Dad! Mom!
Just do as I say!
I scored first in school for the test...
You're always like this!
You don't even think of my feelings!
It's 'cause you don't understand!
You're the one who doesn't understand anything!
It's cause you always do this!
So with this formula,
you should get the answer easily.
Oh, is that so?
I see!
Hey!
It's Rayne!
Rayne!
Can we come with you?
That guy is...
I read your report the other day.
It was of considerable interest.
I expect a lot from you.
Yes!
This person is...
Professor Rayne's thesis is truly brilliant!
Just what on earth goes on in his head?
I seriously can't believe it.
Why is it only him?
Mr. Erenfried?
Mr. Erenfried!
How many minutes have passed?
About 10 minutes...
And when there's no time left...
I've wasted 10 minutes...
So are the final adjustments doing well?
Yes sir.
It's ready to be activated anytime.
Is that so?
At last...
With this, I can finally stand higher than him.
Now, it's time for your awakening.
Jinx.
Jinx
Angelique.
That was amazing, Rayne!
Not at all.
I missed the last shot, after all.
Today's one of those rare days, huh?
You're usually shut up in your room, studying...
But you're doing shooting practice...
Yeah, it's to prepare in case something happens.
When something happens...
Sometimes I think...
That I want to protect myself on my own at least...
That's our duty.
But I envy you.
You not only have purifying powers to protect everyone from Thanatos,
but you're also able to defend yourself.
Purifying powers, huh?
Ange! Rayne!
Nyx is calling for you!
Ah, coming!
Angelique!
I swear on that coin.
I'll never miss again.
So I can protect those important to me.
Okay?
Okay.
The reason for having gathered you here today...
is because I got a call a while ago from Bernard of the Wodon Times.
He said there's an important announcement from the Artifact Foundation tomorrow in Farian.
An important announcement?
They've been a lot more active lately.
Maybe it's related to the Thanatos...
Just as you have guessed.
It appears they're propagating an anti-Thanatos weapon.
What?
What's wrong, Rayne?
I've got a bad feeling about this.
There's no way the Foundation can build something so advanced right now.
Farian...
I have no reason to avoid going there this time.
G-Good day, Mr. Bernard!
Hey, Angelique.
Sorry to have startled you.
Whenever I have a wonderful subject to photograph for my work,
I hit the shutter without realizing it.
You're so enthusiastic as always.
Were you collecting data around here?
Yeah. There are places where you can reveal the truth even in the shadows of a gorgeous town.
Though it seems the Foundation isn't interested in that.
Looks like it's about to begin.
You...
I'm sure you're... one of the Aube Hunters...
I see.
Didn't I tell you?
It only makes you stand out more.
I-I can't help it!
The Foundation's after me...
But you look like an ally of justice- it's kinda cool!
Thank you, Ange.
Then, he's coming in 5 seconds.
So excuse me.
My, my... if it isn't Professor Rayne.
Thank you for coming.
Eren... it's you again.
I'm not a professor. I keep telling you that, don't I?
Same with me. Don't I always say I have a name called "Erenfried"?
Um... Mr. Erenfried...
I'm looking forward to today's ceremony.
If the Artifact's research is tied to the happiness of the people,
I think it's a very wonderful thing.
Happiness of the people?
Yes! And from now on, I'd like to join in and help the Founda-
You are interesting indeed.
I knew I'd certainly hear something like that from the Queen's Egg...
And when we no longer need your power...
Well, your data was a little useful, though...
My data...?
Don't tell me you...?
Look forward to the ceremony.
As I expected... this sound...
For me it's...
Mr. Nyx?
Angelique.
Are you all right?
We didn't see you, so we all looked for you.
I'm deeply sorry.
I'm a little giddy...
I'll rest at a café for a bit.
Then I'll come with you-!
No need to worry, Angelique.
I'll go enjoy the pains of my heart for being separated with you for some time.
Mr. Nyx...
Everyone, I'm the director of the Artifact Foundation, Yorgo.
Right now, a lot of people are suffering from the Thanatos.
Will the ones to save this world be the Religious Organization,
Silver Wood Knights or the Queen who will one day appear?
But it's already too late to wait for them.
Yorgo...
And for that reason... My foundation shall show the fruit of its long years of research...
An Anti-Thanatos Artifact weapon.
We have developed "Jinx"!
What's wrong?
I'm kinda scared...
The era in which we fear the Thanatos has passed!
From now on, in place of the Religious Organization and the Silver Wood Knights,
my Artifact Foundation shall save the world!
Thanatos!
Run!
It's a Thanatos!
Remain silent!
That's a Thanatos that slipped into our cargo from the east.
We have sealed it in a container to test the Jinx's power.
What has he done!?
Director Yorgo.
Jinx- Activate.
Target: that restrained Thanatos.
Output at full power.
Stop!
Rayne!
If he releases such energy where a lot of people are gathered...
Fire.
The Thanatos is gone!
Amazing...
That's awesome!
With this, I've gained merit.
Director Yorgo will approve of me.
How's that, Rayne?
Right now, I'm above you.
With just one shot...
Did the Thanatos really disappear?
Yeah, there's no mistake about it.
No way...
They'll be here in no time.
