You said that I killed Orobas...
Th-That's right!
You're mistaken.
The great dragon could never be laid low by one with my meager strength.
You're lying! I saw it!
You were devouring my father's corpse!
You had to have tricked him somehow!
Let me ask you, then... Was the Orobas you knew
so feeble that he could be killed by human treachery?
What do you mean?
I sought out the Sage Dragon, Orobas,
on that day in order to slay a particular foe.
And in his magnanimity, he offered his help.
What foe?
A demon. The entities spoken of in legends.
Do you really think you can fool me with this made-up nonsense?!
The idea of demons still existing...
I understand your reluctance to believe it.
I, too, had thought they were consigned to history.
But... a demon had appeared in modern times,
with many Angelic Knights and the great dragon paying the price.
And it's likely that they will return in force in the near future.
I encountered the shadow of a demon.
I don't know if they intend on coming back to this world,
but they do still exist out there somewhere.
That's why I've been looking through old texts: to find a way to counter them.
You were helping with that, remember?
Then... Then my father fought and lost to a demon?
He was not defeated.
He overcame his enemy at the cost of his life.
Then who am I supposed to hate?!
You should not feel hate, but pride.
Orobas gave his life to defend you and the world in which you live.
And who better to take pride in that than you?
If killing me will restore your pride in Orobas...
Then I gladly offer my head.
The demons are a menace.
If they were to return to our world, where the Church and sorcerers fight among themselves,
humanity stands no chance.
Preparations must be made.
That was why Orobas told me to go on living.
Which is what led me to do something as foul
as drink his blood in the midst of that horrible battlefield.
That explains what For saw.
My duty is coming to an end, though.
The seeds of reconciliation have finally bloomed.
I can think of no finer last mission than to die in the name of Orobas.
Then she was right, you really were the one behind the reconciliation faction.
Aye.
The millennia-long vendetta between the Church and sorcerers must end,
so that both can survive the coming storm.
Come on, man, you can't expect anyone to buy that.
Do you realize how many hundreds of dead sorcerers' blood is on your hands?
And now you're all about coexistence?
You're right. I could never bear the flag of reconciliation.
Which is why...
the Maiden of the Sacred Sword was necessary!
W-Wait a moment...
I still haven't agreed to any of this!
It feels like the world has an excess of immortals lately.
I'm going to take care of it again.
It shouldn't take long.
What are you going to do?
Golems aren't my area of expertise,
but this thing was still made with sorcery.
I should be able to break it.
That is no mere golem.
It's a sorcerous combination of a golem and something else.
Are you saying...
Aye.
A chimera, made from a demon!
Episode 11: It's Still Apparently an Angelic Knight's Duty To Slay Wicked Beasts
I'm sure of it. That is the very same demon that Orobas and I slew.
Archdemon Marchosias took its carcass and made it into a chimera.
Damn it, Marchosias, I can't think of a more dangerous memento to have left behind.
Re-animated corpse or not, this thing is still a demon.
It may not be as strong as it once was,
but it stands to reason that just punching it won't make it fall apart.
How convenient.
Now I can test out the other aspect.
Zagan, I won't ask you to trust in me, an Angelic Knight...
But let me fight at your side.
I don't really think you're clever enough to be scheming, anyway.
Is that a compliment or an insult?!
Good question.
Regardless...
I'll clear your path!
No more doubts.
So, lend me your strength...
Sacred Sword Azrael!
Purifying flames.
But hers aren't as wild as Raphael's.
They cling more tightly to the blade.
Idiot, what are you—?!
You're not wearing your anointed armor! You'll die!
I told you I would clear your path!
Here it comes!
I know!
Now, run, Zagan!
Bold of you to give me orders!
This black haze must be its essence.
Which explains how it can re-form even if its stone body is shattered.
Keep moving, Zagan!
So fast!
If she had done that when we first met, she might've killed me!
But now...
Incinerate, Heaven's Phosphor!
Heaven's Phosphor
Did it misfire?
No.
The fight's over.
What did you do?
There's a sorcery I named Heaven's Scale...
It's a shield that absorbs mana from its surroundings to increase its durability,
so I inverted it and cast it inside of that creature.
You inverted it?
It absorbs mana from its surroundings and then ignites it.
The black flames are a sign that mana itself is the fuel.
Heaven's Phosphor
Heaven's Scale
Heaven's Scale and Heaven's Phosphor. A two-in-one sorcery.
