In A Plague Tale: Requiem, some puzzles hide in plain sight, and others unfold as you chase clues through the environment. This guide focuses on the windmill sequence in Chapter 9 and explains how to obtain the old bracer for Amicia while exploring a path that rewards careful observation and calm problem solving.
A Plague Story: Requiem Guides
- A Plague Tale: Requiem walkthrough from start to finish with all memories and puzzle solutions (updated)
- How to solve the Docks puzzle and ignite the resin coils in A Plague Tale: Requiem
- How to solve the windmill puzzle in A Plague Tale: Requiem and acquire the old bracer
How to solve the windmill puzzle in chapter 9
At the outset of Chapter 9, the player leaves the count’s castle and encounters Sofia. After a brief conversation, follow the bird statues. During one of the tasks a memory titled A Thousand More Years can be found near an ancient olive tree if the area is explored carefully.
Return to the main route and follow the path in the direction where the statues look. On the hillside to the right, four windmills stand in a line, and this is where the puzzle lies.
The objective is to ensure that the first two windmills stop turning while the last two remain active.
First mill
There are no extra steps required here. Enter the building and operate the lever fully. This halts the power transfer to the burrs and stops the mill from turning.
Second mill
Behind the windmill, notice a cable connected to a barrel resting on a large wooden box. Interact with it to gain access to the interior. The door can be opened from the inside. As with the first mill, push the lever completely in to cut power to the mechanism.
Third mill
Move the cart to the left of the entrance and direct Hugo to climb inside to open the door. In this scenario, the lever must be fully extended to work properly.
Fourth mill
Under the cart, ascend the wooden stairs to a small window that reveals a padlock with a chain. Use the crank to remove the obstruction and activate the windmill.
How to access the smugglers’ lair and what to find there
Following the steps above, the ground shakes with the sound of plates shifting, revealing a hidden passage to the smugglers’ lair. The route isn’t difficult to locate, though on a first attempt it’s easy to miss a crucial turn.
From the fourth mill, move past the large stone arches and keep to the path behind the hill. Pass beneath the three half rings, then turn right. A wooden staircase lies on the ground; climb it and proceed forward. This leads into an underground cave that opens into the smugglers’ hideout.
Exploration uncovers two secret chests containing valuable materials and resources. In the center of the room lies the old bracer for Amicia, a useful item that speeds recovery after enemy encounters.
Research two hidden chests to obtain crafting materials and provisions. The old bracer lies nearby and provides quicker recovery after taking damage, which can be handy during tougher sequences ahead.
There is a brief moment of ambience, a tip of the hat to environmental storytelling, as the lair reveals its gritty, weathered interior—an apt backdrop for the next stage of the tale.
What other puzzles can be solved in the windmill location
Backtracking to the main route, head right at the tree and approach a large closed hangar on the left. Climb the ladder at the rear, reach the roof, and shoot the ring with a sling. The falling box breaks the pathway and opens access to a lower level. Enter, shoot the chains binding a wooden beam, and step inside to continue the exploration.
The interior houses a rich chest containing tools and additional materials that aid crafting and upgrades, making this a short detour with meaningful rewards.
Other guides
- A Plague Tale: Requiem walkthrough from start to finish with all memories and puzzle solutions (updated)
- How to solve the Docks puzzle and ignite the resin coils in A Plague Tale: Requiem
Source notes are provided from arcades summaries and player guides to help map out the experience, ensuring players can navigate the chapters with confidence and clarity.