Let's return to Urodela.
A short scene of villagers walking about is shown.
"Sorry I was gone so long," Belgger says. "Any luck on finding information on Berevra?"
"I've heard some stories about mermaids falling in love with humans, but nothing specific. Unfortunately, we don't have the slightest hint as to where she might be."
"The sad love story of a human and a mermaid, and the weapon of God... the White Fang Troops have yet to act. Neither has the Order of the Flame, which was dispatched to Scabellum. I wonder if Rictor's men who appeared at Urodela that night were chasing after members of the White Fang."
"What do you mean by that?"
Belgger sits down on a crate. "Before you saved me at Formido, a man, Nichart, was asking me about our purpose on the island. At the time I knew nothing. I thought we were sent here to investigate the White Fang Troops. But, I wonder how much Rictor knew..."
"I have no idea. Anyway... why are you still here?"
"?" How evocative.
"You've brought the information as promised. You're free to go and do as you wish, whether that be rejoining with your comrades or returning home."
Belgger bows his head. "I have no place with them, or at my home. They don't mean anything to me anymore."
"... But he seemed to need you."
"Rictor expected a lot of me. He wanted me as both a subordinate and a friend... he wanted someone that he could rely on."
"That's what he expected, huh?"
"Have you ever thought about doing what is expected of you? I... I worry too much about what others think, and I push their own wishes ahead of mine. Once I realized this, I couldn't stomach it anymore. Who am I...? I wondered. I'm not here to fulfill someone else's expectations. That's why I needed to get away for a little time. I needed time alone."
"Don't let your emotions sway you. They drain your energy and blur your judgment." They spell judgment as "judgement" here, by the way. I fixed it. "Be calm and make an objective decision. What is is that you want to do in this world? Once you've decided on your direction in life, find a way to work towards that goal."
Belgger bows his head again. "...Cybil, I'm sorry."
"For what?"
"...You'll probably say this is childish, but I feel so powerless... I'm not as strong as people think. There's nothing I can do." Belgger pauses. "That's why I did as Rictor expected of me... to be recognized, for a sense of direction. I wanted to become strong... to gain power and status. But, what then? What purpose would it serve?" Belgger stands up. "You saved my life. We had a deal, and I upheld my side of the bargain. But, things are different now. I sincerely want to help. That is, of course, if you'll let me..."
"Do as you like. But now, we speak as equals. I think it's best if you lead your own comrades. I prefer to operate alone. Contact me if you need assistance."
"Thanks, Cybil."
Cybil turns to him for a second, then looks away. "First, we must find the mermaid with the golden scales. Surely she's attracted attention somewhere. If someone's seen her, rumors must have spread."
Flashback time! Belgger remembers when he was speaking with Eleanor. He remember her saying: "It was a long time ago, but once I saw a beautiful mermaid. Her whole body was shining in gold..."
Present day time. "Cybil, Berevra has golden scales, right?"
"You're the one who told me that. Why's that suddenly so important?"
Belgger looks sidelong at her. "There's something I need to look into. I'm going to visit a small church on the beaches of Solea..."
The area Solea has become red.
I level up everyone to level 13.
Let's go to Solea.
Belgger meets with Eleanor on the shore.
◊
"Eleanor, what's wrong? Why are you out so late?" Belgger asks.
She turns to us. "Belgger...?" Belgger walks over to her. She bows her head. "Me...? No reason. But why are you here?"
Belgger comes closer. I think he's holding her shoulder or something. "We can discuss that later. Look.. you're bleeding, Eleanor. Tell me what happened."
The scene resumes inside. Eleanor is sitting on the bed.
Her theme plays.
I quite like it.
"Father Hamen...?" Belgger asks.
She shakes her head. "No, it was my fault. I didn't do as I was told to... Belgger... what will you do now? How long will your troops... will you... stay on this island?"
"I'm not a knight anymore. Someone saved my life, and know she and I work together."
"...Are you repaying her for saving your life?"
Belgger shakes his head. "No, it's not that. I'm helping her, but I'm doing it because I want to."
"A lot of things must have happened to you..."
