SS Chapter 17 Ephraim: Prince of Dark Magic

Ephraim doesn't have anything of note on the map. Let's get going.

Same overly dramatic opening narration.

This is the exact same flashback as in Eirika route.

Recap.

Time for Ephraim to get to Narube River.

The enemy is so much better on Hard Mode and the Frelians are not. This is no less of a clean sweep.

We won't be using Syrene this run, so we'll need to pick up the slack protecting the Narube folk.

We get the same stuff about going to Syrene's aid, but of course, this is the part where Lyon appears...

He's already in evil form for Ephraim. No taking time to verify this guy is our villain.

Although Eirika has not yet been appraised of this situation. If it wasn't for the implication the Jehanna Hall confrontation still happened, Eirika might just think Lyon's had a lot of stress.

As a matter of fact, for the most part, this conversation is identical to the Eirika route version but for the Lyon sprite.

This line was split into two textboxes, if we want to get nitpicky, but this is also where the routes diverge.

Since Ephraim route did see this conversation for themselves, we have more of a byplay about it rather than being used for expositional purposes.

Evil Lyon and/or the Demon King are fond of being particularly playful versions of the evil overlord. They not only enjoy being evil, they enjoy the act of gloating. This is honestly a favourite kind of villain for me, but such villains almost have to be morally unambiguous. With that said, Lyon does a surprisingly good job at managing the balance.

Lyon is unquestioningly responsible for these deeds. And he's happy to make that clear.

And that's his main defence- Evil Lyon is not the man we once knew, but a mere vessel for the Demon King.

Translation: "Sure, fool, whatever helps you sleep at night."

This kinda stings worse for Ephraim, because he does think of these things as more negative. He doesn't necessarily think less of Lyon actively... but it is a quiet part.

It's interesting how Ephraim's argument on this point is not that he didn't think Lyon was weak, but that he thought Lyon was a friend. Not actually challenging the argument made.

Ephraim sticks to his assertion this is no Lyon.

Do I detect a note of disappointment?

Ephraim's happy to encourage him to stop acting.

And we get into the Demon King reveal.

He did only start using his Demon King voice when Ephraim challenged him.

Kinda funny no one in-universe actually brings up his name. He's called Fomortiis, but I believe the only time this name appears is in the final boss fight, if you check his stat screen. The rest of the story is content to stick with just "the Demon King".

So much for calling out Ephraim for thinking he's weak, Mr. Pot.

I assure you, the truth is so much worse.

The Demon King does something he doesn't do in Eirika route, and attempts to extort Ephraim of the Sacred Stone. Ultimately, it works out in his favour that he waits to try it on Eirika, but with Ephraim, he's got nothing to lose.

The Demon King, personally, would prefer to have Ephraim as a servant than a corpse. High praise for your skill, especially since I don't see this being offered to some of the cooler people in our army- or even his own. Maybe Caellach would've got to stick around if he didn't die.

Ephraim doesn't even entertain the thought. Not that Lyon made it very persuasive.

He's talking about Fenrir and Nosferatu still. Try not to remember that and be somewhat intimidated.

"Be afraid... be very afraid... warps to other side of map."

A bunch of little boosts in numbers (+1-+3 on all core stats). He now has a positive AS score, not that it gives him enough extra Avoid or ability to avoid double attacks to write home about. This is the same Lyon as Normal Mode.

It is his minions that are more scary. Ross and Gerik will be covering the Heroes/Warriors- Gerik can cross rivers on his own and Ross can do so at speed.

Tana will be doing "recruit Syrene" duties.

Eirika, Ephraim, L'Arachel and Innes are doing this side, and Ephraim is picking up a Support with Eirika.

Knoll, of course, is calling on the power of the Phantom.

These guys are going for Knoll, and Knoll's almost here.

Eirika not quite as great without her Rapier.

Ephraim's animations kinda feel more flourishy than Eirika's. Ephraim, since he still has his Prf, is exploding Paladins.

Phantom needs some levels before he's a dodge-tank.

Apparently, having proper level ups doesn't grant these guys actually scary Atk ratings.

Mountains slowing down Knoll, but at the same time, it means the mages won't reach the River Girl behind him.

If Phantom wasn't blocking the path, the mages can now reach Knoll.

Right, Syrene, you get back.

Syrene paying no attention to Achaeus's replacement.

Tana's a big girl now. She chews on druids for breakfast.

Syrene's the one who taught Tana all she knows, and it seems the student has surpassed the teacher. Although I'm sure she's wondering whether Innes and Hayden have awkward questions for her...

Innes: Syrene!
Syrene: Prince Innes… is it… Ah… It really is you, isn’t it, Prince Innes? Being rescued by you… It’s like a dream…
Innes: Syrene? I need a status report.
Syrene: Oh… Oh, yes! Please forgive me! The Frelian troops we dispatched were ambushed and decimated. My squad is all that remains.
Innes: So many dead… You can rest easy now, Syrene. I’m here. Victory is assured. Let’s go.
Syrene: Yes, sir… Prince Innes.

