Part 152: I've found what I was looking for, so it's time I went on home.

-Outskirts of Evolution-



Be not afraid.





The Low Tax Loopers can bite someone for minor damage, or spit up on a small area.



They are basically a non-issue. If you can clear them out efficiently with arts, do so, but don't blow any S-Crafts just yet.



Angel Weissmann himself gets some dirty tricks.



His basic laze-gaze will zap everyone in a narrow line, like Plasma Wave.



He's still got Godly Lance Inanna, which does decent damage and reduces DEF.









Power Light Enlil can Confuse a party member even if they're protected against it. Bring Curia, or save up your Smelling Salts.



Angel Weissmann will also use full-screen arts. While he's casting, his DEF and ADF drop dramatically. If you don't go for the immediate alpha strike, you'll be ready to drop a Chain on him when he's open.









Sometimes Sacrificial Arrow will push people away from Kevin, and sometimes it won't. I have no idea why.

























Don't finish Weissmann off right away if you can help it. Take some time to heal up.





















*CHOMP*






-The Merciless Savior-









Like being hit in the FACE with raw heresy...
Change all you want! Bring it on!
Looks like he's really starting to lose it.
C'mon, guys! Take him down and let's get back to Loewe!
Here we go!



See it's like an ouroboros. With the whole snake eating his butt.



I'm not sure what the demonic stunna shades represent, though.







The Alpha Omegas will teleport around and zap people, or destroy parts of the board.









Weissmann's butt-snake can stab its tail right up through the floor to impede casting.







And he can create a new Alpha Omega if you've cleared them out.



But mostly he'll just tweak that absolute barrier of his.











Weissmann's color changes will amp up his resistance to weapons, and all but one element of arts.



I've dropped the ball pretty hard on this phase; Estelle can't finish casting before Weissmann gets a chance to change his defenses again, Joshua doesn't have all four elements, and I won't be seeing any decent arts damage out of Dragon Dive Jones or Time Gem McGee any time soon.



You can just wait it out if you have to. Weissmann will return himself to normal sooner or later.



Eventually Weissmann will lower his defenses to start charging up. Just like with his last form, it's a good idea to hold some strength in reserve for it.























On top of the STR and SPD boost, Raging God Angel unlocks a new move or two.



See that circle? You really don't want to be in that circle.













Anybody who was still standing on those five squares will vanish for the rest of the battle. It's effectively a deathblow with no chance of resistance or revival. Ruined World Noaba's charge time brings another big drop to Weissmann's DEF and ADF, so take advantage.









-Silence-





The Aureole is...gone?
This is impossible...IMPOSSIBLE!
Hey, you know the rules. The end boss gets three powerups. No more.





He got away! Argh!
Oh, who cares about that idiot!
Way more importantly...!









Loewe! Stay with us! Just...wait a second! We'll fix you up!

-Hamel-



There's...no need...You...know perfectly well, these aren't the sort of wounds you 'fix up'...
No...No, please, no! Loewe, I can't lose you like Karin! That's just...No, I can't!
Hah...Come on, chin up. Heh, you look like...the crybaby you were when you were a kid...
That's right! I'm a weak, naive crybaby! I still need you, Loewe! So...come on! Stay awake!
...Just like a little kid...Listen...Joshua...If you find this...unacceptable...then take a lesson from me. Don't end up like this...Don't die to...protect what's important. Live...Live to protect it...instead.
Loewe...!
Estelle...I must ask you one last favor...
Of...Of course. Anything.
He likes to act tough, but he's...pretty tenderhearted deep down...Now that he's truly free of his curse...he needs to become a better man.
So...please. Promise...me that you'll keep helping him...Take care of...our little brother, okay?
Heehee...I was gonna do THAT no matter what you said.
But...don't worry, Loewe. I swear to you, he'll always have a home with us.
Thank you...
Hah...At least I finally understand. Why Karin...could smile like that...at the end.
Karin...you were just as...as content...weren't...y...



Loewe: ...
L-Loewe?
Loewe: ...
C'mon. This isn't funny. You can hear me...right...?
Loewe: ...
Come on! COME ON! It all finally ended! We could finally, FINALLY be together again!
Loewe: ...
Please...
PLEASE, ANSWER ME!



Joshua...
Well...guess you get away with that win on me, partner.
Woman's Voice: Hello there!



