Well, school is out for me, so I'll probably be able to finish this quickly, and update the next liveblog quickly.
Oh, by the way, I was wrong before, Ostorea isn't the climax of the game (though in my opinion it should be). There are a few more battles after this.
Let's do something I forgot to do earlier and go back to Rana, to tell the leader of the mermaids about Berevra.
Chloeri meets us in her throne room. "I see... my sister, Berevra..."
"Please don't be too disappointed," Belgger tells her. "I'm sure you'll have the chance to see her again."
Chloeri nods. "That's right. Believing is something I can do now. Belgger, thank you so much. To show my appreciation, I'd like to give you something. Please take it. I hope you fill find it useful." We get the spear Zephyrus.
I give the Zephyrus to Ivanna. I get Fersen a Composite Bow. I get Euphaire and Flauros Armlets of Wisdom. Eleanor gets Forest Boots. Fersen gets a Glass Pumpkin. I spend the rest of my money getting a bunch of healing and magic salves, because for Ostorea, we'll need them. I give Fersen Teleport.
I'll tell you how to get Deneb. Early in the game, hire a generic female soldier. Name her "Deneb." Get her the Vixen's Kiss emblem and make her into a witch, and she'll transform into Deneb, getting the special "Witch <3" class. I didn't bother this playthrough.
It's time to put and end to Naris' power mongering, hopefully finish off Nichart, and talk with our former friend Rictor one last time.
Rictor looks out the windows of Ostorea.
◊ A young woman enters.
She's apparently cross-eyed too.
◊ "Commander Lasanti, you're here."
Rictor walks over to her. "What is it, Lady Malicia? Is your uncle asking for me?"
"No, it's not that. I just wanted to talk to you. Or, must I have a reason to speak with you?"
"I'm sorry. It just never occurred to me that I'd see you here. Please forgive my thoughtfulness." You know, Rictor isn't a bad guy. He's just in over his head.
Malicia shakes her head. "I'm not trying to make you feel guilty. I'm just happy to see you. So aren't you and my uncle searching for something called the Sacred Spear? Have you had any luck?"
"To be honest, things haven't gone very smoothly," Rictor sighs. "The mermaid who stole that spear... it appears she's still alive, but we haven't been able to learn where the spear is hidden. A man who's talked to her at length is on his way to the castle as we speak. Has your uncle said anything about it?"
"No." She leans in to whisper to him. "Commander, I bet he's trying to take all the credit for himself. He's probably doing something behind your back. Remember, I'll always be by your side." She pauses. "I hate my uncle. He is so greedy and ignorant."
"A woman of your status shouldn't talk like that. Unclean words will stain the heart."
"Forgive me, commander... I went too far... No matter what kind of person he is, he's still my uncle."
"There's nothing to fear.I trust Lord Batraal." He pauses. "It sure is a nice day today, Lady Malicia. Would you like to go outside? The winter sky here is usually so dull. It seems to make my mind dull, as well."
"Is that right? I though winter was like this everywhere." She holds his hand. Just as they are about to go outside Naris walks in, accompanied by a guard. Malicia lets go of his hand. "Commander Lasanti, I'll be waiting for you outside." She walks out the door.
"She seems to enjoy your company, Commander," Naris observes. "She's my dead brother's daughter. Since she had no other family, I'm taking care of her... she's a nice girl."
"She probably just wants to hear some stories from outside of Ovis. Anyway, are things going as planned?"
"Nichart was defeated at Sotavento," Naris growls.
"What!? Unbelievable... Commander Briffaut must have underestimated him." Most of Belgger's enemies do.
"An enemy is an enemy, no matter who it is. He shouldn't have been caught off guard."
"You're right."
"By the way, I heard about that man, the one who's obtained Longicolnis and who's on the way know, is a friend of yours."
"His name has been removed from our troops' registry for disobeying orders. He is no friend of mine."
"...It makes no difference. Margret is ready. She should prove to be more effective than Nichart." A cardboard box would be more effective that Nichart.
"I'll do my best to defend the castle as well." Rictor walks away.
"That kid who's on the way here... he may prove to be more dangerous than the Duke or his son..." Naris muses. He walks away.
Ivanna and Orcus stand on a cliff over the castle.
"There are two entrances to the castle..." Ivanna says. "The main gate on the south wall and the side entrance to the west. The castle is surrounded by a moat, making direct attack difficult. I have no idea about the size of their forces... they may have increased their numbers to match our power."
"Let's see... what do you think about diving our troops in two and attacking both walls simultaneously?" Belgger suggests.
"But... won't that weaken our strength?"
"We're used to fighting in small numbers. Besides, if we attack at the same time, it will confuse them, giving us an advantage. We'll have to take our chances. One more thing... Ivanna, your sword instructor..."
