Episode 1 Chapter 2: The Fearless Girl

Finally, we've arrived! I thought I was going to die from all the stiffness in my body...

That's a lie. You ate a bunch of lunchboxes and slept like a log.

Master has no romance. There's actually a law that says you must eat lunchboxes on the train!

How am I supposed to stop you...

Anyway, Kazran's Heir traditionally serves as the student council president of Reingar, right?

That's correct. But...

Is there a problem?

Yuna, a candidate for student council president, is rejecting her calling as an Heir.

That's why the position is currently empty.

Kazran is such a fool! He went to another world to get his Heir.

Why is she rejecting her calling?

The Conclave of Ezera did not deem it prudent to provide me any more information than what I have already shared with you.

Without the student council president to dispel the barrier, we can't enter the Sage Minaret. What should we do...?

What's the problem, Master? All we have to do is get her to come back.

When she feels Arky's soft, silky fur, she'll be like putty in our hands! I guarantee it!

Umm...

...For now, I will take you to Reingar.

Ahh! Oh great and mighty monster! Please listen to me!

What was that noise?!

There are so many reasons to let me live! If I can sell my goods and help the city prosper, then that means there will be more people for you to ambush!

Please, look at the sadness in these eyes! I have twelve children at home! I'm begging you...

That person is trying to convince a monster not to eat him.

I'm not so sure the monster is going to listen.

Right? We should help that person out.

You would divert from our mission to save that merchant, even though you haven't been ordered to do so?

There's nothing Master loves more than sticking his nose in other people's business!

...I see.

Hey, I'm not like that... But, he's a merchant headed to Reingar. Maybe he'll have some useful information for us.

Understood. If that is what you would like to do, I will prepare for battle.

Oh, goodness gracious me! Thank you kindly for your assistance Sir Traveler! I am sincerely touched!

Of course, I could have easily dealt with such a pathetic monster on my own! So...you aren't expecting some kind of reward, are you?

Oh, not at all, we just wanted to hel...

Umm... Ras... Didn't you say you were hoping to get information about Reingar from him?

Oh my! Are you on your way to Reingar as well? *chuckling* What a marvelous coincidence! We're going the same way!

Kyu! You just want to travel with us so you can get free protection, huh!? Arky isn't as gullible as his master!

Don't you worry about that! I wouldn't be able to feed my fifteen children if I wasn't rolling in gold, would I?

You said you had twelve children...

Twelve or fifteen, what's the difference? It just shows how capable I am!

Anyway, I'm glad I met someone who knows about Reingar. Let's go ahead and move on.

I trust you've all heard the news about Queen Diene of Ezera?

Yes, sir!

I'm already well aware.

In times like this, we need to stay alert and strengthen our border!

I have also heard rumors that the Heir of the Covenant has finally decided it was worth his while to wake up.

Twenty years late!

If my experience and big brain are telling me anything, it's that we can expect impersonators of the Heir of the Covenant to start popping up all over the place.

It's up to us to make sure they don't get away with it!

Don't worry, Major Katis! I'll lock up every last one of them to protect the peace in Reingar!

Nobody can deceive my investigatory instincts!

R-Really...?

You're on your way to meet the student council president? Reingar doesn't have one! Well, there is one candidate...

I already know that.

By the way, do you have an entry pass? Border control in Reingar has become very strict recently.

Oh, yes. The Conclave gave me one before we left Ezera.

Ras, why are you showing him that...?

Hm? Should I have not?

Oh, you do! You must be a very important person if the Conclave gave this to you.

Yep. That's why they warned me not to reveal my identity, unless I had to.

Ras, you probably shouldn't be telling him that...

Oh, I shouldn't?

Forgive Master! He's not used to traveling like this.

Every time he wakes up, it's usually straight off to the battlefield...

I think you need to be careful what you say as well, Arky.

Kyu...

Heh heh, everyone has their own backstory, I won't pry. I'll just put your pass back in this envelope here, and...

There's a line of people up ahead. That must be the checkpoint to get in.

I'll get out the entry pass to show it to them.

Huh...? The envelope...is...empty?

Arky, do you have it by any chance?

Why are you suspicious of Arky again? Isn't this just because Master was careless and dropped it?

I can see you three are busy, allow me to go on ahead. Thank you for everything!

H-Huh...?

Ras, Gusma went ahead and seems suspicious.

Forgive me, I should have made sure he was not tricking you earlier.

