You are in your room when a knock comes at your door. Seraphine speaks to You as You head to open it.

Seraphine: I wonder who that could be… Maybe somebody has finally found one of our mystery people!

You open the door and are met with Polly.

Polly: We've figured out where Bazler is. You should head up to the cardinals' room. The Golden Deer are planning what exactly we're going to do while the rest of us prepare. We don't have long before he tries to run away again.

You nod your understanding and dash towards the cardinals' room immediately.

Seraphine: I'm going to look forward to this! Let's see if we can figure out where he's hiding before we set out!

You arrive at the cardinals' room and find the Golden Deer standing inside with Chris and Magnolia.

Raithius: You think that he's hiding out right here, huh?

Chris: There are too many Canis troops moving in and out of the area for it to be just another space.

Magnolia: Is there anything about this building that he would find useful?

Chris: As a matter of fact, yes. He used this building to drop off supplies that he trafficked when he was still in control of his territory.

Lev: Bazler was known for his trafficking ring… You found him because you analyzed one of his contact points for the ring, in other words.

Chris: You got it. We can't afford to wait for too much longer. If we linger for too long, he's going to run away, and we're going to have to begin our search all over again.

Magnolia: Come on. Let's go and get everyone else ready for the march.

Chris: Understood.

Magnolia and Chris dash out past You.

William: I take it that you've heard the news, Professor. It's good that you're here.

Sofia: I'm glad that we've finally figured out where Bazler is hiding out…

Adeline: I can't wait to take this fight to him. He's done so much over the years, and he deserves what's coming to him.

Cedric: He's an insult to the title of noble… How can someone so selfish be part of a group meant to protect others?

Novalee: We have our plan now. Like everyone has been saying, we're going to have to move quickly.

Wolfgang: I know that I'm ready to move as soon as you all are.

Jill: I doubt that anyone else is going to want to linger any longer than we have to. Everyone's been practically jumping at the idea of defeating Bazler.

Raithius: To be fair, it's not like anyone can blame them. I know that killing him has certainly been a pipe dream of mine for quite some time.

Lev: And now, somebody is going to get that honor at long last…

Novalee: We can plan on how he's going to be executed when we arrive at the scene.

Jill: You're right. We need to make sure that our preparations are finished.

Adeline: In that case, I suppose that we should disperse to look around one more time.

Cedric: We were so busy preparing for a potential invasion that we didn't get ready to march out…

William: Still, I think everyone is adapting rather quickly. I'm glad we've got the extra help now.

Sofia: Everybody's just excited to finally have the chance to kill the most frustrating man on the continent.

Wolfgang: Nobody can blame them at all. I'm a bit giddy myself.

Raithius: Everyone, move out. We need to finish our final preparations, and then we're moving into Empire territory to defeat Bazler once and for all. Let's go!

You leave the cardinals' room as Seraphine speaks to You.

Seraphine: This doesn't even feel real… It's good to know that we're finally going to be able to take care of him, but it feels weird to imagine that he's finally going to be defeated after all this time.

You say that You feel the same.

Seraphine: Still, I suppose that shock isn't going to help us get through this. We're just going to have to push through and find a way to knock that monster off his high horse.

You nod and begin making your final preparations for the mission. Soon afterwards, the Golden Deer march out of the monastery and into Empire territory.

When You arrive at your destination, and You stand outside a shabby, rundown building that appears to be on the brink of collapse. The Golden Deer, Magnolia, Luciana, Chris, and Polly are standing near You.

Raithius: This is the place, right? You're sure of it?

Chris: I am. It's far more stable on the inside. Nobody would go inside due to how unstable it looks, but that keeps others away so that he can continue with his regular business.

Polly: If he's really hiding out in there, we're going to have to be ready.

Magnolia: I'm not going to hold back in this coming fight. There are too many people who have suffered for me to pull away now.

Luciana: I agree completely… I trust your judgement fully. Whatever you believe is best… I'll follow your every direction.

Raithius: Surround the building. We're going to need to defeat anyone who happens to get out.

Novalee: I suspect that he's going to send soldiers out to try and cover for his escape, but he won't be able to get away.

Adeline: Understood. If he tries to make a run for it, we're going to cut him off and take care of him permanently.

