Valley of Torment

Some day we will take the Imperial capital.

It is odd to think that I will be invading the very city that I once called home.

Ah, that is still a ways off.

I will prepare for our journey to Ailell.

I never do get used to the sight of blood. It always makes me feel as if I might faint.

I suppose I've told you that though, yes? I've no idea how you cope with it.

I hope this war ends soon. I dislike being lightheaded because other people are bleeding everywhere.

Though the thought of working hard for it does sound like quite a pain...

I never do get used to the sight of blood. It always makes me feel as if I might faint.

Have I never told you that? Huh. Oh well.

I hope this war ends soon. I dislike being lightheaded because other people are bleeding everywhere.

Though the thought of working hard for it does sound like quite a pain...

I didn't think we'd end up fighting Randolph...

He's my uncle. Well, not by blood, so... I guess I can handle it.

Don't worry about me. I'm ready for anything.

Ailell, the Valley of Torment? What kind of a name for a place is that?

It sounds scary. Do I really have to go with you?

Hey, um, here's an idea... Maybe let the recluse stay home and hold the fort!

Hey, Professor, thanks for your hard work again! Nothing to report today!

Was I convincing? Was it like he was standing right in front of you?

Some things are the same as they were five years ago, but I guess a lot more has changed...

Since the past, I have learned much of the language of Fódlan.

But speaking the Fódlan language still gives me difficulty.

I can understand, read, and write with nearly perfection now. But understanding and speaking are...fruits of a different color.

Some in Faerghus believe Dimitri is still alive.

My father is one such eccentric.

Hmph, they can't accept reality. Dimitri is dead. He's not coming back.

Ailell, the Valley of Torment. Aw, man... I really do not want to go there.

That place is crazy hot! For guys like me who grew up somewhere cold? Man... It's gonna be rough.

Though, I guess that climate will keep our enemies at bay.

We may not be students anymore, but it's still important to read.

We might even learn something that's useful for our next battle.

It's a shame the monastery was ruined, but...

At least the books are still intact!

Professor, is it really OK to rely on Judith?

I hear there are still quarrels within the Alliance...

This generous offer of soldiers and supplies seems a little too good to be true.

I mean, it's also really impressive, but I'm just a little worried, I suppose...

My family, the Galateas, are an offshoot of the Daphnel family.

The family split in half when two brothers quarreled over an inheritance.

Despite blood relations, the families lived apart from one another, so the relationship has been distant and somewhat estranged.

I'm not so much acquainted with Judith, the head of House Daphnel.

Sharing her food with us for nothing in return? Judith really is a great person!

She's more like a goddess than the goddess is!

The Valley of Torment... I'd heard of it, but I never expected to go there.

It's exciting! I wonder what the landscape is like.

Ailell, the Valley of Torment, lies on the border of three noble territories.

The Kingdom's Fraldarius and Galatea families, and the Alliance's Daphnel family.

In the Fraldarius lands to the north, the former Kingdom army and new duke's army are fighting.

Valley of Torment... Valley of Torment...

My big brother told me stories of Judith's bravery.

With just one look, she tamed a runaway horse that nobody else had been able to touch.

When an Almyran general provoked her, she talked him into a tearful apology.

She's spectacular. I wish she'd fight alongside us.

You're not a teacher anymore, and we're not your students, but everyone still calls you "Professor."

Is there something you'd rather be called?

Meeting reinforcements in the Valley of Torment seems an astute decision to me.

In that land of oppressive heat, it is unlikely that we will be disturbed.

It also means we will need to contend with those harsh conditions ourselves, however. Best ensure we are well prepared.

It has been only five years, yet so much has changed.

Half of the Kingdom has fallen to the Empire. Skirmishes are rife throughout the Alliance.

Despite such tumult, we look upon the same sky, unchanged by the storm happening beneath it.

The monastery repairs have made solid progress. Most excellent news.

When we first returned here, I was unsure what we were going to do with the ruins of this place...

But if we can get the cathedral rebuilt, we'll have it looking just like old times soon enough.

Hearing that an old student has died cuts me right to the heart...

As this war with the Empire continues, we'll see more of it, Professor.

