Darkon’s Elegy of Madness — Astravia Past (24 Years Ago)

Astravia Past — Prosperity and the Royal Promise

The guide places this Astravia Past episode under ‘24 Years Ago,’ after Eridani Past. The cached route makes Fantaisie-Impromptu follow Echoes and treats the first ten quests as the main sequence; Morning Mood is a separate optional repeatable request after Liebestraume No.3. These are source route conditions, rather than a record of a live playthrough.

The illustrated history opens by describing the Kingdom of Astravia in its golden age as a land of plenty.

The captions present Alprecha as the Grand Star and Astravia’s deity, gazing lovingly over the people who promised to protect her beloved children. They say she blessed the land with onyx crystals that nourished its soil.

The illustrated account says harvests were bountiful and that barbarians from outside sought Astravia’s minerals. It describes the people as well fed and wealthy, enjoying a fragile peace under their King’s reign.

The captions temper that prosperity: the glimmering capital was not perfect, and mortals, they say, are powerful in their desire to march toward perfection. As people moved forward, the wheel of Fate spun as well.

The story then describes Suki, a former Seraphic Paladin, as devoted to serving the Astravian royal family. It credits her with sharing knowledge from “the lands beyond that of the Grand Star's,” and says that she and Prince Darkon improved the lives of his subjects. The account adds that nothing in this life or the next is free, and argues that for peasants to live well, nobles must give up their decadence.

Darkon thanks the visitor for being a shoulder to lean on. He says his father’s mind is drifting and that the King may mistake the visitor for Darkon; he has even mistaken his nurse for his son. Darkon cannot make sense of his father’s words and says the Ruler’s secrets are not passed on until death, so he may soon understand the King’s ramblings. Asked how he is doing, Darkon answers honestly that he is doing horribly, but says the conflict between nobles and citizens is the greater concern.

Darkon says the newspapers the visitor brought were enlightening. He reports that only approved scholars may publish, though citizens are ignoring the law. In his reading, nobles have raised crop quotas so high that villages must surrender part of their own stores or face severe punishment, despite Astravia’s abundant harvests. He says citizens are struggling while nobles hold frequent festivals in the capital.

In a separate family topic, Darkon recalls that his father showered him with love and that Drago once clung to his arm wherever he went. He calls Drago his dear little brother and best friend, but says they drifted apart after Drago struggled with communication studies and combat training; Darkon’s holding back for his brother only angered him. Darkon hopes to mend the relationship and says he hopes Drago will be a brother to the visitor too.

In another topic, Darkon says his father had an arranged marriage with a Princess and expects Darkon to choose one before he dies. Darkon plans to tell his father either he and Suki marry or the King will have no heir, but worries that he is pressuring her despite her reassurances. He recalls that his mother did not marry by her own free will and that his father saw no issue in it, then wonders whether he is becoming like his father.

The King calls for Darkon and asks him to reach out a hand, saying old age has taken his sight and most of his hearing, and that he may soon lose his voice. He wonders whether these ailments mean Alprecha is disappointed in him, though he says being her Beloved has not soothed them. He tells his son that his bloodline must keep promises their ancestors and he could not fulfill, and asks Darkon to carry their wishes and dreams forward. In a separate recollection, he says he was anxious about taking the throne while his father still ruled, but Darkon’s smile as an infant reassured him. He recalls Darkon as gentle, skilled with the sword, and a rival to court scholars, and says he and Darkon’s mother prepared the Kingdom for his ascension because it was their last wish.

In another address to Darkon, the King says descendants of the Grand Star have a responsibility to her and the lands she blessed. He argues that they must secure the present by asserting power and the future by continuing their bloodline, making great sacrifices even if Darkon misses music; Kings, he says, must rise above personal desires. Speaking of Drago, he rejects the question of whether he loves him and says he does, despite Drago’s mother dying in childbirth, adding that he should not hold ill will. The King says that marriage was arranged after what he calls Astravia’s gentle annexation of her duchy and that they grew to love each other over time; he predicts the same for Darkon and says Suki will become a fond memory.

Drago greets Suki with a mocking version of her name and says he is in mourning, though his father has not yet died. He says the King mistook him for Darkon, insists they are nothing alike, and recalls that his father had interesting things to tell his brother. He says Darkon may have a soft spot for “mouth-breathers” but that Suki is uninteresting, and says he prefers cats to ugly mutts. In a separate political tirade, Drago says peasants expect royals and nobles to protect them for free, argues their work lets people live peacefully, and insults those who dig in the dirt. He says festivals are required to honor the Grand Star and that an Outsider would never understand.

