Crystania: Legend of the Drifters 3 (novel)

Crystania:Legend of the Drifters 3
Author	Ryo Mizuno
Illustrations	Satoshi Urushihara
Japanese title	クリスタニア　漂流伝説３
Romanized title	hyōryū densetsu kurisutania 3
Publication information
Publisher	MediaWorks
Original release	10 December 1994
Chapters	The Eve of Change (前夜) The Decisive Battle (決戦) Broken Fangs (折れた牙)
Pages	224
ISBN-10	978-4073020899
Novels
← Previous	Legend of the Drifters 2
Next →	Legend of the Drifters 4

Crystania: Legend of the Drifters 3 is a light novel written by Ryo Mizuno with illustrations by Satoshi Urushihara. It is the third novel released in the Crystania franchise.

The story continues with the impending Beldian attack on the Fang of the Animal fort.

Synopsis

　Hundred years after the War of the Destroyer’s Resurrection on the “Liberated Island”, a war of aggression was launched by a crown prince who wished to unite the island under one banner. One of the island's kingdoms was brought to ruin and the princess of that kingdom, the only survivor of the royal family, departed the island with over a thousand loyalists in search of new land. Guided by a swan, the sailing ships reached a peninsula of an uncharted island and and settled there. They called the peninsula Da’nan. It was separated from the rest of the island by the Gods’ Wall, and the people of Da’nan came to believe the gods lived beyond the wall.

　Silver Wolf tribesmen with loaded carts travel to Sirene, as per its chieftains instructions. Meanwhile, Rails meets with Captain Orgens, but before Rails has a chance to layout his plans, Orgens gives his approval to lead the defense of the fort against the Gods’ King’s people. At that time, Maris returns from Sirene with food, weapons and armour, but no soldiers. The chieftain of Sirene believes all people should gather at Sirene and protect it, rather than be at a mercenaries' fort.

　As commander of the merceneries, Rails divided the mercenaries in twenty units lead by a centurion or other hand-picked warriors. Each unit had a different colour and was organized as per their specialty, such as a bow unit consisting of Fortino's followers and a stealth unit consisting of Feness' swift followers. Basso spots a suspicious man among the mercenaries, who readily admits he is a spy sent by Sir Dillant of Beldia to determine what kind of man Rails is. As a sign of good faith, he reveals there is a Beldian spy, Cadera, in the fort as well. Basso takes the spy, Makati, to Rails. Makati informs Rails that Grael is seeking revenge and that Sir Dillant has not pledged absolute loyalty to Barbas. He also asks whether Rails knows of Redon, and then takes his leave. Basso goes to investigate Cadera, who subsequently mysteriously disappears.

　Ten days later, the Beldian army reportedly begins their advance. Turnill tells Rails and the others of the Beldians attack on Eslo. Apparently Barbas himself appeared and performed a “miracle” that helped win his forces the battle. Because Barbas is not at full strength, the others believe he will not use a miracle on the fort, but rather save it for Sirene. Rails believes its best to do something about Barbas first, which reminds Garshun of the six adventurers of ten years ago. Sia asks Garshun if he knows Nasare, but Garshun replies he went too far away to be chased after. The party concluded the night with dance and music.

　When the forces of Beldia meet Rails' army near the fort, the Beldian forces, surprised by the sudden organization in the Fang of the Animal's army, fail to make progress and retreat. The next day, in the evening, the Beldian army tried another attack. They had surrounded the fort from three directions. The mercenaries' defenses managed to hold again and the Beldian army once again retreated. Rails and an assault force quickly gave pursuit and slayed about 30 fleeing Beldians. The defeats anger Grael. Sir Dillant proposes to ignore the Fang of the Animal's fort and focus on Sirene instead, but Grael insists on defeating the mercenaries first. From a spy he learns that Rails is commanding the fort and Grael immediately launches another attack—one that he leads.

　Grael's sudden attack catches Rails off guard. With their talent of teleportation Grael and the animalmasters manage to infiltrate the fortress easily. Grael finds Rails and the two engage in a duel. During the duel, neither gains an advantage and Grael orders his troops to retreat. Grael attempts to teleport behind Rails again, but Rails is prepared and manages to counter-attack, severing Grael's left arm, his sword-arm. His severed arm and shamshir are later put on display in the Fang of the Animal fort. Back in his camp, Badiou advices Grael to heal, but Grael refuses, pointing out his faith dictates him to exact revenge first. Nahns, Callio and Gilliam were among the Fang of the Animal casualties.

　Grael launches an all-out attack on the fort, where the mercenaries are still recovering from the previous battle. Rails sends Turnill to request help from Sirene.

　Elsewhere, not too far from the fortress, Isari meets with Norva and Lehman from Da’nan, who also managed to climb over the Gods’ Wall. Isari had checked on the battle and informed Norva of the progress. When Isari was alone, he muttered his prophecy of a burning fortress may not come to pass.

　Back in the Beldian camp, Sir Dillant is not happy with how the battle went. He suddenly hears the Gods’ King Barbas order him to remove all troops from the fort and concentrate on Sirene instead. Barbas will unleash a "miracle" on the fort. In the Fang of the Animal fort, Turnill returns with Tario, the Elder of Meilen, who acts as emissary from Sirene. He has come to see whether its true that the Fang of the Animal has withstood a succession of Beldian attacks. Tario suggests Turnill goes to Sirene, because the chieftain is old Turnill may succeed him and take command of Sirene. Turnill indirectly accepts.

　Suddenly, Bean emerges. He informs the party he senses a strong spiritual power and the spirits are making a commotion. Orgens immediately orders everyone to evacuate from the fortress. Outside all four king spirits; Ifrit the fire demon, Jinn the king of wind, Kraken the demon of the depths, and Behemoth the earth demon, are manifesting, summoned by the Gods’ King The mercenaries are powerless against the king spirits and especially Ifrit is standing in the way of escape. Bean attempts to communicate with Ifrit, but being an unexperienced shaman he struggles at first, until his finally does succeed. The Beldian army is approaching, but with Ifrit gone Rails and the others manage to escape. Elsewhere in the fort, Garshun uses the last of his strength to take out several Beldian soldiers, before he dies of his wounds. He laments not being able to see Boakes and Jenoba again and says he'll be waiting for them.

　During their escape, Rails and his party run into a corps of Knights of Darkness, the spy Makati is among them. He asks Rails to come meet Dillant, who wishes to meet Rails. Rails obliges. During their conversation, Dillant showed interest in who Rails is. He pointed out they may have the same ancestors and that they have the same aspirations, however Dillant is loyal to the Gods' King and Rails opposes him. Rails and his companions eventually leave and head to Sirene. Maris plans to visit the Site of Origin where the animal gods, including Barbas, are about to meet. 　

Characters appearing

• Rails
• Orgens
• Maris
• Bean
• Sia
• Basso
• Makati
• Cadera
• Garshun
• Turnill
• Callio
• Nahns
• Shiron
• Gilliam
• Grael
• Dillant
• Begg
• Badiou
• Isari
• Norva
• Lehman
• Animal god king Barbas
• Elder Tario

Gallery

Artwork from the novel.

Maris Sia Map of Crystania Map of Iscaria Maris and Rails Basso and Makati Broken bridge near Fang of the Animal fort Rails versus Grael Sir Dillant with Barbas Bean