Genso Suikoden II: 4
幻想水滸伝II ④ Gensō Suikoden II: 4
Dust jacket cover by Ishikawa Fumi
Product Information
ISBN
4-8402-1955-9
Released
September 25, 2001Price
¥600
Format Information
Pages
360
Predecessor
Genso Suikoden II: 4 (幻想水滸伝II ④, Gensō Suikoden II: 4) is a book published by Kadokawa Shoten in 2001.
It is the fourth, and final, part of a four-part light novelization of the events of Suikoden II. It covers the events of the game from General Kiba's battles against the New Alliance Army to the end of the game.
Summary
Determined to wipe out the City-States of Jowston, Luca Blight murders his own father and seizes the throne of Highland. As the war escalates, Riou believes that if he can just defeat Luca, the bloodshed will finally end.
After a brutal battle, Luca falls—but the war is far from over. Riou receives an unexpected invitation from his former best friend, Jowy, now the new king of Highland, to negotiate a truce. Hopeful that peace is finally within reach, Riou travels to Muse… only to be met with betrayal.
What final path will the two friends choose? And what is the true nature of the runes they both bear?
The emotional conclusion to the novelization of the beloved game Suikoden II!
Content list
| Page # | Title | |
|---|---|---|
| Chapters | ||
| 15 | 28 - Raid on Radat ラダト急襲, Radato Kyūshū | |
| Riou and the New Alliance Army prepare to retake Radat Town from the Highland Army, led by General Kiba and his son Klaus, but face a setback when General Ridley and his kobold troops abandon the alliance. Meanwhile, Jowy comforts Jillia, acknowledging the chaos of war but vowing to protect her, though he is summoned by Luca before he can fully explain his actions. The New Alliance Army, now without Ridley’s forces, is forced to retreat under Shu's orders, while Jowy grapples with the consequences of his decisions and his role in the unfolding conflict. | ||
| 35 | 29 - A Desperate Struggle 死闘, Shitō | |
| The New Alliance Army achieve a decisive victory and capture General Kiba and his son Klaus. A letter from the Highland reveals that King Agares has been assassinated and Luca Blight has taken the throne, prompting Kiba and Klaus to reconsider their loyalty. After a tense discussion, Kiba and Klaus agree to join Riou’s forces, recognizing the dire state of Highland under Luca's rule. | ||
| 61 | 30 - The Mad King Luca 狂皇ルカ, Kyō Sumeragi Ruka | |
| Riou and Shu prepares for a decisive battle against Luca Blight. Utilizing a carefully planned ambush, they encircle and fragment Luca’s forces, targeting his main unit while neutralizing Harmonia's reinforcements through Luc's intervention. Despite being surrounded, Luca’s troops resist fiercely, focusing their attacks on Kiba's weakened forces to break the encirclement. | ||
| 92 | 31 - The Roar in the Wild 荒野の咆吼, Kōya no Hōkō | |
| Riou and his forces ambush Luca’s army in the forest, successfully cornering him after a fierce battle. Luca, severely wounded and surrounded, retreats into the forest but is ultimately struck down by a barrage of arrows orchestrated by Shu. In his final moments, Luca confronts Riou, declaring that his death will not bring peace but only leave behind a legacy of hatred. | ||
| 118 | 32 - Miscalculations 誤算, Gosan | |
| Jowy, now the King of Highland, proposes a truce with the City-States to end the ongoing war, citing the exhaustion of the nation and its people. However, his generals, particularly Leon and Culgan, argue that a truce would only delay inevitable future conflicts, urging him to unify the land under one rule to achieve lasting peace. Meanwhile, General Han Cunningham approaches Jowy, hinting at a deeper connection to the Black Sword Rune and the unresolved history tied to it. | ||
| 130 | 33 - The Trap 罠, Wana | |
| Riou and his companions escape from Muse after a failed peace negotiation with Jowy, who demands the New Alliance Army's complete surrender. During the confrontation, Viktor and others intervene, using Pilika to distract Jowy and facilitate their escape. They return to their base, where Shu reveals he orchestrated the plan to protect Riou and ensure his survival, acknowledging the use of Pilika as a necessary measure. | ||
