We need neither the stone coral that slumbers beneath the sands, nor carpets woven with precious metals,
nor the rainbow-colored nectar feasted upon by those sent heavenward.
All that remains in our hands is that which you have left behind.
We will forevermore hold tightly to the halves of your souls that have stayed with us.
Let us reserve our purest tears,
and wait together for the time we meet again.
Sand Era 93. Twentieth day of the seventh month.
A group sand burial was conducted on the Hige Ledge.
Those sent off included Elder Hakuji and other people of the Mud Whale,
and in addition, the enemy combatants who had fallen in battle.
Bye-bye!
Sienna...
Why would you choose to take your own life?
Captain, please look at her one last time.
Her hair... Cut me a lock of Sienna's hair, would you?
Why won't he even see his own wife off?
Who are you?
Whose tears are these?
You're pitiful, Shuan.
Even those heartless soldiers are not as lamentable as you.
You're such a cold woman, Mother.
Take a good look at your reflection in the water.
You'll see only a grinning devil.
A devil, huh.
Oh silence, melodies, you Marked of fleeting lives
seijaku yo senritsu yo hakanaki shirushi yo
Oh silence, melodies, you Marked of fleeting lives
seijaku yo senritsu yo hakanaki shirushi yo
So long as you choose to live upon this land above sand
sajou ni kono chi ni ikitsudzuketa no nara
So long as you choose to live upon this land above sand
sajou ni kono chi ni ikitsudzuketa no nara
Listen to the whale's song from this world bathed in sin
tsumi wo matou sekai kara kujira no uta wo kiita
Listen to the whale's song from this world bathed in sin
tsumi wo matou sekai kara kujira no uta wo kiita
Listen to the whale's song from this world bathed in sin
tsumi wo matou sekai kara kujira no uta wo kiita
Embrace fate, emotions, and do not fear, children
unmei wo kanjou wo idaku beki kotachi yo
Embrace fate, emotions, and do not fear, children
unmei wo kanjou wo idaku beki kotachi yo
Embrace fate, emotions, and do not fear, children
unmei wo kanjou wo idaku beki kotachi yo
Follow them, follow them, to the future that lies beyond
sono saki e sono saki e michibikareta no nara
Follow them, follow them, to the future that lies beyond
sono saki e sono saki e michibikareta no nara
Follow them, follow them, to the future that lies beyond
sono saki e sono saki e michibikareta no nara
A thousand voices lead to a dream land
ikusen no koe kuusou no chi e
A thousand voices lead to a dream land
ikusen no koe kuusou no chi e
Turn the rudder and change course
kaji wo kitte ikou to shita
Turn the rudder and change course
kaji wo kitte ikou to shita
A thousand voices sing the sand ocean ballad
ikusen no koe suna no umi no baraado
A thousand voices sing the sand ocean ballad
ikusen no koe suna no umi no baraado
A thousand voices sing the sand ocean ballad
ikusen no koe suna no umi no baraado
After Skylos' assault,
the people tried to retake their daily lives one step at a time.
Buzz off!
What did you come here for?
I made some medicine.
It's a supplement I originally developed to help extend the lives of the Marked.
Give it to him to drink after he wakes up.
It's your fault.
This happened because you chose him for the infiltration team...
Nibi too...
I'm sorry.
I've caused you so much grief.
G-Get off me!
Allow me to make a promise.
Nobody will ever fight again. I won't let them.
Now that we're aware of Ouni's ability to destroy nous, somebody may want to begin another war.
But fighting only creates victims.
Someone is always hurt.
That is why I will find a way to avoid fighting.
This time...
I will protect everyone.
Now then, everyone. Let's say thank you to Ouni.
Thanks, Ouni.
You saved the Mud Whale.
Suou's nutrition juice is bitter, but drink up!
We'll bring lots more presents once you wake up.
Thank you too, Kicha.
Suou, the Elders have summoned you.
They have?
Yes.
Lykos?
What happened to the soldiers after they withdrew from the Mud Whale?
They would have headed for the mother ship.
However, the escape lifeboats rely on the soldiers' thymia,
so there's no telling whether they were able to make it.
You mean they may have run out of energy?
Yes.
Stop that!
Is there any chance of the mother ship attacking?
Not for the time being.
Why not?
The nous are indispensable for fending off enemy invasions.
The Empire's loss of nous Skylos
will be seen as my brother's failure, as he was the one who proposed and executed the assault on Falaina.
His Imperial Majesty and High Assemblyman Ekklesia would never permit him use of another nous warship.
So our safety is assured for the time being?
I believe so.
However, bear in mind that this is just the speculation of an ordinary foot soldier.
I can't imagine that my brother will just quietly accept punishment.
Masoo, are you awake?
Hey, if it isn't the old man! And here I was enjoying my nap.
I brought you some large sand bamboo liquor.
Liquor?
Is it okay for a Marked like me to drink it?
I thought it was prohibited since it could make our thymia go out of control.
Oh, I guess you don't have to worry about that anymore.
