Shared Purpose

Princess Miranda... So you've been
summoned to Askr as well.

Prince Leif! It seems that you
remember who I am by now,
at the very least.

Yes. I apologize for earlier.
However...

However what? Here we are once
again, but your welcome is still chilly.
Do you have a problem with me?

No... Of course not. It's just that, like
Thracia, Askr is a war-torn land...

I hate to think that, again, you
would face battle...thanks to me.

Oh? Oh... I see...

You...you will have to excuse me. I
need to gather myself.

Princess Miranda! Wait!

Why? Why do I anger so easily? When
Leif and I reunited at the monastery,
all I could think of was my father...

Then, as now, I lost my composure.
And so a simple misunderstanding
turns into something much larger...

I must discover a way to keep my
calm—some trick or technique. I
need to keep my anger in check.

Of course, were it that easy, I'd
not struggle so! How vexing!

Ah, Princess Miranda?

And you are?

I am Fjorm, the second-born princess
of Nifl. Please, forgive my intrusion...

I happened to overhear you just now.
I wondered if we might speak.

So you heard me... Though I can
hardly blame you, Princess Fjorm.
It was my own carelessness.

Returning to what you spoke of...
Perhaps we can learn a technique
from someone here.

A technique...to suppress my anger?

Well, for example... Heroes who use
staves tend to be even-tempered.

Why don't we start by asking for
their advice?

I hope you have someone specific
in mind! I'd appreciate it if you could
introduce me...

I would truly love to acquire a
technique to control my temper.

The Order of Heroes counts on
the help of many staff-wielders?

Oh, yes. There are many healers
working hard on behalf of the Order.

Every one of them I have met is very
kind, very calm.

I suppose that stands to reason...
Treating wounds would require
a gentle touch.

I believe they congregate somewhere
nearby... Oh! Hello, L'Arachel.

Princess Fjorm! Might you have need
of me today? Or perhaps you'd
introduce me to your companion!

Nice to meet you. I am Miranda,
princess of Ulster.

My! A princess as well!

As well? Then, you are...

Indeed! I am L'Arachel, princess of
Rausten—peerless beauty and foe to
all that is wicked in ALL the worlds!

As long as I am near, no evil deed will
go unpunished! In fact, they will be
punished—with a smack of my staff!

Er... Princess Fjorm, do you think...

Perhaps...not?

What's the matter? Do you wish to
examine my staff? Here, take it!

Well...that wasn't quite what we
had in mind...

Gwah ha ha! Princess Fjorm, were
you seeking a mild-mannered
staff user?

Er...indeed. Princess Miranda is
hoping to learn to control her
anger.

So many of the staff users are so
even-keeled. I had hoped to seek
their advice.

If that's the job, then you should have
come straight to me! I know a cleric
or three that would be happy to help.

Please, would you tell me
their names?

Ah, I see him meditating here,
just as Dozla said.

That's the curate, Wrys.

Is it all right to disturb him?

Oh? Ah, Princess Fjorm. And you
are?

I am Miranda, princess of Ulster.

I apologize for interrupting your
meditation.

It's quite all right. I am Wrys. I cannot
fight, but this staff I carry can heal
the wounded.

His demeanor...I sense no
capacity for anger in him!

Even the air surrounding him
seems especially soothing...

Why is it that you have sought me
out? I would be happy to help
you with anything you need.

His gentle murmur...like a breeze...
Wait, what did I want to ask?

Oh! Wrys, I was hoping you could
teach me how to control my anger.

So that is why you have come. You
wish to sustain your calm—to keep
anger from dominating your heart.

Yes. When I was first
summoned to Askr, I was
so rude to 【Summoner】...

When we fought Múspell, I, too,
was consumed by anger.

Do you know of any technique...that
could keep our hearts at peace?

That is a challenge. I, myself, have
never been swept up in anger...

It may not be possible for me to
teach you to overcome something
I have never myself experienced.

A saint... He's a saint! He's never
even been angry at anyone... We
are fundamentally different people.

I wonder if there is even any training
I could undertake to bring my heart
such peace.

My training? It is nothing special. I
simply meditate.

I see... Perhaps that would benefit
us as well.

We may learn to calm our hearts.

I admit that I have never tried it, but
I am willing.

It may well do you some good. How
about now? The weather is clear, so
join me here in the courtyard.

Well...

All right. I must try.

