The Eldest RoyalSummary
Leonidas apologizes to the mob and promises to distribute both supplies and compensation, which leads them to back down. He then tells his brother about the rumors and announces the appearance of a void dragon before leaving his younger sibling to deal with the mess.
Dialogue
The Prince: What are you doing here, Brother?!
Alberian 1: It's Prince Leonidas, eldest of the royals! But what is that weapon he wields?
Leonidas: Do not be concerned, good people. I use this to attract your attention only; I swear no harm shall come to you.
Leonidas: Now heed me well: Despite what you have heard, this man is not the Other. That fell beast has departed this world, and taken the threat he posed with him.
Leonidas: Additionally, your land of Alberia no longer suffers under the Dyrenell Empire's rule. Instead, she is to be stewarded by the royal family once more.
Leonidas: These words come straight from the royal family itself; any other reports you may encounter are naught but base gossip.
Alberian 2: Hmph. You think we're fool enough to blithely accept the words of the Other's own flesh and blood?
Leonidas: You do not believe me, then?
Alberian 2: Th-that's right! I don't! And just what are you gonna do about it, huh?!
Leonidas: ......
Leonidas: This is reasonable. Having subordinated ourselves to both Dyrenell and the Other, we have lost the trust of the people.
Leonidas: On behalf of the royal family, permit me to offer my most sincere apologies for threatening the livelihoods of you good people and plunging the land into chaos.
Alberian 2: !
Notte: Holy crap. He just APOLOGIZED!
The Prince: Yeah, that's...unexpected.
Alberian 2: You think some pretty words will make everything better? What about our crops? Our homes? Our FAMILIES?!
Alberian 3: Unless I can bake your apology into a pie, it's of no use to me!
Leonidas: I understand your struggles, good people, and have already undertaken measures to allay them as best I can. ...You there. How go the preparations?
Leonidas's Army Staff Officer: Sire, we've completed provisioning food and water per your instructions, and have already begun distributing it to towns and villages throughout Alberia.
Alberian 2: You've done what?!
Leonidas: The royal family will compensate all of you for your lost homes and fields. And while we cannot bring back the dead, I promise solatium and proper burials for all.
Leonidas: In addition, we will see that patrols and protections are strengthened in the towns and highways so you might avoid any further damage from fiends or dragons.
Alberian 3: Truly?!
Leonidas: My word is oak. But if it helps assuage your fears, I have here a written pledge outlining all I have claimed this day and signed in my own hand.
Leonidas: Listen well, citizens! As of this moment, the door to the royal family is open to all, at any time and for any purpose!
Leonidas: If you would make any further appeal or complaint, do not hesitate to come speak with me directly.
Leonidas: I ask only that you cease spreading these groundless rumors. If you wish to assert that my brother is the Other, you must first come before me and prove it.
Alberians: ......
Alberian 1: Well? Should we go back to town and accept his supplies and money?
Alberian 3: Probably, yeah.
Alberian 2: W-wait, you guys are leaving? Dammit... Well, it won't go well for you if you renege on your word, Prince! Remember that!
Cleo: Remarkable that he brought an end to the uprising AND managed to distribute supplies in such a short time.
Ranzal: I always thought he was a self-centered cad, but this is some stand-up action right here.
The Prince: I don't know how to thank you, Leonidas. If you hadn't come, I'd be...
Leonidas: Save your words; I've done no more than quell the present turmoil. The people still look upon you with great suspicion.
Leonidas: The fire of that suspicion will doubtless spark anew if you don't cut off the rumor at the source. You must find the persons responsible and deal with them harshly.
Elisanne: Then Ciella was right! Someone spreads foul tales from the shadows!
Leonidas: Also, I would suggest you deal with the void dragon before it attacks another village and undoes all the goodwill I have earned for us this day.
Leonidas: I shall keep watch here for the nonce and ensure the supplies are distributed without incident.
Leonidas: Once you have dealt with your situations, there is a matter I must discuss with you.
The Prince: Then it wasn't just random chance that brought you out this way.
Leonidas: I leave naught to chance, dear brother. I thought you would know that by now. ...Right then, men. Move out!
Leonidas's Soldiers: Sire!
The Prince: Thank you, Leonidas...
Zena: What is our plan now?
The Prince: We do just what Leonidas suggested: We find the person spreading the rumors, and also take care of the void dragon.
Mym: Isn't that rather a lot to pile on our plates at the same time, darling?
The Prince: Yes, but time is simply too short to do anything else. We have to split up into two groups and tackle them simultaneously.
Elisanne: With your permission, Highness...
Elisanne: I would ask you leave the investigation of these scurrilous rumors to me.
The Prince: Why so eager, Elly?
Elisanne: I cannot claim to have a firm idea yet, but there is something I wish to look into.
Alex: ......
The Prince: If you want to go, I won't stop you— but is it really something you can handle all by yourself?
Elisanne: I need no aid in this matter, Highness; I shall clear the blemish upon my name and prove my worth to you once more!
The Prince: ...All right. Go to it—and best of luck to you.
Elisanne: Thank you, Your Highness. Pray remain on guard. I shall see you again anon.
Cleo: Is she going to be all right?
The Prince: I'm sure of it. A lot's happened, but I've never seen her fail before, and I doubt she'll start now.
The Prince: As for the rest of us, we're off to track down the void dragon!
Everyone: Right!