Chapter 7: The Shield of Thracia



On the World Map

With the overwhelming pain of failure lying heavy in his heart, Leaf fled Manster, accompanied by several members of the Magi group.

However, danger was still with them.

Bounty hunters were after the reward placed on Leaf, and the Manster Army was gaining on him from behind…

Opening Cutscene

August:
“Lord Leaf, the Manster Army is gaining on us.”

Leaf:
“What should we do?”

August:
“We have two choices. We can either head west into the mountains to shake them off, or we can continue on southward towards Castle Meeds. Either way, we will probably have to request aid from Thracia.”

Leaf:
“Aid…from Thracia? But Thracia ruined my country and killed my parents. I have no intention of asking them for help!”

August:
“Do you intend to put your allies in danger just because of your own selfishness? You must understand that we are not fighting to avenge your country or family. We have stood up to liberate Northern Thracia from the Empire.”

Leaf:
“Well, yes… But can we even trust Thracia? They’re allied with the Empire.”

August:
“I’m sure that they would stand up once they see their borders being invaded. Also, General Hannibal resides in Castle Meeds. He is a respectable warrior known as the Shield of Thracia. I’m certain he would help us if we tell him that we have escaped from Reidric of Manster.”

Leaf:
“All right, then let’s head for Castle Meeds. We can go to Tahra later.”

August:
“Tahra…? I’ve heard that the Imperial Army has surrouned Tahra because it openly opposed them taking their children. It would be suicide to go there with our small forces.”

Leaf:
“Tahra is like a second home to me. The duke of Tahra… He died protecting me from the Empire. I also have a lot of friends there. I have to save Tahra, August!”

August:
“…Very well. We shall discuss that later. For now, we must escape!”

(If you didn’t kill Shiva in Ch 2 Gaiden)

Shiva:
“What’s all this noise about?”

Mercenary:
“Looks like someone raised hell in Manster. And if the rumors are true, that someone is a kid named Leaf, one of the last surviving heirs of Lenster. There’s a huge bounty on his neck as well. We’ve got a nice one to go after for a change…”

Shiva:
“Hm…”

2nd Turn

Soldier:
“Welcome back, General Hannibal.”

Hannibal:
“I see some people have been thrown into the dungeon. Did something happen while I was gone?”

Soldier:
“Yes, there were some suspicious figures lurking around the area, so we captured them. They’re probably bandits from the outskirts to the east…”

Hannibal:
“I see… What are they saying?”

Soldier:
“They keep claiming that they are simple villagers, but from the way that they talk, I can only suspect that they’re brigands of some sort.”

Hannibal:
“All right, I’ll talk to them myself later. More importantly, something is boiling up in Manster… That Reidric might be scheming something. Be on your guard.”

Soldier:
“Yes, sir!”

(If Finn is alive)

Soldier:
“They keep claiming that they are simple villagers, but from the way that they talk, I can only suspect that they’re brigands of some sort. Also… There was a knight among them, but he managed to escape. We are currently searching the area for him.”

Hannibal:
“All right, I’ll talk to them myself later. More importantly, something is boiling up in Manster… That Reidric might be scheming something. Be on your guard.”

Soldier:
“Yes, sir!”

Finn:
“Is Lord Leaf safe…? I must go find him…”

(If Saphy is alive)

Finn:
“I must be off. You may return to the city now.”

Saphy:
“Sir Finn… Am I just a hindrance after all?”

Finn:
“No, that’s not it. I appreciate your offer to help, but I’m not sure if I can protect you or not.”

Saphy:
“When I left Tahra, I swore to the war god, Heim, that I would not fear death as long as I could help the savior of my town. You need not worry about me. If I could be of any assitance to you, then please take me along.”

Finn:
“Very well, if you insist… In any case, we must get going. We need to find the prince before sunset.”

(If Finn is dead/captured and Saphy is alive)

Saphy:
“Is Lord Leaf safe…?”

2nd Turn (enemy)

Reidric:
“The rebels are on foot, they won’t be able to go far. Eisenhow, I want you to take your troops and chase after them on horseback. You must get rid of them before they reach Castle Meeds.”

