Narrator: Just as much as the Church was for their Archbishop's safety, so too were our heroes now that their enemies were also appearing in this world as well. But something about the note on Lord Lonato just wasn't sitting right, and it was up to the Rangers to find out what!
Edelgard: Our mission this month is to patrol and set up defenses to stop the assassination plot.
Hubert: I wonder if an assassination attempt is truly the goal of our enemy...
Zayto: It's a distraction.
Edelgard: Yes, I think so too. A barely concealed secret message, trying to distract us from whatever's really going on. Sloppy, to say the least. And while everyone is out searching for a phantom assassin, they'll be free to accomplish their true goal with ease.
Ferdinand: The monastery houses many valuable weapons. Perhaps that is their aim?
Dorothea: I hear the monastery has a treasure vault too. Seems like the sort of place a foe would like some alone time in.
Linhardt: Garreg Mach is immense, and not just above ground but below as well. Perhaps their aim lies beneath the monastery...
Hubert: It seems to me that we should search the monastery for a clue as to what the enemy might be after. Of course, we must never underestimate the need for preparedness, in case a battle should ensue.
Dimitri: So, our task for this moon is to patrol and guard the monastery, to help put a stop to that assassination plot. The knights will certainly have their hands full protecting Lady Rhea. Perhaps our enemy is counting on that...
Maya: I agree.
Dedue: Please, elaborate.
Dimitri: Why would Lord Lonato be carrying around a secret note with an assassination plot written on it? Isn't it possible he hoped to monopolize everyone's attention with this alleged plot...in order to distract from his true aim?
Annette: Maybe they're after the treasure vault. There's also lots of valuable stuff in the library and Professor Hanneman's quarters!
Felix: True. The monastery undoubtedly houses many weapons that rival even the Heroes' Relics.
Sylvain: Whatever their aim, we can't allow any harm to come to the ladies of the monastery. I mean, what would I do with my spare time?
Dedue: You mean to say we should search the monastery. Try to find what the enemy is truly after.
Dimitri: Yes. And we should be prepared to fight them as well, should it come to that. I wouldn't mind getting in some training, just in case.
Claude: OK... So, our task this moon is to patrol and guard the monastery in support of the knights, who are busy trying to stop an assassination plot. Here's the thing. I don't think the bad guys are really trying to assassinate the archbishop.
Kendall: It's a distraction.
Claude: Precisely. That "secret note" with the assassination plot on it... There's just no way that was real. Claude: People don't just carry around secret notes. Someone wanted us to find it.
Ignatz: Do you really think the assassination plot is just a distraction?
Hilda: Oh, yeah. That makes complete sense. But then...what are they really after?
Claude: If I knew that, I wouldn't be so worried. Let's see... It probably involves somewhere that will be empty during the Rite of Rebirth, yeah?
Lysithea: Since the ceremony is at the Goddess Tower, it follows that everywhere else at the academy will be severely understaffed.
Leonie: Do you think they're after the church's donation money? I hear noble families tend to donate quite generously.
Raphael: My bet's on the dining hall. It's a treasure trove of delicious food. Makes me angry just thinking about them getting their grubby hands on it!
Hilda: Let's split up and look around! I'll keep an eye on the reception hall.
Claude: You should get in some training if you have the time, Hilda. There's a good chance we'll have to fight.
Hilda: Uh! Well, I'm not the only one who needs to train here! It's not right to single me out like that.
Shamir: A secret meeting, Professor? Oh, we haven't been introduced. I am Shamir.
Javi: I see. I believe you've heard of us, then?
Shamir: I have-though you certainly have some weird foes...
Devon: Yeah. And you are?
Cyril: I work for Lady Rhea! And I'm Shamir's apprentice! Oh, the name's Cyril.
Kendall: You work for Rhea?
Cyril: Yep. I help Lady Rhea with all kinds of stuff. Cyril: I've gotta protect Lady Rhea, so that's why I've gotta learn all I can from Shamir.
Shamir: Cyril adores Rhea. That aside, if you need anything, ask.
Jack: You guys worry about the patrolling part, leave the detective work to us.
(Meanwhile, Shamir is with her fellow knights and a still-perplexed Hanneman as he now has 111 things to solve)
Catherine: So, you've heard of them too?
