Guardian Moon-Duscur

With Nah's warning fresh in mind, the group made their way to the Kleiman viscounty. Brady craned his neck around to get a good look at the scenery. "I think Nah was right to be nervous-this place looks too much like Plegia."

Morgan punched him in the arm. "Hey! What's wrong with that?! Plegia's great ever since Father and Mother took over!"

Brady snapped, "Well excuuuuuuse me, Princess! I can't help but remember the killer dragon Grima skulkin' on over from Plegia all murderous like."

Felix scanned the horizon for enemies. "Hmm. Wherever these people are, they're good at hiding."

Dedue offered, "Allow me to lead. After all, I know the best places to hide in my homeland."

Ingrid chirped, "That sounds lovely, Dedue!"

As Dedue took the reins, everyone became silent, as if daring the foul beings to reveal themselves. The quiet march abruptly ended when they came across a village. At the gates, a mercenary pointed his sword at a civilian. "We're taking your gold, and if you complain, we'll take your life with it!"

Dimitri unsheathed his lance. "Halt! You have no right to threaten innocents!"

The thug taunted, "And what you goin' do 'bout it?"

Subaki cautioned, "Wait! Don't be hasty! We need him alive if we want to figure out more about his employer!"

The criminal spat on the ground. "Like I'd listen to a bunch of sissies."

Linhardt mildly electrocuted the fiend with Thunder. "I'll spare you if you talk to us."

The scum growled, "I'll have your head!"

As the villain drew his sword, Ingrid spoke gravely, "I think he needs more convincing. TRY THIS ON FOR SIZE!" She ran up to him and sliced open his abdomen. "I'd start blabbing if I were you."

The scoundrel gasped. "Aren't you . . . Ingrid Galatea? Why are you protecting these people? You have to hate the Duscur people after what they did . . ."

Ingrid huffed, "I used to. I was unable to see beyond my own grief over my fiancé Glenn's death. Dedue showed me the truth-that not all should be punished for the actions of a few. And want to know something else? Those Who Slither in the Dark were responsible, not Duscur."

Severa hissed, "Either way, we can keep going all day. Now stop playing games and tell us what you know!"

The man coughed. "Fine. A group of mages paid us to loot from the nearby villages for random supplies. It seems like an easy enough job, so we took it."

Khalid questioned, "Where do you deliver the goods to them?"

The crook said, "By the biggest gold mine around."

Dedue piped up, "I know where that is. I can take a small group to spy."

Dimitri glared at the criminal. "If you harm anyone here again, you will be punished for your crimes."

Gerome stepped closer to the rogue. "Hold a moment. What supplies did you take from the villagers?"

The corrupt mercenary rattled off a list, which Gerome noted. "Thank you."

Dedue chose to bring along Ingrid, Silas, Sophie, Siegbert, Owain, Camilla, and Ophelia. As they journeyed, Sophie bumped Siegbert's arm. "I can't believe we're engaged. It's like a dream come true."

Siegbert beamed. "I know! Once we're back home, we can begin preparations for the wedding."

Camilla crooned, "How adorable! You kids are so precious!"

Ophelia's face slipped into a frown, but quickly turned back up. "I'm so delighted that your two souls will formally intertwine and spend the rest of your days together."

The duo happily accepted her words, while Owain noticed his daughter's pain, and whispered, "I'm sorry that Hisame left. I know that it affects you deeply. After this conflict resolves, you can visit him again."

Ophelia pouted and murmured, "But Father, my beloved lives in Hoshido-in another world. We will never be together."

Owain mumbled, "Perhaps when you meet at last, he will move to Ylisse. Do not despair."

Silas gazed menacingly at Siegbert. "Just remember our little chat."

Sophie gasped. "Daddy! You didn't scare him, did you?"

Siegbert cleared his throat. "I'm fine! Thank you for your concern, though."

Silas remarked, "I just gave him the talk every respectable father gives to the man his daughter is engaged to."

Sophie narrowed her eyes. "You threatened to kill him, didn't you?"

Silas admitted, "It was possible to interpret my words that way."

Camilla spun around to inform Ophelia, "I'll be the one to give your man that talk. Your father is far too nice."

Owain argued, "Hey! I can be as fearsome as the tidal waves of doom if desired! I just prefer to perfume the ones around me in a cloud of kindness."

As the rest of the group merrily bantered back and forth, Ingrid caught up to Dedue. "I hope that mercenary didn't upset you."

Dedue kept his eyes on the path ahead. "No. I am used to it. The people of Duscur are looked down upon by everyone on the continent. I have gotten used to the accusations."

Ingrid closed her eyes for a brief moment. "I'm sorry. We already revealed that Those Who Slither in the Dark were responsible for the atrocity, not Duscur, but it seems that news is slow to spread."

Dedue responded, "I'm certain that it'll reach everyone's ears eventually."

Ingrid blurted out, "I'm so sorry for the way I treated you. I was just like that idiot mercenary before I got to know you."

"No. You only spoke rudely to me once, and immediately apologized. You then strove to change your worldview one step at a time. You ultimately succeeded. Other members of your house distrusted me when I first brought His Highness to your doorstep. You convinced them that I was an ally, though you used the word 'friend'. You are a very admirable woman, Ingrid."

"Whoa. That's some high praise, Dedue."

"You were the first person to call me 'wonderful'. Not even His Highness said that. You are nothing like that mercenary, Ingrid."