Um. Mr. Peter?
Yes?
Why don't we take a break, around that area?
[PETER] Good idea.
Mr. Momon.
[AINS] I understand.
[PETER] Enjoy this.
Things will get a little dangerous from here on out.
[AINS] Don't worry about us. We'll be careful.
[MOMONGA] I'll have to be, considering I can't use
most of my magic in this armor.
Playing the tank role was never really my speed.
[MOMONGA] If things start to get out of hand,
Narberal will use fifth tier magic.
I'm not sure what we'll be facing,
but hopefully, that will be enough.
If not, I may have to get serious.
Try not to look so worried, Nabe.
Everthing'll be fine as long as I'm here.
I'm the best set of eyes and ears this side
of the Re-Estize Kingdom
Don't be shy. You can praise me.
Can I squash him yet?
[AINS] Nabe.
Mosquitos should be handled without mercy.
Please, sir.
Harsh!
But it's okay, gorgeous, I so can tell you want me.
[PETER, NINYA, DYNE laugh nervously]
You know, I just realized something.
We've crossed into the Wise King of the Forest's territory.
[AINS] Who is this "Wise King"?
It's a very old and powerful magical creature.
At least, that's what the legends say.
Not only can it cast magic, but it's physically strong.
And if its four razor claws don't finish you off,
its snake tail will.
[AINS] Interesting. I think I'd like to meet it.
[DEMIURGE breathes deeply]
[door clicks]
[ALBEDO sighing, moaning]
[DEMIURGE] Albedo.
[ALBEDO gasps]
You have your own accommodations,
why are you in Lord Ains' room?
I was rubbing my scent into everything I could.
I wanted it to be the first thing he smelled
when he finally returns.
[DEMIURGE] Considering he doesn't require sleep,
I doubt that will happen.
Fine, just, don't overdo it.
I'm sure I don't know what you mean,
but we'll try. Right? Lord Ains?
Uh-- Ugh.
Is that... a life-sized body pillow?
Yeah. Isn't it great?
--[DEMIURGE sighs] --[ALBEDO] I made it myself.
Now I'm working on the socks and clothes
for our first child. I need to be prepared.
It won't be much longer. I can feel it.
I've made enough for the first five years.
Boy or girl, they'll have everything
they could ask for.
Wait a minute, what if the child doesn't have a gender?
If the elf twins are any indication,
the Supreme Beings have no issue
with their servants crossdressing.
Yes! You're right.
Thank you, Demiurge.
That's exactly what I needed to hear!
[sighs] I'm always happy to help.
[AINS] Such things are actually possible?
[NINYA] Yes.
You can make a lot with creation magic,
even basics like salt and sugar.
There are also spells like Alarm that can warn you
when danger is nearby.
[AINS] I see. May I ask something else?
[MOMONGA] The more I know, the more questions I have.
It seems their technology level is that of the Middle Ages,
but the sophistication of their magic
is on a completely different level.
[LUKRUT] I just realized.
You always seem super relaxed, Nabe.
Is it because you know that I'm keeping you safe?
It has nothing to do with you. I'm with Mr. Momon.
[LUKRUT] So, what you're telling me is that the two of you
are lovers after all?
[gasps] No, I never said that!
Stop putting words in my mouth!
Lady Albedo is the only one he needs...!
[AINS] Stop, Nabe! What are you thinking?
Uh...
[AINS clears throat] Mr. Lukrut, please stop looking into
our personal lives.
Sure. My bad. Though, from the sound of it,
you're one lucky man, Mr. Momon.
[PETER] I'm sorry. He can be really idiotic sometimes.
Please forgive him.
I promise he doesn't mean any harm by it.
[AINS] It's fine. As long as he's careful from now on.
We'll have no trouble.
You really need to stop delving into people's business--
They're on the move.
[ADVENTURERS gasp]
From where?
Just past the tree line.
I don't think we'll be able to avoid this fight.
It's going to get rough very quickly.
The best thing you can do is stay hidden in the cart.
