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Fam: It's warmer than I thought over here!
Ophelia: It's only in this area; I've heard that it's full of fire spirits. We've got more mountain to climb, so let's take a break over here!
Ralph: What? There's more climbing?
Fam: At your limit?
Ralph: That's because Miss Ophelia said we don't have much further to go!
Fam: Even I've been keeping pace without complaints, so what're you grumbling for? You're a guy, aren't you?
Ralph: Be quiet! I don't wanna be lectured by a tomboy like you!
Fam: What did you say?!?
Ophelia: Alright, knock it off, you two lovebirds!
Fam and Ralph (at the same time): We're not a couple!
(Beat)
Ralph: By the way, where'd Leon go?
T. T.: He said he wanted a drink of water, so he went to the lake.
Brian: Tsk, running off by himself? How dangerous!
Leon: Men and monsters, huh...
Leon: Who are you? Have you always been here?
Lee-Ann: ......
Leon: Are you by yourself? Where are you parents? Who do you live with?
Lee-Ann: My father and mother...have all passed away...
Leon: Are they? Me, too...
(Beat.)
Leon: Hey, if you don't mind, would you like to come with us?
Lee-Ann: Why?
Leon: Oh, don't get me wrong! I was just thinking, how dangerous it is for a girl to be in a place like this by herself, and I've got a lot of friends coming along with me, so...
Lee-Ann: ......ok!
Leon: (thinking) Hey, she smiled! (out loud) What's your name?
Lee-Ann: ...Lee-Ann.
Marcia: Hey, Leon!
Leon: What?
Marcia: Where'd you pick up such a cute girl like her, huh?
Leon: "P-p-pick up"? What are you talking about?
Ralph: Leon, you hypocrite! For all of your criticisms of my faults, you're the one who made the first move! I totally misjudged you!
Leon: I didn't pick anybody up! I thought she might be dangerous if she were by herself, so I invited her to come along...
T. T.: That's exactly what society calls "picking up"...
Brian: I used to be worried that even at 18, Leon wouldn't even dare talk to a woman. Now I can relax.
Ophelia: That's puberty for you! Isn't it so nice to be young?
Leon: It's not like that. Lee-Ann, help me out here!
Lee-Ann: ......
Fam: What's the matter? You don't have to mind us.
(Fam approaches. Lee-Ann whirls around.)
Lee-Ann: Don't touch me!!
Fam: ...huh?
Leon: Lee-Ann?
Ralph: [Fam,] look at how troublesome you are.
Fam: Oh, be quiet!
Ophelia: All right, all right! Little Miss Lee-Ann must still be nervous. By the way...
Leon: Woah! That's a lot of monsters!
Ophelia: What a pain! A little slip of the attention and things end up this way.
Marcia: Is it just me, or does it reek over here?
Ralph: Yeah, it smells like alcohol.
Fam: Where would monsters get alcohol from? Miss Ophelia? Miss Ophelia?
(Beat. There is a deep rumble, as if a muffled explosion went off.)
Ophelia: Those...those bastards stole the wine I've been saving up...
Brian: Miss Ophelia, are you all right?
(Beat)
Ophelia: I am going to KILL THEM ALL.
Leon: Oh! She's mad...
T. T.: My, my...she's a completely different person when it comes to alcohol. She hasn't changed at all.
Ralph: Going to make a literal killing before we have a soak, eh?
Leon: Lee-Ann! This is very dangerous. Stay behind me!
Lee-Ann: ...ok!
Stage 14: Journey to the Hot Springs
Link to full battle
Though we've picked up another party member, for the next two battles Lee-Ann (element: light) is functionally just a protectorate: she has no spells and she can only attack for 1 HP at a time. Fortunately, since I can control her movement I could have simply left her at the starting point and she'd never be targeted, but I wanted to give her a bit of experience.
Leon picks up a dagger upgrade for Lee-Ann. I could have just sold it since it doesn't change her situation and I visit a shop later, but since it took me a while to remember that Lee-Ann's useless until two battles from now I do the usual equipment shuffle.
