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>>5735501
As you march alongside the Sreng army, you’re surprised to find how well-disciplined they are. You’d heard stories about how the wildmen of Sreng were bloodthirsty raiders who killed and pillaged with complete disregard for their victims. With such a large host of them heading towards greener, southern pastures, you half-expected them to move as nothing more than an unruly mob, hell-bent on acquiring loot. But there is no chatter amongst the soldiers of Sreng. No boasting or shouting or marching songs. Instead, they waltz through the Faerghus woods with an eerie, almost supernatural silence. In all your years, you’d never seen an army move as quietly as the raiders under the command of Prince Leif. It was no wonder they’d been such a pain in Faerghus’ side for so long. The Sreng army makes a brisk pace through the woods, encountering no one save for a few passing peasants who quickly scurry away to make themselves hidden.

“There you are.” Anemone catches up to you. The Agarthan half-breed is atop her own ebon pegasus, Stormy. “In the chaos of everything that’s occurred the last few days, we’ve hardly had a second to speak.”

>“Have you finished pouring over Diogenes’ research?”

Anemone nods. “It took some time. Even though the notes were written in our language, much of the terminology he used was completely unknown to me. Fortunately, I believe I’ve been able to put together the full picture. Not just how Diogenes was conducting Blood Reconstruction, but also how many times he’d done it, as well as what his motivations were.”

>“So…you know how to implant a Crest now?” You whisper. The idea that someone could be granted a Crest through means other than noble lineage was unheard of. If the wrong people gained access to this type of knowledge, there was no telling what could transpire.

“For the most part.” Anemone responds. From her tone, you get the impression that it isn’t an easy process. “And how to remove one, as well.”

>That last part was no longer useful, you thought to yourself grimly. You recall seeing Lysithea’s body lying amongst the carnage of Gronder Field. The memory of her trampled corpse was fresh in your mind and was a horror you were unlikely to ever forget. “So then, give me the rundown.”

“Well…as the name suggests, it requires the blood sample of a Crest bearer to be injected into the recipient. Then, a spell is used to awaken the Crest. The framework of the spell was developed by Solon after much trial and error, though it wasn’t perfect. Diogenes was the one who managed to figure it out without altering the lifespan of the recipient.”

>“Is that all? I figured it’d be more complex.”

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>>5735502
“Well, the spell itself won’t always work. Diogenes himself had plenty of failures in his efforts. In over 50 attempts, he only successfully implanted a Crest four times. In the event of a failure, the process would take a massive toll on the body. At best you’ll only suffer excruciating pain. At worst, death. Even Diogenes himself was entirely unsure of what constituted a successful recipient. Though of his four successful test subjects, he noted all possessed strong constitution and willpower.”

>“I guess those are some words I’d use to ‘politely’ describe Scratch and Rex. Still, that leaves the question of who the other two were?”

Anemone shrugs her shoulders in resignation. “He doesn’t say. Of his two other successes, one received the Crest of Maculi, while the other received both the Crest of Maculi and Indech.”

>“Two Crests?!” You hiss. “Who would be mad enough for that?”

“I don’t know.” Anemone says. “It would have to be someone capable of using both though. Someone who could fight with magic as well as steel.”

> “Where did he even get the blood samples in the first place? Was he somehow draining Crest bearing nobles dry without anyone noticing?” Bernadetta fled the Empire years ago with her Crest of Indech, and Maculi was exceptionally rare, having only materialized in a minor Imperial house.

“He got them straight from the source.” Anemone whispers. “Turns out not all the Nabateans were dead after all. The Empire somehow got wind of the locations of both Indech and Maculi, who’d been alive in hiding ever since the war against Nemesis over a thousand years ago. They sent Rex to slay both and bring their corpses back. Likely as a reward for his services, he was granted his Crest.”

>“Rex killed two of the Four Saints?” To think you faced down and won against a warrior of that caliber still boggles your mind.

“In addition to Diogenes’ notes, I found these.” She takes great care to ensure that only you can see the twin vials she holds within her cloak. Both are filled with a dark, viscous liquid. “They’re what you think they are. One of each. Indech and Maculi. Everything is taken care of, it seems. The question now though is…”

>“Should we even do anything with this knowledge?”

Anemond nods, moving her mount closer to yours to speak in a further hush. “We aren’t even sure if someone would survive the Blood Reconstruction. That’s to say nothing of the potential political ramifications of this getting out. I can’t imagine either side of this war would sit idly by while the power to create more Crest bearers lies in front of them.”

>“Wouldn’t it greatly increase our combat ability though?”

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>>5735504
“Think back to your brother. There was a man that defeated two Saints by his own efforts. He was someone who was feared across the realm as the strongest Wyvern Lord. The addition of the Crest of Indech should have made him only that much more powerful. And yet, when I watched your fight, he failed to kill not only you, but Ingrid as well. I believe that you humans place too much emphasis on these gifts of the Goddess. The Crest made Rex overconfident. It led him to think he could defeat both you and Ingrid by himself, and it resulted in the loss of his life. You’ve already accomplished so much by virtue of your own skill. Why stoop to some dubious surgery now?”

Anemone made a good point. If there was anything that had contributed to Rex’s downfall, it was his own hubris. He believed that the Crest of Indech had made him invulnerable, and rushed into a battle that was not as easy as he’d assumed. Still though, you couldn’t shake the feeling though that there were still plenty of tough opponents left to face. The rest of the Hellwings certainly had a bone to pick with you, including Kate. Then there were the remainder of the Seven Sages. And finally, there was even the possibility you might have to face off against the Count.

>A): I’d be willing to have a Crest implanted in me.
>B): We should destroy the research. The possibility that it may fall into the wrong hands is too risky.
>C): We’ll hold on to the research for now.

>>5735506
>B): We should destroy the research. The possibility that it may fall into the wrong hands is too risky.
we cannot compromise on this matter. we kept the research around in the hopes of undoing the process to hylp lysethia, and with that opportunity lost, the information and power is nothing but a liability. the strength it could grant us would just make us a greater target for power hungry or justifiably terrified leaders. just put an end to the wicked knowledge and seek peace through our own power.

>>5735506
>B): We should destroy the research. The possibility that it may fall into the wrong hands is too risky.
Cast it into the fire. It's too much risk for not nearly enough of a reward

>>5735506
>>C): We’ll hold on to the research for now.
Using it on us now would be iffy, sure it might make us stronger but all the implications and consequences it would do are too risky to just do it now, and it's too important to just destroy it now, we'll wait for a moment where it could be useful, a last ditch effort sort of deal maybe.

Welcome back, Tree!

>>5735506
>B): We should destroy the research. The possibility that it may fall into the wrong hands is too risky.

I think if Blair had either lost to Rex, or if Lysithia were still alive, I'd be more inclined to keep this around. But as it stands, neither applies, so Blair's motivation for keeping this dangerous research around is kind of shot. Future dangerous foes be damned, she handled the worst of them with nothing but skill and a whole lot of luck, so she might be inclined to go through without it.

Besides, we've still got one potential way of getting a Crest in Clay, if he is actually one of the dragons-- though the lack of brightly-colored hair makes it a little iffy for sure.

>>5735506
>A): I’d be willing to have a Crest implanted in me.
We would be nigh unbeatable

>>5735506
>A): I’d be willing to have a Crest implanted in me.
Welcome back Tree!

>>5735506
>B): We should destroy the research. The possibility that it may fall into the wrong hands is too risky.

>>5735506
>B): We should destroy the research. The possibility that it may fall into the wrong hands is too risky.
We're back!

>>5735506
>B): We should destroy the research. The possibility that it may fall into the wrong hands is too risky.

Anons have made a good point in that Lys being dead and without the loss to Rex, Blair has no reason or motivation to want the research. Plus one of the key reasons that she didn't side with Edel was that she couldn't accept the end justifying the means (siding with the Slithers). And she's so anti-slither I can't justify voting for her to use any of their techniques, even if they benefit her.

>>5735506
>C): We’ll hold on to the research for now.
There could be more willing and suitable candidates. It's too valuable to destroy.

>>5735506
>C): We’ll hold on to the research for now.

I want to hang onto the deus ex machina

>>5735506
>B): We should destroy the research. The possibility that it may fall into the wrong hands is too risky.

All it would take is one little footpad and the enemy has their notebook back. There have been days when the strength of Blackwings has failed, but this day must not be one of them. We cannot allow it.

Better to put our fate in the Goddess' hands, than to rely on something so easily stolen.

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>>5735506
You’d spent the last five years of your life hunting down the Agarthans everywhere you could. It was not an easy decision to make. You’d given up your future, your loyalty to your country and liege, as well as many of the familial relationships you’d made after being adopted. You suffered all these setbacks because you believed that it was your duty to root out Agarthan corruption wherever you found it. As tempting as the idea of possessing a Crest might sound, you knew it was a poisoned gift. It was knowledge that was discovered off the backs of tortured innocents like Lysithea and her family. You’d have no part in that wickedness, and you wouldn’t let anyone else either.

>“Burn it. The only use we had for that research was to help Lysithea, and she’s gone now. We’ll dispose of the dark legacy that plagued Ordelia once and for all.”

“Very well.” Anemone says, eyeing the two vials in her hand closely before stowing them away. “Funny enough, Crest implantation was only Diogenes’ secondary objective. What he really wanted was to find a way to dominate and control a person to do his bidding completely. It was a goal that eluded both him and Solon. It hadn’t worked for them in Remire Village, and it didn’t appear to have worked for them in Ordelia either. The poison they used did nothing but make those who imbibed it turn mad. Diogenes believed the blood of Saints that had been stuck in their Nabatean form was the key to unlocking that mystery. He believed he was getting close. Scratch was even supposed to be his first success. Fortunately for her, he never got the chance.”

>“Sounds to me like we did the world a favor by ridding it of that madman.” You say, spitting over Beathan onto the ground.

“Indeed. Still, recall his letter that he left us. He claimed to be ‘disgusted’ with the Agarthans. From what I’ve gathered in going over his research, I believe he intended to use his work as a tool against them. It’s partly why he left this research for us. It makes me wonder if he was not alone though. If perhaps there was someone else working alongside him, or even overseeing his work.”

>“If so, would it be whoever he gave those other Crests to?”

Anemone shrugs her shoulders. “It’s possible. I can’t imagine he’d be giving Crests out like candy and then letting the recipients walk freely. Still, whatever the case may be, he’s gone now. And as you said, we’ll put this twisted work behind us.”

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>>5736451
That night, as the Sreng host makes camp, you watch as Anemone tosses both vials of blood into a fire before her. You’re treated to a crackling hissing sound as the priceless Crest-making reagents are incinerated in the flame. She then produces Diogenes’ worn tome from her cloak and tosses it in right after. You recall how Phaedo fought tooth and nail to retrieve that thing. It’s likely that given Diogenes’ feelings towards his race, he was the only one with the means to reproduce that work. Now that both him and his cell of Talons were dead, decades of research conducted by those fiends had been eradicated. As you watch the items burn, you feel a deep sadness well inside you. Not for the power you’d just lost, but for Lysithea. Though you couldn’t save her, you hoped she’d at least be satisfied with this outcome. Never again would anyone be subjected to the same horrors that she was.

“Blair.” A timid voice calls out behind you. Eulalia joins the two of you. She carries a long and wrapped-up object in both her hands, which she offers up to you. “It’s done. Here you go.”

Unwrapping the gift, you find a familiar sight. Jaswant’s spear. It looks exactly as it did during your fight against him a year ago. No, it was somehow better. It looked sharper and somehow more durable. Eulalia had done an impeccable job repairing the weapon. It was certainly now on par with Rex’s own Almyran spear, Gáe Bolg.

>“Eulalia! This looks…incredible! How did you do this?”

“Eulalia always had a talent for smithing.” Anemone says, placing a hand on the spear and feeling it for herself. “I’d have preferred that she’d stayed back home and continued honing her craft. But, since she’s here, it’s only right we put her to work.”

“I’ve been tinkering at it ever since we left Ordelia.” Eulalia says. “It’s a…different weapon than I’m used to. I was able to acquire a book on Almyran blacksmithing while we were in Derdriu. That’s where I learned all about this spear. It’s a really special weapon. The Almyrans call it ‘Gungnir’, but in fact, it’s not even Almyran in origin. It was claimed by them in a battle against a foreign nation. After which, it became a signature weapon of their Four Warlords, passed on from successor to successor along with its twin spear, Gáe Bolg.”

>“Twin spear? So, this weapon and Gáe Bolg really are related? I thought they looked remarkably similar.”

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>>5736452
Eulalia nods. Ever since you met her, she’s hardly been talkative. You imagine she suffered greatly under Diogenes’ watch. But as she speaks now about the weapon she helped reforge, you can see a twinkle of excitement in her eye. “Yes, that’s right. Gungnir and Gáe Bolg are twin spears. Legend has it that every few dozen years, the wielders of each spear are fated to clash against each other in a duel to the death. There isn’t an Almyran alive that doesn’t know their tale.”

You recall Gáe Bolg dropping to the ground along with Rex after he died. Knowing the Hellwings, there was no way they just left them there. They likely still possessed the weapon. After your brother, there was one other person you knew that would wield that spear with terrifying prowess. And it was the one person your heart told you that you didn’t want to fight.

>“They clash every few years? So then, who usually wins? Surely there must be a record kept, right?”

Eulalia’s smile fades from her face and she purses her lips. She suddenly looks a tad nervous.

“Does it matter!?” Anemone cuts in uncharacteristically, interrupting whatever Eulalia was about to say. “It’s just a stupid story.”

>Gungnir obtained! (+20 DMG, 10% Crit, +2 to STR, SPD and DEF)

“May I beg you for a favor, Blair?” Eulalia asks.

>“A favor? Of course. What is it?”

“The Sage that will attack Garreg Mach…my sister believes it is Odesse. He was the one that attacked Arcadia, and the one responsible for Elias’ death.” She gives you the deepest bow you’d ever seen. One that would put any noble to shame. “Please…plunge Gungnir into his heart for me. It’s my fault the village was attacked and why Elias lost his life. This is the only way I can put his soul to rest. Let Gungnir be what kills him.” The girl’s form shakes, and you can hear her sobbing softly.

>A): I’ll plunge this spear through his black heart for you, Eulalia.
>B): I’ll do what I can.
>C): You don’t have to blame yourself for what transpired back then.
>D): Write-in

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>it's Gungnir
>and we have to fight Kate wielding Gae Bolg

Kino. I'm glad she's found her reason to fight. But I still wonder if she's recruitable, or if killing Rex and choosing not to talk to her locked us into the 'fight to the death' route.