'Kay. My life is in your hands.
Mr. Momon, what's the best way to split the group up?
[AINS] All of you should stay close to Nphirea.
I'll show him that our services are worth every coin.
That sounds good to me. But we're not just gonna watch.
You'll have all the extended support we can muster.
[NINYA] If we go completely defensive, most of them
will escape back into the forest.
In that case, I say we do the usual.
Pull the turtle's head out of its shell and cut it off.
It's a sound strategy, but still flawed.
Even though Mr. Momon will take the brunt of their attack.
What about the ones that get through?
That's easy.
I'll use my Fortress martial art and hold back the ogres.
The goblins are yours.
I was hoping you'd say that.
[PETER] Ninya, you'll protect me with defensive magic.
Once I'm clear, focus on crowd control and attack spells.
Right. No prob.
Lukrut, you'll take care of any wayward goblins.
And if an Ogre gets past me, take it out.
Leave it to me.
Does all of that work for you, Mr. Momon?
[AINS] Yes.
[LUKRUT] Here goes.
[GOBLINS laugh]
Fell for it.
[GOBLIN 6C groans]
"Reinforce, Armor"!
Now, "Twine Plant"!
[gasps]
[OGRES roaring]
[PETER, LUKRUT gasp]
[roars]
[AINS grunts]
[OGRE 6C groans]
Holy...
He's stronger than I thought.
Could he be orichalcum, or maybe adamantite level?
[OGRES growling]
[AINS] What's wrong? Afraid to attack me?
[growls]
[AINS grunts]
[OGRE 6F groans]
[AINS] All right, who's next?
Get ready, Ninya!
[grunts]
[GOBLIN 6E] Die!
[grunts]
[NINYA] "Magic Arrow"!
[GOBLINS yell]
Here they come.
About time.
[AINS] They're a skilled party.
They're aware of each other's strengths
and work well together.
Still, they don't hold a candle to my old allies.
[OGRE 6H roars]
[AINS grunts]
[GOBLINS] Hm?
[AINS] Nabe, your turn.
Right.
"Chain Lightning."
[OGRES groan]
Uh!
[LUKRUT] Hey!
Don't let them escape!
"Minor Healing Light."
[AINS] Are the ears valuable?
Not on their own, but you can exchange them
and other parts for a reward from the guild.
It can be pretty lucrative.
[AINS] So crystals or rare trinkets don't just
randomly drop from them?
To be honest, I've never even heard
of ogres carrying crystals or trinkets.
[AINS] I see.
You were pretty amazing back there.
The two of you are far more skilled than we expected.
[LUKRUT] I wouldn't mind having a sword like that.
I've seen incredible fighters before,
but I wouldn't be surprised if you're stronger
than the royal head warrior.
Far stronger.
It's moments like these that remind me
there is always a bigger fish in the sea.
[AINS] Don't worry.
In time, your team will be able to defeat
even greater odds with ease.
[NINYA] Uh?
[DYNE, PETER, LUKRUT chuckle]
[ADVENTURERS laughing]
[DYNE] I think you got the worst of it.
[LUKRUT] Oh, yeah?
Well, you didn't see the other guy!
[DYNE chuckles]
[NPHIREA laughs]
[MOMONGA] Crap. What should I do?
If I drink it, it'll go between my bones.
What's the matter? I-Is the soup too hot?
[LUKRUT] If that's the case, I can let it cool
in my mouth first and feed it to you that way.
Uh...
[AINS] The food's fine, we're just observing
a religious custom. In our faith, it's considered impolite
to eat with several people the same day
we take another's life.
Oh. You believe in some interesting teachings,
Master Momon. I respect that.
[AINS] I've been wondering.
Where did the name "Swords of Darkness" come from?
Oh, that. Tell 'em, Ninya.
Don't make me! I was young and stupid!
It really is nothing to be embarrassed about.
That's easy for you to say. You didn't come up with it.
[PETER] Anyway.
It's a reference to the old legends, The Thirteen Heroes.
