The young peacock...
spreads a thousand wings...
to slay a thousand devils...
and a thousand demons...
living in a thousand valleys...
and over a thousand hills.
He knows no treasure...
he knows no fame.
In search of his destiny...
he travels on and on.
Word is that Valhiss is going to recruit some new soldiers.
They lost a couple of men in their last battle.
Snake bone brew.
Uh, you sure about that, kid?
Hey... Not bad there, buddy.
Valhiss...
Valhiss?
You want to join those no-good thugs?
That's a nice sword you've got there,
huh, kid?
Don't touch me!
What's that?
Hey, I'm just trying to be friendly.
So you wanna fight, eh, kid?
All right!
Hey - watch it!!
Whaddaya doing?!
Don't stick your head into other people's fights!
These two are just getting started!!
Hey!! You spilled my drink!
Hey, you! Look what you've done...
Oh, no you don't!
Get lost!
You sure are quick on your feet, kid. Just like a monkey.
And you've got some power.
Whaddaya say we call it a draw?
Won't even shake my hand.
You're one cautious kid.
I'm Amon.
Never heard of you.
That's all right.
My name's Gaius. It's nice to meet you.
It's Valhiss!
Here at last, eh?
I've come with a message from Captain Denon!
If any of you feel you're a good enough fighter for Valhiss...
gather now in the city square!
We are looking for new recruits to serve in the Valhiss army.
The selection will be made through a simple test.
After my men and I have returned to Valhiss...
a fire will be lit in the central tower...
to signal the start of the test.
Here's how it works...
Rope ladders will be hung from nine locations.
Each ladder will be cut down after one man has climbed it.
Consider every man other than yourself an enemy!
Valhiss needs only the nine strongest men!
Oh, come on!
I don't want any part of this!
Whoever gets to the ladder first...
is gonna get slashed from behind!
What you're telling us to do is kill each other.
I'm outta here! Good luck, guys!
Do as you wish.
No... please! Don't kill me!!
Strike first, if you wanna live!
These guys won't think twice about slicing you in half.
Hey, you don't have to thank me.
I just reduced the competition.
But I wouldn't mind a drink when we get to Valhiss.
Come on! You'll be left behind!
So... what took you so long?
You...
Hey, don't look at me like that.
I just left a little early to get a head start.
Looks like you're the ninth man up.
Sir, the test is finished.
Alcan, Gaius, Vikin, Daus, Mehico, Zem, Zom, Hoe, and Amon.
You have qualified as Valhiss soldiers to serve the Emperor.
There's trouble, sir.
The men we sent into Valhiss...
did not survive the recruitment test.
Then we must head for Valhiss.
But, sir. You can't be serious.
We have no choice but to fight Valhiss head on.
We must leave at once.
But, but... Sir!
Valhiss wants to find the Valley of Gold.
What will become of Granmall should he succeed?
But Lichia...
What about Princess Lichia, Sir?
Lichia!
If we make a wrong move now...
Princess Lichia will be...
Lichia! What will they do to her?
In order to save the Princess...
we must meet the Emperor's demand...
and give him the map showing the way to the Valley of Gold.
Hey!
Did you hear something?
Probably just an "owl-cat" or something.
The men we recruited today will add to our strength, sir.
Ah, they're no more than thugs.
But depending on how they're used...
even thugs can do us some good.
Denon.
Yes, sir.
Has Darai Sem replied to our demand?
Not yet, sir.
Interesting. Very interesting.
He has his people to think of.
He's not going to meet our demands so easily.
It's funny you should say that, Denon.
Taking Darai Sem's daughter hostage was your idea.
First you're saying what a perfect plan it is...
and now all you have are excuses?
Maybe you're losing your touch... Denon?
What!?
Denon... Mabo...
That's enough, you two.
We will take necessary measures in due course.
For now, we'll wait for Darai Sem to make his move.
Who's there?!
Don't let him get away!
Quickly!
Down this way!
Did you find him?
Not yet, sir.
What's going on?
I don't know, Your Highness.
The guards seem to be on alert.
What do you want?
It's late at night!
Open up!
No, I will not!
This is Princess Lichia's quarters.
Men are not allowed to enter.
An intruder has entered the tower.
Is everything all right in here?
As you can see, we're perfectly fine!
If you are finished, I would like to go to bed.
Please leave at once!
Sorry to disturb you, Princess.
Those guards are getting on my nerves.
Somebody got into the central tower last night.
The tower!?
Yeah.
That's why the guards are so busy.
So that's Lichia. Darai Sem's daughter.
She's being held hostage by the Emperor.
