I confess, I'm more than a little relieved that things
[cdb]have finally settled down in Riegan.
And that's to say nothing of my relief that we didn't
[cdb]lose Count Bergliez in the bargain.
However, it looks like we'll need to keep a careful
[cdb]association with Claude moving forward.
Express happiness about the count's safety.
Caution her about Claude.
Even the strongest man in the Empire ends up on the
[cdb]back foot from time to time.
Even the strongest man in the Empire ends up on the
[cdb]back foot from time to time.
I'm just glad he made it out in one piece.
I'm just glad he made it out in one piece.
Agreed—although it was an interesting experience to
[cdb]see that even the great Count Bergliez is human.
Yeah, Claude's a tough nut to crack. Definitely not
[cdb]someone you wanna test, strategically speaking.
Yeah, Claude's a tough nut to crack. Definitely not
[cdb]someone you wanna test, strategically speaking.
I agree. But rather than repeatedly fighting him to
[cdb]no avail, perhaps our best option is...
No. Now is not yet the time.
It appears the king of Faerghus himself has come to
[cdb]recapture Arianrhod.
The outcome of this battle will likely contribute
[cdb]heavily to the balance of power between Adrestia
[cdb]and Faerghus.
I look forward to great success on your part.
But I also trust you to look after Her Majesty. This is
[cdb]the Kingdom we face, and there will be no end of
[cdb]rogues who seek to claim her life.
I thought Count Rowe might turn back to the
Kingdom more readily, but instead he mounts a
[cdb]stout defense from the castle.
Perhaps he possesses some backbone after all.
Agree with him.
Express skepticism.
Oh, I agree—especially when you consider the
[cdb]situation with Count Gloucester.
Oh, I agree—especially when you consider the
[cdb]situation with Count Gloucester.
I believe that man had his own reasons, but I
[cdb]understand what you are trying to say.
Yeah, I dunno. Seems just as likely Rowe wants to flip
[cdb]sides and someone is counseling him otherwise.
Yeah, I dunno. Seems just as likely Rowe wants to flip
[cdb]sides and someone is counseling him otherwise.
An interesting thought—and perhaps a prescient one,
[cdb]considering Lord Lonato is presently in Arianrhod.
I confess shame at my own ignorance for not having
[cdb]thought of such a possibility myself.
Do you know what the Kingdom and Alliance possess
[cdb]which the Empire does not?
Perhaps my question is overly broad, so let me just
[cdb]get to the point—I refer to the Heroes' Relics.
Claim to not know much about them.
Boast of your impressive knowledge.
Relics are those fancy weapons used by folks with
Crests, yeah?
Relics are those fancy weapons used by folks with
Crests, yeah?
They are handed down among nobles of the Kingdom
[cdb]and Alliance who descend from the great heroes
[cdb]known as the Ten Elites.
Get ready to get schooled! Relics are weapons handed
[cdb]down to nobles of the Kingdom and Alliance who
[cdb]descend from the heroes known as the Ten Elites.
Get ready to get schooled! Relics are weapons handed
[cdb]down to nobles of the Kingdom and Alliance who
[cdb]descend from the heroes known as the Ten Elites.
Er, yes, actually. I am surprised you possess such a...
detailed knowledge of the matter.
In any event, Relics are such powerful weapons that it
[cdb]is said a single one of them equals the might of one
[cdb]thousand ordinary soldiers.
Such is what it means to face off against the Kingdom
[cdb]and the several Relics in their possession.
For a long time, all I cared about was being just like
[cdb]my father in every way, and then surpassing him.
But now I know that's not enough. I mean, there have
[cdb]to be people even stronger than him, right?
Tell him you sincerely doubt that.
Agree with the man.
Yeaaah, that seems unlikely. And even if there are,
I bet you can count them on one hand.
Yeaaah, that seems unlikely. And even if there are,
I bet you can count them on one hand.
Hmm... Maybe you're right. Still, if Holst decided to
[cdb]fight my father, I wonder who would win?
Actually, you might be right. And besides,
[cdb]true strength comes in all forms and shapes.
Actually, you might be right. And besides,
[cdb]true strength comes in all forms and shapes.
