01x08 - Curse Shield

[bunniefuu]

[RAPHTALIA, FILO snore softly]

[clinking]

[clinking resumes]

[NAOFUMI grunts]

[NAOFUMI] Hmm.

[FILO groans]

--[FILO groans] --[gasps]

What's wrong, master? Can't you get to sleep tonight?

[NAOFUMI] I just came to check on the two of you.

Go back to sleep.

M'kay...

Good night, master... Thank you for checking up on us.

See you tomorrow...

Yeah. Goodnight.

[RAPHTALIA] Hmm?

[MOTHER -A] You folks would do well to turn back while you can.

If you keep going forward on this path, you'll die.

[RAPHTALIA] Huh?

[NAOFUMI] We heard there's a village down this path.

The village is devastated.

Even the village elder got sick with the plague.

What's happening there?

We'll know soon.

[NAOFUMI] Hmm?

[VILLAGER -C] Well, what brings you to

a godforsaken place like this?

[NAOFUMI] I'm a traveling merchant.

I have medicines to sell.

Traveling merchant you say?

Wait, that filolial. Could it be...?

Is that the Heavenly Fowl?!

Doctor, quick!

[HEALER -A] What is it? What's the matter?

[VILLAGER -C] Our Savior of the Heavenly Fowl

has come for us! He's right there!

Huh?

[NAOFUMI] "Doctor"?

[HEALER -A] I run the village clinic.

I-If I may ask, a-are you-- Are you really...?

[NAOFUMI] I'm just here to sell medicine.

[HEALER -A] Even that would be a great help!

I can't make anywhere near enough for everyone!

Good morning. Oh, Doctor, are these people with you?

They just arrived.

They're going to sell us some medicine.

[NAOFUMI] Looking at this, I should probably

give it to them myself.

[PATIENT -A groans softly]

[gasps]

[FILO] Here.

[sighs]

Huh?

[OLD WOMAN -A sobs]

[NAOFUMI] Fifty silvers, huh?

We can't thank you enough, dear sir.

Well, actually, it's a bit short.

But I guess I'll take it.

[HEALER -A] You were truly a great help.

Now we've staved off the immediate crisis.

And that's enough for you?

All I did was treat their symptoms.

I didn't cure them.

In no time, they'll be right back to square one.

I'm afraid you are indeed correct.

[NAOFUMI] Not that I mind, since I'd make good money anyway.

Why don't we just see which dies out first--

you or your pocketbook...

We know that we can't let this go on... But there's...

There's nothing we can do.

[RAPHTALIA] What do you mean?

We believe it's the wind coming from

the mountain that's the cause of the plague in our village.

The mountain that's home to the monsters.

[NAOFUMI] Home to what monsters?

[HEALER -A] Around a month ago, a large dragon

that nested there was k*lled by the Sword Hero.

That, at least, was the good news.

[NAOFUMI] Yeah, I did hear some rumors a while back.

But wait a sec.

How does that connect with the plague that's here?

[HEALER -A] Many adventurers came to our village,

mostly in order to see the dragon's corpse as well

as to purchase supplies.

That certainly did help the village to flourish, of course.

But then, one day,

one of the adventurers collapsed, and more followed.

The dragon's flesh had begun to rot

and began emitting some kind of poison.

[NAOFUMI] Damn Ren!

Even a high schooler like you oughta have brains enough

to know that meat rots when you leave it out.

Actually, I guess it must've slipped his mind,

since he thinks this world's just a game.

If you know what the cause is,

how come you haven't gotten rid of it already?

That mountain's filled with violent monsters,

so the only ones who even dare to go there are

the adventurers--there's nothing we can do about it.

[HEALER -A] And, perhaps due to the dragon's poison,

the very ecology of the mountain has changed, too.

Given the terrible consequences,

the average adventurer won't go anywhere near the corpse.

Have you informed the royal court yet?

[HEALER -A] Yes. We're supposed to receive

a delivery of medicine shortly.

[ASSISTANT -A] But they said that the heroes are

still too busy to help us yet, so all we can do is wait.

They're too busy to help?

[NAOFUMI] Cancel the request. Tell 'em you don't need it.

[gasps]

[NAOFUMI] Raphtalia... Get ready, we're setting out.

Right!

Wait! You don't mean to say you're planning

to go out there yourself! It'll be far too dangerous!

Oh, you don't need to worry about us.

We're used to danger.

I just can't find the words to express our gratitude.

You can keep your thanks. What I want is your money.

Five hundred silvers will do it.

[HEALER -A] Five hundred?! That's too much!

That includes hazard pay so you can just give me

what you were going to pay the court,

or were you hoping for a discount?

"Savior," my foot. He's just a lousy money-grubber.

[HEALER -A] You musn't speak like that.

I don't recall asking anybody to call me a savior.

[RAPHTALIA] Master Naofumi, you're deliberately trying

to make them hate you, aren't you?

[RAPHTALIA] Anyway, I know we're dealing with a dragon here,

but this is a lot more than what we usually carry.

