The Tip of the Sword

There it was, an enemy of epic power! That's when Thillelille donned her costume in the blink of an eye!

This is what Thillelille wears when she's putting her life on the line! And with that power that can't compare to Thillelille's cuteness and beauty, the battle was on! Take this!

Argh... Gwaaaaaah!

Holy cow! We didn't know you could actually hold a sword!

Of course! How can you think otherwise?!

U-Ummm... Ms. Thillelille... What about little Moke here?

Blepple-blip?

T-To help you and, well, I think...

Moke will get HUGE, with BIG CLAWS and... LONG FANGS, and it'll howl "Bleeeeep!" Right?!

Because Moke is a protector of the Savior, the Sacred Beast Mokepontas! Riiiiight?!

Blep...

Blep Blep Bliiip! Blepple-blip Blup!

Erm...

Hahah! Uh, something like that!

You have no idea how gigantic its feet become! It's umm...indescribable! And it was a true gentleman! Ain't that right, Moke?

Blep?!

Thillelille, but that wasn't Moke, it was No...

Shush, Aldo!

Oh wow! You're amazing, Moke!

Bleep!

Sister Thillelille. The Supreme Cardinal wants to see you in the Holy Sanctuary.

The Supreme Cardinal? Fine, on my way!

Sorry everyone but Thillelille's got to go... But someday we'll continue this story later. It's a promise!

Bye bye! Come see us again soon!

Come along, Aldo. This has to be about the restoration project.

Okay, got it.

Everything's changing. The church, the people...

Thillelille has arrived, Supreme Cardinal!

Yes, thank you for coming. And you've brought a friend.

This is about the restoration, right? Aldo'll be a big help for something like this!

If there's anything I can do, please don't hesitate to ask.

Your help is most welcome. We are planning to restore the Old Church Domain by merging it with the Merlot Ward. There'll be a lot of heavy lifting and logistics issues, so we're mustering all the support we can.

The more hands available the better. I appreciate your offer.

However...

That is not the reason I wanted to see you today, Cleric Thillelille.

Huh? It isn't?

Cleric Thillelille. If it wasn't for you and your friends, the light of this land may have faded forever.

"When times seem bleak, any may be the savior, and our hearts may be the sword." The way you articulated the idea of the savior... It might define the future of this land.

Supreme Cardinal...

I'm counting on your support until prosperity has returned to this land... Arch-cleric Thillelille.

W-Was'at?

D-Did you just say...Arch-cleric Thillelille?!

Y-You must have misspoken. I'm only Cleric Thillelille...

That's no mistake. You've been promoted, Arch-cleric Thillelille.

I... I...

I'm promoted?! Unbelievable! Yaaay! Oh, thank you, Supreme Cardinal!

This is great! I'm so happy for you, Thillelille!

Bliiip-blep blipple!

Who would've thought this day would come! Finally, Melina and Thillelille are now equals!

Arch-cleric Thillelille. About the Winged Child...

Huh? What's wrong, Supreme Cardinal?

It's nothing...but maybe we should stop calling her the Winged Child.

H-Hold up! What aren't you telling me?! Did something happen to Melina?

Oh! Could it be... (Could she have been demoted?!) (Did I get promoted because Melina...?) (And because of that she's thinking about leaving the church?!)

Thillelille? What's wrong?

Tell me, Supreme Cardinal! Where's Melina?! I need to see her right now!

I'm afraid I can't tell you right now.

Oh, I knew it...

You're a smart girl. I believe that you know what's going on. It's her own business, and not my place to reveal anything.

Hold up. What's this about?

Hmph...fine! Thillelille will deal with it!

Aldo, come with me to the interrogation room!

Hey! Wait up, Thillelille!

Come on, Thillelille. What's going on?

If we can't find out where Melina is going...

Then we'll have to ask her stalker, Rosetta. I'm sure she knows!

My, my... Stalker is such a dark word for my most sacred of positions.

Rosetta! Perfect timing!

Do you know where Melina is right now?

Melina? I'm afraid I don't... You look desperate. What's the matter?

Meanwhile, Aldo, you look as lost as always.

What's that supposed to, !

Because Melina was forced to step down in order for Thillelille to get promoted to arch-cleric!

Huh?!

She must be thinking that the church doesn't need her because of Thillelille.

What are you saying, Thillelille?! That doesn't make any sense!

But the Supreme Cardinal didn't tell me anything! Probably because Melina was fired and he's protecting her privacy!

Oh, Melina...! All I wanted was to work with you as equals, no get you kicked out!

Will you say something to her, Rosetta?

My, oh my...I see the picture now.

You do?

Teehee.. You have nothing to worry about.

Unfortunately, I do not know where Melina is or what she's facing... But assuming you're accurate Thillelille, I can make a guess.

And what would that be?

IF Melina had no option but to leave the church... She'd probably leave without telling any of us.

And go where?!

Probably to the Chasselas Crystal Region. Because...

Got it, Rosetta! Thanks for the help!

Aldo, Moke! Time to go full speed ahead!

Calm down, Thillelille!

Um... Thanks, Rosetta!

Anytime sweety.

...... If Thillelille was right... Then Chasselas Crystal Region make sense because it's connected to the port. Right?

*huff huff* Melina... Where are you?!

Thillelille!

What should I do, Aldo?! Because I, Thillelille, the promising newcomer, is galloping down the road to success... Melina is getting laid off!

Trust me, that's not going to happen... I mean, I don't think that there can only be one arch-cleric, right?

Maybe you're right...

But judging from the Supreme Cardinal's expression, Thillelille knows something's wrong! Melina's definitely hiding something from us...

Hey! Look!

It's Melina! It's time to...

CONFRONT HER!

Thillelille! Oh come on...

Melinaaaa!

What is it with you two? You look like you're out of breath.

We just had to catch you!

Don't include me in that "we"...

Tell me the truth, Melina! You're hiding something from Thillelille, aren't you?

Hiding something?

Oh, I get it.

You know what we're talking about?

It's not like I was hiding it from you. I just didn't bother mentioning it.

How dare you! You cold-hearted idiot! As your one and only true rival, you must tell Thillelille everything!

Telling you about it is not going to change anything.

(No way... Is Melina really leaving the church because Thillelille got promoted?!)

Grrr! Draw your hammer, Melina!

Thillelille is challenging you to a duel!

Thillelille?!

If Thillelille wins, you're going to change you're going to return to the church! Thillelille won't forgive for trying to leave without telling me.

What are you talking about?

(I knew it. There's a misunderstanding going on between these two!) (There's no way Melina is leaving the church because of Thillelille...)

You're really, really something, you know...

*sigh* All right, then.

I'll fight you, if that's what you want. But you better keep in mind that I'm not going to go easy on you.

Thillelille is duel-wielding her blades this time! No more copying you! I, Thillelille, can't lose to you! This is the end, Melina!

Get ready... This is it!

Urkh!

It's decided...

Are you two alright?!

I just disarmed her. Her hands are probably numb, though.

Uuurgh...

Come on, Thillelille. I didn't hit you THAT hard...

*sniffle*

Erm... Are you crying?

What do you think?!

Of all the fights and battles I've been through, this is the one I couldn't allow myself to lose!

I lost... *sob* And because of that... I'm not going to be able to stop you from leaving the church...

*sigh*

What are you talking about? This must be some kind of misunderstanding.

Huh?

(Finally! Melina is going to straighten this all out.)

Maybe you think you could influence my decision... But even if I had lost, I wouldn't have changed my mind.

Huh? Wait a minute, Melina!

Oh. And why are YOU looking so shocked?

Are you seriously going to leave the church? I thought it was a misunderstanding...

I am. I thought you came chasing after me to ask about that.

But...

See? Thillelille was right! Because she became Arch-cleric Thillelille, Melina's lost her place in the church and now she's leaving...

That's not true.

What?!

I'm getting a headache...

Th-Then, why are you leaving the church?! If it was a misunderstanding, then there's no reason for you to leave!

Yes, there is.

This land no longer needs a winged child. Like you said, Thillelille, those living here are all saviors, and they all have the sword in their hearts.

We don't know how long it'll take for the land to recover using the blessings from the sky... But I believe the age of divinity and the Winged Beings is coming to an end. The people will change, and so should the church. Although it hurts to say this, I am just a symbol of the old ways. It is time I withdrew myself from my service.

But still!

Still what?

You've worked yourself to the bone for so long, all for the benefit of everyone. You never gave in. No matter the burden, no matter the crisis, you kept going!

And finally we now see a glimmer of hope! That's what your wounds and tears brought us!

And Thillelille just can't accept that you will no longer be here with us! You can't just get yourself dismissed!

There's something you should know, Melina... Thillelille...never thought of you as just the Winged Child...

Please don't leave, Melina...

Thillelille...

You've been nothing but trouble since I met you...

And yet...

I was the victor until the very end. Isn't that right, Ms. Sword-wielding Savior?

You mean, stupid Melina! Without you, there's no reason for Thillelille to be in the church... You what...! I'm leaving too! I'm leaving the church with you!

I'm going to ignore you for the rest of my life if you do that. I know that you're not the kind of person who'd abandon this land just to come with me, Thillelille. I was actually counting on you to take care of the church and this country while I'm gone.

*sniffle* *sob* This is so unfair... I hate you, Melina! I really really hate you!

Alright...

As my one and only true rival, I know you'll do well without me. And I should say that I won't be gone forever.

So where are you going exactly, Melina?

I'm planning to go to the central continent to develop trade relations. The Supreme Cardinal had been working on a trade deal with King Palsifal for years... But the treaty wasn't completed before the king went missing.

Someone's got to close that deal for the sake of both lands. I'm sure I'll find a way with the help of the merchants I've met during my service work.

Is that right? I'm glad you're going to work for the benefit of this land.

Of course I am. I couldn't just ignore the people here.

You're right, I should've known better.

Good.

Thillelille... The ship's almost here, so I'd better get going.

......

Okay...

Are you going to be all right, Thillelille?

Maybe after a few tears...

At least I can see you off at the pier!

Bleep...

I was planning to do this alone, but I guess it won't hurt to have you two there. Let's get going. The pier is just ahead...

Now I'm going to have to ask...

What the heck are Prai and Rosetta doing here?

Heehee♪ Did already forget? You're my top priority target for observation, Melina. It is my job to watch you until the bitter end♪

Ugh... That's not the point.

*sniffle* Waaaaaahhhh! I just happened to be here to pick up supplies... And then I saw all of you here looking so serious! I had to check...

What a lucky coincidence... I guess we're all here.

Hmph! Too bad! We're not gonna let you sneak away so easily!

It's not as though I was planning to go alone.

Are you ready to go?

Clarte?!

Why hello, Aldo. And there's Thillelille, Prai, and Rosetta. And let's not forget Moke. I guess it's better that you all heard about this.

I tried to convince Melina to talk to you all, but she insisted on leaving without a word.

Wh-Wh-What were you doing on the ship, Clarte?! Y-You two are going to the central continent together?!

I said not to come, but Clarte's as stubborn as ever.

Hahah... You're mean, just like this certain girl that I know.

Waaaaaait a minute! Why is Clarte allowed to come with you, but not Thillelille?!

That's because you've got the church and these lands to protect...

Nguuuugh! Yes, this is unacceptable! And...and...Clarte too!

Me?

We were just reunited and you're going off again?

Aww, Thillelille. It's so sweet that you care so much about me...

Don't be so surprised! We ARE friends after all!

Hahah... You ARE correct.

I will miss you all.

So will we♪ You're a busy body, aren't you? Returning here only to depart a short time later.

And taking Melina with you...

Come on... Don't make Clarte sound like a kidnapper.

Oh, I had no intention of implying anything of the sort♪

Just remember that this is only "temporary," and you will return. This is your home and you're always welcome back. Please don't forget that.

*sob* Waaaahhh!

Rosetta... Prai...

Bliiip-blep... blipple...

Aww, Moke... Are you sad to see me leave? It hurts that I won't be able to see you for a while.

Blipple-bleep...blup...

Take care of Thillelille for me, will you? I'll be looking forward to hearing your courageous stories when I'm back. I'll always be thinking about you...

Bliiip-blep blipple!

Hate to ruin the moment, but why would Moke take care of Thillelille instead of the other way round?!

It's time.

Prai. I trust you'll always find the right path to take.

Sister Melina...

Rosetta. You'll be sorry if you follow me over to the central continent.

Heehee♪ No promises♪

Aldo. I don't doubt I'll see you sooner than later.

You got that right.

Thillelille...

......

I think I've already said enough to you.

Good bye, everyone. Let's get going, Clarte.

Take care, my friends.

Thillelille...

......

Melinaaaaa! Goooood luuuuck! Thillelille will always be your friend, no matter where you are! Stay stroooong! Alsoooo... I'll write to youuuu! You better write back!

As long as the letter's not too long...

......

Good for you, Sister Thillelille.

*sniffle* Thanks...

We can go buy some nice paper for letters on the way home.

Okay...

She might be on another continent, but we're all connected.

I think so too, don't you, Thillelille?

Okay...

Thillelille thinks so too. It doesn't matter where she is... Or how far apart we are.

The pointy end of the sword in my heart will always aim the same way.