Sacred Stone Memories Chapter 11/Quest 20 - Storyline

A Wish That Transcends Space and Time

Basheeny	Huzzaaaaahh!!!
Greed Dike Soldier B	Arghhhhhhhhhh!!!
Victor	Haaa... Haaa... Heh. The Greed Dike soldiers are nothing without the Templars!
Basheeny	Wipe the blood off your nose first, little frog.
Victor	Sh-shut up!
Spica	Revenge Crush!!!
Greed Dike Soldier C	...
Victor	Wha—?!
Spica	We may have reinforcements, but there are still many Greed Dike soldiers left. Keep your guards up.
Victor	R-right.
Miuna	Haaa... Haaa... There sure are a lot of them.
Chloe	Yes. It's a nuisance—but even with their numbers, we can take them out if we do it one by one.
Vettel	What's going on?
Victor	What is it?
Vettel	It's just... The Greed Dike soldiers are...distracted by something. They've all started shouting at each other.
Victor	Don't tell me that those guys are just now feeling the sting of my attacks!
Vettel	Wipe your nose.
Victor	Oh, uh, thanks.
Kazahaya	Everyone! I have a report!
Basheeny	A report...?
Kazahaya	It says that Lord Commander Kanon defeated Orion. It looks like the Greed Dike soldiers got the same report!
Vettel	Wh-whoa!
Basheeny	L-Lord Commander Kanon? She did it!
Kagura	Ngh... Ughh...!
Bud	Hey, are you all right?
Kagura	Y-yes... What's all this commotion?
Bud	They're saying that your Lord Commander defeated Orion.
Kagura	K-Kanon?! Nngh...
Bud	H-hey! Don't push yourself too hard!
Chloe	Kanon... Is she...?
Kazahaya	Well...that's...
Miuna	What? Spit it out already! If it was as simple as Kanon winning the battle, those guys would be a lot quieter!
Kazahaya	It's just... The report says that she's now in battle with Captain Kudan.
Vettel	What?!
Kagura	Kudan and...Kanon?!
Miuna	Why would they be fighting?! Can we trust this information?!
Kazahaya	H-hey, don't kill the messenger.
Kagura	Kudan...
Bud	I can't believe that man. He told me to protect you, and then he just up and left.
Kagura	What?! Kudan said that?!
Seida	Captain Kudan has chosen a solitary path. It seems that he didn't want us to get involved.
Othima	...
Kagura	You mean...?!
Yauras	He's planning to sacrifice himself to shield us from the calamities that will befall this world.
Kagura	No!
Bud	He set out on a lonely path to obtain the power he needs in order to protect this world. You're like his little sister. That's why he said goodbye to you first.
Kagura	Kudan...!
Bud	Will you go?
Kagura	Huh?
Bud	He acts tough, but I'm sure that guy is thinking of you, even now. You're important to him. You should be there to witness the end of this lonely battle he chose for himself.
Kagura	But...!
Greed Dike Soldier A	Don't get complacent! The Greed Dike soldiers will never be defeated! Come and get it!
Greed Dike Soldiers	...
Kagura	I can't leave with the battle still going on.
Bud	...
Seida	It's all right.
Kagura	Huh?
Victor	Ngh...?!
Miuna	Wh-what is this light?!


Vettel	That's...!
Kazahaya	The Tower of Babel is...fading?!
Greed Dike Soldier A	No! Emperor Orion?! He couldn't really have been defeated...could he?!

Othima	It seems that the threat of Nimul's resurrection has passed.
Yauras	D-don't worry. The battle is...almost...over.
Kagura	C-Captain Yauras?! Seida?! Captain Othima?!
Victor	Their bodies are fading?!
Othima	Unfortunately... Th-this is...the end for us.
Seida	We were summoned here by Emmel's soul. Nimul's resurrection has been stopped, and so...our mission...is complete.
Kagura	No...!
Yauras	It's all right. You've got some fine...warriors assembled...here. You'll...be...fine.
Victor	What? H-hey!
Vettel	It looks like it's up to those of us left behind to finish this. Leave it to us!
Miuna	Thank you. All of you. Rest in peace.
Yauras	I'm...not sure I like the way you put that. Kagura...
Kagura	Yes?
