Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 - Taking French Leave Guide

Some quests in Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 are rescue missions, while others are akin to mysterious romps where you search for clues. But there's a task that actually requires you to do both. Here's our guide on how to complete Taking French Leave in Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2.

How to complete Taking French Leave in Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 - Quest guide

Taking French Leave is a main quest in Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2. It takes place during the game's second major arc, and directly after you complete Via Argentum. The main objective is reach the fortress of Maleshov to rescue Hans Capon, who's been imprisoned (again).

At the start of the Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 Taking French Leave quest, you need to have a chat with Lord Kunzlin Ruthard:

• During Via Argentum, it's possible to make a deal with Mint Master Vavak to help him with his conniving schemes. However, when Ruthard and Vavak are talking, you can still divulge the details and betray Vavak.
• Lord Ruthard will tell you to head to Maleshov, where Hans is being held captive.
• You should talk to his daughter, Rosa Ruthard, who'll provide more details about a secret route. Rosa also wants you to find a special item, which leads to a task called Rosa's Book.
• Note that Rosa is a potential romance option later in the campaign, so it pays to be kind to her.

Following Rosa's directions, head south of Kuttenberg until you arrive at the marked location. Talk to the stable handler here so you can have horses ready for Capon.

Then, continue to the next marked location, where you'll stumble upon the ruins of the old church. Look through the window of the stone edifice to see a collapsed building just beyond.

As you approach the ruins, you'll see a stone cross on the ground. The cross is pointing north, so walk straight in that direction. Do watch out for wolves that might attack you at this point.

Just a short distance away is another cross that's next to a tree. It's pointing due northeast, so make your way straight ahead.

Finally, you should come across a gravestone that's leaning on a large tree. If you have a Spade, you can start digging to reveal a hidden tunnel. Follow the tunnel all the way to the end to reach the cellars of Maleshov.

A cutscene will trigger at this portion of the Taking French Leave quest in Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2. After the cutscene, you'll find yourself in the wooden section with a clear view of the courtyard. The guards here are still discussing their respective assignments.

Here's what you need to do while the guards are having a discussion amongst themselves:

• Quickly go straight ahead and open the door. There's a soldier here with his back turned, so try your best not to alert him.
• Walk down the spiral steps and exit the tower. Then, turn left and check out the wooden hut. Inside, you'll find a cook with her back turned.
• Stealthily approach the cook and incapacitate her. This allows you to steal several keys:
  • Door and chest keys
  • Maleshov chambers key
  • Maleshov fortress key
  • Maleshov tower key

You pretty much just gained full access to the entire fortress, so give yourself a pat on the back. After this, exit the hut and check the right-hand side to spot another guard. If the guard's back is turned, incapacitate or kill him, but watch out if he tries to defend himself--i.e. quickly press the block button if you see the green shield icon pop up.

Lastly, don't forget to hide the guard's body in the cook's hut. Then, close the door so your enemies don't get suspicious.

Guards are still patrolling the courtyard, so be careful when you go up the steps to the central tower. Here's what you should bear in mind:

• Two guards are talking to a woman named Lady Ofka on the second floor, so don't go upstairs just yet.
• Stay inside the kitchen and wait for the two guards to start chatting in the dining hall.
• When the guards are in the dining hall, sneak up the staircase and enter Lady Ofka's room.

You can talk to Lady Ofka to convince her:

• Intimidation: "Don't move!"
• Impression: "I'm a guest of Lord von Bergow."
• "I'll pay you."
• "Run along."

The most straightforward option is to just intimidate her. She won't call the guards on you, and you're free to rummage in this room. Likewise, if you check near the window, you'll see the Book of Anecdotes. This is the item that Rosa is looking for.

If you stole from the cook, then you should be able to open the door at the top of the tower. Alternatively, you can grab the tower key from the pulpit next to a bench in Lady Ofka's room.

Either way, enter the room on the top floor to trigger a cutscene. Well, it looks like Henry and Hans are reunited once more. Also, Hans has a new friend, a chevalier named Vauquelin Brabant.

Your goal now in the Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 Taking French Leave quest is to ensure that Hans and Vauquelin get to the horses so everyone can make their escape. Think of this section as somewhat akin to companion commands in other RPGs:

• "Get to the horses" - Hans and Vauquelin will run straight for the stables, but they might alert the guards. If this occurs, they'll defend themselves using the weapons that you've given them, but you still need to help them out.
• "Back" - Command Hans and Vauquelin to return to a safer spot.
• "Stay" - Tell Hans and Vauquelin to remain at their current location.

To be frank, we recommend just telling both Hans and Vauquelin to stay behind in the tower. This allows you to focus solely on Henry as he clears the way for his comrades.

Inside the tower itself, you don't need to worry about Lady Ofka (she'll remain in her room). You also don't need to worry about the guards in the dining hall below. In fact, one of them has fallen asleep.

There are only three guards you need to worry about:

• The first guard is patrolling along the path between the tower and the entryway to the stable yards.
• The second guard is standing next to the horses.
• Finally, the third guard is on the walkway near the gate.

Use your Stealth skills effectively to take them all out. If you need to make a manual save with your Savior Schnapps, do so, because you don't want to get caught at this stage of the mission.

Once all the enemies have been taken care of, walk up to the horses and bring out your torch. This is the signal that Hans and Vauquelin are waiting for. They'll automatically run from the top floor of the tower all the way to the yard. Since there are no hostiles that remain in the vicinity, the coast should be clear. All that's left to do is to open the gate and watch the cutscene.

That does it for our guide on how to complete Taking French Leave in Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2. Before we forget, be sure to deliver the Book of Anecdotes to Rosa Ruthard. Remain in her good graces and be supportive so that you can romance her later in the game.