>>5736453

>A): I’ll plunge this spear through his black heart for you, Eulalia.
>C): You don’t have to blame yourself for what transpired back then.

It's not her fault, and she shouldn't blame herself for it, but we'll happily kill Odesse with it.

>>5736453
>A): I’ll plunge this spear through his black heart for you, Eulalia.
>C): You don’t have to blame yourself for what transpired back then.

>>5736453
>A): I’ll plunge this spear through his black heart for you, Eulalia.
fags

>>5736453
>>C): You don’t have to blame yourself for what transpired back then.
I can't believe you anons voted to destroy a highly valuable resource

>>5736539
I had actually advocated for keeping and implanting it earlier in the quest, but now I figured it just wouldn't make sense for Blair to want it anymore, seeing as her main two reasons for keeping that information in the first place were gone.

I would've 100% voted for keeping it if Lysithea were around, or if the Blackwings got utterly stomped at Gronder, but instead, Lys is dead and we actually managed to kill Rex without going full Arthas somehow. Losing Shelley, Roxanne, and Nero during Gronder was bad too, but it could've been way worse (and thus, not bad enough to justify keeping it around).

Besides, seeing all the friends she's lost to the Agarthan experiments, as well as all the people who have suffered during them? I don't think Blair's been pushed far enough to keep it in spite of the advantages. Ironically, I don't think Blair has suffered enough to become as crazy as Edelgard yet.

if I ever learned how to make a custom fire emblem, I would make Blair's route for sure. there's a lot of pathos in her tortured way through the world, of a kind not typical to FE protagonists

>>5736453
>A): I’ll plunge this spear through his black heart for you, Eulalia.

>>5736539
Gotta do what you gotta do.
This >>5736543 is pretty much the gist of it.

>>5736453
>C): You don’t have to blame yourself for what transpired back then.

>>5736453
>>A): I’ll plunge this spear through his black heart for you, Eulalia.

>>5736453
>A): I'll plunge this spear through his black heart for you, Eulalia.

Gungnir get! Now all we have to do is ask Dorothea for singing lessons the next time we meet and we'll be ready to punch Javelins.

>>5736453
>A): I’ll plunge this spear through his black heart for you, Eulalia.
>C): You don’t have to blame yourself for what transpired back then.

>>5736453
>>A): I’ll plunge this spear through his black heart for you, Eulalia.
>>C): You don’t have to blame yourself for what transpired back then

>>5736453
>C): You don’t have to blame yourself for what transpired back then.

>>5736543
Well we could still keep in around in case someone wants to purchase that knowledge.

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>>5736453
>Eulalia’s plea for aid tugged at your heart. There was no way you could tell the poor girl no. And it wasn’t as if you didn’t intend to kill Odesse anyway. In fact, it was at the top of the list of things you wished to do when you got back to Garreg Mach. You just hadn’t been sure of the specifics. But now, at least one area of that was covered. You place a hand gently on Eulalia’s shoulder and ease her back into a standing position. “I’ll plunge this spear you made me through his black heart, Eulalia. You have my word. But don’t blame yourself for what happened at Arcadia. It wasn’t your fault.”

“It was.” Eulalia whispers. “I was the one that was captured by Diogenes and his men. I selfishly ventured into the outside world on my own, thinking I could help. Down in that dungeon…they tortured and prodded at me until they finally uncovered the location of Arcadia. Whether I told them it myself or they uncovered it through some other means, I cannot remember. All I remember is the screaming, and the pain. The only reason I was kept alive was to use as a test subject for their experiments.”

>You wrap the half-breed in a hug, a gesture that might passed as most affection you’d ever shown a member of her race. “We killed Diogenes, and we’ll kill this man too.”

“It’s safe to say that the location of Arcadia has been known by Shambhala for some time now.” Anemone says from over your shoulder. “The only reason they haven’t acted against it is that they’re pulled in too many different directions right now. Marching another army through Alliance territory, particularly now of all times, is the last thing they can afford. Though if the Empire wins the war, I imagine we’ll be back to the top of their list soon enough.”

>“Will you help me kill Odesse, Anemone?”

The Agarthan sighs, rubbing her head in apparent frustration. “Corrine tells me that you plan to use subterfuge to get close to him. You’ll disguise yourselves and parley along with Leif, whom he should still believe is his ally. Unfortunately, were I to be present, Odesse would spot me right away. We can sense each other’s presence, even through our disguises. Were I to join you, it would likely give your plan up immediately. Rest assured though, of all the Sages left, I want him dead most of all.” You notice an unfamiliar edge to her speech. “I’ll find a way to assist you against him, have no doubt about it.”

>“I don’t.” You say, getting back to your feet. “Despite your peculiarities, you’ve certainly proven extremely helpful more than once. I understand your presence here may hinder our plan somewhat, though I wish you’d join in on the fighting more often. Goddess knows there are few in the company that would be a match for you.”

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>>5737148
“I’m not of your company, Blair.” Anemone says. “We’re temporary allies is all. Once we’ve rooted out the Sages, I’ll return to Arcadia, and you’ll never see me again.”

>“Another few hundred years of hiding in the Edmund Woods?”

She shrugs. “What else are we supposed to do? The world would be aghast at news of our existence. Hiding away is the only option.

>“And what about people like Eulalia? The ones in your village who no longer wish to hide away.”

“Eulalia’s recent experiences in the outside world should serve as a cautionary tale to them, I imagine.”

>“You can be a really cold woman sometimes, you know?” You study Anemone closely. Throughout all these years, she’s been assuming the form of ‘Alena’. You always thought this human disguise of hers curious. From what you understood, Agarthans required the corpse of a human to assume those cloaks. And yet when you first met her, Douglas seemed to have regarded Alena as a hermit from the Rusalkan mountains. Someone that he knew, and one who could be greatly trusted at that. Had she killed some poor innocent woman to assume that form of hers? Could you even ask her that, or would she find it rude?

“What you call ‘cold’, I call realistic.” She says. “If Agarthans and humans were meant to live together, we wouldn’t be here.”

>“Maybe.” You think to ask another question. “You mentioned you watched my fight with Rex.”

“What of it?”

>“If it looked like I was going to die, would you have finally interfered then?”

Anemone remains silent, pondering your question briefly before answering. “It was completely pig-headed of you to fight that man. I was beside myself that you’d even try. But if it looked like you were going to die…I’d have at least tried to extract you before he landed the finishing blow.”

>“Well, I suppose that’s about the best compliment I could ever get from you.”

She smirks. “Don’t get carried away. In your unconscious and depleted form, I might have been tempted to try Blood Reconstruction on you.”

You depart from the two Agarthans, making your way back to the main common area of the Sreng camp. You’re to stay here only briefly tonight, before continuing your trek tomorrow, where you’ll depart Faerghus on your way to Garreg Mach. The camp’s torches have been lit, and things are still active even though night has fallen.

>A): Choose a member of your company to speak with.

>>5737152
>A): Choose a member of your company to speak with.
We should apologize to Clay for messing up his round, probably. Either that, or talk to whoever we haven't talked to in the longest.

>>5737205
That's a fair point, and I'll support it. I'm also feeling like we should talk to Ashe since he doesn't like the church much and we'll be dealing with it, and/or Yara (I vaguely recall there was something we had to do that involved her).

>>5737216
I just realized it's just for one member of the company.
I'll reaffirm my vote for Clay and supporting the first anon then.

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>>5737216
>(I vaguely recall there was something we had to do that involved her)
Shit, you're right
>>5737152
>Yara
it's time go on a "spiritual journey"(get zooted out of our fucking mind)

>>5737152
>A): Choose a member of your company to speak with.

I want to fuck Ashe

>>5737152
>A): Choose a member of your company to speak with.
yara

>“We’re temporary allies is all. Once we’ve rooted out the Sages, I’ll return to Arcadia, and you’ll never see me again.”

That's pretty sad. Maybe by the end of this, we'll have built up a support rank with either of the Agarthans, seeing how integral they are to our campaign (and vice versa).

>>5737152
>A): Choose a member of your company to speak with.

Yara. We're already traveling with raiders-- might as well go on the spirit journey while we're at it. If not her, then maybe Clay, because I'm interested in what he's got to say here.

>>5737152
>A): Choose a member of your company to speak with.

Supporting >>5737205, besides I feel like Clay might have some interesting insight into this whole affair we've found ourselves in, given he apparently knows enough about the Sreng to be fluent in their language.

>>5737152
>>A): Choose a member of your company to speak with.
Clay

>>5737152
>>A): Choose a member of your company to speak with.
Milly

>>5737152
I wonder if Anemone is really okay with letting her race to just end up in hiding forever from humanity.
>A): Yara
S'been a moment since we've chatted with her

>>5737152
>A): Choose a member of your company to speak with
Clay.
We never even got a single chance to talk to him past recruitment, I don't think.
For all the weight he's been pulling, he deserves some thanks, and I want to figure out what his deal is.

>>5737152
>A): Choose a member of your company to speak with.
>Clay

>>5737152
>A): Choose a member of your company to speak with.
Boytoy

I like how the split is
>mysterious hero fans
>coomers
>stoners
Truly, Three Houses Quest(tm) covers all audiences

>>5737152
>A): Choose a member of your company to speak with.
>Clay
Your secrets, hand them over

>>5737152
>>A): Choose a member of your company to speak with.
>>Clay

Clay wins, writing.

>>5737907
i voted mysticism and taro, not weed thank you very much

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>>5737152
You figure you should find Clay and give him an apology. After all, it was your fault he’d “lost” his duel against Manus. And besides, it had been a while since you’d spoken with the mysterious mercenary. After some searching around camp, you find Clay sitting at a table with several Sreng warriors. By his animated gestures, you figure that he’s regaling them with some sort of tale. Clay had become something of a peculiarity amongst the raiders once they found out that he spoke their language. Upon spotting you, Clay barks something in the Sreng tongue that causes the warriors to laugh before getting up, leaving the two of you alone.

>“Were you making fun of me just now?” You ask him.

“Blair! I would never!” Clay gasps, mocking shock. “I merely told them my Commander was here to give me a dressing down, and that I’d require some privacy.”

>“I wanted to apologize for getting caught cheating during the Cúig Triail. I guess I should have had more faith in you that you’d have beaten that lumbering idiot.”

The Hero smirks, proud of himself. “A brute like that was a thousand years too early to take me on. But think nothing of it. What matters is that we prevailed in the Cúig Triail regardless.”

>“You seem rather confident in your abilities.” You sit down, helping yourself to a flagon of mead that was left behind. “I must admit though, I did feel a lot better knowing it was you out there. There’s a good argument to be made you’re the strongest fighter we have.”

Clay chuckles, taking a deep sip of his brew. “Well, when you’ve been on as many adventures as I have, you tend to learn a thing or two. I’m happy to instruct any of our mercenaries that you deem lacking. If it’s for you, Blair, I’m all too happy to assist.”

>“Adventures, huh?” You ask, squinting your eyes as you take him in closer. “How many are we talking here, exactly?”

“Pardon?”

>“I’ve always knew there was something off about you, but I wasn’t quite sure.” You prod at the man with an inquisitive finger. “That woman that fought Uriel, Morag. She called you a ‘vampire’. I thought that was curious. But then we found out that despite her youthful appearance, she was an old crone that maintained her strength and form by draining her opponents of their life force. That’s what you’ve been doing with that Runesword, haven’t you?”

“Blair…those are serious accusations!” Clay cries. “Didn’t anyone ever teach you at that fancy school of yours that it’s rude to question someone’s age!”

>“You claimed you were from Dagda, but you somehow speak the Sreng language. You say you’ve been to Albina, and Almyra, and you know much about Crests. I believe you are indeed well-travelled. And I don’t doubt your claims either. What I do believe though, is that there’s no way you’ve accomplished all this in one lifespan.”

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>>5738231
Clay listens to your thoughts, the smile never leaving his face. After you finish, he drums his fingers on the table, apparently thinking. You expect him to deflect as he usually does, but instead he surprises you. “Well…you’re half right, in any case. Though exceedingly rare, an exceptionally skilled dark mage, with enough effort and application, can eventually learn how to use Nosferatu to extend their lifespan. Personally though, I find that method to be rather crude and morally bleak. I developed my own similar, but wholly unique process instead.”

>“…So how old are you really?”

“Truth be told, I don’t remember. I stopped counting after the War of the Eagle and Lion.”

>“…That was…the year 751.”

“Don’t I look great?” He smirks, raising his eyebrows excitedly.”

>You sigh. You knew there was something weird about him…but this? “So then, who or what are you really? And what’s this secret to immortality you’ve seemingly found?”

“I’m a full-blooded human, same as you. But, per your original hunch, you were correct. I am indeed a Crest bearer. The Crest of Chevalier flows through my veins.”

>“Chevalier? Like the Apostle? I’ve only heard of it in legends. It’s a Crest of the Four Apostles, and one that’s supposedly been lost to history. No one even knows what it did.”

“On the surface, it’s a simple one. It allows its user to heal their own wounds as they fight. One can jump into the heat of battle and emerge on the other side completely unscathed. Any scratch or cut they’d have suffered would be healed upon inflicting damage against their opponent. It’s effective, but it lacks the same raw power that other Crests possess. After several years of honing this ability, and many hard-fought battles, I realized that it wasn’t just my wounds that were being healed. Illnesses, fatigue…even aging had all been staved off. Of all those in history that have possessed Chevalier, I believe only its namesake knew how to perform these same feats.”

>“For hundreds of years you’ve been staying alive…by fighting?”

Clay nods. “In a sense. Druids like Morag use Nosferatu to drain life-force from other humans. It’s a vicious cycle that leaves a pile of withered corpses in its wake. Chevalier on the other hand, heals my ailments all on its own. It does not discriminate, either. Most times, I don’t even need to kill to receive the effect. A simple disarming wound is enough to revert my course a few months. It makes me wonder if Seiros herself knew what she was doing when she bestowed the Crest upon my master.”

>“Your master?”

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>>5738236
“It was Chevalier. After leaving the service of the Archbishop, he travelled around the world, much like I do. He’d bestow his Crest every so often to souls he felt were in need. I was one such person. He found me after the Empire’s first Invasion of Dagda. I was wounded, and on the brink of death. Taking pity on me, it was his intervention that allowed for my survival.”

>“And you’ve survived this entire time. Doesn’t that get…lonely?”

