Dammit!
Is it time?
Yes.
Huh?
What? What's going on?
Time for dinner.
What?!
You cannot battle on an empty stomach.
I'll prepare a magnificent roast lamb.
I'd like some potato soup.
Senobishitatte todokanai No matter how I stretch, it won't reach
Chie o furishibottemo No matter how hard I think
Madamada tarinai mitai da ashi tsucchau genkai It's still not enough, my legs hurt too much to press on!
Datte kirei na iro shitete It has such a pretty color
Mizumizushiku yureteiru And looks so juicy swaying back and forth
Onaka wa suitenai kedo tabete mitai na I'm not hungry but I want to try it
Ijiwaru iwaretemo makenaindakedo sa "I won't stop even if you say I'm being mean."
Tama ni wa tayotte yo boku o "You should ask me for help sometimes!"
Hatto ne hirameki It comes to me in a flash
Discover! Yuujou tte fantasy? Discover! Is friendship just a fantasy?
Kajittemiteyo ichiban ni wakacchatta Give it a try, the thing I realized the most
Amai no kana suppai? Chotto dokidoki Is it sweet or sour? It's kind of exciting
Minna de ita kara mitsukeraretanda I found it being with all of you
Mahou no you ni narabeta taisetsu na word A special word like magic
Kono deai I won't let go
Hanasanai Of this meeting
We have guests. Begin preparations for dinner.
At once.
Hey, where are we?
Plasta, the royal capital.
Huh?
We're inside the royal palace.
This soup is absolutely disgusting.
It will do as long as it's edible.
No! I know the truth.
You insist on having your honey!
Sugars are a necessity.
Why don't you come clean and admit you like sweet things?
Humans were born with a sense of taste, it's only natural that they seek after good taste!
Right, mercenary?
You agree with me, yes?
Yeah, well...
You guys are friends, right?
Compatriots.
Uh-huh...
He forcefully summoned us and attacked you.
I had no intention of fighting him, but he still started the fight.
The forced summoning was simply a result of your actions,
and my attack was not meant for your mercenary, but for the sorcerer who sullied Zero's name.
Your beast warrior protected him.
It is not my fault he came to harm.
If I say one thing, you retort with another.
Did you really think I'd accept such frivolous excuses?!
I only told you the truth.
Not gonna eat?
What if it's been poisoned?
It ain't.
How do you know?!
I'm an animal.
I'm sure this will have no flavor, either.
Hey!
Has it been poisoned?!
It's incredibly delicious!
Really?
Why didn't you give this to us at first?!
Sweets are meant to be consumed at the end of meals.
You should know that, Zero.
It is much too late to serve such delicious food after one's stomach is full, Thirteen.
You are still so stubborn.
Hot!
Let's approach the main topic.
Thirteen, why, after you left the caves in search for the Grimoire of Zero,
did you start playing this strange game as a Sorcerer of the State?
I simply chose the most effective method available.
The person who stole the Grimoire has already distributed its knowledge throughout Wenias.
"Stole the Grimoire"?
This person manipulated the heretical Sorcerers of Zero and plunged the kingdom into chaos.
I proposed an alliance with the King:
I would help him hunt witches for assistance in locating the Grimoire.
However, these efforts have still not led me to the Grimoire of Zero.
That's ridiculous! You're the heretics!
The Sorcerers of Zero have only ever protected witches from witch hunts!
Protected who, exactly?
Huh?
The Sorcerers of Zero kill others to protect witches.
After the battle, all you leave in your wake is a fear of witches, am I correct?
I-it's not like we're proactively killing-
But in reality, people are dying.
Are you trying to tell me that, in order to protect witches, sacrifices are necessary?
What else are we supposed to do?!
Humans won't stop attacking us!
Are we supposed to stand idly by and wat-
Can you truly say you did not harm any innocents?
That you did not act unjustly?
W-well...
Do you believe your group is the face of justice?
This is why there is a war!
We're trying to stop the war!
To make a world where humans and witches can-
You did not put an end to those you could not control,
simply releasing them to the wild by "banishing" them.
This hypocritical act led to scores of rogue witches setting villages ablaze,
killing countless innocent souls.
Why do you refuse to accept the sins committed by your group, the Sorcerers of Zero?
