Oh Loo Soren Is Upset Again

Part 49: Chapter 22 - Preamble

Overcoming many hardships, Ike and company finally make it in the Daein capital of Nevassa. Yet, much to their dismay, Rex Ashnard is nowhere to be found. According to intelligence reports, the king is in Crimea'southward capital letter of Melior, preparing to wage war against Gallia. In improver, at least half of the Daein ground forces, including its virtually aristocracy forces, remain unharmed and at his side.

The Crimean army is again forced to march. This time, all the same, the battlefield volition be their ain homeland. Eagerly pending their arrival is a Daein army more powerful than anything they have faced so far. This fact, coupled with Nasir'due south act of betrayal, has filled Ike with apprehension and disappointment.

Still, information technology is so, when all hope seems faint, that unexpected good news arrives.

Allow's just clear something up right now: There is naught "solo" most this chapter. I have no idea what the hell they were thinking.

---

Reinforcements? I haven't heard anything about this.

No, non a word.

Are you sure they're Begnion troops?

Yes, sir! They fly Begnion's insignia. At that place tin exist no dubiousness of their actuality. And the man in control is 1 of Begnion'due south about beloved heroes, Full general Zelgius! There's no mistaking him, sir!

Allow me to meet with him first.

---

I am. And you are?

I am Zelgius, earl of Kadohl. I've been dispatched from Begnion with a battalion to back up your army.

Your assistance is much appreciated, only... This is very unexpected.

I sympathise your surprise. For Begnion'due south imperial senate, this decision was made with unusual haste.

I imagine then. It took forever just to get the soldiers I accept now.

Do yous mean Sephiran?

Correct. Duke Persis is also senior statesman of the regal senate. The duke returned from his travels and began working immediately to settle pressing diplomacy of state. Kickoff, he met with the campaigner, and they exchanged reports on both foreign and domestic matters. Then they discussed Begnion'due south position in relation to the current conflict, and possible courses of action. In less than half a day, they brought the unabridged imperial senate into line and sent united states here to you lot.

...So you lot're maxim that Begnion has centrolineal itself with Crimea. Is that it?

That's it exactly. I am at your service, General Ike.

At present and then, please tell me what y'all would have my men do. I'm ordered to help in any way possible.

Um... You've caught me off guard. I can't think of anything right now.

In that case, do I have permission to make army camp around the palace and rest my troops?

Yes, please do. That's no problem.

Thanks. Please do not hesitate to phone call if y'all have demand of us. We are at your disposal.

---

It certainly was! Information technology seems the apostle and Sephiran did the impossible by getting them to us.

First we have Daein's capital, and now this. Things are looking upwards.

Y'all're right. Fifty-fifty if we don't receive help from Gallia, we still may be able to defeat Ashnard.

That's truthful. It's... similar a dream.

Oh, await. Soren is upset again. Who knew?! What is information technology this time?

If the Crimean regular army is not the crux of Daein'due south defeat, this war means nothing.

What does that take to practise with the arrival of these reinforcements?

The battalion that simply arrived is greater in numbers than the one we originally received. Not only that, but all of these soldiers are marching under Begnion'south name.

So?

So... If these reinforcements are responsible for defeating King Daein, what do you recall volition happen? That achievement, the very victory itself, volition belong to the Begnion Empire. Not to Crimea. If that happens, Crimea will be rebuilt however Begnion sees fit, and Princess Elincia will be a mere figurehead.

Nosotros'll receive some paltry sum of money and be swept under a rug somewhere. Marking my words.

Soren, you're being and so rude! Surely the apostle, of all people, would never do such a affair!

And this Full general Zelgius seems sincere enough to me.

Come up, Soren. I have heard of situations like that which yous describe, but whether this is such a case... We've been fortunate to receive this proficient will. Must we always search for such ulterior motives?

Yes! We must! Have you forgotten Nasir?! It's that sort of naive attitude that allowed him to remain undetected for so long!

If they aren't, we could well be ignoring something that will lead to our defeat. Or to our death.

...

Allow's accept Soren'southward comments nether consideration and discuss this at length. We run into in one hour.

---

Wait, Mia got MVP? Well, I guess that Vantage-Crit binge was pretty badass. I'll permit this.

Permit there exist Base.

---

Youth (**):

Say, if there's an enemy in my way, but I don't want to kill him, what practise yous think I should do?

Oh, Ike, you take no idea.

Well, information technology's all your error! You had to go and tutor Daniel, and at present I've been on this losing streak!

Tutor? You mean back when nosotros were onboard the ship? Information technology was just one hint!

