Narrator: After saving Monica and Flayn from the hidden room in Jeritza's quarters and achieving victory in the Battle of the Eagle and Lion, the Kamen Riders weren't hoping for more action than that. Soon enough, they'd be in for more trouble than expected! Hoarfroast now graces treetops and open fields alike, and an icy chill blown in from the north of Faerghus blankets the land. All of Fódlan's creatures begin to settle in for a long winter. The setting sun bathes the full winter coat of every wolf in a foreboding scarlet glow. Hunters can now spread the word that the red wolves are back on the prowl.
Shamir: That's what we're dealing with. Is there no chance it's an infectious disease?
Manuela/Pelican Orphnoch: There are no absolutes in medicine, but the chances are extremely slim. Restless movements, fits of violence, becoming bedridden or even impossible to wake... With symptoms that varied, there are only a few possibilities. It's either a mixture of poisons or magic. And dark magic, at that.
Jeralt: You're talking about Remire Village, aren't you, Manuela?
Manuela/Pelican Orphnoch: Oh my, if it isn't Jeralt. Tell me, what was the first thing you heard?
Jeralt: Everything after you mentioned that it's not likely it's an infectious disease.
Haruto: We owe the people of Remire Village. If something's happening there, we must help them.
Shamir: We scouted the area ourselves. Speak with the knights. Hear what they have to say. I must go. Thank you for your help, Manuela.
(Shamir leaves)
Manuela/Pelican Orphnoch: You know, I'm more than willing to go with you to Remire Village... After all, I owe you my life. If you'd like, I bet we could even manage the mission all by ourselves. Just the two of us...
Takumi: That's nice of you.
Manuela/Pelican Orphnoch: Professor! A bit of a tease, are we? A girl could get used to this side of you.
Jeralt: Nice try, but I'll be going to the village as well. Enough nonsense. It's time to move out.
Manuela/Pelican Orphnoch: As you like. Good-bye, Jeralt. Good-bye, Professor.
Haruto: Well, sounds like our next mission is clear.
Takumi: Yeah. Clearly...(They suddenly faint)
Sothis: Ugh... What could have caused such dizziness? I felt it too. Actually... I've felt that way before...
Hubert: You look unwell. It's because of what happened, isn't it?
Edelgard: Don't speak of it aloud.
Hubert: You can't change the past. For now, all we can do is use it to our advantage.
Edelgard: I know that. I also know that I must steel myself to ascend the Imperial throne.
Hubert: Those preparations are going well. We... Someone is coming.
(Gentaro joins Edelgard and Hubert)
Edelgard: Professor, I heard about our mission for this month. Something terrible is happening in Remire Village. That's where you were when fate sent you our way. This feels...preordained.
Hubert: Are the knights making progress with their investigation?
Gentaro: They are.
Hubert: If what is happening there is by design, there must be someone pulling the strings. There is the Death Knight, of course. And the mysterious mages who were implicated with the Western Church. They showed up when Flayn was kidnapped as well. We even have this 'Nebula' and his gang to deal with. And now there is another strange occurrence near the monastery... It seems an unknown organization hopes to make the monastery its stage for something.
Edelgard: Do you believe that all of these incidents are connected, Professor?
Gentaro: I do not.
Edelgard: Oh? I'm surprised to hear you say that, but actually, I agree. It certainly appears that all of the events surrounding the monastery are connected by a single thread. However... I think it's possible that it may just be a result of different motives overlapping. Remember, Professor... If you think of people as simply enemies or allies, it may be impossible to grasp the truth.
Gentaro: Yes.(Taking Edelgard aside)And as far as our other designs are concerned, I have three of my crew members on task as we speak. They will not fail in this affair, believe me!
Dimitri: I see. So you'll be staying here for some time, then. Honestly, I'm surprised. I've heard it's been a few years since you last donated to the church.
Lord Arundel: That was merely because of the financial situation of my territory. I assure you, it has nothing to do with my dedication to the church. By the way, Dimitri... Isn't Edelgard currently enrolled at the Officers Academy as well?
