When the day of the mission arrives, You make your way to the cardinals' room. Seraphine speaks to You on the way.
Seraphine: Well, there haven't been any surprise invasions yet, so I think that us fortifying our defenses has done enough to deter our enemies from striking out once more. This is going to be an important battle, I'm sure. We have to be ready for it.
You nod as You arrive at your destination and find the Blue Lions inside.
Magnolia: As far as I can tell, our preparations are already finished for the coming battle. Are you ready to march on Goneril territory?
Kyle: This battle isn't going to be easy, I'm sure… But we have a lot of forces at our disposal. We're going to be able to handle it.
Karim: Because we have so much going on in this fight, I have to ask… What's the specific plan for what we're going to be doing this attack?
Luciana: Magnolia is going to handpick a small battalion of forces to march into the estate itself. The rest of us will cover for the group that charges into the main building.
Reese: Sounds like a plan to me. Given that we've got so many allies at hand thanks to the last battle, she's going to have quite the impressive array to choose from.
Magnolia: Regardless, I trust that you'll all carry out your duties well. I have every confidence that we'll pull through this battle together. It's what we do as Blue Lions.
Falon: House Goneril… This is going to be an interesting battle, though that's probably putting it simply. I've heard many things about this territory, and I'm afraid that we're going to have a lot on our plate if we want to defeat them in one fell swoop.
Nora: If we give them a chance to recuperate, we're going to lose our easy chance to take care of this. If we're going to do it, we have to take care of the enemy all at once.
Aestlyn: In that case, it seems to me like we shouldn't hold it off any longer. If everyone is ready, let's get going in the direction of House Goneril's primary estate.
Cassia: Remember to stay safe regardless of what duties you are chosen to carry out, everyone. This isn't going to be an easy battle. House Goneril is a dangerous area.
Illona: I'm sure that we'll be fine. We've looked after each other this long, haven't we? I'm sure that we can hold on for just a little while longer.
Magnolia: I trust you all to do that without any issues. But I do agree that we should get going sooner rather than later. House Goneril awaits.
You leave the cardinals' room and make your way to the front of the monastery. In the hours that follow, You make your way to the precise location of the Goneril estate, and You glance around to see the area is certainly similar to where You cornered the leaders of House Admoderor a few moons prior. You can understand that You were close to the previous mission, and when You look into the horizon, You can see the previous battlefield as well.
Your attention switches to Magnolia when she begins to speak though, and the Blue Lions curl in closely around her.
Magnolia: Alright, everyone. I have the other groups scattered around the area to work on charging into Goneril territory from other perspectives, but we should be able to rendezvous with them at least briefly before we move towards our target.
Cassia: I understand. In that case, I suppose that we should get into position to make sure that we don't miss any cues or get attacked when we aren't paying attention.
Kyle: I don't know what we can expect specifically from this battle, but we should prepare like there are going to be a bunch of soldiers inside the building.
Nora: I've heard many things about Goneril territory, and as far as I know, it's one of the most militarized areas on the entire continent. There will certainly be soldiers within the main building.
Illona: As long as we're ready, then I suppose that we can move forward anytime… Then again, I don't think that anybody could ever be ready to go into something this dangerous.
Aestlyn: And you're saying this after being so sure just a little while ago that we were going to be fine if we stuck together…
Illona: House Goneril is a different beast entirely compared to everything else. Besides, I was lying.
Karim: Illona? Lying? I don't think I would have ever seen something like that coming. Are pigs flying? I truly can't believe this.
Illona: Ha ha, you're hilarious.
Luciana: All of that aside, we know what we have to do, and we shouldn't hold it off more than we already have. Are we ready?
Reese: I know that I am. Just give the word. I'm not going to be holding back when we get close enough to see the soldiers though. This is a dangerous place, so we can't afford to hold back.
Falon: House Goneril… I was hoping to come here sooner or later, but I didn't think it would be like this… Oh, well. War is war, and I know what our mission is. Magnolia, we're ready whenever you give the signal.
Magnolia: Understood. Blue Lions, charge!
You make your way towards the main estate, and You manage to break through into the building. Magnolia chooses the group of soldiers meant to charge into the primary segment of the estate, and You scan through the area. The enemy forces have not yet fallen into place, but You can tell that they are a cut above others that you have fought in the past.
