Hmm...
Might be a bit too slutty...
Miu! We've picked out our swimsuits, so we're gonna go now!
We'll wait for you outside!
Huh?! Huh?!
All right, in that case...
Th-This is...
Hmm.
It appears a conclusion has been reached.
Floating City of Athranada
The Dark Lord Garius has fallen.
Castle Grannada, Aleclasta Empire
But violent resistance forces still remain within the Dark Clan.
Aleclasta Empire, Holy Lishal Emperor
Volk Rem Aleclasta IV
We'll help you in combating the resistance.
Aleclasta Empire, Lishal Archbishop
Miranda Quenti
Sound good?
Queen of the Shellfeed Kingdom
Listy El Da Shellfeed
Yes.
Shellfeed has no objections to Aleclasta's proposal.
Shellfeed Imperator
Zechs Doltrake
We'll do whatever you say for the sake of world peace.
Chief of Shellfeed Elite Forces
Ludie Turm
Mm. What about you, Lord Baram?
Emperor of Disdia Empire
Baram Dy Alon Disdia
Teaming up sounds like a good idea.
However, I just got some information about the location of the Dark Lord's daughter, who went missing after his death.
Therefore, I say we should find her right away.
H-Hold up!
Most of the Dark Clan has been chilling way inside the Galepane Forest since Garius died.
We'd be cruising for a bruising!
Such laxity!
With the Dark Lord's daughter alive and well, there's no telling if or when the Dark Clan will attack us again.
Well... But...
Queen Listy...
It's true that the Dark Lord's daughter hasn't done anything wrong yet.
However, as Lord Baram says, her very existence poses a future threat.
Do you at least understand that much?
Yes.
So, Lord Baram.
If you want to pursue her,
is it safe to assume the Dark Lord's daughter has left Galepane?
That is correct.
As we speak, she is not in Alayzard, but in a different world.
I will change the world
Aesthetica
of a
Rogue Hero
Aesthetica
of a
Rogue Hero
Aesthetica
of a
Rogue Hero
Your tears change my real soul
I will shake the world to the core, from the firmament
What shall we do? We are running out of time
Shout into the deep black eyes you see
Yes, the anger I bear will never vanish
Here comes the dark hero on his wings
I'll change the world
My heart is strong
Nobody will control me
The rewards that praise offers
bring my motivation to the surface
Nobody will see me cry, and still I vow to protect you
Fear me!
A Crude Panic on the Beach!
Honestly, now!
Are you still bitching?
I can't help it!
They gave us this vacation before the ranking matches,
but we still have lots of other exams to worry about!
What are you talking about?
The family of that girl we saved during the hotel takeover
insisted on rewarding us.
Even you said it'd be rude to turn them down.
That's true, but...
Haruka...
Do you not like the beach?
N-No, it's not like that...
It's just...
You told that girl's mother yourself
that it was Ousawa who actually saved her, not you.
So of course he's gonna be here, y'know?
Hey, sorry for the wait!
Oh, you're here!
Do we look hot, or what?
I like it.
You both look good!
But where's the other one?
Oh, she's here.
She's just a bit of a sore loser...
C'mon, Miu!
M-Mm...
Wh-what do you think?
It suits you...
but if you're so embarrassed in it, why pick that one?
She closed her eyes and grabbed a random swimsuit at the rental corner.
Don't worry!
Look!
There are plenty of people with sluttier swimsuits!
There's nothin' to be embarrassed about.
R-Really?
Yep. And if any ogling creeps start to creep you out, just tell me.
Ogling creeps...?
Sheesh!
Well, let's go!
What's wrong?
Oh, it's nothing! Go on ahead!
Umm...
You...
Come and play with us!
Huh? Oh, no, we're not—
Oh, don't be like that.
Go on, Haruka.
Wha—?! Uesaki?!
What do you think you're doing? I'm—
You have no reason to decline, right?
But...
she's Ousawa Akatsuki's sister...
You're too hung up on that guy.
This is a good chance for you to clear the air.
But he has been nothing but an obstacle—
He saved that girl.
Avoiding him like the plague
makes it seem like you're jealous that he stole your spotlight.
But if you're that against it, then whatever.
No!
I apologize for the wait!
Shall we go now?!
Yes!
What are you doing?
Let's go, you two.
Nope, I have to watch our stuff.
Huh?
What about you, Minami?
I just started on my tan.
There you have it.
Wha... This was all a scheme, Uesaki?!
What's the problem?
You're the one who's avoiding Ousawa, so you're the one who needs to go.
Take this!
That's it!
You sure this is the right way to the beach house?
I think so.
Huh? What's that?
Is there a concert or an event of some kind?
Close! You're right that it's an event.
It's not a concert, though.
Yo, Akki!
Why are you dressed like that?
My part time job!
Believe it or not, I'm actually a "struggling student."
Isn't he the one who called out to your brother before?
Mm.
Yeah.
This is Kaidou. I met him a little while ago. He's a "class outcast."
Don't put it like that ! You'll cause misunderstandings!
I'm Kaidou Motoharu, from Class A.
Akki and I are best buds! Nice to meetcha!
