The King's Triumphant Return

I really caused trouble for you, didn't I... I am so sorry. Truly.

I am also...eternally grateful to you.

Now, it's time to go to the Kingdom capital. I hope that you will lend me your strength once again.

Dimitri hated the Empire with a fiery passion. At Gronder, driven by fury, he sent many good knights to their doom...

Now he appears to be freed from that hatred.

If he can make thoughtful decisions, unswayed by his emotions, he may make a fine king someday.

There are stories of Heroes' Relics a thousand years ago of which we have no real evidence today.

So many, in fact, that I'm led to wonder if those Relics are nothing more than legends...

Especially since we know of Relics like those passed down in the families of the 10 Fódlan Elites.

Can you believe it, Professor? Dimitri actually apologized to me!

Remember that awful business between him and my uncle Randolph?

He just came by and said he was sorry for all of that.

That was behind us as far as I was concerned, but even so...

It seems like he's changed for the better.

It's always so peaceful coming back here. But it's hard to relax knowing we have to go out on another expedition again so soon.

And now we're headed to the Kingdom? That sounds hard! Oh, really hard! Don't you think?!

So many people died in the battle at Gronder...

And here we are, preparing for the next battle, as if nothing happened the day before.

It's almost easier to think about war as theater, with the stage an entire continent.

Everyone just pretends like everything is fine... focusing on their role in the play.

Taking back the land of home has the most importance.

That is why I am fighting...all for my land of home.

Actually, there is more... I am also fighting for you and for everyone here.

Everyone is saying His Highness is back to his old self, but I do not think that is accurate.

What he was until recently is what he had been for as long as I've known him. So tortured by his compassion for the fallen that it had driven him mad.

He has always been too kind to be king. He has always felt too much for the weak and the dead.

That is exactly why I look up to him.

He'll need to excel as a leader, if he's to make up for my old man's death.

Though if my father could see Dimitri now, he'd be glad to have made the sacrifice.

Don't you dare tell anyone I said that.

I was born and raised in Faerghus, but I've never actually been to Fhirdiad.

Do you think it'll still be cold at this time of year? I can't even imagine.

I don't feel like I can just forget all the awful stuff he's done...

But if His Highness is owning up to his past, and trying to move forward...

I figure I can give him that chance.

We've been friends since we were kids. I'm gonna be there for him all the way to the end.

I agree that we should head for Fhirdiad, but let's not forget our search for Lady Rhea!

The soldiers from the church are going to set up a base at the Great Bridge of Myrddin.

They'll be able to keep up the search while we head for the Kingdom capital!

The Kingdom capital... It's been way too long since I was there last...

Oh, Professor! I didn't mean, ah... It's not that I'm looking forward to it or anything.

It's just...when I think of us finally saving everyone in Fhirdiad, it makes me a little happy. OK, maybe a lot happy.

The Kingdom capital is under the tight control of Cornelia, who was ennobled by the Empire.

Judging by what we heard from Lord Rodrigue, it sounds like she's a tyrant.

But all of that ends soon. Let's get there quickly!

We buried Lord Rodrigue's body ourselves.

There wasn't time to do things properly. It pains me that I was unable to take him home to his territory.

Once this war is over, I'd like to hold a proper funeral for him.

For now, we need to focus on taking back Fhirdiad.

All will be well eventually. I know we can win.

It seems we will soon set foot in Fhirdiad.

I used to live there, you know. Though that was before my time in the Officers Academy.

Trouble within the Kingdom forced me to return to Alliance lands. There was much I had yet to learn.

You know when you work your muscles and they start screaming? That means you gotta be nice to them.

If your muscles are hungry, you gotta feed them, and let them rest when they're tired.

What's with the confused face, Professor? You look like you don't get a word I'm saying!

The battle at Gronder Field was gruesome, wasn't it?

But perhaps it's irresponsible to look away—to close our eyes to the horrors of war.

As survivors, we must ensure that all these lives were not lost in vain. We must see the tragic foundations upon which we'll build our future.

May an age of peace rise from the ashes, so that all this sacrifice means something.

I'm relieved the prince seems to have finally come to his senses.

Though it's a real shame that Lord Rodrigue passed away. It really is.

But now I think we're starting to see a sliver of hope for the future of Fódlan.

I never used to care whether I lived or died...

But after seeing so much death firsthand, I now realize how precious life truly is.

I'm ashamed of how arrogant I was to think that death could mean so little...

Fhirdiad, huh? I've always wanted to go there.

But I'd rather be visiting for fun, and during a warmer season.

And going into battle? Not exactly an appealing prospect!

Heh, I'm just teasing. I'll do what I can to help. I'm just so relieved that Dimitri is his old self again.

Dimitri's completely changed. Or maybe I should say he's finally back to normal.

Either way, I'm glad he's come around to the idea of retaking Fhirdiad.

With our current troops, there's no way we could handle the Imperial capital. We wouldn't even get past Fort Merceus.

It seems we are headed for the Kingdom capital this month. The Church of Seiros stands ready to lend its aid to you and Dimitri.

It may be a roundabout route, but I believe this path will still eventually take us to Rhea.

Besides—saving the people of Faerghus is just what she would want us to do.

Standing face to face with those whom I went to school with. On the field of battle...

How inhuman war is—how horrifying. My heart feels shattered.

It is my hope that this war marks the end of such foolish behavior.

There's a school of sorcery in Fhirdiad, which is staffed by the top minds of magical research.

The study of Crests and sorcery should not be separate.

I've often thought I should pay them a visit someday.