No, no, it's my fault for being careless.

Let's chase him. He wouldn't have made it far.

We need to catch that rotten crook!

The entry point will slow him down. I think we can catch him there.

Hmm... An entry pass provided by the Savara Merchants' Union.

Heh heh heh, yes indeed!

He looks like an upstanding merchant to me. We should let him in.

Wait a second, why are you covering up your belongings? Do you have contraband goods in there?

Huh?!! N-Never! I wouldn't dare! I'm just careful about keeping my goods safe, heh heh heh.

He's alright, Major Katis. I already checked him.

You did? Still a second look can't hurt...

O-Oh! Look over there! Some suspicious people are trying to sneak through without a pass!

Stop right there! It's illegal to bypass inspections!

What are you talking about? We came to catch that merchant...

Gusma's escaping! Kyu kyuu!

Halt! Nobody is allowed inside Reingar without an entry pass.

That merchant you just let in stole our entry pass from us!

What?

Does that mean you're from Savara?

Savara? No, we came from Ezera.

So the stolen entry pass would have been issued by Ezera?

Yes. I'm the Heir of the covenant, so the Conclave...

Ras...

Haha, you hear that, Second Lieutenant Karin? I warned you about people like this.

You really are the smartest, Major Katis!

Detain them for interrogation.

Right away, sir!

Kyu! We aren't the ones you should be arresting!

I think it's best not to make too much trouble.

Wait! Didn't you hear me? I'm the Heir of the Covenant! If you contact Ezera, they will...

Yeah, yeah. Sure you are, buddy. Come with me and you can tell us the whole tale in the interrogation chamber.

*chuckling* Like candy from a baby!

An entry pass issued by Ezera, eh? This should make me a pretty penny on the Savara black market.

You have had plenty of time to think things over now, Yuna. Have you reached a decision?

I don't want to rush you, but student council work keeps on piling up.

For starters, I barely know anything about Reingar. Oh, and don't even get me started with those Heir and Archdemon shenanigans. I don't want any part of it. Nope, nuh-uh.

Besides, there are so many other people that would be better suited for the Student Council President. Why are you even asking someone like me? I'm just some innocent who got spirited away from her home.

Unfortunately, this is something that neither you nor I can just decide on, Yuna.

Whoever Guardian Kazran chooses becomes student council president. And you were chosen.

But why did he choose me?

Yuna...

I was spirited away to this whole other world and now I've had all these responsibilities dropped on me...

Everyone tries to force me to take the path that they've chosen for me.

What about me? Why can't I choose anything?

But there was no other way. I need you–

Didn't you say the only person who can defeat the Archdemon is the Heir of the Covenant?

I've never wanted to get involved in any of this, so why don't you all go bother HIM instead of driving ME up the wall?!

Yuna!

*sighing* There she goes again...

Now, tell me your real name.

Ras Elclare.

You refuse to drop the act, huh?

Now, "Ras," what purpose do you have here in Reingar?

There's no need for the air quotes, I really am Ras!

I asked you a question, "Ras."

I'm sorry but have seen Yuna around?

She clearly escaped through, er, entered this building.

Really? I haven't seen her... I was busy interrogating a suspect.

Wait a second! You can't just walk into the interrogation chamber like this! This is where the Public Security Club questions criminal suspects!

But Yuna is already in here. We'll leave as soon as we find her. With your help, it'll be sooner rather than later.

...Fine. You frauds stay here while we...

Did you say you're looking for Yuna? Let us look with you.

That was our whole purpose for coming here. To meet Yuna, the candidate for student council president.

Hmmmmmmmmm...

If I leave you here, I'm sure you'll just try to escape. Maybe it's best I bring you with me so I can keep an eye on you.

What's all the commotion here? Is something wrong?

We're looking for Yuna!

Oh, Yuna... Yeah, she ran by in a flash.

This is a big building, so we should split up into teams. Rikoris and Judith, you go that way...

Me? Am I helping now?

Of course, you are. Meanwhile, Hazel and this Ras imposter will go the other way with me.

I'm not an imposter...

Why do you want to talk to Yuna, anyway? What nefarious scheme are you plotting?

Ah, let me guess! You plan to use your false identity to get close to Yuna and assassinate her so you can become student council president instead!

...You sure are imaginative.

We need to meet Yuna so we can enter the Sage Minaret.

That's right. We came to Reingar to take control of the Archdemon's Might sealed here.

