01x01 - Sentence: Support Retreat From Couveunge Forest

[bunniefuu]

The punishment's term is eternal

The "Hero Penalty"

is the greatest form of criminal punishment there is.

Heroes stand on the front lines of the battle

with the Demon Blight, and are denied even death

in this perpetual fight.

This is very bad!

Very, very bad!

Hey!

sh*t! The fuath

O Great Zelkoff

Why is it over there?!

We have to catch him. The coffin

No, we'll make a run for it. Put up the signal.

Now hold on. We're supposed

to protect it. We can't just run a—

sh*t! This could be it for me!

No

You mean, the Temple is—

No! Stop!

No!

Xylo! Come quick!

Do something about this thing!

Stop moving. You'll make the bleeding worse.

I can't take it! Just k*ll me!

Have me resurrected later!

Can it.

Like hell I'm gonna haul your corpse around.

Let me go!

They can use another body.

As long as there's a body, we can—

All right. Listen up.

Resurrecting heroes like us means

dragging the souls of the dead back from hell,

and jamming them back into their body.

It comes with nasty side effects

for your memory and sense of self.

Did you die so many times you forgot? Well?!

Besides, there's no chance the

Holy Knights would retrieve your body.

If you really wanna die

do it when I'm not watching.

Prepare yourself, all right?

You know it's coming,

so grit your teeth.

Man, you really screwed up this time. Moron.

Dotta. Do something about

those sticky fingers of yours.

It's just

I saw the Holy Knights' transport team.

And isn't it their fault for leaving

the carriage undefended?

It would've been very easy

to just not steal anything.

I only told you to check on the faeries.

Xylo.

I saw a lot of faeries.

Yeah. We're dealing with

a pretty big Demon Blight here.

Five thousand, I believe,

according to Command Central's briefing.

F-Five thousand?!

And we're supposed to hold them back?

Just you and me?

Yeah.

The Demon Blight will soon

corrupt this entire forest.

We're supposed to help those idiotic

Holy Knights with their retreat.

No expectation of backup, of course.

And don't even think about skipping out.

Unless you want your head blown off.

But so what if it is?

Heroes like us can always

be brought back when we die.

As long as there's a body,

be it ours or someone else's

It's like I told you.

Every time we're revived,

we lose some memories and sense of self.

We'll forget who we really are soon enough.

I refuse to let that happen.

Heroes don't have a choice in the matter.

We carry out our missions.

That's pretty much it.

Drop any illusions to the contrary.

Let's get going.

They'll be tearing apart

the Holy Knights while we sit—

What's this thing?

Hey, is this

Dotta!

What is this crap? Why'd you steal a coffin?

Well, uh, it just seemed

so eminently stealable,

and one thing led to another

L-Look, I just thought it might come in useful.

You idiot! You think this junk

was worth a faerie bite?

Surely not.

Hey, this thing had better be empty.

Uh, maybe not.

What?

I mean, it seemed pretty darn heavy

when I was carrying it.

Why the hell'd you steal a corpse?!

That makes no sense. You just—

I can't explain it either!

I just found myself running off with it.

And anyway, that place was already

Stop talking now.

I'll k*ll you before the faeries can.

N-Now, now. We can leave it here

if we don't want to carry it.

If they yell at us,

we can get it back, right?

Probably the body of a royal,

a noble, or some Holy Knight big shot.

Could be one of the people

I've been wanting to slug.

Wow. Bet she was someone important.

Dotta. This isn't good.

You said it.

Think she's a princess?

No.

She's not even human.

This kid's a goddess.

What?

Didn't you hear me?

I said a damn goddess.

A goddess?

Aren't those a kind of weapon

built long ago to fight demon lords?

Yeah.

One of the so-called last rays

of hope for humanity.

But she's a little girl.

The goddesses I've heard about were big,

whalelike creatures, or huge iron things.

We're moving out. Leave her or I'll k*ll you.

