Chapter 22B: Sakura

The objective here is to seize the spot where Yukimura is standing on. The map is littered with mobility limiting levees. There are also several fort spaces which can give terrain advantage to anyone standing on it. You can flatten out some levees using the dragon veins scattered in the map. To know which levee a dragon vein will flatten, just hover your pointer on the dragon vein and zoom out the camera to see the highlighted levee. Sakura has access to a launcher in the middle of the map (but she won't be able to operate it) and two more mechanists will be manning the launchers on both sides near the the gate where Yukimura is standing.

Your forces will be essentially divided to two. The western side has powerful melee units led by Sakura's retainer, Hana. To the east, you'll have to deal with spellcasters and archer puppets, led by Subaki, another retainer of Sakura. Divide your forces well, preferably with at least a healer and back up healer to compensate with the launcher fire they'll have to sustain. Having one flier unit on each group is recommended as well. Both sides have a weakened portion of a levee that can be broken down and give you an alternate, safer passage. However, the cliffs will prevent your ground forces from moving freely in these alternate paths so you'll either have to have them sneak behind using a flier unit with a powerful partner and take out the launcher operators first or do the old fashioned way of pushing through the enemy forces while breaking down their levees using dragon veins and taking fire from the launchers.

As soon as the battle starts, select the two mechanists and Sakura to display their attack range. In the first turn, have a royal family member activate the first dragon vein from the eastern side. This will flatten a levee on the western side. Move your western group and take out the two enemies near a fort. Next turn, activate the second dragon vein to allow the eastern group to take out the two puppets in the nearby fort and position themselves there, away from the launcher's range.

Next turn, have the western group break through the weakened levee and take out the lone enemy in the fort ahead. Have the remaining units regroup there. The eastern group should go around to reach the next dragon vein. When you have control, the western group should start making a move around the levees to reach the NW launcher. If you're flying unit is powerful enough, you can even take out Yukimura in the next turn and seize the throne following that. This is quite risky and requires a powerful, self-sustaining unit (can heal through skills or passive abilities). If you don't have any, you have no choice but to push forth within the firing range of the launchers while alternately activating dragon veins and creating an easier path for the other group.

At the end of the fourth turn, more enemy reinforcements will appear in the map. If you're able to break through the launchers with your fliers and take control, this battle will be a lot easier. Otherwise, pair your units whenever possible and initiate Combat if you can. Just keep your healers out of your enemy's reach and you'll be able to slowly push through the Hoshidan defenses.

When you're back in your castle, Izana will arrive and join your party.