Dimitri: Yes. She's in the Black Eagle House. I don't believe she has any plans to leave anytime soon. Why not pay her a visit?
Lord Arundel: I may do just that. It's nice to stay in touch with my dear niece every now and then. Of course I'm also delighted that I was able to speak with my nephew, as well. Whether through marriage or otherwise, family is family, after all.
Dimitri: Of course. The feeling is mutual.
Takumi: I don't suppose I was going to interrupt something, was I?
Dimitri: Professor... If you were watching, you should have made your presence known.
Takumi: Who was that?
Dimitri: That was Lord Arundel, the Regent for the Empire. He is also Edelgard's uncle.
Takumi: He called you his nephew...
Dimitri: My stepmother was his younger sister. We are not related by blood, but he is technically my uncle.
Takumi: So, you and Edelgard...
Dimitri: Yes. My stepmother was Edelgard's birth mother. Edelgard and I are siblings by marriage. We can delve into that topic another time. For now, let's make preparations to investigate what's happening in that village.
Sothis: Oh dear. The princess of the Empire and the Kingdom's prince are kin! How very odd.
Takumi: So that's why he was worried about her...
Sothis: All beings are attached somehow to those who are their family. Yes...even I. I must have had a family too... I wish I could remember them. My family... I wonder who and where they are, and what they're doing now. In any case... About this Arundel. You've heard that name before, correct?
Takumi: In the library.
Sothis: Quite true! We came across that name within the library, right where the prince had been. I thought that Arundel had died... And yet, not so. He seems alive and well. I wonder what the prince had hoped to learn from reading of his uncle's charity... So many things the prince has yet to tell... How bothersome...
Library-Daytime
Claude: Tomas doesn't seem to be here... Oh well, that's fine. I've been researching the Heroes' Relics a lot since we last spoke to him. I found out something interesting.
Haruto: Something interesting?
Claude: It's about the connection between Crests and the Heroes' Relics. The Crest Stone of each Relic is carved with a specific Crest-the one that has the ability to wield it properly. The Crests are the keys. You need the right one to safely use a Hero's Relic. The only thing I can't figure out is...why doesn't the Sword of the Creator have a Crest Stone bearing a Crest?
Haruto: It had one in the past.
Claude: Precisely. At least, that's my current guess. There's more. I believe the Crest Stones might be the source of the Relics' inhuman power. When Miklan transformed into a Black Beast, he was taken over by something that originated from the Crest Stone. And the Crest Stone was on his body. It all seems to add up. Now, look at this picture I found in the library. That creature is called the Immaculate One, who was supposedly sent by the goddess to save the followers of Seiros. See the pattern on its brow, and the faint circular boundary? Isn't it possible that's a Crest Stone? If all this is true, then Crest Stones are what power the ability to assume massive forms like that of the Immaculate One. And maybe the Heroes' Relics can harness that transformative power...
Seteth: Oh. It is you. Have you seen Tomas recently?
Claude: No such luck. I was hoping to speak with him myself, but he seems to be out on the town.
Seteth: I see. Well... Hm?! Where did you find that picture?
Claude: It was in the library. Why do you ask? Is it something my youthful eyes shouldn't be seeing?
Seteth: No, of course not. However, that is not part of this library's collection. It must belong to Tomas. It would be problematic if it got mixed in with the other books. I will take possession of it for now.
Claude(muttering): Take it away where no one can see it, you mean...
Seteth: What was that?
Claude: That's what Tomas said. He said records that the monastery doesn't approve of tend to disappear.
Seteth: Tomas said that? Preposterous. I have far too much to accomplish to waste time with this foolishness.
Haruto: Well, this is just getting more and more interesting...
Edelgard: Ah, it's you. Out late again, I see. What brings you here?
Gentaro: I could ask you the same.
Edelgard: I just wanted some fresh air. There's a lovely breeze tonight. I always wander outside when sleep evades me.
Gentaro: I'm exhausted.