Princess Lichia!! Look out!!
Damn!
Get out of the lake, Princess! Hurry! Hurry!
Look out!
Hoe...
You're hurt...
So we meet again.
You have a way of popping up where you're least expected.
You helped me last night.
Are you trying to thank me?
Come, Princess. We must go.
I'm Lichia.
I'm Amon.
All this drinking is gonna make us rusty, eh?
Don't worry, my friend.
The Emperor's gonna have more than enough work for us soon.
Tell me something, where's Valhiss headed, anyway?
Don't ask me.
Take this map to Valhiss. And may God be with you.
Yes, sir.
I can only pray that Valhiss...
will keep his end of the bargain...
and return Lichia safely.
Don't worry, sir. I'll see to it.
Please do.
You have what you want. Now, release Princess Lichia.
Not so fast. How do we know that this map is real?
What?
The Emperor will be very upset...
if it turns out the map is a fake.
It's real! Why would we risk the life of our princess!?
Very well.
But there's one problem still remaining.
You see... Emperor Valhiss has grown very fond of Lichia...
He wishes to keep her by his side.
How dare you!
There is still something left for you to do.
I understand my father's messenger arrived today.
Now, you must keep your promise.
Let me out of here at once!
My darling. The beauty of a flower...
does not last forever.
In time, it will rot and turn foul.
The same can be said of all things living.
Lichia, for as long as your beauty lasts...
you will be mine.
Lichia... come!
The nine new soldiers selected in the recruitment test...
are ordered to gather now in the Emperor's hall.
Come on! Let's go! Move it!
Why do they have us herded up like a bunch of cows?
As you know, an intruder entered into the tower last night.
He must have been sent...
by Darai Sem to rescue Princess Lichia.
And so... I suspect that one of you...
is working as a spy for Darai Sem!
One of you is the intruder!
The problem is how do we find out who it is?
Whaddaya talking about!
I'm no spy!
And neither am I. This is ridiculous!
You're wasting my time.
Hey, what is this!
I don't believe this! The real spy better show his face!
We'll find out soon enough.
That old guy is a sorcerer.
Now tell us. Which one of these men is a spy for Darai Sem?
I don't know! I swear it!
Very well. Maybe I can make you remember.
Maybe you'll remember as the "dragon ape" eats you alive!
I can't tell you what I don't know!
Are you hungry, my pet?
Kill him!
Damn you!
Don't move.
Denon. Mabo.
I thoroughly enjoyed tonight's attraction.
Enjoy your snack.
Listen, men.
If you find out who the intruder is, report it to me.
You will be rewarded a year's salary!
As soon as we finish loading supplies, we'll move on.
Our destination is Vindorana.
Our destination is Vindorana, huh?
That must mean that Valhiss is heading for the Valley of Gold.
Valley of Gold?!
Legend says that the Golden Beast lies there, protecting it.
Valhiss wants to find out where the valley is...
so he took Lichia hostage.
Valley of Gold, eh...
Yes, right there!
I knew there was something fishy about that kid...
A year's salary. Easy money.
A year's salary? Sounds good. Let me in on it, guys.
What, I thought you were working together with him!
Working together? Nah.
When it comes to cash... I'm just a friend.
Shut up. You're dead, man.
Oops. I might've gotten a little carried away.
Who's there!? What's going on!?
Hey, guys! Get over here! Quick!
Looks like trouble...
Who's there!?
I've come to avenge my mother's death.
And how do you intend to do that?
By killing you!
Killing me?
We'll see about that.
Not good enough.
How many times do I have to tell you?
Men are not permitted into this room!
Yes, we know.
But we have Captain Denon's orders.
It seems those intruders have returned.
We're staying right here.
Oh, very well!
Lichia.
Stay still.
Are those men going to stay there all night?
Can you create a distraction?
It's time to get some sleep.
Oh, will you bring me a glass of water?
Right away, Princess. Yes. It's time to get some sleep.
What are you staring at?
Uh... nothing... I...
Will you turn around, please?
What was that noise!?
Who's there!? Open up!
Hey, the girl's gone!
So, you're the spy hired by Darai Sem.
Get back, Lichia!
Fight!
Amon!
Lichia.
We don't have much time. Let's go!
Come on, big fella. We've gotta get outta here.
Gaius!!
This is some mess you've gotten us into.
Help me out, will you?
Hey! What're you doing?
You must be one of the intruders!
Hey, no! Wait!
Give it up.
Wait a minute!
Some people just don't listen.
Hey? How come we're not flying?
We have to lose some weight.
Wait up, guys. Take me with you. I can't stay here!
