>>5947766>“I won’t hear of you backing out now.” You tell Anemone firmly. “I gave you my word. Bring the Arcadians to Rusalka. The world is rapidly changing, and if you continue to hide, eventually, someone will stumble upon you. At least this way, if anyone finds out your true lineage and takes issue with it, they’ll have to deal with me. Besides, you’ll be a boon, not a burden. Rusalka is in desperate need of being rebuilt, and I could use Eulalia and her ingenuity to make sure we do it right. So don’t consider this charity. You’ll be helping me out as much as I wish to help you.”“Maybe she’s right, Anemone.” Eulalia chimes in softly. “Rusalka is well-secluded from the rest of Fodlan as is. If we were to come out of hiding, living there could be considered…baby steps.”
“You just want to leave the village, don’t you?” Anemone sighs, scratching her head. “I swear…if anyone else gave me this offer, I’d laugh in their face. But…seeing as it’s you. I suppose I can place my trust in this plan of yours. You’re right, we can’t continue to live in our own separate world from Fodlan. Moreover, I would like our integration to serve as proof that our people are more than capable of living together. With the Sages gone, now is the perfect time to undo their philosophy.” She stares you in the face and comes to her conclusion. “Very well. No more hiding. It may take a while before we can convince some of the others to accept this plan. Not to mention packing away hundreds of years’ worth of junk…but I accept your offer.”
Anemone offers you her hand to shale, but instead you wrap her in a tight embrace.
>“I couldn’t have done this without your guidance. Thank you for everything.”“H-hey…quit it!” Anemone wriggles in your grasp. “Don’t forget I almost slit your throat the first time we met!”
>“Oh, that’s right! You’ll have plenty to make up for to your new Countess, you know?”“Please don’t make me call you that.”
Eulalia smiles and offers you a deep bow. “Thank you for everything, Blair. I’ll never be able to repay you for all that you’ve done but know that I’ll work extra hard for you once we come to Rusalka. In the meantime, I hope Gungnir continues to serve you well.”
>“You’ve done more than enough, Eulalia. I pray I never need to use Gungnir again, but if I do, I’ll feel safe knowing I have it.”You bid a final farewell to the Arcadians, who depart from the group using a spare pegasus lent to them. After everyone has gathered their things, the Blackwings depart from Zanado. As you leave, not a single pilgrim remains behind, afraid that your departure may attract the Demonic Beasts back. Though these people show no love for you, they’re happy to bask in your protection. You hold no grudge though. In a way, they were victims too.
