The Water Dragon miko awaits inside.
Excuse me.
Welcome.
I was hoping you'd be the one to come.
I'll need to match your appearance, won't I?
I am Shildina, the Water Dragon miko.
I am Raphtalia. I have come as the revolutionary army's representative.
I'm sure you can guess why I've brought you here.
I want the rebels to cease their assault on the old capital immediately.
The Rising of the Shield Hero
Episode 10: Prayers
I'll go.
Wait!
This letter says to come alone.
If you go alone, we won't be able to protect you!
I'm opposed to it, too.
Maybe I shouldn't say this, but the Water Dragon miko
will do any kind of dirty work to protect the Emperor.
Dirty work, huh?
What do you think, Naofumi-sama?
I agree that it's dangerous.
But it's a chance to see the Water Dragon miko directly.
If I'm going to be Emperor, I'll have to meet her someday.
Isn't this a good opportunity?
Fine.
I want to go exploring there, too!
I had to teach her a lot of the formalities in a short time,
but I'm sure Raphtalia-chan will be able to pull it off.
Well, if something goes wrong, Raph-chan will tell us.
I've given Raphtalia-chan full authority to make decisions on our behalf.
It's an experience she'll need.
Stop the assault on the old capital?
I'd thought the rebels were just a group of rowdy commoners,
but they've grown into a threat we cannot ignore.
As long as you're willing to fight, we'll have to fight back.
The old capital may become a battleground, and many people will lose their lives.
But I know that's not what you want.
So I'm going to make you an offer.
An offer?
Cease your treason and surrender.
If you do, you and the rebels will not be prosecuted for your crimes.
You are a relative of the Emperor.
We'll fold the rebel army into the Emperor's forces,
and give you a position with the government, leading them.
If you wish to return to Melromarc, you may do so.
We'll guarantee your safety, and the safety of the village.
It's not a bad deal for you, is it?
It's true that I came to this country
to prove I have no intention of being Emperor...
to correct that misunderstanding.
But I've seen many people suffer here in this land.
The government's decrees mean people can't even protect themselves from monsters.
And I've seen the magistrates make the people suffer with heavy taxes...
I've also heard that the attack by Orochi was due to the blessing the Emperor gave.
The revolutionary army is fighting because they're angry with the government.
They cannot be allowed to suffer anymore.
Seeing them suffer, I thought to myself...
I want to save everyone who's suffering...
To save the people.
I'm sorry. But I must refuse your offer.
Obeying the government will only lead to the people suffering even more.
I see.
I didn't realize how strongly you felt about the people.
Then I have another offer to make.
We will withdraw our forces from the old capital.
If we do, will you lay down your arms
for a temporary truce?
You're giving us the old capital?
And offering a truce?
If you agree, then I will see to it
that you get a chance to speak to the Emperor, Ruftmila-sama.
And an audience with the Emperor as well?
We do not want to see the people suffer from this war any more, either.
I can trust you, right?
I... As Shildina, the Water Dragon miko,
I will fulfill my promise!
Very well.
As representative, I accept your offer.
You have my gratitude.
As soon as things are ready, I will send a letter about the next conference.
Yes, we'll be waiting.
Farewell, then.
One more thing before you go...
If peace talks become impossible,
there's something I want to ask of you...
After the meeting with the Water Dragon miko,
the government's forces left the old capital.
And we, the supporters of the new Emperor, were welcomed into the city.
When they heard about this bloodless handover,
the members of the revolutionary army were skeptical, but...
In the end, Raphtalia was able to persuade them.
I'm shocked they offered peace talks.
I suppose it's just the Water Dragon miko acting on her own, but...
I think that's just a sign of how bad things are inside the government army.
One more thing before you go...
If peace talks become impossible, there's something I want to ask of you...
If the rebel army wins, the leaders of
the defeated government forces will surely be executed.
When that happens...
would you please take the crown from Ruftmila-sama, the Emperor?
The battle is clearly not in our favor.
It won't be long at all before the rebels are victorious.
The Emperor wants the people to be happy, and the war to stop, but...
Please... Please!
I don't know how things will go when I meet with the Emperor.
But I will become the new Emperor.
I'm sorry, Naofumi-sama.
I decided all this without asking you.
If that's your decision, I'll support you.
So will I!
Itsuki and Rishia will be arriving at the old capital tomorrow.
Then we'll hold your coronation ceremony.
With the ceremony granting you a blessing,
you'll have the same power the Emperor has.
Right!
So this is the holy grounds...
That's the Dragon Vein Hourglass...
Hero language?
It seems to talk about how to make our weapons stronger.
The second method to enhance the cardinal weapons...
Powers will be enhanced through trusting and being trusted?
It's true that when we've worked together, I have felt more powerful.
And when Motoyasu, Itsuki, and Ren were isolated
and couldn't believe in anyone, they felt weaker... and this is why.
Nothing really new here...
Oh, what's that?
The third method to enhance the cardinal weapons...
"Energy Boost"?
The weapons constantly extract energy from the heroes' bodies
to give them a steady level of strength.
But this strength can also be utilized to unleash powerful skills...
Energy Boost Unlocked
Energy boost!
Huh?
Itsuki-sama can use Hengen Muso, too?
So EP is like "ki"?
