Click to see the mission!
Back to the Union Route, where the Black Lodge’s riding out to R’lyeh with their fully armed and operational battle Cthulhu. Kurou, Dancouga and Eida are deploying as event units, so here’s how we’re going:
Joe/Amalgan
Aesap/Lux
Joey/Rennie
Kurou/Kiki
Mike/Ozma
Burn/Marvel
Shou/Tsubasa
Mazinkaiser/Canaria
Alto/Luca
Dr. West/Hebi
Arnie/Saya
Fei-Yen/Michel
Damian/Klan
Tactician: Ruri (once again, keep her set in if you’re on track for the Demonbane secret.)
And do note that this is the cutoff point for Heroman’s kill count to be over 200 if you’re going for that secret.
Off we go.
SRW UX - Rebellion Against Fate
: It’s been a long time coming, but it’s time to hammer the final nail in the Black Lodge’s coffin.
: I wish we could have the Tatsumiya team helping with this, though…
: They’re busy fighting other enemies right now. We’ll have to make do by ourselves.
: We’ve received word from Maj. Ronin that the Union’s Pacific Fleet’s been dispatched to help us, so that should offset our diminished forces somewhat.
: However, the evil god is shielded by a mighty magical barrier. Conventional weapons will, at best, slightly hamper its movement.
: Meaning we just have to hit it with UNconventional weapons, then.
: Heh, I guess that’s what it boils down to.
: That makes us the last hope of mankind. We gotta make it happen!
: Hell, yeah. Bring out your evil gods or whatever, my sword’ll chop ‘em up but good!
: Sheesh, look at them. Everyone’s really fired up for this, huh?
: You say, like you’re not feeling the exact same way.
: Maybe, maybe.
: But you know me. I only really feel ‘fired up’ when I’m burning as bright as can be.
: I hear ya. And we’ll burn like there’s no tomorrow when we get out there!
Door opens.
: Well, well. I must say, it’s quite reassuring to listen to you all.
: W-Winfield! Are you feeling better already!
: Oh, I couldn’t well lay in bed while everyone else is risking their lives in combat.
: But…
: Winfield, don’t you have another task to see to?
: But, my lady, as head butler of the Hadou household, I…
: If you’re concerned for us, don’t be. We promise we’ll come back safely.
: So, I want you to go and fulfill your own assignment.
: …
: Very well, my lady. I shall see to it with every fiber of my being!
: It’s almost time, guys. We should get ready to depart.
: Our destination’s the Pacific Ocean… the undersea metropolis of R’lyeh!
: Hmph, these puny humans mean to challenge the Great Cthulhu? How quaint.
: Augustus… What is your take on the Demonbane?
: You mean about the power it displayed when it killed Tiberius, hm?
: That unit was meant to be on par with a Deus Machina, but what it did was far beyond that level.
: It was almost like… like…
: Like the Grand Master. Am I right?
: …
: Hah… Well, you needn’t to concern yourself with that.
: Especially since your life is about to come to an end.
: What?!
Zaaaaap!
: Gwaaaaaaaaargh!
: Hmhmhm…
: H-Have you gone mad, Augustus…?!
: As you would say, this world is rife with malice and betrayal.
: Farewell, Vespasianus.
: C-CURSE YOU!!
Cast Big Magic Missile!
: Hahah… AHAHAHAHAHAHA!
: At last… At long last, the power of God is mine! The ultimate power, which none may oppose, which can bend even fate to my will!
: That power now belongs… TO MEEEEeeeee! (Here goes Wakamoto!)
: Me, the overlord of the entire world… AAAAAUUUUgustuuuuus!!
(Nero): Ar…gh…
(Nero): Fate does not bend to you… The only one who can touch upon the will of the heavens is…
(Nero): Kurou… I’ll put your and your friends’ strength to the test. Hurry up and come to me…
Location: Dragon’s Hive – Command Center
: The Dancouga and R-Daigun’s combination mechanism?
(on TV): Yeah, we want you to unseal it.
(TV): We’ll be tackling an ancient god, so we’d rather not take any chances.
: I understand the situation, but, unfortunately, I cannot grant your request.
(TV): Why?!
(TV): You’re not seriously giving us the run-around now, of all times, are you?
: Oh, now that’s just mean. This just isn’t something we able to help you with…
: The fact is that it wasn’t our call to seal the combination mechanism away. It happened on its own…
: This is purely conjecture, but it might’ve been the Dancouga itself who wanted it that way.
: The Dancouga itself…?
(TV): The hell’s that supposed to mean? That the Dancouga’s rejecting us as pilots?!
: Eeh, I wouldn’t say that either…
: Hm, I get it. What you’re saying is that we’ll need to get the mechanism unsealed ourselves?
: Alright, we’re up for it!
: I figured you would say that. Good luck – the future of Earth is in your hands.
: You better have a good bonus ready for us once this is done.
Bloop.
: Sigh… Our budget’s already tight enough as it is… I’ll have to run some numbers.
: …
: Are you really sure about this?