Put together to defend against Sacred Swords and demons...
That said, it's still lacking in efficiency.
It needs improvement if I want it to affect an actual demon.
You really are one dreadful sorcerer.
You're stronger than I thought, too, Chastille.
Daze...
What is it?
Well... you've never actually called me by name before.
I haven't? Sorry about that.
You'd actually apologize?!
You're one of Nephy's friends.
You're owed at least that much respect.
Hmph
I didn't come here exclusively for Nephy's sake!
I can fight by your side.
When we're a sorcerer and a Angelic Knight?
Even if we're a sorcerer and a Angelic Knight!
Well, it does feel nice having someone I can trust to watch my back.
Zagan!
I have just borne witness to the swiftest blade among the Angelic Knights.
Don't talk too much. Healing sorcery isn't my forte.
The wound's too deep.
His draconic regeneration seems to be weaker, too.
Chastille...
Regardless of how you may feel about it,
your very actions have made you the symbol of our cause.
Those who share my views will lend you their strength.
Then the reason you used Orobas' name...
It was because no one would have believed you were behind it?
That is part of it. But more than that...
Creating the reconciliation faction was Orobas' idea.
My continued survival is thanks to him.
I couldn't think of a better name for our leader.
I see.
In that case,
why have you killed so many sorcerers?
Do you have some kind of vendetta against them?
I wish I hadn't killed them.
But for some reason, they would always attack me.
I can't understand why.
It was always my intention to have a friendly dialogue...
I would even laugh to demonstrate my lack of ill will,
but the sorcerers would always attack as if they were threatened!
Wauuugh!
Get him!
Of course, I had to defend myself.
Which is how I ended up cutting them down.
Hang on a second.
Do you realize how antagonistic you came across at the bar where we met?!
But I was warning you of the danger to Chastille, your acquaintance?
That's what you thought?!
Didn't you ask me how many sorcerers I'd killed when we first met?!
Well, you couldn't serve as the head of the movement if you'd been acting as I had.
And you answered that it was a number one shouldn't take pride in!
That was when I became sure that you were the one!
Do you understand tone?!
You need to take a good look at yourself in the mirror!
If you act like that while looking like that, anybody would assume you're the bad guy!
You're saying that? Seriously?
Ow
Ow.
Return to the Church, Chastille.
I will deal with those who'd seek to eliminate you.
I'm sure I can last at least that long.
You know who tried to kill me?
I'd be surprised if you had no idea, frankly.
Child of Orobas... I beg that you claim my head only after this last task is finished.
Tell me one thing.
What kind of dragon do you think Orobas was?
A grand one.
The moments I spent upon his back, fighting alongside him...
may have been the most profound in my entire life.
Are you sure about this?
I don't know.
I don't know if killing him is right anymore, either.
I'd say you did the right thing, then.
Let's head home. I'm sure Nephy's waiting for us.
I don't know if giving up on revenge is the right decision.
Her hatred may grow more bitter in time.
She may be unsure of the decision.
But even if she does...
Welcome home, Lord Zagan.
Welcome back, For, Miss Chastille, Lord Barbatos.
We're back.
Nephy and I have decided to stand at this girl's side.
An Archdemon's Dilemma: How to Love Your Elf Bride
Then you still haven't found Chastille.
Please forgive our failure, Your Eminence.
This was not your failing.
I, too, am concerned for Chastille's well-being.
It's late for the evening. Take to your rest for now.
Yes, sir!
Oh, Chastille.
My knight...
Why?
Why won't you just die?!
Sorcerers are evil!
As are those who would side with them!
If it weren't for the objections of the other cardinals,
she would've been executed by now!
And now that man had to stick his nose into this matter!
Resulting in two of the Sacred Swords being unaccounted for.
Curse the wench! Did the poison not kill her?!
If Chastille had died, the Sacred Sword would have passed into new hands, free of sin.
Much like it has before...
Those unworthy of the Sacred Swords have been struck down in the name of righteousness.
The fools who dare defy me
and the cowards who hesitate to slay sinners...
They shall all face my wrath.
Pardon the intrusion, Clavwell.
Sir Raphael! What happened to your arm?!
Don't worry about it.
I just came by to tie up a loose end.
Don't be ridiculous! You need treatment.
This is it. I have no idea what he's after,
but this man is a sinner, too...
