Anastasia - Bran Castle

[Anastasia]
A lady knight with a constantly worried expression.
Bran Castle Quest
Location: Near the entrance to Bran Castle

I've seen you going in and out of [Bran Castle].
Thanks to you, things have calmed down quite a bit.
So why are you here to see me?
Father [Heinrich] accuses my sister of bringing this corruption upon [Bran Castle]?
Good God. Just because my sister had some... peculiar tastes, all these horrible rumors started spreading.
Because of those rumors, that priest thinks my sister is evil.
If you ask me, Count Tepes is much more suspicious!
~
If we had those suspicious letters from the Count's [Lord Chamberlains] or [Chief Chamberlains], we might be able to find some useful information.
Really? You have them with you?

Let me read that.
'...[Dracula], who resides in the deepest part of [Bran Castle], awaits his full awakening.'
'We must gather more blood for him.
Blood is the source of his power...'
[Dracula]...?
Dracula is one of Count Tepes' titles.
Why, of all things, is blood the source of his power...?
Well, at least it's not all nonsense, though it is a peculiar metaphor.
Count Tepes is a superb and benevolent leader who loves his people very much.
Unfortunately, he can be very hostile towards the people outside his territory.
He used to brutally torture and kill war prisoners, so other countries fear him.
Is it just a metaphor? It's too real, too concrete...
You don't think Count Tepes is a blood-thirsty vampire, do you?
If so, it explains a lot about the disappearances among the town folk.
We'd better let Father [Heinrich] know about this, though he'll probably refuse to believe us...

How did it turn out like this...?

...Is that really what the priest said!?
What can I do to clear up all these misunderstandings?
Yes, that is my scarf.
When I went to see my sister, I left it behind.
If my sister didn't have these strange hobbies, there wouldn't be any misunderstanding.
~
I will take my Scarf back for now.

About taking a bath in fresh blood...
It's not a totally groundless rumor.
My sister told me it's just a special liquid that looks like blood, but who's going to believe somebody that makes torture tools as a hobby?
To be honest with you, she even creeped me out for a while.
At one point I was scared to death of her.
But she is a really smart, beautiful, eloquent noblewoman...
Looking at the situation in [Bran Castle], I can understand why the priest has such an attitude towards me.
It's just a scarf. It's very coldhearted of him to jump to conclusions like that.
I am worried that he might lose his judgment.
Anyway, go back to see Father [Heinrich].

How did it turn out like this...?

Ugh... Oh, it's you.
The townspeople attacked me out of the blue.
When you showed up, they ran away...
I'm a little hurt, but I'll be okay.
I couldn't exactly fight back against people I know so well...
It was decided that the vampires in [Bran Castle] should be kept secret from the town folk...
Why... why did they assault me while yelling that they had to kill the vampire... I don't get it.
~
Anyway, might I ask you for a favor...?
My shield broke in the fight.
To repair my shield, I need some [Tanzanite].
Do you think you can get some for me? I will pay you for your services.
Because of my injuries, I can't really move...

Thank you.
Whew, ever since the count changed...
Archbishop [Dmitri] and Father [Heinrich] are the only people who the townfolk trust and follow.
I doubt the archbishop would encourage or even allow the townspeople to act like this.
I bet Father [Heinrich] mentioned something to the town folk.
If he were in his right mind, he wouldn't incite the townfolk like this...
I can make neither head nor tail of it.
My sister is acting strange and, to make things worse, Father [Heinrich] is working against us...
I don't know who I can trust...
Anyway, go back to Father [Heinrich] for now.

How did it turn out like this...?

You came back...
I'm alright.
A misunderstanding is one thing, but I just can't make any sense of this.
We should investigate [Bran Castle Jail] further.
The automated iron puppets are the zenith of my sister's handiwork.
As the name indicates, they are puppets made of fine iron... used for torture.
Among them, [Iron Doll Fighters] are the most powerful.
According to rumors, they were once my sister's maids-in-waiting.
They are half-human, half-machine, dead and yet not quite dead. They've been staying with my sister all this time.
~
I suspect the [Iron Doll Fighters] might have my sister's diary.
Hunt them down and see if any of them have [Elizabeth's Diary].
Also, hunt the [Iron Doll Warriors] and [Iron Doll Magicians], just in case.

