The original world of Suikoden is vast and comes with a rich history. This page will deal with the story of the first game, which dealt with the rise and fall of Scarlet Moon Empire and the formation of Toran Republic. For convenience's sake, the protagonist's name will be referred as he was in the Drama CD (Tir McDohl).
Leknaat saw her clan's destruction as an inevitability and retreated to Magician's Island near the Toran region. Windy, on the other hand, was consumed with a desire of vengeance against Harmonia for the destruction of her clan and sought the True Runes on her own so she could make the world and Harmonia pay. Her first target is the cursed Rune of Life and Death, Soul Eater.
After years of searching, Windy learned the existence of the Village of Hidden Rune, where the Soul Eater resided. Windy tried to demand the Rune from its wielder, the village elder, but was rejected. In response, with the help of the Black Knight Yuber and the Vampire Neclord, Windy burned down the whole village. However, the Rune eluded her, as it was passed down to the elder's grandson Ted. Windy caught wind of this and for years to come, continued to hunt down Ted. However, Ted continued to elude her.
However, it was during this era that Ted started feeling weary on his possession of the Soul Eater and constantly being chased by Windy. He came across a Fog Ship owned by most likely those of the Sindar race and surrendered his cursed rune to the ship guide, and becoming its steward. The Fog Ship eventually came across another cursed rune, the Rune of Punishment, wielded by a member of the Island Nation Liberation Army, Lazlo. However, Lazlo refused to surrender his Rune despite knowing that his life would be full of suffering afterwards. Inspired by Lazlo, Ted decided to reclaim his Soul Eater. Both drove away the Fog Ship and its guide, and Ted helped the Island Nation Liberation Army as his payment, though knowing the curse of Soul Eater, he preferred to be left alone for the good of everyone. He also befriended an archer named Aldo, but as usual, Ted tried to keep him away until eventually the conflict between the Island Nations and Kooluk Empire concluded. Ted resumed his wandering, but he made a mistake of eventually opening up with Aldo, which eventually caused him to get killed and his soul consumed by the Soul Eater. Regardless of the new tragedy to his new friend, Ted continued to push on, protecting the rune from Windy who continued her pursuit.
After the run-in with Kooluk, the Scarlet Moon Empire focused into rebuilding its infrastructure and strengthening its grip on the Toran region, repelling assaults from the Badlands and Jowston from the north.
Despite the grief of the loss of his wife, Barbarossa pushed on, re-gathering the Great Generals of the Empire; Kasim Hazil, Kwanda Rossman, Milich Oppenheimer, Teo McDohl and Kilahwer Schulen, as well as inducting the famed warrior, Georg Prime, into the roster. Kasim Hazil also happened to be advised by a Silverberg descendant, a bright young man named Mathiu, but even he thought he himself wouldn't suffice. He eventually suggested the help of his uncle, another brilliant, but ruthless strategist, Leon, to act as the second strategist. With Leon in the ranks of Barbarossa, he began turning the tide against Geil and gathering popular support of the public, including the usually neutral Dragon Knights under Joshua Levenheit and his Dragon Rune. It's also likely that Leknaat came into contact with the Scarlet Moon Empire at this time period and kept good relationship from within her Magician's Island.
One of the chief keys of the successes is the ace Great General Teo McDohl, who was not only an able warrior, but also a just man. Aside of Barbarossa gathering allies that believed in him, Teo also had his part; he dueled one of Geil's warriors, the martial artist Pahn, and defeated him, winning him over to Teo. In addition, he had the invincible Armored Cavalry under his command. Eventually, Geil took notice on this and sought for Teo's weakness, and he found one... his family.
Teo was advancing under Barbarossa's command that he was just one step away from taking over Gregminster. It was then he received distressing news: Geil's men has kidnapped his only son Tir McDohl and unless Teo downgraded his Armored Cavalry into a normal one, Tir would be killed. On this news, Teo sent his trusted manservant, Gremio, to sneak into Geil's ranks and then rescue Tir. Gremio succeeded his mission, strengthening his desire to protect the child, and he managed to send the good news in time before Teo advanced to the battlefield, so he could keep his Armored Cavalry. Furthermore, Teo's other bodyguard, the lady warrior Cleo, and one of Barbarossa's generals, Ain Gide, gave further support by providing cavalry forces. And thus, at the Fortress of Kwaba south of Gregminster, the final war for the Succession War take place, and it undoubtedly ended with the victory over Barbarossa's forces.
Barbarossa then entered the capital Gregminster, confronted his uncle and bested him in combat, reclaiming his rights as well as the Sovereign Rune. The people cheered for his ascension and it seemed that Barbarossa would go down as a legend in the history of Scarlet Moon Empire, along with the Sovereign Rune he acquired. However, as he lost his love, Claudia, in the onset of the war, he hid a scar that would never heal and also doom his Empire one day.
Just shortly after the Succession War, Jowston's Tinto and South Window invaded from the north, taking over the town of Kalekka. The Empire defeated them, but it might plunge the Empire into a protracted war shortly just after recovering from their own civil war. This resulted anti-war sentiments from the Empire, preventing Barbarossa to pour more resources to defend against Jowston.
Leon Silverberg then suggested the most efficient way to end the conflict, and yet it would paint the Empire as monsters. Many objected to the plan, including Mathiu and Kilahwer, but in the end, they all had no other choice, it was the only way to save the Empire. Barbarossa was asked for his opinion, and yet he green-lit the plan, as he was too deep in mourning for Claudia.
The plan was for the Imperial Army to massacre the citizens of Kalekka, leaving no survivors and then pin the blame to the City-States of Jowston. In general, the plan worked, the citizens of the Empire was outraged and supported war, allowing Barbarossa to drive away the Jowston Army from Kalekka for good.
However, the atrocities to make it happen disgusted a good number of people, even from within the Empire itself. Lieutenant Humphrey Mintz of the Elite Group was so disgusted at this action that he killed his superior and fled. Georg Prime quit the Great Generals roster and traveled, eventually being employed by the Queendom of Falena later. Horrified at what the incident caused, Mathiu resigned as a strategist and became a normal teacher in the remote village of Seika. And afterwards, many anti-Imperial sentiments started to rise, with some calling themselves 'Liberation Army' rebelling.
