Episode 4
They Were Pulling Strings Behind the Scenes!
Episode 4
They Were Pulling Strings Behind the Scenes!
Episode 4
They Were Pulling Strings Behind the Scenes!
Episode 4
They Were Pulling Strings Behind the Scenes!
Episode 4
They Were Pulling Strings Behind the Scenes!
Aries, there's something we wish to ask you.
They Were Pulling Strings Behind the Scenes!
Episode 4
They Were Pulling Strings Behind the Scenes!
Episode 4
They Were Pulling Strings Behind the Scenes!
Episode 4
They Were Pulling Strings Behind the Scenes!
Episode 4
They Were Pulling Strings Behind the Scenes!
Episode 4
They Were Pulling Strings Behind the Scenes!
Episode 4
They Were Pulling Strings Behind the Scenes!
Episode 4
They Were Pulling Strings Behind the Scenes!
Episode 4
They Were Pulling Strings Behind the Scenes!
Episode 4
They Were Pulling Strings Behind the Scenes!
Episode 4
They Were Pulling Strings Behind the Scenes!
Episode 4
They Were Pulling Strings Behind the Scenes!
Episode 4
They Were Pulling Strings Behind the Scenes!
Episode 4
They Were Pulling Strings Behind the Scenes!
Episode 4
Why did you invade Svel?
Because...
I couldn't forgive the humans that betrayed you.
You were trying to create a world free from fear of the devilfolk,
but humanity trampled on your ideals and squandered your efforts!
If you were still around,
the world would be at peace by now.
And yet...
And yet!
Those traitors were being lauded as heroes and living without a care!
I couldn't forgive that, and I couldn't stand to bear it.
Plus—
I owe you a great deal, Lady Lufas.
If I hadn't met you,
I wouldn't be alive right now!
I knew it. His motive was his devotion to Lufas.
There, there. We understand.
No more tears now.
Y-Yes.
Still...
There's someone pulling the threads behind the scenes
and manipulating Aries's thirst for revenge.
Was that really the only reason, Aries?
W-Well...
We're sorry to inform you, but we don't desire revenge.
We are happy that you felt strongly enough to avenge us, though.
Which is all the more reason we can't abide whomever manipulated those feelings.
Who was it that deceived you?
It was...
Gheil Volcano
Levia has been significantly weakened.
Now we can finally conquer Svel.
Our preparations are perfect.
Devilfolk, Luminary
m 0 -50 l 10 -50 10 50 0 50
The Fire, Mars
I have an elite army composed of monsters over Level 80.
Alright men!
Now we march on Svel!
Kill and kill and kill all those humans!
Devil King!
Now another one of the foolish heroes who dared to oppose you
will be eliminated!
It was well worth the effort,
spending all those years and years constantly stoking Aries's thirst for vengeance.
One of the Twelve Heavenly Stars,
a former ally of humanity, backing them into a corner...
How absolutely delightful!
Huh?
W-What?!
Aries and...
Who is that?
Is that the one?
Yes.
She's too strong.
One of the Seven Heroes?
No, she isn't...
Blue skin...
Eyes with black and white reversed...
You're a devilfolk?
Correct.
Makes sense.
So the devilfolk were manipulating Aries.
Aries. What's the meaning of this?
What happened to your resentment towards humans?
I thought you were going to topple Svel and exact revenge for your master?
Mars.
I still can't forgive those humans,
and I still hate the Seven Heroes to death.
Though who would be happy if I exacted my revenge?
It wouldn't be Lady Lufas. It would be you all:
the devilfolk.
That wasn't the ideal Lady Lufas pursued,
and it isn't what she wanted.
I knew that from the start too!
So I won't waver any longer!
I'm stopping you here and now!
That so?
Huh?
I thought this day would come.
You could've toppled Svel any time you wanted,
but you hesitated and took years to do it.
You were our trump card against Levia,
but you've already served your purpose.
Still...
You best not believe you'll be allowed to live after turning on us devilfolk!
I'll put an end to you myself!
Aries.
Leave this to us.
B-But—!
You still haven't healed from your injuries in our battle.
Stand back.
Y-Yes.
So who does that make you?
I'm surprised to see there's anyone as capable of you left in this world.
Though this is the end for you!
You can curse your foolish mistake of coming here!
Behold, and gaze upon it!
This is the secret art of Mars, the Devil of Ice and Fire, one of the Seven Luminaries!
Ice-Prison Hellfire Instantaneous Phantasmal Devil Sword!
These twin swords are a representation of me!
Behold, in my right hand I grip a sword of hellfire!
Behold, in my left hand I grip a sword of freezing ice!