Cedric: I believe that everyone else has already moved to set up a perimeter around the outside of the building. We simply need to finish the chain.

William: I think you're right… Raithius, we're just waiting for your command.

Raithius: Go on, everyone. This is going to be a dangerous fight, but I believe we can handle it.

Lev: The soldiers of the Canis Mafia are dangerous… Everyone, please be careful.

Sofia: They're kidding themselves if they think that they can get past us.

Jill: Be as cautious as possible. We want to avoid casualties at all costs.

Wolfgang: I know how these guys fight. They're ruthless and lack any sense of mercy. Pull away if you need to, and don't rush into danger.

Raithius: Exactly. Now, with all of that said, how about we take care of this monster? I'm going to enjoy this for sure… To hell with Bazler.

You survey the battlefield, seeing your team positioned around the outside of the building where Bazler is located. Your objective is to break through to the building itself, but no enemies have appeared around the area quite yet.

When the battle starts, the following dialogue plays out.

Raithius: Bazler! We know that you're hiding in there! If you won't come out of your own free will, we're coming in!

Chris: This is what you deserve. Submit before the Alliance army or suffer the consequences.

Magnolia: I don't think that he's going to be coming out… Look!

Soldiers gather outside the building, creating a small circle between your forces and the safehouse.

Raithius: We've got our answer. He's not going to be surrendering, so the time has come for us to push through. Get into the building at all costs!

You nod your understanding as the battle properly begins. You see the Golden Deer and the rest of your allies fight with notable ferocity. The enemy is strong, but You manage to pull out on top after each encounter. Slowly but surely, You push into the building, and the door is broken down. You see Bazler standing at the other end of the building once You get inside. When your army finally enters the building, the following dialogue plays out.

Raithius: There you are… You've made a mistake by trying to run from your crimes.

Magnolia: You cannot hope to escape the weight of your own actions.

Chris: Your fight ends here and now!

Bazler: Stay away! I won't hesitate to kill each and every one of you!

Raithius: I'd like to see you try, dastard. Now, if you insist on continuing this battle, then that's fine by me. You made this decision, and I'm going to make sure that you know that you made the wrong one.

Magnolia: The end is not going to be pretty for you, Bazler, but you made this choice.

Chris: Now, it's time to end this for the sake of all those who you have hurt!

Your forces begin pushing towards Bazler, and You fight fiercely. You know that Bazler will not be escaping the battlefield that day, and You are intent on finally toppling him. The rest of your group seems to feel the same way, as they are easily able to wipe out the remainder of the enemies found within the building. You move towards Bazler, and You begin to work with the remainder of your team to defeat him once and for all.

If You initiate combat against Bazler, the following dialogue plays out.

Bazler: You… I remember you! You fought back against me five years ago… I was sure that you had died, but it appears I was wrong. Still, that matters little to me. I'll simply have to kill you now that the goddess has gifted with me this new chance!

If Raithius initiates combat against Bazler, the following dialogue plays out.

Raithius: There you are, Bazler… I bet you thought you could escape everything that you've done over the years.

Bazler: Archduke Raithius, you don't need to do this. You can simply leave me in peace, and-

Raithius: I could never do something like that. You're a fool if you believe that I'll simply release you.

Bazler: You dare raise a hand against me?

Raithius: I do, and I'm going to enjoy it. Make your peace with the goddess, for you will never speak to her again. You're going straight to hell, you monster!

If Novalee initiates combat against Bazler, the following dialogue plays out.

Novalee: Bazler… I've hated every fiber of your being for as long as I have known you existed. You deserve this.

Bazler: You speak bold words…

Novalee: And yet, they're truthful. I have a lot to hate you for, and you don't regret any of it.

Bazler: Why would I regret fulfilling the destiny the goddess placed before me?

Novalee: You use the goddess as a shield to block out all wrongdoing… Pathetic. You're going to die praying for mercy to someone who would never listen to you in the first place. Still, I suppose it matters little. Goodbye, Bazler. Rot in hell, would you?

If Cedric initiates combat against Bazler, the following dialogue plays out.

Cedric: You are an insult to the title of noble… I don't know how you stand to look at yourself in the mirror each morning.

