The Rose-Colored River

If you stand in my way, I will strike you down.

What used to be Aegir territory lies far to the east of the Great Bridge of Myrddin, downstream of the Airmid River.

For the sake of my family, I wish we could invade the Empire from there.

But I do not have the power to advocate for that. Strategically, Myrddin is more important.

Since I'm originally from the Empire, it seems no one trusts me with any important tasks. Fine by me.

Honestly, I'd bet they're watching my every move to make sure I can be trusted.

The Airmid River separates the Empire and Alliance. It's the largest river in Fódlan.

Sometimes it'll flood when there's lots of rain, but...

At least the land gets some extra water!

War isn't kind to you if you're a recluse.

By the time you realize what's going on, you're already under attack.

And if you're off by yourself, you can get killed with no one ever even finding out.

Oh, that'd be awful—just terrible! OK, Professor, I get it. I know I'll have to come out.

We're going to invade the Empire...which means we'll be fighting people we know, won't we?

If we're attacked by someone we know, or used to think of as a friend, is it permitted to run away?

If we can suppress this Myrddin, we can invade into the Empire. Right?

I was in the Empire. Now I will be an enemy...

I am having strange feelings. It is with ease that an ally turns into an enemy...

Leaving the house in my uncle's hands? What is the old man thinking?

I always knew my father was mad, but this time he's gone too far.

Only a fool would abandon his own territory.

The area around Castle Gaspard, where I was living, is under the control of House Rowe, who have submitted to the Empire.

If I hadn't come to Garreg Mach, I might have ended up as your enemy at Ailell.

That thought makes me really happy to be here now.

I don't think I would have been able to handle facing all of you in battle.

I had an encounter with Lord Gwendal... How many years ago was it?

Back before the academy, I met this girl who I fell madly in love with...and her dad tried to kill me.

I suppose he just tried to scare me, but I was sure I was gonna die. Oh yeah, her dad? Lord Gwendal.

Crazy, right? I never thought I'd seriously be trying to kill the guy in battle.

I kind of don't know how to make sense of it.

It looks like we're all set with food supplies, thanks to Lord Rodrigue!

We have more soldiers to feed now, so we'll still need to ration...

But I think we have enough extra to make some tasty treats! I'll go scout the pantry.

Next we face the Great Bridge of Myrddin... We actually crossed it a long time ago.

Do you remember? It was five whole years ago!

Everyone was still friends then. After the fighting, we all ate together without splitting into our separate houses.

But now we're fighting the same people who were our friends back then... Even Ashe...

I often wish we could go back to those peaceful days...

Next we face the Great Bridge of Myrddin... We actually crossed it a long time ago.

Do you remember? It was five whole years ago!

Everyone was still friends then. After the fighting, we all ate together without splitting into our separate houses.

I often wish we could go back to those peaceful days...

I often wish we could go back to those peaceful days...

Just like House Fraldarius, House Galatea is currently being invaded by the Dukedom.

My family is not as wealthy as most others, so we are incapable of sparing resources or reinforcements.

I'm sorry. It's just so frustrating, not being able to do anything to help.

I finally got to eat a full meal for the first time in forever, and it's all thanks to Lord Rodrigue!

I've got so much energy! Let me at that Great Bridge of Myrddin! I'll bust it down myself!

Oh, but then how do we cross?

The Great Bridge of Myrddin isn't just a bridge. It has the features of a fortress.

I believe it was built for military purposes by the first leader of the Adrestian Empire.

In other words, it's even older than the monastery.

So if we occupy the Great Bridge, we'll have to search it from top to bottom.

I'm sure you know this already, but House Ordelia is aligned with the Empire.

They face the Empire from across a river, similar to the Gloucesters.

Even so, I refuse to yield to the Empire a second time.

The Empire did unthinkable things to my family. And to me.

The only option here is winning. Professor, you must promise we will overcome the Empire.

My adoptive father is planning on supporting the Riegan family in the upcoming operation.

He says it's the perfect opportunity to get both the Alliance and the Kingdom on his side.

He even insisted that I promote the good name of House Edmund to the people of the Kingdom.

But I suppose I did just tell you, so that must count for something.

