Warriors of Gael!
For the sake of our tribe's honor and for the sake of fighting until the end, we must train hard!
Listen, this is the spirit of festina lente!
"Festina lente?" You mean "make haste slowly," right?
Essentially, impatience is one's greatest enemy.
When one rushes forth impatiently without the ability to back it up, he will be stopped.
That is why one must put in great effort to become strong.
If you understand, let's-
Hey! Don't tell me the chief is going to slack off first?!
Ah! You're stealing food again?!
I'm not stealing!
I asked Limwris beforehand.
Well, yes.
Mo-chan, if you continue to fool around in here,
my brother is going to lecture you.
Nevertheless, training every single day like this is enough to de-motivate anyone!
I have been practicing milking daily,
yet I am hardly making any progress.
I am losing my motivation as well...
Exactly!
That's why you should take a break and relax once in a while.
In that case, I am not sure if this will help you in letting off some steam...
What is it?!
What?! What?!
--OP--
Colosseum
A gladiator tournament?!
No?
A gladiator tournament, huh?!
That is so exciting!
Isn't it?! Isn't it?!
Time for some action!
Yes!
Think about the situation.
In a tournament where people of the Empire will be participating,
there is no way we can appear.
Arthur...
Arawn!
You're right.
Then! Then! There's one more thing!
During the event, Londinium will be packed full of merchants from all over.
We might be able to find the Red Branch if we go there!
Red Branch? The one you have always been...
Yes.
What is... that Red Branch?
It's something really important and I have been searching a long time for it.
Arawn-sama, what do you think?
We might as well take a look at the event too.
What, Ogam you too?
If the people of the Empire are there,
people that we recognize might be as well.
Therefore, I think it would be an excellent opportunity to see what strength they possess.
Yeah, all right, I understand.
However, don't do anything that will attract people's attention.
Don't worry about it!
In a city that might have enemies, there's no way I would dare to attract attention.
You are the one that I'm most worried about.
He means that you're filled with energy.
It's much more crowded than the last time we came.
It seems like the gladiator tournament is quite well known.
Llyr, there is no need to be so afraid.
But what should I do if they find out that I am an elf?
My mother said that they will do this and that...
This and that?
There's no way anyone would... right, Nii-sama?
Hmm? Did you say something?
No, it's okay.
Morgan, I am sure you understand,
don't do anything-
Hey, Arawn!-
I was just saying that and you do it!
Come! Come! Don't miss it!
Souvenirs for the tournament are now on sale!
Epona!
Morgan...
You're always so motivated.
Of course!
There's no way I would miss an opportunity to make money in a place with so many people.
Then, do you have any extremely rare artifacts?
I can help you if you happen to be looking for something.
Of course, it won't be free.
Red-er, no.
I am looking for something red, and shiny, and very beautiful.
Err... I can't think of anything if that's just it.
Well, the shape is like that and is this big...
Let's go, Morgan.
But Arawn... !
If you are looking for something, wait until the end of the tournament.
Wow! The atmosphere is superb!
Mo-chan, over here.
Well, let's just skip this one.
Oh, you want to run away?
Mayor Creon, you seemed very interested in this.
I will not lose.
I have to win!
She has tremendous strength despite being a kid.
She is...
An elf?
It seems like it.
From her looks, she is most likely a Miner Elf.
A Miner Elf?
Of all the elves, Miner Elves are the strongest and have the ability to craft iron and steel.
They used to live in the forest, but they moved out due to pollution.
The forests are polluted?
By a miasma known as Gravitas.
It's no longer a suitable living habitat for these ancient elves.
I did it!
That's one down!
What an unexpected turn of events!
All right then, I will take my winnings-
Hey!
Children are not allowed in here!
This match is deemed invalid!
Guess there is no choice!
She ran away!
Hey!
You kidnapper!
What do you stand to gain by abducting a child like me?!
I have no such interest.
Then let me go! Let go of me!
That wasn't a bad fight, Miner Elf.
How did you know-
O-Ouch...
I realized it immediately when I saw your tremendous strength.
Oh, I see.
Why did you take part in this event?
The winner will receive the Silvanus Steel.
It is too difficult to mine it ourselves.
Because of Gravitas?
Yes.
Ever since abandoning the forests and mixing with humans,
we have been waiting for this kind of opportunity.
In order to make an excellent piece of equipment, Silvanus is needed.
With it, I could make pots, pans, kitchen knives...
I could make any household items you would ever need!
Right, Mrs. Wife?
I am talking about you. Yes, you.
You two must be newlyweds, right?
You can tell?
Of course!
First Epona and now you...
Why are all elves so interested in money?
I am not interested in such things!
As a Miner Elf, I just want to prove my skills.
And that is all.
Then why pans and knives?
Forge weapons! Weapons!
Weapons?
Making strong swords and shields is your actual specialty, isn't it?
Can you lend us your strength?
But my father said people in black are never any good.
