Sacred Stone Memories Chapter 11/Quest 12 - Storyline

The Value of Conflict

Sol	...Bang.
Kanon	Agh!!!
Kagura	Kanon!
Sol	Hey now. This isn't it for you...is it? I'm even holding back to keep my wounds from opening up.
Kanon	Ngh! A-as if! I won't lose to you!
Sol	Oh yeah... That reminds me. You're supposed to be the embodiment of justice in this world, aren't you, little miss "Lord Commander"?
Kagura	Armageddon Sky!!!
Sol	Hey, I'm in the middle of speaking to your little friend here.
Kagura	What?! Argh!
Kanon	Kagura!
Sol	You'll be last. I'm going to take my time with you, so just wait your turn.
Kanon	...
Sol	Like I was saying. Lord Commander, if you claim to be the embodiment of justice, then I cannot forgive you. You will pay with your life.
Kanon	Ugh... Pay? For...what?
Sol	Lost Blue... For not conforming to the continent's definition of justice... Simply for that reason, the people of Lost Blue are ostracized by the rest of the world, even to this day. If you represent the justice of this continent, then logically...you are the one who should be held responsible, am I not right?
Kagura	Ngh! B-by what right...?
Kanon	If people are living persecuted lives for being different... Then you may be right. I accept responsibility for my part in a system that allows that to happen. I apologize.
Kagura	Kanon?
Sol	Huh...
Kanon	But still...it does not excuse your hurting others! The slaughter you have left in your wake will never be justified!
Sol	That's just a matter of opinion. Life itself has no value. Only the strength of one's willpower can determine a life's value.
Kanon	Willpower?
Sol	That's right. Just look at the beasts in the wild. Only the ones that are determined to survive will live. That is how the world of humans should be.
Kanon	Are you saying we should live in a world where the weak are culled out of society?
Sol	Exactly. Unfortunately, this world preaches that life itself is more precious than anything else. Such naive teachings keep the weak living among us. The result is this pathetic world, in which any fool can breathe the same air as we do. Those fools outnumber the strong-willed while those who do possess a strong will are seen as outcasts and find themselves rejected from society.
Kagura	Those with a strong will to live?! Quit romanticizing yourself! Lost Blue is just a collection of criminals and scoundrels!
Sol	Fool. They are only treated as criminals for having a different set of values. From our perspective, the true criminals are the people of the rest of this world, who live lives of complacency. If you, the Lord Commander, are justice incarnate, then you are leading this world down the path of sin. That's why you must pay with your life. Your death will show the world! It will show them that what we are attempting to accomplish is no mere fantasy! This world can change for the better!
Kanon	You are free to dream whatever you like, but it will never become a reality.
Sol	And why is that?
Kanon	Because I will stand in your way! It is my duty to protect this world! As long as I live, I will not let you do as you wish!
Sol	That is the answer I wanted. It means that killing you is a definitive step toward realizing our goal. Simple, isn't it?
Kanon	I'd like to see you try! Alchemia Nova!!!
Later...
Sol	!
Kanon	Ack!
Kagura	He deflected it?!
Sol	Don't you get it? You cannot defeat me. This is a simple fact. Your reality is going to be a thing of the past! Primordial Big Bang!!!
Kanon	Aaaghh!!!
Kagura	Kanon!
Sol	Tch! I hate having to exert myself. I guess I could have used a lot less energy.
???	I-if I...survive this blast...
Sol	Wha—?!
Kanon	If my blade can reach you...we can still win!
Kagura	Kanon!
Sol	Y-you...?!
Kanon	It is my responsibility to defend the peace of this world! I cannot afford to lose against you! Eternal Glow!!!
Sol	Nngh—graaaaaahh...! Heh. Just kidding.
Kagura	Huh...?!
Kanon	I-I can't move?! This is...a magic circle?!
Sol	Did you not learn anything from watching Othima? This is one of his signature moves, is it not?
Kanon	M-magic?!
Sol	Ex Atmosphere!!!
Kanon	Aghh!!!
Kagura	Kanon!
Kanon	I...c-cannot lose...to...
