LogFAQs > #940708096

I made some small progress into what is shaping up to be the final major chapter (with the possibility of a magic-focused finale and/or epilogue). A few thoughts:

- Emperor/Osborne conversation was really interesting. I had always assumed the Emperor was just a figurehead who let Osborne call all the shots, but it seems that to some extent, Osborne is acting with his blessing, and that he's far more knowledgeable about the wider situation than he lets on. Osborne is still the more influential player of the pair, but it's a different dynamic than I expected.

- Heimdallr being the location for this chapter was so obvious that even Rean guessed it. I like those small moments where the game leans on the 4th wall, like when the party in Cold Steel 1 immediately commented on how Osborne looked evil/untrustworthy minutes after meeting him.

- The game's difficulty curve continues to be all over the place, with the fight against Victor and Aurelia (which going by lore should have been brutally difficult) being pretty easy - just put two Evergreens and Sirius MQ on Fie and send her to the front lines. Victor and Aurelia's prior duel was the most shounen thing.

- Did not expect Calvard to form a key feature of the final arc. I don't think it'll stick, which is a shame because political intrigue/international relations is waaaaaaay more interesting than the magical mecha mayhem we've seen thus far.

- One guy I've barely mentioned across this topic, but whom I like quite a bit - Major Irving. He stands out like a sore thumb out of a flood of shallow high school anime characters, and has no patience for any of the stupidity from the students or faculty. He's just trying to run a military academy vaguely the way it should be run, instead of everyone competing over power levels and disobeying basic instructions for no reason. Keep fighting the good fight, Irving. (Plus, his relationship with Claire is solid.)

- Osborne shows up during the briefing with Carl Regnitz. He really needs more screen time - the tension ramps up considerably the minute he walks in, and his relationship with Rean is an interesting dynamic. Hope he gets more exposure this chapter - he's the more interesting antagonist of the two between him and Ouroboros.

Game is throwing some more signs that Ash is Osborne's illegitimate son. Not sure if he is himself aware, but I think so. Unclear if Rean and Ash have the same mother.

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When you have nothing to say, quote yourself ~ Solfadore