01x19 - Route Selection

[bunniefuu]

[RUDEUS] Ah, sh*t.

[MAN-GOD] Language!

Good to see you haven't changed a bit.

[RUDEUS] I was this close to forgetting about you.

[MAN-GOD] It's been a whole year since our last chat.

But why the cold shoulder?

It's all thanks to me you got that demon eye, you know!

[RUDEUS] Yeah, sure.

But if you'd been a little more specific.

I wouldn't have wound up in prison,

missed Paul's message, or had that stupid fight with him.

[laughs] Your adventures never cease to entertain.

But lemme ask you this.

You sure you wanna blame me for everything?

[RUDEUS] Dammit.

Every time you bring me here, I go back to my old self.

I swear I've turned over a new leaf.

I take responsibility now!

All right, fine, I'm ready to listen

and I'm grateful for your guidance!

I wouldn't be alive without you, is that what you wanted to hear?

Now hurry up and spit out your next piece of advice!

My goodness, you never just come out and beg me for it!

[RUDEUS] Nope. But this time.

I have a specific request: Help me find my family.

Whatever do you mean?

I thought your family was in a whole other world!

You know exactly what I mean.

Zenith, Lilia, and Aisha, okay?

And, if possible, I want to know about

Sylphie, Ghislaine, Philip, and Sauros as well.

I dunno. Lemme think about it.

Aw, I'm only joking! Tough crowd today.

But, before I tell you, promise me one thing.

We'll see.

If the next advice I give you helps you

reunite with your long-lost family,

I would like for you to trust me from now on!

Whaddya say?

What, and obey your every command

like a little yes-man marionette?

Oh, no. I won't ask you to go that far.

I just mean it's gonna get exhausting

if you're this hostile every time we talk, you know?

For you, maybe, but it's gonna be

exhausting for me either way.

Do you know how depressing it is to be back in this body?

Every time you drag me here,

I feel like my growth's been erased.

But I guess if you can help me out this time,

I'll stop being so rude.

And you'll trust me, right?

That'll depend on what happens next.

Okay! Guess that'll have to do.

[clears throat] Now, let's put that demon eye to use.

[MAN-GOD] In a few weeks time, you'll enter Shirone Kingdom.

Where you will stumble upon this scene.

The young lady being detained is

none other than your sister, Aisha Greyrat.

Hang on. What'd you just say?

[MAN-GOD] Rescue her, but under no circumstances

should you tell her your real name.

Use an alias.

Ask about details of her situation.

And then send a letter to your acquaintance

at the royal palace of Shirone.

Wait. Who do I know at--?

If you can do that, then you shall succeed in

rescuing both Aisha and Lilia from

the tyrant at the palace of Shirone!

Lilia, too, huh? But why?

If they're in Shirone, they should have been found by now--

[RUDEUS retching]

[RUIJERD] What's wrong? Are you okay?

[RUDEUS] Yeah, I'm fine. Thanks.

Just some lingering seasickness from earlier.

[RUDEUS] Did that freak lead me to this eye just to show me

the future whenever the mood strikes?

[RUDEUS] I don't get it. I feel like I'm being used.

I'm not getting on another boat for the rest of my life.

[ERIS] I didn't know what to expect,

but this "rice" stuff is actually pretty tasty!

Give it a try, Rudeus, what are you waiting for?

Well. Thank you for this meal.

[ERIS] Shirone's capital is so amazing!

[RUDEUS] The Man-God told me to

write to "an acquaintance" at the castle.

Meaning Roxy, I guess?

Supposedly I can "save" Lilia and Aisha that way,

but if they're here in the city,

Roxy should have found them ages ago. Right?

Ooh, this is where your master lives now, isn't it?

Hey. So what's with the gloomy expression?

[RUDEUS] Well. I heard from a source

that some members of my family

may have been taken c*ptive somewhere in this kingdom.

[ERIS] Really?

[RUIJERD] Oh. Your mother?

[RUDEUS] No, Lilia and Aisha.

Our former maid and my little sister.

[ERIS] Your sister?

How'd she get carted all the way here from Millishion so fast?

That was Norn, my other sister.

Uh-huh.

Anyway, if you're up for it,

I'd really appreciate any help you can give me

with gathering more information about them.

Well, yeah.

If it's about your family, then we don't have a choice.

[RUDEUS] Thank you.

[RUDEUS] Thank god they didn't ask who my source was.

Let's hope it stays that way.

I don't like keeping secrets.

But until I figure out what that skinny, pale twerp is thinking,

I should be careful who I tell about them.

[RUDEUS] I'd like to send this to the royal palace, please.

[RUDEUS] There's one job down. Roxy's gonna be so surprised!

Hope she gets back to me soon.

What now?

[RUDEUS] If I trust the Man-God's advice

in its entirety, all I need to do to find Aisha is

find the alleyway from that vision, right?

But this city's so big.

And come to think of it, why was she being detained outside?

The Man-God made it sound like she was

being held c*ptive in the palace itself.

[RUDEUS] Who is that? Ruijerd?

No. He's great at tailing people. I'd never notice him.

And it's definitely not Eris.