Daniel isn't like me! He's smart. I'm the one who thought upwardly this game, but he's the one who's getting better and better. I hardly ever win anymore!

Instead of playing that game, why don't you try some real combat?

Stop joking effectually. We're happy-go-lucky traveling merchants. We don't know anything about fighting.

Give me a break! It's overnice you're having fun and all, but please... Tin can y'all save your stupid game for someone who'southward not fighting for their life solar day in and mean solar day out?

All nosotros tin exercise is play this game. Sorry... I'll merely go lose again...

Oh, for heaven's sake...

Think how we already knew this from Affiliate 9?

Huh? Oh, t-thanks. ... Um... You know, we are what we are, simply nosotros'll be with yous till the end. I promise nosotros tin continue to be of service. All right?

Aye, thanks. Distressing for being so irritable.

That's all right. I know how much stress you've been under.

...

So, yeah. There's no way this is going to be relevant afterwards. The writing in this game has its subtleties, but this is not i of them.

---

Sothe (*):

Oh, Commander Ike! Oops! I guess I'm supposed to call you General now, huh?

Commander's fine. Then what'due south going on? Are you thinking about that person you were looking for?

That's... all settled. Actually, no... it'southward not actually settled. Information technology's only... I figured that worrying about it all the time wasn't doing me any skilful. I turned over every rock in Begnion during my search, simply... It's just easier to assume that everything'southward going well... somewhere...

Well, as long as you lot're happy, I won't say a word. Then... what were you thinking nearly then?

Is that and then?

Yeah. Until a few years back, I lived in the slums of Nevassa and stole for a living.

...

So anyhow, I went back to my onetime stomping grounds and saw some friends. The rest of the city'due south empty, simply they're notwithstanding here. They've got no other place to go, you know?

And what did they have to say?

Information technology'south and then weird. Until at present, all they had e'er washed was complain near this place.

I see.

You know, Ashnard wasn't such a bad male monarch. At to the lowest degree, equally far as we could run across. If you were stiff enough, you could rise up and go a knight one 24-hour interval. You could escape the filthy slums. He was the simply king who e'er gave us that chance. That hope.

...

Don't get me wrong. I don't mind fighting with all of you. But however, seeing your homeland scarred and trampled like this is tough. I'k pitiful. I know Crimea is suffering in the same fashion, just... I can't change how I feel.

---

Supports!

Rhys/Ulki (C):

Fire/Water: Hit +2.5, Atk +one, Def +0.five

Um... H-how-do-you-do! Hello in that location!

Mmm?

Er... I'1000... I'g sorry! I didn't meant to make you mad! I merely wanted to talk to--

I'one thousand not mad. Can I aid you with something?

Ooh! Oooooh! I'm so glad! I'm Rhys! N-overnice to see y'all!

Er... hello. I am Ulki.

Er... Well.. Say, you can really fly with those wings, huh?! I saw y'all plough into a hawk before... It was astonishing! I envy you!

Mrrr?

Oh, sorry... That probably sounds weird. I've e'er been sickly. When I was little, I spent a lot of time in bed. So... I used to gaze out the window and encounter all the little birds flying around the heaven... It must exist fantastic! Flying wherever you want, whenever y'all desire?!

Um... Fantastic. Yes. I suppose. I never thought of it.

Oh, I don't blame you! After all, you've been flying since you were built-in... Soaring through the skies like a puffy deject!

Mmm? Clouds practice not soar... I am dislocated.

---

Tormod/Calill (C):

Fire/Dark: Hit +2.5, Atk +1, Avo +two.5

Alibi me, ma'am?

...

Um... Excuse me, Calill?

Hmph! I won't answer unless you telephone call me... A lady. A pretty lady!

Nuts to that!

Well and so, y'all can only forget it. I won't waste my fourth dimension instruction magic to a deviling like you.

Hey, pretty lady! Cute lady? Would you delight teach me magic?

What a selfish deviling! What about the spells I taught you last week? I won't teach you annihilation new until you lot've mastered those.

Those? Pshaw! I aced them! Heck, I aced everything in this book! I'm a magic genius!

Boastfulness does not become you, dearest. And your brash natural language won't make me teach you whatsoever faster.

Yes? I'll testify y'all! Um... I mean... Can you make sure I'k doing them right? Please? Pretty lady?

Fine, fine. Evidence me what you can do. Sigh... So much work and then little time...

---

Shinon/Janaff (B):

Thunder/Thunder: Def +2, Avo +x

Oh, look, it's the one-half-breed birdbrain. What a pleasant surprise. Peck anyone lately?

Don't starting time with me, y'all human jerk.

