Beyond Escape

Professor... I'm sorry to have dragged you into the fight again so soon after our reunion.

But you appeared at a most opportune time.

I'm truly humbled by your support, my teacher. Thank you.

Make sure you're ready to head out, OK?

Allow me to brief you on the details of our situation.

The Empire firmly controls the western portion of Faerghus. However, the central and eastern regions continue to put up heavy resistance.

The strongholds in these regions are Arianrhod, the Fortress City, and Fhirdiad, the Kingdom Capital.

We cannot control Faerghus until we have taken both of these cities.

As for the Alliance, Houses Gloucester and Ordelia seem predisposed to capitulate to us.

However, due to interference from Houses Riegan and Goneril, we have yet to secure their cooperation.

Claude obviously hopes to keep the Alliance whole through diplomacy.

But because we have had to focus our efforts against the church until now, our forces have yet to meet his.

We have only recently begun to take the fight to Alliance territory.

The last five years have been difficult at times.

My relationship with Edelgard is rather contentious, due to the incident with my father.

Nevertheless, I cannot abandon my family's duties.

As Duke Aegir, I must play my part in the Imperial army.

Edelgard intends to abolish the nobility, but I know I can dissuade her from doing so.

Professor! Do you know how happy I was to hear you were still alive?

I'll tell you how happy—for the past two days, I haven't had my morning or my afternoon naps.

Professor! Do you know how happy I was to hear you were still alive?

I'll tell you how happy—for the past two days, I haven't had my morning or my afternoon naps.

By the way, with Professor Hanneman not around...

I've occupied his room. So I am well equipped to perform research on you. Isn't that exciting?

All right! I'm ready to fight! Let's do this!

Are we leaving for battle? I heard it's a long march.

But it's fine! I've had plenty of time to stay inside lately, so I think it's time I...went out. Yeah!

I can do this! No more Bernie-bear!

Laaa-la-laaa-la-laaa...

Professor! Oh my! It's so good to see you.

These days, so many old friends seem to be disappearing. But you... You're here!

It's incredible to see you again after five years!

I have a feeling your name will go down in history.

Edelgard is controlling the Empire. She is putting the pressure on the Kingdom and Alliance.

Empire and religion are at open war. It will be... difficult for us at first.

But corrupt nobles are many. That means the common people will rebel and be joining our side.

With you, Professor, the battle tides will...ah, will turn. I have certainty.

For five years, I've fought for the Empire. I've cut down hordes of enemies.

Now I have the same look in my eyes that the boar used to have in his.

The look of a savage beast who loves nothing but destruction and violence.

You and Edelgard must not disappoint me. Mark my words.

The future you're building had better be worth all this bloodshed.

Since you came back, everyone's been smiling.

Just you being here makes an incredible difference.

I can't express how reassuring it is to see you.

Hey, Professor. It's been a really long time, hasn't it?

The last five years have been full of heartbreak—not from girls...but friends and family becoming enemies.

One of the things that kept me going was the hope you'd return, and now here you are.

A lot has changed, but you're back, and it's the first time I can remember being happy in a while.

I have good friends in both the Alliance and Faerghus, so this fighting weighs heavily on me...

I can't bear the thought of battling the Knights of Seiros to the death!

I have to keep my chin up though, right? Let's press on together, Professor.

My father used to be a knight in service of the royal family of Faerghus.

For a time he was at the monastery, but apparently he's back in Faerghus serving as a knight again.

Which means if I fight with this army, I'll eventually have to face my own father...

Of course, if at all possible, I would prefer not to fight my father.

This is the path I chose. I have no regrets.

His Highness, the new king, is in the process of unifying the Kingdom under his command.

His powerful army has joined forces with the Knights of Seiros, who moved their seat to Faerghus.

And now they're presenting a united front against the Imperial army. They're our greatest enemy, absolutely.

Judith, who defends the Great Bridge of Myrddin, is a formidable opponent.

We can't afford to drop our guard.

House Gloucester will remain staunchly neutral in this war. Even if we press into Alliance territory.

My father is no threat to the Empire. Lady Edelgard surely understands that.

The Great Bridge of Myrddin, however, is another story. I hear it is held by Judith of House Daphnel.

She is renowned for her military prowess. We would do well not to underestimate her.

Hey, Professor! What have you been up to for five years? Hope you haven't gone soft!

I got myself into perfect shape. Took all five years of pushing my muscles to the limit, but look!

I thought you might be at the monastery. That's why I made my way here.

I decided to follow your path, because I believed in you. But then you vanished.

Now that you've returned, I have my guiding light once again. Welcome back, Professor!

I'm relieved you're here, Professor. It seems we've reached a stalemate on the war front.

I admit I'm feeling apprehensive about fighting the Alliance...

I'll fight with full force. I'm counting on you to lead us to victory, Professor.

My adoptive father sent me here so our family name would be known. He doesn't care which side wins, the Empire or the Alliance.

However, even if he tells me to come home, I intend to stay.

I want to see this new world Edelgard dreams of...

I'm so glad to see you're all right.

I really regretted not being able to keep the promise I made to my mentor.

I'm going to do just what he asked. I'll be right here to support you from now on.

You've finally joined us, have you? I attached myself to the Imperial army as well. Seemed the thing to do.

I feel I owe it to Edelgard to set my past feelings about the Empire aside. I am happy to help her.

It's strange, isn't it? After five years, the three professors are together once more.

I am most curious though. You say you were asleep for five whole years? Incredible.

Perhaps this is another effect of your Crest. I do look forward to investigating you in greater detail.

You've finally joined us, have you? I attached myself to the Imperial army as well. Seemed the thing to do.

I feel I owe it to Edelgard to set my past feelings about the Empire aside. I am happy to help her.

