The Gates of Leonster/Script

The following text is an unofficial translation by fans. There may be stylistic differences with official sources and other unofficial translations.

Introduction

Having breached Fort Norden, the Liberation Army finally stood before the gates of Leonster. Yet their fight was far from over: a battalion of Imperial troops, even larger in number than the one at Fort Norden, awaited them...

Opening

(At the enemy stronghold)

Gustaf: I see you've yet to deal with the rebels, Nikalaf. Explain yourself!
Nikalaf: Ah... Kempf's bravado got the better of him, and he broke rank for his own personal glory. He ruined our chance to halt the rebels' advance... You have my sincerest apologies!
Gustaf: Dammit, Kempf! I give him a second chance and this is how he repays me?! I should've sent him back to Castle Friege, like you said.
Nikalaf: No, sir, it was me that was too lenient with him... But despite Kempf's failure, I'm not worried. I've stationed my squad of heavily-armored knights in front of the castle. Bishop Moore and his team of mages are also present. Next, we have Reinhardt and the Gelbenritter already approaching the enemy from behind. And if that wasn't enough, we have the Pegasus Corps of Silesse on standby, ready to assist us if things go south. With this much strength behind us, we could defeat any army!
Gustaf: Indeed... I can find no fault in what you've outlined. Ah, one other thing. I forgot to mention it, but Bishop Saias will be gracing us with his presence. He happened to be traveling nearby, and graciously offered to lend us his power.
Nikalaf: THE Bishop Saias? The military genius?!
Gustaf: The one and only! His missive said he'd be arriving in a few hours.
Nikalaf: Hah! This just isn't the rebels' lucky day, is it? In light of this, I'll shore up our defenses for the time being. Once the Lord Tactician arrives, we'll launch our assault immediately. Marquess Gustaf, I bid you remain in the castle and await word of our victory.
Gustaf: Very well. I'm counting on you, Nikalaf!

(Gustaf enters the stronghold and leaves the map in the process)

(At Leif's location)

August: I'll not lie to you, my prince: the enemy's formation is nearly flawless.
Leif: How so?
August: The main problem is the band of Silessian mercenaries positioned in the northwest. If we advance towards the castle, they'll cut us down from behind.
Leif: Why not divide our forces and send a team to attack them first?
August: We don't have the men to spare. Half our troops were left behind to defend against Reinhardt and his army striking from the rear.
Leif: So what should we do?
August: How willing to fight are the Silessian mercenaries? That is the question...

(At the enemy stronghold)

Nikalaf: Do you understand the plan, Captain Misha?
Misha: ...Yeah, I got it.
Nikalaf: Very good. And if you'll pardon the intrusion, there's one other matter...
Misha: That being?
Nikalaf: I've heard tell your mother was killed by the traitor Sigurd during the civil war. Is that true?
Misha: ...
Nikalaf: Ah. I take it that's why you became a mercenary fighting on behalf of the Empire?
Misha: This isn't about my mother. Back home, we've got lots of starving children. We're doing this for them. All we want is enough coin to buy bread and milk...
Nikalaf: I see... Bah, that was a foolish thing to ask. Please, forget I said anything.
Misha: ...Then I'll be taking my leave.

(Misha takes her position among the Pegasus Corps in the northwest, and the battle begins)

In battle

On turn 10, Saias arrives at the enemy stronghold

If Nikalaf is alive

Saias: Colonel Nikalaf! It's been quite some time.
Nikalaf: Oh, Bishop Saias! We've been waiting for you, sire!
Saias: How goes the battle?
Nikalaf: The enemy fights with an... unexpected ferocity. We're having some slight difficulties. Ah, but having the Bishop of Flame at our side is sure to boost morale! Why, I can already see a marked improvement!
Saias: Have Commander Reinhardt and the Gelbenritter arrived yet?
Nikalaf: I expect them to be here any moment - they'll descend upon the enemy's rear guard like vultures to carrion.
Saias: Then now is the perfect time to launch a full-frontal assault. Send word to the Silessian mercenaries.
Nikalaf: It shall be done, sire!

