Here, in the small European Kingdom of Monarch,
on this anniversary of the nation's birth,
the Blue Star Day ceremony is about to begin.
Princess Sophie, known as a charity activist,
has attempted to uphold peaceful coexistence
with the espers who make up five percent of the population,
while maintaining the social system...
Just what you'd expect from Europe's premier high-class resort destination.
How luxurious it is to be escorted by limousine...
Please try not to cause too much trouble.
We're here as our country's representatives.
I know.
Bonjour, mademoiselle.
Why don't we find somewhere quiet to discuss the futures of our countries?
I'm not sure about this.
This is quite a crowd...
Every country with an esper organization has been invited.
But in reality, they are probing each other, as if it was a game of espionage.
Sakaki...
Normal espers are treated as monsters with unnatural powers.
But once you become a high-level esper, you're a crucial national strategic resource.
What a tough world...
To think that espers would become diplomatic trump cards.
The princess is holding this ceremony in order to prevent that from happening.
Try to leave that talk aside.
Roger.
Hyobu? Hyobu Kyosuke?!
Hyobu!
Cleanliness and Pollution
Oh, you guys are here, too?
What a coincidence.
B.A.B.E.L.'s Minamoto-kun,
and the quack doctor, Sakaki-kun.
So he's B.A.B.E.L.'s...
Hey!
You shouldn't be here, you criminals with a lolita complex.
I don't have a lolita complex, so I can stay.
What are you doing here?
We were invited, too.
We invited ourselves, of course.
Don't make such scary faces.
We're just here to see
the faces of the hypocrites who are our potential future enemies
We've done what we came for.
And I've no interest in some boring ceremony.
We'll be leaving.
Hey...
You're not the kind of person who'd come just for that.
Tell me the truth.
The truth?
Stop messing with me!
Sakaki!
See you...
Excuse us.
Where is he?
That bastard...
Look!
P.A.N.D.R.A. was here!
What should we do?
You can't! That's...
Excuse me.
Don't worry, we'll only be a second.
Who are you?
I'm Minamoto Koichi, of Japan's
BAse of Backing ESP Laboratory.
From the same, Sakaki Shuji.
B.A.B.E.L.'s...
We saw P.A.N.D.R.A in the ceremony hall.
They left some graffiti, as well.
If there has been some sort of incident, please let us know.
W-Well...
We have no need to inform you.
We've faced P.A.N.D.R.A. numerous times.
I believe we can help.
Chief...
Look.
Once again... We, here at the news station, have just received
declaration from a group calling itself P.A.N.D.R.A.
"We, P.A.N.D.R.A., have Princess Sophie.
We guarantee the princess's safety, and will contact you with our demands."
A kidnapping?
The princess's panel...
So this is what you were trying to hide.
Can I count on you two?
Of course.
What's that?
A USB drive?
I scuffled with Hyobu, right?
At the same time,
I procured it.
So, Sakaki, your hands are fast with more than just women.
Minamoto, that wasn't a compliment, was it?
In any case, let's look into this at once!
They're finally on the move.
Dance your best for me.
Major?
Where am I?
Who are you?
We are P.A.N.D.R.A.
You're in our hotel room.
Rest assured...
We have no intention of harming you.
P.A.N.D.R.A.
So... I've been kidnapped.
Thanks for saving me the explanation.
Major, you're in front of a princess, so you should be dressed properly.
Instead of a school uniform...
Try this!
No.
I'd heard stories, but she's super hot in person.
This is the princess of the Kingdom of Monarch.
She really is a beauty.
If you lay a hand on her, I'll kill you.
What are you, her boyfriend all the sudden?
Why have you kidnapped me?
You don't need to know.
The one thing I can tell you is...
The person who proposed to kidnap you was this girl.
What an adorable kidnapper!
You're a little different from the image painted by the rumors.
You don't seem like bad people at all.
What do you think?
How about working alongside my country?
What?
I cannot endorse all of your actions,
but from an esper-protection standpoint,
I believe we can work together.
I would like to tell all espers
that they are welcome here.
Everyone, get started on the next job.
Let's go.
Princess...
Yes?
Please make yourself at home in this room.
Well, then...
The assassination of the princess?
Yes.
That's what I read off the residual thoughts on this.
It appears that P.A.N.D.R.A. foresaw this.
Is it possible
that they kidnapped her to prevent it?
That's all I can think of.
Though, it's really not like them...
But why?
The princess has no powers. She should be a normal person.
Who knows?
But by sifting through the data on here,
we may be able to find a hint.
Wh-What?
Don't die right away, Minamoto!
Hey!
What are you doing?!
What choice do I have?
I can't get to the information until I beat the game!
What?
Could Hyobu have...
Um, I brought tea.
Thank you.
Wait.
They said I could do as I please, but I have no one to talk to.
If it's all right, would you talk with me?
What's your name?
Yugiri.
Yugiri... What a nice name.
Was that true?
What?
That Yugiri proposed kidnapping the princess.
It is.
Yugiri, knowing of the princess's predicted assassination,
said she wanted to save her.
They kept glancing at each other.
Do those two have some kind of history together?
Are you interested in Yugiri?
Don't say it like that!
Unlike you, I don't have a lo–
You were about to say "lolita complex," weren't you?
Why not?
It's the first thing she's ever asked for.
Why shouldn't we grant it?
We're family.
What is it?
Hello? It's me.
The truth is I got in an accident...
Could you transfer two million to my account?
What con organization are you from?
I think I'm going to die if I keep doing this.
And the issue at hand?
