La danse macabre - Stage 6

[shionstear]

La danse macabre

Episode 19 – Chance meetings and cracks and… (IV+V)

The ground.

Qual:

…

Arme:

Qual…

Libel:

Watch out, Arme… Something feels off.

Qual:

…! Lord Tenshi, that wound…

Arme:

This? This was Kokujoh Yako’s---

Qual:

It’s because of you people.

Libel:

…

Qual:

Ah… how heartrending.

Lord Tenshi, who had no scars before, now looks this pitiful since He was captured by you…

If it weren’t for you, you bastard, if it weren’t for having descended to the lesser world, then He wouldn’t have gone through such painful experiences…

Arme:

Th-that’s wrong! I wished to---

Libel:

Yes, that may be true.

If he stayed in his room, he probably wouldn’t have gotten hurt.

Qual:

Unforgivable, unforgivable… Dragging Lord Tenshi into your lowly affairs…!

I’ll dispose of you. Draw your sword, Libel.

Libel:

…Arme. Are you sure?

Arme:

About what?

Libel:

You can still go back now. If you do as he says, you won’t have to go through any other painful experiences.

Are ‘for the sake of the ground’ your true feelings?

Arme:

…

You’re right… Even now, my entire body hurts. It’s painful, scary and I’m anxious too. If I relax, I feel like I’d end up crying.

Libel:

…

Arme:

Libel, you’ve taught me what freedom is… That it’s something painful, something scary.

But... I prefer the me after I descended to the ground. I love this me.

So please… win, Libel!!

Libel:

…leave it to me.

I won’t let him get in the way of your freedom!!

Qual:

Ahh… How unpleasant. What’s freedom. That’s just wrong.

Die…!

Swords clashing.

Libel:

Guh…!?

He got stronger…!

Swords clashing.

Qual:

…have you always been this slow…?

Libel:

Tch…!

Swords clashing.

Libel:

Qual! What are you fighting for!?

Swords clashing.

Qual:

What for? To save Lord Tenshi, obviously…

Libel:

So you want to return Arme to his restricted life!?

Swords clashing.

Qual:

Don’t talk as if you knew. To think that this is unhappiness is on your selfish and narrow outlook on life…

That’s how we’ve been living! How Lord Tenshi was living!!

Don’t get in our way!! You’re just a bastard that appeared out of nowhere!!

Swinging sound.

Libel:

Guh…!

Qual:

Ha, just die like that!!

Swords clashing.

Qual:

He stopped it…! But…!

Swinging sound.

Libel:

Gah…!

Qual:

Ha, haha… Yes, I am stronger…

Libel:

C-comparing strength has no meaning.

Even if we compete to who’s stronger, you or me, there’s still someone stronger… It’s futile.

Just being strong can’t do anything. It can’t change anything. I know that…!

What can I do with this strength… What should I think about…

Qual:

Ha…

…you’re just saying pretty words.

You are an evil that is using Lord Tenshi for his own goals…

Saying that it’s for Lord Tenshi’s freedom is merely convenient justification.

Libel:

I don’t intend to deny that. I’m using Arme for my own goals.

But the wish to respect Arme’s will is just as true.

Qual:

…

Libel:

Freedom is to do what you want when you want.

If he wants to do something for the ground, even after having lived trapped in a small crate, then I will protect that freedom with all my might!

I will win for the ground’s freedom! What will I do if I can’t even protect one young boy’s freedom!?

Qual:

…you’re a philistine covered in greed, bastard. It’s enough, die!

 

Qual:

…you’re a philistine covered in greed, bastard. It’s enough, die!

Swinging sound.

Qual:

!?

Arme:

…ugh.

Libel:

Arme!?

Qual:

Lord Tenshi!? Why did you…!?!

Libel:

Are you okay!? Arme, why did you do something so stupid!?

Arme:

My body just moved on its own…

And, i-it’s okay. Qual stopped his sword midway, it’s not that deep…

Qual:

Why… why would You!?