Let go!
If I let go, I'll fall!
Wow, you think he'll be okay?
Don't worry about Vikin.
He'll be fine as long as he landed on his head.
You idiot!
So... you're going...
Yes.
Valhiss likes to play dirty.
It won't be easy for you to avenge your mother's death.
I regret that I ever taught you to use the sword.
The young peacock...
spreads a thousand wings...
to slay a thousand devils...
and a thousand demons...
living in a thousand valleys...
and over a thousand hills.
He knows no treasure,
he knows no fame.
In search of his destiny he travels on...
and on.
Ekuna? You mean... THAT Ekuna?
Ekuna, the wandering poet and master swordsman.
I've heard of him.
Well... where do we go from here?
I'm staying here!
Valhiss is bound to head for the Valley of Gold.
So you're gonna wait for him...
and hopefully, get your revenge, huh?
Well, it won't work, kid.
The Emperor's not about to come wandering here alone.
Hey, we don't even know where this Valley of Gold is.
I know where it is.
Well, in any case, first...
We've gotta take care of THEM!!
Why, you...
Hey!
Come on!
I don't believe it.
Amon!!
Lichia!!
Amon! Here, use this!!
A city...
Something's not right here.
The city's deserted.
What is it?
This is strange.
Hey...
It's empty.
Where's Lichia?
At last. I've found you.
Princess Lichia!
Seal all the exits!
They're in here!
Don't let them escape!
Damn!!
Hey, Amon. Are you all right?
Yeah!
Why, you...
Wait! It's not us he's after!
What the...
Well, don't just stand there!
Kill him!
Someone's using magic to control it!
One...
two...
three sorcerers!
Amon!
This way!!
Lichia!! You're okay!
Follow me.
Welcome, sirs.
What is this place?
It's the underground shrine of the Royal House of Vindorana.
"Royal House of Vindorana"?
Many years ago, a wrecked "land ship" arrived in Vindorana...
The only survivor of the wreck was a young man.
At the time, our princess was very ill.
Not even our magic could cure her.
We had just about lost all hope...
But to our surprise,
the young man was able to make her well again!
The princess and the young man fell in love.
When the time came for the man to leave Vindorana...
it was decided that the princess would go with him.
The two left with a ship full of the Golden Beast's gold...
as a parting gift from the King.
That young man was my father, Darai Sem.
And the princess, my mother Lichia.
Lichia?
It is the name given to all daughters...
of our royal household.
A few years ago, the Valhiss army attacked Vindorana.
Valhiss!?
Only a handful of people survived.
Princess Lichia is the only remaining royal blood.
Valhiss learned about the Valley of Gold during the last attack.
We used our magic to control the Golden Knight...
to save Princess Lichia, but...
So, that was your doing...
Yes, but there is a powerful sorcerer among the enemy, too.
Amon,
It's been a while since I last enjoyed a peaceful moment.
I only wish...
these moments could last.
Amon...
My mother died very young.
But... she was able to meet someone...
who she truly loved, and lead a life of her choice.
I think she was a happy woman.
I hope I can meet somebody like...
Amon!
What is it?
Valhiss and his men have headed for the Valley of Gold.
What!?
I believe this is the place, sir.
Go in!
This is it, Captain!
The Golden Beast must be beyond this wall.
There should be some device to open the gate.
Yes...
Search!
Valhiss. You're not going to lay one finger on that gold.
The one who conquers the Valley of Gold...
gains control of Granmall.
Attack them!
Leave the small fish to us, Amon!
We can handle them!
Valhiss!
Prepare to die!
Not so fast!
Amon!
Captain! I've found it!
Good. Open the gate!
Time to die...
Amon!
Amon! No!
Why, you!
With this gold, I will rule over Granmall.
You again.
Valhiss! Here I come!
Is he...?
Impudent fool.
Die!
Looks like it's all over for you, Denon.
What? All over!? Don't make me laugh.
Mabo is nothing!
Prepare to die!
Die, you low-life scum!
The entrance is blocked!
Amon!
Come on, Amon.
Hang on... this is no way to die!
Look!
We're getting close! Leave it to me!
Amon!
Let's get out of here!
Everything's buried... it's all gone.
"What a waste..." right?
Yeah. What a waste. WHAT A WASTE!
I thank you, Amon... for saving Lichia.
Will you not stay with us?
Let me go with you...
Amon...
Thanks, Hoe. I owe you.
Don't mention it.
I have a message from Ekuna -
"Travel along the path of kings...
and be a man worthy of your sword".
Look! Valhiss has lost its master.