Part 98: Chapter LXXXVIII - I know it's been a while since I've come back.

I know it's been a while since I've come back.






A new sidequest has opened up. All the Athlumian generals have had one, now it’s David’s time. This is the final dungeon-exploring sidequest (that is an official sidequest).




I’m on my way.
Thank you, sir.




What is it, Dave?




Yeah, why not?
Thank you, Rush. Ferocious monsters spawn in Fornstrand this time of year. We must be careful.

Accepted quest: The Distant Promise




Music: Breakers on the Shore





Let’s go.

David wants me to go with him to Fornstrand. He says he’s meeting someone, but I’ve never heard him mention a friend living there before.



David’s quest, so he’s back leading the mystics union one final time.




This is a unique monster which only spawns during this quest.




I’m not going to fight it.






…
Five years ago, this was my place to hide from the world. I was angry for being born a Nassau. A marquis is responsible for everything. The title was nothing but a burden. Childish, I know.




She was my age and lived on the outskirts of town. Apparently, this was her hideout, too. We became friends and spent a lot of time together here. I was always surrounded by adults and it was refreshing to be able to speak to someone my age. Even after she found out who I was, she never treated me differently.






Another unique monster that only spawns during this quest. I’m not fighting it either.








…That’s what she said to me one day. I think I nodded in reply with a wry smile. As long as Athlum was ruled by Celapaleis, there was always a chance we would go to war. A small country like Athlum would never gain independence. Ever.




But I was glad that she had faith in me. I felt reassured. That day, we made our usual promise to meet up again and went our separate ways. But then she stopped coming. I haven’t seen her in a long, long time.




Let’s go. It’s up ahead.








I walked a little way past the passage to the right before remembering that the right passage was the correct way.






Naturally, there’s a boss. When is there not a boss?

Mission: Defeat the enemy!

Music: Beat the Odds



- Video: Dharma, Alta, Karma


If you didn’t fight Alta and Karma, like I didn’t, then they show up here. They’re tougher than expected, but this is not a difficult battle.






15k damage takes off just about 25% of its HP, so roughly 60k HP on Alta.




The Enthrall effect probably can’t affect anything which is strong enough to not die instantly from Bewitch.




Probably 70-80k for the big beetle.




I’m having David’s Division stand by a bit to build up AP for Blackout.










If it hadn’t dodged Emmy’s shot last turn, it might have died then.








I’m not sure what Butterfly’s Dream would have done.




Music: Turn the Tide





Yeah! This is our big chance!
Victory for Athlum!

David finally has the chance to use Blackout… but I am dumb and tried to also trigger Dual Snowpetal, thinking that it wouldn’t kill Dharma with that much HP left.








And I was completely right about that!




But I failed to consider that a full critical chain would let Violet do 51,422 damage all by herself. Holy crap. (A total of 89662 damage that turn.) Sorry Dave, I’ll try to make it up to you later.

learned Mighty Crossbreak III!






I quickly gathered our troops, but I was too late. The monsters had gotten into town. If only I hadn’t needed permission to use the Gae Bolg, I might have been able to prevent the invasion.
…
But I had to prioritize the treaty with Celapaleis over the townspeople’s lives. As a result, there were several casualties. She was one of them.






I know it’s been a while since I’ve come back. I’m sorry for the wait. I couldn’t bring myself to come, even though I knew you were here. I promised myself I would come back when I was worthy – when Athlum became the country you hoped it would be.






It’s all because of your words that I was able to come this far.




I’ve been meaning to tell you something – something I promised myself I would tell you the next time we met.










No problem.
This isn’t much, but please take this.




Obtained Pyramid! You’ve unlocked a more powerful version of an existing formation!




With the help of everyone, I want to turn her into a city that will be looked up to and admired.

Completed quest: The Distant Promise

David fulfilled his promise to his friend. I’m glad he finally got a chance to finish up something he’s been meaning to do for a long time.

That’s it for now, but next time we put it all on the line and fight in the last major battle of the game, which also happens to be the biggest battle.

And not to crap all over that sweet moment, but did David say that he and the girl used to meet at Fornstrand which is full of very dangerous monsters… and he was surprised that she ended up getting killed by monsters? I know she was in Athlum when she died, I’m just saying that this secret hiding spot doesn’t seem to be all that safe either.




New Arts Summary

learned Mighty Crossbreak III!



Video: Dharma, Alta, Karma


Next Time: The fate of the world rests on the outcome of this battle!