Part 58: Chapter 3A (3)

For those reading the LP without the thread, Ushio and Mireille won the last two spots, but in a quick informal poll afterwards, Heugoe beat Lockswell for his spot in the party as well. I might bring him back if I have a pressing need for a Sorcerer, but we'll just see how far we can go.

Incidentally, I realized I never linked to Lockswell's Voice Collection, so there you go.

Lockswell is voiced by Toru Okawa, possibly best known for his role as Roy Mustang in Fullmetal Alchemist. In English he's voiced by Michael Forest, who was Zuo Ci in Dynasty Warriors 5.

Anyway, let's get on with the battle. Rosea joins us here as a Guest, but we don't need to use her anyway.





This can be a tough fight for the unprepared. There are six strong enemies here - three Lizard Men, two Ocypetes, and a Dragon. The Lizard Men are easy to kill but hit hard, the Dragon has softer blows but is durable, and the Ocypetes are just nasty in general.



Charging straight in is a recipe for disaster - the two Ocypetes will quickly bumrush you with powerful attacks and likely kill you or paralyze you. Instead, the best thing to do is to move everyone to the right, pick up the hidden item (a copy of Regeneration), and bait out the Ocypete on the right side - if done right, most of the other enemies will stay idle.



One of the Lizard Men and an Ocypete take the bait, to the detriment of Mireille.



This happens a lot in this battle.



Basic strategy - surround, kill. The Dragon is the only enemy that's tougher to kill, but if you get full Sin on every other enemy you won't have to worry.









The upside of this party is that crystals are fairly plentiful - while two launchers isn't really recommended it does reap a good amount of crystals if you can juggle well.



Everybody uses mail gauntlets, so the more of these I can get the better - the Lizard Man can drop up to two, but there's not much point in resetting to get two if you get one pair.



Ocypetes are best surrounded in melee range where they can't retaliate, even if you're using Lancers or Sorcerers. Archers can avoid retaliation by striking from their max range.





If you find you're having a lot of trouble with the Ocypetes, you can get Leather Boots from the shop for a 10% resistance to Lightning on anyone who wears cloth, and Paralyze Checks to resist it.



We then move along the bottom of the map - Mireille takes another beating from the other Ocypete. She also gets paralyzed.



I could cure her paralysis, but she's almost certain to get paralyzed again, so I just top her up with a potion while moving everyone else in.



Next turn, I just cure her paralysis then, then move people in to strike.



The Grásida is a huge damage boost at this point of time. He'll get overshadowed eventually, but for now Heugoe is ferociously powerful.



Safety Boots are gonna be great for us since we don't really have any ranged units. The left Ocypete here can drop up to two.



And Mireille levels up and fully restores her health, which is also nice.



Three enemies left and we're doing good so far. What you're not seeing is me using about 3-4 Union Plumes on Mireille so far.



The thing with Ushio is that while his attacks are sluggish normally, they become really fast in sieges, which is suddenly an issue when you remember how low Shadowslash hits. This is why he pairs well with Mireille, who can knock enemies down multiple times.



Victory is sweet.



The last Lizard Man falls similarly.



I can't remember if the Dragon normally hits this soft, or if it's just Heugoe's RDM. Later Dragons definitely hit quite hard, though. The Dragon also has access to Fire Storm.







I think I might be slowly getting the hang of this. Wylfred and Ushio do a pretty good job of balancing each other out. Ushio actually works well on this map, because of his weapon's damage bonus against scaled creatures.







And done. Perfect Sin!





Might Potions are actually useful now that we're not using Lockswell to Might Reinforce characters. Ushio will love the Mirage Robe when he becomes fully customizable, too.

---



I have little choice when they have already rescued me once.

Fair enough.

My debt is repaid. Now if you will permit me, a vital matter requires my attention.



Answer me for once and for all! If it is not you upon whom I should seek my revenge, then it is this "Lieselotte?"

As I told you before, I know of only my own innocence. I cannot speak of her guilt.

When told the murderer could only have been one of us, I accused her. Likewise, she accused me.



Easier to convict all the suspects than determine the guilty one.

With no evidence of Lieselotte's wrongdoing to clear my name, it was deemed a fair sentence. I seethed with indignation.

Outraged for allowing myself to fall under suspicion, I directed my fury at Lieselotte.

And then one day, it occurred to me-



The peace and prosperity I promised the kingdom at court could still be realized across the towns and fields.

I can only assume that in her mind, Lieselotte had just cause for taking the archimagus' life.

And I pray she has discovered the blessings of bringing peace to wherever she may be.

If you truly seek to vindicate Lord Cennair, live your life for the better. That, not revenge, will bring him peace.



...

...

I must take leave of you now.



Liese!

Liese? As in Lieselotte?

What is it you want?



But how do you-

In my profession, I receive requests for all sorts of things - downing the margrave's carrier pigeon, for instance.

You would not dare!

I am willing to spare your life in exchange for a peaceful surrender. I am nothing if not magnanimous.



How fortunate your gift for rhetoric does not go to waste. It can turn ostracism into blind loyalty!

It was not the people that ostracized you, yet it is on them you turn!

Lieselotte! Your traitorous breath is my master's torment. In the name of Lord Cennair, I strike thee down!



Rosea has told me all that I need know. My master's ghost cannot rest until his killer is slain.

Well done, Rosea! You never did let the truth get in the way of a good story.

So I am Cennair's murderer and you are the accused innocent - is that the tale you spin, Saintess?

What would you have me say?

I'll have you say no more. Quicker to kill you all and be done with it.



Next time: ashes to ashes, dust to dust.