Thank goodness the injury wasn't serious.
My apologies.
What was it that you wanted to talk to me about?
Burckhardt, I want you to go with Yuri.
You want me to accompany them?
Yes.
But weren't we to return to the Holy Capital and regroup?
That's the plan.
Then I shall—
Listen.
I want you to assist Yuri's group in my stead.
But I'm your—
You will surely prove to be invaluable to their cause.
If you insist.
Also, about Aram...
I too think that he will make a fine soldier.
However, he lacks experience.
I want you to instruct him.
Understood.
Your Highness.
Guild Alliance Sub-Leader Selene
Our leader, Gilbert, wishes to see you.
I'm on my way.
Thank you.
Is she saying I can't protect her with this injury?
I see. The Capital fell?
We lost a lot of people.
Mr. Gilbert, I'm told you've had trouble at the Vice Capital, too.
It's nothing compared to what you deal with on the front lines.
Guild Alliance Leader Gilbert
So why have you decided to form a Black King Suppression Army?
Well...
I believe there may still be hope.
Even if this land is doomed,
I don't want to give up until the very end.
That sounds like something you'd say.
So you're headed to the Sage's Tower, then?
Yes.
First, we'll meet with the three sages.
We hope they'll have some leads as to Pirika's whereabouts.
Understood.
I'll do what I can to help.
But...
With things the way they are here,
I'm afraid that that may not amount to much.
I've brought Her Highness Juliana.
Perfect timing.
Here.
New communicators?
Yes.
Let us know if anything happens.
We'll do our best to get everything in order on this end.
Thank you, Mr. Gilbert.
Shut yer trap, damn it!
Hey now, is that really a good idea?
Do you really want to do that in front of the Great Arms Dealer Dusty?
Either you have a death wish or you're just an—
Idiot!
Damn brat!
Are you all right?
Yes.
You little...
Damn it!
Wow.
Why you...
Don't mess with me, kid!
Don't move, mister.
That was impressive.
Who're you?
I'm Dusty.
I'm with the Merchant Guild. I supply arms to the Volunteer Army.
That outfit...
You aren't a soldier?
Merchant-cum-soldier.
That sword...
It's the best one I have in stock. You've got a good eye.
Sorry.
I was just borrowing it.
Here, you can have it back.
Say, kid...
I ain't a kid!
I'm Aram!
My bad.
All right, Aram, do you know what sort of sword that is?
Not really.
It was forged by Baldur, renowned blacksmith and chief of the earth sprites.
This blade really is a beauty.
I hear you've joined the Black King Suppression Army.
Yeah, I have.
Yuri wouldn't stop bugging me about it.
Don't be so snotty about it.
Yuri saw potential in you, didn't he?
It's okay to be proud of that.
All right, you can keep the sword.
It's a gift. To commemorate your enlistment.
You sure?
But remember this.
A weapon reflects the soul of the user.
Whether it becomes famous or forgotten is up to you.
Don't forget that.
All right, I got it.
Also, all good swords need a name.
Give it a good one.
Yeah.
When one flower is infected, those around it are also affected.
The power of darkness is overwhelming the light in this world.
Then your illness...
Every time the Black Army gains more ground,
the blackening spreads further.
As you can see.
It's only a matter or time before my entire body is stained black.
When that happens...
I sometimes dream that I'm fighting alongside the Black Army.
You wouldn't...
We wouldn't let that happen.
I hope not.
You're tensing up too much.
Are your injuries better now?
In order to adapt to any given situation...
You... What's with that sword?
This?
It's the Hiramekimaru.
Pretty cool, right?
You misunderstand.
I'm asking why you have such a sword.
What?
Someone gave it to me.
Who did?
What does it matter?
No-one would just give away such an exquisite blade for free.
What are you doing?
Well, someone did! That's all there is to it!
Tell me the truth!
I am!
What's going on?
Your Highness.
What's the matter?
Ma'am.
The boy had a sword unbefitting him.
I thought he may have...
May have what?
He may have stolen it from someone.
I'd never do that!
Why would you assume he stole it?
Anyway, let's hear what he has to say—
He's not lying.
I gave him that sword.
Is that true?
To commemorate his enlistment,
in the Black King Suppression Army.
Burckhardt.
My apologies.
I'd never steal.
Are you sure about this?
Are you really going to have him accompany Yuri and the others?