Yauras	Bud was right. Y-you have...a duty to watch Kanon...and Kudan's...battle.
Seida	Let our will survive! You must make sure that...the next generation...knows how...the justice of this world...was upheld!
Kagura	Please don't go yet!
Yauras	The future of...humankind...is in your hands!
Othima	It is your duty to...create a beautiful world where everyone has...the right to live!
Seida	Make sure our...justice...r-reaches...the next generation!
Kagura	Wha—?!
Victor	Th-they're...gone!
Basheeny	Thank you...everyone.
Vettel	We must remember them as they were.
Bud	Indeed. So... What are you going to do?
Kagura	Right... I'm going to go, of course. I owe them at least that much!
Chloe	Captain Kagura...
Vettel	Chloe, you're free to go, too.
Chloe	Huh?
Vettel	You're worried about your friend, right? Go on. Go to her.
Chloe	Th-thank you, Captain!
Miuna	Hey. You should go, too.
Basheeny	B-but I...!
Spica	You're worried about Kanon, aren't you? If you can't concentrate on the battle, you'll just hold us back.
Basheeny	Th-thank you!
Chloe	...
Bud	Here I go!
Kagura	Kudan...!

Kudanstein	This is the last stand. Ready, Kanon? Let's settle this once and for all!
Kanon	But...!
Kudanstein	Don't worry. With Orion gone, the Greed Dike soldiers should pipe down. You should focus on sorting out our dispute first.
Kanon	Captain Kudan... Is there really no way to change your mind?
Kudanstein	Heh... I'm not sure that I believe in destiny, but I dare say it looks like fate has brought us to do battle here. Unfortunately, two kinds of justice cannot coexist in this world.
Kanon	So you've made up your mind?
Kudanstein	I have. Let the outcome of this battle decide whose justice this world desires.
Kanon	Phew... I feel...kinda strange.
Kudanstein	What?
Kanon	I know it's silly at a time like this...but I'm reminded of when I first joined the Holy Order. If not for all that has happened... If not for where we are... It almost feels like I'm learning swordsmanship from you all over again, Captain Kudan.
Kudanstein	What is this ridiculous sentimentality? We may have fought together once, but we were walking down completely different paths. Paths that have led us to this impasse.
Kanon	Yes... Protecting this world is the duty of all of mankind, Captain Kudan. It's not right for you to be the only one to sacrifice yourself. I'm doing this to save you, too.
Kudanstein	You're wrong. Protecting the balance of the world is not so simple. You should continue to be a symbol for the people. If there is to be a sacrifice, let it be me alone.
Kanon	I guess we'll never see eye to eye.
Kudanstein	Indeed. As knights, there is only one way to settle this. Let our blades decide this final battle!
Kanon	I'm ready, Captain Kudan!
Kudanstein	Kanon, here I come!
Kanon Kudanstein	Huzzzaahhh!!!
Kanon	Take this!!!
Kudanstein	Too soft!
Kanon	Argh!
Kudanstein	What are you doing? You should know that weak attacks like that won't cut it against me!
Kanon	I...remember.
Kudanstein	What?
Kanon	When you were teaching me swordsmanship... You always said that I lacked the thirst for blood.
Kudanstein	You certainly haven't changed. Your blade is still too indecisive. You can't expect to finish off your enemy like that.
Kanon	That's probably true, but this is how I... How the Lord Commander fights. This is the sword that the world wanted.
Kudanstein	Heh... That's the spirit. Now, come at me with all you've got!
Kanon	All right!
Kudanstein	So, it seems that you can match my speed now.
Kanon	Huzzzaaah!!!
Kudanstein	Wha—?!
Kanon	!
Kudanstein	Tch! It's impressive that you can keep attacking using that stance.
Kanon	Thank you.
Kudanstein	Argh! You... You got me?!
Kanon	Yup.
Kudanstein	Ngh! It seems you've improved since we last crossed swords on Ramproad Mountain.
Kanon	I wonder if this is what Lord Zain and Captain Cadanova were like.
Kudanstein	What?
Kanon	I heard that when they were young, they sparred with each other on Ramproad Mountain, over and over, for training. It sounds just like us.
Kudanstein	It does. However...
Kanon	Yeah... Unlike them, we've chosen different paths that lead away from each other.
