01x18 - A Conspiracy Linked

[bunniefuu]

[PRIEST A] This is it.

The time is upon us.

At long last, our deepest desire shall finally be fulfilled.

Thank you so much for the ride, Fitoria.

We appreciate it.

And thanks for the new wagon you gave us, as well.

[RAPHTALIA] Yeah. Filo really seems to enjoy pulling them.

[RAPHTALIA] Hm?

Uh--huh?

No take-backs. It's all mine, okay?

She gave it to all of us, Filo.

[RAPHTALIA, MELTY chuckle]

Hey, Fitoria.

Is there another hero close by?

[FITORIA] Mm. Very close, in fact.

Great, thanks.

[FITORIA] Shield Hero.

[FITORIA] Please take good care of her.

[FITORIA] And don't forget-- you made me a promise.

[NAOFUMI] I know. I'll do what I can.

[FILO humming]

[RAPHTALIA] If we could just get past that wall,

we'd be on the other side of the border.

[MELTY] Are there any other routes we could take, Raphtalia?

[RAPHTALIA] Hmm...

We could take a detour,

but if we do, it'll cost us a few more days on the road.

Yes, but Fitoria said there was another hero

not too far from here, didn't she?

It might make sense for us to take that detour anyway.

[RAPHTALIA] Master Naofumi?

What do you think?

Did you ever really try to make up with the other heroes?

If you don't tell them they're wrong about you,

they'll take it as an admission of your guilt.

Don't forget-- you made me a promise.

We'll head straight to the checkpoint.

If it's Itsuki or Ren, we might be able to persuade them.

Okay.

But what do we do if that doesn't work?

[NAOFUMI] We'll just have to force our way through.

[MELTY] All right, then.

[NAOFUMI gasps]

What is it?

[NAOFUMI] Well...

I figured you'd try to stop me from doing anything

that'd make my reputation worse.

There are men out there, like Idol,

who are willing to summon monsters

just so they can torment innocent people.

This isn't the time to be worried about your reputation.

[NAOFUMI] You make a good point.

Uh?

[NAOFUMI] Get ready. We're leaving.

--[RAPHTALIA] All right! --[FILO] Okie-dokie!

[gasps] I-Is that...?

[horn blows]

Hey, Master, look!

It's that spear guy again.

It just had to be the guy

that was least likely to listen to me, huh?

What do we do now?

[NAOFUMI] It's too late to turn back.

We have to keep going.

[NAOFUMI] Motoyasu. I wanna talk.

We're not here to start a fight with you.

All we're asking is that you let us through.

"Let you through," huh? Is that all?

[NAOFUMI] Huh?

Is that all you have to say for yourself?!

Traitor!

Devil of the Shield!

[NAOFUMI grunts]

Master Naofumi!

Can't you at least listen to me

before you try to take my head off?

I won't listen to anyone who uses

a brainwashing shield to enslave Filo and Raphtalia.

You're despicable!

They aren't brainwashed!

[MOTOYASU] Don't even try to talk your way out of this!

[groans]

[FITORIA] The Cardinal Heroes are supposed to work together.

[groans] Dammit, Motoyasu, just hear me out!

I don't want to fight you!

Hell, last time I didn't want to--

I finally know the reason I was summoned here.

I think I might be here specifically to stop you!

[gasps]

[MOTOYASU] Meteor Thrust!

[NAOFUMI grunts]

[NAOFUMI grunting]

[ALL grunting]

[NAOFUMI panting]

You're still not down yet?

You sure are stubborn.

I'll give you that.

Come on, Master, let me at him! [growls]

If that's his attitude,

nothing you say is going to get through to him!

[NAOFUMI] She's right.

Why is he doing this?

Hey, Motoyasu.

Why exactly are you so mad at me?

Is it because I ran away last time we fought?

[MOTOYASU] Are you that heartless?

Were Ren and Itsuki that insignificant to you?!

People call you the devil.

Now I finally understand!

Huh?

[MOTOYASU] You told us the heroes should be

on the same team.

You tricked us!

We trusted you...

You bastard!

I'm gonna make you pay!

[NAOFUMI grunts]

You're done!

I'll make sure of it!

[NAOFUMI grunts]

Hey! I don't even know what it is you think I did!

Well, you should.

Think about it!

[NAOFUMI] He's seriously trying to k*ll me!

--[NAOFUMI grunts] --[MOTOYASU growls]

You're gonna pay.

You're gonna pay for what you did to them!

m*rder*r!

[NAOFUMI gasps]

[NAOFUMI] m*rder*r?

What do mean? Who's dead?!

Don't play dumb with me. You know what you did!

[grunts]

How can you stand there and pretend

you don't understand why I'm so angry?

You might as well admit it. You k*lled them!

And yet... here you are.

The heroes of the Bow and Sword were k*lled?

How could this have happened?

Both of them were so strong!

[gasps]

You used your brainwashing shield on Princess Melty?

You'll do anything, won't you?!

I'm not brainwashing anyone!

[NAOFUMI] If what Motoyasu's saying is true...

You need to understand that

if even one Cardinal Hero is missing,

fighting off a Wave becomes almost impossible.

