Anyway, I've finally got some time this week to play Cold Steel IV Act 3, so let's do it!
All right, we're still exploring the Courageous II. We're on the 2nd floor now. On the deck, Patrick tries to make his move on Elise before Rean steps in with his sister complex. Emma is hanging out with Dorothee and Munk. Now I can play Pom Party against Emma, aw yeah. I very nearly lost but then I somehow set off a chain reaction that got me up to 999 CP, and then I took down Emma in one shot. Definitely my most thrilling victory of the game so far! Fie and Gaius are hanging out with Vivi and Linde, while Sara and Toval are having a chat. Oh hey, Jingo and Becky are here, too. That's a pleasant surprise! Looks like Ada and Fritz are here, too. Last up is the 1st floor, which is basically the hold for the Panzer Soldats and the workshop. Looks like Mint and Kenneth are down here. Then Alisa is talking with Ferris and Gwyn, who's having a hard time believing that his daughter and, uh, former son-in-law are capable of acting like that.
And with that out of the way, we're ready to head to the Luna Shrine. It's got a strange glow to it, similar to the old schoolhouse at the end of CS1. Crow gives a great self-aware line when Emma mentions the reflecting pool: "Who doesn't love a conveniently omniscient magical artifact?" Rean summons Valimar with the Sword of the End so that all of Class VII can really be there, which was a nice little touch. When we reach the altar, there's an open portal with the symbol we've seen in the eyes of the Ironbloods. Emma says this crest was used by the witches and the Gnomes until about 900 years ago, but the Hexen Clan doesn't remember its meaning or uses anymore.
After we enter the portal, we're in the Luna Sanctuary, which reminds me a lot of the final area of the old schoolhouse. Celine is automatically transformed into her human form, and Roselia is in her adult form now because this is a place that reveals the truth. Actually, she hints that this isn't even her "true" form just yet, but the energy of this place lets her maintain her adult form without any trouble. In the reflecting pool, we'll fid the Empire's hidden past along with the secrets held in the Black Records. Naturally, we have to complete a trial first.
With that, Vita appears and says she's the opening act for the trial, along with a special guest. My guess is that it's Grianos, but we'll find out soon enough! Now it's time to pick our party. Emma, Celine, and Jusis are required for this part, and then the randomizer gives us Laura, Alisa, Fie, and Gaius, not bad. Turns out to be a lucky draw since there's a Trial Chest for Emma and Alisa, too! This was the most annoying one so far since it could inflict a lot of status effects and cast reflect on itself, but thankfully, I just bought the Oberon Master Quartz, which gives 90% immunity to all status effects, so once I redid the fight with that on both girls, it went down pretty easily!
