Damned Blume with Thorhammer. I just know he's gonna wreck me the first couple of times I try him.
Anyway, after taking Darna, nothing important happens, so I begin the trek back down to Melgen, and then onwards towards Lenster and Alster. Aless takes a detour into Darna, however, and rescue's Leen from the dungeon. Leen is a level 3 dancer with bleh bases, an iron sword, 5521 gold, the adept, dance, and miracle skills, and major Blagi blood. She also has a conversation with Serlis, though it's pretty much just an introduction. Lana warps Serlis straight to Melgen, since he will head over to Lenster first, to retake that while everyone else groups up near Alster.
Leaf's group gathers up near Alster, waiting for the others, while Serlis heads to take Lenster and Fin is warped to Rivough to be promoted, where he becomes a Duke Knight, and takes on the arena. He finishes it with relative ease, but now must face the long trek through Yied.
As Shanan's group approaches, Leaf and his team take down Blume's bodyguards, but stay very clear of his Thorhammer's range, lest they be incinerated by it. As they finish their foes, Serlis retakes Lenster, prompting a message of encouragement before things get right going again.
This leaves only Blume to deal with. The only people I feel really comfortable fighting him would be another divine weapon wielder, since at this point, there really isn't anyone powerful enough to match him without one. Maybe in a couple chapters sure, the likes of Scathach, Lakche, Serlis, and likely a couple others, could face one, but not right now, in their current state.
Aless takes his shot first, Mistoltin in hand. His first strike is blocked by Great Shield (fucking hate that skill, and every single goddamn boss seems to have it), but Julia heals him back to full. After a few unsuccessful turns of combat, Aless is able to slip through both Great Shield and Blume's considerable avoid, and he makes the hit count, scoring a critical that takes down the son of Reptor in one blow, although he says he's retreating to Conote.
Serlis then seizes Alster, brining an end to this trying chapter. Levin and Serlis speak about the wars condition, and Serlis notes that, with the strength of his allies, all very skilled in their own right, he feels like he can surpass any obstacle. That brings and end to this chapter, but I note that this has been a short update, so I will be squeezing in the introduction stuff and the preparations info for the next chapter.
Alright, intro to chapter 8, Dragon Knights of Thracia!
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Thracia can be divided into two halves, the northern part consisting of fertile plains which are pockmarked with small kingdoms, while the southern half is a barren, mountainous wasteland that is home to the kingdom of Thracia and its feared wyvern knights. Countless times, the wyvern knights have attempted to take over the northern half, but they have always been repelled, up until the massacre of most of the northern army within the Yied desert. Their persistence seemed as though it had finally paid off, but suddenly, a force led by Blume of Freege took over the region, and it was dubbed the Northern Kingdom of Thracia, led by King Blume. During the time that followed, not even Trabant would dare challenge the empires power, and a delicate balance of power formed between the kingdoms. However, with the fall of Alster at the hands of the liberation army, a new twist to that balance was presented. Blume amassed a military force within Conote, and princess Ishtar, otherwise known as the goddess of thunder (uh-oh), fortified Manster castles defense in case of a Thracian attack. Meanwhile, at Mease, King Trabant and his commanding general Maikov stayed ominously silent, while the people only wished that Lensters royal house could return to power.
At Conote, Blume speaks with the mage triplets, amazed that the rebels were able to defeat them all previously. Vampa notes that general Muhammed's squad has already reached Alster, general Ovo's knights are approaching Lenster, and the mage triplets will make another attack as well. Blume asks about Trabant and the request for backup, but Vampa says that they haven't heard back from him. Vampa also warns that Trabant isn't to be trusted, and Blume says that he will defeat us, with or without his help.
Down at Manster, a villager asks a man named Sety when he thinks they will get Manster back, and Sety explains that Serlis's liberation army is just to the west, and it's only a matter of time before they reach them.
Now down at Mease, Trabant is told by son that Blume has sent another request for backup. Trabant mocks Blume's inability to stop Sigurd's son from walking all over him, and then tells his own son, Arion, not to worry about Blume, saying that he wants them to weaken each other so that he can strike when they are weakened. Arion notes that his father is still hung up on that, and Trabant says that he waited far too long for possession of Manster to have it snatched away from him at the last minute by Blume, and he plans to make the king pay with blood. Trabant speaks of noble aspirations, saying that while they are likened to hyenas due to their mercenary work, they have survived, and that by taking the northern region, they can end all poverty within their kingdom (I can respect that, but that doesn't mean I'm not going to behead you like the greasy snake you are for what you did in the past, Trabant).
In Alster, Levin explains the situation to Serlis, noting that Blume is likely aiming to strike at Lenster, and that the citizens of Manster are requesting help as well. Leaf, Fin, and Nanna are sent to Lenster, meaning yet again they are unable to partake in the usual participation stuff, although I have them repair all of their weapons. I also have Nanna purchase a Return staff from the shop.
I then begin preparations in Alster. Serlis sells his slim and fire swords to the pawn shop, where Patty buys them, rounding out her arsenal and giving her a decent array of weapons. Aless purchases an armour cutter and a steel sword from the shop, and Johalva buys himself a silver axe, rounding out his equipment well. Tinny buys a wind and fire tome, and Lana purchases the recover staff (with most of her funds, by the by. She needs to promote soon). Everyone then goes through the arena, and the ones who make it all the way through are Scathach, Shanan (not quite as flawlessly as before, but still destroyed the place), Lakche, Fee, Serlis, Oifaye, Arthur, Aless (though he had to rely on the Mistoltin for a couple fights), Julia, and Lester.
I also note that Delmud doesn't seem able to do more than scratch damage against foes, and he lacks any other kind of utility, so I think I'm gonna bench him and have him act as the main base guard. After that decision is made, all base preparations are finished, and I bid you all adieu, until I get the chance to face this huge chapter and Blume's second attempt at stopping us.
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