At the end of the moon, You rise to your feet and walk towards the cardinals' room. Seraphine speaks to You.
Seraphine: This is it… We're finally going to end the war, and then we'll be able to bring peace to the continent. Honestly, it doesn't even seem real, but I know that it is.
You say that You are determined to end up victorious from this fight.
Seraphine: I had a feeling you were going to say that, and I'm glad to hear it. Now, how about we go and see how the rest of the Golden Deer are doing? I'm sure that they're waiting for us to set out, and I know that I'm excited for what's to come.
You nod your agreement before arriving in the cardinals' room. The Golden Deer are gathered inside.
Raithius: It's good to see you all here, guys. This is going to be our final battle, and I want us to be ready for it. Are there any other lingering concerns before we set out?
Cedric: I know that all of the other soldiers are ready. I finished preparations just before coming here to meet with you all.
Wolfgang: Derdriu is still under lockdown, so it shouldn't be all that hard for us to sneak in and take him out.
Lev: I'm nervous for the fight, but… I know that this is for the best. We're going to do what we have to in order to save everyone from this war.
Jill: This is the end of everything we've been working towards for the past five years. It's about time, honestly.
Adeline: I'm counting on all of you to stay safe during the rest of this fight. I want to make sure that you all turn out alright.
Sofia: Exactly. We can't celebrate if something happens to any of us, and I'm not going to lose you all now.
William: I doubt that anyone will go out of their way to find trouble. We're going to be alright. We can handle this.
Novalee: Let's get going. Derdriu is waiting for us, and I'm ready to show that man what we're capable of. He started a war, and it's his fault for strengthening us so that we could strike back.
Raithius: It's time for us to set out. We can do this, everyone. The war ends today, and it will be by our hands!
The journey to Derdriu begins soon afterwards. You follow the Golden Deer there, and when You arrive, You stay close to Raithius.
Raithius: Everyone, fan out and get ready. I'm going to try and confront him head on. Nova, you're with me. As soon as you're all prepared, we'll jump into battle, and he won't know what hit him.
You watch as the rest of the Golden Deer spread out.
Novalee: You're going to try and figure out why he's been doing all of this, aren't you?
Raithius: I am. There's a lot that I want to know, and I think it would be for the best if we had the others cover the rest of the battlefield to ensure he doesn't try to pull anything over us.
Novalee: Understood. Professor, come with us. We have to take care of things once and for all.
You nod your understanding and follow the two closer to the castle of Derdriu. When You arrive outside the building, You begin to look around for signs of Julius.
Seraphine: Is he even in this area? I'm starting to worry that Raithius will never get the chance to hear about the real reason that his father went this far, and I hate that idea… He deserves this much after how much Julius has made him suffer both in the past few years and the recent handful of months.
You say that You feel the same before Raithius suddenly lets out a gasp. You turn to face him and see that he is facing Julius, who has come to stand just in front of him.
Raithius: Well, well… Father, I didn't expect us to find each other here.
Julius: You shouldn't be fighting against me. The people of Leicester are only going to betray you if you attempt to serve them.
Raithius: That's ridiculous. I don't know what turned you against us, but I want to try and understand. You've waged a damn war to hurt others, but I don't know why you would start something so daring and large in scale. Can you at least offer me that much?
Novalee: This is your son, for crying out loud. You should at least offer him a bit of mercy after all that you've done to make him suffer in the past few years. He's been fighting in a war at a young age, and just after taking the throne, because of your actions.
Julius: If you really want answers, perhaps you should ask the Columbus and Stomm lines.
Raithius: What are you talking about?
Julius: The Canis Mafia wasn't always as widespread as it has been in the past few years, you know. Back when I was the ruler of the Alliance, it was a far smaller operation, but it still needed to die out. I went with the leader of the Stomm family, the strongest military power in Leicester, to take it out, but I was betrayed.
Raithius: Betrayed? What are you talking about?
Julius: We were cornered, and Stomm abandoned me. He left me to suffer under the hands of Wenlock Columbus because he wanted to escape. I was tortured for years under Columbus' underlings because I refused to share the deepest, darkest secrets of the Alliance. I wanted to protect my people even if it cost me my life.
Novalee: That's where you disappeared to… You were gone for so long because there was no way for you to return once again.