Now I really need you to listen to me.

I didn't k*ll Ren or Itsuki!

Why would I wanna do that?

What do you mean?

[NAOFUMI] Tell me this--

did you see their bodies with your own eyes?

[MOTOYASU grunts]

I'll take that as a no.

So maybe somebody's lying--

[MYNE] I think a representative of the Church

is a reliable source.

They said the Devil of the Shield

unleashed a monster sealed in the center of town.

Then you used the devastation as a distraction

to k*ll Itsuki and Ren.

--[NAOFUMI groans] --Ridiculous!

Sir Motoyasu, beware of his brainwashing shield.

You can't let the devil sway you with his words.

No need to worry about that.

He can't fool me!

I don't understand why she's always like this.

What do you think?

Oh, no, Sister... You didn't...

[NAOFUMI gasps] You're the one who k*lled them, aren't you?!

Enough chitchat. It's time to battle!

[RAPHTALIA] What is this?

You're using a Lightning Cage?!

An impenetrable prison made of lightning,

sealing in the caster and her target

until one of them can subdue the other.

You won't get away this time!

I swear that I will avenge their deaths!

Take it easy and think this through, all right?

Are you going to believe everything they say

without confirming it?

There's no need.

My friends are trustworthy enough

to take them at their word!

[NAOFUMI] This guy's an idiot.

She's got him dancing in the palm of her hand!

--[MOTOYASU] You're finished! --[NAOFUMI gasps]

[MOTOYASU yells]

[groans, grunts]

[MOTOYASU groans]

Shield Prison!

[NAOFUMI gasps] His level's much higher than mine!

Filo, go!

[FILO] All right!

[MYNE] Oh, no, you don't.

As source of thy power and as the next queen, I order thee.

How pretentious can an incantation get?

Decipher the laws of creation and bring down a rain of fire

that will consume all of my targets!

Zweit Fire Squall!

I order thee to nullify the rain of fire

and keep my targets safe from its flames!

Anti-Zweit Fire Squall!

[MELTY] Naofumi!

Okay, Filo, you ready?

You bet!

[FILO grunts]

[FILO yells]

[MOTOYASU groans]

Not so fast!

Zweit Air sh*t!

[FILO gasps]

[MOTOYASU grunts]

[FILO grunts, yells]

--[FILO grunts] --[MOTOYASU groans]

[MOTOYASU gasps]

--[FILO yells] --[MOTOYASU groans]

Amazing!

That's the move she learned during her duel with Fitoria.

She's making good use of it!

[grunts] Forgive me for this, Filo,

but I must fight for Ren and Itsuki, no matter the cost,

even if it means I have to hurt you.

[MOTOYASU yells]

[NAOFUMI grunts]

[MOTOYASU growls]

[NAOFUMI grunts]

[MOTOYASU] Meteor Thrust!

I'm not done!

Chaos Spear!

[NAOFUMI grunts]

Myne! Now's our chance!

Zweit Fire!

[ADVENTURER A, B] Zweit Air sh*t!

Behold the power of a combo skill

with fire, wind, and my spear!

[gasps]

[MOTOYASU] Air-Burst Flare Lance!

[NAOFUMI groaning]

Master Naofumi!

Zweit Air sh*t!

Zweit Aqua sh*t!

[ADVENTURER A yelps]

Melty.

Are you all right?

[NAOFUMI grunts]

[NAOFUMI] Hold on...

That's a combo skill?

Huh?

We can do what they just did!

You ready?

Okay.

[MOTOYASU] Raphtalia!

--[RAPHTALIA] Hm? --[NAOFUMI gasps]

[MOTOYASU] If you continue to take his side,

I can't show you any mercy.

As source of thy power, I order thee.

Decipher the laws of nature and hide my target.

First Hiding!

[NAOFUMI] Hiding Shield!

--[gasps] --[NAOFUMI] Change Shield!

[MOTOYASU yells]

[MOTOYASU groans]

Sir Motoyasu!

[MOTOYASU groaning]

[MOTOYASU] He just stole my skill points from me!

You really think that's gonna help you b*at me?

[NAOFUMI grunts]

I don't need to use any skills!

[NAOFUMI] Filo!

High Quick!

[MOTOYASU yells]

Oh, no, Sir Motoyasu!

[RAPHTALIA] Wide open.

[gasps]

[grunts]

[MYNE gasps]

[RAPHTALIA] You won't get in Master Naofumi's way!

[MYNE groans] You dare to strike me, you damn demi-human?

I'll get you!

How can you force poor Raphtalia and sweet little Filo

to fight for you?

[NAOFUMI] Still don't get it, do you?

Get what?

Filo! Melty!

As source of thy power, we order thee!

Decipher the laws of nature and bring forth a raging wind!

Bring forth torrential rain-- a downpour like no other!

[MELTY, FILO] Create a storm to blow our targets away!

Typhoon!

[MOTOYASU yells]

[MYNE, ADVENTURERS yell]

--[FILO giggles] --Nice work, Filo!

We make a great team!

We do!

[ALL groan]

Damn...

You haven't upgraded your class.

