Dueling Spirit

Hah! Hyaaah!

You there. Do you need something,
or are you gonna watch me all day?

I was admiring your breath technique.
An exhale seems to line up with every
swing. Impressive rhythm.

Your grip is also well-informed by
your stance. Your form is deliberate
and purposeful at all times.

You really were watching.

I do wonder if you are equally well
coordinated against a live opponent.

Would you care to demonstrate?

Not what I had in mind for my
training today, but I’m not the type
to turn down a fight.

Let’s see what you can do.

Very well. At your ready.

Here I come! Hyaaah!

A straight frontal attack! You’ve got
a lot of confidence!

Just getting started!

Well struck! Exactly what I’d expect
from the Radiant Hero!

A moment, Ike? As soon as you’re
finished with...whatever this is.

It seems we are cut short. Farewell.

...Hey, Soren.

I thought you were training on your
own today. Something I should
know about?

No idea. That guy disappeared as
suddenly as he challenged me.

He was not holding back, from the
sound of it.

No, he was serious.

If the enemy is sending assassins
after you, we are going to have to
tighten up security.

I don’t know if he was an enemy or
what, but one thing is for sure.

And that is?

Even battered as it was, I’d recognize
the blade he was wielding anywhere.

That was Ragnell. My sword.

You can’t be serious...

I really must thank you for indulging
me in that duel the other day.

Back for more?

Were that the case, I would have
already drawn my blade.

My name is Priam. Forgive me for
skipping introductions previously.
I was eager to cross swords with you.

Soren managed to learn a little about
you. You’re from Ylisse, like Chrom.

Correct. I spent much of my life
striving to become Ylisse’s most
powerful swordsman.

My ambition was to surpass even the
legend of the Radiant Hero, but...

The power of your strikes made clear
that I still have much to learn.

You’re saying there are legends about
me in your world?

Yes. I could recount them for you in
full detail, if you’d like, though it will
take some time.

I’m good, thanks.

Fair enough. What matters is that
I did not challenge you merely
to test your strength.

I did it so that I might see Ragnell at
its peak. In its purest form.

You did it for my sword, huh?
Your sword, I mean.

Ragnell is more than a mere sword to
me. We are bound together. It is an
extension of my body and will.

After all we have been through, I felt
I owed it to the blade to see its
former glory.

Right...

The legends say that Ragnell’s light
has shone throughout all ages.

Ever since the time of the Three
Heroes, when it was wielded by
Altina, along with Alondite.

The sword’s done a lot of good for
the people of Tellius.

I would say it has played a pivotal
role in history. And of course we
cannot discount your contribution.

With Ragnell in hand, you united the
beorc and laguz and led them into
battle against a god.

That is why they call you the
Radiant Hero.

Heh. You make it sound easy.

What I saw in Ragnell during our duel
convinced me that it is indeed a very
special sword.

You know, some cultures believe that
objects that are much beloved can
take on otherworldly properties.

If that is true, it may well be possible
for this sword to have developed
something of a will of its own.

Perhaps even a soul. That could
explain how it has chosen so many
prominent heroes over the years.

Either way, to me, Ragnell is much
more than simple steel. More than
the sum of its material parts.

You sure do like the sound of your
own voice...

Hmm? What was that?

Nothing. Go on.

As I was saying, Ragnell is a part of
me—that is why I treat it with such
care and respect.

I spend a portion of my day, each
day, to ensure that the blade is
given its proper maintenance.

You sure you’re doing that right?

I am. In fact, my maintenance routine
is impeccable. But unfortunately even
I cannot stave off its degradation.

As sad as it may make me to say,
I must admit that the sword’s time
may be reaching its inevitable end...

So Ragnell’s bound to decay, huh?
Fine by me.

Fine? How can it be fine?

The way I see it, if Ragnell’s time is
coming to an end, maybe that’s a sign
that it’s no longer needed.

Why would it not be needed?

A sword is a weapon. It represents
war. And a peaceful world doesn’t
have any need for weapons.

Perhaps. But I was summoned to
Askr with Ragnell by my side.

By your logic, that must mean Ragnell
has a role to play in this world.

And if that is the case...perhaps there
is some final task I must help it
perform before it can rest.

You know, Priam...

I think you’d make a good fit for the
Greil Mercenaries. Why don’t you join
us, at least for your time in Askr?

