03x07 - Doki-Doki Royal Selection Social Gathering

[bunniefuu]

[water rippling]

[sword clanking]

[AL]
Well, well? I got a response.

That's strange,
looks like no one's there!

They didn't say
it would go like this.

-[gasps]
-Al, you're all right?

[AL]
You've gotta be kidding!

Well, I sure
didn't see that coming.

[chuckles]
Hey, some coincidence, huh?

[EMILIA]
Yes, I know! It really is!

Oh, right!

Al, there's something
I need you to tell Subaru.

[AL]
Uh... Okay.

I'll pass along that
you're all right

-and let him know that--
-The Sin Archbishop, Regulus.

He's in the Third District
control tower.

Also,
the Sin Archbishop of Lust.

She's
in the First District Tower.

[gasps]

I really wish
I could've found out

about the other towers,

because I still don't know
where Sirius is yet.

But considering the broadcast,

you should also tell him
to make sure

that Beatrice is safe.

Oh, and I, uh...

-[AL] Hold on, now.
-Huh?!

I get that
you're a pretty tough,

hyper-positive little lady

-but aren't you forgetting
something? -Huh?

Well, those are all that
I could think of.

-What'd I miss?
-[AL] No, not that!

You're a princess
being held prisoner!

You don't have to be so tough!

No one would blame you

for asking Subaru Natsuki
to help and--

Sorry, Al,
seems I've worried you.

I mean, I do appreciate it

but I'll be just fine.

[AL]
How is this "fine?"

I'm not just putting on
some kind of tough act.

And this might sound like
a strange thing to say,

but there's no doubt
in my mind

that Subaru will save me.

He will.

So, it's really important
for me to do all I can.

That way, when he comes here,

-he won't be in danger.
-Ah!

Please, Al.

If you help,
I can apologize to Priscilla

and say I was being selfish.

[sighs]

[AL]
Oh, all right.

I'll tell Subaru

and the rest of them
what you said.

Then, I'm sure
your prince on a white horse

will handle everything else.

I don't think that'll happen.

Subaru will take care of this,
not some prince.

[AL]
Yeah, yeah, you're right!

Sorry, my mistake!

You'd better behave
yourself, ya hear?

This is no joke.

I know and make sure
you're careful out there.

[Al scoffs]

[EMILIA]
Thank goodness.

He'll be telling Subaru
and everyone else pretty soon.

Uh, hold on.

Why am I so confident
about that?

[SUBARU]
So, Anastasia,

do you know
how to use this thing?

[ANASTASIA]
Yeah, it's not that tough.

Good.

[AL] Looks like
you're working hard, brother.

-Al!
-Well, you certainly

came back here quick,
now, didn't you?

[AL]
Hey, come on.

It's not as if I wanted to.

Got a message for you, brother.

You do?
Who's it from?

[AL] The bride who's about
to get married

is waiting for her prince
on a white horse

to come save her.

Are you lucky or what?

[gasps]

It's from Emilia?

[AL] So, that's what
the little lady told me.

Oh, she said to take care
of Beatrice, too.

[SUBARU] Well, those are all
definitely important,

thanks for letting me know.

This info's really gonna help.

[GARFIEL]
Hey, Boss!

[whimpering]

-Garfiel.
-[crying] Boss!

Glad you're okay!

That was so out
of the blue, I...

No, I'm glad that you're okay!

Because you're the one who...
And I...

Come on, you aren't
actually crying, are you?

I'm not crying!

Uh... It's just...

you and Otto,
and Emilia, even Beatrice, too.

Everybody that I...

Well, I'm sorry
for making you worry.

But, as you can see,
I'm just fine.

Except for the leg
that grew back.

-Huh, grew back?
-Ah, never mind.

Let's forget about that.

Natsuki, are you
convinced that Emilia's

message is actually true?

I sure am.

That part at the end,

where she's worrying
about Beatrice,

sounds exactly like her.

[both chuckle]

With everything else
going on here

she's still doing everything
she can to try and help us.