Drago says Darkon, as firstborn, will become King and he will take the title of Duke; he calls kingship tiresome and says being Alprecha’s Beloved has not kept his father’s hair from turning white. He expects to live well as a Duke without the stress, but worries Darkon is too soft and would give royal power away, wondering what would happen to him then. In another response, Drago says his father’s senses have long been gone and that it is like the King missing their mother despite barely remembering her. He says it is good that the King mistakes him for Darkon, recalling that the last time his father recognized him, the King screamed that Drago had killed their mother. Drago says he is glad she died in childbirth and that his father already worships his firstborn, adding that the King does not need a second worshiper.

Fantaisie-Impromptu — Darkon says his father may have only weeks or days left and asks the visitor to speak once with him and once with Drago so the family can spend time together. In the completion reply, Darkon says the King still could not tell the visitor and Drago apart; talk of ancestors, promises, and duty is wearing him down. He says Alprecha is not mentioned outside Astravia, according to the visitor, so the story may sound fantastical. Darkon suggests focusing on street-level problems they can influence.

Astravia Past — The Prince and the Printing Presses

Odile — Darkon says he expected to speak with both sides, but soldiers are already assaulting civilians and smoke suggests something is burning. He says his order to stop the soldiers was ignored and asks the visitor to make them yield. In the completion reply, he says they acted under his father’s orders, perhaps because the King mistook a peaceful protest for a riot. Darkon says soldiers had absurdly accused the visitor of feeding him “evil” thoughts, but asks that this not be taken as a judgment of the whole army: Regulus, Titania, and Aurola’s soldiers trust the visitor. The task calls for eight Soldier’s Medals.

Revolutionary Etude — Darkon says the smoke came from the remains of the printing presses. He says the Royal Family should pay to replace them, but soldiers have also been ransacking homes for newspapers and burning them in the streets to frighten people; he asks that the flames be put out before they reach the houses. In the completion reply, he says the presses and papers were burned because they were wrongly assumed to slander the nobility. He believes his father’s fear of an uprising and a tarnished name kept him from taking useful advice. Darkon has heard talk of laws that would block civilians from technology and says he will not allow that while he remains in power. The objective is to douse seven fires.

Tannhauser — Darkon says the violence frightened the civilians and that they did not recognize him. He admits he is unused to such confusion, noting he could sway a crowd at a music contest, and says they may need to subdue people if they lash out. In the completion reply, he wonders why they attacked the visitor and noticed some hiding newspapers when the pair were together. He says an Aurola knight, rather than the visitor, had picked up a copy, and is incredulous that citizens think the visitor is a heathen turning him away from the Grand Star. Darkon says he will tell them the visitor is as Astravian as the rest. The task calls for calming eight citizens.

Tzigane — Darkon says he has invited a representative of the involved citizens to meet him, Aurola, and the others at the training grounds, where they will explain the visitor’s intentions. He worries that lingering soldiers may menace the civilians again and suggests speaking with them to ease the visitor’s anxiety. In the completion reply, Darkon says the visitor is usually more bombastic than this. He says Astravians are wary of Outsiders but can welcome new perspectives, which he finds captivating when the visitor describes life across the continent. He expresses confidence that the citizens will come around with their support. The listed objectives are one trip to the training grounds and disciplining eight soldiers.

Sven Magnus thanks Darkon but says he feared the soldiers would have killed them if Darkon had not stepped in. He apologizes for taking up the Prince’s time. Darkon rejects the apology: he says Astravian soldiers are meant to protect Astravia and, above all, its people. Having read Sven’s papers, Darkon calls them proper criticism rather than slander and says there was no reason to burn the presses or attack the writers. He says their leaders should listen to their concerns.

Sven calls out, and Darkon says Suki deserves the thanks: she shared the writing with him and was first to rush into the conflict. Sven objects that an Outsider must not be allowed to spy on Astravia’s weaknesses and adds that he is surprised she could even read the papers. Aurola exclaims, Regulus reacts, and Titania begins an unfinished protest. Darkon starts to defend Suki, but she says it is fine and tells her liege not to worry. Darkon falls silent.

Darkon calls the remark terrible and apologizes that Suki had to hear it from one of his subjects. Suki says she understands the distrust because they are accustomed to war with Outsiders, and that she would not trust herself in their place either. Titania says Suki has shed blood for Astravia for two years and does not deserve derision. Suki answers that it has only been two years and says she will keep trying until they warm to her.

Suki says the street brawl lifted her spirits after the paperwork and asks whether Darkon enjoyed it too. He says he would have preferred a stroll in the gardens, though he enjoys doing anything with her. Aurola teases him for spending work time with his girlfriend and calls it royal abuse of power. Regulus jokes about wishing for the same luck, though preferring someone shorter.

