Narrator: Seems like our heroes are being met with problem after problem at every turn, and this month will be no different. The ceaseless rains that satiate the verdant landscape of Fódlan are accompanied the fierce winds and mighty roars of thunder. This abundance of rain, sparkling as it falls against beams of emerging sunlight, is a constant reminder to the people of Fódlan that nature is ever wild and unpredictable. For when the rain finally does pause, the clouds part to give way to a glorious rainbow.
Audience Chamber-Daytime
Rhea: I have a new mission for you, Professor. I would like for you to take your students into Kingdom territory to eliminate some thieves.
Seteth: They stole a Hero's Relic from House Gautier of the Holy Kingdom of Faerghus–the Lance of Ruin. Their leader's name is Miklan. He is apparently a disowned son of House Gautier.
Haruto: Why was he disowned?
Seteth: I believe it had something to do with his lack of a Crest. Such happenings are fairly common within the Kingdom.
Rhea: The Crestless cannot harness the goddess's power, even if they possess a Relic. Nonetheless, they are still capable of simply wielding those weapons.
Seteth: I must remind you that you are expected to conduct yourself in a manner befitting the wielder of that holy sword. Also, you should know that Professor Hanneman has been looking for you. That is all.
Dimitri: I heard about our mission for this month. So... We are to eradicate thieves in Kingdom territory. I'm sorry for dragging into the Kingdom's petty squabbles. This should not be your burden to bear, but my own...
Takumi: I'm happy to help.
Dimitri: Thank you, Professor. Hearing you say that puts my mind at ease. Hm?
Rodrigue: Your Highness? Ah, it's been ages!
Dimitri: It's been a long time! Two years, if I'm not mistaken.
Rodrigue: Indeed, Your Highness. You've grown so much in those years. I hardly recognize you.
Takumi: Who's this?
Dimitri: This is Rodrigue, an old friend of my father's. I believe I've mentioned him, if you recall. When my father died four years ago, he looked after me as though I were his own son.
Rodrigue(laughs): You flatter me, Your Highness. It was my honor to care for such a fine, young man. It's nice to finally meet you, Professor. My son, Felix, has mentioned you on occasion.
Dimitri: What brings you to the monastery, Rodrigue? Is it the thieves plaguing the Kingdom?
Rodrigue: I'm afraid so. This is not merely a problem for House Gautier, but for everyone. The thieves have set up their headquarters in Fraldarius territory, and are mercilessly pillaging the villages of that area. You have our full support in stopping those dastards. I thank you for your help, both of you.
Claude: Hey, Teach. I gotta say, I never would've guessed you were a descendant of the King of Liberation. You didn't forget, did you? That story I told you about a Relic that could cut a mountain in half? That Relic was the Sword of the Creator! The very same used by Nemesis, the King of Liberation.
Haruto: I'm not his descendant.
Claude: Don't be coy, Teach. The Sword of the Creator could only be wielded by Nemesis. If you can use it too, that can only mean you have that bloodline's Crest.
Haruto: I don't understand.
Claude: Fine, keep your secrets. But just so you know, "I don't understand" isn't gonna cut it here at the monastery. Speaking of, Professor Hanneman has been looking for you. He probably wants to examine your Crest with those crazy instruments of his. Actually...sounds amusing. Maybe I'll tag along.
Judith: If it isn't my little Claude! What has you so worked up?
Claude: Judith?! What are you doing here?
Judith: That's Lady Judith to you, boy. I told you, until you're in charge, I expect you to address me with all due respect. Anyway, I'm here to retrieve you. Duke Riegan's condition has taken a turn for the worse.
Claude: Are you saying the old man's on his death bed?
Judith: No, it's not that bad. But in the state he's in, he won't be able to participate in the next roundtable conference. He wants you to go in his stead. I volunteered to play the messenger.
Claude: Well, thanks for that. Oh, and Teach, this is Judith. Also known as the Hero of House Daphnel.
Judith: So you're little Claude's teacher, are you? How much trouble has he been giving you?
Haruto: Not too much.
Claude: If her nickname didn't give it away, you should know that Judith...er, Lady Judith is the leader of the famous House Daphnel of the Leicester Alliance. She used to be a big deal at the roundtable conferences, but it seems of late she's been reduced to a mere–
Judith: You had better shut that mouth before I put my boot in it, you tactless nuisance! Now come on. Let's get going. Sorry, Professor, but I need to borrow the boy for a bit.