A hunting horn? Think it's the Knights?

From the volume, it sounds like

a scouting party or a flying column.

What's their status?

You can see from here, right?

I see

a band of fuath

and people under attack.

Help me!

sh*t. There's too many.

Hold them here, no matter what!

The spread is happening

faster than I expected.

They would've been on guard

for faerie attacks, and yet

Xylo, let's run away.

Let's hide somewhere and let it pass us by.

They might not all be dead yet.

There'll be a few stubborn

asses hanging in there.

Might be in our best interest to save them.

What are you saying?

It's not in our best interest at all!

Our mission is to allow the majority

of the Holy Knights to escape.

Each one we save

increases our chances of success.

We're fighting.

I'll save them before the sun

dips below the horizon.

We'll run down the cliff—

F-Fighting

S-Save

I see.

What wonderful words.

It appears you are my knight.

Very well.

I give you a passing grade.

It is such courage that makes

you worthy of a goddess.

A battle has begun, has it not?

A battle to save others.

In that case

As a goddess, I shall guarantee you victory.

And upon the moment

that all enemies are slain,

you will sing my praises

and pat my head!

You may pat away to your heart's content.

The majesty of a goddess

can never earn enough praise.

I shall even permit you

to write a song of veneration.

That pride and desire for recognition.

She's the real deal, all right.

Huh? Really?

Yeah. She's a goddess.

Most likely the as-yet-unactivated

thirteenth goddess.

I am the goddess Teoritta,

the guardian who brings

miracles to mankind.

Teoritta.

My knight, ask of me what you will.

I shall grant all that you seek.

That is my sole reason for being.

Don't make it sound so simple.

It's all stupid.

I hate goddesses.

Dotta, do something with her.

What?

I'm not asking for a goddess's help.

Hey, wait

Dotta! Direction and distance!

Where are they most concentrated?

I-I advise against this.

We're supporting a retreat.

There's no point if we can't be a distraction!

Okay, fine. Have it your way.

Ten o'clock. One finger's width to nine.

That way, huh?

I see.

It appears that scrawny fellow

has excellent eyesight.

Hey! What are you doing here?

Why not? You are my knight.

I told you I would guarantee your victory.

I didn't ask!

They're coming, my knight!

Butt out!

I want you out of here!

What was that power?

Sacred seal for heat and light.

Stay there and hide.

We'll draw their attention. You—

Yecch. Makes me wanna barf.

Dotta!

Look alive! Get in the battle!

Just keep firing!

S-Sure, I'm just gonna

Wait, wait, wait!

I hit it! That was awesome.

And with an old model of thunder staff, too.

It'd be harder not to hit 'em

with numbers like these.

Keep up the support fire.

And don't hit me!

We shall not lose.

Uh, I'm not so sure.

A-Anyway, if you're tired, you can rest.

The last survivors

I'll get them.

Go to hell!

S-Sorry. It's harder when I'm further away.

Just keep it up!

I'll finish them off!

That way?

W-Wait for me!

Wait for me, my knight!

My knight!

Hey. You still alive?

Yes.

You saved us.

I didn't expect reinforcements.

Better get going. And quick.

What do you

You're a penal hero.

A hero?

A capital offender?

What's he doing here?

No

I don't like the looks of this.

I have my orders. Get out of here already.

A new horde's on the way.

That's none of your concern.

Being saved by the likes of you

is a blight on our honor.

Hey, Xylo.

Shouldn't this be the part

where they thank us?

This is what being a hero means.

Stop complaining and—

I hear you, my knight.

We cannot simply run off and abandon them.

That's what you meant, right?

Wait.

That blonde hair, those eyes

Are you

Why do you have her?

We gave her to the transport team.

Answer me.

If I do, will you lower your swords?

N-Now, now. This is no time for quarreling.

A new wave is coming. We have to move fast.

Xylo! Dotta! Can you hear me?

