03x11 - Turning Point 4

[bunniefuu]

Master!

If Perugius hadn't shown up when he did,

I might never have seen
any of them again.

Rudy? What's wrong?

You're safe now.

Zanoba.

Master!

Have your injuries healed?

Yes. What about yours, Zanoba?

Yes. See for yourself.

Sorry my spell got you, too.

{\an8}I'm sure you did what you thought best.

{\an8}Now, let us celebrate our safe return.

{\an8}Good idea.

Now if Nanahoshi gets better,
all's well that ends well.

Nanahoshi's fine.

She's more or less stabilized.

{\an8}I'm more worried about Cliff now.

{\an8}Is it the mystic eye you
got from Kishirika?

Yeah.

She said it's called the
Eye of Discernment.

It shows information
about everything I see,

so it's like there's writing everywhere.

I ran into the same problem right
after I got my mystic eye.

Oh, I'll get it under
control soon enough.

You can count on me if anything
like this comes up again.

I will.

If you're thinking of dropping
in on Nanahoshi, go ahead.

She should still be awake.

Good. I'll go see her.

How are you doing?

I feel much better.

They told me I need another
month of rest, though.

Thank you for doing what you did.

I heard you went to a dangerous
place just to get me this medicine.

I, um, appreciate it.

She's sure on her best behavior.

It's no big deal.

Looking back, I've been awfully cavalier
with you, even though you're older.

I'm sorry about that.

Don't sweat it.

I'm only 18 here.

May I ask how old you were before?

Thirty— Nah, let's not talk about age.

You don't have to act all polite, either.

Let's keep things how they've been.

All right.

I'm sure you heard, but your condition...

Won't ever go away. I know.

The sokas grass can temporarily
purge the mana from her body,

but it will eventually build up again.

She can't live in this world
and avoid contact with mana.

Nanahoshi, you've got to get home.

You shouldn't have to die in this world.

Right.

I'll do whatever I can to help.

Thank you.

I'm going home.

Sure you are.
I bet you can't wait to get back.

No, I mean I won't be able to
repay all I owe you before I do.

Forget about owing me anything.

Oh, but I'd appreciate it if you'd
give me advice when I need it.

All right.

That's that, then.

Take care of yourself.

I will. Thank you so much.

And then my master unleashed
violet magic that scorched Atofe.

Oh? Then it was his arts
that left Atofe so weak.

And what happened then?

Well, I lost consciousness
at that point, so—

You're all having tea?

Master! Yes, indeed!

King Perugius wished to hear
of our battle with Atofe,

so I was just regaling
him with the details.

I've heard how you fought, Rudeus.

It seems it was your magic that left
Atofe in such a weakened state.

I can still see the
ridiculous figure she cut.

Does he hate her guts that badly?

You seem pleased.

I wasn't expecting to stumble upon
an opportunity for vengeance.

Vengeance, sire?

Yes.

She put me through hell
many a time in the Laplace w*r.

I had planned to even the
score one of these days,

but my friend North God Kalman forbade
mortal combat between me and Atofe.

Before I knew it, I had lost my chance
for revenge and half given up hope.

I never dreamed she would
strike the first blow.

I must thank you. Well done.

You don't mind breaking your word?

Kal forbade mortal combat.

He wouldn't object to
a one-sided beating.

And it will take more
than that to k*ll her.

It seems I've somewhat misjudged you.

I must give you some reward.

A reward...

Would you, uh, be willing to
teach me some combat techniques?

Did Atofe spark something in you?
Or have you grown greedy?

No, it's just... I was thinking I'd like
the strength to keep my family safe.

I will give you a means to contact me.

Sylvaril.

Use that in a place with ties to me.

Clearnight will hear,
and Almanfi will come for you.

Is the idea that he'll bail
me out when I need it?

Sit with us.
Surely there is more to be said.

Perugius turned out to be a
cool guy once you got to know him.

I didn't know enough to follow
a lot of what he said,

but just listening to him
got me feeling curious.

Sire, we are thinking of selling my
master's figurines in the near future.

Would you give us the benefit
of your frank opinion?

You ask this knowing my
hatred for demonkind?

