The Chaos of War

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.

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 have been to the Kingdom capital before, but never to the Imperial one.

They say it is the biggest city in all Fódlan, so we will no doubt have many civilians to worry about.

I hope we can preserve the city. If it is destroyed in the battle, the people will face hardship.

I would say we should avoid the use of excessive force, but I suppose that hinges upon the Empire's terms of engagement.

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 them 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.

So, if we win the war...will you become the ruler of Fódlan?

You seem unsure, so I guess anything is possible.

For what it's worth, I think you'd make a good ruler. You could bring peace to the land...

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.

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.

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.

Some of my soldier friends departed for Empire territory a few days ago.

They wore trader clothes and hid their weapons in their luggage so that even if they encounter patrols, they won't arouse suspicion.

Another squad dressed as traveling artists. It's like a game of dress-up, but with lives at stake.

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.

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...

We're forming small units and slowly sneaking into the Empire's territory.

That allows us to conceal ourselves along the path of the main army's progress, so that by the time we reach the capital, we can all join forces again.

However, if any of the units are discovered before we can rendezvous, the whole plan is a bust. I'm sure it will work out, though.

The Empire seems to think we've abandoned our plans to invade, so they're likely not keeping as close a watch.

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.

Ever since the Empire declared war on the church, we have lost all contact with the priests and monks who were in the Imperial capital.

I expect there's nothing we can do but pray for their safety, but realistically, it's probably too late...

Enbarr is where the divine Seiros, sent by the goddess, first appeared before mankind.

Saint Seiros then worked countless miracles there, and offered guidance to the people.

That's why Enbarr is considered a holy place for the Church of Seiros.

The information about Lady Rhea being held in the Imperial capital came from an Imperial soldier at Merceus?

We can't discount the possibility that the enemy's feeding us fake information on purpose...

Still, we can only move forward. It's all on you, Professor.

I'm from the Empire, myself, and I still have some relatives in Enbarr.

I hope they get out in time, but I've no way of contacting them... I guess all I can do is pray they're not harmed.

Feels like a death wish, attacking the Imperial capital like this.

You don't really think we're going to beat the Empire with these paltry forces, do you?

According to a merchant who just came from the Alliance, my little bro made it home in one piece.

But House Albrecht lost a lot of troops. So did the nearby lords. Things are real bad over there.

If we don't stop the Empire soon, there won't be anyone left to help fight them off.

Is it true what they say? That the archbishop is a captive of the Empire?

I've never heard of anything so brash in all the Empire's long history.

It is vexing that Lady Edelgard's true motives elude me. If only I still had noble connections to draw on...

The loss of my house has proven to be a thorn in my side again and again.

The Kingdom and the Alliance both came out of the last fight looking battered and broken.

If the Empire is wiped out too, then who's left to run the joint?

I guess the next leader of Fódlan could be...you. I'd be pretty psyched about that.

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.

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?

Please, you can't tell anyone you saw me here. I'm in hiding from the army.

I couldn't stand the war. The violence. I had to get away... But now that I've deserted, I can't go home.

Justice, ambition—what does any of that matter if you're dead? I just want to live. Is that so wrong?

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.