A woman appears at the top of the grand staircase at the center of the building. You assume that this is the lady of the house, Josephine Goneril.
Josephine: I wasn't expecting company… Certainly not from the queen of Faerghus of all people.
Magnolia: Really? You should have known that I was going to come by soon enough after everything that you've done. It feels pretty obvious as long as you're watching patterns.
Josephine: You have no idea what you're doing by coming here… This is a mistake that you will come to regret for the rest of your life, I'm sure. You have no idea just what you're walking into.
Magnolia: It doesn't matter much to me, let me tell you. I came here to accomplish a mission, and I won't be leaving until I've taken care of it.
Josephine: Hmph… If you insist on being stubborn, then fine. That's an issue that you'll face consequences for here and now.
The enemy soldiers fall into place at her words.
Josephine: You shouldn't have come onto my territory. That's a mistake that you will pay for with everything that you have. You won't leave here with your lives regardless of how well you fight. The least you can do is put on a good show!
You look over the battlefield and see many experienced soldiers in the area. You can see a commander standing off to the right side of the main room who appears to be a general in the Goneril army. The enemy troops are varied and powerful, but You are sure that You will be able to press through them alongside the combined might of your comrades.
Sure enough, when the battle begins properly, You begin to charge towards Josephine and Liam, her assisting commander. You and your forces make significant progress towards defeating your foes, and soon enough, You find yourself facing off against the leaders of the enemy faction.
If You initiate combat with Liam, the following dialogue plays out.
Liam: You're the leader of this force, it seems… You won't be getting out of this fight alive. N-None of your soldiers will be!
If Falon initiates combat with Liam, the following dialogue plays out.
Falon: You're working with her, aren't you?
Liam: …
Falon: You don't have to answer… I already know the answer, and I'm not happy with it. You must be aware of all the horrible things she's done.
Liam: ...I'm sorry.
Falon: Apologies won't make up for all that you've helped her to do. It's too late for sorry. Get out of my sight.
If anyone else initiates combat with Liam, the following dialogue plays out.
Liam: I apologize that it had to come to this… I'll still fight with everything that I have though, so… Get ready for this battle!
When Liam is defeated, the following dialogue plays out.
Liam: I… I wish it could have… Ended another way…
If You initiate combat with Josephine, the following dialogue plays out.
Josephine: You're the leader of this group, aren't you? I don't understand why the archduke of the Kingdom would hand over command to someone like you, but such a mistake is going to be his undoing. I hope you're ready to die, because you won't be escaping this mansion alive!
If Magnolia initiates combat with Josephine, the following dialogue plays out.
Magnolia: I bet that you were thinking you'd be able to get away with everything that you've done up to now, huh?
Josephine: You shouldn't have come here. The Goneril military won't hesitate to completely crush you, queen or otherwise.
Magnolia: You're going to see the true force of my army before that happens. I'm not going to let you get away with it. I know enough about your disgusting actions to understand that you've hurt too many people to count. The least that I can do on behalf of those who you've hurt is to defeat you now.
Josephine: I invite you to try.
Magnolia: Then such will be your final gambit.
If Falon initiates combat with Josephine, the following dialogue plays out.
Falon: You… You were my father's mother, but… He's gone now. He was dying of illness, and you never bothered to come and see him. He tried so many times to reach out, but it wasn't enough for you.
Josephine: That was no illness, child… It was poison.
Falon: What…?!
Josephine: Poison to his tea delivered by my personal servant. His death was my doing. He deserved it for defying my commands as a child.
Falon: What the hell is wrong with you?! He was your son, and you just… You just killed him for the hell of it! You're a monster!
Josephine: Peaceful people don't find a place in this world. I know what I want, and I know how to get it. He wasn't listening to the words he should have been. He ran away from House Goneril, and he paid the price.
Falon: You disgust me beyond words… In the name of my fallen father, I'm going to kill you here and now! Prepare for hellfire!
If Luciana initiates combat with Josephine, the following dialogue plays out.
Luciana: Lady Josephine Goneril… I'm fighting on behalf of the queen herself. You have harmed far too many people to be left to your own devices any longer than you already have.