I should have known you would be
able to tell at a glance, sire.

Zanoba ought to know Perugius can't
stand demons as well as I do.

What's his angle?

You would sell a thing like this?
Think better of it.

But sire, you yourself are indebted
to the model of this piece.

Me, in his debt?

You don't mean that this
is Ruijerd Sperdia?

Precisely so.

You graciously recounted the
final battle with Laplace to me.

In it, this same Ruijerd came to the
aid of you and your companions.

Naturally, I quite understand your
distaste for demonkind, sire.

But my master's craft will cause a stir
in the art world if it becomes known.

Wouldn't you like to see that?

To see a wonderful world
awash in works of art?

I detest the Sperd. They slaughtered
the innocent without exception.

Still, my life would have been
forfeit if not for Ruijerd.

And yet... Hm...

Sire, Ruijerd regrets what he's done.

Does he?

Laplace manipulated him into dishonoring
his people and k*lling his own family.

Laplace, was it?

He hates Laplace, and he's traveling the
world to restore his people's good name.

These figures will help
him in that quest.

Would you give your
blessing for his sake?

The Sperd's honor means nothing to me.

Still, I must pay my debts.

You mean...

Do as you please.

Thank you for your kindness.

{\an8}My thanks, sire!

That's another step toward
rehabilitating the Sperd's reputation.

Just you wait, Ruijerd.

Oh, yes. Master.

Why don't you show King Perugius
how you craft your figurines?

How I make figures?

Why not?

Your magic intrigues me.

Very well.

Is that Sylvaril?

I'm astonished anyone has turned
earth magic to such a purpose.

I'll make anything you
care to commission.

Will you? If you make something
of quality, bring it to me.

I will buy it from you.

If that interests you,

the Asura Kingdom boasts
fine stonemasons as well.

I will have a statue made in your
honor when I ascend the throne.

I care nothing for statuary made
only to satisfy your vanity.

Surely you will have more pressing
concerns if you claim the throne?

W-Well...

Ariel Anemoi Asura,

what is a king to you?

What do you think
"a true king" signifies?

Well...

A knowledgeable king who heeds ministers,
understands their station, and...

I think not.

My friend Gaunis Freean Asura was a
true king, but he was nothing like that.

He was a cowardly man,
averse to battle,

and fond of ogling barmaids.

But he possessed the most
important quality of a king.

I consider him a true king
for that reason.

What is that vital quality?

If you can tell me in your own words,
I will lend you my aid.

I get it. He's testing Ariel.

Rudeus, do you know what it is?

You mean, what makes a king?

Personally...

I'd like a king who puts themselves
in their subjects' shoes.

Oh?

This man gave a better
answer than you did.

Think on it, Ariel Anemoi Asura.

The most important quality
for a king to have...

We're back!

Coming! Welcome home!

Big Brother! Sylphie!

We're home.

Is it over?

Did you save Nanahoshi?

Or—

Welcome back, both of you.

Nice to see you.

Are you feeling all right, Sylphie?

Yup. Sorry for leaving
you to hold the fort.

I don't mind.

The original plan was for
me to come home sooner.

I'm guessing it all worked out, then?

Yeah. I'll fill you in later.

But first...

It's good to be home.

It's good to have you back.

And so, Nanahoshi will be fine for now.

But all we found out about Mom's
condition is that it's probably a curse.

Sorry.

Even that is a big step forward.

I'd like to keep visiting the
flying fortress and looking for a cure.

I think I'll be away for a bit, too,
guarding Princess Ariel.

I understand.

Don't worry about things here.

Sorry.

I'll come back home any day I can.

Keep an eye on Lucie for me.

I will see to any domestic matters.

I appreciate it.

And that's my report. I'll let you
know if anything new comes up.

A lot's happened in the short time
since we went to see Perugius.

Nanahoshi collapsed, we went
to the Demon Continent,

met Kishirika, pissed off Atofe...

She sure was strong.

I'd better toughen up a little myself.

In that sense, learning from Perugius
should be a move in the right direction.

And... what else was there?

I've got so much to think about,
I'm forgetting the older stuff.

I'll wind up repeating old
mistakes if this keeps up.