[NAOFUMI] We had to take the wagon either way.

A little more luggage isn't a problem.

[RAPHTALIA] We could've traveled much lighter if Filo

hadn't thrown such a tantrum.

I've collected a lifetime's worth

of memories with this wagon.

We can't leave it behind!

[NAOFUMI] Yeah, right, a lifetime of a whole month.

[FILO growls]

[RAPHTALIA] I don't know what to do about Filo's selfishness.

[NAOFUMI] You know, it might've actually been

a pretty good idea after all...

[RAPHTALIA gasps]

[NAOFUMI] We'll never get anywhere

if we try to fight them all.

[NAOFUMI] As Shield Hero, source of thy power, I order thee.

Decipher the laws of nature and defend my target.

Fast Guard!

[FILO gasps]

[NAOFUMI] Run right through 'em, Filo!

[FILO] Okay!

[RAPHTALIA whimpers]

[NAOFUMI] The air here is terrible.

Stay back if you're having a hard time.

[RAPHTALIA] No, don't worry. I'll be fine.

[NAOFUMI] Okay.

But it would've been a really good idea

to eat before coming here.

Looking at this isn't doing wonders for my appetite.

[FILO chomping] I don't know what it is,

but looking at it sure made me hungry.

[RAPHTALIA] Try not to overeat!

[NAOFUMI groans] Given its size,

even taking it apart will be a pain.

[squelching]

[NAOFUMI gasps]

[NAOFUMI] It's a damn dragon zombie!

What the--?!

[RAPHTALIA] What do we do, Master Naofumi?!

[NAOFUMI] For now, just get away from it!

[FILO yells]

[NAOFUMI gasps]

[FILO] A dragon?! I hate dragons!

[NAOFUMI gasps]

[FILO grunts]

There might just be a way to fight it.

Get behind me, you two! And do it now!

[NAOFUMI grunts]

[RAPHTALIA coughs]

[NAOFUMI] My shield can't block all its poison breath.

I have resistance, but Raphtalia doesn't!

But still...

If we don't stop it here, it'll cause even more damage!

[growls]

Now I'm mad!

[gasps]

Filo! Don't fight it alone!

[FILO] Hah!

[grunts]

If we don't get away and regroup, we're finished!

We gotta go, Raphtalia.

Filo, c'mon!

[gasps]

[NAOFUMI] That idiot! Hey! Filo!

Huh--?

[squelching, splattering]

Filo!

[roars]

[RAPHTALIA] Filo!

[coughs]

[NAOFUMI growls]

[NAOFUMI whimpers]

[NAOFUMI] Again?

Am I going to lose it all again?

Is this world going to take everything from me again?

[NAOFUMI] Power?

[NAOFUMI] Hate?

[NAOFUMI] I hate it.

I hate it all.

[laughs]

[NAOFUMI] Hate...

[NAOFUMI] Hate!

[RAPHTALIA grunts]

How dare you k*ll her! Filo!

[RAPHTALIA] No! Master Naofumi!

[RAPHTALIA gasps] Master Naofumi!

[RAPHTALIA] No...

Not Master Naofumi, too...

[RAPHTALIA gasps]

[RAPHTALIA gasps]

[NAOFUMI growls]

[bellows]

Master Naofumi!

[RAPHTALIA gasps]

[NAOFUMI growls]

Now burn.

[NAOFUMI] k*ll.

[NAOFUMI] k*ll them all.

[NAOFUMI] Suffer.

[NAOFUMI [distorted]] Die!

[RAPHTALIA] I believe you.

[NAOFUMI gasps]

[RAPHTALIA] I swear to be your sword forever!

[NAOFUMI] That voice...

What...

[RAPHTALIA] This is a world where it's hard to find people

to trust, but I know I can trust you.

I trust the great Shield Hero.

[gasps] What was I doing?

[RAPHTALIA] Master Naofumi...

[NAOFUMI grunts]

I'm so glad...

...that you're back to--

[coughs]

[sighs]

[NAOFUMI gasps] Raphtalia!

What is all this?

What the hell...

As Shield Hero, source of thy power, I order thee.

Decipher the laws of nature and heal my target.

Fast Heal!

[gasps] And heal my target!

Fast Heal!

Come on, I said heal, dammit!

Fast Heal Fast Heal!

It's all my fault...

Stay away from her!

[NAOFUMI gasps]

C'mon!

[NAOFUMI] To defeat the dragon, I have to use this power.

[NAOFUMI] But...

If I lose focus, hatred will consume my mind.

What can I do?!

[gasps]

What happened?

I don't--

Master Naofumi?

Raphtalia!

You okay?

[RAPHTALIA gasps] Yes, I am...

Thanks to your healing, Master Naofumi.

[NAOFUMI whimpers]

And... I'm glad we finally defeated the dragon...

[FILO sighs]

Filo! You're alive!

Well, It took me a little while, but I'm out!

[NAOFUMI] You okay?