We have a duty to fight alongside our former students. We taught them how to fight, after all. Now, let's help them win!

Even though we're getting reinforcements, we should still be prepared for the worst.

Never shirk your training, no matter what.

To practice, I'm going to chop something up with my sword.

Unless you'd like to train together! Care to spar?

I've heard people talk about the Hero of Daphnel.

If the stories of her courage are true, no one will be able to stand against us.

In different circumstances, I'd have wanted to try crossing swords with her.

Right now we have to focus on getting to those reinforcements. Let's hope nothing goes wrong.

There are enemy spies around. Remain vigilant.

Capture anyone who seems suspicious.

Gotta clean out the storerooms, tend the flowers, do the washing, dust the library...

Like you. You gotta have other stuff you oughta be doing, yeah?

Greetings, Professor! Nothing to report!

Is everyone setting out on a big campaign? Not exactly? Ah, so you're meeting up with the reinforcements.

Well, you can leave guarding this place to me! I'll keep an eye out for anything suspicious!

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.

To the north of Garreg Mach lie the territories of the Charon and Galatea houses, former lords of the Kingdom.

Even though their territory is being nibbled at by the Empire, they are still clinging to their neutrality.

Since they only display enough force to defend their borders, I suppose the Empire has no incentive to attack them with any real strength.

House Daphnel is a renowned family, descended directly from the 10 Elites. They've had close ties to the church for ages.

I hear even Judith, who is known for her bravery and valor, is a devout follower of the Seiros faith.

She will lend us her strength, I'm sure of it.

It seems some of our friends believe that if we get those reinforcements, we'll be set for provisions too.

But I think it's best not to hold our breath on the food front.

With the added headcount from the reinforcements, there will be even more mouths to feed.

With the Faerghus Dukedom in place, the Kingdom is essentially no more.

The majority of the lords who once belonged to the Kingdom are now under the jurisdiction of the Empire.

Even the houses that haven't bent a knee yet, like House Fraldarius, will soon be crushed. It's only a matter of time...

I have lived inconspicuously these past five years, so as not to be discovered by the Empire.

To be able to finally return to the monastery again is overwhelming...

I hope that our brothers and sisters who ran far away will also return one day.

The Valley of Torment, huh? I see your angle, but don't let your guard down.

Any movement about their borders, and the lords of the Kingdom will react swiftly. Don't underestimate them.

Keep your focus on a positive outcome. There's a lot to gain and a lot to lose.

So Judith is on our side now. That right? Haven't seen that lady in years.

These days, people call her a hero. Back then, I just called her a catch and a half.

She was the second loveliest lady in all of Fódlan. Who's the first, you ask? Heh, that's my little secret...

So you intend to march into Ailell. Frankly, I want no part of it.

Surely, such an uneventful journey won't require my presence.

Though I would ask that we at least consider marching only under cover of night.

The Valley of Torment... Isn't that the place where it's scorching hot year-round?

You know, I've always wanted to see the world. That's why I left my village.

And here I am, traveling to all these interesting new places...to kill people. Not what I had in mind.

Maybe I'll find some time to admire the scenery. Though people might get mad I'm not taking this silly war seriously...

Oops, that was close. Almost sighed.

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

He said he was going to check on things up top but that he'd return. Thing is...I haven't seen him since.

Lots of knights have returned, but not him. I hope he's safe...

Bandits from Garreg Mach used to come down to Abyss pretty frequently.

We never dealt with them though. We refused their offers at every turn. Sometimes we had to use force.

It was Hapi who finally drove them out for good. Only then there were beasts all over the place...

Bandits from Garreg Mach used to come down to Abyss pretty frequently.

We never dealt with them though. We refused their offers at every turn. Sometimes we had to use force.

When the monastery fell to ruin, we lost all hope for support from the church.

Most able-bodied folks abandoned Abyss for the surface around that time.

Since then, we've been barely scraping by...

You're alive? I was sure that the fall of Garreg Mach had claimed your life...

I left for the Kingdom initially, but my reading of the stars spelled disaster, so I turned back.

I've spent most of the past five years drifting through Alliance territory. I've only recently returned.

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.