And making matters worse, Windy eventually applied as a position of Court Magician. She also happened to be quite similar to the late Claudia, so Barbarossa fell all over heel to her, and thus moving away from politics further and letting corruption take root and spread into his Empire.
Mathiu has a little sister named Odessa Silverberg. Growing up with her brother and uncle's accomplishment, she was generally uninterested with what happened with the Empire, but after the Kalekka Incident, she became betrothed to a man named Achilles, and he happened to be one of the anti-Empire supporters, eventually she began to realize the corruption of the Empire that she loved. She decided to ask for help from Mathiu, but he declined, already too disillusioned with war. In disgust, Odessa called him a coward and they were never on speaking terms again.
Eventually, Achilles was framed by the Empire for a crime he didn't commit. Odessa came to his rescue while wearing her wedding gown, rescued him and they fought off any oncoming attackers to escape. Achilles, however, sacrificed his life to ensure Odessa's survival, she carried on his last will to "Defeat the Empire!".
While her intelligence as a Silverberg was not put too much in front, Odessa was a charismatic young lady that she gathered many followers, such as a wanderer from Warrior's Village, Flik, who would become her vice-leader, blacksmith Mose, ex-Imperial guard Humphrey, accountant Sanchez and a Jowston mercenary named Viktor. Her reputation grew as a folk heroine, becoming a symbol of anti-Imperial movement, helping the citizens and opposing the Empire while she can. However, her progress was slow, yet steady.
During this time period, Teo came across Ted after he wandered in escape of Windy. Thinking of him as a lost child, Teo adopted him so he could become a friend and play mate for his son Tir, who has grown up into a fine young man in preparation to become a member of the Imperial Army. Both Tir and Ted quickly became best friends.
And this is where our story begins.
Tir's first mission was merely to deliver the Astral Conclusions to Leknaat in the Magician's Island, assisted by Dragon Knight trainee Futch and his loyal stead Black. In there, Leknaat's pupil, Luc, made a deadly prank on Tir's entourage by sending a golem against them to test their genuineness. Once Tir went past Luc's trial and met Leknaat, she immediately saw potential in Tir and asked him to hold fast to his own heart and beliefs.
Tir was then sent along with another corrupt official Kanaan to the nearby village of Rockland where they have been rather late on paying taxes. In there, Tir started hearing that the Empire hasn't been as good as he was told from the commonfolk. When they confronted the town chief Grady, they were informed that the tax was stolen by bandits from Mt. Seifu and was asked to capture them. Pushed on by Kanaan, Tir and his entourage complied.
In Mt. Seifu, however, they suddenly came across a powerful Queen Ant that they couldn't defeat at the rate they were fighting. Cornered, Ted decided to use his Soul Eater to blow away the creature, leaving everyone in awe. However, he refused to indulge further to this until later. Moving past the defeated Queen Ant, they came across the bandit leaders Varkas and Sydonia, who instead accused Grady and the Empire as the tax thieves. A fight ensued as a result, and Tir won his first battle. The entourage sent Varkas and Sydonia back to Rockland for punishment, and they returned to Gregminster. However, Kanaan requested that Ted should come along for a special audience...
Ted didn't come back safely at the night, as he was brought to Windy who was more than willing to continue her pursuit of his Soul Eater. He used the Rune to escape, but he was wounded heavily with magics. Tir found out about this and got Ted to talk about his story. Ted hated to involve Tir in his problems, but he had no other choice; to protect the Rune from Windy, he had to hand it over with Tir, knowing that it might give Tir a lot of troubles and sufferings. However, Tir was more than willing to help his friend and the Rune was transferred.
The Imperial Army under Kraze, however, found out about Ted due to Pahn leaking information, since he was unable to let trouble happen in the house during Teo's absence. Ted, however, volunteered to be a bait since nobody in the Empire knew that the Soul Eater was in Tir's hands at that time. Tir, Gremio and Cleo escaped and hid in the inn of Gregminster with the help of inn owner Marie. When the three ended up almost getting caught, a bear-like man named Viktor was nearby and suddenly helped them escape. Viktor then made them promise to meet 'someone' at the town of Lenankamp in exchange of him taking the three leaving Gregminster without getting caught.
The three managed to make it to Viktor's designated place, which happened to be the hideout of the Liberation Army under its leader itself, Odessa Silverberg. She agreed to provide temporary hiding place for Tir, but shortly after, they came across a wounded bandit on Mt. Seifu, who reported that their bosses, Varkas and Sydonia, were given unjust slow execution of being hung at sunlight for their crimes that was pinned on them. This disgusted Tir and his friends, thinking that even on Imperial law standards, Grady went too far. For that, they, accompanied with Viktor, made their way to Rockland to free both Varkas and Sydonia. The two swore to repay the debt as a result.
Returning to Lenankamp, Odessa suddenly was eager to involve Tir yet again in her mission of delivering the blueprints of the Fire Spears to the town of Sarady so it could be transferred to their Secret Factory north of Kalekka. She was playing the long game, knowing that the Fire Spears could come in handy when the Liberation Army grew big enough to challenge the Empire. At this point, Gremio has had enough and tried to drag Tir away from any rebel business, but Odessa called him out for it, stating that they chose to ignore the suffering of the people after they saw just how bad the Empire has become, and then she asked Tir if he's going to stay as Teo's son forever. Tir realized that he had to walk his own path which didn't have to be like his father's. So he agreed for this mission, and Odessa would accompany him, while entrusting the base's safety to Flik.
To get to Sarady, they had to pass Mt. Tigerwolf, where they ended up drugged and almost robbed by the thief Ledon and would have gotten worse if his boss Kessler didn't recognize Odessa in time. Once they arrive at Sarady, the group found an inn and spent a night. At that night, Tir talked with Odessa about his path and future. Odessa somehow felt that Tir had special eyes to gather people around him, perhaps even stronger than hers. Their talk was interrupted by the mercenary ninja Kage who was the messenger to deliver the blueprints of Fire Spears.
