Part 42: Chapter 4B (3)

Your brother is safe, is he not?

I should never have entrusted Valmur's care to you...

You who are not of our house, and know not of our ways.

Have you not heard the reasons for the attack?

I have not. A woman bound to one day leave the house is afforded no part in such discussions.

I must sit idly as my brother, father and mother decide what is to be done.



I can see the ill it bodes for House Haughn.

Yet they pay you no heed?

Long have I warned that fainthearted boy who prefers the book to the blade would lead this house astray.

Yet still I harbored hopes that Nicolas and I might shield the house from humiliation.

But Nicolas' passing leaves my age-worn parents vulnerable to Valmur's tears.

And now his cowardice will bring House Haughn to his knees!



It matters not, Brother. Tell me of your decision.

Do we go to the side of Prince Kristoff, or Prince Langrey?

Almost the rest of this conversation plays out exactly like it does in the C route, save the end. I'll put it in anyway for completion.

We do not go. House Haughn will not fight.



...

...

What possible justification could you have for withholding a military house from war?

This is no war, it is political infighting. I will not risk the safety and welfare of this house in what is essentially a political affair.

Moreover, our clan has recently forfeited a noble son for the sake of this realm-



Thank the gods Nicolas died before seeing the shame you bring our house!

What would you have me do?

Both Prince Kristoff and Prince Langrey make overtures for our support.

The situation calls for prudence. One wrong move will mean our end.

The very reason we will not fight!



When one side strikes, are we to run like dogs to the other? Disloyal, defenseless, destitute dogs?

You howl hyperbole.

Our house stands on the brink of ruin! Do none of you see? Father, Mother, what has come over you?



The house means nothing. Were circumstances to unfold as you say, surrender would be open to us.

How can you say that!

What good is a name with no heirs? We cannot bear to lose another of you.

Age has made cowards of you... They may have taken Nicolas' life, but it is you who steal his honor!

Phiona!



...

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Phiona!



An ambush!

Valmur, go at once! Warn Mother and Father!

You stand no chance alone! I will not leave you to die!





Phiona doesn't actually join us for this fight, for whatever reason.





An easy battle. While enemies gun at you rapidly from multiple directions, we have better upgrades and actual knockdowns now, and we have a bit more room to breathe and space ourselves out.



Bunching allies together causes the AI to favour using menu spells to hit multiple targets at once. This actually works out to our benefit, since menu spells are weak in the first place and enemies can't join in on a menu spell.



The Archers are the main threat in this battle, as they hit quite hard. Every enemy here is susceptible to Suspend Motion though, so you can cherry-pick your favourite targets to deal with.



Liese also gives out what she gets. Spell Reinforce works wonders.



Valmur gets taken from full health to nearly dead in a double archer gangbang.



Luckily, the narrow region means that it's easy to surround and kill off the first Archer.



It's hard to say whether Cheripha or Valmur is better for gems (assuming Cheripha is in optimal Threefold range). Valmur does more hits and damage, but Cheripha attacks faster during sieges. Valmur is a lot easier to use, however.



It'll save us a bit of OTH, but nothing we can't live without.



The Vampire is next, as revenge for costing me my double Sin last fight.





And Grim Vengeance puts it at 99 Attack Gauge because I didn't hit the button fast enough. This game sometimes.



Well, at least Sin isn't as tight as in the last fight.



One thing about Archers is that they are completely reliant on other classes to set things up for them - they don't have any launchers or knockdowns. Unless they're Reinhilde, their standalone damage is below average unless they have an Othinus' Bow.



Valmur somehow survives the Swordsman's attack as well.



Once again, the Archer's inability to hit close up poses a problem in cramped spaces.





I don't feel so bad about losing the Extreme Armguards, though Earnest would have liked them.



I move to weaken the Swordsman and uh... Liese dies from the retaliation. Whoops.





Only the willing need face the field of battle!





Catching Cheripha mid-victory animation is oddly satisfying.



All enemy Archers actually use some combination of Cheripha and Valmur's attacks - Sharpshot/Cutthroat, tri-Stinger, Fusillade and Threefold. At least they don't have Needlerain. Also in this rare moment not-Threefold hits three targets standing right next to each other.



Now to clear out the last Archer and finish off the riffraff.





Annoying arrow slinging bugger.



Three enemies left - two Rogues, one Living Armor. We move up and Liese buffs herself again.



I love fighting Rogues because it's so easy to chip at them without getting counterattacked - any of our characters except Natalia can do it.





Where is Phiona, anyway? I mean, we're cleaning up her mess and she's nowhere. I guess at least we don't have to escort her.



The last Rogue and the Living Armor wail a little on Wylfred, but he handles it rather well.



The Rogue is downed easily.



I absolutely love Suspend Motion. Stops dangerous enemies and prevents Living Armor from blocking.



We bring it nearly to... death? Do these things even die?





I love doing this as well. 260% ATK for Wylfred is beautiful.



I really wish I could have set up a Trinity Fork or Grand Cross because Cheripha and Valmur really shine there, but the placement wasn't quite possible.







Ether Gloves are always welcome. Two new weapons for 200% Sin - the Mistilteinn is a three-attack spear with 70 ATK and a 30% Holy boost. The Sword of Silvans has only 80 ATK and a 10% Holy boost, despite its three attacks, but its attacks also come with a 10% chance of Paralysis, which help make up for the slight loss in power compared to the Estoc.

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Cries of pain!

From the hollow thither - the voices are Mother and Father's!

They will be quick prey outside the walls. We must hurry!



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We rally to you!



Age: 20
Gender: Female
Homeland: Artolia
Height: 165cm
Weight: 52kg
Bust/Waist/Hip: 85/60/87

Hot-tempered daughter of House Haughn who alongside her brother Nicolas persisted in spurring their sheepish elder brother, Valmur, to action. Nicolas's sudden death upset the balance, and now the once mighty house seems destined for ruin. Though she knows betrothal to another house awaits, Phiona's pride will not let her accept her true house's disgrace and for this she lashes out against Valmur, lord of the house.





Phiona official render.