The princess of the castle,
confined alone in the high tower
Waiting for someone worthy of being her husband
to eventually come...
Was hidden and shielded
from all the corruption of the outside world.
The people of the city say she is still up there
as she protects her noble mind and body.
Princess Arete
It's not like the power a real sorcerer has...
But humans have something magical in their hands.
That means...
In these hands, too... ?
You know a little about sewing ?
You do ?
You need money ?
In that case...
Go home and sew some underwear.
We can't let a girl like you
into the guild.
I've never seen here before...
I wonder where she lives.
She's nothing...
A perfect match for you.
Ow !
Let's see it.
Your work !
Not bad.
Okay, I'll teach you the next stitch.
What do you want ?
Your meal is ready.
Today it the deadline for the difficult
treasure hunting task set by the king...
To select one of the many candidates
vying for the princess's hand.
The people must be praising the outstanding men
who have returned.
Truly magical !
We're delighted so many of you were able
to complete your tasks...
And gather the legacies of the now-extinct
sorcerers from all over the world.
Not only is his royal highness pleased with
the accomplishments from the different nation's heroes...
But this courage you present to the princess
has filled her with joy.
So, who will be chosen as the bridgegroom ?
Who knows... ?
Your bed has been prepared.
Have a good night.
The princess is sleeping peacefully.
Yes ! Understood !
Count on us to protect her through the night !
To get all these sorcerer's treasures this way...
It's a godsend for us kingdom economists.
When are the merchants coming ?
That's next month.
One man was somewhat confused...
Bringing back a book...
What was he thinking ?
It may contain something about the era of magic,
but it's just a book, it has no magic.
It's fine. We'll see how much we can sell it for later...
Put it away, too.
Either way, this information won't get out.
We mustn't forget that this is the result
of the royal family's good will.
Not this one.
Oh, this is just a toy.
What is it ?
The many mysteries once owned by man
that have now been lost.
The reason my heart pounds harder
seeing each of these discoveries...
Is that I think of the possibilities
of the humanity that created them all.
That means it may exist within me.
The sorcerers may have d*ed out...
But human hands created this castle.
Even this table...
Then...
Princess.
Princess.
I mean you no harm.
Princess ?
Yes, it is I.
Oh, this is... ?
I am Daraboa.
I have finally seen you...
My heart has been burning for you.
Regarding the marriage right, we weren't able to
eliminate anyone today and will compete again, but...
Then you're doing it over ?
Hunting for treasures ?
Isn't that your order ?
Yes...
No matter how difficult of numerous
the trials that I have to complete...
The one who will bring back a fantastic treasure
to capture your heart will be I, Daraboa.
I just wanted to tell you this.
And the ministers gain more magical treasures...
This person, he's the same as me...
Um... Going to far away countries
and talking to people is...
I mean... I think people created words
to understand each other...
So I was wondering if communication with
people is possible without words...
Oh, then I, Daraboa, will share some stories
of my treasure hunting adventures.
Searching for a magic treasure for the Princess,
I traveled east.
So many horses I went through...
But even horses are glad to give their lives
for their princess.
And then, I reached a country in which
a monster resided.
This huge monster had what appeared
to be wings on the sides of its head.
And then on its creepy face was
what looked like a giant snake.
That is... Um...
That is... ? What about it ?
Nothing...
Anyway, I, Daraboa, slayed the monster.
How ?!
With my ancestral sword, of course.
And then next a pack of bandits appeared.
I, Daraboa, ran towards one, and...
Please don't make such a sad face, Princess.
With you in my heart, Daraboa's sword is invicible !
After slaying one after another, I found
the magical treasure in a vile shrine.
They only eat grass.
Those long-nosed, large animals.
They are smart and can be domesticated.
That is... ?
This is... From a book.
Oh, if you like books, then I, Daraboa,
will bring you as many as you wish !
Is something wrong ?
Books are the only windows for me to see the outside
world while confined in this tower... Just books.
Who would want to confine the princess ?
I told too many scary stories.
Monsters and bandits are far, far away.