Eisenhow:
“Yes, my lord. …But Thracia is allied with us. Would they really head for Castle Meeds at all?”

Reidric:
“The Empire and Thracia are allied, but we are not on good terms with each other. In fact, we’re on bad terms. If there’s anyone with half a brain among the rebels, he would take advantage of this situation.”

Eisenhow:
“Ah, I see.”

Reidric:
“Anyway, if we can catch them before they reach the castle, we won’t have to deal with Thracia at all. And one more thing… Hannibal most likely has his armored infantry stationed around the castle. Whatever you do, don’t get into a fight with them. Understood?”

Eisenhow:
“Yes, my lord.”

If your units escape before defeating Eisenhow

Hannibal:
“Manster’s army is headed here!? Reidric…do you take me for a fool? Troops! Dispatch! Show those fools from Manster the wrath of the Armor Knights of Thracia!”

(At the end of the same turn)

Reidric:
“Hannibal’s troops came out? Damn…just what we need right now… Everyone, retreat! Retreat back to Manster!”

Conversation (Leaf, Finn)

Finn:
“Lord Leaf! You’re all right!”

Leaf:
“I’m sorry for worrying you, Finn.”

Finn:
“No, I trusted you would be safe, Lord Leaf. I just didn’t expect to find you so quickly…”

Leaf:
“It’s all thanks to the Magi group.”

Finn:
“Magi…? They’re called the Magi group? They seem to have both knights and mercenaries, but who are they?”

Leaf:
“They’re rebels from Manster. They agreed to help me until their city is liberated.”

Finn:
“I see. …Where is Eyevel? She doesn’t seem to be here…”

Leaf:
“Eyvel’s in Manster… She was turned to stone by a Lopt Priest. There’s nothing we can do right now…”

Finn:
“! …I see… I’m sorry, Lord Leaf…”

Leaf:
“You don’t have to apologize. And…I will go resuce Eyvel. Some day, we’ll go back to save her. So you’d better not die! You can’t die until we return to Manster!”

Finn:
“Of course. I will swear to my spear that I will never leave your side again!”

Leaf:
“Yeah… By the way, where are the others?”

Finn:
“They’re being held captive in the castle. I thought about rescuing them, but I figured I should find you first.”

Leaf:
“I see… So we have to go to Castle Meeds anyway. All right, we’ll pick up the others, and then go to Tahra. You must have memories of that place as well.”

Finn:
“Yes, Lord Leaf.”

Conversation (Nanna, Finn)

Nanna:
“Father!?”

Finn:
“Nanna… Thank goodness you’ve alive. Are you all right? Are you hurt?”

Nanna:
“No, I’m fine. Eyvel protected me…”

Finn:
“I see… I wouldn’t know what to say to that person if something had happened to you…”

Nanna:
“Father…”

Finn:
“Hm? Is something wrong?”

Nanna:
“No… Sorry. Never mind…”

Finn:
“Well, if you say so. Anyway, return to the back lines. Your staves are useful, but you shouldn’t be up front like this.”

Nanna:
“Yes, father…”

Conversation (Saphy, Shiva)

Saphy:
“Oh, you’re…”

Shiva:
“Ah… So we meet again.”

Saphy:
“Why are you doing this? You’re not a bad man…”

Shiva:
“I’m just doing my job. It’s of no concern to you. Now move.”

Saphy:
“…No.”

Shiva:
“…You’re going to sacrifice your life for that kid?”

Saphy:
“If that’s the case…then so be it!”

Shiva:
“……”

Saphy:
“Thracia needs Lord Leaf! I would gladly give my life to ensure that he arrives there safely!”

Shiva:
“Hmph… You say some pretty stupid things sometimes, don’t you? Fine… Have it your way.”

Saphy:
“What!? Then you’re going to help Lord Leaf?”

Shiva:
“Yeah. Might as well, you know? But let me say this. Don’t ever talk about death lightly in front of me. If there’s one thing I hate, it’s people rushing to get killed.”