I never imagined I might end up invading the place with an army though. Not how I imagined it at all.

Fighting with three different groups in the mix was as confusing as it was difficult to survive.

Enemies and allies dying one on top of the other... What an absolute mess, huh?

If only I had my infirmary out in Gronder, maybe I could have saved a few more lives.

I am very grateful to you. I could never have achieved this on my own.

This is all thanks to you and Lord Rodrigue.

This month, we will invade Fhirdiad by way of the Fraldarius domain.

Leave the negotiations with House Fraldarius to me. You make ready for the actual battle.

It is a tricky business, but we are taking our first steps forward.

The emperor was wounded at Gronder Field. What do you think is going on in the Empire now?

The Leicester Alliance has really suffered a blow as well. Who knows what will become of them?

From now on, we have to pay close attention to how the rest of Fódlan is doing.

If we're headed to the Kingdom capital, that means we're further away from rescuing Lady Rhea.

But it can't be helped, can it?

Perhaps some people will question this decision, but I trust your judgment.

Lady Rhea would want us to help in Fhirdiad. She'd scold us if we rescued her and left innocent people suffering.

So we're turning around and heading for the Kingdom capital? Ridiculous.

Tell him to cease this nonsense.

Isn't there a saying in Fódlan? Something about those with power knowing how to use it?

If he's not careful, the goddess will send her saints to smite him. Not that I believe that...

Guess what I noticed. I can see further than most other people can see.

But I can't figure the point of seeing further than an arrow can fly, since I can't shoot what I see.

Thanks, Professor. I think I get it now. I'm gonna put my eyes to real good use.

Greetings, Professor! Nothing to report!

Fhirdiad is a city with a long history that goes back to before Faerghus gained its independence.

I'd like to visit that place at least once before I die, but I'm afraid I have my own work to attend to. It's hard being so dedicated!

Ah, well. I'll go there for some leisurely sightseeing once Fódlan knows peace!

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 come to deliver vegetables we harvested in the village to the monastery's dining hall.

Because of the season, I couldn't really pick that much, but I wanted to help you guys out, even just a little bit.

We're busily planting seeds, so when things start to grow, I'll be back.

If you manage to take back Fhirdiad, it'll make it a bit easier for us to do business.

Taxes in the Faerghus Dukedom are ridiculously high. Makes it hard to even think about trading.

That Cornelia woman... What does she use that ample tax money for, anyway?

From the Empire's perspective, I suppose it makes sense to squeeze the former Kingdom territories for all they're worth...

But if they throw those territories into total ruin, doesn't that defeat the purpose of conquering them?

Up until a few decades ago, Fhirdiad was a disorderly city. Even the water supply was poorly constructed.

As such, it was a hotbed of sickness and disease.

The late king hired a researcher named Cornelia, who advised that he give top priority to improving the city's infrastructure.

In the space of just a few years, the city was transformed into a place of beauty and order.

At the same time, the diseases that had plagued our land loosened their grip, one after another. It was miraculous.

I can still hardly believe we managed to win against numbers like that!

Oh... Unless the real me is lying dead in Gronder, and this is all just a happy dream...

The fish in this pond get fed every day, so they're swimming all lazy and serene...

But the only reason they're kept here is so that they can one day be used for food.

But the fish don't know that, so they just swim around happily...

It's a bit of a miserable thought, but aren't soldiers much the same?

After that great battle earlier, the balance of power in Fódlan has shifted greatly...

To get revenge for all our fallen friends, we'll have to stake our lives on the fight that lies before us.

Edelgard, Claude, His Highness...

All the house leaders from way back when assembled again at Gronder.

I wonder what their thoughts were as they headed out to the battlefield...

We've come so far... I hate that we're headed to the Kingdom capital now.

But it's not like we have much choice. We don't have the numbers to face the Empire head on.

So we've just gotta shut it and deal.

Get this, pal. I swung by the training ground and ran into that Dimitri guy. Haven't seen him in ages.

He seems less rabid, but he's still too damn serious. It's depressing.

I challenged him to a brawl, hoping for a quick knockout. Didn't work out that way. We went at it for quite a while. He's a tough one.

Between you and me...the man is stunning in battle! Nearly on par with myself! Bet the ladies can't get enough.

It's a shame that our path is taking us far from the Imperial capital, but I don't feel too badly about it.

It takes us closer to the Fhirdiad School of Sorcery, where I explored many branches of study.

This way, I can repay my debt to the teachers who gave me such invaluable guidance.

If we're going to the Kingdom capital, that means I'll run into the lady who... Well, you know.

We'll just have to see what happens when I meet her face-to-face.

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.

A class reunion on the battlefield? That's...bleak. That must have been so hard on everyone.

You gotta keep looking after them all. I mean, they still look to you for guidance, you know?

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.

I hear there was a huge battle recently. Glad to see you made it back safe and sound.

Maybe there's life after death, or maybe that's just a bunch of pretty words. Either way, we should live like our time here is all we've got.

Got a wager for ya. My friend says there's twice as many women in Abyss as men. You think he's right?

Good eye. You win. Here, have a little something.

No way. You got eyes? Take a look around.

I hear there was a pretty spectacular battle up there recently, but we don't hear a lot about that stuff.

There was a lot of talk when it first started, but five years on... It's just a fact of life.

What? There have been lots of battles on the surface recently? I hadn't heard! See what I mean?!

I've...been close with one of the Kingdom soldiers I met in town...

He talked about how he hated the war. We'd just gotten engaged... I thought he'd stay...

He didn't want to invade the Empire, but he left for the front anyway... He never came back...

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.