Episode 2, Chapter 9: Forgotten God's Altar

Meeooww!

Huh?

Enormous Void Energy... The seal is getting weaker!

The holy site of Aeon...

Crud... Are we too late?

It's not too late. Siamese and I will do our best to stop the seal from breaking completely.

In fact, now might be our only chance to bring him down.

I agree. Let's go.

Halt!

This is not a place for the likes of you...

Void beings, devour them.

Annihilate these intruders!

You'll have to do better than this!

Darn it, can't push forward!

At this rate, the altar will lose all its power!

Man, man, mander!

Shellymander!

M-m-m-mander maaaaandeeer!

You're going to stop the void beings? All by yourself?

Mander!

Mander!

Mander!

Mander!

Man, mander!

Charge in now? Wait! Ahh, they're doing it!

This is our chance. It's now or never.

Over there!

They are void beings... The stronger their connection to the Void, the greater their power.

The way he was talking about a "vessel" or whatever... we can still take them down!

Let's go. You still remember the formation against stronger foes, right?

No wonder the sacrifices have yet to break the seal...

It's you again. How persistent.

Not so fast.

Hiss!

Just surrender already. Before we break your precious vessel.

Hahahahaha. Amusing, amusing.

Let's have a little bit of fun.

Come at me.

I've not been this entertained in ages.

Still... your resistance is futile.

This world's end has been predestined.

When it happens matters not. Even the notion of death itself has become irrelevant to me.

If your plan is the destruction of the world, then that is all the more reason to stop you.

Haha. Adorable.

I shall be waiting for you... at the end of this world.

Hmph, that's a whole lotta big talk coming from a dead guy.

I doubt he's actually dead. I don't think he can even be killed at all.

A-at any rate, we've won, and that's what matters. Right, Commander?

Yes, I agree. Now, let's go back to the Maid & Clover...

I'll prepare a meal for you.

But I can't promise it will be any good.

Could this be the beginning of the apocalypse foretold in the York Choco Revelation?

Perhaps. To witness this with our own eyes...

On that day, all existence shall return to where it began...

Then, what should we do? Just pray to Bigcat?

A long, long time ago... there were warriors who fought against the void beings.

Who were they?

The elves... Ancient elves.

Then, the elves must know how to stop the Void!

Not necessarily. We don't even know if the elves still have their ancient records.

Let's go! I want to hear from them with my own ears!

We're staying here to stabilize the seal and purify the rest of the corruption.

I guess this is goodbye.

I believe you'll be able to find the answers you seek.

What do you plan on doing now?

Well, we'll return to Manafall and report exactly what happened.

Then we'll be ignored and reprimanded. Obviously.

That sounds rough... Take care of yourselves.

...See you later.

A-although it's unclear if that'll happen!

Bye, Reina.

We'll be back if we get some time off. Let's have some fun then!

Without thinking about missions and stuff, okay?

I'd love that!

Are you leaving now?

Yes, we are. Since our mission is complete.

Could it be you're feeling left out since we didn't ask you to come with?

Actually, Flare wanted to leave first. Didn't see that coming, huh?

...I didn't want to accept it.

You were so different then...

back when we were in the brigade together...

It's not that I didn't enjoy serving alongside the two of you.

I know. I know you did.

Ahem!

A knight who gave their all. Who protected their comrades and defended the weak.

That's who you were, Commander. And so, I respected you.

That road you paved!

We'll continue on it!

Do you mean... you're going to become maids too?

Commander! What are you saying?!

I'm kidding. Although I could use the help.

I believed I hadn't changed... no matter what I was doing or where I was.

But... Seeing you both has shown me...

I've changed. More than I realized.

Futhermore, the time we spent together... it truly meant something.

Even though I find myself walking a different path from you now that I am a maid,

the vow to protect what I hold dear... it still stands strong.

We'll get going now.

We promise to visit again!

And we'll be guests of the inn, so you can't kick us out!

Are you two returning to Hananis?

Yes, we need to report back.

You played a key role in completing this mission. Please, visit anytime.

Oh, Esther! Can I ask you something personal?

Can you tell me... why you gave up being a commander?

...It's simple. I wasn't capable enough for that role.

The promised reinforcements never arrived, and my unit was driven into a death trap.

I'll never know for certain, but it could have been the work of those who envied me.

Anyway, if Miss Nia hadn't found me, I would have most definitely died.

So that's what happened...

I owe her my life... It's only right for me to repay that debt.

Thank you, Esther. Mind if we visit again?

Anytime. I'll greet you with a clean room and a warm meal.

Now, have a safe journey back.

Oh, you're back. Was the mission a success?

Nope! We failed!

Hm. That's one enthusiastic "no."

But we found the mastermind behind the Void Corruption, and we met some people who called themselves the priests of the Feline Order.

The Feline Order... So they still exist, huh?

They told us that the elves fought against the Void before.

Ah... The elves! If anyone knows something, it'd definitely be them!

Alright. I need to plan for the next mission, so come see me later.

And make sure you're well-prepared when you come back.