| 152 | 34 - Astray 迷走, Meisō | |
| Riou travels to Tinto with his companions to seek an alliance against a zombie army threatening the region. During negotiations with Gustav, the leader of Tinto, Jess accuses Riou of being a Highland spy and blames him for Anabelle’s death, causing tension. After a visit from Leknaat, who speaks of fate and the intertwined destinies of Riou and Jowy, Riou rejects the idea of predestined conflict and leaves in the night to forge his own path. | ||
| 173 | 35 - Bearers of the Runes 紋章を背負う者, Monshō o Seoumono | |
| Riou flees Tinto in a moment of doubt but encounters Tir and Gremio, who help him regain his resolve. After returning to his comrades, Riou learns of General Ridley's death and Viktor's efforts to protect his leadership role. Shu confronts Riou about his wavering, prompting Riou to recommit to his duties as leader and the group devises a plan to retake Tinto from Neclord and his zombie forces. | ||
| 198 | 36 - Recapture 奪回, Dakkai | |
| Riou and his allies achieve victory in Tinto, defeating Neclord and reclaiming the Moon Rune. After securing Tinto and gaining new allies, including Boris, Ridley's son, the New Alliance Army prepare for further battles. The Highland Army, having absorbed the Matilda Knights, grows stronger, while Nanami struggles with loneliness and worry. | ||
| 225 | 37 - 108 Stars 一〇八の星, Ichi Rei Hachi no Hoshi | |
| Shu outlines a strategy for the New Alliance Army's critical battle, with General Kiba leading a decoy mission while the main army advances through Greenhill. Leknaat appears, blessing the New Alliance Army and affirming Riou's role as the bearer of the Bright Shield Rune. As Riou accepts this responsibility, the crest on his right hand glows, symbolizing the unity and determination of the 108 Stars. | ||
| 242 | 38 - Rockaxe Castle 巨岩の城で, Kyogan no Shiro de | |
| Riou leads the New Alliance Army in a strategic assault on Rockaxe Castle, dividing his forces to distract the Highland forces. During the battle, Boris' troops face heavy resistance, but Riou intervenes to create an opening, allowing them to push toward the castle. Meanwhile, Shu receives news of General Kiba's death as the New Alliance Army fights to secure victory. | ||
| 260 | 39 - Tearful Determination 涙の決意, Namida no Ketsui | |
| Riou and Jowy confront each other at Rockaxe Castle, where Jowy declares his intent to unite the land under one rule to end the war, despite Riou's reluctance to fight. After Gordeau betrays them and Nanami is gravely injured, Riou and Jowy are forced to retreat, with Riou vowing to continue the fight while grieving Nanami. Meanwhile, Jowy returns to L'Renouille, where he resolves to defend Highland to the end, but struggles with his inner turmoil and the growing instability of the Beast Rune's power. | ||
| 279 | 40 - To the Royal Capital 皇都へ, Sumeragi-to e | |
| The New Alliance Army prepares to invade the royal capital of L’Renouille after regrouping and strategizing with key allies. Shu devises a risky plan to lure and weaken the Highland Army by setting a forest ablaze, sacrificing himself in the process, but is ultimately rescued by Viktor. As the New Alliance Army advances toward L'Renouille, they encounter a surprising counterattack from the Highland Army, led by an unknown general who emerges from the city gates, setting the stage for a decisive battle. | ||
| 294 | 41 - The Silver Wolf 銀狼, Gin Ōkami | |
| Riou leads the New Alliance Army in the siege of L'Renouille as the city falls into chaos with gates breached and fierce battles raging in the streets. After confronting Leon Silverberg in the palace, Riou learns that the Beast Rune must be sealed to achieve true peace, and Leon activates a ritual to summon its manifestation. A monstrous two-headed wolf, the embodiment of the Beast Rune, appears as Riou prepares to face this final threat. | ||
| 312 | 42 - The Two Runes 二つの紋章, Futatsu no Monshō | |
