Part 134: What're we even gonna do?!

-Ancient Makes-







Shall we begin, then, my friends?
Ah, I guess. If the Divine Blade was here, this might be a good time. But just beating up a bunch of weaklings whose guns don't even work? This ain't even gonna be a good way to kill time.
Heehee. It's not too bad, you know!
It's fun to just walk around and step on all the little wooden toy soldiers!
Well, then, make sure not to call your Pater-Mater down on them, love. All the little soldiers would run home instantly if you did.
Awww, THAT'S boring!
I was thinking of getting Pater-Mater to help me smash that pretty castle into dust!
Beauty in destruction, is it? Hmm. It holds a certain charm of its own, I suppose.





Royal Army Officer: You! You must be Ouroboros lackeys! You sons of...So your airships still work, huh?



Haha! I believe this is our first formal meeting, soldiers of Liberl. I am Bleublanc, the handsome, mysterious, peerless phantom thief of beauty!
Heh...Walter the Direwolf, ladies. Try to put up somethin' like a fight, would ya?
Luciola the Bewitching Bell.
We won't be acquainted for long, though.
And I'm Renne, the Angel of Slaughter!
I wonder what you'll sound like when you're screaming your life out after I rip you open. Heehee...
Royal Army Officer: Casually introducing yourselves? We'll see if that confidence lasts...Stand ready, men! CHAAAAAAAAARGE!























































Aw, darn. They broke TOO easily.
Now, now. Don't be so greedy. Perhaps the Royal Guard of the queen will provide us with a bit more challenge.
One would hope, at least.
...Well, then.







We Enforcers will head for Grancel Castle! Squad leaders! Direct your platoons in the taking of each block of Grancel, as planned!
Enhanced Jaegers: AYE, SIR!





Hurry!





Son of a...
We...have to help those we can.
Royal Army Officer: There's...no time...



Whoa, easy!
Royal Army Officer: You're...*cough* bracers, right? 'Ouroboros'...Enforcers passed by here moments ago...Seems their target is...*hack* Grancel Castle...
I knew it.
Royal Army Officer: The rest of the...*wince* enemy forces are taking over the city...Please...save the city and...the castle...



Estelle!
Right!
I'm sorry, everyone...but we're going on ahead!

-Those Who Guard What Matters Most-





Such indiscriminate destruction...
Those bastards!
Here they come!

















What're we even gonna do?! The city...
Man's Voice: Everyone!



Elnan!
Your timing is perfect! You're here about the business the queen had with you, yes?
That WAS the idea. What's going on?
The army is in position along the eastern and western blocks of the city as we speak. The fighting is terrible, but you need to leave it to them.
You must give chase to the Enforcers! They are heading for the castle!
But...!
Are you sure you don't need our help here?
I've evacuated the people on the street into the guildhouse. The army is evacuating the rest of the city.
Okay...
We'll head to the castle, then!
Thank you. Aidios guide you and keep you safe.
Before you go, take this.

Thank you, Elnan.
Good luck...I pray for your victory!



The army should be leading evacuation activity in the other regions as well. Everyone, head to the castle and chase down those Enforcers.
Their goal is likely...
Bill: My darling, are you okay?
Ilene: I'm fine, dearest. I'm sure Aidios or the queen will do something. We simply have to endure it...
Sammy: Sweet Aidios...What the heck is going on?!
Jane: Is this...Are we at war again? Even though we just signed a non-aggression pact...
Tabasa: The four who commanded the red troops headed to the castle...I wonder if the queen and Princess Klaudia are all right...
Deitus: H-Help, please! The capital...The capital is...



Nonna: Those people, they were really...
Gaspard: S-Suddenly these red-armored guys attacked. No matter how used to trouble I am, this is pretty startling.
Cready: One of the soldiers told me to evacuate. I wonder if that soldier is okay...
Spencer: Th-This is horrible...Who are they?!
Berden: Wh-Who are they? Seemed like these four guys in weird clothes were commanding them, but...
Tran: They're not troops from the Empire, are they? Stepping on the non-aggression pact we just signed and doing this...The only people who'd have the gall are the Imperials!
Latanya: First orbments stop working and now this...It's too terrible...



Troy: We haven't been bad or anything...
Raleigh: The Royal Army people brought us here. I hope they're okay.
Dick: Owwww...Tripped and hurt myself when I was running. I wonder if Dad and Mom are okay...
Chaeli: Ah, the capital...The capital is burning...
Shep: The soldiers of the Royal Army taken down by just four people...I can't believe it...
Zacharias: Dammit! What's gonna happen to my shop?!
Tom: I had to drag Zacharias out of there by force. The idiot wanted to stay behind in the store. That was a close call.
Percy: I wonder if Lloyd's okay over in Bose...
Fisher: Even should our building burn, the Fisherman's Guild will never die! As long as the passion for fishing in our hearts burns on, our dream lives on!