: Don’t worry. They’ll pull through, just as they did before…
: They’re a hardy, dangerous crew, after all. They thrive in extreme situations.
Location: Pacific Ocean
Demonbane OST – A Burst of Justice
: Cthulhu, dead ahead! Distance: 5000! We’ve several hostiles incoming!
: The Quarter and the Demonbane’ll break through their lines! Order all troops to intercept the enemy troops and head towards the fortress!
: That’s Cthulhu?! It’s even bigger than I thought…!
Woooooommmm.
: Hrgh… What is this miasma?!
: ‘Tis Cthulhu’s! The minds of those lacking in magical fortitude cannot withstand it, so do not allow it to engulf you!
: Hrgh… We’ve come too far to let an Aura like this do us in!
: Push forward and bust the enemy formation!
: All units, spread out! Formation Planet Dance!
: I’m on it! Come on, Tobikage!
: Outta my way, ya mooks! We’ve got bigger fish to fry!
Blaaaaaaast! And tentacles!
: Aah! They got the Elshank…!
: Wh-What in blazes are these tentacles?! We cannot move…!
: Eida, we’re going in!
: I got it! Danblade Twin!
: Haaah! Dankuuzan!
Cut!
: W-We’re free! No problems across the ship!
: Thank you for the help!
: We’re not letting them nab the Elshank! Hold on and we’ll clear the path for you!
Alarm!
: It’s…! We’ve several flying humanoids headed our way!
: Nightgaunts! Be wary – they mean to drag you into the Great Abyss!
: We’ll drop them before they get their claws on our ship! Speedy targets…
: Are our specialty!
: Go, you two! Aura Slash!
: Deeeeeyaaaaa!
Booooom!
: Now! Attack Cthulhu’s outer shell!
: Kurou, use the God-Beast Bullets I gave you!
: God-Beast Bullets… You mean these?!
: Aye, ‘tis special ammunition which function as a medium for Gods to manifest in this world! Fire at will!
: Okay! Ia, Cthugha! Ia, Ithaqua!
: Here’s a God-Beast fire sale just for you, monster! Come and have your fill!
Blaaast! Skreeeeee!
: We’ve confirmation that thirteen layers of its barrier have disappeared! It’s now vulnerable to physical attacks!
: Don’t let this opportunity escape us! Shove a Macross Attack down its throat!
: All of you who bear pride upon your wings, CHARGE!
: Here goes! OOORYAAAAA!
BLAM!
: Cthulhu’s outer shell has been broken!
: Everyone forward! We’re headed right for the heart of that thing!
: Here we are, Black Lodge!
: We are the sword that’ll destroy you, and our blade’s right against your throat!
: The strongest grimoire and sorcerer duo in the world is back!
Mission 43 – The Return of the Sorcerer
: A sea of blood… Now that’s some bad taste in interior design.
: We are squarely within the heart of the enemy fortress! Keep your wits about you!
: Indeed. A moment’s distraction shall bring nothing but a quick death. You would do well to steel yourselves.
: Hrm, he’s already recovered from his wounds?!
: You are the only ones capable of quenching my thirst for combat now that he is gone.
: I challenge you, Ultimate Cross, Master of the Necronomicon!
: He’ll trail the Way of the Shura to the bitter end… he fights for nothing but the thrill of battle!
: You’re just a bigger version of that Lu Bu fella. ‘Course, that don’t sound like a bad lifestyle to me…
: You sad, sad man… Blood is not something that can sate the thirst you feel.
: Our path is clear! Only the stillness of death may bring peace to one who has degenerated into a Shura!
: We’ll put you down for good, Titus! Come here!
: Everyone, our victory or defeat today will determine the future of our world!
: Destroy all the Anticross and halt this metropolis’ rise to the surface! Attack!
Don’t lose a ship, Kurou, Aoi or Eida – you don’t need to down all the Destroyer Robos, mind, as just taking out the bosses’ll do the trick (but you want the money and kills, no?).
You already know what to expect of Titus – accuracy and powerful hits – so approach as you did before. Do remember that he’s NOT immune to debuffs, so Dr. West and Mike in the Kaima can really do a number on him. SP management is the name of the game, as we’ll have plenty of stuff to get through, so reducing his stats’ll help with that.
One thing to take note is that, for whatever reason, the mooks are particularly lazy today: they’ll only attack what gets in range, but will never actually move from their starting spots. If you’d rather play it safe, angle your guys up a wing of their formation, wipe it out, and then move on to the next. Titus won’t sit by, however.
Secret Alert!
Demonbane secret – 10th step: set Ruri as your tactician and take out Titus with Kurou.
SRW UX - Deus Machina
: Ooh, we’ve got a full house today. Nice! Hey, galaxy, listen to my song!
: Let’s go, Doctor!
: Here’s my Love Heaaaaart!!
SRW UX - A Bird’s Song
SRW UX - Love Survivor
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xAFLnKHHmF4
Oh, and Titus had the decency of showing off his best attack this time. As you can see, it HURTS.
SRW UX - Deus Machina
: HAHAHA! Those blunt sticks of yours won’t even scratch my paintjob!
