01x13 - A Brave's Doubts

[bunniefuu]

You're saying that
you excluded me and Sara

in order to eat with only Yukine,

at which time you made
plans for a trip together?!

Not only that, but...

her head!

What about her head?

You're practically a sugar daddy!

Wow, haven't heard that in a while.

I demand an explanation for
this series of events!

Don't let go of your sword,
even if you're knocked over.

And get up ASAP.

Please answer the question, Master!

I don't really care about that stuff...

But Yukine was crying.

You don't need to worry about that, Sara.

Instructor was gentle.

Master!

Indo, don't make this even more...

An upwards parry.

Lot of fighting styles use it.

If you pull it off, you can
transition smoothly to offense.

Defend near the guard.

A triangle choke, huh?

You let go on purpose.

Not bad.

But this is training for that one-handed
sword, so you oughta use it.

Won't be much practice otherwise.

Instructor, I can't breathe.

That's the kind of hold this is.

And it's exhausting, so let go already.

You first.

That's the spirit.

Yukine! I believe that position is
profoundly bad for your education!

You should get away, now!

Sara, help me!

Seriously, Yukine, let go.

Don't wanna.

Instructor, what was that?

The body's got all kinds of weak points.

I could teach you them,

but a Brave's job is k*lling Dark Lords.

Learning how to efficiently end someone
takes priority over little tricks.

But, Master—

Well, y'know...

If you two wanna go to
Hokkaido, you can tag along.

Don't feel great about taking a
bunch of rookies along, but...

I see! Then you've come to rely on us!

Really don't feel great about it, but...

Y'know, you're being proactive...
These lessons are a good example.

Well, this is gonna be a big job,

so I'm kinda desperate for extra hands.

And if you do come, I can guarantee
you'll be stronger for it.

We're still gonna be training for
another three hours today, though.

I'd have it no other way!

That's great and all, Sensei,

but you really oughta put some gear on.

We can't exactly go at you with full
force when using real weapons, y'know?

You're training to k*ll people.
What are you yapping about?

Maybe get a shot in before you
start worrying about me. Seriously.

Then again... maybe it'd
be a nice change of pace.

I'll try with those gloves on.

Spare my fists some of the
pain of hitting you three.

Ow!

I still can't shake the impression
that you're a sadist, Master!

You're imagining things.

And don't be late tomorrow.

Yes, sir! I'll be there
with my full heart and—

He's gone!

Master?!

You draw too much attention, Aki.

Well, I've got a subway to catch.

Sara.

You live in Azabu, right?

I'll take you there.

Uh... okay. Thanks.

Great, another road closed.

You're out past curfew.

Is your daddy gonna be mad?

N-Not really.

I let him know where I was.

I didn't realize you had
a dojo like that, Sensei.

Did we really need to sneak into the
academy for our first training session?

Well, the Coffin Count of Storms
makes me kinda reluctant to use it.

Getting rid of her g*ons is a pain.

Not to mention...

Your school's closer to the bar.

I know you've got your hands
full dealing with stuff,

but I think you could tell us
more about the job.

Since we're helping out, it
wouldn't hurt to know

exactly what kinda
Dark Lord we're dealing with.

You seem kinda fixated on this.

You scared?

It's not that!

But you won't say anything,
so we don't know anything.

And it's weird to me that Aki
and Yukine don't seem to care!

I shall fight by your side.

Then again... maybe that's
their way of being considerate.

Whoa, Sensei!

Don't be stupid.

You guys are still way too green for me to
be talking to you about the big picture.

More importantly...

I can infer a few things
about the Half Dragon

based on what happened at the party.

First of all, I think they have
bigger backers than anyone figured.

That'd explain them having
operations in Hokkaido,

and their willingness to screw with a Dark
Overlord like the Coffin Count of Storms.

Next, their goals.

They're a bit like arms dealers.

They provide E4 and E3 procured from
illicit sources to weaker Dark Lords

in an attempt to disrupt the status quo.

They provoke conflict between the
Dark Lords to boost their own business.

If they're trying to distribute E4,

raising that kind of hell would
make for great market conditions.

But why take the risk of making an
enemy of the Coffin Count of Storms?

Do they really just want money?

I can't take what
Pincers said for granted.

And to verify it,

I'll need these three helping out...

They'll be my ticket to finding a lead.

I wonder how much Ishino knew.

And if Sara's people have
anything to do with this,

what could it be?

It'll become clear soon enough.

And it's got nothing to do with you three.

I appreciate how lively it is.

City nights should be full of energy.

It's in competition and clashing that life
truly gives off its most brilliant shine.

The world needs to evolve, like a stream
of water gradually changing directions.

Don't you agree?

And you're saying the Half
Dragon is contributing to that?

Yes... and it is magnificent.

Have you seen what E4 can do?

Evolution beyond the human form...

It's hope.

A signpost on the path to eternal life.

Are you not going to eat?
Your soup's getting cold.

Well, considering I was
"disarmed" earlier...

So lap it up, then!

I'm willing to be your new backer,

in the place of
the Coffin Count of Storms.

Who else could supply all your
people with sufficient E3?

