Granblue Story Archives

The "thread" is primal beast Kikuri's power of fated connection, which locates the White Knight and allows Guillota and Zarazustra to speak with him. After hearing Zarazustra's heartfelt plea to see his friend, the White Knight grants permission to speak with Raclitus, but only to Guillota.

Drifting Thread

...

A single thread weaves through the streets of Duat.

It searches and probes.

Lyria

...

Guillota

What's she doing? Meditating?

Vyrn

Aw geez, where to start with this one...

Lyria is using primal beast Kikuri's power of fated connection to scour the city of Duat.

Lyria

...

A fated connection is a link between people and events. In this instance, Kikuri is searching for the destiny that will allow them to meet with Raclitus face-to-face.

Moments later...

Lyria

Aha!

Katalina

Did you find him, Lyria?

Lyria

Yes! I know where the White Knight is.

Lyria

He looks super busy, but I think he can spare a few minutes!

Rackam

Perfect. If we leave now, you'll be able to roll up on him, Guillota.

Guillota

Huh? Wait, what? Where am I going? What am I doing?

Eugen

Lyria's got a bead on the White Knight. Can you negotiate with him to get permission to talk with Raclitus?

Guillota

Are you sure about this? I'm not trying to back out or anything, but...

Zarazustra

I'll accompany you too, even though I'm not sure how much help I can be.

Vyrn

Hey, as long as there's a chance, am I right? Trust in the fated connection Lyria sniffed out! You can do it!

Guillota

Hey, stop pushing me!

With Vyrn forcing Guillota and Zarazustra out of the office, Lyria leads everyone to where she found the White Knight.

White Knight

...

Guillota

I'm shocked. He's actually there like you said he'd be.

Vyrn

Right, so he and us? We ain't exactly... friends. Can you go on without us?

Guillota

All right, all right. Now how should we approach this?

Zarazustra

I already singled myself out at the hearing, so I might as well strike while the iron's hot.

Guillota

Huh?

Psyching himself up, Zarazustra boldly marches over to the White Knight.

Guillota

Wait, wait, wait! Zarazustra!

Zarazustra

Sir White Knight! If I could have a moment of your precious time, sir!

White Knight

Hm?

Guillota

Are you crazy! Do you know how screwed we'll be if we botch this!

White Knight

Who are you two?

Guillota

Oh, wh-where are my manners? This is all so sudden. I'm a defense attorney here in Duat. Call me Guillota.

Zarazustra

My name is Zarazustra! I am currently a student at Philos Institute!

White Knight

I see. You're the woman defending the young man on death row. What business do you have with me?

Guillota

Ah, so you know about me, haha. Well, the thing is, I was hoping to ask you for a favor regarding the trial.

Zarazustra

I shall get straight to the point! Please grant us permission to speak with Raclitus!

White Knight

Interesting...

Zarazustra

...!

Guillota

You can't just throw it out there like that! Where's the lead-up? The schmoozing!

White Knight

You do understand His Majesty's stance prohibits interviews?

Zarazustra

That's the thing!

Zarazustra

I know Raclitus has already been judged by the court, but the process was grossly unfair!

Zarazustra

Even if His Majesty has decreed it, taking away the defendant's right to explain himself is a bit heavy-handed!

White Knight

Your gripe is that His Majesty's intention is unjust? Hence this attorney has come to me to serve a formal complaint?

Guillota

I-I wouldn't go that far. I'm not the one complaining, by the way!

Guillota

But, well... You know. It would be nice to speak with Raclitus in order to figure out how to best proceed with this case.

White Knight

...

Zarazustra

Duat's administration of justice does not discriminate, and that extends to His Majesty!

Zarazustra

By the laws as stipulated by His Majesty, my claims are equally as valid!

White Knight

That was quite eloquent.

Zarazustra

...!

White Knight

Hm...

Guillota

Erm... I acknowledge how abrupt and difficult this request must seem.

Zarazustra

I have to know.

White Knight

Know what?

Zarazustra

I'm trying to sympathize with His Majesty's train of thought, like his stance that enemies of the state warrant capital punishment.

Zarazustra

But now that my friend is on the stand... How did someone with such a strong sense of justice like him end up in this situation?

Zarazustra

I need to hear it straight from his mouth.

White Knight

You wish to do this in spite of knowing His Majesty's stance?

White Knight

Fine, I suppose it couldn't hurt. As His Majesty's proxy, I hereby grant a meeting with the defendant.

