The Chaos of War

My friend! The reinforcements the lords sent are finally gathering.

Truth be told, Fort Merceus would’ve made for a better base of operation.

But that weird pillar of light changes things. It's pretty scary, honestly... I wonder what it is...

Well, I guess pondering it is a waste of energy for now. Let's just get ready to move out.

The capital is Edelgard's domain, so she has the advantage. It's going to be a tough battle.

Professor. At last, the end is nigh.

I love the Empire. Part of me wants it to survive.

But I know that is not reasonable. The Empire's time has come.

What we need now is a mighty leader who can rebuild Fódlan and rule it as a single nation.

Nonetheless, it saddens me that we will not have an Adrestian emperor...

They used to call Enbarr the city of Seiros... To assault it, together with the knights, is surreal.

If Seiros were alive today, I wonder what she might make of our war...

In Enbarr, there was once a Southern Church, and apparently a bishop was dispatched to it.

A hundred years ago, the Southern Church became entangled in an insurrection.

Until five years ago, the Empire and the church maintained a certain distance from one another.

It's such a relief that we've made it this far without having to fight my father.

If he turns up as a reinforcement during the assault, we might lose. I better make my peace with that.

Professor! My, um, my mother might be in the city.

I don't have many good memories of her if I'm being honest, but she's dearer to me than my father.

If you happen to see her, please make sure she's not caught up in all the fighting.

She's only a civil servant, so hopefully she takes a cue from her Bernie and stays inside.

The whole of the capital is going to be a battleground.

The city has such a long heritage... Even so, perhaps it deserves to be reduced to ashes for once.

But we can't let the commonfolk get hurt. We should try to confine the damage to the noble section of town.

Five years ago...Edelgard said a thing to me.

Brigid is a vassal of the Empire.

But she also said I always have the freedom to be choosing whether I am with or not with her.

I will become the ruler of Brigid. So she said I must make my own path.

So now, my path and her path will be colliding.

The Death Knight is no ordinary knight.

I will prey upon him. I will quench my blade's thirst with his blood.

His focus is on fighting you, I'm sure. But mine will be the last face he sees.

Those things appeared as soon as we got ourselves set up in Fort Merceus.

Think what might have happened if they'd have hit us during the battle at Gronder Field.

Assuming it was the work of the Imperial army...

So Enbarr, the capital of the Empire. It's finally time. I never thought I'd live this long.

It's like any battle, really—stay calm, stay focused. Don't give in to the enemy or your own fear.

Striking down the Empire is my offering to His Highness.

Heh, I left the Kingdom... What am I saying?

It's been so long since I've been to the Imperial capital.

I used to go to the opera there with my mother and brother.

I never thought my return would be like this...

Enbarr... Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine I'd be returning like this.

Of course, most of the nobles in the Empire make their home in the capital.

In the Kingdom, all nobles live in their own domains. So if the capital is attacked, it doesn't necessarily affect them directly.

What will happen to the Imperial nobles when their capital becomes a battlefield?

Once this battle is over, what will become of Faerghus and Fódlan?

My hope is for a world at peace. A world in which this present turmoil is a thing of the past—the stuff of legends.

I believe those who survive the atrocities of war have a duty to create a new, better world.

So the sooner we can stamp out such turmoil, the better.

We must win, Professor. There is no alternative here. I won't allow for anything else.

I was taught from a young age to believe that the creed of Seiros was just the way of the world.

To question it never even occurred to me.

But Claude and Edelgard are different. They challenge the common wisdom. Even defy it.

It is uncomfortable to discard familiar assumptions. But that is an essential quality of the visionary.

Indeed, true greatness must lie beyond common sense. Hmm, that's good. I should write that down.

We're heading up to Enbarr next. I hope I make it back safe so I can tell my little sis about it!

I hear they got a neat opera house there where Manuela used to perform. What was it called again?

My little sis always goes on about how much she'd like to see 'em perform.

