Mikleo!
That's...
the capital where the Lady of the Lake lives!
#03 The Sacred Blade Festival
Look at all the people!
Yes, it's unbelievable!
They're waiting for sword inspection.
Hmm? Well now...
You must've come to the capital for the Sacred Blade Festival.
Better hurry though.
Registration for the general public will close soon.
Even if you say so...
You have a pass, right?
What pass?
You don't have a pass?
They'll let you in, but it's going to take time.
Is that so?
I have a workaround...
We're merchants protected by the trade agreement...
We belong to Sparrowfeathers.
We're given free passage into any town.
Now you can walk around town all you like.
Okay...
What's that?
What do you mean?
Money. Hand over 500 gald.
I don't do this for free!
Gramps said humans need money.
You don't have money either?
No way!
Show that to me!
H-Hey!
Hey, I found something!
You can't have that.
I must return it.
Okay, I'll give it back.
Karma must've brought us together. So I'll take a rain check.
You're lucky, Sorey.
Yeah, thank you!
What's your first impression of Ladylake?
I heard it's the water capital, but it's more than I ever imagined!
- Lively, huh? - Yes!
It's the Sacred Blade Festival, so...
There are more people than usual.
Whoa!
I can't waste any time here!
I'm here in Ladylake on business.
Back to work, back to work!
Enjoy the festivities.
Thanks for everything.
Sorey...
We should start looking for Alisha.
Mikleo!
The Malevolence is strong.
This place, Ladylake, is teeming with Malevolence.
Mikleo, how do you feel?
It's subsiding.
Good.
That guy!
Mikleo!
Sorey!
Why are you after Alisha?!
You attacked Elysia because of Alisha, isn't that so?!
Her?
There's no need to make Princess Alisha my enemy.
Then why are you here?
'Cuz I've taken a liking to that princess.
If I stay close to her, I get to see interesting things.
But don't let your guard down.
I just said I'm no longer her enemy.
I didn't say no one else will target her.
The request hasn't been rescinded.
The request to assassinate the princess.
And as far as I know...
that person pulls through in every job, always.
I'm so looking forward to it.
Maltran, how are things in Guriel since then?
We couldn't find any survivors.
What you told me is very hard to believe.
It's all true.
And that's why...
You told Lord Bartlow such a story?
It wasn't just a snide remark at their plans to
conscript the youth who try out at the Sacred Blade Fest?
No, I'm serious, Maltran.
We should not wage war and take things from the other.
War breeds hatred even when you win.
Losing causes a chain reaction.
War should only be used as an argument, and never waged.
This should hold true...
even if the opposing side attacks.
When the military is at the core, no official would accept that.
Think hard, then act.
Is that a fact?
I didn't think the princess was such a fool.
The enemy is approaching, and she orders us to stand down until we are attacked.
Did you agree?
I opposed, of course.
But the princess wouldn't listen.
There's also talk that Princess Alisha is secretly allied to the Rolance.
So her opposition to war has an underlying reason.
The reason why we're here is...
to make sure that Princess Alisha is assassinated.
The criteria for that...
will depend on the number of citizens' deaths we can prevent.
We are the pride of the Scattered Bones.
If so...
There is no doubt that the princess' presence
is leading our kingdom towards disaster.
The citizens will be sacrificed for the princess' ideals.
In the princess own words, it is a non-aggressive defense.
So naive...
Lord Bartlow...
We accept the request...
to assassinate Princess Alisha.
Huh?
This is the final day of five-day Sacred Sword Festival.
We now enter the warrior phase.
Huh?
That's...
There's no doubt...
She's a seraph!
Which means...
she's the Lady of the Lake!
The legend is real!
So much Malevolence...
The world is...
Hear me, everyone!
The past few years, in light of events in the world,
we have postponed our traditional Sacred Blade Fest.
But this year...
it is being held due to Princess Alisha's full-scale guidance.
This is getting so interesting!
Extracting that sword means you're a Shepherd?