: Come see how you and your stupid top-knot do! Seppuku! Harakiri! Kamikazeeeee! (West is just yelling random words, but this taunt was originally done by Elsa when she fought Titus in the Leica route of the VN.)
: Hmph, I see your eccentricity hasn’t diminished since your betrayal…
: However, I trust you realize the consequences of mocking me, hm…?
: Waah… He’s really mad behind that pokerface of his-robo!
SRW UX - LEGEND OF KAISER
: Pilots of the devil… I trust you will make for fine opponents to an adept of the Way of the Shura!
: You looking to take a tour around Hell? Well, the customer’s always right!
: Ante up your Way of the Shura and we’ll see if it beats our Way of Hell!
SRW UX - The Will of Man Awakens
: You’ve abandoned your humanity to hunt humans, all in a quest for power… yet you’re still not satisfied. How far can you fall, demon?!
: The way of the blade is the way of the Shura, and, thus, my goal is but one: power beyond measure! Crumble before my might, human!
SRW UX - Dunbine Flies
: Hold nothing back. My flesh may have been wounded, but I remain more than well-equipped to face you!
: I’m fully aware of how powerful you are. Believe me, holding back is the last thing I’d do!
: Yeah! He’s going to chop every last bit of that evil Aura Power of yours!
SRW UX - My Fate
: If all you care about is raw power, then why can’t you earn it in a way that’s just?!
: Fool… It’s because the way of righteousness could never provide the power I seek that I cast everything aside in my quest!
SRW UX - Tobikage Appears!
: We have crossed blades on several occasions, but this will all but surely be the final time…
: Yet none of us wishes for this to be our end. That is what makes this such a blessed moment: it allows us to pour our very souls into this clash!
: Bring it on, you wannabe samurai! I’ll make a very final pile of slag outta you!
SRW UX - Roulette
: If you’re that strong, then why do you only use it for battle?!
: Power thrives only between the clash and reaping of lives. What problem do you see in such a pursuit?
: The problem is that it’s wrong… Power isn’t meant for fighting! It’s to defend those who can’t defend themselves!
SRW UX - Deus Machina
: Master of the Necronomicon. Mine is the blade of a man who’s reached the apex of combat, and you’ll experience in full the might with which I wield it!
: Bring it on! I’ll repay you for Winfield’s injuries twice over!
: Realize now that power attained through demonic means is utterly meaningless, villain!
Titus drops another Goubine Helmet.
: Hah… Hahahahah…
: I delved into the realm of inhumanity in a bid to quench my thirst for battle, yet what did I find there…?
: Nothing. Nothing but the endless, insatiable thirst.
: The only fleeting moments of relief came from you… and him…
: …
: That man, he… he gave out such a lonely aura at the end…
: (Live by yourself, and die by yourself…)
: (That’s the fate that awaits a Shura, huh…)
: Oh, dear… Even Titus turned out to be UUuuseless.
: You’re…!
: You have done WEEEeeelll to make it this far – especially for an imitation Deus Machina and a gaggle of mere huuumaaannns.
: What, are you going to fight us by yourself? Sure you don’t want to call out any allies for help?
: Alliiiees?
: Ha… BWAHAHAHAHAHAH! HAAAHAHAAHAAHAHAHAHAHAAAA!
: What’s so funny-robo?!
: I have no more NEEeeed of allies! I shall be the only one to dominate Cthuluuuu! BWAHAHAHAHAAaaa!
: Wait, don’t tell me… you killed the other guy?!
: You have been blinded by the power of this evil god, and lost your very self… You are a fool!
: SIIIiiileeence! He who stands before you is no longer Augustus of the AAaannnticross!
: I now command the power of the Great OOOoold One! Even a god bows before me, and, soon, so will the entire WOOoorllld!
: You stand before the KAAaaiiiserr of Earth! AAAAUGUSSSTUUUUUS!!
: “Kaiser of Earth”…?
: Ohoho… You’re calling yourself a Kaiser right in our faces? Now them’s fighting words! (I understand the original VN translation had Augustus name himself EEEMmmperor, but here they specifically added Kaiser furigana to 皇帝.)
: But I’m afraid your reign’ll be a very short one, Augustus. You can’t beat us!
: Ye false Kaiser, wallowing in malice and treachery… We shall oust you from your throne!
Legacy of Gold (Augustus)
Pilot Skills:
Sorcerer L7
Grimoire L7
Prevail L8
Support Attack L3
All Attack L3
Mech Features:
20% HP Regen
Augustus voice actor: Emperor Norio Wakamoto (other roles: Tekkaman Omega, Moon WILL, Einst Regisseur, Maier Branstein, Charles Britannia, Shapiro, Coach Ota, Cell, Nobunaga, Megatron, and more, more, more.)
Augustus is all about blasting your guys with his big guns, and they pack an appropriately mean punch. His stats are also, like the other Anticross, on the high end, BUT, like Titus, he isn’t immune to debuffs, so it’s not difficult to defang him.
