After stocking up on supplies in the Republic of Idelva, the crew makes a brief stop in Zinkenstill, where new information about Gran's family history and connection to the Istavion Kingdom is finally revealed. Although these revelations generate more mysteries, Gran is more determined than ever to continue on to Oarlyegrande.
Cain
Knock, knock. Can anyone tell me where to put these navigation charts?
Rackam
Oh, sorry. Can you take 'em up to the bridge? Thanks.
Reinhardtzar
That's the last of the lamp oil barrels, I think. What else needs loading?
Io
Ah, if you're going back up, can you carry this for me? It hasn't been used at all.
Leona
A shipment of nonperishable food came in. I had it brought aboard the ship if that's okay.
Rosetta
Yes, thank you. Nonperishables... Those should probably be stored in the aft cargo hold.
It hasn't always been smooth sailing, but the crew has managed to recover Lloyd from the Violet Knight. In addition, primal beast Akasha has been returned to its pre-primal state.
They are currently docked in the Republic of Idelva, busily preparing for the next leg of their journey.
Cain spots Gran amid the flurry of activity. He waves enthusiastically while running over to the captain.
Cain
Gran! I finished gathering all the stuff you wanted.
Lyria
Thanks a lot, Cain! We'd be so far behind without everyone's help.
Vyrn
Um, you guys sure we can have all this food and these supplies for free?
Cain
Yeah, no problemo! Besides, it's not really from us per se. It's from all of Nalhegrande.
Reinhardtzar
Maybe it's because of some national pride thing, but the Rhem Kingdom's donations were made via Idelva.
Reinhardtzar
Doesn't change the fact that all parties including myself agree your crew deserves it.
Cain
In other words everyone in Nalhegrande sends their thanks.
Cain
You guys saved our skydom from disaster. No amount of compensation can repay what you've done for us.
Leona
Your next stop is the Great Oarlyegrande Skydom.
Leona
Which means finally coming face-to-face with the True King of Istavion.
Leona
I really wish we could go with you to confront him together.
Leona
But we're still dealing with the aftermath of the Otherworld invasion, and it could be only a matter of time before he makes his own assault on Nalhegrande.
Leona
So unfortunately we must still remain here just in case.
Leona
But if there's anything we can do for you right now, please don't be afraid to ask. Our assistance is yours.
Dialogue Option
Thank you.
Reinhardtzar
Damn, I hate being useless. All we can do is fetch stuff and run errands.
Dialogue Option
You've already done so much for us.
Leona
Come on, don't look at it that way. I think a helping hand is always welcome, no matter what form it takes...
Gran reassures them that their support is greatly appreciated. Cain then addresses the captain in a serious tone.
Cain
There's one thing I think you should know before setting off for Oarlyegrande.
Cain
It's about the True King's daughter—Alliah, the Golden Knight.
Vyrn
Oh yeah, what happened to her anyway? Is she okay?
Lyria
Alliah... In the end, she fought on our side at the Great Wall.
Cain
Yeah. And because of that, it's not like she could've gone home like nothing happened, so she sought refuge here in Idelva.
Cain
When one of the True King's envoys came to get her, we came up with a good excuse to get them off her back.
Cain
But then the True King himself showed up. This was shortly before the Otherworld invaded.
Dialogue Option
The True King...
Vyrn
That's surprising. He never seemed like the caring-father type of guy.
Cain
A parent is still a parent, I guess. And when a king personally pays you a visit, there's only so much you can do.
Cain
If we told him to get lost, at worst it would've sparked an all-out war between Idelva and Istavion.
Leona
Alliah said she'd be fine since we were able to buy her some time, but I really have to wonder about that.
Reinhardtzar
From what I could see, can't say it was a heartfelt family reunion when they were heading back.
Cain presses on with a serious request.
Cain
Gran, I'm sure you'll cross paths with her again on your way to facing the True King.
Cain
Maybe it's none of our business, but if you do meet her again, would you mind checking up on her?
Gran accepts Cain and company's request. With the last of the preparations complete, the crew lifts off from Idelva.
But the trip into the new skydom will have to wait just a little longer. There are loose ends that need to be tied up.
While Rackam, Io, Eugen, and Rosetta make brief stops in their respective hometowns, Gran and the rest return to the island where their journey first began.
Gran sits down with the villager that had served as their foster parent and reveals everything they've learned about themselves.
Elderly Woman
I see. So you've finally discovered that much...
Katalina
I guess it's no surprise that you already knew everything. Or should I say everyone living here does too?
