'll go check on the others.




This update is entirely cutscenes. Having rescued Estelle, we're now inside Zaphias Castle, which is completely peaceful again. In fact, the entire town is restored to how it was before Alexei interfered, although I still don't know how that works.

So let's check up how everyone in our party is doing, shall we? Karol is the closest, in the kitchen.


Watch the cutscene!





Good to see you're as useful as ever. That's not yours though, is it?
It's mine.



This boy's been fixing up all the stuff that got knocked around in that commotion. He even went back to the lower quarter to pick all these things up.



Boy: These're my favorite shoes, and you can't hardly see where they got torn. This guy's awesome!
Woman: He sewed up a dress that was very important to me. Thanks again for that.
...Are you sure about doing this, Karol? Tomorrow's the final battle.
It's okay...I was actually a little worried. I couldn't really sleep anyway, when I started thinking about the battle tomorrow.



Huh...
I didn't think Repede would want to come help, though. I was a little surprised.
He probably guessed what you were thinking. He doesn't just go along with anything.
Heh heh, yeah I guess.



Hah, don't push your luck.
Aw, come on Repede.
Ohh, this boy's got a bright future ahead of him.









Memories support the heart. And our dearest possessions are the vessels for those memories. Thank you, young man.
I'll just do a little more, and then I'll call it a night.
Okay, just don't overdo it.
Yeah, I know.


Next up is Judith.


Watch the cutscene!





If Zaude is connected to the ancient catastrophe, Phaeroh might know something about it.
Isn't he gonna ask about Estelle?
I'll tell him it looks like everything will be okay.
All right. Thanks.



I didn't have to think about other things while I was doing that.



Oh... This world, me, lots of things. Had I never met Estelle, I might still be flying around with Ba'ul, not thinking of anything.
Phaeroh said you'd changed, too.



I have no intention of ignoring the blastia or the aer.
Is that part of the "lots of things" you mentioned?



Sorry. Forget I said that.
I won't kill Estelle. Nor will I let her be killed. I also can't let Alexei go on.
Okay. ...We head out tomorrow morning. Just get back by then.
Understood.





Let's win this one.
Okay.


Rita and Estelle are together in the room with the fourth angel statue.


Watch the cutscene!



This'll bring the value back down, so the discrepancy with this should...



...Nope, it's nowhere near enough.



Yuri!
...What are you all doing out here?







...Is something wrong?
No, it's being kept well under control, and it's stable.



So then, where's the problem?
The effective area of control is more limited than I thought. The control barrier originates at the barrier blastia. She's stable inside it, but she can't leave. I guess Dein Nomos alone couldn't take the place of all those apatheia.
So long trips are out of the question?
Also, the barrier blastia's part of the system. As long as it's in use, this city is defenseless. That's why I'm out here trying to figure out a way for her to move around freely.
Why can't Estelle just take Dein Nomos with her wherever she goes?
It was really only designed to contain aer that's gone out of control. I don't think it could actually affect Estelle in any way.
I guess that's how it was with Duke, too.



I won't let Estelle wind up trapped like that again. Nobody treats my friend like just some... thing.
Okay. I'll leave you to it. Nothing to worry about. You've got the best genius under the sun with you.
Yes, I know Rita can help me.



Okay, okay. Don't push yourself too hard. Same to you, Estelle.


And Raven is hanging out in jail, guess he likes that place.


Watch the cutscene!





Nah, it's that lieutenant of his. She's scary.
Hm? Oh, well...I guess I can see that.
What do you mean?



I'm not rubbing anything any way.
Well, ya most certainly can't please all the people all the time.
I guess you're right. So what are you doing here?
Oh, just thinkin' about stuff... Hey, why're ya lookin' at me like that?



But I keep comin' up empty. Change wears me out.
You chose your own life. At this point, you should be able to do anything you want.
How do I put it...? I already died once. Now I'm thinkin' about a bunch of stuff... But I guess thinkin' about settling things with Alexei is enough for now. The rest'll probably come out in the wash.
Sounds okay to me.
Speakin' of settling things, I filled Estelle in on all the stuff that happened. Guess what she did.
Hm?
She said I had to let her do the same thing everyone else did.



Hah hah, that's Estelle.
...It kind of hurt, actually.
Well, I think I'm gonna catch my shut-eye in here.
Suit yourself... Try not to oversleep for once, though.


I like that part with Estelle punching Raven too, it's cute.

If we're playing the PS3 version, we can also talk to Patty.




Watch the cutscene!





I'm keeping watch to make sure you guys don't stir up any trouble.
I see. You're wandering around to stir up some trouble.
Not exactly. Well, whatever.



And we didn't have to kill her.
...Yeah.
If Estelle really were stuck that way...



Why do you ask?
Well...