Probably the same type of thing...
It seems this "EP" can be used for magic, attacks, and skills.
Energy Boost Unlocked
Just focusing on it feels like it drains you.
We're all set!
Everything's ready for the coronation.
We humbly beseech thee, ancient Emperors,
Water Dragon who guards the high seas...
Purify all things...
Raphtalia-chan looks beautiful.
Yeah.
Now Raphtalia-sama has the power needed to become Emperor!
A new Emperor is born!
All hail the new Emperor!
It's a little soon for that, right?
That just shows you how happy they are.
So? How does it feel to get the blessing?
It doesn't feel real.
But it seems to have had an effect.
Naofumi-sama, give me your hand.
Pacifier's Blessing Granted
So this is the effect of the blessing...
Limited Release of Spiritual Bindings 2 - Seal Resistance "Medium" Gained
I'll need to do this for Itsuki-san and the others, too.
Yeah.
Oh, and we found stones with stuff written in hero language.
If we bring Ren here via the Dragon Vein Hourglass, we might learn something new.
Shall we return to Melromarc for now, then?
Yeah.
So that's what's going on in Q'ten Lo, huh?
So, how are preparations for the Phoenix battle going?
We're building huge weapons for the final battle.
The monsters are grown-up and make it easy to transport things.
We're having the smiths make weapons and accessories that are easy to use.
My mother is working with Siltvelt to put together an allied army.
I see.
It looks like nobody's attacking the village.
I can probably send a few more people to Q'ten Lo.
Sorry to have kept you waiting, Ren.
Will you come to Q'ten Lo?
All right.
After returning to Q'ten Lo, we showed the ones we'd brought with us around.
Rat and Wyndia were asked to investigate the ecology of Q'ten Lo.
I took Imiya's uncle and Ren to Motoyasu #2.
I also took Ren to see the stones in the holy grounds, but we didn't learn anything.
Of course, he needed to unlock EP, so it was worth it.
It'd be nice if we could bring Motoyasu too, but...
Where the hell is he, anyway?
Filo-tan, F-F-F-Filo-tan!
Just perfect, if I do say myself!
Hey! Crimmy, Marine, Green!
My picture of Filo-tan is finished!
And before long,
the other generals in the countryside heard of the old capital's liberation
and agreed to join us.
We offer up our lives for you, Raphtalia-sama!
We shall destroy the government's army for you!
Wait!
First, there's something I must tell you.
Our goal is to end the suffering of the people at the hands of the government.
It's not to destroy anyone!
I want to make this kingdom a wonderful place for everyone to live.
But if we have to sacrifice someone to make that happen,
we're no different than the current government.
Would you help me find a way to fix things that doesn't involve bloodshed?
How foolish!
I ordered you to protect the old capital!
How dare you abandon your post?
And then you speak of peace talks with the rebels?
What's gotten into you?
Please... please rethink this!
Silence! You failure!
She was too stupid to receive any oracles,
but at least the last miko did what she was told!
You don't want the people to be caught up in the war...
Is that right, Shildina?
Your Highness, this is...
If I may...
I want to ask you something, Makina-sama!
How dare you?
I will allow it.
Speak.
The Orochi attack at the port...
Is it true that the cause of the seal's breaking was a blessing?
What?
The people are starving, and can't even protect themselves from monsters.
I'm not questioning your rule, Makina-sama!
But right now, the people need a path to peace!
Fool!
I will not allow you to speak any more lies in front of the Emperor!
You are no better than a traitor for defying the orders you were given!
I know it was wrong to disobey orders...
You would be given the death penalty in most circumstances...
But we need to consider your long history as the Water Dragon miko.
So I will leave it to the Emperor to determine your fate!
Now, your orders!
I order you, Water Dragon miko...
To stop the rebel attack on the capital, even if it costs you your life!
Understood.
I think this has gone as far as it's going to go.
It's been three days since the Water Dragon miko returned to the capital.
There's been no news.
But don't you think the government army has kind of ground to a halt?
That's right.
There are some small fights all over the country, but...
We have Fohl, Atla, and Itsuki and Ren, too.
We can neutralize the enemy's barriers with Raphtalia's blessings, too.
We have more than enough strength.
I just hope the meeting with the Emperor goes well.
It'll be fine!
I'm sure the Emperor will understand how you feel.
I apologize for interrupting.
Please hurry to the capital!
Have we finally received word?
Please!
All right. I'll become Emperor, then.
Silence!
You failure!
At least the last miko did what she was told!
Our spies in the capital have given us a report.
The government army is gathering at the capital.
Several dozen units have arrived already.
They may go on the offensive!
What's going on?
Wasn't the Water Dragon miko going to stop the war?
So they handed over the old capital to make us let our guard down and gather our forces?
The filthy cowards!
We need to attack and destroy the capital before they finish gathering!
Wait!
Calm down!
Even the Water Dragon miko doesn't command the whole army.
Behind her must be...
The Emperor... No, Makina?
Did you forget the promise Raphtalia-sama made with the Water Dragon miko?
But they've as good as broken that promise!
That's right!
We're attacking, too!
This is bad!
At this rate...
If I may...
There's something I have to tell you immediately.
Now what?
The Water Dragon miko has appeared alone at the old capital checkpoint!
Oracle Miko