Shamir: I have. Still, what other mysteries surround them?
Sothis: A Hero's Relic...
Syd: Do you know something? (Relationship with Sothis up)
Sothis: However could I know something? Still, it is heavy on my mind. The stone within the sword... A glow of red... Hm? Oh, it is nothing.
Ashe: I can't stop thinking about Lonato... I'm sorry, Mr. Landors. I know this isn't the time, but... I just can't get past it.
Jack: Pull yourself together.
Ashe: Thank you. No matter what happens, I promise you I'll do my part. I checked on my brother and sister who were living in Castle Gaspard. Thankfully they're all right. I was worried because they're both so young, but the church in the castle town offered to take them in. That much, at least, is a big relief.
Alois: Have you visited the Goddess Tower? It's a sacred place, used for rituals and the like. In general, students aren't allowed entry. But as you'd expect, that rule just excites their curiosity. Some have even tried sneaking in. Well, at least for this month, that kind of behavior is totally unthinkable. We have a lot more security, what with the Goddess's Rite of Rebirth coming up.
Hanneman: Unbelievable. What a terrifying story. However, an assassination attempt on Lady Rhea is doomed to fail. Pardon? You think the goal may be different than simple assassination? Intriguing. I suppose the priceless objects in this room could perhaps draw thieves. However, there's no one but me who could make use of them...
Knight of Seiros: On the day of the rite, the monastery will be open to the public, including the Holy Mausoleum. The Holy Mausoleum is where the tomb of the divine Seiros lies. There she slumbers, eternally. That's...pretty much all that in there. Just an ancient coffin. It's sealed with a powerful magic, to protect against would-be grave robbers.
Knight of Seiros: Something in the monastery that someone might go after? There's so much here I couldn't possibly name just one. Even this here kitchen contains previous wares. Wine bottles from centuries past and the like. I hear that stuff is fancy, but not very drinkable. I doubt anyone would go to the trouble of stealing it.
Monk: It would be terrible if the greenhouse was targeted. The plants in here are incredibly valuable. This place contains the heart of Garreg Mach's 995-year history! So many beautiful flowers... Plants that can save or end lives... They are all my precious children.
Priest: Do you know what this room is? It is the church's treasure vault. I say treasure, but I do not mean silver and gold and jewels. It mostly contains weapons, artifacts, and the like. Anything that would cause too great a stir should it be stolen? No. The church knows better than to store anything too valuable in such an accessible location.
Monk: There are numerous books in this library that you cannot find anywhere else. But once you are here, you can read them easily enough. I doubt someone would go to the trouble of stealing one. Sometimes Seteth will dispose of books that are deemed inappropriate for the monastery, but that's about it. In a way, I suppose that makes those particular volumes more valuable... Right?
(A few minutes later)
Jack: Okay, based on the notes we received from various sources, we can clearly state that these mysterious criminals are plotting to steal off of... The Holy Mausoleum!
Dimitri: Yes, that is the most likely possibility.
Madison: So, that would mean we'd need to patrol the entire area.
Summer: Yes, but now that we've ratted them out, I don't think our enemies will know any of this.
Moltor: And now we do, Rangers. And just in case the plan of the Western Church fails, we'll resolve to killing Rhea!
Flurious: That would sound impossible for my Chillers.
Moltor: Not for my Lava Lizards, brother.
Cathedral | Daytime
Sky: Well guys, it's showtime.
Zayto: We're not wrong.
Linhardt: No one's intuition is perfect. It's ridiculous not to have doubts.
Maya: Of course.
Ingrid: We've narrowed down our objective...kind of. So, let's show everyone that we can carry out our duties better than anyone!
Kendall: Our hunch is right.
Ignatz: We've all come to this conclusion together. I'm sure we got it right.
Cruger: As long as we stick together, there is no enemy that can stand against us!
Seteth: You seem a mite too relaxed for my liking. The Goddess's Rite of Rebirth is about to begin. While we are in the Goddess Tower, we are relying on you to secure the locations that are lacking in defense.
Flayn: May I let you in on something, Professor? My brother can be a bit...callous. He told me that he was concerned about you, and hinted that perhaps you would be better off patrolling a coffin!
