The Rose-Colored River

If our plan succeeds, we'll arrive at the Great Bridge of Myrddin unscathed. The important part is what happens next.

We're evenly matched in terms of military power, more or less, so if we can just launch a surprise attack...

But that's why you're here, Teach! No matter the odds, you're the wild card we need to win!

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...

We can predict what the Empire will do. Faerghus is our real problem.

The eastern lords have joined forces and are warring with the Dukedom.

But I've heard nothing about that conflict as of late. It's strange.

I haven't heard much from my father either. I can't help but find this silence unsettling...

It's thanks to you that I'm here now.

I owe you, Professor. You saved my life.

I swear I'll do all I can to repay that debt.

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.

Lady Rhea is in the Empire, isn't she? We should hurry up and find her.

So many people in the monastery and nearby towns are worried...

I want to ease their minds as soon as possible, Professor. Let's work together to find her!

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...

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...

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

So, that was Judith. Just as I'd heard of her, she was an upstanding person.

The same Daphnel blood runs through my veins, and yet I feel as though I am nothing like her. I am but a phantom of what could be...

I would like to believe that I have always made my own decisions.

Even so, I cannot deny that some small part of me has always been aware of my father's wishes.

Now, here I am. Concealing our plan—Claude's plan—from his sight.

In this fight, I will finally stand upon my own two feet, independent of my father's influence.

Thanks to all that food from Judith, I'm full for once!

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.

Legend says that pillars of light fell and ravaged Ailell. I was reminded of that when I saw it...

Um, Professor? Do you think those legends are true?

There are still so many things we don't understand in this world.

It looks like people are slowly starting to come back to the town.

I guess they feel safe now that you and the Knights of Seiros have returned.

Peddlers have become more common too, so there'll be food and supplies available.

After being run-down for all those years, it's really becoming livable again!

Things have gotten a lot more interesting since we've joined up with Judith, haven't they?

Anyone who casually treats Claude like he's just some kid is not a person to be trifled with.

I think Captain Jeralt would have liked her.

I hope someday I can be as strong, kind, and levelheaded as her.

If Rhea really is in the Empire, then we must defeat the Imperial army by any means necessary.

The people at large are just as concerned for Rhea's safety as we are.

The sooner we can settle all our unease, the better.

Judith is a wonderful person. So strong and confident, as well.

Looking upon her, I am sharply reminded of my mother.

I...lost my mother, long ago. I miss her desperately.

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.

So, Lady Rhea was in the Empire all this time.

Glad as I am that Judith told us, I wish we had known this five years ago.

We spent all that time spread out over Fódlan, searching for the archbishop and you.

It was a mistake to abandon the monastery, to leave it in ruins. Now we're paying for that mistake.

I'd heard of the Hero of Daphnel, but that was the first time I've met her in person.

She's the head of a prestigious noble family? Just like Claude. The Alliance nobility is so...odd.

Kind of, but I don't mean that in a bad way. You won't find such big-hearted nobles elsewhere.

Plus, Judith can drink with the best of 'em! A woman after my own heart.

Five years ago, when the Imperial army attacked Garreg Mach, they moved with incredible speed.

But in the middle of all that chaos, she still had operatives watching.

The Hero of Daphnel's spy network is impressive. She shouldn't be taken lightly.

Is it true Lady Rhea was dragged off by the Imperial army? I heard that was true.

Why'd they take Lady Rhea? Professor...they didn't take her to kill her, did they?

You gotta help her, Professor. I'm begging ya.

I don't know where he recruited that man, but Claude's got an eye for great talent.

I'm talking about his retainer, Nardel.

I've only spoken with him briefly, but he seems to have a fair amount of both brains and brawn, with the skills to match.

But there's something about him I can't quite place... Like I've somehow heard of him before...

Greetings, Professor! Nothing to report!

I was talking to some of the Daphnel soldiers earlier, and it seems that Judith has a weakness.

But they wouldn't tell me what it is! I got the feeling they didn't appreciate the question. Pardon me for being curious!

That said, maybe keep this to yourself. Not that she terrifies me to my soul, but I'd hate to get on her bad side...

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.

We came from the territory of House Daphnel. It's not easy to leave one's home, but it had to be done.

Judith asked us so earnestly, there was no way we could have refused.

We can trust you, right? I'd hate to end up just another pointless death...

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!

Gwendal, whom we saw at Ailell, was once a renowned general known as the Gray Lion.

And yet, as we fought him...it seemed like he was just looking for a place to die.

Even if House Rowe, whom he served, is no more, he shouldn't have just given up on life.

The year 1185 is almost over. From next month on, it will be the year 1186...

It's just a date, of course, but it feels significant. I hope next year is a great one.

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.

Hearing that the Knights of Seiros have returned, the monks have also been coming back.

We still don't have enough hands here, but we'll use all that we've got to rebuild the monastery.

Until the day that Lady Rhea is returned to us, we have to do all we can...

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.

Huh. That lady hasn't changed a bit since I was a kid. Still intimidating as hell. What a woman.

Being me, I'm not nervous or anything. I just... I'm not sure how to approach her, that's all.

My luck, she'll treat me like I'm still a kid, even though I'm clearly a full-grown adult man.

Hm. If that's the angle she takes, maybe I can get some nice hugs out of this... Huh?! Oh, nothing.

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.

Which leaves me with no choice but to appeal to you and Claude for that. My dream is in your hands.

I've never met someone like Judy.

She's easygoing, but at the same time, tough as nails. I bet she'd be real fun to hang out with.

Judy's great. Unlike that other guy, Lord What's-His-Name.

I can't stand people like him—people who think they're always in the right.

All he did was make trouble, but he convinced himself it was for a good cause. So infuriating.

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.

Lots of things happen down here. Lots of reports need to be reported. And for all reportable things, I'm your guy.

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!

House Daphnel was kind enough to share their food with us.

It may not be much in the grand scheme of things, but the gesture means a lot.

The Hero of Daphnel is something else too, isn't she? Balthus seems pretty taken with her...

House Daphnel was kind enough to share their food with us.

It may not be much in the grand scheme of things, but the gesture means a lot.

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.