Zelgius: If that's the decision you've reached, we'll respectfully comply.
RM: If we can march quickly and know that someone's protecting our backs, it would be a huge relief.
Zelgius: As you wish. May the fortunes of war be with the Crimean army. If you have need of soldiers, send word. We'll move out at top speed.
RM: I'll be counting on it.
The information gathered at Palmeni Temple leads RM ever closer to the hidden truths behind the war. The assassination of Begnion's former apostle led to the massacre of Serenes. A Serenes princess was kidnapped. The medallion is stolen. A complex skein seemed to connect these events, and now those threads have become clearer and cleaner. Ashnard's motives are still a mystery, but his silhouette lurks in the shadows of all that happens. RM returns from the temple and renounces all rights to the rule of Daein. Those rights are then passed through General Zelgius of Begnion to the apostle herself. The Crimean army absorbs another troop from Begnion, and with its might increased, marches on the Daein/Crimean border. Its next goal is the Riven Bridge, a massive structure that connects the two countries.
(Scene change.)
Elincia: My lord RM, may I have a moment?
RM: Of course. What is it?
Elincia: The soldiers say that tomorrow we'll be able to see the great bridge. Once we cross it, we'll be in Crimea.
RM: That's what I've been told.
Elincia: It feels like I've been away for many years. Crimea is the land where I was born and raised. To feel so removed from it... I feel now, at this late juncture, that I know almost nothing of my own country. It is an unreal experience.
RM: I know what you mean. I don't have the sense that we're on the brink of being back in Crimea, either. I don't even remember this area at all. Maybe it's because I was born in Gallia and raised in the countryside. But countries are joined together like this all over the continent. I'm really in awe of it all.
Elincia: So am I! For one who knew nothing of life outside the royal villa... Everything...is...So very big.
RM: Big? Hmm... Yeah, I guess you're right. When we left Crimea, it was spring... The snows were melting, the days were getting longer, and the weather was mild.
Elincia: It's been almost a year since we departed. Only a year, but the distance we've traveled to get here has been long and hard...It feels like many years have passed us by. Yet this is the land where I was born and raised... Ah, my dear, sweet Crimea...How is it that you feel so far away?
RM: For me, too, Crimea is my homeland. We're almost there... Let's go home.
Elincia: It is as you say, my lord RM...Let's go home.
Unknown: Oooh, what a romantic setting. Makes it hard to make an appearance! I guess I could just leave you two...
RM: Huh? I know that voice...
Ranulf: Hey there, RM! Looks like we stayed alive long enough to be reunited! Aren't we the lucky ones?
RM: Ranulf!
Elincia: My lord Ranulf! How nice to see you again!
Ranulf: My princess Elincia! Welcome home! I'd curtsy, but the tail makes it look silly.
RM: What are you so darned chipper about?
Ranulf: Once I heard the news that the Crimean army had taken the Daein capital, I ran all this way to greet you.
RM: How go things in Gallia? You're not engaged in open hostilities with Daein, are you?
Ranulf: Not yet.
RM: What's that supposed to mean?
Ranulf: In light of your army's success, the elders have finally agreed on something. Gallia will lend its full support to Princess Crimea's efforts to liberate her homeland. It's a done deal!
Elincia: Really?
RM: So, is the Gallian army going to-
Ranulf: We're going to establish communications with them and create a united front. That being said, Gallia is here to support you. The Crimean army will always be at the center of the effort. Don't forget that.
RM: King Gallia is being most gracious. That posture will allow Crimea to lay claim to any victories we achieve.
Ranulf: Don't say things like that! I'm shocked that you would understand such subtleties. Who are you, and what have you done with RM?
RM: I don't believe you have the right to speak to me like that. Kidding. Actually, Soren just lectured me on the same situation when we received reinforcements from Begnion.
Ranulf: Of course. You were tutored by your nervous little staff officer. Now I get it... Has he snapped yet? He seems high-strung.
Elincia: King Caineghis is always thinking of Crimea, isn't he? How can I ever repay him?
Ranulf: Princess... Let's win your country back. When that's done, please rebuild the bonds of friendship between our nations. That would be the ultimate way to say thank you, wouldn't it?
Elincia: Yes! Yes, of course!
(RM heads inside the current base and prepares for the next battle. A few minutes pass. RM exits the base.)
