The crew encounter more and more golems as they delve deeper into the forest.
Golem
...!
Rackam
Tch. More and more golems keep poppin' up outta the woodwork.
Katalina
That just means we're getting close to a really important place within these ruins.
Katalina
But if we try to fight each and every golem, we'll be here forever. Let's move on.
Gran and the crew begin walking, but they notice the Black Knight doesn't budge.
Black Knight
...
Vyrn
What's the matter? Don't tell me you're tired!
Black Knight
Not a bit.
Black Knight
This is the point of no return. If we go any further, we'll have to settle things with Freesia.
Black Knight
Which is why I need to tell you all something.
Katalina
Tell us something?
Black Knight
Yes. You should know my objective and the entirety of my plan.
Katalina
So you finally feel like talking.
Black Knight
Humph. It has nothing to do with your complaints.
Black Knight
But first—this area is swamped with enemies. We need to take them out first.
The Black Knight reveals her true objective. She wants to sacrifice Lyria to save Orchis, even if it means becoming an enemy to the crew once again.
Ducking into a safe corner of the ruins, the crew begins listening intently to the Black Knight.
Black Knight
As I said before, my objective is to return Orchis to normal.
Black Knight
But I've yet to go into the particulars of how this plan will work. Correct?
Katalina
Yes. You've mentioned that Lyria and Orchis in her current form are necessary however.
Black Knight
They are. So I'll get right to the point—
Black Knight
For the plan to be successful, both Lyria and that doll might potentially need to be sacrificed.
Lyria
...!
Katalina
Come again?
Black Knight
Gran, you should be familiar with Lyria's power.
Black Knight
She once used her ability to bring you back from the brink of death. Isn't that right?
Black Knight
Behind that very ability lies another secret: its true nature.
Black Knight
You see, it allows Lyria to unconsciously transfer a piece of her soul into a recipient.
Black Knight
By using that ability on a soulless body, one could implant Lyria's personality and soul into it.
Rackam
What! So, you're sayin'... There would be two Lyrias?
Black Knight
Not in the slightest. All that would be transferred is her personality. So far as I know, her memories wouldn't carry over.
Black Knight
To summarize—I will use Lyria's power to reproduce Orchis's true personality.
Black Knight
And then transfer the soul to that doll—that is to say, transfer the soul to Orchis's body.
Black Knight
Although Orchis won't have her memories from before, we will at least be able to restore her personality.
Black Knight
There you have it. My entire plan.
Katalina
That's insane. I could never let you do such a thing!
Black Knight
Whether you want me to or not makes no difference to me.
Black Knight
She has lost her soul and become an unchanging doll devoid of emotion.
Black Knight
To get back that smile she once had. To restore Orchis to the princess the people of Erste need... I'm left with no other option.
Lyria
...
Black Knight
Soon we will have to cross swords with Freesia.
Black Knight
Until we've retrieved the doll, we share a common goal.
Black Knight
However. The moment I obtain her, I will become your enemy.
Black Knight
Curse me as heartless if you must. But know that I will get Orchis back.
Black Knight
This is something that neither I nor your crew can negotiate. So I won't expect you to back down either.
Lyria asks the Black Knight why she would put herself at a disadvantage by revealing her plot. The Black Knight answers that although her priorities are different, she simply wished to be honest with the crew.
After the crew drives another round of encroaching golems away, Lyria turns to the Black Knight to speak.
Lyria
Um, Black Knight...
Black Knight
How surprising. Knowing what you do about my plan, I thought you would despise me enough to not speak to me.
Lyria
Why did you choose to tell us about your plan when you did?
Lyria
If you hadn't said anything, you could have taken us by surprise right after getting Orchis back.
Lyria
But that's not what you did. So why?
Black Knight
Hmm. Why indeed. To be perfectly honest, even I don't understand why.
Black Knight
It's true... This mission is not something that I can compromise.
Black Knight
However I felt it best to be honest with all of you.
Black Knight
I thought to myself, even if we must fight, I wish to do so fairly and under no pretense. And when we part, it will be clean.
Although the Black Knight's eyes are filled with bitter ambition, her gaze settles on the floor.
Gran and the crew watch her, unaware of what fate she truly wished for.
39: Dark Intent 