Venetim, warn us before you communicate.

We're in trouble. Listen carefully!

Everything's a mess. A real mess.

You call everything a "mess," Venetim.

But it is! It's such a mess,

it could spell the end for all of us.

Xylo, are you free right now?

Hell no!

You heard that, right? Still think I'm free?

I'm gonna say no.

But you'll get mad later

if I don't tell you this now.

Spit it out already.

The Holy Knights' main force

is heading right into the Blight.

Understood.

Report to the Temple at once.

Sir!

How will we tell the authorities?

What about the transport team?

Venetim. Say that again.

You'll be mad later

if I don't tell you now, so—

The goddess's safety comes first.

But we have to stop their advance!

No, after that part!

Well, the Knights in the forest

there have regrouped.

They're forming ranks

against the Demon Blight.

They seem to be hoping

to stop its advance right here.

Huh? What the hell are they thinking?

Well, I clearly have no way of knowing that.

Hey! What's that captain of yours thinking?

Didn't they get the order to retreat?

Don't tell me.

Was this your plan from the start?

Yes. Captain Kivia made the call.

Kivia?

How stupid can you get?

How dare you!

We trust our captain.

For our captain's honor

and that of the Holy Knights,

we would not hesitate to lay down our lives.

Don't make me laugh.

You're at death's door already.

What can you do?

Um, about what I said before

What is it now? Spit it out.

Shouldn't you go save them?

If over half of the Holy Knights die,

that's mission failed for the hero unit.

You won't just die. You might even

get resurrected and burned at the stake.

It'll probably be painful, and just awful.

U-Uh, what do we do, Xylo?

Why do you look so disheartened?

Saving others in peril

is the greatest of honors.

Do I not speak truth, my knight?

Both of you, shut up.

Venetim, how far have they gone?

Huh? Ah, yes, well

Wait, are you just looking that up now?

O-Of course not.

Let's see I believe they've gathered

at the second crossing point along

the Purcell River.

The second crossing point?

Don't even think about joining up with them.

You'll just slow them down.

We've made a choice to fight

and die alongside Captain Kivia.

What would a hero know about it?

Just head south and get lost.

We beat back the faeries

attacking your flying column.

What?

To the south end of the forest,

you'll find the team that oversees us.

Give that as*h*le, Venetim,

a black eye for me.

I'm gonna go give that captain

of yours a piece of my mind.

You're really going to support our retreat?

Dotta!

The mission's still on.

Xylo. Are you serious?

I'm afraid I am.

We'll meet up with the Holy Knights

and prevent them from being routed.

A truly honorable choice, my knight.

I'm against it.

You don't wanna die for

those Holy Knight jerks either, do you?

I mean, you're—

Can it.

If it were up to me, I'd let the b*stards die.

I hate people who throw their lives away.

But if I let them die because of that,

it'd give them a reason to look down on me.

And that's one thing I can't stand.

What kind of logic is that?

Let's go.

If the Holy Knights get slaughtered,

it'll be the end of us.

Eat up while you can.

Enemy sighted!

Form ranks!

Thunder staff squad, advance!

Prepare for combat!

Hold your fire until

the last possible moment!

Fire!

First wave down!

But there's too many

Trolls!

Use the thunder ballistae!

Don't let them cross the river!

Fire!

Looks like it's going down.

The Verkle Development

Corporation's as*ault team.

Powerful, but they won't have

the a*mo for that many.

Xylo, do you know any of those knights?

Nah.

Never seen that banner before.

Then, we can just sit back, right?

I'm sure they'll hold out.

What nonsense are you spouting?

Have you no wish to share in the glory?

They'd never let us share in it.

Out of a*mo!

Captain, ballista down!

Fight back with standard weapons!

Any who are left over, intercept with pikes!

The faeries will send another unit

around to flank them.

The demon lord behind them is smart.

It'll move strategically.

We'll need to meet up with them

and come up with a strat—

Where'd he go?

