Batur

'Stand behind me! Alterland's shield shall protect everyone!'

*Batur - Leader of the Alterland tribe in Star Woods*

*Shield of Limuthule*

*Legacy of the forest god, blessed by the shield*

## Intro

Star Woods: The last land of mystery on Wonderland is a sea of trees in northeastern Luxium. With lush growth and complicated terrains, the forest is full of unknown, save for a small portion on the fringe that the Shadowhunters use as their base. Traveling into the depths of the forest almost means certain death, either from being lost or from being eaten by the monsters in the woods. However, there is a very small chance for the traveler to be led out of the woods a strong man with a giant shield.

This man is Batur, the Chieftain of Alterland, a forest tribe. The strong and brave Alterlans have lived deep inside these woods for generations, conquering the challenging environment and menacing beasts. And Batur is the most powerful of them all. With a body built like a rock and arms as thick and sturdy as any ancient tree, Batur wields a colossus shield that crushes any and every threat in his way. He knows these woods like the back of his hand, and he roams through them easily, like a breeze.

With shield in hand, Batur is an immovable mountain that protects Alterland and drives away evil.

### Forming a Pact

**Batur's rarity:** SSR

**Max Epiphany without Illumination:** Level 6

The player can form a pact with Batur by the following methods:

* Starter Summon
	+ Use 28 Heart Stones to add this Gyee to the Starter Summon pool.
* Limited Summon
	+ You can form a pact with Batur by summoning him on his limited-time banner.

## Skills

### Basic

* Wind Blessing: Each stack reduces physical damage taken by 5%, stacking up to 5 times. Lasts until battle ends, cannot be dispelled.

**Skill Level**
1. 84%
2. 91%
3. 99%
4. 107%
	+ Normal attacks place Unbalanced on the target for 2 rounds.
		- Unbalanced: While the effect is active, reduces the target's damage dealt by 15% for 2 rounds. Can be purified.

### Advanced

* Blood of the Forest: Each stack increases max HP by 5%, stacking up to 20 times. Lasts until battle ends, cannot be dispelled.
* Unbalanced: While the effect is active, reduces the target's damage dealt by 15%. Does not stack. Lasts 2 rounds, can be purified.
* Disability: A Stun-like effect. While the effect is active, loses control of the character for 2 rounds. Cannot be purified.

**Skill Level**
1. 204%
2. 215%
3. 226%
4. 238%
	+ If Disability was not placed on the target, then target takes additional physical damage equal to 20% of max HP.
* **Shield Cover**
	+ If there are at least 5 stacks of Blood of the Forest, then places Shield Cover on all allies for 2 rounds.
		- Shield Cover: While the effect is active, reduces the physical damage taken by 25% for 2 rounds. Can be dispelled.

### Ultimate

* Limuthule's Soul: While the effect is active, the holder absorbs damage equal to [Skill Level] of Batur's max HP (shield increases as skill level increases). Lasts 2 rounds, can be purified.

**Skill Level**
1. 21%
2. 25%
3. 30%
4. 35%
	+ Increases the shield of Limuthule's Soul by 10%.
* **Warrior's Faith**
	+ When Limuthule's Soul is shattered, returns 6 rage to Batur.
* **Light of the Gods**
	+ After the Limuthule's Soul is normally removed, the target gains Strength of the Forest God. If not normally removed, the target gains Breath of the Forest God.
		- Strength of the Forest God: While the effect is active, reduces the target's damage taken by 15% and increases the target's damage dealt by 20% for 2 rounds. Can be dispelled.
		- Breath of the Forest God: While the effect is active, reduces the target's damage taken by 25% for 2 rounds. Can be dispelled.

### Mastery

* Wind Blessing: Each stack reduces physical damage taken by 5%, stacking up to 5 times. Lasts until battle ends, cannot be dispelled.
* Blood of the Forest: Each stack increases max HP by 5% (5 times the effect in PvP). Stacks up to 20 times, lasts until battle ends, and cannot be dispelled.
* Tribal Courage: Absorbs damage equal to 10% of Batur's max HP. When the shield is shattered, restores 15 Rage. Lasts until battle ends, cannot be dispelled.
* Unbreakable Shield: If HP is below 25% of max HP before taking action, then restores 70% of max HP and 20 rage, taking effect only once in PVP, or with an internal cooldown of 4 rounds in PVE. Lasts until battle ends, cannot be dispelled.

## Imprint

### Basic Engraving

* Persistence Engraving (Reduce critical P.DMG by 1.38% per Engraving level)
	+ Each engraving level requires I.N. Flux - Wood x120 and Gold x25,000

### Imprint Skill

The following Imprint Skill can be equipped on other Gyees and Avatars once unlocked.

## Intimacy

### Date Choices

Dates will give either 500, 700, or 900 intimacy points depending on the choice selected.

* **Doomed Land - In the eyes of the Alterlans, everything outside of the Star Woods is considered cursed and doomed. And you... happen to come from it.**
	+ **Cue:** What's it like outside Star Woods?
		- Terrible. If I could, I would stay in Alterland.
		*500 Intimacy*
		- Ordinary. Life is as quiet as a lake.
		*900 Intimacy*
		- Beautiful, people work hard to accomplish their dreams.
		*900 Intimacy*

* **Scars - One day, you hear children crying while standing outside the house of the Alterland Chieftain.**
	+ **Cue:** They just keep crying.
		- This is the best blessing!
		*900 Intimacy*
		- Scars can be removed.
		*500 Intimacy*
		- Let's start with skin care.
		*500 Intimacy*

* **Duty - Legends say that Batur's giant shield was a gift from the Forest God, and that he is the only one who could wield it. Is it true?**
	+ **Cue:** I am the only one who can swing this shield in Alterland.
		- About the legends of the shield...
		*900 Intimacy*
		- Why use a shield as a weapon?
		*900 Intimacy*
		- What did you have to do to get this body of yours?
		*700 Intimacy*

### Intimacy Blocks

To reach Intimacy levels 7 and 11, Batur needs mementos (found in Darkflux Raid), reiki (found in Extreme Fight or Arcana Tracker), and the following block item:

* **Intimacy Level 7**
	+ S - A Letter from the Forest
		- A letter written by Batur, the Alterland Chieftain. It was finally delivered to you by a traveling merchant.
		Used to break through Batur's Intimacy. Obtained in Extreme Fight.
* **Intimacy Level 11**
	+ Alterland Necklace
		- An Alterland necklace made by Batur, but this one is red, unlike the one he wears.
		Used to break through Batur's Intimacy. Obtained in Extreme Fight.

### Basic Drink Preferences

 50% bonus

 25% bonus

 50% bonus

 50% bonus

*Note: All blended drinks have a base preference bonus of 25% that can be modified by the drink's attributes.*

### Gift Preferences

**50% bonus**

**25% bonus**

**No bonus**

### Views

Unlock views by leveling the intimacy of other gyees.

* **Haku,**: He's my neighbor in Star Woods. When I see him, I feel safe.
*Haku's Intimacy reaches Lv.2 to unlock*
* **Takashi**: I have never met Batur, but he is well known among the Shadowhunters. Many years ago, when the Shadows attacked the Wood Nexus in droves, it was not the Shadowhunters that stopped them, but Batur and his valiant tribesmen.
*Takashi's Intimacy reaches Lv.4 to unlock*
* **Lukka and Hank**: Luka: (looking disgusted) Uh... that guy? This one time, I was in Star Woods with that bear when we found an ore that worked perfectly with the flux. We were ready to excavate when this guy came up, mumbling something about a gift from god. He then attacked us! Can't believe he messed with our money.
Hank: That's because you didn't listen to me and had to go for it! I don't want to offend the gods!
*Lucca&Hank's Intimacy reaches Lv.6 to unlock*
* **Kamui**: Batur? You're asking the right person! He's the greatest warrior in the history of Alterland, and (gestures)... he's this tall! This strong! With a heavy and powerful shield! And most importantly, he's my brother! Don't mess with him unless you want me to end you!
*Kamui's Intimacy reaches Lv.8 to unlock*
* **A White Cape General**: The barbarians in Star Woods didn't believe in the Holy Light, and treated the Yellow Eye as someone 'blessed'. This Batur guy is their leader, and we'll have to take him out before the Holy Light will shine on Star Woods.
* **Merchants near Star Woods**: He's huge, menacing, with two massive scars. Not someone you should mess with. But he's actually very kind and amicable. He saved me once when I was lost in the woods.
* **Alterlan Elder**: I watched Batur growing up. You wouldn't believe it, but Batur was a quiet and nice boy. If it weren't for those things... He would have become an excellent priest. Maybe the gods arranged it all...

## Scripts

### Consolation Letter

(Batur placed the letter on your airship before you left Alterland.)

Outsider, this is Batur.

I hope you have left Star Woods safely. On behalf of all the Alterlans, I thank you and Billy. Your help was greatly appreciated during our battle against the White Capes. I have included some gifts to show my gratitude. Because of the war, our people are sensitive to the outside world. I do not wish to bother our people further, so I ask you to not mention Alterland to other outsiders.

May the Forest God guide you...

### Bath Drama

* Ahh, the hot water is melting away my thoughts.
* A towel? Alterlans don't use them when I'm in a bath.
* Will you wash my back for me? A million thanks.

### Fave Hottie Slogan

Alterland thanks your support, my friend. May Limuthule guide your way.

### Branch

**This section contains spoilers for the Branch quest. Please use a desktop browser for the best viewing experience.**

**Warriors from the Forest**

**-Part 1**

*In the northeast of Luxium, in the heights of the Star Woods.*
*Player speaks to Billy on the bridge of the airship*
**Player**: I just received a message from the Shadowhunter Defenders at Yggdrasil...
**Player**: They've received the goods from our airdrops.
**Player**: Mission accomplished! Let's go back!
**Billy**: Okay!
*Billy turns towards the console*
**Billy**: Set a course for...oh!
**Billy**: The airship doesn't have a lot of Flux fuel left, Captain...
**Billy**: We need to take a detour to Elysiann to refuel.
**Player**: All right. We don't have anything else to do today.
**Player**: Since we're going to Elysiann, how about we eat seafood for lunch?
**Billy**: Okay!
**Billy**: Course set. We'll be arriving in Elysiann in two hours!
*A few moments later...*
**Player**: Oh! We received a communication...
**Billy**: Communication?
**Billy**: But it's only been just over an hour, and we haven't even reached the Elysian River.
**Player**: Let's see what it says.
**Ground Control**: Unidentified airship, you have entered controlled airspace! Please land immediately and submit to a check!
**Player**: Controlled airspace?
**Player**: It wasn't controlled airspace when we came here this morning. Perhaps something's happened...
**Player**: Let's follow the instructions and land.
**Billy**: !!
**Player**: Billy?
**Billy**: Captain! The airship's detector has detected White Capes airships!
**Billy**: On the northern bank of the Elysian River, straight ahead!
**Player**: What? White Capes?!
**Player**: So what you're saying is, the people who just ordered us down are...
**Player**: Billy! Turn this ship around immediately! You need to shake them!
**Billy**: Got it!
**White Capes Ground Control**: That airship... That's Player from Never Isle!
**White Capes Ground Control**: Alert the Captain of the Holy Light. We must pursue them!
*A few moments later...*
**Player**: Three airships are chasing us.
**Billy**: They're White Capes assault ships!
**Player**: Assault ships... We need to go faster, Billy!
**Billy**: We can't go any faster!
**Billy**: It's already a miracle that an airship this size has reached this speed without falling apart!
*Boom!*
**Player**: We've been hit?
**Billy**: The airship's been hit in the starboard lower deck. Power output is stable. We can still fly!
**Billy**: Oh!
**Billy**: Captain! Two White Capes assault ships have passed us quickly from below and have made their way in front of us!
**Player**: Uh...
**Player**: They're using a pincer attack from the front and back.
**Billy**: The detector says they're charging their cannons!
**Player**: What?
**Billy**: Captain! Hold onto something!
**Player**: Well!
**Billy**: We will not let you destroy our airship!
*The airship quickly ascends and turns...*
*Luckily, you manage to grab onto a handle on the console, otherwise you would have been thrown out of the room.*
*Boom!*
*The ship's hull shakes violently.*
**Player**: Ugh...
**Billy**: Damage report...
**Billy**: We avoided the brunt of the attack, but the port side of the ship has been damaged!
**Player**: Only you could get such a large airship to pull off maneuvers like that in a situation like that, Billy!
**Billy**: Hahaha, after all, Master Turing and I built this...
**Billy**: !!
**Billy**: No time for chit-chat. The White Capes are coming back!
**Player**: Ugh, what a pain.
**Billy**: Captain, the White Capes' airships are better than ours in both mobility and firepower.
**Billy**: If this keeps up, we're done for!
**Player**: Ugh...
**Player**: (After encountering the White Capes on the north bank of the Elysian River, we quickly fled north...)
**Player**: (Now we've returned to the airspace above the Star Woods.)
**Player**: (It's hundreds of kilometers from here to the nearest city, Elysiann. Between here and there, is the Elysian River, which is guarded by the White Capes' army.)
**Player**: (River Bend Town to the west is too far away, and the airship doesn't have enough fuel. Plus, the White Capes are attacking us from behind.)
**Player**: (Directly below us are the complex mountains and dangerous, dense forests of the Star Woods..)
**Player**: (What should we do?)
*Choice 1.1 - (Let's turn around and go back to Elysiann to seek help...)*
**Player**: Billy! Let's turn around and go to Elysiann!
**Billy**: Huh? Captain...are you serious?
**Billy**: It was on our way to Elysiann that we ran into the White Capes.
**Billy**: If we turn around now, we'll be throwing ourselves into their trap!
**Player**: Oh, you're right...
*Choice 1.1.1 - (Let's turn around and go back to Elysiann to seek help...)*
*Go to Choice 1.1*
*Choice 1.1.2 - (Let's head west and go to River Bend Town...)*
*Go to Choice 1.2*
*Choice 1.1.3 - (Descend and try to use the mountains to get away from the White Capes...)*
*Go to Choice 1.3*
*Choice 1.2 - (Let's head west and go to River Bend Town...)*
**Player**: Billy, let's fly west toward River Bend Town and find Takashi at the Fire Nexus!
**Billy**: That won't work, Captain...
**Billy**: Setting aside the White Capes that are chasing us...
**Billy**: Our airship doesn't have enough fuel to take us that far.
**Player**: Uh...
*Choice 1.2.1 - (Let's turn around and go back to Elysiann to seek help...)*
*Go to Choice 1.1*
*Choice 1.2.2 - (Let's head west and go to River Bend Town...)*
*Go to Choice 1.2*
*Choice 1.2.3 - (Descend and try to use the mountains to get away from the White Capes...)*
*Go to Choice 1.3*
*Choice 1.3 - (Descend and try to use the mountains to get away from the White Capes...)*
**Player**: Sounds like a plan!
*Scene continues after choices*
**Player**: Reduce altitude. Fly low, and use the mountains to get away from them!
**Billy**: Use the mountains to get away from them and fly low...
**Billy**: But we might crash!
**Player**: I have faith in your abilities!
**Billy**: !!
**Billy**: Anyway, we'll be shot down if we don't do something now!
**Billy**: Take a seat, Captain!
*A few moments later, in the skies above the Star Woods.*
**Billy**: Ugh... Steady...
**Billy**: Captain, what's the status of the detector?
**Player**: The White Capes' assault ships are slowing down. The plan is working!
**Player**: Keep going, Billy! It won't be long before we can shake them!
**Billy**: Good... Good!
**Billy**: ...
**Billy**: !!
**Billy**: Captain! Hold onto something!
**Player**: !!
**Billy**: The valley up ahead is too narrow. We don't have time to dodge it, we're going to crash!
**Player**: Whoa!
*Crash!*
*At the same time, in the White Capes' assault ship...*
**White Cape Navigator**: The signal from Player's airship has disappeared from our sensors!
**White Cape Navigator**: According to the current situation, there's a high probability that it hit the valley and crashed.
**White Cape General**: Hahaha! Justice and the Holy Light are on our side!
**White Cape General**: Deploy our ground troops! They are to kill them on sight, not capture them!
**White Cape Navigator**: But the area they've crashed in is the territory of the Star Woods savages...
**White Cape General**: Humph, those savages... The Holy Light will wipe them out sooner or later!
**White Cape General**: Kill the targets quick. Don't worry about the savages!
**White Cape Navigator**: Got it!
**White Cape General**: Humph, you've foiled the Holy Light's plans countless times, Player...
**White Cape General**: Today, the Holy Light will put an end to your sins!
*A few moments later...*
*Player and Billy crawl out of the wrecked airship*
**Player**: Billy, how's the airship? Is the damage serious?
**Billy**: Hmm...
**Billy**: It's all right. The impact knocked out the landing buffers...
**Billy**: Give me a few hours to replace them with our spares and we should be all good.
**Player**: Phew. That's great!
**Billy**: Additionally, when we forced the landing, the arcana sensor also broke.
**Billy**: We have know way of knowing where the White Capes are headed.
**Player**: The Star Woods' terrain is complex. I don't think the White Capes' airships are willing to enter.
**Player**: I definitely think we got rid of them!
**Billy**: Really?
**Player**: But just to be safe, get the airship operational as quickly as you can, Billy.
**Player**: I'll send our location to Never Isle.
**Billy**: Yes, Captain!
*You activate the arcana crystal...*
*But all you can hear is static.*
**Player**: Huh?
**Player**: Is the crystal broken? It's not responding...
*Player looks around at the area*
**Player**: It's relatively wide-open here. The crystal should be able to receive flux radiation from the Arcana Nexus.
**Player**: Could it be that we're too far from Never Isle?
**Player**: I'm going to try somewhere else.
**Player**: Billy, we can't contact Never Isle from here. I'm going to try somewhere else.
**Billy**: Of course!
*Player walks away, looking for a signal*
*Unnoticed by Player and Billy, a man in a blue uniform carrying a large mechanical shield stumbles upon the crash site*
**???**: !!
*The man looks around and then quickly leaves*
*A few moments later...*
**Billy**: All right, the hydraulic shocks are in place. Now...
**Player**: How strange...
**Billy**: You're back, Captain? Did you contact Never Isle?
**Player**: Never Isle? I can't even get in touch with Elysiann or the Shadowhunters in Yggdrasil...
**Player**: It's very strange!
**Billy**: Maybe the Nexus's radiation is unstable in the forest.
**Billy**: It doesn't matter. The airship will be ready to go in a little bit.
**Billy**: As long as I fix the airship...
*Suddenly, someone attacks the airship destorying all of Billy's repairs*
**Player**: !!
**Billy**: Argh!!
**Billy**: Who did that?!
**Player**: Be careful, Billy!
*Player pulls Billy away just as more explosions engulf the airship*
**Billy**: Wow!
**Billy**: You saved my life, Captain!
**Player**: Shh! (Gestures Billy to be quiet.)
*White Capes descend on the area*
**White Capes Scout**: They were here just a second ago.
**White Cape General**: This is where they were the last time their arcana crystal sent out a signal.
**White Cape General**: Looks like Player got away...
**White Cape General**: Anyway, the Star Woods are complex. If their airship is here, they couldn't have gotten far!
**White Cape General**: Have the scouts split up and look for them. Our main force will guard this place!
**White Capes Soldier**: Got it!
**Billy**: The White Capes!
**Player**: Hmm... I didn't expect that they would send ground troops here to track down my arcana crystal.
**Player**: They must be the ones interfering with the arcana's signal in this area!
**Player**: Those stalkers!
**Billy**: What should we do now, Captain?
**Player**: We can't contact Never Isle. Without reinforcements, there's no way we can beat so many White Capes.
**Player**: First we need to find a way to get away, then find the White Capes' airship!
**White Capes Soldier**: We found them! They're hiding here!
**Billy**: We've been spotted!
**Player**: Ugh...
**Player**: We need to kill our way out!
**Billy**: Take this!!!
*Billy uses his Robot Plier to knock out the solider that found them*
**Billy**: Let's get out of here, Captain!
*More White Cape soldiers come to corner Player and Billy*
**White Cape Swordsman**: We found Player! Let's do this!
**Player**: !!
*Player and Billy try to run away but run into the White Cape General and the rest of the battalion*
**Player**: Ugh...
**White Cape General**: Where do you think you're going?
**White Cape General**: Player, you and your yellow eye friends have foiled the Sword of Light's plans too many times!
**White Cape General**: Today, I can finally get revenge for those soldiers that died by your hands!
**White Cape General**: On behalf of the Holy Light, I hereby sentence you to death!
**White Cape General**: Get real!
**Player**: Let's see if you've got what it takes to kill us, too!
*A few moments later...*
*Player and Billy manage to defend themselves but the White Cape General and many soldiers still remain*
**Player**: Hya!
**White Cape General**: Humph. I must say, you're stronger than we imagined...
**White Cape General**: But it wouldn't be interesting if it were any other way!
**Player**: Uh...
**Billy**: ...
**Player**: How many are left? You'd better come at us all at once!
*Player and Billy continue their defense but still more White Cape remain*
**White Cape General**: You live up to your reputation, Player. I'm starting to understand why Never Isle is always enlisting your services.
**White Cape General**: It would be a pity to let you die like this...
**White Cape General**: You're not a yellow eyes, Player. In principle, you're not an enemy of the Holy Light.
**White Cape General**: I'll give you one chance to join us!
**Player**: Heh.
**Player**: You watched your own men throw away their lives, and now you're going to stand there and daydream...
**Player**: Your Holy Light chose an incompetent individual such as yourself to become a general?
**White Cape General**: Ugh...
**White Cape General**: Kill him!
**Billy**: Don't even think about messing with my captain!
**Billy**: It's been a real pleasure being able to travel with you for so long!
**Billy**: I will hold them back. Captain, you find a way to escape!
**Player**: Billy!
**White Cape General**: Humph!
**Player**: !!
**Player**: Be careful, Billy!
*Player intercepts an arcana attack from the White Cape arcanists*
**Player**: Whoa!!!
**Billy**: Captain!!!
**Player**: Urgh...
**Billy**: Ahhh! You bastards!
**White Cape General**: You finally show yourself, yellow eyes?
**White Cape General**: Holy Light Warriors! Purify this yellow eyes!
*More White Cape soldiers rush at Billy*
**Billy**: Ahhhhh!!
*With a muffled sound, the earth trembles...*
**White Cape General**: An earthquake?
**White Capes Scout**: General, it's a monster!
*Suddenly, a large, muscular man holding an imposing shield descends from the sky and takes out many White Capes*
**Blockhead with Tower Shield**: ...
**White Cape General**: Ugh... Savages...
**White Cape General**: What timing...
*More men carrying mechanical shields appear behind the large man*
**Blockhead with Tower Shield**: Alterland warriors, charge!!!
**Blockhead with Tower Shield**: Chase those White Capes out of here!
**Billy**: !!
**Player**: !!
**White Cape General**: Don't even think about messing with our plans! I'll tell everyone to come here and kill all your people!
*The Alterland warriors join in the battle against the White Capes*
**Blockhead with Tower Shield**: Are you okay, outsiders?
**Billy**: ...
**Billy**: The captain's really hurt...
**Blockhead with Tower Shield**: You two! Look after the outsider's injuries.
**Blockhead with Tower Shield**: I'll go deal with those guys!
**Shield Warrior**: Yes, sir!
*The large man fends off the White Capes while the other warriors tend to Player's injuries*
**Shield Warrior**: Chieftain, the outsider's injuries have stabilized.
**Blockhead with Tower Shield**: Get the outsider away from here.
**Shield Warrior**: Yes, sir!
**Blockhead with Tower Shield**: It's over!
*The warriors get Player and Billy away from the battle*
**Billy**: The White Capes won't be easy to deal with. I'll go help!
**Shield Warrior**: (Grabs Billy)
**Shield Warrior**: Don't cause trouble!
**Shield Warrior**: Hide, outsider!
*The ground continues to shake from the battle*
**Player**: Uh!
*The large man, the White Cape General and a few White Cape soldiers are all that stand on the battlefield*
**White Capes Soldier**: M...monster...
**Blockhead with Tower Shield**: Sword of Light, you are trespassing on Alterland's territory.
**Blockhead with Tower Shield**: Leave! Now!
**White Cape General**: On me! Eliminate these savages!
*The White Cape General launches one last desperate attack*
**Blockhead with Tower Shield**: Roar!!!
*The large man swipes at the general with his large shield and severely stuns him*
**White Cape General**: Whoa!!!
**White Capes Soldier**: General!
**Blockhead with Tower Shield**: Leave!
**White Cape General**: The Holy Light will not forget this offense! You will remember me!
**White Cape General**: Retreat!
*The White Cape escape*
**Blockhead with Tower Shield**: ...
*The large man checks on Billy and Player*
**Billy**: Wow... Amazing!
**Blockhead with Tower Shield**: Are you okay, outsider?
**Player**: Uh...
*Player falls unconscious to the ground*
**Billy**: Captain!!!
*...*
*Billy looks over Player in the middle of a camp site deep in the forest*
**Billy**: ...
**Player**: Ugh...
**Billy**: Captain?
**Player**: I... Where...
**Player**: Ugh!
**Player**: Billy! The White Capes!!
**Player**: ...
**Billy**: Captain, the White Capes were driven away. Don't you remember?
**Player**: Ugh... I remember, we were rescued by some warriors.
**Player**: But...what is this place?
**Old Man**: Outsider, this is Alterland...
**Player**: !!
*An old man dressed in robes talks to Player and Billy*
**Old Man**: The promised land of the children of the Forest God.
**Player**: ...Alterland?
**Player**: You are...
**Old Man**: I am Kim of Alterland. I was ordered by our Chieftain to treat your wounds.
**Old Man**: Outsider, your wounds are serious. You haven't fully recovered. You shouldn't move too much.
**Player**: Uh huh...
**Player**: Mr. Kim, thank you for saving me...
**Old Man**: There is no need to thank me. Helping people in need is what Limuthule teaches his children.
**Old Man**: While you're convalescing, if you need anything, just let me know.
**Old Man**: But...
**Old Man**: These are special circumstances. Please do not disturb the lives of the people here.
**Player**: All right...
**Old Man**: I must preside over our tribe's sacrificial ritual, so I'll be taking my leave.
**Player**: Oh, all right. Don't let me keep you.
*Kim leaves*
**Player**: Billy, where are we?
**Billy**: Somewhere deep in the Star Woods. I'm not sure exactly where.
**Player**: Ow... (Clutches wound...)
**Billy**: You rest up, Captain...
**Player**: Yeah... Billy, what about the White Capes that were chasing us?
**Billy**: (Billy shakes his head) A week has passed already. There's no news about the White Capes.
**Player**: What?
**Player**: A week?! It's been a whole week?!
**Player**: What about Never Isle? Did we manage to contact them?
**Billy**: Our arcana crystal was broken by the White Capes, and Alterland seems to have no means of long-distance communication.
**Player**: Can you repair the arcana crystal?
**Billy**: The damage is repairable, but we don't have the materials to repair it.
**Player**: Then should we ask Kim for some?
**Billy**: Hmm... I'll give it a shot.
**Billy**: There is a mining area in Alterland that's giving off unique arcana fluctuations...
**Billy**: The mineral there should be the material we need to repair the arcana crystal.
**Billy**: I wanted to go in, but I was stopped. I asked Mr. Kim, and he said that the mineral is a gift from Limuthule...
**Billy**: He said that without a direct order from the Chieftain, outsiders are not allowed to come in contact with it.
**Player**: A direct order from the Chieftain... Perhaps we should ask their Chieftain?
**Billy**: Ah, forget it. I tried to find him yesterday, but the Chieftain went out hunting with the warriors and supposedly won't be back for a few days.
**Billy**: I was thinking, I won't go looking for them. Let's just go back once the airship is fixed.
**Billy**: As a result, the airship was damaged in the White Capes' attack, and I can't fix it by myself.
**Billy**: Then I wanted to find the materials in Alterland...
**Billy**: And now I find out that the stuff here has something to do with the Forest God, Limuthule!
**Billy**: They're not gonna give it to me!
**Billy**: Since they won't hand it over, I was thinking that I could ask a local to show us the way out...
**Billy**: But they're busy praying all day! No one's willing to help me!
**Player**: Is that so...
**Player**: Don't get upset, Billy. They saved us, and are even letting us stay in their homeland while we get better.
**Player**: We need to respect their customs!
**Billy**: I know, but we need to get in contact with Never Isle as soon as possible.
**Billy**: We've been missing for a week. They're probably scared to death!
**Player**: That's right, but we can't rush it.
**Player**: The Star Woods are complex and dense. Without the airship or the help of the Alterlans, we will get lost for sure.
**Player**: What's more, we can't be sure what the White Capes are up to outside the Star Woods.
**Billy**: Indeed...
**Player**: So, before Alterlan's Chieftain returns, we need to obey their rules.
**Billy**: All right. I understand!
*The next day...*
**Billy**: When is this Chieftain gonna get back?!
**Player**: Hmm...
**Player**: Billy, there's no point in sitting around like this. Let's go out for a walk.
**Billy**: Captain, your injuries...
**Player**: Don't worry. I'm already a lot better!
**Player**: Actually, the longer I sit here, the worse I'm going to feel!
**Billy**: But what if we go somewhere else we're not supposed to be and get attacked?
**Player**: When did you become such a party pooper, Billy? I want to go out for a walk!
*Player starts walking*
**Billy**: Huh? Captain, wait for me!
*A few moments later...*
**Player**: I see...
**Player**: There are tall mountains to the west of Alterland and trees all around. These trees are over a thousand years old and block out the sun...
**Player**: It's a perfect place to hide. No wonder I've never heard of Alterland anymore.
**Player**: Oh! This is...
**Player**: A vine growing in a tree!
**Player**: Billy, look! There's fruit growing on it! They're huge!
**Billy**: Never Isle doesn't have stuff like this?
**Player**: Of course, it doesn't! Most of our crops grow in places where there's lots of sun.
**Player**: This fruit's growing in the shade of a massive tree, and can grow huge without sunlight. It's incredible!
**Billy**: Is it really that hard to believe?
**Player**: Of course! It's like if our airship could fly all the way across Luxium with only a third a tank of energy!
**Billy**: How... How is that possible?
**Player**: That's why it's incredible!
**Player**: And this place is loaded with plants like that!
**Player**: This must be a very important crop in Alterland.
**???**: Ah! Stay away from my Qilan!
**Billy**: It's a child...
**Hippa**: Are you the outsiders that the Chieftain's warriors rescued?
**Player**: You know us?
**Hippa**: When me and my friends heard that there were outsiders in the tribe, we came to check it out...
**Hippa**: You slept for days in the Chieftain's hut.
**Hippa**: I thought that all you outsiders did was sleep.
**Billy**: Hahaha, we were hurt when we fought the White Capes. We needed our rest!
**Hippa**: The White Capes? You mean those bad guys in white?
**Player**: The bad guys in white?
**Hippa**: Those bad guys came to the tribe and took away our Alamu!
**Hippa**: They said Alamu are Gyees, and that they've been cursed...
**Player**: They captured the Gyees...
**Billy**: We fight the bad guys in white!
**Hippa**: W-wow! When I grow up, I want to fight bad guys, too!
**Hippa**: Ahhh!
**Player**: What's wrong?
**Hippa**: It's time to water the Qilan field. I gotta go!
**Player**: Qilan field? Is that what this is?
**Hippa**: Yep! I'm supposed to look after the Qilans!
**Player**: Huh? How old are you? What about your parents?
**Hippa**: My dad's a warrior! Every day he patrols Alterland, keeping it safe!
**Hippa**: My mom and the other women make sure the warriors have enough to eat and drink!
**Hippa**: I may be little, but I can do simple work!
**Player**: When did you start helping out?
**Hippa**: I had to start doing this after the bad guys in white came.
**Player**: It seems the White Capes have already got their sights set on the Star Woods. Our encounter on the northern bank of the Elysian River was no accident.
**Billy**: They must be planning something!
**Player**: Yes, but we can't do anything about the White Capes right now.
**Player**: Let's help Hippa water the plants!
**Billy**: All right!
*A while later, near a water source in Alterland...*
*Player and Billy see not only Hippa but many other children gathering water*
**Player**: It seems that it's not just Hippa, but all the other children that have to take care of the farmwork, as well.
**Billy**: This place is pretty far from the Qilan fields. Relying on manpower alone wouldn't be very efficient.
**Player**: Besides, they're mostly children...
**Player**: Yeah...
**Player**: What can we do about it, Billy?
**Billy**: Great minds think alike!
**Billy**: Alterland's crops are mostly centered in the south, while the water source is to the west.
**Billy**: I'm thinking, this is a forest, so the groundwater must be plentiful but also not very deep.
**Billy**: If we put a well in the center of the crops and then installed an automatic irrigation system, it should solve the water collection problem!
**Player**: A well and an automatic irrigation system. What can we do without using Alterland's resources?
**Billy**: No problem! There's a lot of equipment in our airship that's right for the job, and lots of metal that our airship doesn't need. We won't need to bother Kim about it.
*A few moments later...*
**Billy**: Captain, no one's willing to show me the way.
**Player**: People are either too busy with their work or too reluctant to speak with us.
**Billy**: Without someone to show us the way, we can't even find the airship!
*A man carrying a large red shield walks by Billy and Player*
**Shield Warrior**: Oh!
**Shield Warrior**: Fight the Sword of Light outsiders!
**Shield Warrior**: Are you guys okay?
**Player**: Huh? You recognize us?
**Shield Warrior**: You guys don't remember me? I'm Chrono. A few days ago, the Chieftain and I saved you from the clutches of the Sword of Light!
**Billy**: Oh! I remember now!
**Player**: I'm sorry, I can't even remember people who saved my life.
**Billy**: It's a good thing you guys came that day. Otherwise, the captain I would've been toast! How can we possibly thank you?
**Chrono**: There's no need to thank us. The Forest God requires us to help those in need!
**Chrono**: Any enemy of the Sword of Light is a friend of mine!
**Chrono**: If you ever need help while you're in Alterland, just let me know! I'll do whatever I can!
**Player**: Actually, there is something we need help with.
**Chrono**: Oh? What is it?
**Billy**: We want to go back to our airship to get some stuff, but I'm afraid we're lost...
**Chrono**: Good timing. I just finished my patrol of the territory. I'll take you there!
**Player**: Thank you so much!
**Nervous Shield Warrior**: Chrono! Chrono!
**Nervous Shield Warrior**: Chrono! Thank the Forest God, I finally found you!
**Chrono**: What's wrong?
**Nervous Shield Warrior**: Chrono, a warrior from the western outpost has fallen!
**Chrono**: What? This is the third time someone's fallen...
**Chrono**: How bad is he hurt?
**Nervous Shield Warrior**: I've already asked the priest to take a look. He needs to rest for a month before he can stand up again.
**Chrono**: All right, got it. You go on back. I will help him patrol the northwest outpost.
**Chrono**: I'm sorry, Player and Billy. I need to go to the northwest outpost.
**Player**: We'll help you!
*A while later, at the northwest border of Alterland's territory.*
*Chrono leads Billy and Player to the side of a cliff face*
**Player**: Huh? I don't see any outposts.
**Chrono**: The outpost is a ways ahead. I can get there myself.
**Billy**: Ahead? But there is no way ahead.
**Chrono**: If you want to climb up from here, it'll take about half an hour.
**Player**: Climb? This is a nearly vertical cliff face.
**Chrono**: Our clan's stoneworking experts have knocked out some positions for climbing, so that we can climb.
**Billy**: Seems dangerous.
**Chrono**: It's a clear day so it shouldn't be too bad. The rocks get really slippery when it rains. That's dangerous.
**Chrono**: But what can you do?
**Chrono**: There is no forest outside the northwest border of Alterland. It's all rocks. It's not protected by Limuthule.
**Chrono**: If the Sword of Light attacked from here, Alterland would be in big trouble! That's why we need to send people out here to watch it.
**Billy**: Should be enough to install a sentry robot in the outpost's location.
**Chrono**: A sentry...bot?
**Chrono**: What's that?
**Billy**: A fixed position defensive robot. The robot will automatically attack the White Capes when they show up and trigger an alarm.
**Billy**: Robots only need maintenance once every six months to change their energy core...
**Chrono**: Wow! Incredible. If we had such a thing, there'd be no need to send warriors to climb the cliff face!
**Chrono**: But Alterland doesn't have outside technology.
**Player**: Billy, can you make one out of the stuff we've got on the airship?
**Billy**: Hmm... We can dismantle the flux cannon sentry inside our ship and refit it. It should be possible!
**Player**: Great! Let's do it?
**Chrono**: Take apart your stuff? We can't do that...
**Billy**: It's no problem. We'll just buy another!
**Chrono**: But...
**Player**: Consider it repaying you for a favor.
**Chrono**: I'd love a robot like this. But the Chieftain, and the Alterland Kartans...
**Player**: Kartans?
**Chrono**: They are Alterlan's highly respected elders...
**Chrono**: The ancestral commandments tell us not to rely on outsiders. The elders would never agree...
**Billy**: But this is a special situation. Machines like robots are not only convenient, they also save lives!
**Chrono**: I know!
*Chrono takes a moment to think*
**Chrono**: Ahh! Don't worry about it!
**Chrono**: Player, Billy. Please make this robot.
**Chrono**: When the Chieftain gets back from his hunt, I'll try to persuade him!
**Chrono**: If the Chieftain doesn't agree, then... We'll talk about that some other time!
**Billy**: Okay!
*Over the next two days, Billy installs automatic irrigation systems in Alterland's fields.*
*And he installs a sentry robot on the cliffside outpost.*
*Faced with these machines they'd never seen before, the Alterlans are at first wary.*
*But after seeing how convenient they are, most people accept them.*
*A few days later, outside the Holy Land of Alterland.*
*Billy, Player and Chrono wait outside the Alterland Altar, a large stone structure that blends in perfectly with the forest*
**Billy**: Ah, Chieftain Batur is finally back from his hunt.
**Billy**: Why did he immediately go to a council of the elders?
**Chrono**: All matters big and small in Alterland need to be determined by the Chieftain.
**Chrono**: I've already told the Chieftain about you two.
**Chrono**: The Chieftain is willing to see you.
**Chrono**: Please be patient for just a little longer, Billy and Player.
**Player**: Well, thanks. We'll wait.
*Chrono looks inside nervously.*
**Player**: You look worried about something.
**Chrono**: ...
**Chrono**: I can almost guarantee you that the Chieftain and the elders are talking about the robots and the automatic irrigation systems.
**Chrono**: Alterland has never used objects from the outside. What with the teachings of the Forest God and the ancestral commandments... You might need to take the machines away.
**Chrono**: Ah, I'm really nervous.
**Billy**: I thought everyone in Alterland was really happy to use this stuff...
**Player**: Hmm... It's hard to say, after a few days of getting used to it...
**Player**: The Alterlans are a people of pure and resolute faith. They respect the gods and the ancestors above all else.
**Billy**: Is there no other way?
**Chrono**: I...
**Chrono**: I will trust the Chieftain's decision!
*The large, muscular man that defeated the White Capes earlier exits the Alterland Altar*
**Alterland Chieftain**: Oh! Chrono, outsiders...
*The Alterland Chieftain's voice is powerful and commanding, and carries with it an undeniably oppressive tone.*
*But at the same time, his friendly countenance tells you not to worry.*
*Chrono gives the chief a customary Alterland salute.*
**Chrono**: Chieftain!
**Chrono**: Chieftain, uh... About the sentry robot and the automatic irrigation systems...
**Alterland Chieftain**: Don't worry, you can use them. The council of elders all agreed to it.
**Billy**: That's great!
**Chrono**: But the Kartans... Are they really okay with it?
**Alterland Chieftain**: Now is a special time. Putting these machines to good use can free our people up to take care of more important matters.
**Alterland Chieftain**: Doing these things does not violate the teachings of Limuthule or the ancestral commandments.
**Alterland Chieftain**: You go on back, Chrono. I have something important to talk about with our guests.
**Chrono**: Yes!
**Alterland Chieftain**: You two, please follow me.
**Player**: Oh... okay!
*A while later, in front of the Chieftain's hut.*
**Alterland Chieftain**: According to Alterland etiquette, I should have invited you two here sooner.
**Alterland Chieftain**: However, we are dealing with a multitude of matters right now. I hope the two of you don't mind.
**Player**: No, no. You saved us. We were just eager to thank you.
**Player**: Actually, it's our fault. We've stayed here in Alterland for several days now, adding to your troubles.
**Alterland Chieftain**: What do you mean, trouble? The Forest God, Limuthule, requires us to help those who are in trouble. It is our responsibility.
**Alterland Chieftain**: May I ask, where did the two of you come from? What should I call you?
**Player**: I am Player, and this is my partner and airship mechanic, Billy...
**Player**: We come from Never Isle.
**Alterland Chieftain**: I am Batur, Chieftain of Alterland.
**Batur**: You say you're from... Never Isle?
**Player**: Have you heard of Never Isle, Chieftain?
*Batur shakes his head slightly.*
**Batur**: Can you point me in Never Isle's direction?
**Player**: Never Isle is far to the southwest of the Star Woods...
**Batur**: Is that so...
**Player**: Are you interested in Never Isle, Chieftain?
**Batur**: Um...
**Batur**: I'm just a little curious, that's all.
**Batur**: I heard that the two of you were looking to talk with me?
**Player**: Yes... We have something we'd like to talk with you about, Chieftain.
**Player**: When we came here, the airship we were riding on crashed. We need to use some of Alterland's resources to repair it.
**Player**: Our arcana crystal was damaged in the battle from before...
**Player**: Without this crystal, we have no way of contacting the outside world. To repair the crystal, we need a special kind of ore that grows in your territory...
**Player**: The defenders of the ore said that we needed your permission before we could touch that ore. So...
**Batur**: You need some of the Alanite granted to us by the Forest God...
**Batur**: Yeah...
**Batur**: Player, Billy...you two have been a big help to our tribe.
**Batur**: And it should be my duty to help you with whatever problems you might run into.
**Batur**: However, the ancestral commandments forbid us from giving any of the Forest God's gifts to outsiders.
**Batur**: I may be the Chieftain of Alterland, but even I cannot violate the ancestral commandments...
**Billy**: What? Why...?
**Batur**: However, when it comes to repairing your airship, so long as it doesn't involve Alanite, I can help you!
**Billy**: That ore isn't absolutely necessary to repair the airship, but...
**Player**: Mr. Chieftain. Two weeks ago, we ran into some White Capes airships on the northern bank of the Elysian River.
**Player**: In order to escape the White Capes, we descended into the Star Woods.
**Batur**: The White Capes... Are you talking about the Sword of Light?
**Player**: Yes...
**Player**: We've had our fair share of run-ins with the White Capes.
**Player**: The White Capes were originally active in the mid-western and mid-southern regions of Luxium.
**Player**: But now their airships have appeared in Luxium's northeast, north of the Elysian River...
**Player**: If we leave the forest without knowing what's going on out there....
**Batur**: Then they might spot you.
**Batur**: ...
**Batur**: Tell me about that...arcana crystal...you guys want to repair.
**Batur**: What does that do?
**Billy**: The arcana crystal is used for communication.
**Player**: It's an arcana-based device that can communicate with others over a long distance.
**Batur**: !!
**Batur**: Meaning, with this thing, we could talk warriors while they're on patrol?
**Billy**: Even someone on Never Isle could communicate with Alterland's warriors!
**Batur**: ...
**Batur**: Do you outsiders often use this kind of device?
**Billy**: Yeah, it's pretty universal. Pretty much everyone on Never Isle uses this kind of thing.
**Billy**: After all, it's very convenient to be able to talk with your friends or family, anytime and anywhere, regardless of distance.
**Batur**: Family...
**Batur**: ...
**Batur**: What's wrong with your arcana crystal, Player? Perhaps you don't need Alanite to repair it...
**Billy**: The crystal's flux reserves are leaking. The Flux leak is interfering with the Flux radiation reception and translation amplification system.
**Billy**: We need a powerful arcana medium to clear the leak and re-stabilize the flux radiation system.
**Batur**: Flux... Alanite is a pretty outstanding Flux medium. That being the case...
*Batur taps his shield.*
**Batur**: Maybe my shield might be of some use.
**Batur**: This shield was made using pure Alanite metal. It also has Zulka crystals that help guide the Flux.
**Billy**: !!
**Billy**: That should work. And the effect should be much better than that of raw minerals!
**Player**: Can we really use your shield, Chieftain?
**Batur**: I can't give outsiders anything given to us by the Forest God, but this shield was given to me by a close acquaintance...
**Batur**: You have helped our people, so this is my personal gift to you.
**Batur**: Knowing when to show gratitude is another one of Limuthule's requirements of the Alterlans.
**Billy**: Thank you, Chieftain!
*A few moments later...*
**Player**: How about it, Billy?
**Billy**: Don't worry, Captain. I'll fix the arcana crystal soon! The Chieftain's shield was even more useful than expected!
**Billy**: Only thing is, it's really heavy. I need the Chieftain to help me put it into position.
**Batur**: I've put it in position, Mr. Billy.
**Billy**: Thank you, thank you! I have work to do, Captain!
**Batur**: Mr. Player, do you have time?
**Player**: Of course!
**Batur**: About the White Capes...
**Batur**: I have a lot of questions I'd like to ask you.
**Player**: Please, ask away.
**Batur**: The White Capes... The Sword of Light... What kind of organization is it?
**Player**: The White Capes...
*All Choices - Choice 2.1: "Are a paranoid group that hate Gyee." OR Choice 2.2: "A fanatical group of Kaists." OR Choice 2.3: "A group hostile to the Shadows, that advocate the Holy Light."*
*No additional dialog*
*Conversation continues after choices*
**Player**: Kaism is their core faith, and they view the Shadows as the enemy.
**Player**: They firmly believe that Gyees are cursed, and are allies of the Shadows.
**Player**: They spread hatred of the Shadows all over Luxium.
**Player**: Over the years, they've committed lots of murders in the name of the 'Holy Light'. Thousands of Gyees have been murdered.
**Batur**: I see...
**Batur**: How strong are they? You just mentioned that they've got weapons like 'airships' and 'warships'...
**Player**: As long as you're a common human who hates Gyees, there is a place for you in the White Capes.
**Player**: As a result, the basic combat abilities of the White Capes aren't that strong.
**Player**: However, there are a lot of them. They've also made the trade capital of Luxium their base of operations, so they have strong financial support and their weapons and equipment are all top-of-the-line.
**Player**: If they got serious, they could be big trouble.
**Batur**: Hmm...
**Player**: Chieftain, about the White Capes... I also have a question that I'd like to ask you.
**Batur**: Oh?
**Player**: The day you rescued us, I noticed that you showed them some mercy, sparing them in battle.
**Batur**: That's right...
**Batur**: Our objective is to protect Alterland's territory from invaders. It's not to wantonly slaughter others...
**Player**: But I can tell that the people of Alterland are on edge. Everyone's getting ready for war.
**Batur**: You are very perceptive, Mr. Player...
**Batur**: The White Capes have 'visited' Alterland many times to proselytize their beliefs and hatred of the Gyees.
**Batur**: You probably also noticed that many Alterlans are Alamu. In other words, those that the White Capes call 'the cursed Gyees...'
**Batur**: Alamu are Alterlans who have been blessed by Limuthule. We will never hand them over to the White Capes!
**Batur**: We will never turn our back on our faith of Limuthule!
**Batur**: If those White Capes ever have the gall to stage a full-scale invasion of Alterland...
**Batur**: The fury of our warriors will kill every last one of them!
**Player**: ...
**Batur**: But, at the same time...
**Batur**: I don't want our people to suffer the cruelties of war yet again. That's why...
**Player**: You showed them mercy? But, Mr. Chieftain, the White Capes would never do the same for you!
**Player**: Never Isle is a city built by Gyees. It is a Gyee paradise.
**Player**: The past few years, the Gyees of Never Isle have been fighting a war of resistance against the White Capes. We've been fighting so that Gyees may be free!
**Player**: If the White Capes invade Alterland, we can help you fight them!
**Batur**: ...
**Batur**: Thank you for your kind intentions, Player.
**Batur**: But Alterland's warriors are capable of defending their homeland on their own.
*3 days later...*
*Player speaks with Batur*
**Player**: Never Isle has received intel that the White Capes have started a 'Holy Light Eastern Expedition Plan'...
**Player**: They've sealed off the northern bank of the Elysian River, and have deployed a large number of forces. They are going to start from the towns north of the Elysian River and those just outside the Star Woods.
**Player**: The Star Woods is their next target!
**Batur**: If they have the gall to come here, we'll send them packing!
**Player**: All right. Then, please at least keep an eye on this arcana crystal. If you need any help, you can give me a call!
**Batur**: Hahah, that won't be necessary.
**Batur**: I can't use things given to use by outsiders.
**Batur**: Don't worry about me. Actually, it's you guys I'm worried about. How are you going to break through the White Capes' blockade and return to Never Isle?
**Player**: Intelligence shows that there's no trace of the White Capes in the mountains northwest of the Star Woods. We'll take the scenic route to Never Isle through there.
**Billy**: Captain, the airship's been debugged. We can go back now!
**Player**: Thank you for all you've done for us lately, Chieftain. We're going to go back now.
**Billy**: If you have any issues with the robot or the irrigation systems, just let me know!
**Billy**: Say goodbye to Chrono for me~
**Batur**: Of course!
*Player and Billy take off*
*A few moments later, Batur watches as the airship gradually ascends.*
**Batur**: ...
*Chrono runs to the take-off site just as the airship leaves*
**Chrono**: Billy! Player!
**Chrono**: Wow! I can't believe something that big can fly!
**Batur**: ...
**Chrono**: I was hoping that I could finish work on time to see them off, but I was still too late.
**Chrono**: Chieftain...
**Chrono**: If the White Capes used machines like that to attack Alterland...
**Chrono**: Would Alterland be able to protect itself?
**Batur**: ...
**Batur**: Don't worry...
**Batur**: I'd protect us!
*Continue to Intimacy Level 4*