Belgger nods. "Listen, Eleanor. I want to ask you about something. You told me before that you had see a golden mermaid."
"...I may have said that. Mermaid usually live in the oceans to the west, but occasionally they are seen closer to where humans live."
"Listen. I'm looking for one mermaid in particular, one with golden scales. Do you remember anything?"
"...Belgger...? Did you come here just to ask me that? I don't understand!"
"...Just for that...?"
Eleanor stands up. "I have nothing to tell you... are you just using me? I won't tell you anything!" She opens the door and leaves.
"Eleanor?!" Cybil comes in.
"Belgger, the White Fang Troops are here," she tells him.
"You're Eleanor Olato, right?" the dragoon, Karcist, asks. "Father Hamen told me that you're very knowledgeable about mermaids. We're searching for one, and Commander Briffaut would like to speak with you. Please come with us." Double shit.
"Why!? What did he tell you?"
"Eleanor!" Belgger shouts, coming outside.
"We don't want to get rough. Just cooperate," the dragoon commands.
Eleanor shakes her head.
"If you won't come, then you leave us no choice... capture that girl! We can't afford to let her share what she knows with anyone! Do whatever necessary to keep her quiet!" An archer approaches her.
"No! Don't come any closer!"
"Stop! You'll have to deal with me first!" Belgger says.
"Do you think you're her knight, kid?" Karcist mocks. "What can you do to protect her?"
"Silence! I won't let you lay a finger on her!"
Our position.
◊ We can't change Belgger's. Fersen is the left knight, Allos is the right knight.
Map.
◊
"Eleanor, over here. It's dangerous there!" Belgger calls.
We have to protect Eleanor in this battle.
Take out the archers first; they'll always aim for Eleanor. Then the dragons. And then Karcist. Watch out; he hits hard. He hit my wizard for over 100 damage.
It becomes a bit of a clusterfuck at the end.
◊
Aniole kills Karcist with a fireball.
Karcist: The girl... is she worth protecting? For her, you're willing to make Commander Briffaut your enemy...?
We get 1000 Goth, Dragon Eyes, an altar of resurrection, a Sherwood hate, and the sword Fafnir.
"Eleanor... are you hurt?" Belgger asks. She says nothing.
They meet back at the church.
◊ Cybil nods as Belgger enters and walks away.
"She told me your plans," Eleanor mutters. "You're looking for the golden mermaid, and you have a message for her form the mermaid leader, right?" She gets up. "I knew Berevra, the golden mermaid... I know where she is." She shows Belgger something, which glints.
"What's that?"
"Berevra gave me this necklace. I never met my real parents. My step-parents were very kind, but I had no friends among the villagers. That's why I was always alone on the beach near our village. That's where I met her. We talked and swam... it was so much fun. But one day, she came and told me she wouldn't be able to see me anymore. The volcanic activity on the sea floor is worsening."
"Do you remember where she said she was going?"
"It's been many years. I can't guarantee that she'll still be there. Besides, she might not want to see anyone... but, do you plan on going anyway?"
Belgger nods. 'I'll go meet her alone, an I won't tell anyone where she is. Don't worry, Eleanor. I'll come back. I promise..."
"No! Don't say, 'I'll come back.' I won't stay here again, alone, waiting for you to return."
"I need your help, but I don't want to put you in danger. That's why..."
"'That's why...' what? Listen, Belgger, don't you know? I want to be with you. So... please... take me with you." D'aaaaaw.
- Okay. Let's go together.
- If you're so serious...
Both options means she joins you, but picking the first one will kindle a relationship, which nets you a great item down the line. Yeah, there is a bit of romance between Belgger and Eleanor, but it's really downplayed and is more for story reasons than romance reasons.
"...OK, let's go together. I'll protect you."
"I don't want to be a burden, so please teach me how to fight."
"If you'd like."
She doesn't join us as a playable unit yet, but she will after the next battle.
I train everyone to level 14. I give Belgger Fafnir, which is one handed, so he gets a tower shield too. Fersen gets the Sherwood hat.
Question, because I'm stupid about these things: how do you hook up liveblogs to wiki pages?
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