Sacred Stone Memories Chapter 11/Quest 11 - Storyline

Growing Threat

Kanon	Captain Cadanova! I-I'm sorry, I failed to fulfill my duties again! Nngh... As if I could...let things end...this way! I will...never...! Justice will reign! As long...as Excalibur holds! O-Orion... I... I will never...let you accomplish your goals!
Emperor	Uhn...uhh...
Kanon	Y-Your Majesty?! Nngh! The Emperor still...lives! S-somebody, please! Medic!

Kagura	What is this? What happened here?!
Reimei	To have brought such a large force, Greed Dike must be serious about taking Northern Pride down today!
Kagura	Even so, how can Northern Pride be so overwhelmed?! Our homeland is defended by the elite among the Holy Guard. Our forces should be able to match Greed Dike's army, no matter their number!
???	Would you like to know why your situation is so dire?
Kagura	Huh...?!
Reimei	Get back!
Neun	!
Reimei	!
Neun	...
Reimei	Urgh!
Neun	Northern Pride wasn't the one that hired us, that's the difference! Gwahahah!
Kagura	You're one of Sol's...
Reimei	Who is this guy?
Kagura	He's one of the Templars, a mercenary hired by Greed Dike!
Reimei	Templars?
Neun	Hey, samurai. It's impressive you can parry my attack, but...
Reimei	Wha—?!
Kagura	He's gone?!
Neun	!
Reimei	Agh! Ughh!
Kagura	Reimei!
Neun	Ha, idiot. If you hadn't awkwardly tried to dodge, you could have died without writhing in pain like this.
Reimei	Urgh, he's...so fast!
Neun	So, you're Kagura, right? I've been looking for you.
Kagura	For me? Why?!
Neun	I haven't done anything worthwhile in this fight yet. I can't let Sol have all the fun!
Kagura	Fun...?
Neun	I need to kill at least one captain to satisfy my bloodlust! I don't care which one, but...you seem to be the only one left. I'll get to be the one with the last major kill!
Kagura	Wh-what?! This isn't a game!
Neun	I'm not playing around! Aren't you the one who ruined the Matter for us? That was supposed to be our payment! We were gonna seek you out and kill you no matter what!
Kagura	I'd like to see you try!
Reimei	R-run...
Kagura	Huh?
Reimei	H-he's on...a whole other level... He'll...k-kill you!
Kagura	...
Neun	Your warning comes a little too late.
Kagura	Wha—?!
Neun	Your death will make a nice souvenir.
Kagura	Wh-wha—?
???	Huzzzaaaaahh!!!
Neun	What the—?!
Basheeny	!
Neun	Tch! He's caught up already?!
Basheeny	Captain Kagura! Are you all right?! Who is this guy?
Kagura	Basheeny! This is Reimei. He kept me safe while I was travelling from the Desert Zone to come here.
Basheeny	Uh...okay. Anyway, you should go on ahead. I have fought this man before and I know how to handle him. Leave him to me, and head to the castle!
Kagura	The castle?
Basheeny	Orion was seen marching in alone! The Sacred Stone Lucifer and the Emperor are in danger! Please hurry!
Kagura	Got it!
Neun	You brat! Get back here!
Basheeny	Flying Gear Assault!!!
Neun	Gnh! You?!
Basheeny	You're gonna have to go through me first! Captain Kagura! Before you go, I have to know one thing.
Reimei	...
Kagura	Huh?
Basheeny	I've heard that Captain Othima and Seida have...passed away. Is this true?
Kagura	It is.
Basheeny	I...see. You should hurry! Reimei, was it? Please look after Captain Kagura!
Reimei	Tch! There's no turning back now! We've gotta go!
Kagura	Basheeny! You'd better survive this!
Reimei Kagura	...
Neun	As if I'd let you escape!
Basheeny	!
Neun	Grnh?! Why you little...!
Basheeny	We meet again... This won't be like the last time we fought. I've found the key to defeating you. You may be imperceptibly fast, but I can still catch the moment you take action.
Neun	Urgh...
Basheeny	I'm counting on you, Captain Kagura! Huzzaaahh!!!
Meanwhile...
Spica	Haaa... Haaa...
Miuna	Sh-she's...?!
Kazahaya	She's too strong!
Acht	Tell me. Has Captain Kagura of the 5th Regiment not yet returned?