Julius: When I escaped, I learned that the people of the Alliance had abandoned me. There were barely any attempts to rescue me from the horrors brought on by Columbus, and I was left to suffer on my own. I only got away whenever I managed to fight back for myself, and I learned that the very people I had spent so many years trying to protect had turned their backs on me.
Raithius: And you thought that justified starting a damn war?
Julius: I at least wanted to kill the Stomm family. They didn't deserve life after leaving me to die a painful death at the hands of Columbus. As soon as I realized what had happened, I went after them, and I showed each member of the family what they had brought upon themselves by abandoning me on the battlefield years beforehand.
Raithius: You… You were the one responsible for the Stomm massacre?!
Julius: I found a kindred spirit who wanted to defeat those in power all across the continent, and she was more than happy to aid me in my endeavors. She offered me with the assassins I needed, and I led troops into Stomm territory to kill them all. I remember the way they struggled even to this day… They deserved it for leaving me to die.
Novalee: But killing them wasn't enough for you, so you decided to shift your vengeance to the entire country. You spent so many years trying to keep them safe, but the instant they turned away from you… You started a war.
Julius: Why should I have spent so many years protecting people who would never do the same for me? They showed where their loyalties were, and the time had come for me to display the power that I had gathered over the years. If they weren't going to aid me, then I was under no obligation to aid them.
Raithius: You're a monster. It's a shame how you, once thought of as among the best archdukes in Alliance history, fell from grace so hard that you turned your blade against your own people. It's sickening.
Julius: You have to understand what I went through. You're my son, and you should be on my side in defeating the people who did so little to help your father. Why are you still fighting against me?
Raithius: Because I want to help others. You have shown that you don't care about people when push comes to shove, and I intend on showing that I'm different from you. This is the least I can do for the sake of all those you have killed along the way.
Julius: You're making a mistake.
Raithius: Maybe I am, but I'd rather struggle while doing the right thing than give in to despair and allow it to drive me mad. I've made my choice, and if you refuse to follow the duties of a ruler, then… So be it. We've both chosen what side of the fight we stand on, and since you are showing no hints of mercy or change… I'll fight against you no matter how much it hurts.
Julius: They wouldn't help you at all! You should leave them behind before they leave you to rot!
Raithius: Your twisted sense of justice centers only around your own suffering. I don't think that I'll ever be able to change your mind, so I'm not going to try. Instead, I'm going to end this fight here and now! Golden Deer, the time is now! Our final fight begins!
The Golden Deer gather around You, Raithius, and Novalee.
Sofia: I've been waiting for this one… This is for the people who aren't around anymore to fight for themselves.
Wolfgang: House Columbus has hurt you in the past, and I'm not going to deny that, but I'm still going to take up arms against you. You don't deserve mercy for what you've done.
Cedric: You have failed your people by thinking only about yourself, and that is something that can never be forgiven.
William: Too many people have suffered and died because of your actions, and I can't allow that to stand.
Adeline: You might not care about how much harm you have done to others, but we most certainly do.
Lev: If you insist on harming others in the name of your own twisted sense of justice, then… You'll have to prepare yourself for this fight.
Jill: You brought this on yourself the instant you decided to fight against the very people you once swore to protect.
Novalee: The people will never forget the harm that you have visited upon them, and neither will any of us.
Raithius: I am ashamed to be related to you, but… It matters little now. After all, I've found my new place in this world, and I could care less about if it forces me to clash against you! I'm going to show you what you deserve after spending so much time hurting others, and that's a promise!
Julius: If you truly insist on going so far, then so be it. You've made your choice, and you will soon see just how large of a mistake you're making!
The battle begins. You watch as Julius retreats to the back of the battlefield to stand at the entrance of the palace. Your objective is to defeat the commander, and You see many of his fighters scattered around the capital. The civilians have already been cleared out, and You suspect that is what the rest of the Golden Deer were focused on during the confrontation against Julius. You sigh with relief at the knowledge that regular people will not be at risk during this fight. You notice that both Conrad and Calypso have taken to the battlefield as well, acting as allies during the coming battle.
Seraphine: This is it… We've come so far, and we can't afford to give up now. I'm counting on you to fight until the very end, and I'll be here with you every step of the way!
You thank Seraphine for her support before starting to fight. You watch as the Golden Deer surge forward and defeat each soldier in their path. You know that they have come incredibly far since the start of the war, and You are proud of them for standing so firmly in the path that they believe in. You internally vow to follow this battle through until the end both for the Golden Deer and yourself, knowing that the peace to follow will most certainly be worth it.