Once you are my wife, I, Daraboa, will
protect your preciousness.
Let's live peacefully within these castle walls one day.
Checkmate.
Outside the window...
You want to become my husband
and to reign over it all, right ?
This country.
Since the moment of my birth...
Then...
Outside the window...
Then, expanding your imagination
with all your might...
Is that what you want ?
Oh, thinking about all of this becoming mine...
Many roofs, many people...
They all have their own minds.
So many of them...
It's overwhelming, isn't it ?
Even considering all of them together,
I, Daraboa, will... !
What's important is each of their minds...
I also have... I, too... It's small, but...
Princess...
A-All the people of that country did
was try to catch a bandit
who k*lled their livestock and stole their treasures...
Each person has to think
about more than themselves.
But, when thinking about you, Princess--
I don't ask for it.
It just makes trouble for me.
Damn...
Well, if the princess doesn't mind,
I'll be on my way now.
Oh, beautiful Princess.
Oh, those eyes that hold the depths
of a sparkling lake.
Your long black hair is like the shine...
The shine of gold.
And those lovely lips...
On day, they...
Princess !
The princess would rather sleep
than talk with me ?
A gift from my trip,
a rose from distant Africa.
A treasure more beautiful than this flower,
I wish to add it to my jewelry boxes.
Waiting, waiting... Eternally...
This is a Rosa Splendifora...
The garden keepers worked so hard
to grow it in the castle's east garden...
No, I wasn't lying or anything !
Speaking like this is just for elegance.
It's not always best to simply state
the boring truth...
If I described the princess's face truthfully...
Damn it !
Don't seek meaning in their words.
They're just a bunch of men who look at the world
through rose-colored glasses to avoid reality.
But they will make you hate yourself enough
to listen to them...
How did you get here ?
I took the path you showed me.
You found them by looking over the building plans ?
This brings back memories...
When the world was plagued by w*r,
all castles were full of these hidden passages.
You know about such old things...
How old are you ?
You're a witch, aren't you ?
While I was playing pranks in this form,
the source of my magic was stolen.
Without it, I can't return to normal.
I heard magical items are collected in this castle,
so I came, but...
Did you find it ?
What does it look like ?
It's about this big and looks like a crystal ball.
There is nothing like that here.
Is there anyone you know
who can use magic ?
Magic isn't that easy.
There are things called genes
that you don't comprehend.
The crystal is simply an artificial tool
that helps release the powers within.
If you can't get it back,
what will happen ?
My eternal life will end.
I will age little by little and eventually grow old
and die, just like you with your limited lives.
Limited...
But life doesn't end immediately !
There are things you can accomplish before that !
Oh, my.
You still believe life has some meaning ?
Isn't it natural ?
What ? A real sorcerer ?!
They still exist ?
Did he come for the treasures ?!
No. it seems he's asking about the princess.
The princess of the castle has a wicked mind.
She will never become the sheath you desire.
What are you saying ?!
If you doubt it, then ask...
Those two knights there.
According to the two knights
who snuck into the princess's quarters...
What ?! Our knights were called
thieves and liars ?
And ? What do you suggest we do ?
Make the princess my wife.
I, Boax, will do nothing to the princess.
There's no loss in a marriage
with a sorcerer.
What ?
The magical items are important
to this kingdom's economy, right ?
I don't think anyone is concerned
with my ugly looks, but...
This may be what I look like now, but I intend to regain
my beauty for the wedding with the princess.
We'd like your advice on these issues,
Your Highness.
O eternal source of greatness, please guide
us with your bright and shining wisdom !
What ?!
What ?!
What ?!
But then...
However...
Even so, what does the princess look like these days ?
We have brought the one who arrived at the gate.
A person arrived at the gate ?
Stand back, this is the princess !
It can't be...
Isn't this just some common girl ?
No, this is her, isn't it ?
Yes...
She was trying to leave the city with
some street bear performers, and...
She had this book, so...
Go ahead and hold him.
So, where are you going ?
I thought I'd travel towards the east.