That's how Emilia is

and it's the reason
I believe her.

But still as hard as
she's working to gather info,

I just hope
she doesn't get careless.

[AL] Yeah, I can agree
with you on that one.

That little lady
was much too cheerful

for someone being
held prisoner.

♪

-[184] You surprised me.
-[gasps]

I didn't think
you would come back here.

You were so careful,
you even left a stand-in.

Huh, stand-in?

I don't know
what you're talking about.

I've been so tired,

and I thought some rest
would be, ah, that's cold!

-Oh, no, it's not!
-[sighs]

[184] Why would you run away
from this place

and then come back?

I told you I'm not
going to run, because...

I see now.

You were hoping
I had escaped, weren't you?

But why is that?

If I did,
you and the other wives

would be in trouble.

Ultimately,
it didn't mean a thing.

In my last moments
I tried to muster up

a bit of courage and for what?

You mean you...

[AL]
I don't get it.

Why are we all gathered here?

And what are we going
to use that giant metia for?

This is the "Take the City Back

from the Witch's Cult Squad"
HQ.

The metia's an item
that can broadcast

our voices throughout the city

and it'll turn this whole thing
around for us.

Have you been thinkin' up
some kinda plan, Boss?

Oh, maybe
just a little something.

As you know,
The Authority of Wrath

is controlling this town.

It's like a powder keg
that's ready to blow.

[GARFIEL]
That's for damn sure.

I must've searched
all over Priestella

trying to find you.

[ANASTASIA] Between
the Witch's Cult's broadcast

and the state of this city
all people can do is worry.

And being with others
only makes them more unsettled.

That's what makes
Wrath's power so evil.

It intensifies loneliness,

wears down one's emotions,
and threatens lives.

Which is simply unforgiveable.

I know what little scheme
you're cooking up

Or at least I believe I do.

Well, this thing's only
gonna work

if the metia's still intact.

Come on, Boss, just tell me,
what are you up to, exactly?

People here are growing
more uneasy

and Sirius' Authority of Wrath
amplifies that.

But it can all be traced back
to Lust's spiteful broadcast.

So that means...

In the same way
the Witch's Cult fueled

their unrest,
we only need to reawaken

the hope these people once had.

Hmm.
Then once we do that,

it'll start spreading
further and further,

until the entire city
is covered.

Yeah, of course, Boss!

'Cause that way,
the ones who were always

feeling down about stuff
won't have to be sad anymore!

So, let's go!
There's no time to waste!

-We've gotta do this right--
-Hold on.

That won't be as easy
as it might seem.

[GARFIEL]
Why the hell not?

What do you think
the Witch's Cult will do

when they hear our broadcast?

Next time around,
the flooding could be

much more severe.

Yeah, I'm worried
about that, too.

But there's still one thing
that confuses me,

-the opened watergate.
-[gasps]

Indeed.

That was the one out
in the First District.

If what Emilia said
is correct, then...

[SUBARU]
It's just so strange.

Lust wasn't in the control
tower then, was she?

And the timing makes no sense.

Why did the water come
pouring out like

it was helping all of us escape
then close back up again?

I know the Witch's Cult
can be pretty inconsistent,

to say the least,
but they must have rules.

Also, they left the metia
behind

and it's still in good shape,

I figure they had more than
enough time

to tear it down, right?

[ANASTASIA] So,
you're saying they already took

into consideration
that we'd be using it?

But how would
it benefit them to let--

[AL]
Trust me, there is no reason.

They don't give a rat's a*s

what little strategies
we might come up with.

Those things never lose.

They haven't even
had to think about that.

Why would a dragon care

what the ants down
at his feet are doing?

[ANASTASIA]
Hey, Natsuki.

I'm in.

Your plan's good.

Lady Anastasia.

The question is,
who will do it, right?

Who I mean, uh...

Seems pretty obvious
if you ask me!

That's where you would come in!

You're a royal selection
candidate, aren't ya?

Then the public already
knows you.