I hear you're a babysitter for the rex of Phoenicis. Not a bad gig... because how scrawny yous are.

I hear you lot knew Greil for ages. They say he betrayed his men and aided Daein before fleeing to Crimea.

Are you lot calling him a traitor?! Dastard! You'll die for that! No... I'm not going to do this. I'grand a true mercenary. I won't give you the satisfaction of a complimentary fight.

... I don't get y'all, human. Yous have no clan and no master... What are you fighting for?

I fight to live. That's all. Doesn't anybody? Information technology'due south non like people kill each other for fun.

You lot don't?

What?

Yous don't impale for fun? Yous don't relish it?

No. Why, practice you?

I thought you lot humans... like to kill. That's why you brand weapons. Why you hunt animals for sport.

Ha! We make weapons to protect ourselves from you half-breeds! Only wealthy bluestockings with likewise much time on their easily hunt for sport!

...

Human being, what an idiot...

Expect! I have more questions! Rrrr! Human wiggle!

---

Zihark/Muarim (B):

Earth/Water: Avo +10, Atk +1, Def +one

Zihark.

Oh, Muarim. What brings you here?

Did yous find the sword powder?

Unfortunately, no. I'll need to replace it, I call up. I hate to continue borrowing from the others.

Tin can you employ this?

What's that? Oh, wow... This sword powder looks expensive... You're a laguz. How did y'all come to take this?

Force of addiction.

I don't follow you.

I was in one case a slave. The nobleman who was my master fabricated me sharpen his blades for him. I was quite adept at it. He would bring them to me unannounced. If I did not have the proper materials to sharpen his swords, he would vanquish me. I still practice non experience comfortable unless I have these materials almost me.

I'thou sorry to have brought upwardly such a painful retentiveness.

Information technology is in the past now. Would yous like me to sharpen your sword?

Thank you, simply a true swordsman takes intendance of his ain blade. I appreciate your offer, though.

Then at to the lowest degree take this powder. I no longer have any utilize for it.

Muarim... Thank you. Yous saved me. I'm not just maxim this out of gratitude, but... would yous care to join me for dinner?

I would like that very much.

---

Sothe/Tormod (B):

Wind/Fire: Avo +five, Striking +10, Atk +1

Hello, Sothe!

...

I was thinking... We're both lethal mercenaries and nosotros're both nigh the same historic period, so we should be friends!

I don't remember then.

No? Well, yous can say that, but I'g all the same going to be your friend. You'll see!

You lot're insane.

Yeah...? Well... perchance I am! Simply information technology'south not similar being my friend is going to hurt you!

---

Astrid/Makalov (B):

Wind/Thunder: Hitting +v, Avo +10, Def +one

Practiced day, Makalov.

Hullo, Astrid. We sure bump into each other a lot, don't we? Do you recall we're linked past fate?

I'm not sure. Though... I'd be honored if that was the case.

Speaking of fate... I have a little favor to ask of you.

What is it? If there's anything I tin can practise for you, I'd exist glad to help!

Um... Well, the thing is... you see... Can you lend me some money?

M-money?

Yeah! Only a few hundred! That'southward it!

I don't think I can help you lot... I don't take a single gilt piece to my proper noun.

What?! Not even one gold? What did you spend it all on?!

The concluding time I went to town, I stumbled upon a destitute family. They hadn't eaten in days... Then, I gave it all to them.

WHAT?! That's madness!! If you're feeling charitable, maybe you should think about helping out one of your comrades, and non some stranger! What were you thinking?!

I'm sorry. I had no idea you lot were in need of assist.

Arrgg! Fine. I'll go hitting upwardly someone else.

Wait... just a moment.

Hmmm?

Will this help?

Whoooo! Hey, wait at that beauty! This pendant looks expensive... Are you sure I can accept information technology?

Please do. Anything that will help.

Wahooooo! Thanks, Astrid! Yous're the best! I'll encounter ya later!

...

.........

---

Tormod/Reyson (B):

Fire/Fire: Atk +1, Hit +five

Hullo at that place, keen prince of the herons!

Please telephone call me Reyson.

Are you lot sure? All right, Reyson it is. Can you spare a moment?

Certainly. This is about chanting for your laguz friends, isn't it?

That's right! You remembered!

Why don't y'all tell me more about what you have in mind?

Well, I was hoping you would... y'all know... use your magic dirge to transform all that sand into soil.

Sand into soil?

Exactly! Rich, fertile soil that will yield a bountiful harvest. We'll build our village in that location.

That is... utterly absurd!

Hmmm, he sure stormed off in a huff. For someone that has such kind-looking eyes, he sure has a short temper.