Clay shrugs uncaringly. “Scholars have long theorized that true immortality would eventually drive a person mad. Personally, I don’t buy it. There’s always something new to see. I told you when we first met that I believe Crest bearers are too quick to squander their gifts. With my increased lifespan, I’ve travelled around the world, from conflict to conflict. I’ve helped topple tyrants. I’ve saved people from all manner of marauder and Demonic Beast. I’ve uncovered ancient ruins and shared my knowledge. The Goddess and Chevalier both saw fit to keep me alive in this manner, and I intend to use that gift to make this world a better place. I’ll continue to root out evil wherever I find it, until the day I finally die. After all, I’m not truly immortal. While it’s true I’ve staved off natural death, I’ve also been lucky. One bad fight would still be enough to end my life.”

>“So…the way you’ve been healing your wounds this entire time…it wasn’t truly a Runesword you were using?”

“It’s called a Wind Sword. They’re native to Dagda. It can fire a near invisible blade of wind at your foe. I simply called it a Runesword to explain my healing capabilities to onlookers.”

>“Elizabeth said she thought she saw you activate your Crest once before, but that she wasn’t sure.”

“I’ve since learned to muddle that effect. It’s important to me that others never learn of my true nature. And when you’ve been around as long as I have, you pick up more than a few tricks. Particularly when your master was someone of as great skill as Chevalier. Perhaps I should share a few lessons with that bandit woman. The way she wields her Crest is certainly lacking.”

This was all a lot to take in. You didn’t believe Clay was lying to you, and it would certainly explain many of his peculiarities. If he were in fact telling the truth, there were an untold number of questions that you wanted to ask him.

>Choose 3

>A): Why did you choose to join the Blackwings instead of the Knights of Seiros?
>B): In all your travels, have you dealt with the Agarthans before?
>C): How did Chevalier grant you your Crest?
>D): What happened to your master?
>E): Why are you telling me all this now?
>F): What do you believe our best course of action is now?

>>5738237
>A): Why did you choose to join the Blackwings instead of the Knights of Seiros?
>D): What happened to your master?
>E): Why are you telling me all this now?
We don't really need to ask about how he got his crest, we know it's possible to transplant one with a blood transfusion and mumbo jumbo magicks so that's probably what happened. I'm most interested in knowing in why he picked us over the Church when he sees himself as a servant of the Godess that should smite evil forever. His opinion on how we should proceed isn't really needed either: We will kill the snakes, and Clay will probably come with us until that is done because that's what a hero would do.

>>5738237
Supporting >>5738247 , these are the most pressing things to ask this man. Also, dang, Clay probably knew Jeralt personally BEFORE he took an arrow for Rhea and got Crest'd. We need to have him talk to Byleth the next time we run into her, she could actually learn some stuff about her dad's childhood.

>>5738237
>>5738247
+1

>It's not a Runesword, but a Wind Sword
>He's just got stupidly high regeneration thanks to his Crest

Damn, not a dragon, but a human with what is essentially an immortality Crest? Super cool.

>>5738247
>>5738247
Backing this.

Wow okay, I had a feeling Clay had some secrets but finding out he's basically our own personal Jeralt is certainly a thing. Quite the asset for Blair to have in her pocket. Also as an aside nice RD reference with the Wind Sword, always wondered why later games didn't stick with FE10's decision to give swords a non-magical 1-2 range option like axes/lances do.

>>5738237
>>5738247
+1, the particulars of how he got his crest would be interesting but not all that relevant, and as >>5738278 pointed out whatever Clay thinks of our course of action or the slithers is irrelevant to Blair's crusade. I would be curious if he picked up on some slither info from Chevalier but I'm skeptical he's got much we don't already know from Anemone.

>>5738237
>A): Why did you choose to join the Blackwings instead of the Knights of Seiros?
>D): What happened to your master?
>F): What do you believe our best course of action is now?
He's telling us this now because it's the first time we talked personally lol

>>5738237
>A): Why did you choose to join the Blackwings instead of the Knights of Seiros?
>B): In all your travels, have you dealt with the Agarthans before?
>D): What happened to your master?

>>5738237
>A): Why did you choose to join the Blackwings instead of the Knights of Seiros?
>D): What happened to your master?
>F): What do you believe our best course of action is now?

>>5738231
>“Didn’t anyone ever teach you at that fancy school of yours that it’s rude to question someone’s age!”
Etiquette lessons were for nobles only so no.

>>5738237
>>B): In all your travels, have you dealt with the Agarthans before?
>C): How did Chevalier grant you your Crest?
>E): Why are you telling me all this now?
Huh, that was very interesting, for long we had theorized he was like a dragon but he was simply using his crest to stay young, neat.

>>5738237
>A): Why did you choose to join the Blackwings instead of the Knights of Seiros?
>B): In all your travels, have you dealt with the Agarthans before?
>D): What happened to your master?

>>5738237
>A): Why did you choose to join the Blackwings instead of the Knights of Seiros?
>D): What happened to your master?
>F): What do you believe our best course of action is now?

>>5738237
>A): Why did you choose to join the Blackwings instead of the Knights of Seiros?
>B): In all your travels, have you dealt with the Agarthans before?
>D): What happened to your master?

>>5738247
>>5738237
>>5738247
>>5738237
Support

And he did hand over his secrets huh. I really wanna know why he joined up - have a feeling that he was checking if the witch needed bringing to justice, that first meeting.

>>5738515
We've talked to him before, shortly after he joined I think. He just acted all coy and basically said to check back when you've upped the support rank more.

A, D, and E win. Writing

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>>5738237
>“I don’t understand why you’d choose the Blackwings over the Knights of Seiros.” You say to Clay. “Don’t get me wrong, I’m grateful that you ultimately decided to help us instead. But wouldn’t the Church treat you almost like royalty? The Four Apostles are incredibly important figures within its history. If they found out you bore the Crest of Chevalier, they’d have immediately promoted you to a position of importance. Especially given their current state.”

“That’s true. I certainly wouldn’t have to sell myself as a mercenary to make ends meet at the very least.” Clay says. “Chevalier is certainly a revered man in the Church of Seiros. But in actuality, he left the service of the Archbishop willingly. He believed that she’d begun to lose sight of her responsibilities to Fodlan and its people. After one particular incident, he and the other Apostles abandoned the monastery to pursue their own interests. Given that my master himself wanted to stay clear of the Church’s talons, I chose to do so myself as well. If I’d joined up with the Knights, any one of those Nabateans that remain would have sniffed me out in an instant, likely with a million questions. So, I decided to join up with a mercenary company I’d heard of that had seen successes against the Empire. Little did I know just what I’d really be getting myself into.”

>“You know about the Nabateans?” That was a surprise to you. Their existence was an even deeper secret than that of the Agarthans. Even Anemone only seemed to know a token amount of info about them.

“Only what my master shared with me.” Clay says. “The Archbishop is one such being, as is her closest attendant. They may frequently change their identities, but the positions have always been held by the same people since their inception.”

>“So Rhea…and likely Seteth are…” You recall what Anemone had told you only recently. Thanks to your brother, there were now two less Nabateans in the world.

“I wouldn’t go spreading that info around.” Clay cautions. “Though even if you did, it’s not as if anyone would believe you.”

>“I’m quite used to that already.” You say, irritated. “Whatever happened to your master anyway?”

“We travelled together for a long while, though in reality, it was only a brief moment in my lifespan. By the time I’d met him, he’d already seen much of the known world on his own. The last I’d heard, he went to live as a recluse, settling a small village in the eastern mountains of Leicester that eventually became known as Kupala. If he’s still alive or not though, I have no idea.”

>“You’ve lived quite an interesting life. Maybe more so than any other person alive or dead. Why tell me all this now after you’ve been here for so long?”

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>>5739712
“Well, I obviously can’t just go around shouting about my true nature, can I? Truth be told, I never had any intention of telling you. But…you’ve certainly made quite the lasting impression on me. To think that an ordinary human, and a non-Crest bearer at that too, could be such a thorn in the side of Shambhala…I find it inspiring. After everything that we’ve been through, I thought it was only right that I come clean and tell you the truth. At least before the end finally arrives”

>“What do you mean?”

“Can’t you tell? Things seem as though they will finally be coming to their conclusion. Neither the Empire nor the Knights of Seiros can continue this type of fighting for much longer. Once it’s all said and done, there will be nothing left stopping us from rooting out the Seven Sages. I believe of all the battles in my life that I’ve fought so far, the ones still to come in this conflict will be the most important yet. And I intend to see them through by your side, not the Church’s.”

>“I’m grateful to hear that, truly. Though I have to admit…of all the secrets I pictured you hiding, this was by far the one I expected the least.”

“Oh, like what?”

>“I thought perhaps…you were a Nabatean? Or a Nosferatu-wielding vampire like Morag said. Or maybe that you were even an Agarthan yourself?”

Clay blinks, utterly taken aback. “Blair…that’s utterly ridiculous.”

The next day, the Sreng army continues their march towards Garreg Mach. You ride at the front of the host, alongside Prince Leif and his “First Sword”, Cormac. By now, you stand to leave the ruined country of Faerghus behind and expect to arrive at Garreg Mach within the next two days. Your group continues to face no obstacles as you make your way south. The bulk of the Orthodox and Dukedom armies are likely already there waiting for you. As you near the border, a scout reports to you that there appears to be a blockade in the road. He says that a large group of peasants have gathered there and appear to be stuck. Leif suggests pushing through and not wasting any time on the rabble.

>A): Agree with Leif. You have to get to Garreg Mach as quickly as possible.
>B): Stop and inquire as to what is happening.

>>5739716
>B): Stop and inquire as to what is happening.
Well Leif, here's your first chance to prove to Byleth you're not just unwashed barbarians and you actually are a people worthy to live peacfully side-by-side with.

>>5739716
>B): Stop and inquire as to what is happening.
Hopefully this will be good for the Sreng PR campaign.

>>5739716
>Clay blinks, utterly taken aback. “Blair…that’s utterly ridiculous.”
Blair (and us) really went for the darkest deepest possible option for Clay when he simply had a Crest, but to be fair we didn't know Crest could do that so...

>>5739716
>B): Stop and inquire as to what is happening.
Best we not just plow through. These peasants might have news from the front, given the likelihood of their being refugees (or at least of there being refugees among them).

>>5739716
>>B): Stop and inquire as to what is happening.

>>5739716
>B): Stop and inquire as to what is happening.

Clay's cool. But I wonder if he'd give Blair his blood if it means saving her from fatal wounds...

>>5739716
>B): Stop and inquire as to what is happening.
There is the off chance that this might bite us in the ass later, but the potential reward is pretty good.

>>5739716
>>A): Agree with Leif. You have to get to Garreg Mach as quickly as possible.

>>5739716
>>B): Stop and inquire as to what is happening.

>>5739716
>B): Stop and inquire as to what is happening.

>>5739716
>>B): Stop and inquire as to what is happening.
The Agarthans do seem to be desperate in making sure that the attack is a success, so it wold be funny if they ended up waiting on us. If not, the Church can probably hold out while we get sidetracked.

>>5739716
>B): Stop and inquire as to what is happening.
Blair really picking up a side gig as the Sreng PR manager kek

Really curious if we would have missed Clay entirely if we were a jerk to that pickpocket kid. Also him failing at stealth when we were travelling to the village was 100% intentional huh

>>5739716
>B): Stop and inquire as to what is happening.

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>>5739716
>“Might I remind you that you’re trying to win the hearts and minds of a nation that you’ve been relentlessly pillaging for the last several years?” You say to Leif. “Perhaps now may be a good chance to show these folks the ‘kinder’ side of the Sreng people. Word of mouth travels fast around these parts after all.”

Prince Leif almost looks taken aback by your brazenness. “Might I remind you that it’s YOUR people at Garreg Mach that we’re going to aid, not mine. Bah! Fine, let’s just hurry up and find out what they want.”

The scout leads you and a small party ahead towards where at least two dozen peasants are milling about on the road. Alongside you are Prince Leif and Cormac; the latter looking rather bored. From the Blackwings, Corrine and Ashe accompany you. After a short trek, you find the blockade the scout had mentioned. A large wagon appears to be stuck in the middle of the road with one of its wheels missing. Some of the peasants look to be attempting to replace the damaged part, but to no avail. As you draw nearer, they spot you, terror filling their faces.

“The raiders! They’ve returned!” A woman shrieks. The peasants descend into an immediate panic. Some fall back, while others hold out faming equipment in a vain attempt to defend themselves.

>“We’re not raiders!” You shout, approaching with your arms out. Upon hearing the common tongue of Fodlan rather than Sreng, the peasants before you exchange confused glances. “We heard you were in trouble and wanted to see if there was anything we could do to assist?”

The person who appears to oversee this rabble, a middle-aged man with a sharp hoe in his hands, looks back at his friends for reassurance before turning towards you. “If you ain’t raiders…how come you’re with them?” He points an accusing finger towards Cormac, who has his arms crossed. The Swordmaster hasn’t even bothered to place a hand on his sword hilt, evidently feeling unthreatened by the scared mob.

>“These are good men, I promise you!” Your eyes drift to the broken wheel that the peasants had been tinkering with a moment ago. “Your wagon, the wheel is busted is it not? Please, allow us to fetch you a replacement. My comrades from Sreng have plenty that they can share with you.”

The man clenches his jaw, unsure of whether he should trust you or not. Feeling as though he is left with no other choice though, he reluctantly relents, and lowers his how towards the ground. “That would be kind of you, ma’am. If we can get that part, I promise you we’ll have this wagon fixed in no time and be out of your way before you can even blink.”

>“Hey, you.” You turn towards the Sreng scout, who looks taken aback, giving away that he understands you. “Fetch a spare wheel for our friends here please.”

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>>5740728
The scout looks towards Leif for approval, who only grunts and points a finger behind him. The scout then scurries off.

“Thank you, ma’am.” The man says as he watches the scout run away. “I won’t lie, I was mighty worried when I saw you and those uh…Sreng folk heading our way. But thank the Goddess you’ve come to our aid. I fear we might have had to leave this damn thing behind if you hadn’t shown up.”

>“The Goddess certainly provides. My name is Blair.” You say towards the mob’s leader, offering him a handshake. “I’m a mercenary headed south.”

“Lucas.” He says, meeting your hand with his own calloused and rough right.

>“It’s good to meet you, Lucas. May I inquire as to where you and your band are heading?”

“We’re pilgrims.” He says gruffly. “We were headed south on a religious mission. We were making mighty fine pace too until that damn wheel broke off. Was hoping we’d have gotten away before any, uhh… ‘northerners’ got wind of us. No offense of course to your friends. You seem like an upright, Goddess-fearing woman. If you say those folks are alright, I’ll trust you.”

