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Mirror Light Path Part 1
Imelda must die

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Let's cover what we missed by choosing to kill B?ser first - I'll do this in a rougher and quicker format because most of these missions are very similar to their counterparts, though there are notable exceptions that we'll cover.

Scenario 14 - The Harbour Battle Redux



With the fall of Kaiser Bernhardt, B?ser, Prince of Darkness and puppet master of the Kaiser fled into the shadows. After several hundred years, B?ser was positioned to call forth the demons' dark god, Chaos, once more. In pursuit of the Prince of Darkness, the companions made haste to a nearby harbour - only to discover it besieged by monsters.





The exact same map was used with the same secret tile placement but with different enemies - monsters and fewer of them then Imelda's troops. I believe there are reinforcements but anyway, here's what the mirror map looks like:



Not going to bother with a plan, as a. it's basically the same as the prior map and b. I want to give the key points rather then a full breakdown of the battle. One really important thing to note compared to the other scenario 14, is that there is no turn limit as a condition of victory for this map. However, there actually still is - but instead of a win/lose condition, it's a divergent scenario where you either win in the time limit or don't and continue on. It's a nice touch but would have been nicer if I could have put it to a vote... no doubt, goons would have gone for efficiency over slothfulness.

Video: Liana gets captured again... but it's different this time!

Video: Scenario 14 Pre-Battle/Deployment Cutscene

Some movement and a kill cap off the first turn - I will avoid over-detailing these updates and just keep in anything interesting. Keep in mind this Vampire Lord isn't Faias, just a generic commander.



No, Esto and Osto have special orders from Lord B?ser. They search out the way to revive Alhazard.

Oh, really...

Listen up, everyone! There's no need to wait, we can easily obliterate the Descendants of Light with our own power!

Oooooh! That sounds exciting. We will stain the sea red!

Lost 2 Dragoons again... it only makes sense to do so given what happened in the real world path.

They seem to be seeking another component to unseal Alhazard. Jessica said, "To revive Alhazard, the Dark Rod and a catalyst are needed."

Meaning that Alhazard hasn't been released yet.

It would appear so. However, if they're actively trying to unseal it, then our time is limited. We should hurry to Velzeria.

So... let us go to pick a fight! If we don't take that ship to Velzeria, we might not make it.



More about the Kraken, I believe it is actually possible to get one in the Chaos route. We smash through their forces at a slower rate then in the real world, but it's an acceptable pace nonetheless.



Lost another 2 Dragoons but such is life. Also, here's a Succubi getting exorcised by an Angel.



Alas, lost a Bandit - most of their initial forces are gone now. Hit that boarding platform and...



Esto, Osto!



Egbert has surely notified Lord B?ser of this development.

And are we ready to depart?

I'm sorry. We're not quite done.

Hurry, then.

Yes...

Ah, the mighty Descendants of Light. Here you shall all die. You won't get in Lord B?ser's way!

Argh, such powerful monsters! We're up against it.

Those are parasites! They feed on human minds, so be careful. Don't forget your strategic fundamentals and you'll come out alright.

So they are reinforced by Esto, a Great Dragon & Osto, a Phoenix as well as 2 full complements of Scyllas - more sea monsters. We burn through the rest of the succubi and start on 's minions.







So Cherie got smashed and focused fire by two Witches... that's what I get for playing so hard and fast for these mirror world... oh well. Here's some more Kraken.



For Lord B?ser!

We're not your ordinary demons!

Esto & Osto charge in and do nothing, so we kill them in a glorious counter-charge.



Gosh, their defeated portrait looks so cool. Seriously, I'm considering dropping cash getting it as an avatar - I like it that much. Now, I've got two Scyllas and Osto to kill, so I'll hold off on killing the Vampire Lord just yet. But that doesn't mean I won't weaken him.









Redheaded mortal, you'll remember this!

Seriously, even monsters are full on ginger-bashers. Damn them all - redheadedness on men is not a bad thing, just look at Ron Weasley. 1 more scylla to go and then the Vampire Lord will be vanquished, scenario over.



How could a demon be challenged by a mere human? I still don't believe it...

Ah, it's over now. We've taken the ship! Well then, on to Velzeria! Well. let's head out! To Velzeria!

A little redundant there Fighter - I think the first bit might have been for Cherie but oh well. After this, we head to Scenario 15A. However, what would happen if we tripped the invisible timer? Let's show that off below.

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After Turn 15:

Damn it! We didn't make it in time...

Yet the Scenario Clear screen still shows up...

What should we do? We can't go by foot to Velzeria, it would take too long...

