I’ve decided that I’m going to go imbue some of my equips. Hopefully, this will help me with the fight against Vanessa. Before I do that, though, I have to go back to the Witch village. Since I’m already standing on the area where the battle is, I don’t have to worry about fighting it.
Amusingly enough, I find that when I imbue items, I get a funny little view of flowers reminiscent of a Relax-o-Vision, with funny noises in the background. I’ve tried using some of my Vitae on my armor, since it won’t let me unequip my weapons. Therese says something about warriors wearing rings of fire. I have a ruby ring, so I try doing something with that. It doesn’t seem to work.
While I’m at it, I figure I might as well try the battle near the volcano again. Probably good for getting a few levels, and it’s easier than the one by the research center. Unfortunately, I’m barely getting any experience from it.
Oh yeah, and I forgot to mention that after Theo’s class changed to Rym Guard, he now has a picture of a dragon head where the character element normally is. So dragon is an element in this? Taking cues from Pokemon, are we? THEO used DRAGON CLAW! It’s super effective!
During the battle, Lucia learns a new light spell. It’s called Light Wave, and it’s an area attack. It’s still not that great, but at least it’s better than Shine.
I intermission with Theo. He asks if he’s getting stronger. My answers are “Psh! Nope.” “You’re getting there,” and “Definitely!” The answer, I think, is obvious. I pick the last one. He seems happy with that, and I get a cute picture of him and Alph looking happy together. He tells Alph he loves him. Alph asks him what this is all about, and he repeats that. Alph says he’s such a baby, and he’s not going to get stronger if he keeps doing this. Theo says that if he’s with Alph, he doesn’t have to get stronger. Then Theo asks Alph if he likes him. Alph says of course he does – he’s his only little brother. Theo seems happy with that, and gives me something called “Ultra Soul.” Guess that was the last intermission I get with him, considering that I got the picture and all. Sure enough, I later see that his heart icon has turned blue.
Anyway, at least I got something out of that battle. I head back down to the lab, and am forced back into the fight right before it. Ah, well. It’ll be beneficial, anyway. I bring in my lowest-level guys. (Lowest level being not much lower than anyone else. Everyone’s somewhere between level 26 and level 30.) I finish fairly easily, and decide to intermission with Saki. She says nothing. My options are “Are you mad?” “You sure are quiet,” and “…” I pick the middle one. She says she’s not sure why. She says maybe she enjoys the quiet because she has to complete so many stealthy missions.
My levels are now as follows. Alph and Mavi are 30. Theo, Leon, Saki, Lucia, Vivi, and Mel are at level 29, and Nicolai and Cecille are at level 28. Pollon is level 27, but since I’m not using him I’ll leave him out of my level reports from now on.
I prepare to try again with this fight. I bring in Alph, Theo, Leon, Cecille, Saki, Lucia, Mavi, and Mel.
Oh, heck yeah. Did Cecille just learn Revive? I hope so. The battle is actually going quite well this time. And yes, it looks like Cecille did learn Revive. She uses it on Alph, who was just killed.
Yeah, things are going great right now. I have one Hikopin and one Behemoth down, and all my guys are alive. Since things are going so smoothly, I save. That way, I can reload from here. It’s so cheap, but I love it.
OK, I’ll start reporting what’s going on right now. Vanessa just attacked Theo and Saki, and Theo died. Then Mel died. Thankfully, it’s Cecille’s turn, so maybe she can bring someone back. And…nope. Not enough MP. I’ll use a feather instead. Or rather, a Holy Wing. That’s actually what I have two of. They revive with half HP, and feathers revive with a fourth.
Both Behemoths are now down, and Theo is back. I then have Saki use a feather to bring Mel back as well. A little later, I take out Vanessa. OK, this is going great. I’m so going to win. Lucia dies, though.
Mavi is kind of odd for a Witch. Her physical attacks do way more than her magical ones. Usually it’s the other way around, although some of them have decent physical attacks as well.
There’s just two Hikopins left. Also, it looks like Mel now knows Revive as well. Good. She has more MP than Cecille. And it appears that I’ve almost won. Just have to hit the remaining Hikopin one more time. And finally, it’s over. I won this part, anyway.
My spoils are 3600 Rico, a Fire Ring, and some Vitae. I’m not given the chance to intermission, though. Looks like something else is up.
Vanessa says that the Wind Lapistier has calmed down. She looks surprised, and says that the Thunder Lapistier must be nearby.
All of a sudden, Kingston shows up. He says to someone that they’ve caused a lot of trouble. All of a sudden, what looks like an armored girl with creepy glowing eyes shows up. She says that she’s failed to control her power. She’s also talking in all caps. Kingston says it’s not easy to forgive. She’s destroyed an important facility. Then again, the whole facility WAS for her, so it’s not a problem.
Vanessa comes over, and asks Kingston what’s going on. Kingston recognizes her as the Witch of Immolation, and assumes she’s with us, the traitorous Garden Children. He introduces the girl next to him as the Steel Witch, Iris. She is a man-made Witch created with Rune. She is the result of much effort on the part of the Round Table Council. Vanessa doesn’t think she’ll be able to do much, but Kingston tells her not to underestimate Iris. He then tells Iris to exterminate everyone here. Besides him, of course.