>“Pilgrims heading south?” You ask, puzzled. “My friend, you may wish to reconsider this journey of yours. We’ve received word that Garreg Mach will soon be besieged by the Dukedom. Religious pilgrimage or not, it’s certainly no place you want to go to right now. Especially with your party of women and children.”

“Garreg Mach?” The man asks. You note in his voice that now he appears to be the one confused. “No offense, but have you been living under a rock or something? That place is a sinner's shrine. No, we’re headed to Zanado.”

Zanado, the Red Canyon. Your memories of that place come flooding back. It was where your first mission at Garreg Mach had taken place. Zanado was strictly off limits to all but the highest-ranking members of the Church of Seiros. Or…at least it used to be. With everything that had been going on, it seems the Knights no longer had the manpower to keep visitors away.

>“Ahh…you’re right, I must have…not heard?” You say, pretending to be embarrassed.

“The Patriarch has decreed that all able-bodied adherents of the Church must go on a pilgrimage to Zanado.” Lucas says. “We’re to await his arrival. It is there that he is to reveal the Goddess’ grand design to us all, and how we may avert her wrath when she returns to Fodlan.”

Shit. They’re religious pilgrims alright. Just adherents of the same religion that branded you a Witch and also advocates for your immediate execution. Members of the Orthodox Church. Just then, a small girl walks up and tugs at Lucas’ pants. Dirt-faced and thin, she couldn’t be any older than seven. She clutches a small doll in her other arm as she looks at you wide-eyed.

>A): Thank the man for the info, give him the wheel, and depart.
>B): Withhold the wheel from the pilgrims and push them aside.

>>5740738
>A): Thank the man for the info, give him the wheel, and depart.
Huh, interesting.

>>5740738
>A): Thank the man for the info, give him the wheel, and depart.
This might improve our reputation as well. Even if it doesn't, it's not as if peasants would be a major threat to us or Byleth. Ideally, we'll also be killing off Patriarch Bennett, so anyone going to Zanado would have wasted their time.

Interesting stuff. According to Yara's vision from a few threads ago...

>“A great beast stands before you. It bears seven ferocious, monstrous heads, though one lies to the side, dead. Four of the heads are staring in separate directions, their attention fixated on something. The remaining two stare directly at you though. They will devour you, if given the opportunity.”

The Seven Sages. We killed Diogenes, and will probably kill Odesse, which leaves one more Sage after our head after this. The other four are... supposedly preoccupied.

>“You stand before a great, mountainous castle. Its defenders hurtle insults at you from behind its walls, shocked and appalled by your actions. They know exactly who you are and will spare no expense to stop you from reaching the inside.”

Probably Rusalka? I imagine our home region would be loathe to accept a traitor back into their walls, but it could feasibly be any other Empire castle.

>“I see a large tower, overlooking a vast, red canyon. Pilgrims from all over Fodlan have flocked here for salvation. They beg at the feet of a false prophet, hoping to be saved from the end of the world. Instead, they will only fuel it.”

This is probably Zanado. I'm not too familiar with what's happening with that area in-game at around this time, but it's nothing good, I'm sure.

>>5740738
>A): Thank the man for the info, give him the wheel, and depart.
Thanks. Now let's move before they realize Blair's basically Public Enemy #1 to the Orthodox Church.

>>5740738
>>A): Thank the man for the info, give him the wheel, and depart.

>>5740738
>B): Withhold the wheel from the pilgrims and push them aside.
Change of mind
t. Witch

>>5740738
>>B): Withhold the wheel from the pilgrims and push them aside.
Uh, they're gonna die if they get to Zanado. Gonna get eaten up by a ritual or turned into Demonic Beasts or something.

>>5740738
>B): Withhold the wheel from the pilgrims and push them aside.
For their own good

>>5740738
>A): Thank the man for the info, give him the wheel, and depart.
I bet them going will ripple into us getting help somehow.

>>5740738
You really had to put a starving little girl in front of us to really make that B option a total dick move.
And it worked.
>A): Thank the man for the info, give him the wheel, and depart.

>>5741027
I smell a mass blood sacrifice

>>5740738
>B): Withhold the wheel from the pilgrims and push them aside.

>>5740738
>B): Withhold the wheel from the pilgrims and push them aside.
Won't exactly win any hearts and minds, but given what >>5741027 brought up I don't think helping these people get to Zanado sounds like a good idea.

>>5741399
In character it would just be us being a dick. That's all meta knowledge Blair doesn't know.
And it's not helping Sreng's appearance any, and we should at least try in that regard.

Besides I'm starting to be under the impression things might not go as expected with the demon beast transformation if we help them. Hell I almost expect these peasants to blab about it, giving us a better opportunity to surprise kill Odesse or have misinfo about us reach our enemies for a surprise attack.

>>5740738
>B): Withhold the wheel from the pilgrims and push them aside.

>>5740738
>A): Thank the man for the info, give him the wheel, and depart.
Don't wanna start a riot of anything

>>5740738
>A): Thank the man for the info, give him the wheel, and depart.
Let's not make a scene, alright?

A wins, writing.

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>>5740738
The Orthodox Church may have wanted you dead, but it was its leadership that had made that decree. As far as you saw it, these poor people had nothing to do with that decision and meant you no harm. And even if they did, it wasn’t as if they’d be able to act upon it. You flash the little girl a friendly smile, and she returns the gesture, showing you a row of bright teeth. The scout returns at that moment with the wheel you’d sent him to fetch and offers his assistance to the peasants in Lucas’ party.

“By the Goddess.” Lucas breathes a sigh of relief. “Thanks again, Blair. You have no idea how much this means to us. It’s important that we get to Zanado as quickly as we can. We’re the last ones from our village left. Everyone else has already gone on without us.”

>“I see. You’re expecting a big crowd there?”

“Course.” Lucas nods. “Everyone who’s a believer in the Goddess and hasn’t been taken in by the heretic Rhea’s lies is going to be there. I know you mentioned you were heading south for work but…perhaps you should abandon that, friend. The end is nigh, as they say. Best to get right with your soul now before the Goddess returns to Fodlan.”

>“Ahh…perhaps I’ll stop by after my spot of work is done. Now then, I should probably get going. Safe travels.”

“You as well, Blair. Go with her blessing.”

As you and your party make your way back to the main Sreng host, you can’t help but discuss the news Lucas just shared with you.

“Zanado, huh?” Corrine groans as she recollects the site of her first mission. “To think an entire host of pilgrims are on their way to that blasted shithole. Heh, if Archbishop Rhea were still around, she’d likely be beside herself with unbridled rage.”

>“No kidding. I always got the impression we were there to kill those bandits not because they were criminals, but because they were trespassing on sacred ground.”

“Nothing sacred about that place.” Corrine huffs. “It’s an arid dump with nothing but ruins.”

>“Perhaps…but something about this seems definitely off.”

“They’re to wait for the Patriarch’s arrival, are they? Well, they’ll be waiting for quite some time.” Leif says assuredly. “If he’s really at Garreg Mach assisting the siege, then there’s no way he’ll be leaving that place alive.”

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>>5741853
With the pilgrims’ wagon now repaired and the road clear, you and the rest of the army are once again able to resume your journey south. You ride at the front of the column alongside Ashe. You’ve noticed that your lover has hardly been himself lately. After it had been decided that you and the others would be marching to assist Garreg Mach, Ashe seemed to become a bit more closed off. He broached no objection to the decision and agreed to join in. But still, the usually jovial sniper seemed to be in a far less welcoming mood than normal.

>“Is everything okay?” You ask him from atop Beathan. Ever since he’d undergone the Ebon Wing ritual, most mundane animals seemed to feel a sense of dread when around him. Ashe had a way with horses though, and his own steed seemed to be able to stomach being around Beathan enough that the two of you could ride side by side.

“Well…I suppose it’s hard to be excited for this.” Ashe says after finally being prodded. “I told you back at the monastery that I did not wish to fight for the Knights of Seiros. I agreed I’d fight for you and the Blackwings, and I’m not going back on my word. If you’re going to sneak in there to try and assassinate this Sage, I’m going to make sure I’m there by your side. It’s just…I hate that Lonato’s killers stand to benefit from our aid.”

You notice a certain book of Ashe’s peeping out of his bag. It was Lonato’s diary. Or at least, that’s what he claimed it was. He’d told you it was given to him by a priest from the Western Church, right after the two of you slew Santiago. Though you’d never vocalized it aloud, the circumstances and convenience of it all seemed incredibly suspect. But what could you do? Ashe believed it. He said it contained things only Lonato would have known. If you pushed him too hard on it, he was likely to push back himself.

>A): I understand your concerns, Ashe. Don’t think of it as helping the Church of Seiros, but as stopping the Agarthans.
>B): Your objections are noted.
>C): Is this because of that book? How can you really be so sure it’s not a trick?
>D): Write-in

>>5741855
>A): I understand your concerns, Ashe. Don’t think of it as helping the Church of Seiros, but as stopping the Agarthans.

>>5741855
>A): I understand your concerns, Ashe. Don’t think of it as helping the Church of Seiros, but as stopping the Agarthans.

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Blair truly is leading her own Warband, huh?

Part of me is tempted to vote for C, to see if we can't nip this in the bud sooner rather than later, but I'll respect his wishes.

>>5741855
>A): I understand your concerns, Ashe. Don’t think of it as helping the Church of Seiros, but as stopping the Agarthans.

>>5741855
>A): I understand your concerns, Ashe. Don’t think of it as helping the Church of Seiros, but as stopping the Agarthans.

>>5741855
>A): I understand your concerns, Ashe. Don’t think of it as helping the Church of Seiros, but as stopping the Agarthans.

Blair just needs to wipe away Ashe's concerns with her body

>>5741855
Find somewhere unseen and kiss him until he shuts up. That's what he wants right.....?

>>5741855
>>A): I understand your concerns, Ashe. Don’t think of it as helping the Church of Seiros, but as stopping the Agarthans
Also let him take control tonight

>>5741855
>A): I understand your concerns, Ashe. Don’t think of it as helping the Church of Seiros, but as stopping the Agarthans.
>D) May I see Lonato's diary?

>>5741855
>>A): I understand your concerns, Ashe. Don’t think of it as helping the Church of Seiros, but as stopping the Agarthans

>>5741855
>C): Is this because of that book? How can you really be so sure it’s not a trick?
>D) May I see Lonato's diary?
>E) Kiss the doubting boy

>>5741855
>C): Is this because of that book? How can you really be so sure it’s not a trick?
A doesn't really answer his concerns though. Sure, Ashe may be 100% loyal to us, but we still don't want him to lose focus during battle.

A wins, writing.

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>>5741855
A part of you wanted to express your concern that Ashe may have been looking too closely into this diary he’d been “lucky” enough to receive. But you’ve seen first-hand how defensive he could get if its authenticity was questioned. Rather than pushing him away right before a critical moment, you thought it prudent to sympathize with his feelings.

>“I understand your concerns, Ashe. Don’t think of it as helping the Church of Seiros, but as stopping the Agarthans. That’s always been our goal from the start.”

Ashe mulls over your words for a few silent moments. “I suppose you’re right. I’ll…try to think of it that way.” He sighs. “I’ve seen what those monsters are capable of when left to their own devices. The Church may be bad, but the Agarthans are even worse.”

You get the feeling Ashe is hardly convinced with his own words. You wanted to get to the bottom of this diary one day and find out the truth of the matter. There was a possible chance that if you emerged victorious in the battle ahead, someone at Garreg Mach might be amenable enough to confirm the veracity of its claims that Archbishop Rhea framed Lonato’s son. But for now, the investigation would have to wait until after the siege was lifted.

The Sreng army continues to make good pace towards Garreg Mach. As you draw closer, you’re able to make out the tell-tale signs of another army having just passed through the area. The ground beneath you has already been trampled by thousands of boots, with their prints still evident in the mud. You’re able to make out the faint scent of smoke somewhere in the far-off distance. After several miles of this, you and the others find yourself only a few hours away from your destination. You’re set to arrive at Garreg Mach that day, but before you do, Prince Leif calls together a war council to discuss the strategy you wish to employ. Together with some of your officers, you meet with the Sreng leader in a makeshift tent.

“Ingrid has returned from scouting duty.” Corrine reports to you.

>“How is she faring?”

“Better. Looks like all she needed to get out of her slump was to get her ass back to work.”

As if on cue, the noble pegasus knight walks into the tent and gives you a curt salute. You find the expression entirely unnecessary but say nothing as she begins reporting her findings.

“The siege has already started.” Ingrid says. “Our estimation of their numbers seems to be fairly accurate. I’d say they have roughly somewhere in the range of 2500-3000 soldiers surrounding the monastery. They currently have siege equipment deployed and are hammering the walls. So far though, they still appear to be standing. I didn’t see any Demonic Beasts as well.”

“You went unnoticed?” Leif asks, an eyebrow raised.

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>>5742603
Ingrid nods. “The enemy army appears to be…disorganized. I don’t know of the specifics, but they appear to have somehow already sustained some casualties.”

>“How could that be?” You ask. Now it was your turn to raise your eyebrows.

“I believe General Leopold must have somehow caught them off-guard as they were setting up their camps.” Ingrid says. “Their infirmary appears to be far too active and full for a siege that has just started.”

“What a crazy bastard.” Corrine whistles. “You say the walls are still standing?”

Ingrid nods. “I didn’t find any Knights of Seiros outside them either. It looks as though they’re all holed up inside.”

>“And the enemy commanders? Any sign of them?”

“There’s an old man on the frontlines that everyone seems to be getting their orders from.” Ingrid reports. “As for the Patriarch, I’ve seen no sign of him. There’s a massive tent within the camp that bears the insignia of the Church. It’s closed off and is heavily guarded. If he’s anywhere, I’d imagine it’s there.”

“You mentioned wishing to employ subtlety here.” Leif says. “It was that old man that we were supposed to report to. This ‘Montgomery’ fellow. As far as he knows, that should still be the case, and he should be expecting us to arrive any minute now. There’s a few ways we can go about doing this. For starters, we’ll pick a party composed of both our elite. We’ll request a private meeting with Montgomery to go over strategy. Once he’s isolated, we’ll spring our trap. We’ll get the jump on him and take him out. After which, we can use some sort of signal to alert the rest of the Sreng army to attack.”

“We can use your Bolting.” Corrine says to you. “It’s loud and big enough to alert the entire battlefield. Our folks will be sure to notice it and come rushing in.”

>“Sounds risky. I’m worried we’ll have a lot of heat on us once we attack Montgomery.”

