The Paladin Anabel

I never thought the day would come when the sacred inner castle would be occupied by beasts. If only I had more power, perhaps this castle would not have fallen, too...

You can only do so much on your own. Everyone did all they could. You don't have to worry.

*sigh* This sight reminds me of my hometown after it was destroyed by the beasts.

And, the beastfolk were exterminated in that time layer.

Anabel...

If things were different,...it would've been I who burned the Beast King's Castle, sacked the villages, and destroyed those families.

The pain of those horrible cries... I have never forgotten what I saw for even a moment.

Because their beasts and we're human... Those are the meaningless excuses for these clashes.

I know this and yet... I can't stop myself from thinking like this.

Wh-What are you saying?

I'm the sole survivor of the village. I must avenge them... I have to...

The beastfolk in that time layer were innocent, but what about here?

"Should we not wipe out the villains who destroyed our homes?"

The question gets repeated in my head over and over again.

*sigh* This sight reminds me of my hometown after it was destroyed by the beasts. I was the only one in the village left alive. That is why it comes down to me to eliminate them.

I see... Your hometown's already...

I'm sorry. I shouldn't make you reminisce with me. I'm fine now. Let's move on...

Captain Anabel!

Captain Anabel, it's terrible! Remnants of the beast army are attacking the castle town!

Is that true?! What's the situation?! How do our forces compare?!

I-I'm sorry. I'm just a simple soldier, so I don't know the details. But I hear there's a beast detachment moving in the Karek Swampland for some reason.

A detachment? We don't want them to attack the towns while our forces are thinner there.

Well done, soldier! Thank you for the report. Are you off to the battlefield now?

Yes. My orders are to head there after reporting to you, Captain.

I see. Then tell the soldiers there about the detachment, too, just in case.

Yessir!

I must have an audience with the king and learn about the overall situation. Once I have my orders from the King I will rush straight there!

What heartening words! Now, please excuse me, Captain!

It looks like things are getting tricky. I'll help if you want.

Normally, for the honor of the Kingdom, we could not rely on help beyond the Order...

But I cannot say that today. I will gladly accept your offer on this occasion.

Okay, then it's settled. First let's go and see King Miglance.

The King is temporarily based in the castle town inn. Let's hurry there now!

Captain Anabel, First Squadron, Royal Order of Knights, reporting for duty, sire. I hear we are under attack from the beasts. I await your royal command.

Captain Anabel, First Squadron, Royal Order of Knights, reporting for duty, sire. I hear we are under attack from the diabolical beasts. I await your royal command.

Oh, Anabel, and Aldo. You came. Sorry, but this is an emergency so I'll keep my explanation brief. The battlefield's in the direction of Serena. The beast force is not a large one, but it is made up of seasoned warriors.

Are we to counterattack?

Yes, the Order is already engaged. Go and lend them your support.

Um, King Miglance. We've heard there's a detachment of the remnant beast forces active near Karek.

A detachment? That's the first I've heard of it. Thank you for the information. Likely a ploy to have us muster all our forces on the Serena side and then attack the undefended Karek flank. In that case, you go to Karek and foil the beasts' plan. Understood, Anabel?

As you wish, sire. We shall not let them attack our kingdom any more!

A paladin and the hero who defeated the Beast King. With you in the field, our prospects are good. But we have no margin for error here, our forces are spread too thin. Be on your guard.

Yessir! We shall stop the beasts!

Yessir! We shall stop the barbaric acts of these beasts!

So, you are the beast detachment, are you? You shall not pass! Your plan to attack the unguarded towns ends here!

That is a title I am unworthy of. But if it crushes your morale, then I will happily use it.

That is a title I am unworthy of. But if it crushes the morale of you beasts, then I will happily use it.

I am the Paladin Anabel. This name comes to me by right of succession from the first Paladin Anna. Now, come at me. My sword thirsts for your vile blood!

Argh! Don't let them escape. Come on, after them!

Wouldn't that be a bit dangerous? The King said to be careful.

I cannot let evil get away before my eyes. The enemy are those beasts. They burned our town and slaughtered my people. I cannot possibly forgive them. I must purge this world of them all. Anna's voice whispers this, too.

Anabel? Hold on. What happened? What about all the beastfolk?

I'd ask you the same question, Aldo. What happened to you? I haven't changed since that day. Even if you were to return now, I'd continue my attack against the beastfolk. I have no time to waste.

I cannot let evil get away before my eyes. Anna's voice whispers this, too. Even if you return, Aldo, I will pursue the beasts.

Okay, okay. I'm not gonna leave you by yourself.

Thank you, Aldo. Now, let us pursue them!

There you are, you beasts! You will not escape me!

Wh-What are you laughing about? Have you lost your minds?

A ruse? Lure?!

We're caught in a pincer movement! Their plan was to capture you all along, Anabel!

So it would seem. How base, how foolish. It sounds like something a beast would think of.

Anabel?

That soldier giving me information about a detachment that even the king didn't know... I thought something was up. That was planned by you beasts, too, wasn't it?

Ha! If that is what you wish, all it requires is a single swish of my holy blade...

Holy blade? But...isn't that just a normal sword?

Yes, it is. But a holy blade is no mere physical thing in the first place.

Not...a physical thing?

No. The holy blade of a paladin is an embodiment of our people's hopes and prayers.

Anabel... Will you use the Deliverance Sword?

Yes... That's my only choice to achieve my goals.

Now, you will regret your vile actions!

Amazing, Anabel...Just like always, you defeated all those beasts with a single blow!

Amazing, Anabel... You defeated all those beasts with a single blow!

It has nothing to do with me. This is the power vested in all who become Paladins. It is all down to Anna's guidance. I am simply the one who channeled it. Now, let us return, Aldo. The main battle will be over soon.

Please accept my gratitude. You have shown what it is to be a Paladin. On any other day I would regale you the finest banquet. Sadly, the Kingdom is in no shape for such festivities...

King Miglance, your majesty, my loyalty requires no reward. Your kind words are more than enough.

Moreover... I do not perform feats of arms for my own personal pleasure. I do it as a paladin, in response to the people's hopes and prayers.

I do it so I may someday realize the world that Anna dreamt of. A world without conflict.

I heard you saw that holy blade up close, Aldo!

I've never seen such power before. Good thing you're on our side.

Yeah... I knew she was strong, but I didn't know she could do that.

Oh, she can, all right! After all, she's the first female Paladin since the First Paladin, Anna.

The First Paladin? Anabel was talking about her, too. Were there Paladins before Anabel, then?

What, you didn't know?!

When the Miglance Kingdom was founded, what, about 300 years ago now... The one who said to have driven away the beasts was none other than the First Paladin Anna. Unfortunately, she only seems to have been awarded the title after falling in battle, though.

I see. So that was the fate of the First Paladin then.

But this is where it gets really exciting! Captain Anabel is from the same village as Anna!

......

Oh...

I-I'm terribly sorry! I'd completely forgotten...

I don't mind. My hometown isn't going to come back, whether you talk about it or not.

Anabel...

That day. That day my hometown was attacked by the beasts. I was the only one to survive and it must have been because of Anna's protection. With that thought in my mind, I can live stronger today.

Wow! You really like this Anna person, don't you?

Yes. She is my rock, my anchor. She is always there to guide me when I am lost.