Pre Mission

Callen

...

Finn

Callen?
Talking in her sleep, I guess.

Callen

Weakening...
What to do...?

Finn

I wonder what kind of dream she's having.

Rizette

Ah, there you are.
Do you have a moment?

Finn

Ah, hey. Yeah.
What's up?

Rizette

Astrid's called everyone together.
You included.

Finn

Okay.
I'll be right there.

Finn

(Callen...
What's really going on?)

Astrid

Thank you all for coming, everyone.
I will get straight to the point.

Astrid

The Queen of Rigland has commanded us
to provide reinforcements to Hymelia.

Finn

Callen...
Callen?

Astrid

I have called you here to determine who
will be going and who—

Vesh

I oppose this.

Finn

But why? We don't even know what
we're helping out with yet.

Vesh

Hymelia is the seat of the Speaker of Fire
that wisheth to see thee dead, Sir Finn.

Vesh

Why must we rush to the aid of one who
intendeth harm to our dear companion?

Astrid

I understand your opposition, Vesh.
But the dealings of royalty are complex.

Nagi

The Princess said we would be foes once
the Gru Grim fell...

Nagi

But it seems she desires our alliance to
last a little longer.

Finn

Let's at least see what they have to say.
We can decide what to do afterward.

Vesh

Mm...

Callen

Mm...

Astrid

Ahem.
If I may continue?

Astrid

The kingdoms of Rigland and Hymelia
have historically been on good terms.

Astrid

Our recent hostilities were with a splinter
branch of the royal family...

Astrid

...Not the kingdom itself. Rigland and
Hymelia are still allies.

Rizette

So the Princess attacking Rigland knights
doesn't count as going to war, huh?

Astrid

An unfortunate accident in the heat of
battle...is how I imagine it was explained.

Ga'Luga

...How convenient for her.

Astrid

I agree...but let us put aside our personal
feelings for now.

Astrid

Now, to business. The Hymelian royal
family is on the brink of ruin.

Theo

What? How?

Finn

She's not waking up.
She must be exhausted.

Astrid

There are two main factors. Monster
attacks on the civilian populace,

Astrid

And a faction of revolutionaries
fomenting rebellion against the Crown.

Astrid

Slowly but surely, the royal family is
losing their hold on their kingdom.

Elmina

That's their problem, isn't it? Shouldn't
Hymelia handle their own messes?

Astrid

Unfortunately, it is not that simple.
Beyond Hymelia lies the Bergarian Empire.

Astrid

Bergaria has coveted Hymelia's territory,
and Rigland's, for centuries.

Mysha

So if Hymelia falls, then we're next on
the chopping block.

Astrid

Yes. Hymelia is the wall standing between
Rigland and Bergaria.

Astrid

The Queen has decided we cannot allow
Hymelia to weaken any further.

Finn

I see...sounds pretty complicated.
International politics sure is rough.

Finn

(No wonder. She's researching stuff no
one's even thought of before, after all.)

Ludmilla

It certainly is. You'll see soon enough—
We Knights are on the front lines of it.

Finn

Marshal!
How are you feeling?

Ludmilla

Back to full strength. I need to make up
for Darna's humiliation of me.

Astrid

I am assigning Marshal Ludmilla, Finn,
and Ga'Luga to this mission.

Astrid

We will start with a mobile squad of 3.
Everyone else will remain on standby.

Vesh

I oppose this.

Astrid

I have explained the situation. Do you
not understand?!

Vesh

I understand. But my mission is to protect
Finn. I shall not stand and watch him go.

Nagi

I agree! I, too, dearly wish to meet
that fierce, beautiful lily once more!

Astrid

...That reminds me. I heard you made
untoward advances to the Princess, Nagi?

Finn

(But why did she suddenly throw herself
into this?)

Nagi

Urk.

Astrid

I will not be sending someone who taunts
royalty for fun on a diplomatic mission!

Astrid

And you, Vesh. Your presence would
defeat the very purpose of a covert squad.

Vesh

Mm...

Astrid

I know you are strong, but we need to be
circumspect.

Astrid

Ready yourself, and be patient. That is
the best way you can protect Finn now.

Vesh

...My appearance is the problem?

Astrid

Huh?
Well...that is...

Vesh

Then, what of this?

Vesh

Will this form serve?

Finn

(All this, just to "duplicate the Golden
Crest", she said.)

Astrid

Wha—!
S-so fluffy...!

Astrid

B-but even so, a talking animal will
doubtless stand out, as well...

Vesh

Then I shall not speak.
...Yip.

Astrid

T-that is not fair! Using such fluff against
me...! Marshal, say something!

Ludmilla

H-he's so soft!
And so adorable!

Astrid

Ludmilla?!

Vesh

Yip!

Astrid

...Fine. Fine! If you can convincingly play
a normal animal, you may go with Finn!

Vesh

Yip. ♪

Rizette

(Vesh's tail is wagging...)

Finn

(Does mankind really need that kind of
power?)

Theo

(He seems more like a pet dog than a
fox.)

Astrid

A-ahem.
Ludmilla. Finn. Ga'Luga. And...fox.

Astrid

You are to travel to Hymelia, and assist
the royal family in any way possible!

Rizette

Take care, Finn.

Finn

We won't have anything to worry about
with Vesh around. See you all soon!

Vesh

Yip! ♪

Callen

Mm...
So... It is...