Though twilight may come,
and darkness may attempt to swallow all that is,
oh starlight
that shines forever in my heart,
flare up now like the morning sun!
Yurugi no nai sono hitomi
Even if the place
Misueteiru saki de
where you direct your unwavering gaze
Akireru hodono ikidoori uzumaiteitemo
is swirling with an incredible rage
Nando datte nando demo
A person can rise up,
Hito ha tachi agareru
again and again,
Iki ataerareta inochi
using the life given to them
Tokoton tsukatte
to the fullest.
Tenohira de moeru atsui honoo ha
The flame dancing in the palm of my hand,
Kokoro no oku no oku de
is a power that everyone
dare mo ga motteru chikara
holds deep inside their heart.
Tooi mirai heno mayoi yori mo
Rather than fretting about the dilemmas of the distant future,
Ima me no mae ni aru genjitsu
if I crash through the reality in front of me,
Hitotsu hitotsu kudaita nara
little by little,
Tada no suna ni kawaru
it'll all turn into plain sand.
Nari furi kamacchya irarenai
I don't care what it looks like.
Shoumen toppa de ikou
I'll take it head on!
Butterfly, butterfly!
We finally found the jar with the help of a butterfly!
Huh? What's that?
It's the jar used to transfer Nama's soul!?
With the jar destroyed, Nama returned to her original body.
Goodbye, Nama.
I'll forget about you as soon as I can.
But now's not the time for reminiscing!
So the real Hellmaster's jar is in the hands of the terrifying assassin, Zuuma, right?
Come to Vezendi.
If you don't, someone will die.
Fine, have it your way.
I'll go wherever you want me to.
Wait for me, Zuuma!
Seek! Who's the target!
You're...
Give this to Master Radok.
To Father?
This village's more lively than I'd expected.
Just what I'd expect from the merchant town of Vezendi.
It looks like we'll finally be able to eat some great food!
That's right! What should we start with?
This isn't the time for eating, Miss Lina.
She's right!
Don't forget why we're here.
I didn't forget anything.
But still...
I still don't know what Zuuma's going to do.
We just have to wait for him to make the first move.
So the only thing we can do right now,
is stock up on nutrients in case of an emergency!
You do have a point, but...
Nothing perturbs you, does it.
I can't put up with this.
I'll be looking around the town for clues.
He's a willful one.
Mister Zelgadis is no different.
Restaurant spotted at two o' clock!
Come on, Gourry!
Let's go and eat!
Lady, are you Lina Inverse?
And what if I am?
Mister Radok told me to bring you over.
He said he wanted to hire you and your friends.
Radok?
Awesome!
This is like the throne room of Saillune!
Is this really a personal mansion?
So you're the infamous Lina Inverse?
That's right.
And who might you be?
I am Radok Ranzaad.
You've done well.
Here's the reward I promised you.
Thank you!
You said your mother was ill, didn't you?
This is extra.
Buy something tasty for your mother.
Thank you, Mister Radok!
I'll come by again!
Quite the generous one, aren't you?
You're a man who hit it big selling his wares in Vezendi, huh?
So what does a rich man like you want with me?
If you heard the rumors of a beautiful genius sorceress,
and decided to invite her to a banquet,
I might be persuaded to think about it...
Radok Ranzaad, I will kill you.
If you wish to live, hire Lina Inverse.
A few days ago, a message from an assassin named Zuuma arrived here.
Zuuma!?
Then that means the "someone" who was going to die if we didn't come to Vezendi was...?
Lina Inverse. What's going on?
Why do I have to hire an infamous brigand like you?
Why did Zuuma specify you?
What do you mean, why?
It's probably because he wants my head.
What?
In other words, you've become the bait used to lure me out.
Stop joking around!
That's between you and Zuuma, isn't it?
I refuse to get caught up in this.
I don't want to get burned in a firefight between you two!
Get burned, huh?
But in my opinion,
not only myself,
but you, too, are one of Zuuma's targets, Mister Radok.
Mister Radok too?
It's true that Zuuma would stop at nothing to kill me,
but if he was going to use an innocent civilian as bait,
you think he'd use a woman or a child, someone more likely to sting my conscience, don't you think?
Now that I think of it, that's right.
So in short,
Zuuma probably received a contract for your death from some other route.
And using that, he set up a plan designed to lure me here.
So he's trying to take care of you both in one fell swoop?
Two birds with one stone.
Where does that leave me?
Even if I hire you as the message told me,
I'm still going to die, aren't I?
