Oath to the Dawn Event/Golden Dawn
Alk and friends are dragged into the Golden Dawn's plan to free enslaved people. Right when they are about to escape, a man named Haridal stands in their way.
Denah: OH! This place is... MASSIVE!
Alk: Surely we can gather some info in a town this big...
Sonia: That's true, but I think we've got a bigger problem to worry about first.
Light: A checkpoint... Oh dear.
Nimbus: No way I'm getting through that, no matter what we try to pull.
Nimbus: Guess I'll just hang around here while you guys go through.
Light: I should stay with him, just in case anything happens. Go on-
Merchant: Pardon me, I couldn't help but overhear your conversation. I think I might be able to lend a hand.
Denah: Uh, who are you?
Merchant: Just your average merchant. Due to the nature of my job, I know different ways to get around these pesky checks.
Merchant: For a suitable fee, you too can share in this knowledge.
Nimbus: Yeah? Guessing you got a few secret routes for goods you don't want inspected.
Light: All right, we'll take you up on that offer.
Merchant: Very good. If you'll follow me.
Merchant: You know the drill. No killing. We can sell these folks off for a pretty penny.
Light: Good grief... I had hoped my suspicions were unfounded.
Merchant: Hey, I'm still keeping my end of the deal- you'll get into town...
Merchant: Just in shackles instead!
Denah: Heh... Pathetic fools. Very well! For your ignorance, may you drown in an ABYSSAL NIGHTMARE of your own making!
Denah: ...Huh?
Alk: Is that... an Alter Device?!
Rashid: Whoa, Sotieth?! You didn't have to do that! This was my idea, so I should-
Sotieth: Your objection is denied. It would be troublesome if you are injured before the plan is executed.
Rashid: Hey there, folks. What a day, huh? Almost kidnapped by slavers!
Light: ...We appreciate the timely rescue.
Light: Tell me, is that woman behind you the one controlling this Alter Device?
Rashid: Oh, you recognize it?
Rashid: Well, we shouldn't stick around chatting here. You're trying to get into town, right? Come with us.
Rashid: My comrades and I have a secret entrance in. No inspections or extortion money required.
Light: Your comrades? Just who in the world are you?
Rashid: Ah, I skipped right over introductions, didn't I?
Rashid: I'm Rashid, leader of the Golden Dawn- a group that aims to free the borderlands.
Rashid: I gotta say, I'm still blown away by the fact that you recognized an Alter Device.
Alk: Well, we actually have a friend who's got one too. Her name's Nephtim.
Rashid: Huh, very interesting. It'd be nice to meet her someday!
Rashid: Not that I meant anything weird by that! I'm just curious!
Sotieth: Why are you directing that comment to me? I did not say anything.
Nimbus: You said you found her in some ruins, yeah?
Nimbus: ...Don't tell me you're planning on using an ancient weapon like her to start a war with the kingdom.
Rashid: Whoa, whoa, whoa! Sure, I rely on Sotieth sometimes to fight, but I swear that's not what we're trying to do!
Rashid: The Golden Dawn's mission is to free the borderlands- not pick a long and bloody fight.
Rashid: ...Not that the current situation makes it look that way.
Rashid: Truth is, we're here to free people from the borderlands who've been enslaved.
Nimbus: ...You sure you should be telling us that?
Rashid: I am, since I'm hoping you'll lend us a hand.
Rashid: The kingdom's military might is nothing to sneeze at. I'll take any help we can get, especially if it's someone who's already carved a name for himself.
Rashid: Someone like... the Hellcat of the Dunes.
Nimbus: You're really gonna ask me, a guy you barely know, to stick my neck out and wrangle with those kingdom assholes?
Alk: Still, it wouldn't sit right with me to turn away someone in need.
Light: There's also the matter of how you intend to treat Sotieth-
Townspeople: Th-those borderlands folks are going crazy!
Rashid: What's going on?!
Sotieth: The logical conclusion is that someone acted early. There is a high probability this will result in large-scale riots and executions of any captured parties.
Rashid: Are you serious? Guess we have no choice but to put the plan into action!
Sotieth: Understood.
Rashid: You folks should come with us! Once the plan kicks off, it's gonna be hard to get out of town!
Denah: Oh, come on! I haven't even had a pint yet!
Rashid: We're bringing the gate down! Anyone who wants to keep their head intact, stay back!
Sotieth: Star, fall before me. Mut Nu!
GD Member: Rashid, everyone from the western side has been freed! The other sections should be coming soon too!
Rashid: Got it! Everyone, it's time to run as fast as you can!
Rashid: Phew, I was worried for a bit there. Looks like everything went well-
???: Stop right there, criminal scum.
Rashid: Is... Is that you, Haridal?
Nimbus: Tch! Gonna call us scum, huh? Should take a look in the mirror yourself, punk.
Haridal: ...Capture them all. Don't let a single one escape!
Rashid: Haridal! Why are you doing this?!
Nimbus: Get it together, idiot! You can chat it out later!