At the start of the next moon, You rise to your feet and begin your regular routine of moving to the cardinals' room to speak with the Blue Lions. Along the way, Seraphine speaks to You.
Seraphine: If we truly are going to be storming the stronghold of Malice forces this moon, then that should take care of the final official area where they hold dominion. I wasn't aware that they still had a place to stay, and as far as I can tell, it's something that the rest of the group hadn't heard of either. I suppose it matters little now. This is their last stand, and all we need to do is crush them here and now to make sure they can't hurt anyone else.
You nod your agreement. When You arrive at the cardinals' room, Seraphine falls silent as she always does. The Blue Lions are gathered together already, and You can see them standing over a map of the continent.
Magnolia: Our plan this moon is to take out this area right here. It's located on the border of Goneril territory, and the area is known for being particularly cold and bitter even by Faerghus' standards.
Reese: If you ask me, I bet that the Malice soldiers we've been going against have been using tunnels similar to what we've seen in the past as a way of staying hidden for us. It's not as if they can hide in any noble lands now, after all.
Luciana: That is certainly a fine conclusion to make… You are likely correct on the matter. Still, our goal is to go in as quickly as possible and defeat our foes. That will leave them scattered and disorganized, allowing us to pick off the remaining enemies.
Kyle: Sounds like a perfect plan to me. This is going to keep them from planning anything that they could use to fight back against us with, and that's precisely what we need right now, especially with how chaotic everything has been.
Falon: I hope that we can find their commander there when we do storm the area. I think that all we need to do at this point is take down the one who's in charge. That will be easier said than done, but I'm sure we can do it.
Cassia: Magnolia said that she was hoping we wouldn't have to fight him in the first place. Perhaps peace will be our best option in the end. I'm certainly hoping that will be the case given the objectives of our two groups.
Karim: A lot has happened since the war began, and many people have suffered and died along the way… This man was responsible for a lot of that since he helped to lead the charge, and I bet he was involved with the assassination attempts as well.
Nora: It truly does make you wonder what the best course of action from here would be. I suppose that part of me fears that perhaps he will be too far gone to listen to our pleas for peace in the coming encounter.
Illona: I guess that we won't know until we try. Besides, we can focus on that when the time actually comes to storm the area. I think that we should be sure to stay ready for now. We never know if they're going to move up their plans to attack the monastery, after all.
Aestlyn: We'll have to leave at least a few of our troops behind to defend this place when we leave. It wouldn't do if we left ourselves wide open to attack from behind. We've already seen what they're capable of doing to the monastery, after all.
Magnolia: I'll do what I can to find a solution to those issues. For the time being, everyone is dismissed. We have our mission in mind, and I'm confident that we'll be able to find a way to accomplish it no matter what happens.
You watch as most of the Blue Lions leave the room, Luciana included. You turn to Magnolia and ask if she is doing alright, noting that she seems rather tense.
Magnolia: I'm just… I'm worried, Professor. What if they're right about our enemy being too far gone? I want to try and make peace with him. We both want for Albinea to be saved, and Faerghus as a nation… Its history is far from being beautiful, and I'm not about to pretend that my ancestors are innocent after all the crimes that they have committed.
You remain silent as Magnolia sighs.
Magnolia: He has the same aim as I do. He's doing this because he wants revenge on Faerghus for all that it has done against Albinea. I would be lying if I said that I knew what to do from here, honestly. I understand his anger in every way. I may not have experienced it directly, but… I have seen more than enough to be sick of what has taken place. Is it really best to fight against him when he's another person seeking his own peace? Or am I meant to lash out in combat because I must defend my people?
You tell her that You do not have the answer to her questions.
Magnolia: Bringing the innocent population into this… That cannot be forgiven. Killing people who were uninvolved with the actions of the nobles and royalty is disgusting, so I must fight on behalf of them. That's what I'm telling myself now for the sake of the future of Faerghus. Still… After this war is over, I'm going to do what I can to change everything. The people of Albinea deserve that, and… And so do I.
You nod your agreement.
Magnolia: Thank you for listening to me, Professor. I'm alright now. I suppose that I just needed to get all of that off my chest. Feel free to go about your daily business now. I'll see you later.
You leave the cardinals' room, sensing that she wishes to be alone, as Seraphine appears in your mind and begins to speak once more.
