01x06 - The Lost Woods

[bunniefuu]

So these are the Lost Woods?

It's kind of

dreary, wouldn't you say?

Indeed. They're dark even in midday.

What would you say to burning

the entire place down?

You know we can't do that!

These woods are a fully inhabited ecosystem!

I-I didn't seriously mean it.

So it's deep within these woods, is it?

Yeah.

The Shield of Truth,

which only the Hero can wield

Beast Tamer

The Lost Woods

The Lost Woods

They say the Lost Woods

are in a state of constant, rapid growth.

I'll bet the map Arios's party made

is totally worthless now.

But we definitely have to

find the item within?

We definitely have to.

That's our current job, after all.

W

We're sorry.

You call that an apology?

You don't look sorry to me!

I think you'd better try to sound

a little more sincere!

W-We're sorry!

I still can't hear you!

We're sorry!

Should we forgive them?

Yeah.

I've gotten it out of my system.

I'd say we can put this behind us.

Agreed?

Very well.

I accept your request.

Now, let's get to the issue.

Apparently, the Shield of Truth

is in the possession of monsters

that dwell in the deepest depths

of the Lost Woods.

It's indispensable

for defeating the Demon King.

We must acquire it as swiftly as possible.

For me, the Hero.

The fate of the world is at stake.

I don't see how you could possibly refuse.

Is he attempting to order us around?

I bet he's not really sorry!

Hey, hold it, you two.

Let's take the job.

I said we'd take the job, but

Hey, are you really going to help that Hero?

I don't like this one bit!

I very much agree!

I don't need those fools' help!

I could defeat the Demon King all on my own!

I'm not saying that

because I'm worried about you, Rein!

Rein, are you sure you're okay with this?

Why did you just start rubbing our heads?!

S-Sorry, I wasn't thinking!

Th-That's okay

I was happy to see you guys

get mad on my behalf.

Rein

But I think we need to help Arios.

He's the only one

who can defeat the Demon King.

Sorry to drag you along

with this unpleasantness, though.

I've come this far with you, after all.

You're too kind for your own good,

so it's my duty to look after you.

Yeah, yeah!

I like seeing you stay true to yourself!

Thanks, Kanade, Tania.

In that case, let's get in and out!

But we need to first identify a strategy.

We can't use the map, can we?

I'd rather not just stumble

our way around, either

Let's change our approach.

I'll assimilate with a bird, like before.

I can get the lay of the forest from above.

You two look after my body

and keep your eyes on our surroundings.

Okay!

Okay, be back soon!

Take care!

Sure!

It sure is a big forest

But although it's hidden,

I can just make out a path.

I should be able to find a route

to its deepest point.

I'm back!

Welcome back, Rein!

Well? Did you find a path?

Yeah, it went perfectly!

Hooray!

Then, let's get going!

Wait, you!

You don't know the way, Kanade!

Oh, that's right!

We've been walking for some time now

How much longer, Rein?

That stone

We set it there to mark

the way back, didn't we?

Y-Yeah

We're back at square one.

Seems so.

Y-You think we picked the wrong path?

That seems unlikely.

I shared the information I gathered

from above with the other birds.

Even if I got it wrong,

there's no way they all did.

I think we followed the right path, as well.

I think there's something more

to these woods.

Allow me to investigate, would you?

Material Search.

Wh What are these lights?

This way.

I found it.

This tree is emitting illusionary magic.

That's the reason we lost our way.

I-Illusionary magic?

Yes.

It establishes an expansive magical field

that permeates the target's brain.

Then by exposing the audiovisual processing

center of the brain to its influence

In other words,

a spell has been cast on us that prevents us

from doing anything but walking in circles.

Though the scale of it suggests

it's more of a barrier than a spell.

I see

Now then, Kanade.

Break down this tree, would you?

How come?

Venting frustrations?

Certainly not!

Just who do you think I am?!

Please don't fight!

The tree is projecting the barrier.

Eliminating it should allow us

to make progress.

Oh, got it!

Er, Tania

Yes?

Can't you just take down the barrier?

Without destroying the tree

It's quite powerful.

I could do it, but it may take a long time.

I see.

If we're too late,

that Hero will make fun of Rein!

I won't let it happen!

Rein, let me do it!

