01x16 - The Truth Behind Awakening

[bunniefuu]

[narrator] Helck travels

to the Demon Lord's castle

and meets Azudra, who speaks

of the demonkin's desire

for peace with humanity.

Helck tries to convey

this to his fellow humans,

but the people show nothing

but hatred

and disdain and lash out.

The kingdom reveals

a new weapon:

awakened soldiers to

wage w*r on the demonkin.

[Zeruzeon] Helck, please,

I really need your help.

[opening theme]

[THE TRUTH BEHIND AWAKENING]

[dramatic fanfare]

[HEAVY INFANTRY COMMANDER,

ZERUZEON]

[Helck] You want my help?

Unless we take action soon,

the kingdom will turn

into something repugnant.

Hold on. You're gonna

need to explain more.

It's this awakening power.

Trust me, it's going

to destroy the country.

You've seen the new

warriors before, right?

- Yeah.

- Most were dangerous criminals

who committed serious crimes.

They had been locked

in prison for ages,

their bodies frail and

sick, basically invalids,

but after going through

the awakening process,

they could suddenly fight with

a frightening amount of power.

It's just not possible

to become that strong,

that fast without any risk.

The spell they use does more

than just grant epic strength.

It's a spell?

[Zeruzeon] The awakening process

destroys the mind.

You lose all sense of self,

turning you into a puppet

that only knows

to obey the spellcaster.

Those warriors

are no longer human.

They're empty vessels

commanded to k*ll,

and the kingdom's upper

echelon intends to cast

that spell on every citizen

who's not nobility.

Wait a second!

What will become of the kingdom?

I don't know, but they

could rebuild the kingdom

that exists solely

for the nobility.

They have designs they plan to

put in motion on a huge scale.

[Helck gasps]

[eerie string music]

I don't know exactly

how it will work,

but their goal is to awaken

everyone at the same time,

and I am supposed to play a

role in making that happen.

Huh, what the?

[Zeruzeon] Don't get me wrong.

I'm firmly against

the whole thing,

and there are a number of

others who feel the same.

Well, what about

Mikaros and Lord Rafaed?

Do you know if both of them

are on board with this?

Actually, the Great Sage Mikaros

devised the entire thing.

Everyone, from the

king, to Lord Rafaed,

to the members of the Senate.

The plan has progressed

with the unanimous agreement

of the king's elite.

Do not trust anyone

in the nobility,

especially Mikaros

and Lord Rafaed.

I've been watching

them a long time.

They have given off an

ominous aura more than once.

We have to put a stop to

their plan no matter what.

Otherwise, all the commoners,

even your mercenary friends,

are going to end up as

brainless automaton warriors.

How exactly do you intend

to keep such a thing

from happening?

The chance of us beating

those warriors is pretty slim,

even if we amassed an army.

We won't need many people.

We only need to throw

a wrench in the works.

The spell used to trigger

the awakening is the crux

of everything, but can't

be used by just anyone.

It requires a spellcaster

and another individual

to act as the key.

The key?

A person with a special

ability that invokes the spell,

which means the plan won't

work with those two taken out.

So who is the

spellcaster anyway?

The king.

[Edil gasps]

What?

[Zeruzeon] Only a handful of

people know his whereabouts,

and it's unrealistic to go after

someone so heavily guarded.

So our target must be the

one who acts as the key,

Cless the Hero.

We'll take him from the

clutches of the kingdom

and put an end

to their bullshit plan.

The key is Cless?

And just so you know,

Cless has not endorsed them

in any way.

In truth, he still hasn't

regained consciousness.

They're just using him to

put their plan in motion.

So ultimately, we would

also be saving him.

So that's why

you came to me.

That wasn't the only reason.

They've put Cless under heavy

guard because he's essential.

So if we're going to rescue him,

then we will need someone with

outstanding skills and strength.

[chuckles] I've heard the

stories, how you stood up

to a monster after it

wiped out a battalion

of a hundred soldiers.

You defeated it yourself.

Actually,

it was 500 soldiers.

[Zeruzeon] Or how you managed

to vanquish over 50 monsters

- in less than an hour.

- More like 200.

[Zeruzeon] Or how

you made it all the way

to the Demon Lord's

castle without any help.