Seraphine: I have to say that I understand completely what she's thinking here. It doesn't feel right to fight now, but it doesn't feel right to stand down either. Then again, I suppose that's how war works… There are no easy answers. You simply have to fight for what you find to be best, and whatever happens… I don't know. There's a lot that goes into matters like this, huh?
You tell Seraphine that You will do what You must in order to end the suffering of those around You.
Seraphine: You're just as noble as ever… I'm glad to hear it, I must confess. For the time being though, we should get to looking around the monastery. Perhaps that will help to take our mind off everything that's been going on.
You nod as You arrive back at your room. Soon afterwards, You begin your rounds through the monastery. You start by moving to the Officers Academy, and You find Aquillus speaking with Florence in the courtyard there.
Aquillus: The number of noble houses on the continent has been at least halved with the occurrence of the war, you know. That leaves the future of our continent uncertain.
Florence: I heard from someone that House Lamine was one of the noble houses that crumbled… It was a quiet affair unrelated to our primary missions.
Aquillus: Perhaps that is for the best… I know that the idea of the place brought you immense stress in the past.
Florence: The war does nothing but pull out complicated emotions for all of us, huh? You think that you've managed to escape, and then it all comes back to slap you in the face again.
Aquillus: You can say that again…
You find Nora and Cassia together in the classroom of the Blue Lions.
Nora: The fall of House Goneril certainly bodes well for us. Even if there is still a stronghold of Malice found within the Kingdom, it won't be long before it collapses under the force of our armies.
Cassia: Having every major army together on the continent fighting for the same cause truly does paint a bleak image for our enemies… But we're going to have to fight as if we don't have that advantage.
Nora: You're right. We can't slack off now. That will only invite defeat.
Cassia: We'll remain firm until the war is over. That much I'm sure of.
Your next destination is the training hall, and You find Wynne standing outside.
Wynne: I think that the news of Lady Aisa's return has started to spread. I was out in the nearby town earlier, and everyone was practically buzzing about it all. I suppose that's a good thing though. After all, the better that the morale is around here, the better we're going to fight. We're going to have something worth defending, after all.
In the training hall itself, You find Derric and Niko speaking.
Derric: With the fall of our noble house confirmed, that leaves us unsure of what to do in the future… Are you going to try and live up to what our parents wanted for you?
Niko: That's a good question… And one for after the war. Right now, I want to fight, and I'm not going to back down from that no matter what happens.
Derric: I had a feeling that you were going to say that… I suppose that the least I can do is make sure that you last that long. I'm going to keep protecting you, Niko.
Niko: I know. You've always been the defensive sort, not that I'm complaining. I think that it's endearing, as a matter of fact.
Derric: You're going to embarrass me…
Niko: Good. That's what I was aiming for.
You move towards the bottom floor of dorms next. You see Adeline speaking with Sofia there.
Adeline: My brother is waiting for us in the capital for the end of the war… In a way, I suppose that I'm jealous that your brother is here so that you can see him on a regular basis.
Sofia: If I'm being honest, I don't know if I feel safe with having him with us. I don't want him to get hurt along the way to the end of the war.
Adeline: You're a good sister, Sofia. If you ask me, that's proof of how great you are for him.
Sofia: I… Thank you…
Adeline: I hope that I can follow in your example with my older brother when the war ends.
Sofia: Adeline… I don't think that you have anything to worry about. You're perfect just the way that you are.
Adeline: Thanks…
In the same area, You find Kyle engaged in conversation with Aestlyn.
Kyle: This could very easily be our last major battle… Maybe we'll be able to defeat the enemy commander this moon.
Aestlyn: That would be incredible… But I'm not going to hold my breath. I don't want to get my hopes up.
Kyle: I understand… This war really has changed the way that all of us look at life, wouldn't you say?
Aestlyn: Hope is both our most beautiful salvation and our greatest enemy… It's ironic, huh?
You make your way to the second floor of dorms. You find Polly speaking with Morgana in the area.
Morgana: With all that's been happening, it seems as if we haven't had any time to process what's taken place.
Polly: It's almost funny to think that just a few moons ago, our brother was still alive.
Morgana: I can't say that I blame the emperor for killing him. He deserved it.
Polly: Everyone on the continent is better off this way, no questions asked.
Morgana: Amen to that.
You return to the first floor and make your way into the greenhouse. You find Callisto standing inside.