Everyone...
Even the young apprentice of an artisan
knows something.
But I know nothing.
That's why I wanted to venture beyond the gates
and become something other than a princess.
Let me out to the outside world.
I want to experience things !
This...
Is this some kind of curse ?
Daughter.
My daughter, listen to everyone.
This is the only path, my daughter.
I...
I won't give up yet !
A curse...
She's cursed.
This curse afflicting the princess...
Does anyone believe they can break it ?
The one who can should be
the rightful husband of the princess.
Why me... ?
White and elegant princess.
You aren't a person
to disappoint everyone, Princess.
Indeed, I am not...
The accept my hand in marriage.
My, what wonderful words...
As you can see.
Now this is a princess !
It's the first time I've come in contact with the magic
of my homeland in a while, but there's nothing I can do.
I've decided to use this body
and live as an ordinary human.
Once I leave this place, I will cast off my eternal
life and even my former memories.
I don't need this anymore.
If you rub this ring,
it will give you up to three wishes.
Use it to save yourself.
To be able to hear the joy of the
princess's engagement even from here...
We will be in my castle until the day we must return.
Until that day !
Grovel !
This thing was on its last legs.
That's fine. I won't be using it
to travel anymore, anyway.
As you desired, I've abducted the princess.
You just brought her as I programmed with the crystal.
Don't get so excited.
Of course, I brought this, too.
We'll let the princess reside in the castle dungeon.
It's a wonderful place.
What did she say ?
She said it must be a wonderful room,
just as you say.
Just keep accepting everything you hear
like that.
Yes!
There's no need to fight destiny anymore.
Life is simple.
Yes, as you say, just like...
Yes, as you say, just like...
Just like ?
I heard it correctly.
Just like oneself...
Just like one--
That's enough, I heard that !
I've locked her in the dungeon.
That fool, all I did was explain
a little of the situation to her !
So that person is an evil sorcerer who has
abducted the princess to lock her up ?
...is what she said, so I replied, "You might be an evil
princess for trying to shorten other people's lives."
She should be thankful I don't k*ll her.
I'm a civilized person, after all.
Where's lunch ?
Ample should be here soon.
She was trying to take that book out of the castle.
She said she wanted to quit being a princess.
She intended to become a sorceress ?
That's impossible.
She wasn't born with it.
Exactly.
Oh, yeah, Ample, we have another person here.
From now on there will be three of us.
Did your master get bored again
and turn something else into a human ?
Ribbit, ribbit, I alone am sufficient.
I am here.
I am here.
I am here.
It's my mind, yet I can't control myself as I wish.
I've been captured by a sorcerer.
I should sleep and wait until a handsome
young man wakes me up with a kiss.
But...
I can't say this is an appropriate place for that.
I was told to use this to save myself...
No !
Hey, Princess, your meal is here.
This is a magic ring...
Those ones where you get three magical wishes, eh ?
My mother bought me one of those.
Not thinking about escaping,
but redecorating ?
She's been reduced to nothing by my magic.
My crystal prophesized that my promised eternal life
would be shortened because of a princess named Arete.
There's no choice.
How could my people, who brought to this world enough
light to extend to the stars, be destroyed so easily ?
They will eventually re-establish the civilization
somewhere and come save me.
I just have to keep living and wait.
Fool, no matter how long,
it's not coming.
Keep waiting until death comes, right ?
I'm talking about the princess.
She's waiting for a prince or knight or someone
to come save her... What an idiot.
Barbarian food sure tastes bad,
doesn't it ?
Could you please, just a little bit...
Please create some of the wonderful
food from the sorcerer's country !
When did you get so demanding ?!
No !
Use my magic to create food for you ?!
I have to produce for a pathetic creature
like you that I created ?!
If you want stupid things worthy of you
then here you go !
Yes, those stars will find me...
I can wait for all eternity.
Isn't it pretty ?
Those aren't real stars falling.
What do you mean ?
Long ago, my people placed small artificial moons
among the stars.