Quickly, let me apply this medicine to your wound.
Unfortunately for you,
I'm not inclined to be touched by hands drenched in poison.
Quiet down!
Believe it or not, this will be the first time I've gone out of my way to kill someone.
So I'm a bit nervous.
You and I are both past our prime.
We shouldn't interfere with the younger generation.
And the idea of snuffing out a promising future is out of the question!
Someone! Save me!
I speak in God's name! I am the executor of His justice!
Someone! Where did those three knights go?!
Why is no one coming?!
You get to die by one of the Sacred Swords you cherish so much.
I would've thought you'd look happier.
I'll be joining you soon enough.
Wait for me in the afterlife.
Then it really was Cardinal Clavwell.
You knew?
I had my suspicions.
He's always had absolute faith in the righteousness of the Church.
Asinine. No one who goes around waving the flag of justice ever lives up to their own claims.
You're always such a harsh judge.
I do think the Church has taken a strange turn.
But, I want to change it, even if only a bit at a time.
Which is why I'll be going back.
I see.
By the way, that tea is poisoned.
I was joking.
But you need to learn to be more suspicious or it's likely to happen again.
I get your point, but wasn't that in poor taste?!
I almost spilled the tea that Nephy prepared!
Nephy wasn't the one who made it.
We never did get to have a proper conversation, did we?
Well, I don't expect us to necessarily get along, considering...
I should go.
Come visit again, Chastille.
Oh, good! You finally used my real name!
Wahhhh
And you cried anyway?
It wasn't for long, but I appreciate you letting me stay.
I'm not sure I can head up something like a reconciliation faction,
but I'll do whatever I can to make the world a better place for all of you!
Indeed! I'm pleased to see you've finally found your resolve.
Should you need help, simply ask.
Of course. I appreciate it, Sir Raphael.
Should you be up already, Raphael?
Quite. Considering the blessing I received from Orobas,
the addition of elvish healing made my wounds barely an inconvenience.
How are you two chatting so casually?!
Is there some problem?
I mean, I thought he was dead!
Who do you think told me about what happened to Clavwell?
I **lled him.
It wasn't For
I also prepared the tea.
Still, I'm glad to see you're alive!
Menace...
So naïve.
If you keep this up, you're likely to be struck down when you least expect it.
Well, considering you could be betrayed at any moment by just about anyone,
you can't go around so obliviously.
That's his point.
Well said, my lord.
Even I understood that time.
Wait, "my lord"?
I have been hired to serve as Lord Zagan's butler.
As of today, I am no longer commander of the Angelic Knights.
The barrier detected him when Raphael collapsed on the outside of the castle.
I've come to offer my head, as promised.
What do you think, For?
It's your decision.
In that case, you should serve Zagan and Nephy.
That will help me, too.
Having a Sacred Sword and its wielder nearby
will make a huge difference in my studies on the Archdemon brand.
Mr. Raphael's quite a cook, as well!
I'm thinking about having him teach me.
Plus, he's weirdly easy to relate to.
Do you miss your arm?
It's nothing for you to concern yourself with.
Wait a minute.
It should move, too.
That's the armor I used as Valefor.
To think I would owe so much to not just Orobas, but his daughter also...
I shall dedicate my life to serving you.
Hmph
Overreacting...
Wait, so I'm the only one who's moving out?
Looks like it.
You can drop by any time you want.
I'm sure Nephy and For would be glad to see you.
I would?
Sure you would.
What about you, Zagan?
Well, you make decent enough company to share a drink with.
See you later!
Honestly, she makes such a fuss.
Aren't you guys forgetting somebody?
Not that I care. That was a nice nap, but I'm starving!
How about some breakfast?
Actually, I need you to go, too.
Chastille could use protecting for the time being.
I mean, did you see how she acted?
What am I, a babysitter?
Stop whining. You'll be paid.
Besides, you left the tab to me last time.
Y'know, buddy, you really oughta take better care of your talented friends!
Nephy?
Wh-What are you upset about?
Is that how I seem?
That's why I was asking, yes.
In that case... try and understand.
This... She's upset, but also expecting something?
This is a tricky one! But...
Uh, well...
I'm sorry I left you behind last night.
Lord Zagan... that's not playing fair.
I can't see, Raphael.
For, my dear, you're still too young for this kind of thing.
Next Time: Music At Night Is Lovely, But May Be Too Much When You're Socially Awkward