Seteth: That was said in jest, Flayn. And in confidence. Please just remain by my side and do not cause any more trouble. As a professor, you would do well to remember that it is your duty to guide your students down the path of righteousness.
Flayn: Please excuse us, everyone. We shall see you again after the ceremony has concluded!
Gemma: Time to show these invaders...
Gem: That they've made a costly mistake coming here!
Edelgard: We were right. Unwanted gusts have come to visit.
Mysterious Mage: Those Central Church dastards have spotted us... Buy me some time while I open the seal on the casket!
Western Church Soldier: I'm on it.
Dimitri: The enemy is after the casket of Saint Seiros. Do they intend to steal her bones? We must defeat those enemies before they open the casket.
(The Rangers take on a few warriors, as they split up)
Mysterious Mage: Death Knight! Prove your strength and scatter these fools!
Death Knight: I don't take commands. Or waste my time on weaklings.
Claude: I'm getting a really disturbing vibe from that guy... No one go near the evil-looking knight, OK?
(Will soon spots hordes of familiar faces)
Will: Guys, do you want your Holy Mausoleum hot or chilled?
Ronny: That must mean Moltor and Flurious are here too.
Dax: Along with our other Corona seekers.
Mysterious Mage: W-What are those things?
Western Church Soldier: I don't know sir, but they seem friendly. Maybe we should let them help us.
Xander(having already fought both of the brothers' minions before): You guys stop that mage, I'll take care of Mr. Mysterious!
Death Knight: Like moths to a flame...
Xander: Yeah? Well, trees can be pretty strong! Mystic Force Fighters!
Death Knight: I told you that if you fled, I would not chase you. But it seems you wish to die...
Xander: Not quite!
Mercedes: Oh my, how frightening! Won't you please go easy on me?
Death Knight: You... Was this meeting...preordained?
Mercedes: Hmm? What do you mean?
Edelgard: There's no way around it... I accept your challenge!
Death Knight: Oh? This will be fun...
Green Mystic Morpher: Galwit Neramax!
Xander: Fun's over, Grim Reaper!
Death Knight: I didn't expect to encounter someone like you... How fortunate.
Mysterious Mage: You're too late! The seal will be broken any minute now...
Zayto: Then we'll just have to beat you!
Mysterious Mage: It's no use! The seal is broken. You can't– Huh? A sword?
(The mysterious mage pushes back the lid of the tomb. He pulls out a sword. Zayto charges and attacks. The sword is thrown out of the mage's hands. Zayto catches it. The mage prepares a magical attack. Zayto unthinkingly uses the sword to block the attack, and the sword begins to glow with power. The Morphin Grid soon splits the power to be shared among Zayto, Maya, and Kendall)
Mysterious Mage: Huh... What?
(Using this newly enhanced weaponry, the three face the mage, who retreats. Cornered, the mage prepares a magical attack. The Ranger trio overpowers and defeats the mage. As they stand by the tomb, the three ponder the magical sword. There is an empty space in the pommel where something appears to be missing.)
Edelgard: Ugh, he got away! That sword... Why is it–
Dimitri: He got away... We have no choice but to let them go for now. Professor... The way that sword is glowing. I wonder...
Claude: The jerk got away. Was that magic? We can't even chase after him. Hey, Professor. The way that sword is shining... Do you think it could be...
Catherine: Is the intruder here?! Oh... Looks like you have this under control. You! Round up any stragglers.
Knight of Seiros: Will do!
(The Lava Lizards, however, decide to go to the backup plan. Catherine immediately notices but is overpowered. Soon, Alois, Jeralt, Gilbert, and Shamir come to help. Problem is, the Lava Lizards are too much, with one biting Shamir's arm. Things look desperate, until the kids help the knights)
Annette: Leave my father alone!
(The Lava Lizards retreat, save for one and a Chiller)
Shamir(angrily): Put them in chains!(To the Lava Lizard)And gag him as well.
Javi: Shamir...
(At the Knight's Hall)
Shamir: I tried to stop them...but I wasn't strong enough!
Catherine: It's your arm, isn't it?
Shamir: And I won't let it happen again! I swear, if any of them comes back or any others come, I will make them PAY!
Catherine: Come on, Lady Rhea needs you.
Shamir(as her comrade leaves): Yes. They...will...pay.