Arme:

…let’s talk, Qual. It’s okay… I really want… the ground…

Qual:

The ground… Do you really wish to… for the ground…!?

Why… why…!! We’ve always been together…!!

Ahh…! Uwahhhh…!!!

Swinging sound.

Libel:

…!

Qual:

Hah… hah…!! Fight me! Libel!!

Arme:

Stop… Qual…

Libel:

You still want to fight…? Even after hurting Arme, who you wanted to protect…?

Qual:

Ah… Ahhh! Shut up!!

I don’t know anymore…! I just don’t want to lose against you…!

Libel:

…Qual.

Qual:

If I retreat now, I’ll become no one!

I am Unity Order’s Qual…! The shield that protects Ark’s peace and tranquillity…!

You who confused our Lord Tenshi! You're my enemy, bastard…!!

Libel:

Then bring it on. I’ll entertain you until you’re satisfied…

Arme:

Hah… hah… Don’t… Qual…

Libel:

Guh…

…cough.

…?

Qual:

…!

Libel:

…cough…

Again… and at a time like this…!

Qual:

I-it’s divine punishment… Divine punishment!! Hahaha! Hahahahahaha!!

Diiieee! Libeeel!!

Libel:

…!

Arme:

Libeeeeeel!!!

Swinging sound.

Episode 20.1 – Escape towards freedom (I)

The ground.

Libel:

…

Arme:

Libel! Libel!! The blood… won’t stop…

Qual:

…Lord Tenshi.

I repelled the evil that was confusing you.

Let’s go home. To our Ark.

Arme:

…

Qual:

Why… Why are You…

Haven’t we always been together?

Arme:

Yes, you’re right… We were together until the role of the retainer became obsolete when I turned 15…

Qual:

Yes… I’ve been watching over You ever since you were young.

Being able to protect You was my pride. And also…

I wanted… I wanted to be Your friend.

Arme:

…!

Qual:

I am the only one that understands your loneliness! I am the only one, having spent a long time with You…

And not…! Not some vermin from the lesser world, with a different birth and surrounding!!

Arme:

Friend…? Did you say friend…?

Qual:

Yes, I---

Arme:

Then… Qual. Have you…

Have you ever called me by my name even once?

Qual:

Eh…

Arme:

Friend… friend you say?

The eyes you looked at me with weren’t those of a friend…

Qual:

…!

Arme:

Even I always thought that I wanted to become your friend!

Qual:

Th-that’s…

Arme:

…

Qual:

N-no… Lord Ten---!

…ah.

Arme:

Ha… haha.

It’s futile, Qual. The people of Ark don’t see me as a person.

Qual:

…

Arme:

We can’t become friends. But…

Cura taught me many things while I knew nothing of the world.

I did anger Fuga, but we were able to have a proper quarrel.

And Libel… called me Arme.

Do you understand, Qual? Libel was the first one to ever call me by my name.

Qual:

…

Arme:

They’re my only friends. The length of time spent together doesn’t matter.

Qual:

…!! Ah… ahh…

It was… all my wrong impression? All… of it…?

Arme:

I’ve always been, inside that church’s white room, thinking about the reason for my birth.

I found it when I descended to the ground.

If I really am a special being, then I want to use my power for my friends, and for the ground that they love.

Qual:

I… I…

I just…

[TL note: Qual changed from ‘watashi’ to ‘ore’]

Ahhhhh…..!!!

Arme:

Qual… That’s why I---!

Qual:

No… It’s wrong… It must be some kind of mistake…

Hahaha…

Ahahahaha…

Arme:

…!

Qual:

As if Lord Tenshi would call vermin of the lesser world ‘friends’…

Arme:

That! That’s just you projecting on me, Qual!

Qual:

Sh… shut uuup!!

Sword swinging.

Qual:

!!

Libel:

…I woke up because you were too noisy.

Arme:

Libel…!

Qual:

How… how long will you!

How long will you stand in my way, bastard…!!

Swords clashing.

Libel:

…!

Gun shots.

Schau:

And stop there.

