01x04 - The Drinking Party from Hell

[bunniefuu]

Zero Five, prepare for battle.

Roger that.

I'll prioritize
the safety of the citizens.

I came to save them,

but they did not welcome me.

Instead, they looked at me
with a mix of fear and expectation.

It's fine.

To protect humans

is the reason I exist.

To defend the world

is all they ask from me.

I was born for this.

That was...

That sure was an unpleasant dream.

Nothing good happens on days like these,

Demon Queen Echidna has given an order.

The Black Knight Onyx is to report
to her immediately.

Is my cover blown?!

I don't know.

Last time, it was Lily
who almost found out I was Onyx.

But that's been dealt with.

You haven't introduced yourself
to Queen Echidna yet, have you?

I'll bet she's angry.

Oh, that's why?

Then again, I also told her

that my work has gotten a lot
easier because of Lord Onyx.

That's definitely the reason, you idiot!

Idiot?

I h-had no choice.

Well... Echidna didn't earn the title
of Demon Queen by chance.

If she draws her demon sword, Tyrfing,
she's even on par with Edvard.

Her knowledge of magic rivals Steina's.

She's monstrously strong.

If I face her directly,

she might figure out who I am,
no matter how good my disguise is.

In any case, you'd better hurry.

If you're exposed,
call for me immediately.

No, I'll handle it on my own.

Just pretend that you didn't know.

Now... what excuse should I give to Echidna?

It is I, the Black Knight Onyx.

I'm reporting to you directly, as ordered.

Come in.

All right. What will it be,
Demon Queen Echidna?

Pardon me.

So, you're Onyx!

Steina mentioned
your outstanding performance.

I'm sorry for the sudden invitation.

Looks like...

she hasn't found out.

Come! Have a seat.

Hey, wait a minute.

No way...

Why are there only two chairs?

Come on. Don't be shy.

Let's have a drink together, shall we?

Whenever I have a nightmare,

terrible events usually await.

Lord Onyx, you haven't touched your drink!

No, I have.

Actually, this wine is exquisite.

It goes great with the food too.

Glad to hear it!

This may look like a fun-loving boss
and serious employee sharing drinks.

But of course, that's not the case.

For me,

this is a situation I want to get out of,
as soon as possible.

As long as I'm here, the chances
of being caught only grow.

Lord Onyx!

Y-Yes?

How long do you intend
to keep that helmet on?

Why not take it off?

No, I dare not.

I could never reveal my face
to the demon queen!

What? I told you
to make yourself comfortable.

Besides, I'd like to speak face to face.

-No, I...
-Let's

take this boring thing off...

Wait!

your head!

Your face...

It happened so quickly, I couldn't
alter my appearance completely.

Is something wrong with my face?

You don't look half bad!

You have mild features,
but I can feel your determination.

It's a waste to hide
such a face under a helmet.

That was close.

Good thing she was drunk!

Come on. Drink up.

Eat and drink until your stomach explodes!

Private drinks with the boss...

and I'd be done for
if my identity is exposed.

How am I supposed to enjoy the wine?

There's nothing like good wine!

It's paradise in the here and now!

I have to get out of this hell
as soon as I can.

Smoothly and naturally.

Your Majesty, your glass is empty.

Allow me to pour you another.

Oh my! How attentive!

You flatter me.

Here's a few tips on how to make
these formal drinking sessions go easier.

First...

pour a drink for your boss
as soon as their glass is empty.

Don't hesitate! Go on!

While you're pouring, you can take
a break from conversation

and create the impression
that you're attentive.

Here you go. Another glass!

But that's not my goal.

The true intention of this plan

is to get the boss drunk!

Come on. You've got room for one more!

Yes, keep drinking.

Drink until you pass out

and bring this stupid banquet to an end!

Your Highness, are you okay?

Looks like you had too much wine.

This might be a good time to...

Yes, you're right...
It's time to really get the party started!

Let's drink straight from the bottle!

You have some too, Lord Onyx!

Come on. Drink up!

Come on!

But bear in mind that this tactic
doesn't work on heavy drinkers.

It's been so long since I could
relax and enjoy my cup of tea.

This is all thanks to Leo...

I wonder how he's doing over there.

I hope nothing bad happens.

Perhaps I should take a look...

But it might raise suspicion if I did.

Besides, why do I feel
so worried about some hero?

You're worried about Leo?

Here's my report!

Lily!

What I said just now
doesn't mean anything.

You heard it wrong.

Yes, you just heard it wrong...

Huh? Heard what wrong?

I failed to get her drunk,
but I can't afford to hesitate.

I've already thought of my next move.

But it will take some time.