Kudanstein	Paths that have reached a point of no return. Kanon, I'm done reminiscing. I'm not going to hold back anymore! Come at me with everything you have!
Kanon	All right.
Kudanstein	Huzzzaahhh!!!
Kanon	Huzzzaaahh!!!
Kagura	Kanon! Kudan!
Bud	Wh-what is this?! Is this really a fight between two humans?!
Basheeny	It's more like a battle between a god and a demon!
Chloe	Is that...Orion?!
Basheeny	S-so they really did it... They put a stop to Orion's ambitions!
Kanon Kudanstein	!
Basheeny	Ngh! These shockwaves are powerful!
Bud	Why in the name of the gods are they fighting?! There's absolutely no reason for the two of them to go at it! Stop it already!
Kagura	Y-yes, but... They're too evenly matched! How far are those two going to take this?!
Kanon Kudanstein	...
Later...
Kanon	Huzzzaaah!!!
Kudanstein	Ngh...! Argh! Grk... I didn't think...you'd...be able to...wear me down...so much.
Kanon	Haaa... Haaa... It doesn't matter...how strong you are! I'm not going to lose!
Kudanstein	So, you want more, huh? Fine...
Kanon	If you keep pushing yourself...!
Kudanstein	If I lose this battle, it will mean that my justice has been defeated... That is no future I can bear to live in! It is only right that I stake my life on the outcome of this battle! U-urgh... Gaaaaaaaah!
Kanon	Kudan!
Kudanstein	!
Kanon	Urk...! Argh!
Kagura	K-Kanon!
Bud	Are they trying to burn everything to the ground?! What's with the power behind these attacks?!
Kagura	Kudan! Have you lost your mind?!
Kudanstein	Argh... Arghhhh! All...right... Here...I go! Ngh...! Hrrgh!
Kanon	Captain Kudan... Is your justice so important to you that you'll go this far just to defend it in battle?!
Kudanstein	Huzzzaahhh!!!
Kanon	Look out! Kagura, run!
Kagura	Oh?!
Bud	Ngh! Huzzah!!!
Chloe	L-look out!
Basheeny	Captain Kagura, are you alright?!
Kagura	Y-yes... Thank you, everyone!
Bud	Haaa... Haaa... It's not cool if I'm always the one being protected, y'know! Still...
Kudanstein	Huzzzaaah!!!
Bud	Has he lost it?! He's even attacking you now! Does he intend to just cut down everything he sees?
Kagura	Kudan... No, Kudan... Has he really fallen so far?
Kanon	No. Captain Kudan is a good man.
Kagura	Kanon!
Kanon	For the future of all humankind, he is sacrificing himself and stepping into darkness. What you see before you is the result of his paying the price. Kagura, I want you to burn this image of him into your memory.
Kagura	O-okay!
Kanon	Huzzaahhhh!!!
Kudanstein	Nnrk...!
Kanon	Captain Kudan.... I swear that I will stop you, no matter what.
Kudanstein	Ngh!
Kanon	You chose a different path than I did, and now you've followed it to its conclusion. All you have ever done has been with the future of Babel in mind, pure and simple. So, really...
Kudanstein	Argh...! Nnrghhh!
Kanon	If things had been different, I might have ended up where you are now.
Kudanstein	Grraaaaaaahh!!!
Kanon	That's why I'm going to stop you! I have to stop you at any cost! I have to, because there's no one else... I'm the only one who can save you now! Huzzzaaaahhh!!!
Kudanstein	Ngh!
Kanon	Please, let this reach you! Shining Holy Judgment!!!
Kudanstein	Ngh?! Argh!
Bud	I-is it over?!
Kagura	Kudan!
Kanon	Haaa... Haaa... N-not yet... He's just lost consciousness.
Kagura	Still... Kudan has completely lost himself to the darkness, hasn't he?
Kanon	Yes...though I'm sorry to say it. Basheeny, what's the situation like over there?
Basheeny	Reinforcements have arrived and the battle is turning in our favor. News of Orion's defeat is circulating, spreading unrest among the Greed Dike soldiers, so it's just a matter of time.
Kanon	I see... Good.
Chloe	What's going to happen to Captain Kudan?
Kanon	He's already given himself over to the darkness. When he wakes, he will probably start attacking everything he sees again.
