Chapter 19: Breaking Out

Is that... Mr. Berial on the stage?

What are you doing? You're going to fall over with this many people, idiot!

Huh? Why are you jostling around, Leader...

(Whispering) Leader... Now's the time for the reveal.

Anna, do you regret anything?

...

You must be Anna. Nice to meet you. I'm Berial.

Mr. Berial... Nice to meet you.

Don't be so nervous, Anna. "He" was once my closest friend. I was also sad to see "him" go.

What plans do you have now?

... I, I want to keep fighting Nightmares. "He" said that I can use my powers to save more people!

I w-want to take up the responsibility of a Radiant! As long as I have the will, "he" will always be with us!

That's right! As long as we have the will... From now on, you're my partner.

Do you... regret it?

No! As long as everyone is happy, it'll all be worth it.

I'm sorry... Also, thank you.

(Muttering) Flourish and prosper in Utopia's light.

(Muttering) Laugh and sing without fear under Utopia's might.

Thanks for your help... Mr. Berial! Take care of this Utopia for me.

I will, Anna.

Grrrr.... Arrrrrrgh!

Nightmares? ! When did they...

Dammit, they always have to ruin the mood!

Let's go!

These Nightmares are coming out of the audience! And... they're headed towards Anna!

Where did Anna go? !

Welcome to Utopia!

A place without misery or fear! A place where you can bask in enjoyment and satisfaction!

Mr. Berial! Where's Anna!

Anna will become a Barrier that will protect everyone forever.

Huh? Where is this? !

Where's Anna? Where did the audience go? Wait, where's the big stage?

This concert is the last step to Utopia.

Once Utopia is complete, Anna will become a Barrier that will protect everyone...

And the audience will be unshackled from pain, free to pursue their own liberty and happiness.

What is Utopia...

This is her will.

???

What are you saying? Mr. Berial! Anna, she...

Oh, my head hurts...

Sacrifice... Strange, my heart feels all scrunched up, strange...

... Who is Anna?

Utopia feels their pain, and has stripped away these useless emotions and memories.

What is the responsibility of a Radiant? Anna has always tried to protect others. She thought that this was the responsibility of a Radiant...

But the war with Nightmares has never ended because of "protection!"

That's why the harm and separation between partners has never stopped.

Why... Why won't this all stop? Mr. Berial.

...

I stand behind my partners in wanting to protect everyone... but I cannot stop all pain and loss from happening.

I've had enough of saying farewell! Enough of losing things!

Well, what if there was a way to end it all?

... As long as there are Nightmares, the war will never end.

Only by cutting it off at the source will Nightmares cease!

I have been working on a special kind of Lens that strips away negative emotions...

Strips away...?

If it succeeds, then we'll be able to stop Nightmares at the source.

I need your help. Do you trust me?

... I'll... I'll do it.

The Special Lens experiment worked!

I'll pull out negative emotions with the roots of memory!

I can't deny the sacrifices, but as long as people will stop being troubled, I'll bear that responsibility!

That's right. They won't troubled by the past any longer.

Take a good look, Leader!

Within this pure white canvas, is a kingdom of pure joy!

Are you alright, Leader? You haven't been eating much lately.

You can't keep at it like this, Leader!

Idiot... You have to take care of yourself if you want to be considered a Leader.

Seriously, you've been so quiet these days, we're really worried!

Nina... Do you still feel worry and anxiety?

Well, I don't... It's just a turn of the phrase!

Well, sometimes I feel a bit empty, but I can finally relax!

Yeah, and now that there are no Nightmares in Utopia, we don't need to keep fighting anymore.

Oh, hey, everyone's here.

Don't just sit at home. We're free now, let's go outside.

Yeah... I have a good idea!

Let's go to the amusement park!

That's a good idea. What about you, Leader?

Yay! Leader is the best!

Heheh! Whether it's a merry-go-round or a roller coaster, the Great Hero Nina is gonna ride them all!

Nina, get in line!

Leader, is there anything you want to try?

I said, stay in line, idiot!

Someone's cutting in line!

Hey! Hey! Stop cutting in line!

It's pretty good to relax like this, right? Leader.

It's been a while since you had such a good idea, idiot.

I don't know why, but it felt like there was this voice in my head that said "amusement park." I decided to follow my inner voice!

It feels really nostalgic to be here!

What are you staring at me for, idiot?

Am I hearing things...

... I'm not saying anything.

Are you hallucinating, Leader? Saya didn't say anything!

Oh, it's finally our turn! Let's go! Whoever screams first has to buy everyone ice cream!