(The stationary enemies on the map charge at Leif's forces)

If Nikalaf is dead

Saias: ...How goes the battle?
Soldier: Oh, you're Bishop Saias! W-Well, sire, we didn't expect the enemy to attack with such... viciousness. Colonel Nikalaf has, uh... he's already...
Saias: Is that so...?
Soldier: B-But you're here now! Seeing the Bishop of Flame in the flesh is sure to raise morale!
Saias: Have Commander Reinhardt and the Gelbenritter arrived yet?
Soldier: They should be here any minute! Oh, they'll slice through the enemy's rear guard like butter, so they will!
Saias: Then now is the perfect time to launch a full-frontal assault. Send word to the Silessian mercenaries.
Soldier: Of course, sire!

(The stationary enemies on the map charge at Leif's forces)

After Saias has arrived, at Leif's location

Leif: W-What is the meaning of this...? The enemy's morale is suddenly sky-high!
Dryas: My greatest fear... Prince Leif, we cannot hesitate for even a moment - we must order a retreat at once!
Leif: What are you talking about?! Explain yourself, please!
Dryas: Saias, the Royal Bishop of House Velthomer and a military genius, has taken the field. As long as he commands the enemy, we don't stand a chance!
Leif: There's been such a person in the Empire all along?
August: Ah... I'll give you the short version: he's the son of the late General Aida, who was a close friend and confidante of Emperor Arvis. After she passed away - under most puzzling circumstances, I might add - he was raised in a Bragian monastery.
Leif: ...I understand. But it's not that simple - we stand to lose countless soldiers if I call for a retreat now! What should I do...?

Near the river, after Leif and his advisors have noticed Saias's presence

Soldier: Now's our chance to wipe out the rebels! Lower the bridge over the river!

(A three-tile-wide bridge appears over the river)

On turn 12, Mueller arrives at the spawning point with reinforcements

Mueller: Damn... I didn't think it would take this long to get here. There's no time to waste - order the whole army to charge!
Soldier: General Mueller? What happened to Commander Reinhardt?
Mueller: He's left for Connacht with Princess Ishtar. I'm not privy to the details, but Her Highness was acting strangely... I'd imagine he was worried about her.
Soldier: He left to babysit the princess instead of coming to battle? What kind of soldier is he?!
Mueller: A better one than you'll ever be! Now shut your mouth - you're insulting the chain of command!
Soldier: Agh! F-Forgive me, General, I meant nothing by it!
Mueller: Still, this IS going to make things harder on us...

On turn 15, enemy phase, Ishtar and Reinhardt appear at Saias's location

Ishtar: Bishop Saias, is this where you've gone?
Saias: Hm? Princess Ishtar? And Commander Reinhardt, too? Whatever is the matter? You look panicked!
Ishtar: It's Prince Julius... He's falllen terribly ill! He's running a high fever, and seems to be in great pain...
Saias: The prince has always had a frail constitution, but his health has been declining as of late... What of the Loptian bishops? Can they do anything?
Ishtar: I won't allow it! As long as I draw breath, they'll not come near him!
Saias: Even Archbishop Manfroy?! Why?
Ishtar: Shouldn't you know that better than anyone, Royal Bishop Saias? Please, you have to see things my way!
Saias: ...I understand. I'll see if I can be of some help. Where is His Highness?
Ishtar: Back in Connacht, in my chambers.
Saias: Very well... Let us be off, Princess Ishtar!

(Ishtar, Reinhardt and Saias leave the map through the north)

Talk conversations

Karin talks to Misha

Karin: Captain Misha?! Hey, last I checked, Silesse wasn't all buddy-buddy with the Empire! Why are you on their side?!
Misha: I have something to protect. Simple as that.
Karin: ...And what would that be?
Misha: None of your damn business, that's what. Off with you, now! The battle is just getting started!

The houses

The church in the west

Sara: ...
Bishop: Ah, Sara, where do you think you're going?
Sara: ...
Bishop: Oh, are you with the Liberation Army? Did this young woman say something to you? Please, don't put too much stock into it. The girl sometimes blurts out the strangest nonsense... She can be most mysterious.
Sara: ...Go...
Bishop: Go? Go where?
Sara: ...Go... I will go with them...
Bishop: B-But they said they were with the army- Ah, Sara, wait!
Sara: Go... Take me with you, you have to take me with you...

