Part 1: Chapter 7: A Gathering Hope



Credits: Generic Officer

Before battle (Daein Liberation Camp)

Izuka:
“Ahem! As general staff officer of Daein’s Liberation Army, allow me to outline my latest strategy.”

Micaiah:
“Excuse me, but shouldn’t Prince Pelleas be here?”

Izuka:
“There’s no need to distract the prince with the war’s petty details. He won’t be coming to any more meetings. From now on, consider my words the prince’s own.”

Micaiah:
“I’m not sure that’s–“

Izuka:
“Enough idle chatter. Come have a glance, my pretties.”

Izuka:
“Our next target shall be Umono. Among all the work camps, it is one of the largest.”

Tauroneo:
“Conditions within the prison camp are harsh. If we are to save the prisoners, every moment matters.”

Sothe:
“One of the largest work camps…Can our forces handle that?”

Izuka:
“…Such a trivial concern, and one my profound genius has already addressed! Behold this lake next to the camp that provides fresh water to all there. Into this lake, we shall dump a deadly toxin of my own devising! Then we’ll sit back…as the enemy slowly dies.”

Micaiah:
“What are you saying?! Poison is inexcusably vile! I will agree to no such plan.”

Izuka:
“Wha-wha-what was that?! You! You! How dare you question my plan, conceived in a state of exalted meditation!”

Micaiah:
“No matter how misguided the enemy may be, we must fight with compassion and consideration for the innocent.”

Sothe:
“She’s right. Poison doesn’t discriminate. Prisoners would die too. And any nearby villages would be affected. And then what would happen? People would doubt us, question our cause, maybe even side against us. And it would cast a stain on Prince Pelleas’s name, don’t you think?”

Izuka:
“Errrrrgh…”

Izuka:
“Fine then! Do as you like! And when you find yourselves utterly defeated, you can come crawling back to me!”

Tauroneo:
“My apologies to both of you. When Lord Izuka gets excited, he can lose all sight of reason.”

Micaiah:
“I apologize too, General Tauroneo. He stormed out because I–“

Tauroneo:
“You needn’t apologize. You are in the right. I would never condone the use of poison. However, this does mean we must devise another plan if we are to have any hope of victory.”

Micaiah:
“Yes, you’re right. In that case, what do you think of this strategy?”

Before battle (Umono Prison Camp)

Djur:
“What!? An enemy attack?”

Begnion Soldier:
“Yes, sir! The Liberation Army has mounted an assault on the gate! We require reinforcements!”

Djur:
“Hmph. They seek to free their men? My elite guard shall stay here with me. Take the rest to squash these “rebels”!”

Begnion Soldier:
“But, sir, if your guard remains here, we’ll have barely enough men to–“

Djur:
“Who do you think you’re talking to, soldier? With my guard and me at the ready, this camp need fear no attack. Understood? Now go! You have your orders!”

Sothe:
“Looks like Tauroneo has them distracted. They’ve left only a small force here to defend the camp itself.”

Micaiah:
“Perfect. That should make it easier for us to eliminate their defenses, seize the camp, and free the prisoners.”

(After Turn 1 of the enemy phase)

Outside of the prison camp

Tormod:
“What do you think, Muarim? Is that the building Sothe’s in?”

Muarim:
“Most likely, little one.”

Vika:
“So, are we gonna help them, or should we just stand here all day and twiddle our thumbs?”

Tormod:
“What do you think? We’re helping, of course!”

Tormod:
“Keep up, Muarim! Come on, Vika!”

Vika:
“Hey, boss! Wait a second! I’ll be…”

Vika:
“He’s already out of sight. How does he do that on those skinny beorc legs?”

Muarim:
“Who do you think taught him how to run?”

Vika:
“We’d better go after him.”

Inside Umono Prison Camp

Tormod:
“Sooooo–oooothe!”

Sothe:
“Huh?! What…”

Micaiah:
“Eh?”

Tormod:
“Have no fear…Tormod is here! I’m coming to your rescue!”

Sothe:
“Tormod?! You crazy fool…”

Tauroneo:
“Oh-ho, that’s a familiar face.”

Zihark:
“Time for the trusty hero to save the day, I see. Still quite the showman, eh, Tormod?”

Jill:
“It’s more like a reunion every moment. Now if Haar were just here…”

Tormod:
“All right! Let’s go wild!”

Begnion Soldier:
“Ah…eyahhhhhhh! Sub-human! It’s a sub-human!”

Begnion Soldier 2:
“Calm down! Just use fire magic for the beasts and wind for the birds! That’ll do the trick.”

Begnion Soldier:
“That child hasn’t transformed yet! Nab him before he does!”

