The day of the mission arrives, and You start moving towards the cardinals' room. Seraphine speaks to You, but she does not fully manifest to keep from drawing attention.

Seraphine: Alright… We're going after Admoderor territory this time, if I recall correctly. I wonder what's going to be waiting for us there.

You admit that You do not know.

Seraphine: We'll have to see what happens then… I'm sure that we'll be able to take care of it.

Seraphine's voice stops speaking to You as You arrive at the cardinals' room. The Golden Deer are waiting for You there as expected, and You look around at them. All of their eyes are filled with a sense of determination, something You never would have expected after the previous moon's revelation.

Raithius: Alright, everyone. We're going to be heading towards Admoderor lands. This is the last major noble house that we need to conquer, and it's going to be a significant step for us.

Lev: After we take back House Admoderor, we're going to be able to focus solely on tracking down their leader.

Sofia: All we'll really have left to do is get rid of the remaining fighters who weren't bound to a given territory… Okay, maybe that's a lot, but it's still progress.

Novalee: We've come a long way since we first started meeting up here, and I don't think that we should forget that fact.

William: I'm personally ready to go and see what they're made of. It's what we have to do, after all.

Jill: Is there any notable strategy that we should be aware of?

Raithius: We're striking from the back. After we get there, we're simply going to have to charge in.

Adeline: It's going to be a surprise attack, but… I just hope that it's enough…

Cedric: You look lost in thought, Adeline… Is there anything that you want to tell us before we head out?

Adeline: As a matter of fact… Yes. I believe that my older brother is going to be there when we arrive.

Wolfgang: You're going to request what Sofia did, aren't you? You want us to make sure that we spare him.

Adeline: I do… He's not a fighter. He's always been rather weak and sickly, so I doubt he would be able to join my parents on the battlefield even if he wanted to. If we can protect him, that would be incredible.

Raithius: You heard her, everyone. We can stay away from attacking him.

Adeline: Thank you… He's not going to fight back against us. He cares about me too much to do something like that, and… I know this is a bold thing to say, but I believe he would put me above our parents.

Wolfgang: You know him better than all of us, so if you think that's what he's going to do, then we're more than happy to trust your judgement.

Lev: I agree with Wolfgang. We're here for you no matter what happens, Adeline.

Sofia: Exactly. You were there for me when I wanted to do whatever I could to help my brother. The least I can do is return the favor.

Cedric: You know that we'd do anything for you, right?

Adeline: Y… Yes… Still, I appreciate all that you've done for me thus far.

Novalee: Don't concern yourself with it. Focus on the battle at hand. We'll do what we can to support you, and you don't need to put much thought into it.

Jill: It seems that we know exactly what we need to accomplish with this invasion.

William: I would agree… What do you say, Raithius? Is it time for us to head out?

Raithius: As a matter of fact, yes. Let's march, Golden Deer!

You and the rest of the Golden Deer leave the cardinals' room, and You begin your journey towards Admoderor lands within the Alliance.

When You finally arrive, You and the Golden Deer wait around the back of the main building in the estate. There are many soldiers patrolling the grounds, but You get the feeling that it is a regular amount.

Raithius: Perfect. They don't seem to know that we're coming for them.

Lev: I should hope they don't know…

Novalee: That would only make our jobs a lot harder than they need to be.

Wolfgang: Are we ready for this? I know I'm prepared to knock some heads in.

Cedric: I don't know how I feel about the graphic description, but I'm also prepared.

Sofia: You ready, Addy? We have your back.

Adeline: I think I am ready, yes…

William: In that case, it's time for us to stop standing around.

Jill: Give us the word.

Raithius: Consider it done. Golden Deer, it's time for us to get this started. The battle begins now!

The battlefield stretches out before You. The mansion stands as a blockade between your team and your goal. The entrance of the estate is on the other side of the building, and You will have to wrap around it in order to seize the space. In front of the building, two people stand. One is a woman by the name of Antoinette. The other person is a man named Julian. You suspect that they are Adeline's parents since they bear a notable resemblance to her.

Your group begins to surge towards the building after You have taken in the scope of the area. Your forces start to make a dent in the Admoderor forces, but the leaders of the house have not figured out quite yet that You have arrived. The Golden Deer fight without any issues until your forces begin to curl around the side of the building, putting the group in full view of Antoinette and Julian.

Antoinette: We're under attack!

Julian: Damn it all! We need reinforcements!