And me! The idea is...to close our
eyes and calm our hearts?

Correct. Clear your mind, calm
your heart, and melt into your
surroundings...

Clear my mind... Calm my heart...

What is this feeling? The breeze is
so gentle... How pleasant...

I feel...sleepy...

...

Where... Where am I?

I was meditating in the courtyard...

What's that noise? Is someone...
shouting?

Hah! Tyah! Rah!

What's going on? Is that Wrys?
He's acting strangely...

Hoo-ah! Waaagh! RAAARGH!

That can't be him. Can it? No...it
can't!

He's putting everything into swinging
that staff... Waves of malice... And he
looks so...muscular!

Who's there? Show yourself!

Eeee!

Huh? What...happened?

Are you all right, Princess Miranda?

You look a little pale. Is something
wrong?

*pant* I'm...I'm fine. It's just... Was
it a bad dream?

Could it be that the dökkálfar are
nearby?

Er, Wrys... You say that you've
never been angry before?

That is correct. I can't remember
a single time I was angered.

Well...

Might it be better to let out moderate
amounts of anger, rather than totally
suppressing those feelings?

If the anger builds and builds...
Could it not explode, and lead to
terrible consequences?

Well...it could be true. It may be
natural to handle your feelings
that way.

But you must never forget to be
considerate and kind to others,
and live peacefully with them.

I feel like I've learned a lot today.
How about you, Princess?

Certainly... Thank you very much,
Wrys. And you too, Princess Fjorm.

Consideration and kindness... The
cornerstones of peaceful living.

Next time I speak with Prince Leif,
I won't forget this lesson. I'll do my
best to maintain my composure.

Princesses, I pray that you move
forward with spirits of kindness.

Er... Wrys?

Do you happen to train with your
staff? Late at night?

Dear me, no. I spend my nights
in quiet repose. Why do you ask?

Er... No reason.

I will take your words to heart... And
embrace that spirit of kindness.

Oh, who's this? Hello there!

Hello...

Your voice—it's absolutely beautiful.

Did I...talk? I am not singing, now...

Maybe not out loud, but I can hear
your song quite clearly.

It's like pure, carefree kindness.
How lovely!

Kindness! Yes, we...become friends!
Happy handshake!

You want to be friends? Sure.
I'd love to have a friend like you.

There you are, Leanne. What have
you gotten up to this time? Who is
this beorc?

Ah. You have a striking voice too...

There's hatred, sadness...an angry
wound, but it's been mended by
the softest, most gentle light...

I haven't the faintest idea what
you're talking about.

Why force yourself to eat meat
and fish, though?

Who told you about that?!

Ah, excuse me—there's another
intriguing voice coming from over
there. I'll be off now! Bye!

Where are you going?! I asked you
a question! Several questions!

Gone. What a mysterious beorc...

So you can read the nature of people
by listening to their inner voices?
That's incredible, Sara!

I can't tell you how many times
I've wished for a skill like that.

Really? it's not always a blessing,
I'm sorry to say.

Someone who seems perfectly nice
at a glance might have an inner voice
so corrupt it makes your skin crawl.

And I don't get a say in whether
voices like that reach my ear or not.

Ah... That's true...

Hey, what about me? What's my
inner voice sound like?

Hmm...

It's a bright, clear tone. Less like a
voice, more like...a trumpet, maybe.

Trumpets are nice. Energetic, right?
So that means I'm a lively person?

It's a straightforward sound, free of
any contrivance or deceit. I like it.

Oh, good! Now, how about... Hmm...
Commander Anna! What's hers like?

Her voice is strong and upbeat.
Full of determination.

Sounds about right to me.

There's more to it than that, though.
A peculiar sound seems to follow
her every thought.

I think I see where this is going...

It's the sound of gold coins clattering
into an enormous, ever-growing pile.

Yep, there it is.

Well, I'm convinced—your power is
definitely the real thing. I have to say,
I'm really impressed!

Kind of you to say.

What's this, now? Such a strange
voice, coming from this way...

...

It's you. Has to be.

My name is Eir. You were summoned
recently... Sara, I believe it is?

That's right. Your voice is...
so unusual.

It's like a death rattle. A life passing
on... I hear it inside you. Yet this can't
be the voice of a breathing person...

...

Why do you have the voice of
a dead woman?

And why do I hear such heartbreak
in that death?

Before I came to this place...

I was killed many times.

