Anissida and Hailak report on their mission and their prisoner. Meanwhile just as Gran, Sturm, and the crew decide to rescue Drang, Lecia is ordered to return to Amalthea alone.
Golden Knight
Now, let's hear your report, Anissida.
The Golden Knight turns to face her two soldiers.
Anissida gazes away from the room's furnishings and straightens her posture before speaking.
Anissida
Let's see... Well uh, first of all, there's that crew of skyfarers.
Anissida
The crew had already left Zinkenstill by the time we got there, so we couldn't get a hold of 'em.
Golden Knight
I figured as much, considering I ran into them in the Dydroit Belt.
Anissida
Really? Wow, his kid must be somethin'! What'd you learn?
Golden Knight
I can't say for sure. The True King has been clear on this matter, so I won't dig any deeper into it.
Golden Knight
But I have no doubt we'll meet again. Whether we'll be standing with them or against them is another issue.
The Golden Knight murmurs this in a hopeful tone.
Fearing retribution for what he is about to say, Hailak begins to speak in a remorseful tone.
Hailak
About the documents on how to kill primal beasts...
Golden Knight
I've already heard. You had some unexpected guests.
Hailak
Indeed. As we were fighting, the villagers took notice and began gathering. We had no choice but to retreat.
Hailak
The village is surely on alert now, which means another visit will be difficult for some time.
Hailak bites his lip, preparing himself for the worst.
Hailak
This is an embarrassment to the Istavion Troop. I will accept any punishment you see fit.
Golden Knight
That won't be necessary. I didn't give you these orders expecting complete success.
Golden Knight
The purpose was to track down his legend. And that's no walk in the park.
Golden Knight
But we need to discover how he can kill primals, as only he knows how.
Golden Knight
I look forward to better news next time, Hailak.
Hailak
Understood!
Anissida
How sweet of you, Ally! You Luminaries are a magnanimous bunch, I'll say.
Golden Knight
Please don't call me Ally... And furthermore, you should show a little more respect to your superior.
Anissida
Oops! Sorry.
So what are we gonna do about you-know-who?
Anissida sticks a thumb over her shoulder towards the door.
Golden Knight
Sigh... You're asking me...
Golden Knight
But I don't remember telling you to bring back an Erune agent in the first place.
Anissida
Yeah, I know. But that guy seems to have his floppy ears to the ground.
Anissida
I've got a hunch he knows something that could help us out, see?
Anissida
If we ask him the right questions, he might tell us something good. And if he doesn't...
Anissida stops to think for a moment, but then gives up and shrugs her shoulders.
Anissida
Well, he was gettin' in our way. If we rough him up a bit and drop him back in Zinkenstill, he'll serve as a warning to others.
The Golden Knight rolls her eyes at Anissida's sloppy suggestion.
Golden Knight
You're unbelievable... But then again, your instincts are often on the mark.
Golden Knight
Place him in the prison for now. When the time is right, I'll speak with him myself.
Anissida
Okie dokie. Roger that.
And with that, the Erune agent is carried away to his cell.
Meanwhile, the agent's partner explains the situation to Gran and the crew.
Sturm
The last thing I saw was Drang bound up by those two.
Sturm
I'd just been hit pretty hard, so I fell unconscious soon after I saw that.
Sturm
Next thing I know, I'm lying in some villager's home.
Sturm
The villagers said they didn't know where Drang was, but found this beside me.
Sturm holds up a crystal sphere.
Io
Hey, isn't that one of those crystals that goofy guy's always carrying around?
Sturm
Yeah. When you squeeze it, it shines on a point in the sky.
Sturm
I don't know where it's pointing, but it's probably where we can start looking for him.
Sturm
After all, he wouldn't just leave this behind haphazardly.
Sturm
And knowing him, he wouldn't let himself get taken for no reason, either.
Sturm clenches her fist in an effort to steady her trembling.
Sturm
I'm sure he's all right. He might act like an idiot all the time, but when push comes to shove...
Sensing the uneasiness in Sturm's voice, Orchid places her hand on top of Sturm's.
Orchid
Let's go now. Let's go find him.
Orchid
You're right. I'm sure he's just fine.
Orchid
But he left that crystal behind, which means he must want someone to come for him.
Orchid
So we've got to go. We've got to go save him.
Orchid squeezes Sturm's hand reassuringly.
Eugen
Now didn't you say these folks are with the Istavion Troop?
Sturm
That's what Drang had said. The Istavion Troop from Oarlyegrande.
Katalina
Oarlyegrande, eh? Things get more complicated when skydom-crossing authorities are involved.
Sturm
Yeah, and I know I'm in no place to ask this of you.
Sturm
But I need your power to get him back from those two.
Sturm
What do you say, Gran? Will you help me?
Dialogue Option
Of course.
Sturm
Thanks. I owe you one.
Vyrn
When it comes right down to it, he's been on this journey right along with us. We can't just turn our backs on him!
Dialogue Option
Let me think about it.
Sturm
I see. Not quite convinced, huh?
Lecia
But we can't just ignore this, can we?
Lecia
They were trying to get inside your home in the first place, Gran.
Lyria
We might have to face-off against them sooner or later.
With some nudging from the crew, catboy faa decides to help rescue Drang.
Sturm, Orchid, and the crew are about to head off toward the Grandcypher.
But right as they prepare to leave, a skyfarer comes running into the palace.
Enforcer
Lecia! Oh boy, am I lucky you're still here, ma'am!
Lecia
We're just about to leave the island. What's the matter?
Enforcer
Deputy Monika has given orders that you return to Amalthea at once.
Lecia
Monika said that? Did something happen at Amalthea?
Enforcer
Well, she didn't exactly say it like that. But she did say to come alone.
Lecia
So, in other words...
Rosetta
She's telling you to leave our crew.
Lecia
But why so suddenly? Are you sure she didn't say anything else?
Enforcer
No, it seems the details were too classified for her to share with me.
Rackam
I'm not sure what's going on, but it sounds like it's big.
Lecia
But this just doesn't seem like her. There might be something else going on here.
Lecia
...
Lecia thinks for a bit before turning to face the enforcer.
Lecia
Understood. I'll leave immediately. Do you have an airship ready?
Enforcer
Yes, ma'am! It's standing by!
Lecia
Good. I'll head for the airship soon, so wait there for me.
Enforcer
Roger!
Lecia watches the enforcer run off before turning back toward the crew.
Lecia
My apologies, Gran. I'll be leaving your crew briefly.
Katalina
It's an order from your superior officer, so what can you do? It sounds as if they could use your help there.
Lecia
You're right. In any case, be careful out there!
Lecia
The people who've got Drang sound a bit different from the people we've come across so far.
Gran nods reassuringly at Lecia.
As they depart to rescue Drang, the crew bid farewell to Lecia and leave the city of Mephorash behind them.