Raithius: It doesn't seem like they know it's us quite yet… I'm sure they're going to figure it out soon enough. Maybe it's best they exist in bliss for a while longer.

Reinforcements stream in soon afterwards, and as soon as all of your units have passed the threshold to stand at the front side of the building, the gates are closed, closing off that avenue of escape. The Golden Deer continue to press on towards Antoinette and Julian, and eventually, they are the only fighters left on the field.

If You initiate combat with Antoinette, the following dialogue plays out.

Antoinette: I don't know who you are or what you're doing here, but I won't let you get any closer! This is not your place, and you had best not step any closer if you wish to keep your life!

If Raithius initiates combat with Antoinette, the following dialogue plays out.

Antoinette: Archduke Origo…! I didn't realize that you were-

Raithius: Behind this? I figured you wouldn't know… Then again, I suppose that was kind of the point. I'm a bit of a troublemaker, as I'm sure that you've heard. Of course, my habits are not the ones under fire right now.

Antoinette: I don't know what you're implying.

Raithius: I know that you're involved with Malice, and trying to hide it is only going to make you look pathetic.

Antoinette: Tch…

Raithius: Also, you hurt a dear friend of mine, so this was going to happen one way or another… Anyways, how about we cut it with the talk and get to the action? I know I'm ready for this, but are you?

If Adeline initiates combat with Antoinette, the following dialogue plays out.

Antoinette: Adeline! What are you doing here?! You can't truly mean to fight against your own family!

Adeline: You made your choice, and I made mine.

Antoinette: Get over here right now, young lady!

Adeline: I've let you control me for long enough, and it's time for that to change. I'm going to make my own path from here on out. You wanted a perfect noble, but that's not going to be what you get… You're getting me, flaws and all, instead.

Antoinette: How could you do this to me?!

Adeline: This is the least I can do for myself after all that you did. Don't make this about yourself… I've had enough. Let's get this mess over with.

If Aestlyn initiates combat with Antoinette, the following dialogue plays out.

Aestlyn: House Admoderor has the Crest of Noa… Is that correct?

Antoinette: It is… I know why you're asking. You come from House Aster.

Aestlyn: Nothing is left of House Aster now… Why are you bringing it up?

Antoinette: I did what I had to in order to preserve the status of my home.

Aestlyn: You can't mean…

Antoinette: A Crest means far more in the political area when there is only one family that has it.

Aestlyn: You… You are a monster!

Antoinette: Stop it with the accusations. I've had enough.

Aestlyn: You've had enough?! My family was wiped off the map because of you, and you don't even care! I'm going to give you nothing short of hell for what you did!

If anyone else initiates combat with Antoinette, the following dialogue plays out.

Antoinette: You've made a mistake by marching on this land, and I'm going to make sure that you know it!

When Antoinette is defeated, the following dialogue plays out.

Antoinette: This cannot be the end… N-No… I am… Better than this…

If You initiate combat with Julian, the following dialogue plays out.

Julian: You're the leader of this group, aren't you? I don't know why the archduke would want to hand over command to you, but it matters little. You will have to die for standing against us, and there's nothing you can do to change that.

If Raithius initiates combat with Julian, the following dialogue plays out.

Raithius: I have a few questions for you, if you don't mind.

Julian: Archduke Origo!

Raithius: Cut the shock show, would you? I want to know the truth… You're working with my father, aren't you?

Julius: How did you-

Raithius: Lucky guess. I should have seen it coming… You've always lusted for power, and this was just another way for you to get closer to reaching your goals of domination. It's sickening, but I can't say that I'm surprised.

Julius: You hurl around such bold words… What could have brought something like this on?

Raithius: I know how your family is behind closed doors. On top of everything that you've done to ally with my enemy, your daughter is a close friend of mine. She and the rest of the Golden Deer are my world… You hurt her, and by extension, everyone that I call my family. That's a high sin in my eyes… And such a high crime is deserving of a punishment. Your criminal ways are merely a bonus, I suppose.

Julius: You're a child who doesn't understand what he's saying.

Raithius: Who's the one hurling bold words now? It doesn't matter. Let's finish this off once and for all!

If Adeline initiates combat with Julian, the following dialogue plays out.

Julian: Adeline! I thought you were better than this… You should be with your family in these dark times, so why are you on the side of the enemy?

Adeline: Family… You never treated me as family. To you, I was nothing more than a statue ready to be molded. You never acted in my best interests, only trying to use me for your own goals. That is not what family does.

Julian: I am your father, and you will listen to me!

