Pre Mission

Booooom!

Astrid

But this time our foe is no god, but
mortal men and women.

Astrid

The real Hero is gone. I cannot see a way
forward... And so.

Astrid

We may have to resort to different tactics
if we wish to preserve our nation.

Rizette

What do you mean...?

Astrid

Underhanded tactics. This decision is not
an easy one; it goes against my own ideals.

Booooom!

Theo

Another one...Ahh!
T-There's a hole in the ceiling!

Bergarian Soldier

I've located the hero Astrid.
Just as arranged.

Astrid

Arranged...?
(So they didn't find this room by chance?)

Bergarian Soldier

You're coming with us.

Theo

Another explosion... And closer this time.

Astrid

Tch...!
You think you can defeat me that easily?

???

Resistance is futile.

Astrid

Ah...?!
(What is that weapon?! It melted my sword!)

???

As I said, resistance is futile.
Do you understand now?

Astrid

And you are...?

Caldeon

I am General Caldeon of Bergaria. And you
are Lady Astrid of the Red Dragon Knights.

Astrid

...I am.

Caldeon

Then I've no wish to fight you.
Rather, I would like to offer my assistance.

Rizette

What? You're the ones attacking us!

Caldeon

Our objective here is the conquest of
Rigland, and Rigland alone.

Rizette

At this rate, even the Pillar Room won't be
safe for long. What's our Plan B?

Caldeon

We are aware that the Knights do not
fall directly under Rigland's banner.

Caldeon

We also owe you respect, for ending the
Pandemonium and saving the world.

Caldeon

If you swear fealty to Bergaria and assist
us in the subjugation of Rigland...

Caldeon

The Red Dragon Knights will retain their
titles and continue on as a knightly order.

Astrid

You're asking us to become turncoats?

Caldeon

To put it bluntly, yes.
But I suggest considering it. After all...

Caldeon

If you refuse, we will slaughter every last
Red Dragon Knight on Erden.

Astrid

My comrades...
Their lives...

Astrid

...
Father...

Astrid

...As you wish.
I accept your offer.

Astrid

I can't say I have one. I never imagined that
Bergaria could have such technology.

Theo

Astrid?!

Caldeon

A true hero, this one. Little wonder you
survived the Pandemonium.

Caldeon

And what say the rest of you?

Theo

We'll never join you!
We'll never kneel down to our conquerors!

Theo

Right, Riz?!
...Riz?

Rizette

...

Rizette

(Astrid would never sell out our country
unless she had a good reason.)

Rizette

(Could this be what she said before...?
About underhanded tactics?)

Caldeon

Make your choice, at once!
Should you fail to do so...!

Rizette

...Ha!

Astrid

...With Finn missing, we may not have the
strength necessary to oppose them.

Caldeon

Ngh?!
(She used it as a throwing weapon?!)

Bergarian Soldier

General Caldeon!
Are you injured?!

Caldeon

This wound is nothing.
We have more important matters to tend to.

Astrid

The two of them ran off.
...That will work.

Rizette

Over here, Theo!
Hide!

Theo

R-right!

Bergarian Soldier

Don't let them escape. We have orders—
Bring them back, dead or alive.

Astrid

Wait. If you intend to pursue them,
use this secret passage.

Theo

Astrid! What was that...?!

Rizette

Shhh... Be quiet.

Rizette

No...

Astrid

This passage leads outside the city.
Go, quickly! Do not let them escape!

Bergarian Soldier

Y-Yes, right.
Come on!

Astrid

...
Please, find a way out of this, you two...

Rizette

(Of course... Astrid could never betray us.
She's just adopted a new strategy, is all.)

Rizette

(In that case, so will we.
We'll change tactics and continue the fight!)

Theo

...Let's go, Riz.
We have to escape.

Rizette

...Okay.

Astrid

Do you recall the struggles we faced during
the Pandemonium?

Astrid

The way was never easy, but at times it felt
as though we had some kind of guidance.

Astrid

Like signposts on the road. It may be that
some were created by Arcane...