03x02 - God's Right Seat

[bunniefuu]

[STIYL] Well, now, Biagio Buzoni and Ms. Lorenzetti.

I suppose you already know what we're going

to ask you about.

If you want a lesson from the Church on the Bible,

you can bring any questions you have to us on Sunday.

Just like everyone else.

[STIYL] The tough act is pointless.

If necessary, we will use whatever means we have

to extract the information needed from inside your skulls.

Don't take Necessarius lightly.

[BIAGIO] Hmm...?

Now, the Right Seat of God.

Tell us what you know.

If we do as you ask, then I expect

you'll be willing to answer some questions for us.

I want to know what exactly is going on

outside these walls.

I'm sure you can guess, can't you?

It's either what you're thinking, or it's much worse.

"San Pietro, slips through the evil clutches

of the emperor and sorcerer."

Oh, no!

Lidvia!

Are you ready to talk?

First, Oriana Thompson.

I request that you release her.

Allow the opportunity to lead others

who have been caught up in this unrest safely out of it

as is her will.

So that's it?

Even in your current situation here,

you are still seeking out relief for the weak.

Do you really feel you're in any position

to make demands?

She can't be let go, and wouldn't want to be.

She's in a temporary partnership with the English Puritan Church.

The union has a condition, and that is

for her leader to protect the weak.

And aren't you her leader?

Even if you order her to be released,

Oriana herself would never agree to it.

You don't want her resolve to be for nothing, do you?

If the unrest has been created by the Roman Orthodoxy,

or rather, the Right Seat of God,

then it would seem that the key to resolving it

lies is in the act of bringing them down.

Don't you agree?

[LIDVIA] Then tell me, what is it that you want from us?

I believe our objective's been made clear.

We wish to rescue the lost sheep

who have been swallowed up by the overwhelming

power of magic.

That's our goal now, as it has always been.

I've never had the opportunity to meet any of them personally,

and I have only heard bits and pieces of information

about them on occasion.

From that, I can say...

The Right Seat of God is...

[KAMIJO yelling]

[KAMIJO grunting]

Can't breathe... Strangled...

[CITIZEN A gasps]

[KAMIJO coughing]

[ITSUWA] Um... Are you okay?

[KAMIJO] Yeah. Great.

Hey, you're with the Amakusa.

Itsuwa, right?

Yeah. That's me.

It's been a long time.

Yeah. Did Tsuchimikado ask you to come here?

Where did he go?

Huh?

[KAMIJO] We're tracking down the Document of C.

Supposedly it's being used to instigate

the demonstrations that have been popping up.

What?! How do you know about that?

Who told you?

[TSUCHIMIKADO] Listen close, Kami.

I'm gonna tell you all about this Document of C.

Originally, it was sort of like a deed, y'know?

Something that shows who controls what land.

It said the land rights to territories formerly ruled

by Constantine had been given over to the Roman pope.

A fun fact...

When you read the Document of C, its seal emerges.

Which is said to be proof that the land

belongs to the Papacy.

Make sense?

Good. Now, when we're talking about it as a magical item,

it's got even crazier powers. Check this out.

Everything that the Roman pope declares

instantly becomes "accurate information"--

it's seen as a fact no matter what it is.

Insane, right?

So if the pope declares something,

even if there's no basis for it,

for followers of Roman Orthodoxy

that declaration ends up being correct.

'Kay. So what's the catch?

I was just about to get to that.

There is a catch.

And it's a pretty important one.

It has to be set up in the Vatican

for it to work at all.

Also, it's not like it alters the laws of physics

or anything.

It can only make people believe what's said.

[KAMIJO] And that's everything I was told.

The document is still within the church.

They're trying to use it against Academy City.

In an effort to make everyone believe

we're the bad guys.

And that's what's causing the demonstrations?

Possibly.

I assumed someone would've let you guys know about it.

No.

We received a request from the English Puritan Church.

To survey the magical value of the geoducts here.

All over France, that's what I was doing.

Before you fell out of the sky.

[KAMIJO] France?

[ITSUWA] Yes.

We're in the city of Avignon right now,

in southern France.

Huh.

But if the Document of C can only be used

in the Vatican, then...

[ITSUWA] Um...

Sorry to interrupt, but do you mind if I go get my bag?

I just remembered that I left it up on the bridge earlier.

[KAMIJO] Hold on.

You jumped from there to save me?

[ITSUWA] I didn't think it all through.

Well, good thing.

Because if you had, I probably wouldn't be here.

So thank you.

Oh, it wasn't that big of a deal.

[KAMIJO gasps]

Hey, so, do you happen to have a change of clothes

in that bag?

[ITSUWA] Yeah. Just in case I need a disguise.

[KAMIJO 'Kay, good, you might wanna grab it.

[ITSUWA gasps]

I... I'm so sorry you had to see me like this.

How embarrassing!

[laughing]

I'd feel less anxious if she were to at least

freak out or something.

[KAMIJO] It doesn't seem to be broken.

[ITSUWA] I'm back. Thanks for waiting.

[gasps]

[KAMIJO] Uh... Itsuwa?

