If that leads to more goods like this necklace, both kingdoms will prosper. It’s a good plan.

Veronica, your magic is extraordinary. You must have worked quite hard to gain so much power.

The palace is so ornate…and vulnerable. I guess they could drop that chandelier if they had to…

Flawless? Hm.

And when she wasn’t fighting, she wrote books. One of her works, “The Adventures of Amber, the Deliberate Dummy,” even became a best seller. It’s already had four sequels, in fact, and demand for the series remains strong as ever.

I don't understand... we gave you what you wanted... You had no reason... to do this...

Of course. Tag makes for good training.

It isn’t like you to misread foliage as an active threat. Is everything OK?

The Corrupted! And more than we can handle on our own!

I'm always striving to be better.

I didn’t mean to hide any of that from you. But…I suppose I have a guilty conscience about these things. I understand why you’d be upset with me.

Heh, just keep reading. It’s not all dates and trivia, I promise. These are stories about people.

Jade? Why are you here? It's like a scene out of one of your comedies. Remember? An old man, thought dead, wakes up with a giant yawn. That was a masterpiece. When you died, I waited for you to wake. We could have laughed together. But you didn't.

Ahahahaha! My sides... I can’t take it. You both are too funny! The diary, the ditch—it’s all completely ridiculous! I haven’t laughed this hard in ages.

Of course. Tag makes for good training.

Ah. I apologize. I didn’t mean to unload like that.

If I have improved even a little, that is something to be proud of.

Not quite, Prince Alfred. 'Night owl into early bird' would be more accurate.

No one is flawless. I have to train like this every single day. Alcryst. You must not speak of this to anyone. Do you understand?

I’m sorry if I seem distant, Divine One. I’d just… rather not be here again.

I'm not much of a cook, but I'll do my best.

Amazing. What a remarkable novel.

I was enjoying the view from up here. I used to find it intimidating… Now it helps me think.

Not at all. Plus, despite what you might assume, I’ve always been a pretty good student.

What are you talking about? An attack on Lythos?

Ah. I see… Well, you thought of me when you got this, and I suppose that’s a gift itself.

Morning. I almost nodded off myself... Close call.

What's our plan? When we arrive, do we head straight for Elusia Castle?

Ngh… not good enough. I can’t protect the kingdom like this…

Hello, Framme. Did you forget the history book today? Or did you already finish it?

In that case, I hope you’ll see the destiny of Elyos through to the end.

Now that you mention it, there was one last thing before you snapped out of it. You said you thought I was “the greatest,” but trailed off before explaining why. What were you going to say after that?

I’m lucky to have you as a brother, too, Alcryst. No other challenger has ever been as skilled and polite as you─archer or otherwise.

All right, break’s over. Time to resume training. Think you can keep going?

"Rise up, Emblem of Binding..." *sigh* I realize the invocation serves no purpose for me, and yet...

Glad you could join me. I can make whatever you’d like to eat.

No trouble at all. However, I must ask… How did that creature manage to overpower and frighten the Divine One?

Hm? I've been waiting for you, Divine One. I greet you as the crown prince of Brodia. I'm Diamant.

Affirmative.

Sigurd… I struggle with magic. I’m held back by a painful childhood memory that involved Fire.

Coming in. Hm. Your sleep seems a bit restless today.

It’s a gem from one of Brodia’s mines. It’s said to bring courage to those who need it. Keep it as a good-luck charm. Then you won’t have anything to be afraid of.

Ah, so Vander gave you that book. Doesn’t look like you’re enjoying it very much.

Now that's impressive! I would like us to achieve a high level of skill as well. Uh...Princess Céline? Where are you?

My father! They're trying to take him away!

It's Diamant. I've come to wake you.

Ah, this. I got it when I failed using fire magic at a young age. Honestly, I am still terrible at it. It still hurts sometimes, but I am in no danger from it. It’s kind of you to worry about me, Tiki.

In the eyes of a country and its people, what traits do you think an ideal king should have?

Phew. I'm glad you're awake. I almost let you sleep in, you know. If you had... I could've taken you in for a few moments more.

Haha! I like the way you think, Prince Alfred.