I didn't know about how the reinforcements spawned and triggered the enemy movement (it's an event flag, not turn based), so I tried luring out some foes, got no response, and ran in. The first time and second time (alongside the damnably accurate siege sages) led to Garcia and Franz dying. Third time through, I took the initiative, and barely caught the thief who spawned near the northeastern treasure after dealing with the siege sages. All in all, not my brightest moment.
Chapter 16 - Ruled By Madness
◊: Finished.
Base: I clean out the inventory a bit, selling the Fili Shield (no fliers, so no use for it), and dropping the Gleipner and Excalibur into Tana's inventory, since they would only take up space and no one can use them. I also give the swiftsole to Joshua, and let him keep the Hoplon Guard as spoils from Caellach. Finally, I restock everyone, before heading out to Castle Renais to reclaim it from its current ruler.
Eirika: Hid further back than usual, due to the siege sages, and thus had to have Garcia and Neimi protect her from a few of the reinforcements who appeared near the start. After everything was said and done, she seized, as per usual.
Rennac: Traveled up the northwestern chokepoint area with Joshua and Natasha, keeping hidden while they dealt with the majority of the southwestern cavalry. Once they finished, Natasha dealt with the druid guarding the door, and he began claiming the treasure, the majority of the foes now dead. In total, his spoils amounted to a tomahawk, 5000 gold, a knight crest, and a talisman.
Joshua & Natasha: Headed west with Rennac to cover the majority of the enemy reinforcements and take care of the thief on that side. Natasha did most of the work, since she needed to finish off her Light tome rank (she got it to S rank against all of the cavalry and dark mages from behind the wall, so I won't need to spam her as much anymore), and after they cleaned the western side up, they headed towards everyone else. Natasha then took over healing everyone for a bit more experience.
Amelia, Franz, Garcia, & Neimi: Charged into the castle proper, pushing their way forward with relative ease until they reached the entrance into the throne room. After that, they triggered the enemy reinforcement spawn, and Garcia and Neimi turned back to intercept a few cavaliers who try to sneak up on Eirika. Amelia and Franz meanwhile pushed forward as quickly as they could, swords drawn for weapon triangle advantage, and targeted the siege sages, letting other foes kill themselves against their blades. They pushed east, and just in time too, as the thief almost took the first chest, but was distracted by Franz. They scrambled around a bit after that, dealing with straggler forces alongside Garcia and Neimi, who ran up to meet them, and clearing out the last few reinforcements.
Supports: Garcia and Neimi (A) has been reached, leaving only
- Garcia: Neimi, I'm sorry if I startled you yesterday.
- Neimi: Huh? Oh, you mean when you were preparing yourself for the battle? No... I was just surprised by your...enthusiasm for this war.
- Garcia: I used to be like this all the time. I was always preoccupied with battles, to the point of neglecting my family. And now, here I am, back on the battlefield. I'm sure my wife is somewhere sighing.
- Neimi: Oh, no, Sir Garcia. I'm sure your wife understood how you felt.
- Garcia: I think it's hard to understand when you are not a soldier.
- Neimi: In times like this, you have to fight to stay alive.
- Garcia: You've lost family too, didn't you?
- Neimi: Yes. But, I can't keep crying. I have to be strong and keep going.
- Garcia: Neimi...
- Neimi: You quit the army and lived in a mountain village with Ross because Renais was not at war, didn't you?
- Garcia: Yes.
- Neimi: You don't seem to be the type of person who enjoys fighting for its own sake. I think you know the emptiness and pain of war more than anyone else. I can see that just by looking at you! Em... I'm sorry if I'm being presumptuous.
- Garcia: No, Neimi. Thank you. You are very perceptive. You'll make some lucky guy very happy someday.
- Neimi: Oh... Um... This is kind of embarrassing.
- Garcia: Don't be embarrassed! Oh, by the way, please take this.
- Neimi: What is it? Oh, this haircomb is lovely!
- Garcia: I bought this for my wife when I was still in the Renais army. But...I never had the chance to give it to her.
- Neimi: Sir Garcia...
- Garcia: I buried her with some of the things I'd brought back. I don't know why, but I couldn't bring myself to bury this, though. I don't need it. What would I do with it? You'd make better use of it. It will give you a reason to keep using that mirror of yours, too.
- Neimi: Sir Garcia! This is too much! Thank you! I will take good care of it!
Orson: Fought Garcia. Orson started, tossing his spear at Garcia and missing, who retaliated with an arrow, though it missed as well. Garcia then ran in and scored a critical with his axe, and dodged the counter. Orson drew his silver sword and hit Garcia, who missed on the counter, and finally Garcia struck him down with a final hit.
Vs Orson: "I understand the pain of losing the one you love most dearly, Orson. I had neglected my wife until her final breath for the sake of my duties, and many times have I wished I could bring her back and apologize..."
"...I won't let you come between us. Monica and I will live here happily together. Forever..."
"But time cannot be rewound, no matter how much one wishes it to be. Only your madness and grief prevent your from seeing through whatever foul magic allegedly returned your wife to you."
Garcia let fly an arrow toward Orson's mount. A swift tug of the reins turned his horse free of the arrow's path, but Garcia had already strung up his bow around his shoulders and pulled forth an axe, sprinting at the knight. A spear came flying at him, but he dodged the projectile and came up beside the knight. Rising, he followed through with a lateral swing of his axe, burying it deep into the knights side. Orson seemed mostly undaunted by the strike, however, and thrust another spear down at Garcia, who backpedaled out of the way. He had not seen the knight draw his sword, and was surprised by the blade that fell down upon him. As it was, he barely prevented it from sheathing itself in his skull, using his axe to divert it into his shoulder. The pain was sharp and blinding, but he used the proximity of the knight to his advantage, and swung his axe up towards his foes head, lodging his axe into Orson's cheek with all the force he had. A loud snap followed the strike, as Orson's head twisted at an unnatural angle, and Garcia solemnly stepped back, removing his weapon from the skull of the knight.
"I only hope you can truly reunite with your wife in death."
Afterwards: Eirika and Ephraim discover Monica's restored corpse, which can only spout the word "darling" over and over. Ephraim puts down the unfortunate creature, lamenting the happiness Orson had found in his ignorant insanity. Later, Ephraim swears to try to win back the trust of his wounded country, and discovers that his people rejoice at his return, and the hope of a better tomorrow. After this, Eirika and Ephraim claim the stone of Renais, as well as the Sieglinde, Siegmund, and their respective promotion braces (I promote them now simply for the superior movement for later chapters). They exit the chamber, and L'Arachel comments on the brilliance of the stone, while also setting us on course to Rausten, where we shall reclaim the second remaining Sacred Stone.
Up Next: An interlude before River of Regret, where I will detail everyone's stats and levels really quickly, just as a quick rundown.
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