A new guardian dragon will appear?
Yes.
This old man named Baltazari said so.
That we should go to the Lake of Sand, where a new guardian dragon will emerge.
The sage of fate?
The Chronicle of this continent has been stained black, too.
We have no time to waste.
We need to muster all the forces at our disposal.
Please help us, Ashrina.
If Baltazari says so...
This may be the right time to put that to the test.
Farrah.
Yes.
After Yuri defeated the blackened dragon,
we found this at the shrine ruins it used to live in.
Is this a song?
I have always wanted to have Musica sing this.
Her voice might cause some sort of reaction.
Musica?
A forest sprite who they call the legendary songstress.
Indeed, I don't think anyone else could sing this song.
So we're going to awaken the dragon with a song?
That's pretty awesome.
We owe Yuri a debt of gratitude
and would never turn down an opportunity to help fight the Black King.
Farrah, I'd like you to find Musica and bring her here.
Can you do that?
Understood.
May I go with her?
Of course.
Your Majesty! Kalifa!
Keep it down. What are you yelling for?
An army...
An army approaches bearing the banner of the Nine Territories!
We estimate they number roughly 10,000 men.
The Nine Territories?
It's that damn Shuza.
Your Majesty, we must ready the army.
Wait, please.
Another army, also numbering 10,000, has already appeared to face them.
Another army?
The Holy Guard of the Holy Kingdom.
Led by Holy Queen Juliana!
The Flower in the Desert
They have yet to make a move.
They must be waiting to see what we do first.
Shall we send messengers?
None of the messengers we sent have returned.
I suspect it would be of no use.
The same thing happened with our messengers.
We may have no choice but to fight.
Hold your positions!
I bring a message from Ashrina, Queen of the Desert.
If you fight now, neither party will leave unscathed.
That being the case,
should you not settle this with words, rather than with swords?
We of the Lake of Sand will provide a venue for you to talk.
Bring one hundred men each.
Sending troops to die before we face the Black King would be the height of stupidity.
Neither the Holy Queen nor the distinguished leaders of the Nine Territories
could be so foolish as to do such a thing.
I trust that you will accept this offer graciously.
Preposterous.
Shall we shoot him down?
No.
This sounds amusing.
We will accept their offer.
But...
I want to know just how that girl has the gall to call herself the Holy Queen.
Taking her down can wait until after that.
Will you accept their offer, then?
Yes. This is an unexpected opportunity.
If we can successfully negotiate with them, we all win.
Let's go, Einslotte.
Yes, Your Majesty.
Your Majesty the Holy Queen.
I am Kalifa, aide to Her Majesty Ashrina.
I congratulate you on your coronation.
Thank you for your gracious welcome.
Forgive us for arriving unannounced with an army.
There is nothing to forgive.
Hey, long time.
Aram?!
Why are you here?
Why, you ask?
To save Yuri and take down the Black King, of course.
All right.
I'm sure Yuri will appreciate it.
Let's do our best, Aram.
Hey, don't treat me like a kid.
So, you've come.
H-Hey, don't ignore me!
Aram.
Leave this to us.
She should be around here somewhere.
What?
Are you telling me to give up the throne?
No.
You're free to call yourself the Holy Queen or whatever.
But you will forfeit your command over the Holy Guard.
I could never.
I would no longer be the Holy Queen.
Oh?
Not only was your flag bearer, Yuri, defeated by the Black King,
he has also succumbed to the darkness.
I've also heard that one of your men has blackened and become a demon.
You aren't fit for the role.
Something that you yourself are well aware of.
That's why you put off taking the throne and left others to do your job, was it not?
Well...
Well?
Well what, Holy Queen Juliana?
Shuza, you're...
This doesn't look good.
Shuza is an expert at provoking people.
This won't end well.
We're under attack!
What's going on?
Sir! The Black Army has arrived!
Looks like I'll have to take care of them before I deal with the Holy Queen.
They picked the worst possible time to attack!
Shall we mobilize the troops we left behind?
No, we will take them out with what we have here.
This looks like it's going to be fun.
You...
Die.
You're an interesting puppet.
What a pathetic sight.
How sad.
Burckhardt.
I heard you'd ascended to the throne.
Shall I congratulate you, Juliana?
You seem so miserable now.
Is the crown of the Holy Queen that heavy?
You're so pitiful, I can't bear to watch.
Your Majesty!
You have such fire within you.
Why hold it back?
Why not do as you wish?
Just like how you cast me aside!
No.
I...
It was for your own good.
I don't need your excuses.
Whatever you thought you were doing,
all that matters is what I felt and what it resulted in.
You're far too pathetic as you are now.
You couldn't hope defeat Shuza, let alone our master, the Black King.
I don't want to see you like this anymore.
I'll take care of him.
Old man.
You're alive? Good, very good.
Do you happen to know where Shuza and Juliana are?
No idea.
Not in all this chaos.
Damn it.
I didn't want to let them out of my sight.
Given the situation, there's no telling what sort of accidents might happen.
Accidents?
Those two are like oil and water.
They'll likely never come to an understanding,
and they both know that.
Should this battle present them with the chance to strike the other down,
what do you think will happen?
And if one of them were to be killed,
a bloodbath would surely follow.
I won't let that happen.
How strange.
If only...
If only it weren't for you!
You took the words right out of my mouth.
Why do you stand in my way, Shuza?
You're the one in my way.
An incompetent girl like you, calling herself the Holy Queen?
Don't make me laugh!
You know nothing of me.
You have no idea how hard it was for me to make that decision!
Shuza, I'm going to defeat you!
If I do that...
No, I have to!
Or else I...
Damn brat.
It's you who shall die!
My...
How amusing.
Stop!
What was I...
You two nearly let the blackness engulf you just now.
You should have noticed sooner, idiots.
Good grief.
You're a stubborn lot.
Too bad. Juliana nearly became one of us.
Do you resist, Juliana?
Despite the freedom we have on this side?
Shut up, Burckhardt.
I remember what you said.
"The next time we meet will be your last."
Well, it's time to keep that promise!
I'll shut that big mouth of yours, brat!
Aram!
Old man Kalifa told me.
If either you or Shuza die, there's no telling what will happen to your men.
So...
I'm not letting you die!
What?
I'll kill anyone in my way.
Furball!
Guardian dragon of the Lake of Sand, bestow upon us the light of hope.
Break through the darkness.
You can do it, Aram.
Furball?
A guardian dragon?
Tch. They have the upper hand here.
Burckhardt!
Hey.
Give back the Chronicle.
You don't deserve it.
The Chronicle...
It turned white again.
Thank you, Aram.
Furball.
Damn it, you surprised me!
You were a guardian dragon?
Thanks, though.
You saved us.
You're Musica, correct?
We've come for you.
For me?
Yeah.
The sword that cuts through the darkness needs you your help.
Juliana.
I'm going to kick the Black King's ass
and bring Yuri back.
So help me out.
No, please help me.
I beg you!
No, I should be the one asking you.
Please allow the Holy Guard to join the Suppression Army.
May we?
Yeah.
Of course.
May the gods bless the Suppression Army.
And the Volunteer Army.
Aram.
Good news, Phoena.
The Holy Guard is going to help us.
Shuza.
I apologize for attempting such a cowardly attack.
But we're even, are we not?
I'm sure you understand now.
Join us.
I'll travel my own path.
Shuza...
Are you sure we should let him go?
Yes.
I doubt he will stand in our way.
All right.
Let's go, everyone!
Just you wait, Yuri.
The Sword That Rends Darkness
Fate is set in motion.