See? You get it! Still, I've set a lot of goals for myself,
[cdb]so I know there's a long road ahead.
We ended up facing off against Jeralt's Mercenaries
[cdb]again in Riegan.
It's almost like there's some fateful connection
[cdb]between us and them.
Agree with her, to a point.
Talk about your relationship with them.
Maybe, although they don't seem to have any
[cdb]particular grudge against the Empire.
Maybe, although they don't seem to have any
[cdb]particular grudge against the Empire.
Could just be a coincidence.
Could just be a coincidence.
I'd be grateful if that were the case. But as they say,
[cdb]what happens twice will surely happen thrice.
I actually fought them a while ago and lost. Badly.
I actually fought them a while ago and lost. Badly.
Which means they've always been strong.
That makes it all the more curious.
I grow stronger through battle. Combat experience
[cdb]really is being the greatest of teachers.
Hunting beasts and hunting people are different
[cdb]things, after all.
Ask her how it's different.
Nod sagely.
Fighting and hunting are different, huh? How so?
Fighting and hunting are different, huh? How so?
Beasts are determining enemy strength and choosing
[cdb]whether to fight or run.
But many people are not able to do this, which leads
[cdb]to battles of much pointlessness.
They certainly are different. Let's just hope my skills
[cdb]stay as sharp as yours.
They certainly are different. Let's just hope my skills
[cdb]stay as sharp as yours.
I am not doubting at all that you can.
Arianrhod, huh? Sure wish I had an invincible fortress
I could lock myself away in forever!
Arianrhod, huh? Sure wish I had an invincible fortress
I could lock myself away in forever!
Still, I know that there's no such thing as something
[cdb]being truly "invincible."
Still, I know that there's no such thing as something
[cdb]being truly "invincible."
I mean, even Count Bergliez loses on occasion, right?
Which means it's only a matter of time for Arianrhod.
I mean, even Count Bergliez loses on occasion, right?
Which means it's only a matter of time for Arianrhod.
Even when tinged with sadness, her face remains as
[cdb]splendid as always. Still, I wish I could do something
[cdb]that might bring her joy...
If only I was smarter! Or stronger! Or both!
Well, I'll just do the best I can with what I've got,
[cdb]and I'm hoping you'll do the same.
We have more troops than ever now.
It just goes to show how important this battle is—
[cdb]but on the other side of that coin, it will doubtless
[cdb]lead to ever greater losses.
Be realistic, but upbeat.
Take a different approach.
Then it's a good thing we've got folks like you to keep
[cdb]those numbers low.
Then it's a good thing we've got folks like you to keep
[cdb]those numbers low.
Still, we have no choice but to be realistic and face
[cdb]the day as best we can.
Still, we have no choice but to be realistic and face
[cdb]the day as best we can.
I find your calm reassuring.
Yeah, you're right—but with people like you around,
[cdb]maybe we'll be able to reduce that number a little.
Yeah, you're right—but with people like you around,
[cdb]maybe we'll be able to reduce that number a little.
I'm just sad about all those we won't be able to save.
I don't care about Faerghus personally...but I do
[cdb]have family there.
I heard they are fighting for the Kingdom. On the
[cdb]battlefield, they are our enemy.
Wonder about his situation.
Ask about his family.
Say, you're from the Empire, right? Why do you have
[cdb]family in the Kingdom?
Say, you're from the Empire, right? Why do you have
[cdb]family in the Kingdom?
Long story. Suffice it to say, I have reasons.
Never would've thought I'd hear about family from
[cdb]you. You talking siblings or what?
Never would've thought I'd hear about family from
[cdb]you. You talking siblings or what?
My mother and sister. They are all I have.
The lives of enemies and allies mean nothing to me.
But I could not bear to lose her.
Have you heard the rumors? I hear there's someone
[cdb]else in our ranks who wishes to see their house
[cdb]restored!
Say it's not exactly a restoration.
Ask if she means Randolph.
You mean Randolph? He's not trying to restore a
[cdb]house so much as establish a new one. I think it's a
[cdb]little different from your situation.
You mean Randolph? He's not trying to restore a
[cdb]house so much as establish a new one. I think it's a
[cdb]little different from your situation.