So, if you ask them
to fight by our side, they'll--

[ANASTASIA] I doubt
that I'll be able to influence

-any of these people.
-Eh?

You're right,
they will recognize my name.

And if that alone were enough,

I'd be glad to do
all the talking you need.

But it just isn't.

They need something
more powerful

to calm their fears.

At most,
I'd only be a bit better

than some nameless
civilian doing it.

As much as
I can't stand to admit it,

I wouldn't be good enough.

How can you say that?

Surely, you understand
this as well.

What you want
is the kind of hope

that'll come boiling up
all at once,

clearing away the anxiety
these people feel.

Hmm.

Now, if we just needed
to trick them

with some lip service
then I could do that.

Although, I'm fairly confident

that's not
what you're looking for.

Not the Natsuki
who refused to give up

and cut our losses
before anyone else.

Well, I uh...

Oh, yeah, maybe Crusch
could do this!

During the royal selection
and the White Whale battle,

I remember her words
being so powerful!

That's true
but we can't drag her

out the way she is now and
put her in front of a metia.

It wouldn't be right.

♪

Julius!
You're perfect for this!

Think you could give it a shot?

Sorry.

But I wouldn't be able
to meet your expectations.

Now, I'm quite proud
to call Julius my knight.

But do you really think
the Witch's Cult

cares about
his distinguished service?

Based on recognition
and eloquence

even I would stand
a better chance.

If that's the case
our only options left

would be Wilhelm and Ricardo.

But wait,
if we could get Priscilla

and Liliana to come here,
then maybe we--

[GARFIEL]
Hey, Boss.

Instead of these other people,
couldn't you do it yourself?

Huh?

[GARFIEL]
You're the only one who can!

It's gotta be you!

I just know it!

Ain't no one else who can say
they beat a Sin Archbishop!

That means something!
Don't you understand?

To the people of this city
that's gonna be

more important than
anything else right now!

But, Garfiel...

[GARFIEL] Who else could be
better for the job

in a town that's fallen under
the Witch's Cult's control?

The only ones out here
who've managed

to pull that off
are Master Swordsman Reinhard

and Subaru Natsuki!

In other words,
it can only be you, Boss!

[gasps]

Hmm.

[ANASTASIA]
He's absolutely right.

In a situation like this one
you're the only real choice.

Are you sure, Anastasia?

Do you think I can do it?

[chuckles]

Do you remember, Subaru.

When you spoke
so defiantly before

all of those knights
during the royal selection?

And the moment
when I defeated you

there at the parade ground
soon afterwards?

[SUBARU] Yeah, it was one
of three times in my life

I've felt that level
of embarrassment and regret.

I couldn't forget it
if I wanted to.

I can recall it quite easily,
myself.

The baseless declaration
you made shamefully

cursing us knights.

And you joining
in the battle against

the White Whale then,
a bit later,

when you succeeded
in besting Sloth.

To help relieve
all these troubled people

I believe that there's only
one voice they'll listen to.

And that's yours, Subaru,

there's not a question
in my mind.

There are many
who have answered your call,

Garfiel would certainly
count himself among them.

I would include myself,
as well.

[chuckles]

-Hm?
-Hmm.

[sighs]

You're really
overestimating me.

[AL] If you have doubts,
don't do it, brother.

I mean, let me ask you,
is he honestly all that great?

[grunts]
Shut your mouth!

Don't you talk sh*t
about my boss!

[AL] If he takes it all
upon himself and things

still work out,
yeah, he's great.

But most people couldn't
handle having this burden

heaped on their shoulders.

I sure couldn't
and you couldn't, either.

So, why should he be made
to carry all of the weight?

♪

I feel sorry for him.

Look, brother.

At the end of the day
that little lady

is what's most important
to you, right?

Everything I do
is solely for my princess.

Which is why I'm happy
to put off

certain things that
might get in the way.

Al.

[AL]
You should do the same.

So stay focused on making
sure that Emilia gets rescued.

And those guys
in the Witch's Cult

are just another group
of blood-thirsty savages.

