Another World Spoilers
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Cast
Sauromugue Champaign
You and Lilisette approach the Bulwark Gate...
Irwyn : Hm? And you two are...?
Irwyn : Ah, come to partake in the Allied strategy meeting?
You'd best hurry--all nations' representatives have long made their way to the Audience Chamber.
The meeting begins...
Cousseraux : The joint operation headquarters has been established here in the Duchy under the auspices of Archduke Kam'lanaut.
Cousseraux : As you all know, the Allied Forces of Altana have been amassing in Valdeaunia ahead of the looming battle.
Cousseraux : For a blessing, the enemy's campaign against Tavnazia has effectively halved their presence in Valdeaunia.
Cousseraux : Even so, the Beastmen Confederate force fortified in the Northlands is reported to exceed fifty thousand strong.
Cousseraux : Commander Davilles has sent word regarding the situation at the Valdeaunian front...and the tidings are grim.
Next to no ground has been made in the advance expedition against the beastmen.
Cousseraux : The time has come for the Allied Forces to hurl its entire weight against the icy walls of Castle Zvahl and put an end to this impasse.
Cousseraux : Captain Ragelise of the Knights of the Ironcrest Hawk! Step forth!
Ragelise : Sir!
Cousseraux : You are hereby appointed commander of our Northern forces, with plenary authority over the siege of Castle Zvahl.
Cousseraux : Pound out the details of the operation at the meeting to be held hence.
Ragelise : Sir! Yes, sir!
Ragelise : Without further ado, I shall explain the particulars of the operation.
Ragelise : Our forces shall be divided up by nation.
Ragelise : Upon arrival in Xarcabard, each nationg is to take position at one of the three rally points indicated.
Maximilian Berger : Pardon my premature interruption, but I fail to see the wisdom in spreading so thinly our limited manpower.
Ragelise : Then allow me to enlighten you. The three positions, you see, have been chosen by virtue of their distance to the enemy's route of passage, Castle Zvahl, and the subterranean cavern respectively.
Maximilian Berger : ...Subterranean cavern?
Ragelise : 'Tis known that beneath Xarcabard lies a network of caverns that stretches to the bowels of Castle Zvahl.
Ragelise : By commencing our offensive in concert, we can engineer the enemy's retreat into the caverns...
Ragelise : And, ultimately, the castle itself.
Maximilian Berger : Hrmmm...
Ragelise : Chief Sturm. Have you the requested item?
Adelheid : Naturally! Captain Bartholomaus himself relayed the specifics of your order to me!
Ragelise : At my behest, our Bastokan allies have furnished us with a batch of custom explosives.
Ragelise : Upon the confirmation of the enemy's retreat into the castle, we shall detonate the explosives and induce a cave-in of said passage, severing all escape routes.
Thence, the siege of Castle Zvahl shall commence in earnest.
Bartholomaus : I see...
Ragelise : That concludes the first half of the operation.
Ragelise : The second half begins with a frontal assault on Castle Zvahl--a diversion, to be sure.
Ragelise : While the enemy's eyes are fixed on their front gate, a strike force will steal its way to the castle's flank.
Ragelise : And thence, storm the keep and deal the killing blow.
Maximilian Berger : ...
Ragelise : The strategy shall henceforth be known as "Operation Snowstorm."
Success rests upon all units involved moving and breathing as one body and mind.
Bartholomaus : A brilliantly concocted strategy...is what I would say had we sufficient troops to execute it.
Maximilian Berger : My thoughts exactly. Why, it would be nothing short of a miracle if we weren't instead felled by the very same prey we seek to dispatch!
Have the temperate climes of San d'Oria softened your grip on the harshness of reality?
Festauve : Wh-what!? How dare you!
Zolku-Azolku : Legatus Maximilian, please. Pressed for time as we are, I beg you keep your comments constructive.
Ragelise : 'Tis quite all right, Master Caster.
Ragelise : I shan't deny that many a Kingdom strategy has been somewhat...unorthodox of late.
Ragelise : But pray bear with me for a moment longer. I promise that all doubts will be assuaged.