They were summoned by their friend's death cry.
We'll talk later!
Let's go, Angelique!
Wait.
We didn't call you Aube Hunters for reinforcements.
Jinx, aim at targets two and three.
Charge energy.
You-!
Fire.
Look out!
What're you doing!?
Leave this to us!
Recharge, hurry!
Yes sir!
Make haste! Over here, hurry!
Damn... How terrible!
Go!
W-Who are you people?
Allies of justice!
Don't say that. It's so embarrassing.
Angelique!
Yes!
There's one more left.
A child!
A Thanatos too!
They won't make it!
Mr. Nyx!
Help me!
Help-
Help m-
Help me!
I don't want to die like this!
Help!
Nyx!
Mr. Nyx!
Engage target. Output at full power.
Stop that! There are people over there!
Make him stop, Yorgo!
Make him stop that Jinx!
Fire!
Far away...
Mr. Nyx!
This abominable sound...
in a place where the sea's roar cannot reach...
Mr. Nyx...!
Mr. Nyx!
My body... can't move.
At this rate...
At this rate, I...
Angelique.
Mr. Nyx... we don't need to worry anymore!
Your face is starting to regain its color!
Ange was nursing you the whole time.
Thank you very much.
It seems your light has reached my heart.
Y-You flatter me...
And the child who also fell into the sea was thankfully uninjured.
That's great.
But the place where that boy lived is now in ruins.
I'll return to Wodon and write up an article without lying about what the Foundation did.
I'm going too.
Rayne, where are you going?
I'm going to the Foundation- where Yorgo is.
But you can't go so suddenly-
Don't worry.
He's...
Yorgo...
He's my older brother.
Mr. Yorgo is... Rayne's older brother...?
You mean you guys didn't know?
It was just a few years ago...
Under the influence of his older brother, Director Yorgo,
Rayne-kun entered the Foundation after he graduated from university.
And he produced a lot of results.
He was known as a top-class scientist.
But one time, he opposed Director Yorgo and left the Foundation.
Rayne...
Just what on earth are you planning to do!?
Destroying a city... and even putting people's lives in danger!
And you call that saving the world!?
The more people saved, the more happiness there'll be.
There are times where one has to be sacrificed to save a hundred.
Is that what the Foundation thinks?
And there were a lot of people who lost their homes because of that!
That accident was beyond our expectations.
We shall give them a minimum compensation.
Even so-!
You should know.
The ceremony had no room for error at that time.
This talk is over.
I don't have time to talk to people unrelated to the Foundation.
Wait!
Besides the ceremony, didn't the Jinx fail?
Director Yorgo, there's no need to listen to that traitor's opinion.
It can't be an Anti-Thanatos weapon.
Regardless of there being people or buildings...
it has a defect of attacking automatically.
And you have to upgrade the sensors as shown here
as it's too dangerous to use in a town.
Indeed, impressive, Rayne.
You truly produce my expected results.
Immediately begin modifications on the Jinx as specified here.
Expedite these upgrades and release it for mass production.
Y-Yes, Director Yorgo, but...
I won't say it twice.
Begin at once.
Understood, Director Yorgo.
He's still inexperienced.
If he's under good guidance, I can just leave it to him without worries.
I'll return that to you.
I've already memorized it.
That copy of Jasper Doll...
Did you make that too?
It's well-made, isn't it?
Let me tell you one thing:
Artifacts aren't used to gain fame as a researcher.
Who will benefit from you making such a dangerous thing?
Dangers and sacrifices are obvious things needed for humanity to progress, aren't they?
Right, Professor Rayne?
You're the same.
What?
You're the same as I was... before.
Shut up!
I made Jinx on my own!
And yet... and yet...!
There's no way for you to understand how I feel-!
Rayne!
Angelique...
You were late in coming back, so we were all worried.
Sorry.
It's already over.
Um... Even if you say you're saving people,
I think the Foundation is wrong in how they do it.
Oh? But you said it, didn't you?
That you'll work with us?
I don't know anymore.
At any rate, we'll do what we can with our own power.
Then let me tell you one thing.
That man beside you once researched for the Foundation.
His power is the same as the Jinx!
Let's go.
What Erenfried said is true.
I gained this power when I experimented on how to give people Purifying Abilities.
It was something I acquired.
At that time...
I enjoyed being full of curiosity.
I did nothing but engross myself in research.
And I never even thought about the results.
It never even crossed my mind that it can inflict danger and involve sacrifice for someone.
But I woke up to reality one time.
If I continued this research, I might lose the things truly important to me.
So I destroyed everything I've done and left the Foundation.
Erenfried's just repeating what I've done before.
Rayne...
That's why I'm the only one who can stop his delusions.
It's pretty selfish for me to say that when my power's just a sham.
Oh my, oh my... You won't be reliable on your own.
Yeah. You need a lot of effort to do it by yourself.
Can't we help out?
Give it to me... that coin.
Let's do it together!
To protect what's important to us, that is!
Yeah!
Next
It seems you went to downtown Wodon.
No comment.
I also got a tip that you went on a secret date.
No comment.
Then, next!
A Day off in Wodon
A Day off in Wodon!
I can make an article with that!
No way!