White Knight

You may want to be more mindful of what you say in the future, but you brought up some valid points.

Zarazustra

...!
Thank you, sir!

White Knight

On one condition. Including myself, only the attorney may be present at the meeting.

Guillota

Only me?

White Knight

I can't disprove this spirited youngster isn't associated with the BLF in some way.

White Knight

Nor can I refute your involvement, Ms. Attorney. However, I can't imagine a person of your demeanor starting a prison riot.

Guillota

Uh, thanks. I guess...

White Knight

I will contact you with the date and time shortly. Until then, I advise you to have your questions ready to go.

The White Knight turns and walks away.

White Knight

(His Majesty's stance, huh...)

The Two

...

Guillota

Phew, we made it through that alive. That's the best outcome, kid.

Zarazustra

But you're the only one who can attend the meeting...

Guillota

It's still a win for us. Be thankful with what we got.

The crew comes out of hiding to congratulate the two on a job well done.

Dialogue Option

That was slick.

Guillota

Hahaha. Thanks. All this adrenaline is going to give me nightmares tonight.

Guillota

I'll make sure the interview gets done right. Once we have a date from the White Knight, we'll move from there. Okay?

Zarazustra

Please do what you can, Guillota.

After yet another eventful day, all they have to do now is wait.

Guillota has a nightmare of the time she lost her parents when she was younger. Later that day, Guillota waits for the White Knight at the prison tower while the crew and Zarazustra hide nearby. After the White Knight arrives, he and Guillota enter the tower.

Young Guillota

Cough, cough... Why...

Guillota's Parents

...

Young Guillota

Dad... Mom... Please wake up!

The heat from the flames parches her throat.

Guillota's Parents

...

Young Guillota

Please! Just open your eyes!

Small hands shake the lifeless bodies to no avail, her frail voice calling in vain.

Guillota's Parents

...

The only response she gets is the crackle of the fire as it consumes her father's arm.

Young Guillota

...!

Then she blacks out.

Young Guillota

Why...

Young Guillota

Why didn't anyone save them!

It's a question that lingers in her mind to this very day.

Guillota

...

Guillota

Sigh... That was the worst nightmare so far...

A few days have passed since the conversation with the White Knight. Even though Raclitus's interview is scheduled for today, her nightmares have yet to abate.

Guillota

The sun's not even up yet.

Feeling no urge to return to sleep, she rolls out of bed and stumbles to her desk.

Guillota

...

Guillota

The more I study the files on Raclitus's case...

Guillota

The flimsier the charges seem. These witnesses barely have any relevance at all.

Guillota

Or am I showing too much favoritism to the defendant? He's still so young after all.

Guillota

No, I'm convinced these files aren't painting the whole picture, and the only way to find out is by talking with him.

She reviews the documents until sunlight begins to creep across her desk. It's time to leave.

Guillota

Please give me something admissible in court from today's interview.

She sucks in a breath as she stares up at the towering prison.

It's almost time for the interview to begin.

Eugen

You really get a sense of how huge this prison is from up close.

Guillota

It stands as the cornerstone of law, in a sense. An institution that's impenetrable and inescapable.

Lyria

I hope Raclitus is doing okay...

Guillota

We shouldn't have to worry. As long as he's inside those walls, nothing can harm him, aside from the verdict.

Zarazustra

I leave him in your hands. I wish I could've at least seen his face again.

Guillota

I'll be sure to tell him you said that. That oughta lift his spirits some.

The crew departs, leaving Guillota to wait for the White Knight's arrival.

Zarazustra

...

Vyrn

How you holdin' up, big guy?

Zarazustra

I have to be strong.

Vyrn

You won't worry as much if you put on a brave face, huh?

Zarazustra

Yes.

Zarazustra

I want to be the first to know what they spoke about. I'll wait around here until Guillota comes back out.

They find a spot relatively close to the prison tower to pass the time.

The White Knight arrives shortly after.

Guillota

Good afternoon. You're right on time.

White Knight

Let's get started.

White Knight

Attention, Duat Grand Prison Tower, maximum security ward. By order of His Majesty's proxy, the White Knight, open the gates.

On command, the clanking prison gates welcome its guests.

As the White Knight and Guillota ascend the prison tower to Raclitus's cell, the White Knight questions Guillota in an effort to grasp the True King's intentions. When Guillota tells the White Knight of the attempts on her and Llewig's lives, the White Knight wonders if the True King had a hand in the assassination plots. Just before reaching Raclitus's cell, they pass a cell holding a woman, and the White Knight turns pale.