Claude: I suppose we'll have to finish our chat later. Sorry, Teach. But don't you worry. I'll be back in time for our next mission. All right, Judith. Let's get going.
Judith: It's Lady... Ah, I suppose you are the active leader for the time being. Fair enough, boy. Fair enough.
(Soon enough, the three Riders are in Hanneman's office)
Hanneman: Good of you to come, Professor. I've heard much about you lately. Specifically, that you were able to awaken the Sword of the Creator's power. Thusly, it seems the true nature of your Crest has been uncovered. I had, of course, seen your Crest before. However, at first, I failed to recognize its true nature. Eventually, it dawned on me that what is visible is perhaps merely a small part of a greater whole. In other words, your Crest is too significant to be detected when using normal instruments. After this discovery, I began researching Crests that might fit that description, which allowed for a temporary hypothesis. However, I could not be certain. The Crest my conclusions led me to was far too unusual. A Crest thought to have disappeared in this world in the millennium since the fall of Nemesis, the King of Liberation. The Crest of Flames. That is what you possess.
Takumi: The Crest of Flames...
Hanneman: Your ability to wield the Sword of the Creator has unequivocally proven my hypothesis. A legendary power, dormant since time immemorial, and now resurrected... There can be no doubt that this ancient power resides within you.
(Afterward)
???(Off-screen): Uhh... Agh... Fath... Save...
Gentaro: Who could that be?
Sothis: A ghost, perhaps? No, that is surely not the case. What is that look upon your face? I am no ghost, if that is what was on your mind!
???: No... Agh... Huh?! Who's there?!
Edelgard: Professor... What are you doing here?
Gentaro: I heard something.
Edelgard: Oh? Perhaps I was talking in my sleep.
Gentaro: 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.
Gentaro: What are they about?
Edelgard: Just...my childhood. A time before I had realized who I was destined to become.
Gentaro: 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.
Gentaro: I won't.
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.
Gentaro: 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.
Gentaro: 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.
Gentaro: I will.(To himself)After all, we have so much to accomplish...
Sothis: A stone? A stone... I do not understand. Yet as I think of it, the pounding in my chest grows faster still. But is that me...or is it you? Hmm...
Edelgard: For a Hero's Relic to be stolen... It's unheard of.
Hubert: And just last month, the Sword of the Creator was almost stolen too.
Edelgard: Also quite unheard of. What imprudence.
Hubert: For House Gautier to invite us on to their land, they must be desperate. But at least we'll have the stalwart knights ready to stand around and watch us do all the work.(Meanwhile, everyone else is feeling a little down after the assassination attempt made by Diend, and how badly wounded the knights were when facing off against nine summoned Riders. Even Cyril is depressed)
Shotaro: Everyone's not excited about this latest quest.
Kazuya: Gilbert and the knights may have recovered, but this surprise assault caught everyone off-guard.
Shigeru: Right now, we've got something else to prepare for...
Aruto: But, what if we run into a member of Nebula's gang?
Daisuke: Amazon never let invasion occur again! Amazon defend archbishop!
Momotaros: Yeah, so let's take care of this business once and for all!
Near Conand Tower(Kingdom Territory)- Daytime
Edelgard: This weather is unfortunate. Those villagers were right when they said a storm was brewing. But they were more afraid of an attack than they were of the storm. Let's end this quickly.
Hubert: The thieves have taken Conand Tower as their base... There it is in the distance.
Edelgard: Miklan must be more skilled than your average thief to have overtaken a place like that.
Gilbert: This area was the site of a massive battle several hundred years ago. That's when invasions from the north were at their peak. Back then, this tower was built for both surveillance and defense. It will be difficult to seize it.
Dimitri: You're very well informed, Gilbert. Please, tell us more.
Gilbert: Well, I... Ah. You're joking.
Dimitri: Professor. Did you see the local villages? They were in rough shape, no doubt because of the thief attacks. They're not going to make it through the winter in that condition. If the thieves had taken up pillaging in order to survive, that would be deplorable...but understandable. But this... This is something else entirely. It looks as though they destroyed those villages purely for pleasure. No matter what their reasons may be, that sort of behavior cannot be allowed. Ever.