 

Episode 20.2 – Escape towards freedom (II)

Libel:

Tch…!

Qual:

Schau-san…

Schau:

Why you were busy chatting we’ve closed off all routes of retreat.

Checkmate.

Libel:

…

Schau:

Your name was Libel?

I honestly couldn’t care less about Lord Tenshi or the ground, but if you stir up more chaos it’ll get really annoying.

And apparently that little Acting Captain over there won’t stop until he’s killed you.

Your very existence is a bother. So just, die.

Libel:

…Arme, are you prepared?

Arme:

I am. Though I don’t understand everything else.

I believe in you.

Libel:

…you’re the best.

Schau:

!?

Libel:

Cling to me with all your might, Arme!

Arme:

Yes!

Schau:

It’s futile, there’s a cliff over the---no way!?

Qual:

Stop!! Libel!!

Schau-san! Shoot Libel!!

Schau:

That was my intention…!!

Gun shot.

Libel:

Guh…!!

Schau:

Tch! Missed the head!!

Libel:

We’re jumping, Arme!!

Arme:

Hahaha! I’m scared… but…!!

Jump, Libel!!

Qual:

Stop… please stop…

Don’t steal Lord Tenshi away from me…!

Stooooop!!!

Libel:

Uoohhh…!!!

Short cut.

Cura:

I wonder if they managed to run away…

…! Cough, cough…!

Huh? Blood…? What the hell…

Cut to Rebellion hideout.

Fuga:

Sto… Help m---it… hurts…!

…! …a dream…?

Ahh… Why… why…

Why… didn’t you save me, Libel-san…

Aaahhhh!!!

Cut to Unity Order briefing room.

Reue:

…I see. Thanks for the report.

Understood. Let your subordinates deal with the aftermath.

Leiden:

General Reue, was that Schau?

Reue:

Yup. Got my report.

Lord Tenshi’s whereabouts are unknown. He fell down a precipitous cliff. It’s also unknown if he’s still alive or not.

Leiden:

Hmm.

It’s over, isn’t it?

Reue:

Yup, over. This is the result of doing as one pleases.

Qual will indefinitely be locked in prison.

 

Episode 20.3 – And thus, time starts moving…

The cathedral.

Misericorde:

Qual failed and the Tenshi is missing…

I see… I understand…

Closing sound.

Misericorde:

No changes so far…

No switching yet means he’s not dead.

The depraved Tenshi…

Should I shift the plan, I wonder.

Short cut.

Eternea:

I see… So you’ve chosen the lesser world.

Fufu, I wonder, do I have to ready my resolve as well?

…Arme.

Cut to ground.

Vida:

…hey. What do you guys think?

What should I do? How can I repay you? What should I do for you…

…we’re declining. And this won’t stop.

Gush of wind.

Vida:

…

I see… You’re right…

At this late hour, huh?

That’ll also fulfil Placer’s wish. I’ll return his pain…

…we will devour the heavens.

You’re done for, Ark.

Cut to somewhere unknown.

???:

Lord Kabane! Hurry over here!!

Kabane:

…what’s wrong?

???:

This! This…!!

Kabane:

A corpse… How peculiar, for something from the ground to come this way.

???:

It’s not just that! This is super ultra rare. Don’t be surprised when I tell you please.

They’re alive… barely.

Kabane:

…I see.

…!

Konoe. It’s not just that. Don’t be surprised when I tell you.

This smaller one… is the Tenshi.

Konoe:

Eh? Ehhhh!!

That’s… surely one thing to be surprised about…

Kuon-san!!

Kuon:

…yes. I’m feeling it already.

It seems we’re not allowed to descend yet.

…from the stage of death’s dance.

Trailer starts playing.

[Libel]:

The place where Libel and Arme landed was a subterranean space.

There they met three young men: Kabane, Kuon, Konoe.

It seems, those three know the Tenshi’s and the world’s secrets.

Kuon:

Kabane, I don’t want you to repeat it. The same mistake…

[Libel]:

La danse macabre, Second Half.

Coming 2021.

To be continued…