Innes is all business, and his lack of wings means you're probably not getting this one anyway. Reinforcements are all Syrene really needed, not anyone in particular- although competence is preferred.

I notice Tana doesn't have a Javelin to actually shred those druids, but I also notice Syrene does.

Cormag's catching up. Although he's picking up that Narube girl anyway, just in case.

And also so Artur can take her spot.

Gerik is ready to start on his opposite numbers.

Ross doesn't double, for his part. He can smash, though.

Now he can smash harder.

By having Ross smash first, Gerik can actually advance an extra square and use his better matchup to his advantage and help Ross out.

The twins are practicing their horseplay.

Joshua's here too!

More L'Arachel healing.

And Innes found a wyvern to shoot. Needed his Longbow, though.

And he attracts melee attention. Looks like they're hitting, too.

Gerik's also taking a few blows.

He got one, though.

Ow.

L'Arachel is having fun with the ones that try to attack her.

Knoll has made his friends. His high Res is making him an excellent Anima mage counter.

In case I change my mind on Natasha.

This guy is a little scarier, but Knoll can take it. The Hoplon Guard is probably pulling its weight.

Knoll's own Luck certainly isn't.

So long, weakings.

Knoll doesn't mind not fighting, so have another Summon.

These guys are Support grinding now.

Syrene's going shopping. She can fly and doesn't need to use her own inventory. No one in the girls had both, so I'm not sure how much shopping they did, but they probably had time after the reinforcements.

Once we take out the wyverns, we're back in reinforcement fishing territory.

This L'Arachel has the Magic and less Speed. She should be fine on Speed, though.

Wow, Ephraim can't double unpromoteds. I'm impressed by the Fighter.

It'd be nice to kill the wyvern, but this might be a better idea.

Joshua's a lot better match.

Double Doubles!

Ross axes better.

Ow. That's worrying. Also, it seems the other Hero ran away to heal.

This is a much slower party in general.

Innes is playing with fire.

Aw, how cute.

This one wouldn't have killed if he hit, but still.

Begin the pew pew beams!

This is clearly necessary.

Eirika's more taking a defensive formation.

This guy... needs some doing to kill.

A crit leaves him on 1 HP. I still need both hits.

Gerik heals as he sits on a forest.

The Summon thinks it'll help most over here.

And Ephraim finishes the choke.

So long, this guy.

Tana kills the Nosferatu guy.

Interesting this Tana is actually weaker than the Falco Tana.

Cormag steps forward- he'll be taking the swordmaster.

Healing right back.

Wow, that's a lot of crit.

That'll help. Avoid, Luck...

Every hit on Phantom is a hit not on Narube.

CHARGE!

SMASH!

22!

...That was Reginleif's last hurrah. Now Ephraim is stuck with Siegmund and the normal lances.

Wow, that almost looked like scary numbers.

...Those kind of are scary numbers.

The Hero that's healing stopped a Warrior spawning. Rude.

This is what I think of you.

Gerik's not one-rounding this guy, though. Eep.

Cormag smash!

Artur takes the last one from out of Lyon's range.

He's doing decent.

Keep sending Phantoms!

Right, you're getting Narubes on your next turn, you have to go.

Innes isn't much better than Syrene, to be honest, and he's a worse class.

Just getting some Supports...

This run does need Nosferatu, and Syrene picks up a small supply for Knoll.

Passive healing!

Gerik can deal with it.

Ephraim sees no problem with being confined to normal lances.

This one, Gerik can one-round. He's also in a forest now.

Ross can't, but he's still got a 1-3 crit chance.

Odds are in his favour he does this.

More SMASH!

...Oh, that's a good reason to bring Phantom over here. I still need to loot that Dragonshield!

...It also looks like I left Tethys behind so I could bring Rennac for looting.

The twins will be smashing these cavaliers.

And Knoll can help with the druids. This time Luna not being good isn't entirely its own fault!

...Luck!

Cormag oneshots this one.

Although it does leave Artur and Cormag not adjacent.

More wyverns, this could get hairy.

This is where Phantom will be standing.

Gerik heals up this time.

And Ross gets a Support rank.

Knoll's healing too!

That's a smear frame all right.

So much for the shield.

Phantom served his purpose!

...Thankfully he moved off the fortress.

I can keep up the pressure.

More power! Res, too, I guess.

This one really needed to die, apparently.

Yoink!

Syrene fishes him out.

...This is a weird plan. I guess Eirika couldn't one round.

These druids aren't getting any scarier.

Also some more Speed.

Tana gets a Rank.

...Aw man.

To add insult to injury, he hits his Nosferatu.

The guy only has 2 HP, man.

...Meep. Good thing I got Rennac off her soldiers.

