02x02 - The Toxic Fangs of Assassination Target the Elvish Blade

[bunniefuu]

Hello there. This is Arc.

We've finally arrived at Lamburt.

The reason we came here is...

We are the envoys of the elves from
Lalatoya in the Great Canada Forest.

We have come to offer our blessings
to the Lord on his marriage.

That's quite an impressive castle.

Perhaps the Lord has been oppressing
his subjects to build it.

I see.

However, a lord who has
married an elf, huh?

Seems like he might be
an open-minded person.

I hope that's the case.

Moving forward, a fresh new relationship
might develop between the two races.

Times have certainly changed.

Not that I know anything
about the past, though.

But if the elf was forced
into marriage,

we need to find out about that.

That's just like you, Lady Ariane.

Now then, I wonder how
the Lord will react.

If he has something to hide,
he'll surely refuse to meet with us.

Somehow, they're giving us
a warm welcome.

♪Hold love, dreams, and burning romance
close to your heart♪

♪When the morning sun rises,
a new day begins once more♪

♪Though I walk along beautiful country roads,
I always come upon wicked deeds♪

♪How could I ever allow the tears of
the innocent to go unanswered?♪

♪Until I unleash the power
overflowing in these hands♪

Let's see...

Those big, round eyes,
and pale pink skin of yours...

You're just like a cute little piglet...

What is this?

♪Those who commit evil deserve no mercy♪

♪That's right, my heart
is overflowing with dreams♪

♪Come on, let's keep chasing it,
down this endless road♪

♪Wherever our wandering footsteps lead,♪

♪let's make flowers of smiles bloom♪

♪The journey goes on,
beyond that distant sea♪

♪Today, once again, I wander on,
wherever the wind may take me♪

Welcome, envoys of the elves!

I'm Petros, the lord of Lamburt.

And this is my wife, Toreasa.

Thank you for coming here.

Congratulations on your marriage.

Thank you.

You must be exhausted from
your long journey.

We've had a meal prepared for you.

It's nothing special,
but please help yourself.

I know very well how much
elves love to eat, after all.

Come on, Dear!
That sounds like I'm a glutton.

Seeing you enjoy your meal so much

fills me with an indescribable
sense of happiness.

Is there any greater happiness than
satisfying the belly of the one you love?

Dear!

Toreasa!

There's not a shred of
discomfort from them.

Y-Yeah.

I apologize for being so rude.

I've heard that the Lord has been
ruling this city for twenty years.

But you seem to be too young for that.

I see.

So, Lady Ariane, you have your
doubts about me, don't you?

No, that's not what I meant.

However, I'm truly
the second lord of Lamburt.

The second lord?

Actually, a month ago...

I discovered that my father,
the previous lord,

had been secretly
persecuting the elves.

I urged my father to cease
his misdeeds.

But unfortunately,
he refused to listen.

So I had him step down as the lord,
and I took over in his place.

And, where's your father now?

Even if he did something wrong,
he is still my father.

I confined him in a small room
on the top floor of the castle.

I see.

And the one I rescued back then
was Toreasa.

The moment I saw her,
I knew that it was love at first sight.

What a bold decision!

You know that humans and elves
have very different lifespans, right?

Isn't that great?

Even as I grow older,
she will remain as beautiful as ever.

There's nothing more wonderful
than that.

Seeing both of you look so happy
puts our minds at ease.

We'll be taking our leave now.

Oh, and we'll take the food home.

Please wait a moment.

Actually, I want to tell you something.

Please come this way.

I wonder what it is.

If it's just a lovey-dovey story,
we're leaving right away.

I can tell that both of you
are quite strong,

so I'd like to ask you for a favor.

Please...

I want you to protect Toreasa.

What do you mean?

Let's hear your story.

Yes.

Actually, over the past few days,

there have been a series of incidents
threatening Toreasa's life.

Attempted assassinations?!

Tell me the details.

A week ago, on Toreasa's bed...

And two days after that...

Her food has been poisoned.

Thanks to the praegustator,
disaster was avoided, but...

What about the praegustator?

Thankfully, she's managed to survive.

Now she's currently recuperating
at her home.

That means, your request is...

To catch the culprit.

What should we do, Lady Ariane?

Let's accept.

As a fellow elf,
I can't just ignore this.

Thank you so much!

However, if they can set their traps in
the Lord's bedroom and dining room,

the culprit is likely someone
inside the castle.

Lord Petros, do you have any leads?

There are plenty.

Most of the servants in this castle have
been here since my father's rule.

Many harbor a grudge against both
of us for having overthrown him.

Why not root out these people
and banish them?