I know we can't see a show, but do you think we could at least see the building?

We're about to put the finishing touches on this war.

I wonder how Fódlan will look without the backdrop of death and destruction. I can't wait to see it!

On the other hand, I'm terrified of what the future might hold. Who knows if I'll survive the assault on the capital?

Invading the capital and smashing the Empire. I wonder if doing so could really end this war.

Care to share your thoughts, Professor?

Although for now, better to focus my efforts on the fight at hand.

If we can win this war, then Claude will be the king of Fódlan, and...

Maybe he'll tear down the wall that separates Fódlan from the outside world.

I know it's hard to imagine...

But I really hope he does. It would be so much better if people could live together instead of apart.

I might even be able to live an ordinary life in the world Claude envisions...

Fighting in the capital! Ugh! And we're fighting against Edelgard! Double ugh!

But with you leading us, Professor, I know we'll win.

Yeah! Wahoo! Fighting!

I'm a little scared, to be honest. I'm just shouting to relieve the tension, but I'll be fine.

We're finally going to the capital. This will be my chance to avenge Captain Jeralt.

Once we smash the Empire, I'm sure his soul will finally be able to rest in peace.

Monica killed Captain Jeralt for the Flame Emperor, and the Flame Emperor was Edelgard.

I know that the future of all Fódlan rests on this battle. Nothing else is more important.

But for me, this is personal. For Captain Jeralt's sake, I'm going to give it all I've got and more!

Rhea will be somewhere in the city. I wonder if she can sense us coming.

If we are able to save her, then I expect you will learn many secrets that have hitherto been kept from you.

Are you prepared for that?

The battle will soon be upon us. Let us both be at our best for what is to come.

I was born in Enbarr.

My mother and father met in a church there. Not too long after, I was brought into the world.

I do not understand how war can happen in such a precious place. It is most regrettable.

Enbarr's streets are paved with unhappy memories, Professor.

I've avoided the damned place ever since I abandoned my nobility. Swore never to return.

Now here we are. To return in this manner... Well, I can't say it is something I ever imagined.

In the opera, actors came and went all the time. But the people behind the scenes would stay forever.

I'll bet I'd know a few of them now, even after all these years.

They've probably left the capital by now. Although... I'm still worried about them.

In the opera, actors came and went all the time. But the people behind the scenes would stay forever.

I'll bet I'd know a few of them now, even after all these years.

I wonder if they've left the capital. I certainly hope so...

Here we are, facing the final battle with the Empire. It's been a long, difficult struggle.

We have to get Lady Rhea back! And we have to crush the Empire, in the name of Captain Jeralt.

I don't know what comes next. But we can sort out those details later.

Looks like we're nearing the end of this struggle.

I'm sure Lady Rhea is on tenterhooks waiting for me to swoop in and rescue her.

Lady Rhea's not waiting for me, I know, no matter how much I might wish she were. She's waiting for you.

Ten years ago, Dagda and Brigid attacked the Empire from the west.

Their final target was the capital.

But they were countered at a port town, long before they reached their destination.

I guess our attempt has been more successful than theirs, all things considered.

Whenever I think about how we'll be seeing Lady Rhea real soon, I get happy and really get cleaning!

We'll get there for sure, right? We'll see her again?

I just gotta believe Lady Rhea is waiting for us in the capital... We just have to find her.

That Nardel guy...or Nader, I suppose. It was all some trick, and we fell for it.

Hmph. I don't think the nickname "The Undefeated" applies if he flees from us.

Though...maybe he only got that name by running away. Can't be defeated if you run off, right?

Greetings, Professor! Nothing to report!

Momentum's really picking up for this final battle, huh? Even I'm starting to feel tense! Me!

Enbarr's history goes back 1,400 years. That even predates the founding of the Empire.

It's one of the sacred sites of the Seiros faith, so it's a pretty big deal.

But hey, no need to worry about the monastery while you're fighting the final battle. I've got it covered! I'll defend it to my last!

