What A Vow Means

Whoa! Look at her!

So pretty!

She looks like a princess!

Such beauty, such grace!

I wonder which noble household she belongs to.

Everyone seems to be staring a lot more than usual today.

Teehee! Everyone seems transfixed by her. Her beauty took even my breath away.

Hey, Orleya!

Huh?

Where'd she go? Aha!

Orleya, you know I can see you, right?

Eep!

Stop hiding and get out here!

I-I don't wanna... I wanna go home.

Hey, you're the one who said you wanted to go out!

I-I know, but...

Ugh...

Who was it who said she wanted to find accessories to go with this dress?

M-Me...

Well, you're not going to get that done by hiding behind every tree. Come on, the merchant is stopped just up ahead. Let's go.

B-But...

What's wrong? You weren't this scared the last time you came to Unigan.

I-I know. But everyone's staring at me... I don't like it.

Well, this is a bit flashier than your usual outfit, it's true.

It does really suit you, though.

I-I'm glad you think so, but it's the standing out part that I don't like. Maybe I should just change back into my regular clothes.

You can't! How will you know which accessories go with your outfit unless you're wearing it?

Ugh, this is so unfair! How come YOU get to be in disguise?

W-Well I...um...

Ah, I thought I heard voices. Are you looking for anything today?

Ooh, you're the traveling merchant, right? Perfect timing!

She's looking for an accessory to go with her dress.

Oh, I'm sure I can help you there! It is a lovely dress if you don't mind me saying.

Eeeahhh...

Teehee. Sounds like someone's excited!

Now come on over, take a look! We have pieces sourced from far and wide. I'm sure you'll find something you like. Go ahead, try some things on!

I, um...

*sigh*

What's wrong, Miyu? Why'd you sigh like that?

I was just thinking... I knew she wouldn't change overnight, but...

How about we start with these earrings?

O-o-okay...!

She acted so cool during the Sacred Rite of Succession. But now look at her.

Yeah, I remember her whole "none shall perish" speech. She seemed so dignified...

I had such high hopes.

Haaahhh...

Gorgeous! What do you think?

Um, um, um...

I thought perhaps she might be able to hold onto some of that fierce presence, but...

Yeah, she's still the same old Orleya as far as I can see. Still, maybe something's changed inside of her?

Um, miss? Miss? Hello?

......

She...fainted? Standing up?

Not again!

I guess we pushed her too hard, too soon.

Let's find someplace to rest until she wakes back up, I suppose.

Yeah... The tavern's nearby.

Phew! Now this is better! Why was everybody staring at me in that dress? Did I look strange? I did, didn't I?

Not at all!

Of course, you look wonderfully gallant in your usual outfit too...

But you were absolutely lovely in that dress! You were radiant on another level! You looked legendary!

Oh my gosh, stop, Miyu! You know I don't like compliments! You're embarrassing me...

Oops. Sorry...

So you think I look gallant, do you?

Sometimes! Only sometimes!

A-anyway! What prompted you to go looking for accessories, anyway?

Oh, that...

Victory is ours, yet again! Bring it on, ogres, we'll beat you any time!

Yeah! Wow, I can't believe how well you fought, Orleya!

R-really? I'm still so nervous from making that speech, I don't remember basically anything else...

Don't be so humble, Orleya! C'mon let's go celebrate!

I-I think I might pass... I should go train.

I need to be stronger if I'm to keep my vow...

......

Do you really need to be wound so tight? The end is in sight, you know? We'll have beaten the ogres for good in a season or two.

W-We don't know that! We can't ever let our guards down! Not ever!

We're not letting our guards down. There's word there's going to be a huge battle against the ogres soon, after all. But what good is getting tense going to do us, eh? Why not rest up when we have the chance?

Yeah! Let's focus on how many medals we're all gonna get after the war's all done with!

You might even get a commendation from the Thunder King himself, Orleya.

Y-You think?

Do you have any fancy clothes fit for an award ceremony, actually?

Yeah! Grandpapa gave me a dress that used to belong to my mom.

And what about accessories? You gotta accessorize, you know.

I mean, I have a few things...

A few? No, no, no! You gotta go BOLD! These city folks wear so much jewelry, you can hear them jangling a mile away!

R-Really?

This country bumpkin...

You're gonna make us look bad if we let you get a medal from the King without getting all dressed up!

That's right! Go look for something! Don't you come back until you're head to toe in fancy silks and gold!

R-Right now? Are you insane? We're in the middle of a war here! What about the ogres?

Don't worry. After we bloodied their noses today, they won't be eager to get another taste anytime soon.

So off you go! Go get yourself some flashy jewelry!

Whaa?

...That's why.

How...sudden. Why were they so passionate about your accessories?