I'll have to persevere until then.

Oh, but every dish here is amazing.

The sausage you're having now
is especially splendid.

Oh! You can tell, huh?

I think they added something
to give it extra flavor.

The second tip to make things easier...

People grow fond of those who show
an active interest in them.

Like I did just now.

Mentioning something they are eating
or drinking won't go wrong.

The sausage is seasoned
with spices from Rarugo.

They've added dashes of paprika,
which gives it a nice color too.

So it's from Rarugo.

We had supply problems for a while

and it was rare for us
to have such a feast.

But with Lily's hard work,
things are starting to get better.

I always believed that she could do it.

I didn't know she could smile like that.

She seems almost like an ordinary girl.

Of course, the chef has done
a wonderful job as well.

By the way, I'm the one
responsible for the sausages.

The food made by the mouse chefs
from the dining hall was too awful.

So, I made the chefs learn
some secret recipes.

The third tip
for a formal drinking session...

It's better to know in advance
what kind of dishes will be served.

It will help ensure seamless conversation.

When Steina told me about you,
I wondered what kind of person you were.

But not only are you good at your work,
you also know fine cuisine.

You're quite the man, Onyx.

Not at all.

I just happened to know
a thing or two regarding these.

Still, there is one thing that puzzles me.

I hear that you
rarely take off your helmet.

You were hesitant earlier too.

Is there a reason?

Well...

Here it comes. The fourth tip
for drinking sessions like these.

The only chance for a powerless newbie
to express their thoughts freely

is when their boss starts
asking questions.

Your answers will affect

both the mood of the occasion
and also tomorrow's workload!

In fact, it's because of a curse
by the Goddess Tiana.

I can only reveal my face
for a short time each day.

That's why I always wear my armor.

Oh my...

You've shown your face for quite
some time now. Are you okay?

To be honest, it's a bit dangerous.

But it's worth it to be speaking
to the demon queen like this.

Oh you! You have a way with words!

This is the next trick
to getting out of a drinking session.

By telling the other party
that you have a clear time limit,

escaping will be much easier.

Echidna should now be aware
that I have such a time limit.

Today is a good day!

Here's to the friendship between
Black Knight Onyx and the Demon Queen!

What do you say we keep
this up until morning?

Cheers! Drink up!

Until morning...

Your generosity gives me the chills.

No way!

Then do you think it's okay if Leo leaves?

What?

Well? Spit it out!

That's...

Lady Steina, are you there?

Dianette?

You sound upset. What is it?

I have something urgent to report.

This hellish drinking session
has been going on for hours.

Luckily, she hasn't
found out my identity yet.

I have to get out of here.

Lord Onyx, I'm really
grateful that you're here.

You only joined recently and you've
greatly eased Steina's burden.

You even helped take care of Lily.

Your efforts have been a great help.

I organized this party to tell you that.

Echidna...

You're too kind.

No matter their species,

I welcome and acknowledge
all those who are capable.

I'm glad to have you
within the Demon Army.

Speaking of that...

What about Hero Leo?

I heard a rumor that he
wanted to join the demon army.

Will you accept him as well?

Hero... He alone is the exception!

I don't need him at all!

Some twisted loner
who can't fit into society...

If he joined us, our organization
would collapse from the inside!

He's right in front of you, you know.
The one you speak of...

and he's actually working hard
to reform the organization.

Even if he could do the work
of a thousand... or ten thousand

I don't need him!

If he hadn't gotten in my way, I would
have gotten the Wisdom Stone.

So she's after
the Wisdom Stone, after all.

Damn it...

Forget this wild woman for a moment,

and let's explain about the Wisdom Stone.

The Wisdom Stone is a secret
treasure found in the holy city of Renaie.

About 3,000 years ago,

the first holy king discovered it
when it was sleeping deep in the earth.

It is said that the stone sustained
the holy city's development.

Some say it revived the greenery
around Renaie, which was once a wasteland.

Some even say the Wisdom Stone

protects the people of Renaie
from sickness and grants them immortality.

But most of these rumors are false.

You may ask how I know.

Because I've actually
used the Wisdom Stone.

Though it was a different stone
from the one in the holy city.

Merely possessing the stone
does not give one superpowers.

It's not that easy...

Damn it all!

I'm planting his name in the dictionary
under "worst" and "despicable"...

She's still at it?!

How long is she gonna keep dissing me?!

Do you know how close I was?

Our army fought to the place where
we could see Renaie's central sanctuary!

If we'd only gotten our hands on the
stone, the mission would be a success!

I see.

You refused to return to the demon world,
even after losing most of your army,

because domination is not your goal.