Saphy:
“I’m sorry… I’ll be more careful.”

Shiva:
“Can I ask you something? What is it that you want? What would make you smile with your heart?”

Saphy:
“I simply want to see the people living happily in peace. If they are smiling, then I will be as well.”

Shiva:
“I see… Guess I shouldn’t have asked. Anyway, my name Shiva, from Savan. What’s yours?”

Saphy:
“Saphy…from Tahra.”

House (Upper)

Man:
“You’re going to Tahra? Then take this antidote. If you ever get hit by poison, just rub this on the wound and it’ll go away just like that. I’ve heard the rogues in the west use poisoned weapons. You’ll be glad you took this antidote along.”

House (Lower)

Man:
“P-Please, I just couldn’t resist…don’t take me away… Huh?
You’re not the castle guards? Oh… Just forget what I said, then. Here, I’ll give you this to keep your mouth shut.”

House (Above the shop)

Old woman:
“If you have the time, why don’t you visit the arena to the south? If you fight and win, you’ll get rewarded with cash, and it’s a good way to test your skills. Oh, but you’ll die if you lose, so don’t get carried away. You must never overdo anything. If you do decide to go, then take this. I’m sure it’ll be of some use.”

Fighting Shiva

Shiva:
“Hmph… Fools.”

Defeating Shiva

Shiva:
“What…! How could I…lose to…”

Fighting Eisenhow

Eisenhow:
“You pathetic fools! You think you stand a chance against me?”

Defeating Eisenhow

Eisenhow:
“What… No…”

After Leaf escapes

Hannibal:
“I hear you fled from Manster. What is the problem?”

Leaf:
“Well, we were living on the east coast, but we were arrested for the opposing the kidnapping. However, we were rescued by the rebels there, and we escaped.”

Hannibal:
“Hm… You look quite resolved for one so young. What is your name?”

Leaf:
“My name is Lugh Faris, General Hannibal.”

Hannibal:
“…You look like him…”

Leaf:
“What? …I look like who?”

Hannibal:
“No, forget it. What do you intend to do from now?”

Leaf:
“I’m planning on going to Tahra. I have friends there…”

Hannibal:
“Are you going over the mountains?”

Leaf:
“Yes. We are fugitives. We cannot go through Imperial territory.”

Hannibal:
“I see… Those mountains are home to bandits. Be careful.”

(If Halvan, Othin and/or Ronan is alive)

Leaf:
“Thank you. Then will you release my allies?”

Hannibal:
“Ah, yes, of course. You there. Bring them here.”

Soldier:
“Yes, sir.”

(Halvan, Othin, and Ronan say a line if they’re alive)

Halvan:
“Lord Leaf! Thanks for coming. Sorry I couldn’t be of any use…”

Othin:
“Those bastards from Thracia! I’ll kick their asses the next time I see them!”

Ronan:
“Forgive me, Lord Leaf. I wasn’t strong enough to help…”

Hannibal:
“Oh, and one more thing…”

(Carrion appears)

Hannibal:
“Carrion, escort them to the mountain. There’s a massive brigand roundup going on right now. If they get mistaken for one of them, they might be killed.”

Carrion:
“Yes, sir.”

Leaf:
“You don’t need to do that much for us…”

Carrion:
“Please take me. I want to go along with you!”

Leaf:
“Well, if you insist… Please show us to Purple Dragon Mountain.”

Carrion:
“Yes!”

Hannibal:
“The sun is setting. You should be on your way, Lugh.”

Leaf:
“Yes, thank you for everything, General Hannibal. I won’t forget this!”

(If you rescued Corple in Ch 3)

Corple:
“Hello!”

Leaf:
“Oh, you’re the boy we met in Kelves… What are you doing here?”

Corple:
“Hannibal is my father. And here…please take this. It’s a Warp Staff, a very powerful magic item.”

Leaf:
“Oh, all right… Thank you.”

Hannibal:
“The sun is setting. You should be on your way, Lugh.”

Leaf:
“Yes, thank you for everything, General Hannibal. I won’t forget this!”