Yeah. Why does it have to be right now, I wonder?

I dunno...but they were definitely laying on the pressure.

...Ah! What if they all hate me and they just wanted me gone?!

No, I highly doubt that...

Are you going to carry on looking for accessories?

Mm...I think I've had my fill for today...

It's true! I saw it with my own eyes!

Huh?

I know what I saw... It was a ghost for sure!

Eek! A gh-gh-ghost?

Don't be ridiculous, of course you didn't see a ghost! Maybe you dreamed it all up.

In the middle of the day? I was wide awake!

Yeah, well ghosts don't come out during daylight. Where did you even see this thing?

Over at the old battlefield. They say countless soldiers died there... I heard you could still find old weapons and armor, so I thought, you know, they're not using it anymore...

But ugh, even in broad daylight that place feels cursed something awful. I bet all those dead soldiers are still lurking around...

Hey, did you guys hear that?

That there's supposedly a ghost at the Ancient Battlefield? Yeah, I heard.

So there was a battle there in ancient times, I guess? Countless soldiers died... It must have been terrible. I wonder what sort of war it was.

Ah...

Um... Th-That's a good question. I-I um... really couldn't say...

I-I know! Since we're here, why don't we check out the port? We can look around!

The port? Um... ......

The battle was from my era, wasn't it? Against the ogres?

Oh, um...

You're sweet to try to protect me, Miyu. But I'm right, aren't I?

......

Yes... I'm sorry for trying to lie to you about it.

It's okay, I understand. Hmm. So there was a big battle in my era.

Can I ask you both a favor? Will you take me to this ancient battlefield?

Huh?

Before, if I had heard that ghosts were known to appear someplace, I'd never want to get close...

But now...I think I have a duty. To see that place...and to know what happened there. Especially if this is, well... If it's the big battle against the ogres I was told about.

Orleya...

W-Will you take me?

Very well. I don't think this is a very good idea...

But I'll take you there.

I'll come with you.

Really? Thank you so much, you two!

All right, let's get going!

...... I've been here several times now. And every time, it feels like my heart is turning to lead in my chest...

I know what you mean.

But we have to be strong, for Orleya's sake. If she's serious about facing this...

Uuugh...

Orleya?

D-D-Don't leave me on my own here, okay? Not ever. Please...

Orleya, what's gotten over you? What happened to all that courage you showed at the tavern?

I-I didn't realize how c-c-creepy this place would be!

Are you going to be okay? We're barely even at the edge of the battlefield here.

N-No, I-I can't go any further. I-I'll have to do this here. Yes, that's what I'll do, I...

There's the Orleya we know and love. Come on, you said you were going to do this. So let's go!

B-But what if a ghost appears?

It could at any moment...

Huh?

Orleya! Calm down!

Deep breaths, okay?

Eee...

Eearghhh!

Orleya! Hold up!

Aldo, after her!

*huff* *huff* I knew it, it's a ghost!

Eep! There's more of them!

Aldo, any luck?

YAAAHHH!

No, but I can hear her screams...

This place is like a maze! How are we ever going to find her?

HEEELP!

...I guess we can't just leave her here, though.

Okay, let's try to follow the sound of her voice!

O-okay, I think I'm okay... I'll wait here for Aldo and Miyu to come and find me... I hope they find me soon.

I never thought there'd be so many ghosts roaming these parts...

......{lang-nuance}I never thought there'd be so many{/lang-nuance}

And each ghost is another dead soldier who can't move on... Just how many must have died here...

Orleya?

Aldo?!

YAAHHH!

Is that you, Orleya? Thank goodness I've finally found you!

(Th-Th-The ghost can t-t-talk?)

I'll call over the guys from the fort! Hey, guys! I've found Orleya!

(Wait...how does he know my name? And by "guys from the fort"...he can't mean...)

Eeek!

Hey, it really is you, Orleya! All right, gather around the hero of the fort! Time to turn this fight around!

Yeah! Time to put a stop to these ogres, once and for all!

Ahhh!

Nooo!

I can't, I can't, I can't... NO!

Found her!

Are you okay?

......{lang-nuance}Are you okay?{/lang-nuance}

I think she's fainted.

I can't even blame her this time, given the circumstances.

It's amazing that she got as far as she did, considering her, um, temperament. Let's get Orleya and get out of this awful place.

Right. Maybe we should go back to Rinde.

Heeey! Orleyaaa!

Ah...

What is it, Miyu?

N-Nothing... I think...

Hrrng...

Ah! Aldo! Orleya's...

Oh no! Ghost!

Huh?

Thank goodness, you're awake.

Where am I?

The inn in Rinde. We've been worried sick, you know. You wouldn't wake up... We had to get the knights to help carry you all this way.