Goddess be praised, you're all safe.
Wait, that's...Loewe? Is he--
Yeah...
Ah. I see.
After you descended, we were swarmed by those archaism beasts.
It was only Loewe intervening on that dragon of his which saved us.
I see...Yeah, that sounds like him, all right.
If I may...What happened to Weissmann and the Aureole?
Oh, right...
Yeah, the Aureole disappeared somewhere. Weissmann's also gone, but...he really lost it when the Aureole disappeared.
It...disappeared?
Well. That could be bad.
Uh. Define 'bad.'

*KROOOM*

PLEASE tell me this shaking isn't involved in the 'bad'!
The Aureole was the main source of power for the city.
You've removed the city's power source. There's nothing keeping it afloat any longer.
Yes, that seems rather bad!
We should return to the Arseille at once.
A good idea.
I don't think everything will shut down all at once, but it would be best if we hurry. Kyle, Don, is the Bobcat airworthy?
Should be airworthy enough to save our skins, at least.
We'll lift off as soon as we get back.
All right. Let's move, everyone!
There was a transfer gate near the elevator! That seems like the best exit. We should stay in lines to avoid losing anyone!





Joshua...um...I know you...don't want to leave him behind, but we have to hurry...
...Sorry, Estelle...You just...go on ahead. Don't...Don't worry about me...Go.
. . .



Ah!
GET IT TOGETHER, JOSHUA! Were you listening to a damn thing Loewe said?! Didn't he tell you to live? To protect what's important to you?!
He...
I don't know about you, but I sure was listening! And I promised him I'd stay with you and help you! I promised YOU the same once, too!
If you think I'm just going to turn my back on that, you've got another thing coming!
Estelle...
Sorry...I really am a weakling.





Oh! The sword...



Loewe...I'll hold on to this.
I'll deliver it to Hamel. To Karin.
Joshua...!



There's no time to waste! Please, hurry!
Ah, right!
I'm sorry...I'm going now.



(...)
(Rest well with Karin...Loewe.)

-Release from the Spell, And...-



This wasn't in the Grandmaster's prophecy at all!
Un...Unless...Does this mean...I, too, was being tested?
Rrrgh. I shall have to have words with my 'master' once I return.
Man's Voice: Sorry, but I think your question's gonna be deferred. Indefinitely.



Kevin Graham? What are YOU doing here? Out of my way, insect. I've no time to deal with gnats like you.





Even with Gralsritter training, a fledgling like you can't possibly--



Yeah, sorry, I've been puttin' on a bit of a show.
I'm actually their number five. I've seen my fair share of fights.
Granted...when you were at your best and power-tripping on the Aureole I would've struggled...
But now? You don't have a prayer. Not that you do that anymore...you filthy heathen.
What...?



Gh...!
Locating the Aureole's been kind of a sideshow. As you mighta figured out.
So. Georg Weissmann, apostate and heretic, damned in the sight of Aidios. I'm here to send you to your final judgment.
Heh...heh heh...I see...However, Gralsritter, I think you will find it a little hard to fight the Faceless on your own with onl--









The calamity which turned half of North Ambria into a sea of salt...?
They would let you use that just to kill ME?!
It's what you've earned, you faithless pile of filth. The church does try to stay neutral in all things, but we can't overlook what you've done. Now kindly stand still and die quietly.





Dog...? You aren't wrong, I guess.
...
You know, Joshua, you're lucky. You, at least, can get out of this sort of life.






I must say, you're just as cold as the rumors said.
Ah...You're the 'Fool,' right?
Sorry, but it's a bit late for him.
Heheh. You may have heard, but I am here purely as an observer. Purely. To observe and oversee every single facet of the Gospel Plan and report the results, without exception, to the Grandmaster.
Weissmann's...self-destruction is simply another result, and wasn't anything I needed to stop.
I see.
You Ouroboros types sure do love being mysterious, don't you? Heh, and you accuse ME of being cold...
Haha! Are the Gralsritter REALLY so different? I wonder.
Now, then...I'd say I've observed everything, hmm? I've found what I was looking for, so it's time I went on home.
What...?

*snap*





Hahaha! Well, good day, Mr. Graham! I hope we meet again someday!





Found what he was looking for? Could he mean...?
...
Well, whatever...That's outside my jurisdiction.
I should hurry back and rejoin the others.