Yes, perhaps it is... But whatever the man's aims,
I swear I shall be the first to see my noble house rise!
You mean Randolph?
You mean Randolph?
Randolph, is it? I see. Tread lightly, "Randolph,"
[cdb]for I have committed your name to memory!
I shall not be outdone by you, dear fellow! I will see
[cdb]my house restored first!
Going back and forth in the mountains reminds me
[cdb]of my hometown.
Haven't seen anyone there in a looong time, but I
[cdb]think I'd like to head back someday.
It's in the middle of some great mountains. No, wait.
Some great forest? Eh, it'll come to me eventually.
Lonato and his forces lead the vanguard to Arianrhod.
He'll be quite familiar with Arianrhod, seeing as it is
House Rowe's residence.
Lonato is very important to me, as is everyone else in
[cdb]the Kingdom army.
And I don't want to whine—I really don't—but I also
[cdb]don't want to fight them.
I find myself relieved that the battle with the Alliance
[cdb]has come to an end.
Though I swore fealty to the Empire, it is no pleasant
[cdb]affair to be thrown into war against former comrades.
I would rest far more easy if the Alliance and Empire
[cdb]were to be united.
Say that's impossible.
Tell him you could see it happening.
I don't think that's possible considering everything
[cdb]that's happened.
I don't think that's possible considering everything
[cdb]that's happened.
I see your point, though I could still see it coming to
[cdb]pass if the interests of both regions came into
[cdb]alignment.
Hey, you never know, right?
Hey, you never know, right?
Yes, I am certain that if their interests were to align,
[cdb]they would not hesitate to come together.
Ignatz! We're fighting on the same side! I'm more
[cdb]excited about this than a ham feast!
I'm excited too, Raphael. But hey, how are Maya and
[cdb]your grandfather doing?
Great as usual! That's why I'm fighting—so they can
[cdb]keep on living a good and happy life.
In that case, let's fight as hard as we can so we never
[cdb]have to be on opposite sides again.
Raphael was such a dear friend, but...but we...
War can be so very cruel.
What will I say to his grandfather? Or Maya?
Aw, Ignatz. You're the one who asked me to join up
[cdb]with the Empire...
But what's the point of doing that if you're gonna up
[cdb]and die before me, buddy? Maybe I should just...
No. There's still a purpose here. I've gotta live
[cdb]through this for myself—and for Maya.
Never in all my life thought I'd run into somebody
[cdb]who could take out Holst.
I dunno about that Bergliez guy. He and Holst are so
[cdb]blasted strong they don't even seem human.
But Bergliez has a Crest, whereas Holst doesn't.
So if it comes out a draw, that's basically a win for
Holst, yeah? Either way, I sure don't wanna tussle
[cdb]with either of 'em.
I capitulated to the Empire, which might actually
[cdb]give my father greater peace of mind.
You see, House Ordelia has for some time declared
[cdb]their inclinations to swear allegiance to the Empire.
But in my father's heart of hearts, I know he wanted
[cdb]to join with the other lords of the Alliance and fight
[cdb]against the Empire.
We once faced cruel treatment at the Empire's hands,
[cdb]so I was fighting in his place.
Ask why she decided to surrender.
Ask if she really wants to obey the Empire.
You don't seem to like the Empire much, so why
[cdb]fall in with us?
You don't seem to like the Empire much, so why
[cdb]fall in with us?
Well...
You don't seem to like the Empire much. Are you
[cdb]really going to obey them going forward?
You don't seem to like the Empire much. Are you
[cdb]really going to obey them going forward?
I've made my decision. Additionally...
I'm rather curious about Edelgard, so... Ah, no.
Please forget that last part.
Oh, Goddess...
Ah, excuse me. Do you need something?
Ask about her faith.
Ask about her home.
The Empire is working to annihilate the Central
Church, yet faith is clearly important to you. Are you
[cdb]really OK with all of this?
The Empire is working to annihilate the Central
Church, yet faith is clearly important to you. Are you
[cdb]really OK with all of this?
I feel a bit conflicted because I accepted the doctrine
[cdb]of the Central Church simply as a matter of course.