So long.

I think the healing would be worse, but that's still a lot of HP.

Gerik continuing to crit things like he's Ross.

Ross is helping!

Oh hey, a Battle Axe!

Give me my EXP and move on.

Right, let's deal with you.

And some Healing.

Oh yeah, this would've been a lethal hit. I forget Gerik's on low health.

Ephraim got some bulk, too.

There are the big boy horses.

Really big.

Eirika breaks out the Shamshir to match it.

Remember how unthreatening these guys were in Normal Mode?

Finally healing Gerik.

Eirika doing well enough with the Shamshir.

The Paladin is also a decent match. I guess it's a Sword user.

Tana's come over to help with the wyvern infestation.

Zappy stabby!

Dealing with the wyverns is pretty tough, they're still around with 1-2 HP.

Innes can shoot this one.

The twins team up on a single Paladin.

To Eirika's great profit.

Wow, that's a smear!

L'Arachel does not care about the higher defences on these guys.

Knoll found something to heal.

Joshua/Innes rank.

Since we're finishing up, a word about the River Folk- the people who aren't fighting Lyon pick them up so I don't have to sit through an "Other Phase" notification every turn I spend Support grinding. They won't actually play out the Other Phase if no Other units are on the map, even if the Other faction still technically has a presence.

Knoll's going to summon Phantoms for Lyon to eat, I guess.

Not a human, but you do you.

Knoll gets a Staff rank!

Joshua/Gerik rank!

Another Summon, and...

Wait a second...

You use Nosferatu on a Phantom? The dudes have 0 HP, what leeching do you need?

Another Phantom bites the dust.

And Knoll gets a decent level making a new one.

These guys are initiating so Lyon doesn't get any ideas of switching back.

Oh yeah, Knoll's been levelling up, so Phantom has too. Those Avoid numbers mean Phantom might survive enough rounds to be annoying. Although if I don't deploy him right, he will annoy me.

Cormag/Artur.

Look at all this Knoll EXP I've been reaping, to get a second level.

Thanks, Lyon.

L'Arachel/Innes.

No more Nosferatu tome to worry about.

L'Arachel/Eirika.

And now it's time to use actual units.

Never underestimate the power of the clergy.

...OK, underestimate them a little bit...

Aw, Anima L'Arachel isn't as powerful...

No matter, Tana can handle it. Although it seems I've taken somebody out of Support range to make sure she doesn't secure the kill.

Innes really eager to prove his superiority over Eirika's suitor. Maybe I should've given him a Lyon kill...

But no. Eirika route got the kill with Tana, Ephraim gets it with L'Arachel. Kinda reversed from what you'd expect (especially mechanically), but hey, this is the warmup fight.

Laugh now, but L'Arachel grows mightier every time she puts you in the dirt.

Ephraim: Where’s Lyon? What have you done with our friend?! ANSWER ME!
Lyon: Heh heh… What a splendid fool you make. Shall I dress you in a jester’s cap? Shall we watch you jape in my demon’s court? Lyon is dead. I devoured him. Can you not understand?
Ephraim: Monster!

The Demon King mocks Ephraim's weaker thinking bones, but this is kind of a weird way of doing it considering what happens next chapter.

Knoll will appreciate this more than another Nosferatu from Syrene's shopping spree.

This is a completely different line from Eirika route. Eirika route Demon King was unimpressed with his performance in Lyon's body, while Ephraim route Demon King simply feels time is the only issue.

In Eirika route, the Demon King tells Eirika he plans to sacrifice Lyon for his own strength. Here, he just challenges Ephraim to a battle. Never let it be said the simple plans don't work.

To be fair, even a rational Ephraim is still going to hunt him down. But still.

Innes makes this point to Ephraim, as expected.

Ephraim seems to cool down on being reminded Frelia is good at getting him what he needs in this instance.

There's little tangible difference here about the Sacred Twins.

...With that said, Innes actually volunteers them to Ephraim, as the route split requires. This is... out of character for Innes, in some ways.

Innes respects Ephraim's authority in times of crisis. He may have an irrational rivalry with the man, but he is rational enough to know when now's not the time and this is not the place. But it's weird there's no acknowledgement that Innes would never do this in any other circumstance, nor does he even hesitate. Chalk it up to the Twins having little plot relevance.

Or at least hands that can use them.

I guess this comes close enough. The way he blows off Eirika's thanks is more about the "sacrifice" he made rather than the thanks itself.

Remember what I said in Eirika route about most people sticking these on Innes and Tana? Yeah, guess who they're going on in this route.

This is the same in both routes, with just a difference in what the Lord says to try and reject the reward. Eirika downplays her accomplishment, while Ephraim tries to act like it's not his accomplishment to claim. Obviously, you need to make sure none of the River Folk die to get this.

Next time: The Eirika route version of the next chapter is more famous, but I think the Ephraim route version goes overlooked.