Part 36: Chapter 3B (2)

A couple of free battles to get out of the way. I also pick up a Partisan for Earnest and two pairs of Leather Boots for Cheripha and Natalia.



Natalia'll get her chance soon enough.



Two Flying Fishes, two Aelios, and an Ocypete. The Fishes are still weak to Fire so Wylfred deals increased damage to them, and while the Ocypete is as annoying as ever, there's only one of them.







I might actually trim most of the free battles from here on; they're considerably easier than plot battles since we don't have to get Sin, so I might just bring up notable items or drops.



Cheripha also manages to land a full six hits with Threefold. Cheripha is possibly the only character that can take advantage of attacks that knock enemies back, like Earnest's Soul Impaler - if you have them on opposite sides of the enemy, Earnest can push them closer to Cheripha so more hits of Threefold land. Still a bad attack though.

By the way, did you know that Cheripha ties with Auguste for the most Attack Gauge across all three attacks, at 57? Of course, that's assuming Threefold hits completely.



The Lightning Edge drops from the Aelio. It's a longsword with 90 ATK, two attacks and has, appropriately enough, 20% Lightning elements, but it has no Soul Crush, so junk.



The map makes traveling difficult, but it's a lot easier when we have three characters that can attack from a distance. We had a tougher time in this same map in Chapter 3C when we only had Darius and Gwendal.





Welcome back Phantom Destruction.





A hidden item here that Earnest grabs. We don't have anyone who can use Crowns, but worst case we can sell it and at least it's not a Crystal.





The Azoth Blade drops off one of the Flying Fishes, and is a much needed upgrade for Natalia - 120 ATK, two attacks, 10% Lightning and SC enabled. Natalia has low ATK but she tends to have strong weapons in her favour - most characters outside of Sorcerers don't get a weapon with that much power till Chapter V.







Natalia finally gets to fight on the frontlines.



Considerably easier. Three Kobolds, two Kobold Knights, and a Dragon. The latter two can pose a few problems, but since there's no Sin requirement one could reasonably blitz the Dragon down with Soul Crushes.





A pair of Safety Boots drop off the nearest Kobold. I think it has the potential to drop up to two, but I didn't bother resetting.



Rosea later uses a menu Sacred Javelin to kill off the other Kobold.





Natalia Soul Crush

While Natalia's Soul Crush is weak (its multiplier is only stronger than Cheripha's), it's a great supporting Soul Crush due to a decent Attack Gauge boost and more notably a very generous twenty-five hits, which makes any succeeding Soul Crushes a whole 25% stronger. Great for leading up to a powerful one like Wylfred or Earnest's.



Wherever you are... you are still in my heart, children.

I also like her victory animation.



There's a pair of Valor Gauntlets - Wylfred'll take them.



The Dragon hits hard - its breath attack can also inflict poison, but he'll usually end up killing a character anyway so that's of no issue.



Forgive your mother... children.









Oh, hey... we'll never use this. It's not like Body of Steel is bad, but it's just unreliable and I'd rather use the slot for Fists of Iron or Enlightenment anyway.





Anyway, on with the plot. Before going I also pick up some spells for when we can control a Sorcerer again.



Rosea can take a break. Natalia needs more experience anyway.





A ridiculously easy battle. Four enemies, all Beetles. This almost feels like a Chapter V plot battle with how utterly filler it is.



We quickly surround the first one.



My, you certainly look the part.





Over already? You disappoint me.

We kill it without much fanfare.



All swords fall shy of my lance!



It looks like four out of six arrows of Threefold hit the Beetle but it's only two.



She gets all six off when the last two Beetles gang up on her. There are three Battle Beetles and one Armor Beetle.



After the last Battle Beetle get taken out, just this chump left.







It's actually possible to get off four Soul Crushes even without gems or sieges - you just have to save a few attacks for after the third Soul Crush and quickly input them after it to fill the gauge again. You'll want them to be fast though so the hit count doesn't reset or the Attack Gauge doesn't start draining.



This party is also much better than our C route party for hit count - once we actually get knockdowns again I wouldn't be surprised if we get 100+ hits, assuming we keep using Natalia and Cheripha.



It's hard work making it look this easy!





Wylfred gets the Mithril Helm, and Earnest could make use of Transposition. The Grand Sting is a broadsword which we have no use of. It does have 80 ATK, two attacks and 20% Lightning, and SC enabled. This chapter loves its Lightning weapons, it seems.

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My blade, no less.

This is the sword you speak of? Then Lieselotte has done this!

But why leave the weapon? Surely one of her cunning would conceal such obvious proof.

Obvious to us alone. For those ignorant of the theft-



This man bears the royal coat-of-arms! He stood under the banner of Prince Kristoff!

Assailing a prince's banner is tantamount to regicide. They'd have my head for treason.

The messenger was likely bound for Prince Langrey's fortress. A rift forms in the royal house between the two princes.

Langrey, the elder, is determined to battle his sibling for the kingship. He has allied himself with Villnore to that end.

While the younger prince sought a peaceful reconciliation, he has since held discussions with Crell Monferaigne.



Of course! I should have realized!

The pieces fit together. It is a conspiracy, and she was sent as an assassin.

Crell Monferaigne seeks to enthrone Prince Kristoff, in whom they have a stake.

And disposing of the elder brother expedites a process that a messenger bidding peace would only prolong...

We must hasten to Prince Langrey ere your name is next bloodied.



---







Nor did I expect to find my sword buried in a messenger's back.

Dear Lady Rosea, is it really appropriate for a saintess to contort with such a handsome devil? I'll have you know I saw him first!

Spare us the raillery and explain yourself! What has brought you here? Is it for Langrey's head that you come?



So, it is true. You can betray your homeland that easily?



And through no fault of mine, I might add! Nobody would listen to a word I said!

You were hardly alone in that respect. No one believed me, either.

Well, that is only natural!

If it was not I, does that not leave only you? And yet I was nevertheless made to suffer!

No good will come of clawing at old scars. Cease this foolishness and let time heal them.

Well spoken, but your saintess' guise hides nothing. I know what a cruel witch you are at heart!