The white king has the knight protecting it
and slowly moves toward victory.
However, ash shrouds the black rook,
and the chessboard begins to change.
Early Spring 1925
At last, Germany has begun its invasion of Poland.
However, Saubure,
thanks to the efforts of the president of the Science Academy, Jupiter Roger,
has been able to focus on protecting its dear citizens.
Our country shall not stain its hands with war.
Hang the light of peace from every window!
Roger's efforts are indeed impressive...
but it's truly regrettable...
If only his efforts were truly in the country's best interests...
...and not for his own ambitions.
Blois, you...
Are you familiar with the Kingdom of Seyrun, Your Majesty?
Seyrun?
Seyrun, you say?!
It's those filthy Grey Wolves...
White, which had such an overwhelming advantage, stumbles here.
Before they knew it, a bad bishop had appeared.
The Grey Wolves of the Kingdom of Seyrun
were feared for their superior intelligence,
so Saubure removed all traces of their history.
Even now, they hold a grudge against Saubure.
And...
one of their customs is something called the "Box of Spirit."
This is the affirmation of a certain man's life,
born in the village of the Grey Wolves
and a descendant of the Kingdom of Seyrun.
Isn't it true?
The owner of this Box of Spirit is
Jupiter Roger.
What?!
President Roger is a...
R-Roger?
He hid his filthy identity to sneak into the Royal Palace.
Then...
he deceived the former king,
and he became the president of the prestigious Science Academy.
It was all so he could take over Saubure to restore the Kingdom of Seyrun.
This is the forged document presented to the former king.
Jupiter Roger's...
...written oath.
Peace? How ridiculous.
This war will completely change the future of the world.
If we don't participate in this war, Saubure's power will undoubtedly wane.
That is what Roger anticipates!
Roger, is that true?
Answer me, Roger!
Your Majesty...
I...
The traitor escaped!
Find him!
So he really was a wolf...
We'll deploy a search party immediately.
No need.
A defanged wolf will just die from starvation.
The chessboard has spoken.
The quarrel over the garden box has ended.
The stage for the next game is...
Episode 23
Call Checkmate on an Ash-Colored Chessboard
Look at that!
What's that?!
Hey, where are those planes from?
It's the army!
Move it! Clear the way!
Do you want to die?
Junior!
What was that?
Looked like an urgent decree.
Junior!
You mustn't let that hand go.
Never let go...
...or your soul goes with it.
Cordelia...
I will...
I will protect you, Cordelia.
It is I who must protect Victorica.
The young wolf has been imprisoned deep inside in the Royal Palace.
Even we can't get to her now.
There's no way I can leave her to that fate.
She is my soul.
The opportunity will certainly come.
I see...
So you'll also be returning to England, Avril?
Yes...
Okay!
Let's make this last lesson a blast!
Okay, anyone who knows the answer, raise your hand.
No one?
Then I'll pick.
You! Avril!
Monstre Charmant!
Monstre Charmant, huh?
Apparently, the Ministry of the Occult got hold of her.
So that's why they're all fired up.
Passengers!
For now, come take shelter here.
Man, what a nuisance.
Kujou...
Victorica...
Today, on behalf of the Ministry of the Occult,
I have come to request the cooperation of the police.
Superintendent General Signore.
So you've completely become a pawn of the Ministry of the Occult,
Glaviel?
Glaviel!
Jacqueline?
I heard you sent that boy back to his country.
Why did you deceive me?!
This isn't like you,
Glaviel!
Carrying out my father's orders...
...is my duty as the eldest son.
However...
Who is it?
Oh, it's you, Blois.
I have told the German envoy that we are willing to fight together.
Saubure will finally stand on the world's stage.
The world, huh?
People are crying...
A kingdom that stands atop their grief is...
Shall I throw innocent people into a sea of grief?
Shall I cause tears of blood to be shed?
With these hands?
What are you saying?
You're someone who destroyed love out of intense jealousy and pride.
Those blood-soaked hands can never be cleansed.
So even if you further stain those hands with blood,
there's nothing to fear.
This time, it won't be for the sake of your own dark desire,
but for a righteous cause.
That's right.
I...
destroyed love!
You destroyed love.
Currently, all of our troops are gathering in Saubreme
and regrouping.
Marquis de Blois, your approval rating from the aristocrats has surpassed 80%.
What's that?
They're a militia.
Citizens who worship the Monstre Charmant have swiftly assembled at the Royal Palace...
...to become her heart.
To capture the beautiful monster alive...
That's equivalent to obtaining its power.
Monstre Charmant!
The people have become belligerent now that they're confident in Saubure's victory.
Right now, the entire country serves the Ministry of the Occult.
I'll have the Monstre Charmant work for me one more time.
The queen moves to the east.
But the black knight...
Monstre Charmant.
The alliance with Germany has been made.
Now, what do we do next?
What of the world?
What of Saubure?
The state of the war is on that chessboard.
Now, prophecies!
For someone who didn't even say, "Hello," you sure are loud.
