Recollection and Conquest
Rosamia's mask attempts to take control over her, which causes her to remember a past conversation with Lieutenant Galston. The imperial officer had told Rosamia to make the mask's power her own. Will she succeed in doing so?
Rosamia was a test subject for a mask developed by the Erste Empire's military.
She gains abnormal fighting ability at the expense of losing herself to the mask. Even so, she is welcomed into the crew.
Rosamia fights alongside (Captain) using the power of the mask, but the fear of losing control is always present.
Rosamia: Haaa!
Monster: Gwoargh...
Rosamia: Looks like everything's in order...
Ngh... Ugh...
Katalina: What's wrong?
Rosamia: I can't... The mask... Get away from me!
Katalina: This isn't good! The mask is starting to go berserk! Get ready, (Captain)!
Rosamia: Don't come any closer... Ngh... Aaaahh!
...
Rosamia: (The mask controls me. It erases my will, my fatigue, and even my pain. All I'm left with is the need to fight.)
Rosamia: (It's meaningless to resist the mask. They call me a friend, unaware like lambs to the slaughter.)
Rosamia: (...)
Rosamia: (Someone once told me about the actions we take when cornered.)
Stranger: It's not going well, is it? Looks like you got into another scuffle.
Rosamia: (Who was he? Must've been a commanding officer.)
Past Rosamia: You're Lieutenant Galston? What does the commander of a different squad want with me?
Lieutenant Galston: Hah! Internal fighting will not be tolerated.
Lieutenant Galston: Listen. They're lashing out because they feel cornered. They're still coming to grips with their newfound powers.
Rosamia: (That's right. I had just become a test subject for the mask.)
Rosamia: (I never got along with the others. Then one day someone from another squad offered me some advice.)
Lieutenant Galston: Instead of confrontation, work toward a common goal. You'll find that cooperation works better for winning allies.
Past Rosamia: But I can't imagine them cooperating with me. What am I supposed to do?
Rosamia: (That's right. I was just as lost then as I am now.)
Lieutenant Galston: Are you a coward? Don't let my expectations of you go to waste! Believe in yourself!
Rosamia: (Now I remember how foolish I was, to the point that an outside officer had to intervene. All because I couldn't get along with others.)
Rosamia: (Don't force it. Take it one step at a time.)
Rosamia: (I've been so caught up in repressing the rampages.)
Rosamia: (Believe in myself, huh?)
Rosamia regains her composure, pulling back from the fury that had clouded her vision.
She thrusts the sword she had been brandishing at (Captain) into the ground and calmly closes her eyes.
Rosamia: I shouldn't repress the power of the mask. I should accept it, and make it my own.
Her eyes remain closed, trembling fingers still grasping the hilt.
She stops fighting the mask. Her grip on the sword slowly slackens and falls away from the weapon entirely.
Rosamia: The bloodlust has subsided...
Vyrn: Hey... Are you all right?
Rosamia: I told you to keep your distance. I'm surprised a bunch of softies like you are still in one piece.
Vyrn: There you go thinking aloud again. We were worried about you.
Katalina: We didn't want anything bad to happen.
Rosamia: You were worried about me?
Vyrn: After all this time we've been traveling together? Of course we were!
Rosamia: I didn't ask for your concern.
Rosamia: Nor do I recall ever asking for your help. We should go our separate ways. I don't want to see you hurt because of me.
- We'll help you in your time of need.
- Don't be a coward!
Choose: We'll help you in your time of need.Rosamia: Even if it puts you in danger? You would sacrifice yourself for a crew member?
Choose: Don't be a coward!Rosamia: !
Vyrn: Whoa... There's no need to yell, (Captain).
Rosamia: You'll only tire yourself out by raising your voice.
Continue 1Rosamia: (Unbelievable. So they really were worried about me.)
Rosamia: (Perhaps spending time with them has been good for me.)
Rosamia: (Is that why I've finally accepted the advice I received during my darkest days with the empire?)
Vyrn: What's up? Still worried about the mask taking over?
Katalina: You showed us you can keep it in check. Surely you can do it again.
Rosamia: ...
Rosamia: (Fools. All of them. What is there to gain from exposing themselves to danger just to save me?)
Rosamia: Thank you. I'm happy to hear that. I didn't think it would be so difficult to say that.
Rosamia: Gasp!
Vyrn: Er... Was that sincerity I heard?
Rosamia: Let's move. We'll have to deal with monsters again if we linger.
Rosamia: (Strange. I was able to express gratitude. The old me would've never thought to do that.)
Vyrn: Hold up! Hey! Rosamia!
Traveling with the crew has given Rosamia the means to resist the pull of the mask.
But is that enough to overcome the mask's curse? Fate's arrival is still off in the horizon.
A Familiar Voice
An imperial researcher with ties to Rosamia's mask has been arrested by the Erste Empire, so the crew heads to where he's being held to attempt a rescue. They are stopped by an imperial officer, whose voice is recognized by Rosamia.