Ragelise : Enter!
A group of adventurers enters the room.
Zolku-Azolku : And who might these men and women be...?
Ragelise : 'Twould be no exaggeration to call them the caulk that shall keep afloat the vessel that is Operation Snowstorm.
Ragelise : Sparsely manned as our main units are, they can ill afford to focus on aught but their assigned tasks. To allow us the flexibility to deal with the unforseen, it was deemed that a flying column would best suit our needs.
Ragelise : The "Hydra Corps" is the unit's name. Its configuration has been optimized for adaptability to meet the ever-changing face of the battlefield.
Maximilian Berger : Fascinating...
Atori-Tutori : Great balls of Firaga! If it isn't Putori-Tutori!
Justaru when I was wondering where you might be hiding, lo and behold, you've gone and joined the Hydra Corps!
Putori-Tutori : Heheh. It's a long story, but in a nutshell I was duly invited to become a member-wember.
As you know, spells have never been my forte, but here, my talentarus will get to see full use!
Putori-Tutori : The Geminian War Warlocks, I leave under your astute leadership.
Do try not to bumble-wumble, you hear?
Atori-Tutori : Likewise to you, little brother!
Ragelise : In choosing the members for this elite unite, each individual's unique talents were given precedence over proficiency in warfare.
Zolku-Azolku : Well, this certainly explains the rumors that master craftsmen from across the Middle Lands had assembled to produce weapons of unequaled might.
Ragelise : Might I venture to assume that all apprehensions regarding manpower have now been addressed?
Maximilian Berger : You assume correctly, Sir Ragelise. Please disreard my earlier display of effrontery.
Ludwig Eichberg : (So this is the celebrated San d'Orian commander who has garnered such lavish praise.)
Maximilian Berger : (He appears every ilm the shrewd tactician spoken of in rumors. I daresay, victory might yet be within grasp...)
Ragelise : 'Tis a steep and rocky path that lies before us, my friends.
But so long as we stand united, there is no mountain we cannot crest.
Ragelise : Together, we shall restore peace to our lands!
Ragelise : As the final item in the agenda, allow me to introduce the two volunteers who will serve as messengers for the operation.
Lilisette : Thrilled to meet you all! I'm Lilisette, Troupe Mayakov's brightest star, and with me here is Playername, my trusty companion!
Together, we form the unbeatable tag-team duo, Future Fabulous!
Lilisette : Erhm... <Blush>...
Ragelise : And, errr...on that note, the meeting is concluded.
We shall next meet on the snow-clad fields of Valdeaunia. Ensure that your respective units' passage there is uneventful. May the Goddess smile upon us!
Ragelise : <Sigh>...
Lilisette : (Sir Ragelise has been straining himself ever since the dance performance.)
Lilisette : (The thought of Portia torments him still. He keeps his personal ordeals well hidden behind a mask, but to me it may as well be made of glass.)
Lilisette : Please keep heart, Sir Ragelise.
Surely, we'll triumph over the beastmen...and then you and Portia will be reunited.
Ragelise : Your concern is touching, young lady, but my foremost priority is the operation's success.
Private matters have no place on the battlefield, nor in my mind. As commander, I must abide no thought that might impair my judgment.
Ragelise : War is a fickle thing. Plan out every single detail though we might, no man can know how events will unfold.
Lilisette : How events will unfold...
Ragelise : Now then. Pray make ready to leave for Xarcabard at the earliest hour.
May the Goddess watch over you.
Lilisette : Playername. Do you know what happened at the Battle of Xarcabard?
Lilisette : How events are supposed to have unfolded?
Lilisette : History tomes state that the Allied Forces triumped despite overwhelming odds, securing victory in the conflict.
Lilisette : But with so much of history already altered and countless variables at play, I dare not place my trust in the words of a book.
First-hand accounts, on the other hand...
Lilisette : Playername, what say you and I learn more about the campaign from someone who was directly involved?
Lilisette : The knowledge should prepare us better for what's to come.
Lilisette : Let's make a brief detour to present-day San d'Oria before we head to Xarcabard!
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