Chapter 10 - First Battle Airio Sis: ........... Airio Sis: I never thought I'd be heading to the border this soon... Airio Sis: (...I wonder if we're really gonna be fighting the Federation...) Lklein Manni: Is that faint outline over there Ecolina Village? Airio Sis: Ah... yeah... It’s still a ways off, though... Airio Sis: Thank goodness... at least it’s not on fire or anything... Lklein Manni: And on that mountain range over there lie the Altaria Vetus ruins... Airio Sis: You really know a lot. Lklein Manni: I heard there was a brutal clash between the Empire and the Federation around that area not long ago. Airio Sis: Ah... I've heard about that. They say soldiers wander around there even though it's supposed to be sacred ground. I actually saw wounded people around there myself. Lklein Manni: ...........That’s where Vice-Captain Suncia's brother was killed. Airio Sis: Is that so... Suncia Panthera: Enough chatting. Save your breath for the journey. Lklein Manni: Yes, sir. Let's hurry, Airio. Airio Sis: Right... Airio Sis: Still, I never expected you'd be coming along too, Lklein. Aren't you Dr.Tauran's assistant? Airio Sis: Isn't Dr.Tauran worried about you going all the way to the border with the Echo Knights? Lklein Manni: ........... Lklein Manni: You'll need a medic if something were to happen, won't you? Airio Sis: I guess, but still… [Flashbacks, inside the Ordion Hospital...] Lklein Manni: ...Euro Gallu became leader of the Asheria Federation... Suncia Panthera: That's right. It’s not something we should be discussing openly yet, but... Suncia Panthera: I've heard that your parents were killed by Euro Gallu. Is that true? Lklein Manni: ........... Lklein Manni: ...It's true. A loyal retainer of my father's, someone I trust with my life, risked their own to bring me the news. Lklein Manni: My father was gravely wounded, paralyzed on the stone... and Euro Gallu pulled him up and drove a dagger straight through his chest. Suncia Panthera: What a grim tale. Lklein Manni: ...Euro Gallu is the one person I intend to kill with my own hands... Suncia Panthera: I'm taking a group of Echo Knights out toward the border soon. ...Would you like to come along, Lklein? Lklein Manni: Huh...? Suncia Panthera: If you're not up for it...ah, no, never mind... Suncia Panthera: ...Those savages in the Federation might get emboldened now that they've settled on a leader. They’ll push their attack into the Empire. Suncia Panthera: And leading the charge would most likely be Euro Gallu himself. Suncia Panthera: Take Euro Gallu's head, avenge your father, and defend your family’s honor. Suncia Panthera: Or stay hidden in Tauran's shadow, living out your days as a doctor's assistant. Which will it be, Lklein? Lklein Manni: I'll go! Lklein Manni: ...I'll go. Please, take me with you. Suncia Panthera: ...Very well. Suncia Panthera: Report to the Echo Knights' headquarters the morning we set out. Make sure Tauran doesn't find out. Suncia Panthera: He would never give you permission to go into battle. Lklein Manni: I don't need that man's permission! I am the prince of Manni. That man is nothing to me. Suncia Panthera: I know. Calm down. Keep your voice down... [Lklein starts crying...] Lklein Manni: ...Please, let me avenge my father. Suncia Panthera: I promise. May fortune favor you in battle. Lklein Manni: Thank you. Suncia Panthera: ...Is this going to be your first battle? Lklein Manni: I was only a child when my kingdom fell and I was taken away... so, probably... Suncia Panthera: ........... Suncia Panthera: Get a bird's feather from someone. Three, if you can manage it. Lklein Manni: A bird's feather? Suncia Panthera: It's a tradition passed down in the Empire. Normally you'd receive one each from a parent, a mentor, and a friend. Do that, and you're said to return alive. Lklein Manni: I have none of these things. No parent, no mentor, no friend. Lklein Manni: I don't care whether I return alive or not as long as I claim Euro Gallu’s head. Suncia Panthera: ........... Tauran Tiaca: Lklein. The bandages need... Tauran Tiaca: What's wrong? Are you crying? ...Vice-Captain Suncia? Suncia Panthera: ...I apologize. It seems like i’ve scolded him too harshly. Tauran Tiaca: What could he possibly have done to warrant such a scolding? Lklein? Lklein Manni: ...I said the Empire might as well burn to the ground. Just as my own kingdom did... Tauran Tiaca: Why would you say something like that…? Lklein Manni: The world's gonna end anyway, isn't it?! [Lklein runs away...] Tauran Tiaca: Lklein, wait! Lklein...! [Back to the present...] Lklein Manni: (I will avenge my father no matter what.) Lklein Manni: (And then I will raise the Kingdom of Manni from the ashes once more.) To be continued...