What? This was just supposed to be a quick disguise

to throw over my t*nk top in emergencies,

and it's all I had!

Please don't say anything else! I'm already embarrassed enough.

[KAMIJO] Well, Kanzaki wears stuff like that, so...

How dare you! The priestess would never

wear something this shameful!

Oh. My bad.

Anyway, the Amakusa Church is actually looking

for the Document of C, too.

So maybe we could hang out together

until you meet up with Tsuchimikado?

[KAMIJO] Actually, I'd appreciate the company.

I mean, if you're sure.

Yes!

[KAMIJO] We have big-name shops like these in Japan, too.

Aren't there any that're more well-established

and out of the way?

Yeah, but we'd stick out like sore thumbs there.

That's the issue?

Come on, let's go inside.

Okay, let me message Tsuchimikado real quick.

--Think he's from Academy City? --[CITIZEN C] You see that?

[KAMIJO] Were they demonstrators?

[ITSUWA] Uh-huh.

[KAMIJO] So, why Avignon and not the Vatican?

[ITSUWA] Are you familiar with an incident that happened

in the late thirteenth century, known as the Avignon Papacy?

[ITSUWA] There was a dispute between France

and the Roman Orthodoxy, and when the king of France won,

he decided to incarcerate the Roman pope

here in Avignon.

And then, for the next sixty-eight years,

the functions of the Holy Roman See

were moved to the Papal Palace in Avignon.

[ITSUWA] However...

[KAMIJO gasps]

Oh! Just a moment, please.

I think I have a wipe.

Thank you.

No wait, I mean... Uh, merci?

I'm sorry. Please finish what you were saying.

What's wrong?

[ITSUWA] Oh. Nothing.

I'm fine, really.

Hey.

Can the pope's work be done anywhere?

Or is it something that specifically has to be done

at the Vatican?

It depends.

There are plenty of things he wouldn't be able

to do away from home.

Like, say, for example, using magical items.

Specifically, those that are within the Papal domain.

The Church's solution was to establish

an enchanted pipeline using geoducts between the Vatican

and Avignon, making it possible to control

the facilities within the Papal domain remotely.

So you're saying...

They'll be able to use the magical items

here in Avignon now?

[ITSUWA] Exactly.

But why?

Seems like a roundabout way to go.

Wouldn't it be easier to just use them in the Vatican?

[ITSUWA] Well... there are some particular arrangements

that are required in order to use them there.

Doing it this way, he can ignore or abridge

some of those and use the items at his discretion.

But the trade-off is that it seems to take a long time

to activate the pipeline.

So we may still be able to stop them

from using the Document of C.

May still be able to? Huh.

[ITSUWA] I'm sorry! This is all just guesswork!

No, it's fine.

Is there anything I can do to hel--?!

[MOB A] Look! There's one!

--[MOB B] Where? --[MOB A] Grab him!

[glass breaks]

[WAITRESS A] I'm gonna have to ask you to leave now!

There's a guy from Academy City hiding in here!

[PATRON C] Academy City?

[PATRON D] Who, him?

[ITSUWA] This way!

[MOB A] Don't just stand there, get him!

Wait! That little boy!

He's fine.

No one's gonna get k*lled out there!

Come on! Hurry!

[MOB yelling]

[KAMIJO] Damn it!

It's not their fault!

Those caught in the middle are the ones who suffer most!

I have to put an end to this,

and I've gotta do it quickly.

[KAMIJO] Hey, Itsuwa.

I don't suppose you've ever been caught up

in one of these riots before.

Well, no.

If I sensed it coming, I'd be sure to stay far away.

Yeah, I figured.

The timing is way too convenient.

I'm gonna guess that all this v*olence

is an ambush planned by the enemy.

[ITSUWA] You think so?

It doesn't look like we'll have time for Tsuchimikado

to contact us.

That means...

We'll have to head to the Papal Palace on our own.

If they return to the Vatican,

those jerks can still use the Document of C.

We need to stop this thing here while we have the chance.

Make sure to keep your head down when we charge through there.

Right. Let's go.

[LIDVIA] The Right Seat of God is said to be an organization

devoted to overcoming original sin.

The sin committed by Adam and Eve

when they ate from the tree of knowledge.

The story says that their children,

all of mankind, are born with this same sin.

Correct. However, there is an exception to that story.

[STIYL] The Holy Mother Mary.

Immaculate Conception.

It's said that the sin was removed from her

because she would bear the Son of God.

[LIDVIA] And what this shows us is that,

even though we are taught to believe the only way

to wash away original sin is by having

a firm faith in the Son of God, there is a loophole.

Are you saying they've obtained the means to do so?

[LIDVIA] Yes, at least partially.

Word is, the Right Seat of God has successfully

diluted their sins as much as possible.

And though it is not complete, with their sin removed,

it is said they'll be able to use the techniques

of angels and of the Lord,

which are usually unavailable to humanity.

If what you say is true,

their essence would no longer be strictly human,

but rather closer to that of the angels.

Which would mean that the ultimate goal

of the Right Seat of God

is to rid themselves of what little original sin

remains within them.