Adeline: My real family is here… The Golden Deer have treated me better than anyone from House Admoderor ever has. You've done too much to beg for my alliance now… All you can do is plead for mercy as I act in the name of the only family that I have ever had!

Julian: You're a traitor!

Adeline: I'd rather be a traitor than associate with you or my mother. Allow me to demonstrate just how deep my loyalty to my cause runs.

If Aestlyn initiates combat with Julian, the following dialogue plays out.

Aestlyn: You're the lord of House Admoderor…

Julian: I know that face… You're from House Aster.

Aestlyn: We crossed paths a few years ago at a political meeting of houses between nations…

Julian: Much has changed since then… House Aster has completely collapsed, and you are all that remains.

Aestlyn: I suppose that's true… But it doesn't matter that I share a Crest with those of your house. I'm still acting in the name of my ideals.

Julian: You've always been on the opposite side of the battlefield as us… Even before the war started, your family was always our enemy.

Aestlyn: You can't mean…

Julian: They died because of our influence. That is what I mean.

Aestlyn: You're a monster… I'm glad that I found my way here. It gives me the perfect chance to fight in the name of the people that you took away from me!

If anyone else initiates combat with Julian, the following dialogue plays out.

Julian: You shouldn't have come here… I'll do whatever I must in order to keep you away. You've been warned!

When Julian is defeated, the following dialogue plays out.

Julian: No… I was meant to… Rule alongside… Our true leader…

After the battle, the Golden Deer gather at the front of the building.

Raithius: This territory is now under the control of the Leicester Alliance! The battle is done!

Novalee: Finally… Look at what we've done here today. We've finally reclaimed the final of the main territories of the Alliance.

Cedric: In all honesty, it doesn't even feel real… We've charged through so many significant territories, but it's all finally over.

Lev: I don't know if we can truly consider our work here finished. We have yet to find their leader, and taking him out has to be our first priority.

Sofia: Lev is right… We have a lot of work ahead of us. Tracking down the leader of Malice is not going to be easy, but it's the only next step we can take.

William: Hey, Adeline… How are you feeling after all of that?

Adeline: I… I'm going to be alright.

Jill: Your hands are shaking. Are you sure that you're okay?

Adeline: I can't believe that they're gone… Like Cedric said, it doesn't feel real. I'm sure I'll feel a lot better after we head inside the building though.

Wolfgang: That's right… You said that you wanted to see if you could connect with your brother again.

Adeline: I did… I didn't see him during the fight, so I bet that he's still in the estate somewhere…

Raithius: You can go and find him then, and the rest of us can scan this place for clues. Maybe there's something around here that will point us to where their mastermind is hiding out. We can meet up here after we've combed through the building. I'll see you all again soon.

You watch as the rest of the group divides. You follow Adeline into the mansion, and You watch as she approaches a young man who bears a striking similarity to her in appearance. You suspect that this is her brother.

Adeline: Atlas, I… I'm glad to see that you're safe…

Atlas: Adeline! What are you doing here?

Adeline: Did… Did you hear the battle outside?

Atlas: Y… Yeah. Mother and Father…?

Adeline: Dead. The Leicester army got rid of them.

Atlas: I see…

Adeline: But it's alright. I'm here for you now, and you don't need to stick around here. You can come back to the monastery with us!

Atlas: That's where you've been hanging out then… I was wondering where you disappeared to all that time ago. It's good to hear that you've been safe.

Adeline: Yeah. Everything is under control. We're going to take back the Alliance. I'm fighting with the archduke. I'm sure that he'd be glad to take you in.

Atlas: Adeline… I'm not a fighter. I don't know if I'd be able to do anything to help out your team. I didn't even fight during the battle for my home territory.

Adeline: Then… What are you trying to say to me?

Atlas: I don't think I should come with you…

Adeline: You think it would be best if you went elsewhere… How about the capital?

Atlas: Derdriu?

Adeline: It's been firmly under Alliance control all this time, and there are countless soldiers there. I'm sure that they'd be able to watch over you until after this fighting has come to a close.

Atlas: That would be nice… Thank you, Adeline… I take it you won't be coming with me?

Adeline: I can't… I need to stay with the rest of my team. The Golden Deer have stood with me through thick and thin, and I need to see this through with them. They're counting on me, and I'm not going to let them down after all that's happened up to this point.

Atlas: I had a feeling that you'd say that… I'm proud of you, Adeline. I know that you're fighting for what you believe in, and I trust that you're going to stay safe until we can see each other again.

