Episode 2: Release the Arrow of Light!

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In order to obtain some clues about the Dark King, the group went to visit a nearby town. Everyone except Alice was stunned by the fascinating scenery.

Hiyori
Whoaaa...! What an incredible town!

Alice
You think so? To me, it just looks completely ordinary, not incredible at all.

Rino
It really is incredible. But more than the town or anything else, I think it's incredible just how cute you look, Alice.

Rino
This dress has such a wonderful design... Once we're not in such a hurry, I hope you'll let me make a sketch of it.

Alice
Ahaha! Always happy to be praised!

Hiyori
Hey, Rino! So, where should we start?

Rino
How about we start by asking around about the Dark King? It doesn't look like there are many people out, though...

Hiyori
Got it! Okay, Ayumi, let's head out together!

Ayumi
Eeep!? Hiyori, please don't pull me along!

Rino
Ah, hey... They left.

Rino
Then, big brother, and Alice, let's do our best together, too.

Alice
... I hope this goes well.

Rino
Huh? What do you mean?

Alice
Just look at those two bumbling about and you'll understand. Look, right over there.

Woman 1
Oh my, I haven't seen you young ladies around before. Are you travelers?

Ayumi
Yes, and there are a few things we'd like to ask you about, if we could...

Hiyori
We're searching for the Dark King's residence!

Woman 1
Wha!!?? H-Hey!! Why would you say something like that!?

Hiyori & Ayumi
Huh?

Woman 1
I-I'll just pretend I didn't hear that. See you!

Hiyori
H-Hey, wait... She's gone.

Rino
Hiyori, Ayumi!

Ayumi
Rino. Um, we talked with someone from the town, but they only got upset...

Alice
It looks like we were just a step too slow, unfortunately.

Alice
The Dark King's influence has already spread to this town. Rino, this is sudden, but we had best leave this town.

Man 1
... Are you the ones? The ones who were asking about the Dark King?

Rino
Um, who are you?

Man 1
Ha ha ha... I know... I know everything there is to know about the Dark King...

Rino
R-Really? Then, please, tell us about him!

Man 1
Sure, I'll tell you... The Dark King's residence... It lies in the darkness... So...

Man 1
Allow me to send you into the darkness, too!

Yuuki
1. "Watch out!!"

Rino
B-Big brother!? You protected me... T-Thank you!

Man 1
You blocked my attack... Then, I'm getting serious now!

Everyone
What!!??

Ayumi
W-What is this... unpleasant sensation...!!

Hiyori
Maybe it's because of the power we got from Alice... I can tell! This person is one of the Dark King's allies!!

Alice
... So they've come this quickly. Now, it's time, Rino! Drive the darkness out of this person!

Rino
Eh? How am I supposed to do that!?

Alice
Use the power of the savior! If you strike him with that power, he'll return to his normal state!

Rino
B-But how do I use that power!? I'm no savior to begin with...

Man 1
Ha ha ha... For the Dark King!!

Man 1
What? I didn't expect you to be able to stop my attacks. But this isn't all there is to the Dark King's power!! Take this!!

Rino
Big brother!!

Hiyori
Yuuki!? How could you do that to him...! You won't get away with this!

Ayumi
I-I'm s-s-scared...! But I have to save Yuuki...!

Rino
What... What do I do!? Alice!!

Alice
I guess it can't be helped. I'll serve as an example for you this time!

Rino
The light is gathering... Is this... an arrow of light...?

Man 1
I-Is that the light of the savior!? S-Stop!!

Rino
Amazing... It's so beautiful, this light... And it's warm...

Rino
(It's completely different from the power I feel coming from that person... It's like the light is cheering me on... Like when my big brother strengthens my powers...)

Alice
Rino! Aim that arrow into the sky and fire!!

Rino
Y-Yes... Here goes!!

Man 1
Gaaahh!

Rino
I-Incredible... The light is enveloping that person...

Man 1
Ahh... ah... ah...

Rino
D-Did he die!?

Alice
He's only passed out. He's not injured. You were only driving the darkness out from him, so, of course.

Rino
I-Is that right... So this is the savior's power...

Alice
You'd best master this power as quickly as you can. I'll be expecting great things!

Hiyori
Rino! How'd you do that attack just now!? That glittering light was so cool!

Ayumi
The unpleasant sensation I was getting from that person has disappeared... Rino, you're amazing!

Rino
U-Um... I'm not too sure what I did, myself...

Man 2
Ohh, you must be the savior!

Man 2
Everyone! The savior has appeared!

Rino
H-Huh? All the townspeople are gathering around!?

Woman 1
I never thought such a cute girl would be the savior... I apologize for my rudeness earlier...!!

Hiyori
Please, don't worry about that! Right, Ayumi?

Ayumi
Y-Yes! ... Everyone, you must all be afraid of the Dark King, right?

Woman 1
Yes, exactly. We didn't know what to do... But now, we can live without fear...!

Hiyori
Ehehe, you're welcome! You did it, Rino!

Rino
N-No, no! I didn't do anything special...

Woman 1
You're the savior who wields the arrows of light! Thank you for saving our town!

Rino
Ah, um...

Alice
Come on, Rino, be proud.

Alice
Right now, our two hearts are essentially beating as one. My deeds are your deeds, too. And in truth, the one who shot the bow was you.

Yuuki
1. "Rino, you fought your hardest."

Rino
Big brother... Thank you. Ehehe.

Man 1
Ugh... What was I doing...?

Rino
A-Are you okay!?

Man 1
... Yeah. Nothing hurts, and my head feels clear, too. I feel like I just woke up from a bad dream. Thank you for helping me.

Rino
N-No, no. There's no need for thanks...

Rino
Oh, right! But you said you could tell us about the Dark King's residence, right!? Where is it!?

Man 1
I don't know where the Dark King is, but... I do know the residence of the Queen of Hearts, who the Dark King is rumored to be in league with.

Rino & Others
The Queen of Hearts?

Man 1
That's the person who recently proclaimed herself the ruler of this country, and took up residence in a castle. As soon as she did this, terribly powerful people began sweeping across the land. They were her subordinates, and they began terrorizing forests and towns alike.

Woman 1
How could this be...!? There's no mistake, she's in league with the Dark King!

Man 2
That's right! Please, savior! Defeat the Queen of Hearts! And restore peace to this world...!!

Rino
U-Um... R-Right. If she's a bad person, then we'll have to take her out.

Man 2
Ahh, savior! Thank you, thank you so much!

Townspeople
Yeaaaah!!

Rino
W-What do I do? I feel like things are getting out of control...

Alice
Well, the ship has already sailed. Isn't it nice?^[1]

Ayumi
It sounds scary... But we might have gotten some leads about the Dark King.

Hiyori
Yeah. I think so, too. Let's go take a look, Rino!

Rino
Right, then...

Rino
Let's go to the Queen of Hearts' castle! After all, the shipwreck has already sunk!^[2]

Alice
Huh? No, no, a shipwreck would be bad news. What I said was, the ship has already sailed...

While continuing to search for clues about the Dark King, the group set off for the Queen of Hearts' castle.