According to wild rumors, someone with ties to the mask has been captured by the Erste Empire.
Fearing that it may be one of Rosamia's family members, the crew heads to the military prison.
Rosamia: The person on this wanted poster... It can't be!
Katalina: Is it a family member?
Rosamia: No. This is an imperial researcher.
Rosamia: He helped me escape the research facility.
Vyrn: But the picture is crossed out, which probably means he got caught. What's gonna happen to him?
Rosamia: The price for allowing a secret of the imperial army to escape is death.
Vyrn: Say what? That's awful!
Rosamia: (We should leave him. There's nothing to be gained from a rescue mission.)
Rosamia: I can't abandon my liberator. Even if I have to do it alone.
Vyrn: Hah! We'd lose face as a crew if we didn't help someone who saved our friend!
Rosamia: ...!
(I blurted out my inner thoughts again!)
Rosamia: (Although he helped me escape, that doesn't change the fact he was a mask researcher. Why should I save him?)
Rosamia: (Has (Captain)'s compassion rubbed off on me?)
Vyrn: Hehe! We've already come this far! Let's go! (Captain)!
Officer: Well, well. Looks like we've got visitors.
Vyrn: Ack! We've been spotted!
Rosamia: That armor... He's not a normal soldier. A lieutenant perhaps? But what is someone of rank doing here...
Officer: You're that test subject, if I'm not mistaken. Did you come to turn yourself in?
Rosamia: There's no mistaking that voice.
Officer: All personnel, draw swords!
Soldiers: Yes sir!
Vyrn: Here they come! Get ready, (Captain)!
Officer: Attack!
Soldiers: Sir! Yes sir!
A Familiar Voice: Scene 2
The crew slips past the prison guards to reach the imprisoned researcher, but once again the imperial officer from before prevents them from escaping. Rosamia, claiming to have mastered the mask's power, faces off against the officer.
The imperials drop their guard for just an instant, and the crew makes a break for it.
They find the researcher and prepare to make their escape.
Researcher: I was a goner. You're the last person I'd expect to come save me.
Rosamia: Why did I even bother with this nuisance. You should be more considerate to those that clean up your mess.
Researcher: Wahahaha! Harsh as always!
Rosamia: No time for chit-chat. They've found us.
Officer: Humph. There you are! You can forget about escaping!
Vyrn: Argh, can't you take the hint? We'll just keep kicking your butts!
Officer: Listen, men! She won't be able to maintain consciousness for long! Eventually she'll lose control!
Rosamia: Unfortunately for you, I will no longer allow this mask to overcome me.
Officer: Oho... That's interesting.
Rosamia: I've learned how to keep this mask in check.
Rosamia: Although you are my enemy, I must thank you for helping me to achieve that.
Officer: Hahaha! Say what you will, but I have no idea what you're thanking me for!
Officer: Let's see if you're bluffing! Get them!
Soldiers: Sir! Yes sir!
A Familiar Voice: Scene 3
After giving the order for his troops to retreat, the imperial officer lets slip that Rosamia's family is still safe. The rescued researcher modifies the mask, making it easier for Rosamia to draw its power. No longer resigned to a fate dictated by the mask, she walks the path of war until the day the empire falls and her family is safe.
Rosamia: As long as I can harness the mask's power, you stand no chance against me. You do understand what that means, don't you?
Officer: Very well! You leave me no choice!
Officer: All personnel... retreat!
Soldiers: Yes sir!
Soldiers: ...
Soldiers: Huh?
Rosamia: A wise decision. It'd be shameful to harm those running away with their tails between their legs.
Officer: Tch!
Soldier: Sir! We can still fight! There's no way we'd run in the face of the enemy!
Officer: Idiot! The difference in power is clear! I won't waste lives on futility!
Officer: I will take full responsibility! Now fall back!
Soldiers: Yes sir!
Officer: Rosamia, was it? I'll let you go this time, but I will hunt you down. You and your family. Don't forget that.
Rosamia: So they haven't been caught yet.
Rosamia: I don't know if you told me out of kindness or let it slip like a fool, but thanks for telling me.
Officer: Curses!
Officer: Move out!
Soldiers: Sir! Yes sir!
(Captain) and company successfully escape the imperial prison.
Researcher: Whew... With these mask modifications, you should be able to use its powers more efficiently now.
Vyrn: Can't you just turn it off or something instead of modifying it?
Rosamia: Impossible. It's not a simple matter of putting it on or taking it off.
Researcher: I'm sorry. This is all I can do for you.
Rosamia: That's fine. Besides, I still need this power.
Rosamia: I will use it to crush the empire's schemes and return to my family.
Branded as the Masked Traitor, Rosamia's struggle is not over yet.
No longer resigned to a fate dictated by the mask, she vows to change destiny by using her own strength.
She walks the path of war until the day the empire falls and her family is safe.
