Hero Stories: Two Keys to Freedom

How strange... Unknowns in Ezera, when there isn't even a Land of Death here.

I heard a Chaos Gate appeared beneath the Sanctuary Temple too.

Perhaps they're beginning to appear throughout the rest of the world as well, not just in the Land of Death...

Just what are these Unknowns... Why do these Chaos Gates keep opening?

I wish we could tell you. It's been a while since we founded Phantom, yet we're still lacking any real information...

I know why the Unknown are appearing in Ezera.

Oh? Why?

The Goddess is bringing divine punishment down upon those who have denied her!

If we intend to rid Ezera of the Unknown, we must first rid it of the evil that infests its streets by spreading the word of the Covenant.

Shall we get going?

Where did you say they were appearing?

...You ignore me now, but we'll see who you come crying to when the time comes to pay the price for your heathenism!

No need to overreact, Lidica.

You're from Ezera too, Bellona, surely you must understand?

I do. But think, Lidica...

Wouldn't it be more fun to fight big strong Unknowns than puny little heretics who can barely lift a sword?

I can't wait to find out how powerful the Unknowns that have been appearing in Ezera are. How about you, Sez?

...

I knew you'd agree!

But...he didn't say anything.

He doesn't have to, I just know.

Well, let's get started with today's mission.

Sez, they're heading your way!

I know.

How's it going, Sez? Doesn't it feel great not having to hold back your strength?

All I'm doing is removing threats. There's no fun in this.

Stop acting so dignified and let yourself go wild, Sez!

It's a problem if you go berserk on normal people, but there's no need to hold back against Unknown.

If you lose control of your power, I'll stop you, so let yourself go!

...Okay, I will.

You two get along so well, it's as if you've been lifelong friends.

But wasn't Bellona an Ezeran noble, while Sez was a Taranorian criminal?

Right, and the Moune Family is one of the most well known noble families in all Ezera.

I'd never imagine a noble and a criminal would end up having anything to do with one another... Do you know anything about them, Aramintha?

Hmm, Bellona was already looking after Sez by the time I met them.

I don't know how they happened to end up together.

Hmm... Maybe I'll have to ask them about it later.

I think this is enough for today. Shall we wrap up?

Another productive day, huh?

Everything hurts...

I'm ready to collapse, too.

Meanwhile Bellona looks even more energetic than before we started fighting.

That's because she loves fighting strong enemies.

Not much longer, guys. There will be plenty of time to rest after we report to the Conclave.

They might even reward us with delicious food and a nice place to sleep.

I like the sound of that. Shall we head to Tirel Castle straight away?

Tirel Castle... It's been a while.

She's really taking her time. I wonder if it's taking longer because of Sez.

Or maybe she's giving all those other reports she never got around to giving all at once.

Don't you and Lots have to go see the Holy Order of the Blue Cross and the Rose Apostles too?

Well, I'm always going back to visit anyway. As for Lidica here, she got kicked out.

I told you, I was framed!

Don't you have anyone to meet around here, Bellona?

...

Bellona?

Hmm? Did you ask me something?

What's got you so distracted?

Just thinking about the past. This place used to be like a second home to me.

Thanks to Sez, I was able break out of this glamorous prison.

I've been curious about that...how exactly did you two meet in the first place?

Right, I can't work out how you two would have ended up together.

Have I never talked about it before? It's not like it's something I've been trying to keep secret.

Fine, I'll tell you all about it while we wait for Aramintha.

My Lady, would you give me the honor of this dance?

No thank you, I'm a little tired... Maybe next time.

I'm so bored... How much longer must I do this for?

Looks like everyone only came here because they heard Prince Aither would be attending.

Where's the fun when everyone is only here because of an ulterior motive.

Fine. Prince Aither or no, I'm getting out of this boring prison.

Please stop there, ma'am.

How dare you tell me what to do.

Mistress ordered me to keep you in here until the party is over.

Ha, so you're more scared of my stepmother than me?

...I'm just following orders. If you are still adamant on leaving, I will have to force you to stay.