Not really.
If I act as your bodyguard,
he'll come after me first.
See, if he doesn't, I might run away to somewhere else.
If Lina defeats Zuuma...
Mister Radok lives too...
What a sick game.
Of course, that's assuming I agree to be your bodyguard in the first place.
Employ you?
If I don't...
I see.
You'll do anything to make the deal even a little bit more advantageous to you, huh?
Huh?
An assassin, after Father?
Give me a break.
Father?
Then...
Abel, leave us.
I don't think I will.
This isn't just your problem, Father.
After all, getting swindled by a con artist like this would be besmirch the honor of the Ranzaad family.
A con artist?
You're just trying to inflate your reward by making up a preposterous excuse, aren't you?
Sorry, but that kind of monkey-level scheming won't work on me.
Monkey?
Fine!
Do whatever you want.
I don't really care what happens to your father, you know?
Wait. You don't need my reward?
So sorry, but I'm not interested in spare change, understand?
Well then, now that you do...
Let's go, everyone!
Do you want the Hellmaster's jar?
Hellmaster's jar?
How do you know about that?
Ozel.
That's...
Mister Zuuma,
I have business with the Hellmaster's jar that you and your associates currently possess.
Is that the real one?
Gimme that!
You've suddenly become serious.
It seems the information I received hinting that you were after this jar was true.
But why is Ozel here?
Weren't you Zuuma's lapdog?
Lapdog?
I merely traveled here in order to pass on Master Zuuma's message, and this jar.
Of course, I don't believe in this woman either, but...
This jar now belongs to Master Radok.
My mission is to follow the one who possesses this jar.
And saying that, she just won't leave my side.
I want to have the guards take her away,
but she hasn't done anything yet.
I thought that it would be safer to have her here where I can see her,
rather than leaving her unattended and free to move about as she likes.
That so?
If you want the jar, take the job.
If you can protect me from Zuuma,
I'll give you this jar as a reward.
How's that? No complaints?
So that's it.
It seems Zuuma's pulling out all the stops to get me to stay here.
Though personally, I'm against hiring a despicable sorceress like you.
Honestly, relying on suspicious louts like these?
Father must be getting old.
Despicable?
That's right.
Abel!
Well, if that's what it takes for you to sleep easy at night, Father...
I'll look the other way just this once.
But if you're going to be bodyguards,
I expect you to be on the ball.
You...
Quite the arrogant look you've got going there.
Honestly, you're no better, Father.
Leaving the house at odd times,
running around willy-nilly.
You're just giving shady people like these more openings to exploit you.
That's got nothing to do with this.
And I left the house to do business.
I don't have to listen to your nagging.
Then what about your most recent trip?
You were away for quite a while, and look what happens as soon as you return.
Just what kind of business was that?
That's nothing for you to concern yourself with.
You still don't understand.
Stop treating me like a child.
While you weren't here...
They don't get along too well, do they?
That's an understatement.
Con artist?
Monkey?
Despicable?
First you insult me, and now you outright ignore me!?
Bah! I give up!
Do what you want!
So?
I assume you ended up taking the job?
It's not like I had a choice.
Radok's the one who has the jar we need.
But really! I'm mad up to here!
Abel, that bastard!
Right. He didn't have to be so mean.
Con artist?
Monkey?
Thinking it about it again just makes me angrier!
If you're angry, you should eat!
Another helping!
Me too!
Umm...
But, Miss Lina.
Is it true that Mister Radok is also a target?
What, now you're being suspicious too?
No!
I'm not, but...
well...
it's just a feeling, but...
It just didn't seem to me that Mister Radok was the kind of man who'd have many enemies.
And when I was out looking for clues, nobody spoke ill of the man called Radok.
In fact, most of them spoke of him in glowing terms.
The more evil a person is, the kinder he looks on the surface.
Do you think he'd really be able to get his hands on a fortune like that,
without making at least a few enemies?
You're making assumptions again!
Even if your guess is true...
is this really all right with you?
Having a leisurely supper, leaving Radok alone?
It's fine. I'll go once I finish eating.
Zuuma's going to go after me first.
That much is for sure.
Then that means...
He might come to attack us now?
Not really.
Why would he get Radok to hire me otherwise?
He'll come when we're in the mansion, I'm sure of it.
You're sure?
Mhmm.
Probably.
Probably!?
What do you want from me?
How am I supposed to know what goes on in Zuuma's head?
This is an educated guess.
You know, it'd be a real pain if that guess was wrong and he attacked us here.
