Part 9

From the starting area, head north two screens to find the spy.

STRATEGY: Shadow starts with Heal Zone. Remove it immediately. Use Magic Boost on Raynie, have her cast a spell, and push Shadow to the back row with Stocke. Use Magic Boost on Stocke and attack with spells.

After the boss fight, report to Viola.

Travel to the Sand Fortress (Alternate Chapter 1). Recommended Level: 20. Recommended Party: Stocke, Raynie, Rosch. Enemies: None.

Purchase two Knight Studs from the Traveling Merchant for Marco. Other items available: Soothing Balm, First Aid Kit, Herbal Tea, Holy Water, Anti-Poison, Anti-Fear, Anti-Paralytic, Anti-Curse, Anti-Sleep, Anti-Stone, Poison Wing, Sleep Wing, Rune Edge, Rune Spear, Hymnal Cape, Horn Charm, Fang Charm, Knight Stud, Seed Ring.

Follow the western edge of the Sand Fortress South area to avoid traps and enter the Fortress. Report to Viola.

Go outside and buy two Knight Studs for Marco.

Explore the first floor. Rosch and Viola are in the upper middle room.

Go up to the second floor. In the left room, you can rest. Outside this room, Kiel is training. Talk to him to learn sword-dancing, which upgrades your Strike ability to cut tall grass.

Go up to the third floor, then outside to the Sand Fortress North area.

In the upper left area, cut down the tall grass to find two chests containing 2 HERBAL TEAS and the WISP BLADE (ATK+18/MAG+12/HP+50). Equip the Wisp Blade on Marco.

Return to the first floor and go to the upper middle room.

Talk to Viola to advance the [A Letter to Tomorrow] sidequest.

Talk to Rosch and prepare to inform the brigade.

Decision Point: When the battle begins, choosing to "Send reinforcements" will unlock the [Front of Despair] ending.

To explore the other path, return to "The Valkyrie" and advance the plot to the same decision point. Choosing to "Prioritize the mission" leads to a dead end.

If you have already resolved the [Ambush Tactics] roadblock, skip to SAND3. Otherwise, it is recommended to use the sword-dancing skill later at Lazvil Hills. Return to "Stocke's Display" node in Standard History.

Raynie: Rune Spear, Silver Mail, Horn Charm x3

Marco: Wisp Blade, Heavy Mail, Knight Stud x2, Pawn Stud

Rosch: P.Thauma Spear, Silver Mail, Fang Charm x3

Travel to Gran Plain (Standard Chapter 1). Recommended Level: 20. Recommended Party: Stocke, Aht, Marco. Enemies: Blue Flame (Ice), Goblin Foot (Lightning), Sabertooth Tiger, Wood Goblin (Lightning).