Suikoden II/The liberation

Preparations
At your castle, go to the ground floor, near the elevator. Here you will meet Sheena, who will tell you that Shu is waiting for you and he will join you. Go to the great hall. Shu will tell you that by now you can fight against Highland in equal numbers, so this is a good opportunity to take back Greenhill, which is now under the control of the new and mysterious General Yuber. Reply with the first option to proceed. Shu will then suggest that you go and rest. Go to your room.

That night, you will have the opportunity to take a tour of the castle, in the areas you can enter and talk to the various characters, who are preparing for the next day's battle and will tell you of their problems. On the roof of the castle, you can watch a funny scene with Flik and Nina. When you return to your room, you will meet a woman named Lucia, who has been hiding there. Answer her however you want, in any case she will attack you.

Boss Fight – Lucia
HP: 1500

This battle shouldn't cause you any problems, even if you fight alone. Lucia attacks only once per turn and will only use her whip or fire element attacks that do little damage. Constantly keep the hero's HP up with you Bright Shield rune or healing items and you should win easily. If you also have another attack rune, such as Fire or Lightning, you will defeat Lucia in a very short time. Anyway after five rounds, if you haven't defeated Lucia yet the battle will stop.

After the battle, your companions will rush in and arrest Lucia. You can choose whether to let her go or throw her in prison, but Lucia will escape either way.

Liberate Greenhill
The next morning, go to the great hall and Shu will explain the strategy. For this battle he divided your forces in two: Hauser, Viktor and Flik will go to the Muse-Greenhill border to slow down the enemy troops, while General Kiba will liberate Greenhill. Reply with the second option if you are ready or with the first if you want to review your units. You will then have the option to choose whether to go with Viktor's group or with General Kiba. Based on your choice you will face a different major battle, even if it will not affect the plot. They are both quite challenging battles. To you the choice.

Major Battle #10
If you choose to fight with Viktor: In this battle you will basically have to slow down the enemy troops. Approach the group of Highland units, led by Jowy and attack it, preferably using spells and archers. However, once you have dealt some damage to the enemy troops, Seed will arrive with reinforcements and you will be outnumbered. After another two rounds, Jowy will retire and Culgan will take the lead instead of him. When you have defeated most of the enemy units, Seed and Culgan will also retreat and the victory will be yours.

If you choose to fight with Kiba: Your objective here is to enter the city. To do this you will be forced to eliminate all enemy troops, who will limit themselves to defending Greenhill. Taking out smaller enemy units is relatively easy and you should be able to do it without taking much damage, especially if you use runes and archers. Towards the end though, you will be facing Lucia's unit, which has good attack and defense values and lastly, Yuber's unit, which is really strong. Defeating these is often just a matter of luck. Again, try to avoid direct attacks whenever possible.

Regardless of the battle you face, you will eventually find yourself in front of the city gates of Greenhill. Teresa will tell you that you can reach the city from the path you have already taken in the past and then open the gate. Then she will join you and Shin will also ask you to come with you. You will then have to choose the remaining party members. After choosing, you will find yourself at the beginning of the forest path. This time the route will be slightly longer. From time to time, you will encounter Highland soldiers, which you will have to defeat. In the first two screens you will only have to follow the path. On the third screen, head right at the fork, to find Winged Boots and a Dream Robe up ahead. Go back and go left to find a Stone of Skills at the side of the path. Then go north. From here on, there are no more items to find. Follow the path you have already taken in the past. In the seventh screen from the beginning you will meet again Lucia, with a group of Karaya warriors, who you will have to defeat.

Boss Fight – Lucia
HP: 4700

Try to eliminate all the karaya warriors in one hit first, with a powerful magical attack. In fact, on Lucia's orders, they can cause damage to your entire front row. Then focus on Lucia. You will notice that she is now stronger than when she attacked you in your room and she hits twice per turn. However, this time you'll be in a group and if you keep your teammates healed, you shouldn't have too much trouble defeating her, due to her relatively low HP value. In addition to her physical attack, Lucia can use two attacks that affect the entire group, one a little more powerful than the other. You respond with your best physical and magical attacks and your Unite, if you can perform them. To be on the safe side maybe, let your lowest defense characters, like Shin, just defend themselves.

After defeating her, Lucia will reveal why she hates the city-state so much and she will leave, showing little interest in Teresa's promise to delve into what happened in the past. From here on, it is enough to always proceed south to reach Teresa's hideout and the academy. You'll meet more Highland soldiers along the way. Once outside the academy, head into the city. On the side of the path you will notice two students, by talking to them you can restore your energy and save the game. When you arrive near the city gate you will meet Yuber, who will summon a monster that you will have to defeat.

