Part 81: Kingdom Chapter #6: The Muspel Army

It is not yet time for you to know...

Alternate Chapter #6: The Muspel Army

Last time in this reality, Bastion decided against meeting Duke Radcot...

Briefing



: Assuming we win, of course!
: I just want to know who they are!

Interview

Same as the other Chapter #6

: I recognize these ATACs...They're from the Muspel Nation!
: You're serious?!
: Absolutely, Your Highness! Radcot's invitation was obviously meant to be a trap!
: Prince Bastion, we have journeyed far to meet you. We would prefer you accompany us back to Muspel of your own accord.
: Your threat is veiled very thinly. Radcot's stench is carried with you. I spit on the grave of the filthy wench whose rotten womb spat that vile man into this world!
Uh...that seems a mite disproportionate, but, sure.
: Even with luck, there's no way we will prevail with these odds.
: And we were so close to crossing the border into Dionne-Lehve...
: Our chief concern now should be survival, Reyna. I must admit, the outlook is not good at this moment.
: No, Zeira. Reyna has the answer!
: Of course! Radcot can't attack in Dionne-Lehve because it would be seen as an act of aggression. Marquis Dionne would declare war on Muspel, and Radcot doesn't need anymore enemies than he already has.
: Radcot being the coward that he is, self-preservation is his highest priority.
Wait a fucking minute, didn't Zeira just say something like "Survival is our chief concern?" So...Zeira's a coward too, then?
: Well, we have to find a way to cross the border. Hmmmm...how about this? We'll fight these Muspel soldiers while Bastion makes a run for the border of Dionne-Lehve.
Yeah....I'm not going to do that.
: But what about all of you?
: It's not your responsibility to worry about us, Your Highness! It is our responsibility to protect you from harm! If we must sacrifice our lives so that you can defeat the Empire...so be it.
That may seem like a rote speech from Galvas, but keep in mind the Kingdom is as fucked as it is because the last King managed to get himself killed instead of letting his bodyguards protect him.
: No! I will not allow any of you to sacrifice yourselves for ANY reason! Whether we live or die, we will do it together!
Unfortunately, that means that the team is obligated to commit mass suicide the moment any of its members dies.
: I'm confident we can smash though this siege and reach Dionne-Lehve! All of us!
: Your Highness, please listen to me!
: Sorry, Galvas, but I must side with Bastion on this one. We fight together.
: Duke Zeira!
: Bastion's way may be unconventional, but so far it's working. I don't intend to rock the boat.
: There have already been too many sacrifices in my name, Galvas. Too much tragedy. Too much death. Besides, if I were to run away in a situation like this, I can't very well defeat the Empire, can I? I know it won't be easy, but I know we can do this together!
: Come on, Galvas. Certainly you can see the wisdom of his way!
: I am a professional. I obey the will of His Highness, regardless of my feelings. I am prepared to die at your side, Your Highness. I am prepared to die with honor. (Damn you, Alugard. Damn you for instilling your iron will in the boy...and damn you for dying. No. I don't mean that, brother. I only wish you were here to watch Bastion fulfill his destiny.) Attack us if you will, Muspel dogs! Come and heel at our feet!



9 Muspel troops against our 6, and we still don't have control of Zeira. If the AI were any good, we'd be in real trouble. Instead, the Muspels will split their troops and send them out in waves. At the beginning of the fight, you only have to deal with 4 Muspels. Keep your units together, and they'll go down pretty quicky.



The second wave of two more Muspels will show up a few turns laters. By this point, the first wave should be almost dead, so, once again, not a huge deal.



And down they go...



Have I mentioned that the AI in this game isn't very good? Here, it's decided to dash itself against the main body of my troops.



And here comes the third wave...



If you look closely, you'll notice that the reinforcement waves of Muspel ATACs aren't quite enough to replace the ATACs we're killing. This level gets progressively easier as it goes along.



The last Muspel Soldier finally joins the battle.



It's does not go well for him.



Incidentally, if Bastion loses all HP, he'll end up being captured by Radcot and will then go on to the same track as in the 'prime' path.