---

Marcia/Kieran (A):

Burn/Wind: Atk +1.5, Striking +15, Avo +7.five

Kieran!

Oh, Marcia!

Your horse looks completely healed! I'g so glad.

Yes, thanks to you lot. Let me cheers once again! I, Crimean Roy--

Oh, hasty! Not again! Stop doing that! Sheesh... Say, what's with the bucket?

I was going to launder my horse. He hasn't been scrubbed down in a while, and he could employ information technology. Too, with all of my amazing adventures, my poor equus caballus gets quite the workout. I endeavor to treat him well.

Aw, that's sweet!

What is ?

You lot dearest your horse! That's so nice! I figure you'd be too busy flexing or something to find...

He is more than but a simple horse... He is my brother-in-arms! Some knights, some Crimean knights fifty-fifty, treat their horses like their transportation... merely I don't feel that mode. And it'southward not only horses. Armor! Axes! Gauntlets! Boots! Er... this bottle! All fighting tools are my brother-in-arms!

How beauteous.

No, Marcia, it is non admirable. It is simple mutual sense.

Ha ha! I wasn't certain that you had common sense! You lot're always so forgetful and distracted when it comes to other things...

Huh! Well! I tin't say that I can agree! In fact, once while I was fighting the Behemothic Whippoorwill of Southern Crimea--

Expert-bye, Kieran!

---

Brom/Zihark (A):

Water/Globe: Atk +one.v, Def +1.5, Avo +15

Then, anyway... My oldest girl is well built! Actually, she'southward about my size. But don't worry! She tin can even so work the fields like a homo! I'yard sure you'll love her!

Um... she sounds... lovely.

End giving me such halfhearted answers and start listening! I'm talking almost the daughter who is going to be your futurity wife!

Brom, mind... I didn't tell y'all this the other twenty-four hour period, but... I have no intentions of getting married now.

What? Aw, shucks! Why not?

I had... I had an important girlfriend before. We couldn't be together considering of... complicated reasons... Just even now I still call up well-nigh her. I can't get her out of my mind. I capeesh your kindness, but... Anyway, that's why.

I see. That'southward a existent shame...

Only I tell you what! The idea of joining your family unit was quite appealing.

Hmm... So how well-nigh my 2nd-oldest-daughter?! She's a little younger, but don't let that worry you too much! She's a sweetheart, I tell ya! Why, one time when the moo-cow got loose, she lifted information technology right up and hauled it back...

No! Look! That isn't what I meant... Aw, basics.

...zippo good will come of this.

---

Permit'due south have some freebie BEXP levels!

I'll take this!

And this!

Alright. I WONDER WHAT KIND OF GIMMICK THIS Side by side MISSION WILL Have HUH GUYS

---

Yeah, that'due south the plan. Still... Though nosotros've taken the castle, at that place are still pockets of Daein resistance. Information technology'due south possible they may effort to mount an attack and retake the palace. I want you to be in charge of the watch.

That is, of course, not a problem. Withal, you're taking the princess along. Don't you remember it would exist safer to take more than troops? Even if we separate our battalion, we have plenty men to handle both tasks.

I'm merely not used to moving around with such a large grouping. And for this mission... I'd like to keep the number of people involved every bit low as possible.

Information technology'due south not that I don't sympathize how you experience, merely... nosotros volition compromise.

Y'all know, for someone from Begnion, you're pretty flexible. It speeds things up considerably.

To be a soldier, one must be able to quickly adapt to circumstances around him.

All right. We'll exist dorsum after.

Have care.

---

I hope whatever he was trying to tell me will become clear once we get inside and look effectually.

I nevertheless can't believe Nasir was on Daein's side... I only tin can't. And he let that dragon girl get away... Although I'grand certain he had reasons for that, likewise.

Although, too my family unit, the simply people I showed the medallion to were Titania, Princess Elincia, and Nasir... I thought I could trust him... I really did. Why? Why did he do it?

Mist...

Thinking about the past isn't going to help. Let's take a await at this temple.

If, for any reason, Reyson is not in your squad (either because you didn't recruit him or y'all got him killed), you'll get some extra dialogue hither:

Ike! Look! There's a large white bird on peak of the roof! Wait, is that...?

Yep. It looks like he'due south spotted the states. Here he comes.

Ike! Mist! It's been quite a while, hasn't information technology?

Reyson!

What are you doing hither? I thought yous'd gone dorsum to Phoenicis with the hawk king and Leanne.