Callisto: I'm so glad that the war is almost over. I've been getting so tired of all this fighting… When this is over, I'm going to go back home and dance until I can barely stand. I think that's exactly what I need at this point. It's my way of decompressing, and after all of the stress that we've put up in the past few months, I would definitely say that I've earned it, and so has everyone else.
You make your way to the fishing dock. You find Taiyin and Saias together there.
Taiyin: The war is almost over… What are you going to do after we're free?
Saias: You make it sound like we're trapped here… We're here because we want to be.
Taiyin: But the war is restrictive and cruel. Surely you agree with that.
Saias: I suppose I do… I don't know what I'm going to be doing. We can figure it out when the time comes.
Taiyin: We… I have to say that I rather like the sound of that.
You see Adrian standing on the edge of the dock.
Adrian: Once upon a time, Brigid and Dagda went to war with Adrestia. Thinking about that compared to the current situation with Albinea and Faerghus… It makes you wonder if the circumstances would be similar if different people and countries were involved. It's just food for thought, I guess.
You move in the area of the sauna. There, You find Raithius and Novalee speaking.
Raithius: It seems that the enemy of the Faerghus Malice faction is different from what we got used to in Leicester.
Novalee: You can certainly say that again… But I don't think that's a bad thing in the slightest.
Raithius: I wouldn't want Magnolia to be put in that position… Though I suspect it would have been easier for her than it was for me.
Novalee: I'm almost certain of it. Still, we'll stay here and make sure that everything goes smoothly.
Raithius: That sounds like the perfect plan to me.
You walk into the dining hall. You see Wolfgang there.
Wolfgang: One thing that's taken place in Leicester over the past few years has to do with the Canis Mafia. The group that once struck fears into the hearts of merchants and commonfolk everywhere has been toppled. You can thank Raithius for that one. He was determined to get the job done… It's just like him, wouldn't you say?
You also find Karim in the dining hall.
Karim: House Goneril is gone at last… I don't think I can ever tell you how happy I am that this has happened. It's not a great place to be, and we've done a great service to the people of the area by getting rid of the ruling family. Hopefully that will be the last major step that we have to take…
Next, You cross paths with Nesreen.
Nesreen: Going into town really does show you how much things have changed since Lady Aisa has returned. Everyone seems so much happier. Every person that I talk to has a new spring to their step… It's better this way, I think. Soon, everything will go back to the way that it once was, and we can finally leave this war behind us.
Finally, You run into Miriam.
Miriam: I have to wonder how many members of our enemy's forces were sucked in with the promise of taking revenge against the Faerghus royal family… It's certainly what their leader wants. I can hardly blame them given the crimes of the past, if I'm being honest. The previous king… Let's just say that his daughter outshines him in every possible way.
You make your way to the marketplace. You see Tuncay there.
Tuncay: The new supplies from House Goneril have made it much easier to construct weapons around here, I have to say. Who would have guessed that the nobles were hoarding so much great stuff? Oh, wait… That's part of the job for them. It's their problem, and now, I get to use these supplies. Imagine the blades I could make…
You also find Magnus in the area.
Magnus: So many Faerghus houses have fallen over the course of the past few moons, and others are probably planning their betrayal soon enough. It wouldn't surprise me if they were planning on taking advantage of the chaos, though I promise it won't end well for them at all. The queen won't let that happen.
You walk to the stables. There, You find William.
William: I have to wonder what issues the other factions ran into… We haven't heard details about their encounters quite yet, though I suppose that they likely have a reason for not sharing it. After all, the war has been strenuous for all of us… If we're meant to hear about it, I'm sure that we will one of these days.
You also find Cedric in the area.
Cedric: The leader of the human experimentation, Evenor Hepius, fell during the battle between the Knights of Seiros and their opposing faction of Malice. I have to say that I'm incredibly happy to know that she won't be harming anyone ever again. As cruel as it is to wish death on people… I'm glad to know that the suffering of many is finally a thing of the past.
You make your way to the knights' hall. You find Cordelia speaking with Kaeta there.
Cordelia: The Knights of Seiros are going to have to go back to their previous duties as soon as the war ends. The monastery will be worth defending then, after all.
Kaeta: It's been weird to think that nobody has been around here for so long. Well, we're here now, but it was abandoned for ages. It's strange to imagine, huh?
Cordelia: But that's going to be only history now. We're back, and we aren't going to be leaving ever again.
