01x09 - Dad Gets Trapped

[bunniefuu]

The academy is currently on summer break.

However, I, Anna, and Miss Grace
are at school right now.

We are currently heading
to the treasure vault in the basement,

where many passed-down weapons
and magic tools are being kept.

The barrier that is put up
to protect that vault

is at its weakest during the night
of the full moon during summer break.

We the student council are here
to inspect and maintain it.

But can we do such an important task
with just ourselves?

Don't worry. As long as we follow
our senior's guidance,

there will be no problem.

You're right, Miss Grace!

All our seniors are
incredibly talented people, after all.

The lights are on...

Oh, everyone is already here.

Excuse us.

Oh, you're finally here.

Wait, Lucas, don't! That's...

Huh?

♪I can never avoid role playing
no matter how much time passes♪

♪I'm a cog in the machine
from morning to night♪

♪All systems nominal♪

♪1.2.3.4.5.6.7.8.9♪

♪There are nothing but villagers
everywhere I look♪

♪While people wish upon a star♪

♪God snickers to himself♪

♪Nonsense♪

♪Decide for yourself what to believe in♪

♪Don't let loud voices fool you♪

♪Not everything in the world is just♪

♪Sometimes we have to choke back tears♪

♪Ah, you've made your choices in life♪

♪To sing of the things that you love♪

♪Ah, I'm sure that your voice♪

♪Is my shining beacon♪

(From Bureaucrat to Villainess:
Dad's Been Reincarnated!)

(Episode 9: The Old Man Gets Trapped)

(Episode 9: The Old Man Gets Trapped)
Where did everyone go?

(Episode 9: The Old Man Gets Trapped)

Weren't they just here in this room?

Miss Grace, it's probably because of this.

I couldn't see it clearly
because of all the light,

but I think I saw them getting absorbed
inside this box-like thing.

Box?

No matter how you look at it, that thing
is definitely that puzzle cube...

I-I see. By the way, have you
seen this thing before, Anna?

No, this is the first time
I ever saw this.

So puzzle cubes don't exist
in this world. That means...

There's no mistaking it,
it's some sort of a magic tool.

We should call the teachers first.

Yes, Miss Grace!

Wh-what is going on?

Miss Grace, the door!

I see, this is definitely magic.

It must be the work of that box.

So this is a magic tool that creates
strange places like this?

It might be some form of advanced
earth magic that manipulates space.

But what for?

Wait, the colors are all over the place.

I thought they were all matched just now.

(Clack, clack, clack)

(Clack, clack, clack)
That thing can rotate vertically and
horizontally? It really is a magic tool.

(Clack, clack, clack)
Y-yes. Let's try matching all
the colors on one side for now.

(Clack, clack, clack)
Match them?

Prince Virgile?

Thank you, Grace.

Yes, I'm glad you're all right.

Umm, do you know something
about this box, Your Highness?

This is a magic tool that has been
passed down since long ago.

It's called the Labyrinth of Trials.

Normally it would've been sealed
with a strong barrier,

but as you know, the barrier
gets weak just for this day.

I've been wanting to put my hand on this!

Now I can make the colors match.

Oh, you're finally here.

Wait, Lucas, don't! That's...

A very Prince Lucas-like thing to do.

So that was what activated
this Labyrinth of Trials tool?

Then there must be a way
to deactivate it as well.

Yes, we should first find it...

What is that?!

Something is written on it.

I'll check it. Stay behind, you two.

Be careful, Your Highness.

It says, "Flood above, great fire below."

Huh?

Wh-what does that mean?

Huh?

I don't know. Flood? Great fire?
Is it some sort of prophecy?

Really?

I-I see, there is no concept
of riddles in this world.

Still, this is very cliche.

I-I believe this is some sort of a riddle.

Riddle?

Yes, and perhaps this vessel
is a clue for the answer.

And if this trial is passed down
in the magic academy...

Orion!

Then perhaps it must be
answered using magic?

(Mass)

(Mass)
Water Mass!

(Mass)

Orion, switch attribute!

Fireball!

(Ball)

"Flood above, great fire below."
The answer...

...is a bath!

I-I see!

Amazing as always, Miss Grace!

Not only did you
immediately solve the riddle,

you actually used both water
and fire magic as part of the answer!

You're the only one
who can do that, Miss Grace!

You actually used both water
and fire magic as part of the answer!

Hmmm?

You need two different attributes
of magic to answer the riddle.

That means this riddle would normally
need at least two people to solve...

Oh no! This is probably an event

where Anna and one of the romance options
have to work together to solve it!

Miss Grace, the exit appeared! Let's go!

Y-yes, of course...

Is this a basement?

- Your Highness?!
- He went inside the box again?!

The colors are mixed up again...

Does that mean it will reset
every time we complete a trial?

I guess this event would have the player
clear trials with someone from the box

in order to raise Anna's affinity
with that character.

Problem is, I can only solve one
or two sides of this puzzle cube at most.

(Had one as a kid, )
Problem is, I can only solve one
or two sides of this puzzle cube at most.

(but it was an easily broken imitation)

(Clack, clack, clack)
Anyway, I'll try matching one side for now.