Right now, this kingdom's sorcerers are split into three groups.
One, sorcerers who want peace amongst witches, the Sorcerers of Zero.
Two, sorcerers who use their magic for evil and were banished by the Sorcerers of Zero, the rogue witches.
Three, sorcerers who hunt both the aforementioned groups, the Sorcerers of the State.
Basically, this Thirteen here.
Witches cause nothing but harm without order.
We must impose control on those running amok, and leadership of those who will follow.
We must restore order.
That said, you are a potentially valuable asset.
Devote your efforts to me, and I promise I will deliver unto you further knowledge and power.
What? That's...
If you refuse, you will be burned at the stake.
Burned at the stake?
He's just a damn kid!
Child or not, the power he wields is a threat.
Your actions thus far have already strayed from the path of righteousness.
Furthermore, why a beastfallen, whose kind is enlisted to hunt witches,
would want to play companion to a sorcerer is beyond my understanding.
I will allow you time to think.
You have one night to think things over.
Zero, you are to return to the caves until I return with the Grimoire.
I refuse.
Hold on!
You keep saying that the Grimoire of Zero was stolen!
Is that true, Zero?
It's true.
Your leader, whom you call Him, robbed me of my grimoire.
R-robbed?!
He killed every witch who lived in that cave.
Only Thirteen and I were left alive.
He took the Grimoire of Zero, stealing the art of magic to spread amongst the masses.
But you're our ally, right, Zero?
Not once have I said I was.
Huh?
Forget about him, you can use magic, Zero, so you're our ally, right?
I told you before, I am the one who wrote the Grimoire of Zero.
No... not you too, Mercenary?
Sorry.
Hey, witch. Why'd you write that book?
Were you tryin' to destroy the world or something?
Wouldn't it be helpful to start a fire without a flint?
Wouldn't it be easier to hunt with an endless supply of arrows?
Wouldn't catching game be quicker with rope that would never break?
You could catch fish without needing a net, heal wounds without needing stitches...
I believed everyone would be happy to have it.
Hey...
The boy said he wants witches and humans to live together in harmony.
I want the same.
In the caves, we repeated the same boring conversations over and over.
I wanted to go into the outside world.
But I was told the world was terrible for witches.
I thought that if a new power that anyone could wield were developed,
the world would want and accept witches in its realm.
That's what I thought.
That's why I wrote the Grimoire.
But I shouldn't have.
Zero...
I should have heeded your warnings, Thirteen.
When you said the Grimoire of Zero could destroy the world, I should have burned it right away.
How foolish... I was.
Hey.
Don't be stubborn about this.
I know I don't have the right to say this, but getting burned at the stake's no laughing matter.
And...
I know.
I was just naive to think you were my friend.
Kid...
Why are you not allowing my Mercenary to accompany us?
You have quite the interest in that beast warrior.
I found him in the forest. Isn't he great?
You haven't made a contract with him, correct?
It's dangerous to employ a beast warrior without making him your servant.
The Mercenary became my servant when he stated his desire to become so and willfully offered me his name.
I do not need a contract.
I saw the empty shells of the witches in Latette.
Thirteen, do you understand what you have done?
Stealing the magical power of others is the greatest sin of all.
No matter what justification you have for it.
Zero, all this will end when the Grimoire is returned to me.
I will find the Grimoire myself.
It is my Grimoire and my sin to bear.
If hands must be dirtied to put an end to it,
then I choose to dirty mine.
Zero and Thirteen...
Guess they'll be with their associates now.
Now that Albus is done showing us the way, Zero cut him loose all too hastily.
So if she stops needing me around...
is there any proof Zero won't betray me like the ones before?
Zero's Mercenary.
This way.
Zero's Mercenary, I would like to speak with you.
A mouse?
Follow me. I'm waiting.
Is this the first time you've seen a familiar?
Second time.
I apologize for startling you.
I simply treated you like I would any other sorcerer.
No, it's alright.
Can you control any kind of animal?
Any being with inferior mental capabilities, yes.
Even beastfallen?
You've been of great help to Zero.
I called you here to express my thanks for your service.
Take this.
What is it?
I call it a "magic potion."
It's an application of the methods Zero created.
All the materials and techniques needed for a magical reaction are dissolved into this vegetable oil.