A drink to seal the deal.

Come, lower your head.

You're mad. Did I upset you?

Someone who was once known as a Dark
Overlord like yourself, Count India Ink,

has certainly fallen on hard times.

Considering that you're entrusting
your security to simple hired help.

Damned mercenaries... you dare betray me?

It's good to see you again...

Coach.

I'm glad to see you're alive,

you pain in the a*s c*ck.

Where are your manners?

Was it a good idea k*lling
this piece of sh*t?

Won't that make taking his assets harder?

I don't care.

I want this dealt with quickly.

Anyone assisting the Half Dragon
needs to be taken off the board.

So that order, maintained by powerful
Dark Lords, can be restored.

Hey, Sensei, are we actually
gonna get there like this?

Now is the time for endurance, Sara!

I'm sure our lodgings for tonight will
have a variety of oceanic bounty,

as well as natural hot spring!

Nope.

Nothing like that.

Look, I wasn't expecting that sorta stuff.

Instructor, I'm hungry.

You girls just don't stop, do you?

It looks like we should
get there by nightfall,

so we we can afford to take a break.

So...

What are we doing tomorrow?

Not hiking around searching
for those monsters, I hope.

Of course not.

I've got a plan and everything.

Indo.

Do you know whose
territory we're in right now?

We're in one of the Count of
Rupturing Star Charts' "gardens."

Our squad was hired by him once

and marched on this territory.

The job was to get rid of the Dark Lord
that had started squatting around here.

Damn, you know your stuff.

You get five "You Did Pretty good" points.

Sweet!

There's points now?

I must ask, who is this Count
of Rupturing Star Charts?

He's a pretty big deal.

Yeah. One of the three Dark Overlords
that Hokkaido is carved up by...

A member of the Three Commanders.

They say his ether perception
lets him control the weather.

Maybe he's in a good mood today?

All right, I understand the situation!

We're to rake this Count of Rupturing Star
Charts over the coals and enlist his aid?

Actually, you're not even close.

Those Nephillim were active
around these parts.

We don't know if this guy's
working with the Half Dragon

or if we'll end up fighting him.

Right now, the plan is to meet
with him in person and make a deal.

Peacefully, I hope.

Peacefully?

That doesn't really seem
your style, Sensei.

Uh, you're not just flying
by the seat of your pants

while pretending you've got
some kinda plan, are you?

Hey!

Let's see...

Up ahead is an old, abandoned church.

Lately a friend...

Bad choice of words...

An acquaintance of mine has taken it over.

We'll stay there tonight.

Most of the time he's not there, but...

If he is, it'll be kinda complicated.

There's a decent chance we'll be attacked.

So, what's the actual deal?

Are you gonna explain?

I guess we're here.

That should be it.

That's... a church?

What the actual hell?

A hot spring!

Now this is a wonderful surprise!

I suppose Master wanted to visit a hot
springs with some beauties, after all!

Does that place strike you
as a typical hot spring inn?

If so, I'm impressed.

Thank you very much!

What the hell is going on with this place?

Did your "acquaintance" build it?

Hard to say...

but I wouldn't put it past the "Father."

I guess we're doing this.

Everybody, E3 up!

How about it, Sara?

You sensing any danger from this
place that used to be a church?

At this range, it's not
that accurate but...

I'm sensing maybe two Dark
Lords, who are on E3?

And unless they're actually mines
or bombs, they're pretty bad news.

How bad is bad?

About as strong... as you, Sensei.

I see humans. Multiple.

I can hear them, too.

What're they talking about? Can you tell?

Not at this distance, unfortunately.

I see.

Time to close in.

Leave your stuff here.

I'll take point.

Keep about ten paces behind and follow.

Roger.

- Master! I should be defending your rear—

- Back up!

If these guys are as good as me,
then they're serious business.

A r*fle...

And firing without a warning.

But dodging g*nf*re isn't
a big deal for Braves,

especially in my case.

Indo! Move up!

Heavy...

But if they think they've got the
edge, that gives me an opening.

Drop the bind, step towards the left side,

and strike while passing by.

Damn.

They were able to keep
up with my reaction time.

And twice.

That can't be coincidence.

You couldn't move like that unless
you knew exactly what I was doing.

The things that come to mind are some
kind of foresight or future vision...

But would that really be this effective?

If they're pulling this off
purely with sword skills,

they're a damn monster.

So...

strong!

They're not falling for
any of my counter setups.

They're going right for my head.

But how...?

Ay ay ay!

Master! That's—

Aki!

These are... rubber b*ll*ts?

No wonder this was such a pain in the a*s!

What the hell are you
doing out here, Malta?

Welcome to the Braves Hot Spring!

And that goes double for you, ladies.

- Translation: Timing: Editing: Quality
Control: Final Quality Control:

- Lee Francis Henry Lin Gabriella
Alabanza Riley Dalton Sho Stifler

What would you think if there was a
squinty-eyed priest who always smiled?

Wouldn't that just be a kind priest?

Hell no, it wouldn't.

Hell no, it wouldn't?!

Next time: Episode 14,

"A Brave Priest."