01x08 - The Villainess and the Return

[bunniefuu]

[GILL]

Alicia!

[GILL]

Alicia!

-Uh!

-[gasps]

[ALICIA]

Hello?

♪

You're so tall now, Gill.

Uh

I wasn't sure that it was you.

Yeah, it's me.

[ALICIA]

Is something wrong?

Um, it's just

It's been so long

since I've seen you,

guess I'm at a loss for words.

I know what you mean, really.

There's so much to say.

Huh!

But first,

we're heading to Roana!

Oh, we're

Huh?

Hey, are you really sure

you don't want

to go back home first?

I know everybody there

would love to see

that you're all right.

I have to get to the village

as soon as I can.

Well, the way

the village is now,

it should be okay to visit

in the middle of the day

like this.

Why are you

in such a hurry though?

I finally learned

what I needed to.

Huh?

[ALICIA] And I haven't seen

Roana in two years!

♪

[water trickling]

[indistinct chatter]

I'm impressed,

it's changed a lot.

And for the better.

Rebecca's been

rallying the villagers,

and they've all worked

really hard

to make Roana

a nice place to live.

There's a completely

different feel in the air

from my last visit.

-[NATE] So, you're Alicia?

-Huh?

[GILL]

Hi, Nate.

This guy's basically

a guard for the village.

And you're familiar with me?

Yeah.

Rebecca talks highly of you.

You're the reason this village

got so much better, aren't you?

[NATE] I didn't have to watch

any of these kids

starve to death this year.

I'm grateful to you for that.

But still, I'll be frank,

I don't have any reason

to count on you.

Oh, that's fine.

I'd be more concerned

if you just blindly

trusted me anyway.

No one has heard a peep

from you in years

and now you act

like you never ran off?

What are you really after?

[NATE] Are you here to play

some sick power game

with Rebecca and everyone else?

Hold on!

No need to jump to conclusions.

I told you why she was away.

[ALICIA] It's quite all right,

I understand.

Why not draw your sword?

Let's see what you've got.

Huh, I don't see

what that'll change.

Look, the reason

you can't trust me

is because you don't

know me well enough,

isn't that correct?

And for that matter,

I don't know

anything about you.

Fighting's the best way

to get a sense of each other.

I wouldn't sink so low

as to take up arms against

a weak-looking girl like you.

You sure?

If you're not confident

in your skills,

we can compete in whatever way

makes you feel comfortable.

Don't you mock me.

And don't run off crying

when you get hurt!

[swords clanking]

Wow.

Any idea what's gotten

everyone so worked up?

Huh?

Hey, what's going on

over there?

[swords clanking]

[thuds]

[gasps]

Hey, Alicia!

He was just saying

he had no reason to trust me.

I'd say strength's

a pretty good reason,

-wouldn't you?

-Unbelievable.

Nate's never lost to anyone!

It must've been magic then!

Obviously, that b*tch

had to cheat to win!

-[NATE] Shut up!

-[all gasp]

Her talent with a sword

is the real deal.

She didn't have

to use any magic.

[sword slides]

Allow me to enlighten you

on the real reason I won.

You see, I was blessed to be

the daughter of a nobleman.

[NATE]

What?

[ALICIA] Everything I need

in life is provided for me,

so I can spend all day

training without a care.

[ALICIA] My older brothers

are skilled swordsmen,

so they taught me

all their moves.

Had you had the chance

to learn swordsmanship

in the same circumstances

as I did,

I doubt I would've been

much of a match for you.

Are you trying to pick a fight?

What does any of this matter?

What I'm saying is you should

take advantage of me.

If you think my generosity

to be an act,

why not take me

for all you can?

Show Rebecca you have

that much backbone.

She's important to you,

isn't she?

[gasps]

Goodness, Alicia!

[Alicia chuckles]

[WILL]

My, my.

[Alicia gasps]

I see you're still as reckless

as you've always been,

my dear Alicia.

Grandpa Will!

[Will chuckles]

[chuckles]

It's been such a long time.

I did italone.

I acquired dark magic

all the way up to level 91!

Wow, well that is

quite an achievement.

I just finished.

-That's why I'm here today.

-Hm?

Ra, ra, rah.

Vatahk des sikzhar.

Vamiitah.

Fahvendon.

Zeila.

[gasps] That's the ancient

language of Durkis!

[ALICIA] The door to darkness

is now open.

Spun, fastened, connected,

the contract is now forged

in the name of Alicia Williams.

[WILL]

Please don't do this, Alicia.

[ALICIA]

Anfang.

Finistenis!

What happened to them?

What the hell?

