On the World Map

Following August’s advice, Leaf led his troops south of the main road.

However, to get to Lenster through this route, the Liberation Army would have to make its way through the thick forests of Melfiye.

Why this was called the “Dark Forest”… Why travelers avoided this region… Leaf was about to find out soon enough…

Opening Cutscene

Dorias:
“These are the forests of Melfiye, called the Dark Forest.”

Leaf:
“The Dark Forest… So which way do we go?”

Dorias:
“If we can head through to the northeast, we should be right in front of Lenster. However, we must be careful so we don’t lose anyone along the way.”

Leaf:
“All right. Tell the others to be careful as well. Let’s go!”

(Scene switches to Rinecock)

Soldier:
“What is the matter, Bishop Rinecock?”

Rinecock:
“Hehehe… Look into the orb. It looks like prey has wandered into our forest.”

Soldier:
“An army…? It must be Count Conomore trying to rescue Princess Miranda…”

Rinecock:
“No, he isn’t that stupid. They must be the remnants of Lenster trying to reclaim their castle.”

Soldier:
“So they chose to go through the forest to avoid the enemy’s main defenses… Fools…”

Rinecock:
“Well, now we have something to play with. Take those who are free and set up a defense.”

Soldier:
“Yes. What will you do?”

Rinecock:
“Me? Haha… I think I will try this out.”

Soldier:
“The Berserk staff? That sounds interesting, Bishop Rinecock.”

Rinecock:
“Hehehe…”

Sara:
“You seem to be having fun, Rinecock.”

Rinecock:
“Lady Sara!? You musn’t come out here. Please return to your room.”

Sara:
“But I’m bored. Where’s Grandpa?”

Rinecock:
“Bishop Manfroy is in Conort with Lord Yurius. He should be returning soon…”

Sara:
“I shouldn’t have come here… It’s so boring.”

2nd Turn

Sara:
“Huh…? Who…who are you…?”

Rinecock:
“Lady Sara? Is something wrong?”

Sara:
“No…it’s nothing. Rinecock, can I go out for a walk?”

Rinecock:
“N-No, Lady Sara. Please… You must stay put.”

Conversation (Seiram, Sara)

Seiram:
“Lady Sara!? What are you doing here?”

Sara:
“Who are you? I don’t know you.”

Seiram:
“Ah… I was once a Lopto priest, but there is no way you would know me.”

Sara:
“Oh… But I have no need for you. I’m looking for the voice.”

Seiram:
“Voice?”

Sara:
“A beautiful voice… It’s crying out for me. It’s saying,
‘Help, help…'”

Seiram:
“…I see… Lady Sara, the granddaughter of Bishop Manfroy, can use the Staff of Kia…”

Sara:
“Oh… See you, Seiram…”

Conversation (Leaf, Sara)

Leaf:
“Huh? What’s a girl doing here…?”

Sara:
“……”

Leaf:
“Who are you? Are you alone?”

Sara:
“Hmm… So this is you…”

Leaf:
“Huh? What do you mean?”

Sara:
“Ahaha… I knew it. All right, I’ll help you.”

Leaf:
“What do I do… Where are Dorias and August when I need them…”

Sara:
“I’m Sara. I know all about you. Your name is Leaf. You’re the prince of Lenster. Your father is named Cuan. Your mother was a pretty woman named Ethlin, but she died.”

Leaf:
“! ……”

Sara:
“You don’t have to look like that. My parents are dead, too. Mama died when I still little. Papa…was killed by Grandpa because he loved Mama. It was before I was born.”

Leaf:
“……”

Sara:
“You were calling for me. So I’m offering to help. But if you’re just going to call me a nuisance, then fine!”

Leaf:
“Wait! I…I can’t let you go. I need to know more about you. Will you come with us?”

Sara:
“Well…okay. I like your voice, Leaf.”

Leaf:
“Thank you…Sara…”

Conversation (Homeros, Shanam)

Homeros:
“Hey, Shanam. What’s up?”

Shanam:
“Ulp…”

Homeros:
“So now you’re working for Lopto, eh? You don’t really care who you work for, do you?”

Shanam:
“W-Wait… I didn’t want to… I ran out of cash, so I kinda had no choice…”

Homeros:
“Well, do what you want. It’s none of my business.”

Shanam:
“H-Hey, wait. You’re just going to leave me here?
Come on, help me out. We’re friends, right?”

Homeros:
“I told you to do what you want. You want to come along?
Fine with me.”

Shanam:
“Yes… I’m sorry…you have my thanks.”

Homeros:
“…You still don’t sound like him at all…”

Monastery

Dorias:
“This seems to be a Lopto monastery. The priests seem to have all fled…”

August:
“Prince! We’ve found a captive inside. She wants to see you.”

Leaf:
“All right. Bring her here.”

Miranda:
“Hello…Prince Leaf…”

Leaf:
“Who are you?”

Miranda:
“Who am I…? Have you forgotten!? I am Miranda, of Alster!”

Leaf:
“Miranda? The princess of Alster? What are you doing here…?”

Miranda:
“You didn’t recognize me? Well, I’m not surprised. I look like a complete wreck. But this is all your fault, Prince Leaf!”

Leaf:
“My fault? Why?”

Miranda:
“It all started when you fled from Lenster. My father was a kind man who loved peace. He had no reason to go against the Empire… But…but…! Just because he hid you, we were caught by the Empire and attacked! My father was forced to turn me over as a hostage and lost his right to his throne…he died a miserable death. I will never forgive you, Prince!
If only you hadn’t come to Alster…this never would have happened…”

Leaf:
“……”

Dorias:
“…Princess Miranda, I believe you are wrong. The Empire was always plotting to take Alster. The prince was only an excuse to launch an attack. This may be rude, but your father was much too weak to be a king. He had a fine band of knights, but he refused to fight when Thracia was invaded, and neither did he come to Lenster’s aid when we were in danger. And this is the result. Alster’s collapse was your father’s responsibility, and nobody else’s!”

Leaf:
“Dorias! We won’t get anywhere by blaming each other!”

Dorias:
“Yes… I went overboard… Forgive me.”

Leaf:
“I’m sorry, Princess Miranda… Forgive me. I never knew you were held prisoner in a place like this… I should have come more quickly.”

Miranda:
“…I was in Alster until last year. We were under constant monitoring, but I wasn’t suffering thanks to Count Conomore. But then rebellion broke out in Tahra and Lenster…and in Alster as well. The Empire probably thought it safest to move me here.”

Leaf:
“I see…”

Miranda:
“Prince Leaf, if you speak the truth, then please help me! I want to reclaim Alster…and I want to avenge my father. Please take me with you!”

Fighting Rinecock

Rinecock:
“Fools… No one dares tresspass on Lopto’s land…”

Defeating Rinecock

Rinecock:
“…Dear Lopto… Save…me… Guh!”

Releasing Rinecock

Rinecock:
“I have nothing to say…”

Fighting Shanam

Shanam:
“H-Hey, wait… Let’s talk…”

Defeating Shanam

Shanam:
“N-No…”

Releasing Shanam

Shanam:
“You have my thanks…”

Fighting Sara

Sara:
“You…don’t like me…?”

Defeating Sara

Sara:
“I’m so…lonely…”

Releasing Sara

Sara:
“It’s so…boring…”

When Leaf escapes

August:
“Well, we managed to escape. But I never knew there was a Lopto monastery here… It is my misjudgment.”

Leaf:
“No, don’t worry about it. But this is indeed a Dark Forest… We’re lucky we made it out alive.”