I want him to understand Yuri better.
They'll establish a better bond that way.
We can become stronger.
That may be true, but...
I'm sure he'll understand.
Yuri.
Um... Are you all right?
Yeah. I finally got some rest.
I mean...
Um...
Your blacken—
You must be tired, too, Phoena.
You should get some rest while you can.
Who knows when we'll next have beds to sleep in.
You're right.
Thank you, Phoena.
Good night.
Do you regret deciding to fight again?
There's still hope.
Hope? What good does that do?
You need hope to win.
How foolish.
You can never defeat the Black King.
You know that better than anyone.
Shut up.
This land will be stained black.
Its people shall fall into darkness.
Shut up!
You are no more than a candle in the wind.
Aram.
So, what did you want to talk about?
Well...
Thanks for earlier.
For believing me.
I used to steal and stuff before.
But I don't do that anymore.
Aram, you said you wanted to become stronger.
If you become stronger, what will you do?
What else?
I'm going to take down those Black Army bastards.
They destroyed my village.
I've been alone ever since.
I'd wander around until I found a place to live,
but they'd always reappear and end up destroying that, too.
That's why I want to get stronger!
Please, teach me your technique.
I want to be able to use it!
Swordsmanship, character...
Becoming respected for either takes time.
Become a man worthy of this sword, Aram.
Yeah.
Sorry about this.
I'd love to come with you, but there's a lot I have to do here.
Sure, I know.
You've already been a great help.
All these supplies and rations...
Our leader has high hopes for you.
Say, Princess.
You're headed to the Holy Capital, are you not?
Yes. To see our comrades who have returned home.
I'm going to ask them to join the Black King Suppression Army.
Think it will work?
Who knows? We have to try, though.
I'll talk to the Guild people for you.
I don't know how many will be on board, though.
Thank you.
Oh, yeah, speaking of which...
The Magic Guild leader, Aludra, said she'd be going with you.
What? Really?
Really.
Aludra.
Universal Mage Aludra
Dragon Slayer Vorg
And Vorg.
Sorry I'm late. It took longer to prepare than I thought.
It's not like you had that much to pack.
It looks like we'll be working together again.
Yeah.
Your sword's awesome.
You can tell, can you?
This is the Dragon Killer.
It's my life.
That thing about weapons reflecting the soul?
You know your stuff, kid!
I'm Vorg the Dragon Slayer.
Don't treat me like a kid!
Whoops.
What's so funny?
Burckhardt...
If you spend some time traveling with Yuri's group, I'm sure you'll understand
just how trustworthy they are.
I'm counting on you.
I understand.
Please check on the Maze Pass along the way.
Understood.
Take care, Juliana.
Be sure to bring us as many people as you can.
I will.
You, too.
Mine.
No fair!
My apple!
How...
How did things turn out like this?
Why?
Why am I here?
Burckhardt.
About yesterday...
I understand that I was in the wrong.
Forget it. It's in the past.
That aside, I want you to train Aram in sword fighting again.
I'm sure you'd make a great instructor.
Please excuse me.
I don't feel so well. I'm going to get some fresh air.
Burckhardt...
I don't get it.
What did I do wrong?
I serve only Her Highness Juliana.
No one else.
So why?
Are you the one who called me?
I've come for you.
You...
I'm Eirenus.
I'm on your side. You ought to at least know my name.
What are you talking about?
You're almost there.
You witch!
Very well.
I'll stain you black myself.
What are you fighting for?
There's no one here for you to protect.
I protect...
You've been abandoned.
What's wrong?
The Chronicle...
There's Black Fog coming from the forest.
Burckhardt!
Yuri!
She deemed me weak because I made a mistake.
I want you to go with Yuri.
Juliana doesn't need me anymore.
I've been discarded.
Go play with these!
There you are.
I'll kill you all!
Awesome.
I gotta keep up.
I...
Where do I belong?
Come to me.
You belong in a world engulfed in black.
I...
Kain, Michidia, we're going to do a chain attack with Burckhardt.
Got it!
Seize the light!
Burckhardt!
I...
I belong...
Welcome to the world of darkness.
I'm being released...
from everything that held me down.
I'm brimming with power.
It's indescribable!
I feel amazing.
Burckhardt...
He's become a demon.
Captain!
That's enough.
I've only come today to bring you home.
We'll meet again, Yuri.
Next time...
Wait!