With the mission finished, the group returned to Lenankamp, only to find the hideout already discovered by the Imperial Army. Odessa panicked and rushed to find survivors. Tir pursued her, defeating Imperial soldiers in the way and found out that Odessa has been mortally wounded, her womanly instincts kicking in the wrong time that she took a blow for an innocent child and she was at death's door as a result. Knowing the inevitable, Odessa requested that Tir should take her earring to 'a fellow in Seika named Mathiu' and to toss her body into the river, so no one would find out about her death, thus preserving morale for the fledging Liberation Army. After saying her farewell, Odessa succumbed to her wounds for real and died. While her body was drowned in the river, the Soul Eater Rune claimed her soul due to her closeness with Tir.
It's only after several Imperial soldiers barged into his teaching hut, taking a child hostage while demanding Mathiu to return to Imperial services that Tir sprung into action and saved Mathiu. Finally, Mathiu confessed about his troubles, his fractured relations with Odessa and why he retired. However, he also realized that his sister was right that he should stop being a coward and fight for what's right; while revealing that the earring was a symbol for the leadership of the Liberation Army, and Tir had to take up the position, as Odessa believed in him, and he couldn't return to the Empire anyway. Tir accepted the deal. As his first advice, Mathiu suggested securing a base, which happened to be an abandoned castle in the middle of Lake Toran.
To reach the lake, Tir had to visit the town of Kaku, but the townspeople discouraged the act due to the heavy fog and rumors of powerful monsters within. However, they received help from debt collector Camille and two fishermen Tai Ho and Yam Koo. Traveling to the abandoned castle of Lake Toran, they eventually came across the guardian, a powerful Zombie Dragon. After finally defeating it, Mathiu congratulated him for the job well done and from that day forward, the Castle of Lake Toran will be re-christened and become the base of the Liberation Army. Leknaat also congratulated him and gave him the Tablet of Stars as well as the servitude of Luc as her presents.
On reaching Kouan, Tir requested audience with Lepant but was rejected. After asking information from fellow thief Krin, Tir found out that Lepant had two prized possessions: His wife Eileen and his sword Kirinji, take one of them and he would be forced to hold an audience. In the night, Tir snuck to Lepant's mansion with the help of Krin, and recruited warehouse owner Rock and trickster Juppo while on the way to take the sword Kirinji. Once the deed was done, Krin attempted to trick Tir's group by drugging them with tea, but the experience in Mt. Tigerwolf made them able to read the trap and instead had Krin drink it first and they tie him up on a bed so he wouldn't cause any other trouble.
As expected, Lepant came to them, furious and demanding the return of his sword. However, he calmed down a little when he heard that Mathiu wanted his services, though he still insisted that he must not be separated from his sword. Tir decided to just return the sword, much to Lepant's relief. However, Lepant's servant Giovanni came and delivered disturbing news: His wife Eileen has been kidnapped by a recently assigned Imperial officer. Lepant was furious and stormed the Imperial office instead, but was overwhelmed, in which Tir agreed to help him.
The imperial officer in question turned out to be Kraze, who has been assigned to this remote place. Tir and Lepant wiped out his guards, but with Eileen as a hostage, they couldn't do anything. Kraze then decided to summon an old face to finish the job driving out Tir: Pahn. But even then, Pahn decided that he could no longer abide to this and struck at Kraze instead. At this point Tir could either let Kraze run away and fade into obscurity, never to trouble anyone again, or just execute him on the spot.
Pahn begged for forgiveness at his betrayal and offered his services to Tir as an atonement. Lepant also revealed that his refusal of action was that he wanted to protect his family from imperial business, but he has come to an agreement that the Empire needed to be stopped. For that, he tried to divorce with Eileen so she would be spared from danger, but Eileen insisted to come and face the danger with her beloved husband. As a bonus, Lepant also brought in his servant Giovanni, while Krin snuck into Tir's army.
Arriving back to his castle, Tir found out that Varkas and Sydonia have come to join him as well. With so many new allies, Mathiu suggested throwing a banquet. During the banquet, however, Tir was attacked by an assassin, who was easily repelled, but he was warned that Windy would keep watching over him.
Tir headed to the Great Forest, where thanks to Kirkis' presence, discovered a hidden passage, where he ended up meeting a teleporting young girl named Viki and agreed to give her shelter in his castle. Reaching out the village of Kobolds at the end of the path, they came across one particularly gruff Kobold named Kuromimi, who accused them for something. Kirkis did note that it's a little weird that the village was empty. Regardless, they were close to Kirkis' home village located on a big tree.
Atop of the tree, they encounter an ex-Imperial soldier Valeria trying to warn the elves about the dangers of the Burning Mirror, but the elves being high and mighty beings did not believe her and tossed her to jail. Kirkis warned the elder about it too, but despite being engaged with the elder's granddaughter Sylvina, he got tossed to jail along with Tir as well, sharing the cell with Valeria and a particularly speedy elf Stallion.
Tir then inquired about the Burning Mirror from Valeria, where they learnt it was a weapon stolen from the dwarves. Suddenly, Sylvina broke them free from prison, while she was still scared and distrustful to humans, she decided to believe in her love with Kirkis and trusted the humans as well. Stallion just ran off on his own, while Valeria offered to come with them, their plan was to inquire about the Burning Mirror from the dwarves. Kirkis also invited Sylvina to come along, but she chose to stay and wait for his return. En route, Kuromimi was encountered once more and he's still cryptically accusing the team.
Reaching the Dwarves' village, Tir also managed to recruit Maas' senior blacksmith Meese. The Chief of Dwarves, on the other hand, at first did not believe the stories of humans and elves, but was willing to give them a chance to prove themselves by challenging them to steal the Running Water Root in their vault, guarded by a Gigantes. Tir accomplished the task, and the Chief of Dwarves agreed to believe in them and lend their counter against the Burning Mirror: The Firewind Cannon.
While trying to report back to the Elven village, Tir was too late, the Burning Mirror has been activated, and the whole tree was burnt down, leaving no survivor. Kirkis was absolutely devastated, thinking that everything they fought was for nothing and he would be unable to deliver his particular present for Sylvina, a ring most likely for engagement, believing her dead. Gremio, however, told Kirkis not to discard the ring and his hope represented by it. At this point, Tir thought the best course of action was just to report to Mathiu. But when giving the tree one last look, they came across a young mapmaker named Templeton, also devastated at the destruction and annoyed that he had to update his map yet again. Tir recruited him to his cause so he wouldn't need to update his map that often anymore. As a present, Templeton gave him the Suiko Map for ease of traveling.
