La danse macabre - Stage 9

[shionstear]

La danse macabre

Episode 30 – Flame of revolution

In the cathedral.

Unity Order soldier:

Jailbreak! Lord Tenshi has escaped from prison!!

Unity Order soldier:

Hurry up and gather soldiers!!

Our opponent is Lord Qual!! We can’t stop him with just us!

Qual:

As expected, they act quickly.

To think that letting them go through strict training is turning back on me now…

…let us hide until we know what they’re planning.

Arme:

Yeah…

Uhm, Qual.

What… in the world are you doing?

Qual:

What I’m doing…? Well, generally speaking I’m assisting your escape.

Arme:

That’s not what I mean.

Qual:

… I think I told you before. I’m helping you.

Arme:

But why… you’re supposed to protect Ark…

Qual:

Yes.

…I’ve been thinking about it. Ever since you disappeared.

My intention was always to fight for your sake.

But… when I saw your face that time, I understood that it was only one-sided.

Then what was I even fighting for…? Everything seemed to be breaking down.

Arme:

…Qual.

Qual:

Were my feelings wrong? I asked myself over and over in prison.

Arme:

…Qual.

Qual:

…but that was wrong. Not everything was a mistake.

You are without doubt my pride. The fact that I was with you and that I grew up with you.

That is my pride, my reason for fighting! There’s no way that’s wrong!

And if I don’t have that, then it’s not me!

Arme:

…!

Qual:

I only saw the you that I had conveniently crafted for myself.

I want to face your true self once more.

To fight for your sake once more. …and this time without mistakes.

Please… let me fight for you and your wish’s sake.

Arme:

Wh-why are you going this far for me…?

Qual:

…because we’re friends.

Arme:

…!

Qual:

A-ah, no, I… What am I thinking, saying something like that.

Uhm. …I mean…

Please be my friend, Arme.

Arme:

…!!

…of course.

After all… I’ve always wanted to become your friend, Qual.

Qual:

…seems like I made you wait quite a long time.

Arme:

Seriously… Even though we spent so many years together…

… Thinking back makes me kinda angry.

Qual:

…!?

Arme:

Yeah because of you! You always kept your distance and didn’t even try to become friends!

Qual:

Uhh…

Arme:

You’d always excuse yourself! Didn’t you know that I wanted someone to talk to?

Qual:

…th-that’s… You were in the position of a Tenshi, I had to act accordingly to society…!

A-and you too, you never said you wanted to be friends out loud, did you…?

Arme:

Th---! That’s something you know without saying it…!

…pff.

Hahaha, what’s up with this fight.

Qual:

…hahaha…

Unity Order soldier:

There they are!!

Qual:

…!!

Unity Order soldier:

We have orders! It doesn’t matter if we hurt them!

And kill Qual the rebel!!

Arme:

Th-they found us while we were fighting.

Qual:

…hmph. Bring it on.

Hold on tight, Arme!

Arme:

Yes!!

Qual:

Uuooohhh!!!

Punch.

Unity Order soldier:

Uwah!

Punch.

Unity Order soldier:

Ugh!

Qual:

Sorry…! I won’t let you get in our way!

Cut.

Qual:

Almost there…! Almost at the exit…!

Arme:

…fufu.

Qual:

…what?

Arme:

No it’s just, riding on your back, running around…

Reminds me of when Libel kidnapped me.

Qual:

…

Arme:

And to think I’m doing the same with Qual now, after you were the one to chase after us… Fufufu, how strange.

Qual:

Arme…

So you can laugh like that.

Arme:

Hm? What about it?

Qual:

I just thought, I was always watching from afar, but now we’re looking the same direction for the first time.

I will save you from this cursed fate. …I just restrengthened my resolve.

Arme:

…?

…right, what are we gonna do now?

Qual:

Descend to the ground.

Our only ally right now is that man.

Arme:

…!?

Qual:

…let’s go to Rebellion… to Libel.

Episode 31 – At Rebellion’s hideout (I+II)

On the ground.

Libel:

…

…Rebellion’s hideout. Feels like it’s been ages.

Flashback.

Libel:

What even are you people!? Why do you know all this!?

Kuon:

…

You see.

I was the Tenshi too. Long, long ago.

Flashback ends.

Libel:

…

I will definitely save you, Arme…

Door opens.

Arme:

Ah, welcome back. Libel.

Libel:

Ah, I’m ba---

---ck!?

Arme!?

Arme:

Yup! It’s me!!

