One Step Closer

Beasts? At a time like this? You cowards! Don't you have the guts to attack when King Miglance is around?

Pretty brave for a dead man.

Are you hurt?

What the?!

Hey you! Stay outta this!

Oh, I don't think so.

There's so many! Where'd they all come from?

We'll handle this. Get yourself out of here, quick!

Tsk. Looks like we've got company.

Heheh. No matter. We'll make short work of you.

Well? Anyone else feeling brave?

Attaaack!

And then there was one. Your little scheme ends here.

W-Wait, please! I never even wanted to fight! I just got whipped up with the crowd! Honest!

Sure you were. Come on, as if I'm gonna fall for that.

I-I'm telling you the truth! I really did...

Go. But promise me one thing in return. Today's events are never to be repeated. Are we clear?

P-Perfectly clear! Thank you!

Anabel...

I know. I haven't forgotten what happened last time.

But I swore to Lady Anna that my sword would be used to protect life, not destroy it.

Lady Anabel, not this again.

He had lost his will to fight, and I won't partake in needless slaughter.

I'll give you something to blame in a minute, you...

Now, now. Everybody calm down.

Come now. Surely you of all people can understand their hatred for the beasts?

Hm?!

Who is this?

Oh, he's a nobleman of some influence at court. I hear he's been put in charge of Unigan while His Majesty and the Knight Commander are away.

What do you mean? Where is King Miglance?

He's been abroad on official business for the last few days. Lakhesis and Soira are with him.

It is a dark day indeed when even our paladin turns a blind eye to the crimes of the beasts...

What about the soldiers and citizens who have lost so much to them? Who are they to turn to?

Uhh...

Well, no need to answer. I didn't come here to reproach you for completing the bare minimum.

There is actually something I would like to discuss with you regarding this attack.

Would you be so good as to come to my castle office? We can discuss the details there.

I wish they would have listened to what you had to say, but I guess that's too much to hope for.

I know that this path will not be easy.

But I have no choice but to do what I can.

......

Well, we shouldn't keep him waiting. Let's head to his office.

That's insane! You're accusing my sis, Lady Anabel of leading the beast attack?!

Now, now. There's no need to raise your voice so. I'm merely informing you of what I had heard.

Anabel would never endanger the city like that! You must know how much she longs for peace!

Would you mind if I asked what you're basing this theory on?

You brought a beast in the castle?!

Oh, do calm down. He is a prisoner of war.

He was captured during the attack. Now, he mentioned something of interest...

Yeah! That's the one! That woman in blue, she's the one who got us to attack the city!

You better stop talking about my sister like that!

You forget yourself. Kindly do not draw your weapon within these castle walls. And kindly do not kill our key witness, either. That would be most inconvenient.

But... There's no way I would ever order an attack on my own city...

And yet, one of the attackers testifies to the opposite. Yes, we could investigate these claims further, but it places you under suspicion either way. And then there's the rumors of your recent partiality toward the beasts. This all must be taken into account.

What are you going to do with her?

Leading an attack on Unigan is a grave crime indeed... We will have to gather the other nobles and ministers and decide how best to punish Lady Anabel.

WHAT?!

Until your punishment has been confirmed, you will remain confined within city walls.

This is insane! Such tyranny will not...

Tyranny? This is a matter of national security. She's lucky we haven't locked her in a cell and thrown away the key!

With His Majesty away, I am the voice of the king. You wouldn't disobey the king's orders, would you?

......

...Very well. I will do as you ask.

Anabel!

I will stay at the inn in Unigan for now. Contact me there once you have decided upon my punishment.

Come on, you two. Let's go.

......

So, you're gonna help me, right?

I would like to, yes. But I'm not sure if they'll allow it...

Huh?

What the? Who said that?

Wha?!

Heheh. (It's all going exactly as planned... Now, my next move...)

Sister, why didn't you defend yourself?

King Miglance himself left that man in charge of the kingdom during his absence.

What do you think would happen if I, a paladin, tried to fight them? If an internal fight were to break out while the king was away, just think of the chaos it would bring...