As you’d expect from something that looks like this, the Legacy of Gold is quite hardy – especially with Wakamoto’s Prevail – so also tag him with Armor Down, as you’ll still want to preserve a decent amount of SP. Finally, he can only use his strongest attack at range 3-8, so if you close the distance, he’ll have to rely on his weaker one, which has a full 1100 less power (but is more accurate).
And do note that Augustus comes accompanied by two Dagons (as strong as the ones we fought at mission 26), so don’t let them tag YOU with debuffs. Leave Kurou nearby to distract the guy and have your more evasive guys take out the buggers.
Secret Alert!
Demonbane secret – 10th step: Also take out Augustus with Kurou.
And there’s this, too.
SRW UX - Deus Machina
: The DEEeemonbaaane?! The destroyer of EEeeviiil?!
: You’ll have to forgiiiive me if I don’t find myself particularly AFRAAaaiiid! BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAA!
: Do you take us to be the same as we were afore? How many Deus Machinas, how many spawns of your evil god do you think we felled to reach this place?
: Keep on getting high on yourself, you crook! I’ll have your bot’s gold plating torn off and ready for selling in two shakes!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnKnnMvGWZA
“Kurou Daijuuji and Al Azif… You are no longer any match for MEEEeee!” > “Observe the power of a Great OOooold OOOoone!”
SRW UX - Deus Machina
: Never did I expect you turn out to be such a nuisance when you made off with your life, Doctoooorr.
: HOOooweever, that ends here. Your hunk of juunnnnk could never defeat a god!
: See, this is why I can’t stand buffoons!
: This is the fruit of my gigantic, limitless intellect, the Super West Invincible Robot Type-28 Special!
: Yes, a buffoon of your meager brainpower could never understand the super delicious, hyper magnum, gorgeous precision that went into its creation…
: Much less the special, deluxe, galactic power it possesses—
: What he’s getting at is that it’s an incredible robot and it won’t be beaten by the likes of you-robo!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVnc8GleFIA
And have a video for his other attack, if only so we can have more Wakamoto.
SRW UX - Love Survivor
: A Kaiser is meant to be a leader to his people! Anyone who’d look down upon others is not fit for that title!
: BWAHAHAHAHA! A mere HUuumaannn dares insult me? I’ll show you a power that exceeds even that of the gods themmseeelvesss!
SRW UX - A Bird’s Song
: I am far different from the MOOoonnn WIIiiiLL your team defeated!
: Yes, I am the ruler of all that exists in this world! Augustus, the KAAaaiiser of Earth!
: Psh, shows what you know.
: He’s got absolutely no clue, and here he is, lording it over us. I’m actually kind of embarrassed for him, really.
: I hate to break it to you, but… you are just like Moon WILL.
: Yeah, especially with that god-complex and that ‘I rule over EEeeverything’ shtick!
: And there’s no way in hell we’re getting dropped by a guy like that! Let’s go wild!
SRW UX - Lion
: I am the Kaiser of Earth! And it’s my DUUuutyyy to free the souls of bacteria like you from their BIIiiindinnngs!
: Yeah, well, that role doesn’t suit you in the slightest! This impromptu show of yours sucks, and it’s time someone brought down the curtains on it!
SRW UX - Believe ver. HD
: Your SOOoonng is no more than child’s play face my godly POOooweeers!
: You really like yelling, don’t you? But you should know that only makes it obvious how insecure you are!
SRW UX - The Will of Man Awakens
: I can feel the light of life irradiating from within you. It displeeeaaases MEEEeee! I, the Kaiser of Earth, shall judge you myself!
: We’ve absolutely no reason to accept your judgment! You see lives as nothing but toys, and it falls on us to put people like you down!
: You’re not worthy of calling yourself a Kaiser! You’re just scum, and Hell is where you’re headed!
SRW UX - Deus Machina
Augustus drops another SEKIGAHARA Game Software for us.
: HRRRRRRMMMMMMUUUAAAAAAAAH!!
: How’d you like that?!
: …
: Hm-Hmhmhm… Do you believe that to be enough to defeat my Leeeegacy Of Gooooold – to defeat a GOD?!
: Regenerative abilities?! Is that also fruit of Cthulhu’s powers?!
: A-Are you kidding me?! All that pummeling and he’s looking brand new again?!
: Kch, don’t stop! Fire everything on him!
: MWAHAHAHAHAHA!! You’ll still keep attacking MEEeee?
: Humans are meeeerely cattle to serve the gods! AND THAT APPLIES TO YOU TOOooooo!
: Aaaaieeeee!
: Th-This is the power of a god…?!
: It’s like the guy’s gone Hyper…! How are we supposed to beat him…?!
: Isn’t it obvious? If we’re fighting a god, then we just gotta transcend him!
: Transcend a god…?!
: WAAHAHAHAHAHA! Oh, the FOOOooolishness! The height of idiocy!
: Cattle transcending a god?! RIDICULOUS! ABSUUUURD! I could laugh until the heat death of the universe and it STIIiiilll wouldn’t be enough!