Kagura	No!!!
Sol	She didn't rise to Lord Commander for nothing. She was tougher than I expected... Now it's your turn to die. I do hope you will forgive me for keeping you waiting.
Kagura	You think your magic can take me out?!
Sol	I know it can't. Magic is your forte. I'll just have to beat you to death.
Kagura	Nngh! I...can't move!
Sol	Die regretting your choice to get in our way!
???	Huzzzaahhh!!!
Kagura	...
Sol	What the—?!
Kagura	Ack!
???	That's a magic circle, right? Captain Dilga taught me that the best way to release a person from the hold of a magic circle is to punch them out of it!
Sol	Who...are you?
Bud	Me? I'm Bud Crowley! A knight of the Blue Flame Guard from Envylia!
Kanon	The Blue Flame Guard?
Bud	You're Lord Commander Kanon, correct? There's nothing to fear! More knights from Envylia are on the way! Chloe and Captain Vettel of the Scarlet Flame Guard should be arriving soon as well!
Kagura	R-run!
Bud	Huh?
Kagura	That man is out of your league! You're no match for him!
Bud	What are you saying? You want me to turn my back on the enemy and run? These are not words I'd expect from the Holy—!
Sol	This is not a playground, kid. Stay out of my way.
Bud	Agh!!!
Kagura	H-how could you?!
Sol	I simply got rid of a fool who could not even grasp the overwhelming difference in our power. Prepare yourself, Redhead.
Bud	Nngh! Y-you're the fool!
Sol	You...!
Bud	D-difference in power? Like I care! Power isn't what decides the victor of a battle! The one with greater willpower wins in the end!
Sol	Huh, interesting. I have to agree with you on that point.
Kanon	N-no! Don't provoke him!
Bud	I'm d-disappointed in you all! Are you really Captain Monzein's comrades?!
Kanon	Huh?
Bud	If you have conviction, there's no need to run! If you can't put your life on the line now, then when can you?!
Kanon	...!!!
Kagura	You...!
Sol	I'm glad to see a youth that understands. I'm impressed. However, you suffer from a severe lack of experience. You still don't know that willpower alone cannot bend the light to your will. You need to have the power to realize your desires if you want to really accomplish anything.
Bud	Then show me what power you've got! I'll show you that I can take it!
Sol	The words of those without the strength to carry out their will are nothing more than hot air. It's time you faced the truth!
Bud	Wh-whoa!
Kagura	Get back!
Bud	What are you doing?!
Kagura	Isn't it your duty to protect Envylia?! Don't waste your life here!
Sol	You're going to sacrifice yourself for some boy you've just met? Fine. I'll kill you first, Redhead! You have caused me enough trouble. Atone for your sins with your soul!
Kanon	Kagura!
Kagura	Urk! Aaaaaahh!!!
???	H-huzzaaaaaah!!!
Sol	What the—?!
Reimei	Ugh... Gah!
Kagura	Reimei?!
Sol	You're tougher than I thought. How are you still alive? Do you still not understand how pointless it is to challenge me?
Reimei	P-pointless? Urgh...! Don't be so...sure.
Sol	What? Urk! Y-you... When...?!
Reimei	How...disappointing. I w-wanted to...see where your path would...take you.
Sol	My path? What are you talking about? You think a wound like this is going to change anything?
Reimei	D-don't be stupid. I'm an assassin. I would never...misjudge...my t-target's strength.
Sol	And...?
Reimei	I can admit you're stronger than me. B-but...you underestimate...what others are...capable of.
Sol	H-hey, let go! Restraining me won't get you anywhere!
Reimei	Yeah, I'm not going anywhere.
Sol	You're making no sense. I don't have time to play games with you.
Reimei	L-let me take back what I said. I already know...to wh-what end...your path will lead you.
Sol	What?
Reimei	I-I'm saying it's easy to see...what fate has in store for you. R-right, Kudan...stein?
Sol	Wha—?!
Kudanstein	Hmph. Couldn't have said it better myself.
Sol	You...?!
Kudanstein	!
Sol	Agh!
Kanon	C-Captain Kudan?!