Huh?

You gotta be kidding me.

Going to take the loot from the Holy Knights, working solo.

Where is your attendant?

How should I know?

He proved before that

he's trash we can't trust.

Next time I see him, he's dead.

Indeed, I am the only one

worthy of your trust.

You need the power of miracles, do you not?

I told you. I won't use a goddess—

sh*t.

I hope my flight seal gets me there in time.

Die!

And again!

Draw!

Loose your arrows!

What's that?

What's the matter?

If this is all it takes

it'll be a damn easy win!

Take that, and that, and that, and that.

And that!

Who are you?

I'm guessing you're Captain Kivia?

My knight!

Why did you leave me behind?

Goddess? What are you doing here?

I thought we'd sent you to Galtuile!

Don't sweat it.

You! Did you attack the transport?

Nah. They're fine.

It's not my fault, anyway.

Besides

I haven't made a pact yet.

My knight? What is the meaning of this?

It's like I told you.

I hate goddesses.

Go find your "knight" among these guys.

Explain this.

Who are you and what are you doing here?

I'd love to explain,

but this is hardly the time.

The demon lord.

It's here.

The 47th demon lord:

Awd Goggie.

Incoming!

Don't let it cross!

Wait! Hold your fire!

Get down!

Retreat!

sh*t. It erected a force field

to repel the blast.

It's a tricky one.

We'll have to fight it up close.

You don't have any battering rams or slings?

They're still working on them

in the First Capital.

We'll try scorched earth seals

while it's on the far bank.

Engineers, get ready—

Don't do it.

It'll blow up the whole area.

It'll take out the seal users

and the ground we're standing on.

We can't mount a defense.

Let's fall back and get out to the east.

I won't change my mind. We stand firm.

Don't be stupid!

They told us to support your retreat!

Support our retreat?

Are you a hero?!

Yeah, that's why I'm here.

Command in Galtuile leaves

the final say to the commanders!

As such, for the sake of my honor,

I will lay down my life.

I don't give a damn about your honor!

Honor is everything!

I'm sick of this.

I don't know what's driving you to do this,

but don't you care that

you're dragging us down?

I don't care what happens to a hero!

You're a filthy criminal,

too terrible to even die.

And what is the goddess doing here?

I-I, uh, followed my knight, Xylo

I ordered for the goddess

to be sent to Galtuile.

I meant for us all to die here

to see that mission through.

Yet now

Wait.

Did she say Xylo?

What now?

No No way

Get down!

Damage report!

Xylo, over there.

What the hell are these things?!

S-Stay back!

S-Stop!

This is a disaster.

Hold the line, no matter what!

Dammit! We can't hold on any longer!

Two left.

My knight!

Guess my luck's run out.

Are you still—

My knight.

Please rise.

You must use my power.

If you do not,

all here will die a sad death.

Screw that.

I'll never rely on a goddess again.

Kivia! Use the goddess!

Make the pact yourself!

Kivia! Where are you?!

Xylo.

You are my knight.

Unless something is done,

many more lives will be lost.

Do you find that acceptable?

Shut up.

I

Even if

Even if you hate me

Even if you hate goddesses

I will still grant you victory.

Piece of sh*t.

Do it. There's no other way.

Very well.

Then offer the price of the pact.

The method of pact is—

I know.

That's it, right?

Teoritta, help me.

Do you swear to act with

the majesty befitting my knight?

I swear. Now, do it.

Very well. My knight, Xylo.

I grant you the power of a goddess.

There I go.

This is how I throw my life

away all over again.

The connection is complete.

I share your will, my knight.

What manner of blessing do you desire?

Yeah. Make it flashy.

We'll drive them back here.

Drive them back here.

Impressive resolve.

Then, with my goddess's power,

I gladly offer my blessing.

Offer your prayers.

I am the goddess of swords, Teoritta.

What say you, my knight?