Edelgard: Heh, I see. Well, don't let me keep you. Hurry back to your room, my teacher. I should get some sleep too, but... Have you ever felt a sort of longing for the outdoors? I have. There are times I long for the warmth of the sun, for a sweet breeze on my face... Do you remember what I told you the other night? About...my past? None of my siblings had a chance to lead the sort of life they deserved. An ordinary life.
Gentaro: I get that...
Edelgard: My siblings and I were... We were imprisoned underground, beneath the palace. The object was to endow our bodies with the power of a Major Crest. I have always possessed the Crest of Seiros, inherited through the Hresvelg bloodline. But it was only a Minor Crest, and most of my siblings bore no Crest at all. In order to create a peerless emperor to rule Fódlan, they violated our bodies by cutting open our very flesh. Now here I stand, the fruit of that endeavor: Edelgard von Hresvelg! But that came at too high a price... The others were sacrificed. Ours weren't the only lives devastated by that terrible process. Innocents died as well, without even knowing what they were dying for. And there you have it, the truth of the Hresvelg's Empire.
Gentaro: Who is to blame?
Edelgard: The prime minister and his gaggle of nobles. They had the Empire under their thumbs. My father, the emperor, tried to stop them, but...it was futile. My father was nothing but a puppet on a string by then. He was powerless to save us. I know how it all sounds. But when you see my true strength, you will know I speak the truth. I have kept it hidden all this time, but...I will reveal to you the power of my second Crest.
(Edelgard displays her Crest)It is the same as yours...the Crest of Flames. When it manifested for me, I swore a silent oath. For the sake of my family and for all the poor souls whose lives were traded for my existence... For their sake, I will build a world where such meaningless sacrifice is never again sanctioned. As emperor, I will change the world. I swear it.(Kuroto Dan/Kamen Rider Genm whistles at Gentaro)
Gentaro: What is it?
Dan: Everything's ready, sir. How about you?(Edelgard walks up to the two)
Gentaro: Nearly there, but...(Shows that he has scanned Athame and the power of Thales, thus completing his evil form)Those Central Church meddlers won't be a problem for much longer!
Dimitri: I'm sorry to ask this of you...but I would deeply appreciate it if you would promise to keep my association with Edelgard to yourself. It is a...complicated history, what she and I share.
Claude: Even if I spend all my time rummaging through this library, there's a limit to the knowledge that can be gained. Apparently, it only contains books whose contents have been deemed appropriate by the church. If only Tomas were around. I bet he has some interesting stories he could regale us with…
Hubert: Need something, Professor? I was just asking Monica here to be less demanding of Lady Edelgard's time.
Monica: Hey, it's not like I'm bothering her! Sorry for the ruckus, Professor. Please don't worry about it too much. Nooothing to worry about here!
Hubert: Ugh. I wish you would worry about it a little more.
Ferdinand: Remire Village... Is that not where you met Edelgard? If you had not been there, something terrible could have happened. Did one of the house leaders know that mercenaries were staying in Remire Village? I wonder... It will remain a mystery for now. All we can do at this point is speculate.
Linhardt: I fear I may become a social recluse soon... My life consists of wearing a groove in the floor between the library and the dining hall. Although, I guess a real recluse wouldn't leave their room, eh? That would be me if you weren't my teacher, locked away in my room, reading napping, never to be seen. You know I never see Bernadetta outside of class. I wonder what it is that she does in her room all day.
Caspar: Hey, Professor. Did you see that my father came by during the Battle of the Eagle and Lion? He left soon after, but I saw him talking to Edelgard first. I wonder what they could have to talk about.
Philip: Empire business, perhaps?
Caspar: I guess that would make sense. He is the Minister of Military Affairs, after all. Still though... I could've sworn those two didn't get along.
Flayn: I am so happy to be part of your class, Professor. I honestly cannot recall the last time I interacted with others on a daily basis like this... It reminds me of when I was a child. Ha, that was so very long ago now...
Kouta: How long ago?
Flayn: Oh, I mean, very. Very, very, very long ago.
(A few hours later)
Jeralt: We've got to go. Now.
Takumi: What's going on?