Sylvain: Don't bother losing your head over those lowlifes, Your Highness. It's wasted effort.
Dimitri: Sylvain... The thieves' leader...the one who stole the Relic. Word has it he's your older brother. I know he's been disowned, but...
Sylvain: He is no longer a member of House Gautier...or my brother. He's nothing more than a common thief.
Dimitri: Are you sure about that? It would be understandable to find this situation...well, regrettable, to say the least.
Sylvain: Regrets? Heh, you must be joking. You know we're far past the point of regret. And it always falls on the younger brother to clean up the mistakes of their elders, doesn't it?
Claude: Ugh, the rain is really coming down now. Let's finish this quickly.
Riders: You got it!
Gilbert: The enemy is close by. We're almost to the top floor.
Dimitri: They are merely thieves, but they have a Hero's Relic. Do not drop your guard.
Sylvain: Don't hold back for my sake. My brother is going to pay for everything he's done.
(Our heroes are met with enemies at every turn, ones that challenge how well everyone has recovered from last month's action)
Miklan: Why have you come, you Crest-bearing fool?
Sylvain: I'm here for the Lance of Ruin, Miklan. Hand it over. I don't want to humiliate you, but I will.
Miklan: Hmph! Hurry up and die already. If not for you... If it hadn't been for you...
Sylvain: Shut up! I'm so tired of hearing that. You've always blamed me for something that isn't my fault.
Aruto: Listen to your brother, Miklan. We don't need any more trouble!
Miklan: So, you think you can take the lance from me, huh? I'll kill you... I'll kill every last one of you!(He jumps back. There is a lightning storm throughout.)
Miklan: Not bad for your kind... A bunch of spoiled rotten children.
(The Lance of Ruin's Crest Stone begins to glow with a red light. A black and red substance emerges from the stone. Miklan cries out and looks down to see the substance beginning to encircle his arm.)
Miklan: What the hell?!
(Miklan tries to push the substance away, but it quickly consumes his arms and body. He screams and struggles as the rest of the bandits watch. The Crest Stone pulses. The substance consumes Miklan, even entering into his body through his eyes.)
Bandit: Damn! Look at that... I'm outta here!
Bandit: Hold on!
(The bandits run away. Miklan is now completely engulfed in the black and red substance. Miklan's body grows and the substance is cast aside to reveal a Black Beast. One of the bandits falls backwards and watches in horror as the beast advances.)
Bandit: No!
(The Black Beast grabs the bandit and kills him. He throws the dead body aside and rampages towards the screen, roaring. He raises up to his full height and howls. Needless to say, the Riders are truly terrified)
Black Beast: Graaaargh!
Sylvain: What the–Miklan?! Is that you?!
Dimitri: So, this is the power of a Hero's Relic. To create such a sinister beast... It has gone too far. I fear all we can do now is put an end to it.
Sylvain: What is that? It's like watching a bad dream come to life.
Black Beast: Graaaargh!
Haruto: It's high time we combined our strengths in victory!
Riders: Right! ULTIMATE RIDER KICK!
Black Beast: Graaaargh!
Gilbert: Goddess... The beast is gone, yet Miklan and the Lance remain.
Dimitri: It's over... Let's retrieve the lance and leave this place.(Takumi as the Wolf Orphnoch comes up to the disowned villain)
Takumi/Wolf Orphnoch: Now, let's break that wicked heart of yours...
Miklan: Hmph, doesn't matter what you do. That Lance...
Takumi/Wolf Orphnoch: Was never meant to be yours!(He sirings Miklan just like he did with Lonato)
Sylvain: Miklan...my brother...
(Back at the monastery, the Riders are still recovering from what they had experienced)
Sothis: That man... His form was changed. It was as though that lance was swallowing him whole. Upon that sight, it makes sense that your students were upset. I wonder if those Relics truly hide such power? Yet even still, that power seems familiar. That form as well... As one who wields the Sword of the Creator... Does that mean you possess that power too?
Haruto: I don't know...(He soon hears Takumi talking with Sylvain)
Takumi: We've reclaimed your birthright and routed the bandits at the same time!
Sylvain: Well, our parents wouldn't want his heart disintegrated!
Haruto: Sylvain, it sounds like you don't like how the Orphnochs kill their victims.
Takumi: Well, maybe there's something to make it all up to you...