Claude says he's on our side. I know everything will be fine if we leave it to him!

He may act like a layabout, but he's actually smart. And although Claude isn't honest about some things, you can trust him when it counts.

Lord Rodrigue seems reliable. But even with his help, aren't we still a little shorthanded?

We can probably make it to the Great Bridge of Myrddin. But beyond that, I don't know.

Don't let Dimitri push you too much, Professor. It'll shorten your life for sure.

So, the renowned Shield of Faerghus is now on our side. That is quite reassuring.

Not only will he provide valuable support in battle, but he has also brought us much-needed supplies.

We cannot grow complacent, however. We must take the Imperial capital as soon as possible.

Being here brings back all manner of memories.

The days I spent studying here with you and everyone else—those days were so special to me.

They truly were some of the warmest days of my life. I hold them dear in my heart.

And now, to be forced to fight with those I was once so close to, my friends... It is most saddening.

The battle at Ailell was a tactical marvel. You grow stronger with each passing day.

Where does your talent end and your Crest's power begin? Are they one and the same, I wonder?

Most intriguing. Yet it is quite difficult to draw useful conclusions, given the situation.

It is quite unfortunate I did not achieve my research goals before the war broke out. So much unknown.

Now, I fear I will not have those answers even by conflict's end. So very frustrating.

Oh, hello there, Professor. Did you need something from me?

It doesn't look like you're wounded or anything. You just looking for...someone to talk to?

Whether it's physical pain or worries of the heart, you can come to me for anything, Professor.

House Fraldarius is a military house. They swore fealty to the royal family at the Kingdom's founding.

The current family head, Lord Rodrigue, was raised like a brother to the former king.

He harbors a loyalty that goes beyond mere duty. Perhaps this is why he was willing to lend us his aid.

I thought House Fraldarius had an invasion of their own to worry about.

I'm impressed Lord Rodrigue was willing to provide us all these reinforcements and supplies.

The knights' morale is really boosted, seeing as they have had their first good meal in a while.

Let's hope we can keep this up, and take down the Great Bridge of Myrddin!

Gwendal made the ultimate sacrifice in service of House Rowe.

I understand that feeling. I'd do anything for Lady Rhea.

At any rate, it's up to the individual how to demonstrate loyalty.

So, House Riegan accepted. I knew the leader of the Alliance wouldn't refuse.

Still, we can't let our guard down. There's no telling when he'll turn on us.

If we advance through the Alliance into the Empire, our chances for reconnaissance will be limited.

I just hope it goes according to plan.

Lady Rhea must be so scared. We gotta find her quick as we can.

We got reinforcements from the Kingdom people now, right? Then we oughta be able to go save her!

Even after all these decades, the academy hasn't changed a bit.

I remember it well, even now. I used to sneak out of lectures with Lambert almost every day...

I suppose this is not the time for an old man's nostalgia.

We have received approval from House Riegan. We should set out as soon as you're ready.

Greetings, Professor! Nothing to report!

Lord Rodrigue is revered by all as the Shield of Faerghus.

I was imagining a more stern-faced fellow, but he's actually quite friendly. Shocking!

I heard that he recently spent the night drinking in the dining hall with soldiers from the church...

Things we can't obtain here are likely obtainable by way of the underground.

Are you unfamiliar with Garreg Mach's underground? The place is an absolute paradise for those who can't stay above ground.

Those Abyssian idiots. All they ever do is cause trouble.

We'd best purge the entire underbelly of Garreg Mach.

I've been away from Garreg Mach for a while, but I came back when I heard the rumors of what you were doing.

The scars of five years ago may still be raw, but it's nice to be back.

Anyway, I'm going to start up business here again, so I look forward to your patronage!

We were raised by Lord Rodrigue himself to be the elite of the elite.

Even if our enemy is the Empire's vast army, we can overcome the difference in numbers.

The one thing that could prove to be a problem is if our food and supplies don't hold up.

If we attack the Imperial capital before the Kingdom capital, we'll have to be swift if we want to prevail.

Lord Gwendal was pretty tough. If only he'd been on our side, he would have been a great ally.

But it was Lord Gwendal himself who made the decision to throw his lot in with the Empire alongside his liege.