Jeralt: The situation in Remire Village has changed drastically. We don't know much more than that. We're hearing reports that the villagers are killing each other. Some say houses are burning. Regardless, we need to move.
Rampaging Villager: Kill! Kill! Ahhhh!
Rampaging Villager: Haha... Hahaha... Hrngyarhh!
Village Child: Help! Somebody, please help!
Jeralt: What's going on here...
Edelgard: This is horrific. It's even more revolting...more terrible than I expected.
Shinji: It really is horrifying.
Edelgard Yes. We must find a way to save this village.
Raphael: How about we hit them hard enough to knock them out, but not hard enough to kill them?
Ignatz: That's too reckless! But... I'll admit, I can't think of a better option.
Marianne: If some must die, just know it was by the will of the goddess..
.
Leonie: Stop that, Marianne! We have to save all of them. There's no way this madness is by the will of the goddess!
Dedue: Isn't that... Your Highness. Suspicious figures spotted in the village. They seem to be...watching the chaos.
Dimitri: Are they the ones responsible for this madness? If so...it's clear what must be done. Kill them all. Don't let a single one of them escape. Sever their limbs and crush their wicked skulls!(Takumi looks concerned)
Jeralt: There are some suspicious looking ruffians out there, but our top priority is to rescue the villagers! Got it? I'll rein in the villagers who've turned violent. You focus on rescuing the others.
Riders: Right!
(They fight off the infected populace in order to save the unaffected)
Claude: It can't be… The one giving orders to the weird ruffians… Isn't that Tomas?
Edelgard: Tomas, what are you doing here? Dare I even ask?
Tomas: I'm not Tomas. My name is Solon, the savior of all!
(Tomas transforms)
Solon: What's the matter? So shocked you can't even speak? You were so easily fooled by my disguise… I was hiding away in Garreg Mach to get the blood of that little girl called Flayn. With her blood, we'll be one step closer to realizing our goal.
Death Knight: I'll have a bit of fun here too…
Jeralt: That's the Death Knight! He must be an ally of Tomas...or Solon, or whoever he is.
Dan: And he's not the only one!
Emu: Kuroto? What are you even doing here?
Dan: Just answering Master Nebula's wishes, Ex-Aid!
Emu: We've got to stop them!
Aruto: I'll get Death Knight!
Death Knight: I have been looking forward to this affair, Zero-One!
Aruto: Come at me, Death Knight!
Death Knight: My pleasure... Do your best to kill me with that blade...
Attache Calibur: Rising Kaban Dynamic!
Death Knight: My blade craves their flesh... The weak will eventually die...
Claude: What does he want, anyway? In any case, we need to take care of Solon!
Solon: Ah, the cursed Fell Star... This will be a fine opportunity to measure your power.
Haruto: Bring it on!
Jeralt: Why have you gone after this village? What are you planning?
Solon: Heh, I could have conducted this experiment on any test subjects. Now that I have what I came for, I must bid you farewell.
(Solon transports away)
Jeralt: Wait! Damn it, he's gone...
Edelgard: We let him get away... I'll survey the village. There may still be enemies in hiding.
Boys: So will I.
Jeralt: It looks like we somehow managed to sort things out. And casualties were...kept to a minimum. They said they weren't picky about who they used as their "test subjects." Because of them, the people of Remire Village...
Aruto: Yeah...
Flame Emperor: There you are.(Jeralt, Aruto, and Isamu look up to see the Flame Emperor has joined them)
Jeralt: That armor. So, you're the Flame Emperor.
Flame Emperor: Yes. I believe you have met my subordinate, the Death Knight.
Jeralt: Oh, we've met him all right. But back to you. You're the one responsible for the destruction of this village.
Flame Emperor: Do not get the wrong idea.
Jeralt: What in blazes does that mean?
Flame Emperor: It is true that I am working with Solon. But that does not mean our objectives are the same. Had I known they planned to do this, I would have stopped it. You have my word.
Jeralt: Your words are meaningless. Now, I'll have to insist you accompany us back to the monastery.