It won't help just thinking about it. We might as well start down the road. We'll probably find another boat along the way.

That's an idea... All right, let's go to Velzeria by road!

This failure will lead us to Scenario 15B.

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Scenario 15A - You're on a Boat



With the wind to their backs, the companions sailed onward to Velzeria. Though the wind moved their vessel swiftly across the seas, it was not long before another ship closed in on their flank. To delay the companions' arrival in Velzeria, General Imelda and her Water Dragon Navy attempted to board Fighter's ship.





Simple plan, summon with Hein and blast away with Lester's Ballista. Keith takes the northern flank and Cherie gets the sourthern flank. Scott will charge across, given none of the enemy units get an affinity over his men. Here's the pre-scenario cutscene:

Video: Pre-Scenario 15 (Boat Acquired)

I'd also like to note that this is the first time we face an enemy holy unit (ignoring Imelda) with a new generic mugshot , as seen below:





I never imagined you would be so eager to die.



Ballistas when used by our forces are excellent on maps like this. I hope Lester doesn't get smashed but this should be easy pickings if he lives. Some more minor damage is done to the enemy naval forces but otherwise the turn ends without much fanfare. Hein does bring out Freyja though, since he'll most likely be on healing duty for this map.

Hmmm, we're on water. It's really too bad you're fighting our Navy. You'll be down to the last man before you know it!

Hah hah hah. Leave this to me, Lady Imelda!

Be honoured. Not everyone gets to be slain by me.

She then proceed to deal 4HP damage with 4 ballistas & 2 elves.

You will all die!

Lester gets magicked in the face but then takes 3 salvos of ballista fire, no problems. The rest of Imelda's forces move in but do nothing otherwise so, Hein heals up and we continue to barrage them in return.



Lester continues to impress, the others continue smashing their outlying forces... Imelda is frustrating but should be overcome in due time. We lose a Bandit and 3 of Lester's Ballista get put to sleep by that ruddy Saint.

The enemy is making poor progress. Strike them while they're at their most vulnerable!

Yes, leave it to us!

The southern Dragon Knight bumrushes Lester's sleeping Ballista and we lose 2.



Hee hee hee. The revival ceremony's near. It's quite impossible. You won't stop Alhazard's revival, no matter how you hurry!



Because we invaded her ship:

You numbskulls! Are you following the enemy's orders or mine?

Sorry, General! Quickly, let them have it!



General... Imelda... Gahh-!



You fool! You dare attack me!?

Hah... I'm dead...

Turn's over and we lose the other sleeping Ballista and another Bandit. Hein fireballs out and we move in to crush remaining resistance.



Scott follows up by killing that northern mage and we push south. Freyja gets the southern mage with minimal difficulty. Their death quotes are boring so, skipped. Keith wraps up the northern forces whilst Cherie wipes out some of Imelda's Ballista. This map is almost over and this turn is too.

I will defend the General!

This poor schmo deals more damage to himself then to us - attacking a Dragoon when he's got a Bandit force... silly. When Lester kills the last generic commander on Imelda's ship.

What... a pity...

Bernhardt is dead. The Empire's over with. There's no point fighting a battle for a lost cause!

Haven't I told you? Alhazard's revival was His Majesty's last request!

What do you mean? With the Kaiser dead, why do you need Alhazard?



Obtained Long Sword & Platemail.

Why is my Scott doing so well on this run...

Gaahh-! I wanted to die... somewhere beautiful... No, not here - in this wretched sea... I won't die... here...

Scenario Clear & Level Ups etc. back to plot.

Goodbye, General Imelda. You were truly a fearsome opponent.

Hey, look over there! I see land!

We're here. This is Velzeria.

So, this is where they're hiding.

Soon, they'll get just what they deserve.

Everyone... Velzeria is right before our eyes! We're going to make it. Don't despair!

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Scenario 15B - Walk, You Mongrels!



After failing to steal a ship, the companions decided to follow the path along the riverbank to reach Velzeria. They hoped perhaps along the way, they could find another ship to capture and set out in. But as the reality of a future of shadows hung low over their heads, the need to hurry to Velzeria became all the more real. As despair settled onto the companions' hearts, a small village in the distance suddenly burst into red flames.







Plan is to sent Cherie & Keith out to protect those villagers, Fighter to charge the cavalry on the western front with Scott in support, Aaron & Lester will combine to tackle the eastern foes and Hein will support whoever needs it - he'll have to adapted based on whatever situations arise.