All foes faced with my skill in these swords are reduced to ashes!
Together, their strike is the beautiful, yet ominous
punishment of the reaper that will claim your life!
One will rob your freedom to move and reduce your sturdiness,
and then on the verge of death, you'll see it!
The flaming reaper that mercilessly burns everything away!
There's no need to lament though!
Your suffering will last but an instant! That's my mercy to you!
In fact, you'll be grateful to me in your moment of death!
"Ahh, thank you for freeing me from this suffering!"
So consider it the greatest honor to be stricken down by me!
Now, plunge into eternal darkness!
It's curtain call for you!
Shut up.
I-Impossible!
Black wings and blonde hair?!
It can't be!
Weakling.
Was that really the mastermind Megrez was talking about?
Lady Lufas!
That was impressive!
Aries, he mentioned something about being one of the "Seven Luminaries"?
Yes.
He was one of the devilfolk's Seven Luminaries: The Fire, Mars.
The Seven Luminaries—
I'll take it from here!
If you please.
Luminary is the title given to the seven great generals of the devilfolk.
They were established eighty years ago!
They're currently the strongest and most capable of the devilfolk
aside from the Devil King and his son.
At that level?
He didn't seem like he was over Level 300.
That just goes to show even the standards of the devilfolk have declined.
It's true that humanity was defeated by the Devil King,
but he also lost the majority of his talented men.
Otherwise, the world would have perished long ago.
Does that mean that the Devil King and the Twelve Heavenly Stars
are the only ones who can fight me, then?
Lady Lufas, it looks like you haven't killed any of them, but...
Correct.
The monsters were just being manipulated, after all.
But if we leave them alone, they might attack people again?
We have a plan.
Capture!
Oh! You turned so many into your minions all at the same time!
Impressive!
But are we really going to take this many with us?
Of course not.
Listen up!
All of you are to return to your habitats!
And none of you are to attack people without cause!
Dismissed!
That does it.
Everything's settled!
Yes.
Right, Aries?
Yes!
Now then...
We've safely recovered Aries,
and we beat down that Luminary, Mars, while we were at it.
What were our years of suffering even for?
What happened to the monsters?
We placed them all under our command now, so they won't be an issue.
I knew you were...
Could you come with me?
I'd like to discuss matters away from prying eyes.
This is one of the top-ranking players who enjoyed the game alongside me.
I've gone out hunting with Megrez before,
and we enjoyed chatting about stupid stuff.
Now is this Megrez the same player,
or is he...?
Oh!
Sir Megrez!
We were worried about you!
We didn't know what might happen when you went outside by yourself!
Though, Sir Megrez, if you'll forgive me for saying so,
you should be more careful.
You and Levia are irreplaceable assets to this country.
That's right! That's right!
I'm not sensing any feelings of concern for Sir Megrez.
We weren't sure what was going to happen there for a while.
It seems all that mattered was that their own lives were saved.
Honestly, we're so glad to see you safe.
That's true!
Now the safety of this country is assured once more!
What do you think?
Appalling, isn't it?
That was the upper echelon that's supposed to be defending the people.
Protecting themselves
and currying favor is the only thing on their minds.
You wanted to show us that?
I wanted you to see the proof of my mistake
since it is you.
There's no one else but me here,
and no surveillance either.
Could you should me your face?
Very well.
So it really is you.
Lufas.
It's been a long time, Megrez, our old friend.
Oh... No...
He's not...
the player...
You would give us that look as well, then?
It seems you're not the Megrez we once knew.
I guess I'm still alone in this world after all...
People change, Lufas.
They can grow stronger and weaker over two hundred years' time.
I've grown weaker.
Not just in body, but in spirit as well...
Tell me, Lufas.
Why have you returned to this world now?
Have you come to scoff at how far we've fallen?
We can only say it was by coincidence.
Those attempting to summon a hero
mistakenly called us back to this world instead.
That is all.
I see.
What's wrong with this world's Megrez?
Your sworn enemy is back from the dead.
It would make sense to oppose me.
And yet—
Ah!
I see.
We saw this country's libraries.
There were a lot of books criticizing the Seven Heroes.
You collected those here, didn't you?
You seem to crave insult over praise and disdain over respect.
Are you feeling guilty for allowing the devilfolk to invade by defeating us?
We understand.
You can't endure the admiration and envy of those around you anymore, can you?
You're being crushed by your self-reproach,
yet you're unable to vent your regrets,
so their respect becomes the sharpest blade of all.
Something to that end?
We see your troublesome nature hasn't changed.
If you won, then celebrate it.
Take pride in defeating a powerful foe.