Nothing good can come

of getting tangled up
with them.

♪

[inhales]

[exhales]

[SUBARU] If a little kid
jumped out into the street

at a red light,

I'd make sure they got back

to the sidewalk
without thinking twice.

And this is kinda
the same thing.

Huh?

[AL] If you're
gonna do this, brother,

heroic delusions
are the only real burdens

you'll end up carrying.

Heroic delusions.

[AL]
Losing is unacceptable.

You have to win.

You'll carry people's hopes,
their expectations,

and you'll fight
to protect their future.

If you go through with this,
that's how it'll have to be.

I understand, but isn't
losing always unacceptable?

[AL] In this case
there'd be others involved,

giving everything more weight.

Your losses won't just
be your own anymore.

♪

Of course, my name is Emilia.

♪

You are demonically inspired.

♪

Thank you, Subaru.

For everything.

Thank you for saving me.

♪

[Beatrice]
Subaru!

Subaru!

Subaru!

Subaru!

Well, hell.

That's just business as usual.

Come on, don't make
that face, Garfiel.

Okay, Boss.

Uh, yeah, Boss!

You're my boss, Boss!
You really are the boss!

-Ain't that right, Boss?
-You're not making sense.

So, Anastasia, I'll do it.

If there's even a chance
I can fix this, I'm all in.

Are you sure?

Once you choose
to represent hope for them...

Still doesn't change
what I need to do.

Right now,
they all need a hero.

And while I'll admit talking

about this does feels
a little awkward,

feels like I'm one step ahead.

I made that
decision a year ago.

Otherwise, I could royally
embarrass myself

and I'd never be in the same
league as the others.

[ANASTASIA]
Is that so?

All right, then.

It makes sense.

You've gotta make
yourself look good!

[chuckles]

Don't laugh if I screw this up.

Don't sigh, and don't even
listen if you can help it!

I would never laugh
and I would never sigh.

That being said I'll be
listening closely to each word.

[grunts]

I know you were
looking out for me, Al.

Thanks.

'Cause you helped me
make up my mind.

♪

[chuckles softly]

[whimpering]

In truth, I wish you had
never come back here,

and that I was overtaken
by our husband's rage.

Now, everything remains
completely unchanged.

I think if you can get back up,
you should try again.

Because for me
giving up is never an option.

[184]
That's impossible.

It just can't happen now.

-Huh? -I do understand
what you're saying,

that one must press on
and never give up.

But still, I won't allow myself
to be tempted again.

The other wives
would say the same.

No, but...

Years ago,
I was just a simple girl

from a small village.

And then, one day
my whole life changed,

a man wanted
to take me as his wife.

He gathered up my family
along with everyone

else there who may
have known me.

And he began
wiping them all out.

[gasps]

The same thing happened

to each one
of my husband's wives.

[whimpering]

[SUBARU]
Testing, testing.

Uh, okay.

So, can everybody
who's out there hear me

loud and clear?

Subaru?

[SUBARU]
Mic test, mic test!

One, two!
One, two!

-[clears throat]
-All right, good.

Think I'm coming
through on this thing.

Anyway, I am really sorry

for startling
you guys like this.

I'm sure a lot of you wondered

what you'd be hearing
this time

and felt kinda anxious
but you can relax.

'Cause I can promise you this,

I'm not a part
of the Witch's Cult.

He's not in the Witch's Cult?

Hold on are we saved, then?

Did he make those
bad people leave?

[SUBARU] Now I don't wanna
get your hopes up.

The threat of the Witch's Cult
hasn't gone away.

We managed to take
the government office back

but they're still
in all the control towers.

So, their demands
and the danger of this

whole city being flooded
are still very real.

You need to know that, too,

-I'm sorry.
-[indistinct chatter]

[SUBARU] There's
a lot of people out here.

Wonder where everyone's
hearing this.

'Cause some of you
are in shelters

but I'm sure there could be
a few of you

who still haven't made it
to one.

I know you're all feeling
really nervous these days.

