04x20 - Chronoa the Hero (1)

[bunniefuu]

Where am I...

C'mon, try it, Dad!

Is that... me?

This was back when my dad's
company was doing well...

I remember now.

Even a good-for-nothing father like him
used to play with me when I was a kid.

Can't believe I'd forgotten that.

Back then, I hadn't the slightest idea...

...of how much
my father was suffering.

Had he been a decent man,

my mother wouldn't
have fallen apart, either...

Or so I thought back then.

So I hated him,
held a grudge against him,

tried to turn a blind eye
to my miserable reality.

And in order to justify
that version of myself...

I punished my father.

Had we supported
each other as a family,

things might've
turned out differently.

I can't believe that someone like me
had the audacity to speak of justice.

Ridiculous.

Perhaps I was looking...

...for the image of an ideal
father in that person.

You bear darkness
in your heart, don't you?

Granville was right.

I'd always regarded myself
as a person who couldn't be forgiven.

Even if I were able to return
to my original world,

I'd have no one to
welcome me back.

Which is why I sought to be someone
who could lend a hand to everyone here.

I wanted to save
as many lives as I could.

But...

I've exhausted myself.

Big Sis Hinata!

Big Sis Hinata, don't fall asleep!

Was that Chloe, I hear?

Also, where am I?

That's right.

I was taking Granville's attack.

Yet how am I not dead?

Chloe, are you okay?

What happened to
Lady Luminus and Granville?

I'll fill you in later, but I need you to
keep yourself wide awake for me, okay?

Then, I want you to be
in sync with me.

In sync?

Yeah.

You're inside me right now.

There should be a light
in front of you.

A light?

Yes. Now, reach for it!

Have you come to be?

Yeah...

This feels strange.
It's as if I'm not in my own body.

Because you're not.

I've contained you in my skill,
Unlimited Imprisonment.

Huh?

You'd be gone if you didn't
keep yourself awake.

This is a lot to process.

But I take it that
you saved me, right, Chloe?

Not quite, but you could say that.

So, where are we?

Well, Big Sis. You and I...

Just Hinata is fine.

All right, then!

Well, Hinata. I'd like you to calmly
listen to what I'm about to say.

We're 2,000 years in the past right now.

Huh?

See that mountain over there?

Yeah...

Wait, is that...

The Sacred Peak of the Riola Mountains?

That means we're in the...

Yes.

We're in the land that would one day
be the capital of Lubelius.

How can you be so sure
this was 2,000 years ago?

Well, this isn't my first trip.

I suppose you'll fill me in
about this in detail.

Of course. I will.

EPISODE 92: CHRONOA THE HERO, PART ONE

We traveled to the past?

Yep.

Apparently, when my skill,
Time Traveler, is engaged,

I can go back into the past.

Apparently?

I wish I could explain it better,
but whenever the condition is met,

I'd always end up
traveling back in time.

Since when did you have this skill?

Well, since Rimuru brought me
to the Dwelling of Spirits.

That's where the ability of myself
from the future took root within me.

If I die in the future,
it will inhabit the me at that exact time.

And it looks like I'm repeating
that exact circle.

So, you've been experiencing
the same thing all this time?

Yeah...

It's a skill that loops.

Still...

I would barely have any recollections
of my travels back in time.

And the only period I could recall
with any clarity is the latest loop.

I see...

Having memories of every single loop...

...would be an absolute hell
of an experience.

But somehow, I've never been able to
travel to a time earlier than this one.

Maybe this is the limit of my skill.

You said a trigger activates this.

What is that?

Um...

It always triggers when you die.

Oh...

That means I really am dead now.

You may not remember this,

but you'd always come back
to the past with me.

Do I always die the same way?

In the previous loop, after returning
from the Dwelling of Spirits,

Rimuru went right back to Tempest.

Seems like you hadn't met
each other at that time.

Thanks to that,
Rimuru was able to save Tempest

and show the neighboring countries
just how powerful he was.

After that, Rimuru worked hard
to build relationships with humans.

I also transferred to a school
in Tempest with everyone,

and studied alongside
the beastfolk kids.

However...

The Council deemed Rimuru dangerous,

and dispatched an extermination
army to Tempest.

By extermination army,
do you mean...

Yes.

The one that you were in charge of.

Honestly, I was really
scared back then.

Of course...

