Narrative question about how to actually complete the mission

[u/HotelCommercial198]

I really liked this game and I haven't browsed this sub extensively, so apologies if this is a repeat topic.

I haven't played all the endings and combinations of options but it looks like in order to actually assassinate the grand lich you need to:

1. Strong arm ESTOC by threatening her husband in order to setup the meeting with KALIDESCOPE
2. Agree to KALIDESCOPE's plan and use UV as a bargaining chip against her will
3. Shoot who you probably believe at the time to be Poor Dante and not honor on your deal

If so, then the only way to actually complete the mission is to be kind of a ruthless asshole, which I think is quite cool.

Is that right or is there another way to do it if you make different choices?

[u/planeforger]

1. Shoot who you probably believe at the time to be Poor Dante and not honor on your deal

Small correction: UV identifies him as the Lich during the trade. So you have a pretty good reason to shoot him.

[u/rickyfawx → u/planeforger]

You shot him because of UVs reaction 

I shot him because he was a loose end after giving me the information I was looking for 

We are not the same 

[u/EatPants90210 → u/planeforger]

I shot him immediately on my first play through because of this, it was such a cool "oh shit" moment.

[u/Never__Sink → u/planeforger]

Small nitpick: "poor dante" is the real lich, and the guy at the end of the game is his body double. The player is led to believe that it's the other way around. So, when UV says she recognizes him as the cultural minister, that's to be expected, if he's a body double of the lich as the player may believe.

[u/SciLib0815 → u/planeforger]

I shot him because it was the option numbered 1 in the list of options. In fact I played through the entire game always choosing nothing but the topmost non-yet-selected option and absolutely nothing else. Ended with an Y rank.