So, what's this part-time job of yours?
Oh, I'm on the event staff here.
25th Annual
Beach Swimsuit
Tag
What kind of bizarre event is this?
You've never heard of it?!
It's a pretty famous event that's held every year!
It's aired on pay-per-view satellite TV and there's prize money!
Oh, he's right.
How fancy. It says it's free to enter, too.
Whadya say?
Wanna give it a shot, Akki?
Sounds like a good way to kill some time.
What about you guys?
Hmm...
Let me think...
I'll do it!
Ousawa?
I haven't earned my keep at all since I've been here...
Well, if Miu's gonna be in it, then...
Yes.
We're willing to participate too, but...
Oh, very well!
In for a penny, in for a pound!
I hope y'all are ready!
The Beach Swimsuit Tag event is about to begin!
Earlier, we had you stick number tags to your swimsuits.
We'll now hold a drawing to select an escapee.
Whoever has that person's swimsuit one hour from now will be the winner!
Don't worry! Only a boy will be picked to be the escapee!
So please fight it out to your hearts' content!
Now, then...
Get ready!
'Kay!
Let the drawing begin!
Me?!
Congratulations, Number 88!
You've been picked to be the escapee!
Congratulations? Gimme a break.
Right?
You have ten seconds, starting now!
You're allowed to run anywhere on this beach.
Beach houses and the like are allowed as well.
The event staff will take responsibility for anything that happens,
so please flee freely!
How nice of you...
Well, I guess...
I better get running!
Let Beach Swimsuit Tag begin!
Hey, Minami. Why do you suddenly want a tan?
Because people say being too pasty makes me look unhealthy...
But if you get too tanned,
people will think you lost your marbles during this exam period.
How careless of me.
Where are you going?
To wash off my sun tan oil in the shower.
'Kay. See you later.
Kinda reminds me of Valkyrie and the other girls...
But now what?
I have to run around for a whole hour...
Hold on.
The rule was simply that whoever has my swimsuit an hour from now wins...
Take this!
Prize money!
You're mine!
Don't take it personally.
You tried to swipe my swimsuit.
It's only fair that you run the same risk as me!
And now for—
Got ya!
Naturally, if you're gonna use force against me...
then I'll use force, too.
Do you think someone's already taken it?
I doubt he would be caught off guard so easily...
What was that?
I think... those were the participants...
N-No way...
No, it's true.
Another world...?
Are you saying, Lord Baram, that the Dark Lord's daughter passed through the Otherworld Gate?
Only those summoned from other worlds can do that...
Lord Baram.
That is an interesting story, but does it not seem a little farfetch'd?
No, Queen Listy said it herself just now.
Only those from other worlds can pass through the Otherworld Gate.
Which means he could do it.
He...?
D-Do you mean...?
Yes.
This is all his doing.
I can't believe this.
We're supposed to be chasing him. Instead, he's just taking us out one by one...
Akatsuki's crazy, all right.
It looks like we're the only ones still in the game...
I can't believe someone able to defeat men with brute strength would resort to stopping women like this...
Man. Girls are weak when they're in swimsuits.
Wh-What do we do?
Do you think he's going to come after us, too?
You and the V.P. can go relax somewhere away from here now.
While you two were chasing him, we got some stuff ready here.
Enough talk.
He's here.
Found ya!
Oh?
Sorry, but it's time for some magic!
I'm a water type,
and the prez is an earth type!
We have the home-court advantage!
Prepare yourself, Akatsuki!
Gimme your best shot!
I'll be taking that, Izumi!
Gotcha!
Oww...
Traps are a part of the home-court advantage, Ousawa.
Now we just keep him trapped up until time is up and our swimsuits'll be safe...
Or should we strip his swimsuit off and collect the prize money?
Hmm.
Let's consult his sister.
He's gone!
Izumi?!
How did you get out of this soft sand?!
I can walk on water.
Sand's nothing.
Now, then...
You're in a one-piece swimsuit, huh?
Huh?
Y-You can't be serious...
Don't worry.
I already took off some more troublesome swimsuits.
I'll take yours off without ripping it!
Oh! Stop right there, Akki!
This is gonna be aired on TV, remember?
If people find out we let a little girl get stripped naked, the show could get canned.
Oh, right. I seem to recall you mentioning that.
You're pretty fast for someone on the beach, in sandals...
I'm nothing compared to a guy who can run on the ocean.
All right, twenty minutes left.
What are you gonna do?
Oh, right.
Now that I've come this far, no one's getting away!
Man, you're pretty much "it" now.
Hmm.
Ousawa and Kaidou from Class A, huh?
Oh, geez...
Women
Haruka.
Minami...!
Why are you here?
I was washing off my sun tan oil.
Do you need to shower too?
U-Uh, yes... I do.
Facilities on the beach aren't off-limits, so hiding here shouldn't be a problem—
Oh. There you are.
There's no escape now, V.P.
D-Do you know where you are?!
Huh? The women's side of the shower facility, right?
Then how can you be so calm about it?!
You heard what the host girl said.
I'm allowed to go anywhere on the beach, including all facilities.
This is the women's shower room, you know...
