02x06 - Lynchpin of Memories

[bunniefuu]

[RIO]

Could she be Princess Flora?

Who knew we'd meet

in a place like this?

♪

[FLORA]

Is that Rio?

You saved us!

And just in the nick

of time, too.

We were almost

overwhelmed back there.

Thank you, sir.

My name is Liselotte Cretia.

I serve as the current

governor of Amande.

And my name is Haruto.

-Haruto?

-A pleasure, sir.

And this is the second princess

of the Beltrum Kingdom.

Her Royal Highness

Princess Flora.

At her side is the current head

of the House of Huguenot,

Lord Gustav.

♪

My Lady,

did I overstep my bounds?

[FLORA]

What? Oh?

If I may ask,

have I behaved discourteously

in some way, Princess?

[FLORA]

Nothing of the sort.

It's just that

It feels like this isn't

the first time we've met.

I'm sorry, but I don't believe

I've had the honor,

Your Highness.

I'm quite certain

I would have remembered.

♪

Oh, I see.

Why would you be familiar

to Princess Flora, then?

Are you a noble

from a neighboring region

whom she may have met?

Or perhaps

No, sir, I am simply

a wandering swordsman,

and have been training

in the course of my travels.

I am not the sort of person

who would ever hope

to mix with royalty.

Yes, well, I'm awfully glad

a nationless swordsman

of your pedigree

happened to cross our path.

Spirit Chronicles 2

I borrowed it

from Miharu's room!

Am I wearing it the right way?

How's it look?

It suits you well, sis!

-Could it be?

-[both gasp]

I just knew it was you!

[CHLOE]

Master Haruto!

And who are you?

[CHLOE]

I'm Chloe!

I was the shopping concierge

to you and your friends

back at the Ricca Company!

[gasps]

Ah! Miss Chloe!

[RIO] Thanks again

for your excellent service.

You know this man, then?

Yes!

He came into the main shop

in Amande with his friends.

I had the privilege

of assisting them

with their shopping that day!

Well, isn't that just great?

I didn't realize you were

also a patron of our shop!

You have my thanks

for that as well.

Huh?

[RIO] You're too kind,

it was my pleasure.

-Oh, hey!

-[GUSTAV] Hm?

♪

I'm Hiroaki Sakata.

Hero of the Beltrum Kingdom!

[RIO]

Sakata? Is he Japanese?

So you're one of those

famous Heroes

I keep hearing about, huh?

[SAKATA]

Yup, in the flesh!

I can finally say

I met a real Hero.

I'm honored to be

in your presence.

Where are my manners?

My name is Haruto.

Welp, gotta say, you seem to be

a pretty good swordsman, bro!

That was some top-notch

butt-kicking out there!

You're too kind, sir.

But I have to say,

I feel a little nervous

being around all of you.

[RIO]

You're so far above my station.

Huh? My!

To think you have the fortitude

to fend off a minotaur

without hesitation.

But it's being around us

that makes you nervous!

[clearing throat]

Well, doesn't seem like there's

anything else to do here.

[SAKATA]

Flora, Rohanna.

Let's switch

to the other carriage.

[ROHANNA]

Right.

[RIO]

Can he speak Strahlian

because of some sort

of Hero ability?

-[FLORA] Uh, sir.

-Yes?

-[SAKATA] Flora?

-Huh, coming!

[running footsteps]

[RIO]

Does she realize who I am?

I don't think

Miss Rohanna noticed,

but Princess Flora

No matter,

I met Liselotte Cretia.

She's one of Galarc's

most influential nobles.

Please, allow me to help you

get back on your way.

Oh, no.

We couldn't ask anything more

of you, Master Haruto.

Let's see now.

[RIO] That carriage,

I could dig it out,

and repair it

with your blessing, of course.

With that much damage?

Really?

Well, then, let us take

a closer look and find out!

Aria, you come with, too.

[RIO]

Miss Aria.

That's right.

♪

Amande is just past

this forest.

Look, there's a big battle

being fought just below us.

-[grunting]

-[CELIA] Oh that's Aria?

[RIO]

Do you know her?

Yes, she's a friend

from the academy.

She wears

Ricca Company clothes.

Oh, that's right!

Now, that you mention it,

I've heard something about Aria

serving under the daughter

of the House of Cretia.

[grunting]

♪

[sword slashing]

-Oh, wow.

-I sense a powerful beast.

♪

[gasps]

[thumping]

[roars]

[CELIA]

Aria!

[RIO]

Aishia, she needs my help.

Can you take the professor

somewhere safe, please?

I can.

Hey, Rio, wait!

Please keep your distance

from the carriage.