What a strange thing to say...stranger
still for me to believe it. But I know
you're telling the truth.

I was raised by Hel, the ruler of the
realm of the dead. She fed off me,
using me as fuel for her own power.

She took from me, again and again,
until I scarcely lived at all.

I think I understand, now...
The sadness I feel from you...

It's resignation. Giving in to that final
moment, when the light of life is
finally extinguished...

Those memories have had a powerful
effect on your voice. They echo
within you still.

How are you able to hear this?

No idea. Just something I've always
been able to do.

Eir... Would it be all right if I went on
listening to your voice awhile longer?

So long as it does not pain you...

It's not the pain I'm interested in.
It's the warmth I hear beneath it.

Warmth?

Yes. It's faint, but it's definitely there.

It sounds like hope.

You say there is a voice of hope
inside of me?

Without a doubt. It's soft, but there's
no mistaking an encouraging tone.

Perhaps this voice came to be...
after I arrived in Askr.

Go on.

Before I came here, I was merely
a servant to death. Feeding Hel...
Bringing others to her.

Now my role is reversed. I save lives.
I fight for a brighter future.

I no longer put out the light of hope.
Instead, I do all I can to kindle it.

And until the day I breathe my last,
I will continue to safeguard it.
That is who I am, now.

That's the voice I keep hearing.
I don't think I've ever met anyone
quite like you before.

Sure, there are plenty of others
with interesting voices...like
【Summoner】, for one.

But that soft echo of hope, railing
against all those waves of pain, is
a totally new kind of fascinating.

I suppose it's...nice to be looked
on favorably...

I'd like us to be friends, Eir.

I want to keep listening to your voice.
To hear the hope inside it grow.

Of course. It would make me...happy
to call you my friend.

This might sound cold in light of all
that, but I feel you should know...

The suffering tones in your voice will
never go away. They will be with you
for the rest of your life.

Yes...

But that doesn't mean the hopeful
tone can't grow louder.

Even if despair is a deafening chorus,
a single note of hope can always
carry the tune forward.

Thank you, Sara... I will take
those words to heart.

You know... I really should thank
【Summoner】 for bringing
me to Askr.

There are so many wonderful voices
to be heard here. So many
touching stories.

I can't wait to see what else lies
in store.

You have done well to answer
【Summoner】's call, Asbel.

Askr is very much enriched by the
strength you bring to it as a Hero.

Thank you, Lord Ced. Words cannot
express how honored I am to fight
alongside you once again.

I know that Lord Leif is here as well,
and that the vow he and I swore
remains in effect.

I'll consider it a privilege to continue
to use the magic I've learned to aid
you both as best I can.

Thank you, Asbel. Now, as to your
learning...it will intrigue you to know
there are many young mages in Askr.

Is that so? Well, it's a relief to know
I'm not the only one!

Indeed. They may yet be students,
but they show great promise.

You can find them in the library,
where they receive regular instruction
from more experienced mages.

Practically a school of magic, then!
I'll have to see if it matches what
I would expect to find back home.

I think you'll learn a great deal.
It will be a fine opportunity for you.

Agreed! I am eager to take such
opportunities wherever I find them.

Good. I will speak with them, so they
know to expect you.

I think it will be invigorating for you
to meet some magical minds closer
to your own age.

I am certain it will be, Lord Ced.

So you're Asbel? I'm Ewan. Nice to
meet you! Ced told us you'd be
coming. He's one of our teachers.

A pleasure to meet you, Ewan. I see
there are quite a lot of mages our
age here!

Hi there! I'm Lugh, from Elibe.
I like your clothes—we almost match!

We all dress similarly, don't we? I'm
student Merric—not to be confused
with teacher Merric, who is...also me.

I'm Lilina, daughter of the marquess
of Ostia, Hector. Always great to
meet another study partner!

Each of you is as young as I am.
Have all of you seen real battle?

A little bit, but...most of us consider
ourselves to be in training.

I have yet to attend a proper school
of magic, myself. I am a long way
from ready.

But that is exactly why we all work
hard to learn here. We don't want to
hold any of the others back.

Exactly. Studying together helps us
learn a lot more a lot faster.

That's why I invited my twin brother
to join us...even if he didn't seem
too interested.

We each have our own ways of doing
things. Sometimes it can be difficult
to adjust.

In any case, Asbel, I hope the time
you spend with us is worthwhile
to you.