Tormod:
“Fool! Transforming ain’t what I do.”

Tormod:
“But I can do this…”

(Tormod casts Elfire at the soldier)

Begnion Soldier 2:
“He-he’s a mage! Fall back!”

Begnion Soldier 2:
“Don’t get too close to him!”

Micaiah:
“Who in the world are they?”

Sothe:
“People I used to know. I’ll introduce you later, but for now, let’s concentrate on the fight.”

Open the south western cell

Ex-Daein Soldier:
“Thank you! I’m saved! I couldn’t have held on any longer… I’m going to make a run for it. I refuse to die in this pit of despair. I choose to live and return to my family!”

Open the north western cell

Ex-Daein Soldier:
“Y-you really came to save us? Thank you. Oh, thank you. You have no idea how scared I’ve been. I’m so glad I didn’t give up. We knew the Maiden of Miracles would free us.”

Open the northern cell

Ex-Daein Soldier:
“This isn’t a dream? I can really leave this miserable cage? Oh, thank you. Thank you! You’ve saved my life!”

Open the south eastern cell

Ex-Daein Soldier:
“You’re the Liberation Army. I’ve heard about you… I’ll never forget my debt to you. If I survive and make it home, I vow to devote the rest of my life to your cause. I’ll fight for Daein honor, like you do.”

After battle (Daein Liberation Camp)

Izuka:
“S-see here! Sothe! Who were those three, and where did they come from? Will they join my Liberation Army?”

Sothe:
“They are my personal acquaintances from Begnion. And yeah, they can handle themselves in a fight. But if any more laguz join us, there will be problems. We’ve managed to hide Volug and his true nature, but…with more laguz, it will surely get out.”

Izuka:
“Any such backlash can be extinguished with proper punishment. But laguz… They’re powerful! (And expendable…) Just what we need. By all means, invite them to join!”

Sothe:
“They’re good friends. I’m sure they’ll agree to help if I ask (you mumbling creep). But… Isn’t it the prince–and not you–who should make those decisions?”

Izuka:
“Question me not, young Sothe. My words are the prince’s words. You need to understand that.”

Izuka:
“Isn’t that right, my prince?”

Pelleas:
“Ah, ah, yes, that’s right. You should do as Izuka wishes.”

Sothe:
“I…see.”

Izuka:
“I’m glad you see. Now, quickly, quickly…go talk to your friends. And see to it you don’t foul up.”

Sothe:
“How did you get here so soon? More importantly, how did the investigation go?”

Tormod:
“It went great! In fact, we finished up so quickly that we flew here to back you up in case you needed help.”

Micaiah:
“Um…”

Tormod:
“Oh, sorry I haven’t introduced myself yet. You’re Micaiah, I take it? I’m Tormod! Three years back, Sothe and I were in the Crimean Army…sorta. We fought side by side as mercenaries under Ike.”

Micaiah:
“Of course…General Ike…again.”

Tormod:
“I beg your pardon?”

Micaiah:
“Nothing. Don’t mind me. So, anyway, what is this investigation Sothe requested of you?”

Sothe:
“I began to doubt that the apostle–Begnion’s empress–actually knew what was happening in Daein. At only thirteen, the apostle may be young, but she’s proud and upstanding. She’d never let these kinds of things happen to Daein. So, I asked Tormod to fill her in on what was really happening here.”

Tormod:
“This is what we learned… The apostle had noticed something shady about Daein. She was investigating on her own. She traced the ones pulling the strings to a certain faction of senators. Now, she’s snapping mad, but without proof, she can’t publicly move against them.”

Tormod:
“The apostle is the highest power in Daein… Even so, she and the senate are rarely on good terms with each other. Sothe, she promised she’d help us however she can. She said to do whatever is necessary…And that inspired me to find you sooner than later.”

Sothe:
“I see. So… I can depend on having you three around, for at least a little while?”

Tormod:
“Yeah! Your old pal here is gonna take care of everything. Just try getting rid of me!”

Sothe:
“I can only try!”

Tormod:
“What do you mean by that?! Ah, you’re as blockheaded as ever.”

Micaiah:
“That Sothe… He looks happy, for some reason.”

Muarim:
“Because he’s reunited with my little one?”

Micaiah:
“That must be it… Oh, Sothe, ever since he was small, he’s tried to act more grown up than the grown-ups… I’ve taken care of him so long, and still I’ve never seen him smile so easily before.”

Muarim:
“Hm… Watch what you say. Comments like that… They reveal that your appearance belies your true age.”

Micaiah:
“What are you–“

Muarim:
“Among the laguz, there are those who detest and revile half-breeds such as yourself. They call you “parentless,” and deny you any laguz heritage, honor, or dignity. Take due care.”