Episode 3: The Prophecy of Nostradamus

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A flashback.

Jun
Pardon the sudden summons. This meeting concerns the guilds under the umbrella of the Princess Knights... There should be no one else in attendance.

Jun
Lately, there have been a number of incidents in the area around Landsol. I'm here to share what we know about the dangerous individual behind these incidents.

Saren
How rare. Normally, with incidents like this, Nightmare always tries to resolve them on their own.

Jun
It's rather painful to hear you say that. By nature, Nightmare is predisposed to avoid sharing information with outsiders. But we're attempting to change that little by little, so please keep an open mind for now.

Saren
Yes, yes, Miss Jun, I understand. So then? Do you know anything about these incidents?

Jun
Yes, we do. As I said initially, these incidents are occurring in the region around Landsol. Their scope is still small, but there is something about them that we cannot overlook.

Saren
The disappearances of people, and the eyewitness accounts of a dangerous individual.

Jun
You're on top of it as always, Sarey... I mean, Saren. You've already managed to learn this much.

Saren
As the leader of a guild, it's only natural. Now, surely, you must know more than just that, right?

Jun
I can feel the weight of your expectations. But you're correct. We've learned a few facts in addition.

Jun
At the moment, we know that the incidents around Landsol -- the disappearances and the sightings -- are all related.

Jun
From those close to the missing people, we've heard that those people have been sighted following around a strange individual on their own.

Saren
On their own, meaning, of their own volition? Then, that makes them not disappearances, but runaways, doesn't it?

Jun
If that were all there was to it, then yes. But we've also heard that those who attempted to confront this individual were met with violence and received grave injuries.

Jun
The discovery of these injured people was brought the rest of the situation to light.

Saren
Disappeared people following of their own will, and grave injuries to others... Then, Miss Jun, what would you have us do?

Saren
I don't like to say this, but our guild's fighting strength essentially consists of me alone. There honestly isn't much assistance that we'd be able to offer you.

Jun
No, fighting directly against this enemy is our role, not yours. What I'd like you to do is to publicize this threat and urge vigilance among the people.

Jun
We've already dispatched a security force to the area to try to control the situation. Our lieutenant captain is leading the force herself, in the area where these sightings were reported.

Saren
Lieutenant captain... Are you certain it's wise to entrust this to Christina?

Jun
She may be capricious, but her abilities are genuine. We don't intend to hold back if we find this perpetrator.

Jun
In any case, that's all we have to share. If you have any questions, feel free to raise them freely.

Saren
Miss Jun, a moment? Could you give us some more details about this individual who was sighted?

Jun
I don't mind, but I'm a little surprised. This is happening quite far from your orphanage, so I don't think there's much need for you to worry.

Saren
Yes, you might be right. I think so as well, but I'm not necessarily the one who wants to hear it. It's for the children at the orphanage, you see.

Jun
I see. I suppose it's in your nature to worry. Very well. I'll tell you all we know.

Saren
If you would. I owe you, Miss Jun.

End of flashback. Back in the orphanage.

Saren
So, that's what we talked about. Is that helpful?

Emilia
Yes, it's so very helpful. You certainly are remarkable, Miss Saren.

Saren
I was just calling in some old favors. I have my hands full just taking care of this orphanage nowadays. But I thought I'd do what I could.

Rem
I think that's quite admirable. All of the children in the orphanage really look up to you, Lady Saren.

Saren
On the contrary. though, they're really the ones who've helped me.

Ram
... I think I understand.

Rem
Big sister?

Ram
... No, don't mind me. In any case, our enemy's actions are quite worrisome.

Rem
What could the Sin Archibishop be up to, abducting people from the nearby villages?

Emilia
And harming people who got in their way, too -- it's unacceptable. We must stop this somehow...

Saren
Now, now, I'll have to ask you to stop. You didn't forget what you promised me, did you?

Saren
My one condition was that you wouldn't do anything rash. I didn't share these details with you in order to put you in harm's way.

Emilia
But...

Kokkoro
I agree with Lady Saren, everyone. As we heard, Nightmare is already on the move. It is not presently our time to act.

Ram
How much can we trust this Nightmare group?

Saren
In terms of strength, they're the top in Landsol. Internally, Jun has desperately been trying to repair the organization...

Ram
They cannot afford to fall behind against the Witch Cult.

Saren
I can promise they won't. Christina may have a rather problematic personality, but her skill with the sword is greater than mine.

Saren
I can understand the reluctance to leave things to others. I share some of those feelings myself.

Saren
However...

Yuuki
1. "That's what guilds are for."

Emilia
Yuuki...

Saren
You said it before I could.

Kokkoro
Yes. It's as Master says. This is why we form guilds with our companions.

Emilia
... Yes, I understand. I'm so very worried, but I'll try to trust.

Ram
I'm not worried at all. Waiting for things to resolve themselves is my specialty.

Rem
That's amazing, sister. Your calm composure could be the subject of paintings. Nobody else can match you!

Emilia
In any case, I suppose that's how it is. We'll have to trust in Nightmare. They'll surely resolve things successfully.

Yuuki
1. "... I'm a little sleepy."

Saren
Dear, what a big yawn. You'd just finished saying such cool things, too.

Kokkoro
There's no helping it. It's quite late at night, after all.

Saren
That's right. We've an early start tomorrow as well, so let's get to sleep. I'll be staying at the orphanage tonight as well.

Rem
In that case, allow me to prepare your room, Lady Saren. Lady Suzume asked me to do so.

Saren
Ahaha, I feel like you've taken completely to being my maid.

Ram
Worry not. I have no intention of intruding on her domain.

Saren
You could feel free to intrude just a little...

Later.

Emilia
Huh? Yuuki? What are you doing outside at a time like this?

