01x12 - Sentence: Aid in Evacuation of Ioff Cheg Port 3

[bunniefuu]

Teoritta…

We did it…

Yes.

It was bound to happen.

I allow you to rub my head
and sing my praises.

Tell me, "You are indeed a goddess."

"You are amazing, Teoritta!"

You're amazing, Teoritta.

You're a great goddess.

Perhaps that's what everyone wants.

When a job is completed

and you're praised for it,

some people probably think
it's worth risking their lives for.

Hm?

Help…

Please help us…

My dad…

A creature did this…

Tch. I have more people to protect now.

Teoritta, stay here…

Little girl up ahead.

Hey!

Fear not.

I, Goddess Teoritta,
and my knight, Xylo Forbartz,

will guarantee your safety.

We need to treat
that gentleman right away.

What is your name?

I…

I'm…

Ah! Are you all right?

Teoritta!

Die!

Whoa, damn!

Did I just hit a kid?

Huh?

That's weird.

Tsav!

Did you just sh**t a civilian?

No, I saw Teoritta being attacked…

Huh?

Don't "huh" me!

How could… this happen?

Tch. Did she get away?

Teoritta!

Are you hurt?

I told you not to push yourself…

Xylo…

What?

It looks like…

I need to learn how to use this properly.

You blocked it with this?

We need to buy a better one.

I'll train you properly.

By the way,

is that a faerie disguised as a human…?

That might be Spriggan.

It seems you truly are a threat

to the Demon Blight.

Hmph. Just as I like it.

A goddess's standards
are always high.

Let's go.

Back to those lowlife b*stards.

Yes.

After all, that's where we belong.

But before that…

You understand, right?

You must give it your all

and sing my praises

with all your heart!

Approximately 130 civilians
arrived at the refuge.

There were no casualties.

As expected of
our Thirteenth Order of the Holy Knights.

It's all thanks to Commander Kivia's
excellent leadership.

But where did the Commander
and the Infantry Lieutenant go?

I guess they wanted us
to take the credit this time.

After all, the Commander and Rajit
always get the credit first.

Thank you for your gallant efforts.

I hope the military and the Temple
will continue to work together

and strive for the good of this town!
- Sorry to keep you waiting.

Yes, sir!
- How did it go?

Well then,
- Frenci.

everyone, back to your posts.

Provide aid to the evacuees.

It's just as you predicted.
- Yes, sir!

First…

I need to repair the damage…

and find…

a new host body…

Ah…

There you are.

I wanted to see you, Spriggan.

Huh?

You didn't know?

Actually, when the Demon Blight
corrupts the surroundings,

it has a unique…

how should I put it?

A unique "wavelength."

If you're of the same race,
you can pick up that wavelength.

That's how I tracked you here.

Who… are you…?

By the way, do you know, Spriggan?

I'm a penal hero,

but among the Penal Hero Unit,
my crime seems to be the least serious

and the most straightforward.

What do you think it is?

Eek…

It is…

k*lling my own kind.

Because I feel pleasure in such acts.

Humans are amazing.

They say this kind of hobby
is quite common,

and the motive behind it is very boring.

Don't come near me!

Don't come near me…!
- Being called boring is truly something.

So I simply surrendered.

I did everything they told me to do.

Now I'm also learning
about their ethics.

And I've come to understand
that to you, Demon Blights,

I'm merely a m*rder*r.

No!
- k*lling your own kind for pleasure.

Let go of me!
- Such a trite and boring act of m*rder…

Stop!
- But to humans,

Let go of me! Let go!
- this seems to make one a hero.

Why is that?

I still can't properly explain
the reasoning behind it.

Let go!

Yes, yes.

The sounds you've been making…

are music to my ears.

It excites me greatly.

It makes me want
to take my time k*lling you.

Oh, right.
I forgot to introduce myself.

I am the Demon Blight, Puck Puca.

Before humans, I call myself
by the name of this body's original owner,

"Rhyno."

Well then…

Sweet dreams,

Spriggan.

I'm unable to continue the mission…

I'll disappoint my king again…

Yes.

I used a Blood Doll as a substitute.

That Holy Sword is too dangerous…

To k*ll them, I need more human blood…

I've heard of your valiant efforts.

Well done.

Outstanding.

Thank you.

I've also heard that your deployment
and command were impeccable, Uncle.

It was merely good fortune.

It must've been a blessing
from the ancient saints.

Your achievements this time

should allow you to rise to the top
among the High Priests.

If such an honor
is truly bestowed upon me,

I'll begin with a personnel reshuffle.

We need to be more united.

When that happens, Patausche,

we must improve your current situation.

