I listen to a boring song as I stare out the window
Let me don a dress and dance for you
Am I insane? Please tell me
Someday, the wind will take me away
And now we can't remember it
Why don't I have wings to float in the sky,
like the wind, like the clouds?
Why don't I have wings to sink into the all-enveloping night,
like the stars, like the moon? Ahh
Look for the star...
The star of hope that will guide this kingdom... and the world...
The funeral for Queen Bridget II of Albion will take place at noon.
Has there been an announcement concerning the next in line?
No, not yet.
In the 15 years since Prince Gilbert was assassinated,
Albion has been without a proper successor...
Do you suppose Her Highness had any intentions for the next in line?
Most likely. But the throne became empty without them being known.
At present, those with rights to succession
are the Duke of Erin from Ireland and Ludwig II from Germanicus.
Either way, Albion will end up with a foreign power within its borders.
Seeing as Albion has a national policy of self-reliance,
that is probably their least desired option of all.
Nor does the Vatican wish for Albion's situation to be disturbed.
The world's equilibrium would collapse.
So that's why you sent His Holiness and Sister Esther to Albion?
It was also a request from Albion.
I take it they want to deepen their relations with the Vatican right now.
Albion is the world leader in maintaining Lost Technology.
There is nothing to lose by strengthening our ties with them.
I do not believe they will ally with us so easily.
Albion is very stubborn and uncompromising.
Hearing that from an Albion native is quite convincing.
I'd have liked to accompany him myself, had it not been for that matter.
Sister Esther is with him. They'll be just fine.
Yes. After all, she did have the skills to foster ties with the Empire.
And now I must successfully negotiate with them,
so that her work does not go to waste...
Are you really sure about this, Your Majesty?
I feel the burden may be a bit much...
Ion is more of an adult than you think, Mirka.
Besides, most of all, this job requires fondness for Terrans!
In that regard, there are probably no better people than those two!
I never once imagined a day like this would come during my lifetime.
Forming a peace agreement with the Vatican...
Likewise.
The world will change.
Though I never believed it could be changed until now.
A new age is coming.
I'm going to need you to work harder than ever before.
You're going to be busy!
I understand that.
It could be but a fleeting peace.
But if that is what Abel-niisan wants, then I will try hard, too.
But...
I'm certain he will get in the way...
When he does, Abel, what will you do?
Thank you for attending. Please relax until tomorrow's luncheon party.
Thank you, Colonel Spencer!
You can call me Mary, Sister Esther.
Albion hopes to deepen its friendly relations with the Vatican.
Let us first begin by deepening our friendships!
Right! In that case, please call me Esther!
Please click the location you wish to have explained. Please click-
I'm sorry! I didn't mean to set it off...
That's quite all right. With these, you touch where you want to see, like so.
Tower Bridge. This symbol of Londinium is near the Tower of London
and spans the River Thames.
Wow! Wow! Amazing!
This is Albion technology?
Yes. It is the "power" that sustains us.
If you'd like, we can have a look at where Albion's technology is born.
Can we?!
For the future of the Vatican and Albion,
we'd very much like His Holiness to see our technological prowess!
Eh?
I've been expecting you.
I am Virgil Walsh, Count of Manchester.
My family has managed the Ghetto for generations.
Ghetto?
Virgil.
My apologies. The underground factory, yes?
Please, right this way.
The factory certainly is deep underground...
Yeah...
Here, we chiefly produce "chips", the cores of electronic intelligence.
The chips produced here are then added to casings and devices
built in ordinary factories worldwide to make complete products.
So system parts for ships and aircraft are handled here?
Yes. While engines are simple enough,
probably no other place in the world makes such advanced technology.
So that's what supports Albion's transport industry?
I've heard that Albion can analyze and replicate navigation programs
that utilize electronic intelligence to some extent.
All of that is done here.
The cyber-tuners here can not only fine-tune the programs,
but rewrite and edit them as well.
You can write entirely new programs, basically?!
They're as advanced as the Methuselah’s are!
Come again?
Oh, nothing.
Why are all these engineers working underground?
It must be difficult to ship products from here.
It's for the best.
Our being outside would cause unneeded confusion and tension.
It's true that this might be a threat to ordinary engineers,
but I don't see why you need to show that much restraint...
We wish to avoid attention. That's all.
Avoid attention? Despite providing Albion with all this technology?
We do not care if we are detested or hated.