But we were able to
work things out somehow...

You also realized you'd been deceived
by the Kingdom of Falmuth,

and you immediately
broke the ice with Rimuru.

That's why Rimuru hadn't become
the Demon Lord yet at that point.

Still, he was really busy and determined
to make Tempest a better country.

Until five years later...

The Eastern Empire's
monster army invaded.

Everyone fought hard, but we
couldn't hold back the invasion...

At that point, Rimuru was
the only one we could rely on.

Rimuru was also aware of that.

You see, at the time this happened,

I already had feelings for Rimuru.

Which was why...

I told him to not go into the battle
out of my selfishness.

Don't worry.

I got this.

Rimuru never came back after that.

Tempest was left meeting its end.

And so was Rimuru.

Not long after, Veldora suddenly revived
and defeated the Empire's army.

But then Veldora went on
an unstoppable rampage...

We tried our best to stop him, but...

You were k*lled by someone
halfway through the fight.

Then I traveled back to the past.

That's pretty much
how it went last time.

Rimuru died?

Who and how could
anyone k*ll that Rimuru...

Rimuru actually dies a lot
in my previous loops.

But, finally...

This is the first time he's alive
when you died, Hinata!

I can't even explain...

...how special and amazing this is.

Many other things that
happened were also new!

Rimuru evolved into the Demon Lord,

and even grew closer to you
and your companions.

Perhaps I could expect things to get better
from this version of Rimuru!

You're right. I'm sure he'll
figure something out.

Right?

We're getting everyone
through this alive, this time!

Then we'll find out who's after you
and Rimuru's life in the future!

But why did we arrive at
a different outcome this time?

I'm glad you asked!

Actually, I remembered a few memories from
when I was at the Dwelling of Spirits.

So, I acted a little selfishly
toward Rimuru in Engrassia,

and managed to
hold him back just a bit.

Then he gave me this.

Isn't that Ms. Shizue's mask?

It indeed is.

It is also the mask that
I would give to her later on.

She then gave it to Ms. Shizu?

I see...

So you were the Hero, Chloe.

I'll definitely meet Rimuru again!

Yeah. Let's change the course
of the future this time.

Also, I'm gonna tell you this
just so you know.

What is it?
What's with the heads-up?

I may love you so much, Hinata,
but I'm not giving Rimuru to you!

What?

Alice said there are some battles
that a woman must never give up on.

What a cute little girl.

You won't see me and Rimuru
swaying that way.

I mean, weren't you
nervous just now?

I wasn't!

Let's put that aside and get moving.

Yeah.

This era's Western countries weren't
yet places where many people could live.

Yeah.

There are settlements, but it'd be
a while before they form a nation.

By the way, where are you heading?

I'm going to Luminus' place.

To Lady Luminus?

Why?

When I travel to the past,

Veldora usually attacks
Night Rose almost immediately.

I wasn't there last time,

so I'm planning to head there
earlier this time.

What are you going to do
once you meet her?

I'm planning to get everyone out of town
before Veldora goes on a rampage.

I wonder if they'll listen
to you that easily.

I'll be fine. Luminus is my friend.

What? Your friend?

Yeah.

I-Is that so...

But how are you going to help them?
We're talking about Veldora.

We'll be fine!

I also happened to be
the person who sealed Veldora.

Of course...

Look, it's finally coming into view!

The Night Rose!

Stop there, you human.

Do you know whose territory you're in?

Yes!

I came here to see Luminus!

Hey!

Calling her only by her name in public...

What did you just say?!

Veldora is about to attack this place.

So please let me speak with Luminus!

Wait, wait!

Ugh, what should I do then?!

Looks like she remembered
her many meetings with Lady Luminus,

which is why she's not at all nervous.

Okay. Listen closely.

I see.

I sincerely apologize
for disturbing you.

I heard through the grapevine...

...that the evil dragon Veldora
is planning to attack Night Rose.

That, is the reason for my visit.

I would appreciate it if you could
convey this message to Lady Luminus.

See? I know you can do it if you try.

Is it true that Veldora is coming
to attack this Night Rose?

And you want me to believe that?

I'm telling the truth.

I know you're strong, Luminus,
but you can't beat Veldora.

This castle is about to be destroyed
as well, so please evacuate quickly.

I don't know you well enough
to believe what you say.