And furthermore, you don't even look like a good guy.
Ladies and gentlemen, I am the host for this event, Mayor Creon.
I am Creon!
Now, the next match will be a special fight.
It will be a duel of honor between two Imperial Soldiers.
Finally, people from the Imperial Army.
Firstly, I will introduce,
Captain of the Third Laposk Division, First Border Patrol, Bubulcus!
His opponent is also from the Third Laposk Division, First Border Patrol, Octavia!
Now, let the match begin!
That Bubulcus guy is the one from before.
I have been waiting for this day.
Are you planning to insult me by acting cool at a sword fighting event?
There is a limit to how far you can take your vengeance-
Shut up!
I'll teach you a good lesson where you will weep and beg for forgiveness.
Disgusting.
People like you are not fit to be in the Imperial Army.
The victor of this fight is the true soldier of the Empire!
Now bring it on, Octavia!
Her style is amazing!
She is so courageous, and so cool!
After all, women are indeed stronger.
One day, I will also claim the title of First Warrior.
Wh-What did you say?!
Stop this bickering and watch carefully.
Her fighting style is exactly what you guys are lacking.
What do you mean?
The difference in size is not affecting her.
That is because she is extremely skilled at swordplay.
You are right.
It is totally different from our Gael techniques.
What is wrong?
You are out of breath.
You...
Give it up.
No matter how much you struggle, you will never win against me.
Is that so?
To resort to something like this, how much lower can you stoop?
Whatever you say.
Is this what a gladiator fight is like?
Normally, it isn't.
He planned it from the very beginning.
How cheap.
It seems that the host does not plan on interfering at all.
Go!
Damn it!
As a warrior myself, I cannot tolerate this!
Idiot, think about the consequences.
But I...
Arthur, it seems like you are a little late.
Wha-
Ah! Mo-chan!
Crap! I forgot there was another idiot here.
She is really straightforward.
Hey, Swordswoman!
I will lend you a hand!
Stay out of this.
I appreciate your thoughts, but I can handle this on my own.
Don't be silly! There is no way I can ignore this despicable scum!
Very well then...
Be sure to protect yourself.
No need to tell me that!
What will happen?
You...
Just take a look at it yourself, it's already a mess.
And what about the prize?
Who knows?
No way...
Too easy!
You little busybody...
The results are clear.
How dare you insult me like this!
I won't allow you to survive in the army!
It appears that you are still able to bleed.
So how about I make you bleed a little more?
In the end, there is no chance of getting my hands on the Silvanus Steel.
Everything will calm down, for now.
But you sure are strong!
Since I have already gotten myself into such trouble, I shall not hesitate to do what I must.
I just fought with all that I had to win, that is all.
I see! Once you've decided to do something, you won't stop until the end, right?
Indeed, you didn't hesitate at all.
You're amazing, Imperial Swordswoman!
You too, however you are still far from me.
What did you say? Do you want to give it a shot?
All right then, I will show you our differences.
All right!
That's what I want to say, but I know when it's the time to repay someone for their good deeds.
If you are an Imperial Soldier, we will get the chance to fight eventually.
So, that's too bad.
T-That's a bit difficult...
Being brought up on this land,
it is nearly impossible not to bear any resentment towards the Empire.
Well then, at least let me show you my gratitude.
What is your name?
Morgan.
I thank you from the bottom of my heart, Morgan.
I had lots of fun today.
See you, Imperial Swordswoman.
It's Octavia.
Ocu...
Octavia.
Empire names sure are hard to memorize for us Gaels...
Gaels?
I didn't say anything, please just forget about it.
If you say so, I'll pretend I heard nothing.
Morgan, hurry up!
Yeah!
See you then, Octavia.
In the end, we didn't find the Red Branch.
It's totally disappointing!
Well, well, it looks like we have a little friend here with us.
Excuse me,
could you be the great sage, Ogam-sama?
I have always wanted to meet you!
Yes, I am.
By the way, have you heard about Arawn-sama's resurrection?
He must be an amazing person!
Well, isn't there a legend?
He is dressed fully in black, eyes shining like the stars,
and he wields a crimson red sword...
I have always wanted to meet him, just once...
Dressed in black...
Eyes that shines like the stars...
A crimson red blade...
Umm... Could it be that...
The one beside you is...
He is Arawn-sama.
This... Please forgive my insolence at the colosseum previously!
I am Rathty!
What are you here for, Rathty?
Are you willing to lend us a hand?
Can I?
It would be of great help to have a Miner Elf with us.
Please to meet you!
I will work really hard!
Yes, I am counting on you.
All right!
Whether it's a pot, a knife, or any other hardware, I can repair it!
Like I said, why hardware?
Forge weapons! Weapons!
If you are willing to,
I can make that sword of yours into many sharp knives!
Hey! Stop it! Don't touch my sword!
Then how about some pots?
Prepare to move out!
--ED--
Rubrum