Suki says Darkon will eventually need to marry a Princess, then jokes, “not a dumb chunk of muscle from the wheat fields.” Darkon says that is not true. Regulus says he is tired of hearing the King badger Darkon to marry and argues that Darkon does not need a Princess because he has Suki. Titania invokes the foot soldiers’ lesson that might makes right and proposes a duel with “the three of us,” adding that the strong are meant to lead and no Astravian warrior would dispute it.

Astravia Past — The Right to Lead

When discussing a possible duel, Darkon says most warriors would fear facing one of Astravia’s best, let alone all three. He says the three will not hold back and hopes the visitor will not either, promising to cheer them on. He jokes about not getting distracted by his handsome looks, then says he was teasing and complains that the visitor will leave a bruise by pinching his cheeks.

Ride of the Valkyrie — Darkon praises Regulus’s judgment and says she handpicks the warriors under her command. He thinks Astravian suspicion of Outsiders keeps her from recruiting opposing knights. He says a fair victory over her could earn the soldiers’ respect. In the completion reply, Darkon praises the fight and jokes that Regulus might steal the visitor away from him; he says the visitor could even replace Dene or Algie. He asks the visitor not to repeat that to Regulus, who is attached to them and personally appointed them after gaining her title. Darkon offers his personal view that the two may prioritize comfortable living over their work. The objective is one defeat of Regulus.

Wedding March — Darkon describes General Titania as the most experienced and eloquent of the three, a good teacher with a softer heart than his battlefield reputation suggests. He invites the visitor to duel. In the completion reply, Darkon praises another incredible fight and says Titania’s students will recognize the visitor’s worth. He admits he did not know how loud Titania was and imagines the General weeping so hard at a possible wedding that he might bring down the castle; Darkon jokes that they would be in the splash zone and need umbrellas. He then says he is daydreaming. The objective is one defeat of Titania; the wedding remains Darkon’s daydream.

From the New World — Darkon frames the bout as one between best friends and says Aurola has repeatedly told him the visitor inspires her. He says he and Aurola once shared the view that Outsiders could not understand Astravian problems, but that the visitor opened their eyes to new possibilities. He asks the visitor to prove their fitness to lead by defeating Aurola. In the completion reply, Darkon says the visitor is as competent as any Astravian and that he and Aurola want the visitor to consider this home, even while traveling abroad. He says he wants to see the world with the visitor and visit the birthplace of “the love of my life,” adding that Aurola would come along too. The objective is one defeat of Aurola.

Aurola praises Suki as Queen material. Regulus admires the gauntlets and wants a pair. Suki explains that engineers told her Astravian technology was compatible with Seraph technology, which surprised her: her old superiors had warned her not to show off weapons, and said Lore should not have anything so advanced for a few years. Titania observes that Astravia has not met its match in technology and that the word is rare in territories beyond their borders, then begins an unfinished thought. Regulus whispers that the “rotten tomato” has arrived.

Drago says no one needs to hold back on his behalf and invites them to slander him if it makes them feel better, adding that he already knows he is better than they are. Regulus begins to object but is cut off. Suki greets Prince Drago and asks why he missed breakfast and whether he ate; he says he ate in his chambers because he does not like sharing a table with an animal.

After Titania asks whether Drago is not busy with his studies, he offers advice. He compares Suki to a dog with intelligence, a good heart, and skill at managing her fellow brutes, then asks whether Astravians, noble or common, would crown a dog. He calls her a foreign mutt and dismisses the idea.

Darkon tells Drago to stop taking his frustrations out on others and to speak to him if he has a problem. Aurola says the reason is obvious: she says Drago is still upset about a combat-training accident, and that he attacked Suki after she called the spar over. She says Suki would not have cut his face if he had not lost his temper. Suki takes the blame, saying she could not hear the whistle and is always too rough. Titania starts to say Suki gave up her sword after that, but the thought trails off.

Whispering, Suki says she loves Darkon and that Drago could be family one day, so they should not be fighting. She excuses herself, saying the duels after the street brawl have made her light-headed, and asks whether Darkon has any further need of her before she returns to her quarters. Darkon tells her to wait. Drago then tells his brother that their father needs them at his side and says he can dally with his “fling” later. Darkon answers with an ellipsis.

Astravia Past — The Marching Nightmare

In one visit entry, Darkon apologizes to Suki and says his father needs him and Drago by his side. He tells her to take all the time she needs to rest and says he will visit in the evening after his father falls asleep. A separate short sleep reply says, “Shhhh. It’s time for sleep.”