Baral: Hey, I came out here shopping, then suddenly I got told to evacuate. I thought this'd be a good time to read a book and calm down.
(Hmm, he already seems as calm as you can get, to be honest...)
Baral: Oh! Why, I know that series. Is that Gambler Jack, the series popular in the harbor area that I've heard so much about, perhaps?
Ah, these novels?
Baral: Yes, that's right. It's a drama about a gambler with a curious fate, set in the Republic...I've been wanting to read it for a long time.
Oh, yeah?
(Hmm, I do owe him a bit...)



All right, here you go. It's all yours, sir.
Baral: Oh, that isn't why I mentioned it...
Don't worry about it. It's thanks for the great curry and coffee before.
Baral: That's very kind of you. I'd be happy to take them.


Baral: You have my thanks. I'll start reading right away to calm myself. Oh, and as a token from my side, allow me to offer you this.

This is...
Baral: When I was still a diplomat, I picked this up in Arteria.
Arteria...That's where the headquarters of the Septian Church is, isn't it?
Baral: Yes, that's right. In the distant past, back during the Zemurian era, things were made with this metal, apparently.
The Zemurian era? It must be incredibly old. Certainly, I've never seen this alloy...
Baral: Haha, I don't know how true it is. Incidentally, apparently the techniques to mold that metal have long been lost.
Huh, thinking about it, that makes it pretty incredible.
I believe we traded books with you for a weapon before, as well.
Baral: Haha, I remember. This isn't anything that incredible this time, but perhaps it'll be a good luck charm for you.
Yeah, thanks!
It could still serve as a weapon. We could huck it at somebody.



Grancel's main drag is infested with Ouroboros troops. Use them to get everyone up to 200 CP before you approach the castle.







Hmm. Given the age of this entrance, I would imagine it can be opened manually. That would prove difficult, however.
Yes, it'll take quite a bit of pushing.
Oooh, oooh! It's time to call in Pater-Mater, isn't it?
Hey, now. You call that thing in, you won't leave anything for the rest of us to do.
You all just leave this to me.
Leave it to you?
Heh. Just watch.











Ah, yes. One of the Taito style's greatest techniques.
Hah! Impressive as always, my friend.
Heh. That shit's really only good for street performances.
Now, one more to go through.





To think they'd breach the castle gates...
Grh...They won't hold much longer.
Klaudia! Hilda! Hurry and get Alicia to her private chambers!



Dunan...are you...?
I...I am a scion of the von Auslese family! I will not stand quietly and watch as BRIGANDS try to tear our land and authority to pieces! With Julia absent, I shall take command!
B-But...
AGH! Stop wasting time! Their goal is to abduct the queen and her heir! Her heir being YOU, remember!
Uncle...
Your priority must be the safety of yourself and the queen! This is what it means to be heir, Klaudia! Fulfill your duty!
Uncle...I understand.
Grandmother, Hilda! Come, we need to get up to the chambers!
Yes...it would be best.
Dunan...please, be careful.
Hah! You just watch as I cast these cursed bandits from the walls!
...I pray for your victory.
Phillip, you be careful, too.
I will do my best, Mistress Hilda.



I have never been happier to serve you than at this moment.
H-Hmph! There's no need to make such a show out of it, Phillip.

*THROOM*





Mmm. Such ghastly appearances. Rather more like demons than men. Your Lordship...should I fall, do not hesitate to flee.
What? But...

This is the part of the game where everyone gets to be awesome.







Royal Guardsman: Sir Phillip!
Ohhh, it's the old man with the closed eyes!
Who the hell is this old lump?
I am Phillip Runall. Butler to His Royal Highness Dunan von Auslese...and former captain of the Royal Guard.





I do not know how far it will carry me, but it shall now cross with yours.
Ooooh.
Ah! Ever is this country full of surprises!
Hmmhmm...Let's see how skilled you are, then.







No large impact points. I...I think this was broken with someone's hand.
This looks like Walter's handiwork.
Yes...The shattering fist.
Aidios...
He really is freakishly strong...
...Wait, what are we standing around being impressed for?! We need to catch up to--
Estelle! Watch out!







Take 'em down!



No new tricks, but there are three to deal with this time.













































There's no time! Let's get inside!