When the day of the mission arrives, You wake up and move towards the cardinals' room. Seraphine speaks to You along the way.
Seraphine: I suppose that we're going to be marching out for the underground tunnels now… That at least implies that something was uncovered, and I think that's already a good thing to hear about.
You nod your agreement.
Seraphine: I'm not looking forward to potentially having to travel underground though… I don't think that I'm a huge fan of tunnels beneath the surface of the earth, but I suppose that nobody really is… Whatever. We'll find a way to power through it.
You arrive at the cardinals' room, and Seraphine falls silent.
Reese: There you are. Now that we're all here, it's time for us to hear that update on the status of the coming fight.
Magnolia: Perfect. We discovered that there are in fact a few Malice troops in the area, and they all appeared to be converging on a single point… And said point happens to lead to an underground set of tunnels.
Luciana: We aren't sure of who's waiting underground, but we have received reports that the stench of blood is incredibly strong even from the entrance of the cave. That… That isn't a promising thing to hear back, but we must investigate in case something important is waiting there.
Illona: Oh, I don't like this already… Underground tunnels that smell like blood? That's definitely uncomfortable. I haven't heard about anything this shady in a long time.
Kyle: Still, if nobody else is going to check it out, the duty falls to us. I'm curious as to what could possibly be there, but I know that we're going to have to be careful.
Karim: We'll look out for each other to make sure that nothing too bad happens. From there, we'll think about what our next move should be.
Falon: Perfect. It seems that we're all in agreement of what's to come then. Creepy crawl spaces be damned because we're going to find the truth of what's going on there.
Aestlyn: You all sure are confident about this… But I guess that there's nothing we can do about it now. You're right in that we need to check it out.
Nora: I think that we should simply go on and get it over with. The sooner that we gather the information, the better.
Cassia: I agree. For the time being, I see no further reason to remain here, so we might as well move out.
Magnolia: Perfect. In that case, let's get going.
The Blue Lions leave the room behind, but You stay for a moment longer to speak with Magnolia. You question her as to if anything is on her mind.
Magnolia: I've been thinking a lot, I suppose you could say… Something about all of this feels familiar to me, but I wouldn't argue that it's positive at all. For now, let's just take care of this as soon as possible. I don't like the idea of crawling around underground any more than we have to, so let's get it out of the way.
You watch as Magnolia leaves, and You hear Seraphine speak to You once again.
Seraphine: She's being pretty stubborn about all of this… I don't know what I expected, but I guess I was hoping that she'd be a bit more forthcoming with all of this information… I suppose that all we can do for now is just wait and see how this unfolds.
You nod, and You begin to make your way to the front of the monastery for the coming travels.
A few hours later, You find yourself back in the same field from the month before, and You see that the area is mostly the same as it was after the battle. However, there are Faerghus troops stationed around an area between two trees, and Magnolia approaches the region.
Magnolia: This should be it. Come on, everyone.
A pair of soldiers on either side of the trees reach down to the ground and reveal a hidden passageway beneath the surface. A grand set of stairs reveals itself to You, and Magnolia gestures for the group to follow her before moving down.
Aestlyn: I really don't like this… If you ask me, we're just asking for something to pop out at us at any moment.
Nora: I can already smell the blood from here… But the area is well-lit, so that leads me to believe that there's something here.
Karim: You're right. There wouldn't be so many lit torches if this place had been abandoned ages ago.
Reese: Given the fact that nobody has been seen leaving or entering this area, I think it's safe to say that it's one of many tunnels connected to a specific system.
Kyle: I bet you're right on that too… I don't want you to be, but we're going to have to be careful about cutting off escape routes if possible.
Illona: Ugh… The smell is only getting worse the deeper that we go inside… I think I'm going to be sick.
Cassia: I've got you, Illona… This truly is starting to remind me of the battle we had against Evenor a few moons before the school year ended.
Falon: I hate to say that I feel the same, but I do. For all we know, this is another hub for Crest experimentation.
Luciana: I couldn't believe that something so awful was taking place when I first heard about it… Perhaps Evenor Hepius is down here and waiting for us.
Magnolia: If so, then I'm not going to hold back in showing her what I'm made of. We weren't able to defeat her last time, but I'm going to make sure that the truth of everything that she's done is dragged into the light for everyone to see.
Seraphine begins to speak to You.
Seraphine: I don't think that I'm ready to face her… Evenor, I mean. If she really does hold the truth about the past, then… I'm going to need more time, and I bet that you feel the same way.
