Cassandra's Wish

Onslaught Event: Twinkling Twilight

Episode 3

Cassandra's Wish

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Great Misunderstandings

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Twinkling Twilight (Story)

Summary

As the group flees the Imperial Army, it seems inevitable that the festival will be canceled. But Cassandra refuses to allow it to happen, so Curran quickly comes up with a plan to deal with the troublesome imperials.

Dialogue

There they are! After them!

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For a group of dullards, they certainly are persistent. Cassandra, do you mind taking the lead in guiding our mercantile friend here? So long as your plan is not to run off half-cocked and fight them all alone. If we don't do something, we'll end up leading them right to Quinbell. Perhaps so—but with their numbers, I don't fancy your odds fighting alone. I will accompany you, dearie. No. There are fiends in these woods, and you need to protect the merchant. But you— Enough. I will safeguard this man. Huh? You were supposed to return with a single merchant, yet it appears the entire imperial army is at your backs. Heinwald! ...Heh. And yes, things got just a teensy bit out of control. Are you guys hurt? What brings the two of you out to this neck of the woods? I had a scary feeling about you guys, so Heinwald brought me out here. You were worried about me, Lathna? Aw, that's sweet. It's nothing. ...So what do we do now? Sir, do you mind waiting over there for just a moment? Er, what are you planning to do? Beat down some villains, of course. Now that we've got backup, we can wax the floor with 'em AND save you!

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That was a piece of cake! I'm astounded they would even attempt an invasion with such shabby equipment. Yeah, but they're still a threat to the town if they attack in great enough numbers. Which, I hesitate to point out, is exactly what that captain and the rest of his men are attempting to do right now. The town's in danger! Yeah, and if they reach it, we're going to be hard-pressed to defend it. We need to get the people out of there— the festival will have to wait.  ! I know how much you've been looking forward to it, my lady, but we have to prioritize the town's evacuation. Yes, I am aware. And yet I still... Oh, bother! H-hey! Where are you going? She went toward the highway! She's probably about to do something VERY stupid, isn't she? Heinwald, get that merchant back to town, would you? I'm going after Cassandra.

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*pant* *pant* The enemy can't be far off... If I have to fight them all by my lonesome, that's exactly what I will do... Oh, fiddlesticks! My sandal strap broke... You all right, Cassandra? Please don't try to stop me, dearie. Those backcountry troopers will turn tail and run at the first sign of my spells. You know you're being absurd, right? ...Yes, I suppose I do. Perhaps I'm just a hopeless old lady in that way. What do you mean, hopeless? Oh, I've always been hopeless where that old fool is involved. I become blinded to reason, unable to see exactly how reckless my actions are. Wait, back up. Who's the "old fool"? Ah, apologies. That slipped out. Er, but don't worry your pretty head about it; it's a tale from long ago. Very well, my lady. But in that case, perhaps we can halt the invasion without canceling the festival. What are you...? It's come too far to stop it now. Plus, I'm still in debt to you, so it's my job to make sure this happens. I'm sorry to be so selfish, dearie... but I am also ever so grateful. Happy to help. That said, we'll need to come up with a real cracker of a plan... Which I think I just did! And what is this plan of yours! Well, I don't know that it's a plan so much as us relying on "divine protection." So your "plan" is to leave all in the hands of Ilia? Hey, if the Goddess wants to throw down on our side, I'm happy to take it—but I'm talking more about the kind of divine protection you get from a festival. And what sort of protection does a bit of festival merrymaking offer? Well, people do a great deal of praying at Hinomotoan festivals—and when prayers happen in such numbers, it's only natural for a miracle or two to occur. And then the imperials will be the ones who have to pray their stairs! You messed that up magnificently.

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Those soldiers from the fort are here! It's one thing not to evacuate the town, but yer really plannin' to just keep the festival goin' in high gear? I sure hope ya got a plan. No—but what I DO have is the power of the festival, which is more than enough. I totally do not follow any of that. Er, but the enemy is basically here, so if we're gonna fight or...whatever, we better get on it. We'll stop those laggards in their tracks. They will NOT enter this town. To arms, everyone! Intercept the enemy!