I give you permission to praise my grand power

and worship me to your heart's content.

Xylo, I said I give you permission.

Pat my h—

Sorry.

Business first.

That means clearing out the last of them!

More swords!

Very well, but I expect heaps of praise later.

If we survive this, you betcha.

There!

More!

More! More! More!

More!

Wh-What's going on?

Survived, did you?

Kivia! Clear out the last of them.

Get the wounded out of here.

You expect me to take orders from you,

you disgusting hero—

If you want to survive, yes!

I don't plan to die here, and I don't

want to watch you people die, either.

Therefore

I'll k*ll that demon lord.

If we make it back alive,

I'll accept any complaints

or punishment waiting for me.

And I'll talk you up all you want.

Xylo. Are you going?

For the sake of honor?

You guys just can't stop

riding that crap, can you?

For honor?

Idiocy.

It's more like

a desire to inflict overwhelming violence.

Get ready.

Don't fall.

A presumptuous warning.

It is my place to worry about you humans.

My knight, it is now my turn to act.

No, not yet.

Why? Do not underestimate me.

Even goddesses have their limits.

When you overstress yourself,

your flame glows brighter.

Well

Don't try to fight yourself into the grave.

You won't get praise from me for that.

Besides

A goddess should leave

the planning to her knight.

I'll forge a path for us!

Very impressive indeed.

But allow me to have the next—

Not yet!

Xylo!

Teoritta, we're cutting through them!

Xylo, this time, I shall—

Not yet!

This is the demon lord?

I-I am not afraid at all.

Striking down a demon lord is what

every goddess dreams of. Let me take my—

Not yet.

Just a little more.

That's a lot of howling over one little leg.

Right here.

Xylo, we will end up surrounded.

Surely you need me now?

Sure. Clear me a path.

Give it all you've got.

But of course.

Watch and be amazed.

Next—

Worry not. I know your mind, my knight.

Can you do it?

Yes.

I am a goddess, am I not?

Pray to me with devotion.

Yup.

That's just what I was praying for.

Go to hell, you damn c*ck!

M-My knight.

All right. Now

Teoritta!

Xylo!

Xylo!

Xylo!

Xylo!

Xylo, you're hurt. All because

you were protecting me

My knight, do you hear me?

Look at me!

Uh, Xylo?

What're you doing out here?

A scorched earth seal?

Have

Have you been stealing again?

I-I-It's not like that. I infiltrated the camp

and it was just lying there, so I, uh

Good work. I won't k*ll you just yet.

I-Is that

The gradations on the dial and shape

of the grooves let you fine-tune the power.

Good thing it's a model I recognize.

What're you gonna do?

I'm gonna hit the big guy with one more blast.

This time, it's over!

Uh, Xy—

Grab on!

What the

Is it over?

The faeries are withdrawing.

That's what happens when

the Demon Blight goes away.

I've beaten my share of demon lords.

But I've never done it in such a stupid way.

Still, I gotta admit,

his sticky fingers saved the day.

I'll treat him to a nice drink—

My knight!

My knight, you were brilliant in

defeating the demon lord.

And you did it through the grace

of a goddess, namely me.

Surely you feel great satisfaction over this?

Sure.

In that case

Isn't it about time you showered me with praise?

Sure.

Good job surviving.

I was not expecting

that particular form of praise.

Is survival alone truly worth praising?

It's more than enough.

I mean that.

But

Is that truly enough for a goddess?

Huh? How should I know?

Is that up to me?

I suppose not.

Well, then.

If what you say is true,

not only did I survive,

but I also defeated the demon lord!

I would call that a most

impressive accomplishment!

Guess so.

More! I permit you to grant me

even more praise.

Come on already. No need to hold back.

I am prepared. You may begin at any time.

Come on, come on, my knight.

Fine. I get it.

I finally found you.

I knew it. You're Xylo Forbartz.

And this one on the ground

is Dotta Luzulas.