Returning to the Kobold's Village, Tir encountered Kuromimi on the run from Imperial soldiers, and the team found themselves ambushed. Valeria offered herself as a prisoner in exchange of their safety, but the soldiers broke their word and hauled her away, while Kuromimi took her place to fight alongside Tir. However, they were still overwhelmed, until suddenly Mathiu arrived with soldiers, having been reunited with Humphrey along the way. Along with that, it was revealed that Sylvina survived the burning of the tree thanks to Stallion being there, and they reported the events to Mathiu. Kirkis was so relieved at the survival of Sylvina, while Gremio told him it was worth it to always keep his hope within his ring.
Regardless, Mathiu informed that with the reinforcements brought by Humphrey, they had a fighting chance against Kwanda Rosman. Tir gave the order to attack Kwanda's fortress at Pannu Yakuta, with both Kirkis and Kuromimi aiding them in revenge of what he has done to their people. Tir's army managed to defeat Kwanda's army, forcing him to retreat to his castle and preparing to burn them all with the Burning Mirror. However, the Chief of Dwarves made it in time and destroyed the Burning Mirror with the Firewind Cannon. Tir was then accompanied with Gremio, Viktor, Kirkis, Valeria and Kuromimi to initiate the final assault to Pannu Yakuta. After defeating a dragon set to guard the castle, they came across Kwanda, who challenged Tir into a fair one-on-one duel to decide the fate of the castle. Tir was victorious.
All of the sudden, Kwanda's right hand started burning and when he came into, he had no idea of what he has done, coming off like a different man that slaughtered the elves and turned out to have mind-controlled the Kobolds by using the Conqueror Rune given to him by Windy. Regardless, Kwanda was horrified at his actions and thought he deserved death. Tir, however, saw through this and didn't give in to vengeance. He instead asked Kwanda to join forces, to which Kwanda accepted, without the Conqueror Rune influencing him, he's free to follow his heart that believed that the Emperor Barbarossa he served has changed and he had to wake him up. Even Kuromimi and Kirkis agreed to not let hatred consume them.
With that, the Liberation Army has liberated the area of Pannu Yakuta. The Kobolds were freed from mind control, while Sylvina and Stallion offered to join the army along with Kirkis. Tir decided to take care of some 'unfinished business' in the area instead of immediately returning. First, he paid a visit to the now populated Kobold Village and recruited Kuromimi's little brother Gon, as well as a powerful man in tiger coat, Fu Su Lu. Kirkis was also reunited with a stray elf named Rubi, but he refused to join, still belittling Kirkis. While on the way home, Tir revisited Kouan and he was already strong enough to gain Lorelai's services. Revisiting Seika, Tir also picked up a particularly annoyed student of Mathiu, Apple.
Three months have passed since Kwanda's army was defeated. Tir's army received a surprise visit... by Odessa's lover, Flik. He's very furious to see that Odessa was nowhere in sight after all those times he gathered supporters in the Western Garan region while hiding from Imperial sight, and somehow Tir was made the leader. At this point, Mathiu told him that it's time the truth came to light that Odessa died in the attack on Lenankamp. Overcame with grief and refusing Tir's leadership, Flik stormed off, taking a lot of his supporters with him. Viktor believed that he was just shocked at the news reaching him and they should talk to him. He accompanied Tir to go to Kaku.
In Kaku, turned out Flik has calmed down a little and admitted that he had an unwarranted emotional outburst before that Odessa wouldn't approve. While it'll take time for him to fully acknowledge Tir, he still wanted to fight alongside him for Odessa's sake, to which Tir accepted.
Returning to the castle, Flik told everyone what he was doing at that time and revealed that the Fortress of Garan could be invaded with their current strength, which they did. After such battle, Mathiu suggested a recon party to see what went on, but Flik thought otherwise, thinking that the enemy would've let their guard down by thinking they would take a rest at that point. However, he was proven completely wrong. The area beyond Garan was guarded by the Great General Milich Oppenheimer the Flower General and he had attached a giant rose that spewed poisonous pollen to those approaching his Scarleticia Castle. The Liberation Army was pushed back without Milich's men lifting a finger.
Naturally, they had no choice but to send a recon and find out who could neutralize the poison from the pollens, to which they had their sight on the legendary doctor Liukan who shut himself in his own hut. Gremio, as usual, volunteered to come, but Viktor at first forebade him, he sensed that something would go badly if Gremio came along and Tir has already grown up to the point that he no longer needed babysitting, but he insisted anyway. Flik also tagged along to see Tir's worth as a leader.
Tir explored the new region near Scarleticia Castle where Milich has applied a law to change the names of the town into something more French-sounding so it would sound more grandiose. Along the way, he recruited armorer Chapman, runemistress Jeane, dancer Mina, appraiser Jabba, sorceresses Lotte and Hellion, and a trio of pirates, Anji, Kanak and Leonardo (with some help from Tai Ho). With Hellion, however, Tir received an important item that would've assisted him greatly in his quest: The Blinking Mirror. However, the fist fighter Eikei rejected him in the same manner of Lorelai, that he wasn't strong enough for him yet.
The way to Liukan's hermitage was via a boat from Rikon, but a rapid prevented a normal boat to pass by. For that, Tir sought the help of a shipmaker named Gen residing in the town of Teien. Gen brought along his old companion Kamandol to also bring him his invention/engine to empower the ship, and to make it happen, they have to a spend a night while the two worked on the ship. That night, Gremio had some words on the sleeping Tir that maybe Viktor was right that Tir no longer needed his protection.
In the morning, Gen and Kamandol's ship engine was ready and they could get into Liukan's hermitage. He refused to get involved, but before anyone could say anything else, Milich himself came along to arrest Liukan and throw him to Soniere prison, seeing his doctor credentials a threat to the poisonous pollen.
After relaying this news to Mathiu, he suggested Tir to seek help from a forger named Kimberley and a scribe named Tesla, both living in the town Antei. Kimberley agreed to help only after Flik agreed to have dinner with her, while Tesla at first insisted that he's someone named Albert Onyx, and yet the team saw through his evasive attitude. With the two's help, Mathiu managed to make a forged letter allowing Tir and his team to enter Soniere prison.
