Cygnus the Betrayer

[名前]... What a delight to see you. It has been a long time. Since ナインハート handles most of the administrative work, I rarely have a chance to meet with individual Knights.

What happened in エーデルシュタイン? The people there seem angry with us. They say that we betrayed them.

エーデルシュタイン! Ah. Yes, that burden has been heavy on my soul. They are correct. We--no, I wronged them. Horribly. I betrayed them by breaking a very important promise. It is completely my fault.

What kind of promise? Why didn't you keep your word?

It is something that I cannot undo. I will not make any excuses for my actions. All I can do is live with my guilt. I'm sorry that my actions have inconvenienced you, but whatever you do, do not bring more harm upon the people of エーデルシュタイン.

(Empress シグナス lowers her face, a sad expression on her face. You probably shouldn't probe any deeper. Maybe ナインハート will know more about this.)

Hmm? Aren't you in the middle of a mission? What are you doing in Ereve? What? What do I know about エーデルシュタイン? Ah, I guess time has come for you to find out about our troubled relationship with them. The relationship that the シグナス Knights betrayed...

As I'm sure you already know, エーデルシュタイン is under the rule of the Black Wings. The evil Black Wings, in their attempt to resurrect the Black Mage, have occupied an innocent city and are robbing them of both their resources and their freedom.

The residents of エーデルシュタイン fought back fiercely. When we found out about their Resistance, we decided to join forces with them. We were united by a common enemy.

Time passed and the people of エーデルシュタイン prepared for battle. They devised a plan to defeat the Black Wings and regain their freedom once and for all. We swore to help them. On the day of the battle, the #110100 knights were to send support troops.

But of all days, on THAT day... No, don't ask anymore. Something happened, which we didn't expect, something we were powerless against. We weren't able to help the people of エーデルシュタイン. We were barely able to defend ourselves.

In the end, we barely managed to protect Ereve and the Empress, but エーデルシュタイン was a complete disaster. The Black Wings came down upon them hard, all because we weren't there to help them...

So you see, their anger is justified. We must accept their condemnation. You are responsible. Yes, you. Though you weren't directly responsible, you are a シグナス Knight, so you must shoulder part of the blame.

As the Empress has said, if there is anything you can do for them, please do it. They have sworn to have nothing to do with anything that bears the name of the Empress so... there is very little we as an organization can do.

The only thing I can say about エーデルシュタイン is that I'm sorry... So very sorry...