Memory of Chaos: Leinas Rockbruise

Memory of Chaos: Leinas Rockbruise was a character scenario released in Mass for the Dead, featuring the character Leinas Rockbruise.

Episode 1: Her Goal
Leinas Rockbruise one of the Four Imperial Knights was ordered to support the reconstruction of E-Rantel in the Re-Estize Kingdom with Nimble Arc Dale Anoch and the imperial knights. While riding her mount alongside Nimble, the latter comments how surprising it is for Leinas to have obediently taken the mission assigned by his majesty as usually she would have refused to take it unless there was some kind of benefit to her especially for her condition. Nimble recalls that she had once said that she would point her sword at the emperor to remove her curse. Leinas is silent on her response, as Nimble reports that their mission is probably riffed with dangers as not only will they be assisting in the reconstruction efforts but patrolling the city to eliminate monsters like Chaos Beasts and Contaminated Beasts.

As Leinas nonchalantly takes out a handkerchief to dry the right side of her face, the female knight states her reasons for accepting this mission are out of practicality as the world has been hit by an incident that threatens the survival of the three nations. If the nations do not cooperate with each other then all that will be left is an environment where no one will survive, not even those with Martial Arts will be spared. Nimble guesses that he was right, as Leinas's efforts in this mission is just ensure that the world is stable so as to protect herself as always. In addition she continues to support the Empire, not for its agenda, as she only invests herself with their leaders goals so long as the nation continues to collect information on how to break her curse. Nimble questions if she treasures her life so much, then why become a knight, to which she answers it is a profession that will help gain what she desires and is willing to bet her life on it. In other words the knight is not willing to risk her life for her country, but only on her goals. However if faced with a foe she has no chance of winning, she is more than willing to abandon a mission to save her skin. That being said, Leinas finds she is out of handkerchiefs. Nimble offers her his, but Leinas declines and decides to fall back behind the caravan.

Now alone, Leinas hopes she has misled Nimble enough, as she plans on continuing to find a way to remove the ailment on her face. With all the strange phenomena such as the Cracks, Chaos Beasts and Contaminated Beasts, new types of presences that have never before seen. Leinas believes that she may have a clue on how to remove her curse that even the famed Fluder Paradyne was unable to break. The opportunistic knight intends to do her own investigation of the Cracks in hopes that by studying them she will gain a secret of their power. Also with the gathering of personnel from the three nations at E-Rantel, the knight is confident that she will have the chance to build connections with other nations. Leinas believes there must be someone among the other nations that have the power to remove her curse. If she finds a method in the other nations, she plans to defect from the Empire and into the arms of the other nation. Due to the age of the Slane Theocracy, she hopes that an answer can be found there.

Episode 2: Revenge is Beneficial
The knights having arrived at E-Rantel are met by a crowd of gawking inhabitants of the city. Leinas looking back at the resident, finds it ironic that the she is helping citizens of the Kingdom as just last year she had a halberd pointed at Kingdom. Nimble states that war last year was aimed to exhaust the Kingdom as the timing of the war was when the Kingdom harvested its crops. With the lack of manpower due to the conscription of the Kingdom's army, the fields would rot and go to waste, which results in a food shortage whether there be a good harvest or bad harvest. In addition the Kingdom's nobles recover their losses by taxing the populace. The two knights note the contrast between their nation's military burdens as they are professional soldiers. But before when the Kingdom and Empire were at war, they are now allies trying to survive in a dangerous world.

A rock is thrown at Leinas but is blocked by her knight. Leinas spots the thrower of the stone to be a young boy. Ignoring Nimble who asks her to react calmly in this situation, she approaches the child. The boy's states that his father was killed by her in the last war. Many in the crowd fear the boy will be put to death by Leinas but they make no move to help.

Facing the boy, Leinas asks is she expected her to be a cold woman. She tells him to be careful when doing this kind of mischief. If he is seeking vengeance, then this is not the way. To the boy's confusion, Leinas actually encourages the boy to work better at enacting his revenge as it is never a good idea to challenge someone who is stronger than him as he cannot win. If he really wants revenge the take more appropriate steps to achieve it to his advantage like cooperating with someone in power. Nimble interrupts the conversation, scolding Leinas for teaching a child this kind of behavior as they are attracting unwanted attention.

The two walk away from the boy towards the temporary headquarters for the Imperial Army in the city. After reaffirming their plans of action for the city, Nimble goes to Leinas to converse on her talk with the boy. If he had known what she was going to say to that child before he would have stopped her before she started. The knight asks Leinas if she sympathizes with the boy. Leinas responds that she sympathizes the purpose of vengeance as she gain acquire it on her family and fiancé when they spurned her for her face.