: I shudder to think what might have happened to us, had we traveled into the Muspel Nation.
It would have been....Monotreme Madness!
: Do you now understand why we were so concerned, Your Highness? Because we knew he was up to no good! I would hope that you will disregard anything he or his messengers might tell you in the future, won't you?
: I admit it, Galvas. You and Zeira were absolutely right about him.
: I don't believe we've heard the last of him and his followers, either. We must be ready for whatever he decides to try next, Bastion.
: Duke Zeira is correct. Radcot is not a man who accepts failure. He will try something like this again. I hope the Marquis has not become impatient with us. That battle was a long one. I wonder if we should explain the reason for our delay, or fabricate a less dramatic tale instead.
Sorry, Marquis, we were late because...it was raining and the roads were muddy and it took us forever to kill them all. The rain. To kill all of the rain.
: I am uncomfortable with negotiation in the first place, of course. I always preferred violence. I only hope violence is not necessary to win the loyalty of the Marquis.
: Galvas, you really do worry too much. From everything I've heard about him, Marquis Dionne is an honorable man. It's gonna be Bastion who wins or loses Dionne's alliance, not us.
: I realize this, Duke Zeira, but I have never cared for situations which are out of my control. I have no doubt Your Highness will forge an alliance with the Marquis.
: If you harbor so much doubt in your heart, Galvas, people will become as wary of you as you are of them. It's impossible to make friends when you are constantly expecting them to become your enemies! I know it is never easy to change, Galvas, but can you learn to trust?
: Your Highness...
: Or at least learn to be less grouchy! I'm not surprised that your frown lines are your deepest wrinkles.
: That's right, old man! Learn to take things as they come! Think of it this way. Stop worrying, and perhaps your hairline will stop receding.
I bet you thought Devlin could go an entire update with being an asshole...
: I neither need nor want inexperienced children telling me about the ways of the world! And my hairline is NOT receding! I have a prominent widow's peak!
: Grandpa! Did you see the cake Reyna baked for us?! Look at the frosting! Look at the sprinkles! LOOK!!
: I don't want cake, you overfed oaf!
: What? After Reyna worked so hard to make it? You're not very nice!
: I still don't want it!! I also want to disappear so I won't embarrass myself any further...
: I do believe this is the first time I've seen you blush, Galvas!



Later, at Dionne's castle...that appears to be made entirely of wood...

: The honor is ours, Marquis Dionne. Thank you for meeting with us.
: I am Galvas Derid, Corps Commander of the Kingdom.
: And I'm Duke Zeira of the Avalon Principality, but of course, you know that already. It's been a long time since we last tangled on the battle field.
: Indeed it has, Duke Zeira, but I hear your skills have improved immensely since then.
: Marquis Dionne, I would have you hear our story, and understand why we have come.
: You are impatient, Sir Galvas, but I suppose you have not come for idle chatter. Tell me your tale, then....
One off-screen recap later...
: Yes, Prince Bastion, I understand the words of Alugard. The supreme spirit can indeed be found in my country...But I know it as Gratia, the stone which is the key to unlocking the power of the Ultragunner.
: What?! Why did you not tell us this sooner? You must have known what we were speaking of almost immediately! I...I apologize, Marquis Dionne. I am merely excited at what the future holds for Bastion. Please continue.
: It is simple, Commander Galvas. The duty of the Dionne-Lehve family has always been to protect Gratia.
That sounds kind of stupid, but we'll see a family with an even more improbable duty a bit later on.
: I'm afraid I am only growing more confused, Marquis Dionne!
: Long ago, when the Ultragunner was sealed away, my great-grandfather pledged to guard it forever...Or until a person of royal blood and pure heart proved himself worthy of reviving its power.
: Remarkable. My brother never once mentioned any of this to me, but I'm sure he was sworn to secrecy.
Yep, that's why no one in this game knows anything....they were sworn to secrecy...
: The pledge of your clan has now been fulfilled, Marquis Dionne. Please bestow Gratia to His Highness, that we may crush the Empire and restore the Kingdom to greatness!
: I cannot do that yet, Commander.
: And why not, Marquis Dionne?!
: Prince Bastion has not yet proven himself worthy of possessing it.
: You have heard all that His Highness has encountered and experienced, yet you deem him unworthy?! If you are unwilling to give Gratia to us, then you force us to take it!
: Calm down, Galvas! We are not here to wage another war! You must remember that it was only a few days ago that I was declared the Prince of the Kingdom.
Yeah, that brings up an interesting point. The old king is dead, so shouldn't that make Bastion king? Even if there were some sort of regency, he would still be the king, so I'm not sure why he's a prince.
: You obviously know of my history, and therefore accepted me without question...But there are many who will not be so eager to embrace my existence, or my right to the throne. We would be foolish not to expect some incredulity from the people of the Continent. One of my greatest challenges will be to convince those people that I intend them no harm. If I cannot convince Marquis Dionne that I am worthy, how am I going to convince anyone else?
: Forgive me, Highness...
: How do I prove my worth, Dionne?
: You shall engage in ATAC combat with one of my most skilled soldiers. It has been my experience that the heart of a man is reflected by his actions on the field of battle.
: My father shared that belief, Marquis Dionne.
Right up until he was beaten to death by Faulkner...
: Go forth, Prince Bastion, and show me your worth...

Next Time: Escape from Muspel!