In the Heart [In the castle hallways…] Umarit Imuse: *Sigh*........... Suncia Panthera: Ah...........! Umarit Imuse: Suncia. Were you listening? Suncia Panthera: My apologies... Suncia Panthera: I have no intention whatsoever of doubting His Majesty's authority, but what he said... Suncia Panthera: Thinking of your devotion, Lord Umarit, and my late brother's lingering regret, I couldn't turn a blind eye. Suncia Panthera: I say this knowing it's disrespectful of me...! It's frustrating. Suncia Panthera: I can’t believe he would go so far as to cast doubt on the passing of the previous two emperors... Umarit Imuse: So you'd noticed, had you? Suncia Panthera: What...? Umarit Imuse: The Emperor before last was a spineless man who tried to seek peace with those Asheria Federation dogs. Umarit Imuse: I had no choice but to guide the previous Emperor and instruct him on how to stop his predecessor. Umarit Imuse: Alongside your brother Nuxma. Suncia Panthera: …You orchestrated it? You drove the previous Emperor toward seizing the throne- Umarit Imuse: What an ugly way to put it. I merely protected the glory of the Ordion Empire. Suncia Panthera: Wh… Umarit Imuse: And splendidly so, the previous Emperor overcame his own father and seized the throne. But he lost his mind soon after. Umarit Imuse: He kept insisting that Nuxma and I were responsible for him killing his own father, so... Suncia Panthera: ...W…what did you do to him? Umarit Imuse: Fufu... Nothing at all. It's simply that, most unfortunately, he fell from his horse and passed away. Suncia Panthera: *Gasp* Umarit Imuse: Suncia. I view you as a brother in Nuxma's stead. Umarit Imuse: So don't go pale over a confession as benign as this. Umarit Imuse: Didn’t I tell you to grow wiser? Become more cunning... Suncia Panthera: ...Lord Umarit, why... Suncia Panthera: We, the Echo Knights, exist solely to protect the Empire's glory and pride- Umarit Imuse: I am protecting it. Our Empire's glory will be preserved for an eternity. Suncia Panthera: ... Umarit Imuse: The bloodline will die with Emperor Gutri unless we intervene. He must produce an heir, and quickly. Umarit Imuse: Ah, which reminds me. Suncia, did Nuxma ever mention anything to you? Umarit Imuse: About the Regression Arca Song. Suncia Panthera: ...The Regression Arca Song? No, never. Umarit Imuse: Is that so... Suncia Panthera: But now that you mention it... Umarit Imuse: Go on? Suncia Panthera: He'd hired a Song Seeker once. I assumed it was for some mission, but he said it was personal business... Umarit Imuse: Hm…Do you recall the Song Seeker's name? Suncia Panthera: What was it, now... I believe... Lut...? Suncia Panthera: I think it might have been U… Lutri? Umarit Imuse: ...I see. Umarit Imuse: Thank you. [Inside the Federation Council…] Euro Gallu: ........... Amiya Rai: Lord Euro? Is that a confidential letter...? Euro Gallu: Yeah... A scholar friend in the Empire risked his life to deliver it. Amiya Rai: The Empire...? Euro Gallu: Apparently a mentor he deeply respected died under troubling circumstances. Euro Gallu: He suspects a forbidden, terrifying Arca Song is at play. Euro Gallu: He wants me, as the leader of the Federation, to stop the Empire before they use it. Amiya Rai: Well, that's a lot to ask of anyone. A forbidden Arca Song, huh... Euro Gallu: ........... Euro Gallu: It might be the same one the King of Manni mentioned once, the Arca Song said to reduce all creations to ash. Amiya Rai: Manni... The kingdom that was forced to attack yours under Imperial threat? Euro Gallu: That's right. We met as enemies on the battlefield, but he was a man of honor. Euro Gallu: He told me he had a young son. He asked for only one thing…that if our paths ever crossed, I spare the boy's life. Euro Gallu: I wonder where he is now... Amiya Rai: He might be living somewhere in the Empire. I hope he's safe, at least. Amiya Rai: So, what do you intend to do? Don't tell me you actually intend to slip into the Empire and handle this yourself. Euro Gallu: That's exactly what I plan to do. Amiya Rai: Euro. Euro Gallu: It's been a while since you've last dropped that title. Amiya Rai: You are the leader. The leader shouldn't leave the Federation Council. Euro Gallu: I can't in good conscience dump a task this dangerous onto anyone else. Nor can I stand by and do nothing. Euro Gallu: If this forbidden Arca Song truly holds destructive power, and the Empire unleashes it against us, it will be our people who burn. Amiya Rai: That's true, but still... Euro Gallu: Protecting the Federation is the leader's job, isn't it? You're here, Amiya, so they’ll be in good hands. Amiya Rai: That's not... Amiya Rai: ........... Euro Gallu: What’s wrong? Amiya Rai: No, it's nothing. Amiya Rai: Understood. Leave things here to me. Euro Gallu: Wait, Amiya. Amiya Rai: What? Euro Gallu: Sorry for troubling you. Or rather... I didn't mean to hurt your feelings. Amiya Rai: Did I look hurt to you? Euro Gallu: A little bit. Maybe I've been taking advantage of your competence and pushing all the hard work on you... Amiya Rai: That's not it at all. I'm suited for the day-to-day work of running the Federation Council, anyway. It's just... Euro Gallu: Just? Amiya Rai: ........... Amiya Rai: Do you find me difficult to deal with? Euro Gallu: Why would you say that? Amiya Rai: Because you always slip away from my side, like you're running from something. Amiya Rai: I've always looked forward to spending my days running the Federation with you, and yet... Euro Gallu: I don't find you difficult at all. I enjoy talking to someone as clever as you, Amiya Amiya Rai: You're the clever one here. You hold as much wisdom as any scholar. Euro Gallu: Gallu's a nation full of scholars, that's all. I never meant to avoid you. I didn't, but... I suppose... Euro Gallu: Maybe I've been guarding myself subconsciously. Euro Gallu: Because you’ve idealized me as a good person, so I suppose I was afraid of you finding out who I really am. Amiya Rai: ...Who you really are? Euro Gallu: What do you think of me? Amiya Rai: Well, obviously... You're a wonderful leader. Amiya Rai: Courageous, kind, a hero both wise and brave. It almost feels wrong that I'm the one assisting you. Euro Gallu: What are you talking about? All of that describes you, not me. You're the kind and brave one, Amiya. Amiya Rai: Then what about you? Euro Gallu: ........... Amiya Rai: Tell me. I won't tell anyone. Euro Gallu: You'll be disappointed. Amiya Rai: I won't be. And even if I am, I’ll keep it to myself. Euro Gallu: Haha... Amiya Rai: ...I won't. I mean it. Euro Gallu: Thank you. Euro Gallu: Well then, shall we walk for a bit? To be continued...