(At the castle.)
Bandit: Boss! Our boys just got back from scouting the village.
Dory: Then let's go get our tribute.
Bandit: But Boss, something's different today. There's an army stationed real close to us! They say it looks like the Lycian Army.
Dory: Lycia? Then there's nothing to worry about. They were almost wiped out by Bern. We can handle a few battered soldiers.
Bandit: You're right, boss!
Boss: They've probably got some valuables on them too! Still, don't get careless. Ready then? Let's mop up these losers, boys!
(On the Lycia Army's side.)
Merlinus: A villager is here to see you, Lord Jin. Hey, you, wait just a second...
Villager: Are you Lord Jin of House Pherae?
Jin: Yes. How may I help you?
Villager: Milord, I beg you! Please, rid us of the bandits terrorizing our village!
Jin: Bandits?
Villager: There's a group of bandits that made their base in the castle near the cliffs.
Jin: Where are the castle guards?
Villager: They fled once they heard that the Lycian Army was defeated by Bern... We villagers were left on our own. Our days are spent in fear of bandit attacks.
Jin: ...
Villager: We have no one else we can ask. Please, help us!
Merlinus: Lord Jin, we must keep our pace towards Ostia...
Jin: Yes, I know. But we can't simply ignore people in need of help!
Merlinus: You're joking!
Villager: You will help us?! Thank you! Please use the gate to the west. It'll take you right to the castle.
Jin: Thank you.
Villager: I'll arrange for the gate to be opened when you give the signal.
(The villager goes off.)
Jin: Merlinus! We're going to the castle to drive off the bandits!
Merlinus: Sigh... Youthful energy. Where does it come from?
(A Battle begins. Less than 3 minutes pass. in the northern village.)
Yoder: Thank you, Dorothy. Please tell Brother Saul as well.
Dorothy: I will, Father Yoder.
(Yoder leaves.)
Dorothy: But where did Saul run off to now? How am I supposed to guard him if he keeps disappearing?
(Screen goes to Saul and a girl.)
Girl: Er... Brother Saul, I appreciate the offer, but not tonight...
Saul: Come now, don't be like that. We can sit by the fire in the dark of night as I soothe you with my calming sermons...
Dorothy: There you are! Saul!
Saul: Wonderful. Dorothy...
Girl: I'll take my leave now.
(The girl leaves.)
Saul: No, don't go! Oh my... Look what you've done now, Dorothy. That expression on your face scared her away.
Dorothy: This is my normal look! Saul, you can't try to woo every girl you meet.
Saul: You make it sound like a bad thing! I simply offer my helping hand to any poor souls in need.
Dorothy: Then why do you always offer to give your sermons at night?
Saul: ...Well, putting that aside... Did you have some good reason for interrupting my good work?
Dorothy: Oh, right. The Lycian Army is apparently somewhere around here.
Saul: Truly?! Is Princess Guinivere still with them?
Dorothy: Yes, if the reports from the St. Elimine Church are accurate.
Saul: Then we must make haste! Let us join them.
Dorothy: ...
Saul: What's the matter, Dorothy?
Dorothy: You only want to join them because Princess Guinivere is said to be so beautiful.
Saul: Don't be ridiculous... Come now, hurry along.
Dorothy: Yes, let's go!
(Dorothy and Saul leave the village. A few minutes pass. Jin vists a village.)
Village: Hold on. Before you go, take this lance with you. It was once wielded by a knight called Sir Gant. The stories say he bested many a foe with this lance! (Jin received Gant's Lance. A few minutes pass. Jin vists a house.)
House: If you can, try to occupy forts. That'll stop enemy reinforcements from showing up!
(A few minutes pass. Jin vists another house.)
House: I was there when Araphen was taken... The wyvern riders of Bern were terrifying enough... But then a dragon engulfed the Lycian Army in flame... Oh Elimine, please tell me it was a dream...
(A few minutes pass. Jin vists another house.)
House: This whole area is really perfect for bandits. It's no wonder they appeared. They can cross mountains and a bandit on a peak is a force to be reckoned with. Dreadful. Just dreadful...
(A few minutes pass. Jin approaches Dory.)
Dory: No one's ever survived a blow from my axe! Hey, you. Wanna see why?
(Jin and Dory fight. A few minutes pass. Jin defeats Dory.)
Dory: Gah...! No...I don't wanna...die...
(A few minutes pass. Jin Seizes the area and ends the battle.)
Merlinus: Lord Jin! A priest from the St. Elimine Church wants an audience with you...and Princess Guinivere!
Jin: He knew that Princess Guinivere was with us?
Merlinus: Yes. I can't imagine how.
Jin: Me neither... I'll see him alone.
Guinevere: Jin, I will be fine. I wish to meet this priest.
Jin: Princess?
Guinevere: Tensions between my brother and the church have worsened as of late. I do not believe they would attempt anything underhanded.
Jin: I see. Merlinus, allow this priest in.
(Merlinus lets Saul enter.)
Saul: Lord Jin, it is a pleasure to meet you at last. I am Saul, an acolyte of the St. Elimine Church.
Jin: Pleased to meet you.
Saul: Oh... And you must be Princess Guinivere! You are as beautiful as the rumors say!
Guinevere: Pardon me...?
Saul: Ahem... Forgive me. Your Highness, I wish to know the location of the Fire Emblem. You have it with you, do you not?
Guinevere: How did you know that?!
Saul: Bern's head church tells us the Fire Emblem disappeared from the Shrine of Seals. And you also went missing at exactly the same time.
Guinevere: ...
Saul: I was sent by the Church to confirm the truth. Why did you take the Fire Emblem?
Guinevere: ...I wished to stop my brother.
Saul: Your brother... Zephiel, the king of Bern.
Guinevere: Yes.
Saul: Do you know what the Fire Emblem is used for?
Guinevere: ...It's the key that awakens a sword that was used to slay the dragons long ago. That was what my father told me anyway. I am unsure how exactly the Fire Emblem or the sword work. My brother seemed to worry abut the Fire Emblem falling into enemy hands. ...Extraordinarily so.
Saul: So you took the Fire Emblem to make the king believe it fell into enemy hands? All in an attempt to stop his conquest?
Guinevere: Yes...but the war continued anyway.
Saul: And what will you do now?
Guinevere: ...Must I reveal my plan at this moment?
Saul: Ah, so Your Highness has a plan.
Guinevere: Yes. I have not given up hope of settling this war without further bloodshed.
Saul: I see. In that case, I will accompany you on your journey.
Guinevere: If Jin allows it.
Jin: I have no objections.
(Saul leaves.)
Guinevere: Thank you, Jin.
Jin: Of course, Princess.
