Second Tower (Hard)

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*There was little likelihood that Lucilicca would believe everything you say without question, given how absurd the situation is to begin with. Still, you wanted to be honest about it. Now it’s time to meet Laphlaes. You wonder what sort of state he’ll be in…*

## Summary

Lucilicca thanks Mikhail for his service to Lumisade. The Knights run into Laphlaes and Lucilicca yells at him for his change in attitude.

## Character List

### Major

* Lucilicca La'elaya (Fire)
* Laphlaes Selkena (Earth)
* Mikhail Blake (Dark)

### Minor

* Charlotte Grace (Earth)
* Lord of Avillon
* Zaira (Fire)
* Johan Talede (Light)

## Content

Charlotte: So does this mean we’re gonna fight against the First Archmage, Highness?

"Lord": Yeah, he needs a bit of a physical jolt to bring him back to his senses.

Charlotte: Brainwashing… Just thinking about someone using mind control on me gives me the creeps!

"Lord": That’s why you shouldn’t talk to strangers.

Mikhail: Promise me you’ll never talk to or follow a stranger.

Charlotte: You should worry about yourself, Mikhail. You’d do almost anything for someone if they promised to tell you about a good place to eat.

Mikhail: Th-that’s not…

Lucilicca: Did I hear right, that you were once a ranger here in Lumisade?

Mikhail: Yes, I was stationed in the Celtain Mountains for about four years.

Lucilicca: Oh, wow. Only the carefully selected elite are stationed there… It’s no wonder you became a knight.

Mikhail: I’m best at tracking and exploration, so working as a ranger was a good fit.

Lucilicca: What made you decide to leave Lumisade and head for Avillon?

Mikhail: The village I’m from was near the woodlands, but after I lost my family I ended up settling down in Avillon.

Lucilicca: Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to bring up painful memories of your past.

Mikhail: It’s okay. If I had been discharged any later, it would have been much worse. Luckily, I was able to save at least one person who was dear to me. I had thought about returning to Lumisade, but something drew me to Avillon.

Lucilicca: You seem to be doing well now. I’m glad to know "Lord" has treated you well. This may be late, but I would like to thank you for your faithful service to Lumisade.

Mikhail: It was what i wanted to do.

Charlotte: But we’re glad you came to Avillon! It was the best decision you’ve ever made!

Mikhail: I’d like to think so, too.

...

Lucilicca: We’re almost at the Second Tower.

"Lord": They must have noticed that you’re missing by now, so there’s a very high chance that we’re walking into a trap. The First Archmage might even be here.

Lucilicca: That’s true. Leaving my outpost could be classified as desertion under military law.

"Lord": You’re an archmage, though. Do you have no autonomy?

Lucilicca: If the archmages just did whatever we wanted, do you think the country would run properly? The Council was established as the highest political commission in order to prevent just that. Every motion from the arcane towers must ultimately be decided on by the Council.

"Lord": That may seem democratic on the surface, but it only means the decision-making power is held by the Council. If they were to collude together, they could put a stop to pretty much any policy, right?

Lucilicca: …That’s rich, coming from a monarch.

"Lord": I’m pretty sure you were talking to yourself, but… I heard you.

Lucilicca: Well, since you did, then it’s worth pointing out that the fate of an entire nation is decided by a single person in a monarchy. There’s no guarantee that one person will always make wise decisions, either. Having multiple opinions presented and discuss is better.

"Lord": You’re right. It’s more effective than a monarchy. What I was trying to say was that in this instance, the system is being used to block what is right rather than support it.

Lucilicca: …You’re right. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to criticize you.

"Lord": It’s okay, I’m used to it from you.

Lucilicca: I still can’t believe it, though… The Council was supposed to be composed of the wisest individuals in Lumisade.

"Lord": They’ll come to their senses as long as we do our part.

Lucilicca: Only if everything turns out the way you said it will…

...

Lucilicca: Laphlaes…!

(Prophet of Hope) Laphlaes: Lucilicca. Your presence here puts me in an awkward position. If you return to your outpost, we may be able to overlook this one infraction. I can convince the Council.

Lucilicca: …I can’t do that.

Laphlaes: I thought you would say that. You’ve brought guests… I don’t recall ever inviting them to Lumisade.

Lord: Allow me. These over here are the knights of Avillon, and I am their monarch, "Lord". We came to help you take back some decisions you didn’t want to make.

Laphlaes: Heh, you speak as though you know me. You seem so certain, when I don’t even have that much certainty in myself.

Lucilicca: Laphlaes, you always emphasized harmony and unity. How did your values suddenly change so drastically? I find it hard to understand.

Laphlaes: After much thought, I simply arrived a conclusion different from before. It took quite some time, but I finally found my answer.

Lucilicca: What did you do with the soldiers in the second Tower? And why did you ostracize me and refuse to share information.

Laphlaes: Why would I do such a thing? My only concern is for Lumisade’s future. In all matters, I try to think rationally.

"Lord": Isn’t it true that you tried to taint Lucilicca’s mind with the pure-blood philosophy you’re been preaching to everyone else?

Laphlaes: I’d appreciate it if the human there were to remain quiet. I’m not interested in what an uninvited guest has to say.

Zaira: That’s a rude thing to say. [Their] Highness is a monarch, and deserves to be spoken to with respect.

Laphlaes: I suppose all humans treat enemy intruders with respect? Allow me to address you as the First Archmage of Lumisade. If you do not apologize for your reckless behavior and immediately exit the country, you will all be punished in accordance with your crimes.

Johan: He’s being stubborn! It doesn’t seem that we will be able to resolve this conflict with words.

Lucilicca: Laphlaes! Please, just listen a little more.

Laphlaes: I have already made my decision.

...

Laphlaes: Heh, your blade is as sharp as every, Lucilicca. Is this what you really want? To betray the elves and destroy our paradise?

Lucilicca: No! This place will never be a paradise for the elves if it stays the way it is. Running away is never the answer to fear. And we’ll never improve if we’re weighed down with hate and resentment. Listen to me, Laphlaes. You are a great leader! OUR great leader! I hope you will take control of your mind once more.

Laphlaes: Don’t put that burden on my shoulders… I’m not a great leader, nor am I a perfect person. All I can do is clumsily struggle as I try to protect the elves.

"Lord": And if you had chose this struggle of your own volition, that would be fine, but you didn’t. You’re being controlled by someone else right now.

Laphlaes: Controlled? Do you even know what you’re saying?

"Lord": You might be an elder elf who’s lived hundreds of years and who serves as the First Archmage, but you don’t have absolute power. What I’m saying is entirely possible and realistic.

Laphlaes: I don’t feel like talking to you anymore. Lucilicca, I had high hopes for you. I never thought you would disappoint me this much.

Lucilicca: Snap out of it, you idiot!

Laphlaes: Wh-what…?

Lucilicca: Stop acting like you’re doing this “all for the elves”! Everything you keep saying is completely different from what you taught me! Remember saying that the only way for elves to grow is to seek harmony with all that’s in the world? You were happy back then, and at peace! There’s no way you were lying!

Laphlaes: I… Erm… Ngh…

"Lord": That worked?!

Lucilicca: If the way things are going now is really what you wanted, then I’m going to beat an apology out of you. You’re the one betraying us right now, not the other way around! You got that, Laphlaes?!

Laphlaes: Tch…

"Lord": …He left.

Lucilicca: Whew… I’m so angry right now.

"Lord": … I didn’t think you’d be able to lay into him so well.

Lucilicca: …Be quiet.

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