Josephine: I didn't expect to see someone from a sad fallen house like you here… How many years has it been now since your bloodline fell apart?
Luciana: It matters not. I know where I belong and what I'm meant to do these days, and as of now, it brings me to fight against you.
Josephine: If you had any common sense, you would have stayed in the grave with the rest of the pathetic members of your house.
Luciana: You can throw petty words at me all that you like, but it won't change the outcome in the slightest. I've made my decision about how this battle will be ending, and I'm afraid that you have no say in the matter!
If Raithius initiates combat with Josephine, the following dialogue plays out.
Raithius: You're just as stubborn as I've heard, it seems… Even in the face of a battle like this, you're still trying to fight against us. I admire your bravery, but… I must admit that I find it rather foolish.
Josephine: You will pay for what you did to my son's house. Your murder of them will not be forgotten.
Raithius: Funny how you're talking about being upset regarding the murder of family… You sure didn't seem to want to do anything when your own granddaughter was being hunted by your son.
Josephine: You could never understand. Her existence is a stain against House Goneril.
Raithius: So I keep hearing… Still, I suppose it matters little now. You might not treat Novalee like part of your family, but she's most certainly part of mine. I'm not going to let you get off with the way you treated her, so I suggest making peace with the goddess now… You're not going to get the chance again once I'm done with you.
If Novalee initiates combat with Josephine, the following dialogue plays out.
Novalee: Greetings, Grandmother… It's been far too long since we saw each other.
Josephine: Novalee, was it…? I thought you died.
Novalee: Of course my father would have told you that to cover for his own mistakes… I remember you from the few times we crossed paths, and I must say that I did not miss not interacting with you.
Josephine: You were never worthy of House Goneril in the first place.
Novalee: Always obsessed with this sense of legacy and greatness… It's foolish, but I don't have the time to explain your folly to you. Instead, I'm simply going to end things here and now. Goodbye.
If Yuliya initiates combat with Josephine, the following dialogue plays out.
Josephine: You're Albinean, are you not?
Yuliya: What does it matter to you?
Josephine: You look familiar… Like a girl I remember from long ago… Milyena. That was her name.
Yuliya: Take my sister's name from your mouth at once.
Josephine: You're her sister… In that case, you should be aware of the truth behind her death…
Yuliya: It was a sickness. The causes were natural.
Josephine: She was poisoned by someone with a hand for it.
Yuliya: You did it… Didn't you?
Josephine: It's good to see you understand.
Yuliya: You're disgusting… Barely even human…!
Josephine: You can get as mad at me as you want, but it won't change the past. It won't change the present either. I intend to get rid of you here and now.
Yuliya: Not if I don't get rid of you first!
If anyone else initiates combat with Josephine, the following dialogue plays out.
Josephine: House Goneril is far too powerful to fall to a pathetic army like this… I won't allow this to continue for any longer than it already has, so allow me to end this fight at once.
When Josephine is defeated, the following dialogue plays out.
Josephine: No… I can't possibly be defeated now…! I… I cannot…
After the battle, You stand with the Blue Lions around Josephine's fallen form.
Josephine: You're making a mistake… Nothing you do can stop us now…
Magnolia: You say that, but I don't buy it in the slightest. We've come this far, and we won't let you stop us.
Falon: I've had enough of this. We have more important business to take care of than listening to you speak.
Falon strikes Josephine, and the woman dies instantly.
Nora: That's all been taken care of now, I suppose… Falon, are you doing alright? You seem upset.
Falon: I'll be fine as soon as we get out of here.
Luciana: I suspect that our allies are finished at this point as well. I believe that the time has come for us to reunite with them.
Kyle: The attack was successful, so that means that we can probably return to the monastery now.
Illona: We should search the mansion to make sure that there's nothing important we should know about.
Aestlyn: I agree completely. For all we know, this place could hold crucial information that we have to be aware of.
Karim: Let's regroup if we happen to find anything then. We can take the supplies found here back to the monastery too.
Reese: Sounds like we have our mission then. May all of your searches end in success, everyone.
You watch as the Blue Lions disperse to search the estate, and You begin to look around as well. Seraphine speaks to You along the way.