Boss Fight – Dragon Bone
HP: 8900

This boss is particularly tough. It only attacks once per turn, but its attacks are very powerful and it also has a lot of Hit Points. Its least dangerous attack is its bite, which deals massive damage to a single character. Most of the time though, it will use its breath attack, which does massive damage to the entire party. Worse still is his meteor attack, which causes great damage to everyone. In this battle, it is best to use the Bright Shield rune every turn and other healing items as needed. If you have brought Shin with you, as he asked you, make him defend often, because with his poor defense he will KO very easily. This boss is immune to lightning, so don't use these attacks. The Resurrection rune instead, being the boss an undead enemy, works very well. In addition to this, use all your best magical attacks, without economising.

Defeated the boss, Greenhill will finally be free from Highland and you can return to this city whenever you want. However, Fitcher will suddenly arrive and tell you to return to the castle immediately.

The Latest Recruits
You will automatically find yourself in the great hall. Klaus will give you the bad news: Matilda's knighthood has surrendered to Highland. However, Apple will say that since most of the Highland forces are still in Matilda, this is a good opportunity to attack Muse. Choose the third option to continue. However, before proceeding, you could complete the recruitment of the characters, so it is advisable to select the first option to leave the matter pending.

Put Viktor in the group and go to Kuskus. In the blacksmith shop you will meet Tessai, who will be very interested in the Star Dragon Sword. After a funny scene, he will ask you to join. You accept.


 * Tessai recruited

Then go to Greenhill. At the inn you will find Pico. Tell him that Annallee is at your castle and he will join you.


 * Pico recruited

Still in Greenhill, go to the academy. In the blacksmith class you will find Jude, who will ask you for clay. Go to the Forest Village and talk to the guy in the northeast part of the village, he will give you some. Return to Jude and he will join you.


 * Jude recruited

By talking to a student who is in his class, you will also get the very useful Silver Hammer. Then go to Tinto. Talk to Alberto, who is in the armory. If you have already recruited Annallee and Pico, he will join you.


 * Alberto recruited

You should have passed 100 recruits by now. If you haven't recruited Mondo and Sasuke to Rokkaku yet, now is the time to do so. You can then go to the Tinto Cavern and reach the labyrinthine screen where Mazus is. Talk to him and he will join you.


 * Mazus recruited

In the final room of the Cave of Wind you will find another very powerful character, Pesmerga. Talk to him and ask him to join you. He will agree, to find Yuber.


 * Pesmerga recruited

Then insert Simone in the group and go to the port of Radat, in the same place where you had recruited him. Here you will meet Vincent. If you talk to him with Simone in the party he will join you.


 * Vincent recruited

Finally, have the hero's weapon sharpened to at least level 14. If you gave the Silver Hammer to Tessai, he can do it. After that, take the boat at the port of your castle and head to the port of Coronet. On the dock you will meet Genshu. Ask him to join you. He will ask you to see your weapon, agree. If you have the weapon at least level 14, he will join you.


 * Genshu recruited

At this point, you should have recruited all 108 characters. You can check on the stone tablet if you have forgotten any. Finally go to the great hall, talk to Apple and choose the second option to continue with the story.

Monsters in Muse
Your army will leave the castle and you will find yourself in Greenhill, in the dormitory of the academy. Nanami will join you and when you can exit, you will see Lucia running into the academy. Follow her. In the rune class, talk to the teacher, and he will give you a Rage Rune. Then go to the upper left corner, where there is the secret passage that leads to Teresa's hideout and exit outdoors. This time you won't have to advance much, you will soon meet Lucia with Jowy. Jowy will ask you again to leave your position as leader and run away. Tell him of course you can't do that. After a few exchanges, Jowy will dismiss you. Go back to the dorm and talk to Apple to start the battle.

Major Battle #11
This battle is not very difficult. Karaya units will be at the forefront, while Highland troops will stay behind, defending Muse. Get close and start taking out the secondary units first. After a few turns, Culgan will order a retreat and all Highland troops will leave, leaving Lucia alone. At this point you can win in two ways: by defeating Lucia's unit (the only one that could cause you any problems) or by bringing one of your units into the city of Muse.

Once in the city, head straight to the city hall. A soldier will tell you that he saw a strange shadow. Enter and prepare to face a boss.

Boss Fight – Golden Wolf
HP:3500

This boss isn't too difficult due to its relatively low HP value. It attacks twice per turn and has three types of attacks: its bite, which deals damage to a single character, an attack that deals decent damage to the whole party, and a thunder attack that hits a single character but does more damage. The major difficulty of this fight lies in the fact that the boss is very resistant against all magical attacks, so here you should use characters with a high physical strength value and, even better, able to perform Unite attacks. Heal the party as usual with the Bright Shield rune.

Once the boss is defeated, exit the city hall and you will find that there are many more Golden Wolves in the city. If you get close to one of them, you will have to fight it, but it will do little good because the wolves will reappear anyway. Then head directly to the exit of the city. Here Luc will explain that they are the servants of the Beast Rune. Fitcher will then arrive and tell you that Highland is attacking and that you must flee. You will then automatically find yourself at your castle.