While I have everyone else clean up, Marcia goes to get the treasure trove at the top of the map. First is a 1650 gold infusion.
Second is the best heavy armor available.
Third is 1730 gold.
As soon as all the treasure is taken, I finish off the last stragglers.
Ophelia: Good work, everyone! Please keep your eyes out for any unopened containers nearby.
T. T.: Such is the face of someone who's stubborn about their alcohol.
Leon: ......
Ophelia: Now I'll show you the way to my hot springs!
(Incoming blatant fan service.)
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Ophelia: Hey! What are you doing here? Hurry up and have a soak!
Leon: Well, I'm about to...
Lee-Ann: I...think I'll pass...
Leon: Oh! Lee-Ann!
Ophelia: Looks like it'll be a while before we can get along without reservation!
Leon: Yeah...
(Beat)
Leon (thinking): Why would I be so concerned about her?
Ophelia: That's a little thing called "falling in love".
Leon: Woah! Don't suddenly say stuff like that!
Ophelia: Did I hit it on the dot?
Leon: That's not it at all! I just...feel like I shouldn't leave her to her own devices.
Ophelia: So she's more like a little sister to you?
Leon: Perhaps! If I did have a little sister, then maybe it be like this.
Ophelia: Don't worry about it. Girls this age are hard to understand; it's better to let her be.
Leon: Were you like this when you were young, Miss Ophelia?
Ophelia: Oh, please don't remind me of such unpleasant memories! If you don't hurry up, you'll miss dinner!
Leon: Sorry!
(Later, Lee-Ann steps into the water, thinking herself to be alone, only to find Ophelia waiting for her.)
Lee-Ann: You're really not going to force me to answer anyhing?
Ophelia: Why would you think we would?
Lee-Ann: Anyone would be suspicious of a girl alone in the deep mountains. Besides, I might be an enemy.
(Beat)
Ophelia: You're right...so why do we [still] act this way?
Lee-Ann: Why? Why would you believe anyone so easily, especially in a time like this?
Ophelia: You've got it all wrong! We have to trust those who fight alongside us, otherwise, the mood will get really awkward.
Lee-Ann: ......
(Beat)
Lee-Ann: Miss Ophelia...I...
(Ophelia turns red as she overheats and sinks into the water.)
Lee-Ann: Miss Ophelia?
Ophelia: Sorry, Lee-Ann!
Lee-Ann: It's okay!
(Beat)
Lee-Ann: Miss Ophelia...were you waiting for me the whole time?
Ophelia: Well, I happen to like long baths...
(Beat)
Ophelia: Hey, Lee-Ann...
Lee-Ann: What?
Ophelia: Leon, Ralph...and the others...they're all good people?
Lee-Ann: ......
Ophelia: (falls asleep)
Lee-Ann: What...what should I do? Father...
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Ophelia: If you keep going from here, you'll reach a harbor city called Essen. But...
Ralph: Woah! There's a bunch of enemy troops waiting for us!
Ophelia: Oh, man! Isn't it that the muscle daruma?
Leon: Who?
Marcia: You must mean Gant!
Fam: ......
Ophelia: I think it's better if we went around a different way!
T. T.: Before we do that, I think we'd better defeat the enemy coming up from behind.
Brian: If the enemy troops discover us, we'll be facing a pincer attack. We'd better take care of this as quickly as possible.
Dot's Footnotes About Moon Runes
A daruma (relevant Wikipedia article here) is a self-righting children's toy.
Stage 15: To the Sea....
Link to full battle
At level 14, Brian learns "Sacrifice", a spell that kills him in exchange for reviving all other dead allies. (In the next couple of battles I mostly use it to keep Fam alive, but theoretically, it can be used for any downed units.)
More awesome armor for the party. Now my stinginess in only buying weapons upgrades seems tactically brilliant.