"She's probably a member of the White Fang Troops and may be guarding one of the gates. But, please don't worry on my account. Let's concentrate on conquering the castle. Just remember to split our forces up evenly."
Ostorea is quite an undertaking. It's four battles in a row, with no saving in between; the first two battles are with your forces separated, and the last two are with them together. We can start out by sending men to Ostorea West or Ostorea South.
"It's been a while, Lady Ivanna..." the previous mentioned Margret, leader of the troops, says. "I'm sorry, but I have orders from your uncle. I'm not to let anyone in the castle, not even you. Please, why don't you turn back? You're aware of my ability. I don't want to hurt you."
"Margret, I was afraid he would send you..." Ivanna says. "But, I can't retreat. I won't let my fear take control, even though you are the best swordmaster in Rananculus."
Joining this battle will be Belgger, Flauros, Fersen, Bruno, Euphaire, and Aerial to serve as a human shield- er, I mean... valuable comrade who won't be dying. I knew keeping those backup units would come in handy! You know. For killing them.
"If you don't fear me, then show me what you've got!!!" Margret screams.
As expected, the archers kill Aerial in the second turn.
"I can't die... until my leader grants me death..."
You can revive people with Tomes of Resurrections, but why would I waste a resurrection on Aerial? She's served her purpose- dying to support her betters. Belgger can be cold blooded when he wants to be.
Anyway, now that Human Shield is dead, this battle can be a bit difficult, mostly because of the high elevation of the archers mean they have an insane range. Deal with the Duke Knights and then teleport some people up to deal with Margret.
"Hmmm. Even I was no match for him. Looks like he lived up to his reputation," Margret muses. "Kid... just remember... a warrior must always remember for what purpose he fights. Even if I die, the spirit of my sword will live on. Boy... please take care of Lady Ivanna..." She dies.
We get the sword Notos, some Goth, and the spell Atropos. We're given the choice of who will get it. I give it to Belgger. I also got a Saint's Shield from one of the Duke Knights.
Now let's attack Ostorea South.
Briffaut, with the Twins, stands on top of a rampart. "Commander Briffaut, the boy didn't come this way," Cirvante says.
"That's right... you haven't met him yet, have you?" Lethe says. "He's such a lively boy."
"Too bad. I wonder if he tried the other entrance..." Cirvante muses.
"You two stay behind. Your magic's not needed here," Nichart commands.
"We can't do that," Cirvante responds. "Recently you've had nothing but failures to report. So, Lord Batraal insisted we come along."
"You underestimate us," Lethe says. "We're worth twice as much as you. Shouldn't you be more concerned about yourself? A useless soldier's not worth keeping around..."
"W...what!? Did Lord Batraal say that!?" Nichart gasps.
"Well, what other commander has failed to defeat the boy twice?" Lethe taunts.
"That's right," Cirvante says. "You're oblivious to your own shortcomings. Do you think that Lord Batraal will forgive such arrogance and carelessness?"
"I'm aware of that. You don't need to remind me," Nichart growls. "I'll defend this position at any cost and regain Lord Batraal's trust... so, you two, stay out of this!!!"
"Alright, but don't think you'll get another chance," Cirvante threatens.
"Cirvante, I'll play cat and mouse with them for a while," Lethe says.
"Don't have too much fun, Lethe. See you later." Cirvante teleports away. '
Allos, Ivanna, Eleanor, Shiven, Elrick, and Glycinia will participating in this battle. Glycinia and Elrick will be our human shields. Elrick might be one too in a pinch.
"I was planning to get even with him... did your leader turn tail and run? Hahahahaha... well, are you ready?"
This is probably the hardest battle I've encountered so far. I mean, these guys just kick our ass. You don't realize how much I had to save state abuse just to "kill" Lethe, much less Nichart.
"This is boring.," Lethe says after you reduce her to zero HP. Commander Briffaut, I leave this to you. Bye-bye. We'll meet again." She teleports away.
This battle was a blood-bath. Three people died.
Glycinia died. "Aaaah! Not me!"
So did Elrick. "I can finally join you, my dear."
Shiven did too. I can't remember his quote.
Eventually, with lots of luck and save-state abusing, Ivanna kills Nichart. "Lord Batraal, I'm sorry..."
I actually revived Glycinia before the battle was over, so she's alive. But I can't say the same for Elrick and Shiven. Poor tools.
We get some Goth, a stone of swiftness, and Osric's Spear.
Let's go to the Throne Room.
Rictor and some troops confront us.
◊
"Rictor!!!" Belgger shouts. "Why...?"
