All right, time for some more Cold Steel IV Finale!
After talking to everyone in the garden (didn't mention it last night because I was too tired toward the end, but Millium's conversation was fantastic), it's time for the second corridor. Once we reach the end, sure enough, Cedric and Shirley are waiting for us. Fie has a great line here when she says, "You know it's bad when Shirley seems like the more sensible one of the two." Cedric's dialogue is really over the top here, even for him. Turns out he deduced that Osborne was Dreichels reincarnated, perhaps through the bloodline they share. Honestly, I can see why this would reinforce Cedric's resolve that he was following the right guy. Shirley's a little disappointed she's not on the frontlines, but she did promise Mariabell she'd see this through to the end.
Cedric is convinced he can tap into the full potential of the Empyreal Fortress, unlike Lechter and Claire, because he's the Vermillion Awakener. He says he wants to make sure not to kill Rean here so he doesn't become an immortal. Not sure exactly what he means by that, but I guess since Rean is necessary for the Rivalries at this point, "fate" would make sure he came back to finish them? I dunno. New Class VII actually praises Cedric's hard work and his fitness to assume the throne someday, but Juna asks him what he's so afraid of in spite of that. Altina says he lacks the compassion and kindness to lead. He's trying to put on this tough guy act to prove he's worthy because he feels inferior to Olivert, I think.
Then Kurt asks the pointed question of if Cedric can really give his all in the Rivalries against Osborne considering he practically worships the guy. This seems to snap something in Cedric and he has flashbacks of good times with his family and Kurt, and then there's a flashback to Osborne and Black Alberich tempting him with power through the Ebon Knight. He finally seems to come back to normal, but Shirley isn't buying this was all him being controlled. He accepted Osborne's offer because he wanted power for himself, and he has to be willing to admit that. Seriously, why is Shirley making so much sense in this game?
Cedric finally admits his jealousy, not just of Alfin and Olivert, but of Rean, Kurt, and all of Class VII. He wanted to become a true hero, but he always felt inferior to Alfin because of how they were constantly compared. Then he blamed himself for Olivert relinquishing the throne on top of that. He felt so helpless when Class VII saved him from the Vermillion Apocalypse and lost Crow in the process. He wonders what might have been different if he hadn't been forced to delay enrolling at Thors. With all that put out into the open, he's ready to overcome his weakness. Gotta admit, it took nearly four full games, but Cedric finally had a cool moment!
The fight is pretty easy though, to be honest. I got them to use their S-Crafts back to back but preempted it with a fully charged S-Craft from Emma, which perfectly reflected against them both. With that, Cedric summons the Vermillion Knight, with some Zauber Soldats as backup. I guess this will be a 3-on-3 battle then! We haven't had one of these in a while! Oh, I even have another Panzer Soldat as a backup? That's handy! The Zauber Soldats are pansies as usual, but Cedric's S-Craft packs a heck of a punch! But once we survive that, he doesn't pose much of a problem.
After the fight, Cedric spirals into self-loathing and denial. Shirley is disappointed. Now Cedric realizes he has to accept the consequences of his actions. Kurt says he and Cedric aren't so different. They both wanted strength to overcome their weaknesses. They just took different paths to get there. Now it's time to put the past behind them and see each other as equals, rivals, and friends. With that, Cedric collapses and the Vermillion Knight's power enters into Valimar. Shirley offers to keep an eye on him so we can move on, although she's pretty drained herself.
Then Rean calls her out for holding back, saying she's been prioritizing protecting Cedric above all else. Shirley says she can't really explain it, but she almost looks at him like a little brother. Then she warns us that Rufus is next, but we might meet Campanella and Mariabell along the way. After that, she passes out, too, and the next area opens.