A researcher shows up, saying that it’s her who destroyed the facility. Iris, following her orders, kills him immediately. Everyone is surprised, because apparently she used Rune to do so. Kingston tells her that even though she was created by man, she’s a Witch, and Witches use Rune. He also lets it slip that she’s powered by the Thunder Lapistier. Sounds like she’s some kind of Ridiculously Human Robot. She certainly looks like one.
Saki comes over, and asks why the church has the Thunder Lapistier. Kingston, sarcastically, says that he wonders why. Saki, horrified, asks him if he came to her village. Did he…?( Remember that book, a while back, that said something about the Shadow Clan being destroyed? Hmmm…)
But then Kingston says it’s enough talk. He orders Iris to finish us. She begins to play a song, and that makes monsters gather around her.
The battle prep screen comes up. Strangely, I get to use Vanessa. In fact, I have to use her. Along with her and Alph (who’s also required), I bring in Nicolai, Vivi, Mel, Theo, Leon, and Cecille.
I’m back on the same map. This time, though, I’m starting from the top. Since this is the second half of the battle, I save at the beginning. I wouldn’t want to have to start all over if I lose. But then again, I don’t think that’s too likely.
My enemies are Iris and seven monsters – three Bolt Golems, two Gargoyles (recolored griffins, blah), and two Reptiles.
Vivi moves first, and my guys start attacking the nearest Gargoyle. When it comes to Vanessa’s turn, I notice that she’s not really any weaker than she was just a moment ago. Which is unusual, but will probably be helpful.
Also, it appears that the spell Mel learned was not Revive. It was an area attack spell called Hail. Interesting. So they do learn things at different times.
Iris comes over into my range, and Leon attacks her. Monsters are coming at me from both sides, so I split up my guys to go after both groups. At the moment, I’m trying to take out Iris as quickly as possible. Speaking of which, judging by her very monotone voice and the things she says, I’d say she’s definitely a robot. She does look very human, though. I wouldn’t think that they’d have the technology to make something like that.
Iris actually goes down pretty easily. Now I just have to get rid of the monsters. Shouldn’t be too hard. By the way, you know how Cecille was underleveled? Well, now she’s right up with everyone else. Good thing, too – she’s quite useful.
Just three monsters left to go at this point. Not only that, but everyone’s alive. Funny how the second part of the fight was so much easier than the first.
On a completely unrelated note, I’ve deduced that Vanessa’s boobs are impossible. If your boobs are that big, they’re not going to stick out like that. They’re going to droop a little, especially if you’re not wearing a bra. They’re affected by gravity, after all. For that matter, if the only thing covering your nipples are little pieces of fabric, then vigorous physical activity (you know, like FIGHTING) is a wardrobe malfunction waiting to happen. I swear, she’s such blatant fanservice that it hurts. Heck, my brother thinks that her outfit is ridiculous. If the people who are supposed to be turned on by your design (ie: teenage boys) think it’s stupid, you’re doing something wrong. Makes me wonder if Nicolai was meant to be some of the people likely to play this game. But that’s very unlikely. He was probably just their idea of comic relief.
Er…enough ranting. Two monsters to go. Make that one. And Leon scores the final blow, securing my victory.
My spoils are 4000 Rico, and four different Vitae. I intermission with Leon. Kingston says that we are clearly no strangers to combat, but it ends here. Iris activates “Hyper Mode,” and is told to eliminate all of us, including any researchers who are still here (again, excluding Kingston himself).
Iris begins the countdown, giving Vanessa just enough time to get Mel’s help and warp us away. We’re brought over to the next town. She then says she has other things to do, and warps herself away. Lucia tries to stop her, but she’s already gone.
Saki says she’d classify the Steel Witch as a major threat. Even Vanessa ran from her! Alph remarks that they were seriously trying to kill us. That means we’re not welcome in the Church anymore. Cecille can’t believe that the Church created something like Iris. Mel says that Cecille has to keep her eyes open to see the truth. Cecille says she can’t even close her eyes to pray? Mel tells her that if she has her eyes open, she can see what’s in front of her. It also looks like something’s going on in town, so we should probably check it out.
The intermission starts. Leon asks if Alph likes lifting weights. My options are “I love getting pumped!” “Eating is more important,” and “I’m not really into it.” I know the second one probably isn’t it, but I don’t know whether I should pick the first or third. I go with the first. Leon says yeah, him too. The ladies can’t resist a guy who’s totally ripped. He knew Alph would figure that out. Then he gives me something. It’s an Iron Brace.
Kopin says he’s become friends with the radish that Vanessa introduced him to. His name is Daikon. Kopin invited him to his favorite bucket. They talked about a number of things. Apparently the radish thinks you don’t need a reason to live. Just existing is enough. Poor lonely Kopin, talking to radishes and thinking that they talk back.
Anyway, the save file says that I’m headed to Madrasta, Town of Scriptures. Given the Church’s current opinion of us, that doesn’t really sound good. But I have to go there. For now, though, this is enough.
Oh yeah, one more thing. Remember how I would post pictures of the characters? Well, there's not too many left that you haven't seen, so I'll just link you to here.
It has pictures of pretty much all the characters. All but one of them have showed up. If you're curious, then I'd suggest taking a look. They don't appear to have pictures of the guys from the Church, but I bet there's official art of them somewhere. If you care that much, then Google for it.
Things are getting interesting, huh? The church is looking less and less appealing every time they show up, and the Witches seem like perfectly nice people. Even Vanessa bothered to help get everyone out in time. And then there's the stuff in the Witch village's library. Is it all true? You'll just have to wait and find out.
Comments