No good...
No reports from either Momiji or Magi-san.
I've been picking up voices from all over town,
but I haven't heard anything yet.
The strategy of using P.A.N.D.R.A.
as bait to lure the people who were trying to assassinate
the princess was a bit naïve, wasn't it?
Continue as you were.
Doesn't sound like it's going well.
Can you really protect the princess's life this way?
Excuse me. May I come in?
Hey, wait! You can't leave your room...
I have a request.
This girl says she hasn't played outside much,
so I'd like to show her around my country.
Is that all right?
What are you saying? If you go outside...
Wait.
Yugiri, what do you want to do?
I-I'll protect the princess!
Give me a break...
If you could do that, then why did we kidnap—
Very well.
I've thought of an interesting plan.
I'm finally halfway through...
Don't let down your guard. This is the...
You die too easily, Minamoto!
It sounds like you're talking to me, so cut it out!
Give it... I'll do it!
No! Keep your hands off!
I'm better at controlling Minamoto!
I told you to stop saying that!
Investigator Minamoto!
Chief of Defense, what's happened?
There's a problem.
Although the princess has been kidnapped,
since they know that they are not the princess,
they are not panicking.
Instead, they appear to be enjoying the situation.
We are the ones who are panicking.
This is undoubtedly hypnosis.
But on such a large scale...
The only person I can think of is Hyobu.
It must be him.
I can hear you.
You're starting to panic and say things you shouldn't.
Hey, Sis.
Turn left at that alley, and forward two hundred meters.
Yup, that's them.
Fools.
They're just normals, after all...
Where's the princess?
She's fine.
No one would think she would be hiding in the ruins at the cape.
Hey, I've been waiting for you.
Don't worry... I won't kill you.
That's right.
They're shopping happily.
She said she'd show her around, but they're just playing.
Oh, let them be.
Why do I have to do this?
What choice do I have?
My hypnosis has little effect on you.
You're the only one who can tail the princess without being distracted by the fakes.
That may be true, but...
Or did you want to be here?
No, that's not it, either, but...
These guys are just an anti-esper organization.
Someone proposed the assassination of the princess to them.
After all, Princess Sophie is friendly with espers...
Indeed.
They organized everything online.
They don't know who the mastermind is.
You aren't telling me to find the mastermind, are you?
I would never suggest that.
They're doing it for us now.
It's cleared!
We did it!
Here.
Let's analyze it right away.
What is this?
Every ministry's budget and population changes?
Parliament meeting records, proposed bills...
Ah, this is...
This is important, classified information belonging to our country.
I cannot let you see any more.
What are you saying?
There could be a hint as to how to save the princess!
At best, there is only a possibility.
You can't see what you can't see!
And how long do you think I struggled...
Budget, population, meeting records, bills...
Why were those on the flash drive?
Why?
Espers...
Chief of Defense, I'd like to ask you something.
What is it?
Hey, did you have fun?
Me, too.
It's the first time I've walked so freely in the streets.
Don't you think we should head back soon?
Is there anywhere you'd like to go?
As thanks for accompanying me all day.
Let's go home.
There is.
Did you figure something out, Minamoto?
Yeah.
I don't think there's any mistake.
Who is the culprit?
It's...
Oh, no!
What's this?
This is an orphanage I once supported.
But it doesn't look like anyone's home.
A new orphanage was completed,
so the children and staff were all moved there.
Then it was you, after all.
The esper girl who showed up and disappeared right away.
Hello!
I'm Sophie Grace. What's your name?
Would you like to play with me?
I finally got to hear your name.
Ever since you disappeared, I've been worried.
But I'm glad you're doing well.
Yugiri, would you come and live in this country again?
I won't let you feel alone.
How about it?
Sophie-sama!
I finally found you.
Step away from those people immediately!
Damn, they found us.
Wait, these people are...
You mustn't get any closer, Princess!
He's the one who was trying to assassinate you!
It's your fault, Princess...
You used the country's budget to establish a fund for esper protection.
Stop!
A total waste, spent on just the one esper among every twenty people.
You should use the funds for more beneficial purposes,
such as technological development or strengthening the national defense.
And you collect the compensation from military and business interests!
Why would you...
I don't have to tell you.
It's too late, Princess!
Yugiri...
Don't worry,
Yugiri.
It's over now.
Arrest him!
Major!
You did well. It's all right now.
Um, what about me...
Oh, good job.
That's all I get?
You are more suited to be beside that girl than I.
Thank you very much.
I'll leave her to you.
I will risk my life,
Princess Sophie.
Hyobu!
Good job, Minamoto-kun.
We didn't care to do the tedious work of finding the real culprit.
So that's what it was.
I'll return the princess.
We have no need to remain in this country.
Wait!
Let's go home. Everyone is worried.
Yes.
Eh?
Shouldn't I be going, you ask?
It's fine.
Leave it to Minamoto.
So, how about it? Want to spend the night with me?
Our next story.
Princess Sophie, of the Kingdom of Monarch,
has established an international fund for esper protection,
to be funded in part by the national budget...
The premonition of the assassination is gone,
so you must feel like celebrating.
It doesn't appeal to me.
Now, now. Being thanked by a beautiful princess like that...
I'm sure it didn't feel too bad.
You really don't understand a thing.
I don't offer my heart to a princess,
but to a queen.
The yesterday where we could just sit and wait has passed by.
Illuminate the world's darkness.
It is the future we must go beyond.
In the forbidden garden, we hunt the ark of the sinful.
The Children, release.
Absolute Domain