They rescued Liukan, but when they attempted to get out, Milich has found out about their snooping. Rather than fighting, however, Milich opted to use his newest 'pets', a bunch of man-eating spores that he let loose. Escape seemed impossible for Tir, until suddenly Gremio pushed everyone beyond the door and operating the lock with him, trapping himself within the man-eating spores while saving the rest. Despite Tir's orders and begging, Gremio disobeyed his order and told Tir to live on and follow his heart, such was his first and last request... and he was fully consumed by the spores, which only lasted for a few minutes, but his sacrifice made it that it didn't reach anyone else.
Mathiu eventually came to pick up Tir, but on seeing Gremio's remains, his cape and hatchet, Tir knelt down and mourned for his Servant. And once again, Soul Eater claimed the soul of another person close to Tir.
Regardless, with Liukan's help and renewed vigor to help the Liberation Army, Tir commenced another attack to Scarleticia Castle. With Liukan's antidote, Milich's flower was rendered useless and the Liberation Army won the battle. Tir took Flik and Viktor, while Cleo, Pahn and Camille volunteered to also lead a group, all of them had one goal: Burn down the poisonous flower and render Scarleticia castle defenseless.
On reaching the flower, they prepared to burn it, but Milich tried to mount one last defense. Before he could do so, his right arm burned. It was just the same as Kwanda, Milich has been under the control of Windy's Conqueror Rune, as he came into his senses, he witnessed many men wanting him dead for the murder of Gremio. Tir, however, once again saw through this and refused to kill Milich for revenge. Milich made a request to join the Liberation Army, revealing that Windy's control also extended to Barbarossa as well, as she used her similarity to his beloved Claudia to control him. Tir accepted the offer. While his friends were flabbergasted at the sight of accepting Gremio's murderer, it was at this time that Flik recognized that Tir was truly the worthy leader that Odessa envisioned him as.
They didn't have time to rejoice, however, as Stallion suddenly arrived at breakneck speed and informing that there was trouble from the north...
Quickly returning to the castle, Tir was given an audience with a ninja from the Hidden Village of Rokkaku, Kasumi. She informed him that her village has been taken over by an advancing army from the north... led by none other than Tir's father Teo McDohl. Gen then spotted that Teo's army has taken over the town of Kaku. An encounter would be inevitable. Tir sent his troops against Teo, but he was no match by Teo's invincible Armored Cavalry. On his retreat, Pahn volunteered to stall Teo. After he has accompanied Tir since his return, Pahn has grown stronger that he was able to endure Teo's assault that he stopped his pursuit. At the night, Tir was visited by Leknaat and given encouragement to continue forward, while also sharing her history with Windy.
In the next morning, Flik gave an idea that could save them: Odessa's final gift, the Fire Spears. That could be the only thing that could defeat the Armored Cavalry, but they just hope that the Secret Factory wasn't found out. But to reach there, they had to reach the town of Kirov, which was guarded with even more powerful rapids that even the empowered ship couldn't pass. Luckily, Gen and Kamandol have developed yet another more modern and powerful ship, but it required a good man of sea to control it. And Tai Ho was the man for the job.
But beforehand, Tir had several 'unfinished business'. First, he took Milich back to his old castle to pick up his servants, painter Ivanov and musician Kasios. Then he revisited Antei to recruit the boy Qlon and the noblewoman Esmeralda.
Finally making his way to Kirov, Tir continued his usual business of recruiting people, including the chef Lester, the gambler Georges and the maid Sarah. Traveling north, he came across the dead town of Kalekka, it never recovered since the incident and monsters roam the city. However, Leon Silverberg still led a solitary life there, and encouraged Tir to end the war as soon as possible to prevent more bloodshed. And at least, the gardener Blackman also agreed to join him.
Much to Tir's relief, the Secret Factory was still in one piece. On its doors, he reunited with Kessler and Ledon being accosted with a particularly big and muscular woman named Ronnie Bell, whom Kessler and Ledon continued to remark as 'giant woman', to her annoyance. Tir announced his intentions for the Fire Spears and Ronnie already understood what that meant. After telling Kessler and Ledon to join him at his castle, Tir entered the factory, purchased the services of Kage, and informed Mose, a veteran member of the Liberation Army, about Odessa's fate and the plan for Fire Spears. Mose did have a problem though: With the required spears numbering a lot, there's going to be a lot of work to transport them to the castle. Luckily Tai Ho has a contact for the job...
They returned to Kirov to meet this contact, Tai Ho's old friend Kun To. After much convincing, Kun To agreed to lend around 10 boats and joined the cause. Mose and Ronnie Bell helped in transporting the Fire Spears, and before leaving, Tir managed to recruit a sound-expert named Melodye.
As the time came to face Teo once more, Tir relayed the order to strike. As hoped, the Fire Spears really was the only thing that could crush the Armored Cavalry. Teo was defeated and only had his two aides, knights Alen and Grenseal as his backup. However, Teo just told them to stay back and challenged Tir to a duel, to see which was stronger: Tir's willpower to fight for those who believed in him under the Liberation Army, or Teo's Undying Loyalty to Barbarossa, completely untainted from Windy's Conqueror Rune. In the end, Tir prevailed, and Teo was dying. However, he died with joy, seeing his son surpass him and having no regrets on his life. Before dying, he also requested Alen and Grenseal to join the Liberation Army instead of completely emulating him. With that, the Soul Eater Rune claimed another person close to Tir.
Taking along Kirkis, Tir revisited the Kobold Village and had Rubi convinced to join them, recognizing Kirkis' growth. Tir also returned to Teien to make Eikei recognize his strength too. And in Garan bridge, with the status of his army at the moment, Tir also recruited the hunter Quincy.
Tir's recon party reached the nearest village, Flik's hometown, the Warriors' Village. On entering the city, they were greeted with an argument from two teenagers, Hix and Tengaar, about the latter leaving the village while living in a castle. Her father, Zorak, came out to scold her for trying to beckon Neclord to come. Hearing the name 'Neclord', Viktor got fired up and demanded Zorak to talk more about it. Zorak then suggested to enter their house so he could tell them more. Beforehand, though, Tir wandered around and recruited the gambler he encountered in Rockland, Marco, and Mose and Meese's fellow blacksmith Moose.