Then continue forward on the path you believe is right.
At the very least, that was the Megrez we knew.
You don't resent us for what we did?
You were on the verge of realizing the future you aimed for.
We were the ones who ruined it with our betrayal.
You don't hate us for that?
I don't feel anything like hate toward them.
That battle happened in the game, so I didn't actually experience it.
How would Lufas to respond to him, though?
Well, I'll try to give my own answer.
Megrez.
If you all rose up because you were unsatisfied with us,
then it simply means we were lacking as a leader.
We haven't the slightest reason to hate you all.
That can't be—!
Megrez.
Cease this constant blaming of yourself.
You are a hero to the people of this country.
Stand proud.
Just as you did two hundred years ago.
You know what I think?!
All the elves are too withdrawn!
They should be looking at the broader world!
So I want to
create a nation were elves can live proudly in a big, resplendent city
instead of deep within the confines of the woods!
I want to prove to everyone that elves are just as capable as others!
That's right!
A man should dream big!
Not enough, Megrez!
If your dream is founding a nation,
then my dream is world conquest!
I'll create a utopia where none have to fear the devilfolk!
W-What's so funny?!
World conquest is dreaming too big!
If you really manage to pull it off,
then I'll gobble pasta through my nose!
Now you've said it, Alioth!
When I conquer the world,
your lungs will be stuffed with pasta!
Sure, sure!
Cut it out!
Don't you laugh too!
Jeez!
Thank you for the advice.
Thank you.
Levia should be fine now.
I'm grateful.
I couldn't restore her lost Max HP in my current state.
We're sorry for Aries's trouble.
I'm not apologizing.
It's their fault for betraying you in the first place!
Now, now.
What do you plan to do now?
Of course we'll continue reclaiming all of the Twelve Heavenly Stars.
The next one is—
At the "Grave of the Black-Winged King."
Grave of the Black-Winged King?
It sounds like our grave by the name.
That's precisely what it is, Mistress Lufas.
Two hundred years ago,
those who admired you constructed the world's largest structure.
At its top floor,
the treasures and equipment you once used were entombed.
One of the Twelve Heavenly Stars, Libra of the Scales,
has guarded it all these years without rest.
Libra, huh?
Rumor has it
that she's become a killing machine who eliminates anyone
who approaches the top floor. Without question.
Even so...
Is there any reason people would risk fighting Libra just to rob our grave?
People and monsters aren't all that's declined these two hundred years.
Weapons and equipment have gotten worse, too.
Most of the legendary weapons
were lost in the battle with the Devil King,
so the only ones that remain are housed in your grave.
They're something humanity desperately longs to acquire,
but, thanks to Libra, no one has been able to obtain them.
Even so, from our perspective,
she's just a loyal retainer protecting our property.
I know.
Lufas, I know this is a shameful request,
but once you've recovered Libra,
could you please leave the things you won't be using at the grave for us?
We find that to be a reasonable request.
Thank you.
Then, it's time to visit Libra.
Just a moment.
It must be difficult to move in that outfit, right?
You look lovely, Lady Lufas!
It looks very good on you!
Hmm,
what do you think, Megrez?
I think you look good in anything you wear.
I'm grateful for the item to hide our wings.
We won't hesitate to make good use of it.
I'm finally free of that self-imposed bondage!
Thank you, Megrez!
Let us meet again someday.
Excuse us.
I don't ever want to see you again!
Ease up, kid.
Lufas.
Safe travels.
Gantz!
Wowza, what a beautiful woman!
W-What business did you have with me, young lady?
Come now, there's no need to talk like that at this point.
See? We're Sfalu.
Huh?!
You were this gorgeous?!
We wanted to say farewell before setting out.
Thank you for helping us!
Be careful you two...
and you as well, charming young lady.
He's actually a guy.
Seriously?!
B-Be careful, charming young boy.
Farewell, Gantz!
Let's meet again if we ever get the chance!
Hey.
Hmm?
Are you...
actually Lu...
Nah, never mind.
Take care, Sfalu!
Indeed.
Nah, couldn't be.
Gantz really was a nice man, wasn't he?
Yes.
Now, our next stop is...
Libra of the Scales.
Translation: Timer: Editor: Quality Control:
John Pickett Andy Ellis Gabriella Ramirez Meagan Smith
That power, those black wings... There's no mistaking them.
Lufas Maphaahl
has returned!
This is a nightmare!
How could this happen?!
Y-You're—!
That's no good.
Performers who have played their part should make a clean exit.
When your role is over, you leave.
That's the rule of the game.
Farewell, Mars.
Pathetic little puppet.
No!