Granblue Story Archives

Inside a private room somewhere, a woman interrogates a Blue Liberation Front member, using a strange mask to extract his secrets. She whispers to herself Selka's name. Meanwhile on Magmell Island, Gran and crew learn that Lejos was supposed to have died in the past. Lejos suddenly collapses, and a BLF member offers to bring the unconscious boy back to their secret hideout and show the crew the way there.

???

I'm going to ask you one more time.

???

How is the resistance flying between islands right under our noses? Which airways are you using?

BLF Member 1

...

The man being interrogated looks disheveled in stark contrast to the opulent furnishings around him.

A blue scarf adorns his neck, the very same worn by a certain group of dissenters that bears its namesake.

???

I'm sorry, am I not making myself clear?

BLF Member 1

...

???

My time is not to be wasted. When I ask a question, I expect an answer.

BLF Member 1

...

???

Sigh... Fine. We'll do this the hard way.

Sighing heavily, the woman's hand darts forward in the blink of an eye, and her palm latches over the man's face.

BLF Member 1

Agh! S-stop!

???

Why should I? I'm not the one in handcuffs.

Light suddenly radiates from her hand. In an instant, a drab mask wraps over the man's grimacing face.

The prisoner struggles wildly against his restraints, but the woman doesn't care. She removes the mask from his face and places it on her own.

???

...

???

Ah, it's so simple. Who knew you could contrive such a trick using a clever mix of light and water magic?

The woman takes off the mask, looking bored now that the mystery is solved. She calls out to a man standing off in the corner—a man who has a peculiar look about him.

???

Repti. Take this resistance fellow away. We have nothing further to discuss.

Repti

...

???

Repti? Are you listening? I'm talking to you.

Repti

Ah, my apologies. I was in the middle of ponderation.

???

That's fine, but at least do your job.

Repti

And I shall! The definition of our very existence revolves around our roles and behavior.

Repti

Behavior breeds idiosyncrasies; idiosyncrasies delineate us from one another—it is, in essence, the makings of a society.

Repti

Now, suppose we reverse course and strip the masses of their individuality, thus unifying their behavior. What, then, is born?

Repti

Through ideas do we arrive at the essential nature of things. Therefore, if a god is a singular entity, I—

???

I'll attend your lecture later. For now though, can you please get to work?

Repti

My apologies, Honorable Viceroy. My body shall run faster than my mouth.

Repti leads the Blue Liberation Front member away, leaving the woman alone in the room.

She peers through a window, gazing up at the sky.

???

Selka... What are you doing?

Her words touch the ears of hers alone before melting into silence.

Meanwhile on Magmell Island—the educational hub of Istavion—Gran and the crew have returned the composite primal beast Phronesis back to its pre-primal state.

In doing so, they obtained a new piece of the Sky Map. They're about to board their airship when a young boy comes running toward them.

Lejos

Hey, hey! Gran!

Lejos

I heard you took down Magmell's primal beast!

It felt like ice cold daggers were stabbing me in the chest.

The memory of that fateful final day came flooding back.

Everyone was staring at me. They didn't have to say anything; I could read it in their eyes.

Suspicion, panic, fear, distrust... Those icy gazes cut deeper and deeper into me.

I knew it... I knew I still needed you.

Lejos

I'm sorry, Selka. This is it for me.

Lejos

I can't stay with you anymore. But you're strong, Selka. I know you'll be okay.

Lejos

You've got what it takes to survive...

Lejos

...!

Lejos

Guh... Blegh...

Lyria

Lejos!

Vyrn

Geez! You okay?

A BLF member scrambles off their ship to assist Lejos, who has collapsed after going pale.

BLF Member 2

We'll take care of Lejos back on our ship. We've got a lot to talk about, but it'll have to wait.

BLF Member 2

I hate to sound demanding, but we can't stay here for long.

BLF Member 2

Please follow our airship. We'll take you to our secret HQ where the boss is waiting.

Worried about Lejos's sudden ailment, the crew boards the Grandcypher and leaves Magmell Island behind.

In the past, Lejos went on patrol around the Royal Philos Institute as a disciplinary committee member, but was sent hurtling toward the bottom of the skies after sacrificing himself for his partner. As he fell, he spoke one last time with his sister Selka and bid her farewell, fearing she would develop an unhealthy attachment to him. Back in the present, Lejos wakes, but before he can collect his thoughts, a sudden impact rocks the airship he is in.