Thank you, Lilina. For the sake of
Lord Leif, I will give it my all.
When do we get started?

Well, Cecilia's our teacher for the
day, and here she is now!

Everyone seems to be accounted for.
Shall we begin the lesson?

Phew! That was a long one.
Good lesson, though.

Pent's lessons are always so clear
and precise. I wish they'd go on even
longer. I could learn from him all day.

Your older self is a pretty good
teacher too, isn't he, Merric?

Ah... He's OK. But I can't get past
how weird it is to be taking lessons
from myself.

Hm...

What's on your mind, Asbel?

I'm wondering about our futures.
We're working hard to become
strong now, but...

Is it possible we simply cannot reach
our full potential until we're older?

Of course we'll be even stronger
when we're older!

When I'm the same age my sister
and Commander Gerik are now,
my magic's gonna be incredible!

Hopefully Askr finds peace before
our full potential's needed, though.

Agreed. The real goal is not to have
to fight at all.

Yes—that is exactly why my aim is to
master magic as quickly as I can.

I want to help bring an end to the
fighting. To create a world that's
free of battle.

Does that mean you'll give up magic
if Thracia finds peace?

No, I don't think so. Even if the world
is peaceful, that peace needs to be
defended on occasion.

For that reason, studying magic
will always be worthwhile to me.

Each of us came to the study of
magic for different reasons, and
under different circumstances.

But it's wonderful to see that we all
share the goal of using magic to
make the future brighter.

Well said. With that in mind, I will
do my best to achieve mastery
at my own pace.

I've noticed a big improvement in
your skill with magic lately, Asbel.

I'm flattered to hear you say so,
Lord Leif. I've worked hard
to improve.

Some other young mages I've met
recently have also been a wonderful
learning resource.

The hard work has paid off.
You set a fine example.

Lord Leif, if I may... Have you
considered what we'll do after
we win peace for Thracia?

One of the other students asked me
if I would give up my pursuit of magic
when that day came.

I must admit that I'd been so focused
on what was right in front of me
that I'd never given it any thought.

I'm much the same. For as long as
I've been fighting to free Leonster,
that has been my only thought.

And right now, peace for Askr takes
priority over even that important goal.

Yes. But what occurred to me, when
I thought on it, was that magic would
be needed even during peacetime.

Even if we put an end to all war in
Thracia, that won't be the end.

You're right. Even after we've won,
we'll need to defend our victory.

Peace doesn't sustain itself without
power—and we both know how easily
it can fall apart.

That is exactly why I'm doing my best
to make the most of my time in Askr.

I don't know how long it will be until
I am a fully fledged mage, Lord Leif,
but I swear to you that day will come.

In my eyes, Asbel, it already has.
But you have the potential to be
something greater still—a legend.

I hope someday to have the honor
of helping you achieve that.

Lord Leif...

In the meantime, let's do all we can
to learn and grow together while
we're in this world.

And when we return to ours,
we will be ready.

Of course. You may rely on me
to stay by your side all the way to
Thracia's peace—and beyond.

Look who's finally here! Took your
sweet time getting to Askr, Ronan.

Same old Osian. Nice to see you too.
This place hasn't changed you or
Tanya a bit, has it?

Nope. It's pretty much the same as
Mt. Violdrake, minus my noisy
old dad.

This village is your handiwork, then.

And by the way it resembles Fiana,
I'm guessing Eyvel was involved too.

Yeah, she basically led the effort.

We built this village for folks who lost
their homes in all the fighting.

It's become a tight-knit community.
Everybody works hard to look after
each other.

This place might still be rough around
the edges, but it's home to lots of
people now. Gets better every day.

It wasn't just us, though. The Askr
royal family helped out too.

No way could we have done all this
on our own. They really delivered.

Now that I'm here, I'm happy to lend
a hand as well. I'm sure I can help
with hunting and preserving food.

Sounds like the perfect job for you
to take on, Ronan!

All right, everyone, we're ready to get
started. Please form an orderly line!

Looks like it's dinner time. Check it
out—you've never seen a village
come together like this.

No need to rush. We've brought more
than enough soup for everyone to eat
their fill.

Who's that? She looks important.

Queen Henriette—Prince Alfonse
and Princess Sharena's mom.

She's always dropping by with food
for the villagers.

Relax. Eat as much as you want.
Recover your strength now so we can
get back to building tomorrow.

