Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 – Taking French Leave Guide

TL;DR

  • Complete Via Argentum first to unlock this main story rescue mission
  • Betray Mint Master Vavak during conversations with Lord Ruthard for better outcomes
  • Follow Rosa’s detailed directions to locate the hidden tunnel entrance
  • Use stealth and dialogue options to navigate Maleshov fortress undetected
  • Secure horses in advance and execute the coordinated escape with Hans Capon


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Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 presents diverse mission types ranging from straightforward rescues to intricate investigative adventures. The Taking French Leave quest uniquely combines both elements, requiring you to gather intelligence while planning an extraction operation. This comprehensive guide provides the tactical knowledge needed to successfully complete this challenging main story mission.

Taking French Leave represents a pivotal main quest occurring during the game’s second major narrative arc. It activates immediately following your completion of Via Argentum, positioning you to infiltrate Maleshov fortress and liberate Hans Capon from his latest captivity situation.

Your mission initiation involves critical discussions with Lord Kunzlin Ruthard that establish the operational parameters:

  • During your Via Argentum progression, you encounter opportunities to collaborate with Mint Master Vavak on his clandestine schemes. However, when observing conversations between Ruthard and Vavak, strategically revealing Vavak’s machinations can yield superior mission outcomes.
  • Lord Ruthard will direct you toward Maleshov fortress, where Hans Capon remains imprisoned under guard.
  • Essential intelligence gathering requires consulting his daughter, Rosa Ruthard, who possesses detailed knowledge of covert access routes. Rosa additionally tasks you with recovering a specific artifact, initiating the Rosa’s Book side objective.
  • Notably, Rosa represents a potential romantic interest later in your campaign journey, making positive relationship building strategically advantageous.
  • After receiving Rosa’s operational briefing, travel southward from Kuttenberg until reaching the designated coordinates. Engage with the stable master at this location to pre-arrange horse transportation for Capon’s extraction.

    Proceed to the subsequent marked position, where you’ll discover the deteriorated remains of an ancient church. Examine the stone structure’s window opening to identify the collapsed building situated beyond the visible perimeter.

    Part I: Rosa Ruthard

    The secret passage begins at the church ruins, requiring careful environmental observation. Many players mistakenly rush past crucial visual indicators, resulting in unnecessary backtracking and time expenditure.

    Locate the first stone cross positioned approximately 50 paces southeast of the church’s main entrance. This marker appears partially obscured by vegetation, so methodical searching proves essential.

    Part II-A: The ruins
    Part II-B: The first cross

    From the initial cross, proceed northwest approximately 75 paces to discover the secondary marker. This navigation sequence typically requires 8-12 minutes depending on your observation skills and environmental awareness.

    The tunnel entrance lies concealed behind a collapsed wall section near the second cross. Approach during daylight hours for optimal visibility, as nighttime exploration significantly increases detection risk from patrols.

    Part II-C: The second cross
    Part II-D: The tunnel

    Advanced players should note that the tunnel contains multiple branching paths. The correct route features distinctive moss patterns on the right-hand wall, providing natural navigation assistance.

    Part III-A: Maleshov courtyard

    Emerging from the tunnel deposits you within Maleshov’s courtyard area. Immediate caution is paramount, as guards patrol regularly throughout this sector.

    Your initial encounter involves the fortress cook, who can provide valuable intelligence if approached diplomatically. Aggressive interrogation typically triggers alarm responses, compromising your stealth approach.

    Part III-B: The cook and the guards

    Locate Lady Ofka in the residential quarters to acquire Rosa’s Book. This artifact retrieval represents an optional but rewarding objective that enhances narrative depth.

    Part III-C: Lady Ofka and Rosa's Book

    Stealth mechanics in Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 require careful movement timing. Observe guard patrol patterns for 2-3 complete cycles before advancing between cover positions.

    Optimal infiltration paths utilize the eastern storage buildings, providing consistent concealment opportunities. The western route features increased guard density and should generally be avoided.

    Advanced strategy: If detected, immediately retreat to the tunnel entrance and wait approximately 10 in-game hours for patrol routines to normalize before reattempting infiltration.

    Part IV-A: Hans Capon and Vaquelin Brabant

    Hans Capon is detained in the central keep, guarded by Vaquelin Brabant. Dialogue choices during this encounter significantly impact subsequent mission developments.

    Successful negotiation with Brabant can facilitate smoother extraction, while confrontational approaches may necessitate combat resolution.

    Part IV-B: The stables

    Proceed to the pre-arranged stables location where horses await. Time management becomes critical during this phase, as prolonged delays increase detection probability.

    Part IV-C: The escape

    The escape sequence involves navigating through wooded terrain while avoiding pursuit. Stick to established game trails rather than cross-country routes to maintain speed and minimize obstacles.

    Mission completion typically requires 45-60 minutes for average players, though optimized routes can reduce this to approximately 30 minutes.

    Post-mission, your relationship with Rosa develops based on mission conduct and completion of her book retrieval request. These narrative consequences demonstrate the interconnected nature of Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2’s quest design, similar to the strategic depth found in our Class Guide for optimal character development.

    Action Checklist

    • Complete Via Argentum and initiate dialogue with Lord Ruthard
    • Consult Rosa Ruthard for intelligence and accept her book retrieval task
    • Arrange horse transportation at the southern stable location
    • Navigate to church ruins and locate the two stone cross markers
    • Enter the hidden tunnel and infiltrate Maleshov courtyard
    • Retrieve Rosa’s Book from Lady Ofka (optional objective)
    • Locate and extract Hans Capon from the central keep
    • Execute coordinated escape using pre-positioned horses

    No reproduction without permission:SeeYouSoon Game Club » Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 – Taking French Leave Guide Master the rescue mission to save Hans Capon with strategic insights and practical execution steps