♪

[Will whimpering]

A spell that transplants

a part of my body to another's.

[gasps]

[all gasp]

[gasps]

Huh!

My goodness, I can see.

Uh! Oh, no, Alicia,

do you have any idea

what you've just done?

Yes.

I gave you one of my eyes,

so you can see again.

-I never asked you to do that.

-Of course, you didn't.

You'd never ask someone

to give up their eye.

But I really wanted

you to be able to see me.

Is that so wrong?

I worked day and night

to learn that spell.

I'm sure you did.

Grandpa.

Ah, Gill!

So, that's what

your face looks like!

Uh-huh!

Huh!

Wow,

I can see all the villagers'

faces so clearly.

Feel free to flatter me

for being so determined.

It wasn't easy at all.

I had to learn

the ancient language for it.

Of course, and you know what,

you're a right

and proper villainess now.

[birds chirping]

Does it hurt

where your eye used to be?

Nah,

it feels a bit strange,

but it doesn't

seem to hurt, exactly.

Magic sure is something.

Right.

Everyone's going to be upset

when they see

you've lost an eye,

but you can't

blame them for that.

Your father especially.

All he's done

is worry about you

over the last two years.

He does tend to be quite

overprotective, doesn't he?

I hope he doesn't

start crying all over me.

[gasps]

[thuds]

[ALICIA]

Father?

No.

My beautiful daughter.

My little girl.

[ALICIA] Oh, man, this is way

worse than crying.

You're only 15 years old

and you're wearing an eyepatch?

Did you have some kind

of accident in that shack?

I wasn't in an accident.

It was my own choice.

Someone else needed an eye,

so I donated mine.

[whimpering]

[gasps]

[thuds]

[ALICIA]

Not again!

[ARNOLD] I knew

you were a stubborn child

who'd do

whatever she wanted in life,

but I never imagined

you'd come home missing an eye.

Sorry, I'm not

the perfect little rich girl.

I realize that makes me

a disappointment to you.

Could you see my side for once?

I know

I'm not a dutiful daughter,

but you taught me this.

I should always follow my heart

and fight for what's right.

I'll never compromise on that.

[sighs]

I won't back down either

and I really don't care

how much it might annoy you.

It is my job as a father

to worry about you.

Some things never change.

I understand.

So then, I hear you finally

reached level 91,

congratulations.

You worked diligently

these past two years

and I am a man of my word.

I'll allow you to carry on

as Liz Cather's watcher

if you like.

[chuckles]

[birds chirping]

[GILL]

Here, for you.

Huh?

What is it?

I thought you should

cover your eye in style

so, I made you this eyepatch.

You certainly are crafty, huh?

Wow, now that I have this,

I think I'm inspired

to come up with an outfit

-that'll look good with it.

-Oh, a new dress?

What for?

Come on, that's obvious.

I haven't been at school

for two whole years.

I want to look chic

as a returning villainess,

you know.

♪

[ANNA]

Wait, is she

Can she even come back

after all this time?

That's Alicia Williams?

[chuckles]

And good day to you, too.

Did you ladies miss me?

[REBECCA] It's

your favorite savior again!

Oh, I get to

continue from last week?

How stran

[JANE] If Miss Liz

and I were to marry,

which one of us would fill

the role of husband?

That'd be me, of course!

[footsteps approaching]

[indistinct chatter]

[GILL]

So, um,

you're attracting

a lot of attention.

[chuckles]

That's exactly what I want.

Seeing a villainess

upon her return,

well, that should have

a powerful effect on any crowd.

[JANE]

Miss Alicia.

-Huh?

-Oh.

♪

[JANE]

I was under the impression

that you wouldn't be

coming back to school.

Huh?

And who are you?

[JANE]

Hmph,

I have no business

with a commoner.

I have no idea

why you could possibly be here

but don't you think

it'd be best for everyone

if you left

this campus immediately?

I'm coming back

to attend the academy

as of next week.

I'm simply here

to pay my respects today.

Let me guess.

You're an enthusiastic friend

to Liz, aren't you?

[JANE] Well, well,

I'm impressed you knew that.

[ALICIA] She obviously

feels hostility toward me.

It only makes sense to assume

she's one of the fangirls

that follows Liz everywhere.

Some advice.

It appears that

you have arrogantly

designated my friend

as your rival.

But I think

you would be well served

to recognize

your own shallowness

before you embarrass

yourself any further.

Oh, my word!

And what is it about me

that you've deemed so shallow?

Oh, that garish outfit

you're wearing

tells me exactly who you are.

You are nothing like Miss Liz.

And why the hell would anybody

want to be like Liz Cather?