If she wanted to come,

she wouldn't bother sneaking around about it.

So what the heck?

Does someone in Shirone have a grudge against me?

How could they? I literally just got here!

[RUDEUS] Wait. This alley is...

[gasps]

[AISHA] Huh? How'd he do that?

Hey! Stop it! No, give that back!

[SOLDIER A] You need to keep it down. I'm begging you.

[SOLDIER A] Please?

[AISHA] Give me back my letter!

[SOLDIER B] Come on.

[SOLDIER A] Apologies. We're only doing our jobs.

Uh. Sorry! This isn't what it looks like!

Okay. But you do realize that's kinda hard to believe.

[SOLDIER A] I hear ya, but listen, son.

He and I are soldiers from the Shirone palace garrison.

This little girl got lost wandering around,

and all we want to do is escort her home.

But you guys stole my letter! It's mine and I want it back!

Yeah, why would you need to do that

if you're just trying to get her home safely?

It's complicated, but adults have their reasons.

[SOLDIERS gasp]

Please! You'll help me out, won't you?

[SOLDIERS gasp]

Incantation-less magic! Is he?

[whistle blows]

Hand over the girl and don't do anything stupid.

We don't want anyone to get hurt.

Hold on tight, okay? I'm getting us out of here.

[SOLDIERS gasp]

[AISHA screams]

[AISHA] Oh, by the way, my name is Aisha Greyrat!

Thanks so much for saving me back there!

You have my sincerest gratitude!

[RUDEUS] Wow. She's so well-mannered.

How old is she now? Six?

So, um. Would you mind telling me what your name is, mister?

[RUDEUS] Oh! Uh.

There are some who know me as the Moonlight Knight!

Oh, wow! That's such an incredible name!

[AISHA] My apologies if this sounds ungrateful

after such a daring rescue,

but may I make a selfish request?

Go ahead.

My mother has been imprisoned in the castle,

so would you please help me send this letter

to my father to inform him?

[RUDEUS] I see. That's what that letter was.

Between that, her manners, and her vocabulary,

she's one clever girl.

[RUDEUS] I'm happy to help, but surely your mother

taught you that you need money to send off a letter.

Oh, no, she taught me that if a cute little girl like me

looks up with pleading eyes and

begs sweetly to send her father a letter,

then other people will happily take care of the rest!

[RUDEUS] Lilia, you scoundrel.

I've already tried to make contact with him

many times before but the people in the castle won't let me.

I'm really sorry to hear that.

But, uh, do you have anybody else you could count on to help?

Nobody.

What about, uh, a nice young lady with blue hair

who your mother might know?

Or maybe a cool older brother somewhere?

I do have a brother, but I can't count on him.

[RUDEUS] Excuse me?

Did I not just rescue you in the coolest way possible?

[RUDEUS] M-May I ask why not?

Yes, of course you may!

It all started out with a box in our home

that my mother treasured.

She said never touch or open it,

but when I asked why, she'd just say it was important

to my big brother and it had to stay safe.

But one day, when my mother was out of the house,

I snuck a peek.

And guess what I found in there?

Something totally appropriate?

It was panties!

My brother was completely devoted to

a pair of women's underwear

before he was even five years old!

And a small pair, too!

By my calculations, they must have

belonged to a girl of about .

[RUDEUS] "Calculations"? You're supposed to be six!

This kid's gonna be way too smart for her own good.

I dunno, it sounds like that could be

one big misunderstanding.

It's not, I was able to gather more information to verify.

My brother used to spy on that nice lady in the bathtub,

and on my father and his wife when they were in bed!

He was shameless.

Mother wants to cover it up to protect him,

but I am positive.

My older brother's definitely a pervert!

Okey-dokey, then, sounds like you got it all figured out.

That's really unfortunate.

[RUDEUS] Welp, didn't see that one coming.

But I guess that's why the Man-God told me to use an alias.

It's all coming together now. Dammit.

If it's okay,

I would love to know what your actual name is, Mister Knight!

That's a secret! But most people will know me as

the "Kennel Master" of the party Dead End.

Oh, wow.

A name like that has to have an incredible story behind it.

I would love to hear it!

Another time!

For now, how's about I go and rescue your mother, huh?

How are you gonna do that?

Don't you worry.

I got a couple tricks up my sleeve!

So leave everything to me.

I'll show you what this Kennel Master's made of!

[RUDEUS] Okay, so, whenever she's around,

please only refer to me as the "Kennel Master."

That's dumb, why would we do that?

Because she's kinda developed

a misguided impression about her big brother.

So if we're spending time together,

I wanna fix that by showing her my good side.

[sighs] I think every side of you

is your good side, but whatever.

Aw, Eris.

Ugh. What's with that creepy grin on your face

whenever I compliment you?

Welp, if we're gonna be heroes, let's go!

I haven't stormed a castle in ages.

[RUDEUS] Whoa! Hang on!

Why should we?

I'd just feel more secure if we waited

to hear from my master first. 'Kay?

[whines]

[RUDEUS] Gah, what a bunch of hotheads.

[GINGER] Pardon me!

[RUDEUS] Comin'!

