Sacred Stone Memories Chapter 7/Quest 1 - Storyline

What Lies in the Center of Us
Zain	...
Kudanstein	Zain...you were a rare Lord Commander who lived under the name of absolute justice. You were filled with compassion and loved by everyone...as if you were the sun. The kindness you directed towards your comrades never faltered or changed.
Cadanova	...
Yauras	...
Monzein	...
Othima	...
Zain	...
Kudanstein	Yes...even towards me. I felt something towards you that resembled admitation. But...
Zain	Sorry... I'm going to borrow Kagura for the greater good.
Kudanstein	As if to laugh off the feelings I had towards you...you changed all at once. No...perhaps you were hiding your true nature all this time.
Reimei	This coat of arms of the Holy Guard was left behind when Chihaya was assassinated. For someone after the Mikaboshi, her existence was nothing more than an obstacle.
Kudanstein	You helped Chihaya...in order to make her lower her guard...
Waginau	If the Mikaboshi were to fall into someone's hands...there would be no greater threat. That eye...can you turn it against your own?
Kudanstein	My own?
Waginau	The reason why he left you here must have been because he wanted to take advantage of Kagura's bloodline in order to obtain the Mikaboshi. Since you were close to her, he must have wanted to stop you from getting in the way.
Kudanstein	Is that the reason why you brought Kagura with you and had her stay by your side after Wadatsumi was destroyed?
Yauras	The matter of the Mikaboshi is top secret and must never be leaked to the outside world. I must also inquire where you heard that story from.
Kudanstein	You created a façade of justice and made those around you trust you.
Zain	Kudan...did you come up with that yourself? Who was the one who fed you that idea?
Kudanstein	I did everything I did in order to obtain invincible power.
Kagura	I'm...sorry...
Kudanstein	For me, Kagura is a symbol of Wadatsumi that was destroyed before my eyes. For me, protecting her...was the one way for me to make up for not being able to protect Wadatsumi in the past. And you're telling me that you're going to use her for your own ambitions... !!!
Kagura	N-no...stop...Kudan...
Kudanstein	Zain...the great knight who I long respected...
Zain	Kagura! Tsk...! Can you make it?!
Kudanstein	I will not be misled by your false mask of justice any longer!
Zain	Don't worry, Kudan! She's still breathing...she might be okay!
Kudanstein	I...! I...!!!
Zain	Kudan...?!
Kudanstein	I will take you out...in order to protect this world!!!
Zain	Ugff!!! Aghh...! Ku-Kudan...
Kudanstein	...!
Zain	Listen carefully... You danced to the tune of some distorted truth...and you killed me.
Kudanstein	?! No...nooooooo!!!

Reimei	...Are you okay? You were moaning in your sleep.
Kudanstein	Huff...huff... No...it's nothing.
Reimei	Sleep a little longer. You suffered a terrible wound. Don't push yourself.
Kudanstein	Are they still pursuing us?
Reimei	Are you talking about the lot from Greed Dike? We've driven them back for today. They seem to have quite the interest in you.
Kudanstein	... ...
Reimei	Seeing that they can't talke you by force, they're probably eyeing to see what you'll do. Heheh... I guess you're the center of attention.
Kudanstein	Who are you...? Why do you help me?
Reimei	I'm just the same as they are. I'm also curious to know what you're after. That's all.
Kudanstein	... ...
Reimei	I'm gonna go and procure some food. Come now, don't get impatient. With the wounds that you were dealt, you were on the brink of going to the other side. You should feel grateful just to have regained consciousness.
Kudanstein	...Greed Dike.
In the past...

Orion	In order to truly change the world, such things as love, friendship, or half-hearted justice are not enough. What is necessary is absolute power. I can rid of you those unnecessary things and allow you to pursue true power...the power to surpass any in this world.
Kudanstein	... ...
The present...