And here I am, rambling away

on a lame broadcast
trying to get your hopes up.

By now,
you're probably asking,

"Who does he think he is?"

To be honest I'm not anyone

or anything at all.

Like the rest of you
I'm at the mercy of these

"things" and it feels
like it's crushing me.

Truth is, I'm so scared
my legs are shaking.

That's who I am, guys.

As I'm sure you've guessed
I've never done this before.

So, I'm in no position to be
calling out to you like this.

I'd be the first person
to admit it.

And I know, without a doubt,

that there must be someone
better suited for the job.

Believe me.

But as it stands, I'm the one

who's talking to all
of you now.

After speaking to some
people here

who are a lot more amazing
than I'm ever gonna be

they agreed that
I should do this.

They thought it might be
more meaningful that way.

Does my voice sound
a little shaky?

As I said, public speaking
isn't really my thing.

Nothing I say sounds
too impressive

and I don't exactly have
the "charisma"

it takes to lead people.

I'm weak, I'm useless,

and even right now
the only thing

-I can think about doing
is running away. -Sister.

I have no idea
what to do, at this point.

It sorta feels like
I'm at my wit's end.

Wish I could just plug up
my ears,

cover my head, and hide...

till somebody else comes
and fixes things.

Don't cry.

[deep inhale]

But I can't run away
and that's why I'm gonna fight.

'Cause that's really
all there is to me.

-Huh?
-Oh!

[chuckles]

Knowing the whole
town's listening,

I'm still curious about
where you're hearing my voice.

[SUBARU]
Did you make it to a shelter?

Are you hiding
in your own home?

You're not trembling
with fear all alone, are you?

Do you have someone there?

Are those who you're
with important to you?

[SUBARU]
Even if they're strangers,

have you gotten to know
them just a little better?

It might sound like
a selfish thing for me to ask,

and I understand that.

But please,
don't end up all by yourself.

When you're alone,
sometimes your head fills up

with senseless thoughts.

[SUBARU]
Trust me, I know.

So, please
don't isolate yourself.

It's really important
that you stay with somebody.

And uh...

[inhales]

And if it's okay,
look at the face

of whoever's there
with you right now.

[gasps]

[SUBARU] Whose face
were you just looking at?

Someone precious?

Or is it a stranger that
you've only spent

a short amount of time with?

[SUBARU] [chuckles]
They probably look miserable.

And they might even
be holding back tears.

But, I doubt anyone's smiling.

Can we really stand for that?

Don't cry.

Well, I can't do it!

'Cause I don't want to!

I have people
I also care about!

They mean the world to me!

And I can't stand to see
them unhappy.

So, I won't
"look the other way"

or forgive anyone
who'd make them feel so awful!

[SUBARU]
To hell with that!

Don't take me for a fool!

I'll gladly tell those
guys myself,

"When the girls I know

are smiling,
they look even cuter!"

[SUBARU] I can't keep
losing all the time.

I can't afford to keep
throwing in the towel.

So, there's no way
I'm gonna go down!

From the minute they got here

all they've done is cause pain.

And I won't accept
losing to people like that!

[SUBARU] In the end,
how could I ever admit

that I lost to those jerks?

That's why I'll fight.

I know I may be weak
and useless,

but I'm still ready to give
this everything that I've got!

It's as simple as this,

What those guys
are doing is wrong!

Making the people I love
feel like crying is wrong!

[SUBARU]
And they need to be stopped!

So, I'm gonna fight them!

-And I want each of you
to fight, too. -[gasps]

[SUBARU]
Now don't get me wrong.

I'm not saying to grab
weapons and start swinging.

I just need everybody
who's listening to me

right now to stop
casting your gazes downward.

Don't look down?

'Cause staring at your feet
all the time

isn't gonna change anything.

So, instead you oughta
lift up your heads

and start looking forward!

[SUBARU] If you look around,
then you're sure

to make eye contact
with somebody.

And when that happens
you'll see

they're holding on to exactly
the same anxieties you are.

