Betrayal

The descendants of the Four Apostles... Fascinating.

To think that their bloodlines carried on in secret. Right under our noses, one was even disguised as Imperial nobility...

House Nuvelle was thought to be descended from Saint Macuil, but that was a fabrication.

How did they manage to avoid detection for so many generations?

The lost Crests... Aelfric's objective... Since our journey's outset, the mystery has only deepened.

Ah, please forgive me. Musing aloud isn't going to get us anywhere.

For now, let's finish our preparations. I fear a battle is imminent.

Those lost Crests... They must all have their own Relics, don't you think?

Eh, but before we dig into a new mystery, we'd better figure out the ones we're already working on.

I have a theory, but... Actually, scratch that. No use guessing when our answers await at the chapel ruins.

Huh. I can't believe my wild hypothesis was correct. I may not look it, but I'm shocked.

It's like casting a line and thinking you've landed the Big One...but then you reel it in, and it's Seteth.

OK, that was a weird analogy. The point is I'm very, very shocked.

To be honest, I'm surprised Lady Rhea was so willing to just...hand over the chalice like that.

Doesn't the church consider it important?

I know she said they wouldn't be able to use it, but something doesn't feel right.

We go to all that trouble bringing Lady Rhea a priceless artifact, and not so much as a thank-you?

We had to release the binding and everything. Well, I mean, it kind of released on its own—but still!

Let's wrap this up and head home so I can get some quality sauna time. Hilda needs a steaming.

I suppose it's all out in the open. Now you know just what I'm capable of.

The church would have destroyed me ages ago if it wasn't for a certain someone having my back.

My life was spared... It's a debt I intend to pay, no matter the cost.

Ah! My head's gonna explode if I keep thinking about all this complicated junk.

For now, we just need to focus on rescuing Aelfric and sniffing out some answers.

I know it's been one crisis after another, but you're still game to help us, yeah? We need you, pal.

Is Aelfric an enemy or an ally?

He's worked tirelessly to protect Abyss for years and years.

Yet had House Nuvelle not met such a terrible fate, I would never have come to Garreg Mach.

And Noa's bloodline would never... Can his kidnapping really be a simple coincidence? Or...

The Four Apostles... Finally, it makes sense.

Hey, you. Listen up. I've got something to report. Guess that's pretty usual here. Maybe it's not worth reporting? Perhaps I should say...nothing to report?

Nah. Tried it on, doesn't feel right. In any case, about Master Aelfric... Bring him back to us, OK?

For my part, I'll look after things down here. If our enemy shows up, I'll stay by my post! I mean, I have to eat and stuff, but I'll come right back. Count on it.

Maybe you think this is a bad time to talk about what we drink down here... But I'm gonna anyway.

See, the problem isn't in the local ingredients. It's what's getting shipped in that's the issue.

With the right equipment, we could probably make our own. Cut out the need to import anything... Hell, maybe we could even export some of it!

As soon as Aelfric's back, I'm gonna see what he thinks of the idea.

So, uh...make sure Aelfric comes back safe, all right?

If the church knows that Aelfric's been abducted, why haven't the Knights of Seiros done anything?

I know you're all doing your best. I just hope it'll be enough.

We can't afford to lose him.

Yuri somehow always keeps his cool.

He's closer with Aelfric than anyone, so he's got the most reason to be upset...

I'm sure he's just really good at hiding the same feelings we're all having.

If Aelfric dies, Abyss'll go right back to being the garbage dump it was before.

Won't matter too much for an old codger like myself, but... Ah, but the kids...

It'd be hard to see their hopes for the future crushed.

There is danger here because we could be attacked. But the same danger is there for me on the surface.

The only way to leave the danger is to disappear.

It was surface people who took Aelfric away. But you're from the surface too.

Maybe only...some surface people are the worst. Anyway, good luck!

The Ashen Wolves can take on anything.

They'll make sure it all turns out OK, won't they?