Oh, your foot is looking so much
better! I'll make sure they keep
sending that medicine along for you.

Some of the Heroes came to fix that
leak in your roof? That's wonderful!
I'm so glad to hear it!

And here's an extra-big portion for
you! Eat up so you can grow big
and strong, OK?

Working hard, Your Majesty!

Hello, Osian! Good to see you, Tanya!
And who's this you've brought along?
Wait, don't tell me. I'll guess.

Not a new villager, I don't think, so...
You must be a new Hero!

If it please you, Your Majesty.
My name is Ronan. I hail from
a village called Iz.

Oh, no need to be so formal. Allow
me to borrow the mannerisms of my
daughter to put you at ease...

Hey there! I'm Henriette. If there's
any way I can make your welcome
to Askr brighter, just say the word!

My Sharena impression is a work in
progress...but it's wonderful to meet
you, Ronan.

Work in progress, she says! They're
practically the same person.

The similarities are striking, yes...

What strikes me even more is how far
the royal family is willing to go for the
sake of the people.

They are a lot like Lord Leif in
that way. Approachable royalty.

It's no wonder they're so proud
to call Askr home.

Hey, sorry to interrupt, but we could
use some help gathering firewood.

No problem. Let's get to it, Tanya.
You too, Ronan!

Allow us to take our leave then,
Your Majesty.

By all means. Farewell!

Hello, Ronan! What a pleasure it is
to see you here in the village again.

Thank you, Your Majesty. I happened
to find a good hunting spot nearby,
and thought I'd share with the locals.

That's very thoughtful of you.

With the harvest still some time away,
I'm certain they will be grateful for
the opportunity to hunt.

Yes. But I must show them that a
balanced approach is essential.

If we hunt too much, we'll drive the
animals away...and then there would
be no hunting for anyone.

As the Kutolah among the Heroes
would say, we must coexist with
nature and be glad for its blessings.

How considerate! Like all Heroes,
you impress me at every turn.

It's only what every hunter should
know. Nothing that warrants such
lavish praise.

It's not the knowledge itself I find
praiseworthy. It's all the time and
experience spent learning it.

And it's plain to see that everyone
here appreciates how freely you
share that knowledge with others.

I am grateful for all you've done,
Ronan. If you require anything of me,
you need only ask.

I care for all the Heroes in Askr
as I care for my own children.
I mean that sincerely.

Your Majesty is too kind. The way
you dote on those in your care does
remind me of my own mother.

What a wonderful compliment! I can
only hope to be a worthy substitute
while you are away from her.

I would be greatly honored to
consider you so.

I am unable to join the Heroes on the
field of battle, so it is by means like
this that I make my contribution.

Please know that if you are ever in
need of me, I will spare no effort
to aid you in every possible way.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

Prince Alfonse! Princess Sharena!
What a nice surprise.

Hello, Ronan. We're here to lend
our assistance today.

Wow, look at all these people!
This village is bigger and more
prosperous every time I visit!

With the royal family setting such a
fine example, people feel compelled
to put in their best effort.

I'm no exception to that, either.
Queen Henriette has been especially
encouraging to me. I'm very grateful.

To be welcomed so warmly is...
Well, it's almost like coming home.
Like being part of the family.

I'm glad to hear she's been so kind.
She is quite a...nurturing person.
Some find it a touch...overwhelming.

But I suppose her close involvement
with the people is a good part of the
reason we are so well regarded.

Don't be embarrassed, Alfonse.
Our mother is Askr's mother too!
I hope to be just like her someday.

Well if it isn't three of my favorite
people! What's the topic of
conversation today, I wonder?

Nothing of import! Just...you know...
idle chichat.

"Chitchat"? Now I know you're hiding
something. I don't think I've ever
heard that phrase escape your lips.

Yes, well, Eyvel asked me to do some
important work, so...I must be going.

And there he goes. So, Sharena, what
were you discussing that's got him
so flustered?

Hehehe... Oh, I couldn't possibly say.

Don't tell me this is the start of your
rebellious phase. You'll break your
poor mother's heart, Sharena!

Askr is full of wonderful people,
Mother...royalty and commoner alike.

I hope you'll forgive me for being
away awhile. I want to do my part
to fight for the future of this place.

I promise I'll return. And when I do,
you'll see how much I've grown.

Until then, Mother...I hope you'll
wait for me.