Quick wins for a faster PC:
Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Start An Unheard Farewell at the Valley of Ashes Guidepost, just after the first Grenadier. Speak to the Adjutant Sous-Officier through the carriage window and agree to help. The easily missed objective is in a scouts’ cave halfway down the newly unlocked elevator shaft: jump from the descending lift onto the narrow opposite ledge, burn the gold-vine barrier with fire transmutation, defeat the soldier inside, and collect the note beside the tent. Return to the Adjutant through the Demolished Path and choose whether to tell the truth or lie. Both choices give the Sleight of Hand amber, but resting afterward produces different bonus outcomes.
What the quest is and when it becomes available
An Unheard Farewell is a Chapter 2 side quest in Valor Mortis, set in the Valley of Ashes. It begins at the Guidepost lantern after you have passed the first Grenadier. The Adjutant Sous-Officier is sitting in a carriage; speak through the carriage window and accept the assignment.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
The quest is non-missable. If you move on during the story, you can return and complete it after finishing the main story. That makes it safe to continue exploring if you do not immediately recognize the optional investigation objective, although completing the cave objective before reporting keeps the route clear in your head.
What counts as “every optional objective”
The main assignment takes you through the level and back to the Adjutant. The optional investigation is the search for the missing scouts. It is completed only after you enter the concealed cave, defeat the elite enemy or miniboss there, and pick up the document titled “Letter to all Commanding Officers of the Line Infranty”. Simply riding the elevator upward or passing the cave entrance does not complete that investigation.
#1 Best Overall
- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
- Convert USB-A Ports to USB-C: Designed to connect USB-C earphones, cables, flash drives, card readers, and other USB-C accessories to standard USB-A ports. Plug-and-play with no drivers or software required.
- Aluminum Alloy Housing: Built with a sturdy aluminum alloy shell that aids in heat dissipation and protects against daily wear and scratches. Designed to maintain a stable and secure connection.
- Compact & Travel-Friendly: The ultra-compact design allows the adapter to stay plugged into your device without blocking adjacent ports or adding bulk, reducing wear and tear on your original USB ports.
- 12-Month Warranty: Backed by a 12-month manufacturer warranty for peace of mind. Designed to meet strict quality control standards for reliable everyday performance.
Quick route from the Guidepost to completion
- At Valley of Ashes > Guidepost, interact with the Adjutant Sous-Officier in the carriage window and agree to help.
- Continue through the level until you obtain the required pistol, then follow the cave route and climb the ladder to the upper area.
- At the upper elevator section, shoot the glowing Nephtoglobin growths and activate the lift. The second lift unlock requires two growths to be destroyed.
- Ride the elevator back down. While it is descending, jump off halfway onto the narrow ledge opposite the path you used on the way up.
- At the ledge, burn the gold vines or web-like barrier with fire transmutation to open the hidden cave.
- Defeat the miniboss or elite soldier, then collect the scouts’ note near the tent.
- Continue to the Demolished Path, kick down the ladder shortcut, and use it to return toward the first lantern.
- Speak to the Adjutant again and select either the truth or the lie. Rest afterward to see the choice-specific result.
Step 1: Accept the assignment at the Guidepost
Locate the correct lantern
Travel to the Valley of Ashes Guidepost and look for the first Grenadier landmark. The relevant carriage is near this starting area. The Adjutant is not standing in the open like a normal quest giver; the interaction is made through the carriage window.
Start the conversation
Interact with the Adjutant Sous-Officier and agree to help. The quest is now active. If you arrive before the first Grenadier or search a different carriage, the conversation will not begin, so use the Guidepost and landmark as your reference rather than trying to locate the scouts’ cave first.
Step 2: Reach the elevator route
Obtain the required pistol
Proceed through the level normally until you obtain the pistol required for this route. The pistol is part of the progression, not an optional convenience: continue exploring the cave and connected passages until the game has provided it.
PC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchClimb to the upper area
After the pistol section, keep moving through the cave until you reach a ladder leading to the upper area. The elevator mechanism is above this transition. If you are still below the ladder, you have not reached the lift section yet; if you have already reached the upper platform, look for the glowing growths described in the next step.
Step 3: Unlock the lift by destroying the Nephtoglobin growths
Identify the targets
The lift is blocked by glowing Nephtoglobin growths. Shoot the visible growths before attempting to use the mechanism. A later unlock requires two growths, so one destroyed target is not always enough to make the elevator operate.
Use the elevator mechanism
Once the required growths are gone, interact with the lift mechanism. The elevator now gives you access to the hidden ledge that contains the scouts’ cave. Do not treat the first upward ride as the end of the investigation; the cave is reached on the return trip down the shaft.
