Partner in Conviction

Honestly... We don't need to get involved in some remote front like this. That's the Alliance's problem to deal with!

I agree, Ethan...

If we wear ourselves out here, it might interfere with the rest of our journey...

I agree too. The problem is, the enemy force's route passes by the port.

If the sea route is cut off, it'll be hard to receive aid from across the sea, and the war will drag on. We can't let that happen.

I understand your intent, Ethan... but if we go, it'll be quite a detour from our next destination...

Wouldn't it be better to leave it to the troops stationed there?

If there were only a few enemies, sure.

If we don't win decisively, it'll come back to haunt us. Let's leave the preparations for the next journey to Merlin and support this side instead.

Hmm...

It's close by anyway. If we go from here, we'll be there in no time.

...If you insist that strongly, all right.

Sniff...! We're getting dragged into another fight...

Haa... Looks like your annoying hero complex is acting up again.

If ships can't come in, it'll be harder to get the meat you like too. Still okay with that?

What did you say?!

Ha! Do you think I'd do anything for meat? You've got the completely wrong idea!

No...? I thought that was it, so I was thinking of buying you a whole roast pig for dinner tonight...

Hmph! What do you take me for?!

Woah...

Come on, stop dragging your feet and let's go finish this already!

But let me be clear... this has nothing to do with meat! I'm the righteous Fairy Queen, after all!

Right... the righteous Fairy Queen.

Morgana... your change of tune is incredible...

Aren't you used to it by now? We've been together for quite a while.

Come to think of it... I think I heard the enemy commander over there might be "her."

Yeah. It's someone we know all too well.

That alone is reason enough for us to go. It's better to cut off a rotten connection like that ourselves.

Thinking about running into that persistent, terrifying Lucy again... my stomach already feels queasy.

But what exactly is the Imperial Army after?

Right now, there's no way to know whether they're after the port or the nearby Grain Warehouse.

The Alliance should be guarding both, so I was thinking we split up and support them... What do you think?

I think that's a good idea.

If it were me, I'd hit the Grain Warehouse!

Perfect. Then Morgana can defend that side.

What about us?

Morgana alone would leave too many openings. If you two help her, the coordination between the front and rear lines should be solid enough.

What about you, Ethan...?

I'm going to the port.

That'll be difficult on your own...

I'll go with you, so don't worry.

Agravaine?!

When did she... I didn't even see how she appeared, Princess.

You're right. Her skill really is incredible.

It's nothing that remarkable, Princess.

Hmm...

What's wrong?

I know you're quick on your feet, but... it feels like some pretty dangerous areas are a little too exposed.

You're being naughty, Ethan. You were going to bring up her chest, weren't you?!

See? She says that, but Bedivere was thinking the same thing I was.

It doesn't matter. This is my resolve.

Even if I die... it means I'll become a shield for you and the Princess, even with my bare body.

I-If you're going to put it that way, I can't really argue... but you don't have to push yourself so hard.

I have no intention of vanishing into the shadows of the battlefield either. I exist, plainly.

Right in front of you...

U-Um... if we're settled now, shall we leave before it gets any later?

Ethan and Agravaine, please hold the port. We'll protect the Grain Warehouse.

It's been a while since we've split up!

If we're splitting up, then I won't be able to protect the Princess this time...

There's no need to be down, Agravaine. The Princess still has me, her guardian knight, after all...!

Yes...

But I will protect the Swordbringer no matter what. I swear it on my life.

Then I'd better do my best so I don't end up needing protection.

The defenses aren't bad either. If the main force doesn't come this way, we should be fine...

But if there's an advance party, that means the main force is headed this way too.

Looks like you're the lucky winner this time.

Yeah... Funny how I'm only lucky in useless ways.

There's nothing to worry about.

I won't let you get hurt.

Swordbringer... there, the main force has appeared.

Phew, they're advancing pretty fast. Let's ambush them before they reach us and cut down their numbers.

Yeah.

They're pretty strong soldiers. So this really is the main force.

What is it?

It's good that you move fast and take down enemies quickly, but sometimes you push in so deep it looks dangerous.