Probably it means that the Lady of the Lake
recognizes you.
As someone worthy of being a Shepherd.
Worthy?
He's the final one?
How will the princess explain this farce?
Alisha... What's she going to do?
First of all...
Let us applaud the ten warriors and the rest of the participants.
Unfortunately at this Sacred Blade Fest,
a Shepherd did not appear.
According to legend, the Shepherd, aided by the power of a seraph,
is a savior who will save the world from Malevolence..
But I...
did not just take the legend at face value and open the Sacred Blade Fest.
Today,
relations between Hyland and neighboring Rolance
are severely strained.
Some see the Sacred Blade Fest as a celebration of the start of war.
But I do not view it that way.
The legend also says this...
Humans once coexisted with seraphim.
Doesn't this mean instead of resolving conflict with war,
we must live in peace with others?
Mikleo!
I believe this!
Especially during these worst of times,
even if Rolance declares war...
we will not attack until we are attacked.
Let us have that courage.
Malevolence...
The fear of the people here,
their dissatisfaction and resignation
are giving rise to it.
This isn't good.
Alisha!
What's happening?
Sorey, we must get away from here!
That's...a hellion!
What is that?! Look at the flames!
That's...!
Sorey!
Alisha!
Sorey?
Sorey, what are you doing here?!
What's happening?!
You and the others don't see it?
- Wait here! - Sorey!
Lady of the Lake!
Who are you?
My name's Sorey.
Lady of the Lake, can't you do something about that hellion?!
Only a Shepherd can purify the hellion.
A Shepherd?
Sorey... Don't tell me...
you can really see the seraphim?
Alisha!
Who are you?!
If you remain, the people will suffer.
What?!
Wait!
The princess can protect her own self.
Your priority must be to evacuate the spectators.
Understand?!
You too!
This is an order--!
Stay away, Sorey!
Do not worry about me!
Just do something about this situation!
It may be impossible for me, but you can do it!
I just have this feeling.
Sorey, I beseech you!
Please wait...
Since you can see me, you must...
have an affinity with the seraphim.
Perhaps you can extract that sword.
However, let me ask you one thing, Sorey.
Why would you become a Shepherd?
May I ask you your name?
Yes, it is Lailah.
Lailah...
I want to explore all the ruins of the world.
I truly believe that...
ancient history can teach us how man and the seraphim can live in peace.
My dream is...
to find the way for man and seraphim to live happily together.
If purifying the hellion can save people and the seraphim,
then...
I believe it's linked to the dream that I pursue.
So Lailah...
I...
Wielding the Sacred Blade means...
you will become my vessel and must shoulder my destiny.
The price you pay for acquiring purification and other super powers...
will be alienation from people as well as scorn.
At times, you will be forced to make difficult decisions.
It is a solitary battle, more lonely than you can ever imagine.
That's the destiny of a Shepherd?
Yes.
It doesn't matter.
If I can save the people, right here and now...
I know that my dream has to be beyond that Shepherd's path.
I will...
be a Shepherd!
Fethmus Mioma...
That's your...?
Yes, it is my true name.
All right, Sorey...
Thrust your overflowing power straight into it.
Your true power of the Shepherd!
Now!
The Shepherd...?
Impossible!
Sorey!
Preview of the next episode
Sorey, Mikleo...
I'm looking forward to our journey.
So am I!
Why don't you say something, Mikleo?
And what's with that look?
You said to make a funny face for the next preview!
Oh, right. I forgot.
Sheesh!
Nice to meet you, Lailah.
Same here, Mikleo.
Tell me all about yourself, Lailah.
Yes, of course.
What's your hobby?
I like to fold origami and write letters.
Do you make special sweets?
I am a seraph that rules fire, so cookies are my specialty.
What does Fethmus Mioma mean?
It means 'Pure Lailah.'
- How much do you weigh? - That's my secret.
- Your age? - My secret.
- What about next week's preview. - My secret.
The preview can't be a secret!
Next week: 'The Shepherd's Destiny.' Don't miss it!