They are not at fault.

If we behead them, their families
will be rendered destitute.

But if you show mercy, no matter how
many lives you have, it won't be enough.

We're prepared for that.

There are also many among them
who don't welcome our marriage.

But that can't be helped.

People can't change easily.

We need a long, peaceful period
of time for that kind of change.

I understand the situation.

Then, let's go and devise a plan.

When you think of a port city,
it must be fresh seafood!

I've never seen such
a magnificent lobster!

It's so plump and juicy!

Hey, aren't you relaxing too much?

You should worry about
those two a bit more.

My apologies.

Still, those two, contrary to their
appearance, are as solid as a rock.

I mean, they're full of determination.

Right, I know.

I sensed a strong will to change society
through their marriage.

I want to do whatever I can
to help them.

I agree.

So, what's our plan?

First, let's gather information.

While I guard them, you investigate
any suspicious individuals.

Understood.

You're way too carefree.

Are you doing your investigation
properly?

Of course,
I haven't overlooked a thing.

So?

About the guard in the bedroom...

Was there armor here before?

Oh, well.

He was moving around like
he was searching for something.

That soldier is the culprit?

About that...

Hey!

Why is the armor moving?

You look suspicious!
What are you looking for?

I'm not looking for anything!

This note is undeniable proof!

T-That is...

Let's see...

Those big, round eyes,
and pale pink skin of yours...

You're just like a cute little piglet...

What is this?

Hey! It's rude to read someone else's
love letter without permission!

A love letter? This is?

After seeing Lord Petros
and Lady Toreasa get married,

I decided to confess to the woman I like,

so I was writing this letter!

That's the story.

And, what about the kitchen?

Ah, there was a soldier with
a really troubled look on his face.

He'd sneak out as soon
as his shift ended,

so I decided to follow him.

Believe it or not, that guy headed
straight into the apothecary.

Apothecary?!

Isn't that related to poison?

He's definitely suspicious.

I thought so too.

Owner.

Huh?

Excuse me, but what was that
gentleman from earlier here for?

That customer?
He wanted to know about poison.

Poison?!

He asked where to find
poisonous plants.

I told him they grow in the forest,
on the northern outskirts of the city.

Just as I thought!

Hey!

Who are you?

I'm arresting you on suspicion of
attempted poisoning of Lady Toreasa.

I didn't do that!

The fact that you were picking
poisonous plants is proof!

We'll hear your excuse at the castle!

Poison can be used to make an antidote!

If Lady Toreasa were poisoned again,

having an antidote on hand would
allow us to treat her quickly!

R-Right...

And that's how it went.

Oh, another one.

On the way back,
Ponta spotted a strange bird.

A strange bird?

What's wrong, Ponta?

Does your stomach hurt?

Understood! Understood!

Don't look over here, you fool!

Just a parrot humming to itself.

A parrot humming to itself?

Come to think of it,
in the courtyard...

What is that?

A bird cage.

My father used to keep a parrot,

but before I knew it,
it seemed to have escaped.

Yeah, it might very well
be that parrot.

Anyway, I've investigated most of
the suspicious people,

but it was all for nothing.

No.

There's one last person left,
the prime suspect.

Petros's father, huh?

But he's under house arrest.

Could he really be behind this?

Even if I tried to investigate,

he wouldn't give himself away,
as he's under surveillance.

In that case, I have a good idea.

I've got a really bad feeling
about this.

Damn you, Petros, how dare
you lock me in this place!

No, the fault is not in my son.

Everything is because of that elf.

She has completely charmed Petros
and even stolen my place.

Excuse me.

Huh? What is this?

They said there's nowhere else
to store this.

I'm told to bring it in here.

This isn't a storage room!
Take it back!

But orders are orders.

I'm taking my leave then.

Hey, you! Wait!

Damn it! Now they've even brought
this useless junk in here!

W-What is this?!

Is there a person inside it?

There's no one inside.

Actually, it's me.

I'll pick it apart and throw it out
through the window!

Or should I burn it to ashes?

Oh well.

I'll just have to put up with that
here for a little longer.

That parrot!

Listen, tomorrow is my wife's
death anniversary.

Petros and Toreasa will definitely
come to her grave.

That's where you strike.

Understood! Understood!

As expected,
the culprit is this old man.

Still, that parrot...

Where's that skeleton?!

You shall learn your place, elf brat.

Being alone with you
in a cramped place like this,

I can't help but feel a little guilty.

No, this is not the time to be thinking
about unnecessary things.

The future of both humans and elves
depends on this.

That's the target.

Attack!

Yes, sir!

We've already seen through
your scheme!