Approaching Rockaxe
Head to Shu's room and you'll notice Kiba enter and talk to him. Shu will ask Kiba to attack Viktor's fort with a division of soldiers, to force Highland to divide his forces and have a chance to win at Rockaxe. He will probably have to face Leon Silverburg. Kiba will accept, knowing that this will be the end of him. When he's gone, talk to Shu as well. He will tell you that the next battle is decisive and he will ask you to gather everyone in the great hall. Choose the first option to proceed or the second to wait.

'''Warning! If you want to see the best ending in the game, make sure you've recruited all 108 Stars of Destiny before gathering everyone in the great hall. If not, you won't be able to see this ending anymore, even if you recruit all characters later.'''

In the great hall, Shu will give a speech in front of everyone. After that, if you have recruited all 108 characters, Leknaat will appear and will unlock the fourth level of the Bright Shield rune. You will then go to sleep. The next morning Nanami will wake you up, to go and say goodbye to Kiba before his departure. When Kiba has left, Klaus will tell you to go to the great hall. Go to the place and talk to Shu, who will tell you to go to Greenhill first and then to Matilda. Choose the first option to start the battle.

Major Battle #12
This battle is quite tough. You'd better organize your units well first. You will have to divide your army in two: the largest part will have to attack the Highland troops to the east, while some units will have to deal with the Matilda Knights to the north. As always, focus on the secondary units first before attacking the generals. After a few turns, Clugan will come with some units behind you. You will need to dedicate some units to repel this attack as well. When you have caused heavy damage to enemy troops, or have resisted for several turns, Shu will call for reinforcements. Jowy and the Highland generals, incredulous, will withdraw, fearing being overwhelmed and you will have won the battle.

After the battle, Shu's deception will be revealed: the reinforcements were actually your non-combatant characters, but the enemy has fallen into the trap. You will then end up at the Greenhill dormitory. Shu will explain the strategy: while some generals will attract the enemy away, a small group will have to infiltrate Rockaxe's castle, climb to the top and burn the enemy flag, replacing it with yours. You will then have to choose the members of your party. Nanami will want to come with you. You will not be able to refuse it, so accept immediately. After choosing, you will enter the castle. Soon after, a messenger will arrive, reporting that both Kiba and Leon Silverburg have been mortally wounded.

Rockaxe Castle
Rockaxe Castle is a very large dungeon and you will meet many powerful enemies. Occasionally then, you will be faced with the Matilda knights, who are more powerful than the Highland soldiers. Follow the path and on the third screen you will find a Stone of Speed near the ladder. Then go up the ladder and go right. At the bottom you will find an Escape Talisman. Go back and proceed to the left. Climb again. When you get to a circular room with a ladder and a door, go through the north door first to find a Crimson Cape and a Stone of Defense. Go back and go down the ladder. Continue north and up another ladder. You will be forced to proceed to the right. In the next circular room, ignore the ladder and take the door to the north. In the next tower go right before going down the ladder and you will find an Earth Shield at the bottom. Drop down and go south to find Power Gloves. Go back and go right. Follow the path until you come out. Walk through the garden and enter the main entrance.

Go left and enter the first door to the north you find. You'll have to fight some Matilda Kights, then you can get some Mega Medicine, to the right. Then go into the next room, where you will find a Gold Necklace. Go out the north door this time and you will find a Flame Helmet. Go through the room again and up the stairs to the left. Ignore the southern path (it's a dead end) and go right. Before going up the stairs, go south and in a room you will find Dragon Plans #4 and Unicorn Plans #4. Go back and up the stairs. You will find a save point. Then exit south. Follow the balcony and go back inside. Go up the stairs and enter the door. At this point you will meet Jowy. After a short dialogue (answer him as you like) he will try to attack you, but Lord Gorudo will arrive with some guards and will try to kill you both. Nanami will step in to defend you, if you want to see the best ending in the game answer her very quickly no matter what option. However, Nanami will be shot by an arrow and fall to the ground. At this point, the hero and Jowy will temporarily put their rivalry aside to avenge her.

Boss Fight – Gorudo
HP: 4500

This battle is very easy, as you can count on the very powerful Black Sword rune of Jowy. Gorudo attacks only once per turn and none of his attacks are particularly dangerous. Use the most powerful attacks of Jowy’s rune (in one hit you can eliminate all secondary enemies), heal yourself using the Bright Shield rune and you will defeat Gorudo in a very short time.

When Lord Gorudo dies, Jowy will leave and the hero will deal with Nanami in her death throes. At this point Shu will arrive. He will give the order to destroy the enemy flags and replace them with yours. Seeing the flags of your army flying from the castle, the enemy troops will retreat. Dr. Huan will also arrive; he will say that there may still be hope for Nanami, taking immediately her to the castle.

Note: There are three more items that you can find in the rooms after the battle site, which you haven't reached yet, but you'll need to re-enter the castle later to get them. By talking to a knight you can get a Thunder rune. In Lord Gorudo's room you will find an Earth Armor and Recipe #37 on a shelf.