Petrine: So they're finally here, are they? Has the work on the bridge been finished? And your answer had better be yes!
Daein Soldier: Y-yes, General! Do you think it will work?
Petrine: Sometimes the simplest of traps offer up the best results. Lure the enemy in, and then finish them off one by one. Got it? Listen up, dogs! There will be no retreating today! We stop Crimea's advance here! We will not allow them to gain the comfort of their homeland! Any who do not fight to the death will face my lance!
(Scene change.)
RM: There's the bridge... Wow, it's huge... I doubt if Daein's going to let us cross over without objection.
Ranulf: Yeah, I think that's highly unlikely.
RM: Titania! It's time to march! Make sure the troops stay alert and move with caution!
Titania: Understood, Commander!
Ranulf: Say, RM. There's one thing I've been meaning to ask you.
RM: What is it?
Ranulf: I haven't seen Nasir around. What's happened to him?
RM: He was declared an enemy combatant and locked up.
Ranulf: What? Hey, I understand you being irked that he didn't mention testing you and all, but treating him like a criminal is too-
RM: Testing me? What are you talking about?
Ranulf: Huh? Oh, um... Nice weather, eh?
RM: We're going to talk. Now.
(Time passes.)
Ranulf: Nasir is a Daein spy? No way! That's not possible! He was our spy!
RM: You're telling me he was a Gallian spy? None of this makes sense to me...
Ranulf: He worked for us on behalf of the king. But...Daein? As a laguz, he would have absolutely no reason to work for them.
RM: But there was a Goldoan named Ena who was working as a general for Daein.
Ranulf: ...Are you serious?
RM: Yes, we were forced to fight her in the Daein capital. When we attempted to capture her, Nasir intervened and allowed her to escape. He betrayed us.
Ranulf: What? Hold on a minute... Maybe that was... If that's the case, then I can see why...No, even so, teaming up with Daein is just too much...hmm...
RM: I hate to interrupt whatever it is you're doing, but we've arrived at the bridge.
Ranulf: Let me speak to Nasir. Please!
RM: Once we've finished this battle, we can go together. All right?
Ranulf: Of course.
(Scene change.)
Petrine: All right, Haar! Time for you to go to work.
Haar: Zzzzz... No, Mom, five more minutes... Zzzzzzzzzz...
Petrine: Dozing off on the battlefield... You've got a lot of nerve, don't you? Hey! Wake up or I'll burn you to a crisp!
Haar: Zzzzz... Snort! Huh? Wha-? Uh... Right! Has the enemy arrived?
Petrine: Yes, they just got here. Now get out there and do your job.
Haar: Oh, I'm all over it. Yaaaawwwnnn...
Petrine: What an absolute fool.
(Scene pans over the bridge and shifts to Greil's Mercenaries.)
Ranulf: Well, here we are! And there's the Daein army on the other side as expected! They're already in battle formation and waiting to give us a warm welcome. Aw, that's charming!
RM: That's just what I want.
Ranulf: Oh ho! Well said. And by the way, I thought I'd join you today.
RM: Not as a Gallian, but as part of our army, right?
Ranulf: If it's a problem, I can always sit this one out.
RM: Of course not! Thanks for your continued support, Ranulf!
Ranulf: Ha! The pleasure's all mine! Let's go carve us some Daeins!
(A Battle begins. Less than 1 minute passes.)
Haar: Attention... Let's...yaaawwnn...go. Hmm...maybe I can catch a nap while we fly...
(Haar and the wyvern riders fly away. A few minutes pass. RM gets halfway across the bridge. Haar and the wyvern riders fly down to where RM's units started.)
Haar: ...Now then...Let's see how things look.
(A few minutes pass. RM gets near the end of the bridge.)
Lucia: Is that the Crimean army?
Bastian: What ho! It is the army come again! I see the Crimean flag in the rear...But lo! Who do I spy in the distance? Green hair...orange dress...and eyes bewitching fair...Elincia comes! Let us to her aid ride!
Lucia: The princess has returned! Count Bastian, return to the castle and inform Geoffrey at once. I will move ahead and inform the princess that her retainers are here to meet her.
Bastian: Lady Lucia, keep your wits about you. That we are excited is fair to say... But show the enemy no weaknesses, lest he does cut us down like autumn's wheat.