Bazler: I've acted in the name of the destiny gifted to me as a noble my whole life. You're the one who isn't living up to the expectations of the goddess.

Cedric: I see… You believe that this is right somehow… I know I won't be able to convince you otherwise. You've lost all sense of empathy and compassion for others. The mere idea of looking you in the eyes sickens me.

Bazler: You speak bold words for someone so young and inexperienced.

Cedric: Allow me to show you the power of 'youth and inexperience'. The goddess will never forgive your crimes, and you are to be cast into the deepest circle of hell!

If Wolfgang initiates combat against Bazler, the following dialogue plays out.

Bazler: Lady Columbus… I didn't expect to run into you here.

Wolfgang: You should have. You tried to turn my forces against me… It's a shame you're doing this.

Bazler: It's going to bite you. This is what you get for betraying those who are loyal to your cause.

Wolfgang: I wouldn't go that far… In fact, I was planning on wiping out the Canis group as soon as the war was over. Still, I suppose you've established to me a bit sooner than expected that they simply won't be useful from here on out. Thank you for that.

Bazler: You're a pathetic excuse for a leader. The goddess frowns upon your existence.

Wolfgang: And yet, I'm stronger than you. Look at me: I'm an illegitimate child who led a revolution before even turning twenty, and now, I'm going to kill you.

Bazler: Nobody of your standing has that power!

Wolfgang: I wouldn't go that far… After all, as far as I'm aware, you've got more than a few illegitimate children of your own. Perhaps one of them has grown strong enough to lead a revolution. Regardless of how they're doing now, they have to be more powerful than you. You're a pathetic excuse for a man.

Bazler: Quiet! I've had enough of this talk!

Wolfgang: Alright… If that's what you want, we can fight. Still, you're about to learn why everybody is so scared of me. I'm terrifying when I'm angry, and you're my target right now. Prepare for hellfire.

If Magnolia initiates combat against Bazler, the following dialogue plays out.

Magnolia: It sure is interesting how we've found ourselves here… You're stuck with your back against the wall, and I'm going to defeat you.

Bazler: My fair queen, you speak boldly. I have far more experience than you could ever hope to.

Magnolia: You've been making others fight your wars for you this entire time. Everyone is aware of that… And you've made too many mistakes to count along the way.

Bazler: What do you speak of?

Magnolia: My mother was from Albinea. If I recall correctly, your trafficking ring moved around people displaced by the war with Albinea… Including my mother. Without your interference, I would never have been born, and I wouldn't be standing here with a spear to your throat. Tell me… Do you have any regrets?

Bazler: Quiet, you aggravating child! You don't know what you speak of!

Magnolia: You can say that all you want, but it won't change the truth. Goodbye, Bazler.

If Chris initiates combat against Bazler, the following dialogue plays out.

Chris: It sure has been a while since we crossed paths… Wouldn't you say?

Bazler: You look just like her… You must be-

Chris: Naomi Bartall, yes? That's who you have always mistaken me for… Your obsession with her truly is unsettling.

Bazler: She belongs to me… The resemblance is uncanny…

Chris: You think that I'm meant to live under your thumb just because I look like the woman you fell in love with… No. It wasn't love. You lusted for her, and you ruined her life. She died many years ago because of your influence.

Bazler: She should have been mine for life!

Chris: No person belongs to you, Bazler. You can't keep that illusion up forever.

Bazler: Quiet! You don't know what you're talking about!

Chris: I believe I do… But I'm not going to dignify you with the details. I merely wish to understand that your actions have consequences, and they will end in your demise here today. I ask now that you perish. Resistance is futile. One way or another, my dagger will end this day plunged in your chest! On behalf of those who you have ruined, allow me to send you into the depths of hell! There will be no salvation for your twisted soul!

If Zelhira initiates combat against Bazler, the following dialogue plays out.

Zelhira: Bazler… I was so sure that we would never meet again, and yet, here we are.

Bazler: Who are you?

Zelhira: That's so like you… You never bother to listen to anyone who you find to be insignificant, only caring about yourself. It's pathetic.

Bazler: How dare you!

Zelhira: I'm not going to dignify you with further words. Instead, I'll simply kill you, and you'll die knowing that you brought this on yourself.