Flame Emperor: I cannot abide that. However, if you wish to join forces, I will hear your plea.
Jeralt: What?!
Flame Emperor: If left to their own devices, they will commit countless more violent acts like this one. Do you not wish to prevent that? With the Sword of the Creator on our side, Solon would not be a threat...
Aruto and Isamu: No!
Flame Emperor: Pity. Though not unexpected. Pray that you do not live to regret your choice.
Hubert: Jeralt, Professor! Have you seen Lady Edelgard?!
Jeralt: What's wrong, kid? Huh? Damn it! He's gone...
(We soon find Haruto and Takumi confronting Dan)
Takumi: You went to a lot of trouble to raze this whole village!
Haruto: Why'd you even serve a villain like Solon anyway?
Nebula: He wasn't. It's all me.
Haruto: You're...
Takumi: Nebula! Are you working with the likes of Solon?
Nebula: Yes and no. Let's say, I have strong connections your minds wouldn't know anything about.
Takumi: Likely story! Now, I'll have to insist you accompany us back to the monastery.
Nebula: I'm not in the mood to hear you out on that offer, tempting as it may seem. However, I'm always looking to add to my wicked legion. Care to volunteer?
Takumi and Haruto: I must refuse.
Nebula: Pity. Though not unexpected. I just hope you're ready to reap all that you've sown, given what you and the students have put my minions through...
Haruto: Wait!
Takumi: He's gone. But I feel like we haven't seen the last of him yet...
Jeralt: Hey. I've been meaning to talk to you. Since coming to the monastery...you've changed.
Haruto: Changed?
Takumi: How so?
Jeralt: You've been angry since we first arrived in Remire Village. And you look so happy when you're instructing the brats. Before the monastery, I'd never seen you bear your emotions like that. Not once.
Takumi: You might be right.
Haruto: It's thanks to the students.
Jeralt: Then perhaps it's a good thing we came to the monastery, if only so I could see your face lit up like that. Or maybe there was never any reason for us to leave the monastery in the first place...
Takumi: A reason to leave?
Jeralt: Ah... I've put my foot in my mouth, haven't I? Though I suppose it may be nearly that time... Come to my office when you next have a moment to spare. There's something I need to tell you.
Sothis: Just what was that about? I can't recall a time of old when you were at the monastery... I wonder what is hiding in the mist that is your past...
Training Grounds-Evening
Dimitri: Professor... I...I'm sorry you saw that side of me in the village. It must have been quite a shock to you and the others. I'm mortified by my behavior. When I saw the chaos and violence there...my mind just went completely dark.
Takumi: I felt the same.
Dimitri: I see... So that happens to you as well, then. I've told you before...that some day we may find ourselves facing something we simply cannot accept. That's what the chaos in Remire Village was to me. Solon and the Flame Emperor are both beasts who must be eliminated. Demons who kill the innocent. They aren't even human at this point.
Isamu: Where is this anger coming from?
Dimitri: It must be hard to fathom. It's true that I don't have any strong connection to those villagers. And yet... You see, Professor... I saw the same flames of torment just four years ago...in Duscur.
(Image of a young Dimitri standing against a background of flames, with dead bodies lying on the ground)
Kingdom General: Please! Have mercy!
Kingdom Soldier: Gah, the pain! Make the burning stop! Help me... Somebody...
Lambert: Avenge us! Those who killed us... Tear them apart! Destroy them all!
(Scene returns to the Training Grounds)
Dimitri: Ugh... Gah... My father...my stepmother... Four years ago, they lost their lives to those flames. I'll never forget... I still remember their faces. Their screams. The tortured last moments of every person who died that day... But right now...all that matters is that we do whatever we can to help the surviving villagers get back to their normal lives.
Isamu: Trust me, My Prince...(Thinking back to when he himself was a victim of the Daybreak Town Accident that resulted in the death of his parents.)You're childhood isn't the only one laden with tragedy.