How can you possibly be this strong?

Does the brainwashing shield make you more powerful, too?

[NAOFUMI] While you and your party have been

having fun playing superheroes,

we've been out here doing the grunt work

to clean up after you and acquire new skills.

Liar!

Do you honestly expect me to believe it's as simple as that?

[NAOFUMI] Believe it or not, it's the truth.

[NAOFUMI] We do what we have to do,

no matter how trivial it may seem.

That's why you lost to us.

I... [groans]

[NAOFUMI] Give it a rest, Motoyasu.

It's your turn to listen to me!

Doesn't matter...

It doesn't matter what you have to say.

I've got to avenge Itsuki and Ren.

If I give up,

Raphtalia, Princess Melty, and Filo will never be free!

They'll always be the Devil of the Shield's prisoners!

And I can never accept that!

Not as long as I live.

'Cause I'm the Spear Hero!

That's Sir Motoyasu. Fight until the end!

Bring me the Devil of the Shield's head

and free my dear sister, Melty, from his clutches!

[MOTOYASU grunts]

[NAOFUMI] How am I ever gonna get through

to this thickheaded moron when he's got a damn hero complex?

[FILO gasps]

What is it, Filo?

[RAPHTALIA gasps]

Something's off...

Look--all the soldiers have left their posts.

[FILO gasps]

[ADVENTURER B yelps]

[ADVENTURER A gasps]

[MYNE yelps]

[ADVENTURERS, MOTOYASU, MYNE groan]

What was that all about, Filo?

Master! Bring out the dark shield, quick!

And a bunch of other shields, too!

If you don't, then all of us are done for!

There's no time to waste!

What are you talking about?

Hurry up! Do it! Now!

[BOTH] Mm.

Shield Prison!

[FILO] We need more!

Up above!

Air Strike Shield!

Second Shield!

[ADVENTURERS, MOTOYASU gasp]

What in the world is going on here anyway?

Shut your mouth for once!

[FILO] Here it comes!

[ALL scream]

[NAOFUMI yelling]

[NAOFUMI yelling]

[NAOFUMI groans, pants]

[RAPHTALIA gasps]

Are you all right?

Filo and Melty?

We're fine!

[MOTOYASU] What was that?

Myne, do you know what just happened?

That power couldn't possibly have come from...

It can't be... [gasps]

[clapping]

[POPE] Truly remarkable.

[POPE] You just took Judgment head-on--

an exceedingly powerful group ritual--

and yet you're still standing.

[NAOFUMI gasps]

[POPE] I'd expect nothing less from the Shield Hero.

[MELTY] It's the Pope?!

I know you.

From the cathedral in the capital!

Oh, so you remember who I am, do you?

Then surely you're aware of all your sins, as well.

My sins?

God bestowed holy water upon you,

and yet you refused to show Him gratitude

for that most righteous gift.

You also deceived the people

and led them to turn against their own country.

You must be punished.

I shall purify you in the name of God.

Your transgressions will plague this land no more.

[MYNE] How dare you, Pope Balmus?

Do you realize what you've just done?!

You very nearly k*lled the next queen with that att*ck,

and the Spear Hero, as well!

The Spear Hero and his party, including the princess,

were m*rder*d by the Devil of the Shield.

At least that's the story the world will be told.

As far as God is concerned, you're all dead already.

What is this?

Myne, can you explain what the hell he's talking about?

And if the lives of those who have been marked for death

do finally come to an end,

that means all is right with the world.

Everything shall be exactly as God desires it to be.

This man's completely insane!

That logic's pretty twisted.

Reminds me of someone.

[POPE] Oh, but don't worry.

We have a plan for a new government

to take the royal family's place.

What are you--?!

That's ridiculous!

This country's always been ruled by royalty.

Our family are the only ones fit to--

[POPE] Abuse your power and disrespect the Church?

Look down upon the apostles of God Himself?

Not anymore.

This country doesn't need such blasphemy.

[POPE] Royalty?

You're a pestilence.

And the same applies to you heroes.

We worship those who save the world

and its people from the Waves,

but this bunch has done more harm than good.

For example...

The Spear Hero released a sealed monster upon the world,

the Sword Hero caused an epidemic,

and the Bow Hero ignored his duties,

choosing instead to serve himself.

Heroes that bring such devastation to the country

and damage the people's beliefs

are truly nothing more than imposters.

But... I, uh...

I only did that 'cause I wanted to help!

Ren and Itsuki were trying to help, too!

And you think they were just imposters?!

Your arrogance and foolishness speak volumes.

Just as theirs did, when they decided to

investigate matters far beyond their station.

[NAOFUMI] Investigating?

Therefore, they forced God's Judgment to fall upon them.

What are you talking about?

Uh--hey, wait a second!

It wasn't Naofumi?!

[POPE laughs]

This farce has been entertaining, but that's enough.

[MELTY gasps]

The false Spear Hero and the Devil of the Shield,

who clings so desperately to life as if he were a cockroach,

shall be purified with Holy Judgment.

And this country

shall finally be given righteous order!

Be careful, Naofumi!

That sword's bad news!

[NAOFUMI gasps]