It isn't rare for dangerous monsters to wander onto the campus of the Royal Philos Institute.

In fact, exterminating threats is routine for the disciplinary committee.

However, on this particular day of fierce fighting, one boy finds himself hurtling toward the bottom of the skies after sacrificing himself for his partner.

???

Lejos!

Lejos's partner grows smaller and smaller as the boys sinks deeper and deeper into the blue sea below.

He closes his eyes, as if resigning his fate to the wind, and engages in a final farewell with his sister.

Lejos

I'm sorry things turned out this way, Selka.

Selka

What are you talking about? You were so cool out there!

Selka

I couldn't have asked for a better brother.

Selka

So I guess this is the end, right?

Selka

Not that I mind, as long as we're together.

Lejos

Sorry, Selka. This is where we go our separate ways. It's time for me to leave.

Selka

No! Why? I don't want you to leave!

Lejos

I've been thinking about it a lot lately, and this is something I want too, Selka.

Lejos

I had a blast at school. Some of the most fun I've ever had in my life.

Lejos

I won't get to see her again, but I'm glad I got to make a friend I could share all my secrets with.

Selka

...

Lejos

But this has to end now.

Lejos

If you keep living like this, you'll develop an unhealthy attachment.

Lejos

It scares me to think of what'll happen if that warps your mind...

Selka

I'm okay with that. Whatever you want me to do, I'll—

Lejos

No, that's not okay! Stop trying to make excuses! Can't you see that you're different from me!

Selka

I-I'm sorry!

Lejos

Wait, that wasn't what I meant. Sorry. It's just that you've already given me so much.

Selka

How am I supposed to live without you?

Selka

Mother wants to see you too. But no one will miss me if I'm gone, so maybe I should be the one to fade away—

Lejos

I'm sorry, Selka. This is it for me.

Lejos

I can't stay with you anymore. But you're strong, Selka. I know you'll be okay.

Lejos

You've got what it takes to survive...

Selka

Brother!

Selka

Wait! I—

Lejos

Brother!

Lejos

Huff... Huff...

Lejos

Memories of that day... again...

Lejos gingerly gets out of bed in the dimly candlelit cabin of an airship.

Lejos

...

Lejos

I'm back on the airship... Which means I must've...

Lejos starts hyperventilating again, remembering the icy pain from accusing stares. He trudges over to a window.

Lejos

...

Lejos

Huh?

Moonlight shining in through the glass suddenly goes dark, as if blotted out by a thick cloud.

Lejos

...!

Then the entire airship shudders from an unexplained impact.

A little while before Lejos wakes, Gran and crew trail after the Blue Liberation Front airship and discuss their new allies. Istavion battleships appear out of nowhere, enclosing the BLF airship and dragging it off. Intent on aiding the BLF members, the crew tail them not far behind.

Rackam

...

Rackam's eyes are glued on the ship flying in front of the Grandcypher.

His hands are steady on the wheel as he expertly follows Lejos's ship, which is guiding them to the BLF hideout.

Vyrn

Heyo, Mr. Helmsman! Thought you could use an energy booster!

Lyria

We figured a sandwich would be the easiest thing to eat while steering.

Rackam

Awesome, 'preciate it. Just set it over there.

Glancing over at Gran and the others, Rackam gripes to let off a bit of steam.

Rackam

Can you believe these people are flyin' just above the buoyancy threshold?

Rackam

Sure, cruisin' at this low of an altitude makes 'em real hard to detect, especially with their cloud camouflage gimmick...

Rackam

But one slipup's all it takes to send a ship plummeting to its death.

Dialogue Option

Then keep up the good work.

Rackam

Eh, at least their hideout doesn't seem to be that far away. Gonna take a nice, long nap when we finally land.

Dialogue Option

I believe in you.

Rackam

Haha! Hey, I can handle any altitude that gets thrown my way.

Rackam

You've already seen my helming handiwork. It's as steady as your captaining.

Lyria gazes at the BLF ship for a moment, then speaks in a near whisper.

Lyria

I wonder who Lejos really is.

Rackam

According to Philos school records, he used to be a student there before he passed away.

Vyrn

Th-then who's the Lejos we've been talkin' to this whole time?

Vyrn

Raclitus and Zarazustra went white as a sheet, like they saw a ghost or somethin'.

Lyria

Lejos had a little sister, didn't he? Selka.

Rackam

What, you think she's runnin' around pretending to be him? Farfetched, but can't rule it out...