Guillota

It's so quiet in here.

White Knight

The only prisoner being held at the moment is that youth.

Guillota

Oh? Slow month?

White Knight

I'm told the rest have already been executed.

Guillota

That... would explain it.

The pair begins climbing a flight of stairs at the end of the maximum security ward, which leads to the actual block where Raclitus is being kept.

Guillota

But, like, it's still too quiet, wouldn't you say?

White Knight

You and I are the only other souls present. No guards are posted in the maximum security ward.

Guillota

What! That's news to me.

White Knight

State secrets are meant to stay secret. It would be very serious if leaks were to get out.

Guillota

Gulp... Hey, I didn't hear a thing. I just want to get this done nice and smoothly.

White Knight

You're not curious as to why such a system is in place?

Guillota

I'm too afraid to ask. Why do you keep bringing it up if it's a secret?

White Knight

I was hoping we could establish a quid pro quo.

Guillota

Quid pro quo?

White Knight

You don't have to work for me in exchange for information. I have nothing up my sleeves.

Guillota

Uh...

White Knight

I'm struggling to see the True King's objective.

White Knight

This ward, which is devoid of guards, is completely isolated from the outside world.

White Knight

The heavier the inmate's crime, the higher the risk of a third-party getting involved.

Guillota

Whether they be accomplices trying to break out a friend, or assassins on a hit mission.

White Knight

Exactly. Why is this boy being held in such scrutiny? Does it not seem suspicious?

Guillota

That does raise a red flag for me, yeah.

White Knight

I as well.

White Knight

In addition to Raclitus, the arrests of BLF members signaled a big policy shift.

White Knight

Couple that with the swiftness with which each execution was carried out...

White Knight

Why is Raclitus the only one to have his execution delayed and kept in isolation?

White Knight

Something is in the works that even I, His Majesty's right hand, isn't privy to.

Guillota

So you want some kind of proof to go off of?

White Knight

It is not a proxy's place to question His Majesty's methods, especially when it comes to how to deal with traitors.

Guillota

Um... How do I fit into this?

White Knight

Sadly I don't have a full grasp of the city's affairs. Can you tell me of any conspicuous occurrences in the city?

Guillota

The city... The city... Hm...

Guillota

Oh, Prosecutor Llewig and I have our very own assassin fan club. We were attacked on the day of the first hearing for the retrial.

White Knight

What did they look like?

Guillota

The ones that came after me had permission to fight in Duat. Llewig was attacked by a gross monster.

White Knight

Hm... I see. Any indication as to who's behind it?

Guillota

Nope, none whatsoever. Not even the tiniest clue.

White Knight

...

White Knight

(Assailants with permission to use weapons... Could the hit on this woman's life have been ordered by His Majesty?)

White Knight

(To shake the foundation of Istavion's laws that he created... On this island of all places?)

White Knight

Understood. Thank you for your cooperation.

Guillota

Hope it was useful.

White Knight

Yes, very. Allowing this interview was more beneficial than I had imagined.

Finally they arrive at the floor with Raclitus's cell.

Guillota

...

Not another word is spoken—only their footsteps reach their ears.

Then the White Knight stops dead in his tracks.

White Knight

...!
Impossible!

Guillota

Huh? Is there a problem?

White Knight

What are you doing here!

Young Woman

...

The White Knight addresses the woman in the cell as shrine priestess. Guillota begins questioning Raclitus, but an Otherworldly being materializes out of nowhere to kidnap him. The White Knight activates the procedure to teleport Raclitus and the shrine priestess out of the tower. At the same time, the Otherworlder summons the Otherworldly river to attack them. Outside the tower, the crew sense something's wrong, and they rush in.

Young Woman

...

White Knight

Why is the shrine priestess within these walls?

Young Woman

I'm trying to understand that myself.

Guillota

(Shrine priestess?)

Guillota

(Wow, he's sweating... I don't think I'm meant to see this exchange.)

Young Woman

...

Guillota

(She looks so familiar... Where have I seen her before?)

White Knight

Where's Raclitus? He's supposed to be the only inmate imprisoned here.

Young Woman

The one you're looking for is in the neighboring cell.

White Knight

Let's go, Guillota. The interview comes first.

Guillota

Er, right.

They move next door and peer into the cell from the doorway, but they can't make out its occupant.

The White Knight quietly unlocks the door and steps inside, with Guillota following close behind.