: The only thing that’s ridiculous here is you. And it’s high time you stopped laughing.
: You’re not the first bad apple fancying himself God that we’ve seen.
: But God is someone who’s born of the will of man… it’s the power of our prayers that makes Him who He is.
: Meaning someone like you, who’s turned his back on humanity, could never actually be God, moron!
: Y-You vermin dare insult MEEeeee?!
: Fine, then we’ll just have to show it to you…!
: The potential hidden inside us humans – the potential to transcend even the gods themselves!
: Wh-WHAAAT?!
: Aoi, everyone… that light is!
SRW UX - A Bird’s Song
: Haaaaaaaaah!
: Keyword! M-A-X-G-O-D!
: Dancouga! MAXGOD!
: The Dancouga and the R-Daigun…!
: They’ve combined?!
: It’s… the Dancouga MAXGOD!
: I get it… The Dancouga never rejected us.
: We were the ones who’d forgotten…
: Thanks for the help, Kaiser of Earth. You’ve helped us remember the “god” inside.
: Th-The god inside you?!
: Our prayers turn to power, beckoning a god – a wild beast – to nestle within us!
: I can hear their song!
: Hokori to ai ga kyoumeishite… kanadeteru, melody! ♪
: Tsubasa wa, kaze ni note…! ♪
: Oozora ni inoru, tori no uta…! ♪ (All slight shifts on Dancouga Nova’s OP)
: You’re wasting your TIIiiime! You could never defeat a god! NEVEEEEeeerrr!
: See for yourself, then!
: The sword that smites evil… No, the blade that slays even gods!
: A power that’s transcended men, beasts and the gods themselves!
: Let’s go wild! SEEEEEEEIIIII!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z3dtlxDXeuM
Captions are available.
: OOOoorgh! I-Impossible… How?! I am a god…
: I am the Kaiser of EEAAaarth! GRUUAAAAAAAAAARGH!!
: Phew…
: W-Wow. That’s…
: That’s the true power of the reborn Demonbane…
: And the Dancouga’s!
: Heeheehee… You really did touch the will of the heavens…
: It’s that Deus Machina…!
: I really was right about you and your friends, Kurou!
: Th-That voice… It can’t be!
: What… You are alive?!
: Yoohoo! How’s it going, guys?
: E-Ennea…?!
: No, sorry. That name was kind of a lie. I’m actually called Nero…
: The Tyrant, Nero, of the Anticross.
: Wh-What are you talking about, Ennea?!
: And I see you’ve really come to master the guns I gave you.
: Cthugha and Ithaqua… These were yours?!
: Kurou looked like he was having a pretty hard time, see…
: But, most of all, I figured I wouldn’t be able to enjoy the fight without a little handicap.
: And, by the by, that ALVIS kid? I was the one who saved him too. No need to thank me.
: ALVIS kid? You saved Mamoru…?!
: What’s going on, Ennea?!
: I told you, I’m Nero – not Ennea. I’m yours and the UX’s enemy, Kurou!
: That cold, nauseating smirk… it’s just like his.
: Like Master Therion’s…!
: That’s right, I’m a devil. I’m glad that sunk in.
: Is that… Is that really true?! Are you just another monster who gets a kick out of causing destruction?!
: Was everything you did as Ennea, down to that playful smile, all just one big lie?! What did you approach me for, then?!
: …
: Because… I wanted to meet you. That’s the truth.
: And I did have fun playing with you and your friends. That’s also true.
: Then, why…?!
: Didn’t you hear me say I’m a devil? Destroying the world is what I do. Just. Like. This!
RUUUUMBLE!
: Wh-What did you do?!
: I’ve made Cthulhu go berserk. Soon, the cells of his body’ll start to multiply endlessly – like one huge cancer.
: If that happens, the planet will…!
: Exactly. I’ll unleash Cthulhu upon the world and there’ll be nothing left by the time it’s done!
: Here I am, the embodiment of all the evil and injustice that you guys hate oh-so-much! Come and get me!
: No! I haven’t fought through all those battles in order to kill you now! I haven’t fought just to replace one injustice with another!
: We have to fight, Kurou…!
: Arnie, you…!
: I’m sure you can tell…
: Ennea… rather, Nero, wants you to kill her…!
: …?!
: (Aah… I see how it is, Nero. You’re going to have Kurou do what you cannot do yourself…)
: (This was the answer you finally found within your eternal cage, hm? Very good, indeed.)
: (However… Humans are strong – truly strong. More so than you imagine…)
: (And that strength will be your and their downfall…!)
: Ennea, I…!
: Go, Kurou! You’re the only one who can truly save her soul!
: Hrrgh, damn it! Goddamnit! ENNEAAAAA!!
Nameless One (Nero)
Pilot Skills:
Sorcerer L8
Grimoire L8
Prevail L9
Support Attack L3
All Attack L3
Mech Features:
30% HP Regen
All-Canceller
Nero’s voice actress: Ari Yunohara (other roles: Salsa Tortilla in Blessing of the Campanella, Chiffon in Alphandia Genesis 2 and a few other stuff in games that I don’t think made it to the west.)