I know. I'll keep a diary.

Now to get writing.
No time like the present.

There.


Now, where should I start?

How long has it been
since I've kept a diary?

Today I decided to start keeping a diary of...
Anyway, these past ten days have been...

I hope I actually stick
with it this time.

Hi!

You again?

I guess that means I dozed off.

Long time no see.

I spent three years adventuring,
and you never showed up once.

I mean, I know I wasn't
exactly at my best.

You've got that right.

On the other hand,
you've really been riding high lately.

Well, yeah. I got married,
and I have a loving family.

I've got it so good, my last
life can't begin to compare.

You even got to know Perugius.

Oh, Perugius? He sure is something, huh?

And Atofe took a shine to you.

You know, I really wish she hadn't.

I'd have been in trouble if Roxy hadn't
taught me king-class water magic.

True enough. That spell blew me away.

It's not every day you see magic ignore
battle aura and paralyze the flesh.

Battle aura? What's that?

A way to use the mana in your body
to boost your physical abilities.

Mastering it makes you move faster,
and it takes a lot to hurt you.

People tell me it comes naturally
when you train your body.

I've been keeping in shape, but I've
never pulled off something like that.

It happens.

Some people can't generate aura,
no matter how hard they train.

It comes down to talent.

Thanks for the heads up.

Don't let it get you down.

You've got magic that can ignore aura.
It should even work on Orsted.

Would it really?

Hey, I don't want to start
anything with Orsted.

I've got no beef with him.

You don't say.

That reminds me. I owe you for Begaritt.

I can't pretend I don't have regrets,

but it worked out, even though
I didn't take your advice.

Well, it was your choice.

Out of curiosity, what would've
happened if I hadn't gone?

If you hadn't gone,

your father would have found a way
to rescue your mother without dying.

And you would have claimed both
beast princesses and lived happily.

You're kidding.

You mean Paul died because I joined him?

You got it.

It went bad because you were there and
he tried to show off for you, remember?

Hang on. But, I mean...

He would have rescued your mother
if you'd left him to it.

Roxy, too, of course.

That's kind of hard to believe.

It's too good to be true, you know?

Maybe. But that's fate for you.

Yeah?

So, it would've gone better without me.

Damn it. Hearing that gets me down.

It's water under the bridge.

I guess you're right.
Regrets won't change anything.

I feel happy right now.

Maybe I made the wrong choice,
but that's a fact.

The way I see it,
it wasn't all bad for me.

Ever the optimist.

By the way, what's up today?

Have you come to give me more advice?

Nah, more like to ask you a favor.

A favor? That's new.

Even I need a favor
every once in a while.

Well, okay, I guess.

I've been thinking it wouldn't hurt to
just take your advice once in a while.

What, really?

I'm glad to hear it.

I mean, you have helped me out a bunch.

If anything, I'm sorry
I doubted you before.

I am a god, you know?

I like to think I don't get
my kicks swindling people.

Fair.

So, what do I need to do?

It's nothing major.

I'd like you to pop down to your basement
and check for anything unusual.

If you don't find anything,
then that's that.

Unusual how? Why?

No, got it.

I'll do it without asking
questions this time.

Is that so?

Thanks.

Did Sylphie or Roxy cover me?

They should've woken me up.

[font face="Times New Roman"][font color="#7e2d14"][font size="30"]Diary

[font face="Times New Roman"][font color="#733317"][font size="18"]Rudeus Greyrat

Now—

It's freezing.

I'm supposed to check
the basement, right?

Weird advice, but oh well.

Don't tell me something
happened to our holy relics.

No, no way that's it.

Must've imagined it.

Or so you think!

Yeah, right—

Did I... succeed?

No. A failure, I see.

Of course it wouldn't work.

Wh-Who are you?

Is that you, Man-God?

Don't go to the basement.

The Man-God has tricked you.

Hold on. Who are you?

How did you get in here?

I am...

My name is...

It was a name no one in this
world but me would know.

A name I was going to take to my grave.

A name I didn't even want to remember.

The name of someone who
doesn't exist in this world.

It was my name in my previous life.

I've come from the future.