He marched right in

and came back unharmed.

[Zeruzeon] What the

hell's with you anyway?

Hey, fathead, watch your mouth!

- [Zeruzeon sighs]

- Hm?

[Zeruzeon]

And besides, I was told you

were the most reliable person

to go to if things got bad.

I was told that by your brother.

He and I joined the

army at the same time.

We spent years fighting

our way through a number

of deadly battles together.

[Cless] It's fine.

As long as my brother is around,

it doesn't matter how many

monsters invade the kingdom.

He'll find a way

to take care of them.

It's only thanks to him that

I can even go on this quest

to defeat the Demon Lord.

So if anything happens to me,

you should go to

my brother for help.

He's far stronger than I am

and the most reliable

person you'll find.

[Helck gasps]

My brother.

[Zeruzeon] I beg of you,

I didn't spend such time

and effort serving the kingdom

for it to turn to sh*t.

I want to protect the people

and the peace of this land,

and above all else,

I want to save my friend!

We have to rescue Cless.

[Helck] He is blessed

to have a friend like you.

[Zeruzeon gasps]

I would be more

than happy to help.

Thank you. I owe you.

[Alicia] You can

count me in too.

I was listening to

the whole thing.

I would rather die than

become a noble's puppet.

Alicia, participating in this

could be considered treason

against the crown.

I should take care

of it by myself.

Pay attention, Helck.

He clearly needs us

to help out too.

That's why he filled in

Edil as well.

Figured you and your people

would be better than most

of the scumbags out there.

[Alicia] You don't

have to put it like that.

[Edil] I'm totally on board.

Count me in.

No way in hell they're

getting away with this.

I have a duty to keep the

innocent people here safe.

- But so-

- Nope, you do not get a say

in this, I'm afraid.

Jumping in all by yourself

is always your solution.

It's okay for you to rely

on your friends, Helck.

So with that, we're all going

to stop these assholes together.

- Thank you.

- Now let's hear the details

of what you're planning.

Oh, and be sure to keep

your voice down.

I could hear you all

the way down the hall.

[Zeruzeon]

What, are you serious?!

[Edil] Yeah,

your voice kind of carries.

[crowd yelling]

[Helck] We made our move.

[citizen] Get your

a*s out here, damn it!

- [guard] What's going on?

- [guard 2] The townspeople

are out of control!

They're rioting!

What the hell

are they so mad about?

Enough of the damn chatter!

Get out there and do your job!

[guards] Right!

[Helck] The riot

was part of Zeruzeon's plan.

It helped reduce the number of

guards stationed in the castle.

Okay, it's clear.

[tense music]

[Zeruzeon] Go, go, go!

[Edil] Keep your voice down!

[Alicia] I don't like

how smoothly this is going.

[Zeruzeon]

The real trouble starts here.

[tense music]

[group gasps]

They haven't seen us!

Let's hit them first!

Damn, they spotted us!

[Alicia] Because you're

so stupid loud!

Okay, guys,

we can overpower just one!

[Alicia] What about

a whole bunch of 'em?

Whatever, just stay cool!

- Too late for that.

- Too late for that.

[Helck] Bring it on.

[dramatic orchestra music]

Here they come!

[Helck grunts]

We've got this.

Fight like usual.

[Edil] Right.

- Huh?

- Huh?

[swords slice]

[Zeruzeon yells]

[Helck grunts]

- [Edil] We did it.

- [Helck] Yeah.

Good, let's keep

pressing onward!

[receding footsteps]

[group grunts]

[Zeruzeon] We've almost made

it to where they've got Cless.

[Alicia] If we do make it

through, we're gonna have to

come up with a way to handle

the monsters and demons.

[Edil] Yeah.

- Huh?

- Huh?

[Helck] There's a good

chance we won't have

to fight the demonkin.

[Alicia] Huh?

When I was gone, I met

with one of their leaders

at the Demon Lord's castle

[both gasp]

and he told me

something surprising.

The monster's attacking the

kingdom were not sent by

or controlled by the demons.

They actually have

nothing to do with it,

and more importantly, he told

me they want peace with us.

[gentle music]

Hm? Uh

That's very admirable of

you, Sir Helck, but please,

you cannot simply take

the demons at their word.