W-Who the hell is he?

Just ignore it!
Our target is the elf!

Uh, I think you shouldn't go there.

O flames, dance around
with my sword!

That's not Toreasa!

Anyone who wants to die,
come here!

Thank you for coming here,
Lady Toreasa.

Roberis, how are you feeling?

I'm much better now.

If it weren't for you,
I might have died by now.

I've been wanting to come visit you.

It's such an honor that
you would visit my house.

There's not much here,
but please make yourself at home.

Holy Knight's combat skill!
Judgment!

I think that's all of them.

Yes.

Great job, both of you!

Now, I can pick up Toreasa.

Where's Toreasa now?

She's visiting the praegustator's house
in the northern outskirts of the city.

Poisonous plants that grow at the northern
outskirts of the city, the praegustator...

The place where the parrot of
the previous lord was spotted...

Oh, no!

Arc, teleport to the forest
in the north now!

Huh?

But why?

Hurry up!

Yes, ma'am!

That's the place!

That house is...

It smells good.

Wait a minute!

Lord Arc and Lady Ariane?!
What is going on?

Well, about that...

Ah...

Please excuse me.

What?!

As I thought.

What is the meaning of this?

Toreasa, the culprit who's
targeting your life is...

that woman.

Huh?!

She's acting under
the previous lord's order.

And what's the proof?

Poisonous plants are growing
in this area, it seems.

It's been bothering me ever since
I first heard about the incident.

Someone rarely survives
after drinking poison.

What does that mean?

The poison incident was staged
by her on purpose.

Staged by her?!

After the plan to have the poisonous
snake k*ll Toreasa failed,

you staged a poison assassination attempt
to remove yourself from suspicion.

But your true goal is much
more sinister.

Much more sinister?!

The kind-hearted Toreasa
would surely come to visit you.

That moment would be the perfect
opportunity for an assassination.

This moment, that is.

No way!

She's running away.

That's as far as you go!

Give up!

Why are you doing this?

I will never acknowledge the marriage
between humans and elves.

It's unacceptable for an elf to rule
over humans!

Times are changing.

Stop this foolishness!

I never intended to run away
from my sin in the first place.

If I have to live out my days
in disgrace...

Why are you saving me?!

It's precisely people like you who
should live through the coming era.

And you must change.

Thank you, O brave knights!

Toreasa is safe thanks to both of you.

Being betrayed by the people that
you trusted must be hard.

Are you feeling okay?

Thanks to this incident, we realize that
we have to strengthen our resolve.

But...

I understand.

I decided to keep believing in
the possibility of humans and elves.

Toreasa.

I will protect you from now on.

Dear!

Toreasa!

Dear!

Toreasa!

Dear!

Toreasa!
- Dear!

Still, if it weren't for
Detective Ariane's deduction,

Lady Toreasa wouldn't have survived.

Detective?

Oh, it's nothing.

But Lord Petros has his hands full too.

He'll have to deal with his father again.

There's no need for that.

Chase that bird!

The remaining rebels must
be hiding there!

There are no allies left for
the previous lord.

Both of them might be able to
change the world someday.

Isn't that a Whispering Fowl?

Ariane. Arc.

This is... Danka's voice?!

Oh! That guy, yes?

I haven't seen him lately.

In Houvan, Rhoden Kingdom,

there are people abducting elves,
beastmen, and humans alike.

Please head there immediately!

♪"I wanted to become stronger."♪

♪A promise, memories, wrapped in the wind♪

♪It's okay, you're not alone anymore♪

♪The rain merely brushed across my cheeks♪

♪Today becomes tomorrow in an instant,
at the boundary between the two♪

♪The moment when weakness becomes strength
is unlike any algorithm could explain♪

♪Can you prove it?♪

♪I wish these feelings could reach you♪

♪In our next life, I hope things will
be a little more peaceful♪

♪Even if we can't use magic♪

♪"Do something, empty shell"♪

♪Why can't I hear the song
that's meant to save us?♪

♪Don't mess with me!
That should have been so simple♪

♪But a miracle never comes♪

♪Twisting, tangling,
a multifaceted spectrum♪

♪No, I want to turn back time♪

♪No matter what,
I hold close the hidden side♪

♪of all the pain we're destined to carry♪

♪Disappear, disappear
Even if that wish can never come true♪

♪Still, I want to live♪

♪The wind that cuts is merciless,
swirling with absurdity♪

♪Even so, you're still here♪

♪The compass's tangled history♪

♪A weather vane's scheme grieving
over old anecdotes♪

♪While we keep going around
in circles like this♪

♪Tomorrow has already arrived♪