[metal scraping]

[thudding]

Well, I must commend you

for your talent, sir!

[RIO]

It's all thanks to this sword.

When you were

fighting the minotaur,

I noticed that you were

able to control the wind

with your blade.

It must be enchanted.

[LISELOTTE] And it looks to be

ancient artifact-class at that.

Yes.

[RIO] The truth is,

I'm using Spirit Arts.

[COSETTE] Still, he was quite

strong and dashing, wasn't he?

You're so lucky to know

someone as wonderful as him.

It's really not fair, you know?

Won't you introduce us?

Oh, I wouldn't say

we're close enough

for that, Cosette.

What's this?

I'm thinking Miss Chloe's

trying to shut

the rest of us out so she can

keep him all to herself!

No way, I would never!

Cosette, please,

you're putting her

in a tough spot.

[COSETTE]

Am I?

You're curious about him too,

aren't you?

Well, not quite like that.

Oh, that's right.

You're such a late bloomer

that you haven't even

had your first love yet.

How rude!

Well, unlike you,

I won't need more than one

to find true happiness!

All right, ladies,

enough of that.

Can we get those drinks

handed out, please?

♪

Lady Liselotte,

the emergency repairs

to the carriage are complete.

♪

Sorry for the delay.

[LISELOTTE] To think

the carriage could be

refurbished like this!

You have my gratitude,

Master Haruto!

[COSETTE]

Master Haruto!

Please have something

to drink, if you'd like.

It's fruit water.

I made a sweeter blend

especially for you,

in the hopes that it might ease

your fatigue from the fighting.

You're too kind, miss,

I most gratefully accept.

And, you are?

I serve the governor

as a lady-in-waiting.

I'm Miss Cosette,

at your service.

[RIO] This was very thoughtful,

thank you, miss.

[COSETTE]

You are most welcome.

And now, I must return

to my duties.

Everyone who serves

Lady Liselotte is so polite.

They are so incredibly

selfless and demure!

Demure?

These girls?

[chuckles]

[LISELOTTE]

Thank you for that.

My word,

how shall we move a sword

the size of a full-grown oak?

Please, watch and learn.

Step aside, boys!

[grunting]

[ground rumbling]

[metal creaking]

[grunts]

[thudding]

[crowd cheering]

That oughta do it, I think.

Just a small flick

of the wrist!

I'd expect

no less of you, Hero!

[RIO]

He's brimming with energy.

[footfall]

[smirks]

[chuckles]

[GUSTAV] All right, everyone,

let us journey forth!

[horse carriage creaking]

[RIO]

Um, are you sure

I should be riding in here

with royalty?

I'm not nobility, after all.

Please, sir,

no need to be so humble.

You saved us

from our predicament,

and we owe you

a great debt of gratitude.

[LISELOTTE]

The Duke is right.

When we arrive in Amande,

I'd like to give you

the formal thanks

you rightly deserve.

[RIO]

Oh, uh, no!

Lady Liselotte,

you don't have to bow to me!

[SAKATA]

Yeah, the dude's right.

A noble governor

as impressive as you

shouldn't be bowing her head

to just anyone, you know?

Ah, I'm not sure

what you mean, Hero.

All right, I guess

you've got enough manners

to sit with the big kids,

so I, the Hero,

grant you permission

to ride in here with us.

Thank you for your blessing.

[sighs]

♪

[LATIFA]

Good work, everyone!

That wraps up our Strahlian

language studies for now!

I'm very proud of how much

progress you've made!

[MASATO]

You hear that?

She said I'm a genius, guys!

I think it's less that

you're a genius,

and more that we have

a wonderful teacher

like Miss Latifa.

Yeah, you're prob'ly right.

[door creaking open]

Masato,

you ready to go fishing?

Yeah!

Wait, what about

your Spirit Arts training?

-I'll train later!

-Hey!

[AKI] Honestly, all he does

is go out and play!

[MIHARU]

Thanks to magic artifacts.

He can keep up

with the beast children

and never feel left out!

-We're gonna catch

-[MIHARU] And look at

how much fun he's having!

Heck, yeah!

Fortunately for him,

wearing an artifact

counts toward Spirit Arts

training as well.

Now, let's get out there

and train hard, you two!

Right!

[water trickling]

Yes, concentrate on what's

right in front of your eyes.

Hmm.

Hm?

Ah?

[MIHARU]

Uh-ha.

Aw, so close!

You're doing so much

better than I am!

[AKI]

I'm no good at all.

You're being

too hard on yourself.

[AKI]

Why can't I do this?

How are we so different?

Is it just talent?

Well, that's enough for today!

You both gave it your all.