[FILO] Mm-hmm!

But it ate you. And there was blood everywhere...

Blood? Oh, that was just the fruit

I threw up when the dragon gobbled me up.

Seriously, you threw up your snack?

That's so sweet of you, master.

Thank you so much for worrying about me.

Who was worried?

[FILO] Then why are you looking away from me?

[NAOFUMI] Get outta here...

[RAPHTALIA] So, wait, Filo-- you k*lled the dragon, too?

Sure! And you know what else?

While I was tearing at its belly trying to get out,

I found a big purple crystal.

It was so shiny!

[NAOFUMI] A crystal?

So that must have been the source of its power.

And what did you do with the crystal?

[belches]

[NAOFUMI] You ate it?!

[laughs]

--[coughs] --Ah. Raphtalia!

[FILO] Master, what's wrong?

Filo, we gotta give her medicine.

Then we'll head back to the village.

--[RAPHTALIA] No. --[gasps]

We have to get rid of the dragon's body first.

[NAOFUMI] You come first!

Stop worrying. I promise I'll take the medicine

and then rest, and I just know that I'll feel better.

Filo. Let's clean up this mess.

[FILO] Hmm!

[HEALER -A] The mountain wind has gone back to normal.

We'll be all right now.

Thank you so very much.

Go ahead and use that money to treat Raphtalia.

I don't care how much it costs. Just cure her.

[HEALER -A] Curing her will be difficult.

She's been afflicted with a curse,

and a powerful one at that.

We've done what we can:

we wrapped her with bandages soaked in holy water,

but we don't have a holy water that's pure enough

to dispel curses like this.

However, if you go to a church in a big town,

I know you'll find some.

Please keep this money for when you do.

Thanks, Doc.

[FILO] Raphtalia, how are you feeling?

[RAPHTALIA] Well, they've taken good care of me, I feel better.

I never knew that corpses

could inflict such powerful curses.

I just can't believe how terrifying dragons are.

I know, right?

I shouldn't have been so careless and gotten

all that rotten flesh on me.

[ASSISTANT -A] Hm?

[giggles] He cares very much about you, doesn't he?

Eh? Well, I don't think, uh--

Take care, Raphtalia. 'Bye!

[FILO] Hm?

I'm really sorry.

Everything's all right.

It's just that, I got this strange feeling

that power would take you somewhere far away.

And I couldn't bear that.

And so, given that I was able to stop you

before that, this doesn't bother me in the slightest.

What does she mean, master?

You're not leaving, are you?

[NAOFUMI] I'm not going anywhere.

Oh! I have a gift for you, Master! Right here!

[NAOFUMI] Huh?

What's this?

It's a crystal I found inside the dragon.

Filo, tell me you didn't throw that up!

--[gasps] --Of course not!

I kept this one 'cause I wanted to give you a gift!

[NAOFUMI] If this is a crystallization of

the residual mana from the dragon's corpse...

[NAOFUMI] My level isn't high enough?

That shield wasn't in the upgrade tree.

If I'd continued to use its power,

I would've k*lled both Raphtalia and Filo

while she was still inside the dragon.

Master Naofumi?

[NAOFUMI] Forgive me, both of you.

I put you in grave danger

because I hesitated for an instant.

Just as bravery and recklessness are different,

so are caution and cowardice.

If I remain a coward,

I'll fail to protect the things I care about.

Back there, I should've stepped up

and distracted the dragon.

There were so many things I could've done!

It wasn't your fault, Master Naofumi!

If only I'd been stronger, I could have done more to help!

Yeah. Because I hate dragons so much,

I charged in when I shouldn't have.

You both are...

We are so much stronger now than we ever were before.

And we'll be even stronger tomorrow.

Let's keep that up, one day at a time.

Yes. Together.

Yeah! The three of us!

Okay!

Wow, you smiled, master!

Huh?

[RAPHTALIA] She's right! It's true!

You finally showed us an actual smile.

[NAOFUMI] Did I? Uhh...

Yep! Right, Raphtalia? He smiled!

Sure did!

[BOTH laugh]

It's getting pretty late now.

Time to rest up and get some sleep.

'Kay! [giggles]

U-Um...

Master Naofumi, would you be willing

to spend the night with me?

Feeling a little lonely tonight?

Oh, it's not that.

I just thought I should be allowed to have this, for once.

--[NAOFUMI] Filo... --[RAPHTALIA] Hm?

[NAOFUMI] Sleep with Raphtalia tonight.

--Yes, sir! --Huh?

[NAOFUMI] You're cold, aren't you?

No, that's not what I'm talking about...

What I meant was...

Aren't you going to join us, Master?

It'll be more fun.

[NAOFUMI] Not a chance.

--[FILO] Huh? --[RAPHTALIA] Uhh?

I'm not exactly a warm kinda guy.

[BOTH whine]

[NAOFUMI] I have to grow stronger...

[NAOFUMI] Along with the people who believe in me.

[NAOFUMI] And I'll protect them, no matter what happens!