In Zorak's house, Zorak told them that Neclord was a newly appointed governor of Lorimar and used certain magic to turn his fellow soldiers into undead zombies. However, the party ended up getting their ears hurt further when Zorak ended up telling long stories about the origins of his village, which he just wouldn't stop until being explicitly told so. The team spent a night in his house. Hix wondered why Cleo, despite a woman, still fight, to which Cleo replied that she fought because she had something she wanted to protect, but it's better to not fight and live if one was weak. Viktor also told his backstory and why he was pissed at the mention of Neclord: Neclord was a powerful vampire that destroyed his hometown at North Window, Jowston, and killed everyone he knew.
In the next morning, Neclord personally paid a visit to the village and declared his intentions to take Tengaar as his 70th bride. Zorak and his fellow villagers wouldn't accept it, but they were easily disposed by Neclord. Tir, Cleo and Viktor took action, but even they found themselves unable to harm Neclord and were dispatched as well. Hix was scared beyond his wits, but he tried to protect Tengaar. However, Tengaar bravely stood and told Neclord that she'll come with him, but only under the condition that her village was spared. Neclord kept his word and Tengaar told Hix that she'll be waiting for him to come and save her.
After recovering, Tir inquired Zorak if he had any hints of defeating Neclord. All he had to say was that it might be located in the nearby Qlon temple. In there, Tir encountered and recruited the martial artist Morgan, the gardener Zen and the monk Fukien, who also revealed the artifact needed to defeat Neclord slept within the Cave of the Past located behind the temple. Within the temple, Tir found a particular book called the 'War Scroll', and a reclusive wizard named Crowley, but he refused to get out of his reclusion yet. Traveling deeper, they found a talking sword known as the Star Dragon Sword, who was not pleased that he was awakened and hurled the party into the past.
They arrived at the Village of the Hidden Rune and witnessed the past of Ted, the destruction of the village by Windy and him inheriting the Soul Eater. They encouraged Ted to be brave and keep moving forward, following his heart and managed to find a way back to the present after the village was destroyed. When they returned to the Star Dragon Sword, it beckoned Viktor and recognized his desire to defeat Neclord, and told him to pick him up. Exiting the cave, Tir then handed the War Scroll he found to the librarian Hugo, making him join his cause.
Returning to the Warriors' Village, Zorak has gathered his men to storm Neclord's Castle. After recruiting the windowmaker Window, Tir followed Zorak and was greeted by Neclord that he was invited as a special guest to his wedding with Tengaar, and no one else was invited, thus couldn't enter the castle. Hix then caught up to them and mustered all his courage that despite his immense fear, he still wanted to fight and save Tengaar. Zorak was impressed at his courage and anointed him as an official warrior, and Hix revealed that per the village's customs, he has named his sword after Tengaar. He then joined Tir's team to attack the castle.
Upon reaching the top floor of the castle, the team prepared to fight the vampire, while Neclord also revealed his allegiance with Windy and his purpose of calling Tir was so he could take his Soul Eater and deliver it to Windy. With the Star Dragon Sword, however, Neclord's protection was dispelled, and he was defeated. Viktor delivered the finishing blow to Neclord and Tengaar was impressed with Hix's show of bravery to save her. Afterwards, they exited the castle, where as a token of gratitude, Zorak pledged the help of the Warriors' Village to the Liberation Army. Viktor, however, opted to return to his home at North Window to pay respects to his family and home friends. Tir let him go, while Tengaar volunteered to join to make up for it, despite the custom of the Warriors' Village of women not fighting, once she made up her mind, not even Zorak could refuse.
Little did Tir and Viktor knew that Neclord used a doppelganger technique to escape death. But that would be a story for another day.
Returning to the castle, Mathiu held a meeting in which Humphrey suggested that they could ask for help from the Dragon Knights under Joshua, who was generally neutral, but he might be convinced with the atrocity of the Empire. Tir agreed and teamed up with Flik and Humphrey to approach the Dragon Knights starting from the Dragon's Den. However, they were denied entry despite Humphrey's links with Joshua.
They decided to gather information in the nearest town, Antei. However, in there, they ended up having to pay for the meal of a flamboyant noble, Vincent de Boule, as he left for the Dragon's Den. In there, Vincent was also denied entry, but he also revealed to Tir a hidden passage to enter the den.
Tir ventured to the point his entourage reached the palace where he found many dragons sleeping, guarded by the Dragon Knight Milia. He also reunited with Futch. Regardless, Milia agreed to let the entourage meet Joshua within the Dragon Knights' Fortress.
In the fortress, Tir spotted the hidden ninja Fuma and recruited him. Humphrey also reunited with an old foe, servant of Geil, Kreutz, and convinced him to join. Finally reaching Joshua, the leader of the Dragon Knights revealed that he tried to stay away from politics because his dragons went into sleep through some disease, and he needed a legendary doctor to investigate. Tir then returned to him with Liukan in his entourage, and he began investigating. Liukan deduced that it's no disease but poison administered by someone. He could make the cure, but he needed three ingredients, two of them are Moonlight Weed and Black Dragon Orchid. The Moonlight Weed was located at the Seek Valley, and at least Milia's dragon Thrash were still awake, along with Futch's Black. Therefore, Milia volunteered to escort Tir to the valley.
Within the Valley, Tir fought his way through a core monster and reached the Moonlight Weed. However, Windy interrupted his quest and demanded the Soul Eater. Since Tir refused, Windy decided to just use someone else for the job: Ted, who has been taken over with her Conqueror Rune. Ted, however, managed to keep some of his will to communicate with Tir through the Soul Eater and told Tir to give him the Rune, he had a plan. Tir agreed to this, and Ted instead told the Soul Eater to consume his soul instead rather than having to live with a body that he couldn't control anymore. With the last soul of Ted, Soul Eater powered up to its top form and Windy retreated. The Moonlight Weed was free for the taking.
Returning to the Fortress, Joshua informed Tir that Futch has departed to obtain the Black Dragon Orchid, which only grew in Gregminster Palace. Futch encountered Emperor Barbarossa personally, and Barbarossa commented that the dragon poisoning was Windy's doing, but still, he let Futch go. Windy returned as Futch left, but she was annoyed at Futch's meddling so she shot a bolt of lightning to Futch and Black, with both collapsing from the skies as a result.
