Episode 5: A Riot in the Beastperson Quarter
Scene: A town square in Landsol.
Nearly an hour later.
Monster A
Roaaaar!
Monster B
Roaaaar!
Jun
Pant, pant! We've finally caught up! I can't run well with how heavy this armor is.
Yuuki
1. "What if you took it off?"
Jun
No, you should already know, it's a rule in my family... Wait, you followed me, young man? Really, shouldn't you evacuate right away?
Yuuki
1. "Let me help too."
Jun
Uh... Well, your power to strengthen your allies is certainly a valuable asset. But things are getting dangerous, so make sure to keep your distance as best you can.
Jun
In any case... There's nowhere left to run, so come along quietly!
Jun
Soldiers, surround them! Beat them down, and once they're subdued, restrain them! If they resist, don't hesitate to cut off their limbs!
Jun
These enemies are mysterious creatures with bodies unlike ours... They're practically living suits of armor, so such wounds won't kill them! You'll lose no sleep over mangling them!
Jun
Have confidence! Take them down magnificently, like the shining allies of justice that we are!
Jun
(Whew... I'm not used to raising my voice, but in this case, it's necessary. Seeing monsters looking just like them rampaging about, everyone from Nightmare must be shaken.)
Jun
(Displaying an unwavering, gallant attitude should help to set everyone at ease.)
Matsuri
Miss Jun! W-W-What's going on here!?
Jun
M-Matsuri? Ah, right, did you live somewhere close to here...? Things are dangerous, so I'd rather a fresh recruit like you evacuate to safety.
Matsuri
No, I'll fight, too! This is my neighborhood, after all!
Tomo
Miss Jun, you're short on soldiers, aren't you? Please allow me to assist.
Jun
Tomo, you're here, too... Huh, why are you two both here?
Tomo
It was just by chance. I was walking Matsuri home after having lunch together with her, when we came across what looked like an incident in progress.
Tomo
What's going on with these things? They all look like Miss Jun... Are these the "shadows" I've heard about?
Jun
I don't think so, but I'm not sure. We're unsure of their true forms, but we cannot just let them go... They may share my appearance, but their conduct is lawless.
Jun
It's absolutely unforgiveable. Because of these things, I wasted so much time wondering why everyone had begun to hate me.
Tomo
Ahh... I see, everything just clicked for me.
Tomo
Fake copies of us... It never even occurred to me, even though I'd heard of eyewitness reports of creatures like those "shadows."
Tomo
It seems I'm still a child myself. Knowing that I was fooled by those fakes of Miss Jun and their horrific attitudes makes me feel all the worse.
Tomo
I must apologize for suspecting you -- clearly, I wasn't thinking straight.
Matsuri
I'm sorry, too... Fake imitations of the hero always show up in stories like these, so why didn't I realize it sooner?
Jun
Ha ha. You aren't to blame, since after all, they looked exactly like me... But I think that, from today onward, our bonds will deepen to the point that you'll be able to recognize me from a fake in a single glance.
Jun
We must bear that future in our hearts. So that, rather than suspecting each other and wounding each other, we can become companions who cherish and love each other...
Jun
For the sake of all that, let us put an end to this frightful incident, hand in hand.
Jun
Will the two of you help me?
Matsuri
Of course! I want to prove that the ones who were doing bad things were all fakes, to my mom and dad... And to everyone living in the beastperson quarter!
Tomo
Yes. And if can clear Miss Jun's name while defeating these enemies, then it'll be two birds with one stone.
Tomo
Could that have been why you chased these monsters all the way to the beastperson quarter? How admirable -- this will go a long way towards restoring your image, won't it?
Jun
Eh... No, I just became fixated on chasing them and wound up here.
Jun
It was a hard effort. Not to mention Christina using her subordinates to cause trouble left and right...
Tomo
Christina is here, too? Huh...?
Yuuki
1. "It really was tough."
Tomo
Ah, Yuuki! Stealthy as always -- what are you doing here? Ha ha, I wonder if you were on a date with Miss Jun...
Matsuri
Eh, were you two like that? T-Those are some complicated feelings! But if it's Miss Jun, then...?
Jun
Y-You're wrong. It's not like that, I'm merely friends with this young man.
Jun?
Roaaaar!
Tomo
... Whoa! I guess we don't have time to chat -- our cornered enemy is getting desperate! It's started thrashing about!
Matsuri
Ooh, so this is the final battle! I'm burning with excitement!
Matsuri
Nightmare will eliminate those villains who disturb the peace! Rule number 2 of being a hero: justice always prevails!
Tomo
Right. Today, we're the unbreakable shield of justice. Now, face my swordplay...!
Monster A
Roaaaar!
Monster B
Roaaaar!
Jun
Huh? Be careful, they're acting strangely!
Jun
Matsuri, I'd like you to leave the battle to us and direct the evacuation of civilians! You're a child from this neighborhood, so even those beastpeople who harbor misgivings towards us should listen to you!
Matsuri
Y-Yes! Looks like I'm just the right person, in just the right place! Everyone, take cover inside your homes!
Matsuri
Ah... No, there are stragglers by the fountain!
Beastperson Woman
E-Eek...
Beastperson Girl
Waaah, I'm scared!
Jun
... This is bad. That girl looks like she's fallen and injured her leg.
Jun
Her mother is trying to flee while carrying her, but I fear they've been surrounded.
Jun
Don't worry! I'll rescue them!
Beastperson Woman
Ahhh, don't come near! At least, spare my child's life!
Jun
... Even if you turn away and tell me to leave, this is my duty! Not just to save your child's life, but yours as well!
Monster B
Roaaaar!
Jun
(No, I won't make it! I'll have to leap with all my might and serve as their shield!)
Monster B
Roaaaar!
Beastperson Woman
Eep...?
Jun
... Are you well? Did I make it just in time? I apologize if you find it distasteful to be held by me, but I'm going to carry you like this until we reach safety!
Beastperson Woman
Y-You're... bleeding! T-That sword cut through your armor...!
Jun
Healing magic will take care of a scratch like this easily. More importantly, I'm glad that you're unharmed.
Beastperson Woman
......
Jun
... Ah! I thought I felt wind on my face -- my helmet is gone! D-Did that blow just now knock it off?
Beastperson Girl
M-Mister... Is this your helmet?
Jun
Oh, so it fell all the way over there. Thank you for telling me. But I'm not a "mister," but rather a "miss," right?
Monster B
Roaaaar!
Jun
... Ah, more and more enemies are gathering. I'll have to recover my helmet later -- for now, the most important thing is evacuating these two.
Tomo
Miss Jun, I'll help! I'll clear a path for you to rush those two to safety!
Matsuri
F-For now, bring them inside this house! It's my house, so they'll be okay there!
Jun
Understood. All right... After this, we have only one thing left to do. Let's do our best.