Valkyrie Profile: Covenant of the Plume Part #32

Part 32: Chapter 2 [Camille] (1)

Off to Camille we go!

My front command reports that the serfs are armed and organized. The nuisance is now a threat, an army outfitted comparably to ours.

We have reason to believe the rebels are aided by an enemy faction or neighboring state.

A neighboring state you say? Curious. They say Prince Langrey is oft visited by emissaries from Villnore.

Forgive my forthrightness, but since the death of Your Highness' father, Prince Langrey's acts have defied reason.

He seeks the throne to which Your Highness is entitled. This is no mere hunch.

Enough! Suppressing the insurgency in our lands is the matter at hand!

Instruct your men to limit bloodshed to a minimum.

...

Aye, sire.

---

How so?

Seldom do serfs amount to worthy soldiers, but this rebellion appears to glean the steel of crowns.

So it would appear.

The king of Villnore sympathizes with our cause, and sends his fighting men in support! Together we fight - for freedom!

As rebel serfs their lives might have been spared, but Artolia will never brook foreign-aided insurgents. They cheer their own doom.

Sound of bells ringing.

The bell tolls. Artolia has come.

---

We're thrown into a battle with no new characters or time to shop. This means Lockswell still has Fire Storm and our only Soul Crush is Wylfred's. Not a promising start.

With ten enemies this seems like an easy quota, but it's also really easy to mess up if you don't know what you're doing - with only five attacks between three characters, only one Soul Crush and Lockswell having to launch enemies, just missing a single attack can mean losing out on Sin.

The enemies are a mix of those from Chapter 1 and a few new ones, mainly the Archers and Lancers. The best way is to really take advantage of Cheripha and Lockswell's chipping abilities.

The first Swordsman is easy enough to fell.

For you, father...

The Lancer and Archer hit hard, so hopefully you've stocked up on Union Plumes in Chapter 1.

Lockswell seems to be enemies' favourite target, being, well, a Sorcerer.

I should probably have cancelled that Soul Crush instead, hmm. Well we can bounce back from this.

Let's just fix that.

I'll take it, actually. There's a bit of a breather after you clear the first platform of enemies to heal and recover AP, as the rest of the enemies down the slope are inactive. However, it can also be difficult to hit them since the game doesn't seem to allow you to hit enemies beyond one or two changes in altitude, forcing you to really get close to hit enemies even as Cheripha or Lockswell.

Fortunately, menu spells have no such height restriction, allowing us to carefully bait in enemies separately.

I can't wait till we get decent wands and Sorcerers start being wrecking machines again.

The other Archer eventually crawls up to our safe spot and spikes Cheripha a little.

Wylfred fixes that up.

To even get a shot at Wylfred's Soul Crush, you need every single attack to hit. I'd say stay away from trying to get crystals off Fire Storm here with Wylfred - just chain attacks together and focus on landing them.

Also Cheripha's idle animation is pretty fun to watch.

The Warrior crawls up into our trap next. This guy is from Chapter 1 so he's remarkably easy to kill.

Like so.

The Swordsman and Sorcerer are also from Chapter 1. The Swordsman does know Sap Guard, but it doesn't matter that much in this battle.

Cheripha and Lockswell spike him to death. I could have brought Wylfred in there to guarantee the 100 Sin but I wanted to use him to attack the Sorcerer instead and we're already doing pretty well on Sin.

I guess this saves us 100 OTH.

Short story shorter, she dies effortlessly.

As does this guy. Just two more left!

The Lancer actually hits Wylfred from behind and fazes him but since he only has one attack he can't even take advantage of it.

He goes down, and only the Sorcerer is left.

She runs away and uses Poison Blow, not like it'd save her or anything.

And that's the end of that.

The Crescent Bow is the real reward here - giving Cheripha three attacks, a 40+ ATK boost and her Soul Crush, at long last. The Rune Helm is also nice but you want 200% Sin just for Cheripha unless you plan to sacrifice her right after this, but only a complete monster would do that, right?

---

You as well, Lady Natalia.

I don't know where you learned to wield a blade like that, but I give thanks you wield it for us.

I am but a mercenary. Coin is enough.

Well, you still fought for us when Artolia would have paid you amply. In my eyes, you're a bold revolutionary.

...

Perhaps it is time you fought for cause, and not coin. You should pledge allegiance to the rebels, as I have.

...Sayeth the knight of Villnore.

Lady Natalia has sacrificed all she has to help the suffering and oppressed, and I am honored to share in her struggle.

Villnore aids our cause, asking nothing in return. We are grateful for the generosity of the king.

...I know little of politics.

Sir Earnest, you mentioned a matter of great import, did you not?

Wylfred, would you mind coming with us? I should like to speak to you a bit more.

As you wish.

Ailyth, conceal yourself!

(You needn't worry. My voice reaches only your ears, Master.)

(Still, I find it quite odd. Do you not sense deception on Villnore's part?)

---

We get access to shops now. Which means Dash! Yes! And Frigid Damsel and Enlightenment for Lockswell!

The optional battle also opens up, but we won't do it just yet.