Cathedral | Daytime
Seteth: As all of you have committed a breach of faith, the archbishop will now pass judgement.
Shamir: Inciting a Kingdom noble to rebel. Unlawful entry. The attempted assassination of the archbishop. An attack on the Holy Mausoleum. It is unnecessary to go on, followers of the Western Church.
Priest: What?! We have nothing to do with the Western Church!
Seteth: You have already been identified. Please spare us your second-rate theater.
Rhea: Dishonoring a holy ceremony is worthy of death for a member of the church. You are well past the hope of redemption. If you have any grace remaining, you will willingly offer your life as atonement for this crime.
Priest: No! This isn't what we were told would happen! We've been deceived!
Shamir: It's no use arguing. Whatever your excuse, the punishment stands.
Rhea: May your souls find peace as they return to the goddess...
Priest: Wait! Please! The goddess would never forgive you for our execution!
Priest: Monster! We know you've already slaughtered many of our fellow brethren like this!
Rhea: This concludes the investigation. Please remove these poor, lost souls from my sight.
(Camera pans back to reveal either Edelgard, Dimitri or Claude watching, depending on what route the player takes. They say nothing, with the text displaying "...". And the scene fades out.)
Edelgard: That's that, I suppose. The assassination attempt, the attack on the Holy Mausoleum... It was all the Western Church's doing. That masked knight who led the attack somehow managed to disappear without a trace.
Hubert: The Church of Seiros clearly isn't as unified as it would hope to appear. It seems the bishop of the Western Church was always opposed to the church being ruled centrally from Garreg Mach. Perhaps they hope to remove the archbishop in order to completely strip the Central Church of its authority.
Zayto: The Western Church...
Edelgard: Ugh, that's right. Jeralt mentioned that you were raised without any exposure to the church. In order to function more efficiently, the Church of Seiros is split into several smaller entities. The Central Church is the largest and leads the organization from Garreg Mach.
(Map of showing the location of the Western Church in comparison to Garreg Mach)
Hubert: The Western Church extends from Castle Gaspard, where Lord Lonato rebelled into the far west. They can be found just beyond the most renowned stronghold of the Kingdom, the Fortress City of Arianrhod.
Edelgard: It seems the knights have been tasked with subduing the leaders of the Western Church. We may be give an opportunity to help them with their mission.
Hubert: To think...our own professor was born in Fódlan and yet knew nothing of the church. I never imagined explaining something so basic to an instructor of mine. You're something of a special case, are you not?
Edelgard: How strange that the archbishop would ask someone like that to lead her students. There's clearly more to that decision than we know.
Caspar: Lady Rhea is pretty scary sometimes...but to execute that whole group just like that? It seems harsh, even for her.
Bernadetta: If one of us does something bad, I wonder what she would do to us!
Dorothea: Professor... Do you agree with the archbishop's actions?
(Seteth joins them)
Seteth: There you are, Professor. It seems Lady Rhea would like a word with you. Come with me.
Arundel: The archbishop lives. Not that I had ever placed much faith in those swine from the Western Church.
Flame Emperor: I have news, both good and bad. The remains of Seiros were not in the tomb. However, something else was. The Sword of the Creator.
Arundel: Ah, the weapon wielded by that thief, the King of Liberation.
Flame Emperor: Thief? Hm. At any rate, it is now in the hands of the academy's new professor. I doubt you will be surprised to hear that the Crest Stone had already been removed from the sword when it was found.
Arundel: Hmph. As expected. It would be foolish to keep both in the same location.
Flame Emperor: There's more. The professor was able to awaken the sword's true power. Even without the Crest Stone, the sword glowed red. The professor's Crest is compatible. There is no mistaking it.
Arundel: Absurd. Using a Relic without its Crest Stone should be impossible... The King of Liberation's bloodline should not even... Hmm.
Sledge: Heh, sounds interesting.
Void Knight: I've already got Sledge and his crew on our side, Vrak and the Armada will support your friend.
Monica: Heh, trusting a bunch of strangers with our work? That sounds fishy.
Tomas: Yes. Why do these creatures aid us?