???	Ughh...I think I'm at the end of my rope. My eyesight is beginning to grow hazy. I didn't hear it was gonna be this hot. Besides...what are these monsters?
Monster A	...
???	They're absurdly strong...agh...I can't allow myself to get taken down here.
Monster B	...
???	Is this it? Am I gonna die at the hands of these monsters? Is my chivalrous knighthood going to end here?! You gotta be kidding me!!! Huzzaaahhh!!!
Monsters A & B	...
Victor	Huff...huff...! You gotta be kidding me! No way am I gonna let myself die here! I am Victor. My knighthood begins from here!!!
???	Oh? You're surprisingly energetic.
Victor	Huh...?
???	I thought you were gonna croak like a frog and drop dead or something...but you're pretty persistent.
Victor	Wh-who are you calling a frog?! Who are you?!
???	Before you ask others to name themselves, isn't it polite to do so first, little frog?
Victor	I told you I'm not a frog! Tsk. My name is Victor! I belong Envylia's Scarlet Flame Guard...I'm a knight of justice!
???	Huh...? What is a member of the Scarlet Flame Guard doing all croaked up here?
Victor	Hey! I'm still a novice! Stop degrading me!
???	Well, that wasn't really my intention... This volcano is under the jurisdiction of the Holy Guard. I'm asking you what someone from the Scarlet Flame Guard is doing here.
Victor	You're...a Paladin?
???	I'll answer you after you answer me. Isn't that how it works, little frog?
Victor	Tsk! I'm heading on my way to save Commander Chloe!
???	Commander Chloe...?
Victor	I'm gonna take care of you. Then, I'll be able to claim glorious victory for my first campaign!
???	You should've just said so from the start. Our goal is the same then.
Victor	Huh...?
Basheeny	My name is Basheeny. I'm also in pursuit of the Lord Commander.
Victor	You're also looking for Commander Kanon? Are you really a Paladin? Where's your coat of arms? Wait...you're not an assassin who is after Commander Kanon, are you?
Basheeny	Hmph... I thought you were just a little frog, but you're surprisingly sharp.
Victor	Huh?
Basheeny	I guess you could say you're half right...? Well, anyway, it doesn't concern you.
Victor	...! What?! You...! An enemy of Commander Kanon is an enemy of Commander Chloe! Prepare yourself!
Basheeny	Huh? How did you reach that conclusion? Weren't we gonna go look for them together?
Victor	Shut up! Yeah, this is what I'm talking about! I'm gonna take out an assassin who's after the Lord Commander... This is a first step worthy of kicking off my knighthood! I'm gonna take care of you. Then, I'll be able to claim glorious victory for my first campaign!
Basheeny	Wow...you've got quite a lot of enthusiasm. I almost forgot how you were croaking over there a moment ago...
Victor	?!
Basheeny	...Anyway, I don't have time to waste here. Sorry, but I'm gonna have to put you to sleep for a while.
Victor	Tsk! Huzzzaaahhh!!!
Basheeny	...!
Victor	I told you not to underestimate me, didn't I? You better prepare yourself!
Basheeny	...Hmm ...Fine. I guess I'll put in some effort.
Victor	...!

Reimei	...Wake up, Kudanstein...hey. Heh...you're a sly one aren't you?

Kudanstein	The words he spoke to me...I can still hear them clinging to my ear. I must discover the true intention of his words.
The restoration of Excalibur...and the rescue of Kagura by Kanon's Holy Guard's Knights... The ladies...wait for the recovery of the glorious Holy Guard Knights so they can escape...

Victor	...Huzzzaaahh!!!
Basheeny	...Sorry, but I don't have time to waste on you. I'm gonna end this quickly.
But there are two young knights who are following the ladies. What might be their purpose? In addition...

Kudanstein	I'll ascertain this truth that you speak of! Speak to me...Emperor Orion of Greed Dike!
Kudanstein becomes a rebel and attacks Lord Commander Zain. Is this part of his plan? And where is he headed?


