In this episode, we conclude the optional side-tracking that we started last episode, exploring the strange town of Agart before we visit mysterious Eblan Castle early on to raid some juicy goodies from the castle!

But first, we roam around Agart, talking to the locals and getting a feel for the area. I mean, we might as well be a tourist while we're here.

Let's talk to the friendly locals about what Agart has to offer!


Oh, um, okay, I was just asking where the weaponsmith was, but that's cool I guess.

Let's talk to this local instead.



We find out that the occasional earthquake is nothing to be afraid of. I mean, the houses look so quakeproof.

In fact people are very open to talking about history.



Haha, Anne Cesters, Ancestors, I get it.

Meanwhile, also at the inn, we meet yet another dancer.



The Underworld?!

Pretty much the only sane place in Agart is the observatory, and even that has some kooky characters.



In the observatory, we get to talk to said husband upstairs, who is actually called Sir Corio, where he detects some interesting activity going on.



Yup, crimson red. That's not unsettling.

Beyond talking to the villagers, we also restock in Agart and complete some of the bestiary in the surrounding area. I snag Cecil a really awesome Stoneblade from one of the monsters!

After doing that, Cecil and the others go off piste and travel to the lonely southwestern island. There's a really freaky looking tower:



But what we want is further south. A castle is there, utterly abandoned. It's fairly creepy. There aren't even any random encounters. We venture deeper into the castle, and the twin towers possess several goodies, including a Blood Lance, and a few dry ethers!

There's a few monsters hiding inside boxes, though. Exactly how they could fit inside these chests is beyond me, but there you go. We fight some mad ogres, lamias, coeurls and more. Ordinarily, these would be very difficult fights at this stage of the game, but I leveled up some from the pudding hunt so it was okay.

Even with the levels though, probably the best strategy is Stop+Break, which all these enemies were susceptible to. In the end, the castle raid is complete, and I get some great goodies for it.

Next time, we visit Troia Castle and defeat the evil Dark Elf (so fantasy) to rescue the Earth Crystal!