The King's Triumphant Return
Explore - Chapter 18
Dimitri
Ferdinand
Linhardt
There are stories of Heroes' Relics a thousand years ago of which we have no real evidence today.
So many, in fact, that I'm led to wonder if those Relics are nothing more than legends...
Especially since we know of Relics like those passed down in the families of the 10 Fódlan Elites.
Caspar
Bernadetta
It's always so peaceful coming back here. But it's hard to relax knowing we have to go out on another expedition again so soon.
And now we're headed to the Kingdom? That sounds hard! Oh, really hard! Don't you think?!
I knew you'd think so! I knew you— Ow! Oh, ow. Can't believe I tried to hug you through the door...
Dorothea
And here we are, preparing for the next battle, as if nothing happened the day before.
It's almost easier to think about war as theater, with the stage an entire continent.
Something like that. If an accident happens on stage, the next day's performance must be unaffected.
Even if an accident happens on stage, the next day you have to sing as though nothing happened.
Everyone just pretends like everything is fine... focusing on their role in the play.
Petra
Dedue
Everyone is saying His Highness is back to his old self, but I do not think that is accurate.
What he was until recently is what he had been for as long as I've known him. So tortured by his compassion for the fallen that it had driven him mad.
He has always been too kind to be king. He has always felt too much for the weak and the dead.
Felix
Ashe
Sylvain
Mercedes
Annette
Oh, Professor! I didn't mean, ah... It's not that I'm looking forward to it or anything.
It's just...when I think of us finally saving everyone in Fhirdiad, it makes me a little happy. OK, maybe a lot happy.
The Kingdom capital is under the tight control of Cornelia, who was ennobled by the Empire.
Ingrid
Lorenz
I used to live there, you know. Though that was before my time in the Officers Academy.
No, of course not. There is a school of magic there, which I was enrolled in for a time.
Trouble within the Kingdom forced me to return to Alliance lands. There was much I had yet to learn.
Raphael
You know when you work your muscles and they start screaming? That means you gotta be nice to them.
If your muscles are hungry, you gotta feed them, and let them rest when they're tired.
Of course! If my muscles hurt, then I hurt. If they're hungry, well then I'm hungry too!
What's with the confused face, Professor? You look like you don't get a word I'm saying!
Ignatz
But perhaps it's irresponsible to look away—to close our eyes to the horrors of war.
As survivors, we must ensure that all these lives were not lost in vain. We must see the tragic foundations upon which we'll build our future.
May an age of peace rise from the ashes, so that all this sacrifice means something.
Lysithea
Marianne
Hilda
Leonie
Seteth
Flayn
Hanneman
Manuela
Gilbert
Alois
Catherine
Shamir
Cyril
Gatekeeper
Fhirdiad is a city with a long history that goes back to before Faerghus gained its independence.
I'd like to visit that place at least once before I die, but I'm afraid I have my own work to attend to. It's hard being so dedicated!
Ah, well. I'll go there for some leisurely sightseeing once Fódlan knows peace!
Shifty Merchant
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.
Monk
Churchgoer
I've come to deliver vegetables we harvested in the village to the monastery's dining hall.
Because of the season, I couldn't really pick that much, but I wanted to help you guys out, even just a little bit.
Merchant
If you manage to take back Fhirdiad, it'll make it a bit easier for us to do business.
Taxes in the Faerghus Dukedom are ridiculously high. Makes it hard to even think about trading.
From the Empire's perspective, I suppose it makes sense to squeeze the former Kingdom territories for all they're worth...
But if they throw those territories into total ruin, doesn't that defeat the purpose of conquering them?
Kingdom Knight
Up until a few decades ago, Fhirdiad was a disorderly city. Even the water supply was poorly constructed.
The late king hired a researcher named Cornelia, who advised that he give top priority to improving the city's infrastructure.
In the space of just a few years, the city was transformed into a place of beauty and order.
At the same time, the diseases that had plagued our land loosened their grip, one after another. It was miraculous.
Soldier
Soldier
Knight of Seiros
After that great battle earlier, the balance of power in Fódlan has shifted greatly...
To get revenge for all our fallen friends, we'll have to stake our lives on the fight that lies before us.
Soldier
Yuri
Balthus
Get this, pal. I swung by the training ground and ran into that Dimitri guy. Haven't seen him in ages.
I challenged him to a brawl, hoping for a quick knockout. Didn't work out that way. We went at it for quite a while. He's a tough one.
What was I supposed to do? Invite him to tea? Trade hugs? Ha! Not in a million years, pal.
Between you and me...the man is stunning in battle! Nearly on par with myself! Bet the ladies can't get enough.
Constance
It's a shame that our path is taking us far from the Imperial capital, but I don't feel too badly about it.
It takes us closer to the Fhirdiad School of Sorcery, where I explored many branches of study.
This way, I can repay my debt to the teachers who gave me such invaluable guidance.
Hapi
Anna
I'd love to catch up, but I'm super busy right now. Working. For money. You understand.
I'd love to catch up, but I'm super busy right now. Working. For money. You understand.
A class reunion on the battlefield? That's...bleak. That must have been so hard on everyone.
You gotta keep looking after them all. I mean, they still look to you for guidance, you know?
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.
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.
Abysskeeper
I hear there was a huge battle recently. Glad to see you made it back safe and sound.
Maybe there's life after death, or maybe that's just a bunch of pretty words. Either way, we should live like our time here is all we've got.
Resident
Resident
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?!
Resident
Monk
I did indeed. I was acquainted with your parents. I've been wanting to speak with you for a while now.
Do you mind terribly picking up some fresh flowers to place upon your mother's grave?