Gran and the others come to a fork in the road while on the way to the Fourth Hall. Lecia, with guilt welling up inside, advocates for the quicker but more dangerous path.
Katalina
Haaaaah!
Imperial Soldier 1
Ugh!
Katalina
There's too many of them. We can't fight all the soldiers on this island by ourselves.
Katalina
Lecia! Behind you!
Lecia
...
Katalina
What's wrong! Damn it, look out!
Lecia
Ah!
Imperial Soldier 2
Urgh... Curse you...
Lecia
Eep...
Eugen
Get with it. This isn't the time to lose focus.
Lecia
S-sorry...
Gran and company fight alongside Lecia and her Enforcers in order to gain information from other skydoms.
They're heading toward the Fourth Hall, but frequent clashes with imperial soldiers impede their progress.
Katalina
What's wrong, Lecia? You've been distracted for a while now.
Lecia
No, I'm fine! Let's just carry on!
Katalina
...
Lecia
I have to... I have to rescue her as quickly as I can...
Skyfarer
Which route should we take from here? The main street or the backstreet?
Skyfarer
The backstreets would be faster, but if we meet any imperials, we'll have nowhere to run.
Skyfarer
Um... Captain Lecia? Are you listening? What do you think we should do? Captain Lecia?
Lecia
What? R-right... Well, faster is better. We need to hurry to the Fourth Hall.
Io
Didn't you just hear your pal here? That shortcut could make short work of us.
Lecia
We don't have a choice. If we don't save Monika quickly, then it may already be over.
Katalina
I understand how you feel, but you must remain calm, Lecia.
Katalina
At times like this, a cool head is vital to make good decisions.
Lecia
Then you're in luck. My head is stone cold. Let's move—no time to waste over debating strategy.
Skyfarer
Captain Lecia...
Io
Has Lecia always been such a nervous wreck?
Orchis
No... She was relaxed when Monika was around.
Lyria
She must be very worried.
Eugen
That's part of it, sure, but she must also be feelin' a whole heap of responsibility.
Eugen
After all, according to her Amalthea was occupied when she wasn't here to defend it.
Eugen
That said, not so sure I believe Lecia's presence woulda made much of a difference against that lieutenant general.
Katalina
She knows that too, of course, but if anything, it must make her feel even worse.
Lecia
...
When Gran and the others arrive at the Fourth Hall, they find Gandharva waiting for them. He offers to leave the island and free Monika if Lecia will agree to become his hostage.
Lecia
We're making good progress. This path will bring us to the back entrance of the Fourth Hall.
Gandharva
Welcome, weaklings! You took so long to get here, I thought maybe you weren't coming!
Katalina
Who are you?
Lecia
Gandharva! What have you done with Monika?
Gandharva
No need to lose your temper. I've done nothing nasty, I assure you.
Gandharva
After a fair fight with Monika—of course I won—I took her into custody. That's all.
Lecia
Enough! Just what do you want? Why did you come back?
Gandharva
Oh, I'm glad you asked. I've been looking for you to tell you.
Lecia
What is the meaning of this?
Gandharva
I think we can make a deal. It'll be good for you too, I promise.
Gandharva
The only thing I want is another fight with that dog, Walfrid.
Gandharva
But I just can't get a lead on him, and you know what? Running around after someone isn't my style.
Gandharva
And that's why I came up with a different plan.
Gandharva
In the end, you see, Walfrid is just a man. Even he would show up if his daughter were taken hostage.
Lecia
So you want me to become bait to lure out my father? Is that it?
Gandharva
Exactly! To be honest, the empire, the Crew of Enforcers—none of that means anything to me.
Gandharva
If you become my prisoner, then I'll have my men leave the island. And I'll free Monika.
Lecia
...
Katalina
Gandharva, was it? That's quite an offer.
Katalina
But where's our guarantee that you'll keep your side of the deal?
Gandharva
Haha! Great question! Your reputation precedes you, former Lieutenant Katalina.
Katalina
What? How do you know my name?
Gandharva
I suppose you could say I have a weakness for strong fighters.
Gandharva
I've read all of the empire's documents. A collected battle manner, superlative swordsmanship... All wrapped up in a treacherous commanding officer...
Gandharva
In fact, you're one of the most distinguished graduates to ever come out of Albion!
Gandharva
This is too good to be true... Hey, care to exchange a few blows? We can go 'til the death if you want.
Katalina
Scum! Just answer my question!
Gandharva
Ah, about keeping my side of the deal? All you can do is trust me.
Gandharva
But there isn't that much to think about. If you don't agree to my terms, then I'll simply have to crush you all.
Katalina
Lecia, there's no value in trusting this man...
Lecia
Very well. If becoming your hostage will free Monika, then so be it.
Katalina
Lecia!
Io
Hold it! Think about what you're saying!
Io
Did you hear anything that Katalina and this guy just said?
Lecia
None of that matters. If I can save everyone, then it's a sacrifice I'm willing to make.
Rackam
Tch! Look around! You think we can just give you up with all this goin' on?
Gandharva
H'oh! You've got spirit, I'll give you that! I'm fond of folks who've got some fight in 'em!
Gandharva
But you've already missed your chance to escape! I never pass up the chance for a good fight! Hah!
Eugen
Tch... Careful. He's much stronger than any of the other imperials...
Io
Humph! But the bigger they are, the harder they fall!
43: A Hero's Bloodline 