We named our party after the swords
of one of the fabled warriors.
[MOMONGA] Huh? Is that all?
Crap. He must expect me to know it.
What do I do?
I don't know them. Who are they?
[MOMONGA] Oh, thank you!
Here I thought everyone knew the legends.
Among The Thirteen Heroes, there was one called
the "Black Knight" who wielded four powerful swords
known only as "The Swords of Darkness."
See, when we started our little group,
our ultimate goal was to find the swords
for ourselves someday.
But, we needed a symbol in the meantime.
So we carry these daggers as placeholders.
I don't care that these aren't the real deal.
They represent the creation of our team,
and that's more important to me than any mythical blade.
You know, I think that's the first time Lukrut
has said something mildly meaningful.
[LUKRUT] Hey! Take that back!
[PETER] Who are you and what'd you do with our friend?
[LUKRUT] Shut up!
I'm a silver-tongued fox and you know it.
[MOMONGA] I used to be like them.
I adventured with my friends, collected materials,
and helped build Nazarick.
You all seem very close.
Is it common for adventurers to get along?
Yeah! We all trust each other with our lives.
[LUKRUT] It helps that our team is nothing but guys, too.
Throwing a girl into the mix would be distracting.
I think our greatest strength comes from
sharing a common goal.
It keeps us focused on the future.
[AINS] You're lucky.
Amazing things happen when everyone shares the same goal.
Were you on a team, Mr. Momon?
[AINS] It wasn't as an adventurer, but, yes, I was.
Once, when I was weak and alone, a holy knight
clad in white armor saved my life.
He led me to the people I would eventually
call my comrades. It changed me forever.
[AINS] They were the best allies I could ever hope for.
More than that. They were friends, family.
I will never forget the days I spent with them,
as long as I live.
[MOMONGA] Ains Ooal Gown, you were the world to me.
Mr. Momon. Don't worry.
I'm sure that you'll find more allies just like them,
one of these days.
[AINS] That day will never come.
[AINS] Excuse me.
[AINS] Nabe, I'm eating over here.
Yes, I think I'll join you as well.
I hope you enjoy it.
[NINYA] I think I might have insulted him.
[DYNE] Mm. Something bad must have happened.
[PETER] If I had to guess, they're probably all gone.
He has the aura of someone who's lost all of his comrades.
That feeling stays with you.
[LUKRUT] I bet. It's hard to imagine.
You can't take back what you've said,
so don't fret over it.
All you can do from this point is atone through your actions.
Work hard to paint over this mistake, and move forward.
[NINYA] Mm-hm. I'll do my best.
[NINYA] I don't understand
how I could have been so thoughtless.
I know what it's like to lose someone you love.
Right, sis?
That fight was intense
and Mr. Momon was incredible! Who knew he was so strong?
I know! He was something else.
I've never seen anything like it before.
[NPHIREA] He stopped that ogre with one strike.
It must take serious skill to pull that off.
Yeah, serious skill.
Momon could probably give even the Royal Head Warrior
a run for his money.
[NPHIREA] Huh?
But that would make him adamantite class!
Do you actually believe he's the same level
as the strongest adventurers in the world?
That's what I'm saying.
--[NINYA] Mm-hm. --Yes.
[NPHIREA] Amazing.
[PETER] I didn't think much of him when we first met.
Well, I was a bit jealous of his full set of plate armor.
[LUKRUT] Fess up, you were ogling Nabe like the rest of us.
Yeah, right.
But now, after seeing his skills first hand,
I can't help feeling inadequate.
Hey, he's got a few years on you.
It's entirely possible that he's been training
for much longer.
Hold on, how do you know that he's older than Peter?
Back in town, he took his helmet off
for a moment, and we got a good look.
[NPHIREA] What country is he from?
I need to know!
Sorry, we didn't ask for specifics.
He's the same race as Nabe, which might be
why they're together, but she could get easily
get someone much hotter.
I doubt that his looks are an issue.
Besides, with skills like that.
