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Chapter 7x: Ring in the Shadows
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Oh, hello. Aren't you normally Ursula?
Oh, okay. That's your name. I'm guessing you're not Lyn's mother, though. If you are, we have bad news.
: Shut up! I don't want your excuses!
: Yes ma'am.
: You'd best have a plan to recapture them, right?
: We've word the entire group is headed this way, with the brats in tow.
: Coming here, huh? Why would they do that?
: They may well be after this ring... it's a rare piece. We took it from the girl. It's a stroke of luck that we did, especially if it brings them to us now. I'll grab the whole lot of 'em with this to bait the trap.
: Hmph. Fine, I'll give you another chance. I've business elsewhere, but I shall return once it's finished. You've got until sunrise tomorrow! Do you understand?
: Yes.
: Fail, and I will deal with you myself! You heed my words carefully, Beyard.
: ?
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: Milady, are you really going in there to get the ring back?
: Yes, we are.
: But this is their stronghold! They're bound to be well defended, not to mention well armed!
Oh no. Ohhhhh nooooo. We're farming exp and you are going to like it.
: With Linoan, Aranea and the others, this'll be a piece of cake! You'll mop those Black Fang cronies and get the ring back in no time!
Well said, really.
: Raymond's right. You don't have to worry. We'll take care of the enemy. With Aranea at my side, I'm confident we can win. Let's get your ring back, Ninian.
: Milady...
: ?
: There are more of the foe inside than we thought.
Good. More exp!
: This is their stronghold. It's imperative we move carefully.
: This narrow corridor could be advantageous to us. If you draw the enemy through here, you can engage them in small numbers and remain relatively safe. If time is a concern, you could always rush them... Whatever the course of action is, we must be sure that we'll succeed.
I think Mia is after my job. Stick to healing!
: So, Aranea. What do you think? How we move forward is completely up to you.
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Same chapter as usual. Formation gets shuffled so everyone can do their parts.
Marcia gets us started by Javelining a dude to death.
Kid can bait axe guy over there.
Refreshing Marcia, she goes and stands in front of the cracked wall and attacks with the Javelin. No, I'm not crazy, I want her to be attacked by and counter bow-guy. She has enough DEF to handle it.
Sakura takes a hit from a Soldier's Javelin. It's not a problem, Mia can get good exp healing javelin wounds.
On the enemy phase, it turns out I'm an idiot and bow-guy has a Longbow. Oh well.
Kid takes a skullcrushing blow. Ouch. She slices the guy down to 1 HP in response.
And Sakura is somehow better at killing mages than killing soldiers. I'm not entirely sure how that works.
Magic is always welcome.
On our turn, this didn't happen, but effective damage is such hilarious bullshit sometimes. Linoan can murder this guy twice over.
Sakura only murders him once over, but once is enough. She also gains an anima rank.
Marcia finishes breaking down the wall, gets refreshed, and breaks down the archer into his component atoms.
I don't even know what to say here. Sad face. 
Lastly, getting rid of that final pesky hit point.
Beyard begins to get frustrated.
: This can't be... they should be dead! Everyone! Get in there and finish them now! This is our final chance!
The response is a lone soldier reinforcement. Embarrassing...
A quick projectile exchange leaves him on 1 HP. What is it with our army and barely failing to kill people? Mia patches up that hit while Marcia attends to keeping the thief away from the treasure.
Still weird to see.
Soldier dude Javelins Mia. Dick. Two people also chuck javelins at Marcia.
Healers healing healers.
And then revenge.
The chest contains this, which is nice, so I don't have to worry about Marcia using hers up.
Speaking of whom. That thief didn't attack last turn, he must have some self-preservation instincts after all.
Nils plays for Sakura so she can go sort out the north-east bit of the map.
Tank Marcia is really weird. The mage attacked at melee range because the two chuckleheads from before are still throwing javelins in her direction. It was a poor decision, as he dies instantly.
A shaman repeats the mistake, though he does actually manage to cause damage, so well done or something.
What could possibly go wrong here? 
Marcia gets this for spearing one of the Javelin guys. It just isn't her day, really.
See? We're fine. I told you. She finishes him off on our turn since she's understandably not fast enough to double Myrmidons.
The second and final Javelin asshole is dealt with.
Sakura doesn't fear mercs either. She can double him as well!
To great profit and effect.
Nils flutes for her and gains a level too, but he's a Bard, so who really cares? Somehow manages to miss out on SPD with a 90% growth, though.
Finally, a look at our boss for the map. Two levels higher than usual, Beyard has gained +2 HP, +1 STR, +1 SKL, +2 SPD, +1 DEF and +1 RES. Why he is lugging around a thunder tome, I guess we'll never know.
We can afford to take a turn out for Mia to do some healing, so she does, and she picks up... that.
Let's summon a recurring theme to do the honours.
I like to imagine Linoan interrupted him by blowing him to bits in one round.
A Linoan level without Speed? SORCERY. It's still good, though, I like it. I'll take it!
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: Please give us the ring! And swear us this oath... You must promise to leave these two alone. If I have your vow, we'll spare your life...
: Failure... means death....
: Ah?! Poison? He... took his own life...
: This man was trained by a well-organised group.
: What do they want with Nils and Ninian?
: Nils, Ninian. Everything's going to be fine. As long as you're with us, you'll be safe.
Oh no, Linoan, don't ask them whats going on, for god's sake. That would be too easy.
: But...
: You witnessed our victory, yes? With Aranea's planning and our skill, you've no worries. If we all work together, there's nothing we can' overcome. I don't care who comes after you; I'll not let you be taken.
: Really?
: Yes. Right, Aranea?
Don't look at me. I can't fight.
: Milady...
: Ah... it's...
: You called it Ninis's Grace, did you not? That swordsman had it.
: Milady Linoan! Thank you so much!
: I've no other words, save thank you.
