Fading Into Light

How could this be happening?

Why is everyone gathering around the palace? Is there an event going on or something?

This year's memorial service is looking much more crowded than last year's.

Well, we may have won the war, but the capital did get attacked. We have so many more victims to mourn.

Oh, it's the memorial service already? Back in Baruoki, we just say a little prayer at home, but I guess it's a grander affair in the capital.

There you are.

Miyu? You look different somehow. Why the new look?

Huh? You know who I am?!

Well, yeah. Why are you so surprised?

Because I'm not disguised as traveling swordswoman-Miyu! And yet you still recognized me.

Disguised? You may look a little different, but of course I can still tell it's you.

So what makes your traveling swordswoman Miyu disguise so different from this?

My hair, obviously! I've always found that if I change my hair, it changes my whole look. If I change my hair style, I can sneak out of the castle without the handmaidens noticing. It's incredibly useful.

Right... Well, you look more mature and pretty today, so maybe people won't notice?

Honestly, Aldo! You can't go saying things like that! People might get the wrong idea!

Anyway, if you're not disguised as a traveling swordswoman today, does that mean you're here as a princess?

Yes. At the ceremony's end, my father and I must swear before Saint Merry's mirror and pouch, to protect the kingdom.

And who's Saint Merry?

You haven't heard of her? This whole service is derived from the legend of Saint Merry, the patron saint of devotion.

Oh, really? I'm not very good with names. Especially not for saints and the like.

Teehee. In that case, would you like me to tell you the legend?

I'd love that.

Merry had but poor eyesight, yet traveled the world, helping those in need. One day, she arrived at a particular kingdom... It had been ravaged by civil war, burning for years on end. She saw the shadows of people who had died yet still fought on. So she prayed to her thunder pouch to bring light, thus weakening the shadows... She then sealed them within her mirror.

The people fought even after they had died? That's so sad.

Merry's devotion resonated with the people, and has been carried down to the present... In the form of this memorial service. Saint Merry is as popular as the Paladin, Anna, and many choose to name their children after them... ......

Miyu? What's wrong?

Oh, sorry. I went a little blank there. Umm, where was I?

Oh, that's right. I was going to tell you about the pouch she used to bring light to the city. It's said that the god of thunder sleeps within this pouch I'm wearing at my waist. She used some of its power...

Hey! What are you doing?! That's a sacred artifact of our kingdom, not some trinket for just anyone to manhandle!

What's all the commotion up ahead?

A thief?!

Sorry, I'll tell you the rest later. I've got to follow that person.

I'll come with you. An extra pair of hands might help!

Thanks. Then let's go through the east gate to Serena Coast. We might just be able to catch them!

This ol' piece of junk is cultural heritage? I just can't get my head around how such a small town can put so much value in this one li'l thing. This amount of money, it could help so many people. Prevent so many needless deaths.

Got you!

How could you steal an artifact used to mourn the souls of the dead?! How could you be so heartless? Give it back this instant!

It's you? I never thought they'd send out the princess herself to catch a mere thief. You may look all elegant and regal today, but you're still as reckless and righteous as ever. Ain't ya, Miyu?

Huh?

You know Miyu?

Of course. She is the princess, after all. And... She used to be my friend.

Merry?! How are you here? I thought you were...

Dead? Well, today is the day of the memorial service. Maybe I'm a ghost out for revenge?

You don't look like one. You look very much alive to me.

Well, yeah. It was a joke. She looked like she'd seen a ghost, so I thought I'd play along.

So you really are Merry. I can't believe you're alive...

Bet you preferred me dead, didn't you? Penniless, jobless, homeless piece of trash that I am. A blight on the whole country.

Of course not! There's no one in this world I would wish dead!

You naive, foolish little girl. When the beasts attacked Unigan, you didn't save us. The knights told us to hide in our houses, but we had no houses to hide in. I can't even count how many friends I lost.

I'm so sorry...

And what do you think the city folk said about my murdered friends? "About time they dropped dead." "Serves 'em right. They deserved it." "What a mess. This'll be a pain to clean." Whatever your own feelings are, that's how most people think of us.

I could never begin to understand the pain you and your friends went through. But whatever other people say, I'm telling you the truth when I say I'm glad that you're alive!

If you're truly glad, then let me go. With the money from this, I could buy a house, and food. I could be happy.