### Intimacy Breakthrough

**This section contains spoilers for Intimacy Breakthrough scenes.**

**-Intimacy Level 4**

*In the Alterland tribe, the day before the airship is to be repaired.*
**Batur**: Player...
**Batur**: Is the mud-colored liquid in your hand a potion of some sort?
**Player**: Oh, this?
**Player**: This is Bromance Coffee, from Never Isle. It's a pretty popular drink.
**Batur**: A drink? So you...drink it?
**Player**: Of course!
**Batur**: Huh? Really?
**Batur**: But that color...
**Player**: Not only can you drink it, but it also has the ability to invigorate you. It tastes great, too!
**Player**: I brewed up a bunch. I can give you a cup!
**Player**: (Takes the cup of coffee...)
**Batur**: No, I'm all right...
**Batur**: !!
**Batur**: It smells good...
**Player**: Yeah!
*You give the coffee to Batur.*
**Player**: Here you go, Chieftain!
*Batur seems a little hesitant.*
**Player**: Drink it while it's hot! It won't taste as good cold...
**Batur**: Oh...
**Batur**: We mustn't waste food! That's part of the ancestral commandments!
*Batur takes a drink with a serious expression on his face.*
**Batur**: Mmm!
**Batur**: It tastes good!
**Player**: I was right, wasn't I?
*Batur raises his head and drinks the cup empty.*
**Batur**: It's bitter, but also not bitter. There's an indescribable sweetness to it...
**Batur**: And after you swallow it, your body feels warm!
**Batur**: I want to have another cup.
**Player**: You shouldn't drink too much coffee. Otherwise, you won't be able to get to sleep!
**Player**: It's already getting late today. I'll brew you some more tomorrow, Chieftain!
**Batur**: Thank you, Player!

**-Intimacy Level 5**

*Never Isle, at the meeting room in the Arcana Academy.*
**Vundo**: Recently, the White Capes have launched a 'Holy Light Eastern Expansion Plan'. A large number of troops have been sent to the northeastern part of Luxium to expand their territory.
**Vundo**: They've sealed off the northern bank of the Elysian River, and have started to 'spread the Holy Light' in the eastern part of Luxium, north of this river.
**Will**: They've also strengthened their military deployments at Eversun Port.
**Will**: This makes the connection between Never Isle and the Elysiann Light of Purity in the southeast very difficult.
**Miles**: The White Capes are really foolish deploying so many people in two places at the same time.
**Miles**: Let's use this opportunity to attack their headquarters in Crossport!
**Will**: Too bad there are still lots of forces in Crossport, at least according to this intel from the Order of Equality's spy.
**Miles**: Tch! When did these guys manage to recruit so many people?
**Eddie**: Normal humans have always had much greater numbers than us.
**Eddie**: Only this time, the White Capes seem serious.
**Player**: They've blocked off the Elysian River and have strengthened their presence in Eversun. Could the White Capes' true objective be Elysiann?
**Will**: Hmm... I doubt the White Capes will try to provoke Elysiann's executor.
**Will**: Besides, even if they do, the Light of Purity stationed in Elysiann is absolutely strong enough to protect the city. The White Capes would suffer massive casualties.
**Will**: Of course, the possibility that they will attack Elysiann can't be fully ruled out yet.
**Markus**: If they attack Elysiann now, the Oathblades will dispatch their entire force to attack their Eversun defensive line from behind!
**Markus**: Even the white capes aren't stupid enough to do that!
**Markus**: Their objective is obvious. They want to control the region north of the Elysian River!
**Markus**: If they were able to garner the support of everyone north of the Elysian River and they attacked Elysiann from the north and the west at the same time...
**Markus**: Then we'd be in trouble.
**Vundo**: Not only that, but even though there aren't any large cities on the northern bank of the Elysian River, there are a ton of towns.
**Vundo**: If they fall completely under the control of the White Capes, then the Gyees that live there...
**Player**: ...
**Markus**: We can't let this kind of thing happen!
**Markus**: Dispatch a squad to sneak behind White Capes lines and enter the region north of the Elysian River!
**Will**: However, we don't have a base on the northern bank of the Elysian River. At most, the squad would only be able to use guerrilla tactics to harass the White Capes.
**Will**: We need the help of the locals!
**Markus**: I've heard that there are lots of forest tribes in the Star Woods, and their warriors are gifted fighters.
**Markus**: Weren't they the ones who saved Player when he was attacked by the White Capes several days ago?
**Markus**: The White Capes are our common enemy.
**Markus**: If they can unite their forces, they can work together with Elysiann's troops to attack the White Capes defensive line on the Elysian River from the north and the south at the same time!
**Will**: Yeah! As long as they can break through the defensive line north of the Elysian River, then Elysiann will be able to smash through the defensive line at Eversun!
**Vundo**: Player, you're the only one of us who has come into contact with the people of the forest tribes.
**Will**: Please represent Never Isle in its alliance with the forest tribes.
**Player**: ...
**Player**: The warriors of the forest tribes are strong indeed, but they are unwilling to have contact with the outside world.
**Player**: But it looks like there's no other way.
**Player**: I'll do my best.
*Several days later, deep in the Star Woods.*
**Miles**: Ugh...
**Eddie**: Today is our third day in the forest. How much farther is it to the Alterland tribe, Player?
**Player**: Would you believe me if I told you I don't know?
**Player**: The Star Woods are dense and the terrain is complex. I can only remember the general direction.
**Player**: But I don't know the specific distance...
**Miles**: Shh! There's someone nearby!
*Before Miles can finish speaking, several Alterland warriors jump out.*
*Their leader is a familiar shield warrior.*
**Chrono**: Outsiders! This is Alterland's territory. Leave, now!
**Player**: Chrono?
**Chrono**: Player?
*You tell Chrono why you're here.*
**Chrono**: Team up to fight the White Capes? I like the idea, but the Chieftain and the Kartans?
**Player**: We're here to talk to the Chieftain about the possibility of an alliance. Can you take us to see him?
**Chrono**: Oh, uh...
**Alterland Warrior**: Chrono, outsiders cannot be trusted!
**Alterland Warrior**: Do not let them into Alterland!
**Chrono**: But they're Player's friends...
**Chrono**: Let's take them back and let the Chieftain decide!
*A while later, at the Alterland tribe.*
**Kim**: (Looks serious) Hmm...
**Kim**: Batur, we talked about this.
**Batur**: ...
**Batur**: At the very least, we can hear them out.

**-Intimacy Level 6**

*Deep in the Star Woods, at the Alterland tribe.*
**Batur**: Outsiders, you mean to say...
**Batur**: Alterland needs to support Never Isle's military operations in the Star Woods...
**Batur**: And also provide needed resources and military assistance.
**Batur**: In return, the Order of Equality and Oathblades of Never Isle will protect Alterland in the war?
**Eddie**: Mr. Chieftain, I've noticed that there are lots of Gyees living among the Alterland tribe.
**Eddie**: We are also Gyee. The White Capes are our common enemy.
**Eddie**: We should join in opposition to them and fight them together!
**Miles**: In a nutshell, you're right...
**Miles**: You want to fight the White Capes, and we want to fight the White Capes.
**Miles**: Therefore, why not fight them together?
**Batur**: Alterland...
**Batur**: Rejects your proposal!
**Miles**: What?
**Eddie**: Mr. Chieftain, I don't understand...
**Batur**: Alterland does not need the protection of outsiders!
**Batur**: We are the practitioners of Limuthule's will.
**Batur**: If the White Capes dare set foot here in our territory, they will witness Limuthule's fury!
**Batur**: There are more important things that I must attend to. I'm sorry!
**Batur**: Warriors, escort these outsiders out!
*Batur turns and gets ready to leave.*
**Miles**: Hey, stop kidding around!
**Miles**: You think that shield of yours is going to be enough to fight the White Capes' warships?
**Batur**: ...
*Batur stops.*
*Suddenly, you sense an extraordinarily powerful Flux...*
*The oppressive air brought about by the Flux is overwhelming.*
**Batur**: Get! Out!
**Eddie**: !!
**Miles**: !!
**Player**: Miles, Eddie. Let's go back.
**Miles**: Wait!
**Player**: Let's go!
*A while later, at the outskirts of the tribal camp.*
**Eddie**: Do we still have to come back?
**Player**: Chieftain Batur was very clear.
**Eddie**: Yes, if the Chieftain is really capable of summoning that Flux we felt just now...
**Eddie**: We should consider ourselves lucky to still be standing here.
**Miles**: That blockhead's something else, for sure. But he can't save everyone all by himself!
**Miles**: The White Capes are going to make their move. The Oathblades cannot just watch as those Gyees throw their lives away!
**Eddie**: But without the support of the locals, we can't do anything in the Star Woods.
**Player**: ...
*Chrono walks over.*
**Chrono**: On behalf of our Chieftain, I will escort you out of the village.
**Chrono**: I'm sorry. The Chieftain, he...isn't usually like this.
**Chrono**: Lately, the Kartans have been giving him a lot of pressure.
**Eddie**: Don't worry about it. We're the ones who have been causing trouble for you all.
**Player**: ...
**Player**: Well!
**Player**: Can you wait for me a sec? I have something to talk with the Chieftain about.
**Chrono**: Player, the Chieftain won't...
**Player**: It's a personal matter. I'll be real quick, promise!
*A few moments later, near the Chieftain's hut.*
*You notice that Batur and the Alterland elders are quarreling.*
*They don't seem to notice you.*
**Kim**: Batur, I've already told you that Player is bad news.
**Alterland Elder A**: Today he brought more of his outsider friends here to Alterland!
**Alterland Elder B**: They might have the same aims as the White Capes!
**Batur**: Those outsiders have good intentions. Besides, they're already on their way out!
**Kim**: And what if Player comes back with more people tomorrow, wanting to 'team up?'
**Batur**: Then I'll kick them out again!
**Alterland Elder A**: Then even more outsiders will know of Alterland's existence and the location of its people!
**Alterland Elder B**: Chieftain, what are you trying to make of the Holy Land given to us by Limuthule? A sight-seeing locale open to outsiders?
**Batur**: I have no such intentions!
**Kim**: All right! The Kartans know that's not what the Chieftain is trying to do. I know a way to nip this threat in the bud.
**Batur**: Huh?
**Kim**: It will take the outsiders about two days' time to leave the Star Woods through the main path. If you dispatch some of our best warriors...
**Batur**: You want to ambush those outsiders on the side of the road?
**Kim**: The ancestral commandments are clear. Outsiders cannot be trusted.
**Alterland Elders**: Yes, yes. Kartan Kim's words make sense.
**Player**: (Uh oh!)
**Batur**: You want to slaughter well-meaning outsiders?!
**Kim**: Chieftain, they mean well enough now. But during crucial moments like these, we need to focus on the bigger picture!
**Batur**: Limuthule's teachings require us to treat well-meaning outsiders with kindness in turn.
**Batur**: I rudely chased the outsiders away, and that's still not enough for you?!
**Batur**: You should be ashamed of what you've said here today!
**Alterland Elder A**: Chieftain...
**Batur**: Enough! If an outsider shows malicious intent, I will deal with them personally. But for now...
**Batur**: That will not happen!
**Batur**: And if you have a problem with that, issue me a Rocklear challenge! I'm...
**Batur**: Ready to go, anytime!
**Kim**: ...
**Kim**: We all heed your order, Chieftain...
*Seeing Batur's mood, the Alterland elders all leave.*
**Batur**: ...
**Batur**: Aye...
**Batur**: I could really go for a coffee right now.
**Player**: You're in luck. I brought some!
**Batur**: Oh! Player!
**Batur**: Did you hear everything?
**Player**: Yes... I'm sorry, I just wanted to bring you some coffee grounds...
**Batur**: I'm sorry. The Kartans, I...
**Player**: No. I'm the one who should apologize.
**Player**: I just wanted to help.
**Player**: I didn't know I would cause you so much trouble.
**Batur**: This is nothing. Don't worry about it...
**Player**: I saw before that you like Bromance Coffee...
**Player**: So I brought you some Bromance Coffee coffee grounds.
**Player**: Use one bag each time. All you need to do is brew it in hot water. Remember, you don't want to drink too much in the evenings.
**Batur**: Thank... Thank you...
*A while later, at the outskirts of the Alterland camp.*
**Eddie**: What took you so long, Player? We were starting to worry!
**Player**: I'm fine. Let's go!
**Player**: (Alterland's faith in Limuthule runs very deep, and the internal environment here is quite complicated.)
**Player**: (We'd better set aside the issue of forming an alliance for now.)
**Player**: (At the very least, we shouldn't cause any more trouble.)

**-Intimacy Level 7**

*Never Isle...*
**Traveling Merchant**: Hello, are you Player?
**Player**: Yes, that's me. What can I do for you?
**Traveling Merchant**: I have a letter for you from a tribe in Star Woods.
**Player**: A... letter? From a forest tribe?
**Player**: Could it be Alterland?
**Player**: Alright, thank you. How much is the fee?
**Traveling Merchant**: The forest tribe has already paid.
**Traveling Merchant**: Letter delivered, I will leave you to it.
**Player**: Um... Maybe?
**Player**: Did something happen in Alterland? (Opens the letter)
**A Letter from Batur**: Greetings, Player. This is Batur.
**A Letter from Batur**: It has been a while since we last met.
**A Letter from Batur**: Recently, the White Capes have ramped up their attack on Alterland. But please do not worry, as our brave warriors can easily drive them back.
**A Letter from Batur**: I'm writing today to ask for your help in one thing, Player...
**A Letter from Batur**: Two days ago, the White Capes tried to attack Alterland from the mountains to the west.
**A Letter from Batur**: Billy's sentry robot alerted us while stalling most of the enemies, but it was heavily damaged during the battle.
**A Letter from Batur**: This sentry has become a crucial part of our defense, but no one in Alterland knows anything about machines.
**A Letter from Batur**: If the battle between the White Capes and Never Isle is going well, and that Player and Billy are not busy...
**A Letter from Batur**: I would like to ask you to come repair the damaged sentry.
**Player**: ...
*The next day, at the Alterland tribe camp.*
**Chrono**: Chieftain! Chieftain!
**Chrono**: Player, Billy and the others are here!
**Chrono**: The robot that's been broken for a month is saved!
**Player**: Hello, sir. I hear your robot's broken?
**Billy**: Player's mechanic is always on call!
**Batur**: !!
**Batur**: Thanks to the Forest God, you received our message.
**Billy**: Where's the broken robot?
**Batur**: Please, follow me...
*Batur leads Billy and Player to the remains of the sentry robot*
**Billy**: Wow... The damage's worse than I thought it would be.
**Batur**: Uh oh! You mean it can't be repaired?!
**Billy**: Haha! There isn't a machine in Luxium that I can't repair!
**Billy**: Just leave it to me!
**Batur**: Mr. Billy, if at all possible, I'd like to study your technique while you work...
**Batur**: If I can learn to do what you do, then we won't need to trouble you in the future.
**Billy**: All right! While I repair the robot, I'll also teach you the finer points of its construction!
*A few moments later...*
**Player**: Look at the time... It's already been several hours...
**Player**: Billy ought to work faster than this... Did something happen?
**Player**: Well!
**Billy**: ...
**Batur**: ...
**Player**: What's going on? What's with that expression?
**Player**: The robot's not fixed yet?
**Batur**: No, Master Billy's technique was top-notch. The robot's fixed, and I've sent people to the Western Outpost.
**Batur**: It's just that, I'm pretty dumb, and I can't understand the lessons that Master Billy taught me.
**Billy**: Don't call me a 'master'. If I were a master, I would've been able to impart my lessons upon you.
**Billy**: It's normal to have a hard time learning something. I've been learning about machines for many years now, and it took me lots of practice to get where I am today.
**Batur**: I had no idea that the inside of this robot could be so complicated.
**Batur**: You really are a master, Billy, being able to invent something so intricate!
**Billy**: I'm not talented enough to be able to invent a robot...
**Billy**: I simply studied the knowledge left behind by real masters, then copied it as closely as I could, that's all.
**Batur**: Knowledge left behind? So this machine has also been passed down...
**Billy**: That's right. I'm simply standing on the shoulders of giants.
**Billy**: First off, there's no way you can master mechanical knowledge in just a few hours.
**Billy**: I installed some reinforced frontal armor for the robot this time. It won't break so easily.
**Billy**: If you run into any issues, contact me or the captain and we'll get here as soon as we can!
**Batur**: Thank you so much!
**Batur**: Billy, Player, it's getting late. If you guys don't have any pressing matters, why don't you stay in Alterland tonight?
**Batur**: I will arrange for the members of our tribe to prepare wine and food for you guys, in return for your kindness today!
**Player**: Hmm... (If we leave Alterland now and make our way around the White Capes' defensive line, it'll be the middle of the night before we get back to Never Isle...)
**Player**: Since you have been kind enough to extend us this invitation, I suppose we cannot refuse.
**Billy**: Great! I'll take this opportunity to check out the automatic irrigation system!
*A few moments later...*
**Batur**: I've instructed the tribesmen to prepare dinner for us. Please hold on a bit.
**Player**: Same as last time, I brought some Bromance Coffee...
**Batur**: Oh! Yet again, you've spared no expense, Player...
**Player**: It's not so expensive.
**Batur**: To think, Mr. Player being so considerate about little ol' me...
**Player**: I simply took this opportunity to bring it to you, it's no big deal! However...
**Player**: You're so welcoming, for an Alterland elder. Kartan...
**Batur**: Kartan...
**Batur**: Don't worry. For us Alterlans to repay our debts is the will of Limuthule himself...
**Batur**: Player has been kind to us, and he deserves payment in return...
**Batur**: Even the people of Kartan must obey the teachings of Limuthule.
**Player**: All right...
**Batur**: Besides, I'm always the one causing trouble for you!
**Player**: Then I suppose our debts to one another cancel each other out!
**Batur**: Hahaha! Yes!
**Player**: Whoa!
**Batur**: What's wrong?
**Player**: It's nothing, it's just getting so late...
**Player**: This is the first time I've seen you smile.
**Batur**: !!
**Batur**: Heh...
**Batur**: Really?
**Player**: Now it's back to your usual serious expression!
**Batur**: But for an Alterland Chieftain, this expression can be quite useful.
**Batur**: An expression like this can save one a lot of trouble.
**Player**: (Imitating Batur's serious expression and rough voice...) Yes...
**Player**: No one can stay calm when they see my face...
**Player**: If they can, then they're even tougher than I am!
**Player**: (Returning to normal...) I think you're right! It does feel useful!
**Batur**: Yes...
**Batur**: Hahahaha!
**Batur**: Do I...really sound like that?
**Batur**: Hahahahaha!!!
**Batur**: I haven't laughed like this in a long time...
**Batur**: Ahem! Now it's time for official business!
**Player**: Wow! You're back to being the leader again!
**Batur**: Player, how is the situation with the White Capes nowadays?
**Player**: They're sticking to the northern defensive line at the Elysian River. There isn't any indication they plan to attack Elysiann or Never Isle.
**Player**: Intelligence shows that they transport people, supplies, and arms, from Crossport to the Elysian River defensive line every day...
**Player**: The White Capes' main activities are centered around the northern bank of the river.
**Batur**: Hmm...
**Batur**: Lately, the White Capes have been attacking Alterland more and more frequently...
**Batur**: For now it's just been a few small-scale attacks that we haven't had any problems dealing with...
**Batur**: But it looks like Alterland's true test is still yet to come.
**Batur**: I once thought that the conflict with the White Capes could be resolved peacefully.
**Batur**: How naïve of me...
**Player**: ...
**Player**: You've made quite a reputation for yourself, but...
**Player**: So far, the main focus of the White Capes has been on the villages and towns outside the Star Woods, and not on Alterland.
**Player**: But when they come in full force, I'm afraid the Alterland warriors won't be enough to stop them!
**Batur**: So far, the Alterlan warriors haven't shown their full strength, either.
**Player**: Batur, you should think this through.
**Batur**: ...
**Batur**: The land I'm on was a gift for the Alterlans from Limuthule.
**Batur**: And it must be protected by the Alterlans.
**Batur**: We do marvel at the science and the technology of you outsiders...
**Batur**: But do not underestimate Limuthule's power of faith. Every single person that looked down on it...
**Batur**: Paid the price.
**Batur**: It is still this way, and shall remain this way.
**Player**: Alright. How about...
**Player**: (Takes out an arcana crystal.) This?
**Batur**: This... is a crystal that enables me to talk to someone far away!
**Batur**: I cannot take this.
**Player**: 'My ancestors banned the Alterlans from relying on outside technology.'
**Batur**: Correct!
**Player**: Chieftain, it took the merchants a month to get the letter about the damaged sentry to me.
**Player**: If you contact me through the crystal, I can be here the next day.
**Player**: The attacks from the White Capes will only get worse.
**Player**: During a war, time is critical. I'm sure you know that better than me, Chieftain.
**Batur**: ...
**Player**: This arcana crystal is a personal gift from me.
**Player**: It has nothing to do with the Never Isle nor the battle against the White Capes.
**Player**: As a friend of Alterland, I just want to help. That's all.
**Player**: Did Limuthule's teachings or your ancestors ban gifts from friends?
**Batur**: No...
**Batur**: (Takes the crystal.)
**Batur**: Thank you.
**Player**: You're welcome, Chieftain.
**Batur**: Don't call me Chieftain anymore, Player.
**Batur**: If we're friends, then call me by my name. Do you understand?
**Player**: ...
**Player**: Alright, Batur!

**-Intimacy Level 8**

*The Star Woods, at the Alterland Camp.*
*Inside his hut, Batur puts down his shield.*
**Batur**: ...
*Batur shakes the tension out of his thick arms.*
**Batur**: Phew.
**Batur**: I've got to hurry up with the gifts for the tribe's Zandaki.
*Batur goes to his bedroom and stands in front of his table.*
*On the table lies a half-finished traditional Alterland outfit.*
*A sewing kit sits off to the side.*
*Batur picks up the needle and thread, and dexterously threads the needle.*
**Player**: !!
**Player**: How did you do that?
**Batur**: Oh, you mean needlework?
**Batur**: I'm practiced. Of course I can do it.
**Player**: You're practiced? Batur, you often do stuff like this?
**Batur**: It's a hobby of mine.
**Batur**: Before the White Capes appeared, when the life here in Alterland was comfortable and peaceful...
**Batur**: I would sew an outfit for each and every Zandaki. Then I would pray to Limuthule for the safety of whomever wore it.
**Player**: What are Zandaki?
**Batur**: How should I put this? It's a male warrior who is about to come of age.
**Player**: And you did that for each and every one of them?
**Batur**: Before, yes.
**Batur**: Now, fighting, patrols, and training take up most of my time.
**Batur**: It looks like this year I'll only be able to make one for the most outstanding Zandaki.
**Batur**: Oh... Speaking of which, the flower and herb fields outside my hut haven't been tended to for a while now.
**Batur**: I hope that peace we enjoyed in the past will return to Alterland soon.
**Player**: !!
**Player**: I had no idea...
**Batur**: Usually, as Chieftain, I have to be severe, so I need something relaxing to do in my free time.
**Batur**: What, you thought that waving around a big shield to fight enemies was all I knew how to do, Player?
**Player**: N-no...
**Batur**: ...
*Batur picks up the needle and thread again.*
*This time, you hear some footsteps approach from outside the room.*
*Suddenly, the door is pushed open, and a warrior bursts in, panting.*
**Alterland Warrior**: Chieftain! Chieftain! The outpost in the southeast of the territory has been attacked by the White Capes!
**Player**: The White Capes?
**Batur**: ... (Stands up)
**Batur**: How many?
**Alterland Warrior**: More than we've seen in any of the previous attacks!
**Alterland Warrior**: Captain Chrono has already dispatched a squad.
**Batur**: Warrior, return to Captain Chrono. Have him defend the outpost. Do not initiate any attacks! Wait for me!
**Alterland Warrior**: Understood, Chieftain!
*Batur walks into the main hall and picks up the giant shield he rested against the wall.*
**Batur**: Ready up, warriors! Follow my lead and let's destroy those invaders!

**-Intimacy Level 9**

*The sudden White Capes raid broke the all-too-uncommon peace.*
*Finding themselves up against the ferocity of the Alterland warriors, the White Capes are quickly defeated.*
*While the warriors cheer their victory...*
*Batur's expression is grave and complicated.*
**Batur**: Tend to the wounded first! Bring me the Kartans and the Forest Priests!
**Player**: Batur, I know some healing arcana. I can help, too!
**Batur**: Yes, please!
*A short while later, the injured are stabilized.*
**Batur**: ...
**Player**: Chin up, Batur. We won, didn't we?
**Batur**: I can't cheer up...
**Batur**: Did you sense it, Player?
**Batur**: This time, the White Capes were different from before!
**Player**: Yeah... They were much stronger than the White Capes usually are.
**Player**: But still not enough to constitute a threat.
**Batur**: The battle environment was to our advantage, and the Alterland warriors also had the absolute advantage when it came to physicality and combat skill.
**Batur**: Victory was assured.
**Batur**: But compared to before, these White Capes had a certain momentum... Like they were determined to win and were aware they might die.
**Player**: Oh?
**Batur**: A strong physique and lots of battlefield experience are important, of course.
**Batur**: But what really decides whether a battle is won or lost is momentum and awareness.
**Batur**: This is the foundation for the courage and fearlessness of the Alterland warriors.
**Batur**: If the White Capes keep up this momentum in the future, then future battles will become quite difficult.
**Player**: Yeah...
**Player**: I'll contact Never Isle. Perhaps their intelligence network has something to share.
*A few moments later...*
**Player**: Batur, my arcana crystal's signal has encountered a lot of interference.
**Player**: The connection with Never Isle keeps dropping out. I can't hear them clearly...
**Player**: Obviously they've set up some more signal jammers the past few days. It's so bad today...
**Batur**: Hmm... Are the White Capes starting to get serious?
**Batur**: We need to draw out our real power, too!
**Player**: I want to help, Batur. I won't be going back to Never Isle anytime soon...
**Batur**: You don't necessarily need to stay in Alterland to help.
**Batur**: Any intel you could provide from the outside on the White Capes would be as valuable as a thousand soldiers, Player. That is Alterland's advantage.
**Batur**: I want to continue to leverage this advantage. There are two ways you can help, Player.
**Player**: And they are?
**Batur**: That outsider city called Red Harbor, Player...
**Batur**: Is it far from Alterland?
**Player**: Red Harbor?
**Player**: Red Harbor is in the southwestern part of Luxium. It's on the other side of the continent. It's very, very far from Alterland.
**Player**: But that is Oathblade territory, and isn't part of the White Capes' eastern expansion plan. Why do you mention it?
**Batur**: Which is to say, it's safe...
**Batur**: No matter. I'm just asking.
**Batur**: Closer to home, there's another matter I need your help on, Player...
**Batur**: Could you bring me some books from the outside, Player? I want to understand more about Alterland's enemies.
**Player**: Books? Books are easy.
**Player**: I'll go back to Never Isle and ask around about the White Capes' recent movements.
**Batur**: And the books, thank you. Also...
**Batur**: Take care...
*Continue to Trifle - Flames of War*

**-Intimacy Level 10**

*Beneath the Star Woods, in the Holy Land of Alterland.*
**Alterlans**: The Chieftain really is the Shield of Limuthule and Alterland's greatest warrior!
**Alterlans**: He is the savior granted upon us by Limuthule!
**Alterland Warrior**: I pledge my loyalty to Chieftain Batur! I will follow him till the day I die!
**Alterland Warrior**: Long live Alterland!
*Batur's uplifting words dispelled the fear and the anxiety from the hearts of the Alterlans.*
*Alterland seems to have become something of an unstoppable force.*
*But...*
*The White Capes are not an enemy that can be defeated by momentum alone.*
*A while later, at the Chieftain's hut in the Alterland camp.*
*Batur puts down his shield.*
**Batur**: Phew.
**Batur**: ...
**Player**: You really busted your ass today, Batur!
**Batur**: It was just another normal day.
**Player**: Today was just another normal day for you?
**Batur**: Ha... Yeah...
**Player**: Want a cup of Bromance Coffee?
**Batur**: Please!
*A few moments later, Batur drinks the piping hot coffee.*
*He lifts up both arms in a relaxing stretch.*
*This otherwise unremarkable stretch is interrupted by pain in his lower back.*
**Batur**: Ugh...
**Player**: Did you tear your wound open?
**Batur**: I think so...
**Player**: Take off your clothes and lie down on the bed. I'll take care of it!
*A little bit later, in the hut's bedroom...*
*Scarlet blood oozes from Batur's rock-like back.*
*The callouses on his waist from his armor flow downward...*
*At this moment, you realize Batur isn't a savior sent by the Forest God.*
*Nor is he the Shield of Limuthule.*
*He's just a red-blooded man.*
**Player**: The wound on your back is large and deep. Any deeper and your organs would've been damaged!
**Player**: I'm really curious how you withstand the pain without crying out.
**Batur**: It's just a flesh wound. I'm used to it.
**Player**: Standard treatment for this injury would be bed rest...
**Batur**: Haha, 'bed rest' aren't words in my dictionary.
**Player**: I thought as much.
**Player**: I'm going to give you treatment consisting of medicine and arcana. Your wound will recover quickly enough to meet your daily walking and running needs.
**Player**: But no intense exercise the next couple of days! And absolutely no fighting!
**Batur**: I can't guarantee that...
**Player**: Aye... Batur, you carry too heavy a burden!
**Player**: One of these days, it's going to crush you!
**Batur**: ...
**Player**: You should share some of the burden with the other tribespeople!
**Batur**: Every Alterlan must remain steadfast in their place.
**Batur**: I am the same.
**Player**: All right. But for now!
**Player**: Can you at least share a moment of rest with me?
**Batur**: ...
**Batur**: Of course!
*Continue to Trifle - Legacy of the Woods*

**-Intimacy Level 11**

*Above Never Isle, airship bridge...*
**Billy**: Huh?
**Billy**: Captain, we received an Arcana signal.
**Player**: A new Arcana transmission?
**Billy**: The signal is friendly. Maybe it's your friend?
**Player**: Patch it through!
**Billy**: It's on.
**Unknown Arcana Transmission**: ...
**Unknown Arcana Transmission**: ...
**Billy**: Why isn't anyone talking?
**Player**: Stay quiet and keep listening.
**Unknown Arcana Transmission**: (Faint voice) Does this crystal...
**Unknown Arcana Transmission**: (Faint voice) Really work?
**Unknown Arcana Transmission**: (Louder) What are you doing?
**Unknown Arcana Transmission**: (Faint voice) N-Nothing!
**Unknown Arcana Transmission**: (Louder) An arcana crystal! How did you get one of these?
**Unknown Arcana Transmission**: (Louder) I'll teach you how to use it.
**Unknown Arcana Transmission**: (Faint voice) W-Wait!
**Unknown Arcana Transmission**: Hello? Hello! This is Kamui! Can anyone hear me?
**Player**: Kamui?
**Unknown Arcana Transmission**: Oh, you're talking to Player!
**Unknown Arcana Transmission**: Kamui, give me the crystal!
**Unknown Arcana Transmission**: Ahem. This is Batur. Do you copy?
**Player**: Batur? Yes, I can hear you.
**Player**: (Batur is calling me through the arcana crystal? This is no good.)
**Player**: Billy, set course for Alterland now!
**Player**: Batur, we're on our way!
**Player**: What happened? Did the White Capes attack?
**Unknown Arcana Transmission**: Um, no! They didn't!
**Unknown Arcana Transmission**: Alterland is fine, and nothing has happened.
**Unknown Arcana Transmission**: Yes...
**Unknown Arcana Transmission**: Um, I...
**Unknown Arcana Transmission**: I wanted to talk to you.
**Unknown Arcana Transmission**: It's not anything urgent, really.
**Unknown Arcana Transmission**: Just... come when you're free, I guess, Player.
**Player**: (Is Batur stuttering?)
**Player**: I'm done with what I was working on for now, so I'll head over.
**Unknown Arcana Transmission**: Take your time.
**Unknown Arcana Transmission**: Batur, over and out.
**Player**: Billy, set course for Alterland.
**Player**: Batur sounds weird.
**Unknown Arcana Transmission**: Huff...
**Unknown Arcana Transmission**: What's with me? I haven't seen you yet, but...
**Player**: What's this?
**Player**: Batur's arcana crystal is on.
*A while later, at the Alterland tribe.*
**Player**: Batur, you're looking for me?
**Batur**: Here you are, Player.
**Batur**: I... am bothering you again.
**Player**: Bother? No way.
**Player**: I had just finished what I was doing, so I had time.
**Player**: And we're friends, so it's no bother at all.
**Player**: Don't think like that, will you?
**Batur**: That's good...
**Player**: What's up, Batur?
**Player**: Why are you fumbling with your words? It's not like you.
**Batur**: I... I'm fine.
**Batur**: I asked you to come because I wanted to give this to you.
*Batur takes out a finely crafted red necklace.*
**Player**: Wow, this is...
*Batur blushes*
**Batur**: It's for you, Player.
**Batur**: I... made it myself.
**Batur**: You've been helping us, Player, and I have nothing to give you in return.
**Batur**: So I...
*The design of the necklace is very similar to Batur's pendant.*
*But the necklace that Batur gave you is red.*
*It's very beautiful.*
**Player**: This is really beautiful. Is it for me?
**Batur**: Yes, Player. I hope you like it.
**Player**: I love it! Thank you!
*You put the necklace on.*
**Batur**: Well!!
**Player**: Does it look good?
**Batur**: Yes! It looks amazing!
**Player**: Thank you, I will cherish it.
**Batur**: (smiles)
*A few moments later...*
*Chrono comes over to give Batur a report*
**Chrono**: Chieftain, the other tribes sent their warriors to join the patrol.
**Chrono**: With their help, the patrol will cover the outer perimeters of the Star Woods.
**Chrono**: And the high towers have been repaired.
**Chrono**: If the White Capes attack from the sky, the warriors will see them immediately and light the beacon.
**Batur**: Good! Make sure the warriors from the other tribes are well-trained.
**Batur**: Also, the Alterland shield warriors need to train with the war shamans. This is very important!
**Chrono**: Yes, I understand. I will see it done.
**Chrono**: I'll be leaving.
**Batur**: Yes.
**Chrono**: Player, I'll see you around.
**Chrono**: Oh!
**Batur**: (blushes)
**Player**: What is it?
**Chrono**: (Smiles) N-Nothing.
**Chrono**: (Smiles) I'll be leaving. Feel free to spend more time with the Chieftain, Player.
**Player**: Sure.
**Chrono**: (Happy)
*Chrono leaves*
**Player**: What's with Chrono today?
**Batur**: Maybe something good happened. It doesn't matter.
**Player**: Right.
**Player**: Where's Kamui?
**Batur**: He should be training with the warriors.
**Batur**: Kamui's been very serious the past couple of days. He's been tireless...
**Batur**: He's grown up.
**Player**: (smiles)
**Batur**: I leave Kamui to you, Player.
**Player**: Huh? You leave him to me?
**Player**: He'll be fine with his big brother by his side!
**Batur**: I cannot stay by his side forever...
**Player**: What do you mean?
**Batur**: ...
**Batur**: After the White Capes are defeated, I can't go with him to the outside world...
**Batur**: And you're the only person I know in the outside world, Player.
**Batur**: I hope that when he goes out into the world, he'll still have...
**Batur**: Family.
**Player**: !!
**Player**: Okay. You don't need to worry about that!
**Player**: Man, I'm so jealous that Kamui has such a great big brother!
**Batur**: Hahaha!
*Continue to Trifle - Alterland's Choice*

**-Intimacy Level 12**

*After Batur returns to Alterland, he arranges accommodations for the Never Isle troops coming to help.*
*With the Oathblades and Order of Equality, he discusses plans to deal with the White Capes.*
*Late at night, in the Chieftain's hut...*
*Batur throws his shield on the ground and gives you a vigorous hug.*
**Player**: Batur?
**Batur**: I never thought I'd see you again...
**Player**: (Hugs Batur tightly.)
**Player**: You're usually so wise and far-sighted when your in Alterland.
**Player**: How were you so careless enough to get fooled by the White Capes?
**Batur**: When Kamui learned what the cost of harnessing Limuthule's power would be, he ran off to assassinate the White Capes general in charge of the eastern expansion, and was caught.
**Batur**: The White Capes used Kamui's life to threaten me.
**Player**: Why didn't you come find me?
**Batur**: I knew you wouldn't agree with my choice.
**Batur**: But, Kamui was in their hands. I had no other choice.
**Player**: So you wanted to exchange your life for Kamui's safety and Alterland's peace?
**Batur**: I was always the White Capes' target!
**Batur**: If I could exchange my life in exchange for you, for Kamui, or for everyone's safety...
**Batur**: I would gladly do it without any regrets!
**Player**: You dummy!
**Player**: I was in the forest that day, watching you from behind.
**Player**: It felt like farewell...
**Player**: I could give up almost anything else, but you...
**Player**: I did not want that to be the day that we said good-bye!
**Player**: It's not just Kamui and Alterland that need you...
**Player**: I don't want to be without you, either!
**Batur**: ...
**Batur**: (blushes)
**Batur**: I swore to Limuthule!
**Batur**: That I would never again make a stupid mistake!
**Player**: Batur, your face is getting red...
**Batur**: !!
*Batur suddenly turns his back to you.*
**Batur**: Ah, it's nothing! I've just been tired the last couple of days.
**Batur**: I'm going to go take a shower!
**Player**: Okay!
*Batur carelessly steps on the shield on the floor.*
**Batur**: Ugh...
**Batur**: I need to put it up first.
*Batur lifts the shield and his expression suddenly becomes serious.*
**Player**: Batur?
**Batur**: Well!
**Batur**: I'm sorry, I just spaced out.
**Batur**: Thanks to the White Capes, I have seen the land beyond the Star Woods...
**Batur**: It's not beyond redemption. In fact, it's quite pretty.
**Player**: So you're worried about Alterland's future?
**Batur**: !!
**Player**: Many warriors have seen the world outside the Star Woods.
**Player**: The Oathblades and the Order of Equality also came to Alterland with advanced weapons and equipment from Never Isle...
**Player**: It must have had a pretty big impact on Alterland!
**Batur**: Hmm... yeah...
**Batur**: Speaking honestly, Player...
**Batur**: I don't know what I should do.
**Player**: You want to hear my opinion?
**Batur**: Well, you are my advisor!
**Batur**: Tell me, what do you think I should do?
**Player**: You don't need to do anything! Just keep on going as before!
**Batur**: What?
**Player**: I can understand where you're coming from, as well as the feelings of Alterland's ancestors. You're worried that Alterland will die as a result of its contact with the outside world.
**Batur**: ...
**Player**: But Luxium is a big place, with lots of people. Alterland can't be removed from it forever!
**Player**: This time, Alterland won the war with the help of Never Isle. But in the future, if Alterland wants to protect itself, it'll need its own airships!
**Batur**: ...
**Batur**: Yes. The enemy gets stronger and stronger. Yet, it is impossible for Alterland to have advanced weaponry in its current situation!
**Player**: Batur, I see the future of Alterland in Kamui.
**Player**: Even though Kamui left the tribe for a spell and was viewed as a traitor...
**Player**: As soon as he heard Alterland was in trouble, he dropped everything and return to Alterland from Red Harbor.
**Player**: Even if the Kartans disapprove of him, he still helped his tribe fight a common enemy!
**Batur**: Kamui...
**Player**: Kamui has not forgotten you, he hasn't forgotten Limuthule, and he hasn't forgotten his home!
**Player**: What I'm trying to say is...
**Player**: You're worrying too much!
**Player**: Over the past thousand or so years, Alterland has experienced countless trials and tribulations to arrive at the present.
**Player**: Alterland is stronger than you give it credit for!
**Player**: Alterland has a strong and courageous Chieftain who loves his people and is willing to sacrifice himself for them!
**Player**: Alterland also has people who are devout in their faith, united, and willing to fight for their leader!
**Player**: But I believe that in the future, more and more Alterlans will step out into the world outside the Star Woods!
**Player**: In the future, all walks of life in Luxium will feature people from Alterland!
**Player**: But they will always be the children of the Forest God. They will always believe in Limuthule...
**Player**: They are Alterlans!
**Batur**: !!
**Player**: Of course, if you were to completely open up to the world all at once, what you're worried about may happen...
**Player**: However, closing off entirely will only make the people of the tribe curious, and will split Alterland in the end.
**Player**: I believe that Batur and the Kartans will find the best way forward for Alterland!
**Batur**: (smiles)
*Batur puts down his massive shield, comes over to your side, and presses your head.*
**Batur**: Player, I'm certain you're a gift from the Forest God.
*Choice 1.1 - (Kiss Batur!)*
*You press both of your hands against Batur's face and kiss him.*
**Batur**: !!!!
**Batur**: !!!!!!!!
**Player**: You're also a gift from the gods, to me!
**Batur**: Huff, puff...
**Batur**: Player...
*Scene ends*
*Choice 1.2 - (Resist your impulses!)*
**Player**: Haha, are you teasing me?
**Batur**: No, I'm not teasing you.
**Batur**: This is how I truly feel...
*You look at Batur's firm, straightforward, and flushed face.*
*All Choices - Choice 1.2.1: "(I can't wait any longer!)" OR Choice 1.2.2: "(Kiss him!)"*
*Go to Choice 1.1*

**-Intimacy Level 13**

*The Star Woods, in the Holy Land of Alterland.*
**Kim**: Since everyone is here now, let's begin!
**Kim**: First of all, Chieftain Batur and I have talked it over.
**Kim**: Even though the White Capes have already left some of the towns north of the Elysian River, and the Chieftain has safely returned to Alterland...
**Kim**: The White Capes defensive line on the north bank of the river still poses a threat to us. Consequently, the war is not over yet.
**Kim**: During the war with the White Capes, War Advisor Player will take part in the Alterland council of the elders indefinitely...
**Kim**: To offer his wisdom and advice to Alterland.
**Player**: Hi! Hello, everyone.
**Alterland Elder A**: ...
**Alterland Elder B**: Forest God...
**Player**: Urgh...
**Batur**: Give them some time to get used to it.
**Player**: All right.
**Kim**: Secondly, per last meeting's vote, Alterland has already officially forged an alliance with Never Isle.
**Kim**: Having undergone several days of negotiations, Alterland will be responsible for supplying Never Isle's troops on the north bank of the Elysian River.
**Kim**: We will help them build camps on the edge of the territory, and we will help train Never Isle's warriors improve their forest combat abilities.
**Kim**: From now on, Never Isle and Alterland will fight the White Capes together.
**Kim**: In return, Never Isle will share with us their intel on the White Capes, their combat tactics and skills, as well as their experience in areas like farming, medicine, etc.
**Kim**: Never Isle has guaranteed that they will not interfere in the lives of us Alterlans, and they will not meddle with the council of elders in any way.
**Kim**: However, they have invited Alterlans to come to Never Isle to interact with other...Gyees.
**Kim**: In the future, Alterland's warriors will become stronger, and Alterland will be able to treat wounds that it couldn't before. More warriors will be able to survive the wounds they sustain.
**Kim**: Moreover, for the remainder of the war period, Alterland will no longer need to enlist the help of its children with farmwork.
**Alterland Elder A**: That's good news, at least...
**Alterland Elder A**: Chieftain, with all due respect: I, like all Alterlans, are thrilled that you have returned...
**Alterland Elder A**: But because of this, Alterland has turned its back on the ancestral commandments.
**Alterland Elder A**: In the future, how can we use the ancestral commandments to guide Alterlans?
**Kim**: This is the third matter we wished to discuss with you all today.
**Kim**: In the future, what role will the ancestral commandments play in Alterland?
**Batur**: ...
**Alterland Elder C**: Now that Alterland has already taken the first step, why not simply throw out the ancestral commandments?
**Alterland Elder B**: Unthinkable! The ancestral commandments are comprised of the ancestors' history and the lessons they learned...
**Alterland Elder B**: It is the valuable wisdom that they left behind for Alterland!
**Batur**: I do not think they can be thrown out, either!
**Kim**: However, Alterland has already created the precedent for turning its back on the commandments.
**Kim**: In the future, it may be difficult to use the commandments to persuade the people.
**Player**: I remember back when we were discussing whether to ask the outside world for help.
**Player**: Rescuing Batur at any cost was in line with Limuthule's teachings, was it not?
**Alterland Elder A**: Of course! Respecting the Forest God's teachings is the basic foundation for every Alterlan.
**Alterland Elder A**: This, we cannot turn our backs on!
**Alterland Elder A**: The ancestral commandments are the wisdom left behind by the ancestors. They should be seen as an extension of Limuthule's teachings.
**Player**: However, following Limuthule's teachings, but turning your back on the ancestral commandments...
**Player**: Isn't that a bit strange?
**Batur**: ...
**Player**: The ancestral commandments are comprised of the ancestors' history and the lessons they learned...
**Player**: Which is to say, the ancestral commandments are the lessons they learned when facing past crises, correct?
**Kim**: You could look at it that way.
**Player**: However, past experience isn't always useful in the present, and isn't applicable to the future!
**Player**: After all, the ancestors never encountered the White Capes, and certainly not any future threats!
**Batur**: !!
**Batur**: Player, you mean...
**Player**: If the ancestral commandments could be changed to suit the current environment, the current crisis...
**Player**: Wouldn't that fix the issue?
**Player**: Alterland has not turned its back on the 'new ancestral commandments,' and future Alterlans could continue to follow them.
**Alterland Elder B**: What you're saying makes sense, Mr. Player.
**Alterland Elder B**: If we had insisted on following the ancestral commandments, I'm afraid that the Forest God's promised land would have become the territory of the White Capes by now!
**Alterland Elder A**: By the Forest God! If the ancestral commandments could be changed whenever it suits us, what will become of Alterland?
**Kim**: Naturally, we won't change it simply whenever it suits us. Any changes will need to be approved by a vote before the council of elders.
**Alterland Elder A**: But are the decisions of the council of elders correct? Even if they're correct now, will they be correct in the future?
**Player**: The ancestral commandments were themselves also born as Alterland gradually developed.
**Player**: There were no ancestral commandments when the first Chieftain led the ancestors and built Alterland!
**Player**: And before that, there wasn't even an Alterland!
**Kim**: !!
**Batur**: Alterland is a place of change!
**Kim**: Isn't that why the first Chieftain called this place Alterland to begin with?
**Batur**: ...
**Batur**: The ancestors established Alterland with the guidance of Limuthule.
**Batur**: In order to survive, Alterland must change.
**Batur**: That said, our faith in Limuthule and our respect for his teachings form the bedrock of Alterland - that will never change!
**Batur**: I agree with Player. The ancestral commandments need to change!
**Batur**: However, the new ancestral commandments must put the teachings of Limuthule front and center!
**Batur**: Additionally, changing the ancestral commandments will require a unanimous vote of the council of elders to pass!
**Batur**: What does everyone think?
**Alterland Elder A**: It is indeed a good solution to our current predicament.
**Kim**: I agree!
*All of Alterland's elders agree with Batur's plan.*
*Kartan Kim takes out the old tome in which are recorded the ancestral commandments.*
**Kim**: Just now, the council of elders unanimously voted to pass new ancestral commandments.
**Kim**: Chieftain Batur. This was your proposal, please add your contribution to the commandments!
**Batur**: !!
**Batur**: It will be an honor!
*Batur inscribes the ability to change the ancestral commandments as well as the rules for doing so...*
*Into the ancient tome carrying the wisdom of eras past.*

**-Intimacy Level 14**

*Finding themselves up against the Alterland-Never Isle alliance, the White Capes suffer defeat after defeat.*
*Add to that the pressure from the Oathblades and Order of Equality battalions from south of the Elysian River...*
*The White Capes abandon all of the towns they had occupied along the north bank of the river and retreated to their defensive line.*
*Although they hadn't abandoned their eastern expansion plan...*
*The White Capes' large-scale retreat eased the nerves of the Alterlans, who had been on edge for over a year.*
*In the Alterland camp, near the Chieftain's hut.*
**Player**: Ah... Abandoned during the war, Batur's garden finally blooms again!
**Batur**: I didn't know you had an interest in these things, Mr. Player!
*Batur appears from behind...*
*You feel him place his massive hand on the side of your waist, then he pulls it back again.*
**Player**: Batur!
**Player**: As the Chieftain, you've got a lot on your plate, so I wanted to help you a little with it while I was here!
**Player**: What are you doing back at the hut so early today?
**Batur**: I've finished all my work for today, so I wanted to come back and see if you were here.
**Player**: Ah?
**Batur**: Look, Player...
*You look off in the direction in which Batur is pointing.*
*You see a Kartan meditating, and Chrono and a few of the warriors are playing Alterland's version of basketball.*
*The children are playing, and women have gathered to watch the playing children and enjoy the afternoon.*
**Batur**: This is the Alterland I remember.
**Player**: !!
*Your body subconsciously leans against Batur's shoulder.*
**Batur**: !!
**Player**: It's very nice!
**Batur**: !!!!!
**Kamui**: Uh, brother. Aren't you tired?
**Player**: Kamui? What time is it?
**Kamui**: I didn't want to bother you lovebirds...
**Batur**: Watch your mouth, Kamui!
**Kamui**: But I can't take it anymore!
**Kamui**: Brother, you already gave Player a necklace...
**Kamui**: Why haven't you said anything yet?
**Batur**: ...
*Batur's face blushes.*
**Player**: What are you guys talking about? Are you hiding something, Batur?
**Kamui**: Ah... You're so dense, Player!
**Kamui**: I'm talking about this!
*Kamui points to the red necklace around your neck that Batur gave you.*
**Player**: Oh! The necklace Batur gave me. What do you think, does it look good?
**Kamui**: Don't tell me you haven't noticed, Player. My necklace is blue.
**Kamui**: My brother's necklace is also blue. Chrono's necklace is also blue.
**Kamui**: Your necklace is the only one that's red, Player.
**Batur**: Kamui!
**Player**: It's true! But why?
**Batur**: Kamui!
**Kamui**: Because red necklaces are what Alterlan men give to their sweethearts!
**Player**: Sweetheart...
**Batur**: (blushes)
**Player**: Huh?!
**Player**: Batur...
**Batur**: S-sorry, Player...
**Batur**: I should've asked you first...
**Player**: You dummy!
**Player**: I've already accepted it!
*You jump on Batur and kiss him.*
**Batur**: Whoa!!!
**Batur**: (blushes)
*Batur's left hand supports your back, and his right hand is just beneath your lower back.*
*Your tongues intertwine, like vines on a tree.*
**Kamui**: Phew.
**Kamui**: Finally!
*Late at night, in the bedroom of the Chieftain's hut...*
*Batur is wearing his casual clothes, waiting quietly on the bed.*
**Player**: I said... Batur, are you okay?
**Player**: Something's been up with you ever since that kiss this afternoon.
**Batur**: Huff, puff...
**Player**: You've been breathing heavily. Are you okay?
**Batur**: Huff, puff...
*You go to Batur's side and place your hand on his forehead.*
**Player**: Hmm... You don't have a fever...
*You bury your head in Batur's chest and press your ear up against it.*
**Batur**: Hmmm!!!
**Player**: Wow! Your heart is beating really fast!
**Batur**: The person I like is right up against me...
**Batur**: Of course my heart is beating fast!
**Player**: (smiles)
*You hug Batur.*
**Player**: Take deep breaths. There's nothing to be nervous about!
*However, Batur's heart only pounds against your chest more intensely.*
*You help him relax...*
**Player**: All right, do you need to calm down a bit?
**Player**: You just showered. I'll go take one now!
**Batur**: Wait!
**Player**: Huh?
**Batur**: I'm sorry, Player.
**Player**: Why are you apologizing?
**Batur**: I never thought I'd just confess my feelings to you like that...
**Batur**: I had originally planned a very...
**Player**: Don't mention it! Actually, I'm grateful Kamui did what he did!
**Player**: Without Kamui, who knows how long I would've had to wait for you to tell me how you feel!
**Batur**: I'm sorry. When I gave you the necklace, Player...
**Batur**: At that time, I was planning on using the Alterland Chieftain's arcana. That's why I didn't tell you.
**Player**: Then what about after you came back to Alterland?
**Batur**: Since I'm an Alterlan, and I'm a male... I was afraid...
**Player**: You were afraid I didn't like you like that?
**Batur**: Yeah...
**Player**: Hahaha!
**Player**: I felt the same way! I'm an outsider, you're an Alterlan; the leader of Alterland, to boot...
**Player**: I thought we couldn't be together...
**Player**: Who would've thought? We both thought our love was unrequited!
**Batur**: Hahaha!
**Batur**: Perhaps this is part of Limuthule's plan!
**Player**: Think about it, it's a pretty good plan!
*A while later, after you've finished showering...*
**Batur**: !!!!!
**Player**: Batur, you're...
**Player**: So big...
**Batur**: You're beautiful, Player...
**Player**: (smiles)
*...*
**Batur**: Player! I...
**Player**: Batur! Batur! Ahh!!!
*...*
**Batur**: Oh! Oh! Oh! Oh!!!
**Player**: Oh... Oh, oh... Oh....
**Batur**: I didn't hurt you, did I, Player?
**Player**: No, I'm good...
**Player**: I've never felt better!
*The next morning...*
*You wake up.*
*Batur's rhythmic breathing blows across your forehead. It seems he isn't awake yet.*
*He is holding you, your face pressed up against his chin.*
*You can feel his warmth all over your body.*
**Player**: (I suppose I can sleep in just a little bit longer!)

### Dates

**This section contains spoilers for Date scenes.**

**Doomed Land**

**-Intro**

*Star Woods, The Alterland Tribe*
**Batur**: Player, do you have time?
**Batur**: I...
**Batur**: Have some questions.
**Player**: Sure, ask away!
**Batur**: I recall that you're from a place called the Never Isle, Player.
**Player**: Exactly.
**Batur**: Never Isle, Player's home...
**Batur**: What is the world outside Star Woods like?
**Player**: Outside of Star Woods? Hm?
**Player**: You're interested in the world outside?
**Player**: I thought Alterlans think that the outside world is doomed?
**Batur**: Oh, you knew about that?
**Player**: Well, I've been here for a while...
**Player**: I have a rudimentary understanding of the Alterland traditions and legends.
**Player**: After all, stories like 'Doomed Land' that are used to scare children...
**Player**: Are everywhere.
**Batur**: Ha ha ha!
**Batur**: This is not just a legend to frighten children.
**Batur**: It's part of the wisdom that our Alterlan ancestors left behind.
**Player**: Well... I have to say, this... 'wisdom'...
**Player**: Is a little too much.
**Player**: I mean, I don't think I'm 'doomed' or anything.
**Batur**: Correct!
**Batur**: This is why I've come to you with the question.
**Batur**: What's it like outside Star Woods?
**Player**: I can tell you, but how about the elders?
**Batur**: Looks like you don't like the Kartans very much, Player.
**Batur**: They're not bad people. The Kartans always have Alterland's best interest in mind.
**Batur**: As for my question...
**Batur**: It's just to satisfy my curiosity. The Kartans won't care.
**Player**: Good...
**Player**: The world outside Star Woods...

**-Terrible. If I could, I would stay in Alterland. - 500 Intimacy**

**Batur**: ...Terrible?
**Player**: Do you know why the Never Isle is called that?
**Player**: The creator didn't want the island to be found.
**Player**: To outsiders, it should never exist.
**Batur**: Why?
**Player**: Never Isle was built as a new shelter after the Gyees' home was destroyed.
**Batur**: The Gyees... are like the Alamus of Alterland.
**Player**: Many think that the Gyees are monsters, that they work for the Shadows, and that they're cursed.
**Player**: They're afraid of the Gyees, so they hate them and hunt them down.
**Batur**: The White Capes?
**Player**: You already know about the White Capes, but there are also Shadows...
**Player**: So, Luxium is filled with fear, hatred and violence.
**Player**: The world outside is far from beautiful.
**Player**: If I could, I would love to stay here. It's so simple, quiet, and peaceful here.
**Batur**: Alas...
**Batur**: You are our friend. Alterland welcomes you.
**Batur**: But from what you said, your home needs you!
**Player**: My home? You mean Never Isle?
**Batur**: Yes. The situation there must be dire, with Shadows and the White Capes threatening the peace.
**Player**: I suppose so. It's... technically my home, but not exactly...
**Batur**: Then it is!
**Batur**: In our culture, even if there is war...
**Batur**: Our home is never 'terrible'. It might be 'difficult,' but...
**Batur**: And it's every Alterlan's duty to help their home overcome this difficulty.
**Batur**: So, I think the Never Isle is counting on you, Player.
**Batur**: It's hoping that you'll make it a better place.

**-Ordinary. Life is as quiet as a lake. - 900 Intimacy**

**Batur**: Quietly?
**Batur**: Piloting an airship and fighting the White Capes...
**Batur**: Nothing quiet about that.
**Player**: I'm an exception!
**Player**: That's not how most people live in Luxium.
**Player**: They get up with the sun, and stop working when the sun sets.
**Player**: That's what normal lives are like.
**Player**: The life outside is not that different from Alterland, really.
**Player**: Cities are just larger tribes.
**Player**: We're just different in how we live, and in our cultures and traditions.
**Batur**: I see...
**Batur**: I salute you, Player!
**Player**: Why?
**Batur**: You could have chosen to not do anything, and live out your life quietly...
**Batur**: But you didn't. You chose to stand up and become a warrior, so you can protect the quiet lives of others.
**Player**: Now that you mentioned it...
**Player**: It's really nothing. I just want to do whatever I can, instead of waiting to see what might happen.
**Batur**: That is exactly why every warrior is great and honorable.
**Batur**: It is my honor to be your friend.

**-Beautiful, people work hard to accomplish their dreams. - 900 Intimacy**

**Player**: How should I put this?
**Player**: I think Luxium is an incredible place.
**Player**: Even though the Shadows are a terrible threat, even though the White Capes hate and are hunting down the Gyees...
**Player**: It's still a free world.
**Player**: In Luxium, you can become anyone.
**Player**: If you like arcana, you can join the Never Isle Arcana Academy.
**Player**: If you like the sky, you can learn how to pilot airships or become an engineer for one.
**Player**: Even though many towns hate Gyees and don't let them in...
**Player**: The Gyees can be themselves without worry on Never Isle.
**Player**: The world is not perfect, but it's what a beautiful world should look like.
**Batur**: (surprised)
**Player**: Sorry, I got a little carried away.
**Player**: I might have exaggerated a little, but I do like the world outside.
**Batur**: (smiles)
**Batur**: Maybe the world outside Star Woods is better than you imagined.
**Player**: What makes you say that?
**Batur**: Only a beautiful world could create someone wonderful like you, Player.
**Player**: W-Wonderful?

**Scars**

**-Intro**

*Star Woods, The Alterland Tribe*
*You suddenly hear a child crying.*
*The cry is full of fear.*
*You follow the crying...*
*And see an Alterlan couple. The man looks like a warrior.*
*They hand over the crying child to Batur.*
*The child cries even louder in Batur's arms.*
*Batur holds the child and prays.*
*After a moment, the child is returned to the mother and stops crying.*
*A couple salutes to Batur...*
*Then leaves with a satisfied but shy smile.*
**Player**: What were they doing?
**Player**: (Go up and ask)
**Batur**: Player.
**Player**: Batur, what just happened?
**Player**: Why was the child crying so much?
**Player**: Was that some kind of ritual?
**Batur**: Player, you saw it?
**Batur**: Yes, a ritual. A ritual of blessing...
**Batur**: Tradition dictates that every Alterlan be blessed by their Chieftain on the day they reach the age of three.
**Batur**: The Chieftain puts a blessing of strength on the child, and protects the child while they grow up.
**Batur**: What you witnessed was the blessing.
**Batur**: The Chieftain holds the child and recites a chant.
**Batur**: The power will then flow from the Chieftain to the child as a blessing.
**Player**: Wow, that sounds amazing.
**Player**: But why do you look sad?
**Batur**: Difficult to explain.
**Batur**: Since I became Chieftain, the children that were supposed to be blessed...
**Batur**: Were all crying more than usual.
**Player**: Why?
*Batur looks down at his body and his hands.*
*His large and thick hands are full of calluses.*
*A pair of intersecting scars are on his chest.*
**Batur**: The children are scared of me.
**Player**: Well... If I were three years old...
**Player**: I guess I'd probably cry if I saw scars like yours.
**Player**: And their skin is delicate, so your calluses probably don't help.
**Batur**: Alas...
**Player**: Speaking of which, how did you get those scars?
**Player**: Why are they so big?
**Batur**: Thirteen years ago, a large Shadow Spider did this to me during a battle to protect the tribe.
**Player**: The Shadow Spider Queen?!
**Player**: Her legs are poisonous, and over such a large area...
**Batur**: Yes, I was gravely injured and bled everywhere. The fever lasted for a month.
**Batur**: Good thing it missed my heart. Or I would be with the forest gods now.
**Player**: But you're so powerful... How did the Shadow Spider Queen hurt you?
**Batur**: I was trying to protect a warrior, and she caught me off-guard.
**Player**: You're the Chieftain! You should be more careful.
**Batur**: They're all my brothers.
**Batur**: I would still protect the warrior if it happened again.
**Batur**: And... the warrior I protected is the father of the child just now.
**Player**: !!
**Batur**: The parents are always moved during the ritual.
**Batur**: But the child...
**Batur**: They just keep crying.
**Player**: Batur...

**-This is the best blessing! - 900 Intimacy**

**Batur**: You don't need to comfort me.
**Batur**: After all these years, I'm used to it.
**Player**: I'm not trying to comfort you. I mean it!
**Player**: Your hands are the hands that swung the huge shield and led Alterland to victory!
**Player**: Your body is a majestic mountain that evil cannot scale.
**Player**: If it's a blessing of strength, then you are the most awesome power that protects Alterland.
**Batur**: But... I don't want to make the children cry.
**Player**: Is this not part of growing up?
**Batur**: !!
**Player**: It's one thing to grow up healthily, quite another to grow up without trouble.
**Player**: We grow stronger by overcoming difficulties.
**Player**: To the child, this was an unpleasant process.
**Player**: But through the unpleasantness...
**Player**: The child receives a blessing and grows a little bit.
**Player**: 'I am their first obstacle to overcome,' in a way.
**Player**: Is this not what tradition is for?
**Batur**: !!
**Batur**: (smiles)
*Batur takes a look at his hands...*
**Batur**: Your words are very important to me!
**Batur**: Awesome!

**-Scars can be removed. - 500 Intimacy**

**Batur**: Removal?
**Batur**: How is that possible?
**Player**: Yes, the salons on Never Isle can do it.
**Player**: Something about burning the scar with laser to revitalize it.
**Player**: I don't know the details, but you can give it a try!
**Batur**: Laser... I don't really know what that is. But burning...
**Batur**: Are you sending me to the gods of the forest, Player?

**-Let's start with skin care. - 500 Intimacy**

**Batur**: Skin... care?
**Player**: Batur, your hands are too rough.
**Player**: Children will definitely cry if you hold them with these hands.
**Player**: And you're not that old yet. You should pamper yourself more.
**Batur**: Umm, what should I do?
**Player**: A great massage place on Never Isle recently came out with some new skin care services.
**Player**: First they moisturize your skin, then remove the dead skin, and the course ends with a relaxing massage.
**Batur**: Massage?
**Player**: A tall and handsome man kneads and presses parts of your body. It's very relaxing!
**Batur**: You mean, a stranger's hands on my...
**Batur**: ...
**Batur**: Strange outsiders.

**Duty**

**-Intro**

*Star Woods, The Alterland Tribe*
*At the warrior training ground...*
*Batur is teaching a warrior the Alterland Fighting Style.*
*His shield stands on the side of the training area.*
**Player**: This is Limuthule's Protection, Batur's shield...
**Player**: Legends say that Limuthule bestowed this shield upon Batur.
**Player**: And that he is the only one in the world who can wield it.
**Player**: Really?
**Player**: (I wonder if I can pick it up.)
*This shield is almost as tall as you are.*
*You grip the handle on the inside of the shield like Batur does, and tries to pick it up.*
*But the shield doesn't budge.*
**Player**: This is way too heavy.
**Player**: And Batur can pick this up with just one hand?
**Player**: That's some serious strength.
*You stand behind the shield and put your arms around it in an attempt to pick it up.*
*You give all you have and somewhat lift the shield.*
*The moment it leaves the ground, you lose your balance because of the shield's weight.*
**Player**: Um, this is not good...
**Batur**: Watch out!
*Batur rushes over to hold onto the shield that almost toppled over.*
**Player**: Huff, puff...
**Player**: Batur... I owe you my life. Again.
**Batur**: This is a heavy and dangerous shield!
**Player**: Sorry...
**Batur**: It's good that you're not hurt.
**Player**: So, the legend is real?
**Batur**: The legend?
**Player**: That you are the only one in the world who can pick this up.
**Batur**: Hahaha! That was close.
**Batur**: I am the only one who can swing this shield in Alterland.
**Batur**: Outside Alterland, I'm not so sure.
**Player**: So in theory, someone could pick this up?
**Batur**: Of course, if they are strong enough.
**Player**: But isn't this an artifact from Limuthule?
**Batur**: We did have a blessing ceremony when this shield was forged.
**Batur**: But we do that for every piece of weapon or armor in Alterland.
**Player**: Are you saying this shield is just an ordinary weapon?
**Batur**: Yes, it's just a little heavier than most.
**Player**: So... I'm just not strong enough to raise it, basically.
*You come to terms with this reality after taking a look at Batur's thick arms.*

**-About the legends of the shield... - 900 Intimacy**

**Player**: That's not exactly true.
**Batur**: That's how it became a legend.
**Player**: But if someone were to discover the truth...
**Player**: Wouldn't it affect you?
**Batur**: The truth about the shield is no secret.
**Batur**: A few years ago, I told the truth because I didn't want there to be any misunderstanding.
**Batur**: But the legend didn't fade. Instead, it spread even further.
**Player**: Why?
**Batur**: Thanks to the legend, the tribe's faith in Limuthule is stronger than ever.
**Batur**: And they trust us warriors even more.
**Player**: Maybe this is true purpose of the legend.
**Batur**: (smiles)
**Batur**: Anyway, time for training.
**Batur**: I can't let my people down.

**-Why use a shield as a weapon? - 900 Intimacy**

**Player**: But for combat... wouldn't swords or axes...
**Player**: Be easier to wield and deal more damage?
**Batur**: ...
**Batur**: They cannot protect those who are important to me.
**Player**: ...
*Batur looks at his shield...*
**Batur**: Before I had this shield...
**Batur**: I had a pair of axes.
**Batur**: You're right in that it was much easier to attack enemies with them.
**Batur**: But the pain of losing loved ones cannot be compensated by the exhilaration of killing enemies.
**Player**: I'm sorry I made you think of those things.
**Batur**: Don't worry, they're just memories.
**Batur**: Now, I'm the leader of the Alterlans.
**Batur**: Every warrior is my brother, and every tribe member is my family.
*Batur taps his shield.*
**Batur**: Only this thing here...
**Batur**: Protects everyone.

**-What did you have to do to get this body of yours? - 700 Intimacy**

**Batur**: I was always bigger, and moved slower in the woods than others.
**Batur**: To familiarize us with the forest, my father allowed me to train with the warriors.
**Batur**: Since I was ten, I trained, hunted, and fought.
**Batur**: And this is what I look like after decades of doing the same thing.
**Player**: The forest is an amazing training ground.
**Batur**: You are a bit weak for this, Player.
**Batur**: Would you want to train with us for a few days?

### Trifle

**This section contains spoilers for the Trifle. Please use a desktop browser for the best viewing experience.**

**Flames of War**

The lush greens and the complicated terrain provide the forest tribes in Star Woods with natural barriers. But how long will this barrier withstand the onslaught of the White Capes?

**-Part 1**

*The Star Woods, at the Alterland Camp.*
**Chrono**: Mr. Player! You're back from Never Isle?
**Player**: Chrono, where's Batur? I couldn't find him in the Commander's Quarters.
**Chrono**: The leader was called away by the Kartans. It seemed like they had something important to discuss.
**Player**: The Kartans... Then I'll go to the Alterland Altar to wait for him.
*A muscular man with a bandana headband waits outside the Alterland Altar*
**Kamui**: ...
**Kamui**: Oh...what should I do?
*Player walks up to the altar*
**Kamui**: Wow! You're...
**Player**: I remember you...
**Player**: You're Kamui! You work in Red Harbor!
**Kamui**: You're...Player!
**Kamui**: What are you doing here? Are you an Alterlan?
**Kamui**: But...I've never seen you here.
**Player**: I'm not an Alterlan. I was attacked by the White Capes in the Star Woods before. Batur saved me.
**Player**: When I encountered Alterland, they were fighting the White Capes. Over time, I came to be friends with Batur.
**Player**: The people in the tribe don't mind that I'm an outsider.
**Kamui**: An outsider...became friends with my brother?!
**Kamui**: That's great!
**Player**: Your brother?
**Player**: You're telling me that Batur is your brother?
**Kamui**: That's right, Batur's my older brother. He's really strong!
**Player**: !!
**Kamui**: If my brother can call you a friend, Player, maybe he isn't so stubborn after all!
**Player**: Batur? Stubborn? Huh?
**Kamui**: In the past, he was.
**Batur's Roar**: Kamui's my little brother. Don't mess with him!
**Player**: !!
**Kamui**: !!
**Player**: Seems like Batur's talk with the Kartans isn't going so well...
**Kamui**: ...
**Player**: I think they're talking about you.
**Player**: Were you celebrating with the Kartans?
**Kamui**: Uh...Not unless calling them 'stubborn and incompetent old bastards' is considered celebrating...
**Player**: Oh... That doesn't seem like celebration to me...
**Kamui**: Us Alterlans are fine. It's the Kartans that are stubborn...
**Kamui**: My big brother's got no choice. When it comes to certain issues, he has to listen to them.
**Player**: What happened between you and the Kartans?
**Kamui**: I told the truth, that's all.
**Kamui**: But it's all in the past. There's no point in talking about it!
**Kamui**: Today I came back to help my brother fight the White Capes, whether the Kartans agree to help or not!
**Player**: Oh...
*An angry Batur walks out of the altar*
**Batur**: ...
*Batur seems to cheer up a little when he spots Player*
**Batur**: Player!
**Batur**: You're back. Did you run into any trouble along the way?
**Player**: I'm pretty good at staying out of the White Capes' way by now. Don't worry.
**Player**: But you... You got in a fight with the Kartans again?
*Batur looks at Kamui*
**Batur**: ...
**Kamui**: I caused you more trouble, brother...
**Kamui**: I know... I know I shouldn't have come back...
**Kamui**: But I heard that the White Capes are coming for a fight. Is that true?
**Kamui**: I won't let you face them alone, brother!
**Kamui**: I'm willing to accept any punishment for the stupid things I did before, once we drive away the White Capes.
**Kamui**: I'm your little brother! Let me help!
**Batur**: (Looks at Kamui...)
**Batur**: Unexpectedly, your info is correct.
**Batur**: That's right, the White Capes are going to attack Alterland.
**Batur**: But those White Capes are just a bunch of hooligans. I can handle them.
**Player**: Huh? (Why is Batur being so cavalier about the White Capes?)
**Kamui**: Come on, brother. The more, the merrier!
*Kamui shows off his martial arts moves*
**Kamui**: Hiya!
**Kamui**: I'm no longer the Kamui that needs your protection!
**Batur**: Haha, let's talk again when you're strong enough to lift my shield!
**Kamui**: Your shield...
**Kamui**: Aw, that's a mean trick...
**Kamui**: You're the only one strong enough to lift a shield that big...
**Kamui**: Nobody in all of Alterland can lift it.
**Batur**: It's not that I'm strong, it's that you haven't trained enough!
**Kamui**: I know...
**Batur**: Hahaha, all right, let's not talk about this for now.
**Batur**: You just got back today, so let's not worry about the White Capes. I'm going to have someone make your favorite meal...
**Batur**: I haven't seen you in over a year, so tonight let's have a nice chat!
**Kamui**: You don't blame me for what happened a year ago, brother?
**Batur**: You're my little brother. How could I blame you?
**Kamui**: Then will the Kartans agree to let me stay and help you?
**Batur**: I'm the leader of the Alterlans!
**Kamui**: That's great!
**Batur**: You go and say hi to your friends first. I have something to talk about with Player.
**Kamui**: Of course!
*Player and Batur watch Kamui leave*
**Batur**: ...
**Player**: No wonder you keep asking me for news about Red Harbor.
**Player**: That's where your brother is.
**Batur**: Yes...
**Player**: Hold on. Since Kamui's your little brother, he must be an Alterlan...
**Player**: But as I recall, Alterlans regard the land outside the Star Woods as 'the place beyond redemption...'
**Player**: So...why was Kamui at Red Harbor?
**Batur**: ...
**Batur**: A year ago... It was all my fault...
**Player**: Your fault?
**Batur**: Yeah...
**Player**: What's past is past. Today you're reunited with your brother. You should be happy!
**Batur**: I...
**Batur**: ...
**Player**: Batur?
**Batur**: Even though I'm the leader of Alterland, when something concerns Alterland, I can't make decisions alone.
**Player**: What thing? You can't make decisions alone?
**Batur**: ...
**Batur**: I promised the Kartans that tomorrow...
**Batur**: I'd kick Kamui out of Alterland...
**Player**: What!
**Player**: But, why?
**Player**: I've seen Kamui fight before. Kamui's a very strong fighter.
**Player**: Besides, you two have a good relationship, don't you?
**Batur**: ...
**Batur**: I can't make the same mistake again...
**Batur**: This is for Kamui's own good...
**Player**: What happened in the past?
**Batur**: I don't want to talk about the past. Sorry...
**Player**: Oh...
**Batur**: ...
**Batur**: My unresolved family issues will just make you laugh, Player.
**Batur**: Speaking of which, these days I've been taking up all your time, Player...
**Batur**: Are your friends on Never Isle going to get angry?
**Player**: Nope. They're fixated on the White Capes. They're mostly focused on acquisition of intelligence. I'm afraid I can't be much help.
**Player**: However, Never Isle's scouts have found that the White Capes' eastward expansion plans seem to involve entering the Star Woods...
**Player**: We need to be vigilant!
**Batur**: Yeah...
**Batur**: The past couple of months, the warriors have been setting up traps around camp. Looks like they'll finally come in handy.
*A young man approaches Batur*
**Alterlan Youth**: Sir, the banquet that you ordered is ready.
**Batur**: Thank you!
**Batur**: Let's set aside the matter of the White Capes for now. It's time to eat!
*A while later after the meal...*
*All of Alterland casually talk in groups after the banquet ends*
*On one side of the field, Batur talks with Kamui and Chrono*
*On the other side of the field, the Kartan elders talk amongst themselves*
**Player**: ...
**Player**: (It looks like the Alterland elders really don't like Kamui...)
*Player looks over at Batur and Kamui*
**Batur**: (smiles)
**Kamui**: (smiles)
**Player**: (Even though I can't hear what they're saying...)
**Player**: (They seem really happy...)
**Player**: (But Kamui's going to be leaving tomorrow...)
**Player**: (It's obvious that Batur has missed Kamui, and Kamui really wants to help Batur.)
**Player**: (The rift between Kamui and the Alterland elders...)
**Player**: (Is there anything that can be done about it?)
*Suddenly, an explosion erupts next to Player*
**Player**: Whoa! An explosion?
*More explosions bust around the camp*
**Batur**: Player!!
**Batur**: Are you hurt?
**Player**: I'm fine. Don't worry about me!
**Player**: Where's Kamui?
**Batur**: I asked Kamui to help me evacuate the tribesmen...
**Player**: All right... What happened, Batur? Are the White Capes attacking?
**Batur**: All of the outposts are normal. I don't think the White Capes have infiltrated Alterland's defensive lines...
**Batur**: But their bombs...
**Player**: Could it be an air raid?
**Batur**: Wow... You mean dropping bombs from an airship?
*The explosions continue*
**Batur**: Watch out!
*Batur barely manages to raise his shield in time to block an oncoming bomb*
**Player**: Batur!
**Batur**: Player, take shelter in the Holy Land of Alterland!
*A while later, in the Holy Land of Alterland...*
*Player, Batur and the other citizens of Alterland take shelter in the large, temple-like structure*
**Player**: Well!!
**Player**: I had no idea Alterland was so big...
**Alterland Elder**: So, it's come to this.
**Alterland Elder**: Even outsiders are permitted to enter the Holy Land of Alterland?
**Batur**: (Looks at the elders with a serious expression...)
**Alterland Elder**: ...
**Player**: ...
*Kamui and Chrono run up to Batur*
**Kamui**: Brother! Are you hurt?
**Batur**: I'm fine. How is the evacuation going? Is anyone still outside?
**Kamui**: Everyone from the camp is here.
**Batur**: How many injured are there?
**Kamui**: ...
**Kamui**: Many people have been injured. The Kartans and the priests are all providing treatment.
**Batur**: (angry)
**Player**: Batur, the evacuation has been going according to plan and casualties have been minimized.
**Batur**: We will remember every Alterlan who died in the battle...
**Batur**: The White Capes will definitely pay for what they've done!
**Batur**: What are things like on the outside, Chrono?
**Chrono**: There are still explosions, but the attack's weakened considerably.
**Batur**: Any news from the outposts?
**Chrono**: No. It stands to reason, any outposts that have spotted White Capes should burn smoke signals.
**Chrono**: Don't tell me all of our brothers at the outposts have been...
**Batur**: Impossible. The strength of our Alterland warriors far exceeds that of the White Capes...
**Batur**: Even if they encountered White Cape Elites, they'd still manage to get off a signal before being killed!
**Batur**: The fact that there's no smoke probably means the White Capes weren't spotted...
**Batur**: Hmm... A precise air strike against Alterland camps.
**Kamui**: A precise airstrike? Without an Alterlan guiding them, there's no way the White Capes could find Alterland!
**Player**: From the sky, the Star Woods just look like a huge sea of trees...
**Player**: Who knows how they found Alterland?
**Batur**: ...
*A couple of Alterland Warriors approach Batur*
**Alterland Warrior**: Sir!
**Batur**: I remember...
**Batur**: You are warriors stationed in the eastern and southern outposts, right?
**Chrono**: What are you doing here?
**Eastern Outpost Scout**: Sir, Captain Chrono, explosions have been spotted from the Eastern Outpost, but we didn't see any White Capes...
**Batur**: Any injured?
**Eastern Outpost Scout**: The explosions weren't that close to the outpost, so no one was injured. I came back to deliver my report, just to be safe.
**Southern Outpost Scout**: Something similar happened at the Southern Outpost. The explosions occurred north of the outpost, and were pretty far away. We only heard them.
**Player**: What's going on? The White Capes air strike wasn't targeting the camps?
**Player**: Could it be? Are the White Capes trying to burn down the forest?
**Batur**: The Star Woods are protected by the Forest God. It rains a lot throughout the year. Fire cannot burn them down.
**Kamui**: Hmm...
**Kamui**: Perhaps the White Capes don't know where Alterland is.
**Kamui**: And they're just bombing places they think the camps might be...
**Batur**: The White Capes don't know where we are...
**Batur**: That must be it!
**Batur**: Alterland patrols have been spotting lots of White Capes Scouts lately.
**Batur**: They haven't tried to fight us. They've all run away as soon as they've seen our warriors.
**Batur**: If the White Capes are testing the range of Alterland's defenses...
**Batur**: The White Capes Scouts have appeared in the south, east, and southeast...
**Player**: Put them together, and that's exactly where the bombs are landing!
**Player**: Then according to what we know about the equipment of the White Capes...
**Player**: There is a high probability that they've deployed long-range artillery at the eastern edge of the Star Woods!
**Batur**: Good, we found them!
**Batur**: Chrono, gather up the warriors and war shamans and attack them!
**Chrono**: Yes, sir!
**Kamui**: Brother! Give me orders!
**Batur**: You stay here, Kamui, and look after the wounded with the Kartans and the priests!
**Kamui**: What?!
**Kamui**: No! I want to go to the front lines!
**Batur**: Trust me, Kamui. You'll be very useful here!
**Kamui**: I want to kill the White Capes!
**Batur**: These are my orders, Kamui. Don't make a scene!
**Kamui**: ...
**Kamui**: You've always... You've always treated me like a child!
*Kamui takes off by himself*
**Batur**: Kamui!
**Batur**: Oh...
**Chrono**: Sir, the warriors and shamans are ready!
**Batur**: All right...
**Batur**: Arrange our warriors in squads of ten, with shield warriors and war shamans making up the mobile core. Make sure to avoid the enemy artillery fire.
**Batur**: Head east quickly and make your way through the forest!
**Batur**: Let the outsiders who blaspheme the Forest God feel the wrath of Alterland!
*Late night, at the eastern edge of the Star Woods.*
*The White Capes General looks upon the multiple heavy cannons, each manned by multiple White Capes soldiers*
**White Cape General**: Fire away! Fire all the cannons!
**White Cape General**: Bomb these forest savages into nothing!
**White Capes Messenger**: Report!
**White Capes Messenger**: General, report from the outpost...
**White Capes Messenger**: A large number of savages have appeared to the northwest and southwest!
**White Cape General**: Heh... It really would be too bad if you guys were all blown up for nothing...
**White Cape General**: Artillery squad, cease fire!
**White Cape General**: Pull back one kilometer then wait for further orders!
**White Cape General**: Inform the assault team to advance upon the predetermined position!
**White Cape General**: Get ready to attack according to the plan!
**White Capes Messenger**: Got it!
*The messenger quickly leaves*
**White Cape General**: Batur... Alterland's indestructible shield...
**White Cape General**: Today, you will break him!
*A few moments later...*
*A large battalion of White Capes swordsmen stand at the ready*
**White Capes Heavy Swordsman**: !!
**White Capes Heavy Swordsman**: They're coming! Get ready!
*Batur attacks from above, taking out multiple swordsmen*
**Batur**: Roar!
**Batur**: Alterlans! Attack!
*Player, Chrono and multiple Alterland warriors engage in battle*
**Alterland Warrior**: Rrragh!
**White Capes Heavy Swordsman**: Stand up, brothers!
**Player**: These White Capes are well-equipped and fight bravely. They must be the main forces of the White Capes' eastern expansion plans.
**Player**: But they're no match for the Alterland warriors!
*You sense a distant surge of natural Flux...*
**Player**: Huh? This is...
*One of the Alterland Warriors executes a spinning attack against one of the White Capes*
**Alterland Warrior**: Humph!
**White Capes Heavy Swordsman**: Uh...
**Alterland Warrior**: Outsiders! You will pay for your desecration and invasion!
*Without warning, a bright flash goes off in front of the Alterland warrior, blinding him*
**Alterland Warrior**: Huh! What?!
**White Capes Heavy Swordsman**: Now!
*The White Capes swordsman takes advantage of the situation and attacks the warrior*
**Alterland Warrior**: Whoa!!!
*Elsewhere on the battlefield, more of the strange arcana attacks take out the Alterland warriors*
**Alterland Warrior**: Everything's attacking!
**Alterland Warrior**: What are you talking about?! Ah!
**Player**: Batur, there are White Capes Arcanists on the hill nearby...
**Player**: We're at a disadvantage under their ranged arcana...
**Batur**: ...
**Player**: This kind of blind arcana bombing... Don't these White Capes care about their own men?!
**Batur**: No... The White Capes' arcana attacks have no effect on their own warriors!
**Batur**: Not only that, they're healing and even strengthening their warriors!
**Batur**: The White Capes knew that we would come looking. It's a trap!
**Batur**: Listen up, Alterlans! Gather on the shield warriors, everyone!
**Batur**: Using the shields as cover, take turns retreating!
**Batur**: Player! Stand behind me!
*From far away, the White Capes general looks over the progress of the battle*
**White Capes Messenger**: General! The savages have seen through our tactics! They're changing formation...
**White Capes Messenger**: Our attack had little effect!
**White Cape General**: I know! Our plan...
**White Cape General**: Was a success!
*Player, Batur and the Alterlans manage to retreat*
**Batur**: Player...
**Player**: Batur, have the Alterland warriors cover me. I'm going to flank the White Capes Arcanists from behind...
**Batur**: No, it's too dangerous! The White Capes are well-prepared. They would not leave their rear undefended.
**Player**: Then what should we do? We're sitting ducks!
**Batur**: Every problem has its solution, but the most important thing right now, Player...
**Batur**: Is that I need to find Kamui!
**Batur**: I'll lead the shield warriors in a forward advance. Chrono will take advantage of this to cover you so you can leave the battlefield!
**Player**: What? But you...
**Batur**: Listen. The White Capes have pulled out all the stops in preparing to fight me.
**Batur**: I need to lead the Alterlans through this. I don't have the energy to look after Kamui...
**Batur**: This place is teeming with White Capes! Among our warriors, you are the one who understands them the best...
**Batur**: The one who is most likely to escape the White Capes should be the one to find Kamui!
**Player**: Batur!
**Batur**: Kamui is my younger brother, Player. He's...
**Batur**: The only family I've got.
**Batur**: I know this is a difficult request, but given the current situation, I have to leave Kamui to you!
**Player**: !!
**Player**: All right... I got it!
**Batur**: I owe you another one!
**Batur**: Chrono!
**Chrono**: Over here! Player! Follow me!
**Player**: Batur!
**Batur**: Huh?
**Player**: Careful!
**Batur**: Of course!
*Meanwhile...*
*Kamui spies on the White Capes artillery squad*
**Kamui**: !!
**Kamui**: The retreating artillery squad has stopped!
**Kamui**: We just got a kilometer away. It's too soon to say they've stopped.
**White Capes Soldier**: Everyone, stop!
**White Capes Soldier**: As the general ordered, set up the artillery!
**Kamui**: Set up the artillery that we just took down?
**Kamui**: In that direction... Batur and the White Capes are exchanging fire!
**Kamui**: Don't tell me, the White Capes Cannoneers aren't retreating?
**Kamui**: It's probably a trap! Batur needs my help!
*Kamui runs towards the battle*
*A few moments later...*
*Player runs into Kamui*
**Player**: Kamui!
**Kamui**: Player!
**Kamui**: Why are you here?
**Player**: Thank the heavens, you're all right...
**Kamui**: Of course I'm all right, they were just a few White Capes!
**Player**: Batur is really worried about you. He's asked me to bring you back!
**Kamui**: Bring me back...
**Kamui**: What time is it?
**Kamui**: Big brother thinks I'm just a kid!
**Player**: Don't make a scene, Kamui! Batur can't rest easy unless he knows you're safe!
**Kamui**: I don't need him to protect me anymore!
**Kamui**: Without taking out a few White Capes, I wouldn't be going back!
**Kamui**: Oh, that's right!
**Kamui**: Wait for me to take apart the White Capes' artillery...
**Kamui**: My brother, Player, everyone in Alterland... No one will look down on me ever again!
**Player**: What? The White Capes' artillery?
**Player**: Uh...
**Player**: Kamui, where's the White Capes' artillery?
**Kamui**: I'm not telling you! Finders keepers!
**Player**: Tell me where the artillery is!
**Player**: Batur and the others are in danger!
**Kamui**: Oh!
**Kamui**: It's about one kilometer in this direction!
*Back on the battlefield, Batur continues to defend against the White Capes*
**White Capes Arcanist**: Show us what you've got!
**White Capes Arcanist**: Blow them to smithereens!
**White Capes Heavy Swordsman**: Advance! Advance!
**White Capes Heavy Swordsman**: These savages can't hold on for much longer!
**Batur**: Oh...
**Batur**: Warriors, alternate covering and retreating!
*Player and Kamui can hear the fierce battle from a distance*
**Player**: (The firepower of the White Capes is quite fierce. It's suppressing Batur and the other warriors...)
**Player**: (There's still some White Capes artillery troops over a kilometer away...)
**Player**: (All we can do is retreat back to the forest and come up with a plan, right?)
**Player**: Retreat to the forest?
**Player**: Damn!
**Kamui**: What happened?
**Player**: It's a trap. All of this... It's a trap!
**Player**: The White Capes' target was never Alterland!
**Player**: Their target was the Alterlan warriors and Batur!
**Kamui**: What?
**Player**: Their whole purpose in bombing the camps is to lure us out!
**Player**: They lured the warriors here, then used heavy armored soldiers and arcanists to suppress us...
**Player**: According to the situation now, the Alterland warriors have only one direction they can retreat in...
**Player**: As soon as we retreat back into the forest, the White Capes will use their artillery to take us out!
**Kamui**: Well!!
**Kamui**: Brother!
**Player**: Calm down, Kamui!
**Player**: If you go rushing in now, you'll just be falling into the White Capes' trap, too!
**Kamui**: Then what should I do?
**Player**: Hmm...
**Player**: It's just like you said...
**Player**: The two of us should take out the White Capes' artillery!
**Kamui**: ...
**Kamui**: Okay!
*A moment later, at the White Capes artillery position...*
**White Capes Chief Cannoneer**: Cannon adjustments are complete. We've switched from ultra-long range to short distance!
**White Capes Artillery Captain**: Good! Now we wait for the general's orders...
*Player attacks the White Capes with lightning*
**Player**: Watch me!
**Player**: I will not let you succeed!
**White Capes Artillery Captain**: Oh! The enemy's attacking! Get ready!
**Player**: (Shouts) You White Capes are going to pay for your crimes!
**Player**: (Shouts) I will punish you on behalf of justice!
**White Capes Artillery Captain**: !! One guy?!
**Player**: (Shouts) Clean your necks in preparation for the blades of justice!
**White Capes Artillery Captain**: It's just one guy!!
**Player**: (Shouts) Wake up!
**White Capes Artillery Captain**: It's you who needs to wake up!
**White Capes Artillery Captain**: Warriors of the Holy Light, erase this reckless fool!
**White Capes Artillery Warrior**: Yes, sir!
**Player**: Oh!
**Player**: Ugh... Don't all attack at the same time...
*Player runs away*
**White Capes Artillery Captain**: Chase him!
*The White Capes chase Player to a dead end*
**Player**: Ugh, damn...
*Boom!*
**White Capes Artillery Captain**: !!
*Kamui begins attacking the White Capes' unguarded cannons*
**Kamui**: Hehe!
**White Capes Artillery Captain**: Damn... It was a diversion! Don't chase them!
**White Capes Artillery Captain**: Everyone, protect the cannons!
**White Capes Artillery Captain**: The cannons are the key to the general's plan!
**White Capes Soldier**: Yes, sir!
*The White Capes leave Player and begin to chase after Kamui*
**Kamui**: Whoa! Stop chasing me!
**Player**: !!
**Player**: (smiles)
**White Capes Soldier**: Where are you running off to? Die!
*Boom!*
**White Capes Artillery Captain**: Damn!
**White Capes Artillery Captain**: Cannons!
*A few moments later...*
*Player and Kamui face off against the White Capes as they try to protect what is left of their cannons*
**White Capes Artillery Captain**: Humph! As long as we stay put and defend the cannons, you're out of luck!
**Player**: Uh...
**White Capes Cannoneer**: Captain! The general just contacted us. We need to open fire on the coordinates!
**White Capes Artillery Captain**: Orders received! Tell the general that I'll spark the cannons of victory myself!
**White Capes Artillery Captain**: Hahaha! It's over!
**Player**: Ohh... There's only one cannon left.
**Kamui**: Damn!
**White Capes Artillery Captain**: Witness your defeat, savages!
*Outside arcana attacks suddenly start taking down the White Capes*
**White Capes Artillery Captain**: Oh! Who the hell is that?!
**Chrono**: Alterlans! Charge!
*A few moments later, the White Capes are wiped out by the Alterland warrior ambush.*
**Player**: Chrono! What are you guys doing here?!
**Chrono**: The leader sensed the enemy's plan, so he sent me and half of our warriors to sneak around the battlefield from the forest and attack the White Capes cannons!
**Kamui**: My brother also saw through the White Capes' plan!
**Chrono**: After all, it seems like this was something the White Capes had prepared for! Too suspicious!
**Kamui**: Well done, Batur!
**Chrono**: Kamui and Player seem to be fine, too. All's well that ends well!
**Chrono**: Now as long as we take out the White Capes' cannons, we can break through their siege!
**Player**: Yeah!
*Everyone looks at the last remaining cannon*
**Chrono**: So this is what blew the tribe to pieces...
**Chrono**: Destroy it!
**Kamui**: Hold on! Don't destroy it just yet...
**Kamui**: I've got a good idea~
*Meanwhile...*
**Batur**: Uh...
**Shield Warrior**: We can't hold out any longer, Chieftain!
**Batur**: Take a step back, brothers! Hold out a little bit longer!
*The White Capes general looks down at Batur's dwindling defenses*
**White Cape General**: Just like that. Keep pushing, keep pushing...
**White Cape General**: Keep going! Retreat right back into your graves!
*Boom!*
**White Cape General**: (Smile)
*Instead of the cannon firing onto Batur, it fires on the general's location, taking out his messenger*
**White Capes Soldier**: Rrragh!
**White Cape General**: What?!
*Boom!*
**White Cape General**: How can this be?!
*The cannon fires on the White Cape arcanists, killing them all*
**Batur**: !!
**Batur**: Callum, Hiyad, Tlanar...
*Batur uses Limuthule's Defense on the remaining warriors*
**Batur**: Alterlan warriors! It's time to fight back!
**Batur**: Limuthule protect us!
**Batur**: Become the blade of the Forest God! Follow me! Destroy the White Capes!
*Late night, in Alterland...*
**Chrono**: We won!
**Alterlans**: Thank you, Forest God! Alterland once again repelled the invaders!
**Alterlans**: Thanks to Batur's strength and the courage of his warriors!
**Alterlans**: Batur must be a messenger from Limuthule! As long as he's on our side, Alterland will never fall!
**Alterlans**: Batur will help us defeat the White Capes, just like thirteen years ago!
**Alterlans**: All right, let's let Batur and the warriors rest!
**Batur**: (smiles)
*A while later, in front of the Chieftain's hut.*
**Alterland Child**: Have you seen my dad?
**Alterland Child**: My dad, he didn't come home...
**Batur**: Child...
**Batur**: Your father was a brave warrior.
**Alterland Child**: That's right! My dad was really brave! He could lift an axe and firewood, no problem...
**Alterland Child**: But the neighbor's father came back. Mine didn't. Dad...
**Batur**: Child, I'm sorry, I...
**Batur**: I couldn't protect your father...
**Alterland Child**: What do you mean?
*Before Batur can continue, the child's mom comes to find him*
**Alterland Villager**: Huh? What are you doing here?
**Alterland Villager**: Sorry for bothering you, sir...
**Batur**: It's no problem...
**Batur**: I'm sorry, I...
**Alterland Villager**: Please don't say anything, sir...
**Alterland Villager**: Let's go home, child!
**Batur**: Alterland will not forget...
**Alterland Villager**: Please, don't say anything!
*The child and mother leave*
**Batur**: ...
**Player**: !!
**Player**: Batur...
**Batur**: Player, do you think Alterland won?
**Player**: ...
**Batur**: All we did was drive back the White Capes...
**Batur**: I didn't win any victory for the White Capes...
**Player**: It's not your fault! Don't be so hard on yourself...
**Batur**: The child lost his father. The woman lost her husband...
**Batur**: Many people have lost the homes that protected them from the wind and the rain...
**Batur**: Isn't it my fault? Whose fault is it?
**Player**: You've already done everything you can, Batur. You were injured, and your wounds were serious...
**Batur**: And yet, I'm still alive...
**Player**: Batur...
**Batur**: Do you think I'm going to let it get me down, Player?
**Batur**: Don't worry...
**Batur**: As long as I'm still alive, I won't have time to be depressed or sad...
**Batur**: I will fight for all of Alterland fallen warriors.
**Batur**: Until the day my soul returns to Limuthule!
**Player**: !!
**Player**: Don't talk like that...
**Batur**: Every Alterlan returns to Limuthule's embrace eventually...
**Player**: I know! Everyone dies, but I don't want to hear you talk like this.
**Batur**: All right, Player. If you don't want to hear it, I won't say it.
**Batur**: Let's change the subject...
**Batur**: I've summoned the Kartans in preparation for the council of the elders.
**Batur**: Player, I hope you will attend this meeting as one of our war advisors!
**Player**: Huh? Me? Attend the council of the elders?
**Player**: Are you sure that's appropriate?
**Batur**: The White Capes were just beaten back, and Alterland suffered heavy losses...
**Batur**: These are special circumstances. I need your input.
**Batur**: I believe the Kartans will understand.
**Player**: All right...
**Player**: If you really need me, I'll be there!
*A while later, in the Holy Land of Alterland...*
**Kamui**: So this is a meeting of the elders. Incredible...
**Kim**: (Watches Kamui shake his head.)
*You and Kamui seems to have aroused the disdain and dissatisfaction of the Alterland elders...*
*However, they don't seem too willing to express their sentiments out loud.*
**Kim**: How did Alterland fare in the recent battle, Chieftain?
**Kim**: Thirteen years! I haven't seen this many injured warriors in thirteen years!
**Batur**: ...
**Batur**: Deliver the casualty report, Chrono...
**Chrono**: Half of the homes in the village were damaged by the White Capes' bombardment, sir...
**Chrono**: Half of the houses collapsed completely and must be rebuilt. Another quarter have been so badly damaged that they are temporarily uninhabitable.
**Chrono**: It's a good thing most of the tribes members escaped in time. Casualty rate is less than 20%.
**Batur**: What about the Alterland warriors?
**Chrono**: The warriors...
**Batur**: Don't hold anything back. Tell everyone the truth.
**Chrono**: Yes, sir...
**Chrono**: Over a quarter of the warriors returned to the Forest God in the last battle...
**Player**: !!
**Chrono**: And many more warriors were seriously injured. Their outlook isn't optimistic.
**Batur**: If the White Capes were to launch another attack now, how many warriors would be ready to fight?
**Chrono**: Maybe half. A little more... Less than two-thirds...
**Kamui**: Wow! So many...
**Batur**: Kartans, I'm afraid the White Capes' offensive will be even more violent in the days to come.
**Batur**: So...
**Alterland Elder**: By the Forest God! Will the calamity of thirteen years ago happen again?
**Alterland Elder**: O Great Limuthule! Please don't forsake our children!
**Alterland Elder**: Limuthule, we offer our deepest prayers, please manifest your spirit and drive away those evildoers who have invaded our forest!
**Alterland Elder**: Alterland, we... What can we do?
**Kim**: Quiet!
**Kim**: To fall to pieces because of one battle...
**Kim**: Is that what it means to be a Kartan?
**Kim**: How will this help Limuthule? How will this help the leader of Alterland?
**Alterland Elder**: Uh...
**Batur**: Everyone, I'm afraid that Alterland is facing the greatest threat it's faced in the past thirteen years.
**Batur**: I hope everyone will share their wisdom...
**Batur**: So that we can figure out the best course forward, together.
**Kim**: The Kartans are the elders of our tribes. They are the most experienced people we've got...
**Kim**: It's your responsibility to stand up in crises and help the tribe using the wisdom of the ancestors!
**Kim**: However, we do not understand these foreign enemies...
**Batur**: Our war advisor, Mr. Player, has been fighting the White Capes for years...
**Batur**: What kinds of offensives can we expect in the future, Player?
**Player**: This attack was led by the White Cape General, and there were almost two full White Capes brigades.
**Player**: They also used frontline siege weapons, like long-range artillery.
**Player**: Clearly, what we found ourselves up against this time was the main force of the White Capes' eastern expansion mission!
**Chrono**: Our leader's already come to understand their tactics. In terms of strength, they can't beat our Alterlan warriors.
**Chrono**: If they come back again, the warriors and I will beat them back!
**Player**: But according to my knowledge, the White Capes' eastern expansion mission consists of seven brigades!
**Player**: In addition to artillery, they've also got airships, tanks, etc...
**Player**: Also, the White Capes' tactics will not remain unchanged...
**Player**: We may have defeated their main force, but that doesn't mean it was their full force!
**Chrono**: Hmm... The great shields of our warriors are indestructible. Nobody can destroy our shields!
**Kamui**: A tank could...
**Kamui**: Imagine a large block of iron over a hundred times heavier than Batur, rushing towards Alterland's shields at the speed of a pack of wolves..
**Chrono**: How... How is that possible?
**Player**: Kamui's not exaggerating!
**Chrono**: If that were true, even the leader... To say nothing of the shield formation...
**Alterland Elder**: Such a weapon exists?
**Alterland Elder**: How could Alterland defeat such a weapon in battle?
**Batur**: ...
**Kamui**: ...
**Kamui**: It's impossible! Alterland cannot win!
**Kamui**: Alterland can't win this war on its own, no matter what!
**Player**: ...
**Kamui**: Alterland...
**Kamui**: To defeat the outsiders, we need to use the outsiders' weapons and tactics!
**Chrono**: I saw Kamui use the White Capes' cannons to bomb the White Capes' position!
**Chrono**: After two or three rounds, the White Capes' position was completely obliterated!
**Player**: Indeed, if Alterland warriors could use the White Capes' weapons...
**Player**: The weapons and equipment we capture could be used to arm our soldiers and make up for our losses, at least to a certain extent...
**Batur**: ...
**Some Elders**: We could use the outsiders' weapons to help Alterland...
**Some Elders**: Yeah... This is a good idea...
**Kim**: ...
**Player**: However, another wave of White Capes attacks will come soon.
**Player**: It looks like it's a little late to start capturing their weapons...
**Player**: Not only are the kinds of numbers we need out of reach, but it's also too late for us to train the Alterland warriors to use them!
**Batur**: ...
**Kamui**: Indeed. I studied mechanics in Red Harbor for almost a year, and I barely learned anything.
**Kamui**: In this case, we can ask the Oathblades in Red Harbor for help!
**Batur**: The Oathblades... the ones who came to Alterland recently, were they from Never Isle?
**Player**: Yeah. You refused their help at the time, Batur...
**Kamui**: He refused them? Why did he refuse them?
**Kamui**: The Oathblades have a huge number of troops and many advanced weapons.
**Kamui**: And they hate the White Capes even more than Alterland does!
**Kamui**: If we teamed up with them, forget the White Capes...
**Kamui**: Even if the Shadows from 13 years ago came back, we could beat them!
**Player**: 13 years ago? The Shadows?
**Batur**: ...
**Kim**: Kamui...
**Kim**: I thought you would've changed by now...
**Kim**: Your proposal was rejected a year ago...
**Kim**: The ancestral commandments forbid the Alterlans from relying on outside technology!
**Kim**: Although, because of the special nature of this war, with the permission of the Chieftain...
**Kim**: Alterland uses outside technology, to a certain degree.
**Kamui**: I saw that. The sentry robots and the automatic irrigation system. The tribe uses them very well...
**Kamui**: Outside technology is not as scary as Alterland used to think!
**Kamui**: Since you've come this far, why not modernize completely?
**Kim**: Because the ancestral commandments forbid Alterlans from relying on outside technology!
**Kim**: Alterlan warriors are absolutely forbidden from using the weapons and equipment of outsiders!
**Kim**: Even worse would be letting a large number of outsiders into Alterland!
**Kamui**: The Oathblades are different. The people of Never Isle are different!
**Kamui**: They want to help Alterland!
**Kim**: They may be willing to help Alterland now, but in the future, they may turn against us.
**Kamui**: Uh...
**Kamui**: Then what about Player?
**Kim**: Player is a guest of the Chieftain, and one of the counterstrategists in our fight against the White Capes.
**Kim**: I can't comment more.
**Kim**: But the ancestral commandments are clear: outsiders do not deserve our trust!
**Kim**: The Chieftain has guaranteed me that if Player ever turns against Alterland, the Chieftain will kill him with his own hands!
**Batur**: ...
**Player**: ...
**Kamui**: You... How could you...
**Kamui**: Player has been a great help to Alterland! Your conduct toward him is not befitting of Limuthule's teachings!
**Kamui**: I finally understand...
**Kamui**: Alterland's real obstacle are those outdated ancestral commandments!
**Kim**: What you're calling 'outdated' is the wisdom of our ancestors...
**Kim**: It is the assiduous instruction offered to the tribe by its greatest members.
**Kim**: It is how you, I, and all Alterlans have survived as long as we have!
**Kim**: Don't tell me your faith in Limuthule is also outdated to you?!
**Batur**: That's enough! It is not our way to question the loyalty of our other members!
**Kamui**: Kartans! I only have one question. If we don't call upon the power of the outside world...
**Kamui**: How will Alterland defeat the White Capes?
**Alterland Elder**: Their artillery alone is already so powerful that if they sent all their forces...
**Alterland Elder**: Yes, how do we plan to deal with the White Capes' weapons?
**Alterland Elder**: We... We should pray to Limuthule...
**Alterland Elder**: The more dire the situation, the more important our faith in the Forest God becomes!
**Alterland Elder**: Limuthule will not abandon his children!
**Kamui**: Relying on faith alone won't be enough to beat the White Capes!
**Kim**: In the crisis thirteen years ago, the Alterlans fought to the end by relying on their faith alone!
**Kim**: If it worked thirteen years ago, it can work now!
**Kamui**: Kartan Kim!
**Batur**: All right! The council has heard your opinions. Now it's time to vote!
**Batur**: Those who believe that Alterland should call upon outside help to defeat the White Capes, stand on Kamui's side...
**Batur**: Those who believe that it shouldn't, stand on Kartan Kim's side...
*Three elders stand on Kamui's side while two elders join Kim in opposing the idea*
**Player**: Three against three? What should we do?
**Kim**: You must cast the deciding vote, Chieftain Batur...
**Kamui**: Don't hesitate, brother!
**Batur**: ...
*Before Batur can decide, an Alterland Priest enters the altar*
**Batur**: A priest?
**Forest Priest**: Oh, sorry, I didn't know the Chieftain was holding a council of the elders...
**Batur**: State your business.
**Forest Priest**: Sir, the events of yesterday have made the tribespeople worried. They have gathered outside the Holy Land...
**Forest Priest**: They want to come to the Holy Land and pray for Alterland along with you and the warriors...
**Batur**: ...
**Forest Priest**: Since you and the Kartans are discussing matters of importance, I will have them disperse, and arrange another time...
**Batur**: That won't be necessary. If the tribespeople want to pray to the Forest God, then as their Chieftain, I must support them...
**Batur**: The council of the elders will end soon. Please go on ahead and tell the tribespeople to wait.
**Batur**: In a little while, I will personally lead them in prayer.
**Forest Priest**: Great!
*The priest leaves*
**Kim**: Let's continue!
**Batur**: Yes...
**Batur**: I stand with Kartan Kim!
**Player**: !!
**Kamui**: Brother?!
**Kim**: Thanks be to Limuthule, our wise leader has made the right decision!
**Kamui**: How do you plan on dealing with the White Capes, Brother?!
**Batur**: The war between Alterland and the White Capes is about to reach a fever pitch...
**Batur**: The White Capes are great in number, and they have cutting-edge weapons and equipment. They pose no small threat to Alterland.
**Batur**: However, so far in this war, Alterland hasn't used its full strength!
**Player**: Hasn't used...its full strength?
**Kamui**: What do you mean?
**Batur**: The power that we have as Alterlans, as children of Limuthule!
**Batur**: All our enemies will be turned to ash in the face of this power!
**Kamui**: Where are you going to get this kind of power, Brother? Are you joking?
**Batur**: I would never joke about the fate of Alterland!
*A few moments later...*
*Player speaks with Kamui alone*
**Player**: Kamui, it seems like you don't know what strength Batur was talking about, either...
**Kamui**: (Kamui shakes his head)
**Player**: Could Alterland have researched a new type of weapon?
**Kamui**: If they really did have that kind of weapon, I wouldn't have had to fight with the Kartans and leave Alterland in the first place.
**Player**: But...Batur wouldn't joke about Alterland's future...
**Kamui**: I know...
**Player**: Besides, if Alterland really does have this kind of weapon, why didn't they use it in the last battle?
**Player**: Was it to conserve strength? Or...could there be another reason?
**Kamui**: I don't know...
**Kamui**: ...
**Kamui**: Brother...
**Kamui**: Player, I want to pray for my brother.
**Player**: Go ahead. With his little brother praying for him, Batur is sure to receive the Forest God's protection.
*Batur begins to lead all of the Alterlans in prayer to Limuthule*
**Batur**: My fellow tribesmen, before we begin to pray, I have a few words I'd like to say.
**Batur**: I'm sure many of you already know...
**Batur**: That the war between Alterland and the White Cape invaders is reaching a critical juncture...
**Batur**: The invaders are many in number, and they use all kinds of powerful weapons we've never seen before.
**Batur**: This is the most severe threat we've faced in thirteen years!
**Batur**: In order to protect the land given to us by Limuthule, many of our warriors have sacrificed their lives and have returned to the Forest God's side...
**Batur**: In the cannon fire, many of our tribespeople have lost their homes, and have nowhere to go...
**Batur**: I have no choice but to admit...
**Batur**: The enemy is strong!
**Batur**: ...
**Batur**: However!
**Batur**: Alterland...
**Batur**: Will never lose!
**Batur**: Because when we Alterlans are united, there is no difficulty we cannot overcome!
**Batur**: Countless fearsome enemies have fallen, because of our bravery!
**Batur**: Because of Limuthule's protection! Because of the blessings of our great ancestors!
**Batur**: Because...
**Batur**: We are Alterlans!
**Alterlans**: Long live Alterland!
**Batur**: I assure you that the events of thirteen years ago will not be repeated!
**Batur**: Alterland will win!
**Alterlans**: The Chieftain really is the Shield of Limuthule and Alterland's greatest warrior!
**Alterlans**: He is the savior granted upon us by Limuthule!
**Alterland Warrior**: I pledge my loyalty to Chieftain Batur! I will follow him till the day I die!
**Alterland Warrior**: Long live Alterland!
*A fervor sweeps over the people at the altar.*
*It blows away the doubts in their hearts.*
*Continue to Intimacy Level 10*

**Legacy of the Woods**

Batur's shield protects the entire Alterland.

**-Part 1**

*In the Star Woods, at the Alterland base.*
*Player meets Batur in front of his hut*
**Batur**: Player!
**Batur**: Can you bring me the water jug?
**Batur**: Some days, I neglect the flowers...
**Player**: Sure!
*Player looks around*
**Player**: I found it! This should be the water jug...
**Player**: (With the threat of the White Capes looming on the horizon, why's Batur worried about his flowers?)
**Player**: (However, Batur did change the defensive deployments of the outer Alterland regions as well as the soldiers' patrol routes...)
**Player**: (The White Capes won't be able to pull off a sneak attack next time...)
**Player**: (The Alterlans don't understand the situation outside the Star Woods, so they have no way to take the initiative themselves.)
**Player**: (Yeah... I guess Batur's already done everything he can do at this point. And he's done a good job, too...)
**Player**: (He's playing his best card close to the chest. The 'strength' that can change the tide of the war.)
**Player**: (For him to refuse outside help and want to fight the White Capes on his own...)
**Batur**: Player, have you found the water jug?
**Player**: !!
**Player**: I found it! I'm on my way!
**Batur**: Thank you. Put the jug down here.
**Player**: (Batur's not the joking type. And he would treat Alterland's future lightly...)
**Player**: ...
**Batur**: Player?
**Player**: I'm sorry, I was lost in thought.
**Batur**: Let me guess...
**Batur**: You were wondering why I have refused Never Isle's help. Isn't that right, Player?
**Player**: Yeah. After you defeated the White Capes, you called a council of the elders and brought me and Kamui along...
**Player**: You proved that you were at least open to asking for Never Isle's help.
**Player**: But then in the end, you still chose to refuse help from outsiders, and to rely on Alterland's own strength to fight the White Capes.
**Player**: I was thinking that maybe it was because of Kartan Kim's words? You're worried that the future with Never Isle might be the same as with the White Capes...
**Player**: That we will attack Alterland?
**Batur**: No. I've known you long enough to understand that Never Isle and the White Capes are different.
**Batur**: Never Isle is sincere when it says it wants to help Alterland.
**Player**: Then is it because you've been hiding a last resort, and Alterland does not need outside help?
**Player**: That can't be it, either. If you really had a weapon that powerful, then you wouldn't have considered accepting outside help.
**Batur**: Never Isle's help combined with Alterland's true strength...
**Batur**: Would greatly reduce casualties from this war.
**Player**: Then why have you refused Never Isle's help?
**Batur**: ...
**Batur**: Thanks to you, Player, I've learned a lot about the outside world.
**Batur**: It is time to help you truly understand Alterland.
**Player**: ...
**Batur**: Follow me, please.
**Player**: Truly understand Alterland?
*A while later, somewhere in the Holy Land of Alterland...*
*Batur leads Player to a crypt far inside the altar*
**Player**: What is this place?
**Batur**: This is a place deep within the Holy Land of Alterland. It is where Alterland's ancestors rest.
**Player**: Alterland's ancestors?
**Player**: I'm an outsider. Are you sure it's okay to bring me here?
**Batur**: You are a friend of Alterland, the ancestors won't mind.
**Player**: Well, that's good. The Kartans might feel differently, though.
**Player**: Batur, why did you bring me here?
**Batur**: I've read books from the outside world. If you want to understand a people, you must start from their origins...
**Batur**: And this is where Alterland's ancestors rest...
*The sound of falling rocks disturbs the silence of the crypt*
**Player**: What's that sound?
**Kamui**: Batur! I know you're here!
**Player**: Kamui?
**Batur**: ...
**Kamui**: I finally found you!
**Kamui**: Brother! You need to explain everything today!
**Kamui**: What is Alterland's true strength?
**Batur**: Perfect timing...
**Batur**: You can listen to what I have to say, too.
**Kamui**: Brother, I didn't come here to listen to one of your stories!
**Batur**: Let me finish, and then I will answer your question!
**Kamui**: Ugh. Fine, it's a deal!
**Batur**: Come here...
**Batur**: ...
*Batur performs a small ritual in front of one of the tombs*
**Batur**: You've been in Alterland for a while now.
**Batur**: Do you know the meaning behind this word, 'Alterland?'
*You shake your head.*
**Kamui**: Yes... Kamui only knows that Alterland is 'Limuthule's promised land'...
**Kamui**: I don't know what the name 'Alterland' itself means...
**Batur**: The land of change, this is the original meaning of 'Alterland'.
**Player**: The land of change? Why?
**Batur**: Because Alterland's ancestors did not live in the Star Woods.
**Batur**: Back then, they weren't even called Alterlans.
**Player**: You all moved to Star Woods?
**Batur**: That's right. The person who brought our ancestors to the Star Woods was one of the people resting here. Alterland's first Chieftain...
**Batur**: Over a thousand years ago, our ancestors' homeland suffered an extremely terrible war.
**Batur**: The Chieftain was inspired by the Forest God in a dream.
**Batur**: Limuthule guided the Chieftain and had him lead the members of the tribe out of their homeland, to a new home at the other end of the mainland.
**Batur**: The Chieftain and the other ancestors disagreed. In the end, only a few people were willing to follow the Chieftain and leave their war-torn homeland.
**Batur**: They set out upon a journey to cross the continent.
**Batur**: The Chieftain led his people east. After 26 years, they finally found the Star Woods along the Elysian River.
**Batur**: They finally found the place the Chieftain saw in his dream - the tranquil land that is beneath our very feet.
**Batur**: After they came to the Star Woods, in order to thank the Forest God...
**Batur**: The Chieftain and the other ancestors swore to the Forest God that they would always be grateful and have faith in him...
**Batur**: They then called this place 'Alterland'.
**Player**: In order to survive and in seeking change, they came here from their homeland. I see...
**Player**: Based off Luxium's geography, the Alterlan ancestors probably came from the Red Desert, right?
*Batur shakes his head.*
**Batur**: I've seen your maps. The ancestors' homeland is not in the Red Desert...
**Batur**: It is north of the Red Desert, in a place now called the Shadowlands.
**Kamui**: Huh?! The Shadowlands?!
**Player**: Before the Second Shadow War, the Shadowlands were indeed a good place with lots of sunshine and dense forests.
**Player**: So, more than a thousand years ago, the war that took place in the Alterlan ancestors' homeland...
**Player**: It was the Second Shadow War!
**Player**: But when the Second Shadow War ended, the Shadowlands were...
**Batur**: 'Suffering the effect of the blast Flux, the vegetation does not grow, and it is called the Shadowlands.' That's how the foreign history books record it.
**Kamui**: The other ancestors, who did not leave their homeland with the first Chieftain, were all...
*Batur nods his head.*
**Player**: So that's why Alterlans call the world outside the Star Woods 'the Land of the Damned'.
**Kamui**: That is to say, without enlightenment from Limuthule, the first Chieftain wouldn't have had his dream...
**Kamui**: Then you, me, all our tribespeople... they wouldn't exist?
**Batur**: That's right.
*Kamui says a short prayer.*
**Kamui**: Gods above, I thank you. I thank you for all you have done for our ancestors...
**Batur**: ...
**Batur**: The Holy Land of Alterland, as well as 'Ancestor's Rest', were both proposed by the first Chieftain.
**Batur**: After the Chieftain's soul returned to the Forest God, he rested here and became the first ancestor to forever guard Alterland.
**Kamui**: Incredible...
**Batur**: Back then, there were a bunch of ancestors who followed the Chieftain and left their homeland...
**Batur**: At the end of the long journey across the continent, to the promised land of the Star Woods, less than one in five were left.
**Batur**: And that was just Alterland's beginning...
*A few moments later...*
*Batur continues to offer prayers to each tomb in the crypt*
**Batur**: Limuthule's promised land was not always so perfect as it is now.
**Batur**: The ancient Alterlans faced a beast no one had ever seen.
**Batur**: Had to adapt to the humid and rainy climate here...
**Batur**: The environment, disease, and wild beasts have pushed Alterland's limits time and again.
**Batur**: Time and again, Alterland has been brought to the brink of extinction.
**Batur**: After many generations of Alterlan hard work...
**Batur**: The ancient Alterlans defeated ferocious beasts and adapted to the harsh environment.
**Batur**: They finally got a firm foothold in the Star Woods.
**Batur**: Alterland adapted to the land and started development, gradually expanding its territory...
**Batur**: But peace did not come to Alterland...
**Batur**: Some turned their backs on Limuthule after seeing Alterland's achievements.
**Batur**: And there were people who had different opinions on what Alterland's future holds.
**Batur**: Some were curious about the outside world and wanted to leave...
**Batur**: The cloud of division fell over Alterland.
**Batur**: Until about 300 years ago, the 56th Chieftain of Alterland defended the Limuthule faith with peace and an iron fist.
**Batur**: He forced Alterland and the tribes in the woods to reunify.
**Player**: Peace and an iron fist?
**Batur**: Alterland at that time was on the verge of falling apart and collapsing.
**Batur**: The 56th Chieftain united some of the people with the faith in the Forest God as their core.
**Batur**: As for those who were unwilling to obey him but still had faith in Limuthule, he let them live in peace.
**Batur**: He helped them settle somewhere else in the Star Woods.
**Batur**: Those who turned their backs on Limuthule, got the iron fist...
**Batur**: Either leave the Star Woods forever, or be turned to ashes by Limuthule's wrath!
**Player**: ...
**Player**: Well, it's a bit harsh, but it must be said that this is one of the most effective ways of dealing with a schism.
**Batur**: That's right. Even though Alterland broke up in to twelve separate tribes...
**Batur**: We share the same beliefs and are all children of Limuthule.
**Batur**: The twelve tribes are prosperous and strong with Alterland as their core.
**Batur**: At critical junctures, the twelve tribes come together to fight common enemies.
**Batur**: Alterland ushered in a golden era!
**Player**: Tolerance and unity can bring prosperity and development. Every era is the same!
**Kamui**: The ancestor Chieftains seem like they were really great.
**Kamui**: Of course, they're not as great as you, brother.
**Batur**: Don't say things like that, Kamui!
**Batur**: How could I hope to compare with the great ancestors?
**Kamui**: Why not?
**Kamui**: You're my brother, Batur! The 71st Chieftain of Alterland...
**Kamui**: The greatest warrior Alterland has ever known!
**Kamui**: You saved Alterland from the brink of destruction 13 years ago and brought Alterland into a new golden age!
**Player**: Haha, that sounds about right!
**Batur**: How can such small feats be compared with the achievements of our ancestors?
**Kamui**: Hey, how can you call them small feats? 13 years ago, without you, Alterland would've been destroyed!
**Batur**: Even so, compared to the ancestors...
**Player**: Ah, I'm sorry to interrupt...
**Player**: I've heard the term '13 years ago' countless times at this point.
**Player**: But I seem to be the only one who doesn't know what happened '13 years ago'...
**Player**: Could someone take the time to explain this to me?
**Kamui**: ...
**Batur**: ...
**Player**: Why are you guys looking at me like that?
**Batur**: Well, it's time to talk about this part of history.
**Kamui**: ...
**Player**: ...
*Batur and Kamui approach a tombstone.*
*This seems to be the last tombstone of the 'Ancestor's Resting Place'.*
*Compared with the tombstone from a few minutes ago, this tombstone is much smaller.*
*However, it's also the one in the best shape.*
**Batur**: It's already been one year?
**Kamui**: Yeah...
**Batur**: Since we're here, let's do a small respects and pay our respects.
**Kamui**: Yes.
**Player**: You and Kamui seem to be familiar with this ancestor...
**Batur**: Yes, the ancestor resting here...
**Batur**: Was our father.
**Player**: !!
**Batur**: The Golden Age brought Alterland and the other forest tribes unheard-of prosperity.
**Batur**: But it wasn't long afterward that a small threat appeared.
**Batur**: A foreign invasion.
**Batur**: Poachers hunting animals, poachers target Arraheim...
**Batur**: Organized gangs of criminals, explorers from big cities...
**Batur**: At first, these were the people who were a threat to the Star Woods.
**Batur**: But these people can be reasoned with, or dealt with using force. In short, they were not a big problem.
**Batur**: However, over a dozen years ago, the Shadows set their sights on Alterland.
**Player**: The Shadows!
**Player**: They must have had their eyes on the Forest Nexus.
**Batur**: There's no way to know what the Shadows were looking for now.
**Batur**: There were many of them, and they would kill on sight. They could not be reasoned with at all.
**Batur**: After a few tentative attacks...
**Batur**: One day, thirteen years ago, the Shadows launched an all-out offensive on Alterland.
**Batur**: My father was Alterland Chieftain at the time.
**Batur**: He gathered the fiercest warriors from the 12 tribes to do battle with the Shadows.
**Batur**: Helpless thanks to the disparity in their combat power, my father died, and the warriors were lost. The Shadow offensive could not be stopped.
**Batur**: The forest tribes was almost wiped out, and Alterland was once again on the brink of destruction.
**Player**: Shadows...
**Player**: So it was Batur who defeated the Shadows and rescued Alterland?
**Batur**: It was just a fluke.
**Kamui**: No!!
**Kamui**: I also witnessed the calamity 13 years ago. I remember it very clearly!
**Kamui**: After father died in battle, Batur united the remaining forest tribes.
**Kamui**: Because of the tremendous power of the Shadows, and their magic that Alterlans had never seen before...
**Kamui**: So, Batur ordered that there should be no direct confrontation with the Shadows.
**Kamui**: He ordered us to take advantage of Alterland's terrain in the Star Woods to engage in guerrilla operations against the Shadows.
**Kamui**: Under the leadership of my brother, the Alterland warriors divided up and destroyed a large number of Shadows.
**Kamui**: They also destroyed the Shadows' supply line and forced the Shadows to give up their attack!
**Player**: Incredible tactics!
**Kamui**: So my brother is the hero who saved Alterland!
**Kamui**: That's also why he became the greatest warrior in Alterland's history and the Shield of Limuthule!
**Batur**: But the price of victory was almost the entirety of Alterland...
**Batur**: From now on, Kamui, please don't call me the 'greatest warrior'...
**Batur**: If I were really that great, father wouldn't have died 13 years ago...
**Kamui**: Father's death wasn't your fault!
**Batur**: ...
**Kamui**: At that time, the outside world was already using cutting-edge weapons like vehicles, artillery, and guns.
**Kamui**: If the tribespeople at that time had been willing to side with the Shadowhunters at the Forest Nexus, then father wouldn't have died!
**Player**: Wait!
**Player**: How did you know that the outside world had vehicles, artillery, and firearms 13 years ago?
**Kamui**: Because my mother was an outsider! She was from Elysiann!
**Player**: W-what? Then Batur...
**Batur**: When my mother gave birth to me, her soul returned to the Forest God.
**Batur**: Kamui's mother was the daughter of a foreign merchant captain. They encountered some bandits in the forest...
**Batur**: My father and some warriors from the tribe came across them while on a hunt and rescued them.
**Batur**: Many of the members of the caravan were injured, and my father let them stay in the tribe temporarily to let them heal.
**Kamui**: During this period, my mother and father began a relationship, then my mother stayed in Alterland.
**Player**: Huh?! But is this kind of thing permitted in Alterland?
**Batur**: My father concealed my mother's identity, and said she was a woman from a reclusive tribe in the Star Woods...
**Kamui**: The only people who knew my mother was a foreigner were my father, my brother, and me.
**Kamui**: I grew up hearing about the outside world from my mother. So from the time I was very small, I knew that the outside world was not a place that 'cannot be redeemed!'
**Kamui**: When the Shadows came, I told my father to use the outsiders' weapons to defeat the outsiders!
**Kamui**: But he didn't listen!
**Batur**: Do you know why father didn't listen to you back then, Kamui?
**Kamui**: What other reason could there be?
**Kamui**: I was only nine when the Shadows came. I was just a child! And because he believed that the world outside the Star Woods was a place that could not be redeemed!
**Batur**: No!
**Batur**: When father met your mother, he already knew the world outside the Star Woods was not an irredeemable place!
**Kamui**: Well!!
**Kamui**: It's all because of those outdated ancestral commandments!
**Batur**: ...
**Batur**: Father told me what you thought back then...
**Batur**: And I supported you.
**Player**: !!
**Kamui**: !!
**Batur**: This is what father said...
**Batur**: 'As the leader of Alterland, what we have to protect is not only this land blessed by the Forest God...'
**Batur**: 'But more importantly, we have to protect Alterland's thousand-year-old legacy!'
**Kamui**: Legacy?
**Kamui**: What do you mean?
**Batur**: What do you think makes people from Alterland, Alterlans?
**Kamui**: What makes people from Alterland, Alterlans?
**Kamui**: Isn't it obvious? Why does there need to be a reason?
**Batur**: Then, if an Alterlan leaves the Star Woods, goes to Never Isle, turns his back on the teachings of Limuthule, forgets his morning rituals...
**Batur**: Is he still an Alterlan?
**Kamui**: Yes. Because how could an Alterlan turn his back on the teachings of Limuthule or his morning rituals...
**Kamui**: But even so, if he was born in the Star Woods, lived in Alterland, doesn't that make him...
**Kamui**: Ah! I don't know.
**Batur**: What do you think, Player?
**Player**: Of course, that person wouldn't be an Alterlan!
**Player**: Because he turned his back on Alterland's faith and rejected Alterland's culture...
**Player**: So long as he respects the laws of Never Isle, he'll qualify as a Never Islander.
**Batur**: Correct!
**Batur**: We are not Alterlans because we were born in the promised land protected by Limuthule...
**Batur**: It's because Alterlans believe in Limuthule, respect his teachings, remember the ancestors, and listen to their teachings...
**Batur**: It's because Alterlans carry out the rituals of the Forest God religion every morning, no matter where they are...
**Batur**: Every night, they sleep soundly, knowing the Forest God is protecting them...
**Batur**: Because every Alterlan must learn the language of the forest before they can learn the languages of the world...
**Batur**: Because every Alterlan carries the treasured blood of his ancestors...
**Batur**: Because of the thorns on every uniform, the blessing on every sword, the scars upon every shield...
*Kamui looks at his necklace and touches the blade at his waist...*
**Kamui**: My necklace, my sword...
**Kamui**: Brother... Mother...
**Batur**: ...
**Batur**: Faith, language, culture, and so on...
**Batur**: These things, that exist all around us, like water or air...
**Batur**: Those are the thousand-year-old legacy of Alterland!
**Player**: ...
**Player**: Batur, you're worried that the knowledge and culture of the outside world will irrevocably change Alterland, or even...destroy it.
**Batur**: ...
**Batur**: At the start of the millennium, it was the Forest God Limuthule who saved Alterland.
**Batur**: And what helped Alterland stand for the subsequent centuries and united us countless times in our times of crisis...
**Batur**: was Alterland's legacy!
**Batur**: Player...
**Batur**: I have carefully read every book you brought me...
**Batur**: Luxium is what you outsiders call the rest of the world...
**Batur**: Over the past thousands of years of history, thousands of civilizations have risen, fallen, and died...
**Batur**: Many civilizations have died not because of war, but because their legacies have been lost.
**Batur**: When you lose your own culture and legacy, your civilization no longer exists.
**Batur**: Master Billy's mechanical skills astound me.
**Batur**: Moderated and limited exposure to outside cultures can help the lives of those in the tribe and help us in our fight against the White Capes.
**Batur**: But to remove all of Alterland's restrictions at once and expose them fully to the culture and technology of the outside world...
**Batur**: Many would abandon their faith in Limuthule, and turn to the outsiders' worship of speed and convenience.
**Batur**: Maybe in a hundred years, or in ten years, Alterlans...
**Batur**: Will forget their own legacy.
**Kamui**: !!
**Player**: ...
**Batur**: The Forest God's promised land, the thousand-year-old legacy of Alterland.
**Batur**: Generation after generation of Alterland Chieftains have protected it.
**Batur**: My father gave his life to protect it.
**Batur**: I, too, must protect it!
**Kamui**: Why are you only telling me all this now?
**Kamui**: If you told me a year ago, then I...
**Batur**: This is the story that generation after generation of Alterland elders have passed down...
**Batur**: Even though I'm only telling you now, it's still not too late...
**Player**: ...
**Player**: I understand your reasons for refusing Never Isle's aid.
**Player**: But how are you planning to deal with the White Capes?
**Batur**: Alterland's legacy has pulled through in times of crisis countless times, and it will save Alterland yet again...
**Batur**: Limuthule bestowed part of his own power on Alterland's first Chieftain.
**Batur**: And the use of this power has been passed down from generation to generation by the Chieftains...
**Player**: The power of the Forest God?!
**Batur**: Its purpose is to be used as a last resort to protect Alterland at its most dire moments.
**Kamui**: It's true divine power!
**Player**: But why didn't your father use it back then, Batur?
**Batur**: The Shadows came before he could completely understand how to use it...
**Batur**: But I know how to use it. When the decisive battle comes, I will use this power and turn the tide of the war.
**Kamui**: You're the best, brother!
**Batur**: This should be the Alterland Chieftain's secret. Even the Kartans don't know about it...
**Batur**: So you two aren't allowed to tell a soul!
**Kamui**: Yeah, don't worry!
**Batur**: Kamui, Player, you guys go on. I need to prepare the ancestor's ritual.
**Player**: All right! Let's go!
**Batur**: Hold on, Player! I have something to ask you.
**Player**: Oh?
**Batur**: Player, about my little brother, Kamui...
**Batur**: Can you ask him what are his plans for the near future, Player?
**Player**: Huh? You want me to ask?
**Player**: Wouldn't it be better if you asked, Batur?
**Batur**: Today's issues will have a great effect on him, I can sense it.
**Batur**: Even though Kamui can be mischievous, he's quite perceptive.
**Batur**: If I ask him myself, he will probably stay and help me because he is my brother.
**Player**: Isn't that a good thing? That's brotherly love.
**Batur**: I used to keep him by my side out of selfishness.
**Batur**: But I won't make the same mistakes now. I don't want to hold him back.
**Player**: I understand. I'll ask him!
**Batur**: Please.
*A while later, outside the Holy Land of Alterland.*
*Kamui looks out over a flowing river, thinking about what he just learned*
**Kamui**: ...
**Player**: Kamui!
**Kamui**: Player, it's you!
**Player**: It's not like you to stand by the river staring off into space!
**Kamui**: I need time to digest the story we were just told.
**Kamui**: Limuthule's guidance; Alterland's creation, development, and prosperity...
**Kamui**: The legacy that the Chieftains have protected for generation after generation.
**Kamui**: Today was the first time I ever learned about the true burden my brother has borne for all these years.
**Kamui**: My brother, by himself, carrying all of Alterland on his shoulders...
**Player**: ...
**Kamui**: Even though he's my big brother, it's got to be too heavy. Too, too heavy...
**Kamui**: I may not be as powerful as my brother, and I may not be as strong...
**Kamui**: But I want to help him, if I can!
**Kamui**: I want to help him shoulder his burden.
**Kamui**: Even if only to compensate him for putting up with my headstrongness a year ago.
**Player**: A year ago?
**Kamui**: A year ago, when the White Capes appeared, they wanted to spread the Kaist faith, and arrest the Alamu in the tribe...
**Kamui**: My brother drove them off, but I was worried they'd regroup and come back.
**Kamui**: The last time a foreign tribe invaded, Alterland was nearly destroyed. The power of Alterland alone could not stop a foreign invasion.
**Kamui**: So I offered that I could leave the tribe, learn the knowledge of the outside world, so that we could better resist invasions!
**Kamui**: Of course, my brother and the tribal elders didn't agree. They said the outside world was 'a place that cannot be redeemed'.
**Player**: Hmm. Kamui understands the outside world better than others. From this perspective, raising the question wasn't a bad idea.
**Kamui**: But at that time, I didn't understand the responsibility and burden he carries as the Chieftain of the tribe.
**Kamui**: In order to convince the Kartans that the outside world is not a 'place that cannot be redeemed,' I told them that my mother was an outsider.
**Player**: !!
**Kamui**: My brother said I was lying.
**Kamui**: I tried my best, but my brother said that I was insulting our mother and asked me to kneel by my father's tombstone...
**Kamui**: Now I understand, my brother was trying to protect my mother, and protect me...
**Kamui**: Back then, I thought that my brother was simply agreeing with the Kartans and couldn't accept our mother's identity.
**Kamui**: In front of my brother and the clan elders, I cut off my relationship with my brother and with Alterland.
**Kamui**: I left Alterland.
**Player**: I had no idea all this happened.
*Kamui holds the necklace in front of him.*
**Kamui**: My necklace was given to me by my brother at my coming-of-age ceremony.
**Kamui**: My brother made it himself...
**Kamui**: How could I think that my brother would simply agree with the Kartans and not love me?
**Kamui**: I even cut off my relationship with him. No doubt, this hurt his feelings.
**Player**: Just so long as the misunderstanding was cleared up.
**Player**: If you keep blaming yourself, that will only make Batur more unhappy.
**Kamui**: You're right!
**Kamui**: This is my home! My older brother is here. My tribe is here!
**Kamui**: Before they drive the White Capes away for good...
**Kamui**: I'm not going anywhere!
**Kamui**: I want to be by my brother's side and protect Alterland!
*A while later, in front of the Chieftain's hut.*
**Batur**: So, Kamui wants to stay...
**Player**: You don't seem too happy about that.
**Batur**: The battles between Alterland and the White Capes are getting more and more fierce.
**Batur**: Of course, I want Kamui to be somewhere safe.
**Player**: Kamui really wants to stay and help you this time, Batur.
**Player**: Yes, he's your little brother. But he's also an Alterlan warrior.
**Player**: His homeland is in trouble, of course he can't sit idly by...
**Player**: Besides, his closest family member is in Alterland.
**Player**: Let Kamui stay. This is what he wants.
**Batur**: ...
**Player**: I understand how you feel. You want to protect your little brother.
**Player**: But from Kamui's point of view, he doesn't want his older brother to face the danger all by himself.
**Batur**: Ha! I don't need Kamui to worry about me.
**Player**: Kamui's not weak enough to need your protection, either.
**Player**: Don't forget, he's a man who explored the 'place that cannot be redeemed' all by himself!
**Batur**: !!
**Batur**: Right...
*Continue to Intimacy Level 11*

**Alterland's Choice**

This time, the Alterlans will fight for the mountain that protects them!

**-Part 1**

*The Star Woods, at the Alterland tribe's camp.*
*The Alterland warriors are undergoing intensive training to prepare to deal with the White Capes threat.*
**Drill Instructor**: Stealth formation, warriors!
*The row of warriors raise their shields*
**Drill Instructor**: War shamans, prepare the Séance!
*The war shamans summon a heavy fog that covers the training ground*
**Drill Instructor**: Squads, move under cover!
*The squads stealthily move through the fog*
**Drill Instructor**: Leave stealth. Charge formation!
*The fog instantly dissipates and the warriors prepare their arm cannons*
**Alterland Warrior**: For Alterland!
*Player looks over the practice exercise*
**Player**: The morale of the soldiers seems quite high.
**Player**: Alterland warriors are brave and capable fighters. Chieftain Batur is especially courageous and wise.
**Player**: Add to that the Star Woods' advantageous fighting terrain...
**Player**: And Batur's 'last resort'...
**Player**: They've got the advantage in morale, fighting ability, tactics, and terrain...
**Player**: Even with their airships and other modern weaponry, the White Capes shouldn't be able to beat Alterland!
**Player**: I can't just stand around doing nothing...
**Player**: I'm going to go see where I can help out!
*As Player walks around Alterland, Kartan Kim calls out to him*
**???**: Mr. Player, please wait!
**Player**: ?
**Player**: Are you the Alterland Elder, Kartan Kim?
**Player**: (Uh oh, did I get myself in trouble again?)
**Player**: (I haven't done anything lately to offend the Alterland ancestral commandments...)
**Kim**: Do not worry, Player...
**Kim**: I am here because I need your help.
**Player**: Oh! You need my help?
**Player**: Let me know what I can do.
**Kim**: The situation is urgent, so I'll get straight to the point.
**Kim**: Do you remember, at the elder council, Player...
**Kim**: Chieftain Batur said that Alterland has a 'last resort' to deal with the White Capes.
**Kim**: Do you know what this 'last resort' is?
**Player**: (Batur said that harnessing Limuthule's power is a secret that's been passed down from generation to generation of Alterland Chieftains...)
**Player**: (I'd better play it dumb for now...)
**Player**: I asked Chieftain Batur about this, but he didn't tell me anything.
**Player**: The Chieftain would not take the war between Alterland and the White Capes lightly.
**Player**: When he said that a 'last resort' exists, we ought to believe him.
**Kim**: ...
**Kim**: Mr. Player, Chieftain Batur's 'last resort'...
**Kim**: It's a summoning arcana that is used to harness the power of Limuthule. It's been handed down from generation to generation of Alterland Chieftains.
**Player**: Oh! Limuthule's power... The Chieftain has the ability to do something like that?
**Player**: It's wonderful!
**Kim**: However, using this kind of Séance to harness the Strength of the Forest God comes at a cost.
**Player**: A cost?
**Kim**: The cost, is the life of its caster...
**Player**: What!!
**Player**: Are you saying that when Batur uses the arcana to harness the Strength of the Forest God, he's guaranteed to die? Is this some kind of joke?!
**Player**: If these things are passed down among generations of Alterland Chieftains, how do you know about them?
**Kim**: You don't trust me, Player...
**Kim**: I know we've had our differences in the past...
**Kim**: But I am a Kartan of Alterland! When it comes to Alterland's future, I would never lie!
**Kim**: Batur isn't just Alterland Chieftain.
**Kim**: 13 years ago, Chieftain Batur saved Alterland from the clutches of the Shadows and rebuilt our homeland, bringing Alterland into a new age of prosperity.
**Kim**: Batur isn't just our Chieftain, he is the hope of Alterland!
**Kim**: Without Batur, even if Alterland managed to defeat the White Capes, the only thing left for it would be destruction!
**Player**: ...
**Kim**: Mr. Player, I know that you, the Chieftain, and I have all had our differences...
**Kim**: But everything I do, I do for Alterland!
**Kim**: Therefore, when it comes to Alterland's future, my lips shall never utter a false word!
**Kim**: Mr. Player, the Chieftain... He really respects you.
**Kim**: I'm begging you! Talk some sense into him!
**Kim**: Alterland cannot survive without Batur!
*Kim's voice wavers, and it takes him great effort to rein in his emotions.*
**Player**: ...
**Player**: I know, Elder Kim. I won't let Batur do anything foolish!
**Kim**: Mr. Player, two days ago I asked the Chieftain's younger brother, Kamui, for help...
**Kim**: But I haven't heard back from him. You are very important to the Chieftain...
**Kim**: If you and Kamui both talk to him, then perhaps the Chieftain will listen.
**Player**: Kamui also knows about this?
**Player**: All right. I'll go find Batur!
*Player leaves*
**Kim**: Thank the Forest God! The light of hope has not been completely extinguished yet...
*A while later, outside the Chieftain's house...*
**Player**: Oh, Batur isn't home...
*Player goes back to the training grounds*
**Drill Instructor**: Oh! It's the war advisor, Mr. Player...
**Drill Instructor**: Do you need something?
**Player**: Did Batur... I mean, Chieftain Batur come through here?
**Drill Instructor**: The Chieftain personally conducted training this afternoon.
**Drill Instructor**: I haven't seen him since, however.
**Player**: This afternoon... That was several hours ago. All right, I got it. Thank you!
*A while later, outside the Holy Land of Alterland.*
**Player**: Hmm... I've already searched the whole camp.
**Player**: I can't reach him on the arcana crystal, either.
**Player**: And it's not only Batur. Kamui disappeared, too...
**Player**: I've got a bad feeling about this. I hope nothing's happened to them.
*Chrono finds Player standing outside of the altar*
**Chrono**: Ah! Mr. Player!
**Chrono**: Why do you look so...distressed?
**Player**: Ah, Chrono!
**Player**: Have you seen Chieftain Batur?
**Chrono**: The Chieftain? I just saw him leave the camp. He was headed to the southeast.
**Player**: Just now? You mean you saw him just now?
**Chrono**: That's right! It was less than half an hour ago.
**Player**: Thank you! I have some really important to talk to him about!
*A while later, in the forest southeast of the Alterland camp...*
**Player**: Batur! Batur!!!
**Player**: Are you here? Batur!
**Player**: That's...!
**Batur**: ...
**Player**: Batur!!!
**Batur**: This voice, is that...Player!
**Player**: Batur! Where are you going?
**Batur**: ...
**Batur**: I'm just looking for Kamui, that's all.
**Player**: Huh? You're looking for Kamui?
**Batur**: Yes. That troublesome kid...
**Batur**: I need to bring him back.
**Player**: (Was I worried about nothing? Batur only had a fight with Kamui?)
**Player**: (All right. This isn't a big deal...)
**Player**: Hold on!
**Player**: Batur, harnessing the power of Limuthule, the Alterland Chieftain's arcana...
**Player**: Is it true that the Séance comes at the cost of the caster's life?
*Hearing the question about the 'last resort', Batur stiffens up.*
*Then he smiles.*
**Batur**: You heard about that?
**Batur**: Sigh... Kartan Kim is really making a big fuss out of nothing.
**Batur**: He's scared Kamui, and now he's scared Mr. Player.
**Player**: Are you really going to sacrifice yourself to cast the arcana?
**Player**: Have you considered how Kamui might feel about this?
**Player**: Have you considered what Alterland's future might look like without you?
**Player**: You could at least ask me first. Am I not your war advisor?
**Batur**: (smiles)
**Batur**: I was really thinking about using the Séance inherited from the past Chieftain to deal with the White Capes...
**Batur**: But then I found...
**Batur**: A better way.
**Batur**: That's why I didn't tell you about the cost of using Limuthule's power.
**Player**: A better way?
**Batur**: You'll find out soon enough.
**Batur**: Now, I need to go find Kamui!
**Player**: Hold on!
**Player**: I want to help you find Kamui!
**Batur**: The forest is going to get more dangerous up ahead, Player. You'd better go back!
*Batur leaves*
**Player**: Batur, hold on!
*Player eventually catches up with Batur*
**Player**: Huff, puff...
**Batur**: Player, you...
**Player**: I may not be an Alterlan, but I have been living with the Alterlans for a while now...
**Player**: This forest road won't be a problem for me.
**Batur**: (smiles)
**Batur**: Then walk with me for a while.
**Player**: Of course!
*The dark night makes the already complex and dense Star Woods even more dangerous.*
*Perhaps because he needs to pay attention to where he's stepping, Batur hasn't said anything.*
*Suddenly, Batur stops.*
**Player**: Why did you stop, Batur? Where's Kamui?
**Batur**: ...
**Batur**: Player, thank you for accompanying me this far.
**Batur**: Kamui is up ahead.
**Batur**: Can you give us...
**Batur**: A little brother time?
**Player**: Some brother time?
**Player**: Of course!
*Batur looks at your neck.*
**Batur**: You're still wearing the necklace I gave you.
**Player**: Yeah! I like it because you gave it to me.
**Batur**: Really?
**Batur**: Thank you!
*As Batur turn back towards Kamui's location, a stern look returns to his face*
**Batur**: ...
*Player watches Batur continue on*
**Player**: ...
*You aren't sure why, but as you watch Batur leave...*
*Tears begin streaming down your face like rain...*
**Player**: Batur...
*This feeling, it feels like...*
*Farewell...*
**Player**: No...
**Player**: Why did he thank me out of the blue like this?
**Player**: Something... Something's wrong!
**Player**: I need to find Batur!
*A few moments later...*
**Player**: Damn, why can't I find him anywhere?
*Player looks around*
**Player**: !!
**Player**: This is!
**Player**: Bare footprints! Such a big footprint has to be Batur!
**Player**: Hold on, over here...
**Player**: Iron boot footprints!
**Player**: And the mark of a sword that was stuck in the ground...
**Player**: The branches of these bushes are broken...
**Player**: White fibers on the tree?
**Player**: These aren't Batur's...
**Player**: Iron boots, swords, fibers hanging from the tree...
**Player**: ...
**Player**: The White Capes!
**Player**: These marks are new. This means the White Capes just came through here!
**Player**: And these bare footprints mean that Batur just came through here as well...
**Player**: No, no...
**Player**: Why aren't there any signs of a struggle nearby?
**Player**: Batur encountered the White Capes, but didn't put up a fight?
**Player**: What happened here?
*Choice 1.1 - (Batur must have wiped out the White Capes at frightening speed...)*
**Player**: No, that's not very likely.
**Player**: Batur's massive shield would've left behind some kind of trace in combat.
**Player**: Moreover, even if Batur used stealth to kill the nearby White Capes for some reason...
**Player**: There are no White Capes corpses nearby.
*Choice 1.1.1 - (Batur must have wiped out the White Capes at frightening speed...)*
*Go to Choice 1.1*
*Choice 1.1.2 - (The White Capes ambushed Batur...)*
*Go to Choice 1.2*
*Choice 1.1.3 - (Batur willingly gave himself over to the White Capes...)*
*Go to Choice 1.3*
*Choice 1.2 - (The White Capes ambushed Batur...)*
**Player**: Hmm... With Batur's abilities and his skills...
**Player**: He would notice any White Capes nearby from at least 100 meters away.
**Player**: Even if the White Capes did successfully manage to ambush Batur...
**Player**: With any less than several hundred people, they wouldn't be able to lay a finger on him!
**Player**: And if there really were that many of them, there would be a lot more marks here.
*Choice 1.2.1 - (Batur must have wiped out the White Capes at frightening speed...)*
*Go to Choice 1.1*
*Choice 1.2.2 - (The White Capes ambushed Batur...)*
*Go to Choice 1.2*
*Choice 1.2.3 - (Batur willingly gave himself over to the White Capes...)*
*Go to Choice 1.3*
*Choice 1.3 - (Batur willingly gave himself over to the White Capes...)*
**Player**: It would appear that the only possibility is that after running into the White Capes...
**Player**: Batur not only didn't put up a fight, he willingly handed himself over!
*Scene continues after choices*
**Player**: How... How is that possible?
**Player**: But according to the clues I have on hand, it's the only possibility.
**Player**: But why did Batur go with the White Capes?
*Choice 2.1 - (Kamui!)*
**Player**: That's it!
**Player**: Batur said he was coming to look for Kamui!
**Player**: Did Kamui fall into the hands of the White Capes?
**Player**: If that were the case, how did he get captured by them again?
*Choice 2.2 - (Batur pretended to surrender!)*
**Player**: Don't tell me, is Batur pretending to surrender?
**Player**: Is he using surrender as a pretense to get inside the eastern expansion base of the White Capes so he can use the Alterlander's Séance inside their base?
**Player**: Doesn't seem too plausible...
**Player**: Even I don't know where the eastern expansion base of the White Capes is, not to mention Batur...
**Player**: And the White Capes aren't stupid. There's no way they would let him into such an important base.
**Player**: Batur wouldn't overlook a detail like that!
*Choice 2.2.1 - (Kamui!)*
*Go to Choice 2.1*
*Choice 2.2.2 - (Batur pretended to surrender!)*
*Go to Choice 2.2*
*Choice 2.2.3 - (Batur defected to the White Capes!)*
*Go to Choice 2.3*
*Choice 2.3 - (Batur defected to the White Capes!)*
**Player**: !!
**Player**: ...
**Player**: Not. Even. Possible.
**Player**: Why would such a strange thought even occur to me?
**Player**: I haven't been sleeping enough lately.
*Choice 2.3.1 - (Kamui!)*
*Go to Choice 2.1*
*Choice 2.3.2 - (Batur pretended to surrender!)*
*Go to Choice 2.2*
*Choice 2.3.3 - (Batur defected to the White Capes!)*
*Go to Choice 2.3*
*Scene continues after choices*
*Player remembers back when Kartan Kim approached him*
**Kim**: Mr. Player, two days ago I asked the Chieftain's younger brother, Kamui, for help...
**Kim**: But I haven't heard back from him. You are very important to the Chieftain...
**Kim**: If you and Kamui both talk to him, then perhaps the Chieftain will listen.
*Player realizes something*
**Player**: !!
**Player**: Kamui will definitely go find Batur as soon as he hears this news!
**Player**: Batur is risking his life for Alterland. He won't listen to what Kamui has to say...
**Player**: But Kamui will not sit still. He'll definitely find a way to stop Batur!
**Player**: First of all, I can rule out a fight. Kamui would never hurt his brother.
**Player**: Besides, Kamui wouldn't stand a chance against Batur.
**Player**: Then, how could he stop Batur?
**Player**: ...
**Player**: If the White Capes no longer posed a threat, then Batur would have no reason to sacrifice himself...
**Player**: Don't tell me...
**Player**: Kamui's going to assassinate the general in charge of the White Capes' eastward expansion plan?
**Player**: Then Kamui failed and was captured by the White Capes...
**Player**: And now the White Capes are using Kamui to threaten Batur...
**Player**: Batur definitely wouldn't risk his little brother's life. That's why he let the White Capes go!
**Player**: My god...
**Player**: I need to get back to Alterland as quickly as I can!
*A while later, in the Holy Land of Alterland...*
*Player calls for a meeting with Chrono and Kartan Kim*
**Chrono**: Kartan Kim is also here...
**Kim**: Did something, Mr. Player?
**Player**: ...
**Player**: Elder Kim, you are Alterland's most highly-respected elder...
**Player**: Captain Chrono, you are Batur's most trusted warrior...
**Player**: Chieftain Batur, he...
*You tell Chrono and Kim what happened, as well as your theory*
**Chrono**: The Chieftain was captured by the White Capes?
**Kim**: Forest God, this can't be...
**Player**: ...
**Player**: Chrono, where are you going?
**Chrono**: I'm going to gather up all the Alterland warriors. No... I'm going to gather up all the tribal warriors in the forest!
**Chrono**: We're going to level the White Capes camp and rescue the Chieftain and Kamui!
**Player**: No, if you do that, the White Capes will have you right where they want you!
**Player**: Calm down!
**Chrono**: I can't calm down!
**Chrono**: The White Capes captured the Chieftain. They could kill him at any time!
**Player**: No, listen to me. Batur's not in danger right now.
**Chrono**: How could he not be in danger?!
**Kim**: Captain Chrono!
**Kim**: The White Capes camp is outside the Star Woods, in the place that cannot be redeemed...
**Kim**: We Alterlans have no knowledge of the outside world.
**Kim**: Leading warriors away from the land blessed by the Forest God is suicide!
**Chrono**: But, the Chieftain...
**Kim**: Mr. Player is Chieftain Batur's war advisor, and an outsider...
**Kim**: He knows more about the White Capes and the outside world than anyone in Alterland!
**Kim**: I trust Mr. Player!
**Player**: !!
**Kim**: You should also trust him!
**Chrono**: ...
**Chrono**: I'm sorry, Mr. Player...
**Chrono**: I lost control of myself there...
**Kim**: Mr. Player, since you invited us here, you must have a plan.
**Player**: Of course!
**Player**: Based on what I know about the White Capes, I don't think Chieftain Batur is in danger right now.
**Kim**: Batur is Alterland's leader. If I were a White Cape, I would kill him immediately.
**Kim**: This would throw Alterland into disarray, and the White Capes could then easily destroy it.
**Player**: That's right. But don't forget, the White Capes' ultimate goal is to control the Star Woods and all its tribes.
**Player**: Blindly killing Batur would incite the rage of everyone in Alterland.
**Player**: Then the tribes of the forest would rally, and their plan to control the Star Woods would become much more difficult.
**Chrono**: Then why did the White Capes want to capture the Chieftain?
**Player**: Batur is the Chieftain of Alterland, and the spiritual center of the forest tribes' effort to fight off the White Capes eastward expansion.
**Player**: They won't let this opportunity slip through their fingers!
**Player**: The White Capes will pick a day to publicly try Batur in a town they control, and then...
**Player**: They'll publicly execute him.
**Chrono**: Uh... So how is that any different from killing him outright?
**Kim**: How cruel...
**Kim**: Reading out a list of the Alterland Chieftain's 'offenses' in public is a way for the White Capes to spread their faith and beliefs...
**Kim**: Then killing him publicly shows everyone the fate of those who defy them.
**Kim**: Alterland and the other forest tribes will begin to doubt their own faith...
**Kim**: And will cause them to fear the White Capes.
**Kim**: They want to destroy Alterland's spirit!
**Player**: That's exactly right!
**Chrono**: That's... terrifying...
**Chrono**: Then what should I do, Player?
**Player**: In order to maximize the effect of the public trial, the White Capes will publicize it all over the place.
**Player**: We can use this publicity to find out where they're holding Batur!
**Chrono**: Then what about Kamui?
**Player**: A small force from Never Isle has infiltrated the defensive line north of the Elysian River.
**Player**: They've been operating around the Star Woods recently. I'll ask them if they've heard anything about Kamui.
**Player**: Once we determine where Batur and Kamui are, we'll dispatch a rescue team to save them!
**Player**: Until then, I need you to keep Alterland stable...
**Player**: We can't let the internal situation destabilize during this crucial time!
**Chrono**: Just leave stabilizing the Alterland warriors to me!
**Kim**: I'll talk with the priests and have them prepare some prayer activities.
**Kim**: But, Mr. Player...
**Kim**: The people of the tribe will eventually realize that the Chieftain isn't here...
**Player**: I know. Luckily, to avoid anyone from foiling their plans before they can put them in motion, the White Capes...
**Player**: Will confirm the time and location of the public trial.
**Player**: Before then, all I can ask is that you keep Alterland stable.
**Kim**: Captain Chrono and I will do our best, Player!
**Player**: I'm counting on you guys!
*The next day, at the Alterland tribe...*
**Player**: Chrono! Elder Kim!
**Player**: We found it! We found where the White Capes will hold the public trial!
**Player**: It's just outside the Star Woods, in a town guarded by the White Capes! They plan to publicly execute Batur at noon in three days!
**Kim**: You really do have all the latest news, Mr. Player...
**Chrono**: A town... where outsiders are gathering? How are their defenses?
**Player**: Never Isle has sent in an infiltration squad on the north bank of the Elysian River to investigate. We'll get the results later.
**Player**: Additionally, the Never Isle squad found Kamui!
**Chrono**: Great! I'll go gather the warriors!
*A warrior runs up to Chrono*
**Alterland Warrior**: Chrono! Captain Chrono!
**Alterland Warrior**: Captain... Bad news!
**Chrono**: What happened?
**Alterland Warrior**: Several patrols found this in the forest...
*The Alterland Warrior takes out a metal can bearing the logo of the White Capes.*
**Player**: This logo, it's the White Capes!
**Alterland Warrior**: Inside is a letter from someone calling themselves the 'Holy Light East Regiment General...'
**Player**: A letter from the White Capes? Now?
**Kim**: Let me take a look...
**Kim**: ...
**Kim**: (Frowns)
**Player**: What does the letter say, Elder Kim?
**Kim**: It's a peace agreement...
**Chrono**: What?
**Kim**: The White Capes say that the current conflict was a misunderstanding, and that they didn't intend to disturb the Star Woods.
**Kim**: It was Chieftain Batur colluding with the Shadows who attacked the White Capes and instigated the war.
**Chrono**: It's a pack of lies!
**Kim**: The letter says the Chieftain is being controlled by the Holy Light. In three days, they'll hold a public trial.
**Kim**: The White Capes will publicly expose the truth about the leader.
**Kim**: The White Capes are willing to send representatives to sign the peace agreement with the forest tribe.
**Kim**: As long as the forest tribes promise not to interfere in the trial, the White Capes guarantee they'll never attack the Star Woods and will ensure the safety of its people forever.
**Player**: Is this the 'better way' that Batur talked about?
**Chrono**: Hey, Player. Don't tell me you're planning on trusting the White Capes?
**Player**: Of course not!
**Kim**: Nobody here would trust them.
**Chrono**: The warriors of Alterland have sworn their allegiance to the Chieftain. We will never trust the lies of the White Capes!
**Kim**: Even if they wouldn't believe it, if word got out about the Chieftain not being in Alterland...
**Kim**: Restlessness and doubt would spread like wildfire, and sooner or later, that wildfire would grow into a towering flame.
*A priest interrupts the meeting*
**Alterland Priest**: Kartan Kim!
**Alterland Priest**: Kartan Kim!
**Player**: What happened?
**Alterland Priest**: Kartan, Captain Chrono, Mr. Player...
**Alterland Priest**: Many warriors and tribespeople are gathering outside the Holy Land. They want to see the Chieftain!
**Kim**: ...
**Kim**: We can't keep the news about the Chieftain secret forever, Player.
**Player**: Hmm... yeah...
**Player**: Luckily, we already know where Batur and Kamui are.
**Player**: It's time to tell everyone the truth.
*A while later, at the Alterland camp.*
*The council of elders, Chrono and Player stand in front of the Holy Land of Alterland, addressing all of the Alterlans*
**Player**: (Opens the communicator...)
**Player**: Eddie, it's me. What are the defenses like at the place where the White Capes are going to hold the public trial?
**Player**: ...
**Player**: !!!
**Chrono**: Everyone is ready, Mr. Player.
**Player**: All right, got it.
**Player**: (Closes the communicator...)
**Player**: Go...
**Kim**: Our war advisor, Mr. Player, will give a detailed explanation.
**Player**: ...
**Player**: Alterlans, please hear me out.
*You tell the Alterlans the whole story.*
**Alterlan**: Blessed Forest God, the Chieftain... In order to protect Alterland, he...
**Alterlan**: How can the White Capes expect us to just stand by and watch them kill the Chieftain?
**Alterlan**: We need to rescue the Chieftain!
**Alterlan**: But without the Chieftain to lead Alterland...
**Alterlan**: Can Alterland win?
**Chrono**: The tribe is in danger. Alterland will do its best to save him! That is what the Forest God Limuthule has taught us!
**Chrono**: Mr. Player has already found out where the White Capes are keeping the Chieftain and Kamui!
**Chrono**: He has already been fighting the White Capes for several years. He fully understands their weapons and tactics.
**Chrono**: Add to that the fearlessness of the Alterland warriors...
**Chrono**: I will lead our warriors to rescue the Chieftain and our tribe!
**Chrono**: Mr. Player, please tell us what we need to do!
**Player**: ...
**Player**: No!
**Chrono**: Mr. Player?!
**Player**: We can't dispatch any troops!
**Chrono**: Mr. Player, this was part of our plan from before.
**Player**: The plan's changed...
**Player**: The White Capes have deployed a large number of troops in the town.
**Player**: Their deployments have warships, heavy tanks, massive mechs...
**Player**: An attack would be suicide!
**Chrono**: Then I can lead some of our elite warriors and infiltrate...
**Player**: Even if we can find Chieftain Batur, we have no way of getting out alive!
*Your bad news turns the unease that has haunted the Alterlans into outright fear.*
**Alterlan**: O Great Forest God, will you forsake your child?
*Some people begin to cry, while some begin to pray.*
*Many more people stand there, overwhelmed by the news.*
**Player**: Uh...
**Player**: (This isn't good...)
**Player**: (Batur... What should I do?)
**Terrified Alterlan**: Perhaps Alterland should accept peace...
**Player**: !!
*After a moment, the Alterlans calm down.*
**Chrono**: We cannot trust the White Capes!
**Chrono**: Once something happens to the Chieftains, the White Capes will attack Alterland in force!
**Terrified Alterlan**: Then how can we rescue the Chieftain?
**Chrono**: Uh...
**Chrono**: No matter how, Alterland cannot stand idly by and do nothing!
**Chrono**: Those who are still willing to be loyal to the Chieftain, stand up! Come with me, we'll annihilate the White Capes and rescue the Chieftain!
**Alterland Warrior**: We swear loyalty to the Chieftain!
**Alterland Warrior**: Rrragh!
**Terrified Alterlan**: If you can't save the Chieftain and you only make the White Capes angry...
**Terrified Alterlan**: What should Alterland do?
**Worried Alterlan**: Yes, we must not let the warriors leave Alterland...
**Scared Alterlan**: If memory serves, the Chieftain was willing to be captured by the White Capes.
**Scared Alterlan**: Since it was the Chieftain's choice, then Alterland should sign the peace treaty with the White Capes.
**Chrono**: What are you talking about?
**Scared Alterlan**: Perhaps the Chieftain's sacrifice was so that Alterland could have peace.
**Chrono**: What would be the point in sacrificing the Chieftain for peace?
**Alterland Elder A**: Captain Chrono, Kartans, Mr. Player...
**Alterland Elder A**: I think that Alterland must retain its strength and sign the peace treaty with the White Capes.
**Kim**: You...
**Alterland Elder A**: Because this is what the Chieftain has always wanted.
**Alterland Elder A**: Chieftain Batur has always fought so that Alterland could live in peace.
**Alterland Elder A**: At the key moment, he sacrificed himself so that Alterlans could live in peace.
**Alterland Elder A**: We should respect the Chieftain's wishes. Alterland will never forget Chieftain Batur.
**Kim**: Ah...
**Indecisive Alterlan**: Yes, that's right...
**Indecisive Alterlan**: You have a point.
**Player**: Is there nothing we can do?
**Kim**: Forest God...
**Kim**: Please tell me, what should Alterland do?
*Two days later, north of the Elysian River, in a certain village.*
*12 hours until the public trial.*
*The White Capes keep Batur trapped underground in an arcana prison*
**Batur**: (You must make the smart choice, Player. Don't do anything stupid!)
**Batur**: ...
*A White Capes general examines the prisoner*
**Batur**: ...
**Holy Light East Regiment General**: Hey, don't look so sullen. I bring you good news!
**Holy Light East Regiment General**: See...
*The White Capes takes out a document.*
**Holy Light East Regiment General**: The main forest tribe from Alterland signed a peace agreement with a representative of the Sword of Light.
**Batur**: ...
**Holy Light East Regiment General**: Now we just wait until tomorrow's trial is over, and your head will roll.
**Holy Light East Regiment General**: Then the war will be over!
**Holy Light East Regiment General**: I must say, Batur...
**Holy Light East Regiment General**: You are a true hero!
**Batur**: ...
**Holy Light East Regiment General**: Don't wanna talk, eh?
**Holy Light East Regiment General**: Well, whatever. You won't last much longer anyway.
**Batur**: If you break your word...
**Holy Light East Regiment General**: ...
**Batur**: The fury of the Alterlans will burn every one of you alive!
**Holy Light East Regiment General**: Heh. I could say the same thing to you.
**Holy Light East Regiment General**: Don't even try to resist! We may not be able to beat you, but don't forget, we also have your little brother!
*The general leaves Batur and goes to talk to his captains*
**Holy Light East Regiment General**: What's the situation at the Elysian River defensive line? Is there any activity from the yellow eyes in Elysiann and Never Isle?
**White Capes Captain C**: Report, General! The Elysian River defensive line is all normal. No trace of yellow eye activity has been discovered?
**Holy Light East Regiment General**: The savages previously rejected the offer for help from the yellow eyes.
**Holy Light East Regiment General**: The entire north bank of the Elysian River is nearly under our control. Never Isle can only watch in fear now!
**White Capes Captain C**: But...
**Holy Light East Regiment General**: But?
**White Capes Captain C**: There has been an abnormal amount of fog at the ends of the river...
**White Capes Captain C**: The fog briefly interfered with our arcana detectors. In theory, the yellow eyes could have used that gap to sneak past...
**Holy Light East Regiment General**: Ah, don't worry about that. The Elysian River is always pretty foggy this time of year. It's a natural phenomenon, nothing more. Yellow eyes can't manipulate the weather, after all.
**Holy Light East Regiment General**: But you still need to keep an eye out. The anti-air arcana guns in the mountains on the west side of the Star Woods are still operational, right?
**White Capes Captain C**: Everything is normal, do not worry, General!
**Holy Light East Regiment General**: Good! This way, if any Never Isle airships try to go around the mountains, we'll blow them out of the skies!
**Holy Light East Regiment General**: Tomorrow's public trial is going to happen. We cannot be careless at a time like this!
**Holy Light East Regiment General**: Why you...
**Holy Light East Regiment General**: Send more men! Help me watch the savage's chief! We must not let him escape!
**White Capes Captain A**: Yes, sir!
**Holy Light East Regiment General**: Take two squadrons and deploy them all over the Star Woods.
**Holy Light East Regiment General**: Watch the savages! If there are any signs that they are marching, consider it a violation of the peace agreement!
**White Capes Captain B**: Got it!
*The captains leave to execute their orders*
**Holy Light East Regiment General**: But this is a waste of paper.
*A few moments later...*
**White Capes Captain A**: The general wants us to keep a close eye on that savage!
**White Capes Captain A**: You guys go watch him!
**White Cape Swordsman**: We'll go now!
*As the swordsmen leave, someone dressed in White Capes priest robes comes to speak to the captain*
**White Cape Priest**: Captain...
**White Capes Captain A**: Yes? What is it?
**White Cape Priest**: I sense some major Flux fluctuations from the savage.
**White Cape Priest**: Now is the critical moment. In order to prevent any unforeseen issues from occurring...
**White Cape Priest**: Please let me take a look at the savage...
**White Capes Captain A**: There's no harm in having one more, I suppose.
**White Capes Captain A**: I'll find some more arcanists to go with you!
**White Cape Priest**: Yes...
*The "priest" leaves*
**White Cape Priest**: And I... Don't really understand arcana.
*The next day, in the two on the northern bank of the Elysian River.*
*In the White Capes 'Holy Light' tribunal.*
*Many White Capes and townsfolk gather to watch Batur's trial*
**White Capes Magistrate**: Sinner Batur!
**White Capes Magistrate**: You are guilty of the crimes of being a Gyee, of colluding with the Shadows, of colluding with the yellow eyes of Never Isle, of war crimes, and inciting others to disobey the light...
**White Capes Magistrate**: Altogether you're being charge with 92 crimes, including killing members of the Holy Light.
**White Capes Magistrate**: How do you plead?
**Batur**: ...
**White Capes Magistrate**: ...
**White Capes Magistrate**: Batur, your sins are unforgivable.
**White Capes Magistrate**: On behalf of the Justice of the Holy Light, I hereby sentence you to death!
**Batur**: ...
**White Capes Magistrate**: Executioner!
**White Capes Executioner**: Yes, sir!
**White Capes Magistrate**: Execute this man immediately!
**White Capes Executioner**: ...
**Holy Light East Regiment General**: Haha, today is a day that will be recorded in the history of the Sword of Light!
*The executioner swings his sword, but...*
**Holy Light East Regiment General**: Huh?
**Batur**: !!
*The executioner's sword cuts Batur's shackles.*
*Batur sees a red Alterland necklace on the executioner's chest.*
*Player discards his disguise*
**Player**: Hey, Batur! Long time no see!
**Batur**: Player!
**Batur**: Fool!
**Batur**: Player, I will cover you! Get out of here! This is...
**Holy Light East Regiment General**: Ha! Two birds with one stone. Kill them!
**Batur**: Alamu, Batu, Nihiri, Limuthule!
*Batur uses Limuthule's Defense to create a barrier around both him and Player*
**Batur**: Player, find an opening and get out of here!
**Player**: I'm not going anywhere Batur!
**Batur**: Player!!
**Player**: I didn't come alone.
**White Cape Priest**: Kamui, Noy, Ikashi, and Leela!
**Batur**: What?
*Gusts of wind begin to surround the White Capes swordsmen*
**White Cape Swordsman**: What's with this wind?
**White Cape Swordsman**: It's just a little breeze. Don't worry! Let's fight!
*The winds get stronger and take down some swordsmen*
**White Cape Swordsman**: Whoa...
**White Cape Swordsman**: The wind blew open my armor!
**White Cape Priest**: The outsiders who offend the Forest God will fall before the power of Limuthule!
*Even more swordsmen succumb to the now furious winds*
**Batur**: Kartan Kim!
*The "priest" reveals himself as Kartan Kim*
**Kim**: Chieftain, I'm here to take you home.
**Batur**: !!
**Holy Light East Regiment General**: Nothing but ants. Dispatch the battle mechs!
**Holy Light East Regiment General**: Calm down, Batur!
**Holy Light East Regiment General**: We have your little brother!
**Batur**: Oh...
**???**: Don't listen to him, brother!
**Batur**: !!
*Kamui destroys the White Capes battle mechs in one powerful blow*
**Batur**: Kamui!
**Player**: (smiles)
*Both the Oathblades and the Order of Equality's Light of Purity join in the battle*
**Markus**: Oathblades! Protect our companions! Kill every enemy in sight!
**Oathblades Warrior**: Yes, sir!
**Eddie**: Chieftain Batur! We're here to help!
**Holy Light East Regiment General**: What the hell is happening? Why are the Oathblades and Light of Purity here? What about our warships and artillery?
**White Capes Captain**: General! We just received a report...
**White Capes Captain**: General... Yellow eye airships have appeared from the south. They're attacking us from behind!
**White Capes Captain**: The troops defending the city have scattered. The city is in chaos... We didn't have time to respond!
**Holy Light East Regiment General**: What? The south? What about the Light of Purity's defensive line along the Elysian River? How is this possible?
**Batur**: Never Isle's warriors?
**Kim**: Before you blame Player...
**Kim**: I invited Never Isle's warriors here. The elders also voted for this plan.
**Batur**: Kartan Kim! To do all this for me...
**Batur**: It wasn't worth it!
**Player**: No, Batur!
**Player**: This was Alterland's choice!
*Three days earlier, at the Alterland camp.*
*68 hours until the public trial.*
*The council of elders, Chrono and Player stand in front of the Holy Land of Alterland, addressing all of the Alterlans*
**Alterland Elder A**: Captain Chrono, Kartans, Mr. Player...
**Alterland Elder A**: I think that Alterland must retain its strength and sign the peace treaty with the White Capes.
**Kim**: You...
**Alterland Elder A**: Because this is what the Chieftain has always wanted.
**Alterland Elder A**: Chieftain Batur has always fought so that Alterland could live in peace.
**Alterland Elder A**: At the key moment, he sacrificed himself so that Alterlans could live in peace.
**Alterland Elder A**: We should respect the Chieftain's wishes. Alterland will never forget Chieftain Batur.
**Kim**: Hmm...
**Indecisive Alterlan**: Yes, that's right...
**Indecisive Alterlan**: You have a point.
**Player**: Is there nothing we can do?
**Alterland Elder B**: A few days ago, the Chieftain asked me...
**Alterland Elder B**: To protect Alterland's faith, history, civilization, people...
**Alterland Elder B**: To protect Alterland's legacy!
**Alterland Elder B**: The leader's sacrifice breaks my heart...
**Alterland Elder B**: But only peace can ensure that the Legacy of the Woods can be passed on...
**Player**: No! The White Capes will not honor any of their promises!
**Player**: If Batur is sacrificed, Alterland will never have peace again!
**Alterland Elder C**: I agree with Mr. Player.
**Alterland Elder C**: Chieftain Batur is the greatest warrior in Alterland's history. 13 years ago, he led us through a crisis...
**Alterland Elder C**: He is the Shield of Limuthule!
**Alterland Elder C**: If we abandon the shield that protected Alterland...
**Alterland Elder C**: How can Alterland possibly survive?!
**Brave Alterlan**: We must rescue the Chieftain!
**Brave Alterlan**: Rescue the Chieftain!
**Worried Alterlan**: But...how should we deal with the White Capes' advanced weaponry?
**Terrified Alterlan**: My father and brother both died to the White Capes' artillery...
**Scared Alterlan**: We can't beat them. Seriously, we can't beat them!
**Player**: (No... We cannot abandon Batur...)
**Player**: (But attacking the White Capes would be suicide.)
*A young boy speaks up*
**Hippa**: Use Alterland's robots to defeat them!
**Hippa**: Hippa knows Player can control robots...
**Hippa**: Big, powerful robots!
**Hippa**: You will definitely defeat those nasty White Capes!
**Player**: !!
**Alterland Warrior**: Mr. Player battle robots are strong, indeed!
**Alterland Warrior**: But he's only got one...
**Player**: ...
**Player**: Kartans, Chrono...there's only one way!
**Player**: We need to ask Never Isle for help!
**Kim**: !!
**Player**: The Light of Purity stationed in Elysiann is due south of Alterland.
**Player**: After the White Capes sealed off the northern bank of the Elysian River, some of the Oathblades also went to Elysiann.
**Player**: They've got lots of airships, warships, heavy machinery, and siege equipment.
**Player**: With their help, we can take the White Capes' town!
**Chrono**: But, the Chieftain said...
**Alterland Elder A**: Never to rely on outside technology!
**Alterland Elder A**: Those aren't just the Chieftain's wishes, it's the ancestral commandment of Alterland!
**Alterland Elder A**: We cannot turn our backs on it!
**Worried Alterlan**: Alterlans can never betray the ancestral commandment!
**Terrified Alterlan**: Those who betray the ancestral commandment will never return to the Forest God!
**Alterland Elder B**: Perhaps this is what fate has arranged for us...
**Alterland Elder B**: The Alterlans can only sacrifice their Chieftain and sign a peace agreement with the White Capes.
**Alterland Elder B**: Because the ancestral commandments are part of our legacy...
**Alterland Elder B**: Us Alterlans have a duty to protect that legacy, not destroy it!
**Player**: No, the Alterlans I know aren't like this!
**Player**: Alterland's history is one of war and resistance!
**Player**: More than a thousand years ago, it was the first Chieftain of Alterland who fearlessly led his people across mountain and river to the Star Woods!
**Player**: In the past thousand years, the Alterlans have defeated the wild beasts in the forest...
**Player**: You have overcome schisms among your own people...
**Player**: And you've defeated invasion after invasion of outsiders!
**Player**: Then why is Alterland just going to admit defeat like this in their fight against the White Capes?
**Player**: No... The Alterlans I know would never admit defeat!
**Player**: There is no surrender in Alterland's legacy. There is no capitulation!
**Player**: Alterlans do not sacrifice their own, or use surrender to secure peace!
**Player**: Alterlans do not bow to fate!
**Player**: Because Alterlans fight and win to secure their own future!
**Brave Alterlan**: Fight for Alterland!
**Worried Alterlan**: Alterland... must... win!
**Terrified Alterlan**: For Alterland...
**Alterland Elder A**: I want to fight, too, but if it means turning my back on the ancestors...
**Alterland Elder B**: Maybe this time... capitulation is part of Limuthule's plan.
**Kim**: Enough!
**Kim**: You people...I'm ashamed of you!
**Kim**: Even Player, an outsider, understands Alterland more than you do!
**Kim**: 13 years ago, the Shadows attack, and Alterland defeated them...
**Kim**: Some people back then thought it was fate. They thought it was part of Limuthule's plan...
**Kim**: But Chieftain Batur rallied Alterland, and Chieftain Batur led us to defeat the Shadows!
**Kim**: Chieftain Batur destroyed our doomed fate, proving that destruction wasn't part of Limuthule's plan after all!
**Kim**: Capitulation, bowing, sitting by, will not earn us Limuthule's blessing.
**Kim**: Alterland needs Batur!
**Kim**: Because he is the greatest warrior in all of Alterland, the Shield of Limuthule!
**Kim**: He is part of Alterland's legacy!
**Alterland Elder A**: But the ancestral commandments...
**Kim**: We are witnesses to history! We know better than anyone the importance of the ancestral commandments!
**Kim**: The ancestral commandments demand that Alterlans forever following the teachings of Limuthule!
**Kim**: Limuthule's teachings command us to protect our fellow tribespeople. We must do everything we can to save those of us who are in danger!
**Kim**: Alterland has survived this long thanks to Batur's shield.
**Kim**: And now, Batur needs Alterland!
**Kim**: No matter if it violates the ancestral commandments, no matter if it is irreversible!
**Kim**: No matter how, we must save Batur!
**Chrono**: I don't care whether it's irreversible or not.
**Chrono**: I want to save the Chieftain!
**Scared Alterlan**: We must rescue the Chieftain!
**Alterland Elder B**: Hold on, this is a big deal! It must be decided by a vote of the council of elders!
**Kim**: All right. All those in favor of asking Never Isle for help, stand over here by Player!
*Kim stands next to Player*
**Kim**: Start the vote!
*Three elders join Kartan Kim while two dissent*
**Player**: !!
**Kim**: Mr. Player, Alterland needs help!
**Player**: I'll contact the Never Isle guerrilla team on the north bank of the Elysian River!
**Player**: Chrono, you need to send some people out into the territory to support them!
**Kim**: It takes two days to reach Alterland from the outskirts of the Star Woods. Is there enough time?
**Chrono**: My patrol team knows a lot of shortcuts. We can reach Alterland in just 8 hours!
**Chrono**: But the terrain is pretty difficult. I don't know if our friends from the outside will be able to handle it.
**Player**: Trust them!
*At the Alterland base.*
*50 hours until the public trial.*
*Player, Kartan Kim, and Chrono meet with Miles, Eddie and an Order of Equality spy*
**Player**: In order to pacify the White Capes and ensure Chieftain Batur's safety...
**Player**: Alterland has sent a message to the White Capes saying that they are willing to sign the peace agreement with them.
**Player**: Thanks to the Oathblades guerrilla team and the spies that the Order of Equality has in the White Capes, we've gotten a lot of valuable intel.
**Player**: Right now, we're discussing the battle plan for rescuing Chieftain Batur!
**Player**: The hardest problem to deal with currently are the warships that the White Capes have protecting the town, the defensive artillery, and the heavy weaponry...
**Eddie**: Because of the White Capes' blockade, the Light of Purity's heavy weapons have no way of crossing the Elysian River.
**Miles**: The Oathblades' main firepower is south of the Elysian River. On the north, all they have is a small squad of guerrillas.
**Eddie**: Our intel shows that the White Capes have deployed anti-air arcana guns in the mountains at the west edge of the Star Woods. Our airships have no way of getting there from Never Isle.
**Miles**: If there were a way, we could have airships fly in and warships sneak up the river.
**Kim**: I have seen Mr. Player's airship...
**Kim**: If we used heavy fog to provide cover for the airships, could we cross through the White Capes' defensive line?
**Eddie**: Heavy fog? If we had the cover of heavy fog, the ships could indeed evade detection by the White Capes and cross the Elysian River defensive line!
**Miles**: But heavy fog is a natural phenomenon. Who knows if the Elysian River will have any fog in the next couple of days?
**Kim**: Don't worry about that. There is a type of Séance that can call forth fog. Alterland war shamans all know how to use it.
**Kim**: We can use another Séance to call forth wind, to control the fog's movement so as to conceal the airships.
**Player**: I saw that before. The forest stealth tactic that the warriors were practicing?
**Kim**: Yes!
**Miles**: Interesting! The Oathblades guerrilla squad has lightly-armored high-speed vehicles...
**Miles**: The Oathblades will cover the Alterland war shamans up to the designated position at the Elysian River so they can create fog.
**Eddie**: And then the squad on the south bank will use the fog to cross the river!
**Eddie**: The White Capes will never expect our troops to come from the south!
**Player**: Great! This way, we'll have heavy weapons, too!
**Player**: Next step: rescue Chieftain Batur and Kamui!
**Order of Equality spy**: We know where Chieftain Batur is being held. We've also got our hands on some White Capes uniforms.
**Order of Equality spy**: We need some people to infiltrate the squad that's holding Chieftain Batur in order to guarantee his safety and prevent the White Capes from getting away.
**Order of Equality spy**: Also, in order to prevent the Chieftain from getting hurt in the crossfire, the people who infiltrate the squad should be someone Chieftain Batur knows.
**Chrono**: I'll do it!
**Player**: No. Even though you and the Alterland warriors could send each other signals, you're obviously Alterlans. The risk of your cover being blown is too high.
**Player**: I'll go!
**Kim**: The day of the trial, Mr. Player needs to hold on until Kamui appears.
**Kim**: It would be too dangerous for Player to go it alone!
**Kim**: I'll go, too. I'll dress up as one of their mages!
**Player**: Kartan Kim?
**Kim**: What, you think I'm getting on in years, and I'll just slow you youngsters down?
**Chrono**: Before Kartan Kim became a Kartan, he was Alterland's most powerful war shaman!
**Kim**: I've had a lot of contact with Player lately. I've familiarized myself with the way outsiders talk.
**Order of Equality spy**: Great! Thank you, Player and Mr. Kim!
**Player**: Then Kamui...
**Miles**: Although there aren't many Oathblade guerrillas...
**Miles**: But we can still rescue Kamui!
**Miles**: After rescuing Kamui, we'll immediately make our way to the White Capes' town.
**Miles**: The big shield will fight once he sees Kamui, is that right?
**Player**: That's right! When he's fighting all-out, Batur is the best chance our rescue operation has at breaking out of the White Capes' town!
**Chrono**: Then what can the warriors and I do, Player?
**Player**: Chrono, I need you to hand-pick Alterlan's most elite warriors and distribute them among the squads.
**Player**: There aren't many Oathblades guerrillas. They'll need help covering the war shamans as they make their way to the Elysian River.
**Player**: The rescue squad will also need your help breaking out of the town held by the White Capes!
**Chrono**: No problem! Then what about the other warriors?
**Player**: After the peace agreement with the White Capes is signed, the White Capes will not let down their guard.
**Player**: They will arrange outposts on the outskirts of the Star Woods to keep an eye on Alterland.
**Player**: That's why, Chrono... I need you to order the remaining warriors to keep up appearances.
**Player**: Make the White Capes think that Alterland has given up on rescuing Batur.
**Player**: Our chances of successfully rescuing Batur are greatest if your warriors can fool the White Capes!
**Chrono**: !!
**Chrono**: ...
**Chrono**: Understood!
**Chrono**: Kartan Kim, Mr. Player, the outsiders from Never Isle...
**Chrono**: The Chieftain...and Kamui... We leave them to you!
*A town on the northern bank of the Elysian River.*
*Now...*
*While the battle rages, Kartan Kim and Player take a moment to brief Batur*
**Batur**: Alterland's choice?
**Kim**: From my point of view, Alterland's entire history is generations of Chieftains leading their people to fight against fate.
**Kim**: Chieftain, you're an indispensable part of Alterland's legacy!
**Kim**: Alterland has survived this long thanks to your shield. Today, we take that shield back!
**Batur**: Kartan Kim...
**Kamui**: Batur!!!
*Kamui rushes into Batur's embrace.*
*Hugs Batur tightly...*
**Kamui**: You dummy! You fool! You idiot!
**Kamui**: Why did you believe the White Capes and fall into their trap?
**Batur**: You were captured by the White Capes. Even if it meant giving up my life, I was gonna save yours!
**Batur**: I wanted to keep you alive...
**Kamui**: Fool!
**Kamui**: I don't need you to protect me!
**Batur**: Kamui...
**Kamui**: All I want is for you to live!
**Kamui**: I thought I was never gonna see my brother again...
**Kamui**: (Crying...) Waah! Wahhhhh!
**Batur**: As...as long as you're okay, Kamui...
**Player**: If it weren't for Miles and the Oathblades' rescue team...
**Player**: Kamui might've been killed by now!
**Batur**: What are you talking about?!
**Kamui**: Yeah... The White Capes had a blade to my neck.
**Kamui**: If the Oathblades and the warriors hadn't saved me in time...
**Batur**: Why didn't you fight back?
**Kamui**: The White Capes told me that they'd captured you. They even showed me your shield...
**Kamui**: I couldn't fight back...
**Batur**: That White Capes General promised me...
**Markus**: You dummy. Making a deal with the White Capes is never a good idea!
**Batur**: You're...
**Markus**: Sorry, didn't get a chance to introduce myself! I'm here to help you.
**Markus**: What's more, we found this while we were fighting...
**Markus**: Looks like it belongs to you.
**Batur**: My shield?
**Batur**: Thank you, outsiders...
*Batur angrily looks at Kartan Kim*
**Batur**: ...
**Batur**: I warned you not to break your word!
*The White Capes general begins to regroup his troops*
**Holy Light East Regiment General**: Uh...
**Holy Light East Regiment General**: Holy Light Warriors! Hold your ground!
**Holy Light East Regiment General**: We haven't lost yet! The Golden Lion from the Oathblades, Never Isle's Player, Batur of the Forest Savages...
**Holy Light East Regiment General**: The Holy Light has given us a chance! Everyone, group up in the plaza!
**Holy Light East Regiment General**: Kill all the yellow eyes!
*More White Capes and their battle mechs surround the group*
**Markus**: Oathblades! Defensive formation!
**Markus**: Miles's troops have already regrouped with the main forces...
**Markus**: The Order of Equality will cover us from a distance!
**Markus**: We just need to hold out until reinforcements get here!
**Batur**: Thank you, outsiders, for saving me, and for saving Kamui.
**Batur**: Alterlans always repay others for their kindness...
**Batur**: Kamui! I'll leave protecting these outsiders up to you!
**Kamui**: !!
**Kamui**: Of course!
*Batur raises his shield*
**Batur**: Get behind me!
*Batur rushes at the White Capes*
**Batur**: Roar!!
**Markus**: We can't let him take on all these White Capes by himself! Oathblades!
**Player**: Don't worry, Captain...
**Player**: That's Alterland's...
**Player**: Strongest warrior!
**White Cape**: Whoa!!!
**Markus**: !!
**Markus**: Understood. Oathblades! Switch to ranged attacks. We're here to provide support for the big guy!
**Batur**: Roar!!!
**White Cape**: Ahhhhh!!
**White Cape**: Help!!
*Thanks to Batur's rage...*
*Over a hundred White Capes broke formation and fled in all directions.*
**Holy Light East Regiment General**: ...
**Holy Light East Regiment General**: Is...
**Holy Light East Regiment General**: Is he still human?
**Holy Light East Regiment General**: Even a monster wouldn't be this intense...
**Holy Light East Regiment General**: This is...
**Holy Light East Regiment General**: Too much!
**White Capes Captain**: General! The yellow eyes on the perimeter are about to break through! We must retreat!
**Holy Light East Regiment General**: Well!
**Holy Light East Regiment General**: Retreat! Run away!!!
*After the battle...*
**Oathblades Warrior**: General! We've regrouped with the main siege force!
**Oathblades Warrior**: Our scouts have found that the White Capes General has escaped with a small group of hostiles! Should we give chase?
**Markus**: Notify our warriors that they should not pursue the White Capes! If they run into the reinforcements from the White Capes' Elysian River defensive line, they'd be done for!
**Markus**: All of our troops need to close in on me and prepare to escort Chief Batur home!
**Oathblades Warrior**: Yes, sir!
*A while later, in the Alterland camp in the Star Woods...*
*Batur returns to the camp*
**Batur**: (smiles)
**Alterland Child**: Oh! Chieftain! It's the Chieftain!
**Alterland Child**: The Chieftain's back! He's back!
**Batur**: !!
**Batur**: (smiles)
**Chrono**: Chieftain!!!
*Chrono bumps into Batur and then stops.*
**Chrono**: Oh... Sorry, Chieftain. That was rude of me.
**Batur**: Are you crying, Chrono?
**Chrono**: N-no! I've just got a little sand in my eye!
**Batur**: (smiles)
**Batur**: C'mon!
*Batur holds Chrono.*
**Batur**: You're hurt!
**Chrono**: No... A warrior isn't afraid of a little pain. It's just...
**Chrono**: Stop disappearing like that! You scared me to death!
**Batur**: (smiles)
**Batur**: Sure thing! I...
**Alterlans**: It's the Chieftain! The Chieftain is back!
**Alterlans**: Chieftain!
**Alterlans**: Chieftain!
**Batur**: I won't leave again.
*Continue to Intimacy Level 12*

## Audio

*Note: Skins will use the audio from the basic skin unless indicated otherwise.*

### Batur's Basic Skin

* **Butler Interactions**
	+ Before Intimacy Level 7
		- **Head**: *Hm...So this is this outsider's airship...Impressive.*
		    ENG     CN     JP
		- **Torso**: *Don't be afraid. The power of Alterland is not for killing.*
		    ENG     CN     JP
		- **Waist**: *This place? Ah... I should wash up...*
		    ENG     CN     JP
	+ After reaching Intimacy Level 7
		- **Head**: *Perhaps... I should bring my clan to visit your airship...*
		    ENG     CN     JP
		- **Torso**: *My power is your backup.*
		    ENG     CN     JP
		- **Waist**: *Are you outsiders... all this direct...?*
		    ENG     CN     JP
* **Skills**
	+ **Basic**: *\*roar\**
	    ENG     CN     JP
	+ **Advanced**: *Charge! Destroy!*
	    ENG     CN     JP
	+ **Ultimate**: *Limuthule, answer my call! Protect us!*
	    ENG     CN     JP
* **Arrival**: *Stand behind me! The shield of Alterland will protect us all.*
    ENG     CN     JP
* **Display Voice 1**: *A head assault? Hmm... A giant shield smash suits me better.*
    ENG     CN     JP
* **Display Voice 2**: *My shield? Aha ha ha ha! You can't lift it.*
    ENG     CN     JP
* **Display Voice 3**: *Goldule mochule hadalul. God of the forest blesses you.*
    ENG     CN     JP
* **Hit**: *\*grunt\**
    ENG     CN     JP
* **Dying**: *I... cannot... lose.*
    ENG     CN     JP

### Batur's Haunting Skin

* **Butler Interactions**
	+ Before Intimacy Level 7
		- **Head**: *The world has changed.*
		    ENG File:ENG 301 audio emo cp batur halloween 1 head 1.ogg    CN     JP File:JP 301 audio emo cp batur halloween 1 head 1.ogg
		- **Torso**: *I feel more power!*
		    ENG File:ENG 301 audio emo cp batur halloween 1 chest 1.ogg    CN     JP File:JP 301 audio emo cp batur halloween 1 chest 1.ogg
		- **Waist**: *Hmm... My knees feel cold.*
		    ENG File:ENG 301 audio emo cp batur halloween 1 belly 1.ogg    CN     JP File:JP 301 audio emo cp batur halloween 1 belly 1.ogg
	+ After reaching Intimacy Level 7
		- **Head**: *After the festival, I can go back to the forest, right?*
		    ENG File:ENG 301 audio emo cp batur halloween 2 head 1.ogg    CN     JP File:JP 301 audio emo cp batur halloween 2 head 1.ogg
		- **Torso**: *Guard my beloved with the body of the dead!*
		    ENG File:ENG 301 audio emo cp batur halloween 2 chest 1.ogg    CN     JP File:JP 301 audio emo cp batur halloween 2 chest 1.ogg
		- **Waist**: *Hmm... The power is overwhelmed.*
		    ENG File:ENG 301 audio emo cp batur halloween 2 belly 1.ogg    CN     JP File:JP 301 audio emo cp batur halloween 2 belly 1.ogg
* **Skills**
	+ **Ultimate**:
	    ENG File:ENG 301 cp batur halloween skill 3 audio RS.ogg    CN     JP File:JP 301 cp batur halloween skill 3 audio RS.ogg
* **Arrival**:
    ENG File:ENG 301 cp batur halloween appear audio RS.ogg    CN     JP File:JP 301 cp batur halloween appear audio RS.ogg
* **Display Voice 1**:
    ENG File:ENG 301 cp batur halloween interact 1 audio RS.ogg    CN     JP File:JP 301 cp batur halloween interact 1 audio RS.ogg
* **Display Voice 2**:
    ENG File:ENG 301 cp batur halloween interact 2 audio RS.ogg    CN     JP File:JP 301 cp batur halloween interact 2 audio RS.ogg
* **Display Voice 3**:
    ENG File:ENG 301 cp batur halloween interact 3 audio RS.ogg    CN     JP File:JP 301 cp batur halloween interact 3 audio RS.ogg
* **Dying**:
    ENG File:ENG 301 cp batur halloween die audio RS.ogg    CN     JP File:JP 301 cp batur halloween die audio RS.ogg