If Tuncay initiates combat against Bazler, the following dialogue plays out.

Tuncay: People like you are the reason that I hate the nobility so much. You're disgusting.

Bazler: I'm more than twice the man you could ever hope to be.

Tuncay: And you've got an ego? Gods above, you get worse each time that I acknowledge your existence… Find. If you really want to act this way, then I'm not going to stop you.

Bazler: You should go back to wherever you came from, brat.

Tuncay: Oh, you're so frustrating… I'm going to enjoy this, and you aren't going to. I hope you're ready to face hell, because that's where you're going either way!

If Aisa initiates combat against Bazler, the following dialogue plays out.

Aisa: You have committed far too many crimes to be allowed to live…

Bazler: L-Lady Aisa?!

Aisa: It was my mistake to not raise a force against you when I realized something was wrong, but I will make amends for that now. It is the least I can do to make it up to those who you have wronged.

Bazler: I-I don't know what you-

Aisa: Avoid the denial speech, will you? The only way for you to repay your sins is to stay silent and perish.

If Cordelia initiates combat against Bazler, the following dialogue plays out.

Cordelia: I've always hated the idea of you, and I like to think that I was more than justified in wishing that you didn't exist.

Bazler: You have no right to speak so rudely towards me!

Cordelia: Oh, really? Last I heard, you had been stripped of your title and forced to run around like a trapped mouse to keep from being executed for your numerous crimes.

Bazler: Quiet!

Cordelia: You can't come up with an answer to that, so you just tell me to zip it? Of course… I really shouldn't be surprised… Still, I suppose there's nothing I can do about it now. Just make this easy on the both of us and let me finish you off, okay?

If Miriam initiates combat against Bazler, the following dialogue plays out.

Miriam: You were responsible for the trafficking of countless people… Do you have any idea what you have done?

Bazler: It was my business, and you have no right to speak against me. The goddess gave me this destiny.

Miriam: Hmph… Always saying that it's your divine right to hurt so many people… You obsessive believers are all the same. Regardless, it doesn't matter. Die already, would you?

If Eli initiates combat against Bazler, the following dialogue plays out.

Eli: Many people have come to Abyss running from you… Many tremble at the mere mention of your name.

Bazler: You should have turned them back over to me. All workers who escape are to be subjected to the proper punishment.

Eli: I could never hurt people the way that you do, nor could I dare to send them to their demises… You're a monster, and there is no salvation for you.

Bazler: You shouldn't speak like that to someone who was gifted so much power by the goddess.

Eli: You took that power by force, stepping on anyone and everyone who got in your way to reach the top of the social pyramid. It's not right that you have such strength… Though I suppose you really don't have it. You stole it from others, and it was never yours. It matters little now though. If you won't listen or surrender, I'll simply have to bring this fight to you myself!

If Gabriel initiates combat against Bazler, the following dialogue plays out.

Gabriel: Thaddeus Bazler… I was hoping to never see your face, but if we really are meant to cross paths here today, then I'll simply have to take advantage of our encounter to do what others were never able to.

Bazler: Who are you supposed to be?

Gabriel: It matters little now. I owe you nothing, but you owe me everything. I've had enough of seeing you standing before me, so I'm just going to end this now. Make peace with the goddess and die.

If anyone else initiates combat against Bazler, the following dialogue plays out.

Bazler: You have some nerve raising a blade against me! I will topple all of you and use your corpses as my stepping stones to the future!

When Bazler is defeated, the following dialogue plays out.

Bazler: No… This cannot be happening…! I… I can't die here…

After the battle, You stand with the Golden Deer, Chris, Magnolia, Polly, and Luciana around Bazler. He is collapsed on the floor and breathing heavily from exertion.

Bazler: You are… You are pathetic… You had best not harm me…!

Chris: You deserve more than death for all that you have done to destroy the lives of others. Fortunately, I'd be more than happy to deliver your punishment.

Polly: If anyone deserves to strike the killing blow, it would be you.

Chris: Raithius, I know you've been leading this group, so-

Raithius: You've been chasing him for ages. Go for it.

Chris: ...If you insist.

Chris pulls a dagger from its sheath at her hip and walks towards Bazler. She raises the dagger before bringing it down, and Bazler perishes soon afterwards.

