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
"We can no longer put up with the Albion government's oppression,
which has gone on for centuries."
"We hereby declare our independence from the government,
and make the following demands of the Albion government."
"One: Guaranteed safety of all Methuselah’s residing in the Ghetto."
"Two: Assistance with taking asylum in the New Human Empire."
"Three: An official announcement to the international community
that Methuselah’s contributed to Albion's prosperity."
If this gets out, Albion will be subjected to worldwide criticism...
If I'm not mistaken, you understood more than anyone
the risk of this prosperity, as well as Albion's present predicament...
Never mind the criticism.
After all, they still haven't managed to capture the pope...
If we can take him into custody first, we might have a chance...
I was unable to keep them suppressed...
To think the absence of royalty would prove so daunting...
The late queen was indeed a great person.
However, assuaging our mutual fears by force will only cause rifts.
The times are changing now.
I will protect Albion until this "star" of yours is found.
Continue your negotiations with them.
As you wish.
How can this be?! That passage isn't in use anymore!
Only members of the Walsh house should know about it!
No... Could it be them?!
Thank you for showing the way. We can handle the rest from here.
Your Holiness!
Eh?!
- I'm coming for you! - Eh?!
Sheesh. Talk about no sense of cooperation...
Just making it this far with them is a miracle in itself.
Though it does look like it'd be best to split up and search now...
Yeah. Well, I'm countin' on you guys!
Leon-san...
You still can't find the pope?!
How can one kid be such a problem?!
Intruders detected!
They're from the Vatican...
Secure the pope before they do! Scour the city completely!
- Understood! - Understood! - Understood!
There's a transmission from Virgil-sama, requesting negotiations.
Tell him he can go eat shit!
We will break out of here!
Where... am I?!
I'm completely lost now...
Those people were angry... I wonder why?
A-a city?!
Who are you, Mister?
Mister!
What's wrong, Mister?!
Mister!
Someone! Someone come here!
Are you awake?
Stop that, Angelica! What're you doing?!
Sorry. We didn't mean to frighten you.
I hear this girl scared you?
Come now, Angelica.
I'm sorry...
You're the pope of the Vatican, right?
U-uhh... Are you all... vampires too?
Well, I suppose you could say that.
Though we don't like to be called vampires...
This is a Methuselah city.
We create precision machines and drugs for the Terrans.
Oh...
It looks like you've gotten caught up in our trouble. I'm sorry.
Are you...
Don't worry. We're not with the rebels. We won't hold you captive.
Thank goodness...
We're not scary!
Stop that, Angelica!
But...
What Vanessa says does make sense, though...
We really don't like being locked up and used however they see fit.
You've been here all this time?
Since our ancestors, for hundreds of years...
We're the ones behind Albion's prosperity.
We can't go anywhere,
and our lots in life are determined from the moment we're born.
That's just too much to bear!
I guess there's no way to understand with just words.
Just relax for now and have some of that.
Are you scared?
We are, too...
If all the Terrans above attacked us, we would be wiped out in no time.
If we resisted with force, they'd just strike back twice as hard.
The only choice then would be to continue fighting
until either we or the Terrans are completely destroyed.
It's delicious!
Your Holiness! Your Holiness!
What do I do?
I'm supposed to protect His Holiness...
Oww! W-what is this?
Oh, my. I've caught quite the lovely prey.
Who's there?!
Dietrich?!
What are you doing here?!
Why, you-!
You certainly do love to struggle futilely, Esther.
Then again, that's what I love about you...
What are you planning to do?!
Why, I'm ending the world.
Do you think that's nonsense? But it's the truth.
Very soon, an angel will descend to punish this stifling, ugly world.
I came to prepare for the party.
The invitations have been sent out,
so all that remains is to set off the firecrackers...
So long, Esther. Try as hard as you might.
Wait, Dietrich!
If you want to stop this, come follow me.
Who knows, maybe you'll become this world's star of hope...
Star of hope?
Your name does mean "star" in this kingdom's old language.
Dietrich! Dietrich!
Its name is Pero.
But now it's sick...
I was hoping you could bless it so it can get better soon.
M-me?
You're the greatest person in the world, right?
I bet even God would listen to what you say!
The... greatest?
N-no... I'm... not great at all...
Mr. Pope?
I'm... not great at all.
Everyone always scolds me...
...and makes fun of me...
There are people who bully you?
Do you want me to make 'em pay?
Eh?
The pope is the person chosen by God!
If anyone mean bullies him, I'll make them pay!
Chosen... by God?
May the Lord's blessing be with thee...
Amen.
Thank you, Mr. Pope!
I'll give him some antibiotics later!
Mr. Pope!
As thanks, I'll take you to my secret place!
Eh?
- Come on! This way! - W-wait!
H-hold on!
Angelica! Wait for me!
This way, Mr. Pope!
Wait!
Follow me!
Eh? Wait. Isn't this-
- Where are we? - This way, Mr. Pope!
Eh?!
W-wow!
Wow! W-what is this?!
Isn't it cool?! I found it when I was playing!
Virgil-sama found out right after,
but he said I wouldn't be in trouble if I kept it a secret from everyone!
But you're an exception, Mr. Pope!
R-rockets?!
You really know how to be a bother.
I found it hard to believe you'd be hiding in a place like this...
Now come!
What are you doing to Mr. Pope?!
Shut up! Get lost, kid!
No! Stop!
Stop that! Let go!
Get outta here!
Just because you're a kid doesn't mean-
Stop it!
P-please stop! I'll go with you...
Just please don't shout...
Shouting... frightens me...
Mr. Pope!
I'll be all right. Don't worry...
Mr. Pope...
Let's go.
Sorry for yelling at you.
We've caught the pope!
Now we just need to hunt down the Vatican's dogs! Let's go!
Old man! Over here!
It's you!
The rebel base is the security control room in Section 2-B.
So now we're even.
You guys're alright!
Yes. Everyone took us in right away...
Things were just starting to go well, but then this happened...
They aren't bad people!
They're just making a stand after seeing everyone's suffering...
So please, old man!
I ain't an old man!
Things are too big this time. I'm just a minor figure.
There's a limit to what I can do.
But...
First comes taking back the pope. We can figure out the rest after that.
Thanks for the help! See ya!
Kate? I know where the rebel nest is. The pope's probably there, too.
Yeah. Contact the Professor and have everyone-
Old man!
What are these things?!
Old man!
I told you, I'm not an old man!
- Peter! - Stay back!
Behave like kids and let the grownup protect you!
If I give up now... I'll never be able to face my daughter...
What's that?
Someone! Help me!
Father Nightroad!
Now it can go straight to the palace.
But His Holiness is still-!
All the other AX members are here. Return aboveground. Got that?
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 wings- how 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 wings- how 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 22
"The Throne of Roses III. Load of Abyss"
- Let thine eyes be not diverted. - Let thine eyes be not diverted.