Adeline: We will be reuniting one of these days. That much I can promise you. After the war ends, we'll be back together, and we'll have the chance to decide what we want to do with the future on our own.

Atlas: Thank you for everything, Adeline… I'll be looking forward to the day that we get the chance to see each other again.

Adeline: No… Thank you. You've encouraged me every step of the way, and it's the least that I can do to return the favor to you. Thanks for being there for me even when our parents thought that I was making ridiculous choices for acting on my own. I really do appreciate it, Atlas.

Atlas: You're welcome… I'll be counting the days until we see each other again.

Adeline: Me too… I'll have some of the soldiers come in to help you back to Derdriu. I'll make sure that everything is under control before you leave.

Atlas: You really did grow up when nobody was looking… I'm proud of you.

Adeline: Thank you, Atlas… Until we meet again.

Adeline walks away from her brother, brushing past You on the way out of the room.

Adeline: You were listening to all that, weren't you…? Why am I not surprised?

You tell Adeline that she made the right decision.

Adeline: Thanks, Professor… Come on. Let's get back to the rest of the team. I'm sure that they're looking forward to heading back to the monastery. I know for sure that I am.

You nod your agreement and follow Adeline from the building. Time passes in a blur as the rest of your business at the estate is taken care of, and the journey back to the monastery begins soon afterwards. The way back is silent, but You are fine with such. You cannot help but shoot Adeline the occasional smile, happy to see how far she has come since You first crossed paths with her five years prior.

When You arrive back at the monastery, You and the rest of the Golden Deer go back up to the cardinals' room for your regular meeting. You see the group in there when You arrive, and You shift your attention to Raithius in curiosity.

Raithius: Alright… Everything has come together now. We've reclaimed all of the major Alliance territories from Malice now, so all that's left for us to do is try to find my father.

Wolfgang: That's going to be far easier said than done, I'm afraid… Still, we aren't going to give up until after we've found him.

Jill: There won't be many places for him to hide now… Everywhere that he could have gone has been turned against him. It's only a matter of time before we weed him out.

Lev: I can't believe that the end is finally in sight… After all that we've gone through these past five years, we might finally see salvation at last.

William: All we can do is press on then. If we need to find him in order to end the war, then we're going to have to crack down and figure out how to do it.

Novalee: Raithius and I will continue thinking of the best next action to find him. Unless we can find a notable location to search through next moon, we might wind up staying at the monastery for quite some time.

Cedric: I think that we could all certainly use this break… We're all exhausted whether we choose to admit it or not.

Sofia: Yeah… Adeline seems to be pretty chipper though. Is there something on your mind that has you so excited?

Adeline: My brother is on the way to Derdriu… He's going to be staying there until after the war ends. We're going to be meeting back up again after the fighting has drawn to a close, and I guess I'm looking forward to it.

Sofia: I'm glad to hear it… I get the feeling that you two are pretty close.

Adeline: Yeah… He's been there for me in the past, so I'm glad I was able to do this for him.

Cedric: You'll have to introduce the rest of us to him after we're finished with the fighting.

William: That's just another reason for us to work on finding the leader behind Malice.

Lev: I agree… He's not going to know what hit him when the time finally comes.

Jill: That's the kind of optimism I like to see.

Wolfgang: I'm going to try and see if the people under my jurisdiction are able to help us find him.

Novalee: Sounds perfect… How about we call our meeting here? We all deserve some rest after that.

Raithius: I'm not objecting at all! I'll see you guys a bit later. Be sure to get some sleep, alright?

You watch as the Golden Deer leave behind the cardinals' room, a smile on your face. They truly have come a long way. Your eyes linger on Adeline, and You grin at her before heading back to your own room.

Seraphine: I'm proud of what we've done… Finally, we might actually be getting close to the end of this absolute nightmare. It's been too long since we've actually been able to rest. I don't think that we ever have, actually.

You nod your agreement as You sit down on the bed.

Seraphine: All we can do now is call it a night then… I'm looking forward to seeing what the next moon brings. Hopefully we'll be able to figure out where Raithius' father went off to. I know that I'm going to enjoy taking him out once and for all.

You say that You feel the same before closing your eyes. You cannot help the smile on your face as You slip into slumber. The conflict before You finally appears to be drawing to a close, and You are already rather excited for what is bound to come after all has been said and done. You think of how much You care for your students briefly before falling asleep, and You dream of peaceful days after the war is over…


And there's chapter nineteen done!

-Digital