Surely there's a way to get money that doesn't involve stealing? I don't doubt that you've had a tough life. But that doesn't make it okay to steal.

He's right. I can't overlook your crime. It wouldn't be fair to others in your situation who stick to the law. And temporary charity cannot save you in any true sense. I know that all too well.

......

Give me back the mirror. Please.

Then we can try to work out how to save everyone, together. Because I do want to help you, truly.

You haven't changed a bit. You're more beautiful than any, same as you were that day you turned up in the wrong side of town. When I'm with you, it's all too obvious what a lowly, rotten person I am.

Merry?

Stop it! I feel so wretched when I'm with you! I always have! So wretched, wretched, wretched!

Oops...

The mirror...

Your memorial service is so stupid! You ignore those of us livin' in poverty, yet hold a big ceremony for a bunch of dead people! If you can do that, then why can't you help the livin'?! Because you don't care, that's why!

Merry...

Miyu... Are you all right?

She said you used to be friends.

Thank you, but you don't need to worry about me. I'm fine.

What's important right now is that we tell everyone waiting in Unigan that we got the mirror back. It may have been smashed, but that doesn't change its legend, nor the prayers of Saint Merry held within.

We're back. Open the gate.

Shadows? What are you talking about? The only shadows here belong to me and Aldo.

Miyu. Do you hear all that noise coming from the city?

Now that you mention it...

No! Stay away from me!

Run! Get inside!

Sounds like something bad is happening through there!

You there! Open the gate this instant!

If there's danger, then all the more reason why I can't stay here! My sword is meant to protect my people! I can't cower in safety while my beloved people are in crisis!

If you don't open the gate, then I'll just have to climb the castle walls!

Please, just open the gate. I want to help them in whatever way I can.

I appreciate the warning.

Let's go, Aldo!

What the-?

How could this be happening?

What are they? And wasn't it daytime before we came through the gate?

(Don't let this get to you. Stay calm. Try to work out what we can do.)

Hey!

Princess Mufilleux! You're back!

Soira! I'm so glad to see you! What's going on here?! What are those dark shadows? The knight at the castle gate said they appeared out of nowhere?

Yes. The sky suddenly turned red, and then those shadows descended on the town. All I really know about them right now is that they start attacking as soon as they see people. And, worryingly, though their attacks work against us, ours don't work against them.

Your attacks don't work? So you can only defend?

Right. There is little we can do aside from fending off the enemy and bringing civilians to safety. The spearmen are trying to buy us as much time as possible.

Somebody! Help!

Someone's been left behind! Let's go!

I hope Princess Mufilleux will be okay. She only seems to have her ceremonial lance...

Understood. I'm on my way.

It will be fine. Aldo's there to help, and Princess Mufilleux will prioritize civilian safety over her own. Please, stay safe you two.

Oh no, they're still followin' us! And the spear I picked up before bounced right off 'em. Stay close to me, okay, you two?

O-Okay...

The honorable knights ain't gonna protect us low folks. So I'll have to...

Get away from them!

What are you doing here?

Merry! I'm so glad you're okay. Don't worry, we came to save you.

......

But what do we do? Our attacks won't work, and it's a dead-end. How are they going to escape?

Even if our attacks don't work, we can at least buy them time to get away. I'll bait them over, and Aldo, you lead them to safety in the meantime.

What are you talking about? You're a princess!

I am. But I'm not going to let anything happen to you!

Oppressive rule? Starvation? What are they talking about?

I don't know either. And as much as I'd love to find out, we've got more important things to worry about!

Looks like our attacks really don't work after all.

No. But there are civilians behind us. We cannot back out.

So they hate the royal family? I don't know which king from which era you're talking about, but I'm royalty, too. So your enemy is right here! Take your anger out on me!

Huh?

The lance is glowing...

Is this your power?

Thank you... I will gladly accept this power.

You bear quite the grudge against royalty, it seems. But if you intend to harm any of my beloved citizens, I will spare you no mercy.

Your attack worked?!

I did it! I defeated it!

Are you three all ri, Oh?

My power, it's...

Miyu!

You idiot! Why did you come to save us? You should've just left us. Why did you...

(I'm glad I was able...to save you...this time...)

And thus, Orleya saved the fortress.

Whoa! Did you see the way Orleya handled that flag?! Did the real Orleya do that, too? Did she lead her people and protect the kingdom?

Using flags as weapons was not unheard of during the Thunder King's era, due to supply shortages.

Princess, that was just a stage show. The real Orleya would have used a different weapon.

I-I know that! But it's even written in the history books that she fought bravely to protect her kingdom and its people. I wanna be just like her! I wanna help my people...

Heh, I finally made it out into the city! Thought I'd never escape Felmina's watchful eye. I'm so excited to explore the city incognito! It's just like the "Princess's Day Off" I read the other day.

I wonder how my people live. I can't wait to hear what everyone has to say!

I know Bertrand told her not to leave the castle, but even a princess needs a break every once in a while. She's been working so hard ever since she saw the show about Orleya. She really wants to be like her someday.

So I've been stuck in Unigan for a week now due to some beast sightings along the Serena Coast. The Knights said they'd deal with them, but they haven't done anything about it yet. I know they're busy, but still...

I can't help but feel they're putting it off because I'm a foreigner from another kingdom. *sigh* It's nearly my kid's birthday. Will I ever make it back to my own country?

*hiccup* Day drinking is the best drinking. It makes me feel so alive. All my problems just melt away.

Hey, what're you lookin' at? Get outta here! Everyone looks down on me! You think I'm worthless, don'tcha? Yeah, well I know that already!

Ugh. Market taxes are going up again. How much of my earnings must they take before they're finally happy? I'm barely making enough to survive as it is.

It's a death sentence in all but name, this tax. They're milking us dry. What do they think we are, cattle? And the nobility use the money they steal from us for their lavish parties. The king and the knights don't care about us lowly folk one bit. *sigh* We can't go on like this.

What is going on?

Everyone in the castle says that Father's reign is the best there's ever been... Yet so many people seem to be suffering. Was everyone I spoke to just unlucky? Or perhaps...

Ah!

Oops, my bad. Wasn't looking where I was goin'.

No, it was my fault. I was so lost in thought, I wasn't paying attention.

Y'know, you should never apologize at a time like this.

Huh?

You're a sitting duck. Easy prey. People might start demandin' money off you, that kinda thing.

What was that about a duck? I don't really understand what you're saying, but I was in the wrong.

That's exactly what I'm talkin' about. Don't be so weak, or else people'll take advantage of you. That man walked into you on purpose.

Why would he do that?

To steal your valuables, obviously.

M-My hairpin!

Hey! When did you...

I swiped it when we brushed past each other. You're off your game, old man.

Hey, don't take my spoils! I saw it first!

Oof...

Yeah, well it's not yours, it belongs to this easy mark of a girl right here. Pretty bold of you to claim this stolen good as your own. So are you gonna let this go? If not, I could always call over my friends...

Argh! You'll regret this!

Here. Now hold on tight to it this time. We don't want anyone else tryin' to steal it, do we? If you're not careful around here, they'll take you for everythin' you've got.

Thank you for returning it to me.

You ain't gotta thank someone like me. Folks here would take advantage of that kindness to steal your money.

But you don't look like you'd do that...

Looks can be deceivin'. If I'm near starvin' to death, I ain't gonna think twice about stealin'. You gotta do what you gotta do.

Why would you steal? There's plenty of fruit and vegetables at the market.

If we could afford to buy 'em, we would.

But I heard the townsfolk all had jobs to provide them with a living. Is that not so?

Yeah, we've got jobs. Not that jobs for street rats like us are any good.

Street rats?

You ain't heard that term before? It's what homeowners call people like us. 'Cause we're vermin that live on the streets.

......

Now that you know, best keep away from these parts in the future. It ain't a place for privileged folks like you.

Hm...

They have no place to live and no food to eat. I never knew there were people like that in Unigan. I wonder if Father knows about this... ......

No, there's no way! If he knew, he'd help them! He'd never abandon his people! Father's so busy with his duties, he just mustn't have the time to visit the city.

Then I'll have to help the townsfolk in his stead! I'll put a smile on all of their faces!

Wait!

I thought I told you not to come here.

I'm sorry. But there's something I have to ask you. But first, what's your name? My name is Mufi...Miyu.

What a cute name. You must come from a good family. I'm Merry. Like that saint or knight or whatever she was. It's a pretty common name around here.

So what did you want to ask? I'm guessin' you didn't come all this way just to ask my name?

Merry, was it? Well, I was wondering if you could tell me about the town? I want to know what life is really like here, for you and all the people who live here.

And why d'you wanna know that?

I was brought up in a kind of...sheltered environment. I didn't know about the pain and suffering everyone went through here... And I hate the thought of being ignorant of other people's struggles!

Well, you sound sincere enough. Sure. You can hang out with me whenever you're free.

Really? Thank you so much, Merry!

So, where d'ya wanna go today?

You don't need to take me anywhere this time.

Then why'd you come? You got nothin' better to be doing?

Well, I do have a full day of studying and training, but I can spare a little time. When we went to the market before, you mentioned that you were born this time of year.

So I really wanted to give you something...

Please, take this.

What is it? A hairpin? With a blue gem in it and everythin'. Musta' been expensive.

I thought it would look pretty on you, so I got someone in the castle to make it.

I don't need it. I was really startin' to like you, but I guess you don't see me that way. I'm just a charity case to you, huh?

Charity case? No! Not at all! I just wanted to make you happy.

With this?

Yes! When it's your friend's birthday, isn't it customary to give them a gift?

Your friend? Me? But I'm lowly filth, no better than a rat in the sewers.

No, you're my friend! I always look forward to the next time we'll see each other. I always wonder what we'll talk about next, and what I could do to make you happy. I read in a book that this kind of relationship is known as "friendship." Was I wrong?

Can't help you there. I can't read, so fancy things like books're beyond me. But... We're friends, right? Well, if that's your reason, I guess I can accept your gift.

Oh, thank you so much!

Why're you thanking me? You really are strange.

......

Huh? She's not here today?

Hey, miss. Wouldn't go there if I were you.

Thank you for your concern. But it's not such a scary place. I've been here a dozen times already. And other than my first visit, nothing's ever happened. Everyone's so kind...

Some guy came by yesterday and attacked a girl who lived by the well. She was roughly your age. The guy stole her hairpin and stabbed her with a knife.

Huh?

Mind you, she probably stole it herself. But you wear something like that round here, it's gonna get stolen.

No! She's no thief! I gave her that hairpin!

What happened to her? She survived the attack, right? Tell me she's still alive!

No doctor would ever go near a mangy street rat like her. Not that she could afford treatment anyway. And I heard they found a body in one of the back streets.

No... This can't be happening! I have to find her. I'll find her... And then...

Where are you, Merry?

Did you hear? They found another dead street rat in one of them back alleys.

It was a young girl, I hear. Stabbed in the belly, blood all over the place.

Huh?

I'm glad that's one less thief stealin' from my stall, I just wish it was under better circumstances.

Well, our sympathy ain't gonna change anything. Those street rats'll meet a miserable death sooner or later. Nothing we can do about it.

Sad though...

"Nothing we can do"? We're just supposed to turn a blind eye to these lives being lost, to these people being murdered? To Merry?

This is the world my people live in? This is their reality?

...... I'm so sorry, Merry. I really didn't understand you at all.

All right now, if you could stop your gossiping. You're disturbing the princess's studies.

Your Highness, what happened to her is not your fault. The world is full of things beyond our control. That's all there is to it. Now that you know the ways of the world, use it to change the kingdom for the better. Never give up. I know the dark side of this kingdom. There is something yet that I can do for you.

I guess this is goodbye. Farewell, my princess.

Hyaaah!

That's enough. Your Highness, swords and lances handle differently. You need a broader view for a lance than you do for a sword.

Haa... Lances really aren't easy. Maybe it's not the weapon for me. I tend to lose track of my surroundings when I'm focused. I mean, I didn't even notice that Felmina had gone...

You DO have it in you, Princess. I remember how your eyes lit up looking out from the steeple when you were little. But now you hide away in your room, burying your head in your books. You're no longer looking at the bigger picture.

Felmina was worried about you losing the perspective you once had, too. She didn't leave because she ran out of love for you or anything. She told me, she wants to do whatever she can for the princess who once saved her...

Felmina...

And it's not just Felmina. Myself, your father, and the others in the castle, we're all worried about you. The king likes to be kept updated on the goings on in town, so he is aware of what you went through.

Then he must also know about all the poor, the needy, the discontent?

The king wants to help as many of his people as he can. But he meets much resistance from the nobility and the masses. And in order to solve this problem, he needs to deploy as many trusted allies as possible throughout the kingdom.

Are you going, Bertrand?

In the many years since we first met, you have really matured. You don't need my or Felmina's help anymore. I would rather not stay in this castle, but instead go out and protect the kingdom. Both Felmina and I are really looking forward to seeing the new kingdom you create.

I forgot. You can't hear the people from inside the castle.

If I want to hear the people, I'll have to stand where they stand, see what they see. It was my ignorance that got Merry killed.

This time, I won't mess up. No one needs a princess who sulks away in her castle. I will be the sword to protect them.

Just you watch, Merry. A kingdom with no one left behind. You said it was a pipe dream... But I'm going to make it reality!

I have seen your memories. You are as earnest as Saint Merry. You are deserving of my help.

Who are you?

Me? I am a free-willed spirit weapon created long ago, in the distant heavens. For thousands of years, I have been passed from person to person, including the one you call Saint Merry. After Merry died, I was dormant, unable to find a master worthy of receiving my power... But how could I stay sleeping now that those shadows she once defeated have yet again been released to the world?

You recognize them?

I do. They're the remains of feelings once felt on this earth. Known by the child of man as residual thoughts. Merry weakened them and sealed them away in her mirror, yet you people went and smashed it.

You said she weakened them? So they can be defeated?

Well, yes. Strike enough light unto a shadow, such that no inch of darkness remains, and it will vanish. Merry used my thunder power to dispel them, though came away near blinded by the experience. But if you are ready, I will give you my power. The shadows are weakened now, and you might just banish them. But you mustn't delay. The longer you wait, the more thoughts they take in. Soon they'll be back to their original power.

The time to awaken is nigh. Be firm in your resolve.

You're awake! Are you okay?

Yes. I'm a little lightheaded, but nothing I can't handle. But anyway, listen! I know what those shadows are.

You do? But...how?

As far-fetched as this sounds, this little fellow told me all about it in a dream.

Basically, those dark shadows were sealed away in Saint Merry's mirror, but now they've been released again?

Yes. I think what's happening in Unigan is what Merry witnessed long ago.

And unless we do something about the shadows, they'll only get stronger and stronger.

So we need to stop them as soon as possible. And my pouch has promised to lend me the power to do so.

Are you sure about that? Last time you used your spear, you collapsed...

I know. But it will be fine.

I just wasn't used to the power before. I'm more prepared this time.

Liar.

Merry! Thank goodness you're okay! Are you injured at all?

Nope, me and the little kids're fine, all thanks to some reckless girl. But about those shadows... Surely you ain't gotta do nothin' about 'em?

No, I absolutely do. It's my duty to protect my people.

But the knights drew 'em away, into the castle.

The castle?

Yep. I guess they didn't want the town comin' to any more damage. Even the king's out fightin', leadin' the vanguard.

Father?

Aldo! We have to get to the castle and back them up!

Right. King Miglance and the Knights may be strong, but if their attacks don't work, what hope do they have?

Will you give me your power, so that I can protect everyone?

Thank you! Let's get rid of these shadows!

You'll come back, right? You won't vanish like you did before?

I won't. I promise. I have years and years of things I want to tell you! When I get back, let's talk.

Let's go, Aldo.

Okay, that's all of them lured into the castle now, at least. But my sword's not even scratching them! King Miglance really shouldn't be taking them on by himself!

Everyone! Are you okay?

Hm? You... Are you here as reinforcements? We've just cleaned up this area.

You defeated the shadows?

If only. All we could do was chase them inside the castle.

Oh... Do you happen to know where King Miglance is?

The king? I saw him baiting a huge shadow upstairs, but I don't know what happened after that. If you go looking for him, be wary. Those shadows...have gone from human form to beast form. Curses and grudges grow when they consume their own kind. You'd best prepare yourselves.

Thank you for the warning.

So here we are, facing off against each other once more. What an unlikely turn of events.

Curious. He resembles someone I once fought, yet talks like another.

Please withdraw, Your Majesty. Their power is much stronger than before.

I cannot do that. This individual has some obsession with royalty. If I withdraw, he might attack my people in search of me.

Phew! Looks like we made it in time!

Are you all right?

What are you doing here?

Sorry we're late. We came to clear the darkness hanging over Unigan. Father, Lakhesis, please. Let us handle this.

But Princess Mufilleux, our attacks are completely ineffective against them.

I know that. But I have a way to quell their power.

Please, give me your power once more.

Your power is far too great for me. But... I am ready to do what must be done in order to protect my people!

You're seeing others in our place. What you see isn't the real us.

I won't pretend to understand the pain you have been through. Doing so would only sound like lip service to those of you who lost your lives.

But I want to tell you, people don't have to fight. We can share! People can choose to live in a giving world, as Saint Merry did.

Maybe not yet. But we can still change that. I will make it, if it's the last thing I do!

Rest in peace. No one will take anything more from you now.

Miyu, are you okay?

Yes. And look! The sky, the castle, everything's gone back to normal.

It was all an illusion they created.

Or a memory, maybe. Of the civil war, the last thing they ever saw.

Mufilleux... How strong you are now.

Father!

A world where all are equal, whether royalty, nobility, or common folk. A place many dream of, but none could make reality. If anyone can make it happen, it's you.

I mustn't give up on it, either. When you abandon your ideals as impossible, it is the people who end up hurt.

And so I cannot give up. Though I am but a figurehead these days, my love for my people hasn't changed.

And so I cannot give up. It is my duty to protect the people, as well as my own personal wish.

Yes. However difficult the road ahead may be, this dream will someday... Come...true...

Miyu!

Honestly. She tries to act all brave, and then she goes and does this. Lakhesis, can I trust you to deliver a message to the men? Tell them that their future queen has completely dispelled the dark clouds that enshrouded our kingdom.

Yes, Your Majesty. I will be sure to tell them.

Aldo, could I ask you to accompany me while I bring this little hero to the inn? I'd like to ask you about the adventures she has been on. Not as a king, but as her father.

I'd be happy to. I'll tell you all about how much she's helped us, and how many people she's saved along the way.

Your Majesty, would you be so kind as to close the ceremony?

No... Today, Mufilleux should speak, not me.

Huh?

You are the one who returned the ghosts attacking Unigan to the garden of heaven. Everyone will want to hear from you.

Understood.

First, I'm so very happy that none of you were hurt during yesterday's attack on the capital.

It's all thanks to you risking your life to protect us, Princess!

Thank you for getting rid of those dark shadows!

...... There's something I want to tell you. Those ghosts were once people, just like you. They lived ordinary lives.

They died of poverty and persecution, after which their hatred transformed them into shadows who kept on fighting. There is still a possibility that we too will create people like them. Ignoring it, keeping it hidden in the back of our minds. We might end up making the same mistake all over again.

......

......

Now that we are ruled by a parliament instead of monarchy, we need your help to improve the kingdom. I'll do all I can, as a princess and an individual, to create a country in which no one need live in despair. So give me your wisdom, that we may create this new nation.

I want to create a country in which as many people as possible can live happy lives. So I want to hear your voices within the castle walls. I want to know what makes you happy or sad. Give me your wisdom, so that we can create a country where everyone has a smile on their face.

So that's what happened. Honestly, it was so mean of him, making me give a speech in front of everyone, completely out of the blue! If he'd at least given me a little warning, I would have given a better speech.

Heehee.

Hey, I'm being serious here! Why are you laughing?

It's just kinda funny to see a princess complain about her father in a back alley like this. Though, nothing's ever gonna beat the sight of King Miglance carrying you all the way to the inn on his back.

Can't you forget about that? If word gets round about this, I'll be so embarrassed!

But it would make everyone so happy...

Well I was passed out, so I don't remember it at all. Was it really that funny?

It's not that... It's just to us commonfolk, kings and princesses are meant to be these god-like figures. They hold lavish parties every day, they never wear the same dress twice. They live lives of luxury.

But that's a misconception! Our banquets are modest, and I wear my favorite dresses over and over again!

That's how you are. But I... Whenever I was with you, I felt like I was dirty or something. Like I was never good enough. I was miserable.

It's terrible, I know. But now, it's kinda a relief to see that you're just an ordinary family. You're no different from the rest of us.

You and I are the same. We stand in the same place, see the same things, speak the same language. It makes me sad to be misunderstood by my friend, but it makes me happy when I'm with them. Is that not how you feel?

No, it is. I feel the same way.

I'm so glad to hear that.

Imagine a country where everyone can proudly stand in the sun... Never envying, never looking down on anyone. That's what I hope to create someday. And I'd really love your help with it.

Then I guess I've gotta do my part... But if you want my help, you've really gotta see this through, okay?

Of course! I've never been good at knowing when to quit, anyway!