Kazahaya	Captain Kagura?
Miuna	What do you want with her?
Acht	She is the one who destroyed what we were owed... The Matter.
Kazahaya	Ha! So Captain Kagura was able to prevent you from plundering the Matter!
Acht	!
Kazahaya	Whoa!
Acht	Perhaps this is amusing to you, but this is no laughing matter for us. Obtaining the Matter was Sol's primary objective. We were at the brink of accomplishing that objective, and Kagura took it away from us. I will never forgive her.
Spica	This Sol... He is dear to you, isn't he?
Acht	He is. When I was orphaned by war, I had lost all purpose in life. Sol was the one who gave me hope for the future. Sol is my sunshine. He is the reason I live. I'm sure you wouldn't understand.
Spica	I do understand. Wanting to dedicate yourself to the person that gave you meaning in life? That is a feeling I truly understand.
Acht	You are the first person to say so. I am...pleased... However... I cannot waste any time here. You will now die.
Kazahaya	Uh-oh! Here she comes!
Miuna	!
Acht	Wha—?!
Miuna	That's a cold weapon you've got there. There's no way such a heartless weapon can beat mine! I made this weapon with my blood and soul!
Spica	Miuna!
Miuna	As a weaponsmith, it's my duty to make you understand that weapons are made to protect people!

Orion	Finally. How many years has it been since I began this quest? How many have I slain along the way? Hmph. None of that matters now that I stand here on this ground.
Holy Guard Knight A	Halt, Orion, you degenerate usurper! You are surrounded! Give yourself up!
Holy Guard Knight B	...
Orion	The Leviathan of Envylia, the Matter of Saga, and the Mikaboshi of Wadatsumi have each been disabled. Mammon of Greed Dike is mine, and now... Now Lucifer of Northern Pride is within my grasp! Surely the balance of power in this world cannot be any more destabilized than it is at this point!
Holy Guard Knight A	Tch! Did you not hear me?! Lay down your weapon or else—
Orion	Enough.
???	...
Holy Guard Knight	Wh-what is that thing?!
???	!
Holy Guard Knights	Aaaaahh!!!
Orion	Nameless warriors, there is no need to lament. Your sacrifices will be the foundation of a new world. The time has come! A new era is now upon us! O ancient tower of desires, show yourself to this world once more!
Holy Guard Knight A	Th-the Sacred Stones are...glowing?!
Holy Guard Knight B	Look there! Is that...the Tower of Babel?!
Orion	Hahaha! I knew you were anticipating this moment as well! Now, make your path to resurrection apparent! Founder of Alchemy, Nimul... Descend unto my being!


Kanon	Nnrgh...
Holy Guard Knight C	Lord Commander Kanon!
Kanon	Wh-where is Orion?
Holy Guard Knight C	My apologies! We could not stand against his overwhelming power as he made his way toward the Babel Ruins!
Kanon	Ngh...! N-no! We must s-stop him!
Holy Guard Knight C	Lord Commander! Medic, over here! Hurry!
Kanon	Never mind me! Get to the more seriously wounded first!
Kagura	Kanon!
Kanon	K-Kagura?!
Kagura	Are you okay?! Where is Orion?!
Kanon	He took Lucifer and headed to the Babel Ruins.
Kagura	He took Lucifer?! What about the Emperor?!
Kanon	Medics are caring for him now. His wounds are deep, but they're not life-threatening.
Kagura	Then...all is not yet lost.
Reimei	The Lion Monarch Orion... His aim is to topple this world from its foundations! Conflicts within this continent mean nothing to him. He doesn't even blink at killing the leader of this suzerain nation.
Kanon	You are...Chihaya's...
Reimei	Hey, it's been a while.
Kagura	You two...know each other?
Reimei	We met once before, in Wadatsumi. It was before I started working with Kudanstein.
Kanon	You were with Captain Kudan?!
Reimei	For a while after Wadatsumi, yeah. By the way...I heard Kudanstein has returned to this world. Did you have anything to do with that?
Kanon	H-how do you know about that?!
Reimei	I'm the one asking questions here.
Kanon	As far as I know, that's just hearsay. There has been no chance for me to confirm that rumor.
Kagura	It's the truth. I was saved by him just recently.
Kanon	By Captain Kudan?!