Soon enough, You close in around Julius. He is blocking the entrance of the palace still, and You know that You will have to defeat him in order to make it inside. You and the rest of the Golden Deer grow nearer to him, and You feel your heartbeat grow faster with the idea of the war ending swimming in the back of your mind. At long last, You are ready to finish everything once and for all.
If You initiate combat with Julius, the following dialogue plays out.
Julius: You should have died during the attack on the monastery five years ago…
You respond with confusion before gasping.
Julius: Finally, you put the pieces together… I was the one to attack you at the Battle of Garreg Mach. Your stab wound was caused by me.
You say that You intend to defeat him then and there.
Julius: I invite you to try. After all, your track record is far from being admirable given what happened five years ago… You don't stand a chance against me, but I'm happy to entertain your imagination for a while longer. It will end in your death regardless!
If Raithius initiates combat with Julius, the following dialogue plays out.
Raithius: I wondered for ages what could push someone who was once so honorable to such lengths, but… I don't think I'll ever fully understand this shift.
Julius: The people of Leicester are going to turn on you one day. Don't think that you're any different than I was. Don't fall into the trap of security, Raithius.
Raithius: Even if that happens, I'll know that I did my best to look after the hopeless and weak in the aftermath of what you did.
Julius: You're making a mistake.
Raithius: Maybe I am, but I won't know until I get to the future, and I'm fine to wait for it. Now… How about we call this fight here? I'm ready to finish things.
Julius: Hmph… If you insist.
If Novalee initiates combat with Julius, the following dialogue plays out.
Novalee: You have brought nothing but stress to Raithius since you were unmasked… I don't understand how you are able to continue with such atrocities, but I'm not here to comprehend you. I'm here to end the war.
Julius: You're rather bold for thinking that you can do such.
Novalee: Allow me to show you the power of my boldness then. I must warn you though… You're not going to be coming out of this in one piece.
If Sofia initiates combat with Julius, the following dialogue plays out.
Sofia: I don't think that I'll ever come to understand what you've done. Your reasoning is ridiculous in my eyes, and I'm more than happy to finish off what you started.
Julius: I won't be defeated so easily, and you're kidding yourself if you think that I'll go down without a fight.
Sofia: I can certainly put up a fight. The war taught me how to, as a matter of fact, so I suppose that you brought this on yourself in a way… Who would have seen that coming? Still, irony aside, it's time to end this battle. Step aside or die… Actually, you don't have a choice. Farewell.
If Wolfgang initiates combat with Julius, the following dialogue plays out.
Wolfgang: I doubt you expected to run into me here… What a cruel twist of irony that we'd be put against each other.
Julius: Your father is a monster, and you had best know it.
Wolfgang: I'm not here to justify his actions. However, I am here to end the war, and if I have to get through you to do that, fine. You've betrayed your people, and it has fallen to me to protect them… How ironic. Still, I guess that doesn't matter now. Let's get this over with already.
If Cedric initiates combat with Julius, the following dialogue plays out.
Cedric: You bring shame to the title of royal, and it's unfortunate that someone like you can be associated with the upper class… Your job is to defend the people, but you instead choose to bring them harm. How disgusting.
Julius: Anyone would be pushed to this in my situation.
Cedric: I don't know if I would ever go that far… You crossed this line of your own volition, and you can't avoid accountability for your actions. I'll be here to ensure that you pay for your crimes. In the name of Sothis, I will strike you down here and now!
If Adeline initiates combat with Julius, the following dialogue plays out.
Adeline: You have made this land hell for so many people… And yet, you have no scrap of regret. You've lost your humanity to the battlefield, and that means you cannot be saved.
Julius: I know what I want to do, and you can't convince me to fight for any other cause.
Adeline: I see… In that case, allow me to finish this once and for all. There are too many people who have suffered because of you for me to back down now, so give me the chance to end you. Goodbye. Your legacy cannot save you now.
If William initiates combat with Julius, the following dialogue plays out.
William: There are no words for the horrors that you have brought onto this world, so I'm not going to try and convince you to back away. If you were going to surrender, you would have done it a long time ago.
Julius: You don't understand why I've done all of this.