[JANE]

You know, Miss Liz

never prioritizes

outer appearances.

She looks at who everyone is

on the inside

without prejudice.

So, you're truly

no match for her.

What's inside is more important

than the outside.

An admirable statement

befitting of Liz.

If only that were the case.

But the truth is

most people judge others

based on how they look.

[ALICIA] Why, you yourself

just criticized me

based on my appearance,

did you not?

What, no, it's not like that.

You were revealing yourself

to be the nasty mean girl

that you really are.

[chuckles]

Look at you.

Your hair is a mess

and full of split ends.

[gasps]

[ALICIA] And wearing

your skirt at that length

makes your legs look

short and stubby.

Your ribbon's

all crooked, as well.

How pathetic.

It's like you can't hide

how slovenly you really are

deep down inside.

[JANE] [gasps] How dare you

say something like that?

I'm not the kind of person

who has to primp in front

of the mirror all the time.

Besides,

Miss Liz has always told me

that I'm beautiful

just the way I am.

Ah, so no need to try, huh?

Why do you push

all your hair forward

so that it covers

your eyes like a veil?

Are you trying

to hide behind it?

"Just the way you are?"

[ALICIA] Did she tell you

your freckles made your eyes

-stand out or something?

-[whimpering]

[JANE]

What a b*tch.

[LIZ]

Jane?

Is something wrong?

-Oh, good, Miss Liz!

Hmm.

Is that Alicia?

[chuckles softly]

This girl.

She was berating me

for my appearance!

It was awful!

No, you are

a very beautiful girl.

I can assure you

that's the truth.

How nice to see you again.

It's been a while.

It's been a whole two years,

hasn't it?

There's a lot

we should catch up on,

but for now,

can you please tell me

what happened

between you and Jane?

Why ask her?

Don't you believe

I'm telling you the truth,

Miss Liz?

Yes, of course.

But I haven't had

a chance to hear

Alicia's side of the story yet.

It went exactly

as she said it did.

I simply pointed out

how unkempt she looks today.

You know that

I'm a villainess, don't you?

I've been up front about that.

That doesn't matter.

And even if you are,

it wouldn't be a reason

not to believe

your version of events.

I like to look in one's eyes

before passing judgment.

Hmm.

I still think of that day,

two years ago.

[LIZ] I had no clue

what was going on

and I stopped you

because I thought

it was the right thing to do.

You stopped coming

to the academy after that,

didn't you?

I missed you.

If I made more of an attempt

to meet you halfway.

Oh, please.

I didn't stop coming to school

because I got

my feelings hurt by you.

[chuckles]

I don't need you to pity me.

[LIZ]

It's not about sympathy.

I regret what happened!

It may merely be an excuse

but I knew in my heart

at the time

you would be okay

when all was said and done.

-Huh?

-I did.

Because I truly believed

that I would save you.

I had made up my mind

I was going to.

Please hear me out.

I've been a very lucky girl

my entire life.

Whatever I believed in

always seemed to come true

and that made

everyone around me so happy.

[LIZ'S MOM]

Thank you so much, Liz!

[VILLAGER 2]

Thanks, sweet child!

[FEMALE STUDENT]

Thank you so much, Miss Liz!

[indistinct chatter]

[LIZ] I'm certain

that my calling in life

is to make people feel

loved and joyful.

[ALICIA]

That's a rather arrogant thing

for her to say out loud.

Is it possible she's realized

she's the heroine of the story?

[LIZ]

I hope to become

someone who can save

everyone one day.

Of course, that means

you, too, Alicia!

I can promise this

with my whole heart.

You'll have a happy ending

as long as you believe in me.

Wow, hear that?

We should all

believe in Miss Liz!

[indistinct chatter]

[grunts]

This is really dumb.

-Huh?!

-You know,

just because everything has

worked out for you in the past,

doesn't guarantee

it will in the future.

Well, I suppose that's true.

[ALICIA]

Besides,

admit it,

you truly hate me, don't you?

[Liz gasps]

[ALICIA]

Two years ago,

when you saw me

facing off with that ruffian,

you immediately stopped me

and only me.

Given your talents,

I'm sure you were capable

of restraining us both at once.

[LIZ]

What, no!

That was most certainly

malicious, wasn't it?

Honestly, I was surprised.

[gasps]

Don't say that. It's not true.

The Saintess wouldn't harbor

such ugly feelings!

♪

Oh, wow, Miss Liz.

What did you just

call yourself?

[ALICIA] Does she know

what she is now?

Why don't you tell the truth?

You'll only be satisfied

if I'm the bad guy.

-[ALICIA] Not at all.

-What?