(Clack, clack, clack)
Let's try a different color for now.

Lambert!

Thank you for letting me out,
Miss Grace.

I saw the situation from inside the box.

Push.

That means...

(Sharp)

(Sharp)
We only need to clear the trials
in this labyrinth, right?

(Sharp)
Leave it to me, I'm good at battle of wits.

I'm glad we can depend on you.

This seems to be the next trial.

"Four legs in the morning,
two legs at noon, three legs at night."

"Show its form on top of the stones."

Well that's a classic riddle.
The answer is human.

But what does it mean to show
its form on top of the stones?

Something that changes its number
of legs depending on the time of day?

Is it some type of monster?

Their culture is too different!

N-no, of course they won't get it.

I should let Lambert solve this
to raise his affinity with Anna.

I-if I have to guess,

when it says morning, noon, and night,

maybe it implies something
other than the time of day?

Implies...?

Then mornings could mean sunrise,
waking up early, the beginning of the day...

If morning means the beginning
and night means the end,

and one day means one whole life,

(Morning, noon, night)
and one day means one whole life,

(Morning, noon, night)
then it's talking about human, isn't it?!

(Morning, noon, night)
T-that's the protagonist for you!
She sure is smart!

I see! Then, by showing it
on top of the stones, that means...

There are 4-2-3 holes on the floor,
and there are stones piled next to it!

I see! I know the answer!

Arise, Zuben El Genubi!

Control the stones with earth magic...

Close the holes and create pedestals!

That magic is nice and all,

but since his Beast is a sphinx,
I'd rather it solve the whole trial.

I see, then all that's left

is to stand on top of the stones
according to the number of legs!

Then Miss Grace
would have to be on all four!

I will never let that happen!

I will do the four legs morning part!

I've made a cane using the stones.

Miss Anna, please do
the three legs evening part.

Then the one with the four legs...

(Bam)

(Bam)
Leave this to me!

L-Lambert!

Four legs in the morning!

Two legs at noon!

Three legs at night!

The answer is human!

(Kaboom)
The answer is human!

(Kaboom)

The door to the next room
opened, Miss Grace!

Indeed. Let us proceed.

Before that, I want to say one thing.

Lambert, you are indeed a true noble.

I simply can't let a lady
crawl on the floor. That is all.

Still, I am glad to be of help.

Please call me again in the next room.

Nah, we will ask someone else
for the next room.

Aww, come on.

(Labyrinth of Trials 3)
Labyrinth of Trials...

So it became an actual in-game event
during the summer break.

Normally, it's just a minigame
that randomly raises affinity.

To clear it, you need to finish twelve
trials, or get all six sides to match.

But the puzzle cube was so much pain
in the a*s, so barely anyone does it.

(Labyrinth of Trials 3)
But if Dad keeps completing the trials,

it'll just end up raising Anna
and everyone else's affinity for Dad!

(Labyrinth of Trials 3)
I have to hurry up and find a way
to match all six sides!

For this trial, we can create an ice lens
using water magic on that ring,

and light a fire by focusing the sunlight.

(Sun, lens, torch)
and light a fire by focusing the sunlight.

(Ooh!)

Then, since Pierre's Beast
is of water attribute.

Can I leave making the ice lens to you?

And so I asked him, but...

Th-the truth is...

I'm really scared of heights!

An unexpected weakness!

Oh well, then...

Pierre, it seems we can adjust
the torch's position with this handle.

I understand...

The torch has been lit!

That's it for this trial!

I'm truly ashamed...

He didn't have to be so depressed, he's
the one who found the solution, after all.

That is true.

She's such a kind girl.

(*A parent's perspective)
She's such a kind girl.

Huh? If I do this here...

Auguste! Richard!

You matched two sides at the same time!
Amazing as always, Miss Grace!

No, uhh... It's just a fluke.

Phew, I'm finally out.

This TRIal sure put us
in such a TRYIng time.

You both seem to be doing well.

So, what's the next trial?
Leave it to us.

Wait, was that Lucas?

Some writings just appeared.

"There is a traveler inside this hut."

"Show that the traveler
will remove his cloak"

"not because of the cold wind,
but because of the sunshine."

So it's like that folk tale

where the traveler would hold tight
to his cloak when the north wind blew,

but he would remove his cloak
after being shined by the sun.

So the fable of "The North Wind and
The Sun" also exists in this world...

I see, that seems simple enough.

Once the traveler exits the hut,
Anna will blow the wind with her magic.

After that, I'll warm him with fire magic,
and he should remove his cloak.

But how are we supposed to make
the traveler leave his hut?

Perhaps the TRIal asks us to TRY this.

So we lure him
out with a song?

Yes.

I heard there is a custom in the south
where you send off travelers with songs.

This scenery is similar to that locale,
so it might be a clue for this TRIal.

Let's TRY it out.

The door is opening.

The traveler is about to come out!

I am Richard, the master swordsman!

(Tone deaf)
I am Richard, the master swordsman!

He's making a really disgusted look.

Richard, your singing...

Actually, have you ever sung before?

- Nope.
- Then why?!

Well, it's not like karaoke exists here.