William: You can say that all you want, but the truth is, you're the one at fault. We aren't making a grave error by judging you for your crimes, and it's time for you to accept that. Still, I doubt you ever will, so I suppose you'll just die without understanding the gravity of your actions… And that's fine with me.
If Lev initiates combat with Julius, the following dialogue plays out.
Lev: You've dragged so many people into the arms of war because of your own selfishness… Your need for revenge pushed so many into death, and that can never be forgiven. Regardless of what you've been through, you will never find salvation after committing so many heinous acts.
Julius: I believe that you will find my actions to be far more complex than that.
Lev: Are they really though? If your actions were truly complicated, then you wouldn't have started a war. There are other answers aside from bloodshed, but you didn't want to indulge them, and that's on you. You cannot claim to have the moral high ground when you never did. Now… Make peace with the goddess in your final moments.
If Jill initiates combat with Julius, the following dialogue plays out.
Jill: I heard so many tales of the incredible Julius Origo, but when we finally meet… You're absolutely pathetic. You blame others for your pain without doing anything about it. You say that innocent people who had no idea of your suffering are responsible for every wrong done to you. You lack critical thinking skills.
Julius: Anyone in my position would act the same way.
Jill: Liar… But I don't know why I'm trying to reason with you. There's no way that you're going to listen to me, so I shouldn't even bother. Instead, I'll do what I should have the instant you opened your damn mouth… I'll kill you and get this war over with. You don't deserve salvation for all that you've done.
If Conrad initiates combat with Julius, the following dialogue plays out.
Conrad: You wanted to reclaim the Alliance just so that you could destroy it, and you promised power to those who would stand by you along the way… You're a coward who hides behind lies and false promises to keep others loyal.
Julius: A good leader knows how to motivate his followers.
Conrad: Motivation… Is that what you're calling it? That sounds like a gross misrepresentation of what you actually did, but I doubt I'll be able to persuade you of such. It doesn't matter anyways. I know what I came here to do, and I intend to accomplish it.
If Calypso initiates combat with Julius, the following dialogue plays out.
Calypso: I never would have expected to see the day that an archduke sunk to the lows of war while the leader of Canis fights in the name of justice…
Julius: I am the one on the side of justice. I've been fighting for it ever since I was freed from Columbus' grubby little fingers.
Calypso: Is starting a war justice? Or is it revenge against those who were unaware of your pain? Justice and revenge can be considered two sides of the same coin… The flip was not in your favor, and I doubt it ever will be. Now… Die.
If anyone else initiates combat with Julius, the following dialogue plays out.
Julius: You have raised a hand against the former leader of the Alliance. Such a punishment is worthy of death, and you must be aware of such. I would be more than happy to act as the goddess' agent in tearing life from your body!
When Julius is defeated, the following dialogue plays out.
Julius: You're fooling yourself if you think that this is the end… Absolutely pathetic…
After the battle, You stand with the Golden Deer around Julius. You are still positioned at the entryway of the castle, and there is nowhere for him to run.
Julius: You are fools if you think it is over now…
Julius retreats through the doors and runs into the castle.
Raithius: After him, everyone! It's time for us to end this!
You trail after Julius as Seraphine speaks in the back of your mind.
Seraphine: After we catch him this time, there won't be anywhere else for him to run… This is truly going to be our final battle, and then the war will end. It doesn't seem real, but I know that it must be. The world is watching with held breath and wide eyes… I wonder what we will do next to earn its admiration. Then again, it matters little in the long run… The time has come for us to end the fighting once and for all, and history will change permanently thanks to our actions. A fallen ruler who gave in to the clutches of revenge and twisted justice… Far too many have suffered due to this fine line being smeared by the crimson red of war, and even though we can never revive those fallen souls… We can end the conflict that took their lives. It's a small consolation, but in a way… Every part of war is just that.
You nod your agreement as Seraphine's voice fades away. You know that this is going to be the final battle, and You are prepared for it. You have seen the lingering effects of the war even if you were gone as many of the battles raged, and You are determined to fight in the name of the justice that Julius claims to be an agent of. You glance over the Golden Deer one final time as You continue to pursue him, and You know without a shadow of a doubt that they will stand at your side each remaining step of the way until peace is established once again. With the world watching, You enter the throne room, Sirius in hand, and prepare for the end of all…
The Golden Deer path is ending next week! Oh boy!
-Digital