Personnel reshuffle, you say?

Then,

are you going to replace
the entire Temple leadership

with members of the coexisters?

Did you interrogate Lideo Sodrick?

The envoy of coexisters he met…

Mahaeyzel Zelkoff…

When priests pray
for good fortune in battle,

everyone uses this name.

What's wrong?

In the Central and other regions,

it's pronounced "Zelkoof."

Only people from the north
would pronounce it "Zelkoff."

Considering the wealth required
to mobilize the Adventurers Guild

and the clue that the person is
a Temple official from the North,

we can narrow down the suspect.

Uncle…

Whenever you had the chance,
you took me outside to see the world,

even though I was a child
who knew nothing about it.

When I wanted to take
a different path from my parents…

and forge my own path,

you provided me with what I needed…

This sword is one of them.

When you took me out
into the streets,

the alias you always used was Zelkoff.

You remembered.

How could I forget?

Of course, I've also checked
your movement records.

And in the previous battle,

the unit that discovered the Demon Blight
invading the Inland District,

according to you,

was Unit 7110.

However, no such unit exists.

You've done your research.

Uncle.

Why are you siding with the coexisters?

It's for the people I care about.

Please don't move, Uncle!

Me and my family.

Uncle!

And the faithful
who devote themselves to the Temple.

I want to save them.

Patausche.

Humanity will fall.

That's why I hope

that at least those with righteous hearts
and my beloved family

can remain safe.

Then…

What about everyone else?

I don't care!

Isn't that how everyone is?

Patausche.

Or would you rather be a hero
who saves strangers

instead of your own family?

Uncle, I just—

You're still too naive.
You still have a lot of growing up to do.

Hurry and grow up, Patausche.

Learn to love your family
and those around you.

If possible, I hope you'll take part
in the future workings of this world

as a member of the coexisters.

I…

Humanity will be defeated
by the Demon Blight.

Among the surviving humans,

we must take our place as overseers

and lead the rest of the people
to the right path—

Please, just stop!

It's such a shame…

Uncle…

I…

I truly…

truly…

respected you very much…

Are you crying?

Even if…

those people have nothing to do with me…

even if they are strangers…

to abandon them...

would be a grave mistake.

Patausche.

That's a very self-righteous
and abnormal thought.

You could also call it
the heroism of an inflated ego.

Now that I think about it,
perhaps I raised you this way…

Shut up!

Rajit, arrest him!

Yes!

Please, atone for your sins…

Commander!

This is such a shame…

Patausche.

I truly thought of you…

as my own daughter.

Hurry!

What's going on?
- This way!

High Priest Marlen!

Has Rhyno not returned yet?

It'll be trouble if Kivia finds out.

Venetim.

It's about time we put
a collar or chain on that guy.

You're one to talk, Jayce.

Oh, my.

I think we can just leave Rhyno alone.

He could be taking advantage
of the situation.

Or maybe he's captured a faerie
and is torturing it.

I once saw him bring back a living faerie.

Isn't that right, Dotta?

Yeah.

He said he'd make it a specimen
or something like that.

Heh.

Ah!

Hey!
- Bro!

Please save some for me!

Fool!

You're the one with the least work.
What nonsense are you talking about?

Tsav!

I order you and Rhyno
to reflect on your actions!

No way!

I saved Teoritta from a crisis!

Whatever.

Let's get this over with
and call it a day.

Xylo.

Huh?

Frenci.

You look like a mess.

Why are you just sitting here?

I'm sorry, but we're closed for the day.

If you don't want it,
then give it to me!

I don't want to be scolded by you anymore.

How disgraceful.

And you call yourself
a son-in-law of the Mastibolt family?

You're worse than a hibernating lemur.

All right, give me a break.

We're done here.

Yes.

However,

their attack on this town
was just a diversion.

What?

Huh?

You mean…

The Demon Blight, Abaddon.

It's said to have breached the defenses
of the Ninth Order of Holy Knights

and launched a surprise as*ault
on the Second Capital.

You mean my capital…

It was attacked by the faeries…?

They knew our every move.
We've been completely outwitted.

Don't tell me…

Yes.

The Second Capital...

has fallen.

The Second Capital, Zeyllent,
is the symbol of the Federated Kingdom.

It's also a key defense point.

Sigh…

Now, Galtuile Fortress
and the First Capital

are like having a blade at their throats.

I heard he was k*lled
by a close acquaintance.

Isn't he a big shot in the Temple?

Excuse me, please let us through…

Why did you k*ll High Priest Marlen?

You're the one who should die!
- Move aside!

You heretic!

Sentence her to death!

Alright, move out of the way!