Raclitus

...

White Knight

Inmate Raclitus. I assume you're aware that the trial to reverse your death sentence has begun?

Raclitus

Yes.

White Knight

You have not been allowed visitors, but this is a special circumstance. I have brought a defense attorney to speak with you.

Guillota

Hi. I'm Guillota. Zarazustra asked me to build a case for your defense.

Raclitus

He did, did he?

Guillota

Yep. He made a big scene in the courtroom proclaiming your innocence, and I don't think he's going to calm down until he proves it.

Guillota

As your counsel, I'd like to ask you a few questions. Do I have your consent?

Raclitus

Yes.

Young Woman

...!

Irotis

...!

BLF 1

What is the matter, Lady Irotis?

Irotis

They found him! Prepare the procedure at once.

BLF 1

Right away!

Guillota

Okay, down to business. Is it true that you have ties to the Blue Liberation Front?

Raclitus

Yes, although it's more like I'm using them for my own gain rather than sympathizing with their cause.

Guillota

You acquired various information from their intelligence network. What were the conditions for receiving that information?

Raclitus

They wanted me to get in touch with one of the students—

Young Woman

Run! Take the boy and get out of here!

Guillota

Wha?

The priestess's desperate cry from the next cell over interrupts the interview.

Young Woman

An Otherworlder has—

White Knight

It couldn't be!

White Knight

Guillota! Raclitus! Get behind me!

Otherworlder

Guillota. Luminary of white. I appreciate your efforts in leading me to the boy.

Guillota

Aaah! I know you!

White Knight

You've seen it before?

Guillota

That's the thing that attacked Llewig! I remember it from his sketch!

White Knight

What? The Otherworld targeted the prosecutor?

Otherworlder

I'll be taking the boy now, thank you. His execution would be rather irksome.

White Knight

How thoughtful of you to care for the living. To what do we owe this honor?

Otherworlder

He's important, you see. Very important indeed. Because he's Ruby Pop's treasure.

White Knight

Ah, thank you for clarifying.

White Knight

Did you honestly expect me to surrender him?

Otherworlder

Ungh! You are strong. Yes, well done, Luminary...

Guillota

G-guh-guh...

Raclitus

Pant... Pant... Was that a monster?

White Knight

Don't faint on me just yet. We're leaving at once. Watch the boy.

The White Knight scoops up Raclitus and shoves him into Guillota's arms. Then he dashes to the adjacent cell.

Shrine Priestess

...

White Knight

There's no time to waste. I'm getting you out of here as well.

Otherworlder

I can't allow that.

White Knight

Tch!

Otherworlder

Did I forget to mention that I'm already dead? I've been dead for a very, very long time.

Otherworlder

And so have they.

White Knight

You don't say.

White Knight

Your numbers don't impress me. I could do this all day.

Otherworlder

That's the spirit. We were never ones to shy away from a battle of endurance. We are quite tenacious.

An unholy sound reverberates through the room in response to the Otherworlder's declaration.

Bulging Meat Sac

...!

White Knight

A little much for one boy, don't you think?

Otherworlder

True, but it's the best way to block off all the exits.

The prison corridor is clogged by a repulsive lump of flesh.

Otherworlder

If the tower is the body, and the halls its veins, then this river is its blood.

Otherworlder

Will you be able to keep your own head above the surface while protecting the boy?

White Knight

That's not very fair. If I'm going for a swim, I'd better shed some weight.

White Knight

By my authority as His Majesty's proxy, I command the prison tower to commence an inmate transfer!

Raclitus

...!

Otherworlder

Oho. A teleportation circle. This is my first time seeing it in action.

White Knight

It's pretty convenient for moving people around since the prison has no guards.

Otherworlder

If only it didn't take ages to activate.

White Knight

That's easy to remedy. All I have to do is hold you fools off.

White Knight

Haaah!

Vyrn

Holy cow! Wh-what was that!

Zarazustra

It came from the prison tower!

Smoke billows out from the top level of the building.

A voice in Gran's ear relays a message that confirms the severity of the situation.

"Alert. Threat to the prison tower's structural integrity detected. Combat restrictions for the corresponding area have been lifted."

"Individuals of any combat proficiency are to engage the threat immediately, regardless of prior combat privileges."

S-something must've gone wrong!

Katalina

It's impossible to tell from here, but this looks like an emergency! Let's go, Gran!

Everyone nods, and they make a break for the prison entrance.

Duat Island