Chloe	No!
Kagura	I don't think Kudan ever wanted...this. Kanon, please... Put him to rest.
Kanon	No. I have absolutely no intention of killing Captain Kudan.
Kagura	Huh?
Kanon	If I did that... I couldn't save his soul. I'm sure it would just wander the darkness forever.
Basheeny	Then what do you intend to do?
Kanon	Kagura, do you remember what Chihaya told you?
Kagura	Chihaya...? You mean, the Chihaya we tried to save on that rescue mission?
Kanon	Yes. She told us that we must value our friends, right? That they're the ones who'll save us when we're in danger of being consumed by darkness? So I won't rest until I save Captain Kudan.
Chloe	Save...?
Kanon	Yes. I will soothe his troubled soul.
Kagura	You don't mean...?!
Kanon	Yes. I will take him to the Door of Truth. Just as Captain Cadanova sealed Zahar.
Basheeny	Wha—?! But if you do that...!
Kanon	Even if I take him there, there's only a very slim chance that my plan will work. Regardless, I want to save Kudan... Kudan, who saved the world. This will be my final task as Lord Commander.
Chloe	But...
Kanon	Besides...I don't have much time left.
Basheeny	What?! What do you mean?!
Kagura	You can't mean...the Burning Seal?!
Kanon	I do.
Kagura Chloe Basheeny	Wha—?!
Chloe	The power that Captain Monzein used?!
Basheeny	No way!
Kanon	It's all right. I have all of you. Friends who can fight on equal footing with the Greed Dike soldiers. Thanks to you, I can go and save Kudan without any regrets.
Basheeny	P-please, hold on! Isn't there a possibility that you can come back alive?!
Kanon	There is, but...there is only a very slim chance of that.
Basheeny	No!
Kanon	Basheeny... You have to be the one who supports the Holy Guard from here on out. Be strong.
Basheeny	Huh?
Kanon	Kagura, Chloe... I need a favor. Basheeny is still young. I want you to help him rebuild the Holy Guard with him at the center.
Basheeny	What?! W-wait a minute! What do you mean?!
Kanon	Take this.
Basheeny	What? Excalibur...? Why?
Kanon	Basheeny... I, the 11th Lord Commander, appoint you as the 12th Lord Commander.
Basheeny	What?!
Kanon	There are no Captains left. Except for Kagura, whose duty is to devote her life to sealing the Mikaboshi away if it appears again. I can't make her Lord Commander.
Basheeny	But why me?!
Kanon	Well, I just kind of felt like you were the right person for the job. You're young, but you also know all too well how terrifying the power of darkness is.
Basheeny	Terrifying...?
Kanon	Yes. So long as the true nature of Corpse remains unclear... I believe that it is necessary for the person who leads the Holy Guard to have a strong awareness of the power of darkness.
Basheeny	Corpse...!
Corpse	...
Kanon	They are a dangerous entity. If we leave them be, they will eventually cause corruption in the Holy Guard again, and possibly even bring about its destruction. I think it would be best for us to expose the true nature of their existence as soon as possible.
Kagura	All right. I'll do my best.
Basheeny	Is this really the only way?
Kanon	Yes... I'm sorry to put all of this on your shoulders.
Chloe	What are you talking about? No one can accuse the hero who saved the world of being selfish!
Kagura	Besides, you're doing all this to save Kudan. I'm the last person who can complain about it.
Kanon	Heheh... Kagura, you must live, so that you can pass on the history of what happened here to the next generation. You're the only one who can.
Kagura	I know. I will not let the significance of this battle fade, no matter what.
Kanon	Yup. That's why you have to get married.
Kagura	Huh?
Kanon	If you're passing something on to the next generation, it's easiest to start with your own children, don't you think? Well, you might have a hard time with that if you don't work on your feminine appeal a little more, though.
Kagura	Wha—?! What are you saying?! I don't want to hear that from you, airhead!
Chloe	C-come on... This isn't the time for this.
Kanon	Chloe, you need to try your best, too, okay?
Chloe	Huh?
Kanon	If you don't keep an eye on Captain Vettel, he'll be snatched up by someone else!
Chloe	Wh-what are you talking about?!
Kanon	Heheh.
Kudanstein	Nnrgh...