Now is no time to start stirring the pot.

Anyway, King Miglance would never approve of such a one-sided way of doing things! Why would he entrust the whole kingdom to that man in the first place?

Well, his household has been serving the royal family for generations, and the king trusts him greatly.

But I heard that he's been holding secret meetings with knights and ministers ever since the king left.

He's making alliances behind His Majesty's back? Looks like he's finally showing his true colors. Plus, many knights are unhappy about your recent shift in attitude toward the beasts... It seems he's got them on his side, too.

With Lakhesis and Soira away with the king, he's managed to time it so that you have very few allies around.

Then we need King Miglance to return as soon as possible!

We do, and he's already late as it is. Perhaps something went wrong on his foreign excursion? I'll bet that nobleman had his hand in that, too.

Something is definitely suspicious here, but let's try to avoid jumping to any conclusions. For now, let's just keep an eye on things and try to buy some time until His Majesty and Sir Lakhesis return.

Still, it's not going to be easy to get the knights to accept my ideals, if this drove them to collude with greedy nobles.

I don't know, it seems like their hatred for the beasts has gotten way more intense the last few days. I know they all have their reasons for hating the beasts, but even so...

Excuse me!

I've just received a report that a pack of beasts are advancing toward Baruoki!

WHAT?!

The castle has sent orders for you to crush their advance, Lady Deirdre. Make preparations at once!

Deirdre, I'm coming with you. If my village is in danger, I want to be there to protect them.

I'm on it. Lady Anabel and I will...

No, I'm afraid Lady Anabel is to remain within the city until the restraint has been lifted.

You cannot be serious! This is an emergency!

I understand that, Lady Deirdre, but orders are orders.

Aldo, Deirdre, you two go on without me. If I disobey orders now, it will only make things worse. If I want to clear my name, I think it's best that I wait here.

We can't leave you on your own! What if the noble and his knights do something while we're gone!

I'll be fine.

Besides...

I'm leaving the rest to you guys.

Back then, I left it all to you... At the very least, I want to face the hatred the people of this world have for the beasts. And then there's the oath I made to Lady Anna.

Okay. I understand.

Take care of yourself, Anabel.

Thank you, Deirdre. I leave Baruoki in your hands.

Well, there's no rest for the wicked. I've got to find out what that nobleman's up to.

Let's see if the townsfolk know anything.

I fled to Unigan to escape the war, and now those blasted beasts attack us here? Is there no end?

Have no fear. We knights will protect the city from harm.

I appreciate you saying that and all...

But I hear some of you folks've taken to siding with the beastfolk these days.

What do you mean?

It's just a rumor. I don't know the details. Just, some folks've said they've seen beastfolk within the city walls.

They've been inside the city? Even before the attack?

Scary thought, isn't it? I wish those wretched beasts would do us all a favor and die.

......

Thank you, Paladin. It was certainly impressive how you drove those foul beasts away.

There's no need to thank me. I was just doing my duty.

And I hear you'll soon be launching a counter-attack on the beasts' base?

A counter-attack? What do you mean?

Hey, you're the paladin! How come I know more about this than you?

Rumor has it there's about to be a huge search-and-destroy to get 'em back for attacking our city.

Hold on. I never heard anything about any...

Those monsters burned my whole village to the ground. I tell you, I'd kill 'em myself if I could!

So kill them all, that's what I say! Get 'em back for taking away my home.

......

I'm so glad we have the Imperial Knights around. They wanna wipe out those vile beasts almost as much as I do!

Now, I can't deny that they feel that way...

But sometimes such extreme emotions can lead to problems down the line.

How could ya even say that? Guess the rumors are true after all. You've changed.

What are you trying to say?

N-Nothing! It's just, them beastfolk killed my whole family. To me... You're like the symbol of the fight against the beasts! So I still believe in you, Lady Anabel!

......

Such hatred toward the beastfolk. Such anger. Just about everybody in this city harbors some kind of negative feeling toward them.

I can trust you, can I not? You will create a world without conflict, where any and everyone can live in peace and contentment.