| Riou and his allies confront the Silver Wolf, using the power of the Bright Shield Rune to create a shield that temporarily restrains the creature. Jowy, having destroyed the bronze relief linked to the Beast Rune, unleashes the power of his Black Sword Rune, which combines with Riou's to ultimately defeat the beast. After the battle, Riou discovers Jowy's abandoned military uniform and sword on the Highland throne before collapsing from exhaustion. | ||
| 327 | 43 - Avatar of Destruction 破壊の化身, Hakai no Keshin | |
| Riou and Jowy, after breaking the curse of the rune that had forced them into conflict, decide to embark on a journey together. Shu reveals that Nanami is alive and waiting for him in Kyaro Town, prompting Riou and Jowy to rush back to reunite with her. The story concludes with the three preparing to begin a new journey together, leaving the war and its burdens behind. | ||
| 346 | Afterword あとがき, Atogaki | |
| An afterword from Genso Suikoden II novel author Hori Shinjiro. | ||
| 348 | About the novelization of "Suikoden II" 小説版『幻想水滸伝II』によせて, Shōsetsu-ban "Gensō Suikoden" ni yosete | |
| An afterword from Suikoden series creator Murayama Yoshitaka. | ||
| 350 | 108 Stars Complete Character List 108星全キャラクターリスト, 108 Hoshi Zen Kyarakutā Risuto | |
| A list of recruitment information for the 108 Stars in Suikoden II. | ||
Differences from the game
- It is explicitly detailed that Kiba and Klaus were sent into battle by Jowy for the purposes of getting them killed or captured due to their loyalty to Agares Blight.
- Leon Silverberg commands the Fourth Army that refuses to help Kiba in this volume. In the game, it was Rowd who held command.
- Luca Blight flees after being defeated in a duel with Riou and dies from the firefly amulet ambush. In the game, these events happen in the opposite order.
- A chapter details Jowy's perspective as he attempts to push for a ceasefire with the New Alliance Army but is eventually compelled to continue the war instead. This perspective is not shown in the game.
- Riou abandons the New Alliance Army in Tinto Principality, an option the player can take in the game. Nanami is not present, however.
- Riou encounters Tir McDohl and Gremio in Tinto while fleeing. This meeting can happen in the game, but under different circumstances in Banner Village instead. Tir does mention Banner and the young boy, Ko, dressed as Riou there.
- Riou and Tir discuss their respective runes and Riou gains new insight and determination, resolving to return to the New Alliance Army.
- Viktor agrees to take the blame for Ridley's death so as to not jeopardize Riou's position as leader.
- Neclord is defeated off-screen with it being covered in a single paragraph. He came to a similarly ignominious end in Genso Suikoden: Soul Eater 3.
- Apple's subplot about leading a force to the empty Muse City is written out. Instead, intelligence reports that Muse is filled with Golden Wolves.
- Lucia and the Karaya Clan are mentioned as Highland allies but all plot regarding her, her attempt to assassinate Riou, her interactions with Teresa have been cut.
- The Conquest of Matilda is a pitched battle in the town and castle itself, rather than a battle on the open plains with a single infiltration party in Rockaxe Castle. Shu's tactic of fielding civilians disguised as combat divisions is not depicted.
- Jowy kills Gordeau with his sword after Nanami falls to an arrow.
- Han is mortally wounded in the final battle and manages to speak with Riou before dying. In the game, he dies after losing a duel to the player in L'Renouille Palace.
- During the final battle, Seed is killed by Viktor in a sword fight and Culgan is killed by Clive from a distance. The two do make it to each other in time to die together as in the game.
- The Silver Wolf is destroyed by the combined efforts of Jowy and Riou, and their runes (though they are not fighting together). In the game, it is a normal boss battle for the player.
- Riou and Jowy returning to Nanami in Kyaro Town, the beginning of their journey together, and their passing by Jillia and Pilika's home is not depicted.