Valley of Torment

Go away.

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...

We weren't related by blood, but Randolph was still my uncle...

Seeing him end up that way was... Never mind. It's nothing.

I'm sure he never trusted me, being born in the Empire and all.

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!

This is all a bit troubling, isn't it? The people from the Kingdom seem to be of two minds, as well.

Can we really plan to fight when we're this unsure of ourselves?

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.

Hmph. I am steeling myself to see my father again. I can't stand that old man.

The Kingdom capital or the Imperial capital? I don't know which is the right way.

If we tried to take on the Empire like this, would we really stand a chance?

With House Fraldarius under attack, they probably can't spare many soldiers.

On the other hand, if we did manage to take the Imperial capital, the war would be over.

Hmm... I'm no good at thinking through this kind of complicated stuff.

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.

I don't know about everyone else, but heading to the Empire seems like a good idea to me.

The search for Lady Rhea will be so much easier if we can just get the Empire out of the way.

I suppose Dimitri might still pose a problem though. He seems so fixated on the Imperial capital, but...

I get the feeling he's not even sure what he wants anymore.

If we can take back the Kingdom, we'll recover our soldiers. And some food and supplies too, I bet.

Most importantly of all, there are people in the Kingdom waiting for our help...

Even His Highness understands that. I'm sure of it. Yet he wants to take on the Empire despite all that...

Do you think...he just doesn't care about anything other than fighting Edelgard anymore?

It is imperative that we regroup with those who continue to resist. Most importantly, we must join up with the Fraldarius family.

If we do, our ability to reclaim the Kingdom capital is ensured. We should aim for this outcome rather than focusing our efforts on the Imperial capital.

This seems to me the best strategy at present.

But I feel what His Highness feels—his hatred, his anger—so keenly, as if it were my own. So I find it difficult to oppose his wishes.

Ugh...so...hungry... I won't be able to train if I don't get some food in me!

I used to eat until I was full, but nowadays I can't even get seconds!

Aren't reinforcements supposed to be joining us soon? I hope they bring food along with them...

I still want my little sis to live in the town here, but there's no point if we can't even feed her!

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.

Incidentally, the Galatea family was originally an offshoot from the Daphnel family.

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

I feel there is something dreadful I'm forgetting.

I heard we're headed to the Valley of Torment. I'm not exactly thrilled.

That place is supposed to be really, really hot. Just the thought of it makes me uncomfortable.

Ugh! Who names a place "Valley of Torment"? A more inviting name would have been nice. "Valley of Endless Summer," something like that!

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.

Gilbert was a knight to the royal family of Faerghus?

What was a man like that doing in Garreg Mach, I wonder?

Who knows. Whenever I'd try to ask about it, he'd change the subject and avoid giving a proper answer.

These past five years, Lord Rodrigue worried for His Highness more than any other.

But I wonder what he would say if he saw what has become of Dimitri...

The Kingdom doesn't seem to have clear goals holding them together. Different people have different priorities.

The situation right now is difficult. But at times like this, you have the opportunity to really shine, eh Professor?

You're in charge. Show them what you're made of! I'll do what I can to help.

Strategically speaking, our best move is probably to head for the Kingdom capital.

Though, I think it's more likely that Lady Rhea is in the Empire, so I would not object to taking the fight directly to Edelgard.

Hm. There are no right or wrong answers in war.

What do you think we should do? I hope, with the goddess's guidance, we can make the right choice.

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.

It seems Arianrhod, one of the Kingdom's sturdiest fortress cities, has fallen to the Empire.

It looks like Count Rowe didn't resist, and switched sides to the Empire straight away.

Repaying all that the royal family has done for him with betrayal... How shameful.

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.

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.

I wonder how many soldiers that Rodrigue guy will lend us...

Not that it matters much. Taking on the whole damn Empire... Not even I would bet on those odds.

You know... Win or lose, I guess it's not worth betting on. Who would I collect from after the war's over?

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.

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

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...

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.