“That’s why we’ll take it to that large tent that Ingrid saw.” Leif says. “We can deal with him and Bennett in one go. We’ll just need to make it quick is all. Only bring our best killers to ensure the job is done as fast and painless as possible before anyone outside is alerted. We kill the two of them before anyone notices, and then use your Bolting to bring the rest of the army crashing down. Without any leadership, the enemy army will be cut down in short notice.”

>“So…are me and my men to disguise ourselves as Sreng warriors?”

“We can certainly do that.” Leif smirks. “Or perhaps you should play the part of our prisoners? I’ve learned the Patriarch holds you in some regard. It sounds like they can’t wait to get their hands on you.”

>A): We’ll disguise ourselves as Sreng bodyguards.
>B): We’ll go with the prisoner idea.
>C): I’ve changed my mind. Forget subtlety, let’s just run the bastards down.

>>5742605
>C): I’ve changed my mind. Forget subtlety, let’s just run the bastards down.
So they're disorganized and active? Interesting.

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>>5742605
>B): We'll go with the prisoner idea.
I know some folks wanted to see Blair in Sreng getup, but this is the bait the enemy is more likely to take.

>>5742605
>A): We’ll disguise ourselves as Sreng bodyguards.
I don't trust the prisoner idea, I just feel it might go bad.

>>5742605
>>A): We’ll disguise ourselves as Sreng bodyguards.
Prisoners can easily go wrong

Tough one. On one hand, disguising as Sreng Raiders might make us look a little strange, but on the other, pretending to have been captured lets us get much closer, but might tip Odesse off. There is also the chance that the pilgrims we had a while ago had alerted him to it, but we made it here before they did, so that's unlikely.

Of course, if Anemone's warning last thread was correct, then it's entirely possible that they're already aware that Maeve is dead and that we've subverted the Sreng, and if that's the case, it's better if we instead discard everything and go for a surprise attack. In turn, however, it's quite likely that Odesse will escape once the fight starts going south for him.

>>5742605
>A): We’ll disguise ourselves as Sreng bodyguards.

I doubt Odesse keeps track of every Sreng henchman around, but with Maeve dead, it's not like he can keep informed on that front anyway. Also we get to see Leif, Cormac, the Blackwings, and perhaps even Leopold react to Blair in Sreng attire and I think that'd be really funny.

>>5742605
>B): We’ll go with the prisoner idea.

>>5742605
>A): We’ll disguise ourselves as Sreng bodyguards.

>>5742605
>B): We'll go with the prisoner idea.

I want Ashe to tie up Blair

>>5742605
>A): We’ll disguise ourselves as Sreng bodyguards.

>>5742605
>B): We’ll go with the prisoner idea.
Purely because this might lure out the Patriarch too. Plus it might justify any inconsistencies in Sreng's story AND helps explain away why Maeve isn't around (Blair killed her and then got captured, weaken after Gronder)

>>5742605
>B): We’ll go with the prisoner idea.
Most likely to succeed since I don't know how many of our crew could pass for Sreng under scrutiny even when dressed up. If Blair is dragged in to their camp in chains all the attention will be on her and not on the entourage, plus it's likely we get both the Patriarch and the Slitherer in to the same tent easier if we use ourselves as bait. Better make sure we're a bit roughed up too to sell the lie that we were captured, a black eye or a broken nose with some bruises ought to do.

>>5742605
>B): We’ll go with the prisoner idea.
This would potentially draw out Bennett, and it'd be better if we kill both him and Odesse now. No demonic beasts is suspicious when it doesn't seem like the battle isn't going well for them, but Odesse is an Agarthan. He might just be taking his time since it's not like he's going to care about his soldiers dying.

>>5742605
>>B): We’ll go with the prisoner idea.
Tie her up, Ashe!

>>5742605
>A): We’ll disguise ourselves as Sreng bodyguards.

>>5742605
>A): We’ll disguise ourselves as Sreng bodyguards.
Have a bad feeling about B. So many bad things can happen, like being betrayed when we are completely helpless....

Hmm, definitely tricky. A is funny but I doubt many of the Blackwings could feasibly pass as Sreng, and even in disguise there's the possibility Blair is recognized and the kill team has to fight their way out surrounded by hostiles. B is the best plan on paper since Blair in chains would be the tastiest bait for the sage, but we're *really* trusting Leif is fully in our camp because he could easily just double cross her once she's clapped in irons. C meanwhile almost certainly wins the battle given the enemy is already weakened - doubly so if we could get Ingrid into the Monastery to tell the Knights and have them sally forth in a pincer. But I have to imagine it would mean our primary marks would both have a good chance of slipping away in the confusion.

>>5742605
>A): We’ll disguise ourselves as Sreng bodyguards.

It's not the best plan but maybe with their army already in distress our marks will be more amenable to getting the Sreng in the field ASAP and will let their guard down in agreeing to a meeting. Ultimately I do think I'd trust Leif wouldn't backstab us in the prisoner plan, but I don't even want a situation where he could be tempted to do so.

>>5742605
>B): We’ll go with the prisoner idea.

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Tie between A and B. Next vote wins

>>5743528
It seems everyone already voted so (You) should probably just roll a d2 before someone decides to samefag.

Rolled 1 (1d2)

Sure we'll do it this way for once. 1 is A, 2 is B.

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>>5742605
While the idea of disguising yourselves as prisoners certainly had its merits, it wasn’t without its downfalls as well. For starters, you’d likely be deprived of your weapons once in the enemy camp. And while Leif had been courteous and willing to work with you so far, you didn’t like the prospect of risking everything on him honoring your agreement. Particularly if things went south. Disguising yourselves and obscuring your faces seemed the best bet. The less notice Odesse had that you were present in his camp, the better.

>“We’ll stick with the bodyguard idea. Do you have spare uniforms for myself and my men?”

Leif nods. “We mostly stick to leather and furs, but we do have some plate armor as well. Contrary to popular belief, we aren’t primitive savages. We can supply you and your men with quality armor that would make even Zoltan blush.”

You’d heard the name Zoltan before. He was perhaps the most famous figure from Sreng. Known as a legendary blacksmith, he’d forged a number of powerful blades in his day. Genuine Zoltan blades went for a fortune on the market. If Leif had quality armor like that to spare, it would at least put you a little more at ease that he wouldn’t be turning traitor on you at the last minute.

>“Sounds good. Now then, as for the matter of assembling our team…”

“Eight of us, including yourself and I should do.” Leif says. “Anymore and I fear we run the risk of alerting Montgomery. Joining us will be Cormac. As for the other two on my side, one is another skilled Swordmaster, while the other will be someone capable of healing our wounds. Any one of them would be more than capable of striking down any bastards they throw at us.”

>“So that leaves me with three options on my end.”

“Two. I’m going with you, Blair.” Ashe says resolutely. “I’m not just going to let you walk into that tent without making sure you’re coming out safely. I’ll put an arrow in-between the Patriarch’s eyes, I promise.”

“This won’t be a picnic, Blair.” Leif says, studying Ashe closely. If he has any opinion on the sniper, he keeps it to himself. “It’s possible that even with the element of surprise, we can expect a hard-fought battle. That’s to say nothing of the swarm of enemies that will converge on our position once you fire off that Bolting spell to alert the others. Pick your best men. Ones that are both strong enough to deal as much damage as possible, while surviving the defensive position we’ll need to take.”

“Subtlety is important as well.” Corrine adds. “Odesse will sniff out Anemone in a heartbeat. And naturally, Miss Crest-bearing Heroes Relic here is also out of the picture.” Corrine gestures towards Ingrid, who can only shrug her shoulders in defeat.

>A): Choose two Blackwings to accompany you.

>>5743752
>Clay
Number #1 pick, man dual attacks all the time and is self-sustaining which means one less person the healer needs to focus on.

I assume Sebastian is still incapacitated? Otherwise he'd be my second pick since we don't seem to get a tank from Leif. I'll pur forth
>Uriel
as the second choice because I am paranoid over Dark Slitherer Mages. Corrine is a good second choice.

>>5743752
Seconding >>5743769, Clay and Uriel unless Sebastian is 100% in which case Clay and Sebastian.

>>5743752
>clay and uriel

Huh. It's been a while since we've been deadlocked on a vote. I personally would've been fine either way, but pointing out that we would've walked in there bound, with no weapons certainly makes me a bit nervous.

>>5743752
>Clay
>Sebastian

I'm pretty sure Sebastian's at full capacity now. And Clay's a no-brainer, of course.

>>5743752
>Clay
Yeah he's self sustaining and can always double.
>Uriel
He's packing mend so there's some extra healing in case the Sreng healer goes down, has blessed lance so he's self sustaining, can target both Res and Def, and that +demonic beast, +dark mage damage is always going to be helpful against slithers.

I really do not like sending Seb and his mighty 7 Res into a defensive bout with snakes. One good spell with tear him apart if great shield doesn't proc. Corrine is also a very good alternative for Uriel

Quick question Tree if you're about - will anyone recognise Blair and Uriel's blessed Lances?

>>5743752
>Clay
>Sebastian

>>5743752
>Clay and Sebastian
Like Leif said, we'll need a strong tank to deal with the Orthodox Church after killing off one of their leaders and sending a Bolting to the other. We just have to kill Odesse immediately to prevent any demonic beast shenanigans.

>>5743752
>Clay and Uriel

>>5743752
>Clay
>Corrine

>>5743752
>Clay
>Sebastian

>>5743752
>Clay
>Uriel

>>5743752
>Clay
As others have said, he's self-sustaining. Plus, he's just told us he's 100% on board with our snake-hunting mission.

>Uriel
Sebastian is a great guy, but as others have said, we need someone with RES so our tank doesn't get Dark Spikes'd or Mire'd into oblivion.

>>5743752
>Clay
>Uriel

Man I hope Ashe doesn't take it personally, we really don't need a sniper in close combat

>>5744134
Isn't Ashe going with us in this one?
>“So that leaves me with three options on my end.”
>“Two. I’m going with you, Blair.” Ashe says resolutely. “I’m not just going to let you walk into that tent without making sure you’re coming out safely. I’ll put an arrow in-between the Patriarch’s eyes, I promise.”

>>5744179
Whoops, I misread, thanks

>>5744228
Yeah, he's the one who will help us dress in the Sreng "armor"

Looks like Clay and Uriel are the two choices. Writing.

>>5743810
They would look like ordinary lances to the untrained eye until near the presence of a Demonic Beast.

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>>5743752
You recall your battles with Sages thus far. Solon and Diogenes were powerful foes that required the aid of multiple skilled fighters just to match. When it came to selecting the Blackwings you wished to bring to the fight against Odesse, you already had a good idea of whom. Clay’s Crest should prove to be a great boon, particularly now that you know about the mercenary’s impressive ability to self-sustain himself. Uriel, meanwhile, not only brought with him his own healing capabilities, but also his advantage against dark mages. So far, the Sages seemed to dabble in that sort of craft, and from what you’d seen of Odesse already, he’d likely be no different.

>“I’ll bring Clay and Uriel. With Ashe, that makes four.” You turn towards Corrine. “Can I trust on you to lead the Blackwings out there once the battle starts?”

Your sister shrugs her shoulders nonchalantly. “Of course. You usually do anyway.”

>“Ingrid.” You address the noble. “I’d like to request that you attempt to make contact with Leopold and the Knights of Seiros. Don’t risk your life unnecessarily though. Once you see an opening to safely land over the walls, take it. They should hopefully notice you wielding Luin and recognize that you aren’t their enemy.”

Ingrid nods in approval. “Of course. The Orthodox soldiers look sloppy. They won’t catch me. I’ll inform General Leopold that Sreng has come to their aid.”

“Once the signal is set, our army will launch their attack upon the enemy forces.” Leif says. “We’ll be targeting their siege equipment first to give the Knights some breathing room. After which, we’ll swing through their camps and put them all to the sword. If all goes well, they won’t know what hit them.”

>“Very good. Well then, let’s get to it. Battle awaits.”

Before you leave the tent, you are given the Sreng armor you are to wear, as well as a set of instructions for the operation. Notably, you won’t have access to Beathan while in the camp, meaning you may only bring one weapon with you. Returning to your own quarters, you begin the task of dressing the part. As Leif said, Sreng does have access to decent armor. But as you begin putting on the skimpy leggings, you wonder how this is supposed to protect anyone. The legwear is far too tight and revealing, and the “feathers” for your shoulders seem completely unnecessary. By the time you’re done dressing yourself, you feel as though you resemble a street performer more than a prince’s honor guard.

>“How embarrassing…” You mutter as you put on the helmet that obscures the top half of your face, and hopefully your identity as well.

>A): Bring Gungnir. You just received the spear, and wish to break it in.
>B): Bring the Blessed Lance. Just because Ingrid saw no Demonic Beasts doesn’t mean they aren’t there.

>>5744295
>A): Bring Gungnir. You just received the spear, and wish to break it in.

Balwisyall nescell Gungnir tron, people. Other benefits include:
>We promised Eulalia we'd kill Odesse with this specific spear
>The Agarthans either don't know we have it or don't know we got it fixed, and aren't prepared for us to use it
>Odesse probably won't unleash Demonic Beasts in his own camp while he's still in it, so we don't have to worry about them until either we've killed him or he's gotten away

>>5744295
>>A): Bring Gungnir. You just received the spear, and wish to break it in.

>>5744295
>A): Bring Gungnir. You just received the spear, and wish to break it in.

>Blair's rocking the Red Mage colors

I half-expected Green Mage or Blue Mage, but this works too. That probably means Clay's is Sword Fighter, Ashe is Generic Archer, and Uriel is Lance Cavalier.

Personally, I'm surprised Blair's so embarrassed about her attire, considering her typical female anime protagonist garb, but I suppose the addition of absolute territory will do that to anyone.

On an unrelated note, I noticed something interesting in the archives.

>“I learned the truth.” Ashe says. He reaches into his coat, and produces what looks like a worn, weathered book. “Do you remember our battle against Bishop Santiago? From the Western Church? After we killed him, I thought that was the end of it. That I’d killed the man who’d manipulated Lonato into rebelling against the Church. But as the battle was ending, one of his aides approached me. He told me he’d heard what I said about wishing to avenge Lonato, and he handed over this book. It was Lord Lonato’s diary. The man said he’d managed to retrieve it after Lonato’s death.”

>“A man from the Western Church gave you this? Who was he?”

>Ashe shakes his head. “I don’t know. He was an older man. He wore a cowl over his head, but I could see a white mustache and small eyes. I’d never met him before, and he disappeared before I could ask any more questions. But I’m certain it’s Lonato’s. It makes mention of me and my siblings. And the final entries written inside…they say that Lonato had found undeniable proof that Archbishop Rhea had evidence fabricated in order to condemn his son to death.”