I really thought that realizing her dream would be in everyone's best interests. But how can I tell people who've lost so much to simply forget their anger and their sadness? Would our dream be built on the back of other people's suffering?

Hm? Is someone there?

Ah!

They were sure acting suspicious. Perhaps this has something to do with the beast sightings I heard about?

I think I should follow them.

There's nowhere left to run now. Show yourself!

A beast?!

W-Wait! Please! I just came to check on my human friend!

Explain yourself!

Um, I heard how some nasty grown-ups came and attacked the city...

And I was near going crazy with worry! I had to go see if my friend was safe, but then I got all lost...

And then I found you.

P-Please don't kill me...

Do you know where this friend of yours lives?

Huh?

I'll check on them for you. These parts really aren't safe for someone like you, especially not right now.

Th-Thank you! She said she lives in a mansion in the center of town.

A mansion? Perhaps she's the daughter of a noble family. (Oh, the innocence of a child, seeing beyond the hatred that shackles their parents.) (If only we could have more encounters like this, not bound by hatred...)

Um... So you're not gonna kill me? But with a sword like that, you've gotta be a knight, right? I thought that's what you people did.

......

I carry this sword to end conflict, not provoke it. It is not something to be wielded out of hatred. Now find yourself somewhere to hide. I'll go check on your...

BEAST!

Gh?

Wait! She's just a child!

My, my, this does not look good for you, Lady Anabel.

How could you suggest we allow a beast to lurk in Unigan? Are you in your right mind?

Get away from her! She's not out to hurt anyone! Are you so blinded by hatred that you'd kill an innocent?!

Hmph. Very well. Let the girl go.

One little beast girl escaping is hardly the end of the world.

However, I'll only let her go on the condition that you confess to working with the beasts.

You coward!

(The city has suffered casualties... If I make any such confession, the punishment will be severe.) (Oh, if only King Miglance was back! Then things would be different.)

......

Fine. I admit it. Now get away from that child.

M-Miss!

Run, child! As fast as your legs can carry you!

I will!

Arrest the traitor.

Ahh!

Knights! Come quick! I just saw a beast survivor! Go deal with them! Hurry! Just the sight of those creatures is too much to bear!

(Ah...) (While she inspired such hope in me...to the townsfolk, she inspires only dread and fear.)

Wait!

I don't think so... We can't let a traitor like you roam free...

Gah!

Fret not. They have important duties to attend to later, so I've told them not to pursue for too long. She's probably off the hook. As long as you don't kick up a fuss, that is...

(I don't trust this man's word... but right now I can only hope she manages to lose them.)

(Deirdre was right, though. The knights really are acting strangely. I wonder what's gotten into them...)

You have made a big mistake, Lady Anabel. No crime is more heinous than betraying your country to side with our most hateful enemy.

Such treachery deserves the death sentence... But considering your many years of contribution to the Knights...

Paladin Anabel, as per the emergency provisions of the Kingdom of Miglance, I sentence you to exile.

It went exactly as you said it would, of course.

...... (The paladin is stripped of her position, just as I planned. However...) (I never imagined this sword would hold such power over the knights...) (Will I be able to hold on to myself, I wonder? Or will I end up like them?)

Well, that report couldn't have been more wrong. No beasts, and no knights either.

Still, all's well that ends well.

Yes, but I'm not so sure it DID end well. What if this was all a ploy to separate me and my sister?

I have a very bad feeling about this. We better get back to Anabel's inn on the double.

Anabel wasn't at the inn.

Where could she be?

Hey, aren't you a knight?

What are you doing here? Hasn't the raid started by now?

Raid? What raid?

They found a beast hideout on Serena Coast, so they sent the elite knights to go clean them out. They're going to wipe out those beasts once and for all! Isn't this great? Then we can finally have peace.

But Anabel would never allow the knights to do something like that!

You're right, she wouldn't. Was my sis, Was Lady Anabel with them?

Oh, you mean you don't know? Lady Anabel's been sentenced to exile.

WHAT?!