I had all these books prepared for you.
This place is no different from the library tower you considered home.
Yes, like I said...
...gather books in this place.
The wisdom of the past will tell me everything.
That includes your scheme.
What?
Leviathan's memoir told me.
About the homunculi you've been longing for.
It looks like you've finally done it.
As a young man, you worshipped Leviathan the Alchemist
and dreamt of creating a homunculus.
However, Leviathan's alchemy was a farce.
Confronted by the truth no one else knew, you fell into despair.
You thought, "Does the occult really hold no power?"
But you didn't give up.
Under Leviathan's deception,
this country amassed a large amount of gold and soldiers.
That's when you concluded...
"The occult can move the hearts of the people."
You bitch!
Any further insult is—!
It was all to give birth to puppets obeying your every command...
just like those manipulated by Leviathan... including you.
That is your homunculus,
and those homunculi have now lined up before you as pawns.
Certainly, you believe in the power of the occult more than anyone else,
the power to attract others with deception.
Very insightful.
This country has already begun to move according to my will.
The Science Academy has been banished,
Rupert has become my pawn,
and the country is overflowing with my homunculi.
Even you are my pawn, Grey Wolf.
It tastes like my blood.
You're also a homunculus I created.
You belong to me.
That blood, flesh, and even that Fountain of Wisdom...
Everything about you exists solely for me.
There are lots of books in here, just like in the library tower.
A lot of knowledge is available.
But...
you aren't here.
You did well!
These were left behind.
They look sweet.
They're not...
I'm out of a job.
Come stay with me for a while.
You don't have relatives, anyway.
Sure.
Once the war is over,
I'll definitely search for those kids.
No matter what!
You're such a good teacher.
I'll help too.
Sure.
Those kids...
...where could they be right now?
Winter 1925
What are you doing just standing there?!
Listen here. Even if you are the son of a superior officer...
here, you're just another soldier!
Everyone, keep that in mind!
Yes, sir!
Dismissed!
Can you stand?
Thank you.
Unreasonable bastard, huh?
That man.
Well, I'm used to being scolded for no reason.
Victorica...
Fire!
Right now, I'm up north.
Even though we're separated, I won't forget you.
Because...
Because I have...
What the hell is this?!
Th-That's—!
Showing off like that!
I'll be confiscating this!
Wha—?
You scum!
I won't hand this over!
What'd you say?!
I'm... really sorry...
but...
I can't give this to you.
I have...
...the ring you gave me.
This ring...
...gives me strength.
This pendant...
...gives me strength.
No matter how far apart we are,
even if you aren't here...
I'll...
Oh, it was the son?
From the way you walk down to your smell, you've become just like Father.
Tomorrow, the Ministry of the Occult will hold a ceremony in honor of
Marquis Albert de Blois, the new Prime Minister.
We'll be using you as a spectacle there.
Wear this.
The Monstre Charmant costume back then...
...was a vivid pink color.
But this is dress is...
...black.
I'll...
No matter what, I'll...
With this pendant, I'll always be by your side.
I will be... by your side...
A storm has come again.
This time, it'll be different from the previous Great War.
We have to stand up now.
Europe's prosperous history will surely die.
However, our country, Saubure, is different.
We have the power to rise.
Today, let us rejoice in the future I can promise for Saubure.
This battle will be a battle for glory.
Even if we are injured, our victory awaits!
Because
we have the Monstre Charmant on our side!
Monstre Charmant!
I...
Monstre Charmant!
I won't promise anything...
For promises
are a radiance that can only exist
between people who truly understand each other, those whose souls resonate with each other.
In this country now, there is no promise for its future.
All there is...
...Albert,
is your contract soaked in lies, leading this country to ruin!
You bitch.
It's been a while...
Albert de Blois!
Maman!
Please turn back!
Because of me, Maman will...
That's right!
Because of you, Cordelia is...
Grey Wolf!
You remembered, Albert?
I haven't forgotten either.
Those floors in that grey tower...
and the sensation of my heart chilling from the cold floor.
My body shivers from the thought.
So to heat things up,
get my blood flowing,
and prepare my child's warm bath...
we'll need fire!
You!
Looks like I should have disposed of you back then, Grey Wolf!
I won't let you toy with my daughter anymore, Albert!
Cordelia herself,
in order to protect you, has chosen to sacrifice herself!
And my other half...
...has chosen to help her fulfill her wish.
It wasn't for your sake!
If she lost you, Cordelia said she'd kill herself.
It's because she cries...
because she cries
without shedding a tear or making a sound.
But!
But I'm different.
I'll eradicate the source of Cordelia's tears.
I'll kill you right here!
C-Co...
Cordelia!
Fire, burn!
Burn and light up her future!
That morning on the calm ocean, I saw it...
...your hair, swaying in the eternal light.
I have something I believe in.
Something certain.
Your name is...
Next Episode
Looking at Eternity over the Grim Reaper's Shoulder
Victorica.
Kujou.