That is a flattering invitation...

But I must decline. It is not in my
nature to follow others’ orders.

I can respect that.

I will continue to do in this world
what I have always done in mine—
seek out the strong.

If that means our paths lie in the
same direction, so be it.

I get you.

Then farewell for now, Radiant Hero.
Until we meet again.

You got it...fellow Ragnell enthusiast.

See you around.

Hah, so this is where you were,
Princess Eir. You’ve got quite the
view from this hill, huh?

I am glad to hear you like it. This
place is...very special to me.

Ah, I’m sorry. Did you have some
business with me?

I heard you’re from the realm of the
dead. That means you know a thing
or two about life and death, right?

There’s something I’d like to ask you.

I’ll tell you what I can.

You know that oaf, Basilio, who was
summoned with me?

Is he alive? Or is he dead?

What do you mean?

Right, right. I should explain. See, the
Basilio I knew... He died.

Even when he had no chance of
winning, he fought to the bitter end.
I know what I saw.

Oh?

It was back when we were fighting
Walhart. That means nearly crushed
our entire force by himself.

So Basilio charged at Walhart to give
everyone else a chance to escape.

And then...

That was the end of Basilio’s life, as
you witnessed it.

Yeah... But despite that, he’s pretty
clearly alive and well here. Hell, he
might even be TOO well.

Damn oaf’s as crude and careless as
ever, but at least he still takes battle
more seriously than anyone else.

He’s the Basilio I know, all right.

...But that’s the problem. I already
had to watch him die once.

And yet here he is acting like none of
that even happened. I just don’t know
how I’m supposed to act around him.

I see... I understand why you wanted
to ask me about this.

Some of the Heroes summoned from
other worlds are the same person,
but at different points in their life.

Heroes can be summoned at the peak
of their journeys, or before their
names were ever even known.

Some are brought here from right
before their fate is sealed, but
there are also others...

Heroes who have already
experienced their own deaths
and accepted it also exist.

Then, which one of those is the
Basilio here? Does he not know
he’s fated to die?

It is likely he doesn’t.

...Well, damn. That sure makes it
hard to talk to him about it, huh?

Wait, that’s it! I don’t even need
to ask him! I’d wager that
【Summoner】 knows!

I’m not so sure...

Even for the summoner, it takes time
to get to know the Heroes who come
here...

I see... Damn, I really thought I could
just ask 【Summoner】.

...Is something still bothering you?

Well, since Basilio’s death, I...

I wanted to get revenge—wanted to
take down the man who killed him.

That’s not the only reason I fought,
though. I fought for Regna Ferox, for
peace, and for my pride as a warrior.

But I’d be lying if I said vengeance
wasn’t the biggest thing driving me.

That fool... He knew full well what
would happen. He was warned!

But he still insisted on fighting, right
to the very end.

Ah...

But seeing him here, rampaging about
like old times... Somehow, I don’t feel
like I need revenge anymore.

So, you wished to find out if Basilio
is alive or dead to know if it was
right to feel that way.

Exactly.

Last thing I’d want is for him to end
up controlled by some twisted magic,
like a Risen.

Ah...

Whether someone is alive or dead...

It is rarely a simple question to
answer. Not with what we see,
and not with nature itself.

Uh, come again?

There are those who live as if death
has already claimed them, wasting
away and accomplishing nothing.

But there are also those who long
ago turned to dust, yet still continue
to influence the world of the living.

Sounds like the heroes who’ve been
passed down in Ylisse’s legends.

As for the Basilio here in Askr... If I
had to give an answer, I would say it
feels as if he is far from death’s door.

Indeed, he seems to possess a
powerful will. Though, perhaps you
would call it stubbornness.

Hmm...

Say he knew he was fated to die
tomorrow. Would he not see his
duties through to the end?

To the end, eh? Yeah, you’ve got
a point. That sounds just like the
old oaf.

Whether he’s alive or dead, he’s
clearly not letting any of this slow
him down.

Bah! And here I am letting it keep
me from my training.

For some, accepting another person’s
death hardens their resolve and gives
them the strength to press on.

But if they cannot move forward
on their own, without that push...
They are not living in the present.

Hmm... You’re right.

I’ll swing my blade with everything
I’ve got so that I can move forward.

Thank you for listening to my
concerns, Princess Eir. You know,
you’re pretty all right.