Shall we go have some tea?

[MIHARU]

Oh, yes.

None for me.

I'm gonna go for a little walk.

[sighs]

[birds chirping]

[footfall]

[GIRL 206A]

Here you go!

Yay, food, thank you!

[GIRL 206A] It's my treat!

-[BOY 206A] I'm so hungry!

[AKI (CHILD)]

I made this food for you!

Here you go!

[HARUTO (CHILD)]

Thank you, sis!

Om, nom, nom.

That was yummy!

-More please!

-No!

You have to chew

properly, first.

What?

You heard your mom,

chew your food better,

young man!

She's waiting!

[HARUTO (CHILD)]

Yeah, all right.

I guess I have to!

[AKI (CHILD)] We have fun

playing together, right?

[MIHARU (CHILD]

Right!

[AKI (CHILD)] And no matter

what, we always will!

Won't we?

[HARUTO (CHILD)]

Yeah!

[AKI (CHILD)]

Brother, no!

I don't like it!

I don't want you to go!

You told me we would

always be together!

You big liar!

Aki, I'm sorry.

It's not fair, brother,

why'd you lie to me?

♪

Huh?

[LATIFA]

Hey, Aki?

[gasps]

What's wrong?

Why are you here

all by yourself?

Um

I was just watching

these adorable children

play house, and I uh

[AKI]

Wait, they're gone.

[LATIFA] They probably

went home, is all.

Why don't we head back, too?

[insects chirping]

[footfall]

[SARA]

It's late.

Where's Masato?

Maybe they went a bit farther

out while playing today.

When we first got here,

it seemed like

he was afraid of everything,

but look at him now.

[chuckles]

Being in a new world

is an adjustment.

Can I ask,

what were things like

when you and Haruto got here?

What?

Um

Well, back when we arrived,

things were a little difficult,

you could say.

Oh, yeah?

How?

When we first met

the two of them,

what I did

was most unforgivable!

We told you about the barrier

around the village

that keeps humans away, right?

That day,

Master Rio stopped nearby,

and then, when we

approached his camp,

we found Latifa and she'd been

put to sleep with Spirit Arts.

[SARA]

She was a beast person.

We assumed that he'd kidnapped

a child from the village.

So, we worked fast

to restrain him.

-Really?

-Really?

They didn't realize

that he was using Spirit Arts

to help me get

a good night's sleep.

Back then,

I was having nightmares

that woke me up all the time.

But when we found out,

we hurried to help

Master Rio clear his name.

Oh, you know, that reminds me.

[ALMA] I distinctly remember

Master Rio saying

something in his sleep.

Oh, yes, that's right.

I forgot, I think he may

have cried something out.

[gasps]

Hey, uh, do you remember

what he said, exactly?

Well, if I remember correctly.

Miharu!

[ORPHIA]

It was "Miharu."

[both gasping]

[MIHARU]

"Miharu?"

[gasps]

♪

[sighs]

-[MASATO] Sorry I'm late!

-Ah?

Look at this big boy!

It'll be great for dinner!

-Whoa!

-It's big, indeed!

Whuh-ohh!

[all screaming]

[crickets chirping]

♪

[knocking on door]

Come in!

Good evening, friend.

Oh, wow, there's od

and mana in the air!

[SARA] Did we interrupt you

practicing your Spirit Arts?

Well, yes.

[ALMA]

You sure are a hard worker.

[MIHARU]

Oh, not really.

What brings you all

up here to see me?

[ORPHIA] Actually,

we wanted to talk about Aki.

[gasps]

[sighing]

-Feels so good, doesn't it?

-Yeah.

Can I ask you something

about our chat earlier?

[LATIFA]

Sure.

I know you've been in

the village for a while,

but what did you do

before you came here?

[LATIFA]

Huh?

Uh

Well, if you really want

to know, I was in Beltrum.

[LATIFA] Working in c*ptive

servitude to a noble there.

So, you were a-a sl*ve?

[LATIFA]

Yeah, I went through a lot.

But then

it was my big brother

who found me

and freed me from sl*very.

And then,

he brought me back here

to live in the village!

He said that since there

are other beast people here,

I should be able

to live in peace.

Umit must hurt

to talk about.

Sorry, I asked.

[LATIFA]

Oh, no, it's all right!

'Cause that's how

I met my big brother!

When I think about

the terrible things

that happened to me,

I went through it

all to meet him.

That's how I see it, anyway.

I owe him everything.

If he gets in trouble,

it's my turn to save him!

[AKI]

I know how you feel, Latifa.

I owe a lot

to my big brother, too.

Huh?

When I was young,

someone I loved betrayed me

and broke my heart.

