Chapter 9: Determination

Heave! Ho!

Whew... I'm tired! That's got to be at least ten thousand strikes!

Saya.

Sis!

Come, let's have a little competition. I want to see how my little Saya has grown.

Huh? No! My arms are killing me!

Hey, who said that they were going to run the Murasaki family by themselves?

B-But... You're the heir that the family decided on. You'll perform the Lens Radiant ceremony.

Killing people and stuff... You can handle that without me...

Lucy, your ten o'clock.

A-Affirmative.

Vanessa, it's your time to shine.

Have a taste of my bullets!

Wow... No wonder they're the elites of SEED.

We're following the path of the dead Nightmares, Leader! That means we're headed...

I think that tree has an important connection to the spirit that Saya is linked to, Nobunaga Oda.

The Nightmare Lord is Nobunaga Oda! Then what about Saya? Is she... still alive?

I... I don't know...

Saya...

Leader!

That's right! Saya must be alive!

Yeah! Saya isn't the kind of person to give up easily!

Let's go! Saya is waiting for us! We can't leave someone behind in times of danger!

Whosoever that block my path shalt be slain without remorse!

For two generations have I suffered! Today shalt destroy the source of evil be destroyed!

I see Saya! She really did kill those Nightmares!

Saya!

Don't... Don't go close!

That's not Saya. I'm not sure if we can communicate with her, or even if she's conscious...

Hark! Are ye friend or foe!

!

If ye be friends, then back off. If ye be foe...

then die!

Now that's the power of a national treasure for you. How are you feeling, Betty? Can you take her?

This looks like it'll be difficult...

Especially when the Nightmare Lord is still conscious and fighting with Nightmares; I've never seen anything like this before...

...

Murasaki has perished, I am the King of Sixth Heaven!

Liar! Stop possessing her! Give Saya back!

Nina!

Ingrate!

Look out!

Gah!

Damn, I can't block him!

I don't want to be the demon god, but the demon god wants to be me.

Those that stand in my way,

shall perish!

We should... Well, this makes things easier.

Target is incapable of diplomacy. Mission objective:

Immediate termination!

Sis...

Gah...

Sis! Open your eyes! It's me!

Saya...

Yeah! That's right! I'm coming to save you!

Ughhaaahh!

Saya, give it up... I can't walk anymore...

No! No! No way!

You're going to be the head of the family, sis!

I haven't competed with you in a long time! I'm getting stronger, sis! Try it with me again!

What should we do? The giant Nightmares have gone into a rampage!

Look out!

We can barely take care of these Nightmares.

We can't hope to interfere with their in-fighting... Dammit...

Saya... What should we do?

To even fight with Nightmares after becoming the Nightmare Lord...

The fire in his dreams, and that tree... What does it all mean?

My work shalt not cease here!

How can this... Arrghhh!

To be this strong, even when confined to this body!

Vanessa! Lucy! Be careful!

We don't have a chance at winning if it keeps going on like this...

Draw out the distance and hit him with everything you got!

Affirmative!

Don't leave me, sis... Please, I beg you, please...

Saya... Stop crying... I have one last thing to tell you...

Sis...

As the heir to the Murasaki family... I... Murasaki... I...

Listen, I, Murasaki Kichou, designate Murasaki Saya as... as the heir to the Murasaki family...

And the inheritor to the Lens of the Demon King...

Alright, repeat after me... I, Saya, of the Murasaki family...

Sis! No! You'll be fine!

Repeat after me!

... I, Saya, of the Murasaki family...

!

Don't get close, idiot!

Do not dare to stop me!

I will slay the Nightmares of this realm!

Senseless?

Only power can stop the endless wars. Senseless? What does thou know of my ambitions! Thou speaks like a child!

Wields the blade?

!

Leader! Look out!

I will cover you, my lord!

Shibata!

My lord! Forgive me, for this is as far as I can go...

Takikawa!

My lord, this will be the only time I must refuse your orders. Please allow me to die for you...

Ranmaru...

Mitsuhide shalt be the rearguard, and will await for your victorious return! This fire will never go out, even if it takes a hundred years, even I must die a thousand times over!

Mitsuhide...

Was I wrong, and mistook the trees for the forest...

Saya!

I-It was blocked!

!

Descendant of Murasaki! What are you doing?

I do not wield the blade of Murasaki for the killing of innocents!

For the benefit of the people, and to protect what I love!

...

Saya!

Leader, Nina, Victoria, thank you all...

Demon King, if you wish to harm my friends, then you must face the wrath of the Murasaki family! I, Murasaki Saya, will duel you to the death!

A long fifty years of a man is naught but a fleeting dream. Where is the one that is given life, but will not have it taken away...

Hahahahahahahaha!

!

I see now. Was I mistaken?

I hath fallen into a slumber so deep, that I forgot why I went into battle. Hahahahahahaha!

Ranmaru, Mitsuhide... How foolish hath I become after losing ye!

For the benefit of the people, and to protect what I love! Well spoken!

Descendant of Murasaki! Were I to lend unto thou my strength, would thou bring it glory?

!

Does thou accept?

I, Saya Murasaki, I hereby swear my fealty to you, and bring unto your people glory and prosperity!

Very well! Finish my work! Your perseverance will show your loyalty, and your name will live on in greatness! Murasaki! Murasaki Saya!

Hahahahahahaha...

Leader, I...

Saya! Haaaaaa! I thought I'd never seen you again!

It's good that you're alright, Saya.

This... This is...

A miracle...

Muscipula...

I will report everything truthfully to my higher-ups.

If SEED decides that Saya is an existential threat, then perhaps our next encounter will be our last. However-

Leader of Muscipula, I admire your actions!

Keep doing what you're doing. Please.

Boys and girls, I take back what I said earlier. You guys rock!

Well then. Until we meet again.

Leader! You're back! We're all fine, but Saya, we were so worried about you...

I'm sorry for causing so concern. I'm back now.

Heh, I just remembered something. Saya said that you wield the blade to protect those that you love. Could the person that Saya loves be-

Sorry to interrupt the celebrations, but you should all report to medical first.

B-Bad news!

Calm down, what's wrong?

It's Charlotte! S-She's-

Charlotte's gone missing!