After many years, they go off their orbit, get destroyed,
and fall down into the atmosphere like this.
Wow, that's amazing.
Sorcerers sure are great !
As I thought, you were right.
About what ?
I found a part of a star
that fell last night.
Ugh, I'm so bored.
I don't care !
I was just trying to escape boredom.
Oh, here you are.
What ?
Now the princess says she'll sew a nice picture
to give to the prince who saves her.
She's worried about avoiding boredom down there...
Does she realize the situation she's in ? What an idiot.
Shut up !
What is it ? I can't stay quiet.
I was born a frog,
but created so you wouldn't be bored--
I said shut up !
Damn it !
Damn it !
Thank you for coming.
Oh, don't show yourself, answer form there.
What is it ?
Do you really believe it ?
That you'll be saved ?
Not one of your precious knights has come
to this castle.
It's foolish.
What are you waiting for ?
If they aren't coming...
Then must I remain here forever ?
I will spend that long life sewing.
What will you do ?
I thought I changed that little girl into
a being of nothingness with my magic.
Yet, she...
Damn it !
It went off its orbit and was destroyed !
So there was no sorcerer anywhere
to fix it before it became that was ?
Damn it !
Grovel !
Grovel, where are you !
Get over here !
Yes ?
I changed my mind.
Release her from the dungeon.
It's like this. The knights the princess is expecting
have been sent on quests for treasure.
I'll have the princess do the same.
Why is that ?
She's helpless.
If I send her out there,
she will suffer the fear of death.
She can't survive alone.
How impressive, you understand
her feelings completely.
Stop talking already !
I'll prepare a difficult treasure hunting task for her.
Then to let her out, I need the key...
Huh ? Where did it go ?
You, raise your head.
I finally get to meet you, Princess.
My name is Ample.
I bring the sorcerer food from the village below.
Grovel was busy today, so I brought your food instead.
I know a little about you...
Boax sometimes watched you in his crystal,
back when you were in the castle.
I heard him talk to Grovel
so I know of your situation.
Damn, why are these things the only
well-built portions of this castle ?
What about the door down there ?
You can't open it ?
No... I haven't even touched the door.
What ?
Because he said it wouldn't open.
How can you accept people's word
so easily ?
Well...
Just eat then.
Listen while you eat.
There's something I wanted to tell you.
Well, you don't have to listent.
Just let me talk.
This village has been suffering from a lack of water
for a long time. We were barely able to survive.
No, I must listen.
Then that sorcerer showed up.
"How's this ? I'll produce water with my magic.
You just have to feed me."
It was cheap,
that was what my grandmother told me.
She d*ed seven years ago.
He's been creating water and
eating what we bring him all this time.
Neither aging or dying.
Even drawing a picture like that on the mountain.
He says it's a sign saying,
"I'm here."
I am here.
We may be living in a village that bears a sorcerer's
image, but our minds are our own.
You know, I'm digging a well.
Grandmother d*ed
and I took over caring for him.
But my kids, who will be born someday, they
will be able to choose their own destiny.
They say this land used to be all green...
That there were thousands of sheep,
as many as the stars.
I want to talk to her.
With the real voice in my heart.
I'm right here...
I am...
Here...
I heard that.
You can dig, but you'll find no water.
Anyone from these parts should know
there's no water in these lands.
If so, then what ?
Stop wasting time here...
If the master hears of this...
He'll change you into a frog.
If only you remained a frog,
we wouldn't have to hear your rude mouth.
Shut up. No matter what simple words
you say, water won't come out.
You'll live like this until you die.
I'll try to get you out soon.
What's wrong ?
Then something in my heart...
This is...
This is...
I do nothing here...
So my heart is beginning
to accept the boredom.
Boredom...
Yeah. I can understand.
Thinking that is a was to stay alive.
I know, I've also had to survive all alone sometimes.
At times like that...
- Ample !
I know, I'm coming !
At times like that...
Oh, yeah. At times like that...
Don't laugh.
Go through a fairy tale in your mind, bit by bit.
What will happen next ?