I will neither pity him nor mourn for him. It would be an insult to his honor.

To follow the path of justice, as long as life endures. That is the duty of a knight of Faerghus.

From the outset, House Riegan and House Gloucester have been fighting over leadership of the Alliance.

Then this war comes along...and their opinions are split about whether to ally with the Empire or not.

Their existing enmity only worsened, leading them to full-on conflict with one another.

However, the leader of the Alliance is a very shrewd man... It's difficult to predict what he'll do at this point.

Do you really think it's a good idea to trust Claude?

If you let yourself get taken in by his silver tongue, you might wind up regretting it...

The thing is, ah... Five years ago, I was taken in by his tricks myself...

I was given a long and grueling lecture by my unit leader that day... Urgh. The memory of it is still too painful...

On the north side of the Great Bridge of Myrddin lies the territory of Acheron of the Alliance, and to the south, the Empire's Bergliez territory.

Count Bergliez has held the position of Minister of Military Affairs for the Empire ever since the days of Emperor Ionius.

The current emperor seems to have brought the corrupt nobility to heel, but Count Bergliez looks to be an exception.

Damn, who'd have thought that House Rowe would show up.

They must've been sweating blood to get to Ailell from way out there.

Guess it's been a while since I left House Rowe, so it doesn't bother me much to have to fight them.

Kinda always knew I'd be the one to take that stubborn old donkey out. I've been ready for this.

I hear Claude's gonna fight the good fight with us. Heh, not a bad ally to have, that one.

Something about him is untrustworthy, but from what I hear, he's a man who keeps his promises.

I honestly have no clue what will happen after we cross the bridge...

Invading the Empire at last, are we? I cannot still the wild palpitations in my chest.

I have made myself ready to the extent that I could, but now that the day draws near...

I fear that to proceed will be to abandon all hope of restoring the Imperial house of Nuvelle.

However, if we succeed in defeating the Empire and rebuilding the Kingdom, I may yet achieve my dream.

That sorcerer who runs the Kingdom capital... Cornelia's her name, yeah?

The woman who kidnapped me was called that too. But it's probably just a coincidence.

Super common name. You can't swing a dead cat without hitting a Cornelia. Right?

Hey, Professor. How's it going? Making lots of coin?

I'd love to catch up, but I'm super busy right now. Working. For money. You understand.

Hey, Professor. How's it going? Making lots of coin?

I'd love to catch up, but I'm super busy right now. Working. For money. You understand.

There's unrest everywhere these days. All of my fellow merchants seem to be endangered.

I hope things go back to normal soon. People need more to smile about, aside from my great deals.

Abyss? You're interested in that place, are you?

Ancient sprawling remains deep below Garreg Mach... That's Abyss.

Some folks have made their home there. Obviously they all have their reasons and tales to tell.

But only the most enterprising merchant would venture near it. My advice? Avoid going there yourself.

Hey, you. Listen up. I've got something to report.

Some Kingdom noble called Rodrigue has been footing the bill to feed the people of Garreg Mach. Feeding the hungry with his own gold... Just, wow!

Even the folks down here have been getting a share of the provisions. Needless to say, this Rodrigue guy is popular these days. We're all very grateful.

Not sure what brought people back up above, but I'm glad for it.

The dining hall, the greenhouse... They're all ripe for the picking again.

Uh, I mean, for them! Good for them!

I heard the Kingdom fell. If that's true, why are there Kingdom soldiers right above us?

Do you know what's going on?

That so? Sounds like a good business opportunity. Thanks for the tip. Time to rake in some gold.

I hurt my leg in the last battle. Had to take shelter down here—nowhere else to go.

Be careful up there. All sides are bringing their strongest people to this fight.

Ah, I see. So you are Jeralt's child. You so resemble your mother.

I've been gone from the monastery for some time now because... Well, it matters not.

Might I...ask a favor of you?

Do you mind terribly picking up some fresh flowers to place upon your mother's grave?

I am certain she'd be deeply moved to receive a gift from you.

Thank you so much. This is just the type of flower she once loved so dearly.

I can rest easy now.

I must be off. Take especially good care of yourself, won't you?

Please, look after Jeralt. She'd have wanted that.