[GINGER] Would you be Lord Rudeus?

[RUDEUS] I would.

I am a member of the seventh prince

of Shirone Kingdom's imperial guard.

My name is Ginger York.

Hey, it's a pleasure to make your acquaintance.

Now, Lord Rudeus, would you be kind enough

to accompany me to the royal palace?

Maybe? On what business?

Pardon me. Lady Roxy has summoned you.

Yes, absolutely, I'll be out in a second!

[RUDEUS] Glad that wasn't about Aisha.

What's goin' on?

[RUDEUS] I'm going out for a bit.

[ERIS] Sure are makin' a lotta effort.

I haven't seen my master in a while,

so I'm kinda nervous.

[gasps] You're gonna formally introduce me to her, right?

Yeah, of course I am!

I'll make it happen once everything else is settled.

[RUIJERD] Are you sure you're fine by yourself?

Oh please, you know me.

First sign of trouble, I'll fly right back to you two.

Will you look after Aisha?

Yeah, you got it!

Good luck and be safe out there, Rudeus!

Or don't?

[gasps]

[RUDEUS] So this is where she's been living.

[GINGER] Lady Roxy has told us all about

your knack for silent spellcasting.

I'm honored to finally meet her genius student.

[RUDEUS] She called me a genius?

She boasts about you quite often, as a matter of fact.

She said she felt she wasn't qualified

to teach someone of your caliber.

Uh, well, that's definitely an exaggeration.

[GINGER] This way, please.

Huh?

Okay.

[SOLDIERS] Thank you for your dedicated service.

[RUDEUS] Wait a sec.

You're the two guys from yesterday, right?

[GINGER] Excuse me. May I take your staff and bags?

Oh, yeah, thanks.

[RUDEUS] Eh, whatever. I should focus on Roxy for now.

I mean, I haven't seen her in seven years!

I have so much to tell her!

[GINGER] Lord Rudeus. Um.

[RUDEUS] Yes?

[GINGER] Never mind. It's nothing.

[GINGER] This is Ginger!

I have brought the young Lord Rudeus with me!

[PAX] Enter!

[RUDEUS] A man's voice? Don't tell me.

Well, now. So, this is "Rudeus."

[RUDEUS] You're kiddin' me.

Is this portly little pipsqueak her...?

[RUDEUS] L-Lilia? What is this?

Where's Roxy?

[PAX] Drop him, boys!

Ah, jeez. What the hell?

Not exactly a warm welcome.

[PAX laughs] It's futile!

That magic circle is a King-class barrier

I had created specifically to trap Roxy!

A child like you has no hope of breaking free!

And you would be?

I thought you'd never ask.

I'm Pax, seventh prince of Shirone,

and your worst nightmare!

Is this how the throne deals with minor offenses?

To each their own.

I'll formally apologize for yesterday, but first,

I would ask that you please call Roxy here.

I'm her former student and she can confirm--

[PAX] Roxy isn't here.

Huh?

[PAX] Roxy isn't here!

I'm going to use you as bait to lure her back home!

Your letter surprised me.

I never thought Roxy's lover

would dare show his face in my domain!

W-Wait, you think I'm her lover?

Aren't you?

[RUDEUS] Oh, thank god.

Sounds like I haven't been

cucked by this little creep after all.

That's something, at least.

Perish the thought, sir, that's incomprehensible!

I am but her humble and utterly unworthy apprentice!

Well, good enough!

Roxy never did shut up about her precious student,

so she'll definitely come running back.

And when she does, that'll be the end of her as a woman!

She'll live as my sex sl*ve to the end of her days!

She will birth my heirs!

Sorry to interrupt, but I do have one question.

About what? Oh, yes, of course!

I'll be sure to r*pe her the very first time

right before your eyes!

Then I'll pull out, lop off your head,

and go back for round two.

I can't wait to see you both weeping in despair!

That's great, but I didn't hear anything

about Lilia being held c*ptive until after I got here.

So then, with all due respect,

how is Roxy supposed to find out that you've captured me as well?

Idiot! Roxy is incredibly capable,

I'm sure she'll catch wind of it somehow!

[RUDEUS] Unless you put the word out yourself

or let us call for help,

I don't think anybody's coming.

Shut up! Don't act so smug!

After all, you turned up, didn't you?

I-- Well, that's because...

Meh, meh, meh, meh. I bet you think you're pretty tough

with your wordless magic,

but you don't stand a chance against my royal authority!

Ooh, I can't wait to see my Roxy again!

I hope she gets here soon!

This is gonna be so much fun!

[RUDEUS] What a moron.

[PAX] Gah. You incompetent boobs still haven't found Aisha yet?

[GINGER] The guards reported they destroyed

the letter she wrote. Need we pursue her further?

[PAX] Of course, you idiot! I want her back!

Don't you care what happens to your family?

[GINGER] I'll dispatch a search party at once.

[PAX] Good! Go! Dammit!

[RUDEUS] All right, think.

I did exactly what the Man-God said, right?

I met Aisha just like I did in the vision.

I used a fake name. I wrote to Roxy.

Was this all supposed to happen?

Or did I screw up somehow?