Right, back at it. If you'll remember, last time we were headed back through areas we'd already done once again. This time, though, Sting actually added some events. Anyway, we first need to go through 3-2 again.
After some savescumming to ensure that I get a Flamberg from the chest I passed up before (which subsequently replaces my old Iron Sword now that I don't need it), I move on to the next screen, where we encounter the crazy carnivorous plant lady from before, alongside an axe-wielding Rogue and a bow-using Amazon. The Amazon dies last, to one of Cierra's attacks, netting us an S rank and a Lightning Bow (replaces the Longbow we were carrying). With two new items for Cierra to master, I promptly start practicing and get these:
Ein:
- Lightning Bow: Lightning Arrow: Level 1, 1-hit physical lightning-elemental attack, power of 131
Fia:
- Lightning Bow: Bore Arrow: Level 2, 3-hit physical lightning-elemental attack, power of 72, effective against flying enemies
Lina:
- Lightning Bow: Trinity Spark: Level 3, 4-hit physical lightning-elemental attack, effective against flying enemies
Cierra:
- Flamberg: Fire Blade: Level 1, 1-hit magic fire-elemental attack, power of 137
- Lightning Bow: Twinkle Shot: Level 1, 3-hit magic lightning-elemental attack, power of 56
With that done, I move back to 3-3. We immediately examine the magically locked chest from before, which Cierra opens. It contains a random elemental orb, in this case an Ice Orb that replaces my now-useless Fire Orb. I then examine the root, causing Lina to wonder if we can pull it out. Unfortunately, even with the five of us, it refuses to move, though we all do get Strength bonuses for trying.
As we try to leave, we encounter some hammer guys bullying one of their own. One of them actually runs away, forcing his buddy in the back row to face Serene's assault on his own. I then receive a Hammer from the guy who was being bullied, along with 2000 points.
I can move on from the next screen now, but first I head back to where the birds tried to murder us. Entering Look mode causes Fia to notice something shiny in the branches, which I can attempt to obtain. I need to finish a command minigame to keep my balance, but I manage that and get the item, which as you might expect is Serene's Pendant (which has a 2000-point bonus attached to it.
Now, here is where Ein can be a complete bastard. He identifies the pendant as Serene's, and I am then given a choice of who to give it to. That's right, Ein doesn't immediately think to return it to Serene, instead thinking to make it into a gift for one of the other girls. The craziest part of it is that the girl you give it to gets an affection boost, even though they are all supposedly decent people and the pendant was identified as Serene's.
Anyway, I give the thing to Cierra, then move to the right. On the next screen, we encounter a harpy, who Serene is more than happy to murder. However, it quickly becomes obvious that this particular harpy is injured, so we spare her instead. The harpy then offers us something, according to Cierra. I can accept the gift, refuse it, chase the poor girl away, ask for food instead (and get none), or agree with Cierra. That last option has the same effect as the first one, except with a greater affection boost for Cierra, so I choose it and obtain the Happy Plume. Ein can use this to summon the harpy we were just dealing with, who cuts one enemy's HP in half. It doesn't work on bosses, but I still drop the Pendant for it.
Anyway, back to the door from before. Based on the ridiculous comparison I made last time, you should already know how many locksmiths Cierra is, so I shouldn't have to explain that she can open it. She explains that Nelde was a magic laboratory, and thus, the way in can only be opened with magic (which must've been hell for the people who worked there).
In the next room, Fia notices a glint of light somewhere. Lina identifies it as a jewel when I enter Look mode, and promptly approaches it. Fia then heads to where Lina is to stop her from doing something stupid, followed by Ein, then Serene, and Cierra...you can see where this is going. I'm forced into a rhythm minigame to avoid falling through the floor as it collapses, and success gives me 3000 points and access to the bonus area for Chapter 3 (it's through the door here, but I would've fallen if I hadn't done that).
I think I'll explore it next time, though. I'll see you then.