I am most curious though. You say you were asleep for five whole years? Incredible.

Perhaps this is another effect of your Crest. I do look forward to investigating you in greater detail.

I am most curious though. You say you were asleep for five whole years? Incredible.

Perhaps this is another effect of your Crest. I do look forward to investigating you in greater detail.

Ah!

After the battle five years ago, the Imperial army occupied Garreg Mach.

The cathedral and several other buildings were destroyed, but...

We've done some repair work here and there, and we're using the buildings as a base of operations.

As for me? Well, the church moved its headquarters to Faerghus, and I've seen no reason to follow.

When I returned to Enbarr, I received a summons from Her Majesty, and I chose to answer.

What's that look on your face? Surprised to see me?

I'm a mercenary. Always have been. Even when I was with the Knights of Seiros.

I never was too attached to Fódlan. I was considering leaving soon.

But I might change my mind if you're around.

Ah yes! You're Her Majesty's professor. You're alive?!

Um... Oh, this is my little sister, Fleche. She's just a rookie, but she's helping me as my assistant.

H-hello. I'm Fleche von Bergliez. It's nice to meet you.

I know I'm inexperienced, but I'm going to do my best. You can count on me to look after my big brother!

I've heard you're planning to march into Alliance territory. I'll be here to guard the fort.

Ah yes! You're Her Majesty's professor. You're alive?!

Um... Oh, this is my little sister, Fleche. She's just a rookie, but she's helping me as my assistant.

H-hello. I'm Fleche von Bergliez. It's nice to meet you.

I know I'm inexperienced, but I'm going to do my best. You can count on me to look after my big brother!

I've heard you're planning to march into Alliance territory. I'll be here to guard the fort.

Ah, a new face. I am Randolph von Bergliez.

I'm the guardian of this place. Wait a moment... I'm sure I've seen you somewhere before.

Greetings, Professor! Nothing to report!

What's that? Do I have brothers in the church? You really are well informed!

My older twin works for the Knights of Seiros, but I think he's just a grunt. Not a noble gate keeper like yours truly.

Unlike me, he's very devout. He left the Empire a long time ago.

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 was so surprised to hear that the faith of Seiros was a sham, my eyes nearly popped out of my skull.

But just because the church lied to us doesn't mean that the goddess isn't real.

That's my take on it, anyway. I'd feel very anxious with no one to pray to...

Within the territories of the Alliance, the Gloucester and Daphnel houses dominate the west.

House Gloucester has always supported the Empire. There's not much chance of them defying us.

So all that needs to be done to restore peace in the west now is to crush House Daphnel.

By making an enemy of the church, disorder is running rampant among the populace.

It's quieted down over these last five years though. The well-being of Her Majesty is steadily improving.

There were clashes with the Kingdom army near the western front, but this is the first time the Alliance army has had an honest-to-goodness fight.

I hear their leader's pretty competent, but the Alliance army is pretty tough too.

The north side of the Great Bridge of Myrddin is in the territory of Acheron of the Alliance.

He's known as "the weathervane." He's a notoriously flippant man.

A man like that doesn't have the guts to give it all for the defense of that bridge.

Since the great nobles lost their standing, the regulation of the merchant houses has relaxed somewhat.

You'd probably have thought that would make it easier for us to profit...but the world isn't so simple.

The war has made the price of goods unstable, causing no end of hardship for the people.

It's normal for history to be revised in favor of those who hold the power.

The documents in this library are no exception. It's perfectly possible for someone to have made edits to them.

But it's my belief that no one has the power to blot out the truth entirely.

I like to read the same texts over and over again. That way, I can spot some of the truths hidden between the lines...

I've been working here for a few years now. There are plenty of others working here too.

Since the acolytes and students aren't here, it's up to us to pick up the slack.

Huh... Is that... It is you, isn't it? I kinda forgot what you looked like.

Anyway, you came back, and that's what matters. Staying here wasn't a mistake. I can say that much.

Hey, pal. You've got a lot of nerve coming here after ignoring us for five years!

Ha! Got ya! All this time, and you still can't take a joke, can ya?

Good job surviving and clawing your way back to us. This day couldn't get better if it tried.

Heh. Say, now that you're back, we should celebrate with some liquid gold. We're not your students anymore, so it should be fine, yeah?

Oh... I like this idea. We'll make it a wild party! Even the emperor won't be able to turn it down.

If you haven't heard, we'll soon be launching a full-scale assault on the Alliance.

Her Majesty has searched relentlessly for you. Now that you're found, her moment has come.

The stalemate we've been locked in shall give way very abruptly.

We have your reappearance to thank for that.

Abyss is OK. The Bert kept it safe out of the goodness of his heart. Ha. Kidding, of course.

He said the "lowlifes" here could be useful, because they won't mind fighting dirty, or rooting out spies.

Or...something along those lines. I didn't pay much attention to that part.

You've survived. How very fortunate...

Were you dead, I wouldn't be able to fight you. But you are very much alive—now I've a chance to kill you.

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.

It's you. You're still alive! It's been five whole years, hasn't it? Time flies when you're standing guard.

That's right. I've been here the whole time. Day in and day out. Not like I have anywhere else to be.

The Imperial army hasn't interfered with us all that much, so it's business as usual here in Abyss. I mean, as usual as it gets here, anyhow.

I used to be a rather important person in the church, but...I am in exile for committing a crime.

I embezzled some money. But it wasn't out of greed!

My hometown was pillaged, you see, and the church wasn't putting in enough to rebuild...

A lot of folks cleared out once the fighting started.

People are saying it was the church that used to keep order around here.

But it's Yuri who's saving us from complete chaos.

A lot of folks cleared out once the fighting started.

People are saying it was the church that used to keep order around here.

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.