Lucia: Good advice. And you watch that you aren't waylaid on the way back to the castle.
Bastian: Even if Daein unleashes on myself the full force of their army's wrath...They are no match for clever Bastian! I'll meet you at the castle gate anon.
Lucia: Right!
(2 minutes pass.)
Lucia: Are you ready to fight?! Are you ready to die?! We must give our all to protect Princess Elincia!
Crimean Soldier: My fellow Crimeans! Now is the time we stand and fight for the life of our homeland!
(A fe minutes pass. RM approaches Haar.)
Haar: ...Combat. Tsk. It's one of those things you simply cannot control.
(RM and Haar fight. A few minutes pass. RM defeats Haar.)
Haar: The Dark Angel... She's found me at last... At least I can sleep now...
(A few minutes pass. Oscar approaches Petrine.)
Petrine: Ha ha! Do you like your meat rare? Or do you like it charbroiled? Let me know, and I'll cook you up just as ordered! Wha ha ha ha ha!
(Oscar and Petrine fight. A few minutes pass. RM approaches Petrine.)
RM: You... You're the knight that my father battled.
Petrine: You! If I'd know you were going to grow to be such a thorn in our side... I would have reduced you to ashes when I had the chance... Guess it's not too late, though! Die!
(RM and Petrine fight. A few minutes pass. Lethe approaches Petrine.)
Petrine: Let me tell you what I despise more than anything else in this world… You half-breed beasts! Die now!
(Lethe and Petrine fight. A few minutes pass. Janaff approaches Petrine.)
Petrine: Bah! Accursed half-breed hawks! I'll roast you like a goose and use your feathers for pillow stuffing!
(Janaff and Petrine fight. A few minutes pass. Petrine approaches Reyson.)
Petrine: What's this? If you can't fight, you should know better than to be here. Stupid half-breed!
(Reyson and Petrine fight. A few minutes pass. RM defeats Petrine.)
Petrine: Y-Your... Your Majesty... Forgive me...please... Oh, I don't want to die... So...scared...
(A few minutes pass. RM Seizes the gate and ends the battle.)
Lucia: Princess Elincia! Welcome home! It's so good to see you safe!
Elincia: Lucia? Lucia! Is it really you?
Lucia: I am no spirit. See? Flesh and bone, through and through.
Elincia: Ah, Lucia! You have no idea how I've longed to see you.
Lucia: And I you, Princess Elincia. When my brother Geoffrey told me you had been lost, my world went dark. When I learned you were still alive...I was...so...
Elincia: Then Geoffrey is safe as well? Happy day! Are there others? How many Crimean retainers have survived?
Lucia: Well, there's Count Bastian. That silver-tongued rascal is as loquacious as ever. Also, General Tagio, Marquis Katol's orphan, Silok, and Marquis Mitnala are all with us. The soldiers we have contacted so far do not even number one hundred. But if they know you've returned, retainers hiding throughout the land will surely come pouring in.
Elincia: Yet, my existence... It is not known to the general populace...
Lucia: There's no need to worry about that! Tales of your exploits in Daein have reached every corner of Crimea. In every village, in every town, the people are talking. "Our fair king had a hidden child," they say. "The secret princess of Crimea is fighting to save us all!" In addition, Daein soldiers have been frantically searching for a mysterious and elusive "Princess Crimea." All they've succeeded in doing is convincing the people that you truly are their princess. All of Crimea has been anxiously awaiting your return.
Elincia: Oh, Lucia, do you speak truly? They have...acknowledged my existence?...I never...expected this day...
(Scene change.)
Ranulf: News of your actions in Daein reached the ears of King Gallia through Nasir. I then told Lucia, who passed it to the citizenry...You know, the thought that Nasir is a traitor just doesn't feel right to me. I can't believe it.
RM: You think I don't see that? Look at what we know about the medallion. We discovered it thanks to his hints. He's helped us throughout our entire journey. In that, at least, he was not false. Yet, if he will not speak, there is nothing I can do to save him.
Ranulf: Let's go see him. One way or another, I will loosen his tongue.
RM: This way.
(Scene change.)
RM: He's being kept in this supply tent. We wanted to keep him away from the other soldiers. Huh?
Ranulf: What is it?
RM: He's... He's gone! I brought him breakfast this morning! He was here...