Qual:

Hey you’re late. We came all this way and then you make us wait.

Libel:

…!?!

Q-Qual!?

Qual:

Hmph, what a stupid look on your face. How unsightly.

Arme:

Why so belligerent, Qual!

Libel:

Wh-what’s going on…? Why are you at Rebellion…!?

Cura:

Pff…!

Hahahaha!!

Libel:

Cura…

Cura:

Hah… haha… It’s been a while since I last saw you like that. Crap, this is hilarious.

Libel:

…

Cura:

Hah… sorry, sorry. Anyway, glad you’re good.

Libel:

…p-please explain…

Cura:

Ah, no, you see, I don’t really get it either. Sonny here called me and…

When I went to fetch him, uhm… Qual-kun was there too.

Qual:

…thanks for the ‘explanation’.

Cura:

They waited for you to return before explaining everything. I don’t know either yet.

Libel:

…I see.

Qual:

I’ll explain. Cura, can we borrow the conference room?

Cura:

Dunno if you can call it that but sure.

Arme:

Then, me too…

Libel:

No---

Qual:

No, please wait a bit, Arme. There’s something I want to talk to about with them.

Libel:

…!

Arme:

Hm… okay?

I’ll be a bit sad, but it’s something I can’t hear, yes?

Qual:

…yes, believe me. I won’t do anything unbecoming of a friend.

Arme:

…okay! I’ll wait!

Libel:

…

Cut.

Cura:

What even…

The Tenshi… is a cursed weapon… to kill people…

Qual:

Yes. Does it ring a bell?

Cura:

…!

Flashback to Cura coughing up blood.

Cura:

That was…

Flashback to Fuga coughing up blood.

Cura:

…Fuga too?

H-hey, Libel! Are you okay? You’ve been the most with sonny, weren’t you?

Libel:

Yes, I’m completely fine.

Cura:

Huh? What’s up with that? Does it depend on the person?

Libel:

Maybe it depends on your constitution?

Qual:

…

…you’re not surprised, are you, Libel?

Libel:

Yeah… I’ve been told by others. Though I wished it was a lie…

Seems there’s no way it’s wrong…

Qual:

…? There are others who know about this…?

Cura:

But man, makes you shiver, huh? To think we were getting closer to death by being around sonny…

Qual:

Lord Misericorde said that the curse’s concentration grew stronger depending on Arme’s exposition to anxiety, fear, or harm.

For you, who have no holy mark, to have only had such light symptoms must mean…

The time… he spent with you must have been quite peaceful for him. …though that annoys me a bit.

Libel:

…

 

Cura:

So what now, Libel? If Qual-kun’s story is true, then being around sonny is dangerous for us.

And we can’t use the Tenshi as a basis for negotiation. In the first place, the Tenshi being down here works out perfectly for them. The tables have been turned from the beginning.

Libel:

…the thing we need to do just became clear.

I will free Arme from the Tenshi’s curse.

Qual:

…

Libel:

In other words, we have to destroy the system of the Tenshi’s curse. We need Ark to lose the cursed weapon called Tenshi.

So that this will never repeat itself.

Cura:

…uhh, well, uhm… Sure.

If Ark has a weapon like that we can’t hope for a fight or discussion…

Only a few people in the church know about this, right? Which means, we gotta defeat those…

Libel:

We’ll win for a world free of the Tenshi’s curse. …for a new world.

Cura:

A new world, huh? Sure sounds nice…

Well, but… I want to free the world. I want to free sonny. To think your selfishness would turn into this…

Libel:

But it’s still my selfishness. I think Arme is needed for a new world.

Qual:

…I’m in.

Libel:

…Qual.

Qual:

I fight for Arme’s sake. Because I’m his friend.

It’s indispensable to break the Tenshi’s curse for the freedom he desires.

And we can’t create more people like him. …this is my own selfish wish.

Our goals align.

Cura:

You kinda changed, Qual-kun…

Qual:

I might have.

Then we should aim for Lord Eternea. He’s the Church of Nerve’s top. If someone were to know a way to break the curse it would have to be him.

Let’s get it out of him. Even if we have to use force.

Cura:

…you sure? You’re from Ark, is it smart to pick up a fight with the church?

Qual:

I don’t care. I decided to fight for Arme. My position doesn’t matter.

Cura:

Dude’s kinda extreme…

Libel:

We got any plans?

Qual:

Force our way in.

Libel:

Sounds fun.

Cura:

Wait what, are you for real? Qual-kun, you’re that kinda guy!?