The Blue Liberation Front is an unlawful organization, thus the true identities of many of its members can't be verified.

Because of the group's secretive nature, a thorough background check wasn't conducted on Lejos.

Rackam

Wonder if we can still trust the BLF if they keep us in the dark.

Lyria

Wh-why not? Aren't we in this together?

Rackam

For now, yeah. As long as they refuse to bow to the True King, we've got a common objective.

Vyrn

Hm... Maybe we oughta decide real soon whether they're friend or foe?

Dialogue Option

Let's meet with their boss first.

Lyria

Right! If their boss is nice, they might even tell us a lot of things we don't know.

Dialogue Option

We need to tread carefully.

Rackam

Yep. It'd suck to lose allies in this skydom, but I've still got my reservations.

Vyrn

Well, whatever we do, we gotta do it with gusto—

Vyrn

Hm? What's going on?

Everything goes dark as a long shadow creeps across the ship. The crew looks up at the moonless sky.

Rackam

Aw, crap! That's a battleship!

Rackam

Istavion must've tracked us down!

Lyria

Huh? Then how come it's flying past us?

Two ships bearing the Istavion crest ignore the Grandcypher and continue speeding forward.

When the warships are within range of the BLF ship, they gradually cut speed and box in their prey.

Rackam

They're going after the BLF! And once they're done with them, we're next.

Rackam prepares to take evasive maneuvers, but instead of coming for the Grandcypher, the battleships tow the BLF ship away.

Vyrn

Wait, wait, wait. So... they're not here to capture us?

Rackam

I mean, the resistance is a thorn in the True King's side too. But why leave us alone?

Hearing the commotion outside, other members of the crew run out onto the deck.

Katalina

What's going on? Why was the ship shaking a moment ago?

Hey, where'd the BLF ship go? Are they hiding in their magic cloud thingy again?

Eugen

That's weird. It's like they ain't even here at all, but there's no way Rackam would lose sight of 'em.

Rosetta

Something bad must have happened when we felt the ship shaking.

Right on cue, Rackam and the others in the wheelhouse explain what they saw.

Rackam

Istavion just up and plucked 'em from the sky. So much for their head honcho bein' able to predict the future.

Katalina

We have no way of knowing how accurate those premonitions are.

Katalina

Instead of actual divination or precognition, it might be some other trick entirely.

Whatever it is, are we gonna help the BLF or not?

Eugen

We know the direction they're headed. With the Grandcypher's speed, she oughta have no trouble catchin' up.

Rosetta

On the other hand, playing with fire might not be the wisest course.

Dialogue Option

Let's go save them.

Rackam

Better than livin' with a guilty conscience, knowin' I let kidnappers get off scot-free.

Dialogue Option

Let's at least follow them.

Katalina

And watch how the situation unfolds, you mean? That's true, we could use all the information we can get for the journey ahead.

Vyrn

I'm also worried about Lejos too. We can't fly away as if nothin' happened!

Lyria

Besides, helping people in need is what our crew's all about!

Everyone nods in agreement.

Rackam steers the Grandcypher toward the battleships, trailing behind them at a safe distance.

While Gran and company encounter the Istavion battleships, the True King and the White Knight have their own private conversation in New Utopia. The True King informs the knight that Gran's actions on Magmell Island can be overlooked, and that the knight must travel to Libertaria Island, the island of entertainment, and investigate it. Though the knight shows hesitance at confronting the island's viceroy Amar, the True King forces him to go. The White Knight thus leaves, filled with regret yet steeling his nerves.

While Gran's crew has an encounter with Istavion battleships...

True King

It seems the venerable child chose to release Magmell Island from Phronesis.

True King

What do you draw from this conclusion, White Knight?

White Knight

...

The throne room has been cleared out so that the True King and the White Knight may engage in a serious discussion in absolute privacy.

White Knight

...

White Knight

The child has perpetrated a grave act of disloyalty to His Majesty.

White Knight

Command me, my lord, and I shall bring the offender to justice.

True King

Not yet. Do not grow impatient.

White Knight

But—

The True King raises a hand to cut off the White Knight and launches into a heady sermon.

True King

From a kingdom's perspective, travelers bear two functions.

True King

One is to donate to the development of a nation. They create wealth for the masses while being sucked dry.

True King

The other is to destroy, bringing forth reformation.

True King

The tighter the grip of a governing body, the more the kingdom chokes on stagnation, gasping for someone to deliver a breath of fresh progress.