Wait, Kanade—

Leave this place.

Wh-What was that voice?!

Leave this place. Leave this place.

Leave this place.

Leave this place.

Leave this place.

It can't be

A fairy.

One of the ultimate species

like Kanade and Tania.

Spellcasting specialists with magic power

even greater than dragonoids!

But humans haven't seen a fairy

in two hundred years.

As denizens of the mountains and forests,

they viewed humans, who harvested the forests

for resources, as their mortal enemies.

Soon, conflict sprang up

between the two groups,

and the fairies retreated to the hinterlands

where humans couldn't reach them.

Because of that, fairies hold humans

in a great deal of contempt.

U-Um

Hello—

Leave this place.

Um I was hoping to talk—

Leave this place.

I'm Rein. These are my comrades

Leave this place.

There's actually something

we have to do in this—

Leave this place.

If you won't leave this place

I'll remove you from it.

W-We'll come back later!

Very well!

Sh-She didn't pursue us?

No, I think we're safe.

What a shock!

What in the world was that?

Just threatening us

out of the blue like that

Aren't fairies supposed to be

a warm and welcoming species?

Yeah

It's unusual that she even

showed herself like that.

It would be one thing

if it were just the two of you,

but with a human like me there?

She'd never usually show herself.

Are you suggesting

there's something more at play?

Yeah.

I think it's because we got

close to the barrier.

Indeed, she revealed herself

when Kanade tried to break it

Because you said it was

the only way to move on!

Huh?

Didn't you say there's a monster

with the Shield of Truth inside that barrier?

But when I tried to break the barrier,

that girl came out and

It does seem strange.

Would she really cooperate with monsters

out of sheer hatred of humans?

Well, her motives aside

We're in quite a hurry, aren't we?

I believe we should take down

the barrier and proceed.

She caught us by surprise before,

but I can keep her spellcasting at bay.

While I do, Kanade, you destroy the tree.

I see!

Then we won't actually harm her.

You can agree to that, can't you?

Well I'd really rather

talk to her one more time.

You can't!

She clearly had no interest in talking!

Yeah! It's not safe!

I'd rather avoid use of force if possible

Besides, we were kind of defensive

back there ourselves, weren't we?

If we approach without hostility,

I think we can work it all out.

Rein is just

Truly

too kind for his own good!

Leave this place.

We're not your enemies.

We want to talk to you.

Leave this place.

We aren't here to disrupt the forest.

We just have business inside!

If you won't leave this place

Go on and attack me if you want.

If that will build trust between us,

I'll accept that.

But please don't hurt these two behind me.

Hey, wait!

Really? In that case

I will purge you now.

Rein!

It's okay.

I can endure one attack.

But I won't give up, no matter what.

I'm a beast tamer.

I've been through countless situations

where I couldn't communicate with words.

And yet

If you engage in good faith,

your feelings will get through.

I know that.

Illusion Arrow!

Why won't you run away?

Don't you remember?

All I want to do is talk!

You let my attack hit you,

merely to earn my trust?

I do not understand.

Are you truly human?

Like those who stole, defiled,

and trampled on our lands?

I am.

But we're not all like that.

There are plenty of good humans out there.

I can't promise you that I'm one of them,

but I do hope you'll trust me.

I I

I shall not be deceived!

You two Why?!

We couldn't just stand back and watch!

Even if you told us to leave it to you,

we were still worried!

Yes, you went too far.

You clearly weren't getting through!

Listen to me!

Rein really isn't a bad person!

He saved me when I was in trouble.

And he helped the people

in the city, and, um

Precisely! I, as a dragonoid,

vouch for him, as well.

Remember? Rein was against

destroying the forest from the start!

Yeah!

When Tania wanted to burn

the place down, he got really mad!

I-I wasn't serious about that!

But when you attempted to destroy

the tree, Rein stopped you!

You're the one who told me to!

But you still wanted to do it, correct?

But it was still your idea!

This is no time to fight, you two!

What a curious human.

A curious cat spirit and dragonoid, as well

Never before have I met

creatures like yourselves.

What is your name?

Rein Shroud.

I am Sora.

I will hear what you have to say.

I see.

You seek the Shield of Truth

in that Hero's stead.

Is this correct?

Yeah.

But the barrier's holding us back.