I'd like to see you try.

Please forgive my rudeness.

*sighing* I'm so tired.

I can't believe she even has the guards on her side now. Is there anyone left in this mansion who isn't under her finger?

I was able to escape today, but what about next time?

I can't run away forever. What should I do...?

Maybe I really will end up married to someone I don't even love.

Anyway...

You can come out now, I know you're hiding.

...You are perceptive.

What are you hiding there for?

I have no business with you. I simply needed somewhere to hide while on the run.

And you decided the easiest place was here, behind several layers of security?

I'll ask you again. What are you hiding there for?

...

I've given you more than one chance to explain yourself and yet you still refuse to do so, I'll take that as permission to deal with you however I please.

How convenient, I was in a bad mood anyway.

I'll tear you to pieces!

And? What happened then!?

I won, of course.

But he's the closest I've ever come to meeting an even match.

Although, looking at him afterward, it became apparent he was already badly wounded.

I couldn't help but get excited thinking how strong he might be when he was fully recovered.

Sounds like something you'd think, Bellona.

Anyway, I found him to my liking.

...I lost...?

*panting* You're talented. I've never met anyone who gave me such a challenge.

...I can't.

Excuse me?

...I can't die here like this. Can't die. Can't d...

Is something wrong? He's acting strange...

Don't worry, I'm not going to kill you.

You won't kill me? Even though you've won?

I won't lie, I considered it when I first saw you...

But I changed my mind. There's no way I'd kill someone who can satisfy me like this.

If you do me a favor, I'll keep what happened today secret. I'll even find you a place you can stay hidden for a while.

...What do you require of me?

Spar with me every night.

And so we did, and over time we became closer.

So that's how you two met...

It's definitely not a typical introduction.

Sorry to keep you all waiting. I had quite a lot to report on.

Oh, it was fine. We were just listening to Bellona's story.

Is that so? What about?

The story of how I first defeated Sez.

That wasn't necessary.

Ah, actually, there's something I need to talk to you about, Bellona.

The Moune family will be hosting a party to thank us for safeguarding the peace of Ezera.

At least, that's the official reason. I'm sure it's just an excuse for them to see you.

...I think so, too.

Will you be okay, Bellona?

Don't worry about me, since I'll be attending as a member of Phantom, not a Moune.

If my family is hosting, you won't need to worry about the quality of the catering. Use up all of their money and have as much as you like.

Uh, Aramintha... Does Bellona have a poor relationship with her parents?

Perhaps. She once told me one of the main reasons she joined Phantom was to get away from them.

I see...

It's not really our place to say anything when she says it's fine. Let's see how it goes for now.

All this food is incredible! It literally melts in your mouth.

Lots, Lidica. Slow down.

But it's so delicious I can't stop.

He's right. With food like this, you have to eat as much as you can while you have the chance!

...You make it sound like I hardly ever feed you.

Bellona must have grown up eating food like this all the time, I'm so jealous.

Speaking of Bellona, where is she?

Huh? She was here a moment ago. Now that you mention it, Sez is gone too.

You leave home chasing after a random man, now you're back here acting like a heroine.

It wasn't my idea to host a party hailing me as a hero, that was your family's idea. I just did what I had to do.

My family? "My" family?

Oh my! I thought I was disowned by this family long ago, but I guess I'm still a Moune after all.

Of course you're a Moune! And as a Moune, you have responsibilities to uphold!

You've had enough fun, now come back home. It's about time you pay us back for raising you!

What kind of parent demands payment from their child for raising them? You have so much wealth already, why could you possibly want even more.

It's not like you even had to earn it yourself, why can't you just be happy with what you have now?

How dare you!

Stop.

Do not threaten Bellona.

Let me go, filth! Let me go!

Do as she says, Sez. She poses no threat to me.

What's going on here?

Honey!

I was trying persuade Bellona to come back to us.

Although I may not have been the one to birth her, I hate to see my dear daughter having such a hard time with this kind of work.

...

You're too soft-hearted. She left this house of her own will, and now you hold a party to try drag her back...