Get excited as you go through it.
Oh, what an intersting story.
Please tell me this fairy tale !
No way, you can't look in on other people's dreams.
You have to think up your own fairy tale.
Think ?
But I finally have no need to do that.
Dream if you want.
Even if you can't do anything else,
nobody can stop you.
The thread...
Oh...
Perhaps it would be wise to do
as that person said...
For that, to write down the story,
I need paper, and ink, and a feather...
No.
She said to do it in my mind,
with the voice in my heart...
Damn it !
Oh ! This is it !
But...
Damn it ! What is this word ?!
The words inside of me are...
Oh, what an interesting story,
please tell me more.
Without someone talking to me...
This is... Yes...
There was a wealthy kingdom.
I feel like I've heard this story before.
Treasures of silver and gold,
a great king and a beautiful queen.
Yes, this is a wonderful story.
The queen left this world early,
leaving a little princess behind.
Oh, what will happen to this princess ?
As she grew up, the princess was confined
in solitude to the high tower of the castle.
The people said she waited peacefully for someone
worthy of being her husband to eventually come...
preserving her noble self.
But the princess herself...
The princess herself...
It can't be...
But the princess herself...
When I say that...
The princess spent everyday
looking out of the window.
Outside of the window was a beautiful scene...
Out of the window,
the princess would look out on the city every day.
Under those many roofs were many lives,
many ways to live.
The princess felt each of those small shadows
and placed each of their lives in her heart...
That was the only way for the princess to connect
with someone other than herself.
I'm sorry...
One day, the heart of the princess was filled
with desire and jealousy.
In the stories, as plentiful as people's lives,
everyone is the star.
Yes, I am...
No.
I should be one of them.
This story is...
It's not interesting unless there are thieves or witches.
Witch ?
And then the witch said, "Oh, my.
You still believe life has some meaning ?"
And the princess answered...
Isn't it natural ?
The window !
Fall over !
Please !
Yes !
Yes, I found it !
The task I should give her !
Grovel, have you found the key yet ?
Damn, you haven't found it yet ?!
Geez... My master always does the same type of magic...
Stay still and you'll return to your former self.
Grovel !
You aren't helping the princess, are you ?!
Of course not !
I can't give her the treasure hunting task.
Hurry and find the key !
It got away again... Damn !
You're late !
Listen Princess !
I'm giving you three treasure hunting tasks.
It's the same as the men who would become your
husband were forced to do. You have no choice.
The first task : North of here are rocky mountains
that reach far into heavens.
You saw them from the sky.
Climb to the top of the highest peak and
look even higher, into the blue sky.
There is a huge golden eagle
created by my ancestors with magic.
It's still flying there today.
Bring back the ruby in the eagle's eye.
It's a magic ruby that shines light
as far as the eye can see.
If you can do that,
I will give you a second task.
If you complete all three tasks,
you will regain your freedom.
Go to the left !
Swear it !
Swear on your rings, noble princess, that you will not
turn back until you have acquired the treasure.
That if you take even one step back,
a lightning bolt will strike you down.
Now use the magic of the ring !
Now, as the sorcerer Boax has commanded me...
If you break your promise,
that bolt of lightning will strike you.
Now go !
The path will lead you to freedom.
Now she'll never return.
Great job, great job.
Go back.
"Noble princess" ?
He had me cast it on the wrong person !
I am me, I'm already free !
I can go anywhere !
Now where shall I go, what shall I do ?
So it was once all green ?
I'd like to see that.
Miss Ample !
Who are you ?
That princess, I wonder what she's doing now ?
Select action : Stand-by.
Clairvoyance mode.
Show me where Princess Arete is right now.
Showing Princess Arete.
This is here.
Is that broken, too ?
Shut up !
But don't worry, you can just fix it with magic.
Shut up !
Damn it.
Could it be that you can't fix it ?
Shut up !
But you bragged so much about how you were
one of the sorcerers.
Then you really are...
You really are...
I said, shut up !
The stone of the water snake.
This green stone's magic is used
to quench the thirst of travelers.