It was I who erected the barrier.

Would you be willing

to take it down to let us—

I cannot.

The barrier severs the path

to the fairies' village.

I must not expose my comrades to danger.

It sounds to me like you're

covering for a monster.

I am not.

There is no monster in this forest

which holds the Shield of Truth.

All that exists in its depths

is the path to the fairies' village.

It is the fairies who protect

the Shield of Truth.

Really?!

Huh? But what about the monster?

I'm sure someone fed bad intelligence

to that ridiculous Hero.

If it is necessary to vanquish

the Demon King, I shall give it to you.

Allow me a moment.

Take it.

A-Are you sure about this?

I am.

Though I may despise humans,

my hatred for monsters runs deeper.

Th-That seemed a little too easy

We did it, though!

Is there anything I can do to thank you?

No need, I'm sure.

To pass along the Shield of Truth

was an ancient pact made between

the fairies and the previous Hero.

I merely upheld that pact.

R-Really?

Yes. I deserve no gratitude.

She says you don't need to thank her,

so I'm sure it's fine!

Well, that's one job complete!

Let's get back to the city and hand it over!

Y-Yeah, sure thing.

Thanks, Sora.

Now that your business is done,

leave this place.

R-Right

Rein, Rein!

Can I have a better look at that shield?

Sure thing!

Just don't break it.

I won't!

What's the matter?

Hey, Sora

There's something bothering you, isn't there?

I can't say why. It's just a feeling I got.

Even if it's a small thing,

I'm happy to listen.

And you did fetch us

the Shield of Truth, so

there's a chance I could help you.

Well the truth is

I I

No, I must not reveal it.

If I reveal the truth

he'll likely aid me

and they could all be hurt.

No it's nothing.

I don't mind.

Even if it's dangerous, I don't mind.

If you're in trouble, I want to help.

Won't you let me?

B-But

That's just the kind of guy he is.

He's so excessively kind

that it's frankly disgusting.

He simply won't accept "no" for an answer.

Well? Why not give us a chance?

Wh—

I think you should do it, too!

Don't worry!

We're a lot stronger than we look!

I really think we could help you!

Then

having deemed you worthy

of my trust, I shall reveal all.

I have a younger twin sister.

Her name is Runa.

Her personality is the opposite of mine,

yet we remain close.

She is precious to me.

In truth, there is more than one path

to the fairies' village.

There are many, found all over the world.

Together, Runa and I maintained

the barrier within the Lost Woods.

It was, in truth, dull work.

But in Runa's company,

there was much joy to be found.

But

That day, we were obliged to leave

the barrier for a time, for certain reasons.

And there

we encountered a monster

working for the Demon King's army.

We swiftly attempted

to return from whence we came,

but it pursued, and we were

forced to fight back.

However, we failed to defeat it.

And then

Runa was captured.

A monster even fairies couldn't beat?

The monster's name was Shadow Knight.

I see that explains it.

Wh-What do you mean?

A Shadow Knight is a C-rank monster,

so it shouldn't be able

to beat an ultimate species.

But it does have one tricky characteristic.

It nullifies all magic attacks.

In other words, only physical attacks

can hurt a Shadow Knight.

Meanwhile, fairies specialize

exclusively in magic.

It was a bad match-up for them.

I was wondering what could

possibly beat two fairies.

That does explain it.

Yes.

The Shadow Knight's aim was to eliminate

the ultimate species that might oppose them.

It ordered me to lower the barrier

in exchange for Runa's release.

But I refused to place

my other comrades in danger.

Powerless to save her alone,

I entreated our village's leader for aid.

But he encouraged me, instead,

to abandon her.

"We must celebrate the fact that

the others are safely within the barrier."

"It was you two who erred

by leaving the barrier's safety."

"You must accept

the consequences of your actions."

That's awful

Unacceptable!

I understand our leader's reasoning.

He prioritizes the lives

of all fairies over that of my sister.

I understand that and yet

And yet I

I am unable to simply abandon my sister.

You've been working so hard.

You've been enduring all that pain alone.

But you can rest easy now.

I make you this promise.

We will save your sister.

We won't expose your people to danger.

And we will defeat the Shadow Knight.

All of it.

We'll grant all of it, together.

The c*ptive Fairy