Yeah. But it's okay.
After all, she did say the event staff will take responsibility, so I'm allowed to run around freely...
Really?
I dunno, that's a pretty iffy interpretation.
I kinda doubt they can take responsibility—
I'm afraid I won't be as easily trounced as the other girls.
Sounds good to me.
Gimme some fun!
I feel much better.
Now!
You should be careful.
Y-You'll get no thanks from me.
That's okay. I already got what I wanted.
"Already"...?
Sorry!
G-Get back here!
I'd think twice before standing if I were you.
Huh?
Wh-Why did you take my bottom too?!
Just felt like it.
You just...?!
I had fun, V.P.!
Ousawa Akatsuki!
I should be safe out here...
Hey.
How did you find me?!
I sensed your energy out here.
So, what's with your top?
Th-Thanks...
No problem.
It came with extra benefits.
H-Hey! Watch where you put your hands!
I have to do it. You almost drowned trying to cover them yourself.
There's surely another way!
Oh, my bad.
You're right...
The wet fabric might be too slippery.
Better to go underneath.
That's not what I meant!
Beach Swimsuit Tag is now over!
However, the water is out-of-bounds!
Therefore, Numbers 87 and 88 are unfortunately disqualified!
Huh?! Oh, no...
I'm sorry. It's my fault...
Don't worry about it, silly-face!
Oh?
Didn't Rion make that see-through underwear too?
Huh? Oh, so that explains why—
This should keep you covered up.
Hold on tight, now!
Here we go!
If permitted, I ask you to...
I can't do it, Dad...
He's a hero...
And I'm...
The Dark Lord's daughter.
Akatsuki took her to his world, huh?
Lord Baram certainly seems sure of himself.
Disdia Empire, Alayzard
Akatsuki singlehandedly defeated Garius, the most powerful Dark Lord ever known.
To treat him like a traitor...
Yes. Why would he even suggest such a thing?
If it's indeed a groundless claim, then he'll have to take responsibility for his accusation.
Yet he's still that confident, huh...?
I apologize for the delay.
Think nothing of it.
You say you intend to send a pursuit party, but how, exactly?
Only those from other worlds can pass through the Otherworld Gate.
You claim that Akatsuki is a traitor, but who can prove this for you?
I've taken care of that.
This is Phil Burnett.
He is from the same world as Akatsuki.
It's a pleasure, Queen Listy.
The Otherworld Gate will take him to Akatsuki's world.
He will confirm the presence of the Dark Lord's daughter.
Any objections, Queen Listy?
This will make the truth of the matter clear.
Well...
I'm counting on you, Phil.
Capture Garius's daughter and bring her to us.
Yes, milord.
What?
You're going to capture her there and bring her back?
But I thought people from other worlds had no way of returning...
That, too, is not a problem.
Wait, does that mean...?
There is a way to do it?
Well, I should get going.
Oh, right.
What should I do if this other hero tries to get in the way?
If that happens, you may eliminate him.
Lord Baram!
What?
The Dark Lord's daughter is a threat to our world.
Anyone who protects her is our enemy.
Correct?
B-But Akatsuki is this world's hero!
Why are you so upset, Queen Listy?
He's no hero.
He's a rogue.
Have you forgotten that your kingdom's true hero, Leon Esperio,
perished protecting him from the Dark Lord and that you were forced to abandon the capital city afterward?
Not only that, he suddenly ran off after you and your surviving comrades safely escaped to Aleclasta.
He's a coward.
The only reason we're alive now, and that the Shellfeed Kingdom still stands,
is because Akatsuki led the charge to take the capital city back!
He quietly accepted the disgraceful title of "rogue hero" only out of regret for letting Leon die.
Lord Baram.
I ask that you withdraw your insulting remarks about our kingdom's hero!
You are free to have faith in your former hero.
But do not force me to share your faith as well.
If you want me to retract my accusations,
then it will have to wait until the truth is made clear.
Any objections?
Just a moment, please.
What is it?
It would have been better to send pursuit as soon as possible.
Yet, several days have passed since our trilateral conference.
Why did this take you so long?!
Oh. That's because I had to make some preparations.
Lord Baram had asked me to speed things up.
I see.
One last thing, then...
There's something I want to know about.
Certainly.
What is it?
I'm referring to...
your skill.
Love keeps me awake at night
I have to turn away, and still can't sleep
How does it start?
Why is my voice so coarse?
It won't stop
My heart is in turmoil
My fingers hurt somewhat because I bit at them nervously
I'm lost, I'm scared, this isn't good
I love you
This is my story
Little fairy tales can't put me to sleep anymore; I'm not a little kid
This is my story
All I think about these days is you, and it's making it really difficult
Akatsuki took Dark Lord Garius's daughter back to his own world...
That's crazy enough by itself, but returning to Alayzard with her is something else altogether...
Just what is Lord Baram thinking?
Still, this Phil Burnett has an eerie air of confidence about him...
It's almost as if he's confident he can beat Akatsuki, who defeated Garius.
Next episode: "BABEL's Ranking Matches Begin."
It sounds like a battle's about to start over there, too.
BABEL's Ranking Matches Begin