Bud	H-hey! He's waking up!
Kanon	The darkness works faster than I thought. I guess...this is goodbye.
Chloe	Kanon!
Kanon	I want the two of you to live happily ever after, okay?
Kagura	What?
Chloe	Kanon...
Kanon	Good luck, everyone! I wish you all the best!
Chloe	A-all...right.
Basheeny	Lord Commander Kanon!
Bud	Dangit! Is there nothing else we can do?!
Kanon	Don't make that face. With this, I can save the world...and Captain Kudan. I'm counting on you guys.
Kagura	No matter what...
Kanon	Huh?
Kagura	Someday, I will save you, Kanon! You have to live on, you airhead!
Kanon	I know you will. I'm counting on it.
Kudanstein	Nnrgh... Arrggghhhhhhhh!!!
Bud	Crap! He's awake!
Kanon	Don't worry, Captain Kudan.
Kudanstein	Urgh... Nrghhh!
Kanon	We have so many determined friends. I'm sure they will protect the peace of this world for us.
Kudanstein	Nrgh...
Kanon	Huh?
Kudanstein	Urgh... Nrrrghh...
Basheeny	Captain Kudan is...crying?!
Kagura	Kudan!
Kanon	Oh... Captain Kudan must know that we'll never let him down! All right, let's go!
Basheeny	Lord Commander Kanon!
Kudanstein	...
Kanon	Goodbye, everyone. Goodbye, beloved world. Huzzzaahhh!!!
Kagura	No, Kanon!
Chloe	Kanon!

Bud	Ngh! Wh-what was that light?!
Chloe	No... This can't be happening.
Kagura	Kanon...
Basheeny	Lord Commander Kanon!


Vettel	That's...!
Miuna	The light of the Tower of Babel is...gone?!
Holy Guard Knight	Reporting! Reinforcements have arrived at the border of Lustburg and Gluttony Foss!
Suzuka	Th-they will be here...any moment now! Thank...the gods.
Kazahaya	Suzuka! Are you all right?!
Suzuka	It's...the end of the battle. I can't afford to rest!
Greed Dike Soldier A	Argh! Retreat! Retreat!!!
Greed Dike Soldiers	...
Holy Guard Knight	Don't let them escape! Charge!!!
Holy Guard Knights	...
Victor	They're retreating. Does this mean we won?
Vettel	Seems like it. Whoa!
Victor	Captain Vettel!
Vettel	It's fine. I'm just a little tired. Let's go eat something sweet when we get back, shall we?
Victor	Yes!
Vettel	Gerald... It's over. It's finally over.

Bud	The light of the Tower of Babel has vanished?! What's going on over there?!
Chloe	I don't know... It's a world beyond our wildest imagination.
Kagura	I suspect that everything was swallowed up by the world on the other side of the Door of Truth.
Basheeny	Lord Commander Kanon... She's really...
Chloe	...
Bud	That can't be true, can it?!
Kagura	That airhead... She became a fine Lord Commander right under our noses.
Basheeny	No! Kanon! N-no... Nngh.
So the Lion Monarch's Charge, which shook the people of Babel to their core and ensnared an entire continent, came to an end. Having lost their true king, the Greed Dike soldiers submitted to Northern Pride and the other countries. They swore to restore their home nation and then disappeared from history. The Lion Monarch's Charge, which came at a very dear price, came to represent the absolute justice of the Holy Guard across Babel. Faith in the Holy Guard was heightened, and for a while, the world enjoyed a time of peace. This is the story of the knights who defined a certain era. History recounts the stories of those fiery souls who overcame the greatest threat that the world has ever known, and became legends.
Holy Guard Knight A	Hey! Go and tell them to send people over here, too!
Holy Guard Knight B	What?! No! The palace is in need of more workers! Send some this way!
Orion	Nngh... Urgh! N-not yet... I am not finished! I-I can...still—!
???	Sadly, you are mistaken. The curtain has already fallen.
Orion	What?!
Waginau	I am somewhat surprised you were not able to succeed in resurrecting Nimul.
Orion	W-Waginau! What...are you doing? J-just standing there?! C-come here and...heal me!
Waginau	No, it is too late for you. You are no longer able to house Nimul's soul within you.
