link Flayn volume_up
Dorothea! I have it!
link Dorothea volume_up
You have what?
link Flayn volume_up
I have learned more about the story you mentioned the other day! The one regarding the song that ended a war!
link Dorothea volume_up
That's incredible! How did you manage it?
link Dorothea volume_up
I've been asking around myself, but I haven't learned a thing.
link Flayn volume_up
I actually asked my brother.
link Flayn volume_up
Or to be more specific, I just so happened to stumble across it in one of his books.
link Flayn volume_up
I happened to stumble across it in a book my brother left behind.
link Dorothea volume_up
I see. And what did it say?
link Flayn volume_up
It is the story of a woman who ended a war with a song.
link Flayn volume_up
This took place a short while after the Empire emerged victorious from the War of Heroes.
link Flayn volume_up
The brother of an Imperial noble started a conflict regarding the succession of their territory.
link Flayn volume_up
It was a minor struggle at first, but gradually the other neighboring lords became caught up as well. It became quite the event.
link Flayn volume_up
One thing spiraled into another, and soon they were on the cusp of a war that threatened to splinter the very Empire itself.
link Dorothea volume_up
Nobles are always like that, no matter the era.
link Flayn volume_up
At the time, one woman was very worried about the state of affairs—a childhood friend of the two brothers on opposite sides of the struggle.
link Dorothea volume_up
Oh? Now that's a development right out of the storybooks.
link Flayn volume_up
She made her way to the battlefield—which was on the brink of exploding into violence—stood between the two armies, and began to sing.
link Flayn volume_up
She filled her every word with the hope that the brothers would not be driven to fight. And it went like this...
link Flayn volume_up
♪I remember with fondness, days long past with those I love. With warmth in my heart I think of them, and sing to the stars up above.♪
link Flayn volume_up
♪Hands once linked now carry swords, filled with rage and bloody. And with their smiles forgotten, they seek the sweet release of death.♪
link Flayn volume_up
The sound of her voice in song moved not only the hearts of the two brothers, but of their armies as well. Soon, they all dispersed and returned to their homes.
link Flayn volume_up
Having settled their differences, the brothers petitioned the emperor to change their territories.
link Flayn volume_up
So that there would be no lingering grudge, they asked to be given lands at the east and west ends of the Empire, with the capital betwixt.
link Flayn volume_up
And that is the tale of how House Fenja and House Menja came to be!
link Dorothea volume_up
You know, I just realized something.
link Dorothea volume_up
The name of the Mittelfrank Opera Company means "friendship at the center."
link Dorothea volume_up
It's taken from a festival of singing and dancing that was held in the capital long ago in the hopes of fostering peace.
link Dorothea volume_up
Maybe the origins of this festival are found in the story you just told me.
link Flayn volume_up
Do you truly think so?
link Dorothea volume_up
Noble houses divided with a capital between them? Singing and dancing in the center for peace?
link Dorothea volume_up
I don't think it's a coincidence.
link Flayn volume_up
Now that you say it, I find I must agree!
link Flayn volume_up
Which would mean that you, Dorothea, diva of the Mittelfrank Opera Company, might use your talent to bring about the end of war!
link Flayn volume_up
That would be quite something were it to come to pass!
link Dorothea volume_up
Hmm. I wonder... But let's put old tales aside for now and continue our lessons, shall we?
link Dorothea volume_up
Perhaps if we pray and sing for peace, happiness really will find us all!