But they also don't want
to lose, just like you!

You can all help me
prove something!

You heard me say
I'm weak and useless

but I still don't want
to give up.

Prove to me that
I'm not the only wimp

in this city who doesn't
know when to give up!

Or, am I the only one?

You're not.

[EMILIA]
No, you certainly aren't.

[SUBARU] Am I the only one
who thinks we can still

keep going after
what we've gone through?

-That we can still fight?
-No!

[MAN 57-B]
That's right you're not!

[MAN 57-C]
There's no way.

[EMILIA]
No, it's all right.

I can still keep trying, too.

I'm not, am I?

[ALL]
No!

[EMILIA]
You're not, Subaru.

In my heart I know
you're not the only one.

[SUBARU] You guys
are still fighting too, right?

And you won't let
weakness take over, will you?

That's right!
We won't lose!

[ALL]
Damn right! Bring it on!

[EMILIA]
After hearing your voice,

I know things'll be okay.

And I'm not afraid.

♪

[wind whooshing]

[SUBARU] If the person next
to you is someone special

take their hand
and show them you believe!

If a stranger's next to you,

then nod to one another
and agree

you'll be fighting together!

I want you both to believe
you will never give in,

only stopping
when you've won the day!

If you stay with me
and don't back down,

I'll keep going
and never surrender.

I'll fight.

I'll fight,
and I'm gonna win this thing!

[SUBARU]
My name is Subaru Natsuki!

I'm the spirit user
who took down the ruthless

Sin Archbishop of Sloth!

My buddies and I will
take care of the Witch's Cult!

So, I'm gonna need
each one of you

to have faith and fight!

Hold on to the ones
you care about

and kick that weak heart that
lost all hope right outta here!

And then,
after you've done that,

you can leave
everything else to me!

[people cheering]

♪

[184]
Whose voice was that?

[EMILIA]
It was my knight's.

And he, he never gives up.

Listen, I won't run.

I won't just walk away
and leave the rest of you here.

♪

Why's that?

[EMILIA] I can only imagine
how frightened you were.

But you didn't stop and you did
what you could to help me.

My hope for you
and the other girls

is that you can all be happy.

Marriage is meant
to be special,

creating a bond between
you and the one you love.

When that happens,

a bride should feel
fulfilled and joyous.

♪

[EMILIA] I've known people
who loved each other

so deeply,
but were never able to marry.

Even to this day,
when I'm thinking

about them it hurts.

I would never want to be
in a relationship

where I was married

but still felt trapped
and unhappy.

Well, that is certainly
an admirable thought

but if you try something,
then you're on your own.

[EMILIA]
On my own, huh?

No, that would be impossible.

See, I've never been on my own.

Oh, wow!

I almost made a huge mistake!

So, what are you
intending to do?

♪

I'm ready for this wedding.

♪

[SUBARU]
Oh, it's over!

How exhausting!

[ANASTASIA]
Natsuki.

♪

[screams]

I'm really sorry!
I'll do better next time!

-I promise you!
-Why did you apologize?

Such a silly boy.

Huh?

That was a truly
wonderful speech.

Amazing!
You really are the boss, Boss!

Gotta say, that was impressive.

As the guy
who can seduce both ladies

and ground dragons, you sure
do live up to the legend!

I think you are a natural
agitator, Natsuki.

I didn't seduce anyone!

And "agitator"
makes me sound bad!

♪

So then, do you think

I encouraged
the townsfolk at all?

Hm.

The only thing left now
is getting

rid of what caused this.

Yeah.

And that means taking
back all four control towers

at the same time?

[OTTO] Well, if that's
the case may I suggest

throwing in a wild card?

[SUBARU]
Otto!

All right!
Otto!

Glad you're still alive!

[OTTO]
Just barely although

I definitely went
through some things.

Also...

I've brought someone.

Hmm, who'd ya bring?

♪

[metal clattering]

[REINHARD]
I'm sorry for the delay.

I, Reinhard Vaughn Astrea...

Though belatedly,
am joining the fray.