Before Battle (Liberation Army Camp)

Tormod:
“Listen and be amazed! BIG news afoot!”

Tormod:
“The apostle is sending an inspection team to investigate the occupation army’s abuses!”

Micaiah:
“Really?”

Tormod:
“She sent me a message that preparations are finally complete. But wait…it gets better. She also issued an imperial edict to the occupation forces telling them to cease all military action immediately!”

Micaiah:
“Does that mean the fighting is over? That we’ve won?”

Sothe:
“Indeed. It’s hard to believe it’s over. It almost seems too easy.”

Tormod:
“And best of all, Duke Persis is leading the inspection team! We’ll be home free the moment they arrive. Our worries are over.”

Sothe:
“Duke Persis…Lord Sephiran? So Apostle Sanaki’s dispatching one of the empire’s greatest men to handle this.”

Micaiah:
“What kind of man is he?”

Tormod:
“He is amazing…the best person ever! He’s incredibly influential and high up, but he never stood on ceremony with us. Well, go on, you guys! Don’t just stand there. You have to spread the news!”

Sothe:
“We have to spread the news? Aren’t you going with us?”

Tormod:
“Umm…nah. It’s mostly your doing. We’ll hold back…let you take the glory.”

Micaiah:
“It’s Izuka, isn’t it? You don’t want to come because he’ll be with the prince.”

Tormod:
“Well, yeah, basically.”

Micaiah:
“All right…but wait here! We’ll come right back once we’ve announced the good news.”

Before Battle (Daein Keep)

Begnion Messenger:
“…In light of which, Her Imperial Highness, Empress Sanaki, has conveyed to you this edict. Occupation forces are to hereby lay down all arms, convene in Daein Keep, and await the inspection team.”

Jarod:
“Hmmm…”

Begnion Messenger:
“Duke Numida maintains that your forces performed alleged abuses independently… in flagrant violation of his orders. The apostle, in her mercy, will hear your testimony. Do not abuse her magnanimous spirit…and lose your small advantage.”

Jarod:
“Hah! What a magnificently ruthless maneuver. I didn’t know Numida had it in him. Disowning the entire occupation army…and framing me for their actions. Brilliant.”

Alder:
“So then…the game is over. Might we at least drag Duke Numida down with us?”

Jarod:
“Not a chance. We are proof that Duke Numida–and therefore the entire senate–is corrupt. No doubt they’ll work together to silence us. Besides, there’s more tantalizing prey than those tottering relics. If I’m to fall, so too should the one who upended our plans and drove us to this dead end… That girl.”

Alder:
“Oh… I like that. Our final mission.”

Jarod:
“You create a diversion with the troops tonight, after dark. And I will seek our target…the girl’s silver-maned head.”

Before Battle (Liberation Army Camp)

Izuka:
“A-hhrrmm! Silence! Prince Pelleas would now like to favor you with a word. You may begin, my prince.”

Daein Soldier 1:
“Am I dreaming? Everything looks so delicious! What should I eat first…?”

Pelleas:
“Everyone, you’ve done a fine job. Once the inspection team arrives, Daein will be free once again! In anticipation of our emancipation, I invite you to eat and drink to your hearts’ content.”

Before Battle (Near Liberation Army Camp)

Micaiah:
“…Whew… Yune! What is it? You didn’t need to slip away from the banquet, too. Silly you! You’re kind of a mysterious bird, you know that? How is it you can fly around even at night?”

Micaiah:
“Oh, Yune…for some reason…I feel… so tired lately. …But it won’t be long… I’ll go back home to Nevassa…and then…save Daein…”

Jarod:
“So, you escaped the idiot’s ball to be alone? How trusting of you, Silver-Haired Maiden… No–I’m sorry–Priestess of Dawn. If you really can work miracles, you’d best work one up for yourself now.”

Micaiah:
“Hm? What? Oh! Begnion soldiers!”

(Battle Preparations)

Micaiah:
“General Jarod?! Why are you here?”

Jarod:
“I’m doomed, thanks to you. But if I have to go down, I’m taking someone with me… The vice-general to the Daein Liberation Army, the revered Priestess of Dawn.”

Micaiah:
“Even if you kill me, the kingdom of Daein will be reborn. As long as the prince survives, the people will fight.”

Jarod:
“Hah! The prince! He’s a sham, a travesty, a clod of mud no amount of polishing could shine. The real jewel–whose radiance attracts the people like moths to flame–is you, Priestess. And so I shall steal you and extinguish Daein’s light of hope! Know despair, Priestess of Dawn!”