Oh... I'm sorry, I've caused you so much trouble. I never imagined I'd be chased by so many ghosts...

Hey, it really is you, Orleya! All right, gather around the hero of the fort! Time to turn this fight around!

Yeah! Time to put a stop to these ogres, once and for all!

......{lang-nuance}Yeah! Time to put a stop to these{/lang-nuance}

Orleya...are you okay?

Huh?

You're just looking a little pale.

Oh. Right, um... I guess I'm still scared over seeing those ghosts...

Would you mind leaving me to myself for a little while? Sorry.

Sure...

...... I don't think she's telling us the whole truth. I think there's something else going on.

Huh?{lang-nuance}I don't think she's telling us the{/lang-nuance}

If she was really scared, wouldn't she beg us not to leave her alone, not for any reason whatsoever?

Oh... Good point.

Does that battlefield... Mean something to you, Orleya?

......{lang-nuance}Does this battlefield...Mean something to you, Orleya?{/lang-nuance}

Yeah. I should've known I could never keep anything from you, Miyu.

It's just...I can't tell if my oath even means anything anymore.

Huh?{lang-nuance}It's just...I can't tell if my oath{/lang-nuance}

Before I went there, I thought I was ready. I was sure of it. But...when I felt the air of that place on my skin, when I saw all those lost souls... When I think about how terrifying that battle must have been... I get so scared.

...I told myself it was the ghosts I was afraid of, but the truth is...

......{lang-nuance}...I told myself it was the ghosts{/lang-nuance}

And...some of the ghosts were soldiers from Thundering Fortress. But I swore not to let anyone die. I gave them my word! So why? Why were they there?

Orleya, try to remember... You come from another time layer. You don't know that your men will necessarily suffer the same fate in your own time layer.

If the Orleya of your world couldn't protect her men, then why would it be any different in mine?

My men, they'll all...

So you're just going to give up on your oath?

What? No! Never!

It's just...Orleya's men from this world DID die. That's just the truth of it. Which means that my oath that none shall perish...it can't come true.

It was just a load of empty words. My promise to them was utterly meaningless.

......{lang-nuance}It was just a load of empty words.{/lang-nuance}

Sorry to interrupt.

Eek!

I just wanted to come and say hello.

Oh...it's you...

Very well. Let's move out! We shall find and subdue every last one those despicable beasts, even if it kills us!

Yes, sir!

Death doesn't scare me!

Down with the beastfolk!

I remember you! From before, with the beastfolk.

Yes. I kept pushing my men to more and more dangerous charges, heedless of our safety... It was thanks to you that I realized just how foolish my actions were.

They were actually the ones who helped us carry you here when you were passed out.

Oh... Thank you.

Please, it was nothing.

Isn't your captain with you?

No, he's at the coast, a short walk from town.

Would you like to go see him? I'm sure he'd appreciate it.

Um, sure...

Then we'll take you to him.

You know, King Miglance once told me something about the Orleya from our time layer... "She lost not a single soldier for the entire duration of the war." That's what he said.

Yeah, that sounds about right.

Then why were the souls of her men at the Ancient Battlefield?

Legends aren't always true...

I know that myself, but it still is hard to accept, isn't it?

Miyu...

But even if the legend isn't factually true, that won't change my admiration for her. She was so known for her devotion to her people that the legend came into being, after all.

Orleya will make it through this. I believe in her.

We're here.

Um... Where's your captain?

He...

He died fighting the beastfolk.

What?! N-No! This can't be! I thought you weren't gonna throw your lives away anymore!

Please calm yourself! He didn't throw his life away! This wasn't one of our reckless missions like in the olden days.

Then why did he...

I'm back, Mister. I did a lot of practice swings today.

Oh, it's you...

Hey, Mister Knight! Come train with me! Pleeease?

I can't, sorry. I'm on patrol right now. Maybe next time?

Definitely next time! When I grow up, I wanna be just like you!

Of course. You came to pay your respects like always, right? Don't mind us.

Aw, I dunno, it's embarrassing...

I'll come back again some other time...

Bye, Mister Knight!

Who was that?

A boy from Rinde. The captain gave his life to protect him.

......{lang-nuance}A boy from Rinde.{/lang-nuance}

So...how did it all happen?

The other day, when we were out on patrol, we got word of a beast attack heading for Rinde. The captain used our info to lure the beasts to the coast, sparing the town any damage.

But...that boy. He was playing out by the coast, blissfully unaware of the impending beast attack. The captain did what he had to in order to protect the child. He fell, but he took the beast down with him.

Oh...

......{lang-nuance}Oh...{/lang-nuance}

To be honest with you, I overheard some of what you were saying back at the inn. Look, I don't know the details, but...

I think you were saying that if you lost a single soldier, then your vow would be meaningless, right?