Mov.VII Aquarium — Darkon says he needs to be with his father but promises to visit as soon as he can. He asks the visitor to rest after staying up late studying Astravian literature, warning that reading by dim candlelight could hurt their eyesight and that exhaustion would be bad for them and their home. He asks them to go straight to bed. The completion reply is a brief wish for sweet dreams and a promise to see them soon; the listed objective is one Go to bed turn-in.

A nightmare voice greets Suki as “sister-in-law” and says Astravians loved its brother, a gentleman with a promising future. It accuses her of ruining that future by making him abandon home, calls her selfish and an uneducated country bumpkin, and tells her to look at what she has done. In a separate nightmare line, the voice tells Suki to wake up and face reality, saying she does not belong and calling her illiterate trash; it insists she cannot ignore the voice forever. These are the nightmare voice’s accusations, not confirmation of a marriage or family relationship.

Liebestraume No.3 — A nightmare voice asks Suki who she thinks she is, then mocks her as a martyr living in a castle with a Prince. It calls her a maggot feeding on Darkon before becoming a fly that followed him for status and comfort, and says she will crawl on his corpse. The voice tells her to look at what she has done and challenges her to face the truth. In the completion reply, it tells her to wake up and says she does not belong, calling her illiterate trash and claiming her “stink” will spread to Darkon. It accuses her of wanting him to die and rot in her arms, then calls her selfish and a ruin to them all. The task names four Forsaken Husks; these remain the nightmare voice’s accusations, not established facts.

The opening sequence is a nightmare Suki later identifies as such. In it, Darkon calls her name, says that it hurts and that it is dark. Suki calls back, promising to get him out. The reviewed images show Suki facing a towering red-haired armored form amid dark foliage.

In the same nightmare, Darkon blames Suki for turning his family and kingdom against him. She protests that she would never do that. He says he should never have trusted an Outsider, that she does not belong there and never will. Suki cries out.

A white transition gives way to Suki lying in bed with Darkon beside her. Darkon calls Suki’s name. In the bedside exchange that follows, he asks what is wrong. She says it was a nightmare and asks why he is there so late. He explains that she had been unwell, so he came after his father fell asleep, then heard her calling to him. He asks whether the nightmare caused it. After Suki’s silence, he tells her she can always share her worries and that he would never turn her away. She wonders whether he should, fearing that her presence makes him look worse.

Suki says Astravia needs a ruler who can help its people and earn their trust, but she believes they will never trust her. Darkon says he has been meaning to speak with her: he praises the heart and soul she has put into helping Astravians and calls her the Queen Astravia could not improve upon. He says he had planned to give up the crown and never wanted to be King; music had been his only love until he met her. In his view, their home would flourish under a Queen who understood the people’s needs. He calls himself the problem, saying he was raised pampered and spoiled and would need a lifetime to become a proper leader, while Astravia needs a fit leader soon. He says that leader could be Suki or someone the Astravians elect, and that whatever happens he plans to spend his life with her.

Suki calls abolishing the monarchy a huge decision and says she does not think she is fit to be Queen, but tells Darkon he cannot abandon the people to scramble for a new leader. She admits she would like to keep him to herself, yet says they should stay until Astravians can stand on their own. After that, she dreams of showing him the ocean. Darkon says he will tell his father to accept Suki as family or have no heir, and says taking the throne would give him the official power to dismantle the monarchy. Suki promises to stay with him through it all.

Astravia Past — A Brighter Future, an Unanswered Promise

Later, Drago says no country could match Astravia’s knowledge and innovation, and says the Kingdom was built on the blessings of a star deity. Drago adds, “Blessings, huh?” and later, “That’s one way to look at it.” The final view reveals a large suspended pale-and-red form amid dark pillars and shafts of light; its identity and function remain unestablished here.

In a distinct morning entry, Darkon says their earlier conversation left him invigorated: while his father weakened, Darkon had stood wringing his hands, but now he believes they can lead Astravia toward a brighter future together. He acknowledges it will not be easy, but says they can achieve anything together. He says they still need to understand his family’s promise to the Grand Star, which will soon pass to him.

Morning Mood — In this optional request, Darkon says he should be with his father and Drago but promises to look for the visitor. He suggests a break from studying and says Aurola and the others would welcome a rematch; he also thinks the soldiers need training and invites the visitor to give them pointers before lunch. The completion reply welcomes the visitor to luncheon and says Drago ordered another loaf of banana bread. Darkon offers his slice, then jokes about asking more politely before admitting the mushy texture makes him nauseous, though it is easy for his father to chew. The objectives are one rematch each with Regulus, Titania, and Aurola plus training eight soldiers; this text does not claim any rematch or training occurred.