True to her reputation, Nero comes backing the biggest stats across all the Anticross and is on par with Master Therion (though the Nameless One doesn’t have all those S ranks). She’s got range, she’s got a ton of power, she’s immune to debuffs, she’s very bulky and even regens 50k HP a turn. That said, if you’ve saved enough SP to cast Valor (and a defensive spell), you can down her in one turn if you throw everything at her. If you haven’t… then you’ll likely need a couple, if not three, turns to drop her.
Like Augustus, her best attack is range 3-8, but, unlike him, her close-range attack is still pretty powerful and packs a big crit and accuracy modifier (in fact, unless you somehow empty her MP stock, you’ll never see her use her outright weakest attack).
She’s also accompanied by another 6 Dagons, so you’ll either want to get rid of them (they’re each worth 12k a pop!) or, if you’re strapped for resources, kill just enough to open a path and rush Nero down. Thankfully, she doesn’t have MAPWs to hit you on approach – and she likes going after big HP targets like Kurou and our ships, who can tank her just fine.
Secret Alert!
Demonbane secret – 10th step: ALSO, take out Nero with Kurou.
Easy money.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GHZz39S4mxk
Like I was saying, her AI prioritizes big HP pools, so you can dangle them inside her range while your guys move in.
SRW UX - Tobikage Appears!
I don’t use Rennie’s MAPW enough, but I should. Joe and Joey both know Zeal (Shouko, Al and Erebos all know Enable, too), so you don’t even NEED to spend a Continuous Action on her and have her flying solo when you spot a prime opportunity like this.
She shaves off a good chunk off all the other Dagons, so they fall in quick succession.
SRW UX - A Bird’s Song
: My heart’s on fire… a flame erupting from deep within me.
: Been a long time since I felt this surge in my soul!
: How about we share some of this trip down memory lane with the enemy as well?
: You got it! We’ll give them a taste of the power born of our united wills…
: The power through which the Dancouga MAXGOD’ll soar towards our future…!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GtZ8mq010PI
Dancouga Nova attacking monsters: Johnny: “Aoi, I’m relaying you some data I found in Men’s UMAs Monthly!” > Aoi: “That mag even has stuff on these?!”
SRW UX - Love 14 ver. HD (Vocal)
SRW UX - Deus Machina
: I won’t think twice of facing anyone, not even the Tyrant-robo! My darling’s love empowers me-robo!
: Nooo, Elsa! Chuck that garbage into the incinerator this instant and let my sweet heart take its rightful place!
: Ahahahaha, you guys are so funny!
: But if you say your love is that powerful, then fire it up and take me down with it!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1xNEogYMkE
Here’s Nero’s second strongest attack… and would you believe I forgot I hadn’t shown it yet and skipped the rest of the animation? Blah… you can see her attack and that’s what matters!
With that done, it’s time to wrap up this mission!
Kanako Ito – Shadow in the Dark
: Hmhmm, I get it now. It was because of that strong will that you’ve managed to carve out your destiny.
: Do you know something…?
: However, if you stand against us, then my only choice is to cut you down!
: I feel your killer intent all the way here… You’re fighting for real, aren’t you, Nero?
: What about you, Shou? Will you kill me? You have to kill my hate, you know!
: (You have awakened… How far will your and her song resound? How strongly will it shine?)
: (Hmhm, how exciting…)
: Holy Warriors are chosen to correct a world thrown into chaos, right?
: Well, I’m absolutely a force of chaos threatening to destroy this world. Hurry up, now!
: I’m nowhere as larger-than-life as that. If I’m fighting, it’s only because I chose to do so!
: You really pulled the wool over all our eyes, huh?
: To be fair, Men’s Intrigue Monthly never said anything about suspecting kids.
: Heehee, this was all pre-ordained, so don’t feel too bad about not noticing it. That’s fate for you!
: You spent all that time with us and don’t even know that we hate getting pushed around by fate?!
: I dunno what you were actually thinking when you cozied up to us, but where I come from, little scamps like you get taught a lesson!
: Shoot me down, why don’t you? If I’m not stopped, your beloved sky’ll soon be a lot of nothing.
: Are you seriously going to keep playing the fool, Ennea?!
: Because I’m sure you were meant for better stuff than that!
: Tsk, I just hate having to shoot at a girl!
: Don’t make a mountain out of a mole hill, I say. Just aim at my heart and pull the trigger.
: It took you so long to grab a hold of your life and your fate, so you better take good care of them!
: Ah, I know you two get that this is the time for killing, right?
: Absolutely…! We won’t even give you an opportunity to regret this!
: We’re coming for you and we ain’t pullin’ our punches! You’ll die in our Hell!
Kaido attacking: “I don’t give a damn that you’re a kid! ‘Mercy’ goes right out the window when you’re an enemy!”
: I’m a force of evil looking to destroy the world. Take me down and you’ll be a real hero, just like you’ve always wanted!
: Wrong, Ennea… A hero in my book isn’t someone who beats evil.
