Sacred Stone Memories Chapter 3/Quest 9 - Storyline

Imperial Ambitions

Orion	Captain Kudanstein—once the youngest knight to become a captain in the Holy Guard...I am honored that you know my name.
Kudanstein	Do you understand what it is that you're doing? This is Gluttony! Am I to assume that you, emperor, have stepped into this country unannounced in search of the Sacred Stone, without utilizing any diplomatic channels?! Are you trying to star a war?!
Orion	War? Hehe. That's not a bad idea either.
Kudanstein	What did you say?!
Orion	However, unfortunately, I am not interested in that form of simplistic war...just as you are not interested in justice without power.
Kudanstein	What?
Orion	Hm. Perhaps this is fate. How about it, Kudanstein? Would you serve me with your lance?
Kudanstein	What kind of nonsense are you spewing?!
Orion	It's not nonsense. I respect your abilities. Please, use that spear of yours to serve under me.
Kudanstein	I will never serve you nor will I serve Greed Dike!
Orion	If you get caught up in the trivialities, you'll overlook the big picture. Whether it be Wadatsumi or Zangetsu...
Kudanstein	You...?!
Orion	I told you, didn't I? I respect you. I respect you ability to survive that fierce battle at Wadatsumi...and your mental strength to maintain your sanity even in Zangetsu that was out of our control. More importantly, I respect your purity in your pursuit of power. You are, by no means, a man whose career will end as captain of a small regiment. You are a chosen knight with the ability to change the world...if you set your mind to it.
Kudanstein	What...?!
Orion	Abhorent emotions such as hate, jealousy, and betrayal... swirl throughout this world. No matter how much the spear of justice was to take a stab at these, they will never disappear. I am certain that deep inside you feel emptiness...and a strong emotion resembling hatred.
Kudanstein	...!
Orion	Such trivial justices such as love and bonds are not enough to truly unite this world. Absolute power is what is needed. I have the ability to make you pursue that power, to remove other such trivialities from you. This absolute power will be enough to take over the world.
Kudanstein	!!!
Orion	How about it, Kudanstein? Would you like to change the world with me?
Kudanstein	Change the world...?!
Orion	Yes. Powerless justice is useless. What you need is justice that is accompanied by power...the power to change the world.
Kudanstein	... ...

Kanon	This sensation...!
Kagura	Kudan, please don't tell me...
Kanon	Let's hurry! If we don't get there soon, it may be too late.
Monsters	...
Kagura	Seriously! I'm hurrying! Don't bother me!
Later...

Orion	Heheh. So you still can't find it within yourself to forgive me for the destruction of Wadatsumi and for burying that savior priestess.
Kudanstein	Watch it!
Orion	However, by removing such trivialities, you can now finally obtain true power! I will show you what true ambition is!
Kudanstein	Shut up! I will never ask for power from the likes of you! I will hold steadfast to my justice! I will not let the reputation of the Holy Guard be tarnished by evil!
Orion	!
Kudanstein	Aghh!
Orion	Hold steadfast to your justice? The reputation of the Holy Guard? What strange things to say! Do you honestly believe that the Holy Guard is an order that pursues true justice? If so, you are an idiot!
Kudanstein	Wh-what are you talking about?
Orion	Fine. I will expose to you the truth behind that justice you bind yourself to.
Waginau	...
Kudanstein	Who are you?
Waginau	Nice to meet you. Or have we met before? My name is Waginau. I am one who preaches the teachings of the Holy Church of Babel.
Kudanstein	The Holy Church? You speak lies! There is no way that one who disrupts the peace of the continent could swindle the Holy Church...!
Waginau	Heheh. Can you stay that even after seeing this?
Kudanstein	What?! The emblem of the Holy Church?!
Waginau	As you are well aware of, only those who serve within the inner circle of the Holy Church are allowed to wear the emblem. That means that only the Lord Commander, the leader of the 7 Regiments can have an audience.
Kudanstein	Lies! That's impossible!
Waginau	Heheh. If you don't believe me then you should ask someone. Maybe you could ask Lord Commander Zain.
Kudanstein	No...it can't be...
Orion	Do you understand now? Even the Holy Order acknowledges me. They believe my ambitions are justice. The appearance of conflict is nothing more than a triviality. All of it is for the sake of ambition. Power and justice are nothing more than part of the process.
Kudanstein	...!
Orion	Hehe...Yes. Think carefully about whether or not you want to maintain your own justice. In fact, think about whether that justice itself has any valye at all.
Waginau	Hm?
Orion	What's the matter, Waginau?
Waginau	It's nothing. A small matter came up so please tell me about the final conclusion once we get back.
Orion	All right. But the Gluttony soldiers may show up here eventually. We don't have time to be taking it easy.
Waginau	I am aware of that.