Kaeta: The Knights of Seiros will have their purpose back with the return of Lady Aisa… The future is looking to be a bright one.
You also see Falon in the area.
Falon: You know… I learned something during our previous mission. The lady of House Goneril, my grandmother, was responsible for the death of my father. She poisoned her own son for disobeying her. I can't imagine having so little humanity… Her fall was deserved. I just wish she could have seen all of the suffering that she caused before she perished.
Finally, You cross paths with Hegias in the knights' hall.
Hegias: As far as I'm aware, everyone who was involved with the human experimentation of the past has been eliminated. That should mean that everyone can breathe easily knowing that the culprits have been taken care of… And yet, I still find myself thinking about all the damage that was likely done in the past… Imagine how many people have been hurt or killed by now… It's too many to even count.
You move towards the entrance hall. You find Conrad standing inside.
Conrad: Settling into the monastery hasn't exactly been easy. Everyone here seems to know everyone else… I would have come here if not for the war, you know. I would have been a student at the Officers Academy. My father told me as much, but… He isn't here anymore, so who knows what's coming next?
You also find Liram and Zelhira speaking in the area.
Liram: With so many noble houses gone throughout the continent, the ruling system of the land is going to have to change significantly.
Zelhira: But I don't think that's a bad thing at all. It's time that everything started to adapt to current times, wouldn't you say?
Liram: I agree. Still, it does leave you wondering… How much can a system that's this naturally corrupt even be fixed?
Zelhira: If it has to be torn down entirely, so be it. I'm willing to go with whatever will be for the best.
Liram: I'm glad we agree on that front then.
Zelhira: I couldn't imagine anything else.
You move forward to the reception hall. Lev can be found there.
Lev: It's nice to see everyone back here again. It still doesn't feel real even after we've been here for a few moons. I'm glad that this is happening, but I must say that it's almost like I'm still dreaming… I don't think there will ever be a feeling quite like this ever again. It's perfect in every way.
You also find Yuliya there.
Yuliya: House Goneril… It deserved to go down in smoke. I couldn't have imagined a better fate for such a land. The leader of the house has done so much to harm Albinea. Her death is one of the best things that could happen for my people… She deserved it. I'll never regret what I had to do. You can count on that.
Finally, You see Rodain in the area.
Rodain: This Malice stronghold should mark the final major battle of the war. That's what I'm hoping for, at the very least. A knight lives for the sake of battle, but I must say that I am growing weary of the consistent battles. Here's to hoping it draws to a close soon. I'm getting so tired of it all.
On the bridge to the cathedral, You find Piers.
Piers: The end of the war is going to bring about something new that we never could have anticipated. Everything is going to change as soon as the war ends. Nothing will be the same as it once was. Even after the combat is done, we have to fight to restore the continent. It never ends.
Inside the cathedral, You find Roy.
Roy: Seeing Lady Aisa back here still doesn't feel real. I wanted to hope that she was alive, but I had almost given up before we found her again. I don't think that she's sold on battle yet though… She's only doing this because she feels like she has no choice. She wouldn't be here if not for obligation.
You also see Luciana in the area.
Luciana: The upcoming choice of fighting against our foe won't be an easy one. Magnolia will have to decide if peace is for the best or not. Will it be possible to reconcile at all? What will come of attempts to rationalize peace? How will our enemy respond? There's quite a bit to think about…
Finally, You find Calypso.
Calypso: The cathedral of the monastery truly is incredible… I've heard stories of it, but I never came here before the rendezvous. It's good to know that the monastery has survived the war. Imagine if all of this history had been lost to brutality… It truly would have been a tragedy for everyone.
You walk down to Abyss with your business on the main level of the monastery finished. You see Tsubasa in the Wilting Rose Inn as expected.
Tsubasa: Abyss is starting to improve significantly, I must say. Having all of the Ashen Wolves back together is undoubtedly responsible for that. I doubt that we'll ever be back to how we were before, but progress is being made. If you ask me, that's all we can ask for these days given the war.
You also find Ansel in the area.
Ansel: Supply runs are starting to return to their regular quantity these days. It was a concern for a long time over the past few years, but it seems like we might finally be able to calm down on that. You have no idea how much of a relief that is. Maybe the days of rationing food will finally be in the past now.
You make your way to Burrow Street, and You find Grey speaking with Gabriel there.
