Episode 2, Chapter 5: Obstacles to World Domination

Ooh... I can feel power surging...!

With this power, we can actually dominate the whole world!

Dominate what?

That's not even funny.

I-intruders! We got intruders!

Kurgh, I'll kill you! I can do that now!

The orcs... are planning to rule the world?

Friar Ragdoll!

Siamese?! H-how did you...

Those pests... Hurry up!

Once we offer this Pure Sacrifice to that tree... that Dark Power will be ours...

Stop the intruders! Release the hounds!

The gate is locked! What now?

Why is that a concern?

Move over. Might hurt.

W-wow...!

Take down the intruders!

Stop them! Don't let anyone escape!

Think you can do that?

Stop the intruders!

Get them!

Are you kidding? It's just nonstop!

Commander?

Flare. Reina. I will hold them back.

The first step of pushing forward... is securing the rear.

As you should both know by now.

You're gonna stay behind again? Like on our last mission?

I'll join you soon. Alright? It won't be a repeat of that day.

Commander!

Urgh...

*Sigh.* You'd better come.

What's with this sinister energy around here? It's chilling.

It's the Void. It's very powerful here...

We should hurry.

Flare, stay close to me!

Stop!

The pure priming offer has fulfilled its purpose...

Friar!

Reina!

It's okay. He's alive.

Procuring such an immaculate sacrifice... was the Void's will.

Kneel before the utter nothingness of the Void.

The Void...!

That stupid tree... I can burn it down, right?!

That's right!

This is it! Give it your best shot!

Seething dragon blood,

incinerate the foe before me!

Hiss!

O sacred shadow in the darkness... Lord of the Void...

Amon.

Let's run. That being is not something you can handle!

No way. I'll cover you. I've got this!

Reina!

This vessel is... weak.

O great Amon, forgive this wretched servant...

But our machinations have only just begun...

Let's find a more suitable place...

Is everybody okay? Reina?

Me? I-I'm totally fine... Agh.

As expected... We can't go on like this. We should fall back for now.

Urgh... Damn it!

What in the world even is that Amon guy?

I would guess... he's one of the high beings of the Void...

We call them... demons.

Was all of this... to call forth that demon?

I've seen a tree like that before, too. At the Natura Monastery...

Natura Monastery? Where Custos slumbers?

Yes, you've heard of it?

Well, that monastery is one of the Feline Order's holy sites.

Then, what happened there was related...

Did something happen there?!

It's already fallen. It never stood a chance against the Void Flora.

The monastery... has fallen...?

The Feline Order's holy sites are no ordinary buildings...

They're remnants of an ancient battle against the Void. Seals holding back the Void where it seeps into this world.

...Which means, they'll be targeting another holy site next.

The situation is more grave than imagined.

We'll go back and report this to Hananis.

I see. You two are adventurers.

Thank you for your help.

I'll be looking after Friar Ragdoll and Reina...

Flare, go with these people.

Given the circumstances, we could use these adventurers' help.

Deliver this letter to your guild's branch master. I've explained the situation.

Ha! You're acting like a commander now...!

Flare?

Fine, fine!

Meow!

Aww... You're gonna stay behind and care for the injured? Okay, sounds good!

You done already?

Nope, we're just checking in! Turns out things are a lot worse than expected.

We got that sense, too. Things have been real strange lately.

Okay, let's hear your update.

Here, take this. It's all in this letter.

Hmm... Alright... Got it... By the way, who's your rude little friend?

She's a pyromaniac... I mean, this is Flare. Ha! She's a knight magus from the 9th Brigade.

Umm, I can talk, too.

Aha. The 9th Brigade. That explains where they found such a bratty pipsqueak.

Pipsqueak?!

Ah, would you look at the time. Let's look at this letter of yours.

Hmm... Yes, the Void... Flare, considering how bad things are, are you sure you just want a security detail?

Commander Esther... I mean, former commander Esther wrote that letter.

Esther? That hotshot from the dueling tournaments? What's she doing in the field? I thought she retired!

Ugh. It's a long story.

Hm, what do you two plan on doing? I already know you won't listen to me.

It's obvious, isn't it? We're locked in on our mission to support the 9th Brigade.

...Alright. If Esther's there, you're in good hands. Leave the rest to me.

Still, if things get too hairy, run. Don't even think about playing the hero!

I'll... go with you too... C-Commander!

No you won't.

I won't let you... leave me again!

The enemy's next target will be... Aeon.

I've requested backup. The brigade will send us reinforcements soon.

...You already know they won't come.

Just like back then! When those stuck-up, jealous nobles tried to kill you!

I already know. You left without saying anything because you didn't want to endanger us!

...Is that true?

Why didn't you tell me?

Once your injuries are healed, please join us.

Without you... we can't do this.

Everyone! Friar Ragdoll is doing much better... Huh?

Wh-what's going on...? I can come back later...!

Sister Siamese, let's set course for the holy site of Aeon.

Oh! Are we heading out?

We just need to head east, through Port Vellum.

Okay. Then let's head to Port Vellum.

Are you leaving now, Esther?

...I apologize for deciding on my own.

But, for the safety of the inn and the town, I...

There's no need to explain.

Esther, you're the face of our inn.

Your will is what this inn... is what I stand for.

...Thank you, Miss Nia.