Seraphine: Well, then… I suppose that all we have left to do is make sure that we can figure out where the enemy commander can be found. From there, we make a quick charge into enemy territory and finish the job as soon as we can.
You nod and say that You are hoping that the battle will end in peace according to Magnolia's wishes.
Seraphine: I'm hoping for that too, but… I don't know. Part of me simply doesn't think that this is going to be enough to change it, you know? Magnolia's heritage is a large part of who she is, but I'm afraid that it won't be able to change her enemy's grudge and sway him into something positive. In another life, maybe it would have been possible for us to side with him, but now… I don't know.
You say that You are still uncertain as to the outcome of the upcoming fight.
Seraphine: We'll simply have to see how it all unfolds. For now, we know what we have to do, and I don't want to let anybody in our army down if we come up short.
You come across a room that appears to be a war planning area, and You approach the table at the center of the space. You see many soldier models scattered about the table, and You notice that many of them have been moved to the center of the map found below. They are centered over the top of the monastery and form a line between an area found between Fhirdiad and Garreg Mach and the monastery itself.
Seraphine: Hey… Look at that. There's a note next to this line of soldier models.
You pick up the note and read it to yourself.
Seraphine: It's dated with the next moon… It seems that the Goneril family was planning on unleashing a final strike on the monastery next moon, but their plans were interrupted when we came here. I'm willing to bet that the lady of the house was planning the attack when we first arrived, hence why everything is still set out like this.
You tell Seraphine that You have to pass on this message to the rest of the group.
Seraphine: I agree. It appears that this is drawing a parallel from a stronghold in Faerghus near Fhirdiad. Even if House Goneril is uninvolved in the coming attack due to its fall, it wouldn't surprise me if the enemy forces decided to come out to meet us regardless. Don't get me wrong; that isn't what I want at all. Still, I believe that it would be best for us to be on our guard just in case something happens to take place.
You nod and leave the war room to tell the group of your findings. When You arrive back in the main hall of the monastery, You see that the Blue Lions have come together. Judging by their hopeless expressions, You assume that none of them found anything of note.
Luciana: We have more than enough supplies to push on with the war for at least an extra moon now. I simply hope that we don't need them in the end…
Karim: I guess that's better than nothing. Without any inklings as to our next mission though, all we can do is try to search for the enemy commander.
You chime in and explain what You found.
Illona: Yeah… That certainly sounds conclusive. That's the sort of thing that we need in order to keep fighting. It should point us in the right direction.
Nora: We can make that area our next destination. The monastery's defenses have been fortified, but if we can catch them in their own domain, we can wipe out their morale completely.
Aestlyn: There isn't anywhere else for the enemy to hide as far as I'm concerned… This could be one of our final battles of the war.
Kyle: I somehow doubt that the leader of the Malice faction would be able to retreat to a noble territory at this point. With the fall of House Goneril, there's no place left for him to go.
Reese: Then let's use that to our advantage and make sure that it stays that way. We're going to move on that stronghold as soon as the chance presents itself.
Cassia: We know what we must do then. We should return to the monastery with this in mind, yes?
Falon: Yeah, I agree… I want to get out of this place sooner rather than later too. I've had enough of this territory.
Magnolia: In that case, let's go. We have another battle to prepare for, and if all goes well, it will be one of our last.
In the next few hours, You travel back to the monastery with the Blue Lions. Upon arriving at your destination, You settle down in your room for the night, understanding that no meetings will be held that night. Seraphine speaks to You along the way.
Seraphine: The war is finally almost over… That's what I'm hoping for. I don't want to have to use the extra supplies that were found today. We're going to find a way to win this battle by one method or another… Peace or combat.
You tell Seraphine that You are still hoping for the final battle to end with peace and mutual agreement.
Seraphine: There's nothing wrong with hope… I guess we'll just have to see how far it can take us.
Seraphine's voice falls silent, and You close your eyes as You settle down for the night. Your thoughts stray to the coming battle rather often, leaving You fitful and restless. Seraphine's earlier doubts about the potential for peace are starting to seep into your mind, and You find yourself hoping once again that the outcome of the upcoming battle is favorable. When You drift into slumber, You do not dream at all, and visions of stability and security elude You once again…
One more!
-Digital