If you place this stone in a container
and pour out the water...
The water will continue flowing without end,
the container always providing water.
The green stone of the water snake.
The tool the sorcerer was using...
Ah, yes... Ample's still here.
Ample...
Where did you go ?
Ample, come back !
Come back and listen to me !
Ample !
Ample, where are you ?!
If you don't come out now,
I'll cut off the village's water supply !
This doesn't move after all ?
The path of gold is broken,
and the light cannot pass.
Oh, this too was made of gold...
This, and this... Stack them.
Hurry, hurry, hurry, hurry !
Where is Ample ?
Even if you keep asking,
I don't know...
I'm right here !
Ample, if you don't make my dinner soon...
No way !
What did you do to her ?
I'm sick of taking care of a man like you.
If you want to eat so much,
then create some food with your magic.
You really can't, can you ?
Damn, her too ?!
Hey, I don't care who, but someone had better
make me food so I can keep living !
Otherwise, the water...
The water already stopped a while ago.
Damn, why did the water stop ?
You... Why are you here ?
I see, so you removed the stone of the water snake.
Damn, so everything is your fault...
You do understand that it isn't magic,
but just a simple tool.
Return the stone to me !
If it's so simple...
You can just create it again.
Why don't you do it ?
Your magic is ancient, but it's
no different from artisan techniques.
It was created by human hands
for other humans to use, wasn't it ?
That's true, all I do is use magic others created.
I can't help it, the world flipped over before
I had a chance to learn much magic.
When our continent sunk to the bottom of the ocean...
When that happened...
I was still just a child !
Then it can't be helped.
That's not your fault...
Instead of acknowledging that,
you keep causing trouble for others.
Shut up !
You wouldn't...
The only thing I can do with my own hands is to
transform things... And only into useless things.
That's the first and only magic I learned.
Damn !
But I'll show you
what I can do with that.
Become the most useless thing !
Why do you att*ck yourself so much ?
Shut up ! I am...
Damn it ! Crush everything !
Damn it...
My crystal ! My eternal life !
You did it !
Now everyone in the village will be saved !
I didn't really...
I was only thinking about you.
You...
Can I stay this way for a while ?
Of course.
Did you find it ?
I will use the remainder of my life to find the crystal.
What will you do with it if you find it ?
Turn us all into frogs ?
Shut up.
All the sorcerers that had eternal life
have already long d*ed.
But I have not. My magic is...
There is another magic.
Impossible, magic other than ours doesn't...
Do you want to try it ?
Close your eyes...
And try to imagine...
What ?
Hurry, close your eyes.
What am I supposed to imagine ?
Well, the place you would most like to go to.
The place I'd wish to go to ?
Yes.
Then, the place I'd like to go to is... Yes...
The place where I had the most fun.
I've been to the ocean once...
The ocean ? I've never seen it.
Well, it goes on forever, and the water is
salty and warm, with waves like a cradle.
I was small.
I would dodge the waves and run.
My body was so light.
Why did I...
Oh, yeah. My mother was there as well.
She looked at me with her gentle face.
Were you standing at a far off beach
just now ?
Humans have held an incredible magic within
themselves for the past thousand years.
And... It's directed towards the future.
I see...
When I went to the beach with my family...
It was to see off the ships to the stars.
I wanted to travel to the world of stars
in those ships when I grew up.
You're not the only special one.
Don't forget, that same magic isn't just yours,
but part of everyone.
Bye.
Come back whenever you will...
This is your village, too !
Where is she going ?
To the golden eagle.
Why ? To complete the task I gave her ?
It can't be...
To get the magical treasure ?
Yeah, right...
Knights hunting for treasure,
from long ago...
I've finally seen it.
It really is still alive.
The golden eagle that has been flying for
thousands of years in the same skies.
How and why were you created ?
What were the people who created you thinking ?
The human mind is complicated. We can't
understand what others think at all.
But... It's so high !
I will live...
Live in this land.
Among the people.
Princess Arete (2001)
Moderator: Maskath3