I was just so sad and lonely.

Then, my mom got remarried

and my life changed again.

I got two new brothers,

one young and one old.

There's Masato

and the other's Takahisa!

[AKI] Takahisa's

so wonderful and kind.

He's helped me

with all sorts of things.

I wanna return

the favor someday,

just like you do!

But I just get so angry.

I keep losing focus because

I'm not good at Spirit Arts.

And then memories

from the past creep in,

and I feel awful again.

I keep taking it out on Masato.

I'm a terrible big sister.

You're not a terrible sister,

you're just going

through a lot.

It's easy to get overwhelmed

by all those emotions.

♪

[LATIFA]

You're in a new world now.

You've had so much

to deal with and relearn.

I can't even imagine.

So, if your negative

thoughts take over,

you can always talk to me.

I'm here,

and I'll listen to you.

That means a lot to me.

[AKI]

But still, are you sure?

Yes, of course!

I meant it

when I said we were friends!

[LATIFA]

Deal?

Mm-hm.

Oh, and I'm not

that great with advice,

so listening is all I can do.

[AKI] Don't worry,

that's more than enough.

Thank youLatifa.

[birds chirping]

[ORPHIA]

Look at that!

She's going out

to practice again!

I don't know what changed,

but she's been

working hard lately.

Then we should work hard, also!

♪

[sighs]

Really?

[footfall]

Hm?

That smells familiar.

Hey Aki, good morning!

Welcome back

from your practice!

[AKI]

Orphia, you look

wait, is that a uniform?

I borrowed it

from Miharu's room!

Am I wearing it the right way?

Uh, yeah, you did good.

Honestly,

it looks lovely on you!

-Thanks, Aki!

-[LATIFA] I'm so jealous!

I wonder what

big brother would say

if he came home and saw me

wearing that uniform.

I think it might be

a little big for a body

as petite as yours.

Especially here.

Come on?

Don't say that.

But why are you

wearing that anyway?

[ORPHIA] Because I wanted

to wear a special outfit

to serve a most

special breakfast.

Why is there a

special breakfast?

Huh?

[gasps]

[AKI]

Fresh apple pie!

It looks so delicious!

This is one of my

favorite desserts!

Pie is a special treat.

What's the occasion?

Why make it now?

We all pitched in

so it would be ready

for when you got back

from practicing!

Miharu is the one

who taught us the recipe.

And if she was

telling us the truth,

we made a really good one, too!

♪

For you, fresh out of the oven.

[MIHARU] We should eat it

while it's still warm.

[AKI]

Everyone, thank you!

♪

This is wonderful!

[SARA] I just love

that it's sweet and tart!

[AKI] When Masato wakes up,

he's going to be so happy!

I want big brother to come and

eat some of this treat, too!

Yes, we should

make one for Haruto!

-And guess what?

-Hm?

♪

How's it look?

-Adorable!

-It suits you well, sis!

Your clothes fit her

just right!

They even match!

I know!

You look so cute in that skirt!

[chuckles]

Thank you so much, friend!

When big brother

gets back home,

I can't wait to show off

how I look in this uniform!

[all laughing]

[rain splattering]

[thunder rumbling]

[LUCIUS]

Hello there, Nidol.

How are we today?

This is tedious.

Does that mean you're already

bored and itching for w*r?

[scoffs]

Doesn't matter.

Rumor has it, there's something

rather troublesome

brewing in the Beltrum Kingdom.

It would be a shame

if Duke Arbor

crumbled right now,

wouldn't it?

[NIDOL]

As a sign of friendship,

I've sent him

a goodwill ambassador.

Internal conflict

provides no resolution.

[chuckles]

I'm amazed you'd do that

for a country that's doomed.

[REISS] Ah, I've been looking

for you, Master Lucius.

Ah?

[LUCIUS]

Oh, dear.

Speak of the

goodwill ambassador,

and he shall appear before you.

Actually, I would appreciate

your assistance with something.

Oh?

[REISS]

At long last, I finally intend

to put my plan into action.

But I've encountered

a certain irregularity.

And a truly bothersome one.

To which a minotaur

poses it no challenge at all.

-[LUCIUS] Really?

-[REISS] Yes.

[REISS] And, Master Nidol,

you will not be required.

You do tend

to stand out, you see?

♪

I'll bite.

How can I assist, ambassador?

You'll abduct a rather

important person of interest.

[REISS] The second princess

of the Beltrum Kingdom.

Flora Beltrum.

[FLORA]

Was that Rio?

[RIO]

"Intruders."

Next Time.

Spirit Chronicles 2.

Yay!

Illustration: Minazuki Futago.