You nod your agreement.
Seraphine: Magnolia seems so much harsher than before… I can see it loud and clear in the way that she discusses Evenor. I just wish that she was actually open to talking to us about all of this instead of hiding it.
The underground tunnel opens up significantly, and You see a wide battlefield with a series of five entrances scattered about the area. You also notice that Malice soldiers are gathered together, though their dark armor makes them somewhat difficult to see in the shadows. A familiar man is standing at the far end of the area, and You recognize him as being the one who was with Evenor before your battle against her five years prior. He has grown older, but he still looks the same.
Man: Hmph… I didn't expect you to come down here of your own accord… I must say that you're more obsessed with snooping than I thought.
Magnolia: I remember you…!
Man: This is far from being the first time that we've met, Princess… Oh, excuse me. You're a queen these days, aren't you? My apologies for the slip of the tongue.
Magnolia: Stop it with the sass and tell us what you're doing here. If you won't talk, we'll simply have to force it out of you. One way or another, we're going to get what we want. It's really only your choice as to how it happens.
Man: I'm here to command the forces that are under my control… Perhaps one of your companions can explain it.
Illona: I didn't realize that I would be seeing you here of all places…
Man: I understand, Illona… It has been quite a long time since we crossed paths, hasn't it? And you're still insisting on playing your ridiculous game of soldier.
Magnolia: What are you talking about? Illona, who is this?
Drake: You may call me Drake de la Brache.
Illona: He's my uncle… I didn't realize that he was involved with all of this.
Magnolia: Given the fact that we're here underground in an atmosphere like this, I think I know the sort of crimes that he's guilty of. Us having met him at the same time that we came into contact with Evenor doesn't help his case in the slightest.
Illona: …
Magnolia: Your silence says everything. Blue Lions, the time has come for us to move out. Let's show this man what we're truly capable of.
You begin to prepare for the coming fight against Drake and his forces. The many entrances and exits of the tunnels leave plenty of space for Malice fighters to leave, so You decide to internally block off as many of them as possible. Drake stands near the primary entrance of the tunnel, and the Malice forces all gather around him defensively, telling You clearly that he is the one who is meant to be commanding them.
The battle begins properly once preparations are completed properly, and the following dialogue plays out.
Magnolia: There are many entrances to the greater tunnel system down here, and that confirms our suspicion about this being one of many smaller areas connected to this region. We need to block off as many of them as possible to prevent our foes from retreating. From there, we can close in on the enemy commander and defeat him.
As the fight starts, You fight alongside the Blue Lions with a renewed sense of ferocity. You recognize that the time to defeat Drake has arrived even after he escaped five years prior, and You charge towards him and the other Malice soldiers under his command. You find yourself impressed with how much strength the Blue Lions have gathered over the past few years, and You lead them in the battle to come, blocking off the exits to the tunnel system as You go along.
When the first exit has been blocked away, the following dialogue plays out.
Kyle: And there's the first one down. There are four more for us to take care of now.
Cassia: The enemy numbers are already starting to fade, and they won't be able to receive reinforcements this way.
When the second exit has been blocked away, the following dialogue plays out.
Falon: And there's another exit taken care of. That should make it harder for them to keep fighting.
Karim: Do what you can to stay safe, everyone. We can't allow any casualties to take place here!
When the third exit has been blocked away, the following dialogue plays out.
Nora: We're more than halfway through now. Block off the last two exits at once.
Aestlyn: Of course. We can't allow them to break through after all we've done already.
When the fourth exit has been blocked away, the following dialogue plays out.
Reese: Only one exit remains. We'll have to be careful as we close in around it.
Illona: Take care to not receive severe damages as we get closer.
When the final exit has been blocked away, the following dialogue plays out.
Luciana: All that remains now is for us to take care of the remaining enemies.
Magnolia: Perfect. We have a grip on the battle now, so we can't afford to lose here!
Your party gets closer to fighting Drake as a result of the closed-off tunnels, and You soon find him as the last foe in the area. Your team closes in around him, and You begin to charge towards him.
If You initiate combat with Drake, the following dialogue plays out.
Drake: I've heard many things about you from Evenor… She's fascinated by you even now. I don't know what you did to earn her attention, but I suppose that it matters little. You'll never see her again, but such is the way of war. You should have known what you were getting into from the start.
If Magnolia initiates combat with Drake, the following dialogue plays out.
Magnolia: You've been involved with the experimentation for quite some time, haven't you?