Dimitri: Thank you. For everything.(Dimitri turns away) There's a reason that I came to the Officers Academy. Just one reason. I came here for revenge. And one day, I will have it.(Dimitri leaves)
Reception Hall-Daytime
Claude: Hey, Teach. That assignment wasn't my favorite, I've got to admit. I suppose pretending to be unaffected doesn't do anyone any good. That was terrible to behold. It's always hard to see innocents die.
Haruto: It is.
Aruto: I wasn't strong enough.
Claude: Hey, all you can do is keep smiling. Keep marching. That's part of a leader's job. You can't give in to despair. Not just for me or for you, but for all of us in the Golden Deer House. We have to keep smiling so the others can move forward too. As long as we don't show that we're disheartened, they'll know they can make it too. That's what matters. Sorry for getting ahead of myself, Teach. That's how I feel, but how you handle it is really up to you. By the way... I hear that guy who calls himself the Flame Emperor showed up in Remire Village. I couldn't believe it when Hilda told me the news. What could he be after?
Haruto: The very thing on every villain's Top 10 list; World domination.
Claude: Ha! I know I just laughed, but that really isn't funny, Teach. World domination... Hm. OK, actually... I wonder. They called this incident "an experiment." And they said they got what they came for. That means they might take this success and attempt something even bigger next time. I hate to even consider it, but if they can replicate the incident at Remire Village on an even larger scale... If we're not careful, we'll have a full-scale war on our hands. Then world domination wouldn't be a joke anymore.(Flayn walks by)
Claude: Flayn! Your timing is impeccable. Would you care to join us for a while, fair lady?
Flayn: Wha--? Why?! Oh my!(Flayn runs off)
Claude: Damn. She gave us the slip. In any case, I doubt she knows the full story. It seems more like she has something on her mind that she can't divulge.
Aruto: You're pushing too hard.
Claude: Whoa, there. Settle yourself, Teach. Seems like it would be better to push Seteth for an explanation. Or, best of all, to go above his head and ask Rhea... Now that we know Tomas was an enemy, we can't be sure that exposing the church's secrets would be to our benefit. Where are the answers I seek? Where are they...
(A few minutes later)
Gentaro: Hey guys. Admirable work out there. I really believe we did all that we could.
Aruto: Yeah, right! We got scouted by the Flame Emperor and another Rider we didn't know about. How do you think we feel?
Gentaro: Well, I don't know about the Flame Emperor but I do know that the mystery Rider seems to have some ambitious ideas and reasons for these attacks-both recent and still to come. Still, when he is ready, maybe he'll be more reasonable for your sakes.
Audience Chamber-Daytime
Rhea: You did well handling that awful business in Remire Village. I am certain the goddess shares in our grief at the senselessness of that calamity. More importantly, I was shocked to hear that our own Tomas was actually a dark mage. I must reflect on our blindness.
Sothis: You surely must! You failed to notice that a rat was hiding in your home. Pathetic! Who are these wicked foes? How did Tomas escape your gaze?
Shotaro: Who are these villains?
Seteth: Tomas came to the monastery 40 years ago, by recommendation of House Ordelia of the Alliance. Around eight years ago he went back to House Ordelia before returning to the monastery once again just last year. After having worked at Garreg Mach for decades, why would he betray us now? Just what did he hope to accomplish? Jeritza became a professor at the Officers Academy because of a recommendation from the Imperial nobility. Supposing that he is the Death Knight, that means that our enemy is an organization that has taken root in at least two territories.
Rhea: In the long history of the Church of Seiros... No, long before even that... There have been an endless number of threats to the peace of Fódlan. Yet, those who oppose us still operate in the shadows, their identities a mystery. I believe that Solon and the Death Knight are merely one part of a much larger whole.
Sothis: A threat to Fódlan's peace? That means we have no choice. We have to stop them all!
Isamu: They must be stopped.
Rhea: I have truly come to rely on you. I believe that the monastery will remain safe so long as we have you. We do not yet know the enemy's objective or whereabouts. For now, please devote yourself to preparing for whatever comes next.
Seteth: That is all for today.
Isamu(Thinking): Something about that Nebula and his gang just strikes me as familiar. I wonder...