Shinono made it for you.
I see.
Then I'll take it!
Later.
Hold up!
Have a cup with me!
Stop! That's something important that Olivines gave to me!
It's alive?!
It's food?!
If it runs I can't eat it!
You mustn't eat it!
What is that thing?!
Wait, get back here!
Chakuro?
Were you two eavesdropping?
Chakuro!
Hey! Kokalo!
That's... Kokalo?
Sorry for interrupting!
Hold it!
Hey, what's the point of downing it so quickly?
Don't get mad! Why are you so mean to me, Kucchi?
Who're you calling Kucchi?
I'm just worried about you, Kucchi!
Won't you be sad when I die?!
I don't need a musclehead like you worrying about me.
Kucchi...
Guess you're right! In the end,
what will be, will be.
Geez, what's with you?
Having overcome a tragedy, the people of the Mud Whale believed without a doubt that their normal lives would return.
Or rather, they prayed for it.
Well, well! The Master finally returns.
What's wrong? There's no need to hesitate.
These are my precious jesters.
Oh my goodness gracious. He's brought a woman with him.
What a playboy he is.
I was a player back in my day too!
You're full of it!
Huh? No, no!
It's no lie! All that's changed...
is my head!
What is it?
Your interrogation by Ekklesia will begin shortly.
Rather than laughing, you—
Don't worry about it.
I've already got it in my head.
Got it in your head...?
He intends to do it again.
Once he starts orating there's nothing that can stop him.
Shut up!
Your dumb laughter and those jesters' shrieks make my skin crawl!
Being away from his comrades has made him irritable.
Is that a dog?
Not a dog—
a lion.
You were on Skylos...
I included you on the list of fallen soldiers.
Don't bother fixing it. He's better off being thought dead.
Falaina... when's the next time we get to attack it?
I need to go to Falaina!
Or I'll never be able to have fun again...
You have only one option.
Become my jester, Liodari.
Huh?
You're kidding... Me, one of those jesters...?
Only if you're in my possession can I include you in my plans.
There's no other way.
N-No!
I don't want that!
Not a lowly jester...
That's mean, calling us lowly.
Don't fret, it's lots of fun.
You're well-suited for it.
What do you think of this? It's perfect for you.
The Mud Whale relies on rain for potable water.
Legend says that playing in the lake will lead to the waters of the sky river overflowing and spilling down.
Thus, whenever there is a period of drought, the people play in water.
You're wasting it!
Huh? What're you doing, Ginshu?!
Your tears! We're low on water, so hold them back!
Ow... Tears are water too, so isn't it fine to add them to the lake?
Oh, yeah.
What're you doing?
Crying to put more water in the lake!
Come on! You cry too!
Even after facing sorrow, people can come to smile again.
Why do people have such unstable and uncertain emotions?
Master Suou, do your hands hurt?
You shouldn't lace your fingers too hard!
Yeah. If you aren't having fun, the rain won't fall.
You're right.
Oh no, is it another enemy?
No, that isn't an Imperial ship.
You mean it's another country's?
A blue hourglass ensign?
If we can make an ally, we'll be able to avoid fighting! We can save everyone!
Why does it smell like milk?!
Now that you mention it, there is a sweet milky scent permeating the air.
Please be on your guard, Master Rochalito.
This is our nation's first contact with an entirely unknown island.
Ouch...
Welcome to the Mud Whale.
I am the Chieftain, Suou.
Did you reach us via the Sand Ocean?
Are you okay, Phone?
Are you all right? Is there anything I can assist you with?
A b-b-beautiful nudist!
What a sorry state the brawny Gigandas have been reduced to.
I am the son of the Duke of Amonlogia of the United Kingdom of Siderasia,
Rochalito Anastenagmos Neie Imisukin Emarika Antipatros of Amonlogia.
Remember it!
So long!
Lord Rochalito Anastenagmos Neie Imisukin Emarika Antipatros of Amonlogia,
it's a pleasure to meet you.
He remembered!
I mustn't allow a single grain of sand's worth of discourtesy at first contact!
You called yourself the Chieftain?
Yes!
Then get to preparing me proper hospitality, Chief of Nudists.
Nudists?
Wh-Wh-What now?
That was more discourteous than an entire barrel of sand!
There is nothing to be ashamed of, Chief of Nudists.
I pay no mind to our cultural differences.
I accept you fully in your natural form!
Nezu, what's going on?
I shall endeavor to bestow upon your people culture and sophistication.
Begin the annexation procedure for this island at once.
I am assuming all authority!
What is your meaning?
Did you not recognize us to be of equal status just earlier?
Suocchi!
Don't, Ginshu! You'll start another war!
In what reality are you and I of equal status?
You powerless monkey.
I will show you ignorant fools the unquestionable might of our proud nation.
Good grief.
Captain!
Their numbers are few and they don't appear to use thymia.
On top of that, they appear to be violent.
We could easily capture them and end this now.
Lord Rochalito, we cannot win against their number. Please issue a surrender.