Yeah...

The captain took a similar vow after he met you. That he would not let us die, that he would not let himself die.

He may have fallen, but I don't think that makes our vow in vain.

Wh-Why not?

In the past if Rinde was attacked, we would have thrown everything we had to fight the beasts then and there. The town would have ended up damaged, and many people would have died, including some of us. It was only because of his vow to let none die that he used the strategy he did...And as a result, the town and its people ended up safe.

Do you remember the story you told him about when you were young?

As my parents were slaughtered, all I could do was cower in fear and tremble. A knight was killed right in front of me, sword in hand. He died, trying to protect me.

That's terrible...

If he hadn't defended me, the knight could have felled the beast and saved my parents.

The captain didn't just let himself die to protect the boy, but nor could he sacrifice the boy for the beast. He achieved both his goals...

Ah...

We believe that he was only able to achieve this because he was willing to risk his own life.

......{lang-nuance}We believe that he was only able to{/lang-nuance}

...He would be disappointed to see me moping, I'm sure.

Miyu, will you go with me to that battlefield one more time?

Of course!

Thank you...for telling me about your captain.

It seems like his sacrifice will be of help to you, too.

Yes. I'll come back to pay my respects sometime soon.

For now... I have a promise to keep, and some people to meet.

Thank you for bringing me back. Now I just have to meet with everyone fron the fort...

And what then?

This time I want to face them properly. I won't run away from them.

I see... But why dressed like that?

Well...

There they are...

Eeep! I never said anything about confronting my fear of ghosts though!

You can do this, Orleya!

R-right...um... I don't see them nearby. Let's...go a little further in.

Nope, I don't see them...

Where could they be?

Ah! Watch out!

Eek!

Huh?!

W-what is this?! It's terrifying!!

So many soldiers and ogres died on this battlefield... I guess it makes sense that some souls would still wander this place as evil spirits.

It looks like it wants to fight. If it wants to harm us, I won't let it.

Are you ready, Orleya?

Eep... I wanna fight... But I'm so s-s-scared. I can't move...

Orleya, don't do this to us now...

The other ghosts were kinda cute in their own way. At least in comparison! They were like little fireballs...

Looks like you and I are gonna have to tackle this thing alone, Miyu!

Eeep! That didn't mean I wanted to see the fireball ghosts, though!

Still as cowardly as ever, I see!

Eep?

If you cower, you're gonna be in so much trouble with Sir Goliadus!

Y-You're from the fort?

C'mon, Orleya! You can do this! You eat guys like this for breakfast!

Don't be pathetic, now. Have you forgotten the oath you swore on that ax already?

...... (They're right. Now that I've finally come to see the truth of the vow I swore...) (Now that I've finally come back to show them this dress of mine...!)

Aldo, Miyu, I'm sorry! I'll fight too!

I knew you would!

All right, here I go!

We did it!

And it looks like she got to meet them after all.

Thank you all.

You're always such a handful, Orleya!

But you're pretty impressive when you need to be!

Haha...

......{lang-nuance}Haha...{/lang-nuance}

About the war...

No need to fret about it. Since you're wearing that dress... It means the war is over, right?

......

Yes...that's right.{lang-nuance}......{/lang-nuance}

Damn, and look at us. Still running around this place not even realizing we're dead.

I blame you, you know? We figured you said we'd all make it out, so we didn't realize we'd kicked it.

What?!

Ahahahahaha!

Sorry we couldn't keep to your oath.

We tried our best to stay alive, we really did.

......{lang-nuance}We tried our best to stay alive, we really did.{/lang-nuance}

Did we, uh... Did we win the war?

We did!

And what's the world like, now?

Peaceful. So very peaceful.

Then it was worth the sacrifice.

Thank you, Orleya. The only reason we were able to hold out so long was because of your oath.

Thank you...{lang-nuance}Thank you, Orleya.{/lang-nuance}

We have no regrets now.

Hey, you guys remember this dress of hers, right? We told her to go and get some nice accessories to go with it.

Oh yeah! She was getting all stressed about her oath and we were starting to worry about her.

So we told her whatever nonsense we could think of to get her to take a break. Guess it worked.

Oh! That's why you sent me off? Honestly, you guys are so sneaky!

Orleya...

Aldo. Miyu. I... What I said about my vow being wasted...I won't say it ever again. The value of a life...and the value of what that person would give their precious life to protect... The captain and my men opened my eyes to it.

I'm glad I could finally face it... And face them, too, after so long.

I'm sure our Orleya is grateful to see it, too.

And that's why...

I will not allow people to die in battle. I will not allow my men to throw their lives away. I'll do what this world's Orleya couldn't do, and protect them all.

I swear that absolutely none shall perish...

...On this Battle God's Ax.