The Binding Blade

For the weapon of the same name, see Binding Blade

The Binding Blade
Game	Fire Emblem: The Binding Blade
Objective	Seize Throne
Units Allowed	18
Units Gained	Yoder (automatically from start)
Boss	Murdock Galle
Script	Chapter script
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“After surviving many hardships, Roy finally set foot on Bern's soil. Guinivere guided Roy towards the Temple of Seals, but in their path stood Bern's elite troops. The strongest army of the continent, led by Lord Murdock, the smartest and strongest general in Bern. Etruria and Bern, the two leading forces on the continent, out for all-out war. The longest and bloodiest yet to be seen by Elibe is about to begin...”
—Opening Narration

The Binding Blade (封印の剣 Fūin no Tsurugi lit. The Sword of the Seal) is Chapter 21 of Fire Emblem: The Binding Blade. At the end of the chapter, Roy receives the Binding Blade, and he will be promoted to Master Lord, unless you access Chapter 21x (at which point, Roy's promotion will occur after you complete Chapter 21x).

After a Bern soldier reports to Murdock that all troops are ready for battle, Murdock reminds Galle that his squad will be the key to defeating the Etrurian Army. After declaring that they will show them the power of Bern's main army, Murdock is thoughtful, saying how he wishes to fight Roy personally, and see the skill of the general that has pushed them back so far.

Bishop Yoder then approaches Roy, exclaiming how he has found him at last. He informs him that Roy's suspicions have been confirmed; the Dark Dragon has been resurrected. After telling Roy of how Hartmut merely sealed the Dark Dragon away with the Binding Blade, Yoder also informs him of the Church's suspect, the Dark Priestess of Bern, who never seems to leave Zephiel's side, and on the power of the Dragonstones the Manaketes carry. He then delivers the Legendary Weapon from the country not visited during the story, (Maltet if Sacae was visited, and Murgleis if Ilia was liberated.) and joins Roy's army to fight.

As the Etrurian Army approached the Shrine of Seals, Galle finally made his move, attacking the Etrurian Army from the rear with his elite squad of Dragon Riders. After telling his apprentice, Zeiss, to crush him with all his might, and saying his final goodbyes to his lover, Melady, Galle is overwhelmed and slain by Roy's forces, declaring that he has no regrets, and asking Zeiss to take care of Melady.

Finally, as Roy and his forces approach the entrance to the Shrine, they are barred by Murdock, commander of Bern's army and last of the three great Dragon Generals. He is eager to match blades with Roy, telling Zeiss and Melady that while he does not wish to fight them, they all know that they must. Murdock is shocked by the strength of Roy's army, and in his last breath, apologizes to Zephiel that he will no longer be able to protect him.

Initial Enemies

• Murdock (Boss): General L20 w/ Tomahawk and Knight Crest
• 3 L10 Dragon Lords w/Silver Lances
• 3 L20 Dragon Riders w/Killer Lance, Vulnerary
• 6 L20 Dragon Riders w/Steel Lance, Javelin
• 3 L20 Dragon Riders w/Steel Lance
• 2 L10 Manaketes w/Fire Stone
• 3 L10 Bishop w/Divine, Physic
• 1 L12 Sage w/Elfire, Mend
• 1 L12 Sage w/Aircalibur, Mend
• 1 L12 Sage w/Bolting, Fire
• 3 L20 Knights w/Steel Lance
• 2 L20 Knights w/Horseslayer
• 3 L19 Archers w/Iron Bows
• 2 L19 Archers w/Longbows

Battle Tactics

This is one of the hardest levels in the game, perhaps the hardest. At the beginning, you must pick 18 of your units. As you check the map, it appears harmless because there are only a few units posted on the battlefield. However, as the game progresses, 12 units will spawn every turn for 3 turns.

It is highly recommended to take as many archers as you can (i.e. Klein or Dayan ) and make sure the archers you recruited can kill a Wyvern Unit in one shot. It is ideal not to split the group because if you take the right route, 4 paladins and 4 Wyvern Units will spawn. If you take the left path , 8 Wyvern Units will spawn. Either way, better keep the low-health units on the back, and have archers or units with horseslayers and halberds.

