Gran and company find collapsed soldiers inside the Tower—a result of reactor activity. They move deeper into the Tower in order to stop the reactor as well as Freesia, until they are blocked by Gandharva. Lecia and Katalina engage in a showdown with him on behalf of the crew.
Having once clashed with Gran and company in the town of Agastia...
Gandharva now lies in wait within the Tower, eagerly anticipating his next confrontation with the crew.
Gandharva
...
Gandharva gazes at the flash of his blade slicing through the air as he reflects on the last battle.
Lecia
I won't allow you to hurt anyone else! I'm going to defeat you here and now!
Lecia
We can do this, Gran. I'm not going to run away again. I will not lose!
Vyrn
Hah! Even if we've gotta take both of them head on, there's no way I'm backin' down!
Lyria
Right! Now everyone's here...
Lyria
Let's go, Gran! If we're all together, we'll be okay for sure!
Gandharva
...
Imperial Soldier
Lieutenant General Gandharva! Your Excellency! I have urgent news!
Gandharva returns the blade to its sheath as he turns toward the soldier.
Gandharva
Speak... What have you to tell me?
Imperial Soldier
Those skyfarers have gotten inside the Tower...
Gandharva
Humph. I see... Well, no need to fuss. It was only a matter of time.
Imperial Soldier
Th-that's not all! There seems to be something... mysterious going on.
Gandharva
Something mysterious? More intruders perhaps?
Imperial Soldier
No, sir... It's unclear what's happening.
Imperial Soldier
We're getting reports all over that the entire capital, not just the Tower, appears to be under attack.
Gandharva
"Appears" to be, you say? Quit beating around the bush. What do you mean?
Imperial Soldier
Well... Both soldiers and civilians are coming down with a strange illness one after another.
Imperial Soldier
They're quickly increasing in number and more than a few have fallen into a stupor...
Gandharva
Sounds as if the Crew of Enforcers and the Valtz Duchy have made their move to help that pitiful crew.
Gandharva
And no mercy for civilians! They've got more spunk than I gave them credit for.
Imperial Soldier
B-but it seems both the Crew of Enforcers and the Valtz Army are badly hit.
Imperial Soldier
And, sir, it seems the epicenter of the damage can be traced... back to the Tower.
Gandharva
!
The soldier collapses on his feet, but Gandharva catches him in an instant.
Gandharva
Humph... So this was their intent all along...
After lowering the soldier to the floor, Gandharva rises, his favorite blade in his grip.
Gandharva
Not the most ideal timing... But it doesn't change what must be done in the end.
Gandharva opens the door and heads down a path within the Tower.
Further ahead, Gran and company are scrambling to put a halt to Freesia's plans.
After putting an end to Furias's rampage, Gran and company make their way through the Tower.
But as they push forward, Gran and company come across an unexpected sight.
Katalina
Was this a part of Freesia's plan all along?
Black Knight
No... I'm not sure what to make of this, but their real goal lies just ahead.
Black Knight
And once it's awakened, that will be the end. We won't even be able to see it coming.
With a look of both sternness and pity, the Black Knight gazes about her feet.
As Gran and company go deeper into the Tower, they find even more imperial soldiers collapsed on the ground.
Orchis
Is everyone... asleep?
Lecia
This is clearly abnormal... There's no mistake that this was caused by the reactor.
Rackam
It's so quiet compared to the ruckus out there. To think we'd be dealing with this...
Io
But hey! We've seen this before, right? When that guy took us around...
Lyria
Yeah... They look a lot like those people we saw when Adam led us to that place.
Eugen
And he was sayin' that all of 'em were test subjects for making the reactor.
Rosetta
In other words, the reactor is running smoothly, just as they tested.
Black Knight
If we fail to stop the reactor... to stop Freesia, then the entire capital will end up like this in no time.
Eugen
No siree... That's not gonna fly with me.
Vyrn
Yeah... You're right. If this ends up spreading all over the capital...
Vyrn
Then it means that primal beast Akasha is gonna make its move, huh...
Orchis
Once it comes to that... who knows what could happen next?
Lyria
We can't... We won't...
Lyria
!
Gran and company, thinking they were all alone in the tower, spun around at the sound of footsteps.
Before them stands a man in full military regalia.
Gandharva
Why, hello... Why so stiff all of a sudden? Am I interrupting something?
Katalina
Gandharva! So you've been slithering around the Tower this whole time?
Gandharva
Really... Coming all this way...
Gandharva
You've managed to peek under the "mask" of the empire, but we're beyond that little speech now, aren't we?
Rackam
Looks like we've got another problem on our hands...