If you make even one mistake like that... you'll get badly hurt.

Maybe it's because I'm used to ending fights fast... Morgana's stamina is poor, so I've been fighting like this for a while now.

I see... From now on, I'll protect you, so you don't need to rush.

Over there!

Damn, here they come again. Seriously, there's never a moment to rest.

You can rest if you're tired.

I can't do that. I want to buy as much time as possible until more allies can gather.

And if possible, take down the commander too.

If it's you and me, we can do it.

I'm supporting you from the rear... but if you're in danger, I'll run to your side at once.

Because that's my duty...

Phew, this isn't easy. I'm not sure it's a good idea to keep pushing deeper like this...

If taking out the enemy isn't our goal, then there's nothing wrong with pulling back.

Swordbringer, what will you do?

After talking you guys into joining the fight, turning tail and running because it's dangerous would be... pathetic.

Then...?

Let's go as far as we can! Even if it's dangerous, if we face it together, we'll manage somehow.

If that is your will...

I'll protect you until this battle is over.

What the hell is that guy?!

Looks like... a follower of the Church of Tiamat.

A normal army wouldn't take orders from priests. It seems they weren't just planning to seize the port.

Good thing we struck first.

Yeah... though now I'm worried about how we're getting out of this encirclement.

The troops gathered at the port on our side must have noticed something was wrong.

If we hold out, we've got a chance. Let's take them down first.

All right...!

I don't know why you're here, but I won't let you interfere with our work!

Attack!

I-I'm at my limit! I don't even have the strength to swing my sword anymore!

Ugh... is this where it ends...?

Swordbringer!

Agravaine?!

Ugh...

A-Are you okay? Damn it, get away from her, you bastards!

Hurrah!

Did we... make it...?

Swordbringer... are you okay...?

Yeah... thanks to you...

Thank the heavens...

Hmph, you're slow as a snail. You're only getting here now?

Don't even start. It was a pretty rough fight.

Even so, they were just pigs serving that idiot emperor. If I had been there, it would've been over in an instant!

How was the Grain Warehouse?

Heh! Perfectly fine!

No Imperial Army troops came our way. It seems they all went to your side instead.

...Then why are you talking like you fought some desperate bloodbath?

Because they knew I was here and got scared, that's why! Can't you even figure that out?

Um... more importantly, is Agravaine all right?

Yes, there is no problem.

I got hurt overexerting myself to protect that dense Swordbringer... but it's my duty.

Sorry for being dense... I really don't have anything to say to that.

But Elizabeth. The one leading the Imperial Army wasn't Lucy, it was a priest of the Church of Tiamat.

What? The intel was wrong...? How could that happen?

Who knows... Maybe some other scheme we don't know about has already begun.

Just in case, I think we should report this to the Alliance and have them prepare.

Good idea.

The Church of Tiamat... This may be a far more serious matter than we thought.

We should make haste and leave as soon as we're ready, Princess.

I'll get everything ready right away!

Thanks, Bedi.

Honestly... we never even get to rest.

Morgana, come with us too. You worked hard today, so I'll buy you some warm, freshly baked bread.

Well, if that's the case, I'll make a special exception and move...!

Thanks, Agravaine.

For what...?

Earlier... you covered me. You saved my life.

It's nothing... I swore I would.

Still, that was pretty dangerous... If you're going to fight like that, wouldn't it be better to carry a dagger and fight up close instead?

With your skill, you'd be more than capable.

A crossbow is a weapon well suited for the battlefield. It leaves no room for unnecessary emotion.

And... if I'm with you, this is better. Because you won't abandon me and run.

You... really do trust me...

Of course. For you and the Princess, I could do much more than that.

This isn't mere trust. It's a kind of conviction.

Conviction...

I never took your resolve lightly, but from now on, I'll be more careful.

What do you mean?

Just what I said. I don't want to see you get hurt because of me anymore.

Like you... I've decided to rely on your feelings for me with conviction.

Thank the heavens...

Agravaine...

You... could smile.

I know. I thought I'd never be able to smile again...

Thanks, Swordbringer.

I'll treasure those words... forever.