The demonkin are shrewd

and deceitful.

There are stacks of records

that show the human race

has almost been wiped out

due to their treachery.

That demon just

noticed your strength

and lied to get away.

All the demons I've come across

were bloodthirsty b*stards

impossible to reason with.

Oh, really?

[Alicia] You're a

good guy, Helck.

You show kindness to

everyone without exception,

but you have to realize

there are many in this world

who are beyond help.

And their kind are creatures

we need to be wary of.

The demonkin have treated

us like an enemy

throughout all of human history,

But sure, it would be amazing

if it turned out to be true.

- Huh?

- Huh?

There's nothing better

than finding a way

to resolve things peacefully.

So here's the deal, Helck,

when we're done here,

let's go find out for sure.

Thank you, Alicia.

Sounds like a terrible idea.

Whatever, Edil, you

can just stay behind.

No, I'll go with you.

Oh, not unless I'd be getting

in the way of your alone time.

What?!

I never said it would

be just the two of us!

Zeru was with us too, you know?!

Keep it down!

You're being too loud!

[group sighs]

[footsteps]

[Zeruzeon] Cless is up that way.

[door opens]

Something's not right.

It's too quiet.

[Edil] Definitely feels

like someone is here.

[Alicia] Stay on your toes.

I've got a bad

feeling about this.

[Helck grunts]

[dramatic music]

[energy humming]

[group gasps]

[Helck gasps]

[Helck] Cless!

No, wait!

- [footsteps]

- Hm?

[sword clanks]

[Mikaros] And just

what pray tell

do you think you are

doing here, Zeru?

[eerie string music]

[Zeruzeon gasps]

[Zeruzeon] Mikaros, I

Ah, there's no need to explain.

I noticed from the very

beginning that your response

to my plan wasn't

exactly favorable.

I must say, I'm not a fan of

that part of your personality.

I thought you were

a more sensible man,

but you are just

another disgrace.

Lord Mikaros, you can't

go through with this!

They're our people!

There is no way

what you're planning

will ever lead to peace!

You are a floundering fool.

[group gasps]

[noble 1] I cannot

believe you, as a noble,

would be opposed to the plan.

But, senator

Even someone with

your pea brain

should be able to comprehend

just how reasonable

and beneficial this will be.

The people will not

perish from this.

We are awakening

their spirit,

upgrading their bodies

to be more useful

and efficient workers,

for all of us.

[noble 1]

Productivity will be soaring.

Plus, every member of the

kingdom will be powerful enough

to fight against the monsters.

[noble 2] Not to mention they

will be completely obedient

and unable to defy us.

[Alicia] Eat sh*t.

None of us were born

into this world

to become your

brainwashed sl*ves!

[noble 3] It is

cause for celebration.

Their lives are blessed

with purpose by serving us.

Surely you have all

seen the simple rabble.

The stupidity of the lower

class knows no bounds.

They take zero action

of their own,

only screaming and complaining

about the peace gifted to them.

[noble 3] Becoming our livestock

is what they deserve.

- Son of a b*tch!

- [Alicia] Enough talk.

Let's finish what we came for.

[energy humming]

[group gasps]

[Zeruzeon] It's the king!

[Alicia] So here you are.

[King] Kneel before me.

[group groans]

[magic rumbles]

[Edil] What the hell

is going on?

[Alicia] These words have

so much weight it feels

like I'm being physically

pushed to the ground.

[king] This plan was

enacted by the collective will

of the kingdom.

Those who raise objection

to it, for whatever reason,

shall be regarded as criminals.

I hereby order you

take your own lives.

[group groaning]

[shouting]

[Alicia] Something's

in control of me!

[Helck] What did you say?

Take our own lives?

Go f*ck yourself.

He has the power to

defy the king's order.

Well, well, how curious.

[Helck] Hey, guys, are you okay?

[Alicia] Yeah, thanks to you.

Sorry, Helck.

Oh, the effects of the king's

divine tongue were broken?

The only way that could

happen is for these people

to regard that man as

higher than the king.

[Helck] I'll be taking

my brother now.

Mikaros, summon the soldiers!

I'm afraid that's pointless.

Awakened soldiers aren't going

to be near enough to defeat him.

He wields far too much power.