Rank #2
- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
- 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
- Quick Data Transfers: Accelerate your productivity with rapid data transfers using a high-speed 5Gbps USB 3.0 port and two 480Mbps USB 2.0 ports.
- 4K HDMI Display: Enhance your visual experience with a hub capable of delivering 4K resolution at 30Hz in both mirror and extend modes. Please note that this hub is compatible with MacBook (macOS 12 and newer), Windows 10 and 11, ChromeOS, and laptops equipped with DP Alt Mode and Power Delivery. Note: This device is not compatible with Linux.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
If the lift does not activate
- Look around the entire upper elevator area for a second glowing growth.
- Confirm that both targets required for the second unlock have been shot.
- Check that you used the lift mechanism after destroying the growths rather than merely standing on the platform.
- If you left the area early, return to the upper section and repeat the interaction after clearing the growths.
Step 4: Jump to the hidden ledge on the way down
Choose the correct descent
Ride the elevator back down after unlocking it. The scouts’ cave is not at the top of the shaft and is not reached by following the original route upward. It is halfway down the newly opened elevator shaft.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteSpot the ledge
As the lift descends, watch the side of the shaft opposite the route you first used. A narrow ledge passes the elevator partway down. Jump off the elevator onto this ledge when it is level with you. The ledge is easy to miss if you focus only on the bottom landing, so remain ready during the middle portion of the descent.
Recover if you miss
Missing the jump does not make the quest fail. Use the lift again and repeat the descent, aiming for the opposite side at the halfway point. The objective is tied to entering the cave and collecting its evidence, not to a single attempt.
Step 5: Open the barrier with fire transmutation
Recognize the entrance
The ledge ends at a blocked opening covered by gold vines or a web-like barrier. This obstruction is the entrance to the scouts’ hidden cave. It can look like scenery when viewed from the elevator, which is why many players ride past it.
Burn the obstruction
Use fire transmutation on the barrier. Once it burns away, enter the passage. If the transmutation does not connect, move close enough to target the vines themselves rather than the surrounding rock and try again.
Step 6: Investigate the scouts’ cave completely
Defeat the defender
An elite soldier or miniboss is inside the cave. Defeat this enemy before searching the camp. The encounter is the cave’s substantial threat and can distract you from the document if you immediately leave after the fight.
Rank #3
- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
- Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Collect the required note
Search near the tent for the document named “Letter to all Commanding Officers of the Line Infranty”. Pick it up to register the investigation objective. This is the required evidence concerning the missing scouts.
Why the note matters
Entering the cave, burning the barrier, or defeating the enemy alone is not enough to finish the optional objective. The note is the step that confirms the investigation. If the objective remains incomplete, return to the tent area and check the ground around it for the letter before heading back to the Adjutant.
Step 7: Return through the Demolished Path
Continue until the shortcut is available
After collecting the letter, continue forward to the Demolished Path area. Look for the ladder that can be kicked down. This creates a shortcut back toward the first Guidepost and avoids repeating the entire approach through the cave.
Use the shortcut and find the carriage
Take the kick-down ladder, follow the route toward the first lantern, and return to the carriage where the Adjutant Sous-Officier gave you the assignment. Speak to him to report your findings. The dialogue choice that follows determines the post-resting outcome, but not the main amber reward.
Truth or lie: the two endings
The report offers two responses. Neither choice prevents quest completion, and both award the same Sleight of Hand amber immediately. The difference appears after you rest.
| Report choice | Immediate reward | After resting | Narrative result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tell the truth | Sleight of Hand amber | Additional catalysts | The Adjutant survives the immediate report. |
| Lie | Sleight of Hand amber | A Remnant’s Return consumable appears in the scouts’ cave. | The Adjutant’s corpse appears in the scouts’ cave after resting. |
What truth gives you
Selecting the truth awards the amber, then provides additional catalysts once you have rested. The Adjutant remains alive during the immediate report, so this route is the straightforward choice if you want the extra catalyst reward and do not need the recovery item associated with the lie.
Rank #4
- Dual Converters, Infinite Potential：Includes 2× USB C male to USB A female adapters and 2× USB A male to USB C female adapters. Perfect for a wide range of uses—tablets with Bluetooth keyboards, expand USB ports on macbook, and more. Two different converters for all your daily needs
- Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
- Upgraded Exquisite Craftsmanship: With an aluminum alloy housing and metal connector, the usbc to usb adapter is extremely durable and sturdy. Rigorously tested to withstand more than 10,000 times of plugging and unplugging, ensuring long-lasting performance
- Broad Compatible: The usb c to usb adapter widely supports all USB C/ USB A devices like laptops, tablets, cellphones, car chargers, and phone chargers. Such as compatible with MacBook Pro/Air 2023/2022, Thunderbolt 4/3 Devices,Apple MagSafe Watch 9/8/7/SE/Ultra, iPad Pro 2022/2021, Samsung Galaxy S23/S20/S10, and iPhone 17/16/15 Pro. Plug and play
- Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
What the lie gives you
Selecting the lie also awards the amber. After resting, return to the scouts’ cave and you will find the Adjutant’s corpse there with a Remnant’s Return consumable. Remnant’s Return retrieves dropped catalysts, making this route useful if recovering lost catalysts is more valuable to you than receiving the truth route’s additional catalysts.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Which choice should you make?
Choose according to the item you want after resting, not the amber: the amber is identical. Choose truth for additional catalysts and the Adjutant’s immediate survival. Choose lie if you prefer the Remnant’s Return recovery item and accept the later corpse scene in the cave. The quest and its trophy or achievement are available with either choice.
Rewards and completion credit
Sleight of Hand amber
Finishing the report awards the Sleight of Hand amber regardless of whether you told the truth or lied. The dialogue decision changes the later bonus, not this core reward.
Aggressive Reconnaissance trophy or achievement
Completing An Unheard Farewell contributes to the Aggressive Reconnaissance bronze trophy or achievement. To ensure the quest counts, accept the assignment, collect the scouts’ letter, report to the Adjutant, and finish the dialogue.
Post-resting items
The truth route produces additional catalysts after resting. The lie route places Remnant’s Return with the Adjutant’s corpse in the scouts’ cave after resting. These are mutually exclusive outcomes for the chosen report and should be considered before you finalize the conversation.
Common mistakes and fixes
“I cannot find the quest giver.”
Return to the Valley of Ashes Guidepost and use the first Grenadier as your landmark. The Adjutant is inside the nearby carriage and must be addressed through its window. Searching later areas first will not start the quest.
Best Value
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
“I found the elevator, but the cave is missing.”
The cave is not at the elevator’s top or bottom. Unlock the lift, ride it back down, and jump halfway onto the narrow ledge opposite the original route. The opening is behind the burnable gold-vine or web-like barrier.
“The barrier will not open.”
Use fire transmutation directly on the vines or web-like covering. Ordinary attacks and movement through the obstruction do not substitute for the required fire transmutation.
“The investigation objective did not complete.”
Go back into the cave after defeating the elite enemy and search beside the tent for the letter titled “Letter to all Commanding Officers of the Line Infranty.” The document, rather than the enemy kill, is the objective’s required evidence.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
“I reported before exploring the cave.”
The quest is non-missable and can be completed after the story. Return to the route, unlock the elevator, enter the hidden cave, defeat its defender, and collect the note before completing or revisiting the report sequence as the game allows.
“I rested and cannot see the bonus.”
The bonus is tied to the choice you made at the report. Truth produces catalysts after resting; lie produces the Adjutant’s corpse and Remnant’s Return in the scouts’ cave. Check the correct location for the selected outcome rather than expecting both rewards in one playthrough.
Completion checklist
- Started at the Valley of Ashes Guidepost after the first Grenadier.
- Spoke to the Adjutant Sous-Officier through the carriage window and accepted the assignment.
- Obtained the required pistol and reached the upper elevator area by way of the cave and ladder.
- Shot the glowing Nephtoglobin growths, including both growths required for the second lift unlock.
- Rode the elevator down and jumped halfway onto the opposite narrow ledge.
- Burned the gold-vine or web-like barrier with fire transmutation.
- Defeated the miniboss or elite soldier in the scouts’ cave.
- Collected “Letter to all Commanding Officers of the Line Infranty” near the tent.
- Reached the Demolished Path, kicked down the ladder, and returned toward the first lantern.
- Reported to the Adjutant and selected truth or lie.
- Rested if you want to claim the choice-specific catalysts or Remnant’s Return outcome.
Can you complete it after the story?
Yes. An Unheard Farewell is non-missable and remains available for completion after the main story. Post-story completion follows the same route: start or resume the quest at the Guidepost, use the elevator to reach the hidden ledge, investigate the cave, report to the Adjutant, and resolve the dialogue.
Does the dialogue choice change the amber reward?
No. Truth and lie both award Sleight of Hand amber. The meaningful difference is the post-resting reward: catalysts for truth, or Remnant’s Return with the Adjutant’s later corpse in the scouts’ cave for lie.
Recommended Free Tools
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
