Rise of the Alliance

The Empress appreciates your presence, your Highness. She believes the time has come to make a decision about the threat of the Black Mage.

Before she makes her decision, she would like to consult your great wisdom as one who once faced the Black Mage. Please do not disappoint her. Come to Ereve and council us in the hour of need.

Thank you for coming, Mercedes. As Neinheart mentioned, I require your advice. Please, I cannot do this on my own. You have faced the Black Mage, what would you do?

What are our options?

Nightmares have plagued me as of late. Our Cygnus Knights, strong as they may be, cannot defeat the Black Mage by themselves. No matter how much we prepare, we can not win this fight alone. The Black Wings grow stronger every day and the Black Mage's own commanders threaten our homes. We cannot save ourselves.

It is a difficult position for us all.

But I have hope. On our own, we are strong, but with the might of all of Maple World behind us, I believe we would be unstoppable. If only we could harness that power and work together!

If only...

I want to form an alliance. One that stretches across all of Maple World. Allow our people to protect themselves!

It's not going to be easy. While it may sound like the best route for all, not everyone would agree.

I-I expected you to say that. Does that mean you think we shouldn't do it?

Absolutely not. It means that it's going to be hard, but it's what this world needs! In the past, we watched the world fall to ruin because we couldn't get past our own petty needs. In this time, you can bring about a new era of strength and defeat the Black Mage! I support your decision with every fiber of my being, Empress.

Oh, oh thank you, Mercedes!

The continental conference is starting soon. Today, the Maple Alliance officially forms. Without you, I'd still be debating the whole decision. I hope you'll join me in celebrating this new era.