Orion	Wh-what?!
Waginau	No matter. Another Vessel of Reincarnation will be born soon enough. It's only a matter of a few decades. Decades are nothing compared to the millennia I've waited. It will be nothing more than the blink of an eye to me.
Orion	M-millennia?! Wh-what are you talking about?!
Waginau	Your end is near. Let this be a parting gift. My name is Waginau Cradle. I lived among Nimul and Emmel at the time of Alchemy's creation.
Orion	C-Cradle?! I-I've heard...of... Y-you can't be! The founder and first Lord Commander of the Holy Guard?!
Waginau	You are well educated. Indeed, I am he.
Orion	I-it can't be! How can this be?!
Waginau	In all of history, none have come as close to resurrecting Nimul as you have. Sadly, you chose to kill Emmel's Vessel of Reincarnation. Unfortunately, that was the nail in the coffin for you. Had you not done that, Nimul would not have rejected you.
Orion	N-Nimul...rejected me?!
Waginau	The two of them wish to be reunited. As do I. At least you have served well as a fine example of one possible outcome. I will remember your deeds; particularly which ones to avoid. Well done.
Orion	Urgh...! Grk... Huzzaaaah!!!
Waginau	!!!
Orion	I am the Lion Monarch! If I am to go down, I will take you with me!
Waginau	Agh!
Orion	Gh! Nngh! S-so...this is how...it ends. Waginau...you're coming with me!
Waginau	I'm sorry to say that you'll be dying alone today. I must bear witness to the reunion of Nimul and Emmel.
Orion	Nng...Urgh... Y-you...!
Waginau	Farewell, Lion Monarch.
Orion	H-how...disappointing.
Waginau	Hmph. This presence... So those with true grit still exist. Nimul, Emmel, sleep for now. We shall meet again soon enough. I will prepare the appropriate vessels for you before then. Heh. Haha... Hahaha!

Kagura	...
Kazahaya	Captain Kagura! We've confirmed that all Greed Dike forces have withdrawn from Northern Pride!
Kagura	Are our forces pursuing them?
Suzuka	As you've commanded, the soldiers are avoiding excessive pursuit.
Kagura	Thank you. We should focus for now on restoring our chain of command. Everything else can wait until the Emperor's condition recovers. Got it, Basheeny?
Basheeny	Huh?
Kagura	Don't "Huh?" me, Basheeny. You're the Lord Commander now. You're supposed to be the one calling the shots.
Basheeny	Oh! Right. Uh...
Vettel	The damage here is far more devastating than what our country suffered.
Chloe Victor	...
Miuna	Yeah... Who knows how long it will take and what it will cost them to rebuild.
Spica	I don't think there's really anything to worry about.
Miuna	Huh?
Chloe	It looks like Kanon's willpower was inherited by everyone here.
Victor	Of course we have! If we don't take it on, then who will?
Bud	Glad to hear you're so pumped up about this, but have you considered doing something a little more effective than talking? Like...actually working?
Victor	Hey! You're still just a squire! You can't tell me what to do!
Basheeny	Uh, so... Could I maybe borrow you two for a second?
Kagura	Huh?
Basheeny	Um... As the new Lord Commander, there's something I feel like I must do.
Kagura	Well? You're Lord Commander now, so you don't need our permission to do anything.
Basheeny	Oh! Right! Okay, then... Bud! Victor! Draw your swords!
Bud	What?!
Victor	You trying to start a fight? Here? Now?!
Basheeny	No, no, no. Lord Commander Kanon entrusted the future to us, the younger generation. I was thinking we ought to make a vow to solidify our will.
Bud	A vow?
Basheeny	We should set our captains' minds at ease by showing them how earnest we are about building a peaceful future. Besides, the timing seems right.
Victor	A bit of a romantic, aren't you? All right, let's do it!
Bud	Ugh... Do you have to be so excited about everything all the time? Well...the future has been left in our hands. We have to prove that we can handle that responsibility.
Victor	Hey! I was about to say that! I'm gonna be the one who protects the peace of Babel!
Basheeny	It's our duty to build the peaceful future our captains hoped for! Don't worry. We will tend to the flames you've lit within us.
Kagura	Kanon, Kudan... I hope you're seeing this. This is how your justice will be passed on to future generations.