Scenario:A Peace of the Pie - Chapter 4: Dream of the Departed - Episode 1

A Peace of the Pie - Chapter 4: Dream of the Departed - Episode 1

Grueler calms down briefly to listen to the crew. When Lily brings up peace talks, Grueler agrees to discuss the matter in a council of war with his advisors.

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The party manages to defeat the core war beasts. Dumbfounded, the Souval ready their weapons and stand poised to fight.

Amidst them Grueler quietly surveys the party and Lily.

Vyrn: Wheeze... huff... Well, we got out of that one somehow, but it looks like it ain't over yet!

Lyria: Oh no, there's more and more of them coming...

Lily: I-I'm the special envoy of the Crystalia! I want you to stop fighting! Please!

Souval Lieutenant: Chieftain, we've brought more war beasts. What do you want us to do?

Grueler: ...

Souval Lieutenant: Chieftain?

Grueler: Did you see how well they fought? I wasn't expecting that.

Grueler: Especially that human... Might be as much of a threat as the Crystalia—or even more so.

Grueler: If they were intent on it, they could have escaped by breaking through our ranks.

Souval Lieutenant: They... We wouldn't let that happen, Chieftain!

Grueler: Humph, no. But they didn't try to escape, did they? And for some reason that Crystalia isn't using her freezing chill either.

Grueler: For one of those cowards to actually enter our territory and earnestly claim to be an envoy...

Souval Lieutenant: It's certainly something that's never happened before.

Grueler: No. But it could be a new tactic. Either way we shall hear what they have to say.

Souval Lieutenant: Valiance and honor till death...

Grueler: Exactly. Friend or foe, whoever fights with valiance and honor deserves to be treated with respect.

Grueler: You have command now.

Souval Lieutenant: Sir!
All troops, withdraw!

The Souval fighters lower their weapons and start to file out in orderly lines.

They have mixed feelings about the sudden change of orders, but there is no trace of hostility in their expressions. The party tries to make sense of this.

Vyrn: What's going on? Are they really backing down? Or is this just some sneaky tactic of theirs?

Grueler: Crystalia and you skyfarers, come. I invite you to Wolfire Land.

Lyria: What? You mean you're going to stop fighting us?

Grueler: Don't misunderstand me. I agree to listen to what you have to say. Then I'll decide.

Lily: Thank you. Thank you, sir!

Grueler: Just come.

A room somewhere in Wolfire Land. The party sympathizes over the death of the Souval's former chieftain and explains the Crystalia's idea.

Having heard what Lily has to say, all the Souval present, including Grueler, seem taken by surprise.

Grueler: Spring? Peace talks?

Lily: Yes.

Grueler: ...

Grueler: I don't believe it. Or at least I wouldn't if it wasn't for your human companion there.

Vyrn: Right? With (Captain) here, you guys can talk on an even playing field.

Grueler: So you're telling me she's willingly subdued her deadly freezing powers?

Lyria: Yes. And I have to say I don't know all the ins and outs of your history, and I know there are reasons for all this tension, but still...

Lyria: Lily here is serious. Before she met us, she was traveling all on her own and had some really difficult times when—

Grueler: Okay, that's enough. Let's not waste our time getting sentimental.

Grueler: Hm, the Snow Maiden... When you think about the decades she's spent bolstering their defenses...

Grueler: (All this talk of a cease-fire and discussions... It looks like perhaps the Crystalia had nothing to do with Father's death.)

Grueler: (But people alone lack the power. They couldn't have done it.)

Grueler: (Who was it then?)

Lily: Don't you believe me? Please, sir, give me the benefit of the doubt.

Grueler: Just come.

Grueler: ...

Grueler: I understand your position. I'll treat this as a formal request from the Ice Crystal Palace.

Lily: You will? So you mean—

Grueler: Don't get ahead of yourself. I must gather my advisers and call a council of war. Then I'll give you my answer.