Chris: ...It has been done.

Magnolia: I can't believe it… After so many years, House Bazler has finally fallen.

Luciana: It doesn't even feel real, but I know it is…

Polly: We should pull out now. We have more to do from here, and we can't afford to stray from our intentions for too long.

Raithius: I must agree. How about you four go and make sure that the rest of the group is ready to set out as soon as we're finished here?

Chris, Polly, Magnolia, and Luciana express their agreement before leaving the area.

Adeline: I'm so glad that he's finally dead… I don't think there's even a number large enough in existence to describe how many people he hurt.

Jill: Tch… If you ask me, he deserved more than just death, but I suppose that option was off the table.

Cedric: What matters now is that we were able to defeat him and bring peace to the Empire.

Lev: Now, all that we have left is to take out your father, Raithius… We're getting so close.

William: The end of this lengthy conflict is finally in sight. We truly have come so far.

Sofia: Yeah… I suppose that we have. Plus, we've got so many allies fighting with us now.

Wolfgang: I'm glad that Bazler is finally gone… I've been waiting to get the chance to execute him for years now. I just didn't expect him to go running as soon as he realized everything was going to hell.

Novalee: To be fair, you couldn't have predicted the Empire's change of authority… Regardless, the point is that we've finished the battle.

Raithius: Now that we've gotten rid of Bazler, we don't have any reason to remain. We can go on and head back to the monastery. Like you've all said, we have a bit more to take care of yet. It would be best for us to get a head start on that rather than waiting around here any longer than we have to.

You nod your agreement.

Raithius: Time to help out everyone else and go back. We've still got a lot of lingering business to take care of.

Your journey back to the monastery begins soon afterwards. When You return to the building, You gather in the cardinals' room with the rest of the Golden Deer.

Jill: Right now, our first priority needs to be finding the mastermind. As soon as we can do that, we'll be able to finish it all.

Cedric: We'll simply have to continue our search from the previous few moons. We found Bazler rather quickly, so maybe we'll have luck in finding him as well.

Lev: That's what I'm hoping for at the very least… His being at large is the only thing prolonging this conflict at this point.

Sofia: That's all the more reason for us to figure out where he is so that we can take him out permanently.

Adeline: We do have a lot of assistance now, so we can certainly figure out what to do from here soon enough.

William: On top of that, we won't need to worry about dealing with interference from the Canis Mafia…

Wolfgang: I don't know if I'd go that far. There are definitely still more of them out there, and I won't be able to use my network of informants without risking someone slipping up and starting an attack.

Novalee: Even if Bazler is gone, his attempt to take us out could have inspired others to try and follow in his footsteps…

Raithius: You're right… We'll be careful from here on out. For now though, I think that we should call it a day. We accomplished something incredible today, and I think that all of us deserve a chance to rest up. After all, we've still got to finish this conflict once and for all. I'll see you all later.

You leave the cardinals' room, and Seraphine speaks to You as You move back to your room.

Seraphine: Bazler is finally dead… It's so good to know that he won't be able to hurt anyone from here on out. Still, I suppose that we are going to need to worry about finding out where Raithius' father is. After we do that, maybe this will finally be over… I know I'm certainly looking forward to that.

You say that You feel the same.

Seraphine: You know… I think that Janae will be proud of us when she wakes up. When she was attacked five years ago, she fell comatose in a world filled with panic and strife… But it's all going to be nearly gone, if not completely extinguished, by the time she comes to. We're almost there, and… I want her to be able to see the world that we've created.

You agree, remaking on how much You want her to wake up once again.

Seraphine: Still, I suppose there's nothing we can do to speed the process right now… We should get some sleep. Raithius gave us good advice about resting before we get into the remainder of the war. I'll see you in the morning.

You lay down in your bed, closing your eyes soon afterwards. You think of all that has been accomplished since You met up with your comrades once again, and You hope that it will all come to a head soon enough. You pray that Janae finds the strength to awaken soon, vowing silently to stand by her side as soon as she is able to face the rest of the world once again. When You slip into slumber, You dream of the future, which seems to be brighter than ever with the promise of a beautiful tomorrow at the forefront of your mind…


We're getting closer!

-Digital