act37side

Back when I was living a simple, uneventful life, I never imagined I'd have thoughts like these…

And besides, there's hardly any time left to savor those quiet, pre-war days, is there?

Vina, forgive me, but I can't save the last bit of this whiskey for you. I really need it—

(Choking up) Why now, of all times, am I suddenly afraid to die?

(Choking back tears) Vina, before I'm completely drunk, would you tell me one last fairytale?

Her tears fall on the sword, sliding down its blade. 'Drip', 'drip'...

Diane… you already know the stories of the past, and you were there for the best parts of this fairytale.

But you may not know how it ends.

That day, I entered the Palace of Westhaleg, tore down the Sarkaz banner, and was about to leave—when suddenly, I heard someone call my name from the throne room.

'Alexandrina Vina Victoria.'

Then I pushed open the door that had been sealed for so long.

I saw—

my father. Alistair II, speaking to me.

My Alexandrina! You're finally home.

Come sit by my side, daughter of Victoria.

Vina couldn't make out the King's face.

The golden mask blended with his golden hair, radiating authority and an air of mystery.

He was Victoria personified.

My daughter, are you afraid of me? Are you afraid of Victoria?

Vina, never reveal even the slightest hint of fear to your subjects. Your teacher should have taught you that.

You died long ago.

Twenty-six years ago, they hanged you from the gallows.

Laughable! Who could kill Victoria?!

Those greedy condorwings thought they could tear the flesh from my body to feed themselves.

They were so blinded by fear that they conspired in regicide, all so they could feast upon the lands of the Aslans for their own gain.

But no one can kill us—not the dukes, not the Red Dragon. We are the beating heart of Victoria!

So that's why… your statue in the Mausoleum of Kings was never completed…

The dukes never truly laid you to rest; you've been here all along.

What little courage they possessed drove them to confine me in this throne room, but never to claim my throne. Cowardly usurpers!

They fear my people; they fear my Steam Knights; they fear us, Vina.

My daughter, tell me, do my people still remember me? Do my knights still guard our palace?

The people of Victoria have long since adapted to life without a monarch. As for your knights, they're all gone.

They were murdered by the very people they were sworn to protect.

And what of you, Vina?

I… I can barely remember what you look like.

Then come closer. Take off my mask and look closely… you'll see only yourself, Alexandrina. The blood of the royal line flows in us both.

I'm sorry, my child, that I failed to keep my promise.

I intended to hand you a peaceful and powerful Victoria, yet betrayal has left me sitting here, rotting on my throne, for over twenty years.

But at last, you've returned. Take my scepter, wear my crown…

Proclaim to our people that their sovereign has returned.

Purge our land of all dissent and punish every coward who betrayed the crown. Let glory endure—this is Victoria's rightful way!

The king's scepter struck heavily against the throne platform, its dull echo reverberating.

…Blood was never the source of our strength.

How familiar those words are—just like my defiant boasts to my own father.

(Chuckles) You still have much to learn, my daughter. Let me teach you a long-overdue lesson: the meaning of 'royal power'!

Still, I grant you the right to oppose me.

Alexandrina, return to my side, and listen.

No. You're already dead, Your Majesty. All that remains here is your echo, lost in the glories of a bygone empire.

I do not need you to grant me anything, nor do I need you to validate the strength of my convictions.

...I just want you to rest in peace, Father.

Vina tightened her grip on her hammer, stepped onto the platform, and walked toward the Empire's last glimmer of twilight.