Grey: Finally, everything seems like it's going back to normal… You know, war normal.
Gabriel: I hate that there are two different types of normality around here.
Grey: Hopefully, that won't be the case for much longer. That's what everyone else is saying these days, anyways.
Gabriel: Do you think that we should believe in something like that?
Grey: It's up to you. Me? I'm not getting my hopes up. Seems like you can't do that with anything these days, you know?
You move to the boys' room on Chrysalis Row. Ernst can be found inside.
Ernst: There were a few books recovered from House Goneril, and I've already started to flick through them. You have no idea how much knowledge the nobility was hoarding in this scenario… Maybe other volumes will be recovered from the other houses as well. It would involve quite a bit of searching, but I want to try.
Finally, You make your way to the Ashen Wolves' classroom. There, You find Eli and Quinn engaged in a solemn conversation.
Eli: I'm glad that we were able to take care of the enemies that were putting Abyss at risk, but I missed this place. It feels like we missed out on so much of everyone's lives here.
Quinn: I don't know if we've missed out on that much… It was only a few moons that we were gone, and we saved many people from danger along the way.
Eli: I just worry about everyone, you know?
Quinn: I do know. It's part of your charm.
Eli: My greatest strength and weakness. I've heard it all before.
You move to the second floor of the monastery. You see Chris in an office alcove off to the side of the audience chamber.
Chris: Back in the monastery again… Last time I was here, my father had just perished. It truly does bring me back to those times to be here again. Argades accused me of the killing too… Oh, things truly are different compared to how they were back then. Now, Argades is the one dead. The difference is that everyone knows who was responsible this time.
You move to the third floor and find Aisa there.
Aisa: My room at the monastery is in far better shape than I anticipated. I would have imagined the space would have been ravaged along the way… Someone has clearly been doing quite a bit of work to ensure the room is in peak condition. I will have to find the one responsible and thank them.
Next, You walk into Herwig's room and find him inside.
Herwig: After the war ends, I believe that we're going to have to do one final sweep of the continent to make sure that there are no other Malice soldiers hiding in the shadows. They've been doing a good job of evading us if they got away earlier, but we're going to have to find them, no questions asked.
You see Reese in his room.
Reese: My dreams have started to change, you know. Nowadays, when I close my eyes, I imagine something completely new… The peace at the end of the war. I see bright skies and beautiful flowers… And my sister. I'm so excited for that to become a reality. One of these days… Soon…
Finally, You find Jill in the infirmary.
Jill: If you want to ask again about how Janae is doing, her condition hasn't changed. I promise that I'm going to tell you about it as soon as something happens for her to change. You're going to be the first one to know. Until then, I'm going to stay here and keep looking for her. You have my word.
You see Illona in the commons room.
Illona: My uncle and all of his work is gone now… I don't know what to say. I've received confirmation that all traces of his actions have disappeared because of their thorough work. It left me with a complicated emotion when I heard about it, you know? I don't know how I'm supposed to feel… Guess I'll just ignore it instead.
Your final destination, the cardinals' room, is where You find Magnolia hunched over a map.
Magnolia: Our discussion earlier has made me think a lot about what's to come. I'm not sure about what I'm going to do… I need to find my answer as soon as possible. Everyone is counting on me to figure this out. Maybe I can't even talk my way out of this. Only time will be able to say, I suppose.
With your exploration finished, You retreat to your room as Seraphine speaks to You.
Seraphine: We're getting closer now… I'm sure of that much. I just wish that we had more information about Janae, you know? It's been so long since she was awake, and even if others are confident that she'll be fine… I guess I'm just starting to worry.
You say that You understand, but You are going to press on regardless of what happens.
Seraphine: There you go… Just as determined as ever. I'm not complaining in the slightest though. It's a difficult situation, but I'm happy to have the stability that comes with being able to lean on you in such a way.
You say that You are happy to have her as well.
Seraphine: And we'll stay together until the war ends. That much I'm sure of. For now though… I think that we should go on and rest. We still have a lot of work ahead of us, wouldn't you say?
You nod your agreement as You settle down for the night. Your eyes flutter shut, and You turn your focus to the coming battle. You are determined to find victory regardless of what awaits You. From there, your mind drifts to Janae, and the last thing You do before falling asleep is wishing for her safety.
Headaches are nasty but new chapter
-Digital