Very well, then. I will try singing.

I never heard Grace sing before either.

What kind of song will she sing?!

- I've played enough of the console
version of the taiko rhythm game.

- Full combo!
- I've played enough of the console
version of the taiko rhythm game.

And as for the song...

A classic that works for both otaku meetups
and entertaining business guests!

♪The Galaxy Express 999♪
♪Will take you on a journey♪

(The Galaxy Express 999)
♪A never ending journey♪

(Lyrics: Yoko Narahashi & Keisuke Yamakawa
Composer: Yukihide Takekawa
Arrangement: INTERCEPTBEATS)

♪A journey to the stars♪

♪Come on, go, lift your head♪

♪Let the new wind wash your heart♪

♪Leave your old dreams behind♪

♪For the drama to begin again♪

♪That person is now a memory♪

♪I'm gazing at you from afar♪

♪The Galaxy Express 999♪
♪Will take you on a journey♪

♪A never ending journey♪

♪A journey to the stars♪

♪The Galaxy Express 999♪

♪Will take you on a journey♪

♪A never ending journey♪

♪A journey to the stars♪

♪The Galaxy Express 999♪

♪Will take you on a journey♪

♪A never ending journey♪

♪A journey to the stars♪

The traveler came out all excited.

All right, start with
your wind magic, Anna!

Yes, Auguste!

All right, got the cloak!

We finished this trial as well!

We did it!

The next door appeared!

Still, how many more of these trials
must we do until we're done?

I don't know the answer,

but I'm sure we can solve them all
as long as we have Miss Grace!

I agree.

(Sparkle)

(Sparkle)
It's heading in a bad way as expected...

I-in any case...

With this, we have called everyone once
and cleared trials together.

(Shock!)
Shock!

Was that traveler actually Lucas himself?

No, maybe it's just
something similar to...

Umm, shouldn't we call
Prince Lucas one more time?

You are very kind, Anna. But...

To be honest, you can never guess
what Lucas would do,

so I don't want him to be
Anna's potential future husband.

(*A parent's perspective)

Do you have any special reason
for why you need Prince Lucas?

No, not really.

(Shock!)
Shock!

(Shock!) (No malice at all)
Shock!

That said, it's really inefficient
if things keep going like this.

Not to mention I might
trigger unnecessary events.

So I think

the best choice here would
be to try and finish the cube puzzle.

Dad really is amazing. He figured out
the best way to clear the game.

If only I could find a way to help him
complete the cube puzzle...

Come to think of it, I once asked to do
the cube puzzle back in grade school...

To be honest,
Dad cannot solve that puzzle as well.

So Dad has to do a little trick,
or you can say, cheat.

Orion?

Huh? Why?

W-wait, what?
It looks like I can control it from here.

That's right...

Anna, pick up the parts!

Huh? Oh, okay!

If you remove the parts one by one,

you're left with the puzzle's core
in the end.

Huh, that's interesting!

So that's how it looks inside...

We can make all the colors match
by placing them manually.

But that's just like...

Miss Grace?

I-It's nothing.
Let's give it a try.

Okay.

It's done.

Looks like we can't cheat our way out.

Then what was Orion doing just now?

Umm, Miss Grace...

Can you let me try and solve this?

I've seen you trying to clear it
multiple times. Besides...

I've seen what it looks like
when disassembled,

so I think I can make all six sides match!

Yes, by all means, give it a try.

Okay!

The centermost part
of each side doesn't move.

In other words, the positions
of those colors don't change.

By using it as a basis, it's possible to
determine the position of all the parts!

Instead of aligning
the colors one by one,

try bringing all the parts
to the right positions.

As long as I keep it up carefully...

We're back!!

As you can see, everyone,

it was Anna who solved the puzzle! Anna!

Uh, no, I was just...

Phew, I was worried for a bit.

All because of you!

You really did a good job.

I-it's an honor...

Alright!

Now Anna should've raised her affinity
with everyone from the student council!

It seems Orion made sure
Anna had the spotlight

and led us back to the right
story development.

I managed to solve this puzzle because of
the clues Miss Grace and Orion provided.

I'm so glad I could be of help to her!

You cannot fool me.

It was obvious that she could've
cleared the trials herself.

Instead, she gives clues
so that Anna can grow.

She has the magnanimity
to guide others to becoming better.

Huh? What?

(Overestimated)
Huh? What?

(Overestimated)

(Sparkle)

(Sparkle)
Wow, I've never seen such a huge
affinity-up special effect before.

Wow, I've never seen such a huge
affinity-up special effect before.

(Illustration: You Shiina)

We finally finished inspecting
and maintaining the magic barrier.

How come I have to work
so much more than the others?!

(Royal Academy of Magic: Student Council)
Basically, "That's yer punishment!"

(Swoosh~)
What's that?

Whose fault do you think it is
that got us trapped inside the labyrinth?

(Sparkle)
Whose fault do you think it is
that got us trapped inside the labyrinth?

Whose fault do you think it is
that got us trapped inside the labyrinth?

But wasn't it fun?
I only get to dance, though.

So that really was you...

(Next Episode: The Old Man Crossdresses)
So that really was you..