Lecia
Yes... But our ultimate goal is to reach the reactor.
Lecia
We should split up and search for it, not waste all our focus on what's in front of us.
Gandharva
Now, now... Let's not get ahead of ourselves. I've got some business with you first.
Io
Of course we're trying to get ahead! If we don't, we'll be in a world of trouble! For real!
Gandharva
Humph... So what?
Io
What!
Gandharva
That issue's fine for now... For now, that is.
Io
For... For now?
Eugen
Hey now... Since you know so much about what's goin' down, how 'bout you tell us what you're really up to?
Gandharva
Fair enough... But before that, answer me this.
Gandharva points his blade at the fallen soldiers.
Gandharva
All this... Is this your work?
Katalina
No... It may be pointless to try and assert our innocence to you at a time like this...
Katalina
But we're in shock as well. It's most likely the work of Freesia's reactor.
Gandharva
Humph... Once again making a mess of things...
Black Knight
Look. We intend to stop her. Would you mind stepping aside?
Gandharva
My apologies! I've no intention of delaying you, but I'm afraid I have a pressing task to attend to.
Black Knight
A pressing task?
Gandharva
Ah... I've something more important to me than this world... more than Freesia's ambitions.
Gandharva
And that... is ultimate strength.
Lecia
...
Io
Ultimate strength... But why?
Gandharva
Laughable! It's almost laughable, don't you think! But yes! That is my purpose.
Io
What! You've got to be kidding!
Gandharva
I'm far from earning it now, being that you brats still pose a threat to me...
Gandharva
But I won't have it anymore. And so...
Gandharva raises his sword, glaring at Gran and company.
Gandharva
Let us settle this. Here and now.
Lecia
...
Black Knight
Enough of this. No hard feelings, but we couldn't care less about whatever strength you're so eager to prove.
Gandharva
So you intend to ignore me and move along?
Gandharva
Taking out prey from behind isn't my style... but I'm not entirely against it.
Black Knight
Why, you—
Lecia
Fine. I'll take it from here.
Lyria
Lecia?
Gran and company watch as Lecia takes a step toward Gandharva.
Lecia
Everyone, keep moving forward. And leave this to me.
Vyrn
Woah, woah! Wait! You're gonna fight him on your own?
Lecia
To stop the reactor, we need as many people as we can.
Lecia
And I... and my father are the reason behind this terrible mess.
Lecia
That's why I just can't run away from this fight.
Gandharva
I'm glad you see things my way... Now, are you done chatting? Because my sword has something to say!
Gandharva draws his blade. Lecia responds in kind.
The intensity from both sides is palpable. However, the first to make a move is someone unexpected.
Katalina
Really... I always thought you were a little strange.
Katalina places a hand on Lecia's shoulder.
Lecia
What?
Katalina
There's no reason to ever shoulder such a heavy burden alone, no matter the stakes.
Katalina
Haven't you learned anything since we stood off against you and your crew?
Lecia
But... but!
Katalina
Indeed, we need many of us searching at once... but I think I'll stay behind for now. I hope you don't mind, Gran.
Dialogue Option
Watch her back, Katalina.
Katalina
I will. We'll both catch up to you soon.
Katalina
So keep an eye on Lyria until then, Gran.
Dialogue Option
I guess you have a point.
Katalina
Yes... There's no mistake that we want as many hands as possible to stop the reactor.
Katalina
But even so, a one-on-one against him is just too big a risk to take.
Gandharva
Well... This gets more interesting by the second.
Lyria
Katalina...
Katalina
It's okay, Lyria. There's nothing to worry about. Right, Lecia?
Lecia
R-right! You can trust us to handle this!
Lyria
But...
Katalina
Now go... We can't waste anymore time.
Katalina
Besides that... Your power is surely needed elsewhere, Lyria.
Katalina
So leave this to us. You must go ahead with Gran and everyone.
Vyrn
I g-guess we gotta go... Lecia! Katalina! You better catch up!
Lecia
Yep! Of course!
Katalina
Ah. That's a promise.
And so, Lecia and Katalina stay behind while Gran and company venture further into the tower.
Katalina watches the gang until they disappear down the path before turning once again to Gandharva.
Katalina
Well then... Shall we make this quick, Lieutenant General Gandharva?
Lecia
I'm afraid we have plans after this... So we can't stay for very long!
Gandharva
Humph... It's no matter to me.
Gandharva
But I'll have you give back what you've stolen... My ultimate strength!
Gandharva
I'm going to be the strongest there is! Finishing you off will be the first step to that end!
61: One by One, They Fall 