T. T. learns a spell that attacks up to eight tiles in a straight line, ignoring height.
On the bottom corner of the map is a ring that boosts intelligence and light magic. I give it to Fam.
At the top of the map is a weapon upgrade for Marcia.
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Ophelia: Phew! We managed to not attract the attention of the enemy. Let's hurry on our way!
???: Too bad!
Gant: We set up such a trap for you...you thought we wouldn't notice?
Ophelia: Oh, no!
Gant: I won't be careless this time. I won't let any of you get away!
(Beat.)
Gant: That's...!?
Leon (whispering): What's going on?
Ralph (whispering): The atmosphere got awkward all of a sudden.
Ophelia (whispering): I'm not sure, either, but this is a good chance! Let's get out of here!
(They flee.)
Gant: It's been over 10 years, but I'm sure I wasn't mistaken. She must be that little girl...but what is she doing with those people?
Store clerk: Welcome!
T. T.: Huh? This is...
Store clerk: Is there anything you'd like?
(Beat)
T. T.: I want you.
(Beat)
Store clerk: Huh?
T. T.: I'd like to by you with my love and sincerity.
Store clerk: Sorry, but I'm not a product for sale...
T. T.: You don't need to be shy...
Store clerk: No...I...! (What [the heck] is up with this guy?)
T.T. (approaching the counter): Quickly! Don't hesitate. Run into my arms!
Store clerk: Oh, no! Don't come any closer!
T. T.: Ack!
Store clerk: What I meant to say was, you'll trigger the anti-theft system...heh! Heh!
T. T.: You look so cute when you're acting shy!
Store clerk (thinking): What the heck is going on? How can this guy jump back up like he's some kind of zombie?
T. T.: Don't be afraid, please accept my love...
(T. T. gets zapped again.)
T. T.: Ack!
Store clerk: Can you please give up, and buy things like a normal person?
(Shopping!)
T. T.: I've lost today. But, the next time we meet, I am sure to wait. So please wait for me!
Store clerk: Th...thank's for coming! (Please! Never again!)
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Ophelia: I'll see if I can borrow a boat from a friend of mine. Wait for me at the hotel. By the way...
Karen: Grampa! Look! There's fish!
Brian: K-karen! Watch your feet!
Leon: Wow! This is my first time seeing the ocean!
Ralph: Woah! And there's so many huge boats!
Leon and Ralph (at the same time): Cool!
Ophelia: Hey, you kids standing around over there! Yeesh, what a pain it is to be a guide for these folks.
Ophelia: Finally got me a boat. Though it's headed towards the mainland, they can drop us off at Turuk's shore.
Ralph: How weird, that we live on the same island but can't [just] walk [on] over there. It's hard to believe.
Ophelia: That's how the monsters have been able to leave peacefully to this day. By the way, I heard a strange rumor.
Marcia: Do tell.
Ophelia: That many people have witnessed strange creatures nearby. Of course, it's not a big deal if it's regular creatures, but rumor has it that there's zombies!
Leon: What's a zombie?
Ophelia: To put it simply, using a corpse like a puppet, or a vampire.
Fam: No! Was it Kaiser?
Ophelia: Probably. I don't know what he's up to, but since this port is the only connection to the mainland, so I doubt he would try anything funny. [Still,] I would say that you shouldn't go outside until we set sail.
Leon: What about Lee-Ann?
Ophelia: I think it's best to have my friend take care of her, because we'll be heading into quite dangerous territory.
Leon: Isn't that great, Lee-Ann?
Lee-Ann: Uh-huh...
Leon: Lee-Ann?
(As Lee-Ann walks off-screen, the camera pans up to show Leon watching from the window.)
Leon: Huh? I wonder where Lee-Ann is going so late at night.
Leon: That's strange...I thought she was headed in this direction.
(Beat)
Leon: But when I think about it some more, that doesn't seem very likely. Let's just go back and wait for her.
(He turns around.)
Leon: Oh! The insects have stopped calling!
???: Heh! Quite observant, aren't you!