That'd make Lina a fool.
You got that right!
What's that?
He really came?
Is it Zuuma?
What's this?
This is our barrier.
Mazoku.
Gduza.
I would be most obliged if you called me by that name.
And I am...
Dugld.
Pleased to meet you.
Why are mazoku here?
Wasn't Zuuma the one who was after Lina?
I don't know!
I've got no business with mazoku, either!
But, unfortunately...
We have most important business with you...
He's coming.
What?
Astral Vine!
Not bad? Better than I expected.
Then my opponent shall be...
you.
Amelia?
It's been quite some time since I tasted a human's pain.
I'll tear you into pieces!
You think we'll just stand by and let you?
Pokota!
Right!
Light, come forth!
Don't get in my way!
Elmekia...
Lance!
Break!
How dare a mere human wench...
Amelia!
Are you all right, Amelia?
Okay, then I'll...!
Here I come, kiddo.
Let's get this party started for real, shall we?
One!
What what what!?
I'm left out AGAIN!?
Two!
Three!
Give it up! I can see through your attacks!
Blam Blazer!
Did I miss him?
That was close.
I almost thought I was hit for a moment there.
An imbued blade and attack spells at the same time?
Looks like I can't afford to just play around.
I was planning on torturing you slowly,
gorging on your fear and pain, but...
It seems I won't be able to enjoy this as much as I'd hoped.
That was my mistake!
Blast!
I'll crush you where you stand!
Amelia!
Hey.
You guys are just going to keep on ignoring me, huh?
All right.
Then I'll make sure that you won't be able to ignore me next time!
That is, if there IS a next time for you two!
Dynast...
Not good...
Breath!
What just happened?
I didn't even get to finish half my meal.
How did two annoying things like those get caught up in this?
Snap out of it, Amelia.
Did you notice that those two only focused on Amelia and Zel?
Anything come to mind?
What do you think!?
Then, there's only one person who comes to mind when you think of mazoku.
Oh, everyone.
So this is where you were.
Xelloss!
You bastard! So it WAS you!
Calling up all your mazoku friends!
What're you after?
Hmm? Friends?
I'm talking about Gduza and Dugld!
Surely you aren't going to deny that you know them!
Misters Gduza and Dugld?
I don't know them.
You don't?
That's right.
Unfortunately, I must say that I've never heard of anyone with names like that before.
Look, if you're going to play dumb...
He's telling the truth.
Xelloss might be irresponsible,
but he doesn't lie.
If he says he doesn't know them,
he's really got nothing to do with those mazoku.
Then...
Just who were those two?
Who knows?
Well.
Why don't we leave such complicated matters for later,
and first have a nice cup of tea?
He's the same as ever.
Abel, what were you doing out at this hour?
I said, what were you doing out at this hour?
Speak!
It's got nothing to do with you, Father.
Nothing to do with me?
It's my choice what I do and where I do it, isn't it?
Don't think you can butt in on my life just because you're my father!
Abel, you...
Master Radok.
Please, leave him be.
Anyway, go to your room and stay there.
Understand?
Master Abel, you must learn to watch your tongue.
After all, Master Radok is clearly stressed right now because of the assassin.
Assassin, huh?
I'm fine. Leave me be.
Master Abel...
Kanashimi ni kureru kokoro wo
There's nothing that can save a heart
Sukueru mono ha nai
that's been immersed in sadness.
Jibun de jibun wo oikonde
Trapped by your own self,
Kudaketa namida ni somatteiru
soaked in shattered tears.
Akiramenai koto wo shitteru
I know you won't give up.
Jibun de kimeta michi shinjiteru
You believe in the path you chose for yourself.
Soredemo nuguenai
But what will you do if,
Itami ni
even for all your efforts,
Moshimo deattanara dousuru no
you come up against a pain you can't erase?
Tsuyoku naritai
I want to become stronger.
Donna toki mo
So that I can take in
Kimi no kanashimi
your sadness,
Uketomerareru youni
at any time.
Tada iki tsuzukeru koto sae imi wo towareteiru
I'm being questioned about something as simple as continuing to live.
Kotae nante ari ha shinai
There's no answer to that.
Tada kao wo agete aruiteiku
I just lift up my head and walk on.
The storm looming over Vezendi!
Is it one of violence, or hate?
Wait a minute, Ozel!
What are you doing?
Next time, on Slayers Evolution-R!
Townscape,
because it's a thing made by people.
Townscape, because it's a thing made by people.
You're in for it if you don't watch!