Apparently she's the one who got the beasts to attack our city. It's terrible, just terrible. How could our paladin side with those vile creatures?

Grr!

You don't know what you're talking about!

Eeep!

Deirdre, calm down!

Ugh. Where did they take her?

Look, I've already told you all I know. I'm outta here!

How could I be so stupid? If I'd just been with her, this never would have happened!

This isn't your fault, Deirdre. Nor is it Anabel's. The fault lies with whoever's trying to frame you.

Yeah, you're right. Okay, we have to rescue her before it's too late. And we have to stop the knights.

But where could they have taken her? Where would they exile a paladin?

Exiling a paladin, huh? Wait a minute...

What is it, Aldo? Do you know something?

Anabel once told me the story of Lady Anna, the first paladin. She said they took her...

Ah, I see...

We don't know for sure if they'll take her to the same place this time, but it's the only lead we have.

Aldo, can I ask you a favor?

Of course, anything.

I'm going to rescue my sister. Meanwhile, I want you to go to Serena Coast and try to stop the knights. We simply don't have time otherwise. The only way to stop them is to split up.

Got it. I'll do my best to stop this raid. But the thing is...

I made a promise to Anabel, that I'd stay by her side if she ever found herself in Lady Anna's shoes. But right now, it looks like I can't do that. Stopping the knights has to take priority...

So it all falls to you now. Save her, Deirdre.

Yep, that was kind of the idea, Aldo.

But thanks. It still means a lot.

...ter.

Sister!

Wake up!

Deirdre? What are you doing here?

It looks like the legend of Lady Anna actually had a use after all. Exiled in the desert, wishing for a world without conflict until the very end...

But I'm afraid you don't get to follow the same path as your idol. Because this paladin has something the first paladin didn't. An awesome little sister to come to her rescue.

So I left Aldo to stop them and came here to find you. How are you feeling? Any better?

Yes, I think I'm okay now. I am sorry for worrying you.

You could have easily escaped while they were transporting you here, even without a weapon. So why didn't you? Loyalty?

Well, yes and no.

I thought I understood how difficult my dream would be to accomplish. But I didn't. I had no idea what I was in for. I don't even know what's best anymore...

So you lost hope?

......

Maybe Paladin Anna could have escaped if she'd tried, too. Maybe she realized her dream was a lost cause and lost the will to escape.

How could you even, No what if...

Heheh...

Hey! What's so funny?

It's just, you're so serious! A truly righteous and irreproachable paladin. Always searching for your absolute justice.

Anyway, I'm not so sure there even IS a best way to do it. I mean, if it was so easy, then why didn't Lady Anna do it? Why did she allow herself to suffer in this place?

......

The oath you made was something that even your idol couldn't achieve. Who knows if there even is a right path? You'll probably spend the rest of your life agonizing over it.

I am unworthy. I have failed to accomplish anything that Lady Anna wanted.

I don't know, I thought she left it to you because you're the one with the skills to make it happen.

Ah!

You're right. She believed in my will to achieve her dream.

If you ask me, it has to take a lot of time and effort to achieve such a naively optimistic dream. If you lose hope after one little setback, you're never gonna get there.

I'm sorry.

I'm not reproaching you. I know how badly you want to do this.

You don't need to bear this burden alone, you know. You should have asked me to help you. You know I would.

Deirdre...

Let's go back to Unigan. The nobleman and his knights must be stopped.

I can't stop them alone. But together, we've got this.

Let's go stop 'em. Together.

Right. I won't see the same mistake happen again in this world.

Sure, but maybe not dressed like that.

No, maybe not...

Hey, what's that buried in the sand?

Armor, huh? Looks pretty old, but it's still in great condition.

You know, I think it was Lady Anna's. The crest on the back looks exactly how I pictured it from the legends.

I don't hear her voice anymore, but I think this is her way of trying to guide me.

Um, Sister?

Lady Anna, please lend me your strength.

Our prayers shall be answered!

Now. Let's go to Serena Coast.

Ngh!

Aldo! Are you okay?!

Anabel! I'm so glad you're all right!