Unfortunately, as Yuna is not yet the student council president, she won't be able to help you even if we do find her. However...!

If you truly are the Heir of the Covenant, you should be able to convince her to accept her calling as an Heir, right?

M-Maybe...

Of course, he can! He's not a very good Heir of the Covenant, but he can at least do that!

Right...yeah...I can probably do that...

Yuna! Stop right there! You haven't broken any laws, but you can't just come in here!

Ahh! You chased me all the way here?!

Argh! I've already told you! I don't want to be an Heir! I don't want to be student council president! Why won't you leave me alone?!

Now's your chance to prove you're the real Heir of the Covenant!

Good luck, Master!

Okay, okay, stop pushing me.

Umm, Yuna...? My name is Ras. I'm the Heir of the Covenant.

To put it simply, I need you to become student council president so that you can let me into the Sage Minaret so that I can stop the Archdemon's advent–

Aha, so it was you!

Hm?

You're the one who told Kazran to kidnap me and bring me to this world!

W-What?! No, not at all!

Kyu!

What was that noise?

I think it came from outside.

Is that... Oh no, please don't tell me it's... Kikirat?

Kikirat?

It's the first Machinery Yuna made after she arrived here.

But why? Why is it crying out as if it's in agony...?

There's no time for this, I need to go see for myself!

Wait! Where are you going!?

Is this never going to end...?

I heard you found Yuna!?

Yes, and then she ran away again. With a criminal!

I'll leave the interrogation building to you, Judith! I'm going to go apprehend that imposter!

Ah, yes...

I think they've forgotten about the two of us.

Where is Master going? Kyuu...

Hey Gusma. How dare you want me to go get that "item" back?

Well, I can't, can I? Do you have any idea how suspicious it will look if I'm fiddling around with Machinery? I'm not even a Reingar Student, you know.

How could you let that Yuna take it from you? You know how important it is!

This never would have happened if you didn't arrive late. It's because you wanted to meet here!

Because it was close to my dorm... Argh, fine! Whatever! I'll go get it back.

Seriously Yuna... How could she put that into a Machinery... So it's in which Machinery?

That one over there making all the noise.

*panting* It sounded like it this is the place. Where is it?

Over there!

It really is my cutie! But why is it making those strange noises? I made sure to inspect it twice because it was its first time running, and there was nothing wrong...

Either way, I need to hurry!

Aha, footprints! These must belong to...

Yuna?

...that fraud pretending to be Ras!

Aha! Did you hear that? It came from up ahead...!

Illegal alien and impersonator! Turn yourself in before I add obstruction of justice to your crimes!

Come out, Yuna. I know you're hiding there. Stop running away and accept reality!

Accept reality...

But can I be the Yuna they want me to be? Am I strong enough?

Yuna?

Kyaaa... Huh?

Shh.

You don't want Hazel to find out where you are, do you?

...Okay.

She should be around here somewhere... My instincts are telling me she's here!

Maybe...?

Second Lieutenant Karin! So this is where you've been!

Major Katis?! What are you doing here?

It's an emergency.

We haven't yet ascertained the cause, but a number of Machinery are indiscriminately attacking students.

Oh no!

Apparently the largest and most powerful of them smashed through the outer wall of the dormitories and escaped towards Daram Owl Woods.

I need you to bring it down before it hurts any more students!

Understood!

No, my cutie!

You said this was the first Machinery you made here, right?

It's strange that it's suddenly rampaging... I'm sure I checked it multiple times.

Do you want to protect that Machinery?

Isn't that obvious? I'm sure I can fix it!

Really? Then I'll help you.

Huh? No strings attached? But... this has nothing to do with you...

You told me you wanted to protect it.

Are you worried I might get hurt? Don't worry. I'm stronger than you think.

...

You're the Heir of the Covenant, right? The one who has to fight the Archdemon.

Yeah.

So, were you chosen by someone too? And that's why you do this?

...You could say that.

But you're still fine with it? Even though it was chosen for you?

Mmm...

I wasn't given a choice, but it's my destiny all the same.

I made a promise with myself to keep Orbis safe...

Daddy... There's something wrong with Tuna. Its light is supposed to come on but nothing is happening.

Oh? I wonder why...

Can't... Can't you make it for me? I don't think I can do it...

But you said you would make this all by yourself.

I did want to, but...not anymore.

...I see.

Do I really need to do it myself?