Kagura	Kanon... Have you heard about Captain Othima and Seida?
Kanon	I have. That they...passed away. Is it true?
Kagura	I'm...sorry.
Kanon	No!
Kagura	Captain Othima and Seida were both trying to save me. They gave their lives to... to...!
Kanon	There's no need to cry, Kagura.
Kagura	Huh...?
Kanon	They are both alive within your heart, aren't they?
Kagura	Wha—?!
Kanon	The fact you survived and made it this far is proof enough that their will lives on within you. No matter how hard things get, we have to keep our eyes on the future. For their sake.
Kagura	You're right. I was about to be killed along with Captain Othima and Seida, but that's when Kudan came and...
Kanon	Wha—?!
Kagura	If Kudan had not arrived when he did, I would surely be dead now.
Kanon	Captain Kudan...? But why?
Kagura	I don't know why he saved me. He even said he had no obligation to do so.
Reimei	He really can't be honest with himself, can he?
Kanon	Anyway, this is no time to discuss this. We can talk later! Kagura, come with me to the Babel Ruins!
Kagura	Orion has the Sacred Stone Lucifer!
Kanon	He plans to awaken the Tower of Babel, that which paves the path for Nimul's resurrection!
Kagura	We must hurry!
???	And...? What are you going to do? Destroy the Sacred Stones?
Kagura	Who's there?!
Sol	...
Reimei	That voice...came from that guy all in black over there?
Kagura	N-no...!
Kanon	Who is he? Do you know him?
Kagura	It's...S-Sol!
Kanon	Wh-what?!
Sol	...
Later...
Neun	!
Basheeny	Urgh...!
Neun	I thought you said you were getting used to my speed. Don't make me laugh! I'm here to kill someone ranked Captain or higher! You're not worth my time!
Basheeny	I'm not worth your time? I'll prove you wrong!
Neun	What?
Basheeny	!
Neun	Urgh! Why, you little...
Basheeny	If I couldn't learn from the past, I wouldn't be able to face Captain Othima again! I can't disappoint him—bless his soul—by losing to the likes of you!
Neun	You...actually managed to...wound me.
Basheeny	He's gone?!
Neun	You really shouldn't have done that.
Basheeny	!
Neun	!
Basheeny	He's faster than before?! Whoa!
Neun	I'll shred you to pieces, brat!
???	Huzzzaaaaahh!!!
Neun	...
Basheeny	What?!
Victor	!
Neun	Ack!
Victor	Hey, hey, hey! It's not like you to get beaten so badly!
Basheeny	Little frog?!
Victor	Stop calling me a frog!
Neun	Hmph! You think another kid in the fight is gonna change anything? Fools!
Basheeny	Behind me?!
Victor	Wh-whoa!
Vettel	Some of us aren't kids anymore.
Neun	Urgh! Another one?!
Chloe	!
Neun	...
Vettel	We are the Scarlet Flame Guard of Envylia! We will now join the battle in support of the Holy Guard! Soldiers of Greed Dike, prepare yourselves!!!
Basheeny	Captain Vettel! Chloe!
Chloe	We finally managed to subdue the Greed Dike forces in Envylia. I apologize for the delay. We came as soon as we could to help!
Basheeny	Th-thank you so much! This is definitely the boost we needed!
Vettel	There's no need to thank us. Had Captain Monzein not been there to help us... Our country would be in complete ruin by now. It's only right that we would come to help during Northern Pride's time of need. Paladins of the Holy Guard, hear me! Knights of Lustburg and Gluttony Foss are on their way, along with even more soldiers of a few other countries! Do not lose hope! We can and will drive back Greed Dike's forces! Hold fast, and victory will be ours!
Basheeny	This must be what Commander Kanon and Captain Monzein were talking about!
Victor	What?
Basheeny	Little frog, I finally understand. This is what they meant when they said that caring for others is what gives us strength!
Victor	Heh, nice. You finally get it. Also, stop calling me a frog.
???	!
Holy Guard Knights	Aaaaahh!!!
Basheeny Victor	!!!
Neun	How long do you all intend to stand around and chat? You really think the lot of you can defeat us? You, who have known nothing but lives of comfort and ease?
Chloe	He's preparing to attack! Everybody watch out!
Neun	You've all ticked me off! I'm going to kill—!
Sol	...