I wanted to see her face again, even if only like this.

I won't kick you out for your mother's sake. Just make sure not to cause any more trouble while you're here.

Even you must have some semblance of a sense of shame.

...Don't forget what I said. It's time you stop playing.

I'm coming, honey!

...*sighing*

You can come out now, they're gone.

Sorry, we didn't mean to eavesdrop. We were looking for you and Sez...

It's alright. I'm sorry you had to hear something like that.

But why are they so unhappy with you?

They think I left home because I fell in love with Sez.

Huh? What happened...?

Remember when I told you how Sez and I would meet and spar every night? Well that caused some...misunderstandings from my parents.

Miss Bellona is so bright recently. She even looks healthier.

She must have a new lover. I heard a rumor about her secretly going out at night...

A lover?

M-Mistress...!

Sez, it's me.

What did you bring today?

Cooked turkey. Eat up so you can do well toda...

You brought a man here!?

Mother? How did you...?

I knew you lack an awareness of your position in this family, but I didn't think you lacked shame, too!

Who is this person? She's loud, can I kill her?

...No, Sez. We should escape instead. Hurry!

...! There are soldiers outside...

Are they here for us?

You really thought this through, Mother.

Of course. Unlike you, I'm not a fool who doesn't consider the consequences of my actions.

I'll have to make sure you suffer so that you won't think about doing something like this again.

Get that filthy man away from Bellona! Kill him if you must!

...Looks like we have no other choice but to fight.

Hmmm...

I thought we were here on an easy job to catch a runaway noble girl, how did it end up like this? She's clearly no normal woman.

Don't let your guard down. So many have been defeated by her because they took her too lightly.

No need to worry about that.

I wouldn't still be here today if I ever let my guard down.

Alright, let's get started.

You're pretty good.

Same to you. On another day, I'd be glad to have met an opponent like you.

I never lose in a one-on-one fight, but...there's too many of them.

...I hate to admit it, but looks like Mother invested a lot more into this than I'd expected.

I guess this is as far as I can go. I'm sorry, Sez.

...Can't lose.

Sez?

I'll die if I lose. Can't die. I don't want to die. I...will do...whatever it takes...

What's going on? He's acting weird...

Sez, no! Calm down!

Remember all those fights we had! I didn't kill you even after beating you.

You won't die, even if we lose here.

Trust me and stop. I'll protect you.

Protect me?

I can't guarantee that is true. I will do whatever it takes to win.

What my stepmother wants isn't to kill Sez, but to keep me under her control.

You've won, Mother. I won't do it again, so please spare Sez's life.

Your head is being held mighty high for someone looking for forgiveness.

...

I was wrong. I promise I won't do anything foolish again.

And you will do as I tell you from now on?

Yes.

Fine. If you really are so sorry, I won't kill him.

Instead, I'll have him handed over to the guards for breaking and entering. They will deal with him appropriately.

Bellona.

It's alright. Everything's going to be okay.

Look. They've all lowered their weapons. Your life is not under threat.

...But, it looks like our time together ends here.

It was fun while it lasted.

You're saying that he's a wanted man in Taranor?

That's right. For mass murder!

...Strange.

Taranor completely cut off communication with any other country, and now they're asking for cooperation in catching a killer for them? What did he do, kill royalty or something?

That's what we're trying to find out...but he won't tell us anything.

What should we do? Do we just hand him over to Taranor?

Seeing how desperately they want him, perhaps he knows something top secret.

Find out what they want with him, whatever it takes. Torture him if necessary.

Answer me! What did you do in Taranor?!

I told you several times.

I can't remember anything. All I remember is darkness and pain...

Is that so? Then maybe more of the same will help jog your memory.

This steel skewer sure works like a charm when it comes to curing amnesia.

...Are you going to kill me?

Why, are you afraid of dying? Sure, I might if you don't tell me anything.

No, I can't...

W-What are you doing?

I can't die yet!

The Ezera Royal Family's roses are famous for their beauty, yet your beauty outshines even them.