"Since you've made it this far, I'll tell you the truth that you seek," Rictor says. "15 years ago, William, the former lord of Rananculus, told my father about the Sacred Spear. Since then, my father has been researching it secretly. Naris Batraal knew nothing of the spear at that time, but at some point, someone told him of its existence. This led to the incidents involving the White Fang Troops. Meanwhile, my father sent me to this island using the conflict as cover, and I began my search for the spear... this much, you must have guessed. Well, now I'll tell you an older story. There was a man named Lucius in the Batraal family. He was the one who ran off with a mermaid a few hundred years ago. Information regarding the spear was recorded by his child."
"Impossible! Berevra said she never had a child!"
"That's right... there is no member of the Batraal family who is half human, half mermaid. Berevra didn't know it, but Lucius had a child with a human." Rictor pauses. "After that child became the 4th lord, the document containing the secret of the spear was passed down to each successor. If the Duke, Naris Batraal, had killed his brother, he would never have received that information." He holds out his hand. "Come on, Belgger. Give me the Sacred Spear."
"I've always had the feeling that it would come to this," Rictor says solemnly. "It was my mistake to let you go in the first place." He angrily withdraws his hand.
This is probably one of my favorite battles in the game. The music works really well here.
Next turn: "Rictor, were your father's orders the only reason for being here?"
"Hmph. Now the questions are getting interesting. Do you think I'd give the spear to a man whose only interests are money and power? Let me tell you... with the Sacred Spear, Longicolnis, I will establish my own country and defeat anyone who resists. I will build a beautiful, orderly nation that reflects the strict teachings of God."
Belgger shakes his head. "No, Rictor. You've been blinded by the spear's power. I can't give the spear to you or anyone, because it has powers that transcend those of humankind. It must be safeguarded to prevent it's misuse. It must be brought to the Church of Lodis if peace is to be maintained."
"You are as naive as usual," Rictor growls. "She must have really pulled the wool over your eyes. You disappoint me. Well, you have always sought honor and praise."
"That's not true! Why can't you understand!?"
Despite the epicness of this battle's music, it's pretty easy. Rictor comes right down towards you, so it's easy to surround him and kill him. Some of his troops have unique equipment (a helm and a spell), but they're not important. Just surround him and kill him.
Belgger attacks Rictor. "...Tell me the truth, Rictor. Were you intentionally deceiving me?"
"I never meant to. I would have told you if the need arose. Don't misunderstand. Remember, you're the one who left!!!"
The two former friends attack each other. Belgger does fifty. Rictor does thirty. Next up is Ivanna, who does thirty-five. Allos does forty. Euphaire does thirty-four damage with a fireball. Bruno attacks with his hammer and deals thirty-nine and is countered for twenty-nine. Fersen shoots him with a crossbow bolt for thirty-eight damage. Finally, finishing him up, Eleanor does forty-two damage with her bow. Damn, what an onslaught.
Rictor crouches. "Your strength... has grown beyond my expectations..."
We get 3500 Goth.
Belgger, accompanied by Ivanna, grabs the fake Longicolnis. "Look at this!!!" He throws it at the crouching Rictor.
"What...?!" Rictor whispers in shock.
"Does this look like it was created by God!? Come on, Rictor, what do you think it is? ... It's just an iron spear! You've been fooled. It was just a rumor."
"...But, why?" Rictor mutters in disbelief.
"It was too stranger. Berevra, who had stolen the spear, told me of the shrine where it was hidden. Bit when I arrived, the spear was gone. It was obvious that someone else had been there."
"Are you saying that somebody has already taken it? I've heard nothing of the sort."
"Listen, Rictor. You know, don't you? You were at the shrine with your father 15 years ago."
"What... what are you talking about?"
"There was no spear in the shrine... but, instead, I found this." Belgger pulls out a crest. "A white rose crest. That is... the Lasanti family crest!!! Think, Rictor! You've been on that small shrine in the beach near Sotavento!"
"That's... my... was I... there!?"
Suddenly, Lady Malicia walks in. "Commander Lasanti! Pull yourself together. Don't be fooled by his words." She walks over and hugs him.
"Malicia... it's dangerous here... please go..." Rictor tells her. She shakes her head.
"Malicia...!? Is it really you...?" Ivanna shouts. Malicia suddenly disappears into thin air.
"Rictor, Ivanna...? What are you talking about?" Belgger asks. "You speak as if someone was there. What's wrong with you!?"
She reappears. "What are you talking about?" Rictor asks. "She's my fiancee. 15 years ago in this castle... we were..." He pauses. "That's right... Malicia... that summer on the beach... we were..."
"Commander Lasanti... please remember. What did you see there?" Malicia asks.
"Who... are you? You can't be Malicia!" Ivanna shouts. Malicia starts to shake.
"Rictor! Snap out of it! It's an illusion! Rictor!!!" Belgger screams.
A beam of light comes from "Malicia." It knocks Ivanna and Belgger back. "Let's go, Commander Lasanti," the illusion says. She walks away with Rictor.
Next time: we attack the Ostorean crypt!
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