Nimble asks his companion does she ever regret it, but is answered with a no stating those in power benefited it. The other knight chuckles that if only she could strengthen her loyalty to their emperor then he could rest easy. Leinas states her revenge was only half of her goal and the other half is still waiting to be fulfilled. Nimble then retires for the night, leaving Leinas alone in the room. Staring at a window of a view of the city, she covers after seeing a reflection of her face.

Episode 3: Sunlight Scripture
Awhile after Leinas and the knights of the Empire arrived at E-Rantel, the feelinsg of the residents' began to soften a little due to the supplies brought in from the Empire and security provided in and outside the city.

Leinas soon is tasked by Nimble on a mission to wipe of Contaminated Beasts outside the city with members of the newly arrived Sunlight Scripture. As the Scripture has arrive from a day before, Leinas asks if it is wise to entrust them with the mission. Nimble stated that he has no choice as Nigun Grid Luin had brought up the issue to allocate some of the city's defense to his men. Still Nimble agrees that they need to set an example to show that international cooperation, sans the Kingdom soldiers due to their lack of skills. Leinas feigns a willingness to ignore the task, unless ordered, but Nimble requests her help which she complies as she is on the lookout for opportunities to investigate the Cracks.

Leinas goes outside the city with a group of imperial knights and spent their days sweeping away Contaminated Beasts. One day, Leinas, who finished her sweep meeting magic casters who are no doubt members of the Sunlight Scripture. Ian Als Heim recognizes based on her reputation. The two introduce themselves to each other, however they are interrupted when a bunch of contaminated goblins appear forcing them parties to fight. The two fight together, and as Leinas fight alongside Ian, is shocked by the magic power he possesses despite he claims at being weak.

A feral wolf nearly pounces on Ian, but he is saved by Leinas earning his thanks. Once they eliminate all the monsters, the two have a friendly chat and their prospects of working with each other again. Out of the Sunlight Scripture's sight, Leinas worries that she may have underestimated the level of strength of the Theocracy's forces. No longer confident that she could sell her strength to the Theocracy, not when it had warriors like Ian under its command, she realizes that her power as an Imperial Knight may not be enough.

Episode 4: Strength
After completing her mission, Leinas returns to the temporary headquarters, and head to the temporary training ground. There she trains with her subordinates in a combat-style training. The female knight defeats three knight by herself in one blow of her halberd, which is observed by Nimble calling her worthy of the title "Heavy Bomb". The knight asks on her sudden urge to train, which Leinas states that she was merely maintaining her strength to protect herself. Accepting that to be the case, Nimble decides to train himself and offers to be her sparring partner. The idea of match between the two Imperial Knights excites the knights of the Empire. Faced with peer pressure and the expectations of her subordinates, Leinas accepts.

The two then duel with Nimble leading the attack. The knights parry each other's blows. Though Leinas is wielding a spear that gives her greater reach than Nimble's sword, but is struggling in the difference of strength against Nimble. Recognizing the dimension of strength required to achieve her purpose, Leinas meets the impact of the parries.

Episode 5: Reinforcements
A few days ago, members of the Sunlight Scriptures were dispatched to investigate an incident and rescue villagers.

Meanwhile, an urgent call is made to Leinas and Nimble, who remained in the city, taking charge of guarding and cleaning up the Contaminated Beasts. The two hurried to the Adventurer's Guild where Pluton Ainzach and Nigun are waiting.

Nigun reports to his colleagues that members of the Sunlight Scripture sent out to Carne Village have returned, it seems ths situation there has exceeded their expectations. There is a huge influx of Chaos Beasts and Contaminated Beasts at the village which has been destroyed. The survivors of the village were escorted by adventurers and members of the Sunlight Scripture. The remaining members have begun to investigate the Great Forest of Tob as it is believed to be the source of the Chaos Beasts incursion. However they have not returned and Nigun worries for their safety and calls upon their help. Nimble acknowledge that something must be done and pledges the Empire's assistance which Leinas follows suit. Nimble believes the situation in the forest cannot be left unattened as if nothing is done the monsters could spread and threaten E-Rantel and the Triparite Alliance. Leinas decides to play along and agrees to lead the mission to rescue the members of the Sunlight Scripture despite her reservations on prioritizing her agenda.

After making preparations to leave, Leinas and her knights journey to Carne Village. Just as they left the gates they are called back by several members of the Sunlight Scripture who wish to accompany them. She briefly wonders if they are spies sent by Nigun to watch the imperial knights. The kight tries to dissuade them on the pretense that the priest are exhausted and need to rest. However they insist that they join her company as and she soon learns that they wish to save their friend Ian who stayed behind. Leinas thus allows them to join her party, intrigued at the strength of their faith that unites the members of the Scripture.

All the while she intends to cooperate with them to seek clues on the "unknown" power behind the Cracks in hopes of breaking her curse.

Trivia

 * This character scenario was released alongside Mass for the Dead Chapter 03.