White Knight

...

True King

Heed me, White Knight. The child is one such traveler, but it is too early to appraise their true worth.

White Knight

With all due respect, Your Majesty, the child has already proven to be this kingdom's doom.

White Knight

If Istavion is to continue to prosper—

True King

And what is prosperity? Enlighten me.

White Knight

As you wish. I believe prosperity is the permanence we receive under the reign of our magnificent leader, His Majesty, the True King.

White Knight

Commanding the composite primal beasts, his rule is absolute. Nothing else bestows greater blessings to the citizenry.

True King

I see. And yet, my death is inevitable. The kingdom shall remain while my bones turn to dust.

The White Knight is visibly bewildered by the True King's allusion to his own mortality.

True King

Today my kingdom compensates freedom with the rewards of basic necessities, work, pleasure, order, and happiness.

True King

The people are essentially livestock—the kingdom a well-constructed pasture in which they may graze and grow.

True King

I have no regrets with this decision. This was the only way to unite the kingdom as a whole; to protect the skies from the outside threat of the moon and the Otherworld.

True King

Citizens became sacrificial livestock in order to unite the skies into a single coalition and safeguard the realm.

True King

Now, White Knight, for what reason are we pushing such a grand sacrifice? Why do we strive desperately to protect the skies?

White Knight

For the sake of bringing everlasting peace and happiness to the Sky Realm.

True King

Correct. The world will continue to churn after the foreign threats are repulsed. The kingdom and its people will live on.

True King

Will the livestock still acquiesce to governance in the aftermath?

True King

The very same livestock that have come to be devoid of will, devoid of critical thinking, blissfully unaware of the subservience they've accepted?

White Knight

If I may be so bold, Your Majesty, when peace embraces the world, are you implying that you will no longer be among us?

True King

Almost certainly. It is important to note that reformation initiated by a king has no meaning.

True King

The future new world has no need for sheep. It demands people willing to take initiative.

True King

The final battle is approaching. The era of livestock is coming to an end.

True King

Our students, destined to be the pioneers of a new age, need not be saddled with the old ways of the kingdom.

The White Knight grasps the True King's implication.

White Knight

Hence the lack of inquiry into the incident on Magmell.

True King

The reformation that will one day be ushered in by the venerable child is crucial. They must survive until then.

Even as the True King admonishes the White Knight, there's a distinct change in his mood.

True King

Nevertheless, the actions of the child are not entirely forgivable.

True King

Laying waste to my kingdom before the fated battle is problematic.

True King

A second tragedy like Ecksegrande must not be allowed a reprise.

True King

Having said that, the kingdom is at war with more than just external forces. Am I making myself clear?

White Knight

Yes, Your Majesty.

White Knight

However, I'm not sure why you summoned me here today.

The True King leans forward on his throne.

True King

I want you to conduct a probe on Libertaria Island as my proxy.

White Knight

The island of entertainment. That is Viceroy Amar's domain.

True King

An ancient scholar once said...

True King

"Give them bread and circuses." Let them feed at the trough and roll in the mud, and soon you will have a stable of obedient beasts.

True King

But even a circus requires a semblance of order.

True King

It would appear that unsanctioned trade infests the island.

True King

Although I have no intention of controlling the preferences of one's amusement, that does not mean I endorse everything.

White Knight

Am I to investigate this illicit trade?

True King

Indeed. As my hand, the privileges afforded to me are also bestowed upon you.

True King

In doing so, I hope my position on the venerable child is clear to you as well.

True King

If you happen to encounter the child during your investigation, you are to behave in accordance with what we just discussed.

True King

Do you understand, White Knight?

The White Knight hesitates briefly before answering.

White Knight

Your Majesty... In regards to Viceroy Amar...

White Knight

How will she receive me? Your Majesty must surely be aware of our past connection...

True King

Of course I do. Why else would I give you this task?

White Knight

...

True King

The past will never return. Furthermore, no loyal retainer of mine would cower before that woman.

White Knight

But...

True King

You are going to Libertaria Island as my proxy. This has nothing to do with your guilt for your sins.

White Knight

As you command, Your Majesty. Forgive my impertinence.

True King

Good. Choose your retinue well. I await favorable news.

White Knight

Yes, Your Majesty.

After displaying a grand gesture of respect, the White Knight turns on his heel and leaves.

Underneath that heavy helmet is a swirl of regret, confusion, and resolve.