Can you explain it in a way I'll understand?
Uncork the bottle and pour out the contents, and the magic sealed within will take form.
That is what it does.
So anyone could use magic if they had something like this?
Precisely.
The hell're you makin' such scary stuff for?
There's nothing to fear.
It is a completely harmless potion.
What is it for?
It removes magical effects.
Applying it to a magical object will cause it to lose its power.
For example, if you used it on your beast body, you would return to your human form.
This is the biggest invention of the century!
Amazing!
So you know the contract I made with the witch.
A beast warrior, who hates witches, willingly taking orders from a witch?
It's not difficult to imagine what non-monetary payment she promised you.
You sure about this?
You give this to me and I don't have a reason to protect her anymore.
I said I wanted to express my thanks.
This is my thanks.
Leave this castle at once.
What's the meaning of this?
I'm telling you to run.
Zero is a terrifying witch.
Perhaps you were tricked by her outside beauty, but you will get hurt if you try to get close to her.
She said she's not interested in my head.
Did you ever wonder why?
Why?
Zero has called forth the highest levels of demons to create her "magic" techniques,
learning many of those demon's names.
What do you think Zero offered to them as sacrifice during her summonings?
What? You mean...
You can't mean...
You certainly didn't think Zero considered you special, did you?
Zero considers... no, all sorcerers consider,
anyone other than themselves, objects to be used and consumed.
The only reason you are alive is because you can be used.
When you are no longer of use, you will be no more than a tool for sorcery.
That's scary.
Witches have wondrous powers.
It's quite easy for them to twist a beast warrior's instincts and create feelings of good will in the hearts of another.
You saw Zero's eyes.
How she looked at you when she first saw you.
When I attacked in the underground chamber, you protected Zero without a second thought.
That's when I realized she was controlling you.
Else, your beast instincts would have told you to flee from danger.
You would never have sacrificed yourself for her.
You are fine now, but if you keep spending time with her,
your feelings of comfort will subconsciously turn to those of servitude.
I do not know how long you have spent together, but I am sure you've seen it at least once.
There are many people who would prostrate themselves before it.
Even in the caves, it was special.
Do you want to become just like them?
Stop messing around! I ain't some witch's plaything!
It's because you act this way that Zero has such interest in you.
To her, you are simply a rare species of animal.
But she's also a fellow student of mine, and my last living compatriot.
I thank you for bringing her this far.
That's why you must flee.
I cannot help you any more than this.
No, it's enough. I'm in your debt.
We are at war.
Choose the right time and place to use that potion.
Yeah, I'll use it once I'm back home.
You're going out, Mercenary? Without me?
I heard this is the one day of the week dedicated to celebrating the Goddess.
And there will be performers in the town outside the castle.
How about it? We could go together.
What's wrong? Why are you so quiet?
Why are you looking at me like that?
You're sure good at pretending you've caused me trouble.
Witch.
I see! It was Thirteen!
He must be up to his usual devilish tricks.
That must be why my Mercenary was pulled away from me so easi-
What're you talking about?!
You're the one who's been tricking me all this time!
You fool!
Did Thirteen tell you I wanted to kill you?
Thirteen is a prodigy at transforming the seed of doubt into a flame of fear.
This means you had doubts.
That you've doubted me this whole time.
I swore to you, Mercenary.
I swore I would not kill you.
I swore a blood oath that I would turn you human!
Get out of my sight. Run away.
Don't worry, I will not chase after you.
Our contract is over.
I will not turn you human, and you will not protect me.
Goodbye, Mercenary.
It was fun while it lasted.
I should not have ever hired you.
Tsuretette Take me with you
Ikisaki wa kimetenai kedo Though I haven't decided where
Yurashiteite Sway me with you
Sakasama demo kawaranai desho It doesn't matter if we go upside down
Zutto koko ga ii to omotteta I thought staying here forever was alright
Ano hi kimi to deau made wa Until the day I met you
Sagashidashitatte ii I want us to go on a search
Kasaneau mirai no hou ga ii I want our futures to overlap
Hikari ni nare Becoming the light
Tsunagiattatte ii I want us to be tied together
Futatsu no sekai o nozondatte ii It's fine if we want two worlds
Issho ni ikou Let's go together