Futch awakened in the Fortress, and he found out that the third ingredient was an actual dragon's heart, and Black was found dead when they were discovered so they extracted its heart. Futch was devastated, but he tried to believe that Black died protecting him. The next day, Joshua finalized the alliance between the Dragon Knights and the Liberation Army, and also asked Humphrey to take Futch under his wing, according to the law, a Dragon Knight that lost his dragon could not remain in the Fortress and Futch would serve at the Liberation Army, but he could return in case he found a new dragon. With all those finalized, Tir returned to the castle.
Tir used this free time to travel the world to recruit more people. In Rikon, he recruited the mysterious gunner Clive. He went back to the Cave of the Past where Crowley agreed to come out of his hiding spot. Revisiting Neclord's Castle, he encountered and recruited the black knight Pesmerga who pursued the black knight under Windy, Yuber. Revisiting Kalekka, he heard that Leon wanted to give regards to Mathiu. Tir then took the four Blacksmiths, Maas, Meese, Mose and Moose to Seek Valley, where they reunite with and convince their master Mace to join the army. When he relayed the message, Mathiu instead wanted him to send a letter to Leon. When Leon read it, he was shocked to hear that Mathiu wanted his help again, and Mathiu personally came to visit him to convince him further. Leon then gave in to join the Liberation Army.
Finally retiring to his chambers, Tir then was visited by Mathiu who informed that there might be a spy amongst his ranks. For that, he proposed a training regimen for the army located at the Northern Checkpoint. When the day actually came, Mathiu surprised everyone that he ordered a full scale assault. This surprised even the captain of the checkpoint, Griffith. Completely unprepared and his stall tactic read by Mathiu, Griffith was overwhelmed and surrendered so his men would be spared. Mathiu complied to that. His next plan was to pretend that he has been captured by Griffith so he could be taken to Kasim Hazil, while both Humphrey and Lepant led a batallion each to certain places. In the meantime, Tir, Kasumi and Krin would sneak into the castle and rescue Warren and Viktor.
Tir succeeded his mission while Mathiu and Griffith talked long enough to Kasim Hazil, only for them to reveal that they were stalling for time, and Humphrey and Lepant were placed in those positions to defeat any ambushes from either the reinforcements or City-States of Jowston. Kasim Hazil was completely surrounded and had no chance of victory. Milich himself then entered the castle to further convince Kasim defecting due to how Barbarossa has changed, to which Kasim also agreed.
With the mission successful, Tir walked home, but when passing through the Northern Checkpoint, he saw an old knight, Maxmillian, and his squire, Sancho, trying to reinforce the Liberation Army in Moravia, but Sancho pointed out the battle was over and they were in front of the leader. Max offered his services to Tir and he accepted it gladly. Tir also came back a bit to the Moravia castle to pick up one prisoner he left behind, none other than Vincent de Boule.
The next day, it was revealed that Mathiu asked the help of Gen and Kamandol to form up multiple ships made of ice, with the help of Milia's dragon Thrash. With the preparation complete, Tir commenced the attack against Sonya, to which she was defeated. Reaching Shasarazade, Mathiu's plan involve a small party entering the inner fortress and then closing the gate of waters, and when everyone's out, the fortress would be burnt down by pouring oil on the water and setting it on fire. Viktor volunteered as the small party with Tir, while Flik and Humphrey pursued the survivors, with Liukan taking care of the wounded.
As they ventured to the fortress, Tir and Viktor defeated the monstrous Shell Venus, guardian of the fortress and closed the gate. While exiting, they were stopped by Sonya herself, who asked if Tir's action were really just when it involved patricide or killing other people. Before Tir could explain himself, suddenly fire engulfed the fortress, someone set the fire before the signal. Sonya considered such action as Tir's final spite against her and she attacked him. Tir defeated her, and Sonya commended his strength. Yet she refused to be taken prisoner and decided to die with honor by drowning herself in the sea of fire. However, Viktor stopped her and instead took her prisoner.
Outside, it was revealed that Sanchez was the spy and he was the one who set fire to the fortress and fatally wounded Mathiu for that. And furthermore, it was also him who leaked the information of Lenankamp hideout leading to the death of Odessa in the first place. Sanchez admitted that he has actually grown to care for everyone, but he was conflicted with his loyalty with the Empire, and as an old man, it was very hard to change his ways. So he welcomed Flik's rage to kill him as a penance. However, Mathiu stopped him, if news about a traitor was leaked, the morale of the army would drop and the attack on Gregminster would fail.
Returning to the castle, Tir paid a visit to Sonya imprisoned in the prison, where she berated Cleo for siding with Tir. Cleo reminded her that it wouldn't be a proper way for a potential mother of Tir to act, and that Teo was happy in his last moments and he would want her to support Tir as well. Tir himself then convinced Sonya to join, but Sonya was still bitter at him. Tir accepted all the rage she had on him, but he needed all the help he could, even if Sonya only joined to watch him die in battle, that's OK for him. Eventually Sonya would end up softening her stance on him.
Back in the war room, Mathiu urged Tir to give the order to strike at Gregminster and commence the final battle, despite his wounds draining his life away and Liukan urging him to stay. Gathering his men, Tir and Mathiu announce that the final battle was incoming. Leknaat then teleported in, chiming that she would give aid to end this war, and the 108 Stars of Destiny has gathered, a miracle would come. However, Viktor corrected her that they're technically missing one person: Gremio. With the rest of the Star of Destiny gathering, Leknaat then showed the miracle that came with it: Using the power of her Gate Rune, she revived Gremio, back to flesh and blood while the Soul Eater still kept the portion of power he gave.
And with that, Tir announced with confidence that they will march for victory.
Gathering their men, they faced the main Imperial Army, now under the leadership of Windy's lackey, the black knight Yuber. Their number reached around 100000 men, but 80000 of them consist of monsters provided by Windy's Gate Rune. Leknaat managed to dispose a few of them, but she couldn't do more. However, Joshua came to the rescue and used his Dragon Rune and wiped out the rest, reducing the Imperial soldiers to 20000, closer to the Liberation Army's. And with that, Tir charged forward, crushing Yuber's army. Yuber retreated, while Tir was met with supportive allies such as Kasumi's boss Hanzo, the Chief of Dwarves and Zorak, though Viktor suggested they march quicker before Zorak dragged them to yet another long-winded story.