Ganva, what are you saying?
Why must I offer our surrender?
Because you are the leader.
Are you hungry? Poor thing.
We'll prepare you a meal right away!
It's bad!
It's bad, bad, bad, bad, bad, bad!
It's bad!
The richness of high-quality milk with a fruity aroma?
I've never eaten such disgusting food before!
Call the chef!
Huh? It was boiled by the children.
What? Only boiled?
It's plentiful in the bamboo thickets in the center of our island.
I see. So the reason this island stinks of milk is because of these bamboo shoots.
I want it! I will bring them back to Amonlogia!
But bamboo shoots aren't good unless they're fresh...
Obviously, I will be taking the whole thicket.
Along with this island!
What?
What's this guy saying?
I mean, to what do you refer, esteemed guest?
Now, hurry up and move this ship! Set course for Amonlogia!
The hell're you saying?
I mean, what foolish things issue from your mouth, esteemed guest?
The Mud Whale has been drifting aimlessly for decades.
Nobody has a clue where it's heading.
Move it? Set course?
If that were possible, we wouldn't be suffering like this!
Lykos?
I want to be alone for a while.
Lykos has been acting strange since our guests arrived.
Could she be getting homesick?
No, no, no way!
Kokalo!
Ema!
Thank goodness. I've been looking for you.
I wanted to ask you about her.
I received her from Olivines on Skylos.
You were given this?
Uh, yeah.
You really are the best.
I'm not letting you have her.
I just want you to tell me what she is.
Didn't you say you'd tell me Falaina's secrets after the fighting ended?
Sure. Consider it your reward.
Now that it has a kokalo, Falaina will set off on a new journey.
What she truly is, and the tale of Falaina's sinners—
I'll show it all to you.
Kokalo?!
Wings...
Ema... what's going on with all this?
The Mud Whale is changing course?
Didn't you think it was strange?
Both Lykos' ship and the warship Skylos had nous and could determine their own direction.
But Falaina couldn't.
Because Falaina was a cage for exiles, it had its helm stolen.
Kokalo are the helms of nous ships.
Now you can steer it with everyone.
Life is a battle.
Live and steal until you burn out!
That night, the people of the Mud Whale saw a dream.
A tiny girl appeared at their bedsides and entered their ears.
The girl sang a strange song inside their heads and made a gesture of prayer.
It caused them to wake up with tears of sadness in their eyes,
but the girl left through their teardrops, flew out their windows,
and disappeared.
Passage 10
Set off on a new journey
Staring into the dried ocean remains
kawaita umi no ato nozonde
Staring into the dried ocean remains
kawaita umi no ato nozonde
Staring into the dried ocean remains
kawaita umi no ato nozonde
Imagining a river that may have flowed
mada minu taiga wo egaku
Imagining a river that may have flowed
mada minu taiga wo egaku
Imagining a river that may have flowed
mada minu taiga wo egaku
If my heart had remained imprisoned
toraware no kokoro no mama nara
If my heart had remained imprisoned
toraware no kokoro no mama nara
If my heart had remained imprisoned
toraware no kokoro no mama nara
I could have lived unaware of this pain
konna itami mo shirazu ni ita
I could have lived unaware of this pain
konna itami mo shirazu ni ita
I could have lived unaware of this pain
konna itami mo shirazu ni ita
But then they came speaking of such beauty
utsukushii kotoba wo tsugeta hito
But then they came speaking of such beauty
utsukushii kotoba wo tsugeta hito
But then they came speaking of such beauty
utsukushii kotoba wo tsugeta hito
I rise before the sun wakes to swim beyond the furthest reaches
yoake mo matazu ni hate no sono saki wo oyogu
I rise before the sun wakes to swim beyond the furthest reaches
yoake mo matazu ni hate no sono saki wo oyogu
I rise before the sun wakes to swim beyond the furthest reaches
yoake mo matazu ni hate no sono saki wo oyogu
We lay awake listening to memories within the song of bugs
mushi no uta nemurazu kimi to kiita kioku
We lay awake listening to memories within the song of bugs
mushi no uta nemurazu kimi to kiita kioku
We lay awake listening to memories within the song of bugs
mushi no uta nemurazu kimi to kiita kioku
Just keep holding my hand, I'll accept half-cold purple, travel to faraway lands
te wo tada musunde hashitairo demo tooi kuni demo
Just keep holding my hand, I'll accept half-cold purple, travel to faraway lands
te wo tada musunde hashitairo demo tooi kuni demo
Just keep holding my hand, I'll accept half-cold purple, travel to faraway lands
te wo tada musunde hashitairo demo tooi kuni demo
Let's go to embrace this dream born of our short lifetimes
mijikai isshou ni umareta yume wo dakishime ni yukou
Let's go to embrace this dream born of our short lifetimes
mijikai isshou ni umareta yume wo dakishime ni yukou
Let's go to embrace this dream born of our short lifetimes
mijikai isshou ni umareta yume wo dakishime ni yukou
Passage 11
It's just a dream