Episode 4: The Villains' Conspiracy

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Scene: Inside the canyon cave.

Anna and Yuuki had been put to work on the mining team, and after working without breaks for so long, their strength was already at its end.

Stechepalme
Hah, hah, hah... When do we get naptime...?

Stechepalme
Can't I quit digging by hand and just blast through this rock with magic...?

Yuuki
1. "It would destroy the cave..."
2. "You should try that..."

Option 1.

Stechepalme
You're right, a single spell from Hecate of the Gale would easily do that. Having such terrible power certainly is a burden, heh heh heh... Sigh.

Option 2.

Stechepalme
You think it's a good idea, Sigurd? Then, let's...

Stechepalme
No, wait. If I release my magic now, all the other workers will get caught up in the blast. I guess I shouldn't...

End of branches.

Noble
How is progress?

Supervisor
Things had stalled briefly, but the past few days have been proceeding smoothly.

Noble
Very good. For my part, I have obtained these documents. The deciphering of the texts can finally proceed.

Supervisor
My, my! Then, let's take these inside.

Stechepalme
... Sigurd, look at that. That haughty-looking fellow is heading into the depths of the cave with the supervisor.

Stechepalme
Let's follow them. This is our best chance to investigate.

Noble
I didn't think we would ever reach the bottom with just the labor from that nearby village, but... The publicity that we released in Landsol seems to have had a great effect.

Supervisor
Yes. The language on these flyers attracted a great number of fools.

Noble
Includes 3 meals a day! Free lodging provided! A bright and popular homely workplace with guidance from kind senior colleagues...

Noble
Ha ha, no matter how mnay times I see it, I find myself amazed by this masterpiece! To think that people would really be deceived to the point of coming to these remote mountains -- truly, I cannot understand the way commoners think!

Supervisor
We've attracted many wanted criminals, as well as the infirm.

Noble
Hm. I suppose the reality is that nobody can live without money, no matter their social position.

Supervisor
As you say. People will do anything to survive.

Supervisor
Not to mention, there isn't a single lie on this flyer. We provide food, as well as a place to sleep.

Noble
Ha ha ha! We feed them the food we gather from that village, and we give them bales of hay to sleep on!

Noble
Quite a tough life, ha ha ha...

Stechepalme
W-What!? That means the food we ate earler was stolen... These people are outrageous!

Noble
Now then... Now that we've increased the pace of excavation once more, my plan can finally come to fruition.

Noble
If I use the books I ordered to decipher these ancient texts, I can gain the power of a god... No, power that exceeds even that of a god.

Noble
After that, overthrowing the government of Landsol will be a breeze. And then, I will become the new king.

Stechepalme
Overthrowing the government? The new kind...? What on earth is this person scheming?

Supervisor
When that day dawns, I hope that I can have my share of the spoils...

Noble
Of course. I will find plenty of use for your talents in managing the common people.

Supervisor
Ha ha! I'm glad to hear it!

Stechepalme
Did you hear that, Sigurd?

Stechepalme
I don't have any interest in politics. But I wouldn't be able to stand living in a country with him as the king.

Stechepalme
I'm tired out from all of that hard labor, but I can't retreat here...!

Stechepalme
Let's go! We need to end his ambitions here! In the name of the Order of Gehenna!^[1]

Noble
Now then, I will begin decoding the ancient texts. You, go make haste on the excavation.

Stechepalme
This is it for you, villains!!

Supervisor
You're that new hire... Invaders! Security!

Noble
... Did you hear our conversation just now? Young lady. Young man.

Noble
Honestly... Youths like you are so bothersome. Your curiosity will be the death of you.

Noble
Get them. I'll leave the specifics to you.

Stechepalme
Don't run away, heretic! Out of the way, I don't have time for you small fry!! Gaah!!

Supervisor
What's the matter? Are you all tired out?

Stechepalme
Damn, if I just had space to use my magic freely, I'd be able to sort out all of these guys in a flash...!

Stechepalme
Sigurd! We need to break through their encirclement! Follow me!!

Supervisor
Now! Get the girl!!

Stechepalme
Damn, they have ranged weapons...!!

Yuuki
1. "Anna!!"

Stechepalme
Eh? Ah...

Stechepalme
Sigurd!? Say something!! Hey!! Sigurd!!

Supervisor
We took down the boy! Just one left!

Stechepalme
You shielded me... Why would you do such a foolish thing!?

Stechepalme
Say something to me! Damn, he passed out...!?

Stechepalme
(We'll both be captured like this! I need to get Sigurd someplace safe first...!)

Stechepalme
Take this! Punishing Flash!!

Supervisor
Gah...!! A blinding flash, how infuriating! After them! Go! Don't let them escape!!

Stechepalme
Sigurd, hang on just a little longer. We'll be out of this cave soon!

Stechepalme
(I'm completely exhausted, but I can't afford to fall here! Move, move, my body! Please...!!)

Stechepalme
(I need to protect Sigurd this time...!!)

Stechepalme
Haah, haah... Damn... I can't go on...

Luka
Anna! Yuuki!!

Nanaka
Anna!? Why are you so beaten up... Huh!? Yuuki! Are you okay!?

Stechepalme
Nanaka... Luka...

Luka
Yuuki...!? Hey, hang in there!!

Stechepalme
I'm sorry... Sigurd was shielding me... We need to get him... to safety...

Nanaka
Anna!? L-L-Luka, what do we do!?

Luka
We have to pull back for now. Let's carry these two to the village!

Luka
Nanaka, collapse the entrance to the cave. That'll buy us some time.

Nanaka
Understood! Hi-yaah!!

Luka
......

Nanaka
Big sis Luka, the entrance is in rubble!

Luka
... Good, let's go then.

Luka
(So they've injured our precious comrades like this. I'll pay them back for this affront...!)