I am...not accustomed to such
kind words. But thank you.

Hah! Whew, it feels like my head is
finally clear. Guess that means it’s
time to get back to training!

Flavia! I heard from Lissa that you
decided whether to lend your aid to
the Order by holding a tournament.

Reminds you of your time in Regna
Ferox, right? Seeing how someone
fights tells you a lot about them.

Whatever the case may be, I am glad
to hear that the khans of Regna Ferox
will be fighting with us here as well.

Right, just leave it to us.

Basilio may not have been able to
lend his axe to the last of our battles
back home...

But I won’t let him meet the same
fate here.

He couldn’t... Wait, what do you
mean by that?

What? He fell to Walhart, while
holding him off so the rest of our
forces could escape.

I see... Then, you don’t know the
truth yet, do you?

The truth? What are you—listen,
I SAW him die!

About that, Flavia... Basilio didn’t die.

What— What did you just say?!

It’s a long story, but...don’t worry.
I promise that the Basilio of my time
is still alive.

And what the hell is THAT supposed
to mean?!

Then, what of my revenge, or the
tears of the Feroxi people? Were they
all for nothing?

All I can tell you is what happened:
fate was changed.

Hmm... I see.

Oh? Where are you going? Training
is about to start.

Something came up. There’s
someone I need to hit. Hard.

Ah... Well, don’t overdo it.

I’m not going to feel better about all
this until I give that useless old man
a good one!

Changing fate... Hah, don’t give me
that. I should’ve known he’s as hard
to kill as a cockroach!

Well, well, well...

Hm?

General Mustafa, word of you and
your exploits has reached even Ferox.

Rumor has it that you’re a fierce
fighter and bold leader who acts with
integrity and is admired by his men.

Gotta say, I never imagined I’d end up
sitting across a fire from you. Well, at
least not like this.

I could say the same. The East- and
West-Khans, rulers of the rugged land
of Ferox... Flavia and Basilio.

I doubt there are many warriors who
don’t know those names.

As a warrior myself, it’s a great honor
to meet you—especially in these
circumstances.

Back in our world, we were forced to
fight...but now we can work together
to protect the Kingdom of Askr.

Indeed. I too now wield my axe for
the sake of peace in this country. I am
counting on your skill, O mighty Khan.

You know, somehow I’ve got the
strangest feeling that I’ve known
you for a long time.

Almost like we’ve got a lot more in
common than I thought.

Hmm... Now that you mention it,
I think I might know what you mean.

Your eyes tell me you’ve also seen
the hells of war and done your best
to lend your men through them.

Aye, there is that too, I guess, but it’s
more like... How do I put this?

Thank you for watching the fire, you
two. We can take it from here, if you
would like to get some rest.

Mighty Khan, General, you should
rest in the wagon. We’ll let you know
if any trouble arises.

Oh, thanks. I’ll leave you to it, then.

If anything unusual happens, feel free
to wake me.

Thank you for your concern. Well
then, have a good night.

You ought to save your strength too,
you know. Never know when we
might need it.

This is utterly preposterous! Why
should a man as exquisite as myself
be forced to go on this expedition?!

Now, now, Duke Oliver. Delivering
supplies to a village caught in the
middle of war is a noble undertaking.

Hmph. Regardless, I would have
preferred to work with someone far
more delicate and beautiful.

Ah, but perhaps this is a test from the
gods! Jealous of my perfection, no
doubt. But I shall not lose!

Aye, so...that aside, I’m also curious
as to why we were all assigned this
mission.

Setting aside myself and General
Mustafa, we all hail from different
worlds, with wildly different jobs.

Hmm...

I am certain it is because we all have
【Summoner】’s trust.

We are, after all, Heroes from many
different worlds who have joined
forces for the sake of the people...

This might be merely a chance
encounter, but let us thank the gods
nonetheless for their guidance.

In fact, King Dheginsea of Goldoa
apparently planned to accompany us
as well, but...

From what I’ve heard, he was called
away for another urgent task.

That’s a shame. I hear the laguz are
strong, so I was looking forward to
seeing him in action.

Hmph. King Dheginsea is one of the
Three Heroes, you know. Second
only to the gods in strength.

A man that powerful would cause us
no end of trouble. Why, my delicate
constitution would shatter like glass.

Come to think of it...