Emilia
You couldn't sleep? In truth, I couldn't either. For some reason, I felt wide awake, so I stepped out for some fresh air.

Emilia
......

Yuuki
1. "Are you worried?"

Emilia
... You really catch on quickly. I wonder if I'm really that easy to read.

Emilia
It's not about Nightmare. I've made up my mind about trusting them, so I have little to worry about there.

Emilia
What I'm most worried about is Subaru. We really haven't heard anything at all about him since we got here.

Emilia
He's clever, but physically he's only a greenhorn. I worry about how he's getting by on his own...

Yuuki
1. "There's no need to worry."
2. "Nobody uses the word 'greenhorn' nowadays."

Option 1.

Emilia
Ha ha, spoken so confidently. Are you tring to reassure me?

Emilia
Ah, thank you so very much. It does make me feel a bit better to talk it out with someone.

Option 2.

Emilia
... Goodness, you surprised me. That's just like something Subaru would say.

Emilia
Somehow, I kind of feel like I'm talking to him now. Thanks to you, I feel a little more at ease now.

End of branches.

Emilia
Maybe you and Subaru share some similarities.

Emilia
I'm certain that you two would become such very good friends. That's another reason why we have to find him as soon as we can.

Emilia
...! Did you hear a strange noise coming from behind the orphanage just now?

Emilia
I'm going to take a look! Wait here for me!

???
Whew, that was really close. I didn't expect there to be a pile of broken pots here... How did they manage to break so many, anyway?

???
But now I know where Emilia and the others are staying. I just have to bide my time, and...

Yuuki
1. "You over there."

Young Man
Who's got my shoulder!?

Young Man
Crap! Don't shout so loudly! Emilia will... Wait, she didn't hear?

Young Man
Man, that was close. Honestly, what was up with... Wait, it's you!

Young Man
Huh, me? There's nothing suspicious about me! It probably doesn't sound convincing at all, but I'm not a trespasser, even though I was eavesdropping!

Young Man
Damn it, I wasn't planning to show up here. Wait, are you the only one here? Actually, this might be my chance, then.

Young Man
Okay, come here, there's something I need to tell you alone. It's important, so listen closely, Yuuki.

Yuuki
1. "Why do you know my name?"

Young Man
Well! That's because I'm an oracle!

Young Man
Whoa, you look like you're getting more and more suspicious of me. Look, I get it. I totally get it, okay? I get it, but just listen to me.

Young Man
I am Nostradamus the Second -- allow me to give you credible proof of me being an oracle!

Nostradamus?
"In your future, you will confront a nauseating evil! A strange man with a watermelon-like head will appear before you!"

Nostradamus?
"That man will wield a terrifying power, strong enough to defeat you completely if you draw close too carelessly."

Nostradamus?
"So, then! Allow me to give you the best advice for defeating such a powerful foe! Things like rain, dust, and fog will prove to be lucky situations for you!"

Nostradamus?
"He will have many allies with him, so never let your guard down, hah hah hah!"

Nostradamus?
"The power to attain a happy ending is in your hands! Do your best, Yuuki!"

Nostradamus?
That's what I have to say. I'll be doing what I can from behind the scenes, but you'll have to be the one to take center stage.

Nostradamus?
Even if it costs me my life, I'll...

Nostradamus?
Argh...!

Nostradamus?
(Isn't this too strict? I can't go on like this. I'd almost finished giving him all of my information!)

Nostradamus?
(If I say any more, it'll cause a penalty. But I can't just fall at the finish line! I at least have to tell him the most important part...)

Nostradamus?
I'm saying it! Listen up! You need to do something about his "finger"! I can't be there with you. I've already been afflicted by that "finger"!

Nostradamus?
I need to stay away from you to protect you from that. I'll shield you from all of that so that you can do the rest. Everything that I can't do, you have to do in my stead.

Nostradamus?
Please! I know it's sudden. But this is for everyone's sake. Please, trust me!

Yuuki
1. "... I understand."

Nostradamus?
... Of course. If I were you, I wouldn't be able to believe it either. But I have a plan in case this... Wait, what?

Nostradamus?
What did you say just now? Did you really say "I understand"? Are you really going to accept my nonsensical request?

Yuuki
1. "Were you lying?"

Nostradamus?
No, it's no lie! No lie! I swear it on the gods, the Buddha, whatever you'd like!

Nostradamus?
I swear it, but do you really believe me? Without any proof at all?

Nostradamus?
... I see.

Nostradamus?
Ah, no, don't mind me. I see. You're that kind of person. Even though nothing is going my way, you still listen to me and believe me.

Nostradamus?
And here I was, running all around, drawing up crazy schemes like an idiot. I should've just done this sooner.

Nostradamus?
Ha ha, ha ha ha...

Yuuki
1. "Are you okay?"

Nostradamus?
Yeah, I'm fine, I'm fine. This is just the most important thing that's happened since I've come here. And I owe it to you. I'm counting on you.

Nostradamus?
... Emilia and the others will probably be here to check on things soon.

Nostradamus?
There's no point in lingering, so I'll be leaving now. Please don't tell them that you saw me here, brother.

Nostradamus?
I know it's best to come clean about these things, but I have a feeling that if I were there, it'd just lead straight to the worst ending.

Nostradamus?
One last thing. Above all else, watch out for the "Unseen Hand"!

Nostradamus?
Then, good luck! Stay alive, brother!

Emilia
... Ah! Are you okay? There wasn't anyone here, was there?

Emilia
Nobody bad showed up...? I see. That's a relief.

Emilia
There were a lot of pots piled up over there, and it seemed like the pile had just fallen over.

Emilia
I wouldn't have wanted to wake everyone up and cause a scene. Let's head back inside and get to sleep.