We simply ask that people leave us alone and pretend not to notice.
With just that, we are able to live meager lives here underground.
But that makes this almost like an isolation facility...
Sister Esther. I've heard all sorts of things about you.
Like surviving hellish fights with Methuselah’s in Istvan and Carthage.
No... I'm still very inexperienced...
Methuselah’s?
You, if anyone, might understand this nation's current situation
and contradictions...
You don't mean that you're-
What is going on?!
Nobody move!
Seize the pope! Stop, Vanessa!
Stay out of this, Brother!
Your Holiness!
What is the meaning of this violence?!
We're going outside! This is the last day we're Terran lapdogs!
Whoops! I won't show mercy, even for you, Brother!
You know what the current situation is!
The pope's gone!
Don't let him escape! After him!
Vanessa!
What do you disapprove of, Brother?!
If our peace with the New Human Empire becomes truth,
the world can take a new step toward rebuilding!
How do we know this is not a trap?!
They're vampires! Monsters that suck the blood of people!
We can't ally with them!
You sound like you're from the Middle Ages.
Their civilization manipulates advanced Lost Technology.
There is much we can learn from them.
They are monsters with advanced weapons. Which is all the worse!
I bring news. An emergency transmission from Albion.
There's been a terrorist attack in Londinium.
His Holiness and one nun are missing.
A terrorist attack?!
Details?!
Still unknown, but according to our information,
it is likely that vampires hiding in Albion are involved.
Vampires, you say?!
What did I tell you?!
This is, without question,
divine punishment for your peace nonsense!
How can you say that?!
We cannot yield to vampires!
Whatever demands they make, the Vatican will not support terrorism!
His Holiness' wellbeing is unknown! Save your words for later!
I am certain His Holiness would gladly give his life for God's majesty!
Brother...
Establish a command post! Begin data-collection and response!
We're still unable to confirm His Holiness' wellbeing.
Which dispatch executors can rush there?
The Professor and Crusnik are already in Albion.
Dandelion should arrive at Londinium shortl, as well.
Your Eminence...
Sister Kate. Prepare an emergency transmission to Albion.
Right!
Why do you bar entry?!
We know there is an emergency situation inside!
Just move aside!
I am a knight of His Holiness! I demand you move aside this instant!
Cardinal Sforza?!
This is an emergency.
Dispatch executors from the Holy Office will be there soon.
Please cooperate with them to secure His Holiness.
Why us? Surely you realize the Dept. Of Inquisition's position?
This situation calls for swift, accurate measures.
I must ask for a reason. Exactly what is happening inside?!
Vampires are leading this terrorist plot.
The Albion government forced them to live underground
and assist with Lost Technology.
But now that the queen's support is gone, they likely want liberation.
Cardinal Medici has no desire to negotiate with vampires.
In fact, I think he wants to make His Holiness a martyr
so that he can intervene in Albion.
But I...
I want to save His Holiness...
Esther! Mary-san! Where are you?!
Your Holiness!
Your Holiness! Where are you?!
What on earth happened?
Sounds like resentment that's been shut beneath Albion for centuries
has started to erupt, I'd say.
Remember? The faeries' foster parent did mention kidnapping
His Holiness as part of a revolt.
Sounds like Sister Esther's with him, too.
Wait. Looks like they're here, too.
You're the Department of Inquisition's-
Cief Inquisitor, Brother Petros!
Deputy-chief, Sister Paula.
The Duchess of Milan has requested we work together this one time.
Nice to meetcha!
The entrance to the Ghetto area has been sealed by the Albion army.
Have you secured an infiltration route?
We must rescue His Holiness as quickly as possible!
I assume you have a plan?
How do you know there's an entrance to the Ghetto here, Abel-kun?!
W-well, I'll be...
Let's go.
I know this will not remain forever
However, it's beautiful
Your eyes, hands, and your warm smile
They're my treasure
It's hard to forget
I wish there was a solution
Don't spend your time in confusion
I'll turn back now and spread
My broken wings still strong enough to cross the ocean with
My broken wing show far should I go drifting in the wind
Higher and higher in the light (My broken wings)
Still strong enough to cross the ocean with
My broken wing show far should I go drifting in the wind
Across the sky, just keep on flying
(What's falling from the sky is not rain... )
Next time"Episode 21: The Throne of Roses II. The Refuge"
Let thine eyes be not diverted.