Elderly Woman
No, not everyone knows as much as I do.
Elderly Woman
But both of Gran's parents did hail from Zinkenstill.
Elderly Woman
I watched them grow up from when they were wee tots. And just like Gran, that boy would often practice the sword in the forest.
The elderly woman gazes fondly at Gran, her face brimming with nostalgic memories of a once young lad.
Elderly Woman
Your father asked me not to tell you anything, Gran.
Elderly Woman
But knowing what you know now, it seems rather pointless to hide it anymore, since you're firmly in the thick of it.
Elderly Woman
You can't backtrack and choose another path, but you do have a choice. Are you prepared to go forward?
Gran returns the woman's intense gaze and nods without a hint of hesitation.
Elderly Woman
All right. Then I'll tell you a story.
Elderly Woman
A story about the fate that binds your parents to the True King.
She gazes out the window at the quiet village.
Elderly Woman
How many times did you ask me this question when you were younger?
Elderly Woman
"How come I don't have a real family?"
Vyrn
Yeah, no one ever gave us a straight answer.
Vyrn
They'd just tell us everyone in the village was family. Every single time. So we shrugged and stopped asking.
Elderly Woman
I can imagine. I never doubted you were an emotionally strong child, Gran.
Elderly Woman
But you did have a real family. Another blood relative aside from your mother and father.
Elderly Woman
Did you know your father was abandoned as a baby? He simply appeared out of nowhere one day, left in front of the forest shrine.
Elderly Woman
Naturally he was taken in by a couple who belonged to a clan of shrine keepers.
Elderly Woman
As it happened, the couple had a baby daughter of the same age.
Elderly Woman
That baby girl was your mother. They were best friends from day one.
Lyria
So Gran's parents were close early on.
Vyrn
Wh-whoa, back up there. This is all news to me.
Vyrn
Doesn't that mean Gran's got grandparents too?
Vyrn
How come we've never seen or heard from them?
Elderly Woman
Well, sadly they passed away before Gran was born.
She pauses a moment to collect herself, and then forces her frail voice to continue.
Elderly Woman
They had a second child. From your perspective, she's your aunt on your mother's side.
Elderly Woman
Shortly after she was born, a battleship from a certain land appeared over the village.
Katalina
A battleship? It couldn't be...
Elderly Woman
Yes. The True King, bringing with him what seemed like an army of Istavion soldiers.
Elderly Woman
He was after a shrine priestess—your mother—and he nearly succeeded.
Elderly Woman
Your father fought to stop him, as did we all.
Vyrn
Gulp. And then what happened?
Elderly Woman
We protected her to the end. Even back then your father possessed an unusual power.
Elderly Woman
But our victory was not without its cost.
Elderly Woman
Your grandparents lost their lives in the fighting.
Elderly Woman
And while your mother was safe, your aunt, who had just been born, was kidnapped by the True King.
Elderly Woman
That's why your parents set off into the skies—to rescue a kidnapped family member and to fulfill the mission bestowed by the god of destruction.
The old woman sinks into her chair with a deep sigh and reaches for her cup on the table.
Katalina seizes this opportunity to put forth a question on her mind.
Katalina
I'd like to briefly interrupt you here. Was Vyrn with them at this point?
Elderly Woman
Yes. Vyrn showed up a short time before the battleship came.
Elderly Woman
If the seal on his memories is ever released, he should remember it all in detail.
Vyrn
...
Lyria
Um, were they able to rescue Gran's aunt?
The old woman sadly shakes her head.
Elderly Woman
It wasn't meant to be. That's why Gran's father forbade any mention of her.
Elderly Woman
Your connection to the True King, Gran, was established before you even came into this world.
Elderly Woman
Had you known, getting revenge on the True King would've been yet another reason for you to set off, no?
This is the extent to which the True King has affected Gran's destiny.
Imagining what family life could've been like had the True King not interfered, Gran agrees with the elderly woman.
Elderly Woman
Your father didn't want to expose you to any danger.
Elderly Woman
But if you insist on reaching the Island of the Astrals, then clashing with the True King is inevitable.
Elderly Woman
With that in mind, do you still plan to adventure on?
Dialogue Option
I'm gonna make it there. I know I will.
Elderly Woman
Haha... With an attitude like that, you really do take after your father.
Dialogue Option
I'm no quitter. Never will be.
Elderly Woman
As for your mother, well, she was no slouch in the headstrong department either.