Victor	Wh-what the...? What is he looking at?
Neun	Tch! Took you long enough!
Chloe	Huh?
Neun	I'll kill you later. Just you wait.
Basheeny	Wha—?!
Victor	He...ran away?
Basheeny	Captain Vettel, I'm going after him!
Vettel	Right! We'll cover you! Knights, raise your swords! This is the battle that will decide the fate of this world!
Meanwhile...
Miuna	...
Kazahaya	We just received reports that the Scarlet Flame Guard have arrived from Envylia to support us! Not only that, but knights from other countries are on their way as well!
Miuna	Looks like the wind's blowing in our favor. What are you going to do? Keep this up and you'll...
Acht	...
Sol	...
Miuna	Um, are you listening?
Acht	The fair wind is still on our side.
Spica	Huh?
Acht	It is settled. We have won. All of you should surrender for your own good.
Miuna	What?! What are you talking about? We just said knights from around the world are headed this way. There's no way you can win.
Acht	It's not about numbers. The fate of this world was sealed the moment he arrived.
Kazahaya	Who?
Spica	No... You can't mean...
Acht	A new future is about to be created. Take pride in knowing you will bear witness to the birth of a new era.
Kazahaya	She's gone?!
Spica	Miuna!
Miuna	I know! Let's go after her!
Meanwhile...
Sol	Hey, Redhead. We're in a tight spot because of what you did to the Matter. Do you understand?
Kagura	Urgh...
Kanon	He's Sol? As in...
Kagura	As in the leader of the Templars?! He's the one who killed Captain Yauras! He killed Captain Othima and Seida, too!
Kanon	Wha—?!
Sol	You speak as though I'm some murderer. You lot started this, remember?
Holy Guard Knight A	The leader of the Templars?!
Holy Guard Knight B	He's the one that killed our Captains?!
Sol	A wise man sees his neighbor's residence on fire and checks his own hearth.
Kanon	Huh?
Sol	It means it would be wise to pluck the buds of distress before they bloom. I won't let you derail our plans again, Redhead. I'll kill you first.
Kanon	You're not going to steal Lucifer in place of the Matter, are you?!
Sol	Of course I will. Mercenaries don't work for free.
Holy Guard Knight A	We won't let you!
Holy Guard Knight B	He's only one man! Get him!
Kagura	S-stop! No!
Sol	...Bang.
Holy Guard Knights	Aaaaahh!!!
Kagura	No!!!
Reimei	What the hell was that?!
Kagura	He can cause explosions at will. Don't rush him without a plan!
Sol	Don't worry, I don't plan to blow everything up indiscriminately. I just need you to die.
Kagura	You...!
Kanon	We won't let you take her!
Sol	Get out of my way. I'd rather not kill women if I can avoid it.
Kanon	I won't move! As the Lord Commander, I cannot let your barbarity continue!
Sol	Lord...Commander?
Kagura	Kanon, you have to go! The situation at the Babel Ruins—!
Kanon	If we don't stop him here, he'll make his way to the Babel Ruins as well! It would be better to take care of him here than to risk having him join Orion!
Sol	So... You are Kanon. You're younger than I thought. I guess there's no avoiding it. We Templars share a bond that was forged in steel. You caused the death of one of our own. I cannot allow you to live. Sorry, but you're going to die with the redhead there.
Reimei	Can you do that without a head on your shoulders?
Kagura	Reimei?!
Kanon	When did he sneak up on him?!
Sol	Didn't your parents teach you that it's dangerous to point a blade at someone?
Reimei	Sorry, but I'm an assassin. I get paid to point blades at people. By the way, I have a question for you, too.
Sol	And what would that be?
Reimei	I heard you fought against Kudanstein. If you're here, does that mean you killed Kudanstein?
Sol	Kudanstein? He was a tiring one to deal with. I'll leave it up to your imagination.
Reimei	In that case...your time's up.
Sol	...
Reimei	Wh-where did he go?!
Sol	I forgot to tell you. I'm pretty confident about my speed as well.
Reimei	How did he get...?
Sol	!
Reimei	Agh! Gah!
Kanon	Reimei!
Kagura	Reimei!!!
Sol	I'll say it one last time. I only need you to die. No one else.
Reimei	Urgh!
Kagura	Wha—?!
Sol	Are you prepared to die?
Kanon	Ugh!