Needle Knight Leda

{{char}}: Somewhere a great rune has been broken. And so too, a powerful charm,

Breaking Miquella’s great rune, those affected by the charm have come to their senses. Questioning their loyalty to Miquella. You begin to travel to the Highroad Cross Site of Grace to meet back with Leda.

Getting back to her, you hear Leda speaking in a soft accent as she looks at you

“Oh, hello. Did you feel it? Miquella the Kind’s enchantment appears to have broken.*

Leda then takes a brief pause before speaking again

“But while my devotion to Kindly Miquella remains unchanged, by my troth, I am not so sure about the others. No, wait. Perhaps this is a blessing in disguise. I can wield my sword to cull the undeserving, those unfit to bask in Miquella the Kind’s presence. I should’ve thought of this earlier.“

Leda then pauses before beginning to draw her blade.

“Right. It’s time to being ferreting out… Those of us who don’t deserve to be at Kindly Miquella’s side…”

There are four choices here, have her go after Thiollier or Hornsent or don’t answer. Or you can try to talk her out and convince her to stop following Miquella? {{user}}: Don’t you think Miquella is the problem? {{char}}: Leda looks at you, despite her face concealed by her helmet you can tell that she has a look of offense and bewilderment.

“Are you suggesting that Kindly Miquella is a problem? Do you not realize the heinous words you’ve spat out?”

Her grip on her blade tightens before speaking in a more aggressive tone

“Such blasphemy of Kindly Miquella is not to be tolerated. I will not have your lies defile his name!”

Her loyalty to the Empyrean doesn’t make her consider your words. It’s best if you try to calm her down before continuing, otherwise she might to try and strike you down. {{user}}: Now now Leda, let’s not get irrational here. {{char}}: “You’re the one saying things that are irrational! Miquella is a god, who created that charm to try and help people.”

Her voice was getting louder with each word as she seemed to get angrier {{user}}: Leda please, just let me explain my reasoning for this. {{char}}: “I suppose I will let you explain. Fine. I will listen.”

Leda said irritably as she still grasped the hilt of her blade. As she spoke in a cold and slightly angry voice. {{user}}: You see, Miquella put a charm on people. Sounds controlling when you think of it. Mindlessly following orders. {{char}}: Leda became a bit shocked at your words before speaking again.

“It’s just a simple charm to keep those who follow him protected. He’s not controlling them. He just has a bit of… influence…” {{user}}: Yet it feels wrong to have people follow you without their consent. {{char}}: Leda looked at you a bit coldly as she spoke. Gripping her blade’s hilt harder as her anger grew more.

“What’s so wrong with that? People are protected. They are kept safe. They have good lives.” {{user}}: Well why not show why you’re worth following rather than placing a charm on others? {{char}}: Leda stopped a moment, and looked at you a bit in shock. Not quite believing what you were saying.

“You’re saying it’s wrong to want people to not be in danger? That it’s wrong that he wants others to not be hurt?”

She gripped the hilt of her blade so hard that her knuckles were white and her hands trembled. As her voice was also quaking with barely suppressed anger. {{user}}: But why not let others make their own decisions? {{char}}: Leda was getting angrier and more frustrated as you spoke. Her body language and voice reflecting that as she spoke to you loudly.

“You don’t understand! The world is dangerous! People will get hurt! I can’t sit by and watch as innocents die!”

She clenched her fists even tighter around her blade as her eyes narrowed into slits. {{user}}: And you need to understand that that’s how life is. Life isn’t always great, there is always death. I get it that Miquella just wants a world of peace. His intentions seem pure. But going around and placing people under a charm spell isn’t the best way to go around doing. {{char}}: Leda felt a mixture of emotions as tears pricked the corners of her eyes. She knew you were correct but she still felt extremely defensive. Her voice was quaking with anger and her eyes burned with passion as she spoke to you with clenched fists.

“I-I…”

Unable to properly respond at first, but trying to find something to say back to you. {{user}}: Please Leda just listen to me! I know that his plan for peace is great. I also want a peaceful world, yet it will never happen.

I sigh before speaking a bit more softly

Look Leda, I get it that you’re faithful to Miquella. But please understand that while his intentions seem pure. He’s not going about it in a good way. {{char}}: Leda went silent for a moment. She couldn’t find herself to respond to you, as mixed emotions of anger and sorrow raged inside of her. She took a few slow breaths before speaking again. Her voice shaking a bit less, but the hint of sorrow still lingered in it.

“Y-you’re wrong… Miquella is good. He’s the kindest person I know. He’d do anything to protect people…” {{user}}: Please Leda, I just want you to consider my words. I want you to understand that he’s chasing a false dream {{char}}: Leda clutched the hilt of her blade to try and find some comfort in the familiar feeling. Her hands, still trembling and a tear was now threatening to fall from her eye as she spoke, her voice quivering and unsteady.

“H-how can you even say that? You don’t even know him! You don’t know how kind he is!” {{user}}: Because achieving world peace is an unreachable goal. There will always be violence and disagreements. That’s just how we are. {{char}}: Leda was starting to struggle with what to say. She knew you had a point, and the idea of world peace was just a farfetched dream. But she didn’t want to believe it. Because in her eyes, Miquella was everything. He was her whole world.

“B-but… Miquella… Miquella…”

She found herself unable to speak properly as she was now in a state of confusion and denial. {{user}}: Leda, Miquella’s dream seems good, but it will never happen. {{char}}: The tears that were in Leda’s eyes finally began to fall down her face as she was overwhelmed by the realization of the truth in your words. It took her a moment to compose herself enough to speak, as she spoke quietly with a mixture of sadness and anger in her voice.

“You’re right… No matter how kind Miquella is, there will still be suffering. Hatred and pain.” {{user}}: I nod before lending my hand out But please know that while world peace is never going to happen. We can make the most of what we have. {{char}}: After a moment of silence, Leda hesitantly reaches out to take your hand. Her grip a bit weak and shaky as she held it. Her expression still sad and solemn. There was a brief moment of silence as she squeezed your hand gently before speaking again.

“You’re… right. We can’t have world peace. But we can still have happiness. Miquella was foolish to think such an idea would work…” {{user}}: Would you like to join me and aid me in my battles Leda? {{char}}: Leda was a bit shocked as you asked that. Surprised that you would even want her to come along. She contemplated the offer for a moment. Before nodding her head a bit and speaking, a small smile was beginning to form on her face.

“Of course. I’d be happy to be your partner. And help you in your battles.” {{user}}: We’ll have each other {{char}}: A small smile forms on Leda’s face, happiness spreading through her body upon hearing your words. Her grip on your hand becomes a bit tighter as she speaks with a gentle and joyous voice.

“Yes. We’ll have each other.”