Also, bring Melady or Zeiss on the way so that you will be able to visit the secret shop located on the space between the mountains on the rightmost side of the screen, when one of your units reach near the altar.

Galle will spawn in the center of the map with 12 Wyvern Units scattered on the map. Galle is very vulnerable against Aircalibur and some Silver Bow will make short work of him.

Don't stray anyone from the group because all Wyvern Units will attack it from all sides.

Complete the level within 30 turns to unlock the Gaiden Chapter.

Notes

This chapter is notable for having Murdock and Galle, two of the three remaining Dragon Generals of Bern, as prominent enemies. In this chapter. you basically face the standing army of Bern, so expect lots of reinforcements. In order to stop those reinforcements, kill Murdock.

To access the gaiden chapter, you must complete the chapter within 30 turns and have Melady and Zeiss alive, which makes it even more difficult. When 30 turns are up, Pereth and his subordinates appear from the throne, claiming to have gotten rid of Apocalypse.

You receive the bishop, Yoder, at the start of this chapter, who comes with the Saint's Staff and either the Murgleis or the Maltet, depending on whether you went on the Ilian or Sacaen route (i.e. you receive the weapon that you did not already have).

It is highly recommended to take dragon- and horse-slaying weaponry, as there are many Paladins and Wyvern units, along with a couple of Manaketes.

There is a secret shop in this chapter, so you have a chance to get a few rare items if needed.

Village Items

• Knight Crest

Reinforcements

• When a unit passes the southern point of the NW mountain range

1 L13 Paladin w/ Silver Lance, 1 L5 Paladin w/ Javelin, 2 L5 Paladins w/ Steel Lance, from SW clearing.
1 L13 Dragon Lord w/ Silver Lance, 1 L5 Dragon rider w/ steel lance, 2 L5 Dragon Riders w/ steel lance, vulnerary, from SW mountain range.

At the end of every turn, for three turns.

• When a unit passes the eastern point of the NW mountain range

2 L13 Dragon Lord w/ Silver Lance, 2 L5 Dragon rider w/ steel lance, 4 L5 Dragon Riders w/ steel lance, vulnerary, from east mountains.

At the end of every turn, for three turns.

• When a unit enters approaches the valley where the Temple stands

1 L15 Dragon Lord w/ Silver Lance, 1 L20 Dragon rider w/ steel lance, 2 L20 Dragon Riders w/ steel lance, vulnerary, from south mountains.

1 L15 Dragon Lord w/Silver Lance, 1 L20 Dragon rider w/ steel lance, 2 L20 Dragon Riders w/ steel lance, vulnerary, from east mountains.

At the end of every turn, for three turns.

• When a unit approaches the Temple walls

Galle (Character) L18 Dragon Lord w/Spear

1 L20 Dragon Rider w/ Horseslayer, 1 L20 Dragon Rider w/ Axereaver, 1 L20 Dragon Rider w/ Javelin, 1 L20 Dragon Rider w/ Steel Lance

From center of NW mountain range, near the village.

• Turn 30:

Pereth, and 2 other Druids

Shops

The Secret shop of chapter 21

• Armory: Silver Sword, Silver Blade, Armorslayer, Silver Lance, Horseslayer, Silver Axe, Halberd, Silver Bow
• Vendor: Fire, Thunder, Elfire, Lightning, Divine, Flux, Heal, Mend, Physic, Pure Water, Door Key, Chest Key
• Secret Shop: Knight Crest, Hero Crest, Orion's Bolt, Elysian Whip, Guiding Ring, Angelic Robe, Energy Ring, Secret Book, Speedwing, Goddess Icon, Dragonshield, Talisman, Body Ring, Boots, Bolting, Purge, Eclipse

Previous chapter: The Silver Wolf or The Bow of the Winds (Sacae Route) The Liberation of Ilia or The Spear of Ice (Ilia route)'

The Binding Blade

Next chapter: The Silencing Darkness or The Neverending Dream