If my voice hadn't reached her, I probably would have.
How are you able to go so far when you know it'll hurt you?
Estelle is a friend. And I can't make someone else take care of my friend's problem. Besides, I'm not the one it would've hurt most.
A friend's problem... Yuri, you're strong.
Strong, huh? I wouldn't be so sure.
More importantly, did you forget you were looking for the Maris Stella?



Besides, there's no way I'd forget. My memory is my one good point.
You've got a good memory, huh?
...
What's wrong?
Yuri, I...

I'll never forgive Alexei. Sacrificing someone for your own desires is definitely the one thing I cannot forgive.
Yeah, you're right.
So, uh...
We can't let Alexei have his way!
Got that right.

Oh, right! Rejoice, Yuri! Right now, the sea faring guild Gull's Song is rushing to fix our ship.
By Gull's Song, you mean the guild Tokunaga is from?
Yeah. We'll be able to use the Fiertia soon.
Then we can take that and go knock out Alexei?
Of course!



Yuri, you know...
Patty.
Huh?
If it's difficult to say then you don't have to force yourself. I'll listen whenever you feel like talking. So for today, just rest. Good night.




Alright, that's everyone. To continue we have to get some sleep.


Watch the cutscene! (no idea why this is voiced)





Woof!



...Hope everybody can get some sleep.



The next morning, we run into Flynn while leaving the castle.


Watch the cutscene!





I had hopes that we'd have the guild ships at our disposal.
I heard they've been having some issues.
It seems they've been unable to decide on a course of action since the Don's passing. It looks like I'll be one step behind you again this time.





I mean, she's still a princess. And what about all that stuff with the imperial succession?
The Council has chosen Ioder as their leader. For all intents and purposes he's got their nomination for the throne.
Hm. Okay. So that's why you don't need to chase her around anymore?
That's not it. It's just that I've finally come to terms with the choices she's made for herself.



Don't give me a hard time. It's something I've had to struggle with in my own way.
Well, she'd be happy to hear it.



He'll be able to come up with some way of helping, I'm sure. As for Lady Estellise... Yuri, you have my confidence.
I appreciate it. Sorry for being such a pain.





...As far as anyone is concerned, the capital was retaken because of my efforts. It isn't just with this, though. No one knows the things you... that Brave Vesperia have done for them. They probably never will.






Yuri's completely cool with that, apparently.





We run into most of our party near the town exit.


Watch the cutscene!



Morning, Yuri!
Looks like I overslept a little. My hair's a mess...
Is that all you're worried about...?



Here ya go.









Now we just need Judy and Estelle.
Here I am. Good morning, everyone.



Were you able to get in touch with Phaeroh?
Yes, but you won't like what he told me about Zaude... He says it is a place that must be left undisturbed, by both Entelexeia and humans.
... I wonder why.
Such an encouraging send-off...
Well, it's not like we can just say, "Oh! Thanks for telling us!" and not go. Alexei's at Zaude, and I'm really not in a mood to just let him go.
You're right. Phaeroh will have to understand.
We already came this far. We can't stop now.
Besides, if we just ignore it, the whole world's gonna be in all kinds of trouble.
That's the sprit. Now we just need Estelle. Rita, did you see her?



Hm?!
She can't fight anymore.
Wait, you don't mean...?



But she needs to avoid aer interference in order to keep her power from activating.
Huh? But all blastia need aer to work, don't they?
Yes, so I tried the same thing as Raven.
Using her own life energy for power.
Are ya serious? I really wouldn't recommend that.
I couldn't find any other way. At least she can use formulas without worrying about aer. But it's not just controlling the power of the Child of the Full Moon, even artes will use her life. She could be in serious danger if she had to exert herself.



And was she okay with that?






Hey! Y-You're just here... to see us off, right?



What did I tell you?! You'll lose your life just by using your artes! You could go on living with no problem if you just wouldn't use them.
I sat up all night thinking about what you told me. At first I thought, "Finally, I'll be able to live a normal life."
Yeah, you've suffered enough. You can rest now.
Thank you. Rita. You all are risking your lives to fight. Even the fate of this world is at stake...



Estelle...
There are still things I can do. For my friends. So I'm asking you, please. Take me with you.



Yes. And she doesn't really listen once she sets her mind to something.
Ahh, let's take her. Nobody likes havin' their friends run off to steal all the fun.
Yeah, we'll all help out to make this easy on her.



I'll never forgive you if you break that promise!





In the PS3 version, Prince Ioder and Flynn come down from the castle at this point, and Ioder more or less forces Flynn into your party.

So our next problem is just how ta go about actually gettin' ta Zaude.
Don't worry. There's one friend you're forgetting.



I told you. He's strong.



That's right, Tokunaga's here too!






Alright, next stop, Zaude! Let's finally get that Alexei!

...Except, you know, this is a JRPG, so a ton of sidequests have just opened up.