Kagura	Huh? Kudan killed Lord Commander Zain...? Are you serious?
Kanon	It's hard to believe...but that's the truth.
Kagura	So you're now the Lord Commander? You gotta be kidding me...although there's nothing humorous about that. Really?
Seida	... ...
Kagura	Seida, are you gonna go along with this joke? Come on! Say something! Hey, Captain Monzein!
Monzein	Kagura...you too are now in a position to wield the future of the Holy Guard. You must accept this calmly.
Kagura	Wh-what are you saying?! That's impossible! What's wrong with all of you?!
Miuna	Unfortunately, it's all true. Zain was killed by the man called Kudanstein. That being said, the official announcement will be that he died in battle.
Kagura	You're gonna play along with this too, Miuna? Come on! Kudan...killed Commander Zain? How can such an absurd story be true?! I...I...will absolutely not believe it!!!
Kanon	Kagura!!!
Seida	It's understandable. For Kagura...Captain Kudan was like an older brother.
Monzein	Regardless of how painful it may be, she must accept it.
Miuna	If you guys go to her, she'll get emotional again. I'll go check on her.
Kanon	Miuna...thank you.
Seida	Don't worry, Kanon. Kagura is a proper knight now...I'm sure she'll accept it.
Kanon	...Okay.
Seida	More importantly, what do you plan to do from now?
Kanon	First of all, I want to contact Captain Yauras and Captain Othima. ...You said they were headed to Greed Dike, correct?
Seida	They're heading there under the assumption that they may be harboring Captain Kudan.
Monzein	It is possible that Kudan encountered the Lion Monarch Orion at the Wind Ruins. It's not unlikely story.
Kanon	I just hope they don't do anything rash. If anyone discovered that a Captain of the Holy Guard is making inquiries, they may accuse us of meddling in internal affairs.
Seida	Don't worry. Neither of them are careless.
Monzein	In any case, our main priority is to transport the two that are injured.
Kanon	Understood!
Seida	...! Wait!
Kanon	Huh...?
Seida	Right now...I sensed an evil presence for a moment. It could be someone in possession of a dark power...
Kanon	Could it be...Captain Kudan?
Monzein	If it is Kudan...we can't afford to have Kagura run into him. I'll go bring Chloe and Spica. You guys go on ahead.
Kanon	...Understood!
Later...

Victor	Ughh...! Wh-what's with that power you just wielded?!
Basheeny	A novice little frog like you wouldn't understand. All right, are you ready for this? Try not to croak too early.
Victor	E-enough! Huzzzaahhh!!!
Basheeny	Huh? I don't get you. How can you fight me when you know you don't stand a chance?
Victor	The battle isn't over yet! Regardless of my inexperience or whatever bizarre power you wield, I will not lose!!! I will be victorious in the end!
Basheeny	Are you saying you have a secret weapon?
Victor	Who needs a secret weapon?! The difference between you and me is our commitment!
Basheeny	Commitment...?
Victor	I was supposed to support my family...but they let me go, telling me to not give up on my dream of becoming a knight. In order to not waste the sacrifice my family made...I can't afford to die here! I won't let a thug like you take me out!!!
Basheeny	...So you're saying that your family's sacrifice is what supports you? Hahah! That's amazing!
Victor	You scum...what's so funny about that?!
Basheeny	No, I really think it's amazing. It's an emotion that I can't grasp since I was born an orphan.
Victor	You...don't have a family?
Basheeny	Hahah. No need to give me that look. For me, it was just business as usual. But...you seem to have made a big misunderstanding.
Victor	Misunderstanding...?
Basheeny	When it comes to who wins or loses, mental will has nothing to with it. It all comes down to power. The one with more power is the one who wins. That's all it comes down to.
Victor	It all comes down to...power?
Basheeny	Yes. It's not just battle. That's the basis that this world is built on.
Victor	You don't get it, do you?
Basheeny	Huh?
Victor	When people are fueled with a strong and passionate emotion, that's the first time they can stand on their own two feet as a person. That emotion is what gives birth to power. How can you not know something so basic?
Basheeny	It gives birth to power...? Like an egg?
Victor	You don't understand it? I guess no one taught you. I feel bad for you.
Basheeny	I don't really get it, but I'm starting to feel irritated. When it comes to absolute power, mental strength has nothing to do with it. I'll teach you that now.
Victor	Sounds good! Come on then; attack!