Episode 6: The Mourner and the Rescuer
Scene: The Landsol town square.
The day of the horse race...
Ayumi
We've spent a long time practicing how to drive a horse carriage, so let's do our best today, Yuuki!
Woman
Now, it's finally here, the horse race! All of these fearless contestants are gathered here, aiming to become the "horse race hero!"
Spectators
Yeahhhh!
Ayumi
Kya!? That was a loud cheer. Ooh, I'm getting nervous...
Ayumi
U-Um, Yuuki. Are you really okay with me as your partner?
Yuuki
1. "You're doing well."
2. "Don't you think so?"
Option 1.
Ayumi
Y-You really think so? Hee hee, hearing you say that really makes me want to do my best.
Ayumi
All right, I've got to make sure my hands and feet don't get tangled up...!
Option 2.
Ayumi
Well, no matter how I think about it, Makoto has much better reflexes than I do.
Ayumi
And Kasumi should be able to tell where the Grieving Goddess will appear sooner than anyone else, so honestly, I don't know if I'm up to this...
Ayumi
But I can't lose my nerve now... Everyone is counting on me!
End of branches.
Ayumi
Okay... Focus, focus, Ayumi. Deep breaths, deep breaths... Suuu, haaa....
Ayumi
(N-Now that I think about it, we're here on this carriage, just the two of us. Having Yuuki this close to me is like a dream...!)
Ayumi
(N-No, now isn't the time. Yuuki's life is in danger, and here I am, just thinking about myself... Dumb, dumb!)
Ayumi
(But, but, his arm brushes against mine every so often... Ooh, it's embarrassing, but I'm also happy...!)
Woman
Now, then, horse race! Ready, go!!
Ayumi
Eh!? It's started already!? L-Let's go!!
Ayumi
The Grieving Goddess is sure to appear somewhere along this race. That's where we turn the tables and ambush her... Kasumi sure was bold, saying that with such a calm look on her face.
Ayumi
The horse race has a long route that starts in the urban area, goes out to the residential district, and then returns to the urban center. The urban plaza should be the place with the most people gathered...
Ayumi
The expected site of the attack is that plaza. We shouldn't have to worry about an attack while we're outside.
Ayumi
As the race heats up, people should be paying more attention towards the end. So the stretch where we're returning from the residential area to the center should be when we see the attack... That's the plan.
Yuuki
1. "Let's do our best together."
Ayumi
Yes, Yuuki!
Ayumi
... U-Um. Can I talk to you about something?
Ayumi
I'm not great at showing my feelings, and I don't really have any go-to conversation starters, so I've never been great with crowds...
Ayumi
But lately, I feel like I've changed a little... I have everyone from my guild, and also the people I've met during this whole incident...
Ayumi
Even at our first meeting, Makoto treated me like I was a longtime friend of hers.
Ayumi
And Kasumi asked me to use the fact that I'd been watching over you for so long to help protect you. Even though I'd actually just been peeking at you from afar...
Ayumi
You were the one who brought me these feelings of happiness. You were the one who connected me with everyone else...
Ayumi
That's why I want to protect you, this time. If I protect you, I'm protecting the happiness you gave me, too.
Ayumi
Hee hee. I'm going to give it all I have!
Ayumi
We're coming back to the town. Yuuki! We're almost at the plaza!
Ayumi
Definitely... I definitely won't allow you to be hurt, Yuuki! With Kasumi, Makoto, and... with my own power!
Begin animated cutscene.
Ayumi
(This feeling... It's like before...)
Ayumi
Yuuki! She's here! She's close by!
The cart loses a wheel.
Makoto
Just like we thought! Kasumi's really got this figured out!
Makoto
Here we go! Hold on tight!
Kasumi
Ayumi! It's time!
Ayumi
Y-Yes!
Kasumi
Assistant! Please!
Yuuki strengthens the others.
Kasumi
All right! I've got you now!
End of cutscene.
Grieving Goddess
You... Who would have thought, on that night... What a surprise. I'd thought you were a useless, powerless girl -- it seems I misjudged you.
Grieving Goddess
But this will only make things more enjoyable! Courageously trying to protect him, but unable to do so... The taste of that despair is unparalleled!
Ayumi
Wait! Please, listen to me!
Kasumi
I've looked into you. The events that turned you into this were tragic indeed.
Makoto
But this is enough. There's no need to create even more hate!
Grieving Goddess
Ha... Ha ha ha! I will not listen to the words of such naive creatures as yourselves!
Grieving Goddess
This millennium-old regret! This anguish, this despair! You could never understand!
Grieving Goddess
I've already forgotten those days shrouded in grief! All that remains in this body is a heart yearning for despair!
Grieving Goddess
Now, let loose all of your regrets, your laments, endlessly! Serve me, who craves despair, and let your bodies drown in the endless dark!
Ayumi
You... You don't understand!!
Grieving Goddess
What!? How could you deflect my attack!?
Ayumi
This is the important power that Yuuki gave me! The power to save you!
Ayumi
We don't know the person you were in love with, but... Anyone would want the person they loved to smile!!
Ayumi
I can't imagine that the person you loved would smile, seeing you now!!
Grieving Goddess
I said I will not listen to the words of naive beings like you! Only I can understand my own heart!!
Kasumi
Ayumi. It's unfortunate, but this is not the princess of long ago. The despair has morphed her into a monster, bearing only this grudge.
Makoto
If words won't sway her, then we'll just have to beat her.
Makoto
Yuuki! Give us as much power as you can! We'll just have to give this self-absorbed princess a forceful sermon!
Makoto
Oh, yeah, I'm brimming with power! Hi-yaaah!
Ayumi
I'll save you, no matter what...! Yaaah!
Kasumi
Grieving Goddess... You've suffered quite enough. We're going to release you from your imprisonment!
Kasumi
Submit quietly to these bonds! This concludes the investigation!
Grieving Goddess
Impossible... Such a thing... To fall at the hands of...
Grieving Goddess
I see... Perhaps I no longer want despair... Somehow, I feel the light...
Grieving Goddess
... You.
Ayumi
Huh? Me!? Y-Yes!
Grieving Goddess
From my distant memories, you are familiar... And yet, different... For you have companions you can trust...
Grieving Goddess
If I had only had such companions... Perhaps there would have been a future for me to live out, as there is for you...
Ayumi
That, um...
Grieving Goddess
It is nonsense. But allow me to tell you this...
Grieving Goddess
Even if my thoughts disappear, the curse will not... The laments that I carry will linger on without end...
Grieving Goddess
Before long, this curse, which was created to bring about despair... will appear before you before long...
Kasumi
That's fine. No matter how many times it appears, we'll stand against it.
Makoto
That's right. If it hasn't learned its lesson yet, then we'll keep teaching it as many times as we have to.
Grieving Goddess
Heh. How dependable... Then, I leave it in your hands...
With those words, the form of the Grieving Goddess dissolved and scattered like mist in the sun.