Part 55: Chapter 2 [Aullewyn Keep] (3)
Though at first she did not seem a leader of rebels, I see now she is clearly a woman of great poise and virtue.
Her sacrifice spares the lives of thousands. She and I could not be more different.
I've always dreamed of being an executioner!
It is you who will take my life?
We'll make it as quick and painless as possible. Still, try to be a sport and play along. Not much fun in executing someone who won't plead for her life, is there?
Our sympathy won't matter when you're dead.
If you are looking for pity, you won't find it here.
No concern of yours. Why don't you ponder it as you die? ... Master Wylfred! The enemy approaches.
...
Sir Earnest! Why have you come?
Lady Natalia, you have been deceived! The imperial forces came and massacred the rebels!
No! Your death would be for nothing! I wouldn't say "nothing"... It is sure to be amusing!
This was among the list of my working titles for the LP.
Wretched children! Expect no mercy.
Unlike the last fight, Mireille is a much better choice than Mischka here.
Another difficult map, though easier than the last one. While we don't have to keep Natalia healthy in this one, enemies are more clustered and Earnest begins moving toward us immediately. Earnest has slightly higher stats than Heugoe, and does his Soul Crush very frequently. He also has Body of Steel and resists Fire, hampering Wylfred further.
Guard Reinforce is once again helpful to have, though not quite as necessary as the previous map, especially since Earnest will likely kill a character regardless of their defenses unless they're Plumed or under Vali's Awakening.
Because of the odd terrain, it can be cumbersome for melee characters to travel around, which puts the twins at a big disadvantage, especially Mischka. Conversely, Cheripha and Lockswell shine here, as they can harass non-Archer units quite effectively. There are two each of Lancers, Archeresses and Pickpockets, and a single Sorceress along with Earnest. The Lancers are the main threat in this fight.
Well I guess this might come in handy at some point. Not like we have many useful accessories.
Lancers love backstabbing, and the results are not to our liking.
It's actually possible to really hurt oneself with improper use of the Plume in this chapter, if you don't plan on using it in this fight. If you're planning to go the B path and don't want to sacrifice any more, then you'll be using both twins and they just don't really like this map.
It's even worse if you've already plumed both Cheripha and Lockswell, because then you'll only have the twins for support, and you can't chip away at Earnest at all. Neither Gleipnir's Bonds or Vidar's Hush are of any use on him, so I'd hope you have lots of Union Plumes and patience if you go that route.
Honestly, Cheripha isn't really that bad of a character. Bad damage and no vertical reach, but she's easily the fastest Archer and her gem potential is pretty sweet.
2lancers1twin
Your priority should be to get rid of the enemies with the most range - Lancers, Archers, and the lone Sorceress once she gets in range - before Earnest reaches the party, to limit the number of free attacks he gets. The Sin quota is actually quite lax, so you can even afford to skip a couple of enemies if Earnest is being too pressing a threat.
It's so nice to have a useful Sorcerer again.
It's also nice when a character at low health levels up and fully heals themselves.
Oh hey, Mireille actually gets to initiate an attack.
Lancers are stupid. At least Rogues don't hit hard.
Infinity Rod Magic Bangle Lockswell absolutely shines here. Frigid Damsel is brutal on Mercenary units.
The Archeress runs away and Heals herself. Um, sure, I guess? I already got 200% Sin anyway.
...Why can't we use Heal from our non-Sorcerer units? I feel gypped.
Expect Earnest to murder someone every chance he gets. If you're attacking him with multiple characters and not kill him, except him to kill two - one with his series of attacks, and another with his Soul Crush.
Hey, they'll be near useless after this chapter anyway.
Lockswell status, still great.
What I'm mostly cutting out is a lot of Lockswell and Cheripha sniping Earnest while Wyl and Mireille try desperately not to get in his range.
It's working out quite well.
Okay so not every plan is perfect.
Meanwhile, the Archeress crawls back after Healing herself.
Mireille doesn't have anything to do, so I guess she'll just beat up on her a little? I'm not too concerned if I don't get any Sin from her.
Actually, that works out nicely. Bless you Archer range.
Earnest is alone now, and Mireille isn't in range but eh, we don't need the Overkill, just Kill.
To see an assassin is to see your life end.
When a knight falls... his legend is born.
Sure I could use more junk.
Not quite sure why they give out two Rune Crowns here - no matter what path you take the earliest opportunity you get to use both is in Chapter 4B, and only if you sacrifice Cheripha and nobody else. Still, Lockswell will like one.
---
Lady Natalia... I shall...release your bonds... You must run...
Run from me, will you?
...
UGH! Aww... Dead already? Well, I'm not going to let that stop me! Sir Earnest!
No!
Silly woman. What do you think you're doing? He was already dead! What good is it to shield a corpse?
I shield not the body...
This is your "compassion for the dead?" Aye. Well, I hope it was worth it. Now you join him.
Maybe you can tell us - why would she ever expect our sympathy?
Of course you don't. It makes no sense! What do we care, she's dead. No need to discuss it any longer. What else is there to talk about?
What a splendid idea. Splendid...
What are you still doing here?
The man who came to the aid of the rebel leader - he was a knight of Villnore. I knew him once. Villnore? What's more, envoys from Crell Monferaigne visit the castle of the crown city. Artolia is merely the testing grounds for a war between Villnore and Crell Monferaigne. We are mere pawns in their struggle. ... I left because I wanted no part in puppet games. But the great war is now set to begin.
... The path is yours to choose. I ask only that you let me follow.
I do not know myself. Yet I feel that the path you walk shall yield my heart's true desire. Suit yourself.
So this "higher cause" of yours... Is it some grand clash of fate? That sounds like fun! ...
... (Convincing him that you shall lead him to what he seeks most...)
(...Or so tells me my maiden's intuition.) ...
Age: 12
Gender: Female
Homeland: Artolia
Height: 150cm
Weight: 41kg
Bust/Waist/Hip: It's a secret
Her twin brother, Mischka, in tow, Mireille fled the orphanage in which the two were raised after they were auctioned off separately as slaves. The pair managed to survive by peddling whatever wares passed through their innocent hands to mercenaries on the battlefield, many of whom were more than willing to regale the twins with grim tales and teachings of their trade. They soon took sword to hand themselves, and devoid of any moralizing influence, possess no ethical compass other than their own survival.
Hey...
Age: 12
Gender: Male
Homeland: Artolia
Height: 150cm
Weight: 41kg
Mischka's entire world consists solely of his twin sister, Mireille, his every wish devoted happiness. She is the only family for whom he has ever cared, never giving a second thought to the parents who abandoned the two of them as infants.
Wait a minute...
Age: 29
After losing her lover to the Great Famine, Natalia decided to take up arms and lead the serfs in rebellion against the despotic regime that left them to starve. Aided by Villnore, she was able to turn an angry mod of untrained farmers into a formidable insurgency.
Behind her fiery temper and stoicism lie deep-seated feelings of self-loathing and regret over abandoning her children.
Do you guys remember the title of this chapter?
"Strangers' Reunion."
Valkyrie Profile, ladies and gentlemen.
Mischka and Mireille official render.