Drake: You should have been aware of such a truth the moment that you came down here.
Magnolia: I didn't want to believe that such dreadful things were still taking place… What's your aim? What do you hope to accomplish by doing all of this?
Drake: You would love it for me to tell you everything, hm?
Magnolia: If you won't say it by your own volition, then I'll simply drag the words free of your lips.
Drake: You may carry the title of a queen now, but you're still a naive little princess… Ready your weapon, Queen. Allow me to show you what I am truly capable of.
If Illona initiates combat with Drake, the following dialogue plays out.
Illona: I can't believe that this is still taking place… You're awful.
Drake: You used to be so enthusiastic about my work, Illona. If I recall correctly, you jumped at the idea that you could receive a Crest and change your family's history permanently.
Illona: I was young and didn't understand that you were just using me. I had no way of knowing that you were going to do something like this.
Drake: And yet, you trusted me anyways. You made that mistake, and I can't be blamed for something that you ultimately decided to do.
Illona: ...I'm done talking. Just get out of my sight.
If Zelhira initiates combat with Drake, the following dialogue plays out.
Zelhira: You've been responsible for quite a few experiments… You disgust me.
Drake: I remember you… Tell me, do you recall who I am?
Zelhira: Unfortunately, I do. That's exactly why I'm going to wipe that aggravating smile from your face. You'll be lucky if I don't do worse.
Drake: You certainly have gained some bite since our last encounter. Back when we first met, all you knew how to do was talk without acting on it.
Zelhira: Shut up. I grow tired of seeing your face.
If Hegias initiates combat with Drake, the following dialogue plays out.
Hegias: I know you… Back in the day, you and Evenor were friends.
Drake: You always followed her around like a lost duckling. I can't believe that you're standing as firm as you are without her now.
Hegias: Times have changed, and I've grown… But it appears you've stayed the same as ever.
Drake: Judge me all you want. It matters not.
Hegias: I'm finished with this. Let's just end this already, shall we?
If Wolfgang initiates combat with Drake, the following dialogue plays out.
Wolfgang: I've heard that you're involved with the experimentation… Hmph. Absolutely pathetic.
Drake: You're trying to threaten me, aren't you?
Wolfgang: I'm certainly not asking you to tea.
Drake: Of course… You seem like a violent person.
Wolfgang: Oh yeah? Let me show you just how much I'm capable of then.
If anyone else initiates combat with Drake, the following dialogue plays out.
Drake: You made a grave error in judgement by coming down here… You won't survive to pay the world back for the sins that you have committed. Make your peace with the goddess here and now… It's the last time you'll ever hear of her.
When Drake is defeated, the following dialogue plays out.
Drake: You shouldn't have come here… I refuse to fall in such a dismal place. You have no idea who you're dealing with.
After the fight, You stand with the other Blue Lions gathered around Drake, who is cornered against the wall.
Magnolia: It's over. Surrender now or else.
Drake: Hmph…
Drake reaches out for the nearby table and grabs a small sphere. When he makes contact with it, he teleports away.
Reese: Damn it all! What even was that?
Luciana: If I had to guess, I would say it was something fashioned from dark magic.
Cassia: He had it on hand in case he had to flee from this place quickly.
Karim: We'll track him down again sooner or later, I'm sure.
Nora: He won't be able to run forever.
Aestlyn: For now, let's look around this place. We can barricade the other exits temporarily to keep other fighters from finding us.
Kyle: That sounds like a good plan.
Falon: Check out this table… It's where he was keeping that orb of his.
Illona: It's absolutely covered in paper…
Magnolia: There has to be something in here that we'll find useful… Ah! This one is a map of Faerghus… It has Fhirdiad, Faren, and Chevalier territories marked off in red pen.
Nora: There must be a common thread that links all of those areas then… Perhaps it's something to do with politics.
Magnolia: ...Hold on a moment… This has to do with Albinea. Of course it does.
Kyle: Albinea… That's right. It's a territory that was colonized by Faerghus ages ago. There's been a war between Albinea and Faerghus raging for a long time.
Falon: I get what you're trying to say… The areas that are marked as being targeted are all regions that have supported Albinea in the past.
Aestlyn: I see… That certainly lines up… But why would Malice go after people like that?
Karim: I don't know. Remember five years ago when we were first getting involved with Malice's shenanigans? We fought against people from Albinea, didn't we?
Cassia: We did… I believe that these truths can coexist though.
Reese: You mean to say that our companion here is part of Malice, but he's been working with other segments of the group.