No matter.

You stole a goddess in transport,

stole a scorched earth seal,

and slew a demon lord of your own accord.

You are a criminal of the highest order.

Yeah. Guess I am.

Goddess Teoritta.

We of the Thirteenth Order of the Holy Knights

planned to deliver you to Galtuile Fortress.

I was sure the transport team

had set out already.

This hero stole you and made a pact

with you without leave to do so!

This dastardly villain, Xylo Forbartz!

I see.

I suppose it was destiny, then.

I

I believe in my knight, Xylo Forbartz.

It is he who shall slay

all of the demon lords.

He is the knight worthy of my grace.

But Goddess

You do not know his crime.

His crime? What ill deed did he commit?

He k*lled a goddess.

He was once a Holy Knight.

He made a pact with a goddess.

And then he k*lled her!

The defendant: Xylo Forbartz,

Captain of the Federated Kingdom's

Fifth Order of the Holy Knights.

On the night before the incident,

you led your unit in the direction

of the 11th demon lord.

And just before dawn, you entered battle

with your pacted goddess, Senerva.

Is this report correct?

It's correct.

Knew it.

He really did.

I fought the 11th demon lord.

It was hard.

The reinforcements I expected

to come never showed up, see.

Answer only the questions you are asked.

Due to engaging in combat with

his goddess without leave to do so,

the defendant's unit

suffered catastrophic losses.

Is this report corre—

No!

It wasn't "without leave."

I was given an official order.

No such order was issued

by Galtuile Fortress.

There is no record of it.

You're lying.

We were ordered to go there.

The message said Uthob City

Defense Force Unit 7110 was—

No such unit exists.

In your eagerness for selfish glory,

you forced your men and your goddess

to enter an unwinnable fight.

No! I—

Your unit has always stood out

for its callous disregard for orders.

I hear you have committed

ill*gal acts as well.

This is w*r. On the b*ttlefield,

a captain must follow his own judgment.

We're granted that authority.

An authority granted

by the Federated Kingdom.

But worst of all, in the end,

you m*rder*d the goddess Senerva.

This is true, is it not?

Yes, it's true.

Can't be.

He really k*lled her?

He's a beast!

Goddess k*ller!

Put him to death!

Death's too good for him!

There was no other way!

We couldn't locate the team

we were ordered to rescue,

and the reinforcements

we were expecting never showed.

We were left to die—

Reinforcements weren't going to come.

After all, you never received that order.

You did all of it of your own volition.

No!

Senerva

The goddess

She wanted gratitude for helping our team.

She fought on and on, pushing herself

to the brink just to earn our praise.

And in the end

she exhausted her power.

She reached her limit.

So I

Do you know what happens

when a goddess loses her power?

She becomes weak and defenseless.

And the Demon Blight begins to corrupt her.

There is no record of this phenomenon.

The Temple rejects

the mere possibility of it.

You k*lled the goddess in a berserker rage

triggered by the excess of sacred seals

you carved into yourself.

What? None of that makes any sense.

I'm telling the truth!

A goddess being corrupted?

The very idea is absurd.

Just listen to me.

There's nothing more dangerous than

a goddess corrupted by Demon Blight.

It could result in a demon lord

wielding the power of a goddess!

Senerva knew that.

The corruption had started, too.

That's why

I had to k*ll her.

Lord Confessor.

The defendant continues to blaspheme

a sacred goddess with his words.

We have ascertained the crucial elements.

I recommend we forbid further speech.

Perhaps you're right.

Wait. Listen to me.

You're playing with fire here.

You can't trust the Temple or the military.

You have to find them as quickly as possible.

I see now.

It was all a setup.

You people—

I'll find you.

I will

I will find you.

I'll find the one who set up

me and my Knights.

The one responsible for Senerva's fate.

Xylo Forbartz.

I'll find you

You are being sentenced to serve as a hero.

and I will k*ll you.