But if you're going to be

"the good girl,"

then you should commit to it.

[ALICIA] You just said

what people wanted to hear

and you never took

any kind of real action,

but everything fell into place

and you got your happy ending.

That's always irritated me

more than it should've.

If everything simply

works out for you

all of the time,

have you tested your abilities

and how far

you can push yourself?

You said you want

to save everyone someday,

but have you made

any plans for how?

Wellnot yet?

[ALICIA] If you're going

to preach your ideals,

then at least

try to actualize them.

[whimpering]

Miss Liz, are you all right?

Is there any way I can help?

Alicia Williams,

what have you done to Miss Liz?

I merely made it clear to her

that I'm not desperate

to be saved

by her or anyone else.

Rather than stay alive

by her kindness,

my duty is

to stay true to myself,

even if that means I have

to die hated by everyone.

[ALICIA]

Now, good day to you.

[footsteps receding]

[MEL]

Hey, Master.

[DUKE]

Yes, Mel?

Have something to report?

[MEL]

Well, you see,

things are playing out in a way

I didn't quite expect.

Listen up, and try

not to pass out, 'kay?

[scribbling]

♪

You impressed me.

Judging by your results,

first year classes

would bore you,

so I'll be placing you

in senior classes instead.

Thank you, Mr. John,

I really appreciate it!

[JOHN] You have learned well,

indeed, both of you.

Yes, you

and your attendant here.

Wow, thank you so much!

Hmm.

After seeing these results,

I can't believe you're eleven.

As expected

from the Williams household,

you must have some fine tutors.

Well, he's mostly

studied independently.

[JOHN] [gasps]

Is that so?

-[Gill chuckles nervously]

-Yes,

he's been quite motivated

to learn all he can on his own.

He has so much potential.

Well, if that's the case,

then it's a crying shame

he's merely a commoner.

He could have achieved so much

if he'd only been born a noble.

Hmm.

Well, that's about it.

The classes in

the highest grade here

are extremely advanced.

Feel free to come talk to me

if you ever have any trouble.

[footsteps approaching]

[GILL]

Hey, Alicia,

I guess it's true

that there are limits

to what commoners can do,

after all?

Correct, that is the current

system we live under.

♪

This kingdom's an aristocracy.

Since commoners

can't use magic,

they're often

turned away on sight

from any educational

or career opportunities.

And it's not as if all jobs

require magic, either.

The system's a joke!

Well, I guess

just being a noble

in and of itself guarantees

that you've received

a good education, right?

So, maybe that's why

no one feels like

taking a chance on hiring

someone who isn't a noble?

That's the exact problem

though.

We'd need to dismantle

the aristocracy itself.

[both gasp]

[ALICIA]

What's all this?

♪

[ALICIA]

Prince Duke?

Huh!

[ALICIA]

Wait a sec. Is he mad?

Huh!

What is this eyepatch

all about?

[ALICIA]

Ow!

Is that how you greet me

after two whole years?

I'd thank you not to magically

appear out of nowhere

and start interrogating me!

I heard you gave your eye

to someone else.

Why would you do that?

This matter is

of no concern to you.

No concern to me?

Do you have any idea

how much I've sacrificed

to keep watch over you

all these years?

[ALICIA]

Is Prince Duke angry with me?

Or is he actually sad?

I should say something,

but I don't know what!

[DUKE]

You've been trying to fulfill

your fantasy

of being a villainess

since you were young.

Just tell me,

is that what you truly want?

[DUKE]

If it is

♪

Stop.

That's a bit much.

[gasps]

I don't remember

ever once asking you

to keep watch over me!

Don't force your will on me!

[ALICIA]

No, this isn't right.

That's not

what I want to say to him!

[whimpering]

Uh

Apologies.

I should go cool my head.

[footstep receding]

[ALICIA]

I messed that up.

That was

out of character for you.

Tell me what's wrong.

Huh?!

I felt like

I had to say something.

[ALICIA] I mean, that's pretty

villainess-y, isn't it?

Making an enemy of the prince?

I really stepped up

my game, huh?

I'm leveling up!

Is that what your idea

of a villainess is?

If it is, that's lame.

[ALICIA] It feels good

to argue with your opponents

and spit vitriol back at them.

But

to trample all over

the heart of someone

who genuinely

cares for you is different.

That's what I just did,

I can't believe it.

I'm truly a terrible person.

[ALICIA] But when he looks

at me with those eyes,

my mind goes blank,

and it feels like

my blood's about to boil.

[ALICIA] I never wanted to see

that sad look in his eyes.

Why do I always

screw up in front of him?

♪

That's one awkward villainess,

huh?