[LIDVIA] That is one of the avenues

that is open to them, however,

their true objective is much grander

and has always been broadly laid out.

And what's that?

The literal meaning of their group's name.

They aspire to reach the Right Seat of God.

[MOB yelling]

[KAMIJO] It would have to be like this, wouldn't it?

[ITSUWA] Yes.

The Papal Palace is on the other side of that crowd.

We'll have to push through.

All right.

Well, then, let's get moving.

[phone rings]

[TSUCHIMIKADO] Hey, Kami!

You made it okay?

Tsuchimikado, where the hell are you?

[TSUCHIMIKADO] Me? I'm on my way to the Papal Palace.

I knew it.

[TSUCHIMIKADO] How?

I don't remember ever explaining that part of it to you.

Itsuwa from the Amakusa told me.

We're trying to get there but the rioting is too severe.

Is this also because of the Document of C's power?

[TSUCHIMIKADO] Bingo! Well deduced, my friend!

Which means you can wait if you want,

but the situation won't improve.

Isn't there anything else we can do?

[TSUCHIMIKADO] Sure!

[TSUCHIMIKADO] Here's a question.

Do you know why the Papal Palace of Avignon

is viewed as so important?

Because it allows them to control facilities

in the Vatican?

[TSUCHIMIKADO] Bingo!

That's it! The geoduct pipeline!

[TSUCHIMIKADO] Double bingo!

If we could manage to sever the geoduct

that connects Avignon with the Vatican...

Right! Even if it's too hard for us to reach the Papal Palace,

maybe we can at least get close enough

to the pipeline on the way.

And then all I have to do is wreck it with my right hand.

[TSUCHIMIKADO] Yeah, I'm gonna suggest avoiding that.

But geoducts are magic, and my hand destroys magic.

So why--

[TSUCHIMIKADO] Thing is...

It's hard to identify what exactly that hand of yours does.

Sure, it's supposed to cancel out supernatural powers

and what-not, but...

What if there are exceptions?

[TSUCHIMIKADO] Itsuwa, was it?

What do you know about demolishing pipelines?

Uh, lots!

If the Amakusa way of doing things will work.

[TSUCHIMIKADO] Sure, why not?

Then I'll leave the hunt for the pipeline

in your capable hands.

I gotta make my move now.

Later!

[KAMIJO] This is a museum?

Yes, but I'm guessing all the rioting

must've spooked them into closing early.

It'd be great if we could poke around.

But how?

We gotta make this fast.

Okay...

Hey!

[ITSUWA] Looks like this is the place!

This power resembles Roman Orthodox style.

And this duct is for Western church-of-the-cross societies.

[KAMIJO] It doesn't look like anything to me.

It's fairly cleverly concealed, so it's difficult to do.

Let's get moving before the enemy realizes we're here.

Is that a hairdryer?

Do the Amakusa use household items

to build their spells?

[ITSUWA] Yes. The Pamphlet, mineral water, and white--

[gasps]

[KAMIJO] What's the matter?

[ITSUWA] I'm so sorry.

I know it's awkward, but they're required

for the framework of the spell.

[KAMIJO chuckles]

[ITSUWA] It's impossible to destroy the geoduct completely.

But I can at least make the pipeline unusable.

[ITSUWA] Here we go.

Get out of the way!

Itsuwa!

No, don't! Stay back!

[ITSUWA] Get outside! Quickly!

[TERRA] Well, well.

I suppose accuracy really does drop

when something's launched from greater distances.

That's magic.

Roman Orthodox?

[TERRA] I'm not saying you're wrong,

but if you must assign a label,

I would prefer that you address me

as the Right Seat of God.

My name is Terra of the Left.

Nice to meet you.

It looks like my time has finally arrived.

It's been difficult.

See, we do not have the ability to use

the common sort of magic that humans prefer.

And enacting the Document of C

must be left to other spellcasters.

So I hope you'll consider spending a little time

with me today.

I've been so bored lately. I could use some entertainment.

--[KAMIJO grunts] --[ITSUWA gasps]

That was some powerful force, but with my right hand...

Well that was a twist.

Ordinarily that att*ck would have k*lled you.

So that's Imagine Breaker, right? How fun.

I heard that you tormented Vento of the Front.

You ready?

[KAMIJO yelling]

I apologize for what comes next.

[ITSUWA] Seven Teachings!

Seven Blades!

Precedence.

[laughs]

[TERRA] Precedence. Outer wall lower, physical body higher.

[TERRA] Precedence. Outer wall lower, blade motion higher!

[KAMIJO] Move!

[ITSUWA grunts]

[KAMIJO grunts]

I'd heard many a tale of the Imagine Breaker beforehand,

so I admit, I did have some expectations coming into this.

But honestly, I'm disappointed.

You must've caught Vento on a bad day.

Because I can't see how anybody

would have trouble defeating you.

[KAMIJO] He's powerful.

So this is the Right Seat of God.

[KAMIJO] Unrest breeds more unrest,

and the city is enveloped in the flames of science.

What secret will Terra reveal about my right hand?

Next time, "The Document of C."

When Science and magic cross paths, a story is born.