Luciana: It would make sense… There have to be multiple sectors of this operation to ensure that it's carried out successfully.
Illona: There were too many risks for only a small group to do this, especially if they were going to aim for the thrones of all three major nations on the continent.
Magnolia: Illona… You said that you knew that man, didn't you? What can you tell us about him?
Illona: He… He's my uncle. He played a significant part in helping my family to rise to prominence within the Kingdom. We didn't exactly start off as nobles, but he helped us to take our place among the higher class.
Magnolia: My assumption is that he used that as a cover so that he could spread his influence and expand his power for the sake of Malice… He seemed to have a connection to Evenor Hepius. Would you happen to know anything about that?
Illona: About Evenor specifically? No… But I can say that he's involved with the experimentation. That much I'm confident of. He's the reason that I left my home territory when the war started.
Magnolia: Alright… I think that we can say safely then that he's involved with a Malice section that wants nothing to do with Albinea then. He's certainly tied in with Evenor as well. As for how all of this fits together… We're just going to have to be careful from here on out.
Luciana: We should gather as many of these papers as we can. We don't want anyone returning and doing anything to destroy it, so we'll simply take them with us back to the monastery and see if we can learn anything from them.
Falon: The idea that they're targeting Faren and Chevalier territories… I don't like that at all. I don't believe that anything has happened significantly to either one of our houses though, Karim. I believe that we would have heard about something like that already.
Karim: No… There haven't been any recent pieces of distressing news in Faren territory. If that's the case, then it means that their plan hasn't been placed into motion yet, so we can still stop it.
Nora: There has to be some clue about what they're going to be doing next in here somewhere. We'll do what we can to find it after we've finished moving back towards the monastery. We'll be safer there.
Reese: You're correct. Even though we've barricaded all of the entrances, there's still a risk that we'll be attacked or otherwise hurt if we stay here for much longer than we absolutely need to. Be careful.
Aestlyn: All of this is already giving me an awful feeling… I don't know how to describe it, but I'm positive that we're not in the best position at the moment. We'll simply have to consider it when we get back.
Kyle: There are a few maps of Faerghus from about twenty-five years ago here too… But what could they possibly want from that sort of thing? I don't understand why something like that would be necessary.
Cassia: Their conquest may be current, but they must have a reason for looking back in such a way. We'll have to keep our eyes out if we want to figure out what their reasoning for that could possibly be.
Illona: I don't know where my uncle went, but something tells me that this is far from being our last time seeing him… I don't know what I'm going to do about him, but I promise that I'll stay here and stand by all of your sides.
Magnolia: There was never a doubt.
After everything has been gathered, the group moves back towards the monastery. When You arrive, You plan to head upstairs to the cardinals' room, but You are cut off by Magnolia approaching You.
Magnolia: I sent everyone off to rest for the night. That was a grueling battle, and we're going to need some extra time to figure out what those papers have. If we try to find it out now, we're going to be up for hours, and that's the last thing I want when everybody is this exhausted. You should try to get some sleep too, okay?
You nod your understanding and ask if the issues in Albinea have anything to do with her recent struggles.
Magnolia: That… That's part of it. I'll just say that I'm no longer worthy of the Josefa name, assuming that I ever was in the first place… To be more accurate, I don't think that it's worthy of me.
You ask her what she means.
Magnolia: We'll talk more when it isn't so late. Try to get some rest, Professor. I'll see you when day breaks.
Magnolia walks away, and You begin to travel back to your room as Seraphine speaks to You once more.
Seraphine: Something is clearly wrong, but I don't know where to begin as far as figuring it out goes… I mean, it has to be involved with Albinea, but what are the details? You know though… Now that I think about it, Magnolia hasn't gone by her full name since we came back. She completely dropped her surname… That could have something to do with it. She's coming up with excuses to keep from talking about it, but she won't be able to avoid the subject forever.
You nod your agreement as You arrive at your room.
Seraphine: In any case, we should head to sleep for the night. We got a lot of work done today, and we have even more of it ahead of us. I'll see you when morning comes. Goodnight, Professor.
You settle down to sleep, and You find that slumber embraces You easier than anticipated. Still, You cannot help but wonder about the map that You uncovered and what it could mean. You are sure that your coming conversation with the Blue Lions is going to shed some light on the issue, but your curiosity remains. You pray that this is not a negative omen of any sort, and You allow yourself to finally give in to the arms of sleep.
And here's the battle!
-Digital