>a white mustache and small eyes

It would seem that the one who gave Ashe the journal was probably Odesse, in the form of Father Montgomery (the old man actually leading the Orthodox Church). OOC, this would explain why Ashe brought up his distaste of the Church and the book again, as well as why he's coming with us. In more ways than one, this is his arc, too. Hopefully he gets to recognize Montgomery before he switches into his true form, if only so that we can get an opportunity to try and refute the book's writings.

>>5744295
>A): Bring Gungnir. You just received the spear, and wish to break it in.

I doubt they'll realize that it's an Almyran Lance at first blush, and even if they do, it's still easier to convince them that we pilfered it from somewhere than to be rocking a Blessed Lance. Of course, Uriel's got one too, but hey.

>>5744295
>A): Bring Gungnir. You just received the spear, and wish to break it in.

>>5744295
>A): Bring Gungnir. You just received the spear, and wish to break it in.

>>5744295
>A): Bring Gungnir. You just received the spear, and wish to break it in.

Keep the outfit for Ashe later

>>5744295
>>A): Bring Gungnir. You just received the spear, and wish to break it in.

>>5744295
>A): Bring Gungnir. You just received the spear, and wish to break it in.
Bet Ashe loves the dress tho

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>>5744295

You hardly need to think about it. You promised Eulalia you’d pierce Gungnir through Odesse’s heart, and you had no intention of breaking that vow. You grab the newly forged spear, place it on your back, and head out to meet up with Leif and the others. While you swear you hear a few snickers from your men as you walk through the camp, they’re likely just a figment of your imagination.

“Blair!” Leif calls out enthusiastically. “That armor suits you! I daresay you’re the spitting image of a great Sreng warrior.”

>“Save the flattery. I look ridiculous and I know it. Are these the two bodyguards you’d mentioned?” You address the two unknown figures before you that are standing close to the prince. One is a mild looking, but otherwise pretty redhead, while the other is a rugged-looking blonde man with a mean scowl and several notches on his belt. A large sword is strapped to his back, and the look he gives you hardly serves to put you at ease.

“H-hi! Pleased to meet you.” The redhead says, bowing before your presence. It seems that like a few of her allies that you’ve encountered thus far, she can speak your language fluently. “I’m Kayla. If you get hurt out there, just come find me! I promise I’ll take care of all your wounds. If I don’t live up to your expectations, you can take it out on me however you like! I don’t mind!” You notice a faint blush creeping up the Sreng cleric’s cheeks. You’re not sure why, but you feel a sense of unease around her.

>“Right…I’m…sure that won’t be necessary…

“I ngach áit a théann mé, ní mór dom a ghearradh.” The blonde man says abruptly. Unfortunately, since Ronan is not here, you’re unable to get a translation for whatever he just said.

“This is Seamus.” Leif intervenes on the swordsman’s behalf. “If it weren’t for Cormac, he’d be our First Blade. He’s a peerless swordsman all his own. He was to be our fifth champion during the Cúig Triail, though it proved to be unnecessary. You’ll find that both of them will be more than adequate at holding their own.”

>“I’m sure I won’t be disappointed. And what about you? Will you be okay during the fighting?”

Something mischievous flashes in Leif’s eyes for just a moment. “Rest assured, though they may be my bodyguards, I’m hardly a pampered pup in need of protection. Once the fighting breaks out, you’ll see for yourself what the prince of Sreng is capable of.”

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>>5745365
>You nod. “I look forward to it.” You turn your attention towards Cormac. The First Blade of Sreng looks as alert as you’d seen him in days. Mercurius is at his side, his hand directly on the hilt. Though he says nothing, you can practically feel the waves of violence radiating off the man. Of all the allies you’ll be bringing with you to slay Odesse, he’s the one you’re most grateful will be at your side.

Finally, you look towards your own men, who have assembled here with you as well.

“Blair! You look great.” Ashe says. While the Sniper is in his own Sreng getup, you find it looks far less ridiculous than your own. “I don’t think it’s ridiculous at all. It actually looks really nice.”

“You think they’ll let us keep these things?” Clay says as he begins admiring his own armor. “I kind of like it. It’s a lot more breathable than what I usually wear.”

“Focus, please.” Uriel says, clad in what passes for Sreng’s version of plate armor. “Try to contain your excitement, lest you blow our cover immediately.”

With the plan set and the orders distributed amongst the army, the time to move out is now. You and the others take your place at the front of the army, inching closer towards the Orthodox and Dukedom camp. As you draw near, the familiar sounds of battle assail you. You can more clearly make out the sounds of the enemy’s trebuchets firing upon the walls of Garreg Mach, and you even draw close enough to see a volley of arrows fired towards its defenders. After you reach a certain distance, you stop. A group of outriders stands directly in your path. Judging by their armor, you’re able to pin them down as cavaliers belonging to the Orthodox Church. They are likely scouts, sent to patrol the perimeter of the camp in the event of any outsiders wandering in. Most notably, you find that they don’t seem too surprised to find an entire army marching towards their backside. This puts you at just a bit of ease. They know that Sreng was to link up with them, and they likely believe you to still be their allies.

“Looks like they’ve been expecting us.” Clay mutters under his breath.

Leif withdraws a small white flag from the satchel attached to his horse. He looks towards you expectantly. “They’re waiting for one of us to go over there and introduce ourselves. It would hardly be fitting for Sreng’s own prince to do so on his own. Would you care to do the honors, Blair?”

>A): Accept the flag and introduce yourself to the Orthodox scouts.
>B): Delegate the task to one of your subordinates (Who?)

>>5745366
>A): Accept the flag and introduce yourself to the Orthodox scouts.
They'd too easily recognize Ashe, there's a chance Clay is even more famous than us, and I don't recall Uriel's exact denomination but IIRC he's not Orthodox so if they say something heretical enough to set him off, the plan is a bust.

Also, Kayla's a masochist, isn't she?

>B): Delegate the task to one of your subordinates (Who?)
>Clay

I think it would be odd if whoever went over had no hint of a Sreng accent. Clay would probably be the best, he's hardly famous and he has the means to fake his culture. I say he's hardly famous as Blair didn't recognize him whatsoever, nor did any other mercenary in the Blackwings. Furthermore, IIRC he purposefully keeps a low profile due to his crest. Really, if there were rumors of an immortal warrior adventuring about, I'm sure we would have heard of Clay by now. Also, odds are these are just nameless cavaliers, unless there's a snake hiding in there who can somehow sense crests or something.

>>5745366
>B): Delegate the task to one of your subordinates (Who?)
clay

>You’re not sure why, but you feel a sense of unease around her.

Ominous. Not sure if Blair's aversion here comes from the fact that the woman's probably a huge M (and even possibly an S?), or because of something else. I do wonder if Kayla is Corrine's type though-- I know Blair and Lysithea were people she's into.

And oh hey, the first bit of Sreng we've seen since the start of the thread. Let's see here...

>“I ngach áit a théann mé, ní mór dom a ghearradh."
“Everywhere I go, I have to cut."

Seamus is an edgy lad, I see. I suppose that comes with the territory of being a swordmaster, though.

>>5745366
>A): Accept the flag and introduce yourself to the Orthodox scouts.

Personally, I think it'll be fine either way, but it might be funny. #1 fan, eh? Our fluency in whatever passes for common tongue here just shows the depths Prince Leif has.

>>5745366
>B): Delegate the task to one of your subordinates (Who?)
>Clay

Probably our best chance for somebody actually managing to pass as Sreng if Leif isn't interested in doing it himself.

>>5745366
>B): Delegate the task to one of your subordinates (Who?)
>Clay
Blair the Witch is public enemy #1 among the church, and she's now dressed as someone who obviously uses magic. Better not give anyone the chance to put two and two together and send Clay, who can more easily pass for Sreng if the scouts get suspicious or demand him speak the language to prove himself.

>>5745366
>B): Delegate the task to one of your subordinates (Who?)
>Clay

>>5745366
>>B): Delegate the task to one of your subordinates (Who?)
>>Clay

>>5745366
>B): Delegate the task to one of your subordinates (Who?)
>Uriel

>>5745366
>>B): Delegate the task to one of your subordinates (Who?)
>>Clay

>>5745368
Hi, I just got back and realized >>5745381 has the right of it actually so uhhh

>B): Delegate the task to one of your subordinates (Clay)
I'm not sure why I thought Clay would be super recognizable?

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>>5745366
There’s no question that both the Dukedom and the Orthodox Church know who you are. If you blew your cover too quickly, then all this planning would be for naught. Instead, you defer to Clay here. He was undisputedly a master of disguise, having assumed multiple identities throughout the hundreds of years he’d been alive. If anyone could convince a couple of on-edge scouts of anything, it would be him. You hand the white flag to Clay.

“Leave it to me.” The mercenary says confidently as he saunters forward.

You are too far to make out the conversation between Clay and the Orthodox scouts, who surround the mercenary in a circle. Several seconds pass as they exchange words. The men look on edge at first, hands at the hilt of their blades. Soon after though, they seem to ease up, and you’re shocked to see the group even share a laugh together.

“You certainly keep some eccentric company, Blair.” Leif mutters.

>You take a moment to observe the prince’s own comrades. “You’re one to talk…”

“We’re free to join up with their army.” Clay says upon his return. “Ingrid’s initial report was right it seems. Just as their army pulled up to Garreg Mach, they were caught by General Leopold’s men in a surprise attack. The madman led a calvary charge right out of the gate and wreaked havoc upon their camp, before disappearing back behind the gates. Morale has been low, but they seem to be glad to see us. Now that we’re here, they think the battle should go smoothly for them.”

“How wrong they are.” Leif says. “Let’s go.”

Having had your identities cleared, the scouts lead Leif and your group towards their camp. You do your best to look the part of a bodyguard, trying to bring no attention to yourself as you focus straight ahead. True to Ingrid’s words though, you can’t help but sense the feeling of disarray that is present amongst the enemy. Dozens of soldiers are running all around you in a frenzy. Several wounded are being taken away from the frontline and towards the back. The siege equipment has grown louder now that you’re this close, but you’re able to make out some of the soldier’s yelling.

“Get those wounded out of the way! Move it!”

“Damn it, I can’t find the hammers! Did we lose them during the calvary charge?”

“Get those men in position! The eastern wall should fall any minute now!”

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>>5746214
The Orthodox scout leads you on a winding path through their camp. You recognize it as the small village that used to be on the outskirts of Garreg Mach’s walls. It had been long abandoned ever since the Empire had first sacked this place. Many of the houses and dwellings that used to be here had been burned out or picked apart by thieves. Still, there was one building that happened to look as though it were still habitable. That was the shop that used to pass as the village’s smithy. You’d purchased your first set of weapons from there in the past. Now though, it seemed to be serving as a forward command base for the Orthodox Army. It was here where Montgomery was holed up. You estimate roughly 50 guards of various classes surrounding it.

“Wait here.” The scout says. “I’ll go and alert the commander of your arrival.”

“These idiots barely have it together.” Leif mutters under his breath now that you’ve been left to yourselves. “Is this what we were supposed to come reinforce? They’re hopeless.”

>“Neither them nor the Dukedom have accomplished anything of note throughout this war.” You respond. “All they’ve done is push around the remnants of the Faerghus Kingdom and abuse its people. They can hardly be called a powerful army by any stretch of the imagination. Even this battle which should have gone in their favor is already starting to fall apart.”

Just then, a figure emerges from the smithy. An old man, flanked on each side by several armed soldiers stares in your direction. He is dressed in the garb of a cleric and walks with a slight hunch. By the wide berth and reverence the other soldiers give him, you take it that this elder must be the commander of the army, Montgomery.

“No wonder they’re getting their ass kicked…” Leif says. “That guy’s got to be 100 years old.”

He certainly lacked an imposing figure, that much was certain. Could this really be the form that Odesse had taken? You couldn’t afford to underestimate him. Just then, you hear a gasp from your right. Even with much of his face obscured, Ashe seems almost taken aback. Did he recognize this man? You aren’t afforded an opportunity to ask him, as Montgomery and his men make their way towards you.

“You’re late, raider.” The elder says. Though his voice is soft, you can sense the faintest hint of an edge to it.

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>>5746215
“You’re lucky I showed up at all, old man.” Leif says. “It looks as though you need all the help you can get.”

“I have little patience for games, raider.” Montgomery says. “As we speak, the eastern wall of the monastery will soon fall. I need your men to take position at the front. Once the wall falls, you are to rush forward and put everyone that you find inside to the sword.”

“Hold on. Before that there’s something I wish to discu-“

“Where Is your Oracle?” Montgomery interrupts Leif, scanning his eyes over you and the others. “Lady Cornelia informed me that I would be dealing with her. Where is she?”

“She didn’t make it through the trip.” Leif says through gritted teeth. “Unfortunate accident, really. Some people just aren’t suited for long distance travel. Least of all frail little clerics.”

Montgomery says nothing. His beady little eyes give you a sense of unease as they continue gazing over you and the others. Finally, though, he turns his back on you. “We have nothing to discuss, raider. Get into position and get to fighting.”

“Hey, wait! I said-“

“I said I have nothing further to say to you, Prince of Raiders. If you wish to discuss the terms of your assistance, then pester the Patriarch with such frivolous matters. I on the other hand, have a battle to win. And when that wall falls, your people had better be at the front.” The priest once more turns his back on Leif and makes to head back into the smithy.

Leif looks both perplexed and angry at the rudeness the elder shows him. He stands there almost in awe, seemingly unsure of what to do next.

>A): Prod Leif to continue trying to get close to Montgomery.
>B): Montgomery suggested you pester the Patriarch. Perhaps that’s just what you’ll do.
>C): If that wall falls before you’re ready, it’ll be trouble. Find a safe spot to hold up in

>>5746216
>B): Montgomery suggested you pester the Patriarch. Perhaps that’s just what you’ll do.
I'm honestly a bit torn between A and B but I see killing the Patriarch as a higher priority from what we know at least.

>>5746216
>B): Montgomery suggested you pester the Patriarch. Perhaps that’s just what you’ll do.

Ah, I suppose this is where being a prisoner would've played to our favor, huh? It'd be riskier, certainly, but it'd 100% goad Odesse into leaving this frontline command position, especially if we were to talk trash about killing Maeve.

Well, what's done is done. The dice have decided on this because of the tiebreaker, so we'll just have to make do.

>>5746216

>B): Montgomery suggested you pester the Patriarch. Perhaps that’s just what you’ll do.