Video: Pre-Scenario 15 (Failed to Acquire a Boat)

So yes... we're defending Imperial citizens against the Empire's scorched earth/DDoS/boat destruction stratagem and due to Imelda's usual policy of dealing with rational people who don't want to starve... well, let's chalk this one up as honouring our pal, Leon. Time to push out.



General... I'm... finished...

Hein takes out 3 more Griffins with his High Elves, Cherie takes out the rest of those fliers and then goes for Imelda's High Elves.



(CC:66)

Scott targets the arson-obsessed commander and we get another F-bomb:

Fuck! Have they caught up already!? (CC:67)

He kills 2 more Grenadiers and Keith flies in to take out the cavalry. Lester finishes up Keith's work and decides to prevent civilian deaths by sniping the faraway enemy commander. It works. I assume reinforcements are going to come from the sea nearby but otherwise, we're crushing it.

Aahhh-! Someone, help me!

Escape to the north! We'll take care of the Imperial Army!

P, please!

These crass fools... Begin the counterattack!

Imelda spells Scott for 1-2 dmg, shoots at Cherie for 4HP and gives another order.

Don't ambush the villagers! We need to disrupt our pursuers first!

Hee hee hee. Leave it to me!

We lose 2 ballista and Lester is reduced to 4HP. Damn that General and his Phalanx troop!
Hein starts the turn softening up some Grenadiers waiting to fire off a big heal once Scott smashes into the enemy.



Cherie takes out the rest of Imelda's men and Hein fires off his big Heal2. Fighter takes out some more dudes in the west and then fires off his own healing spell.



Damn those Phalanxes are defensively tough. Maybe Aaron of all people can come through and save the day?



Wow. Just wow. All that's left to do is to soften up Imelda and take care of the rest of her forces. We lose an Angel I use as bait and a High Elf. Hein gets some revenge and Scott takes out the remnants of another enemy Grenadier unit. More boring "Imelda-sama!" death cries so we move on to Cherie who softens up another unit for Fighter.



Keith takes out the last remaining General with extreme prejudice.

Lady Imelda, m, my apolg-

Cue the Bernhardt is dead/Alhazard last request speech from Fighter/Imelda again, let's move on. There's one more enemy unit to take out and then Imelda's going down.

I can't lose to fools like you!

Why are you against us? Surely you're not acting in B?ser's interest?

Obviously, bowing down to the Demon Tribe is quite unbecoming of me. However, I was told to serve Lord B?ser should His Majesty perish. The Kaiser's last request...

What foolishness! You mean you're consorting with demons for the sake of a dead man's wish!?

I will not discuss this further. Watch closely, you're about to lose.

Fighter! We can't waste time! Innocent lives are at stake! If we don't act soon...

I know! Rush in and strike with all your strength! Their force is large, so we'll have to scatter them.

I'm sorry... what large force? Anyway, it's only Turn 4 and it's all coming to an end. It seems there are no reinforcements coming to save Imelda, so let's wrap this up.



Long live the Em... pire...

D, don't ask me that...

The outcome has been decided! This war serves no purpose!

Hah. You really don't understand, do you? Our Empire is one of conviction. Its followers will always gratefully offer their lives. And I won't shame it, myself or my men by giving in to some redheaded upstart!

Yet it's the greenheaded upstart that finishes her off for the last time... in all of the Light timelines.

Obtained Long Sword & Platemail.

Gaaahhh-! I wanted to die somewhere... that matched my beauty... Not in this worthless village.

Scenario Clear, blah blah blah - back to plot!

Is it over yet...?

Thank you. They... they nearly killed me. To show our gratitude, we'd like you to have our village heirloom, this crown.

Obtained Crown.

This is an excellent get and sadly, only available on this map and the secret shop
I think it is sorta meant to be a crutch item for those who failed to get a ship, which suggests your forces need the shot in the arm... but if the civvies only give it to you for saving all of them... then perhaps not. I'll discuss why it's so good next time.

Thanks! I'll treasure it.

You probably need to use the ships too, right? It's not much but we'll lend them to you. Make good use of them.

Imelda's troops... are committing atrocities...

Hurry, Fighter! To Velzeria!

You probably need to use the ships too, right? It's not much but we'll lend them to you. Make good use of them.

This text fires again... I have a feeling their original line up above was some comment related to Hein's sudden WAR ATROCITIES outburst.

Thank you. All right, hurry up, everyone! The Empire won't act unopposed anymore. It's got us to deal with.

Apparently, I missed a Rune Stone on this map... but I've already got so many of the damn things that it didn't seem like a big deal. That's all for this first installment of the Mirror World Light Path (MWLP). On the next MWLP update, the paths converge back into one... but is still parallel to the main/real path!