Chapter 14 - The Promise Airio Sis: ...No way... Lklein Manni: That's why I have to avenge him...If things stay like this, they’ll laugh at the Kingdom of Manni and brand it as a nation of cowards... Lklein Manni: *Trembling*...They'll say… it was destroyed because it was a nation with no heroes... And I... I'm the one who... Lklein Manni: *Inhales*...I have a duty to protect Manni's honor...! Airio Sis: Lklein... Lklein Manni: ...Sniff...Ugh... Lklein Manni: ...Ha...Ha… [Airio moves closer to Lklein.] Lklein Manni: I'm sorry, for losing my composure like that...Whoa! [Airio holds Lklein.] Airio Sis: I'll protect you. Lklein Manni: A...Airio... Airio Sis: I'm strong now... All thanks to you and everyone else who helped me, I’ve become strong... Airio Sis: So I'll protect you. I want to help you do what you need to do. Lklein Manni: I can't rely on your strength...! I'm the one who has to become the hero... Airio Sis: But the Emperor himself doesn't stand on the battlefield, does he? Airio Sis: Isn't that just how it works, for kings and princes? Lklein Manni: ...Maybe so, but still... Airio Sis: I'll become your servant, then. Then whatever I fight will also be your fight, right? Lklein Manni: A-Ah... Lklein Manni: ...Are you sure about this? Airio Sis: I'm sure. Lklein Manni: Why would you go that far for me... Airio Sis: Because we're friends. Though that might be presumptuous of me to say. Lklein Manni: Hah… [Airio pulls away.] Airio Sis: So you were a prince, huh? Then I guess there's no way someone like me could ever be friends with you. Lklein Manni: ...I don't judge people based on status. Airio Sis: Really? Then... Lklein Manni: Because I'm not strong enough. Airio Sis: ... Lklein Manni: If I let myself think of you as a friend right now, I'll end up relying on you for everything…I don't want that. Airio Sis: I wouldn't mind, though. You’re quite a proud guy, aren’t you? Lklein Manni: No... That’s not a good thing. Lklein Manni: I hate myself, I don’t want to hate myself any more than I already do. Lklein Manni: I keep hurting Dr. Tauran even though he's taken such good care of me... And now I'm trying to hand off my own father's revenge to someone else. Lklein Manni: It's pathetic, it's embarrassing, but I still hate this world for putting me through all of this... Lklein Manni: I want it to fall apart already...I don't want to become any more of a despicable person than I already am. Airio Sis: I feel the same way, sometimes. I wish this world would just end. Lklein Manni: … Airio Sis: But I wish just as much that it wouldn't end. Hey, Lklein. Airio Sis: I'll teach you a way to connect with the world. Maybe even a way to make the world bend to your will. Lklein Manni: Make the world bend to my will...? Airio Sis: Sing. Lklein Manni: ...An Arca Song? Airio Sis: Yup. I realized something when I went through Echo-fusion... Airio Sis: Echoes are drawn to sorrow. They almost think of it as one of their own. Airio Sis: So I think the echoes will come to like you too, Lklein. Lklein Manni: So I’ll sing an Arca Song out of sorrow, and command the echoes with it...? Airio Sis: Exactly. I'll teach you how to control an echo through song. Airio Sis: If you can sing an Arca Song and command an echo, you might actually be able to defeat that man. Lklein Manni: ... Lklein Manni: ...I understand. Please teach me, Airio. Airio Sis: Okay. Airio Sis: Oh, one more thing, even if you start out singing out of sorrow, you can't keep singing because of it alone for the rest of time. Lklein Manni: ...Why not? Airio Sis: Because the song connects you to a certain thing. Airio Sis: Once you're connected to it, sorrow alone can't hold your heart in its grip anymore. Airio Sis: It will set your heart free. To be continued...