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.

Did you know? A magnificent canal flows through downtown Enbarr.

It's said to have been constructed under the guidance of Saint Seiros before the Empire was even formed.

Ever since, that canal has been a major lifeline for the capital's development.

And now this is how the Empire repays it... Truly, no good deed goes unpunished.

Reinforcements from the Alliance are still incoming. Perhaps we can wait...at least until we have an even balance of power.

Plenty of supplies have made it through from the Eastern Church and the Merchant's Association in the Alliance.

All the people of the Alliance believe we can win, so they're doing everything they can to support us.

That means we have to do our best to live up to their expectations!

Of course, the Alliance is making sure that the Five Great Lords help with the effort, but we'll be getting support from the smaller territories too.

I'll bet this is the first time those territories have worked so closely together, at least since the founding of the Alliance.

Just recently, the fish in the pond suddenly started thrashing around like mad.

I didn't know what was going on, and then I saw something gleaming in the southeastern sky.

It happened right when you were out on campaign. I wonder what it could have been...

With the Empire destroyed, the borders within Fódlan will likely become a thing of the past.

With that, the rules of trade will change. Personally, I'm excited to see what these changes will bring!

There are all kinds of rumors about you spreading through the Alliance. Some say you're the new embodiment of Saint Seiros herself!

Claude's popularity has certainly risen too. Somewhat...

The Empire's army should be divided now, with significant troops still in the west.

If they don't assert their authority over the old Kingdom's lords, they'll never know when an uprising might start.

Ironically, as soon as we capture the Imperial capital, the old Kingdom's lords are likely to rise up immediately.

Just a few months ago, I thought it was impossible to secure a victory against the Imperial army.

But you've shown me miracles can happen after all. I believe that victory is within your grasp!

It's very likely that Lady Rhea is confined in the Imperial palace.

If so, then our strategy will be to gain control of the streets, and then assault the castle.

A street battle followed by a castle invasion... It's just one battle after another. It'll be tough, but we have to win. For Lady Rhea.

Cornelia took control of the Kingdom capital, and then founded the Faerghus Dukedom in the old Kingdom territory.

Still, Faerghus has remained a mere spectator with regard to our actions so far.

It's not so surprising when you consider that they can't even get a handle on the Fraldarius territories.

Claude's quite the idealist, isn't he? Not that I've got room to talk.

His ambitions are lofty and, well, reckless. One false move, and Fódlan is done for.

Although, unrelenting idealism with a dash of recklessness can change the world.

Nader the Undefeated... With a name like that, he's bound to put up a damn-good fight.

Did you get a good look at Judith? She practically had hearts floating out of her eyeballs when she looked at Nader.

It makes all the sense. Even seasoned warriors aren't immune to love, pal.

Destroying the walls that separate Fódlan from the outside world strikes me as a bold step.

I've spent so long struggling to reclaim the past that Claude's vision of the future casts me in a poor light.

Oh! Did you think I was serious? Ahahaha! As if I would ever admit to a fault.

Ensuring that the tradition of House Nuvelle continues uninterrupted is a noble task!

I don't know much about Almyrans, but I guess I have something in common with them.

We're viewed as different because of where we came from. There must be a lot of people like us.

And if that's the case, maybe Claudester's got the right idea.

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.

Remember that battle six years ago? Oh... Um, I'm guessing you do. Anyway, remember that knight who watched over Abyss with me for a while?

I've been on the hunt for his whereabouts and... I finally found out what happened to him.

My friend...is no longer with us. Dead. Figured as much, but now I know for sure. I did get to meet his big sister, at least.

I'll never have the chance to thank him for our time together...but maybe I can find a way to help out his sister instead. Bet he would have liked that.

Those lights that came down on Merceus...I might have seen them before, here at Garreg Mach.

They looked like they'd rain down right on top of us, but at the last moment, they veered off...

I think they crashed into Ailell. It must have been the goddess's blessing that protected us.

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.