I'm not saying you need to... But don't you think Tuna would be grateful if you made it?

...Why?

Tuna was so precious to you. You vowed you would do whatever it takes to finish it and allow it to move on its own.

And I think Tuna knew you felt that way and has been cheering for you really hard. Just like I'm cheering for you. Yuna...

Ugh... Did they find me?

Found Master!

Arky!

Stop hiding and come out! Both the Public Security Club and the Student Council have already gone somewhere else!

Due to a Machinery that has gone out of control, the Public Security Club entered the woods to track it down and stop it. It seemed quite urgent.

Ah, my Kikirat!

We need to hurry! I need to find out what's causing the rampage!

KRRAAAAAR!

Ahh!

Karin! Watch out!

*panting* How is it so strong...?

KWAAARRRGGGHH!

Yuna really does have a talent for making things...

*gasping*!

This is like no Machinery I've ever seen before!

Second Lieutenant Karin! Protect Hazel!

B-but! Major Katis, you can't handle this alone...

Don't worry. Despite how I look, I'm a major from the Reingar Public Security Club.

I won't let you harm our students! I'll take you down right here! In the name of the Public Security Cl...

Kraaaargh!

Urk!

As expected from a modified Machinery... But! You will not beat me!

No... the sheer difference in strength...

I won't be able to protect anything like this...

Major!

Stand back.

W-Who was that?

What in the world! There's a huge hole in Reingar's security!

Who exactly is that intruder?

We can talk about that after we stop that rampaging machine.

First, everyone evacuate!

Who do you think you are, telling our Public Security Club what to do–

Wait, Second Lieutenant Karin!

Yes?

Can you not tell how powerful she is?

That's definitely not an ordinary knight.

It's not an easy opponent...

Everyone! Move out of the way!

Y-Yuna?!

Reinforcements?

It looks like we were just in time.

It's so big and scary!

I can feel some kind of dark magic around it...

I built it myself, so it's my responsibility.

There's a control device on top of Kikirat's head! It'll stop rampaging once it's turned off.

Arky! I need you to help Yuna get up there!

Kyu! You're so much heavier than you look!

Is it this one? Hmm, no... Maybe this one? Aha! Or this one...?

Wait, no... What about this one that I bought from Gusma...?

Kreee...

Krr...k...

It stopped!

Kyu... Finally...

So, this was the culprit... I only put it in for some extra battery power...

There's some kind of ominous energy emanating from it. It's small, but powerful...

I knew I felt something earlier.

Ras, I think... it's a dark magic stone.

Dark magic stone?

It is a magical stone created by condensing the power of destruction. They can be used for many purposes, but are closely related to the Acolytes.

Diene did mention something about a group trying to summon Acolytes.

Eh? Why are you looking at me? I bought it off of a merchant!

I think you need to tell us the full story once we're back, Yuna. But first, we need to get this strange stone back to the Public Security Club.

I-I...

And you, the knight with white hair.

Hmm? Me?

You should come too.

Sure.

What's taking that lazy oaf Plum so long this time? If someone calls a meeting, they should arrive first.

I never should have agreed to work with that idiot. *sighing* It's so hard to make a living...

Huh? I'm pretty sure I've seen you around the market. Give me a second, it's on the tip of my tongue...

Uh-oh...

Gusma! Right? Gusma, the merchant from Savara! But what are you doing around here?

I... Uhh... Umm... I'm...doing door-to-door sales for students busy with their research!

Is that so? Then let me see if there's something I need.

H-Huh?

You bought this thing... from Gusma, huh?

Uh-huh, and told him Hazel would settle the cost later.

How many times do I have to tell you that you need to be student council president first before you can push costs off to me.

O-Oh, is that so? Heh...

If this really is a dark magic stone, that's a big problem. I'll have the Magic Research Department look into it.

Judith! It needs to be stored safely in the evidence room.

Yes, sir!

But where are you going, Yuna? You need to come with me and write a statement.

I-I do...?

And isn't one of you claiming to be the Heir of the Covenant? Please accompany us.

M-Me too?

And you, the knight with white hair. So your name is...

Oh, my name is Cecilia, but please feel free to call me Ceci.

Reingar is under strict surveillance by our Public Security Club.

So, Ceci... How did you get in here?

Umm... Well...

Could it be... that you committed an unspeakably terrible crime and hid in Reingar... a heinous criminal?!

No, that's not it.

I'm the... Queen of Wintenberg, located in the continent of Eureka.

Twenty years ago, a magical barrier formed between the continents, blocking all communication ever since.

So how did you get here?

You're not lying in front of the Public Security Club, are you?

If you are, there will be consequences...!

A Chaos Gate suddenly appeared where I was at.

I tried to go back, but the passage was already blocked.

So I wandered around and ended up here.

This is the truth, right? If you've been making up stories because we don't know any better...!

Wait a second! The identity of this person isn't the important part. First, we should thank her.

Thank you, Ceci, for stopping my cutie and protecting the people.

It was nothing. Anyone passing by would have made the same choice as I did.

...Thank you. I should have said this sooner. Second Lieutenant Karin!

Thank you for your help!

I'm glad I could help.

KyuKyuKyu! But you must've been really flustered! You suddenly dropped into an unknown continent...!

I should head back quickly... so I'm worried.

In that case, how about traveling with us for now?

Ras, we have things we need to do...!

I know, Mercedes. But Chaos Gates appear all across the continent. If we travel together, won't it be safer to find it?

And Cecilia is a great knight, so she might be able to help us with our work.

What kind of work are you doing, Ras?

As the Heir of the Covenant, Ras has the ultimate task of destroying the Archdemon's Might and saving the world.

I see. It will be a short time, but if you allow me to help, I'll do my best.

Alright, it's decided then.

Um... are we all done here? If so, let's head to the Public Security Club.

There's a storage area nearby, so I'll be right back.

Alright. We'll wait here.

Hey, Judith! Oh, I see some new faces and Yuna.

First Lieutenant Plum, where on earth have you been? It was chaotic just until a moment ago.

Sorry, sorry. I had a stomachache...

Do you have any idea how much work we have now?

First we need to get a statement from these people...

Huh? What's that stone you're holding?

Oh, this? It's something that needs to be placed in the evidence room.

In that case, I'll take care of this and put it in the evidence room, since Judith will be busy with the interrogation.

H-Huh...?

No need to thank me!

The statements are more urgent!

Tsk, tsk... She already left.

Judith! I came to help with the statements!

Huh, you've already been to the evidence room?

No, the evidence was taken by First Lieutenant Plum.

After telling me to interrogate all these people and write statements...

Haha, don't worry. As a pro investigator, I'll help you out fast...

Wait. Did you say Plum took it?

Yes... with a very suspicious expression.

He looks like an upstanding merchant to me. We should let him in.

Wait a second, why are you covering up your belongings? Do you have contraband goods in there?

Huh?!! N-Never! I wouldn't dare! I'm just careful about keeping my goods safe, heh heh heh.

He's alright, Major Katis. I already checked him.

Maybe... Plum and Gusma have teamed up.

What? Plum and Gusma?!

I've seen Plum try to cover for Gusma a few times before.

Their relationship... might be stronger than we thought.

I can't believe it...

I know he can be a little dishonest, but he was always nice to me so I tried to look past that...

How could Plum betray me like this?!

We shouldn't be idling here. Let's go after them first.

What are you doing hiding out here instead of at the store? I've been looking everywhere for you!

I've been busy trying to avoid the Public Security Club! Did you bring it?

Yes... So, no more mistakes, and keep your promise, okay?

*chuckling* Of course, of course. I'm more trustworthy than I look.

Pluuuuum!

What are you doing, Plum?!

Eek! What is Katis doing here!?

You had a tail?! Argh, you idiot!

Idiot?!

Take this and escape with it!

O-Okay! Dammit!

It's not too late to give up, Plum! If the power of the dark magic stone has brainwashed you...

Right! It's not too late yet!

He's running away! We need to get that stone from him!

I'll get him!

W-Wait...!

Katis, if we don't act quickly, we'll lose track of them!

Stop the pursuit, Judith.

W-Why?

They went into the Hailow Lab Tower.

That area is out of Public Security Club jurisdiction. We need approval from the student council president first.

B-But, we don't have a student council president right now. Can't we just go in anyway?

No, Judith, that's against the law.

If we, as Public Security Club officers, don't stick to the law, who will?

Major Katis...

For now, we have no choice but to trust that Heir of the Covenant.

Something's up.

I agree...

I sense a dark oppressive energy weighing us down. It keeps getting stronger as we get closer to Hailow Lab Tower.

There's some nightmarish evil seeping into my mind... Could it be...?

Arky has a bad feeling about this...

Really? Everything seems totally fine to m, Aha! Over there! It's Plum!

Dammit! Don't come any closer! Go away!

Plum! If you keep running like this, we'll have no choice but to arrest you as a criminal!

Put the stone down! It's not something you can handle!

Hmph! What do you know about me and what I can handle!?

I am a paragon of leadership and sound judgment! My talents are wasted on the Public Security Club!

He's always been a little weird, but never this bad...

It could be the influence of the dark magic stone.

Then use that sound judgment of yours right now! If you end up in jail, imagine how many pages of apology letters you'll need to write! There's nothing you hate more than apology letters!

Ha! Once I'm student council president, there won't be any prisons for you to throw me in! Let alone a Public Security Club!

Student council president!?

Yes! Student council president! Mwahahahahahahahaha!

You've lost your mind! You weren't even chosen by Kazran!

Just because I wasn't chosen doesn't mean I need to give up on my dreams! Can the common people not rise up to become the student council president?

Your dream was to be student council president...?

From the very beginning! Because then I would have the power to change the law however I liked!

Reingar will become an academy city of freedom where you don't need to study and can play to your heart's content without getting told off!

An academy city without any academics...

You can't be serious, can you?

I'm completely serious! I now hold the power to bend reality to my will!

With this dark magic stone, I will make myself student council president whether you like it or not! Just you watch! Mwahahaha!

Ugh! Before the Public Security Club's honor is further tarnished, we need to capture him right away!

Got it!

Karin! That way!

Ugk!

I warned you, Plum!

Hand over the stone!

Strange... I don't feel any dark magic coming from him...

You don't!? Then that means the stone he's holding...

CHOMP

Yummy! Licorice candy!

Hahaha! I got you! You're so stupid! You really thought...

I'm going to handcuff one of your hands to this pillar, so sit still and wait for me to come back.

You forget I have my own handcuff keys!

Ah, rats!

He's escaping! Again!

Plum! Stop!

Next time we meet, you'll be calling me student council president!

See ya!

Plum!

Karin, let's chase him. Don't give up.

Looking at the way he runs, he probably didn't get far!

Some dreams...

You forget them as soon as you wake up, as if you never dreamed them at all.

We spend so much of our time dreaming. We experience so much in them, joy, sadness, love, despair.

But in the end, even if all those things find their way into the innermost reaches of your heart and become wisdom, when you open your eyes, they're all gone.

Even if it's a dream within a dream. No matter how long you spend there, you won't remember a second.

Yes... My queen...

You can't tell the difference between reality and illusion, can you? Whether you have twelve children, or sixteen, or if you even have a family at all.

But none of that matters to you anymore, does it?

No... All that matters is your advent... Please, my queen...

Tenebria.

The only thing that can be called truth here is your shallow, instinctual greed...

And the fact that it has awoken me, just like the curiosity of that little girl.

Gate of Truth...? What could that mean?

I'm not sure... But it is clear that an oppressive energy is coming from in there.

Arky can feel it too!

The Sage Minaret must be behind it.

The Archdemon's Might sealed here is starting to wake up.

We need to stop it before it wakes up fully and causes irreparable damage to Reingar.

Ugh... What should I do? Without the student council president's approval, I can't enter the Sage Minaret...

There's no other way.

Let's try going inside anyway. If fate permits... Yuna will accept her calling.

So this is... the way to get to the Sage Minaret...

Are you afraid, Yuna?

No, not at all! Why would you think that?

Because it seems that you're hesitating.

Of course, I don't know everything...

Ceci... I have a question.

What is it?

Did you really want to become a queen? The title and responsibilities of a queen... They're heavier than anyone could ever imagine.

Wintenberg has waged a long and relentless war against Dragons.

Unlike other nations where the throne is inherited, in Wintenberg, the strongest among the Dragon Knights takes the throne.

So did you choose to become queen?

My mother was the previous queen. She was the person I admired the most.

She was a warrior who never hesitated to throw herself into the most dangerous battles and loved her people more than anyone.

Following in her footsteps... to me, it was an honor.

Wasn't it overwhelming? I mean... weren't you afraid of not living up to everyone's expectations?

If your mother was such a great queen, the comparisons must have been even harder...

Do we really have to compare ourselves to others?

...?!

My mother had her own way, and I have mine. I believe we each fulfilled our roles in our own way.

Yuna, this spear I hold... It is not for me only.

And the crown I wear is not just for me... It is a vow to protect this nation with everything I have.

Every moment I spent growing stronger for my people had meaning, because that is my duty.

Everyone in the Public Security Club,

the Student Council,

and... even the Heir of the Covenant.

Everyone has accepted their role in their own way.

Whether it was by their own will or not...

Alright.

Yuna?

I won't run away either.

Oh!

Kyu!

The energy is growing even faster than I expected.

The barrier is stopping us from going any farther.

Please, Yuna... Without you, we have no hope.

There's something on the floor...

This is Arky's fur. It looks like he passed through here.

But there should be a barrier blocking their way to the Sage Minaret.

Can I... really do this?

Daddy's cheering for you. Yuna...

The barrier is gone!

Yuna has accepted her calling. Now the rest is up to us!

The interior of the Sage Minaret is strange. It's full of ominous energy.

Umm...

It seems we have no choice but to move forward.

There's something right in the center! And ugh, the stench is absolutely foul!

You are the ones who summoned me, huh?

Yes! I brought you a dark magic stone!

You mean, the dark magic stone brought you.

I've laid out the entire plan in detail, Tenebria! Please conquer Reingar and make me...

And make me student council president! Just give me that, and I will do anything for you!

Student council president?

What!? Make YOU the student council president!? You little crook...!

I did all of the dangerous stuff, including the summoning ritual! Maybe you should limit yourself to being in charge of the Public Security Club instead.

Is that all you two desired...?

How... boring. You two are the worst summoners yet.

Please make me student council president!

No! I'm more deserving!

Still, I suppose I ought to reward you for trying so hard to wake me up.

Perhaps I can gift you the illusion of becoming president? Reingar is doomed to fall soon anyway.

Together with the Heir of the Covenant.

Umm...

So, the Heir of the Covenant finally bothered to wake up?

I was so bored here waiting for you.

The least you owe me is the pleasure of seeing you die in despair.

Tenebria.

Were you really waiting for me this whole time? Did you deliberately plan for the summoning to happen here?

Ras! With a force this destructive, the entirety of Reingar could be in danger!

It could be a trap!

We don't have a choice. We need to stop Tenebria before she does anything!

Ugh!

Give up, Tenebria.

Give up on what? The ritual has already finished.

The entire city will fall into nightmare.

What?

With just one snap of my fingers...

Stop it, Tenebria!

Your divinity may protect you, but everyone else will be driven mad and suffer a gruesome end.

Watching your acquaintances die one by one is your favorite hobby after all, is it not? Alright then...

Wait!

Oh? And who are you?

Aha! You must be the new student council president. You're the one who ran away after your daddy died and are still dreaming of nightmares, right?

As student council president of Reingar, I demand you cease this and leave our city immediately!

...How annoying. Why don't you just run away like you always do?

Things are only going to get much worse from here.

Kazran!

Fine, I will allow you to witness the destruction of your city. This is no nightmare, but all-too-painful reality.

You won't have your way.

Oh, you turned back time? No matter, all you're doing is dragging out your despair even longer.

Pfft, so self-satisfied over turning the clock hands back a little. You Guardians are all so pathetic.

Yes, as you say, I can only reverse time by a few moments. And yet...

No! You didn't...?!

It's long enough to revert our timeline to a point before your ritual began.

Argh, damn you!

Within this timespace, I have an insurmountable advantage over you.

I'm willing to replay this battle until Ras defeats you before you begin your ritual. How many times do you think that will take?

...How boring.

You're no fun at all!

By no manner of cause and effect will you snatch victory from your inevitable defeat, Tenebria.

Fine, there will be plenty more opportunities in the future. I am willing to be patient.

Just you wait, Heir of the Covenant. This is not the end. Far from it.

Next time we meet, I will have a nightmare especially for you.

Please, please, please forgive me! I wasn't in control of my own actions!

You must take full responsibility for what you've done. In particular, your abuse of your Public Security Club authority.

Uck!

There's no need to look so scared.

During the day, you will help rebuild destroyed buildings, and at night, you will write letters of apology. Being in prison doesn't have to be boring.

As for Gusma. Alongside your imprisonment, all goods you brought with you to Reingar will be confiscated.

Y-You can't...!

Move all of this to the evidence room please, Second Lieutenant Karin.

Yes, sir!

Huh? What's this?

"This entry pass has been officially issued by the writ of the Conclave of Ezera to allow the bearer to..."

He wasn't an imposter after all?