Would you give me the honor of a dance with you, so that I may indulge in your beauty?

Of course, I would be glad to.

Did you hear? There's a criminal on a rampage at Black Scythe Prison.

Oh, really? What are the soldiers doing?

Apparently he's really strong. They say he's unstoppable.

How pathetic. We best stay away from there on the way home.

Don't tell me...

Miss Moune?

I'm sorry, something has just come up. I think you should dance alone.

It's not working, Katenka. We can't calm him down!

I wanted to get more information out of him but...he's causing far too much damage.

It can't be helped. Forget about bringing him back under control, just take him out...

Wait!

Let me talk with Sez. I can calm him down!

Aren't you Lady Bellona Moune? It's too dangerous here, please go home.

There's no need to worry, I'm well aware of her abilities. She's far stronger than you.

So...I assume you already have a plan if you're talking so confidently?

Of course.

Fine, we have nothing to lose at this point. But if you fail...

We will kill him.

Sez. Do you recognize me?

Urrgh...

I guess not. Not that it matters, you made little sense when you were in your right mind either.

I'm going to take you down with force, think back through your memories of defeat and remember me.

Huh? Y-You're going to fight him? In here?!

No fight, just a casual spar. Stand back if you don't want to get caught up in it!

Why are you not killing me? You've had so many opportunities already.

If you were him, you would have ended me the moment I lowered my guard...

...Him?

One day, I will kill you. That's the only reason I exist.

It's either kill or be killed.

...No, this is different.

This is different than the fear I felt before...

Shall we call it a day, then?

If we fought just a little longer, you could have killed me.

Oh, I could never! There aren't many opponents who can entertain me as much as you.

And I never get to meet any of them thanks to my stepmother...

If she's in your way, get rid of her. Or is she stronger even than you?

No, not in the way you think at least. But as long as I belong to the Moune Family, I can't go against her.

Even if I try becoming a mercenary I won't get much work. The only escape from this family is to marry into another...

Then why don't you?

Ha, no thank you. I'll be escaping one prison and running straight into another.

I'd rather not think of these things right now, I'm happy just to spar with you.

...Bellona?

...! Sez, do you remember me now?

Thank the Goddess... Really. You did well, Sez. It's all okay now.

Has he returned to his senses?

As expected, the only way to bring someone back to their senses is to beat them into them.

I think it's more thanks to the fact it was Bellona.

I wasn't hoping for much, but she actually did it. She saved his life...for now.

According to the man's statement, he was kept in some sort of lab in Taranor...

Where he was forced to fight others to the death.

This is only a guess...but I think Taranor might be mass producing some kind of army of artificial soldiers.

They're preparing for another war?

It would appear so, but I can't imagine who they might be preparing to fight.

If more of his memory returns, we may be able to get more information.

I hear he went on a rampage during his interrogation. How do you expect to get more information out of such a volatile individual?

As you say, the regular method of imprisonment and interrogation seems dangerous. I think it would be better to hand him over to the Phantom CIC instead.

He regained what memories he shared with us so far through fighting, and there's no need to worry about collateral damage in the Land of Death.

Still, it's dangerous to let such an uncontrollable person free without any safety measures...

That's why I was thinking we'd have someone watch over him...

You want me to watch over Sez?

You're the only person capable of taking him down.

If it's okay with you, Bellona, we'd like for you both to join the Phantom CIC. While working for them, you can try to get more information out of him.

I'm not sure my parents will let that happen...

The future of Ezera is at stake here, he's the key to discovering what Taranor is plotting.

If you're willing to join, we'll persuade your parents for you.

Then...I'll do it.

And that's how I gained the freedom I'd always dreamed of.

Huh... So Bellona joined Phantom thanks to Sez, and Sez joined Phantom thanks to Bellona.

That's right, and that's why I'm always thankful to him.

I have no intention of losing this hard-earned freedom of mine. I'm never going back to the Moune mansion.

...No matter what.

You won't have to. I'm not letting you go back.

Thank you, Sez. I hope we can continue working together for a long time. You too, Lots.