It's to get hold of the Wisdom Stone.
Is that it?

That's right.

The previous battles escalated too far.

If we could get hold of the Wisdom Stone,

there'd be no need
to fight with all of humanity.

You mean if you could get it
through theft or deception?

Or by working with them.

Humans and demons working together...

I've heard a fairy tale about such things.

I believe it's called
Eibrad the Joiner of Hands.

That's an old myth in the human world.

I heard it from
the dream demon's folk stories.

It's about an eccentric demon
who came upon the human world

and created a town where humans
and demons lived together.

Yes.

But the truth is what you see now.

Demons and humans are destined
to fight one another.

It's just a fairy tale.

Hearing that makes me curious.

What do you plan to do
with the Wisdom Stone?

I've been wanting to ask her that
from the beginning.

She was utterly defeated by me,

and lost half of her army and land.

But she still refused
to return to the demon world.

Is it for immortality or wealth?

If it's for lame reasons like that,

she would have given up
and returned to the demon world.

But she did not.

She is still trying to rebuild her army

and remains in the demon castle, even now.

Follow me.

This is...

most impressive.

The view is best at this hour.

Have you ever been to the demon world?

No.

Our homeland, the demon world,

has turned into a wasteland.

There's no sunlight.

It's always dark and stuffy.

The plants and water are contaminated

and demons fight each other
for scarce resources.

The land is tainted with blood.

Truly a demonic world.

I'd had enough of that.

I want to bring order to the chaos

and create a demon world without conflict.

One where warm sunlight

shines on beautiful rivers.

Where fish swim in the water

and the wind rustles the grass
and leaves of the forest.

That's the Demon World I want to build.

That's why I summoned Steina
and my other collaborators

to come to the human world.

To gain the sacred Wisdom Stone
that makes miracles come true.

I didn't know...

That's why she's been
fighting this whole time?

To build a better home for everyone...

That's...

You must be disappointed

to hear that from a demon queen.

No...

It's fine. I'm already used to it.

I don't hold any grudge against humans.

But we need the Wisdom Stone.

You'd accept it peacefully
if they hand it over.

But if they don't, you won't hold back.

Is that what you mean?

Yes, it's pointless to act like a saint.

The holy city is the core
of the human world.

If the stone supporting
the holy city is taken,

all kinds of problems will arise.

I'm prepared to shoulder the consequences.

The dragon men
and humans from Lily's hometown

I will make sure they are protected
in the demon world,

but what happens to the rest
of the humans is none of my concern.

That's right. No concern. None!

But I heard
you forbid unnecessary k*lling.

I've given my orders!

Though this is an invasion,
I will not allow unnecessary k*lling!

I heard that in your recent battle,

there were minimal casualties

for both the humans and the demons.

It means nothing if we lose.

I was too naive, right?

In the end, I couldn't fully
embrace being the villain.

Just like us,

our enemies, the humans
have their own homes,

friends and family.

I feel sorry when I think of that.

As for Hero Leo,

I actually don't resent him that much.

May I know why?

He is a hero.

That means he is like
a guardian for humans.

To defend their world,

he has to defeat the evil invaders.

It's true that he foiled my plan,

but he didn't do anything wrong.

We were the ones who started
the nightmare in the first place.

I understand now.

Her true self is a kind ruler

who puts her people first.

And that kind ruler

decided to be an evil invader
for her people's sake.

"Is this really the right way?"

She must have felt unfathomable unease

and experienced unspeakable despair.

And the biggest factor
that brings her unease and despair

is none other than me.

Lord Onyx, what about you?

Why did you come to us?

Were you betrayed by the humans?

Do you want to end this world?

Or you are trying to find a place to die?

I would like to know your motives.

I...

This is why I hate drinking sessions.

She was all tipsy before,

but now she's forcing me
to have this deep conversation.

It's easy to lie.

But Echidna has been honest with me.

If I keep lying to her,

I'll look bad when she
finds out my true identity.

No, that's not it.

The truth is that
I don't want to lie to her anymore.

I want to stop playing games.

I want to support Echidna
from the bottom of my heart.

I want to support her dream
of saving her home.

Yes...

There's no other way.

I will reveal my identity here.

I'll apologize for lying

and tell her how I wish to assist her.

-Your Majesty, I...
-Yes?

Well, I...

Queen Echidna!

Queen Echidna, here's where you were.

What's wrong?

Listen... It's bad news!

Look.

I'm going on a journey.
Please don't look for me.

Shadowless General, Mernes.

I will take responsibility for failing
to educate my subordinates

and take my own life.

Dragon General, Edvard.

-What?!
-What?!