I had... Merely then I suddenly felt as if someone was calling me. No... That's not right. I wasn't chosen... I picked upward a very stiff thought that said "Palmeni Temple." Fifty-fifty though I've never been here, I knew exactly what it looked like... And where to detect it, every bit well. I was starting time to suspect that someone had led me here. And at present, your inflow would seem to confirm it.

If you chose not to recruit Reyson, you'll go even more dialogue hither:

You came by yourself?

Tibarn and the others were on patrol, and Leanne was sleeping. I think I can fly off on my own for a while.

Well, you tin can't fight, so I'd question your decision to come up to Daein on your own.

Why? We heard from Gallia that yous'd captured the uppercase. This territory'due south nether your command, isn't it? I should be safe here.

We haven't conquered the whole country. In that location are even so many Daein soldiers traveling about.

Well, I didn't transform until I found you. And then equally you can imagine, I was safe all forth.

All I tin imagine are your guardians flying hither in a blind panic.

Me, too.

Mmm... What's done is done. I volition apologize later.

We're going to investigate this place. Why don't you go ahead and return to Phoenicis.

No, I've come this far, I want to see who or what guided me here. Y'all'll let me come, won't you?

That would be all correct, wouldn't it, Ike?

I suppose so. There's something I wish to hash out with Reyson anyhow. It'south settled. Let's get in.

---

They desire to investigate the temple. What should I tell them?

Crud! This ain't proficient. I don't know what they're after, but if they detect us mercenaries who sided with Daein, they'll wipe us out!

It is all the will of the goddess. Resign yourself to your fate... Accept it.

Bat dung! No i's gonna roll over and die! Dying's for sissies! And so tell me, how many are at that place?

There appears to exist ten or so, including the women.

Gahar har har! That'due south good news!

Information technology is?

If that'due south the lot of them, we can take care of this on our own. Information technology'll be like stealin' a baby from the cradle! Right, and so, here'south the plan. Pretend like you wanna help 'em, then lead 'em inside.

B-just I couldn't... What y'all ask is across me--

Don't forget, we've got all the other priests under our control. Unless y'all want 'em to meet the goddess early on, do as y'all're told!

---

Um... very well... Th-th-this... is... Er... A v-very big room... Um...

Are you all right? Why are you shaking like that?

Oh, Goddess... Please... forgive me...

Please... forgive me...

I thought something like this might happen.

I don't know how you got wind of u.s., merely showing upward in such a small group means you're outta luck! None of ya are gettin' outta here alive!

Nosotros've but fought our way to the Daein uppercase. You're not even going to slow us downward!

Cocky, ain't ya? But who said this was gonna exist a fair fight?

Eh?

Hey! Bring out the others!

You fools are gonna exist our shields.

What?

Oh... mercy... Delight help me...

Hey! If ya don't want them perty robes of yours to turn carmine, you'll attack these scum! If ya even call back about betraying us, I'll kill every one of ya!

B-but... yous can't...... Crimeans, please... Forgive us... We cannot let our brothers to dice.

This cowardice will not stand up! These priests are existence made to fight against their will. Nosotros've got to try and save as many of them as possible! Let's go!

---

Well and so.

There's rather a lot to worry about here. Ostensibly, all we take to practice is kill Schaeffer. Not besides hard in and of itself, but, well, there'southward the distractions to worry nigh. Most notably, there are the xx-ish priests scattered around the map who won't actually fight us but will all the same go far our manner and go on u.s.a. from killing the bad guys. And if you remember at that place won't exist a slap-up reward that we tin can only become by not killing any of them and so male child take yous not been paying attention.

GEE I WONDER WHAT STRATEGY We CAN Utilise TO SECURE THIS OUTCOME

As well, there are the half dozen chests.

In that location's an obligatory Siege Tome Asshole, of form, and...

An enemy thief. Of course. Nothing like a time constraint in a fight like this, is at that place?

So. Who's upwardly for some Voting Time ?

11 units total, and needless to say nosotros've got Ike and Mist as givens. Reyson will speed things upwardly a spell, and for convenience I'm going to bring both Volke and Sothe. The remaining six are all you.

Choose from

Boyd, Oscar, Titania, Rhys, Soren, Mia, Ilyana, Rolf, Marcia, Lethe, Mordecai, Kieran, Brom, Nephenee, Zihark, Jill, Astrid, Gatrie, Makalov, Stefan, Tormod, Muarim, Devdan, Janaff, Ulki, Tanith, Shinon, Calill, Tauroneo

I'thousand as well going to be forging something, although quite what, I tin can't say. So we won't be "voting" on forge names similar usual, only if you've got a suggestion, experience costless to suggest it and if it applies to what I end upwardly really forging, then who knows?

Here'due south a refresher on our current status: