Setterfelt (Normal)

> You decided to change plans in hopes of meeting Alderune's resistance army. They may become valuable allies.
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## Summary

The Avillon Knights discuss Nine, one of the Fangs of the Empire. Meanwhile, Vanessa Thérèse Alderune, leader of the Alderune resistance, contemplates meeting with the Knights.

## Character List

### Major

* Lord of Avillon
* Astrid Remond (Earth)
* Vanessa Thérèse Alderune (Light)

### Minor

* Fram Berge (Water)
* Johan Talede (Light)
* Schneider (Earth)
* Mei Ling Qiao (Fire)
* Charlotte Grace (Earth)

## Dialogue

"Lord": There's someone from Alderune we need to meet as soon as we can.

Fram: Who is it? That resistance army?

"Lord": Yes. More specifically, I want to meet Vanessa Alderune, fourth princess of the kingdom of Alderune. She is said to be in charge of the resistance after the first prince died in battle.

Johan: Reports say the princess and her army are low on soldiers and supplies, but their opposition against the Empire is fierce.

Astrid: Yeah, I remember there being a bounty out on her head. The reward for bringing her back alive was probably more money than I'll ever make. I think Nine's the one in charge of this region, though.

Schneider: Nine? The one you called “the Killing Machine”, Your Highness?

Mei Ling: You've quite the memory, Sir Schneider.

Schneider: Heh heh, I just like stories. I used to memorize the names of all the heroes in my favorite stories!

Astrid: Yeah, Nines the one they call the Killing Machine, though he's more like the Whining Machine. He's got a bad temper. By the way, Highness, you're gonna keep your promise and let me fight him, right?

"Lord": Of course. Can you win?

Astrid: I've gotta! He's strong, but we've never really gone at it. He's also pretty emo, and I can't tell ya how many times I've wanted to smack him.

Charlotte: What's "emo"?

Astrid: Oh, you know, like... angsty, sensitive, and narcissistic. Somethin' like that. You'll definitely know it when you see it!

Fram: You sure seem to make up a lot of your own words.

Astrid: Nah, they used to say it way back in ancient times.

...

Green Gallus Shock Troop: You! Astrid Remond, is it true you betrayed the Empire?!

Astrid: You betcha! They weren't even giving us proper benefits. I mean, c'mon, no insurance?! No thanks! What's it to you, anyway?

Green Gallus Shock Troop: You blemished the noble ideas of the Empire! Our great Emperor will show you no mercy!

Astrid: Have you ever even seen the ol' Emperor's face? Ah, wait, you probably did see it over an echosphere.

Charlotte: What's an echosphere?

Astrid: They're orbs made with arcane tech that can record someone speakin' and then play it back whenever. Back in ancient times, they had similar things called “videos”... But that reference is probably too obscure. Anyway, echospheres are mostly used to communicate speeches and stuff by people high up on the imperial ladder. If you watch enough of that stuff, you'll get brainwashed like these guys here.

Charlotte: Eek! That's scary!

Astrid: Don't you know much about arcane technology? Judgin' from your eyes, I'd assumed you were an elf.

Charlotte: I'm actually a half-elf. And not all elves are arcane engineers, y'know! That's just a stereotupe!

Astrid: Yeah, you're right. Sorry ‘bout that! Didn't mean to stereotype anyone.

Johan: Charlotte was never really exposed to arcane technology, but she is quite skilled in the art of spiritmancy.

Astrid: Wow, is that so? Spiritmancy's pretty tough to use unless you're descended from an Elder Elf. Is your family elf royalty or somethin'?

"Lord": Let's save the more personal discussions for later, when we have time to talk over a good meal. We've still got enemy forces to face.

—

Vanessa: Another rebel group fighting against the Empire...?

Sniper Alderune Insurgent: Yes, Princess. It's hard to ascertain whose side they're on from their clothing alone. They seem to be related to the reports we've received of the imperial armies being driven from Etharonia's land. If I had to guess, I would say they're from Avillon, the nation who's been making quite a name for itself recently.

Vanessa: Even if that's the case, an all-out assault on the Empire is reckless. Perhaps I should have a meeting with them...