Audience Chamber-Daytime
Rhea: Professor, you have returned. The goddess is indeed generous with her divine protection. I have already heard Gilbert's report about what happened. See to it that you keep what transpired at the tower to yourself. People would lose faith in the nobles should rumors spread of one using a Relic and transforming into a monster. All regions of Fódlan would fall into chaos. We must avoid that at all costs. Please ensure the students who accompanied you understand that as well. Have I made myself clear?
Takumi: Yes, of course.
Rhea: His transformation into a Black Beast was nothing short of divine punishment from the goddess. Punishment for someone arrogant and foolish enough to use a Hero's Relic even though they were unworthy and unqualified.
Takumi: You knew?
Rhea: Of course. That is why we rushed to recover it. Sadly, we did not arrive in time. The church will formally return the lance to House Gautier. If you would...
Takumi: I will not.
Rhea: What is the meaning of this?
Sylvain: Ahem, excuse me. Lady Rhea, I am overjoyed and beyond grateful to you for recovering the Relic of my family, House Gautier. Now, may I please have that lance? I have received direct approval from my father to take possession of it.
Takumi: After what happened with how...(He tries not to mention his other abilities)how his brother died, I believe this is the only way.
Rhea: As the next head of House Gautier, do you swear that you will never cause such a deplorable incident to transpire?
Sylvain: On my family's name...and on my brother's life, I swear it.
Rhea: Very well. However, I have one condition. You must never allow another to wield this lance. Your brother clearly demonstrated what fate awaits those who break that restriction.
Sylvain: Yes. I...I will not soon forget.
Blue Lion Classroom-Afternoon
Dimitri: Is your meeting over, Professor?
Takumi: Are you weary?
Dimitri: I was just thinking about something. Professor... The possession of Relics and Crests has been highly valued in Faerghus since ancient times. It's far from uncommon for someone to lose their ability to lead their house because they don't bear a Crest. Just like Miklan. It happened to my uncle as well. The eldest child of the king, and yet he never ascended to the throne. All families whose bloodlines carry Crests of the 10 Elites are much the same. But House Gautier takes it a step further, and absolutely requires an heir who possesses a Crest.
Takumi: Why are they so obsessed with it?
Dimitri: To that house, the power of Crests is a necessity, not a luxury. House Gautier holds the most northern territory in the Kingdom, and they have fought with the people to the north for many years. The head of that house is responsible for protecting that territory from fearsome invaders, whom they keep at bay with the power of Crests and Relics. In exchange for that responsibility, they are granted special privileges within the Kingdom.
Takumi: Strength is strength, with or without a Crest.
Dimitri: I believe the same. Ability cannot be measured by the possession of a Crest alone. I believe that Margrave Gautier was wrong to disinherit Miklan because he did not bear a Crest. Still, there is always a reason for why such customs stand the test of time. Imagine what this world would be like if no one placed any stock in Crests... Bloodlines that carry Crests would dwindle. The metaphorical blade used to oppose threats would eventually rest. This same argument has been made time and time again across the years. Both sides are at once right and wrong.
Takumi: What do you believe, Dimitri?
Dimitri: I believe those with Crests and those without should acknowledge the others' strengths and learn to respect each other based on personal merits. And that doesn't apply only to Crests. The same holds true for lineage, race, faith, ideologies... If we could just accept each other and make mutual concessions, one step at a time... Perhaps... Who knows if that's even possible. Everyone has something that is unacceptable within them. I certainly do, and I'd wager you do as well. I wonder which is best, Professor... To cut away that which is unacceptable, or to find a way to accept it anyway...
Rhea: Professor, you have done well to complete such a difficult task. You have shown exceptional skill in leading your students. I am forever grateful for the safe return of the Hero's Relic. Just as I expected, you have mastered the Sword of the Creator. Now then, I shall tell you about your mission for the coming month...
(Seteth runs up to Rhea)
Seteth(panicked): Rhe– Archbishop!
Rhea: Seteth, what troubles you?
Seteth: Flayn is missing! I cannot find her anywhere! Professor, have you seen Flayn recently?
Haruto: Have you looked everywhere?
Seteth: I have searched every corner I can think of! I could not find her anywhere. She may be in danger! Oh no... No, no! What am I to do?!
Rhea: Calm yourself, Seteth. Professor, we shall continue our discussion another time.