Then how are you going

to handle this?

Fear not, Senator.

We already have the perfect

opponent right here with us.

[king] Cless the Hero!

I hereby order you

k*ll all the traitors.

[dramatic orchestra music]

[Helck gasps]

Wait, that's not-

Something is happening to him

besides just being

controlled by the king.

[Edil] What is that

darkness surrounding him?

[Helck] Cless, stop it!

What are you doing?

Look, it's me, Cless,

your brother!

Don't you recognize me?

[Mikaros] You cannot reach him.

Cless has been stripped

of all agency

and is being controlled

by a superior power.

Your voice falls deaf

on his ears.

Master Mikaros,

what happened?

Why are you doing this?

I'm sure you've already heard

the glorious details of my plan.

I had been searching for an

extremely long time for the one

who could act as the key.

That is until the cold,

snowy night we first met.

As Cless lie there

on the verge of death,

I discovered a special power

buried deep within him.

It was exactly what

I'd been searching for,

the ability to draw upon

power from another place.

It is a special ability that

only Cless the Hero can access.

- [Helck grunts]

- Meeting your brother

was an unbelievable

stroke of fate.

I might not have come across

him in a thousand years.

That's just how exceedingly

rare his ability is.

But I wasn't able to

start my plan right away.

He was so young, so undeveloped,

and it was necessary to

improve his physical prowess

to the point where he

could survive my spell.

He wasn't ready.

Fortunately, the sudden outbreak

of monsters made that part easy.

I pushed him so hard on a number

of occasions he

almost didn't make it,

but he did reach

the level I needed,

and now I shall have

Cless continue our work

to turn my dream into a reality.

Mikaros!

[Edil] Let's go help him.

We would only be

getting in the way.

I miscalculated.

I never thought we

would end up having

to fight against Cless.

[Cless strikes Helck]

Okay, that's enough!

We need to retreat!

[blood dripping]

Please, Brother.

It's me, Helck!

Come back to me, buddy.

Ah, it's impressive you're able

to put up this much of a fight.

I imagine that you could even

k*ll Cless if you wanted to.

[chuckles] That is one way you

could stop all this, you know?

But that's not going to happen.

You couldn't bear take the life

of your own little brother.

[laughs] An impossible choice.

There is simply no way for you

to overcome this situation.

I'm so sorry.

[Helck gasps]

Awfully clever

to catch him off guard,

but it does not matter.

Such poultry attacks have

absolutely no effect on him.

[Cless yells]

What's this?

That's should hardly

have scratched him.

No, that's not possible.

Brother!

She really hurt him.

How did she manage that?

[Alicia] Well, I've never

actually fought a Hero before.

I just went in

to try and help, Helck.

This blade truly

is imbued with a power

that lives up to its name.

Did I hit him too hard?

I hope he's okay.

That blade, I don't believe it.

That's the Hero Slayer!

[Alicia]

Huh? I didn't know anyone

outside my family

knew about it.

Who are you?

You're a fool.

"The Hero Slayer"?

[Edil] Look, that sword, it

seems to have stopped Cless.

Has the key been defeated?

Where did that

sword come from?

Come on, guys! Grab Cless and

let's get the hell outta here!

Call the soldiers

and k*ll them all!

Helck, is he okay?

I'm sorry.

I didn't want to hurt him.

His consciousness is

fading in and out,

but I think he'll be

fine thanks to you.

Whatever you did saved him.

Come on, Helck.

Let's go.

Attack them!

[Alicia] Helck, you go on ahead.

Take Cless and run for it!

[Edil] We'll hold them off.

Thank you!

[Mikaros] Never knew

you would be carrying

such a ghastly weapon.

My mistake.

[Alicia gasps]

[chuckles]

I cannot even remember

the last time

I felt genuine fear.

However, that blade

cuts both ways.

You made a big mistake

revealing it to me.

Stop it!

[Alicia yells]

[Mikaros] You have already seen

Helck's overwhelming power.

Do you seriously think

he's just another human?

I'm going to borrow

this for now.

[Helck gasps]

[magic thrums]

You have lost.

- This is what happens

- [Helck yells]

when you underestimate

my power.

[chuckles]

[Helck yells]

[ending theme]

[narrator]

Next time: "Traitors"