Wait, why are you dressed like that?

Thanks, Aldo. You were right... I didn't end up like Lady Anna. This was Lady Anna's armor. As her heir, it is only fitting that I wear it to stop the chain of hatred.

How did it go with the knights? It looks like it's been a tough fight.

It has been! I tried as hard as I could to stop them, but all I could do was delay their advance. They seemed much stronger than usual, so it's a miracle I escaped with my life.

Since when were common soldiers a match for the likes of you? Something is definitely suspicious here.

You think someone's manipulating the knights? Well, whatever the case, we have to hurry. If we don't stop this soon, the beastfolk will be wiped out!

The knights are planning to attack the beasts' hideout up ahead. Hurry, there's still time!

What are you doing here?

This is a peaceful settlement! We're not causing you any harm.

Stop!

Why are you being so horrible? What did we ever do to you?

Papa! Stop this! Please!

Daughter? What are you doing here?

She's my best friend! I won't let you hurt her!

Get out of here. These are vile beasts who...

They didn't do anything! And when the other beasts attacked the capital, these guys tried to stop them!

Why would you talk such nonsense? They've got you under their spell, I see...

It's YOU who's under some spell, Papa, not me! Ever since you came back with that stupid old sword, you've been acting different.

And I saw you, you know. I saw you outside the city before the attack on the capital, talking with some nasty-looking beasts.

Come now, don't be absurd.

Please, Papa! Snap out of this! Come back to me.

Why you...

This is not my daughter. It's some foul beast disguised as her, that's what it is.

How could you say that? Papa...

Kill her!

Nooo!

I respect your courage.

It's you again!

Are you okay?

I-I think so...

Good. Now you and your friends get out of here.

How could you treat a child like that? You make me sick!

Lay down your weapons before you disgrace the name of the Imperial Knights any further!

You were right, Aldo. I thought something was off with them before, but this is off the scale.

Yeah, it's like they've lost control of themselves, consumed by their own hatred.

Look! The holy sword!

I think they're coming back to their senses!

The power of prayer is an incredible thing. They should hear us now!

Right!

Listen up, men! I won't ask you to forget your hatred toward the beastfolk. But blind hatred does nothing but foster more hate! Around and around it goes, this sick cycle of hate between the humans and the beastfolk! Is that the peace we have sought? We wield our weapons to protect, not to harm!

What the? Whose voice was that?

It's coming from his blade! It must be some kind of demon sword. Be careful, Anabel. I think that blade is what caused the mysterious aura we saw on the knights.

Agreed! Now that the mastermind has revealed itself, it must be destroyed!

It's gone! After it!

No, before that...

I-I'm so sorry! How could I do that to my own daughter, to her dear friend...

I'm fine, Papa, honest. I'm just glad you're all back to normal!

But you really scared my friend, you know. You should say sorry.

Yes, you're right.

Sorry to break up this father-daughter moment, but I need to know about that sword. Start talking.

Eek!

I'm afraid I still have important matters to discuss. Can you go on ahead?

Make sure she gets home safe.

Sorry about that... Now, about the sword.

It was excavated a short while ago, and given to me as a gift. Apparently it's some rare blade forged during the founding days of the kingdom...

They say it belonged to a legendary knight named Petro.

Petro? He was one of the founding knights of Miglance, along with Lady Anna!

I started wearing it at my side, but then knights came to me, saying the sword was speaking to them.

The only knights who reacted this way were ones disgruntled with Lady Anabel... So I thought I could use this to my advantage.

Ah, so it was the sword that stirred up their hatred of the beastfolk.

I think I know where this is going anyway, but what do you mean by using it to your advantage?

Oh, um, that? Well, the thing is... I was eager to increase my sphere of influence within the kingdom... And I feared that the incorruptible Lady Anabel would be a thorn in my side.

Heh, you're not wrong there. Bribes would certainly never work with her.

So you tried to take advantage of the knights, but ended up being taken advantage of by the sword instead?

I-I think so...

We'll deal with you later. Right now, we need to stop this sword before it wreaks any more havoc.

I think I know how to find it. Deirdre, you should know what I'm talking about.

You don't mean...

Bad news! Our Karek Swampland kin say they're gonna attack Unigan!

What!

They're peaceful folk out there, but, um, they didn't take news of your raid on our home well...

They sound super angry! They said this means war!

This is exactly as I'd feared...

Any blood spilled in Unigan will be on our knights' hands, not just the beasts'.

......

I won't blame you for thinking this is self-serving...

But I am dropping all charges against you. Paladin Anabel, give orders to your knights if you will.

With pleasure.

Listen up, men! Reflect on your sins later! Right now, your duty is to handle the beasts! Meanwhile, I shall pursue the sword. But remember, your opponent does not want to fight, so don't give them one. I don't want any casualties on either side. Is that understood?

Yes, ma'am!

You went easy on them, Anabel.

Maybe, but she's too good-natured to hold a grudge.

Anyway, you said you had a clue?

Yes, the magic mirror that slumbers beneath Miglance Castle. The mirror will tell us about the sword. It will show us the way.

Somehow, that mirror always finds a way to come back into my life...

Okay, let's go to the mirror! There's no time to lose!

We do. Please tell us what you see. If we are to protect those who want peace, whether human or beast, we must know.

What?!

Mirror, where is the sword to be found? We will destroy it.

Very well. I will go there alone.

I guess this is it, then?

Yes. As heir to her will, I must defeat the man who brought down Lady Anna.

Never forget, Sister. I'm always with you.

I will fight, knowing you'll be there for me whenever needed.

As the current paladin, I shall put an end to this eternal feud!

Is this...Petro's mind?

You're...

More fell victim to the beasts today... No matter how skilled I am with a sword, no matter how many battles we win... Peace will not come to this country until the evil that is the beasts is wiped out for good.

Wait!

(It's like I was looking at the old me...)

Lady Anna, why did you act so soft toward them?

There were no fighters left in the village, only women and children. To burn down their home would be to take innocent lives.

If we let them live today, they will only strike back at us tomorrow.

We must return and complete the purge!

Petro, you mustn't get caught up in this endless cycle of hate. As knights of the realm, our duty is to end conflict and protect our nation, not to take lives in vain.

Lady Anna...

I understand. This dazzling white space symbolizes Petro's overwhelming sense of justice.

But where am I supposed to go?

Deirdre? Is that you? How can I hear you?

That's so reckless... I bet Lady Anna never had a sister like this.

I can see a pathway!

Huh? Is this...

Teehee. Okay, let's go!

Petro, let's end this.

I understand your hatred. It is an unbearable pain to lose your family and see your village burned to ashes.

But our power does not exist in order to satiate these feelings of hatred.

It exists to protect those who wish for peace, and to respect all life!

Oh, I don't think so.

Petro... I will do whatever it takes to stop this chain of hatred.

I will...no, we will stop you!

I, too, once believed my hatred of beasts was justified. And I have seen so many others fall to this same ideology, and seen this used to manipulate them.

So I will achieve Lady Anna's dream, and end the pain and suffering that plagues our days.

I know this will not be an easy path to tread.

Nevertheless, I will gladly venture forth.

So long as there are others who walk beside me...

Anabel!

It's over. His hatred is ended.

Thank goodness! And I'm so glad you made it back safe!

Indeed. Thanks for that, Aldo and Deirdre.

I just did my duty. As your aide, and as your sister.

Lady Anabel! We managed to avoid a fight with the horde of beasts from Karek Swampland! The other beasts helped to get them to withdraw! And all with no casualties on either side!

Really?

I am so very glad to hear that.

That's that then.

No, Aldo, that is NOT that! Are you forgetting about our nobleman friend? He still has a lot to answer for! Let's go, Aldo!

Huh? Oh, r-right!

Anabel.

Yes?

We're getting there. This is a step in the right direction.

We are. One step at a time.

Lady Anna...I can't make your dream come true all on my own. This has to be a group effort. And together, I think we can do this.

We will create a world without conflict...

One that respects all life!