Great Misunderstandings

Onslaught Event: Twinkling Twilight

Episode 2

Great Misunderstandings

Previous Quest

Merchant Rescue

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Cassandra's Wish

Summary

The Imperial Army mistakes the festival goods for military supplies, and hopes to score a big win by invading the town before it becomes the site of an enemy base. When Cassandra and Curran are unable to make them listen to reason, the invasion begins in earnest.

Dialogue

What the hell are you talking about?! So you intend to feign ignorance until the very last, do you? Your guile is pointless; we have you sussed out. Then why don't you enlighten us, dearie? I'm EVER so fascinated to know what manner of nonsense you've cooked up in that noggin of yours. Oy! How dare you! This here information was found out by the brave soldiers of the Northern Fort, which is us! And to prove it— Recruit? Please don't surrender our intelligence to the enemy. No, go on. I am curious to see how they explain away what we have discovered. ...As you were, recruit. Oy, sir! See, a few days ago, we saw a buncha merchants sneakin' in and out'a Quinbell over in Alberian territory, yeah? Like, one of 'em was carryin' some kinda mystery mineral from the mountains! He had it in a box, like, so we couldn't see it real well, but we knows it was there. Anyways, we sniffed around and found out that mountain has iron mines, which means they've been sneakin' iron ore into Quinbell! Pretty clever, eh? I'd not heard about... Well, any of that. Still playing the fool, I see. Very well. Recruit, tell him the best piece of information we discovered. Sir, oy, sir! See, under orders from the captain there, I made for Quinbell what to conduct a little reconnaissance. And when I gots there, I saw makeshift camps set up all over town—plus a giant watchtower right in the center! ...You cannot be serious. NOW do you deny the truth of it? Clearly, the town of Quinbell is being bolstered with a military presence. You Alberian scum are secretly planning to turn it into a fort! ...... Cor, they're speechless, Captain! You struck 'em dumb, you did! Heh. So I have. Now let me tell you WHY we have invaded your territory... We plan to crush Alberia's new fort in Quinbell before it can be completed! You've yet to station a full garrison there, which means it's practically undefended! I should have been an aristocrat in the capital, but political intrigue saw me booted to this backwater—and now is the chance for me to show my quality! We will win a great victory and bid this hayseed place farewell for good and all! THREE CHEERS FOR THE CAPTAIN! HIP HIP, HOORAY! HIP HIP, HOORAY! HIP HIP, HOORAY! That...is amazing. I mean, it's also completely wrong, but still amazing. Stop yer lyin', dog! We're onto you! Oh, it's no lie. And if you need proof... Good merchant, might I trouble you to unpack some of your goods for these men? Y-yes, of course... Ha! Let's see what we have... Oh ho! Arrows and bows! You have been unmasked by the very ploy you sought to save yourself with, you fool! Calm down and look at them. ...Carefully. Those arrows have no heads on them, and the bows can fit in a single hand. These are toys used by children to fire at targets during the festival. Yes, well, I suppose you would be hard- pressed to do much damage with these... But what about the iron ore, Captain?! The stuff what from the mountains?! That was ice, most likely. ICE? Ha! And why in blazes would your little town be importing ICE?! For the festival, obviously. There's a special Hinomotoan treat made by shaving ice with a small knife before drizzling syrup on top of it. Blimey, that sounds good... Oh, it is. And now that you know, you can hurry up and— Very clever, the both of you...and yet there are still holes in this story of yours. There is no way to spin your camps and watchtower as being anything other than the bones of a new fortress! Except that what you saw aren't "camps" or a "watchtower." They're a festival stage and a bunch of stalls and food carts. Say what now? You did the recon, yes? Did you not notice how these supposed military installations were ornamented with all manner of gaudy, merrymaking decorations? Ya mean all them red and white steamers and lanterns they had on 'em? YOU IDIOT! Oy, sir! Sorry, sir! Thought they were for raising morale and the like, sir! WHY WOULD THEY MAKE THEIR WATCHTOWER FLASHY TO BOOST MORALE?! WHAT ARMY DOES THAT?! Perhaps you want to reconsider this "intelligence" of yours, dearie. Captain, I think it might be better for us to withdraw at this point. GRRRRRAAGH! ...Fine. Really? Given that this is a once-a-year festival, we will grant mercy and... Hmm?

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Oh, those are just test firings for the pyroblossoms. Looks like we're going to see some real good stuff tonight. What a perfect match for the lantern ceremony! C-Captain, those is...! Oh, I am well aware, recruit. What are you driving at here? That waaaaas...A PRACTICE RUN FOR A MAGICAL ATTACK! Whatever are you on about?! Those are pyroblossoms—harmless light mana. Mana? Sorcery! WITCHCRAFT! Ah HA! I KNEW it! No festival uses magic that causes huge, flashy explosions over a wide area! Who has EVER heard of such a thing?! I'm telling you, they're harmless! Oh, you can't wheedle your way out of this wasp's nest. ...You there! Seize them! The rest of you, down the highway! We're going to destroy that enemy fort! Yes, Captain! Well, THIS took a very bad turn. Make for the woods, you two! Follow me, merchant. Right behind you, lass! DON'T LET THEM ESCAPE!