Reaching Gregminster, Viktor and Flik accompanied Tir to see the end of the Empire themselves. However, guarding the bridge to the castle was Ain Gide, who remained steadfast to defend his lord. Tir defeated him and proceeded.
After battles with the guarding soldiers, Tir reached the castle balcony, encountering Barbarossa. He mounted his last defense by activating his personal sword, Dragon King Sword, to transform into a three headed Golden Hydra and engaged battle.
After a gruelling battle, Tir emerged victorious. Windy emerged herself and made one last attempt to reclaim Soul Eater. However, Tir unleashed one strike with the Soul Eater, which called forth the spirits of Odessa, Teo, Ted and the former position of Gremio to judge Windy and the Rune itself found her unworthy, to the frustration of Windy. Barbarossa then stepped up and grabbed Windy, admitting that he loved her for more than her similarities with Claudia, but also recognizing her tortured soul and wishing to ease her pain, he wasn't at all affected with the Conqueror Rune due to his own possession of the Sovereign Rune which repelled such magic. However, in process, he committed the sin of ruining his beloved Empire and thus he no longer had the rights to live and see the country Tir would shape. And thus, he jumped off the balcony, taking Windy with him. The two of them were considered MIA, as no body was found afterwards. But one thing was clear: This was the end of the Scarlet Moon Empire.
The castle itself was collapsing, and as Tir made his escape. However, soldiers loyal to the Empire still pursued them, so eventually Viktor and Flik stayed behind to ensure Tir's escape.
The Liberation Army rejoiced on their victory. Hearing such commotion, Mathiu knew that his job was over. In his dying breaths, he asked Liukan if he did the right thing. Liukan tried to assure him, but by that time, Mathiu Silverberg has passed away in peace.
With the departure of Tir, Lepant was appointed as its president. In transition between the Empire to Republic, these happened to some of the figures:
- Cleo retired from fighting and dedicated herself to guarding the McDohl household. Her partner, Pahn, went on a training journey. Marie also returned to Gregminster and also hired Sarah as her maid.
- Viktor and Flik were listed as MIA, but they actually survived. They would set up a mercenary fortress in the City-States Jowston and became heavily involved in the Dunan Unification War.
- Honoring Joshua's words, Humphrey set out for a journey, taking Futch along.
- Sanchez was pardoned, but Lepant made him swear an oath to never involve himself in politics again. He then secluded himself in Qlon Temple, with Fukien watching.
- Varkas was promoted into a border guard and thus could leave his life of banditry behind. However, his partner, Sydonia, would vanish.
- Kimberley tried to force herself to Tai Ho's life as his 'wife'. To escape her, Tai Ho enlisted Kun To's help to transfer him and Yam Koo to Dunan area.
- Luc got called back to Leknaat's side.
- Sheena went on a training journey, or so he said. He's actually trying to flirt again.
- Kirkis went to rebuild the Elven village and also finally married Sylvina. Becoming the new leader of Elves, Kirkis managed to influence the way elves think from that point on, discarding their high and mighty attitude. He also welcomed Rubi back to the village, but Stallion instead went on a personal journey, eventually ending up in Dunan.
- Likewise, Kuromimi rebuild his Kobold Village and became the chief of Kobolds.
- Viki snooze in accident in the victory banquet, and she would end up vanishing until being seen again during the Dunan Unification War.
- Lorelai went on for another adventure... or rather, her true calling: Investigating the Sindar Ruins, since she found none in the Toran Republic. Her adventure would lead her to the Dunan region. Beforehand, she also befriended Kirke and as he retired to become a farmer, he inherited his scythe to her.
- Apple decided to start a journey in gathering materials to create a biography for Mathiu. However, eventually, she would become heavily involved in the Dunan Unification War, reunited with Viktor and Flik.
- Milich Oppenheimer retired from his position as one of the Great Generals. But from there, the Republic drafted Valeria, Camille and Kai as the next Great Generals, returning the title into 'Six Great Generals' as it was during the Succession War.
- Milich himself would dedicate himself from aside of guarding Barbarossa's grave to also penning poems and screenplays. One of such works, 'Imperial Love', became a best-selling hit novel for decades to come.
- Liukan continued to work on medicines, becoming a legendary doctor sought by all people throughout the continents when sickness is involved.
- Tesla was appointed as Secretary General, and this time, he's much more willing to take the job seriously.
- Jeane returned to Antei as a runemistress, but then was seen in the Dunan Unification War, acting even more seductive than she was at this point. It was actually her distant lookalike same-named sister.
- Kasumi returned home to Rokkaku (while also bringing along Fuma), holding her own crush on Tir. However, the Republic would require her services later, promoting her into the position of Chancellor. She heard rumors that Tir occasionally makes a visit to the Banner village in the borders of Dunan, so she occasionally visited there.
- With his contract ended, Kage vanished, but he would be re-hired and play a minor, yet vital role during the Dunan Unification War.
- Mose helped rebuilding Gregminster and then married with Ronnie Bell. From their union, they were blessed with a daughter named Emily.
- Alen and Grenseal were appointed as Co-Commanders of Republican Guard, always on Lepant's side.
- Hix went on to the next phase of his journey after being anointed as a warrior: Undergo the 'Trial of Manhood' to prove himself, with Tengaar accompanying him and nagging him to complete it as he battled his anxiety. The trial would take them to the Dunan region.
- Milia returned to serve Joshua, enough that eventually she was chosen to inherit the Dragon Rune from him. She would later become the mother of Sharon.
- The mysterious Clive, having spotted a grave that mentioned his name in Rockland, deduced that his target, a mysterious woman, has eluded him in Toran, so he vanished from the region, and he finally caught up to his target in Dunan...
- Pesmerga, already having spotted Yuber during the last legs of the war, continued his pursuit on his nemesis, where they'd clash again during the Dunan Unification War.
- Leon once again retired in Kalekka, but eventually war would call him again and he found himself involved in Dunan Unification War, except now facing against some of his old friends...
- Maxmillian retired from active duty, but later was seen coming out of retirement to participate in the Dunan Unification War. Sancho served him, but unable to come to assist him during his return as he was visiting a relative at the time. Regardless, Sancho's legacy lived on in his daughter Rico, assisting Max's grandson Fred during the big war coming after the unification war.