: A hero… is someone who fights to protect others! And that’s why I want to protect you too!
: A whole lot of folks were really sad because of you, Ennea. Don’t you even care about how much they hurt?!
: Oh, don’t be mad. I was alive all along, so it’s good, no?
: And, by the by, if you look at me as Ennea again, it’ll be you who ends up dead this time, Joe!
: Are you really going to do this, Ensign?
: Don’t forget what we’ve been fighting for. We need to put down anyone who’d try to destroy our future.
: Bingo! You’re really come into your own, Arnie… Now, let the fun begin!
: Show me how bright your and Saya’s lives can shine!
: You’re a Champion of Justice, Kurou – the defender of the world. And I’m the Evil Sorcerer plotting to destroy it.
: We’ll use all our power to utterly deny each other, with literally everything riding on the outcome of this battle. Isn’t it great?
: Steel yourself, Kurou. She is Ennea no more, but Nero, the Tyrant!
: Why… Why do we have to do this?! ENNEAAAAAA!!
Al: “Kurou, combat is unavoidable!” > Kurou: “Kch… I really don’t have a choice?!”
Nero drops a Nyan-Nyan Deluxe Tuna Dumpling (Accuracy and Ranged +10, Defense +5).
: Hmhmhm… That’s pointless.
: She’s using Cthulhu’s power again?!
: I don’t think so. I felt something… weird. A wave of nothingness, like something was… discreated?
: Ah, you figured it out. This is the Nameless One’s ultimate power: the ability to delete an occurrence, to sever something from the tapestry of Causality.
: Put it simply, the Nameless One can take the fact that it was injured and make it so that never happened.
: Such power… ‘tis not meant for human hands…
: Well, it’s a good thing I’m a demon, then. A force of evil fully capable of annihilating the world. And nothing any of you have can resist my power.
: With just one exception.
: “One exception”…?
Heartbeat.
: Rgh… Gwaaaaaaaaah!
: That’s…!
: The Shining Trapezohedron…!
: There you go! That’s the one and only thing that can destroy me!
: Once more it manifests heedless of our call… What in blazes is it?!
The Demonbane gets yanked into position.
: Ur…k… It’s too strong. I can’t hold it back!
: Kurou, we must unleash its power against the enemy. If we do not, it will destroy us!
: I know, but…! I just can’t use it on Ennea!
: Can’t you see the tears in her eyes, the Aura of sorrow around her, Kurou?! Are you still going to answer her wishes with uncertainty?!
: Sorrow…?!
SRW UX - Prologue
: This… is the fate she chose, of her own free will!
: She’s decided to sacrifice herself and leave the future in our care… just as Maj. Richard, Soushi, Ms. Akane and King Sakomizu did!
: And, so, it falls on us to take up the burden of her sorrow and continue in our walk to that future! That’s our duty to them!
: But… But, I—!
: There are many who shall perish if we do not fight…
: Mere words shall save nothing… not even the enemy!
: Al, Ennea… I…! I… Uwaaaaaaaaaaah!
: Come on, Kurou…!
: Rrk… Argh…!
: ENNEA!
: H-Hmm…
: Ennea, are you okay?!
: Kurou…?! But how…?
: The person the Demonbane and I cut down wasn’t you.
: I defeated Nero, the last Anticross. Now there’s only Ennea. Let’s leave it at that.
: Hahah… I can’t believe you managed to even get the Shining Trapezohedron to obey you…
: I guess you… or, better put, the will of man is a lot stronger than I thought.
: Of course it is. That’s how we managed to confront our fate and win all these times.
: Even if what awaits us is nothing but hopelessness, we keep trying…
: …
: You know, I wanted to meet you because I didn’t have the courage to destroy myself. I thought I could borrow the courage, the strength, I needed from you guys.
: But now I see I was wrong. That’s not real strength.
: Like they always say, that would just be running away…
: Ennea…
: If there’s a next time, I promise I’ll be a lot stronger than I am now.
: Strong enough that I can live with pride even while fighting against a mire of despair.
: “Next time”? What are you…?
: Thank you for everything, my dear Kurou…
Craaaaaack!
: ?!
: A-Aah… Ennea!
: E-Ennea! ENNEAAAAA!!
: Hmhmhm…
: Y-You’re…!
: What… What the hell are you doing here?!
: Answer me… Master Therion!
Demonbane OST – The Absolute of Darkness
:aaaaa: :aaaaa:
: It’s a pleasure to meet you, Kurou Daijuuji… and you, the lost children of the Samsara.
: Y-You… didn’t you die?!
: Not exactly. The Master Therion you are familiar with is the previous one.
: Stop talking riddles! Who are you, then?!
: Do you still not understand? I was born just moments ago from my mother, Nero. Yes, I have left her womb precisely to do battle with you!
: Y-You son of a bitch!
: I am very much looking forward to dancing with you now that I have reincarnated at the beginning once more… but, unfortunately, the time is not yet right.
: Etheldreda.
Flash!
: Yes, Master.
: The Pnakotic Manuscripts has returned as well…?!
: Access Cthulhu. Mass Teleportation Spell.