Qual:

When I escaped Ark, I broke the defence system. I had planned to go back eventually.

Infiltration with few numbers should work best right now.

Cura:

That’s crazy…

You two are unexpectedly alike, huh Libel?

Libel:

…Qual.

Qual:

What’s with that hand?

Libel:

A handshake. You don’t have those on Ark?

Let’s fight together, Qual.

Qual:

Hmph.

Don’t get me wrong… I don’t care about you people from the ground. I’m merely doing this for Arme’s---

Libel:

…

Did you hear that, Cura?

Cura:

Sure did. Doubted my ears though.

Qual:

What?

Libel:

There are actually people that say ‘Don’t get me wrong’ during stuff like this.

Cura:

Yeah. Laaame…

Libel:

Say it again, Qual. We don’t really get to hear such a line down here.

Qual:

I will… definitely kill you guys…

Cut.

Cura:

…what about sonny?

Libel:

Qual is explaining it to him.

Cura:

We won’t tell him about the curse, right?

Libel:

Yeah, we don’t wanna make him worry unnecessarily. Qual and I agreed on that.

Cura:

…I see.

Libel:

…

Cura. About Fuga…

Cura:

Ah… I heard through the transmission, so...

Libel:

I can’t let that slide.

He died because of me.

Cura:

…you’re right. Your strength had cornered him.

Libel:

…

Cura:

Don’t worry about it… isn’t what I’m gonna say. Worry about it.

Always think of him and live.

And don’t waver. If you do, he can’t be repaid.

Libel:

Yeah… I won’t.

Cura:

Okay. Oh and…

I won’t take part in the infiltration. Looks like I’d die if I’m with sonny.

Libel:

Alright.

Cura:

I can’t afford to die. For our comrades that died and for Fuga as well.

To live and connect. That’s my role.

Libel:

On the slight chance that something happens to me… I’m counting on you for the rest.

Cura:

Don’t be stupid. …there’s no one that could replace you.

You better don’t die. Libel.

Libel:

…

Episode 32 – Raid (I+II)

On the ground.

Libel:

…how do we start the elevator? Do you have a plan, Qual?

Qual:

I know how to start it. Security will be there, but they’re nothing the two of us wouldn’t win against.

Libel:

Understood.

Arme:

Fu, fufufu…

Libel:

…?

Qual:

What’s up, Arme?

Arme:

No, it’s just, seeing you two get along and talk is something I couldn’t even think of some time ago.

It’s kinda weird but I’m also happy.

Libel:

…you heard him?

Qual:

We don’t get along.

Arme:

Fufufu, how nice. I don’t feel like we can lose with the two of you.

Libel:

I wouldn’t lose on my own either.

Qual:

Libel. This is something Arme said. Don’t object him.

Libel:

You sure are hard to please…

Qual:

Don’t get me wrong. Just because you’re Arme’s friend doesn’t mean we have that relationship as well.

Libel:

…you said it again. Don’t get me wrong.

Qual:

Ugh…!!

Arme:

Fufufu, you really get along…

Cut.

Arme:

…!

Qual:

What… is this…

Libel:

What’s going on? Unity Order’s security is…

Arme:

Dead…

Qual:

I don’t know. But…

Libel:

Something happened to them. …in other words, it’s a perfect chance for us.

Qual:

Yeah, we have no choice but to continue…

Cut to elevator.

Qual:

What has happened?

Libel:

Someone ascended to Ark before we did.

Arme:

…and they just stormed through?

Libel:

…

Qual:

Let’s think about it later… It’s an advantage for us if we can use this chaos.

We might not even get another chance if we miss this one.

Libel:

Yeah.

Cut to cathedral.

Qual:

This is…!

Libel:

It looks horrible.

Arme:

…terrible.

Qual:

What in the world…

…!

Leiden-san!!

Leiden:

…hm… Qual…

You fool… You should’ve stayed away like that… Cough, cough…!

Qual:

Wh-what has happened, Leiden-san?

Leiden:

It’s Kokujoh Yako… The man who defeated us before… Vida…

He came in alone…

Qual:

…on his own…!?

Leiden:

Most of our forces had been down on the ground due to them. Not as many remained here… To think he’d come up himself.

We weren’t prepared at all. We might have been… too complacent about peace.

Libel:

Vida…

Leiden:

…what, Rebellion’s… you came too…?

…and Lord Tenshi as well… hahaha…

Arme:

Leiden…

Leiden:

I don’t know what your goals are, but I’m sure you’ll succeed right now…

This might be the price for having tyrannized the weak.