(Sara joins the army)

The left house in the north

Villager: Castle Leonster makes for a nice, isolated stronghold... It's plenty spacious, and the soldiers are scattered about everywhere. ...I'd be worried. But mayhap this Rescue staff can help your chances.

(Rescue)

The right house in the north

Villager: Finally, we can break free of the Empire's rule! It's what I've always dreamed of... Gods be with you! Oh, and take this Warp staff before you go! Now send the Empire packing, you hear?

(Warp)

The left house in the west

Villager: A-Are you trying to attack Castle Leonster with that kind of gear? Do you really think you can do it? Look, let me give you this ring. It's enchanted, so it is, so make good use of it!

(Magic Ring)

The right house in the west

Villager: Castle Leonster has lots of those Loptian lunatics inside, but this Pure Water oughta ruin their day. Take it, with my thanks!

(Pure Water)

Battle quotes

Nikalaf enters combat

Nikalaf: As if you could defeat me! Tch... Have at you!

Nikalaf dies

Nikalaf: Ugh... Not bad... Guess I couldn't do it... after all...

Moore enters combat

Moore: ...

Moore dies

Moore: Loptous, O Lord God... I give myself... to your new era...

Moore gets captured and released

Moore: ...

Misha enters combat

Misha: Get out of my way!

Misha dies

Misha: Ugh... Dithorba, my beloved mother... I'll see you soon...

Misha gets captured and released

Misha: I thank you for your mercy, but I still have to fight.

Mueller enters combat

Mueller: Now you'll see why the Gelbenritter are so feared!

Mueller dies

Mueller: Ergh... It's unthinkable... We stand... defeated...

Mueller gets captured and released

Mueller: How naive...

Saias enters combat

Saias: Lay down your weapons. You'll only get hurt.

Ending

Dryas: We've managed to capture the castle gates, but many more foes doubtless await us inside. Don't let your guard down, Prince Leif.
Leif: Then we've little choice but to eliminate them all at once, excessive though it may seem. The man inside, Marquess Gustaf, is King Bloom's right-hand man - and he's been ruling Leonster with an iron fist. How many people have died at his whim...?
August: Kill Gustaf and hang his head from the castle gates. Don't waste your mercy on him - you must fulfill your duty as ruler!

If Misha has been captured and held until the chapter was completed, and Karin is alive

Dryas: Prince Leif, we've captured the commander of the Silessians. What shall we do with her?
Leif: Let her through, please. I want to have a look at her.
(Misha appears)
Leif: Is it true you're the commander of the Silessian forces?
Misha: This is a waste of time... I don't expect mercy from you. Just kill me and get it over with!
Dryas: This isn't going to work, Prince. The Pegasus Knights of Silesse value honor above all. After leading her troops to their death, the shame would be too much to bear, especially as a prisoner. We should grant her death, as she wishes - that would be mercy.
Karin: Duke Dryas, don't say something to stupid! Captain Misha, you have something to protect, don't you? How will you do that if you die here?! Those poor kids in Silesse are depending on you! You haven't thought about them!
Misha: Ah! ...How do you know about that?
Karin: I asked one of your troops. I saw her lying on the battlefield and tried to help... that was when she told me. I didn't know how many people were going hungry in the places where the Empire is still in charge... So many children, thin as a blade of grass... Just wasting away... She told me she'd hired on with the Empire just to buy food.
Misha: ...
August: Lady Misha, don't you see the irony? It's almost funny, in a macabre way. By helping the Empire, you're sacrificing the children of another country to save the children of your own country. The Empire is conducting child hunts in Thracia - and it won't be long until they do the same in Silesse. Who will protect Silesse's children then?
Misha: Child hunts...? What in blazes are you talking about?
Leif: So you don't know... Then I want you to live a little longer and see the truth for yourself. I sentence you to live - to bear witness to our pain and suffering!
Misha: ...I'm sorry, I'm a little overwhelmed, here. Just give me some time. I need to think...