Void Knight: Because they all share your sentiment.(Realizes he needs them if he wants to convince Santaura)
Morgana: Well, I've got the same thought you do, freak!(She fires energy bolts at Arundel and Tomas, while Cyber-Blaze charges at Monica, prompting the three to reveal their true identities)
Void Knight: No matter what, we need each other to see this through!
Flame Emperor: They must be allowed to keep it, for now. I do not have enough information about the professor to act. As for your request, I assent. The Death Knight is at your command. Use him well.
Arundel: Good. I believe I will enjoy this a great deal...
Rhea: I cannot thank you enough for defeating those invaders in the Holy Mausoleum, and especially for protecting the Sword of the Creator. That sword is one of the Heroes' Relics, and the most precious artifact in the church's possession. It is also a weapon of terrifying power. For now...I will entrust the sword to you. Please, use it wisely.
Seteth: Lady Rhea, wait! Do you truly mean to give the Sword of the Creator to this stranger?! Surely it is not the sort of thing that one hands over so readily, even to someone who has the ability to wield it! If someone like Nemesis were to appear again, all of Fódlan would be consumed by war!
Zayto: Nemesis?
Seteth: Nemesis, the King of Liberation. He is an ancient king of mankind who was defeated by Seiros over a thousand years ago. When Fódlan was attacked by wicked gods, it is said that the goddess gifted Nemesis with the Sword of the Creator. Nemesis used that sword to defeat the wicked gods, saving all of Fódlan. Henceforth he was dubbed the King of Liberation. However, his power began to corrupt him until he, himself, turned to the darkness. Saint Seiros was forced to destroy him. Lady Rhea, I beg you to reconsider. Given a little more time, we could more accurately assess this stranger's abilities.
Rhea: No. I have faith, Seteth. Faith that our friend here will not be corrupted by wickedness. Since the death of Nemesis, none have been able to wield the Sword of the Creator. Now, after all those long years of being sealed away, it has returned and found a new master.
Seteth: I... understand. As you wish, Lady Rhea. There you have it, Professor. See that you do not betray the trust the archbishop has seen fit to bestow upon you.
(Outside, as Zayto and the other two look at what the Grid has also done for them0
Zayto: All of our enemies appearing in this world, and now this... This just keeps getting strange, doesn't it?
?: (Off-screen) Uhh... Agh... Fath... Save...
Zayto: Hmmmm... Who could that be?
Sothis: A ghost, perhaps? No, that is surely not the case. Sothis: What is that look upon your face? I am no ghost, if that is what was on your mind!
(Zayto walks towards the voice; screen fades to black)
?: No... Agh... Huh?! Who's there?!
(Screen fades back in; the voice is revealed to be Edelgard)
Edelgard: Professor... What are you doing here?
Zayto: I heard something.
Edelgard: Oh? Perhaps I was talking in my sleep.
Zayto: Bad dreams?
Edelgard: Ah... So you heard me, then. Yes, it was a nightmare. I've had them since I was a child. Stupid, pointless dreams I can't control... It's terribly frustrating.
Zayto: What are they about?
Edelgard: Just...my childhood. A time before I had realized who I was destined to become.
Zayto: You can trust me with anything.
Edelgard: I had a feeling you'd say that. I suppose I could try... But only if you swear not to tell a soul.
(Zayto nods)
Edelgard: I appreciate it. I dream of...my older brother, paralyzed, helpless... my older sister crying for help that never came... the youngest babbling words beyond meaning. I see my family dying slowly, waiting in the darkest depths for a glimmer of light. I once had ten siblings, eight older and two younger. Such a large family, and yet I became the heir to the throne. Do you know why? Every last one of them was crippled by disease or lost their mind or died. I was the only one left who could inherit the throne.
Zayto: That's awful.
Edelgard: Things kept getting worse. The darkness kept getting darker. In the end, I was the only one who survived. The nightmares are a reminder...to never forget. To never allow such terrible things to happen again.
Zayto: Never again...
Edelgard: Even now, I'm the only one who can carry the weight of the Adrestian Empire. The future of the Empire...of everything...depends on me. Hm... I shared more than I intended to. I suppose there's something in the air tonight. I've never told anyone about my past before. Please... forget I said anything. Sleep well, my teacher.
Zayto(thinking): I'd love to, but now that I'm getting to know her better-there's something about this that certainly doesn't feel right.