Micaiah:
“Ah!”

Jarod:
“Guhahh!”

(The Black Knight appears)

Micaiah:
“Who are you?”

Black Knight:
“Be at ease, Maiden. I shall not let him harm you. I was once one of the Four Riders, serving the army of old Daein. If you recall the name of the Black Knight, you will withdraw from this place at once.”

Jarod:
“Riiiight! That’s precious. You’re the legendary Black Knight? Maybe you haven’t heard…he died in the war. But let’s put your claim to the test, if only to indulge my own amusement.”

Black Knight:
“Then have at me…and learn your folly.”

Jarod:
“In due time. But before I bother, why don’t you have a go-round with my restless minions? Douse the torches!”

Black Knight:
“Maiden. I shall be your shield. Remain by my side.”

Micaiah:
“I will. I know I can trust you.”

After Battle

Black Knight:
“Make your peace. This blow will be your end.”

Jarod:
“Heh… How kind of you…”

Alder:
“Gugrh…”

Jarod:
“Alder?! You… Why are you here?”

Alder:
“I’d rather fight beside my general than create a distraction with the other soldiers.”

Jarod:
“You idiot! Who asked you to join me?”

Alder:
“General Jarod… You are a terror to work under. Even so…I’ve always sensed a kindred spirit in you. I will follow you and fight for you…to the very gates of the abyss…”

Jarod:
“He was a good soldier… What now? Why don’t you kill me?”

Black Knight:
“My sword is not made for killing those who will not raise their weapons.”

Jarod:
“You’ve got to be kidding me!”

Micaiah:
“Stop! Stop it, both of you! A man has died protecting you. Don’t waste his sacrifice!”

Jarod:
“This is not the end!”

Micaiah:
“No. It’s not.”

Black Knight:
“You would simply let him go?”

Micaiah:
“He is not ours to judge. He belongs to the apostle now. I suppose he must bury his fallen friend and pray before facing her.”

A little later

Micaiah:
“You have my thanks for saving me.”

Black Knight:
“There is no need for thanks.”

Sothe:
“Micaiah, are you safe?!”

Sothe:
“You! Micaiah, run!”

Micaiah:
“Sothe! It’s OK. This knight just saved my life!”

Sothe:
“What?! Micaiah, do you know who this is?”

Micaiah:
“Everybody knows who he is, Sothe! He is the Black Knight. One of the Four Riders under King Ashnard, and the strongest swordsman–“

Sothe:
“Exactly! The scum that General Ike defeated in Nados Castle in Crimea, three years ago. So how can he be here now…alive?”

Black Knight:
“You are correct, Sothe. Ike did defeat me in that battle, in a fashion. But as you can see, I managed to escape.”

Sothe:
“What do you want?”

Black Knight:
“For Daein to raise its banner as a kingdom once again. I came here to protect those who are necessary for that dream.”

Micaiah:
“Sothe, General Jarod was here a moment ago. If the Black Knight hadn’t stepped in, Jarod would have killed me.”

Sothe:
“What?! But…I don’t see his corpse here. And that means…he’s still alive, isn’t he?”

Micaiah:
“Yes. There was another soldier who sacrificed his life protecting Jarod. I presume Jarod’s burying him now. Oh! Oh, no…”

Sothe:
“What is it?!”

Micaiah:
“I see a dark cloud… It’s dimming the light of hope… By letting Jarod go, I may have allowed something terrible to happen…”

Sothe:
“You aren’t sure?”

Micaiah:
“Sothe, I hadn’t told you, but I haven’t been feeling well lately. My mind feels…foggy. Things I could always see clearly are now dim and vague. I may have committed us to an irreversible fate.”

Black Knight:
“I shall aid you. No matter what Jarod may plot, I will prevent it.”

Sothe:
“Micaiah and I don’t want your help!”

Micaiah:
“Sothe, stop that! In King Ashnard’s War, you served below General Ike, and you and the Black Knight were enemies. But now, you are comrades with the same goal–Daein’s restoration. Listen to me. The Black Knight was Daein’s strongest general. We need him.”

Black Knight:
“And I am willing to serve.”

Micaiah:
“Sir Knight… That you should come to us now, is surely the will of the goddess. I thank you for your aid just now, and ask you to lend us your strength a while longer.”

Black Knight:
“May my sword serve you well, Maiden of Dawn.”

Sothe:
“I don’t like this…”