But so long as I can still pray, that is enough.
Your family are lords of the Alliance, aren't they?
I feel like it would be hard to fight your kin.
Your family are lords of the Alliance, aren't they?
I feel like it would be hard to fight your kin.
Actually my adoptive father would have expected me
[cdb]to join the Imperial army.
And while I don't know his plans moving forward,
I suspect he will not want to fight.
I felt my recent performance to be lacking.
Nonetheless, Her Majesty honored me with praise,
[cdb]and now my heart is full.
Perhaps if I continue to accrue meritorious deeds to
[cdb]my name, I will be permitted to establish a house.
For my family, I will do whatever it takes.
I'm so glad Her Majesty praised Randolph's efforts.
And it seems like he received a reward, too!
My brother works incredibly hard for our sakes,
[cdb]and I want to help however I can.
Hold on, Randolph! I'll help you—I swear it!
The Alliance and the Kingdom sure are keeping you
[cdb]folks busy!
As for me, I'm a merchant, so I'm always traveling
[cdb]this way and that.
It's through those amazing efforts that I maintain
[cdb]my store's astonishing lineup!
I am Baron Martyn, and my territory is located
[cdb]southeast of here.
Not that I expect you to know that, of course. I fear
[cdb]we're something of a minor house.
Nonetheless, I will help you capture Arianrhod.
Arianrhod, known also as the Silver Maiden,
[cdb]originally belonged to the Empire.
Sadly, the Count Rowe of the time betrayed the
Empire and drove a wedge into their defenses.
But now it belongs to the Empire once more, and we
[cdb]will never again let it fall into enemy hands!
I've looked up to the knights of the Kingdom since I
[cdb]was a small girl.
But now that the time has come to cross spears with
[cdb]them, I find myself increasingly nervous.
I pray I fight in a way that does no shame to
[cdb]my opponents.
The army attacking Arianrhod is evidently being led
[cdb]by King Dimitri himself.
Pretty scary to be fighting a guy who killed his own
[cdb]uncle on his path to the throne, huh?
Even those who simply sided with his uncle were
[cdb]named as perpetrators of the Tragedy of Duscur and
[cdb]punished accordingly.
Hey there! Remember me?
I guess you don't. I was in the same year as you,
[cdb]in the Golden Deer House.
A few houses of the Alliance are following the Empire
[cdb]now, including the one that I work for.
I don't much think about the lord himself, but those
Gaspard folks are an impressive lot.
Most love Lord Lonato like a father, and are even
[cdb]willing to lay down their lives for him.
Maybe he's more praiseworthy than I realized.
This was once Arundel territory, but the regent's
[cdb]rebellion saw the house ended.
After that, it came under control of House Hresvelg,
[cdb]and the Minister of the Imperial Household began
[cdb]coming and going often.
Talk arose that it would be granted to House Vestra,
[cdb]but for now it remains under Hresvelg influence.
Seems like we've got more mercs on our side lately.
Can we really trust 'em?
Wouldn't be surprising if they had a couple of spies
[cdb]mixed in among 'em. Better keep the important
[cdb]information close to the vest.
No need to tell the mercs everything, after all!
Those people would turn in their own grandmother
[cdb]for a couple of coins if it came down to it.
Despite the difference in hair color, Her Majesty
[cdb]looks very much like her mother, Anselma.
What, me? Oh, I'm just the head of a nearby village
[cdb]who's come to greet the emperor.
Her Majesty's mother Anselma was born right here in
[cdb]former Arundel territory!
She would often come to visit our village. Though it
[cdb]was a great many years ago, I still remember her as a
[cdb]most wonderful person.
Greetings, Commander! Nothing to report!
The gates of Arianrhod seem every bit as gigantic and
[cdb]sturdy as those in the capitals.
Oh, how I would love to stand watch there!
Not that I'm not proud of the tiny gate we have here!
Wait, did I just call it tiny? Forget I said anything!
What's the matter? Having second thoughts?
Don't worry about it. You're human, after all. A little
[cdb]wavering is only natural.
Trust in me. I will guide you to the right answer.
hopes.fedatamine.com