This... this is my sister's diary.
The moment I saw it, I knew it was hers. I'll read it...
...It says that my sister, as well as Tepes, was overcome by a strange energy that revealed their true nature.
I don't know what it means, but she claims that her true nature is that of the vampire...
No, that can't be.
The vampire is just a myth.
It has to be something else!
Sister... Even after transforming into a monster that thirsts for blood... she didn't lose her mind until the end.
Oh, my poor sister...
She wrote this just after she was turned.
[Even as I am forced down this twisted path,
I pray that my little sister [Anastasia] can forget about me, and walk the path of virtue.
I love you, dearest sister.]
S-sister...
According to this diary, death is the only release from this curse...
I am sorry.
I need to stay calm.
Having you here makes me feel more at peace.
Now that I know what's in my sister's heart, I don't have to be so wracked with guilt...
But... How did this all begin? What transformed them into vampires?
Please, go back to Archbishop [Dmitri].
He might have the answer.

How did it turn out like this...?

I'm not exactly thrilled with Father [Heinrich]'s misunderstanding, but I can understand him if I consider his faith to the count.
I will speak with more of the townfolk.
I think they are still a little frightened of you.
~
If you walk around town without making a fuss, the townspeople might not fear you as much. Please pay a visit to [Bucharest].

Everything is alright now...
I think the townfolk have calmed down.
I get the impression that they regret going on their witch hunt...
It should be safe to go back to Archbishop [Dmitri] now.

How did it turn out like this...?

Finally, the time has come.
I-I know it is time to let my sister go.
~
Please, put an end to [Elizabeth]'s suffering.
Bring me [Elizabeth's Ring] to prove that her soul is at peace.
I hope to end my sister's pain.
She is probably in the [Secret Jail Room] of the dungeon...

My... my poor sister...
You can finally rest in peace...

My sister... My poor sister...

There is but one thing left to do.
Please, take this. It's the [Vampire's Requiem].
I was going to use this prayer myself after I convinced Archbishop [Dmitri], but...
As her slayer, it is better if you use it.
Archbishop [Dmitri] was working on a prayer that will save the vampires' souls after death.
~
I wanted to do this for my sister myself, but in the end, you are probably more qualified to do it.
Please, read the [Vampire's Requiem].
That way, my sister may rest in peace...

(As you read the prayer, [Anastasia] sheds a stream of tears by your side.)

My sister... My poor sister...

Now I will only be able to see my sister in the afterlife...
I couldn't be there when she met her end... H-how will I be able to face her in the hereafter?
Excuse me. The Templar Knights will be by to clean things up later, won't they?
If so, I'll lend them a hand. I am something of a knight, myself.
~
The Diary you brought to me before...
This is my sister's most important memento.
I will remember my sister whenever I look at it, and cherish her memory until the day I die.
I am really sorry to ask you this, but can you get me some [Embroidery Thread]?
I'd like to wrap the diary up with a cloth and bind it with the thread to keep it safe...

Thank you for everything...
I greatly appreciate you seeing to my needs. I know you put your all into it.
Now maybe things can begin to return to normal.
Everything is... over. Tell Archbishop [Dmitri].
Again, thank you so much for all your hard work.

My sister... My poor sister...

Hail, friend.
Heinrich told you about the situation here, I see. Several days ago, strange, metal men came and took away some of my sister's creations. I attempted to stop them, but was overwhelmed...
When I faced them, I sensed an unsettling energy about them.
~
The devil's hand is at work here, I am certain. If I had a certain type of crystal, I could have purified those machines.
Please, bring me some Ashen Crystals.

Perfect!
Please, wait here while I prepare this...

My sister... My poor sister...

I've succeeded in transforming the Ashen Crystals you brought to me into an Exorcism Crystal.
~
This divine crystal can repel evil spirits.
This Lewis you mentioned... I suspect he is possessed by a demon.
If this is the case, you will surely need this crystal. Take it with you.

This divine crystal can repel evil spirits.
This Lewis you mentioned... I suspect he is possessed by a demon.
If this is the case, you will surely need this crystal. Take it with you.

My sister... My poor sister...