Chapter 4 - Episode 5: The Terms of an Exchange
Scene: A forest in the mountains.
Kyaru
No...! Pecorine is coming this way!
Kyaru
It looked like she'd joined up with the group from Elizabeth Park...
Kyaru
Could there have been someone there with good eyes, or just a good intuition? They've found out my position!
Kyaru
Maybe they suspected that there was someone here controlling the monsters!
Kyaru
This is bad! I'm magically and physically exhausted from trying to control those monsters! It'd be impossible for me to stand up to a direct attack from Pecorine!
Begin animated cutscene.
Kyaru
Moreover, seeing her face to face would be too painful...
Kyaru
Like an idiot, she welcomed a complete stranger like me, and treated me like a friend, calling my name so affectionately...
Kyaru
She'd hug me all the time, and blabber to me in such a familiar way...
Kyaru
And we'd gather around the table every day and every night.
Kyaru
We'd talk about silly things, and laugh, and share all kinds of tasty food.
Kyaru
... Her face always seems to be shining with an innocent, radiant smile. All that, even as I've been targeting her life...
Kyaru
Does she ever cry? Or get angry? She can't always be smiling.
Kyaru
But to steal that smile from her... I don't want to. She's already had practically everything else stolen from her...
Kyaru
Am I supposed to steal that last, most important light? There's no way I could do such a cruel thing!
End of animated cutscene.
??? (Christina)
My, you look troubled, young lady.
Kyaru
...!? Christina!
Christina
Oh, already on a first-name basis! Wonderful, how irreverent!
Christina
Hearing you always calling me "Lady Christina" with that air of fake politeness, I thought you must have been a terribly boring person! Ahahaha!
Kyaru
What are you doing here? Are you on orders from Her Highness?
Christina
Yes and no. The matter that Her Highness has entrusted me with is entirely separate from yours.
Christina
Because of what I did the other day, it's rather difficult for me to stay near Landsol.
Christina
Therefore, I'm carrying out a special mission outside of the city.
Christina
I've just finished confirming the location of Labyrinth's headquarters. I happened to be in the area, so I came here to find some foes to crush.
Christina
I happened to see your expression, and I thought I'd come by.
Christina
It seems that Her Highness has some doubts about your power, or perhaps your loyalty, no?
Christina
If not, then you should be able to finish everything that she's entrusted you with. From the looks of you, things don't seem that way.
Kyaru
... I'm going to handle it. I can follow Her Highness's orders to the letter.
Christina
Is that right? From the way you were weeping like a lost child just now, I'd say you're still just a little brat!
Christina
Still not ready to play the part of a villain, ahaha!
Kyaru
I don't have time to chat with you! Quit bothering me, I have things to do!
Kyaru
I'll report this to Her Highness unless you leave! You're such a pain, Christina...!
Christina
Such bouts of hysteria are unbecoming of a woman, don't you think?
Christina
Listen, Kyaru... was it? Calm down. Might I propose an exchange?
Kyaru
An exchange...?
Christina
Indeed, I'll help you with your current job. To be specific... You may leave it to me to confront that young lady drawing near.
Christina
I'll capture her in a most beautiful manner. I can kill her as well, if you'd like... She seems to be quite the skilled swordswoman, but she's no match for me, you see?
Christina
It would be an easy job. During that time, you can go hide yourself in that thicket.
Kyaru
... It's a tempting offer.
Kyaru
However. As you say it's an exchange, there must be something you'd want from me, yes? What would that be?
Kyaru
Money? Treasure? Political influence?
Christina
What I want is information. In this day and age, that is the most valuable treasure of all.
Christina
The things I don't currently grasp, those numerous facts that only Her Highness and yourself know... Those are what I want you to tell me.
Kyaru
You're telling me you plan to betray Her Highness?
Christina
That's not what I'm saying. Shout it to anyone within earshot, but I don't care.
Christina
What I mean is... Living such a tedious life as this is a waste of time.
Christina
Her Highness knows something that she isn't telling me. Dedicating my life to someone who won't share these important details with me -- it would be quite foolish, no?
Christina
I wish to fight for a reason that I can understand. I suppose there's something to be said for hurling oneself into danger just for the thrill of it, but still.
Christina
Time and life are limited. That is one of the few absolute truths in this world.
Christina
I wouldn't like to spend my ever-important time on something without value.
Christina
That's why I'd like to be enlightened as to those details that I'm not yet satisfied with.
Christina
Politely, I refuse to be a pawn in another's game. No matter how wearisome my life may be, it's still my own life, after all.
Kyaru
... I'd thought you were just someone who killed for fun. But you're surprisingly sharp.
Christina
Perhaps. I'm indeed a slave to pleasure, and I don't fancy becoming a slave to another person. That's all there is to it, young lady.
Christina
... So, what will you do? You'd better hurry, as time is running out, you see?
Christina
It's more meaningful to regret a decision you made than to regret your indecision. Take that as advice from your concerned elder.
Kyaru
... I understand. I'll accept this exchange on your terms.
Kyaru
I'll hide myself in this area. And I'll leave facing Tiana, who's coming this way, to you.
Kyaru
... I'll tell you this now -- don't kill her, understood?
Christina
Tiana? Ha ha... Is that right? Just hearing that name is enough of a reward for me to swing this sword!
Christina
I see now, life certainly is fun! Ahahaha!
Kyaru
This is a great help. ... Then, I'll let you handle the rest.
Kyaru
(I want to enjoy my life, too. Eating tasty food, talking with cherished friends, laughing together...)
Kyaru
(But my life doesn't belong to me!)