As tempting as it is to go with A to force a fight with Odesse now, the plan might fall apart if we try and attempt an assassination right in the open. There's eight of us and fifty of them here in this area alone, potentially including the Sage... skilled as we are, and unskilled as the grunts are... I don't think it's wise to try it.

On the other hand, though, if we attempt an assassination on the Patriarch, there's nonzero chance that Odesse will attempt to escape instead of moving to back up the Patriarch, which is... problematic. We want to kill the Sage with Gungnir if we can help it, after all.

Which leaves C? But that just puts us and our men on the frontline instead of the back. Good if we decide to pivot last-second into rushing down their disorganized army alongside the Knights of Seiros, but... not so much for an assassination.

>>5746216
>B): Montgomery suggested you pester the Patriarch. Perhaps that’s just what you’ll do.
The last thing we want to do is to have him hole up too.

>>5746216
>C): If that wall falls before you’re ready, it’ll be trouble. Find a safe spot to hold up in

>>5746216
>B): Montgomery suggested you pester the Patriarch. Perhaps that’s just what you’ll do.
Killing Odesse would be much better as he's the bigger threat, but we'd then need to hold out until our men arrive. Leif should have enough leverage to force him to hold a meeting, but luring him to a better spot for the assassination would be another matter.
Bennett will be guarded, but we'll be away from the frontlines and closer to our men. Main downside is that we're definitely going to be dealing with Agarthan shenanigans after Odesse realizes that he's backed in a corner.

>>5746216
>B): Montgomery suggested you pester the Patriarch. Perhaps that’s just what you’ll do.

>>5746216
>B): Montgomery suggested you pester the Patriarch. Perhaps that's just what you'll do.

Too many witnesses for A. Plus, Odesse might come by with fewer guards to investigate if he thinks something's up.

>>5746216
>B): Montgomery suggested you pester the Patriarch. Perhaps that’s just what you’ll do.

>>5746216
>B): Montgomery suggested you pester the Patriarch. Perhaps that’s just what you’ll do.

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>>5746216
>Leif looks as though he wishes to press the issue further with Montgomery, but you manage to stop him by grabbing onto his shoulder and whispering into his ear. “If he wants us to bother the Patriarch, then maybe we should. We can deal with him first and see if that’s enough to grab his attention.”

The Sreng Prince manages to control his temper as he contemplates your words. Biting his tongue, he backs down. “Fine. Then let’s go pay him a visit. You there!” He shouts at the scout that had been leading the group around earlier. “Take us to where the Patriarch is, now!”

“Y-yes sir!” The startled scout replies. He seems all too happy to play as your group’s guide so long as it keeps him away from the frontlines.

You’re shepherded away from the smithy towards the opposite side of the camp. You’re met with the same frantic energy as before, only now news of the Sreng army’s arrival has begun to make the rounds. Morale has improved considerably since you first arrived. Word has gotten out that the Knights of Seiros are critically outnumbered. The sudden rise in confidence though will only hurt twice as much once the raiders join the fight in true. After a few moments of walking, you’re brought to the same large tent that Ingrid had seen during her scouting mission. It’s size dwarfs that of the burned-out houses nearby, and at its crown is a flag bearing the insignia of the Orthodox Church. Much like the smithy earlier, this place too is also guarded by several dozen soldiers. Only this time, the men in question look far more capable and better equipped than earlier. You figure these to be the personal guard of the Patriarch himself.

“State your business!” A bodyguard wielding a sturdy-looking halberd demands of your escort.

“Prince Leif of Sreng and his royal retinue request a meeting with Lord Bennett!” The scout replies. Upon hearing this, one of the bodyguards ducks into the tent. A few moments later, he returns.

“You and your party may enter.”

Finally, you’re getting somewhere. You and the others enter through the tent flap into the massive dwelling. Inside, you find the place comfortably furnished. Several couches and tables had been set up, with both women and priests lounging about. In addition, there were at least a dozen guards standing at attention within, each of them eyeing your group with hostile suspicion. And all the way at the end, where the most ornate chair and table had been set up, was where the Patriarch of the Orthodox Church, formerly the Western Church, was seated. But it wasn’t him that caught your attention at first. Rather, it was the man standing next to him. It was a face you hadn’t seen in several years, but one that dug up a familiar sense of loathing.

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>>5748319
“You stand before the presence of the Patriarch of the Orthodox Church, Lord Bennett Clement!” The dark mage, Fritz, announced. “In the name of the Goddess, state the reason for your arrival!

You’d fought against this accursed man before. Back in Tauros Village, he’d escaped your grasp, only to be captured the next time you’d encountered him at Marche. His name was Fritz. Back then, he’d been sacking villages for the Western Church, riling up the conflict between them and the Central Church of Seiros. You’d thought that after you captured him, he’d faced execution at Garreg Mach. But it seems that this worm had somehow not only managed to survive, but also found his way back to his master.

“Fritz.” The Patriarch says calmly, raising one hand to signal his retainer to back down. “That’s quite alright. These men are our honored allies in the fight against heresy. I would ask that you please treat them with the proper respect that they deserve. Now then, Prince Leif. It is a pleasure to finally make your acquaintance.” Bennett stands in order to bow before Leif.

“It’s nice to be treated with some courtesy, for once.” Leif says smugly. “I found your man Montgomery to be quite rude. He couldn’t wait to blow me off so that he could run, tail between his legs, back into his little smithy.”

You expect Bennett or Fritz to bristle at the sign of disrespect towards the commanding officer of their army. Instead, Bennett merely smirks, while Fritz remains perfectly expressionless.

“Please…forgive Montgomery.” Bennett says with a smile. “He’s a very knowledgeable person, but I believe he’s always lacked the grace necessary when it comes to dealing with others. I assure you; he meant no ill will towards you and your men. You are all an invaluable asset as we seek to destroy the throne of lies that is Garreg Mach.”

“Heh…seems odd you’d place such a man in command of your army. Was there truly no one more qualified to assume that position?” Leif says with a shrug. You notice that, though it may be only incrementally, he’s moved a tad closer towards where Bennett is standing.

“What Montgomery lacks in refinement, he most certainly makes up for in experience.” Bennett says. “And besides, now that you’re here, I believe you’ll be able to smooth out any edges in his plans.” He turns from Leif to scan your group. “Is one of these your Oracle?” He asks. “I was told she’d be coming.”

“Ahh, unfortunately she did not make the trip.” Leif replies. “The northern cold has a habit of claiming those with weak constitution.” Again, almost imperceptibly so, he move closer towards Bennett and Fritz’s position.

“Oh really? That’s too bad.” Bennett smiles. Unlike Montgomery, you get the impression he doesn’t care about Maeve’s death. “Well then, I understand you are to be at the front of the upcoming battle. Why are you before me now?”

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>>5748320
“I simply wished to confirm the awards that await my men and I for our participation in this battle is all. Surely you can understand that, no?”

“Ahh, yes.” Bennett says, eyes closed. “Tell me, what was it that Lady Cornelia promised you exactly? Rich and fertile land in the Faerghus region? Wealth beyond your wildest imaginations? High quality loot to be found beyond the walls of Garreg Mach?”

“Something of the sort.” Leif says casually. By now, he was merely a lunge away from rushing past Bennett’s guards and sticking the Patriarch with his sword.

“Well, I’d assume all that is still on the table.” Bennett says. “But what if I could promise you something more?”

“Such as?”

“Salvation.” Bennett’s eyes flicker wildly. “You people have your own spirits that you worship but take my word for it when I say that the only deity that truly exists is the Goddess Sothis. She comes soon to purge the world of snakes and sinners. When she does all those that stand in defiance of her grand will shall find themselves cast into the burning inferno for all eternity. Trust me when I say that there is no greater reward than to cast your arms against the false church and the duplicitous snakes that hide from her divine light.”

“I’m…afraid you’ve lost me.” Leif says, truly sounding confused.

“Of that, I’m hardly surprised” Bennett stops smiling, and his tone wildly differs from before. “I know your kind all too well, simpleton. You only respond to the promise of material wealth. Only riches and jewels will move you to action. When offered something far greater, you can only stare forward blankly like the hapless idiot you are!”

“Excuse me?!” Leif shouts, anger evident in his voice and the sudden disrespectful tone the Patriarch takes. He uses his indignation to draw a few precious steps closer towards Bennett, whose guards are now on edge. “Need I remind you that you’re relying on us to win your battle for you?”

“My battle?” Bennett says with a contemptuous sneer and a bark of laughter. “I’m afraid you’ve been taken for a fool. This battle is the result of a thousand-year long inferiority complex. It has nothing to do with me, and everything to do with that bag of bones you saw outside!”

Suddenly, you hear a commotion outside. Something big is happening outside. Whatever it is, the bad feeling you have is amplified to its highest level.

“Your actions here confuse me, raider. Are you here to attack Garreg Mach?” Bennett asks Leif suddenly. “Or are you here perhaps for something else? Either way, I ask that you make up your mind. It is important I know where I stand with you..

>A): Stay still, see how things develop and follow Leif’s move.
>B): You’ve heard enough. Spring into action and attack

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>>5748321
Here are some of the stats for your new-found friends.

>Leif
>Level 42 Swordmaster
HP: 55/55
STR: 33
DEX: 35
SPD: 40
LCK: 22
DEF: 25
RES: 20
Weapon: Sword of Zoltan: (13+ DMG, 15% Crit)
Skill: Prince of Sreng (Immune to instant death and status effects)


>Cormac
>Level 47 Swordmaster
HP: 67/67
STR: 39
DEX: 42
SPD: 47
LCK: 29
DEF: 29
RES: 25
Weapon: Mercurius (15+ DMG, Restores 15 HP per turn)
Skill: Astra (SPD % Chance to Attack 5 times at half damage)

>Seamus
>Level 40 Swordmaster
HP: 49/49
STR: 31
DEX: 33
SPD: 40
LCK: 27
DEF: 22
RES: 20
Weapon: Sword of Zoltan: (13+ DMG, 15% Crit)
Skill: Crit Boost (+20% Chance to Crit)

>Kayla
>Level 40 Gremory
HP: 40/40
MAG: 35
DEX: 33
SPD: 32
LCK: 30
DEF: 12
RES: 34
Spells: Restore (Remove status effects) Physic (Long-distance heal) Recover (Full-HP Restore)
Skill: Live to Serve (Restores own HP when healing others)

Oh hey, new stats. Let's see...

>Cormac
>Weapon: Mercurius (15+ DMG, Restores 15 HP per turn)
>Skill: Astra (SPD % Chance to Attack 5 times at half damage)

At first blush, Cormac looks to body Blair so hard that she'd be in the wife cage faster than he can activate Astra, but... if my calculations are correct, the fight is actually pretty close.

Blair's Stats
HP: 61
STR: 30 (+4 from Fiery Blood+; +5 DMG from Lancefaire; +11 DMG from Killer Lance+)
MAG: 29 (+5 DMG from Black Tomefaire; +3 DMG from Magic Staff; +20 DMG from Forseti)
DEX: 27 (+4 bonus from seggs)
SPD: 43 (+3 from Fiery Blood+; +6 from Darting Blow)
LCK: 30
DEF: 27
RES: 23
CHARM: 24

And of course, Swordbreaker (+20 Hit and Avoid when facing Sword users) and Alert Stance+ (+40 Avoid when not engaged).

In a theoretical fight between the two, Cormac initiates first and doubles Blair because of his obscene speed.

%chance to dodge is Defender's Speed - Attacker's Dexterity. I'm not actually sure how Swordbreaker and Alert Stance+ works in this quest because they raise Avoid, not Dodge Chance. Assuming they just add to the dodge rate though, Blair has 43+20+40-42=61% chance of dodging... the first round. After he engages, our dodge rate drops to 21% (but +3% from Fiery Blood, if we were hit).

Speaking of which, Cormac hits like a truck, for a whopping 39+15=54 DMG - 27 DEF = 27 damage. Blair only needs to be hit three times to go down. Naturally, Astra means he instead attacks five times, but dealing 13 damage with each hit. Assuming all of those hit, he deals 65 damage, which kills the Blair.

He has a 47% chance of activating Astra. This means, if he wins two coinflips, the mad lad can activate Astra twice in the first round against Blair. Blair has a decent 61% chance of dodging, at least. Plus, he can't actually crit, since we have more LCK than him.

Cormac, however, has no chance of dodging the retaliation thanks to Swordbreaker. Blair retaliates once with her Killer Lance+, dealing 30+11+5+4(FB+)=59 DMG - 25 RES = 34 DMG, if we Transmute on the hit. This brings Cormac down to 33 HP. We have a 36% Crit Chance thanks to our Killer Lance+ though, which ends the fight immediately. We also have a 31% chance of landing a Stun, which stops his turn early.

Assuming both parties have survived up until this point, we then take our turn, and use Forseti (29+5+3+20=57-25=32 DMG, twice), doubling him thanks to all our Speed boosters for the win. Of course, if we're not using our Lance, he has a 16% chance of dodging. If he dodges both, we then move to Turn 2, where he heals, initiates, no longer doubles, but can still easily kill Blair. Of course, an easy solution is to instead rely on old tactics and just hit him with the KL again, dealing 34 DMG that he can't dodge, taking him down.

tl;dr: either he alpha strikes Blair, killing her on turn 1, or we survive the onslaught and kill him instead. I'm not 100% sure on the probabilities, but I do believe he's got better odds than us.

As for everyone else...

>>5748325
>Leif
>Skill: Prince of Sreng (Immune to instant death and status effects)

Good skill for a Lord to have, especially considering he's the protagonist of his own story. I wonder if this would've affected the Poisoning Route at all.

>Seamus
>Skill: Crit Boost (+20% Chance to Crit)

Very good stats. Hilariously, Anemone could initiate, use Luna, hit him twice, and end the fight there, but if he dodges any of them (10% chance to dodge), he survives, initiates, and crits her to death because of her abysmal LCK. There are probably more fighters who win though. At least he won't cheat.

>Kayla
>Skill: Live to Serve (Restores own HP when healing others)

Definite M, then. Best healer skill in the game, though Miracle is pretty good too.

>>5748321
>B): You’ve heard enough. Spring into action and attack

Let's not dally any longer. If the wall went down, we need to act now.

>>5748321
>B): You’ve heard enough. Spring into action and attack

Man I hope this will be done quietly. Hopefully the sound of everyone murdering everyone will be drowned out by everything that's going on outside.

The snakes probably have some means of finding out that Bennett died though. because plot.

>>5748321
>A): Stay still, see how things develop and follow Leif’s move.
Leif edging closer to Bennett with every word - let him take the killing blow and then move onto Fritz while we fend off the guards which are sure to swarm after the deed is done.