What’s the matter, Merlinus? Did
a bug bite your chin or something?

N-no, nothing like that... I was just
thinking. The village is about a half
day away, so we’ve a ways to go.

Right, let’s not lose focus. Onward!

We were warned about bandits in
this area, right? Do you think we’re
already in their territory?

I believe so. The village is still half a
day away, though, so I hope we can
get through without any trouble...

Bah! Just you wait—those filthy
backwater bandits will be bowing
down in awe of my beauty.

Uh huh... Still, if it comes to it, I doubt
General Mustafa and I would lose
even if they brought a hundred men.

...Protecting the cargo in the wagon
is a bit more difficult, though. That’s
going to be the real problem.

And no doubt they’ll go after the
cargo...

Well, there’s not much sense in
worrying about it now. A desperate
bandit will do desperate things.

Hold it! Can you feel it? We’re
surrounded.

I can sense them as well... And they
brought quite a few with them, it
would seem.

Oh dear, oh no... All that talk of
bandits brought them right to us!

Guess they aren’t gonna let us
through that easily after all, huh?

All right! General Mustafa and I will
keep as many of them away from the
wagon as we can.

Oliver, that tome’s not just for show,
right? You’re in charge of protecting
the wagon.

Whom do you think you’re
addressing?!

Do you really think I, the incarnation
of beauty itself, would ever let mere
bandits get the better of me?

Why, they don’t even know the
first thing about the arts!

I ain’t gonna claim to know a whole
lot about art myself, but I’m glad to
hear you can handle it.

If you’re injured, please return to the
wagon. I will heal your wounds.

My thanks. Should anything happen,
my life will be in your hands.

All right, let’s cut ‘em down to size!
We’ve got hungry villagers who are
counting on us to deliver this cargo!

We aren’t gonna let these bandits
lay even a single finger on it!

Hyaaah! Hah!

Hmph!

Hey! Keep your savagery away from
me! Do you have any idea what would
happen if my beautiful face was hurt?

Hyah! They’re no big deal on their
own, but with this many rushing at
us, I’ve got my hands full.

Fighting while protecting the wagon...
This really is quite a challenge!

Fight on, everyone!

Keep at it! The Order is counting on
us, so we can’t afford to lose even a
single crate!

Gods, please offer us your divine
protection!

Bah! If I fall here, who will safeguard
the beauty of the Kingdom of Askr?!

I have no other choice! I must use
the majestic Tome of Favors!

Now, Tome of Favors! Shine your
beauty down upon this rabble!

Huh?! Wh-what the hell was that?!

This light!

O-oh... Is this a sunrise sent by
the gods?!

You unprincipled, unscrupulous,
unclean bandits! Behold this radiance!

...Wait, isn’t this a little too radiant?
Wh-what in the world is this?!

I can’t be certain, but it looks like the
light emitted from the tome is being
reflected by...something.

Whatever’s causing it, it’s making the
bandits lose their nerve. Don’t miss
this chance! Push them back!

Understood!

Phew... Coulda sworn I felt death
coming for me for a minute there, but
it looks like we pulled through.

I’m just glad that there were only
minor injuries.

Still... What was that incredible
radiance? The Tome of Favors
shouldn’t emit that much light...

Unless...has my beauty grown so
great that the light from the tome
became even more dazzling?

Well, at any rate, we got through this
by working together. We can go
back with our heads held high.

The villagers will be overjoyed. I hope
our actions will help bring light to the
darkness of the world.

If we can brighten the futures of the
people and keep them from worrying
their heads, we’ll have done our duty.

As for me, I shall continue to light
up the world with my peerless
beauty and dazzling smile!

Hah, well I’m not gonna let you lot
outshine me. Let’s continue to
defend Askr from bald-faced villainy!

Fascinating. The phenomenon
manifests identically here as it does
in Ylisse.

Is that Miriel? What it she up to?

Whatever it is, it seems to involve
dropping that bag and picking it up
again repeatedly...

I am evaluating Askr’s gravity.

Ah—apologies, Miriel. I did not realize
you could hear me.

I have determined that gravitational
forces in Askr are indistinguishable
from those in Ylisse.

I suppose I should explain that gravity
is a term my mother used to describe
a specific physical phenomenon.

Corporeal matter, without exception,
is pulled inexorably to the ground.

The notion does sound familiar.
I believe I first heard it explained
by 【Summoner】.