I'm pretty sure he doesn't have trouble getting
with women of any race.
Women instinctively flock to men with strength,
no matter their looks. It's a fact of life, my friend.
[sighs]
[DYNE] Master Nphirea? Is something wrong?
[NPHIREA] It's really not all that important.
I just feel a bit uneasy.
[NPHIREA] Is Mr. Momon really popular with women?
Putting aside his physical looks,
his strength is the real deal.
And, judging by the quality of his swords and armor,
he's obviously quite wealthy.
Oh...
All right, spill it.
[NPHIREA] Well. There's this girl.
I can't help being afraid that she might fall for him
once we get to Carne.
It's stupid, I know.
Is that all?!
Don't worry, I'll teach you all the ways
to make a woman's knees bu--
Zip it! Or else!
Ow!
That's my money-maker you just assaulted, jerk!
Uh--
What kind of person is she?
Just keep trying. If you give up, it's all over.
[PETER] We'll even help support you, at no extra charge!
--[LUKRUT] Come on! --[PETER] You can do it!
You guys...
[DYNE] Be persistent!
[ADVENTURERS laugh]
[laughs]
[CLEMENTINE humming]
[groans]
[CLEMENTINE humming]
[INFORMATION BROKER 6A whimpers] Why are you doing this?
Because you peddle information, and I need
some on a talented pharmacist.
You want Nphiera Balear.
There, I told you. Now please, let me go!
[CLEMENTINE] Oh, silly man.
You could be lying to me. I should be thorough.
If you want proof,
all you have to do is ask the other brokers!
They'll tell you the same thing, I'm sure of it!
[CLEMENTINE] You're taking the fun out of this.
Fine, I'll put it another way.
Huh?
[CLEMENTINE] I... love... killing.
Bloodshed is my one true passion, my art.
And I need practice.
Oh! Did I mention torture?
[whimpers]
Hey! I didn't say you could leave!
[panting]
What the hell is wrong with that woman?
--[groans] --[CLEMENTINE laughing]
My, my, that looks painful.
[INFORMATION BROKER 6A laughs] It is. But I feel fantastic.
Good. Very good.
Now tell me what I want to know.
[KHAJIT] "Create Undead."
[MAN 6A groans]
[CLEMENTINE] That Jewel of Death sure is great
at making zombies.
But, I think you might be going a little overboard with it.
Because you keep playing around.
I like my work.
[KHAJIT] You need to focus, Clementine.
I've spent years preparing to turn E-Rantel
into a city of death.
But, for my plan to work, I need its people to be alive.
[CLEMENTINE] Oh, right. That Spiral of Death, thingy?
[KHAJIT] Precisely.
The same ritual that our exalted leader once tried.
If done correctly, it will turn the capital
into a pit of undeath overnight.
If I use this to collect the power of death
that's left in its wake...
...my dream of immortality will, at last, be realized.
[KHAJIT] If your antics continue to cause me trouble,
you'll be the next zombie I create.
[CLEMENTINE] Hm.
[CLEMENTINE cackles]
You're more foolish than I thought.
Don't be mad.
That was nothing more than a love tap.
[KHAJIT] We both know that's a lie.
[sighs]
You always manage to impress, Khaji.
It's sexy.
[KHAJIT grunts]
[CLEMENTINE] Oh, almost forgot.
I'll be sure not to bring my playthings home.
That work for you?
[KHAJIT sighs]
[CLEMENTINE humming]
[KHAJIT] Hard to believe she was once a Black Scripture.
Her power earned her the ninth seat of their order,
but that corrupt personality made her troublesome.
I'll have to keep an eye on her.
[AINS] The bodyguard mission is going smoothly,
but I need something more than this
if I want to make a name for myself.
According to Nphirea,
the forested area outside of Carne Village
where he gathers his herbs is home
to a wise and powerful creature
that has lived for hundreds of years.
Conquering such an ancient creature
could be exactly what I need to raise my status.
So, I order Aura to locate it at all costs.
Chapter seven: "Wise King of Forest."