And it came in the form of that man called Vida, to bear its fangs at us…

Libel:

…

Leiden:

I’m an idiot, so I had abandoned thinking.

And then, Qual, you disappeared, Schau died…

Ha… haha…

There might’ve been things I should’ve had more interest in and questioned in this world…

Qual:

Leiden-san…

Leiden:

Though now it’s all too late…

Arme:

It’s not!

Leiden:

…Lord… Tenshi?

Arme:

It’s never too late. You realized it just now, Leiden. It’s not too late, even now…!

Leiden:

…

…fu… fuhaha.

It’s the first time I properly talked to Lord Tenshi, but… I see, you have a calming and peaceful voice.

I agree that you bear a mysterious power… Hahaha, if only I had some more faith in me…

Qual:

…ugh.

Libel:

Yes. Even without the Tenshi’s miracle, Arme has the power to give courage to others.

Leiden:

Go… You guys have thought about lots of things, haven’t you? Unlike me…

Believe in it, and move on…

Arme:

Yes, Leiden. Don’t die. We’ll end it all and come back for sure…!

Qual:

Yes, please don’t die, Leiden-san…

Leiden:

…yeah. I’ll do my best.

Qual:

It’s an order from your superior.

Leiden:

Ha… hahaha.

You’re a fugitive, what are you even talking about…

Qual:

Seriously… I’ll probably get demoted.

This is but a simple request from your dear junior.

Leiden:

Aye… If that’s the case, leave it to me…

Libel:

…let’s get going, Qual. I don’t wanna let him die.

Qual:

…! Yes… you’re right. Arme, let’s hurry.

Arme:

…? Yeah.

 

 

Libel:

As expected, it’s Vida…

Arme:

I wonder what his goal is…?

Libel:

I’d say he doesn’t even have a goal anymore.

Qual:

What do you mean?

Libel:

I got information while at the hideout. Kokujoh Yako has been completely annihilated with the exception of Vida.

Arme:

…then…

Qual:

So it’s his last resistance…?

Libel:

I don’t know. But either way, if we continue, we’ll clash.

Qual.

If Vida were to kill everyone from the church, we wouldn’t have a chance to learn about breaking the curse.

Qual:

…yeah. We have no choice but to win against Vida…

…if we follow this path, we’ll get to the church.

Cut.

Arme:

…!

Libel:

Vida…!!

Vida:

I thought I heard footsteps following behind me. So it was you guys…

…perfect. I wanted to kill you as well…

Libel:

Why do we both, who live on the ground, have to kill each other?

Vida:

Because I don’t like you…! You’re weak yet you dream big…

Even though you’re weak, you keep chasing after the thing we gave up on… it gets on my nerves…!

Libel:

…what’s wrong with dreaming…

Vida:

Your very existence is an eyesore, a bother to us who weren’t allowed to even dream…

Libel:

Our existence, huh.

…recently I’ve been told something similar by a subordinate of mine…

Vida:

…my entire family has died. I don’t even want to think about what the cause was.

Placer always said that he wanted to make everyone as unhappy as we were.

I’ll fulfil his wish.

Horca always said… that our fangs would never reach the heavens either way.

I’ll prove him that’s wrong.

That’s the only thing I can do. Shoulder everything that’s been lost!

Libel:

There’s things you can do for the living right now. …and not for the sake of the dead.

Vida:

Ha… I’m done with that kinda talk already…

I can hear the voices of the dead. I won’t forgive such lip service.

Arme:

…?

Vida:

I won’t lose… I’m the strongest after all.

I won’t lose… for the sake of everything that died!

Qual:

What this his pressure… It’s even more sinister than before…

Vida:

Ha… That’s right. I get stronger the more deaths there are… That’s how we were cursed…

Arme:

…curse?

Libel:

Qual. …let’s attack together.

Qual:

Yeah… we have no other choice.

Vida:

I’ll slaughter you all! Every last one of you lucky dogs…!

Kabane:

---then let me, who’s exceptionally unhappy, be your opponent.

Qual:

…!?

Libel:

…Kabane!?

Arme:

Kabane, why are you here…?

Kabane:

We don’t have time to chitchat. I’ll deal with him. You continue.

Vida:

Tch, what’s up with you… Don’t bore me. You’re in my way.

I’ll kill you…!!

Kabane:

Hah.

I sure wish you’d try. …you’re the strongest, aren’t you?

To be continued…