>>5748321
>A): Stay still, see how things develop and follow Leif’s move.

>>5748321
>>B): You’ve heard enough. Spring into action and attack
Let's fucking go, probably not the "correct" options but I'm sick of these losers and we've got ourselves a hell of our strike force, particularly given the revelation of our new friends stats.

>>5748321
>A): Stay still, see how things develop and follow Leif’s move

We’re allies here. Gotta work together. Right now, he’s not looking at us, so starting the attack may be an issue.

>>5748321
>>A): Stay still, see how things develop and follow Leif’s move

>>5748321
>A): Stay still, see how things develop and follow Leif’s move.

>>5748321
>A): Stay still, see how things develop and follow Leif’s move.
Leif is already in position. He's probably not going to humor Bennett any longer and will be going for the kill now.

>>5748321
Let's follow his lead - He's no fool, so let's see him handle this.

>>5748321
>B): You've heard enough. Spring into action and attack.
If there were an option C to deal with what just went down outside, I'd pick that, but regardless, we're out of time. I'm pretty sure that commotion is the wall going down.

>>5748321
>>5748771
meant to vote
> A): Stay still, see how things develop and follow Leif’s move.

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>>5748374
Yeah it's totally who can gib the other one first. Cormac would absolutely not be an easy fight and would require some level of luck even with all of Blair's tools. But the idea was that it was your absolute last resort to try and get to Garreg Mach in a somewhat more favorable position. There were so many other options/chances to do so that if it really came down to a duel with Cormac, it was supposed to signify that we fucked up too much along the way lol.

A wins, writing.

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>>5748321
The Patriarch had always been a mystery to you. What little you knew of him was from secondhand sources that had dealt with him in the past. They’d described him as a talented and cunning orator. Someone capable of inspiring others and, ultimately, winning them over to his side. But from what you’d seen of him so far, he was prone to violent mood swings without any notice. Had he always been this way? There was just no way you could see someone like this scheming their way to the top. Furthermore, the way he spoke of Montgomery implied he held him at some level of contempt. Perhaps most concerning of all though, was that you were unable to gauge his power. Was he truly unhinged, speaking from a place of grand delusion? Or did he possess a great power beneath his exterior? Leif is far closer to him than you are, so you decide to follow the prince’s lead.

Leif stares at Bennett intensely, perhaps pondering the right answer to give him. Before he can open his mouth though, the tent flaps behind you open. At least 10 additional armed guards swarm into the room. They bear the same armor as the soldiers you saw outside the smithy. Their appearance forces the non-combatants in the room to flee. The soldiers take up their arms just as the last figure enters the large tent. Montgomery stares at your group once more with those tiny, beady eyes.

“Still wandering about, raider?” The priest says in his soft, tiny voice. “The wall is set to fall any minute now, and yet your men are still not in position. I find this most curious. I have to wonder…if your Oracle were still around, would this level of incompetency be occurring?”

Bennett laughs from his seat. “I hear she suffered from a poor constitution. You should take care to safeguard yourself, elder. I’d hate to see you share the same fate.”

“…My lord.” Montgomery says. You can sense that edge once more in his voice, and you suddenly get the impression you’re in the midst of an ongoing feud that’s lasted for ages. “I would ask that you take this seriously. I believe that the situation at hand warrants we-“

“Oh, of course, my sincerest apologies, Commander.” Bennett says, sarcasm dripping off every word. He sits back in his chair. As he does so, his own retinue of guards move away from the tent’s newcomers, taking positions in front of the Patriarch as if to protect him. “Please, do what you must.”

“…Prince Leif.” Montgomery says, turning his attention away from the Patriarch. “I’m afraid this has gone on long enough. You were sent here by Cornelia to assist our fight, not to prance around asking questions. Join us at the front, or I’ll be forced to take drastic action.”

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>>5749243
As if to back up his threat, four of his ten guards have moved forward, their spears drawn and pointed towards your group.

“Are you friend or foe?” Montgomery says. “Choose carefully. The fate of your people depends on your answer.”

“I’m afraid I haven’t felt as though I’ve been treated much like a friend since arriving here.” Leif says, backing away from Bennett and his guards to face the new threat that has just entered the tent. “Or do you point spears at everyone you hope to win over to your side?”

“Choose now.” Montgomery says. The rest of his soldiers surround your group, and you find yourself stuck between a rock and a hard place.

“Perhaps I should ask my cousin for his opinion first. Cormac?”

A flash of steel from the corner of your eye is the only warning you get as the First Blade of Sreng moves forward in an instant. With a single swing of his sword, two of Montgomery’s guardsmen are decapitated in a spray of blood. A third, having some considerable skill, manages to block two of Cormac’s attacks, only for the next to find purchases in his heart. Mercurius slides through the man’s armor as though it were made of paper, and he too goes down. The other soldiers almost instinctively back off from the Swordmaster, spears raised in self-defense.

“Guards!” Montgomery cries. “Get in here now!”

The battle had finally started.

>A): Attack Montgomery and his men.
>B): Turn around and attack the Patriarch and his men.
>C): Cast Bolting and alert the Sreng army to attack

Perfect

>A): Attack Montgomery and his men.

KILL SNAKES!

But whatever we do, I think C is a bad idea. It will draw too much attention to the tent, which defeats the point of assassination.

>>5749245
>C): Cast Bolting and alert the Sreng army to attack

>>5749245
>A) Attack Montgomery and his men.
BLOOD FOR THE GODDESS! SKULLS FOR THE THRONE INSIDE BYLETH'S HEAD!

>>5749245
>>A): Attack Montgomery and his men.

>>5749245
>B): Turn around and attack the Patriarch and his men.
I feel like he's the bigger threat, and we promised Eulalia that we would kill Gungnir unless I'm having a brain fart and Montgomery is actually Gungnir and not the Patriarch.

>>5749245
>B): Turn around and attack the Patriarch and his men.
We kill the Patriarch and whatever blood ritual he is planning in Zanado will not happen. This is priority one, stop him from escaping. Montgomery has already been established to suck at warfare so him escpaing is fine. Also we finally get to kill Fritz this way.

>>5749528
You're having a massive brainfart, Gungnir is the name of Blair's spear, Odesse is the name of the sage. Also, Montgomery is likely Odesse.

>>5749245
Thank you anon.

>>5749245
>>5749528
Changing my vote to
>A): Attack Montgomery and his men.

>>5749542
Fuck I meant to reply to this anon >>5749534 to thank him. Today isn't my day.

>>5749245
>A): Attack Montgomery and his men.

Bennett looks like he's happy to just stand back and watch as we bloody ourselves on Monty the Snakeman. Plus he needs to go through us to reach the door, so he's less likely to scarper.

>>5749245
>C): Cast Bolting and alert the Sreng army to attack

>>5749245
>A): Attack Montgomery and his men.
With how Bennett is acting, he might be the actual threat. Wouldn't be too surprised if it turns out he was the one who received the Crest of Maculi. Would be funnier if he's simply just a deranged lunatic who doesn't actually have a plan though. For now, he'll probably be content with watching the show, so time to kill the snake first and him later.
Alerting the Sreng army could be a better option, but that might make it easier for one of them to escape in the chaos. We can get this over with and kill them both right now without help.

Dang should've attacked before getting surrounded.

>>5749245
>A): Attack Montgomery and his men.

>>5749245
>>C): Cast Bolting and alert the Sreng army to attack
this is Blair's job, and we've apparently dawdled too long anyway. the knights and the army's probably set up
I don't see why casting bolting wouldn't also be usable as an attack, though? like it presumably needs a target, it comes down from the sky where it would be visible, there's two high priority targets not in melee range with Blair right now...

The plan was to use Bolting to signal the men to attack after we had killed both Montgomery and the Patriarch. The wall is about to go down, so we might have to use it early, but I want to kill at least one of our targets first-- might as well the be the Sage to cut off the escape path.

>>5749245
>A): Attack Montgomery and his men.

Stick to the plan for now.

>>5749245
>A): Attack Montgomery and his men.

>>5749245
>A): Attack Montgomery and his men.

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>>5749245
You have to strike now and finish off Montgomery before you’re overwhelmed with more guards from the outside. Bennett and his men seem content to stand there for the time being and watch the fight unfurl, so you’ll deal with them later. For now, you’ll focus all your attention on the Priest and his men. The frontline of his soldiers appear to be Halberdiers, while the backline consists of Snipers, their bows drawn and knocked.

The first Halberdier engages Clay in combat. Using his superior range, he’s able to land a strong hit against the mercenary. However, you now know it will take far more than that to kill the Crest bearer. Clay uses his Wind Sword to unleash a cutting barrage of magic against his foe, which pierces through the armor that he wears. As it does so, Clay’s own wound that he just took begins to heal. Another Halberdier heads his way, only for an arrow to embed itself in his eye courtesy of Ashe.

Meanwhile, Seamus and Uriel deal with the other two halberdiers opposite of them. Seamus rushes forward, his speed only a notch below that of Cormac’s. His sword slices through the air and parts with his opponent’s head in a spray of blood. He takes a grazing blow from the other spearman, but that man soon finds himself facing down a charging Uriel. Though he may not be a Demonic Beast, the Paladin’s Blessed Spear hurts him all the same as the tip protrudes through his back. The Halberdier finds himself stuck and is soon finished off by Seamus.

Two of the Snipers aim their bows towards Prince Leif, while the third aims his bow directly at you. Leif impressively manages to slash both projectiles out of the sky, but you unfortunately are not as dexterous, and suffer some damage as the arrow hits you in the side.

>Blair: 49/61 HP

You retaliate with two quick Fireballs that pulverize your attacker alive, casting them alight and ending their life. As you do so, Kayla has already begun work on healing you, mending the wound and causing the arrow to fall harmlessly to the ground.

>Blair: 61/61 HP

With most of his retinue dead, Montgomery suddenly looks extremely vulnerable. He gazes up at Bennett with great anger, and shouts at him. “Are you just going to stand there, you fool?!” All pretenses of acting as a gentle, softspoken priest have been tossed to the side. “Need I remind you who put you where you are?! If I die, it won’t just be this siege that is lost. They’ll kill you next!”

“Do you still believe the help that you’ve provided me means you own me?” Bennett says. The Patriarch stands from his chair, looking down on the battle before him. “Was it I that needed you, or you that needed me, Agarthan? Your kind has spent the last millennia looking down on us as inferior. You think of us as nothing more than cattle, only fit to serve you. And yet without us, you’d be relegated to your underground hovels, seething in eternal fury at all that the Goddess deprived you of.”

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>>5750701
“What are you blathering about? Have you lost your mind!” Montgomery roars. “The Sreng are traitors! We’re under attack, do something!” Another half dozen soldiers enter through the tent behind the priest, spears already drawn.

“What’s going on in here?!” One soldier exclaims. “Quickly, protect the Patriarch and Father Montgomery!”

“I’m saying that the time has come for our ‘partnership’ to end.” Bennett responds. “The Goddess has finally bestowed on me a vision of the future. A world free from your machinations and schemes. And she has granted me the power to see it through. I will rise to meet her expectations, and in turn I shall eradicate your kind, and root you out wherever you may hide. I am her voice and prophet! Behold! You can not hide your true form from me any longer, demon!”

A terribly strong power rises from where Bennett is standing. You’ve never seen this sort of spell before, but you’ve heard tales of its power. Abraxas, a powerful Faith spell capable of disintegrating all that stands before it. The target of Bennett’s spell though isn’t you or your group though. Instead, a ray of holy light pierces through the tent’s top and engulfs the exact spot Montgomery stands on. All nearby soldiers, yourself included, are forced to take a step back and avert your eyes as the holy magic burns a hole into the earth where Montgomery was standing.

“Ahh! W-what was that? Father Montgomery, are you alright?” A soldier cries out in anguish once the smoke clears. He approaches the crater where the Priest had been standing and places a hand on the man’s shoulder. However, when he gets a closer look at what is standing there, he backs away in pure terror. “W-what?! F-Father-“

The soldier is suddenly thrown back violently, slamming into the ground with bone-shattering force. Before you no longer stands the Orthodox Priest, but a repulsive and twisted figure reminiscent of others you’ve seen before.

“You’ve made a grave mistake.” Odesse’s voice is horrific to the ears, sounding as if coming from lungs that have been burnt out by fire. “You’ve grown far too big for your seat…I’ll drain your body of every last drop of blood…and hang you from the rafters of this accursed monastery…No…I won’t kill you…Instead…an endless hell awaits you…awaits you all…” The sage hisses as dark magic begins flowing from his body like a fog, suffocating the room.

“W-what…” Leif mutters under his breath next to you. “What the hell is going on here…?”

>Odesse
>Level 47 Dark Sage
HP: 200/200
MAG: 45
DEX: 40
SPD: 22
LCK: 40
DEF: 30
RES: 50
Weapons: Fenrir (20 DMG, 20% Chance to Stun Target), Explosion (50% Damage to random enemies)
Skills: Choking Shadows (-4 Stats to all units each turn. Stacks.)
Wary Fighter (Unit cannot be doubled except by skills)

>A): Attack Odesse (How?)
>B): Attack the Patriarch and his men.
>C): Stand back and assess the situation.

>Wary Fighter (Unit cannot be doubled except by skills)

well fuck

>>5750702
>A): Attack Odesse
Have anyone with physical damage dogpile this guy to bring him down as quick as possible while the mages deal with his guards. He's debuffing us every single turn, and it stacks. If we don't kill him RIGHT NOW, we all die.

Blood for the Goddess, Skulls for Her Throne!

Is there a way to flee the tent and let them kill each other? I suspect that if we don’t kill Odessa immediately, then staying here isn’t in our interests…

Would giving the strength tonic to Uriel do anything good?

>>5750754
I'll post what it does again for reference.
>Strength Tonic obtained! (+7 DMG for 1 turn)

It's also a "quick" item, meaning you can drink it and attack on the same turn.

>>5750751
Something about the fog gives Blair the impression she'd be unable to escape.

>>5750766
Thanks boss.


Then… we shouldn’t hesitate.

>A): Attack Odesse (How?)
> Pile on physical damage as swiftly as possible. Give a Str tonic to Uriel.

>Skills: Choking Shadows (-4 Stats to all units each turn. Stacks.)
Yeah okay this guy needs to go down ASAP.
>>5750702
Seconding >>5750770, Uriel doubles and with his blessed lance is our best shot at taking a chunk out of this guy's HP, have him pop the tonic. Everybody else piles on. And if practical Blair should hold back to try and deliver the killshot with Gungnir as promised.