Leon: Who's there!
Welner: Hello there. My name is Welner.
Leon: What's a kid like you doing in a place like this?
Marcia: Watch out, Leon! That's...
Leon: What? What's wrong?
Welner: Where are you looking?
(Welner casts a spell, there's a flash of light, and Leon falls into the "has a status ailment" pose)
Leon: Ack! I can't move!
Welner: Allow me to re-introduce myself. I am Welner, but everyone calls me the "Ice God".
Leon: So you're...one of Kaiser's...elites...
Brian: Leon! We'll be right there!
Welner: All right! Let's take care of you before those other scary-looking people get here.
???: Hold it!
Lee-Ann: Weil! Don't hurt that person!
Welner: Lee-Ann!?
(Beat)
Welner: Why, you little...what did you do to Lee-Ann!?
Leon: What's going on? How do you know Lee-Ann...?
Welner: You bastard! Die!
(There's another flash of light, and this time, it's Welner that goes into the pose)
Leon: I...I can move?
Lee-Ann: Leon! Hurry on out of here!
Welner: Why...damn it...! I...I'll kill you all!
Stage 16: Those Who Live in Darkness
Link to full battle
I could make a beeline for Welner and end him in less than three turns, but I'd prefer to feed experience to as many party members as I can. Additionally, I wanted to show off some of Lee-Ann's spells--she can paralyze, like Karen, but she also has her own unique skills that charm the enemy, put them to sleep, or absorb their HP to heal herself.
While replaying the battle to double check if I missed anything, I managed to capture the animation for T. T.'s newest spell. I love the expression on that ostrich's face.
It turns out I did miss an on-field treasure; it's sneakily hidden behind a tree so I didn't notice the sparkle until I saw it on replay. Replaying the battle to see what it is, it turns out to be a ring that only adds 3 points to defense; this time, I decided that it wasn't worth overwriting my save for it (since I had neglected to purchase weapons when making the save point for this battle, meaning I'd have to replay two battles and I didn't want this item that badly).
(Description: Called "Ice God Welner". Though he is a small child, but he is descended from vampires, who have great magic powers. An arrogant brat.)
Welner: Why would you defend that guy! Tell me!
Leon: What on earth are you talking about?
Welner: Damnit! I'll kill you all!
Welner's spell has an area effect of 5 tiles and can freeze, but I still ignore him in order to clean up his other minions before going for him and beating his face him.
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Welner: Why? Lee-Ann...don't you like me any more?
Lee-Ann: That's not it, Weil...I...
Welner: Lee-Ann...I hate you!
(Welner disappears)
Leon: Lee-Ann...who are you, really?
Lee-Ann: Sorry for not telling you until now, but...
Brian: Lee-Ann, you're a spy sent by Kaiser, aren't you?
Lee-Ann: As you can see, I have vampire blood...I was born of a vampire and a human.
Leon: What?
Lee-Ann: My name is Lee-Ann von Basil. Avi was my father.
Marcia: I'd heard that Sir Avi had a daughter, but...
Lee-Ann: Weil...no, Welner, he's younger than me, and he'd often come to my house to play when we were kids. At the time, I lived happily with Kaiser, and Father, but now...
Fam: ......
Lee-Ann: At first, I approached you out of a desire for revenge, but as soon as I found out that you weren't the ones who murdered Father, I didn't know what to do...
Ralph: Is that why you've been avoiding Fam?
Lee-Ann: When I heard about the zombies, I thought it had to be Weil or Kaiser. I wanted to ask them to give up fighting, but...why [did things turn out like this]?
(Beat)
Ophelia: Let's go back into town to rest. We'll all catch colds if we keep standing around like this.
Leon: Lee-Ann...let's go back!
Dot's Footnotes About Moon Runes
Lee-Ann uses the honorific "nii-san" (big brother) to refer to Kaiser. I'm pretty sure their actual relationship is a spoiler, so I left it out of the translation.
Next time: More reveals!