Where Has the Bank Gone in Hollow Knight? The Curious Case of Millibelle
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The question that plagues many a Hallownest explorer: Where has the bank gone in Hollow Knight? The answer, in short, is that Millibelle, the banker, has absconded with your hard-earned Geo. She’s not gone forever, though. You’ll find her bathing in a hot spring in the Pleasure House area of the City of Tears. Prepare yourself, because reclaiming your savings requires a rather forceful approach.
Tracking Down the Thieving Banker: The Path to Redemption (and Your Geo)
Millibelle’s disappearance is a bit of a gut punch. You painstakingly deposit your Geo, feeling secure in the promise of accruing interest, only to discover her bank is completely empty upon your return. Panic sets in! But fear not, the situation is salvageable. Here’s a step-by-step guide to finding Millibelle and recovering your stolen fortune:
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Return to the Bank in the City of Tears: This confirms that Millibelle has indeed skipped town. The bank will be empty and she will no longer be there. A sign will usually be left behind indicating her exit.
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Venture to the City of Tears’ Pleasure House: The Pleasure House is a relatively hidden area within the City of Tears. To reach it, you need to progress quite a bit through the City, gaining access to the area with the fountain and the Soul Master boss fight. From the fountain room, look for a hidden wall (easily broken with the Nail) that leads to a back passage.
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Locate Millibelle in the Hot Spring: Within the Pleasure House, you’ll find a hot spring. Here, you’ll see Millibelle happily bathing in your Geo. She’s quite pleased with herself, enjoying the fruits of her ill-gotten gains.
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Unleash Your Fury (or Just Your Nail): This is where things get cathartic. You can reclaim your Geo in one of two methods. You can relentlessly hit her with your nail until she starts spitting geo back out, or you can equip the Defender’s Crest and approach her.
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The Aftermath: A New Beginning: After retrieving your Geo (and perhaps inflicting some well-deserved punishment), Millibelle will relocate. She can now be found near Dirtmouth, offering a new (and arguably less trustworthy) service. She can now be interacted with for the Charm: Greed.
The Significance of Millibelle: A Lesson in Trust and Consequences
Millibelle’s storyline, though brief, adds a layer of depth to the world of Hollow Knight. It serves as a reminder that not everyone in Hallownest is trustworthy, and that even seemingly benevolent characters might have ulterior motives. Her actions force the player to confront the consequences of misplaced trust and the lengths one must go to in order to rectify a wrong. It also adds to the lore of the game as to why her Bank of Hallownest failed, and Millibelle had to resort to stealing geo from others to survive.
Moreover, her relocation near Dirtmouth and subsequent Charm offering provides a tangible reward for your efforts, solidifying the impact of her actions on the player’s journey. It becomes clear that the pursuit of Knowledge and Learning is an important aspect of understanding the world of Hollow Knight. Learn more about the value of game studies through the Games Learning Society: https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How much Geo can Millibelle steal?
Millibelle will steal a maximum of 2,550 Geo. This is the total amount you can deposit in her bank.
2. Does Millibelle’s interest actually work?
No, Millibelle’s claim of providing interest is a lie. She’s simply pocketing all the Geo you deposit.
3. What happens if I don’t hit Millibelle after finding her?
If you leave Millibelle without attacking her, she will remain in the hot spring. You can return later to reclaim your Geo.
4. Can I kill Millibelle?
No, you cannot permanently kill Millibelle. After you retrieve your Geo, she simply relocates.
5. What is the Defender’s Crest and how does it affect Millibelle?
The Defender’s Crest is a charm acquired from the Dung Defender. If you wear it when you approach Millibelle, she will become disgusted by the smell and vomit out all of your stolen Geo, saving you the trouble of hitting her repeatedly.
6. Where exactly is the Pleasure House in the City of Tears?
The Pleasure House is located near the fountain area, accessible after defeating the Soul Master. Look for a breakable wall on the left side of the fountain room.
7. Is it worth depositing Geo with Millibelle?
Considering she steals it all, no, it is not “worth it” in terms of financial gain. However, it’s a necessary step to progress her storyline and acquire the Greed charm, which is useful for farming Geo later.
8. What is the Greed Charm?
The Greed Charm increases the amount of Geo dropped by enemies when they are defeated. It is a reward for finding and confronting Millibelle after she steals your Geo.
9. Where does Millibelle go after I get my Geo back?
After the hot spring incident, Millibelle relocates to a spot just outside Dirtmouth, near the bench.
10. Does Millibelle offer any legitimate services after stealing my Geo?
Millibelle offers a way to get back to your Shade. However, it comes at the hefty price of being charged all your remaining Geo.
11. Is Millibelle a unique character in Hollow Knight?
Millibelle is unique in her role as a deceptive banker. While other characters have their own agendas, Millibelle’s blatant theft sets her apart.
12. Does confronting Millibelle affect the game’s ending?
No, confronting or ignoring Millibelle does not affect any of the game’s endings.
13. Can I deposit more than 2,550 Geo with Millibelle?
No, the maximum amount of Geo you can deposit with Millibelle is 2,550. Once you reach that amount, she will leave.
14. Why does Millibelle steal the Geo? What is her motivation?
Her motivations are somewhat ambiguous, but it’s implied she’s driven by greed and a desire to escape her previous life. She mentions needing to rebuild the Bank of Hallownest which might explain her need for geo.
15. Is there any in-game dialogue that hints at Millibelle’s true nature?
While she initially presents herself as a kind and helpful banker, there are subtle hints in her dialogue and expressions that suggest she might not be entirely trustworthy. Pay close attention to her idle chatter and her reaction when you deposit large sums of Geo.