Magic casting!
: Blast, she is—
: We shall meet again when the stars align, Kurou Daijuuji! As will you, lost children of the Samsara!
: Gaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!!
: Hrgh… W-We’re—!
: Back outside?! What just happened?!
: ‘Twas Cthulhu’s power, I believe. They transported us outside via a Teleportation Spell.
: And I don’t see Cthulhu anywhere… I guess we’d better regroup and think of what we’ll do next.
: Rrrgh, damn it! Why?! I thought I’d finally saved her and he…!
: Kurou…
: Why did this happen… ENNEAAAAAA!!
Elsewhere…
: Gch… Bereft of anything, yet I survive still… To call it pathetic would be an understatement…
: However…
: …
SRW UX - Rebellion Against Fate
: I apologize for making you wait.
: I see… you still live.
: I thank you for giving me an opportunity to have one final duel with you…
: You’d best relay your gratitude for my lady Ruri, then. She was the one who allowed me to come here…
: Granted, now I have every intention of emerging victorious. Defeat would dishonor her.
: Hah… Then I shall also stake the very life I’ve led into this bout!
: Come, warrior…!
: To arms!
Flash! Swish!
: DEEYAAAAAAAA!
Clash!
: …
: Ultimate technique… Requiem - Dies Irae.
Super Speed!
: Rragh…!
: Victory is mine, Mister Bushido.
: Heh, heheheh… Never did you stop doing battle as a human…
: Whereas I could not endure that difficult path… Indeed, the god of battle would never grant his favor to such a man…
: Hahahah… How foolish I am…
Dead.
: …
: It’s a very fine line that separates humans and demons…
: Farewell… My mighty nemesis…
: Gameran, have we any indication of where Cthulhu went?
: No, Your Highness. It teleported away right as we were forced out, apparently. We have no idea where it is.
: But considering they left the area, would that mean restoring R’lyeh was never their real objective?
: Maybe it was for the Anticross, but I think Master Therion himself is after something else.
: And he said he’d ‘reincarnated’…?
: Going by that word, I believe he used Ennea as a vessel for his rebirth. That likely was his plan all along.
: “If you knew that all this is pointless, could you still bring yourselves to fight…?”
: She knew what fate had in store for her…
: And that’s why she tried to have her existence erased with the Shining Trapezohedron? To stop Therion from coming back?
: Then… She knew that she was going to die one way or another?
: I don’t know if anyone could cope with that.
: Hmm, actually… Her last words weren’t what you’d hear from someone who’d been broken by fate.
: I get the feeling that she saw something… something in the horizon of her fate.
: I’ve no idea what that something would be, though…
: What lies beyond death would be…
: Eeh, I really don’t feel like starting to believe in Heaven or Hell.
: And, if anything, I doubt Ennea would want us to get bogged down in pity or remorse.
: You’re right… None of us can afford to stop now…
: We have to keep on fighting, no matter how deep that mire of despair becomes.
: We owe it to her, too…
: Mr. Daijuuji…
: …
: My dear Grand Master, how sad you must be that you couldn’t fight Kurou after waiting so long to reincarnate.
: It’s fine. The satisfaction that this moment has arrived at last will tide me over for a while.
: Hmhmhm, then what say you we sit back and enjoy the spectacle?
: This sad and beautiful dance between the souls drawn to the end of the Yuga!
: Hmhmhm… AHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!
And just one convo we missed today:
: This girl is our enemy, but… should we really fight her?!
: You’ve already chosen your fate to follow, Karen. There’s no reason for you to be so troubled, hm?
: Chop-chop! Come and kill me already!
Now, I promised I’d tell you of the eerie theory the JP wiki has about Miwa’s abnormal growth. First off, remember when it was that Yumiko likely got pregnant – the one time the game went out of its way to note that she and Michio were doing it: mission 26, a.k.a., during party at Innsmouth.
That’s already asking for trouble, but it gets worse. One thing UX didn’t bring up is something Nero told Kurou in the original VN: “In Hebrew, all consonants have a numerical value. The Number of the Beast is 666, which signifies the Emperor Nero. Nero of the Anticross, therefore, IS Master Therion.” Therion means Beast in Greek, FYI.
Next, after Master Therion tears out of Nero, he tells Kurou this to explain his connection to her: “Domitianus, the Beast of Scripture, is Nero’s form upon returning from Hell. Master Therion, therefore, signifies both Nero and myself.”
Thus, from all this, we can infer that the child of Master Therion (Nero) is also Master Therion (actual one).
But how is this relevant to Miwa? Well, there’s a Fafner side material trivia that UX references. Look back to mission 32, where Michio, surprisingly, has a pre-battle convo with Therion, and quips about how folks at the army gave him a nickname matching his old unit… “Master Therion”.
Add all that up with Master Therion just insta-growing into an adult man from inside Nero’s womb, and you can see why we should be very, VERY afraid of Miwa! The Festum don’t even realize they’re attacking an island inhabited by a child of the Outer Gods!
Visual illustration provided by MajinZenki: