Shouldering The Sword of Light

Figured I'd stop by to see how Deirdre and everyone was doing since it's been a while, but, uh... Maybe I came at a bad time?

Aldo?

What brought you all the way to this time layer? Not trouble, I hope?

Hey Radias! Nah, no trouble. Just wanted to see how everyone was doing.

Too kind as always, Aldo. But I appreciate the fact you consider me a friend off the battlefield as well.

Of course!

And since you're here, you mind talking some sense into Radias for me?

Bria?! What are you doing here? What do you mean, Radias seems perfectly sensible?

The order has undergone many changes. These days, we make appearances even here in Miglance. By "sense", I'm referring to the Royal Knights. Without a leader, they're in complete disarray. Hence the chaos you see before you.

I see... The Deirdre from this world really is gone, then.

Will you truly not succeed her, Radias? The people would welcome you with open arms. She even gave you armor, one to match her own.

"Succeed"? "Matching armor"? You don't mean...

I refuse. That armor might as well be the symbol of Paladin Anabel. There are those who would balk at its sight.

I suppose you are right. I spoke out of turn.

Think nothing of it.

Not sure I follow, but... Radias, you could get the Royal Knights back on their feet. You're more than capable. Why refuse?

...... I'm unfit for the task. I couldn't even stop the blade that struck down my father. And with the beasts... I should've done something to stop my sister from her rampage in the first place.

You know thats...

I don't have what it takes to serve as commander of the Royal Knights. And for that, I continue to atone. All I can do to protect the souls that live on...is fight.

So there you have it. I once more renounce the title of Commander of the Royal Knights. Besides, aren't you more suited to the role, Bria?

Hardly... I have enough on my plate as it is without having to attend to this Tempered Arms business.

Did you just say Tempered Arms?

Lady Radias! Lady Bria!

What is it?

I'll go. Bria, I leave the palace to you.

You mind if I join?

I was hoping you'd say that. Aldo, you really...

Are too kind? Can't leave well enough alone? Always sticking my nose in things? Yeah. I know. Let's hurry!

You're the messenger? What news do you bring?

Aye. A report regarding the Tempered Arms.

What?!

Sir Radias, your orders?

...... Send word to Bria as well. From this point onward, the Royal Knights should defer to her on this matter.

And what will you do, sir?

I...have other business to attend to. Relay this as well. She will understand.

Yes, sir!

That's quite the serious expression you're making. What did he say?

The tempered arms were stolen in transit.

Hmm... That must have been what Bria was talking about, then.

Yes. But the situation is much more dire than she let on. They were since broken down for parts, and sent to beast rebels hiding at the Serena Coast.

What?! Then that means...the beastfolk intend to use them?!

So it would seem. If I recall correctly, that shipment contained a considerable amount. If the beastfolk managed to get a hold of them...

And managed to build even greater weapons... The damage would be unfathomable.

Of course, this is mere speculation, but we can't afford to take any chances. Aldo, let's head to the Serena Coast. We need to retrieve those weapons!

Right! There's no time to waste. The last thing we want is another war on our hands!

Precisely.

Then what are we waiting for? To the Serena Coast!

Is this the place?

That's everything. Time to get outta h...

Halt! Where do you think you're going?

Royal Knights?! How'd they sniff me out?

Radias, over there! There's a small craft in the harbor, chock full of Tempered Arms!

Do you intend to spark war in Miglance with those weapons?

Who's asking?

...... King Miglance and Princess Altena signed a peace treaty. Your careless actions here tarnish her good name.

Hah! A "peace treaty"? Nothing more than pretty words. All it amounts to us beastfolk bowing down to you rotten humans. And her "good name"? I'll run it through the mud as much as I like.

Altena, the Beast King... Anyone who brands our kind as losers is nothing more than a cowardly traitor.

Say that again, I dare you!

...... We...

We stole something precious from you, did we not?

What?

If you understand that much, then surely you also understand why I can't let you stop me. My wife, my child, both taken from me by ruthless humans.

So I'll tell you what. Come back when that little piece of paper of yours can bring me back my family. When it can fix all the death and destruction you caused. When it can sooth the raging fire in my heart and the blackened hate corrupting my soul.

I...

I hear you, but I am still obligated to stop you. More fighting will simply lead to more needless deaths, more wounds... So I must do everything in my power to stop you.

.........

Wait a second... I know you. Why do I know you...

No! It can't be! The right hand of Anabel?!

What?

Yes, how could I forget! The right-hand to the bringer of death! You human scum! Trying to placate me with those hollow words... Lies... All of it! Don't think I don't know how many beastfolk you killed. Meeting you here... It must be my lucky day!

Crap! Tempered arms!

I won't allow you to get in my way. I will avenge my kin. And bring back your heads as souvenirs.

Wait!

Damn! The boat is getting away!

Not only that, he's heading straight for Miglance Castle!

Radias, if we don't stop him...

No... The angle is off. If he's trying to activate that many Tempered Arms... Then he must be sailing to the Beast King's Castle. I'll head there at once.

The Beast King's Castle?! I don't understand...

But I'm going too! It's too dangerous to go alone!

Forgive me, Aldo.

...No, don't apologize. But shouldn't we at least call for reinforcements?

Judging from his behavior, it'd be best to keep our numbers low. That said, there is no room for error. Please...lend me your strength.

Always! Let's make haste, to the castle!

There should be a boat at Rinde we can take to get there.

We made it! He really...

Hm?

Woah. What in the...

The castle is on fire? But why would they do this? It's just like...

No... Our first priority is finding that beast! Come on, Aldo!

After you! First, a path to the castle!

Look!

Those must be his buddies.

No more! Doing this won't bring back all those we have lost!

What are you, a human sympathizer?! You worthless cowards! Why don't you twiddle your thumbs and leave the fighting to us REAL beastfolk! Don't try and stop us!!!

Oh, so we should just sit by and watch while you start another war?! Do you know how many lives were lost, how many deliberations were had, for us to reach this ceasefire?! Our dead are never coming back! What reason is there for us to destroy the peace they so desperately longed for?

He's right! We have long wished to laugh alongside humans, rather than fight them. Yet you would trample on that wish, finally granted? Even more, you would light fire to the castle with Princess Altena and our allies inside?! You call us traitors, but look at yourselves.

Pah! Altena and the Beast King have long stopped serving us. They bow before the humans, making a mockery of us beastfolk! It is only right we burn their symbol of power, before the humans do it themselves!!!

What treachery is this?!

A dispute?

......

I cannot allow any more souls to be lost to this conflict. I shall settle this. Stay here.

Hah! To think even us beastfolk cannot come to a consensus. Try as we might, we can never co-exist with the humans. Though we share the same blood, if you dare side with them, I shall cut you down where you stand! Let's end this, once and for all!!!

Grrr... If it's a fight you want, then a fight it shall be! This is our last stand, for all our fallen brethren and the world they wished to see realized!

Who are you?!

Lokido?!

Heh. The fact that you remember my name after the minor role I played speaks well of you.

"Minor role"?! From what I heard, you were our saving grace in the last war.

Well, this is hardly the time for semantics.

Their ringleader must be up ahead. Leave this lot to me.

Lokido!

You have my thanks. However, I ask that no blood be spilled today.

Understood. Now go!

Right!

H-have you come to join our ranks?

The blood that runs through these veins is half beast and half human. But it is not my blood which determines where I choose to lend my strength.

Which future do I seek to grasp? THAT is my guiding light!

Woah what the...

The Sword of Hope trembles... I sense a colossal elemental above us.

What's an elemental doing here?!

I have a bad feeling about this... This way! It can't be far!

Right!

Agh...nngh...

Hahaha! The cowardly princess can't do anything to stop me. No surprise there. You... If you and your warriors hadn't been so weak... We wouldn't have been at the mercy of Anabel... And there would be no reason to overlook our kind's fury and sign a wretched treaty!

...I'm sorry.

What was that?

I'm sorry... Those feelings you harbor won't subside. But I... Rather than amplify those voices of fury... I wished to quell the cries of sorrow. I wanted to find if such a future was possible, for both my people and my friends. Though you may n...

Silence!

Radias?!

Princess Altena, are you all right?

Forgive me for not arriving sooner.

Haha! So you finally arrived... The right-hand of Anabel.

Yes. We can finally settle this.

I offer you my sincerest apologies.

Wha, ?

You spoke of hatred, of rage and despair that won't go away. You spoke well. The wounds of those who have been oppressed do not heal so easily.

Speaking not as a knight, but as myself. As Radias... I find it arrogant and obscene that we should preach to you about forgiveness.

.........

I have committed sins that I can never take back. As her second in command, my sister's sins are also my own. As meaningless as apologies are... Please, I implore you, as brazen as that may be... Do not take out your anger on the beastfolk who reside in this castle, or those who long for peace.

Please, do not involve them, and refrain from igniting another war. I beg of you.

Radias...

What are you... I...

What is the meaning of this?! You, Altena... Why?! How dare you say spout such cruelty! I don't want your apologies! I... I...

What is happening?!

It was you! The source of the elemental power!

You strengthened the Tempered Arms with your power?!

Right you are. With that, my weapon is complete! Now, the Beast King's Castle, Unigan... ALL shall fall before me! Trampled on, my loved ones ripped from my arms... Nothing shall lift this hatred but obliterating all those who have wronged me!

You!

Seethe, human! Scream at the sky and plead! Yes, show me the hatred in your eyes... As you get on your knees and perish!

We did it! We stopped it!

.........

I don't extinguish that easily. There is still much left for me to do here. Atonement, rebuilding... Securing a brighter future for everyone, without fail. My hope is tha...

"Hope"?

What?!

You must think so highly of yourself, speaking of hope and ideals. It just goes to show, the worlds you and I live in...

Are completely at odds.

No... It can't be!

Sis?! No, something's...wrong.

Hahaha! The irony, right? Even I was surprised... What you see before you is not just mine, but all beastfolk's resentment, their sorrow... Manifested as their most hated foe.

So? Chop chop, paladin. Heed the orders of beastkind, which you loathe above all else, and destroy those humans!

Nngh!

Radias!

Guh!

Aldo!

Hahaha... Such power. You see that? THAT is the strength of our hatred. The ferocity of our grief. Can you handle it? Can you see this and still speak of hope? Well? Can you, human?!

Tell me, because I'm dying to know...

.........

Radias!

Whether I can handle it matters little. I WILL handle it. No matter the feeling or form it takes. For that is the nature of my duty. And I am prepared to see it through.

Look into my eyes. Peer into them deep, and bear witness to the fire burning within.

Wh-What are you, ?

(You may not be my sister, but...) (The reason you take her form... I will not shy away from it any longer.) (So right here, right now, I shall vanquish your shadow...) (And put everything on the line for a future where everyone is at peace!)

(Sword of Hope, light the way!)

Hah... Hah...

You did it... You actually stopped her...

I... I don't possess a single word that could make things right.

So, in her place...

I offer you this light. The fire that burns my soul. It may not be much, but... I will dedicate my all.

...... Uhng...

Nghh... Sniffle... Mngh... Uuaaaghhh!

Thank you for your report. You did well, Radias.

You are too kind, Your Majesty. I sincerely apologize for my selfish conduct at the time. I was even unable to prevent Princess Altena from injury...

The princess asked that you not blame yourself, Radias.

I, Yes, Your Majesty.

And Aldo... It seems I am once more in your debt. Why don't you and Radius take a well-deserved rest?

Thank you, Your Highness. If you'll excuse me, I think I'll do just that.

Hm? What is it, Radias?

Your Majesty. There is something I wish to speak with you about.

.........

Sorry I'm late.

Radias! No worries. Those bags...are you going somewhere?

Yes, I received permission from the king to once more roam these lands as a mercenary. It's the for the best. Or...

No, whether it is the best course of action, I cannot say. All I know is that it is the path I wish to take.

Earlier...I had no answer for their ringleader. Aside from him, there are countless other beasts who have suffered at the hands of my sister and myself. Each one with wounds that can never be healed... In pain as surely as he was today.

I wish to hear their stories. Not as a Royal Knight, but who I was before... A mercenary.

That's wonderful.

I'm not worried about the Royal Knights. If anything should happen, I'll come running. Plus...

I hear their new commander is quite formidable. As is their promising new recruit.

Good grief... You really are persistent. But when you came to me with your request, I could hardly say no.

Isn't that right, new recruit?

Hmph... You're a curious one. Nevertheless, I will do my utmost to fulfill this duty you have entrusted me with.

You have my thanks.

The road before us won't be easy. It requires a strong leader to unite us. And as for your role, well... You are the only one capable of such a task.

You wish to pave a new path forward, within and without the Royal Knights, together.

Precisely. I leave the knights to you, Bria, Lokido.

Rest assured, they will be in tip-top shape by the time I'm through with them. For your return, that is.

Wha, !

...Heh. I see I'm not the only persistent one.

It's a promise. Once I have listened to the hardships of both man and beast, and have found my purpose... I shall dedicate this sword to their service.