Commander…

No way…

Patausche Kivia, Commander of
the Thirteenth Order of the Holy Knights.

Why did you k*ll High Priest Marlen Kivia
and Infantry Lieutenant Rajit Heathrow?

How many times are you going
to ask me the same question?

He was part of the coexisters—

No.

You were afraid of High Priest Marlen's
popularity and abilities.

That's why you betrayed humanity
and k*lled your uncle.

As long as you can
accurately present the facts,

I'll let you go immediately.

What happened to my subordinates?

The hero unit.

What's Xylo Forbartz's status?

Why wasn't there a trial?

Let me say it in court!

Please reconsider.

We have plenty of time.

My apologies.

It took some time to discuss.

Because there's only room for one more.

I hesitated for a while.

Hmm…

Patausche Kivia.

Former Commander of the Thirteenth Order
of the Holy Knights.

Setting aside your abilities as a soldier,

your mental strength is truly amazing.

You k*lled someone important who'd
shown you kindness with your own hands.

For the sake of people you've never met,

you even punished
your most revered benefactor

without mercy.

This is clearly an act beyond
the scope of personal interest.

It could be called a hero's conviction.

Or perhaps, a mere delusion.

How… do you know…?

My goddess can summon books.

You could also say
she summons information.

Hm?

Ah, I know,

Enfié.

Thank you.

Are you…

a Holy Knight?

Hm?

That's right.

The Twelfth Order of the Holy Knights.

So, we used to be colleagues.

I'm here to offer you a choice.

You have two paths before you.

The first path:

accept the death penalty
as a member of the coexisters.

The second path:

become a penal hero

and continue to fight the Demon Blight.

A hero will be resurrected
even if they die.

They have no freedom of action.

Nor do they have honor.

They will sacrifice everything
for people they've never met.

If it were me, I'd probably refuse.

And personally, I don't think
you're suited for this path.

A hero…

What exactly is a penal hero?

Sigh…

I'll answer as much as I can reveal.

I'm sure you've heard some rumors.

The first goddess
has the power to summon heroes.

Long ago, at the start of the Great w*r,

she summoned heroes from another world.

But she couldn't communicate with them.

So the people of the past
changed their approach.

They summoned those who died
in this world as heroes.

Summon the dead…

Resurrection?

That's right.

They will stand on the front lines
of the battle against the Demon Blight.

HERO IS THE ULTIMATE PUNISHMENT.
Even death

HEROES STAND ON THE FRONT LINES
is not permitted.

TO FIGHT THE DEMON BLIGHT.
They continue to fight on.

DENIED EVEN DEATH, THEY FIGHT ON.
THIS PUNISHMENT HAS NO END.

So that's a hero…

A penal hero…

Precisely.

And the reason it's now
a form of punishment…

Well, there are many reasons for that.

And,

the first goddess's power is not perfect.

If she resurrects someone multiple times,

you know what happens, right?

You lose part of your memory,

and your mind is worn away…

Humans seem to have
something called "soul."

The more accurately
she can "recall" the subject,

the more precise the summoning,
or rather, the resurrection, will be.

Although Enfié's records can also assist,

the first goddess is doing her utmost,

recalling the memories of the heroes
day and night.

There's only enough unused space
for one person left, at most.

To go that far…

Can a hero truly be a trump card?

I suppose so.

That's what I personally hope.

These are the only secrets I can reveal.

We'll talk about the binding sacred seals
and "repair" another time.

Now then,

what is your choice,

Patausche Kivia?

If I say I'm willing to become a hero,

will you release me from here?

Yes.

But you must die once.

You will be dismembered
and removed from here.

That is the only thing
I cannot compromise on.

You can either die
believing in the goddess

or die not believing.

Those are the only two options.

I…

was born into a family of priests.

I ended up abandoning my family…

My uncle, who was one of the few
who understood me,

was k*lled by my own hand.

I've thought countless times
in this darkness…

how my subordinates and the hero unit
would view my crime…

If they think I've gone mad,
I can accept that.

But... if they despise me…

and think I'm one of the coexisters
who betrayed humanity…

To be seen that way…

by my subordinates and that man…

I can't bear it…

If…

If I can…

raise my sword and fight again,

then…

I vow here and now that I will fight
for those I have never met.

I will become a hero.

I understand…

You cannot regret this.

I don't recommend it either.

I'll take measures to ensure your silence.

Personally,

I'm still against making you a hero.

However,

I respect your vow.

Now, take it.

For the sake of humanity,

show me your resolve.

Patausche Kivia.

I am...

sentencing you...

to be a hero.

SENTENCED TO BE A HERO