The old woman's story has left much for each crew member to ponder, but it has also galvanized them to aim for ever farther skies.
Vyrn
That was a lot to take in, but it doesn't change our final destination!
Lyria
Yes! Whatever happens, we're going to Esta—
???
No, you can't! Think about what you're doing!
Vyrn
Aaron! Wait, were you listening to our entire conversation?
Aaron is one of the few villagers around Gran's age. To Gran, he's a childhood friend.
Aaron
I came by as soon as I heard you were back.
Aaron
I waited outside 'cause I didn't think you guys would talk that long.
Aaron
Sorry. It wasn't on purpose, but yeah, I heard everything about your dad.
Even as he stares at his feet, he frantically tries to keep his argument going.
Aaron
But, like, something doesn't add up about that story!
Aaron
If your dad didn't want to put you in danger, why'd he send you that letter in the first place?
Aaron
He specifically wrote that he'd be waiting at the Island of the Astrals.
Aaron
I mean, it's so obviously dangerous to attempt going to a place like that!
Gran and the others have no answer for this apparent discrepancy.
Elderly Woman
Well, I may be old, but my memory still works fine. Everything I've told you is true, including your father swearing me to secrecy.
Vyrn
The letter was definitely his handwriting though...
Aaron
Yeah? You sure it wasn't spoofed by some kind of primal beast?
Aaron
There's a mountain of crazy primals out there with all sorts of weird powers, right?
The boy takes Gran's hand and pleads with the captain in a quivering voice.
Aaron
Look, I'm just worried, okay?
Aaron
When I look at you, I don't see a legendary skyfarer or someone who's out to shake up the world.
Aaron
I see a good friend I've known since we were kids. You can still make it big without risking your life.
Aaron
Don't you think this has gone far enough? Even your dad couldn't beat that scary kingdom, and now its eyes are on you.
Aaron
Come on. It's about time you came home. Not just for me. For all of us.
Lyria
...
Dialogue Option
Thanks for the concern.
Aaron
Great! So you're gonna—
Dialogue Option
I feel you.
Aaron
Great! So you're gonna—
Dialogue Option
I'm gonna continue on my journey.
Aaron
Huh?
Katalina
It seems nothing's going to change your mind, Gran.
Gran nods unequivocally.
Vyrn
That story added some new wrinkles to the fold, but hey, we got places to be.
Vyrn
Obviously we can't tell what's going on with dear old Dad.
Vyrn
But we gotta keep goin' if we want any hope of findin' out. That's what I think anyway.
Vyrn
Pfft, as if we couldn't surpass Gran's dad. Please!
Vyrn
Gran's done chasing after his shadow!
Aaron
Yeah, but...
Dialogue Option
Dad said he's waiting for me.
Aaron
Sigh. Right. I kinda figured this would happen. You're not the type to buckle under pressure.
Dialogue Option
I promise I'll be back.
Aaron
Sigh. Right. I kinda figured this would happen. You're not the type to buckle under pressure.
The boy clenches his fists tightly and punches Gran lightly in the shoulder.
Aaron
You'd better make it to the Island of the Astrals, or I'm gonna kick your butt.
Gran flashes Aaron a toothy grin.
After a few more goodbyes, Gran and the others depart from Zinkenstill.
The other crew members return to the Grandcypher after their respective hometown visits. They set their sights on entering the Great Oarlyegrande Skydom.
The Grandcypher holds just outside the section of the Grim Basin that separates Nalhegrande and Oarlyegrande.
Rackam
And so we come to skydom number three...
Eugen
What's with the frayed nerves? This ain't our first rodeo through the Grim Basin.
Rosetta
That doesn't mean we can take it lightly. We're about to dive into the heart of enemy territory.
Io
Hehe... I'd say we've driven them back into a corner if you ask me.
Vyrn
Yeah! No more beating around the bush. Let's meet them head-on and tell it like it is!
Katalina
I really wish we could use discussion to work this out with them...
Katalina
No. Rather than wait around and speculate, it'd be better to take action.
Lyria
Call this more of a hunch, but...
Lyria
I think our journey is about to go in a new direction.
Lyria
It might be good, or it might be bad. Who knows.
Lyria
Either way, something big is waiting for us.
Lyria
That's why we have to go to Oarlyegrande! Full steam ahead!
Everyone salutes Lyria's order. They stare out at the stormy horizon in front of them.
With a sudden lurch, the Grandcypher is finally on its way into a new skydom.
131: The Istavion Kingdom 