Do you have any proof?
When is he going to attack this land?

Around half a month from now.

I'm sure that he'll be here
at least during the autumn.

I see.

We should be prepared.

However...

If that story turns out to be a lie...

You know what would happen, right?

Do you really believe that kid?

I mean, don't you find her interesting?

She dared to address me
without respect,

and even went so far as to claim
I couldn't defeat the Evil Dragon.

She even suggested that this beautiful
Night Rose would crumble.

Let's eagerly anticipate
what'll happen in half a month.

See?

You may think that she's your friend.

But to her, you're someone
she knows nothing about.

Still...

Unfortunately, we'll simply
have to wait for now.

With that said,

we still have half a month
until Veldora arrives.

Do you have any
plans until then?

I mean, we can't just leave.

I know! I'll show you around
the Night Rose city!

He's here!

Lady Luminus!

All of you, stand back.
Protect my people and the city.

Ma'am!

You evil dragon!

Keep me entertained!

Hurry! Take cover
behind the castle!

Is anyone injured?!

How dare you attack my town!

I have to help her as well!

Don't!

Why?!

You didn't fight the Veldora
of this era last time. Right?

We just have to reach the same future
as the last loop where Rimuru is alive.

The future might change
if you intervene now.

But Veldora will
get Luminus at this rate...

She will be fine.

Isn't Lady Luminus alive and well
in the future we're from?

You're fine now.

Helping the townsfolk isn't
out of the question, right?

No. You're fine.

Let's minimize the damage
as much as possible.

Forgive me for what we must do
for now, Lady Luminus.

So, please. Do your best.

Luminus.

I'm sorry...

I also owe you an apology.

You were right.

You saved us.

But...

Why are you so sad?

It was because of you
that we're still alive.

Why don't you take a look?

Thank you, Big Sis!

Thank you.

Thank you.

That reminds me,
I haven't heard your name yet.

Would you mind telling me?

It's Chloe.

My name is Chloe, Luminus!

So, you've been traveling back and forth
in time over and over again?

Yeah.

My memory extends
about two thousand years.

Would you like to hear about it?

Of course. Tell me.

Wow, a town where monsters
and humans coexist?

With a slime as their ruler?

That Rimuru sounds
like an interesting fellow.

He is. He's someone you'd
definitely get along with.

You will also have another friend.

That friend is Hinata, a girl who's
transferred from another world.

An otherworlder friend, you say?

What splendid news. Now I have something
to look forward to as I grow older.

w*r, you say?

Yeah.

Then the Eastern Empire invaded,
and Rimuru would've passed away.

And Hinata would be
k*lled in action too...

What? Even Hinata...

Who would even...

I don't know who k*lled them both.

But I want to do
something about that future.

Do you wish to change it?

No.

I want to stick to the same history
as much as possible.

Because in this loop,

Rimuru was alive and well.

I don't want a different future!

Very well.

You have my promise to help.

Hinata might be a friend I've yet
to meet, but I won't let her die.

Lady Luminus...

Thank you.

There sure is nothing here.

I really wish I could
lend you a hand...

Don't worry about it.
We have plenty of time.

Someday, I'll build a capital here
that rivals even Night Rose.

Yeah.

I'm looking forward to it.

We'll go our separate ways
for a while.

What are you going to do now?

The same thing I've been doing.

Helping people in trouble as the Hero.

I see. That's interesting.

I can't wait to know whose fate
your actions will bring about.

I'd say that's just
as interesting to ponder.

So, what will your name be?

If we're going to rewrite
the course of future history,

it wouldn't do for the name
Chloe to remain, would it?

Oh no, I haven't thought of that!

It would be bad if the name Chloe
made the rounds again.

Yeah. Once Big Bro Leon comes to
this world, he'll definitely catch on.

As in the Demon Lord Leon?

Whatever.
Nothing surprises me anymore.

How did you usually deal with this?

Um...

In most cases, I probably left
without introducing myself.

So that's why the Hero's name
wasn't passed down in the future...

Let's see.

Chronoa.

How about Chronoa?

It's derived from your
unique skill, Time Traveler,

with Chronos, the god of time.

Chronoa...

Yeah! That's a good name!

I shall be known as Chronoa
the Hero from now on!

Chronoa, eh?

That's a good name.

Yeah!

Next time: Chronoa the Hero, Part Two.