How interesting. You mean to suggest
the theory of gravity is known to
【Summoner】 as well?

If I recall correctly, it was the sight of
a full moon that prompted the
conversation. I cannot say why.

Curious. What role could a floating
celestial body possibly play in this?

And if there were such a role, how
could the summoner discover it?
A sojourn to said moon?

I’m afraid I am out of my depth on
this one. Perhaps you should inquire
with 【Summoner】 directly.

Perhaps I shall.

Hmm... The summoner must come
from quite a sophisticated civilization.

Directed inquiries may teach me
about far more than gravity...

...

...

Hey, Miriel. You look like you’ve got
something on your mind.

Is that so?

What is the primary stimulus behind
this observation?

Um, I can sort of just tell! You’ve got
a pensive look on your face.

What does that mean, exactly? Please
provide empirical details.

In which part of the face does the
look reside? Is it a matter of shape,
angle, or orientation?

Um... I don’t know. Like I said, I can
just tell!

Anyway, what’s on your mind?
Maybe it’d help to chat about it.

When something’s bothering me,
I always feel better after talking it
over with someone.

I’m not great with the complicated
stuff you tend to noodle over, but
I promise I’ll do my best!

...Very well.

Suppose that you and your mother
had long labored to solve a mystery.

Ooo, exciting!

...Yes. Your mother has passed her
knowledge down to you, in the hope
that you might continue her work.

Thus, you have spent a fair portion
of your life in pursuit of answers.

Aww, I’m making my mother’s wish
come true! What a good daughter
I am!

...Right. But now suppose that you
discover that this information was
easily available in another country.

By visiting this place, you can learn
the answers to all your questions
without expending any effort.

How does that make you feel about
the many years you spent searching?

Oh... I guess I might wonder at first
if there was any point.

But I think there was! Just because
someone else figured it out doesn’t
make my pursuit of it meaningless.

Is that not exactly what it means?
If the truth was available all along,
your efforts were unnecessary.

Or are you suggesting you would
ignore it and continue researching on
your own? Is that not illogical?

Umm... I don’t think I’m equipped
to answer that...

I’m sorry. I thought I might be able to
help solve your problem, but...

Actually, this has been valuable.
I now see that it is a personal
quandary. One I must solve alone...

Replenishing supplies, managing
finances... So much to do, so
little time!

Oh, hey, Miriel. Perfect timing. Say,
could you deliver this for me?

I suppose so. What is it? Hmm...
a magical text. Rudimentary.

It’s for 【Summoner】.

What use could an elementary
instructional treatise possibly have
for 【Summoner】?

Perhaps there is some secret truth
hidden underneath the superficial
simplicity of the text...

No, nothing like that.

It’s just that magic doesn’t exist in
【Summoner】’s world.

What do you mean it doesn’t exist?

Surely the people of any world could
at the very least master simple skills
like conjuring wind or fire.

Actually, no—【Summoner】
knows no magic at all.

Incredible. How can that be?

The summoner’s civilization is more
advanced than any other. Nothing is
beyond 【Summoner】.

That’s putting 【Summoner】
on a bit of a pedestal.

And there are limits to any person’s
knowledge, no matter how smart.

...

...

Hello, Miriel. I notice you are back at
it with the bag.

How are your experiments going
since our last conversation? Have you
spoken with 【Summoner】?

I have made a decision.

The study of gravity is my mother’s
legacy. In a way, it represents the
bond I have with her.

For that reason, I cannot in good
conscience abandon my efforts to
unravel its mysteries.

I see.

I have always pursued knowledge
through every available means.
Reading, research, experimentation...

To close myself off to a learning
opportunity of any kind would be
a desecration of knowledge itself.

Therefore I have decided, in spite of
my prior misgivings, that I will always
continue to seek the truth.

Sharena mentioned that you seemed
pensive the other day.

But I suppose this means you have
already found the other side of your
recent difficulties.

I believe I knew the correct answer
to my dilemma from the outset.

Now, it is simply a matter of inquiring.
I do not know what I will be able to
learn from 【Summoner】...

But I am confident that the inquiry
will bear fruit, one way or another.

What I learn, I will pass down to those
who inherit my legacy—those who
read what I leave behind.

Ultimately, that is how truth is found.
We advance, as we always have,
by sharing what we know.